Thomas Witherow

Life
1824-1890 [occas. var. Widerow]; b. Limavady, Co. Derry; ed. Royal Academical Inst., Belfast; licensed in Maghera, Co. Derry, 1844; Prof. of Church History at Magee, Londonderry, 1865-90; Moderator of General Assembly, 1878; historical and religious works included Derry and Enniskillen; The Boyne and Aughrim; and Historical and Literary Memorials, the standard work of Presbyterian history;
 
his account of the Presbyterian church in Ireland begins with the arrival of Robert Blair to take up pastoral care in Bangor, relinquishing a chair of moral philosophy in Glasgow; also wrote an autobiography for his children; includes account of the night of the Big Wind as experienced out of doors; based his history largely on a collection of papers owned by Classon Porter, and which he bought from him after on a journey to Larne; DD, and DLL. ODNB DUB

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Works
  • Historical and Literary Memorials of Presbyterianism, 2 vols. (1879-1880).
  • Derry and Enniskillen in the Year 1689 (1873), and Do. [2nd. edn., rev. & enl.] (1876); Do. [3rd edn.] (1885), and Do. [4th edn.] (Belfast: William Mullan 1913) [see details].
  • The Autobiography of Thomas Witherow 1824-1890, ed. Graham Mawhinney & Eull Dunlop (Ballinascreen Historical Society 1990).


Bibliographical details

Derry and Enniskillen in the Year 1689 (1873) - CONTENTS:
 
[Front papers]

Introduction
Preface
List of Authors and Editions
Chapters

I. How Matters Stood in 1688
II. The Shutting of the Gates
III. The Investment
IV. The Siege:—

First Sally
Surrender of Culmore
Skirmish at Pennyburn
Battle at the Windmill
Murray’s Father
Fight at Creggan
Council of Fourteen
Second Battle at the Windmill
The Bombs
Arrival of the English Ships
The Boom
The Boat-Fight
General Rosen
Governor Mitchelburn
Attempt at Communication
Lord Clancarty
Rosen’s Stratagem
Hamilton’s Proposals
The Jacobite Camp
Hardships of the Garrison
Talk of Surrender
Hopes from Inch
The Council in the Irish Camp
The Last Fight

V. The Relief
VI. The Defence of Enniskillen:—

They Show Fight
Governor Hamilton
Interview with Mountjoy
Preparations
Sir Gerard Irvine
William and Mary Proclaimed
Letter from Lundy
Cavan in Retreat
Siege of Crom
Galmoy’s Perfidy
Lundy’s Aid and Counsel
Trillic and Augher
Break of Belleek
The Fort at Enniskillen
Raid into Cavan and Meath
Visit to Omagh
Failure to Relieve Derry
Battle of Belturbet
News from the Fleet
Duke of Berwick
Visit to Kirke
Lisnaskea
Newtownbutler
Conclusion

VII. Thanksgiving and Congratulations
VIII. Governor Walker
IX. The Reward
X. Reflections
Appendix of Papers
The Letter to the Society at London, sent from Derry by Mr. Cairns
The Declaration
Lord Mountjoy’s Articles, with the City of Derry, 21st December, 1688
By the Lord-Deputy and Council--A Proclamation
The King’s Letter to Ireland, by Capt. Leighton
Mr. Hamilton’s Instructions
Instructions to Mr. David Cairns
Orders to John Cunningham and Col. Solomon Richards
Proposals of Articles to be made to the Right Honourable Lieutenant-General Hamilton
The Commission
Daniel Eccles, of Clones, to Enniskillen
Dane to MacCarmick
Letter from Belfast to Lord Blayney
Commission from Enniskillen to Hamilton and Cathcart
Appointment of Council for North-East
Appointment of Commander-in-Chief
The Oath of the Private Soldiers at Enniskillen
Derry Address to King William
Address from Enniskillen
Derry to King William
—full text at LibraryIreland website online [accessed 19.10.2010].

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