All the information our COCKRUM family in the U.S. has on our earliest immigrant, David Cochran, comes only from oral history that has been passed down. (Surname Cockrum being Americanized from COCHRAN or COCHRANE.) One exception to that, is a single Bible record listing David Cockrum (Sr.) as the father of David Cockrum (Jr.), born 1777 in North Carolina or South Carolina. But from oral history we understand that David Cochran Sr. was born about 1748, reportedly from Londonderry, N.I. It is possible that he was born in another county, and perhaps Londonderry was the port he sailed from.
He reportedly arrived in the port of Baltimore, Maryland about 1775. Various stories have been passed down that gives a little background on David. It is likely his family came to the Ulster plantation from Scotland originally - our Cockrum line DNA results point to a strong Scots-Irish influence. We don't know the exact denomination, whether Presbyterian or other protestant background he came from, but we understand one reason he came to America was because "he had been fighting the government" and we assume he had either gotten into trouble with the authorities OR simply chose to leave on his own, looking for a better life and less restriction from the established church rule there.
Another bit of information is that he sailed as an indentured servant with an obligation to work 7 years (or perhaps less?) for his passage. Since he married and had a son 2 years after arrival, it makes me wonder about the veracity of the story about his indenture, although I do realize that many indentured servants ran away from their masters.
I am hoping someone can help me discover more about our ancestor. Is there a record of a ship's list showing a David Cochran/Cochrane embarking from Londonderry in about 1775? Is there a parish record of the birth of a David Cochran/Cochrane in Londonderry in about 1748? I realize records that far back can be difficult to find, but I would like to find whatever information I can that will perhaps let my family know about which townland/parish he came from and who his parents were.
Thank you for any light you can shed on this brick wall for my family.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1748 (circa) | VIEW SOURCE |