McKeesick

Looking at Griffiths Valuation for 1861, I see a Hugh McKilsock who was farming plot 15. That was a 28 acre farm, and today is down a lane off the Kilmahamogue Rd, Ballintoy BT54.

 Looking at the 1901 census, I see just 1 McKeesick family there, also with a Hugh, so I suspect that’s your family:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Croagh/Ballinlea_Upper/922441/

I note they were Church of Ireland.

1911:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Prolusk/Ballinlea_Upper/113728/

Probate abstracts from the PRONI wills site:

The Will of Hugh M'Keesick late of Ballinlea in the County of Antrim Farmer deceased who died 1 July 1864 at same place was proved at Belfast by the oath of John Stewart Moore of Moyarget (Ballymoney) in the County of Antrim Esquire the sole Executor.

McKissick William of Ballinlea Ballycastle county Antrim farmer died 25 January 1935 Administration Belfast 8 February to Charles Glass and William Eakin farmers. Effects £24

McKissick Hugh of Ballinlea Ballycastle county Antrim farmer died 16 October 1946 Probate Belfast 12 January to Charles Glass and William Eakin farmers. Effects £400 9s. 2d.

The 1864 will is on-line. For the later 2 you would need to go to PRONI and copy the files (or get PRONI to di it for you for a fee).  The 1935 death was intestate, so no will just probate papers.

I searched the local phone book but couldn’t find anyone of that surname in the area today. However many people are no longer listed, and the spelling of the surname varies over the years so that’s not conclusive. Suggest you knock on a few doors in the area and see if anyone can assist you.

Hugh and William get mentioned in this. https://antrimhistory.net/a-ploughing-match-poem-by-hugh-mcklsick-a-ballinlea-poet/

Hugh McKisick (1872—1946), native of Ballinlea, lived with his brother William (1871—1935) on a small farm. Those who remember him describe him as a man of large stature, with a keen wit, who was always prepared to see the humorous side of any situation. Neither he nor his brother married, and their home is now occupied by the Glass family. A man blessed with a remarkable memory, Hugh entertained all his neighbours with his tales of past local events and ghost stories. Being self-taught and an avid reader, Hugh enjoyed composing verses about local occurrences, which he would then recite to his friends whenever he visited their homes or they visited his thatched cottage.

The Glass family that are mentioned could be related to the Mary McKeesick who married a William Glass in 1869.