The early Gilmore family that came to America was from Coleraine, Londonderry Co. Northern Ireland, from which was part of the Bann River Valley where they settled during the Plantation of Ulster. Coleraine takes its name from the Irish meaning “ferry corner”. It straddles the Bann River and the county boundaries of Antrim and Londonderry. On the east bank is the main town square. Thus, the modern existence of Coleraine owes its existence to the companies of the city of London, who colonized Londonderry Co., Northern Ireland as part of the 17th Century Plantation of Ulster.

Robert Gilmore and his wife, Mary Ann Kennedy, along with the rest of the Gilmore family came on the ship, “Brigantine Robert” on 4 August 1718. He married Mary Ann Kennedy born 1673 in Coleraine, Londonderry Northern Ireland. She died 1730 in Londonderry, Rockingham Co. New Hampshire. She is probably buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery, although there hasn't been and grave marker found for her?

In 1718, the people embarked in five ships set sail and arrived in Boston on August 4, 1718. The ship “Brigantine Robert” commanded by James Ferguson and landed at Boston, Massachusetts. Sixteen of these families sailed to Casco Bay to claim a tract of land but were frozen in Casco Bay by early winter weather. They suffered greatly from lack of shelter and food. However, by spring of 1719, the ice broke away and they journeyed to their final destination.

Robert Gilmore and Mary Ann Kennedy children

1. William Gilmore born in 1690 in Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, died 9 May 1753, Londonderry, Rockingham Co. New Hampshire, married Elizabeth MacGregor, November 1720.

2. John Gilmore born 1692 in Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, died 1762 in Mecklenburg, Washington Co. Virginia

3. James Gilmore born 1695 in Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, died 1 June 1758, Windham, Rockingham Co. New Hampshire married Jean Baptiste.

4. Robert Gilmore born 1699 in Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, died 3 September 1782, Londonderry, Rockingham Co., New Hampshire married (1) Ann (2) Elizabeth Hunnewell before 3 May 1737.
∼Born in Coleraine, LondoAmerican Biography: A New Cyclopedia, Volume 11
edited by William Richard Cutter

Gilmore is an ancient surname, derived from an occupation, the literal meaning being great servant, from the word Gil, servant, and More, great. The family originated in Edinburgshire, Scotland, and when King James offered land inducements for Protestants to settle in Ireland many Scotch families, including the Gilmores, settled in the northern part of that country. James Gilmore settled in Portlough, Donegal, Ulster, Ireland, and on May I, 1613, had a section of land issued him.

Robert Gilmore was born in Scotland, in 1617, came to Ireland on a 500 acre grant in Armagh, Ulster, and Gilmores are numerous in the Scotch counties in Ireland, some families yet retaining the ancient spelling, Gilmour. The family in the United States is mainly of Scotch-Irish ancestry, pioneers, coming in 1718, and later, before the Revolution, finding location in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
nderry, Co Derry Ireland