re: Robert HOUSTON c.1718 from Northern Ireland ?

The residence of Rev. William Boyd of the petition of 1718, may have been in the Civil Parish of Ballymoney, co. Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Rev. William Boyd of Ireland got up for a considerable number of Scotch-Irish families (including Robert Houston) requesting authorization and/or encouragement to move to New England. (Cf.History of Dauplin Co., PA, Vol. 1, page 23 by Luther Reily Kelker.)

Rev William Boyd who went to New England to see Governor Shute in 1718 came from Aghadewey on the road from Limavady to Ballymoney in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Aghadewey is about 6 miles due south of Coleraine and about 10 miles east south east of Limavady.

Rev Adam Boyd (1666), was another Boyd from Ballymoney, who m. Mary Norton had two sons:
1. John Boyd
2. Rev. Adam Boyd (1692-1758) of Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, served Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church, Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania, and married Jane Craighead, daughter of Rev. Thomas and Margaret Wallace Craighead of White Clay.