There has been much speculation on this family and its connections to the Caldwells of Castlecaldwell.Many have linked the Patriarch of this family as a brother of Sir James Caldwell.From my reseach the John Calwell of Ballybogan would be a contemporary of John Caldwell.Both are mentioned in the Muster Rolls of 1631,John Caldwell in Enniskillen and John Calwell on the lands at Ballebogan.

This John Calwell was as remarkable as John Caldwell of Castlecaldwell,if not more, and his descendents certainly inherited his pioneer spirit.

It would appear that he arrived in Ireland in the 1620's.This is at the very start of the plantation when there were few settlers on these Churchlands.His neighbours were two Irishmen Bryan O'Bogan and Corry O'Bogan and a fellow Scot Michael Simpson, who were still on their land as was John on the Hearth Money Rolls of 1661.They both survived the conflict and fallout of the 1641 rebellion and by 1661 the Parish of Cloneight had 105 households represented by 66 Scots,18 Irish and 21 English.

I have established he had three sons,William,John and James.John married Mary Holmes and it was their grandson,John F, who emigrated to Virginia in 1727.Robert son of James renewed the lease on the 14.7.1747.

The family finally disposed of their interest in Ballybogan when Dr John CaldwellMD of Londonderry sold his interest on the 5.5.1828 for £877.16s.11d to Robert Alexander.The property at that time included a house ,orchard,bleachyard and offices and part of the lands at Ballybogan.The other part of the lands were held by Dr James CaldwellMD who left them to his wife Catherine who subsequently left them to her sister Ann Spence of Lifford.

It is not surprising that confusion grew in this tree as Dr James father was a merchant in Dublin and Dr James and Dr John had the same mother who had married brothers Andrew and James Caldwell.The brothers Andrew and James sister Martha Caldwell married Charles Caldwell of Moneymore co Londonderry who died in Newtowncunningham co Donegal(Farmer).I hope this will encourage the descendants of John Calwell of Ballebogan to search for him in the church records of the Bishop of Raphoe as he mustered for him and received his lands of him.
Regards Plunkett