There is no christening record for John Armstrong at St Cuthbert church, Kirklinton parish, Cumberland. The register does not start until 1651. Scanning the IGI entries for the next decade, I found the following entries:
- Jane d/o Robert Armstrong christened on 17 Feb, 1656.
- _____ s/o Frances Armstrong christened on 9 Aug, 1657.
- _____ s/o Robert Armstrong christened on 20 Oct, 1658.
Given that John Armstrong would later christen one of his sons Robert, I suspect this was also his father's name.
John Armstrong married Elinor Charleton at St Cuthbert's, Kirk-linton on 12 Nov, 1668.
SLACKHEADS TENANCY
He appears to be yeoman farmer, leasing a tenement in Slackheads, Kirk-linton. For on Oct 12, 1693, John Armstrong, yeoman, requested that he succeed to the tenancy "upon the death of John Armstrong, his father." The tenement was owned by Edmund Appleby, lord of the Manor of Kirklinton and the rent 6s. 8d.
CHILDREN:
- Richard s/o John Armstrong of St Cuthbert's, Kirklinton, christened on 12 Nov, 1668.
- John s/o John Armstrong christened at St Cuthbert's Kirklinton on 10 Mar, 1670. Succeeded to the tenancy in 1693.
- After he died, in 1725, the tenancy passed to his son John Armstrong. Joseph Dacre Appleby was then lord of the manor of Kirklinton and in addition to the rent (6s. 8d.) Armstrong had to pay a fine ( £6. 13s. 4d.), but purchased the tenement on Dec 6, 1735: John Armstrong of Slackheads, Kirklinton yeoman, and Hannah his wife (interested parties). John Scott of High Berries, Scaleby, bachelor. (executor of the will of James Scott), and Mary Scott of Newbiggin, Kirklinton, widow (executrix of the will of Thomas Scott deceased) (vendors). John Armstrong of Wallend, Haltwhistle, yeoman. Premises: a tenement at Slackhead, Kirklinton, in the occupation of John Armstrong (first party) and of John Hetherington, under-farmer.Consideration: £240. Witnesses: William Graham, Joseph Blackburn.
- ____ d/o John Armstrong christened at St Cuthbert's Kirklinton on 9 Apr, 1677.
- Christopher s/o John Armstrong christened at St Cuthbert's Kirklinton on May 20, 1683.
- Robert s/o John Armstrong christened at St Cuthbert's Kirklinton on May 20, 1683.
- Sarah d/o John Armstrong christened at St Cuthbert's Kirklinton on 3 Oct, 1686. She married david Wright at Kirklinton on 30 Mar, 1714.
- ______ s/o John Armstrong christened at St Cuthbert's, Kirklinton on 26 Nov 1689.