New England Families

Notes on James Aylward

According to a series of articles in The Irish Genealogist, Vol.
IV and V, the name "Aylward" is of Saxon origin, but first
appears in England shortly after the Norman invasion of 1066.
(But I think I saw the name Aelward in a reference to
the Domesday Book and also in a reference to something in the 800's
or so.) It is said to mean "noble protector." In Ireland the
Aylwards were located in Co. Waterford, Co. Kilkenny, and
Faithlegg, but displaced from Faithlegg to Ballynagar by
Cromwell. Some were later found in Dublin. There were many people
mentioned, going back centuries. I found no match for James
Aylward who came to Five Islands, Nova Scotia. People on rootsweb
say he came from Co. Wicklow but there was no mention of Wicklow in
the articles in the journal.

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From The Story of Five Islands, Colchester County, Nova Scotia (Women's Institute, Five Islands, N.S., 1969):

"James Aylward was another settler [in Five Islands]. He built
his house on the north side of the main road on Lot 12; near
where his son John lived later. He was a native of Ireland.
First he came to Newfoundland; later to Onslow, where he lived
Polly." His son Thomas' census in 1891 said James was born in
Ireland.

James Aylward was one of three trustees of the school in Five
Islands, which was operating by the end of 1816. Two of his
sons, William and James, were attending the school in 1828/9.

On page 13, The Story of Five Islands says that "Mr. Aylward was
the first deacon to serve in the Baptist church in Five Islands,"
referring to the father of this family. But on page 85 it lists a
James Aylward first on the list of deacons ordained since 1837.
The history of the Baptist Church given on page 84 states that
prior to 1837 ministers came there for a short time. It does not
say whether they had deacons before there were permanent
ministers. If they did, then James Aylward, Sr. was the first
deacon. If not, then it was his son.

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There was a Captain Peter Aylward, commissioned on 24 July 1762
as a British Officer serving in America.[28] Was he related?

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The will of James Aylward is dated the 4th of December, 1829.