By 1720 Henry was living in County Down, Northern Ireland where he married Ann Curlett on 2 June, 1720. They had three children that I know of, James (c.1722), Robert (c.1723) and William (c.1725).

Many years later Henry's son, Robert, was living in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, where he had produced at least five children. Four of his children emigrated to the US and his fifth, Robert Jr., left Ballymoney to take his father (Robert Sr.) back to his 'homeland', Scotland. Therefore, it seems likely that Henry Stephenson maintained strong links with Scotland while living in Northern Ireland as his fifth son regarded Scotland as home, despite being born, and apparently living all of his life, in Northern Ireland.

By all accounts, both Henry and his son Robert, were shepherds. I don't know when Henry died, though it was likely to be in Northern Ireland or Roxburgh County, Scotland.

The most likely connection between my Stephenson ancestors and this Stephenson family is through Henry's two other sons, William and James. They were both born in County Antrim, and later married there. In 1773 their brother, Robert Sr., was taken back to Scotland by his son, Robert Jr. (William and James's nephew). Robert Jr. then settled in Wylam, Northumberland, England, where he later fathered the illustrious George Stephenson.

Is it possible that William and/or James accompanied their nephew, Robert Jr., to Northumberland with their family? If this is the case, my ancestor Edward Stephenson (c.1774) could be the son or grandson of William or James. What is certain is that he is not the son of Robert Jr., as his sons were called James, Robert and John. This is where my next avenue of research is directed.