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John Nevin lived at Derrykeighan, near Ballymoney, Co. Antrim and was a member of the Society of United Irishmen. The United Irishmen were a secret organisation that plotted to overthrow English rule in Ireland and they rose in Rebellion in 1798. The principles of their movement were strongly influenced by the revolutions in America and France during the late 18th century and they encouraged the people of Ireland to join with them in an armed campaign for 'liberty, equality and fraternity'. Many of the United Irish leaders were Presbyterians and, in Ballymoney, their views were widely supported. When the Rebellion began in Co. Antrim, on 6 June 1798, the men from this district formed a haphazard and poorly armed insurgent army. Officers, such as 'Captain' John Nevin were appointed from within their ranks. The Rebellion failed. The town of Ballymoney was burned by the Crown forces and Nevin, along with his fellow rebel officers, was forced to flee or face the brutal retribution that followed. Nevin escaped and lived in exile in America until his death in 1806. His family commissioned a set of commemorative jugs in his honour, one of which the museum also has in its collection