Early life. Born on 4 October 1823, he was youngest son of William Porter of Carrowan, parish of Burt, County Donegal, a farmer, and Margaret, daughter of Andrew Leslie of Drumgowan in the same parish.After being educated privately, between 1835 and 1838, by Craig, presbyterian minister of Crossroads, County Londonderry, and then at a school in Derry, he matriculated in the University ...