Our Scotch-Irish Roots:
Who was John Patterson's Father?
Who was our Immigrant Ancestor?
The Stories That Have Been Passed Down
Varying stories have been passed down through the
Patterson family from generation to generation, as in all families. Fortunately,
there have been some features of our story that have remained consistent. These
features are what I want to focus on. Yet, at the same time, I do not intend to
search only for exact matches of our story. The truth is the truth, no matter
what the stories are, and therefore my only true goal is to find out the truth
of our family heritage, whatever that may be.
In a nutshell, here are the basic elements
of our family heritage:
- Our Patterson family was "Scotch-Irish".
I am in no stretch of the imagination,
an expert on Scotch-Irish history. Nonetheless, the years of off-and-on research
have allowed me to learn many facts about the "Scotch-Irish" population of
early America, as a whole. Most of the original immigrants from Northern Ireland
(Ulster, Ireland) did not call themselves "Scotch-Irish". Most of them called
themselves "Ulster Scots". Also, a large percentage of these Ulster Scots
were of the Presbyterian faith. Regardless of your religious affiliation (if
any), we do need to take this fact into consideration as we attempt to research
our family roots. Many Scotch-Irish Presbyterian congregations immigrated
to America as a group, not just individual families. This would corroborate
the fact that we see so many families migrating across the country together
at different time periods. As for the term Scotch-Irish, regardless of whether
or not they called themselves by that name, most Americans did call them that,
and that is how they have been known throughout American History. To be technical,
you will also see the term "Scots-Irish", as well. This is the same group
of peoples. CONCLUSIONS: Many different branches of our family all say their family has told them we are Scotch-Irish. Plus, our family migrated with many Scotch-Irish families in the early generations.
- Our family came from a group of (6?)
brothers who immigrated together.
This fact can be just as useful as it can be misleading! In most cases of
immigration to America, there were families involved, many times including
several brothers. To add to the confusion, I personally have heard this story
told several different ways by relatives. The element that changes is the
number of brothers, though. In all cases, it's told that there were brothers
"...that came to America, and split up." Supposedly, these brothers (whether
it was 3, 5, 6, or 7) separated and went to different states. Every time
I have heard this story, it has been said that one of the brothers "disappeared".
In other words, they knew which state all the brothers went to except one.
I will attempt to document the "known" states at some other time. Let me state
one thing here...I don't believe that the brothers landed on shore and split
up immediately. I believe this took place over a period of 10 to 20 years,
perhaps. That appears to be the trend in the families who immigrated to the
New World. As land became available, the families moved. Many times sons/brothers
would strike out on their own. I do believe this happened in our family as
the stories say, but I think that the realistic picture is that it occurred
over a period of time. CONCLUSIONS: Research from 2002-2004 has revealed that Robert (R) Patterson of York Co SC (1775) was probably the immigrant ancestor along with his widowed mother and his 4 siblings (3 sisters and 1 brother). Robert moved to the Shenandoah Valley of VA (Shenandoah) around 1740 and he and his wife had 4 or 5 sons (possibly more) plus at least 4 daughters during the next 15-20 years. I believe these sons are the ones our family has talked about as the brothers who came down into the Carolinas and later split up. Robert's sons were Thomas, James (possibly a son), Robert, Peter, and William. Thomas and James settled in NC; Robert settled in TN; Peter remained in SC; and William... well, we can't find what happened to him. He was a Loyalist in the Revolutionary War along with Thomas. It's unclear if William died in the war, or perhaps moved away like so many Loyalists did around 1783. At this time we just don't know.
- Our family came through Pennsylvania.
This I have heard less than the
above points; however, I have heard it enough that compared with the facts
of the time period, it makes perfect sense. There were several different "waves"
of migration from the northern states to the south, each lasting for several
years each. One of the biggest migrations began around 1760/61, during the
latter days of the French and Indian War (aka, the Seven Years War). This
war lasted from 1756-1763, but the last 2 years were basically political haggling
before a treaty was finally signed. At that time, the Colonies were bordered
on the west by the Appalachian mountains. West of the mountains were Indian
and British held lands. As the war drew to a close around 1760/61, the western
frontier of Pennsylvania, especially, became less safe for families to raise
their children and crops. The southern frontier became more inviting, particularly
the western Carolinas. This is why we see families moving south to North and
South Carolina in such massive numbers during the 1760s. For sure, there were
other reasons for the move, but the end of the war, as well as newly opened
lands (safer lands), proved too enticing for freedom-seeking families to remain
in the over-populated Pennsylvania Colony. Again, this only makes sense, in
light of my family's background, both in historical perspective, as well as
genealogical perspective. By the latter, I mean that the families that I see
around my Pattersons, in South Carolina in the 1780s and 1790s, I also see
in PA in the 1720-40s. CONCLUSIONS: Robert and Sarah Patterson sold their Sussex Co., DE land in 1738. They may have migrated through PA for a year or so on their way to Augusta Co., VA. They have also spent time in MD. We DO know they were in DE from 1727-38 and were in VA no later than 1744.
- Our Patterson family came to America
in the early 1700's. I was born
in 1968, and growing up in the '70s and '80s, I heard older family members
recant the story passed down about our ancestors as coming over about 200
years ago. Well, all stories considered, all known evidence considered, it
appears that our Pattersons actually came to the New World in the early 1700's,
AT THE LATEST. CONCLUSIONS: It is even conceivable that they came before 1700, but certainly
no later than 1727. This is based on evidence regarding Robert (R) Patterson
of Tryon Co NC (1770) who was also the same Robert Patterson of York Co SC
who died in 1775. Based on the links between he and William
Patterson and Margaret Donnell Patterson (Addams) of Augusta Co (now Rockingham Co) Va,
it appears that Robert Patterson was born between 1708 and 1712. It is still unclear where Robert was born. It could have been in N. Ireland or Ireland, or even MD or DE. Research from 2002-2004 has confirmed that Robert (R) Patterson was the grandfather of my John Patterson! A distant cousin of mine says that her late grandmother had a note in her files which stated our immigrant ancestor was named Robert Patterson, he was born b/w 1700-1735, and he immigrated on a ship called "Importance". I'll let you draw your own conclusions about that.
- Leonardo Andrea's research.
I used to believe that I would find my
ancestors in the records of the following family that emigrated to the New
World in 1727/28. I am now convinced that my line of Pattersons did NOT come
from this family. DNA testing on these lines compared to my line have also confirmed that there is no known relation between the two lines of Pattersons. I have left the info about this family here on this page
in the belief that someone else may benefit from it. Here are those notes:
This particular family (3 generations) landed in New Jersey, according to
the research of a man named Leonardo Andrea. Mr. Andrea has since passed away,
and an elderly lady (Ms. Phillips) that he had received information from on
this Patterson family has also passed away. Andrea did 2 compilations of work,
in 1947 and 1955. Pretty much the same information is in both accounts, though.
This family that immigrated in 1727-28 to New Jersey is spoken of in his writings,
but unfortunately, he was never able to get the entire list of names in this
family from Ms. Phillips. The grandfather was a John Patterson (a "malt-maker").
He had a couple of sons, and at least one of them came to America at that
time. His name was Robert Patterson. This Robert Patterson was a father of
ten (10) sons already when they came to America in 1727, so I assume that
Robert was born somewhere around 1680-1690, although I have no idea exactly
when he was born. Of these 10 sons, only 6 came with their father and grandfather
in 1727. According to Andrea's notes, the other 4 came with their families
at a later date (dates and names unknown). Here again, "I assume" that the
6 sons who came in 1727 would have been his younger sons. One other quick
note; this Patterson family came over into Pennsylvania by 1730, just after
the grandfather, John Patterson, passed away. According
to Andrea's notes, "...Robert Patterson's 10 sons settled in Chester Co...
Lancaster Co... Bucks Co... York Co. in Pennsylvania... Others pushed down
into Augusta Co. Va. and over into Amelia Co. Va. and then following the migrations
some of the sons and several of the grand sons came into Mecklenburg and Anson
Counties N.C. and over into the Long Canes
in Abbeville Co. S.C. and in the Waxhaws in Lancaster Co. S.C."
I would also like to publicly thank Viola Jones of Tennessee for supplying
this information to me in 1996. Thanks, Vi.
Wes Patterson
October 27, 1998, and modified with updates in August, 2005.
The Facts Regarding Wes Patterson's Ancestors
- In July of 2001
I finally ran across a census detail that listed John Patterson
(b.1765 - d.1840s; lived in SC,NC,GA) as having been born
in SC. This is the John who married Margaret Black ca.
1788 in Pendleton District, SC. According to the 1880 Fannin
Co., Ga census where John's daughter was listed in her 80's,
it recorded BOTH of her parents as having been born in SC. This
was the first "official" document that I've seen that
ever tied John Patterson's birth to the state of SC.
- There are quite
a few other researchers who initially shared information with
me regarding the family of Robert Patterson of York Co., SC, who died there in 1775. Much more evidence
has poured in to show that this Robert was the grandfather of
my John Patterson. I want to share the information with anyone
who is interested so that I don't appear to be withholding valuable
data from anyone. Let me just give credit first of all to Harald
Reksten, Cay Devin, Marty Grant, Don Patterson (late), and Barbara
Dooley for sharing the information that they have regarding
Robert and Sarah Patterson, their children and grandchildren.
Others have helped me learn more about the Cravens, Harrisons,
Ponders, Bennetts, Stewarts, Adams, and other families of Augusta
Co Va, many of whom moved down into Craven Co SC/Mecklenburg
Co NC/York Co SC, in the 1750's and 1760's. These individuals
are Shirley, Nancy Chamberlain, Betty Jo Hulse, Roger Ford,
MK Harrison, and many others. Thanks to each of you, as
well.
- I have attempted
to document in great detail the link between John Patterson
(c. 1765 - 1840s) to Thomas Patterson (c. 1740/45 - 1807/1810)
to Robert Patterson of York Co SC. Those details are on
my Buncombe page, so I won't bother
to go into all of that again here. I am 100% sure that Robert
of York Co SC was the grandfather of John Patterson who died
in Union Co Ga in the 1840's.
- What do we
know about Robert Patterson of York Co SC? Many of us believed
for some time that he died around 1790 or so, since his will
was proved in York Co SC court in 1790 and entered in the records
in 1791. However, we have proven since then that he actually
died in 1775 or very shortly thereafter, having just written
his will in 1775. It wasn't entered into the court records until
1790 since his widow Sarah didn't die until 1790.
His will was written as "Robert Patterson of Craven
County". That's another topic in itself. However, herein
lies a great deal of the "confusion" that has persisted
over the decades when it comes to researching that part of the
country. We MUST learn the political and geographical terrain
of the areas we work on. Such is the case here with the
Robert Patterson family (and any other family of that area).
The most important thing to remember is that Robert Patterson
received a land grant on Clark's Fork of Bullocks Creek
in what was Craven Co SC in the late 1750's and early 1760's.
However, the state boundary line had not been surveyed satisfactorily and NC
claimed that area of Bullocks Creek during the 1760's and 1770's.
First, Anson Co NC claimed it and granted lands all over the
northern part of SC during the early 1760's. From 1762 to 1769,
the newly formed Mecklenburg Co NC did the same thing. Those
who held lands in the Bullock Creek area had their lands surveyed
during the mid to late 1760's in order to receive an official
land grant from NC for their lands.
Robert Patterson's land grant from Mecklenburg Co NC was
surveyed on March 22, 1766 by William Sims. The grant was
issued on April 22, 1767. The grant was for 200 acres on Clark's
Fork of Bullocks Creek adjacent to Robert Black. This
was recorded in File #821(1542); Gr. #21; Bk. 17, p. 380. The
chain bearers for the survey were Matthew Black and Robert
Cravins. There were several land grants issued by NC to
Pattersons, Blacks, Cravens, Harrisons, and others there on
Clark's Fork of Bullocks Creek in the mid 1760's. These individuals
have now all been identified with credible accuracy.
In 1769, Tryon Co NC was formed. For the next 10 years the
Bullocks Creek area was claimed by Tryon Co NC, and that
is a KEY piece of information to remember since there were about
three major court records from 1770 to 1774 that involved Pattersons
of Tryon Co NC and which also tie them to the families of Linville's
Creek in Augusta Co Va (later became Rockingham Co Va).
By 1779, the state boundary line had been resurveyed, and this
Bullocks Creek area became York Co SC and still is to this day.
During the years from about 1774 to 1779, however, sometimes
that area was called Tryon Co NC, and sometimes folks there
reverted back to calling it Craven Co SC. The 1770's were a
volatile time filled with much confusion, obviously centering
around the fact the colonies were about to enter a Revolution.
- When was
Robert Patterson of York Co SC born? That is another point
of uncertainty. Many of us "believed" that he was
born around 1727 for some time. I'm personally not sure where
that date came from, but I suspect it comes from the fact that
there WAS a Robert Patterson from Augusta Co Va born ca. 1727.
However, he was a DIFFERENT Robert Patterson. That Robert moved
to Tennessee from Va and settled there. As far as I know, there
is no direct relation between the two Roberts, although they
may have been related somehow. My evidence for Robert of York
Co SC lies clearly on the facts centered around documents that
I KNOW involve him and his family and his neighbors. I KNOW
for a fact that Robert Patterson of York Co SC had neighbors
that were from Linville's Creek in Augusta Co Va near modern
day Harrisonburg, Va in Rockingham Co. The families from that
part of old Augusta Co Va held lands on Linville's Creek, Cook's
Creek, Black's Run, etc.
These families include the children and grandchildren of Isaiah
Harrison Sr. who was from Oyster Bay, Long Island, NY and also
Maiden Plantation in Sussex Co on the Delaware (DE) during the
1720's and early 1730's. More on them later. Other families
from that part of Va were the Robert Cravens family, a son-in-law
of Isaiah Harrison Sr. Others yet included Samuel and Lydia
Stewart (Stuart), John and Margaret Donnell Patterson Adams. Margaret was first married to William Patterson and they were the parents of Robert (R) Patterson. After William's death, Margaret married John Adams, who also widowed her at a young age. I know for a FACT that these Harrisons came from Sussex
on the DE, as did the Robert Cravens family, as did Samuel Stewart,
and other families of Augusta who came down into York Co SC
were the Ponders, Bennetts, and others, and they, too were from
Sussex on the DE prior to coming to Augusta Co Va.
What does all this mean? It means we need to pay attention to
it! The migration from DE (which was still claimed by the province
of Pennsylvania then, by the way) to the Virginia frontier was
taking place in the 1730's and 1740's, by these families and
others, of course. I'm NOT certain yet as to when the Adams/Patterson
family showed up there, we just know it was by 1744 at the latest.
What is the link between the Patterson/Adams family of Augusta to Robert Patterson
of York Co SC? Here's the evidence that I see so far.
- Margaret
Donnell is the key link. She wrote her will in 1744 in Augusta Co
Va, but she didn't die until 1770. She's listed in 1744 as in Orange Co.,
but that's only because that was the closest county seat to their location
at the time. They actually lived on Linville's Creek which was
inside the jurisdiction of Augusta Co.
- She had been married
to William Patterson and then later to John Adams, and both husbands
were deceased by 1744. We know that Margaret
had at least 5 children. Her son Robert and daughter Elizabeth appear to have been Pattersons. Her daughter who married Andrew Donelson, as well as her daughter Jane and her son Samuel all appear to have been Addams. Elizabeth married Jeremiah Harrison, Jane married Daniel Love. These
children were all born between 1705 and 1725. Some say that they were born
in Sussex Co on the DE, but we don't know that for sure. They may have all been born in N. Ireland or Ireland.
- Elizabeth Patterson married Jeremiah Harrison, son of Isaiah Harrison Sr. Jeremiah
Harrison was born in 1707 in Smithtown, Long Island, NY. Jeremiah
Harrison purchased 250 acres of land from his father Isaiah on 10-10-1732,
part of the original 907 acre Maiden Plantation, in Sussex Co on the DE,
province of PA. Jeremiah Harrison SOLD this same tract of 250 acres in
DE on 6-7-1737 to Samuel BLACK. I am unsure of the relation, if any, of
this Black to the Blacks of Augusta Co Va. As for the Harrisons, they
were all selling their DE land in 1737, obviously preparing for their
move to the Va frontier.
- Elizabeth's half-sister Jane Adams married Daniel Love. Daniel Love is another important
link in the Patterson ties between Va and SC. Daniel and Jane's daughter
Rachel Love married Joseph Dictum (remember this name). Daniel
and Jane's other daughter Ann married John Gwin (Guin, Quen, Quin,
etc.). Just keep in mind that Jane Adams Love and Elizabeth Patterson Harrison
were sisters to Robert (R) Patterson, as will be shown.
- Margaret
named in her 1744 will the following: "son Robert Patterson, and
his children; Mary Patterson, daughter of Robert Patterson; daughter Jane
Love; granddaughter Margaret Dollinson (real name was Donelson); granddaughter Ester Harrison;
daugher Elizabeth; son-in-law Daniel Love; son Samuel Adams. She named
Robert Patterson and Samuel Adams executors. Daniel Love, Jane Love, and
Elizabeth Harrison signed the will September 15, 1744, as the children of
"Margaret Adams".
- In 1770
the following entry was added to it: "These are to
certify to all persons whom, &c., that I, Robert
Patterson of North Carolina, Tryon County, son of William
Patterson, deceased, do disclaim any right or title
that is or may be alledged belonging to me of a certain
tract of land lying and being in Augusta County upon a small
branch on the south side of Linvell's Creek, which said
land was taken up by Margaret Adams, the widow of John
Adams, deceased.--Robert (R) Patterson. 1st February, 1770.
Teste: Francis Adams, J. P., North Carolina, Tryon County.
Certifies that Francis Adams is a magistrate. Ezekiel Polk, C. C. Proved,
15th March, 1770, by Samuel Hull and Jacob Gum. Samuel Adams qualifies
executor, with Joseph Dictum, John Madison, Jr."
- This last
bullet points out a few things. Robert (R) Patterson.
In 1770 he was in Tryon Co NC. Clark's Fork of Bullocks Creek, where
Robert Patterson of York Co SC was in 1770, was considered to be in Tryon
Co NC in 1770. There were NOT any other Robert Pattersons in Tryon
Co NC in 1770 in areas that were later claimed by SC. As for areas that
were later claimed by NC, that would include prior counties of Anson and
Mecklenburg. There WAS another Robert Patterson in Mecklenburg Co NC prior
to the formation of Tryon Co. However, he was still in Mecklenburg Co
NC in the 1780s AFTER the state boundary line was straightened out. There
is enough evidence about him to show that he was NOT this Robert of Tryon
in 1770. Also notice in the last bullet how Robert Patterson refers to
his mother as Margaret Adams, not Margaret Patterson. This is the main
reason why we must consider the fact that the Patterson marriage
was the first marriage for Margaret, and the Adams marriage
last.
- Also notice
that Joseph Dictum was an executor of the will in 1770.
Remember that Joseph Dictum was the husband of Rachel Love,
granddaughter of Margaret Adams. Joseph was also the
son-in-law of Daniel Love.
- Now, let's
add another document to the mix. Robert Cravens (Sr) wrote his will
in Augusta Co Va on Oct. 2, 1761. It was proved in court on May 18,
1762. Remember that Robert Cravens had been in Sussex on the DE prior
to coming to Augusta Co VA also. Robert Cravens married Mary Harrison,
the daughter of Isaiah Harrison Sr. Now, Isaiah had been married twice.
His daughter Mary was from his first marriage, while his son Jeremiah
(listed above, who married Elizabeth Patterson) was from his second marriage.
This marriage of Robert Cravens to Mary Harrison made Robert Cravens and
Jeremiah Harrison brothers-in-law. Their families are key families in
the link to York Co SC.
- Robert
and Mary Harrison Cravens had the following children:
John, Margaret, Maggie, Joseph, William, Mary,
Agnes, Robert, Elizabeth. Three of their children
have important pieces of information to remember. Maggie
(or Madge) was born ca. 1727-1730 and married Robert
BLACK. They later moved to York Co SC and lived next
to Robert Patterson of York Co SC. William Cravens
was born in 1730 and spent about 7 years in York Co SC (Mecklenburg
Co NC at the time) from about the mid 1760's til no later
than 1774. William was a chain bearer for a land survey
on Clark's Fork of Bullocks Creek in York Co SC (Mecklenburg
NC then) in 1767 or so. The grant was issued on Oct. 26,
1767 for Robert Patterson, Junr. son of Robert Patterson
Sr of York Co SC. The other chain bearer that day was Thomas
Patterson, oldest son of Robert of York (and my ancestor;
Thomas Patterson died in Buncombe Co NC between 1807-1810).
Another clue here is that Thomas Patterson had a grandson
named Joseph Black Patterson who was born in 1789. Joseph
B Patterson named his second son William Craven Patterson,
born in 1813. Thirdly, Robert Cravens Jr was born
in 1733 and later married Ester (Esther) Harrison,
daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Patterson Harrison. Obviously,
they were already related before their marriage, by virtue
of Robert's mother being the half sister of Esther's father.
Robert and Esther owned land in York Co SC next to Robert
Patterson and next to Robert Black (Robert Craven's brother-in-law).
The following deeds will bear this out. Notice that the
first 4 deeds took place in 1766-1767, all on Clark's Fork
of Bullocks Creek. They were all land grants from NC (Mecklenburg
Co) on land that is now in York Co SC. Then notice that
#5 took place in 1774, during the time in which Tryon Co
NC claimed this area. Deed #5 proves the identity of
the Robert Cravens in all of these deeds, it links these
families to the Linville's Creek, Augusta Co Va families,
and it links them to Robert Patterson, CONCLUSIVELY.
Just remember, Robert and Esther Harrison Cravens did NOT
live in York Co SC as did the other families, they just
owned the land there.
- 1. - PATTERSON,
ROBERT - File #821(1542); Gr. #21; Bk. 17, p. 380(18, 347)
Plat: 22 Mar 1766,
Surveyed for Robert Patterson, 200 A on Clarks fork
of Bullocks Creek adj. Robert Blacks...
Wm Sims, Surv.
Mathew Black, Robert Cravins, CB
Iss. 22 Apr 1767
2. - POTTS,
JOHN - File #1970; Gr. #322; Bk. 23, p. 15
Plat: 22 Mar 1766,
Surveyed for John Potts, 250 A on both sides Clarks fork
of Bullocks Creek…
W Sims...
Robert Cravens, Newberry Stockton, CB
Iss. 25 Apr 1767
3. - PATTERSON,
ROBERT - File #2220; Gr. #375; Bk. 23, p. 151
Plat:
Surveyed for Robert Patterson Junr, 150 A on both
sides Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek...
W Sims, Surv.
Wm Cravens, Thos Petterson, CB
Iss. 26 Oct 1767
4. - CRAVANS,
ROBERT - File #2251; Gr. #438; Bk. 23, p. 163
Plat: 17 Jan 1767,
Surveyed for Robert Cravens, 150 A on Clarks fork
of Bullocks Creek… adj. Robert Patterson line...
Zach Bullock, Sur.
James Petterson, Newberry Stockton, CB
Iss. 26 Oct 1767
5. - O-005-072
(Charleston)
23 Feb 1774
Robert Cravens of Augusta County, Virginia to James
Patterson of Tryon County, North Carolina for 90 pounds
Virginia currency, 150 acres in Tryon County on both
sides of Clarks Fork of Bullocks Creek, adjacent to
Robert Patterson.
Signed: Robert Cravens and wife Esther Cravens.
Witnesses: Robert Patterson, James Dictum, John Quin.
Proved: 4 Jun 1774 by Robert Patterson.
Recorded: 15 Mar 1785.
- Look who
the three witnesses on Deed #5 were. The Robert
Patterson appears to have been Robert Jr. But notice James DICTUM and John
Quin. Remember that Daniel Love (brother-in-law of Robert
Patterson, based on Margaret Adams' 1744 will) was the father-in-law
to a Joseph Dictum. The Dictums were clearly a link here.
And then there's John Quin. Is this the same John Quin (Guin)
that was the other son-in-law to Daniel Love? It could have
been. Does it matter? It probably doesn't at this point,
but it does ADD to the overwhelming evidence that Robert
Patterson of York Co SC was indeed Robert (R) Patterson, son of William and Margaret Donnell Patterson.
- Let's
take a closer look at Daniel Love to see what else we can find about
him and his dealings. I've already mentioned that he was named and
signed Margaret Adams' 1744 Augusta Co Va will. He also testified
in court for the 1761 will of Robert Cravens Sr. Remember that Daniel
Love was the son-in-law of Margaret Adams, and that Margaret Adams is
reported to have come from Sussex Co on the DE. And now we see him on
the 1761 will of Robert Cravens Sr., who also came out of Sussex Co on
the DE. Here is the will of Robert Cravens:
- 2d October,
1761. Robert Cravens' will--Mark. Executors, wife, and son, John
Cravens; wife, Mary, a negro wench called Knelly. To son William, tract
called the Great Meadow, 141 acres. To daughter Mary, 124 acres she now
lives on. To grandchildren, Zebulon and Robt. Harrison, 200 acres on east
side Linville's Creek. To daughter Margaret Harrison. To daughter Agnes,
tract she lives on. To Magee (Maggie?). To son Robert. To daughter Elizabeth
Cravens. To grandson Robert Cravens, 160 acres, called Wait's Cabin, on
the Creek below Joseph Cravens. To grandson John Cravens, brother of Robert
above. To granddaughter Mary Black, 470 acres where Saml. Monsey lives
to be sold. Nine (9) children, viz: (?) Teste: Archd. Huston, Mathew Thompson,
Daniel Love. Proved, 18th May, 1762, by Archd. Huston and Danl.
Love. Executors qualify, with Edward Shanklin, Andrew Erwin,
Mary ( ) her mark.
- Let's notice
a few key points. The daughter Magee is the one who married Robert Black
and moved to York Co SC. The granddaughter Mary Black would be Maggie's
daughter. Notice the name Edward Shanklin. Who was he? I don't
know, but the last name rings a bell. In 1732, Isaiah Harrison Sr. sold
750 acres of his 907 acre Maiden Plantation (Sussex on the DE) to three
of his sons, John, Daniel, and Jeremiah (250 acres each). There were three
separate deeds, as described on pages 44-49 of J. Houston Harrison's "Settlers
by the Long Grey Trail", 1935. On all three deeds, the witnesses
were Robert Smith, and Robert Shankland.
- In an effort
to tie up some loose ends, who were the Harrisons of York Co SC? Betty
Hulse, MK Harrison, and others believe (and I agree) that Nathaniel and Thomas
Harrison of York Co SC were the sons of Isaiah Harrison Jr. Isaiah Harrison
Jr was the first child of Isaiah Harrison Sr by his first wife. He (Jr) was
also the last of the children to move from the DE area into Augusta Co Va.
Isaiah Harrison Jr moved into Augusta no later than 1748, probably earlier,
but he left the area "for the Carolinas" by 1750.
- When was
Robert Patterson born, then? And when was he married, and to whom? When did
he move to the Carolinas? Those are some pretty big questions. Based on
his mother's 1744 will, he obviously had "children" by 1744, one
of whom was named Mary Patterson. Who was named in Robert Patterson's 1775
will? Robert named seven children, Thomas, Robert Jr., Peter, Sarah, Lydia,
Elizabeth, and William. He also named one grandson (although he had several
by then), John Patterson, son of Thomas (this was the John who married Margaret
Black and died in Union Co Ga in the 1840s). Robert named his wife Sarah,
and his sons Peter and Robert Jr. to be his "whole and sole executors".
He mentions having owned land in Va. Notice that Robert had a son named
William (named for his grandfather, perhaps?).
- I don't know
who his wife Sarah was. Was she a Cravens? A Harrison? A Stewart? A Black?
There just isn't enough evidence to know at this time. However, a bigger question
is WHEN was he married to Sarah? Why wasn't Mary Patterson named in Robert's
will? Did she die at an early age in Va? Was Robert married more than once?
I don't know. There clearly were other Pattersons in York Co SC, particularly James Patterson. Nearly all of Robert's children named a son James. James
lived next to Robert at one point. At this time I believe that James Patterson of York Co., SC was the same James who later lived in Buncombe Co., NC and was shown there in 1800. I believe he may have been another son of Robert (R) Patterson, but I cannot prove that at this time.
- October
15, 2002 Addendum: Harald Reksten recently acquired a copy of the will of
Robert (R) Patterson, 1775. Harald was also able to view and photograph
the original will. This was quite an accomplishment in my opinion. Harald
was gracious enough to share his findings with many of us who are interested
in this old document. One of his findings was that the "Joseph" referred to in the will was NOT a Joseph Patterson, but by virtue of the context
appears to have been Joseph BLACK, the husband of Robert Patterson's daughter,
Sarah. Joseph Black's signature was also on the will on a different section,
along with John Black, and Daniel Ponder, two other sons-in-law of Robert
Patterson. John Patterson's signature was on this will also. To view this
page with Harald's notes on the 1775 will go to my page at http://wespatterson.com/patt/patt_reksten.html.
- Yet another
question (and answer) surfaces regarding Robert's son Thomas Patterson.
The evidence is overwhelming that Thomas was the father of John Patterson who married Margaret Black. Census records combine to show us that John was
born about 1765, not even 1767 like many of us thought for years. That means
that most likely his father Thomas Patterson must have been born much earlier
than the 1748 that some have assumed. However, I believe that Thomas was born
before 1745 even, and that he "probably" was one of the "children" of Robert named in Margaret's 1744 will. Another reason for this belief centers
around their activity during the French and Indian War. The 1758 Act for
the Defense of the Frontiers of this Colony [Va] was an act that was recorded
on 9-14-1758 at Williamsburg, Va. There were many listings on the schedule
for Augusta Co Va, including the following:
- To Arthur
Trader, Robert Patterson, Robert M'Geary, Mathew Black,
Jonas Friend, Nathaniel Harrison, etc... seven shillings each...
- To Nathaniel
Harrison, Robert Black, etc. seventeen shillings each...
- To John
Fulse
- To Lieut.
Daniel Smith
- To William
Cravens, Willry Cunrod, George Moffett, James Stephenson, Thomas & John Stephenson, Adam Miller, etc... five shillings each...
- To William
Cravens seargeant
- To James
Fowler
- To John
Harrison
- To Leonard
Herren
- To Cornelius
Sulivan
- To Nathaniel
Harrison
- To Robert
M'Corney
- To Gideon
Harrison
- To Leonard
Herring
- To John
Harrison, Nathaniel Harrison, Thomas Paterson eighteen
shillings each...
- To Reuben
Harrison, for provisions for Indians
- ...and there
were others, too, but this was the main group. William Cravens, Nathaniel
Harrison, Robert and Mathew Black, and Robert and Thomas Patterson all ended
up in York Co SC. Thomas Patterson listed here was born ca. 1740/45 and was the son of Robert. Some people say that Robert Black
was the son of a Robert Black Sr, but I think that is in error. I believe
that Robert Black was the son of Matthew (and Mary) Black (above). Matthew
Black, and (sons) Gawin (Gowen), Robert, Joseph (and perhaps others) all moved
into York Co SC and owned land on Clark's Fork of Bullocks Creek. Matthew's
daughter Janet/Jane Black was married to William McIlwee, and they, too were
in York Co SC.
- This list tells
us a few things. First, Robert Patterson was connected with Mathew
Black and Nathaniel Harrison. Robert Patterson and Nathaniel Harrison lived
next to each other on Clark's Fork of Bullocks Creek, and Mathew Black owned
land on the same Fork, as well. Nathaniel Harrison signed Robert Patterson's
1775 will in York Co SC. Second, the same Nathaniel Harrison was listed
three more times, once with Robert Black, and once with Thomas Patterson -
again, all of them ended up in York Co SC. Third, we see that Thomas
Patterson had to have been born before 1748, as we have suggested already,
based on other evidence. And fourth, it appears that the Pattersons
and Blacks, and these Harrisons, were still in Augusta Co Va as late as 1758.
- One more question
regarding Robert Patterson - WHERE was he born? Again, that depends
heavily on the WHEN question. Anything is a possibility, from N. Ireland to
Ireland, MD, PA, or DE.
- (October
30, 2002 Addendum: There
were two Virginia Land Patents to a Robert Patterson
that bear important scrutiny. These two land patents were to different Robert Pattersons, one of which was our Robert who moved to York Co., SC.
Remember that when Robert of York wrote his Will
in 1775 in "Craven Co., SC" he said "I likewise
give and bequeath unto my sons Peter and Robert each of them
an equal part of my land and claims in the province
of Virginia." Clearly Robert still owned land
in Virginia in 1775, but where was it? Perhaps these two land
patents are the answer.
First, Virginia Patent Book 33, pp. 281-282
record that on August 16, 1756 Robert Patterson
received a Patent in Augusta Co., VA for 193 1/2 acres
"on both sides the South River of Shanando".
Then on June 27, 1764 Robert obtained
a second Patent for 265 acres "on one of the head
branches of Linvels Creek joining the land the said Patterson
lives on." This latter Patent was recorded in
Virginia Patent Book 35, pp. 516-517.
So what does this tell us? The locations of these patents are no where near each other. The first patent was for a different Robet Patterson, the one who was born in 1727. The second patent was for our Robert Patterson. The Shenandoah
River runs to the north and west of the town of Harrisonburg,
VA and the said Linville's Creek which was where these Cravens,
Harrisons, Pattersons, and Blacks, etc. were all living in the
1730's - 1760's. To be south of the Shenandoah would be in the
direction of Linville's Creek and the Harrisonburg area. Also,
there is a "Patterson Creek" just
west of Linville's Creek today. Could that be where this Robert
Patterson lived?
So when did Robert Patterson move to the Carolinas?
The best guess has been the mid 1760's based on the knowledge
we currently have. This seems to "fit" that pattern
as well. We know that they were in the Clark's Fork of Bullock's
Creek area of York Co SC (Mecklenburg Co NC) by 1766 and 1767.
We also know that the Cravens (Robert and William) owned land
in both locations during the 1760's and 1770's. The Cravens
returned to the Harrisonburg, VA area in the early to mid 1770's,
although Robert Cravens (brother of William Cravens) never actually
lived in SC/NC - he just owned land there next to the Pattersons,
Blacks, and Harrisons.
According to Robert Patterson's mother's
will probation in 1770, Robert gave up his claim to her lands
in VA. Yet in 1775 in his own will, Robert bequeathed his Virginia
lands and claims to his sons Robert Jr. and Peter. Clearly these
two documents are referring to separate pieces of property.
Therefore, if Robert's Virginia lands were not lands inherited
from his parents then he would have had to have received his
own land patent or purchased land from another individual.
In light of the 1764 Virginia land patent, I believe with great certainty that this is indeed
the same Robert Patterson who settled on Clark's Fork of Bullock's
Creek in Mecklenburg Co NC about 1766, which was claimed by
Tryon Co NC during the 1770's, and subsequently claimed by York
Co SC thereafter.
Robert's sons Peter and Robert Jr sold this Linville Creek land in 1787 to John Ewing. This is the final piece of confirmation.
- I will continue
to make trips to these counties to document the findings that
have been transcribed by others and posted on-line or published
in books. I have made several trips already to Union Co Ga,
Buncombe Co NC, Mecklenburg Co NC (York Co SC), and many other
locations. I plan to make another trip to Buncombe Co NC in
July, 2002, and hopefully on that trip will be able to go to
Haywood Co NC as well. This is in an effort to further build
on the evidence already in hand linking the Buncombe and Haywood
Co NC Pattersons of the 1790's - 1820's to the York Co SC Pattersons.
There will be more trips to SC, and hopefully in the future I will be able to go to Rockingham and Augusta Co Va,
as well as to Sussex Co DE.
- The most interesting clue that I see in
Robert Patterson's 1775 will is that Robert left to his grandson John
Patterson (age 10 at that point) a three year old mare and its colt, and his
fur hat. So what, you ask? The fact that John was interested in his
grandpa's hat jumps out at me. John Patterson's son George Patterson
(b. 1800) was my ggg-grandfather, and was very interested in hats also.
According to the Union Co., Ga Historical Society, George Patterson was
a "hatter by trade", i.e. a maker of hats. That could be just
a coincidence, but I don't think so.
Wes Patterson
July 23, 2001 (Last revision on August 10, 2005)
