Nancy Anna Blackwood (b. February 14, 1798, d. 1860)
Nancy Anna Blackwood (daughter of James Blackwood and Nancy Ann Grimes) was born February 14, 1798, and died 1860 in Lubec MN. She married James R. Lurchin on December 12, 1814 in Dennysville, Washington, ME.
Notes for Nancy Anna Blackwood: Nancy Ann Grimes1 was born Abt. 1756, and died 13 December 1844 in Pembroke, ME.. She married James Blackwood on Abt. 01 January 1783.
Includes NotesNotes for Nancy Ann Grimes: Abstract from The Pemmaquon Call, Vol VI, No. 1 (Feb 2000), p ?:
In the last Pemmaquon Call [p 9], we reported on the historical detective work of Carol B. Smith Fisher who is seeking to learn about her "great times five" grandfather, James Blackwood, an early settler in Pembroke reputed to have deserted the British Army for the American side in the Revolution. The latest clue Carol has uncovered is a listing for a "Lt. John Blackwood" in the records at Saratoga for the 21st Regiment, North British Fusileers. With the help of author Richard M. Ketchum ("Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutinary War," New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1977), she located the original surrender document of Burgoyne's forces at Saratoga, signed by British officers on December 13, 1777. On page 3 of the document appears the signature of "John Blackwood, Lt. 21st Regiment."
With a clear microfilm copy of John's signature as a British officer in 1777, and a clear photocopy of James' American pension record signature of 1819, Carol was able to make a comparison. Her conclusion: the signatures are almost identical, down to a distinctive "loopy d." As she puts it, "I do not need to try to find another document to confirm that this Lt. John Blackwood of the 21st Regiment is our James." Carol's quest continues. She will try to follow the path of John Blackwood as a POW from Cambridge to Charlottesville to Frederick, MD, possibly confirm his service
Abstract from the Army Lineage Series, The Continental Army by Robert K. Wright, Jr., Center of Military History, U.S. Army, Washington, DC 1986: FHL 973 M2wr, pp 338-339:
3d Continental Artillery Regiment (Crane's) - Authorized 1 January 1777 in the Continental Army as Crane's Continental Artillery Regiment. Organized (less Stevens' Provisional Artillery Battalion - see Annex) in Spring 1777 at Boston, Massachusetts, and Peekskill, New York, with elements in the Main Army, HIghlands Department, and Northern Department, to consist of twelve companies from Massachusetts and Rhode Island (including veterans of the Continental Artillery Regiment). Redesignated 10 August 1779 as the 3d Continental Artillery Regiment.
Reorganized 1 January 1781 to consist of ten companies. Relieved 24 August 1782 from the Main Army and assigned to the HIghlands Department. Reorganized 12 June 1783 to consist of four companies. Disbanded 1 January 1784 at West Point, New York.
Annex: Authorized 9 November 1776 in the Continental Army as Stevens' Provisional Artillery Battalion and assigned to the Northern Department. Organized in early 1777 at Boston, Massachusetts, and Albany and Fort Ticonderog, New York, to consist of Captains Stephen Buckland's, Nathaniel Donnell's, and John Winslow's Companies of Crane's Continental Artillery Regiment (recruited from Massachusetts and Connecticut) and Captain Noah Nichols' Artificer Company. Relieved 18 May 1778 from the Northern Department and assigned to the HIghlands Department. Relieved 19 July 1778 from the Highlands Department and assigned to the Main Army. (Captain Noah Nichols' Artificer Company withdrawn 28 August 1778 and consolidated with Captain Jesse Roe's Company, Artillery Artificer Regiment [see Artillery Artificer Regiment]). Stevens' Provisional Artillery Battalion broken up 22 December 1778 at Pluckemin, New Jersey, and companies reverted to Crane's Continental Artillery Regiment.
Engagements: Elements of this regiment served in the following: Northern New Jersey, Saratoga [NY] Defense of Philadelphia, Philadelphia-Monmouth, Rhode Island, New Jersey 1780.
Ralph Blackwood (auraofflow@earthlink.net) says "The 11/11/98 Bangor Daily News article says he arrived at Dennysville 5/17/1786. No source listed." Ralph says this source also lists the death date as 16 Dec 1836.
Dates and names of children were obtained from FHL No. 0010828, Dennysville, ME Vital Records 1792-1892 which contains family records listing births and deaths 1792-1892; intentions of marriage 1812-1891; and marriage records 1821-1892. Only the birth records were searched on 31 May 1995 and check ALL records on this film.
From Sue Szewczyk:
[NI02357] He is reported to have deserted from the english and joined the american Revolutionary Forces. He served with Colonel John Crane in the 3rd Continetal Artillery and was at the battle of Monmouth, NJ and Saratoga, NY. He was listed as a Corporal. James Blackwood capt in British Army under Burgoyne at Saratoga, NY. An Irishman. Early settler on Lot 30 at head of Young's Cove, Maine. Surrendered with Burgoyne's army probably after battle of Stillwater, NY Oct 7 1777 but is found on Mass Muster Roll for 4-1781. Enlisted 2-10-1781 for three years reported joined 4-24-1781. Pension under June 28, 1819 from 4-16-1818 at $96 per year total received $852.82
Some Sources to Check:
Irish and Scotch/Irish Anc. Research, Vol. I, CS 483-F32 Vol 1 at Lee Library, BYU University
"Blackwood: Archdale Family Papers - family papers of Col. J. B. Archdale of Castle Archdale, Co. Fermanagh, dtd 1537-1909. An account by William Archdale, late Sheriff of Fermanagh for 1667. A rent roll of Henry Mervyn, 1719, relating to Triellick and Omagh Districts, contains some names of tenants. A survey of Glenally Estate in Co. Fermanagh, 1721, with description of holdings and some names. Copies of Wills, Notices of Marriages, etc., relating to the families of Archdale, Price, Blackwood, Mervyn, Dunbar, Humphreys, and many others (Report 1927, p.24).
Blackwood originated in Blackwoods of Lanarkshire, Scotland - Migrated to Ireland. See also, "Helen's Tower" by Harold Nicolson.
Blackwood history at archives in Belfast.
PRONI records at Ulster Historical Foundation
Compiled from information received from Ethel Quimby, Machiasport, ME, and other sources:
According to family tradition, James was born 1741/2 in Belfast, Ireland, came to America in May or June 1777 (he was 35 in Spring of 1777), impressed into the British Army as a replacement/reinforcement with Burgoyne at Saratoga; captured at Stillwater in 1777, and, when released, joined the American forces. As Colonel Crane was indeed involved at the Battle of Saratoga, one has to wonder under what circumstances the two became friends. Crane relinquished command of the Third Artillery in November 1783 and retired to civilian life. Affidavits of John and Abijah Crane (sons of Colonel John Crane) attest and imply that James Blackwood was a member of John Crane's regiment and very possibly a close personal friend as he was residing with John Crane's family. Copies of information from National Archives in possession of preparer.
After his discharge, James was employed by/friends with Benjamin Lincoln, a Hingham, MA farmer. According to the "Memorial of the 100th Anniversary of the Settlement of Dennysville, Maine," (FHL No. 496891), pp 26...115, early in the season of 1786, an expedition comprised of James Blackwood and other "Hingham farmers and artisans, old neighbors and the sons of old neighbors of Benjamin Lincoln..." set sail from Massachusetts Bay to take possession of a new purchase in Maine. The voyage from Boston lasted two weeks and they made harbor at Machias "so early as the seventeenth of May," anchored in the lower bay and rowed up with a pilot. James Blackwood settled on a farm at Young's Cove, Lot 30 plan of 1810 on the "water side" of the road. He and his wife are buried somewhere on this lot, although graves may not be easy to discern (source: Mrs. Ethel Quimby).
Need to see Life of James Blackwood synopsis for additional information.
Check:
1. 1800 census - James Blackwood Washington County page 638 2. 1820 census - James Blackwood Dennysville, Washington County, page 269. Also listed: James Blackwood, Jr., Matthew Blackwood, Samuel Blackwood, and William Blackwood (all sons of James Blackwood). 3. 1850 census - James Blackwood Pembroke, Washington County, page 65. Also listed: Matthew Blackwood and William S.D. (sons of James Blackwood). 4. 1790 census - Machias Republican of March 29, 1859 published census for Washington County for 1790 - James Blackwood listed. 5. Dennysville Centennial
Possible Family/Ancestors of James:
David Shaw, 2nd husband of Mary Blackwood, who with her, her mother, Mary Blackwood, and her five children by the name of Blackwood came to America: David Blackwood, Catherine Blackwood, Sarah Blackwood, William Blackwood, James Blackwood (our James????). This article states they came from Queenstown, Ireland. There is also a vague reference to a Blackwood Bible.
Related??? William Blackwood, b 1706, d 1790 came to US in 1740, m Elizabeth Craig, settled NC, 8 children (oldest James b. Ireland - fr of Isaac).
Cpl Matr James (John) Blackwood and Nancy Ann Grimes (Ramsdell?) had the following children:
i. Col John Crane Blackwood was born 20 Jun 1783/6.
ii. James Blackwood Jr was born 26 Jan 1786.
iii. Elizabeth Blackwood was born 11 Jul 1790.
iv. Rebecca Gardiner Blackwood was born 14 Sep 1792.
v. William Blackwood was born 9 Aug 1796.
vi. Matthew Blackwood was born 14 Feb 1798.
vii. Nancy (Anna) Blackwood was born 14 Feb 1798.
viii. Sarah (Sally) Blackwood was born 16 Aug 1801.
More About Nancy Anna Blackwood and James R. Lurchin: Marriage: December 12, 1814, Dennysville, Washington, ME.
Children of Nancy Anna Blackwood and James R. Lurchin are:
Nancy Anna Blackwood (b. February 14, 1798, d. 1860)
Notes for Nancy Anna Blackwood: