Ann Guthrie's Genealogy:Information about Jeremiah Early, Sr.
Jeremiah Early, Sr. (b. 09 December 1705, d. 19 February 1787)
Notes for Jeremiah Early, Sr.:
3-15-97
Source: "A History of the Early Family" microfilm records, FHL, SLC
...The Earlys "descended from an Irish ancestry whose habitat in the Isle of Saints lay in the ancient (land) of Ulster"...
..."From the Highlands of Donegal, Ireland"...
..."From the Valley of Owenee in the parish of Inneshell, a region of Tyrconnel, two brothers set out to seek a more promising abode in America, the elder during the first and the younger during the second quarter of the 18th century"...
..."JEREMIAH EARLY, elder of the two refugees and the pioneer in emigration, removed directly from the county Donegal to Virginia"...settling in Madison Co.
..."He married MISS BUFORD, daughter of a prominent resident"...
..."Jeremiah spent a prominent and active life as a planter. He died in 1795 at greater than 90 years of age"...
..."No detailed history of his career is extant, but his success in aquiring wealth demonstrates that he was possessed of enterprise, intelligence and force of character. He accumulated an immense estate and bequathed a handsome fortune to each of his ten sons"...
...All J names: Jeremiah Jr., James, Jonathan, Jacobus, Jubal, Jacob, Joab, John, Joseph, Joel...
...Sons:
Jeremiah Jr. & Jonathan removed to Bedford County, VA
James & Joseph remained in Madison County, VA
Jubal, Joab & John removed to Franklin County, VA
Jacobus & Jacob removed to KY
Joel removed to GA in 1795
Source: The Family of Early, by R.H. Early; microfilm records FHL, SLC
This resource contradicts some of the information in the "A History of the Early Family". Much of the information about his life in Madison County seems to be the same. However, R.H. Early located the 1705 birth record of Jeremiah Early in Christ Church, Middlesex, VA, the son of Thomas Early and Elizabeth____. This would indicate that Jeremiah was indeed born in VA and not in Donegal, Ireland as indicated in the above source.
..........The guardianship of Jeremiah Early, after the death of his parents, fell to family friend and neighbor Thomas Buford. Jeremiah married Thomas Buford's daughter Elizabeth. She was 19. He was 23.
Land Entries & other Court Records for Jeremiah Early, Sr.:
.......1734: Purchased land in Orange County, VA (which became Culpepper & later Madison counties)
.......1735: Purchased land in Orange County, VA of Robert Luney
.......1739: "Of St. Mark Parish, Orange County, VA" bought 120 acres on the north side of the Stanton River of Thomas Stanton
.......1740: Order given for the viewing of the most convenient way for an outlet from Isaac Smith's plantation through the land of Jeremiah Early with the least prejudice to Early's plantation.
.......1741: Jer'h Early grand juryman at court held 28 May 1741
.......1746: Purc'd more land of Thomas Stanton on the south side of the river
.......1747: Appointed overseer of road from Garth's Ford to plantation of Henry Downs in place of Michael Pearson (discharged)
.......18May1749: First court held for Culpepper County. Jer'h Early bought 280 acres (situate formerly Orange) now in Culpepper, on south side of the Stanton river from Adam Banks of King George County
.......Nov. 1753: Purc'd another tract of Thomas Stanton, 131 acres of same patent as others. Son John was witness.
.......1754: Suit of Jeremiah Early vs. William Jackson running 1747-1754 was dismissed with defendant paying costs.
.......Jan1755: "Of Bromfield parish, Culpepper" obtained a grant of 240 acres on great branch of Rappahannock river from the Northern Neck or Fairfax grants.
.......Apr 1755: Purc'd 400 acres of Michael Holt and at same time 100 acres granted by patent to John Rucker. Same month & year sold 200 acres in Augusta County to Thomas Kirtley, Jr. Witness to deed sons John & Jeremiah.
.......1757: Obtained grant for 40 acres in Augusta county between Elk Run and Hawk's Bell adjacent his own land.
.......1759:Bought of Bostick of Cumberland County. 409 acres lying on both sides of Butterrun Branch, Bedford County, VA.
.......1763: Bought of Rd. Randolph's excrs, 100 acres on west branch Elk Creek, Bedford County, same year bought of his son Jeremiah Jr. of Bedford County 300 acres lying on both sides of Elk Creek, Bedford.
.......1764: Jeremiah Early & wife Elizabeth conveyed tract of 400 acres on Elk Run, Augusta County to William Smith, same year purc'd of Nathaniel & Eliza Dickerson of Spotsylvania County 100 acres in Bromfield parish, Culpepper Co.
.......1765: Purc'd of Isaac and Margaret Smith 86 acres lying in Culpepper County
.......1770: Rec'd grant of 29 acres from Fairfax or Northern Neck grants
"The will of Jeremiah Early, written 16 Jan 1786 was not exibited for record until 19 Feb 1787, though his personality was appraised 26 Feb 1786 showing that he died at the ripe old age of 82 years, soon after writing his will."
3-15-97
Source: Ancestral File versus"A History of the Early Family"
The Ancestral File lists Joshua as a child of Jeremiah Early and Elizabeth Buford (although the birthdates listed would make him one of a set of triplets - possible, but unlikely in that century). The book, "A History of the Early Family" notes that Jeremiah had 10 sons, whose names all begin with a "J". It does not mention any daughters unlike the Ancestral File. The A.F. lists Joshua, the A.H.E.F. lists Joab as a son, along with James and Jonathan, neither of whom are listed in the Ancestral File.
3-17-97
Source: Culpepper County, VA Will Book C
Will of Jeremiah Early of Culpepper County (((ABSTRACT)))
dated 16jan1786; Proven 19feb1787
Legatees: Sons: "to the lawful heir of my son Jeremiah Early, dec'd." Joshua Early - one-ninth, Jacob Early, Joel Early. Daus.: Sarah Kirtley, Ann Rogers, Hannah Scott. Grandson Paschal Early. Dau-in-law Jane Early, loan of land. Grandsons: Whitfield Early and Joseph Early, sons of my son Joseph, dec'd., land lent to their mother, Jane Early. Grandson William Early, son of Joseph, dec'd.
Executor: Son Joel Early. If he cannot, then grandsons Elijah Kirtley and Jeremiah Kirtley.
Wit.: John Spoldin, Joel Harvey, Abigale (X) Harriss.
Source: Library of Congress
CS71.E131 1896
Early, Samuel Stockwell, b. 1827.
A history of the family of Early in America [microform] : being the ancestors and descendants of Jeremiah Early who came from the County of Done-
gal, Ireland and settled in what is now Madison County, Virginia early in the eighteenth century / bySamuel Stockwell Early ; arranged for publication by
Robert Stockwell Hatcher. -- Albany, N.Y. : J. Munsell's Sons, 1896. 53p. ; 23cm.
Call number of original: CS71.E131 1896. Master microform held by: DLC.
Microfilm.Washington, D.C. : Library of Congress
Photoduplication Service, 1985. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm. I. Title.
Microfilm 84/8254 (C)85-100260[r88]rev
Notes: This source (perhaps erroneously(?)) indicates that Jeremiah was born in Donegal, not Virginia. That he died in 1795 at over 90 years of age leaving a large family which included 10 sons, all with "J" names: Jeremiah, James, Jonathan, Jacobus, Jubal, Jacob, Joab, John, Joseph and Joel. Jeremiah & Joel attained the rank of Colonel.
John & Joel were assigned as deputies from their counties to the CONVENTION of VIRGINIA, assembled in 1788 to approve/disprove the newly adopted CONSTITUTION of the U.S. Both voted, as did Patrick Henry against its ratification.
Peter, son of Joel---> a member of Congress; Judge of the Superior Court & Governor of Georgia
Jubal ---> famous Confederate General
More About Jeremiah Early, Sr.:
Baptism: 09 December 1705, Baptised in Christ Church, Middlesex, VA.
Emigrated: Abt. 1734, Moved to Orange County from Middlesex Co., VA.
More About Jeremiah Early, Sr. and Elizabeth Buford:
Marriage: 16 October 1728, Christ Church, Middlesex, VA.105
Children of Jeremiah Early, Sr. and Elizabeth Buford are:
- +Jeremiah Early, Jr., Colonel, b. 1730, Middlesex, VA106, d. 1779, Bedford County, VA106.