Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Father '1st Gen' McBrayer

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Descendants of Father '1st Gen' McBrayer

3. JAMES² MCBRAYER (FATHER '1ST GEN'¹) was born Abt. 1700, and died January 09, 1801 in Lawrenceburg, KY. He married JANE MONTGOMERY Bet. 1750 - 1754 in PA ?. She died Bet. 1795 - 1796 in KY.

Notes for JAMES MCBRAYER:
JAMES MCBRAYER, first generation, the second brother, settled with the other two McBrayer brothers in the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania. The first records of him as a land holder were recorded in the tax records of Hopewell (later Antrim) Township, Cumberland County, PA. He is shown to have had 219 acres of land in 1753-55.

James is thought to have been the youngest of the three. He was married about 1750-54 to JANE MONTGOMERY, who died in 1796 in Kentucky. It is thought he left the Cumberland Valley soon after his marriage and migrated to Boutetort County, Virginia, where he settled not far from Richmond. Many documents have placed him in the area at that time.

In the fall of 1779, in the company of William McAfee, he and his family moved from Virginia and settled at a point about 7 miles below Harrodsburg, Kentucky, an area which, at that time, was a semi-wilderness.

The first land taken up by him in Kentucky, 291 acres, was granted 31 May 1782, and was located in Lincoln Co., KY, one of the three original counties into which Lincoln County, Virginia, was divided in November of 1780, however, a recently uncovered bit of information on rootsweb.com (/land records/cgi-bin/lanrecord.cgi?surname=McBrayer&fnam...) (July 2003) shows he may have been granted 1000 acres of land earlier on 23 May 1780 in Chaplins Fk, KY. (Bk A, pg 87, VA Land Grant)

"James McBrayer, Gen." also received 300 acres on 5 June 1783; 201 acres on 9 July 1794; 300 acres on 27 July, and 200 acres in July of the same year. He had also obtained 124 acres the preceding year.

James and his oldest son, William, both reportedly served in the Revolutionary War and were granted some 2,000 acres of land in Kentucky near Frankfort (VA Archives and Frankfort records).

In 1785 James McBrayer was one of the Kentucky pioneers who signed a petition to the General Assembly of Virginia praying for division of Lincoln County into the counties of Lincoln, Mercer, and Madison. *("Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky to the General Assembly of Virginia", by J.R. Robertson, KY St. Historical Soc., May 1925, No 68, Vol 23, p 159). His oldest son, William, was also one of the signers.

It might be interesting to note that William was probably the influencing factor in James' decision to move to Kentucky. William had been one of the trail-blazers that was led across the mountains by JAMES HARROD in March of 1775 to establish the first permanent settlement in the wilderness (Fort Harrod). It was probably his later description of the 'Bluegrass Country' which led his parents to migrate there.

James McBrayer died 9 Jan 1801 near Lawrenceburg, KY. His will, dated 2 Aug 1800 and probated the 27th of January 1801, is recorded in Will Book #1, page 23, located in the County Clerk's Office in Frankfort, KY. He and his wife, several children, and grandchildren are buried in the family cemetery two miles from Lawrenceburg on the Camden Pike. The land is now known as the 'Roach Farm'. Jane died ca 1795 (-96).

When he died James was reported to have had several thousand acres of land, making him one of the most prestigious individuals in the county. Many of his descendants became equally prominent in Kentucky and many articles and books have been written about them.

More About JAMES MCBRAYER:
Burial: Lawrenceburg, Anderson Co., KY
Military service: Revolutionary War
Will 1: August 02, 1800, Date of will
Will 2: January 27, 1801, Will probated - bk 1, pg 23 - Frankfort, KY

More About JAMES MCBRAYER and JANE MONTGOMERY:
Marriage: Bet. 1750 - 1754, PA ?

Children of JAMES MCBRAYER and JANE MONTGOMERY are:

GEORGE³ MCBRAYER, d. 1794, KY.

Notes for GEORGE MCBRAYER:
George died one year before his mother and six years before his father.

8.	ii.	JOHN MCBRAYER, b. PA, VA, or KY; d. KY.
9.	iii.	WILLIAM MCBRAYER, b. Abt. 1754, Cumberland Co., PA; d. January 05, 1820, Anderson Co., KY.
	iv.	HUGH MCBRAYER, b. Abt. 1768, VA; d. Aft. 1835.

Notes for HUGH MCBRAYER:
HUGH MCBRAYER, 2nd generation, son of James and Jane Montgomery McBrayer, was born ca 1768 in Virginia. He moved with his parents in 1779 to the wilderness of Kentucky. Two years later, at the age of 13, he was captured by Indians. The following story is based on the facts extracted from his application for pension as a prisoner of war made in Anderson County, Kentucky, 12 October, 1835.

"DECLARATION"

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed July 7, 1832
State of Kentucky
County of Anderson

"On this 12th day of October 1835 personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Anderson now sitting Hugh McBrayer, a resident of Anderson in the County of Anderson and State of Kentucky aged about Sixty-Seven years, who being first sworn according to--- on his oath makes the following Declaration in Order to obtain the pension after the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. He states, in full, he marched to Kentucky in the year of 1779 in Company with Thos McAfee and settled at their station about seven miles between ------. In the spring of 1781 he and his brother (James) had crossed the river for the purpose of hobbling the horses so that they could be found next morning, when in the Dusk of Evening 16 Indians suddenly came upon them."

Surprised and scared out of their wits by the hostiles, they tried to hide and escape detection, but their presence was soon discovered. The Indians "...seized him - his brother made his escape across the River into the Fort."

Realizing that his brother had been captured, James hastened to give the alarm. He excitedly related his story to his father and the men of the fort. Quickly a band of armed men were dispatched to catch the Indians and free the youth they had taken, but by the time the group had crossed the river and reached the area, the Indians had slipped into the darkness of the night.

"The Indians carried him forthwith with out stopping to Detroit and delivered him into the hands of the British who paid the Indians for the service out of the Store. They had been employed by the English to make War on us. There was a store called the ---tingo store at Detroit ...was kept by the Indian Agent called Pieto Bambee (?).

"Captain Bird commanded at Detroit. He had about 100 prisoners captured principally at the Blue Licks defeat and at Bryants and Rostles (?) Stations."

According to Hugh, he remained a prisoner until the summer of 1782. "They were then shipped to the falls of Niagara, from thence to Montreal in lower Canada, from thence they were sent across to Ticonderoga and at the mouth of Blood Creek, delivered and received by the regular officers of the Revolutionary Army. Then in command they were delivered up as prisoners of War after peace being made. They were then marched near the place where Burgoyne had surrendered and were there discharged."

Hugh then made his way back to Boutetort Co., Virginia, an area of which he was familiar - from which he had moved just a few short years before. "From there went in Company with Robt McMillon and his family and father's family who were moving to Kentucky."

"He hereby relinquishes every claim what so ever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid."

/s/ Hugh McBrayer

Hugh was later denied the pension due to the fact he was not in the militia at the time of his capture and was still considered a minor - underage. He never married and died some time after 1835. (some data-James M. Sellers, Jr.)

This second account of the ordeal was recorded in a booklet prepared under the auspices of the WPA (Works Progress Administration) late 1930s-early 1940s. The booklet "Abstracts of Pensions, Soldiers of the Revolution, 1812 and Indian Wars Who Settled The Bluegrass Region of Kentucky", Volume 2C, contains the following information, which is almost identical to the above account:

REJECTED PENSION NUMBER
State of Kentucky, Anderson County, October 12, 1835 personally appeared Hugh McBrayer, as age 67, says that his father moved to Kentucky in the fall of 1779 in company with McAfee's and settled at their station about seven miles below Harrodsburg, the spring of 1781. He and his brother Chad crossed the river for the purpose of hobling [hobbling] horses so that they could be found the next morning. It was in the dusk of the eventime. Sixteen Indians suddenly came upon them, seized him. His brother made his escape, across the river into the fort. The Indians carried him forth with. Without stopping, to Detroit and delivered him into the hands of the British who paid the Indians for the service out of the English Fort. They had been employed by the British to make war on us. There was a stone [store] called the King's fort at Detroit kep [kept] by the Indian agent called Piero Banbee, Capt. Bird commanded at Detroit. He had about 100 prisoners captured principally at the Blue Lick defeat and at Bryants and Riddells Stations. He states he remained a prisoner with others at Detroit until the summer of 1783. They were then shipped to the falls of magara [Niagara?], thence to Montreal in lower Canada. Thence they were sent across to Ticondaroga and at the mouth of Wood Creek, delivered and received by the Regular Officers of the Revolutionary Army then in command. They were thus delivered up as prisoners of War upon peace being made. They were then marched near the place where Burgoyne had surrended [surrendered] and were then discharged and he states he then returned home to Kentucky by the way of Botetourt Cunty [County], Virginia where his father had moved from and from where went in company with Robert McMillan - his family and his father's family who were moving to Kentucky. His neighbors were Robert D. Bowman, Ephraim Lillard and Jordan H. Walker."

"Staae [State] of Kentucky, Mercer County. The deposition of Jane Lyen [?] Taken September 2, 1835. This deponent [deponent] being about age 80 years of age says that she was acquainted with Hugh McBrayer in 1799. May 1779 - that they came in company from Virginia to Kentucky, the fall before the hard winter, to James McAfee's station on Salt River and lived in the said station until the spring of 1781 and at that time the said Hugh McBrayer was taken prisoner by the Indians near the said station and was again over two years before he returned to Kentucky again."

"Deposition of Elizabeth MacCoun taken in Mercer County, Kentucky. September 25, 1835. Deposition of this deponent says she is age 79, and that she was acquainted with Hugh McBrayer, in 1779. That they came in company from Virginia to Kentucky, the fall before the hard Winter yo [to] James McFee's station on Salt River and lived in said station until the spring of 1781, and in that spring the said Hugh McBrayer was taken prisoner by the Indians near the station."

More About HUGH MCBRAYER:
Fact 1: October 12, 1835, Application for pension

10.	v.		ANDREW MCBRAYER, b. October 20, 1778, VA or KY; d. May 16, 1839, Anderson Co., KY.
11.	vi.		JAMES MCBRAYER, b. Bef. 1779, PA or VA; d. Bet. 1820 - 1830, Franklin Co. or Anderson Co., KY..

4. DAVID² MCBRAYER (FATHER '1ST GEN'¹) was born Bef. 1700, and died 1771 in Antrim Township, Cumberland Co., PA. He married ELIZABETH CAMPBELL. She was born Abt. 1704, and died October 1771 in Antrim Township, Cumberland Co., PA.

Notes for DAVID MCBRAYER:
David McBrayer was one of (at least) three brothers who came to America in about 1735 and settled in PA. He is first recorded in the tax records for Hopewell Township, Cumberland County, on 4 Oct 1753, when David 'McBryer' was taxed on his holdings.

On 3 Feb. 1755 a warrant (#91) (survey # 100) was patented in Philadelphia for 100 acres "on both sides of the Conococheague Creek" to David McBrayer of Antrim Township, Cumberland County (now Franklin), Pennsylvania. The patentee was James McBreer, probably the brother of David. (He paid 52 L, 9s, 6d.) David and Elizabeth sold this land on 5 February 1770 to their son-in-law, Andrew Reed (see abstract following). The land adjoined that of Moses Thompson and Thomas Nesbit. (ed. note: These latter two names show up in many of the old documents of the PA families. It is very evident they were close neighbors and friends of both David and his brother, William.) Other neighbors included George Castle and Thomas Entrickett.)

David McBrayer, a member of the Scottish Covenantor Church, died between 18 January 1771 and 6 March 1771 in Antrim Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, as witnessed by his last will and testament. The will is registered in the Cumberland County original Will Book "B", pages 83-84. "His place of burial is not known, but it was probably on his family farm, although it may have been in the Brown's Mill Burying Ground." (RS)

This indenture made the fifth day of Februry, one thousand seven hundred and seventy between David McBrier and Elizabeth, his wife, of Antrim Township, Cumberland County and Province of Pennsylvania, of the one part and Andrew Reid, shoemaker, of the same place of the other part... David for and in consideration for the sum of three hundred pounds of lawful money of Pennsylvania... paid... tract of and situate... on both sides of Conochig Creek. ....surveyed to me by virtue of warrant granted to me for one hundred acres bearing date at Philadelphia sixth day of Februry in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty five containing two hundred acres... Sealed and delivered in the presence of us.

/s/ James Potter
/s/ William Nesbitt
/s/ David McBrayer (seal)

Elizabeth died in October 1771; "this is known from a receipt for her coffin signed by David McBrayer, son of William McBrayer, which was given to Robert Sloan, her son-in-law." (ibid) "WALTER REED SLOAN, now deceased, of McConnellsburg, Fulton Co., PA, had the receipt for the coffin of Elizabeth McBrayer. He was descended from Robert Sloan who married Mary McBrayer, by which line he received his surname and from Esther McBrayer Reed whose daughter married a first cousin, son of Robert Sloan. That line married first cousins for about three generations...."

No sons of record have ever been located and, according to the below shown will, David and Elizabeth had only daughters.

                  IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN.

      I, David McBrayer of Antrim Township and Cumberland County and Province of Pennsylvania doth this Eighteenth day of Janury in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy one, constitute, make, and ordain this my last will and testament in the following maner and form. That is to say it is my will that principley and first of all that my just debts and funerale charges be paid and discharged and as tutching such worley esteat as it hath pleased God to favour me with. I give and dispose of the same as hereafter mentioned.

      Viz: ITEM to my beloved wife, Elizabeth McBrayer, I give and bequeath and divise my Putter bedding and bedcloas and three sheep and one third of all my esteat to her and her heirs and to my grandson David Carmikal, I give and devise the sum of five pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania and to my granddaughter Elizabeth Pedden I give and devise the sum of five pounds Pennsylvania money and to Martha Roberson, my daughter, I give and devise my sorl hors and to my son-in-law, Robert Sloan, I give and devise my some and taklings.

      ITEM: It is my will and I do order that all the remainder of my esteat not already willed and devised be equally divided to and among my daughters Elizabeth Pedden, Mary Sloan and Martha Robinson, Susanna Carmikal and Easter Reed, each to have shere and shere alike and I do nominate and appoint my wife, Elizabeth, exertrist and my trusty friends, James McGee and James Potter, Executors or any two of them, hole and sole executors of this, my last will and testament and I do hereby revock, dismantle and make voyd any former will and testament by me maid and I now declear this only to be my last will and testament.

      In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

/s/ David (X) McBrayer
(his mark)

      Signed, sealed and decleared and published by the said David McBrayer as his will and testament in the presence of us.

      William McGee, Sarah Cobrath, William Nesbit.

      Be it remembered that on the sixth day of March 1771...Testamentary issued in Commonwealth ... Executors named in the last will and testament of David McBrayer, deceased, of which foregoing record is a true copy. Inventory and account to been exhibited in the time appointed by law. Witness my hand the day and year above said.

More About DAVID MCBRAYER:
Date born 2: Bef. 1700
Date born 3: Bef. 1700, County Down, Northern Ireland ³

Notes for ELIZABETH CAMPBELL:
Elizabeth died in October 1771; "this is known from a receipt for her coffin signed by David McBrayer, son of William McBrayer, which was given to Robert Sloan, her son-in-law." (ibid) "WALTER REED SLOAN, now deceased, of McConnellsburg, Fulton Co., PA, had the receipt for the coffin of Elizabeth McBrayer. He was descended from Robert Sloan who married Mary McBrayer, by which line he received his surname and from Esther McBrayer Reed whose daughter married a first cousin, son of Robert Sloan. That line married first cousins for about three generations...."


Children of DAVID MCBRAYER and ELIZABETH CAMPBELL are:

12.	i.	MARY³ MCBRAYER, b. Bet. 1735 - 1740.
13.	ii.	ESTHER MCBRAYER, b. Abt. 1747, Antrim Twp, Franklin, Pennsylvania; d. Bef. November 21, 1822, Franklin, Pennsylvania.
14.	iii.	SUSANNA MCBRAYER, b. Abt. 1749; d. Aft. 1816.
15.	iv.	ELIZABETH MCBRAYER, b. Abt. 1750, PA.
	v.	MARTHA JANE MCBRAYER, b. Abt. 1752; m. JAMES ROBINSON, February 20, 1764, Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA.

Notes for MARTHA JANE MCBRAYER:
She is mentioned in the will of David McBrayer in 1771, but no further data.

More About JAMES ROBINSON and MARTHA MCBRAYER:
Marriage: February 20, 1764, Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA

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