Benjamin Blackburn, I

Benjamine BLACKBURN, (John BLACKBURN) was born in 1713 in Augusta Co., Va, and in 1736 in Fredrick, Va, married Mary BLACKBURN who was born in 1721 in Of Washington, North Carolina. Benjamine died in 1791 in Washington Co., NC. Will probated Aug 1791. Had 9 children, Agnes being the 8th. Children: 3 1 Benjamine BLACKBURN was born in 1738 in Fredrick, Va, and on Feb 1, 1756 in Winchester, Fredrick, Va, married Ann. Benjamine died on Sep 24, 1834 in Dandridge, Jefferson, Tn.

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Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Blackburn-759

U.S. Southern Colonies Project logo
Benjamin Blackburn Sr was a Virginia colonist.

Benjamin Blackburn's family was of Scotch-Irish extracton. He was born in Ireland around 1713. His father is believed to be John Blackburn, who emigrated from Ireland, arriving in Norfolk, Virginia, about 1724. John Blackburn and his four sons: John, Benjamin, Will, and Samuel, may have spent some time in Isle of Wight county, before migrating to Chester County, Pennsylvania. Then, around 1742, they moved to Frederick County, Virginia, where they settled in Winchester.[1][2]

Benjamin married a lady named Mary. We do not know her maiden name. They married about 1737 in Chester or Lancaster County,[1], then settled in Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, where they raised eleven children:[1][3]

1. Benjamin (1738-1834), m. Ann _____ [2]
2. John (1740-1808), m. Janet Mathews
3. Robert (1742-1809), m. Margaret Richie
4. Andrew, b. 1744
5. James, b. 1746
6. Elizabeth, b. 1749, m. Thomas Bay
7. Archibald (1751-1823), m1. Rosannah Steele; m2. Isabel _____
8. George, b. 1753
9. William, b. 1755, m. Elizabeth Black [2]
10. Agnes or Ann "Nancy" (1757-1835), m. John Weir or Wear[2]
11. Samuel (1759-1835), m. Anne Mathews

In 1753, he received a grant from Lord Fairfax "to 181 acres lying on Mulberry Run in Frederick County .... where he now lives." It is likely he had rented or leased this land for some time prior to the date of the grant.[1]

In 1759 and 1764, Benjamin was listed on the Rent Rolls, Frederick County, Virginia.[4][5] Then, on 23 Oct 1765, there is a land transaction for 79 acres in Augusta County, Virginia.[6]

Benjamin was a sergeant in the French and Indian War militia,[7] in the regiment of riflemen commanded by Captain Chas. Lewis. He fought in the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774 and was disabled by several wounds.[8]

In 1784, Benjamin acquired 200 acres of land in Washington County, "lying on both sides of Onion Branch and the East Branch of Little Limestone Creek." This was Watauga Country, and his sons, John, Robert, and Archibald had already moved there before him.[1] Lying beyond the Appalachian mountains, Washington County was a "no-man's land" after the Revolution. For four short years, beginning in December 1784, it was part of the State of Franklin, an independent entity not part of the United States. Eventually it became a part of the State of Tennessee.

Benjamin Blackburn was no doubt aware of the political dynamics of the State of Franklin. Before he passed away, he wrote a will[3][1], saying, "I, Benjamin Blackburn, of the State of Franklin and County of Washington, farmer..." His will was written on 10 Aug 1786 and probated in Aug 1791 in Jonesboro, Washington County, Tennessee.[3][2] In addition to the divisions of his estate to his wife Mary and his children, he gave a Bible to each of his grandsons who were named Benjamin.[1]

Benjamin's death date is assumed to be 1791, the year his will was proven.[3][2]

Benjamin was born about 1720 in Ireland or Scotland. He is first found in the records of Frederick County, Virginia where he purchased property in 1753. [9] In 1784 and 5 February 1787, he purchased property in Washington County, Tennessee. [10] Washington County was in North Carolina at the time of Benjamin's land purchases. His will was signed in Washington County, Tennessee, 10 August 1786. [11] He died about 1791 in Washington County, Tennessee. [12]

From the "Blackburn Family in America" compilation[13], possible children are:

1. Benjamin (1738-1834)
2. John (1740-1808)
3. Robert (1742-1809)
4. Andrew (1744- )
5. James (1746 - )
6. Elizabeth (1749 - )
7. Archibold (1751 - 1823)
8. George (1753- l)
9. Wiliam (1755-1780)
10. Ann (or Nancy Ann) (1757 - )
11. Samuel (1759-1835)

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• Military service: Alabama
• Military service: Tennessee
• Residence: Rent Rolls, Frederick County, VA - 1759
• Residence: District #14, Halifax County, NC - 1786
  • Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Jul 14 2017, 4:34:24 UTC

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From The Benjamin Blackburn Family by W.A. Challaconmbe

Tradition says that the family of Benjamin Blackburn was of Scottish-Irish extraction and came to America from Ireland about 1724. Where they landed, where they first settled, the exact time of arrival, and on what ship they came is unknown at this time. Benjamin Blackburn came to America with his parents, his brothers: John, Will, and Samuel, and other relatives. Since the Blackburns were friends and neighbors of the Mathews family in Winchester VA and Dandridge TN, and Mrs Annilu B Odil (1942) says she found a record of one Alexander Mathews in Isle of Wight County, Virginia in 1695, in Deed Book #1and also mentions a John Blackburn in the same county - we are inclined to believe the Blackburns landed in Norfolk, VA about 1724, then moved up to Chester County, Pennsylvania, then to Winchester, VA in 1742.

Tradition also says that Benjamin Blackburn was with Washington's forces at Braddock's defeat. This tradition has passed from Nancy Blackburn Carson, a grandaughter of Benjamin Blackburn. Furthermore, this Benjamin is referred to as General Blackburn in the "Annuals of the American Pulpit" in a sketch therein of his grandson, the Reverend Gideon Blackburn. It may be that this was a complimentary title bestowed upon him because of his military services against the French and Indians or perhaps the writer of the sketched confused him with his son, the General Samuel Blackburn, who served with distinction in the Revolutionary War. That he was in the conflict is also born out by the record in Vol. III of Hening's Statutes that he was one of the men from Frederick County, Winchester, VA, who each received 11 pounds and 2 shillings for their services. Mrs Clifford Long, now deceased, of Mt Pleasant TN stated that she was a decendant of Ambrose Blackburn, and that Ambrose and Benjamin were brothers and both were present at Braddock's Defeat. The writer has never found anything to substantiate this relationship escept the fact that their grandchildren, who lived in Maury County, TN called each other cousin and when in 1855 a number of the family of Ambrose Blackburn moved to Texas they were accompanied by a number of the family of Edward Rose Blackburn, a grandson of Benjamin.

The first authentic date for Benjamin Blackburn is in 1753 when he received a grant from from Lord Fairfax to 181 acres on Mulberry Run in Frederick County, VA.

Benjamin and Mary were probably married in Chester or Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

From "The Benjamin Blackburn Family" by W.A. Challacombe , pg. 32 :

"Benjamin and Mary seemed to have come to Frederick County, Virginia about 1742, then on down to the neighborhood of Steeles's Tavern in 1770. They lived near Providence Presbyterian Church and were neighbors to the McCormicks (of reaper fame) and the Steele Family. Then in 1784 Benjamin followed his sons John, Robert, and Archibald down into the Wautauga Country where his sons had migrated about 1773.

On Feb 5, 1784, Benjamin Blackburn purchased for 150 pounds, 200 acres in Washington County, NC lying on both sides of Onion Branch and the East Branch of Little Limestone Creek. This tract is located about 1 mile south of Washington College, which in that day was conducted by the Rev. Samuel Doak under the name of Martin Academy.

Last Will and Tesatament, Appendix 2

Benjamin was the grandfather of Dr. Gideon Henry Blackburn, founder of Blackburn College in Ill and minister of the Great Awakening. GHB established the First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, AL.

Gideon Blackburn spent most of his time with his grandfather General Blackburn until he was about 12 when General Blackburn died. He then went to live with his maternal uncle Gideon Ritchie.

GEDCOM Note

Benjamin received a grant from Lord Fairfax in 01-Sep-1753 "to 181 acres lying on Mulberry Run in Frederick County--where he now lives." Benjamin had probably been a tenant on this Virginia land. In 10-May-1755 he was granted 400 acres adjacent to his and McMachans land.

In 1784 Benjamin followed his sons, John, Robert and Archibald down into the Wautauga Country, where his sons had migrated about 1773. On February 5, 1784, Benjamin purchased for 150 pounds, 200 acres in Washington County, State of North Carolina, "lying on both sides of Onion Branch and the East Branch of Little Limestone Creek." This tract is located about one mile south of Washington College, which in those days was conducted by the Rev. Samuel Doak under the name of Martin Academy. Gideon Blackburn, when he was twelve years of age, lived with his grandfather Benjamin and attented Martin
Academy.

Benjamin served with Washington at Braddock's defeat in 1755, American Revolutionary War was referred to as General Blackburn but no other documentation has been found of this. Mention of his service is noted in Vol VII of Henings Statutes that he was one of the men from Frederick County, Winchester, Va. who was paid 11 pounds and 2 shillings for his service. From Hening's VIRGINIA STATUTES AT LARGE, Vol. 7, page 216:

Letter on letterhead of Blackburn College, Carlinville, Illinois, dated 18 Jan 1936 from
W. A. Challacombe.

Dear Mrs. ____:

It is a double pleasure to me to share with you some of the data which I have accummulated concerning our Blackburn ancestors, and also to meet one of my distant cousins.

I see from your letter you have quite a few facts concerning the early Blackburns, but even at the risk of repeating things that may be old to you I will put down the family tree somewhat in full as I have it: -

Benjamin Blackburn & wife Mary moved from Augusta Co Va to Limestone, Tenn and purchased 200 a Feb 5 1784. Benjamin died in 1791. their children were:
Benjamin (1738-1834) married ?; issue 3 sons 4 daughters
John (1740[1741?]-1808) married Jane White (need Mathews) issue 8 sons 4 dau
Robert (1742-1809?) married Sarah (?) Richie issue six sons six daughters
Andrew (1744-?) probably died in infancy
James (1746-?) died in infancy?
Elizabeth (1749-?) married Thomas Bay 8 sons, one daughter
Archibald (1751-1823) married 1st Rosanna Steele, 2nd Isabelle __?__ issue; 6 sons,
3 daughters (perhaps others)
George (1753-?) died in infancy?
William (1755-?) died in infancy?
Ann (Nancy) (1757 - ?) married John Wear issue, 3 sons, 5 daughters-perhaps others.
Samuel (1759-1835) married Anne Mathews no issue

Benjamin (1738-1834 lost two or three fingers at the Battle of Mt Pleasant in 1774 against the Indians. As far as I know he took no part in the Rev.War.

I have copies of the Land Grants for Rev.War Service for John, Robert and Archibald. Samuel was a General in the Rev.War and received 8000 a. in Ohio.

John is our common ancestor. On his war record I got my daughter, Nancy, admitted to the D.A.R. Last summer I made a trip back into East Tenn. I took a kodak picture of the stone at Dandridge erected to the Rev War Veterans. John Blackburn’s name leads the list. If I can find an extra copy of that picture I will enclose it. I also took a picture of the Spring at the Tenn home of John Blackburn, from which your gt.gt. grandmother moved when she married James Moyers and from which spot my gt. grandmother Nancy Blackburn went to join the fortunes of John Carson.

The following is a partial synopsis of the descendants of John & Jane Blackburn:

John Blackburn born Dec 25 1740 [Jan. 27, 1741 says Miss Vandeventer], died Feb 9 1808) [also date of Miss Vandeventer]
Jane Mathews born Sep 29 1749 [July 20, 1747, says Miss Vandeventer], died April 23, 1818); married Apr 2 1765 [both have this date]

Children:
1. Alexander, born Jan 14 1766, killed at Brabson’s Ferry below Dandridge by the Indians.
2. Benjamin, born Mch 8 1767, died at 18 yrs of age
3. Mary - - - born Nov 1 1768, married James Moyers, Nov 3, 1789 date of death and place of burial unknown to writer; she was still living in 1846. A letter written by JANE BLACKBURN her mother, in 1813, states: “Thro the goodnes of God I am able to be about, came to James Moyers yesterday to see his daughter SUSANNAH married to Enoch Willoughby; his daughter GRISSEY was married about three weeks ago to John Patton; and his son JOHN MOYERS to Mary Snoddy the 15th of October last”. Mary’s brother James Blackburn, under date of Jan 1846 wrote: “Sister polly Moyers [Mary Blackburn Moyers] is yet alive I suppos and she has movd to Ceqenach valy and livs with her sun John.”
4. Andrew - born Dec 13 1770, died 1845, married 1st Margaret Samples, 2nd Catherine McGirk.
5. William, born Oct 7 1772, date and place of death unknown, but was alive in 1834. married Anna Samples-the mother of the writer said that this “William was a preacher and had a son John who died in Illinois”.
6. Grizelle born Oct 27 1774-died July 25, 1862; married her 1st cousin Rev Gideon Blackburn Oct 1793. Issue: John, Elizabeth, James H., Samuel E., Jane, Gloriana, Grundy, William, Gideon, Anderson.
7. George - born May 26 1776, place & date of death unknown. One source says he married Martha Neely-another source says his wife was Elizabeth Vance - he had at least three sons - George, James & John
8. John born Mch 24 1778, died 1868; married Elizabeth McGirk issue-4 sons, 5 daughters. (The writer visited in the home of Benjamin Blackburn, son of Wm Wallace, son of Wm Wirt, son of Benj. Ardra, eldest son of John)
9. Jane (twin)born June 3, 1780 - married Thomas Snoddy issue; James - perhaps others
10. Edward (twin) born June 3 1780 - married Margaret McGirk [McGirt] on Sep 6 [5] 1804 issue: John Nelson, Catherine, Cinderella, Sally, Andrew, Margaret, William I.
11. James - - born Oct 2 1782 - married Catherine Jamieson issue; John H., Elvira, James Harvey, Alexander A., Thos S, & five who died in infancy.
12. Nancy born Apr 7 1784; died 1851 married John Crason [Carson] June 1804 Issue; Jane, Wm H., Jhn B., Elizabeth, Mary, James, Margaret, Nancy G., Gideon.

Wm Harvey Carson (1806-1883) was the father of Nancy Glorianna Carson (1829- 1920) who married Nicholas Challacombe 4/22/47. They had 12 children of whom I am the youngest - eight grew to manhood and womanhood-only 2 others besides the writer are still living.

I would be pleased to receive your line back to Mary Blackburn Moyers. I have been getting up a mimeograph pamphlet of the Blackburn Lines which I have gathered and some day I hope to have it available to any one who is interested in Blackburn Genealogy.

Yours very sincerely [signed] W. A. Challacombe

References

1. https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Benjamin_Blackburn_%283%29
   1. Margaret Blackburn White. Becoming White: My Family's Experience As Slave Holders - and Why It Still Matters. (AuthorHouse , 03/17/2009).
   2. William Buell Sprague. Annuals of the American Pulpit: Commemorative Notices of Distinguished American Clergymen of Various Denominations, From the Early Settlement of the Country to the Close of the Year Eighteen Hundred and Fifty-Five. With Historical Introductions. (New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1858), Vol.4 , 1858
2. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Blackburn-759
3. Tennessee, Wills and Probate Records, 1779-2008 https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/21983463?h=10dd67
4. https://robinrichmond.com/family/getperson.php?personID=I21965&tree=rr
5. Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Apr 6 2022, 9:57:19 UTC