in Pennsylvania. The marriage
information had her name as, Margaretta Lindsay.The Descendants of Eleanor Ewing
Eleanor2, Ewing (Alexader1, Robert A)
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Return to the Table of Contents
Go to Chapter 6 Alexander Ewing father of Eleanor
1. Eleanor Ewing {72} was born about 1721 in Ulster, Ireland. She was the daughter of Alexander Ewing {66} and Rebeckah [———?———] {68}. Eleanor died before 1740/41 in Maryland. She married Andrew Porter {3836} in Maryland.
Known child of Eleanor is:
+ 2. i. Robert Porter {3837}, born about 1737/38, died about 1781.
Andrew married (2) Margaret Leiper/Leeper {4121}. Margaret died about 1802 in Cecil County, Maryland. Andrew died about 1788 or 1789 between the date of his will 6 Aug 1788 and when the will was presented to the court 22 Jun 1789.
Known children of Andrew and Margaret are:
3. ii. James Leiper Porter {3838}.
5. iv. Margaret Porter {3840}. She married Richard Gay {3865}.
6. v. Eleanor Porter {3841}. She married Robert Porter {4581}.
7. vi. Catherine Porter {3842}. She married James Evans {3847}.
8. vii. Elizabeth Porter {3843}. She married John Linsey [Lindsay] {3848}.
In 1990 on a tour of Cecil County, Maryland, where the Ewing families settled, a lane was identified off U.S. 222 that led to the house of Andrew Porter which was still standing. Andrew had purchased 500 acres for £875 from the Hyde heirs. The Patent for this land extended to the Susquehanna River. From his will dated in Aug 1788, Andrew indicates all of the purchase price had not been paid.
This family is different from what was first believed to be the correct family. The key person that allows us to properly identity the children of Eleanor Ewing and Andrew Porter is their grandson, Andrew Porter {3837} of Wythe County, Virginia.
We know from the will of Eleanor's father, Alexander Ewing {66}, that Alexander had a son-in-law named Andrew Porter. Alexander did not name his daughter Eleanor in his will but we were able to identify her with the wills of her brothers. William Ewing {70} named his sister, Elanor [Eleanor], in his will.
Since the evidence leads us to believe that Eleanor Ewing and Andrew Porter had only one child, Robert, as indicated above, we believe that Robert was born about 1737 or very early 1738. And, Eleanor either died in childbirth or a short time after Robert was born. Since we have estimated Eleanor's birth year as 1721, we can assume that she got married between the age of fifteen and eighteen. If she got married when she was fifteen or sixteen, it is possible that she had died before her father, Alexander, wrote his will in 1738. Also, that would indicate that her son Andrew was born before 1738. Eleanor could have been born a couple of years before 1721 with another child being born to Rebeckah about 1721 that died young.
The will of Andrew Porter and the will of his second wife, Margaret Leiper/Leeper will help us to separate the children of Andrew.
The will of Andrew Porter
Cecil County, Maryland Will book 5, page 207-210
In the Name of God Almighty Amen I Andrew Porter Senr of Cecil County & State of Maryland being in Perfect Health of body And of Sound mind memory and understanding but Calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory life and well knowing that it is appointed once & for all men to Die and being desirous to Settle all my World affairs before it shall please God to Call me Hence do hereby Nominate make Publish & Declare this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following to Witt ~ ~ ~
First I Committ my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God from whence it Came and my body to the Earth to be there Decently Beriod at the discretion of my executor herein after named and after all my Just Debts are paid as to Such worldly Estate as it Hath pleased God to Endow me with I give devise and Bequeath as follows ~
Secondly I give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Wife Margret Porter one Negro woman Named Patience & one Molattoe Boy Named Bill also our Chest of Drawers and one Large Poplar Chest ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Thirdly I give & Devise unto my Son James Leiper Porter all my now Dwelling Plantation & tract of land Called Smith Fort Containing Five Hundred Acres also one other Small tract of Land adjoining thereto Called Sparkman Hall Containing Fourteen Acres and three Quarters of an acre of Land to him and his heirs for Ever ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Fourthly I also give and Bequeath unto my Said Son James one Negro Man Named Jim & one Negro Man Named Caesar and one Negro Boy Called Stephen Also one Molattoe Woman Named Joan & two Negro Girls Gemina & Milla ~ ~ ~
Fifth I give & Bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Porter one Negro Girl Named Dinah also two Cows and Calves Ten Head of Sheep one Riding Horse Bridle and Saddle and one Feather Bed Bedstead & Furniture ______ & the Sum of twenty pound Current Money to be paid her at the Expiration of one year after my Decease ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sixth I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Margaret Gay Wife of Richard Gay the Sum of twenty Pounds Current money & no more to be paid her at the Expiration of two years after my Decease ~ ~
Seventh I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Linsey Wife of John Linsey of Pennsylvania the Sum of twenty Pounds Current Money and no more to be paid her at the Expiration of three years after my Decease ~ ~
Eight I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Elinor Porter Wife of Robt the Sum of twenty Pounds Current Money & no more to be paid her at the Expiration of Four years after my Decease ~ ~
Ninth I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter Catharine Evans Wife of James Evans the Sum of twenty Pound Current money & no more to be paid her at the Expiration of Five year after my Decease ~
Tenth I give and Bequeath unto my Grandson Andrew Porter Son of Robert Porter Deceased the Sum of twenty Pounds Current Money & no more and to each of his Brothers and Sisters the Sum of twenty Shillings & no more ~ to be paid them at the Expiration of Six years after my Decease ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Eleventhly my Will is that in Case I Shall Die before I pay for the Land whereon I now live and Which I have now given my Son James Leiper Porter that then all the Remaining Part of my Estate which is not already given away be Sold and the Money arising therefrom be applied to the Payment of Said Debt but in Case the Said Debt is Paid in my life time then my Will is that all the Said Remaining part of my Estate which is not already given away Be & Remain the Property of my Said Son James Leiper Porter and that he pay out of it the further and additional Sum of ten pounds current Money in addition to the twenty Pounds already given to Each of his Sisters to Witt Margareat(sic) Elizabeth Elinor Catharine & Mary in the Same Manner & at the Same times ~
Twelthly & Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my Son James Leiper Porter Executor of this my Last Will & Testament revoking and making Null and Void all & Every Other Will or Wills heretofore by me made Rattifying and Confirming this to be my Last Will and testament and no other in Testimony of Which I have hereunto Set my hand and Affixed my Seal thereto this 6th Day of August in the year of our Lord Seventeen Hundred & Eighty Eight ~ ~
Signed Sealed Published & Declared by } Andrew Porter [seal]
Testator to be his last Will & Testament }
in the Presence of us the Subserivor at Whose request & Whose presence & in the Presence of each other We have hereunto Set our hands & Subscribed our Names as Witness thereto ~
John Hammond Cromwell, James Milholn, George Porter
Cecil County to Wit June 22d 1789 there Came James Leiper Porter and made Oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that the foregoing is the true and Whole last Will and Testament of Andrew Porter Late of Said County Deceased that hath Come to his hands and possession and that he Doth not Know of any other ~ Sworn before David Smith Regr
Cecil County to Wit June 22d then Came George Porter and James Millhollon (sic) two of the Subscribing Witnesses to the within Last Will and Testament of Andrew Porter late of Said county Deceased and made Oath on the Holy Evangels of almighty God that they did See the Said Testator Sign and Seal this Will that they Heard him publish pronounce and Declare this same to be his Last Will and Testament that at the time of his So Doing he was to the Best of their apprehensions a Sound and Disposing Mind Memory and understanding and they and John Hammond Cromwell Severally Set their hands to the Same as Witnesses in the Presence of one another ~
On this 22d Day of June Came Margaret Porter the Widow of Andrew Porter late of Cecil County Deceased and Quitted her Claim to the Several Requests and Devises made to her in the Will of her Said Husband Deceased and elected in loiu thereof her Dower or third Part of the Decd Estate both Real and Personal ~
before me David Smith Regr of wills in Cecil County
The will of Margaret [Leiper] Porter
Cecil County, Maryland Will Book 6, page 301-302
In the Name of God Amen I Margaret Porter Widow of Andrew Porter Deceased being weak of Body but of Sound Disposing Mind Memory & Understanding have made this my last Will and Testament in manner following VIZ I give devise and bequeath unto the Children of my Deceased Daughter Elizabeth Lindsey the Sum of one hundred Dollars to be paid at the Expiration of one year after my Decease also unto my Daughter Nelly Porter wife of Robert Porter the Sum of one hundred Dollars to be paid at the Expiration of two years after my Decease Also unto my Daughter Catharine Evans wife of James Evans the Sum of one hundred Dollars to be paid at the Expiration of three years after my Decease also unto my Grand Son Andrew Arbuckle who now lives with me the Sum of fifty Dollars to be paid to him when he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years, but if he should Die before he arrives to that age my will in that Case is that it be given to Andrew Porter the Son of James Leiper Porter to be paid to him when he shall arrive to the Age of twenty one years I also give unto James Leiper Porter's Son Andrew the further Sum of fifty Dollars to be paid to him at the age of twenty one afsd thereby giving my two last mentioned Grand Children my Daughter Pollys Share ______ considery her share equal to one of my other Daughters Share _____ Lastly I will devise and bequeath unto my Son James Leiper Porter the whole of the Residue of my Estate or which doth of Right belong to me of what Nature so ever he paying the Bequeath already herein made agreeable to my true Intent & Meaning ___ To the Lord I commend my Soul, My Body to be Decently buryed at the Discretion of my Son James Leiper Porter whom I hereby appoint Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all other will or wills by me heretofore made. In Testamony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this 19th Day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred
Margaret Porter [signed with her mark]
James Sims
Cecil County Decr 18th 1802 then came James Leiper Porter and made Oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that the foregoing is the true and whole last will and Testament of Margaret Porter late of said County. Deceased that had come to his hands or Possession and that he doth not know of any other ~
Sworn before David Smith Reg
Cecil County Decr 18th 1802 then came James Sims and William Linch the two Subscribing Witnesses of the within last will and Testament of Margaret Porter late of said County Deceased and made Oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that they saw the said Testatrin Sign and Seal this will that they heard her publish pronounce and Declare the Same to be her last Will and Testament, that at the time of her so doing she was to the best of the Apprehensions of a Sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding and that they Subscribed the Same as Witnesses in the Presence and at the Request of the Testatrin ~
Sworn before David Smith Regr
Names of children mentioned in the above wills of:
Andrew Porter Margaret Porter
Margaret Gay
James Leiper James Leiper
Mary (Polly' share)
Eleanor Porter Nelly Porter
Catherine Evans Catherine Evans
Elizabeth Linsey (sic) Elizabeth Lindsey, deceased
grandson Andrew Porter son of Robert Porter
grandson Andrew Arbuckle
(g son) Andrew son of James Leiper
Some of the children are married and the married name is shown as it was given in the will. The married names also help establish this family.
Margaret Gay had married an Arbuckle for her second husband. They are both deceased and the grandson of Margaret Porter, Andrew Arbuckle, had come back from Washington County, Pennsylvania to live with his grandmother after the death of his parents.
In her will Margaret mentions that the grandsons were getting Polly's share. This would most likely mean that "Polly" or Mary had died before her mother. In Margaret's will she has given something to the heirs of a child of her's that has preceded her in death. Margaret does not mention Robert Porter in her will or any children of Robert Porter. From this, we have concluded that Robert is not a child of Margaret and she is making sure that her estate just goes to her children and their heirs.
In Andrew Porter's {3836}will he names all of his children. Since his son Robert Porter {3837} preceded him in death, Andrew Porter {3845}, his grandson, he, Andrew {3836} gave something to Andrew Porter {3845} an heir of Robert Porter.
After Andrew Porter became of age and after he apparently learned of a possible inheritance, he signed the following Power of Attorney:
Wythe County, Virginia Deed Book 2, page 29
Know all men of these present that I Andrew Porter of the County of Wythe and State of Virginia do constitute and appoint Mathias White of the same County and State my true and lawful attorney for the express purpose to collect and receive a legacy from James Le[i]per Porter, which said Legacy was left me by the last will and testament of Andrew Porter deceased who was resident of the County of Cicel [Cecil] and State of Maryland hereby ratifying and confirming whatever my said attorney may or shall lawfully do in the primises aforesaid in as full and ample a manner as if I myself were personally present. In testimony of which I hereunto set my hand and affix my Seal this 12th day of April 1797.
Teste
R. Crockett Andrew Porter [Seal]
Wythe
At a Court held for Wythe County the 12th day of April 1797. The within power of attorney to Mathias White was acknowledged by Andrew Porter the subscriber thereto, to be his voluntary act and deed, and was ordered to be Recorded. In testimony whereof I have here unto affixed my hand and private Seal there being no Seal of office this 12th day of April 1797.
Clk of Wythe Court
Andrew had an inheritance coming from his grandfather, Andrew Porter, of twenty pounds currency “to be paid ...at the expiration of six years after my decease.” Andrew the grandfather had died about 1788-89 and this effort to collect the inheritance came about eight years after the death of Andrew Porter.
In 1996, a professional researcher was asked to check the records in the Maryland State Archives for any record that showed the disposition of any of Andrew Porter's grandfather’s estate to him. The researcher was not able to find any record that indicated that Andrew Porter, the grandson, received any portion of the estate of Andrew Porter deceased of Cecil County, Maryland. It would have been a wonderful find of information if the proper accounting of the inheritances had been recorded and were available for research.
From the book Clan Ewing in Scotland, we have a short record of the James Porter family. And, we know that the sister, Rachel, of James Porter married Nathaniel Ewing. Also, it has been indicated that a number of families traveled to America together or at about the same time. From the research that has been done for this book, we appear to have more Porter families in America living in the Cecil and Chester county area than what was originally thought. It is possible more Porter families came in 1727.
We have at least three men by the name of Andrew Porter and that would indicated that we have at least three Porter families that are close to the same age.
1. Andrew the son of James Porter
2. Andrew the husband of Eleanor Ewing. In his will he identifies himself as Andrew Porter, Senr.
3 Andrew the husband of Margaret Ewing.
From deed records for Cecil County, Maryland, we know that Gyles Porter purchased land on 16 November 1675. And, by 14 September 1703, Gyles, Margaret, and Sarah Porter were orphans of a Gyles Porter, deceased.
On 14 March 1716, James Porter purchased land from Gabriel Clements. Robert Porter sold stock and a servant man to his brother, John, on 26 November 1742.
The records of Prince Edward County, Virginia show some Porters were living in that area at the time the Ewing and Porter families from Cecil County moved to Virginia.
From a newspaper article published in Maryville, Tennessee in Blount County, titled “Porter family history outline” by Elizabeth Timmons in Tizzy’s corner we find: "there was a Porter Academy in Connecticut and one established in Blount County from the same line of Porters. Samuel, the fourth son, born March 5th 1661, lived in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was the forefather of Governor Porter of Tennessee. It was his descendant who was in the Battle of Brandywine in Chester County, Pennsylvania."
In this effort, we will not try to place all of the different Porters. However, from the limited amount of information given above, we do have several Porter families that lived near each other. Also, from this limited amount of information, there is no way to determine the relationship between the various families.
It is possible that a Robert Porter could be the parent of the Andrew, the subject of this chapter, or the Andrew Porter the subject of the next chapter. The Cecil County records show:
Robert Porter of Cecil County had died by 16 June 1747 when his estate was inventoried by Thomas Shepard and Robert Williams. John Madow, Jr., and John Thompson signed as creditors. Andrew Porter, Jr. and Andrew Porter, Sr. signed as next of kin. Eleanor was the administrator. (A, pp. 37, 53)
Then on 12 September 173, Robert Porter, deceased, his widow and administrator, Eleanor, now wife of William Hilchman/Hitchman, who administers the account. (F:49, 66, 486)
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2. Robert Porter {3837} was born about 1737 or 1738. He was the son of Andrew Porter {3836} and Eleanor Ewing {72}. Robert died about 1781 in Montgomery County, Virginia. He married Margaret Lindsay {3844} 27 May 1764 in Pennsylvania. She was born about 1745. Margaret died about Jul 1811 in Blount County, Tennessee.
Known children of Robert are:
+ 10.ii.Andrew Porter {3845}, born 4 Apr 1773, died 9 Mar 1853.
11. iii.Elizabeth Porter {4583}. She married John Singleton {4585}.
+ 12.iv.Margaret Porter {3867}, died 1821/1824.
14. vi.William Porter {3869}, born about 1775.
15.vii.James Lindsay Porter {4581}.
16.viii.Catherine Porter {4584}. She married Richard Chandler {4586}.
A number of children have been identified for this family. However, the period of time for their marriage before the death of Robert does not allow for that many children to be born to this family. From various sources of information received, I have tried to identify the makeup of this family.
It appears that Robert Porter was born about 1737 or early 1738, most likely, in Cecil County, Maryland. The more that I look at the information available for this family, I am inclined to believe that Eleanor, the daughter of Alexander Ewing, had died before Alexander wrote his will in May 1738 or he would have mentioned his daughter in his will. Robert is the son of Andrew Porter and Eleanor Ewing. It is my belief that Eleanor died in child birth or a short time after Robert was born. His father, Andrew Porter , then married Margaret Leeper/Leiper.
On 27 May 1764, Robert Porter married Margaret Lindsay
in Pennsylvania. The marriage
information had her name as, Margaretta Lindsay.
Margaret and Robert Porter moved to Virginia around 1772, most likely, at the time that Robert's uncles on the Ewing side of the family moved to Virginia.
Several sources have identified Robert Porter as being married to a Margaret Ewing a sister of Eleanor. Evidence does not support that viewpoint. Evidence plainly identifies Margaret being married to a second person with the name of Andrew Porter. Some say that Robert is the son of Andrew and Eleanor Ewing Porter and that he was married to a Margaret Ewing, the sister of Eleanor. The Pennsylvania marriage record and the naming of children for a few generations appears to say that Margaret Lindsey/Lindsay is the correct name of the wife of Robert Porter.
Of the children of Margaret and Robert Porter, shown above, Rebecca, Andrew, Elizabeth, Margaret, Sarah, and William were identified by Anita Salcido. She was a Porter descendant and had researched the Porter and Ewing family for several years.
Other than her name, nothing is known about Rebecca.
The efforts of Andrew to gain his inheritance, we can use those records to properly identify his birth and family. Andrew was born 4 April 1773 in Fincastle County, Virginia and he died 9 March 1853 in Wythe County, Virginia. About 1792, he married Martha Mary "Polly" Gleaves.
Elizabeth was apparently married to John Singleton based on his will.
Wife named Elizabeth in
will.
Margaret died between 1821 and 1824 in Blount County, Tennessee. She married Samuel
McCulloch on 22 October 1800 in Blount County, Tennessee.
Sarah, by process of elimination, is believed to be married to John Dearman.
William was born about 1775. That is a date that was given to me.
James Lindsay is added to this family based on a deed signed in Knox County, Tennessee, see below. James Lindsey Porter was fined 75 cents for not attending muster. (Court of Inquiry Wythe Co., Virginia, Courthouse (Cabinet)) The deed showed his name as James L. Porter and, for awhile, it was thought that his name could have been James Leeper/Leiper Porter. Then, the record in Virginia showing his name as James Lindsey [Lindsay] helped to properly identify him and then the marriage information for his parents were found which gave a reason for him having a middle name of Lindsey.
Catherine married Richard Chandler on 13 February 1798 in Wythe County, Virginia.
Several deeds were executed that tied individuals to land that was owned by Margaret Porter. Based on that information, we can put certain individuals in the family of Margaret and Robert Porter.
Margaret Porter to Andrew Porter
Wythe County, Virginia, Deed Book 6 page 225
This Indenture made this thirteenth day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and three between Margaret Porter of Blount [County] of Tennessee of the one part & Andrew Porter of the County of Wythe and State of Virginia of the other part Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of Eight pounds current money of Virginia to her . . . unto the said Andrew Porter a certain tract or parcel of Land Containing by estimation Fifty Acres be the same more or less lying and being in the said County of Wythe on the Thorn branch . . .
Margaret D. Porter [Seal]
Signed Sealed and acknowledged in the presence of us:
James L. Porter }
In a court held for the County of Wythe on Tuesday the 13th day of December 1814. This indenture of bargain and sale from Margaret D. Porter to Andrew Porter was proven in Court by affirmation of James Singleton & John Singleton two of the witnesses . . . and fully proved to be the act and deed of the said Margaret by the oath of James L. Porter witness thereunto and ordered to be recorded.
In a deed recorded in Knox County, Tennessee, Deed Book 1, page 399, Andrew Porter of Wythe County, Virginia and Richard Chandler of Blount County, Tennessee sold "all our interest in land in Grassey Valley, formerly property of Margaret Porter.
In a deed recorded in Knox County, Tennessee, Deed Book 1, page 399. In this deed, John Singleton, Samuel McCulloch, and James L. Porter sold "all interest, we have in land in Knox County known as "Virgin Spring" was the property of Margaret Porter, deceased" to Joseph Porter of Pulaski County, Kentucky.
In a deed recorded in Knox County, Tennessee Deed Book 1, page 398, dated 26 December 1811, Margaret Porter, deceased, by John Dearmond [sic] to Joseph Porter my interest in land in Grassey Valley.
Wythe County, Virginia, Deed Book 11, page 680, dated 11 April 1831.
This Indenture made and entered into this eleventh day of April in the year of our Lord 1831 between ANDREW PORTER Sr of the County of Wythe and State of Virginia of the one part and ANDREW PORTER Jr. of the same place Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars in hand paid by the said Andrew Porter Jr. the recpt. whereof is hereby acknowledged by the said Andrew Porter Sr hath this day bargained and sold unto the said Andrew Porter Jr. and his heirs forever all the right title and interest which the said Andrew Porter Sr has in his own right in and to a certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the county of Wythe and State of Virginia, on the New River, on the south side thereof formerly belonging to James Ewing decd ; and also all the interest which the said Andrew Porter derived by a deed of bargain and sale executed by John Dea[r]man , Samuel McCullock, Richard Chandler, & James L. Porter to the said Andrew Porter dated the fifth day of December one thousand eight hundred and eleven, and duly recorded in the County Court of Blunt [Blount] State of Tennessee, at the December term 1811 (29th Decemr) together with all the appurtenances any wise appertaining to the said Andrew Porter Jr. To have and to hold the aforesaid several interests to him the said Andrew Porter Jr. and his heirs forever and the said Andrew Porter Sr for himself and his heirs, the interests aforesaid to the said Andrew Porter Jr. and heirs against the claim of him the said Andrew Porter Sr and his heirs or any other person claiming by or through him the said Andrew Porter Sr and his heirs, will forever warrant and defend~ Given under my hand and seal the day and year first above written.
Test. Andrew Porter [seal]
Virginia: At a Court held for Wythe County, at the Courthouse, on Monday the 11th day of April 1831. This Deed of bargain and sale was presented to the Court, acknowledged by Andrew Porter as his act and deed and ordered to be recorded.
Teste.
J. P. Mathews C.C.
-----------------
I have put the children in the following sequence based on a time line from May 1764 when Margaret and Robert Porter got married to 1781 the year he is believed to have died.
1765-6 Rebecca is believed to be the oldest child.
1767-8 Margaret. On the 1830 census for Blount County, Tennessee on page 296, the family for Samuel McCulloch is identified. Samuel is shown as being between the age of 50 to 60 and a female is 30-40. The female would be the second wife for Samuel.
1770-71 Sarah, Elizabeth, or Catherine On the 1830 census for Blount County, Tennessee on page 283, the family for Richard Chandler is identified. Richard is shown as being between the age of 60 to 70 and a female is 50 to 60.
1773 Andrew was born in April 1773..
1775 William Estimated birth year that I received for William.
1777 Catherine, Elizabeth, or Sarah On the 1830 census for Knox County, Tennessee on page 358, the family for John Dearman is identified. John is shown as being between the age of 60 to 70 and a female is 50 to 60.
1779 Elizabeth, Sarah, or Catherine - John Singleton died about 1825. The 1830 Census for Blount County, Tennessee, page 282, shows a family for Hugh Singleton. His age is based on the male being 20 to 30 and a female is shown as 20 to 30 and another female is shown as 40 to 50. This Hugh is believed to be the son of John and Elizabeth Singleton and his mother, Elizabeth, is living in that home. If the person age 40 to 50 is Elizabeth, then her sequence of birth is properly placed. She might become 51 later in the year.
1780/81 James Lindsey Porter was born about 1780 or 81 based on the month of his birth. His age is indicated as being 69 on the 1850 Census for Knox County, Tennessee, page 144, Dwelling No. 701, Family No. 710. He is listed as a farmer and being born in Virginia. Since his father died in 1781, I believe that James L. might be the youngest child of this family. If he was born before June 1st, he would have been born in 1781 based on his age as given for the census. After June 1, he would have been born in 1780.
Without additional information, we do not know the sequence of birth for Elizabeth, Catherine, and Sarah. We listed Margaret as the second child because we know that Elizabeth, Catherine, and Sarah were born between 1770 and 1780 based on census information.
If all of the children were single births, eight (8) children is about the most that Margaret and Robert Porter could have had. I have never heard of any multiple births; therefore, I have not considered any.
Mrs. Marie Norris sent information and writes:
"I still think Joseph Porter is a son of Robert & Margaret Porter."
"The little girl of Joseph & Sally Porter who died in Tennessee was Margaret Lindsay Porter."
"According to Mrs. Lorene B. Smith, Maryville, Tennessee, John Singleton born Ireland (tradition) died ca 1825 Blount Co., bur. Mt. Moriah Cem."
From a typed article "Pike Co., Ill. Atlas 1872 - Andreas, Lyter & Co. on page 2 of the article, it states: "Mrs. Grubb, the relict of Hon. Alfred Grubb, was born January 5, 1811. Her father, Joseph Porter, was born in Wythe County, Virginia, and was the youngest son of a large family of children. At the age of nineteen he was apprenticed to the cabinet trade; and emigrated to Somerset, Ky. . . In 1812 he was a volunteer to help rescue his fellow countrymen who had been so shamefully surrendered by Hull. After a hard campaign of seven months, he returned home, and removed to Tennessee, to take charge of an estate that had been left him by his mother. There he remained, eight miles from Knoxville, for three years, when he sold out and returned to Somerset. . . ."
A Bible record indicates Joseph Porter was born 7 November 1784 and information from a tombstone Joseph was born 17 November 1781.
Mrs. Pearle C. Woods sent information as follows:
Fothergill - Virginia Tax Payers
1782 p. 100 Joseph Porter 1 Montgomery Co.
Netti Schreiner-Yantis - Personal Property Tax List Montgomery Co. List A
1787 Margaret Porter self 3 horses 12 cattle
Joseph Porter " 1 " 2 "
Robert Porter " 1 " 3 "
William Porter, Sr. " 3 " 8 "
James Porter " 1 male above 16 under 21
The census records for the years 1810 through 1840 for Pulaski County, Kentucky show information for Joseph Porter’s age in an age bracket. Those records do not help to identify the year that Joseph was born.
The 1850 census shows the following:
Joseph age 65, surveyor, born in Virginia;
William age 33, carpenter, born in Virginia;
James age 19, born in Kentucky;
Pamelia R. age 17, born in Kentucky;
Maria age 14, born in Kentucky
If the census information for 1810 is correct, it appears that Joseph Porter has a male older and younger than he would be living in his home with him.
The above does not preclude Joseph from being a member of this family. However, we will need to clear up his birth date and have a way to fit him into to the family. Information in the write-up referred to above indicated that Joseph was the youngest son, but the census information for James Lindsey Porter age indicates he might be the youngest child based on his birth year.
Rebecca may have preceded her mother, Margaret Porter in death. It has been reported that Margaret Porter died about 1803 but records have been located that would indicate that she died in 1811. William Gillespie was her guardian for several years based on records from Blount County, Tennessee.
Information in the deed dated 11 April 1831, Wythe County Deed Book 11, page 680 indicates that James L. Porter, Richard Chandler, John Dearman, and Samuel McCulloch released their rights to the land that was inherited from James Ewing. This is an important piece of information since it is associating these men with the land that was owned by James Ewing.
The deeds recorded in 1811 in Knox County, Tennessee referred to earlier in this chapter identified Andrew Porter, James L. Porter, Richard Chandler, Samuel McCulloch, John Singleton, and John Dearman as having a right in the land owned by Margaret Porter.
. No information has been found that indicates Rebecca or William Porter have released their rights.
. Records for Joseph Porter in Kentucky have not been checked to determine if a record exists indicating he released his rights.
. No information has been found where John Singleton released his rights to that land.
A number of questions about this family are still unanswered. However, we do think that the family has been properly identified. Also, some of the errors reported about this family have been corrected.
Blount County, Tennessee Court Minutes, Book A page 435, "At the August Term 1803, on the motion of John Singleton, Wm Gellegher [Gillespie] was appointed guardian of Margaret Porter who is in a state of insanity."
Information found in Box P in the County Court Records Office in the Blount County Court House Records gives us some insight into the last few years that Margaret Porter lived. In the records are the settlement records for the guardian of Margaret Porter. William Gillespie presents his accounting for being the guardian. An interesting question is why would William Gillespie at his age, over 80 years old in 1811, be the guardian of Margaret Porter. She had a number of married children that lived in the area.
The following information was taken from a typed document:
File of Margaret Porter
Box P. in County Court Records Ofc.
Settlement Acct. for the estate of Margaret Porter (excerpted by Ardath Potts)
August 28, 1806 - The estate of Margaret Porter __ in account with William Gillespie hire ____ for keeping and boarding the said Margaret Porter - from May 31st 1804 to August 31st 1805 - $125 - and for keeping the said Margaret from that to this present day which is one year - $50.
Account of Margaret Porter
May 31st 1804 - The estate of Margaret Porter ____ in account with William Gillespey, (sic) her guardian -
For keeping 3 head of horses three months immediately before the 20th of Dec. 1803 - $20.00
For keeping and boarding the said Margaret Porter six months immediately before this day $50.00 at $100 (probably means at $100 per year)
For _____ and hay which at ____ for vendre in 1803 - 1.00
For cash pd. attorney for advice 1.00 Total - 72.00
We have assumed the following three documents were also found in the above referenced box at the Court House in Blount County, Tennessee.
At the June session of the Court in 1811, the following was recorded:
June Session 1811
We the commissioners appointed by Court to settle with William Gillespie gourdian [guardian] of Margrett (sic) Porter do find that the estate of sd Porter ___ to William Gillispey (sic) for keeping her the sd Margarett from August 1806 to July 1808 ____ 1 year & 6 months at $50. per year ------- $75 and from that date to her death about three years the profits and rents of a plantation in Knox County known by the name of the Virgin Spring
John Waugh
Wm Gautt
James Wilken
The following document was also found:
December the 17th 1803
A List of the Sale of Margaret Porters Property Sold by Wm Gillespy Guardean for her.
D Cents
Ricard Chandler one pair of tongs 2 -
Edward Brim one pair of Stilards 3 16
Ricard Chandler 2 Smoothing Irons 2 -
John Dearmond one Hackle 2 8
Ricd Dearmond one potrack 1 37
Saml McColloch one Cow 12 8
Peggy Singleton one Bed 13 75
Ricd Chandler one Mare 98 -
John Dearmond one Colt 37 50
Alexr McColloch one Colt 77 50
----------------------
$25347
Wm Gillespie GD [guardian]
Based on the fact that William Gillespie was selling the property of Margaret Porter, it is possible that someone assumed that she had died and the property was being sold.
The following records was also found:
An Inventory of the Property of Margaret Porter
$
one black mare 8 years old valued to 80
one bay colt two years old 85
one bay spring colt 20
one cow and calf 12
one yearling steer 4
two flat Irons 1 - 75
one hackel 1 - 75
one pair tongs and pot tack 3
one bell 1
one Note on David Craig 14 - 80
one Note on Samuel McColloch 19 - 50
one bead and bolster 1
one bead and clothing 1
one Dish and seven plates 5
three hundred acres of land in Knox County
__________________________________
__________________________________
Wm Gillespie GD [guardian]
After working with the information for this Robert Porter family, I began to wonder if Robert might have been killed, or died from an injury, in the war for our independence. Correspondence with Porter descendants in Virginia could not come up with a reason for the early death, about the age of 42 years, or the reason for his death.
On 10 October 1975, Virginia L. Porter signed an application for membership to the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution, Washington, D.C. She indicates her line back to Andrew Porter born 4 April 1773 in Fincastle County, Virginia who was a son of Robert Porter born circa 1740 in Cecil County, Maryland near Pennsylvania line.
It is my belief Robert Porter died while he was serving in the military during the American Revolution.
Montgomery County, Virginia Court Minutes, page 307
At a Court held for Montgomery County April 3d, 1781
"Administration of the Estate of Robert Porter Decd, granted to Margaret Porter widow of the deceased and James White they having with Secy entered into and acknowledged their Bond according to law."
The copy of the following inventory was not identified as to the source. However, it must be from the records of Montgomery County, Virginia since Montgomery County was not organized as a county until 1789.
An Inventory of the Estate of Robert Porter deceased.
1 grey mare and Bell 7 3 0
2 yearling Colt 10
1 Brown mare 9
1 Clay Bank filley 10
1 Bay Colt 8
1 Sorrel horse 15
1 Bay do 15
1 Plow 2 Set of Chains Single
trees and 2 Clevises 3
1 Cow Calf and Bell 3 10
1 Cow 2 10
1 Cow and Calf 3 0
1 Do do 2
1 Do do 3
1 Do do 3
1 Do do 3
1 Do do 3
1 Do do 2 10
1 Do do 2
1 Do do 3
7 heifers 8 15
1 Bull 6 5
1 Cow 2 10
7 yearlings 6
12 Sheep 6
12 Hogs 5 10
16 Shoats 2 8
1 Negro Child 15
1 Loom and furniture 2 10
1 Spinning Wheel 10
2 Do 10
1 Big do 5
1 Bedstead and furniture 3
1 Do do 2
1 Do do 8 0
1 Do do 8 0
1 Smoothe bore gun & Shot bag 1 5
1 dozen pewter Plates 10
3 Small dishes 7 6
3 Large do 7 6
========
£180 6
Brought up 180 6
1 Pewter Tea Pot and other
small pewter 7 6
14 Table Spoons and some
old copper 5 6
1 Bake oven 1
3 Cracked Potts 10
1 frying pan 2 6
1 frying pan fire tongs Shovel
and hot hooks 9
1 Chest 10
1 Do 3
1 flax hickle 6
3 __ of Cards 10
6 pails 1 Churn & Washing Tub 13
1 Drawing knife an auger & old saw 6
1 Guilled Trunk 2 6
2 hand Irons 4
Sundry Books 8
1 # Shot Molls 5
Clothes of the deceased 2 5
1 Spade 6
knives and forks 5
2 Reaping hooks 3
2 Pick forks 2
2 Weeding hoes 3
4 horse Bells 10 6<