Mecklenburg County, NC - Long Creek Settlement and Gum Branch ~~~~~~~~~~ The Long Creek Settlement and the Gum Branch East of the Catawba River, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina: A Genealogical Survey of the Neighbors and Allied Families of William and Nancy Ramsey This genealogical survey of some early settlers in Mecklenburg Co., NC is presented according to the census enumerator's apparent alphabetical listing; and, reflects only a portion of those residing in the Long Creek Settlement, which was then in district number six for the 1790 census. Thus, it does not necessarily reflect the location of the house-holder's land in relationship to an adjoining landowner. The original census visitation is taken from the National Archives Microfilm Publication Microcopy No. 637, Population Schedules of the First Census of the United States 1790, Roll 7, North Carolina, Volume 1 and 2, p. 359; and will be supplemented by the 1800 U.S. Census for Mecklenburg Co., along with will records, land deeds, and military records, as well as family sources. Stephen Hipp - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: b. ca. 1758, the first of seven sons born to Stephen and Ann HIPP(HYP) of German descent (HEPP/HUPP); d. ca. 1826, Mecklenburg Co., NC, where he served as a R.S. The father obtained a 250 acre NC land grant on Gar Creek just north of Long Creek in 1766, being the same land mentioned in the father's will dated 25 Aug. 1781, Mecklenburg Co., NC. Stephen HIPP, the son, left his will in Mecklenburg Co., NC in 1826, naming his two Johnston grandchildren: John JOHNSTON and Peggy R. JOHNSTON. This will was submitted in Feb. 1828, but not proven. John JOHNSTON and Margaret/Peggy Ramsey JOHNSTON were the children of William and Elizabeth (HIPP) JOHNSTON & g.children of John & Peggy (Ramsey) JOHNSTON. This Margaret/Peggy Ramsey JOHNSTON, b. ca. 1814 in NC, married Winslow MCCREE and after their third of five children they settled in Dallas Co., AL. Valentine Hipp - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: b. ca. 1760, brother to Stephen HIPP; also served as R.S. from Mecklenburg Co., NC; m. 1785, Margaret ALLISON, the daughter of David ALLISON, who names his sons-in-law, Valentine and Andrew HIPP, in his will probated July 1800, Mecklenburg Co., NC. Robert Johnston - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census. Nathaniel Johnston - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: On 23 Jan 1779, John McKnit ALEXANDER of Mecklenburg conveyed to Nathaniel JOHNSTON 222 acres on both sides of Long Creek. Nathaniel JOHNSTON also purchased land on Mallard Creek from John McKnitt Alexander on 16 May 1769; witnesses Robert MILLER, Patrick MILLER and William JOHNSTON. Arthur Jemison/Jamison - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: Arthur JAMISON's will was probated May 1817, naming his wife, Mary JAMISON; his sons, Robert and William; and referring to his deceased daughter, Jenny's, children for support and schooling; sole exr. was David McDONALD. Thomas Jemison/Jamison - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: With Thomas one female head of house and one female child. Thomas JAMISON's will was probated in Jan. 1809, naming his daus. Polly, Sally, Rachel, and Nancy; his sons Thomas and Jonas; Exrs. were John JOHNSTON, Arthur JAMISON and Thomas MARTIN. In May, 1817, by the oath of Andrew LAWING, the will of Polly JAMISON Jr. was probated, giving all her estate to her mother Polly JAMISON, Sr. and naming her mother as sole executrix; witness was Andrew LAWING; Jurats were Arthur and Thomas JAMISON. Edward Siever - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census. Isaac Johnston - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census. John Johnston - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: b. ca. 1758, he appears in the Mecklenburg Co., NC land records by 18 Jun 1779, being deeded 150 acres on the Gum Branch of Long Creek by John BOYD, (brother-in-law to William RAMSEY (Sr), who also purchased his land on the Gum Branch from John BOYD). John JOHNSTON married 1780 to Margaret/Peggy RAMSEY. Although John JOHNSTON was an adjoining landowner to William RAMSEY, and William Ramsey had a sister named Margaret/Peggy RAMSEY, Ramsey family records and Rutherford Co., TN records show that the sister of William Ramsey married David ROGERS, and they removed to Rutherford Co., TN. David Rogers also was in the Long Creek Settlement and other records show additional Ramsey-Rogers connections. From the January 1794 court sessions showing acknowledgement by grantors, there is one from John BOYD to John JOHNSTON for 252 acres dated 18 June 1788, [proved] by David ROGERS. Johnston family records state that John JOHNSTON married in 1780 Margaret Ramsey. She died after 1783 and before 1787, as John JOHNSTON married again 22 Jan 1787, to Rachel Thompson. Both the Johnston and Ramsey family histories recorded that Margaret/ Peggy JOHNSTON, daughter of John and Margaret/Peggy (Ramsey) JOHNSTON, married John B. RAMSEY, son of the above William and Agnes/Nancy "Maria" (Boyd) Ramsey, which accounts for additional confusion in the Margaret/Peggy Ramsey- Johnston names. John JOHNSTON died intestate in 1809. His sister Mary JOHNSTON married first Robert SUMMERVILLE and second Arthur JAMISON. Joseph Kerr - (Jr) Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: On 15 Apr 1775, a deed was conveyed to Joseph Kerr, Jr. for his father's 363 acres on the waters of Long Creek a branch of the Catawba River. This land had falling into dispute, as Joseph Kerr, Sr. had not devised the land in his L.W. & T. Joseph Kerr, (Jr.) received clear title to the land on 18 Oct 1776. Joseph Kerr (Jr.) is listed among the Mecklenburg County officials during the 1780s, with no position given. The Kerr family came to Mecklenburg Co., NC from Chester Co., PA. Joseph Kerr, Jr. died 28 Dec 1821 and was buried in Hopewell Presbyterian Church cemetery. Joseph Kerr's will was probated Feb. 1822, in which he named his wife, Margaret Kerr, as sole heir, with her and their son, William, as Exrs. Widow Kerr - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: Wife of Joseph KERR, Sr., who was deceased by 15 Apr 1775, as revealed by land deed which shows that Joseph Kerr, Senior decd, did in his lifetime purchase from Mr. John Mitchel & wf Elisabeth 362 acres on waters of Long Creek, a branch of Catawba 9 Dec 1769. William Lawing - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: William LAWING was a witness on a 1788 land deed executed from James and Sarah THOMPSON to John JOHNSTON. In a 1763 land grant William LAWING was a chain bearer for John MOORE for the surveying of land on Long Creek east side of Catawba River, and in 1768, he was a chain bearer, along with Stephen HYP/HIPP, for Gideon THOMPSON for land on Catawba River. On 22 Aug 1768, William LAWING conveyed to Samuel ZIKLAGG 125 acres on the East Bank of the Catawba River, adjacent to Thomas THOMASON; and being that land which was granted to William LAWING 16 Nov 1761. Johnston family records state that William LAWING was the grandfather of John Killian LAWING, husband to Agnes/Nancy JOHNSTON, daughter of John JOHNSTON. Capt. John Long - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: Long Creek received its' name from Capt. John Long. He died 4 July 1799, at the age of 55, and was buried at Hopewell Presbyterian Church Cemetery. On 20 June 1769, he was a witness with Wm. Ramsey on a deed for land on the Gum Branch of Long Creek, from John Miller to John Buchannan; and, he is found listed among the public officials of Mecklenburg Co., as well as among the gallant bands of patriots of the "Hornets' Nest" who repelled a regiment of British invaders at Charlotte in 1780. Capt. Mathew McClure - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: Capt. Mathew McCLURE/McLURE left a very lengthy and detailed will 4 May 1804, in which he bequeaths legacies to his family members - his 1000 acre land grant in TN [no doubt a military grant]; his slaves, his farm land, any potential crops, as well as cash to certain children. Worth S. Ray, in his Mecklenburg Signers, list the McClure family among the prominent members of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church. Mathew McClure is also listed as one of the signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration and residing in census district no. 6, which includes Long Creek as it southern boundary. James (Alliston?) - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census. Beaty McCoy - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: 9 Dec 1769, Beaty/Beary McCoy obtained 151 acres on Garr Creek, which runs just north of and parallel with Long Creek. In 1798, he is still found there being taxed for 150 acres in Capt. James Sharpe's Co. [district]. Joseph Moore - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: Joseph MOORE is found on the North Fork of Paw Creek just south of the Gum Branch of Long Creek as early as 20 Nov 1762. He is also found as a witness on other land deeds situated on the Gum Branch and Long Creek. A land deed dated 7 & 8 June 1765 shows Joseph Moore as a carpenter late of Pennsylvania. Joseph Moore's will was probated 3 Nov 1797, in which he named his wife, Mary, and his children: Minty, Joseph, James, Lucinda, Narcissus, and Epharim; and his married children: John Moore, Mary TANNER, Margaret NELSON, George Moore, Jane HILL, Sarah DICKSON, and Esther Dickson. He left some 400 total acres of land and a farm. John McClure Jr. - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: On 28 Mar 1795, John McClure and John JOHNSTON were witness to the will of John TODD, also a Long Creek neighbor. John McCLURE left his will in Mecklenburg Co., NC 5 Feb 1816, in which he names his wife, Ann; his sons, Hugh, Thomas, William and John; his daughters, Patsy and Ann. James McCracken - Head of household, 1790 U.S. Census: From the will of Sarah McMurry dated 27 Jan 1785, James McCracken is listed as her son, along with his sisters, Eleanor Buchanan and Ann McClure [daughter of John McClure], and three brothers, James McCracken, William McCracken and John Hannah. Witnesses were Joseph Kerr and John Todd. On 4 Dec 1771, a deed shows Hugh McCracken and John Anderson as adjacent landowners to Matthew Russel(l) on the south branch of Long Creek; and, on 5 Feb 1777, a Joseph McCane buys 130 acres on the south side of Long Creek, adjacent to John Anderson, John Kennedy and Hugh McCracken. Ann Maxwell - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: Ann Maxwell left her will 11 Apr 1814, naming her granddaughters, Cornelia and Sally Davidson CURRY, daughters of Allen Curry; Exrs. were "Trusty friends" Allen Curry and William B. ALEXANDER; Wit: Benjamin BROWN and William GRAHAM. Jane Monteith - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: See below Nathaniel Monteith. Nathaniel Monteith - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: Nathaniel Monteith left a nuncupative will 21 June 1805, giving his entire estate to his nephew, William Monteith, son of the widow Jane MONTEITH. Witnesses were Jane and Hannah Monteith. James Moore - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: The 1790 census shows James Moore with five female children and three male children in his household, along with the female head of household. James Moore left his will 12 July 1832; probated in May 1834. He left all household items to his wife, Cynthia Moore, as well as the farm animals and crops, with the value of present crops to be for the support of his youngest daughter, Eleanor Catherine. He also bequeathed items to his other daughters, Abelisa Moore HOUSTON, Margaret Moore, Mary M. LUCKE, Jean HOUSTON, as well as his sons, John M. Moore, Samuel Moore, William Moore, Elam Moore, James Hall; Exrs. were Elam Moore and son-in-law, Amzi HOUSTON. [James Moore and Joseph Moore above may have been sons of David MOORE, who left his will in Mecklenburg Co., NC in 1793, naming his sons Joseph, Jacob, Andrew, David and James.] William McClure - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: William McClure is shown with two female and four male children in his household, along with a female head of household. [William McClure appears to be a son of John McClure, who left his will in 1816 - see John McClure above.] Widow Moore - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: Mrs. Moore is shown with two female and three male children, and having three slaves. William Moffett - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: William Moffett left his will dated 3 Sept 1800; it was probated in the Oct 1800 term of court. His will refers to his wife without naming her, providing her with that part of the plantation not sold to his brother, Robert. He also names a brother, John, and nieces, Margaret ALEXANDER and Margaret WALLACE and Sarah Mellie, "who now lives with us." Charles Patton - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: Charles Patton is found by land deed on Garr Creek, just north of Long Creek, on 9 Dec 1769. His 1790 household was made up of one male child and a female head of household. His will dated 21 Mar 1804, describes him as in a sickly state of health, and it was probated during the Aug 1811 term of court. In it his wife appears to be deceased, as she is not mentioned. His children were named as follows: daughters Margaret Blythe, Prudence, and Sarah, with one son, Robert, who was not capable of "using or improving" the land. His trusted friends were named as Robert Kerr and John Irwin. David Russell - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: David Russell/Russel is found on the head branches of Long Creek by 28 Jan 1767, when he purchased 50 acres from John Campbell of Bertie Co., NC. He left his will 13 Mar 1797, being probated in the Apr 1802 term of court. His will names his wife Jane Russell, leaving her the benefits of the plantation and livestock and farming utensils. His will identifies his daughters as Isabel, Mary, Elizabeth, Martha, Jinsey and Margaret; and his sons as David and Matthew Russell; exrs. were wife Jane, James Henry and son-in-law, Zaccheus Wilson. The 1790 census shows his family was composed of five female children with a female head of household, two male children and the owner of three slaves. William Ramsey - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: William Ramsey was a son of James and Margaret Ramsey, who immigrated from the Province of Ulster, Ireland, and settled on the North River of the Shenandoah in Augusta Co., VA before 1753. William Ramsey was born ca.1742 in PA, after his parents arrived there from the North of Ireland. He married before 12 Nov 1767, in Augusta Co., VA, Agnes/Nancy "Maria" BOYD, who was born 1744 in Ireland the daughter of Robert BOYD. William and Nancy Ramsey, along with Nancy's brother, John BOYD, settled on the Gum Branch of Long Creek, Mecklenburg Co., NC by 1769. On 20 June 1769, William Ramsey was a witness on a land deed conveyance from John Miller to John Buchannan for land on the waters of Gum Branch of Long Creek adjacent to John Boyd. On 30 Sept 1773, John Boyd conveyed his 300-acre land grant on Long Creek to William Ramsey located on both sides of Long Creek, including the forks to Tools' old fording and John Moore's line, crossing the creek and joining the land of James Douglass. On 10 Jan 1771, John Boyd and William Ramsey witnessed a deed from James and Sarah Tom to James Douglas for 200 acres on both sides of Long Creek, which included Miller's improvements and adjacent to John Anderson's line. On 1 Jan 1783, William Ramsey and John Johnston witnessed a deed from David McCord to John Buchannan for 200 acres on both sides of Long Creek about a half mile west of Tools' Road. This land was originally patented to John Moore in 1763, and sold to David McCord in 1772. By 1779, John Boyd had moved across the Catawba River into Lincoln Co., NC. A deed dated 18 June 1779, shows John Boyd of Lincoln County, son and heir of Robert BOYD, decd., deeding to John JOHNSTON 150 acres on Gum Branch of Long Creek, adjacent to the land where William RAMSEY now lives and land of Patrick SULLIVAN. William Ramsey, Patrick Sullivan and David RODGERS were witnesses on this deed. John Anderson deeded this land on Gum Branch to Robert Boyd in 1759, which until 1762 was in Anson Co., NC, and still part of the Western frontier of North Carolina; and, continued to be claimed by the Western Tribe of the Cherokee Indians as their territory. In 1756, Fort Dobbs was built about twenty miles West of Salisbury for the protection of these isolated settlers. But, due to the numerous depredations and occasional murders, many of these settlers sought refuge elsewhere until the Indian matter had been settled. Thus, we find the BOYDS removal to Augusta Co., VA, where they are found near the Ramsey's in the North River Settlement of the Shenandoah on the head of Fischer's Creek. This tract of land was patented to Robert Boyd on 20 Sept 1768, and was later sold by John Boyd, heir of Robert Boyd, to Joseph Douglas on 8 May 1776. William Ramsey's brother, James RAMSEY, remained in Augusta Co., VA until after his service in the Revolutionary War, when he removed to the Catawba Indian lands in SC, and from there to Burke Co., NC. James Ramsey eventually settled in Rutherford Co., TN, where his brother, William, and other Mecklenburg County families, had removed to ca. 1802 and later. Their younger sister, Margaret/Peggy RAMSEY, married David ROGERS, raised their family on Long Creek in Mecklenburg Co., NC, and also removed to Rutherford Co., TN. Richard Stephenson - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: Richard Stephenson/ Stevenson, and his wife Hannah sold land to John Buchanan at a corner of Hopewell meeting house land on 28 Feb 1773, and being adjacent to Richard Stephenson's own line. His original grant of land is dated 1765, on Garr Creek north of Long Creek. Chain bearers were William Lawing and Gedion Thompson. In 1790 his family consisted of one female head of household and two male children. Patrick Sullivan - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: Patrick Sullivan was a revolutionary soldier from Mecklenburg Co., NC; and is found residing next to William Ramsey by June 1779. Patrick and his father, Jeremiah Sullivan, enlisted twice at the same time under Capt. Jarrett. Patrick's father was killed ca. 1780, while serving as a private somewhere in GA. His brother, Daniel Sullivan, enlisted in SC troops, and was killed in Sept of 1781, during the Battle of Utawa Springs, thereby dying without issue. Daniel served as a private in the Light Dragoons under Capt. Samuel Martin, Lt. Col. William Polk and Gen. Sumter. Revolutionary War papers also reveal that an unnamed sister was still alive in 1820. Family Bible records found in Jeremiah Sullivan's DAR file gives the sister's name as Zelpah Sullivan, being named after their mother, Zelpah Ramsey, wife of Jeremiah Sullivan. Included with Patrick Sullivan in his 1790 household were one female head of house, two female children and one male child, thus giving Patrick Sullivan a birth range of ca. 1760-63. His DAR file gives his date of birth as Jan. 1759, in NC, and provides the following family data: he married Mary Hannah Roots in Dec. 1783, at Brunswick Co., NC, and their known children were: (1) Ezekiel, (2) Daniel, (3) Zelpah, (4) Patrick; the mother, Mary Hannah, died ca. 1790 at Greenville, SC, and the father, Patrick, died before 1818, in SC (Dist. 96). Patrick Sullivan's son, Daniel Sullivan, filed a petition from Lincoln Co., NC, to the NC General Assembly, to claim land for the family on the service of his father, Patrick, his uncle, Daniel, and his grandfather, Jeremiah Sullivan. Daniel Sullivan married Margaret/Peggy BOYD, daughter of John Boyd, brother-in-law to William Ramsey. On 11 Aug 1809, a Lincoln Co., NC marriage bond was issued to Daniel Sullivan and Peggy Boyd, with the bondsman as Robert Boyd, the senior son of John Boyd. John Boyd left his will in 1822, naming his wife, Susannah Boyd; his eldest daughter, Margaret Sullivan, wife of Daniel Sullivan, received the tract of land on both sides of Shady Branch by Clark's Creek; and their children identified as Mariah and Wesley Sullivan; he also left legacies for Robert Boyd, his eldest son, and sons James Boyd and John Boyd; his other grandchildren, Franklin Boyd, son of James, and Rhoda, daughter of James; and his second daughter, Jane, the wife of Lyman Woodford. On 21 Aug 1837, a Lincoln Co., NC marriage bond was issued to Daniel Keener and Mariah Sullivan with Lyman Woodford as bondsman. Shortly after 1800, the William Ramsey family, along with other Mecklenburg Co., NC families and descendants went to Rutherford Co., TN. On 23 Sept 1819, before the two acting Justices of Rutherford Co., TN, William Ramsey Senior and Nancy his wife, formerly of the State of North Carolina and County of Mecklenburg made oath that they were intimately acquainted with Jeremiah Sullivan and his two sons, Daniel and Patrick Sullivan, all of Mecklenburg Co., NC; and said these three men enlisted in the service of the United States for a term of eighteen months in the Revolutionary War, but did not return from said service until the expiration of two years, owing to their being detained through emergency; and further stated that said Jeremiah's family lived with said deponents all the times said Jeremiah was in said service or until said Jeremiah died in said service. [NC Secretary of State Revolutionary Papers, SS.767, Folders 315.1-3] Jeremiah Sullivan - Head of Household 1790 U.S. Census: Jeremiah Sullivan's house-hold consisted of one male and one female head of house with no children. There are no identifiers for this Jeremiah Sullivan. It would appear that this Jeremiah Sullivan would have been closely related to the above Patrick Sullivan, having the same name as Patrick's father and residing in the Long Creek Settlement by 1790. References Chalkley, Lyman, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia: Extracted From The Original Court Records Of Augusta County 1745 to 1800, Complete in Three Vols., Baltimore, MD, reprint: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1989. Ferguson, Herman W., Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Will Abstracts, 1791-1868, Books A-J, and Tax List, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1896, & 1807, Transcribed by Ralph B. & Herman W. Ferguson, Rocky Mount, NC, published by Herman W. Ferguson, 1993. Holcomb, Brent H., C.A.L.S. and Elmer O. Parker, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts 1763-1779, Easley, South Carolina, Southern Historical Press, 1979. Holcomb, Brent H., C.A.L.S., Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Abstracts Of Early Wills 1763-1790, Greenville, SC, A Press Inc., 1980. Hunter, C.L., Sketches of Western North Carolina, Baltimore, MD, Reprint for Clearfield Company, Inc. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1990. Johnston Family Records, an Ahnentafel Chart for William Johnston-32, First and Second Generations, and notes from "Family Records", a memorandum of 1958 by M. Parrish, provided by Ernest Johnston of Shepherdstown, WV. Johnston - Hipp Family Records, Descendants of William Johnston, Generation No. 1 - No. 3, provided by Donna J. Johnson of Charlotte, NC. Leary, Helen F.M. and Maurice R. Stirewalt, Eds., North Carolina Research Genealogy and Local History, Raleigh, NC, The North Carolina Genealogical Society, 1980. National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Office of the Registrar General, Washington, DC, National Number 328148, Patrick Sullivan, which includes records from the family Bible of Zilpah Sullivan, National Number 694507, Jeremiah Sullivan, provided by Jacquelyn J. Stuart of Mohnton, PA. Philbeck, Miles S., Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Index to Land Surveys 1763-1768, Chapel Hill, NC, published by Miles S. Philbeck, 1988. Ray, Worth S., The Mecklenburg Signers And Their Neighbors, Baltimore, MD, Reprint for Clearfield Company, Inc. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1993. Secretary of State Revolutionary Papers, SS.767, Folders 315.1-3, North Carolina Dept. of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, Archives and Records Section, Raleigh, NC. Notes The reader will find the above references as invaluable tools for researching Mecklenburg Co., NC, which, like Augusta Co., VA, became a stronghold for many Scotch-Irish settlers prior to the Revolutionary War. And, as tools, they should be considered only as secondary sources leading to the original documents. This contributor has many primary source records for the Ramsey, Boyd, Sullivan and Johnston families referred to in this genealogical survey. Additional neighbors could be added, but those represented here form the nucleus of the Long Creek neighborhood in 1790; and, many of the "Scotch-Irish" surnames represented among these and other settlers of Mecklenburg County, NC can be traced to Ulster, Ireland during the Plantation Period and to Scotland. ______________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lee Kemp Ramsey ______________________________________________________________________