Robert McCurdy: Bio
in Narrative and Remarks on his Descendants direct to this writer
Robert McCurdy was born in Salisbury
Township, Lancaster County in 1736 and at about age 26 , and
on March 31, 1761, he married his wife Ann CREIGHTON
in that county of his birth.
In the early spring of 1770 Robert's father
wrote his will and by May 2nd that will was proved at Salisbury Township:
Robert is therein named along with three brothers. By 1777 Robertis
noted of Leacock township, Lancaster Co. Like many Scotch Irish holding
deep antipathy towards the English crown, Robert gladly served in
the Revolution: he is captain of Draught company of the Lower end
of Leacock twp, 7th Co., 7th Batt. in 1777, in which Company he continued
until 1780.
In 1779 , during the period of his service,
he was assessed in Cumberland township, York Co [now Adams] , Penna for
319 acres, 0 horses, 0 cows. He is mentioned as "formerly of Leacock" in
the deed of sale to him in York [Now Adams] county in 1780, paying
1, 100 Pennsylvania money. He bought his land from Isabel Wilson
,the widow of Thomas Wilson, through her husband's executors.Footnote
3. This land had been warranted to Isabel's
husband in 1765 as "an original patentee of the Manor of Maske" ,
but 1765 does not denote the first year of the Manor's settlement,
it having been squatted since the 1730s. 1765 reflects the years
that when the Colonial government capitulated to the will of the
people there settling, offering warrants to thepersons tending and surviving
on its acres by 1764. A brief History of the Manor of Maske
in the period predating the McCurdy residency there is given below
and further detail regarding it can be found at the Within the Vines Manor
of Maske page dedicated to that region and portion of Penna history.
This manor was only one of
the
Penn manors apportioned by the Penn family within their holding.
The Manor of Maske is part of
the Marsh Creek Settlement, and many Scotch Irish were compelled towards
it. Thomas Wilson had 418 acres in June 1764 and October 1765, but
he does not appear on the list of Manor of Maske original
squatters , (those persons being present before 1741) , so he must
have arrived after that date. What it was that led Robert McCurdy and his
wife Anne Creighton to the region is not known to me, though one may assume
that the society of other Scotch Irish and the promise of the fertile county
land held prominant sway. No relationship is known to exist between
Robert McCurdy or his wife Ann Creighton and the Wilson family. We
do know Thomas Wilson gained deed by warrant in 1765, and that
he had land there in 1764. The reason for Robert's choice of land in the
Manor of Maske and any family ties yet unknown to me sustains interest
in this Thomas Wilson and his widow and heirs. It is not felt unlikely
that someone related either to Robert or his wife joined with or encouraged
their removal to this place.
Robert and his wife Ann Creighton McCurdy
probably already had six of seven known children when they removed to what
is now Adams Co., and the family certainly survived by farming. One year
after his first assessment and in 1780, the Robert McCurdy farm
had 10 horses and 6 head of cattle. In 1781the farm was 359 acres, but
appears to have been subdivided by 1782 when it held 250 acres ,
having then 7 inhabitants residing on it. Robert and Ann's
youngest son, James, was not born until 1785, and he was certainly born
in now Adams County.
By 1790 the federal census shows
7 inhabitants again (2 males 16 and up [Robert and his son Robert?] , 3
under 16 [James, William and a boy unknown, is this another son?] , and
two females [Ann and one of the girls] , no other free men or slaves residing
with the family). This entry suggests that Robert and Ann had a son not
named in Robert's will [which names three] and perhaps dying young.
The Robert McCurdy family lived in a log
home like their neighbors. In 1798 the farm had two buildings described
: a log home and barn. The home measured 36 x 30 , was one story, had 3
windows and 12 lights. The log barn measured 66 x 20. In the records
for Cumberland Twp, York, now Adams County, in which the Manor of Maske
lay is a list of the original tax payers of that township in
1799, and these included Robert McCurdy with valued property of 1, 794.13
Although paying taxes to Penna, Robert
and his wife had strong ties to the region south of their farm involving
neighboring Maryland and during the first two decades of their residence
in now Adams Co. Penna they likely were most involved with the towns
of Maryland lying closely to their south.Records of the marriage of their
children occur at Piney Creek
Presbyterian , a church close to Harney, Maryland, and sharing
its ministers with the Presbyterians of Emmitsburg , Md and Fairfield,
Pa -a very southern Pennsylvania hamlet now in Adams County, Pa.
When venturing to a town prior to ca 1800, Robert and Anne probably
went south. Gettysburg's first plot of land was not sold until 1787, and
its first home not built until 1794 [regarding which seeee
John
Troxell also present as direct in this study] . Robert McCurdy's
son James married a girl born in Maryland , and many of his sibling's marriages
occured at that little church in Maryland.
In 1805 , as the region sought and enjoyed
development, Robert is found helping in the repair of the Rock Creek
[Baltimore] Road [see footnote 1A] and in that
same year he wrote a will that would not be proved for five years.
It is unclear when Robert lost his Ann, but she is mentioned in her
father's will written November 10, 1790, so she died sometime between
then and Robert's will written 1805 where she
is not mentioned . Robert was 74 when he died on his farm, the event
communicated to the Adams County Community in "The Centinel", published
Gettysburg, Adams Co., PA: "On 8th, Robert M'Curdy, 74, Cumberland twp"
. Robert left the farm he and Ann had worked to their three sons,
and he also mentions three married daughters. It is not known
where Robert or his wife lie buried, but they were probably placed within
the soil of their former farm, but it is possible they perhaps lay
in now unmarked portions of the Piney Creek churchyard , though this seems
less likely.
In his will, Robert mentions his farm,
which he calls a plantation, and he divided it to his sons giving
and devising" unto my said son William one hundred ninety three acres
neat measure to be taken off that part of the Plantation where I now live
which adjoins Robert Work and David Horner, including dwelling house and
building adjacent. I give and devise unto my son Robert McCurdy one hundred
thirteen acres neat measure, to be taken from aforesaid Planttion in that
part which adjoins Robert Thopson and Int? Ressinger. To son James McCurdy
all the rest and residue of my plantation at his age 21-î (Apparantly
circa 137 acres)
William received the log home and
barn described in 1798 , with its surronding acreage, while the third
and youngest son James inherited the most western portion of the farm.
There James McCurdy lived with his Maryland born wife Martha Moore
in a log home built to accomodate his wife and family. James McCurdy's
cabin is still in existence according to historians at the Adams
County Historical Society in conversation with this writer, standing
just to the west on the Emmitsburg road before it reaches Marsh Creek on
approach from Gettysburg. In that log cabin on lands first held by
her grandfather Nancy McCurdy was born in 1821 or 1822. While James
and Martha Moore McCurdy's marriage is found in Piney
Creek Records, by dtr Nancy McCurdy's
youth Gettysburg would have been visited by her family , and the need or
desire for Maryland connection fading when the family sought society. As
a result, in 1845 Nancy married John Swope,
a saddle tree maker of that town, and she went there to make her home with
him. Nancy McCurdy Swope and her siblings assured that their father James
McCurdy was reinterred at Evergreen in that town, Evergreen being founded
several decades after James' death and now holding many of James
(and his father Robert ) McCurdy's descendants. Of town class not reliant
on sons for a farms labor, John and Nancy McCurdy Swope of Gettysburg
had among others a child named Samuel McCurdy Swope, and this of their
sons studied at Gettysburg College , clerked with David Wills (who hosted
Abraham Lincoln the night before his address) and became, in manner
of many born of hard working parents raised in more humble situations,
an attorney and judge. The McCurdy name remains honored
in the Swope family of Adams County, evident in the being of a second Samuel
McCurdy Swope born in Adams county 4 generations after Nancy
McCurdy , the last of her surname direct to the writer,
cried her first breath in the log home of her parents.
The McCurdy name is identifiable in direct
line to ca 1550 , Isle of Bute Scotland. See McCurdy
Family Title page, and Volume II of Within the Vines : Our
Europeans.
ASIDE: Regarding the Manor of Maske Prior to Robert and
Anne Creighton McCurdy's Arrival There
PLEASE NOTE THAT SEVERAL OF ROBERT McCURDY's SON IN LAW"S APPEAR
TO HAVE ALSO BEEN LAND OWNERS OF THIS REGION, OR PERHAPS SONS OF SAME [SEE
THE
DTRS OF OF ROBERT MCCURDY] FOR THIS REASON THE FOLLOWING ANNOTATION
IS GIVEN. MUCH MORE DETAIL ON THE MANOR OF MASKE CAN BE FOUND AT ITS DEDICATED
PAGE. FOR SAME SEE Manor
of Maske
These early settlers upon
the Manor of Maske located near or upon its Marsh Creek12,
in the area now identified as the southern aspect of Cumberland
Twp, Adams County, Penna. The region remained in some dispute
at the time of Robert McCURDY's acquisition of land within it in 1780,
having first come under scrutiny in 1740 with robust efforts by Penn
agents to secure the manor land and rid it of squatters in 1741, when Penn's
surveyors appeared. The [predominantly Scotch Irish] squatters threatened
the surveyors of that year with personal violance and the effort was not
succesful. Footnote One. In
1765, the proprietaries succombed to the grievances of the land holders
within it and a compromise was reached, generating the "original patentee"
list in which Wilson appears. Footnote Two
The Manor
of Maske was a significant portion of now Adams
county , (extending from the now Maryland border region in the south
to as far north as Mummasburg) set aside by the proprietaries Penn
for familial use after purchase of all the region lying west of the
lower Susquehanna from the Native Americans in 1736, in the style
of other Penn Manors in Pennsylvania
. But the Penn's delayed in sending their surveyors, while claims
by Maryland to lands north of the now Mason Dixon Line involved
its region. The Manor of Maske " is separated by a narrow strip -Carrollís
tract, or ìCarrollís Delightî as it was named. This was surveyed under
Maryland in 1732, and the warrant holders assumed it was held in Lord Baltimoreís
Maryland. It contained about 5,000 acres. ì11
Wilson's name appears as a result of action
in 1765, when "These manor disputes were all settled by compromises....the
boundaries of the different manors marked off, and the names of the settlers
on these tracts of land designated, and the long continued border troubles
were happily ended.î 10
[An act of legislature in 1802
and 22 years after Robert McCurdy's initial residence there, shows
that difficulties for the inhabitants of this Manor of Maske still arose
requiring an act of legislature to permanently erradicate them, signifying
a long legislative trail to put the Manor to rest : ìthe act of the Penna
Legislature, March 12 1802, dealing with the purchase and improvement of
the 'Manor of the Maske' prior to 1741, provided that the original settlers,
or their heirs, who were excluded from perfecting titles to their lands,
owing to State and manor boundary difficulties, be now enabled to acquire
title by paying purchase money and interest theron to the settlers in Butler,
Menallen, Liberty, Straban, Hamiltonband and Freedom townships, as well
as to the settlers on the east side of Marsh Creek. ì13
More detail on the history and settling
of the Manor of Maske is available at
its dedicated page within this site.
Footnote
1:
A similar situation of disputed land claims
occured in the area of Digges Choice,
a Maryland land grant in now Penna,
settled by many German immigrants, one
of whom shot the son of the owner and routed the Sheriff. This region
involved the
area of now Littlestown, Adams County,
Penna and grew to have as its hub the town of Hanover, York County
Penna,
laid out in 1764, also encompassed in
its region. Both Digges choice and The Manor of Maske are sometimes touted
as the definitive rejection in the American
colonies of any concept of feudal land ownership still lingering in Europe.
Footnote 2:
An interesting twist in our tree is the
precense of William LOGAN,
direct ancestor and son of James
LOGAN [ Wm Penn's
Secretary & Representative,
the colony's Surveyor General, once acting Gov Pa, & most powerful
man in the colony].
William, continued his father's service
to the proprietaries and at the time of the Manor of Maske dispute,
had just become the attorney for the Penn
Family and was no doubt involved in the chaos and its handling thus
intertwining our LOGAN and McCURDY forebears
in historical as well as shared late descendant status.
" Public road construction
generated development. In 1808, the Gettysburg and Petersburg (later Littlestown)
Turnpike
Company was chartered. The toll road extended
from Gettysburg down the present Baltimore Pike to the Mason-Dixon Line
south of Littlestown. In 1810, the company laid out a northwest extension
from Gettysburg through Blackís Gap. Completed about 1812, this extension
approximated present Route 30 and the Lincoln Highway. During the ensuing
years, inns were built along the new turnpikeís right of way. In most instances,
these taverns generated residential development. They were: Sweneyís, later
Herrís; Arnoldís, later Seven Stars; McKnightís at McKnightstown; and Peter
Markís at Cashtown.] "77
|
|
This line leads directly down to Rachel
Hughey Larimer who married James Mellon, banker of Pittsburgh Penna.. Rachel
Latimer is Margaretís Great Grandaughter, and she compiled the 1908 McCurdy
History sometimes flawed, but often referred to in McCurdy history in these
lines. She spells this womanís name Margret, while everyone else seems
to spell it Margaret.
Margaret is mentioned in her father's will
as
wife
of George SHEKELY
Birth: 176222,23
[Of
Adams County, Penna 26]
Death: 12 May 1823, Franklin Township,
Adams Co., Pa[ Republican Compiler ìThursday last, Mrs Margaret Sheakley,
relict of George Sheakley, Franklinî27]
Residence: Cumberland Twp, then
Franklin.
Her Will:
"Will Book C. ...SHECKLY,
Margaret-Franklin Township, sick. Widow(?) of George SHECKLY; children:
William, Robert, Mary wife of William LARIMORE(?), Margaret wife of John
HAMILTON, Nancy; grandchildren: Eliza Ann, George, Thomas SCHECKLY; executors:
sons William, Robert; witnesses; John GARVER, Robert FLETCHERr; written:
12 Apr 1826; probate: 13 Oct 1825; recorded: page 431î80
NOTE:This
abstracts dates are obviously somehow wrong...a will is of course probated
AFTER it is written, but probate is AFTER written in this source ...i give
it as source gives it]
Spouse :
George [Shakley] SHEAKLEY28,29,30
[PATRIOT]
He is mentioned in father in law's Robert
McCurdy's will
as
George SHEKELY, husband
to Margaret
-
Birth: ca 1758 / 176031,
[Mellon gives the 1760 date for his birth but the obit in local Gettysburg
paper indicates he was 54...born then ca 1758] He was " Of Adams County,
Penna Pennsylvania" according to Mellon
-
Death: circa 27 May 1812, Cumberland
Township,Adams Co,Pa[announced in local paper this date] 32,33
-
Burial: Great Conewago Presbyterian
Church cemetery79
-
Will Abstract: "SHEKELY, George-Franklin
Twp. Wife: Margaret, to receive Negro Barbara; Children: William, Robert,
Margaret wife of John HAMILTON, Ann wife of William LAWIMER[?], Nancy;
executors: son William, John EDEI. Witnesses; Adam BLACK, John STONER,
Moses JENKINS; written: 10 Jun 1811; probate 18 June 1812.; recorded; pg
196. Book B" 80
-
I do not find any Sheakley on the list of
Slaveholders for Adams County 1800, though George''s will names "Negro
Barbara" and death date post dates that list. [ See Adams
County Septennial Census of 1800]
-
Father: William SHEAKLEY16
-
[William Sheakley was a patriot like his son
George,, and was a member of the York county (Penna) Committee of
Observation, appointed Nov 3, 1775. He was also apparantly a slave owner,
as was his son [evidenced by son Georg'e will] .
-
ìWilliam Sheakley, of Scotch-Irish parentage,
came from Ulster county, Ireland, to the American Colonies in the year
1740, settling on a tract of five hundred acres on the 'little Conewago'
in what is now Mt Pleasant township, Adams county, Pennsylvania. He was
accounted a wealthy man for his day. In 1780 he was taxed for five hundred
acres of land, six negroes, four horses and six cattle. For all, he paid
in taxes, eighty pounds. During the Civil War Rhodes Confederate Division
swept down on Carlisle and occupied the Sheakley farm for the night. A
shot from a union cannon killed several men and wounded others who were
carried into the Sheakley barn. This was the first blood of the fierce
three days fight at Gettysburgî. 16
-
Mother: Unknown, though Mellon16
calls her Janet Coochran Moore
-
George SHEAKLEY"s mother is often
found as Janet [nee Cochran] Moore, so named by Rachel Larimer Lemon.
This often given only wife is in fact the apparant second wife to William
SHEAKLEYand, at the time of her marriage to William SHEAKLEY was
the widow of James Cochran. It seems certain that Janet Cochran
Moore is not the mother of George Sheakley, despite the fact she is frequently
thus named. Linda Nuibe, descendant and researcher of William SHEAKLEY,
informs:
-
ì I have considerable evidence that Janet
Cochran Moore (widow of James Moore) is not the mother of the Sheakley
children. She and William Sheakley did not marry until between 1785
and 1791 (she shows up in James Moore's estate papers as 'widow of James
Moore' in 1785 and as 'widow of James Moore recently intermarried with
William Sheakley' in 1791). William's children and the children of
James and Jennet Moore are of the same general ages. In addition,
William put a notice in the paper in 1798 saying that she had 'eloped from
my bed and board' and that he would not pay any of her accounts.
Not a likely way to treat the mother of your children!î 79
-
Revolutionary Service for George Sheakley
: ensign of the Eighth Company, Fourth Battalion, John McIlvaine, captain,
commissioned June 17, 1779 16
-
is this also he?at end of list? In the 8th
Company 4th Batallion under Capt Thomas Stockton?
"YORK CO VOLUNT Fourth Battalion
Col. John Andrew, '78; Lt. Col. William
Walker, '78, William Gillelan, '79; Major Simon Vanarsdale, '78, John King,
'79. 1st Co., Capt. John Calmery, '79; 1st Lt. William Hamilton,
'78, Samuel Gillelan, '79; 2nd Lt. Joseph Pollock, '78; Ensign Adam Weaver,
'78, Nathaniel Glassco, '79.
Rank & file, 58 men.
-
2nd Co., Capt. John King, '78, Robert
Cample, '79; 1st Lt. James Eliot, '78, John Bodine, '79; 2nd
Lt. Baltzer Tetrick, '78; Ensign William Neely, '78, David Scott,
'79. Rank & file, 64 men.
-
3rd Co., Capt. William Gilliland, '78,
David Stockton, '79; 1st Lt. Matthew Mitchell, '78, John Riner,
'79; 2nd Lt. William Kelmery, '78; Ensign Nicholas Glascow, '78, Elisha
Gready, '79. Rank & file 64 men.
-
4th Co., Capt. Samuel Morrison, '78,
Joseph Pollock, '79; 1st Lt. Peregin Mercer, '78, William Hamilton,
'79; 2nd Lt. John Armstron; ensign Stephen K. Giffin, '78, Adam Weaver,'79.
Rank & file, 64 men.
-
5th Co., Capt. John McIlvain, '78,
Josiah Carr, '77; 1st Lt. John Range, '78, Lewis Vanarsdelin, '79;
2nd Lt. Francis Clapsaddle, '78; Ensign James Geary, '78, John Watson,
'79. Rank & file, 74 men.
-
6th Co., Capt. John Stockton, '78,
James Elliot, '79; 1st Lt. John Anderson, '78 William
Nealley, '79; 2nd Lt. David Stockton, '78; Ensign Elisha Grady, '78,
Thomas Prior, '79. Rank & file, 64 men.
-
7th Co., Capt. Samuel Erwin, '78, Andrew
Paterson, '79; 1st Lt. William Houghtelin, '78, Abraham Fletcher,
'79; 2nd Lt. Henry Forney, '78; Ensign William Reed, '78, William
Fleming, '79. Rank & file, 79 men.
-
8th Co., Capt. Thomas Stockton, '78,
James Geery, '79; 2nd Lt. Daniel Mentieth, '78; Ensign
Andrew Patterson, '78, George Sheakley, '79.
-
Rank & file, 59 men." 78
Children of Margaret McCurdy and George
Sheakley as evidenced in parent's wills :
"SHEKELY, George-Franklin
Twp. Wife: Margaret, to receive Negro Barbara; Children: William, Robert,
Margaret wife of John HAMILTON, Ann wife of William LAWIMER[?], Nancy;
executors: son William, John EDEI. Witnesses; Adam BLACK, John STONER,
Moses JENKINS; written: 10 Jun 1811; probate 18 June 1812.; recorded; pg
196. Book B" 80
"Will Book C. ...SHECKLY, Margaret-Franklin
Township, sick. Widow(?) of George SHECKLY; children: William, Robert,
Mary wife of William LARIMORE(?), Margaret wife of John HAMILTON, Nancy;
grandchildren: Eliza Ann, George, Thomas SCHECKLY; executors: sons William,
Robert; witnesses; John GARVER, Robert FLETCHERr; written: 12 Apr 1826;
probate: 13 Oct 1825; recorded: page 431îî80NOTE:This
abstracts dates are obviously somehow wrong...a will is of course probated
AFTER it is written, but probate is AFTER written in this source ...i give
it as source gives it]
-
William Sheakley, mentioned in both
his father's and mother's wills
-
Robert Sheakley is mentioned in both
his father's and his mother's wills. He appears to have married Susan.
-
There is mention in the Republican Compiler
of Gettysburg, Adams Co., Pa of Jun 22, 1825 Thursday last, Mrs. Susan
Sheakley w/Robert Sheakley, Franklin
-
Mary {Anne} Sheakley . [ Mellon
calls her Anne75] She is Mary wife
of William LARIMORE in her mother's will , Ann wife of William LAWIMER
in her father's will. Mary [Anne} McCurdy married married William
LARIMER75 (1771-1838)75
widower of Martha McNEASE75
Mellon gives this information on this
daughter she calls Anne and her husband.
-
She was ì daughter of George
and Margaret (McCurdy) Sheakley, of Adams county. She was a woman well
fitted both by character and inheritance to be a helpmeet to her husband
in their pioneer life. "She was a tall, fine looking woman of commanding
presence", "and a devoted Presbyterian". ...... Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania...William
and Anne Larimer lived for about fifty years, and there entertained many
of the prominent men of the time, who journeyed west or south, among them
William Henry Harrison and Aaron Burr, the latter, Anne (Mrs. Larimer)
did not like. She said "He could not meet my eye in conversation". Mrs.
Anne Larimer had seen General Washington several times as he passed her
York county home in his carriage. This was while he was president
(1794).ì75
-
William Larimer, her husband
was ì born in 1771 in Adams county, Pennsylvania, where the first twenty
years of his life were passed. In 1790 he removed to Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, and purchased a farm on the "Kings Highway" (the old turnpike),
known as the "Mansion Farm". It was located in North Huntingdon township
(now the site of the town of Circleville), on the great highway from the
far east to the Ohio river. The homestead has been remodelled, but the
large oak logs of the original house are still there and are more like
iron than wood, their dark brown coloring, similar to the antique oak of
today. There William and Anne Larimer lived for about fifty years, and
there entertained many of the prominent men of the time, who journeyed
west or south, among them William Henry Harrison and Aaron Burr, the latter,
Anne (Mrs. Larimer) did not like. She said "He could not meet my eye in
conversation". Mrs. Anne Larimer had seen General Washington several times
as he passed her York county home in his carriage. This was while he was
president (1794). William Larimer was twice married. His first wife, Martha
(McNease) Larimer, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, died young and
left two children, John and Catherine. His second wife, Anne (Sheakley)
Larimer, was daughter of George and Margaret (McCurdy) Sheakley, of Adams
county. She was a woman well fitted both by character and inheritance to
be a helpmeet to her husband in their pioneer life. "She was a tall, fine
looking woman of commanding presence", "and a devoted Presbyterian". William
Larimer was a man of energy and good business qualifications. At his death
he left his affairs in good condition and his family well provided for.
He died on the "Mansion Farm", September 18, 1838. His wife Anne died August
23, 1853. Their children were: Margaret, George, William, Martha, Washington,
Hamilton, James, Anne, Thomas and Mary.î75
-
Margaret Sheakley mentioned in her
father and mothers wills as Margaret , wife of John HAMILTON
-
Nancy Sheakley mentioned in her father
and mothers wills
|
Sources for this page
[Robert McCUrdy [Patriot]
1. Self.. Will
Abstract Robert McCurdy
"Abstracts of Adams County,
Pennsylvania Wills (1800-1826)" Kevin L Greenholt. Family Line Publications.
1988
Robert McCURDY, Cumberland Twp,
sick, Children: William, Robert, Nancy PAXTON, James, Margaret w/o George
SHEKELY, Martha w/o Samuel TAGGART, Mary w/o Robert THOMPSON, grandson:
Robert McCurdy PAXTON. Exec: Sons William, Robert. WItnesses: Robert HAYES,
David HORNER, Robert MAJOR. Written: 5 Aug 1805 probate 25 May 1810.
2. ìAdams County
Sentinel (Centinel) -î Adams County Newspaper published Gettysburg,
Wed May 16 1810 edition ìMCCurdy, Robert of Cumberland twp, died
on the 8th at his farm aged 74 yearsî.
3. ìDatabase:
Colonial Families in the U.S.,î viewable through Ancestry. com.
4. ìAdams County
Historical Association File.î Gives: Thomas Wilson, Manor of Maske.
5. HISTORICAL
GENEALOGY OF THE McCURDY FAMILY, compiled prior to 1917 and published
by the author., Work includes collection of letters by then living descendants,
unverified by hard data. Written and compiled by D. E. McCurdy Copied
by Patricia (McCurdy) Townsend, Lubec, Maine 1994.
6. Will of
Robert McCurdy: Robert McCurdyís Will was proved 25 May 1810 naming
William, Robert and James as his three sons and three dtrs: Nancy, Margaret
and Martha. Historical Society of Gettysburg shows on his file #457 Robt
McCurdy, Adm 1-2-1812.
Adams County Will book B, page
76, Adams County, made 5 August 1805, proved 25 May 1810. No wife mentioned,
but children by name.
7. ìAdams County
Historical Association File.î McCurdy file/Manor of Maske/ Thomas Wilson
original . [Substantiated via Bates History of Adams County, cited below]
8. Samuel
P Bates, History of Adams County, pennsylvania, Warner, Beers and Co.,
1886 Chicago. 2nd Reprint 1980 by The Bookmark Knightstwon, Indiana., Part
III (Adams County) Reprinted 1992 Gettysburg Penn, Adams County Historical
SOciety, Originally published as History of Cumberland and Adams Counties-1992
reprint of 1886 edition-, p 238.
9. Ibid. p
17=18.
10. Ibid.
p 14.
11. Ibid.
p 20.
12. Ibid.
p 21.
13. ìAdams
County Historical Association File.î
14. Ibid.
Manor of Maske/R. McCurdy.
15. Yeager,
James M, Brief history of Yeager, Buffington, Creighton, Jacobs, Lemon,
Hoffman and Woodside Families, No Further info, Source cited in McCurdy
folder from researcher.
16. Mellon,
Rachel Hughey Larimer , b. 1847 (Main Author), The Larimers, McAllisters
and Allied Families, 1903, Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah,
1960. on 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm. FHL US/CAN Film, Also on microfilm.
Salt Lake City : LDS Centers, 847634.
17. daughter
found in
Will
Abstract William Creighton
ìGREIGHTON, WILLIAM
(Name should be CRIGHTON.) Leacock Twp.
November 10, 1790
November 20, 1790
Wife: Barbara Creighton.
Children: Mary, Martha, Margaret
and Ann.
Grandchildren: William, Samuel
and Margaret Erven and
Isaac Litner (parents' names
not stated).
Ex.: Robert McCurdy and William
Brisbenî
18. Rachel
H. (Larimer) Mellon, Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania,
Volumes I-III, Entries in : The Sheakley Line & The McCurdy Line,
p 1514. [Text Accessible via ac]
19. Will Abstract
Robert McCurdy
"Robert McCURDY, Cumberland
Twp, sick, Children: William, Robert, Nancy PAXTON, James, Margaret w/o
George SHEKELY, Martha w/o Samuel TAGGART, Mary w/o Robert THOMPSON, grandson:
Robert McCurdy PAXTON. Exec: Sons William, Robert. WItnesses: Robert HAYES,
David HORNER, Robert MAJOR. Written: 5 Aug 1805 probate 25 May 1810. "
Abstracts of Adams County, Pennsylvania
Wills (1800-1826)" Kevin L Greenholt. Family Line Publications. 1988.
20. Ibid.
dtr Margaret w/o George SHEKELY,.
21. Rachel
H. (Larimer) Mellon, Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania,
Volumes I-III, Entries in : The Sheakley Line & The McCurdy Line
. [Text Accessible via ac ìThe McCurdy Lineî.]
22. ìLetters
in the McCurdy File from fellow researchers,î Adams County Historical Society,
Gettysburg, Adams Co., Penna. McCurdy file.
23. Rachel
H. (Larimer) Mellon, Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania,
Volumes I-III, Entries in : The Sheakley Line & The McCurdy Line
[Text Accessible via ac]
24. "12 May
1828 Franklin Township, Adams Co., Penna." Republican Compiler entry, dated
May 18 1823, Thursday last, Mrs Margaret Sheakley, relict of George Sheakley,
Franklin " URL
for transcript utilized.
25. "12 May
1828." from Letters in the McCurdy File from fellow researchers, Adams
County Historical Society, gettysburg, McCurdy file.
26. Rachel
H. (Larimer) Mellon////Andrew Hamilton McClintock, Colonial and Revolutionary
Families of Pennsylvania, Volumes I-III, Electronic reproduction of Colonial
and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania, Vol. I-III originally published
in 1911., [Viewable under Pennsylvania Founding Families, 1681-1911,
the larger entry at Ancestry.com] .
27. ìThe Republican
Compiler,î Adams County Newspaper
28. Will Abstract
Robert McCurdy
Robert McCURDY, Cumberland Twp,
sick, Children: William, Robert, Nancy PAXTON, James, Margaret w/o George
SHEKELY, Martha w/o Samuel TAGGART, Mary w/o Robert THOMPSON, grandson:
Robert McCurdy PAXTON. Exec: Sons William, Robert. WItnesses: Robert HAYES,
David HORNER, Robert MAJOR. Written: 5 Aug 1805 probate 25 May 1810. dtr
Margaret w/o George SHEKELY.
"Abstracts of Adams County,
Pennsylvania Wills (1800-1826)" Kevin L Greenholt. Family Line Publications.
1988"
29. Rachel
H. (Larimer) Mellon, Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania,
Volumes I-III, Entries in : The Sheakley Line & The McCurdy Line,
Text Accessible via ac, under George SHEAKLEY ìthe Sheakley Lineî ìThe
McCurdy Lineî.
30. George
Shakley- " "His death announcement appeared in the local Gettysburg paper
in may 27 1812 02 " Source
Link
31." born
1760" [ but this disputes the newspaper death announcement ìage 54"]. born
1760 From Rachel H. (Larimer) Mellon, Colonial and Revolutionary
Families of Pennsylvania, Volumes I-III, Entries in : The Sheakley
Line & The McCurdy Line, under, ìthe Sheakley Lineî
32. George
Shakley- "His death announcement appeared in the local Gettysburg
paper in may 27 1812 02 " Source
Link
.
33. 1812..
Rachel H. (Larimer) Mellon, Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania,
Volumes I-III, Entries in : The Sheakley Line & The McCurdy Line,
ìThe Sheakley Lineî
34. son in
Will Abstract of Robert McCurdy
Robert McCURDY, Cumberland Twp,
sick, Children: William, Robert, Nancy PAXTON, James, Margaret w/o George
SHEKELY, Martha w/o Samuel TAGGART, Mary w/o Robert THOMPSON, grandson:
Robert McCurdy PAXTON. Exec: Sons William, Robert. WItnesses: Robert HAYES,
David HORNER, Robert MAJOR. Written: 5 Aug 1805 probate 25 May 1810.
""Abstracts of Adams County,
Pennsylvania Wills (1800-1826)" Kevin L Greenholt. Family Line Publications.
1988"
35.DESCENDANTS
OF JAMES MC CURDY within HISTORICAL
GENEALOGY OF THE McCURDY FAMILY, compiled prior to 1917 and published
by the author., Work is Compiled letters from then living descendants,
unverified by hard data, Written and compiled by D. E. McCurdy Copied by
Patricia (McCurdy) Townsend, Lubec, Maine 1994.
36. Frederick
County Backgrounds-Marriage Records of United Churches of Tomís Creek and
Piney Creek Presbyterian Churches, marriages by Rev Davidson, B F M
McPherson under pseudonym of Samuel Carrick, her Ancestor, Articles published
in the Chronicle Newspaper, Emmitsburg Md, in the 1930s and 1940s, Caveat
Emptor proviso in relation to the family history quality of the data by
source transcriber Steve Gilland, Accesable via GenForum Library
In larger file called Family History: Colonial Families of Maryland, 1600s-1900s.
37. "Polly
CLINGHAM." Historical Sketch of the Presbyterian Churches of Emmitsburg
and Piney Creek, William Simonton, Paster, The Congregation; Printer J.
E. Wible, Corner Wash/ North Streets Gettysburg 1876, Delivered to the
Piney Creek Church July 27 1876, Cited at Adams County Historical Society
in McCurdy and allied lines, with publication present in ACHS library.
38. Mary A
G ìPollyî Clingan. from ìThe
Clingan Connection Website devoted to Clingan Lines,î Some sources
evident at site, but not at each data entry, and at this level often
sourced to researchers gedcoms in absence of primary substantiation. Mounted
by J. Scott Barnes (sbarnes@ieee.org).
39. Ibid.
Chapter three entry
40. Historical
Sketch of the Presbyterian Churches of Emmitsburg and Piney Creek, William
Simonton, Paster, The Congregation; Printer J. E. Wible, Corner Wash/ North
Streets Gettysburg 1876, Delivered to the Piney Creek Church July 27 1876,
Cited at Adams County Historical Society in McCurdy and allied lines, with
publication present in ACHS library and viewed by me.
41. Frederick
County Backgrounds-Marriage Records of United Churches of Tomís Creek and
Piney Creek Presbyterian Churches, marriages by Rev Davidson, B F M
McPherson under pseudonym of Samuel Carrick, her Ancestor, Articles published
in the Chronicle Newspaper, Emmitsburg Md, in the 1930s and 1940s, Caveat
Emptor proviso in relation to the family history quality of the data by
source transcriber Steve Gilland, Accesable via GenForum Library
In larger file called Family History: Colonial Families of Maryland, 1600s-1900s,
p 28.
42. Descendant
chart unsourced but highly detailed, no data on her ascendancy, or that
of her husband and part of Linda Paxton's Webpages, ìPaxtons;
Descendant chart of the first Paxton's who came form Ireland-part of
The Missouri Paxtons
43. Will Abstract
Robert McCurdy shows Nancy PAXTON[does not mention her husbandís name beyond
surname].
Robert McCURDY, Cumberland Twp,
sick, Children: William, Robert, Nancy PAXTON, James, Margaret w/o George
SHEKELY, Martha w/o Samuel TAGGART, Mary w/o Robert THOMPSON, grandson:
Robert McCurdy PAXTON. Exec: Sons William, Robert. WItnesses: Robert HAYES,
David HORNER, Robert MAJOR. Written: 5 Aug 1805 probate 25 May 1810.
"Abstracts of Adams County, Pennsylvania Wills (1800-1826)" Kevin L Greenholt.
Family Line Publications. 1988"
44. Descendant
chart unsourced but highly detailed, no data on her ascendancy, or that
of her husband and part of Linda Paxton's Webpages, ìPaxtons;
Descendant chart of the first Paxton's who came form Ireland-part of
The Missouri Paxtons
45. A grandson
Paxton is mentioned in the will Will of Robert McCurdy: Robert McCurdyís
Will was proved 25 May 1810 naming William, Robert and James as his three
sons and three dtrs: Nancy, Margaret and Martha.The will also mentions
Martha Married Samuel Taggart, and Mary married Robert Thompson.
Grandson Robert McCurdy Paxton is mentioned and the Executors were his
sons Wiliam and Robert.
Historical Society of Gettysburg
shows on his file #457 Robt McCurdy, Adm 1-2-1812. Adams County Will book
B, page 76, Adams County, made 5 August 1805, proved 25 May 1810. No wife
mentioned, but children by name.
46. dtr Nancy
PAXTON[does not mention her husbandís name beyond surname]. Will Abstract
Robert McCurdy
Robert McCURDY, Cumberland Twp,
sick, Children: William, Robert, Nancy PAXTON, James, Margaret w/o George
SHEKELY, Martha w/o Samuel TAGGART, Mary w/o Robert THOMPSON, grandson:
Robert McCurdy PAXTON. Exec: Sons William, Robert. WItnesses: Robert HAYES,
David HORNER, Robert MAJOR. Written: 5 Aug 1805 probate 25 May 1810.
"Abstracts of Adams County,
Pennsylvania Wills (1800-1826)" Kevin L Greenholt. Family Line Publications.
1988"
47. Ibid.
dtr Martha w/o Samuel TAGGART.
48. Ibid. son
in law dtr Martha w/o Samuel TAGGART.
49. Ibid. dtr
Mary w/o Robert THOMPSON.
50.Uncertain
if this is she; but based on name of husband, burial in Piney Creek and
dates of that person appears likely match. ìPiney Creek Presbyterian Cemetery
is located 1 1/4 miles southeast of Harney in Carroll County, Maryland
which is almost on the Pa/Md border (take Harney Road fromTaneytown off
of Rt 140 West). The church was founded about 1771.
There is a stone wall built around the cemetery running about five
feet high with a stone marked 1872; this is the only wall I have
ever seen with a roof on it. These records were compiled July
7, 1940 by Henry James Young who generously gave a copy to the Maryland
Historical Society which can be found in the "A" files there. ì From
Piney
Creek Presbyterian Cemetery Part of Carroll Co, Maryland Cemeteries
webpages
Piney Creek Presbyterian Cemetery
51. Ibid.
52. dtr Mary
w/o Robert THOMPSON. Will Abstract Robert McCurdy
Robert McCURDY, Cumberland Twp,
sick, Children: William, Robert, Nancy PAXTON, James, Margaret w/o George
SHEKELY, Martha w/o Samuel TAGGART, Mary w/o Robert THOMPSON, grandson:
Robert McCurdy PAXTON. Exec: Sons William, Robert. WItnesses: Robert HAYES,
David HORNER, Robert MAJOR. Written: 5 Aug 1805 probate 25 May 1810.
"Abstracts of Adams County,
Pennsylvania Wills (1800-1826)" Kevin L Greenholt. Family Line Publications.
1988"
53. ìDAR Lineage
Books Volume 45,î DAR ID Number 44713 (Miss Virginia Helen McCurdy), DAR
Library, Accessible via DAR Lineage Books Search on line (www.Ancestry.com),
page 288.
54. Samuel
P Bates, History of Adams County, pennsylvania, Warner, Beers and Co.,
1886 Chicago. 2nd Reprint 1980 by The Bookmark Knightstwon, Indiana., Part
III (Adams County) Reprinted 1992 Gettysburg Penn, Adams County Historical
SOciety, Originally published as History of Cumberland and Adams Counties-1992
reprint of 1886 edition-, p 363.
55. ìDAR Lineage
Books Volume 45,î DAR ID Number 44713 (Miss Virginia Helen McCurdy), DAR
Library, Accessible via DAR Lineage Books Search on line (www.Ancestry.com),
page 233.
56. "The Centinel",
Marriage announcement, paper dated Jun 13, 1810 reads ì Thursday
last, William M'Curdy to Nancy King d/Col. John King, Straban by Rev. M'Conaughyî
[straban twp mention, date garnered from death data.]
"The Centinel", Gettysburg,
Adams Co., PA, printed by Robert Harper, East of the Court House and delivered
on Wednesdays. Price of a
yearlong subscription in 1805
was $2. Dates extracted here: Jan 6, 1802 -- May 19, 1813 . Adams County,
PA Newspaper Extracts ? Marriages, 1804-34. Online
transcription of same .
57. ìAdams
County Sentinel (Centinel) -Spelling varies at Historical Society-mostly
Sentinel,î Adams County Newspaper published Gettysburg, Sited by the Adams
county historical society in mcCurdy file, 11 sept 1816 edition. See also
source 56 above.
58. ì Thursday
last, William M'Curdy to Nancy King d/Col. John King, Straban by Rev. M'Conaughyî.
"The Centinel", Marriage announcement, paper dated Jun 13, 1810 ."The Centinel",
Gettysburg, Adams Co., PA, printed by Robert Harper, East of the Court
House and delivered on Wednesdays. Price of a yearlong subscription
in 1805 was $2. Dates extracted here: Jan 6, 1802 -- May 19, 1813 . Adams
County, PA Newspaper Extracts ? Marriages, 1804-34. Online
transcription of same
59. "7 Jun
1810." from Historical Sketch of the Presbyterian Churches of Emmitsburg
and Piney Creek, William Simonton, Paster, The Congregation; Printer J.
E. Wible, Corner Wash/ North Streets Gettysburg 1876, Delivered to the
Piney Creek Church July 27 1876, Cited at Adams County Historical Society
in McCurdy and allied lines, with publication present in ACHS library,
By Rev Patrick Davidson Of Piney Creek Presbyterian, Adams County, Penna
.
(Straban Township, ?)
60. "7 Jun 1810" Frederick County
Backgrounds-Marriage Records of United Churches of Tomís Creek and Piney
Creek Presbyterian Churches, marriages by Rev Davidson, B F M
McPherson under pseudonym of Samuel Carrick, her Ancestor, Articles published
in the Chronicle Newspaper, Emmitsburg Md, in the 1930s and 1940s, Caveat
Emptor proviso in relation to the family history quality of the data by
source transcriber Steve Gilland, Accesable via GenForum Library
In larger file called Family History: Colonial Families of Maryland, 1600s-1900s,
p 28
61. Mentioned
as son in Will Abstract Robert McCurdy
Robert McCURDY, Cumberland Twp,
sick, Children: William, Robert, Nancy PAXTON, James, Margaret w/o George
SHEKELY, Martha w/o Samuel TAGGART, Mary w/o Robert THOMPSON, grandson:
Robert McCurdy PAXTON. Exec: Sons William, Robert. WItnesses: Robert HAYES,
David HORNER, Robert MAJOR. Written: 5 Aug 1805 probate 25 May 1810.
"Abstracts of Adams County,
Pennsylvania Wills (1800-1826)" Kevin L Greenholt. Family Line Publications.
1988"
62. 11/27/1822
newspaper stating "ìDied Sat Am last Saturday last, James M'Curdy, Cumberland
twp.î From the Adams County Sentinel (Centinel)
63. ìThe Republican
Compiler,î 27 Nov 1822 edition., Adams County Newspaper
64. Family
Notes from D M Swope-research and interviews. 1789 by family records, it
appears by Obit and census she was born 1787 or 1788.
65. "Marriage
Records of the Rev Davidson, ìNov 24 1808. James McCurdy to Martha MOOREî."
Frederick County Backgrounds-Marriage Records of United Churches of Tomís
Creek and Piney Creek Presbyterian Churches, marriages by Rev Davidson,
B F M McPherson under pseudonym of Samuel Carrick, her Ancestor,
Articles published in the Chronicle Newspaper, Emmitsburg Md, in the 1930s
and 1940s, Caveat Emptor proviso in relation to the family history quality
of the data by source transcriber Steve Gilland, Accesable via GenForum
Library In larger file called Family History: Colonial Families of
Maryland, 1600s-1900s, Page 27-
66. http://www.rootsweb.com/~paadams/adams.htm?restrict=xx%2Fcounty
67. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~pattianne/history/
68. Mellon,
Rachel Hughey Larimer , b. 1847 (Main Author) ìThe Larimers, McAllisters
and Allied Familiesî 1903. Also on microfilm. Salt Lake City : LDS Centers
69. Entry from
Charles McCurdy dated 1888.
This is a collection of family
letters pertaining to the correspondants' geneology, many dated from
close of 19th Century, with some narrative by authors. Compiled and Written
by Edward Elbridge Salisbury and Evelyn McCurdy Salisbury New Haven, ConnecticutÝ,
Copyrighted and Privately Printed in 1892. Edited and Updated regularly
by Patti Anne McCurdy, Ottawa, Ontario, 1998. URL
,
The letter from Charles McCurdy
reads
"James (99) McCurdy had
four children, viz: Archibald (94), James, Hugh (95) and Robert (96). He
never removed from Lancaster county, but died there about 1765. Of the
above named sons of James McCurdy, Archibald, the oldest remained in Lancaster
county, in possession of the homestead, and is the ancestor of the Virginia
branch. Hugh and James went to Franklin county, Penn., where some of their
descendants still reside; and Robert, my great grandfather went to Adams
county, Pa. The latter had three sons, via: William (4) - my grandfather
(who was elected over Thaddens Stevens to the legislature . . . . ) Robert
(4) and James (4). Robert went to Ohio, and I know nothing of his descendants.
James died, leaving one son who settled in New Albany, Indiana, and William
remained in possession of his father's farm in this, Adams County. He married
Nancy King, and had two sons: John King (5), a physician, whose daughter
still resides in Reading, Pa., as Robert (5), my father, who died in 1885.
I can only bring my own claim of title to this end, and I regret that I
have not complete data at hand concerning the sons of Archibald, James
and Hugh; but I suppose it is not possible to obtain them. There may be
some information to be had, in Virginia, concerning Archibald's descendants,
which can be added to this paper . . . . " . "
70. H.
Percy Blanchard. " The Ancestral McCurdys" CHAPTER IX
The sons of Petheric, " The Refugee". p. x (chart four), p. 39.
Blanchard states: "James, the
fourth child of Daniel and Margaret (Laughlin) McCurdy, was born in 1706.
In "Historical Genealogy",
p. 73, he is erroneously spoken
of as son of John He married Polly Cook, and came to America about
1726. He first located on the James River, Vt.; but later, 1731, moved
to Pennsylvania. They had four sons:
Archibald, the ancestor of the
Virginia branch,who married Hannah Watson;
James, who went to Franklyn
County, Pa.;
Hugh, who also went to Franklyn
County, Pa.;
and Robert, who went to Adams
County, Pa."
71. Research
by D M Swope, handed down in notes
72. Unsourced
notations at the Gettysburg Adams County Historical Society show Robert
born about 1736 , SalisburyTwp , Lancaster Co. , Penna
73. "The Centinel",
Gettysburg, Adams Co., PA, printed by Robert Harper, East of the Court
House and delivered on Wednesdays.
On 8th, Robert M'Curdy, 74,
Cumberland twp.
74. The Republican
Compiler, Local paper, her death announcement
75. Rachel H.
(Larimer) Mellon////Andrew Hamilton McClintock; Colonial and Revolutionary
Families of Pennsylvania, Volumes I-III; Electronic reproduction of Colonial
and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania, Vol. I-III originally published
in 1911. Ancestry.com library subscription tome
76. ìLANCASTER
COUNTY MARRIAGES FROM 1753-1854î Lancaster Co. Pa. Marriages; part
[page] 3 of 3.
77. Adams
County Tidbits from the Adams County Bicentenniel Committee [10-29-1999
entry]
78. York
Co. Volunteer Listings Part 5 from family history webpages by Helen
S. Durbin and Susi C. Pentico and part of their Other
Counties in Pa. Link Page providing tax lists Lancaster
County 1771, Marriages Lancaster County From 1753-1854, and York Co. Volunteer
Listings
79 Email from Lynne
Nuibe (lynne@nuibe.com) recd Mon 26 July 2004 . Descendant and researcher
of William Sheakely.
80. Kevin L Greenholt.
Abstracts Adams County Penna Wills 1800-1826 . Willow Bend
Books, Westminster Maryland, 1999. Available at ACHS, Gettysburg, Penna.
Originllypublished 1988. Reprinted 1999. Printed in US. International Standard
Book Number: 1-58549-060-1
[Image 
from the 5th Penna Reenactors
web pages, digitally enhanced by Roberts GGGG Grandchild
Permission to use requested
Jan 2003. Answer pending] |
