William Blackwood was born August 15, 1706 in Glencairn, Scotland to Charles and Agnes Hunter Blackwood.
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| Scotland Birth & Baptisms (See Source 1) |
The family was either banished or moved to Ireland before 1732. While in Ireland, William married Mary Elizabeth Craige (or Craig) in 1732 at Londonderry, Ulster, Ireland. In the year 1740, they arrived in Pennsylvania on the ship Mary William where they lived for a time. Many Scotch-Irish began migrating to North Carolina, settling in Orange County. William and "Betsy" joined the New Hope Presbyterian Church after 1747 of which her father or uncle was the Reverend.
William and Betsy had the following children according to his will:
- Martha Mary Blackwood (1732-1790); married Charles Wilson Johnston or Johnstone
- James Thomas Blackwood (1733-1810); married Anna Thompson
- John Blackwood (????-????); married Jane Mary Thompson
- William Blackwood, Jr. (1737-1843); married Margaret "Peggy" King
- Ann Blackwood (1740-1796); married James Morrow
- Margaret Blackwood (1742-1833) married William Long
- Elizabeth Blackwood (1744-1833); married ?
William Blackwood bought land in the area. March of 1752 he purchased 20.5 acres on Buffalo Creek, Indian Fields (See Source 4) and 20.64 acres on Brashears Creek, Samuel Hunter's Plat. Apparently he did very well as in November, 1754 he added another 11.64 acres. By March 14, 1755 he was able to purchase 480 acres containing both sides of Buffalo Creek. He was listed on the 1755 Early Census Index still residing in Orange County, North Carolina. On March 1, 1759 he purchases another 640 acres on both sides of Brashears Creek. (See Source 2)
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| Land Grant Certificate |
William died on June 9, 1774 and is buried in the New Hope Church Cemetery in Chappel Hill, North Carolina. (See Source 3)
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| William Blackwood Will |
When I started to write about William, I believed he was the William Blackwood that was granted a pay voucher for his service in The Revolutionary War. Since gathering all of my materials in one place and a little more research it turns out that William Jr. was granted the reimbursement. At times genealogy at it's best is confusing!
The following daughters were listed under William Sr. and Betsy, but I can find no proof since as they are not listed in the will, but will place them here for posterity:
- Mary Blackwood (1735-1805); married John Craig
- Jennette Jane Blackwood (1736-????); married John McCauley
Sources:
- "Scotland Births & Baptisms, 1564-1950" FamilySearch.org
- North Carolina State Archives, Land Records, Book 14, pages 339, 351
- Wills, 1752-1946; Cross Index to Wills, 1752-1946; Author: North Carolina. County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (Orange County); Probate Place: Orange, North Carolina
- "Orange County 1752-1952" Edited by Hugh Lefler and Pail Wagner, Chapel Hill, 1953 - Chapter III, Settlement and Early History by Ruth BlackWelder
Dear Cousin Beverly, I am so thrilled to have discovered your wonderful blog!!! I, too, am a direct descendant of the Blackwoods of New Hope (along with 4 other founding families of Orange Presbytery). I only wish my grandfather had known how deep his Scots Presbyterian roots run -- he grew up just a few miles from New Hope Church and never had any idea. Thank you for your amazing contributions to our family tree!
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