William Austin 1699-1770

6th Great Grandfather - Paternal Side

I chose William since I just returned from Ireland and visiting the area where he was born. I should have researched it more before heading over but I was sure that I would be researching my Patrick line. As it turns out the Patricks were most likely from France. Okay, I knew the Irish genealogy came from my father's side (red hair and all) so it had to be someone that I had in my tree so I started Goggling name origins. This turned up the Austins (not the original spelling) but gave me a hint in the right direction. I did see a truck with "Austin Plumbing" on the side so apparently the spelling was translated from Gaelic even there.

The family was from the County Cork area and of course this was not one of our stopping points.

William Austin was born circa 1699 in Ireland to possibly Robert and Susannah Parham Austin (I have not verified the parents yet). Around 1724 he married Ruth Bryant and they had the following children:

1. Charles Austin (1726 - 1771); married Mary Elizabeth McBee
2. John Austin (1727 - after 1778); married Ellen Green
3. Richard Austin (1728 - after 1778); married Rebecca Austin Gurley
4. Sarah Austin (1729 - after 1778); married Mr. Jackson
5. Molly Austin (1730 - after 1778)

The boys were supposedly born in Ireland. The family immigrated to the American Colonies between 1728 and 1729 settling in Virginia. They were farmers as were most of the immigrants. At this point in time, I can only say that they lived in Southampton, Virginia as this is where William's will is filed in 1770. He left his land and goods to his wife, Ruth and five shillings a piece to each of his children. He granted Molly his estate after the death of his wife.

Sources:

1. Ancestry.com
2. Austin Family Association of America - www.afaoa.org
3. "Virginia Wills and Administrations, 1632-1800"; Compiled by Clayton Torrence; Genealogy Publishing Company, 2008
4. VA, Southampton County Will Book 3, p 206. Will of William Austin, written Sep 2, 1770 and probated 12 March 1778. 

William Blackwood 1706-1774

5th Great Grandfather Paternal Side

William Blackwood was born August 15, 1706 in Glencairn, Scotland to Charles and Agnes Hunter Blackwood.

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:

1. Martha Mary Blackwood (1732-1790); married Charles Wilson Johnston or Johnstone
2. James Thomas Blackwood (1733-1810); married Anna Thompson
3. John Blackwood (????-????); married Jane Mary Thompson
4. William Blackwood, Jr. (1737-1843); married Margaret "Peggy" King
5. Ann Blackwood (1740-1796); married James Morrow
6. Margaret Blackwood (1742-1833) married William Long
7. 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)

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)

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:

1. Mary Blackwood (1735-1805); married John Craig
2. Jennette Jane Blackwood (1736-????); married John McCauley

Sources:

1. "Scotland Births & Baptisms, 1564-1950" FamilySearch.org
2. North Carolina State Archives, Land Records, Book 14, pages 339, 351
3. 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
4. "Orange County 1752-1952" Edited by Hugh Lefler and Pail Wagner, Chapel Hill, 1953 - Chapter III, Settlement and Early History by Ruth BlackWelder