Notes |
- From the notes of Dice S. Armstrong---Robert Armstrong, an immigrant from North Ireland, served in the French and Indian War (1754-63). He served one mile south of Doe Hill, Virginia in 1759. He had a brother James. JHA, 28 Dec., 2000.
ARMSTRONG GENEALOGY
CHAPTER 1
RESEARCH ON
ROBERT ARMSTRONG
AND
ARMSTRONG PROGENITORS
From the files of: Janice L. (Armstrong) Nicholas
118 Rainbow Dr. PMB 1875
Livingston, TX 77399-1018
ROBERT ARMSTRONG
ROBERT ARMSTRONG is thought to be the immigrant progenitor of this branch of the Armstrong Family. According to Morton's "History of Highland County Virginia", in 1746, 21 tracts of land on the Bullpasture River and Cowpasture River were laid off. All these surveys came under the order of council of 1743. One tract of 112 acres near the head of the Bullpasture River was laid off for Robert Armstrong. Morton says this Armstrong would appear to be the same Robert Armstrong who lived on Jackson's River below Warm Springs. Morton also points out that an enterprising pioneer would seize choice tracts of land even if it lay some distance from his home and didn't necessarily have to live on the land at the time they received it.
Morton's "History of Pendleton County, West Virginia", says James and Robert Armstrong settled one mile below Doe Hill, Virginia in 1759. This area coincides with the 112 acre tract of land on the Bullpasture River laid off in the name of Robert Armstrong in 1746 and it's in this area of Virginia that the "roots" of our branch of the ARMSTRONG FAMILY are the deepest.
QUESTION: Who was this James Armstrong, and what was his relationship to Robert?
On page 332 of his Pendleton County history, Morton questions which man, James or Robert, was the father of John, William and Amos.
There are several reports in "The New History Of Highland County Virginia", published in 1983, which says Robert Armstrong immigrated from Northern Ireland about 1735, married Jane VanArsdale in 1746, was a Sgt. in the French and Indian War and had at least three children; John, William and Amos.
We can't all be wrong!!!!! Or can we??
NOTE: One thing that has bothered me for some time is the fact that in the list of children we have found for both John and Wiliam Armstrong neither one of them have named one of their sons Robert after the man we think was their father. ODD. They both had a William, a Jared, a John, a James and a George, but no ROBERT.
One of the reports says Robert married Jane VanArsdale "of Vanordsdale". I have yet to find such a place, but will keep looking. Should this have read "Jane VanArsdale OR VanOrdsdale"?
I requested information on Sgt. Robert Armstrong from the National Archives Washington, D. C. I was told they do not have records related to military service before the Revolutionary War. They suggested I try the Virginia state archives.
In "The Armstrong Family", published by the National Genealogical Research Institute, Washington, D.C., there is a list of all known recorded immigrates of the Armstrong name that arrived here in or prior to 1800. Only one Robert Armstrong is listed. I have searched many passengers lists, most of then for ships entering at Philadelphia, and have not found Robert listed.
The sketch in "The Armstrong Family" reads:
ROBERT ARMSTRONG: born 1700, died 1775; emigrated from county Antrim, Ireland, to Philadelphia in 1735; later moved to Abbeville District, South Carolina; married to Alice Calhoun in 1728; had a son Robert and possibly other children.
COULD THE "SON ROBERT" BE THE ROBERT WE ARE LOOKING FOR?
**********
In "The Chronicles of the Armstrongs" complied by James Lewis Armstrong 19001902, there is this sketch on the above Robert Armstrong on page 368:
1735. Robert Armstrong of County Antrim, Ireland, emigrated to America in 1735, taking with him his wife, Alice Calhoun Armstrong, and his four year old son Robert. With them went also McBrides, Cunninghams, Bounds, and Calhouns. Soon after landing at Philadelphia they moved to one of the interior counties and settled upon the Susquehanna, where they resided for many years. Prior to 1768 they and a number of their countrymen removed to Abbeville District, now Anderson County, a settlement formed in South Carolina by the Calhouns. Alice Calhoun Armstrong was sister to Patrick Calhoun, grandfather of the eminent statesman John C. Calhoun. Some of Robert Armstrong's descendants subsequently settled in Tennessee. (See records of John McMillan Armstrong, Chattanooga, Tennessee.)
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November 1992 -- Prodigy Contact -- Deborah Wesley (DNBR44A) researching the Robert and Alice (Calhoun) Armstrong Family says Robert Armstrong b c 1700 Ulster, Ireland
m 1728 Alice Calhoun b 1705
immigrated 1735 Philadelhia
Children: John, Robert, James, Benjamin, Kate, Hannah, Alice. The first two born in Ulster, the rest in PA.
Their son Robert was born in 1731 and married Margaret Cunningham in 1767. They lived most of their lives in Tenn., and had children: Robert, John, Elizabeth, Martha, Margaret, Moses, and Aaron.
NOTE: Oh well, Just another bump in the road of genealogy.
We live to search another day!!!
From the "Annals of Bath County VA, by O.F. Morton:
Robert Armstrong of Jackson River is mentioned by Dr. Walker in 1750. Another Robert Armstrong was living at the same time near Churchvill, Virginia and so we can not always tell which man is referred to in the records. There even seems to have been a third Robert. The one in Bath County moved to Kentucky about 1793 but his son of the same name lived here several years longer and was often foreman of the grand jury. He gave much attention to raising horses. Archibold Armstrong was a neighbor and probably kinsman who finally removed to Augusta. Archibald who died here in 1800 had children named Robert, Ann, Thomas, Isabella, William and Jean. Ann was the wife of James Elliot.
*****************
COPIED FROM; Armstrong Bulletin Board - Issue No. 91-4
#428 Anna Herbertson, 6584 Bull Hill Court,
Colorado Springs, CO 80919:
There was a Robert A* who d. Nov. 12 1754, Augusta Co. VA, will written Nov. 10, 1754, proven Nov 21, 1754. Children named in will: 1) Hannah, mrd. Robert KIRKHAM. 2) Catherine, mrd. FINNEY. 3) John, mrd. Elizabeth Morris (see query 319) 4) Robert. 5) James. 6) Benjamin. 7) Martha. 8) Agnes. 9) Alice. The foregoing is from "Chalkley's Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish". I have been told that son, Robert mrd. 1746 Jane Vanarsdale and had sons John, William and Amos. And that this John and William are ref. as brothers in Morton's Pendleton Co., VA/WV History and Highland Co., VA History. I think there is another William, making Morton's two actually uncle and nephew. I suggest the following may be the correct relationship:
1. Robert A* mrd. Jane Vanarsdale, sons: John, b. c 1759, mrd. c 1780 Agnes Erwin; Amos, d. 1799.
2. William A*, b. 1748, of Loudoun Co., VA mrd. 1794 to Jane -?- Will proved Pendleton Co. VA 1814, had children: Mary, Margaret, John, James, Elizabeth VANHORN, Sarah VANHORN, Ann CRAIG, and William.
3. William A*, b. c.1768, mrd 1788 in Augusta Co. to Elizabeth Erwin. This William I know about, and from land records and transfers, I also know that his father was a William A*. William the son d. intestate and his land was divided equally between his children and widow. A. son, William (III) purchased the interest of some of his brothers and sisters.
(R#383, also has query 323a, upd. 91-1)
This query brings up some interesting questions, for here is another bit of information that may link our branch of the family to two Roberts. I will write to this lady and see what I come up with. I am not convinced the William Armstrong will she talks about is the will of our William, and I have found John and William listed as brothers in too many places to believe her suggestion that they were uncle and nephew.
The list of children for Robert and Alice (Calhoun) Armstrong in Deborah Wesley's Prodigy message, is the same as Anna Herbertson's query in the Armstrong B.B.
- QUESTION -
If the older Robert went from PA to SC "prior to 1768" as stated in "The Chronicles of the Armstrongs", can he really be the same Robert Armstrong who died Nov. 12, 1754, Augusta Co., VA., as stated in the will Anna mentioned ???
On page 36 in ... "The Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia", Volume III, Abstracts of wills of Augusta County, Virginia, Augusta County Court.
Will Book No. 2, page 75... 10th November, 1754. Robert Armstrong's will -- Daughter Hannah Kircum 1/3 of tract he now lives on bought of Col. Patton; daughter, Catherine Finney, 1 English shilling; sons, John and Robt., tract on Mill Creek bought of John Allison; sons (and Daughters). infants, viz: James and Benjamin; daughters (under 18); to son, James, entry on head of McClure's Run; wife, Martha, executrix; daughters, Martha, Alice and Agnes, infants. Teste: John Mathews, Sr., William Woods, John Mitchell. Proved, 21st November, 1754, By Mathews and Mitchell, and Martha qualifies executrix, with sureties John and Joshua Mathews.
This is the same will as mentioned before, note the date and names of the children, but this says Robert's wife was Martha, not Alice Calhoun.
So I'm back to square one !!!!
Another bit of information linking our branch of the family to two Roberts has been found in some D.A.R. research papers and applications:
In the early 1950's, Mrs. Rose C. (Armstrong ) Hicklin joined the Daughters of the American Revolutionary. Her son, Graham Hicklin, has a box of her personal papers which included her D.A.R. research papers. In 1989 Kent Botkin got to look at them.
Mrs. Hicklin listed her family line as:
William H. & Rachel E. (Wandless) Armstrong
John T. & Jane B. (Hiner) Armstrong
Jared & Agnes (Hiner) Armstrong
John & Agnes (Ervine) Armstrong
Robert Armstrong
Robert Armstrong, Sr.
Mrs. Hicklin listed her research sources as:
1. Loundon & Frederick Co. Va. Histories
2. Va. Soldiers in the Revolution
3. Roll of Honor Volunteers of DAR Books
4. Highland and Pendleton Co. Histories
6. Pratt Library
7. Library of Congress
8. Clerks office, Leeburg, Va. (Visited - 1950)
I requested a copy of Mrs. Hicklin's DAR application for membership from the Registrar General NSDAR, 1776 D Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. They sent me a copy of Mrs Hattie Elizabeth (Armstrong) Lee of Charleston, Illinois. # 469379, dated Sept. 21, 1959. Mrs Lee was the daughter of John Shaffer Armstrong, whose father was John T., son of Jared, the third child of John and Agnes (Ervine) Armstrong. Mrs. Lee stated on the application, "Mrs W.R. (Rose) Hicklin gave me permission to use her National Number #399527.
**********
ODDS AND ENDS
INFORMATION ON MEN NAMED
ROBERT ARMSTRONG
Volumes I, II, & III of "The Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia."
Extracted from the original court records of Augusta County, 1745-1800. There are many entries on men named Robert Armstrong, but I haven't been able to connect many of them to our line.
**********
West Virginia Heritage - Vol. #3
Copied from Dr. Walkers Journal
"July 8, 1750 - having shaved, shifted and made new shoes we left our useless Raggs at Ye camp and got to Walker Johnstons, about noon; we moved over to Robert Armstrongs in the After-noon and staid there all Night. The people here are very hospitable and would be better able to support Travellers, was it not for the great number of INDIAN WARRIORS that frequently take what they want from them, much to their prejudice."
A footnote says:
"This Johnston probably lived on the strip of land extending westward from Jacksons River to the Allegheny crest which subsequently was patented to Samuel Johnston. This Robert Armstrong, in 1746, lived on what was then called Newfoundland Creek, now called Bullpasture, but in the same year he obtained a survey of 270 acres on Jacksons River in the lower edge of Bath County, at the place where the road leading from Warm Springs to Greenbrier Court House leaves the river and goes over the Allegheny Mountains, through this 'old Johnston land'."
NOTE:
This could well be our ROBERT ARMSTRONG, the same man mentioned by Morton as living on Jackson's River below Warm Springs (Bath Co.) in 1746, when 112 acres near the head of Bullpasture River was laid off for him. The time frame is right, so is the geographical area.
**********
Another reference to the Robert Armstrong Ordinary
Journal of the Braxton Historical Society, Vol. 11 #3, September 25, 1983, pages 57 & 58. An account of "The Traveller", appeared in the May issue of the Southern Literary Messenger, 1838, and reprinted in Southern Historical Magazine, June 1892.
Page 57, ".... pursing my way through the continuous meadows to the little Youghl, I found myself at sunset in comfortable quarters at old Armstrong with a good fire, which the cool evenings made agreeable; and strong coffee, good tea, exquisite venison and fine trout to regale me. Next morning I resumed my march with little hope of such another inn. In a dozen miles I left the glade, and ascended Briary or Cheat Mountain,....."
Page 58, ".... evening brought me to Gandy's far famed as being the worst house on the road. But unfortunately there is no missing it. He who luxuriates one night at Armstrong's, was always destined inevitably to all sorts of discomfort at Gandy's ....."
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Copied from "A History of the Valley of Virginia", by Samuel Kercheval. Page 371:
"A man by the name of Robert Armstrong, in those troublesome times had removed his family across the mountain to a place of safety. He was on a visit to his family, accompanied by a young man. Seven Indians approached his house, and were in the yard before discovered. Armstrong told the young man to jump into bed and threw a blanket over him. The indians pushed into the house and Armstrong went to the bed, raised the blanket, and asked the man if he were better. He replied in the negative. An indian immediately asked, "Man very sick?" "Yes, small pox, very bad." They cried "Wough." and ran off, crying as they ran, "Small pox! Small pox!" as far as they could be heard. It is said the Indians were dreadfully afraid of the disorder. Armstrong, by this stratagem, saved himself and property from being touched by the enemy.
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ARMSTRONG PROGENITORS
IMMIGRANT
ROBERT ARMSTRONG, the progenitor of at least two branches of the Armstrong Clan immigrated from Northern Ireland about 1735. Information has been found in old research papers for a DAR application, which says Robert was the son of Robert. He was a Sgt. in the French and Indian War, owned 112 acres of land on the Bullpasture River in the vicinity of Blackthorn Creek, married Jane VanArsdale in 1746, and had at least three sons: John, William and Amos. John and William came from Loudoun County, married sisters and raised large families in the Pendleton/Highland County area of Virginia. The only information found on Amos is his death date, 1799.
PIONEERS
JOHN ARMSTRONG, (17591821)
John Armstrong was a member of the Virginia Militia during the Revolutionary War. He must have been highly regarded by his peers for he was appointed Lieutenant in 1793. He married Agnes "Nancy" Ervine (17641827), the daughter of Jared and Elizabeth Ervine, and they settled near Doe Hill. In John's will recorded at Franklin, Pendleton County, West Virginia, Will Book #4, page 56, it says his "plantation" was in Pendleton County, Virginia, is dated June 9, 1820 and was recorded August 11, 1827. After reading his will, I have surmised John was a christian man and very well off for a gentleman of his time. John and Agnes had twelve children.
1-1 ELIZATBETH, b. 1780, Single.
1-2 WILLIAM, b. 1783, m. 1805, Mary Punt and moved away.
1-3 JARED, 17851865, m. 1820, Agnes Hiner 17891867.
1-4 JANE, 17871857, m. 1808, Joseph Hiner 17781865.
1-5 JOHN, b. 1790, m. 1812, Margaret Jones.
According to his fathers will, moved to Ohio.
1-6 MARGARET, b. 1792, m. George Crummett b. 1787.
1-7 MARY, 17921867, m. 1826, John Bodkin, III.
1-8 JAMES, b. 1795, m. #11819 Elizabeth Hiner,
#21836 Sarah (?) Smith.
First moved to W.Va., then to Indiana.
1-9 GEORGE, 17971870, m. 1824, Sarah Hiner 18051869.
1-10 THOMAS B., 17991874, m. 1822, Sarah H. Pullin 18031881.
Moved to Lewis Co. in 1835.
1-11 NANCY ANN, 18021858, m. 1827, John Kniceley 18071891.
They moved to Braxton Co. (now W. Va.) in 1846.
1-12 SAMUEL ELI, 18041878, m. 1830, Mary Taylor 18101886.
More information on the descentants of John Armstrong can be found in Chapter Two, along with a copy of his will.
WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, SR., (b. , d. 1814)
On page 388, in the Family History section of W. B. Cutright's "History of Upshur County West Virginia", is a report on David Neeson Armstrong, a great great grandson of William Armstrong, Sr.. Cutright says, "... William Armstrong, Sr., immigrated to the U.S.A. from Wales in an early day." According to my findings, this is misinformation and should be noted by others interested in the history and genealogy of the Armstrong Family. William Armstrong, Sr. was the son of Robert and the brother of John. Early recorded land sales show that William bought a tract of 200 acres near Doe Hill in 1794 from Robert Duffield, for which he paid $1000.00. He married Elizabeth J. (Jane) Ervine, the daughter of Jared and Elizabeth Ervine. They raised eight children, of which at least three of whom married and moved their young families to the Lewis/Upshur County area of (now) West Virginia. Many descendants of there early settlers still live in that area.
2-1 Elizabeth, b. 1787, m. 1823, John Douglas. Moved to
Lewis (now Upshur) County in 1845.
2-2 William, Jr., m. 1829, Eleanor Wilson. Their son Harvey
moved to Upshur County in 1862.
2-3 Jared, m. 1820, Martha Wilson.
2-4 Jane, m. 1819, Samuel Wilson.
2-5 John Friel, 17911871, m. 1812, Mary Wilson, b. 1790.
They moved to Lewis (now Upshur) County in the
early 1840's.
2-6 George, b.1805, m. Eunice Christine Propst b.1809.
They moved to Lewis County in late 1830's.
2-7 James, m. Maria Hiner 18191857.
They may have moved to Indiana.
2-8 Nancy J., m. 1831, Godlove Hinegarner, d. 1895.
More information on the descendants of William Armstrong can be found in Chapter Seven.
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THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMES FROM THE PEDIGREE RESOURCE FILE-Compact Disc # 39 and was submitted by JAMES C. WALLS, 3 Spring Rd. N. Paradise, Tx. 76073 phone # 1-940-433-8850. James H. Armstrong, 21 Jan. 2003.
All information on Lt. Robert Armstrong and his two wives from Bill Armstrong.
Notes for ROBERT RN-9077 J. (LT.) ARMSTRONG:
When Robert was four years old he emigrated to America with his father, mother, and at least one brother, John Armstrong, in the year 1735, landed in Phildelphia, and settled with them in an interior County of Pennsylvania on the Susquehanna River. Some time previous to the year 1760, the exact date not being given, they followed the Calhouns to Abbeyville District South Carolina, where the Calhouns had established a settlement.
Robert served in the Revolution, and probably before that time, in the Colonial Army. It is of him that the Family Bible speaks in the quotation already given: "He was of patriotic spirit." He was prominent in the military affairs of the state(South Carolina) for many years. Robert Armstrong's name appears as First Lieutenant of the First South Carolina regiment. This was the regiment made famous by such Officers as Colonel Charles Pinckney and General Francis Marion.
Source-Heitman's Historical Records, p. 66
Robert Armstrongs "Will" dated 15 June 1796, Probated 28 Feb. 1798 in
Knoxville, Tn. Ref: Marriage recorded in Knox Co., Tn. , "Will Book".
Source-Roster of the Arkansas DAR and Register of Ancestors. Ancestor # 1078
name of decendent, Lula Henrietta Watkins Doyle.
Source-Notable Southern Families by: Zella Armstrong(1918)
Source-Roster of soldiers & patriots buried in Tn.
Source-Armstrong/Branyon/Bryson & Allied families of the South by Ethel S. Updike
James 'Will' dated 15 June 1796, Probated 28 Feb. 1798 in Knoxville Tn.
Ref: Marriage recorded in Knox Co., Tn. 'Will Book'
Source-Roster of Arkansas DAR & Register of Ancestors. Ancestor # 1078 names decendent Lula Henrietta Watkins Doyle.
Source-Notable Southern Families by Zella Armstrong(1918)
Served as Lt. in S.C. Regt. under Col. Pinckney
Source-Roster of Soldiers & Patriots buried in Tn.
Source-DAR # 449482
In James fathers 'Will', he left him the other 1/2 of the Mill Tract in S.C., which
he sold to John Moore in 1767, in 1768 he bought 100 acres from Aaron Alexander in the Long Cane Creek section of Abbeville Co., S.C., and sold it in 1770 to John Houston.
Buried at Armstrong Cemetery in East Knox Co., Tn.
Source-White: KMM, p. 144; Heitman; 2nd Ed., p. 75;
Source-DAR # 449482
Source-In 1993 Clan #2207 Christopher R. Armstrong 3427 Hills Church Rd.
Export, Pa. 15632
Compiled by W.L.A.(Az.)
Source-American Ancestry, giving the name and descent in the male line, of Americans whose ancestors settled in the United States previous to the Declaration of Independence A.D. 1776, vol. 3
Source-DAR Patriot Index, part 1
Notes for MARGARET CUNNINGHAM:
Source-Notable Southern Families by Zella Armstrong(1918)
Source-Armstrong Clan
Compiled by W.L.A.(Az.)
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