William Wallace Anderson (1693 - abt. 1796)

Born 1693 in Dumfriesshire, Scotland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 9 Apr 1796 at about age 103 in Hampshire County, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Colonel William Anderson

Parents:
Jacob " Northern" Anderson, 1670-1730, Scotland
Elizabeth Peters,1671-1732, Scotland
Married, 1691, Scotland

Birth:
1693, Highland, Scotland

Married:
Rachel Mary Lauren
1731, Virginia Colony

Children:
Thomas J Anderson (1733 - 1808)
Agnes Ann Anderson Henshaw (1745 - 1806)
Catherine Florence Anderson Forshee (1748 - 1834)

Death: abt. 9 April 1796, Hampshire County, Virginia, USA (Present day Mineral County, West Virginia.)

William is supposed to be buried in the Anderson Burying Grounds, in what is now known as Anderson's Bottom, Mineral County, West Virginia. To my knowledge, the actual cemetery, nor any headstones, have been found on the Anderson's Bottom property.

Early Years in Scotland

Father James Anderson a forester in the highlands of Scotland near Glasgow. James spoke to an employee the grandfather of another employee Ian with regards to Ian following in the grandfather footsteps in forestry. James would insure Ian to be paid a fair wage to learn and then, James asked Ian to take the task of training young William to become totally self-sufficient in the wild. Ian was to teach the boy to hunt and fish as soon as he was old enough. He was also to learn to select the edible vegetation that could be found in the wild. James rode home slowly, his mind alive with excitement planning his heir's future. Within a week James planned to send the head houseman to confer with the vicar at the parish church. The Anderson's had followed their Stuart King James I into the Anglican Church and remained with it. The houseman was to make arrangements for William's christening, and he was to hire the vicar to locate a suitable tutor for the boy. The houseman was also to seek out the armorer and make certain arrangements. First, an absolutely perfect Claymore was to be forged and assembled for William. In addition, the armorer was to introduce the houseman to the finest swordsman in Glasgow, who was to be engaged to teach William the use of his weapon when he was big enough. James also, decided how much money his servant would need to complete his errands and how much more to add so that his employee could enjoy a few quaffs of ale in the city. James returned home to find his wife Agnes had just completed feeding William. She smiled and told Jamey, a name he allowed no one else to utter, to come hold his new son.

William at ten years old began school in Glasgow. He stayed with his mother's sister and husband, Aunt Mary and Uncle Gregory Mackintire. William began the rudiments of military training and the use of weapons. His swordsmanship began but, wasn't ready for the Claymore.

At William's sixteenth birthday he was a towering 6'2" tall and weigh 131/2 stone and was filling out. James presented him with the Claymore a spirited young horse and a fine brace of Murdoch pistols. Agnes had an Uncle Duncan that was a dean at the University of Edinburgh and had made arrangements to admit William in a year.

In 1714 Queen Anne, died in England and the Jacobites barely tolerated. England Enthroned George I, a loutish German who spoke no English. War drums began to throb and William took up arms in Edinburgh with intent to return Stuarts to power. William then met a Bamburgh Hall which stands today and welcomes overnight guests. On Nov. 17, 1715, the Stuart forces met King George's mercenaries. The Scots and their English allies fought valiantly but, were outmatched by the professional soldiers. Retreating with a newly found English friend in Steven Bacon, they escaped death moving southwest to the Irish sea. The four men William, Warren, Thomas and Steven marched south to Hadrian's Wall. Later making it to Sir Harold Bacon and Dame Hannah's home. The four about to be caught fled to the town of Chester where, a cousin of the Dame Hannah was to help hide them. They stayed two weeks then made their way to Birkenhead, where a fishing boat would ferry them to Ireland. There they spent two years with Stephan's Aunt and Uncle, Sir Charles and Lady Anne Hingham, Dame Hannah's brother-in-law and younger sister. Thomas was betrayed on his trip by a sailor and fought to the death and Warren made it to Edinburgh but, was betrayed tortured to no avail; was turned outside; near death, and cripple for life.

William made it to Ian's home and hid. Ian relating the fate of William's friends, then handed his friend a pouch of gold crowns and a letter from his father which he was forbidden to open for the next few days, Ian said, "Ya're going to the colonies in America. "William was instructed to be smuggled to Belfast in Ulster, Ireland where he would sail to Annapolis, Maryland. An Ulster merchant, Tom Campbell a distant cousin whom James Anderson did business had been dispatched to transport William. Another letter to a cousin in Maryland, John Anderson, a cousin and owner of a large tobacco plantation was to receive William.

The Letter from James to William dated: March 1716 Son ---Tis' with heavy hand I find myself writing this letter. You were not permitted to come home nor could I come to you. I was under constant watch. As it is, I have instructed Ian not to come here again. For your own protection we used Tam Ross to hide you. You are being Ferried across the Irish Sea by an old acquaintance who owes me much. He is to be trusted and he has been paid, do not give him more. When you get to Belfast, seek out Tom Campbell, who will have booked you a passage to Annapolis, Maryland. Many Ulster Scots are immigrating to America and you will be welcome. You will also look like other passengers going aboard your ship. Once you are in America, you will be safe from those who would imprison you. The English authorities there are not interested in our fight for the Stuarts. Newcomers, especially well-to-do Scotsmen are welcome. When you get to Annapolis, find your cousin John Anderson who should be expecting you. I am presently making arrangements to sell your inheritance for gold, which I will send to you in America.--- Do not worry about me. I regret to have to tell you that your dear mother departed this life while you were in England, I did not let you know, as I knew nothing would have stopped you from going to her grave, and that would have put you in jeopardy as the cemetery was watched. I am past sixty and expect a few more years, which I shall spend with my youngest brother, Thomas, in Dundee. Your Aunt Mary and Uncle Gregory have adopted your sweet sister Ann whom they adore. God go with you my son. --- Continue to do as you know would make me proud.

Your affectionate father, James Anderson

William was booked on the Ulster Queen, and sailed to Annapolis, Maryland. Just before leaving William having 3 weeks before sailing asked Tom Campbell for directions to his friend Steven Bacon's, Aunt wife of Sir Charles Hingham, and borrowing a horse rode four days to Hingham Manor.

Later Years in America

From "Life and Letters of Judge Thomas J. Anderson and Wife," by James H. Anderson, Chapter 1: "(My father's great grandfather) William Anderson, of Scotland, descended from a family of considerable prominence. Born in the Highlands in 1693, implicated in the rising of 1715 in behalf of the pretender, Prince James, son of James II (of England; James VII of Scotland) he fled in disguise, after the cruel suppression of this incipient rebellion, through England to Virginia, where British loyalists of his views ever found a warm welcome. It was not long after his arrival in America, until he received remittances (?gold-from Scotland?) with which he bought real property in Maryland and Virginia. He owned, in 1738, and prior thereto, several plantations in the Conegochiege Manor in Prince George's County, Maryland, one of which was called Anderson's Delight. (Note: It was located near today's Sharpsburg, Frederick County, Maryland. Using the deeds and land descriptions, Jim Burrows plotted the exact location of Anderson's Delight. It was right in the middle of the Antietam battleground, and is part of the National Historic Monument today.) William sold this property to Dr. George Stewart of the city of Annapolis in 1739."

"It was soon after coming to the country, that a rich and beautiful valley far up the Potomac on the North Branch attracted his notice, and on it he encamped and built a hunting lodge. This valley has ever since been known as The Anderson's Bottom. When Hampshire County, Virginia, was erected, it embraced the Anderson Bottom which was only five miles from Fort Cumberland, constructed in 1754."

"He was a brave and burly man and gallantly defended the infant settlements that soon made an appearance near his new home, from the murderous incursions of the Indians. His military experience now was of use to him, for while earnestly striving to avoid conflict with the Indians, he was engaged in many. He recruited a company of soldiers in the Valley of Virginia, which joined General Braddock's army at Ft. Cumberland, in June 1755, and although disastrously defeated by the French and Indians near Ft. Du Quesne, (9 July 1755) these Virginians sustained their ancient reputation for valor.* In war, William Anderson was a good soldier; in peace a good citizen. He died on the Anderson Bottom, in Hampshire County, Virginia, in 1797, at the great age of 104. He died as he lived, a devout member of the Protestant Episcopal Church."

(Note: William's will was submitted to Probate 9 April 1796. If his birth date was 1693, he was about 103 years old.)

William Anderson's Will

Hampshire County, West Virginia made 10 September 1786 proved 9 April 1796

In the Name of God Amen. I, William Anderson of Hampshire County and State of Virginia, farmer, being very weak in body but of perfect mind memory and understanding, and mindful of my mortality, do this tenth day of September in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Six, make and publish this my last Will and Testament in the manner following. First, I resign my soul into the hands of Almighty God, hoping and believing a remission of my sins by the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ and my body I commit to the Earth and desire to be decently and privately buried at the discretion of my Executor and my worldly estate I give and devise as follows I give and bequeath to my dear beloved wife all my moveable or personal estate, consisting of one horse, cows, calves, and hogs to her and for her own proper use forever. Also, all my household furniture to her forever, also I give and bequeath to her for and during her natural life, my now dwelling house, out houses and all there appurtenances therewith belonging. One half of the orchards and its profits, my Lower Meadow and one Field adjoining my Upper Meadow Containing Ten acres of Tillable Land to and for her own use during her Natural Life.

I give and bequeath my five daughters, Nancy, Rachel, Sarah, Catherine and Hannah, each one shilling sterling. And lastly, I constitute ordain make and appoint my only son Thomas Anderson my sole executor of this my Last Will and Testament all and singular my lands, messages and tenements by him to be possessed and any (illegible lines) before to me (illegible) revoke and disannull all and every other and bequests whatsoever by me in any ways before bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and Year before written (illegible (signed by mark) William X Anderson declared by the Testator and for his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who, at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have Subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto--Evan Gwynnes Henry Hains Arthur O'Hara Attached document was Recorded and Examined in Will Book 1-22; Page 26

At a Court held for Hampshire County the 9th day of April 1796.

This the last Will and Testament of William Anderson deceased was proved by the Oath of Arthur O'Hara one of the Witnesses thereto and on the motion of Thomas Anderson the Executor therein named certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form he having taken the Oath of executor and together with Arthur O'Hara and John House his securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of three hundred pounds conditioned as the law directs and at a court held for the said County the 11th day of June three weeks following the said Will was further proved by the oath of Evan Gwynies another Witness thereto and is ordered to be Recorded

Test

AudWodrow ^[1]

Revolutionary War Service

Support provided by William Anderson to the Revolutionary War per Public Claims:
William Anderson for provisions & forage for cattle drivers £1-5-7. William Anderson 86# flour 8s-7.^[2][3]

A short Biography of William Anderson and his Descendants

This story is a transcription of a letter written in 1886 by a great-grandson, John Anderson to his nephew.
Letter from John Anderson to James H. Anderson of Columbus, Ohio
Marion, Ohio, Oct. 26, 1886

Mr. J. H. Anderson, Columbus, Ohio
Dear Nephew;

I now undertake to give you some account on my ancestors. My Great-grandfather, William Anderson was born in Scotland, in the year 1693 and died in Virginia in 1797. He was a friend of the Stuart dynasty, and joined the standard of Prince James, the Pretender, (as he was styled by some) son of James II, the deposed King of England. After the rising in 1715, he fled into England where he tarried awhile, and then made his way in disguise, I am told, to Virginia, where he had relatives. He went up the Potomac River till he came to a beautiful and fertile valley or bottom, on the North Branch, and here he decided to settle. It has ever since been called the Anderson Bottom, and was afterward included within the boundaries of Hampshire County, Virginia. That was then a wild region, inhabited mainly by Indians, but there were a few French and probably a few British subjects west of William Anderson's new home.

He was strong and brave, and helped to protect the frontier settlements from murderous Indian foes. In "Braddock's defeat" (Braddock's engagement with the French and Indians near Fort Duquesne) though beaten he fought bravely.

He was father of four children, two boys and two girls. One of his sons, William was killed by the Indians in the mountains near his home. One of his daughters married Captain William Henshaw, of Berkley County, Virginia, whose plantation was near Bunker Hill, on Mill Creek.

At age 80, he was strong and active, but at 104 yrs, was a little childish. He brought a large amount of gold from Scotland, or was afterward sent to him, and he was known to possess a great deal when he died, but after his death it could never be found.

My father often saw it and believed it had been stolen during his sickness or put away by him with too much care. He was opposed to the marriage of his daughter to Capt. Henshaw on account of his poverty, but the Captain afterward inherited a fine English fortune -- he was an Englishman by birth-- and became wealthy and prominent. I have forgotten the name of William Anderson's first wife-- the mother of his children. The name of his second wife was Barnett, to whom he was married at the age of 80. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

Thomas Anderson, his son was born in 1733, and died in 1808. He often aided in thwarting the Indians, and in resisting their forays. He fought during the entire Revolution, as an officer, either on the frontier against the Indians, for father east against the British. He was at Yorktown, in command of his Company under Washington, at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. His highest rand during the Revolution was Captain. He never knew fear, and in fighting the Indians ran some risks, and made many narrow escapes. I have a distinct recollection of his appearance. He looked like my brother Thomas James, your father. He was a member of the same church as his father, was an honest man and a good citizen, and like all the family, of whom I have any account, always paid his just debts. He was a true patriot, and had he been more ambitious might have risen higher during the Revolution.

His wife was Miss Bruce, of Virginia, by whom he had seven sons and four daughters. The sons were William, James, John, Jonathan, Joseph, Abner and George. The daughters were Margaret, Rachael, Elizabeth, and Nancy.

William and Joseph died (soldiers) in the War of 1812. Joseph was a single man; William left a wife, three sons and one daughter. William's sons were Hiram, Joseph and William. The daughter became the wife of my brother Levi.

John married and settled in southern Indiana, when I was a mere boy, and reared a family of children. Jonathan and Abner never married. George died in his youth. Margaret married Joseph Critchfield at the old homestead in Virginia; Rachel married William Eagle, who afterward steeled in Wayne County, Ohio. Elizabeth married Thomas Eagle, nephew of William Eagle, and they settled in the neighborhood. Nancy never married.

My father was James Anderson, second son of Capt. Thomas Anderson. He was born February 17th 1768, where his father was born, on the Anderson Bottom, in Hampshire County, VA. He died October 24th 1844. He entered Cavalry service as Second Lieutenant, or more properly speaking, Ensign; aided in putting down the Whisky Insurrection, and afterwards served under Gen. Anthony Wayne, until his (Wayne's) death, in December 1796. He was a gallant and meritorious officer and for meritorious service and gallantry was made a Captain.

I have seen his three commissions, that of Ensign, Lieutenant, and Captain. He was a member of the church of his ancestors until he settled in Ohio, and then became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church simply because there was no Episcopal Church in his neighborhood. He removed to Fairfield County, Ohio in 1806 and settle on a farm there on the 7th day of April the same year.

12:35, 5 January 2017 (EST)
originally shared by tmr089,Westminster, Maryland

Sources

1. ↑ Hampshire County Wills; Box 1-200; #18
2. ↑ ABERCROMBIE & SLATTEN, VA REV PUB CLAIMS, VOL 2, P 449
3. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/), "Record of Anderson, William", Ancestor # A002548.

See Also:

• Letter from John Anderson to James H. Anderson of Columbus, Ohio Marion, Ohio, Oct. 26, 1886
• Life and Letters of Judge Thomas J. Anderson and Wife," by James H. Anderson, Chapter 1 https://archive.org/details/lifelettersofjud00ande/page/n13/mode/2up
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wallace
• Anderson's Bottom by John C. Philips
• http://www.lineagekeeper.com/2010/11/colonel-william-andersonscotland-to.html
• Find A Grave: Memorial #74390157
• http://www.eldacur.com/~burrowses/Genealogy/Anderson/AndersonsBottom.html
• Ancestry Family Tree 87296995
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L8J2-XYV