James Hepburn (abt. 1747 - abt. 1817)

Born about 27 Nov 1747 in Donegal, Ireland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 4 Jan 1817 at about age 69 in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

James Hepburn was an early settler in Pennsylvania.

James Hepburn was born on the 27th November 1747 in Donegal, Ireland. He died aged 71 years on the 4th January 1817, in Northumberland County Pennsylvania and was buried in Riverview Cemetery. The cause of his death was recorded as Typhoid Fever.

James immigrated to America from Londonderry, Ireland in 1773, and settled in Philadelphia along with his brother William. ^[1]

James Hepburn was married on the 24th December 1781 to Mary Hopewell of Burlington, his name recorded as "Hayburne" of Philadelphia. ^[2]

James Hepburn moved to Northumberland County about 1783, having purchased land there as early as 1781 according to land records in Sunbury, PA. ^[3]

He purchased 403 acres,120 perches in a tract called "Bristol" (warrant date 6 May 1785 Northumberland Co)

And 400 acres of land in a tract called "Antrim" (warrant date 17 May 1785 Northumberland Co.)

He held extensive land interests at Northumberland, Pennsylvania including a tract referred to as Mount Joy within Williamsport.

His first purchase of property was a two story log house and tenement from Benjamin Allison for 30 pounds according to a deed dated 18 April 1781.

In 1788, he purchased land in Milton from Thomas Pollock.

What his early advantages had been are unknown, but that he was sufficiently educated for business is shown by his eminent success as a merchant in the business was known as "Cowden & Hepburn," and as a dealer in real estate. ^[4]

James Hepburn's will is on file at Sunbury, Northumberland Co, Pennsylvania, dated 23rd June 1817. It provides for his wife Mary with housing, affects, the Orchard Lot, china, linen. books and three hundred dollars...and a servant, Mary Elderage was to continue on in the household as long as she chose to...names sons, Samuel, James, Andrew and John each to receive immediately two hundred dollars and then the minor female children each to receive one hundred and fifty dollars a year to support them until they come of age. Witnesses John Cowden and Samuel McClintock. ^[5]

1. ↑ Ross of Delaware in the Harrisburg Telegraph April 3rd 1897 Page 3 [1]
2. ↑ Marr NJ records on ancestry.com at March 2012
3. ↑ PMAC land patents 29 June 1787
4. ↑ References: 1785 Land Survey Point Twp: Hepburn, James - Survey for one house and lot 400 pounds at 17 May 1785 and again in 15 June 1787 assessed 400 pounds; James Hepburn 36 128 Montgomery, Jno. S & Wm Survey 540 17 May 1785 6 June 1797 596 James Hepburn. 1790 on 144 acres in White Deer Twp which he may have been leasing to or employing John Covert on - see record on LDS film 1449114. Last assessment the year before he died was made in 1816 for three houses $1,500, a store and wharf $1,000, land on the river $850 and the hills $725. 1782 Muncy Twp tax return for 300 acres as per LDS film 1449114.
5. ↑ James Hepburn's will : Sunbury, Northumberland Co, Pennsylvania, dated 23rd June 1817 - Will Book 2, page 315

Sources

• John F. Meginness' The Historical Journal, 1894/7 the series of articles Genealogy and History of the Hepburn Family and was published in Williamsport, PA. The Historical Journal by J F Meginness, Vol I, Williamsport, Gazette and Bulletin Printing House, 1888; History of Lycoming Co by Col. Thomas W Lloyd 1929. Internet: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/pa/county/Lycoming/history/chapter.20.html
• Janet Payne, firsthand knowledge. Click the Changes tab for the details of edits by Janet and others.

Acknowledgements

Bio notes and sources entered by Meehan-411 January 2017.