James McQuown (abt. 1707 - bef. 1781)

Born about 1707 in Ballybay, County Monaghan, Ireland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died before 15 Sep 1781 before about age 74 in Middletown Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Bruce McEwen [send private message], Lisa Linn [send private message], and Adam Nisbett [send private message]

Biography

There are a number of variations in the spelling of MCQUOWN such as MCKEWEN, MCCOWN, MCEWEN and many more over the years. Where documents are noted, the spelling in the document is used. For the purpose of this and several later generations, MCQUOWN will be used. Later, some branches of the family became MCEWEN,

1700

James MCQUOWN was born about 1707 in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, Ireland. His father was William MCQUOWN and his mother may be Margaret (based on the Scotch naming custom described below.

[Note: SCOTTISH NAMING CUSTOM whereby:

1st son is named for the Father’s Father - 2nd son is named for the Mother’s Father; 3rd son is named for the Father;

1st daughter is named for the Mother’s Mother; 2nd daughter is named for the Father’s Mother; 3rd Daughter is named after the Mother.

William is mentioned as the father of James and John MCQUOWN in the Francis STEWART Will of 1771.

The 1737 note from James minister in Tulleycorbet mentions that James MCKEWEN” has been a member from his infancy" in the Tulleycorbet church, ergo, his father William was also a member. William's father was John and his father was John who is recorded paying a hearth tax in 1665 in Donagh, Monaghan Co., Ireland

1720

James married Isabella STEWART in Ballybay about 1723. No record of the marriage has been found and this is confirmed by the letter from the Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland.

James McEwen, the founder of the family in this country, emigrated with his family from Ireland in 1736, and landed at New castle, New Jersey, having been eleven weeks and three days on the voyage.

He and his family would have brought with them a wide variety of items to supply them both on the voyage as well as their period in America before their first crops were harvested. This would include food, clothing, bedding, farm implements, kitchen utensils and probably weapons.

James brought with him a letter of recommendation from his pastor, H. Thompson.

They journeyed to Peapack Patent in Bedminster Twp., Somerset Co., New Jersey where they were probably tenant farmers as no property records have been found as yet..

James brought with him a letter of recommendation from his pastor, H. Thompson.

The following letter confirms that Rev. Thompson was the Pastor of the Ballybay Church in the Parish of Tulleycorbet at the time they sailed to America.

In addition to his family, his grandfather and father along with Francis and James STEWART. James STEWART was a brother-in-law of James MCQUOWN. This is attested to by two entries in the Janeway Store records which also lists their domicile as Peapack. Children: 1. William was captured at the Battle of Sabbath Day Point on Lake George, in Seneca Co., NY and marched to Quebec where he died.; 2. Joan who married a Mr. TORBETT; 3. Henry was born May, 1732 and married Elizabeth Caldwell who was born in Co. Longford, Ireland. 4. Margaret, who married William Caldwell who was born in Co. Longford, Ireland and came to America in 1749 with his sister Elizabeth; 5. Elizabeth who was born after their arrival in New Jersey. She married George Hackett. (II) Henry, son of James and Isabelle (Stuart) McEwen, was born in county Monihan [Monaghan}, Ireland, May 1, 1732 (O. S.). He emigrated with his parents to America in 1736. He married Elizabeth Caldwell, born in county Longford, Ireland, came to America in 1749. Children : William, born in New Jersey, August 27, 1755; Jane, born in New Jersey, December 13, 1756; Francis, born in New Jersey, December 14, 1758; Elizabeth, born in Pennsylvania, May 8, 1760; Isabella, born in Pennsylvania, June 20, 1762; Sarah, born January 27, 1764; Anna, born February 19, 1772, married William Pettit (see Pettit III) ; Mary, born August 25, 1774. [1]

1730

Prepared by Erma Stevenson and Robert L. McEwen and provided to me by Bonnie Carl. Additional members of this family come from the Francis STEWARD will of 1767??:

“The James McEwen family traveled to Newcastle, Deleware, which is across the Delaware River from New Jersey and arrived August 9 – 31, 1736.

A transcript of a letter of introduction from minister of the Tullycorbet Presbyterian parish is printed in the "History of Centre and Clinton Counties, Pennsylvania" by Linn: "Gilly Corbet, May 17 1736" [Probable mis-transcription of Tullycorbet] "The bearer, James McEwen, with his wife Isabella, and their children William, Joan, Henry, and Margaret McEwen, have been orderly members of this congregation, he from infancy, she from marriage, still free from all public scandal or church censure, in good repute and now designing to transport themselves with Divine concurrence into some of the Protestant colonies of America, we heartily recommend them to the care and Christian fellowship of any religious societie where God's providence shall cast their lot." Certified by "H Thomson, Min" [Humphrey Thompson was the first known minister of the Presbyterian parish of Tullycorbet, near Ballybay, Co Monaghan, Ireland, ordained around 1698 and ministering until his death in 1744]

The letter from the Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland gives confirmation of the misister at that time and mentions the spelling mistakes.

“The Janeway Account Books, East New Jersey, Somerset Co., Town of Bridgewater (now Boundbrook); all dates between 1735 and 1747” printed in the “Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey”, Vol 34 page 77:

James MCCOWAN/MCKOWAN/MCQUAWN/MCQUWAN/ MCGOWEN Nov. 1736 - July 1743 of Papack (Peapack); Nov. 1736 of Lamerton; July 1743, brother-in-law of James STEWARD.

“The Janeway Account Books, East New Jersey, Somerset Co., Town of Bridgewater (now Boundbrook); all dates between 1735 and 1747” printed in the “Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey”, Vol 35 page 44:

James STEWARD Feb. 1735 - Mar. 1738/39 of Papack (Peapack), brother-in-law of James MCQUWAN. [Note: James MCQUAWN was married to Isabella STEWARD, James STEWARD’S sister.

1740

“Basking Ridge (Somerset Co., New Jersey) Centennial”: First Settlers: By the year 1740 the following families had settled in this vicinity: COOPER, KIRKPATRICK, MCEOWEN, ROY……

Extracted from Manuel of Lamington Church Presbytery of Elizabeth, New Jersey, 1890 [Note: The Lamington Church is in Somerset County, New Jersey and probably operated under the Presbytery of South Elizabeth.]

[Transcribed by Jane Devlin] ROLL OF CONTRIBUTORS BEFORE 1809 & ELDERS & MEMBERS SINCE 1809

The Sessional Records of the Church, previous to 1809, having been lost, the roll of contributors to the support of the Gospel from 1740-1809, is printed with the Roll of Members & Elders since that date. In the list of members, those persons of color, so marked in the records, are here printed with a "(C)" after their names, but there are probably many such persons not designated.

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS FROM 1740 - 1809 William GRAHAM David HELM John McFARREN Widow GRAHAM James GASTON James McEWEN William McKILVANY Hugh McCLURE John GASTON Hugh GASTON Thomas HELM The following new names appear in Salary Lists from 1780 to 1809: Thomas STOUT Martin BUNN Benjamin COOPER Joseph RAMSEY Alex. KIRKPATRICK John BUNN John V. STOUT

1750

In about 1758, James MCQUOWN and his children, along with George HACKET, husband of James’ daughter, Elizabeth, moved to Warminster Twp., Bucks County, Pennsylvania. There they awaited the outcome of the French and Indian War which made it dangerous for families to travel to inland Pennsylvania. Following the conclusion of the War they proceeded on to Cumberland County, PA where they settled in Middleton Township family proceeded on to Middleton Township. When the Revolutionary War began, their young men are to be found in the Cumberland County militia and later in the military units that joined the battle including several that marched and floated to Quebec, where they participated in the defeat of the British.

1760

Waite; pub. By Bucks Co. Genealogical Society; page 47: New Brittain 1766 The 24th day of October, 1766 A Duplicate of a Poor Tax of three penny per £ & 9s per head levied on the inhabitants of New Brittain Township the 24th day of October Anno 1766. James Dunlap 20£, 5s James MCCAWN [MCQUOWN] 4£, 1s, 0p And next to him on the list: George HACKET 3£, 0s, 9p And nearby: David HERRIN And two columns further on the list: David CALDWEL 12s, 3p SINGLEMEN: Robert CALWEL [CALDWELL?] at James DUNLAP 9s, 0p ]Note: New Brittain Twp. is adjacent to Warwick Twp. where James MCQUOWN was taxed.in 1775 and 1778.]

1770

“Somerset County [New Jersey] Historical Quarterly, Vol. I & II; Editor: A. Van Doren Honeyman Somerset County Historical Society Publishers, Somerville, NJ

LAMINGTON BURYING-GROUND INSCRIPTIONS BY REV. JOHN T. SCOTT, D. D., LAMINGTON, N. J. [REV. DR. JOHN T. SCOTT, of Lamington, has very kindly supplied for the QUARTERLY, the abstracts of inscriptions in the Lamington Presbyterian church burying-ground, which are published in part below, and will be concluded in the October number. The Lamington church is one of the older churches in this County, having been organized perhaps in or before 1739--exact date not known. The first church edifice was erected in 1740. In 1826 a new building was put up, and in 1885 it was remodeled and removed to its present site, considerably to the east of its original site. Its pastors, in succession, have been Reverends John Rowland, James McCrea, Jeremiah Halsey (Dr. John Rodgers, of New York City, stated supply), William Boyd, Enoch Burt, Horace Galpin, Dr. William W. Blauvelt, Dr. John T. Kerr, Dr. J. Garland Hamner, Henry Merle Mellen, Lester Morris Conrow and Dr. John Thomas Scott, the present pastor. Many of these ministers were peculiarly noted men, and some of them great preachers. The church has also an unusual roll of distinguished sons who entered the ministry. The burying-ground, which is adjacent to where the church building stood until 1885, also dates from 1740, and has in it a large number of burials of persons well-known in connection with the history of the church and the community at large, including former pastors, McCrea. Halsey, Boyd and Blauvelt; also Rev. Dr. William A. McDowell. The abstracts follow.--EDITOR QUARTERLY].

ABSTRACTS OF INSCRIPTIONS, 1740 TO DATE (A-J)

Caldwell, Elizabeth (wife of William), d. Sept. 21, 1774, in 67th yr. [b. 1707] Caldwell, Dr. Joseph, d. April 19, 1773, in 28th yr. [b. 1745] Caldwell, "Capt." William, d. Nov. 26, 1771, in 70th yr. [b. 1701]

King, Elizabeth (wife of Thomas), d. Mar. 31, 1782, aged 24 yrs., 8 mos. King, James (son of John and Jane), d. Mar. 30, 1777, in 44th yr. King, Jean (wife of John), d. July 22, 1770, in 61st yr. King. John (son of John and Jane), d. Mar. 26, 1777, in 38th yr.

[Note: The CALDWELL and KING names are both found in the family of James MCEWEN of TULLYCORBET.]

“Archives of the State of New Jersey” First Series – Vol. XXXIV – Vol. V of Calendar of Wills; Willow Bend Books, Westminster, Maryland; 2000; page 498: Calendar of Wills 1771 – 1780 March 1, 1771. Francis Steward, of Somerset Co.; will of. To Francis MCCOWN, ₤10. To Elizabeth HACKET, ₤10. To Kezia TUNISON, daughter of Cornelius TUNISON, tertius, ₤5. Rest of personal and real estate to John MCCOWN, James MCCOWN, William MCCOWN and Henry MCCOWN. Executors – John MCCOWN and James MCCOWN, above named sons of William MCCOWN. Witnesses – Mary TUNISON, Cornelius TUNISON, Tertius. Proved Oct. 19, 1777. March 31, 1777. Inventory, ₤ 353.11.7, made by Jacob Ten Eyk, Cornelius TUNISON, and Tunis TUNISON. Lib. 19, p. 341.

[Note: These names appear to be the same as those of the Centre Co. Pennsylvania McEwen Family. Kezia Tunison may be a neice of Francis STEWARD in Mary TUNISON is Francis STEWARD’s daughter who married James MCCLENNY March 12, 1740. If he died and she remarried Cornelius TUNISON III this makes some sense.]

This will establishes thay William MCQUOWN was the father of both John and James MCQUOWN. Francis STEWART TO Isabella is believed to be the brother of Isabella STEWART and quite likely also the brother of the wife of John MCQUOWN since he split his swill between them. Unfortunately, John has left nothing to verify this.

“Bucks County [Pennsylvania] Tax Records” 1693 – 1778” compiled by Terry A McNealy and Francis Wise Waite; pub. By Bucks Co. Genealogical Society; page 62: Warwick Township 1775 A Duplicate of a Poor Tax of three pence per £ & 6s each singleman levied on the inhabitants of Warrick Township. James MCQUOWN 2 Horses, 2 cattle, 3 sheep, 0 land, 0 rent,; Rate: 2£ 6s 0p;Whole Rate: 7£; Tax: 7s; 1 servant Rate: 1£ 10s 0p;Whole Rate: 6£; Tax: 9s; [Note: this is possibly Jamesand isabella’s son.]

The January 1775 Tax List for Hunter Settlement in Mount Bethel Township, Northampton Co., PA has: (R91, p 523) JOHN MCKOUN(?) [John MCQUOWN]with 79 acres, 20 cleared, 10 sowed, 1 horse, 2 cows and 2 sheep. Since William(1) MCEWEN was born in November, 1775 in Columbia Co., PA the family must have gone to Columbia Co. where John established an Indian Trading post shortly after this tax was collected. John HERRIN has 240 acres, 20 cleared and 3 sowed. [Note: this may be Margaret HERIN’s brother or father.] John is the grandson of James and Isabella MCQUOWN and the son of William MCQUOWN tho died in captivity in Quebec during the French and Indian War.

AncestryLibrary.com – Pennsylvania Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801: p. 54, Image 27/196 1778 – Carlisle Borough, Cumberland Co., PA - freemen James MCCUNE tax 10 £ John OFFICER tax 6 £

“A History and Genealogy of Cumberland Co., PA”, page 108 - 110: 1779 Tax List for Carlisle [Borough], Cumberland Co., PA – William MCKEOWN with a house and lot. Samuel STEWART, tavern keeper: 1 house and lot. James MCCUNE, John OFFICER, James STEWART – freemen;

1780

Pennsylvania Archives Third Series, Vol. 20; pages noted on listing: Cumberland County Transcript of Taxables for 1781 Carlisle Boro horses cows negroes page William MCCOWN, mason 0 0 0 0 407 Freemen: James MCQUOWN TAX 40.0.0 407 West Pennsboro Twp. Henry MCQUOWN 0 3 6 0 506 Freemen: William MCQUOWN TAX 40.0.0 510 Henry MCQUOWN TAX 40.0.0 510 John OFFICER TAX 40.0.0 511

AncestryLibrary.com – Pennsylvania Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801: 1781 - Carlisle Borough, Cumberland Co., PA James MCQUOWN Freeman Tax 40:10 Wm. MCCOWN Mason 1 Lot Rates: 200; Total 200 West Pennsborough Twp., Cumberland Co., PA; Image 91/245 William KING 40 John KING 40 Robert KING 40 Robert MCBRIDE 40 Henry MCQUOWN 40 Wm. MCQUOWN 40 West Pennsborough Twp., Cumberland Co., PA; Image 82/245; pages 325-327: Henry MCQUOWN 0 acres, 3 horses, 6 cows, Total tax 42 John MCGUHAN JR. 160 acres, 2 horses, 3 cows, tax 185 James MCCUHAN 100 acres, 6 horses, 34 cows, tax 178 Margaret MCCLUN 175 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows, tax 133 George MCGUHAN 400 acres, 8 horses, 4 cows, tax 548 Jno MCGUHAN SR 300 acres,,, 8 horses, 2 cows, tax 442

http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-bin/print.cgi?mcewen::891.html Posted by: Linda (Noland) Layman Subjext: Re: MCEWEN, William, b. ca 1852, lived PA. Post Date: February 25, 2005 at 16:01:41 Message URL: http://genforum/genealogy.com,mcewen/messages/891.htm

I have a copy of a paper, possibly a will, written by James McEwan and witnessed by William Smiley. James mentions a son, Henry, dtr. Elizabeth Hackett (prob. wife of George) dtrs. Jane Torbett (?) and Margaret Caldwell. The date looks like 1781 and the location was Middleton, Cumberland Co. PA.

There are some similarities with names in my line of McCunes and Caldwells. My ancestor William Caldwell married Margaret McCune, born about 1727 in Cumberland Co. One of their daughters married a Hackett and William was in business with a William Smiley. William and his family were living in Washington Co., PA, when he died in 1787.

(2) “James and Isabella Stewart McEwen descendancy” prepared by Erma Stevenson and Robert L. McEwen and provided to me by Bonnie Carl: “James McEwen died prior to Sept. 22, 1781 apparently in Middleton Twp., Cumberland Co., PA when his will was probated. It was written Sept. 15, 1781 and recorded in Cumberland Co., PA Will book D pp. 52-53. It is quoted below:

In the name of God Amen – I James McEwen of the township of Middleton, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania being sick and weak of Body but of Perfect Mind and Memory Thanks be to Almighty God for the same Therefore do ordain this my last will and Testament in Manner and form following (Viz) First I recomment my Soul to God ........and my body to be buried in Decent Christian Burial at the Discretion of my Executors and as concerning what worldly substance may remain after Defraying said expense of Burial etc. I Do Ordain it to be divided in manner and form folowing Viz “First I give and bequeath to my beloved son Henry McEwen my Silver Watch....; Secondly I do give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Elizabeth Hackett my Feather Bed .. and all my house furniture etc. Furthermore I allow that my mare be sold for cash and my debts collected by my sons Henry McEwen and George Hackett whom I ordain sole executors and afterr payment of my burial and other charges the remainder shall be Divided in manner following: I bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Hackett the one third part of all my said monies when collected the remaining Two Thirds to be equally divided Between my son Henry McEwen and my daughters Jane Forbett and Margaret Caldwell (or their heirs) And further I do hereby revoke all former wills by me made Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of September 1781.. Signed James (his X mark) McEwen Witnesses: Alexr. Irvine, James Briden, Robt Cunningham..”

James McEwen's will was probated in Cumberland county PA, 15 Sep 1781 and mentions son Henry (William had already died), son (in law) George Hackett and daughters Elizabeth Hackett, Jane TORBETT, and Margaret Caldwell

Sources 1. ↑ Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania: Volume 2, https://ancstry.me/2NeCH3U;; Author: Under the Editorial Supervision of John Woolf Jordan, LL.D, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, January 1, 1913, Allegheny River Valley (Pa. and N.Y.) • Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1801, https://ancstry.me/2SYQwZj; Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4; Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762-1794; Microfilm Roll: 325 • "Our McEwen Heritage: the James McEwen family in America since 1736... by Erma J. Stevenson. Available for down load from Ancestry Library. Has 5 generation of McEwen biographies and 10 generations of descendants. Related families include" Caldwell, Gregg, Lamb, Pettit, Stuart, Petrikin and others. Pub. 2001 Salem, OR. 130 pages with maps and illustrations. • Some McEwen Family Roots Author not mentioned. Information from Lillian McEwen Summerfield, author's aunt, and a professional genealogist Mrs. Jeanne Waters Strong of Los Altos Hills, CA. 13 pages covers McEwen history and descendants of William, son Henry McEwen. Copied by Karen McEwen Farthing from LDS Library in Salt Lake City, UT. • History of the King Family in Centre Co., PA by Robert King, Pullman, WA 1980 - 2 Vols. MCEWEN APPENDIX - The McEwen Family of Centre Co., PA - pages I 482 thru I 493. provided to Bruce E. McEwen by David Gunsallus. • James McEwen will, Cumberland Co PA 1781 • History of Centre and Clinton Counties, Pennsylvania - by Linn • James and Isabella Stewart McQuown compiled by Bruce E. McEwen