John
Porterfield
Born in County Donegal, Ireland
Ancestors 
Son of John Porterfield
and [mother unknown]
Brother of
William Porterfield, Charles Porterfield, Robert Porterfield, James Porterfield, Patrick Porterfield, Eleanor (Porterfield) Boyd and Samuel Porterfield Sr.
Husband of
Sarah (Cunningham) Porterfield
— married
18 Apr 1755 [location unknown]
Descendants 
Father of
James Porterfield, Robert Porterfield, John Porterfield, William Porterfield and Eliza (Porterfield) Smith
Died
at about age 62
in Cumberland, Pennsylvania, United States
Profile last modified
| Created 13 Jan 2014
This page has been accessed 1,219 times.
Contents |
Biography
This profile is part of the Porterfield Name Study.
John Porterfield migrated from Ireland to United States.
Revolutionary War Service
John served in the Pennsylvania County of Cumberland First Battalion under Colonel Samuel Lyon and Captain Alexander Peebles. On October 23, 1777 he was a private fourth class. On November 19, 1977 he was sergeant, fourth class. He was discharged in 1799.[1]
John is one of ten Porterfields recognized as a DAR Patriot (as of November 2022).[2]
Family
John was the father of five children. John was married twice. The name of his first wife is unknown. He married his second wife Sarah Cunningham in 1755. That would make the first three children, whose birth dates are known as the children of his first wife. The last two children could be the child of either wife as their exact dates of birth are not known. [1]
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Frank Burke Porterfield, The Porterfields (Roanoke, Virginia: Multiprint Inc, 1947), p. 2, 107-108, digital images, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89066246737;view=1up;seq=115. Hathi Trust Digital Library (https://babel.hathitrust.org: accessed 15 December 2016).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 DAR Patriot Index (Washington D.C.: National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 1966), p. 543
See also:
- "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGK1-B7B8 : 1 March 2021), John Porterfield, Oct 1777; citing Military Service, , Citing various published state rosters, United States; FHL microfilm 102229257.
- "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL65-6YCR : 20 February 2021), Jno Porterfield, 08 Nov 1777; citing 08 Nov 1777, Pennsylvania, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,363.
- "United States Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL6Y-CDZW : 20 February 2021), Porterfield, 23 Aug 1778; citing 23 Aug 1778, United States, citing NARA microfilm publication M246. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Services, 1980. FHL microfilm 830,414.
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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships. Paternal line Y-chromosome DNA test-takers:
It may be possible to confirm family relationships. Paternal line Y-chromosome DNA test-takers:
- George Porterfield
:
Y-Chromosome Test 37 markers, haplogroup R-L21
-
~0.78%
Paul Fore :
23andMe
-
~0.78%
George Porterfield :
AncestryDNA, GEDmatch A811862 [compare]
+
Family Tree DNA Family Finder, GEDmatch A811862 [compare], FTDNA kit #B128648
+
MyHeritage DNA, GEDmatch A811862 [compare]
+
Living DNA, GEDmatch A811862 [compare], Ancestry member george_porterfield
-
~0.39%
Angela (Keagle) Derr :
AncestryDNA, Ancestry member DRAJJZ
-
~0.39%
Donald Porterfield :
AncestryDNA, GEDmatch A273086 [compare], Ancestry member chopperpilot24
-
~0.39%
Jeff Padgett :
AncestryDNA, Ancestry member jeffpadge531627
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P > Porterfield > John Porterfield
Categories: Porterfield Name Study
William's grandfather was William Porterfield born 1645 Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire, Scotland died 1728 Parish of Taughboyne, Barony of Raphoe, Ballylennon, Donegal County, Ireland.
Late in the seventeenth century, young William Porterfield left Kilmacolm, Scotland for Ireland. His older brother, Alexander, had inherited the family estate of Duchal when his grandfather John died. A generation later, William's son John left County Donegal, Ireland, with his wife and family for America.
The Porterfield family had a long and colorful history in the area known as Renfrewshire, which is just west of Glasgow. This information is mainly taken from a small book by Elizabeth Main, A Kirk Without a Steeple, Being a History of the Old Kirk and Parish of Kilmacolm.
Kathleen, there is much confusion on the internet of the John Porterfield, immigrant to America. He is often confused with a John Porterfield who was a merchant in New Jersey. Both Johns were born in the same year and died within one year of each other. The New Jersey John Porterfield was never married.
Here is an explanation of the John Porterfield, father of your William. From : Neil Porterfield[1] Sent : 12/27/2007 11:56:24 AM To : [email address removed] Cc : Subject : FW: Porterfields
Ron,
The email from Cynthia reminded me that I should report my latest take on "the real John Porterfield", father of the 7 brothers and 1 sister.
In The Porterfields book, on the page following the Foreword (entitled "John Porterfield" ) the letters from George Alexander Porterfield and Charles Porterfield clarify, correctly I believe, the issue of John Porterfield's lineage as follows:
7g. Alexander P. 1591-1675 (heir to Duchall)
8d .Alexander P. 1620-1690 m. Marion Hutchenson (page 10 - "a son, Alexander, was surgeon in Glasgow - no mention of another son, William, who went to Ireland, but I believe this was an error of omission)
9? William P. 1645-1728 (this is "our William". The William 9d on page 11 is a cousin of "our William")
10? John P. 1675-1739 (farmed with his son in Pennsylvania until his death) Note: the John and William on page 11 are not "ours".
Why these two key individuals, who are central to the story of the Porterfields of America, are not included on pages 10 & 11 is hard to understand other than as a huge error of omission.
Only a revised edition of the book could properly set the record straight correct, but who is out there that can or would undertake such a task? Any suggestions?
All the best for 2008. Neil Porterfield [email address removed]
The Porterfield book Neil is referring to is The Porterfields by Frank Burke Porterfield copyright 1947.
The Duchall mentioned above is referring to Duchal Castle, Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire, Scotland, the Porterfield ancestral home. (you can find Duchal spelled both was, I do not know which is correct)
If you do not have the book, The Porterfields, Google it. I found a hard bound reprint that documents the History of our Porterfields.
If you would like more info, email me at [email address removed] Researching the Porterfield family has been my hobby for the last 20 years.
edited by Ron Harper