Hugh Ross Sr (abt. 1720 - aft. 1793)

Born about 1720 in Scotland

Husband of Margaret McDonald — married [date unknown] in Southenland Shire, Scotland

Descendants

Died after 1793 after about age 73 in Anson, North Carolina, United States

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Biography

Hugh Ross ... ^[1]

Note: This profile originally had Hugh Ross born 1720 in Anson County North Carolina. There is only one Hugh Ross listed in Anson County records prior to 1790 and he was born in Scotland.

Hugh Ross was born in Scotland before 1748, assuming he was at least 20 when his son Hugh was born. A book by Sam W. Ross, The Ross Family, supposedly contains a copy of a letter from Hugh's grandson Stephen Lacy Ross confirming the Scotland birth. In addition Hugh Ross' son Hugh's record in the 1850 Mortality Schedule gives his place of birth as Scotland and age as 82, saying he was born about 1768.^[2] The elder Hugh married Margaret MacDonald in Scotland and migrated with her and two or three of their children to North Carolina about 1771. In 1775, Hugh Ross received patents for 200 acres on Camps Branch and 200 acres on a branch of Buffelow.^[3]

Hugh Ross was accused as a Loyalist and apparently lost his land. There are several records of his petition to have his land restored.^[4]. His petition was passed on readings.

In Vol. 18,Pg 202, Jan 2, 1786, his petition was reported out of committee: "Mr. Tipton delivered the following reports. The Committee of Petitions and Memorials to whom was referred the petition of Hugh Ross, praying that his estate be restored to him, which is confiscated, report, that they are of opinion that the said Ross was in a manner frightened away from his habitation by a set of men who, calling themselves Friends to America, tied him and whipped him for being a tory. Your Committee are therefore of opinion that the said Ross (being a poor ignorant man) be restored to his property, and that the commissioner of confiscated estates be directed not to make sale and the same is hereby fully vested in him..." If it had already been sold, he would get the proceeds.

Hugh Ross bought 383 acres in Iredell Co. from John Purviance 16 May 1791. First tract was 285 acres on N side of Catawba R adj to Nicholas Massy. Second tract was 80 acres on N side of Purviance on Catawba R below Island Ford & adj. Chas. McDonald. Third tract was 18 acres on lower end Island Ford of Catawba R opposite Chas. McDonald. Deed A:277-279.

Hugh Ross died sometime after 18 November 1793 when he signed his will mentioning wife Margaret, sons Hugh and Donald and daughters Mary, Jean, Katherine (at least one of whom is under 18), and Margaret Campbell. Mentions land in Iredell County^[5] Hugh had bought 3 tracts in Iredell from John Purviance on 16 May 1791. One tract was adjacent to Chas. McDonald & one opposite him.^[6] On 25 November 1796, Donald Ross sold an 18 acre tract opposite Charles McDonald to Andrew Moore^[7], implying his father has died by now and the property has transferred to him.

Sources

1. ↑ Entered by Todd Johnston, Aug 30, 2012
2. ↑ 1850 census schedules and indexes (NARA Series T655, Roll 26), online, image 262
3. ↑ North Carolina Patents 7825, pg 194 and 7814 pg 190 (grant 3315)
4. ↑ North Carolina Colonial Records, Senate Papers , Vol. 18, pg 146, Senate Papers Dec 22, 1786, pg 178, pg 224, pg 395, pg 445
5. ↑ Anson County Will Bk A, pg 37
6. ↑ Iredell Bk A, pg 277-279
7. ↑ Iredell Bk C, pgs 148-9