Margaret (Woods) Cunningham (abt. 1763 - abt. 1847)

Born about 1763 in Augusta, Virginia

Wife of Isaac Anderson — married 1784 in Virginia, United States

Wife of James Cunningham — married 3 Apr 1793 in Knox, Tennessee, United States

Descendants

Died about 1847 at about age 84 in McMinn, Tennessee, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Patricia Stenbak [send private message] and Brent Biggs [send private message]

Margaret was known by family, at least during her second marriage, as Peggy Cunningham.^[1]

"Margaret and [first husband] Isaac had six children. Margaret married James Cunningham about two years after Isaac was killed. James is her 2nd husband. Margaret and James had eight children. James (and a son) were in the War of 1812. He and a son were infected with disease from the war. He died several years later. Margaret Woods along with Reverend Isaac Anderson (5th great grandfather) and Jane Biggs, were founders of the Mars Hill Presbyterian Church, Blount Tennessee, 1823." ^[2]

Margaret's Woods' first husband's family background:

Isaac Anderson and Margaret Evans (from Ireland) are the parents of William D Anderson and Rebecca Anderson (she is married to our Jacob Anderson. [They have the same last name]. William D Anderson and Nancy Agnes McCampbell are parents of Rev Isaac Anderson (one that is founder of Maryville College). Rebecca Anderson is the wife of our Jacob Anderson. James Anderson and Jane Allison (Allen) Anderson are the parents of Jacob Anderson (the one that married Rebecca Anderson, they have the same last name) siblings of this Jacob Anderson are John Anderson, James Anderson Jr, Martha Anderson (married to Abraham Slover), Jane Anderson, Margaret Anderson and Isaac "of Citico" Anderson Sr. Martha Anderson married Abraham Slover. Who are the parents of Jacob Slover. Isaac "of Citico" Anderson Sr was married to Margaret Woods. They are the parents of Rev Isaac Anderson Jr (this Isaac married Jane Biggs), John Anderson, Mary Anderson, William Anderson, James Anderson. After the death of Isaac, Margaret married James Cunningham. The story I found... Isaac "of Citico" Anderson Sr was among the militia sent in the summer of 1788 to Garrison Houston's Station in southern Blount County to provide some protection for the inhabitants of the area from Indian raids. On August 8th a party of 31 men under Captain John Fain were sent out to scout and reconnoiter the area. They crossed the (Little) Tennessee River about eight or nine miles distant, and came to the Indian town called Citico, which had been recently evacuated by the Indians. They stopped to gather apples in what they thought was an abandoned apple orchard. Suddenly they were set upon on all sides by a body of Indians. The Indians had taken possession of the ford and as the whites attempted to escape by swimming across the river, many were slaughtered in the water. About half the men were killed and several others wounded. Among those killed was Isaac "of Citico" Anderson (28 years old) and his "brother-in-law (George) Mathes". Rev Isaac Anderson Jr (son of Isaac "Citico" Anderson and Martha Woods) married Jane Biggs. They are the parents of Mary Anderson (wife of Rev Benjamin Wallace), Isabella Anderson McGill, John Anderson, and Robert Anderson. Rev Benjamin Wallace and Mary Anderson are the parents of Samuel Emmons Wallace, who is the father of Grandpa William Isaac Wallace.

Notes: Isaac (Citico) Anderson was said to be a brother-in-law of George Mathes, who was also killed at Citico. To be a brother-in-law to George, (1) Isaac could have married George's sister, (2) George could have married Isaac's sister, or (3) their wives could be sisters. I believe the latter is the case. George Mathes married Nancy Elizabeth Woods. Since the name Woods was given as a second name to one of Isaac's grandchildren, it is believed that Margaret's maiden name was Woods ^[3]. George Mathes was the second son of Alexander Mathes (Emigrant). George was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, moved to East Tenn. about 1780 (lived in Leesburg, Washington County). He had moved to Blount County shortly before the ambush at Citico, and it seems that Isaac was selling his land preparatory to moving to Blount County also.

Sources

• Margaret Anderson in the Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940 - Supports Margaret and Isaac Anderson being the parents of Isaac Anderson.

1. ↑ Editor Mr. Ivins of the Athens, McMinn, TN USA newspaper ATHENS POST printed a letter from McMinn Dodson, grandson-in-law, who had recently written to him sharing his experience and advise to be shared with others thinking of going west to Oregon Territory. dated: Feb 24, 1854 [a copy of that letter and editors note was shared with me by Donna Anissi, a fine and dedicated researcher of Dodson history. Dodson-3592
2. ↑ Information provided by reseacher Patricia Stenbak
3. ↑ Birth date:A History of the Mars Hill Presbyterian Church, by Reba B. Boyer and Budd L. Duncan; c/r 1973, published at the behest of the Mars Hill Presby. Church of Athens, McMinn, TN USA p60

• 1830, 1840 U S Federal Census for: James Cunningham, Blount, Tennessee,USA; Heritage Quest {http://ancestryheritagequest.com}