Robert Abercrombie (1715 - 1779)

Born 1715 in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Husband of Jane (Unknown) Abercrombie — married 1741 in Orange, North Carolina

Descendants

Died 31 Aug 1779 at about age 64 in Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina

Problems/Questions Profile manager: David Gray [send private message]

Biography

Robert Abercrombie, Sr. (1715-1779) the earliest known ancestor of this family, (DAR #412511,147953, 142312, 138259 & 136752) was born in Scotland in 1715 and died in Orange County, North Carolina. Tradition says he was a cousin to Sir Ralph Abercrombie, the celebrated Scottish General and his younger brother, Sir Robert Abercrombie, who was with the British at the surrender of Yorktown.

Will

Will of Robert Abercromby. Orange Co., NC, WB A, pp. 209-210, w. 1 May 1779, p. Aug Court 1779. Digital image at Ancestry.com - https://preview.tinyurl.com/yhcbax3o

son Charles Abercromby
son Robert Abercromby
daughter Jenny Meban
Exrs: sons Charles Abercromby & Robert Abercromby
Wit: William Saxon, James D_?_, Enoch (Lewis?)

Sources

• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 17 December 2018), memorial page for Robert Abercrombie (1715–31 May 1779), Find A Grave Memorial no. 118138759, ; Maintained by A.K.A (contributor 48025593) Non-Cemetery Burial.

https://lgabercrombie.com/TNG/getperson.php?personID=I228&tree=tree1

Abercrombie/Bequette/Barbis Families

Robert was one of the early purchasers of land in the 'Lewis Land Grant' in what is now Bath Co., VA, in 1745-46. Olds, Abstracts of N.C. Wills 1760-1800 p. 216 Orange Co. Will of Robert 1779 Mentions Charles and Robert was in Orange County, North Carolina by 1755 when he appears on a tax list there. In June 1757 he was commissioned justice of the peace in Orange County. He appears in many records of Orange County until his death in 1779. In 1757 he had land surveyed in the parish of St. Matthew on both sides of Ellerbees Creek in Orange County, North Carolina which land was granted in 1759. On 10 August 1759 he had 664 [646?] acres of land patented to him in Augusta [Bath] County, Virginia on the west fork of Jackson River, which he conveyed to Robert Gay on 22 October 1760. On 3 September 1761 he conveyed 320 acres on east side of Jackson's River and mouth of Falling Spring in Augusta County, Virginia to John Stewart. Robert Abercromby's will, dated 31 May 1779, proved August 1779 at Orange County, North Carolina, named sons, Charles and Robert and daughter, Jenny Meban[e]. These sons fought on the patriot side during the Revolution and moved to Hancock County, Georgia in the 1780s.

GENEALOGY: Mr. Jim, The Biography of James Smither Abercrombie, by Patrick J. Nicholson:

Page 20: Just as the sons of so many other Scottish families, Robert knew from an early age that he would have to make his own way. He was even more aware of this as the male offspring of a cadet [younger] branch of the clan Abercromby. If it was of any comfort, the younger brothers of another Robert Abercromby (his contemporary, the third baronet) would also have to seek their own fortunes.

Page 21: Robert Abercromby must have chewed on the sweet sugar cane that was unloaded in such great quantities at the old port of Glasgow, or at Aberdeen's wharves. He certainly knew that almost forty thousand colonists, many of them Scots, were on Barbados, the tiny (twenty-one by forteen miles) colony with a fertile mountainous area called the Scotland District, before 1725. Abercromby (and Abercrombie) cousins had settled there (principally in the parishes of Christ Church and St. Michael) by 1700. They wrote home of wondrous things: extremely fertile land; temperatures in the narrow range of 70-90 F throughout the year; gorgeous trees and shrubs such as poinciana ('show-off'), brilliant bouginvillea, bottlebush ('rooster foot') and the fragrant frangipani; huge doves resembling dull-colored grouse, exquisite hummingbirds, tiny monkeys and tree frog that whistled in tune with a sailor's hornpipe.

Page 28: We have voluminous records of Robert Abercromby's life in North Carolina, where he apparently married Jane Gresham (or Grisham) in 1741 and set down the birth of their first-born, Charles, the following year. These range from his appointment as a justice of the peace and frequent other political and civic assignments to his will, filed for probate August 31, 1779; but all that we really know of his origins in Scotland is that he listed his birthplace as 'Scotland, 1715,' and spoke often of Abercromby 'cousins' for whom he named his sons and grandsons.

Page 46: Robert Abercromby arrived in North Carolina in 1741, presumably from Barbados. Robert began to amass land soon after his arrival in Orange County North Carolina. As late as 1770, he was purchasing tracts by the section (640 acres), as were his sons Charles (born 1742) and Robert, Jr. (born 1748); the father and sons held individually, jointly aong them or with various relatives by marriage, thousands of acres at differing times.

Page 48: A Brick House Farm, a showplace of antique English brick probably brought over as ship's ballast was built by Sheriff Tyree Harris, Robert Abercromby Jr.'s father-in-law and neighbor. Robert Abercromby, in the pattern of the eartly settlers of Orange County, would have begun a small output of turpentine soon after his arrival, in order to bring in some cash and barter while clearing more and more land to plant corn and tobacco. Robert Abercromby, Sr. slowly acquired slaves, strong and well-treated from all indications, who would remain with the family for generations and be left with their issue to his sons, but at the time of Orange County's first tax list, in 1755, he either did not own slaves or chose not to report them.

GENEALOGY: The History of the Abercrombie Family of Hancock County, Georgia, by Larry L. Abercrombie, Sr:

Robert Abercrombie, Sr. (1715-1779) the earliest known ancestor of this family, (DAR #412511,147953, 142312, 138259 & 136752) was born in Scotland in 1715 and died in Orange County, North Carolina. Tradition says he was a cousin to Sir Ralph Abercrombie, the celebrated Scottish General and his younger brother, Sir Robert Abercrombie, who was with the British at the surrender of Yorktown.

As Early as 1756-1759 Robert Abercrombie, Sr. was obtaining land grants in Virginia. On May 23, 1757, at a council held at New Bern, NC, he was commissioned a Justice of the Peace, which office he held for twenty-one years until 1778. In the state records of North Carolina, Volume 13, Page 281, is a letter, Dated 1778, referring to the resignation of his commission of Lieut. Colonel Abercrombie, and stating that Charles Abercrombie was first Captain. This Letter would seem to refer to Robert Abercrombie, Sr. as the Lt. Colonel.

HISTORY: VA, Bath Co., Annals of Bath County, page 188:

Robert Abercrombie was a man of enterprise and more than ordinary education. He took up several large surveys, and seems to have lived several years on the stream named for him; Cromby's Run, otherwise Molly Moore's Run, but now called Thompson's Creek. He was one of the persons who followed Craighead to North Carolina.

HISTORY: VA, Bath Co., Research done by Dorothy H. Ward, 11030 SW 52nd Court, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33328:

Robert Abercrombie was one of the early purchasers of land in the 'Lewis Land Grant' in 1745-46 in what is now Bath Co., VA. He sold 1089 A in 1760 and was in NC by Oct. 1760. Wm. Jackson died 1 June 1750 and his suits against Robert Abercrombie and Jacob Marlin were therby abated. (Bath County Records)

Charles was granted 2800 acres in Kentucky between May 1786 and Feb. 1799. James Abercrombie was granted 30000 acres in Kentucky in 1786. 'Master index to Virginia Surveys and Grants'

1755 TAXES: NC, North Carolina Taxpayers, 1701-1786, Compiled by Clarence E. Ratcliff, FHL #975.6 R4r, page 1:

Abercrombie, Robert Orange county 1755.

1756 LAND GRANT: NC, The Granville District of North Carolina, 1748-1763, Abstracts of Land Grants, Volume Two, by Margaret M. Hofmann, FHL #975.6 R28h, v. 2, page 242:

3599 pg. 331 Robert Abercromby 28 February 1759 324 acres in Orange County in the Parish of St Matthew on both sides of Ellebees Creek OR: /s/ Robert Abercromby Wits: W Churton, Jams Taylor surveyed 7 December 1757 SCC: Wm Morgan, Robert Abercrombey, W Churton Sur.

1757 WARRANT: NC, Orange County Records, Volume I, Granville Proprietary Land Office, Abstracts of Loose Papers, FHL 975.6565 R28b, v. 1, page 23:

Robt. Abercromby Warrant 16 May 1757 320 acres on both sides Ellebees Cr., begin below the Lick. Entered 2 May 1756; Surveyed 7 Dec 1757; Deed 22 Feb 1759.

1757 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1752-1761, Book 1, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.1, page 66:

[224] June 1757, North Carolina, Orange County Sst: At an Inferior Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions begun and held for the County aforesaid at the Court house in Corbin Town on the Second Tuesday in June Anno Dom 1757. Mentions Robert Abercromby among others.

1759 DEED: NC, Orange County Records, Vol. V, Granville Proprietary Land Office, Deeds & Surveys, 1752-1760, FHL 975.6565 R28l, v. 5, page 97:

284. 28 February 1759, Robert Abercromby, planter, ten shillings, on Ellerbee's Cr., begin at a water oak, S across the creek 50 ch. to a black oak, W 15 ch. to a white oak, S 20 ch. to a white oak, W 41 1/2 ch. to a white oak, N across the creek 60 ch. to a hicory, E 56 1/2 ch. to first station, 324 acres, thirteen shillings per year rent, surveyed 7 December 1757, Wm. Morgan & Robert Abercromby, SCC. (SSLG 83-A) [Ed. note: see NC Patent Book 14: 331]

1759 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1752-1761, Book 1, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.1, page 104:

[369]-185 Jun 1759 A Deed of Sale from Earl of Granville to Robert Abercromby for 324 Acres of Land was Acknowledged in open Court by William Churton and was Ordered to be Registered.

1760 DEED: VA, Augusta Co., Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, FHL 975.5916, F2c, page 365:

Page 65. 22d October, 1760. Robert Abercromby, of North Carolina to Robert Gay, 664 acres on West Fork of Jackson's River, patent to Robert Abercromby, 10th August, 1759. Delivered Benj. Estill, November, 1762.

1760 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1752-1761, Book 1, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.1, page 120:

[431]-216 Aug 1760 Ordered that Letters of Administration be Granted to Jane Wade on the Estate of James Wade Deceased she having Given Bond with Robert Abercromby and Hugh Wood Security's in the sum of five hundred Pounds Proclamation Money for her due Performance of her said Office.

1760 WARRANT: NC, Orange Couty Records, Volume I, Granville Proprietary Land Office, Abstracts of Loose Papers, FHL 975.6565 R28b, v. 1, page 40:

Richard Bullock Survey 27 Nov 1760 570 acres on Ellebees Cr. waters of Nuce, begin on McCullochs line, joins Robert Abercromby; Zachariah Bullock, Wm Bullock: CC

1761 LAND GRANT: NC, The Granville District of North Carolina, 1748-1763, Abstracts of Land Grants, Volume Two, by Margaret M. Hofmann, FHL #975.6 R28h, v. 2, page 249:

3997 pg. 348 Richard Bullock 30 January 1761 570 acres in Orange County in the Parish of St Matthew on both sides of Ellebees Creek (which is) the waters of Nuce, joining McCullocks line, Robert Abercromby, and both sides of a fork OR: /s/ Richd Bullock Wits: Jas Watson, Js Cumming examined by : W Churton and Wm Matthews surveyed 27 November 1760 CC: Zachariah Bullock, Wm Bullock, W Churton Surveyor.

1761 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1752-1761, Book 1, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.1, page 127:

[457]-229 Feb 1761 Ordered that the following Persons do Attend the Superior Court of Halifax to be held on the first Day of March next as jury men to wit: Grand Jury: James Allen, James McAlister, Robert Abercromby. Petit Jury: William Harlen, James Clarke, Hugh Woods.

1761 DEED: NC, Orange Co, Migrations Actural and Implied, Volume One, FHC, Seaside, CA, NC 6, page 2:

Augusta County, Virginia Deed Book 10, p. 27: 3 September 1761 Robert Abercromby of Orange County, NC to John Stewart - 320 acres on the east side of Jackson's River and the outh of Falling Spring.

1762 LAND GRANT: NC, The Granville District of North Carolina, 1748-1763, Abstracts of Land Grants, Volume Two, by Margaret M. Hofmann, FHL #975.6 R28h, v. 2, page 280:

3965 pg. 423 Nathaniel Hart 10 December 1762 259 acres in Orange County on both sides of Nats Fork of County line Creek, joining Jno Boyd OR: /s/ Nathl Hart Wits: Jas Watson, Robert Abercromby examined by: Thos Blount and W Churton surveyed 16 June 1762 SCC: Richd Simpson, Thos Hews, W Churton Surveyor.

1763 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1762-1766, Book II, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.2, page 16:

[589]-34 May Term 1763 Ordered that a Bill of Sale from William Mebane to Robert Abercrombey for a Negro Wench which was proved in open Court by the oath of Robert Abercrombey Junr. be Recorded.

1763 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1762-1766, Book II, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.2, page 21:

[606]-51 August Term 1763 Roger a Negro belonging to Robert Abercromby is Adjudged to eleven Years of Age.

1763 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1762-1766, Book II, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.2, page 22:

[610]-55 August Term 1763 John Gouge son of John Gouge Deceased aged Seventeen Years came into open Court and Chose Thomas Hines for his Guardian which is allowed on the said Thomas Hines Giving bond with Robert Abercromby and Hugh Wood Security's in the sum of Five hundred Pounds Proclamation money for the due performance of his said Office.

1763 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1762-1766, Book II, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.2, page 34:

[656]-101 November Term 1763 Ordered that Christian Hynes wife of James Hines have the Guardianship John, Mary, James, Charity & Sarah Alstons of James Alston Deceased She having Given Bond with Robert Abercrombey, John Patterson, William Reaves and Thomas Webster Security's in the sum of Three Thousand Pounds Proclamation for the due Performace of her said Office.

1764 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1762-1766, Book II, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.2, page 61:

[767]-212 May Term 1764 Robert Abercromby agt. John Meherg: Case. And the Defendant by his Attorney comes and Defends the fource and injury when and where &c and saith that he did not asume in manner and form as the Plaintif against him hath declared and of this he puts himself upon the Country and the Plaintif Likewise. Therefore let a Jury come aggeable to Act of Assembly to Recognize &c.

1764 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1762-1766, Book II, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.2, page 63:

[772]-217 May Term 1764 Robert Abercrombey vs. William Baker: Debt. This Day came Richard Henderson Esqr. and by Virtue of a Power of Attorney to him Gioven and Specifyed in the writing Obligatory Confesed Judgment for Nine Pounds Six Shillings and Eight pence Proclamation Money and Costs. Judgment 6 pounds:3:8, Clerk 1:1:6.

1764 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1762-1766, Book II, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.2, page 71:

[804]-247 November Term 1764 Ordered that Stephen Marits Ordinary Licence be Renewed on Giving Bond agreable to Law with William Johnston & Robert Abercromby security's.

1765 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1762-1766, Book II, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.2, page 116:

[969]-411 August Term 1765 Ordered that Robert Abercrombey, William Luten Junr. & John Patterson Esqrs. be summoned to attend the next Superior Court to be held at Halifax as Grand Jurors.

1766 COURT: NC, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1762-1766, Book II, FHL 975,6565 P2h v.2, page 124:

[999]-441 February Term 1766 Ordered that Richard Parker, Robert Abercrombie & Joseph Barbee be Summoned to attend the next Superior Court as Grand Jurors And that John Graves, Epaphroditus Gould & Nathaniel Harris Junr. be Summoned to serve as Petit Jurors.

1771 DEED: NC, Orange Eounty Records, Vol. III, Deed book 3, Abstracts, FHL #975.6565 R28b, page 108:

P. 552, 30 July 1771, Abraham Nelson of Orange to John Baker of same 75 acres, begin at a white oak William Baker's cor. tree, S 31 1/2 ch. to a black oak, W 23 ch. 81 lk. to a stake by the Main Road, N to a stake on William Baker's line in a meadow, along his line easterly to first station, Granville to William Rhodes, Rhodes to Abraham Nelson; signed: Abraham (A) Nelson; witness: Robt. Abercromby, Jno. W-- Junr.; proved 1771 by Abercromby. [Ed. note: see also Granville Deeds & Surveys #197.]

1772 DEED: NC, Orange Eounty Records, Vol. III, Deed book 3, Abstracts, FHL #975.6565 R28b, page 94:

P. 486, 7 August 1772, William Few Junr. of Orange, bricklayer to James Milner of Halifax County, six hundred pounds, 1,421 acres, on both sides of Little R., John Dunnagan to William Few 9 August 1768, adjoins John Pinkertton, Earl Granville, Robert Abercrombie, orphans of William Roe, orphans of James McCallister, the granted tract a part of two tracts from Granville to Dunnagan 26 April 1753 for 640 acres & 2 February 1761 for 398 acres, the part of these tracts conveyed is 460 acres and is that part of the 2 tracts not conveyed by Dunagan heretofore, another tract on both sides Eno R., begin at a large black walnut tree, N80E 160 p. to a hicory, S10E to BArnaby Cate's line, S80W down Barnaby Cate's line to Eno R., down river to an ash tree on S Side in original line, S80W to a white oak one of the original cor., N10W 320 P. to a red oak on N side of the Catawby Path in sight thereof, N80E to first station 320 acres, William Few Senr. to William Few Junr. 9 February 1772, James Taylor to William Few Senr. 15 January 1758, to Taylor from William Smith, patent to Smith dated 29 Mar 17--, another trct & improvement of 640 acres on Toms Cr. adjoins Cantrell, sold to Few by Robt. Witty, Lawrence Bankston to Witty, land on which Pierce Au[omcock?] now lives, also another tract or lot, Lot No. 79 in Hillsborough; singed William Few Junr.; witness: R. Macnair, Littleberry Mason; proved 28 September 1772 by McNair. [Ed. note: there is no record of this deed in the surviving deeds from the Granville Land Office.]

1778 MILITARY: NC, The Stte Records of North Carolina, FHL Vol. XIII, 1778-'79, FHL 975.6 N2n V. 13, page 281:

Letter from Col. Nath Rochester to Gov. Caswell: Hillsbobo' 15th 1778; By this opportunity I beg leave to inform your Excellency that Lieut. Col. Abercrombie of this County has resigned his Commission, and that Hugh Taning is first Major, Thomas Taylor second Major, and Charles Abercrombie First Captain.

1779 WILL: NC, Orange Co, FHL #0306091, Book A, p. 209:

In the name of God Amen, I Robert Abercromby of the County of Orange and State of North Carolina being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God, calling to mind the mortality of my body and kowing that it is appointed for all men and to die and do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally & just of all I give and recommend my soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christina burial at the discretion of my Executor, hereafter named, and as touching sent worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless one in this Life. I give, demise and dispose of the same in the following manner & form. First I give to my loving son Charles Abercromby two Negroes, one named Billo, the other named Arshell to him and his heirs forever. I also give, bequeath, & demise all that Tract or parcel of Land on Ellebass Creek where I now dwell to my son Charles Abercromby his heirs and assigns forever. Also I give, bequeath & devise to my loving son Robert Abercromby three negroes named Radgin, Buck and Peter and my copper still & Capp to him and his heirs forever. I give to my daughter Jenny Miban five pounds current money of North Carolina State & no more. And the residue of my Estate both real & personal after payment of all my just Debts Viz Money, Horses, Hor-Cattle, Hoggs, Household Goods with all the Movables whatsoever I give and bequeath unto my loving sons Charles Abercromby and Robert Abercromby (to be equally divided between them) to them and each of them and their heirs forever. Lastly I nominate, constitute & appoint my sons Charles Abercromby & Robert Aberacromby Executors of this my last will and Teatament, hereby revoking and disannulling all other will or wills by me made either in word or writing. In witness whereof I said Robert Abercromby have to this my last will and testament set my hand & affixed my seal this thirty first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine. Signed, sealed and delivered by the said Robert Abercromby the Testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of William Saxon, James X Dinin, Enoch Lewis. Signature of Robert Abercromby.

Orange County, August Court 1779. The Execution of the above will was duly proved in open Court by the oaths of Wm Saxon & James Dinin two of the subscribing Witnesses thereto sed Judgment for Nine Possible ancestry: According to Tony Schoonover, 'There is a strong probability the greater James Abercrombie family of Laurens, SC first migrated from the NJ/Maryland/PA tri-state area, then generally south to NC/SC...with later generations in GA and Alabama. The Abercrombie families of Orange County, NC and Hancock/Warren, GA are likely related to the greater James Abercrombie family of Laurens, SC. James Abercrombie (father of John, James and siblings) is the likely brother of this Robert Abercrombie. Knowing the history of Abercromby/Abercrombie lineage (Burke's), a 1675-1800 'Thomas' Abercrombie of ANY Birkenbog line is highly unlikely. Both greater Abercrombie families (James and Robert) have a known 'Thomas' naming pattern. See 'Scots deported to America' wherein a Thomas Abercromby from Carreck, Scotland is recorded as being deported to New Jersey in 1685 (no family). In my opinion, this Thomas Abercromby is the likely ancestor as (1) being the father or (2) being the grandfather of James Abercrombie of Laurens, SC. Further, it would appear that both James and Robert Abercrombie had daughters married in Lancaster County, PA...'

Sources [S160] Karen Robert website, Url: www.karenrobert.com.

[S103] 'Abercrombie Families of America - North Carolina', W. J. Abercrombie, (4 May 1939).

[S187] Ms. Gerry Hill; 'My Georgia Roots', Url: www.genci.

[S152] 'My Abercrombie Family', Chuck Chambers, gencircle.

[S188] Abercrombie Family Tree, Lawrence Abercrombie (abe.

[S195] U S and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900,.

This site powered by The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding v. 13.0.3, written by Darrin Lythgoe © 2001-2022.

Maintained by LeBon G Abercrombie

Cass County, Texas Citizens Journal Sun: Robert Abercrombie, Sr., came with his parents to South Carolina from Scotland when just a child. There he would marry Jane Gresham. Jane was born about 1717. He and Jane made their home in Orange County, North Carolina. He was commissioned to be the Justice of the Peace for Orange County on May 23, 1757 and served in this position for twenty-one years. Although too old for active military service during the American Revolutionary War, Robert did let out his horses and rendered valuable services in other ways as a patriot in the Hillsborough District of North Carolina. His wife Jane Greshem died before 1779. Robert died May 31, 1782 in Orange County and his will is recorded there. He signed his name as "Abercromby." Their children were named Charles, Jenny, Mary, Robert Jr., James and Melborn. Charles Abercrombie, Sr. was born March 13, 1741 or