Born 1720 Ballymoney, Antrim, Ireland. [4]
Died 9 May 1783. Fairfax, Augusta, Virginia, United States. [5]
Military Service: 1 Nov 1777.
James Kirk the elder served with the First Committee of Safety in Virginia, July 1774, with George Washington.
It should be stated first that this James Kirk has consistently been merged with another James Kirk, whose 3 sons - John, Robert and Mathew - came to America and eventually settled in the Waxhaw Settlement of South Carolina. Many of the sources listed below show this incorrect information. This attempt is to correct information on wives, children, residence and death. Can find no specific sources for parents and siblings linked above.
This James Kirk resided in Augusta County from at least 1747, when he reported being robbed by a runaway indentured servant. (Chalkley Vol I:529)
Page 196.-- 17th May, 1749. James Bell and Rachel to James Kirk, 400 acres Catheys River; Jennings Branch. Teste: Andrew Boyd, Alexander Crafford. Delivered Ro. Armstrong 5th March, 1753.
1751, April 17th--James Kirk, 100, joining his own land, the Dry Branch; one right. (Chalkley VII:380)
It is NOT likely he married his wife, Agnes, in Ireland in 1750, based on the fact he was already in Virginia by 1747. He appears consistently in Augusta records after that up to the time of his death in 1783.
Marriages and Children - Correction
Wife 1 -- Agnes Unknown -- Agnes was definitely the first name of his first wife as together in 1767 they deeded 200 acres on Jennings Branch to "their son" Alexander.
Page 231.--__ _____, 1767. James Kirk and Agness to Alexander Kirk, their son, Ł20, 200 acres, part of 400 acres patented to James Bell 12th January, 1746, on a small fork of Jennings' Branch. Delivered: Alexander Kirk, March, 1774. (Chalkley Vol III:465)
Wife 2 -- Jean Unknown - mentioned as surviving wife in James Kirk's Will of 1793 - two minor sons named James and George. First wife Agnes has died by May 1771 as James Kirk and Jean deed land to his son Alexander Kirk. (Chalkley Vol. III, 510)
Removed the link to Lucy Carter [Carter-18118]- she would have died soon after marriage due to the May 1771 Deed executed by James and Jean Kirk. Also Lancaster Co. VA is not remotely close to Augusta Co. VA.
Children as named in his Will
Will Probated May 1783, Augusta, Virginia
WB VI:292 -- 9th May, 1783. James Kirk's will--To son, ALEXANDER, 10 shillings; to son, JOHN, 10 shillings; to daughter, MARTHA, 10 shillings; to son, ROBERT, Ł5; to wife, JEAN, and sons, JAMES and GEORGE, all estate. Executors, wife Jan and son John. Teste: Benj. Talmann, Ambros (mark) Jones, James McCan. Proved, 20th May, 1783, by the witnesses. Executors qualify. (Copied from Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia by Lyman C. Chalkley, Vol. III:165) http://sites.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/va/augusta/court/volume-3/3court16.txt
Guardianship and Deaths of Minor Sons George and James Kirk in 1791
(378) William Moffet and John Kirk are appointed guardians of James and George Kirk, orphans of James Kirk. (Chalkley Vol I:263)
(472) James Kirk, orphan of James Kirk, aged 18 years, appears and consents to serve William Abney as an apprentice until seven months after he is of age. (Chalkley Vol. I:265)
Page 334.--Inventory of estate of George Kirk, son of James Kirk, deceased, put into my hands as guardian by John and Jean Kirk, executors. 14th February, 1791.--Wm. Moffett. (Chalkley VIII:192)
Page 335.--Ditto [Inventory of estate] of James Kirk, son to James Kirk, ditto [deceased, put into my hands as guardian by John and Jean Kirk, executors. 14th February, 1791.] --John Kirk. (Chalkley VIII:192)
Additional Sources:
The above New Information was added by Deb Kueter, November 16, 2020.
Source: Daphne Gawne From Eugene A. Lewis
In July 1774 James Kirk is recorded as being a member of the First Committee of Public Safety in Virginia, a body chaired by George Washington and which did much to influence the course of Virginia prior to the Battle of Lexington. Later he was appointed to the Committee of Correspondence, a unit in the Committee of Public Safety. Today he is accepted as a Patriot.
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Categories: Signers of the Fairfax Resolves, 1774