Francis Law (abt. 1774 - abt. 1818)

Born about 1774 in Ireland

Husband of Catharine (Simpson) Law — married 16 Jun 1800 in Harrison, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died about 1818 at about age 44 in Miltonville, Butler, Ohio, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Carol Murray [send private message]

[[category:Miltonville Cemetery>,<Miltonville>,<Ohio>]]

Biography

Francis Law migrated from Ireland to United States.

2022:. "I've been researching this family line forever. I've hit a brickwall! Do you have any information? Any clues? Please post a comment here or send me a private message. I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!"

Francis "Frank" is my 4th great grandfather (Maternal). Law-William, Thomas, John &; Francis between 1790-1795. Thomas born ca 1751; Wm ca 1766; Francis ca 1770 & John ca 1775. (Despite the age difference between Thomas & John, there is a deposition in 1810 in WV that states they were brothers.) It been said that they came over from Belfast between 1790 & 1795 with their father, John, & mother, Jane (?). The mother died & was buried at sea. No information about the father. They were Methodists who were fleeing religious persecution from the Catholics. One source says that was in 1794.

Notes a. Note: There are three known stories of how the LAW family came to America. Each is told by a different branch of the family. One told by the THOMAS LAW family, one by the WILLIAM LAW family and the last told by the FRANCIS LAW family. All three are different, All three have been published or mentioned in books. THOMAS LAW, in 1911, WILLIAM LAW, year unknown. FRANCIS LAW, in 1887. In only one account is the name of the first LAW, mentioned, and with very little research, it proves to be wrong (as far as the name goes anyway). Listed below is all THREE accounts:   1. THOMAS LAW; HISTORY OF RITCHIE CO. by Minnie K. Lowther, pub. 1911. This account can be found on the internet also. ' The LAWS have an interesting ancestral history, they being in sympathy with the Wesleyans, were driven from Belfast, Ireland, the place of their nativity, by religious persecution. So bitter were their persecutors - the Catholics - that they were obliged to leave by stealth, a friendly Catholic girl, having warned them of their peril. And in the wilds of America, "They sought a faith's pure shrine, Freedom to worship God". And though many generations have come and gone since that time the different families of this name still adhere to the religious faith (Methodist Episcopal) that brought there forefathers to this land.   In 1794, four brothers, Thomas, William, Frank, and John Law, with their parents, set sail for America. The mother died on board the ship, while crossing, and was buried beneath the briny waves, and the rest landed in Philadelphia.   Frank died leaving no issue*. John, who was a Irish Peddler, went West and married, and his descendants are scattered over Ohio and Indiana.   Thomas and William remained in Philadelphia for a time, but finally emigrated to West Virginia. William settled at Gooseman's Mill in Harrison County, and was the ancestor of the Lawford branch of the family, and Thomas, near Jane Lew in Lewis County."   There is more of this story, but it goes on to tell about the Thomas Law family. *There is one BIG mistake in this story--FRANK DIED LEAVING NO ISSUE. He lived many years after arrival, married and had a family. I am a part of that family.   2 WILLIAM LAW; HISTORY OF ROANE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA,1774 - 1927, William H. Bishop, Esq. p 579-580. Unfortunately I don't have the pub. date. This can also be found on the internet. "LAW: of Reedy. William A. Law and his family being the first of this name making homes here came here in year 1899. The family tradition of ancestry is, that three brothers, LAW, came from Ireland and landed in New York, in what year, or even decade is not known; one of these stayed in New York City, one set out for the Northwest, and one has made his way into the Monongahela Vally, his name David W. Law, or he there left a son, David W., within the decade 1840 to 1850. David W. married in Harrison County Miss Hannah Dennison, about the year 1848, and there they made their home and reared one daughter and two sons whose names were Samantha, "Deed " and William Anderson, William Anderson Law, the above, was born at or near Cherry Camp, Harrison County, Western Virginia, February 20, 1852."   The first story goes on to tell about William A. Law and family. There are many mistakes in this story also, first is DAVID W. LAW, married not Hannah, but Sarah Dennison on Jan. 9, 1841, She was the daughter of Anderson & Ella Dennison. Marriage did take place in Harrison Co. and is recorded there. DAVID W. LAW, was the son of WILLIAM LAW and his 2nd wife HANNAH SILLS.   This is how many people have come to make the first LAW in America DAVID LAW.   3. FRANCIS LAW: This story (has not been published) was written down in the early 1950's so that it would not be lost to other family members and comes down by way of family tradition, but there is a small back up article I found, that was published in the HISTORY and BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPEDIA of BUTLER CO., OHIO, (Madison Twp. p 607) published in 1882 by Western Biographical Publishing Comp. Cincinnati, Ohio. First the family story then the back up; " Five brothers came from Ireland, one of whom was Francis Law. He came as a British soldier, but transferred to the U.S. side. We are all relatives through the Law family and have a common ancestry through Francis (Frank) Law, who is the head of our family in America.   Francis Law was one of five brothers who came from Ireland to America in the 18th Century. He came to the United States as a British soldier in the army of King George III during the War of the Revolution. :Coming from a land which had long sighed for freedom, he naturally sympathized with the America patriots and could not fight with spirit and the proper understanding in a British uniform. Called by a service in which he felt the bondage of dumb and driven cattle, he resolved to break the fetters which bound him, and joined a service (American Colonial Army) in a which he could be a hero in the strife, "Heart within, God overheard." "Making sure of the first opportunity, the deed was done, and during the remainder of his life he was one of the number who could sing the song of triumph: "with freedom's soil Beneath our feet, and freedom's banner floating o'er us."   "He joined the ranks of Washington's army and left a record of gallantry and meritorious conduct which his posterity look upon us as the most precious legacy he left us." The previous lines were written by one of our ancestors.   Francis Law married Catherine Simpson, whose father, James Simpson, was a courier in the American Army of the Revolution and had many thrilling experience "which proved that his life was constantly in his hands and at that time in the line of duty he could say, "There is one step between me and death."   The BACK UP; from the book pub. 1882 "LAW, SHROYER, HINDS, SMITH (Madison Twp. p. 607) James Law, farmer, was born in Virginia, Nov. 8, 1802, and settled in the county in 1804. He was married first to Elizabeth Shroyer, and second, to Christian A. Hinds. His children are John F., b. Feb. 12, 1833, Calvin D., April 9, 1834, Mary Ann Smith, Feb. 9, 1837, William ,b. November 3, 1838, June, b. April 19, 1842, Catherine J. b. March 29, 1848, Christiana, b. September 23, 1891; James, b. August 1, 1854 and Elizabeth, b. Nov. 1, 1856. Mr. Law's father, Francis Law, was drafted in the British Army, and deserted to the Americans. Of Mr. Law's children, Calvin D., William and Jane are dead."   I gave this information to a friend (who is also looking for the LAW line, she is from the JOHN LAW line) e-mail from her on Jan. 2002. "Donna I tried using a professional genealogist to see if I could find evidence of the arrival of the Law brothers in Philadelphia in 1794 and the man turned up a very strange entry that shows Thomas & William Law as deserters from the British 7th regiment of foot in the Revolutionary War. His source was the Genealogy Society Quarterly Vol. 67 I have searched and searched and I simply can't find any record of a ship from Ireland arriving in Philadelphia in 1794 with our family on board.."   So as of Jan. 13, 2002, No one that I know of has yet to show me or them, proof of the name of the Parents of THOMAS, WILLIAM, FRANCIS, AND JOHN LAW., OR OTHERS UNKNOWN SONS. OR FOR THAT MATTER JUST HOW THEY ARRIVED IN AMERICAN.   The only thing that all three story's have in common, is that the LAW family came from IRELAND (DONNA DONALLY, 2002)

The Revolutionary War ended in September 1783. If the Law family arrived about 1794 the was already over 11 years.

This is my family tree on Ancestry. It has a lot of documents. https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/82409314/person/38454866785/facts

Sources

• Ohio, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1790-1890: Name: Francis Law

State: OH County: Butler County Township: Miscellaneous TownshipsYear: 1807 Record Type: Tax list

U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current Memorial #90136347

Virginia, Marriages, 1660-1800 Name: Catherine Simpson Spouse: Francis Law Marriage Date: 16 Jun 1800 Marriage Location: Harrison County, Virginia