Zachariah Masterson (abt. 1765 - aft. 1829)

Born about 1765 in Washington County, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Tabitha Masterson — married 27 Nov 1804 in Nelson, Kentucky, United States

Descendants

Died after 1829 after about age 64 in Nelson, Kentucky, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Toni Boone [send private message], Donna Masterson [send private message], and Scott Mitchell [send private message]

Biography

Zachariah was born about 1765. (According to Tim Dowling) this was in Washington Co. PA and Zachariah died Aug 1829 Nelson Co. KY. Tim's posting at Geneanet.org, surely reflects the organized research of the Masterson Family Association.

Zachariah Masterson married Elizabeth Miller about 1783. He and other Mastersons are shown on lists of Revolutionary War soldiers from Washington Co. PA. Zachariah and Elizabeth were included in the lists of settlers at Pottenger's Fort. Elizabeth died in Nelson Co. Kentucky and Zachariah married the widow Tabatha Brownfield.

Tabatha, was daughter of John Masterson (d. 1812 Mason Co. KY) and second wife of Zachariah Masterson. She appears in the 1840 census of Spencer Co. Indiana, in the home of their son Aaron Masterson. In 1830, Tabatha was head of household in Spencer County with Aaron in residence. This likely indicates the passing of Zachariah before 1830, in Spencer Co. A land patent near Santa Claus, Spencer Co. PA was issued in 1839 for Zachariah. A neighboring patent went to Absalom Pollard, a neighbor to Tabatha in the 1840 census. This is likely where Zachariah lived prior to the land purchase (which may have been made by grandson, Zachariah b. 1814). Brothers John and Hugh bought property, a little east, on the Ohio River in 1830.

The following paragraph was given in the Rockport Journal- May 26, 1916 and is repeated at genealogytrails.com Surrounding portraits in the article identify close relatives, including John "Jack" Masterson, who was very likely brother of Zachariah. The Masterson Family Association sent a letter (1988) commenting upon the Rockport Journal article. Joe E. Masterson posted the comment letter (and some analysis) onto findagrave.com memorial 62048172 in 2020.

From the Rockport Journal 1916: "Jack Masterson came from Kentucky to Indiana in a very early day. He came here to live with a widowed daughter by the name of Sally Brown, who lived near Santa Claus. He was an old Revolutionary soldier. He served seven years and was with Washington at the surrender of Yorktown. He was an uncle to Hezekiah, Warren, Mass, John, and William Harris. Their mother was his sister. The preacher Lee Conner married a granddaughter of his. He died at the advanced age of 110 years and was buried at Mt. Zion church cemetery."

The 1850 census has John Masterson age 95 in 1850. He was in the home of Sarah Brown, matching the article in Rockport Journal.

The 1810 census of Bardstown, Nelson Co. KY shows Zachariah with 8 sons and and 6 daughters. He is consecutive with John Masterson 4 sons and 2 daughters. Tabatha's father, Revolutionary War soldier, John Masterson, died in Mason Co. KY in 1812. So, neighbor John was likely Zachariah's brother John, and likely he is one of the Johns that accompany Zachariah in listings of Revolutionary War soldiers from Washington Co. PA.

Rev War

Connection with neighbors and other soldiers likely helps explain Zachariah's participation in the Revolutionary War. Research continues. Pennsylvania Archives Series 6 volume 2. page 369 of 913 Zachariah was drafted into service under Andrew Lynn. Other draftees included Otho Brahsear, a neighbor of Zachariah's brother-in-law, Samuel Miller. Two others were John Jones and Michael Tiger (perhaps Tygert)

Zachariah and Hugh Masterson were originators on the request for new state "Westsylvania".

Sources

• Family history by, Joe Eddie Masterson
• Pennsylvania, Revolutionary War Battalions and Militia Index, 1775-1783
• Geneanet.org posting of Tim Dowling
• Land patent 1839 Spencer Co. Indiana in the name of Zachariah Masterson.

"Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5ZD-LGT : 9 March 2021), Zachariah Masterson and Sabithe Brownfield, 12 Nov 1804; citing Marriage, Nelson, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 9,669.

Research

findagrave.com memorial for Jack Masterson

Zachariah witnessed the will of Henry Bray. Bray's tax record mentions Capt Masterson & Willetts Company. This is possibly just a taxation district reference and it should be noted that Zachariah's father-in-law, John Masterson, married Willett. Geni.com for Henry Bray records. Henry Bray's son Abraham married a Howard and has connections to Catholic migration to Nelson Co. (Sissle/Cecil)

Building of a story through neighbors should not neglect John Baird who was the Methodist minister who married some of Zachariah's children. He traveled through Maryland before coming to KY.

Thomas Willett had a daughter that married Samuel Pottinger, and a daughter that married John Masterson. Pottingers and Willetts were near Masterson in Nelson Co. and should be explored for Rev War story as well as settlement in Nelson Co.

A master list geneanet posting by Dowling is an excellent outline for research

Neighbors in Indiana were Henry Cooms and James Craven. These names were also in KY. Along with Hardin, they even appear back in PA, near the property of the John Masterson who married Sarah Tobin.

James Stewart's biography tells about Andrew Lynn: Service -Pvt. in Capt. Andrew Lynn's Company of Rangers on the Frontiers 1778-1783, Westmoreland Co., VA., now Pennsylvania, since the line was not settled until after the close of the War.; (PA. State Library, Harrisburg, PA., Vol. 23, fol. 326, PA. Archives, Third Series), (at this time he was living at Redstone Old Fort in what is now Brownsville, PA.; Andrew Lynn, Jr. and Thomas Downs owned extensive land there around the fort); also a Pvt. in Capt. William Harrod's Co., 1780, at stations near the falls of the Ohio River, now in Jefferson Co., KY. Proof - Collins History of KY., Vol.1, pg.12.

1820 neighbors in Nelson Co., KY are: Valentine Thompson George Green William Thompson Christian Miller John Masterson 45+ John O Masterson 45 John Masterson Jr 45+ Zachariah Masterson 45 William McLean, Charles Masterson 45 Joseph Masterson 45+ Charles Thompson 45+ Griffin Willett Samuel Willett

Acknowledgement

Initiated by Toni Boone by 21 May 2020. Information by Scott Mitchell, Thursday, February 5, 2015.