John McMURTRY SrAge: 90 years1751–1841
- Name
- John McMURTRY Sr
- Given names
- John
- Surname
- McMURTRY
- Name suffix
- Sr
 Birth | February 15, 1751 25 |
 Military | Continental Army June 1775 (Age 24 years)Note: John joined Capt James Chambers Company of the first Pennsylvania regiment in June of 1775. His unit served in Boston, New York, Long Island, White Plains, Germantown and other sites and battles. He rose to become an ensign in that unit in 1779 before resigning in 1780 to go to sea to fight on the privateer FAIR AMERICAN.
|
| Military | 1780 (Age 28 years) |
| Military | First Pennsylvania of the Continental Line |
 Marriage | Margaret “Peggy” GOMER — View this family January 26, 1781 (Age 29 years) Note: Entry found in Volume XXII, Marriage Records 1665-1800 (New Jersey) stated marriage as Jan 26 but old family bible states Jan 29, 1781.
|
 Birth of a son#1 | Henry McMURTRY December 6, 1781 (Age 30 years) |
| Birth of a daughter #2 | Jean “Jenny” McMURTRY October 18, 1784 (Age 33 years) |
| Birth of a son #3 | John McMURTRY Jr March 10, 1787 (Age 36 years) |
| Death of a father | James McMURTRY 1788 (Age 36 years) |
| Birth of a son #4 | James McMURTRY December 22, 1789 (Age 38 years) |
| Death of a son | James McMURTRY February 10, 1795 (Age 43 years) |
| Birth of a daughter #5 | Mary “Polly” McMURTRY June 15, 1796 (Age 45 years) |
| Birth of a son #6 | Asa McMURTRY May 1, 1799 (Age 48 years) |
| Birth of a son #7 | Thomas Wilkerson McMURTRY 1802 (Age 50 years) |
| Birth of a daughter #8 | Margaret “Peggy” McMURTRY October 18, 1806 (Age 55 years) |
 Property | 1809 (Age 57 years) Shared note: Henry McMurtry and his father John both received land grants in 1809 in Sumner Co TN. John had rec… |
| Death of a daughter | Margaret “Peggy” McMURTRY before 1831 (Age 79 years) |
 Event | Revolutionary War Pension final Payment 1841 (Age 89 years) |
 Death | March 16, 1841 (Age 90 years) |
| Family with parents |
| father |
James McMURTRY Birth: 1726 — Ralston, Somerset, NJ Death: 1788 — Probably Franklin Co, Pa |
| himself |
Birth: February 15, 1751 25 — Somerset Co NJ Death: March 16, 1841 — Shackle Island, Sumner Co, TN |
| Family with Margaret “Peggy” GOMER |
| himself |
Birth: February 15, 1751 25 — Somerset Co NJ Death: March 16, 1841 — Shackle Island, Sumner Co, TN |
| wife |
Margaret “Peggy” GOMER Birth: August 1, 1765 — Somerset Co NJ Death: April 14, 1846 |
|
Marriage: January 26, 1781 — Somerset Co NJ |
|
|
10 months son |
Henry McMURTRY Birth: December 6, 1781 30 16 — Somerset Co, NJ Death: April 28, 1843 — Emma, White Co, , ILL |
|
3 years daughter |
Jean “Jenny” McMURTRY Birth: October 18, 1784 33 19 — Somerset NJ Death: before 1846 |
|
2 years son |
John McMURTRY Jr Birth: March 10, 1787 36 21 — Orange Co NC Death: September 18, 1848 — Lebanaon, St Clair, ILL |
|
3 years son |
James McMURTRY Birth: December 22, 1789 38 24 — Orange Co NC Death: February 10, 1795 — Sumner TN |
|
7 years daughter |
Mary “Polly” McMURTRY Birth: June 15, 1796 45 30 — Sumner TN Death: July 20, 1870 — Roland, White, ILL |
|
3 years son |
Asa McMURTRY Birth: May 1, 1799 48 33 — Sumner TN Death: July 2, 1852 — White Co, ILL |
|
4 years son |
Thomas Wilkerson McMURTRY Birth: 1802 50 36 — Sumner TN Death: June 25, 1879 — Sumner TN |
|
5 years daughter |
Margaret “Peggy” McMURTRY Birth: October 18, 1806 55 41 — Sumner TN Death: before 1831 |
| Military | John joined Capt James Chambers Company of the first Pennsylvania regiment in June of 1775. His unit served in Boston, New York, Long Island, White Plains, Germantown and other sites and battles. He rose to become an ensign in that unit in 1779 before resigning in 1780 to go to sea to fight on the privateer FAIR AMERICAN. |
| Military | In June 1780 John McMurtry went to Philadelphia to join the crew on the privateer FAIR AMERICAN as part part of the Revolutionary War. According to his pension papers he states that the FAIR AMERICAN was a Brig captain by Capt Decatur and the ship carried 16 six pounder cannons. A statement found in the book: HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE HALL by D.W. Belisle, in the chapter Old Documnets, states: DECATUR'S COMMISSION. PHIL'A, June 5th, 1780. I do hereby certify that a Commission hath issued to Captain Stephen Decatur for the Privateer Brig Fair American, mounting sixteen carriage guns, navigated by one hundred and thirty men, of the burthen of one hundred and fifty tons, belonging to Charles Miller & Company, and bearing date the twentieth day of April last. W. MATLACK, Sec'y. |
| Military | The following information can be found in the PENNSYLVANIA ARCHIVES:
McMurtrie, John. "December 1, 1776, John McMurtrie of Capt Chambers company killed John Penn by his rifle going off when he says he did not know it was loaded." - WRIGHTS JOURNAL.
"Sir: Enclosed ....I would beg leave to recommend the three gentlemen at the bottom of the return for Ensigns (John Hamilton, John McMurtrie and John Scott) in the 1st PA Regt ...
|
| Marriage | Entry found in Volume XXII, Marriage Records 1665-1800 (New Jersey) stated marriage as Jan 26 but old family bible states Jan 29, 1781. |
| Property | Henry McMurtry and his father John both received land grants in 1809 in Sumner Co TN. John had received a land grant some 20 years earlier in east TN. |
| Death | Transcribed by Laurie Shaft © 2002 Will of John McMurtry Signed 6-Sept-1831 Proved Apr-1841 Source: Source: Sumner Co., TN Will Book 2, page 278. In the Name of God, Amen: I, John McMurtry, being in reasonable health at this time, yet of sound mind and memory, do take this opportunity to make this, my last will, in manner following. First, I resign my Soul to God, who gave it, and my Body to the earth from whence it came, to be buried at the discretion hereinafter named. I leave to my wife, Peggy McMurtry, the plantation on which I live, at the time, with all that I own for her support during her lifetime. But, should she marry again, she is to have only my mare called Fly, and saddle and bed, and go off the plantation with her husband. She is not to give away any of the property to one child, more than another of the children. They must all share alike. I leave my sister, Jane Hammond, the house and lot where John Garrett Jr now lives, with wood for her fire and water from my spring, for her use, if she will live on it. But, it she will not live there, it returns to the plantation again. When my wife, Peggy McMurtry, dies or marries, the children, Henry, John Jr, Asa, Thomas Wilkerson McMurtry, Jenny Garrett and Polly Forrester, can divide the land if they can agree about it. If they cannot agree, it must be sold with the rest of the property and the money equally divided with the children. Should my wife, Peggy McMurtry, think she has more property when I die than she wants to keep, she can sell it and live on the money. Should my wife, Peggy McMurtry, think proper to give up her claim on the place and property to her children, so as they could have their share at my death, she may do it, they, giving her bond and security for so much money, yearly, or to support her during life. The names of my executors are: Asa McMurtry Thomas Wilkerson McMurtry Samuel Kirkpatrick s/John McMurtry 6 Sept 1831 Signed, sealed, delivered Witnesses: Hugh Kirkpatrick, Benjamin Taylor, William Lowry Proven 1841, County Court, Sumner Co., TN Will Book 2, page 278 |
| Media object | When Margaret filed to get a pension for John's revolutionary War service she enclosed this page from the family bible. Some of the children's names and some marriages and deaths are recorded on the two pages. |
| Note | Info was taken from Sumner Co TN Rootsweb genealogy web site: Contributed by Laurie Shaft. Descendants of John McMurtry Sr. Contributed by Laurie Shaft ©1999 John McMurtry Sr was the son of James McMurtry of Ralston, New Jersey and his wife Agnes. James McMurtry was born about 1726 in Ralston, NJ and died before 1788, most likely in Franklin, Co., PA. He was one of four children born to Thomas McMurtry, who emigrated from Northern Ireland and settled in Ralston, Morris Co., NJ with his brothers Joseph and Robert and a sister. The 1778 tax list for Ralston shows Thomas McMurtry with 84 acres of improved lands valued at $400.00, 8 cattle, 27 hogs,6 horses and no slaves. Thomas was buried in the Old Roxitcus Churchyard. He acted as surveyor of Somerset Co. in 1764. His will was probated on April 21, 1788. Thomas was married to Mary (last name unknown) and together they had the following children:
James McMurtry, Father of John McMurtry, Sr James (1) McMurtry was born abt 1726 in Ralston, NJ, and was married to Agnes (last name unknown) after 1750 and probably in NJ or PA. They had the following children:
Several families from the Somerset Co., NJ area migrated together to Orange Co., NC. These include the Dorris, Gomer, Forrester, and Kirkpatrick families along with the McMurtrys. Along with the Blackard, Edwards and other families, members emigrated from Sumner Co. to White Co., IL beginning in 1818. John McMurtry Sr of Sumner County, TN John McMurtry Sr (son of James McMurtry and Agnes ) was born Feb. 15, 1751/2 in Somerset Co., NJ. Revolutionary War Pension documents indicate that John McMurtry Sr enlisted in June or July of 1775 in Captain James Chambers' Company of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded by Colonel Kemp. During John McMurtry Sr's service, his regiment marched to Boston; after that siege was raised he marched to NY and Long Island, and fought at the Battle of White Plains and York Island. After the Battle of White Plains, he was appointed Sergeant. The army retreated across the Delaware River, and John McMurtry Sr was at both the battles of Princeton and Trenton. He was also at the battle of Germantown. About this time, he was appointed Sergeant-Major and was sent to recruit new soldiers in Pennsylvania. In September 1779, he was appointed Ensign of the First Pennsylvania Regiment. On June 30, 1780, he left the Continental Army and went to Philadelphia, and went to sea on board the privateer brig Fair America, commanded by Captain Stephen Decatur. He was a privateer, that is, a licensed pirate...(see DAR Patriot Index, page 459, for 1966). Many details of John McMurtry's life can be found in "Chronology of the Life of John McMurtry, Esq, soldier, privateer of the American Revolution: progenitor of the McMurtry clan of Tennessee" by Otis McMurtry. John McMurtry served as Magistrate in 1799 and was a farmer. His pension papers are available and are quite filled with information about Sumner County families besides McMurtry. John McMurtry Sr married Margaret "Peggy" Gomer, on January 29, 1781 in Somerset Co., NJ. (Sally Telford deposition in Rev. War Pension claim of Margaret McMurtry dated 1841 states that the marriage took place in her father's house in New Jersey).Because John McMurtry Sr and Peggy Gomer were married after his Revolutionary War service, she was at first denied a widow's pension. An Act of Congress accompanying House Bill 262, on Mar. 8, 1842, was required in order to grant her a widow's pension of $80 per year. Peggy Gomer was born Aug. 1, 1765 in Somerset Co., NJ and died on Apr. 4, 1846, in Sumner Co., TN. Her parents were Henry Gomer and Mary Sarah Dorris. Mary Sarah Dorris was an aunt to William Dorris, the progenitor of the Sumner Co., TN Dorris family. Record of John and Peggy's marriage can be found in the Archives of the State of NJ, First Series, Vol XXII, p 166. John McMurtry Sr died at the age of 89. His obituary was in the Nashville Whig, Friday, May 19, 1841: "McMurtry, John Esq Aged 89. Died at his residence in Sumner County on the 16th inst. A soldier of the Revolution". In his will, proved April Court 1841 and found on page 278 of the Sumner Co., TN wills: "Wife Peggy, plantation on which I live. My sister Jane Hammons, house and lots where John Carrott (Garrett?) Jr now lives. Children: Henry, John, Asa, Thomas Wilkerson, James Garrett, Polly Forester. Executors: Asa McMurtry, Thomas Wilkerson McMurtry, and Samuel Kirkpatrick." House Bill for Margaret (Peggy) McMurtry Tanscription of House Bill 262, of the second session of the 27th Congress. This bill granted a widow's pension to Margaret "Peggy" McMurtry, widow of John McMurtry, Sr. She was caught up in bureaucracy due to the timing of her marriage to John McMurtry Sr, his service in the Continental Army, his death and the passage ofseveral pension bills in Congress. It took an Act of Congress to obtain a Revolutionary War Widow's pension of $80 per year for her. Margaret McMurtry (to accompany bill HR No 262) March 8, 1842 Mr. Mathiot, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, submitted the following: REPORT The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of Margaret McMurtry or Sumner county, Tennessee, report: That on the 4th day of September, 1830, John McMurtry, the husband of petitioner, was allowed a pension under the act of March 18th, 1818, at the rate of eight dollars per month, for his services as a private in the revolutionary war. He left the army in 1780, and was married to the petitioner on the 29th day of January, 1781, as appears by the family record, which is proved to be in the handwriting of the said John McMurtry; and the marriage is further established by the testimony of two respectable witnesses, who were present, and saw them married. The said family record further shows, that the said John McMurtry died on the 16th day of March, 1841; and the papers accompanying her petition show, conclusively, that the petitioner is his widow. After the death of her husband, the petitioner applied to the Pension department for the benefit of thelaw in such case made and provided. Her claim, under the act of July 4th, 1836, was rejected by the Commissioner of Pensions, on the ground that her marriage took place after the termination of her husband's service; and relief was denied her under the act of July 7th, 1838, on the ground that her husband died after the passage of the law. The committee fully concur in opinion with the Commissioner of Pensions, that his case does not come within either the letter or spirit of the act of July, 1836. This act expressly confines the benefit of its provisions to those widows only whose marriage took place before the expirationof the last period of the husband's service, and the committee can well understand the reason of this distinction. The petitioner's case not coming within the provisions of this act, the next question is, is she entitled to the benefit of the act of July 1838? Her marriage is proved to have taken place prior to the 1st of January, 1794, by which her case is brought within the provisions of the last-named act, unless the death of her husband subsequent to its passage shall exclude her. The committee admit that, by a strict rigid interpretation of this act, according to legal rules, it may bear the construction given to it by the Commission of Pensions; but they cannot believe that Congress ever intended to confine its benefits to the widows of those officers and soldiers of the Revolution alone who had died prior to its passage. Such a discrimination is not founded in reason or common sense. The law was intended to provide a support for the widows of those officers and soldiers of the Revolution who had performed a certain amount of service, and who were married prior to the 1st of January, 1794. Why should there by any such distinction as is claimed by the terms of this act? Is not the widow of the revolutionary soldier who died the day after this act was passed as justly entitled to the bounty of the Government, as the widow of the one who died the day before its passage? Surely she is. The committee, therefore, are of the opinion that the case of this petitioner is clearly within the equity, if not the letter, of the act of July 7, 1838; and they accordingly report a bill for her relief. There is another John McMurtry, contemporary with John McMurtry Sr. He was known as Captain John McMurtry and was born in Augusta Co., Virginia. He was married in 1779 to Nancy Campbell. He was killed by Indians in 1782 while in defense of the settlements of Davidson County, North Carolina in the Sumner County area. It is apparent that these are two separate individuals and that the John McMurtry Sr who was the progenitor of the Sumner Co, TN McMurtry family was Ensign John McMurtry who died in 1841 according to Revolutionary War Pension papers and other contemporary documentation. Captain John McMurtry is the progenitor of the McMurtrys of Green Co., TN. John McMurtry Sr and Peggy Gomer had the following children:
|
| Military | Format: image/jpeg Image dimensions: 650 × 874 pixels File size: 74 KB |
| Marriage | Format: image/png Image dimensions: 771 × 79 pixels File size: 89 KB Type: Document Highlighted image: no |
| Property | Format: image/jpeg Image dimensions: 6,604 × 5,084 pixels File size: 6,658 KB Type: Document Highlighted image: no |
| Property | Format: image/jpeg Image dimensions: 3,235 × 5,133 pixels File size: 2,555 KB Type: Document Highlighted image: no |
| Event | Format: image/jpeg Image dimensions: 1,229 × 681 pixels File size: 72 KB Type: Document Highlighted image: no |
| Media object | FairAmerican.jpg Format: image/jpeg Image dimensions: 650 × 874 pixels File size: 74 KB Highlighted image: yes |
| Media object | McMurtry Bible Entries Format: application/pdf File size: 54 KB Note: When Margaret filed to get a pension for John's revolutionary War service she enclosed this page from the family bible. Some of the children's names and some marriages and deaths are recorded on the two pages.
|