| Notes |
- Alexander Reid was born in Scotland or Ireland and died about 1775-1777 (County Records, Rowan County, North Carolina, Book A, pp 243-244, Bk 3 pg 457, Bk 10 pg 359). He wrote his will in Rowan County, North Carolina 11 Jan 1775, and it was probated in 1777.
According to family tradition, he married in Ireland, Margaret McCay . Alexander and Margaret were of the Presbyterian faith and did come from Ireland to America.
A family tradition has it that Alexander Reid's ancestors were induced by King James I of England to colonize Northern Ireland in 1611 by giving them lands that were forfeited to the British Crown when the Irish Rebellion failed to re-establish the Catholic Church in England. However, this tradition has not been confirmed.
Family tradition is that Alexander, his immediate family, and several kinsman came from Ireland to Pennsylvania in 1745.
The first documented account of Alexander in America is a copy of a plat of 266 acres of land measuring 260 "perches" (4290 feet) alongside Swataro Creek of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He applied for this land on 26 Sept 1748 and the survey was recorded in the land office of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania on 19 Oct 1749. However, Alexander did not pay for this land, and it lapsed back to the state and was resurveyed and re-issued (Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Deed Book C-189, pg 171, Pennsylvania Land Warrant #249).
Other Reid families found in the same geographical location in Lancaster County that can be proved are: Robert Reid, who was one of the first settlers in the Irish settlement of Rowan County, and George Reid, who stopped briefly in Rowan County and moved to what is now Abbeville County, South Carolina by 1762. An Adam Reid remained and died in Lancaster County where Robert Reid lived.
Alexander and his family moved to Rowan County, North Carolina prior to 2 May 1753, where he acquired a grant of 660 acres (later found to contain 152 additional acres) on the North side of Fourth Creek, making a total of 812 acres issued by grant to Alexander on 2 May 1753. The location of his home place can be seen on a 1773 Map of Fourth Creek Congregation by William Sharpe, Esq. between Fourth and Fifth Creek of the Yadkin River, in what is now Iredell County, North Carolina (Rowan County, NC Deed Book 3:457-459, Iredell County, NC Deed Book A:245-248, A:477, A:437, B:359-361, A: 477, B:521-524, B:525-527). Alexander bequeathed the above land to his son, Alexander, in his will of 11 Jan 1775. According to one deed in Rowan (now Iredell) County, Alexander sold a large portion (501 acres) to a David Hogshead on 9 Nov 1775. This would place Alexander's death between 11 Jan 1775 and 9 Nov 1775.
If the family tradition is true about the 1698 birth of Alexander, he would have been seventy-seven years old when he wrote his will. A transcription of his will is as follows:
Last Will and Testament
"In the name of God Amen the Eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Five; I Alexander Reed of Rowan County and the Province of North Carolina being old and very infirm and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body, and knowing it is appointed for men once to die, Do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament (that is to say) Principally ------, I give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it, hoping through the merits Death and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ to have full and ----- pardon and forgivingness of all my Sins; and to inherit Everlasting Life. My body I commit to the Earth, to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter named, nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection for ---- the same again by the mighty power of God, and as Touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life; I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form; that is to say First I will that all those Debts and duties as I do owe in Right or Conscience to any ---- person or persons whatsoever shall be well and truly contented and paid by my Executors hereafter named. Item I give devise and bequeth to my loving son Alexander Reed and to his heirs and assigns forever, my Plantation whereupon I now live. Item I give and bequeth to my loving wife Margrat Reed during her natural life all and singular my household Furniture and my negroe Phillis, and what part of my livestock she sees cause to keep for her own use and also to have use and enjoy my Dwelling house, also my Will and pleasure ---- my said loving Alexander, out of the profits of my said Plantation to ---- one devised to find and deliver unto my said loving Wife Margrat, a full Compitent provision both for herself Family and Stock during her life. Likewise I leave all my wearing apparel to be disposed of at my said Wife's descretion. And at my said Wife's decease my Will is that all and singular my goods and Chattles be sold by my Executors hereafter named and the money arising there from be divided, and disposed of in the following manner. (Viz) To my loving Son Samuel Reed one seventh part thereof to him and heirs forever. To my loving Son Andrew Reed one seventh part to him and his heirs forever. To my loving Son John Reed one seventh part thereof and to his heirs forever. To my loving son George Reed one seventh part thereof and to his heirs forever. To my loving daughter Frances Hall one seventh part therof and to her heirs forever. To my loving Daughter Hannah Knox one seventh part and to her heirs forever. To my loving Daughter Willson's two children (to wit) Alexan Willson and Margrat Willson the Remainder which is one seventh part. And I Will and ---- to my Gd daughter Margrat Willson the sum of Five Shillings Proclamation money to her and her heirs forever. Item I give and bequeth to my son Samuel Reed my large Bible. Lastly I do hereby nominate name and ordain and appoint my two loving sons Samuel Reed and Andrew Reed Executors fo this my last Will and Testament, and I do hereby utterly disallow Revoke and disannul any and every other former Testaments, Wills and Legacies Bequests and Executed by me in any ways before this time named Willed and bequeathed, Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament in which whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day month and year above written.
(signed-seal) Alexander Reed
Signed Sealed published pronounced & Declared by the Sd. Alexander Reed as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscibers Viz Samuel Young, John Armstorng, George Kerr. Proved: 1777, Rowan County, NC W Book A:243." (Notes for Margaret (Spouse 1) per Earl J. Agee, Bartlesville, OK)
Margaret was born in Ireland and died in Rowan County, probably after she paid taxes in Captain Caldwell's district in 1778 and before 1785 when her children began to sell thier property in preparation for their migration to Georgia.
(Source: Added by lcase5152 on 1 Jan 2008)
|
Abt 1698 - 1775 (~ 77 years)