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Ancestors of Martha Jo (Martha) Cross


      418. Sr. Benjamine Alexander, born Abt. 1725 in Cecil Co., MD; died Aft. April 28, 1807 in Mecklenburg Co, NC. He was the son of 836. Andrew Alexander and 837. Jane (Jean) McKnitt. He married 419. Susannah Ruth Polk Abt. 1753 in Mecklenburg Co, NC.

      419. Susannah Ruth Polk, born June 08, 1719 in Carlisle, Chester Co., PA (became Cumberland Co. in 1750; died November 09, 1800 in Cabarrus Co., NC. She was the daughter of 838. II William J. Polk and 839. Margaret Nancy Taylor.

Notes for Sr. Benjamine Alexander:
The following information was taken from "Our Heritage," a genealogy column in the newspaper The Monroe Enquirer, issued dated Thursday, July 9 1959:
"Benjamin Alexander. The date and place of his birth are unknown, but as his son William was born in 1749, it may be assumed that he was born about 1725-30. The date of his death and place of burial are unknown - although he may have been buried at Poplar Tent church. However, he died after 1807, as he was granted land on Mallard Creek, April 28, 1807.
Benjamin and Susanna Alexander migrated to Mecklenburg Co., N. C., from PA., sometime after 1760, as they sold land on the north side of Catawba River, on the south branch of Fishing Creek, on 3-22-1765 (Meck. Book 2, p. 722).
On 1-21-1768, Benjamin and Susanna Alexander sold 200 acres on the waters of Buffalo Creek, on the head branch of Betts Creek (4-473). July, 1767, they bought 391 A., on both sides of Mallard Creek, from H. E. McCullough (4-36).

From about 1725, until the outbreak of the Revolution there was an increasing migration of the Scot-Irish of Ulster to America. Many of these were Alexanders who settled largely in PA. There were also Alexander emigrants from Scotland. Benjamin was probably of these later arrivals. It is certain that he and his wife lived in PA, before going to NC, as his son William stated in his Pension Declaration that he was born in Bucks County, Penn., in 1749. As his brother Thomas was born in 1753, he was doubtless born in PA, also (Bucks Co. was one of the three original counties erected by PA, and at that time embraced all the territory north and northwest of Philadelphia Co. Again, a diligent search of Pennsylvania records has failed to identify him.

The following is a continuation of the above genealogy column in the newspaper dated Thursday, July 16, 1959:
"Benjamin Alexander became a large land owner and lived in the Mallard Creek section of Mecklenburg county. (The 1790, U. S. Census lists a Benjamin Alex'r as living in that section with a household of two males over 16; one female and no slaves).
It is probable that Benjamin received his first grants of land from the Colonial Government; which records are unobtainable. The first land record in Mecklenburg County of Benjamin and Susanna Alex'r is where they deeded Andrew Meek, of Charles Co., MD., land on the north side of Catawba River and south branch of Fishing Creek, 3-22-1765. (2-722). The next record is from Charles Campbell, of Bertie Co., to Benjamin Alex'r 38 A., of land on branches of Mallard Creek, Jan. 1767. (4-30). On July of the same year he bought 391 A., on both sides of Mallard Creek, from H. E. McCullough. (4-36).

He received three grants of land from the State of N. C., the last being on 4-28-1807. (17-173). This is the last land record found of Benjamin. In the interim he acquired or conveyed at least 18 parcels. The total acreage deeded to him was well over 1,800. In many of the deeds the names of both Benjamin and Susanna appear, and in one deed (April 1789) Benjamin and William bought 213 A., on Mallard Creek, including a mill, from Hannah Garrison. (11-14). The William was probably his son, Capt. William (Black Billy).






More About Sr. Benjamine Alexander:
Burial: Unknown, prob buried at Poplar Tent Cemetery, in Concord, Mecklenburg Co., NC

  Notes for Susannah Ruth Polk:
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Vol. I: 1780-1800,transcribed by Herman W. Ferguson, pg. 44, of the 1785 June session, Bk. 1, pg. 547, "The following Deeds were proved and admitted to Record in June Court, Viz:............ Benjamin Alexander & Susannah his wife to John McGahee for 400 Acres of Land Dated June 25th 1785.

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Vol. I, 1780-1800," transcribed by Herman W. Ferguson, on pg. 78, of the 1788 July session, Bk. 2, pg. 201, "Benjamin Alexander comes into Court and Prays that his Mill Seat on Mallard Creek, one half mile below William Hemphills, be Recorded a place for Publick Mill, Prayer Granted.

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Volume I: 1780-1800, transcribed by Herman W. Ferguson, pg. 196, of the 1798 April session, Bk. 4, pg. 106, "The Execution of the following Bills of Sale, Deeds, &c was proven and ackd. in Open Court and admitted to record Viz:............. 3. One from Benj. Alexander, Senr., to Hugh Pollock for 200 Acres of Land on the waters of Bullock Creek on the head branches of Bells Creek Dated 29th of June 1797, [proved] by John McK. Alexander. (This would be John McKnitt Alexander).



More About Susannah Ruth Polk:
Burial: Unknown, prob Polk Cemetery in Pineville, NC or Poplar Tent Church Cemetery in Concord, NC
     
Children of Benjamine Alexander and Susannah Polk are:
  i.   Ezekiel Alexander, born Aft. 1748 in Mecklenburg Co, NC; died Unknown.
  ii.   William (Black Billy) Alexander, born Abt. 1749 in Bucks Co., PA; died December 19, 1836 in Mecklenburg Co, NC; married Margaret Clark 1779 in Mecklenburg Co., N.C; died Unknown.
  Notes for William (Black Billy) Alexander:
William served with Lt. Andrew Alexander, about the same age, in Mecklenburg Co. area, and were believed to be related. Benjamin and Susannah had a son, Andrew, also. The dates of their children are sometimes questionable. their Andrew was supposedly born in 1777. Was Lt. Andrew a brother or an unle? One of the census in Sugar Creek District shows the Alexanders and both Will (Black Billy) and Capt. Andrew, at the time, were shown in the same house with other siblings.
(Source: Ezra McLauren "Mac" Alexander)

  More About William (Black Billy) Alexander:
Burial: Unknown, Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery #1, outside of Charlotte, NC (founded in 1755)

  209 iii.   Susannah Polk Alexander, born Abt. 1752 in Bucks Co., PA; died March 01, 1837 in Mecklenburg Co, NC; married MD Evan Shelby Bef. 1776 in Anson Co., N.C..
  iv.   Thomas Alexander, born August 17, 1753 in Bucks Co., PA; died December 28, 1844 in Mecklenburg Co, NC; married Jane J. Morrison Abt. 1782 in prob Mecklenburg Co., NC; died Unknown.
  More About Thomas Alexander:
Burial: January 17, 1845, Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery #2, three miles north of Charlotte, NC

  v.   Charles Alexander, born January 04, 1755 in Buck Co., NC; died Aft. September 08, 1834 in prob Swan Creek, Maury Co., TN; married Margaret Alexander in prob Mecklenburg Co., NC; died Unknown.
  vi.   II Benjamine Alexander, born Abt. 1772 in Mecklenburg Co., NC; died Unknown; married Mary Hannah Bef. 1787 in prob Mecklenburg Co., NC; died Unknown.
  vii.   James Alexander, born Abt. 1775 in Mecklenburg Co, NC; died Aft. 1850 in prob Mecklenburg Co., NC; married Isobella Maxwell January 14, 1831 in Mecklenburg Co, NC; born in prob Mecklenburg Co., NC; died Unknown.
  viii.   Andrew Alexander, born Abt. 1777 in Mecklenburg Co, NC; died 1804 in Mecklenburg Co, NC; married Mary Patterson in prob Mecklenburg Co., NC; died Unknown.
  ix.   Taylor Alexander, born March 01, 1787 in Mecklenburg Co., NC; died October 19, 1868 in Hickory Wythe, Fayette Co., TN.
  Notes for Taylor Alexander:
William Taylor Alexander apparently migrated to Rutherford Co., NC, perhaps with his parents, Col. Elias and Agnes Nancy (McCall) Alexander. (Record and anecdote of Elias Alexander in "North Carolina 1780-1781 by Judge Shenck). After serving in the War of 1812, Wm Taylor married and made his home near Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC, in the Sugar Creek neighborhood on the old stage road leading from Charlotte to Statesville. Post office at that time was about a mile from their home and was called Alexandria or Alexandriana.

Their home was 1 1/2 story log house, a large room furnished according to the style of the day with mahogany writing desk and chest of drawers (this is owned sand prized very highly by their granddaughter., Mrs. John D. Hunter, i.e., Lillian Cornelia (Pitman) Poole Hunter, of Tupelo MS.) "There was a large grandfather clock in which my grandmother, Mary Isabella (Alexander) Pitman would hide when she was a little girl, in the game of hide and seek. Nearby was a Spring, orchard and beehives. My great grandmother, Mary Shelby Alexander, was affectionately called 'Polly' by her husband and neighbors, some of whom were the families of Dan, Allison, Amos and other Alexander families, and a Dutch family named Orton, also the Steele, Henderson and Davidson families. They attended Sugar Creek and Hopewell Presbyterian churches. I have heard my grandmother, Mary Isabelle Alexander, tell of her school days in NC, where her little chum was Amanda Steele and her first sweetheart was Matthew Henderson, bro. of poet Phil Henderson. She would carry a goose quill to the teacher, who would make a writing pen for her. On the way to school, she would stop and pick up oak balls for ink. One of her teachers was Dr. Wilson.

About the year of 1832-1833, Wm. Taylor and family, his son-in-law, William Wilson, and several other Alexander families emigrated to West TN; Mary Shelby's bro's Willliam and John Milton Shelby, emigrated, too. Shelby Co., is named for the first gov. of KY, Isaac Shelby, whose father, Gen. Evan Shelby, was brother to Moses Shelby, who was Dr. Evan Shelby's father; Dr. Evan was father of Mary Shelby, wife to Wm. Taylor Alexander. Wm. Taylor often told of having hunted deer in Fayette and Shelby Counties before Memphis, TN, was scarcely a village, with friends Dr. Cole, Capt. Pitman, George Thompson, Baker, McDowell, and Billy Carr of Fayette Co. Two of his deer hounds were call "Trap" and "Drum".

The site of the old Alexander home between Barlett and Raleigh is most beautiful. Other early settlers were the Gifts, Browns, and Duncans. The old log house has long since been torn down and a modern brick home stands in its place; but the magnificent grove of giant oaks stands as a memorial to these splendid pioneers of early days. The Alexanders and Shelbys were staunch Presbyterians and were officers in the churches they helped to organize in Shelby and Fayette Co's.

After a time, Wm. Taylor, with his family, moved to Fayette Co., TN, near the little village of Wythe, or Hickory Wythe as it is now called. The old home still stands, surrounded by a grove of magnificent old trees, and even the old log cabin offices and out houses are in a good state of preservation. During the late war, Maj. Alexander, as he was called, entertained a General of the Federal Army in his home, who immediately had returned to him several fine horses that had been stolen. One of the servants recalled my grandmother, Mary Isabella, as a pretty auburn haired girl and quite witty. On one occasion, she had ridden horse-back with her cousin from Raleigh to her home near Wythe during inclement weather. On alighting, the servant who attended her called attention to her red clay bespattered attire, whereupon she gave a cheer and said, 'Hurrah for Clay'. This was in 1844 when Henry Clay came forward for the third time to run for the presidency (he was defeated by a relative of Mary Shelby Alexander ... James Knox Polk. They seemed to be for Clay!)

Wm. Taylor was blind for years, and during his declining days, his greatest comfort was his violin, on which he would play for hours at a time. He died Oct 19, 1868, and both he and Mary, with other members of the family, are buried at Mount Pleasant, a cemetery near the old home.

Wm. Taylor is said to have brought the seed of the tomato back from the Southwest to NC after the War of 1812, and that this was the first introduction of the tomato in NC in 1815."
(written by Caroline Isabel Pole Jones).

1850 Census in Fayette Co., TN, #738 Dist. 7:

William T. Alexander 65 m NC (farmer),
Mary Alexander 55 f NC (Mary Shelby Alexander),
Milton T. Alexander 19 m NC
Susan Alexander 35 f NC (m. to Jon K. Orr who died 1844-1850)
Mary Orr 12 f NC
Henrietta Orr 5 f NC

(Notes: courtesy of Ezra Mac Alexander, 2003)





      420. John Knox, born Abt. 1687 in Belfast, Antrim, Ulster, Northern Ireland; died Unknown in Steele Creek, Mecklenburg Co., NC. He was the son of 840. William Knox and 841. Elizabeth Crofton. He married 421. Sarah Knox Abt. 1721 in Belfast, Antrim, Ulster, Northern Ireland.

      421. Sarah Knox, born 1699 in pos Ireland; died November 08, 1765 in Steele Creek, Mecklenburg Co., NC.

Notes for John Knox:
From; John Rosser's letter to Lyman Draper at the University of Wisconsin, Sept. 13, 1878 (Draper Mss VV, Vol. 13, p. 12).."The first one of them I ever heard of was John Knox, who was the father of ten sons and only one daughter, Mary Knox, and that daughter was my great-grandmother, and married Alexander McKee, who came from Pennsylvania. He married a 2nd wife - Blair of York. Of the ten brothers I have only heard of six who were in American, that was Samuel, David, John, James, Jack(or Joseph) and Matthew, of the two last I am not sure about the names. These six all Whigs in the Revolution. I have seen this in print when Mr. Polk was a candidate. Some of the brothers went to England to live, I was told settled in London."
(From notes of Louise Pettus of Rock Hill, SC entitled "Samuel & Mary Knox, Steele Creek, Mecklenburg Co., NC. Compiled by Louise Pettus, a double descendant"

(All information on this line, included in this database, is from The Steele Creek Historical and Genealogical Society, unless stated otherwise)

More About Sarah Knox:
Burial: Unknown, Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mecklenburg Co., NC
     
Children of John Knox and Sarah Knox are:
  i.   John Knox, born Aft. 1722 in Belfast, Antrim, Ulster, Northern Ireland; died July 1777 in Steele Creek, Mecklenburg Co., NC; married Elizabeth Ann Gaston 1750 in NC; born 1737 in Ireland; died November 15, 1815 in Steele Creek, Mecklenburg Co., NC.
  Notes for John Knox:
There are land grant records from the 1760 period indicating that John, Samuel, and Matthew had large acreage on the East side of the Catawba River in an area known as Johney's Town.

We know a lot about the family of John and Ann Knox from his will filed in Mecklenburg Will Book D, pp.122-123 CR 065.801.19.
In John's will dated 30 March 1772, probated at July court, 1777 , he names his brother Samuel Knox & (neighbor) Hugh Herron as executors.

From old deeds, wills, cemetery records and census records:
John, died 1777. owned property on what today is called Island Point in lower Steele Creek adjoining the Price and Herron property. (His heirs continued owning parts of that original tract until the mid 1900s.- and a few still live in the area.
John and his wife, Ann, are buried in the same plot with Sarah in the Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

From: Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Abstracts of Early Wills, 1763-1790 by Brent H. Holcomb, printed by A. Press, Inc. Greenville, S.C.. 1980. p.36
"Will of John Knox Senr. Of the County of Mecklenburg & province of North Carolina being very sick & weak in bodyto sons James Knox, Samuel Knox & Mathew Knox, all my real estate, 508 acres to be equally divided, James Knox to have first choice, then Samuel second choice .. if any died before reaching maturity, then his part to son Joseph Knox; to daughter Sarah Knox, two cows, two calves, etc; to son John Knox, two cows & calf; to daughter Mary Knox, two cows, sheep, etc; to daughter Elizabeth Knox, two cows, two calves, etc. to daughter Ann Knox, two cows, two calves, etc.; to wife Ann, her maintenance & to clothe & school children
friend Hugh Herron & brother Samuel (Knox) Exrs.
30 March 1772 John Knox (Seal)
Wits: William Kerr, Thomas Orr & Moses Sharpley
Proved in July Session 1777
Will Book D., pp. 122-123

In the will of John Knox, James Knox' father, he left his land to his sons, James, Samuel and Matthew. James was to have first choice of land, then Samuel the second choice leaving Matthew the last choice. This was for 508 acres. There was a statement that if any one of those three died then son Joseph was to receive that part. I have been unable to determine what happened to this Matthew Knox, but it appears that by 1797, Matthew must have died because at that time, son Joseph deed his 1/3 interest in this land to James and Samuel. In 1812, James and Samuel divided this 508 acres into separate adjoining tracts. James Knox took 260 acres and Samuel took 240 acres.
The source for the above two transactions were from:
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Minutes of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Volume II: 1801-1820, By Herman W. Ferguson, Rocky Mount, NC 1997. p. 162. "Book 5, 1812 Febuary Session: Joseph Knox to James & Samuel Knox, for his own third part of 508 acres of land bequeathed by John Knox, Decd., to the same James, Sam. & Jos. Knox dated the 23rd of August 1797."
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Minutes of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Volume II: 1801-1820, By Herman W. Ferguson, Rocky Mount, NC 1997. p. 162. "Book 5, 1812 Febuary Session: Joseph Knox to James & Samuel Knox, for his own third part of 508 acres of land bequeathed by John Knox, Decd., to the same James, Sam. & Jos. Knox dated the 23rd of August 1797."
In other words, Joseph had deed the land to them in 1797 but they had not recorded the deed until 1812).
From: Ferguson's Vol. II (Ibid above) p. 162. at the same court session above "The division of Lands of John Knox, Decd, between James Knox and Samuel Knox, Heirs of said decd..was admitted to record on the certificate of James Spratt, Surveyor, to wit:"
A description was given of the 260 acres tract to James Knox and the 240 acre tract of Samuel Knox.



From: Louise Pettus Notes - which she took from Colony of North Carolina, 1735-1764, Abstracts of Land Patents, Volume One by Margaret M. Hofmann, 1982, Roanoke News Company, Weldon, N.C. (For copies of patents write to: Land Grant Office, New Legislative Office Building -Room 302, 300 North Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27611)
Patent #4349, Patent Book 13, p. 424 JOHN KNOX, 21 Dec 1763, 508 acres in Mecklenburg County on the E. side of the Catauba(sic) River, joining Jean Armour, Matthew Knox, sd Knox, and (a point) near Robert Lepers (Leepers) improvement.
It appears from the above that John Knox owned another tract adjoining it.

From: Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Deed Abstracts 1763-1779, by Brent H. Holcomb and Elmer O. Parker, Southern Historical Press, Inc. (reprint) from copyright 1979 by: The Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas, Jr. 1979.(reprint 1991) p. 225:
Meck. Deeds Vol 8, p. 101. (start of deed book 27. (a plat or beginning of a plat of land of John Knox.)

From: Genealogical Deed Abstracts of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Books 10-14 by Herman W. Ferguson, Privately published by Herman Ferguson, Rocky Mount, NC 1990. p. 137:
From deed bk. 19, p. 179: "A division of land owned by John Knox, decd, as shown in the plat below between Jas. Knox & Saml. Knox, surveyed by James Sprott, Surveyor. Proved at Feb. Court 1812 by the certificate of Jas. Spratt. Registered 1 May 1812.
(The plat map is entered into the book)






  More About John Knox:
Burial: Unknown, Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mecklenburg Co., NC

  More About Elizabeth Ann Gaston:
Burial: Unknown, Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Mecklenburg Co., NC

  ii.   Samuel Knox, born Abt. 1730 in Belfast, Antrim, Ulster, Northern Ireland; died May 05, 1794 in York, South Carolina; married Mary Taggard in prob NC; died Unknown.
  Notes for Samuel Knox:
Samuel, died 1800, owned very large tracts of land in both Steele Creek of Meck and upper York Co. (Indian leases). One tract appears to have been in the Westinghouse Blvd and hwy 160 area (around Armour's creek and on a path from Armour's ford. Today this is Wither's Cove and the area around the Westinghouse plant back to Hwy 160.) He received a patent on this land in 1763 and sold it to Samuel McRum in 1769.
He also owned property near the intersection of York Rd. & Hwy 160. (Not to be confused with the Dr. John Knox who purchased that property in the late 1800s. That John Knox was from Chester, SC.) It appears that at one time, he also owned property near the end of Youngblood Road adjoining the Bigger property. Bigger owned land on both sides of the Catawba River and appears to have had the 1st ferry which today would have been near the end of Youngblood Rd. and the Red Fez Club. The Mason family also owned property on both sides of the River in the early 1800s when the Bigger's ferry became known as the Mason's Ferry.

Samuel is buried in the next plot adjacent to Sarah, John and Ann. It is said that the Sarah Knox tombstone (d. 1765) is the oldest in the Steele Creek Cemetery.
Tombstone reads: "Three score and ten do sum our days and years we see".

Samuel gave money to the Whig cause. Samuel had considerable wealth and land.

In John's will dated 30 March 1772, probated at July court, 1777 , he names his brother Samuel Knox & (neighbor) Hugh Herron as executors.

In Samuel's will he indicates the following:
1. To my brother John's son Samuel Knox- a horse.(no doubt because John had named this son after brother Samuel). Other son's of John were not named.
2. "to William Pettus I bequeath all the remainder of the land in South Carolina EXCEPT the tract my brother Robert Knox lives on which he is to hold during his life and then to descend to William Pettus" . It is not known if this brother Robert had children or not.
3. Samuel leaves his "wearing apparel" to his brothers David Knox and Matthew Knox.


  Notes for Mary Taggard:
Mary Taggart Knox could not write her name. She used her "mark" on all documents.Mary lived her last years with her daughter, Jane Knox Pettus. Mary is not buried next to her husband, Samuel Knox at Steele Creek Presbyterian cemetery.



  iii.   David Knox, born Abt. 1732 in Belfast, Antrim, Ulster, Northern Ireland; died Unknown.
  Notes for David Knox:
Robert Knox. Pitt Co NC DB T, p. 225, May 6, 1813, James Knox, Allison Knox, Robert Knox and Susan Knox to Orman Knox, part of tract of David Knox and by death of David Knox, descended to parties herein.

David Knox - never married.

  iv.   Matthew Knox, born Abt. 1736 in Belfast, Antrim, Ulster, Northern Ireland; died Abt. December 1802 in Steele Creek, Mecklenburg Co., NC.
  Notes for Matthew Knox:
Matthew, died 1803, owned property adjoining John's property but appears to have been on the East side (or SE side) after the Catawba River makes it's curve that separates it from York Co. (John's would have been across from Gaston & York) It may be that Matthew's was in the vicinity of today's area of Shopton Road West and Sledge Road. Matthew also owned a tract of land that adjoined Thomas Neely, Jr. on Steele Creek and appears to have been between Neely and John Whiteside.

It appears that Matthew (brother of Joseph, James & Samuel) who received the 1/3 interest in the land in John's will did in fact die and Joseph inherited his interest in the land. From this we can see that Joseph sold his 1/3 interest and it is thought that he at that time (about 1797) left and went to Tennessee.. He does not appear in the 1800 census record in the Steele Creek area.

It is not known who the wife of Matthew Knox was. She may have died young or she definitely predeceased him as she is not mentioned in his will.

Matthew appears to have come to Steele Creek after his brothers, John and Samuel. It is probable that Samuel and John had received grants before Mecklenburg County was formed in 1763. At least Samuel was here by that time and it appears that he already owned several large tracts of land before he started buying more that were recorded in Mecklenburg County.

Matthew purchased property from Reese Price and his wife Sarah (of then Anson Co.) on 15 & 16 December 1762. The amount of acres is not listed in the abstract. (Mecklenburg County, N.C., Deed Abstracts, 1763-1779, Brent H. Holcomb & Elmer O. Parker, Reprinted by Southern Historical Press, Inc, Greenville, SC. 1991. p. 3.) It states that the property was located on the east side of the Catawba River, near land formerly granted to James Armour and near an old Indian path and was granted to Reese Price in 1753.

In 1775, Matthew received a state Grant #414 issued at New Bern, Vol. 25, p. 53, for 100 acres on the east side of the Catawba River adj. Amour, Swann, John Knox and other lands of Matthew.
His children had probably married at a place where Matthew lived prior to moving to Steele Creek. His daughters were married to a Garrett, Barry Young and John Peck. These were certainly not Steele Creek names and evidently they did not move to Steele Creek. They may have lived in old Tryon County or Lincoln Co., however, nothing is known of them.

Matthew was a constable for Mecklenburg County in 1778. Since he owned property adjoining the Prices, John Knox (his brother) and Swann, it is likely that it was located near where Westinghouse Blvd is located today near Hwy 160. The "old Indian path" was no doubt the Tuckassegee path which was in the locale of Hwy 160 today. Armour's land was located near where Wither Cove is today.

He left his real property to his sons, John and James. It is believed that James moved to South Carolina at some point. Matthew named his son, John his co-executor along with neighbor James Hartt. In 1825, James of Pendleton Dist., SC sold to John Knox, 250 acres on the river adj. Samuel Knox which he stated, he inherited from his father , Matthew Knox. Whether this was his brother John, or his cousin John (either son of Samuel or son of James), it is not known.
Matthew wrote his will on 26 April 1800 (about the time that his brother Samuel Knox, died, and it was probated in Jan. 1803. None of Matthew's children are buried in Steele Creek and if Matthew is buried at Steele Creek, he does not have a marker.

In his Will, he gives his daughter, Jane Garret, a Negro, Hannah. He gives the plantation he lives on and the tract adjoining it to be divided between his sons John and James and "if they cannot agree among themselves how these lands are to be divided, they are to call upon Hugh Herron, Joseph Swann and James Hartt to make the division, and son John is to have his choice as to which half is to belong to him". He gives to his daughter Margaret, the Negro Nan (who is not to be sold out of the family), also "my rug, my feather bed, blanket and sheets. To his daughter Elizabeth, he gave the Negro Ned and "my small table". To his grandson Matthew Young $60 when he reaches 21; to son (in-law?) Barry Young one silver dollar; and to granddaughter Amy Price, a cow and a blanket. ***was there another daughter who had married a Price and perhaps had died prior to his will???** He willed that the Negro Aleck is to remain on his land and that his time is to be divided between his sons John and James. The Negro wench Binah, is to be set free and at full liberty to act for herself on condition that she live among his children of her choice and he gave her a cow, a spinning wheel and some hogs.

His son (in-law?) John W. Peck is to have full liberty to occupy what he can of his improvements for a term of two years and either live "in my dwelling house or my other little house".
It appears that all of these children may have left the area after Matthew died and none of these names appear in Steele Creek records or cemeteries.
I suspect that there was a cemetery located near the river at one time where some of the Prices, Knox's and other neighbors might be located, however, if there was, it is probably under the waters of Lake Wylie today. These people attended Steele Creek Church, but there are several of these families that do not appear to be buried at Steele Creek. It may be that they are buried at Steele Creek in unmarked graves.
Matthew is mentioned in his brother Samuel's will. It appears that at his death, only brothers David and Robert may have still been living. It is not known when either of them died or where. It is suspected that Robert died in York County and David may have lived elsewhere in South Carolina.




  v.   Mary Knox, born Abt. 1737 in Belfast, Antrim, Ulster, Norther Ireland; died Unknown; married Alexander McKee 1756 in NC; born 1730 in PA; died Unknown.
  Notes for Mary Knox:
Stated in the Rosser letter to Draper is there was one daughter named Mary who married Alexander McKee. Whether this marriage took place in Mecklenburg County or the place where they came from is unknown.

  vi.   Patrick Knox, born 1740 in Belfast, Antrim, Ulster, Northern Ireland; died June 20, 1780 in Battle of Ramsur's Mill, Lincoln, NC; married Mary Smith 1766 in Mecklenburg, North Carolina; born 1740 in NC; died Unknown.
  Notes for Patrick Knox:
All notes below are from the work of P.R.Bruckner:

Patrick Knox is said to have been killed at the Battle of Ramsur's Mill, Lincoln Co., NC which took place 20 June 1780.. Source: FTM CD524, Sketches of Western North Carolina; Author: C.L Hunter. (It is not known when this Patrick was born, but I estimate between 1720-1740. His burial location is also unknown, but assumed to be somewhere in Lincoln Co, NC were his estate was probated.)
In a January 3, 1996 article, written by Ken Brotherton and published in the Mecklenburg Gazette, Mr. Brotherton states that Robert's "brother, Patrick, was killed" at the Battle of Ramseur's Mill (June 20, 1780) in Lincolnton, Lincoln Co, NC; however, I have found no proof that this Patrick was related (see 1782 Estate of Patrick Knox, naming widow Mary and his children: Matthew, Ruth, Jane, James, & Hannah.)

NC Archives - Mecklenburg Original Estate Records Box CR.065.508.146:
Estate Papers of Patrick Knox
ABSTRACT:
April Court Session 1782 - "I hereby certify that Mary Knox, Admr of Patrick Knox Dec'd an Inventory & Amount of sales of said Estate..." Test - Isaac Alexander, Cmt
July Session 1800 - Settlement of Patrick Knoxes Estate by Alison Knox "Accounts Current & Settlement of Estate of Patrick Knox Dec'd who was killed in June 1780, Mary Knox, Relict as Administratrux" [1] The Full Amount of Sales as Returned to Court in 1782 amounting to... ...to an additional return by her Husband Alison Knox in 1786.... ...by the Following vouchers - viz - ...John Duckworth...L0.15.8 ...David Wilson's note acct..3.8.0 ...Thomas Davidson's acct..3.12.0 ...Clerkes Certificate...1.9.0 ...Receipts for Taxes...5.18.3 ...Draw Back monies...9.0.0 ...January 20, 1783 admintr paid to the Heires... ...Interest upon the above ...untill 20 January 1787... ...Interest thereon until 20 January 1795... ...Mathew Knoxes Rect for 3.0.0... ...Mathew Knoxes Rect for 12.5.2... ...Samuel Wilson's Rect for 68.11.0 ...Saml Wilson Rect for 45.0.0 ...Alowance made the Admr at July Term 1800... July 22, 1800 "We the subscribers as a Committe of Court have examined & admited the foregoing Vouchers and after Deducting the amount of said vouchers from the amount of sailes of said estate Leaves a Ballance of L4.0.11 in the Hands of hte administrator all of which is Submitted to Court" ....Conners JP Jno Harris JP

Oct[?] 27th[?], 1785 - Guardian Bond - "Allison Knox Guardian of the aforesaid Hannah Knox [2]" [signed by Alison Knox and James Knox] [6]

March 1, 1786 - Administrator "Allison Knox now married to relict" [signs Alison Knox] [3]

April 28, 1794 - Guardian Bond - "Saml Wilson appointed guardian of Patrick Knoxes minor children John & Jane Knox[4]" (signed by Samuel Wilson[4] and James Curry[4]; witness Isaac Alexander [4])

March 2, 1795 - Court Proceeding regarding an "error" in the [Jan 31, 1792 ] sale of a Waggon purchased by James Knox [6] from the estate of Patrick Knox "evidently was proved on trial on the 2nd March 1795 before Col. James Johnston (5) & Isaac Alexander as arbitrators by the Oath of Several Creditable Witnesses who were present at the said sales & knew and believed said Admin. & Mary Knox then & there did enter into a special agreement with said James Knox [6] that he should have the waggon at his former bid...and that she and her brother Smith [7] then urged him the said James to bid the said Waggon off to himself and not suffer[?] it _____[?] into the hads of those poor ___[?] persons who were then bidding for it, to the great injury of herself and orphant children, to which agreement the said James complied, bid it off at L36.10.0 gave his said note publicly with the other people...yet the Estate of said James Knox [6] has got relief in the premises to the said amount of L7 hard, by his Executors Hugh Terrence [10] & Jno Sharpe on the said 2 March 1795 before James Johnston & Isaac? Alexander, when there was a full investigation of the whole matter, with evidence ___[?] And Samuel Willson (3) present, who had said note assigned to him, as Guardian of 2 of the Heirs of said Patrick Knox & married to a third therefore he draws now three fourths (8) of the Neat [sic Net] proceeds of said Estate...'

June 7, 1800 - "Admin. for Schooling the Orphans of Decd Patrick Knox" [Alison Knox accounting of money paid for schooling of children]: 1782 - Hannah & Matthew "9 months each"...1785, 1786, 1787 - [9] "three years in the whole" for Ruth John & Jean [Jane?]Knox "at different times"..."note Hannah & Matthew went to school some in the above three years"

The North Carolina Booklet (on NCGENWEB Site) Vol. IX
The History of Lincoln County By Alfred Nixon, page 6, 7:
"THE BATTLE OF RAMSOUR'S MILL"
The Tories were embodied at Ramsour's Mill through the efforts of Lieut.-Col. John Moore and Maj. Nicholas Welch. These officers left the victorious British on the march from Charleston and arrived at their homes early in June, 1780. Moses Moore, the father of Colonel Moore, was a native of Carlyle, England, married a Miss Winston, near Jamestown, Virginia, and came to this section with the pioneers. Esther, a sister of Colonel Moore, married Joshua Roberts, a patriot soldier. The late Capt. John H. Roberts, a grandson, lived on the Moore homestead. It is situate on Indian Creek, eight miles southwest of Ramsour's Mill. Colonel Moore was an active partisan throughout the Revolution. Major Welch was a son of John Welch, and was reared next neighbor to Colonel Moore on Indian Creek. He was of Scottish descent, of great fluency of speech and fine persuasive power. They bore English commissions, were arrayed in splendid official equipments and made lavish display of British gold. By the twentieth of June, these zealous loyalists collected at Ramsour's Mill a force of 1,300 Tories, and were actively engaged in their organization and drill preparatory to marching them to unite with the British in South Carolina. They occupied a well-chosen and advantageous position for offense and defense. It was on a high ridge that slopes three hundred yards to the mill and Clarke's Creek on the west and the same distance to a branch on the east.

Col. Francis Locke collected a force of Rowan and Mecklenburg militia to engage the Tories. His detachments met at Mountain Creek, sixteen miles from Ramsour's on Monday, the 19th, and when united amounted to four hundred men. They marched at once to the assault of the Tory position. At dawn of day on the morning of the 20th, in two miles of Ramsour's, they were met by Adam Reep, a noted scout, with a few picked men from the vicinity of the camp, who detailed to Colonel Locke the position of the enemy, and the plan of attack was formed. The mounted men under Captains McDowell, Brandon, and Falls, marching slowly were to follow the road due west to the camp, and not attack until the footmen under Colonel Locke could detour to the south, and reach the foot of the hill along the Tuckaseegee road, and make a simultaneous assault. They proceeded without other organization or order, it being left to the officers to be governed by circumstances when they reached the enemy.

The mounted men came upon the Tory picket some distance from the camp, were fired upon, charged the Tory camp, but recoiled from their deadly fire. The firing hurried Colonel Locke into action, a like volley felled many of his men, and they likewise retired. The Tories, seeing the effect of their fire, came down the hill and were in fair view. The Whigs renewed the action, which soon became general and obstinate on both sides. In about an hour the Tories began to fall back to their original position on the ridge, and a little beyond its summit, to shield a part of their bodies from the destructive fire of the Whigs, who were fairly exposed to their fire. In this situation the Tory fire became so effective the Whigs fell back to the bushes near the branch; and the Tories, leaving their safe position, pursued half way down the hill. At this moment Captain Hardin led a company of Whigs into the field from the south and poured a galling fire into the right flank of the Tories. Some of the Whigs obliqued to the right, and turned the left flank of the Tories; while Captain Sharpe led a few men beyond the crest of the ridge, and, advancing from tree to tree, with unerring aim picked off the enemy's officers and men, and hastened the termination of the conflict. The action now became close and warm. The combatants mixed together, and having no bayonets, struck at each other with the butts of their guns. When the Whigs reached the summit they saw the Tories collected beyond the creek, with a white flag flying. Fifty Tories, unable to make the bridge, were taken prisoners. Those beyond soon di spersed and made their escape. One-fourth of the Tories were unarmed, and they with a few others retired at the commencement of the battle.

Seventy men, including the five Whig and four Tory captains, lay dead on the field, and more than two hundred were wounded, the loss on each side being about equal. In this contest, armed with the deadly rifle, blood relatives and familiar acquaintances and near neighbors fought in the opposing ranks, and as the smoke of the battle occasionally cleared away recognized each other in the conflict.

THE BATTLE OF RAMSAUR'S MILL
20 Jun 178O, By William Graham:
Major on Staff of Adjutant General of North Carolina)
...Colonel James Johnston, who lived in Tryon (Gaston) County near Toole's Ford, and who had joined Major Wilson when he crossed the river, was dispatched to inform General Rutherford of their action. Late in the evening they marched down the south side of Anderson's Mountain, and taking the "State" Road, stopped at the Mountain Spring to arrange a plan of battle. It was agreed that Brandon's, Fall's and McDowell's men, being mounted, should open the attack, the footmen to follow, and every man, without awaiting orders, govern himself as developments might make necessary as the fight proceeded...
...The troops engaged, except Reep of Lincoln, and Major Wilson, Captains Knox and Smith of Mecklenburg, were from (what to 1777 had been) Rowan County. The officers' surnames were found among the militia officers of the county in the proceedings of the "Committee of Safety," of which many of them were members. Captain John Hardin's beat was along Lord Granville's line from Silver Creek in Burke to South Fork, and from these. two points to the Catawba River. Captain Joseph Dobson was within its bounds. Much the largest portion of the troops was from what is now Iredell County. Captain John Sloan was from Fourth Creek. I do not think all who are mentioned as captains held that position at this time; some may have been prior to and some became so afterward. No account was written until forty years had elapsed. There seems to have been but few commands given in the engagement; officers and privates acted as occasion required, and both suffered severely....



  vii.   Robert Knox, born September 29, 1742 in County Down, Northern Ireland; died June 12, 1833 in Lincoln, NC.
  Notes for Robert Knox:
Robert Knox, lived on a part of Samuel Knox's property which was in York Co., SC. In the 1790 York Co., SC census, there is only one Knox listed and that is one Robert Knox. In the neighborhood where he was located were Merritt, Robt Bell, Thos. Spratt, Johnston, Black, Blakely, Hutchison's. Living in his household were 2 males under 16, 2 males over 16 and 2 females. It is my belief that the James Knox, buried at old Blackstock Cem., b. 1756, d. 1793 and founding elder of Steele Creek Associate Reformed Presby Church (Blackstock ARP) was his son. I believe that is the other male over 16 and the 2 males under 16 and 1 female were his children and the other the wife of James.

  210 viii.   Allison Knox, born 1744 in Belfast, Antrim, Ulster, Northern Ireland; died Bef. May 29, 1848 in Mecklenburg Co, NC; married Mary Smith 1781 in Lincoln Co. or Mecklenburg Co, NC.
  ix.   Joseph Knox, born 1748 in Lancaster, PA; died August 13, 1836 in NC.


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