Descendants of Robert I Abernethy

Generation No. 1

1. ROBERT I¹ ABERNETHY was born Abt. 1624 in Abernethy, Perthshire, Scotland, and died January 1684/85 in Charles Cty Co, VA. He married SARAH COPPAGE 1657 in Charles Cty Co, VA.

Notes for ROBERT I ABERNETHY:

Robert was embroiled in Cromwell's Rebellion in Scotland and sent to Charles City Co VA as an indentured prisoner of war in 1652. He came from a well to do family in Scotland but arrived here with no funds. He married a wealthy widow and raised her child ( Sarah) as his own. He did well for himself on his own too. He married Sarah Cubishe/Coppage in 1657. I have found a record stating that he married Sarah in 1664.

Service; Land grant in Charles City Co. VA in 1664.

Ref.; Annals of Lincoln Co. NC by W. L. Sherrill.

Giles Co., TN Genealogy Society has many family history sheets abt. him.

See Kynd Kynn Knawn Kepe

Coppage-Coppedge Chronicle

1542-1975

By Manahan and Coppage

pages 39 and 44

It may be ordered still from Max Coppage, editor of The Highlander, a Scottish magazine that may be found in the magazine sections of genealogical libraries. Call your local librarian and ask for Highlander address. It cost only $10.00 in 1995.

This book clearly states that Robert Abernathy married Sarah Cubisch/Coppage/Coppadge. Like so many early European names, this name has many spellings. The book gives an excellent family history for Sarah, our earliest gr mother of Abernathy's.

Notes for SARAH COPPAGE:

Cubbage, Cabbage. In Cavaliers and Pioneers, Patent Book, No.2 is the notation that" John

Cabbage, 200 acres, Low Norfolk, 13 Mar 1649, page 196. In Linhaven Parish, up the Little Creek against Hogy Is, transport of 4 persons".

Nich. Huggins, 450 acres, Low Norfolk Co, Lynhaven Parish against Hogy Island, 29 Sept 1679, page 9, Beg. at the Great Neck Branch mouth against said Island mear Collins Branch and c 200 acres granted to John Cabbidge 13 Mar 1649 and left by a will to Henry Beakes, 250 acres granted said Beakes ( 3 Mar. 1649).

I have written to Coppage Family Newsletter in 1995 and was sent information showing that Sarah is from that lineage. Names were mispelled more often than not in those years.

Child of ROBERT ABERNETHY and SARAH COPPAGE is:

Generation No. 2

2. ROBERT² ABERNETHY, JR (ROBERT I¹) was born 1656 in Popular Run, VA, and died 1730 in prob Pr Geo Co, VA. He married CHRISTINE TILLMAN, daughter of ROGER TILGHMAN and SUSANNAH PARHAM. She was born 1681 in Bristol Parish, Charles City Co VA, and died Aft. 1717 in Bristol Parish, Prince Geo Co VA.

Notes for ROBERT ABERNETHY, JR:

Robert II married Christine in 1690 in VA, Brunswick Co.

He paid taxes in 1704 on the land his father had owned in Prince George Co. VA. It was located at the head of Popular Run and 100 acres. He acquired another 100 acres in 1717 on the Horsepen Branch of Sapponi Creek.

Per book by Arvord M.Abernethy,1994, 702 Barkley Drive, Hamilton, TX 76531: "Scottish Peerage" printed in Boston, MA, stated that our Robert Abernethy was born in Scotland ca 1692, came to America with two brothers, and settled in Prince George Co ( which was orig. Charles City Co.) VA. This is where the story that Robert who married Christine Tillman was our immigrant ancestor came from. It was not true.

There is evidence to indicate that the full name of our ancestor was Robert Sterling Abernethy. The fact that so many descendants of his line were named Sterling seems to add significance to this theory.

Virginia L. Keefer's theory is that the name Sterling/Stirling in the Abernethy family came from the town that adjoined Abernethy in Perthshire named Stirling. It would seem that Abernethy and Stirling/Sterling were taken from the names of those two adjoining towns. Robert may well have had this for a middle name to begin the family tradition.

The research done of our Abernethy family was by Eugene Cuthbert Abernethy of Oklahoma. He was a son of John Abernethy, son of Sterling Gibbs Abernethy of Ponotoc County, MS, and older brother of Saletia Caroline Abernethy Smith.

His research has proven to be remarkably correct.

Sources;

A Short History Of Abernethy, Oct. 1993

Lee Forney Crawford "Forney Forever"

Alexander Kin, Vol I & II

Forney Papers from Martha Allen June 2, 1991

"From Dawn to Eventide" by Drusilla J. Orgain

Arvard Abernethy book.

Elizabeth B. Osborne, 2106 Meadowbrook Drive, Austin, TX 78703 family group sheets dated 14 June 1998.

Notes for CHRISTINE TILLMAN:

Christine was named in her mother's will in Brunswick Co VA. Her mother was Susanna Parham Tillman.

In " Early Virginia Families Along James River, Their Deep Roots and Tangled Branches, Charles City Co, Prince George Co. VA" in the following;

Robert Abernathy Jr. 52 acres, Prince George Co, VA on South side of Moccosoneck Creek between John Tillman, Buller Herbert, Richard Smith and George Tillman's l;ines. 13 Oct. 1727, page 281 5 shillings.( Relationship not specific but Robert Abernathy did marry Christine Tillman, daughter of Roger.)

Children of ROBERT ABERNETHY and CHRISTINE TILLMAN are:

Generation No. 3

3. ROBERT III³ ABERNETHY(ROBERT², ROBERT I¹) was born Abt. 1695 in Charles City Co VA, and died 1772 in Tyron Co NC. He married MARY HARWELL/HOWELL, daughter of MILES HOWELL. She was born Abt. 1700 in Brunswick Co, VA, and died in Lincoln Co, NC.

Notes for ROBERT III ABERNETHY:

In " Early Virginia Families Along James River Their Deep Roots and Tangled Branches, Charles City Co, Prince George Co. VA." ; Robert Abernathy Jr. 52 acres Prince George Co on South side of Moccosoneck Creek between John Tillman, Buller Herbert, Richard Smith and George Tillman's lines. 13 Oct. 1727, page 281. 5 Shillings.

Abernathy's attended Bethel Methodist Church in Brunswick Co., VA in 1842.

Ref; Annals of Lincoln Co. NC by W. L. Sherrill.

Bristol Co. VA Vestry Book B. page 34.

Will 1772 in Lincoln Co. NC.

VA Historical Magazine, Vol. 4, p. 274.

In " Legacy, Early Families of Giles County " by Margaret Butler ; It is assumed that Robert's wife was named Mary Miles because after that marriage, " Miles " became a popular surname in the family..prob. was Howell. Her father is thought to have been Miles Howell. Robert III was even more enterprising than his father. He acquired much land.

By 1739, he had an estate of over 1200 acres. He and his wife and three son's; Robert IV, Miles, and David and three daughters moved to Granville Co. NC in 1768 and then to Tyron County which became Lincoln Co.NC. Descendants of two of Robert and Mary's children; David Sr. and his wife, Mary Ann Turner, who moved to NC and John and his wife Lucy who remained in VA, were among the early settlers of Giles Co. TN.

June 14, 1998 family group sheets received from Elizabeth B. Osbourne, 2106 Meadowbrook Drive, Austin, TX 78703. She stated;

They lived in Prince George, Dinwiddie Co. VA ( farm the same place, county name

changed) Presbyterian. In the summer 1768, they all 9 but John ) moved to Mecklenburg Co NC. County was divided into Tyron, later also in Lincoln Co. NC Children's names are all listed in Bristol Parish Register.

Cavaliers & Pioneers vol 4 & 5 have land grants for Robert Abernathy; PB 13, p 280 for 80 acres, 14 Mar 1731/2 and

PB 16 p 335 376 acres- both in Prince George Co VA date July 1717.

Also Robert Abernathy Jr 9 Feb 1737/8 pb 17, p 505 *****The Robert Abernathy Family by Arvord Abernethy, 1994, page 46 lists the will of Robert;

In the name of God, Amen. I, Robert Abernethy Sr. of Tyron Co. and province of North Carolina, being weak in body, and yet sound and perfect understanding and memory, thanks be to God and calling to mind the uncertainty of this life, and knowing it is appointed unto all men once to die, and being desirious to settle things in order to be my last will and testament in matter and form following; that is to say first and principally I give my soul to God, the giver thereof, in hopes of receiving the same again at the joyful resurrection at the last day with a full and free parson of all my sins and transgressions through the death and merits of my Blessed Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. And my body to the earth from which it was taken, to be buried in a decnet and Christian like manner and as to touching my worldly estate as the Lord in his mercy hath lent me, my will and meaning is that the same be employed and disposed of in the following manner, and first of all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.

Item I leave labor of two negroes during her life to wit, Will and sue, and after her death, I give these negroes and increase to my son, Robert. I leave, give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Turner, five shillings, likewise to my daughtr Mary Smith, five shillings, Item I leave, give and bequeath my son, John, five shillings. Likewise to my son, David, five shillings. Item I leave, give and bequeath to my wife aforesaid, her choice of my beds and furniture. Also the use of what part of my stock as will be sufficient for her well support. Item I leave, give bequeath to my son, Miles, seven negroes slaves. To wit, Sue, aforesaid after my wife's decease, likewise Anthony, Jess, Joe, 'Tom", Bet and Millie together and all my other estate, real and persoanl with the outstanding debts, And lastly I do hereby appoint my son Miles aforesaid sole executor to this my last will and testament revolking and disannulling all other will or wills by me made allowing this and no other to be my last and affised my seal this 31th day of January, 1772.

his

Robert x Abernethy Sr.

mark

Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of us; James Abernethy

David Critz his mark X

David Abernethy his mark X

Probate July Term 1772

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Notes for MARY HARWELL/HOWELL:

Arvord Abernathy's book " The Robert Abernathy Family" states that her name was Howell and her father's name was given. Old VA records indicated she was named Miles but I bet it came from her father being named Miles Howell. He was no doubt of the Miles Line.

Children of ROBERT ABERNETHY and MARY HARWELL/HOWELL are:

Generation No. 4

4. RW SOL ROBERT CAPT⁴ ABERNETHY (ROBERT III³, ROBERT², ROBERT I¹) was born 1719 in Prince Geo Co, VA, and died 1792 in Lincoln Co, NC. He married SARAH ABERNATHY. She was born Abt. 1720 in Scotland, and died in prob Lincoln Co, NC.

Notes for RW SOL ROBERT CAPT ABERNETHY:

Robert's birth is registered in the Bristol Parish in Brunswick Co. VA. He moved with his family to Granville Co. NC in 1768 and then to Tryon Co. NC which later became Lincoln Co. NC.

His will was probated in 1792 in Lincoln Co NC. Witnesses were John Rockett and James Abernathy. Adm were his wife, Sarah, and son Nathan Abernethy. He married Sarah who had come from England in 1724 wiith a colony under the leadership of Robert Dinwiddie. These colonists settled in Dinwiddie Co. VA which joins Prince George Co on the south and Brunswick Co on the north. Robert and Sarah married about 1740/41.

They moved to Mecklenburg Co NC with his father and other members of the family in 1768. He became prominent in Tyron Co and was a Representative to the Constitutional Convention, on Oct. 12, 1776, and drafted the first Constitution for the State of North Carolina.

We must remember the confusion between the Robert Abernathy who was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Some genealogists think it was Robert Abernathy (3) who was the son of David Abernathy (2). This Robert Abernathy (3) was the pensioner who fought in the Battle of King's Mountain. Still others think it was the Robert Abernathy who worked on the Abernathy research for over 30 years, thought because his age at the time of the Revolution, that Robert Abernathy (2), the son of Robert & Mary, was the delegate to the Constitutional Convention.

Robert Abernathy, was a Captain in the Expedition of July to Octobert, 1776, against the Cherokee Indians, under the command of General Griffith Rutherford. A number of descendants have honored him by joining the D.A.R. on his service record. Needs researched for correct Robert.

Notes for SARAH ABERNATHY:

Sarah and Robert were cousins.

Children of ROBERT ABERNETHY and SARAH ABERNATHY are:

5. PATRIOT JOHN SR B⁴ ABERNETHY (ROBERT III³, ROBERT², ROBERT I¹) was born March 26, 1723 in Brunswick Co, VA, and died February 17, 1812 in Brunswick Co, VA. He married LUCY MILDRED ABERNETHY. She was born Abt. 1725 in Brunswick Co, VA, and died in Brunswick Co, VA.

Notes for PATRIOT JOHN SR B ABERNETHY:

John and his wife Lucy remained in VA when most of the family moved to Lincoln Co. NC. They moved to Giles Co. TN with his brother, David Sr. and his wife Martha Ann Turner and were among the early settlers of Giles Co. TN.

It is interesting to note the fact that Robert 1692-1772 and his wife Mary probably never moved from the plantation that was first listed in the records of Charles City County, VA. Yet because of the formation of new counties out of their area, they were later in both Prince George and Dinwiddie Counties, VA.

There is a notation that the family was Presbyterian.

In the summer of 1768, a large part of the Robert Abernethy family moved to Mecklenburg Co. NC except son John Abernethy in Brunswick County with his family. His will is recorded there.

The family began spelling their name AbernAthy with this generation.

The Robert Abernethy Family, 1994, by Arvord M. Abernethy of TX p 51 states; John born 1723, was the ancestor of the present Virginia, NC and TN families. John had a son Charles. Charles died in 1813, aged 90. Charles had a son, John. This John married 3 times: 1.Mary Brown 2. Nancy Kelly, 3. Molly King.

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DAR 1990 Centennial Edition, Part II lists John Abernathy Sr. born 1731 VA, died prob Feb 17, 1812 VA. Married Lucy. PS VA. no number ever assigned.

Patriot of Rev War. He gave oats and brandy to soldiers. DAR no. 766256 and 757214 and 765347.

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Virginia Publick Service Claims, Vol. I, pp 154, 157, compiled by Janice L. Abercrombie & Richard Slatten.

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More About PATRIOT JOHN SR B ABERNETHY:

Christening: March 26, 1723, Bristol Parish, Brunswick Co, VA

Children of JOHN ABERNETHY and LUCY ABERNETHY are:

6. DAVID⁴ ABERNETHY, SR (ROBERT III³, ROBERT², ROBERT I¹) was born May 29, 1726 in Bristol Parish, Brunswick Co, VA, and died Bef. 1814 in Lincoln Co, NC. He married MARTHA ANN TURNER in Brunswick Co, VA. She was born in prob Aberdeen, Scotland, and died Aft. 1814 in Giles Co, TN.

Notes for DAVID ABERNETHY, SR:

David and his wife Martha Ann Turner did not move to Lincoln Co. NC with the rest of his family. They did move with his brother John and his wife Lucy to become part of the early settlers of Giles Co. TN.

Elizabeth Denty Abernathy wrote a book about the Abernathy family and thought that Robert and David Abernathy were from two separate lines. However, if one studies The Giles Co.,TN Lineage book in the two family's master charts, you will note that Robert Abernathy III had a son named David and they came from the same county in VA. Both families used the same names for their children. I believe that studies in the future when the information highway opens up will reveal that these two families are of the same lineage back in the 1600's in VA.

There were 11 children named in will. son Moses, son in law Peter Forney, his will made in 1808, probated Lincoln Co. NC in 1814.

Children of DAVID ABERNETHY and MARTHA TURNER are: