James Armstrong 1695 - 1745 Brookeborough County Fermanagh, Ireland
Children: Margaret m John Lyon
Sons: William, James, Samuel Edward m ____ Maguire
JOHN m Rebecca Armstrong Lyon Daughter m ____ Grayson
Ann m William Graham James m Elizabeth & Jane
George m Martha William m Rebecca Andrew m ___
? daughter m Thomas McCord ? daughter m James
Turner
Archibald Armstrong c 1696 - 1775
County Fermanagh, Ireland to New Castle Co., Delaware 1740
Children:
REBECCA m(1) Lyon, m(2) John Armstrong John m Mary Springer
Edward, single - killed at Fort Granville
William m Ann Margaret m George Duffield
John and Rebecca were both born Armstrong, and were likely cousins - common in
early Ulster-Scot families.
Places of Residence: Carlisle, Cumberland Co: John Armstrong, William Lyon, Samuel Lyon
Milford Twp., Juniata Co: James Armstrong, John Lyon, William Graham Derry Twp.,
Mifflin Co: William Armstrong, James Lyon, Thomas McCord The problem is the large
number of Armstrongs in early Cumberland County. Some were cousins, for example,
Captain Joseph Armstrong, who lived near Chambersburg, called cousin by Colonel
John's son, John Jr. In 1768 in Cumberland County there were 5 Williams, 4
Jameses, 3 Johns, 2 Thomases, 2 Georges, as well as Alexander, Andrew, Joseph
and Robert -all heads of families on the Tax List.There were Armstrong land
grants in all parts of Cumberland and adjoining counties. Colonel John
had 1015 acres in (now) Mifflin County, a lot in Carlisle and 13 other grants,
also land in Armstrong County. Land speculation was common around 1770.
Another discovery made many years ago by the writer was the record in the
HISTORY OF THE SUSQUEHANNA AND JUNIATA VALLEYS (HSJV) (1886) of a deed showing
that Lt Edward Armstrong, killed at Fort Granville in 1756, was brother-in-law,
not brother, of Col John. Rebecca, the wife of Col John, was a daughter of
Archibald Armstrong of New Castle County, Delaware not of William Lyon
of Enniskillen, Ireland, as her gravestone says.This was confirmed by
William A. Hunter, who found the will of Archibald, probated in 1775 (K 228)
in New Castle County. Archibald had migrated from Aghalurgher Parish, near
Brookeborough County, Fermanagh, Ireland in 1740.Col John was born at
Brookeborough in 1717. Archibald's will names places in Ireland. Colonel John's
father died in 1745. The next year John came to America, probably landing
at New Castle. In 1747 he married Rebecca, daughter of Archibald, likely
Widow of ?William Lyon. Son James was born in 1748. Her tombstone was
probably erected sometime after her death by her son or grandson. As
mentioned above, the writer is trying to determine why Captain William Armstrong
of Mifflin County (brother of Col John) in his 1784 will called James McCord his
nephew. A Thomas McCord (likely father of James) and James Armstrong had
jointly warranted land in Mifflin County in 1755, near where Captain William
later lived. This will be discussed later.The best account of the Armstrongs
in Ireland and Scotland, their original home, is given by James Lewis Armstrong
in CHRONICLES OF THE ARMSTRONGS (1902). He was descended from Edward Armstrong,
older brother of Col John. Edward died in Ireland about 1744. He was not the
one killed in Fort Granville, as reported by JLA.In this monograph it
will be "Colonel John", although later he had the title of "General",
as did his son John. References to counties are often by present names. Colonel
John Armstrong Colonel John Armstrong, the "hero of Kittanning", is well known.
An excellent biography (up to 1775) has been written by Robert Grant Crist in
JOHN ARMSTRONG, PROPRIETORS MAN (1981, Thesis, Pennsylvania State University).
Numerous short articles have been written about this 18th century man.
The map on page 2, made by Col John about 1757, shows places associated with
the family. As a surveyor he was well-acquainted with this territory. Note:
Carlisle, where he lived: Patterson's near which lived his brother James,
whose wife was captured by the Indians - his brother-in-law William Graham,
whose son was killed by the Indians - his brother-in-law John Lyon: Fort
Granville, where his brother-in-law Edward Armstrong was killed, and near which
lived his brother William, and Thomas McCord.According to his gravestone at
Carlisle John Armstrong, son of James, was born in Brookeborough (Parish of
Aghavea), County Fermanagh, Ireland on October 13, 1717. He died March 9, 1795.
He left for America about 1746, probably landing at New Castle, Delaware,
where he likely married about 1747 Rebecca Armstrong Lyon (1719-1797), 28
year old widow, a native of an adjoining parish in County Fermanagh.
Soon after, John moved to the Marsh Creek settlement in now Adams County,
earlier York. When York County was formed in 1749, 32 year old John became a
Pennsylvania assemblyman. He had already become a man of considerable
importance. In 1750 he moved to the newly-formed Cumberland County, where
he was assemblyman 1752, 1753. He had likely learned surveying in Ireland - a
talent much needed in expanding Pennsylvania. On February 18, 1772 he reported:
About the time of settling Carlisle, (he), then living on a farm in York County,
was fixed up by Mr. Peters as the most proper person to man the proprietors'
affairs in and about Carlisle. PA Archives III, 1, 336. Armstrong was reluctant
to make the move, but he did and on October 8, 1750 was named deputy surveyor.
More is given about his settlement at Carlisle by Richard Peters. PA Archives
III, 1, 146.
As surveyor, John Armstrong knew where the best land was and, when the land
north of Carlisle became available (through Indian purchase), the Armstrongs
of Delaware and Carlisle took out a number of warrants. The land office opened
February 3, 1755. In 1759 Colonel John was granted a tract of 1015 acres
in Kishacoquillas Valley, near Belleville, Mifflin County, for his work
as surveyor. His son, James, lived an the land from 1787 to 1795. While
here he was elected to the U. S. Congress, serving 1793 to 1795. He
returned to Carlisle after his father's death in 1795?- Colonel John in his
will, written February 1795, proved July 25, 1797, named his wife and two
sons, brother Andrew in Ireland and Rebecca Turner (likely his sister) in
Chester County, Pennsylvania. All other brothers and sisters were likely dead.
Children and grandchildren of John and Rebecca Armstrong:
1. James b Aug 29-1748 d May 6-1828 Carlisle m Jun 18-1789 Mary (daughter
of George) Stevenson b 1766 d May 27-1813
a. John 1790 - 1794
b. Hannah b c 1792
c. Rebecca b c 1794 d young
d. Rebecca b c 1796
e. John Wilkins 1798-1870 physician m Mary Shell 1813-1855
f. Mary Ann 1798-1879
g. Alfred 1801-1884 teacher ml 1829 Mary Ranking m2 1838 Ann Carothers,
m3 1863 Mary Hamill
h. Catharine b c l803
i. George Stevenson b c l806 d young
2. John b Nov 28-1758 d Apr 1-1843 Red Hook, N Y m Jan 19-1789 Alida
(daughter of Robert R) Livingston 1761-1822
a. Horatio Robert Gates 1790-1859 m Mary Hughes 1792-1866
b. Henry Beekman 1791-1823 m Mary Drayton
c. John 1794-1852 g single
d. Robert Livingston 1797-1834, single
e. Margaret Rebecca 1799-1872 m 1818 William B Astor 1792-1875
f. James Kosciuszko 1801-1868. single
g. Edward 1802-1802
Dr James Armstrong, son of Col John
The sons of Colonel John are well-known. They and their father were members of
Congress. Biographical Directory of U S Congress, 1989, page 546. John
Sr 1779-80, John Jr 1787-88, James 1793-95. Extensive biographies
have been written about John the father, and John, Jr the brother of Dr
James. Accounts of the life of Dr James are more limited. James Thacher:
American Medical Biography
Alfred Nevin: Men of Mark of Cumberland
Valley 1876 p 103 James E Pilcher: John Armstrong of Kittanning and His Sons
Old Northwest Genealogical Quarterly 11 159 1908
From these sources and the Archives of the University of
Pennsylvania, the following material has been gathered.
James was born August 29, 1748, likely in what is now Adams County. In 1749
his father was well-enough known to be named to the state assembly, then
colony. In 1750 the family moved from then York County to Carlisle. Here
James was married and here he died at the age of 80.
Each year Dr James made a trip to Armstrong County (PA) to check the land
holdings he and his brother had inherited from their father.
Toward the end of James' life financial problems caused this land to be
sold. He was active in the Presbyterian Church as was his father before him.
(He should not be confused with the James Armstrong of Georgia, who got one
electoral vote in the presidential election of 1789.)
General John Armstrong Jr. son of Col John
John Armstrong, Jr died at Red Hook, New York. He was born the day
his father raised the flag at the fort at Pittsburgh. He married into the New York
Livingstons. His brother-in-law, Robert R Livingston, gave the oath of
office to George Washington April 30-1789, John Jr, daughter Margaret,
married William B Astor, who in 1848 was the richest-man in America.
John Jr attended Princeton. Was active in the Revolution, U S Senator,
Minister to France, General in the War of 1812, Secretary of War in Madison's
cabinet. See JOHN ARMSTRONG# JR 1758-1843 by Carl Edward Skeen, Syracuse,
New York 1981. It is an excellent book.
The brothers and sisters of Col John
The brothers and sisters of Col John
Edward, died in Ireland about 1744 - Chronicles of the Armstrongs
by James L Armstrong 1902
James, died in Milford-Twp, Juniata Co about 1774
Deed of William Armstrong Oct 5, 1784, "James deceased brother of William.
George, in Bedford 17696 died before 1785, Letter of John Armstrong Jul
20, 1758, "My brother George. Deed of John Armstrong "My late brother George.
- Jan 17, 1785
William, died in Derry Twp, Mifflin Co 1785 Letter of John Armstrong Nov 2,
1755, "My brother William" Andrew, died in Ireland about 1800 - will of
John Armstrong 1795"
Margaret, married John Lyon, Milford Twp - HSJV 760----, married Lt Graydon,
died in Ireland
Letter of Ann Buchanan 1809 - Crist 233
Ann, married William Graham, Milford
Twp - Crist 233? ---- . married Thomas McCord, Derry Twp
Will of William Armstrong 1784. naming nephew, James McCord?
Rebecca married Nov 1-1759 James Turner, Chester Co
Will of John Armstrong 1795 --(she in not called sister or daughter)
James Gillespie Blaine was a great great grandson of John and Margaret Lyon,
above. William Lyon 1729-1809, son of John, come to America with his uncle,
John Armstrong. He lived in Carlisle and was active in Cumberland
County affairs. He assisted his uncle in surveying; he got land warrants on
April 10-1755 the same day as James Armstrong and Thomas McCord, and on
September 8, 1755 the same day as Edward Armstrong, brother of Col John's
wife. He served under Col John as a lieutenant in 1758, having been an
ensign in 1756, PA v 1. An interesting document connecting three Armstrong
brothers is on file in York County, Pa Deed Book 2C 223. It was written
shortly after the death of William Armstrong, a fourth brother, who had
no heirs. On January 17, 1785 John Armstrong of Carlisle, the surviving
brother, gave a quitclaim to land in Huntingdon Township, now Adams County,
warranted June 3, 1762 by his deceased brother, George Armstrong. The
land was to be for the use of Alexander Brown of then York County in
trust for the heirs of James Armstrong. Could it be that George had no heirs?
This quitclaim would give it all to James' heirs. Did James ever live in York
County? More research is needed. A James Armstrong was ensign in York County
1758.
The brothers-and sister of Rebecca, wife of Col John
The brothers and sister are named in two places:
(1) In a deed recorded in Mifflin County in 1797t dated May 23-1775, five
days after the proving of the will of Archibald Armstrong, are named the
heirs of Edward Armstrong, who died without issue:
John of Christiana Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware:
William of White Clay Hundred, New Castle County: Margaret, wife of Rev
George Duffield of Philadelphia; Rebecca, wife of Col John Armstrong of
Cumberland County.
(2) The will of Archibald Armstrong, proved May 18, 1775 (K 228 New Castle
County), written in 1767, lists wife Ann: sons William and John; daughters
Rebecca, wife of Colonel John Armstrong and Margaret wife of Rev George
Duffield. Since John Armstrong has been claimed to have married Rebecca Lyon,
it appears that John married widows Rebecca Armstrong Lyon then page 12
(I am missing page 11)28. The marriage was likely in Delaware, but it might
have been done in Ireland. Rebecca's tombstone at Carlisle incorrectly
reads: Rebecca, daughter of William Lyon of Enniskillen.A write-up of
Rebecca is given in Egle,
NOTES AND QUERIES 1896 126.1769 Cumberland County tax lists
Carlisle John Armstrong, 2 lots, 2 horses 3 cows, 2 negroes
William Lyon, 2 lots, 1 h, 1 c, 1 negro
Samuel Lyon, single, 1 hMilford Township
James Armstrong, 100 acres, 7 cleared, 1 h, 1 c
Juniata County
John Lyon, 200 a. 10 cl, 1 h, 1 c
William Graham, 100 a. 7 cl, 2 h, 2 c
Derry Township
William Armstrong. 200 a. 5 cl, 1 h, 1 c, 1 servant
Mifflin County
James Lyon, 200 a. 8 cl, 1 h, 1 c, 1 servant
Bedford
George Armstrong, land, 3 h, 2 c, 1 servant
Colonel George Armstrong, brother of Col John
Little is known about George. He was a captain in 1756, a major in 1758, a
colonel in 1759. As early as 1755 he was surveying. In May and June 1756 he
was stationed at Fort Patterson, Juniata County, near where his brother,
James, lived. In June 1756 (Col Rec 7 161) he was ordered to built Fort
Pomfret in Juniata County. This was not done, so he was assigned to Shippensburg,
In May 1757 he was sent to Frederick, Maryland (Col Rec 7 535) to consult
with the Cherokee Indians. In July 1758 he was ordered to lay out a road
from Bedford to Fort Duquesne.He lived at Carlisle until 1767 when he moved
to Bedford. He had widespread land interests. He warranted and bought land
in York, Mifflin, Juniata, Cumberland and Bedford Counties. Having financial
difficulties in 1767, he mortgaged 41 properties. The sheriff sold some
of them. As noted above, Col John in 1785 said that George was dead. He
had a wife, Martha. It is not known if he had children. (He should not
be confused with the George Armstrong, who was taxed 1753-1782 in Allen
Township, Cumberland County.)
Captain William Armstrong of Derry, brother of Col John
William is better known. He was taxed at Carlisle in 1751. He became a
lieutenant in 1756, a captain in 1757. By 1766 he had moved to Derry Township,
now Granville Township, Mifflin County. His farm was near the site of Fort
Granville. William helped Col John survey, as did brother George, and
nephews William and Samuel Lyon. The name of William Armstrong appears on
land records of (now) Juniata County.
When Presbyterianism moved into what is now Mifflin County, one of three
preaching appointments was "near Captain William Armstrong's". (Dept of
History, Presbyterian Church, Phila). Supply preachers were sent to William
Armstrong's 1773-81. Then the preaching point became known as "Derry on
Juniata". In 1781 William witnessed the deed for a church to be built on
land adjoining his farm. The deed was not recorded until 1822. This was
the beginning of the Lewistown Presbyterian Church.
The land William was living on had been sold to him by his brother, Col
John, on March 25, 1776, William Lyon was a witness. The land had been
warranted by Col. John April 30-1763.
In a study of the McCord family of Mifflin County, two items link it
with the Armstrongs:
(1) Capt William Armstrong in his will written October 4, 1784
(Cumberland Co Will Bk 2 29) gave his nephews James McCord, half of the
farm (James sold it in 1793). William's wife, Rebecca, got the other half.
(2) Thomas McCord and James Armstrong, jointly, on April 10, 1755
(the same day that William Lyon got land) warranted land across the river
from where William Armstrong later lived, now Granville Township,
Mifflin County, Thomas McCord sold his interest to William Armstrong
in 1763. In 1765-66 Daniel Jones challenged the McCord-Armstrong grant.
See below. Later Daniel's son William married Jane, daughter of Thomas McCord.
Who were these persons? From the Derry Township tax lists it appears that
James McCord was a son of Thomas:
Thomas McCord (Sr) taxed 1776-82 - likely died 1782
James McCord, single freeman, taxed 1779+, with land 1783+
Thomas McCord (Jr) g single freeman 1787
James McCord served In the Revolution. When he died in 1835 his will named
(great) nephew, Thomas McCord. The McCords and William's nephew, James Lyon,
lived near Capt William Armstrong. page 14 Passed down through the McCord family
is this certificate: That Thomas McCoard his wife and family lived a
considerable time in the bounds of this congregation and behaved in a sober
and Christian manner, free from scandal and church censures known to me
is certified at Donegal (Ireland) November 1, 1772
Joseph Tater VDM
This was copied by the writer in 1922 at the home of James McCord at
Bloomington, Illinois. He was a great grandson of the above Thomas McCord.
Donegal is about 40 miles northwest of Brooke borough.
The witnesses to the will of William Armstrong, probated March 15-1785,
were James Lyon (nephew), Thomas Martin, Edward Purcell. The executors
were Thomas Martin and William Smith. The day after the will was written,
William Armstrong deeded to John Brown the land which Thomas McCord and
James Armstrong had warranted in 1755. (lG 397) Thomas McCord had sold
his interest to William in January 1763 at Wilmington, Delaware.
Witnesses to the deed were Robert (son of Thomas) Martin, Edward Purcell,
Robert Smith. The deed was recorded the day after the will was probated.
The deed by William said his brother James was deceased. Thomas McCord was
likely dead, too. Was the bequest to James to compensate for the fact that
Thomas McCord had no land at his death?
Where was Thomas McCord living in 1755?
Is he the same Thomas, who was in Delaware in 1763?
in Ireland in 1772? in Derry Township in 1776?
The complete story will likely never be known.
Some of the events in the life of Captain William Armstrong:
1751 Taxed Middleton Twp, Cumberland Co
1753 Taxed Carlisle 1755 Nov 2 Reported
to brother John that settlers were fleeing
Tuscarora and Juniata -
Pa Arch I 2 458 1756 May 16 Named lieutenant
1757 Dec 24 Named captain 1758 fall On
Forbes expedition 1759 Jan 17 Stationed at Carlisle
1763 Taxed for land in Lack (now Milford)
Twp, Juniata Co 1767 Taxed in Fermanagh Twp - became Derry in
1768 1768+ Taxed as "Capt" in Derry (now Granville)
Twp 1773 Apr Request for Presbyterian preaching near
Capt William 1776 Mar 25 John and Rebecca Armstrong of
Middleton Twp sell land to William, "where William now lives" -
1E 4061781 May 24 Witness with James Lyon for deed for
church
1784 "Farmer", Will written Oct 4, deed Oct
5 1785 Will probated Mar 15, William buried in
old Presbyterian cemetery at church(Another William Armstrong
was a major on the 1764 Bouquet campaign - likely the one
captured at Ft Washington, New York on November 16, 1776.)