Biographical
Sketch of Robert Patterson of Craven Co., SC
© 2003, Charles Wesley (Wes) Patterson, Sr.
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Robert Patterson was the gggggg-grand father of this writer. He was also the grand father of the John Patterson who married Margaret Black, both of whom were born in York Co., SC in the 1760’s and died in Union Co., GA in the 1840’s and ‘50’s, respectively. John and Margaret Black Patterson were the gggg-grand parents of this writer.
Robert Patterson was born before 1715. The exact date and location of his birth are not yet confirmed, but more evidence is being uncovered periodically. Being of "Scotch-Irish" descent, it is possible that Robert was born in Northern Ireland, or Ireland, or even in the Colonies. New details discovered in August 2003 indicate that Robert was born about 1711, perhaps as early as 1705. Robert's mother (Margaret Adams) was recorded as a witness to a land deed in Sussex Co DE in 1727. Robert was recorded buying land in that same location in 1732, and then selling the land in 1738.
In Virginia, Robert was first located in the old Orange Co., VA records in the 1740’s (the Will of Margaret Adams – 1744). The location in which Robert lived was an area that was called Linville Creek (LC), just west of the town of Harrisonburg, VA. By the mid 1740’s Augusta County began recording official documents, which included this LC region. Today, LC and the town of Harrisonburg are in Rockingham Co.
There were no less than four adult aged Robert Pattersons in Augusta Co., VA by 1760, thus the root of much confusion which has circulated among so many genealogists, this writer included. One must try to understand all of the Robert Patterson families in order to differentiate between them, and even then it’s not that simple. Three of these four Robert Pattersons are part of one overall family. However, this writer’s ancestor Robert Patterson was the other Robert. He may have been related to the other three, but not as closely as they were to each other. For future reference, this writer has designated his ancestor as Robert (A), and the other three Roberts as Robert (B1, B2, and B3). Robert (A) will also be referred to as Robert of LC at times later in this document.
Robert (B1) was born circa (ca.) 1704 in County Antrim, Ireland1. Robert (B1) was the son of William and Janet Erwin Patterson. According to Johnston, this William Patterson died in 1745 in Londonderry, Chester Co., PA. Robert’s (B1) family appears to have immigrated between 1737 and 1740 from Ireland to America. By 1740 or shortly thereafter he and his wife Frances and their four oldest children were in Augusta Co., VA, where the remainder of their children were born. Their six children were named Mary, John, Thomas, Elizabeth, Abigail, and Isabel. They appear to have been born between 1728 and 1741 approximately. Robert (B1) lived the remainder of his life in Augusta Co., VA. His Will was probated in 1774 on November 16.2
Robert (B1) was the third of about seven children of William and Janet Erwin Patterson3. He was the namesake for two of his nephews. His brothers John and Nathaniel Patterson both named sons Robert Patterson, and they were the B2 and B3 that also showed up in many of the Augusta Co., VA records from 1750 on.
Robert (B2) Patterson was the son of Nathaniel and Isabella Erwin Patterson. He was born 1727 and died in 1791. For many years this Robert’s birth year was mistakenly attributed to Robert (A) Patterson. Robert (B2) Patterson’s family is well documented by Johnston and other genealogists, such as Shirley McCoy, thus this writer will not go into further details on him at this time, other than to mention that this Robert married Elizabeth King ca. 1750 - 1752 and was the father of a William Patterson who was born 10-21-1753 in Augusta Co., VA.
Robert (B3) Patterson was the son of John and Jane _____ Patterson. He was born ca. 1740 in Augusta Co., VA. This Robert married Martha _____ after 1765 in Augusta Co., VA and was the father of John and Jean Patterson.
Biographical
Sketch of Robert Patterson of Craven Co., SC
© 2003, Charles Wesley (Wes) Patterson, Sr.
Page 2 of 17
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Notes