John McPherson

John McPherson

~1710, John born in Scotland.

1739, John, his wife and children crossed the Atlantic from Scotland with more than 350 Scots now known as the "the Argyll Colony" and with whom his name first appears in the colonial records of Bladen Co., NC. Colonial deeds and a 1774 passenger list suggest they came from northern Kintyre, east of Oban. John’s home tract was near the Underground Branch between Beaver Creek and a northern branch of Cross Creek, on the west side of the Cape Fear River, slightly north and west of the current heart of the city of Fayetteville. In this small area, three families of McPhersons arrived at different times and settled close to one another. Deeds indicate that John was a tailor.

1740, John had 2 land grants, both on the western side of the North West River (an early name for the upper Cape Fear River).

9/1748, John is one of numerous petitioners to secure from the Argyll Synod the services of a minister from the Kirk of Scotland for the county of Bladen.

1753, John entered a plat on a watercourse then called “the underground branch”.

1754, Cumberland Co. formed from Bladen Co.

1755, John on the Cumberland Co., NC tax list.

10/1758, John and other “Presbyterian Gentlemen” signed a contract with Rev. James Campbell for “the sum of 100 pounds in good & lawful money of North Carolina . . . yearly” for Campbell’s ministry.

8/11/1760, John recorded his cattle brand in Cumberland Co.

5/19/1762, John served on a petit jury in Cumberland Co.

~3/1765, John settled at the northeast edge of Raft Swamp on Juniper branch just above and west of the current town of Red Springs. John’s first land purchase — referred to much later in court records as John McPherson’s Old Plantation — was 100 acres bought from Moses Bass.

1767, John on Bladen Co. tax list living with his son Daniel and 4 slaves.

1769, John McPherson listed in Bladen Co., NC tax list along with Lewis Munroe [son-in-law.]

4/30/1774, John deeded land to George Mylne.

10/26/1789, John wrote his will. (S) See Family notes.

1791, John died in Bladen Co., NC.

Family notes:

·         Will of John: In the name of God Amen, I John McPherson Senr of the County of Robeson and State of North Carolina, Being Weak in Body, But of Perfect Mind and Memory, Do make this my last Will and Testament in Manner and form following, viz. 1st. I give and bequeath to my Grandson Neil McPherson, Son to Danl McPherson, my two Negroes James and Peter 2nd. I give and bequeath to my Grandson Archd McPherson, Son to Danl McPherson, three of my Negroes Viz, Dick, Ben, and Cranson, to be theirs and their Heirs for ever, But if either Neil, or Archd die without Issue, I desire that the living may Heir the other's Right of Sd Negroes. 3rd. I likewise give and bequeath to my Grandson Neil McPherson, one Hundred and Sixty Acres of Land at the Juniper and one Hundred Acres of Land, lying at the upper end of the Bear Pond, Joining McBride's Land, it being part of a Survey of 200 Acres, to be His and his Heirs for Ever. 4th. I likewise give and bequeath to my Grandson Archd McPherson, One Hundred Acres, to wit, the Plantation I now live upon, together with one Hundred Acres below me, in two Surveys, and likewise one Hundred above me being the other half of the above 200 Acres, likewise Fifty Acres, lying Between the Bear Pond and the Big Pond and another Fifty lying Between the Bear Pond and the Raft Swamp, to be His and His Heirs for Ever. I give and bequeath to my Son Alexander McPherson one Crown Sterling, of my Estate, after my Dissolution. I likewise give and bequeath to my Son Daniel McPherson One Crown Sterling to be paid him out of my Estate after My Dissolution. I likewise give and Bequeath to my Son in law Lewis Monroe One Crown Sterling to be paid him out of my Estate after my Dissolution. I likewise give and Bequeath to my Beloved Wife, My two Negroes Charley and Bettey, and all the Cattle, and moveables that I am now possessed with, and I desire that the Cattle be Divided among my Grand daughters and my daughter Catherine Campbell after our Dissolution, In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and Seal this 26th Day of Octr, in the Year Our Lord 1789.

·         John had a daughter named Catherine, likely named after her mother. A “Mrs. Catherine McPherson” died 2/17/1807 as announced in the Raleigh Register. This was likely John’s wife left unnamed in his will.

Children of John and ?: [4 known children.]

i. Minnie McPherson, born 1740-1750 in America.