The Descendants of Margaret Ewing
Margaret Ewing (Robert A)
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1. Margaret Ewing {76} was christened 26 Mar 1678 in the Burt Congregation in County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland, near Londonderry. The church record indicates a residence of Elagh Beg for Robert Ewing. She was the daughter of Robert Ewing {74}. She married Josiah Porter {3741} about 1698 in Ulster, Ireland based on her son being born in 1699. Based on a baptism record, Josiah was most likely born in 1661, provided he was born in the same year he was christened, and he is the son of William Porter. No record of Josiah and Margaret being in America has been found. Therefore, it is assumed they died in Ireland.
Known children of Margaret are:
+ 2. i. James Porter {3742}, born 1699, died about 1778.
+ 3. ii. Rachel Porter {3743}, born 1706, died 1771.
From the "Registers of Derry Cathedral 1642-1703", we find:
1661 - 20th Mar, Jennett Ewing gossip (godparent) to Josia Porter, son of William. (Speer, p. 8.)
In response to my question about who is a godparent, Deirdre Speer, Ireland researcher, responded, "Yes, Jennett Ewing was godparent to Josia Porter. Usually godparents would be close relations and not just friends or Church members." This Josia Porter is believed to be the same person that married Margaret Ewing. It is also assumed that Jennett Ewing is married and with that being the case, her maiden name could have been Porter and that would explain why she is a godparent or the wife of Josiah could be a Ewing. Also, we have no idea of the age of Jennett Ewing. If she is at least twenty-one years old or older, that would put her being born before 1640. We would expect Margaret and Josiah’s family to have additional children but no records have been found to identify additional children for them. The wife of John Ewing of Carnshanagh was named Jannet; but, John was born about 1648 and he is not old enough to be married at this time. Therefore, Jennett, the godparent, is of an older generation than John Ewing of Carnshanagh.
From the Burt Congregation Church records for Baptisms, we find:
1711 July 5 Josias Porter (Elaghmore) Rachel. [She had a brother, James, born 1699, adds Kernohan.]
The names of only two children of Margaret and Josiah Porter are known. It is not known if any additional siblings immigrated to America. One writer of a genealogy book has put a John Porter in this family. However, the writer gave no basis for his assumption that John was a son of Margaret and Josiah. Therefore, without some basis, no one will be added to this family. Our research does indicate that several different families of Porters lived in the Cecil County Maryland and Chester County Pennsylvania areas around 1740.
The Porter and Ewing families apparently had lived close to each other for a number of years in Ireland. As indicated above, a Jennett Ewing was a godparent to Josiah Porter in 1661.
If more information was known about the Porter family, we might be able to resolve some of the questions that have been unanswered for years.
We find a Gyles Porter in Cecil County, Maryland as early as 1675 which is fifty years or so before our Ewing family came to America along with some other families in 1727. Also, some Porters lived in Connecticut very early. I am inclined to believe that some of the Porters in Connecticut migrated to Maryland and Pennsylvania and a later generation ended up in Blount County, Tennessee.
A thorough analysis of all of the Porter families in the Cecil County, Maryland, Chester and Lancaster Counties, Pennsylvania has not been done as far as I know. Based on the number of marriages between the first two generations of Ewing and Porter families that we cover in this book, it appears that maybe three, four, or more different Porter families are in the area of Cecil and Chester counties. This effort will not try to identify all of the Porter families.
Some of the early deed information for Cecil County, Maryland is listed below:
DB 1 p. 37 16 Nov 1675 Gyles Porter purchased 100 acres
DB 1 p. 330 14 Sep 1703 Gyles, Margaret, and Sarah Porter orphans of Gyles Porter
DB 3 p. 141 14 Mar 1716 James Porter purchased 75 acres
DB 3 p. 210 15 Aug 1718 John and William (his son) Gillaspy purchased 75 acres
DB 4 p. 64 2 Nov 1723 Thomas Breading purchased land
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2. James Porter {3742} was born 1699 in Ulster, Ireland. He was the son of Josiah Porter {3741} and Margaret Ewing {76}. James died about 1778 in Cecil County, Maryland. He married Ellen Gillespie {3750}. She is a sister to Samuel Gillespie. (Elbert William R. Ewing, Clan Ewing of Scotland, (Ballston, Virginia: Cobden Publishing Co., 1922), p. 176.) Based on the birth dates of their children, James and Ellen must have married after they immigrated to America. That would suggest that Ellen came with her parents who have not been identified. It is believed that James Porter came to America with his uncle, Alexander Ewing {66} in 1727.
Known children of James are: [11children]
+ 4. i. Jane Porter {3751}, born 1739, died 1784.
+ 5. ii. Mary Porter {3752}, born 1746, died 1778.
6. iii. Eleanor "Nellie" Porter {3753}, died Feb 1831.
+ 7. iv. Elizabeth Porter {3754}, died 11 Mar 1819.
+ 8. v. Stephen Porter {3755}. He married Mary Hart {4398} 14 Jun 1774 in PA. (Linn & Egle, Marriage Information from Pennsylvania Marriages prior to 1790, Volume II of the 2nd Series, p. 198.) She is the daughter of John Hart based on the information contained in the will of Robert Porter presented later in this chapter.
Mary Hart is a sister to the wife of George Porter {3756} but her name is not known.
Based on the will of Robert Porter, Stephen Porter must have had at least two children. The full text of the will for Robert Porter written on the 21 August 1804 is presented later in this chapter. Based on that will, it is believed that Robert is a son of Stephen Porter {3755}. Robert identifies his sister, Margaret Aurelia Porter, in his will.
On 27 December 1773, Stephen Porter of Octoraro Hundred purchased 100 acres of land called STEELS from James Gillespie and his wife, Elizabeth. The deed is recorded in Cecil County, Maryland Deed Book 13 page 354.
Robert Porter also mentions his grandfather, John Hart, in his will. Based on the identification of John Hart as the grandfather of Robert Porter, we can assume that John Hart is the father of Mary Hart {4398}, the wife of Stephen Porter.
It is possible that some of the Hart family may have moved on to Virginia before or with the Ewing brothers around 1772. We find a Marks Hart as a witness to the will of William Ewing dated 26 July 1791 in Wythe county, Virginia.
In the History of Cecil County, Maryland by George Johnston, on pages 356-60, we find an interesting story that gives us an idea of the times after the revolution.
“During the year 1783, three persons were convicted of felony, each of whom was
sentenced to receive thirty-nine lashes on the bare back, well laid on by the sheriff at the public market-house. The next year one James Campbell, alias Williams, was convicted of robbery and sentenced to be hanged. During part of the time that Charlestown was the seat of justice, a public ferry was maintained between that place and Elk Neck, in order to accommodate persons from the lower part of the county having business at Charlestown. The Elk ferry at Court-house Point and the Bohemia ferry being in operation, it was much easier for persons in the lower part of the county to reach Charlestown by land than it is at this time. The great highway between the North and South then, as now, led through this county, and the stage coaches, which carried the first mails of the youthful Republic, then loosely held together by the articles of confederation, for some time crossed over this ferry, the main road at that time leading from near the landing place in Elk Neck through the southern part of the village of North East, and thence, a considerable distance south of where the road is at present located, until it intersected the Elk neck road near Mill Creek.
“During the five years that Charlestown was the seat of justice, and for some years afterwards, society was in a bad condition. A spirit of lawlessness and insubordination seems to have prevaded it. This was produced by the demoralization incident to the Revolutionary war and the disorganization consequent upon the transition from one form of government to another. An illustrative of the history and jurisprudence of the county, during this period, the reader’s attention is directed to a homicide which is notable because the perpetrator of it was tried at Charlestown, and also on account of several other circumstances connected with it.
“Stephen Porter, a lawyer of some distinction, and the father of Margaret Aurelia Porter, a maiden lady that many persons of middle age will recollect as a person of extraordinarily strong intellectual ability, lived at Porter’s Bridge, on the Octoraro Creek, in 1784, and sometime previous to the harvest of that year employed one Thomas Dunn, who seems to have been a large and powerful man, but a person of bad repute and somewhat of a bully withal. The depositions of several witnesses, taken before the jury of inquest, show that Dunn, who had left the employ of Porter sometime before, returned to the neighborhood, on the 6th of July, ostensibly to settle with Porter, who owed him a trifling balance, but really it would seem for the purpose and with the intention of provoking a quarrel with him. Dunn met one Stephen Herd, who lived in Lancaster County, and was an entire stranger to him, on the road, near Captain William Ewing’s, a neighbor of Porter’s, and asked him to accompany him to Ewing’s, for the purpose of acting as an arbitrator in adjusting the dispute between Porter and himself. The parties pledged themselves to abide by the award which was made by the arbitrators, but soon after it was disclosed, Dunn flew into a passion and began to abuse Porter and malign his wife, and finally spit in Porter’s face. Those present used their best endeavors to quiet the enraged bully, but without avail. After enduring Dunn’s abuse for some time, Porter, accompanied by Benjamin Brearley, a miller, who occupied a house not far from Porter’s mill, started to go to their homes. Dunn followed them, notwithstanding they besought him to desist and take another road. Brearley and Dunn stopped at the house of the former, where Dunn had some clothes which Brearley was desirous he should take away with him, while Porter continued on to his own dwelling, and procured an old bayonet, and hastening back towards Brearley’s house, encountered Dunn, who stooped down, as the witness who saw him testified, to pick up a stone, whereupon Porter stabbed him, from the effect of which he almost instantly expired.
“The next day, Samuel Maffit, who was then one of the coroners of the county, empanneled jury of inquest, consisting of eighteen of the good and lawful men of the county, who, after hearing the testimony, rendered a verdict that the said Porter ‘then & there feloniously killed & murdered the said Dunn,’ and Porter was straightway incarcerated in the little stone jail in Charlestown. By common law the property of those convicted of capital offences was forfeited to the State. The coroner therefore returned an inventory of all and singular the lands and tenements, rights, and chattles of Stephen Porter, as appraised by Patrick Ewing, Samuel Scott, John Crawford, and James Egan. The inventory is as follows: One plantation of two hundred acres of land together with one merchant mill, £700; one mare, one horse and two colts, £20; three cow, £9; two small hogs, £1 5s.; six or eight sheep, £2 5s.; sundries, household furniture, £50; total, £782 10s.; whereupon Porter, who was a lawyer, conveyed his property to his wife and one of his friends, in order, if possible, to secure it for the benefit of the former.
“Some time after Porter was imprisoned, some of his friends provided themselves with a fleet-footed horse and visited the jail, taking with them a supply of whiskey, with which they succeeded in making the jailer drunk, and getting up a sham-fight, kicked Porter, who had been informed of the effort they intended to make in his behalf, out of the door. Porter lost no time in mounting the horse, and made good his escape to the Octoraro hills, and bidding good-by to his friends, proceeded across the Alleghany Mountains to Washington County, Pennsylvania, then a frontier settlement, where he is said to have betrayed himself by the knowledge he exhibited of the law, during a discussion he engaged in with some others in a public house.
“The papers in the case show that Porter had a hearing before two of the justices of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of October, he having been arrested on suspicion of having murdered a man in Cecil County, and that he confessed the murder and narrated the attending circumstances and manner of his escape, all of which are briefly set forth in one of the papers. This paper is a most extraordinary legal document, and seems to have been given to the persons in whose custody Porter was, to enable them to conduct him safely on his way towards this county; for on the 13th of October, he had another hearing before Robert Galbraith, a justice of the peace of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, who gave the posse in whose custody he was, a somewhat similar, though more sensible document, in which the facts of the murder and escape are set forth, and they are commanded to deliver the prisoner to the sheriff of Franklin County, in order that he might be safely conveyed to the sheriff of Cecil County, which was done in due time, and early in the next December a commission was issued by the governor to five of the justices of the county, authorizing and commanding them to hold a special term of court for his trial. It is worthy of remark, that this special commission was sent to Joseph Gilpin, who was designated as presiding justice, and that he notified the others and designated Baruch Williams as a suitable person to act as clerk. The court met at Charlestown on the 7th of December, 1784, and Timothy Kirk being unable to attend, the other justices, John Leach Knight, Stephen Hyland, and John Dockery Thompson, opened the court and proceeded to business. The next day the grand jury returned a true bill against Porter for murder, and on the following day he was arraigned and the same day convicted of manslaughter, the verdict of the jury being ‘not guilty of murder, as specified in the indictment, but guilty of manslaughter.’ The court thereupon ordered that the prisoner enter security for his appearance on Friday, the 16th, to hear their judgment, and he was recognized in the sum of £500 for his appearance from day to day until the court would pass judgment, Patrick Ewing becoming his surety in that sum. The tardiness of the court in passing judgment probably gave offence to some of the friends of Dunn. At all events, George Cather and John Robinson were tried and convicted of insulting the court and jury sometime during the trial. The nature of the insult is not stated, but inasmuch as several witnesses were examined, it is probable that it consisted in using disrespectful language in reference to the manner of conducting the trial. They were each sentenced to pay a trifling fine and the costs, in default of the payment of which they were sent to jail. The record does not state whether the court met and adjourned from day to day until the 16th, but upon that day it rendered judgment ‘that the prisoner be discharged, the statute not being extended.’
“The indictment under which Porter was convicted contained two counts, one of which was for murder, under the common law; the other one was for manslaughter, under the statute of James I., chapter I., section 8; which was made on account of the frequent quarrels and stabbings with daggers between the Scotch and English, and which was of a temporary nature, and was not in force in Maryland at that time, it not having been extended thereto, as stated in the judgment of the court, by the action of the State convention which, in 1776, had adopted the common law of England, and extended certain parts of the statute law of that country to the State of Maryland.
“During a period of ten or twelve years, just after the close of the Revolutionary war, three other persons met with violent deaths at Porter’s Bridge and in that immediate vicinity.”
9. vi. George Porter {3756}. His wife is a sister to Mary Hart.
George married a sister of Mary Hart, the wife of Stephen Porter {3755}. Her name has not been found. We do know that George and his wife had children based on the will of James Porter. In the will of James Porter, he states: "Eightly ... after the death of my said son George my will is that the said last mentioned Lands shall go to his two eldest Sons lawfully begotten to them their Heirs and Assigns for ever."
10. vii. Andrew Porter {3757}, born 30 Dec 1751, died 19 Nov 1812. He is buried in Polk's graveyard in Cecil County, Maryland.
The graveyard was located in Octoraro Hundred but has been destroyed. His marker reads "In memory of Andrew Porter who died November 19th, 1812 Aged 60 years, 10 mo., 20 days. His birth was calculated based on the tombstone information. His birth date has not been adjusted for eleven days based on the old calendar being in use at that time.
At the time, 29 December 1770, when Robert Porter, a brother to Andrew, wrote his will Andrew Porter {3757} was not married or at least he did not have an heir. In the information extracted from the will of Robert Porter that is presented later in this chapter, we find: "10. I order that if my brother Stephen should die without an heir lawfully begotten, that in that case, the whole estate left him shall become Andrew's but it so happens that Andrew dies without an heir, then his estate & his part of this estate shall descend to brother James Porter." This Andrew Porter should not be confused with the other two Andrew Porters that apparently lived in the Cecil county area who married sisters, Eleanor and Margaret Ewing. The families of Margaret and Eleanor are presented in chapters 8 and 9. I have seen documents that show this Andrew Porter as being the husband of Eleanor Ewing. But, evidence is presented in the chapter for Eleanor that identifies another Andrew Porter {3836}as her husband.
11. viii. William Porter {3758}.
12. ix. Samuel Porter {3759}, died about 1796 in Cecil County, Maryland.
His will was written 9 April 1796 and entered for probate 17 September 1796. Therefore, he died between April and September 1796. Information extracted from Hall of Records FF 6 Page 64. (Mary Frances Taylor, Research Notes, p. 16.)
13. x. Robert Porter {4323}, born 24 Mar 1742, died 29 Dec 1770 in Cecil County, Maryland.
Robert is added to this family based on his will which names his brothers and sisters which established the family he is a member of. His will is dated 17 Dec 1770 and recorded 17 Jan 1771 in Cecil County, Maryland Will Book 2:332-3. He is buried in the Polk's graveyard in Cecil County, Maryland. The old cemetery is now destroyed. His marker reads: "In memory of Robert Porter who departed this life the 29 December 1770 Aged 28 years, 9 mo. 5 days. (Ibid., p. 12.) His birth is calculated based on the tombstone information. His date of birth has not been adjusted eleven days based on the old calendar being in use at that time.
James Porter {3742} names his wife as Elianor in his will. She must have been known as Ellen since that is how she has been identified in some cases. The name "Elianor", as in this case, will be found spelled several ways. In the next few pages, you will find the name Elinor and Eleanor. The important thing is to identify the correct person even when the name is not spelled the same way each time or they are found in research under a nickname.
James Porter named all of his children in his will with exception of Jane and Robert. Robert Porter had preceded his father in death. Robert's will is presented later in this chapter and it is easy to identify him as being a member of this family since he identified his brothers and two of his sisters.
James Porter lived in Cecil county, Maryland when he died according to his will. You should note that the will was also recorded in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
The complete text of the will of James Porter, recorded in:
Cecil County, Maryland Will Book 3, 1777-1780, pages 63-68, 78-79, and
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Will Book E, pages 299-301.
In the Name of God Amen I James Porter of Cecil County and Octoraro Hundred, being in good Health and of Sound Mind and Memory, but far advanced in years and calling to mind the uncertainty of life and certainty of Death Do make ordain constitute and appoint this my last Will and Testament whereby I intend to dispose of such worldly Estate as it hath pleased God to confer upon me ~
In the first Place my Desire is that all my Just Debts be honestly paid by my Executors hereafter named for the Payment thereof I subject my whole Estate both real and Personal.
Secondly I give and bequeath to my well beloved Wife~ Elianor all that part of the tract of Land whereon I now live which lieth on the North-East Side of the Great Road which leadeith from William Ewings to my house and onward to the extent of the tract (the Orchard next adjoining to the garden excepted) to cultivate and use and as she pleaseth during her Life or Widowhood which shall first expire ~ Prohibited nevertheless from committing any waste or cutting any Wood save what may be necessary for Rails and firewood. And if a Division of the House should hereafter be found necessary I order that she shall have the Room now called her own and the Shade thereunto adjoining ~
Thirdly I give and bequeath unto my Son William all the Houses and buildings of what Nature and Kind soever that are Situate at or about Peach Bottom on my lands there whether held by Maryland or Pennsylvania Titles and then Land whereon they stand and also as much land adjoining as is absolutely necessary for egress and regress and also the land now occupied with the Saw Mill Dam and the Races and also all the Advantages of the Ferry save what use my Son Andrew may make thereof for his own private Conveniency. And the Residue of all the said Peach Bottom Land, I give and bequeath to my Sons William and Andrew their Heirs and Assigns for ever as tenants in Common to be equally divided betwixt them according to Quantity and quality share and share alike. I also give to my Son William my Silver Watch which I now carry ~
Fourthly I give and bequeath to my beloved wife aforesaid One hundred Pounds Pennsylvania Currency and her choice of one Cow and horse or mare out of my whole Stock ~
Fifthly I give and bequeath unto my Son Stephen a horse of at Least the value of fifteen pounds and also my part of two lots in Charlestown to him his Heirs and Assigns for ever ~
Sixthly I give and bequeath unto my Sons James and Samuel all my lands whereon I now live and am immediately possessed of except their Mothers Divident already mentioned and also the Remainder of that Divident to them their Heir and Assigns for ever as tenants in Common. My Son Samuel to have the Dwelling House and other out houses there unto belonging or Contiguous upon his paying Sixty pounds unto my Son James the land to be equally divided betwixt them respect being had to quantity and quality ~
Seventhly I give and bequeath unto my two younger Daughters Elizabeth and Elianor two hundred Pounds Pennsylvania money to each one half thereof to be paid to each as soon as it can be conveniently be raised out of my Estate, the other half to be paid on their respective Days of Marriage Provided they marry with the Consent of both or at least one of my Executors ~
Eightly I give and bequeath all that tract of Land which I bought of Samuel Fulton to my Son George during the term of his Natural Life on condition he pays to my Executors for the Use of my other children two Hundred pounds Pennsylvania to be paid at four annual and equal Payments the first Payment to be made one year after my Decease and after the Death of my said Son George my will is that the said last mentioned Lands shall go to his two eldest Sons lawfully begotten to them their Heirs and Assigns for ever, And in Case he hath but one Son they shall go to him alone his Heirs and Assigns for ever and in Case he died leaving no Son or Sons then my will is that my said lands do go to his Daughter or Daughters should he have more than one Share and Share alike equally to be divided to them their Heirs and Assigns forever, and in Case my Son George should die without any Issue lawfully begotten my Will is that the said Lands should go to such of my children as shall then be alive to them their Heirs and Assigns forever, And my Will is that my Son George shall not rent or Mortgage any of the said land without the Consent of his Brothers William Stephen and Andrew or any two of them, otherwise his title in or to the said Lands shall cease and be void as if the foregoing Bequeath had not been made ~
Ninthly I give to James Porter Ewing my Nephew ten Pounds to be paid at the Discretion of my Executors ~
Ninthly (sic) I hereby authorize and appoint my Executors or either of them to Sell and convey my Land in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania for cash to the best Advantage.
Eleventh I define that my Executors shall retain in their hands one hundred Pounds to be expended in the Prosecution or Defense of any suit or Suits they may be Commenced for or Against any of my aforesaid lands and if no Suit should be commenced in the Space of ten years then the hundred Pounds to be divided equally amongst all my children ~
I give and bequeath all the Residue of my Estate not already bequeathed or here after bequeathed Together with the Cash arising from the Sale of the Lands in Cumberland to be Equally divided Among all my Children wether male or Female married or Single ~
Lastly I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Ewing one hundred and fifty Pounds Pennsylvania Currency ~
And Finally I Appoint my Sons William and Stephen Porter to be my Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and Do hereby Revoke and Disannuall all other Wills by me made And in Witness thereof do hereunto set my hand and Seal this Twenty third Day of January 1775 ~ James Porter his hand [seal]
Signed Sealed and Published by the
above named James Porter as his last will and Testament in Presence of the Testator and in the presence of Each other and at his Request we here unto Subscribe our Names as Witnesses ~
James Carrithers
Cecil County April 27th 1778 Then came Stephen Porter and made Oath on the holy Evangels of Almighty God that the within Instrument of writing as the true and Whole Will and Testament of James Porter of said County deceased that hath come to his hands or Possession and that he doth not know of any other ~
Cecil County April 27th 1778 Then came Thomas Porter and James Carrithers . . . Witnesses to the within last Will and Testament of James Porter late of Cecil County deceased . . . and that they heard him publish pronounce and declare the Same to be his last Will and Testament . . . and the presence of Each other ~
Sworn before David Smith Reg
Cecil County
On the fourth Day of June 1778 Came Eleanor Porter the Widow of James Porter late of said County deceased and made her Election to stand to and abide by the Several Legacies bequeathed to her in the Will of her said Husband deceased with Regard to the Personal Estate only and that she claims her dower or Third Part in the Real Estate according to Law ~
Before David Smith Regr Cecil County
The aforegoing last Will and Testament of James Porter late of Cecil County deceased the Probates thereon endorsed ___ the Widows Renunciation there In annexed were recorded this 8th Day of July 1778 and examined
by David Smith Regr
Cecil County Octr 7th 1778 then came Nathaniel Ramsey one of the Subscribing Witnesses . . . and that he saw Thomas Porter and James Carrithers the other Subscribing witnesses respectively Subscribed their Names as Witnesses in this Will . . . and further that he wrote this will at the Request of the Testator and that the words “or hereafter bequeathed” and the words “and Stephen” were interlined before the Signing Sealing and publishing of the same
Sworn before David Smith Regr
Octr 8th 1778
Recorded and examined
by David Smith Regr
Extracts from the will of Robert Porter, recorded in:
Cecil County, Maryland Will Book 38 page 878.
The following information is typed from notes taken by Mary Frances Taylor from the will of Robert Porter {4323}.
Robert Porter (single) died 29 Dec 1770 age 28 years.
2. I give to brother Stephen Porter my whole estate both real & personal, he paying, giving and allowing as herein bequeathed:
3. to brother Andrew Porter the one half of my mill & plantation to be occupied by him for & during the term of 5 years at the end of which I desire, he must return the property to Stephen in as good repair as when he received it & further I give to brother Andrew £20 of Pennsylvania Currency.
4. I give to brother William Porter £20 of Pennsylvania Currency.
5. I give to brother George Porter £20 , the one half where of paid him within 1 year after my decease, the other half one year following.
6. I give to sister Elizabeth Porter £20 . . .
7. I give to sister Elinor £20 . . .
8. I give to brother James Porter £20 currency of Pennsylvania to be paid him when he becomes 21 years of age.
9. I give and bequeath to brother Samuel Porter £20 to be paid when he is 20 years of age.
10. I order that if my brother Stephen should die without an heir lawfully begotten, that in that case, the whole estate left him shall become Andrew's but it so happens that Andrew dies without an heir, then his estate & his part of this estate shall descend to brother James Porter
11. I order that in case any of the above legatees should died in minority that their part of my estate devised above shall be equally divided among the surviving brothers & sisters above mentioned.
12. I give and bequeath unto my nephew Robert Ewing, son of Patrick £10 currency, provided he lives to 21 years.
13. Brother Stephen is to be executor.
Will written 17 December 1770
Witnesses: Patrick Ewing, Stephen Gillespie, Robert Ewing
Two of the above witnesses, Patrick and Robert Ewing are brothers and they are the sons of Patrick Ewing {3770}. Steven Gillespie is a son of Anne and George Gillespie.
The full text of the will of Samuel Porter, recorded in :
Cecil County, Maryland Will Book FF 6, page 64
[Samuel Porter {3759}, single, a younger son of James & Elinor Porter of Hopewell.]
No. 41 . . Samuel Porter . . Septr 17th (17)96
In the Name of God Amen I Samuel Porter of the County of Cecil and State of Maryland being Sick and weak in Body but of sound memory do this ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and ninety six make and publish this my last Will and Testament in Manner following that is to say I Imprimis I order that all my Just Debts and funeral Charges be honestly paid and discharged. Item I give bequeath and devise unto my Brother William Porter all my undivided Right and title to the Land and Tenements adjoining and lying contiguous to Peach Bottom he paying therefore and there out of the Several and respective Debts for which I became bound for him and in Consequence of which the Land were Sold to me by the Sheriff of Lancaster County viz. James Ross Esqr I say upon such payments being made and done I give bequeath and devise unto him the said William all my undivided Right and title as above to him his Heirs and assign forever-- Item all the rest and residue of my Estate both real and personal I give bequeath and devise unto my sister Elinor during her Single Life, but if she should see cause to Marry then in that case she must depart from the place leaving behind her everything and article, whether real or personal that she may then be in possession of in Consequence of the above Bequest or Devise and in the mean time I order that James Porter Carpenter shall and until the end of his Life have my Room and bed upstairs provided he shall see cause to accept thereof together with necessary Boarding washing &c and provided he shall take under his care and Direction my Nephew Andrew Richard Porter and endeavor to bring him up in that way that he may think most conducive to his well being ~ Item In case my Sister Elenor Porter above should see cause to Marry or in case she should die then and in either Case I give and bequeath to my Nephew Andrew Richard Porter above named all the Estate now (or by these present) given bequeathed or devised to her as above I say I give bequeath and devise it to him his Heirs and assigns forever. Lastly Item I make and ordain James Porter carpenter James Porter Ewing and my Sister Elinor above named Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and disanulling every former Will or Wills by me made. In Witness whereof I the said Samuel Porter have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and Seal this day and year above written.
Saml Porter [seal]
Signed Sealed and delivered by
the Testator as and for his last Will and
Testament in the Presence of us who
were present at the signing and Sealing thereof
Patrick Ewing Richard Adams John Gray
Cecil County __ Septr 17th 1796 there came Eleanor Porter and made oath on the holy Evangel of Almighty God, that the foregoing is the whole and true last Will and Testament of Samuel Porter late of said county deceased that hath come to her hands and possession and that she doth not know of any other __
Sworn before David Smith Regr
Cecil County __ Septr 17th 1796 then came Richard Adams and John Gray two of the Subscribing Witnesses of the within last Will and Testament of Samuel Porter late of said County deceased and the said Richard being of the People called Quakers and Solemnly Sincerely and truly affirm and the said John made Oath on the holy Evangel of Almighty God, that they did see the above mentioned Testator sign and Seal this Will . . . and Patrick Ewing severally Subscribed their names as witnesses to this Will in the Presence and at the Request of the Testator---
Sworn before David Smith Regr
Go back..
James Porter and James P. Ewing by Instruments in writing respectively signed by them and dated Decr 21st 1796 and filed in this Registry of Wills renounce the Executorship of this will ---
Test David Smith Regr
Recorded and Examined
by D. Smith Reg
Jany 25th 1797 ---
One of the executors named James Porter carpenter. It might be James Porter is identified as a carpenter to distinguish him from another James Porter.
The full text of the will of Robert Porter, recorded in:
Cecil County, Maryland Will Book 6 page 378 (No. 204, February 12, 1805)
[A son of Stephen Porter (3755).]
In the name of God amen. I Robert Porter of the County of Cecil and State of Maryland being weak in body but of Sound and perfect mind & memory Blessed be God for the same do make and publish this my last Will and Testament In manner and form following That is to say ~
Imprimis I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body to the Earth from whence it came in hopes of a Joyfull Resurrection through the Merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ and as for the worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me I dispose thereof as follows ~
First I order that all my just debts and Funeral Charges be honestly and punctually paid and discharged by my Executrix herein after named ~
Item I give devise and bequeath to my sister Margaret Aurelia Porter my whole Estate both Real & Personal of what kind soever some part of which I have thought might be necessary to mention such as the plantation I purchased of James Gillespie lying and being in the County and State aforesaid as from the records of this county will fully appear reference being had thereto. Also three Negroes one name Caesar another named George and the third named Manuel also one large brown mare and her colt one sorrel horse and one black horse also one yoke of oxen the one red the other brindled one black ass three cows and four young cattle together with all the implements of Husbandry & Farming utensils heretofore used by men on the farm whereon I now live and otherwise also every thing that I am in possession of or might hereafter have been possessed in _______ of the death of my grandfather John Hart. I say I give bequeath and devise unto my well beloved sister Margaret Aurelia Porter her heirs & assign forever all the above mentioned estate according to this true intent and meaning of these presents and I do hereby nominate and appoint my above named sister Margaret Aurelia Porter my whole and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former will or wills by me heretofore made In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal this Twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & four 1804
Signed sealed as published by the above named }
Robert as and for his last Will & Testament in the }
presence of us whose names are here under written } Robert Porter [Seal]
who have each of us subscribed our names as }
witnesses thereto at his request in his presence in }
the room where he then was }
Cecil County ~ On the 12 day of February in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred & Five personally came Patrick Ewing one of the subscribing witnesses . . . that he and Nicholas Lewis and Mary A. Lewis severally subscribed the same as witnesses . . .
Sworn before David Smith Register
Examined by D. Smith, March 20, 1805.
The following is taken from a letter to Mary Frances Taylor from Mrs. Evelyn Harlan. (Ibid., p.22.)
We spent some time in the county records at Elkton. We found out what happened to the property Stephen Porter owned, which was one of your questions. In GMD Volume 7, page 415, a mortgage between "John Harris Harlan and Margaret Aurelia, his wife, and Nancy Williams, dated 30 January 1845" says at one point:
"all of that tract . . . in Octararo Hundred . . . on which the said John Harris Harlan and Margaret A. Harlan now reside called Steels . . . which the said John H. Harlan and Margaret A. Harlan his wife are seized as heirs at law of Stephen Porter, late of Cecil County, deceased, the father of said Margaret Aurelia Harlan, a part of which said land was devised to the said Stephen Porter by Robert Porter by last will and testament bearing date on or about the 17th day of December in the year of our Lord 1770, and the other part of said tract of land was conveyed to the said Stephen Porter by James Gillespie and Elizabeth Gillespie by indenture bearing date on or about the 27th day of December in the year of our Lord 1773 . . ."
The property was mortgaged several times and finally sold the 17th of December 1863 to David Harlan of Harford County, who was John Harris Harlan's brother.
3. Rachel Porter {3743} was born 1706 in Ulster, Ireland, and was christened 15 Jul 1711 in Ulster, Ireland. She was the daughter of Josiah Porter {3741} and Margaret Ewing {76}. Rachel died 1771. She married Nathaniel Ewing [Chapter 5]{80} 2 Mar 1721/1722 in Ulster, Ireland.
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4. Jane Porter {3751} was born Dec 1739. She was the daughter of James Porter {3742} and Ellen Gillespie {3750}. Jane died 1784. She married Patrick Ewing [Chapter 5] {3770} about 1759/1760. He was the son of Joshua Ewing {83}and Jane Patton.
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5. Mary Porter {3752} was born 1746. She was the daughter of James Porter {3742} and Ellen Gillespie {3750}. Mary died 1778. She married George Ewing [Chapter 5]{3766} 8 Apr 1766. He was born 1 Sep 1737 in Cecil County, Maryland. He was the son of Nathaniel Ewing {80} and Rachel Porter {3743}. George died 1 Apr 1785 in Peach Bottom twp, Lancaster County, PA.
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7. Elizabeth Porter {3754}. She was the daughter of James Porter {3742} and Ellen Gillespie {3750}. Elizabeth died 11 Mar 1819. She married Patrick Ewing [Chapter 5] {3770} after 1784. She was known as "Betsy". He was the son of Joshua Ewing {83}and Jane Patton.