Mary Ann Armstrong

Share some things about..............
Shortest in-law relationship
On Geni, Mary Ann Armstrong (Lafferty) is our fourth great uncle's first cousin's wife's aunt's husband's mother.
No blood relationship was found.

But get this, on Familysearch.org she is..........

Relationship to Mary Lafferty
My 5th great-grandmother
Janet Milburn
5/30/23
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Mary Ann Stewart (born Lafferty) was the daughter of Thomas Lafferty and Mary Stuart Lafferty (born Stewart) and married James Stewart.

Biography

James Stewart was born on 5 April 1719 in Dunblane, Perthshire, Scotland and was christened on April 12, 1719 in the same town.[1] James Stuart probably went from Scotland to Northern Ireland then to America as a result of the political problems the Stuarts were having at the time. (It was either leave or be drawn and quartered for many Stuarts back then).

He married Mary Ann Lafferty circa 1738 while he was in Ireland. It is difficult to know what life was like for James and Mary but what we do know is that history tells us, just like it was here in the colonies, it was hard in Scotland and Ireland. And because it was hard 1740, James and Mary left Ireland came to America.

He, along with his family, settled in the Shenandoah Valley, Bath (Augusta) County, Virginia. James choose an area called "the Cowpasture”, at Tygart Valley. Once he settled in Cow Pasture, he built a life with his wife, Mary Ann (Lafferty), her brother Ralph, and likely his brother Robert. However, they were smack in the middle of the French and Indian war.

This lineage is well documented (Dickerson 1966). James first appeared county records: The County Court ordered a road built from the Stuart's Run area to Carter's Mill on the Calfpasture River on March 18, 1746[2] in Augusta Co., Virginia.. On January 6, 1750 in Augusta County, Virginia, he was granted a patent for 300 acres on Stuart Creek (Stuart's Run) adjoining [Ralph, James wife’s brother] Lafferty, where he had been living for several years. The land was held in the family until 1800 when it was sold by James' son Robert Stuart to Richard Matthews. Richard Matthews sold it to James Kincaid in 1802.

James was in military service in Captain Dickenson's militia company in 1755. He served during the Indian Wars. Another (undocumented) relative named William Stuart settled on the Monongahela, at a site named by Braddock "Stuart's Crossing." He witnessed the New Tag of James Stuart on March 14, 1757 in August County, Virginia.. In February, 1757 before three of his sons were grown, James was captured with his son James Jr. by Pawnee [possibly Shawnee] Indians and burned at the stake, in the presence of his son. The son later escaped. This was known as "Dinwiddie's Massacre".

James left a will and Ann (her name was Mary Ann Lafferty or O'Lafferty.) Stuart administered the will of her deceased husband.

Robert, the eldest son, took over the Cowpasture farm, while the widow Ann soon after married a widower, Thomas Armstrong, of Jennings Branch of Middle (or Cathey) River.

Thomas Armstrong was married twice. His first wife, name unknown, died about 1757. Some researchers show her name as Mary but proof is lacking. It is known that Thomas Armstrong married second about 1763 Ann Lafferty, widow of James Stewart.

Children of Mary Lafferty and James Stuart:

1. Robert Stuart (Abt 1740 - ABT 1809) Marriage 18 Aug 1762 Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia to Sarah Elizabeth Cartmell
2. William Stuart (Abt 1742 - 1802) Marriage Bef 1765 to Nancy Christopher.
3. James Stuart, Jr. (Abt 1743 - 1772) Marriage 20 Aug 1766 Augusta County, Virginia to Isabella Foster
4. Capt. Ralph Stuart (1746/47 - 1835). Marriage Abt 1768 Augusta County, Virginia to Mary Elliott. Marriage Bond 25 Jun 1788 Montgomery County, Virginia [listed in Revolutionary Pension Application] to Mary Clay
5. John Stuart (Abt 1748 - AFT 1833) Marriage 12 Mar 1770 Rowan County, North Carolina to Mary 'Margaret' Potts
6. Elizabeth Stuart (Abt 1750 - )
7. Mary Catherine Stuart (Abt 1752 - ABT 1799) Marriage Bef 1770 Prob. Augusta County, Virginia to Col. Richard Elliott
8. William Stuart (1754 - )

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GEDCOM Note

Attached source

GEDCOM Note

Mary Ann Lafferty BIO Biography

Ann Lafferty was born in Ireland and as the widow of James Stewart received rents from property in Kilcoskan, Ireland as late as 1761 according to records from the Prerogative Court of Irel

GEDCOM Note

Birth date 1720? and parents' names

Mary Ann Armstrong

This shows Mary Ann Lafferty born in 1720, not 1731, married to James Stuart (or Stewart) and Thomas Armstrong. Many of the children's names from Stewart match, but cannot find the children from Armstrong listed. Mary Ann's parents are listed as Thomas Lafferty and wife of Thomas Lafferty.

GEDCOM Note

Mary Ann Lafferty Stuart

From the Registar of Kentucky Historical Society published 1981. Pg. 330

Ann (Lafferty) Stuart made bond as administratrix of James estate Nov. 17, 1757, with John Dickenson and George Wilson as bondsmen. James estate was appraised March 14, 1758. Robert, the eldest son, took over the Cowpasture farm, while the widow Ann soon after married a widower, THOMAS ARMSTRONG of Jennings Branch of Middle (or Cathey) River.

GEDCOM Note

Life Sketch

From Find A Grave Index, Mary Ann Lafferty Armstrong BIRTH 1720 Kilmainham, County Dublin, Ireland DEATH 24 Sep 1776 (aged 55–56) Augusta County, Virginia, USA BURIAL Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fort Defiance, Augusta County, Virginia, USA MEMORIAL ID 153034925 · View Source

MEMORIAL PHOTOS 1 FLOWERS 12 Family Members Spouses James William Stuart 1719–1757 (m. 1738)

Thomas Armstrong 1710–1776 (m. 1763)

Children Photo Ralph Stewart

GEDCOM Note

Ancestry of Ann Lafferty

HISTORY MAGAZINE OF VIRGINIA, Vol 21, p 372 "The will book of the court 1761, folio 215 Ann Stewart, as a widow of James Stewart was receiving rental from lands in Kilcoskan, Dublin Co., Ireland. Perogative Court of Ireland, Thomas Leach and James Shiel, Witnesses.

GEDCOM Note

Mary Anne Lafferty

James2 Stuart (John1) was born in 1719 in Dunblane, Perthshire, Scotland.1 He was christened on April 12, 1719 in Dunblane, Perthshire, Scotland.1 He married Mary Ann Lafferty circa 1738 in Ireland. In February, 1757 before three of his sons were grown, James was captured with his son James Jr. by Pawnee Indians and burned at the stake, in the presence of his son. The son later escaped. This was known as "Dinwiddie's Massacre."2 He came to America from Ireland, about 1740, and settled in Virginia.1 James STUART settled his family in the Shenandoah Valley, in an area called "the Cowpasture", and at Tygart Valley. This lineage is well documented (Dickerson 1966). He located in 1740 in Shenandoah Valley, Bath (Augusta) Co., VA. He first appeared county records: The County Court ordered a road built from the Stuart's Run area to Carter's Mill on the Calfpasture River on March 18, 1747 in Augusta Co., VA.3,1 He was granted a patent for 300 acres on Stuart Creek (Stuart's Run) adjoining Lafferty, where he had been living for several years and the land was held in the family until 1800 when it was sold by James' son Robert Stuart to Richard Matthews and by him to James Kincaid in 1802 on January 6, 1750 in Augusta Co., VA.3,1 He was mil servc in Captain Dickenson's militia company in 1755.3,1 He served during the Indian Wars. Another (undocumented) relative named William Stuart settled on the Monongahela, at a site named by Braddock "Stuart's Crossing." He witnessed the New Tag of James Stuart on March 14, 1757 in August Co., VA; estate was appraised. Robert, the eldest son, took over the Cowpasture farm, while the widow Ann soon after married a widower, Thomas Armstrong, of Jennings Branch of Middle (or Cathey) River.3,1 Ann Stuart administered the will of her deceased husband James on November 17, 1757 in Augusta Co., VA. He left a will on March 14, 1758 in Augusta Co., VA; James Stewart's appraisement, by Ralph Laverty, James McCoy, Henry Cartmell.1 On February 17, 1762 in the Orphans Court of Augusta Co., VA, 15 year old Ralph Stuart, Jr. (Stewart), orphan of James Stuart, chose his older brother Robert Stuart as his guardian. In the Orphans Court of Augusta Co., VA, 14 year old John Stuart chose Henry Murray as his guardian on February 17, 1762. On February 17, 1762 in the Orphans Court of Augusta Co., VA, 18 year old James Stuart, Jr., orphan of James Stuart, was bound out to John Hamilton as his guardian. On September 24, 1763 Lt. Thomas Armstrong and Ann, his wife (former Ann Stuart, administratrix of James Stuart), were summoned to render accounts. Accountings of the property of James Stuart were made in 1757 and 1758.2,3 Mary Ann Lafferty was born in 1720 in Kilkesken, Ireland.1 She married Lt. Thomas Armstrong.2 She was also known as Mary Ann O'Lafferty.1

Assertion of military service apparently doesn't relate to this profile (she would have been 113 years old at the start of her asserted service):

• Military service: Between 1833 and 1849 - Virginia, US
  • Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: May 15 2016, 15:11:43 UTC

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References

• https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Mary_Lafferty_%281%29
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Lafferty-5 cites
  • History Magazine of Virginia, Vol 21, p 372. 1913. Prerogative Court of Ireland. Will Book 1761, folio 215. "John Martin of Dublin, Merchant. Will 30 April 1760; proved, Brother George Martin devised his lands in Milltown etc to trustees for my benefit. I have paid the sums to children of Brother James Martin. To daughter Agnes Martin œ2000. To son Lewis Martin œ500. To grandson George Bareley œ200. To Andrew Stewart in full satisfaction out of my benefits under George Martins will œ10 yearly, out of my estate in Virginia. To Caple Street Meeting œ5. Lands of Milltown to eldest son George Martin and at his death to Edmond Sexton Perry and James Ager the younger of Dublin Esqrs in trust for his male heirs failing whom to second son Samuel Martin and his heirs male , then Eldest daughter Lucy Agar and heirs male. To second daughter Agnes Martin and heirs male and the right heirs. Lands in Virginia to 2 youngest sons Samuel and Lewis with succession in default to daughter Lucy Agar and Agnes Martin. Daughter Alicia Martin otherwise Campbell wife of son George Martin entitled under Marriage settlement to rent charges on lands in Virginia of œ150 a year Irish currency. Daughters Lucy Agar wife of James Agae Esq œ2000 her portion to be paid. Executors: sons George, Samuel, and Lewis. Witness: Jas Shiel, Tho Leech, Thomas Fitzsimmons Codicil 15 October 1760. Same witnesses. Lands in Kilcoskanl charged with payment of rent to Ann Stewart widow and Jane Benson widow.
  • Augusta County, Virginia Will Book 2, p 215
  • Chalkley, Lyman. Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745-1800. Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1965. Originally published in 1912.Vol 3, p. 124
  • September 24, 1763 Lt. Thomas Armstrong and Ann, his wife (former Ann Stuart, administratrix of James Stuart), were summoned to render accounts. Accounts of the property of James Stuart were made in 1757 and 1758.
  • Augusta County, Virginia Will Book 5, p 422. Proven 20 August 1776. Thomas Armstrong's will -- To wife, Ann; to son, William; to daughter, Sarah Rutledge; to son, Abel Armstrong, testator's home plantation and the new survey on north side Genning's Branch; to well-beloved son and daughter, Robert and Jane McKitrick.
  • Dickerson, Florence (Smith). 1966. The James Stewart family of early Augusta County, Virginia and descendants, 1740-1960. [1] p 27, 29.
  • Crozier, William Armstrong, ed. Virginia County Records - Spotsylvania County Records, 1721-1800. Being transcriptions from the original files at the County Court House of wills, deeds, administrators' and guardians' bonds, marriage licenses, and lists of revolutionary pensioners. New York, NY: Fox, Duffield & Co., 1905.
  • Stewart, William C. A Study of Some Stewart and Allied Families, Kentucky Historical Register, 1963, Vol . 61, pp 78 & 169.
  • Find A Grave: Memorial #153034925 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/153034925/mary-ann-armstrong
  • Chalkley, Lyman. Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745-1800. Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1965. Originally published in 1912. Crozier, William Armstrong, ed. Virginia County Records - Spotsylvania County Records, 1721-1800. Being transcriptions from the original files at the County Court House of wills, deeds, administrators' and guardians' bonds, marriage licenses, and lists of revolutionary pensioners. New York, NY: Fox, Duffield & Co., 1905.
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Armstrong-1105