James Armstrong

James Armstrong was born February 17, 1788, in Milton, Norththumberland County, Pennsylvania of apparent Scotch-Irish heritage. In June 1788, the New Hampshire ratified the Constitution, the last state of nine which was needed to put it into effect.

James Armstrong lived until 30 October 1876, just months after the centennial anniversary of the American Revolution, dying in Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo County Michigan, October 28, 1876.

James served in the U.S. Army in the war of 1812

United States Registers of Enlistments in the U.S. Army Name: James Armstrong Event Type: Military Service Event Date: 30 Jul 1812 Event Place: , , , United States Age: 24 Birth Year (Estimated): 1788 Volume Number: 1 Page: 106 Line Number: 1117 , Affiliate Publication Title: Registers of Enlistments in the United States Army, 1798-1914 , Affiliate Publication Number: M233 , Affiliate Film Number: 1 , GS Film number: 350307 , Digital Folder Number: 004032436 , Image Number: 00116

James married Elizabeth George March 28, 1820 in Columbiana County, Ohio. Elizabeth George the daughter of William George Sr. and Malinda Hull George born May 2, 1799. in Elkrun, Columbiana County, Ohio.

Ohio, Marriages, 1800-1958 Name: James Armstrong Spouse's Name: Elisabeth George Event Date: 28 Mar 1820 Event Place: Columbiana Co., Ohio Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M86893-3 , System Origin: Ohio-VR , GS Film number: 927766 , Reference ID: 2:3WSW870

Citing this Record

"Ohio, Marriages, 1800-1958," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XDZN-Y84 : accessed 09 Sep 2014), James Armstrong and Elisabeth George, 28 Mar 1820; citing Columbiana Co., Ohio, reference 2:3WSW870; FHL microfilm 927766.

Their first child, a son that they named William Penn was born in 1821 in (possibly Columbiana County) Ohio. Then James and Elizabeth had two daughters named Emeline in 1824 and Lynney (Linny) in 1825 still in Ohio (possibly Crawford County), but their next daughter, Elizabeth, would be born 26 July 1828 in Michigan. [Their daughter Elizabeth may have been born in St. Joseph County, Michigan - as she is not given as the first white child born in Schoolcraft Township - which she would have been if they had been there then. It is noted that many pioneers went to Park Township, St. Joseph County, Michigan from Ohio. The Armstrongs maintain connections in that area.

By 1829 James Armstrong was located on Prairie Ronde, Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo County.

The following is from History of Kalamazoo County, Michigan Everts & Abbott, 1880 p. 504

"Settlers on Prairie Ronde. --- As to who was the first actual settler in what is now the township of Schoolcraft there is some uncertainty, but a faithful endeavor has brought to light none earlier than James Armstrong, who located on section 8 some time in the year 1829. Mr. James Armstrong was from the state of Ohio, and is recollected to have said that when he came to what is now Schoolcraft Township not another person has settled within its borders.

Purchase was made of land in sections 8, 9, and 17 by James in 1829, who had to travel to the land office in Monroe to make the entry of the claim. In 1831 the land office was moved to White Pigeon and later in 1834 it was removed to Bronson, [which is] now Kalamazoo. The pioneer family was making a new home in the wilderness. In September 27, 1830, a son, John Quincy Adams Armstrong was born in Schoolcraft Township.

The Kalamazoo Bible Society was established in 1832 and the James Armstrong's were listed as patrons, and in 1832 James also purchased land in Brady Twp. Two more sons would join the family, Thomas Jefferson Armstrong born June 16, 1833 and Andrew Jackson Armstrong born 1835, both born in Schoolcraft Township.

The years were met with hard work and in 1837 the tax entry for James Armstrong indicated that he had prospered and now had to pay taxes on: 4 horses, 3 cows, 1 yoke of oxen, 4 yoke of cattle, and 5 hogs.

The family was blessed with twin sons, Alpheus W. Armstrong, and his brother, Alfred V. Armstrong August 28 1838 in Schoolcraft Township. In Aug. 5, 1840 they would loose to death their son Alpheus W., one year 11 months and 7 days of age. September 17 1842 the family was blessed with another son, Warren Franklin born in Schoolcraft. On February 28, 1850 the child, Alfred V. Armstrong dies and is buried at Schoolcraft Cemetery, he was only eleven years and 6 months old.

Elizabeth Armstrong, wife of James dies August 14, 1853, she was 54 years, 3 months and 12 days old. She was laid to rest in the Schoolcraft Cemetery.

James marries Elizabeth Betsy (possibly Lovelace)before the 1860 Census. The 1860 census indicates that James had already remarried. His new wife was also named Elizabeth [possibly Lovelace], 10 years his junior at 60 yrs old, and she was born in Vermont. The household consisted of James and Elizabeth, his sons Jackson and Franklin and grandson Allen Dolph. Also a Hannah M. Lovelace, age 28 appears to possibly to be Elizabeth's daughter born in New York, but no relationship indicated.

On the 28th day of October, 1876 at 90 yrs old, James Armstrong died of pneumonia, listed on the death record as a farmer born in Pennsylvania.

The Three Rivers Reporter,Saturday, November 18, 1876 published the following:

"The veteran pioneer, Mr. James Armstrong, living two and one-half miles east of Schoolcraft, died recently at the age of 90 years. He was the father of Andrew Jackson Armstrong, Esq., who succeeds to the proprietorship of the old homestead. This ancient gentleman had his deed for his farm direct from General Jackson, and he was among the very first of white men to penetrate these, then, unknown lands. The history of his noble life will fill a whole book."

There is no marker on his grave but he is listed in the cemetery records as being laid to rest in section 48. It is thought next to his wife and mother of his children, Elizabeth George Armstrong.