James Forster, Pvt.

DAR Ancestor # A041586

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19230070

James' name is spelled "Foster" in the DAR database however his grave and memorial plaque state Forster.. A search of his descendants also shows their name spelled Forster in the database details. His children Mary, William and Josiah and spouses are confirmed on his pension records, as well as his wife, Elizabeth Moore. Well known frontiersman and soldier. James appears to be born after his parents immigration.

Sources: Pennsylvania State Archives PA ARCHIVES VOL 7, P 377

"Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVG-C89P : accessed 15 March 2016), James Forster, 1800; Burial, Hershey, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Derry Presbyterian Church Cemetery; citing record ID 19230070, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com Find a Grave states he had six children.

Biography with corrections:

James Foster/Forster was the third son of David Foster and Mary McKee (McQueen). He was born about 1722 before his parents left Shropshire, England for Dunloy, County Antrim, Ireland.* (DAR records from PA archives say he was born in PA as well as his Find A Grave info and both confirm his birth in 1728, not 1722, in Pennsylvania. The James Forster born in 1722 in Ireland was a millright, and his wife's name was Agnes. This man's father's name was John Forster. He definitely emigrated from county Antrim, Ireland, but is not the same person).

He arrived on Conewago Creek in Pennsylvania where he found a permanent home. At age 22 in June 1744, he obtained a warrant for 200 acres of land in Derry Township next to his parents. He was thirty-four when he married Elizabeth Moore in 1756. Three years later in 1759 at age 39 he became tax collector for roads in Derry Township. Later in 1765 at age 45 he became a constable. When Derry Township was split in 1768 and Londonderry Township was erected, James' land became part of Londonderry Township. Because of his past experience, at age 49 he was asked to be tax collector for roads for the new township in 1769. When the north portion of Lancaster County was set apart on 4 March 1785 and erected as Dauphin County. James found his land split between the two counties. His lands on the south side of Conewago Creek remained in Lancaster County. His lands on the North side of Conewago Creek became a part of Dauphin County. James was a successful farmer. He gradually added to the land he owned. The Londonderry Township return for 1780 shows him with 246 acres, four, horses, seven cows, and one sheep. He had 82 acres in Mount Joy Township, Lancaster County and 160 acres in Londonderry Township, Dauphin County. He owned this land when he died. During his life he acquired and disposed of other land. He acquired 173 acres which he an Elizabeth deeded to their son, David, on 22 September 1763. He acquired 184 acres which he and Elizabeth gave to their son, Josiah, on 9 June 1798. Both of these parcels were adjacent to his 246 acres.  Property owners on the Conewago Creek. James served, at age 42, in the French Indian War as an Ensign with 15 men commanded by Major Asher Clayton. They were stationed at Fort Hunter, Paxtang Twp. beginning 1 June 1764. James served in the Revolutionary war as a Private in Captain Murray's Company, 4th Battalion at the battle of Trenton. He was about fiftytwo years old. James and Elizabeth had slaves. James reported on 1 November 1780 in his taxable property a mulatto or Negro slave named Sam. Sam was seventeen years old at the time suggesting he was born in 1763. At this time there is no information on what became of Sam. Elizabeth had a colored servant. She let it be known her wish when she died was for this girl to be freed. The girl was apparently freed earlier because she is not listed as Elizabeth's property in probate records. James followed in his fathers religious example. He and his family were very active in the Presbyterian Church in Derry. He supported the Church, and for this reason when he died 27 May 1800, he was buried in the church cemetery. Elizabeth was living in Harrisburg when she died in 1805. She may have been buried beside James although there are no records do to support this assumption.

Source: https://familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/3417674

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