Rev John Alderson

A Patriot of the American Revolution for VIRGINIA. DAR Ancestor #: A001064

Birth: Mar. 5, 1738 New Jersey, USA Death: Mar. 5, 1821 Alderson Greenbrier County West Virginia, USA

John Alderson 1738-1821 Pioneer Preacher "The Indians are coming!" This was a familiar cry in John's Life.

John was born in New Jersey on March 5, 1738. In 1777 he settled on Greenbrier River, near what was to become the town of Alderson, named after him. Little is known of John's early life until after he moved to the southern part of West Virginia. Due to the hostility of the Indians John and his neighbors were often forced to take shelter in the Fort at Wolf Creek. While John worked the fields with his plow he carried his rifle swinging by his side. Due to the tireless efforts of John's preaching in the Forts as well as in the homes of the settlers a small congregation was soon formed with 12 members. This Church was organized in 1781 and was called the Greenbrier Baptist Church. It was the fourth Baptist Church that was organized in what today is West Virginia.

During the early years John labored as a preacher for seven years without seeing another Baptist preacher. Although he lived isolated from other preachers, his life was a shining testimony of a tireless man of God. By studying the Bible and following the leading of the Holy Spirit, John was greatly used of God. During his years of service to Christ he was found not only as a faithful pastor to his congregation, but often made trips to the surrounding areas to help start other churches and propogate the gospel to the settlers in other communities. He would often use his influence with the younger preachers to encourage them to spread the gospel also.

John went home to his reward on March 5, 1821 at the great age of 83. His death was reported as a peaceful event. It is recorded that he was mighty in the Scriptures, a good preacher, a wise counselor, and an untiring worker. ~ copyright 1996 Douglas Hammett ~ ______________________

Thank you Mark Christian for taking the time to take the photographs. I will share the pictures with other relatives and enter them into my records as well. People yet to be born will thank you for the pictures Mark. Thank you Mark.

Family links:

Parents:

 John Alderson (1699 - 1787)

 Mary Jane Curtis Alderson (1707 - 1785)

Spouse:

 Mary Elizabeth Carroll Alderson (1739 - 1805)

Children:

 Margaret Alderson Osborne (1755 - 1822)*

 George Alderson (1762 - 1805)*

 Joseph Alderson (1771 - 1845)*

 Jane Alderson McClung (1780 - 1877)*

• Calculated relationship

Burial: Old Greenbrier Baptist Church Cemetery Alderson Greenbrier County West Virginia, USA

Created by: Wayne L. Osborne Record added: Jul 09, 2005 Find A Grave Memorial# 11318420 _______________________________

Children:

• Alice,
• George, married a Miss Osborne
• Mary,
• John (I),
• Joseph, married "Polly" Newman
• Thomas,
• Margaret, married Thomas Smithson
• Jane married William McClung and
• John was married three times, first to Jane Walker, who bore him six children, next to Nancy (Robinson) Mays, who also bore him six children, and next to Millie Milholland. He died in 1853..

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"Among the early hunters in Campbell County (TN) were Daniel Boone, Squire Boone, John Milton (in 1761 Captain Breckenridge's waggoner), John Alderson, Joseph Carroll, John Herd, Curtis Alderson, Archibald Taylor, Phillip Cooper, Walter Kelly, Obediah Garwood; in 1751, John Strulter and Uriah Stone." [From Dr. D. L. Ridenour, The Land of the Lake, p. 2.]

Link:

• http://www.fridley.net/alderson-p/p2477.htm - not available

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John Alderson

• Gender: Male
• Birth: Mar 5 1738 Bethlehem, Hunterdon, New Jersey
• Marriage: Oct 3 1759
• Death: Mar 3 1821 Alderson, Monroe, Virginia
• Father: John Alderson
• Mother: Mary Jane Curtis
• Wife: Mary Carroll
• Children: Alice Alderson George Alderson

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ALDERSON, John--born England, married possibly in New Jersey, --- CURTIS, to New Jersey ca. 1737, Baptist Minister, to Rockingham Co., VA; children:

• John Jr.--married --- CARROLL, of Rockingham Co., VA, Baptist Minister, to Greenbrier Co., WV 1775 (have sheet)

History of Middle New River Settlements, DE Johnston

http://files.usgwarchives.net/wv/family/annetta/file0001.txt

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The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pgs. 618-19

THE ALDERSON FAMILY

Among the prominent and distinguished families of Monroe County few can lay claim to a more honorable lineage or to a more splendid record for public-spirited citizenship than that bearing the name of Alderson. This family traces back to John Alderson, the progenitor in the United States of the Aldersons of West Virginia, who came from Yorkshire, England, and first located in New Jersey, where he married Mary Curtis, and for a time was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Later he entered the ministry of the Baptist Church, and followed that calling during the remainder of his life, in Pennsylvania and Maryland. He became the father of three sons and one daughter.

  One of the sons of the immigrant John Alderson, "'''Elder John" Alderson''', became historically connected with the early history of the southeastern part of what is now West Virginia. As a Baptist missionary he located in the immediate vicinity of Alderson, West Virginia, in  1774, and until the establishment of a church in 1781 visited around in the sparsely  settled country, preaching and exhorting and bringing the Word to the pioneers. He became  widely known and universally beloved, and continued as pastor of the church which he had  founded until his death.  '''He was born March 5, 1738, and October 31, 1759, married Mary Elizabeth Carroll, their children being ''':

• Alice,
• George,
• Mary,
• John (I),
• Joseph,
• Thomas,
• Margaret,
• Jane and
• John. These children of "Elder John" Anderson were fine characters and left honored names for their descendants, many of whom yet live in this section. George married a Miss Osborne, Joseph married "Polly" Newman, Margaret married Thomas Smithson, Jane married William McClung and John was married three times, first to Jane Walker, who bore him six children, next to Nancy (Robinson) Mays, who also bore him six children, and next to Millie Milholland. He died in 1853...

It goes without saying that the descendants of Elder John Alderson are, for the most part,  Baptists in religion, although late generations have accepted other faiths. So far as is known they have been democrats. None have been known to have violated the laws of the land; and, on the other hand, many have held important official positions with credit. On the whole, the Alderson's are recognized as among the solid and substantial people of  West Virginia, a credit to the state and nation.

GEDCOM Source

@R1603396847@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=83081276&pid...

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11318420/john-alderson

Children Margaret Alderson Osborne 1755–1822

George Alderson 1762–1805

Photo Joseph Alderson 1771–1845

Jane Alderson McClung 1780–1877

Photo John Alderson 1783–1853