William Morris McCormack, Sr.

Not a known child of Capt. James McCormick

Notes from Beverly Neises: The single most important stimulating Scottish emigration to Virginia was the tobacco trade. In 1707, England removed all restrictilons on trade between Scotland and the American colonies. Glasgow quickly emerged as the chief center for the tobacco trade, and ships bound for Virginia and Maryland sailed regularly from its harbor. A proliferation of Scottish merhants, factors, and their servants arrived in Virginia ports to control operations between the two continents. It was against this backdrop that William MacCormich, MacCormack, Sr. emigrated to the Colony of Virginia.

This period also found political refugees pouring into Virginia from Scotland. Clan MacLean rose in support of the Jacobite uprising, in 1715, and capurted prisoners of war were banished to America. While it is possible William McCormick, Sr. arrived in Virginia under these circumstances, it is far more likely the tobacco trade brought him to America's shores. According to land records, William MacCormack, Sr. was a Planter (tobacco planter) on his plantation in Louisa County, Virginia. Whether he had his beginnings as a merchant or laborer, it might be assumed he was acquainted with every aspect of the tobacco industry.

William MacCormick, McCormack, Sr. was born about 1690-1700, probably in Scotland. Some believe William was born in Ireland and came to America in the great migration from Ulster Province, in the years 1718-1719. The problem with this theory is that an overwhelming majority of the emigrants from Ireland landed in the port of Philadelphia. It was the Scots who populated Virginia, and they were well represented in early New Kent, Hanover, and Louisa counties. There were ports of entry along the York and James rivers, which would explain why William disembarked in New Kent County. Ship passenger lists for Virginia have not survived between the years 1708 to 1725, but it was during this period that William arrived on America's shore.

The parish Register of New Kent County, Virginia, records the births of William's firstborn children. Also listed were children born to one Grizel Maccomick (McCormick), presumably William's first wife. It might be noted that William did not name a daughter Martha in his Will, and his son Charles was born in 1741, not 1728, as recorded for the son of Grizel. Perhaps Martha and Charles were children of William who dies young, with a younger son Charles the namesake of his deceased older brother. Whatever the circumstances might have been, the presence of Grizel MacCormick establishes a link between Willaim and a homeland in Scotland. The name Grizel is a Scotish version of the Norse Giselda.

Both William and Grizel McCormick disappeared from New Kent County records after the births of their children, in 1727-28. It is possible Grizel died after the birth of son Charles. By 1738, the family was living in that part of Hanover County which became Louisa County, in 1742. Early Hanover and New Kent County records were destroyed by fire during the Civil War, but some data has been preserved in neighboring Goochland County.

William McCormack was a land owner on both sides of the present Goochland and Louisa County lines, but his dwelling was on Hammons Creek (near Deep and Ownes Creeks), on the south side of South Anna River, in what is now Louisa County, Virginia.

GOOCHLAND CO VA DEEDS DEED BOOK 3 1737-1742 p 125 16 May 1738 Charles toney of St. Jame's in Goochland County to William McCormick of St. Martins parish in Goochland County . . .100 acres on Lickinghole Creek in Goochland County (Becomes Fredericksville Parish in 1751). Witnesses: Josiah Payne, Henry Webb, and David Mims

FROM PHOTO COPIES OF THE CARSON-MCCORMICK FAMILY MEMORIALS (pages 125-128) obtained by Sarah Rosenbaum in 1981 from the Department of Cultural Resources, Division of State Library, Genealogical Services Branch, 109 East Jones Street, Raliegh, North Carolina 27611 I OCR scanned them and edited them for missing text which the scanner couldn't recognize .

In New Kent Co., Va., are recorded the births of David, a son, l724-25, and "Mary ye Daught", 1727 of William McCormick; also of Charles, 1728, and Martha, 1725, children of Gresel" (Grissell) McCormick ( (320 p 477,478,479,481). The will of this William Mccormick is in Louisa Co., Va.; 1753, and in it are named sons David, William, Thomas, John, Micajah, and Charles; daughters Mary, Nancy, Sarah, and Elizabeth; and wife Rebecca, Of these, David and Thomas are listed among the taxpayers of Buckingham co., 1732-87; William, Micajah and Charles are found in Bedford Co., where William's will is dated 1775. In this will are sons John, David, and William, daughters Lucy, Jessie, and Nancy, and wife Agnes. Micajah was a surveyor and constable, and is last mentioned in Bedford county records in 1795-99. Charles removed to Pittsylvania Co., where his name appears in the court minutes of 1778. John m. Susannah Bullington in Goochland Co., 1763, and a son Joel was born to them there, 1765. There is no more rccord of him in Virginia; but he married too late to have been the first husband of Mrs. John Davis, Sr., and she had no son Joel. David had a land grant of 282 acres in Buckingham co.,Va., 1769, and must have gone there then. (345). Thomas, before going to Buckingham co., m. Lucy Profitt, l754, Goochland Co., Va.(304; 305);138 p 32). A Thomas McCormick was in the militia of Lunenburg Co., Va., 1754; and a person of the same name was a fife major in the Revolution;( 73 p 75;2 62); at least the first was probably the Thomas of Goochland co. A younger Thomas McCormack (McCormick), no doubt a son of Thomas or David above, m. Mary Taylor, dau. of Daniel Taylor, in Buckingham Co,,1791 (53 v 57 p 82). Also, in Goochland Co., Sarath McCormic m. William Morris, 1765 (138p32). There are many descendants of this family in southwest Virginia and West Virginia, most of them through William the son of William who left a will in Bedford Co., 1775. Among them is Kyle McCormick, publisher, of Princeton, W. Va.

William McCormack, Sr.'s Will specified that son William McCormack, Jr., was to inherit his plantation on 150 ares of land, in Louisa County, after the decease of his wife, Rebecca. A 100 acre trct in Goochland County, Virginia, was bequeathed to third son, Thomas McCormack. William, Jr., and his mother, Rebecca sold the 150 acre plantation in Louisa County to neighbor David Shelton, on June 19, 1754. There is not record of the purhcase of additional property, so it is believed that William, Jr., was making prepartions to leave Louisa County. Soon thereafter, orphaned sons Micajah and Charles are indentured by churchwardens of Fredericksville Parish.

ABSTRACT OF WILL: (Abstracted by Robert E. McCormack remccorm@aol.com) Louisa Will Book 1 p.30 In the name of God, Amen, William McCormick of the Parish of Fredericksville in the County of Louisa now being of sound Sense and memory but considering the uncertainty of this mortal life do therefore by of these presents make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say I commend my soul into the hands of the Almighty God who gave it and my body to be decently buried according to the discretion of my Executors [torn]hoping through the merits of my blessed Saviour to obtain a joyful [torn]resurrection, and as to my worldly effects I give and devise the same as [fol]lows to wit

Imprimis I give to my son David M cCormick one [torn]ing sow; I have already given to him such part of my other estate as [torn]I think sufficient for him.

Item I give and devise to my son William McCorinick after my wife's decease, my plantation whereon I now live [torn] and one hundred and fifty acres land with it, to him my son William and [torn]his heirs for ever, also one horse named Salley and my saddle and bridle [torn] and warming clothes.

Item I give to my son Thomas McCormick my land in [torn] County of Goochland, being one hundred acres same purchased of Layne [torn] to him? my said son Thomas and his heirs forever.

Item I give to my son (torn, but it appears their is an n after the tear and other sources have included a John in listing of sons-Robert E McCormack) John McCormick a gun, and a horse named Jockey and a chest and two sows.

Item I give to my son Micajah Mc~Cormick three head of cattle, two sows and pigs.

Item I give to my son Charles McCormick three(?] head of cattle, two sows and pigs.

Item I give to my daughter Mary McCormick one cow and two puter bassons.

Item I give to my daughter (torn]Lucy? McCormick one cow and two dishes.

Item I give to my daughter [torn s]arah McCormick one cow.

Item I give to my daughter ~ Elizabeth McCormick one cow.

Item I give to my loving wife Rebecca the use and possession of my land and plantation whereon I now live, during her natural life and all the remainder and the residue of my other estate whatsoever after my just debts and funeral expenses paid and discharged .

and lastly I constitute and appoint my said wife to be executrix of this my last will and testament and desire my estate may not be appraised and revoke every other will or wills by me heretofore mald. Witness my hand and seal this eight day of December 1748. [Sig.] William (WM his mark) McCormick. wit. John McGeorge, Richd. Richardson,

At a court held for Louisa County on Tuesday the 25th day of September 1753 This will was this day proved in open Court by the oath of John McGeorge one of the witnesses thereto who also declared that he saw the said Richard Richardson subscribe his name as one evidence thereto and by ;the Court admitted to record and is recorded . Teste. Jas. Littlepage C. Clk.

Notes from Bevery Neises: It is not known if Richard Anderson was a friend of the family or a son-in-law of William McCormack. Descendants say he was born in about 1720 and married in about 1744. His wife's name remain unknown, but he was the right age to have wed a McCormack daughter.

John McGeorge was a close neigbhor, but it is not known if he wa a family friend or son-in-law of William McCormack. John McGeorge was an immigrant from Scotland or Ireland, and he received a patent for 400 acres on Owens Creen, Louisa County, on 23 Dec 1754. (Ref: Patent Book 32, Reel 30, pg 427-239) John McGeorge (or his son of the same name) was among the Louisa and Hanover County families who migrated to Bedford County, Virginia. On June 26, 1769, Josiah Payne and John McGeorge each purchased land from Merry Carter, on the south side of Little Otter River, Bedford County, Virginia. (Ref: Bedford County Deed book C-3, pp. 316, 318) Micajah McCormack, son of William and Rebecca, removed to Bedford County with the Anderson family, during the same time period. The McCormacks and Andersons were closely associated with the Payne family in Bedford County.

FROM LOUISA COUNTY DEEDS: 1742-1754 Part 2 pg 435-436 William Mackcormack 2 May 1751 (24 yr of reign of Soverign King George 2nd) "of the parish of Fredericksville and County of Louisa to Roger Thompson same parish & co for 10 pounds current money of VA . . parcel of land lying on the south side of Sourth Anna River in the parish of Fredericksville and county of Louisa containing 50 acres bounded by Kings line" Recorded in court 24 Sept 1751

William McCormack of Fredericksville parish, Louisa County, and eldest son, David McCormack. along with Roger Thomlpson and David Parker, witnessed a land transaction between Andrew Hunter and George Webb, on February 4, 1743-4. (Ref: Louisa County, Virginia, Deed Book A, pp. 133-134) After William McCormack's death, his son Micajah was bound to the same Andrew Hunter. David Shelton was another McCormack neighbor on Hammons Creek.

Pursuant to an order of Louisa Court date ye 27th day of August, 1751, it was ordered that the parish of Fredericksville be divided into precincts for processioning as follows: Item: William McCormack and David Shelton do procession the lands from Hammons Creek to the parish line between the river and Goochland line." (Ref: Fredricksville Parish Vestry Book, 1742-1787, by Rosalie Edith David, 1978, p. 40)

Both William McCormack and David Shelton had land holding south of the county line, in Goochland County, Virginia. David Shelton mentioned his tracts on Wild Boar Creek, Goochland County, in his Will recorded September 11, 1797, Louisa County, Virginia.

The processionion records show that Roger Thompson, Gentlemen (a Parish Vestryman) lived adjacent to William McCormack on Hammons Creek. Joseph Walker and wife, Mary, sold their 213 acres and Mill on Hammons Creek on October 11, 1748, after moving to Goochland County, Vriginia (Ref: Louisa County Deed Book A. pp 330-331). John McGeorge, named in the following deed, later witnessed the Will of William McCormack, Sr., in Louisa County:

July 6, 1749. John Thompson (Thomason) of St. Paul's Parish, Hanover County, merchant, to John McGeorge of Fredericksville Parish, Louisa County, scrivnor. For natural love and affection for said John McGeorge, kindsman, and for 5 shillings currect money, 200 acres land purchased by said Thomson of Charles Anderson of Hanover County . . .in Fredericksville Parish . .corner which divides this land from John Thomson's . . Dansie's back line, formrly Mitchell's . . corner which divides this land from William McCromick's, formerly King's line . . .on said county line . . . on north side of the main road, on said Thomson's line, formerly Kings's. signed John Thomson Proven by oaths of witnesses 25 July 1749. (Ref: Louisa County Deed Book A, pp 354-55)

Charles Anderson, son of Robert Anderson II and Elizabeth Overton, was a relative of Micjah McCormack's father-in-law, Richard Anderson. Charles Anderson, planter, of St. Paul's Parish, Hanover County, Virginia, and wife Jennet Claiborne, sold their 200 acres adjacent William McCormack to John Thomson (Thompson), on May 5, 1745. (Ref: Louisa County Deed Book A, pp 232-4)

26 August 1752 (25 yr of reign of Soverign Kind George 2nd) Roger Thomson of parish of Fredericksville parish and Co of Louisa & David Shelton "for 150 pounds current money of Va 494 acres (200 acres pur of late Poher King of Hanover Co; 244 acres pur of late Robert Cauthorns of Hanover Co; other 50 acres pur of one William McCormack,, late of county of Hanover." (Ref: Louisa County Deed Book A, pp.436-437)

Three months later, the above land was resold to David Shelton,, Gentleman. Roger Thomson removed from Fredricksville Parish, after the sale of his property, and Robert Anderson III, Gentleman, was chosen Vestryman in his place on August 26, 1752. (Ref: Fredericksville Parish Vesty Book, 1742-1787, by Rosalie Edith Davis, 1978, p 43)

Another close neighbor was Anthony Pate, planter, whose land bordered Thomas Dansie's 1,980 tract on both side Machamrs Creek, Fredericksville Parish, Louisa County. Dansie's back line divided William McCormack's property from Charles Anderson's tract. Anthony Pate and wife Sarah sold their 96 1/2 acres, which had been conveyed to him by lease on November 3-4, 1734, to James Power on April 25-6, 1748, witnessed by Barlett Anderson and others. (Ref: Louisa County Deed book A, pp. 306-308 & 314-316)

Anthony Pate and wife Sarah purchased 433 acres on both sides northeast fork of Beaverdam Creek, Bedford, Virginia, on September 27, 1756 (Ref: Bedford County Deed A-1, pp. 114 & 255). Micajah McCormack, son of William, Sr., and his father-in-law Richard Anderson later settled next to Anthony Pate on Beaverdam Creek, Bedford County. There was also a Bartlett Anderson in the Beaverdam Creek family, and the Andersons and Pates remained closely associated in both Louisa and Bedford counties. Several families from the old Louisa, Hanover, and Goochland county neighborhoods migrated on to Bedford County, Virginia.

• Emigration: 1735 - Pennsylvania
• Residence: Same House - 1935
• Residence: Ward 2, Secaucus, Secaucus Town, Hudson, New Jersey, United States - 1940
  • Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Jan 1 2021, 16:45:13 UTC

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• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Mar 17 2018, 21:19:22 UTC

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• Emigration: 1735 - Pennsylvania
• Residence: Same House - 1935
• Residence: Ward 2, Secaucus, Secaucus Town, Hudson, New Jersey, United States - 1940
  • Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Jan 20 2021, 21:47:36 UTC