James McQuown (abt. 1744 - 1825)

Born about 1744 in Bedminster, Somerset, New Jersey

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Ann (Denison) McQuown — married about 1771 in Bucks, Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 24 Apr 1825 at about age 81 in Warrington Township, Bucks, Pennsylvania

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Bruce McEwen [send private message]

Biography

James McQuown was born in 1744 and is believed to be the son of William and Sarah (HELM) MCQUOWN OF Bedminster Twp., Somerset County, New Jersey.

“Index to Bucks County References in the Pennsylvania Gazette” by Terry McNealy: James MCQUOWEN; Nov. 26, 1761 of New Brittain Twp., Bucks Co., PA; BC: LF: (13:474)

“The Bloodstream of an American” by Heath Thomas Coburn – Genealogical Gleanings on the Ancestors and Descendants of ............Charles F. MCEWEN [Note: located at Allen County Library: 929.2 C6366C]

“The Ancestors and Descendants of Charles Fronefield MCEWEN – Philadelphia, PA “James MCEWEN was born in 1744, but whether in Pennsylvania, in Northern Ireland, or in Scotland, has not been possible to determine for this account. At least from 1775 he appears as a resident landholder in Warwick Twp. [Bucks Co.], and as shown by the evidence below. James MCEWEN Sr. died intestate in Warrington Township April 24, 1825, aged 81 years, and was buried in the Neshaminy Presbyterian Churchyard at Hartsville, Warwick Twp., with gravestone marker inscribed with that date. His Wife, Mary Ann [DENNISON] MCEWEN died there July 27, 1806, aged 58 years, according to the obituary notice and grave stone. She is said to have been born DENNISON, and if so, was probably a daughter of Andrew DENNISON to whom 50 acres in Bucks County were warranted Dec. 12, 1745..... “

Tax lists from 1779 show 100 acres, 4 horses, etc. to 1787; James MCEWEN included in 1790 Census 2 3 4 0 0.

"History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania" 1906 by Davis, Smedley and Jordan; page 414: “The McEwens, "sons of Ewen," early settlers in Warrington, are descended from James McEwen, born in the North of Ireland, 1744, and settled in the township in 1762-67. He married Mary Ann Dennison, who was born, 1748, and settled on the Bristol road a mile above Newville. He was an ardent foe of Great Britain and served his adopted country during the Revolution. His wife died July 27, 1806, and he April 24, 1825. They left eight children from whom have come many descendants. The children were:

1. “William b. March 29, 1773 the eldest son of James and Mary Ann (DENNISON) MCEWEN; d. Feb. 6, 1848 in Lower Providence Twp., Montgomery Co., PA and was buried in the church yard there, with a gravestone marker with those dates. In 1797 – 1801 he resided in Warwick Twp.; in 1805 in Warrington Twp., both in Bucks Co., PA, but in 1815-1820 in Montgomery Twp., PA as the records of Deeds indicate.

William MCEWEN of Warminster Twp., Bucks Co., PA and Mary HINES of Hatsfield Twp., Montgomery Co. PA, and she died Dec. 4, 1826 and is buried in her husband’s plot with a gravestone marker. William was a blacksmith and enlisted at Easton in the American Army as a blacksmith in the War of 1812. The estate of William MCEWEN does not appear in Montgomery Co., PA probates; apparently he disposed of his property by Ante-mortem deeds. By virtue of deeds from 1815 to 1840, recorded in Deed Books Nos. 32 – 67, inclusive, William MCEWEN and wife Mary disposed of a 48 acre plantation, grist mill and hundreds of acres on Ridge Turnpike and Perkiomen Turnpike, and also sold a saw mill. He was listed as a Yeoman, some of his buyers were listed as manufacturers, grocer, wheelwright, and another Yeoman, viz., Hiram MCEWEN. Complete records in Montgomery Co., PA.” Andrew, b. 1774; d. Feb. 6, 1814

2. James, m. Dec. 23, 1805 to Mary MATHEWS; son Robert H. b. Dec. 10, 1791;

3. Sarah b. _______?; d. before 1825; m. Thomas FLACK of New Brittain Twp.

4. Agnes (Nancy); b. about 1777; d. Jan. 13, 1865; m. John KERR Jr. b. about 1770 in PA, d. Feb. 1, 1864

5. Mary Ann; b. _______?; d. _______?; m. Henry FLACK

6. John; b. June 6, 1783; m. May 14, 1827 Rebecca JOPERS;

7. Isabel, b. Dec. 4, 1788; Baptized March 1, 1789; d. before 1825 probably unmarried

8. Robert Henry, b. Dec. 10, 1791; Baptized May 6, 1792 [possibly a grand-son] m. June 6, 1811 to Rachel WILLIAMS.

1750

In about 1758, James and Isabella (STEWART) MCQUOWN and his children, along with George HACKET, husband of James’ daughter, Elizabeth, moved to New Brittain Twp., Bucks County, Pennsylvania. There they awaited the outcome of the French and Indian War which made it dangerous for families to travel to inland Pennsylvania. Following the conclusion of the War they proceeded on to Cumberland County, PA where they settled in Middleton Township.

1760

“Index to Bucks County References in the Pennsylvania Gazette” by Terry McNealy: James MCQUOWEN; Nov. 26, 1761 of New Brittain Twp., Bucks Co., PA ; BC: LF: (13:474)

Waite; pub. By Bucks Co. Genealogical Society; page 47: New Brittain 1766 The 24th day of October, 1766 A Duplicate of a Poor Tax of three penny per £ & 9s per head levied on the inhabitants of New Brittain Township the 24th day of October Anno 1766. James Dunlap 20£, 5s James MCCAWN [MCQUOWN] 4£, 1s, 0p And next to him on the list: George HACKET 3£, 0s, 9p And nearby: David HERRIN And two columns further on the list: David CALDWEL 12s, 3p SINGLEMEN: Robert CALWEL [CALDWELL?] at James DUNLAP 9s, 0p [Note: New Brittain Twp. is adjacent to Warwick Twp. where James MCQUOWN was taxed.in 1775 and 1778. CALDWELL AND HERRIN are names found to be married to McQuown and McEwen family members.]

1770

James MCQUOWN married Mary Anne DENNISON about 1770-1772. Mary Anne was born in 1748 in Warrington Twp., Bucks Co., PA. She was the daughter of Andrew DENISON and Sarah.

“Archives of the State of New Jersey” First Series – Vol. XXXIV – Vol. V of Calendar of Wills; Willow Bend Books, Westminster, Maryland; 2000; page 498: Calendar of Wills 1771 – 1780 March 1, 1771. Francis Steward, of Somerset Co.; will of. To Francis MCCOWN, ₤10. To Elizabeth HACKET, ₤10. To Kezia TUNISON, daughter of Cornelius TUNISON, tertius, ₤5. Rest of personal and real estate to John MCCOWN, James MCCOWN, William MCCOWN and Henry MCCOWN. Executors – John MCCOWN and James MCCOWN, above named sons of William MCCOWN. Witnesses – Mary TUNISON, Cornelius TUNISON, Tertius. Proved Oct. 19, 1777. March 31, 1777. Inventory, ₤ 353.11.7, made by Jacob Ten Eyk, Cornelius TUNISON, and Tunis TUNISON. Lib. 19, p. 341. [Note: The James MCCOWN mentioned in the will is the grandfather of James MCEWEN or Warrick Twp., Bucks Co., PA. This is included to show some additional family ties.]

“Bucks County [Pennsylvania] Tax Records” 1693 – 1778” compiled by Terry A McNealy and Francis Wise Waite; pub. By Bucks Co. Genealogical Society; page 62: Warwick Township 1775 A Duplicate of a Poor Tax of three pence per £ & 6s each singleman levied on the inhabitants of Warrick Township. James MCQUOWN 2 Horses, 2 cattle, 3 sheep, 0 land, 0 rent,; Rate: 2£ 6s 0p;Whole Rate: 7£; Tax: 7s; 1 servant Rate: 1£ 10s 0p;Whole Rate: 6£; Tax: 9s; Warwick Township 1775 Page 62 - Andrew DENISON 2 horses, 2 cattle, 6 sheep 116 acres of land Tax £0 10s 6p James MCQUOWN 2 horses, 2 cattle,6 sheep £2 6s – 1 servant £1 10 0p 100 acres rent 8 £4 16 -0p

Warwick Township 1775 Page 63 - Single Men: John HERON at Edward Pools

The Pennsylvania Associators, 1747-1777 by Joseph Seymour page 126

On January 16, 1775, Bucks County Whigs organized a committee of safety. Such committees initially set standards in all military matters at the local level and later ensured that soldiers’ equipment, training, and discipline conformed to standards established by the Continental Congress. Additionally, committees of safety ensured that measures adopted by Congress were carried out at the local level. As one of its first official acts, the committee approved funds to relieve the “poor inhabitants of the Town of Boston,” who many feared were in danger of starvation, the Boston Port Act having shut down much of that city’s commerce. Following news of the battles of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, on April 19, the committee recommended that the people of Bucks County organize military associations in their respective townships to begin military training. A roll of the associated company (totaling 100 individuals) belonging to Warwick Township, Bucks County, was taken on August 21st, 1775 and included our ancestor James McQuown (McEwen) – Adam Kerr, Andrew Denneson, Joseph and Samuel Flack, John and John and Robert and Robert and Alexander Jamison. In 1775, he (Doctor John Beatty) took command of the 2nd Battalion, Bucks County Associators, organized at Buckingham, Wrightstown, Warrington, Hilltown, Plumstead, Solebury, Upper Makefield, Warminster, New Britain, and Warwick. By July 10, 1776, the Bucks County Association had organized its quota. Also known as the Bucks County Battalion, it had an authorized strength of four hundred Associators organized into five companies and was commanded by Colonel Joseph Hart.

The American Revolution Bucks County played a significant role in the Revolutionary War. In 1776, the army of George Washington (1732-99) camped in Central Bucks, using it as a base for his Trenton campaign. On the night of December 25–26, Washington famously crossed from Bucks County into New Jersey to win the battle of Trenton. After securing that victory, Washington returned to Pennsylvania and quartered his men at Newtown. August 1777 found Washington’s army camped in Bucks County, this time in Warwick Township, on its way to the Battle of Brandywine. History is closely tied to several existing structures in Warwick Township: the Neshaminy Presbyterian Church and the Moland House. The Neshaminy Presbyterian Church is one of the earliest religious associations in Pennsylvania dating back to 1726. The Moland House was General George Washington's headquarters when 11,000 Continental Army troops camped in Warwick Township from August 10, 1777 until August 23, 1777 while on their way to the Battle of Brandywine. The encampment stretched along both sides of Old York Road, on the slope of Carr's hill to the north; both sides of Bristol Road from Mearns Road to Meetinghouse Road. While in Warwick Township the American flag that was designed by Betsy Ross was presented to General Washington and Warwick Township was the site where the American flag was first flown. It was here the Marquis de Lafayette and Count Casimir Pulaski joined the American Revolution and distinguished themselves soon at the Battle of Brandywine. Ben Franklin formed the Associators in 1747. Back in the day, Philadelphia was largely Quaker, the military was frowned upon. With the start of the Revolution, the Associators furnished numerous officers to the Pennsylvania Continental Line battalions. By Dec, 1776 the situation was so desperate that they were deployed during the Trenton-Princeton Campaign and saw service throughout 1777. They fought as well as any Continental regiment. James McEwen (McQuown) was listed in the muster roll of the Associated Company of Warwick Township, Bucks County, taken August 21, 1775.

“Pennsylvania Archives” 2nd series Vol. XIV; page 163: Associated Battalions and Militias of The Revolution Warwick Company – Roll of the Associated Company belonging to Warwick Twp., Bucks County, taken Aug. 21st, 1775 …James MCQUOWN, …Samuel FLACK, …

DAR Patriot Index, 3rd Supplement, 1976, p 32 Soldier in the Revolutionary War from Warwick, PA according to DAR Patriot Index

“Record of Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1810” Swede’s Church – Philadelphia Dec. 10, 1776 - James MCQUOAN and Ann DUNLAP.

Bucks Co., PA account of Blankets for the Continental Army Fairview Library 929.374821 B8571 Page 14 – Twp. Of Warrington – July 1, 1777 James MCQUON – 1 Blanket £1 10s

“Bucks County [Pennsylvania] Tax Records” 1693 – 1778” compiled by Terry A McNealy and Francis Wise Waite; pub. By Bucks Co. Genealogical Society; page 110: Warwick Township 1778 A Duplicate of a Poor Tax of three pence per £ & 6s each single man levied on the inhabitants of Warrick Township. James MCQUOWN Rate I: 3£ 0s 0p; Rate II: 1£ 5s; Ancestry.com– Bucks Co., PA U.S. Tax Reconciliation 1782 – 1860; images 2, 5/6 Warwick Township 1778 [first half of year?] James MCCOWEN (II) – Tax $1.50 David HERRIN – Tax $0.15 Warwick Township 1778 [second half of year?] James MCQUOWN – Tax $3.00

1779 Transcript Tax Bucks Co., Pa found at Fairview Public Library, Faitview Park, OH 929.374821 W675 t2 * page 56 James MCCOWIN Warwick 100 acres. 4 horses, 4 cattle, 0 servants

1780

Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3, Volume 13, p166, 472, 548, 645, 757 has: James MCQOWN 100 Acres Warwick Twp., Bucks Co., PA 1781 tax; James MCQUOWIN 100 acres, 7 inhabitants, same twp, 1784 tax; James MCQUOWN 100 acres, same twp, 1785 tax; James MCQUOWIN 100 acres, same twp, 1786 tax; James MCQUOWIN 100 acres, same twp, 1787 tax;

Ancestry.com – Pennsylvaania, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1983 Cumberland>Abstracts of Wills, 1750-1825; image 259/631, pgs. 364 & 365 James was mentioned as the husband of MaryAnn Denison in the will of Andrew Denison, written in Jan. 1788 and probated on Oct. 8, 1790 in Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania. Andrew lived in Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania at the time of his death.

1790

Anccestry.com 1790 Census for no Township stated, Bucks Co., PA; page 132; image 12/87:
Andrew DENNISON 2 3 3 0 0
Andrew DENNISON Male age > 16; b. before 1774;
SonA Male age > 16; b. before 1774;
SonB Male age < 16; b. after 1774;
SonC Male age < 16; b. after 1774;
SonD Male age < 16; b. after 1774;
Sarah (wife) Female any age;
DauA Female any age;
DauB Female any age;

History of Neshaminy Presbyterian Church of Warwick, Hartsville, Bucks Co., PA, 1726- 1876 – page 313: List of Pew Holders about 1795
4/10 James MCEWEN
5/10 Andrew MCEWEN
List of Pew Holders after 1795
William MCEWEN

Pennsylvania Archives 2nd Series, Vol. 9
1796 • Warrington Twp., Bucks Co., PA; James MCEWEN - tax $212.17; Occupation: Cordwainer
1797 • Warrington Twp., Bucks Co., PA; James MCEWEN - 212 acres

1800

Ancestry.com 1800 Federal Census for Warrington Twp., Bucks Co., PA, image 1/1, page 1296
James MCQUOWN 1 0 3 0 1 – 0 1 0 1 1
James MCQUOWN M age > 45 b. before 1755 [b. 1744];
Mary Ann DENNISON F age > 45 b. before 1755 [b. 1748];
Sarah or Agnes F age 26 < 45 b 1756 – 1774;
John M age 16 < 26 b. 1775 – 1784 [b. June 6, 1783];
James M age 16 < 26 b. 1775 – 1784;
Unknown male M age 16 < 26 b. 1775 – 1784;
Isabel F age 10 < 16 b. 1785 – 1790 [b. Dec. 4, 1788];
Robert Henry M age 0 < 10 b. 1791 – 1800 [b. Dec. 10, 1791].
[Note: the unknown male may be a husband of Sarah or Agnes]

Ancestry.com – Bucks Co., PA U.S. Tax Reconciliation 1782 – 1860 Warrington Twp. – 1802
No. 3 - James MCQUOWN, property owned by John BARCLAY?; 200 ACRES Value - $16; 3 horses and 3 cattle – Value Total 3200+130+50=3380; Tax $5.75;
No. 8 – Andrew MCQUOWN, 2 horses and 3 cattle; Value 35+30=65; Tax $0.11.

History of Neshaminy Presbyterian Church of Warwick, Hartsville, Buccks Co., PA, 1726- 1876 – page 338:
John MCEWEN Time of death: Nov. 23, 1804; 21 Yr, 5 Mo., 17 Days [b. June 6, 1783]
Mary Ann (DENNISON) MCEWEN Time of death: July 27, 1806, 58 Years [b. 1748]

1805 Tax List: Warrington Twp., Bucks Co., PA; James MCEWEN - 200 acres

His Wife, Mary Ann [DENNISON] MCEWEN died there July 27, 1806, aged 58 years, according to the obituary notice and grave stone. She is said to have been born DENNISON, and if so, was probably a daughter of Andrew DENNISON to whom 50 acres in Bucks County were warranted Dec. 12, 1745.....

History of Neshaminy Presbyterian Church of Warwick, Hartsville, Buccks Co., PA, 1726- 1876 – page 311; Appendix – Collector of Pew Rents appointed by the Congregation an drawn by 1807 quarter V:7 for their respective quarters in the following order:
1/10 William MCEWEN
2/10 James MCEWEN
3/10 Andrew MCEWEN

After his wife’s death in 1806 James moved across the line into the adjacent Warrington Twp,

1810

Ancestry.com – 1810 Census for Warwick Twp., Bucks Co., PA; image 4/6,, page 906:
James MCEWEN 0 0 1 0 1 – 0 0 1 0 0
James MCEWEN Male age > 45, b. before 1765, [b. 1744];
Robert Henry Male age 16-26, b. 1784 – 1794; [b. Dec. 10, 1791];
Isabel Female age 16-26, b. 1784 – 1794; [b. Dec. 4, 1788]
James lives next to Andrew DENNISON Jr.

“Index of Wills and Administration Records for Bucks Co., PA 1682 – 1850”; page 103:

Andrew died in Warrington in 1814 and Administration of his estate No. 4115 was filed. [Note: This is Andrew Denison Jr. as his father died in 1790 in Newton Twp., Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania.}

1820

Ancestry.com – 1820 Census for Warrington Twp., Bucks Co., PA; image 2/2:
Thomas W. Flack 1 0 1 2 1 1 – 1 1 1 1 0
The eldest male is James MCQUOWN. He is living with his oldest daughter, Sarah (MCQUOWN) FLACK and her family.

Ancestry.com – Warrington Twp., Bucks So., PA Tax Records 1782-1860; image 7/13:
1821 – James MCEWEN 0 1 0 16 0 04
1824 - James MCEWEN 0 0 0 0 1 0 12 13 0

History of Neshaminy Presbyterian Church of Warwick, Hartsville, Bucks Co., PA, 1726- 1876 – page 338:
James MCEWEN Time of death: April 24, 1825, 81 Years [b. 1744]

James MCEWEN Sr. died intestate in Warrington Township April 24, 1825, aged 81 years, and was buried in the Neshaminy Presbyterian Churchyard at Hartsville, Warwick Twp., with gravestone marker inscribed with that date.

“Index of Wills and Administration Records for Bucks Co., PA 1682 – 1850”; page 103:
James MCEWEN died in Warrington April 24, 1825 and his will was filed No. 5399

The will of James MCEWEN (his signature) of Warrington Twp., "The elder, being pretty far advanced in years", dated Jan. 5, 1825 and proved April 28 following, devises to son Robert Henry MCEWEN all wearing apparel; and the residue of the estate., after debts paid, to be divided into seven equal parts for Maria, Sarah Ann, and James M. Flack, the children of my daughter, deceased; to son William MCEWEN, to Mary Ann, John, Jane, Alemina, and James MCEWEN, the children of my son Andrew, deceased; to daughter Agnes, wife of John Kerr, to son James MCEWEN, to dtr. Mary Ann wife of Henry Flack, and to the lawful children of my son Robert Henry MCEWEN as his decease, the interest of their share to him during his lifetime.
Desires executors to have guardianship of the last seventh part and pay interest thereof to said lawful children of son Robert Henry MCEWEN within one year after his decease. Appoints son James MCEWEN and son-in-law John KERR executors.

The above data is recorded in Bucks County Will Book #10 p. 373."

RESEARCH NOTES

Regarding documented proof that James was the son of William McQuown and Sarah Helms. I and several other researchers have never found such proof. This is not unusual for the period. My own connection, John McQuown b. 1745 and married to Margaret Herrin is also not documented to be a son of William and Sarah, and the brother of your James. So we look elsewhere for the connection.

Another son of William and Sarah (Helms) McQuown, Henry, was raised by James and Isabella (Stewart) McQuown after the death of Sarah (Helms) McQuown in 1760. It makes sense that James was also raised by them.

In the case of my John McQuown, the proof came from DNA between Marjory McEwen Gerold, my father’s cousin and a descendant of James and Isabella via William and Sarah. John is well documented in bible records, land, tax, militia and other records. It appears that he was raised by an uncle, William McQuown, who lived in Mount Bethel Twp., Northampton Co., Pennsylvania.

The second method is the Scottish naming custom as another avenue as it was followed well for the first few generations. In James case, his first son was named for the father’s father, i.e. William. The second son was named for the mother’s mother, i.e. Andrew. The third son was named James after the father. I don’t have all the children’s dates of birth so I will only point out that Sarah was one of the daughter who could be named after either the Mother or Father’s Mother. Isabel matches the name of James, James Jr.s father’s wife, Isabella Stewart. And finally, Henry is found in all branches of the family in honor of Isabella Stewart’s father, Henry Stewart. Most branches have a Francis named after Isabella Stewart’s brother Francis who left his estate to the McEwen family in 1771.

The third item to consider is the proximity of James and Isabella Stewart McEwen/McQuown who moved to Bucks Co. in 1761 and settled in New Brittain Twp. Which is on the northwest border of both Warwick and Warrington Twp.

Sources

• “The Bloodstream of an American” by Heath Thomas Coburn – Genealogical Gleanings on the Ancestors and Descendants of ............Charles F. MCEWEN; Page 24 The Descendants of Charles Fronfield MCEWEN, Philadelphia, PA compiled for Heath T. Coburn of Fontana, CA, 1938 – 1947 by Lewis D. Cook, Genealogist, Philadelphia, PA. [Note: located at Allen County Library: 929.2 C6366C]; also available for download from FamilySearch Library

• Ancestry.com – U.S. Presbyterian Church Records, 1701 – 1970; Register of Births, Baptisms and Marriages 1788 – 1970; images as noted above

• Research notes collected by Bruce E. McEwen
• Tax lists for Bucks Co., Pennsylvania showing proximity of James McQuown Sr. and James McQuown, Jr.

• Ancestry.com for census and tax lists