William McQuown (abt. 1712 - abt. 1789)

Born about 1712 in Ballybay, County Monaghan, Ireland

Ancestors

Died about 1789 at about age 77 in Mount Bethel, Northampton, Pennsylvania, United States

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

Biography

William was the son of William and Unknown. He was born in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan, Ireland about 1712. In accordance with the Scotch-Irish naming custom, William would have been the third son of his father Williaam, with his brothers, J0hn and James being the first and second.He came with his father and other family members to Somerset Co., NJ in 1737.

As a young man, he moved to Mount Bethel, Northampton Co., PA sometime before 1757.

“Names of Paersons for whom Marriage Licenses were issued in the Province of Pennsylvania Previous to 1790”; Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1963, pg. 161:

June 27, 1766 – William MCEWEN and Rebecca BRUCE. [Note: Mr Dopke’s wife did a genealogy “study of her BRUCE family. Mr. Dopke lives in Mt. Bethel, Northampton Co., PA.]. No other reference to a Rebecca has been found but the next referencee shows that there were members of the BRUCE fmily in Mt. Bethel at an early time.

http://www.libraries.psu.edu/do/digitalbookshelf/28055488/28055488_part_19.pdf

THE SCOTCH-IRISH OF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

About the year 1734, a settlement was made within the THE SCOTCH-IRISH OF NORTHAMPTON COUNTY. bounds of what is now Lower Mt. Bethel, which has long been known as Hunter's Settlement. A settlement made on the Lehigh about the same time was called Craig's Settlement.

The people of these two settlements were mostly from the North of Ireland, and there was for many years a most pleasant intimacy between them.

Among the names of the early settlers in Mt. Bethel are found those of Miller, Moore, Lockard, Lyle, Moody, Martin, Nielson (Nelson), Buckman, Hutchison, Ross, McFarren, McIlhaney, Sullivan, Galloway, Foresman, McCollum, Dunn, McCracken. Beard, Brittain, Scott, Hanna, Winters, Barton, MCEWEN, Gulick, Nye, Gaston, Kennedy, Rhea, Gordon, Taylor, Martin, Syllaman, Campbell, Patterson, Robinson, Craig, McElroy, Oliphant, Lemmon, Stackhouse, Anderson, McNeil, BRUCE, Galbraith, Richie, Crawford, McGarrick, Tripp, Peck, Goodwin, Eggleton. Stinson, Mathewson, Tompson, Carr, Avres. Barnhill, Ketchledge, Sherlock, Beatty, McComb, Burns, McCall, McFall, McKibben, Edmiston, McCrea. Patton, Rosenberry.

“Wilderness at Dawn” the settling of the North American Continent by Ted Morgan; Simon and Schuster; p. 295:

In May 1757, Edward Marshall left his farm for a day’s logging operation and while he was gone, the Indians attacked the house and killed his pregnant wife and a number of children were killed. Whether the Indians knew who he was is unknown, but the revenge was accomplished. Edward had been the walker in the "infamous" Walking Purchase OF 1737 wherein much of Northampton Co., Pennsylvania was purchased from the Indians.

Ancestry.Library.com – Pennsylvania – Warrants and Applications 1733-1952: Warrant No. 40 - Baltzer HESS of the County of Northampton hath requested that we would grant him to take up 50 acres of land adjoining John MCCOMBE and William LAVERS about 4 miles from the Blue Mountains…. 8 April 1758. Survey returned 3 March 1795. [Note: this provides a later date for John MCCOMBE.]

Northampton Co., PA Treasurer’s Cash Book: page 27 Sept. 20, 1758. To cash paid to Nathaniel TAYLOR for William MCCLOAN, 6 shillings on order of Hugh WILSON.

Northampton Co., PA Treasurer’s Cash Book: page 33: May 30, 1759 To cash paid James GRAY for Wm. MCCLEAR (MCQUOWN) per order 6 shillings.

Ancestry.Library.com – Pennsylvania – Warrants and Applications 1733-1952: Baltzer HESS of the County of Northampton hath requested that we would grant him to take up 25 acres of land adjoining one MCCOMB’s Plantation and near his own land …. 28 May 1759. [Note: this provides an even later date for John MCCOMBE.]

Melchior HAY of the County of Northampton hath requested that we would grant him to take up 50 acres of land adjoining one MCCOMB’s Plantation and land of William LEVAR about four miles south of the Blue Mountains.…. 28 May 1759.

“Abstracts of Public Records – Northampton Co., Pennsylvania (and surrounding counties) 1729 – 1779; Vol. 1; page 56:

Sept. 20, 1758, “this settled the county money with hands of Jno. Weagley treasurer in presence of the Grand Jury and two majostrats and find the county indebted to the treasurer a balance of 4 shillings, 10 ½ pence; signed George Rex, James Ralston, Adam Moor, Alexander Miller, foreman, Da. Trexler, Thomas Armstrong Sept. 18 Valentine Booghecker for John Tool for 2 old red fox heads, per order of Lewis Klotz Sept. 19 John Beers Sept. 20 Nicholas Handwerk; John Holder; Samuel Ralston, for one fox head per order of Thomas Craig, esquire; Nathaniel Taylor, for William MCCLOAN [William MCQUOWN?] per order of Hugh Wilson, esquire; Adam Reaser; Jacob Best, per order of Conrad Hess, esquire… Aug. 7, 1759 John JOHNSON per order of Tim. HORSEFIELD, Esquire Page 129: Tax assessor of Northampton Co. Sept 1, 1761 – Allen Twp.; Hugh WILSON Esq. 18.

[Note: Is this probably the uncle of John MCQUOWN.

[Notes: 1. A physical review of the “Treasurer’s Accounts of Northampton County, 1754 – 1770” may reveal the way the recorder wrote the MCLOAN. If in script he left the “O” open at the top, you would surmise that he wrote “CL”; if there is a CLARK family, that should be compared.; you might also find out if there was a “tail” on the “O or Q”. An examination of other Capital “O”s might reveal his handwriting foibles. I only copied page 56 of the ”Abstracts of Public Records – Northampton County, Pennsylvania 1772 – 1779”; Vol. One by Candace E. Anderson. Earlier records might show his writing using an “O” for another name. Comparison to a “G” might also show a break at the top.

2. Since none of the MCCLOAN names appear any where else in Mt. Bethel records including Militia muster records, grave, property and tax records. I strongly suggest William MCCLOAN is William MCQUOWN.

3. The Scotch-Irish naming convention also suggests that John MCQUOWN’s father was William MCQUOWN’ as John named his eldest son William(1) and that is the name of the father’s father. This William McCloan was proved thru Marjory Gerold McEwen Gerold's DNA on Ancestry to be a William McQuown who died in Quebec Prison after being captured by the French and Indians.

4. I have not included the militia muster records as they are similar to the tax records.

Evaluation of McCloan/McQuown in Mt Bethel Public Records Record MCQUOWN MCCLOAN MCOWEN MCCOMB 3/31/1747 property X X X John 4/8/1758 property X X X John 9/20/1758 X William X X 5/28/1759 property X X X John 9/1/1761 MB TL X X X X 4/24/1766 property X X X John 1768 Ltr. McEwen X X X 2/5/1768 property X X X John 1775 MB TL John MCKOUN X X X 1777-1783 Oath John MCQUOWN X X X 1779 MB TL JOHN MCQUEON William MCK. X X 1780 MB TL X X X X 3/3/1785 property X X John 1785 MB TL John MCQUOWN X X X 1786 MB TL John MCEWEN X X X 1788 MB TL XJohn MCCOWEN X John X X 1789 Land Warrants XJohn MCOWEN X JohnX X 1790 MB Census XJohn MCOWEN X JohnX X 1800 MB Census John MCGAWEN X X X Northampton Index of Wills X X X X

“Register of Rev. John Cuthbertson” (R171) has page 244: Somerset County, Basking Ridge:

1759 Nov. 30 (See Hackensack) 1759 Dec. 1 “Rode and tramped 13 miles to Eph (Ephraim) MCDOWELL’s and MCKOWN’s (from Baskingridge). [Note: 1. in 1768 the MCEWEN and MCDOWELL farms were near to each other in Mt. Bethel Twp., Northampton Co., Pennsylvania.

2. Ephraim MCDOWELL is living in New Jersey and is mentioned in the “Index to the Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey” appearing in Vol 43:12.

3. Basking Ridge is located on the east side of Bernards Twp., Somerset Co., NJ. 15 miles is about ½ the distance to Easton, Northampton Co., PA, so he was not visiting the Mt Bethel MCQUOWN family. He also would have journeyed beyond the Pluckemin home of James and Isabella (STEWART) MCQUOWN. Most likely his destination was Lamington, home of the MCEOWEN family.]

1760

“Abstracts of Public Records – Northampton Co., Pennsylvania – 1727 – 1779” by Candace E. Anderson; Vol. 1; page 130 and 133:

Tax assessments of Northampton Co, Sept. 1, 1761 – Mt. Bethel Twp. Alexander CAMPBELL 7 Henry DILDINE 12 William MACFARREN 9 Robert MACCRACKEN 5 Thos. MACCRACKEN 6

Singlemen James MUCKLEHEANEY

[Note: There is no listing for MCQUOWN, HERIN, JOHNSON or KITCHEN. It implies that they all came later or they were tenant farmers and the owner of the land was taxed. If the William MCCLOAN mentioned in the 1758 Treasurer’s Accounts is John MCQUOWN’s uncle, then the arrival date would be prior to 1758.

“The Scotch-Irish of Northampton County”, 1926 , Vol. 1 [R91] page 515 “Hunter Settlement of Mt. Bethel Township” has:

Bath, Pennsylvania, Jan. 7, 1907 A letter to Rev. J.C. Clyde, D.D., Easton, PA. Jan. 30, 1907 from Asa K. McIlhaney: By 1768, this ancestor of mine, Wm. MCILHANEY, possessed 373 acres of land in what is now Lower Mt. Bethel., just across the Delaware [River] from Belvidere, N.J. It joined lands of the MCILROYS, MCCRACKENS, and the MCDOWELLs and close to that of the MCNEILS, MCFERRENS and the MCEWENs.

Why these Macs were bunched so closely together, I cannot say. This information I got from old and original property drafts which are in my possession.......

[Note: John(II) MCEWEN/MCQUOWN would only be aged 22 or 23 years old, as he was born in 1745, so this might be the land of his uncle, William McQuown. The Sept. 1, 1761 Mount Bethel tax assessment lists William MCFARREN, Robert and Thomas MCCRACKEN, and Singlemen, James MUCKLEHEANEY. There is no listing for MCEWEN, MCDOWELL or MCNEIL. Later research indicates that William MCLOAWN [MCQUOWN] may be the person] mentioned in the letter, and this may be John MCQUOWN’S great uncle.]

[Note: The 1790 Tax List has John MCQUOWN living on David Eyers land, Henry MCDOLE,, and Hector MCNEIL living on Hugh GASTON’s estate and all three are located in Upper Mt. Bethel Township.]

[Note: Some or all of these names are also found in Somerset County, New Jersey so that may be the connection referred to in the letter.]

MCEWEN PROPERTY LOCATION

[Note: These names noted in the above letter were searched for property records using the AncestryLibrary.com – Pennsylvania – Warrants database. All records pertain to property in Mt. Bethel Twp. And are listed in the same order as the names in the letter.

MCILHANEY

Sept 28, 1767 William MUCKELHANNY accepted 273.106 acres in Mt. Bethel Twp. Survey returned 30 Sept. 1767 with the patentee being William MUCKELHANNY. The Record is located in Vol. AA No. 10 pg. 118 and the survey is copied in Book C134 pg. 120.

Oct. 1, 1767 James MCILHANEY purchased a 273 acre tract of land adjoining: the Delaware River; MCILHANEY’S other land [probably the 100 acres, the difference of 373 less this 273 acres.]; Jacob and Valentine MILLER; John SCOTT Esq.; and Alexander MCELROY.

April 4, 1768 James MCILHANEY applied for 150 acres of vacant woodland adjoining land of late Samuel MILLER.

MCILROY

May 16, 1747 William MACKELROY applied for 40 acres – no description of location.

Aug. 9, 1749 William MUCKLEROY survey returned as follows: Feb. 25, 1796 for 48.103 acres Patentee Christian Draugher. Nov. 20, 1806 for 109.122 acres Patentee Christian Draugher. May 18, 1804 for 65.137 acres Patentee William MCELROY. Jan. 18, 1845 acres patentee Washington PIATT.

April 21, 1753 William MUCKELROY survey for 50 acres above the Forks of The Delaware River. Returned July 18,1810 for 234.72 acres patentee Conrad Keiser.

Alexander MUCKELROY had a survey of 20 acres on the Delaware River on May 1, 1754. The survey was returned July 19, 1810 for 234.72 acres and the patentee was Henry Jacoby. The Record is located in Vol. P No. 55 pg. 328 and the survey is copied in Book C134 pg. 125-127. [Note: There is a Jacoby Creek that enters the Delaware River in the town of Portland, Upper Mt. Bethel Twp.]

William MUCKELROY had a survey of 50 acres above the Forks of the Delaware on April 21, 1763. The survey was returned March 22, 1805 for 55 acres and the patentee was Conrad Keiser. The Record is located in Vol. H No. 4 pg. 250 and the survey is copied in Book C133 pg. 138.

Alexander MCELROY requested an order for surveying on Feb. 5, 1768 for 100 acres in Mt. Bethel Twp. to be surveyed in 4 different surveys joining his other land, John MCCOMB’S and Joseph Gaston, Esq.; signed Alex’d MECKLEROY. [Note: This reference to John MCCOMB means he was still alive in 1768.]

Alexander MCELROY requested an order for surveying on Feb. 5, 1768 for 100 acres adjoining William GASTON and the Great Road leading from Easton to Totamay’s Gap in Mt. Bethel Twp., Northampton Co., PA. And a survey was made of 172 acres and 60 perches of land. Signed by John Penn Feb. 29, 1776.

MCCRACKEN

March 20, 1750 Robert MCCRACKEN warrant to survey 25 acres on Smiley’s Creek; no return date but for 1,100 acres Survey recorded in Book C212.

April 4, 1750 Thomas MCCRACKEN of Bucks Co., PA purchased 22 acres in the Barrens near Oquechton Creek near John MCFERRAN above the Forks of the Delaware. [Note: The 1875 map of Lower Mt. Bethel Twp. has a Oughoughton Creek and these appear to be the same with slightly different spellings. The creek flows southward through Richmond P.O. and enters the Delaware River above the Rapids or Foul Rift.]

May 8, 1753 Hugh MCCRACKEN survey for 50 acres; returned Feb. 16, 1810 patentee Michael Young for 421 acres Tohickon. [Note: This puts this property in Bucks Co.]

May 19, 1768 Thomas McCracken requested 100 acres adjoining his own land upon the West End.

Feb. 5, 1766 Hugh MCCRACKEN requested 50 acres adjoining the East side of his own land and line bounding upon Ephraim MCDOWEL‘s line.

Feb. 5, 1766 Hugh MCCRACKEN applied for a warrant for 180 acres adjoining his father, Thomas MCCRACKEN and lands applied for by Joseph REEDER. Joseph REEDER applied on April 22, 1766 for 150 acres adjacent to William COOPER’s improvements and Thomas MCCRACKEN’s lines in Mt. Bethel Twp. [Note: There was a Mr. Cooper who married a widow MCQUOWN in Somerset Co., NJ. and this needs to be checked out.]

April 12, 1793 Thomas MCCRACKEN’s estate had 159 acres bounded by Peter MASON, Elias DIETERICH, Joseph FOX, Hugh MCCRACKEN, David AYERS, and Thomas SILLYMAN. The land was sold to Hugh MCCRACKEN, his son. [This reference is included as the neighbors listed help to define the boundaries of Thomas MCCRACKEN’s property.]

John SCOTT of Newtown, Lower Bucks Co. requested 300 acres in Mt. Bethel Twp., Northampton Co joining Thomas ARMSTRONG, Alexander M’ILROY and the River Delaware. Survey received Feb. 5, 1768 for 310 acres.

Concerning this latter property: “The Part Taken by Women in American History” by Mrs. John A. Logan; p.279: “Mrs. Harrison’s great great grandfather, John SCOTT, founder of the family in this country, took up his residence in Northampton Co., and purchased land opposite Belvidere, New Jersey, which is still known as the SCOTT farm…”

MCDOWELL

See Hugh McCracken above.

Dec. 7, 1771 Ephraim MCDOWEN was issued warrant #85 for 5 acres adjoining his other land, John Moore and Alexander Lockhart in Mt. Bethel Twp..

MCNEILS

Hector MCNEIL had several pieces of property in Upper Mt. Bethel Twp. but the dates are unclear as to when he got the property. One tract of 200 acres adjoined William LOVE, William LOCKART, Thomas CUMMINS AND Nathaniel GREEN.

MCFERRENS

Oct 8, 1751 Whereas by virtue of a warrant bearing the date of June 6, 1747 A survey was made unto Alexander Galbreath of the county of Bucks on a certain tract of land containing fifty acres situate on Allegheny Creek in the said county; under certain conditions in the said warrant mentioned; which conditions not having been complied with by the said Alexander Galbreath the said warrant and survey, made in pursuance thereof, are become utterly void: and John MCFARREN of the said county, having requested that we would grant him the land and agreed to pay to our use, the consideration money which ought to have been paid by the said Alexander Galbreath for the same. Warrant granted.

Oct. 11, 1751 John MCFARREN requested 25 acres adjoining his other land on a branch of Allegheny Creek.

Oct. 12, 1751 John MCFARREN accepts 50 acres on Allegheny Creek; survey returned for 72 acres on Oct. 12, 1752, patentee John MCFARRIN; recorded in Vol. A-16, pg. 216 and Survey in Book C133 pg. 252.

William MCFERRAN requested 50 acres on Oct. 11, 1751 adjoining or near William GASTON on a branch of Cobus’s Creek (Jacobus or Jacoby’s Creek which empties into the Delaware River in the town of Portland). [Note: “The McFarren Family” relates that when the French and Indian War began about 1755, there were a number of Indian incursions into Northampton Co. causing John MCFERRAN to flee with his family to Bucks Co. He returned to Mt. Bethel from Bucks Co. and settled on what was known as the “Northampton Homestead”, situated on the banks of the Delaware River three miles below Belvidere, New Jersey and 15 miles from Easton. John McFerran died about 1802.

William MCFERRAN requested 100 acres on Sept. 7, 1765 adjoining his other land and Peter Middach in Mt. Bethel Twp.

Daniel Field requested 150 acres including his improvements on Sept. 7, 1765 adjoining William MCFERRAN, Peter Middach and Derrick Lows in Mt. Bethel Twp.

Francis Mason requested 200 acres including his improvements on Sept. 7, 1765 adjoining Thomas Ruckman and William MCFERRAN in Mt. Bethel Twp.

MCEWEN or MCCOMB [Note, they may be separate family names.]

Feb. 11, 1745 Andrew Mann survey for 50 acres; survey returned March 24, 1784 for 88.8 acres, patentee David AYERS; located on a branch of Quiston Creek; recorded in Vol. P-3 pg. 168; survey in book C135 pg. 162.

March 31, 1747 No. 115 John MCCOOMB applied for 150 acres in Bucks Co., PA; Returned Aug. 14, 1811 100 acres patentee Peter Ink. Warrant mentions 100 acres more or less at the East End of Brushy Meadow? (barely legible) upon one of the head branches of Allegheny Creek called Quirton’s Creek above the Forks of Delaware. He agrees to pay Sixteen Pounds, current money of this Province, for his One Hundred Acres and the yearly quit rent of One Halfpenny Sterling for every acre thereof. Recorded in Vol. H No. 4 pg. 634; Survey located in Warrant mentions 100 acres more or less at the East End of Brushy Meadow? (barely legible) upon one of the head branches of Allegheny Creek called Quirton’s Creek above the Forks of Delaware. He agrees to pay Sixteen Pounds, current money of this Province, for his One Hundred Acres and the yearly quit rent of One Halfpenny Sterling for every acre thereof. Recorded in Vol. H No. 4 pg. 634; Survey located in Vol. C-187 pg. 289 and the survey in Book C212 pg. 181.

[Note: There is a Brushy Meadow Creek in the vicinity of East Bangor in Upper Mt. Bethel Twp. The maps available at present do not locate either Brushy Meadow Creek or Quirton Creek. Allegheny Creek enters the Delaware River opposite Belvidere, NJ near Hartzell Ferry.] [See Alexander MCILROY property above for 1768 reference to John MCCOOMB.]

LDS Microfilm No 021682 Mt. Bethel Twp., Northampton Co., PA for Dec. 1769 has: Henry DILDINE 75 acres cleared, 175 acres woodland; Herman DILDINE 12 acres cleared, 98 acres woodland; John HERRIN 5 acres cleared, 235 acres woodland, 1 saw mill; Singlemen: John MCCUON 0 acres cleared, 0 acres woodland, tax 15 pence; This is John MCQUOWN. William MCCOUN tax 15 pence [crossed out!] [Note: This may indicate that William MCQUOWN was a widower and that he died prior to paying his single tax or that he has left Mt. Bethel in order to find land for his children.]

1770

LDS Microfilm #21684: Mt. Bethel, Northampton Co., PA Assessments of March 10, 1770:

Henry DILDINE tax 36 Harmon DILDINE tax 6 John HERRON tax 9 Singlemen - John MCEWEN tax 6 [Note: This is John MCQUOWN.]

LDS Microfilm No 021682 for March 20, 1771 has:

Henry DILDINE 80 acres cleared, 120 acres woodland, tax 6 pence; Herman DILDINE 20 acres cleared, 82 acres woodland, tax 0 pence; John HERRIN 0 acres cleared, 0 acres woodland, 1 horse, 1 horned cattle; For the land he lives on [no acreage mentioned] tax?

Singlemen: John MCQUON 0 acres cleared, 0 acres woodland, tax 6 pence;

LDS Microfilm No 021682 Mt. Bethel for 1774 has:

Herman DILDINE 30 70 1 -- -- -- 27 -- -- -- 3 Henry DILDINE 50 100 3 -- -- -- -- 22 -- -- 5 John DILDINE 15 85 1 -- -- -- 7 Andrew DILDINE -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 11 1 John HERREN 14 226 -- -- -- -- -- For the land he lives on -- John MCCRUN for the land he lives on [Note: This is John MCQUOWN.]

AncestryLibrary.com – Pennsylvania Warrants and Applications – 1733-1952 – Images 184&5/399:

May 11, 1774; Warrant No. 213; Northampton Co.; 200 acres; John SCOTT & William MCCAN; Ret’d March 5, 1776.

By the Proprietaries – Whereas John SCOTT of Northampton County and William MAN of Bucks , saddler have requested that we allow them to take 200 acres joining or near Caspar RUMAGES West Line & joining Alexander MICKLEROY in Mount Bethel Twp., Northampton Co. ……..they agree to pay 5 pounds sterling per 100 acres and also to pay the yearly quit rent of of one penny sterling per acre ….to be surveyed unto the said SCOTT& MCCAN… [Note: Further research indicated that the name was Mann and not McCan.]

“Tax Lists in Northampton County Court House 1774 – 1806” translated by Rev. A. S. Leiby; from the Easton Public Library, Easton, PA and provided by Cynthia McEwen Smith; page 134:

Mt Bethel Twp. - 1779 JOHN MCQUEON [age 34]; [Note: This is John MCQUOWN.] William MCK. [?] [Note: This is possibly John’s great uncle?];

Additional names on the list: Page 132: John, Andrew, Henry DILDINE and Harmon DILDINE – smith [blacksmith]; John HERIN;

At this time no more is known about William MCQUOWN so at present it is probable that William died in 1769 when his name was crossed out on the tax return. This may also explain why he was not mentioned in the will of Francis Stewart written in 1771 that gives the family of William and two of his sons, John and James but makes no mention of William as a son of William Sr.

• Abstracted from John MCQUOWN 1T word file compiled by Bruce E. McEwen.