James Ballenger Machen (1773 - 1846)

Born 21 Sep 1773 in Prince William, BRC Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Dorcas (Payne) Machen — married 1792 in South Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died Aug 1846 at age 72 in Cherokee, Alabama

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Biography

James B Machen was son of Henry Machen, Jr and Frances Ballenger. He married Dorcas Payne in South Carolina in about 1792. No marriage record but marriage supported by 1818 Will of Dorcas's father, Isaiah Payne. Census records 1800, ^[1]. Census for 1820. ^[2] . Census record in Alabama, 1830. ^[3] Had more than a dozen children . Second marriage to Jane Hall with no children. Much of above biography from research of Elroy Christenson and Annette Womack.

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch [(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:1TKG-FY4 : accessed 18 July 2022)], Household of James Mitcham, Greenville, South Carolina, United States; citing p. 266, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 47; FHL microfilm 181,422.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch [(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:1TN2-GYQ : accessed 18 July 2022),] Household of James Machin, Greenville, South Carolina, United States; citing p. , NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm 162,023.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch [(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:1TJL-2RM : 20 February 2021), ]Household of James Machen, St Clair, Alabama, United States; citing 238, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 4; FHL microfilm 2,331.

Research Notes from Websites

James Machen Family by Elroy Christenson Nov 2014, [1]

James B Machen family created Annette Womack Aug 1999, [2]

Sgt Henry Machen Family by Elroy Christenson, [3] look at end of page for a list of research sources

Research Notes from Ancestry.com

1800 Census, Greenville Co, South Carolina, James Mitcham, head, 7 member family with 3 slaves. all children are males under 10 yrs old.Adult female is 16-25 yrs old. If all 5 children are Dorcas Payne's she would be abt 25 yrs old.

7 Aug 1820 Census, Greenville Co, South Carolina, James Machen, Oldest adult male and female are both 45 or more yrs old. Appears wife Dorcas is still alive based on age bracket. 9 children most under 16 yrs. 8 slaves

Second Marriage, abt 1828, no record of marriage found . This year is best guess based on census records.

1830 Census, St Clair Co, Alabama, James Machen, Head, 50-59 yrs old. Dorcas should be 55 -60 yrs old but oldest adult female is 40-49 yrs old. (Dorcas has died. Female is #2 wife Jane) 3 older children. 15 slaves. Year of move not known.

Cherokee Co formed in 1836. Family probably lived in St Clair Co when they emigrated to Alabama and this area became Cherokee County.

No record of marriage to Dorcas Payne but evidence of marriage is given in Will of Dorcas Paynes father Isaiah Payne written in 1818,

"Will of Isaiah Payne, Greenville District, South Carolina Written 28th of January, year of 1815. Will Probated 22nd of May, year of 1818. Recorded in Will book A, page 280

In the name of God, Amen. Isaiah Payne of the District of Greenville and State of South Carolina being far advanced in life, but of perfect mind and memory and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament.

And first of all, I give my soul into the hands of almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth in a decent and Christian Burial. And as touching such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give and dispose of same in the following manner and form:

First, I give to my son William Payne one dollar; to Elitha Paris one dollar; to Susannah Thompson one dollar; to Isaac Payne one dollar; to John Payne one dollar; to Moses Payne one dollar; to Sarah Payne one dollar; to Nancy Cox one dollar; To Dorcas Meachen one dollar; and to the heirs of my son Archibald Payne, deceased, one dollar.

And to my granddaughter, Leah Burnsides, who is now living with me, I give an bequeath one feather bed and furniture, and all he wearing clothes of my deceased wife, and all the earthen ware glasses and cups of every description and pewter belonging to my cupboard, together with all my kitchen furniture. To my son Aaron Payne, I give and bequeath all my land and plantation and to his heirs forever, together with all my stock of horses, cattle, and houses, and all my household furniture and property of ever kind not otherwise willed and I do hereby appoint my son Aaron Payne, the sole executer of this my last will and testement and revoking all others, do make and ordain this my last will and testament.

Witness my hand and seal this 28th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen.

Signed, Sealed and Acknowledged his

in Presence of: Isaiah X Payne (Seal)

Joshua Ingraham mark

Samuel Hicks

Peggy Hale

Recorded in Will Book A -page 280, Apt 6- File # 331

Probated 22 May 1818"