James Orr (abt. 1735 - 1815)

Born about 1735 in Derry, Ulster, Ireland

Husband of Mary (Dale) Orr — married about 1761 in Baltimore, Maryland [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 1815 at about age 80 in Fayette, Pennsylvania, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Michael Foos [send private message]

Biography

James Orr was born in Ulster, Ireland ca. 1735^[1] to John or James Orr, and his mother may have been Janet Newlands. He was one of fourteen children.^{[citation needed]}

His ancestors came from the lowlands of Scotland near the Urr River in the early 1600s (they were expelled by the English). His family was of the Protestant faith. James immigrated to America between 1750 & 1760 and is first noted in Baltimore Maryland where he married Mary (Dale) Orr in 1761.^[1]

James and Mary moved to Fayette County, Pennsylvania in the mid 1780s.^[2][3]

They had at least 7 children, 5 of whom moved west to Licking County, Pennsylvania, or nearby, beginning in 1804. The five who moved were all born between 1770 & 1795:^[1]

1. Robert Orr
2. James, Jr
3. Elizabeth
4. Jane
5. George

Their fourth son, John, moved to what is now West Virginia.^[1][4]

James died on his farm "Orrsburg" in Redstone, Fayette County, Pennsylvania in 1815 and is buried there in a now-unmarked grave. So is his wife Mary. He left a detailed will naming his children, etc.^[5] More information can be obtained from Bert Waits, the poster.^[1][6]

Land Records

James

"Orrsburg": 84 3/4 a. 6 Sept 1787 Warrant date

Survey date was 16 Oct 1787

"3 June 1788 to warranty" was Patent date, Patent Book p. 14-216, Coordiantes A-4, A-5.

".... situated on the waters of Redstone "Red Stone" creek, in Georges Township, Fayette County, [Pennsylvania] beginning at a corner post of Hugh McClelland's lands; thense by the same nother fifty six degrees east one hundred and nineteen perches to a red oak north thirty one degees and three quarters east one hundred thirty eight perches to stones; thence by the same south eighty eight degrees west sixty three perches and nine tenths so? stones; thence by land of Maumus Brown south three quarters of a degree east eighty perches and an half to? stones; thence by land of John Scott south fifty six degrees and one quarter east fourty perches and an half to a black -- stump, south one degree west seventy eight penchers to a white oak, and south eighty degrees east three perches and six tenths to the place of the beginning."

James paid 2 pounds, 17 shillings, and 9 pence for this land.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58924958/james-orr : accessed 05 September 2021), memorial page for James Orr (1735–1815), Find A Grave: Memorial #58924958, citing Orrsburg Homestead Cemetery, Redstone, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by JNicholson (contributor 47800166).
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1790," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHKJ-5PY : accessed 26 August 2021), James Orr, Georges, Fayette, Pennsylvania, United States; citing p. 22, NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 8; FHL microfilm 568,148.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRD-TGD : accessed 26 August 2021), James Orr, Georges, Fayette, Pennsylvania, United States; citing p. 552, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 38; FHL microfilm 363,341.
4. ↑ This comment doesn't equate to the assertion that John was their oldest son. Does it refer to a different John Orr who moved to West Virginia?
5. ↑ See probate records below
6. ↑ Bert Waits was the creator of the memorial on Find-a-Grave, and unfortunately, he has died. His source references were not included on the memorial, and his website is no longer available.

See also:

• "Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L991-M2SP?cc=1999196&wc=9PM6-FMS%3A268497501%2C268530201 : 3 July 2014), Fayette > Orphans' Court record index 1784-1950 N-Z > image 43 of 519; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.

• "Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G991-MWBT?cc=1999196&wc=9PM6-FM3%3A268497501%2C268534301 : 3 July 2014), Fayette > Orphans' Court records 1783-1844 vol 1-3 > image 292 of 695; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.

• "Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8991-MCPT?cc=1999196&wc=9PM6-FM3%3A268497501%2C268534301 : 3 July 2014), Fayette > Orphans' Court records 1783-1844 vol 1-3 > image 118 of 695; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.

• "Pennsylvania Probate Records, 1683-1994," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8991-MZSZ?cc=1999196&wc=9PM6-FM3%3A268497501%2C268534301 : 3 July 2014), Fayette > Orphans' Court records 1783-1844 vol 1-3 > image 114 of 695; county courthouses, Pennsylvania.

• William James Orr, FamiliySearch Family Tree Profile -- this appears to be the same person according to dates, etc., but the attached sources haven't been reviewed yet.