Robert Looney Sr. (abt. 1692 - 1769)

Born about Feb 1692 in Isle of Man [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 14 Sep 1769 at about age 77 in Botetourt, Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Greg Looney [send private message], Melissa Farris [send private message], Linda Davis [send private message], and Randy Church [send private message]

Biography

Born Possibly born on the Isle of Man. No proof other than Y-DNA connection to other members of the Looney family who are known to be from the Isle Of Man.

Died Will Probated, 14 Sept 1769 See image 611. SEP 1769. Botetourt County, Virginia, USA.

Residence Proves that Robert Looney and family were already settled at the junction of Looney Creek and the James River before 1742.

• 1724 Nantmeal Township, Chester Co, PA. As Robert Luna, Granted 294 Acres of land along the Potomac River in Northern Virginia. Settled with "Friends" (Quakers) as part of the Ross and Bryant "Hopewell" Settlement. 12 NOV 1735. Virginia, USA.
• 1742 Luney's Mill Creek. Already in the American Colonies by 1724 because Robert Looney appears on Tax lists during the years 1724 - 1726. Nantmeal, Chester Co, PA had been a area settled by Welsh Quakers.

The exact birth date and place for Robert Looney is unproven. Extensive searches of the historic Baptism, Marriage, Burial, Rent Rolls, Land and Estate records for the Isle of Man have be performed without any positive result. However, Y-DNA testing does show that the descendants of Robert Looney in America are closely related to other Looney descendants who can positively trace their Looney family line back to the Isle of Man. Some want to claim that Robert Looney was born and raised on the Ballagilley Farm in Maughold Parish on the Isle of Man, but there is absolutely no proof to support such claims. The truth is, historical records show that Ballagilley Farm did not come into possession of the Looney family until well after Robert Looney arrived in the American Colonies. Someone apparently visited Maughold Parish, Isle of Man and saw some Looney headstones in the local church cemetery. From that finding they simply speculated on the origins of Robert Looney and from that others have speculated on who Robert Looney's parents were. The fact is, records of the Looney family can be found in almost every Parish on the Isle of Man with the earliest records indicating the Looney family originated in Lonan Parish living on Abby Lands in the early 1500s. Will and Estate records on the Isle of Man from as early as 1600 contain no trace of the Robert Looney who arrived in America prior to 1724. While there are some records that indicate that various members of the Looney family left the Island for other parts of the world, Ireland, England, Wales, Australia, New Zealand and the American Colonies, including a few who went to the Island of Barbados. The Isle of Man did not keep records specifically for the people who left the Island, but we do know there were some like our Robert Looney who did leave and never returned. The fact is, it may actually have been Robert Looney's parents who left the Isle of Man for Ireland and Robert was born along the way before he arrived in America. By Larry W Johnson, Looney Family Historian ^[1]

Biography of Robert Looney, Progenitor

In about 1724, Robert and Elizabeth Looney came to America from the Isle of Man, Great Britain, with their family, settling first in Philadelphia, PA and later in colonial Maryland. Soon thereafter they moved west to the new frontier and settled in Augusta County, Virginia on the James River. There on Looney Creek, Robert and Elizabeth raised their family, established the first ferry crossing of the James River, built a mill, grew crops and raised livestock. Due to the constant conflict between France and England, as well as the threat of Indian attack, a fort was ordered built in 1755 around the Looney homesite. This fort was named Fort Looney and was at the junction of Looney Creek and the James River. [Note: Location would be Looney Creek mouth at James River in Buchanan, Virginia, now Boutetourt County which was formed from the southern part of historic Augusta County. There is a Mill Creek tributary of Looney Creek, and the former has historical names of Looney Mill Creek or Looney's Mill Creek.] This fort was part of a series of forts ordered built along the frontier to protect settlers and to keep the French from claiming the territory. Fort Looney was visited in 1756 by Col. George Washington, future first president of the United States.

The Looney sons were frontiersmen and pioneers. Some fought and died with the British against the French and Indians. Some were killed by Indians during frequent frontier raids on settlers while others helped to explore and expand the frontier boundaries first into southwestern Virginia and eventually into Tenneessee Indian Territory. The Looney sons and grandsons fought against the British in the War of Independence.

Little did Robert Looney, a Manx farmer from Ballagilley, Maughold realize that when he arrived in the New World about 1731, that he and his decendants would be recorded in the annals of their new land as frontiersmen and patriots. Records show that by 1734, Robert Looney and his wife, Elizabeth Llwellyn, and at least seven sons (they were to have 14 sons!) were in Philadelphia where they joined an expedition into the colony of Virginia.

"The following year he settled on a patent of 291 acres - for which he was to pay the Crown land rent of one shilling a year- on the south bank of Cohongoronta (Upper Potomac) river, probably near present day Hagerstown, Maryland. By 1739-1740 Robert Looney and his family moved southward through the Shenandoah Valley, finally settling on a grant of 250 acres on the James river, in what was to become Augusta County, where another Manxman, Isreal Christian, had prospered. They later donated lands for the county seat, and became influential in colonial politics."

"In 1742 Robert gained another 400 acres in grants, and became one of the most prosperous farmers in the area, with his own mill, orchards, nursery, cattle and horses, and even operated a ferry across what may still be found today not far from Natural Bridge - Looney's Mill creek. At least three of his sons served in the Augusta County Militia."^[2]

Timeline

• 1724 Tax Roll, Nantmeal Township, Chester County, PA
• 1726 Tax Roll, Nantmeal Township, chester County, PA
• 12 Nov 1735 Robert Luna 294 acre land grant on south side of Potomac River in conjunction with Quaker Friends Alexander Ross and Morgan Bryan.
• 13 July 1742 Robert Luney granted 250 acres west of the Blue Ridge Mtns and along the James River in that part of Orange County designed to be Augusta. Granted in consideration for the transportation of five persons, James Davis, Mary Davis, Henry Davis, Samuel Davis and William Davis, to dwell within our Colony of Virginia. Robert Looney's son, Robert Luney Jr. granted 213 acres the same day and his grant specifically mentions it lying along a branch of the James River and "Luney's Mill Creek".
• AUGUST 20, 1747. (253) Elizabeth, wife of Rob. Looney, aged and infirm. Augusta County, VA Court Judgements.
• AUGUST, 1764 (B). Looney vs. Looney.--In 1759 Peter Looney and David Looney bought land from their father, Robert Looney. Peter Looney is dead (1763), leaving Peter Looney, an infant, his son and heir, but Robert made a deed to the land to John Bowyer. Robert answers that at time of making the contract he was drunk.^[3]
• 15th March, 1765. Absolum ( ) Luney and Margret to Peter Luney, heir-at-law of Peter Luney, deceased, £80, 180 acres on Long Run, a branch of James; corner another tract belonging to Peter, formerly in possession of Robert Luney, Sr. Teste: David Looney. Delivered: Peter Looney, 26th September, 1783.^[4]
• MAY, 1765 (C). Articles of agreement, &c., between Robert Luney, of one part, and Peter Luney and David Luney, of the other part.--Robert Luney, in consideration, &c., but especially of a sufficient support and maintenance to him and his wife, Elizabeth, during their natural lives, &c., (conveys) to his two sons, Peter and David, tract whereon Robert now dwell (except the part lying on the South Side of the Creek, where his son Daniel now lives); also the tract 493 where Peter now lives. Peter and David agree to build a good and commodious house for their father and mother wherever Robert choses. Three cows reserved by Robert; rest to be divided between Peter, John and David Luney. Horses he gives to son John, except two which he gives to son Daniel. Dated 11th October, 1759. (Signed) Robert (mark) Luney, Peter Luney, David Luney. Test: John Smith, John Buchanan, Thomas Ramsey.^[5]
• MAY, 1765 (C). Looney vs. Looney.--Chancery, Col. John Smith deposes that in 1753 or 1754 Robert Looney sent for his son, Absalom, to come from Blue Stone to James River with his family. That before he came in Robert Looney proposed to his son Daniel that he would give him (Daniel) the land over the Creek for his land in the Draft to settle his son Absalom on, to which Daniel agreed, and when Absalom came in he settled on the land and Daniel Looney took possession of the land over the Creek. That some time afterwards Daniel Looney made the said Absalom a title to the same. That Daniel never got any title from his father that the deponent knows of, though he often afterwards heard the said Robert Looney acknowledge the bargain, and that when the said Robert Looney made over his other lands to his sons, he excepted and reserved the land over the Creek for his son Daniel.^[6]
  • Col. John Buchanan deposes: Of the original agreement he knows nothin but that in 1755 Daniel Looney was in possession of the land over the creek, and that Robert often told deponent he had given his son Daniel the land over the creek in lieu of the land in the draft whereon Absalom Looney then lived, and that Daniel Looney repeatedly told deponent the same thing. That when Daniel was on his death bed he sent for deponent, and, among other things, it was mentioned that the land whereon he then lived was his, and the said Daniel then desired that after his death it might descend to his daughter, which his father, Robert Looney, said nothing against, though he was present.^[7]
• 20th August, 1765. John Bowyer to Peter Looney, eldest son of Peter Looney, deceased. Whereas Peter, Sr., and his brother David Looney, on llth October, 1759, purchased of Robert Looney, father of Peter, Sr., and David, the tract Robert was living on, situated on James River and Creek, excepting the part on the south side 'the Creek, which Robert had some time before exchanged for a place called the Draper place, with Daniel Looney, another son of Robert's, notwithstanding which, said Robert under pretence that Peter and David had not complied with their contract, refused to make conveyance, but sold the same 'to said John Bowyer. Peter, Sr., soon after making the purchase, died, leaving Peter, his eldest son, infant, who, with said David, brought suit against Robert Looney and John Bowyer, in which it was decreed that John reconvey to Peter, Jr. 80 acres on James River.^[8]
• 4 Nov 1766 Robert Looney of Augusta County, VA by his attorney, James Jack, sold to Jeremiah Jack of Frederick County the 294 acres that Robert had acquired in 1735.

"One of these sons, Absolem, was of a true frontier spirit, trapping and hunting in the rugged southwest of the colony, Virginia's last frontier. There, while living in caves to avoid the Indians, Absolem discovered a fertile valley, rich in blue grass pastures, to which he led his family and some followers and founded a new settlement, at least four years before that noted frontier explorer, Daniel Boone, arrived in the same area to build a fort only six miles from Absolem's homestead. To this day, the quiet valley, some seventeen miles from Bluefield, Virginia, is known as "Abb's Valley" in honor of its discoverer, Absolem Looney."

"Indian attacks on these frontier communities were not uncommon, but soon the Indians were to be joined by a new ally, the French, and the settlers were swept violently into the bloody conflict between the Britsh and the French known as the "Seven Years War" or "French and Indian War". General Braddock, the British commander in Cief, was mortally wounded and his regiment turned to route at the "Battle of the Wilderness". Col George Washington commander of the Virginia Militia lost some of his men in the same engagement. The picture was grim, no regular army, no militia to protect the settlers. Robert Looney's son Peter, was captured by the Indians and held prisoner at Fort Detroit for almost a year, dying three years after his release. Another son, Samuel, was killed by the Indians in 1760, and the homestead of Robert's daughter Lucy Jane, was raided and looted by the Indians. Robert Looney, mindful of his responsibilities to his family and followers, errected a fort (Fort Looney). This was one of the few Forts which withstood capture and provided provisions to the militia until the end of the war in 1763. Absolem, recalled from Abb's Valley with his family to assist his father in building the fort, was to learn that those who remained in his valley settlement had been massacred by the Indians, a fate which would later befall him at Dunkard's Spring, VA between 1791-96."

"But the end of the Indian Wars was not to spare the Looney family. During the American Revolution, two of Robert Looney's sons, Absolem and David were to see duty. Absolem in patriotic service under General George Washington and David as a Major in the Notrth Carolina Militia. Three of Absolem's sons, like the offsprings of his brothers, were to serve in the Virginia Militia, with one dying of gunshot wounds in both legs after his role in the American Victory at the Battle of King's Mountain in North Carolina."

"Absolem's son Michael, homesteaded after the revolution in eastern Tennessee, where his log cabin stood until 1919 and where the 1,500 acre farm he acquired at a half-shilling an acre is still held by his heirs. Others moved westward into Missouri, and is documented in LeRoy Tilton's "Early Looney's in America". Seven branches of the family founded by Robert Looney's sons have extended into more than fifteen states."

"Robert and Elizabeth Looney are presumed buried near the Reed Creek area of Augusta Co. (Botetourt Co.), VA. Another of his sons, Joseph, was a Captain in the Botetort County, Virginia Militia."^[2]

Will of Robert Looney^[9]

In the name of God amen September the fourteenth one thousand seven hundred and sixty nine I Robert Looney being very sick and weak in Body but of Perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of this life and knowing that all men was born to die once I now Recommend my Soul to God who gave it and my Body to the ground to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but I shall have it again at the Resurrection. As for the worldly Estate that it has pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath in manner and form following I Leave my well beloved wife Elizebeth Luney and my beloved son Joseph Luney to be my Sole Executors Next I leave my beloved grandson John Luney one shilling sterling all the remainder of my Bodily Estate after my funeral charge and lawful Debts are paid I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Elizabeth to Live on and use as she pleases during her natural Life and then to decend to my beloved son Joseph at her death the rest of my children having already got all that is alow to them of my Estate.

his Robert Luney mark

• Signed and sealed and Pronounced in Presence of us John Smith, James Crow, Thomas Crow, Elinor Crow

PROBATE

^[10] At a court held for Bote. Co., VA, the 13 day of Nov. 1770, this writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Robert Looney, deceased, was presented in Court by Joseph Looney, one of the executors herein named, and proved by the oaths of Thomas Crow, James Crow, and John Smith, and ordered to be recorded, and motion of the said executor who made oath according to law, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof, in due form, whereupon, he, together with Abraham McClelland, and John Looney, his securities, entered into and acknowledged their Bond in Five Hundred pounds, conditioned as the law directed. Teste. John May. C.B.C. (Botetourt became a county after the will was written but before the will was probated [in Botetourt].)

Research Notes

Sources

1. ↑ This statement based on the personal first hand research of Isle of Man historical records performed by Larry Johnson .
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Derived from a 1974 article appearing in "The Bulletin of North American Manx Assoc."
3. ↑ "Chalkley"
4. ↑ "Chalkley"
5. ↑ "Chalkley"
6. ↑ "Chalkley"
7. ↑ "Chalkley"
8. ↑ "Chalkley"
9. ↑ Botetourt VA Will Book A, p. 3
10. ↑ Will Book A, p. 4, Botetourt VA

• "Chalkley" = CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch—Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 (in three Volumes) by LYMAN CHALKLEY