Descendants of Thomas McCRARY, * (Scots-Irish Immigrant Ancestor) First Generation 1. Thomas McCRARY, * (Scots-Irish Immigrant Ancestor), son of John (Or James) McCRARY, * [Our Scottish Immigrant Ancestor] and Martha , (Supposition), was born about 1737 in Perhaps Ulster, Northern Ireland, died about 1793 in Duncan's Creek, Laurens Co., South Carolina at age 56, and was buried in Duncan's Creek Presbyterian Church. General Notes: From the cousins' book "From Whence we Came": Our Thomas McCrary was born in Ireland of Scots-Irish parents. There are no known confirmed records of his parents, the date of his birth nor any details of his life in Erin. He arrived in American about 1750, this according to tradition and not a known fact. There were ports of entry in Baltimore and Philadelphia and many immigrants from Northern Ireland arrived at either one of these places. Tradition tells us he came with his brothers, Andrew, John and Robert. According to cousins who have researched the family, there is evidence (but no documentary proof) that they settled for a short time in Pennsylvanis, in the area of York (then Baltimore) Co., and in Lancaster Co. According to the researchers they were many McCrary's (of various spellings) in that area as early as 1730 through 1740's. "Surviving Early Records of York Count, Pennsylvania, 1749-84", in the South Central Genealogical Society, contains an entry (#70), which lists Andrew, John, Robert and Thomas McCrary. But is this our Thomas? Some researchers believe their parents were John and Martha McCrary who lived in Berkeley Co. now Laurens Co., SC, in the Duncan Creek area at the same time as the four brothers. The McCrarys arrived in this area circa 1752-1755. The McCrary's of Duncan's Creek, South Carolina, by Donna Bartholow The earliest records we currently have of the McCrary family begin in the vicinity of Duncan's Creek, South Carolina. This settlement was established in the year 1752, when John Duncan settled on a creek in this district and gave it his name. Within a few years a number of emigrants from Pennsylvania settled on the creek above Duncan. From the "Statistics of South Carolina" by Robert Mills published in 1826, the first settlers were named "McCrery, Green, Hannah, Abernathy, Miller, Beard, King, Mitchell, Coffee, Gisham, Barton, Young, McClure, Adams and M'Daid." There is evidence that the McCrarys appeared before the Governor of South Carolina to petition for land as early as August 5, 1755 when John McCrary requested a grant of 100 acres of land "by virtue of his 'family right', as he had two persons in his family for whom he never had any warrant of survey or Grant of land in this Province". While this land was never recorded, this John appeared several times later to receive additional grants that were recorded. As with most colonists of the time, a church was soon built. In the "History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina" by Howe, published in 1870, it says"About 1764 Messrs. Joseph Adair, Thomas Ewing, William Hanna, Andrew McCrary and his brothers united in building a house of worship. In 1766 they were visited by Mr.Duffield, Mr. Fuller and Mr. Campbell--afterwards by Rev. Hezekiah Balch, who advised the people to choose elders. Andrew McCrary, Joseph Adair and Robert Hanna were elected elders and were ordained by Rev. Balch." Land records of the time from the South Carolina Archives, name four McCrary's obtaining land in this area. Andrew McCrary received 200 acres in Berkley Co. on Duncan's Creek in the fork of Broad and Saluda certified on 5 Feb 1763, and Robert McCrary received 200 acres in Berkley County on Duncan's Creek. The Precept was granted on 7 Dec 1762, and the survey certified on 5 Feb 1763. Thomas McCrary received 200 acres alongside Andrew and Robert certified on 15 Dec 1765 and granted on 10 July 1766. Payment was to commence two years from date. And lastly John McCrary exhibited a memorial for 150 acres in Berkley Co on a branch of Enoree called Duncans Creek (3 ft wide and 4 inches deep of running water) certified by survey 2 Feb 1773 and granted 11th of Feb 1773. From these records and other information, it is believed that these four McCrary's were brothers who came to South Carolina along with their sister Ann who married Benjamin Kilgore. While there are no other records that have been found that establishes the name of their parents or their exact relationship, the evidence certainly indicates a strong family relationship. What is known is that these individuals soon settled in, worked very hard and became prosperous well respected citizens. As described in Howes' History, the settlers dressed in hunting shirts, leggings and moccasins adorned with buckles and beads. The hair was clubbed and tied up in a little deer skin or silk bag. Sometimes they wore their hair cued and rolled up in a black ribbon or bear's - gut dressed and dyed black. Later, it became the custom to shave off the hair and wear white linen caps with ruffles around. The women wore long-eared caps, Virginia bonnets, stays, stomachers, quilted petticoats, and high wooden hells. There was little market for produce except to other new settlers. Trade was carried on in skins and furs. Deer and beaver skins were a lawful tender in payment and debts. During this time the McCrary's often served in defensive militias to protect the colonists from Indian attacks. It is said that Ann McCrary Kilgore was killed by Indians while riding a horse holding her small son. Possibly due to their scotch-Irish ancestry McCrary's also took a firm stand against the British. And because of their activities, left many records and stories of their trials and deeds during the Revolutionary War. While we are sure that this was a very traumatic event in their lives, we, as descendants, are most fortunate to have so many clues as to the type of people we can claim as ancestors. Anne McCrary married Benjamin Kilgore ca 1764 in Duncan's Creek South Carolina. She had one known child named James Kilgore born May 29, 1765. Family history has that she was killed and scalped by Indians on April 21, 1766. James Kilgore Sr. later remarried Keziah Greer. James Kilgore Jr. lived in Greenville Co.. Thomas McCrary Senior was born about 1737. It is believed that he was born in Ireland and emigrated with his brothers around 1750 to Pennsylvania and from there settled in Duncan's Creek. He married Letitia Brandon, known as Lettie, the daughter of George Brandon and sister of Colonel Thomas Brandon who fought at Ramseur's Mill, Musgrove Mill, Blackstock, Cowpens, and King's Mountain. Col. Brandon's outstanding leadership won him the rank of General by the end of the war. The Brandon family came from Compiled by Virginia Sanders-Mylius on 12 Dec 2010 1 Descendants of Thomas McCRARY, * (Scots-Irish Immigrant Ancestor) Pennsylvania to Duncan's Creek. Scotch-Irish Migration to South Carolina: F.P. 604: 11 Dec. 1772, in Barkley County, in forks between Broad and Saludy Rivers, on small branch of DUNKINS CREEK (sic) called 'CRAREY'S BRANCH; bounded by THOMAS McCRARY, Robert Roseburrow, vacant land; surety 6 January 1773. Thomas and Lettie had 11 children who lived to be adults. They are: 1. Elizabeth born 1755 who married George Young. She died about 1800 and is buried in Duncan's Creek Presbyterian Church cemetery. (note mine: Elizabeth McCrary married George Young--Miles Hiram Young b. 1828 SC named his first son George Alexander Young) 2. Thomas McCrary Jr. born 7 July 1763 who married Cassandra Adair. This family will be detailed further. They moved to Lawrence Co. Alabama. 3. Matthew 4. George 5. Andrew 6. Moses who married Agnes Martindale and had: 6-1) George 6-2) Elizabeth who married Samuel Burns 6-3) Thomas Elmore who married 1st Jane McCrary and 2nd Lettie McCrary, sisters and daughters of Christopher McCrary and Mary Dillard. 7. Charles 8. Christopher who married Mary "Polly" Dillard and had 8-1) George 8-2) Lettie m.Thomas Elmore McCrary 8-3) Thomas 8-4) Madison 8-5) Elizabeth 8-6) Jane m. Thomas Elmore McCrary 8-7) Diana 8-8) Annie 9. Jane McCrary born 1765 who married John Greer in 1789. She died in 1825 in Greenville Co. S.C. They had 8 known children: 9- 1) Josiah Greer md. Amelia Goldsmith 9-2) Catherine Greer md. Moses McCrary 9-3) Elizabeth Greer md. John Dawson Smith 9-4) Moses Greer md. Frances Read 9-5) John Greer, Jr. md. Delaney Garrett 9-6) Christopher Greer md. Elizabeth Smith 9-7) Isaac Greer md. Mary Snow 9-8) Jessie Greer 10. Mary McCrary 11. Catherine McCrary. Thomas McCrary Sr was an openly avowed enemy to the British crown during the Revolutionary War. The story below was found, however the source is unknown. Now it so happened that the Captain of the Militia was much of a friend of King George and to show his loyalty to the Crown he ordered out the company for muster, and after the usual drill he lined up the men with front face and made a very loyal talk to the company and then to show how many were for the Crown, he gave command for all who were loyal to the Crown to step four paces to the front, and at the word of command every one stepped forward except Thomas McCrary Sr.