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m. 16 Jun 1766
Facts and Events
Patrick Cunningham was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia __________________________ [edit] Advisory on Patrick Cunningham
There was another Patrick Cunningham that has been sometimes confused with this Patrick. Their families both settled in Augusta County before moving to the Carolinas, but are apparently not related. This Patrick eventually settled and died in Georgia. [edit] Marriage License of Patrick Cunningham
[Source: THE SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE, Published By The South Carolina Historical Society Volume XXII, Printed 1921 (pp. 34-37)] [edit] Estate Records of Patrick Cunningham
[edit] Records in Augusta County, VAFrom Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:
[edit] Information on Patrick CunninghamTree on Familysearch claims that Patrick is the son of David Cunningham (b. 1721 Fairfax County, VA, d. 11 Dec 1799, Dent's Run, Marion Co., Virginia) and Angeline Wilson (b. abt. 1721) According to Genforum.com post, the father of this Patrick Cunningham was David Cunningham of Beverley Manor, The Wateree-Congaree Patrick's father was David Cunningham of Beverley Manor. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jcbarron/McClung/Cunningham.htm Descendants of Patrick Cunningham Generation One 1. Patrick1 Cunningham; born Scotland (said was a native of Scotland and had three brothers: James, Alexander, and John) (Dunbar Rowland, History of Mississippi the Heart of the South (Spartenburg, SC: The Reprint Co., 1978 reprint (1925)), p 91. Hereinafter cited as History of Miss.); married Mary Jane Tweedy 16 Jun 1765 SC (Brent Holcomb Probate Records of South Carolina, Journal of the Court of Ordinary, 1764-1771, 3 (Easley, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1979), p 141.); died 4 Feb 1800 Wilkes Co., GA (Rowland, History of Miss, p 91.); his estate was probated 8 Jul 1800 (said Patrick Cunningham dec'd. William McClung and Robert Cunningham apt adm. 8 Jul 1800. P 147 - Adms. pedition to sell 400 ac, 1804) (Grace G. Davidson, Early Records of Georgia (Macon, GA: J. W. Burke Co., 1932), vol 1, p 134. Hereinafter cited as Early Recs of GA.). He lived on 20 Aug 1784 Wilkes Co., GA (said No. 588 pg 199. Patrick Cunningham, Wilkes Co. Dated 20 Aug 1784 & executed 8 Sep 1784. 400 ac. Land granted in lieu of an old warrant. On Fishing Creek. Joining Allen, Todd, Jno Kilgore, and Johnston) (Nathan Mathews and Kaydee Mathews, Abstracts of Georgia Land Plot Books A & B, 1779-1785 (Roswell, GA: Wolfe Pub., 1995), p 199.). He lived on 31 Mar 1785 Wilkes Co., GA (said Deed book 25 p 113, 31 Mar 1785. Patrick Cunningham and Jane, of Wilkes Co., GA, to John and David Cunningham, power of atty., to convey tract which belonged to Alexander Cunningham in his livetime to James Ewing) (Lyman Chalkley, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800 (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1974 reprint (1912)), vol 3, p 574.). He witnessed the probate of the estate of James Gray on 10 May 1790 Wilkes Co., GA (said will of James Grey probated 10 May 1790 with Pat and Jane Cunningham and Ann Grey. Named wife Flower, sons James and John, daus Sally and Grace, also brothers Geo. and Jos. Grey) (Davidson, Early Recs of GA, vol 1, p 48.). Mary Jane Tweedy was born Dublin, Ireland (Rowland, History of Miss, p 91.). She died before 1800 Wilkes Co., GA (not mentioned in probate proceeding of husband). Children of Patrick1 Cunningham and Mary Jane Tweedy were as follows:
She lived between 1802 and 1804 Wilkes Co., GA (was listed as orphan of Patrick, dec'd. Returns of Wm McClung, gdn, tuition 1802-1804) (Davidson, Early Recs of GA, vol 1, p 211.). [edit] Patrick Cunningham (1728-1800)
Patrick Cunningham was a native of Ireland and was born in the year 1728 and died February 4, 1800. His father was David Cunningham of Ireland, and his mother was named Ann, possibly Wilson but not confirmed through notable references. It is also possible David married twice due to the disparaging ages between the children. Sometime between 1730 to 1740 the Cunningham family emigrated from Ireland to the Colony of Virginia and settled in Augusta County. On the 28th of February, 1749 William Beverley sold to David Cunningham 226 acres in Beverley Manor. The land formerly mentions neighboring plantations of John McCutchin, his son Patrick Cunningham, Alexander Campbell and David Campbell. Testifying was Patrick Martin and John Trimble. This purchase shows that Patrick had arrived at the same time as his father’s arrival into the colony. Will of Alexander Campbell of 1763
The Campbell family has many generational ties with the Cunningham’s, and this holds true in the colonies. Robert Campbell, Patrick Cunningham and Walter Davis witness the will of Alexander Campbell. In addition, on August 16th 1758 the will was proved in the Augusta court house by Patrick Cunningham and Walter Davis. On June 9th 1753 Patrick Cunningham again appears with Walter Davis in his acquisition of 328 acres in Beverley Manor on Cedar Spring. This land was deeded by Robert Cunningham, Esq. and his wife Martha, and more than likely was a wedding present to Walter and his wife. Testifying to the deed was William Johnston and Walter Cunningham. Walter Cunningham is the son of John Cunningham the tavern owner in Staunton, Augusta County. Walter Davis was married to Robert and Martha Cunningham’s daughter Martha. Walter Davies, Walter Cunningham and Patrick Cunningham are all related. In the years ahead Patrick removes from Virginia to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in a venture of Indian trading for a store at the Fort Pitt community. An enumeration of the residence of Fort Pitt who did not belong in the Army was taken on July 22nd 1760, and Patrick Cunningham appears during that census. He does not appear the following year. “At the time, nearly all the male inhabitants of Pittsburgh were Indian traders.” Patrick returned to Augusta County by 1761 and in 1762 Patrick Cunningham is taken to court in Hamilton versus Cunningham. In this case a witness testifies by the name of John McCullough of Hampshire County. He states that he traveled to Pittsburgh in late July of 1760 where Patrick Cunningham, “of the county of Augusta, kept stores for Messrs. Thomas Semen and Philip Bush.” The complaint against the accused was for price gouging wholesale prices of rum. The last instance of Patrick Cunningham in Augusta County is on May 23, 1764 where he testified in a land deed for Joseph and Mary Love to Samuel Caldwell regarding 400 acres on the South River Shenandoah part of the Beverley Manor line. This land was part of 660 acres originally deeded to John Wilson’s father by Joseph Mills in 1742. Patrick Cunningham, Samuel Love, Walter Davis, and Robert Crawford all testified. Sometime after May 1764 and prior to June of 1766, Patrick migrated to Craven County, South Carolina. There he married into the family of Robert Tweedy and Elizabeth Brown unto his daughter Mary Jane Tweedy. She was also a “native of Ireland” and at the time “lived with her parents near the conjunction of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers.” Their marriage license was registered and granted by a Mr. Rowan on June 16th, 1766. Patrick’s occupation at the time is not known, but Indian Trading or farming is a likelihood due to the fact that Elizabeth Brown's father and uncle were well-known Indian traders. Meanwhile, John Troup surveyed a 100 acre plot of land on July 7th 1767 for Patrick Cunningham at the confluence of the Wateree and Congaree Rivers. The land was surrounded by wooded pines or vacant lots with the west side abutted by a creek named Tupeloo. This particular land was likely purchased for Patrick and his new wife as a wedding gift by her father who owned a lot of land in Craven county. One year later, the western part of Patrick's land was surveyed for a 200 acre plot for Charles McCord, and a portion of the road is referred in this survey as McCord’s Ferry. The road leading up to Patrick Cunningham’s plantation ran through the newly appointed land of Mr. McCord. This particular road connects north to Camden and south to Charleston, a most unfortunate avenue to reside during the upcoming Revolution. Soon this particular area of the Wateree-Congaree will be adjacent to the headquarters for Cornwallis after their successful occupation of Charleston in 1780 and Camden. On August 3rd, 1781 the Battle of McCord’s Ferry was conducted in this vicinity. American Colonel Henry Lee led a group of soldiers to attack the British line of communication from Orangeburgh to Charleston. The battle was a minor skirmish and Colonel Lee was finally repelled, but he managed to capture some British soldiers. Otherwise, this road was a main route for the British in transporting materials to Cornwallis’ headquarters in Camden during much of his campaigns in South and North Carolina. At this time Cornwallis had already suffered much defeat, and his retreat was in the making. Unfortunately, this would not be the only event to break the solitude of the Wateree and Congaree junction. Since this was a main thoroughfare of transportation, many crossing whether by the British, guerilla attacks by the Swamp Fox Francis Marion, rampaging bands of Tories, or avenging Patriots were a constant in this area. If Patrick was a farmer, it is more than likely his land would have been pillaged and torched by the British or Tories. This was a common occurrence for the unfortunate citizens of South Carolina. Meanwhile, in the year 1771 Patrick Cunningham and Charles McCord had several more neighbors. One neighbor was John and Sophinisba (Russell) McCord, James Parsons, Richard Tucker, and the other was Thomas Penrice. As with many places throughout South Carolina, British Cavalryman Banastre Tarleton made his presence known and burned down the neighboring plantation of John McCord because he was fighting for the American cause. Information about Patrick during these troublesome times is not known, but he was busy bearing a family between the period of 1767 and 1780 producing seven children. It may have been prudent at the time to keep his presence anonymous since the whirlwind of animosity between Tory and Patriot was unprecedented anywhere else during the Revolution. To further complicate things there were many notorious Tory Cunningham’s in the region. One was also named Patrick whose homestead is on the Saluda River in the district of 96. It is also a distinct possibility that Patrick removed to Georgia during the conflagration in order to protect his family. In all likelihood, he would have moved his wife and small children to Augusta, Georgia or returned to Augusta County, Virginia to avoid the inevitable perils of a war on his own doorstep. Back in Augusta County, Patrick’s father David Cunningham dies in early 1773. Patrick is listed in the will of his father and receives one shilling. Nothing else is granted to Patrick, of which the bulk of the will goes to his younger siblings who would not be as well off as Patrick. In 1776 Patrick Cunningham, Robert Tweedy, Alexander McFrew, and Joseph East were witnesses to the will of Alexander McFrew on October the 11th. This entry bears evidence of the Tweedy-Cunningham connection because Robert Tweedy was the father to Patrick’s wife. This entry in 1776 remains the last evidence of Patrick in South Carolina or anywhere else that were found. Either he has left the state, remained anonymous or no records remain to show his evidence. By 1784 Patrick Cunningham had settled in the new establishment of Wilkes County, Georgia. A large influx of settlers migrated into this settlement and became one of the most populous districts in Georgia. For Patrick there are several purchases of land within Georgia during this year spanning, Washington, Wilkes, and Oglethorpe County. First, executed on September 8th, 1784 was the purchase of 400 acres of land that was granted in lieu of an old warrant on Fishing Creek. This land was joined by Allen, Todd, John Kilgore, and Johnston. According to the Wilkes County tax records these 400 acres are subdivided into 200 acres plots one “1st quality land” and the other for his homestead. This property remained in his possession until the end of his life. Another parcel of land was given to Patrick from Elijah Clark in Wilkes County. This was dated the 20th of May 1784 and entitled him to a bounty for 250 acres. Patrick provided some service during the Revolution in order to receive this grant but the service is not known and there is no military service listed. More than likely his age would preclude him from engaging in fighting. This particular parcel of land may account for the purchase executed in September of that year pertaining to the “old warrant.” One parcel of land was purchased in what would be Oglethorpe County on the Broad River consisting of 500 acres. At the time this was considered part of Wilkes County. His brother William Cunningham purchased 400 acres in the same year, river and county. For the year 1785 Patrick appears in the tax list as paying 4 and half polls, 5 slaves and 900 acres within Captain Hagan’s District. This tax consists of the 400 acres in Wilkes and his 500 acres in Oglethorpe County. At this time many families will remove to Wilkes County as the Indian lands are offered up, including many families from Augusta County, VA. At some point early in the counties expansion there was a petition from the settlers of Wilkes that the vacant lands in the ceded lands from the Indians become granted based on the headright system. Patrick Cunningham endorsed this petition and provided his signature. There is no date provided but it is more likely that these were the ceded lands that opened up Wilkes County into Elbert and Oglethorpe. Early in the year of 1782 his younger brother Alexander Cunningham perishes and on March 1st, 1785 Patrick and Jane Cunningham appoint his brothers David and John power of attorney in order to sell the lands on Alexander’s estate. The incident specifically describes Patrick and Jane Cunningham of Wilkes County. His brother James deliveries the deed to the Augusta County courthouse and since Alexander was still young, it is probable that Patrick was in possession of the land deed which his brother James delivered from Wilkes County. On March 7th, 1788, both Patrick and Jane Cunningham testify in the land deed from John and Mary Todd to Joseph Gray. George Hyde, in a will to his five children, David, George, Betty, Pleasant, and Winney, leaves them all the livestock, household goods and growing crops. However, one third of his farm was left to pay Joseph Gray and James Cunningham for payment due to them on July 29, 1790 as a deed of gift. Pat Cunningham, Lewis C. Davis, and Edward Brown all testified in the manner. In the will of James Gray’s that was signed on December 2, 1789, he divides his estate to his children John, James, Sally, and Grace. His wife Flower and brothers George Gray and Joseph Gray are mentioned as executors while Ann Gray, Patrick and Jane Cunningham testify. The son Joseph Gray marries Patrick's daughter Mary Cunningham. James Gray appears from the quantity of records to be a close friend to the Cunningham family and perhaps a business partner. Patrick’s wife Mary Jane Tweedy died in 1794 at the age of 46 and he perishes on the 4th of February 1800. (Family Bible) Patrick was probably sick before he died since the services of a doctor were granted to him just prior to his death. In the will of Patrick a James Cunningham submits a bill from a Dr. James Murphy, who had a current and prior bill to be paid. The will has several references to James Cunningham which resolved a difficult puzzle. James is specifically referenced in the will as Patrick’s brother and residing in Jackson County at that time. James owed money to the estate of Patrick and made two separate payments as well as submitting the bill from Dr. Murphy. James Cunningham dies in 1811, showing up in Jones County, GA as early as 1810. He was infirmed and possible estranged from his own family, but he obtains help from his nephew Robert Cunningham, occupied as a judge in Clinton, GA, who assists him in the move. Patrick’s will also glean much about his occupation because there are many references of large sales of cotton, tobacco or corn. His estate also retained many animals including pigs, cattle, horses, and geese. Regarding these items, this confirms Patrick’s occupation as a cotton and tobacco farmer, and he succeeds at acquiring great wealth and land from the trade. Moreover, he has a lot in Lisbon, and at the time Lisbon and Petersburg were considered the transportation hubs for tobacco in Georgia. Records from the estate sale shows a who’s who of Wilkes County neighbors and family some of the names include William Kelly, William Evans, William Williamson, John Reeves, Thomas Grimes, Joseph Gray, James Hay, David Buchannan, and Azariah Bailey. The Tax returns inside Captain John Heard’s District in 1804 for Wilkes County show that William McClung, during the administration of Patrick’s estate, also returned 400 acres of “Pine Land in Washington County on White Bluff, and one Town Lot in Lisbon value $300.” Payments were also made for the original 400 acres in Wilkes County and his son David Cunningham appears for the first time. William McClung, who married eldest daughter Euphemia and worked on one of Patrick’s plantations, was paid in 1805 out of the estate for traveling money to Columbia, South Carolina. This trip was for the sole purpose of the sale of Patrick’s Wateree-Congaree land. In addition to the sale there are records regarding the estate of Richard Cunningham showing payments on the returns for 1807 and 1808 as to the "amount due the estate for rent for Congaree land." Robert Cunningham administered this transaction for the estate. This confirms Patrick held on to his South Carolina plantation through-out his years in Georgia by either leasing the land or using it for farming. Richard Cunningham appears to have no relation to this lineage of Cunningham's though he may be related within family originating in Ireland. No other documentations establish a further link between the two families. A bill of sale was recorded November 25th 1800 in the presence of John Merrell and John Ryson (Tyson?), Justice of the Peace, for the sale of slaves to William Williamson from the estate of Patrick Cunningham by William McClung and Robert Cunningham. The will shows that Patrick had a total of 19 slaves, and most of them went to other residents. Those who purchased slaves from the estate in addition to William Williamson were Joseph Evans, Eugenia Cunningham, Robert Cunningham, B. Zimmerman, William Kelly, and Robert Kilgore. One final record regarding Patrick’s estate shows that receipts were made from a M. Waddle for the “classical tuition at the Vienna Academy” on May 25th 1802. These receipts were related to the education of John and Alexander Cunningham from the guardianship of Robert Cunningham. From 1802 to 1804 the same tuition receipts were made for Margaret Cunningham by way of William McClung. The Reverend and teacher Moses Waddle started the Vienna Academy which was located in a small town called Vienna in Abbeville District, S.C. The location of the school was on the confluence of the Savannah and Broad rivers, directly across from Lisbon and Petersburg Georgia where Patrick held a town lot. When Patrick Cunningham died in 1800 he left many of his children orphaned. Of his children Margaret, John, and Alexander were not of the age to fend for themselves. Robert Cunningham sought guardianship of Alexander and John. Recorded on September 1st, 1800 in the state of Georgia and the county of Wilkes, Robert Cunningham was officially appointed guardian of said Alexander and John that was witnessed by Edward Butler Esq. On the same day within the courts of Wilkes County, Robert Cunningham, Azariah Bailey and William Reeves were witnesses to the appointment of $1,000 to the heirs of Patrick Cunningham that was granted to Alexander and John Cunningham via the guardian Robert Cunningham. Recorded on the same day and also witnessed by Edward Butler Esq. William McClung was granted guardianship of Margaret Cunningham. Just like Robert, William McClung, Azariah Bailey and William Reeves were witnesses to the appointment of $1,000 granted to Margaret. Lastly, William McClung and Robert Cunningham were also appointed executors and administrators of the will and the estate. Richard Heard, Lewis Grion (sp?) and Robert Kilgore appraised the estate on September 26th 1800. Below is a list of all of Patrick and Jane Cunningham’s children and the date of their births and who they married. The marriage dates were obtained through other sources. The source of children, birth dates, and spouses comes from the family bible of Patrick Cunningham that is inherited down the line to son and author Alexander Cunningham. The bible is also referenced as an item in Patrick’s estate as a “Book of Divinity”, but no record of the item being sold is shown. Most of the families married into the Cunningham family were neighbors on Fishing Creek or within the same district in Wilkes County. Children of PATRICK CUNNINGHAM and MARY JANE TWEEDY are:
2. EUPHEMIA CUNNINGHAM was born 09 Feb 1769 in Craven Co., SC, and died 28 Jan 1843 in Blount Co., TN. She married WILLIAM MCCLUNG 12 Nov 1789 in Green Co., GA, son of JAMES MCCLUNG and ANN GRAY. He was born Bet. 1761 - 1762 in Rockbridge Co., VA, and died 14 Feb 1837 in Blount Co., TN. 3. ROBERT CUNNINGHAM was born 09 Sep 1773 in Craven Co., SC, and died 18 May 1850 in Macon, GA. He married LUCRETIA REEVES 24 Dec 1801, daughter of WILLIAM REEVES and HANNAH SMITH. She was born 18 Feb 1775, and died 15 Dec 1847. 4. DR. ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM was born 25 Feb 1785 in Wilkes Co., GA, and died 02 Aug 1861 in Savannah, GA. He married (1) LOUISA R. T. BALDWIN in 1819 at Richmond County, Georgia. She was born in 1800, and died 15 Jan 1830 in Augusta, GA. He married second ANNA FRANCES MAYHEW on 16 May 1833 in Savannah, GA or Martha’s Vineyard, MA, daughter of THOMAS MAYHEW and OLIVE NORTON. She was born 03 May 1804 in Edgartown, Mass, and died 23 Oct 1896 in Savannah, GA - Laurel Grove Cemetery. Image:Patrick Cunningham Family.png --Ms255815 00:04, 5 November 2010 (EDT)C Wayne Cunningham Image Gallery
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