Family:Unknown Sittlington and Unknown (2)

History of the Sittlington Family in Ireland

It is quite possible that the Sittlington Family in Augusta County descended from to John Lamant, who changed his name to Sittlington to avoid capture in Ireland in the mid-1600's. This family's story is detailed in the following account:

In 1646 in Scotland, Clan Lamont (pronounced Lamb-it) found itself under siege by Clan Campbell in their two castles, Toward and Ascog. Sir James Lamont, clan chief (university educated in Glasgow) signed a peace treaty that guaranteed the Lamonts safe passage from the castles. But when the castle gates were thrown open to admit the Campbells, a massacre ensued. Numbers differ on how many Lamonts died that day, but researchers believe as many as 350 Lamont men died and uncounted women and children. Three dozen Lamont clan leaders, were hanged in a tree in the old churchyard that to this day is called Gallows Hill for that event. These men were leaders or sons of leaders of Lamont family groups or septs. John Lamont, son of Gilbert Lamont, Baron McGorrie, of Inverchaolain, was one of the 36 men hanged in the tree in the churchyard, along with his brother Duncan. (Family history preceeding this time.) John's wife was Mary Young, from the Clan Young of Auldbar. Mary Young Lamont fled with her four sons across the 39 miles of ocean from Scotland to a town called Larne in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Those who survived the massacre or were somehow able to get away from the Campbells sought any safe haven they could find. It was common practice by these refugees to change their surnames when they reached safety, fearing that the Campbells would search them down. Mary Young Lamont's four sons changed their names. John, the oldest, took the name Sitlington, which was the name of a "burn" or small stream on their Scotland estates. The two middle sons took the names White and Green. It has been stated that the White son may have been named William. The youngest son, Andrew, took his mother's maiden name of Young for his new surname. It is assumed that all four boys were young children because if they had been teens or older, they would have been fighting with their father and not left behind with their mother. (Source: http://www.geocities.com/charryoung/early.html )

About the Sitlington Family of Augusta County, VA

The Sittlington's of early Augusta County most likely migrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania in the early 1700's, similar to the migration patterns of many of their neighbors in early Augusta County, Virginia. Afterwards, most likely aroung 1730-1740, they migrated to Augusta County. Records of each of these early Sittlington's are included on each of their pages.

The following lawsuit, between Andrew Sittlington's heirs, contains useful information in piecing together some of this Sittlington family:

From Augusta County, VA records:

Sitlington Heirs vs. Sitlington's Widow--O. S. 79; N. S. 27--Bill, 3d December, 1805. Orators are viz: James Kelso, and Eltzabeth, his wife, John Young and Polly, his wife; Nathan Crawford and Jane, his wife; Jennet Sloan (Kean?), Andrew Beaty and Agness, his wife; Edward McLaughlin and Jane, his wife; of whom Elizabeth, Polly, Jane Crawford, Jennet and Agness are the daughters and Jane Erwin is granddaughter of John Sutlington, deceased. John was brother of whole blood of Andrew Sutlington, of Bath. Andrew died 1787 without issue, widow Elizabeth. He made a will, dated 1801, and this suit is to contest it on account of inability by age and infirmity, being 90 years old. Andrew had written to John in Ireland to come to Virginia. He married Elizabeth when aged. She was a Montgomery? Her brother (?) John was a preacher. Defendants are viz: Elizabeth Sutlingon (widow of Andrew), Jacob Warwick, Andrew Sutlingon Warwick, Andrew Sutlington (son of Robert Sutlington), John Montgomery, and Andrew Erwin. Jacob Warwick answers that oratrix, Jane McLaughlin, is niece of Andrew Sutlington, who is understood to have had a half-sister, Mrs. Sherman, living in Pennsylvania at his death. Andrew had married the mother of Jacob. Elizabeth answers that John Sutlington had a son, Robert, now living in Bath. James Erwin is brother of Jane McLaughlin. Andrew died 15th April, 1804. He was in his 85th year. John Sutlington came to this country in 1774. Andrew and Elizabeth were married in 1779. Andrew Sitlington's will dated 12th October, 1801. Proved in Bath County, June, 1804. Wife Elizabeth; legatee Gean Crawford, wife of Nathan Crawford. Legatee Andrew Sitlington Crawford, son of Nathan. Legatee Gennet Sloan and her daughter, Polly Sloan. Legatee Polly Young, wife of John Young. Legatee Agness Beaty, wife of Andrew Beaty. Legatee Elizabeth Kelso, wife of James Kelso. Legatee Elizabeth, Sitlington Kelso, daughter of Elizabeth Kelso, Legatee nephew, James Erwin. Legatee nephew, Andrew Erwin. Legatee niece Jean McGloughlin, wife of Edward, and her son, Andrew McGloughlin. Legatee Andrew Sitlington McDonald, son of Samuel. Legatee Elizabeth McDonald, daughter of John. Legatee Elizabeth McDonald, daughter of Samuel. Legatee Andrew Sitlington Warwick, son of Jacob. Legatee Andrew Sitlington, son of Robert. Letter by Andrew to John dated Greenbrier, 25th September, 1776, speaks of brother William (in Pennsylvania), and brother Thomas, of sister Elizabeth.

Some information on this Sittlington family is posted on Rootsweb: http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/SITLINGTON/2006-08/1154827229