Person:Hugh McCrary (2)

"Hugh McCrary was born ca 1720. The exact date he and his 2 brothers, Daniel and John, came to this country from the Isle of McGhee in Ireland is not known. He settled in Chester County, PA and married Susannah Whitaker ca 1749 daughter of William, Sr. and Elizabeth Carleton Whitaker.

"The Whitakers were Quakers and Susannah was warned if she married Hugh who was not of the same religion, she would be dealt with severely. She married him and her name was removed from the church roll. She and Hugh, along with her family migrated to the Jersey Settlement, Rowan County, now Davidson around 1749-50.

"Hugh received a Granville Land Grant and over the years acquired State Grants. Records in 1778 shows he owned 2205 acres of land from 1 mile below Lexington, north to the Red Hill above the church called Ebenezer. He owned land on each side of Swearing Creek. He was listed in records as a Planter and was also a storekeeper. His family was among the first settlers in this part of the country.

"They had 9 children: John married Margaret Luske and then Sarah Luske; Boyd marriedNancy Anna Merrill and moved to Buncombe County, NC; Elizabeth married John Silvers;Hugh married Mary (Polly) Sluder; Susannah married Joseph Davis then Joseph White;Nancy Ann married Gabriel Davis; Lydia married Joseph Huff; Margaret married IsaacWilson then George Thomason; and Reid who died young.

"He also had several slaves and he is listed in the Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Rowan County as serving many times on jury, including the supreme court, administrator of many wills, looking after orphans until the next session of court, buying and selling land many times and as the overseer of roads being built.

"Hugh died February 14, 1785, Susannah died October 20, 1800 and both are buried at Jersey Baptist Church near Linwood. The inscription on his tombstone is as follows: Here Lies the body of Hugh McCrarey Deceased February The 14th anno domino 1785 Aged 65 years, "You Lookets on and standets by, as you are now so once was I, As I am now so mustyou be, therefore prepare to follow me. (All the s's are turned backward except the first one).

"The inscription on Susannah's tombstone is as follows: Here lies the body of Susannah McCrary who departed this life Oct 20, 1800. Aged 73 years. "My race is run, My life is done. My resting place is here. These stone was got to keep the spot. Least men should dig to near."

"The roots of the McCrary family were planted deep in this area. Only 1 of the original sons, Boyd, left his area. There are many direct descendants in Davidson County. "Sources: Henry Reeves Collection, Davidson County Library, Davidson County cemetery books, Bradford Minutes, Chester County, PA, McCubbins Collections Rowan County Library, Rowan County wills, Granville Land Grant, State Grants. -Peggy McCrary Freedle"

Ref: Peggy McCrary Freedle. , circa 1960. The Heritage of Rowan Co.: McCrary Family Record 654