James Augustus Cain, son of Nicholas Cain and a woman named Catherine, was born "in a small cabin on Perkiomen Creek near the Tohickon" in Upper Bucks County, Pennsylvania Colony, in 1739.[1]
"Our ancestor, Nicholas KAIN, named his first son James. James A. CAIN was born in the year 1739 in a small cabin on Perkiomen Creek near the Tohickon in Upper Bucks Co., PA. The middle initial "A" represents a middle name used on a 1792 Bourbon Co., KY tax list. His full name may have been James Augustus CAIN. The last name of KAIN was used often until James later became a citizen in KY. He and his wife's gravestones are at Moore's Chapel on Brush Creek in Adams County, Ohio." [The use of middle names in the 1700's was rare and the middle name "Augustus" was used by him once during his lifetime. Descendants have found that adding this initial or middle name in order to differentiate him, from other men named James Cain, has been useful and this has been passed own orally. It is uncertain why this name was chosen, either by him or by descendants, but possibly because he was married and resided in that county for a time. He was born in Bucks county, PA and died in Adams county, OH, but also resided in Albemarle, Harrison, Greenbriar. Lewisburg, Kentucky counties or areas of Virginia, as well as Lincoln and Bourbon counties in Kentucky. Only one true source supports "Augustus," then it appears on his burial memorial, but does not appear on his gravestone, nor most of his relevant sources. This note by Steven Lake was added on 15Apr2019 in order to raise awareness for the use and status of the middle name "Augustus."]
"James CAIN did not live long in PA. His parents sold their land on Perkiomen Creek and moving in the winter of 1740-1741 down the Shanandoah into VA. The family lived on the North Branch of the Shenandoah River from 1741 until late Summer of 1755. He grew up at age 6 until about 16 years of age that what is now the hill country of western Rockingham Co., VA.
"In the Summer of 1755, James accompanied his father down the Shenandoah Valley, on the east side of the Little Mountains, and obtained permission to settle on a tract of land between the two Anna Rivers. They settled their new home in Louisa Co., VA. James journeyed back to the old homestead in Brock's Gap where he remained with his Uncle John CAIN's family.
"In 1759, James' Uncle John died and James with with his cousin, Nicholas, maintained the two farms and worked at the Custer's sawmill on Dry Creek.
"In 1763, James is 24 years old and unmarried having farmed his father's land until it was sold and worked with the Custer's. Our sole evidence of James during this period is a notation in the court records of Augusta Co., VA where he sold a sorrel horse to one Samuel PAXTON.
"In 1768, James married Elizabeth CUSTER, daughter of Arnold and Bridget CUSTER. Elizabeth's father had died when she was 8 years old and had grown up in the home of her grandfather Conrad CUSTER.
"In 1769, James and Elizabeth CAIN purchased several items from the Isaac BRACKFIELD auction.
"In the Summer of 1768, James with several men made a journey through KY to OH.
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cain-52
