Person:John Blackburn (42)

Information on John Blackburn

John was a farmer and Justice of the Peace, and a Presbyterian minister with interests in politics and church. In 1773 he lived on Beaver Creek in Abingdon, Virginia. During the Revolutionary War, he fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain is named on a monument in Dandridge, TN. He was buried in February 1808 at the Old Cemetery, Dandridge, Jefferson Co, Tennessee.

(Eddie E Myers, Ed.D, Fairview Park, Ohio (EMyersBVOH) gives birth date as January 27, 1740/41 in Augusta, Smith Co, Virginia.)

On September 25, 1780, John was one of the band of our hundred men who, under Col. William Campbell, joined forces with their compatriots under Shelby and Sevier and marched over the Smokiesand wiped out Col Ferguson's force of British Regulars and tories at the famous Battle of King's Mountain. Her seved seven year s in the militia of Washington County; in 1737 he received from North Carolina for his services a military grant of 400 acres on Long Creek in Green County. When John Sevier was elected governer in 1784 of the State of Franklin, he appointed John Blackburn Justice of Peace. Later, wher he became Governor of Tennessee, he again appointed John Blackburn Justice of Peace.

Hopewell Presbyterian Chruch in Dandridge, started in 1785, John Blackburn listed as an elder in 1816.

First County Court for Jefferson County held at home of Jeremiah Matthews, on July 23, 1792. John Blackburn listed as one of nine magistrates.

John Blackburn died in Jefferson Co. in 1808 and is buried in the Military Cemetery in the town of Dandridge. A monument, honoring Revolutionary Soldiers buried there, bears the name of Blackburn. The Military Cemetery is part of the original Cemetery of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church.

John Blackburn Last Will and Testament 27 Aug 1805

John Blackburn's Will

In the name of God amen.

I John Blackburn of the County of Jefferson and State of Tennessee being in perfect held, mind and memory calling to mind the mortality of my body: knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die do this tweneventh day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and five make and ordain and declare this as my last will and testament, and do hereby dispose of my estate real and personal in manner following.

First I give and bequeath unto my son Andrew Blackburn that part of land survey'd off to him including his improvement where he now lives be it more or less within said lines to be his and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son William Blackburn that tract or parcel of land I bought from Doherty where he said William now lives to be his and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son John Blackburn that part of land surveyed off to him including his improvement where he now lives be it more or less within said lines to be his and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Edward Blackburn that part of land surveyed off to him including his improvement where he now lives, be it more or less within said lines to be his and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son James Blackburn that part of the plantation whereon I now live from Andrew's line to Edward's line be it more or less between said lines to be his and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Moyers one silver dollar to be given her out of my estate.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Grizey Blackburn one silver dollar to be given her out of my estate.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my dauther Nancy Carson one silver dollar to be given her out of my estate.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jinney the young sorrel mare which is called hers and her saddle; a good bed and furniture; and two cows such as her mother may think proper; with such other household furniture her mother may thinkt to give.

My will is that my well beloved wife, Jenet during her natural life or widdowhood, be furnished with a good horse and saddle which shall be kept for her use at her pleasure, also a good cow; a bed and furniture; all provided out of my estate;ich James shall always keep for her and if her horse or cow should die or become unfit for use then James shall provide one for her; and also shall provide all things needful for her support as diet and raiment that she may live a comfortable life, free from all worldly care as far as possible.

I will that my well beloved wife have the command of the house and so much of the house furniture as she may think proper for her use during her natural life or widowhood and at her death James shall have all that she possessed, her wearing rel excepted which shall be at her disposal at her death, and if she should marry, her horse,m saddle, cows, bed and furniture and half of the house furniture shall be hers.

I will that James pay unto his brother George the balance of three hundred dollars as compensation for his part of the land, and in consideration thereof he, said James, shall have and possess all my personal property not otherwise disposed on this will; such as horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, waggon, and all farming utensils.

I do hereby make and ordain m well beloved wife Jenet Blackburn and my two sons Andrew and William Blackburn Executors of this my last will and testament and also I hereby make void all wills, testaments, and legacies by me heretofore made.

In witness whereof, I John Blackburn have hereunto set my hand and affired my seal the day and year above written.

Signed, sealed, and declared by the said John Blackburn, the Testator, as his last will and testament.

(signed) John Blackburn

In presence of:

Matthew Samples

William Samples

Joseph Richey

April Sessions 1808

The last Will and Testament of John Blackburn deceased was proven in open court and Andrew Blackburn , one of the Executors therein named appeared in open court and took upon himself the execution thereof and was qualified.

1930 Monument to Revolutionary War Soldiers

• A tablet on one side of the monument includes the following inscription:

1930 - Erected by Martha Dandridge Garden Club - In Memory of - Revolutionary Soldiers Buried Here

John Blackburn

1741-1808

Abednego Inman

1752-1831

Samuel Lyle

1747-1834

Richard Rankin

1756-1827

Samuel Rankin

1758*(corrected from 1738)-1828

• Reverse side of tablet:

Burial Ground at the site of the original Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Jefferson County 1785

Timeline of John Blackburn

1742 - Frederick, Virginia, United States - 1742-1746 Moved down to Frederick County, Virginia, with his father and other members of the Blackburn Family.

09 Feb 1764 - Frederick, Virginia, United States Received a grant of at least 200 acres of land in Frederick County, Virginia on Mulberry Run from Lord Fairfax.

02 Apr 1765 -Frederick, Virginia, United States - Married Jane Mathews, aged 18 years, who lived 15 or 20 miles east of Mulberry Run on the Shenandoah River south of Front Royal. to Janet 'Jane' Mathes.

Alternate Marriage Date - 12 April 1765 - Frederick, Virginia, United States - to Janet 'Jane' Mathes

14 Jan 1766 - Frederick, Virginia, United States - First son named Alexander Blackburn is born

08 Mar 1767 - Frederick, Virginia, United States - Son Benjamin Blackburn is born

01 Nov 1768 - Frederick, Virginia, United States - Daughter Mary Blackburn is born

01 Aug 1769 - Augusta, Virginia, United States - John and Janet sold the land on Mulberry Run to Thomas Early for 80 pounds; and probably moved that fall with his father's family to the north line of Rockbridge County.

13 Dec 1770 - Augusta, Virginia, United States - Son Andrew Blackburn is born

07 Oct 1772 - Augusta, Virginia, United States - Son William Blackburn is born

1773 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Probably in the fall, left Augusta County, and moved down into southwest Virginia, and settled on Beaver Creek between Abingdon and Bristol.

24 Feb 1774 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Had a survey made of 78 acres on Beaver Creek

27 Oct 1774 - Abingdon, Washington, Virginia, United States - Daughter Grizelle Blackburn is born

March 1776 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Appointed by the Court with two others "to view the way from Camp Union to ? Mountain and make report to the Court whether a bridle way can be had or not".

26 May 1776 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Son George Blackburn is born

24 Mar 1778 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Son John Blackburn is born

May 1778 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Served on the Grand Jury

Aug 1778 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Witness to the will of Samuel Vance

June 1779 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Served on the Jury

03 Jun 1780 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Twins Edward Blackburn and Jane Blackburn are born

07 Oct 1780 - Blacksburg, Cherokee, South Carolina, United States - Took part in the Battle of King's Mountain

24 Nov 1780 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Administrator of the Estate of Lieutenant William Blackburn who was killed at King's Mountain.

March 1781 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Appointed by the Court as one of the appraisers of the estate of James Curry.

May 1781 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Served on the Grand Jury

1782 - Abingdon, Washington, Virginia, United States - Mentioned as one of the elders of the Presbyterian Church of Abingdon, Virginia. The Sinking Springs Congregation.

May 1782 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Served on the Grand Jury

16 Jul 1782 - Washington, Virginia, United States - In the will of Arthur Blackburn, John Blackburn is mentioned as one of the legatees and also one of the executors; his wife Janet was one of the four witnesses to the will.

21 Aug 1782 - Washington, Virginia, United States - On the jury in the case of Cotter vs Galbraith

21 Aug 1782 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Entered proof of the will of Arthur Blackburn and gave bond for 200 pounds as executor.

02 Oct 1782 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Son James Blackburn is born

19 Nov 1782 - Washington, Virginia, United States - Forman of the Grand Jury. Also, made report of the estate of ? and distribution to widow and child.

1783 - Jefferson, Tennessee, United States - 1783 - 1784 Moved to his future home on Long Creek in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Which was then Green County, North Carolina.

1785 - Jefferson, Tennessee, United States - 1785 - 1787 Served as Justice of the Peace appointed by John Sevier, Governor of the "State of Franklin". Gideon Ritchey was also a Justice of the Peace (N. C. Rev. Vol. 22, Page 702).

07 Apr 1785 - Jefferson, Tennessee, United States - Daughter Nancy Glorian Blackburn is born

1787 - Jefferson, Tennessee, United States - Elder of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, organized at Dandridge.

20 Sep 1787 - Jefferson, Tennessee, United States - Received Land Grant, probably for Revolutionary War Services, from State of North Carolina. (Grant #265, Book B, pp 36, Land Office, Nashville, Tennessee).

1790 - Jefferson, Tennessee, United States - Appointed by John Sevier, first Governor of Tennessee, as the Justice of the Peace.

Will[2] - 27 Aug 1805 - Jefferson, Tennessee, United States - John Blackburn Makes his Last Will Testament

Death[1] - 9 February 1808 - Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee

Probate[2] - 09 Feb 1808 - Dandridge, Jefferson, Tennessee, United States - John Blackburn dies and is buried at the old cemetery at Dandridge, Tennessee.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 International Genealogical Index. ( The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, 1999-2008).
2.   Challacombe, W. A. The Benjamin Blackburn family and notes on Blackburns in America. (Carlinville, Ill.: W.A. Challacombe, 1942)
   Page 61, 62, 63.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} John Blackburn, in Find A Grave.
4.   Worth S. Ray. Tennessee Cousins: A History of Tennessee People. (Various - printed 1950, 1968, 1980 (Genealogical Pub. Co.))
   Page 98.

   A tablet on one side of the monument includes the following inscription:
   
   1930
   Erected by Martha Dandridge Garden Club
   In Memory of
   Revolutionary Soldiers Buried Here
   --------------
   John Blackburn
   1741-1808
   Abednego Inman
   1752-1831
   Samuel Lyle
   1747-1834
   Richard Rankin
   1756-1827
   
   Samuel Rankin
   1758*(corrected from 1738)-1828
   
   Reverse side of tablet:
   
   Burial Ground at the
   site of the original
   Hopewell Presbyterian Church
   in Jefferson County
   1785

5.   Patrick Hogue (Samples). The Samples / Semples Family.
   
6.   Tennessee Genealogical Society. Ansearchin' News. (Memphis, Tennessee: Tennessee Genealogical Society)
   Vol. 46, No. 2, Page 10, 12,, Summer 1999.

   Jefferson County Court Minutes, April 1838, W.P.A. Transcription by Ellen W. Wilson, 16 Oct 1939, Microfilm Ref. 2007, V. 16. Available at Memphis / Shelby County Public Library, Peabody & McLean.
   http://www.tngs.org/ansearchin/pdf/1999-2.pdf

7.   Swann, Joe. The Old Path, Route of the Great Indian War Trail vanishing quickly in East Tennessee. (Jefferson County, Tennessee, Historical Society).