Person:Jonathan Cunningham (2)

Jonathan Cunningham was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

Contents 1 Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA 2 The Kerr's Creek Massacres 3 Will of Jonathan Cunningham		Welcome to Old Augusta Early Settlers Beverley Manor Borden's Grant Register Data Maps Places Library History Index
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Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA

Jonathan Cunningham's land (Borden Tract SW, 281 acres, prior to 1763, acquired from his father Hugh Cunnningham) as shown on the map meticulously drawn by J.R. Hildebrand, cartographer. This map is copyrighted©, used by permission of John Hildebrand, son of J.R. Hildebrand, April, 2009.

Acquisition of Land from Chalkley's:

Jonathan Cunningham acquired 281 acres of land from his father, Hugh Cunningham (part of tract shown in map above), prior to Jonathan's death in 1763, as described in the following transactions:

• Page 590.--9th May, 1764. Hugh Cunningham to Jonathan Cunningham, £5, the plantation the said Hugh now lives on. 381 acres (s/b 281 acres), 1 rood, 10 perch, on Carr's Creek; corner John Carr, Jno. McKee, Robert Hamilton, Robert Erwin.

• Page 223.—20th March, 1770. Hugh Cunningham and Sarah ( ) of Forks of James River in Botetourt County to John McKee, of Kerr's Creek, £300, tract whereon Jonathan Cunningham, deceased, son of Hugh, formerly dwelt, 281 acres on Kerr's Creek, formerly called Teaze's Creek, partly in Botetourt and part in Augusta. Teste: Hugh Weir, Nathan Peoples, William McKee. Delivered: John McKee, April, 1773. (probably the tract devised to Hugh by his son Jonathan.)

The Kerr's Creek Massacres

Jonathan Cunningham and his wife were present during the 2nd Kerr's Creek Massacre, and although one report claims that they both were killed, Jonathan's will written in 1769, naming his wife Mary, proves that they both survived the massacre. An article detailing the Kerr's Creek Massacres is located here:

The Kerr's Creek Massacres 1759-1763

Will of Jonathan Cunningham

From Chalkley's Will Book 4:

• Page 277.--24th May, 1769. Jonathan Cunningham's will, of Carr's Creek--To wife Mary; to dutiful father, Hugh Cunningham. Executors, father Hugh and William McKee, testator's brother-in-law. Teste: Hugh Weir, Nathan Peoples, Cornelius Docherty, Robert Hamilton. Proved, 20th March, 1770, by Weir and Peoples. William McKee refuses to execute. Hugh Cunningham qualifies, with Wm. McKee, John McKee.

• The will of Jonathan Cunningham, "of Carr's Creek," was admitted to record March 20, 1770. He gave his wife, Mary, ,£60, etc., and left his plantation to his "dutiful father," Hugh Cunningham. His wife, as appears from the will, was a daughter of John McKee and sister of Col. William McKee. The people of Kerr's Creek were assembled at the house of Jonathan Cunningham at the time of the second massacre, in 1763, and some of the Cunninghams were then captured and carried off by the Indians. (Source: Annals of Augusta County, Virginia)

The following land transaction in Augusta County, VA establishes that Jonathan Cunningham was of legal age by 1764 (born before 1744):

• Page 590.--9th May, 1764. Hugh Cunningham to Jonathan Cunningham, £5, the plantation the said Hugh now lives on. 381 acres, 1 rood, 10 perch, on Carr's Creek; corner John Carr, Jno. McKee, Robert Hamilton, Robert Erwin.

1.   Jonathan Cunningham wrote his will on 24 May 1769. It was proved on 20 March 1770 in Augusta Co. Ct. He referred to himself as Jonathan Cunningham of Carr's Creek, Augusta County. The will mentioned wife Mary and father Hugh; also father-in-law John McKee. Will Bk 4: 277