UPDATED: 4/19/2020 | ORIGINAL: 12/22/2009
JACOB REID (READ) (REED) (REEDE) (abt 1770 – aft 1850) was born in Pennsylvania. Jacob married Elizabeth (Mary) Staton on 30 May 1792 in Amherst County, Virginia. They moved to Oglethorpe County, Georgia in 1796 where they lived until well after 1830. While living in Oglethorpe County, Jacob and Mary had ten children of record – six sons, and four daughters. Jacob and Mary lived full lives, and both died while living in Georgia.
We have no record of Jacob’s specific date of birth and no confirmed record of his parentage, although after 40 years of research we do have some strong theories. While the Reid/Reede surname suggests the possibly of Scotch-Irish ancestry, scarcity of records and the variant in spelling of the Reid name in available historical records, seen on occasion as Read, Reed, Reede, and Reid, has complicated the research. The results of a recent paternal lineage genetic test (Y-DNA) place Jacob in the E1b1b Haplogroup, a rare classification for American immigrants from Scotland and Ireland. Yet the possibility of Scotch-Irish heritage still exists, and more importantly, the search for Jacob’s ancestors continues in earnest.
A significant number of northwestern European immigrants to North America came in the mid 1700s landing in Philadelphia and migrating quickly to established settlements in Lancaster, Berks, and York counties. Historically, we know that many of these immigrants were heavily involved in the Revolutionary War, and were more likely to migrate to less settled regions than other immigrant nationalities. What we know about Jacob’s life history follows.
A Young Patriot
While the exact circumstances of Jacob’s youth are unclear, undoubtedly his early years were filled with a mix of excitement and uncertainty.
As an adolescent and early teen, in the peak of his formative years, Jacob was living in the heart of Revolutionary America. Too young to formally engage in the war, like many other youth of that day, Jacob may have been called upon to help support those who were directly involved in the conflict. For every soldier who carried a rifle, there were many others faithful to the cause of freedom who shuttled supplies, tended to livestock, and saw to the routine duties at homes and farms that were left to their care.
Every American in that day sacrificed in some way for the cause of freedom, and Jacob would have been no exception. Many, Jacob possibly among them, were called upon to bear one of the more difficult consequences of war – life thereafter without a father. We have yet to find records sufficient to confirm that speculation, but there is much of Jacob’s early adult life that supports the thought. Regardless of the actual sacrifices he made for the cause of freedom, we believe Jacob was raised a patriot, and the circumstances of history and his actions later in life support that.
Rolling Hills of Rockbridge, Virginia
The Hills of Virginia
Following the War, Colonial America continued its rapid expansion. New settlements were established quickly as federal land was made available to veterans of the war and friends of the country. Jacob was too young to directly participate in early post-war expansion, but tax records do place him in Rockbridge County, Virginia in 1791 as a young adult living near other Reids, presumably family.
Being a young able-bodied bachelor, Jacob sought work in neighboring Amherst County, likely employed as a laborer by one of the prominent land owners of the area.
Amherst County, Virginia 1787 (Click on image to enlarge view)
Jacob lived near, and possibly associated with, many of the residents of Lexington Parish, Amherst County including Ballews, Callaways, Colemans, Higginbothams, Pettyjohns, Ruckers, Statons, Wades, and Warrens. The area was known for its rolling hills, rich with timber, fertile soil, and division by small tributaries such as the Buffalo, Stoval, and Rockfish.
Elizabeth Staton Marriage Consent (Click on image to enlarge view)
It was while working in Amherst County that Jacob met Elizabeth (Mary) Staton. They were married soon after on 30 May 1792. Since Mary was under the age of 21, her father, William Staton, was required by law to provide written consent to the marriage. John Reede and James Callaway were witnesses to the marriage consent.
Jacob Reid Marriage Bond (Click on image to enlarge view)
Neighbor John Ballow co-signed the marriage surety bond, to which both he and Jacob were obligated.
The marriage was performed by the Reverend John Poage Campbell, associate minister of the Oxford Presbyterian Church of Rockbridge County, Virginia, which still meets as a congregation in the same location today.
After their marriage, Jacob and Mary lived near family and friends in Amherst and Rockbridge for three years. Like most newlyweds, the circumstances of their early life together were fairly humble, as evidenced by tax records noting their only taxable personal property as either one horse or one cow.
Oxford Presbyterian Church
Jacob’s love of country was again manifest early in his marriage when, in the summer of 1794, Jacob engaged in a 3-month commitment to the Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia. This was likely the first time he took a formal oath to protect his country, but it would not be his last. We have no record of his specific service other than he received $100 for the 3 months that he was so engaged. It is interesting to note that, in that same year, a Samuel Reed and John Reed also enlisted and served in the same militia group.
The Allure of Free Land
As Colonial America continued its expansion, many states began issuing land by either bounty or headright grant to lure settlers to their states. By 1796 Jacob and Mary had moved south with other family members to Oglethorpe County, Georgia, likely drawn there by the enticement of land freely granted by the state of Georgia to those eligible for homestead. One year after their arrival in Georgia, Jacob applied for and received a Headright land grant of 300 acres in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. The amount of land granted was indicative of Jacob’s status at the time. To be eligible, one must be at least 21 years of age, loyal to the United States, not a convicted felon, and committed to work the land being granted. By rule of the granting process, Jacob received 200 acres for himself, 50 acres for his wife, Mary, and 50 acres for each living child, in his case, daughter Pensy.
Regarding their children, Jacob and Mary had 6 sons and 4 daughters of record. All of their children of record were born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Since there is nearly a four-year gap between their marriage date and the birth of daughter Pensy, it is possible that other children were born and died prior to Jacob’s petition for Headright land in Georgia. Their children of record are as follows:
- Pensy Reid (1796 – aft 1860), married William Vaughn 20 Feb 1820 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia
- William Reid (1800 – aft 1860), married Susannah Hales 1 Apr 1820 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia
- Reuben J Reid (1803 – aft 1845), married Tempy Williams 9 Sep 1828 in Madison County, Georgia; married Sarah Proctor 14 Dec 1844 in Pike County, Georgia
- Bailey Reid (1806 – aft 1838), married (no record) Hannah Washington Williams in 1828 or 1829 in Georgia; possible marriage to Louisa F Dandy 25 Aug 1833 in Pike County, Georgia
- Nancy Reid (1807 – aft 1850), married John F Ables 9 Oct 1827 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia
- Green Reid (1809 – aft 1860), married Ann Abney 25 Dec 1836 in Meriwether County, Georgia
- Mary Reid (1812 – aft 1850), married William Wilkerson 15 Jan 1830 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia
- Jacob Reid (1813 – death unknown).
- Freeman Reid (1816 – 1839), married Nancy Ray 10 Dec 1835 in Greene County, Georgia
- Elizabeth Reid (1818 – aft 1850), married William Abels 24 Jan 1839 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia
Life in Oglethorpe County
Tax and census records indicate that Jacob and Mary lived in various Militia Districts within Oglethorpe County, Georgia from their time of arrival in 1796 until at least 1830.
Oglethorpe County, Georgia Milita Districts (Click on image to enlarge view)
The 300 acres of land Jacob obtained by headright grant was described as land bordered southeast by W. Bridges’ land and southeast by Gideon’s land near the Long Creek in the Lexington District of the county. Even though Jacob sold 100 acres of the land to Russell Jones in August of 1799, we believe he lived on or near the land for many years thereafter.
We’re not certain of his occupation, but we believe Jacob made his principal living raising cotton or growing tobacco, as did many other residents of Oglethorpe County at the time. The soil and climate of that region were well-suited for both crops, although there were some years when drought and disease took its toll. The varied success of agriculture from year-to-year may help to explain why Jacob is noted as moving from one Militia District to another within Oglethorpe County during this period of his life.
Depiction of the Georgia Land Lotteries
Jacob worked hard to sustain his growing family. What little spare time could be allocated to other pursuits included an apparent interest in the social and moral benefit of affiliating with a religious congregation.
In 1803, while living in the Lexington area, Jacob and Mary joined with her parents, William and Mary Staton, in membership in the Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church congregation. Jacob must have been too busy or otherwise not too concerned about his standing with the church, because he was later removed from its membership.
The state of Georgia continued it’s expansion westward by encroaching on native American Indian lands and making that land available by lottery. Jacob joined with many of his neighbors in participating in the early Georgia Land Lotteries of 1805 and 1807. In the lottery of 1805 he was eligible for two draws, both of which were blank. Undaunted, he tried his luck again in the 1807 lottery, this time successfully drawing a lot in newly formed Wilkinson County. It was common practice for successful lottery drawers to sell their lottery draw after winning. This may have been the case for Jacob, since we have not been able to locate any records regarding the disposition of that land.
Jacob’s commitment to preserving the sovereignty of the Nation never wavered. While living in Lexington he enlisted in the Georgia Militia during the time of the War of 1812. His enlistment record provides some insight into his physical characteristics at the time, listing him as 43 years of age, 5’10” tall, having black hair, dark eyes, and a dark complexion.
View of old residence and headstones on property in Goose Pond, Oglethorpe County, Georgia (Image courtesy Georgia Encyclopedia)
From 1820 to 1830, there is evidence that Jacob and Mary continued to live in the various militia districts of Oglethorpe County, often near many of their married children. The US Census of 1830 records Jacob and Mary living in the Halls District with 1 male under five years of age, 2 males of 15 and under 20 years of age, two males of 20 and under 25 years of age, and one female of 10 and under 15 years of age. A full house indeed, none of which were slaves.
After 1830, it is difficult to track Jacob because he is no longer subject to poll tax due to his age. While still a resident of Oglethorpe County, Jacob participated in the 1832 Cherokee land lottery in which he successfully drew land in what is now known as Floyd County, Georgia. Jacob did not take possession of the land, but instead sold it to Dennis Parchal. We have no other record of Jacob’s residence until the US Census 1840 – Oglethorpe, Georgia, when it is recorded that he was likely living with his daughter, Nancy Reid Abels, in Oglethorpe County. It is possible that by that time Jacob had sold his land to Nancy’s husband, John F Abels, and that John and Nancy were continuing the operation of the farm. Mary is not recorded as living with the Abels, suggesting that she had died sometime previously or was living with another family member. Our search for a record of Mary living with another family member in 1840 has not been successful.
HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF GEORGIA – A reference to Jacob Reid as one of the oldest residents of Troup County in 1851 at age 80. (Click on image to enlarge view)
In 1850, Jacob is listed in a published Troup County history as one of its oldest living residents at age 80, as noted in the 1850 census of that county. To live to age 80 is remarkable in any recent century, but certainly under the challenging circumstances that Jacob lived.
His longevity was likely due in part to the fine care he received later in life from his loving daughters. It would appear that he spent time with each of them in those later years. Jacob’s daughter, Pensy Reid Vaughn is noted as living in District 800 of Troup County in 1850. Jacob is not recorded as living with Pensy, but he may have been living somewhere nearby at the time he was recorded as living in Troup County. Jacob is listed in the US Census Record of 1850 living with his daughter Mary Reid Wilkerson. Being recorded as living in multiple locations in the same year could be explained by his travel to and from each daughter’s home for care during the period of record taking.
Jacob died sometime after his appearance in those records in 1850, likely while living with one of his daughters as was the pattern of previous years. The date and location of his death are unknown. What we do know is that Jacob Reid lived a full life, one in which he dedicated himself to raising a large posterity and defending the country that he loved.
Historic Facts for JACOB REID (READ) (REED) (REEDE):
- 1770: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, born to unknown parents.
- 30 May 1792: Amherst County, Virginia, Married Elizabeth Mary Staton. “Jacob Reede, Elizabeth Staton, spinster; both of Amherst County, Lexington Parish; John Ballew, Surety; John Reede, Witness; Consent of Bride’s father, William Staton; Performed by Rev John Poage Campbell, Associate Minister, Oxford Presbyterian Church”
- 1793: Amherst County, Virginia Tax Register, 1 Horse, 1 White Male
- 1794: Amherst County, Virginia Tax Register, 1 Horse, 1 White Male
- July 1794 – Oct 1794: Member of Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia, Whitaker’s Battalion. Enlisted on same day as Samuel Reed, and John Reed.
- 1795: Rockbridge County, Virginia Tax Register, 1 Cattle, 1 White Male
- 1796: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Glade Militia District, #25 on Capt Barnett List
- 1797: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, District not specified, #69 on list
- 8 Aug 1797: Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Awarded Headright Land Warrant #1652 for 300 Acres (200 acres for self, 50 acres for spouse, 50 acres for living child). Land surveyed by John Moore. John Griffith and William Bridges chain bearers. Land southeast of Bridges land, southeast by Gideon’s land and on other sides by surveyed land.
- 8 Jan 1798: Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Headright land survey approved, land conveyed.
- 1798: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Beaverdam Militia District, # 59 on Capt Norris List, 1 Adult Male
- 1799: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Simston Militia District, Capt Thomas Duke List, 1 Adult Male
- 1799: Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Simston Militia District, Sold 100 acres of land on Long Creek to Russell Jones
- 1800: Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Census Record
- 1800: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Glade Militia District, Capt John Hardeman List, 1 Adult Male
- 1801: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, Capt Thomas List, 1 Adult Male
- 1802: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, Capt Tillery List, 1 Adult Male
- 25 Aug 1803: Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church, Jacob and Mary Reid accepted into membership
- 26 Sep 1803: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, Capt Wm Hatchett List, 1 Adult Male
- 1804: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, Capt Wm Hatchett List, 1 Adult Male
- 1805: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Simston Militia District, # 75 on Capt James Smith List, 1 Adult Male
- 1806: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, #111 on Capt Wm Hatchett List, 1 Adult Male
- 1806: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Property Tax Register, 95 acres joined by Azariah Bailey
- 1807: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, #122 on Capt Joseph Morton List, 1 Adult Male
- 1807: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Property Tax Register, 200 acres
- 1809: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Glade Militia District, Capt Ephraim Jackson List – 1 Adult Male, in Default
- 1810: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Property Tax Register, 200 acres
- 1811: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Goosepond Militia District, #83 on Capt Smith List – 1 Adult Male, 202.5 acres
- 1812: Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Muster Roll, 44th Battalion Georgia Militia, Volunteer Rifle Company, Capt James B Landrum; Age 43, 5’10” tall, Dark Complexion, Black Hair, Dark Eyes
- 1812: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Goosepond Militia District, #48 on Capt Wm Bailey List – 1 Adult Male
- 1813: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, #141 on Capt Sanderson List – 1 Adult Male
- 1814: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, #74 on Capt John Landrum List – 1 Adult Male
- 1815: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, Capt John Landrum List – 1 Adult Male
- 1816: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, # 8 Capt Jones List – 1 Adult Male
- 1817: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, #111 Capt Jones List – 1 Adult Male
- 1818: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, # 82 Capt Buttars List – 1 Adult Male
- 1819: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, #57 Capt Walters List – 1 Adult Male
- 1820: Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Lexington Militia District, US Census Record 1820 Lexington Oglethorpe GA
- 1820: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Falling Creek Militia District, #112 Capt Murray List – 2 Adult Males, in Default
- 1821: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Lexington Militia District, #101 Capt Bell List – 1 Adult Male
- 1822: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Falling Creek Militia District, #52 Capt Bell List – 1 Adult Male
- 1823: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Falling Creek Militia District, #1042 Capt Bell List – 1 Adult Male
- 1824: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Falling Creek Militia District, #29 Capt Evans List – 1 Adult Male
- 1825: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Falling Creek Militia District, #45 Capt Williamson List – 1 Adult Male
- 1827: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Bairdstown Militia District, #81 Capt Edmundson List – 1 Adult Male
- 1828: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Bairdstown Militia District, #42 Capt Edmundson List – 1 Adult Male
- 1829: Oglethorpe County, Georgia Poll Tax Register, Falling Creek Militia District, #39 Capt Hall List – 1 Adult Male
- 1830: Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Capt Hall’s Militia District, US Census 1830 – Oglethorpe GA
- 1 Jun 1840: Oglethorpe County, Georgia, District 232, US Census 1840 – Oglethorpe, Georgia– Living with daughter Nancy Reid Abels
- 18 Aug 1850: Pike County, Georgia, District 68, US Census Record 1850 – Pike Co. GA – Living with daughter Mary Reid Wilkerson
- Aft 1850: Georgia, Death, Date and Location Unknown
George Samuel Reid Family Roots 
Hi ,whose graves are in the picture marked old residence and headstones in Goose Pond,Ogelthorpe,GA
Hi Jared,
The picture was taken from an Oglethorpe County newspaper archive. Unfortunately, the depiction did not include the name of the property owner, just that it was taken in the Goose Pond area.
Dear Chad & Robyn:
I reviewed the history & updates of great, great, grandpa Jacob Reid. I simply want to thank you for your dedicated efforts. Wouldn’t it be wonderful that we could establish who his parents were and traverse the ocean to Ireland or whereever our European family members came from. If you feel that you want me to research a particular area to help support your research efforts, I stand ready.
Uncle Stan
I have hit a wall researching my Reid line. They settled Wilkerson Co. Georgia via Indian Land lotteryI have lots of info on grandmothers etc. But, I seem to have hit a wall at my GGG grandfather Gholston Reid (Brother was Fletcher Reid). I am on the trail of a Peter Reid (married Juldah Culver 17 sep. 1807) as my GGGG grandfater or possibly a William Reid (Born in N.C. in 1799. I wonder if any of our names match? If you have any links to the Reid puzzle I wold very much appreiate it.
Hi, My wife’s 2nd great grand parents were William H Reid (1824-1889) and Mary Jane McNabb married in 1848 Rockbridge Co, Virginia. I expect that you are related. I haven’t been able to find William’s family, he was not the son (that died in 1842) of Dr Samuel McDowell Reid. But there were many other Reids in the area and it looks like the Reids had been in that part of Virginia for several generations. I have been able to track the closely related Alexander family back to Nottingham, Chester Co, Pa and since you say that Jacob Reid was born in Pa I suspect that the two families may have came from there. But un-Proven records say that they came from Scotland by way of Ireland. Dr Reid’s father “General” (nickname only) Andrew Reid was born in 1751 Amherst Co, Va. I have Andrew’s father John’s Will dated 20 Sept 1765 Amherst Co, Va. This Andrew’s father, also an Andrew was reportedly born in County Down, Ireland. His father Alexander Reid was reportedly born in 1657 • Midlothian, Scotland and died on 14 October 1718 • Ireland.
I have seen a Will dated 1763 that I think was from Prince Edward Co that IIRC named a Jacob Reid on it. I think he was the brother of the deceased. The deceased was young and apparently unmarried and childless and left items to his brother James and his father, who if IIRC was named Robert.
Many of the family of Dr Reid are buried at the same church, Oxford Presbyterian, that you say that Jacob was married at.
** I don’t have the 1763 Will handy but I found the inventory of his estate. His name was John Reid and the inventory is dated 30 July 1763. It says that it came from Will book 1 page 63 but not what county but the other paper said P E co but that was hand written on the copy so may not be correct.
wow.. Joe you have a lot of info I am so interested in…
Sarah,
November 28th, I just the notification about your reply. I have everything that I know about the Reids posted in my FT on Ancestry. It’s private but send me your E-mail address and I will send you an invitation. I just added a lot more about the younger generations of Reids yesterday. How are you related?
Joe rrrr/6789 at g/mail /dot/ co/m.
Take out the /s.
PS FWIW I’ve been trying to do more research of William H Raid. All of the FTs on Ancestry claim that he was the son of Dr Samuel McDowell Raid (he absolutely was not!) or the son of John Christopher Reid b.1793 and his wife Martha Lowman. However the 1850 census shows that William was born in about 1824 and the 1860, 1870, and 1880 census show that he was born in about 1821 and John and Martha didn’t marry until 21 Dec 1826 so I doubt that they are his parents.
I would love to find a Death Certificate for William H Raid. It should show who his parents are. If you’re in the part of the country, perhaps you can get it from the county or the state or at least view it.
Here you go: I’m pretty certain that this is where the Reids of central Virginia originated. BTW check out Captain Nathaniel Reid of the 14th Virginia Regiment in the Revolutionary War. He is mentioned in the article below as the son of Sir Thomas Reid. Nathaniel was born at Dagger’s Spring, Botetourt County, Va in 1753 and he reportedly died in Poplar Grove, Bedford County in 1830. That is where Thomas Jefferson constructed his retreat, (now called Poplar Forest), near New London in Bedford County.
NO! He absolutely NOT die in North Carolina in 1798! That is more Ancestry.com nonsense. He is WELL documented in the Revolutionary War records and is D.A.R. Patriot number A094602.
This site also frequently mentions the Clayton and Penn families. Nathaniel’s wife was Sophia Thorpe, m. 7 Jan 1784 • Campbell County, Virginia. Her mother was Elizabeth Callaway b.1743 and Elizabeth’s father was in the House of Burgesses in Virginia*. Nathaniel and Sophia’s daughter Martha b.1791 married Granville (or Greenville) Penn of Patrick Henry County. A lot more research needs to be done on this Reid family.
* See ‘Our kin : the genealogies of some of the early families who made history in the founding and development of Bedford County, Virginia’, pages 294 and 295 but be warned that it incorrectly says that Elizabeth married JAMES Reid.
Sir Thomas Reid of Inverness, Scotland
Bible records:
Joseph Reid and Anne Gordon Reid who were married in holy Wedlock the 23rd day of June in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred thirty four in the home of Sir Thomas Reid, Inverness
Births: Nathaniel Reid was born October 4, 1736 Inverness
William Reid was born at 3 oclock in the fore noon in our new home Augusta County, Virginia December 14, 1746
Edith Reid was born Feb 18, 1761 to Nathaniel and Elizabeth
Rachel Reid was born Jan 5, 1762 to Nathaniel and Liz
William Reid born to Nathaniel + Elizabeth Decemb 10, 1762
Anne Nancy Reid was born on Oct 4, 1765 to Elizabeth and Nathaniel Reid
John Reid was born March 29, 1766 — first born child of William Reid + Jane Reid
Sarah Reid was born Jan 23, 1767 to William + Jane
Nathaniel Reid was born March 7, 1768 to Nathaniel + Liz
William Reid was born August 19, 1768 to William and Jane
Thomas Reid was born on the 1st day of August, 1770 to William Reid and Jane Reid in the afternoon around 3 oclock.
Deaths:
Sir Thomas Reid dyed this earth on the 5th day of May one thousand seven hundred sixty nine.
Anne Reid, beloved wife of Joseph Reid dyed at 7 oclock in the afternoon of Monday 13th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred seventy Augusta County, Virginia at age of 51 years, 4 months and one day
Marriages:
Nathaniel Reid was married April 5, 1760 to Elizabeth Clayton — Augusta County, Virginia
William Reid, youngest son of Joseph and Anne Gordon Reid was married to Jane Anderson in Augusta County, Virginia this afternoon the 10th day of March, 1765
From Family Bible of Joseph and Anne (Gordon) Reid:
Sir Thomas Reid dyed this earth on the 5th day of May one thousand seven hundred sixty nine.
Notes: Inverness-shire (before the reorganisation of Local Government in 1975) was the largest of all the old counties and stretched from Inverness to Fort William and Strath Spey in the Grampian Mountains out west as far as it was possible to go. This included many Islands i.e. Rum, Eigg, Muck, Skye and all the outer Hebrides except the northern tip of Lewis. Covering such a vast area, many Clans were included e.g. MacNeil, MacLeod, MacKinnon, Maclean, Fraser, MacIntosh, Cameron, MacPherson, Campbell, Gordon, and MacDonald & Clanranald to name only the largest.
A Mrs. Etta Reid Wells, twice married but never blessed by children, salvaged out of her belongings, her family’s genealogical notations and passed them on as a
legacy to a nephew in South Carolina. After her death, her voice would trail off and be forgotten, but the written message would remain. These notations reach back through the awful and empty chasms of the ages to a perpetual silence that shuts out everything. The Reid connectedness is with the totality of forces that operated within the clans of the Scottish Highlanders in the tenth century. These Highlanders, whether novice or immigrants, were from the first to last of the same Celtic stock. There we find the Reids of Scottish nobility with a reputation for moral and physical strength, energy, ingenuity, piety, resourcefulness, and the ability to lead and direct others. Having been confined for many years within their natural boundaries and having little or no intercourse with the rest of the world, they formed strong attachments with their neighbors, the BROWNS, the KEITHS, the EDENS, the RANDOLPHS, the HESTERS, the DOUGLASES, and the SUTHERLANDS, and intermarried with them. The REIDS and their allied families lived in Inverness-Shire, the Strath-Sprey. The Reids and their allies were loyal to the Stuarts and followed them with the clang and color of weaponry during all their misfortunes. They took part in the BATTLE OF FLODDEN when the English won the victory near Branxton, Northumberland, in 1513. Scarcely a family of eminence survived without having had an ancestor killed at Flodden Field. This battle was in fact, the beginning of Scotch genealogical records. Again the Reids and their allies were engaged in the BATTLE OF CULLODEN, fought in support of Prince Charles on a tract of land in Inverness-Shire about six miles east of Inverness, when the fate of the house of Stuart was decided on April 16, 1746. SIR JOSEPH REID was driven from Scotland as a political refugee, he and his family with their friends and other families mentioned above, along with other notable families of Scotland. For them it was farewell to the “land of brown heath and shaggy wood”. He, like his father, SIR THOMAS REID, who was born and died in InvernessShire, had been knighted for deeds of Chivalry. The trip to America was an eight weeks voyage in a sailing vessel. His destination was Botetourt County, Virginia, where he settled. The genealogical notations on our Sir Joseph Reid end with the notation that he died in Virginia, the date of death not given. His son, NATHANIEL REID, loving the cause of liberty, fought on the side of America in the War of Independence.
He lived in Virginia until after the war, but was given grants of lands in the Old Pendleton District of South Carolina in compensation for his war service, and he and his family moved to that District in upper South Carolina. (From the book “The Nathan Reids of Virginia in the March of Freedom”, by Elizabeth Reid Austin and Helen Reid Roberts.
The source for names and dates of Thomas and his children are from the Family Bible of Joseph and Anne (Gordon) Reid, dated 1698. Matthew Morris who descends from the line of Alexander Reid was kind enough to send me photo copies of the Family Register and Title page. He also gave me the information on William Reid, born 1746 and his descendants.
Source: Lois Branch’s website
Sir Thomas Reid lived his whole live in Iverness-Shire, Scotland. His name places him squarely in the Robertson Clan (Donnacaidh in gaelic). The clan Robinson/ Donnacaidh is composed of many families, including Duncan, McInroy, Stark, Collier and the largest sept, Reid. He was knighted by the King, as was his son Joseph Reid. Joseph was also born in Iverness. He was exiled to North America after the Jacobite uprising in Scotland. Joseph and his father had been strident supporters of the restorations of the Stuart Family (Bonnie Prince Charlie) to the English throne. After the Scots were defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the English exiled many of those rebellious Scots in an effort to break up the Clans and control the unruly ones left behind.
Wow! I would love to know more! I’ve been researching my ancestors for years and this is by far the most interesting and satisfying thing I’ve ever read! Thank you so much for this. I can’t wait to share with my mom! I’m still just a rookie at this stuff but I do have my ggg grandmother’s family bible but most of it is in the America’s. I’ve been trying to sort it all out the book and pages are so very fragile I’m almost afraid to touch it. Any suggestions on how to re-scrap to preserve it all? I’d love to put it online yall!
Sarah, thank you for visiting the site, and for your comments. What a special gift you have in your possession. Preserving such a treasured family heirloom and artifact can be challenging, but worthy of the effort. You might consider reaching out to a local museum or historical society for advice. We would also encourage you to share the genealogical information contained therein. We would be happy to post any of that information on this site that you might consider to be relevant and useful to others of the greater Reid clan. Our best to you as you pursue that endeavor.
Sarah,
I’d love to see a copy of your GGG GM’s family Bible! I have chunks of the Reid family tree but there are still gaps in it and I still haven’t able to put it all together.
IMO the best way to preserve the records from that Bible is to lay it out flat as possible without damaging it and take good legible digital photos using Black and White mode and fairly high resolution. The camera should be mounted on a stand if possible in order to make the images as sharp as possible. In addition to the pages with the family records, I also photo the copyright page/title page of the Bible since that will provide some Provenance of the dates of the records. One of my family members still has the Bible of my 5th GGF who was a Quaker that came from Pennsylvania to Georgia. His Bible is dated about 1760.
Unfortunately I can’t really recommend giving it to a historical society or a local museum. Most of them are already overflowing with documents and unless it’s something Very Special to them it will most likely get put into storage somewhere and forgotten. My nephew is currently photographing the old newspaper collection for a local library but they’ve almost waited too late and the newspapers are crumbling. My wife and I are also transcribing Rev War records for the DAR. Many records from that war still haven’t been digitized! I’ve also been involved in researched the records of the Holland Society of New York for my 10th GGF’s family who were Dutch immigrants in New Netherland in 1622 and it’s surprising how many of those documents haven’t been digitized yet.
Sarah, my direct e-mail is rrrr6789@gmail.com. If you would, drop me a line directly and let me know where you’re located and I might be able to recommend someone in your area that might be able to help you. I’m in central Florida and one of my friends here is a professional photographer so if you’re close I could have him take photos at no charge. Also I would like to know the name and birth and death dates of all or at least some of the people in that Bible and I might be able to tell you if I have any record of them.