The Ford Family of Colliers Creek

©Angela M. Ruley 17 November 1995. All Rights Reserved.

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At least three Ford brothers, and a sister came to the Rockbridge area from Ireland. The name of their parents has not yet been discovered by this compiler.

1. James1 Ford died about 1826 in Rockbridge County, VA. He was married to Christiana Caile before 1786, daughter of David and Alberdina Caile. James was a soldier in Lord Dunmore's War in 1774. He died testate in Rockbridge County, VA. He named his son William; son James' heirs; son David; son Jacob; daughter Peggy; daughter Betsy; and daughter Polly's children in his will. His wife evidently predeceased him. His will was made 13 August 1824, and it was proven 6 November 1826. Witnesses were Thos. Scott and Isaiah Duff.

On 23 December 1779, James Ford was mentioned in a list of those receiving lands in a letter from George Washington to Mr. Rind, publisher of the Gazette.1

On 28 February 1794, a suit was brought against James and Christina Ford by Margaret Scot, infant by Thomas Scot, her next friend.2

2. David1 Ford came to America from Ireland with his brothers James and George, and sister Elizabeth. He died testate in Rockbridge about 1825.

The will of David Ford of Rockbridge gives us some insight into the relationship of the early Ford family of Rockbridge. He names his brother Patrick Ford of New York, who inherits $150.00; brother Robert Ford of Ireland, who inherits $150.00; brother James Ford, $1.00; brother George Ford, $1.00; sister Elizabeth Darst, $1.00. David's friend, Jno. McFaddin, was to get all remaining property of every description, and was to serve as executor. David signed this document with an x (his mark). David made his will 11 December 1824, and it was proven 1 March 1825. J. H. Wardlaw, Wm. Kennedy, John McKee, and David Kennedy were witnesses.3

3. George1 Ford. He married 6 June 1805, Peggy Aken. William Baldridge officiated at the ceremony.4

4. Patrick1 Ford lived in New York in 1824 when his brother David made out his will.

5. Robert1 Ford lived in Ireland in 1824 when his brother David made out his will.

6. Elizabeth1 Ford, married _____ Darst.

GENERATION TWO

7. Margaret2 "Peggy" Ford, (James1) married 12 September 1793, Rockbridge County, VA, John Black, son of Henry Black, Rev. William Graham performed their marriage.5 [NFD]

8. Elizabeth2 "Betsy" Ford, (James1)married 4 January 1798, John Skeen, Rev. Samuel Houston officiated.6 [NFD]

9. Polly2 Ford, (James1)married 28 May 1812, Adam Hostetter, G. A. Baxter officiated.7 Adam was born 26 March 1785 to Ulrich and Betty Hostetter. He and Polly moved to Illinois. Their daughter, Sally, married a Scott.

10. David2 Ford, (James1)married 1 June 1813, Patsy Cunningham, Rev. Saml. Houston officiating.8 She was a daughter of James and Agnes Cunningham. [NFD].

+ 11. Jacob2 Ford (James1)was born c1786 in VA. On 9 December 1813, he married Ann Scott. George A. Baxter officiated at their wedding.9 Ann was a daughter of John and Esther (Houston) Scott. Ann was born c1796 in Rockbridge County, VA. She died 16 March 1874 when she fell down the stairs and dislocated her neck.10 Jacob lasted only a short while after Ann's death, passing away 20 August 1874.11 Jacob was a substantial landowner, in 1870 his real estate was valued at $6,000.00.12 Both Jacob and Ann are buried in Collierstown Presbyterian Church Cemetery in unmarked graves. Jacob was a farmer.

Jacob and Ann's home was later owned by James and Christina (Unroe) Cummings. This home was later owned by John "Jack" Montgomery, and in 1985 was owned by Larry Black. Larry Black tore down the old house and rebuilt it. As he tore it down he found a board over the door with the name Jacob Ford and date 1813.13 1813 was the year of marriage for Jacob Ford and Ann Scott, and likely the year the house was built.

"Died near Collierstown, VA. March 16th. Mrs. Ann Ford, wife of Jacob Ford of Rockbridge. The aged pair were at last separated after a union of about sixty years, by what we usually call an accident. Mrs. FordÕs death resulting from injuries received in a fall. She died at the age of 77 years, leaving her life partner at the age of 87. She lived about three weeks after her fall, suffering greatly until she became unconscious. How forcibly does this Providence repeat to us all the exhortation of the preacher: ' Remember now thy Creator, before the silver cord be loosed, of the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel at the cistern: then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.'"14
A.J.

"Died after a brief illness, in Collierstown on the 20th of August 1874, Mr. Jacob Ford, in the 88th year of his age."15

+ 12. James2 Ford, Jr. (James1) married 28 October 1800, Ann Standoff, George A. Baxter officiated at their marriage.16 James died c1817.17 After his death, Ann married 8 August 1833, Conrad Siders.18

+ 13. William2 Ford, (James1) married 7 May 1801, Rachel Clark, Rev. Daniel Blain officiated.19

ENDNOTES

  • 1. Chalkley, Vol. II, p. 49. package Marked "Promiscuous Papers-A"
  • 2. Chalkley, Vol. II, p. 17. Augusta County Judgments, April 1795 (K-Z). This suit was in Rockbridge.
  • 3. Rockbridge County, VA Will Book 5, p. 508.
  • 4. Rockbridge County, VA Marriage Register 1, p. 95.
  • 5. Kirkpatrick, Rockbridge Marriages, p. 290.
  • 6. Kirkpatrick, Rockbridge Marriages, p. 290.
  • 7. Kirkpatrick, Rockbridge Marriages, p. 290.
  • 8. Kirkpatrick, Rockbridge Marriages, p. 79-80.
  • 9. Rockbridge County, VA Marriage Register 1, p. 144. Photocopy of the original marriage bond in the compiler's possession. Ann's father had died ten years previous to her marriage, she was a ward of her uncle, Smith Scott at the time of her marriage, and Smith gave his consent on the marriage bond.
  • 10. Rockbridge County News. "Tragedies of the Scott Family of Colliers Creek" undated newspaper clipping, photocopy given to the compiler by Carmen E. Clark, Lexington, VA.
  • 11. Lexington Gazette, 28 August 1874, Jacob's Death Notice. p. 3, c. 4.
  • 12. Federal Census, 1870 Rockbridge County, VA , Buffalo Twp.
  • 13. Carmen E. Clark told this to the compiler in 1985.
  • 14. Rockbridge County News, 3 April 1894, "Deaths"p. 3, c. 4.
  • 15. Lexington Gazette, 28 August 1874, Jacob's Death Notice. p. 3, c. 4 .
  • 16. Kirkpatrick, Rockbridge Marriages, p. 79-80.
  • 17. Rockbridge County, VA Will Book 5, p. 67, Inventory of James Ford deceased.
  • 18. Rockbridge County, VA Marriage Register 1, p. 280.
  • 19. Kirkpatrick, Rockbridge Marriages, p. 79-80.