James Anderson McTeer

Notes:

On 23 May 1856 Rufus W. Cresswell of Sevier County, Tennessee (the child's
uncle), as next friend applied for bounty land in the right of Mary Angeline
Pitner, "daughter and only minor heir" of John Pitner who enlisted on 18 June
1812 for a term of six months service during the War of 1812 as private soldier
in Captain William Henderson's Company in a Regiment of Tennessee Militia
commanded by Colonel Johnson "or said company acted as spies to General
Taylor's Brigade." John Pitner had died in the fall of 1836 in Hamilton
County, Tennessee and his widow Dorotha Pitner had died about 1838 in Walker
County, Georgia. Also on 23 May 1856 Andrew H. Pitner (Mary Angeline's brother
born 26 October 1823) deposed likewise and said he was present at the death of
each of his parents. Glasgo Snoddy and Samuel Cresswell attested to the
identity of both Rufus M. Cresswell and Mary Angeline Pitner.

A "Copy of Family Record" offered as supporting evidence with this application
shows the names and birthdates of nine children of John Pitner, the eldest
Hariet Matilda born 13 July 1817 and the youngest Mary Angeline born 6 April
1836. To authenticate this copy Louvecy McTeer (listed in the record as
Louvecy Croton Pitner born 9 December 1819) deposed on 28 April 1856 before
Michael Kountz of Blount County that she had then in her possession John
Pitner's Family Bible, which she had kept ever since he died.

On 13 December 1820 John Pinter (Pitner in the signature) of Blount County, for
$600 deeded to John Jones Jr. of Washington County, Virginia, a tract of land
containing 228 acres 13 poles on the "Waters of Isle of Joy" (Ellejoy).
Witnesses: Adam Pitner, Isaac Lindsay, John Kincannen. Acknowledged in June
1821 by Adam Pitner. Filed 22 February 1822.

In 1850 James McTeer aged 29 was living in the 12th District, Blount County,
Tennessee, between Michael Koontz (father of Samuel, who later married James'
daughter Mary) on the one side and Martin McTeer on the other. James' wife
"Lavinia" was then aged 30 years and there were three daughters, Mary aged 6,
Jane aged 5, and Martha aged one year.

This must have been a noisy household. According to family tradition Lovicey
was a "shouter" and James A. was a "cusser", who drank heavily in his younger
days. Later on Lovicey smoked a little clay pipe which her son Will liked to
hide as a way of teasing his mother.

In January 1895 William M. McTeer was appointed Administrator of the estate of
James A. McTeer; A. J. L. McTeer, A. M. Rule and Will A. McTeer signed the
bond. Inventory totalled $2952.42. On 31 March 1898 proceeds of the estate
were distributed to seven heirs, viz.: Mary D. Kounts, Nancy J. Ambrister,
Martha E. Davis, Margaret E. Keeble, Eliza C. Brakebille, William M. McTeer and
Andrew J. L. McTeer. Two of the children and heirs-at-law, John A. McTeer and
Ellen McTeer "for outside and satisfactory considerations have waived their
right to any share."
----------
Reference:
McTeer - Mateer Families of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, Frances Davis
McTeer, 1975, p 94.

James married Lovicey Croton Pitner 16 Nov 1843, , Blount County, Tennessee. Lovicey (daughter of John Pitner and Dorothy Cresswell) was born 9 Dec 1819, Tennessee; died 30 May 1888; was buried Eusebia Cemetery, Blount County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

1. Mary Dorothy McTeer was born 19 Jun 1844, , Blount County, Tennessee; died 28 Mar 1927; was buried , Blount County, Tennessee.
2. Nancy Jane McTeer was born 8 Oct 1845, , Blount County, Tennessee; died 10 Feb 1923; was buried , Blount County, Tennessee.
3. Martha Evaline McTeer was born 2 Mar 1849, Blount County, Tennessee; died 17 Feb 1937, Blount County, Tennessee; was buried Prospect Cemetery, Blount County, Tennessee.
4. Margaret Elizabeth McTeer was born 17 Aug 1851, Blount County, Tennessee; died 17 Feb 1907, Blount County, Tennessee; was buried Eusebia Cemetery, Blount County, Tennessee.
5. William Martin McTeer was born 28 Aug 1853, Blount County, Tennessee; died 16 Feb 1930, Blount County, Tennessee; was buried Eusebia Cemetery, Blount County, Tennessee.
6. Eliza Caroline McTeer was born 17 Jun 1855, , Blount County, Tennessee.
7. John Alexander McTeer was born 20 Mar 1858, , Blount County, Tennessee; died 19 Sep 1922; was buried , Blount County, Tennessee.
8. Andrew James L. McTeer was born 20 Jan 1860, , Blount County, Tennessee; died 23 Nov 1935, , Blount County, Tennessee; was buried , Blount County, Tennessee.
9. Harriet Ellen McTeer was born 20 Oct 1863, , Blount County, Tennessee; died 11 Oct 1936, , Blount County, Tennessee; was buried , Blount County, Tennessee.

Notes:

William McTeer was a farmer, living at Ellejoy on the old home place of his
father. He was a deputy sheriff for many years, a justice of the Peace and a
Member of the County Court.

In an address given at a reunion of the McTeer family, Major McTeer gave this
personal appraisement; "My grandfather, William McTeer, was about five feet ten
inches in height. He was of very slender build, and carried himself erect,
even in his old days. He had small hands and feet, very blue eyes, was quite
active and very quick in his movements. He was neat and particular in his
dress and personal appearance.

"He had a great regard for religion, and was Presbyterian of course, but never
became a member of the church. I have been told that when a young man a
minister offended him, and for that reason he never became a member. While
born and raised in America, he had a strong Scottish accent, and used the
plainest and often strongest language when expressing his thoughts.

In politics he was a Whig of the most pronounced type. A circumstance in the
closing hours of his life illustrates his character. When the Civil War came
up, he took a decided stand for the Union. He owned slaves by inheritance from
grandmother's side of the family, to the value of $12,000 to $15,000. That
made no difference with him. He had taken his stand and was ready to sacrifice
his all in maintaining the stand taken.

"He was confined to his bed on the day of the election as to whether the State
should secede. The election ground was near his home, but he was quite sick
and 82 years of age. An old friend of the family, Mr. W. C. Davis, who was the
officer holding the election, got an opportunity and went to the house to see
how the old man was getting along.

"Grandfather was deeply interested in the result of the election, especially of
that precinct. He asked Davis how the election was going, and whether there
was any danger of that precinct voting for secession. Being told that it was
almost solid for the Union, he replied, 'That's all right, and that being the
case I will not try to vote; but if there is any danger I will readily give my
life to save the Union.' That proved to be his last sickness. He died soon
after."

During the War of 1812 William McTeer was First Seargeant in Captain Jehu
Stephen's Company of Mounted Riflemen; they were in active service from
Tennessee down into Florida.

On 7 June 1816 John White Jr. deeded to William McTeer, both of Blount County,
for $570, a Negro woman named Lucy aged about 23 years, and a Negro boy child
named Henry aged about seven months. Witnesses: Samuel Bogal, John White.

In the 1830 census of the Eastern Division of Blount County, William McTier was
listed as 50-60 years; his household had two boys aged 5-10 years; females
40-50, 20-30 and a little girl under five years. In 1840 he was listed as
60-70 years, his wife 50-60, two sons 15-20, and a daughter 15-20. His sons
are listed in 1850 in separate households, but William and his wife do not
appear in that enumeration. In 1860 they were listed in a separate household at
Ellejoy P. O., William was aged 80 years born in Pennsylvania and Mary was aged
75 born in Tennessee. Mary's sister Ann McTeer (widow of Martin McTeer) wasliving next door, then son James McTeer, and in the second house down the road
son Andrew.

Apparently William McTeer was a much larger land owner than is evident in the
Blount County deed records. By his father's will he inherited 260 acres "of
the home plantation, including the old improvement, and he bought in some
additional acreage when the lands of his brother Robert were foreclosed.

There were four Blount County land grants from the State of Tennessee to
William McTeer; on 25 November 1824, 100 acres; on 5 July 1826, 132 acres; on
20 January 1840, 22 acres; and on 17 July 1843, three acres. The first two of
these grants were filed on 21 July 1824 in the Blount County Entry Takers Book,
100 acres surveyed 24 September 1824 on Ellejoy Creek bounded by the original
survey to Robert McTeer, and on 9 January 1826, 132 acres, surveyed 28 April
1826, bounded by Samuel Bogle, Adam Kuns, William Cummings, John Williams and
James Wilson.

On 5 September 1830 Mathew H. Bogle conveyed to William McTeer, both of Blount
County, for $500, 114 acres 15 perches on Ellejoy Creek, and on 11 October 1843
William Garner deeded to William McTeer, for $50, 36 acres "where I now live."

On 1 August 1836 William McTeer sold to Elizabeth Cummings, both of Blount
County, for $100, 132 acres on Ellejoy Creek, adjoining lands of Samuel Bogle,
Adam Kuns, Willim Cummings, John Williams and James Wilson.

On 23 June 1837 William McTier, Benjamin Tipton and William Davis jointly
obtained from the State of Tennessee a grant of 2230 acres, surveyed for them
18 October 1836 partly in Blount County and partly in Sevier County. On 1 Jun
1852 William McTeer transferred to Andrew B. McTeer and James A. McTeer,
jointly and equally, for $100 his "interest and claim", being a two-thirds part
of this large undivided tract.

On 2 May 1836 William was listed among Blount County Justices of the Peace and
was at the same time chosen as County Chairman.

William McTeer performed marriage 20 November 1851 of John Townsend to Nancy
Hubbard.

Evidently William McTeer died intestate and his two sons A. B. and J. A. McTeer
were then appointed as Adminstrators of the estate. The Blount County Court
Minutes for December 1866 record an inventory and sale, and for March 1869 a
report and settlement of the Estate of William McTeer deceased. The only
papers in this probate file are disconnected receipts, the earliest dated 13
August 1862 and the latest 4 January 1869.

Some time after the Civil War these two sons (then his only surviving children)
set up four deeds making a division of their father's real property. All of
these lands were located in Blount County on Ellejoy Creek. On 2 January 1869
Andrew B. McTeer to James A. McTeer, two tracts totaling 676 acres, adjoining
lands of M. Kounts, Samuel Kounts, Cummings and heirs of William Perry,
consideration a "quit claim from James A. McTeer for land on which I now live."
On 26 February 1869 two deeds from James A. McTeer to Andrew B. McTeer for
three tracts totaling 469 acres bounded by lands of John Heddricks, J. A.
McTeer, J. H. Gillespie, Cummings and Caleb Davis, total considerations $1000.
On 18 May 1869 Andrew B. McTeer to James A. McTeer, 318 1/2 acres bounded by
John Heddrick, A. B. McTeer and J. H. Gillespie, consideration $500.

Finally, twenty years after the old man's death, on 6 November 1882 Andrew B.
McTeer and James A. McTeer were reappointed Administrators of the Estate of
William McTeer deceased; George C. Davis and Will A. McTeer signed the bond
for $1000. On 12 May 1883 small amounts of cash were distributed to A. B. and
J. A. McTeer.

Buried in Eusebia Cemetery.
----------
Reference:
McTeer - Mateer Families of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, Frances Davis
McTeer, 1975, p 60-61.
"The Townsend Heritage," Kathy Townsend, 1984, p 22.

William married Mary Bogle 16 Sep 1819, , Blount County, Tennessee. Mary (daughter of Andrew Bogle and Elizabeth Campbell) was born 5 May 1785, , Tennessee; died 16 Nov 1866, Ellejoy, Blount County, Tennessee; was buried Eusebia Cemetery, Blount County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

----------
Reference:
McTeer - Mateer Families of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, Frances Davis McTeer, 1975, p 60.

Notes:

Some time in 1804 Robert McTear of Tennessee made a trip back to Pennsylvania to visit his only surviving brother, William in Cumberland Co., and some of his wife's relatives in Mifflin Co. From that journey he brought back a copy of "The Psalms of David in Metre, According to the Version Approved by the Church of Scotland", 1790, by Mr. Mathew Henry; the leather bound book has this inscription: "Presented by William McTeer of Cumberland, Pennsylvania, to his nephew William McTeer in French Broad" (East Tennessee). Robert brought also a small notebook in which he had written the names and birthdates for his brothers and sisters along with his father's deathdate.

Shortly after his marriage, and at about the same time that his father-in-law and brothers-in-law William Boyd and John Pauley took up land in Fermanagh Twp., Cumberland Co., Robert McTeer applied for a tract still farther north on Mahantanga Creek in an area loosely known as Buffalo Valley.

On 13 Aug. 1767 on Application #850 Robert McTear received a warrant for 300 acres bounded on the west by Mahantango, on the north by the Narrows Mountain, on the south by a ridge and on the east by John Harris' Survey. This land as surveyed on 26 Sept. 1767 was located at the head of Mahantanga Creek, and that stream flowed eastward through the length of the property.

There is every indication that Robert and his family moved onto the tract soon after the date of this survey, and he was almost certainly the first settler there. When Northnumberland County was formally organized on 21 March 1772 its southern boundary was defined in part as "the southside of Mahantanga Creek up to the head of Robert Mateer's Spring." In an article on the "Township Names of Old Northumberland County, Their Origin and Meaning", Charles Fisher Snyder describes the first survey of the region, "The Mahantango on the western shore was followed by the surveyors who marked the boundaries of Old Northumberland in 1772 but not quite to its source. In fact they designated a spot known as Meteer's Spring from which a straight line was run in a westerly direction. Local tradition has it that at this early date Robert Meteer had built a stillhouse over the spring using the cooling waters to chill the coils of the still, and it was at this point the early surveyors tarried before striking out across the mountain wilderness."

On 27 May 1776 Christian Graybill of Penns Twp., Northumberland Co. conveyed to John Graybill a warrant for land in Penns Twp., bounded by property of John Simpson and Joseph Sterrat, which warrant John Grabill had taken out in the name of Christian Graybill. Witnesses: Robert McTeear, Joseph Wark. The next day, 28 May 1776, before William Maclay, Robert McTeer "one of the subscribing witnesses made oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God that he was personally present" and saw the signature of Christian Graybill to this document. These Graybills, credited as founders of Richfield, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, were Robert's very near neighbors, as will appear in subsequent litigations over land boundaries.

Apparently the McTeers continued to occupy the property at the head of Mahantango until some time in the fall of 1780, or the spring of 1781, when they left for the Valley of Virginia. Robert Muntier was listed as a resident and taxpayer in Penn Township, Northumberland in 1780, but not in 1781 or thereafter. On 13 Aug. 1780 Robert McTeer deeded to George Pyle his 290 acre
tract "part in Cumberland and part in Northumberland Co., in the Townships of Greenwood and Penn"; however, in order to complete this transaction a re-survey and definition of boundaries was called for; and thereby hangs a tale.

On 2 September 1782 John Graybill sued Robert Mateer "on caveat". This suit was dismissed on the plaintiff's non-appearance. Then on 13 June 1783 John Graybill entered a caveat "against the acceptance of a survey granting a Patent to George Pyle for a Tract of land in Mahonoys in the Counties of Northumberland or Cumberland by virtue of Application No. 850 entered by Robert Mateer." The suit alleged that the said McTeer had a survey made, whereupon the said Graybill obtained a warrant in the names of Peter Graybill for a tract bounding that survey, and that since then the said Mateer or Pyle had made another survey and "thereby extended the lines to include the best part of the land which was the object of Peter Graybill's Warrant." This complaint was still pending on 12 Feb 1794.

Meanwhile on 2 November 1791 Letters of Administration on the Estate of George Pfile were granted in Northumberland Co., to Henery Pfile and John Grable, Frenni (Veronica) Pfile, the widow, having declined to administer the estate. Sureties to the bond: Jacob Echort and George Merkle.

Long afterward four completely new warrants and subsequent patents were issued for the land once include in McTeer's 290 acre property; so it appears that neither McTeer nor Pyle ever had a warrantable title to this land, though they enjoyed possession and paid taxes on the tract for over twenty years. Evidently McTeer sold in good faith, but after the grantor's departure from the Province of Pennsylvania Pyle was unable to complete the transfer of the property or unwilling to fight in the courts for his title.

The Northunberland Co. Tax Lists provide an interesting verification of these land transfers. In a combined list of 1778-1780 for Penn Twp. Robert Muntier was listed with property worth 150 pounds 17 shillings (nature of the assets unspecified), no mention of any Graybill. There is no McTeer listing. In succeeding years 1781-1787, George Pyle is shown as owner of 170, 300, 290, 290, 300, 300 and 150 acres respectively; John Graybill with 119, 120, 120, 120, 350, 100, 100; Christioan Graybill comes on the list in 1781 as a single man, in 1786 and 1787 he owned 100 acres.

The Revolutionary War was still in progress when Robert McTeer left Pennsylvania about 1781, and his participation in that conflict presents a very sticky problem. There is no question that he did expouse the cause of Independence and did his share with the local militia in defense against the British. But because of several peculiarly complicating circumstances it is not possible now to identify, date, and document his service with absolute certainty.

While the Shenandoah Valley may have been Robert's immediate destination when he left his home in Mahantanga (as intimated in his letters), he very shortly went to settle on Cherokee Land in the region of the French Broad River. There he was a pioneer of the central section of East Tennessee; he was one of the leaders in the construction of McTeer's Fort at Ellejoy, Tennessee and built
the first grist mill in that area.

Concerning Robert McTeer's land in Tennessee, Major McTeer says: "My great-grandfather secured a large body of land in this county, first by a grant from North Carolina, which failed to vest title owing to defective legislation, and when the state was vested with authority, he renewed his grant for the greater part from Tennessee, and his descendants are occupying part of the land still."

On 26 Dec. 1791 the State of North Carolina granted to Robert McTeer, 800 acres on Ellejoy Creek, bounded by lands of Benjamin Tipton, J. McKamme and Samuel Bogle, surveyed 19 September 1791 by James McTeer, John McKamme and James W. Luckey on grant #952. The stated purchase price was 10 pounds per 100 acres plus "yearly sum to be determined by the Assembly." This transaction was recorded in Blount County Deeds in May 1807, and entered in North Carolina Land Grants in East Tennessee, where the location was described as in Greene Co., North Carolina.

On 1 October 1809 the State of Tennessee by John Sevier Governor, conveyed to Robert McTeer Sr., 481 acres, in "the tract for academies" in Blount Co., District South of the French Broad and Holston Rivers, surveyed 5 Jun 1807, located on the waters of Ellejoy Creek abutting on property of Joseph Bogle, Robert Murrin and Robert McTeer Jr. The total price of this tract was $281 paid in installments from 12 February 1808 until 12 October 1820.

On 5 October 1809 Robert McTeer obtained from the State of Tennessee a further grant of 114 acres and 15 poles.

A will of Robert McTeer, written 10 December 1823, bequeathed to daughter Margaret Sloan, one-fourth of the Chickasaw Land Warrant, the big chest, one-half of the cattle; to sons James Robert McTeer, each one-fourth of the Chickasaw Land Warrant; to son Martin McTeer, 100 acres "of the plantation I now live on", including the mill and tools belonging thereto, also the hogs; to daughter Janet McTeer, one-fourth of the Chickasaw Land Warrant, one-half the cattle; to son William McTeer, 260 acres of the home plantation, including the old improvement, also the sheep; to granddaughter Agnes McTeer, daughter of son Robert, bed, bedding, coverlet, blankets and pillows she used "when living with me." Executors: sons Martin and William McTeer. Witnesses: Hugh Bogle, Robert Murrin.

On 12 April 1822, not long before his death, the State of Tennessee granted to Robert McTeer "by virtue of Certificate #31 dated 9 July 1808, issued by the Commissioiners for East Tennessee ... and entered on 5 February 1821 by #462", 640 acres in the 9th District in Perry Co., in the 1st and 2nd Ranges, 7th Section.

The implications and location of this grant, the "Chickasaw land Warrant" mentioned in Roert's will, have raised some fundamental questions. In a letter on 9 April 1920 to Rev. Nathan McC.ung of York, N. Y. (a descendant of the Ohio Robert McTeer) Major McTeer writes: "Under purchase and treaty with the Chickasaw Indians the government purchased a large part of the territory in what is now West Tennessee, and land warrants were issued to the Revolutionary veterans in 640 acre tracts, then on the warrants the land was located, and Grants issued for title in full."

The present librarians at the Tennessee State Library are more cautious. Certificates from the Tennessee Land Commissioners were issued for a variety of causes: to redeem military warrants, for evidence of a paid grant, to adjudicate an occupant claim, and in other cases of disputed ownership. While no minutes of the East Tennessee Commission are now available, it is the judgment of Mrs. Cleo A. Hues, Director of the Archives, that Robert McTeer's grant may have represented a land purchase, since no military connection was stated in the warrant.

Possible there was some recognition here of Robert's past services in building and maintaining the fort on Ellejoy throughout the Cherokee Wars, but no mention of such consideration is made on any of he papers found. Tennessee, organized in 1796, contributed no soldiers to the War for Independence, and any payment for Robert's Revoluntinary service would have had to come from the State of Pennsylvania in whose militia he had served.

Finally, the location and disposition of the Chickasaw land is indicated in the following deed: On 28 September 1832 Archibald Sloan and Mames McTeer conveyed to James McWilliams, all of Blount Co., for $360 all their rights in 640 acres located in the name of Robert McTeer in the Wester District in Madison Co., near Mt. Pinson, pursuant to Warrant #31 issued 9 July 1808 by Archibald Roan, surveyed by Samuel Wilson, he to have one-fifth for locating same. The remaining four-fifths were left by the will of Robert McTeer to four children, Margaret Sloan and Janet McTeer being two of these legatees. Whereas William Sloan by his will left the said interest of Margaret Sloan to Archibald Sloan (their son), and whereas the said Janet McTeer is now deceased, now James McTeer, husband of said Janet, and Archibald Sloan (as above) do convey their shares to James McWilliams. Witnesses: John Wilson, Samuel Hamil. Filed in Blount Co., Tennessee, Deeds, 18 January 1833.
----------
Reference:
McTeer - Mateer Families of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, Frances Davis
McTeer, 1975, p 25, 35-38.

Robert — Agnes Martin. Agnes (daughter of William Martin and Margaret) was born 26 Apr 1740; died 5 Aug 1823, Ellejoy, Blount County, Tennessee; was buried Blount County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried in Eusebia Cemetery.

Andrew married Elizabeth Campbell 24 May 1774, York County, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth was born 4 Mar 1748; died 4 Sep 1845; was buried Eusebia Cemetery, Blount County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

"James McTeer came from County Down Ireland with a wife and a number of
children, the voyage was made in the old sailing vessel, requiring a great
length of time. An epidemic broke out on board the ship. He saw one child,
then another, and at last his wife's body lowered into the watery grave. His
grief was such that the convulsions caused such upheavals of the breast, that
the buttons were torn from his silk satin vest."

Sometime about 1730 James McTeer left Northern Ireland with a wife and family.
On shipboard his children fell ill and died one by one, then his wife succumbed
also; so the grief-stricken young man arrived alone in Pennsylvania. This same
traditional has been handed down from generation to generation in both
Tennessee and Ohio. Though the story is essentially the same in both branches,
the number, sex, and names of the children vary, and no one has presumed to
suggest a name or identity for this first wife.

On 16 Jan. 1746/1747 James McTeer took out a tract of land in East Pennsboro
Twp., Lancaster Co., 304 acres 120 perches on Warrant #117; on 8 Nov. 1760 he
took out two additional adjoining tracts containing 72.5 and 37.5 acres, which
additions were described in the survey as "but thin and ordinary land." At the
time of the first survey on 10 Nov 1760, the land was in East Pennsboro Twp.,
Cumberland Co. and the abutting property owners were Anthony McCue, James
McMeen, Peter Leester and Rowlan Chambers. On 13 May 1767 James took out still
another 70 acres southeast of the preceding tract and abutting on Yellow
Breaches Creek; this land was not surveyed until much later, but is mentioned
in James' will as "warrant land."

This homestead was successively in East Pennsboro Twp., Lancaster Co., until
the formation of Cumberland County in 1750; then in East Pennsboro Twp.,
Cumberland Co., until 1766, when Allen Township was formed. When Allen
Township was divided in 1850 the McTeer land fell in Lower Allen, "on the road
from Lisburn to Silver Spring Meeting House."

In relatively modern terms the location is between St. Johns Road on the east,
Slate Hill on the south, the Upper-Lower Allen Township line on the west, and
another range of hills on the north. Identification of exact landmarks within
the area has been singularly complicated because the property is now traversed
by the Lisburn Road, the Reading Railroad, The Pennsylvania Turnpike, as well
as by other local roads coming from New Cumberland on the east and proceeding
southward to Fairview Twp., York Co. across Yellow Breaches Creek.

Soon after completing his title to the property with a patent dated 11 Nov.
1760, James McTeer built a store house near a large flowing spring, probably at
about the point where Lisburn Road crosses Cedar Run. A Cumberland Co. map of
the 1860s shows at that time seven houses on what had been the original McTeer
grant; owners along the southern border were C. Musselman and John Strong, who
had two Dwellings, one at the junction where Lisburn Road came in from the
south; then on Lisburn Road going north again after the jog, James Dunlap had
two houses; David Hurst was still further north but somewhat west of the
roadway; at last an unidentified building was located east against the hill.

Records of the Pennsylvania Direct Tax of 1798 for Allen Twp., Cumberland Co.,
list James McTeer's original house then owned and occupied by his son
Samuel McTeer, as a stone dwelling, 16 by 22 feet, one story with four windows
containing 48 lights (panes of glass); the accompanying kitchen was shown as
an outbuilding 16 by 12 feet with two windows containing 12 lights; and the
whole property including two acres of land was valued at $600.

When Major Will A. McTeer of Maryville, Tenn., visited the locality a century
later this house was still standing and still owned by a McTeer descendant,
Mrs. Ellen Saxton. The Major wrote his impressions in a letter from
Mechanicsburg, dated 30 July 1898; "We got here last night. A beautiful town of
five thousand inhabitants, nestled down in the richest and loveliest little
valley I have ever seen. I am just now back from a visit to the old homestead
of my great, great grandfather, four miles out. The main part of the old stone
house is still standing but very old and dilapidated. The old farm is of the
very best. A barn as big as Texas ... filled ... with oats by the six horse
load. I drank from the old spring that slaked the thirst of my ancestors."

But only a few weeks after this encounter the old place was torn down; so a
neighboring farmer could use the stones for the foundation of a milk station.
In Mrs. Saxton's words, "It was hard for me to make up my mind to it but
thought it best to lay sentiment aside as it was getting unsightly and useless
and possibly dangerous."

During the French and Indian War James McTeer was a captain in the local
militia. He and his lieutenant John Anderson, both of East Pennsboro Twp. were
commissioned in 1747-1748 in the Associated Regiment of Lancaster Co. Over the
River Susquehanna. By the time of the American Revolution he was well past 70
years and so was not included in any of the militia lists of that time; nor is
there any evidence of his providing other specific assistance to the cause of
Independance. Yet, since his five sons and three sons-in-law all served with
the Pennsylvania troops at various times during the war there can be no doubt
where his sympathies were in that conflict.

Out of his 400 acres James McTeer provided a farm for each of his four sons who
remained in Allen Township. On 8 Dec 1770 "for love and affection" he deeded
100 acres to his son John; on 21 Dec. 1770 he made a similar conveyance to his
son William; and by his will he also gave land to sons James and Samuel. Son
Robert moved to Fermanaugh Twp., Cumberland Co., soon after his marriage and
had already gone on to Tennessee before his father's death. Since he received
in the will only a token legacy, it is clear that Robert had in some way
received his share at an earlier date, but the nature of that inheritance is
now past recovery.

The will of James McTeer Sr. of Allen Twp., Cumberland Co., written 2 Aug.
1764, probated 16 March 1785, bequeathed to son James. "the land he now liveth
on as it is divided by John Creigh", one half "the warranted land adjoining to
be divided according to quantity and quality", also "the meadow that is fenced
off for his use"; to daughter Elizabeth Boyd, five shillings; to son Robert
McTeer, five shillings; to daughter Alce Caruthers, five shillings; to sons
William and John, five shillings each; to daughter Sarah Pauly, five shillings;
to granddaughter Elizabeth, daughter of son James, "my chest of drawers"; to
son James, "my table". Any remainder after payment of the legacies and
expenses from the sale of personal property to be divided between sons James
and Samuel McTeer. They to be Executors. Witnesses: Hugh Laird, John Worden.

An untotalled inventory of the "Goods and Cattels of James McTeer Sen
deceased", made on 26 Feb. 1785 by Hugh Laird and William McMEan, includes only
personal property; one horse at 17 pounds; a red cow with a white face at 4
pounds; seven pewter plates at 14 shillings; a case of drawers willed to
granddaughter Elizabeth 3 pounds 15 shillings; a table willed to son James, 15
shillings; other furniture, table, chair, dough chest, walnut chest
and bedstead totaling 1 pound 2 shillings 6 pennies; two featherbeds, pillows,
coverlets and blankets, 15 pounds 5 shillings and 2 pennies total; wearing
apparel, 2 pounds 10 shillings; old books, 1 pound 1 shilling 6 pennies; a few
tools, flax hackle, pruning chisel and draw knife, 7 shillings 6 pennies; pot
rack, tongs, fire shovel, two basins, spice box and frying pan, 16 shillings; a
buckskin, 10 shillings; "a pair of specks and tobacco box", 2 shillings 6
pennies.
----------
Reference:
McTeer - Mateer Families of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, Frances Davis
McTeer, 1975, p 7, 23-26.

James married Margaret Anderson Abt 1731, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Margaret died Abt 1740/1745. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Reference:
----------
Hughams@aol.com, 15 February 1995.

William — Margaret. [Group Sheet]

Joesph married Jean Jane McAntyres 8 Jun 1752, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Jean was born 1730; died 14 Jun 1797; was buried Eusebia Cemetery, Blount County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]