Share Print Bookmark

John McTeer

Male Abt 1775 - 1863  (~ 88 years)


Generations:      Standard    |    Vertical    |    Compact    |    Box    |    Text    |    Ahnentafel    |    Fan chart    |    Media    |    PDF    |   Map

Less detail
Generation: 1

  1. 1.  John McTeer was born Abt 1775, , Cumberland, Pennsylvania; was christened 1775 (son of James McTeer and Elizabeth D. Nelson); died 25 Feb 1863, , Cumberland, Pennsylvania; was buried , Cumberland, Pennsylvania.

    Notes:

    Buried in the Silver Spring Cemetery.

    On April 1850 John Mateer and wife Rebecca, Ellen (or Eleanor) Montgomery and
    Ann Martin, all of Cumberland County, together with George L. Holmes and wife
    Caroline of Trumble (sic) County, Ohio, and Joseph B. Holmes and wife Mary A.
    of Randolph County Illinois, both represented by Ellen Montgomery their
    Attorney in Fact, -- these grantors for $1500 conveyed to Jacob Golden (or
    Gulden) of Cumberland County, 171 acres 74 perches in Mifflin Township,
    Cumberland County, as warranted to William Montgomery on 16 March 1789 and
    devised by his will (dated 18 November 1806) to his daughters. Acknowledged
    same date, recorded 16 September 1850.

    The 1850 census of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, lists John Mateer
    aged 72, with Rebecca Mateer aged 65, Margaret Mateer aged 25 and Rebecca
    Mateer aged 2, living next door to James Mateer, aged 34 years with wife
    Amelia.

    The will of John Mateer of Lower Allen Township, written 1 April 1853, probated
    19 March 1863 directed that his 190 acre plantation should be sold to pay the
    following legacies: $1500 to each of three daughters, Margaret Mateer, Rebecca
    Mateer and Elizabeth Ann Gilchrist, wife of James; $100 each to five
    grandchildren, John, William, Robert, George and James Mateer, children of son
    William M. Mateer; $200 each to three grandchildren, Laura, Priscilla and James
    Mateer, children of son James deceased; $150 to grandson John Mateer, son of
    said James deceased; any remaining estate to be divided into five equal shares,
    one share to each of the three daughters, one share to the children of son
    James, and one share to the children of son William M. Executor: Levi Markle.
    Witnesses: Hugh Goullagher, Joseph Culver. A codicil dated 3 October 1858
    appoints son-in-law Robert Young Executor in place of Levi Markle. Witnesses:
    E. B. Brandt, Daniel Rupp.
    ----------
    Reference:
    McTeer - Mateer Families of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, Frances Davis
    McTeer, 1975, p 46, 47.

    John married Rebecca Montgomery Jan 1810. Rebecca (daughter of William Montgomery and Margaret) was born 25 Jun 1785; died 3 Oct 1852; was buried , Cumberland, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

    Children:
    1. James Mateer was born 10 May 1811, , Cumberland, Pennsylvania; died 11 Jul 1851; was buried , Cumberland, Pennsylvania.
    2. Margaret Mateer was born 10 May 1811; died 1897; was buried , Cumberland, Pennsylvania.
    3. William Montgomery Mateer was born Abt 1815, , Cumberland, Pennsylvania; died 30 Jan 1858; was buried , Cumberland, Pennsylvania.
    4. Elizabeth Ann Mateer
    5. Rebecca Mateer was born Abt 1828.

Generation: 2

  1. 2.  James McTeer was born 16 Apr 1732, , Cumberland, Pennsylvania (son of James McTeer and Margaret Anderson); died 12 Oct 1803; was buried Silver Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

    Notes:

    During the Revolutionary War James McTeer was a private soldier in October of 1777 in the Third Battalion Cumberland Co. Militia; and on 23 Oct. 1780 he was listed in Capt. Laird's Co.

    On 4 Feb. 1793 when militia listed of all male residents of Cumberland Co. between the ages of 18 and 45 was made, two from this family were included, James "Jr." and Robert, then aged 21 years; James Sr. was too old and son John was probably just under eighteen.

    In the 1790 census James McTeer was listed in Allen Twp., Cumberland Co., with a household of three males over 16, one younger boy, and three females. In 1800 his household had four males; he was over 45 years with two men 26-45 and one 16-26; there were six females, two 26-45, one 10-16, and three under ten years. The complexion of James' household as shown in these two census records can lead to several interesting suppositions: His wife had probably died between 1790 and 1800; daughter Elizabeth Bailey with her husband and three little girls was probably living with her father in 1880; son John aged 25 accounts for the 16-26 male tally; either son James or son Robert was missing from the family as reported -- probably James, as Robert was identified in October 1800 as "of Allen Township" when he was mentioned in the will of his uncle Samuel McTeer.

    According to the records of Pennsylvania Direct Tax of 1798 this James McTeer was then owner and occupant of a frame dwelling in Allen Twp., Cumberland Co.; the main house was 30 by 22 feet, one story, with six windows containing 60 lights; there were two outbuildings, a frame kitchen 16 by 15 feet, and a stone milk house 19 by 16 feet; the whole property including two acres of land was valued at $350.

    The will of James McTeer of Allen Twp., written 7 Oct. 1803, probated 19 Oct., mentions his being sick and frail, leaves one-third of his real estate in either Allen Twp. or Juniata Twp. and one-third of his personal estate to his son James, he to pay one-third of the debts and legacies (but if son James should die without lawful issue then his share to go to his brother John); son John to have two-thirds of the real and personal property, he to pay two-thirds of the debts and the following legacies: to Robert an Elizabeth Bailey, ten shillings; to Elizabeth Bailey 4 pounds per year for five years; to granddaughters Margaret, Ann and Jane Bailey 5 pounds each at age 18; to grandson Bailey (unnamed), 5 pounds at age 21. Witnesses: C. Quigley, James McTeer; Executor: John McTeer.

    On 1 April 1858 John Mateer of Lower Allen Twp., for $13,888.87 deeded to John Strong of York Co., Penna., a tract containing 194 acres 40 perches located in Lower Allen Twp., Cumberland Co. and bounded by the lands of W. H. Smith, James Dunlap, D. Hurst and C. Musselman, which tract had by sundry conveyances become vested in James McTeer Sr. and by his will was devised one-third to James Mateer Jr. and two-thirds to John Mateer, but now since the Said James Mateer has "died intestate and without issue", John Mateer the present grantor has sole title to the property.

    Buried in Silver Spring Church.
    ----------
    Reference:
    McTeer - Mateer Families of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, Frances Davis
    McTeer, 1975, p 26-27.

    James — Elizabeth D. Nelson. Elizabeth died 18 Oct 1804; was buried Silver Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]


  2. 3.  Elizabeth D. Nelson died 18 Oct 1804; was buried Silver Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
    Children:
    1. James McTeer was born Abt 1768; died Aft Oct 1803.
    2. Elizabeth McTeer was born Abt 1770, , Cumberland, Pennsylvania; died Bef 21 Sep 1867, , Roane, Tennessee.
    3. Robert McTeer was born Abt 1772; died 15 Sep 1803, Allen Township.
    4. Jane McTeer died See Notes.
    5. 1. John McTeer was born Abt 1775, , Cumberland, Pennsylvania; was christened 1775; died 25 Feb 1863, , Cumberland, Pennsylvania; was buried , Cumberland, Pennsylvania.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  James McTeer was born Abt 1697, County Down, Northern Ireland; died 16 Feb 1785, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

    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]


  2. 5.  Margaret Anderson died Abt 1740/1745.
    Children:
    1. 2. James McTeer was born 16 Apr 1732, , Cumberland, Pennsylvania; died 12 Oct 1803; was buried Silver Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
    2. Elizabeth McTeer was born 9 Apr 1734, , Cumberland, Pennsylvania; died 28 May 1805, , Blount County, Tennessee.
    3. John McTeer was born 30 Apr 1736, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; died 10 Apr 1790, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; was buried Silver Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
    4. William McTeer was born 2 Dec 1738, , Cumberland, Pennsylvania; died Aug 1819, , Cumberland, Pennsylvania.
    5. Robert McTeer was born 25 Jan 1740, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; died 6 Apr 1824, Ellejoy, Blount County, Tennessee; was buried Blount County, Tennessee.