I have not personally researched the Cunningham family or the James Cunningham who is our ancestor. There seems to be confusion with Alexander’s son Hugh B. Cunningham and who his children are. The records at the D.A.R.and  the Library of Virginia have accepted some records that do not clearly separate Cunningham family members with others of the same name. There needs to be more research done on this Cunningham Branch.  This presentation on MY version of the family is meant to be used only as a starting for others to use in their own research.

Descendants of CUNNINGHAM

GENERATION 1

1.  CUNNINGHAM

Child of CUNNINGHAM:

2.           i.   ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM, b. Bet. 1653 - 1663, Scotland; d. 1749, Ireland.

GENERATION 2

2.  ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM (DAVID¹,) was born Bet. 1653 - 1663 in Scotland, and died 1749 in Ireland.  He married (1) UNKNOWN.    He married (2) REBECCA BURNS 1701. 

Notes for ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM:

Alexander's sons were the progenitors of many of the early Cunningham families of Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. All these sons came to America in 1752, except Joseph who held a trusted position in the British government. He visited relatives in America immediately prior to the Revolution. His son, John, had come earlier and settled in VA. He was active in the affairs of the fledgling nation, serving in the Revolution.

Child of ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM and UNKNOWN is:

3.           i.   JAMES CUNNINGHAM, b. 1685, Ireland; d. March 19, 1765, Augusta Co., VA.

      Children of ALEXANDER CUNNINGHAM and REBECCA BURNS are:

4.           ii.   HUGH B. CUNNINGHAM, b. 1708.

5.          iii.   ROBERT CUNNINGHAM, b. 1713.

6.          iv.   DAVID CUNNINGHAM, b. 1721.

7.          v.   JOSEPH CUNNINGHAM, b. 1717.

             vi.   JAMES CUNNINGHAM.

Notes for JAMES CUNNINGHAM:

Parentage is questionable

            vii.   JOHN CUNNINGHAM.

           viii.   BENJAMIN CUNNINGHAM.

             ix.   MARY CUNNINGHAM.

             x.   RUTH CUNNINGHAM.

GENERATION 3

3.  JAMES CUNNINGHAM (ALEXANDER², DAVID¹) was born 1685 in Ireland, and died probably 17 Jul 1763 Kerrs Creek, in Rockbridge Co., VA.  He married MARGARET. She died probably 17 Jul 1763 Kerrs Creek, in Rockbridge Co., VA.

Notes for JAMES CUNNINGHAM: 

Kerrs Creek is found in the James River Basin, Rockbridge Co., Va 

 LAST WILL AND TESTATMENT

 

No Will Book # given p. 382

 

AUGUSTA CO., Will, 1760:

wr. 16 Jan. 1761 pro. 19 March 1765

 

In the name of God amen this the sixteenth Day of January one thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty and in the Thirty Third year of his majesties Reign I James Cunningham of Augusta County Collony and Dominion of Virginia Being in an ordinary State of health praise to God But calling to mind the mortality of my Body and know that it is appointed for all men once to die first of all I recomand my Soul to be Buried in Earth at the Descretion of my Executors and After all my Just & lawful Debts being paid I Shall Dispose of my rail & Personal estate in manner and form as followeth.

Item I give and bequeath unto my will beloved wife all my rail & personal Estate during her natural Life or widowhood and my Son Moses to Live with her During life or widowhood & if my Son Moses should maray he’s to have the plantation and his mother Dowe’s not Like to live in the house with him he shall build or cause to be built a comoduis house with all Necessary convenances thereunto Belonging where She pleaseth upon the plantation and Likewise to find her a Suffecencey of flower meat malt & Salt to her Satisfaction and to cut and Lay firewood convenient to her Door and Likewise to keep two cows for her & one horse and if my son Moses should Die before he comes to maturity all is to remain at the Disposile of my Margaret.  I give and bequeath to Hugh Cunningham on English Shilling and likewise to my daughter Elizabeth and also to James Cunningham Son to my Son Jacob as also to John Cunningham Son to my Son Isaac as also to my Daughter Mary and Likewise to my Daughter Anne Each and Every of of them to have on English Shilling & I nominate constitute and appoint my wife and my Son Moses Cunningham to be executors of this my last will and test.  I Doe hereby Revolke Disalow & Disannull all other wills and Test & testaments any where of I have hereunto Set my hand & Sale this Day and year first above written.

N:B: The word underlined before Signing he is to have the plantation.

Signed Sealed & Delivered

In presents of                                                             

Malcom Alen                                          James Cunningham [his mark]                                                 

       Robert Bowen    [his  mark]

Sally Bowen [her mark]

                            at a court held for Augusta County March the 19^th 1765

                          

 

 

This Last Will & Testament of James Cunningham deceased was proved by the oath of Malcolm Alen & Sally (Lilly?) Bowen two of the _________ thereto & ordered to be recorded and on the _________ of Moses Cunningham one of the Executors and Margaret Cunningham the Executor therein named being dead therein named who made oath according to Law Certificates granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form they having with Inventory Entered into and Acknowleged their bond according to Law.

 

 

Test

Know all men by these presents that we Moses Cunningham Hugh Cunningham Geo Daughety are held & formaley bound unto Alesander of Sayers Arch Alexander Saml Mc Dor______ Abraham Smigh _______ the commission of the peace for Augusta County for and in behalf of the justices and their successors to which payment will & truly to made all bind ourselves and each of us one & every of our ______ Exedl & Adminstrations jointyly & Severally firmly by these _______ Seated with our Seals & Dated this 19 day of March 1765.

The condition of this obligation is Such what if the above bound Moses Cunningham Executor of the Said Will and Testament of James Cunningham deceased do make or cause to be made a true and perfect Inventory of all and Singular the goods chattels & credits of the said Deceased which have or Shall come to the hands Possession_____know _____ of the said Moses Cunningham or into the hands of possession of any _ Person or person for (him and the same do make _____ in the county court of August at such a time as he Shall be _____ required by the said court and the same good chattels & credits and all other the goods chattels & credits of the said deceased at anytime after Shall come to the hands & possession or knowledge of this Moses hands & possession of any other person or persons a just & true account of his _____ & doings therin when __ & required by the said court and also Shall will and truly pay & deliver all _____ and Specified in this Testament (as) far as the goods chattels and credits will _____ and th law Shall charge than this obligation _

(behavior) and _____ effect or ____ to remain in fullforce and _____ Sealed and Delivered

                                  Moses Cunningham

in presence of           Hugh Cunningham

                                  George Daughtery

 

At a court held for Augusta county March the 19^th 1765

Moses Cunningham with Hugh Cunningham and George Daughtery his Declaration Enclosed unto and acknowledged this their bond according to Law.

 

 

 

                                                                                   

 

                                                                       

          

May the 15^th 1765

At court of ____ held for Augusta county May        John McKee

The 23^rd 1765                                                             John Gillmer

This appraisement of the Estate of James                Robert _____

Cunningham Deced being returned into court is _____ to be recorded

Proved by Malcolm Allen, Lilly Bowen. Margaret is dead. Moses qualifies with Hugh Cunningham, George Dougherty.

Source: AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS, ORDER BOOK No. IX

 

 

 

Kerrs Creek Plaque

 

 

When standing on the little hill overlooking this bucolic area with the feeling of peace surrounding me I found it impossible to imagine the horrors that took place in that exact spot nearly 250 years ago. I tried to hear the war cries of the Indians and the screams and crying of women and little children - I could not. It was perhaps my ancestors quietly telling me that everything was now all right.