Richard Montgomery

b. circa 1755, d. 8 February 1840
FatherJohn Montgomery1 d. bef 16 Mar 1813
BirthCircacirca 1755 Richard Montgomery was born in York County, Pennsylvania, circa 1755.2,3 
Military  In 1776 or 1777, while living in York County, Richard was drafted for 3 months service in the Revolutionary War. His company was commanded by Capt. James Dixon. The troops marched to Philadelphia and then across to New Jersey where they were attached to a regiment commanded by Col. Hugh King. At the end of the 3 months Richard reinlisted for 9 months service under Col. McAlister. They marched to Ft. Lee which was attacked while he was there. Later the soldiers marched back to Trenton. Richard was discharged after having completed his second term of service.4 
Marriage1787 He and Elizabeth McCall were married by a Presbyterian preacher named Henderson in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1787.5,6 
Migration1795  Years later Richard's son Richard Jr. reported that his parents migrated from Pennsylvania to Washington County, Virginia in 1795. However Richard's sister Nancy, (born in 1789) stated that she was born in Virginia as did his brother Thomas (born in 1792).5,7,8  
Land-Buy22 Aug 1793  Furthermore in August 1793 Richard purchased 192 acres from Samuel Lowrey for 190 pounds. The land sat between the Middle and South forks of the Holston River.9 
Tax1815  In 1815 Richard was taxed $1,400 for this parcel. The farm included a log dwelling house, a log barn and 4 other smaller log structures. 
Will14 Jan 1831  Richard wrote his will in January 1831, 9 years before his death. He left his wife Betsy her 1/3 interest in his lands during her lifetime as well as a horse and saddle, 2 cows, and the household and kitchen furniture. He left daughters Jane and Polly $50 each, and other property equal to what he gave his "other daughters that left me". He left daughters Nancy, Susannah, Jane, Polly and Peggy $5 each. Nancy Ann, daughter of Richard's deceased daughter Betsy was left her mother's $5 share. Richard left the plantation to his sons Richard and Henry, to be divided equally between them. The two men were also named as Richard's executor.10 
Land-Grant30 Sep 1836  As happened with many other parcels of land, it became apparent over the years that Richard's land included more than the 192 acres on which he was paying taxes. Therefore on Dec. 8, 1835 the land was resurveyed and on Sept. 30th, 1836 a new grant was issued for 270 acres.11 
Death8 Feb 1840 Richard died at his home on 8 Feb 1840 according to a family bible and records associated with his widow's pension application. However his original headstone is reported to have used the 7th.12,13,14,3 
Burial He was buried at Rock Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 

Related Links and Images:

Richard's oath of allegiance dated 13 June 1777
Montgomery family Bible - birth records15,16
Richard's death entry in the Montgomery family bible15
Richard's will
See where Richard's land was located
Richard's headstone
Other interments in Rock Spring Cemetery

Family

Elizabeth McCall b. 9 Feb 1766, d. 9 Apr 1855
Children
Last Edited29 Dec 2013

Citations

  1. [S131] John Montgomery will (recorded 1813), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 18. The will was witnessed by Mathew and William Buchanan.
  2. [S2133] Richard Montgomery affadavit dated 28 Jan. 1833; Richard Montgomery soldier, Elizabeth Montgomery widow, Revolutionary War Pension Application File W7485; RG 15; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M804 - Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrant Application Files. Statement references his place of birth but not the date.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 209. Stone reported to read: Richard Montgomery, d. 7 Feb., 1840, age 85y. [Richard's stone was replaced with a newer stone not long after the publication of High On A Windy Hill. It reads: "Richard Montgomery Sr. 1767-1840". The year of birth is incorrect]
  4. [S2133] Richard Montgomery affadavit dated 28 Jan. 1833; Richard Montgomery soldier, Elizabeth Montgomery widow, Revolutionary War Pension Application File W7485; RG 15; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M804 - Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrant Application Files.
  5. [S2133] Richard Montgomery Jr. affidavit dated 28 May 1853 in Washington Co., Virginia; Richard Montgomery soldier, Elizabeth Montgomery widow, Revolutionary War Pension Application File W7485; RG 15; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M804 - Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrant Application Files.
  6. [S2133] John Montomery affidavit dated 21 Apr. 1854; Richard Montgomery soldier, Elizabeth Montgomery widow, Revolutionary War Pension Application File W7485; RG 15; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M804 - Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrant Application Files.
  7. [S2134] A. H. Snodgrass household, 1850 U.S. cens, Pulaski Co., IN, pop. sched., Harrison township, p. after 350 stamped, dwelling 354, family 353, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2008, image 3 of 7. Household includes: A.H. Snodgrass, 51, farmer, owns land valued at $1,000, b. VA; Nancy, 50, b. VA.
  8. [S2132] Thomas Montgomery household, 1850 U.S. cens, Bradley Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., Subdivision 26, p. 192 (stamped), dwelling 742, family 742, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2008, image 107 of 272. Household includes: Thomas Montgomery, 56, farmer, owns land val $800; Elizabeth, 50; Hugh, 22; John, 18; Sam'l, 16; William, 13; Martha, 6; all b. VA except Martha b. TN.
  9. [S1046] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 1: 301.
  10. [S620] Richard Montgomery will (recorded 1840), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 8: 148. The will was dated 14 Jan. 1831 and recorded 24 Feb. 1840.
  11. [S66] Bob and Donna Ford, "Richard Montgomery, Collin Crilley, Samuel Lowrey," e-mail to Diana Powell, 14 Oct. 2009. Research by Bob Ford citing Washington Co., VA Survey Bk 2: 545 and VA Land Grants 85: 703.
  12. [S1913] Richard and Elizabeth (McCall) Montgomery family data from bible pages belonging to an unidentified family member. Record states: "Richard Montgomery departed this life February 8th, 1840."
  13. [S2440] Montgomery Family Record, John Alexander Chapter, DAR - Virginia Genealogical Records - Misc. 1940 - Vol. 4, typed abstracts/transcriptions. The page is headed: "taken from Family Bible book published 1829."
  14. [S2133] John Montgomery affidavit; Richard Montgomery soldier, Elizabeth Montgomery widow, Revolutionary War Pension Application File W7485; RG 15; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M804 - Revolutionary War Pension & Bounty Land Warrant Application Files. Washington Co. Virginia court papers dated 28 May 1853 report Richard's date of death as 8 Feb. 1840.
  15. [S1376] Bible images courtesy of Carol Lockas.
  16. [S16] It is not known who originally owned this Montgomery family bible. The script does not appear to be that of Richard Montgomery Sr., at least compared to his signature on his Rev. War. pension application. The pages containing family information were located tucked into the bible of Peter and Margaret (Montgomery) Clark. Margaret was a daughter of Richard Montgomery Sr..
  17. [S1913] Richard and Elizabeth (McCall) Montgomery family data from bible pages belonging to an unidentified family member.