William Appleby and Agnes McKeehan
Husband William Appleby
Born: Abt 1752 - Ulster, Ireland Christened: Died: Abt 1808 - Williamson Co., Tn Buried:Marriage: Abt 1770
Other Spouse: Nancy Agnes McCurdy (Abt 1761-Abt 1829) 1 2 - 7 Feb 1787 - Big Spring Presbyterian Church, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania 2
Wife Agnes McKeehan 3
Born: 5 Jun 1742 Christened: Died: Bef Feb 1787 - Cumberland Co., Pa Buried:
Father: John McKeehan ( -1783) Mother:
Children
1 F Elizabeth Appleby 4
Born: Abt 1770 - Cumberland Co., Pa Christened: Died: 12 Oct 1845 - Washington Co., Ar 5 Buried: - Mt. Comfort Cem., Washington Co., ArkansasSpouse: David McCurdy (Abt 1769-1834) 2 Marr: 25 Aug 1789 - Big Spring Presbyterian Church, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania 2
2 F Grace "Grissy" Appleby 1
Born: 1775 - Cumberland Co., Pa Christened: Died: 1832 - Golconda, Pope Co., Ill Buried: - Golconda, Pope Co., IllSpouse: James McCurdy (Abt 1764- ) 2Spouse: John Calvert ( -1823) 1
3 F Jane (Jean) Appleby
Born: Abt 1777 - Cumberland Co., Pa Christened: Died: Buried:Spouse: Ezekial Little ( - ) 1
4 M John Appleby 1
Born: 21 Dec 1778 - Cumberland Co., Pa Christened: Died: 6 Apr 1863 - Marshall Co., Tn 6 Buried: - Bethbirei Cem, Lewisburg, Marshall Co., TennesseeSpouse: Sarah Bell (1772-1852) 1 Marr: 17 Mar 1800 - Jackson Co., Georgia 1
5 M James Appleby 1
Born: Abt 1779 - Cumberland Co., Pa Christened: Died: 31 Oct 1866 - Jefferson, Jackson Co., Ga 7 Buried: - Niblack Family Cemetery, Jefferson, Jackson Co., GeorgiaSpouse: Virginia Jane Montgomery (1781-1875) 1 Marr: 1 Jun 1805 - Jackson Co., Georgia 1
6 M William Appleby 1
Born: Abt 1784 - Cumberland Co., Pa Christened: Died: Buried:Spouse: Elizabeth T. Adams ( -1875) 1 Marr: Abt 1829 1
General Notes: Husband - William Appleby
CENSUS:
<pre>1790 Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania, Hopewell, Newton, Tyborn, and Westpensboro
Wm. Appleby 253
males >= 16 2
males < 16 5
females 3 </pre>
WILL:
The following will was recorded in Williamson County, Tennessee on page 37 of Will Book 1. There are no paragraphs in the orginal document, and the punctuation is sparse and irregular. The word 'demise' in 'give demise and dispose of' should be 'devise', but the word in the original is clearly 'demise'. Following the will is an inventory of "the goods & chattels debts & credits of William Appleby, Deceased". The inventory was signed by David McCurdy and John Appleby October 12, 1808. A more easily readable version of the will with paragraphs, copied from the Appleby Heritage Association website, follows the first version. The second version contains some errors.
William Appleby's Will
In the name of God amen the twenty third Day of November 1807 I William Appleby of the State of Tennessee & Williamson County being in a low state of health, but in perfect mind & memory thanks be given to God therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body & knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make & ordain this my last Will & testament viz. principally & first of all I give & recommend my soul to God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give demise & dispose of the same in the following manner & form Item first; that all my Just & lawful debts be discharged with my funeral expenses Item second; I give & bequeath to my well beloved and affectionate wife Agness my best bed & bed clothes & all her own apparel, likewise all the cloathing that is bought for her & not made up, one cow & calf, the young black mare & her choise of the two Womens saddles: Item 3rd I give & bequeath to my son John Appleby one hundred acres of land out of a five hundred acre survey which lies in Livingston County State of Kentucky to be equal to any in said survey; Item 4th I give and bequeath to my son James Appleby fifty Dollars in Cash to be paid within two years after the virtue of this Will be in force: Item 5th I give & bequeath to my son William Appleby one hundred acres of land out of the aforesaid Survey in Kentucky: Item 6th I give & bequeath to my son David Appleby my bay mare & my own saddle and his apparel: Item 7th I give & bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth McCurdy three Dollars in Cash: Item 8th I give & bequeath to my Daughter Grissy McCurdy three Dollars in Cash: Item 9th I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Jean Little three Dollars in Cash Item 10th I give & bequeath to my sons David and Samuel Appleby all the remainder of my part of the aforementioned survey of land after taking two hundred acres before mentioned out of it, to be divided equally betwixt them or the Executors at their discretion to sell it & divide the price of it between them, Item 11th It is my will & desire that all the remainder of the Estate after what has been mentioned, be collected both real and personal and to be disposed of to the best advantage for the support & education of those of the family that are under age excepting my wearing apparel & the household furniture which I allow to be at the disposal of my wife Agness, and my books I allow to be divided among my children and if there is anything after schooling & raising the children & to divide it between my wife & her five children. I likewise constitute make & ordain my trusty friends David McCurdy & John Appleby to be my Sole Executors of this my last Will & testament, In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written
Signed his
William 0 Appleby ((seal))
mark
Signed Sealed & delivered by
the said William Appleby as his
last will & testament in presence
of us
John Record
John Calvert
Which foregoing recited will and Testament was duly proven in open Court July Sessions 1808 by the oaths of John Record & John Calvert the subscribing witnesses thereto and to be the act & deed of William Appleby and the same was ordered to be recorded. Whereupon David McCurdy & John Appleby came into court & qualified as Executors & rec'd letters Testamentary.
William Appleby's Will
In the name of God amen the twenty third day of November 1807 I William Appleby of the State of Tennepee and Williamson County being in a low state of health, but in perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, viz, principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul to God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this live,
I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
Item first that all my just and lawful debts be discharged with my funeral expenses.
Item second: I give and bequeath to my well beloved and affectionate wife Agnep my best bed and bed clothes and all her own apparel, likewise all the cloathing that is bought for her and not made up, one cow and calf, the young black mare and choise of the two Warner Saddles.
Item third: I give and bequeath to my son John Appleby one hundred acres of land out of a five hundred acre survey which lies in Livingston County, State of Kentucky, to be equal to any said survey.
Item fourth: I give and bequeath to my son James Appleby fifty Dollars in Cash, to be paid within two years after the virtue of this Will be in force.
Item fifth: I give and bequeath to my son William Appleby one hundred acres of land out of the aforesaid Survey in Kentucky.
Item sixth: I give and bequeath to my son, David Appleby my bay mare and my own saddle and his apparel.
Item seventh: I give and bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth McCurdy three dollars in cash.
Item eighth: I give and bequeath to my Daughter Gripy McCurdy three dollars in cash.
Item ninth: I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Jean Little three dollars in cash.
Item tenth: I give and bequeath to my sons David and Samuel Appleby all the remainder of my part of the aforementioned survey of land after taking two hundred acres before mentioned out of it, to be divided equally betwixt them or the Executors at their discretion to sell it and divide the price between them.
Item eleventh. It is my will and desire that all the remainder of the Estate after what has been mentioned be collected both real and personal and to be disposed of to the best advantage for the support and education of those of the family that are under age excepting wearing apparel and the household furniture which I allow to be at the disposal of my wife Agnep, and my books, I allow to be divided among my children and if there is anything after schooling and raising the children to divide it between my wife and her five children.
I likewise constitute make and ordain my trusty friends, David McCurdy and John Appleby to be my sole executors of this my last will and testament, in witnep whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
Signed with an "X" (William Appleby) in the presence of us: John Record John Calvert
Which foregoing recited will and testament was (?) duly proven in open court July sessions 1808 by the oaths of John Record and John Calvert. The subscribing witnesses thereto and to be the act of deed of William Appleby and the same was ordered to be recorded. Whereupon David McCurdy and John Appleby came into court and qualified as executors of (?) letters of testamony.
This Will copied as written, by Dorothy Appleby Turner in June 1986
from the record on file at the Courthouse, Franklin,
Williamson County, Tennessee.
IRISH or ENGLISH?
The Appleby Heritage Association website states that William Appleby was born in Ireland according to family tradition. Apparently there is no documentary evidence about his birthplace. According to the 1850 census 'Appleby' can be an Irish name, although it is more likely to be English. In 1850 in all of the states there were 7 immigrants named Appleby from Ireland and 21 from England. In 1860 there were 12 from Ireland and 15 from England. On the other hand the surname of William's first wife is clearly non-English. In 1860 there were 5 immigrants named McKeehan from Ireland, none from England, and 2 from Scotland.
BIRTH:
Most researchers say that he was born in 1742, and they may be right, although they offer no evidence. However, in the membership lists of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church created about 1787-89 by Rev. Samuel Wilson, William Appleby, already married to his second wife, is 35 years old. If he was 35 in 1787, he was born about 1752. See notes under David McCurdy, Sr. for more details.
On the other hand if he was born in 1752 his wife was 10 years older than he was and he was no older than 18 when he married. Their first child was born about 1770.
General Notes: Wife - Agnes McKeehan
The will of John McKeehan, written in 1782, refers to William Appleby as his son-in-law, and John McKeehan appoints William Appleby as an executor. By definition William Appleby is married to a daughter of John McKeehan. But which daughter? The only reasonable choice, based on the will, is Agnes.
The will mentions another daughter Elizabeth. The arrangements that John McKeehan makes for her future welfare imply that she is not William Appleby's wife. See notes under Elizabeth for more details.
So why do we choose Agnes?
1) Neither Bessie P. Douglas nor anyone else has provided a husband for Agnes. Thus she is available.
2) Agnes was born in 1742 and thus had her first child at 28 and her last child at 42. Those ages are reasonable.
3) It is sometimes said that William Appleby's wife was Nannie Megehin. The website of the Appleby Heritage Association no longer exists, but at one time there was at that website a short biography of James Appleby, son of John Appleby and Sarah Bell written probably in the 1920's by a great-granddaughter based on her father's written records. Her father Andrew Benjamin "Bud" Appleby was a great-great grandson of William Appleby and he says that his wife was Nannie Megehin. I think we can regard this as primary evidence. He could reasonably know on the basis of family tradition the name of his great-great grandmother. 'Megehin' is not itself a surname; it does not appear in the 1840, 1850 or 1860 census. It is a corruption of 'McKeehan'. What is significant for us is 'Nannie', which is most commonly a nickname for 'Nancy' but can also be a nickname for 'Agnes'. A Google search for "Agnes (Nannie)" produces examples of women named Agnes who were called Nannie. Moreover, the etymon of Nancy is Agnes.
4) The only other daughter besides Elizabeth and Agnes that we know of is Janet. She was born in 1734 and is thus too old to have had a child in 1784.
1 Dorothy (Dee) Appleby Turner, Appleby Heritage Association, http://appleby.rootsweb.com.
2 Julius Augustus McCurdy, "The McCurdy's of Stone Mountain, Georgia," 1979, pg 23.
3 Bessie P. Douglas, "The Families of Joshua Williams of Chester Co., Pa & John McKeehan of Cumberland Co., Pa with Some Allied Families," Augsburg Press, Minneapolis, 1928, pg 289.
4 Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society, "Cemeteries of Washington County, Arkansas," 1980, vol 3.
5 "Find-a-Grave," Memorial # 28724624.
6 "Find-a-Grave," Memorial # 59377381.
7
"Find-a-Grave," Memorial # 40673857.
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