The Ross Family of Anson Co. and Martin Co. NC

James Ross was born June 8, 1761, in Martin Co. NC. We have found no proof of his parentage, but based on the evidence we do have, believe he may be the son of Hugh Ross of Martin and Anson Co. According to his pension application, James enlisted and served as private sometime in February 1781 to sometime in July, 1781, under Captains John Kennady and James Evans in Colonel Whitmill Hill's Regiment and was in the battle of Guilford Court House and the battle of Camden in April, 1781.

James married Lydia Coburn in her father's home in Martin Co. in 1781. James and Lydia had 11 children, all of whom were named in the pension papers.

  1. Evidence supporting Hugh Ross as James' father

    In 1779 there were 5 Ross adult males listed in the Martin Co. NC taxables list: John, Hugh, Nathan, William, and John son of William (apparently living with him). James would have been 18 at this time.

    By 1790, there were two major groupings of Ross's in Martin Co. The first group had Thomas, Joseph, Hugh, Martha, and James living within a group of Brewers and Coburns. This James is likely our ancestor since our James married Lydia Coburn, whose father Francis lived nearby. The second group had John, another James, Martin, John Jr., and William. Much further away was another Martin Ross and William Ross. James' brother William should have been about 20 in 1790 and does not fit either of the Williams listed. It appears likely he is living with Hugh or John (the only two who have 2 males over 16).

    James moved to Anson about 1798, based upon his pension claim that he had moved to Anson "33 years before" and his application was made in 1832. According to brother William's statement, the following year he and his father's family also moved to "Anson now Union County in the date of Seventeen hundred and ninety nine..".

    In the 1800 census, James Ross is listed on page 209 of the Anson census. Andrew, Daniel, Griffin, Gustavas, Henry, Hugh (2), Martin, Silvey, and Walter are also listed in Anson. There is no longer a Hugh Ross in Martin Co. The Hugh Ross living closest to James, Henry, and Griffin has 2 slaves (Hugh in Martin Co. had 3 slaves), but he is in the wrong age bracket to be the father of James. The other Hugh, who is the right age, may be the Hugh Ross who was living in Anson in 1790 and who wrote his will in 1793, but apparently did not die then.

    The best evidence of Hugh's connection to James and Martin Co. is the Anson Co. Deeds. Hugh Ross, who signs with a mark in Martin Co. and in Anson Co., deeds land to sons Griffin and David 9-28-1804; John Bennett (who according to another deed is from Martin Co.) is one of the witnesses. On 8-6-1805, Hugh gives a Negro girl Violet to Stephen Hasty 8-6-1805 (perhaps son-in-law). On 5-8-1808 he gives a Negro boy named Dick to Martin Ross and James Ross, and on 5-20-1808 he deeds a Negro girl named Penny plus cattle, household items etc. to Wm. Ross & David Ross & Griffin Ross. These deeds establish a family connection, but do not prove just what the connection is. That will have to wait for more evidence.