Notes |
- According to the statement of John Lowrie Mateer, William McTeer married second
"a widow who had two husbands, James Grimes or Graham and Thomas Robinson."
Research in Carlisle has produced no deeds or probate for a Thomas Robinson nor
for an appropriate James Graham with a wife Jane. One Thomas Robinson, born
about 1725, son of Philip Robinson, a miller of Hanover Twp., Lancaster Co.,
died childless in 1780 leaving a wife Jane. Thomas' will, written 25 Nov 1780,
probated 4 Jan. 1781, bequeathed one-half his personal property and all the
produce of his plantation to the widow during her widowhood; other bequests
mention three brothers Samuel, George and John Robinson, a brother-in-law
Robert Thompson, a niece Mary Robinson, three nephews named Thomas, and
indentured servant Ann Belson, "to finish out her time with my wife at her
disposing." But there is nothing here to say who this Jane Robinson was before
her marriage nor what became of her after Thomas' death.
On 21 December 1770 James McTeer of Allen Twp., Cumberland Co., conveyed to his
son William McTeer of Allen Twp., yeoman, for "natural love and affection" and
"also for the better support, livelihood and preferment of the said William",
and for 6 pounds, a tract of land bounded by the lands of Antony McQue, John
McTeer and James McTeer, containing 100 acres, part of a larger tract patented
by James Mcteer on 11 Nov. 1760. Witnesses: Jonathan Hoge, Antony Macue, John
McTeer.
During the Revolutionary War William McTeer, like his brothers James, John, and
Samuel, served in the Third Battalion, Cumberland Co. Militia. In September
1777 he was listed as a private in 2nd Class in Capt. John Trindle's Co.; in
August 1780 he was a private in the 6th class in the 3rd Co., under Capt. John
McCormick; and in May 1782 in the 2nd Class in the 5th Co.
In addition a William Mateer, fifer, served under Capt. Thomas L. Moore in the
Third Pennsylvania Regiment; in a list dated 10 Aug. 1778 he was "in hospital".
This man, or another of the same name was a drummer in Capt. Josiah Harmer's
Co. But there is no clear evidence that this musician was, or was not, James'
son.
On 1 April 1779 William Byers (or Buyers) and wife Jean of Cumberland Co., for
334 pounds, conveyed to William McTeer 37 acres in Allen Twp. adjoining lands
of Anthony McQueen, William McTeer, Rowland Chambers, Frederick Swizer.
Witnesses: John McMen, Thomas Laird. On 25 April 1786 Rowland Chambers of
Allen Twp., for 182 pounds 12 shillings, deeded to William McTeer of Allen
Twp., 91 acres 48 perches in Allen Twp., bounded by William McTeer and James
McTeer's line near Lisburn Road (land patented to Chambers on 1 Feb. 1786).
Witnesses: Hugh Laird, Jas. Laird.
According to the records of the Pennsylvania Direct Tax of 1798 for Allen Twp.,
Cumberland Co., William McTeer then owned two one-story frame houses; he lived
in the larger, measuring 25 by 25 feet with four windows containing 14 lights,
with a separate one-story frame kitchen 18 by 16 feet; son Jas. McTeer, lived
in the second house which was 23 by 16 feet with two windows and 18 lights.
Each house with two acres of land adjoining was valued at $300.
William McTeer remained throughout his life a resident of Allen Twp., Cumberland
Co. In 1790 his household there had two males over sixteen years, two males
under sixteen and two females. In 1800 there was one male, one female over 45
years; one male, one female 16-26; and one male aged 10-16 years. In 1810
William Mateer Sr., one male, one female over 45 years, was living next to
William Mateer Jr. In 1820 Jane Mateer aged over 45 years was listed alone in
a separate household next after John Mateer and William Mateer.
On 2 June 1819 William Mateer Sr. and wife Jane (or Jean) of Allen Twp.,
conveyed to James Dunlap and Paul Gehr as Trustees, a lot "on the Great Road
from Lisburn to Silver Springs Meeting House" (part of the land conveyed by
Rowland Chambers on 25 April 1786), consideration $1.00 and "a benevolent wish
to do good, encourage learning and promote religion." Witnesses: John Snyder,
James Mateer. When this deed was filed on 19 April 1838, it was accompanied by
an assignation from the School Trustees to the Directors of Common Schools, and
the property was further described as a schoolhouse in Allen Twp., "known as
Mateer's schoolhouse."
The will of William McTeer of Allen Twp., "being reduced to a weak state of
body", written 23 July 1810, probated 13 Sept. 1819, directs son William to
"Fulfil the covenants and agreements made before my marriage with wife Jane"
out of her share and provide her maintenance; "she shall have full power to
dispose of her wearing apparel as she may think proper"; to son James, the land
he now lives on beginning at the great road from Lisburn village to Silver
Spring, at the east corner of Plumbtree meadow, also 18 acres of the old tract
"whereon I now live", and 234 acres in Harrison Co., Va.; to William, all
residue of the old tract "where I now live", except two fields as above, also
Plumbtree meadow; to son-in-law William Ross and wife Alice, notes worth $300
and 50 pounds; to daughter Jane, 250 pounds in case she marries and has lawful
issue, but only the interest on this sum if she remains single, James to provide
her a home, bed and bedding, case of drawers, dining table and cow. The
Testator left his cane to son James, his watch to son William. Witnesses:
Benjamin Anderson, Andrew Mateer (Major Andrew Mateer in the acknowledgment).
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Reference:
McTeer - Mateer Families of Cumberland County Pennsylvania, Frances Davis
McTeer, 1975, p 33-34.
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