| Notes |
- William was born in Scotland or Northern Ireland. He married Rebecca ? Abt. 1729 in Ireland. She was born Abt. 1704 in Ireland ?, and died August 12, 1805 in Hamilton Twp, Franklin Co., PA.
Some researchers show William's origin as Dumfries or Galloway, Scotland. Although strong evidence points to his birth place as Scotland, there are indications he could have been of Irish birth, but most definitely of Scottish parentage. It is possible he was born at Killyleagh in County Down, Northern Ireland. WWW.familysearch.org, an internet site devoted to genealogy, has a submitter that indicated William McBrayer was christened on 7 June 1716 in County Down, Ireland. This is unverified information.
He came to America about. He migrated westward and settled in the Cumberland Valley of old Lancaster County, PA (now Franklin Co.) His farm was located near the junction of Back Creek and the Conococheague River, which flows through the present town of Chambersburg.
He was taxed during the years of on acres of land. (Pa. Archives, Vol XX, 3rd Ser., pp 178,314,440,584)
It wasn't until after the American Revolution and the foundation of Franklin County that William had his land surveyed, (26 Apr 1785), and a warrant or patent was finally issued to him on 8 Nov 1785. The parcel of land contained 137 1/4 acres. As was the custom and the law in those days, William was required to name his property. According to the grant, he chose to call it "Williamsburg". The present town of Williamson, PA, is situated in the approximate area of his "Williamsburg". It isn't known if the two names are related, but due to the proximity, it can safely be assumed they are. (
It is said that he was out mowing the fence corners, when about the middle of the forenoon he said to his son, David, I guess I'll go to the house and lie down a bit. When they went in to call him to their mid-day dinner, they found him dead.
(Information from "In Defiance" the New McBrayer Family Home Page hosted by Carl B. McBrayer)
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1696 - 1795 (99 years)