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The name of Anderson is possibly Scandinavian in origin. This cannot be substantiated as surnames as we understand them did not begin to come into use until about the eleventh century (way after the Viking incursions into the British Isles). Along with the Brito-Celtic nations, the Scandinavian nations were in the habit of using patronymics. Any individual would be known as 'son of' etc. But for many centuries this meant that the surname used would likely change with each generation. Hence it is not possible to claim a specific origin for Anderson (Andrew's son), just as it would not be possible for Robertson's, or MacIntoshes. Due to this patronymic system, Anderson's in Scotland are unable to show descent from a common ancestor and there are many families that do not appear to tie up, that carry the name.
The
remote ancestor of this family went to Scotland with the Danes, who, for a
time, held the Eastern
Coasts
of Scotland, and England, from the Penland Firth to the Humber.
The Anderson's lived in the most northern part of Scotland;
historical records mention members of the family as far back as 1350. These may
be found in the Visitations, that is, in the
inspections made by the Garter King at Arms to settle contentions as to titles
and estates. Among these are the
Anderson's of Newcastle on Tyne.
One of the earliest Anderson's on record was Duncan Anderson, guardian to Alexander
De L'Ard, son of Weyland De L'Ard and his wife Matilda, only daughter of Malise,
last Strathearne Earl of Orkney, Caithness and Stratherne
by his first wife. In 1357, when his ward was nearing his majority, Duncan Anderson
sent notice to the Orkadians
that Alexander De L'Ard was their rightful lord.
About 1575 Josey Anderson flourished as a merchant in Paisley Scotland. He was
prominent in religious circles, being an officer in John Knox's church. His descendants
are said to have come to America and settled in Minnesota.
Other branches of the Anderson family left Scotland during the rebellion and
went to Ulster Ireland, where they remained for a short time, then come to America
and settled in Augusta County Virginia. Another branch of the Anderson
family settled in Pennsylvania and migrated westward as the nation grew.
Prior to the United States Census of 1850 family members were listed under the
Head of Household by name, age, place of birth. Family members were enumerated
by gender and age range, such as: "two males, 5 and less than
10 years old"; "three females, 30 and less than 40 years old."
William Anderson, who came from Scotland, fought in the French and Indian War (1754-1763). The Treaty of Paris,
signed by Great Britain, France, and Spain on February 10, 1763, ended the Seven Years' War and its American counterpart,
the French and Indian War (1754-1763).
William belonged to the French army and took an active part in the French and Indian War and took part in the battle of Fort Pitt, AKA battle
of Pittsburgh. After the close of the French and Indian War, William Anderson returned to his native country
and while there married a Scotch lady by the name of Crege. After a short time he returned to this country and
bought a large tract of land near Philadelphia Pennsylvania where he started his family and Elizabeth and James
were born. Later he sold this land and received in payment continental money, which soon depreciated in value and
became entirely worthless. At the commencement of the war of Independence he entered the Colonial service and fought
on many battlefields.
Early family history states that William was a Scottish soldier (see Munden and Leisure references to Anderson)
and fought in both the French and Indian War and also the Revolutionary War. This lends credence that William did
not arrive on a 'regular' passenger ship, but possibly a military transport. William Anderson was a private in
the 42nd Highlander division of Scotland, mustering with The 42nd
Blackwatch Highlander, 1st Battalion, Muster Roll, Oct 24, 1758
The Revolutionary War was a long, beginning on 19 April 1775 at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts between the
local militia and British troops and finally ending, officially, with the signing of Treaty of Paris in 1783. The
act of the General Assembly passed on June 22, 1779, which established the Virginia Land Office, also provided
for the awarding of bounty lands for specified Revolutionary
War military service. The purpose of the bounty land system was to encourage longer military service. In order
to qualify for bounty land, a soldier or sailor had to serve at least three (3) years continuously in the State
or Continental Line or State Navy. Militia service did not count. The allotment was determined by the soldier's
rank and time of service. A three (3) years service was granted 100-acre parcels. The first warrant was issued
in 1783 and the last in 1876 as heirs of warrantees continued to seek lands for additional service.
William, with his wife and two children, moved to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and entered into the hotel business. While here his children James and Elizabeth were married. Elizabeth Anderson married a man by the name of Thomson and went to Kentucky. James married and moved with his family to Warren County Ohio.
The 1790 East Bethlehem, Washington County Pennsylvania Census lists with their families: Jakob Schnorf, (Johan)
Peter Winterrowd, and James Anderson. These families migrated from South Western Pennsylvania to Ohio, continuing
a few years later to Indiana, on to Illinois and further west.
James Anderson married Mary Schnorf in
1795 while both were living in Washington Pennsylvania. On February 5 1817, James
Anderson was granted 50 acres in Ohio , part of military
warrant 5871, Since this
was for 50 acres, not the minimum 100 acres and that James is the assignee it
is doubtful that William, or his son James served in a regular service. When
the
soldier
or his
heirs received the warrant, they could sell it to anyone else, and often they
did. This means that the warrant was negotiable
and sometimes legally came into the possession of a person other than the soldier
or his heirs. Such a person is called the assignee. One assignee, in turn, often
sold the warrant to another. The last assignee was the one who turned in the
warrant and the surveyor's plat in order to get a patent of title to the land.
Some warrants had as many as six or seven assignees.
The current theory is that many families (Anderson, Carmony, Deiwert, Schnorf,
Winterrowd) migrated to Ohio from South Western Pennsylvania approximately
1817 - 1819. Two of the thirteen children of James support this theory.
Sarah Anderson (b: Apr 25
1808 d: Jan 26 1896) was born in Washington County Pennsylvania, while Isaac
C. Anderson (b: Mar 29 1810 d: 1884) was born in Warren County Ohio.
James Anderson,
Valentine Kinder (Jacobs brother who is James wife Mary Elizabeth Schnorf
g-father), John
Peter Winterrode, and John and Jacob (Snuff) Schnorf (Jacob is Mary E,.
Andersons Father and was married himself to Jacob Kinders daughter) and William
Coffing are all in East Betlehem Township Washington County Pennsylvania
in 1800 Census.
Valentine Kinder, Jacob Kinder, and William Coffing are all shown in Washington County Pennsylvania in 1810 Census, but James Anderson,
Schnorfs, and Winterrowds are gone in these rolls.
It is believed the group leaving southwestern Pennsylvania and traveling the major roads southwest eventually settling
in Warren, and Montgomery County Ohio. This is the support of Charles B Anderson being counted in the 1820 census
in Wayne Township, Pickaway County, Ohio and his marriage to Martha
M Howard Feb 6 1823 Warren County Ohio.
John Peter Winterrowd (27 Nov 1773 - 21 Jun 1839) owned 105 acres in Deerfield Township, Warren County Ohio.
John Peter Winterrowd is buried in Unity Cemetery, Warren County Ohio. John Peter Winterrowd's son, John married
James Anderson and Mary (Schnorf) Anderson's, daughter Mary. A number of Winterrowd's descendants occupied Darke
County Ohio and a number moved to Shelby County Indiana in the same time as James grandchildren.
James Anderson migrated, settling on land obtained from the government for his Revolutionary War service (See Land Grants). James was granted title to 50 acres (of part of 2,666.5 acres he received)
between the Little Miami and Scotia Rivers, northwest of the Ohio River on the Land Grant dated February 1st 1805.
This land grant mentions military warrant 5871 from James service. James was also granted title to 77 and 60/100s
acres on the 20th of unknown month 1828.
Charles B. Anderson, James and Mary (Schnorf) Anderson's son, received 80 and 36/100's acres from a Land Grant
dated April 24 1820 (east half of the south west quarter of section 5, township 3 range 6 east)
In Warren and Montgomery County Ohio, these families built their homesteads. James Anderson and family applying
for and receiving land grants, most tracts being concurrent to the others granted. James Anderson's Ohio family
included: William, John S, Charles Byron, Margaret, Elizabeth, Jane, James (possibly James A.), Mary A., Andrew,
Sarah, Isaac C, Nancy and Allen.
It is theorized that the migration took place between 1827 and 1829. Nancy Winterrowd was born December 6 1826
in Ohio, while her younger brother Kirkwood was born on Jun 21 1829 in Norristown Indiana. From this we can theorize
that the Winterrowd's migrated from Ohio to Indiana between 1827 and 1829, and likely the other families migrated
at this same time.
Synthia Ann Anderson, daughter of William Pearson
Anderson, married Randall Walser in
October of 1848. Family documents indicate they lived in Indiana. We believe in there were Waymire, Walser, Anderson
reunions held in Randolph County Indiana during the early 1900's.
The land grants / patents
in Indiana was to become settled not by James, but by James's grandchildren.
It has been theorized that after experiencing the death and burial of two of
his children in Ohio, Charles Byron decided to homestead in the Indiana territory.
He travel to the land in Shelby County Indiana which his father James had been
allotted for service. Indiana became
a state December 11,1816.
Settling in Norristown, southeastern Shelby County Indiana (Norristown
1880 plat) , the Anderson's married among the other families. Eventually Charles and other Anderson's would
travel again to the Shelby and Madison County area. The Winterrowd's would continue west to Illinois, founding
the town of Winterrowd Illinois south of Effingham, then on to Texas, and further west.
Charles and his family then appear on the census in 1850 in Shelby County Indiana. From this we can theorize that
the Charles and his siblings migrated from Ohio to Indiana between 1830 and 1850. Charles and his family lived
in Freeport in Hanover Township of Shelby County. (Freeport
1880 plat)
James H Anderson, Charles Byron Anderson's son, purchased land in Madison County Indiana for a number of years
in the 1840's and 1850's. James H Anderson died on Apr 25 1888. In the settlement
of James H will, James P Anderson and William Terry Anderson both received land in Madison County which bordered
on Grant Count Indiana.
In mid 1888 though 1889, James P. Anderson and his family moved from the Shelby County Indiana vicinity to Elwood Indiana. The family packed all of their worldly possessions into a horse drawn wagon. Traveling
north along the present day Highway 9, the family rested one evening north of Greenfield in the small town of Eden.
The family camped on the north side of Sugar Creek, west of Highway 9, in a barn. Today, in the year 2000, all
that remains of the barn area is the well. This well can be seen from Highway 9 as a large circular stone object
approximately fifty yards west of the highway, north of Sugar Creek. It is unknown when William Terry Anderson
migrated from Shelby County to Madison County.
William Terry Anderson farmed on the Madison County land he inherited, and passed this land to his children.
Paul Anderson, Oma Anderson son, still farms part of the original 40 acres he inherited (pic1,
pic2, pic3)which
was part of the 1888 land distribution from James H Anderson's estate. When William Terry passed James Howard Anderson
inherited part of his estate land.
James Howard Anderson farmed the forty acres in Madison County. During the Depression of the 1930's, James Howard
Anderson (Little Jim) developed appendicitis. Due to this illness his family lost the family farm to creditors.
James Howard packed up his family, and took them to Pendleton Indiana. This is where my father, Leslie Lowell,
was born. James Howard worked in Pendleton in the quarry, his family living in what was then known as quarry houses.
These houses were small and poorly built.
James Howard Anderson children had moved to Indianapolis from Pendleton before James and Anna Anderson moved. James
Howard did not want to move to Indianapolis, but could not find work in Pendleton. Prior to the move, in 1936 James
sent Leslie Lowell to live with Everret and his first wife so that he could attend school in Indianapolis at School
39. Everret at that time was employed at Kibler trucking, truckers for A&P grocery, on south State Street.
James Howard then moved to a home on Wheeler Street in Brightwood, for employment while the youngest children remained
with his wife in Pendleton. James would work throughout the week and travel on the weekend to Pendleton.
In September 2001, Jeffrey A Anderson was contacted by the Dayton Daily News in response to an email inquiring if the newspaper would be willing to entertain
the idea of running a column about specific early setters of the Dayton area, their ancestors search for them,
and the trials and tribulations of such an endeavor. The newspaper sent a reporter to interview Jeffrey at his
home in late August. Jeff and Pam visited December visited Dayton / Vandalia to have his photo taken to run with the column which was published
by the newspaper Thursday January 10, 2002.
The earliest documented reunion was held Wednesday August 23 1905. This reunion
was heralded as the 18th Annual Reunion
of the Anderson Family. This places
this Anderson trees first 'formal' reunion about 1887. The location and exact
date are currently unknown.
The 1905 reunion document is paramount in tying
together the different Anderson and relation branches throughout the United
States. It also brings under the microscope additional family names and raises
additional questions.
Note that Ralph Carrol Leisure (b:Mar 1 1905 d: Jan 1980) information references an "article covering the Anderson Reunion in a Greenfield paper, dated August, 1895". To date this has not been located.
Our ancestors often used the following pattern in naming their children.
Males
Females
Although this was common practice, not every family named their children in this way. Sometimes children were given
Biblical names. Also, keep in mind that a given name that sounds like a surname can indicate a mothers or grandmothers
maiden name.
Our Scottish Heritage is a common bond many of us share....... For centuries, the Scots have made enormous contributions
in the fields of science, literature, mathematics, and religion Even the game of golf has its origins on the moors
of Scotland! Scots have spread over the globe throughout the years, bringing with them the culture of hardy people,
enriched with dress, music, art and dance. Clan societies celebrate and maintain this heritage that is Scottish
alone. Descendants of Scots trace their family surname to a specific family group in Scotland and generally affiliate
with that CLAN group. Membership in a clan society is a source of pride and kinship with others. Anderson is one
of the most ancient and common surnames from Scotland. It has a special reference to St. Andrew, the patron saint
of Scotland. The Christian name of Andrew is a Scottish favorite and "Anderson" is a derivation of "Andrew's
Son". Hence, the Anderson name is widely found throughout Scotland.
The Anderson's are of the Clan McDonald.
The Clan Crest is an oak tree encircled by a strap and buckle, and it usually bears the Clan motto. The Motto on
the Clan Anderson Crest is "STAND SURE" and appropriately describes the pride and spirit we feel as we
celebrate our Scottish roots.
The Tartan is a plaid cloth pattern that developed chiefly in Scotland.
The design consists of stripes of various widths and colors. The stripes cross at right angles against a solid
color background. The principal clans (tribes) in Scotland have their own tartans. Scottish regiments have also
adopted tartans. In countries other than Scotland, the word tartan also means a cloth or a garment with a tartan
design. The cloth that is used to make tartan is usually wool.
A tartan design is called a sett. The sett may be made in any size, depending on the intended use of the cloth.
Regardless of the size of the sett, the proportions of the stripes must remain the same. The colors of a sett may
vary in shade from pale to dark.
A Scottish Highlander wears a tartan kilt (a knee-length pleated skirt) and may carry a plaid over the left shoulder.
A plaid is a blanket like mantle fastened at the shoulder with a brooch. Other parts of the costume include a sporran
(pouch) hanging in front of the kilt, a doublet (jacket), and a bonnet (cap). The stockings may be of tartan pattern,
and the brogues (shoes) are low-cut. Tartan trews (trousers) are sometimes worn as an alternative to the kilt by
the Lowland Scottish regiments.
The use of chequered garments dates back to ancient times. The Irish, the Britons, the Caledonians of Scotland,
and the Celts in Europe wore them. Originally, tartans in Scotland were associated with districts. Later, they
were used to identify the chief clan of an area. Extra lines were added to some setts to show the wearer's rank.
Originally, the kilt and the plaid were part of a single large piece of tartan cloth. Wearers folded the tartan
lengthwise and gathered it around the waist with a belt.
The Anderson Tartan is unique among all of the Scottish tartans.
This is because it is the only tartan to have seven colors. All other tartans have six or less. Because of this,
the Anderson tartan must be woven on a special loom. The colors are primarily a rich blue with yellow, green and
red in the plaid. Three variations exist: The Ancient colors which are derived from the color scheme set mostly
by natural old world style dyes, The Modern colors, shown above, and derived from the use of modern chemical dyes
and the Muted colors which simulate a " weathered " tartan. The Royal Canadian Air Force tartan, which
has only five colors, is an officially registered variant of the Clan Anderson tartan. From a distance it is difficult
to distinguish between the two.
The descendants of James Anderson Family database has the following statistics as of October 2007
|
Individuals |
.... | 6398 |
|
Families |
.... | 2237 |
|
Events |
.... | 9670 |
|
Sources |
.... | 136 |
|
Cititations |
.... | 6339 |
|
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