Madness Monday: Which Angus Currie (Born Abt. 1770 in Scotland) married Florah McDuffie and which Angus Currie (Born Abt. 1770 in Scotland) married Flora Currie?

Author: Julie September 15, 2016 9 Comments

I have a puzzle for this issue of Madness Monday (And, yes, I realize that today is a Thursday!).

Various researchers of Angus Currie, born about 1770 in Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland, show this SAME man being married to TWO different women and having TWO completely different sets of children.

But there isn’t any proof that this WAS the SAME man who simply married two same-named women and had two differing sets of offspring.

DATA ON THE TWO ANGUS CURRIES AND WIVES:

While working on this blog entry, I found it difficult to keep the data I found on the two Angus Curries and their wives separate. To help me keep accurate track of information, I created the following chart as I went and worked. It summarizes my findings.

NAME	BIRTH INFORMATION (DATE & LOCATION)	IMMIGRATION DATE TO AMERICA	SETTLED WHERE?	SPOUSE & MARRIAGE YEAR	DEATH INFORMATION (DATE & LOCATION)	PARENTS OF:
Angus Currie #1	Abt. 1770; Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland	1812; from Scotland	North Carolina	Florah McDuffie Marriage likely in Scotland. Year unknown	Before 1820 – 1826; Robeson, NC	1. Nancy Currie, b. 1790 2. Robert Currie, b. 1795 3. Catherine Currie, b. 1801 4. Daniel Currie, b. 1802 5. Neill D. Currie, b. 1807 6. Hector Currie, b. 1805 7. Jennette Currie, b. 1810
Florah McDuffie	Abt. 1770; Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland	Unknown date; from Scotland	North Carolina	Married Angus Currie #1; date and location unknown	28 March 1856; Raeford, Robeson, NC.   She is likely the 2nd Flora Currie buried in McEachern Cemetery.	Same as above
Archibald Currie (father of Flora Currie below)	Jan 1727 Kintyre (formerly Cantyre), Argyll, Scotland	1775; from Kintyre, Scotland	Bladen county (later Robeson county, now Hoke county)	Wife unknown; believed to be Sarah McDonald.	Abt. 1816 Unknown location	Flora Currie (b. 20 May 1774) and brother, Randall Currie. Possibly another son.
Angus Currie #2	17 Sept 1770, Isle of Colonsay, Kintyre, Scotland	1791; from Scotland	Robeson, NC	Flora Currie (b. 1774). Married about 1797.	10 June 1843 (or 1845), Robeson, NC.   Buried in McEachern Cemetery at Mill Prong	1. Isabella Currie, b. 1798 2. Mary Catherine Currie, b. 1800 3. John C. Currie; b. 1803 4. Archibald J. Currie; b. abt 1806 5. Flora Currie; b. abt 1808 6. Angus R. Currie; b. abt 1813 7. Sally Currie
Flora Currie	20 May 1774; Kintyre, Scotland	1775; from Scotland	Robeson, NC	About 1797 to Angus Currie #2	19 Sept 1834, Robeson, NC.   Buried in McEachern Cemetery at Mill Prong	Same as above

 

THE PROBLEM:

My 2^nd great grandmother, Jennette Currie, supposedly had parents named Angus Currie and Florah McDuffie. I don’t have clear proof of this parentage though it is a fairly common belief among researchers that these are her parents (I realize that without documentation that “belief” is simply speculation and proof is needed; I’m searching. Records for this lineage are minimal).

The couple had the following children. They are named in several records, including three of these persons being named in the Last Will and Testament of Nancy Currie (written 10 Aug 1861) [1].

1. Nancy Currie, b. 1790, Scotland; d. 15 Sep 1861, Robeson (present Hoke Co), NC
2. Robert Currie, b. 1795, North Carolina; d. 17 Mar 1858, Copiah, MS
3. Catherine ‘Katie’ Currie, b. 01 Jun 1801, NC; d. 22 Aug 1857, Sumter, GA
4. Daniel Currie, b. 01 Jun 1802, NC; d. 17 Jan 1871, Robeson, NC
5. Neill D. Currie, b. abt. 1807, Robeson, NC; d. 28 Jan 1869, Orange Springs, Marion, FL
6. Hector Currie, b. Aug 1805, Robeson, NC; d. 19 Jul 1850, Robeson, NC
7. Jennette Currie, b. abt. 1810, Robeson, NC; d. Unknown, Sale City, Mitchell, GA [2]

We’re okay so far but here’s the rub: According to numerous online trees and data more easily found, this Angus Currie (I’ll call him ANGUS #1 for now) was born 17 Sept 1770 in Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland and he died 10 June 1843 in Robeson, North Carolina. [3, 4] A marriage year has not been located but they should have married in Scotland as their first child, Nancy, was born in Scotland.

His wife, Florah McDuffie, is believed to have been born 1770 in Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland (1850 Robeson, NC census) [5] and died 28 March 1856 in Robeson, North Carolina [6]. She is listed in the 1830 Robeson, North Carolina census as a head of household (which suggests she is a widow) and living with children [6]. In the 1850 Upper Division, Robeson, North Carolina census she is listed as 80 years of age, born in Scotland, and living with her daughter, Nancy Currie (birthplace is also Scotland) [5]. A year of 1850 minus a birth year of 1770 for Florah equals her being 80 years of age, so the math works.

BUT, according to a large number of other online family trees and research, an Angus Currie (I call him ANGUS #2) who is ALSO listed as born 17 Sept 1770 in Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland and with the SAME DEATH DATE – in other words, the same man — married a Flora Currie (no relation) and had a completely different set of kids.

So, we seem to have the same Angus Currie fathering two different families by two different wives who are named some versions of Flora. What’s the truth? Is it possible that they ARE the same person with two families? I don’t believe so — though it is possible. I read that Angus #2 only had one wife. [4]

ANGUS CURRIE #2 AND WIFE, FLORA CURRIE (NO RELATION):

The offspring of Angus #2 and Flora Currie are believed to be:

1. Isabella Currie, b. 1798; d. 07 Sept 1846
2. Mary Catherine Currie, b. 31 Dec 1800
3. John C. Currie; b. 03 Oct 1803, Robeson, NC
4. Archibald J. Currie; b. abt 1806, Robeson, NC
5. Flora Currie; b. abt 1808, Robeson, NC
6. Angus R. Currie; b. abt 1813, Robeson, NC; d. 1846
7. (not proven) Sally Currie [4]

Angus Currie #2 signed his will on 08 Oct 1842; it was proved August 1843. Most of the children above (with the exception of Mary Catherine and Sally) are named in his will and his executors were sons John C. Currie and Angus R. Currie. He leaves (amongst other items) Angus R. Currie his 350-acre plantation and utensils; son, Archibald, a “young mare”; his daughters Isabella and Flora land, slaves, bushels of corn, salt pork, and money; and his son, John C. Currie, a slave. [8]

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:  

According to a grave marker in the old McEachern Cemetery at Mill Prong (also known on www.findagrave.com as Mill Prong Cemetery), in Robeson county, North Carolina (present day Hoke county) for an “Angus Currie,” he emigrated to America in 1791. It is likely, according to an article in Colonsay Magazine, that Angus Currie may have crossed the waters on the “General Washington” which sailed in 1791 direct from Colonsay to Wilmington, North Carolina. [9]

There is also an existing record on the Passenger and Immigration Index list (1500’s-1900’s) proving an Angus Currie immigrated to America in 1812: Primary Immigrant: Angus Currie. Age: 42. Estimated Birth Year: abt 1770. Arrival Place: North Carolina. [10] So who is THIS Angus Currie? Both Angus’s were born about 1770 and ended up in North Carolina.

Next, about Flora Currie (wife of Angus Currie #2): Depending on what record one looks at, she was born either 20 May 1774 [as found on her grave marker; details below] or 20 January 1774 [11]

In the old McEachern cemetery are the graves of two persons, believed to accurately be Angus #2 and Flora Currie. Their graves are marked as such:

In memory of Angus Currie, born in the Isle of Colonsay, Scotland,

September 17, 1770; came to Am 1791 D. June 10, 1843. He was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church. Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord. [4, 7]

 

Beside his grave is that of his wife, thus marked:

In memory of Flora,

consort of Angus Currie,

born in the Island of Cantyre, Scotland, May 20, 1774;

Came to Am 1775 Sept. 19, 1834.

Whom have I in heaven but thee? [4, 7]

There also exists in the McEachern cemetery a gravestone for another Flora! This is very likely Florah McDuffie Currie, wife of Angus #1.

Flora widow of Angus Currie. A native of Isle of Colonsay Scotland D. March 28, 1856 age 86 years. Jesus, on Thee, our hope depends. Laudes” (the stone cutter). [4, 7]

So there were two Angus’s and two Flora/Florah’s who all lived in Robeson, North Carolina at about the same time. (To really confuse things, there is a third Angus Currie who was born in Scotland and emigrated in 1790 to Moore county, North Carolina.)

MY CONCLUSION:

I have found far more family records, such as a Currie family Bible, a will, a grave marker, and quotes from John C. Currie (son of Angus and Flora Currie)— existing for Angus Currie #2, so for now –

I will have to assume that Angus Currie #2 is NOT the father of my Jennette Currie.

MY Angus Currie likely is the one who immigrated into America in 1812 and married Florah McDuffie. His correct birth date is still about 1770 and, according to the passage record, he also was born in Colonsay, Argyll, Scotland. But he most likely did NOT die 10 June 1843, as I believe that is Angus #2. Researcher Emma Lou Weldon, who has studied this line for years, notes a death date between 1820 and 1826 in Robeson county, North Carolina. This come from the 1830 Robeson, NC census that lists his wife as a likely widow (as she is now head of household).

Note that some persons refer to Florah McDuffie as “Flora Consort McDuffie”; I guess they added the middle name from the fact that Flora is called a “consort” of Angus on the gravestone in McEachern Cemetery! However, this is the wrong Flora/h.

If anyone has ANY information to assist me in this quest for correct records and data, please contact me.

In the meantime, all those family trees who list Angus #2 (death date of 10 Jun 1843 or 1845) as the father of Jennette Currie and her siblings I, regrettably, have to assume are wrong.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

SOURCE LIST:

[1] “Nancy Currie.” Last Will and Testament, recorded in Robeson Co. Original Wills, 1763-1935, CR 083.801.3. Web. Emma Lou Weldon, transcriber. http://www.myrtlebridges.us/nancycurrie.htm :  accessed 19 May 2012.

[2] Clear proof of this list in its entirely hasn’t been located.

[3] Find A Grave, database and images (http://findagrave.com : accessed 07 Jan 2013), memorial page for Angus Currie (1770 – 1845). Web. Record added 13 Oct 2007 by Never Ending Story. Memorial # 22152912, citing Mill Prong Cemetery, Hoke county, North Carolina.

[4] McLeod, William Angus. “The Curries and Their Kin.” Copied by Claudia Elsie Currie, 2004. http://www.capefearclans.com/CurrieHistory.html : accessed Feb 2013

[5] 1850 U.S. census, Robeson, North Carolina, Upper Division, population schedule, roll M432_642, page 349B, image 199, dwelling 542, family 542, Florah Currie; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 27 Sep 2013); citing NARA microfilm publication M432, 1009 rolls.

[6] 1830 U.S. census, Robeson, North Carolina; population schedule, ED unstated, roll 124, series: M19, page 247, film 0018090, Flora Curry; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 27 Sep 2013); citing NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls.

[7] “McEachern Cemetery, Mill Prong House,” http://millpronghouse.com/cemetery.html : accessed 27 Mar 2016.

[8] Wills, “Angus Currie” North Carolina County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (Robeson County); Robeson, North Carolina. Ancestry.com. North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015; citing North Carolina County, District and Probate Courts.

[9] The Corncake, web, http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hotel/old1/cornb108.html : accessed 17 Mar 2006

[10] 1812 North Carolina, page 335; digital image, Ancestry.com. U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA, 2010; citing Filby, P. William, ed. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2012.

[11] Dobson, David. Directory of Scots in the Carolinas, 1680-1830, Volume 1. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc., 1986). Google Book Search. Web. 22 June 2015.