John Bruce Family
Richard Carter married Margaret Bruce, daughter of John Bruce of
Frederick Co. Va.
John Bruce was an early settler in Frederick County, Virginia. No land Grant
or other record has been found for John Bruce before his will in 1747. He
obviously owned 300 acres of land, as he devised 150 acres to his
son,George, and 150 acres to his son, James. This probably was the 300 acres
which Hugh Parell gave to " my loving kinsman, John Bruce" in his will, also
dated1747. Perhaps Hugh Parrel had given land to John Bruce at an earlier
date, and affirmed the gift in his will.
On 4 November 1747, John Bruce,"being sick and weak of Body but of perfect
mind and memory" wrote his will. He bequeathed to his son, James Bruce, "the
Plantation I now live on with all the improvements.... being one hundred
fifty acres." To his son George Bruce he bequeathed one hundred and fifty
acres of "the remaining tract of land lying on the south side of the
aforementioned Plantation and on the Licks with the Clear Land". His son,
James Bruce was to "be one half in building a house 24 feet by 16 with
shingle roof and also a Barn of 25 feet by 18." James Bruce and George Bruce
were to maintain "my loving wife Sarah Bruce as long as she lives or remains
a widow." Daughters Mary Albin and Margaret Carter were to have ten
shillings each. Son James Bruce was to have "my new great Coate and bever
hatt" and Richard Carter my son-in-law "my sute of wooling clothes." His
son-in-law, William Albin, was to have "my sute of Linnen clothes." Sons
James Bruce and George were to serve as Executors. Others named in the will
included William Memachin, Hugh Parrel and Richard Calvert. Witnesses were
Edward C. Parrel, James McCoy, and Elizabeth King.
He died before 1 November 1748, the date on which the will was proved in
Court by the oaths of James McCoy and Elizabeth King. These witnesses also
made oath that they saw Edward Parnell the other witness sign the same, and
James Bruce and George Bruce the Executors made Oath to the same.
Hugh Parrel made his will the same year. Besides bequests to his wife and
children, he left 300 acres on the southwest side of Red Bud Creek to "my
loving kinsman, John Bruce". He also mentioned "my Cousin Robert Calvert."
Witnesses were Thomas Wood, James Bruce, Isaiah Calvert, and Richard
Calvert. Robert Calvert qualified as executor, with William McMachen and
Richard Calvert as sureties. His will was probated on 5 October 1748.
John Baylis conducted two surveys for James Bruce and George Bruce on two
dates: 9 October 1752 and 26 April 1753. These surveys were for 310 acres
and 316 acres on the south side of Red Bud Creek, a branch of Opeckon. The
land adjoined Hugh Pearl, John Calvert's heirs(the plat shows Richard
Calvert), James Carter, Fairfax Road and Thomas Perry.
Other surveys by John Baylis show adjoining land holders, Calvert heirs,
Joseph Carter and Joseph Hubbs.
Calvert heirs had surveys on 25 April 1753 and 31 December 1757. The land
consisted of 750 acres on Red Bud Run and on the east side of the Great
Wagon Road. It adjoined Henry Brinker, Benjamin Blackburn, Hugh Pearl, Isaac
Hollingsworth, Enoch Pierson, James Carter, James and George Bruce. Chain
carriers for the first survey were Edward Griffith and Richard Abbot, and
for the second survey they were the same with Thomas Spencer and William
Duckworth.
Joseph Carter had survey of 300 acres on 26 April 1753 for the land he was
living on. The land was on a branch of Abraham's Creek and adjoined John
Calvert's heirs, Isaac and George Hollingsworth, James and George Bruce. A
note was added which stated, "If this land is within two miles of the town
to postpone the survey till further orders.
Joseph Hubbs had 500 acres of land surveyed on drafts of Opeckon on
Abraham's Creek, Ash Run, Fairfax Road, and Red Bud Creek. The land adjoined
Col. Benjamin Grayson, James Carter, James and George Bruce, Thomas Perry,
Joseph Carter and Richard Carter.
Children of John Bruce:
1. James Bruce married Margaret McMahon about 1744. He went first to the
north branch of the Potomac in Maryland. He was a carpenter and farmer.
2. George Bruce married Rachel Littler. He remained on the north side of
Red Bud Run, a branch of the Opeckon. This land was just north of
Winchester, near to where William Albin lived. George Bruce married Rachel
Littler, daughter of John and Mary(Ross)Littler. According to Hopewell
Friends Meeting records, Rachel Bruce lost her membership in the Quaker
Church for neglecting meeting and going to the Methodists.
3. Mary Bruce married William Albin. They remained in Frederick County
until he died. In 1772 his son John, whose wife was Ann, sold the land
William had obtained from Thomas Lord Fairfax, which land John had inherited
upon the death of his father.
4. Ann Bruce married Joseph McCoy. They are said to have Gone to
Pennsylvania.
. Margaret Bruce married Richard Carter.