An American Family History

The Cunningham Family

Christopher Columbus Cunningham, Sr. was born about 1710.

His first wife was Susannah Patton.

Christopher Columbus Cunningham, Jr. (1731, married Eliza Robertson),
Elizabeth Cunningham (1732, married Gatril),
Susannah Cunningham (1734, married Charles Robertson),

His second wife was Mary Musgrove.

Lydia Cunningham (1752),
John Cunningham (1754, married Martha Blair),
Mary Cunningham (1756, married William Jobe),
Jane Cunningham (1757, married Isaac Taylor),
Sarah Cunningham, (1757),
Ann Cunningham (1758, married Orr),
Jacob Cunningham (1759, married Elizabeth Wilhoit),
Joseph Cunningham (1767),
Moses Cunningham (1771, married Margaret Long),
Matthew Cunningham (1772),
Aaron Cunningham (1774),
David Roe Cunningham (1775).

In the 1760s they moved from Virginia to the Watauga Settlement.

Christopher, Sr. and Jr. signed the Watauga Petition in 1776 to join North Carolina.

In 1777, Christopher Cunningham witnessed James Cox's will in Washington County.

On August 27, 1778 Christopher, Jr. and John took the oath of allegiance at the Washington County court

Christopher died on November 11, 1782 in Washington County, Tennessee.

In the name of God, amen. The tenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two [1782] I Christopher Cunningham of the County of Washington and state of North Carolina,...

Imprimus I give and bequeath to Mary My Dearly beloved Wife the third part of all my household goods and moveables together with the third part of all my lands messauges and tenements by her freely to be possessed and enjoyed during her Life,

Item I give and bequeath to my Fifteen children Viz
My Daughter Elizabeth GatrilL,
my daughter Susanna Robertson
My Daughter Lydda Cunningham
my son John Cunningham
my Daughter Mary Job
my Daughter Sarah Cunningham
my Daughter Jane Cunningham
my son Jacob Cunningham
my son Joseph Cunningham
my son Matthew Cunningham
my son Moses Cunningham
my son Aaron Cunningham
my Daughter Alinore Cunningham
and my son David Cunningham

all and singular my lands messauges and tenements and by them freely to be possessed and enjoyed

and if Either of the aforementioned should died before he or she heireth their Legacy then the Legacy of the Deceased Equally to be divided between those that are living except my Daughter Elizabeth Gatril and my Daughter Susanna Robertson to have no part of the Legacy that John Musgroves left to Mary my wife

and after convenient time may be all my household goods and moveables to be sold at publick sale

and Division thereof to be made so as that my Executors shall bid off and return into my wifes possession as much of the goods and chattels as may be thought to be the equal part of all that which is in her charge at the time my Land also to be kept undivided until such time that my youngest Child comes of age or such time as he may Do for himself that it may be for the support of those that are yet to raise

and as they shall come of age two men being duly Sworn shall Value off to them their Legacy according as things sold at the Vendue

And Do appoint and ordain Matthew Talbot and Joseph Tipton the sole executors of this my Last will and Tes tament.

And I do utterly disallow revoke and Disannul all and every other former will and Testament in anyways before now. Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last will a nd Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the Day and year first a bove written.
his
Christopher CC Cunningham
mark
Signed sealed published pronounced and Declared by the sd Christopher Cunningham as his Last will and testament in presents of us
Robert Orr
Isaac Taylor

From Roster of Soldiers and Patriots of the American Revolution Buried in Tennessee

Christopher Cunningham, Sr. born c1720 death according to his will dated 10 November 1782 wa s buried in the Family Cemetery on Buffalo Creek, past Milligan College, Johnson City, TN
married 1st Susannah Patton,
married secondly Mary Musgroves (widow [daughter] of John Musgrove).

Children Chris, Jr. died 27 August 1781,
Susana wife of Charles Robertson;
Lydia;
Elizabeth Gabriel;
Mary Job;
Ann Orr; Jacob;
Joseph;
Matthew;
Moses;
Aaron;
David;
Ellinor;
Jane married Isaac Taylor;
Sarah; and
John.