An American Family History

About 1724, Robert and Elizabeth Looney came to America from the Isle of Man, Great Britain. They first lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and then in colonial Maryland. They finally settled in Augusta County, Virginia on the James River on Looney Creek. A fort was built there in 1755 near the Looney home. It was named Fort Looney and was at the junction of Looney Creek and the James River.

Robert and Elizabeth's children included:
Thomas Looney (1718),
Robert Looney (1721) and
David Looney (1735).

Watauga Pioneer Neighbors

Michael Looney married Temperance Cross.

Col. David Looney lived on Muddy Creek, two miles above the Holston, where he erected a blockhouse.

Robert Looney (1721) married Margaret Rhea. Margaret was the Joseph Rhea's (1715) sister.

Their children included:
John Looney (1744),
Captain Moses Looney (1745),
Benjamin Looney (1748),
Samuel Looney (1751), and
Mary Looney (1756).

Moses Looney (1745) was a captain in the militia as early as 1774. The organization of the first court of Sullivan county was at the house of Moses Looney in the month of February, 1780. Moses Looney was captured and carried into captivity by the Indians in 1781.

Samuel Looney (1751) was one of the earliest settlers of the Holston Settlements. He had a large tract of land located on the Holston, one mile below the mouth of Beaver Creek.

He married Nancy (Ann) Lane.

Samuel Looney was killed by the Indians leaving her with three children: Moses Looney (1775), Samuel Looney (1776), and Sarah Looney (1777).

After his death, Nancy Lane Looney married Elijah Cross.

from "Governor Blount's Journal" in American Historical Magazine, Volume 2

Monday October 25th 1790.

The Persons holding commissions in the County of Sullivan under the Authority of the State of North Carolina, having convened at the court house at the request of the Governor, he addressed them in the words he had addressed those at the Washington Court House on the 23d, and then appointed and commissioned—George Maxwell, John Scott, John Shelby, Abraham McLellan, William King, William Delany, Gilbert Christian, John Anderson, Joseph Wallace, Robert Allison, Richard Gammon, David Perry, George Vincent and David Loony Justices of the peace in and for the county of Sullivan.