Born in Antrim Co, North Ireland of Scots-Irish ancestry. Early Mecklenburg Co, NC deed says James Orr late of Pennsylvania, weaver which means that was his profession.
Private in Capt. Charles Polk's regiment during the American Revolutionary War. Married Sarah McConnell in 1770. Six sons were born to them before Sarah died in 1783. He married Margaret Jane Lemmond, daughter of William Marr Lemmond in 1785, had three daughters and three sons. James and Margaret died in March 1829 in Mecklenburg Co NC close to Union County.
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Will of James Orr of Mecklenburg County North Carolina. This is a typed copy, due to difficulty in reading the handwriting, of the will from Will Book E Pages 48 and 49 housed in the Charlotte North Carolina Archives of the Probate Office.
In the name of God Amen. I James Orr of the County of Mecklenburg and State of No. Carolina being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body I knowing that it is _______________________
The same in the following manner and form Viz. I give and bequeath William Orr my beloved son the sum of five shillings, then I give Nathan Orr my beloved son one bay mare, one cow, one heifer and one yearling steer. Then, I give and bequeath unto Jean Mitchell my daughter one sorrel mare, one cow, one heifer and one yearling and one ?, then I give and bequeath unto Charles Orr by beloved son a sum of ten pounds if demanded by him within two years after my demise, but if not it is my will and pleasure that this legacy be equally divided between my two sons Nathan and James. Then I give and bequeath unto James Orr my beloved son all that ? or tract of lands on which I live to him his heirs ? forever farther my wife and pleasure that after the payment of all my just ? and the labor mentioned legacies that the remainder of all my state the property of my said son James Orr and I do hereby ? and appoint my sons Nathan Orr and James Orr my sole executors of my last will and testament and do hereby utterly disallow ________
Other former wills, testaments and executors in any wise named willed ?, unearthed before, Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament , in witness where of I the said James Orr have hereunto set my hand.
Seal this 16th. Day of February 1778.
Sealed pronounced and declared by James Orr as his last will and testament in presence of:
Nathan Orr }
Agnis Allen } James Orr ---------Seal
Hez. Herandes }