Aaron Hughes 
Aaron was born about 1735 in Morlatton (Douglassville), Berks County, Pennsylvania.1 Aaron's father was Francis Hughes Sr. and his mother was Christine. His paternal grandparents were Charles Hughes and Rebecca. He had three brothers and a sister, named Ingebo, John, Francis and Margaret. He was the third oldest of the five children.General Notes
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/u/g/David-M-Hughes/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-1264.html
Research of:
D. Michael Hughes
Broken Arrow Ranch
P. O. Box 530
Ingram, TX 78025
United States
830-367-5871
Fax: 830-367-5427
mhughes@brokenarrowranch.com
Aaron (G3) Hughes (son of Francis (G2) Hughes and Christina) was born 1735 in Morlatton (Douglassville), Berks County, PA, and died March 22, 1799 in Jefferson, Tennessee. He married Mary Moore, daughter of Thomas Moore and Mary Allen.
Includes NotesNotes for Aaron (G3) Hughes:
Aaron (Aron) is listed in the records of St. Gabriel's church as baptised on 21 October 1735 with Father Francis and Mother Christine. This was a Swedes log church at Manatawney (later known as Morlatton and now Douglassville. A sister "Margareth" is shown as baptised there on 6 September 1739 - same parents. These listings are in "Berks County Births" 1710-1780 John T. Humphrey. I have a copy of the church records in my files showing these baptisms. Since Aaron was baptised in 1735, I have listed this as his date of birth.
I don't know with certainty who his wife was. A note by Shields indicates she was Mary Moore, daughter of Thomas and Mary Moore. In Wayland's "History of Shenandoah County" p. 715, he lists the children of Thomas and Mary Moore without a child named Mary.
FROM: COLONIAL SOLDIERS OF THE SOUTH 1732-1774 (by Murtie Jane Clark) p 348 Aaron Hughes, private in Capt. Robt Stewart's Co., troop of light horse, Cumberland Fort, Jan 1756. (note that this age fits exactly with Aaron, son of Francis and Christina, born in September or October of 1735). This was the beginning of the indian wars in the valley of Virginia. Many young men joined the militia to defend the settlements. A Sergeant William Hughes (573?) is mentioned in several places as a member of Capt. Robt. Stewart's company (maybe a brother?).
A list of Capt. Andrew Bird's delinquents: ...Aaron Hughes, .....Valentine Sevier, Jr., ....Francis Hughes, Jr., ...to appear at next court martial to show why they did not attend a general muster on 16 April 1767. (This would be when Aaron was 31 years old) Jacob Rambo, ...John Hughes, ... to appear at the next court to show why they did not attend a general muster on 16 April 1767. Does the "Francis Hughes, Jr." prove he is a son of Francis? (This Francis Hughes, Jr. would have a birth date prior to 1747 - the year Francis bought land in
VA).
Note that this has Aaron, Valentine Jr., Francis (JR), and John all in the same company at a time which indicates birth dates between about
1725 and 1747. Also note that Jacob Rambo is in this company "A Size Roll of Col. Washington's Company, Aug 28, 1757" Aaron Hughs,
age 20 5'11" tall (tallest man in 86 men). This record indicates Aaron enlisted in Stafford County, VA Dec 1754 and was a carpenter by trade.
Is this our Aaron? (Note that Aaron, son of Francis and Christina, would be 21 years old as of this date). If so,
why Stafford County?
A John Hughs is listed as a resident of Stafford County on the Quit Rent Roll for 1742. He (or another John) appears again on the Stafford
personal property tax list of 1786. The Aaron who enlisted from Stafford County is probably a son of this John Hughs. Could this be our
John Hughs (G2) who is the son of Charles and Rebecca?
Hening's collection of the laws of Virginia: During the French and Indian War, the House of Burgesses passed an act for the defense of the
frontier of the colony on 14 September 1758. The soldiers mentioned in the schedule attached to this act appear below: ...Albemarle County....a Charles Hughes, Aaron Hughes, and a Matthias Hughes are listed.
Note that during this time the Virginia frontiers were under severe indian attacks. George Washington was stationed at Winchester, VA.
Andrew Lewis built "Fort Loudoun on the Holston" 30 miles SW of present Knoxville in 1756. When the Cherokee War broke out in 1759, the fort was besieged by the indians. Colonel William Byrd of Virginia was dispatched in 1760 to relieve the garrison but did not reach it. When Fort Loudoun was built, it was thought to be in VA. Other forts were built along the VA frontier to defend against indians.
Governor Dinwiddie instructed Colonel George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Virginia Regiment (May 16, 1757) to station Captain Robert Stewart of the Virginia regiment at Fort Maidstone with a garrison of seventy men (maybe including Aaron?). Captain Stewart had
been at Braddock's defeat in July, 1755 and had helped carry Braddock off the field of battle. It is possible John and Aaron Hughes were
there.
Is this Aaron is oldest son of Francis (73) As Aaron was named as administrator of Francis' will, I would think he would have been the oldest son. Other information from Pennsylvania makes me believe his first son was John, followed by Aaron. However when Francis died I believe John had left Virginia for North Carolina, Tennessee, or Kentucky. Would Aaron be named as administrator in the absence of John?
On 15 May 1762 Aaron (age 26) buys 90 acres from Thomas Moore and Mary his wife (land which is part of the same 400 ac parcel from which Francis bought 200 ac in 1747). Harry Long told me this 90 acres is the northern half of 180 acres which Thomas Moore owned and adjoined Francis Hughes' south property line.
From Shields - 1769 Augusta Co., VA John Moore 1883 acres adjoining his own land, Aaron Hughes, Woods, Matthew Harrison (John Moore married Sarah Byrd 1743-1833).
On June 22, 1769 Aaron was appointed constable, assisted by Jacob Woodley, and also instructed to examine the road from Hughes's Lane past Mathew Harrison's Mill to the county line,assisted by John Moore, Thomas Moore, and Jacob Woodley (Chalkley I, p 157). I have assumed this refers to Aaron, son of Francis (73). Note that this identifies a geographical feature "Hughes Lane" past a mill owned by the Harrison for which I think Harrisonburg VA was named.
In 1772, Aaron and John Hughes were added as parties to a suit by Mathias Lair (Lear) against John Gratton. Mathias Lear had bought 224
acres from John Hughes (G3) and wife Sarah 4 years before (1768).
In court records from VA: "Aaron Hughes, of Botetourt, vs Brewer Reeves, of Rockingham -- O. S. 15; N. S. 5 --Deed, 8th September, 1783.
Aaron Hughes to Brewer Reeves, recorded in Rockingham 24th November,1783. Ditto to ditto, 23d March, 1782; recorded in Rockingham.
Aaron Hughes' answer sworn to in Shenandoah County 12th July, 1792; speaks of "before he left Virginia.""
I think these notes are from "Botetourt Co. Court Records" - A Judgment on September, 1793 - "Byrd, assignee, vs Aaron Hughes - Bond by Aaron Hughes of Conwell County, State of Franklin, to James Hubbart, of same place, 21st October 1785. Commission to take depositions of Mark Jordan, James Cunningham, and Adrew Greer, Sr., inhabitants of the territory south of Ohio River, April 2, 1793. Commission is addressed to George Dougherty, Andrew Henderson, John Blackburn, Landon Carter, and James Stuart. Ceded territory of United States south of Ohio, Jefferson County. Affidavit before Parmenus Taylor and Garret Fitz, by James Cunningham, 23d March, 1793. Deposition of Mark Jordan (Jerden ?) in Jefferson County, territory south of Ohio, 15th August, 1793, that Aaron authorized his son, Abraham, to sign the bond. Deposition of Andrew Greer, in Washington County, same territory, 19th August 1793."
Note: An Aaron, Charles, and Mathias Hughes were all enlisted in the militia in Albemarle County, VA in 1758 in the same company where Andrew Greer was listed as a Sergeant. When I first saw this record of Aaron in Albemarle County, I was uncertain how Aaron could have enlisted in Albemarle County instead of Augusta County. It is possible that all of these Augusta County settlers had temporarily moved eastward to avoid the indian attacks that were ravaging the area. With the fact that Andrew Greer is also listed in this militia, it is possible that these are the Augusta Hughes's. Andrew Greer eventually becomes an important early settler in East Tennessee where Aaron also moves. This is the period of indian uprisings in the valley and many men left the valley joined the militia.
An Aaron Hughes is listed in Captain Frazier's Company, 1783 (Kegley's VA Frontier) in Botetourt Co. with 5 horses and 9 cattle - no slaves.
In the Tax List for 1785 for Botetourt County, Aaron Hughes is listed as having 320 acres with 5 horses and 8 cattle. Tax 90 pounds, 13 shillings, 4 pence.
In court records of Botetourt Co. in a case of Allen vs. Allen regarding a will, there is a statement that Aaron Hughes was the uncle of James
Skeen, aged 51 at 4/15/1811 (he would have been born in 1760). This must mean James was the child of a sister of Aaron - who would have been born in 1740 if she had this child at age 20. She would have been married to a Skeen. It could also mean that Aaron was married to a Skeen or that his wife's sister was married to a Skeen. The name Moore is involved in this case. Also note that on 4th Sept 1747 a John Millar sold to Francis H (73) land which stated "other part in possession of Thomas Moore Teste: Mathew Skeen... This shows a connection between Francis, Moore, and Skeen.
When this Aaron (G3) died, his will was admin by a John - this must be Aaron's son John whose birth and baptism in 1773 is recorded in
Wayland's "A History of Shenandoah County VA" p. 741.
In "Settlers by the Long Grey Trail": "On the 28th April, 1778, 'William Mc Dowell Gent., Thomas Moore, Aaron Hughes, and Reuben
Harrison, or any three of them' were ordered to appraise the estate of Andrew Huling, deceased. (Rockingham Court Order Book I, p. 3.)" Check this Court book for info.
From "Annals of SW VA" by Summers 1769-1800: Aaron Hughes Grantee of 320 acres of land "Cowpasture" from Wm Gillaspy and Mary his wife on 8/10/1780. I have assumed this is in Botetourt Co. VA. Cowpasture Creek is a branch of the James River entering upstream of Craig's creek and downstream of the Jackson River and Pott's Creek. Mill Mountain is to the NE of this creek. A William Gillespie is shown on the tax rolls of Botetourt Co., VA in the same company as Aaron.
Aaron Hughes is shown as a witness to will of Thomas Brandon 1789 in Greene Co.
The 1800 tax list of Jefferson Co. lists Aaron Hughes 320 ac. and no poll tax (overage or absentee owner). Next to him is John Hughes 600 ac 1 wp. This would seem to place this Aaron in TN no later than 1800. Grey speculates that the Aaron here is (G3) who died in 1799, a year before the tax roll was made out. The John next door is probably his son who was named as administrator of his will in 1799. WE NEED A COPY OF THIS WILL. WHO ARE NAMED HEIRS?
July 29, 1790 Aaron Hughes sells to Daniel Kenedy a negro girl named Jane. He states "I Aaron Hughes of Greene County and State of North Carolina" (Daniel Kennedy married Margaret Hughes, speculated to be the daughter of Francis (G3), which would make her a sister of Aaron.
IN "JEFFERSON COUNTY MARRIAGE LICENSES"" Aaron Hughes p. 98 - John Sehorn certifies that a black woman named Aggy was born on the French Broad in Greene Co. (now Jefferson Co.) and that she is the daughter of a black woman called Cate who was certified by Aaron Hughes to be free (she was born in 1787).
NOTES ON "OTHER" AARON HUGHES:
There are some early references to a Quaker named Aaron Hughes as follows (probably not our Aaron): From "Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy" Vol II Penn: Burlington MM an Aaron Hughes reported married to Jane West 1769,5,1. In 1769,6,5 Jane West and Aaron Granted certificate to Haddonfield MM. Philadelphia mm 2-6-1772 William Hughs, son of Aaron, buried at age of 4 mo. Phil mm - 1771,6,28 Aaron Hewes and wife Mary condemned - married out of discipline. This could coincide with Shields/Chalkley's indication
that our Aaron married a Mary Moore. Were the Moores possibly Quakers?
Why would Aaron have been at the Phil. mm in 1771?
1777,4,25 Aaron Hewes and wife Mary with children Lydia and Samuel granted certificate to Salem MM NJ. This Aaron moved to NJ and
must not be the same person as Aaron (45).
All of the above notes about a Quaker Aaron Hewes in the 1770's must not apply to the Aaron who lived in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. He had moved to VA and all these Quaker notes are about Philadelphia and NJ.
An Aaron Hughes is listed in "Early Tennessee Wills & Administrations" as dying in Smith County, TN in 1799. Will book 1 page 258. Check this information.
More About Aaron (G3) Hughes:
Burial: 1799, Jefferson County, TN.
Christening: October 21, 1734, Morlatton, Berks, PA.
Miscellaneous: +.
Residence: 1799, Jefferson County, TN.
Children of Aaron (G3) Hughes and Mary Moore are:
1. +Moses (G4) Hughes, b. Bet. 1750 - 1760, d. October 31, 1833.
2. Abraham Hughes, b. Bef. 1764.
3. +John (G4) Hughes, b. December 10, 1773, ,,VA, d. February 09, 1855, ,Washington County, MO.
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