Muhlenberg County Kentucky

Old Muhlenberg Map

Family Group Records W

James Weir

James Weir
Born: c. 1777, Fishing Creek, Chester County, SC
Married: 1) Anna C. Rumsey, 11 Nov 1814, Christian Co., Kentucky.
Married: 2) Jane A. Short, 23 Apr 1839, Jefferson Co., Kentucky.
Married: 3) Ruth Beach, between 1842 & 1845.
Died: 9 Aug 1845, age 69 years; buried Old Greenville Cemetery. Left will: Muhlenberg County Will Book 3 Page 72-75
Father: William Weir
Mother: Susannah Miller

Wife #1: Anna C. Rumsey
Married: 11 November 1814, Christian County, KY

Capt. James Weir married Anna C. Rumsey, daughter of Edward S.A. Miller.

Anna Cowan or Cowman was the “mother of his children” except for a baby born following James Weir's death to his wife Ruth. Mrs. Anna C. Weir died 21 May 1838, age 46 or 48 years and is buried in Old Greenville Cemetery with her husband.

Wife #2: Miss Jane A. Short
Married: 23 April 1839, Jefferson County, KY

James Weir of Greenville, KY, married Miss Jane A. Short of Louisville, KY. Source: Lexington Observer & Reporter of April 20, 1839. Jane's parents not known.

Jane is buried in Old Greenville Cemetery: “Jane A. Weir died 09 April 1841, 36 years” (See Muhlenberg County Deed Book 8 Page 623)

Wife #3: Between 1842 - 1845, James Weir married Ruth Beach. Confirmed by deeds and other records but marriage record not found. Ruth's surname comes from her 1867 will. She names her sister Martha Eaves. Martha G. Beech and Charles Eaves married in Muhlenberg County 24 March 1852.

Muhlenberg County, 01 September 1859, Ruth B. Weir, resident of Muhlenberg County, age 50, born New York, widow, married Ephraim M. Brank, age 68, widow, born Madison County, KY

Ruth B. Brank is buried in Old Greenville Cemetery “died 03 June 1867, age 56 years.” Next to her “Sacred to the Memory of Ruth, the Little Sister” no dates - believed to be Ruth Annette Weir, the daughter who was born following James Weir's death in 1845.

Children of James Weir & Anna C. Rumsey:

  1. Edward Rumsey Weir Sr., born 29 November 1816, Greenville, KY; died 05 February 1891; married 02 September 1838, in Muhlenberg County, Harriet Rumsey Miller (16 March 1822 - 16 February 1913, daughter of Samuel Adolphus/Augustus Miller). Edward was an author, merchant, planter, lawyer and member of the Kentucky state legislature during the Civil War.
  2. James Weir, born 16 June 1821, Greenville, KY; died 31 January 1906, Daviess County, KY; married 01 March 1842, Susan C. Green, daughter of Judge John Green of Danville, KY. James was Kentucky's first historical novelist. Author of Lonz Powers, Winter Lodge, and Simon Kenton
  3. Sallie Ann Weir, born 1825, KY; married 15 January 1840, Muhlenberg County, Edward R. Elliott. They moved to Jacksonville, IL, in 1851.
  4. Susan M. Weir, born 1826, KY; married 26 August 1846, Muhlenberg County, Professor William L. Green.
  5. Emily Weir, married 02 September 1838, Muhlenberg County, Samuel M. Wing, son of Charles Fox Wing.

Source Material:

A History of Muhlenberg County by Otto A. Rothert. Chapter 6, “The Weirs,” pages 56-62. John P. Morton & Company, Inc., Louisville, KY, 1913.

1796 October 18. S.22-23. Chester County, Pinckney District, SC
James Weir sold 200 acres inherited from his father to Charles Boyd. Granted to William Weir by grant bearing date February Twenty third 1768 and a Memorial thereof entered in Book H No. 8 page 440 and said land bequeathed unto the said James Weir by said William Weir last will and testament which said James Weir doth as aforesaid grant unto Charles Boyd. (Source: Charlene Gillespie Deutsch)

Muhlenberg County, KY Deed Book 8 Page 623. 22 April 1839
James Weir at his death gives to Jane A. Short his intended bride $10,000. She relinquished her Right of Dower in his estate at his death. Signed James Weir and Jane A. Short. Witnesses: C.W. Short and M.H. Short. Source: Muhlenberg County, KY Deed Books 6-10 Abstracts 1823-1842 by Brenda Collier Doss.

Muhlenberg County, KY Will Book 3 pages 72-75
James Weir Will of Greenville, Kentucky, dated 01 July 1845; proven August 1845. To wife Ruth and mentions his wife is with child. To daughter Ann, to daughter Susan M., to sons Edward R. and James, to daughter Emily, to nephew James W. Poag, to sister Jane Poag, to Maria Kinny (relationship not named), to niece Jane Short, to niece Susannah Rumsey, to Caroline R. Wing (relationship not shown), mentions sister Nancy. His sons Edward R. and James Weir were named Executors. Witnesses: Edward Rumsey and William H.C. Wing. Source: Muhlenberg County KY Abstract of Wills & Administrations by Marian G. Hammers.

Muhlenberg Court Order Book 5 Page 190. 23 February 1846
Mrs. Ruth Weir, widow of James Weir, Deceased, requested Edward R. Weir as guardian for her infant daughter Ruth Annette Weir.

Muhlenberg County, KY, Book 3 pages 229-230
Will of Ruth B. Brank; written 08 April 1867; proven 05 June 1867
To Mary Foly [sic] (relationship not shown); to niece Lilla D. Smith; to sister Martha Eaves; to Harriett Weir (relationship not given); to Lucinda Green, a colored woman; to Aggie Brank, a colored woman; to husband F.M. Brank; to Presbyterian Church, an amount toward building a church. Witnesses: John E. Reno and E.W. Martin.

Updated August 9, 2017