Notes

Note N2197 Index

"James McCallister died in an area of Virginia called Bath County. This county was formed from Augusta, Botetourt and Greenbrier Counties in 1790 (McAllister, J.G. (1920) "Brief History of Bath Country Virginia"). This is of note since Botetourt existed during the Revolutionary War, and was the county of record for some of the McCallister family (e.g., Revolutionary War records). The above reference also notes the region was settled by "Scotch-Irish Men of Ulster, Ireland, who left that Country to escape the tyranny of the crown.," and that they were Protestant. This would be consistent with the history of the Ulster region of Ireland, which was colonized by Presbyterians from Scotland starting in 1606 (Perceval-Maxwell, M. (1999). The Scottish Migration to Ulster in the Reign of James I. Belfast: Ulster Historical Foundation. p. 89. ISBN 0-901905-44-5.) I think this settlement of Scottish people in Ireland explains a bit more of why these people who later immigrated to the U.S. were called "Scotch-Irish".--Notes on the History of Bath, Virginia by Gregory Koch (Ancestry.com)

In 1770, he was a farmer. Court Records in Botetourt Co, Va records show the growing of hemp on the James McCallister plantation. February and March show 1,790 pounds grown. In 1771, James served as Constable of Botetourt County.

In researching this family, you find references to the McCallister's as being one of the old "ranger" families. Recently, I have been able to figure out what was meant by that. John's grandfather, James McCallister, was born in Ireland and came to the colonies as a child himself. He married Mary McGloughlin in 1746, she being an Irish immigrant herself. This family moved down into Virginia, and that began their association with the rangers.
Rangers were young men who were appointed by the local governments to help maintain security at the frontiers of the colonies. They were usually formed into companies and were sent out to help defend the colonies against attack by both Indians and by the French. Like the army rangers today, these men had distinctive uniforms. One company, known as Butler's Rangers, wore dark green coats and waistcoats, scarlet facings, leather overalls or buckskin leggings; black leather skullcaps with brass front and black cockade on the left side; belts were buff, also green dyed hunting shirts with mid blue dyed fringe. Not exactly a camouflage uniform
Rangers were most active during the so-called Dunmore's War, just before the Revolutionary War broke out. Rangers had a reputation of being savage, uncouth, butchers, the dregs of the frontier, but many of them were also educated and cultured. Typical missions were chasing down bands of horse thieves, reinforcing stockades and intercepting Indian war parties. Call-ups could last from a few days to several weeks at a time. Some companies of rangers were granted immunity for any acts they committed while on active duty.
In addition to his service as a ranger, James McCallister served in the Revolutionary war as part of Capt. Galloway's Company. Some of James's children, including John's father Edward, later moved down to Kentucky. And that's where Lizzie's father was born.

"Frederick County, Virginia Court Order Book #17, 1778-1781 p. 271 Court held for Frederick County the 8th of March 1780 p. 274: James McAlester came into Court and deposed ... that he was appointed a Lieutenant in the Pennsylvania Regiment in the year 1763 in which capacity he served during the war with the French and Indians at the same time produced his commission under the hand of James Hamilton Esquire, Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania, and also deposed that he has never received any lands for the said services. And that he is now a citizen of this State. And that this is the first time of his making proof thereof, which is ordered to be certified

Father of Pvt Edward McCallister"--Find-a-grave

Alternate death place Warm Springs, Bath county, Virginia,, per Find-a-grave, cemetery unknown ID#75989675
Alternate date of death 1799 per "The Family of James McAllister..." From the same source, alternate marriage date and place is 1750 in Ireland.

Will of James McCallister: In the name of God, Amen, I, James McCallister, of the County of Bath and State of Virginia of sound mind and judgment but knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following: I recommend my soul to the divine being and dispose of all things and my body to be buried in decent and Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors hereafter mentioned and touching such worldly estate as sit hath pleased Got to bless me with, after funeral expenses are paid, I dispose of in the following manner, to wit: I five and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary McCallister, fifty pounds n cash to be first paid out of my estate, and her bed and sufficient clothing, with the pewter, her trunk and wearing apparel and a horse creature of the value of twenty pounds and cow. ITEM, I give an bequeath to my two daughters, Hannah Barnett and Mary Waters, twenty pounds in cash each, ITEM, I give and bequeath to my different Grandsons, William McAllister, son to Thomas McAllister and James McAllister, son to John McAllister; James McAllister, son to James McAllister; James McAllister, son to Richard McAllister and James McAllister, son to Edward McAllister; James McAllister, so to Garrett McAllister, and James Barnett, each to have five pounds cash out of my estate. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my seven children, Thomas McAllister, John McAllister, Richard McAllister, Edward McCallister, Garrett McCallister, Hana Barnett and Mary Waters, the residue of my estate both real and personal, to be equally divided between them, except five shillings I give to my son James McCallister, all which legacies I do bind to the different legatees, their heirs and assigns forever. Lastly, I constitute and appoint my two sons, Thomas McAllister and John McAllister, executors of this my last will and testament, ratifying and confirming this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of June, 1799. Signed, sealed and acknowledged by Moses Mann. James McAllister X his mark"--Bath County Virginia Will Book Volume 1, page 187.

Snippets for Revolutionary War Service.
Brief History
The 7th Regiment was formed in February, March, April, and May of 1776 at Gloucester County Courthouse. Companies recruited men from Halifax, Albemarle, Botetourt, Gloucester, King William, Essex, Middlesex, Cumberland, King and Queen, Orange and Fincastle Counties. Field officers at Valley Forge were Colonel Alexander McClanachan, [1] Lt. Colonel Holt Richardson, and Major John Cropper. [2]

Colonels
1776-1776 - Colonel William Dangerfield in command from 29 Feb 1776 to 13 Aug 1776
1776-1777 - Colonel William Crawford in command from 14 Aug 1776 to 4 Mar 1777
1777-1778 - Colonel Alexander McClanachan in command from 22 Mar 1777 to 13 May 1778
1778-1780 - Colonel Daniel Morgan in command from 14 Sep 1778 to 13 Oct 1780
1781-1783 - Colonel John Gibson in command from 12 Feb 1781 to 1 Jan 1783 [3][4]

Payroll records -- https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi00887.xml#series9
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Alternate marriage date is 20 Jul 1747, per Pennsylvania US Compiled Marriage Records, 1700-1821 for Christ Church in Philadelphia.