James Banks and Anna Small
Husband James Banks 1 2
Born: 1732 - Scotland 3 Christened: Died: Jun 1793 4 Buried:
Father: Hugh Banks ( - ) 1 5 Mother:
Marriage:
Wife Anna Small 1 2
Born: Abt 1728 Christened: Died: Nov 1805 4 Buried:
Children
1 F Margaret Banks 4
Born: - Chester Co, PA Christened: Died: Buried:Spouse: Andrew Moore ( - ) 4 Marr: 1780 4
2 F Jean Banks 4
AKA: Jane Banks 4 Born: Christened: Died: 1801 4 Buried:Spouse: John Beatty ( - ) 4 Marr: 1782 4
3 F Ann Banks 6
Born: 1755 6 Christened: Died: Bef Aug 1831 Buried:Spouse: David Walker (Abt 1751-1831) 6
4 M James Banks 5 6
Born: 1765 - York Co, PA 6 Christened: Died: Abt 1837 - near Memphis, Shelby Co, TN Buried:Spouse: Catherine Nelson ( - ) 5 6 Marr: Abt 1789
5 M Andrew Banks 3 7 8
Born: 12 Jan 1767 - York Co, PA 3 7 Christened: Died: 28 Dec 1855 - Lost Creek Valley, Juniata Co, PA 3 7 Buried:Spouse: Elizabeth Lintner (1766-1848) 3 7 8 Marr: 14 Jan 1790 7
6 M John Banks
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
General Notes: Husband - James Banks
He was the ancestor of the Banks family in America, and was born, most likely, in the town of Ayr, Scotland. Whilst there is no reason to believe that he was brought up in luxury, he enjoyed the advantages of a fair education, and, according to the custom of the place and day, was carefully indoctrinated in the principles of religion, the hopes and habits of which were strictly adhered to in all his subsequent life.
He spent some time in travel in England, where he witnessed something of the profligacy and intolerance of the reigning power, and acquired an intense dislike for monarchical institutions. Immediately upon his return from a second tour through England, he married. The union was a very happy one, and James Banks had a wife well qualified to share with him the adventures and trials which were to follow. Shortly after their marriage they began to meditate emigration to America. The chief hindrance to this step in Mrs. Banks' mind was the fear that in this then new and far-off country they would be deprived of the ordinances of religion, which she valued so highly at home.
Two brothers of Mrs. Banks had emigrated to America a short time previously, a circumstance which may have had some influence in favorably disposing her toward the step they were about to take. Having collected together what little property they had, they sailed for America and landed at Christiana Bridge, in the state of Delaware. From here they at once went to New London Cross-Roads, Chester County, Pennsylvania, where they made their first home in America, in a house owned by Captain William Clinton, a brave and noble-hearted man, who treated them with the utmost generosity and respect\emdash a kindness and courtesy of which they afterward made frequent and grateful mention. About this time the inhabitants of western Pennsylvania and Virginia were much annoyed by frequent incursions of bands of Indians, who broke in upon the border settlements, butchered the people and burned their dwellings. It became necessary to do something for their protection. A small army was raised, and Colonel Washington, then a rising young officer, was put in command. Captain Clinton raised a company of volunteers, in which James Banks enlisted and served two years, sharing in all the discouragements, toils and dangers of the campaigns of 1756-57 on the western frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia. After his return from this expedition, James Banks, in 1758, enlisted in the army of General Forbes, which marched against Fort Du Quesne. The term of his enlistment having expired, James Banks returned to his home in Chester County, and resolved to settle down in the quiet pursuits of a farmer's life. With the money which he had saved from his meagre pay as a soldier he purchased a small tract of land in York County, about ten miles southeast of York, and eight miles from Wrightsville and two miles from Brogue Tavern. This was the first property owned by the family in America. He later purchased another tract two miles south of the one on which he resided. This was known as "the Mount Gilboa tract."
In 1772, in company with Joseph Bogle, he took a tour through Cumberland County, which at that time embraced an immense area of central Pennsylvania. He purchased of William Sharon a tract of one hundred and seventy-two acres, for about seven hundred dollars, in Lost Creek Valley, six acres only being cleared, and no building on it except a little log hut.
Soon after making this purchase, James Banks sold his lands in York County, and removed, in 1773, with his family, to his new farm in Lost Creek Valley.
The route taken was by way of Carlisle, thence to the Juniata, crossing it at Millerstown. Here they spent the night in the woods beside a huge fire of pine knots. The next day, about noon, after a very tedious journey, they arrived at their little cabin in the wilderness. The day following their arrival being Sabbath, the family, worn out by their week's travel, rested; but James walked two miles to the Cedar Springs, where Rev. Mr. Kennedy preached to a few settlers. Whilst he was absent, a fire broke out in the woods, which for a time threatened to leave the new-comers entirely shelterless; but by their strenuous exertions the hut was saved. During the summer this humble habitation underwent some improvement. The clapboard roof was taken off and it was raised four rounds of logs higher, and covered with shingle roof.
As already stated, the tract in Lost Creek Valley upon which James Banks settled, in 1773, was for the most part heavily timbered. He, however, entered upon the improvement of his new farm with characteristic vigor. Each year he added as much as possible to the amount of cleared land, and it was not long until he found himself possessed of a property of considerable value. The low marshy parts had been converted into good grass-producing meadows, and the higher ground into fields yielding heavy crops of wheat and corn. Sixteen acres had been added to his original purchase. After a lapse of ten years' unabated labor on his farm James Banks began to realize that he was in the decline of life. The severe endurance of army experience, and the subsequent years of toil in clearing and cultivating his land, now began to tell upon his naturally vigorous physical frame. He accordingly handed the management of the farm over to his sons and spent the evening of life in quietude. Retaining his mental vigor and being fond of books, he gave himself principally to reading. He had a large acquaintance with history, read many works on doctrinal and practical religion, and even acquainted himself with branches of science not at that time familiar to the generality of readers. The Bible, however, was the book of his daily and diligent study. He died at the age of sixty-one years. His remains were interred in the place of burial at the "Old Seceder Church," two miles distant. In Scotland James and Ann Banks had both been members of the Presbyterian Church; but after coming to America, from some unknown cause, they joined the Seceders. The change may have been caused by the absence of any church of their earlier preference in the neighborhood in which they resided in York County.
In stature James Banks was five feet nine inches high; he weighed about one hundred and sixty pounds, had red curly hair, fair complexion and blue, piercing eyes. He was a congenial companion, interesting and instructive in conversation, firm in his convictions and averse to controversy. He was a loyal citizen, and took a lively interest in public affairs.
James and Ann Banks had six children.
General Notes: Wife - Anna Small
She survived her husband a number of years. This period she spent in the home of her oldest daughter, Mrs. Walker. Becoming aged and infirm, and for the most part confined to her room, she passed much of her time in reading. She died and was buried by the side of her husband in the graveyard at the "Old Seceder Church."
Mrs. Banks was low of stature, somewhat fleshy, of strong constitution and no way backward in the performance of household duties. She had black hair, black eyes and a very melodious voice. She was a woman of intelligence, vigor and remarkable powers of endurance. She was amiable, cheerful, affectionate and charitable. But, above all, she was a devout, faithful Christian.
1 —, History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys (Philadelphia, PA: Everts, Peck & Richards, 1886), Pg 824.
2 Addams S. McAllister, The Descendants of John Thomson, Pioneer Scotch Covenanter (Easton, PA: The Chemical Publishing Company, 1917), Pg 107, 144.
3 Addams S. McAllister, The Descendants of John Thomson, Pioneer Scotch Covenanter (Easton, PA: The Chemical Publishing Company, 1917), Pg 107.
4 —, History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys (Philadelphia, PA: Everts, Peck & Richards, 1886), Pg 825.
5 Addams S. McAllister, The Descendants of John Thomson, Pioneer Scotch Covenanter (Easton, PA: The Chemical Publishing Company, 1917), Pg 144.
6 —, History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys (Philadelphia, PA: Everts, Peck & Richards, 1886), Pg 826.
7 —, History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys (Philadelphia, PA: Everts, Peck & Richards, 1886), Pg 827.
8
John W. Jordan, LL.D., A History of the Juniata Valley and Its People (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1913), Pg 1197.
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