James Horner and Mary McNair

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Husband James Horner ^{1 2}

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           Born: 14 May 1757 - Allen Twp, Northampton Co, PA 1
     Christened: 
           Died: 20 May 1824 3
         Buried: 

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         Father: James Horner (1711-1793) 2 4
         Mother: Jean Kerr (1713-1763) 2 4

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       Marriage: 

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Wife Mary McNair ³

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           Born: 13 Jun 1770 - Cumberland Co, PA 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 16 Sep 1818 - Wilkinsburg, Allegheny Co, PA 3
         Buried: 

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         Father: David McNair, Jr. (      -Abt 1776/1782) 3 5
         Mother: Ann Dunning (      -      ) 3 5

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Children

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1 M David Horner ³

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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2 M John Horner ³

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           Born: 1793 - Allegheny Co, PA 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 1867 3
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Mary M. Davis (1806-1887) 3
           Marr: 7 Jun 1832 3

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3 M Dr. James D. Horner ³

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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4 F Jane McCrea Horner ³

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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5 F Sarah Horner ³

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: James Kelly (      -      ) 3

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6 F Ann Horner ³

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: William Davis (      -      ) 3

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General Notes: Husband - James Horner

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He was born June 4, 1759. [P&HP, 175] But this must be wrong if the date of birth given for his sister is correct.

When nineteen years of age, he went into the Revolutionary service, and was made captain of the Mountain Rangers, serving from 1778 to 1783. In 1786 he came to Pittsburgh and became a justice of the peace for Allegheny County. Upon coming to Pittsburgh he bought, for the sum of sixty guineas, a piece of property on Market street, extending along it from Second avenue to Third avenue for a distance of three hundred feet. Here he erected buildings and carried on a large tannery and harness-making establishment. This land was inherited by his children and subsequently sold. He retired from active business pursuits and moved to Wilkinsburg, where he purchased a tract of three hundred acres of land, situated on the Frankstown road, and on which land he built a substantial residence, and there remained with his family until 1800, when he removed to what is now the borough of Wilkinsburg, and there erected him a new house, it being the first frame structure in the vicinity. It was situated on what was later the corner of Wood street and Penn avenue. The old homestead house on Franklin road stood until 1907, when it was demolished to make way for modern improvements.
An incident may be related showing the generosity of Mr. Horner's character. Like many another land owner at that time he owned slaves-fifteen in all-one of whom, a big negro named "Jack," who had long been a faithful and trusted servant, and used to carry the farm produce to market to Pittsburgh, was coveted by one of Mr. Horner's neighbors, a large land owner. He tried in many ways to entice him away from his master, and finally offered the large sum of seven hundred dollars to purchase him outright. When Mr. Horner found the negro wished to leave him he refused to sell him, saying he would rather not "traffic in human flesh," and gave him his freedom. The deed of his emancipation is now in the possession of his grandson, James Horner, of this sketch. The good slave did not enjoy his freedom long, however, for he was soon found dead and hidden in a clump of trees on an adjoining estate. His would-be purchaser was charged with the murder, but escaped from justice by removing from the country, but subsequently returned, but not until after the death of Squire Horner, however.

1 Wm. H. Egle, Historical Register: Notes and Queries, Historical and Genealogical (Harrisburg, PA: Lane S. Hart, Publisher, 1883), Pg 215.

2 John W. Jordan, LL.D, A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People, Vol. III (New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908), Pg 175.

3 John W. Jordan, LL.D, A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People, Vol. III (New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908), Pg 176.

4 Wm. H. Egle, Historical Register: Notes and Queries, Historical and Genealogical (Harrisburg, PA: Lane S. Hart, Publisher, 1883), Pg 213.

5 Elizabeth M. Davison and Ellen B. McKee, Annals of Old Wilkinsburg and Vicinity (Wilkinsburg, PA: The Group for Historical Research, 1940), Pg 36.