Ancestors

Alexander Nisbet

Alexander Nisbet was born in 1731. By family accounts he was born at sea, as his parents, John and Sarah Nisbet, crossed to Pennsylvania, and he was the eldest of their sons. Like many Scots-Irish families of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, they came south through the Shenandoah Valley into the Carolina backcountry.

About 1751 he married Agness Ramsey, who was four years older than he was. Her brother Robert Ramsey was a trustee of the Waxhaw Presbyterian church in 1758, and the two men later bought land together.

On 20 February 1755 Alexander received a grant of 390 acres on Cane Creek, on the east side of the Catawba River. The land lay in the southern part of Anson County, North Carolina, in the Waxhaw settlement, which both Carolinas claimed until the boundary was run. It later fell in Lancaster County, South Carolina. His neighbors included David Strain, Alexander McMehan and William Moore. His father died in Rowan County nine months after the grant. On 6 November 1770 Alexander received 100 more acres on Cane Creek, adjoining his first tract.

He and Agness had nine children: Martha in 1752, William in 1753, Margaret in 1756, John in 1759, Alexander in 1762, James in 1765, Benjamin in 1768, Joseph, and Isabella, who was born after his death.

On 23 July 1773, "being very sick, and weak of body, but of perfect mind, and memory," he made his will as Alexander Nisbet of Craven County, farmer. He left Agness his sorrel horse and her saddle, six cows and their calves, six sheep, all the household goods, and the use of the plantation while she remained his widow. She was to have the management of the farm and to school the young children as far as the estate allowed. William got the young bay mare, the colt she was carrying, the saddle he rode and the rifle. John was to have the colt and the riding saddle, Margaret the young dark bay pacing mare, and Martha the saddle she rode.

The plantation itself was to be sold when the executors thought best. The money was to be divided between Agness and "six sons that is, William, John, Alexander, James, Benjamin, and Joseph," so that they could buy land elsewhere if they needed more than he had. Half of 200 acres on a branch of Cane Creek in North Carolina went to his brother-in-law Robert Ramsey, who had bought it with him though the patent named Alexander alone. Agness and Robert Ramsey were the executors, and John Greer, John Davis and William Moore witnessed it. He signed Alex. Nisbet.

He died the same day, aged 42. He was buried in the Old Waxhaw churchyard. When Agness died in 1797 the family put up a single stone for the two of them. It lists their eight living children by name, and its back reads: "Here Alexander Nisbett lies, and his wife Agness likewise."

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Cite: Heirology, "Alexander Nisbet (1731-1773)", https://heirology.com/ancestors/alexander-nisbet-1731-1773-ff7386.