The Fultons of Lisburne and American Connections

Below are maps of the far southern portions of the adjoining SE Pennsylvania Counties of l-r: York, Lancaster, and Chester. The total area represented in about 40 miles east to west and about 10 miles north to south or about 400 square miles. This is only about 1/7 of the total area of these three counties and less than 1% of the total area of the present state of Pennsylvania. Yet in this small area beginning about 1718 and continuing through the 1730's a large number of Fulton Familes arrive. They first arrive in and near Nottingham Township in Chester County. Chester County was an original Pennsylvania County and the name Nottingham Township had already been selected before the Fultons and other Scots-Irish began arriving. This area was on the edge of the frontier until the 1730's. Lancaster County was formed in 1729 and the local early settlers named the township that originally covered all of southern Lancaster County, Drumore, after Dromore Diocese covering western county Down and parts of southern Antrim and eastern Armagh Counties in Northern Ireland. It seems only logical that they selected this name because a large percentage of the early inhabitants were from that area. The town of Lisburn is in Dromore Diocese in N. Ireland. Fulton is a rather rare surname, held by less than one in a thousand Scots. Considering the rarity of the surname, the small geographic area covered and that the early residents from Ireland named the first township they had the opportunity to name Drumore, it seems only logical that most if not all these early Fultons in this area below were closely related and that they were from or had close connections to the area around Lisburn.

York County was formed in 1749 out of Lancaster County, and due to Indian land claims there was probably little settlement in that area prior to that date. It seems logical that Hopewell Township in York County was likely named by citizens after a small area of that name inside the boundaries of Nottingham Township Chester County to the east. In 1750 Cumberland County was formed also out of Lancaster County and covered an area to the north and northwest of Lancaster County. As with York County, few settlers ventured into Cumberland County until after 1750. Settlement from southern Lancaster County moved up the Susquehanna River into Cumberland County. Below these maps is a list of some early Fulton Families in these areas, most if not all likely closely related. It was in area of the Lancaster Map below where present Drumore, Little Britain, and Fulton Townships meet that Steamboat Robert Fulton was born son of Robert Fulton Sr.

Below is a survey of early Fulton Families in Pennsylania. I have included a summary of all those I have information about in my files including those with no traditions of connections to Steamboat Robert's Family. I note if I think there might be a close connection to Steamboat Robert.

Chester County, PA. Fultons:

Fulton Families in early SW Chester County including Nottingham Township:

The early Fulton in Chester County, PA., I obtained from another researcher some years ago in an email. If anyone has an corrections of additions, please let me know at richardfulton@hotmail.com. There were no Fultons in an early 1722 Nottingham Township list. The 1722 list was short the area was still sparsely settled at this time. I do not have a list of existing tax lists, but I suspect that there are no existing lists for a number of the years following 1726 and that is why there is no consistent presence for all years. Also, a reminder that anyone on these tax lists was over 21 years old, so the Hugh, James, Thomas, and David listed by 1730 were all born before 1710. It is also quite possible that there were other Fultons in the area that missed getting on the list. Specifically we know that William Fulton is listed in land records of Drumore Township, Lancaster County, PA. in 1733. Fulton families who may have pushed further on the frontier may not be on these lists. In the list below Nottingham and Kennet are in souther Chester County on the map above. The other townships listed are slightly to the north. Also, later litigations indicate that some of the land settled and thought to be in Nottingham Township, Chester County, PA., was later found by the Mason-Dixon line surveys of the 1750's to be in Northern Cecil County, Maryland, including the small town of Rising Sun and the lower Octorora Creek lands of Alexander Fulton who died in 1762 in Cecil County Maryland. The point being he may well have originally thought he was settling in Nottingham Township in Chester County, PA.

Name                             Township             Years on Tax List
Hugh Fulton                  W. Nottingham .......1726, 1729, 1734, 1735
James Fulton                W. Nottingham ........1730, 1734, 1735, 1737
Thomas Fulton ............W. Nottingham .......1730, 1737, 1740, 1747
David Fulton                 W. Nottingham .......1730, 1734, 1735, 1737
Alexander Fulton          W. Nottingham ........1734, 1735, 1737
John Fulton                   Nottingham              1735

Thomas Fulton ...........Kennet Township       1737, 1739, 1740, 1749
Richard Fulton ...........Kennet Township       1739, 1740
Robert Fulton              Kennet Township       1747, 1749

John Fulton                   New London Twp        1739
John Fulton                   West Nantmeal ............1747, 1749
William Fulton .............Vincent Township         1740
William Fulton .............East Bradford Twp       1749

Notes Chester County, PA. Fultons:
The Will of Joseph Smith of Oxford Township, Chester County, proved June 12, 1760 names his daughter Mary, wife of Robert Fulton. Oxford Township is just North of West Nottingham Township and this area was a part of the original Nottingham Township, later divided into Londonderry Township in 1734 and then Londonderry was divided to create Oxford Township in 1754. This Joseph Smith is the Father in Law of Steamboat Robert Fulton’s Father and is the Grandfather of Steamboat Robert.

The Will of Rachel Fulton of New London Township, Chester County, PA. dated Nov. 21, 1815 and proved May 1, 1820 provides interesting connections between the Fulton’s of SE PA and York County. New London Twp was created from the area of the Eastern part of Nottingham Township. In this Will, Rachel names “cousins” James and Samuel Fulton, sons of James Fulton of York County. She also names another “cousin” James Fulton son of Alexander Fulton of Chester County. In another Chester County Will of Agnes McCoy of East Nottingham Twp dated 1801, Agnes names as executor James Fulton and provides a legacy to James Fulton’s daughters Elenor and Rachel. “Cousin” of course doesn’t always mean first cousin, but it clearly indicative of family kinship. This Will seems to establish that a James Fulton of Chester County, an Alexander Fulton of Chester County (see below), and James Fulton of York County are closely related.

The Will of Alexander Fulton of Londonderry Township, Chester County. This Alexander Fulton was believed to be 90 years old when he died, his will dated August 25, 1815 and proved Feb. 5, 1816. Londonderry Township is just to the east of Oxford and North of East Nottingham Twps, in an area a part of original Nottingham Township. Alexander’s will names son John, daughter Rachel wife of Robert Corry, grandson Samuel Finney of daughter Elizabeth deceased and her husband Lazarus, son Thomas, the six children of daughter Esther (deceased) wife of John Turner, and son James.

John Fulton of Lanarkshire Scotland to America in 1753. There is also another group of Fultons from the Nottingham Twp., Chester County, PA. area with no tradition of a relationship to Steamboat Robert. This is the Family of John Fulton born in Lanarkshire, Scotland about 1713 who immigrated to America about 1753 and settled in Nottingham Twp., Chester County, PA. about 1762. The family is well researched and documented in an excellent book by Hugh R. Fulton published in Lancaster County, PA., in 1900. I member of this Family was kind enough to send me an original copy of this book. Two daugthers and one son of John Fulton were born in Scotland; Mary in 1745 who married Rev. James Proudfit of Salem or Perth, NY., Elizabeth in 1748 who married James Hutchinson, Esq. of East Nottingham Twp., and James on February 2, 1751 who married Margaret Miller on Nov. 25, 1781. Much of the early Family history comes from the Revolutionary War Pension Application and a 1832 short family history that this son James wrote. The tradition is that the family landed either at New Castle, Delaware or Baltimore and lived in Maryland for 7 years. A second son John Jr. was born in Maryland in 1755. Two other daugthers were born in America, Susanna who married Rev. James Clarkson, Pastor of the Hopewell United Presbyterian Church in York County and Jane who married Matthew Wilson of East Nottingham Twp. Second son John Jr. married Margaret Dickey and after she died Esther Cooper. James Fulton was a Captain in the Chester County Militia during the Revolutionary War. There are extensive genealogical charts in the book and the family has left many descendents, and through the 4 sons of James (John, Joseph, Miller, and James Jefferson) and through the 6 sons of his brother John Jr. (Thomas, James C., Andrew, Jefferson C., George W., and Matthew Wilson) there are many descendents with the surname Fulton. One small item is that in an History of Chester County, PA. it states that John Fulton Sr. came from the North of Ireland. This is probably just an error but it is possible that Family History and Pension Application of James Fulton indicated Scotland because of anit-Irish feelings and he didn't want to associated with the Irish and was simply proud of his Scottish roots. I know in my own family line two of the sons of my ancester stated in the 1900 and 1910 census that their Father was born in Scotland when their Father himself in the 1870, 1880, and 1900 census said he was from Ireland.


Lancaster County, PA. Fultons:

For Lancaster County, PA., although it was created in 1729, I can find no tax lists before 1750. Below are Fultons found in Lancaster County, PA., tax lists in the 1750's and 1760's. It is interesting that several Fultons; Hugh, James, David, and Alexander disappear from the Chester County Tax lists after 1737. It seems logical some of them are the same as ones found with those names in nearby southern Lancaster County or later in southern York County.

Lancaster County, PA. Tax Lists:
Name                           County             Township         Year
Alexander Fulton          Lancaster         Drumore           1751
James Fulton                Lancaster         Drumore           1751, 1756, 1757
David Fulton                 Lancaster         Drumore           1751, 1756
Widow Fulton              Lancaster         Drumore           1757 (Probably widow of David)
Alexander Fulton          Lancaster         Little Britain      1754
James Fulton                Lancaster         Little Britain      1754, 1756, 1757, 1758, 1759
John Fulton                   Lancaster         Little Britain      1754, 1756, 1757, 1758, 1759, 1763
Andrew Fulton Lancaster         Little Britain      1763
Hugh Fulton                  Lancaster         Little Britain      1763
Robert Fulton               Lancaster         Little Britain      1769
Robert Fulton               Lancaster         Martic              1757
Robert Fulton               Lancaster         Lanc. Boro.      1756, 1757, 1758, 1759, 1763
John Fulton                   Lancaster         Leacock           1758, 1759
Samuel Fulton               Lancaster         Donegal Twp    1750, 1751, 1757, 1758, 1759, 1769
James Fulton                Lancaster         Donegal Twp    1757, 1769
John Fulton                   Lancaster         Donegal Twp    1757, 1769

Notes on Lancaster County:
The Robert Fulton above in Lancaster Boro and in Little Britain in 1769 is the Father of Steamboat Robert born in Little Britain in 1765. County Histories say Robert Sr.’s Father was Alexander Fulton. The Fulton House where Steamboat was born in located now in Fulton Township very near the border of Drumore, Little Britain, and Fulton Twps.

A William Fulton patented 150 acres of land on July 21, 1734 in what was then Drumore Township. This William Fulton died in 1741 without a will. This property was included in land purchased by Robert Fulton Sr. in 1764. There is also a Thomas Fulton who patented 300 acres of land in Lancaster County on Feb. 14, 1737. I do not know where in Lancaster County this land is located.

A David Fulton died in Lancaster County in 1757 leaving a will but no children. This would appear to be the David Fulton of Drumore Twp.

Samuel Fulton of Donegal Twp died in 1760 naming three sons; James, John, and Samuel, which matches the entries for Donegal Twp. Above. Since neither Jame nor John is there in 1751, and both are there in 1757, it would appear they both turned 21 between 1751 and 1757.

A John Fulton died in Lancaster County in 1765 leaving a will naming children Alexander, John, Elizabeth, and Margaret. The executor is a Samuel Fulton, undoubtedly a close relative, but not a child. I suspect this John Fulton is the John of Little Brittain Twp. John and Alexander are only 5 names apart in 1754 Little Britain tax list. This John may also be the son of Alexander of Cecil County, MD who died in 1762. Seems logical as then John would be naming his eldest son after his Father as was typical and it is known that Alexander of Cecil had sons John and Samuel (the executor of his brother John’s will?)

Unknown: Are the two Alexander’s the same man or different and are either the same as the Alexander who died in Cecil County, MD. In 1762 leaving children: John, Francis, and Samuel?   Two other local Alexander Fulton’s include an adult son of William Fulton who died in Fawn Township, York County, PA in 1781. I believe this Alexander is the same man who married Sarah McDonald and moves to Huntingdon County and is there in 1790 and 1800 with 4 sons between 10 and 26. I think he is too young to be one of the Alexander’s in the 1750’s Lancaster Tax lists, and probably too young to be the Alexander Fulton on the 1760 land records in Chanceford Twp, York County. I think the Alexander Fulton of 1760 Chanceford Twp, York County is the same as at least one of the Alexander’s of 1750’s Lancaster County.   Another Alexander Fulton, apparently a different one, appears in the 1753 tax list of Lurgan Township, Cumberland County, PA.

The two adult James Fulton’s, on in Drumore and one in Little Britain may well be James Fulton Sr. and his son James.    James Sr. is likely the same man who moved sometime in the 1760’s to Hopewell Township in nearby York County where he made his will in 1769 and died in 1772. He also had younger sons Andrew and Hugh, who may be the same men showing up in Little Britain Twp in 1763 indicating they turned 21 between 1759 and 1763.

Richard Fulton died in Paxtang Twp. in Northern Lancaster County in what is now Dauphin County, PA., in November 1774 leaving a Will. There is also a brief history of this Fulton Family in "Pennsylvania Genealogies" by William Henry Egle, Harrisburg, 1886, pages 264-268. Richard's will names his children: William, Jean, Richard, Isabel, Grizzle (female), and Joseph. According to this genealogy, Richard Sr. was born in 1706 in Londonderry, Ireland. He came to America in 1722 in company with some relatives and was among the earliest settlers of Paxtang Twp. His farm was located on the east bank of the Susquehanna River in an area now incorporated in the southern part of the city of Harrisburg. Richard married Isabel Chesney or McChesney (it appears the name was originally McChesney and the Family in PA., dropped the Mc.) in June 14, 1744, the marriage being recorded in the Paxtang Church. There is also a marriage in this Church of a Benjamin Fulton on Nov. 5, 1771. I am not sure who this Benjamin is, but due to proximity it seems likely he was closely related to Richard. This could be the Benjamin Fulton listed in the Will of Sept. 18, 1793 New Britain Twp., Bucks County, PA. of James Fulton in which he names wife Mary and children John, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Anna, and Ann Fulton. Five of Richard Fulton of Paxtang's children (Jane wife of Moses Wallace, Isabella wife of Hugh Wilson, Grizel wife of Alexander Wilson, Joseph Fulton, and Richard Fulton Jr.)are noted in the 1782 Will of their Uncle William Chesney in Newberry Twp., located in Northern York County on the Susequehanna River just south of Harrisburg. If the dates in the genealogy are correct, Richard Sr. would have been 38 years old when he married. Not unheard of, but it seems unlikely. Either he was not as old or perhaps this was a second marriage. Since son William is not referenced in the Will of Uncle William Chesney, it would seem likely son William died between 1774 and 1782. Since both Richard and Joseph are uncommon first names among Scots and among Fulton Families in this time period, but they are common among the Lisburn Fultons, I suspect Richard is from a branch of the Lisburn Fultons, perhaps from a branch who moved to Londonderry to pursue commercial interests in the linen industry.

John Fulton, probably born before 1735. The Will of John Kettere of Lancaster County, PA., dated March 20, 1770 and proven oct. 21, 1772 names his daugther Elizabeth, wife of John Fulton and her children Thomas, James, John, Elizabeth, Margaret, Hannah, and Jane Fulton. Another Will from W. Fallowfield Twp. (an area in originally in the northern part of Nottingham Twp.) of a James Kettera, dated January 31, 1763 and proven March 6, 1764 names his niece Elizabeth Fulton and her children. This would indicate that John Fulton and Elizabeth Kettera were married sometime before 1760 to have had multiple children by the Will date of her Uncle James Kittera in 1763. Since they had 7 children by 1772, assuming one every two years would mean they probably married about 1756, meaning John Fulton was likely born before 1735. This Fulton Family doesn't appear to match another other Fulton Family in the area. Since the eldest son is named Thomas, it is at least likely that John's Father was named Thomas Fulton. A Thomas Fulton died in Lancaster County, PA. without a Will in 1747. The interesting connection here to Steamboat Robert Fulton is that Robert painted miniature portraits now in the possession of the PA. Historical Society of Mr. and Mrs. John Wilkes Kittera. A coincidence or an indication of a family relationship? John Wilkes Kittera was born in Nov. 1752 near Blue Ball in Earl Twp., NE part of Lancaster County, PA., and died June 6, 1801. He was a politician and lawyer.

Jesse Fulton, was a Revolutionary War pensioner of Allegheny County, PA., and died in Allegheny County, PA., on March 19, 1833. Most of this information is from his Revolutionary War pension application files. He was born in 1759 in Lancaster County, PA. His Father died when he was about 3 or 4 years old. He was apprenticed to a James Mayfield and lived at his Mother's house until about 4 or 5 years after the Revolution andn then moved to York County about 1787. He lived in York County about 20 years and then moved to Centre County, PA. about 1807-1810, where he remained about 20 years. He apparently lived with his son James in later years. He was a Private in the Revolution and served two tours. First he enlisted in July 1776 in Lancaster County in the Company of Captain William Porter and fought the Hesians at the Battle of Trenton. He was discharged in January 1777. Jesse was then drafted in November 1777 and spent the winter at the famous Valley Forge where he stated in his pension application that they had "dreadful weather". He fought at the Battle of Chestnut Hill. Four children are mentioned in his application files; John, James, Elizabeth and Ann. In 1839 letter by son James to the Beaver County, PA., court he states his brother John and siter Ann live in Pittsburgh and his sister Elizabeth lives at a great distance. Jesse Fulton is found in the 1790 and 1800 census of Monaghan Twp, York County, PA. near a John Fulton, Jr. in the same Twp. In the 1800 census Jesse has 2 males <10, 1 male 26-45, 2 females < 10, 1 female 16-27, and 1 female 26-45. John Fulton Jr. nearby has only 1 male > 45 and 2 females >45. Jesse Fulton married Else McMullin, as inferred from the 1792 Monaghan Twp. Will of Hugh McMullin in which Else Fulton is named as a daugther and wife of Jesse Fulton. The 1790 Monaghan Twp census shows Jesse Fulton with 1 male < 16 and 1 female, so it seems likely Jesse and Else were married sometime on the late 1780's. There is an interesting possible link between the James Fulton found on Antrim Twp, Cumberland County tax lists for 1753, 1762, 1764, and 1765. An April 24, 17771 deed in York County by James Reed of Monaghan Twp., taylor, sold to a John Fulton of Antrim Twp. Cumberland County, yeoman, a 50 acre tract for 50 pounds.

Cumberland County, PA. Fulton’s:
Tax Lists:
Name                           County             Township         Year
Alexander Fulton          Cumberland      Lurgan              1753, not in later lists
James Fulton                Cumberland      Antrim              1753, 1762, 1764, not in 1765
Richard Fulton Cumberland      E. Pennsboro    1750, not in later lists
John Fulton (a smith)     Cumberland      E. Pennsboro    1762, same as Rising Sun John?
Francis Fulton               Cumberland      Hamilton           1763-65. Vet of Fr&Indian War
James Fulton                Cumberland      Hopewell          1764 only
Samuel Fulton               Cumberland      Letterkenny      1764 only

Cumberland County, PA. notes:
The following are early Cumblerland County, PA. Fulton land entries. Cumberland County was formed in 1750 From Lancaster County and was much larger in the mid 1700’s than it is today. When formed it ran in an arc from north of York County from the Susquehanna River west and then south to the Maryland line covering what is now Perry, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Blair and Bedford Counties, in fact extending even farther north and west into area as yet unsettled by whites.

Name                           County             Acres       Date             Notes
Alexander Fulton          Cumberland      300      12/3/1751        See Lurgan Twp Tax List
William Fulton Cumberland      100      9/8/1755          See Gist 1756 Ranger list
John Fulton                   Cumberland      200      10/26/1762      Prob John of Rising Sun, Ind.
James Fulton                Cumberland      200      3/10/1763        See Antrim Twp Tax List
John Fulton                   Cumberland      300      6/3/1763          Same as above John above?
Francis Fulton               Cumberland      50      7/4/1768          See Hamilton Twp Tax List
Isaac Fulton                  Cumberland      100      6/25/1770
James Fulton                Cumberland      100      7/7/1773

There is also an Alexander Fulton on the Cumberland County, PA., militia lists for 1780 and 1781. I do not know who this Alexander Fulton is but Alexander Fulton is reputed to be the name of the Grandfather of Steamboat Robert Fulton, so this name is associated with Steamboat Robert’s Family. There is also an early Kentucky Land Grant Record in Fayette County, then encompassing all of Northern KY., for 1,000 acres on Sept. 12, 1784, in an area in which John Fulton of Rising Sun, Indiana and Family discussed below, lived for 3 years with or near a brother of John.

John Fulton of Cumberland County, PA. and Rising Sun, Indiana:
There has been much research done on the Family of John Fulton and his wife Jane Dill who were the first settlers of what was soon named the town of Rising Sun, Indiana. Family History is described in the 1958 Family History entitled, "The Fulton-Hamilton-Covington Family of Rising Sun, Indiana" by John Covington Williams. The Fulton branch story recounts the early history of this branch as recorded in the 1885 "The History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, Indiana".

"John Fulton was born at Kilkenny, Ireland, but early in life, accompanied by his father and brothers Robert, Hugh, and Andrew he removed to America and settled at Lancaster, Pennsylvania." ...

I was kindly sent a draft of an extensive and well researched Family History of this line from John to the present. I will summarize the key aspects of the first two generations of this family.   Tradition is that John Fulton was born in Kilkenny, Ireland about 1733, and came to America with brothers and one of the brothers as stated above was Robert, the Father of Steamboat Robert Fulton. See the section on Kilkenny for the connections of Kilkenny Fulton’s to Lisburn and the Rising Sun section for connections of the name Rising Sun to Kilkenny, Ireland. John died at age 97 in 1830, which seems to be accurate based on census records and strong family traditions. John first settled in Lancaster County, was a blacksmith by trade, and then moved probably upon becoming an adult and marrying to Cumberland County. The Revolutionary War Pension application of his son Samuel indicates that Samuel was born “near Carlisle” in Cumberland County, PA., on July 1, 1762. Another son Francis Fulton was born on June 21, 1765. This Francis Fulton appears to have remained in Cumberland County, PA. where he died at the age of 78 on 10/16/1843 and is buried along with his wife and a number of children and their families in the Big Spring Presbyterian Graveyard, Newville, West Pennsboro Twp., Cumberland County, PA. See the section on frequency of names showing the rarity of the first name Francis and since Francis Fulton is a name also found among the Lisburn Ireland Fulton’s, this is another clue to connections to Lisburn. Another son was born to John and Jane Dill Fulton in 1771, named Thomas. About 1784, John and family moved to Northumberland County where John purchased 100 acres. John fought in the Revolutionary War at the battles of Trenton in Dec-Jan 1776-1777. On July 3, 1778, John, his wife Jane, John’s sister (unnamed), son Thomas, daughter Mary, and two young sons were taken prisoner by Indians. The two young sons were killed by the Indians because they could not keep up. The family was eventually taken to Canada where they were released in Nov. 1780, and moved back to Northumberland County where another son William was born in 1781. In 1790, John and family are back in Cumberland County, PA., in near the town of Newton next door to son Francis. John has 3 males above 16 (likely John, Samuel, and Thomas) and 1 male under 16 (William) and 4 females in his household. Francis has 1 male over 16, 1 male under 16, and 3 females. In the summer of 1794 John and Family headed west to Washington County where they stayed with relatives for a year. Washington County is where Andrew Fulton of York County and where the Mother and siblings of Steamboat Robert Fulton were living in 1794. John and Family moved down the Ohio River in 1795/96 to Newport, Kentucky where it is said John had a brother. There was an Andrew Fulton over 45 in this area in the first Ky census of 1810 and an Alexander Fulton acquired 1,000 acres of land near here in 1784. In 1798 John and Family moved a little further down the Ohio and were the first settlers on the Indiana side of the Ohio River in what was soon named the town of Rising Sun.

Isaac W. Fulton of Cumberland County, PA. The genealogy of Isaac W. Fulton is summarized in the sketch of his son James Fulton written in the McDonough County, Illinois History. Quoting from this sketch; "He was a grandson of Isaac Fulton, a native of the Emerald Isle, who came to the United States shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War, and settled in the city of Baltimore. There he married Martha Work, by whom he had one son, Issac, the father of James, the subject of this sketch. Soon after the birth of this son, Isaac Sr. was drowned and the child was taken and brought up by a Mrs. Anderson, a relative of the mother, who lived in Virginia. Isaac grew to manhood in Virginia, and left that state in search of his Mother who had married again. She died, however, before her son's arrival. He remained in Kentucky where he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Crail, nee Bennington." Issac W. Fulton and his wife Elizabeth had 5 children, Martha, Thomas, Isaac, John, and James. Son James married Mary Bonham in 1826 in Kentucky and they moved to Illinois about 1836 settling in McDonough County where they raised 10 daugthers and 2 sons. Searching the historical record it appears the dates in the story are a bit off. Checking 1810 census records for Issac Fulton in Fleming County, KY., we find Isaac was 26-45 years old meaning he was born between 1765 and 1784. His marriage to Elizabeth Cralle is found in Mason County, KY., records with a date of August 18, 1795. Guessing Isaac was married between the ages of 21 and 26 would put a guess at his birth of around 1769-1775, or a little earlier than would be suggested by the story above. It could be that Isaac Fulton Sr. came to America shortly after the close of the French and Indian War in 1763. That would fit better. I believe Isaac Fulton Jr. is the Isaac Fulton is mentioned as one of the "bound children" in the Will of Henry Anderson, of Peters Twp., Cumberland (now Franklin County), PA. dated Jan. 1776 and proven in Jan. 1778. One of the executors is a John Work. I do not know where in Virginia he went to live with Mrs. Martha Anderson. Isaac W. Fulton Jr. died in Kentucky in 1816. All three of his sons moved to Illinois in Moultrie and McDonough Counties and left many descendents. I know of no tradition in this line of a connection to Steamboat Robert Fulton. However it is interesting that in the Lancaster County, PA. deeds abstracts is recorded a sale of 190 acres in Lampeter Twp., Lancaster County, PA., on March 25, 1763 by Robert Fulton and wife Mary of Little Britain Twp to John Craig. In describing the land, the deed indicates that Robert Fulton acquired the land from Alexander Work and his wife Jane. A family tree has a Martha Work born in PA in 1736 as the daugther of Alexander Work and brothers Alexander and John Work. Another Lancaster County deed dated March 31, 1763 has Robert Fulton witnessing a mortgage of 200 acres of land in Drumore Twp., Lancaster County that borders land of Andrew Work. An Andrew Work Sr. of Lancaster County, born about 1705 had brothers Alexander and John and a sister Martha.

Fulton’s in the French and Indian War:

During the French and Indian War(1754-1763), Christopher Gist organized a company of frontier rangers that fought throughout the war. Gist was well known to George Washington and was his frontier guide with a few men on George Washington’s early efforts to negotiate with the French. Christopher Gist was from the area of then Baltimore, now Harford County Maryland, which is just below York and Lancaster Counties in PA. He recruited from these areas. In a letter dated July 30, 1756, Gist gives a brief account of the situation at his post at Fort Cumberland and notes that George Plummer and William Fulton are dead. William Fulton is also on a pay list of Christopher Gist’s Company in January 1756. These lists can be found on line in Washington’s Papers. Fort Cumberland was at the present site of the town of Cumberland on the Potomac River in Allegheny County, Maryland just a few miles south of present Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Another William Fulton in found on a roster of Capt. Robert Boyd’s Co. in June of 1759 published in Penn Archives Series 5, Vol. 1 page 292. This William Fulton is listed as age 26, born in Ireland, and a weaver by occupation.

James Fulton is listed as a Lieut. in 1759 in Capt. Postlewait’s Company at Ft. Bedford, as listed in PA Archives, Series 5, vol. 1, page 297. Fort Bedford is now a museum and is located just outside of the present town of Bedford in Bedford County, PA.

Francis Fulton is listed as a soldier in Lt. Lyttle’s party at Lyttleton as listed in PA. Archives, Series 5, vol 1, page 306. I think likely the same as on Cumberland County land and tax lists. I believe the location is the present town of Fort Littleton located in present far NE Fulton County, PA., near the Huntingdon and Franklin County lines.

Until the conclusion of the French and Indian War and Pontiac’s rebellion immediately following, white settlement in Pennsyvlania did not go beyond the present boundary of Franklin County. During the French and Indian War the areas of then Cumberland County were heavily attacked by Indians and many settlers were killed and others fled back toward the York and Lancaster Counties.   The areas of Lurgan and Antrim Townships (now in Franklin County) where an Alexander and a James Fulton were on tax lists in 1753 were on the edge of the frontier at that time.

York County, PA. Fulton’s:

York County Tax Lists. I searched the microfilm originals of early York County PA. tax lists that the Dallas Library has and found the following. I may have missed some.
Name                           Township         Years
James Fulton                Newberry         1771/72. listed as a renter.
William Fulton Fawn                1771/72, 1778
Mary Fulton                 Fawn                1782, 1783
Andrew Fulton Hopewell          1771/72, 1774, 1778, 1779, 1781, 1782, 1783
David Fulton                 Hopewell          1774, 1778, 1779, 1781, 1782, 1783
James Fulton                Chanceford      1774, 1778, 1779, 1782, 1783
Samuel Fulton               Fawn                1778
Samuel Fulton               Hopewell          1781, 1782, 1783
John Fulton                   Monaghan        1782, 1783

The 1783 York County Tax list is interesting as it has a column for Total # of Inhabitants
Below are the Fulton’s in the 1783 York County Tax
Name                           Township         # Acres Land   Tot # Inhabitants
James Fulton                Chanceford      160                  5
Samuel Fulton               Hopewell          no land             1
Andrew Fulton Hopewell          100                  5
David Fulton                 Hopewell          100                  5
Mary Fulton                 Fawn                200                  7

1790 Census, York County, PA. Fultons
Name                           Township         # Males >16     # Males <16     # Females
Samuel Fulton               Chanceford      1                      4                      5
James Fulton                Chanceford      4                      1                      4
James Fulton                Chanceford      2                      1                      2
James Fulton                Fawn                3                      0                      2
James Fulton                Fawn                4                      0                      2
David Fulton                 Hopewell          1                      3                      2
Jesse Fulton                  Monaghan        1                      0                      0
Jesse Fulton                  Monaghan        1                      1                      1
John Fulton                   Monaghan        1                      0                      1

Notes on York County, PA. Fulton’s:
Will of James Fulton of Hopewell Township. Will date March 22, 1769. Proved June 23, 1772. Executors James and Andrew Fulton. Wife Jean Fulton.   Children: John, James, William, Jennet, Andrew, Hugh, and David. I believe this family is closely related to Steamboat Robert Fulton’s family. I think it is generally agreed that Jean or Jane Fulton was a second wife. The Will of Jane Fulton of Hopewell Twp was proved Oct. 17, 1777. She is listed as the widow of James Fulton. It names Andrew Fulton as executor and names only three children, David, Andrew, and Hugh, probably her three children by James, the other children being by an earlier wife.   Based on the estimated ages of his sons from the various tax and census lists, it would appear this James Fulton was born around 1700, +or- 10 years. I have an old email from researcher Irene Fulton that proposes a theory that this James Fulton and children are from Scotland based on matching some birth dates in Scottish registers to birth dates in the family Bible of James Fulton. The transcript of the James Fulton Family Bible she lists notes that the first names are torn off and lists the birth dates of 9 Fulton’s as follows:
            Foulton born 29, June 1714
            Foulton born 15, June 1716
            Foulton born 10, Sept. 1729
            Foulton born 6, Dec. 1727
            Foulton born 23, Apr. 1731
            Foulton born 10, May 1733
            Foulton born 7, Nov. 1736
            Foulton born 2, Feb. 1738
            Foulton born 9, Aug. 1742
The Will of James Fulton of Hopewell Twp, York County, PA. of 1769 lists 7 children. I could be that two children had died before James died or perhaps the two early entries of 1714 and 1716 are not children but entries for other Fulton relatives. I do not know where exactly the land of James Fulton of Hopewell Twp York County, James Fulton of Chanceford Twp or William Fulton of Fawn Twp was, but I think they al lived very close to each other, which would again in my view indicate a high likelihood of a close relationship. Muddy Creek forms part of the boundary between the three townships of Hopewell, Chanceford, and Fawn. The old Muddy Creek Presbyterian Church records have baptisms from the 1770’s and 1780’s for children of Andrew and David, sons of James who died in 1772, and who lived in Hopewell Township. These same Church records have a baptism in 1775 of Mary daughter of William who I believe is the William of Fawn Twp. And a Dec. 30, 1760 land record of a James Fulton describes the land as being on both sides of Muddy Creek in Fawn and Chanceford Twps. So not only do we have James Fulton and some sons living in Hopewell Twp., and another James and a William Fulton (see them listed below under children of James) living in nearby Chanceford and Fawn Twps, but I think their lands were in very close proximity.

I think it is possible that James had another perhaps older or even eldest son named Alexander who likely died childless before James made out his will in 1769. In York County, PA Deed Records vol 2, 1758-1761, page 43 is a reference to a land transaction of November 5, 1760 in Chanceford Twp. referring to land of Alexander Fulton. The Alexander Fulton, son of William Fulton of Fawn Township (see below) is too young to be this Alexander. Also, although there are two other land records references to Alexander Fulton of Chanceford Township in 1762 and 1764, no Alexander Fulton is found in any of the York County Tax lists starting in 1772. Certainly seems possible that this Alexander Fulton was closely related to the Fulton Family of James Fulton of Hopwell Twp. York County PA who died in 1772, and that he may have died prior to James. If he died without heirs it would explain why he is not named in the will of James even if he is a son of James.

What happened to the Children of James Fulton d 1772 Hopewell Twp?

John Fulton: Alive at death of Father. Likely eldest son as listed first and likely gone from the immediate area or he would have been named as executor. Of course there could be other reasons. Might be the John Fulton of Rising Sun, Indiana. This John’s biography says he was a brother to Steamboat Robert, which is not likely. However, the bio also says there were four brothers, John, Andrew, Hugh, and Robert. The Andrew and Hugh would fit. However, if the James Fulton Bible entries listed above are correct, then this John Fulton, listed first as most likely eldest son would have been born 1714, 1716, or maybe even 1727, but the John Fulton of Rising Sun, Indiana was born in 1733. So I don’t think this John son of James of Hopewell Twp, York County, PA. is the John Fulton of Rising Sun, Indiana, although I do think the Rising Sun Indiana John Fulton is closely related. There is also a John Fulton (not in indexed, probably misread) living in Smith Twp., Washington County, PA., in 1790 Census with 4 males over 16, 1 male under 16, and 4 females in the household. This could well be John, son of James who as the eldest could easily have had 3 adult sons living in the household with him by 1790.

James Fulton: My guess is that the James Fulton of Chanceford Twp is the son of James of Hopewell. I think he was also the Father of Samuel and James and possibly Hugh Fulton and that he is likely the James Fulton of York County, Father of James and Samuel referred to in the Will of Rachel Fulton of Chester County, PA. of 1815. It appears from census records this James may have had three sons, James, Samuel, and Hugh. The 1830 census of Lower Chanceford Twp. is interesting in that is lists in one entry a James and Samuel Fulton, with 2 males between 40-50 meaning they were born in the 1780’s one male 15-20, one female over 100 years old. The one male 15-20 is almost certainly James Sample Fulton born about 1813. His family is listed in the 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses of Lower Chanceford, York County, PA. In the 1870 census, but Post Office is listed as Bald Eagle, which is a small hamlet across Muddy Creek in Fawn Twp. The youngest son of James Sample and Elizabeth Clarkson Fulton was John Farquhar Fulton born at Chanceford Twp on April 20, 1856.

John Farquhar Fulton, stated relative of Steamboat Robert Fulton. John Farquhar Fulton was a noted ophthalmologist with a biography recorded on pages 234-235 of volume 25 of The National Encyclopedia of American Biography. The bio lists his Grandparents as James and Jane Sample Fulton, his Great Grandparents as James and Mary Moore Fulton and his Great Great Grandfather as James Fulton who came from Donegal, Ireland, to Philadelphia, PA. about 1730 with his brother Robert, the father of the inventor.   The Donegal reference is out of sync with other references to Kilkenny, but this does provide a stated link of the James Fulton who died in 1772 in Hopewell Twp. as the James of Chanceford Twp., and if correct pushes back the connection to Steamboat Robert’s Family one more generation by stating the it was James Fulton who died in 1772 who was the brother of the Steamboat Robert’s Father. See the later section regarding James Fulton the Merchant of Philadelphia from Donegal. In the Fulton Family Newsletter discussion of James Fulton, Merchant of Philadelphia in the Oct. 1992 issue, a reference is made to the conclusions of a Fulton research Herbert Leister that one of the James Fultons of the late 1700's Chanceford Twp, York County, PA. who died in 1808 is the same man as James Fulton the Merchant of Philadelphia. John Farquhar Fulton traces his ancestry back in Chanceford Twp, York County, PA. to a James Fulton. Since it seems clear in the records of James Fulton, Merchant of Philadelphia of a connection to County Donegal, I suspect that might be where John Farquhar Fulton obtained the legend that his Fulton line was from Donegal. A son of John Farquhar Fulton, of the same name, a noted neurologist, was in the possession of the Merchant James documents in 1950. I am skeptical that the Merchant James Fulton retired to Chanceford Twp., York County, PA. The 1790 and 1800 US census shows a James Fulton of Manor of Moreland, Montgomery County, PA., and also 2 James Fultons in 1790 and one in 1800 in Chanceford Twp., York County. I suspect these are separate men but I invite others who may have more information to educated me further. The is also one James Fulton in Chanceford Twp, York County, PA., with 5 people in the household in 1783 tax list as well as a James Fulton there in 1774, 1778, and 1779 tax lists.

William Fulton: My guess is this William Fulton is the same as the one with a Will recorded in nearby Fawn Township dated November 1, 1781 and proven on December 7, 1781. The will names wife Mary, who may be Mary Shonard as a William Fulton is named as an executor of the Will of John Shonard in nearby Shrewsbury Twp, York County, proven July 31, 1766 in which John Shonard names a daughter Mary. The Will of William Fulton in 1781 also lists children: John, Alexander, James, Elijah, and Mary. The executors are Thomas Allen and wife Mary Fulton and eldest son John Fulton. Obviously the factors in favor of the William Fulton of Fawn Twp being the son of James Fulton who died in 1772 in Hopewell Twp are proximity and the fact that James had a son William. One challenge to this is that it would be very typical for William to have named his eldest son James after his Father but William’s will lists son James third, almost always indicating birth order. This could be explained that perhaps a first born son James died very young and a subsequent son was then also named James. Of maybe this is a different William, not the son of James. In the Muddy Creek Presbyterian Church Records of York County is an entry for the daughter Mary of parents William and Mary Fulton born August 9, 1775 and baptized September 24, 1775. This would appear to be William who died in 1781 and wife Mary and daughter Mary named in the Will.   This would indicate that William who died in 1781 was young enough to be a son of James who died in 1772. I think that William’s sons John and Alexander moved between 1783 and 1788 to Huntingdon County, PA., where they show up in the 1790 census and Alexander shows up in a tax list for Frankstown in 1788. The 1880 County History of Indiana County, PA. bio for Alexander Fulton born in Frankstown, Huntingdon County, PA. states he was born in 1805 the son of Robert and Ruth Cunningham Fulton and that his Father Robert came to Indiana County in May 1805 with Robert’s brothers John and William and Mother Sarah, nee McDonald, widow of Alexander Fulton. In the 1790 Census of Huntingdon County, Alexander Fulton is listed with one male over 16 and 4 males under 16. I believe this indicates this Alexander is too young to be the either of the Alexander’s in the 1750’s Lancaster County, PA, tax lists nor the Alexander of Chanceford Twp, York County, whose land is referenced in a July 7, 1762 land warrant and a claim entered for that land on Sept. 21, 1764. In the 1790 Census of Fawn Twp, York County there are two James Fulton’s one with 4 males over 16 in the household and no males under 16 and the other with 3 males over 16 and no males under 16. It would seem logical that at least one of these James Fulton’s (or perhaps the census taker made an error and the two are duplicate entries for the same person) is the son of William who died in 1781. By the 1800 census there are no Fulton’s in Fawn Twp.

Jennet: I have no information on her.

Andrew: Andrew Fulton moved to Smith Township, Washington County, PA., between 1783 when he is found in the Hopewell Twp, York County tax list with a household of 5 people and 1790 when he is found in the 1790 US Census in Smith Twp, Washington County, PA. with one male over 16, 2 males under 16 and 4 females. In the 1800 Smith Twp, Washington County, PA. census Andrew’s household is 1 male over 45, 3 males 18-26, 1 male under 10, 1 female 10-16, and 1 female 16-26. His marriage is recorded in the records of the Muddy Creek Presbyterian Church in Chanceford Twp, York County, PA., to Elizabeth Neilson on June 10, 1777. The birth and baptism of 4 of their children are also recorded in these Church records as follows: James born 5/4/1778, bapt 5/3/1778; John born 5/24/1780, bapt 6/1/1780; Ann born 3/1/1782, bapt 5/19/1782; Hugh born 2/7/1784, bapt 10/18/1784. Andrew Fulton’s will is recorded in Washington County, PA., as still residing in Smith Twp., will date Nov. 19, 1812, proven Dec. 28, 1812, naming sons James, Hugh, and David and daughters Jean and Anna, the wife of Major Gamble. Sons James may be the same James Fulton age 73 in 1850 census of Smith Township, Washington County, PA. Anna Gamble is probably same person as Ann Gamble age 68 in Holmes County, Ohio census living next to likely her son Andrew Gamble. Smith Twp, Washington County, is the location of the farm that Steamboat Robert Fulton bought in 1786 and to which he relocated his Mother, sisters, and brother Abraham. This is the same location and could likely even be the same migration date as Andrew Fulton and his family, providing another piece of evidence suggesting a close relationship of these Fulton families.

Hugh: I don’t have any firm information on this son. I have seen old Fulton list postings suggesting this Hugh may have moved to Ulster County, NY. He could also be the Hugh Fulton among the many signatures of a petition to the Continental Congress dated May 14, 1778, for the inhabitants of Peters Twp., Cumberland County, now in Franklin County, PA. This petition noted the Indian massacres in nearby town of Bedford and vicinity in which 30+ people had be murdered and scalped by Indians in recent days and fearing their area would be next requested help from the Continental Congress.

David: David stayed in Hopewell Twp., one might presume on the farm of his Father. David may have married twice and appears to have raised a large family. The following births and baptisms are recorded to David and Mary Fulton in the Muddy Creek Presbyterian Church of York County, PA: Martha born 10/8/1778, bapt 12/15/1778; Jean born 2/17/1780, bapt 4/15/1780; James bapt 10/14/1781. Then a marriage is recorded in the Muddy Creek Presbyterian Church records of David Fulton to Ann McIsaac on Jan. 20, 1791. I think this is a second marriage for the same David Fulton. Then a son Henry born 4/4/1799, bapt 6/23/1799 is recorded to David and Ann Fulton. The 1992 edition of the Fulton newsletter, pages 26-27, discusses the estate of David Fulton of Hopewell Twp., York County, PA., who died intestate in 1826. It describes an administration bond issued August 16, 1826 (Book 2J, p. 217) which lists a widow Ann and children: Henry, David(b: 1783), Martha, Jane, John(b: 1786), Hugh, William(b: 1790), James(b: 1798), and Andrew. The dates in ( ) are based on finding these men alive in 1850 Hopewell Twp, York County, PA. census, except John born 1786 who is in nearby Peach Bottom Twp with a son David living next door. The Fulton Newsletter article indicates there is a family tradition in the line of Michael Morrison Fulton born 1833 son of William Fulton, grandson of David Fulton, that Morrison Fulton’s grandfather lived in the same town as the inventor Robert Fulton’s parents and that the grandfather’s were brothers. Not sure exactly how to interpret this. Could mean that David Fulton son of James and Steamboat Robert Fulton’s Father (also named Robert) were brothers. Not likely as you would think that James Fulton’s will of 1772 would have named Steamboat Robert as a son. But this does square with Rising Sun Indiana John Fulton’s story. Or it could mean that David Fulton’s Grandfather and Steamboat Robert’s Father’s Grandfather were brothers. In any case, this is another link indicating the York County Fulton’s traditions of being closely related to Steamboat Robert Fulton’s Family.

In summary, as regards a connection of the Family of James Fulton who died in Hopewell Township, York County, PA., in 1772 and the Family of Steamboat Robert Fulton, you legends from two different branches, James’ sons James and David’s lines, both indicating a close connection.   You also have another son Andrew moving at apparently the same time, about 1786 to the same Smith Township in Washington County, PA. where Steamboat Robert located his Mother and siblings. Seems pretty strong circumstantial evidence that a close connection does exist.

Samuel Fulton of York County and Washington County, PA:
Samuel Fulton was born about 1750 and died in Smith Twp. Washington County, PA. leaving a Will dated May 10, 1821, proven May 30, 1821. Samuel lead an interesting life. He was a Captain in the Revolutionary War and it appears from the pension application documentation of his widow Catherine, that he was engaged throughout the War in many battles. Samuel Fulton never applied for a Revolutionary War Pension himself and he died before pensions were generally available. However, his widow Catherine did file for a pension based on later legislation allowing half pensions for widows of Revolutionary War Veterans and her pension file is large. We don’t know the names of the parents of Samuel Fulton nor where he was born. He might have been a grandson of James Fulton who died in Hopewell Twp in 1772, but I doubt this as Samuel Fulton’s 1821 Will lists 5 sons in order: William, John, David, Samuel, and Robert. If he were a grandson of James of Hopewell, one would think he would have had a son James. However, there could have been a son James who died before Samuel without heirs. My guess is that Samuel was a close relative of the York County James Fulton clan, but not directly from James. Samuel’s 1821 Will also names 3 daughters Mary, Catrin, and Margaret and a grandson Samuel, son of David and mentions his son John is in Ohio. Samuel first shows up in the York County Tax lists as a single man in Fawn Twp. in 1778 where William Fulton was living. In the Pension files of his widow Catherine is an affidavit from a fellow Rev. War Pensioner, James Proudfoot of Hanover Twp, Washington, dated April 25, 1844, in which he states that he was from York County, PA. and he remembers that Samuel Fulton first came to York County about 1779 or 1780 from Northumberland County where he thinks Samuel had been engaged in the War. James Proudfoot knew Samuel Fulton well, living near him for many years in Washington County, PA. and attending the same Presbyterian Church where Samuel was a Ruling Elder. Since James Proudfoot states he grew up in Hopewell Twp., York County, PA. and was a classmate of Samuel’s wife Catherine Smith whom Samuel married in York County in 1785, it seems logical that Samuel Fulton was born and raised in York County, or James Proudfoot would have know that and known of him before he came to York County in about 1778 when he shows up on the Fawn Twp. tax list. Samuel Fulton then shows up on the 1781, 82, and 83 Hopewell Twp tax lists as a single man. He married Catherine Smith daughter of Col. William Smith on May 5, 1785. In 1790 Samuel was living in Chanceford Twp with 1 male over 16, 4 males under 16, and 5 females in the household. By 1800 Samuel was living in Smith Twp. Washington County, PA. The pension files mention that Samuel was wounded in the knee at Shamokin in a battle with the Indians. Shamokin is a town in present day Northumberland County. Northumberland County was where John Fulton and Family of Rising Sun, Indiana were living from 1774 to 1778 when the Family was taken prisoner by Indians. Since Rising Sun John Fulton had another son Samuel born in 1762, this Samuel Fulton is another man, but perhaps and likely closely related. The fact that this Samuel Fulton, Revolutionary War Captain moved and lived near the York County Fulton’s and then later moved to Smith Twp in Washington County, PA. among other York County Fulton’s certainly would indicate a close family relationship.   Who was the Father or Captain Samuel Fulton?   One would first look at William as that is the name of Samuel’s eldest son. I am reminded that a William Fulton was a member of the Frontier Ranger Company of Christopher Gist and died in the French and Indian War in 1756. Perhaps this was the Father of Captain Samuel Fulton and he was raised in the household of relatives, perhaps Rising Sun John Fulton, in Cumberland and then Northumberland County before coming to York County after Rising Sun John and family were captured by Indians in 1778. The Revolutionary War experiences of the Captain Samuel Fulton based on the descriptions in the pension application files of his widow must have been very interesting. They indicate he was in the war for at least 5 or 6 years was wounded seriously at least twice, once in the knee in a battle with the Indians at Shamokin and through the body in the battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776. He was also in the battle of Brandywine Creek in PA on Sept. 11. 1777, the South Carolina Battles of Hanging Rock, August 6, 1780; King’s Mountain, Oct. 7, 1780; Cowpens, Jan. 17, 1781, and the North Carolina Battles of Salisbury, a.k.a. Shallow Ford, Oct. 14, 1780; and Guilford Courthouse on March 15, 1781. He also spent time guarding captured troops in York County, PA.

Western PA. 1785/86: James, Alexander, and Samuel Fulton. I do not know how these Fulton’s are connected, but since the first name Alexander is closely associated with Steamboat Robert Fulton and the early Lancaster, York, and Northern Maryland Fulton’s, I think they are closely related. There were two petitions, almost identical except for the number of signatures sent to the Continental Congress in 1785 and 1786. Both complained of the cost of Salt and asked for help to relieve this cost burden. They were sent from the inhabitants of Pittsburgh and others living on or near the waters of the Rivers Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio. The first sent in 1785 had among the signatures a James Fulton. The second dated Feb. 12, 1786 contained the signatures of James Fulton, Alexander Fulton, and Samuel Fulton all listed together among a total of 77 signatures. They could well have been living in the area of or near the present Smith Twp., Washington County, PA. However, I cannot connect these three Fulton’s to specific Fulton’s from Maryland or other parts of PA. The James would not have been the son of James who died in 1772 in York County as this James stayed in York County. This Samuel is not Captain Samuel Fulton listed above as Captain Samuel Fulton of York County did not move to Washington County, PA. until between 1790 and 1800. I don’t think this Samuel is the son of Rising Son John Fulton as family histories suggest they stayed in Cumberland County until about 1985. The Alexander doesn’t seem to match any known prior Alexander’s although this Alexander could well be the Alexander Fulton of Washington County, PA., who was a leader of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794, who was among those not pardoned and who I believe fled to Louisiana, which was not American territory until Thomas Jefferson bought it from the French in 1803. Seems obvious these three are closely related as the petition list is not alphabetical but these three sign together indicating they are probably brothers or Father and sons. The McLean Il., History indicates William Fulton had 4 sons: Samuel Thompson, William Jr., James, and Robert.

Misc Stated Steamboat Robert Fulton Relative: In the History of McLean County, Illinois, the ancestor of a Fulton Family there is said to be “William Fulton, Sr., who was born in Westmoreland County, PA., Dec. 24, 1792, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He settled near Bloomington, Ill., in 1852 and died Feb. 18, 1871, and is buried in Bloomington. He was a full cousin of Robert Fulton, the inventor of the steamboat.” Of course, he would not be a 1st cousin, but I do think it likely this William Fulton is fairly closely related. This William Fulton appears to be the son of James Fulton who was living in Hempfield Twp., Westmoreland County, PA., in 1810, next to a Robert Fulton, who is young enough to be a son of this James. It may not be that this William Fulton was born in Westmoreland County, but he did serve from there in the War of 1812., and the 1850 census of Harrison County, Ohio, and the 1860 and 1870 census of McLean County, IL., all indicate he was born in Pennsylvania. There is another large Fulton clan centered in Westmoreland County, PA., that of Abraham and Margaret Guthrie Fulton on Londonderry County, Ireland who came to American with their 7 children, James, Mary, Robert, Abram, Margaret, Henry, and Joseph. This Fulton Family which has no traditions of relationship to Steamboat Robert is well documented in the 1940 book “The Fulton Family of Westmoreland County, PA.” by Ernest S. Craighead. The Hempfield Twp., Westmoreland County, PA., Fultons are not of the Abraham and Margaret Guthrie clan.   By 1820 William Fulton and his Father James Fulton are in Short Creek Twp, Harrison County, Ohio along with a Hugh Fulton who later census records show to have been born in Maryland. Also nearby in Green Twp., Harrison County, Ohio, is the Family of John Fulton born Aug. 26, 7777 near Havre de Grace on the border between Harford and Cecil Counties in Maryland and in nearby Nottingham Twp., Harrison County, Ohio, is Philip Fulton born in Cecil County, Maryland on June 24, 1777. Philip named his eldest son born in 1805 in Maryland, Alexander. Short biographies is this John and Philip are included in Charles Hanna’s “Ohio Valley Genealogies” 1900. This John Fulton named his sons in order: William, John, and James.   Philip named his sons in order: Alexander, William, Philip, Harrison, John, and Calvin. See the Fulton’s of Northern Maryland section for more information on likely related families of Cecil and Harford Counties in Maryland.

Misc. Early Fulton Records from Philadephia and Montgomery County, PA.

I have not done much research into these Fulton’s. Below are some misc. notes. I do not know if or how these Fulton’s are related to the Chester-Lancaster-and York County Fulton’s, but their do appear to be connections in early documents.

From the book “Record of Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1810, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD., 1968, as excerpted from PA. Archives, Series 2, vols. VIII and IX (1880).
Christ Church, Philadelphia, records beginning 1709:
Sept. 17, 1748, Elizabeth Fulton married William Standley
August 20, 1755, Robert Fulton married Eleanor Wyncoop
Oct. 15, 1755, David Fulton married Elizabeth Yeates (The Feb. 27, 1790 Will in Moreland Twp., Montgomery County, PA. of Anthony Yerkes (Yeates?) leaves a legacy to his daughter Elizabeth Fulton of Virginia and her sons Anthony and David. A witness is James Fulton. I believe this refers to the Loudoun County, VA. Fulton’s. Another earlier Will of May 12, 1774 of Thomas Steeglects of Bucks County names Elizabeth, wife of David Fulton of the Manor of Moreland. This seems to indicate the same David Fulton and that he was still in Philadelphia area in 1774 and later moved to Loudoun County, VA.)
May 16, 1797, James Fulton married Margaret Cherry
Swede’s Church, Philadelphia, records beginning 1750:
April 2, 1758, Mary Fulton married Joshua Moore
May 15, 1778, John Fulton married Ann Templeton
Jan. 9, 1783, John Fulton married Catherine Weyman
First Baptist Church, Philadelphia, records beginning 1761:
Dec. 9, 1764, Hugh Fulton married Rachel Thomas
Oct. 25, 1799, Mary Fultin married George Anthony Rogers
First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, records beginning 1702:
August 28, 1731, Lettiel Fulton married John Coldwell
March 27, 1741, Jane Fulton married James Gillespey (I had seen references identifying this James Gillespey as the same man who acquired the land of William Fulton who died in Little Britain Twp., Lancaster PA., in 1741 and that James married the widow of William. I don’t what the documentation is for this, but it does seem logical based on names that this James Gillespey is the same man who acquired William Fulton’s land although he may have married a daughter or a widow. If so, it would indicate a close connection between the Philadelphia Fulton’s and the family of Steamboat Robert.)

St. James’ Episcopal Church, Perkiomen, Montgomery County, PA. records beginning 1788:
Feb. 12, 1795, Mary Fulton married Thomas Coulston
Abington Presbyterian Church, Montgomery County, PA. records beginning 1716:
March 30, 1762, David Fulton, Sr. married Helena Wynkoop
Sept. 8, 1768, James Fulton married Sarah Vancourt
Jan. 25, 1787, Margaret Fulton married Cornelius Wyncoop
Oct. 3, 1793, Joseph Fulton married Anne Crawford
St. Michael’s and Zion Church, Philadelphia, records beginning 1745:
Feb. 3, 1765, John Fulton married Mary Gaa (or Goo)
Third Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, records beginning 1785:
Jan. 23, 1795, John Fulton married Jane Shepherd
Second Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, records beginning 1763:
May 6, 1807, Joseph Fulton married Eliza Black.

James Fulton, Merchant, Philadelphia and Manor of Moreland, Montgomery County, PA. The October 1992 issue of The Fulton Family Newsletter, edited by the excellent researcher Pat Start who had taken over from founder Robert DeWard Fulton, has a lengthly review of excellent materials regarding the genealogy of Steamboat Robert Fulton. Included is a wealth of interesting information regarding a Merchant James Fulton of Philadelphia. James Fulton, Merchant of Philadelphia left business journals and letters covering the years 1760 to 1772. In the Fulton Newsletter article, letter so Merchant James are quoted to and from a brother John Fulton in Rathmelton, Ireland, also apparently a merchant. Rathmelton, Ireland is a port city located in the far north of County Donegal, Ireland. Transactions and mortgages between Philadelphia Merchant James Fulton and the Fultons on Donegal Twp, Lancaster County certainly seem to imply a family relationship between these Fultons. See the discussion above regarding a descendent of James Fulton who died in York County, PA. in 1772, John Farquhar Fulton, that suggests John Farquhar Fulton of Chanceford Twp, York County, PA. born in 1856 was a descendent of Merchant James Fulton of Philadelphia who moved to Chanceford Twp. about 1778. I am not aware of evidence as of yet to show the James Fulton of Philadelphia moved to Chanceford Twp, York County, and in fact census records seem to indicate differently. I am very interested in more details on this puzzle. If Merchant James Fulton is of Donegal, Ireland as it seems likely, and if he is closely related to Steamboat Roberts Family (I am more skeptical of that), then it might be evidence that Steamboat Roberts Fulton line was not of Kilkenny nor of Lisburn, but of a separate group in and around Donegal. However, since two characteristics of the Lisburn Fultons are that they were often merchants and often relocated to where business took them. So, it could be both that James the Philadelphia Merchant was of Donegal and of a Merchant branch of the Lisburn group and perhaps a cousin of the Steamboat Robert group.

Abraham and Margaret Guthrie Fulton of Westmoreland County, PA. A large American Fulton clan with many descendents stems from Abraham and Margaret Guthrie Fulton. This large Fulton Family is well documented in the book "The Fulton Family of Westmoreland County, PA. 1712 -1772 - 1940" by Ernest S. Craighead, privately published in 1940. Abraham Fulton and his wife Margaret Guthrie of the village of Articlave in the parish of Dunboe in County Londonderry left Ireland in 1772 arriving in Baltimore. By 1779 the Family was in western Pennsylvania eventually buying land and settling in and around Derry and South Huntingdon townships in Westmoreland County. Abraham and Margaret had 7 children, all born in Ireland and all of whom came to America with their parents. The Children of Abraham and Margaret Guthrie Fulton were: 1) James, abt 1747 - 1834, married Sarah Cochran, 11 children including 6 sons; 2) Mary (Polly), abt 1750 - 1825, married John Boyd, 9 children; 3) Robert, abt 1751 - 1820, married Nancy or Agnes Sloan, 8 children in cluding 4 sons; 4) Abram, abt 1753 - 1835, married Jane Coe in 1782, 10 children including 7 sons; 5) Margaret, abt 1755 - ??, married John Irwin, 5 children; 6) Henry, about 1757 - 1787, died unmarried; 7) Joseph, abt 1759 - abt 1845, married ?? Irving, 5 children, including 3 sons. Several family members served in the Revolutionary War. There is no family tradition of a relationship to the Family of Steamboat Robert Fulton in this line that I am aware of.

Widow Agnes Fulton and her 4 sons of Clarion County, PA. Robert DeWard Fulton was a descendent of this large Fulton Family. Bob published the Fulton Family Newsletter from 1986 until his death in 1992. The back issues of the Fulton Family Newsletter contain a wealth of family history on many Fulton Families. Sometime after the close of the Revolutionary War a Widow Agnes Fulton came to America with her 4 sons; James Jackson Fulton, Miles Cochran Fulton, Henry Fulton, and Robert Fulton and settled in Clarion County, PA. Reports from descendents are that she came from Belfast about 1794 to Philadelphia and settled first in New Derry, Westmoreland County, PA. and about 1800 removed to Armstrong, later becoming Clarion County, PA. James Jackson and Miles Cochran Fulton each had at least 12 children, so their are many, many descendents of this line. There is no family tradition in this family of a relationship to Steamboat Robert Fulton.