Robert Breckenridge

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Robert Brackenridge was born about 1735 in Ireland/Pennsylvania; died in Jun 1779 in Penn Twp, Huntingdon Co, Pennsylvania.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Ballymacan

Notes:

"According to the biography of John Breckenridge, the Kentucky senator of the Civil War period, his family came to this country in about 1728 from Ulster, Ireland. The family originated in Ashire, Scotland, migrated to the highlands of Scotland to Breadalbane, Scotland, later to the North of Ireland. As Protestants, the Breckenridges took part in some of the wars in Ireland in which Alexander's father was a leader. The Protestants being again defeated, Alexander and his brother fled to America into Philadelphia. They remained for some years in Pennsylvania. Alexander moved on to Virginia by way of Staunton, then east again to Albemarle County and was living in Augusta Co, Virginia in 1738. His brother remained in Pennsylvania and retained the original spelling of Brackenridge."
(source unk)

Buried:
Posted by: Jo Mulligan (ID *****1280) Date: February 19, 2011 at 08:09:41
In Reply to: Intriguing birth info on Alexander Breckenridge I by Frank Breckenridge

In Clogher Cathedral graveyard is a stone

Hereunder is int. the b. of Alexander Breckinridge who dep.t.l. 29th August 1689 aged 41 years.

Here likewise lyeth the b. of John Breckinridge, late of Ballymacan, who dep.t.l. 17th Feb 1721 and in the 49th year of his age.

Also Barbara, his wife, who likewise dep.t.l. 24th aug 1720 aged 41 years.

Here also lieth the b. of William Breckinridge, -----, late of Augher, -----.

Also Thomas Trimble, late of Lismore, ----, d. 1st april 1861 aged 73 years.

http://genforum.genealogy.com/breckenridge/messages/1308.html

John* married Mrs. Barbara* (..) Breckenridge about 1685. Barbara* was born in 1679; died on 24 Aug 1720 in Clogher Co Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland; was buried in Clogher Cathedral graveyard, Co Tyrone, Ulster, Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Posted by: Jo Mulligan (ID *****1280) Date: February 19, 2011 at 08:09:41
In Reply to: Intriguing birth info on Alexander Breckenridge I by Frank Breckenridge

In Clogher Cathedral graveyard is a stone

Hereunder is int. the b. of Alexander Breckinridge who dep.t.l. 29th August 1689 aged 41 years.

Here likewise lyeth the b. of John Breckinridge, late of Ballymacan, who dep.t.l. 17th Feb 1721 and in the 49th year of his age.

Also Barbara, his wife, who likewise dep.t.l. 24th aug 1720 aged 41 years.

Here also lieth the b. of William Breckinridge, -----, late of Augher, -----.

Also Thomas Trimble, late of Lismore, ----, d. 1st april 1861 aged 73 years.

http://genforum.genealogy.com/breckenridge/messages/1308.html

Notes:

Looks like officially Breckenridge is a sept/allied family of Douglas, not Clan Campbell as has been widely discussed and assumed. At the Clan Douglas Society of North America, Septs and Allied Families, http://clandouglassociety.org/septs/
it gives detailed discussion of what a sept is and the guidelines to be met to be considered in a sept, along with a list of names, with the disclaimer of "Our own Douglas list of septs and allied families is by no means perfect. It is quite likely some names included on our list were based more on 19th century renewal enthusiasm than on historical accuracy and it is just as likely that the surnames of many loyal followers of the Douglas Chiefs have not been included."
It goes on to say that the Clan Douglas at present time has no standing chief who would have full say over what surnames are or are not accepted as official septs and allied families. Should one ever come to be appointed, the list would be subject to that person's approval.
Without this chief, the group CDSNA selected the guidelines and criteria and was published in the Aug 2005 Dubh Ghlas, though those guidelines are not in the CDSNA Blaws; so there is no "OFFICIAL" criteria that exists. The article gives a short history of CDSNA Spets and Allied Family Names and Year and Names accepted. As to why the names were added, it explains the pains-taking process and research that was done to build the list of 39 names, other than Douglas.
One of those names is BRECKINRIDGE; and the explanation of their inclusion lengthy (see webpage http://clandouglassociety.org/breckinridge/
or pdf of a copy of the text)



---
Posted by: Craig Allan Breckenridge
Date: November 24, 1999 at 19:52:58

Does anyone know who the BRECKENRIDGE family was affiliated with in Scotland? I suspect either the Camerons or Campbells but would like to know for sure. Your thoughts Roger, or Jim?


Posted by: Jim McClenahan Date: November 25, 1999 at 20:35:58
In Reply to: BRECKENRIDGE clan affiliation? by Craig Allan Breckenridge

Craig, this is all I have in my notes, and they appear contradictory. Even the experts can't agree. Being "lowland" Scots it is doubtful they had any clan association. If, the did, I would cast my vote with Roger as the Campbells being the most likely.
Dr. George F. Black, in his "The Surnames of Scotland", 1946, writes, "The names Breckenridge and Brackenridge are confined mainly to Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. The surname is derived from the lands of Brackenrig in the old Barony of Avondale in Lanarkshire." Dr. Black mentioned the name as having been in use as "John of Bracaniyggis in Glascow in 1454 and Brackanrig in 1505."

According to "Ayrshire Notes" in the Kilmarnock Stand of March 22, 1947, "There seems to have been no important landed family of the name of Breckenridge, but, from an early date, however, it was fairly widespread as a surname among burgesses and yeomen in the Lowlands, especially in Ayrshire.

The BRECKENRIDGES fled northwards to central Scotland during the religious wars following the Restoration, where they took refuge with the Campbells of Breadalbane. The maps of the period show the area in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, where the Breckenridges reportedly originated, as Campbell territory, and it is reasonable to assume they may have taken refuge with the Campbells of Breadalbane.

Breckenridge was associated with the MacDonalds in County Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1603.

According to the Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia, by George Way of Plean and Romilly Squire, there is no Clan Breckenridge nor are they an allied family of the known clans.

And finally, The early generations of the Alexander Breckenridge Family in America, as well as some other Breckenridge families, have held, "We are descendants of the House of Douglas." If that is correct, our family may have originated in Southeast Scotland near one of the Douglas Castles, not in the Barony of Avondale in the Southwest.



Posted by: J. Griffin Crump
Date: November 25, 1999 at 20:42:39
In Reply to: BRECKENRIDGE clan affiliation? by Craig Allan Breckenridge

Rick and Roger -- Scott Breckinridge of Lexington, KY, wrote in an unpublished memorandum dated 1986 that family tradition holds that it was during the religious wars following the Restoration that the Breckenridges fled northwards fromn Ayrshire/Lanarkshire to central Scotland, where they took refuge with the Campbells of Breadalbane. In 1677, John, the 5th baronet of Glenorchy, took the title of viscount of Breadalbane, becoming in 1681 Earl of Breadalbane. Scott says maps of the period show the Breckenridge areas of Ayrshire and Lanarkshire as Campbell territory. Scott puts it nicely: "It is reasonable to assume that when the family fled north they had claims on the hospitality of the Campbells of Breadalbane. Whatever the facts, the story of the flight and of Breadalbane hospitality was preserved, being perpetuated in the name a number of descendants gave their properties (in Kentucky) -- Braedalbane, with a slight modification in spelling."
I have lately been in Breadalbane territory and have more information, albeit circumstantial, but am concerned that Genforum may have some limit on the length of these messages, so if you wish, post another message and I'll respond further.

http://genforum.genealogy.com/breckenridge/messages/257.html


------------
Alexander Breckenridge father of John was born in Braedalbane, Scotland which is in the highlands of Scotland. The family orginated in Ayrshire and Lankanshire had to flee northward to Braedalbane under the Clan of the Campbells. Sources: Bible records, notes of family members, notes from Robert and James Breckenridge, Ireland records, Scotand Historical Society, Braedalbane records in Scotland.

http://genforum.genealogy.com/breckenridge/messages/314.html




Buried:
From: Glen Moyer
To: Ruby Campbell
Cc: Sherry Moyer Sharp
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 4:54 PM
Subject: Re: Clan Campbell affiliation

Dear Ruby:
Thank you so much for the reply. I am aware of the graveyard in Clogher and it is that Alexander to who our family ancestry is traced - to the best of my knowledge. His son, the John & Barbara noted below had (again to my understanding thanks to a cousin who has done massive research into the paternal side of my family) had a son named Alexander who is the emigrant to the US in our family line.

I had understood there are no laws governing who can wear what tartans, and I know there are some, like Spirit of Scotland, that are generic to any and all Scots - as is a new tartan made for the National Trust of Scotland of which I am a new member. That said, I was hoping to find a clan tartan that - while I can't lay claim to being a member of the Campbell or any clan - I could at least select on the basis that it is the Campbell clan to which, as you say, my ancestors are most closely identified - i.e. a tartan that would have some special meaning to me other than one generic to any/all Scots.

I do thank you again for the reply and your help in this area. I am very appreciative.

Sincerely,

Glen Moyer



On Nov 20, 2013, at 2:56 PM, Ruby Campbell wrote:

Dear Mr. Moyer:

The name Breckenridge is a central belt name, but of course some of the name may have gone to Breadalbane and lived there "under the influence" of the Campbell chief of the area. I'd expect that, as followers to the Breadalbanes, they would "wear the colours" while there. Certainly you may do the same. Actually, no laws or rules govern who may wear which tartan. Generally, people wear the tartan of the clan with which they are most closely identified, but you may chose any of the many tartans on the market.


In rural Ulster there is a large graveyard situated in the small town of Clogher, "on the south side of the main road leading from the Ballygawley roundabout to Enniskillen. This is a site of some antiquity as it is reported there has been a graveyard here from the beginning of the sixth century. A cathedral was built on this site in the late thirteenth century. In 1622 the cathedral was described as ?altogether ruinated?. Shortly afterwards a new Protestant cathedral was built here. The present cathedral was built in 1744 by Bishop John Stearne. In 1786 the graveyard was enlarged to its present two acres. For the last 400 years the graveyard has been used by both Protestants and Catholics."

In this Clogher Cathedral graveyard is a stone inscribed:

"Hereunder is interred the body of Alexander Breckinridge who departed this life 29th August 1689 aged 41 years.

Here likewise lyeth the body of John Breckinridge, late of Ballymacan, who departed this life 17th Feb 1721 and in the 49th year of his age.

Also Barbara, his wife, who likewise departed this life 24th August 1720 aged 41 years.

Here also lieth the body of William Breckinridge, -----, late of Augher, -----.

Also Thomas Trimble, late of Lismore, ----, died 1st April 1861 aged 73 years". (Don?t know if this Lismore is the one in Argyll, or another place in Ireland (same Gaelic used.)

The Internet has a reference to a Scott Breckinridge, of Lexington, KY, who wrote in an unpublished memorandum dated 1986 that "his family tradition holds that it was during the religious wars following the Restoration (Charles II, 1660) that the Breckenridges fled northwards from Ayrshire/Lanarkshire to central (sic) Scotland, where they took refuge with the Campbells of Breadalbane. In 1677, John, the 5th baronet of Glenorchy, took the title of viscount of Breadalbane, becoming in 1681 Earl of Breadalbane". Scott?s memorandum also says "maps of the period show the Breckenridge areas of Ayrshire and Lanarkshire as Campbell territory" adding: "It is reasonable to assume that when the family fled north they had claims on the hospitality of the Campbells of Breadalbane. Whatever the facts, the story of the flight and of Breadalbane hospitality was preserved, being perpetuated in the name a number of descendants gave their properties (in Kentucky) -- Braedalbane, with a slight modification in spelling." http://genforum.genealogy.com/breckenridge/messages/261.html

Breckenridge would seem to be more Lanarkshire than Ayrshire, but people did move around quite a bit.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

Ruby G. Campbell, Ph.D., FSA Scot
CCS(NA) Genealogist & Librarian

--------------

Posted by: Jo Mulligan (ID *****1280) Date: February 19, 2011 at 08:09:41
In Reply to: Intriguing birth info on Alexander Breckenridge I by Frank Breckenridge

In Clogher Cathedral graveyard is a stone

Hereunder is int. the b. of Alexander Breckinridge who dep.t.l. 29th August 1689 aged 41 years.

Here likewise lyeth the b. of John Breckinridge, late of Ballymacan, who dep.t.l. 17th Feb 1721 and in the 49th year of his age.

Also Barbara, his wife, who likewise dep.t.l. 24th aug 1720 aged 41 years.

Here also lieth the b. of William Breckinridge, -----, late of Augher, -----.

Also Thomas Trimble, late of Lismore, ----, d. 1st april 1861 aged 73 years.

http://genforum.genealogy.com/breckenridge/messages/1308.html