DNA Stephen C. Foster Grandparents? Descendants of James Foster & Ann Barclay?
Please help me!
I am trying to find some living descendants of James Alexander Foster b. 1738 Little Britain Twp., Lancaster Co., PA - d. 1814 Poland, Mahoning, Ohio....and his wife Ann Barclay b. 1745 Little Britain Twp., Lancaster Co., PA - d. 1797 Canonsburg, Washington Co., PA. This couple were the grandparents of the composer Stephen Collins Foster.
I am a descendant of one William Barclay, Jr. b. 1709 - d. 1757 of Little Britain Twp. Lancaster Co., PA.Who has been suggested to have been the father of Ann Barclay (Mrs. James A. Foster). This was even documented in the definitive biography of Stephen Collins Foster, the composer's biographer, Evelyn Foster (Morneweck) 1887-1973, the composer's niece - the biography entitled "Chronicles of Stephen Foster's Family".
I am now certain that Ann Barclay's father was NOT William Barclay, Jr. - but rather a man named James Barclay of West Nottingham, Chester County, PA (and Cecil Co., MD, as the border between PA and MD was not well defined at the time he lived). James Barclay was born Abt. 1710 - and he died in 1781. His wife was named Ann____.(possibly Boyd?).
But the question remains, was James Barclay d. 1781 a BROTHER of William Barclay, Jr. d. 1757 - and were they both children of William Barclay and wife Mary, both born 1669 (probably in N. Ireland). This couple, and their son William Barclay, Jr., are all buried at the Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church cemetery near Quarryville, Lancaster Co., PA.
I adminster three Barclay DNA samples - two who are documented direct descendants of William Barclay Jr. d. 1757 through his son Col. Hugh Barclay b. 1747 - d.1807 Bedford, PA....but also another who is a descendant of James Barclay d. 1781 - through his son John Barclay of Harford Co., MD d. 1800 (presumed brother of Ann Barclay - Mrs. James A. Foster), and his son Joshua Gill Barclay 1784-1851 of Louisville, KY and later Trimble Co., KY - who I believe was a first cousin of the composer's father William Barclay Foster of Pittsburgh. But I need DNA evidence to prove it.
If you are or know of any living descendants of James A. Foster and Ann Barclay (Foster), and might be interested in taking the AncestryDNA test, or comparing results you already have., please let me know.
Kind regards,
Arthur Humphrey
Miami
[email protected]