A review of:
“The Bean’s Cove Blair Clan
Genealogy”
by Bryce D. Blair
The author, a charter
member of and officer in The Blair Society for Genealogical
Research, has finished a book on his Blair Clan genealogy and
history. This unique genealogy starts with the currently known
progenitor of his line, Brice (I) Blair. This Brice was
Scotch-Irish, born in Northern Ireland ca.1720 and farmed near
Antietam, MD in 1765 and in the Bean’s Cove area of Southampton
Twp., Bedford Co., PA from ca.1777 until his death in 1785. It
follows his son, Brice (II) Blair, son of Susannah, (who raised his
entire family on his father’s farm) down through ten generations
of the author’s line. The book has thirteen chapters including one
for each of Brice II’s eleven surviving children and their
descendants. In keeping with the long standing traditions of The
Blair Society for Genealogical Research, the book’s main purpose
is to record, preserve and disseminate the known genealogical and
historical data on this branch of the Family of Blair, which itself
dates into eleventh century Scotland. The second purpose is to
submit this data for review and comment by all interested and,
finally, to encourage others of this expanded family to help fill in
the “unknowns” and provide for its continuity.
BLAIR is, of course, the
main surname theme of the book. However, very important, related
surnames are: PATRICK, McCOY, WRIGHT, PERDEW, WIGFIELD, LAKIN, and
GROWDEN.
Research on this Blair
family was started by the author’s great-grandfather, Nathan
Archibald Blair, about 125 years ago and much of the information he
gathered was preserved in many old letters, notes and hand-drawn
charts in the author’s possession. This original data has been
verified or corrected where possible, significantly added to over
the last twenty years and extensively footnoted. Of great importance
is the discussion and analysis of the Family Tradition. The oral
history of the family starts with the French and Indian War under
George Washington and follows with some of the trials and
tribulations of Brice (II) and his children and their migrations
westward. But the discoveries have not stopped here. After this book
went to press in Apr. 2000, the tombstone of ACaptain@ John S. Blair
(1787 - 1855, see Chapter Three) has been found in Bedford Co, PA
after being moved from under Lake Gordon when it was damned.
In the introduction,
Bryce states that Nathan’s interests in his genealogy was as much
inspired by the nation’s centennial anniversary of 1876 and a
desire to connect with the more famous Blair lines of Silver
Springs, MD (Fagg’s Manor line) and Williamsburg, VA as it was by
an altruistic need to preserve as much of our Clan’s early history
as possible. He succeeded in the latter but not in the former even
though his daughter added the following to his obituary anyway: “He
was born in Bedford Co., Pennsylvania, a descendant of pioneer
settlers in Williamsburg, Virginia”.
The Closson Press,
Appollo, PA, has printed 150 copies of this book (making it
immediately a rare book), in both hardbound and softbound, with
black print on gold covers. The book is 120 pages, on 60 pound,
acid-free paper, in 8.5 x 11 inch format with a few pictures and
charts. It includes a Table of Contents, Introduction, thirteen
chapters, seven appendixes (Wills, Land Deeds, one pedigree chart,
etc.) and a full name index. The book contains over 2200 connected
names with dates, places and sources given where known.
These books are available
for immediate mailing. The price is $40.00 for the hardbound and
$30.00 for the softbound (this price includes $5.00 for postage and
handling in the USA and Canada, please add an additional $4.00 for
p/h elsewhere). Mailing will be by Priority Mail (USPS) envelope
where possible. Current BSGR and CBS members will receive a $5.00
per book discount by including their membership number with their
order. Please fill out the order form below and send it, along with
a check (payable to Bryce D. Blair), to Bryce D. Blair, BCBC Book,
726 Falling Oaks Dr., Medina, OH 44256-2778.
Please direct any
questions to the above address or brydblair1@zoominternet.net
(Subject: BCBC Book).
Click
Here for Printable Order Form Click
Here for Adobe Version of this Information
|
