James D. Mack's name does not appear on the early settler lists of Jefferson Co., NY. However, from a variety of records searched, it can be established that he was in the county before the War of 1812. He was also a veteran of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
James Mack was born in 1760, in Merrimack, New Hampshire, probable son of William and Susannah Mack of that location. He had a brother, Archibald Mack. Archibald's grandson, James Riley Mack, in a biography of Wabasha Co., Minnesota (1884) stated that Archibald came with two brothers from Scotland to America. James married on 18 April 1787 to Margaret Montgomery who was born 12 January 1763 at Londonderry, Windham Co., Vermont, daughter of Hugh Montgomery (1726-1792) and Elizabeth Martin (1730-1775). The marriage occurred in the home of her brother, Hugh Montgomery. Margaret's brother, Hugh, was married to Hannah Mack, a cousin of James D. Mack. Hugh was also a Revolutionary War soldier and had five brothers, and all but one served in that war. A review of Montgomery land records in Jefferson County does show a number of Montgomery families in the deed records as early as 1810, so it would seem that there was a migration from Windham County, Vermont to Jefferson at least by that time. Windham, N.H. Was taken from Londonderry, N. H. in 1742; the records of the town from its first settlement to 1793 are lost, but James Mack was a selectman there, probably in 1793.
It is from the widow's pension records of Margaret and her estate probate (Jefferson Co NY Estate Papers Box M1/1) that the names of some of James and Margaret's eleven children are found. On a page from a family bible, only the names of their first four children was presented as a proof in her application. The original bible, which was lost, had the names of all the children. (Widow's Pension No. W18482)
From the pension file, the first four children of the couple:
Susannah Mack, born at eight o'clock on Tuesday morning the Second day of October in the year 1788.
Betsey Mack was born on Thursday the 21st day of May at 1/4 after 6 o'clock afternoon 1789.
Robert Mack was born on Sunday evening the 4th day of March 1792.
James Mack born on Saturday Morning the 5th day of April 1794, and departed this life the 27th of June 1795 aged 14 months and 22 days.
From census and other records, the eight children listed below are given:
Susanna Mack born 1788-1790 - there is a question about her actual date of birth as the bible record differs from other records. She married as his second wife, Joseph Tuttle of Watertown NY. At the time of her mother's death, they were residents of Marquette, Wisconsin, but returned to Jefferson Co. and resided in Watertown at the home of their daughter, Elvira Phippen. The Tuttle records show that Susanna was born at Salem, MA on 2 Oct. 1788 and died 21 May 1876 at 88 years. Susanna married Joseph Tuttle as his second wife on 10 July 1825. Joseph Tuttle was born 2 Jan. 1786 in New Hampshire and died 3 Dec. 1875 at 90 years. Both Joseph and Susanna died in Watertown, NY.
Children: (see Migrations No. 63 for children and Tuttle family)
Sarah
Elvira
Eliza A.
Sheldon
Eunice
Rockwell
William
Rhoda
Betsey
Betsey Mack born 1789 - married William Morse of Jefferson Co. Betsey died 27 Sept. 1854 at 65 years, 4 months (born 21 May 1789; William died 28 July 1843 at 60 years. Both settled before 1812 at Pamelia in Jefferson County. Betsey supplied an affidavit on behalf of her mother's widows pension and provided the scant bible record of births of the children. She stated that Susannah, was the oldest child and wife of Joseph Tuttle.
Robert Mack born 1792 - no further information
James Mack born 5 April 1794; died 27 June 1795
Nancy Mack born 1796 - Nancy Wever also provided an affidavit on behalf of her mother's pension application and stated she was the sister of Betsey Morse, and wife of Walter Weaver of Pamelia, NY. In the 1855 census of Jefferson County, Walter Wever is age 61, born Vermont. Wife, Nancy Wever is 59 years and born Vermont; they both stated they had been residents of Pamelia for 41 and 40 years respectively. In the householdwas Betsey Ann Wever, age 28, b Jefferson and James D. Mack, a nephew, bc 1834 inJefferson County.
James D. Mack (2) born 1798, d 22 April 1843 at 45 years, 1 month in Jefferson Co., NY
He is buried in the Parish Cemetery at Pamelia, N.Y.
Martin Montgomery Mack born 13 April 1806 in Windham Co., VT. d. 25 Sep. 1875 at Belvidere, Boone Co, Illinois. He married twice: 1)Caroline A. Cooke Humphrey and 2)Elizabeth Proctor Mack (1825-1847)
Children:
Emeline Mack Deyoe
William H. Mack
Walter Scott Mack
Thomas Proctor Mack
Elizabeth Mack Bowlen
John Mack born 1810 - Margaret, his mother, was living with the John Mack family in 1850. John was 40 years old, born Vermont. His wife, Maryett, was 38 and born Vermont. John died in 1888 and is buried in the Parish Cemetery at Pamelia. Maryett was born 1811 and died 1908.
Children, all born Jefferson County:
Marcy 14
Harrison 10
Mary E. 8
Nelson J. 6
John M. 3
Fremont 1
NOTE: In 1850, this family was in Brownville, Jefferson Co.; in 1865, 1870, they resided in Pamelia; in 1875 John was living with his son, John M. Mack at Pamelia.
According to the widow's pension information, James Mack died in October 1814 of Jefferson County, state of New York. He was on his way home from the War of 1812 and died in probably Batavia, Genesee County, New York but his grave has not been found. Margaret Montgomery Mack died 22 August 1858 at 95 years; her tombstone states she was the wife of James D. Mack. She is buried in the Parish Cemetery at Pamelia, in Jefferson County.
James D. Mack had an extended career in the Revolutionary War. He served in Captain William Prescott's Regiment, Captain Joseph Moor's Company. A list of 6 October 1775 provides names of those in the company:
Combs, John
Cowin, William
Haskell, Jason
Hill, Ebenezer
Jacob, John
Mack, James
McCluer, Sargent William
McCormack, Robert
Roby, Silas
Walker, 1st Lt. Zachariah
Reproduced here are some of the affidavits from Margaret Montgomery Mack's widows pension file:
Jefferson Co: On this 21st day of June 1841 personally appeared before the Hon. Egbert TenEyck one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the County aforesaid, MARGARET MACK, a resident of the town of Pamelia in the County of Jefferson age 78 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress of July 7, 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows": that she is the widow of JAMES MACK, who was a Revolutionary soldier in the military service of the United States and according to the ...belief of this declarant, served as a private one year under Capt. Joseph Mower's Company, Col. William Prescott's Regiment in the year 1776 as is particularly set forth in the affidavit of Ebenezer Farnsworth and eight months in Capt. Moor's Company Col Stark Regiment in 1775; also two weeks as a volunteer at Ticonderoga in July 1777 and in August 1777 at the Battle of Bennington and until after the capture of Burgoyne all of which is set forth in the affidavit of ARCHIBALD MACK. She further declares that she was married to the said James Mack on the 18th day of April 1787 in the year 1787, in the Town of Londonderry in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, at the house of her brother, HUGH MONTGOMERY, by Edward Aiken, a Justice of the Peace. That her name before marriage was MARGARET MONTGOMERY; that she was born in the month of June 1763; that she was in the 24th year of her age at the time she was married; that she has no record of her marriage, no does she know of any; that it is not on record in the town where she was married as she is informed and believes.
That her husband, the aforesaid, JAMES MACK, enlisted and served in the late war with Great Britain and died at Batavia in the State of New York on his way home in October, 1814. That she was not married to him prior to his having the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794, viz: at the time above stated.
She further states that she should have made her declaration at an earlier period if she had had the means and opportunity of getting the evidence necessary to establish her claim.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above, written before Egbert TenEyck, Judge Jefferson Co. Courts. /s/ Margaret X Mack (her mark)
I certify that Mrs. Mack the above-named declarant is unable to attend court in consequence of the infirmities of age. /s/Egbert TenEyck
State of New York - Jefferson County:
WILLIAM MORSE of Pamelia in the county aforesaid being sworn says that he is well acquainted with Mrs. Mack above named and has been so for many years; that he was acquainted with JAMES MACK while he was her husband; that the said James went into the service last war and died at Batavia as was reported at the time and is believed by this deponent on his way home at the closing of the war; the the said Margaret is now and has been his widow since that period. /s/ William Morse
Sworn and subscribed this 21st day of June 1841 before Egbert Ten Eyck, Judge
Judge Ten Eyck also swore that William Morse was a credible witness. Daniel Lee, Clerk of Court certified the Judge on 24 June 1841.
I, ARCHIBALD MACK, of Windham in the Co. of Windham and State of Vermont of lawful age depose and say that JAMES MACK formerly of Merimack, New Hampshire was my youngest brother. He enlisted in the eight months service in 1775; he served under Capt. Moor or Mower and I think his Colonel was Stark. He afterwards enlisted in the year service in 1776; his captain was Moore or Mower of Groton, Massachusetts and the regiment was commanded by Col. William Prescott of Pepperell, Massachusetts. I was not with him in this service but saw him and his officers at Sewalls Point: but did not see him after he left for New York till he was discharged and returned home; he afterwards came to Windham, Vermont, then called Kent. In the year 177_ sometime in July, James Mack and myself went to Fort Ticonderoga as Volunteers and left there at the time that fort was evacuated by Gen. St. Clair; we were gone about 2 weeks. We were afterwards in August 1777 at the Battle of Bennington. After that I returned home. My brother, JAMES MACK, remained some longer in the service and was at the taking of Burgoyne and acted as Sergeant Major how long he then served I do not recollect nor the name of his officers and further I say not. /s/ ARCHIBALD MACK
State of Vermont-Windham Co., Windham 4 March 1840. Archibald Mack of Windham was examined and made solemn oath that he foregoing deposition by him was the whole truth..before Joseph Wood, Justice of the Peace.
I, EBENEZER FARNSWORTH of Andover in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont of lawful age depose and say that I enlisted I the year service in the year 1776 under Capt. Joseh Mowers of Groton, MA in a regiment commanded by Col. William Prescott of Pepperell, MA and that JAMES MACK was a private in the same company and Regiment and remained and served in the same company and regiment during the year and expiration of that service. We were first embodied at Sewalls Point in MA and from thence went to Providence, Rhode Island, from which place we embarked on board a ship and went to New York City and were stationed on Governor's Island. From which place we relocated to New York and were stationed on the Common, from whence we entreated to Harlem Heights and were in the Battle at that place. From thence we removed to White Plains and were in the Battle at that place. From thence we went to Peekskill, afterwards went into winter quarters at Fishkill. From which place we were discharged. JAMES MACK was discharged at the same time with the rest of the company and further the deponent saith not. /s/ Ebenezer Farnsworth
Subscribed and sworn to at Windsor on 4 March 1840
Widow's Pension No: W18482
Margaret received a small pension from James' service in the War of 1812 but it is not clear whose company or which state had him enrolled as a soldier. Additional research proved that James served in Captain Alexander Price's Company of Col. Caleb Hopkins' Regiment. Col. Hopkins was the commander of the 52nd Regiment of Militia whose men were sent to defend the Niagara Frontier (Erie and Niagara Counties) as well as the port of Charlotte (a Lake Ontario bay adjacent to the present-day city of Rochester in Monroe County, NY).
From the War of 1812 Payroll Abstracts for New York State Militia, 1812-1815: Private James Mack was in Capt. Alexander Price's Company of Col. Caleb Hopkins' Regiment Roll #2360, Ontario Co. - He was paid from Aug. 29, 1814 - Nov. 5, 1814 the sum of $18.06. James Mack did not receive a discharge certificate nor did anyone else who was in Captain Alexander Price's Unit. (Magill) Margaret also received a bounty land warrant for 160 acres.
She also received a larger pension from his service in the Revolutionary War. Sons and daughters of this couple are eligible for membership in both DAR and SAR; the daughters being "True Daughters" for DAR membership. James does not appear in any of my DAR indices, so he may be a newly discovered Revolutionary War soldier. His brother, Archibald Mack, is a proven patriot who was born 1753, died 26 October 1840 in Windham; he married Mary Dayton and his service was as a Private from New Hampshire.
An added note from Martha Magill:
Margaret was a pensioner of the War of 1812 early on. Her file consists of 13 pieces of paper, only a few having much written on them. She received a half-pay pension of $4 a month, and supposedly 160 acres somewhere, a couple of years after the War of 1812. Due to a new act in 1853, she had to renew. She was applying again based on information she'd supplied to them a good 40 years previously. None of the paperwork in James file was of that early age. In June 1853, the Treasury Dept.'s Third Auditors Office informed the Commissioner of Pensions that they had no record on file of James Mack being ill or of his death. They must have found the old paperwork, as In December they said that he'd died in service on Nov. 1, 1814 and that the widow had received a half-pay pension, payable through an attorney named Joseph Watson in 1824.
SOURCES: It is with gratitude that I thank Martha Magill, Assistant State Coordinator of NYGenweb, for her generous assistance in providing pension information and related data. Neither Martha nor I are related to the Mack family. Other sources: Jefferson Co., NY Wills/Estates; census data, pension data, tombstones/cemetery records; histories of Merrimack, NH, Londonderry NH, Windham Co. Vt., Tuttle Fam. Geneal., Montgomery Fam. Geneal., Findagrave, VIR of NH, VT, DAR records, Wabasha Co., MN Biographies, land records, Revolutionary War materials/rolls for New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
- M. Sapienza
This information about the Pioneer Mack family was contributed by volunteer Marilyn Sapienza.
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