Pattersons of North Georgia
Wes Patterson was born in a suburb of Atlanta, GA in 1968. His father, Francis O. Patterson, was born in 1940 in Ivylog, GA in Union County. Francis – or Frank – was the 4th generation of this branch of the family to be born in this north GA region, dating back to Billy Patterson’s birth in 1832 (his picture is shown to the right).
Some 5+ generations of the Pattersons are buried in the Union and Fannin Counties of N. GA in Wes’ branch, starting with John Patterson in the 1840’s, then George (1860), Billy (1884), Elijah (1957) and Clint (1975) – Wes’ grandfather. The John Patterson named here is the well-known John Patterson who married Margaret “Peggy” Black.
These Pattersons, however, before coming to N. GA lived in western NC, northern SC (York Co), the Shenandoah Valley of VA (Harrisonburg), and Sussex Co, DE (1730’s).
From Delaware to Virginia, to South Carolina, to North Carolina, to Georgia… and Beyond!
My Patterson ancestors (Scots-Irish) are known to have been in Sussex Co DE by 1732. They lived along the waters of Broadkill Creek just to the west of the modern town of Milton. That is when Robert Patterson bought 106 acres next to Thomas Black.
They left there approximately 1738 and moved to the Shenandoah Valley of VA in what was then Orange Co, later Augusta Co, and now Rockingham Co. They settled a few miles west of the town of Harrisonburg, which did not yet exist at the time. This was below the head waters of Linville Creek, and above the headwaters of Cooks Creek.
By 1763 (give or take a few years) they moved to what is now York Co SC near Kings Mountain. At the time it was Craven Co SC, but then later Mecklenburg Co NC, Tryon Co NC, and then York Co SC by the late 1770s. During the 1790s, my branch of the Pattersons, who were…
still in Camden District, SC, may have been in Lancaster County, but this has not been proven.
Between 1796 and 1798 they moved to Buncombe Co NC along Jenkins Branch near the modern town of Alexander.
About 1818/20 they moved a little further west into Haywood Co NC near the current town of Iron Duff.
By the 1820’s they moved south into Rabun Co GA, and by 1834 were in Union Co GA – Lower Young Cane district – where my branch of the family settled and remained for many generations. The various branches of the family in Union County lived in Lower Young Cane and Ivylog districts for the most part. My father (Frank Patterson) was born in Ivylog in 1940.
My Patterson ancestors are as follows, beginning with the oldest generation.
Wes Patterson’s Lineage
- William Patterson (b. ca 1675/80; d. ca 1711/15);
m. Margaret _____ (Patterson) (Addams) - Robert Patterson (b. ca 1700/5; d. 1775);
m. Sarah _____ (Patterson) - Thomas Patterson (b. ca 1735/8; d. after 1800)
m. Margaret Harrison (Patterson) - John Patterson (b. ca 1762/4; d. ca 1840/50)
m. Margaret “Peggy” Black (Patterson) - George Patterson (b. 1800; d. 1860)
m. Rebecca Chastain (Patterson) - William Harden “Bill” Patterson (b. 1832; d. 1884)
m. Elizabeth Jane “Betty” Akins (Patterson) - Joseph Elijah “Lige” Patterson (b. 1871; d. 1957)
m. Nancy Jane “Nannie” Ammons (Patterson) - Clinton Willie “Clint” Patterson (b. 1904; d. 1975)
m. Wilma Lee Stephens (Patterson) - Francis Oliver “Frank” Patterson (b. 1940; d. 2015)
m. Vanza Mae Davis (Patterson) - Wes Patterson
m. Ginna Fishburne (Patterson)
dna Connections
FamilyTreeDNA Patterson Group
Many of us began researching the Patterson DNA in the 1990’s. We began with FamilyTreeDNA and still have a group there that is made up of more than 800 members world-wide. The overview on that Patterson Group there states:
Welcome to the Patterson DNA Project. The Patterson surname is one of the most common surnames in Scotland and in Northern Ireland, where many Scots emigrated beginning in the early 1600’s.
The Patterson/Paterson/Pattison/etc. surname is thought to have originated independently in different areas of Scotland. Y-DNA testing can help Patterson researchers learn where in Scotland their branch originated, and can put researchers of related lines in contact with each other. The Patterson DNA Project exists to help members find answers through genetic testing, and by sharing information.
One of our co-administrators, Janice (Patterson) Rosenthal, has researched many Patterson lines settling early in Pennsylvania. Project members with ancestors living in colonial Pennsylvania may want to check out the papers posted on her website at www.pattersongenealogy.info
Stellar Resources for Western NC Research
Enhance your research into Western North Carolina genealogy and local history.
✓ what is “old” buncombe county?
✓ Regional History and Genealogy Library
✓ Book Sales & Publishing
COLLABORATe…
Patterson Genealogy Research Group
There is a research group that focuses on the Patterson families of the SE states of VA, NC, SC, GA, TN and beyond. You might consider joining that group.
Ancestors of Clinton Willie Patterson
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