THE FAMILY OF POLLY BLUE
Wife of Isaiah Luna Potts
Compiled by William R. Carr

The BLUES Genealogy from the The National Blue Family Association Homepage. Other information as indicated.

HISTORY OF JOHN BLAW (BLUE)

The Silver Cup or Chalice History

Polly Blue (Wife of Isaiah L. Potts)

James J. Blue (Polly's Father)

Solomon Blue (Polly's Brother)

Uriah Blue (Polly's Brother)

John and Margaret BLAW had the following known children:

1) *John BLEW (1691? - 1770), m. Cattron VAN METER?. Lived in Somerset Co., NJ and Hampshire Co., VA.
2) *Antje BLAW m. Abraham OUKE.
3) *Michael BLAW (1704-1786) m1 Helen/Elinor VAN BARKELOO (d.1768) m2 Nellie HOLLINSETT
4) *Janetje/Jean/Jane BLAW m 1735 John DOXEY/DOXEE
5) *Frederick BLAW (d.1793) m1 Mary (unknown) (d.1751) m2 Jane NEVIUS (1722-1783) window of Jeromus KOSHOW), m3 Elizabeth McNEAL.
6) Peter BLAW (bap.1710) Baptized at 1st Dutch Reformed Church at Jamaica, Queens Co., NY
Not in father's will.
7) Aeltie BLAW (bap.1715) Baptized at 1st Dutch Reformed Church at Jamaica, Queens Co., NY.
Not in father's will.
8) * Dina BLAW (1717-1752/4) m. Hendrick/Henry SARTOR/SALTER (d.1794)

1.1 John BLEW, (1691?-1770), m. Cattron VAN METER?. Family legends claim that John Blew was one of the earliest settlers in the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac River, in what is now Hampshire County, WV. He supposedly brought his wife and children from New Jersey in 1725, settled on the river about five miles north of the present site of Romney, and built his cabin near Hanging Rock (sometimes called Blue's Rock). This tradition conflicts with the following evidence and deductions. 

1. John Blew (1.1) was in Somerset Co., NJ, on 14 Nov 1757, to be sworn in as co executor of his father's will. Although this was about two months after the death of John Blaw (1.), it is highly unlikely that John (1.1) came all the way back from Hampshire Co. to discharge this duty. This, alone, is not conclusive, however, since many settlers fled Hampshire Co. during the years 1754-1758 due to the Indian raids of the French and Indian War. John (1.1) and his family might have retreated to the coast to escape the war, and returned to New Jersey when he received word of his father's death. 

2. At his death in 1770, John (1.1) did not own land. No land was mentioned in his will, and no Hampshire Co. deeds (known to the compiler) record his ownership of land. 

3. In Maxwell and Swisher's "History of Hampshire Co., WV" (page 701), it is stated that "The date at which John Blue came to Hampshire Co. is fixed partly by tradition and partly by family record. His son John (grandfather of the present John Blue) was twelve years old when he came with his father to Hampshire. He died in 1791, aged 78 years. That would prove that he came to Hampshire in 1725. If such was the case, he was about eight or ten years earlier than the usually accepted earliest settlement of the South Branch Valley". A careful examination of this statement shows an inconsistency. The present (1897) John Blue (b. 1834) was a son of Garret I. Blue and his wife Sarah. Garret I. Blue was a son of Capt. John Blue (b. 1740). Therefore, if the grandfather of the 1897 John Blue was twelve years old when he came to Hampshire Co., this dates the arrival of the Blues at 1752, and establishes the pioneer as John Blue (1.1.1). 

4. The John Blew who received the Fairfax land grant for Lot 27 on the South Branch was John (1.1.1). Although dated 17 Aug 1749, this grant was really executed subsequent to 1 May 1754, the date that Hampshire County was formed. This fact is established by the identification of the grantee as "John Blew of Hampshire Co.". This also indicates that John Blew was living in Hampshire Co., or what was to be Hampshire Co., before the grant was executed, probably having arrived in 1752, as indicated in (3), above. 

5. Most deeds for Fairfax Lots, subsequent to the original grants, mention the original grantee, as well as later owners. The earliest deed on record for Lot 27 was executed in 1816 between Uriah Blue's heirs and Uriah and Garret Blue. The deed states that the deceased Uriah received the land through the will of his father, John Blue (John 1.1.1). No mention is made of an earlier John Blue as the original grantee. 

6. The Maxwell and Swisher account, referenced in (3), above, also states that "There were three brothers, John, Uriah and Michael, the latter two making their homes near Shepardstown, while John settled about five miles north of Romney, ----." John (1.1) did not have a brother named Uriah, and the Michael, who was possibly his brother, died in New Jersey. John (1.1.1), however, did have brothers Uriah and Michael, who did settle in the area near Shepardstown. Therefore, this John Blew (1.1) followed his sons to Virginia after the death of his father in 1757. The actual date of his arrival in Hampshire Co. is unknown. John and Cattron probably lived on land owned by their children, since there is no record which identifies him as a grantee or grantor of land. John (1.1) died in 1770, and his will, dated 20 July of that year, left personal effects to his family, including clothing, three silver spoons, two riding horses and saddles, plow irons, a wagon, a hoe, an axe and an iron wedge. Most of these he probably brought with him on his journey from New Jersey. His wife, Cattron, outlived him and she was named executor of her husband's will, a duty she declined in favor of her son, Abraham. She is said to be a Van Meter by some researchers, but I have found no evidence to that effect. By the spelling of her name, it is probable that she too was of Dutch ancestry.

1.1.1* John BLUE, (1713-1791), m1.ca1739 Mary MARSHALL?, m2.Margaret KEYSER?.
1.1.2* Michael BLUE (ca1720-1819), m1. Martha BLACKFORD?, m2. Sarah _____.
1.1.3* Uriah BLUE, (1726-1806), m.1747 Mary JORDAN.
1.1.4* Abraham BLUE (d.1818), m. Elizabeth QUICK? (ca1748-1826).
1.1.5* Mary BLUE, m.1747 Jacobus HEINS (b.1724).

Return to Top of Page

3nd GENERATION

3B

1.1.3 Uriah BLUE, (1726-1806), m.1747 Mary JORDAN. Uriah was probably born in Somerset Co. NJ and came to Berkeley Co. VA shortly before the Revolutionary War with his brother, Michael. Prior to this time he probably lived in Delaware, for most of his children were baptized at Holy Trinity Church in Wilmington DE. On March 28, 1754 the following appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette: "Thomas DONALDSON, Irish servant, ran away from Uriah BLUE near White Clay Creek in Mill Creek Hundred, New Castle Co. PA." Mill Creek Hundred is just west of Wilmington DE. In 1778, after moving to Berkeley Co., Uriah subleased 150 acres of land from his brother, Michael. In 1796 the land that Michael leased was purchased from Thomas BLACKBURN and Uriah received title to his 150 acres. Then in 1801 Uriah and Mary sold the land to James HURST. In 1807, Mary and son John received adjacent land grants in Henderson Co. KY. The claims were entered in 1803 and Mary probably received the land which was due her husband, Uriah, before his death.

1.1.3.1* James J. BLUE (1748-1818), m.1773 Margaret KEARNEY (1750-1810).
1.1.3.2* John BLUE (1750-1833), m.ca1776 Margaret _____(1750-1824).
1.1.3.3* Hannah BLUE (b.1754-1843), m. Joseph ANDERSON. She was baptized at Holy Trinity Church 9 July 1754. They lived in Frederick Co. VA. b. 26 Mar 1754 d. 28 Dec 1843.
1.1.3.4 Ezekiel BLUE. Not in Holy Trinity baptismal records; may not be in this family.
1.1.3.5* Uriah BLUE (1757-1796), m.1773 Elizabeth SHANK (d.1857).
1.1.3.6* David BLUE (1760-1848), m1. Margaret DUKE (1760-1800), m2. Mary HENDERSON (1769-1853).
1.1.3.7 Solomon BLUE (b.1763), baptized Holy Trinity Church 23Jun1764.

1.1.3.1 James J. BLUE (1748-1818), m.1773 Margaret KEARNEY (1750-1810) in Berkeley Co. VA. They moved to KY where James obtained a 300 acre grant on Tradewater River on 13 May 1785. This was in Lincoln Co. KY in the area that is now Christian-Caldwell-Crittenden Cos., adjoining what is now Hopkins Co. On 18 Apr 1800, he obtained a 200 acre land grant in Henderson Co. KY on Cyprus Creek and, on 10 Jun 1806, he obtained a 400 acre grant on the Caney Fork of Tradewater River in Henderson Co. Both buried in Union Co. KY. C8 says there was a son James who died in infancy before the birth of James (b.1782). C234 says that James was with Washington at Braddock's defeat, however, that was in 1755 when James was only 7 years of age, so that story contains an element of doubt.

1.1.3.1.1 William Kearney BLUE (1774-1802). He served with Gen. WAYNE in 1793 at Ft. Greenville as a Coronet of Light Dragoons; was military escort of John BRICKEL in NW Territory in 1795; was Captain in 7th Infantry in 1799; honorable discharge 1800. He was killed in a duel at Fort Washington OH in 1802. Probably never married.
1.1.3.1.2* Uriah BLUE (1775-1836), m. Rebecca STURTEVANT (1796-bef1834).
1.1.3.1.3 Mary (Polly) BLUE (b.1777), m.1811 Isaac POTTS in Union Co. KY. She is buried in Gallatan Co. IL.
1.1.3.1.4 Nancy Ann BLUE (b.1780), buried Clark Co. IN.
1.1.3.1.5* James J. BLUE Jr. (1782-1848), m.1813 Jane Barnwell KEARNEY (1789-1883/1833?) in Berkeley Co. VA. He died in Caldwell Co. KY.
1.1.3.1.6* Col. John S. BLUE (1784-1840), m.1813 Nancy OWENS (1795-1870).
1.1.3.1.7 Margaret BLUE (1785-1807).
1.1.3.1.8* Solomon David BLUE (1788-1868), m1.1821 Mahaley (Mahala) KEARNEY (1790-1832), m2.1836 Elizabeth (FINNIE) RALPH (b.ca1800).
1.1.3.1.9* Elizabeth BLUE (b.1790), m1.1808 Aaron PRATHER, m2.1827 John MORRISON.

1.1.3.1.2 Uriah BLUE (1775-1836), m. Rebecca STURTEVANT (1796-bef1834). He was born in VA and is buried in Mobile AL where he was in command of an Army garrison; was Sheriff of Henderson Co. KY; with Gen. Jackson at Battle of New Orleans. Earlier, he was in Berkeley Co. VA in 1799 where he served as 2nd Lieut. in the Provisional Army of the U.S. in the anticipated war with France. Rebecca was a daughter of Capt. Isaac and Rebecca (WYMAN) STURTEVANT of Roxbury MA. Isaac received a grant of land in Knox Co. OH on 3 Feb 1805. He died in 1806. After the death of Rebecca (WYMAN) STURTEVANT in 1827, the land was distributed to their five children (or their heirs). Uriah and at least two of the other heirs sold their interest in the land to Jesse Simpson in 1834. Extensive probate records for Uriah are on file in Baldwin Co. AL, which have been used to define the family of Uriah and Rebecca. Administration was given to Cyrus Sibley on 30 May 1836, so it is assumed that Uriah died shortly before this date. Union Co. KY sources indicate that Uriah rose to the rank of Colonel, however, military records refer to him as Major.

Dateline Pensacola: 1815 - Major Uriah Blue and Davy Crockett drove Red Stick Creeks (warriors) from the land between Escambia and Yellow Rivers.

1.1.3.1.2.1 Uriah BLUE (b.1810/15).
1.1.3.1.2.2 James BLUE (b.1815/20).
1.1.3.1.2.3 Jane BLUE (b.1815/20).
1.1.3.1.2.4 Margaret A. BLUE (b.1820/25). Thomas STURTEVANT, her uncle, was probably her guardian.
1.1.3.1.2.5 Rebecca W. BLUE (b.1825/30). Minor at time of father's death. Thomas STURTEVANT, her uncle, was her guardian.

1.1.3.1.3 Mary (Polly) BLUE (b.1777), m.1811 Isaac POTTS in Union Co. KY. She is buried in Gallaton Co. IL.

(Web-master note) Polly married Isaiah L. Potts in Union County in 1811 and moved to Gallatin County Illinois some time after 1814 when their land at Potts Hill was purchased. There is no record of their children, if any.  Isaiah and Polly built and owned the infamous Potts' Tavern which figures in the famous "Legend of Billy Potts," for which there seems to be no basis in fact. It is not know when either Isaiah or Polly died, but Isaiah is known to have resided at his home at Potts Hill (Potts' Inn) until at least 1843.

1.1.3.1.5 James J. BLUE Jr. (1782-1848), m.1813 Jane Barnwell KEARNEY (1789-1883/1833?) in Berkeley Co. VA.

1.1.3.1.5.1 Margaret Susan BLUE (b.1814), m.1836 Jessie BOWEN.
1.1.3.1.5.2 James Lawrence BLUE (b.1816), m.1834 Permica LEEPER. He is buried in Caldwell Co. KY.
1.1.3.1.5.3 Uriah Byren BLUE (b.1818 in Union Co. KY). Died young.
1.1.3.1.5.4* William Kearney BLUE (1820-1864), m.1844 Mary E. LEEPER (b.ca1826).
1.1.3.1.5.5 Mary Jane BLUE (b.1822 in Union Co. KY). Died young.
1.1.3.1.5.6* John Robert BLUE (1824-1864), m1.1846 Pernecy CLENN (1827-1851), m2. Sarah DISHINGTON (1832-1894).
1.1.3.1.5.7 Catherine Mariah BLUE
1.1.3.1.5.8* Elizabeth Ann BLUE, m.1848 Samuel WARD.

1.1.3.1.6 Col. John S. BLUE (1784-1840), m.1813 Nancy OWENS (1795-1870). She was a daughter of Joseph OWEN Sr (b.1773).

1.1.3.1.6.1* Harriet BLUE (1815-1854), m.1832 John Stretchley WILSON (1806-1855).
1.1.3.1.6.2* Helen Mary BLUE (1817-1856), m. Isham Randolph FINLEY. She died in Athens AL.
1.1.3.1.6.3 Margaret BLUE (1819-1820).
1.1.3.1.6.4 William K. BLUE (1821-1822).
1.1.3.1.6.5 James BLUE (1822-1823).

1.1.3.1.8 Solomon David BLUE (1788/1798?-1868), m1.1821 Mahaley (Mahala?) KEARNEY (1790-1832), m2.1836 Elizabeth (FINNIE) RALPH (b.ca1800). He was born in Berkeley Co. VA and is buried in Antioch Cemetery, Union Co. KY. He came to Union Co. KY in 1803, fought in the War of 1812, and died in Morganfield KY. He married Mahala in Union Co. According to C234, "Major Blue, as all of his day called him, was a man in more than one sense, brave, generous and true, a man of fine size, muscular, as straight as an Indian, of indomitable energy and perserverance." He and Elizabeth were living in Morganfield, Union Co. in 1860.
First marriage:

1.1.3.1.8.1* John William BLUE (1828-1898), m.1851 Frances M. BALDWIN (1832-1893).
1.1.3.1.8.2* Margaret BLUE, m. James FEREE.
1.1.3.1.8.3* James Barnwell BLUE (1826-1895), m.1855 Margaret MUIR (1833-1915). He was born Morganfield KY.
1.1.3.1.8.4 Mahala BLUE (b.1832), died infancy, buried Antioch Cemetery, Union Co. KY.
1.1.3.1.8.5 Ruben BLUE, died infancy, buried Antioch Cemetery, Union Co. KY.
Second marriage:
1.1.3.1.8.6 Rachel Ann BLUE (b.1838), m. Mac M. LYNCH.
1.1.3.1.8.7 Fannie M. BLUE

1.1.3.1.9 Elizabeth BLUE (b.1790), m1.1808 Aaron PRATHER, m2.1827 John MORRISON.
First marriage:

1.1.3.1.9.1 Morgan PRATHER
1.1.3.1.9.2 Solomon PRATHER
Second marriage: (No issue?)

Return to Top of Page

4th GENERATION

6AH

1.1.3.1.5.4 William Kearney BLUE (1820-1864), m.1844 Mary E. LEEPER (b.ca1826). He was born in Livingston Co. KY and she in MS. They were married in Livingston Co. They were living in Caldwell Co. KY in 1850 and in Eddyville, Lyon Co. KY in 1860. The 1850 census indicates that he was born in Union Co. KY. He is buried at Elkhorn Tavern. Mary m2.1867 William GRAY.

1.1.3.1.5.4.1 Willey T. BLUE (1847-1860).
1.1.3.1.5.4.2 Willetta J. BLUE (1862-1863).

1.1.3.1.5.6 John Robert BLUE (1824-1864), m1.1846 Pernecy CLENN (1827-1851), m2. Sarah DISHINGTON (1832-1894). He and Pernecy were born in Caldwell Co. KY, and he is buried there. They were living in Caldwell Co. in 1850 and 1860. Sarah was born in Armstruther, Scotland. She m2.1875 Dr. P. B. McGOODEN. First marriage:

1.1.3.1.5.6.1 Johnella Jane BLUE (b.1847), m.1866 Henry D. BARNETT (b.ca1843).
1.1.3.1.5.6.2* James Samuel BLUE (1848-1908), m1.1878 Lou Willis HUGHES (1856-1886), m2.1888 Bessie Barbour HUGHES (1858-1926).
1.1.3.1.5.6.3* William David BLUE (1849-1916), m.1870 Mary Eloise GUESS (b.1851).
1.1.3.1.5.6.4* Charles Solomon BLUE (1851-1911), m.1882 Louella A. HILL (1856-1925). Second marriage: No known issue.

1.1.3.1.5.8 Elizabeth Ann BLUE, m.1848 Samuel WARD.

1.1.3.1.5.8.1 Samuel WARD Jr. (b.1850). He was living with his uncle, John Robert BLUE, in Caldwell Co. KY in 1860.

1.1.3.1.6.1 Harriet BLUE (1815-1854), m.1832 John Stretchley WILSON (1806-1855). They were married in Henderson Co. KY.

1.1.3.1.6.1.1 Harret Lucy WILSON (b.1836).
1.1.3.1.6.1.2 John Blue WILSON (b.1838).
1.1.3.1.6.1.3* Elizabeth Ann WILSON (1833-1856), m.1853 George R. KNOTT (b.1829).

1.1.3.1.6.2 Helen Mary BLUE (1817-1856), m. Isham Randolph FINLEY. She died in Athens AL.

1.1.3.1.6.2.1 John Randolph FINLEY
1.1.3.1.6.2.2 Anna H. FINLEY
1.1.3.1.6.2.3 Catherine FINLEY
1.1.3.1.6.2.4 Sophie FINLEY
1.1.3.1.6.2.5 Eugene C. FINLEY
1.1.3.1.6.2.6 Emma B. FINLEY

1.1.3.1.8.1 John William BLUE (1828-1898), m.1851 Frances M. BALDWIN (1832-1893). He was born in Marion KY and she was also born in KY. They were married in Princeton KY. They were living in Marion, Crittenden Co. KY in 1880. The 1850 census of Caldwell Co. KY indicates that he was born in Union Co. KY.

1.1.3.1.8.1.1 Anora "Nonie" BLUE (1852-1923). Born in Marion KY. Probably in St. Louis MO in 1900.
1.1.3.1.8.1.2 Margaret BLUE (1856-1860).
1.1.3.1.8.1.3 Jimmy BLUE (1858-1860).
1.1.3.1.8.1.4* John William BLUE Jr. (1861-1934), m.1891 Mary WILSON (1869-1944). He was born in Marion KY.
1.1.3.1.8.1.5* Anna Marble BLUE (1863-1941?), m.1884 Emil Bernard KRAUSSE (b.1862).
1.1.3.1.8.1.6 Solomon D. BLUE (1866-1882). Born in Marion KY.
1.1.3.1.8.1.7* Mattie BLUE (b.1869), m. Charles EVANS.
1.1.3.1.8.1.8* Fannie BLUE (b.ca1872), m. J. J. CLARK.

1.1.3.1.8.2 Margaret BLUE, m. James FEREE.

1.1.3.1.8.2.1 Lillian FEREE, m. Whitney TYLER.
1.1.3.1.8.2.2 Solomon FEREE, died in San Diego CA.
1.1.3.1.8.2.3* Margaret Inglish FEREE, m. John Gip BERRY.

1.1.3.1.8.3 James Barnwell BLUE (1826-1895), m.1855 Margaret MUIR (1833-1915). He was born at Morganfield KY. He had a common school education, and was an Old Line Whig until the collapse of that party, then a Democrat. He was a "professor" of religion since young adulthood, first a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, then in about 1868 he joined the Old School Presbyterians. He was a member of the Masonic order, reaching the rank of Grand High Priest of Kentucky. He twice represented the Grand Chapter of Kentucky in the General Grand Chapter of the United States. He was County Road Supervisor for four years and in 1875 was elected to the State Legislature. In 1886, they lived on a 600 acre tract in Union Co. KY. Margaret was born in Nelson Co. KY, a daughter of William and Mary (HESTER) MUIR. They lived in Raleigh, Union Co. KY in 1880.

1.1.3.1.8.3.1* Mary Hester BLUE (1854-1888), m.1884 J. Vaughn CROMWELL (1847-1884).
1.1.3.1.8.3.2* Solomon William BLUE (1857-1935), m1.1879 Lillie B. NORTON (1857-1885), m2.1886 Margaret A. NORTON (1865-1940). (Note: A third Child, Ella Hill BLUE (1862-1937), was adopted.)

Return to Top of Page

John BLAW, d.1757 Somerset Co. NJ, m. Margaret(Marytje/Grietje) _____. John Blaw was a yeoman farmer in Somerset Co., NJ. The term yeoman, by which he is described in his will, implies that he was a land owner and worked his own land. His will, however, did not mention land, only personal property, since he had distributed his real property to his children before his death in 1757.

Judging from the inventory of his estate, John Blaw was a fairly wealthy man; his personal estate was valued at almost £1000. Included in this estate were "a negroe man & woman" valued at £30. Prior to 1742, John Blaw purchased 400 acres of farmland from Abraham Van Horn, a merchant of New York City and a large New Jersey landholder, and 95 acres adjacent to this tract from Nicholas Lake of New Brunswick, NJ. This land is located about one-half mile south of Blawenburg, Montgomery Twp., Somerset Co., NJ, on the Great Road leading to what is now Mercer Co. (were the house still stands) On 10 January 1741/2, John Blaw sold the east half of this plantation (247.5 acres) to Michael Blaw, who appears to be his son (or, possibly, a much younger brother). This gave Michael the part of the tract that lay east of the Great Road and John kept the land to the west of the road. Michael ran a mill at the point where the Great Road crosses Beden's Brook, and it is believed that Blaw's Mill was the origin of the name Blawenburg. On the same day, John sold the west half of his plantation to his son Frederick. This fact was discovered from a record of a mortgage deed signed by Frederick in 1768. (Frederick's home still stands on this land)

It is through John Blaw's will that the identity of his son, John, is established. He named John co-executor of his will, and in accepting the duties, son John signed the paper using a distinctive mark. A similar mark is found on the will of John Blew (1.1, below). Furthermore, John Blaw willed to his son, John, a silver "drink beker". This later appears as a "Silver Cup" in the 1790 will of his grandson, John Blue (1.1.1). An additional connection is established by the mentioning of silver spoons in the wills of John Blaw (1.) and John Blew (1.1). John (1.1.1). John (1.1) was the only one of John's (1) four sons of who did not receive a silver spoon. This was probably because he, as the eldest son, had already been given the most important family heirloom, the Silver Cup.

The earliest records of John Blaw are found at the 1st Dutch Reformed Church at Jamaica, Queens Co. NY (on Long Island), where the baptisms of his last three children are recorded. The records of the Town of Jamaica contain a deed of land between Jacamiah Denton and Nathan Smith, in which the land is described as being bounded on the north by John Blue. Also, in 1717, John Blue's earmark for his cattle was registered as "a slitt in each ear and a happeny on the fore side of the near ear". Thus, it is clear that John Blaw (Blue) was a farmer in Jamaica, NY before moving to Somerset Co. NJ.

Records of this family have been found in several other Dutch Reformed Churches. Michael was baptized at the Brooklyn Church, and some of the children of Michael and Frederick appear in the baptismal records of the Harlingen Dutch Church, several miles northeast of Blawenburg. No records for son John, or his family, have been found. During this time period, the Dutch Church at Harlingen was split by the Frelinghuysen controversy, and the records of both congregations are incomplete. Cousins Hendrick and Altie Blauw were put out of the church and it's possible that some of this family joined them. Alternatively, it may be that they were Baptists, even at this early date. They were not members of nearby Hopewell Baptist Church, however, they may have attended without becoming official members. Later generations in Virginia and Ohio were members of the Primitive Baptist Church.

The Silver Cup, (shown here with The National Blue Family Association header) which was made by Jurian Blanck, Jr., of Brooklyn, NY, may provide a vital link between the Blaws of New Jersey and their New York ancestors. The cup has the initials I*F inscribed on its base. In 1676, Jurian Blanck was a near neighbor of Jan Frederickse in Brooklyn. Some researchers attribute the surname Blaw or Blaau to this Jan Frederickse, who had a son Jan baptized on 9 December 1677. It is possible that the I*F on the cup stands for Jan Frederickse, and that his son Jan was John Blaw (1.), herein. New York records indicate that Jan Frederickse came to America in the year 1652.

The surname of Margaret, John Blaw's wife, has not been discovered to date. She has been erroneously called a Van Leeuwe based on a Jamaica baptism in 1704 when "Jan Blauw and Maria Van Leeuwe were sponsors at the baptism of Aeltie, daughter of Frederick Hendricks and Dina Hendricks". There is no indication that Jan and Maria were man and wife.

For more information on the Blue family, refer to The Blue Family Association Web-site.

Return to Top of Page

SOME ADDITIONAL BLUE FAMILY HISTORY

Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, Kniffin 2nd ed., 1885 Crittenden Co.

J. W. BLUE, Crittenden County, attorney at law, is a native of Union County, Ky., and a son of Solomon and Mahala (Kearney) Blue, both parents are natives of Virginia.

James Blue, subject's grandfather, left Virginia as early as 1803, immigrating to Kentucky and settling in what is now Union County, where he died about 1811 or 1812. He had been a soldier in the war of the Revolution, holding the commission of captain in the American army.

Subject's maternal grandfather, John Kearney, was a native of Virginia also. He distinguished himself during the war of Independence as a major in the American army, serving throughout the entire struggle. His death occurred in Virginia, some years prior to 1803.

Solomon Blue was a farmer and had been a soldier of the war of 1812; he died in 1867 at the age of eighty-four years. He was for many years a colonel of the State militia. His brother, Uriah Blue, belonged to the regular army, held the commission of colonel and fought through the Seminole and Florida war, and was with Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. Favorable mention is made of him in the Life of Jackson. He died in Mobile, Ala., while in command of the garrison at that place.

Solomon's wife, Mahala (Kearney) Blue, died in 1831 at about the age of thirty-five years. She was the mother of six children: a son who died in infancy and Reuben B., Margaret S., Mahala, James B., and subject. In 1836, he was married to Mrs. Eliza Ralph. He left one child by her surviving him - Rachel Ann.

J. W. Blue is the youngest of a family of six children. He was born August 24, 1828, and remained with his father until his eighteenth year. In his nineteenth year, he became a student in the LaGrange University, Oldham County, Ky., in which institution he remained for about one year. In September, 1847, he entered Cumberland College at Princeton, in which he remained four years, graduating in the class of 1851. After completing his literary education, he commenced the study of law with Barber & Ward of Princeton, under whose instruction he continued until 1858, when he went back to Union County. He was admitted to the bar, February, 1853, in the town of Morganfield, where he practiced his profession one year and then came to Marion, where he has since resided, being the oldest lawyer of the Crittenden County bar at the present time.

Mr. Blue has been very successful in his profession, having a large and lucrative practice in Crittenden and surrounding counties. He was married November 4, 1851, in Princeton, to Miss Fannie M., daughter of Sharp and Mary (Prince) Baldwin of Caldwell County.

Eight children have been born to this union, five of whom are living, viz.: Nonie, John W., Jr., Annie, wife of E.B. Krausse of St. Louis; Mattie and Fannie. The names of the deceased ones are Maggie, James and Solomon. In 1861 Mr. Blue was elected to represent Crittenden County in the State legislature, to which position he has been twice re-elected, in 1867 and in 1869, serving in all six years. In 1862 he was elected commission of public schools for Crittenden County, the duties of which office he discharged for ten years, resigning in 1872. Mr. Blue is a member of the Masonic fraternity, K.of H., and K. of the G.R. in all of which he has held positions of trust. He and family belong to the Presbyterian Church.

Blue Kearney Jackson Ralph Barber War Prince Baldwin Krausse
=
Union-KY VA Mobile-AL Oldham-KY Caldwell-KY St._Louis-MO

Return to Top of Page

Return to Isaiah and Polly main page

Return to Genealogy Page