John Cunningham

7.JOHN CUNNINGHAM (son of 4 Thomas) followed his brother James into Amelia County (VA), purchasing there 2,000 acres “beginning at Robert Baker’s Corner” from Stephen Collins for 115 pounds.The deed was dated 18 November 1746. (Amelia Deeds 473)On 16 March 1749 he sold 304 of these “beginning in Thomas Caldwell’s line …. To Patrick Shilladay’s corner” to James Reed for 30 pounds (Amelia Deeds 192) and 350 more “beginning at Thomas Caldwell’s …. to Robert Baker’s” to David McKee for 35 pounds (Amelia Deeds 195).Mary Cunningham waived her dower rights in both cases.Witnesses included Samuel Cunningham (his eldest son), Thomas Cunningham (whether his father, son or brother is uncertain) and James Cunningham (his brother).

On 2 July 1754 was recorded the deed (Lunenburg Deeds 519) dated 1 July 1754, in which John Cunningham conveyed to William Hardwick for 62 pounds part of a tract containing 342 acres of a larger tract granted to Richard and William Kennon.The part conveyed was “all except 30 foot square where Thomas Cunningham was buried.”The property adjoined the lands of Jacob Robinson, Robert Andrews and James Stewart.

All subsequent references to this John Cunningham are in the records of Prince Edward County.There he lived on Spring Creek between the Buffalo River and the County line.There he voted for burgess in the elections of 22 March 1754 and 8 December 1755 (17 Tyler Magazine)Nearby lived Joseph Cunningham (18 Tyler Magazine 52) probably his second son.In March 1754 he conveyed to Edward Shilladay 179 acres on Spring Creek for 17 pounds 18 shillings (1 Prince Edward Deeds 3).As his wife did not join him in that deed or in any other until 1778, the Mary who signed the waiver of her dower rights then was probably John Cunningham’s second wife, believed to be eldest daughter of Daniel Hay who in his will (2 Prince Edward Wills 2) in 1785 mentioned his daughter Mary Cunningham.He and Robert Baker sold 400 acres 8 July 1755 to Patrick Shields (1 Prince Edward deeds 50).Nearly six years later he sold 200 acres to Hugh Porter and 200 more to Samuel Smith (2 Prince Edward Deeds 39).That same year, 1761, he along with John Caldwell, James Daniel and William Watson, the four original trustees of the Buffalo Presbyterian Congregation, took title to the land on which was later erected the first Buffalo church.The grantor was Samuel Cunningham.Soon thereafter John Cunningham and James Anderson, the latter of Cumberland County, conveyed to James Hill for 33 pounds a tract of 165 acres “adjoining Mr. Sankey’s line” (2 Prince Edward Deeds 39)He sold that land for 650 pounds to Nathan Chaffin, of Powhatan County, 9 October 1778 (6 Prince Edward Deeds 194).In September 1776 he had signed the petition of Sundry Inhabitants of Prince Edward County pledging support to the “united American States” and praying for the establishment of religious freedom in Virginia.(18 Va. Mag 40-44).We have found no record of him after 1778.From data available it appears that he had at least four sons:

(9)i.Samuel Cunningham

(10) ii.Joseph Cunningham

(11)iii Thomas Cunningham

(12)iv.Matthew Cunningham