William James Cromartie’s letter about William Cromartie

Following is a letter written by my great grandfather William James Cromartie about his grandfather William Cromartie. It was reproduced from a pamphlet entitled The William Cromartie Family that the McCulloch Press published in August 1946.

Garland, N.C.
July 13, 1894

Dear Sir:

Your letter has been received and I am glad to see someone interested in the history of our family, wish I knew more of our ancestors.
To begin with, Grandfather (William C.) was born in Scotland May 1, 1731. Tradition says that he was entitled to an earldom but had to leave the country at the time of the downfall of the “Stuart House.” He then went to sea and followed that life for several years. Then comes his voyage to this country and romantic marriage. The captain of the ship he came over in was much in love with a beautiful young lady who did not return his affection, some way the captain got her on board his ship, probably to look over it, and set sail, then would have forced her to marry him but our grandfather took her part and of course married her afterwards. They finally settled here on South River and had one son, William, Jr.; born to them September 10, 1765, who served in the Revolutionary War. (It must have been the latter part of the war.) His first wife lived only a short time. On April 22, 1766, he married Miss Ruhamah Doane, an English lady then living in Boston. To them were born 12 children, four boys and eight girls. The boys settled here within a few miles of each other⎯the girls married and some moved to other states. William Cromartie, Sr. died Sept. 21, 1807. His last wife (Our grandmother) was born October 31, 1745 and died Dec. 26, 1813. All of the above dates are taken from the records of William Cromartie Sr.’s Bible, which I have in my possession. The present generation your wife I suppose knows as much about as any of us. They are scattered all over the United States.
Jules Vernes in his “Tour of the World in Eighty Days” speaks of Brigadier-General Cromartie of the Army of India. Probably you could get some interesting facts by reading Hugh Miller’s “Scenes and Legends of Cromarty,” written in 1885, it is said that Hugh Miller’s father was a Cromartie.
Grandfather founded South River Presbyterian Church and was a zealous Presbyterian. He was not a hunter although this country was full of wild animals he was not known to shoot but one deer and that was in his field.
The Cromarties have made good citizens and have done their share towards increasing the population of this country.
Now, I hope these notes will be a benefit to you in your undertaking, and I will speak for several copies of the History.
Wishing you much success in this work, I am.
Sincerely,
W. J. Cromartie