From a partial letter in Jeanne Miller's collection (appears to be missing the first few pages) dated Nov 1982 by Jerry D. Lomshek from Pittsburg, Kansas:

I do know that Samuel was a Revolutionary War Soldier as he is listed in the DAR "Patriot Index". I have been unable to locate who listed him with the DAR. I do believe he came from Pennsylvania and was in Capt. Michael Cresaps Co., and that he was a private serving at Fort Pitt at least in 1775 and probably involved in Lord Dunmore's War in 1774. In the DAR "Index" Samuel is listed as a private from Virginia. However, the southwest corner of Pennsylvania at that time was claimed by both Pennsylvania and Virginia. It was known as Augusta Co., Va. and as Washington and Fayette Cos., Penn. which controversy was what Dunmore's Was was all about. It is known that Capt. Cresap recruited the men for his company from this region. The roster of the company includes a Samuel, James, and a Robert Blackburn. The three names are too much of a coincidence to disregard.

On 12 Aug 1799 Samuel had a landgrant surveyed on the Defeated Branch of Drakes Creek. It contained 200 acres and was granted by certificate No. 2148. This landgrant was about 1 1/2 miles west of the Harmony Baptist Church in northwestern Allen Co., Ky. (Allen Co., was formed from Warren Co. in 1815) including this farm. I've visited the farm several times. The story goes that in 1815 or 1816 a two story log house was built there by the Blackburns. It is still there and is still in use. I've visited with the owner, Mr. Charles Trice, several times.

Samuel died there in 1816 and was buried on the farm. In the barnyard the graveyard can still be seen. But the only Blackburn stone that is there is one for Cynthia (Cockrill) Blackburn, the others are marked with common rocks.

It's true that the Allen Co. Courthouse burned about 1902 and most of the old records were destroyed. I've searched for the probate of Samuel's estate, but have never found it.

Samuel's wife Mary, must also have died between 1810 and 1820, it seems from the census records. Samuel owned 1 slave in 1810.

The only other record of Samuel I have is a will of a Thomas Blasingan, who appointed him executor of the will that was probated in Warren Co., Ky., 1805.

The 1790 Census for North Carolina lists a Samuel Blackburn living in Rutherford Co., as "1 Male 16 & up, 4 males under 16, 2 females." A James and a David Blackburn are also listed living in the same county.

The Blackburn family shows up in the earliest tax records for Warren County, Kentucky:

WARREN COUNTY, KENTUCKY TAX RECORDS

YEAR

NAME

LAND

WATERCOURSE

Entered

WM/B16/TB/H

TVALUE

1809

Blackburn Ephraim

175

Sucking Creek

R. Gagin

1 - - 3

1809

Blackburn Samuel

200

Drake's Creek

S. Blackburn

1 - - 5

1809

Blackburn James

----

1 - - -

1809

Blackburn Jerimiah

150

Big Barren River

N. Rud

1 - - 1

WM= White Male over 21; B16 = Blacks over 16; TB == total Blacks; H = Horses

The Blackburn family also shows up in the earliest tax records for Allen County, Kentucky:

ALLEN COUNTY, KENTUCKY TAX RECORDS

YEAR

NAME

LAND

WATERCOURSE

Entered

WM/B16/TB/H

TVALUE

1815

Blackburn Samuel

200

M.F.D. Creek

S. Blackburn

1 - - 4

510

1815

Blackburn James

----

1 - 1 2

380

1815

Blackburn Robert

150

D. Creek

R. Blackburn

1 - - 5

950

1816

Blackburn James

----

1 - 1 1

360

1816

Blackburn Robert

150

M.F.D. Creek

E. Blackburn

1 - - 5

650

1816

Blackburn Mary

200

M.F.D. Creek

E. Blackburn

- - - 4

620

WM= White Male over 21; B16 = Blacks over 16; TB == total Blacks; H = Horses

The connection between this Blackburn family and the John Samuel Blackburn who had married Nancy Beaver, is unknown at this time.