James Billingsley was born in Donegal, Ireland in 1775. It is believed he worked as a jobber in textiles before coming to America. He immigrated to America with his second wife, Elizabeth Fleming, and landed in Philadelphia in March of 1837 . His son, John, was already living in Pennsylvania and had written home about America. These reports, from John, convinced James Billingsley to sell out and set sail for the New World. He first settled in Pittsburgh and later removed to Mercer County where he purchased land and built a log house and barn. He lived the rest of his life at that residence.
James Billingsley b 1775 in Donegal, Ireland; d 8 Feb 1865 in Mercer, Co., PA; m first Elizabeth Black prior to 1800; m second Elizabeth Fleming prior to 1816
Children of James Billingsley and Elizabeth Black
1.* John Billingsley b 1800 in Donegal, Ireland; d 1866 in Butler Co., CA; m Elizabeth Black 30 May 1823 in Ireland
2. Matthew Billingsley b 1802
3. Eliza Billingsley b Ireland; d Philadelphia, PA; m John Andrews
4. Robert Billingsley (twin) b 1810; m first Jane Gilliland; m second Harriet; m third Rebecca Callahan
5. Joseph Billingsley (twin) b 1810
Children of James Billingsley and Elizabeth Fleming
6. James Billingsley b 1816 in Donegal, Ireland; d 1894
7. Jane Billingsley b 1818 in Ireland; d 1889; m Matthew Black
8. Sarah Billingsley b 1820; d 1853; m Alexander Black
9. Catherine Billingsley b 1822; d about 1898; m John McMurry
10. William Billingsley b 10 Oct 1824
11. Alexander Sterrett Billingsley b 29 Jun 1826
12. David Billingsley b 1829
13. Unnamed Billingsley daughter d in infancy
John Billingsley married Elizabeth Black in Ireland on 30 May 1823. According to family history they eloped and set sail immediately for America. They resided in Philadelphia for two years. They moved to Mercer County, PA until about 1831 when they removed to Butler County, PA where he engaged in farming.
Children of John Billingsley and Elizabeth Black
1. Mary Billingsley b 14 Feb 1824
2. James Billingsley b 8 Feb 1826
3. Catherine Billingsley b 4 Nov 1828; d 6 Dec 1893 in Venago Co., PA; m William Kerr m; Charles Bovard;
4. *Eva Jane Billingsley b 27 Jul 1830; d 2 Apr 1907 in Malcom, Poweshiek, IA; m Joseph Wainwright Tinker 5 Jun 1851
5. Elizabeth Billingsley b 7 Nov 1831
6. William B. Billingsley b 29 Aug 1833; d 18 Sep 1854 in Pittsburgh, PA
7. John Billingsley b 2 Jun 1836; d 15 Dec 1865; m Sidney Gill
8. Margaret Billingsley b 10 Oct 1838; d 26 Feb 1842
9. Sarah Ann Billingsley b 28 Feb 1841
10. Joseph Billingsley b 29 Feb 1844
The sources for this information are family records from the ancestors of Eva Jane Billingsley Tinker, records from Orphans Court, Butler Co., PA, and the Billinglsey book, "The Billingsley Family in America".
For more information on the Billingsleys
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