Notes for John AUSTIN
1768- A daughter of a deceased grandson of John Austin, SR wrote the following. The father of John and Nathaniel came from England and settled in VA., about 1768 and raised the following children: Joseph, Elizabeth, Lucy, John, Nathaniel, David, Hannah, Robin. All were b. btw. 1770-1788.
A granddaughter of John Austin stated: The Austin Family came with the Anderson Family, traveling by Ox cart, cutting their own road across the Allegheny Mountains. If it were their entry into TN., as we might surmise, then undoubtly it was the Old Wilderness Road which was cut across the Allegheny Mountains from Grayson, VA.
A great granddaughter, possibly Mary Attie Austin Anderson, of Nathaniel Austin, who grew up very near his farm, stated; I can remember Aunt Betsy very well and recall her telling many times how her father came driving four white horses to bring his family down the mountain side through "Natty's Pass" into a large cane break on Lost Creek, and there building a small log house, and later the two story house.
Mary told a story of Nathaniel Austin having three slaves, Abram and Rachel, husband and wife, and Gates. One morning, Abram was mumbling in the corner of the kitchen, Nathaniel asked what was the matter. Rachel said Abram wanted another biscuit. Nathaniel asked how many he'd already had, Abram replied "Just 12". Nathaniel said "give Abram another biscuit!"
The Austin's went back to NC to visit relatives. While gone the house caught fire by some of the children. Uncle "somebody", asleep upstairs, upon being told of the fire, replied sleepily, "Let her burn", and went back to sleep. He was reported to be kind of 'droll'. The fire was extinguished, but the family never left home again.
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