This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: pampearson1 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.blackshear/186/mb.ashx Message Board Post: It seems to be a well-established "fact" that Benjamin Fordham (1743-c1810) married Mary Blackshear, daughter of Alexander Blackshear and Agnes Stout. There are also a few who think Benjamin Fordham married the granddaughter of Alexander and Agnes Blackshear. Both assertions seem to be based on a bequest made in Alexander Blackshear's will to his granddaughter, Susanna Fordham. I have been researching this for quite some time and can find no evidence to support either claim. In fact, all evidence suggests something quite different. Everthing hinges on identifying the Susanna Fordham mentioned in the Blackshear wills. After making several bequests to his sons, Alex: Blackshear (in 1785) leaves the remainder of his household and kitchen furniture, as well as his stock (horses, cattle, etc) to be divided among his two daughters (Eleanor Bailey and Sarah Clifton) and his granddau Susanna Fordham (to whom he also gave a slave). This was not an insignificant gift, and the fact that it was equally divided elevates this Susanna Fordham to the level of Alex:'s daughters. When Agnes Blackshear wrote her will (in 1793), she made a few specific bequests, but she primarily left everything to be divided among her two daughters (Elender Baley and Sarah Clifton) and her granddaughter Susana McKinsey "according to my husband Alexander Blackshear Will." The wording tells us that Susanna Fordham and Susanna McKinsey are one and the same. That leads to the next key issue: determining the age of this Susanna. We know from Bible records that Benjamin Fordham was born in 1743. And, if the Bible records are to be believed, his first 6 children were born between 1767 and 1776. The Benjamin Fordham Bible record is available through the NC State Archives, but their copy does not include the names and dates for the rest of the children, including daughter Susanna. I have reviewed the document in person and it appears that the bottom portion of the page is missing. There are some books and online "trees" which give the names and birth dates for these children. Susanna Fordham, dau of Benjamin was supposedly born 31 March 1779. If we accept that Benjamin's daughter was born in March 1779, then she was just age 14 when Agnes wrote her will in July 1793, calling her Susanna McKinsey. Based on the evidence, I have to conclude that Susanna Fordham, granddaughter of Alexander and Agnes Blackshear, is NOT the daughter of Benjamin Fordham. I must also must conclude that Benjamin Fordham did NOT marry the granddaughter of Alexander Blackshear. As proved above, his granddaughter married someone named McKinsey (McKenzie) between 1785 and 1793. We are unfortunately left with Benjamin Fordham marrying a completely unknown woman named Mary. We are also left with an unidenfied and unlinked Susanna Fordham. Fortunately we find another clue to Susanna's identity in the will of Benjamin Fordham's father (Benjamin Sr. for purposes of this discussion). Benjamin Fordham Sr. wrote his will in September 1777, leaving significant property (a lot in the town of New Bern) to HIS granddaughter, Susanna Fordham. This Susanna Fordham was obviously born well before the daughter of Benjamin Jr. The gift Benjamin Sr. left to granddaughter Susanna was more generous than the small gifts he left his two grandsons. I believe the evidence suggests (but does not prove) that Benjamin Fordham Sr. had a unidentified son who married the unidentified daughter of Alexander and Agnes Blackshear. This couple, both of whom were deceased by July 1777, had just one child, Susanna. Both of Susanna's grandfathers made sure that she was taken care of. I welcome any additional evidence, ideas, or comments. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.