William Muir

by


According to subsequent documents, William Muir was born prior to 1756. We seek information on his origins and path to Albany. A number of similarly named indivuals were his contemporaries. Perhaps, he was of Scottish ancestry.

Revolutionary War service information probably referencing more than one "William Muir" leads in several directions on both sides of the conflict. However, was he the Patriot "William Muer" who received a pass to go to White Creek in September 1778.

His wife was Ann Morrison. Beginning in June 1788, the couple christened three children at the Albany Presbyterian church. Church records then called him a "fuller" and a merchant. However, their daughter probably was born much earlier.

In 1790, both "William Muer" and "William Muer, Jr." were listed as heads of households on the census for Watervliet with three and eight people in their respective households. In 1800, this individual's Watervliet household totalled eight members and a slave including two men and a woman who were at least forty-five years old.

A city map dated 1792 noted the property of "William Muir" on the north side of upper State Street encompassing all the land between Lodge and Barrack Streets. At this point, that clear reference is puzzling and stands alone.

In 1799, his first ward real property probably was unimproved and in the South End.

In May of 1802, he was among those elected trustees of the "Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church" which may have been an umbrella organization in the region.

William Muir was dead by June 1806 when letters of administration were issued on his estate. The first son of his daughter was named for him and was christened at the Albany Dutch church in 1802.

However, the actual/definitive identity of this particular indivdual remains uncertain. With relevant concerns still in question, we move on for now!


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of William Muir has no CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. Following a sweep of online resources, the family seems to have persisted in the Albany area for at least another century.




first posted 6/10/13; updated 8/10/13