Hugh Ross Jr was the son of Hugh Ross SR and Sarah Stockton. He was the brother of Isaac Ambrose Ross (commonly called Ambrose) and several sisters including Anne Ross, (called Fanny) wife of William Preston, who married in 1793 in Lincoln Co, Ky and removed to Cannon County, Tennessee. After his father died, his widowed mother Sarah Stockton Ross married Francis Dove.

The following research by Gerald Tudor (not related to Ross) presented with additions by David Travillion Bunton.

Hugh Ross, Sr.

was born Abt. 1761 in Prob. VA, and died Abt. 1804 in Garrard Co., KY. He married Mary Kennedy February 21,

1786 in Lincoln Co., KY, daughter of James Kennedy and Elizabeth Herron. She was born 1769.

Notes for Hugh Ross, Sr.:

    Hugh was an early frontier inhabitant of Kentucky. He served in

many of the activities against the Indians as a spy in some cases. He is also noted in the court records in several law suits owing debts.

In one deposition, he is said to to have stolen from Samuel Davis. One source reports Samuel Davidson?

    The late Lee Kennedy Biles,

descendant of James Kennedy, Sr. reported Hugh's death in 1804, but no source

given. He seems to have been no longer

taxed long before 1804. References to

him that are found in the Madison Co., KY Court Order Books A & B last

mention him in 1791 at a time that he was transported to the Supreme

Court. Here is what is found in various local records:

 HUGH ROSS

May 30, 1779 - On Bowman's invasion of the Shawnee country near their then

Chillicothe village in the area of present day Xenia and Springfield,

Ohio. Hugh Ross, member of Holder's

Company, shot an Indian who had just given an alarm of the impending

attack. Sources as credited in Charles

Gano Talbert's "Benjamin Logan" Kentucky Frontiersman, 1976: Draper

MSS. 1 A 20-21; 5 D 10-11; 8 J 150-52; 9 CC 65. 

John Bowman to his uncle June 15, 1779. 

(Note: Mann Butler in his 1834 History of Kentucky, differs slightly in

the account of the Indian giving a warning. 

Butler gives July for the action. 

The Indian who discovered the invaders, was shot at before giving the

alarm by one of Logan's men {not named}. 

Aware that the discharged gun came from the enemy, he gave an

instantaneous and loud whoop, and ran immediately to his cabin. We must take in

consideration that Mann Butler wrote his account from the then existing data at

his disposal. Later, Draper had

collected from contemporaries and others additional facts about this invasion

which, no doubt named the incident that Ross played at the beginning. There may have been several such warnings by

the Indians?)

Oct. 13, 1779 - Among the new residents of St. Asaph's (Logan's Fort) was

Hugh Ross and Joseph Kennedy. "Ross

had evidently moved to St. Asaph's after Bowman's Shawnee Campaign. At that time he had been a member of John

Holder's Boonesborough company." 

Source: Talbert's Benjamin Logan.

Three sources place Hugh Ross at Boonesborough, thus making his

descendants, if any, eligible for membership in the Society of

Boonesborough. This is not an earth

shaking claim or honor but does place him in the area of the early fort. Sources: 

"French Tipton Papers." Townsend Room, Eastern Kentucky

University Library. History of Kentucky

by Collins 1874 - Listing of Capt. John Holder's Company at Boonesborough, June

10, 1779 - John B. Bowman Papers (Note: the date given here might be a later

recording as Ross was certainly with Holder on the invasion of Indian country

the previous month.)  Claims approved by

Land Court Meeting at Boonesborough, Dec. 18, 1779, to January 3, 1880. "Certificate Book of Virginia Land

Commissions, " Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, XVI Sept.

1923, 10.

July 6 - 20 Aug. 1780 - Hugh Ross, Spy for 46 days as member of Capt. John

Kennedy's Company of Militia of Kentucky County under Command of Colo. George

R. Clark ordered into service by Colo. Jno. Bowman. Another march against the Indians. Source: George Rogers Clark and his Men,

Military Records, 1778-1784, compiled by Margery Heberling Harding. 1981, The

Kentucky Historical Society.

Jan. 1783 - Hugh Ross added to list of qualified deputy surveyors under

James Thompson, Lincoln Co., VA. Source: History of Kentucky Vol. II by

Collins, Reprint 1966, The Kentucky Historical Society. In the same year, Hugh Ross made a survey in

what became Madison Co. as noted below on 23 Feb. 1784 entry by Maxwell.

The following surveys, some entered between the Court Order Book

references are sourced from the publication of Anne Crabb's 1996 "Land

Entries for Madison County, Kentucky 1780-1793 from James Thompson and others.

Jan. 5, 1784 - Hugh Ross assignee of Ambrose (Ross) assignee of James Kay

enters 100 acres of land by virtue of part of a Treasury Warrant No. 8366

adjoining John Kenady's Survey of 200 acres that joins Harmon's Lick to begin

at the south east corner of said Survey and to run with said Kenady's line 100

poles and out at right angles for the quantity. 

Also 100 acres of land upon part of the above Warrant No. 8366 to Adjoin

---? Survey at the s. w. corner and to adjoin a Survey of 60 acres of Ousley's

and to run southwardly and esatwardly as far as will include the quantity. (Ambrose Ross also makes entries on part of

the same T. W. 8366 on 16 Feb. 1784)

Feb. 23, 1784 - David Maxwell enters 620 acres and refers to a line run by

Hugh Ross in 1783.

May 5, 1784 - Hugh Ross assignee of Francis Dove assignee of Edmond

Wooldridge enters 238 1/2 acres of land on part of a T. W. No. 7373 lying on

the waters of Silver Creek beginning at a black walnut tree on John Kennady's

Preemption of 500 acres that joins said Kennady's Settlement on the lower side

thence south 50 east 390 poles with said Kennady's line back to a black oak

tree thence 300 poles to a sugar tree on Samuel Bell's line thence north 250

poles with said Bell's line to the beginning. 

This warrant in the Register's Office.

Feb. 21, 1786, Lincoln Co., VA Hugh Ross married to Mary Kennedy.

Oct. 4, 1786 - According to the embellished and often inaccurate acount of

Allan W. Eckert in his Frontiersmen, page 298. 

Benjamin Logan's Invasion of Shawnee country resulted in one Kentuckian,

a Willis Chadley, escaping to the Indians to warn them. "Logan summoned Simon (Kenton), George

Nokes, and Hugh Ross. They were, he

directed, to follow Chadley's trail and bring him back." They were given leave to kill him before he

got to the Shawnees. Chadley apparently

did reach the Indians and gave the warning, but was immediately killed by the

Indians and Kenton, Nokes and Ross returned to Logan. In the same book, Eckert makes note that one

Ignatius Ross is a brother to Hugh Ross, although he says not conclusive, but evidence

leads him to believe so. (An Ignatius

Ross was of Bourbon Co. Eckert, as

expected, does not give his source for the relationship. - GRT)

Madison Co. Court Order Book A 1787-1791

Feb. 28, 1787 - (Although Hugh Ross was qualified by Thompson as a deputy

surveyor for Lincoln Co., he was again examined when Madison County was

established. This should confirm that Hugh was in fact a resident of Madison

Co. and most likely lived in that part that became Garrard Co. in 1797. -

GRT) "Ordered that James Anderson,

James Barnett and John Holley be appointed to examine Hugh Ross surveyor and

certify the same to court. Hugh

Ross was nominated by James French as

one of his deputies produced a certificate from the examined that he is

qualified for the same whereupon he took the oaths that were prescribed by

law."

Mar. 7, 1787 - Richard Masterson vs Hugh Ross continued.

Apr. 25, 1887 - Benjamin Woodard vs Hugh Ross Discontinued. Richard Masterson vs Hugh Ross judgement for

debt and costs. Defendant did not appear

so ruled for the Plaintiff L2-9.

May 22, 1787 - John Courtney vs William Glenn judgement for L8 and summon

Hugh Ross as garneshee.

Jun. 27 1787 - Hugh Ross assignee of William Orear, who was assignee of

George Glascock, enters 100 acres of land on part of T. W. No. 28228? upon the

head of an eastern fork of Paint Lick Creek, beginning at the south east corner

of John Kenady's Survey of 400 acres, assignee of John Tate, thence east 100

poles, thence 160 poles, thence west 100 poles, thence north 160 poles to the

beginning.

Jul. 24, 1787 - Ordered that Hugh Ross and James Anderson be asppointed to

examin Aron Lewis as deputy surveyor and make report to the Court.

Aug. 29, 1787 - Thomas Brown vs Hugh Ross continued.

(note: Hugh Ross on tax list Madison Co. 1787)

Feb. 26, 1788 - Robert Rayburn asee vs Hugh Ross judgement of notes for

L16-9 and costs.

Mar. 26, 1788 - Thomas Brown vs Hugh Ross judgement on Replevy Bond

L4-6-11 and interest from 20 Nov. 1787 and costs.

May 27, 1788 - William Stafford vs Hugh Ross judgement for 50/ and costs.

L2-10. Richard Masterson vs Hugh Ross

judgement on replevy bond L3-7-10 and costs.

Jul. 22, 1788 withdrawn? William Heale and Ambrose Ross, assignee of

said Heale, who was assignee of Francis Peyton, enters 3000 acres of land on a

T. W. no. 18539 lying on a large fork of Rock Castle being the third principal

fork above Boon's Trace to begin at a remarkable large bend in said creek,

thence east, then north, then west, and south for quantity.

Aug. 18, 1788 - Hugh Ross enters 894 1/4? acres of land upon part of a T.

W., assignee &c, No. 19150 lying on the white lick fork of Paint Lick Creek

adjoining all a long the east end of 1000 acres Preemption of John Kennady's

known by ---? the name of the Station Track to include all the vacant land at

that end of said Preemption runing Eastwardly ---?

Aug. 26, 1788 - Baptist Clark vs Hugh Ross continued. (Brother Ambrose

Ross on jury)

Aug. 27, 1788 - Henry French vs Hugh Ross judgement and Interest from the

25th Nov. 1787 and notes and Costs. L3-6-6.

Oct. 29, 1788 - Baptist Clark vs Hugh Ross Continued.

(Hugh Ross assumed to have been on tax list for Madison Co. 1788 - list

incomplete)

Mar. 5, 1789 - A deed from Ambrose and Hugh Ross and Gan {Samuel} Haden to

Richard Runnals was acknowledged by Ambrose Ross as to others proved by John

Boyle, Dennis Dever and Ambrose Ross and ordered recorded.

May 6, 1789 - Baptist Clark vs Hugh Ross continued. William Pawling vs Hugh Ross judgement for

L3-16-2 and costs. Anthony Rogers vs

Hugh Ross discontinued.

Jul. 17, 1789 - Baptist Clark vs Hugh Ross abates by Plaintiff's death.

(Hugh Ross on Tax List 1789 Madison Co.)

Feb. 3, 1790 - John Warren vs Hugh Ross continued. Joseph Proctor vs Hugh Ross judgement for L3

and costs.

Apr. 7, 1790 - John Warren vs Hugh Ross continued.

Aug. 3, 1790 - John Warren vs Hugh Ross continued.

Sep. 6, 1790 - John Warren vs Hugh Ross continued.

Oct. 5, 1790 - John Warren vs Hugh Ross judgement for note and costs L1-8.

(Hugh Ross missing from Madison Co. Tax Lists from 1790 through 1799 {Some

years incomplete}. Might this be due to

his selling all he had by the deed transaction of 5 May 1789 and his subsequent

arrest in Cincinnati for felony and trial and possibility of incarceration?)

Jun. 28, 1791 - At a Court held at Madison Courthouse on the 28th day of

June 1791 for the examination of Hugh Ross charged with feloniously robing the

storehouse of Samuel Estill of sundry goods before the worshipful George Adams,

James Barnett, Archibald Woods, Robert Rodes, John Miller and James French,

gent. The said Hugh Ross having appeared

according to his recognizance and it being demanded of him whether he was

guilty of the charge aforesaid or not says he is not thereof guilty whereupon

sundry witnesses were sworn and examined and heard in his own defense on

consideration whereof the opinion of the Court that he ought to be layed before

the judges of the Supreme Court for the felony aforesaid and that he remand to

jail and from thence removed to the public jail in Danville.  Samuel Estill, William Estill, Abraham

Kimberlan, John Martin, and James French came into Court and acknowledged

themselves severally bound to his excellency, Beverly Randolph, Esqr. Governor

of the Commonwealth in the sum of L100 each to be served and made of his

several goods and chattels &c to be discharged by their personally

appearing before the judges of the Supreme Court in Danville on the first

Monday in October next and then to give testimony against Hugh Ross for felony

and not to depart without leave of the Court. Signed, George Adams.

Madison County Court Order Book B 1791-1801

Nov. 1, 1791 - Sheriff paid for removing body of Hugh Ross to the Supreme

Court- 175 lbs. tobacco.

May 7, 1793 - Settlement of Sheriff David Gass' account for 1791. L2-3-9

for removing the bodies of Hugh Ross and William Kincaid to the Supreme Court.

(Hugh Ross no longer appears in Court Order Book B. Court Order books C and later, not examined)

The following no doubt refers to the same felony action against Hugh Ross

as stated above and perhaps represents Ross' initial arrest, but delayed in

compensation for those who made the arrest.

LITTELLS LAWS OF KENTUCKY "The Statute Law of Kentucky" Volume I

Printed in 1809 Table of Personal Acts approved by the state of Kentucky from

Littell's Laws

"pg. 358 An Act making compensation to WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, JAMES

LAURENCE, and SAMUEL DAVIDSON, for certain services. approved Dec. 17, 1795

They had been ordered by the governor to go to Cincinnati, to apprehend and

bring to justice, HUGH ROSS, who was charged with felony---They did so, and

this act allowed them 30 dollars apiece for so doing."

Summer of 1798 - As a result of the removal of the Madison County seat of

govenment from Milford to present Richmond, there was an alleged fight between

"Bully" David Kennedy, representing the Kennedy faction of some 300

men, and William Kerley over the removal. 

Kerley got the best of Kennedy and it was alleged that Hugh Ross,

Kennedy's brother-in-law and second in this conflict, convinced Kennedy or

simply ended the fight by "stooping down with his mouth close to

Kennedy's, and hallooed 'enough', and thus ended the bloody set-to." (The whole story is quite violent) Source:

History of Kentucky Vol. II page 522, by Collins. (If the above reference to

Hugh Ross is factual, the occasion may be the last to mention the name of Hugh

Ross in the sources that this recorder has found.)

Children of Hugh Ross and Mary Kennedy are:

       14              i.   James Ross, born Abt. 1786.

Notes for James Ross:

    Using the

transcribed notes of Forrest Calico by Mona Kennedy, it appears that James Ross

might have been born shortly after his parents' marriage. These were notes referring to James'

assignment, as an orphan of Hugh Ross in 1804, to Francis Buckner

"Saddler" and will be 21 in 3 years from now (Mar. 1, 1804) thus

making james 21 in 1807. 

+     15             ii.   Hugh Ross, Jr., born April 1787; died Bef. February 1835 in Knox

Co., KY.