Three Rivers
Hudson~Mohawk~Schoharie
History From America's Most Famous Valleys

Wands-Origins, Legends, Etc.
Compiled and Contributed By Larry House of Wynantskill, NY
August 2000/Revised April 2001/August 2001

Origins

William Wans was reidare at Loncaster 1574 and Robert Wands appears in Belhaven 1688. Wanns were described as hereditary doomsters of the bishop of St. Andrews' Court of Regality. pg 801 George F. Black The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning and History, The New York Public Library, N.Y., 1946

The following is taken from Christine Wands' "Wands Genealogy". "[Following is a transcript of a photocopy of a typewritten document, source unknown, about the Wands Family. Note that there are discrepancies between this document and other information contained herein.]"

Wands is an old Scottish surname derived from Wand or Wynd.

The family probably originated in either Dundee or Perth.

A Wynd, is a narrow lane or alley, derived from Anglo-Saxon 'windan', to turn around.

The first on record of the family was GEOFFRY del Wende, of Dundee, who was born about 1250.
1296 July 9th
Pardon at the instance of Gilbert de Umfraville for GEORRFY del (of the) WENDE of Dundee, for the death of Ralph Chapman, Montrose.
(Patent, 24 Edw. 1. and Bain ii.)

In 1889 there were at least four families of the name of Wynd in Dundee.
(Directory)

1427 William de Wynd, a worthy citizen of Perth (perhaps a kinsman of the celebrated Hal o' the Wynd), granted to the Carmelite Friars of Perth, on 4th May, 1426, an annual rent of 13s 4d out of his lands at the south end of the Speygate, for the salvation of his own soul, and of the soul of Elizabeth, his wife, on condition that the said Friars annually observed the anniversary of the donors, on the day of their decease, and solemnly on that day celebrated masses, with 'Placebo and Dirige'.
(Ecclesiastical Annals of Perth, 202)

1438 '"Our attention is now called to the bargain made by William de Wynde for his
croft on which the Monastery was mainly built. The ground is described as the "whole and entire land with its pertinents, vulgarly called the croft of William de Wynde, on which the foresaid House of the Valley of Virtue was founded, between the garden of Baldwin Seres on the east, the street which leads to St. Leonard's on the west, the land of Andrew Pitscottie on the south, and a land which belonged to the late John de Spends of Bothquhopil, on which land also a part of the said House was founded, on the north."'

In part of the price of this ground, William has received from the Prior the sum of £1040 of the usual money of Scotland, with divers other goods and monies, which, however, did not form a proper equivalent for the land. On an accounting being made, the Cartusians conveyed to William, and Elizabeth his wife, in life-rent, and the longest liver of them, certain of the Leonard Land, thus described:-

To wit, that croft, with its pertinents, which is called the Haugh of St. Leonard's, as it lies in length and breadth on the south side of the Valley of Virtue; one acre of the land of St. Leonard's lying on the west side of the said Haugh, above and on the Mount; the Hen-croft, with its pertinents, lying on the north side of the Church of St. Leonard's; one piece of land lying next to the said Church of St. Leonard's extending downward to a certain fountain called Lethe; The Thorny Croft, lying between the Church of St. Leonard's and the stream of Craigie; one piece of the lands of St. Leonard's which is called the Tongue, on the south side of the bridge of St. L., and near the street of the same; the two ridges lying on the west side of the same street, between the land of Andrew Constable on the south, and the land of Andrew de Inchmartine on the north; also five ridges of St. Leonard's lying on the west side of the same street, between the land of the late John Lethe on the north, and the land of Richard Harrower on the south.

This bargain was made by Indenture, dated 30th of January 1438, between Adam de Hangleside, Prior of the Charterhouse, and the Wyndes.

1441 But apparently in about three years, Dame Wynde having predeceased her husband, he, on 4th July 1441, ratified the donation of his croft to the Charterhouse, and bound himself not to repudiate the same under penalty of £1040 Scots and other goods and monies which '"he had before received from the Prior and Convent, to induce him to make the donation of his croft"'. Nor did he end there.

1446 On 23rd April, 1446, he formally renounced his life rent over the parts of the Leonard's Lands, in consideration of a sum of money received from the Prior.
(Ecclesiastical Annals of Perth, 222-223)

1493 John Wyndis, subtenant of the lands of Kilbryd, in the Earldom of Strathearn, co. Perth, is mentioned in a charter granted by Alexander, Earl of Menteth to Walter Grahame, of the said lands and others, dated at Dunblanc, 20th Jan, 1494, confirmed by King James IV, in 1495.
(Reg. Mag. Sig. i. 2230)

This appears to be the first record of the Wands branch of the family. There are no entries of the family in the Commissariot of Dunblane.

1552 Archibald Wynd, was a witness to a charter by David Wemis to his brother german John Wemis of that Ilk, of the lands of Eister Elcho also Wemis-Elcho, the lands of Balhabram and Cragtoun, in the barony of Wemis, co. Perth, dated at Edinburgh, 3rd December, 1552
(Reg. Mag. Sig. iii. 725)

There is a record of a Wynd, circa 1350 in the Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, Vol. 1.

1794 William Wands, attested May 15, age 17, 5 ft. 6 inches high, born at Botrifney Banff, appears on the first Master Roll of the Gordon Highlanders.

1614 Agnes Wand, spouse to John Smyth, in Falkirk, testament registered 22nd January.

1661 John Wand, in Leddieland: the Test. of Janet Scott, his spouse, was reg. 8th November.

1670 John Wand, in Watersyde, parish of St. Ninians, testament registered 6th May.

1678 John Wand, weaver in Bannockburne, parish of St. Ninians; the testament of Janet M'Coull, his spouse, was registered 22nd March.

1684 William Wand, weaver in Bannockburne, and Margaret Rae, his spouse, parish of St. Ninians, test. reg. 24th September.

1685 Helen Wands and John Livingstone, spouses, in Falkirk, test. reg. 7th October.

1693 Lybera Wand, and Robert Laurie, her husband, in Brackenhouse, parish of Stirling, testament registered 5th June (Commissariot of Stirling).

There are a number of Wand entries in the St. Ninians Parish Registers (other sources for this information include the International Genealogical Index/British Isles at familysearch.org):

John Wand and Helein/Helene Rid/Reid, married before 1608

1608 Margaret Wand. Christened 24 May 1608, Falkirk, Stirling. Daughter of Johne Wand and Helene Rid. St. Ninians.

1614 Katherein Wand. Christened 6 November 1614. Daughter of Johne Wand and Helein Reid. Falkirk, Stirling.

Alexander Wand and Christian Garnar, married before 1645

1645 Helein Wand. Christened 24 October 1645, Falkirk, Stirling. Daughter of Alexander Wand and Christian Garnar.

1647 Christian Wand. Christened 21 November 1647, Falkirk, Stirling. Daughter of Alexander Wand and Christian Garnar.

John Wand (born about 1629, died about 1669/70) and Katherine Easson (born about 1632/33), married about 1654

1655 John Wand. Christened 17 June 1655. Son of John Wand and Katherine Easson.

1658 William Wand. Christened 11 July 1658. Son of John Wand and Katherine Easson. St. Ninians.

1661 Robert Wand. Christened 8 March 1661. Son of John Wand and Katherine Easson. St. Ninians.

1661 Helen Wand. Christened 2 August 1661. Daughter of John Wand and Katherine Easson. St. Ninians.

1664 Andrew Wand. Born and Christened 25 January 1664. Son of John Wands and Katherine Easson. St. Ninians.

1666 Isobel Wand. Christened 1 April 1666. Daughter of John Wands and Katherine Easson. St. Ninians.

1668 James Wand. Christened 20 May 1668. Son of John Wand and Katherine Basson [sic]. Later married Anna Row, 10 May 1668.

1670 Katherine Wand. Christened 20 March 1670. Daughter of John Wand and Katherine Easson. St. Ninians.

John Wand and Janet Scott, married before 1661

Alexander Wand. Married Christian Blyth, Falkirk, Stirling, 7 November 1662.

1664 Marion Wand. Christened 28 May 1664. Daughter of Allexander Wand and Christian Blyth. Falkirk, Stirling.

1666 Margaret Wand. Christened 13 March 1666, Falkirk, Stirling. Daughter of Alexander Wand and Christiane Blyth. St. Ninians.

John Wand and Janet McCoull, married before 1677

1677 John Wand. Christened 24 February 1677. Son of John Wand and Janet McCoull. St. Ninians. (see William Wand, christened the same day -- twins?)

1677 William Wand, Christened 24 February 1677. Son of John Wand and Janet McCoull. St. Ninians. (see John Wand, christened the same day -- twins?)

1678 Janet Wand. Christened 4 March 1678. Daughter of John Wand and Janet McCoull. St. Ninians.

John Wand and Janet Heggie (born about 1657), married about 1678.

1679 Janet Wand. Christened 27 December 1679. Daughter of John Wand and Janet Heggie St. Ninians.

1681 Elizabeth Wand. Christened 12 January 1681. Daughter of John Wand and Janet Heggie St. Ninians.

1683 Archibald Wand, born 24 January 1683, Christened 25 January 1683. Son of John Wand and Janet Heggie. St. Ninians.

1685 John Wand. Christened 6 August 1685. Son of John Wand and Janet Heggie. St. Ninians.

1686 Agnes Wand, Born and Christened 21 November 1686. Daughter of John Wand and Janet Heggie. St. Ninians.

1689 Marion Wand. Christened 7 July 1689. Daughter of John Wand and Janet Heggie. St. Ninians.

1691 Margaret Wand. Christened 6 September 1691. Daughter of John Wand and Janet Heggie. St. Ninians.

1694 Andrew Wand. Christened 6 May 1694. Son of John Wand and Janet Heggie. St. Ninians.

1696 John Wand. Christened 20 June 1696. Son of John Wand and Janet Heggie. St. Ninians.

John Wand and Margaret Murray, married before 1683

1681 James Wand. Christened 15 December 1681. Son of John Wand and Margaret Murray. St. Ninians, Stirling.

1683 Jean Wand. Christened 19 October 1683. Daughter of John Wand and Margaret Murray. St. Ninians, Stirling.

1692 William Wand. Christened 1 May 1692. Son of John Wand and Margaret Murray. St. Ninians, Stirling.

William Wand and Margaret Rae, married before 1683

1683 William Wand, weaver in Bannockburne, and Margaret Rae, his spouse, parish of St Ninians, test reg. 24th September 1683.

Robert Wand and Annabel Lamb, married before 1683

1683 William Wand. Christened 11 November 1683. Son of Robert Wand and Annabel Lamb. St. Ninians, Kirktown, Stirling.

1690 Catherine Wand. Christened 15 May 1690. Daughter of Robert Wand and Annabel Lamb. St. Ninians, Kirktown, Stirling.

1693 Isobel Wand. Christened 9 September 1693. Daughter of Robert Wand and Annabel Lamb. St. Ninians, Kirktown, Stirling.

1696 Robert Wand. Christened 10 June 1696. Son of Robert Wand and Annabel Lamb. St. Ninians.

1699 James Wand. Christened 23 May 1699. Son of Robert Wand and Annabel Lamb. St. Ninians, Kirktown, Stirling.

Andrew Wand (born about 1657) married Isabel Alexander, Married 1688

1689 Isabel Wands. Christened 25 May 1689. Daughter of Andrew Wand and Isabel Alexander. St. Ninians.

William Wands and Jean Burn, married before 1689

1689 Jean Wands. Christened 10 October 1689. Daughter of William Wands and Jean Burn. St. Ninians.

1699 David Wand. Christened 1 January 1699. Son of William Wand and Jean Burn. Stirling.

1703 Agnes Wand. Christened 12 December 1703. Daughter of William Wand and Jean Burn. Stirling

James Wand and Margaret Henderson, married about 1689.

1690 Janet Wand. Christened 26 November 1690. Daughter of James Wand and Margaret Henderson. St. Ninians.

1692 Robert Wand. Christened 30 October 1692. Son of James Wand and Margaret Henderson. St Ninians.

James Wand and Anna Rue (born 2 June 1667 to Alexander Row and Janet Hill), married before 1697

1696 James Wand. Christened 12 April 1696. Son of James Wand and Anna Rue. Stirling.

1697 Catherin Wand. Christened 10 October 1697. Daughter of James Wand and Anna Rue. Stirling.

1699 John Wands. Christened 4 June 1699. Son of James Wands and Anna Row.

1703 William Wands. Christened 1 May 1703. Son of James Wands and Anna Row.

1707 Jean Wands. Christened 4 June 1707. Daughter of James Wands and Anna Row. St. Ninians.

1712 Anne Wands. Christened 2 January 1712. Daughter of James Wands and Anna Row. St. Ninians, Tarbrex, Stirling.

Robert Wand. Married Margaret Brokous 12 December 1700, Falkirk, Stirling.

Archibald Wand. Married 10 February 1704 (or 1705) to Anne Ferguson. St. Ninians, Stirling.

1705 Janet Wands. Christened 18 or 28 December 1705. Daughter of Archibald Wands and Anne Ferguson. St. Ninians.

1708 or 1709 (both years recorded) James Wand, Christened 23 April 1708 or 1709. Son of Archibald Wands and Anne Ferguson. Craigforth, St. Ninians, Stirling.

1710 Elizabeth Wands. Christened 29 July 1710. Daughter of Archibald Wand and Anne Ferguson. St. Ninians.

1713 Archibald Wand. Christened 14 March 1713, St. Ninians, Stirling. Son of Archibald Wand and Anne Ferguson.

1718 John Wands. Christened 18 October 1718. Son of Archibald Wands (another record, probably erroneous, indicates Andrew Wand) and Anne Ferguson. Sauchie, St. Ninians, Stirling.

1721 Elisabeth Wand. Christened 10 December 1721. Daughter of Archibald Wands and Anne Ferguson. St. Ninians.

1725 Andrew Wands. Christened 2 May 1725. Son of Archibald Wands and Anne Ferguson. St. Ninians.

William Wand and Margaret Broun, married before 1704.

1704 Margaret Wand. Christened 5 July 1704. Daughter of William Wand and Margaret Broun. St. Ninians.

Robert Wand. Married Margaret Morison 13 October 1704, Falkirk, Stirling.

1714 Margaret Wand. Christened 22 August 1714, Falkirk, Stirling. Daughter of Robert Wand and Margaret Morison.

William Wands and Margaret Burn, married before 1706

1706 Anable Wands. Christened 7 April 1706. Daughter of William Wands and Margaret Burn. Stirling.

1712 Janet Wand. Christened 4 December 1712. Daughter of William Wands and Margaret Burn. St. Ninians.

1719 Catharine Wands. Christened 26 August 1719. Daughter of Williams Wands and Margaret Burn. Stirling.

William Wands and Janet Russall, married before 1718

1718 Charles Wands. Christened 18 June 1718. Son of William Wands and Janet Russall. Stirling.

Andrew Wands, married Mary Young 2 June 1719, Dunipace, Stirling.

William Wand and Eupham Clow, married before 1719

1719 Catharine Wand. Christened 18 November 1719. Daughter of William Wand and Eupham Clow. Stirling.

John Wands and Christian Burn, married before 1719

1706 John Wands. Christened 7 April 1706. Son of John Wands and Christian Burn

1719 Elizabeth Wands. Christened 6 May 1719. Daughter of John Wands and Christian Burn. St. Ninians

James Wand and Janet Ladler/Laidlie, married before 1721

1721 Robert Wand. Christened 14 July 1721. Son of James Wand and Janet Ladler. St. Ninians.

1724 Robert Wands. Christened 21 June 1724. Son of James Wands and Jennet Laidlie. St. Ninians.

1728 James Wands. Christened 27 April 1728. Son of James Wands and Jennet Laidlie. St. Ninians.

1736 John Wands. Christened 12 February 1736. Son of James Wands and Jennet Laidlie. St. Ninians.

1738 Ebenezer Wands. Christened 8 August 1738. Son of James Wands and Jennet Laidlie. St. Ninians.

1741 George Wands. Christened 15 October 1741. Son of James Wands and Jennet Laidlie. St. Ninians.

Robert Wands. Married Janet Taylor 28 December 1733. St. Ninians.

1734 Robert Wands. Christened 13 October 1734. Son of Robert Wands and Jennet Taylor. St. Ninians.

1736 John Wands. Christened 11 November 1736. Son of John Wands and Jennet Taylor. St. Ninians.

1739 Jennet (Janet) Wands. Christened 25 April 1739. Daughter of Robert Wands and Jennet (Janet) Taylor. St. Ninians.

1741 Anna Wands. Christened 27 December 1741. Daughter of Robert Wands and Janet Taylor. Stirling, Saint John Street Associate Session, Stirling.

1744 William Wands. Christened 15 June 1744. Son of Robert Wands and Janet Taylor. St. Ninians.

1747 Margaret Wands. Christened March 1747. Daughter of Robert Wands and Janet Taylor. St. Ninians.

1751 Alexander Wands. Christened 21 July 1751. Son of Robert Wands and Jennet Taylor. Stirling, Saint John Street Associate Session, Stirling.

Alexander Wands. Married Helen Hunter, 21 February 1735, Falkirk, Stirling.

1736 Margaret Wands. Christened 14 March 1736, Falkirk, Stirling. Daughter of Alexander Wands and Helen Hunter.

1739 Helen Wands. Christened 4 February 1739. Daughter of Alexander Wands and Helen Hunter. St. Ninians.

Archibald Wands. Married Helen Donaldson, 18 July 1737. St. Ninians, Stirling.

1738 Elizabeth Wands. Christened 18 June 1738. Daughter of Archibald Wands and Helen Donaldson. St. Ninians.

1740 Margaret Wands. Christened 18 December 1740. Daughter of Archibald Wands and Elizabeth (probably erroneous -- should be Helen) Donaldson. St. Ninians.

1746 Archibald Wand. Christened 9 March 1746, Saint John Street Association Session, Stirling. Son of Archibald Wand and Helen Donaldson.

1748 Janet Wands. Christened 11 December 1748. Daughter of Archbald Wands and Helen Donaldson. St. Ninians.

1751 John Wands. Christened 14 April 1751. Son of Archbald Wands and Helen Donaldson. St. Ninians, Torbrex, Stirling.

William Wands and Elisabeth Robertson, married before 1740

1726 John Wands. Christened 10 December 1726. Son of William Wands and Elizabeth Robertston/Robison. Torbrex, St. Ninians, Stirling. (later married Elizabeth McCulloch)

1740 James Wands. Christened 1740. Son of William Wands and Elisabeth Robertson. St. Ninians, Stirling.

James Wand and Janet Ferguson, married before 1744

1744 Jean Wand. Christened 12 August 1744. Daughter of James Wand and Janet Ferguson. Stirling.

1745 Janet Wands. Christened 22 December 1745. Daughter of James Wand and Janet Ferguson. St. Ninians.

1751 Alexander Wands. Christened 11 August 1751 at Stirling, Saint John Street Associate Session, Stirling, Scotland. Son of James Wands and Jannet Ferguson. (twin?)

1751 James Wands. Christened 11 August 1751 at Stirling, Saint John Street Associate Session, Stirling, Scotland. Son of James Wands and Jannet Ferguson. (twin?)

Robert Wands. Married Elizabeth Miller 23 March 1750. Kilsyth, Stirling (another record indicates 30 March at St. Ninians)

1751 Janet Wands. Christened 8 September 1751. Daughter of Robert Wands and Elizabeth Miller. Kilsyth, Stirling.

John Wands (born December, 1726) and Elizabeth McCullough (Christened 6 May 1717, in Dumfermline, Fife, daughter of John McCullo or McCulloch and Agnes Beveridge,) married before 1754

1754 George Wands. Christened 15 December 1754. Son of John Wands and Elisabeth McCullough. St. Ninians.

1757 James Wands. Christened 6 February 1757. Son of John Wands and Elisabeth McCulloch. St. Ninians, Torbrex, Stirling.

1759 John Wands. Christened 9 December 1759. Son of John Wands and Elizabeth McCulloch. St. Ninians.

1761 William Wands. Christened 24 May 1761. Son of John Wands and Elizabeth McCullough. St. Ninians.

1763 Robert Wands. Christened 21 August 1763. Son of John Wands and Elizabeth McCullough. St. Ninians.

1766 Elizabeth Wands. Christened 16 March 1766. Daughter of John Wands and Elizabeth McCullough. St. Ninians.

1768 Alexander Wands. Christened 5 December 1768. Son of John Wands and Elizabeth McCullough. St. Ninians, Torbrex, Stirling.

William Wands and Eupham Berrie, married before 1761

1761 Janet Wands. Christened 11 March 1761. Daughter of Willliam Wands and Eupham Berrie. St. Ninians, Torbrex, Stirling.

1765 Janet Wands. Christened 11 August 1765. Daughter of Willliam Wands and Eupham Berrie. St. Ninians, Torbrex, Stirling.

William Wands and Christian Kesson, married before 1767

1767 James Wands. Christened 20 January 1767. . Son of John Wands and Christian Kesson. Saint John Street Associate Session, Stirling.

1768 William Wands. Christened 17 March 1768. Son of John Wands and Christian Kesson. St. Ninians.

1771 George Wands. Christened 5 June 1771. Son of James Wands and Christian Kesson. Stirling, Saint John Street Associate Session, Stirling.

1773 Michael Wands. Christened 5 July 1773. Son of James Wands and Christian Kesson. Saint John Street Associate Session, Stirling.

1778 John Wands. Christened 13 July 1778. Son of James Wands and Christian Kesson. St. Ninians, Stirling.

Archibald Wands married Margaret Davie 2 April 1786. Stirling.

John [James?] Wands married Janet Millar before 1786

1784 William Wands. Christened 27 June 1784. Son of James Wands and Janet Miller. St. John Street Associate Session, Stirling.

1786 James Thomson Wands. Christened 28 June 1786. Son of James Wands and Janet Millar. Stirling.

John Wands and Hellen Campble, married before 1779.

1779 Archibald Wands. Christened 3 November 1779. Son of John Wands and Hellen Campble [sic]. Saint John Street Associate Session, Stirling.

George Wands. Married Janet Cullens 2 April 1797. St. Ninians.

1798 George Wands. Born 4 March 1798. Son of George Wands and Janet Cullens. St. Ninians.

Jean Wands, born about 1705, 2 December 1726, married William Taylor. St. Ninians, Stirling.

Jean Wand, married Georg Rennie, 21 February 1699, Denny, Stirling

Jean Wands, married John Archibald, 9 January, 1708, St. Ninians, Stirling.

Jean Wands, married James Ewen, 28 August 1731. Stirling.

This information would imply that James, born 1728, John, born 1736, and Ebenezer, born 1738, sons of James Wands and Janet Laidlie, were brothers and are probably the James, John and Ebenezer who came to New Scotland. The birthdates are appropriate for British soldiers fighting in the French and Indian War. Without further documentation, however, this is only conjecture.

The following is taken from an e-mail message to me from Pat Harder, dated 7/30/00:

William married Elizabeth Robertson or ROBISON, daughter of John Robertson or ROBISON and Agnes Bean, in Of St. Ninians, Stirling, Sctld. Born on 11 Jun 1706 in St. Ninians, Stirling, SctldThey had the following children:
6 i John (1726-)
7 ii Elizabeth (1732-)
8 iii Not Known (1735-)
9 iv William (1736-)

Legends

The following is a compilation of the different stories of the arrival of the Wands's in the New York colony.

1. In Amasa J. Parker (ed.), Landmarks of Albany County, New York, D. Mason and Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N.Y., 1897 (Part 3) are the following:

"The first of the Wands to come to America were two cousins, James and John Wands; they were Scotch Highlanders, and were weavers by trade. They enlisted in the English Army and came to Canada to take part in the French and English War (1754 to 1762), having enlisted as volunteers for three months; they served their time, and upon their discharge started as pioneers through the woods of New York State, toward Albany, and finally located in what is now New Scotland; their settlement dates about 1762. Ebenezer Wands, the grandfather of our subject [John B. Wands], was another of these hardy Scotch pioneers; he was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and was also a weaver by trade; he was a cousin of James and John, who had preceded him a few years to America; he married Mary Ann Miller and came to America immediately after, probably about 1780, and settled on a tract of land, about 400 acres, which he purchased for two dollars per acre, and began clearing him a home, and plied his trade winters. He reared eight sons and three daughters...He died when eighty eight years of age." page 27

"The first of the Wands to come to America were Ebenezer and John; they were Scotch Highlanders, and were weavers by trade. They enlisted in the English army and came to Canada to take part in the French and English war, having enlisted as volunteers; they served their time and upon their discharge started as pioneers through the woods of New York to Albany, and finally located in New Scotland in 1762. Robert, the grandfather of the subject [James M. Wands], was the son of John, the pioneer." page 100

2. In Anne Hendrick Newhart, Relations, Recollections and Reflections of the Hendrick Family, pp, October 1936 [probably of total of three copies-one original and two carbons were produced] is the following:

"John, Ebenezer, and James Wands, born in Penteauch or Penteaux, Scotland, between Edinburgh and the Pentland Hills.

These three brothers were riding on horseback to the Mill when they were captured by a British Press-gang and forced into the British Navy, destined for America, to fight against the French and Indians, in the portion of America now called Canada.

The King of England rewarded each of the Wands brothers with a tract of land near Albany, New York. They came south by canoes down Lake Champlain to Albany, in the year 1730. The lands bestowed by the King, had a prior lien on them from Dutch ownership. The brothers were allowed to settle on their estates, but paid a yearly tax, or fee, to the Patroons, for several generations, until the land was released to them, and ownership established."

[In the records of the NYS Archives, there are for the Wands; no land grants, no state patents-grantee (about 1784-1973), and no colonial patents (1638-1780).]

3. In Our Heritage: The Presbyterian Church in New Scotland, New Scotland, N.Y. 200th Anniversary 1787-1987, (part of "Discourse" by James Gore King McClure) is the following:

"Of the families named I have been able to learn the exact circumstances of their advent here in but few cases....Ebenezer Wands and John Wands were Highlanders, who enlisted in the English Army and came to Canada to take part in the French and English War, 1754-1762. Having enlisted as Volunteers for three months, they served their time, and upon their discharge started as pioneers through the woods of New York State toward Albany. From these two Wands brothers, who were Weavers by trade, and whose settlement dates about 1762, came the numerous progeny of that name." pg 59

4. From a letter from Edna Frances Wands "now Mrs. Ernest Ingram Smith" dated 1/26/1938 from Syracuse, N.Y. to "Dear Folks" is the following:

"From the various family bibles, from memories of those few left of the older generation, and from the records of the Syracuse Public Library, (Ancient History Dept) we have succeeded in getting the information on the attached sheet....

From this outline you will note that it begins with the five brothers and sisters, all born in Scotland, two of whom (John and Ebenezer) came to America settling in New Scotland, Albany Co., N.Y. John's date of settlement is 1762; Ebenezer probably about 1780. The records of Ebenezer are confusing as there was also a cousin Ebenezer and a Cousin James who came here from Scotland and settled in New Scotland about the same time.
However, of the brother, Ebenezer, we have little information. A Mr. Washington Irving Wands, now of Fairbury, Nebraska, 78 years old, states he has always understood that he [Ebenezer] went south, New Orleans, and there raised a large family.
Of the Cousin James, we know he had a son James, who had a daughter Margaret who married a cousin Benjamin Wands and had five sons and five daughters, one son being John who married Sarah Drew.

The Pioneer John, who settled here in 1762, is my direct ancestor...
My authority for the brothers and sisters in Scotland is from some old letters written by them to our people and they have been handed down from generation to generation."

"An Outline of the Wands Genealogy
George Wands, died 1811 A record of only one son-George
Will? (Name badly blurred) A son George
Ann, married a Mr. Miller, lived in Glasgow, George Miller
Scotland. had five children. Wands Miller
A daughter (unmarried in 1804)
Do not know of the other two.
Ebenezer, came from Scotland settling in New Elizabeth Scotland, possibly went south.
John, born 1740 in Scotland, died New Scotland in Margarita, born 1778 (No positive proof)
1824, Married Margaret Burnside. Came Robert, born 1780, died 1852 (Birth and
as soldier in British Army, landing in baptism recorded with names of
Canada, came down thru the wilderness to parents in records of North Dutch
New Scotland, settling there in 1762. Church, E. Westerlo, Pastor.)...
Three or four children. Gloud, born 1782, died 1866...
Elizabeth (known as Auntie Boom) married Nicholas Boom. she was born about 1793, died in 1888."

A copy of this letter was supplied to me by Goldie Wands, widow of Courtney Wands.

There was a precursor letter to the above one dated 1/21/1928 by Edna Wands Smith addressed to "My dear Cousin". It is 5 pages in length and indicates that 5 of 6 copies of it and a "blueprint" that she had prepared were sent out. They went to Mr. and Mrs. Frank K. Dean of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. (Natalie Wands), Mrs. Emily Wands of Brooklyn, N.Y. (Emily Wands), Charles Raymond Wands of Onondaga Valley, N.Y., Robert Earl Wands of Syracuse, N.Y. (her brother) and the one sent to "my dear cousin". In this letter is the following 'I suppose you'll wonder how I got the information regarding the Pioneers. Well, to begin with, I have in my possession four old letters, written in Scotland, which have been handed down from generation to generation. They are yellow with age and so worn that every time they're opened, they fall apart a little more. Three of these were written by George Wands from Hamilton, Scotland. They are addressed to "John and Ebenezer Wands, New Scotland, by Albany, America" and George begins each letter "Dear Brothers". He tells them that he and Mrs. Wands are well, excepting his eyesight, and that on account of that he has his Nephew, George Wands, who is visiting him, write his letters for him. In another letter he tells them that their sister Ann, who married a Mr. Miller, has been a widow for upwards of three years, and has five Children, that three are married, the unmarried daughter staying with him (George) while the youngest son, Wands Miller, remained with his mother (Ann).
The fourth letter, dated "Glasgow, Scotland, June 14, 1816, is written to-
"John or Ebenezer Wands,
Albany, State of New York,
North America. Or to any of their families alive."
It is written by the sister, Ann Wands Miller, and she addresses them as "Dear Brothers" and tells them of the brother George's death which occurred March 1811. Further, she tells of George leaving money,-making her son, George Miller, his heir rather than his own son, George Wands.
Then, too, I had always heard the older "Wands" people speak of two brother who came over here from Scotland. (I was tremendously interested to know about the other you mentioned).
…However you said one went to New Orleans so I can hardly wait to get to the Library to search the archives of that city…. [From this reference and from the notation in the previously cited letter, the dear cousin is Washington Irving Wands.]
Another proof I have of John being our Pioneer ancestor is this. I have a copy of "Baptism Record of the North Dutch Church of Albany" which states:-
Onders Kinder Witnesses
John Wands Robert, born Oct. 5, 1780 Dan'l }Houghtaling
Margaret Burnside Lena }

E. Westerloo, Pastor.

Then, of course, we know Robert had six children, etc, etc.
Therefore I've made the blueprint read crossways, like this,-…

Margarita
born 1778 Aunt Salley McElroy-No children
Thomas-(8) Robt. H., Esther, Gloud, Jane, Sarah, Harrison, Thos.,
John Robert [and] Mary
1740-1824 1780-1855 Ebenezer-(14 children-2 wives)
Solomon-Can find no information regarding him.
LaFayette-2 children
Margaret Jane-4 children Catherine Jane-No children of her own.
Margaret Maria-Washington and Winfield
Gloud Hiram-4 children
1782-1866 Elsie-unmarried
Gloud, Jr.-5 children
Sarah-Arthur, Osmond, and Fred, my father.

Elizabeth (Auntie Boom)-No further information
about 1799-1888


Then, too, I've a pencil drawing, very pretty, on which is written Col. B. Wands. This I believe is Colonel Burgess Wands and that he had a sister, Mrs. Taylor. I've Colonel Burgess Wands' picture but haven't a ghost of an idea where he fits on the family tree….' A copy of this letter was supplied to me by Lori S.Lansdown.

[The Mormon Church's family web site (http://32.96.111.13/Eng/Search/search-all1.asp)
for George Miller, whose mother was Ann Wands, in the International Genealogical Index-British Isles, lists the following-George Millar born 9/14/1776 in Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland.][A letter from Dorris M. Berning, dated 5/7/1968, to her cousin Vinnie (Lavinia Mary Wands Campbell) indicated that Wands Miller, the youngest son of Ann Wands Miller, is buried in the New Scotland Cemetery (next to the New Scotland Presbyterian Church). A copy of this letter was supplied to me by Angela Candela. In an article by Dorris M. Berning, "Wands and Jackson Records in the Register of the Presbyterian Church New Scotland, Albany County, New York", The Detroit Society for Genealogical Research magazine, Vol. II, No. 7, April 1939, pp 137-138 is listed the following under Tombstone Records-"Wands Miller, died May 6, 1850, in his 60th year; a P…Scotland, erected by a friend, T. Mc E." pg 137][The headstone was located. It had split in two with part facedown. The inscription on it reads "A native of Parlie (?), Scotland". In an 8/16/2001 message to me from Colin W. Wands, he indicates that the stone says "A native of Partick". He also said that this was a village on the outskirts of Glasgow, now a district of Glasgow, important for shipbuilding and some weaving. At Partick the river Kelvin flows into the Clyde.]

5. Letter from Mrs. Mildred Allen, no date, of 2323 Deane St., Fayetteville, Ark addressed to "Gentlemen" is the following:

"According to family tradition the Wands boys were taking a load of grain to the mill when they were seized and put on board ship to Canada to fight in the French and Indian Wars. When they were able to leave they traveled down thru the wilderness to New Scotland. Old grandfathers used to tell children of the hardships they had suffered on the way. Older children having heard the story before would chime in "and they ate their boots".

Parker is indefinite about which two came via Canada also which two were brothers. George Wands of Hamilton, Scotland died in 1811, left 300£ to each of his brothers John and Ebenezer. To collect they must come home to Scotland and hopefully remain there among civilized people. So we do know that John and Ebenezer were the brothers.

I am convinced that John Wands, the pioneer, born 1740 Pentland Hills Scotland was one of the first Elders of New Scotland Church not John Jr. I do not have anything in print however:

1. We believe that John and Eb's mother was an Erskine and their grandfather Rev. Erskine. Children brought up in church
2. Ebenezer is credited with being the founder of N.S. and for many years was Pres of N.S. Assoc. [I believe this may have been taken from, or the source for, the statement in Lucretia van Tuyl Simmons' application for membership to the D.A.R. #119,893 dated 8/14/1923-"He founded the New Scotland Association in Albany Co. in 1766 and was president of same from 1766 on." I believe this is confusing the Ebenezer Erskine Wands who was the President of the New Scotland Cemetery Association which was formed in 1866. This Ebenezer Erskine Wands was born 1811, died 1900, and was a grandson of John Wands, via Robert.] Surely John was not sitting idle all this time.
3. John Jr was a son of Eb. If Eb and Mary Ann Miller did m 1766 and if they did have Geo b 1767, John could have been the second child 1768/69.
... 5. My sister spent weeks at N. S. 1918-20 and again later....
6. She talked with Rev or Mr Carhart who said the strip directly behind the church was reserved for the first Elders and wives. He told her then in 1918-20 that he remembered seeing the graves of John Jackson and Sarah [his wife] and of John Wands and Margaret right there in that strip. The graves with head stones next to the church. People deny that graves were covered when the church was extended. No doubt all trace was gone by then....
Junior may have been an elder at a later time after he had a few years on him, but not in 1787....
James Jackson and Margaret Wands remained in New Scot area for a time and then moved to Syracuse area perhaps Cicero. Their grand dau Margaret Ann Fay was my great grandmother."
Attached sheet
"Ebenezer Wands b , d will 1811/1813 married 1. Mary Ann Miller m 1766??
children
George 1767?? may have died before 1784
John [Jr] married Marey Warren
William married Edith La Grange
Jennet married John Mc Millan
2. Maria Hunter m May 9, 1780
[child] [spouse]
Eliz 1781 Jackson
Geo 1784-1864 N S Cem
Charles 1787 Polly Lloyd
Ebenezer 1799
Anna 1792 Wm HackneyPeter 1794 bp 1794 Catherine
Benj Judd 1795 bp 1796 Margaret Wands
Joseph 1797 Eliz Taws
Thomas ? Charlotte
Marion 1803 Peter Smith
Samuel 1805
...bp for all except Thomas and George
John Wands b 1740 Scotland, d 1826 New Scot will 1824/Pr 1826 Margaret Burnside
b 1752 ... cousin? James Wands 1728-1824
had only son James 1762-1827 m Margaret Burnside dau of James
had only son James Burnside Wands..."A copy of this letter was also supplied to me by Goldie Wands, widow of Courtney Wands.

6. Per an e-mail message from Angela Candela [and from her uncle Harrison Campbell], is that according to [William Henry] Harrison Wands two brothers, in the British Army, came to Canada. They deserted and walked overland to what became New Scotland.

7. If the experience of the following two Scottish Highlander Regiments is used as an example then the concept of land grants occurred.

The 77th (Montgomery's Highlanders) and 78th (Fraser's Highlanders) Regiments were both raised in 1757 and disbanded in 1763. After the termination of fighting in 1763, the officers and men of the 77th, being in New York, were given a choice of either staying in America and receiving a land grant in proportion to their rank or returning to Scotland. The same occurred for the 78th, which was in Canada, at the end of the war. When war broke out between Great Britain and the colonies, a number of men from the old 77th and 78th Regiments enlisted in the 84th or Royal Regiment of Highland Emigrants. Pp 448, 449 Frank Adam The Clan, Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlanders, Johnston and Bacon Books, Ltd, Stirling, Scotland, 1984

Etc.

1. Margaret Ann Wands stated in a letter to me of 6/18/95 that her father Herbert Vrooman Wands in 1977 said that Ebenezer Wands had been married twice:

1st Jennie Dennison children-Polly, Ebenezer, Charles, Edward, Thomas, Phoebe and George
2nd Maria Hunter children-William, Benjamin, John, Joseph, Peter, Elizabeth, Jane, Anna, Sarah, Samuel and Jannette who married John McMillen.Howard Gale Wands sent me on 4/28/98 a sketchy Wands tree. On it is the following-Ebenezer Wands, born in Scotland (added in writing "born 1754, immigrated to US as a baby or youngster"). It listed everything that Margaret's listed except that George was a son of the 2nd wife.
I believe the following changes need to be made regarding this listing of the children: Jennet (Jannette) married John McMullan (McMillan) on 10/14/1789 in the Reformed
Dutch Church of Albany (pg 9 Part 7 1780-1789). Their children were baptized in the Jerusalem Reformed Church in 1791 and 1796. She is a child of the 1st wife.

John Wands, Jr. is also a child of the 1st wife. He died 1/7/1842. His will was made out 8/9/1841 and recorded 8/9/1843. He signed it. [Albany County Wills Vol.11 pp 418-422] He had a child baptized in October 1793 at the New Scotland Presbyterian Church. He was elected an Elder at the full meeting of the congregation on 2/28/1797. He was ordained an Elder by Rev. Alexander Miller on 10/8/1797. (New Scotland Presbyterian Church Session Register Vols. 1 and 2-Presbyterian Church Archives, Philadelphia, Pa.)
George and Charles were children of his 2nd wife.
2. Ebenezer Wands' will was made out 2/20/1811 and recorded 3/23/1813. He made his
mark. Executors were his sons George, Ebenezer and Charles. [Albany County Wills Vol. 4 pp 243-244]
3. Ebenezer Wands and John Wands Sr. are listed as being buried in the New Scotland
Cemetery (Albany County, N.Y. 59) Vol.4 Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots S-Z, Pioneer Heritage Press, Dallas Texas, 1988.
4. John Wands, Sr ("of Scotland")'s will was made out 8/23/1822 and recorded 12/16/1833.
He made his mark. Executors were his son Robert and grandson John B. Wands. [Albany County Wills Vol. 8 pp 311-313]

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