First Generation  

1. James TINDER Senior [1890] was born about 1735 in Scotland ¹ and died in 1812 in Clear Creek, Woodford County, Kentucky about age 77.

The following research was done by Everett R. Tinder Jr. 
"The first known ancestor is James Tinder Sr. He was born possibly between 1735-40 in Scotland. The only proof of James coming from Scotland is found in a biographical sketch of his grandson Jeremiah Tinder in "History of Hendricks County, Indiana" 1886, p 536 which states his father was born in Scotland. Jeremiah's father was Elijah Tinder, son of James, and all records show Elijah was born in Virginia. It is therefore possible that his grandfather James was born in Scotland. As to the date and port of arrival it is uncertain. It was before 1758 because James served in the French and Indian Wars in 1758. He served in the second Virginia Regiment under Col. Byrd. This Regiment was under Col. George Washington, and was used in the Forbes expedition against Fort Duquesne. James enlisted in Louisa County Virginia. For his service he received a warrant for 50 acres of land. He assigned this land to Luis Perry on 14th February 1780.

He married Sarah about 1760, no marriage record has been found. The next location for James and Sarah is Spotsylvania County, Virginia as their oldest son James was born there in 1763. By 1768 James and Sarah purchase land in Orange County Virginia.

The deed found in Book 15, page 79 reads as follows: "16 November 1768 between Reuben Young and wife Ann of the County of Spotsylvania of the one part and James Tinder, planter, of the County of Orange, of the other part, Reuben and Ann for the sum of 12 pounds current money to the said Reuben Young in hand paid James Tinder one tract of land, one hundred and eighty acres in the county of Orange on Little Black Walnut and branch of the Mine Run. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us on 16 of Nov. 1768. James Dupline, William Carr, Joseph Whallban."

This is in the area of Burr Hill Virginia on Rt. 611 out of Locust Grove Virginia. James and Sarah remained in Orange County Virginia until 1791, and all their children were born there. James and Sarah sell their farm to John Bledsoe in 1791.

The deed is found in Book 20, page 97 and reads as follows: "James Tinder and John Bledsoe. This indenture made on the 24th day of December in the year of our lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety one. James Tinder and Sarah his wife of the county of Orange of the one part and John Bledsoe of the County of Orange of the other part witnepeth that this James Tinder and Sarah his wife for in the consideration of the sum of fifty pounds to the said James Tinder in hand paid and before the ensealing of these present the receipt where of doth acknowledge hath given, granted, bargained, sold, and confirmed enfeaffed and do by these present do give, grant and bargain sell enfeoff and confirm unto the John Bledsoe or his heirs and offsprings forever one tract or parcel of land containing two hundred and eighty acres more or less. Situated, lying and being in the County of Orange on Little Black Walnut at branch of Mine Run and bounded as follows, to wit. Beginning at two white oaks and poplars by a small branch north of fourteen degrees east one hundred and thirty poles to a post Oak and several pines on a ridge corner to Matt's land North seventy degrees East eighty poles to a pine corner to Henry Head's land, South sixty four degrees East one hundred and twenty poles to two small red oak saplings on a hill side in Watt's line. South twelve degrees west two hundred and eighty poles to a white oak on descending ground corner to George Whorton north forty seven degrees west two hundred and six poles to a white oak and red oak saplings near the office road in Price's line, along his line fifty poles to the beginning which is said land or parcel of land with all houses, buildings, gardens, orchards, meadows, pastures, ways, woods, water, water courses, profits, commodities, and appurtenances what so ever to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining and all the estate and claims, rights, title, interest, property, claim, and demand what so ever these James Tinder his heirs and offspring to the only use and behoof of the said John Bledsoe, his heirs Vc. of the said granted premises with the appurtenances and every part Vc. parcel thereof. To have and to hold the said tract of land and premises with their and every appurtenances to the said John Bledsoe his heirs and offspring forever and to no other use and intent Vc. or purpose what ever so. In witneff where of the said James Tinder and wife Sarah have here unto set their seals the day and year first mentioned. Caleb Abel, Moses Bledsoe, Moses Dorsey, James Tinder, Sarah Tinder."

James and his family headed for Kentucky in 1791, and settled in Woodford County. He purchased 18 acres of land from Joseph Collins and wife Susannah in the Clear Creek area of Woodford County, Kentucky, and there is little doubt but the Tinder family attended Clear Creek Baptist Church. In 1806 James and Sarah deed the 18 acres to son Elijah (Book D, p 58). No doubt Elijah cared for his parents the remainder of their lives. The 1810 Federal Census shows a male and female over 45 living in the home of Elijah, and these two were possibly James Tinder Sr. and wife Sarah.

Elijah sells his land in 1816 and moves to Shelby County, Kentucky. We have placed James Tinder Sr. death at ca. 1810-1816 in Woodford County, Kentucky, buried possibly in the vicinity of Clear Creek. Henry Elliot Tinder, now deceased, of Barboursville, Virginia stated according to tradition that Tinder brothers came to America together. A few records found in Rockingham County, Virginia substantiates this theory, yet the relationship is unproven. I found the name Fredrick Tinder serving in the American Revolution. He could be the bother or an older son of James not accounted for."

James and Sarah had eight known children, Margaret 1761, James 1763, Jese 1765, Sarah 1773, Jeremiah 1775, James Jr. 1776 [my direct line], Elijah 1777 and Jennie 1780. It has been documented that there were two James in this family. My direct line was referred to as Reverend James and was the second born. 

Noted events in his life were:

• Tax List: 1800, Woodford County, Kentucky. 

James married Sarah [UNKNOWN] [1891] [MRIN: 560] about 1760 in Virginia.

Children from this marriage were:

   2 F    i. Margaret TINDER [1909] was born in 1761 in Louisa County, Virginia.²

   3 M    ii. James TINDER [1910] was born in 1763 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia ² and died after 1836 in Woodford County, Kentucky.

   4 M    iii. Jesse TINDER [1911] was born in 1765 in Orange County, Virginia.²

   5 F    iv. Sarah TINDER [1912] was born in 1773 in Orange County, Virginia.²

   6 M    v. Jeremiah TINDER [1913] was born in 1775 in Orange County, Virginia.²

+ 7 M    vi. Reverend James TINDER Junior [1888] was born on February 26, 1776 in Orange County, Virginia,³ died on December 10, 1854 in Jennings County, Indiana at age 78, and was buried in Reading Cemetery, Jackson County Indiana.

   8 M    vii. Elijah TINDER [1914] was born in 1777 in Orange County, Virginia ² and died on January 23, 1864 in Hendricks County, Indiana at age 87.

   9 F    viii. Jennie TINDER [1915] was born in 1780 in Orange County, Virginia.²

1. Everett R. Tinder Jr., Tinder Family Research (http://www.voicenet.com/~ertinder/index.htm
Email ertinder@voicenet.com), Not Proven. Cit. Date: July 29, 2000 Surety: 2

2. Ibid. Cit. Date: July 30, 2000 Surety: 3

3. Ibid. Cit. Date: July 29, 2000 Surety: 3

4. Ibid, Woodford County, Kentucky Marriage License Applications. Book 1789-1855. Cit. Date: July 29, 2000 Surety: 3