I am looking for information on Alexander Renfrew, who according to family lore, came from Renfrewshire, Scotland. He married a Margaretta Brown (who I believe was born in 1743 in Scotland). I do not know when or where they married. I believe that Alexander Renfrew may have been a linen merchant, as his son was one, and occupations were oftentimes inherited. I have three of Alexander's children born in different places, which might reflect that Alexander might have moved around a bit in the linen merchant trade. I believe the Renfrews were Presbyterians, as Alexander's son James was recorded as one.

Alexander and Margaretta Brown Renfrew's children:

1. Isaac Renfrew

2. Mary Ann Renfrew, born June 6, 1763, in Belfast, County Down, Ireland. She married Alexander Shaw of Ballymacateer, Magheralin Parish, County Down, Ireland. They had eight children: (Rev) William Shaw; David Shaw; James Shaw; John Shaw; Alexander Renfrew Shaw; Margaretta Shaw; Jane Shaw; and Mary A. Shaw.
Mary Ann Renfew Shaw her husband, Alexander, at least two of her brothers, James Renfrew and Jacob Renfrew, emigrated to the U.S. about 1801. Mary Ann Renfrew Shaw, died on Mar. 28, 1849, in East Liberty, Stark Co., OH.


3. James Renfrew,Sr., was born in 1767, in "Lisburn, County Antrim, Ireland," and died Aug. 14, 1832, in Coshocton Co., OH. James had at least two children: James (b. Mar. 11, 1790 in County Down, Ireland), who eventually died in Richland City, OH, in 1853; William (birthdate unknown), he was a merchant like his father, and died in 1847, in Coshocton Co., OH. James Renfrew, Sr. was living in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., PA, in 1815, and was listed as a merchant. There was a biography on James Renfrew in Historical Collections of Coshocton County Ohio 1764-1876 by William E. Hunt:

"James Renfrew, one of the earliest merchants on Coshocton County, and for a few years county treasurer, and otherwise connected with public affairs, was born at Lisburn, county Antrim, Ireland, in 1767. He brought to America a healthy body, a strong mind, and a little of this world's goods, which were steadily increased until his death. He commenced keeping store in Coshocton about 1815. In 1820, while in Pittsburg, whither he was in the habit of going for goods, he married Mrs. Johnson, a widowed sister of old Dr. Kerr, of the A. R. Presbyterian church in that city. The children of this woman found in Mr. Renfrew a most worthy step-father. He was an admirable counselor and helper while living, and a generous friend when dying. Both himself and his wife were most zealous Presbyterians, and sought to have all connected with them honor the Lord. Beside the Johnsons (John, Jos. K., and Wm.) Robert Hay was an object of Mr. Renfrew's interest and business training, and always spoke in highest terms of him. Wm. Renfrew (quite prominent as a merchant and otherwise) and James Renfrew, Jr., were children of Mr. Renfrew by a connection formed prior to his coming to Coshocton. He had no children by the widow Johnson. Mr. Renfrew died in 1832, being in his sixty-fifth year."


4. Jacob Renfrew, another brother of Mary Ann, was listed by descendents as being of “Marragall, Antrim, Ireland.” He is supposed to have married Catherine Thomson of Ballynalunch, County Down, Ireland, on September 21, 1800. He emigrated about 1801 from Ireland to Buffalo Crossroads, near Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania. He had one known son, Alexander Renfrew, born August 18, 1801, in Union Co., PA. Also a Presbyterian, Alexander later emigrated to Coshocton, Ohio, where he died in 1872, also the home of James Renfrew’s descendants. There is also a biography on Alexander Renfrew, from the same book as James Renfrew, Sr. above:

"Alexander Refrew came from Union County, Pennsylvania, where he was born August 18, 1801, to Coshocton County in 1826, and remained therein until his death on his farm in Keene township, February 13, 1872. He married Miss Carnahan in 1833, who, with three children, survives him. Starting in life with little, he, by a life of industry and frugality, amassed a very considerable estate. Public life had little attractions, and his record is that of a quiet citizen, a successful farmer, and a busy man, manifesting the virtues of domestic and business life."


5. William Renfrew, was listed as being born about 1770 from County Down, Ireland. I have no further information on him.


Many descendants of James Renfrew and Jacob Renfrew lived in Coshocton Co., OH, and Richland City.

I know the names of Alexander Renfrew and Margaretta Brown Shaw from family lore. Also, there are letters from Mary Ann Renfrew Shaw's descendants (most written in her lifetime or by her own children) that have survived. Mary Ann Renfrew's daughter, Mary A. Shaw Beecher, was raised by her mother and never knew her father. It is therefore likely to believe that she knew a good bit about her mother's side of the family than her father's. She records in the late 1800s that her grandfather and grandmother's names were Alexander Renfrew "of the Renfrews of Renfrewshire" and Margaretta Brown, his wife.


Thank You,
Kelly Selcher