From “History of John and Rachael Tannehill and their Descendants” by Letitia Tannehill Coe 1903

John Tannehill was born probably about the year Seventeen hundred and twenty (1720) in Scotland. My father told me that he was a weaver previous to his emigration to America, which confirms me in the impression which I have had that his Scotch home was in Renfrew County – probably Renfrew or Paisley as those towns are noted for the manufacture of textile fabrics. Two brothers accompanied him to this country about the year 1749 or perhaps a little later. I cannot be positive on the subject but have an impression that their names were Basil or Zachariah. One of these brothers went to one of the Carolinas, the other, I think remained in Maryland. Tradition says they settled four miles from Baltimore. However that may be, John Tannehill, our Great Grandfather, previous to and during the Revolutionary War owned a plantation in Frederick County, Maryland. He was a tobacco planter and slave owner. We assume he was fairly well to do.
About the year 1748, he married Rachel, the daughter of John and Rachel Adamson. She came to America with her parents, embarking at Liverpool, England, but I do not know that that was her place of residence. She was said to have been a woman of much culture and refinement, and the high esteem in which she was held by her children is evidenced by the numerous descendants who bear her name. My grandfather always spoke of her with great reverence and tenderness. She died on May 3, 1809.

The following letter from her oldest son, Adamson, to my grandfather, Melsar and his sister, Nancy Coulter, you may find of interest as it gives an account of the death of your great grandmother:
Pittsburgh, 4th May, 1809.
Dr Brother & Sister:
Our venerable and worthy Mother came on a visit to Sachariaks about 12 days ago in good health. On this day eight days past she was attacked with a slight degree of fever, which with time increased with violence until yesterday evening at 7:00 o’clock P.M. She in a most composed and tranquil manner resigned her
life to him who gave it. Her corpse is now lying in an adjoining room and her friends waiting for the hour of 4: O’clock when it is intended to remove it to Grove Hill for interment. This is a change which we ought to have expected sooner from the course of nature. She has only taken a day or two start of the youngest of us, and I feel a confidence in her being a good Pioneer. She died without a struggle, in her perfect senses and resigned to leave this for a better world. May your philosophy enable you to bear the change with a loving fortitude is the wish of your affectionate Brother.
A. Tannehill.
(We are all well.)

A distant relative – a descendant of great aunt Nancy Coulter, made a search for her grave a few years ago but could find no one who knew of a cemetery in Pittsburgh of the name of “Grove Hill”. It has probably been abandoned or has been enlarged and is now known under another name.
The children of John and Rachel Adamson Tannehill are as follows:

1. Adamson, born May 23, 1750, died Dec. 23, 1820.
2. Josiah, born, died March 1811.
3. Basil, born , died during Revolutionary War.
4. Nancy, born Jan. 30, 1761, died July 30, 1825.
5. Walter.
6. Melsar, born July 18, 1766, died April 24, 1851.
7. Malcolm.
8. John.
9. Zachariah Adamson.

About the year 1786 great grandfather emigrated to Western Pennsylvania, and settled in Slippery Rock Township, Butler County. It seems from records in the War Department that both Adamson and Josiah Tannehill had been located in Pittsburgh during the late years of the War, and it was probably through their influence that the family left Maryland to seek a home on the newly opened frontier of Pennsylvania. I cannot tell the date of Grandfather’s death, but my father thought he was buried in “Pidgeon Creek” or possibly at Harrisville, Butler County, Pa. His old farm was owned or occupied in 1897by Mrs. John Hall.
I regret that I do not know the date of his birth, marriage or death, or the date of birth of his wife, Rachel.
In the following pages I will sketch the lives of his children as far as my knowledge extends, but with the exception of my grandfather(Melsar) and great aunt Nancy Coulter, I know little of nothing of hereditary traits.

According to the statement of Mrs. Irene Harbert, a great great granddaughter of John Tannehill, the names of the following children of John Tannehill and Rachel Adamson, his wife, were taken from a family Bible.

The family historian stated that “John Tannehill came to America from Paisley, Scotland about 1745 and located near Baltimore, Maryland, in 1748. Removed to western Pennsylvania in 1786 to what is now Butler county”. It has been shown conclusively that the progenitor of the Tannehill family settled in Maryland prior to the year 1655.

John Tannehill98
17--
John Tannehill, son of Ninian Tannehill, received with his brother, Samuel, a minor legacy in the last will and testament of his father. Inasmuch as he made his first purchase of land in 1750, his birth can be estimated as occurring between 1725 and 1730, and therefore, was an issue of the first wife, Christian Henry.
On July 28, 1750, "John Tannehill, of Frederick county, Carpenter" purchased of William Beall, of Frederick county, Planter, for a consideration of L30 the plantation known as "Hills and Dales", of 71 acres, which bordered the plantation of his father, Ninian Tannehill, that is, "Fenwick". Elizabeth Beall, wife of William Beall, waived all dower rights, while the witnesses were John Hawkins and Nathaniel Magruder.
On November 4, 1754, "John Tannehill, of Frederick county, Carpenter" conveyed to John Adamson, of the same county, peruke Maker, for L30 the plantation "Hills and Dales". John Tannehill signed the deed of conveyance, while his wife, Rachel, waived all dower rights. On the same day he purchased of John Adamson for the same consideration of L30 "Beall’s good will", of 260 acres. Lucia Adamson, wife of John Adamson, waived all dower rights.
On July 1, 1765, he sold to William Tannehill, of Frederick county, several heads of livestock "which I had of Hugh Tomlinson a considerable time ago". The consideration was L13/6/-.
On December 5, 1767, styled Planter, he conveyed to Anthony Hunter, of Berks county, Pennsylvania, farmer, for L225 land in Frederick county, known as "Beall’s Good will", of 251 acres, with dwelling houses, orchards and all other improvements, Rachel Tannehill, wife, relinquished her third.
He was styled both planter and carpenter, the latter being in that day an architect and builder. According to the debt books (quit-rent rolls), he remitted rents on 70 acres of land, being a portion of "Hills and Dales', to the Lord Proprietary. In 1768 the last year he appeared on the debt books, he paid quit-rents on 263 acres of "Beall’s goodwill" which had been originally patented under the name of "Largo".
He married Rachel Adamson, the daughter of John Adamson, a Wig Maker, of Frederick county, who died in 1772.
John Adamson Drew up his last will and testament on Feb 11, 1772, in the presence of William Tannehill sr., Zack Harris and Ninian Barrette, it being probated in Frederick county on March 19,1772.
To his daughters, Rachel and Rebecca, all books and book accounts.
To his grandson, Adamson Tannehill, and his heirs "my silver shoe buckles and my gun".
To John Hugh, son of Andrew, pistols, holster, breast plate and housing.
To daughter Rachel Negro Norris and Negro boy Bob, but they are not to be sold by her husband nor liable to his debts in any degree and at her death the negroes are to be divided among her children.
To daughter Rebecca Bell (Beall) Negroes and they were not to be liable for her husband’s debts.
After the sale of the residuary estate the proceeds were to be divided equally among the daughters, Sarah, Rachel, and Rebecca.
Burying ground of him and his wife were not to be sold but to be enclosed with a brick or stone wall.
Executors – son-in-law Richard Beall of Ninian, and Andrew Heugh.
Richard Beall and Andrew Heugh filed their account and reported a balance in their possession of L567/8/9. Negroes had been delivered to Rebecca Beall and Rachel Tannehill, and a legacy to John Hugh. There remained after certain disbursements L341/1/- for the representatives.
On April 10, 1810, Abraham Jones and Elizabeth his wife, Thomas N Harwood, Samuel L. Harwood, Eleanor Harwood, and Mary Harwood exhibited their bill of complaint before the High court of Chancery. They stated that John Adamson, late of Montgomery county, deceased, was seized of "Clean Shaving", "hills and Dales", "Lucy’s friend" and "Fenwick" and by his last will and testament directed that the plantations be sold and the money divided equally among his daughters.
The land was offered to the public at auction and was sold to Samuel Harwood. The latter was then deceased, but had left the foregoing petitioners as his heirs-at-law who requested a clear title to the several plantations.
The plantations of John Tannehill and his father-in-law, John Adamson, lay in that portion of Frederick County, which became Montgomery county in 1776. He may or may not be the John Tannehill who subscribed to the Oath of Allegiance in Montgomery County in 1778 before Judge Edward Burgess.
According to the family historian, he removed to western Pennsylvania in 1786 to what is now Butler County. He could not, however, be located as the head of a family in Maryland at the first census of 1790.
According to the statement of Mrs. Irene Harbert, a greatgreat-granddaughter of John Tanehill, the names of the following children of John Tannehill and Rachel Adamson, his wife, were taken from a family Bible.
1. Adamson Tannehill, born May 23, 1750.
2. Basil Tannehill.
3. Walter Tannehill.
4. Metzger, born July 12, 1766.
5. Malcolm Tannehill.
6. John Tannehill.
7. Zachariah Tannehill.
8. Rachel Tannehill.
9. Josiah Tannehill, born 1751, died 1811.
10. William Tannehill.

Note: The family historian stated that ‘John Tannehill came to america from Paisley, Scotland, about 1745 and located near baltimore, maryland, in 1748. Removed to western Pennsylvania in 1786 to what is now Butler county. It has been shown conclusively that the progenitor of the Tannehill family settled in Maryland prior to the year 1655.
1. Frederick co. Deeds, Liber B, folio 244, Hall of Records, Annapolis
2. Frederick co. Deeds, Liber E, folio 600
3. Frederick co. Deeds, Liber E, folio 613
4. Frederick co. Deeds, Liber J, folio 1245
5. Frederick co. Deeds, Liber L, folio 127
6. Dept Books (Frederick co.), folio 17, year 1753
7. Debt Books (Frederick co.), Liber 1768, folio 177, Land office
8. Wills, Liber 38, folio 743
9. Administration Accounts, Liber 68, folio 65
10. Chancery Papers no. 2854; Chancery Liber 77, folio 83
11. Brumbaugh-Hodges’ Revolutionary records of Maryland p.3 no. 151
12. Material in the possession of Mrs. Roy C. Avery, of Nashville, Tenn., in 1960