Sixth Generation

74. John CLINE Sr. {1.4.6}^64,112,113 was born between 1750 and 52 in probably Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania.^62,84,114 He died in 1841 in Lincoln (Catawba) County, North Carolina.^{62,84,115,116} and was buried in Old St. Paul's Church Cemetery, Newton, Catawba County, North Carolina. John Cline appears in close association in the records with Sebastian (Boston) Cline and his other sons. Sebastian deeds part of his plantation to John in 1775. John attends Sebastian's 1794 estate sale with the other known Sebastian Cline heirs. John's youngest son is named Sebastian Cline.

John is born 1750-1755, since he is listed as born prior to 1755 in the Lincoln county 1800 census and as born 1750-1760 in the Lincoln county 1840 census. He is old enough (at least 16) to be enumerated on the 1768 tax list with Sebastian and his other sons, Boston Jr and Christopher. Sources: Civil records and church and census records as well as Cicero Cline.

John Cline is on the 1768 Rowan county tax list along with his father Sebastian Cline and brothers, Boston Cline Jr and Christopher Cline. On July 22, 1775, Sebastian Cline sells to his son John 166 ½ acres on Anthony's Branch of Clarks Creek. This land is part of Sebastian's plantation where he lives, which was granted to him in 1762. On June 5, 1779 John claims 200 acres, which he already occupies, on Hoyles Creek in Lincoln county. In the same month, John Cline and William Bost survey 50 acres for John's brother-in-law Henry Propst. That 50 acres adjoins John and his father Sebastian's lands.

In 1779, John and Barbary Cline are noted as husband and wife in the Burke county records. From later records, Barbary is known to be Barbara Traffelstrat, daughter of Peter and Barbara Traffelstrat. Also in 1779 John and Barbara Cline and Elizabeth Cline, wife of Sebastian Cline, are called as witnesses in a Burke county court case.

In 1782, John and his brothers Michael and Christopher are involved in the trial of Colonel Charles McDowell, who is charged with having Tory leanings in the Revolutionary War. John and his brothers are noted as enlistees in the militia at Fort Charles. John is appointed constable for a year in Captain Killian's district in 1785.

In December 1786, John buys his brother Christopher's 144-acre tract as the high bidder at the sheriffs sale to satisfy John Benefield's debt judgement against Christopher Cline. John sells 102 acres of this tract to George Sigman on October 20,1815, and it is noted that this was originally a grant to Christopher Cline on November 9, 1784.

John is identified as a son-in-law in the September 1793 will of his wife's mother, Barbara Traffelstrat.

William Bost sells 79 acres on Clarks Creek to John Cline in April 1797, and John's brother Michael is a witness. In June 1798, John buys 15 acres from his brother Jacob Cline. Again, their brother Michael is a witness. This 15 acres borders John's brother Jacob Cline and brother-in-law Henry Propst.

In the settlement of Barbara Traffelstrat's estate in July 1803 and September 1806, John Cline acquires four tracts of land totaling 51 1/2 acres. This includes 42 acres on Lyles Creek and 244 acres on Mecklins Creek. John sells the 244 acres tract to his son John Jr on February 18, 1806. John Yoder witnesses and proves the sale in court. He is the son of John's sister Christina Cline Yoder.

In October 1805, John's daughter Barbara sues and wins support from Jacob Burns for his "natural child", and in January 1811 John is appointed guardian of the illegitimate child Joseph Burns.

In April 1808, John and Jacob Cline sign their report to their brother Michael Cline, Justice of the Peace for the court, with respect to the Killian estate.

In August 1810, John claims 130 acres bordering his land and Philip Rudisill's land. In October 1810 and July 1811, John disputes surveys along his property lines for land entries by Jacob Burns, Phillip Cansler and Phillip Rudisill. John wins these disputes by showing his June 1765 land patent, originally granted to James Wilson Sr. John then sells 22 acres to Phillip Rudisill on June 7, 1812.

On July 18, 1820, John Cline Sr claims "173 acres on waters of Catawba River, land where his son William lives". This is the documented evidence that John Cline has a son William. John Cline's will dated June 2, 1840 and probated in March 1842, documents his children, except for William who predeceases his father. John Cline's heirs are identified in his will:

Henry Cline and his children, Liddy and Mary.
John Cline.
Jacob Cline.
Boston Cline.
Barbara Cline and her three daughters Fanny, Barbara and Susanna.
Caty Cline Weaver and her daughter Catherine Weaver.

At John's estate sale on April 1, 1842, his only living brother Jacob Cline attends with his son David. Other attendees are: John's sons Sebastian Cline and Henry Cline Sr; his deceased brother Michael's sons Henry Cline Esq and Michael S. Cline; John's grandsons (sons of Jacob) Jesse Cline, Joseph Cline and George Cline; and John's granddaughters (daughters of Henry) Mary Cline and Lydia Cline.

Ciscero Cline identifies John's wife as Barbara Traffelstrat, who is born about 1758 and dies on January 17, 1824, the daughter of Peter Traffelstrat. Her gravestone says she is born on January 13, 1758. Ciscero identifies John's four surviving sons and daughter Barbara as in John's will above. Ciscero also identifies John's fifth son William and two additional daughters, Dolly Cline and Mary M. Cline. Ciscero states that Dolly Cline marries William Myers and moves to Indiana, and Mary M. Cline marries Jacob Weaver. Clearly, Mary M. Cline is the daughter Caty who is identified as having a daughter Catherine Weaver in John Cline's will. Dolly Cline Myers does not appear in John's will and therefore dies before the date of John's 1840 will.

In the discussion of John's children, it is shown that only two of the three daughters are in his Lincoln county 1790 household. The additional female in that household is thought to be a daughter of John's brother, Christopher Cline. Information for John's children comes from the civil and church records, John's will, Ciscero Cline and the census.

John CLINE Sr. {1.4.6} and Barbara [Treffenstatt\Traffelstadt] TRAVIS were married about 1775 in North Carolina. Barbara [Treffenstatt\Traffelstadt] TRAVIS⁶⁴ was born on 13 Jan 1758 in Pennsylvania.^62,84,116 She died on 17 Jan 1824 in Lincoln (Catawba) County, North Carolina.^{62,84,115,116} She was buried in Old St. Paul's Church Cemetery, Newton, Catawba County, North Carolina. Barbara was daughter of Christian and Maria Barbara Eckert Traffenstaat; was John older than we think? Could Barbara have been a second wife? [Lorena Eaker]
John CLINE Sr. {1.4.6} and Barbara [Treffenstatt\Traffelstadt] TRAVIS had the following children: