The Hemphills of North Carolina
Sharing the joys and challenges of our journey together
The North Carolina Hemphills
Our family has a long and rich history of which we're proud. We've created this home for members of our family to get to know and share our heritage. From our ancestors' immigration to the United States to our own personal achievements and milestones, we hope you enjoy learning about and honoring our family's journey.
The Place
The Hemphill family spans several centuries and several continents from Scotland, to Ireland, to America. James Hemphill landed in the Port of Philadelphia in the 1740s. This branch of the Hemphills eventually made the journey to western North Carolina, where many still live today.
The Name
Some records indicate that the Hemphills are from a place called "Hemp's Hill," in Ayrshire, Scotland. Since they grew hemp, they came to be known as "Hemp-Hillers," and later, Hemphills. There are also records that indicate the Hemphill name first appeared in Fenwick, Scotland, in the 1500s.
The Clan
The family name of Hemphill is a "Sept" within Clan Cunningham. The clan takes their name from the district of Cunningham in northern Ayrshire. Colors of red, black, and white comprise their primary tartan. The motto of the clan as shown on the coat of arms is "Over Fork Over." The Hemphill motto is "Constanter ac non timide," which means "Constant and Fearless."
Our History
The Hemphill family, part of the Ulster Scots migration from Scotland to Northern Ireland and eventually to America, sought economic improvement and freedom in the early 1700s. Initially facing poor reception in New England, they found refuge in Pennsylvania, which became a hub for Scotch-Irish immigration.
Many moved westward into the Carolinas, playing a crucial role in American frontier expansion and the fight for independence. James Hemphill and his brothers arrived in Philadelphia in the 1740s, with James becoming a key figure in North Carolina's Hemphill family branch. He purchased land near Salisbury, where he was a planter and cattle raiser involved in legal affairs.
Many in the early American settlements were Scotch-Irish Presbyterian and most were from Philadelphia. Initially, they built log houses and barns and worshipped in a grove. They looked to the Synod of Philadelphia for their ministers. This was increasingly difficult due to the church's strict educational standards for their ministers and the growing number of new settlements. Many people eventually transferred to the Baptist church because of the lack of established Presbyterian churches.
The exact date of James' death is not known but would have been between 1784 and 1786. From his will, we know that James and Susannah had at least eight children.