Notes for John Patterson, Sr.:
There is a lot of contention about the date and place of birth of John Patterson, Sr. Those who say he was born after 1740 in Virginia (because he is not listed with his father’s family when they immigrated to Virginia, also have John’s first son being born abt 1751, so that theory has a problem. It’s more likely John immigrated to America later. It does seem certain that Thomas Patterson born abt 1769 in Virginia is the son of John Patterson and Margaret Baskin.

We do know:
John Patterson Sr. served in the American Revolution. Ran ferry on the Savannah River.
According to Edward Patterson's notes: John Patterson, Sr. served in the military in Revolutionary War. He owned land in Baldwin County, Georgia. He had two draws in 1806 land lottery in Elbert County in Captain George Roebuck's District. "DAR Patriot Index, Volume II" page 162 lists John Patterson as a Revolutionary War soldier from Virginia.

From the Georgia D. A. R. Elbert County, Georgia, Will Book "L-F" 1804-1809
"Patterson, John, Sr.--page 65--to wife Margaret land, furniture, stock and two slaves Brown and Saro for life, at her death slave Brown to go to son Wm. B. Patterson, and land to son James Patterson. Land which I drew and now in Baldwin County, the half of which is the house and spring, to son Robert Patterson, the rest to be sold. To son Samuel Patterson a slave Dave. to daughter Elizabeth Pickens and to son John $5.00, they having received property, the residue to be given to sons Thomas, Joseph, George and Alex. Sons James and Samuel, Excrs. Signed Mar 19, 1808. Probated July 4, 1808. Wm. F. Underwood, Micajah Terrell, Robt. McCreight, Test."

Last Will and Testament of John Patterson, Senior
In the name of God amen.
Know all men by these presents that I John Patterson senr of the State of Georgia and County of Elbert being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, revoking all others do make and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors and as touching my worldly estate. Wherewith it hath pleased God to help me I give and dispose of in the following manner and form. First I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Margaret the third part of the land on which I now live and possess to be taken off of any part of the land my sd wife shall choose to be enjoyed and possessed by her as her own right and property during her natural life. Also two negroes namely Brown and Saro. Also one house, two cows and calves, and all my household furniture to be possessed and enjoyed by her as her own right and property during her natural life. After her death the negro fellow Brown to return to my son William B. Patterson and the wench Saro to my daughter Frances Gillespie. And her, my said wife's, part of my land above named I give at her death to my son James Patterson. I also give and bequeath to the James Patterson all the remaining part of my land on which I now live after my wife's dower is taken off from it as aforesaid by him to be possessed and enjoyed. And my land which I drew and now own in the County of Baldwin I give the one half to my son Robert Patterson, that is the half on which the spring and house is situated, and the other half sd tract of land I have to be sold and the money applied to pay and discharge my just debts. Also my negro fellow named Dave I give and bequeath to my son Samuel Patterson by him to be possessed as his own right and property. Also I leave to my son John Patterson five dollars to be raised and paid to him out of my estate after the discharge of my debts. Also I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Pickens Five dollars to be paid to her out of my estate by my executors, which said sum of five dollars tomy son John and five dollars to my daughter Elizabeth is all that I give or leave to them or either of them, I having given them in their own actual possession all I intended for them or either of them, except the five dollars to each above mentioned, that is five dollars to my son John Patterson and give dollars to my daughter Elisabeth Pickens above named. All the remaining part of my property not named in this will I leave to be sold and the money after my debts are discharged out of it, if any there shall be remaining, to be equally divided among my four sons hereafter named, that is one fourth to my son Thomas Patterson, one fourth to my son Joseph Patterson, one fourth to my son George Patterson, and one fourth to my son Alexander Patterson, as their portion of my estate. If there should not be money enough raised out of my estate by the sale of the property above named to be sold, I leave my sons namely William B. Patterson, Samuel Patterson, and James Patterson to pay my debts that shall remain unpaid after the property above mentioned is sold and the money applied to that use out of their own effects. I also constitute make & ordain Samuel Patterson and James Patterson, my sons, sole executors of this my last will and testament.
Sealed and signed this 19th day of March Anno 1808 and in the presence of us
attested.
John Patterson senr
Wm H. Underwood
Micajah Ferrell
Robert M. McCreight

Georgia. We, Samuel & James Patterson do solemnly swear that the writing produced in court and herewith shown is the last will and testament of John Patterson senr, deceased, so far as we know or believe and that we will well and truly execute the same by paying first the debts and then the legacies contained in the said will as far as the goods and chattels will thereunto extend and the law charges us with, and that we will make a true and perfect inventory of such goods and chattels, rights and credits of the said decd so far as shall come to our possession.
Sworn to in open court this 4th July 1808. Samuel Patterson James Patterson

Samuel Patterson & James Patterson produced the last will and testament of John Patterson decd which being proved by the oaths of William H. Underwood and Micajah Ferrell. two of the subscribing witnesses. which was ordered to be recorded.