John Bane (sometimes Bain), the oldest known ancestor of this branch of the family is said by some of his grandchildren to have emigrated to this country from Edenburg, Scotland, landing either in Delaware or Maryland with a brother, his wife and at least one son. This son is said to have died soon after reaching this country. A family tradition is that JOHN and his brother spelled the name MAC BAIN or MAC BANE, but changed the name to BANE after reaching this country. The name of the brother is said to have been either James or Robert. All information indicates that their ancestors were of Scottish origin, as were all others bearing that name in this country at that time. He probably was born c1736 since his gravestone inscription reads he "died at the age of 80 in 1816".

In 1776, JOHN BANE moved his family and possessions either from Maryland or Delaware, or possibly from the colony of Virginia by way of Maryland and took "tomahawk right" to several hundred acres of land on the Ohio river at the mouth of Short Creek, Virginia, now in Brooke County, W VA.

Before the Virginia Land Company was formed, land grants were executed by Lord Fairfax for lands in this area, the first such grant being made in 1785.

Eleven years later, in 1786, Lord Fairfax of Virginia made a land grant to JOHN BANE, consisting of four hundred (400) acres on Short Creek, for two pounds Sterling (ref: Bk 1pg 264, "Land Grants of West Virginia", this grant was retained in the possession of the family until given away by his great grandson, Robert (Bob) Randolph Bane, who was the grandson and namesake of John's son Robert. This grant was written on sheepskin and signed by Patrick Henry.

In the same year the land was granted, John's son, John JR. was born. There were probably other children (not known) and a daughter named Emma, for a family picture album kept by John's grandson shows an, "Aunt Em", furthermore, there are two Emmas of that period referred to by John's grandchildren, and the next generation had an Emma.

John Bane's wife, MARGARET (last name unknown) was probably born in Scotland. She also died at 80 years of age and they are both buried at "Tent Meeting", so called because a huge tent was erected that was where church services were held for many years once a month and the whole countryside attended.

It is not known if JOHN BANE had one or more slaves, with whose help he cleared land and built a cabin and barn. Each fall, they went back East to buy gun powder, lead and other necessities.

From the clay on his farm, John manufactured brick and replaced his log cabin with a brick house. THE HILL ON WHICH THIS HOUSE WAS BUILT WAS SOMETIMES CALLED "WINDY HILL" OTHER TIMES "BANE HILL" , BUT IS NOW KNOWN AS "WINDSOR HEIGHTS" FOR A JOSIAH "JOSH" WINDSOR, WHO, MUCH LATER ACQUIRED SOME OF THAT PROPERTY.

John instilled the Scottish characteristic of thrift into his sons, and all became prosperous, and have many descendants.