Names of the Men – McCr – Z

 

By George C. Williston

 

 

Pvt. James McCready – in Robinson Township in 1781

 

    John McCulloch – named by Stephen Burkham as being there as a Private when he was at other times an officer in the Militia – a well known frontiersman living in Ohio Co, Va or West of the Ohio River illegally at the time, he attended the major conference with General Irvine at the fort after Irvine’s return as a representative from Ohio County [1]- his dates 1770-1821 married Mary Bukey 1757-1846; Mary Bukey MCCulloch d/o Jemima Dunn and John Bukey (her sister married Rev. John Doddridge). John McCulloch was later a civil magistrate in Ohio County, Va living near Short Creek. 

 

Pvt. Joseph McCullogh – from the 1888 list - buried in Allegheny County. the name has a variety of spellings in this area.

 

Pvt. Robert McCullogh – not on these tax and land grant lists.

 

Pvt. Brice McGeehon – in 1781 and 1783 in Smith Township; a Brice McGeechen was charged by General Washington in 1784 with squatting on Washington’s land;[2] WJC- 1785 land grantee half interest as executor of John Milligan..

 

Pvt. Daniel McGoogen –  in Hopewell Township in 1783 as McGugan ; RBE- estate accounts 1791 as McGoogin leaving wife, Ann..

 

Pvt. Samuel McKibbins as McKibbin in Hopewell Township in 1783 without land, RBE- bought 300 acres on Mon (Montours?) Run in 1780 and sold land on Mon (Montours?) Run at the narrows in 1784; Simpson [3] reports that this man was buried at Cross Creek 27 Sept, 1836 in his 77^th year, and was an old Indian fighter and veteran of the Indian Wars and an elder in the Cross Creek Church from 1807 till his death 27 Sept,1836, and his wife, Mary, having died 26 June, 1833 in her 75^th year is also buried at Cross Creek .

 

Pvt. Thomas McKibbins – in Hopewell Township in 1783 according to Crumrine 728 lived next to Colonel James Marshel, .

 

Pvt. Robert McKnight –single in Cecil Township in 1783.

 

Pvt. James McMillan – a man named McMullan settled in 1775 in Pike Township – a Private James McMullan was discharged at Fort Pitt 13 Nov, 1780 at Fort Pitt from Capt. Biggs Co of Col. Gibsons Va Regiment probably after three years arduous service against the Indians,[4] was a brother of the Reverend Jamaes McMillan of Chartiers Creek; CDAR- buried in Washington County..

 

    John McWilliams from the Simpson list – settled land in 1775 around Buffalo Creek – in 1781 in Donegal Township; EF says he was a general in the militia of Washington County, but I find no evidence that there was a rank higher than Colonel in the militia, CWCW- lists a will in 1837.

 

     Samuel Merchant – from the Simpson list – settled land on Raccoon Creek in 1774 - in 1781 in Donegal Township; EF- settled in Hanover Twp in 1778, but driven away by Indians; returned in 1779 and remained until his death presumably then in Washington County..

 

     Jacob Miller Jr. - admitted later in life to being on this raid – of Swiss ethnicity- born in 1762 at Hagerstown, Md. and died in August, 1830 at age 67/11/24, married Anne Mary Leffler, was a noted Indian fighter- settled land in 1771 on the Dutch Fork area of Wheeling Creek in Donegal Twp with other families of germanic origin where he is listed in the 1781 tax list;[5] “Jacob Miller saw the folly of the attack [on the Moravian Indians] and refused to be a party to it and stood aside;” this role for Jacob Miller as a non-participant is verified by Captain Henry Jolly –a man of that time and place- says “when it was decided the Moravians must die, Miller and a few others tried to get out of hearing, but [JMJ is quoted as saying] ‘ the death screams out went us”;[6] RBE- estate accounts of the Senior J.M. 1786 is puzzling with J. JR. of age and the minor children (Jacob, John, Polly, Adam, Catherine, Frederick, Piler, Henry) and a widow, Mary; the Sr. was allegedly killed and scalped by Indians in 1808 so this is a bit of a puzzler.

 

Capt. Robert Miller – settled land in 1772 on Chartiers Creek which was in Cecil township in 1781 and 1783.

          It may not be the same man, but Robert Miller made a pension application from Augusta Co., Va claiming that he had been an indian spy on several occasions and a First Sgt. of Virginia troops under Captains Robert McCrory, John McCrory, Thomas Hughart and David Gwinn. He served three months in 1780 and three months in 1781 while in Kentucky.

         

Pvt. William Miller - men of this name in both Bethlehem and Peters Townships in 1781 both having a little land so inconclusive – only in Hopewell Twp in 1783, CWCW- lists a will in 1802.

 

Pvt. John Montgomery – was listed as single with nothing in 1781 in Peters Township; RBE- John Montgomery of Youghania Co., Va sold 400 acres on Kings Creek ( probably Washington County) in 1780.

 

Pvt. Thomas Montgomery – in Strabane Township in 1781 - and in Strabane Township in 1783 – an elder in the Presbyterian Church who died in New Athens, Ohio.

 

Pvt. John Munn Jr. – two men of this name in Nottingham Twp. in 1781 one single – and in Nottingham Twp in 1783 , one of these men may have been a Captain in the Westmoreland and Washington County Militia on other expeditions, CWCW- will listed for 1802.

 

Sgt. Henry Nelson – settled land in 1773 in Independence and Buffalo Creek - in Hopewell Twp 1783 TLM 2:421 petitioner with others from around Well’s Fort after the massacre advising Gen. Irvine of the dangerous situation for the settlers.

 

 Pvt.. Charles Norris – living illegally west of the Ohio River in 1782.[7]

 

Ensign John Odonel - there were John O’Donalds in 1781 in both Amwell and Cecil Townships – the one in Amwell being single – he was listed in Cecil Township in 1783.

 

Pvt. Thomas Orr – settled 400 acres of land in 1775 in Middle Wheeling Twp, Ohio County, Virginia (now W. Va.); this from Alice Walker, a descendent,[8] “ tradition says he was born about 1749 in Adams Co., Pa, married Margaret Creighton (d/o John and Anne Creighton) in 1789 at Col. David Williamson’s Fort, was on the ‘Crawford’ expedition as well and may have been a Continental soldier (see DAR), and died 31 Oct, 1835; ” Thomas told his descendents that he was on this expedition, but did not participate in the killing of the Moravian Indians.

 

Pvt. William Orr –Private Wm. Orr was discharged at Fort Pitt 2 Nov, 1780 from the Company of Capt. Biggs, Col. Gibson’s Va. Regiment probably after serving three tough years against the Indians,[9] is listed in 1783 in Cecil Township, a man of this name had land next Thomas Orr above in Ohio Co., Va bought in 1793 and sold in 1796 (according to Alice Walker above who has tried unsuccessfully to establish a relationship between these two Orrs).

 

Pvt. Andrew Pass – only on the 1888 list.- not on these tax and land grant lists; EF says he was a Pvt in Capt. Munn’s Co on the summer, 1782 Crawford Expedition; PMW- says that he was in Capt. Munn’s Co. of Westmoreland County militia so may have been from East of the rivers at the time and followed Captain Munn as a loyal soldier.

 

    Moses Patterson – from the Simpson list - not on these tax or land grant lists.

 

Pvt. Hugh Patton – in Cecil Township in 1781 and 1783; RBE- bought 150 acres on the west branch of Chartiers Creek in 1783.

 

Pvt. Thomas Peircifield- not on these tax and land grant lists.

 

Pvt. Robert Piatt – was at that time living in Ohio County, Virginia (now W. Va.).

 

Pvt. John Pollock – on the 1888 list – settled land in 1772 on Crooked Run – in Hopewell Township in 1781 and in Strabane Township in 1783; RBE- Thomas and John Pollock sold 188 acres on Cross Creek in 1783 to William Pollock; EF says probably from that section of old Strabane Township which is now North Strabane Twp; WJC- 1785 land grant., CWCW- will listed of 1833..

 

Pvt. William Price – settled land in Chartiers Creek area in 1774 – in Hopewell Township in 1783; RBE- of Washington County, Pa., sold 900 acres in Washington County in 1783; DAR3- may be the man b 1744 living in 1840 buried at Barnes Cemetery, Seal Twp., Pike Co., Ohio.

 

Pvt. William Quigley – only on the 1888 list – in Nottingham Township in 1783; EF says that he was a Pvt. in Munn’s Co on the summer, 1782 Crawford Expedition.

 

Pvt. John Ralston – in 1781 listed in Cecil Township as single with nothing, CWCW- will listed for 1816 and 1828.

 

Capt. Thomas Rankin – on the 1888 list as Sgt. – settled land in 1774 on Raccoon Creek- two are listed in 1781 in Cecil and Nottingham Townships the one in Cecil having no land – making this indeterminate- listed in Cecil Twp 1783 as Capt.- a big land owner, there is a single man of this name with nothing much in Nottingham in 1783- one of the most affluent men on this expedition; EF identifies most of this and says he was a Captain in Crawford’s Expedition –a Thomas died in Cadiz, Ohio; RBE- there was also a man of this name of Smith Twp. who made a will in 1793; DAR3- may be the man born 1760 and buried in Rankin Cemetery, Moorefield Twp., Harrison Co., OH.

 

Pvt. William Rankin – only on the 1888 list – settled land in 1770 on Raccoon Creek – in 1781 two are listed one being single with nothing in Nottingham Township and the other with 1300 acres and (comparatively land wealthy) in Smith township- one is listed in 1783 in Mt. Pleasant Township and is buried in Allegheny County; EF says he was an early settler in Mount Pleasant Township; DAR3- to make the burial puzzling a man of this name b 1748 in Winchester, Va is buried in Paint Twp., Fayette Co, Oh who was “ a scout on Frontier Pa and Va”. see family history there, CWCW- will listed for 1793.

 

Capt. Charles Reed – settled land in 1773 on Miller’s Run – not listed in either tax list.

 

Capt. David Reed – in Cecil township in both 1781 and 1783; RBE- bought 318 acres on Millers Run (Cecil Township) in 1782; charged by General George Washington in 1784 for squatting on Washington’s land in Cecil Township,[10] CWCW- will listed for 1824.

 

Pvt. James Reed – two are listed in 1781 in Cecil Township one having only a horse –both are listed in Cecil Township in 1783 and there is one in Fallowfield Township, CWCW- wills listed for 1817 and 1831.

          James Reed from Washington County, Pa was pensioned as destitute under the law of 1818 number S40324 when he was 68 years old. He said that he was a Private in Colonel St. Clairs Regiment of the Pennsylvania Line serving from Jan, 1776 to April, 1777. In that service was in the Battle of the Thames, at Crown Point, Ticonderoga and Philadelphia. He further says that he served “two terms of duty in the militia against the indians on the Susquehanna,” but makes no reference to the Massacre.[11]

 

 Pvt. John Reed –RBE- John Reed of Youghagania Co., Pa sold 400 acres on the North branch of Cross Creek in 1779, also bought 98 acres on Bushey Run in 1781, and bought 400 acres on Millers Run [drains into Chartiers Creek] in 1780; there are five listed in various townships in 1781 and six in 1783 making this indeterminate; John Reed Esq. taxed in 1783 in Cecil Twp., a John Reed Esquire charged in 1784 by General George Washington for squatting on Washington’s land in Cecil township;[12] WJC- a 1785 land grant and one for J.R. Jr. 1786, CWCW- wills listed for 1814 and 1817.     

 

Lt.John Renean – signed for Captain Reed – a completely unlisted name.

 

Pvt. Charles Reno – in Cecil Township in 1783.

 

Pvt. George Reno – may be George Runo of Cecil Twp 1783..

 

Pvt. John Riddel – as Riddle in both Amwell Township with land and Fallowfield Township without land in 1781 - and in Strabane Township in 1783, EF says he was a Pvt in Capt. Charles Bilderback’s Co on the summer 1782 Crawford Expedition; buried in Allegheny County, CWCW- will listed 1818 for John Riddle.

 

Pvt. Samuel Riddel – or Riddle in Robinson Township in 1781 and in Strabane Township in 1783; EF says that he was a Pvt. in Capt. Charles Bilderback’s Co on the Crawford Expedition; DAR3- may be the man 1759-1825 buried in Mahoning Co., Oh who was a “Pvt in Rangers of Washington and Westmoreland Co.”

 

Pvt. Matthew Ritchie – settled land in 1772 in Chartiers/Cecil Township; and Harmon; and in 1774 in Tomlinson.- in 1781 Matthew Richey Esquire living in Cecil Township with 1000 acres, was appointed 24 Dec, 1781 a Sub-lieutenant of Washington County so with Daniel Leet was the second highest ranking militia officer in this army listed as going as a private when he was in fact of higher rank, and one of the richer men on this expedition, Matthew Ritchie is listed on the rosters above as being a private in the 1^st Class (or squad) of Captain Miller’s Company so he is a prime example of that phenomenon. CWCW- will listed for 1798.

 

Pvt. John Roberts - in 1781 in Greene Township with a horse and no land.; RBE- sold 444 acres on Roberts Home Plantation in 1780 ( township or place not identified by RBE); CWCW- will listed in 1821.

 

Pvt. James Roney – a surveyor who settled land in 1774 on Buffalo and Wheeling Creeks - in 1781 in Smith Township – in 1783 in Donegal Township; EF says “an early settler in West Finley Township and a brother of Hercules Roney, the proprietor of Roney’s blockhouse [now Finley Twp], both were chainmen for Colonel William Crawford when he surveyed land grants under the old Virginia Certificates."; CDAR- buried in Washington County; RBE- will 1791 and estate accounts 1792 leaving a son , Hercules.

 

    James Ross – from the Simpson List – in 1781 listed in Smith and Strabane Townships the latter being without land – as an educated young man he was teaching for Reverend James McMillan at the time of this raid [13]–- however, due to the two listings in 1781 this is indeterminate as to township of residence; EF says “also a private in Captain McGihan’s Company on Crawford’s Expedition, taught school in McMillan’s log Academy near Canonsburg, admitted to the bar in 1784, member of the Constitutional Convention of 1790; one of the three commissioners appointed by Federal government to meet the Whisky Insurrection leaders in 1794, United States Senator, died 27 Nov, 1847 aged eighty-five years,” That is an important identification by a local historian if there were two men by this name in 1781; RBE- says J.R. of Cecil estate accounts 1786 leaving son, James- may be the father of the more well known younger man; Kohn says that James Ross in 1794 was a “trusted confidant of President Washington.”[14] .

          There is a bit of a puzzle here as a man of this name is buried in Mahoning Co, Oh, who in DAR3 says he served in Washington Co., Pa, was age 77 in 1833.

          A James Ross says in his pension application that in April of 1782 having served in the Western part of Pa, “I was drafted under Capt. Wm. Scott and marched to a place called Mingo Bottom on the Ohio River below Beemor, we were stationed here to protect the persons and property of a number of our countrymen from the plunder and depredations of the Indians”, served 1 month and then volunteered with 400 others to go to Sandusky on the Crawford cmpg. He didn’t mention this expedition in March.

 

Pvt. Aaron Sackett – not in these Washington County tax and land grant lists- TLM 2:422 a petitioner with others from around Well’s Fort after the massacre advising Gen. Irvine of the ‘dangerous’ situation there for the settlers,- in 1783 was single in Manallen Township, Westmoreland County; PMW- was an Ensign in the Westmoreland County militia.

 

Pvt. Samuel Scott – in 1781 listed as single with no land in Cecil Township and with land in Nottingham so identification is inconclusive; RBE estate accounts 1794 leaving a wife, Elizabeth, and minor children, John and Jean and RBE lists a sale of land in Washington County on Mingo Creek in 1784 by Samuel Scott of Rostrover Township of Westmoreland County.

 

Capt. William Scott – in 1781 is listed in both Hopewell and Nottingham Townships so is inconclusive, CWCW- will listed in 1829 and 1836.

 

Pvt. Valentine Sennet - not on these tax or land grant lists.

 

Pvt. Thomas Shannon – settled land in 1772 on Buffalo Creek and Cross Creek/Independence - in 1781 and 1783 in Hopewell Township, TLM 2-422 a petitioner with others from around Well’s Fort just after the massacre advising Gen. Irvine of the ‘dangerous’ situation there- CWCW- will listed for 1814.

 

Capt. Samuel Shearer – from the 1888 list only as Captain with a question mark as if the editors were not sure –there is no proof of that rank or his presence in the area- not on these tax or land grant lists.

 

Pvt. William Shearor –as Wm Shearer is in 1781 in Hopewell Township and 1783; PMF- says buried at Cross Creek.

 

Pvt. William Sinclair in 1781 in Cecil Township and in 1783 in Donegal Township; RBE- bought 294 acres on the West fork of ‘Shirtee’ (Chartiers) Creek in 1783 and W.S. Jr. bought land at the same place and year; CWCW- will listed for 1820.

 

    Dave Slaughter – named in Forrest’s Washington County History [EF] with an important and courageous volunteer role in swimming the cold river to bring over a sugar trough so the men could send over their clothes dry after swimming the cold Muskingum River, not on these tax and land lists.

 

Pvt. Abraham Slover in 1773 he was in Pitt Township, Bedford County which was around Ft. Pitt, in Feb, 1775 he was on a committee to lay out a road from Ft. Dunmore to Raccoon Creek,[15] he is not in either the tax or the land grant lists- was the brother of John Slover who was one of Crawford’s guides in the ill-fated summer of 1782 expedition – from around New River, Virginia where their family was massacred before this by Indians.[16]

 

Pvt. Edward Smith Jr. since the Jr. was used in the return would suggest that his father was in the neighborhood - an Edward Smith settled in 1772 on Buffalo Creek and Independence - an Edward Smith was taxed in Rosstraver Twp of Bedford County in 1773 and in Pitt Twp of Allegheny County in 1791.- but not on the lists being used here; RBE- estate accounts 1790 leaving son, Isaac.

 

Pvt. Nicholas Smith - in 1783 in Hopewell Township; PMF- says N.S. SR. buried in South Strabane.

 

Pvt. William Sparks – settled land in 1773 in Buffalo and Independence – three listings in 1781- two in Hopewell and one in Fallowfield Townships- and in 1783 in Strabane Township.

 

Pvt. Isaac Springer – not on these tax or land grant lists, PMW- was in Capt. Joseph Cisna’s Co. of Westmoreland militia- so may have been from East of the rivers.

 

Pvt. James Steel – from the 1888 list only – in 1781 list in both Cumberland and Strabane Townships neither having land so location of his home is indeterminate- and in Strabane Township in 1783.

          The pension application of a James Steel #S4882 made 7 June, 1832 where he was living in Hocking Co., Ohio. He was born 80 years previous in Ireland. Served in 1776 for 5 months as a private under Capt. William Steel, Col. Cunningham and General Hand; and 2 months in 1776 under Capt. Marshall and Col. Miles. and in 1779 had gone to Washington County, Pa; and then to Fairfield Co., Ohio[17].

 

Pvt. Richard Stevenson – not on these tax or land grant lists.

 

Pvt. William Stevenson – in Peters Township in 1783; a William Stephenson is buried at Cross Creek 1 March,1851 aged 80 years [was he 13 years old at the time of this raid ?]; according to Simpson he came from Berkeley Co, Va s/o James Stephenson., a paymaster of the Revolutionary Army and a nephew of Colonel Wm. Crawford and Col. Hugh Stephenson- a friend of General Washington. William “served his country faithfully, and he was prominent in the bloody scenes of St. Clair’s defeat.”[18] - name is spelled both ways, CWCW- will listed for 1829- no mention of the massacre.

 

Pvt. Charles Stewart – settled land in 1775 on Cross Creek and Buffalo Creek – Hopewell Twp in 1783; RBE- left a will in 1793, CWCW- will listed for 1814.

 

Pvt. Samuel Stewart – only on the 1888 list- in 1781 and 1783 in Strabane Township.

 

Sgt. Shadrack Stillwell - not on these tax or land grant lists; EF says he was a Pvt. in Captain Munn’s Co on the summer, 1782 Crawford Expedition.; RBE- bound out his children Jeremiah and Mary in 1787.

 

Pvt. Thomas Strain - in Peters Township in 1783; CDAR- buried in Washington County.

 

    James Taylor – from the Simpson list – settled land in 1776 in Buffalo and Hopewell Townships- in Hopewell in 1781 and Fallowfield Township in 1783 - told his descendents that he did not kill on this raid[19]

 

Pvt. George Thorp – in Cecil township in 1783.

 

Pvt. William Turner - in 1781 listed in both Cecil and Robinson Townships - so of indeterminate location; RBE-W.T. of Youghagania Co., Va sold 600 acres on Raccoon Creek in 1784 and his estate accounts 1791.

 

    Solomon Urie . – from the Simpson list died in 1820 or 1836 at Coshocton, Ohio. May be the man mentioned by Farrar as one who in 1812 would talk about the raid when drunk, [20]or that may be the other Solomon below; EF says “ a son of Thomas Urie Sr. of Hopewell Township. Solomon and Thomas Urie Jr., brothers, were noted hunters. While on a hunting trip near Stillwater, Ohio; they were attacked by Indians and Thomas was killed, but Solomon escaped. In 1815 while Solomon was living near Coshocton, Ohio he killed six Indians single handed because one of them boasted that he had killed Thomas Urie, Jr. Solomon was taken to Mad River, tried for this and acquitted. He was killed in 1830 falling from his horse.”

 

     Solomon Vaile - on the Simpson list- not on these tax or land grant lists – in 1791 in Moon Township of Allegheny County which place could have been in Washington County earlier- see above reference to a ‘Sol’ who in the 1812 era talked about the raid only when drunk.

 

Pvt. Isaac Vance –only on the 1788 list - settled land in 1773 on Pigeon Creek – in Somerset Township in 1781 and 1783; EF says he was a Pvt. in Capt. Rankin’s Co on the summer, 1782 Crawford Expedition; PMF says he is buried at Pigeon Creek..

 

    Joseph Vance – on the Simpson list - in Smith township in 1781 and 1783 ; Ef says “the builder and proprietor of Vance’s Fort one mile from Cross Creek, where the first plans for the Moravian expedition were made”, TLM 2:422 a petitioner with others from around Well’s Fort just after the massacre advising Gen. Irvine of the ‘dangerous’ situation there, -[21] says Joseph and several of his wives are buried at Cross Creek – an elder in Cross Creek Church from 1782-1832; and afterwards a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly, died 6 May, 1832 aged eighty-two years, buried in the old cemetery at Cross Creek,” .CDAR- says he is buried in the Pigeon Creek Presbyterian Cemetery at Dunningsville, PA b 1750 and d 5 May, 1832, CWCW- lists wills for 1822 and 1832.

 

Pvt. Stephen Vineyard – in Donegal Township in 1781 and 1783.

 

    Robert Wallace – on the Simpson List only- bought 300 acres in Westmoreland Co in 1773 from Pennsylvania,[22] in Cross Creek Township in 1783 – cited by EF as at the massacre and claimed that he did a lot of killing – his family was killed and carried off just before this expedition and some historians say that the attack on the Wallace family set off this expedition ; EF says that he died in 1808 and is buried at Florence, CWCW- lists a will in 1808.

 

     William Welch- named by Stephen Burkham who was there: “William Welch, an Irishman tomahawked seven. The house was crowded according to Burkham with men tomahawking, the Indians had previously sang and prayed.;” [23] not on 1781 tax list; a name used by Allen Eckert (see below).

 

Pvt. Morris West – - TLM 2:422 petitioner with others from around Well’s Fort just after the massacre informing Gen. Irvine of the “dangerous” situation there for the settlers- Hopewell Township in 1783.

 

Pvt. Alexander White – on the 1888 list only – in Somerset Township in 1783.

 

Pvt. James White settled land in 1773 in Chartiers and N. Strabane -was in Strabane and Robinson in 1781 and in Strabane in 1783 – both single in 1781 in Strabane – man of this name elected a Washington County Justice of the Peace in 1781- is buried in Allegheny County. His land in Strabane could in 1788 have been put into Allegheny County from Washington County.

 

Pvt. John White –only on the 1888 list- in 1781 and 1783 in Smith Township; EF-says settled in old Strabane Township in 1773, elected a Justice of the Peace on 15 July, 1781 [ was he on this expedition while being a Justice of the Peace?]; WJC 1792 land patent; and died in 1806, CWCW lists a will in 1807.

 

Pvt. Nathaniel White – in 1781 in Strabane Township without land and in Strabane in 1783.

 

Pvt. Stephen Wilkins – only on the 1888 list – in Strabane Township in 1783.

 

Lt. William Wilkins – only in the 1888 list – in 1783 in Smith Township ; EF says he was an Ensign in Capt. Munn’s Co. on the summer, 1782 Crawford Expedition; – buried in Allegheny County.

 

John Williams- It was recently discovered that the son of this man put in writing to Lyman Draper that his father was on this expedition, and the father blamed Colonel David Williamson for the killing. That letter is reproduced in the microfilm of the well known Draper Manuscripts at the Wisconsin Historical Society.[24]

 

 Lt. Col. David Williamson –born in 1752 at Carlisle, Pa; after visiting the western country brought his parents into this frontier; settled land in the Buffalo Creek area in 1774, 1775, 1776 and 1777 (about 900 acres) – listed in Donegal Township in 1781 with 800 acres so owner of one of the larger amounts of land on this expedition- and in Donegal Twp in 1783; WJC- Sr. and Jr. 1787 grants - the highest ranking militia officer on this expedition and supposedly elected to the top ranking position.; EF says that Colonel Williamson was ‘strongly opposed’ to the killing of the Moravians- Stephan Burkham claimed in later years to have been at the massacre quoted Col. Williamson as saying “do what you will with the prisoners” as he walked off. This was told by Burkham to Lyman C. Draper well known for his collection of original material now at the Wisconsin Historical Society,[25]  Colonel Williamson after the raid was elected Sheriff of Washington County, but died poor in a dispute with the county over a note he had co-signed; CDAR says he was buried in the Washington, Pa cemetery without a stone in 1814 at age 74.

           It was the custom of the American militia to elect their own officers. Lieutenant Colonel David Williamson was elected to his position. However, it may not be fair to say he was elected commander. Militia did not always do what they were told by their own officers. It is uncertain how much to charge him with the responsibility for the killing. It is clear that there were other men along who also had high ranking positions in the militia. It is always pointed out that his role in this Massacre did not ruin his political standing as he was elected Sheriff of Washington County a few years later.

 

    Eleazer Williamson- brother of Col. David above; the author was told by letter by Dr. Raymond Bell that this man was on the raid. However, that has been impossible to verify. His pension application says that he was on the expedition in 1781 that took Indian prisoners, and that he was also on the summer, 1782 ‘Crawford’ expedition which is verifiable.[26] He did not in that application mention being on this March, 1782 expedition which he either forgot or didn’t want to claim among his tours of militia duty- he had been a militia officer in Westmoreland County but was not one on this expedition.

 

Pvt. Abner Willson –in 1781 without land in Smith Township - listed in Hopewell and/or Cecil 1783, this name spelled with one and two l’s is a bit of a puzzle.

 

Pvt. Jno. Willson - in 1781 in Smith, Cecil and Peters without land  –in 1783 there are four Johns in various townships of Washington County - so is indeterminate as to location; RBE- bought 329 acres on Streets Run in 1784 and 100 acres on Two Mile run in 1785; CDAR- a John Wilson who d 14 Feb, 1803 is buried in Washington, PA.

 

 Pvt. Joseph Willson – settled land in 1773 in Wheeling Township.- in 1781 in Peters Township; RBE-bought 227 acres on Petlore Creek in 1782 .

 

Pvt. Miles Willson – in Smith Township in 1781 and Cecil Township in 1783.

 

Pvt. William Willson – several men with this name- one settled land in 1769 on Little Whiteley Creek –three listings of men of this name and spelling in 1781 in Bethlehem, Cecil and Smith Townships so indeterminate whether one or three men- one man in Hopewell Township in 1783 ; RBE- lists four land transactions of men of this name: of Augusta Co., Va sold 400 acres on Racoon Creek in 1777, of Washington County sold 200 acres on ‘Shirtees’ (Chartiers) Creek in 1783 and of Youghania Co., Va sold 300 acres on Raccoon Creek in 1779 and of Pittsburgh sold 300 acres in 1784; WHC- two 1786 grants; CDAR–a William Wilson Sr. buried at the Bethel Presbyterian Church at Clifton, PA- near Rte 19, lived 1757-25 Jan, 1845. buried in Allegheny County.; one man of this name buried at Cross Creek;[27] RBE notes two estates by men of this name: one in 1794 with a son, Robert; and one in 1795 of Cecil Twp leaving minor children (William, Robert, Esther, Margaret and Elizabeth), CWCW- lists a will for 1795. .

          There were several pensions made by William Wilsons in this area. Number S3572 was living in Allegheny County in 1832. He said that in 1777 he served under General Wayne in the battles at Princeton, Monmouth, and Trenton for three years; and at Shamokin against the Indians. No mention of militia service or the Massacre. Pension number S22600 was living in Jefferson Twp of Allegheny County, Pa when pensioned having served three enlistments from 1777. No mention of the Massacre or militia service.

          The man with pension number S7907 from Monongalia Co, VA is the most likely. His was all frontier service. He says that in 1779 he served under Col. Brodhead against the Munsie towns, in 1780 was an Indian spy on Dunkard Creek; and in June of 1781 he served under General Clark to the Forks of the Ohio. He would be the most likely to have been on the Massacre, but makes no mention of it.[28]

          A man of this name with one l in DAR3 was Pvt in lst Pa Regt buried in Hamilton Co., Ohio.; there is also in DAR3 a Major Wm. Wilson 1754-1851 b in Ireland with a brother in the Tygart Valley, Randolph Co., Va buried in the Casner Cemetery near Mt. Ephraim, Noble Co., Ohio.

 

 

Pvt. Andrew Wineman – on the 1888 list only – not on these tax and land grant lists.

 

Pvt. Thomas Young – in 1781 in Cecil Township without land – in 1783 also in Cecil Township.

 

   

          WORKS REFERRED TO ABOVE BY LETTERS

 

CDAR Canonsburg, Pa. DAR, Revolutionary War Soldiers of Washington County, Pa. or Buried in       Washington County, mimeographed, no date or author.

 

CWCW Bob and Mary Closson, compilers; Index to Washington County Wills, Closson Press, Apollo, Pa, no date.

 

DAR3 Daughters of the American Revolution, Official Roster III, Soldiers of the American Revolution Who Lived in the State of Ohio,” ,l959, no place of publication or author.          Includes information on ancestors of DAR members only. There is more data on some so full citation must be checked.      

 

RBE   Raymond M Bell, Washington County Estate Records 1781-1796 and Deed Records 1782-1785  Washington, Pa; 1967.

 

EF     Earle R. Forrest, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania, Chicago, 1926, pages 132-142.

 

PMA  Paul W. Myers, Allegheny County, Pa. Revolutionary War Soldiers; Closson Press, Apollo, Pa,1988.

 

PMF   Paul W. Myers, Washington County, Pa. Frontier Rangers, Closson Press, Apollo, Pa, 1987, pages 37-41.

 

PMW Paul W. Myers, Westmoreland County in the American Revolution, Closson Press, Apollo, Pa, 1988.

 

TLM   Thomas L. Montgomery, Frontier Forts in Pennsylvania, Ray Press, Harrisburg, Penn.          1916 -2 volumes – all references here to Volume 2.

 

WJC  List of men whose land grants were in the Archives, Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, Pa; type written, n.d. or authorl these Virginia grants were for military service in state units of the Line or sometimes for militia service. Men who enlisted for three years in a Continental line were promised 100 acres.