ARTICLES FROM VOLUME 3 (1997)

Journal of Clan Ewing


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CONTENTS

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HON. J. K. EWING (1823-1905)

 

LEMONS ENJOY LONG MARRIAGES


YOUNG EWING (c1765/69-1833)


CLINTON AND DOLE COUSINS


A SCALDING SURPRISE 

 

WILLIAM LEE DAVIDSON EWING LETTER - 1836

 

MAKING HISTORY COME ALIVE

 

JAMES EWING (c 1777-1833/34)                 Part 1 of 2

JAMES EWING (c 1777-1833/34)                Part 2 of 2


CAPTAIN ALEXANDER EWING (1752-1822) 

 

PRIVATE ROBERT EWING


THE SCOTCH-IRISH 

RESEARCH


CIVIL WAR LETTER 

 

WILLIAM EWING (1711-1781)



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Page 117



Hon. John Kennedy Ewing (1823-1905)


[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 1 - February 1997, pages 6-8]


HON. J. K. EWING DEAD


Uniontown's Venerable Citizen and Jurist Killed by 10:02 B. & O. Train

STRUCK AT FAYETTE STREET CROSSING


Train Rushed on Him and He Could Not Escape


            So read the headlines of the Daily News Standard of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, on May 25, 1905. The unfortunate decedent was my great-grandfather John Kennedy Ewing, who had been born in Uniontown on December 15, 1823.

 

            Judge Ewing had been looking after some work he was having done at a lot he owned between the railroad and the White school house. He started away from the lot and walked east on Fayette street, going leisurely along as on his usual morning walks. He was on the north side of the street and was noticed by a bystander, who reported that Judge Ewing had just reached the edge of the track when the shriek of the train was heard. It evidently bewildered the judge, and he made an attempt to jump ahead with the aid of his cane and was struck by the cowcatcher and killed instantly.

 

            Judge Ewing's was the only child of Nathaniel Ewing (1794-1874), who was often referred to as "The Lawgiver of Western Pennsylvania", and who served 10 years on the bench in the 14th Judicial District (Fayette, Greene and Washington Counties). John Kennedy Ewing's mother was born Jane Kennedy, a daughter of John Kennedy (1774-1846), who lived in Cumberland County and was a Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 1830 to 1846, "one of the great jurists" of that Court according to the Daily News Standard.

 

            John Kennedy Ewing spent his early life in Uniontown and graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in 1842 (at the age of 18!). "Rising above the temptation to a life of ease which surrounded his boyhood, he early developed an inclination to work which brought into prominence all the sterling qualities that characterized his future life." He read law in his father's office and was admitted to the bar in 1846 (at the age of 22!). In November 1864 he was appointed to a vacancy on the bench of the 14th Judicial District and served "commendably" until January 1866, when he had to retire from the bench and the active practice of law "on account of impaired health". (My father always said that one of the impairments was in his hearing and that was in large part responsible for his unfortunate encounter with the 10:02 train.) Upon his retirement Judge Ewing continued with his wide interest in the coal and iron industries of Western Pennsylvania.

 

            In 1847 Judge Ewing was married to Ellen Louisa Willson, a sister of Alpheus Evans Willson, who was also a judge of the 14th Judicial District. In May 1846 Judge Ewing united with the Presbyterian church of Uniontown and was ordained and installed as an elder in March 1860. He was a commissioner to the general assembly at Pittsburgh in 1864 and Omaha in 1887 and was frequently a delegate to synod and presbytery. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1884.

 

            Judge Ewing had eight children, five of whom survived him: ex-Judge Nathaniel Ewing of Uniontown; ex-Judge Samuel Evans Ewing of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; J.K. Ewing, Jr. of Pittsburgh, who married Mary H. Mitchell, a daughter of a Justice of the Supreme Court of Minnesota; Mary Virginia Ewing, who married Jared M.B. Reis of western Pennsylvania; and Belle Kennedy Ewing, who married Benjamin Betterton Howell of Uniontown. Judge Ewing was pre-deceased by two children who died in infancy and by his daughter Eliza Willson Ewing, wife of Stephen Leslie Mestrezat, a Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

 

            Just the month before Judge Ewing's sudden death the Daily News Standard had published an extended and appreciative sketch of his life, in which it said, in part:

 

Hon. J.K. Ewing is the Nestor of the Fayette County Bar. Applied to him "Nestor" is no misnomer; he is the oldest and the wisest. Sometimes the name of Homer's hero is carelessly applied to one who has outlived his fellows. Judge Ewing is a great lawyer, and, what is rarer, a great jurist. I think his legal brethren will ungrudgingly acknowledge his supremacy in legal learning. He is a high authority on constitutional law...... Constantly battling with ill health, he has lived to the remarkable age of eighty-one. He is therefore truly the Nestor of the Bar. His philosophy and his personality are worth studying.

 

* * * * * * * *

 

The history of the Ewings and their forbears is a part of the legal history of the state. Their record of judicial service is unique in legal annals. Judge Ewing's father was a judge. His grandfather was a judge. He distinguished himself in his own short term of service. His two sons were on the bench. Four generations of judges! Is there a parallel to this?

 

            Judge Ewing served for a time as President of the National Bank of Fayette County and "led it up to the bulwark of strength which it now holds" according to a memorial prepared by the County Bar Association. The memorial went on to say:

 

He saw with prophetic eye the coming riches of the valley lying along the foot-hills of Chestnut ridge and advised and urged the officers of the Pennsylvania to construct the Southwest branch from Greensburg to Fairchance. As the great coke industries developed all along this line, the results have shown the wisdom of counsel.. As director and vice-president of the Southwest Railway company he lived to see his road become one of the richest feeders of the great Pennsylvania system. He engaged extensively and most successfully in the coal and coking industries of his native county.

 

In his family he was favored as few have ever been. So careful was he in the training of his children that his honored sons are proud to recognize his as the guiding hand that directed them into the prominent positions that they have attained in life. He was truly great.

 

Always an ardent admirer of the beauties of nature, on a lovely May morning, with the flowers of spring time blooming all about him while on an accustomed walk he was suddenly, almost instantly, lifted from the activities of life into the beyond. We shall miss him.

                                                                                    Joseph Neff Ewing, Jr.

 

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Page 120

 

 

LEMONS ENJOY LONG MARRIAGES

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 1 - February 1997, pages 28-29]

 

[Source: The following was edited from an article that appeared in The Mississippi Press, Sunday, June 23, 1996, by Regina Hines. Three members of this family, George Lemon, J.K. Lemon, and Bliss Pinkerton, are members of Clan Ewing in America.]

 

When the late James Kirkpatrick Lemon represented District 4 on the Jackson County board of Supervisors from 1915 to 1929, the other supervisors would often tease that he didn't feed his nine "little Lemons."

 

"We were all so skinny - just straight up and down," the oldest daughter, Sarah Lemon Anderson, said. "But I think we must have been healthy, because we have all lived so long. We were well fed."

 

Nine children were born to Lemon and his wife, Sarah "Georgia" McIntosh, after their marriage in 1906 and eight children are still living. They are proud that five couples in this well known Ocean Springs family have been married more than 50 years - a grand total of 278 years.

 

"We were told that marriage was a give and take proposition and we tried to heed that advice," second son J.K. Lemon of Ocean Springs said about his longevity.

 

The first marriage among the Lemon children was the oldest, George L. Lemon, a retired Mississippi Highway Department engineer, and his wife, Anne Mae Brewster. Anticipating their 60th wedding anniversary, they were married on July 24, 1936, in the bride's hometown of Baldwyn, Miss., north of Tupelo.

 

"I got a good cook and that's what I was hunting. We've had a good life together," George Lemon said.

 

Since their wedding was in the northern part of the state, where they worked, none of the family could attend.

 

But, the family was well represented at the second family wedding on Sept. 11, 1937, when J.K. Lemon married his childhood sweetheart, Eleanor Bradford, at Ocean Springs' St. Paul United Methodist Church.

 

"She was born on Bowen Avenue and I was born on Jackson. We knew each other all our lives and we had been in the same class since second grade," J.K. Lemon said.

 

Until Hurricane Camille devastated their home, Eleanor Lemon had treasured a Valentine her husband had given her in the third grade.

 

Bliss Lemon met her future husband, Raymond Pinkerton, at a USO dance in Jackson where she was working during World War II and he was in the service. They were married quickly on April 28, 1943 in a wartime ceremony in Elkton, Maryland, when Pinkerton learned while he was still attending a school in Maryland that he would be transferred overseas.

 

"There was not a Presbyterian church in the little town, so we went to the Methodist minister," Mrs. Pinkerton said. "No family members could come. The trains were all filled with soldiers."

 

Following the war in October 1945, the couple moved to Pinkerton's native California. They live in Redondo Beach, a suburb of Los Angeles, where he retired as chief of the Electrical Division for the City of Los Angeles.

 

On June 11, 1941, Margaret Lemon married E.W. Halstead in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. On April 8, 1946, Sarah Lemon married James McConnell"Mac" Anderson and younger sister, Elizabeth Lemon Roberts of Ocean Springs, was maid of honor. Two other siblings, William A. Lemon and Fred Lemon, also still live in Ocean Springs. Another brother, Kirk S. Lemon, was killed in a motorcycle accident many years ago.

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Page 122

 

 

YOUNG EWING (c1765/69-1833)

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 1 - February 1997, pages 11-13]

 

[The following is an article from the History of Christian County by William Henry Perrin, F. A. Battey Publisher, 1884. The article and the additional information that follows this article about Young Ewing was sent to us by Alicia Towster. We appreciate Alicia's contributions.]

 

In gone-by years no man took a more active and conspicuous part in the political affairs of the county than the Hon. Young Ewing, one of the backwoods politicians who flourished in the early days of the Commonwealth. He was a true pioneer and hunter, as everybody else was then; a surveyor, politician and statesman, and in his Protean capacity he usually had his hands full. He came to Christian county just at a time when he was most needed. An unorganized community of people had, by an act of the Legislature, been placed unto themselves, and there was a demand for men competent to do the work of putting the infant municipality upon its feet. Col. Ewing was a man adapted to the emergency, and took as naturally to the official harness as a duck to the water. He was the first Circuit Clerk of the Court, and for a quarter of century or more he served the people in one position or another, and if he did not do much for the county it did a great deal for him. He had once commanded a regiment against the Indians, and though the campaign was a bloodless one, yet his military record wafted him into office over all opposition, just as such things sometimes happens at the present day. It is told of him, but the story may be taken with some allowance, that always when a candidate, particularly if the campaign waxed hot, and his election appeared at all doubtful, the Colonel would be seen at public gatherings hobbling about with a cane or with an arm in a sling, complaining loudly of the hardships of a soldier's life. But no sooner was he assured of his election than away went his cane, to be seen no more until again needed on a similar occasion.

 

The name of Col. Ewing appears in the records of Logan County in 1792 as one of the first three magistrates for that county, and in 1795 as a Representative in the State Legislature. When he came there or where he was from are questions the most diligent investigation has failed to solve. It is to be regretted that so little is known or can be learned of his early life, as anything pertaining to so prominent a character could not but be of interest to the reader. He is believed to have been a native of the Old Dominion, and the elements of statesmanship he developed naturally point to him as a son of the "Mother of Presidents." From the humble office of magistrate he essayed and accomplished dizzy flights to higher positions, which he filled time and again. He was above the majority of his associates in intellect, but somewhat careless and indifferent in the use of the King's English when pouring forth from the stump one of his hot political campaign speeches. He came among the simple pioneers of Christian County, and waked the echoes of the primeval forests with his rude wild eloquence, and rode in triumph into the affections of the voters to that extent that he is not known to have been defeated but once in a political contest.

 

The following entries appear in the early court records: "The line between Logan and Christian Counties was run by Young Ewing and his deputy, Nicholas Lockett, on the part of Christian, and William Reading, Surveyor for Logan County, August 22, 1797." "Young Ewing was allowed £14.12s. for running the dividing line between Logan and Christian Counties." In addition to having been a surveyor and the first Clerk of the county, he was cashier of the first bank established in Hopkinsville. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention held in Frankfort, August 17, 1799, and which framed the second Constitution of the State. In the year 1800 his name first appears as a member of the Legislature from Christian County. He was elected again in 1801 and re-elected in 1802, and again elected in 1806 and in 1807. In 1808 he was elected to the State Senate, and again in 1812, in 1820 and in 1824, but resigned about a year before his last term expired. In the Presidential campaign of 1824 he was Elector for the Fifth Congressional District. So great and so universal was his popularity that he was elected to many of these positions without opposition, and generally when he had an opponent his military record carried him through with flying colors. He was a genial gentleman--a "hail fellow well met," withal, courteous and social; could take his toddy "with the boys," and "set 'em up" himself occasionally (all of which goes a long way with the "intelligent voter") and which but added to his popularity. The last race he ever made for public office was about the year 1832, for the State Senate, and he was defeated. This was a wound to his self-complacency from which he never recovered. He had failed to keep pace with the age, new issues had sprung up beyond his ability to master, new and younger men opposed him, and though the "old guard" rallied around him, the new order of things accomplished his defeat.

 

Kentucky has produced many remarkable men, but none so strongly original, or so interesting as the early, simple and honest statesmen of whom Young Ewing was a true type. They borrowed nothing from the books, and if some of them were so illiterate that it amounted to a gift or talent, their honesty of purpose off-set any lack of education and culture. They legislated wholly for the good of the people and the country, and from them the modern statesman might learn lessons of wisdom.

 

Col Ewing long lived one and a half miles from town, on the place now owned by the children of Dr. Shackelford, but for many years was a citizen of Hopkinsville. He was three times married. Of his first wife little is known, except that she bore him one child, a daughter. This daughter married a man named Davison, who was at one time High Sheriff of Daviess County, and who, it is said, was killed by friends of a prisoner whom he had arrested. Col. Ewing's second wife was Winifred Warren, and one


 of the best women, Judge Long says, that ever lived. His last wife was a Miss Jennings. This marriage to him was, to say the least, ill-assorted. She was an illiterate, uncouth backwoods damsel, scarcely more than eighteen, while he was verging onto his three score and ten years. Soon after his last marriage he moved South, perhaps to the western part of Tennessee, where he died many years ago. No lineal descendant of Col. Ewing is now, so far as known, living in Christian County, and only a few of the older citizens remember him. Those that do, describe him as a social, companionable and hospitable gentleman, one who loved his friends, and was never happier than when surrounded by them, and bestowing upon them the hospitality of his home, or when zealously engaged in a hot political contest.                                            ~~~~~~~~~~

 

Young Ewing was a son of Robert Ewing (d. 1787, Bedford County, Virginia) and his wife Mary Baker. Young and most of his brothers and sisters migrated to Kentucky and settled in Logan and Christian Counties.

 

Colonel Young Ewing was born about 1765-69 in Bedford County, Virginia and died 5 October 1833 in Lagrange, Fayette County, Tennessee or he died in LaGrange, Kentucky.

 

Polly B. Ewing was born about 1787 and died in 1859. She was the daughter of Colonel Young Ewing and his first wife. Polly married 15 November 1811 Ephraim B. Davidson, born in 1779 and died in 1821. He was the son of General William Lee Davidson.

 

Young Ewing married, second, on 15 June 1790 in Lincoln County, Kentucky Winifred Warren (1769/70-1825). She is the daughter of William Warren.

 

Young Ewing married, third, in October 1826 in Christian County, Evaline Jennings. She was the daughter of Virginia Earle and Colonel John Jennings.

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Page 125

 

 

CLINTON AND DOLE COUSINS

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 1 - February 1997, page 14]

 

Editors Note: This article is edited from an article that appeared in the Houston Chronicle on Monday, 28 October 1996. Note how Richard Ewen is related.

 

 

LONDON (AP) - President Clinton and Bob Dole have more in common than wanting to be president. They are distant cousins.

 

But Clinton has a snootier pedigree, according to genealogist who say that gives him an election edge.

 

Clinton and Dole can trace their ancestry to King Henry III and Presidents William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison, according to Burke's Peerage, a publishing house that traces the lineage of royal and noble families.

 

But Clinton has far more royal blood than Dole because he is directly descended from King Robert I of France and is also related to every Scottish monarch and to the current British royal family. Harold Brooks-Baker says Clinton's bluer blood gives him an edge in November's election.

 

"The presidential candidate with the greatest number of royal genes has always been the victor, without exception, since George Washington," said Brooks-Baker, an American from Baltimore, who has lived in Britain since 1968.

 

"Only the merest drop of royal blood flows in the veins of Senator Dole," he said.

 

Dole's sole royal link is to Henry III, who ruled England from 1227 to 1272. He is related to the king on his mother's side, through the Talbott and Harrison families of Maryland and Virginia, according to Burke's.


The Dole family's history of political service dates back to the mid-1600s when the candidate's ancestor, Richard Ewen, (emphasis added) served as a speaker of the House of Burgesses Assembly in Maryland.

 

Clinton's royal roots, Brooks-Baker said, include several medieval monarchs and Simon de Montford, a statesman and soldier under King Henry III who lived from 1208 to 1265 and married the king's sister Eleanor. Through de Montford, Clinton is related to every ancient aristocratic family in Britain today.

 

On his mother's side, Clinton is also related to President Andrew Jackson and Davy Crockett, the frontier folk hero who died in 1836 at the Alamo during the war for Texan independence.

 

 

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Page 127

 

 

A SCALDING SURPRISE

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 1 - February 1997, pages 15-27]

 

[Source: This article was originally published in the April 1887 issue of Kane's Illustrated West Portland, OR, T. E. Kane, Editor. In the September/October 1986 issue of the Heritage Quest the article was reprinted and edited by S.A. Clark. We appreciate William R. "Bob" Ewing, Clarkston, Washington sending us a copy of the article. Mrs. LeeAndrea Hazelrigg typed and edited this article for the journal. Thanks LeeAndrea for your time and effort.]

 

A Tale of the Willamette--Ewing Young and the Calipooias by S. A. Clark

 

One hundred fifty years ago Oregon was a land unknown to the American people, and our statesmen differed concerning their interest in it--whether to believe it capable of settlement by civilized men, or to leave it, as it was then, to remain a breeding place for fur bearing animals and a home for the red men. The only white inhabitants were connected with the various fur companies, the most prominent being the Hudson's Bay Company, that had planted its posts for four thousand miles--from the shores of Hudson's Bay to the eastward to Vancouver, on the banks of the Columbia, Great River of the West. Dr. McLaughlin was in charge here, and he was a wonderful man to control man and propitiate the native tribes. His corps of officers and subordinates was but a handful, compared to the nations of red men they controlled, but by training and discipline, with the long experience they had acquired among the aborigines, they maintained a predominance that never weakened, however great the strain, and not only kept at peace with the natives themselves, but were often a means of preserving peace by their wonderful diplomacy, among tribes that had been traditional and immemorial enemies.

 

The American missionaries who came in 1834 were kindly greeted and looked upon as a means of civilizing and improving the natives. There was always harmony and good will between these missions and the fur company, but, as years rolled on, occasional waifs and strays of humanity were landed in Oregon or came overland from California, and an American settlement sprang up in the Willamette Valley, that knew no law and had no organization. Yet there was little trespassing on vested rights, and no cause for complaint. The country was beautiful in all respects, and the strangers that drifted hither either became associated with the Hudson's Bay Co., or the Mission, or had interests of their own. The first independent movement was in 1834, when Ewing Young, a veritable pioneer and daring explorer, drove stock from California and turned them loose to pasture the beautiful prairies and uplands west of the Willamette, south of Chehalem Mountain. Young was a rough specimen, but soon became a power in the land, around which loose humanity naturally gathered.

 

The Indians of the Willamette all belonged to the Calipooia nation, and tradition was handed down that early in the present century this tribe had come over the Santiam Mountains and had driven before them the sluggish Multnomahs; that they gathered for a last struggle at the Falls of the Willamette, where the final and decisive battle was fought and won by the invaders. From that date the distinctive title of Multnomah was lost or merged into the national name of Calipooia, and than, in turn, was swept away by a terrible pestilence that left scarce enough alive to bury the many who had died.

 

Our story relates to those idyllic days when this beautiful valley lay in all its primeval and Eden-like loveliness. Scarce a furrow had been turned on French Prairie, and the only innovation was the planting of the Methodist mission on the east side of the valley, and the commencing of farming to supply food was all the effort that civilization had made in all the valley. The west side of the Willamette was unmarred by hand of man; no stroke of woodman's axe had felled the trees; no rending plowshare had broke the sod, except in one charming little valley, among the oak clad hills, where Ewing Young had in 1834, turned loose the stock he had brought from California, battling with Indians as he came, and had built his primitive home.

 

Spring Valley was a natural paradise, but Young's improvements had not aided the charm nature has imported. A living stream wound through the valley, and was bordered by growths of willow or alder, with occasional groves of fir and clumps of giant cottonwoods. A spring of pure and cold flow came from a jutting hill-point, and as an alder grove bordered the larger stream with a clump of thrifty firs on the open plain, the spot had been chosen by Ewing Young for his home. The first grove afforded material for his double log house and for the posts that were split and set endwise twelve feet high, to make the stockade around it. Closer acquaintance with the natives had made his crew of whites careless, for the Indians seemed to be peaceable and kind, only a little thievish when any chance afforded. So the stockade became somewhat dilapidated, and the gates on the east and west were not in working order. This was some two years after Young had come there. The Indians of the whole wide north coast and interior were, as a rule, savage and warlike, and the Willamette Valley furnished the only exception. Elsewhere nature was rugged and wild, but here was a beautiful region that seemed set apart for peace and harmony. Eden, in all its blissful purity and quiet could not have been more potent for the rest of soul teachings of peace than was the beautiful valley of the Willamette, that afforded life upon the easiest possible terms to all its inhabitants. It is not easy to describe the great beauty of nature as it existed here in that primeval day. One and another of the earliest of all who came to Oregon, and now survive, describe to me the feelings with which they looked upon the world around them as they came to this valley of rest and loveliness after journeying for months through the wild regions and savage races of the interior. The natives elsewhere were fierce and untamed, but here they sympathized with nature and seemed to study peace and harmony in accord with their surroundings. Elsewhere the wild game had to be hunted on desolate plains or rugged mountains, while here the elk and deer ranged the hills and prairies and salmon wonted the river at the falls. The Calipooias hunted and fished, gathered roots and berries, and easily provided themselves with food for all the year. If left to themselves no danger need be feared, but they had visitors who came from the south and east, representing the fierce tribes of Southern Oregon or from Wasco land east of the Cascades, who were fierce and untamed so that even the balmy influences of this charming valley were not sufficient to overcome the savagery of their natures. They were wild and barbarous and intractable, and so was the land they came from, and they brought with them something of its barbary nature.

 

Ewing Young was of middle age, a man who had matured on the frontier and had drifted from the Missouri River to California when there was scarcely an American in all that country. He found there a few men of his own country, and a small company of them started north with stock Young had acquired among the Mexicans, intending to make a home for themselves in Oregon, a region they had heard of from trappers and persons who had made voyages from California to the Columbia River. They had to fight their way past the rough tribes of Southern Oregon, but reached the Willamette with little loss. It realized all he had heard or expected. He had all the country to choose from as, save the Methodist mission near Salem, it was unoccupied from the California boundary to the falls.

 

Young found the Spring Valley band of Calipooias in possession of the country reaching southward from Chehalem Mountain, west of the Willamette, and made satisfactory arrangements with them to occupy the land in common. There was then no stock in this valley and the Indians could only complain that the presence of horses and cattle drove away the elk and deer that browsed on the hills and plains. He employed them at times as herdsman or hunters, and maintained comfortable relations with their chief, whose name was Lascalla, an old man who made much of Young's friendship for awhile.

 

Matters had settled down a regular way at the Spring Valley ranch to both Indians and whites. It was a free and easy life and knew few restraints. Men came and went--the few who were then in the country--and Young himself was often away looking after his stock. The place had its corrals and a large shed that was roofed with split boards, as was the house, answered as barn and stable. Coming off the hill upon this primitive establishment, distance lent some enchantment, derived from the sheltering grove of alders and the few towering firs, but nearer approach gave less of romance to the place. Horses and cattle were generally in the corrals or grouped about the place and gave the appearance of a stock ranch, as it was. There was a small pasture and a garden that produced potatoes. Flour came from the Hudson Bay mill at Champoeg, not far away. Young was a magnate in his way, and his paper formed part of the currency of the country. The increase of his stock promised to occupy all the country for many miles around.

 

Young had two white men with him who were permanently employed. One of these was a young man of twenty or more years, and the other was a grizzled frontiersman who was more at home in a wilderness than with civilized surroundings. He quietly took on himself the care of the stock. Each night, after riding the range all day, "Old Man Smith" came home and briefly reported to Young any fact of interest that concerned him. He rode with his rifle at hand and with hunting knife in his belt, always careful as if he was in the midst of danger. Young had great confidence in both, though "Ned," as the younger was called had more zeal than experience, and more faith than prudence. The three lived in harmony, and while rough words were exchanged there was seldom ill-humor. It was late summer and "Old Man Smith" had been away on a long ride and a fatiguing one. He came back late in the long evening and turned his "cayuse" out to graze with unusual care, rubbing its limbs and seeming to think "Bob" had been hardly used. But Bob was a tough nag and Smith not a heavy rider--the two seemed to have mutual confidence in each other.

 

Smith was not talkative, but this evening he was unusually reticent. A few Indians had hung about, and he waited their going, watching them keenly. A traveling white man had come by and camped in the alder grove, spreading his blankets there, as the night was warm and pleasant. This man had left and Ned had gone to have a chat with him before "Old Man Smith" opened his mouth to say a word. Turning to Young, when the coast was clear, he said: "Ewing, I feel it in my bones that those strange Indians mean mischief. They are waiting about here and holding nightly councils with our people and I think we had as well find out what they mean by it." At first Young treated his fears with indifference , but as the old mountaineer detailed one fact after another that roused his suspicion, the other was interested and finally was aroused to study all the facts and their meaning. The Calipooia village was further down the creek; and the Wasco camp was close by it. The two men bent their steps that way, and being versed in all the craft of the wilderness, were able to approach without detection. Smith had seen signs that council had been held in a fir grove half a mile this side the village, and his keen vision took in the fact without giving the natives a shade of suspicion.

 

They separated as they drew near the grove and approached from different sides. Young was able to get near enough to the gathering to hear the debate, or at least to gather its meaning. There were not many but those present were men of influence. Evidently they did not trust the matter in hand to the multitude but were trying to come to some agreement and follow it up with a plan of action. The Wasco chief was arguing in his own tongue, that Ewing Young did not understand much of, but he gathered the substance of the talk. It was proposed to make away with Young and his company and drive off the stock. The Wasco chief was named Kuk-up, and he argued his case very adroitly. The whites were invaders and had no rights; the Indians would merely claim their own; they could easily attack and destroy the small garrison and run no danger. The Calipooias had their own side of it, and while they wanted the property, they had fears of consequences. They feared that the Hudson Bay Company would examine into the matter and they might expect trouble with the mission on the other side of the Willamette. It was urged that Young's party were not friends with either, and that no one would be entrusted in meeting out vengeance.

 

Young was less versed in Indian languages than old man Smith. The latter had not succeeded in getting near enough to take in the talk fully but heard and saw enough to satisfy him that the Wascos meant mischief. Nothing was determined that night and the listeners retired in time to avoid detection. They kept in the shadow of the forest until the Indians had all gone home, and then went their way without a word for a mile or more. Smith then began to sum up the case and its possibilities. To him it possessed the charm that danger brings to all brave men. The chief men of the nation had lain their case open, and he went into a calculation of numbers and means of defense. Young felt like talking plainly to his Calipooias and show them that the plot was discovered. Smith preferred to have the matter take its natural course. He could easily repair the stockade and the openings could be closed, yet the natives need not have their suspicions roused. This he proceeded to do, and by working when no Indians were near and making no chips to attract attention, they soon had the stockade in good order for defense and were in all respects well provided and equipped to insure safety.

 

Meanwhile, old man Smith had kept up an espionage on the night sessions of the enemy. Ned was taken into their confidence and the work of preparation was complete. The Calipooias were not easily converted to the war theory but the Wascos were in earnest, and gradually accomplished their purpose. The chief of the valley Indians was an old warrior called Lascalla, who had always professed the greatest regard for the whites. Lascalla had a daughter who was exceptionally good looking and agreeable, and Ned was her admirer. In those days, when women were scarce, it was no strange or uncommon thing for whites to make matrimonial alliances with the native women. Old Lascalla had his own views for Nonentee and frowned on Ned's attention. As matters drew to a conclusion, the councils in the forest closed and were held in a council lodge built in the midst of the village. Guards were stationed around this so as to prevent any listeners, and Young and the old man were shut off from the debates that interested them so much. They could only judge from appearances and had to be wary as to showing much interest.

 

Chief Lascalla was hereditary king of this band of Calipooias. He was generally respected because, in his youth, he performed acts of valor that give him permanent renown. At one time a marauding band of Klamaths came into the Willamette, and after procuring firewater from a roving family of Hudson Bay employees of half caste, who were in disgrace at Vancouver at the time, they were ready for any wickedness. Lascalla was then young and had a warm regard for a dusky belle, who afterwards became the mother of Nonentee. The Klamaths attempted to carry her off to their own country, and priming themselves with rum went in force to make her their captive. Lascalla roused a few of his own band and led them to the rescue. There was a sharp fight; bows and arrows, war-clubs and lances were used, and the battle ended with three scalps suspended to the pole that rose from young Lascalla's lodge.

 

After that he had many conflicts with bears and panthers, and when war was declared between his own and another band of the Calipooias he took the field--or rather the war-path--in such a fierce mood that the opposing band were glad to make terms as was demanded. Having rescued his lady-love, he took her to his own lodge, and became war chief of all Calipooias. He had a weakness in favor of bravery, and when Kuk-up, a great warrior and chief from Wasco, wished to unite his fortunes with the fate of Nonentee, Lascalla was willing. He liked Ned well enough, but Ned was not an Indian, and had his spurs to win as a knight. If, in the course of our story, Lascalla may prove recreant to his faith with the whites, some excuse can be made for him on the score that he was keeping a straight record with the red men, his own race, and was therefore loyal in the main to his proper allegiance. He was of the old sort whose memory was full of legends of the times when red men ruled the western world with might and main.

 

His lodge was built on the banks of the beautiful stream that watered the valley, and his emblem as chief hung from an ash tree that overhung his lodge. It was a richly colored wolf-skin, and for several decades had done duty on special occasions. Its heavy fur was well preserved, and, as it had been tanned, the totem of his tribe was blazoned on the tanned leather in such colors as the artists of the valley could command. This emblem of authority was carefully kept and only used on great occasions. The lodge was a framework of poles, covered with bark and skins of various sorts. This was the summer house, airy and pleasant; no fire was kindled within, but just outside the lodge fires burned and the cooking was done. Within, the lodge was neatly furnished. Mats of woven grass covered the unsightly poles and bark roofing, and occasionally the skin of some small animal was attached, as we hang pictures on our parlor walls. Nonentee had natural taste, as was shown by the graceful disposition of trifles--shells and agates--affixed here and there. The floor was of beaten earth, solid, smooth, and hard from constant use and careful leveling. Over this natural pavement was spread skins of various animals, spoils of the chase, some of which bore evidence of the fame Lascalla had won in the hunt, as well as on the war-path. This was the boudoir, as one might say, of Nonentee. The common room where the old chief received his warriors and transacted his executive duties was a plain but substantial structure that stood beyond the flag tree and the council ground.

 

They lived there with another son, who was growing up towards manhood, and a daughter younger than Nonentee. But she was mistress and ruled the roost. Her mother was feeble and took no active part; two slaves, captured in raids made long ago into the Umpqua, did all the work--gathering wood and cooking the food. This made a cluster of summer lodges where all these were provided for. When winter came, they lived in a lodge made more substantially, and divided by partitions into several rooms.

 

Nonentee was a forest belle, a native beauty who wore what nature offered her for adornment. She gathered rare stones and shells from the treasures of the creek. These she strung and made a necklace of no mean appearance. She wore flowers in her hair, at times, and made feathers serve her purpose in other ways. Rare skins were tanned and made into winter garments, and in summer time she wore gowns made of cloth purchased at Vancouver. The young men brought her rare skins and furs and beautiful feathers. She exercised all the talent native to her race to weave grasses into head-dresses, and gathered the milkweed that was rotted to make flax, which was spun and woven to make cloths. She was industrious and tasteful, and had a bewitching way with her that captured Ned and made him her slave. She was, in truth, a rare specimen of her kind, and an exception, too. Lascalla worshiped her. He determined in his soul that she should marry some great warrior and become a mother of warriors fit to claim him as their forerunner. The best laid plans of mice and men, etc.,

 

Kuk-up, the Wasco chief, was in love with fair Nonentee, and old Lascalla farrowed his suit. Ned was decidedly out of luck, for his dusky maid was watched by a jealous lover and by a bigoted father. As Young had not now the privilege of listening to the councils, it was necessary to find some other means of acquiring information. If Ned could meet his charmer, Nonentee, he might learn something of their intentions. He was fortunate enough to meet her one day, and made an appointment to see her again the same night at midnight, and she was true to her engagement. She met him in the wood near the village, and was astonished to learn that the Wascos were leading her people to murder the whites. Nonentee was thus on her mettle to hear and know what the late councils meant. How she managed it is not essential; that she did manage it, and played on the love, confidence and credulity of Kuk-up, the war chief of the Wascos, to succeed is very palpable. The little heathen pretended somewhat, and knew something, and thus penetrated the secret of the councils; as there was little time to spare, she revealed the facts to her faithful admirer, Ned, the same night.

 

The garrison of Spring Valley consisted of the three white men we have mentioned, an old Indian woman who acted the part of cook and scullion, and an Indian who had come through with Young from California two years before, but had never fraternized with the natives of the Willamette. The old woman had no attachments, and had been employed because she had lived at Vancouver and knew something of cooking. She was not to the manor born and would take up zealously for her white friends. Nonentee had explained that as soon as the nights would be dark, and the moon would fail to enlighten them, the massacre of Spring Valley would take place. The Wascos knew that the inmates slept soundly and seldom closed the gates of the stockade. Their only fear or hesitation was because Young had a big dog, a mastiff of immense size and strength, who was not supposed to sleep so soundly. Bravo was to be fed salmon, by some means, and thus got out of the way. How to do this was the question, and the attack could not safely be made until it was done.

 

It will be seen that matters were considerably complicated on both sides. Lascalla, the father, and Kuk-up, the lover of Nonentee, were on the keen watch, though they did not know her designs and affiliation with the Americans. The poor girl had stipulated that her people, and especially her father, should be spared and the Wascos be the only victims, as indeed they were to lead in the fray. She had agreed to expose a fox skin in a certain way when there was important news, and then Ned was to meet her and be posted. Ewing Young had a peculiar following and he employed the interval of uncertainty to gather these fellows in to make up the garrison. They appeared to come and go, as usual, but they remained and were stowed away and kept concealed. By this means the whites were increased to seven men, all good hunters and reliable in any emergency. The supply of arms and ammunition was abundant, and the garrison waited the onslaught with impatience. Old Bravo was exposed to their work and ate the poisonous salmon, but took an antidote that saved his valuable life. He was much annoyed because not allowed to roam the outside premises, but was kindly treated and kept from using his voice to betray his existence. At night he was turned loose, and could scent an Indian then a mile away.

 

The garrison was on the qui vive and stood guard regularly. Nonentee could not always give information, and the only way was to be fully prepared for any emergency. Tho gates were never shut, but had been repaired so they could be closed at the first signal and were under Ned's care. The stockade was in good condition, and in every respect the garrison was ready for a siege. Old Man Smith and Ned made their regular trips over the range, and while appearing to be careless of all particulars, they were keen observers of what transpired. One night Smith reported to his chief that scarce a soul was in sight at the village; that the warriors were all gathered in the great lodge, as if for some grave council. Even the children ran away as Smith rode through and the women looked askant, as if afraid. Ned reported that he saw Nonentee and she turned the cold shoulder on him, but made a sign they had agreed on that meant the night had come for the final attack. The brave girl had been on the lookout, and while she apparently treated him with coolness and indifference, she stopped to pick up a stick to throw at an Indian dog. If she had thrown two sticks, the attack would have been deferred two days. One throw meant that very night. So they were forearmed by being forewarned, and, taking their homeward way, they quietly prepared for the coming attack. Supper was had as usual; when the stock was cared for and everything in order, Young and Old Man Smith overhauled the armament, loaded the guns, and quietly ground their hunting knives. All seven of the garrison quickly made ready for the fray.

 

Patting old Bravo on the head, Young took him to the outer gate and bade him "Look out, old fellow!" a command that the gaunt mastiff took heed of and seemed to comprehend to the fullest.

 

After supper the talk naturally drifted into war channels, and nearly all gave their varied experience on the frontier or in the Indian country. Ewing Young had been a man of many experiences, and Old Man Smith had seen Indian character under every possible guise it could assume. He, however, was last to tell his conflict and fight his battles over. The evening grew old and one and another turned in. One or two of the newcomers made their beds under the alder grove. Old Man Smith and Ned stood guard, and all were ready to spring to arms at a word. Old Salal, the cook, was up and doing with the rest. An iron crane hung in the fireplace, and from it depended hooks that swung kettles used in cooking. The old woman kept her fire agoing and kettles full of water, but all were so full of thought that they did not ask what her intention was. Gradually, as the night wore on, supreme quiet and silence came over Spring Valley Ranch, and while Smith and Ned kept guard without and Ewing Young stood his restful watch within, all were so motionless that the night seemed perfect in its breathless, moveless silence.

 

If an Indian attacks by night it is usually when the night is nearly gone and the danger is close at hand. Midnight came and went, the wee sma'hours ayont the twal, passed by in the twinkle of many stars. It was almost at the breaking of dawn that a long growl came from the alder grove where the mastiff stood his ground. He did not move or repeat the growl in anger. It was soon evident what caused it for a light form rushed past the grove, through the gate, entered the house and sat down by the fireplace. Ned roused as it passed in, and following it recognized the presence of his mistress. Nonentee bowed her head and spoke but a word. "They come!" she said, and rising from her recumbent position and passed out as lightly as she came, by the opposite door. The mastiff followed her. She gave him a touch with her hand upon the head in recognition and went on. Ned knew better than to follow. She was true as steel and must be allowed her own way.

 

All were now on the qui vive to receive the hostiles. Bravo was called within the stockade; the men who slept among the alders rose and came in; a man was placed at each gate with urgent instructions, and the ranch lay there in slumbering starlight as still as if there was no life within and, no danger threatened. The eight occupants of the stockade were about to engage with at least fifty warriors, one-third of whom were Wascos. The Calipooias were the least warlike of all the tribes in the Northwest. Those from the east of the Cascades, and indeed from all other parts, were warriors used to strife; but the Willamette was peopled with many bands of the same race and they seemed to be protected by mountain walls from other and more warlike races. Young and the old man knew that the Wascos would be in the front, and they laid their plans accordingly. There was quite a battle piece performed at the Indian village before the attack on Spring Valley Ranch began. The first speaker was Kuk-up, chief of the Wascos. This warrior rose up in a council where all the braves were gathered, and made a speech of great force, and calculated to rouse the blood of every loyal Calipooia to a boiling point. He wore his warpaint, had a wolf skin thrown over his shoulders and eagle feathers hung from his heavy hair. At his belt there swung scalps of enemies he had slain in battle, and with bow and arrow at his back and tomahawk in hand, he looked every inch a warrior. He spoke of the inroads of the whites and urged that they should follow him that night to slay the invader. He laid out the whole plan of attack and having, in imagination, killed his enemies, he proceeded to divide the spoils. He proved beyond a doubt that stock raised on their pastures was theirs. Taking it all together it was a very patriotic address and a very seductive argument.

 

Lascalla followed in the same strain; others spoke, and their oratory was interrupted by beatings of the Indian drum and chanting the war songs of the Calipooias and Wascos, which were sung with all the force savage lungs could impart. They went to the fray well primed with fervor and full of fury. To be plain about it, the savage Kuk-up had not been able to recite a single wrong the Indians had endured from Young and his people, and all the motive they could bring to their work of murder was the hope of plunder. There was a patriotic tone, to be sure, to their speeches, but the miserable hope of dividing up the spoil was the real motive. All their patriotism was pretense--Sound and fury signifying nothing. They kept up their speech making until after midnight, and endeavored to put some spirit into the Calipooia band by their noise and hubbub. Lascalla himself was the most earnest of all, and he was not without doubt. His true motive was regard for Kuk-up and desire to consummate his allegiance. Only for this he could not have been induced to venture on the war-path. The young warriors of his band were not willing soldiers, and had little heart in the enterprise. War was not their vocation, and they had no sufficient motive. When the night was well advanced, Kuk-up, who was to be the war-chief for the time, singled his men and gave his directions. His own Wascos numbered only twelve and there were twice that number of Calipooias. They took the trail for the ranch, and when near there, formed in two companies. One was the small force of Wascos and few of the valley men, nearly twenty in all. These were to be the attacking force, and the rest were to form a reserve force, under a young chief of the Calipooias. Lascalla was a warrior of note and had the courage to demand a place of danger with the attacking force, and it could not be denied to him. The advance found the ranch as quiet and silent as night could make it. The stars looked down on their stealthy approach and the dusk of night mingled its shadows with the colorless buildings and the rude stockade. There was good opportunity for firing on the approaching foe through the crevices between the upright posts. Had they all been foreign to the place, Young would have closed the gates and made it dangerous to approach; but he was unwilling to kill the Calipooias, and knowing that the Wascos would lead the attack, he let them come inside the walls, so he could give Kuk-up and his men a lesson that would prevent their speedy return to the valley.

 

The Wascos came cautiously through the alder grove and part cottonwoods, and were stealing, shadow-like, among the firs that grew close to the east gate of the stockade, when a low whistle from their chief gave them caution to stand still. He was in the lead and stood close by the gate with old Lascalla by his side like a shadow. There is no denying that Nonentee's father was a brave man, for he showed no holding back. Waving a shadowy arm to tell his men to hold back, Kuk-up, followed by Lascalla, entered the gate and examined the premises. There was no sound or movement, and all indicated that the garrison slept the sleep of Oregon night-time. A wave of the arm brought his men around him and the rear guard, following their instructions crept stealthy into the alder grove. The dusky forms of the attacking force were creeping stealthily through the gate, and the last one had only passed through its portals, when it was shut with a loud clang and a bolt shot that made it fast. At this signal war broke forth and surrounded the hostiles for more than they had bargained for. They had imagined it was war of their own making, and their surprise and confusion can be imagined when every voice in the supposed slumbering garrison broke forth in a yell of defiance, and rifle after rifle sent sound and shot forth from the darkness. First of all came the huge mastiff, Bravo, who tore one and another in a furious way and made the darkness more hideous by his diabolical acts. Whether it was dog or demon they could not decide. They had few guns, and before those who had them could use them, or others could point an arrow, half the invading force was prostrate and the rest was inclined to retreat, only that no retreat was possible. They stood in the open and their assailants were in shadow. Having emptied their rifles, the moment required to reload was made use of by old Bravo, who kept up his part of the war. Suddenly a new actor came to the front. From the fireplace emerged old Salal, the cook; she had a dipper in one hand and a kettle of boiling water in the other, which she disposed of by throwing it on the Wasco braves. This was too much even for savage stoicism. The Wascos threw down their guns and the voice of old Lascalla was heard pleading for peace. Ned recognized the tone and also the virtue of protecting Nonentee's parent, so he called off Bravo, who was about to make the old man his meat, and was just in time to turn the chief over to Nonentee who had returned by the western gate to save her sire. Summoning the Wascos to throw down their arms, Young ordered Salal to bring torches and his garrison took care of the prisoners. While the majority were prostrate, dead or wounded, among the living were Kuk-up and Lascalla. The Wasco chief was the worse from a heavy blow over the head with the heavy barrel of Old Man Smith's rifle and some scalding water that the cook had dealt, but was not seriously injured.

 

Lascalla was repentant and Kuk-up was sullen over their overwhelming overthrow. They could not imagine how it came about. The Wascos, having no reason to expect leniency, were in sorrowful anticipation of torture and death. They expected the fate they themselves bestow on captive enemies and assume the stoical indifference the Indian warrior thinks becoming under such circumstances. They were eventually much surprised when their enemies bound up their wounds and turned them loose with only words of stern admonition; this broke down the stoicism and made them show more feeling than any fear of death could have extorted. They learned the difference between barbarism and civilization in a single night, and went back to Wasco land considerably wiser, though no purity of reasoning could impress their minds with any respect for the warriors who seemed not to fear the devil himself, but did not care to torture enemies captured in war at risk of their own lives.

 

The majority of the Indians who had been left outside were Calipooias, and all the killed and wounded had been Wascos. The outsiders withdrew to the nearest shelter of woods, and remained there until morning dawned on the battlefield. Daylight found Kuk-up with a broken head and scalded body, but the head was tied up and the body salved by good old Salal, whose methods of warfare were not so satisfactory as they were efficient. Old Lascalla was also a subject for repairs, but his scalds were not dangerous. Several of those who were down were only wounded, but a number had closed their accounts and were ready for burial. As soon as day had wakened the living and brightened the world, a messenger was sent


 forth in the person of one of the Calipooias who escaped slaughter, and all on the outside were requested to listen to another speech from poor old Lascalla. This eminent chieftain was inclined for peace, and now remembered many benefits the presence of the white men had conferred upon them. Kuk-up, of Wasco, confessed that he had done wrong and had led his people into trouble. They all ate humble-pie, and when Ewing Young opened his gates the discomfitted red men bore their dead away and blamed themselves for all their trouble. They blamed Kuk-up, who stirred them to war and escaped better than many had. He was very docile, and as soon as his wounded were able to travel they took their way to the mountains again, sadder and wiser, by a great deal, then when they came.

 

Ewing Young did not let them go away without explaining to them his own great powers as a medicine man. He said: "You have medicine men, but what do they know more than any of you do, or can if you will study the common things of life. They cannot know what I knew, as it went on". Then he recited to them their various meetings and councils held in the fir grove and the great lodge. He was able to specify many things he did not actually know by estimating what would follow from what he did know. This showing up of their conduct and scheming astonished them greatly and made them put full faith in Young's assertion of supernatural powers. As a consequence they never dared again to cross his will or contest his purposes, and he never gave them occasion to do so.

 

Lascalla lost faith in the Wasco chief and cheerfully gave his daughter to Ned, who gave her all care and kindness for many years. She was unusually bright and competent, and when Ewing Young died, a few years later, she helped Ned to build up a future for himself.

 

When white people came in and occupied the land, she and Ned had a nice family. They felt that they were not of caste to be appreciated by society here, so they sold and moved east of the Cascades, where they found others, half caste also, and made a society of their own. Ned had a comfortable independence and brought up the family to be good stockmen and the best of citizens.

 

 

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Page 138

 

 

WILLIAM LEE DAVIDSON EWING LETTER - 1836

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 2 - May 1997, pages 8-12]

 

[This letter was sent to us by Alicia Towster. The comments that have been added to the letter are typed as they appeared in the copy received.]

 

1836 WASHINGTON D.C. Letter (mailed FREE)

FROM SENATOR WILLIAM LEE DAVIDSON EWING

TO FINIS YOUNG EWING [Cousins]

 

[Original letter is in possession of Barbara Ewing Skimina, as of August, 1991. She descends from William Lee Davidson Ewing, oldest son of Rev. Finis Ewing. [Uncle who founded Presbyterian Church]

 

William Lee Davidson Ewing at this point in time (1836), was appointed to fill vacancy in U. S. Senate and served from Dec. 30, 1835 to March 3, 1837. In 1838, 1840 was an ILL House of Representative and chosen at both sessions the Speaker over Abraham Lincoln. In 1820 he was appointed by Pres. Monroe as receiver of the land office, served ILL house of Rep. and Senate; and served 15 days as Governor of ILL in 1834.

 

William L. D. Ewing, 41, the 2nd oldest, born 1795, is writing to his brother, 16 years younger, Finis Young Ewing, 25, the 9th child of Finis and Peggy D. Ewing born 1811. This younger brother named his 3rd son after this big brother. (We're from a younger brother, Bob, #12 of 13; b. 1816/19, 17/20 yrs.)

 

Just that Spring, in Feb-March, 1836, the Alamo was defended by 200 TX volunteers including Davy Crocket, Bowie, . . . They were massacred by 4,000 of Gen'l Santa Ana's troops. A cousin, James Ewing died at the Alamo (also a Harris, both from TN. Six weeks later a victory at San Jacinto under Sam Houston, secured Texas Independence. A lot of massacres took place between that time by Mexican troops. Rather messy.

 

William says he just received his brothers June 10th letter, and it took 49 days to receive it, since this is dated July 29th.]

 

Dear Brother

 

Verily, I was glad - absolutely rejoiced this morning when I received your letter dated June 10. I had almost despaired of your escaping from that land of ignorance treachery and assassination. [Texas?!] Your journey in (is), was a most adventurous and a anguish (???) one - aye both, in an eminent degree. Well, you know whom to thank for your safe return to the bosom of society and friends and relations. And no doubt your acknowledgements were rendered from the depths of a grateful heart. Your acquisitions have been important, if you had returned naked, hungry and without money - for, what's can, or ought to be weighted in the balance against health. But besides this most invaluable acquisition, you have acquired (crossed out), experience and a knowledge of a Country that is now attracting much interest in this Country, and which although, it has been known to a Christian people for the last 150 years - yet it has been buried in superstition and ignorance for the greater part of that period. Such severe service as a person must necessarily undergo in an adventure and as a journey of this kind, you have just returned from, if the Constitution can bear it, contributes infinitely more than anything also to the invigoration of the physical powers, general health and constitution. I congratulate you on your safe return, not only on your own account, but especially that of our venerable parents, not forgetting my own.

 

I am really glad to hear from the different branches of our family. And yet the intelligence imparts many melancholy feelings. I never can think of my poor sister Winifred without the deepest feelings of pain and sorrow. Her amiable and good qualities, her quiet (Meek-ness ?) and her sufferings have always endeared her to me. Poor Mary! Indeed I pity her from the bottom of my heart. A drunken husband is a heart of all others the most to be detested. He breaks the heart of his wife beggars his children - may more, makes them fit subjects for the poor house, jail and gallows. In a word he is every thing that a man and husband should not be.

 

[Mary's husband, Archibald Kavanaugh died the following year, Sept. 1837, and she remarried her 1st cousin, Chatham, son of Chatham Ewing. Somehow Archibald Kavanaugh must be related to William Kavanaugh - the eloquent minister who moved to every state and Robert C. Ewing admired.]

 

My good sister Margery is as kind and ugly as ever I suppose.

[She was married to Rev. Robert Sloan of Kansas City.}

                                                            Rea is a man

 

I've never seen - suppose however he is a pretty clever fellow or Pamela would not have had him.

[Pamela's 2nd husband: Horsely Rea; 1st was James Weir Read.]

By the by, I am a thorough convert from the use of any (then crossed out 'any) intoxicating drink, of any kind or sort, and not withstanding I am so situated at this time, that grants inducements every day array themselves before me to drink deep of the juice of the vine, at public dinners to which I am daily invited. Yet I taste not at ale, nor have I for the last four months and more I never will.

 

Your amiable and highly intellectual friend, Morrison, is dead. He left us all disconsolate for the severe affliction. His poor wife miserable -- truly miserable. My little family too, has not exacted the (discolating wand of the file distrogen.) Finis, my best beloved boy, has gone down to the grave, the common receptacle [receptacle] of all creative beings. What then is a heaven all nature proves, and that, heaven was created for such as he, I entertain the liveliest hope and the fullest belief.

 

This session is drawing to a close. We will operate on the 4th prox. much ( ) of deep interest to the nation, has received the action of Congress. The most important measure which has become a law at the present session is the ( ) and ( ) ( ) Bill. On that Bill your Senators were divided. Senator B [Benton] voting in a minority of 6 against the bill - one of whom, was an opertunist. The public prints will impart to you the principles of the Bill. In ( ) the policy which dictated it - of (crossed out "of") rather doubtful, I however voted for the bill. And willing to try the experiment.

 

What plan should be adopted to arrest poor Kavanaugh in his mad and wicked course. Can no rational plan be fallen upon ? This will ruin all that is dear, or ought to be dear to him, and inevitably destroy himself. Who knows what the drunkard will do? What act perpetrate? We know that all his acts turn directly to the distruction and blight of everything around him. Can he not be reclaimed? Has he gone too far?

 

Give my love to father, mother, brothers, sisters and friends. If I am alive and in health, I will pay you all a visit in the month of April or May, next.

 

It's not known whether I shall be reelected or not. I should be, if I could be present.

[He was not reelected.]

 

What business will you embark in? Have you yet determined? You ought to go down to St Louis and get of Governor Dumklin? a contract of surveying in your state. If your health is restored, this I vice in such a business would ( ? ) establish it invigorte your constitution, and besides, with prudent management and dispatch, the contract would result profitably.

 

You can get any recommendation, I presume, as our father is (obvious) the Centurion of the Faithful in that section of that broad Republic.

 

By the way, you know "desperate --seases re and my opinion is, in regard to our

[Copy too blurred & worn to translate completely]

that our

venerable father, the Rev. W. , Rea, Ruby with them families, as well as yourself our brother Bob together with th. . . friends the Rev. Kavanaugh, M. Ewing and myself had better again to at his Ky [Kentucky] house (turn ? time) this fall and make a upon his propensity for expensive drink by the (force?) of example -- by the of example. Our good mother should be the over th. . . and we should enter upon a - get drunk and ca (carouse?). . . for about a week - eat everything (he?) had that as edible -- drink ale that he had, that was drinkable -- turn the cattle into the corn fields -- which the children -- off the negroes -- mule driven the . . . . . . , burn the chairs, tables, . . . . . etc. etc. -- show him a portrait of the Drunkard - bloated, His wife broken hearted his children in rags, the house and (farm?) dilapidating - his substance wasted with the personification of the demon of disolation p . . . . over the . . . . . . . , not unlike the voracious vulture, when gloating over his prey. Would this be too disperate a . . . . . . . .? It is not right to trifle with such matters I know, but I hope the idea might not be without its effect.

 

Again I say give my love to all that love or respect me. Write me at Vandalia. (leave ?) here for home in 4 days.

                                                            Your brother,

                                                                        W.L.D. Ewing

                                                                        July 29. 1836

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Page 142

 

 

MAKING HISTORY COME ALIVE

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 2 - May 1997, pages 13-15]

 

Source: Through correspondence with Clan Ewing, we were able to learn a little about Gene Ewing and requested that he send us an article about his whittling activities. Gene's work is part of a State of Kentucky traveling Museum of History. His works represents the Green River area. The following article was published in The Gleaner newspaper, _______________, Kentucky. The article "Spottsville man can make history really come alive" was written by Judy Jenkins, a staff writer for The Gleaner. We appreciate Gene sending this article to us. Editor

 

 

For some people, history is nothing more than the dead past, relegated to the pages of a textbook.

 

But for Gene Ewing, those yesterdays are as vivid as the plaid in the shirts he favors and as solid as the cabins he restores and the wood he whittles into images from the long ago.

 

This 60-year-old Spottsville resident is more comfortable with the things his grandparents found familiar than with the high-tech instruments of his own era.

 

When the world is too much with him, he steps off the back porch of his home and, with his canine buddies at his heels, strides across his tree-dotted property and into an earlier day.

 

There, on a light rise in the land, are the two cabins he salvaged from other sites, hauled to his place on the Old Henderson-Spottsville Road, and put back together one log at a time.

 

He steps through the door and into a less-complicated period.

 

That period, he reckons, is perfect for the observation of Thanksgiving, and that's why he and some 24 family members on Thursday gathered around a long table covered with red and white checked tablecloths and had turkey cooked in his mama's stove in the lean-to-kitchen that connects the cabins.

 

The people he loves best were there, including Judith, his wife of 40 years, son Ricky and daughter-in-law Mavis, daughter Patricia Ewing Gish and son-in-law Kenneth, grandchildren and other kinfolk.

 

The place was a lot more crowded than it usually is. Often, Ewing is there alone, adding kindling to the fire and basking in its warmth.

 

Next thing he knows, he's picked up a piece of wood from his "whittlin' box," unfolded his pocket knife and put blade to chunk of pine, walnut or whatever is handy.

 

"I never know what it's going to wind up being'," he says, his grammar as rustic as the smell of the wood smoke and the bare beams of the cabins.

 

Sometimes the creations turn out to be miniature dwellings, complete with tiny furnishings and cut-away roofs that reveal the interiors. Sometimes they're paddle boats like the ones that once churned down the Green River, and sometimes they're more simple items, like replicas of the axes used more than a century ago to dress the logs for those cabins.

 

He also likes to capture part of his family history in wood.

 

In tribute to his grandmother, midwife America Key, who delivered some 3,000 babies in the Springfield, Ky., area, he carved a pipe and other items she would have recognized. Yep, she smoked a pipe. She also was a talented seamstress and bread baker.

 

Ewing's dad was colorful, too. That fellow left home on a mule at the age of 13, trying to track down the villain who'd shot his father to death. He didn't get the justice he sought, but he did become a self-made man who wound up floating mile-long rafts of logs from Jim Town, Ky., down the Green River to the steam mill in Evansville.

 

It was on one such expedition in 1939 that he fell in love with Spottsville, sitting high on the banks of that river, and bought a tract of land for his family.

 

Gene Ewing, a retired construction worker, has been there ever since.

 

His cabins comprise the closest thing Spottsville has to a museum. One of them, the smaller one restored by Ewing in 1983, was discovered inside a house being torn down. Ewing, who calls his mini-settlement a "Pioneer Trading Post," believes it was one of the first cabins in that community and is more than 150 years old.

 

The bigger cabin came from a site on Smith-Staples Road. Both structures are of yellow poplar, with lofts and, no doubt, intriguing stories of the people their walls once sheltered.

 

Ewing wishes he knew those stories, but this genealogy buff knows plenty of others from his own clan. For instance, his mom's cousin Eliza James Colburn, was related to the legendary Jesse James.

 

Her picture is one of the scores of antique items displayed in the cabins. Also there are aged iron skillets, rolling pens, tools and treasures like his daddy's first pair of shoes, small three-button footwear placed in a sealed fruit jar to preserve them.

 

About the only thing the cabins need, Ewing figures, is a view of a lake.

 

"I'mgonna' build one someday," he says, "and then I'll watch the deer come down and drink out of it."

 And he'll sit on his back porch and contentedly whittle, secure in thepastas the rest of the planet rushes toward the year 2000.

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Page 145

 

 

JAMES EWING (c 1777-1833/34)                 Part 1 of 2

 

NOTE: A more complete transcription of this material written by George D. Ewing was posted in July 2008. This more recent transcription may be reached by clicking here.

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 2 - May 1997, pages 19-26]

 

Source: We wish to express our appreciation to Mrs. Evelyn Ewing Glass who sent us a booklet that was written in 1922. Based on the contents of this booklet, we decided to reprint the entire booklet in two parts. From the booklet, we have extracted the names that are presented in Table 1.

 

Ancestral Memoirs by George Douglas Ewing, 1922

 

My grandparents, on my father's side were James Ewing and Robina Scott Ewing. James Ewing was born about the year 1777. His birthplace was in Edinburgh, Scotland. He learned the trade of stamping or printing the color designs on textile goods--often called calico printers; but their work was often on more costly fabrics than cotton goods. His father being engaged in this business, the son learned this trade from his father.

 

It is hard, now, for the young to understand, without considerable study, the difference in the making of goods then from the great manufacturing that prevails now. But few manufacturing establishments existed then. Most all articles for general use were made by what was called "shopmen". It was before steam power was in use.

 

My Grandmother Ewing was also born and raised in the same city as that of Grandfather--Edinburgh, but she had better educational opportunities than did my grandfather. She was of the old Douglas line, whose history runs through more than six centuries of the history of Scotland. She was a graduate of Edinburgh University. She was a cousin to Sir Walter Scott. It is said of her that she was well posted in Scottish history, her ancestors having had something to do in its making.

 

My great-grandfather Ewing and his son James were makers of designs, or patterns, for goods, as well as stampers of such. The designing of patterns required considerable artistic skill. But the son James believed that there were better opportunities in the new world, as the United States were then called, his sweetheart, Robina Scott, sharing his opinion. They had planned to come to America before they were married. They were married, I believe, in the year 1798. They, after their marriage, remained in Scotland for about a year, James Ewing continuing in the business with his father until their departure for the United States.

 

They sailed for the Unites States of America in the year 1799, not expecting their voyage would take more than four weeks; but it was six months after their departure from Scotland before their arrival in New York. Soon after beginning their ocean voyage, a severe storm struck their ship, and it was so badly damaged that it went to a port for repairs. Their first child--a son, whom they named Douglas--was born on the ship.

 

They had intended settling in one of the new western states, preferably Kentucky. They were more in harmony with the opinions and views which had gone out from Jamestown, Virginia, than the Pilgrim's viewpoint, as had been exemplified in Europe and afterwards conformed to by them in this country in their mode of government--the ideals as had been proclaimed by Thomas Jefferson and others, who were descendants of the Jamestown, Virginia settlement, that all men were created free and equal, and had certain inalienable rights, which neither kings nor potentates had any right to take from them.

 

They arrived in Kentucky in the year 1800, and first located at Frankfort. It was at Frankfort that my grandmother taught the first high school for girls that was taught in the state of Kentucky. This was, perhaps, in 1802 or 1803. The winter of 1879-80, I spent at Frankfort. Several of us boarded with the State Auditor, Col. D. Howard Smith. This family were Baptists. One Sunday some of us went with Col. Smith and family to his church. After the services, he asked us to remain and get acquainted with the membership. He introduced me to an old lady. When he called my name this venerable lady seemed somewhat surprised and said: "Can it be possible that you are related to the lady who taught the high school for girls, at Frankfort?" I told her that lady was my grandmother. She answered by saying that she was a most gracious lady and a most worthy teacher, with a fine educations, and a very gifted teacher; that she was one of her pupils.

 

My grandparents had come to the United States with the intention of living in the country, on a farm. Both had so far spent their lives in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, believing that the quiet farm life was preferable to that of the large city.

 

Upon leaving Frankfort, Kentucky, they bought land in Henry county, near New Castle, which was the county seat. Upon this farm they lived all the rest of their lives. Grandmother died in 1832, the husband surviving her a little more than a year. They took much interest in farm life. A few years after getting their farm, they had one of the best orchards in the country. They took much interest in fruit culture, and did what they could to impress upon their neighbors the importance of fruit growing.

 

After their son Douglas, the other children were born as follows: Louisa, Nancy Scott, Fulton, and William H.

 

 

 


Table 1

Descendants of James Ewing and Robina Scott

 


 

 

James Ewing, Immigrant, born c1777 in Edinburgh, Scotland, died c1833-34 in Henry Co., KY. About 1798 in Scotland, he married Robina Scott, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, died 1832, Henry Co., KY.

Known children of James and Robina:

1. Douglas Ewing, born 1799 on board of a ship. He married in New Orleans, La.

    11.  Louisa Spurgeon Ewing married William H. Harrell. She died 1883 in , Daviess Co., Md.

2. Louisa Ewing was married about 1832 to Benjamin F. Spurgeon.

    21.  Robina Spuregeon

    22.  James W. Spuregeon

    23.  Isom Spuregeon

    24.  Catherine Spuregeon

    25.  Benjamin F. Spuregeon

    26.  Alonzo Spuregeon

3. Nancy Scott Ewing died c1781. She married 1st LaFayette Lewis and married 2nd Michael McCormick.

    31.  Frank Lewis

    32.  Sophrona Lewis

    33.  Amanda Lewis

    34.  Carrie Lewis

4. Jessee Fulton Ewing born 4 Nov 1809, died 18 July 1889. He married, the 12 or 14 March 1833, Rachel Watkins Robbins. She was born 13 June 1814, died 15 Nov 1883.

    41.  Mary Frances Ewing born 31 May 1835, died 10 Oct 1913. She married John J. Morgan 10 Nov 1853. He died 24 Sept 1911.

    42.  William Pryor Ewing born 28 Aug 1837, died Nov 1920. He married Elizabeth Cook Latty 28 Jan 1857. She was born 17 Sept 1849 and died 1922.

    43.  Augustus M. Ewing born 25 Nov 1839, died 1907. He married Lucy Basey 20 Dec 1873.

    44.  George Douglas Ewing born 2 Jan 1842. He married Artimecia Bain 13 Jan 1865. She died 24 Sept 1918, MO.

    45.  Abel Robins Ewing born 31 Aug 1844, died 19 May 1918 Mitchell, IN. He married Mattie D. Thompson 25 Feb 1870. She died c1917, Mitchell, IN.

    46.  Elizabeth Ewing born 20 Feb 1847, died 2 Jan 1921. She married 30 Mar 1870 William Spillman born 30 Dec 1835, died 27 Jan 1907.

5. William H. Ewing died in his 93rd year in Gentry Co., Md. He married 1st in 1835, Honora Robbins and married 2nd Lina Sulzer. Honora died 1850 in Gentry Co., Md.

    51.  Abel Robins Ewing died c1864, GA.

    52.  Mary Louisa Ewing married Richard J. O’Bryant.

    53.  Thomas Newton Ewing died 1919. He married Sarah Shar.

    54.  Benjamin Fulton Ewing married Elizabeth Akes.

    55.  Ophelia C. Ewing born 2 May 1849, died 1872. She married Sidney Young.

    56.  Martha Ewing

    57.  Ruth Ewing married Joseph Tracy

    58.  Nora Ewing

    59.  Lilburn Ewing married a Miss. Cole.

    5A   Simpson Ewing

 

While Grandfather Ewing and his wife were foreign-born, they came to the United States with the intention of making this country their future home. It was their intentions to help in doing those things which would assist in making this the best country for peace and happiness in the world. To do so, as they though it necessary to stand for those things which would develop intelligence and a highly developed citizenship, the people being the sovereigns, instead of kings and autocrats. The governments, both state and national, will not go beyond the intelligence of its citizens or sovereigns.

 

They knew that in England, where kings and autocrats ruled, the people were more or less slaves. Now, as we had a government of the people, by the people, for the people, to hold fast to it, lest it slip away. In monarchial countries, by reason of relationship, the offices were inherited. Great estates were held for generations, as a hereditary estate, which could not be cold by the holders, however profligate these scions of nobility might be.

 

Under the first constitution for Kentucky, the county courts were self-perpetuating; that is, the court, itself, selected its own members. The oldest commissioned member, every two years, became, automatically, the sheriff of the county. But before his being elevated to the sheriff's office, the three judges would elect a new member, who, in six more years, would become the county sheriff.

 

The county court, being in charge of the fiscal affairs, was of much importance. It seems, at this time, that the citizens thought that the retiring judge had most of the intelligence that should have been more equally distributed between three judges. A number of the citizens of the county met and, as they believed, had agreed upon a competent man to fill the vacancy soon to occur. This committee made Grandfather Ewing their spokesman to recommend their selection to the court to fill the vacancy. His speech to the court was about as follows:

 

"Gintlemen of the court: If it pl'ases your 'onors, we are before you to recommind, as we belave, a proper person to fill the vacancy soon to occur. We fale, to some extent, the importance of this office to the people and desire to get the best man possible. We think, gintlemen, that the man we suggest will add strength to your body; for we bel'ave that upon the retirement of the senior judge this court will be pretty w'ake."

 

It is said that notwithstanding this pointed speech, the court elected the one recommended.

 

It is difficult, now, for the young to understand the many hardships and environments through which the first settler passed. According to their opportunities; they made a noble fight, and laid a solid foundation upon which others could build a model government, from local affairs reaching out and up to the top, all inter-allied and coworkers in a people's government, for the good of all the people.

 

In those days, in a new country, there were but few really educated men. Even circuit judges, as well as other officials, were not able of themselves to make an order for record that was anything like correct in diction. Frequently Grandmother Ewing was called upon by the county courts, as well as the circuit courts, to revise the rough drafts of court records and get them in shape before they were recorded. The judges were usually men of good practical sense and well understood their educational deficiencies, and did the things that good hard sense dictated the necessary thing.

 

In the summer of 1911 our son-in-law and our daughter, T. C. Beasley and wife, made a trip to Europe. They went especially to visit England, Ireland, and Scotland; but more especially Scotland, to see the land from which our paternal ancestry came.

 

After arriving at Liverpool, they went on to London. There they visited many of the places of interest--The House of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Bank of England, the Tower of London. In this last named place, if the mute walls could speak, what a chapter of tragedies they might tell, of the thousands who had been committed to prison, there, for opinions they held on religious matters, during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scotts, often called, for her cruelties, "Bloody Mary." She was a rabid Papist, and committed many to the Tower at London, whose heads were severed from their bodies, because they were Protestants and would not subscribe to picture and emblem worship taught by the Pope at Rome and his satellites. The executioner's ax is still to be seen in the basement of this old prison, a silent reminder of the cruelties and horrible tragedies under the guise of religion.

 

From England they went through Ireland, in tourist conveyances. Unhappy Ireland, where the very rich own most of the land. They lease it to the tenants, who, generally, are quite poor--only a few acres to each tenant. Many of them live in little houses with a straw roof. They visited the great Irish city, Doublin. They saw, there, the Blarney Stone, around which so much superstition has grown. There they go (so many) to kiss this old stone, supposing that it will bring good luck. The steps leading down to it are greatly worn by the millions of feet that have gone down to kiss this rock, around which so much superstition is woven. Even the stone, itself, is worn by the lips that have been pressed against it.

 

The Irish are a sensible people. It is strange to what an extent superstition has wrought on them; but it dates back for many centuries. They are so tenacious that they will not let up on the wily cult which holds them, and is largely responsible for their unhappy political condition. South Ireland is the maelstrom of confusion; North Ireland is largely Protestant.

 

In Scotland they saw many of the same old scenes with which our ancestry was familiar, a century and a quarter ago. Edinburgh, with its quaint old buildings, some them many centuries old. They visited Edinburgh University, where our great-grandmother, in girlhood, attended school. They took boat rides on the Firth of Forth, of which our forbears were wont to talk, out to the old Stirling Castle, which was the home of many kings and nobility.

 

It was in this old castle that one of the Douglases was slain in battle, in trying to wrest it from Scotland's enemies. His body was buried under the window through which it was thrown. Queen Victoria, of England, during her reign, had the grave properly marked; also, a memorial room fitted up in the castle--the same one in which he was killed. Mr. Beasley and wife brought for me some souvenirs bought in the Douglas room at Stirling Castle.

 

They Visited the home of Sir Walter Scott, called Abbots-Ford, which is three miles from Edinburgh.

 

From the ramparts of Stirling Castle a bridge can be seen that spans the River Forth, which has been there for many centuries. It is supposed to have been built during the Norman invasion. They now have a new bridge, as they call it--built about 150 years ago. From the ramparts of old Stirling Castle may be seen, in the distance, where Robert Bruce fought the battle of Bannockburn and regained the kingdom of Scotland, wrestling it from the Brittons. This was June 6, 1314--a memorable victory to Scotland, it was.

 

My mother's father was Abel Robbins, born in Greenbriar county, Virginia, but principally raised in Monroe county, of the same state. Both counties are now in the state of West Virginia. Her mother was Mary Davis Watkins, born in western Pennsylvania, near where Pittsburgh is now located.

 

Abel Robbins was born 1779. Mary D. Watkins, who became his wife, was about two years younger. While these two families could trace their lineage back to the first English settlement made in America, at Jamestown, Virginia, in May 1607. This antedates the settlement at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts by a few years.

 

Abel Robbins' father was John Robbins, who became a soldier in the Continental Army, soon after the war for American independence was begun. The name of John Robbins' wife, the mother of Abel, I do not now remember. There were two children born and reared to their union. The eldest was the daughter, Charity, who was more than two years older than her brother Abel. As orally handed down, the record is about as follows:

 

John Robbins remained in the army from the time of his enlistment until he was killed in battle, at Yorktown. After the British success at Charlestown, South Carolina, then into North Carolina and on into Virginia, Lord Cornwallis came down from New York and took immediate command of the British army.

 

He saw that General Washington, aided by the French, under General LaFayette, was striving hard to cut him off from his supplies. He chose Yorktown for his base, thinking, it seems, that he would have a sea outlet from whence to draw needed supplies; but in this he had miscalculated, for the French fleet took his sea outlet from him, while Washington, with the aid of the French, cut off his supplies by land.

 

But, some time before, John Robbins had moved his wife and children to the vicinity of Yorktown. Soon Cornwallis was compelled to send out foraging detachments by the most unguarded ways in order to obtain much needed supplies. Early one morning, John Robbins' wife was milking a cow, near the roadside. A detachment of the British came up, unawares to her, and without notifying her of danger, shot the cow; but, in dressing the meat, preparatory to taking it with them, a detachment of American troops came up. John Robbins was one of this detachment. The Americans opened fire on the enemy and soon put them to rout without their booty. A running fight ensued. In this John Robbins was killed, some distance from his home. His comrades brought his body back home. They said he seemed so enraged at the wanton cruelty to his wife, in shooting the cow without notifying her of her danger, that he did not display the usual caution manifested by soldiers of long training.

 

Not long after the death of John Robbins, Cornwallis surrendered his army to the allies. The war was soon over. The Americans had gained all they were fighting for. The independence of the United States of America was an accomplished fact.

 

Not long after the close of the war, the widow and her two children moved back to Monroe county to their former home. She remained a widow for several years, but finally married a man by the same name--John Robbins; but the two men were not related.

 

(End of part 1.)

 

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Page 152

 

 

JAMES EWING (c 1777-1833/34)                            Part 2 of 2

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 3 - August 1997, pages 7-14]

 

Source: We wish to express our appreciation to Mrs. Evelyn Ewing Glass who sent us a booklet that was written in 1922. Based on the contents of this booklet, we decided to reprint the entire booklet in two parts. See the May 1997 journal for part 1.

 

Ancestral Memoirs by George Douglas Ewing, 1922

 

The second husband seemed to be successful as a farmer and in his business affairs; he accumulated property, it seemed, with ease. But it seemed that he looked upon his stepchildren more as a chattel property than that of children to be educated for useful positions in life. In those by-gone days, it was thought, in many places, that girl children needed but little education -- to read and write, with a little knowledge of geography, was sufficient for girls. But the boys, for business purposes, should be farther advanced. But this stepfather refused to let his stepchildren to go to school at all.

 

The boy, Abel, was ambitious to get an education and become a surveyor, like General Washington was. He was now about twelve years old, and had never had any schooling at all. He had several times seen Washington, whose dignified manners and pleasing address had made him Abel's ideal of a noble manhood. Abel's ambition to become a surveyor, like General Washington, yet denied school privileges. -- What a dilemma for an ambitious boy. He had only one in whom he could confide that he thought might be able to assist him; that was mother. As a good mother, she sympathized with the ambitions of her son; but what could she do? The edict had been made that in the fields, at work, was the place for Abel. From this decision she knew that her husband would be hard to move; but the love for her fatherless son inspired her with some strategy. She knew that her husband loved the esteem of his neighbors and their plaudits for his business sagacity. This had as strong hold on him as his love of property. She went to some of her influential neighbors, told them her troubles, and suggested to them that the most sure way to succeed with her husband was through the medium of flattery. These neighbors had observed Abel, and knew something of his ambitions. They told his mother that they had observed the ambitions of her boy, and would assist her all they could.

 

Soon thereafter these men, apparently without any real design, saw their opportunity. They praised the stepfather as a great farmer -- that it appeared that most everything that he undertook was successfully carried out; that they were proud of him as a neighbor and a progressive citizen; but they thought he was in error in not sending the stepchildren to school.

 

They obtained the promise that Abel might go to school that winter, but for Charity, her mother could teach her all that was necessary for her to know. These neighbors soon communicated to the mother the promise which they had obtained. Abel was soon advised by his mother that he could go to school that winter. What new hopes were awakened in his mind -- A SURVEYOR LIKE GENERAL WASHINGTON ! -- What a happy thought!

 

Although now twelve years of age, he had never attended school. Yet, his mother had taught his sister and he as best she could. The mother was a pretty good speller, and could read and write, but was not capable of advancing them much farther.

 

School time came on. The teacher employed was an Irishman. At the beginning of the school, the teacher prepared a section of a "gum," such as were then used instead of boxes or barrels, which was the post of honor upon which the head of the class stood. He also had announced that he would give a prize of fifty cents to the member of each class obtaining the most weekly headmarks in spelling.

 

Abel had never had so much money. Could he win the prize? He resolved to try. Hope ran high, as he thought of being the victor. The school was nearing its close. One boy was a close competitor. The last week came, and the two boys had an equal number of headmarks, with Abel's opponent on the "gum," with only the last lesson to hear. Abel, with the assistance of his mother, had studied this last lesson with much interest. The class was called for the last spelling lesson.

 

The lesson was half through, the boy on the gum missed a word; Abel being next, spelled it and took the post of honor on the "gum." At the close of the lesson, the teacher said: "That is the last lesson." Abel, in the exuberance of his feelings replied: "Yes, and I am on the "gum.'" "You have been a good pupil and have studied hard. I hope you may gain your ambition and make a surveyor. In all you do through life, make all honorable efforts to keep on the 'GUM.'"

 

But sordidness so possessed the stepfather that even the love of praise would not induce him to let Abel go to school again; so all of his teaching in school was in that three months; but he resolved to be a surveyor, like General Washington was. His sister, Charity, was never permitted to attend school at all. But the children had friends among their educated neighbors especially among some school teacher in their community. These undertook to teach them, as opportunity afforded.

 

The teachers suggested the books necessary for the two children; but to get the books that were necessary was now the trouble. The mother nor the children had it, nor would the stepfather furnish the means. It looked dark for this boy's ambition to become a surveyor. It was then crisp autumn weather. The mother suggested to Abel that he gather chestnuts and sell them to buy books. Chestnuts were then plentiful in the mountains. When the moon was giving light, with the aid of bark torches he could easily find them. His stepfather had before refused to give him time in the daytime. His stepfather finally refused him privilege to go at night, saying that when he was up so late at night, he could not work so well during the day; but Abel was now seventeen years old, and he persisted in getting the nuts at night.

 

In those days witches and ghosts were thought much about, even with people who should have known better. The stepfather tried to scare Abel from nut-gathering at night, by telling him hideous ghost stories. But his mother did not believe such stories, and told him to watch, for she feared that someone was going to try to scare him. He well-knew who that someone was.

 

One night, as he was on the mountainside at work nut-gathering, he heard an unusual noise, with hideous moans and cries. Finally it came near enough that he could see the white thing coming, its arms extended, with hideous groans. Abel, like David, of old, was good at stone throwing. He waited until it was almost upon him; then he let fly a rock. The monster fell, but soon regained it feet, but without the white sheet. It was his stepfather, and he was going to whip the boy for throwing the stone. But Abel told him he would never whip him again.

 

These teachers were very helpful to him. He managed to get the necessary books to study. By the sympathy and helpfulness of teachers and friends, he pursued his studies until he was of age.

 

He remained at home all of these years. Then he and his sister received their portion of their father's estate, which was quite small. They bought three horses and a wagon, and putting their belongings in the wagon, Charity rode the extra horse while her brother drove the wagon. They were going to Henry county, Kentucky, where they had some acquaintances.

 

But the parting with their mother and their half-brothers and sister was to them a sad farewell. They believed they were looking upon their mother and the younger children for the last time. The mother had passed through many sorrows. She had been a good mother to them as well as the other children. It was her actions and mother's love that had shielded them during their young lives. Now they were looking into her beloved face for the last time, as they believed -- and it really was. They shed but few tears at the thought of the separation with their stepfather.

 

The travels to Kentucky, owing to the roughness of much of the country and lack of roads, was a considerable task. At night they would stay in towns or with the settlers. It was then unusual to be denied the accommodations that these new homes might furnish.

 

They came by way of Wytheville, Abbington, Jonesville, to Cumberland Gap, at the Southwestern point of Virginia, on the borders of Tennessee and Kentucky, there were but few settlements. Virginia hospitality was equally as liberal in these Kentucky mountains: whatever the home had was freely extended to travelers. After reaching the bluegrass country travel was easy until reaching their destination, in Henry county, where they had friends.

 

A short time before this, Evan Watkins had moved his family from Pennsylvania to near New Castle, in Henry county, Kentucky. This family consisted of Evan Watkins and Theressa Watkins, his wife, and their seven children.

 

This family was possessed of more property than was common, then, with the new settlers. The father bought a good body of land, on which they located. Kentucky had never been laid out by government surveys, as the newer states have been; so careful surveying was quite necessary to clearly define boundaries, hence, to get a competent surveyor was the first thing that business prudence required.

 

Abel Robbins had contracted for two hundred acres in the western part of the county, near the Oldham county line. The contract price to paid was one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, with easy payments. On this he had built a one-room log cabin. This, in after years, he said, was a hard-looking home. In this he was living alone. His sister, Charity, was living with former Virginia friends, not far from New Castle.

 

There were no churches where Abel Robbins lived. This locality was settling rapidly with substantial citizens. A church house was needed, and agitation began to build one. Abel Robbins gave an acre of land on his farm, for it's location, besides assisting materially in it's building. A good log house was soon erected, the Methodist Episcopal Church owning it. This was many years before the division of the church and the formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. After the church division, this church, which was name Olivet, reverted to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. From its first building, near the year 1800, until its removal to Pendleton, after the building of the Louisville and Cincinnati railroad. The desire to have it in a railroad town was the cause of its removal, about the year 1872. Mount Olivet, at its first location, was a power for good for more than seventy years.

 

By this time Abel Robbins had gained quite a reputation for his correct surveying. He was called on by Evan Watkins to survey his lands. It was while at this work, at the Watkins home, that he became acquainted with Mary Davis Watkins, who afterwards became his wife. He long afterwards said he was not financially able to hire help to improve his farm, but was away much of the time, surveying, in order to get his land fully paid for. The farm was not much improved and the little cabin home looked pretty sorry.

 

In those days churches were few -- people went long distances to attend church. The mode of travel was on horseback. He engaged the company of Miss Mary D. Watkins to attend Mount Olivet Church, in the near future. In going to the church, it was necessary to go over his farm and by the little cabin. He did not then tell the young lady that was his farm, and that little cabin was his home. She, in looking at the premises, not knowing the owner, said: "Well, the owner of this farm should keep it in better repair. That little cabin looks bad, as though the owners were careless, if not lazy. If I had to live here, I would try to make things look more comfortable than they do now."

 

Grandfather would laughingly say, many years thereafter, that was one time when he thought silence was golden. He did not tell his companion that this was his farm, and the little cabin was the only home he had to take his wife to, should he marry. But, afterwards, before his marriage, he invited his sweetheart and her twin sister, Prudence, to visit his home and make suggestions as to enlarging the dwelling before the wife's occupancy. The suggestions were to build two large rooms in front, so they could use the little cabin as a kitchen, which they could do with for a few years.

 

With the suggested improvements made, they were married February 29, 1808, and began housekeeping on this farm, which they occupied all the rest of their lives. My grandmother was the possessor of a negro man and his wife, with one or two small children. These came with their young mistress to the new home.

 

Grandfather had his land paid for and was in fairly easy circumstances.

 

These negroes were fine people, absolutely honest and faithful. They were several years older than their young mistress. Their names were Richard and Lucy. Aunt Lucy, as she was called, was a remarkable woman for her race. She was fairly educated and possessed much executive ability. She had the confidence of all who knew her -- both white and black. She took much interest in the Mount Olivet Church, of which she was an esteemed member. Later, I may again refer to her influence in church affairs.

 

Grandfather and wife had twelve children, all living to man's and woman's estate. The oldest was William; then Evan, Charity, Rachel Watkins, Diana, George H., Honora C., Christopher C., Abel M., Theressa L., David and Mary.

 

David enlisted in the United States Army, during the war with Mexico, started with his command to Mexico, but was taken sick and left in a hospital at New Orleans. Soon thereafter he died. He was never married.

 

Charity Robbins, my mother's oldest sister, was a remarkable woman. She never married; but, like Dorcas, of Bible story, was full of helpfulness to others. She never studied medicine with a purpose of becoming a practicing physician, but her knowledge of medicine -- even surgery -- was perhaps equal to many physicians of her time. It was no difference to her whether the call came from the well-to-do or the very poor. Neither did it differ with her whether the sick one was a white person or a back sufferer, she went and ministered to all who called on her for aid. From the poor she would never take compensation for her services. Nor did she ask anything from those who were able to pay, saying she was able to live without it. She was called to the homes in a large community. She was held in high favor with the physicians, many of them claiming she was equal to most physicians, and far above them as a nurse. She lived to be near fifty-two years old. She never married. Her body was laid to rest in Mount Olivet Cemetery, a large concourse of the people attending the funeral. But few, if any, have I known who lived a more unselfish life than did my mother's oldest sister, Charity Robbins.

 

Fulton Ewing and Rachel Watkins Robbins were married March 14, 1833. Grandmother Ewing having shortly before died, they lived with Grandfather Ewing that year, he dying during the year. My father contracted for a farm in Henry County; but when Trimble county was formed, was added to that county. On this farm they lived from March 16, 1834, to March, 1859; then buying another farm, known as the Orr farm, on which they lived the remainder of their lives -- mother until November 15, 1883, father until July 18, 1889.

 

When I was a small boy, my mother took me with her, to visit Grandfather Robbins' home. I was to remain one month or more. To that visit I am indebted for much of which I am writing. Grandfather was well informed, and so considerate for children. When he was at leisure, I would ask him to tell me of his soldier father; of his early life; his going to school; what made the surveyor's compass always turn north, and numerous other questions, such as children may ask of their patient elders. He said I seemed to take more interest in his early life than any other of his grandchildren. He said there was a drawing power in the north, which was called magnet or drawing power; that all nature, to us, was full of mysteries that we could not explain -- the drawing power of the north was one of them.

 

I could sit for hours and listen to his stories of early life. He said he did not remember his father. His mother told him he was about four years old when his father was killed in battle. His sister Charity could remember some things about their father. These stories had great fascination for me. Though more than seventy years have passed since their recital, I have never forgotten them. They were as deeply impressed upon my young mind as though written with a pen of iron.

 

One remarkable incident occurred in 1834, the year our parents moved to the farm on the Little Kentucky River. It was the 16th day of March; peach and other early fruit trees were in full bloom; something unknown before, nor has such occurred since that time.

 

Before this time the country around Mount Olivet had become thickly settled. The old log church was too small. Many of the membership were desirous to build a new brick church. Among those advocating the new church were, Aunt Betsy Smith, Elisha Houseworth, Monroe Smith, Grandfather and Grandmother, Black Aunt Lucy and many others. Uncle Richard, Aunt Lucy's husband, had died some years before. Some of the most financially able were opposing the building of the new church.

 

A day was set for the entire membership to meet at the old church and decide whether to build a new brick church, or do with the old one. Most of the membership attended. One of the wealthiest members was made chairman.

 

Quite a debate was had. Grandfather and other advocates spoke in favor of the new building, while others as strongly opposed it. Finally the vote was taken. Those opposing the building had a majority. Black Aunt Lucy had been a most interested listener. The chairman announced that a motion to adjourn was now in order.

 

This was too much for the old black Christian woman. Slowly she arose, with tears running down her face and said:

    "Marster Chairman, may I speak?"

    "Yes," replied the chairman, "you have as much right to your opinion as any of us; speak on."

    "Marsters and Mistresses: With the help of the Lord, we can build the new house."

 

The chairman, now seeing the most effective speaker had the floor, as well as the attention of the entire audience, said:

    "You say, Aunt Lucy, we can build it! What can you do?"

 

She replied: "I'se got more than one hundred dollars. I'll give half of all I'se got and cook for the workmen while they build the house. Mr. Chairman, if you rich folks will do one-twentieth part as much, we sho'ly will have a fine house."

 

One of the opposers moved to reconsider the vote. This carried. Then another motion to build the new brick house was put. It carried. The new church was soon built, and it was a power for good for that community for years thereafter.

 

In the winter of 1879-80 I visited the old church. Near by was the graves of Grandfather and Grandmother Robbins, Uncle David Watkins and his sister Prudence, Aunt Charity Robbins, two of my little brothers and as many little sisters who died in infancy, Black Richard and his faithful wife, Aunt Lucy and some of their children, and a large number of the early settlers, who had wrought well in their day. I felt that I was on sacred ground.

 

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Page 159

 

 

CAPTAIN ALEXANDER EWING (1752-1822)

by Evelyn Bolton Ewing

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 2 - May 1997, pages 27-29]

 

On the corner of Ewing Drive and Knight Road in Nashville, Tennessee, is a beautiful historical marker erected in honor of Captain Alexander Ewing, Revolutionary War hero. Alexander is a son of John Ewing and a grandson of Alexander Ewing (1677-1738/9) an Immigrant to America in 1727. The text on the historical marker is on both sides.

 

This marker was erected through the efforts of Martha Ewing Henley and her sister Mary Ewing, and was paid for with monetary donations made by them and other descendants of this pioneer couple. Captain Alexander Ewing and Sarah are the third great grandparents of Martha and Mary.

 

The girls knew that their parents, Vernon T. and Evelyn Ewing had spent many hours searching for the Ewing family cemetery after they had found a reference to it in the Library. After their father died in 1989, they determined to make a concerted effort to finish this small piece of his research.

 

They are indebted to Hugh and Bonnie Thompson, long time residents who had spent fifty year of their lives working in this very area. They showed them where the Ewing Plantation was located, where the original mansion house had been until it was destroyed by fire in 1933, and the exact location of the old cemetery. The girls, their mother and aunt spent two days digging and cutting through the undergrowth. Their work was rewarding. They found two or three graves stones, and both took home a first class case of Poison Ivy.

 

After many hours of research, telephone calls, and letter writing, the Ewing sisters had a general idea of the qualifications required for a historical marker for an individual or a couple. They believed that Captain Alexander Ewing and his wife were worthy candidates. One requirement for the marker was the necessity of a proper place to install it, so that there would be access to it without endangering fellow travelers. Mr. Bill Thompson of Nashville, not only donated such a piece of land, but he met with the Metropolitan Planning Commission and helped pave the way for its approval. Thank you Bill.

 

Documents were submitted to the committee, the text was written, donations were made to the Alexander Ewing Fund, and the marker was on its way.

 

Mary wrote to the Veterans Administration in Washington D. C. and was granted a beautiful five foot, white marble gravestone for Alexander. She had it shipped to her home in Mustang, so that she could add Sarah's name and dates to it.

 

In the meantime, Mr. Raymond Waters, who owned much of the original plantation, decided to get a bulldozer in the small lot, and clear all evidence of a cemetery.

 

Calls, letters, and video tapes of the TV news came pouring to the Ewing household. Mr. Waters said on the news tape, "Yes, I do remember there were some graves there when I was a child, but I do not remember very many." Mr. Nick Fielder, State Archaeologist said that if there was to be anything built on the spot, all graves would have to be located, the bodies removed and reburied in another cemetery at the expense of the buyer.

 

After many delays, almost two years later, Martha, Mary and Evelyn went to Nashville and set the stone where old timers said the original stones for Alex and Sarah had been. Walter Green, John Green, Sr., John Green, Jr. and his sister Leanora, and her daughter, Sarah, all descendants of Alexander and Sarah were present for the ceremony and dedication.

 

In the afternoon the Ewing girls planted some flowers and bulbs near the gravestone, and said that they felt a sense of closure on this part of their father's work that he had begun several years before.

 

A few days later, several Nashville citizens who were not proud of other Nashville citizens, sent pictures of the stone after it had been destroyed.

 

Someone who had no respect for the law, and who was not afraid to attack a dead man in the dark of the night, had broken the stone of a Revolutionary War hero, who was wounded fighting for the freedoms we all enjoy today.

 

Sometimes we forget to respect and appreciate our heritage.

 

 

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Page 161

 

 

PRIVATE ROBERT EWING

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No 2 - May 1997, page 30]

 

Congressman Thomas W. Ewing, Pontiac, Illinois is Chairman of the Risk Management and Specialty Crops Subcommittee of the House Agriculture committee and the committee was invited by the British government to visit England and Scotland for a week starting on November 8, 1996.

 

The group had a guided tour of the Edinburgh Castle. Of particular interest is a photograph of a plaque that was on the wall as we visited a prison deep within the castle at Edinburgh. In the prison cells they had some mannequins made up to represent a typical prisoner of the 1800s and low and behold one was a Private Robert Ewing. The wording from the plaque follows:

 

PRIVATE ROBERT EWING

(26th Cameronian Regiment)

 

CHARGE: Drunk on guard.

SENTENCE: 2 months hard labor and 2 months solitary confinement.

DATE: July 1844

 

Robert Ewing (age 24), from Bonhill in Dunbartonshire, had been in the army 4 years when he was caught drunk on guard whilst stationed here in Edinburgh Castle. It was a serious offence.

 

You see him serving the first part of his sentence hard labour. This was usually shot drill, but other punishments were issued. Here Private Ewing is seen separating the strands of old tarred rope, or oakum, for re-use. Other punishments included stone breaking or yard cleaning.

 

During the remainder of his 21 years of army service, Private Ewing served in the East Indies, China and Bermuda and earned good conduct pay and badges.

 

 

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Page 162

 

 

THE SCOTCH-IRISH

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 3 - August 1997, page 15]

 

Source: Thanks to Joe Neff Ewing for sending this article and obtaining permission for Clan Ewing to use the complete article. This article was written by Dr. Joyce Alexander and was published in The Scotch-Irish Society of the United States of America, "An Activity Report March 1997". We are grateful to Dr. Alexander and the Scotch-Irish Society for allowing us to use this article.

 

In recent years a number of writers have attempted to replace the designation Scotch-Irish by the term "Scots-Irish." This is incorrect and must be resisted vigorously. The origin of this error seems to be that, in British English, the word Scotch refers exclusively to the drink, while Scots and Scottish refer to the people. Some, unfamiliar with history and ethnography, have made misguided attempts to assist their American cousins by coining a new term to replace the internationally recognized and ethnographically correct term Scotch-Irish. The incorrect term can create a number of problems: one is that it gives the impression that the ethnic group is a mixture of Scots and of Irish people and is thus, in some sense, Celtic. The Celtic tradition is a fine one, but it is very different from the Scotch-Irish tradition.

 

The description Scotch-Irish was originally applied to Lowland Scots who settled in Ulster and who, after a stay of some generations, moved on to the American colonies (later, the United States). We now include others besides the Scots in this group (for example, Huguenots); the essential characteristics are the early movement to Ulster, the assimilation into the Non-conformist culture, and the subsequent movement to the United States. The term Scotch-Irish has been used here since the early seventeenth century, and was in widespread use in the eighteenth century. (A common complaint in colonial times was that the Scotch-Irish were not amenable to official direction. This description is now, of course, one of which we are proud.)

 

It is vital that we do not allow any latter-day meddling with the term Scotch-Irish. We have a proud and respected tradition; the Scotch-Irish are recognized internationally by academic and other institutions as an authentic and unique component of the American ethnic and cultural mosaic. The term "Scots-Irish" is not so identified: use of this terminology could lead to our losing such recognition. We must do all in our power to prevent this from happening.

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Page 163

 

 

RESEARCH

 

by Jim McMichael

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 3 - August 1997, pages 16-21]

 

Recently, I read an article, "Maximizing Probate Research: An Analysis of Potential, Using English Records from Cornwall", in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly for December 1996, VOL. 84, NO. 4, and it hit home with me about doing research. We will not try to give you all of the article; but, we will give you some statements and the conclusion drawn from the research. The article was written by Ronald A. Hill, Ph.D., Albuquerque, New Mexico. Dr. Hill, a recently retired physicist, has earned a practical education in English genealogical research through a quarter-century of relentless study at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and at many record offices abroad.

 

Dr. Hill states:

 

"Preconceived ideas thwart many research efforts. Combined with the intimidation most people feel upon approaching foreign records, the results can be a needless stalemate or failure. English probate records offer a prime example. Probate files are typically underused in the first place. Many researchers assume their ancestors would not have left wills or that "only the wealthy left estates to probate"."

 

"Typically, American efforts to track the origins of English people focus upon the International Genealogical Index (IGI) of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City--a convenient finding aid for the baptism and marriage records created by Anglican parish priests. Good researchers always go beyond the IGI to the original registers that provided the IGI data."

 

My experience would indicate that WE are guilty of the same things that Dr. Hill stated in the above two paragraphs. Too many times information has been found about a Ewing and the researcher assumed that the information is about his or her ancestor based on name and location. Additional research would have proven that the person is not who they thought it was originally. With the research that is done for the Ewing family names, we have a very difficult time trying to determine the information about a James, John, William, Nathaniel, or some other name. Every generation appears to have used the same names over and over. Therefore, we need to be very careful about attaching an individual to a family.

 

Regarding the research, Dr. Hill wrote: "This article explores the potential that researchers can realize from a comprehensive probate study. It is based upon a two-part question:

 

"Regardless of whether the probate index to a specific jurisdiction includes the ancestor or ancestral family in the parish of interest,

 

[1] "can a researcher justify the time and cost expenditures of studying all probate records of that particular parish?

 

[2] "can a researcher justify the time and cost expenditures of studying all probate records of surrounding parishes?"

 

The above makes me think of the excellent research that Mrs. Margaret Ewing Fife did for nearly twenty years and then publishing most of what she had found in her book, Ewing in Early America, in 1995. She also found some Ewing families that had not been identified before. She also stated some families were different than what some believed. Mrs. Fife purchased many deeds, wills, probate records and many other records for Ewing as well as related families.

 

Mrs. Fife researched the entire Ewing family for two to four generations beginning with the immigrant for each family. By considering the whole, she was in a position to identify which family a person belonged or did not belong to. Sometimes, the information just does not allow a person to fit into a family that someone has claimed he belonged.

 

A good question is: how much more could be learned about the Ewing families if all of the probate and associated records were checked for the counties where the early Ewing families lived? Hold your answer until you have completed reading this article.

 

About the search made by Dr. Hill, he states: "The focus is a cluster of interrelated families in Cornwall, a county that forms England's southwestern promontory. The Pearce and Colwill families, who are emphasized in this paper, resided in the ancient deanery of Trigg Major, which encompassed thirty-two parishes in northern Cornwall."

 

    "The records focused upon the extant holdings of two courts during the century 1600-1700, as follows:

 

            Archdeaconry Court of Cornwall

            Prerogative court of Canterbury (PCC)

 

"The Procedure: The handlist was read for any and all probates occurring in the two deaneries of interest. A table was compiled, noting cases by reference number, year, name of parish, and identity of the deceased. The actual cases were then examined, scanning each document line by line for several types of information on all surnames of interest, as outline below:"

 

Accounts,        (Probate accounts are written statements of receipts and disbursements sometimes made by the administrator.)

Administrations,

Depositions,    (Deposition results when a will is challenged by one or more legatees or relatives who contend that the submitted paper is not the proper testament of the deceased or that the testator did not act with free will and sound mind.)

Probate Acts,  (Probate acts are short descriptions in - in Latin before 1733 - of the action taken by the probate court in each case.)

Wills.

 

The different areas were Accounts, Administrations, Depositions, Inventories and Appraisement, Probate Acts, and Wills.

 

"The results are striking. As shown in table 2, [that table is not included in this article] Pearces created less than 2 percent of the probate cases but are found in three times that many files. (Pearce probates: n=73 or 1.6 percent; Pearce involvements in all cases: n=218 or 4.9 percent.) In 14 of the of the 34 parishes, there were no Pearce probates at all; yet Pearces appear in 33 cases treating other surnames--an average of 2.5 appearances per parish."

 

"The Overall Results for Trigg Major

 

"This project suggest that researchers who seek wills for only the surnames of interest will miss over two-thirds of the available probate data--as illustrated by table 1. Its summary covers all surnames for which the search was conducted completely throughout the deanery. As the bottom line shows: 266 wills were found for 12 surnames of interest; but over twice that number (560) of other-surname wills contained information on members of the 12 studied families.

 

"CONCLUSION

 

"Two patterns have emerged that lend hope to many genealogist and biographers discouraged by prior research. First, for every probate case existing for a surname in this study, there are on average two to three relevant other-name probates in the same or adjoining parishes. Second, even if no probates are found for a given surname in a parish but families of that name live in the parish or an adjoining one, there are on average two to three other-name probates that mention the family of interest. Clearly, a comprehensive search--time-consuming though it can be--is a worthwhile strategy. In the best of cases, it can resolve specific problems of relationship or identity. In other cases, it will enable the researcher to set aside uncertainties, close out research in that particular area, and move on with confidence to other areas that offer potential."

 

Table 1

Family Probates Compared to Appearance in Other-Surname Probates

Deanery of Trigg Major, 1600-1700

Northern Cornwall, England

Family Surname of Interest

Number of Family Cases

Number of Other-Surname Cases Mentioning Family of Interest

Ratio

Primary Interest

 

 

 

Colwill

9

42

4.7

Pearce

73

218

3.0

Secondary Interest

 

 

 

Best

3

10

3.3

Bray

51

87

1.7

Cornish

7

4

0.6

Downing

12

34

2.8

Grigg

33

40

1.2

Joynt

1

8

8.0

Mark

14

29

2.1

Marshall

59

81

1.4

Parminter

0

3

-

Scott

4

4

1.0

Totals

266

560

2.1

 

 

Conclusion:

 

A probated search that is limited to the family of interest can miss two-thirds

of the relevant probate records that exist.

__________

 

To me the findings of Dr. Hill should give us all some hope of finding missing information about our ancestors provided we are willing to spend the time to do the research. It also, would be some cost but not prohibitive.

 

For example, based on information that I readily had available, the film for Cecil county, Maryland that is available through the Mormon Church for research is five rolls of film covering the years 1674-1797. The records available are Administration and guardian bonds, 1674-1797, one roll of film. Inventories 1675-1794, three rolls of film. Wills 1675-1777, one roll of film. A roll of film can be obtained for a six month period for four dollars and twenty-five cents. Some additional records of interest may be available. It takes nine rolls of film to cover the deeds for 1674-1779 plus two rolls of film if you wanted to review the general index for that period of time.

 

Let's look at a Ewing family and then consider if more information could be found for that family. John2 Ewing (Alexander1) got married in America. John came to America with his parents about 1727. With John being one of my ancestors, I have a copy of all the Ewing and Porter wills and deeds for the years 1700-1775 for Cecil county, Maryland. In all of the records that have been researched the name of John Ewing's wife has never been found. John Ewing was still purchasing and selling land in Cecil county in the 1760's. He and his brothers moved to the Cripple Creek area in Virginia and that area is located in Wythe county today.

 

In all of the records for the counties in Virginia involved with this Ewing family no reference is made to the wife of John Ewing. Mrs. Margaret Ewing Fife and I have discussed this in correspondence a number of times.

 

With all of the evidence that I have, I am now inclined to believe that John Ewing's wife most likely died while they were living in Cecil county, Maryland. No proof of this belief. No doubt John got married in Cecil county or just over the Pennsylvania state line in the county of Chester or Lancaster.

 

For some counties in many of the states local genealogists or societies have extracted some of the probate records. For a county in Alabama where my great grandfather Albert Posey lived, someone had extracted and published the probate records. From those records, I was able to identify the maternal grandfather, James Hazel, of my great grandmother Martha Agnes Posey. Martha's mother had died and James Hazel willed some of his estate to the children of their daughter which included my grandmother Martha Agnes Posey McMichael. Without those extracted records, I may not have ever located her parents since I did not know her maiden name.

 

If all of the probate records for Cecil county, Maryland were extracted and published, or someone reviewed all of the records, is it possible that I could identify my great great great great grandmother, the wife of John2 Ewing? How many other Ewings could be properly identified?

 

To say the least, for those of us who have some blanks in our records there appears to be some hope that we can fill in some of the blanks if we expend the energy.

 

I hope you are encouraged by the findings of Dr. Hill. I believe that if the same type of research was done for American records similar results would be found.

 

Good luck with your research.

 

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Page 168

 

 

CIVIL WAR LETTER

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 3 - August 1997, pages 22].

 

Clyde Ewing, Woodburn, OR, writes:

“Thanks for the February and May Journals. We not only found them informative and interesting, but found a mutual friend listed in the February edition whom we have known for more than 35 years.

 

“I am referring to the article about the Lemons and especially Bliss and Ray Pinkerton. Years ago before I retired from the Los Angeles County Fire Department we belonged to the same Mariners Group at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church in Redondo Beach, California.

 

“I am enclosing a copy of a letter [see below] found in the Family Bible written by a young soldier towards the close of the Civil War. His name was Warren Clifton and I found his family in the 1850 census for Franklin Township, Washington County, Indiana. He must have married one of the Ewing girls and if any of your readers have information on him or any member of the Clifton family I would like to hear from them.”

 

The following is a transcript of a letter written on April 17th 1865 from Mobile, Alabama.

 

Dear Sister

 

I seat myself this morning to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am still living and in good helth (sic), at present. Our regiment was in front all the time at Fort Spanish. We fought 13 days there and the fort was evacuated. The rebels went from there to blakely and fought a little there and then surrendered. from there we marched in to mobile without the firing of a gun I think in a short time the war will be at an end and I will be at home to see you all once more

 

Excuse my short letter and I will do better next time so no more at present write soon I remain you Brother

 

                                                Warren Clifton

 

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Page 169

 

 

William Ewing (1711-1781)

 

[Journal of Clan Ewing, Vol 3 No. 4 - November 1997, pages 9-20]

 

[Source: This article is taken from The Ewings of Federick County, Virginia by Evelyn Jones Ewing and James Earl Ewing, Jr. Pages 14 through 26 were used for this article. We sincerely appreciate Evelyn and James allowing us to publish a portion of their book in the journal.]

 

William2 Ewing (John1) was born 1711 in Carnshanagh, Ireland, to John and Janet McElvaney Ewing. With his family, William came to Pennsylvania in 1729, and in April 1737, William moved down from Pennsylvania just six years after settlement began. A letter from Chester County, Pennsylvania indicates William moved to Virginia in April 1737. Footnote

 

At that time, the lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains were known as Indian Country but they promised the land that the German and Scotch-Irish pioneers wanted for homes. Most of these early settlers had left Europe because of religious persecution and had been looking for good land which had not been taken. In Pennsylvania they heard fur traders praise the rich fertile Valley and soon families were moving down hoping to find good farming land where they could live in peace.

 

 The beautiful Valley, with its tall fields of grasses (corn) and abundant wild game, was called "The Valley of the Daughter of the Stars" by the Indian inhabitants. "The Shawnees, the most powerful and warlike of all (the tribes in the area), claimed all the hunting grounds west of the Blue Ridge and as far west across the Allegheny as the Mississippi. They had three large towns in the Valley. One was near where Winchester stands today, one on the North River in Shenandoah County, and one on the South Branch, near where Moorefield (West Virginia) is situated. They did allow other tribes to visit them in the Valley on condition they pay them tribute in skins, or loot." Footnote

 

Some tribes believed that the Great Spirit had given this Valley to all Indians and the coming of the white men who built homes, barns, and fences was resented. The settlers also claimed the right to shoot the Indians if they came on their property.

 

The Virginia Council, in the years 1730-1734, ordered that parcels of land be opened up to those willing to clear and work the land. The first grant in the Valley was obtained in 1730 by John Van Meter, a Dutch fur trader. He received 10,000 acres in the fork of the "Sherando" but he sold his grant in June 1731 to a wealthy German, Hans Jost Heydt, called Joist Hite. In October 1731, Hite, in partnership with a Quaker, Robert McKay, obtained a grant from the Colonial Government to have 100,000 acres of land surveyed on the west side of the mountain, with the agreement to bring in one hundred settlers within two years. Fifty-four families were brought in by Christmas of 1735 with Hite receiving an extension of time. Footnote

 

Alvin Dohme writes in Shenandoah: The Valley Story that actually Hite and McKay became partners when Hite's ox-drawn caravan of 100 German families met McKay's group of Scotch-Irish homesteaders from the seacoast. Both groups were on their way to the Mecklenburg ford on the Potomac River at what is now Shepherdstown, West Virginia, and both were traveling toward the valley in search of available farmland on which to settle their families. "By the time the two groups reached the Potomac ford, a partnership agreement had been worked out whereby they agreed to pool their resources in both land and money and eventually purchase more land from Lord Fairfax. Thus was formed by a chance meeting perhaps the first large land development company west of the Blue Ridge." Footnote

 

Hite and McKay agreed to distribute the land with McKay and his Scotch-Irish occupying the eastern half from Winchester south to Luray and Hite's Germans settling the western half of the tract, from Winchester south to Strasburg and beyond.

 

All this land was in the County of Spotsylvania and so far away from the courts that Hite asked for a new county. Orange, in honor of the Duke of Orange, was organized in 1734. Soon he applied again and in 1738 Orange County was divided into the three counties of Orange, Frederick, and Augusta. Orange became the land east of the mountains and the 'wild west' was divided into Federick and Augusta, named for the Prince and Princess of Wales. Footnote

 

As stated earlier, Joist Hite and Robert McKay purchased their land from Lord Fairfax as John Van Meter had. Thomas Lord Fairfax's grandfather, Lord Culpepper, had received a royal patent from King Charles II in 1649. Called the Proprietary of the Northern Neck, the vast tract of land of about five million acres, extended from the coast west to the Ohio Territory. It included almost all of the northern valley south of Winchester to well below Front Royal.

 

Thomas Lord Fairfax, who inherited the land in 1717, lived in England until 1736 when he came to visit his cousin William Fairfax at Belvoir in what is now Fairfax County. He soon realized that many people were living on his land without his consent. His agents were instructed to request that each settler purchase his land or pay him a small annual quitrent of from two to twenty shillings for every hundred acres. Joist Hite, Robert McKay, and the hundreds of settlers were furious and Hite and McKay had the audacity to take the matter to court. Lord Fairfax returned to England to present the matter to the Privy Council.

 

In 1746, Lord Fairfax returned and soon settled at Greenway Court near White Post in Clarke County. The bachelor, who loved fox hunting, lived in the simple story and a half log house surrounded by smaller homes for servants and tenants. In 1760 a white-oak post was erected a mile from the house to guide those searching his home, but it is said he never allowed a woman on the premises. A replica of the original signpost stands there today.

 

George Washington, when only sixteen years of age, and George William Fairfax, a cousin of Lord Fairfax, were employed in 1748 to survey the northern end of the Fairfax Valley property. Washington's diary describes the extreme hardships of the month long trip, but soon he was out again for several months and without Mr. Fairfax. His performance gained Lord Fairfax's friendship which endured through the years even though Lord Fairfax died in December 1781 soon after the October 1781 Yorktown Surrender. Footnote

 

Our William Ewing arrived in the Valley in 1737 and settled in the eastern area near Stephensburg with other Scotch-Irish families. The area may be seen on the 1885 map of the Frederick County Opequon Magisterial District on page 17. Lewis Stephens, who had come to Virginia with Joist Hite in 1732, founded the town of Stephensburg which is now Stephens City. It was called Newtown for a time. The General Assembly in 1758 made Stephensburg the second town in the valley, following Winchester in 1752.

 

By 1738 there were so many Scotch-Irish in the Valley that they sent the governor of Virginia a petition: "For those who are of the same persuasion as the Church of Scotland . . . to ask your favor in allowing them the liberty of their consciences, and of worshipping God in a way agreeable to the principles of their education." Footnote

 

The governor replied that they would not be interfered with as long as they behaved peaceably, registered their meeting place, and paid their tithes to the Established Church (Anglican) although they did not have to attend it.

 

The Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, called Irish, had finally found a home. From the persecutions in Scotland they fled to Ulster (Northern Ireland). There they soon quarrelled with the Catholic Irish, but they survived the siege of Londonderry. "Catholic monarchs tried to exterminate them. Anglican monarchs called them dissenters, held their marriages illegal, debarred them from office or military rank. Caught between Papist and the Established Church, they made no truce with either. If they could not live in Ireland, they would migrate to America. It they could not live in Pennsylvania, they would move to Virginia . . . they bowed to no temporal authority. Still Presbyterians, they moved on to the south and west." Footnote

 

These hardy pioneers shared the Valley with the native Indians. At first the Indians were friendly and respected the plowed fields. But as more and more settlers arrived in the Valley which was their roadway and their hunting ground, their animals fled and they became restless. The number of raids against the settlers increased until, in the early summer of 1754, after twenty years of sharing the valley, The Indians suddenly left. In 1753 messengers came from the western Indians into the Valley and invited them to cross the Alleghany mountains. Historians believe this was done through the influence of the French who had made friends with the Indians and promised to protect their rights. Footnote

 

The French and Indian War years (1754-1766) were indeed difficult years for the settlers. Many families fled to the coastal settlements on their farm wagons carrying as many possessions as possible. Typical of the ordeals was the Indian burning of Fort Opequon near Winchester where they massacred all the garrison and others taking shelter there except a few of the younger women and older children who were taken prisoner. Among these were young George Stockton and his sister, Isabella. George lived for nearly three years as a slave in a Shawnee village before finally managing to escape and return home on foot. His sister, Isabella, first a slave of the Shawnee Chief Black Wolf, was sold to a French fur trader before thirteen years of age. In Canada, another Frenchman fell in love with her, bought her and set her free but asked to marry her, turning her situation to the most unusual. She was willing but insisted on traveling back from the Great Lakes to the Shenandoah Valley to obtain her father's consent. They reached her home but were denied Mr. Stockton's consent and while fleeing back to Canada with the Frenchman, he was killed by her half-brothers who had been sent to recover the family's horses. Isabella, later married and reared a large family in Morgantown, West Virginia. Footnote

 

In the Records of Augusta County, Virginia, it is recorded that a John Ewing was also taken prisoner by Indians. John, of Gallia County, Ohio, testified that he and Jane Clendennin were carried away on the day her father and her brothers and sisters were killed in Greenbrier, July 15, 1763. They were kept in the same nation, but not together, except on their journey to Pittsburg, where they were freed May 14, 1765. John was 16 years old and Jane, who married a Mr. Davis in 1774, was only 5 years old. Footnote

 

William Ewing's oldest son John, lived in Greenbrier but in 1763 he was only 9 years old. This John Ewing may have been a relative.

 

During the French and Indian War years, 1754-1766, William Ewing's older children were born. He and perhaps most of the males were members of the local militia which was their only protection. A list of colonel George Washinton's Company taken from a poll in Frederick County July 24, 1758 is included. [See next paragraph.] William Ewing is also found on Colonel F. B. Martin's list as are Thomas Lord Fairfax, Colonel George William Fairfax, and neighbors John Niswanger, Peter Stephens, Peter Perry, John Painter, and Zebulon Tharp. William Ewing is again on the Frederick poll taken May 18, 1761 when Colonel George Mercer is the commanding officer. After 1766 the twelve year Indian terror subsided and the Valley was finally quiet and safe again. Footnote

 

VIRGINIA MILITIA Poll taken in Frederick County, July 24, 1758, Colonel George Washington: The list contains 308 names. William Ewing is the only Ewing listed. The complete list is not included in this article. [Editor's note.]

 

William Ewing finally received a grant from Lord Fairfax in 1756 during the anxious War years. William was one of the many settlers who had a most difficult experience in obtaining a patent for the land purchased and settled in 1737. He applied to Lord Fairfax after learning that Joist Hite could not get the title to the land but as is seen in the following excerpt of the transcript of the famous Hite versus Fairfax Suit, he received a grant for 625 acres, half of the land purchased for sixty pounds.

 

"William Ewing: 'That this deft. (defendant) in April 1737 came into Colony from Pennsylvania . . . and applied to the compt. Hite, . . . to purchase land of him. And this deft. accordingly agreed with him for about 1,210 acres at the rate of five pounds for every hundred . . . And this deft. and . . . Hite then entered into mutual bonds each to the other, this deft. in two different bonds for paying him the consideration money which was sixty pounds at two different payments, and the said compt. to complete this deft's. title to the said land.

 

'And this deft. entered into immediate possession of the said land and began to improve the same. But whether the said land was part of an Order of Council to the said compt. or under what right he disposed of it this deft. did not know or make any inquiry about it.

 

'That this deft. being afterwards satisfied the said Hite could not make him a title to the said land applied to Lord Fairfax for his grant. Who accordingly passed his grant to this deft. for 625 acres, part of the land he had purchased of the said Hite, the rest being taken away from this deft. and granted to others. In obtaining which this deft. has been put to considerable charges and expenses and . . . confesses that he has commenced a suit against the said Hite on his above mentioned bond to this deft., in which this deft. hopes to recover against him such damages as shall recompose this deft. not only for the expenses he has been put to in procuring a confirmation of his title from the Lord Proprietor, but also such part of the money this deft. formerly paid the said Hite for the quantity of land he purchased of him, as shall be in proportion to the quantity of land less than he now holds.

 

'That the said compt. never applied to this deft. to join with him in this suit as plaintiff nor was this deft. ever dissuaded from so doing by his Lordship. And this deft. denies all combination &c.'" Footnote

 

William is also listed on page LVI among other concerned parties.

 

Agan, Bernard

Barnthissel, John

Burden, Benj. dec'd.

Bulger, Sarah

Carroll, William

Cunningham, Adam

Cunningham, Walter

Dark, Samuel

Davis, William

DeHart, Simon

Dowarty, Nathe.

Duff, William

Ewings, William

Frowman, Paul

Frowman, Paul

Funk, Ann

Funk, Joseph

Garrett, Joseph

Gildart, Huckles

Green, William

Green, Robert, dec'd.

Grubbs, Emanuel

Grubbs, John

Hart, Thomas

Hite, Joist

Hodge, John

Hogan, Christian

James, William

Jobb, Calem

Johnston, George

Isaac, Samuel

Keys, Gersham

Leith, George

Langdon, Joseph

Lilburn, Francis

Lilburn, John

Lindsey, Edmund

Loyd, David

Lukard, Thomas

Lusk, Samuel

Matthews, Patrick

McCoy, James

McCoy, Robert Jun.

McCoy, Zachariah

Morgan, Richard

Morgan, Thomas

Neil, John

Neil, Lewis

Ruddle, John

Rutherford, Reuben

Rutherford, Thomas

Thomas, Lewis

Vaunce, David

Vaunce, James

Newman, Samuel

Newman, Widow

Odell, Samuel

Parent, Joseph

Pennington, Isaac

Robertson, George

Rogers, William

Ruddle, Cornelius

Sehorn, Nicholas

Shull, Peter

Skeen, John

Speer, Henry

Stephenson, Richard

Tacket, Lewis

Taylor, William

Vanmeter, John

Vanmeter, Isaac

White, William

Williams, John

Williams, William

Wood, Matthew

Wright, George

 

A summary of the confusing Hite vs. Fairfax suit which frustrated the early settlers for 50 years is included:

 

"A quotation from Fairfax Harrison's 'Virginia Land Grants' (p. 113, Note 186) seems to be a fitting summary for this article, for the 'Add. M.S. 15317' of the British Museum to which he refers is another copy of the 'Transcript'. He quotes the stipulation which is referred to in this article and says: 'It was out of this stipulation that arose the celebrated cause, Hite vs Fairfax. Hite was the representative of a company of land speculators who had seated a number of families in the Shenandoah under orders of the Virginia Council made from 1730 - 1734. They returned surveys to the Secretary's office, but had not yet perfected Virginia patents before notice of the order of the Privy Council of 1733 suspended the activities of the Virginia government within the disputed bounds of the proprietary. When they came to his notice, Lord Fairfax was moved to indignation by the Hite surveys, for he found them to be what would now be called 'shoestrings' or 'gerrymanders', carefully laid out to include only bottom lands and so leaving the less desirable upland insulated and inaccessible to future seating. For this consideration, in 1749, he refused to issue grants to Hite and his partners until they should reform from their surveys; whereupon they sued to enforce the decree of 1745. The Proprietor's technical defense, formulated by the able Valley lawyer, Gabriel Jones, was based on the allegation that, lacking patents, Hite was not a 'Grantee' within the purview of the stipulation of 1745. On this point the General Court held with the Hites in 1769 and 1771, and the defendant appealed to the Privy Council.

 

'The animosities of the original controversy having meanwhile died down, this appeal was not prosecuted; but, after Lord Fairfax's death, the Hites secured an affirmance of the judgment of the General Court by the Court of Appeals of Virginia, and so recorded (1786, 4 Call, 42) a mass of evidence for the early history of the Valley of Virginia.

 

'The full record of the case, which was sent to England in 1772, survives in the British Museum (Add. M.S. 15317) and there are transcripts of the bill and answer in the M.S. division of the Library of Congress. That answer should be read by anyone interested in Lord Fairfax for it is a mirror of his character. Footnote

 

In 1763 William Ewing purchased another 330 acres of land. Between January 29, 1762 and May 10, 1763 William Ewing (Ewen) had 386 acres adjacent William Reemy and John Painter on the "drain of Crooked Run" of Shannandoah River," surveyed. This land was adjacent to George Bowman, Christian Plank, Robert Wharf, and Nicholas Perry. Footnote

 

William and Elizabeth, his wife, sold this 400 acre tract December 16, 1778 to John Jones for 160 pounds current money of Virginia.

 

William probably married Elizabeth Thorp or Tharp after moving to Frederick County in 1737. A Tharp family had a large farm in Stephensburg, now Stephens City, adjacent to William's land. In the Abstracts of Virginia's Norther Neck land surveys Zebulon Tharp had "438 acres surveyed April 23, 1751 on Steven's Run, a branch of Crooked Run" that was adjacent to land of William Ewing. April 10, 1753, Zebulon Tharp had 420 acres "on Crooked Run on Shannandoah River" surveyed. This was adjacent his own line, William Ewins, and George Wright.

 

Zebulon Tharp's will, written October 1, 1775, names wife Jane, sons Zebulon, Andrew, Isaac, Joshua, John, Benjamin, and Andrew's daughter, Elizabeth. William may have married Zebulon's daughter Elizabeth. A close relationship is apparent. William and Elizabeth's daughter, Elizabeth3 Ewing (William2, John1) married John McGinnes and they are both witnesses on Zebulon Tharp's will as amended August 2, 1780. Footnote

 

Elizabeth Tharp's first husband is believed to have been Jonathan Bakle; her son, Jonathan Bakle, is mentioned in William's will which was written in 1773 eight years before his death December 27, 1781 at 70 years of age. Lord Fairfax's death also occurred in December 1781 shortly after the Yorktown Surrender.

 

William and Elizabeth had eight children. Their names and birth dates are found on a family chart recorded in the Mormon Library at Salt Lake City. Footnote William's will also names his sons John, William, Robert, Samuel, and his daughters Elizabeth, Mary, and Jannet (Jane). His wife Elizabeth and her son Jonathan Bakle are also named.

 

The will of William Ewing:

 

In the County and Parcsch of Frederick 29th day of february in year 1773 in the Name of God amen being sick and weak and in body in perfect sense and memery as well thanks be given to God therefore Calling unto mind mortaility of my body and knowing that it is apointed for all men once die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally first of all give and recommend may soul to God that gave it and for may body I recommend it to the earth to be burred in a Christen like manner at the descr. of my executoars nothing douttin but at the general Resurection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wher with it hath pleased God to Bless me in this life I give devise and despos of in the following manner I do order may just debts to be payed and funeral charges to be payed I order my wife Elizabeth what the law directs may old Son John one shilling and may wifes Son Jonthana Bakle on shilling I order the land I now live on to be equally divided betwxt may three Sons with all houses and tenement which is six hundred twenty four acres to William Robert Samuel may three daughters Elizabeth and Mary and Jannet and to them all the rist of my land to be equaled divid a mongth them and all my Bills and Bonds to equaled divide as are before and the rest of all my goods to be equill among the rest of them seven chillten a fore mentoned . . . . (illegible) . . . . to William Young near to Robert Oliver.

 

    Teste                                                          William Ewing

    John Collins

 

1782 June 4th. On Examination the Court are of the Opinion the will is no other than a non cupative & as such is OR. Cert. with the sd. will annexed is granted Eliz.a the widow & Jno. Ewing they hav.g comp. Law. Footnote

 

This note of explanation preceded William Ewing's will:

 

N O T E   O F   E X P L A N A T I O N

 

The instruments which follow were apparently presented to the Court and remained in its files while awaiting full proof or other action necessary to be had before they could be admitted to record. No notation appears upon these instruments to show that they were ever recorded, nor do any orders for their recordation appear. However, since they were in the files of the Court, it is though proper that they be copied in this book so that they may be preserved.

 

John3 Ewing (William2, John1), born April 10, 1754 during the French and Indian War years, was the eldest child. Because William's will was not recorded, John was left the task of dividing up the property. The bond John3 posted in 1782 states that he is a resident of "Greenbrier and state of Virginia". That area later became West Virginia.

 

John Ewing's bond:

 

Know all men by these presents that I John Ewing of the County of Greenbrier and State of Virginia hold and firmly bound unto Wm. Ewing, Robert Ewing, Samuel Ewing, and Thomas Ewing in the just sum of one thousand pounds (Gold and Silver) Current money of Virginia, to be paid to the said William Ewing, Robert Ewing, Samuel Ewing, and Thomas Ewing or their Certain Attorney heirs Executors, Administrators or assigns, To the Which payment will and truly to be made I bind myself my heirs Executors and Administrators Jointly and Severally firmly by these presents Sealed with my seal and dated this twenty-first day of June AD One Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty two ----

 

The Condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above John Ewing at the last Court held for this County in the Court House proved himself the heir at Law of his Father Will Ewing Estates ----

 

Now if the said John Ewing his heirs Executors or administrators shall (when lawfully demanded) make a deed in fee simple for the several lands hereafter mentioned unto the said William Ewing, Robert Ewing, Samuel Ewing, and Thomas Ewing or there Several Attorneys agents Guardians heirs Executors Administrators or assigns (Viz) to William Ewing forever two Hundred Acres of Land lying on Lord Fairfax Road the plantation whereon John Barr now lives; to Robert Ewing forever two hundred Acres of Land known by the name of the Glebe on the Indian Branch Both Tracts of land is part of Large Tract of Land containing six hundred and twenty-five acres of land, also to Samuel Ewing forever the one half of the plantation whereon John Campell now lives on a draw of Crooked Run to Thomas Ewing forever the other half of the said land last mentioned. When the above obligation shall be void and of no effect otherwise to remain in full force and signed sealed and delivered in the presence of

 

John McGinnis

    Elizabeth McGinnis                                   John Ewing (SS)

    John Taylor

 

                                    John Ewing Conveyance Bond £1,000.00

 

At a court held for Frederick County September 3, 1782

This bond was proved by the oaths of John McGinnis and John Taylor Witnessed thereto and order to be recorded

 

                                                            By the Court

                                                              Ja Keith (CC) Footnote

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

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