Paull-Irwin; a family sketch

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Admiral JOHN PAUL JONES

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"The old, old, Years, that did not stay,
Have hallowed grown, since they passed away"

PAULL-IRWIN

A FAMILY SKETCH

X.
BY

ELISABETH MAXWELL PAULL

• B J * .1 * *

PRIVATELY PRINTED
1915

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TTIS KEW YOPX 1
[PUBLIC LIBRARY

783,378

aS> or, LENOX AND
TILDiN FOUNDATIONS

R 1917 LI

ONE HUNDRED COPIES PRINTED

COPYRIGHT, 1915,
BY

Elisabeth Maxwell Paull

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■ . • • • ■
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CONTENTS

Admiral John Paul Jones 1

Hugh Paull, First American Ancestor .... 22

George Paull, Second Generation 41

Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church 55

Jane Paull Allen, Third Generation 58

Elizabeth Paull Byers, " " 59

Mary Paull Torrence, " " 59

Colonel James Paull, " " 62

James Paull, Jr., Fourth Generation 100

Ross Furnace 117

George Paull, Fourth Generation 121

John Paull, " " 125

Archibald Paull, " " 126

Thomas Paull, " " 131

William Paull, " " ... . . 134

Why, West Virginia 136

Martha Paull, Fourth Generation 139

Joseph Paull, " " 147

George Paull, Missionary to Africa 150

Dublin's People 153

The American Flag — Its Defenders 156

Judge George Paull Torrence 160

Mary Brownson Findlay Torrence 162

Ann Rebecca Findlay Torrence 166

William Torrence Handy 168

Colonel William Ludlam Miller 170

James Irwin of the Conococheague Settlement: . . . 175
Partial data from Mr. Seilhammer's "Genealogies"; and "Old
Mercersburg", published under the auspices of "The Woman's
Club."

Benjamin Harrison 189

Allied Families 190

ILLUSTRATIONS

Admiral John Paul Jones — From the Century Magazine Frontispiece

Corner White Oak, Hugh Paull's Plantation ... 26

Hugh Paull's Log Cabin 26

A Turn in the Warm Spring Road 31

The Snodgrass Tavern 32

Tomahawk Presbyterian Church .34

Hugh Paull, Seventh Generation 40

George Paull's Log Cabin 44 ■

Rev. Joel Stoneroad 54

Hannah Paull Stoneroad 54

Present Laurel Hill Cemetery 56

Laurel Hill Church 56

Colonel James Paull 62

James Paull, Jr 100

Mary Clark Paull 100

Rev. Robert Braden Moore 108

Louisa Jane Paull Moore 108

George Paull Crounse and Barbara Crounse . . . .115

Allen Lape Davison 116

John Franklin Miller Davison 116

George Torrence Paull 118

Rebecca Brownfield Turner Paull 118

"Aunt Carn" 120

"Aunt Katy" 120

Rev. Alfred Paull 122

Mary Rowland Weed Paull 122

Judge James Paull 122

Eliza Jane Ott Paull . • 122

Archibald Paull 126 '

Catherine Meason Murphy Paull 126

Thomas Paull 132

Ellen White Paull 132

William Paull 134

Mary Walker Paull 134

William Walker 138

Martha Paull Walker 138

Joseph Paull 148

Eliza Rogers Paull 148

Vlll

Illustrations

Deer Park Farm 150

Graveyard, First Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church . . 154

Graveyard, Where Dublin's People Rest .... 154

A Flag of the American Revolution 156

James Torrence Paull, Civil War Soldier .... 158

Judge George Paull Torrence 160

Mary Brownson Findlay Torrence 160

Colonel Willlam Ludlam Miller . . . . . . 170

Jane Torrence Miller 170

George Torrence Miller 172

Mary Jane Craig Miller 172

John Franklin Miller 174

Conococheague Creek 180

Mercersburg 180

President Benjamin Harrison — From Mr. Wilson's "The Am-
erican-People" 189

ADMIRAL JOHN PAUL "JONES"

July 6, 1747— July 18, 1792

In one of the most beautiful and picturesque points along the
Solway Frith, in Arbigland, Scotland, John Paul lived — a gard-
ener, as his father had been. After completing his apprentice-
ship with his father, John was employed as gardener on the
estate of the Honorable Robert Craik, a country squire, and a
member of Parliament. In this employment he continued
until his death, October 24th, 1767. Soon after engaging on
the Craik estate, he married Jean Macduff, daughter of an
Argyll Highlander, Ian Macduff, a gimsmith. When Jean was
a child, the family removed to the Lowlands. In Kirkbean
Parish, stewartry of Kirkcudbright, John and Jean Paul brought
up their family. There were seven children. The two youngest,
Robert and Adam, died in infancy; William, the eldest, married

; Elizabeth died before she was twenty ; Janet married

William Taylor, a watch-maker of Dtunfries; Mary Ann mar-
ried first, Robert Young of Whitehaven, an English mariner;
second, Mark Louden; John, Jr., the youngest of the surviving
children, assumed the name "Jones" when twenty-six years of
age.

In the midst of surroimdings calculated to stir the imagina-
tion, John Paul, Jr., spent his childhood. He loved the sea, and
one of his favorite pastimes was to sail his toy ships near its

(1)

2 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

shore. The town of Dumfries had a large tobacco trade with
America and the cargoes were tmshipped at the mouth of the
river Nith. Here John mingled with the seamen.and this
tended to strengthen his passion for sea life. His interest in
America probably came through his intercourse with mariners
from the discontented Colonies. Because of his natural inclina-
tion and his aptitude, he was apprenticed when he was but
twelve years of age, to a ship merchant of Whitehaven by the
name of Younger. Soon afterwards the young apprentice made
his first voyage to the country which now claims him.

His education at the parish school of Kirkbean suddenly
ended, but it was continued, by reading and persistant study,
throughout his life. He mastered the French language and
became quite proficient in Spanish.

When John was thirteen (in 1760), his brother William came
to Virginia and settled in Fredericksburg. He was a merchant
tailor and lived in an old house on the comer of Prussia and
Caroline Streets. His store was on the comer of Main and
Market Streets, the building in which George Washington was
made a Mason. William Paul was married but had no children.
He died April 17th, 1773, having made a will the previous year.
The two men appointed executors refused to qualify and
William's brother, John Paul, Jr , came to take charge of the
estate. He had left Whitehaven the preceding November,
bound for the Chesapeake, and had just anchored his ship
(the Two Friends, a merchant vessel), in reach of the Rappa-
haimock. John Paul being unknown in the Colony, John
Atkinson was granted letters of administration, John Waller, Jr.,
going his security, afterwards relieved by Charles Yates. The
amount of the bond was five hundred poimds. Colonel William
Jones, a wealthy planter from North Carolina, became John
Paul's bondsman for five hundred pounds. Because of this
friendly act, John Paul added "Jones" to his name.

Tradition claims that John Paul occupied one of the rooms
in the store-building during the two years he remained in Freder-
icksburg, which adds interest to the historic place.

Admiral John Paul "Jones" 3

It is evident from John Paul's letters that he thought of
abandoning sea life and becoming a planter. He reveled in
books and was ardent in his friendships. Domestic life attracted
him ; but the unhappy state of the country stirred his soul, and
personal interests were put aside. When the Revolutionary
War was at its height, he wrote to Lady Selkirk, "I have been
led to sacrifice not only my favorite scheme of life but the softer
affections of the heart, and my prospects of domestic happiness ;
and I am ready to sacrifice my life also, with cheerfulness, if the
forfeiture could bring peace and good will among mankind".

The Colonies were coming into troublous times. The distur-
bances in New England led to the Battle of Lexington in April,
1775, and the spirit of resistance spread far and near.

In October, 1775, when the Continental Congress was in
session in Philadelphia, steps were taken to establish a navy for
the Colonies; they owned but a few small vessels for trans-
porting troops and cruising against pirates. John Paul Jones
went from Fredericksburg to Philadelphia and asked to be put
on sea duty. He was given a place on the commission for pur-
chasing vessels for the navy. Washington said of him, "His
powers for usefulness are great and must be constantly kept in
view". Joseph Hewes, at the head of the Naval Committee,
recognized Jones's ability and secured for him a lieutenancy in
the new navy. His commission as senior lieutenant in the first
naval force organized by Congress, was handed to him by John
Hancock on Dec. 22, 1775, in Independance Hall, Philadelphia.

Commodore Esek Hopkins was appointed Commander-in-
chief of the little fleet of five vessels — the Cohmibus, Cabot,
Andrea Doria, Lee, and Alfred, of which the last had been a
merchant vessel, the Black Prince. This vessel of twenty-four
guns was the flagship, to which Paul Jones was assigned as
first lieutenant under Captain Dudley Saltonstall. On the
Alfred, Jones hoisted the first ensign ever shown on an American
man-of-war ; there is substantial evidence that it was the Grand
Union flag. The ship sailed up and down the Delaware , to the
delight of the people assembled on its shores.

4 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

The fleet set sail January 5th, 1776. A contemporary paper
found in the American archives, thus describes its departure. :

"Newbem, North Carolina, Feb. 9, 76.
"By a gentleman from Philadelphia we have received the
pleasing account of the actual sailings from that place of the first
American fleet that ever swelled their sails on the Western
Ocean, in defence of the rights and liberties of the people of
these Colonies, now suffering under the persecuting rod of the
British Ministry, and their more than brutish tyrants in America
The fleet consists of five sail, fitted out at Philadelphia, which
are to be joined at the Capes of Virginia by two ships more from
Maryland, and is commanded by Admiral Hopkins, a most
experienced and venerable seacaptain. . . . They sailed from
Philadelphia amidst the acclamations of many thousands as-
sembled on the joyful occasion, under the display of a Union
Flag, with thirteen stripes in the field, emblematical of the thir-
teen United Colonies. . . . Their destination is a secret, but
generally supposed to be against the Ministerial Governors,
those little petty Tyrants that have lately spread fire and sword
throughout these Southern Colonies. For the happy success of
this little fleet, three millions of people offer their most earnest
supplications to Heaven". In another paper occurs a descrip-
tion of the flag : "The colours of the American fleet were striped
under the imion with thirteen strokes, called the thirteen united
Colonies, and their standard was a rattlesnake, with the motto,
'Don't tread on me!' " The "rattlesnake" flag is supposed to
have been the standard of the commander-in-chief. A flag pre-
sented to the South Carolina Assembly in February, 1776, by
Colonel Gadsden, is described as "An elegant standard, such as
is to be used by the commander-in-chief of the American Navy ;
being a yellow flag, with a lively representation of a rattlesnake
in the middle, in the attitude of going to strike, and the words
imdemeath, 'Don't tread on me!' "

The first Stars and Stripes, the "Betsy Ross" flag, came into
being in June, 1776, one month before the Declaration of Inde-

Admiral John Paul "Jones" 5

pendence. When General Washington, Colonel Ross, and
Robert Morris, called upon Mrs. Ross with a roughly-drawn
design and asked her to make a new flag with thirteen stripes
and thirteen six-pointed stars, she suggested a star with five
points and showed how these could be easily made, by proper
folding, with one snip of the scissors. She made a sample flag
which Congress approved. One year later, on June 14th (now
observed as Flag Day), Congress adopted the new emblem by
resolution :

"Resolved— That the Flag of the United States be thirteen
Stripes, alternate red and white, that the Union be thirteen
Stars, white, on a blue field, representing a new comstellation".
Much delightful information relating to the National emblem
is to be found in Mr. Balderston's "The Evolution of the Amer-
ican Flag".

Paul Jones was commissioned captain, October 10th, 1776.
Soon after the advent of the Stars and Stripes, he was ordered
to New England, to take command of the Ranger, a newly
built vessel of eighteen guns. She was graced with the beautiful
new flag, the first vessel on which the Stars and Stripes ever
waved.

A pretty story is told of another flag, which was made by a
clique of Portsmouth girls and presented to the young captain,
who had furnished the specifications. The thirteen stars were
made from the wedding gown of Helen Sevey, the bride of a
young officer. The names of the others, as far as available,
were Dorothy Hall, Caroline Chandler, Augusta Price and
Mary Langdon. Their beautiful flag was destined to an end
unique and glorious.

In October, 1777, Captain Jones was notified to hold himself
in readiness at Portsmouth for quick departvire to France.
Burgoyne's surrender was the matter pending. When this
occurred, October 17, a single courier bore the news to Ports-
mouth, stopping only for a change of horses. By midnight the
Ranger was under way and made ,for that period, a quick pass-

6 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

age to France. She reached Nantes on the morning of Decem-
ber 2, having made the run in twenty-two days. Proceeding at
once to Paris, Captain Jones placed the important dispatches in
the hands of Benjamin Franklin, one of the three American Com-
missioners— Silas Deane and Arthur Lee were the others.

The Ranger lay in Brest harbor for two months and her cap-
tain was everywhere received with distinction. Gay Paris
suited his taste for polite society and his fondness for dress.

An event of unusual interest and significance occurred
February 14, 1778, when Paul Jones received the first national
salute ever given to the Stars and Stripes by the guns of a foreign
navy. In Quiberon Bay the Ranger convoyed some American
vessels desiring to sail out tmder the protection of the French
squadron commanded by M. La Motte Picquet. After some
negotiation with the Admiral, Captain Jones fired a salute of
thirteen guns and received a salute of nine guns, the customary
niunber given to the flag of a republic. February 22, he wrote
to the Marine Committee "I am happy in having it in my power
to congratulate you on my having seen the American Flag for
the first time recognized, in the fullest and completest manner
possible, by the flag of France".

Paul Jones sailed from Brest harbor April 10, 1778, on his
first memorable cruise, one full of daring. With only the
Ranger, he kept the whole coast of Scotland and part of that
of England, in a state of alarm. The Solway had not been en-
tered by the prow of an invader for centuries and the sense of
security felt by the people was absolute. Suddenly an intru-
sion not unlike the inciursion of one of the old sea kings, startled
them. There were more than two hundred ships in the harbor
at Whitehaven when the little Ranger stole in. April 22, under
cover of the night, two boats, manned by thirty volunteers, were
sent with combustibles, one to the north of the harbor, the
other to the south, with the intention of burning the vessels.
In both cases their fire went out, causing a failure of the plan.
But the men landed, scaled the walls of the two forts and
spiked the cannon, about thirty pieces. Dawn was approaching,

Admiral John Paul "Jones" 7

but a light was procured from an isolated house and fire was
kindled in the steerage of a large vessel, which was surrounded by
many others. By daylight, the shore was crowded with thou-
sands of terror-stricken people. Jones stood between them and
the burning vessel, pistol in hand, ordering them to retire, which
they did very promptly.

John Paul was in the midst of familiar scenes and tender
associations. But he was now an American citizen, command-
ing a United States war vessel, and the cause he represented
demanded the stifling of sentiment. His heart bled for the
American prisoners, suffering in the jails and the hulks of the
enemy. In a memorial to Congress, he said his objects in this
cruise, were to secure an exchange of prisoners in Europe and to
put an end to all the burnings in America, by one good fire of
the shipping in England. No one was killed or wounded in the
Whitehaven affair, a fact which gave the commander great sat-
isfaction. Some fishermen, captured the day before, were re-
leased, and furnished money to replace all they had lost in a
recent storm, including their boat. Two infirm men were sent
with them, with the last guinea the generous captain possessed,
to defray their expenses to their home in Dublin. The fisher-
men were overjoyed and gave three huzzas as they passed the
Ranger's quarter.

The Ranger sailed for St. Mary's Isle. The captain with
several officers and seamen, left the ship and went in a boat to
the castle of Lord Selkirk, intending to take him on board the
Ranger, and detain him until, through his means, an exchange
of prisoners could be affected. Lord Selkirk was absent. The
men were disappointed and were not willing to return without
booty, reminding their captain of the ruthless plundering by the
English soldiers in America. They were permitted to take the
plate but were charged to show the utmost respect to Lady
Selkirk. The orders were strictly obeyed. When the plate was
sold, Captain Jones bought it with his private funds and
restored it to Lady Selkirk. April 24th, the Ranger encount-
ered and captured the British warship Drake, off the English

8 Paull-Irmn: A Family Sketch

coast. The captain of the Drake and her first lieutenant, died
soon after being taken on board the Ranger. They were buried
with the honors due their rank. After an absence of but
twenty-eight days, the Ranger, with the Drake, returned to
Brest.

With the aid of Benjamin FrankHn, Jones now secured the
command of a squadron of five vessels — the Alliance, Pallas,
Vengeance, Cerf, and Due de Diiras : the last, a vessel of forty-,
two guns, was a gift from the King of France and was renamed
"Bon Homme Richard," a compliment to Dr. Franklin, whose
pen name was "Poor Richard". It was the largest of the
squadron, but an old vessel, having been in service fourteen
years.

The most remarkable event in the career of John Paul Jones,
which would, of itself, have given him enduring fame, occurred
September 23rd, 1779, when he was on his way to the coast
of Scotland with his little squadron. It has no parallel in the
history of naval engagements. The Bon Homme Richard
engaged, single-handed, the Serapis, commanded by Captain
Pearson. The latter was a vessel of forty-four guns, with a crew
of picked seamen, convoying, with the Countess of Scarborough,
a merchant fleet to the Baltic Sea. The crew of the Richard was
a motley one, composed of Americans, English, French, Mal-
tese, Portuguese, and Malays. The battle, fought in the evening
and during the night, under the light of a beautiful harvest
moon, was witnessed by hundreds, crowded on the shore of
Flamborough Head. To prevent escape. Captain Jones ,with his
own hands, lashed the two vessels together. Soon came a hail
from the Serapis to Captain Jones ; "Has your ship struck ?" "I
have not yet begtm to fight!" was the prompt response. The con-
test was fierce and obstinate, lasting until half-past ten, when
the British colors were struck — an engagement of three and a
half hours. There was no need of a boat or bridge between the
vessels. Captain Pearson stepped over to the Bon Homme
Richard and delivered up his jeweled sword to Captain Jones,
who promptly returned it to him, as well as the gold-mounted

Admiral John Paul "Jones" 9

pistols, a present to Captain Pearson from the city of Bristol.
With the aid of the pilot boat and the boats of the squadron, the
survivors of the battle were all saved, but it was impossible to
save stores of any kind. Captain Jones lost the greater part
of his clothing, books, and papers. The men at the pumps,
struggled bravely to keep the good old ship afloat and bring
her into port, and did not abandon her until after nine o'clock,
the morning of the third day. Captain Jones wrote in his
official account, "A little after ten I saw, with inexpressible
grief, the last glimpse of the Bon Homme Richard" .

The flag which floated over the Richard was rescued and was
preserved in the museum of the Alexandria- Washington Masonic
Lodge until 1871, when it was destroyed by the fire which
burned the lodge-room. It was said to have borne stars scat-
tered in the field, not in a circle. Mr. Charles W. Stewart,
Superintendent of the Library of Naval War Records, has made
a thorough study of the American flag and he expresses the
conviction that the naval flags generally bore the stars "scat-
tered"— arranged in the form of crosses of St. George and St.
Andrew. He also believes that from the first, the navy used the
Stars and Stripes, while the army used various devices.

The beautiful Portsmouth flag went down into the sea. When
Captain Jones was in Philadelphia three years later, he ex-
plained to Mary Langdon the reason for making no effort to
save it. He could not bear to strip the good old ship of her
colors nor deprive his brave men of the honor of having the
flag for a shroud.

The encounter with the Serapis was one of the most remark-
able feats of the Revolutionary War. The reputation of Paul
Jones as a naval commander was raised to the highest pitch in
both England and America. He was everywhere received as
a hero. The King of France presented him with a jeweled sword,
bearing the inscription, "Louis Sixteenth, Rewarder of the
Valiant Asserter of the Freedom of the Sea." With the appro-
bation of the American Congress, the King also adorned him
with the cross of Military Merit; the first foreigner on whom the

10 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

honor was conferred. Congress presented him with a gold
medal, an honor shown to but five others — Generals Washing-
ton, Gates, Wayne, Morgan, and Greene.

The year follovidng the great sea victory, 1780, Paul Jones
spent chiefly in France, the feted hero in gay society. The
ladies went daft over him. At a luncheon given in his honor by
the Duchess of Chartres, (Mary Adelaide, wife of Louis Philip
Joseph, the "Sailor Prince"), the hostess was so much pleased
with his perfect command of sea craft that she presented him
with a Louis Quinze watch of rare design and value, worn by her
grandfather. Count de Toulouse, when he commanded the
French fleet in 1704. Miss Edes-Herbert, an English lady
living in Paris, wrote to a friend, "The famous Paul Jones sups
and dines here often. He is a poet as well as a hero. He is
greatly admired here, especially by the ladies, who are wild for
love of him, as he is for them. If I am in love with him,
for love may I die ; I have as many rivals as there are ladies.
He is the most agreeable sea-wolf one could wish to meet.
A few days ago, he wrote some verses extempore, of which I
send you a copy :

" 'Verses addressed to the Ladies who have done me the
honor of their polite attention :

"Insulted Freedom bled — I felt her cause,
And drew my sword to vindicate her laws.
From principle, and not for vain applause.
I've done my best; self-interest far apart.
And self-reproach a stranger to my heart.
My zeal still prompts, ambitious to pursue
The foe, ye fair! of liberty, and you!
Grateful for praise spontaneous and unbought,
A generous people's love not meanly sought —
To merit this, and bend the knee to Beauty,
Shall be my earliest, and my latest, duty.' "

Admiral John Paul "Jones" 11

About this time an endiiring friendship was formed with
Aimee de Telison. She was the natural daughter of the corrupt
Louis XV but took the name of her stepfather. She was about
twenty years of age, beautiful, accomplished, with charming
manners. Her mother had neglected her. Paul Jones inter-
ested himself in her behalf, procuring some support from the
reigning King, Louis XVI, and assisting her himself. He also
taught her English and afterwards employed Miss Edes-
Herbert to teach her. This enabled her to teach English in a
seminary at St. Germain. Later, she was Paul Jones's secre-
tary and greatly assisted him in his voluminous correspondence
and in translating his journals and other historical papers.
Shortly before his death, her generous benefactor provided
her a home in Rue Vivienne. When Napoleon became Emper-
or, Aimee was employed by the Empress Josephine to teach
the young ladies of her suite the English language, and to give
discourses on the American Revolution and the Court of Louis
XVL In this position she held a prominent and respected
place in the upper circles of French society. From this time,
the pathetic life of little Aimee passes out of view.

Paul Jones was said to have been "a master in the arts of
dress and personal adornment, always the best dressed man at
any dinner or fete he may honor by attending. He was five
feet seven inches in height, slender in build, of exquisite sym-
metry in form".

Benjamin Franklin was an ardent admirer; he wrote of him
"When face to face with Commodore Jones, no man can resist
the strange magnetism of his presence, the indescribable charm
of his manner — a commingling of the most compliant deference
with the most perfect self-esteem I have ever seen; and, above
all, the sweetness of his voice and the purity of his language."
Some one else wrote, "To the charm of person and grace of
manner he adds the power of conversation — a store of rare and
original anecdotes, and an inexhaustible fund of ready wit.
Next to the magic of his eyes, is the charm if his voice, which
no one can ever forget, man or woman, who has heard it. It is

12 Paull-Irunn: A Family Sketch

surely the most musical, and perfectly modulated voice, ever
heard".

Paul Jones was a voltmiinous letter-writer. With a good
command of words, he was as fluent with his pen as in conversa-
tion. He kept in touch with the home folk, always solicitious
about their welfare, giving assistance in their support and in the
education of his nephews and nieces. His letters had frequently
been intercepted and money remittances had been lost. When
he learned of the deaths of his mother and sister Elizabeth, he
wrote to his sister, Mrs. Taylor, "The loss is the more affecting
to me, since they did not receive the remittances I intended for
them, and as they had not, perhaps, a true idea of my affection".

Jones returned to Philadephia in February, 1781, after an
absence of more than three years. His report to the Board of
Admiralty was straightforward and satisfactory. Congress
passed resolutions of high commendation and elected him to
the first rank in the Navy, that of Admiral. In his honor,
M. de la Luzerne gave a fete to all the members of Congress and
the prominent citizens of Philadelphia. In their presence, he,
a Knight of the Order of Merit, invested the Admiral with
the Order, and presented him with the cross sent by the King
of France. Thereafter he was Chevalier Paul Jones. After
the surrender of Comwallis, which took place October 19th,
1781, Jones always wore this cross. With the permission of
Congress, the Chevalier spent five months in Puerto Cabello,
Venezuela, for improvement at "the first naval school in the
world". While there, the prolonged fight for Freedom came
to an end, and he returned at once to Philadelphia, where the
event was celebrated with great exultation. The Pennsylvania
Gazette of April 23rd, 1783, refers to the enthusiastic demon-
strations :

"Philadelphia, April 23rd. Last Wednesday the SherifiF,
accompanied by the magistrates of the city, made proclamation,
at the Court House, of the cessation of Hostilities, amidst a
vast concourse of People, who expressed their Satisfaction on

Admiral John Paul "Jones'' 13

the happy Occasion by repeated Shouts. At the same time the
State Flag was hoisted on Market Street Wharf, the Bells were
rung, and a general Joy diffused itself throughout the City.

"At a meeting of a great number of the respectable inhabi-
tants of Pittsgrove and towns adjacent in Salem County, State
of New Jersey, for the celebration of Peace, the day was intro-
duced with raising a montmient of great height, on which was
displayed the ensign of Peace, with the thirteen Stripes; after
which the militia were drawn up, and discharged a feu de joie
of thirteen roimds, when the Company partook of a cheerful
Colation".

In his "Annals," John Fanning Watson gives an incident
of his childhood: "I was bom in the stirring times of
the Revolutionary War, on the 13th of Jime, 1779. My
mother, wishing to identify me with the scenes of the Revolu-
tion, when the Flag of Peace was hoisted on Market Street hill,
held me up in her arms and made me see and notice that flag,
so that it should be told by me in after years, she at the same
time shedding many tears of joy at the glad spectacle".

Admiral Jones spent the siimmer of 1783 at the baths in
Bethlehem, near Philadelphia, ill with an intermittent fever.
The war over, his mind reverted to the "favorite scheme of
life" and "domestic happiness". He directed John Ross, his
business agent, to purchase for him a farm near New York,
valued, before the Revolution, at eight thousand pounds, now
for sale for one-fourth that amount. He wanted to "establish
himself on a place he could call his own, and offer his hand to
one of the fair daughters of Liberty". The "Daughters of
Liberty" was a patriotic organization of young women pledged
to spin, weave, knit, sew, etc., to aid in Freedom's cause. Be-
cause of the poverty of the country, the money due the Admiral,
from various sources, could not be secured, and the fond hope
was not realized; nor did the proposed invasion of the band of
fair Daughters come to pass. Instead, he was soon occupied
with a State mission. Congress sent him to Denmark to demand

14 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

indemnification for lost prizes. He was presented to the King
and royal family and was received with marked distinction.

The bust of the Admiral made in 1787, when he was forty,
by Houden, was said to be the best likeness. Another bust was
made at the request of a Lodge, of which he was a member.
From these models, busts were made and presented to Thomas
Jefferson, John Jay, James Madison, General Arthur St. Clair,
and others.

Through Thomas Jefferson, U. S. Ambassador at the French
Court, Catherine II, Empress of Russia, made a flattering offer
to Admiral Jones to enter her service as rear admiral and com-
mand her fleet in the Black Sea. He hesitated, unwilling to
enter a foreign service, but finally accepted the offer. He wrote
to Thomas Jefferson, "I have not forsaken a country that has
had many disinterested and difficult proofs of my steady affec-
tion. I can never renoimce the glorious title, 'Citizen of the
United States.' " To John Jay he wrote, "Since the year 1775,
when I displayed the American flag for the first time, with my
own hands, I have been constantly devoted to the interests of
America". To the close of his life, he was loyal to his adopted
country.

Of his reception at the Court of St. Petersburg, he wrote to
La Fayette, "The Empress received me with a distinction the
most flattering, perhaps, that another stranger can boast of.
Her Majesty conferred on me immediately, the grade of rear
Admiral. I was detained, against my will, a fortnight, and
continually feasted at court, and in the first society. This was
a cruel grief to the English, and I own their vexation gave me
no pain". A correspondent from St. Petersbtirg, wTiting to an
Edinburgh paper, said, "Paul Jones is a well-made man of middle
size; he wears a French uniform, with the cross of St. Louis,
and a Danish Order he received at Copenhagen. He has also
received, since he came here, one of the first Orders of Merit in
this coimtry, so it is to be feared they \^'ill spoil him by making
too much of him. The English officers in this service have
presented a memorial to Admiral Greig, refusing to serve with
Jones, and threatening to throw up their commissions".

Admiral John Paul "Jones" 15

ft

The enviable record of Paul Jones created jealousies among
the officers and they set themselves to annoy and htmiiliate
him. Rtmiors as false as they were absurd, were started and
given wide cu-culation. The culmination was reached when,
through an infamous conspiracy, an attempt was made to ruin
his private character. This attack well-nigh crushed him,
because his ' 'honor was a thousand times dearer than lif e. " The
conspiracy was traced to Nassau-Siegen, a German in the ser-
vice of the Empress, and a favorite. With the help of his
friends, especially that of Count de Segtu-, Minister from
France, Admiral Jones completely triumphed over every charge.
But his health and spirits were irretrievably affected. After-
wards, he was graciously received at court, and was decorated
by the Empress with the Order of St. Ann. He withdrew from
the Russian service August, 17S9, within two years after enter-
ing it, "having the happiness to know," as he wrote, "that my
name will always be respected by worthy men who know me.
It is a signal triirmph, at the moment of my leaving Russia, that
the public, and even the English, in St. Petersburg, with whom
I have had no connection, give me their esteem, and regret my
departure".

After a short residence in Amsterdam, he returned to Paris in
May, 1790, where he lived the remainder of his life at No. 42,
now No. 19, Rue de Tournon, second floor front, then a fashion-
able street. He had spacious apartments and kept open house
— his hospitality was proverbial . His housekeeper was Madame
d'Arbergne; he was always thoughtful of her interests and was
constantly exerting himself to procure advancement for her two
sons. The same liberality was shown all who served under him ;
when he met any of his old sailors, his purse was theirs.

When Admiral Jones returned to Paris, his active life had
closed. It was said that in his ocean service, he had never
been defeated nor ever wounded. He was ill but he was hopeful
for recovery, expecting to return to America. His last appear-
ance in public of which any record is preserved, was July 11,
1792, one week before his death.

16 Paull- Irwin: A Family Sketch

He attended a session of the Assembly and made an extem-
poraneous speech during the debate on the passage of a decree
declaring the cotmtry in danger, and urging provision for the
imiversal arming of France by sea and land. The speech ex-
cited the wonder and admiration of all present, among whom
were the most finished orators in the world. Closing, he said,
"Count me with you. I am, as you see, in feeble health. Would
that I was strong, as when I, long ago, brought to France the
news of Liberty, the first great victory in the New World! But,
ill as I am, there is yet something left of the man — not the
Admiral, not the Chevalier, but the plain, simple, man, whom
it delights to have you call, 'Paul Jones' — without any rank
but that of fellowship, and without any title but that of Com-
rade. When the time comes, if I am able to stand a deck, I
shall make no point of rank, I shall raise no question of political
opinion. I shall only ask France to tell me how I can best serve
her cause. So, now, I say to you, that whatever is left of the
man, be it never so faint, nor feeble, will be laid, if necessary,
on the altar of French liberty, as cheerfully as a child lies down
to pleasant dreams!"

During the last days of the Admiral, scores of people came
to see him. Aimee de Telison, sorely grieved to see his rapid
decline, had a sailor's hammock swtmg in his garden and he
spent many hoiu-s there, Aimee often sitting by him, gently
moving the hammock. Foiir days before his death, he enter-
tained visitors in the garden in his usual jovial, happy manner.
Among his guests, was Gouvemeur Morris, who asked to see
him alone. He sprang from his hammock and walked briskly,
as usual, to a rustic bench in the rear of the garden; there he
learned that Mr. Pinckney, soon to succeed Gouvemeur Morris
as Minister, wovild bring with him a commission from America,
authorizing him to treat with the Dey of Algiers for the release
of Christians held there in slavery. The Admiral talked of the
storm threatening France and said if health should be restored
to him, he intended to serve in behalf of the liberty of France,
as he had served for the freedom of America.

Admiral John Paul "Jones" 17

On the afternoon of July 18, M. Beaupoil, a French officer,
Colonel Samuel Blackden, a friend of the Admiral's from North
Carolina, and Gouvemeur Morris, sat with him in his parlor,
he in an arm-chair, much swollen, and suffering from difficult
breathing.

His friends insisted upon his making his will. He consented
and a Notary was summoned. His whole estate was left to his
two sisters and their children. Mr. Robert Morris, of Phila-
delphia, was appointed executor. His sword of honor, the gift
from the King, was given orally to Richard Dale, ("My good
old Dick") his able first lieutenant on the Bon Homme Richard.
It was entrusted to Gouvemeur Morris. Soon after the gentle-
men had taken their leave, Madame d'Arbergne took him a bowl
of broth. When she returned to clear his table, she foimd him
lifeless, lying on his face upon his bed, his feet on the floor.
Dr. Gourgeaud believed that a paroxysm of coughing had sent
him qtiickly to his bedroom and strangulation followed. The
Mary Adelaide watch, by which he timed his battles, was clench-
ed in one hand. A book, leaves upturned, was lying on the floor.
He was forty-five years old. The body was embalmed and placed
in a leaden casket, according to directions from Gouvemeur
Morris, who believed that the United States would have it
brought to America at once, for interment. Twelve members of
the National Assembly of France attended the funeral, July
20th. Rev. Paul Henri Marron, pastor of the Protestant Church,
St. Louis, made the address. The casket was placed in a vault
in St. Louis Cemetery. Ready money to meet the fimeral ex-
penses was not available and M. Simoneau, commissioner of
the King charged with the burial of foreign Protestants, as-
sumed the expense, four hundred sixty-two francs — an unusu-
ally large expense; the cost of an ordinary funeral was one
hundred twenty-eight francs. Later, when the effects were
sold, stocks converted into cash, and arrears of pay collected,
the amount was thirty thousand dollars. More was realized
afterwards, which, together with land botmty in America, went
to his heirs. Among his effects were seven uniforms, twelve
decorations and four swords.

18 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

The United States did not transfer the Admiral's remains,
"at once!" The vault continued to be the honored tomb. By
and by, St. Louis Cemetery was abandoned and buildings were
reared over the graves. Men came and passed on. The years
came and slipped away. More than a centtiry after the death
of Paul Jones, General Horace Porter, U. S. Ambassador to
France, commenced a search for the graveof the "little Admiral"
in June, 1899. His account of the imdertaking and the final
tritunph, is most thrilling. The search continued for several
years. When satisfied that the location was reached, excava-
tion commenced February 3rd, 1905. March 31st, the third
leaden casket, one of superior solidity and workmanship, was
imearthed, and opened and found to contain, unmistakably,
the object of the search. Furnished with busts of the Admiral
and copies of the Congressional gold medal, the identification
was comparatively easy — the likeness was striking! Rever-
ently, the men imcovered and exclaimed, "Paul Jones!" The
body was marvelously preserved. General Porter took the
right hand in his hand and found the joints to be flexible! A
present-day handclasp with John Paul Jones! The body was
taken to the Paris School of Medicine and examined by ex-
perienced anthropologists. Dr. Capitan and Dr. Papilleault. It
was incased in tin-foil, and wrapped in a winding sheet. The
only article of clothing was a linen shirt, handsomely made with
plaits and nififles. An outside wrapping of hay and straw was
immersed in alcohol. The measurement, five feet, seven inches,
was the Admiral's height in life ; the brown hair, slightly streaked
with gray and about thirty inches long, had been combed back
and gathered into a linen cap at the back of the head. The cap
bore the initial / (or P, when reversed), worked in thread.
The physicians made an autopsy and found evidence of the
disease from which he died, nephritis. There were also evi-
dences of bronchial pneumonia, from which he suffered after
having lived in the severe climate of Russia. The result was
most satisfactory, most convincing.

Admiral John Paul "Jones" 19

The leaden casket was placed in one of oak with eight silver
handles; the lid was secured with sixteen silver screws.
Covered with the American Flag, the coffin was placed in a
receiving vatilt of the American Church, Holy Trinity. Presi-
dent Roosevelt ordered a squadron composed of the Brooklyn,
Tacoma, Galveston, and Chattanooga, and commanded by
Admiral Sigsbee, to proceed to Cherbourg. The escort includ-
ing five hundred bluejackets, arrived at Paris July 6th. In the
afternoon of the same day, the ceremonies took place in the
beautiful American Church, Holy Trinity — the one hundred
fifty-eighth anniversary of the Admiral's birth. The casket,
draped with the Stars and Stripes and adorned with flowers,
was placed in front of the chancel. The service, conducted by
the rector. Rev. Dr. Morgan, was simple and impressive. The
audience was unusual ; State officials, the highest officers of the
French army and navy, distinguished people from many
countries. Elaborate uniforms, magnificent floral decorations,
and brilliant flags, combined to make a scene of rare beauty.
At the close of the service, eight American bluejackets, all of
them over six feet tall, bore the casket from the church. The
French ladies whispered their admiration of the "beautiful
boys". Placed upon a French artillery caisson, the casket was
taken to a catafalque on Esplanade des Invalides, where the
troops filed by, rendering the highest military honors to the
remains of the dead hero. The people reverently tincovered
when the coffin passed. There were no cheers nor any inap-
propriate demonstrations. The streets and houses were deco-
rated. The body was taken by special train to Cherbourg with
a guard of honor, composed of Frenchmen and Americans.

Many cities of the United States asked the privilege of giving
a resting-place to the body of John Paul Jones. The place
chosen as most fitting, was Annapolis, Maryland. Reaching
its destination Monday morning, July 24th, the body was trans-
ferred from the Brooklyn to the naval tug Standish, amid the
booming of guns; it was landed from the tug on a float beauti-
fully decorated, and placed in a hearse. The cortege proceeded

20 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

slowly to the Naval Academy, to the strains of a funeral dirge,
played by the Naval Academy Band. Chaplain Clark read
the burial service and offered a most impressive and inspiring
prayer, at the conclusion of which, the pallbearers, French
and American sailors, placed the casket in the brick vault
erected for the purpose; then saluted the dead, a squad of
marines firing a volley over the vault. A bugler soimded taps;
the exquisite strains, slowly dying, were listened to by a crowd
of reverent spectators in profoimd silence. For nine months
the vault was under the care of a marine guard ; imtil April 24th,
1906, the anniversary of the capture of the British warship
Drake. This date was chosen as a fitting time for the com-
memorative services.

The day's programme is given in detail in the "John Paul
Jones Commemoration," a handsome volume compiled by Mr.
Charles W. Stewart, Superintendent of the Library of Naval
War Records.

Honorable Charles J. Bonaparte, Secretary of the Navy,
issued invitations to the President, the Ambassador of France
and his suite, the principal officers of the Government, the
Navy, Army and Militia, to the Governors of States, to patri-
otic societies, and distinguished men and women of America.
The regular train service from New York, Philadelphia, Balti-
more, and Washington, to Annapolis, was increased. When the
President's train arrived at Annapolis, a salute was fired from the
United States Ship, Hartford, Farragut's famous old flagship.
The President's party was escorted to the Armory, by a bat-
talion of naval cadets, through lines of French and American
sailors, marines, troopers, and thousands of cheering specta-
tors. When the President and speakers entered the Armory,
the audience rose and remained standing, while the Baltimore
Oratorio Society sang the "Star-spangled Banner". Dur-
ing the services they sang also, "The Marseillaise", "Around
About Thy Starry Throne", "Maryland, My Maryland", clos-
ing the services with "How Sleep the Brave".

Admiral John Paul "Jones" 21

The casket, placed in front of the President's stand, was
draped with the Union Jack, upon which lay a laurel wreath,
a spray of palm, and the sword given the Admiral by King
Louis XVI — now in the possession of Richard Dale, Phila-
delphia. The armory and the speakers' stand were decorated
with the colors of France and of the United States. Honorable
Charles J. Bonaparte introduced the speakers, who were: The
President, Mr. Roosevelt, General Horace Porter, M. Jusser-
and, French Ambassador, and Governor Warfield of Maryland.

At the close of the ceremonies, the audience stood in silence
while the casket was borne to the space beneath the stairs in
Bancroft Hall, there to await the completion of the magnificent
new chapel, one of a group of naval buildings then under con-
struction.

Seven years later, January 26th, 1913, the body was re-
moved from Bancroft Hall and placed, with appropriate cere-
monies, in its final resting-place, in the crypt under the Naval
Academy Chapel, Annapolis — America's first great naval
commander, and fittingly, the first of her illustrious dead to
find sepulture within those walls of matchless design and
beauty. The sarcophagus is of marble and bronze, standing
seven and one-half feet high. Congress appropriated seventy-
five thousand dollars for its construction. A slab can be
lifted from the floor of the chapel, exposing it to view.

HUGH PAULL 16— to 1749

FIRST AMERICAN ANCESTOR

After the settlement of Jamestown in 1607, the population
of Virginia increased steadily but slowly. During thirty
years the number had reached but fifteen thousand. The
execution of Charles I in 1649, made it unsafe for his adherents
to remain in England, and many of them came to Virginia,
where land was cheap, the climate delightful, and where they
could live in peace, although the Commonwealth's men were
in power. So great was the influx that in twenty years more
(1670), the population had increased to forty thousand. The
Cavalier element was so strong as to control not only society,
but religious and public affairs as well. They lived on large
estates, dressed elegantly, traveled about in coaches and were
devoted to the Church of England. They spent their time
in social amusements and luxurious living — fond of fox-hunting
and horse-racing. An afternoon of " mirth designed to be
purely innocent" was advertised to be held in the " old field
near Captain Bickerton's in Hanover" some time in 1737.
It began with a horse-race. Men cudgeled for a hat; twenty
fiddlers contested for a new fiddle, all playing at the same
time, each a different tune; twelve boys ran a race for a hat;
a quire of ballads was awarded to the best singer ; silver buckles
to the best wrestler; handsome silk stockings to the prettiest
girl.

(22)

Hugh Paull: First American Ancestor 23

A different sort of people, a sturdy race, began to settle in
the lower valley — Scotch-Irish, Germans and Quakers. They
had but little time for amusement, no taste for gay, social
life, even if favorable circtimstances had permitted. They
commenced at once to build cabin homes, churches and grist-
mills. Some one was always on guard, rifle near by. Their
own hands provided for their tables game from the surrounding
moimtains and that which the soil yielded.

In 1719, grievous conditions in northern Ireland started
a stream of emigrants to the mountain regions of Pennsyl-
vania and Virginia, the importance of which was scarcely less
than that of the exodus of the English Puritans and Cavaliers.
Landing at more northern ports, they pushed their way across
the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers into the Cimiberland
Valley, then southward across Maryland into the Shenandoah,
by Pack Horse Ford on the Potomac, at the point which is
now Shepherdstown. Very early a settlement was made at
this ford, many desirable features offering — a beautiful coun-
try, fertile soil and healthful climate.

An old tradition credits Morgan Morgan, a native of Wales,
with having been the first white man to build a cabin south
of the Potomac between the Blue Ridge and the North Moun-
tain in 1726. This was in Spottsylvania County, at what is
now Bunker Hill, Berkeley County. Morgan Morgan was
prominent in public affairs.

The settlement on the Potomac, first called Pack Horse
Ford, was later called Mecklenburg, which did not meet with
favor; it was finally named Shepherdstown, in honor of Captain
Thomas Shepherd, who laid out the town on his own land.
The town became conspicuous many years later as the place
where James Rumsey built and navigated the first steamboat,
December 3rd, 1787.

During the winter of 1788, he went to Philadelphia where
the people were greatly excited over his invention. A society
was organized, "The Rumseyan Society", with Benjamin
Franklin as president. Rtimsey went to London the following

24 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

year, constructed a boat and launched it on the Thames in
1790. There he met Robert Fulton; congenial tastes made
them warm friends. Rumsey died suddenly in December,
1792, in London. Fulton took up the work and spent twenty
years in constructing his steamboat on the plan of the original
inventor, James Rumsey.

The English monarch claimed and exercised the right to
create Colonies and form Colonial Governments in America.
The large grants of land were made chiefly in tidewater Vir-
ginia. However, in 1664, Charles II granted a princely domain
to Lord Thomas Culpeper in the lower valley, extending to
the summit of the Alleghenies from the Chesapeake, from the
Potomac southward through territory- now embraced in twenty-
five counties. This tract descended to Thomas, Sixth Lord
Fairfax, through his mother, Catherine Fairfax, daughter and
only heir of Lord Culpeper. There were no land offices
west of the Blue Ridge for many years after the lower valley
began to be peopled. Settlers took possession of any un-
claimed land that suited them by " Tomahawk right", cutting
their names or initials on trees, and blazing trees as markers.
The laws of the Colony allowed fifty acres free; when cleared
and cultivated and buildings had been erected, four hundred
acres additional were allowed, if there remained so much land
tmclaimed. Deeds were usually given for what was claimed.
Many availed themselves of the privilege, because there were
not even bridle paths in some sections and the journey to the
Capital or Court House was expensive and tedious. When
a colony of immigrants arrived requiring a large tract of land,
the formalities of the law were adhered to by the authorities
at Williamsburg. The King also exercised the right to make
special grants to people who gave promise of becoming per-
manent settlers, even allowing them to settle on the large
grants already made, when they had an order issued by the
Governor and his Council.

Pioneers who crossed to the southern bank of the Potomac
were on the Fairfax tract, which was more extensive than

Hugh Paull: First American Ancestor 25

even the proprietor knew, vintil it was surveyed some years
after he inherited it. The Van Meter brothers, Isaac, from New
Jersey, and John from Maryland, settled on the Fairfax ter-
ritory. Their grants were dated at Williamsburg, June 17th,
1730. The following year Joist Hite came with a colony of
Germans. Through the influence of William Penn, the Vir-
ginia Coimcil gave to Hite one hundred thousand acres of land
west of the Blue Ridge. Finding by blazed trees and other
markers that the Van Meters were in advance, he bought
their claims and commenced to sell land and settle his colony
of twenty families in 1732. The Van Meters purchased from
Hite tracts out of the original grant, all on the Fairfax claim.
The confusion occasioned the old lord endless trouble, but
in the end he was obliged to accept the situation, because
the " squatters", as he regarded them, had conformed to the
laws required by the Virginia Council. He had to be satisfied
with the " remnant" (a vast one) which was limited to the
Northern Neck. When Lord Fairfax came to live perman-
ently in Virginia, he became much attached to George Washing-
ton, then a youth of sixteen, whom he frequently entertained
at his lodge and employed to survey the Northern Neck.

With its vast woodlands, its mineral resources, fertile soil,
fine climate, and majestic scenery, the Shenandoah Valley
was one of the most attractive and desirable sections in the
" New World", extending from the Potomac to the southern
boundary of Roanoke County and lying between the Blue
Ridge and the Kittatinny (or North) Mountains. The lower
valley was embraced in one county vmtil 1734, when Orange
was erected, including the territory west of the Ridge. By
act of the Colonial Assembly, November 1st, 1738, two coun-
ties were formed from Orange, named Frederick and Augusta
for the Prince of Wales and Princess Augusta, parents of
George HI. Frederick Coimty embraced the country along the
Potomac and about seventy-five miles up the valley. Win-
chester, in Frederick County, was at this time marked by
two log cabins. Here Court was established and a Justice

26 Paull-Irivin: A Family Sketch

of the Peace appointed five years later, in 1743. Winchester
became capital of the lower valley in 1752.

Hugh Pavill, a native of Arbigland, Scotland, joined the
exodus to America with his family. ' There are good reasons
for accepting as fact, the tradition that he was a brother of
the John Paul who was the father of John Paul " Jones".
Three of the four sons of John Paul had names the same as those
of three of Hugh's sons. The name of Hugh Paull's family
was originally spelled with4)ne /, as shown by the records of
Frederick County. In a copy of Hugh Paull's will, which is
filed in Winchester, his name is spelled with two Is, which form
has been continued by the descendants of his son George, on
whose tombstone the name is spelled with two Is.

The " Tomahawk" claim of onfe hundred ninety-eight acres
was marked at four comers by blazed trees; white oak, white
oak " sapling", " three hicory saplings", a " double sycamore",
in Frederick County, Virginia, in the Northern Neck. The
date of Hugh Paull's emigration is not definitely known. He
could not have been among the earliest settlers, when bound-
less acres awaited claimants. The time was probably between
1735 and 1740. To the small tract of one hundred ninety-
eight acres, other lands were added later. Crossing the Poto-
mac at Pack Horse Ford, a western course was followed by
pack horse for twenty-five miles, over ridges of the North
Mountain and numerous creeks, which, if the journey occurred
in time of a freshet, would be defiant moimtain torrents.
In such a case, the company would have to encamp imtil the
water had receded, alloudng passage over a rocky ford. Ridge
succeeded ridge, until the height reached commanded a magni-
ficent view, stretching off to the Blue Ridge, forty miles distant.
Could bonnie Scotland surpass it! With but meagre fur-
nishings, which included a rifle, a Psalter, and a Bible, a halt
was made in Back Creek Valley, five miles south of the Poto-
mac on a level, the ground sloping gently on three sides; on
the east, dipping to Back Creek. An attractive feature, a
deciding factor in making choice of a location, were twin springs

The white oak, deeply scarred by blazing, which marks the western corner of Hugh
PauU's claim ; partly concealed by an oak of the second generation.

Hugh Paull's original log cabin ; recent addition at the left, all weather boarded.

Hugh Paull: First American Ancestor 27

at the base of the southern slope. Near the springs a two-
story log house was bviilt, facing west. The room first entered
was of good size, with open fire-place and high mantel; a
room the same size was at the left. Behind the door leading out,
squeezed in as narrow space as possible, a flight of stairs led
to two rooms corresponding with those below. Forty-five
years ago a roughly built cabin with the crossed logs uncut
at the comers, was standing south of the house, quite near.
It may have been hastily put up for temporary use, as the
house, which is carefully and substantially built, would require
some time.

To get a start, clear and cultivate the land, living most
economically until the crops matured, required pluck and
heroism, qualifications which were not lacking.

Less than a quarter of a mile from the home, a heap of stones
now marks the site of a schoolhouse, which, for more than a
century, braved the tempests from without — and those within.
About fifty years ago, the owner of the land, void of sentiment,
tore it down. Those of Hugh Paull's family who were of school
age, certainly received here their rudimentary education.

This section was included in the " Indian Country", and
the natives naturally resented the intrusion of the white sett-
lers. According to Mr. Cartmell's "Shenandoah Valley
Pioneers" there were, at the time of the early settlements, nine
tribes claiming control of the large hunting ground : the Cataw-
bas, Cenelas, Pascataways, Cherokees; the Susquenoughs, a
large and friendly tribe driven from the Chesapeake to the upper
Potomac; the Tuscaroras, who had their villages in the north
of Frederick, now Berkeley, County; the Delawares, whose
villages were on the Susquehanna River, in Pennsylvania;
the Shawnees, the most powerful and warlike of all, who claimed
the hunting ground between the Blue Ridge and the Alleghe-
nies, and greatly harassed the early settlers in the lower
valley. The nine tribes had different dialects, but a language
common to all, by which they could communicate with each
other. They continued their incursions into the valley regions
until 1740.

28 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

In one particular, at least, the early settlers profited by
a custom of the Indians. When the supply of breadstuff s
was exhausted and there was delay in the arrival of more, they
made meal in a mortar (often in a stone hollowed out, Indian
fashion) pounded with a pestle.

As soon as possible, primitive grist mills were built on the
mountain streams. In after years, well-equipped mills were
nimierous, some of them becoming famous.

One of the most important and certainly one of the most
picturesque of the streams, is Back Creek, which has its source
in southwestern Frederick County, and flows along the western
base of North Mountain. Hemmed in on one side by walls
of rock, on the other by foot hills, it is often out of view for
miles at a stretch. In its tortuous course, it flows gently
where the incline is slight, forming merry waterfalls when a
leap must be made over rocks. It makes so many abrupt
turns, in many places turning back (thereby suggesting its
name, perhaps) as if undecided which way to go, that be-
tween Winchester and the point where the Northwestern turn-
pike crosses Back Creek, a distance of ten miles, the public
road, until within recent years, crossed and recrossed the
creek seventeen times. In the latter part of its course, it
flows north, turns due west at the old Snodgrass tavern, and
flows to the center of Hugh Paull's farm; near his house it
turns " back", flows due east, then north to the Potomac,
forming the southern and eastern boimdaries of a tract which
was acquired in 1760 by John, eldest son of Hugh PauU. The
pure, clear water of Back Creek and its rugged beauty, have
always attracted people seeking summer resorts.

The Indian name of the historic Potomac was Cohongoroota,
When the change was made, the name was variously spelled —
Pawtawmac, Potomoke, Pocomoke, etc. The name of the
Iroquois Chief, Gherundo, is not recognizable in the euphon-
ious Shenandoah, which resulted after various attempts to
change the name; Shendo, Sherando, Shennandow, etc.

Hugh Paull: First American Ancestor 29

The mountains and hills of the lower valley bore a wealth
of timber, trees of many varieties, and rich deposits beneath
the surface. The bark of the chestnut-oak furnished supplies
for many tanneries. Besides the deer, the bear, panther and
wolf roamed over the mountains, for whose capture liberal
premiums were given. From the sale of pelts hunters realized
a considerable revenue.

The first newspaper in Virginia was published in Williams-
burg in August, 1736, the Virginia Gazette, some copies of
which are still preserved. It was a small sheet, giving the
events in the Colony, items of foreign news, notices of the
arrival and departvu-e of ships, advertisements of the Williams-
burg shopkeepers. Poetry was an attractive feature to some
people, much of it sentimental rhjones from lovers to their
sweethearts. To this luxury was added that of the "quick"
transmission of mail. The postal system which was first
agitated by the Burgesses in 1692, was fully established in
1738. Sir Alexander Spottswood, who had been Governor
of Virginia from 1710 until 1722, was now Postmaster General.
He ordered the post riders to be at the Susquehanna River
Saturday night, to receive mail from Philadelphia; thence
to ride to Annapolis and the Potomac River, rounding up the
week at Williamsburg Saturday night.

Five years after the erection of Frederick from Orange
County, in November, 1743, the first Court was held. Mr.
Cartmell's history cites some interesting entries from the old
Court records.

The first will probated was that of Bryant McNamee, pre-
sented by his widow, Elizabeth McNamee, executrix, Novem-
ber, 1743. In January, 1744, John Dooues paid the "Gov-
ernor's fee", and was permitted to " trade as pedlar in this
Colony" the first to follow that vocation, which met a real
need. The peddler was accorded the welcome extended to
guests by the Colonists ; every one wanted to be present when he
arrived, quite as much to hear of the happenings he gathered
in his journey from place to place, as to see his goods. At

30 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

the same Court, January, 1744, license was granted for the
first tavern, called an "ordinary", or house of entertainment.
William Hoge paid the Governor's fee, and was required to
" provide lodging, food, and liquors, at prices fixed by cotirt".
The liquor was to be pure and regularly inspected. This "or-
dinary" was located at the present village of Kemstown,
near the old Presbyterian Church, Opecquon (0-peck-on), which
claims rank among the first of the early chvirches.

The first Grand Jury was summoned in May, 1744, among
whom were Hugh " Parell" (Hugh Paull?) and Joshua Hedges,
a neighbor of Hugh Paull. At the same court, among the
new Justices appointed were Solomon Hedges, Thomas Swear-
ingen, and Israel Robinson, neighbors, and men with whom
he had business dealings. A descendant of Israel Robinson,
of the same name, many years later owned Hugh Paull's planta-
tion.

" Coll. James Wood" was presented for getting drunk and
for swearing two oaths within six months. Jonathan Curtis
was presented for plowing on Simday. A Presbyterian minis-
ter, Rev. William Williams, was fined for " joyning in the holy
bonds of matrimony, several persons, he being no ordained
minister". The fine was four povmds; the minister resented
the injustice and the indignity and was fined twenty-six shillings
for " behaving indecent before the Court". The Church of
England recognized no ministers, as such, other than their
own.

Dire need of passageways through the country, occasioned
one of the first petitions to the new Cotut, presented by Thomas
Chester, John Wilcox, and Jacob Funk, for a road which be-
came famous dviring the Civil War — that from Strasbvirg to
Manassas. For a new road which was opened three years
later, Hugh Paull was appointed one of the overseers.

Court held Thursday, June 2nd, 1747.

" On petition of John Berwick, it is Ordered that Thomas
Swearingen, Wm. Mitchell and Robert Davis, or any two of

A Turn in the Warm Spring Road, near the Snodgrass Tavern.

Hugh Paull: First American Ancestor 31

them. View, Mark, and lay off a road, at the meeting house
at the gap of the Moimtain to Hugh Paull 's from thence to
Thomas Cherry's, by Daniel Ross'es, up the bottom to Thomas
Berwick's to the Warm Springs, and that the Tithables within
six miles on each side of the said road clear and work the same.
And Hugh Paull is hereby appointed over see'r from the
said meeting house to Sleepy Creek; and James Boyles from
Sleepy Creek to said Springs. And it is further ordered that
the said Hugh Paull and James Boyl cause said road to be
cleared, and when cleared, that they cause the said road to
be kept in good repair according to law.

Morgan Morgan

David Vance \ ,-> ,, t .• ..

,, 1-,, TT 1 ) Gentlemen Justices

Meredith Helm ' "^

Solomon Hedges

At the "gap of the Mountain", Hedgesville is located. The
" meeting house", built at an early date, was abandoned in
1800 for the present church, a substantial, red brick structure,
good for another century, belonging to the Episcopalians.
The Warm Spring road (" Warm Spring" is now Berkeley
Springs) is a fine one, in some sections verj'^ beautiful in its
frequent turns, rocky banks on either side with moss and
over-hanging vines or dense shrubbery. If the telephone p oles
were less frequent, one's imagination might see in them the
old-time guideposts. On Back Creek, one mile from the
beginning of the road and two miles from Hugh Paull's, was
built about this time by one of the Snodgrass family, an
"ordinary", said to have been among the first west of the
Blue Ridge. Many guests, distinguished and otherwise, were
entertained here. General Washington, traveling in his coach,
made frequent stops on his way to and from Washington.
In " Washington's room" at the tavern, there were spikes in
the great log joists, perhaps for holding herbs or strings of
drying apples. By and by, when spikes were at a premium
in this locality, every spike disappeared, leaving the tale be-

32 Paull- Irwin: A Family Sketch

hind them. Sometimes unwelcome guests came. The yovmg-
est granddaughter of the tavern-keeper lived to an advanced
age. People now living recall her account of a thrilling ex-
perience in her grandfather's family. In the absence of the
father, a party of Indians settled down in front of the house on
the creek like a flock of crows. The mother quickly dropped
the children into the cellar through a trapdoor, then followed,
locking the door and none too soon. The Indians, intoxicated,
entered the kitchen and a bloody fight followed. They had all
risen and flown when the father returned. The sight of the
blood paralyzed him, but when the mother heard the familiar
tread overhead, she assured him that all were safe.

At this old tavern a fine iron bridge spans Back Creek, from
which is displayed a choice picture when the stream is normal;
where the wooded hillside and sky are charmingly reflected;
where a tiny island, hugging its own bit of verdure, divides
the stream, the water rippling playfully around it.

The Warm Spring road passes through the Paull lands, a
short distance south of Hugh Paull's house.

Before improved roadways were thought of, churches and
schoolhouses were built. The tramontane settlers were chiefly
Presbyterians. The first Presbytery n America was con-
stituted in Philadelphia in 1705 or 1706. In 1716 its growth
demanded a division; New Castle, Long Island, and Snow Hill
in Mar>'land, were formed. At the same time a Synod was
formed, the Synod of Philadelphia. Four years later, in 1720,
there were twenty-seven ministers in the four Presbyteries.
This year. Rev. Daniel McGill, according to appointment
by Presbytery, "put the people into church order" at " Poto-
moke", near Shepherdstown. Dr. Graham, in his " History
of Presbyterianism in the Northern Neck", ranks this as first
among the pioneer churches. Altogether, the nimiber built
by the early settlers in the lower valley shows increase in
population and advancement in prosperity and religious zeal.
All were embraced in Donegal Presbytery, which was formed
from New Castle in 1732. The Church of England dominated

Hugh Paull: First American Ancestor 33

eastern Virginia, where followers of other creeds were sub-
jected to persecution. West of the Ridge, however, it was
barely tolerated. In 1738, the Synod met in Philadelphia.
John Caldwell (great-grandfather of John Caldwell Calhoun)
brought a request from Donegal Presbytery that a petition
might be sent to Governor Gooch, asking for the Presbyterians
of the valley, " the free enjoyment of civil and religious lib-
erty". Rev. Mr. Anderson bore the petition to Governor
Gooch, who received it kindly and acted accordingly.

Some of these old churches were " Potomoke", (now Elk
Branch); Opecquon, near Winchester; BuUskin, near Sum-
mit Point, Jefferson Coimty; Tuscarora, at Martinsburg;
Falling Waters, and Back Creek, which is now Tomahawk;
all housing worshippers of the original faith.

Falling Waters, originally located at the village of Falling
Waters, is of early date, not later than 1740. Settlers were
nattirally attracted to this beautiful section of country, with
its fertile soil, and there was soon a " numerous society" of
chvirch people. They were constant in their requests to Pres-
bytery for " supplies", begging for a minister to " reside among
them and catechise"; a "laborer for some time to come",
not for a Sabbath or two only.

Rev. Andrew Hunter, belonging to the community, together
with Rev. Philip Fithian, were sent by the S3aiod to visit
some of the frontier churches. Sabbath, May 21st, 1775,
they preached at " Falling Waters meeting house". Mr.
Fithian wrote in his journal, " I am told this is a niunerous
society. The people gave good attention, and sang the Scotch,
or as they called them, David's Psalms. The congregation
is chiefly made up of Irish and half Scotch, most of them Pres-
byterians. We dined at one Bowland's. Two wagons fully
loaded went past, going with families to back settlements".
Some years later, the Falling Waters congregation removed
their place of worship three miles farther west. In 1834, a
third church, the present one, on Mill Creek was built, six
miles west of the first one.

34 Paull- Irwin: A Family Sketch

Tomahawk Church (Back Creek) is of equally ancient
origin, seven miles south west of Falling Waters, and always
associated with it in a pastoral charge. There are no records
of the beginning of these churches. The people, concerned
with the work of their day, took no thought for the morrow;
allowing the morrow to take thought for the things of itself.
The log building served its purpose for a centiuy or more,
when the present attractive and substantial stone church took
its place in 1825. It is beautifully located on a hill, facing
west, towards mountain ridges where a gap shows a more dis-
tant ridge. Below is a cluster of houses, called Tomahawk
Springs; a stream of water coursing through fields where
cattle graze. On the slope rising from the pasture fields and
behind the village towards the mountain, are several fine apple
orchards, which contribute their yield to the large export
from Virginia.

Tomahawk Church is pleased to claim the young minister
who is stationed at the first old church, Elk Branch, Rev.
John Calvin Siler, who was brought up here and whose family
burying groimd is under the tree behind the church. With
the name he bears, he could not do otherwise than " preach
the Gospel".

It is reasonably certain that on this hill of Zion, in the old
log chvu-ch, the family of Hugh Paull had their chiu-ch home;
it is equally certain that, if not on the home farm, in the sacred
enclosure which surrounds the church on three sides, he was
laid to rest in the spring of 1749. " My wife" (the only name
by which she is known to posterity, partner in the home-
making, in overcoming hardships, in the successful bringing
up of six children — "my wife" ) was laid by his side probably
in 1768, the year the home farm was sold. All of the early
settlers of this region were btuied at Tomahawk, which was
less than three miles from Hugh Paull's, on the same side of
the creek. Falling Waters, at this time twelve miles distant.
Back Creek intervening, could not have been the constant
place of worship, although no doubt often attended. Among

TOMAHAWK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Four miles south-west of Hedgesviile.

Hugh Paull: First American Ancestor 35

the quaint epitaphs in Tomahawk graveyard is the following:

"Friend and stranger, as you pass by,
As you are now, so once was I ;

As I am now, so you will be —

Prepare for death, and follow me".

As soon as Presbyteries were formed, church records were
kept; but imfortimately, the records of Donegal, covering
many years, were lost; consequently, nothing is known of the
expansion of the work, nor the names of the supplies. In
April, 1760, " Mr. Hoge is ordered to supply Back Creek",
and his ministrations continued for some time. Rev. John
Hoge had the distinction of having been the first settled pastor
in the lower valley and the first to reside among his people.
He was bom in South Amboy, New Jersey, and graduated
from Nassau Hall in 1749. The Presbytery of New Castle
tried to dissuade him from entering the ministry, " lest his
genius should not be fit for the ministry". But he persevered
in his purpose and rendered a noble service of long continu-
ance in Frederick County. He died February Uth, 1807,
*' highly esteemed as a minister, and had an unquestioned
character for piety". Hugh Paull's wife and family were
under the ministry of Mr. Hoge and subsequent supplies for
eight years. How many remained after that time is not known.
His son George left the community two years before the com-
ing of the first settled minister. Rev. Hugh Vance, October, 1770.
He continued with Back Creek and Tuscarora (not, in this
instance, Falling Waters) for twenty years. Mr. Fithian
visited him in May, 1775. His Journal states that he " lived
at the foot of North Moimtain, partakes, I believe, of the
Virginia spirit [with reference to the Revolution] and hands
round the sociable bowl". One month later he wrote, "Sim-
day, ]une 18th, 1775. Over the North Mountain I rode to
Mr. Vance's meeting house at Back Creek. The Sacrament
was administered to ninety-three communicants; vast as-

36 Paull-Invin: A Family Sketch

sembly". Mr. Vance was greatly beloved, always ready to
give needed assistance. He died in December, 1791, aged 59,
and was buried in Tiiscarora graveyard. The congregation
was furnished with supplies until 1794, when Rev. John Boyd
was settled over Falling Waters and Tomahawk. Since
Mr. Boyd, there have been twelve pastors, including the present
one. Rev. Richard Venable Lancaster, from Ashland, Virginia,
a yotmg man of marked promise and devotion, called to these
churches, his first charge, in 1913.

Falling Waters is charmingly picturesque, a large stone
church in the midst of veteran trees, the church yard, with
its rows of grassy mounds, in front and to the right of the
church. On entering, one faces the congregation. The pul-
pit is at the front, a door on each side opening to an aisle; a
flight of stairs behind each door, leads to the gallery which
extends around three sides of the church. The congregation,
with a membership of two himdred seventy-five, live in Mar-
tinsburg, Hedgesville, Cherry Grove, and North Mountain.

Tomahawk Parish is eight miles in extent, the congregation
all covmtry people. The membership is ninety-five (including
twenty-four non-residents), the average congregation nimi-
bering sixty or seventy.

PhUip Vickers Fithian, son of Joseph and Hannah Vickers
Fithian was bom December 29th, 1747, in Greenwich, New
Jersey. He was graduated from Princeton in 1772, when
Henry Lee, Aaron Burr, and James Madison were students
there. The following year he was tutor in the family of Colonel
Robert Carter of Nomini Hall, Virginia. Partaking of the
spirit rife at this time, he, together with his cousin, Joel Fithian,
and his classmate, Andrew Htmter, joined thirty or more
other young men, all disguised as Indians, and burned a cargo
of tea stored in Greenwich, on Cohansey Creek, in November,
1774. The following month Philadelphia Presbytery licensed
him to preach. Andrew Himter was licensed about the same
time, and the two were commissioned by Synod to visit the

Hugh Paull: First American Ancestor 37

frontier churches in the lower Shenandoah and Pennsylvania;
the tour was made in 1775-76.

When in Winchester, June 6th, 1776, Mr. Fithian writes
in his Journal as follows: " Mars, the great God of Battle, is
now honored in every part of this spacious colony, but here,
every presence is warlike — every sound is martial — drums
beating, pipes and bagpipes playing, and only sonorous and
vesic music. Every man has a hunting shirt, which is the
uniform of each company. Almost all have a cockade and
bucktail in their hats to represent that they are hardy, resolute
and invincible natives of the woods of America. The County
Committee sat. Among other resolves they passed this reso-
lute and trying determination : 'That every member of this
county between the ages of sixteen and sixty, shall appear every
month at least, in the field, under arms, and it is recommended

to all to muster weekly for their improvement'

June 8th. To-day, for the first time, I went through the 'new
exercise', gave the word, and performed the action. One
shipe of this town was backward this morning in his attendance
with the company of Independents. A file was sent to bring
him. He made resistance, but was compelled, at length,
and is now in great fear and very htmible, since he heard many
of his townsmen talk of tar and feathers".

The war spirit was contagious and the two young ministers
enlisted as chaplains, in July, 1776, in Heard's brigade. New
Jersey Militia. Fithian was with Washington at Long Island
and Harlem Heights. He was attacked with a camp epidemic,
dysentery, brought on by exposure, and died October 8th,
1776. He was tmusually gifted and gave promise of great
usefulness. His buoyant life still throbs in the pages of his
famous Journal. He had married, in October, 1775, Elizabeth,
daughter of Rev. Charles Beatty; she afterwards married his
cousin, Joel Fithian.

Rev. Andrew Hunter, a native of Berkeley Coimty, lived
near Martinsburg. In Jime, 1776, while on his missionary
tour with Mr. Fithian, the Presbytery appointed him a "supply"

38 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

Sit Falling Waters, near his home, for the month. He was a
trustee of Princeton for many years. The latter years of his
life were spent in Washington, where he had removed with
his family. There he was chaplain at the navy yard, and
died at an advanced age.

Hedgesville, fotmded by Hezekiah Hedges in 1830, is a
quiet village of several himdred inhabitants, one mile south
of a railroad station at North Moimtain. There are two or
three stores, four churches (Episcopal, Northern and Southern
Methodist, and Presbyterian) and an attractive brick school
building, finely equipped with able teachers and having a
first-class course of study. The one hotel is a large one with
an inspiring outlook, whose city boarders furnish animation
and gaiety during the siunmer. Every one knows when a
newcomer arrives. Colored people are much in evidence,
the old uncles and aunties beaming and respectful, as if recog-
nizing in the stranger, a resemblance to their long-lost folks,
"laws a massy \ A delightful cordiality and friendliness
characterize the people, making droppcrs-in feel at home.
Telephone bells ring, rural mail-carriers come and go, automo-
biles dash through over well-kept roads — and this is the
mountain gap where, one hundred seventy years ago or more,
settlers were attracted by a clear mountain spring of great
depth, now the pride of the village. Then, only a pack-
horse trail led beyond; wolves howled at night and dangers
threatened with each recurring to-morrow.

At this hamlet, Hugh Paull's force commenced hewing and
blasting for the new road. A year of hard labor probably
brought the work to Sleepy Creek, where Hugh Paull's division
ended and he was relieved as overseer by James Boyle. At
that time, the " tithables" revolted, some living six miles
from the work and perhaps receiving insufficient pay. But
the grievance was adjusted satisfactorily and the road was
completed.

Recorded incidents in the life of Hugh PauU are very few.
The only cited instance of public ser\nce is that of overseer of

Hugh Paull: First American Ancestor 39

the new road. This was certainly his last public work, what-
ever may have preceded it. Ill health or advancing age, led
him to settle his affairs November 2nd, 1748. With satis-
faction and gratitude, he must have looked down the meadow
beyond Back Creek to the serene, beautiful North Moimtain,
where the day dawns, and over his cultivated, well-stocked
plantation. There was order in the Province under John
Robinson, Deputy Governor. There was comfortable pro-
vision for his family. The season for rest had come, and it
was a good time to make preparation for the long-talked-of
journey to the Coimtry, of all most famed.

"I'll ne'er be fu' content, imtil my een do see
Inside the gate that opens to the fair Countree

But the King bids me wait, and ready aye to be,
To gang at ony moment to His ain Countree"!

" I bequeath my soul into the Hand of Almighty God, my
Maker, hoping that through the meritorious death and passion
of Jesus Christ, my only Saviour and Redeemer, to receive
free pardon for my sins, and as for my body, to be buried in
Christain burial at the discretion of my children".

Property was bequeathed to his wife and six children; five
sons, John, Robert, Andrew, William, George, and one daughter,
" Cathan", or Catherine. To George, a boy of fifteen, was
left the home plantation and the " colt that now follows the
gray mare". Doubtless the immediate possession of the com-
panionable colt gave greater pleasure than anticipated owner-
ship of a farm. " My wife is to have her maintenance out
of the place as long as she lives".

But little is known of the family. Excepting George, the
sons had all reached their majority. John and Robert were
landowners and probably married. When the father's will
was admitted to probate, the oaths of his two sons, Andrew
and William, proved that they were not minors. In 1747,
Robert bought two hundred twenty acres of land "at the

40 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

head of Tulley's Branch", from Joshua Hedges, for twenty-
seven pounds. This is two miles east of Hedgesville, now
a valuable tract, " Rosemary" apple orchard. Robert was
a member of Captain Thomas Swearingen's company in 1758,
in the French and Indian War. He was court-martialed for
failure to answer to roll call. He died in 1770, when an in-
ventory and appraisement of his property was made. In
1751, Andrew bought two htmdred twenty acres " up Ta<?-
carora Creek" from Benjamin Beeson for one htmdred pounds.
Six years later, when he sold the same tract (for the same
amount) to David and John Snodgrass, one of the witnesses
was David Crockett. In 1770, William Paull and his wife
were litigants in cotu-t.

After the death of Hugh Paull, the homestead remained in
the family for nineteen years, when it was sold to Edward
Magner; being on the Fairfax grant (a claim by " Tomahawk"
right) it was surveyed and a patent was obtained from Lord
Fairfax in May, 1769. The successive owTiers of Hugh Paull's
plantation have been : John Frank, Samuel Winning, Philip
Siler, Israel Robinson, Henry Metz, and James Johnston —
whose son, Conrad Johnston now owns the farm and occupies
the old log house, which has an addition of several rooms on
the north, all weatherboarded, well-kept, and comfortable.

Of Hugh Paull's daughter, Catherine, nothing is known.

John Paull married Elizabeth , Robert Paull married ,

Andrew Paull married Ann , William Paull married Sarah

Jack, George Paull married Martha Irwin.

There may be Hugh Paulls among the descendants of John,
Robert, Andrew, and William. George's only son received
the name of his maternal grandfather, James Irwin, and in this
way the name Hugh was lost to this branch of the family;
in the succeeding generations boys oftentimes were given their
grandfather's name. After the lapse of one hundred sixty-
fotir years, a grandson of the seventh generation bears the
honored name of the fovmder of a large, respected American
family, Hugh Paull.

HUGH PAULL

Washington, District of Columbia
Son of William L., son of William R., son of Tliomas, son of James, son of
George, son of Hugh Paull, Virginia.

)

SECOND GENERATION

GEORGE PAULL
1734— March 31, 1778

George, youngest son of Hugh Paull, probably bom in Scot-
land, was quite young when the family emigrated to America.
Nothing is known of his childhood, but he shared the common
lot of the settler's boy, often bearing responsibilities beyond
his years, but having abundant opportunities to gratify a
boy's love for fun and adventure. He knew where to go with
his fishing rod; where the best "swimming pools" were;
Back Creek, with its offers of endless diversion, was the most
alluring place on the farm. It is safe to assimie that each morn-
ing in school term, George ran down the slope past the springs,
along the little stream below the road to the schoolhouse near
by, on the Warm Spring road, where he " toed the mark"
with the class in reading, spilled pokeberry ink over the copy
"set" for his " 'riting" and puzzled his brains over the "sums
in 'rithmetic". There were the Snodgrass boys, the Lyles, the
Hedges, the Robinsons, the Porterfields, robust, boisterous,
mountain boys, who managed somehow to profit by their
" schooling", while giving much time and thought to mischief.

(41 )

42 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

When these boys reached the last day of school, they were
confronted with grave conditions and pranks were given up.
Manfully and resolutely they met the duties involved and
became true patriots, makers of history.

After the death of George Paull's father when the boy
was fifteen, there is no positive record for nine years, imtil
1758, although tradition asserts that at the age of twenty,
he joined the Virginia volunteers (in supporting General Brad-
dock in his expedition against the French and Indians) in 1754.

The British Government urged the American Colonies to
adopt measures for mutual protection and to be ready for serv-
ice when British troops under British generals should arrive.
General Edward Braddock, a Scotchman, Commander-in-
chief of the English forces, arrived at Alexandria in February,
1755, with one thousand royal troops under Colonel Peter
Halkett and Colonel Thomas Dunbar. Virginia had ready
eight hundred volunteers. They were divided into eight
companies, officered by experienced Indian fighters: Captains
Stephen, Lewis, Wagener, Poulson, Stewart, Hogg, Peyron-
ney and Mercer. The volimteers were familiar with Indian
tactics, through encounters with the savages in defence of
their homes.

The division under General Braddock moved towards the
French at Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh), Christopher Gist
and his son, Nathaniel, acting as guides. Dr. James Craik, as
a surgeon. Colonel George Croghan, Indian agent for the
large Aughwick tract, was with the division. Tradition
farther states that George Paull was in this expedition, one
of the few survivors of the battle of the Monongahela,
which took place within ten miles of Fort Duquesne, July
9th, 1755. when au^ul defeat and death overtook General
Braddock. Of the doleful event, yoimg Washington wrote
to Governor Dinwiddle, " Our poor Virginians behaved like
men and died like soldiers. Out of the three Companies there
that day, I believe scarcely more than thirty were left alive".
There is no authentic list of the noble Eight Himdred. In

Second Generation: George Paull 43

Frederick Coimty records are preserved the names of some
of them who received land bounty from the Virginia Govern-
ment for their services.

George Paull was back home again in 1758, when George
Washington was a candidate for the House of Burgesses.
Among Washington's papers in the State Department, in his
own writing, is " An Alphabetical Poll for Frederick Coimty,
Taken the 24th Day of May, 1758". In the coltmm for
"Colo. Washington" are "Doc Jas. Craik" and " George
Paul".

At this stage in the career of the young Virginian, occurred
his courtship and marriage. A staunch, womanly, rosy-
cheeked Irish girl on the other side of the Potomac, attracted
him. Clothed in homespun, he shouldered his trusted rifle,
crossed the river from Shenandoah into the Cumberland
Valley, and wended his way to the home of James Irwin, the
pioneer of the Conococheague settlement (Mercersburg).
His visits were not frequent, nor were they announced before-
hand; but Martha Irwin welcomed him heartily. One day
the rifle was placed on the antlers over the door, and Cupid's
weapon was brought into play. " Enticing words" were
superfluous; the personality of the tall, manly, frontiersman,
appealed mightily to the self-contained maiden, and she was
quite willing to say, " I will go".

By and by, over the same roiite, the huntsman returned
for the important event, some time in 1758, or '59. The
name of the officiating clergyman is not known. Until the
time of the first settled minister at the Presbyterian meeting-
house, in 1769, the people were dependent on " supplies" for
performing wedding ceremonies, and conducting funerals, as
well as for preaching service. The bride did not wear a veil
caught with orange blossoms, nor did she carry a shower bou-
quet; but, without question, she wore the best available home-
made gown and she carried with her the highest esteem of
her brave soldier lover, who had risked his life in behalf of
the Colonies, and now placed himself between her and possible

44 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

harm in crossing the mountain, which was accomplished,
most likely, on horseback.

Leaving his bride with his mother's family in the Shenan-
doah, the soldier responded to the call of public duty, taking
command at Fort Burd on the Monongahela, in the autumn
of 1759 or in the following spring. This fort, built by Colonel
James Burd in November, 1759, was at the mouth of Dunlap's
Creek, near " Fort Old Redstone", a pre-historic earthwork,
foimd there by the earliest settlers. The fort, named for
Colonel Burd, is known in history as "Old Redstone", because
of its nearness to the ancient mound of that name. George
Paull, commissioned captain, was placed in command of a
small garrison of twenty-five men. But one incident during
his connection with the fort is available.

In the spring of 1760, the settlers on Decker's Creek were
attacked by a party of Delaware and Mingo Indians and
nearly all were killed. A survivor escaped to Fort Burd and
gave an account of the tragedy. The garrison was not strong
enough to spare a detachment, but Captain Paull sent a nmner
to Captain John Gibson at Fort Pitt, who at once sent thirty
men from his garrison in pursuit. For what length of time
Captain Paull served at Ford Burd is not known. The fort
was used as a garrison as late as Dunmore's War, 1774; dur-
ing the Revolution, it served as a Continental storehouse. It
was wholly obliterated in 1785 when Brownsville was built
on the site.

Happily, the grim life of a warrior was sometimes relieved
by cheering occurrences at home. September 17, 1760, a baby
boy was bom in the house built by his grandfather, Hugh
Paull. He was named for his grandfather Irwin, James. The
second child was named Mary, an intimation that this was
the name of George Paull's mother. Martha's mother was
Jean.

In 1766, George Paull was again with his family in Virginia.
To the farm inherited from his father's estate was added one
which he bought from Lord Fairfax, a near-by tract of one

'm<

George Paull's original log cabin ; recent addition at the left, all weather boarded.

Second Generation: George Paull 45

hundred ninety acres, on which he built a log house like his
father's. It is on the Warm Spring road, on an elevation,
facing east and commanding a beautiful view of North Moun-
tain, wide in extent, reaching beyond, on the north, to Fair-
view Mountain, Maryland. The old schoolhouse was almost
within stone's throw. In marking off his claim, the beginning
was made at a white oak by the schoolhouse and marked with
his initials, G. P. The tree, like the schoolhouse, was obliged
to yield to the destroyer — their room was more desirable than
their presence. The deed of the property reads as follows:

PATENT

"Right Honorable Lord Thomas Fairfax, Baron of Cameron,
in that part of Great Britain called Scotland, Proprietor of the
Northern Neck of Virginia. To all To whom this present
writing shall come Greeting JCnow ye that for good causes and
in consideration of the Composition to me paid and for the
aimual Rent hereinafter reserved, I have given granted and
confirmed, and for these Presents for me my heirs and assigns
do give grant and confirm unto George Paul of Frederick
Cotmty, a certain tract of waste and ungranted land near Back
Creek in the said County, and bounded as by a survey thereof
made by John Mauzy.

"Beginning at a white oak on a hill marked G. P. standing
on the east side of Berwick's Road about a quarter of a mile
from said creek. Thence 7 Et 102 poles to a forked black oak
on a hill side on the south side of the Waggon Branch thence
S 83 W 79 poles to a white oak sapling in Francis McGinnis's
line, thence along it N 65 W 16 poles to a white oak being the
said McGinnis's beginning, thence N Wt 140 poles to a double
chestnut oak on a great hill, thence N 103 poles to a chestnut
oak on the said hill among a parcel of stones, thence E 142
poles to a white oak in the said Paxil's former line, and S 21
E 106 poles to the beginning, containing 190 acres — together
with all Rights, Members, and appurtenances there imto be-

46 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

longing Royal Mines excepted, and a full third part of all Lead
Copper Tin Coals Iron, Mine and Iron Ore that shall be found
thereon.

"To have and to hold the said 190 acres of land together with
all rights profits and benefits to the same belonging or in any-
wise appertaining except before excepted — To him the said
George Paul his heirs and assigns forever. He the said George
Paul his heirs and assigns therefore YIELDING and PAYING
to me my heirs or assigns, or to my Attorney or Attorneys,
Agent or Agents, or to the certain Attorney or Attorneys of
my Heirs or Assigns Proprietors of the said Northern Neck,
Yearly and Every year on the feast day of St. Michael the
Archangel, the fee rent of One Shilling Sterling Money for
every fifty acres of land hereby granted and so proportionably
for a greater or lesser quantity.

"Provided that if the said George Paul his heirs or assigns
shall not pay the said reserved annual rent as aforesaid so that
the same or any part thereof shall be behind and unpaid by
the space of two whole years after the same shall become due,
if legally demanded That then it shall and may be lawful for
me my heirs and assigns Proprietors as aforesaid my or their
certain Attorney or Attorneys agent or agents into the above
granted premises to re-enter and hold the same as if this grant
had never passed.

"Given at my office in the Cotmty of Frederick tmder my
hand and seal. Dated the 9th day of October A D 1766.

FAIRFAX".

Thomas, Sixth Lord Fairfax, visited his royal grant in Vir-
ginia in 1736, but retiuned to England soon afterwards, agents
looking after his interests. In 1748, a circtmistance brought
him to live permanently in America. He was a man of culture,
fond of gay life, and the society of fashionable ladies. All
went well vmtil his heart became entangled. Disappointment
in a love affair led him, at the age of 55, to seek the qtiiet and

Second Generation: George Paull 47

seclusion of the Shenandoah Valley, where he built a roomy-
lodge with wide piazzas, which he named " Green way Court '
Here he spent the remainder of his life, with his servants, his
books, and his hounds, royally entertaining guests who were
fond of the chase. The charming country attracted English
farmers, who came with their families and servants and settled
around the lodge, which was near the present village of Mill-
wood. Lord Fairfax died at Green way Court in 1782, at the
age of 92, and his body was taken in great pomp to Winchester
for burial; the hearse was brought from Alexandria; the
cortege was composed of relatives, friends, and neighbors,
from many settlements.

In 1763, the Penns and Lord Baltimore brought over from
London two astronomers, Jeremiah Mason and Charles Dixon.
They surveyed and established the celebrated " Mason and
Dixon Line", between Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland.
Following this, many families from Virginia and some from
Maryland, in 1765, crossed over the AUeghenies into Penn-
sylvania and took up land as squatters, bringing their slaves
and their Virginian maimers with them. The land, belonging
to the Iroquois Indians, was bought by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. The purchase embraced the territory west
of the Susquehanna River.

The general tendency to migrate influenced George Paull,
and after a residence of but two years in his new house, he sold
the farm November 21st, 1768, and removed to Pennsylvania.
He also sold the home farm to the same purchaser, Edward
Magner, of Hampton, York County, Pennsylvania, who ob-
tained a patent from Lord Fairfax for the same the following
May. The sale of the original claim fixes approximately the
date of the mother's death; while she lived, she was to have
her " maintenance from the farm". In 1780, Edward Mag-
ner sold the farm to John Frank, who sold it in 1794, to Samuel
Winning, in whose family it remains. John Murphy, a grand-
son of Samuel Winning, owns part of the farm and lives in the
old log house. The breaking away from the old home and

48 PauU-Irwin: A Family Sketch

the community was permanent. No one of George Paull's
family returned to remain, and none of his descendants have
since lived there.

The journey across the mountain was made by pack-horse —
over the Warm Spring road to Hedgesville, from there to the
Braddock road, which extended from Winchester through
Cumberland to Fort Duquesne. If it occurred immediately
after the sale of the farms, the family preceded the tide by
several months.

In 1769, the land purchased from the Indians was thrown
open to settlers and Alexander McLean opened a land office
for the claim-seekers who rushed in.

The pack train from Back Creek valley, after a tedious jour-
ney, came to a stop when a tract of land was reached in the
Redstone settlement, in Cumberland County, near the base
of Laurel Hill mountain and within two miles of the Yough-
iogheny River. The pack was unloaded on the "survey" which
has remained in the Paull name. The family, consisting of the
parents and two or three children, may have been cared for,
temporarily, at the famous " Crawford plantation", near by,
a stopping place for newcomers to the neighborhood. If
slaves were a part of the " moving", the log cabin would be
speedily constructed. The first settler in the community
was Wendell Brown, in 1752; Christopher Gist, a Virginian,
was second, the following year, bringing a colony of eleven
families. He was surveyor for the Ohio Company, which was
formed in 1748. A well-informed and reliable guide, his serv-
ices were much in demand by leaders of various expeditions
in the Colonial Wars. The Gist " Plantation" was head-
quarters for the 3'oimg Virginian, George Washington, when
he mounted the first round of the ladder which led him to
fame. His success was materially aided by the able assistance
of Christopher Gist.

The recent influx to this section had increased the population
to about seven himdred; one himdred fifty families. The
ntunber of slaves owned by each ranged from one to eighteen.

THE SNODGRASS TAVERN - West Side
The centre window marks " Washington's room." Tavern fronts south on Back Creek.

Second Generation: George Pattll 49

Among the neighbors of George Paull were Joseph Work,
John McClelland, Daniel Cannon, Aaron Torrence, William
Carson, Elisha Pierce and Archie Armstrong. In 1770, more
acquaintances arrived; Isaac, Samuel, and John Meason,
John Neville, Lawrence Harrison, and others, strengthening
the Virginia fraternity.

Cabin-building went on apace, neighbors assisting each
other, with jollifications over the logrolling.

In 1772, the Presb3rterians in the settlement built their
first house of worship. Laurel Hill Church. An event occur-
ring in the Paull cabin, to be noted, was the birth of the fourth
child and the third daughter in 1772. She was named Jean
(or Jane) for her grandmother Irwin.

The early settlers in Fayette, lived in four counties without
a change of base. When the Colonial Government was es-
tablished in 1682, there were but three cotmties in Permsyl-
vania — Philadelphia, Bucks and Chester. In 1729, from
Chester, Lancaster was formed; in 1750, from Lancaster,
Cumberland; in 1771, from Cimiberland, Bedford; in 1773,
from Bedford, Westmoreland. The erection of Fayette from
Westmoreland did not take place until 1783.

Fort Pitt was a place of importance as early as 1758, when
settlers, chiefly Indian traders, were gathered arotmd it, num-
bering in 1760, one htmdred forty men, women and children.
In 1764, lots were laid out on streets, in the immediate vicinity
of the fort, occupying four squares; this was reserved by the
Perms, when surveyed in 1769. The following year, the vil-
lage had twenty houses.

In the spring of 1773, John Sherrard, lately arrived from
Ireland, crossed the mountain on foot and entering the valley
at the base of Laurel Hill, became a member of George Paull's
household. His son, Robert Andrew Sherrard, with the bent
of an historian, and endowed with a remarkably retentive
memory, carefully recorded the events of early days told him
by his father. The old manuscripts have furnished many

^

50 Paull-Invin: A Family Sketch

interesting incidents for local historians. John Sherrard
bought his farm from Martha PauU's brother, Archibald Irwin.

One evening Martha Paull, sitting with the children by the
pine fire glowing on the hearth, had an opportunity to put to
the test the courage characteristic of the pioneer women.
Hearing a continuous squealing among the pigs, she hastily
snatched a torch from the fire and ran towards the sty in time
to see a bear making off with a shoat. She fearlessly brand-
ished the blazing stick in his face till he dropped the pig and
ran for his life.

The county seat of Westmoreland was Hannastown; the
first Court was held April 6th, 1773. John Penn was governor,
Richard Penn lieutenant governor of the Province. Arthur
St. Clair was prothonotary of the first Court and continued
to fill the office until he resigned for war service in 1775. The
Battle of Lexington, April 19th, 1775, fanned the growing dis-
content and two meetings of the citizens of western Pennsyl-
vania were held in May following, one at Pittsbtirgh, one at
Hannastown. The meeting was "held at Hanna's Town the
16th day of May, 1775". Resolutions were adopted declaring
" imshaken loyality and fidelity to His Majesty, King George
Third, whom we acknowledge to be our lawful and rightful
King, and who we wish may long be the beloved Sovereign
of a free and happy people, throughout the whole British
Empire; we do declare to the world that we do not mean by
this Association to deviate from that loyalty which we hold
it our bounden duty to observe; but animated with the love
of liberty, it is no less our duty to maintain and defend our
just rights (which, with sorrow we have seen, of late, wantonly
violated in many instances by a wicked Ministry, and a cor-
rupted Parliament) and transmit them entire to our pos-
terity, for which purpose we do agree and associate ourselves
together": to form regiments, choose officers, practice " man-
ual exercise and such evolutions as may be necessary to enable
us to act in a body in concert". If the cotmtry should be in-
vaded by a foreign enemy or troops should be sent by Great

Second Generation: George Paull 51

Britain, they pledged themselves to submit to military discip-
line and oppose them, and to coincide with any plan for the
defence of " America in general or Pennsylvania in particular".
When Pariiament should repeal the "obnoxious Statutes" and
recede from the claim to " tax us and make laws for us in every
instance, or when some general plan of union and reconciliation
has been formed and accepted by America", the association
would be dissolved; " but until then it shall remain in full
force, and to the observance of it we bind ourselves by ever>^-
thing dear and sacred amongst men. No licensed murder!
No famine introduced by law !"

May 25th, 1775, following the meeting of the citizens, Arthur
St. Clair wrote to Governor Perm that musters and committees
were being held all over the country and everything was run-
ning into wildest confusion. " If some conciliatory plan is
not adopted by Congress, America has seen her golden days;
they may return, but they will be preceded by scenes of horror".

Major General Arthur St. Clair, a highly-educated Scotch-
man of patrician birth, was the most illustrious citizen ever
connected with Ligonier Valley; he lived near Ligonier, West-
moreland County. As soldier, statesman, and man of letters,
he wielded an influence beyond computation. He had few
peers in the whole Colonial service. He was one of the few
to whom Paul Jones sent one of his own busts from Paris. A
descendant of General St. Clair, Elizabeth Lawrence Sheets
married Archibald Irwin Harrison (brother of President Ben-
jamin Harrison), a descendant of Martha Paull's brother,
Archibald Irwin.

Meetings like the Hannastown convention were held in
other Colonies and similar resolutions were adopted; but none
were of the lofty tone that characterized those of the Hannas-
town meeting. The papers relating to this event were hidden
for a century, then brought to light and published. The
original manuscripts, supposed to have served their purpose,
were not cared for, and were finally lost. Of the men who
joined the Association and who affixed their names to the

52 Paull-Ir-ivin: A Family Sketch

outspoken resolutions, only the name of Arthtir St. Clair is
preserved. It is believed that the list of names was concealed,
to keep it from English possession, and in the end was des-
troyed. It is more than probable that George Paull, enlisted
for service, and alive to the welfare of the Colonies, was a
participant in the notable event.

When Berkeley County, Virginia, was taken from Frederick,
in 1772, the sessions of the first Coiut were held in the house
of Edward Beeson, in Martinsburg, a small village eight miles
east of Hedgesville. At this session (May 19), twenty Justices
of the Peace were appointed and duly sworn ; among the number
Thomas Swearingen, John Neville and Hugh Lyle — one of the
witnesses to Hugh Paull's will. In 1776, Jacob Beeson and
his brother Henry, Quakers, came to the Redstone settlement
over the Braddock road by pack-horse from Martinsburg,
which then boasted thirty houses. Henry Beeson, described
as a " modest man with good sense, benevolent and liberal",
laid out Uniontown in 1778, planning it for the county seat.
Alexander McLean surveyed it, providing a lot for county
buildings. It was Beeson's Mill, and Beeson's Town before
it became the county seat of Fayette, under another name,
Uniontown. Isaac Beeson, son of Jacob 2nd, and a grandson
of Henry "the Foimder", bought the "Gist plantation" (Moimt
Braddock, the former home of Colonel Isaac Meason) in 1856.
It remained in the Beeson family for many years, but being
imderlaid with a wealth of coal, a large part was eventually
acquired by the Rainey and Frick Coke Company.

A record of George Paull's military service is not available.
After his connection with Fort Burd, in 1759, and for some time
following, we have no data. Through the pen of Robert A.
Sherrard, an account is given of his closing service.

He was commissioned by the Federal Government pay-
master for the scouts and spies who were assisting in guarding
against Indian attacks. In the spring of 1778, he went to
Fort Pitt to draw money from the Government agent sta-
tioned there and was exposed to smallpox, which cost him his

Second Generation: George Paull 53

life. When the disease had developed, he reaHzed the serious-
ness of his condition, "having a Disorder that God calls many
off by", and dictated his will March 24th, one week before
his death. The spelling and lavish use of capitals are in-
teresting; the sick man was not responsible for these crudities
and certainly did not see them but perhaps he would not
have done much better himself.

To " my Beloved wife and consort, I Do Leve the one- third
of all my Whole Estate Both Real and parsonel, and to my
Loving Son James Paull I leave the Whole plantation of two
Surveys". From the farm stock to be sold, were reserved
*' four Miltch Cows and three hors cretors and three young
Meares, one to my Loving Daughter Mary, one to Elizabeth,
and one to my yotmgest Daughter Jane to have Each of these
one as their own property." " Dublin the negro man" was
to be sold. " I do allow Comall [Colonel] Edward Coot &
Alexander McClean to be the Executors of this my Last will
and testament". Too ill to write, the signature is

"George Paull, his mark".

He died March 31st, 1778. An entry in the Sherrard Memo-
randa is most welcome at this point. John Sherrard, then
an enlisted soldier in the Revolution, was returning from
Lancaster County, April 1st, when he met a fimeral procession;
upon inquiry he learned that it was his " old friend George
Paull" who was being borne to Laurel Hill cemetery. He
turned about and joined the procession. Rev. James Power
was then pastor at Laurel Hill church. Martha Paull lived
until 1802.

The two grave-stones are alike ; the inscriptions are wholly
distinct :

"In Memory of George Paull, who departed this life on the
31st day of March, 1778, in the 44th year of his age."

"In Memory of Martha Paull, who departed this life on the
11th day of May, 1802, in the 69th year of her age."

Besides " Dublin the negro man", George Paull may have
had other slaves who were retained. Because of Dublin's

54 Paull-Irufin: A Family Sketch

commercial value or perhaps from personal attachment to
him, he was kept in the family. He appears fifteen years later
at " Miss Polly's, (the wife of Joseph Torrence) not in name
only, but as an active force in helping to make things go, on
the farm.

In 1780, Peimsylvania passed an "Act for the gradual aboli-
tion of slavery", declaring all colored people bom after March
1st, 1780, should be free. But the long-continued habit was
hard to uproot and there were some slaves as late as 1840.
The ntmiber of slaves taken into Fayette County by the set-
tlers from Virginia and Mar>'land had, in twenty years, (1790)
increased to two hundred eighty-two.

One of the executors of George Paull's will, Colonel Alex-
ander McLean, was a man of rare usefulness; he was bom
in 1746, in York County, the youngest of seven sons, all sur-
veyors but one. In 1769, when there was a tide of claim-
seekers he opened the first land office in this community and
rendered an invaluable service as surveyor, recorder, and
registrar. He assisted Messrs. Mason and Dixon in sur-
veying the State boundaries. He was a trustee of Dickinson
College in 1783. In 1779, he removed to the new town of Bee-
son's Mill from the country near by, and lived there imtil
his death in 1834, aged 88.

Rev. JOEL STONEROAD

1806— 1884

Dunbar, Pennsylvania

Fourth Pastor Laurel Hill Church

HANNAH PAULL STONEROAD
1828—1912

LAUREL HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

In 1763, the Synod of New York and Philadelphia appointed
Rev. Charles Beatty and Rev. Mr. Duffield to visit and preach
among the frontier inhabitants in a territory now embraced
in Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington, and Greene Coimties.
They were true to their mission while enduring privations
and always facing danger. At the end of three years, they
reported a large number anxious to be formed into congre-
gations. In 1767, the Synod sent more missionaries with
authority to "form societies for the worship of God". Among
these self-sacrificing men was Rev. James Power, the first
Presbyterian minister to settle west of the mountain. He
lived at Dunlap's Creek, ministering to destitute regions far
and near.

In the simimer of 1772, the Presbyterians of Redstone
settlement selected a church site on a hill commanding a beauti-
ful view in all directions — lowland and upland, stretching
away to the mountain on the east and south. No time was
wasted over blue-print designs. With one model approved
by the whole guild, they got to work with a will, clearing the
grotmd and preparing the timber. The completed structure
was a square log house, a shelter from rain and storm, not
much more. But it. was a chtirch, the first Presbyterian
Church west of the Alleghenies, a safe place to gather weekly
for rest and to talk and sing of their inheritance in the Realm

of Peace. Close by the church, a plot was enclosed, a resting-
place when the day's toil and Sabbath worship were ended.

(55)

56 P anil- 1 Twin: A Family Sketch

Who were the charter members? Who was the first, who
the last, to be borne up the hill to go down no more? There
is no record. But they are all there, awaiting the call to
"come forth" — the Cathcarts, the Canons, the Torrences,
Aliens, McClellands, PauUs, etc. There are now about twenty
tombstones, the oldest that of George Paull, bearing the date,
March 31, 1778, six years after the church was built. Many
stones are in good condition, some broken, some without names.
In 1773, Rev. James Power became the first minister of the
first Laurel Hill church. He probably continued circuit
preaching also. Mount Pleasant was one of his preaching
points; he became pastor of this congregation in 1779 and was
connected with the church until his death, August 5th, 1830.
Rev. James Dunlap succeeded him at Laurel Hill, beginning
his ministry in 1781. The following year, the congregation
built a new chiurch, two miles farther west, on lower ground.
A vantage ground from which the approach of wily foes could
be quickly seen, was no longer of first importance. For many
years, the sacred enclosure on the hill continued to be the
burying-place of the old families.

In 1790, Isaac Watts' Hymns were introduced, thus dis-
placing Rouse's Psalms. Because of this innovation, many
who believed the act to be second to the sin of renoimcing the
Scriptures, withdrew from the church. The following year a
congregation was organized, and they became a part of the
body known as Associate Reform, often called " Seceders."
Almost within hearing, they built a stone church and in 1793,
installed their first minister, Rev. Robert Warwick, bom in
Ireland in 1760. After eighty-two years, the old building
was replaced by the present one which makes an ideal picture
of a rural church — a white frame surroimded by forest trees,
the graveyard at the rear. The present congregation is small ;
they have had, in the one himdred twenty years, fourteen
ministers.

Dr. Dimlap remained at Laurel Hill twenty-two years, until
1803, when he was elected the first president of Jefferson, the

PRESENT LAUREL HILL CEMETERY

The stone slabs cover the graves of Colonel Paull (at the left) and Elizabeth
Rogers Paull.

LAUREL HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — West Side

Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church 57

newly-chartered college at Cannonsburg. Again the flock
at Laurel Hill was left without a shepherd. But Rev. James
Guthrie soon filled the vacancy, taking charge the following
year. The congregation, widely dispersed, came each Sabbath
with lunch-baskets, the contents of which, eaten at the close
of the morning service, took the place of the home dinner.
After the intermission, all assembled for a second sermon.

For many years, "tokens", which were bits of metal, were
used by commtmicants, an evidence that the holder was in
"good and regular standing" and might worthily participate
in the Ordinance of the Supper. They were served at a long
table, with benches at each side for as many as could be ac-
commodated. The others followed until all were served.

Mr. Guthrie's pastorate continued for nearly fifty years,
from 1804 until 1852. This year, the second church building,
occupied for seventy years, gave way to a third, a large frame,
erected on the same site. The importance of this event was
heightened by the installation of Rev. Joel Stoneroad, called
from Union town, the fourth minister of this historic church
noted for its long pastorates. His ministry continued for
nearly thirty years, 1852—1880.

Rev. John B. Reed followed, in 1888, and continues in de-
voted, efficient service. In the siunmer of 1913, Mr. Reed's
twenty-fifth anniversary as pastor, at the same time the fif-
tieth anniversary of his entering the ministry, was fittingly
celebrated at the church; a most happy occasion, with the
usual addresses and a sumptuous dinner under the trees.
The present building, a large, beautiful brick one , was built in
1897.

THIRD GENERATION

JANE PAULL ALLEN

Jane, youngest child of George and Martha Irwin Paull
was bom in Bedford (now Fayette) County, Pennsylvania,
in 1772. She married George Allen, bom in 1762. He was the
son of David and Susanna White Allen who came from Scot-
land in 1740. After their marriage, they settled in Fagg's
Manor, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Later, they re-
moved to Fayette County and " Tomahawked" a home in
the wilderness. They had sons and daughters, among whom
were Josiah, George, David and James. After the death of
the father, Josiah and George bought the farm; they sold it
eventually to "Squire" Smith. These four brothers served in
the Westmoreland County militia during the Revolution.
Josiah Allen married Susanna Dickerson and settled in Ohio.
George Allen died February- 17th, 1815, aged 53. He was
buried in the first Laurel Hill graveyard where Jane Allen
was laid to rest twenty -two years later, Februan.' 4th, 1S37,
aged 65. Rev. James Guthrie was pastor of the congregation.

Children of George and Jane Paull Allen : Mar>' Allen mar-
ried Thomas Junk; George Allen died unmarried; James
Allen died immarried; Matthew Allen married first, Elizabeth
Catlin, second, Elizabeth Junk; Joseph Allen died unmarried;
Susan Allen married James Hibbin; Martha Allen married
Jesse Miller.

(5S)

Third Generation 59

ELIZABETH PAULL BYERS

Elizabeth, third child of George and Martha Paull, was
bom in the home of her grandmother in Frederick County,
Virginia, and was brought to Pennsylvania in early childhood.
The dates of birth, marriage and death, are not known. She
married Andrew Byers, a worthy young man of the neighbor-
hood. She was living in 1793, as shown by the mention of
her name in a letter from her brother-in-law, Joseph Torrence,
to his wife, Polly. She lived but a short time after her mar-
riage, leaving no heir. Andrew Byers' second wife was Susan
Allen, who became the mother of seven children. Through
Martha, the yoimgest daughter, a link was formed with the
Paull-Torrence family of Cincinnati. Martha married Joseph
D. Miller, a brother of William Ludlam Miller, whose wife
was Jane Torrence, daughter of Joseph and Mary Paull Tor-
rence.

MARY PAULL TORRENCE
1762— September 30, 1842

Mary, second child of George and Martha Paull, was bom
in the home of her grandmother Paull, on Back Creek, Fred-
erick County, Virginia, in 1762, and was six years old when
the family left Virginia for the new home in Pennsylvania.
About the same time, the family of Aaron Torrence came to
the Redstone settlement. Aaron and Susanna Torrence had
four sons: Joseph Torrence, bom December 2nd, 1751; Samuel
Torrence, bom in 1756, married Jane McConnell; John Tor-
rence, bom in 1758; David Torrence, bom in 1762, married
Martha McConnell. The eldest son, Joseph, married Mary
Paull January 18th, 1781. They lived on a farm named
"Peace", near Connellsville. They had eleven children,
losing two in childhood; Mary, her mother's namesake, when

60 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

six years old. The others all lived to maturity and were
married, excepting Samuel, who died at the age of twenty-
eight. George was twenty-three years older than Mary, the
youngest.

The care of such a large family, together with the endless
household duties, made a busy life for the mother. Five
daughters followed the eldest son, but their assistance was of
short duration; early marriages transplanted them to homes
of their owti. Long-continued practice in butter-making,
gave Mary Torrence local fame. Painstaking and conscien-
tious, not a pound left her hands until it was up to the standard.
The finished product, yellow and sweet, was marked with the
edge of the wooden ladle in fancy strokes, and sold at the
country store or to neighbors, at ten cents or less per pound.

In 1777, Joseph Torrence served as second lieutenant in the
Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Line and was with Washing-
ton at Valley Forge. February 2nd, 1778, he was promoted
to be first lieutenant, but resigned the following April. Later,
he was commissioned colonel in the State militia. After his
marriage, he was appointed sheriff of Fayette County — the
third to hold that office— and served 1787-1790. The first
sheriff was Robert Orr in 1784; the second, James Hammond
in 1786. The office was filled by appointment until 1834.
Joseph Torrence was a delegate to the First Constitutional
Convention of Pennsylvania during the winter of 1792-93.
While there, his fifth child, Clarissa was bom — an event to
which he refers in the subjoined letter.

The family were connected with the Laurel Hill Presbyterian
Chiuch, eight miles distant. The congregation was then wor-
shipping in the second church-building, which succeeded the
first one in 1782 and was two miles farther west. During the
ministry of Mr. Guthrie, Joseph Torrence was elected to the
eldership, remaining in the office until his death, February
23rd, 1842, at the age of 90. Mary Paull Torrence died Sep-
tember 30th, 1842, aged 80. Together they rest in the first
Laurel Hill graveyard.

Third Generation 61

Children of Joseph and Mary Paul! Torrence: George Patill
Torrence married Mary Brownson Findlay; Susanna Tor-
rence married James Power, M.D.; Martha Torrence married
Joseph Guthrie; Elizabeth Torrence married John B. Treavor;
Clarissa Torrence married Samuel Russell; Jane Torrence
married William Ludlam Miller; Joseph Torrence, Jr. mar-
ried Catherine Rogers; Aaron Torrence married Mary Rogers;
Samuel Torrence died unmarried; Mary Torrence died in
childhood.

Copy of Letter

from

Joseph Torrence to Mary Paull Torrence.

Philadelphia, February 6, 1793.

My dear

Altho I have wrote you two days agoe by Mr. Gibson &
sometime before that by Mr. D. Byers yet this opportunity
by Mr. Morrison offering I must do myself the Pleasure of
telling you I am very well and as much your Lover as the
day I married you — this absence is too long But I hope you
Support it as a wise and prudent matron. I am resigned to
my fate knowing that all my actions is stimulated by the
Love I have for you and family. I have nothing to command
or request but that the fear and Love of God Oiu" Creator &
botmtiful Benefactor abound among you. I hope Dublin
dont love the vile trash of whiskey — I expect Jack has quit
it altogether. My complyments to Capt. Wilkinson — his
friends is all well here — Thomas Dunn is a prity Boy — is
Jonathan Hite timing up the Nations do all as you can — I
am with my locks frizzled and Head powdered your

Very Htmi' Servt

Joseph Torrence

62 Paull- Irwin: A Family Sketch

What will you or what do you call your Baby Mrs. Foley
Torrence — I am astonished that Matthew should give himself so
much plague about Beck if she dont suit him let him sell her
She is certainly worth the money Mrs. Byers and many others
stands in need of her I meant her as a favor done him and his
wife but if she has not proved so tis not the first one that dis-
appointed— but if no other way will do — I hope to be at home
to settle the affairs of the nations and commotions — I wish
you would get Josiah or George Allen a day or two with Dublin
and Jack to cut down the Eatchen Loggs and Shingle trees.
The Shingle Staff they will find on the hill below which they
are clearing & the Logs where they can in the Bottom that
Jonathan is to clear about there — I want them cut this or
next month

Adieu
is Mr. Maple laying in Grain in the baggs at the Mill Tell
him I depend on him

COLONEL JAMES PAULL
September 17, 1760— July 9, 1841

James, only son of George and Martha Irwin Paull was
bom in the home of his grandmother in the Shenandoah Val-
ley, Frederick Covmty, Colony of Virginia, eleven years after
the death of his grandfather, Hugh Paull. Francis Fauquier
was Governor of the Royal Province. In October following,
the reigning King of England, George II, died, the crown des-
cending to his grandson, then twenty- two years of age, who
became George III.

When little Jim was six or seven, the family left the home-
stead and went to a new log house on a recently-bought farm
one-fourth of a mile south. Nothing is known of his childhood
nor of his school days; but, of course, he learned the A B C's
and how to trace pothooks with a goose quill, at the log school-
house within sight of home where his father and his ancles had
attended school. And, of course, he fidgeted through doc-

Colonel JAMES PAULL
1760-1841

Third Generation 63

trinal preaching over at Tomahawk church; and he wondered
how the congregation could keep in mind two whole lines of a
Psalm "lined out" by the clerk for them to sing.

Brought up among Calvinists, the future Indian fighter
was nourished with the Westminster Shorter Catechism, as
a portion of his daily food. Whether Calvinism produced
the fighter or he became one in spite of it, must remain an tm-
answered question.

Jim was "Mother's boy", htmiored and petted. His father
with foresight, sternly rebuked the habits being formed by over-
indulgence. The spoiled boy, under a sense of ill treatment,
averred, " I would rather die with my mother, than live with
my father!" He was eight years old when the family removed
from the Virginia home across the Allegheny mountain to the
Redstone settlement in western Pennsylvania, to a tract of land
since known as Deer Park.

The familiar scenes in the Shenandoah were soon forgotten
in the interest aroused by the surroundings of the cabin in the
wilderness. The change imposed responsibilities and Jim
shouldered his share; his life was not all play. The years that
passed showed cleared acres, abundant crops and fine herds
on the farm; sound health and pluck in the growing boy.
His physical constitution was of the hardiest type.

When Jim was seventeen, his father died, leaving him "the
plantation of two surveys," which included the home cabin.
On this "survey" he lived the rest of his life, adding to it
several other tracts. Mary, Elizabeth, and Jean (or "Jinsy"),
were younger than he, Jean but six years old.

The farm work was apparently carried on without change
after the death of the father, whose duties in the Colonial
service claimed him. Efficient men had charge, under a cap-
able overseer, — the mistress of the cabin.

Robert Andrew Sherrard, son of John Sherrard, quaintly
relates a harvest time incident :

" It has been the custom of long standing, even time out
of mind, in different parts of our country, and also in Ireland

64 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

and Scotland, for a strife to take place between two farmers
in different neighborhoods, as a matter to brag and boast about,
for some time afterwards, by the one who beat the other, and
was first done cutting down the harvest of small grain. This
strife was kept up in early times nearly a centur>' since, be-
tween the families of George Paull on the one side, and that
of Samuel Work, their near neighbor, on the other side. This
strife was continued even after the decease of George Paull.

" As a proof of this, at or near the close of the harvest of
1780, my father, John Sherrard, being at the time a member
of the widow Paull 's family, making his home there, was an
assistant hand in helping to cut down the harvest on Paull's
farm. Father sent Charles May, who was an orphan boy,
raised up in Paull's family, ^nd at the time nearly a young
man, privately to spy out and report how near Samuel Work's
harvest hands were to finishing the cutting of the harvest.
Charles went and upon his return he reported that unless some-
thing extra was done in the way of reaping in Paull's grain
field, Samuel Work's hands would have the brag and boast
of having beaten us this time. To accomplish the object
and turn the brag and boast in favor of Paull's reapers. Father
and Charles May, the bound boy, consulted together after
supper, and after the other reapers had left. They two agreed
to go back to the field and reap all night. The moon being near
its full, gave them light all night long. They took with them
some whiskey, an indispensible article, at least it was thought
to be so in harvest time,' and indeed by many in these old
times, it was thought to be a useful article at all times. They
also took with them some food to sustain nature and to enable
them to perform the -work they had undertaken, and which
they did manfully perform by reaping all night by moon light.
When the other hands collected in the morning it became an
easy task to reap out what Father and young Charles May
had left. And it was by their labor through the night that
they got the brag and the honor of having finished the reap-
ing of the harvest on the Paull farm several hours Before they

Third Generation: Colonel James Paul I 65

had finished cutting the harvest on Samuel Work's farm.
Thus ended with a hurrah the cutting of the harvest of 1780
on the Paull farm. This is the only instance I have ever
known or heard of, in a long life of near eighty years, of two
men having employed themselves reaping all night by moon
light, and just for no other purpose than to have it to boast
of that they had cut down the harvest on Paull's land first".

Narrow quarters was an ever-present condition in log-cabin
life but hospitality was its motto. Somehow, the limited
space furnished room for the family, often for the indispen-
sable " help", always a place for a guest. The stream flowing
near by or a basin of its clear water placed on a bench near
the door, furnished the lavatory for the family and guests as
well. The homespun crash towel hanging on the wall was
"good enough for any one". A gourd dipper floating on the
pail of water was the common drinking cup. The horn comb
on the shelf impartially lent its aid in making the masculine
"roach", or in straightening feminine tangles.

The cares of the women of the household were many, varied
and arduous. The annual "sugar-stirring" from the sweet
sap collected in the maple groves; soap-making, candle-dip-
ping, making home garments and what not, were tasks bravely
met and accomplished, the routine of baking, milking, churn-
ing, etc. going on as usual. Flax was sown in the fall; after
the crop was pulled, it was put through several tedious pro-
cesses before it was ready for the spinning-wheel and loom, —
rippling (removing seeds), retting (soaking), breaking, and
scutching. Not every family had a loom, a neighbor often
weaving for a number of families; but the whir of spinning-
wheels was heard everywhere. When the soft, beautiful rolls
of wool came from the carders the wheel commenced to buzz
and was kept going the whole day. While the spinner ate
her meals, some one else took her place at the wheel. If pos-
sible, clothing must be in readiness for cold weather. Every
girl was equipped with a set of needles and a ball of yam;
mittens and stockings were finished as if by magic. KJnitting

66 Paul-irwin: A Family Sketch

did not "take time" nor require effort; it just worked in with
other employment. It was the most convenient pick-up
work, when one sat for a minute's rest or waited for the dinner
to cook. The rapid cHck, chck, of the needles kept up imtil
the dinnerpot hanging on the crane, or the bread, baking
under hot coals on the hearth, needed attention; then the
knitting was laid by until the next "idle" moment. Kjiitting
was a social pastime ; one could knit on the way to a neighbor's,
knit during the visit without dropping a stitch, or mis.sing a word!
Every girl, large and small, made quilt patches; the older folk
patiently quilted intricate patterns, many of them beautiful,
artistic in design and stitching. The famed "quilting parties"
were delightful diversions in the monotonous lives of the brave
women of cabin days, a custom still in vogue in some parts of
the country not disturbed by modem innovations. These
busy people found time, somehow, to visit their neighbors.
The Paull sisters made visits to the girls of their acquaintance,
each having a "meare" of her own. The visits were returned,
and the more guests that came, the merrier! Space was not
considered, and it was an easy matter to make beds on the
floor, with a full supply of homemade wool blankets and linen
sheets.

About the time of the migration from Maryland and Virginia
to Pennsylvania, in 1769, Lawrence Harrison, Isaac, Samuel,
and John Meason, all Virginians, and John Rogers from Mary-
land, came to Fayette County. Lawrence Harrison located
on a tract adjoining Colonel William Crawford who succeeded
Christopher Gist as surveyor for the Ohio Company; later, he
ftunished a thrilling page for the history of Indian warfare.

Colonel Isaac Meason bought the original Gist plantation of
fourteen hundred acres, naming the farm "Mount Brad dock."
On the stunmit of a hill he built, between 1792 and 1800, the
finest stone house in that region. He was wealthy for the times,
owning much land. He was a pioneer in the iron industry,
establishing several forges and furnaces. Union Furnace, at
Dunbar, built by Isaac Meason in 1790, was put in blast in 1791 ;

Third Generation : Colonel James Paull 67

this was succeeded by a larger one, of the same name, and near
the same site, in 1793, built by Isaac Meason, John Gibson,
and Moses Dillon. The first rolling mill in the United States
was built by Isaac Meason in 1716 or 1717 on Redstone Creek,
near Middletown (or Plumsock) in Fayette County. Colonel
Meason was a member of the Supreme Executive Council of
Pennsylvania. He married Catherine, daughter of Lawrence
Harrison. He died in 1819. A son, Isaac Meason, Jr., married
Butler, whose children were Ellen Meason, Frances Mea-
son, Sydney Meason who married Henry; one daughter

married Kerr, another one married Trever, another

one married Sowers.

A daughter of Colonel Meason, Mary Meason, married first,

Ashland, second, Daniel Rogers. Another daughter,

Elizabeth Meason, married Jacob Murphy, whose daughter,
Catherine Murphy, married Archibald Paull, son of Colonel
James Patdl.

John Rogers came with his wife and six children from Mary-
land to Fayette County. Tradition says he was a descendant
of the good old martyr, John Rogers, who was burned at the
stake in Smithfield, London, in 1555, for denouncing popery.

The family remained for a time in Fayette County, on a
tract taken by "Tomahawk right". John, the father, died,
leaving a wife, five sons, and one daughter, Elizabeth, born in
Maryland, July 29, 1764. The family went to Washington
County, where two sons were killed by Indians. They returned
to Fayette, the mother, Thomas, John, James, and Elizabeth
(or "Betsey"). They settled in what became known as the
Cross-Keys district, on the Union town road. One of the broth-
ers (supposed to be John) opened a blacksmith shop, setting
crossed keys over the door of the shop, to indicate that he was
a locksmith as well as a blacksmith. He also opened a tavern
called by the same name, by which it was long known. A
schoolhouse built near the Rogers' home was named "Cross
Keys". Tradition says the Rogers brothers founded a Masonic
Lodge in the neighborhood, and the mysterious meetings in

68 Paul-Irwin: A Family Sketch

the Cross Keys schoolhouse excited the wondering curiosity of
the people in the vicinity.

Thomas Rogers married Anne, only daughter of Rev. Daniel
McKennon, an Episcopalian. He was sent by the Bishop of
London in the eariy days of the Colonies to minister to the
plantations in Maryland. Returning to England on an errand
connected with his mission, the vessel and passengers were lost,
and nothing was ever heard from them. For the education of
his little daughter, Ann, Mr. McKennon made a textbook,
copying tables, and rules for working examples, numerous prob-
lems in mathematics, quotations from choice writings, proverbs,
hymns, prayers, etc. The valued relic, faded and worn, is yet
legible. The children of Thomas and Anne McKennon Rogers,
were: Elizabeth, who married Zadock Walker; Daniel, who
married Mary Meason Ashland, a widow; Sarah, who married
first, James Blackstone; second, William Davidson; Joseph,
who married Elizabeth Gibson (their daughter, Eliza Lea
Rogers, married Joseph Paull, son of Colonel James Paull);
William, who married Nancy Halliday; Mary, who married
Jacob Weaver; John, who married Isabel Calamese; Anne
who married Beeson.

John Rogers, brother of Thomas, was a member of Captain
Brigg's volunteer company, in Colonel Crawford's expedition
against the Sandusky Indians. Captain Briggs was killed,
and local history says that John Rogers, being a lieutenant in
the company, took command on the homeward march. John

Rogers married Moreland, daughter of David Moreland.

Their children were: John, married Mar>' Squibb; Thomas,
unmarried; Daniel, unmarried; Nanc3^ married John Work;
Sarah, married John Halliday; Elizabeth, married Mars-
man.

James Rogers, brother of Thomas, John, and Elizabeth, also
figured in military circles and was called Major James Rogers.
He was an iron manufacturer; about 1828, he removed to
Springfield, Fayette County, where he lived until his death
about 1840. James Rogers married ; their children were

Third Generation : Colonel James Paull 69

John, William, Phineas, Joseph, M. D., (married Elizabeth
Johnston, daughter of Alexander Johnston) , James, Thomas,
George, Daniel, Erwin.

The Rogers and Paulls, coming from the same section of
coimtry, were probably old acquaintances; intercourse was
renewed and by and by it lead to an alliance. James Paull
or "Jamie", married "Betsy" Rogers. The youthful bride
became a member of Martha Paull's household ; there was room
for another daughter, a welcome for another Elizabeth. Mary
Paull, or "Polly", had a lover who was ten years, or more, her
senior, Joseph Torrence, whose family came to the community
when he was seventeen years old. He was of sterling worth
and had a creditable record as a soldier. The wedding took
place January 18, 1781, the ceremony performed, presumably,
by Rev. James Dunlap, minister at Laurel Hill. The new
home was established within a few miles of the parental home
on a tract of land named "Peace".

Jamie's first child, James Paull, Jr., was bom June 6th, 1781.
He did not lack attention, with a grandmother and two youth-
ful aunts to fondle him. Some months later, February 15,
1782, another grandson was bom, down at Polly's, who received
his grandfather's name, George Paull. The two boys, living
within a few miles of each other, grew up like brothers. An
attachment was formed which strengthened as the years passed
into a rare devotion. There was less than a year between their
deaths.

James Paull's second child was named George for his grand-
father. After the third and fourth boys had come asking for
a place, the old cabin was taxed, finally, to furnish lodging for
any more. To build a new house was the only way to meet
the demand. A two-story log house was built near the cabin,
furnishing ample room for the increasing family and for the
friends who always found the latchstring out. A hall ran the
length of the house at the left, three rooms to the right, a large
kitchen at the rear, with the universal, cheery, open fireplace.
Four more joined the family group. They received their edu-

70 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

cation at the little log schoolhouse with its oil-paper windows
and benches without backs. The "three Rs" were faithfully
taught, the ferrule was faithfully applied. Outside the school-
house, slender branches grew for the master's use when offences
were serious. Real live boys had opportunities to vdnce imder
the sting of the ferrule and to test the strength of the slender
branch. A boy who did not earn his share of "thrashings" was
lacking in ambition and did not amount to much! Of the seven
brothers, George, only, pursued a college course; he then
studied law. The others, with the same privilege, chose voca-
tions for which a college training was considered unnecessary.
They built well on the narrow foundation furnished by the
country school, and became intelligent, prosperous, business
men, each influential and highly esteemed in his community.
The daughter, Martha, was, after the fashion of the well-to-do,
sent to a girls' boarding school for a finishing touch.

Until the establishment of the "post road" from Philadelphia
to Pittsburgh in 1786, all mail was carried by special express or
through the accomodation of travelers. Mail was carried
twice a month each way, the carriers taking postage as pay.
For years Pittsburgh had the only post office west of the moun-
tains. The route was twenty-five or thirty miles distant from
the nearest point in Fayette Coimty, where there was no post
office until after 1794. In 1786, Pittsbiu-gh was a muddy village,
boasting thirty-six log houses, one of stone, one frame, and five
small stores. It had the distinction of establishing the first
newspaper published west of the Alleghenies, The Gazette,
edited by John Scull, of English Quaker ancestry. The first
copy was issued July 29, 1786. At this time, there were several
roads leading to the "Forks of the Ohio" at Fort Pitt, where
the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers unite to form the Ohio.
In addition to the Indian paths which traversed the wilds of
western Pennsylvania and adjacent territory, there were two
roads crossing the Allegheny Mountain; one, opened by Gen-
eral Braddock's army, the other, by General Forbes' army.
Mail facilities had not yet been extended by the government

Third Generation : Colonel James Paull 71

so far as Fort Pitt. The first subscribers to The Gazette, who
lived some distance from the publisher, had to depend on the
courtesy of friends for the delivery of the eagerly-looked-for
weekly budget of news. The Gazette continues as the Gazette
Times, an influential paper with a wide circulation.

James Paull, like his father, was well-trained in the use of the
gun and there was ample supply of "big" game to keep him in
practice. His friends came upon invitation, or without one,
with hounds and hunting equipment. Beside the hearth fire of
snapping pine, the host and his guests kept up a flow of himior,
with thrilling tales of adventures, a basket of pippins and the
cider pitcher within reach. The barking dogs were chained
in pairs, to keep them within bounds during the night. The
turbaned cook furnished them a pot of com mush, as palatable
to hounds as to hunters.

In 1793, James Paull was appointed sheriff of Fayette County
the fifth in order. He held the office until 1796, during which
time the "Whiskey Insurrection" occurred. In March, 1791,
a law was passed imposing an excise tax on whiskey. An
organized effort was made among the farmers and distillers of
several countries in western Pennsylvania to oppose the enforce-
ment of this law, which they regarded as unjust, whiskey being
their chief article of manufacture. The Governor, Thomas
Mifflin, ordered the prosecution of some of the chief offenders,
but when the marshal undertook to enforce the law, he was met
by a body of armed men and was obliged to desist. August 14,
1794, a convention of two hundred delegates met at Parkinson's
Ferry, on the Monongahela River, Albert Gallatin acting as
secretary of the meeting. President Washington and Governor
Mifflin appointed commissioners who went to the convention
and offered amnesty upon condition of submission to the law.
But the convention gave no promises. The President issued a
second proclamation September 25, calling for submission
and announcing the march of the militia to the scene of dis-
turbance. A call for fifteen thousand men had been made to
the Governors of Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, and Mary-

72 Paull-Irmin: A Family Sketch

land. When the troops appeared, the ardor of the insurgents
cooled and David Bradford, the prime mover in the disturbance,
fled to New Orleans. In the meantime, another convention was
held at Parkinson's Ferry where resolutions were passed, pledg-
ing submission and obedience. Henry Lee, Governor of Vir-
ginia, acting commander of the militia, issued a proclamation
of amnesty, requiring the oath of allegiance to the United
States, and ordered the arrest of any who refused. A number
of suspected persons were arrested, some boimd over for trial,
others released from want of evidence. Two were convicted
of treason but were pardoned by the President. Two thousand
five hundred troops under General Morgan, were retained in
the community during the winter, as a police force. This was
the first time the power of the new Federal Government had been
put to the test and the promptness with which the rebellion
was quelled, won respect for the Government, and established
a valuable precedent with regard to similar occurrences in the
futtu-e.

In the autumn of '93 and spring of '94, Liberty poles were
raised on which were nailed boards painted with mottoes
in large letters, twelve or fifteen feet above the ground. On
the top of the pole, at a height of from one hundred to
two hundred feet, a red striped flag was fastened which waved
until torn to pieces by the wind or the pole was taken down.
These Liberty poles were erected in towns, at taverns, cross-
roads, and furnaces. One was erected at Union ftunace on
Dunbar Creek, owned by Isaac Meason, John Gibson, and
Moses Dillon.

Colonel James Chambers, an ardent supporter of Washing-
ton's administration, took an active part in the suppression of
the Insurrection. In a letter to Alexander Dallas, Secretary
of the Commonwealth, he wrote, September 1794, that when
he arrived at Chambersburg he foimd "the Rabale had raised
what they Caled a Liberty pole", that the magistrates opposed
the raising of the pole, but were not supported by the majority
of the "Cittyzens". He addressed a meeting of the inhabitants,

Third Generation : Colonel James Patill 73

to "show the necessity of Soporting the Government". The
meeting was held in the Court House. Colonel Chambers con-
tinued, "The Magistrates have sent for the men, the very-
Same that erected the pole, and I had the pleasure of Seeing
them on Saturday Evening Cut it down, and with the same
waggon that brought it into town, they were obliged to draw
the remains of it out of town again. The Circumstance was
mortifying, and they behaved very well. They seem very
penitent, and no person offered them any insult".

In a memorial address giving the ecclesiastical and secular
history of southwest Pennsylvania, the speaker said in reference
to James Paull's connection with the insurrection:

"During this volcanic period, Colonel James Paull was
sheriff of Fayette County, than whom a braver nor truer man
never held that office anywhere. He was a decided friend of the
Government; yet, because under the advice of his counsel, he
declined to subject himself to an action for false imprisonment,
by executing a defective warrant for the arrest of some of his
neighbors accused of being concerned in one of the attacks upon
the house of Wells, he was indicted in the United States Court
at Philadelphia! What had the courts of the United States to
do with the official duties of Sheriffs ? The indictment was not
prosecuted."

While James Paull held the office of sheriff, he had to bear
the responsibility for the hanging of John McFall in 1795, the
first execution in the county. The second occurred seventy-
one years later, in 1866. In one hundred years there were
four executions, since 1896 there have been eight, the last year,
1913, having witnessed one.

"The Sherrard Memoirs" by Robert Andrew Sherrard con-
tain, together with preliminary remarks, the account of the
execution of John McFall:

"This is a reminiscence of some of the actions and doings of
Col. James Paull of Fayette County, Pa., never before written
out. But I would not have it surmised or hinted at that I
have undertaken to write Col. James Paull's biography. No,

74 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

that's a task I could not perform. I must say that Col. James
Paull was the first man I ever saw, except my own father, to
my remembrance. The occurrence took place when I was
about two years old. And I know that many attempts have
been made to attest a disbelief to the statement. Notwith-
standing all that may be said against the assertion, I know it
is true. And if I bring the storehouse of my memory in penning
some of these reminiscences from 67 to 69 years, it might there-
by be shown as a fact that from early youth I have been blessed
with a strong memory, rather more so than common. And as
a further proof, but few men can bring forward in conversation
as many dates as I can, a common requisite in law to prove that
book accounts are correct. But now to the point.

' 'I remember my mother when I was two years old took me in
her arms, dressed in a little petticoat or frock, such as children
of that age in olden times were dressed in, and next she put
on a little sun bonnet and carried me up a little way above the
house to where father had been employed making beds ready
for the sowing of seeds. Mother sat me down in a little alley
between two beds, there to divert myself by playing among the
fresh dirt. It was not long after mother did this that Col.
James Paull made his appearance, going on a hunting excursion
up into the mountain or that part of it known as Laurel Hill,
where yet lingered and could sometimes be found, 77 years ago,
some remnant of the bear, deer or wdld turkey. Colonel Paull
stopped opposite where father and mother were at work and
began to converse, setting the butt of his gun on the ground,
holding the other end in his hand. And to this hour I never
remember a word that passed between father and Colonel
Paull, but my attention was attracted to the strange man that
I never had seen before, and to his gim and strange dress, for he
had on long green leggins, the like of which I had never seen
before. All these strong attractions took my young attention
and also fixed it strongly on my young memory. I have often
thought since of that period, that if Colonel Paull had not
come along and stopped, and stood and conversed as he did,

Third Generation: Colonel James Paull 75

until I got a fair view of him, his gun and dress, that it is most
likely I should not have remembered anything about mother
carrying me out into the garden that day. Col. Paull frequent-
ly took to the mountain region to hunt, while we occupied
the mountain farm, which was until I was near ten years old.
I remember I was three years old before I was allowed to wear
trousers, the first pair of which I was very proud."

THE EXECUTION OF JOHN McFALL

"Col. James Paull was elected Sheriff of Fayette county at
the annual election the second Tuesday of October, 1793. I
came to this conclusion from the date that when John McFall
was sentenced to be hung for the murder of John Chadwick,
Col. Paull had to make every arrangement and see that the
law was fulfilled and the culprit executed, as ordered by the
Governor of the Commonwealth. In Judge Addison's law re-
ports we have the only written account of the murder. Addi-
son says: 'This was an indictment brought for the murder of
John Chadwick on the 10th of November, 1794. In the morn-
ing of this day McFall being drunk, came to the house of Chad-
wick, who kept a tavern, and got some liquor there. McFall
had expressed resentment against Myers for having taken him
on a warrant, and had threatened to kill or cripple him
the first time he met him. When McFall saw Myers he jtunped
up and said he would have his life. Chadwick reproved Mc-
Fall for this. McFall rubbed his fists at Chadwick and said he
was not so drunk but he knew what he was doing. Myers soon
went away. McFall went out after him and again said he would
have his life. Myers rode off. McFall returned to go into the
house again. Chadwick bade him go home, for he had abused
several people that day and had got liquor enough. McFall
shook hands with Chadwick and went away. Chadwick shut
the door. About two minutes after he returned. Chadwick
rose to keep the door shut. McFall jerked it off the hinges,

76 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

dragged Chadwick out and struck him several times with a club
on the head. His scull was fractured by the blows and he died
the second day. McFall was tried at the December term,
1794, and found guilty of murder in the first degree, and sen-
tenced to be hung.

"But before the sentence could be carried out McFall broke
jail, and for the time being made his escape. The way and
manner by which McFall made his escape, by contriving to get
free from jail, was somewhat singular. He some times in the
night season built a fire against the outer door of the jail, at
a time no doubt he thought the jailer and others were wrapt
in sound sleep on the inside of the jail door, and burned a hole
large enough to creep out through. He crept out and took to
the Laurel Hill mountain. How he subsisted in the way of
food no one knows. But in the course of some months he was
recognized in company with pack-horsemen on the mountain,
whose business it was to pack salt, iron, etc., on horseback over
the mountains from Hagerstown and Winchester in those days,
for it must be remembered that although Isaac Meason had
in partnership with him that old noted Quaker, Moses Dillon,
from Baltimore county, Md., who built and put in blast the
old Union furnace on Dimbar creek, still the old forge where
Thomas Watt now lives, was not yet built; so that it need not
be wondered at that iron as well as salt had to be packed on
horse back as specified. McFall was recognized among the pack-
horse men as King Saul was among the prophets, but not with
as clear a conscience. McFall had the mark of Cain upon his
forehead; he had shed innocent blood, and it cried from the
grotmd for vengeance. McFall was retaken and put back in
the old jail in Uniontown and securely ironed, until proper ar-
rangements could be made for his execution, which must have
taken place sometime in the simimer or early in September
of 1795.

"Col. James Paull, then being the Sheriff of Fayette county.
Pa., the law imposed it as a duty laid on the Sheriff of each
county of the State, to execute the sentence of the law on all

Third Generation: Colonel James Paull 77

persons found guilty of murder in the first degree. Col. Paull
had the nerve to have done his duty in that case, but he chose
to have the rope adjusted and the hanging part performed
by a substitute. And this substitute he foimd in a poor old
low-lifed man in the mountain range, by the name of Ned
Bell. This worthless creature and his old wife, Col. Paull had
to bring away from their former place of abode, and place them
in an old cabin on his own land, and feed and clothe them as
long as they lived, for the people of the neighborhood where
old Ned Bell lived at the time McFall was executed, vowed
vengeance against old Ned Bell if he offered to return to live
among them as he had done.

"My father went to Uniontown at the time McFall was
hanged, and after his return home, mother asked him if he saw
McFall hung. 'No,' said he, 'I saw two men hanged before
I left Ireland and I never want to see any other person hanged
while I live.' As soon as the word was given by Colonel Paull,
to the acting Sheriff, to drive the cart from under the gallows,
father said he turned round and walked away, not caring to
see the death struggles of the dying man. Now, at this late
day, when so much improvement has been brought to bear in
all kinds of mechanics all over the country, why not some im-
provement in the mode and manner in hanging those that have
forfeited their lives to a broken law.

"Substitutes employed by the Sheriffs of the different coim-
ties of Pennsylvania, to do the duty of hangman, were but little
thought of, and were generally held in less estimation than com-
mon chimney sweeps or tinkers. So much so was this the case,
that they became outcasts, and were shunned by the neigh-
boring community ; so much so that the Legislatures of different
States passed laws making it obligatory that the Sheriff of any
county where capital punishment must be inflicted, should be
the executioner. And I have not heard of any substitute since
these laws were passed, more than half a century ago. I was
present when old Crawford was hanged near Washington,
Washington coimty, Pa., for shooting his son, Henry. He was

78 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

hung on the 22nd of February, 1823. And I remember that
Mr. Officer of that county performed his duty as required by
law. For when all things were adjusted and the drop on which
old Crawford stood must fall, the Sheriff shook hands with
old Crawford, then he tied Crawford's hands behind him and
hastily drew the cap over his eyes and face. The Sheriff then
wheeled off the drop, picked up a hand ax and at one small
stroke cut the rope and the drop fell. The Sheriff then hastily
stepped down the stairs from the platform and paid no more
attention till 39 minutes had expired, during which time Craw-
ford hung, and he was dead. Dead in less than 10 minutes
of the 39. The last act of the Sheriff, Mr. Officer, was to cut
the culprit down and lay him in a coffin the Sheriff had provided.
He then delivered it to the friends of the deceased and they
drove it home on a sled and buried it."

The Sherrard Memoirs gives a Youghiogheny River incident,
which occurred when the water was high, with floating ice:

"I remember at an after period, but I have lost the date from
my memory, that an occurrence took place after the first bridge
was built across the Yough river between Connellsville and
New Haven, and some few years after Isaac Meason had built
his second forge, near the mouth of Dunbar creek, that Col.
Paull purchased several tons of bar iron at the above forge,
intending it to be rvm to Kentucky for sale, and caused it to be
loaded on board a boat he had provided for that purpose. After
the iron was all put on board the boat two of Colonel PauU's
colored men and one white man, these men undertook to navi-
gate the boat dovvTi to New Haven, where other loading awaited
the boat, consisting of hollow ware or castings, so called in olden
times, all destined for the Kentucky market. But the river
being very high and uncommon rapid, the steersman could not
manage the boat, and there being a long streamer running up
the river, and placed there to turn off the driftwood and large
cakes of ice, that if not thrown off, might lodge against the
middle pier of the bridge and cause it to be broken and carried
off and destroyed. But in spite of the exertions of the steers-

Third Generation: Colonel James Paull 79

man the current was so strong and rapid that the boat was
ahnost, if not quite unmanageable. At all events the boat was
carried so close to the long streamer that the left hand gunnel
took the long streamer and ran up far enough to cause the
boat to turn over and spill out the iron into the river. The
three men were cast out of the boat into the rapid stream, and
but one of the colored men was able to reach the shore.

"Colonel Paull had to wait until the river fell sufficiently to
allow the men to fish the iron out of the water. Several men
were employed at high wages, as soon as the water fell, for that
ptirpose. But the water was so cold at this early period of the
spring season that the men could not stand the cold very long at
a time. But to give the men such assistance as would enable
them better to stand the cold, such as was commonly made use
of in these olden times, in the first place a large log heap was
kept constantly burning for the men to warm themselves at,
and in the second place, Col. Paull procured a barrel of good rye
whiskey, if there was ever any good whiskey. It was not at any
rate, that kind now used, called "rot-gut" or "kill-devil-stuff,"
but pure rye whiskey, brought and placed on its end, not far
from the burning fire, and the upper head knocked out and
several tin cups and a dipper brought to the place, so that the
men when they came to the fire to warm themselves on the
outside, they might pour into their inside to keep up the heat
internally also. But all this did not avail. For it appeared
that the more liquor they drank the more chilly the men got.
And this was noticed by a traveler who had stopped at a tavern
then kept opposite to where the boat and iron then lay, kept by
David and Sally Barnes, on Water Street.

"And permit me here to say that David Barnes and his wife,
Sally Barnes, kept the same tavern house on Water Street in
the month of April, the spring of 1799. For I remember that
mother sent me on an errand to Sally Barnes. And I further
remember that a middle-aged man sat there in the bar room
floor, for it must be remembered that in these early times there
was but few carpets on our floors in Western Pennsylvania in

80 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

1799. Be that as it may, Sally Bames scolded that man, for his
abuse of privelege for spitting gobbs of tobacco juice on her
fioor. She reprimanded him sharply, and among other things,
she told him she would as lief, or rather he would spit in her lap,
as on her clean floor.

"But to return to the traveling man spoken of heretofore.
After looking on for a short time and seeing the men drinking
whiskey to keep them warm, and saw that it had a greater
tendency to make them chilly, he remarked to Colonel Paull,
whose presence was necessary to encourage the men to per-
severe in getting the iron out of the river before it would be
covered up with sand and gravel, that the men could not stand
the cold by drinking whiskey, which had the tendency, instead
of keeping them warm, it made them the more chilly, quite
opposite in effect of what was intended. 'If you will take my
advice,' said the traveling man, 'you will send out among the
farmers of the neighborhood and collect a quantity of sweet
milk. Put on the fire an eighteen-gallon sugar-kettle, and fill it
with sweet milk, bring it to boil, then stir in a small portion of
flour, so as to lithe it, as the Scotch would say, not quite the
consistency of gruel, then let the men drink a tin cup full, each
man, and drink it down as warm as they can, and I will warrant
your men will stand the cold four times longer on a tin cup full
of this prepared milk than they can by using so much whiskey'.
The milk was prepared, and the iron was got out".

James Paull 's military career commenced when he was seven-
teen, four months after the death of his father. In August,
1778, he was drafted to guard Continental stores for one month
at Fort Burd, (Old Redstone) on the Monongahela, within
twenty miles of home. His father, holding a captain's commis-
sion, had served at this fort in early manhood. This month's
experience did not contribute much towards the making of a
soldier. Taking his turn in sentinel duty at night was soldier-
like ; fishing and swimming during the day was the accustomed
recreation of the farmer boy. At the age of twenty -one, he
was commissioned lieutenant by Thomas Jefferson, Governor

Third Generation : Colonel James Paiill 81

of Virginia, and served in the projected campaign against
Detroit, then held by British and Tories, May to December,
1871. In April, 1782, he was again drafted, to serve one
month at Turtle Creek, above Pittsburgh. In May, 1782, he
was a volunteer in Colonel William Crawford's campaign, and
engaged in his first and only actual battle, that of Upper San-
dusky, "Crawford's Defeat", Jime 4th, 1782. In 1783 and '84,
he commanded a company of scouts on the frontier, guarding
against Indian incursions. In 1790, he served as major and
lieutenant colonel in the unsuccessful campaign of General Har-
mar against the Indians in the Matunee country. The injuries
received in "Crawford's Defeat" were permanent, and in 1883,
he applied for a pension, which was granted. To Robert A.
Sherrard, Colonel Paull's descendants are indebted for the ac-
count of his experience in the "Defeat".

THE CRAWFORD EXPEDITION

"I had often heard, when very young, my father tell of the
very narrow, hair-breadth escapes of himself and others, while
out on that volunteer excursion. But I do not recollect of hav-
ing heard my father say at what point the troops crossed the
Ohio river, or what course they steered after they crossed that
stream. I was but ten years old at the time my father was
stricken down with paralysis, which so impaired his memory,
that he could not draw on his memory as formerly unless it was
some particular matter that occurred when very young.

"But what was lacking from my father's inability to detail
it, or my inability to retain it, was in a good measure supplied
by Col. James Paull, in a free conversation with him at his own
house, in the month of January, 1826. At which time Col.
Paull gave me a full account of his retreat, narrow escape and
journey home. All of this I felt a great interest in, having
heard from my father and others, a good deal pro and con about
Col. Crawford's defeat, so much so, that soon after my return

82 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

home and while fresh in my memory, I wrote it down, from
whence I draw off the present narrative, which may be rehed
on as correct in every particular, as related to me.

"The uncalled-for massacre of the peaceable Christian
Indians, referred to by Col. Paull in the beginning of his nar-
rative, was strongly denovmced by the public generally as an
atrocious act. Colonel Williamson was blamed and severely
censured for suffering such an outrage to be committed by men
imder his command. It seems, however, that the men were
under his command but not under his control. They were
a set of desperate frontier settlers, wicked and ungovernable,
who bore a deadly hatred to all Indians. They would not be
advised or controlled by Col. Williamson, but took the work
into their own hands and acted as any insubordinate set of
renegades would do under like circumstances. After they had
butchered the inoffensive Moravians, they strove to excuse
themselves and justify their crime by spreading abroad a story
to the effect that they found clothing among these "pet" Ind-
ians, as^ they termed them, which clothing had been stripped
from the dead wives and daughters of white people, whom the
Indians had killed and scalped. The sight of the clothing, they
declared, roused within their breasts such a spirit of revenge
that they took the matter of punishment in their own hands.
Col. Williamson was subsequently exonerated by public opinion
from all blame in the matter."

With this preliminary statement, Sherrard introduces Col.
Paull's story, which is as follows: "We crossed the Ohio river
at the old Indian Mingo town. We then took over the hill and
traveled on an old Indian trail, on or near to where the villages
of Salem and Jefferson now stand, on the dividing ridge. We
kept on the ridge until the Indian trail intersected another trail
leading out from the Ohio river, opposite where Wellsburg now
stands. The Indian trail led us on westward to the Moravian
towns on the west side of the Muskingum river.

"At all three of these Moravian towns all was desolation,
owing to the massacre of these peaceable Indians by Col. Wil-

Third Generation : Colonel James Paiill 83

liamson's men, in March previous. These men, after they had
murdered all these Christianized Indians, great and small, male
and female, that they could lay their hands on, and it is said
none escaped but one boy of ten or twelve years, who carried
the news to Sandusky where the Wyandotte tribe resided, after
which they burned up all their com together with all the com
cribs. Aside from the murder, after it was done, it was neces-
sary that the com should be all destroyed to keep it from falling
into the hands of the Wyandottes or any other hostile tribe of
Indians. Our troops satmtered about the desolate Moravian
town, iCnaden-hutten, to see what they could see. One of the
men dismounted and picked up a garden spade and declared
he would carry it with him, asserting it would do to bake bread
on.

"The last time I saw your father was on the Sandusky plains
the night of the retreat, just as the troops generally took the
start in the line of retreat, until I got to my own home where I
found that your father had arrived three days before me. Dur-
ing these three days of my absence your father was doing all
he could to comfort and console my mother and sisters, who
were daily and hourly fretting about me, conjecturing that
I had been killed by the Indians, or why not at home as the
others. Your father, in trying to console them, would teU
them not to fret ; that Jamey would come popping home to them
one of those days, safe and sound.

"The order of Col. Crawford to the men was to make prepara-
tions so as to leave the camp as silently as possible by 9 o'clock
P. M. leaving all the fires burning as bright as possible, so as to
deceive the Indians. In making the preparations to retreat,
bread had to be baked, and for that purpose some of the men
had made use of the spade that had been picked up at the
Moravian town. The spade while hot had been thrown to one
side and I happened to set my foot on it, and the bottom being
worn out of my moccasin, my foot was severely burned and
for awhile gave me great pain, but at length it got easy and I
fell asleep. But I suppose I could not have slept long for your

84 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

father came to me and gave me a shake, at the same time saying,
'Jamey, Jamey, up and let us be ofE, the men are away.' I
immediately sprang to my feet and stepped to the sapling where
my horse was tied, but to my disappointment my horse had
slipped his bridle. I searched about in the dark and found
some other horses still hitched or fastened to saplings, and I
found my horse alongside one of them. This revived my droop-
ing spirits which had sunk on finding my bridle tied to the
sapling, but no horse, and I lame with my burnt foot, and all
my comrades leaving me. The night was very dark, and being
surrounded with wild beasts, and savages more wild and fierce
than they, and near two hundred miles from home in an enemy's
country, was sufficient to sink the spirits of any brave man.
But on finding my horse standing quietly, I soon put the bridle
on and mounted. At the same time the other horses were
mounted by their owners, and all put out from the camp ground
together, nine in all, who made as much haste as they could to
get away, considering the darkness of the night and woods we
had to ride through. It must be remembered that the main
body of the troops had previously retreated under the command
of Colonel Williamson, leaving us behind who took their own
course, like many others who wandered off, and were picked up
the next day by Indians, and were either shot down or sur-
rendered themselves and were made prisoners, to await a more
cruel death by being burned at the stake, a common Indian
frolic.

"To return to my narrative, my comrades and I had not gone
any great distance from the camp ground, until we all rode into
a large and very deep swamp. In this swamp we all got our
horses so completely and deeply plvmged into the mire that we
were compelled to dismount and take to our feet, leaving our
horses to be got out by the Indians the next day, and if not
taken out by them, the horses must have perished in the mire
or swamp. I made but poor headway at walking owing to the
bad bum on the sole of my foot, the bottom being worn out of
my moccasin. However, my spirit and resolution bore me up,

Third Generation: Colonel James Paull 85

and I walked on as well as I could, in great pain. We traveled
all that night and the next day. I had found part of an Indian
blanket which was a great service to me._ By tearing strips
from it from time to time, and wrapping them around my burnt
foot, which by this time had all the skin peeled off the sole, and
was in very bad condition. As the strips would wear through
on the sole, I would stop and shift them around to a part that
had not been worn, and when a strip was worn out I would re-
place it with a new strip, and so I protected the fiery wound
as well as I could until I got across the Ohio river, and got
among the white inhabitants.

"On the same day, which was the next after we had left our
horses in the swamps, we stopped about noon to take some re-
freshments, of which we had great need, as we had taken no
food since the evening before. The place where we stopped
was overgrown with high weeds which were broken down, and
a blanket spread, on which each man took from his knapsack
or blanket, if he had either, and laid it on the blanket which took
the place of a table cloth, his ash cake, and commenced eating.
The men had not half satisfied their hunger when a fearful man
who belonged to the little company would be up on his feet
looking to see if there would be any Indians about. He at
length spied Indians, on horseback, coming towards us. He
immediately squatted down and told his comrades to hide as
there were Indians coming. On this information each man took
his own direction and hid. I, for my part, took the direction
towards the Indian trail and concealed myself in a large bunch
of alder bushes where I had a full view of the savages as they
passed. All at once the foremost one on the trail stopped short,
and that stopped all the Indians on horseback, twenty-five in
ntmiber. It appeared as if the Indians had heard the rustling
made by the men in their haste to hide, for as soon as they
brought their horses to a halt, they all looked around and ap-
peared to be listening as if to catch any sound or noise that was
made; but our men were all soon hid among the high weeds,
and a death stillness followed. In a very short time, the In-

86 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

dians hearing no noise, the foremost one gave his pony a kick or
two in the sides, and whistling, went off on a trot towards
Sandusky. Each of those following then gave his pony a kick,
in imitation of his leader, and they started off in Indian file or
Indian style.

"I forgot to mention a circumstance in regard to this fearful
man who gave us notice of the approach of these twenty-five
Indians, that took place the night before, at the time we had to
leave our horses in the swamp. It was there necessary for each
of us to pick our place and steps as best as we could, stepping
from tussock to tussock, and so make our way to solid ground.
But this little fearful man, in making a step, missed his mark
and stepped into the mire. He soon sunk to his armpits in the
soft mud and slush. In this situation he worked and toiled to
get out of the mire, but could not. He then raised a huge cry
and bawled aloud and begged the men 'for God's sake' not
to leave him. His hollowing and bawling was so loud that I
was afraid he would bring the Indians upon us. By some
means he got out of the swamp and soon overtook us, well
plastered with mud.

"I had full view of the twenty-five savages on horseback,
from the place of my concealment, and I could with my rifle,
have brought one of them down, but I did not dare do it, know-
ing that such a rash act would cost me my life, and the lives of
my comrades. I and my comrades were glad to be thus rid of
their savage company. They were making their way to San-
dusky where the battle was fought. As soon as they had gotten
out of sight, I and my comrades returned to the spot where the
blankets were spread, and gathered up the fragments that be-
longed to us, and packed them away for future use, not feeling
any appetite or desire to eat more. The fright from the pres-
ence of the Indians had the effect of destroying our appetites.
We all then started off on our course for home.

"On the evening of the same day, while we were pursuing our
way across a very clear, open piece of ground, we saw a single
Indian running off to the right, but at too great a distance to

Third Generation : Colonel James Paull 87

shoot him. Of this one Indian we apprehended no danger, but
we paid dearly for our security, as I will hereafter relate. We
kept our course till the dusk of the evening overtook us. Then
we lay down to rest and slept soundly, as we had no sleep the
first night out from camp. The next day, much refreshed, we
pushed forward in good spirits, knowing that we were, as we
thought, leaving the camp ground and the Indians some miles
behind. On this same day, about nine or ten o'clock in the
morning, as we passed a small hill and descended into a little
valley below, we were fired upon by a party of Indians, who
were concealed in ambush on our right. I was walking close by
one of the men with my left hand on his shoulder, he being on
the left and I on the right, next the Indians. My comrade was
shot dead. The ball passed close by me, and I suppose that the
Indian who fired aimed to kill both at the same shot. My
friend was taken and I was left. Four out of nine of our men
fell at the opening volley and the rest ran to trees.

"The Indians, on their first fire, rose and called out in broken
English for us to surrender, and that not a man of us should be
hurt. But I had no confidence in an Indian. I therefore broke
and ran off at the top of my speed, but thinking of my com-
rades, I turned my eye over my shoulder and saw the Indians
rush up in a body, and with tomahawk in hand, cleave down the
remaining four men, who were left dead, each at the tree where
he stood. Two of these were shot, and the others fought hand
to hand till overpowered and hacked to pieces with the toma-
hawk.

"As I ran with a lame halt and hobbling manner, the In-
dians had it in their power to kill me with their guns before I
could get out of their range, but they thought, I suppose, that
I might be taken as a prisoner and burnt for their greater sport.
Accordingly, to my surprise, two of their number started in
pursuit of me. Seeing them start at full speed, I mended my
gait, for I considered my life at stake for the first time during
the campaign ; this thought gave life to my frame and made me
forget my burnt foot, so that I gained ground from my pur-

88 Paull-Irmn: A Family Sketch

suers. Seeing this, the Indians stopped and shot at me, but
missed the mark, and gave me a fright that made me go all the
faster. Shortly after, one of the pursuers turned back, and it
was not long till the second gave up the chase.

"As soon as I found that I had gotten clear of my pursuers, I
took it easier and slower, and continued to do so during the re-
mainder of the day. Towards dusk I made search for a suit-
able place to conceal myself. After some time I found a hollow
log, into which I crept, feet foremost, and there I rested until
morning. This ended my third night out from the camp and
the battle ground.

"I left my place of concealment early the next morning and
again took up my course for home. At first I could scarcely
walk, my foot was so sore, and I was also without provisions of
any kind. The only subsistance I had from that time till I
crossed the Ohio river was one young blackbird and some sar-
vice berries, which were plentiful in many places.

"I now traveled on at my ease, caring more for my burnt foot
than for the Indians, and I did not see any more of them till
some time after my return home. Pursuing my course, I passed
near where to Mt. Vernon now stands. There I fell in with the
waters of Owl creek and passed down the same stream till near
its junction with Michigan creek. High up on Owl creek I
struck an Indian trail, and soon discovered fresh signs that
Indians had lately passed by that way towards Sandusky.
This discovery made me alter my course. I took off from the
trail over the hills, the nighest way to the Tuscarawa river
Shortly after leaving the trail I sat down to rest, and fotmd a
large shelving rock with an abundance of dry leaves imder it,
and I determined to spend the night there. Then I thought it
was too near the Indian trail, and I resolved to travel all that
night and the next day in order to be out of reach of the merciless
savages. But when I began to travel, it being then about dark,
I learned that I staggered about like a drunken man, with my
lame foot, and therefore went back to the rock, which I reached
with much difficulty, which I knew to be the result of my ex-

Third Generation : Colonel James Paull 89

hausted system, having had no nourishment or rest for many-
hours.

"After stirring about among the leaves to assure myself that
there was no snake among them, I tumbled down among the
leaves and slept comfortably all night. When I arose in the
morning I continued my way towards the Tuscarawa river.
On my arrival there I found that I could not cross, owing to
the depth of the water, and determined to go higher up the
stream, where I knew there were riffles. I stripped off all my
clothes and tied them into a bunch, and then holding them over
my head with my left hand and my gun high and dry from the
water in my right hand, I waded across. The water at its
deepest point took me up around the neck. After dressing my-
self I ascended the hill from the river, at the top of which hill
I found an old Indian camp. Strewn about was a great number
of empty kegs and barrels, some of which were falling to pieces
and others of which were still good. How the Indians had
collected so many kegs and barrels I could not tell. It is prob-
able that in time of peace with the Indians some people had run
whisky up the Tuscarawas river to near this point in large
white-pine canoes or in "pi-rouges," and sold it to the Indians
for furs and deer skins. This place was probably the place of
drinking and frolic.

"Here I struck a fire, the first one I had indulged in during
my journey, and lodged by it on the old Indian camping ground.
The fire served to keep off the gnat? and mosquitoes, these in-
sects being very numerous in the vicinity of the Tuscarawa
river at this season of the year. The staves of the old barrels
and kegs rendered good service for fuel and for fire. I ran a
great risk in kindling a fire in the Indian country, as the Indians
might have seen the light of it or have been attracted to me by
the signs of the smoke. Then, again, thinking that the Indians
might conclude it had been built by some of their own people,
I determined to leave it bum. This was my fifth night out from
the Sandusky battle ground. Early the next morning, June
11th, after resting easy on the Indians' whisky drinking ground
all night, I started for the Ohio river.

90 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

"On the morning of the second day out from this camp, I
arrived at the Ohio river, at the mouth of Indian or Wheeling
creek, and not far above where the town of WheeHng now stands.
Finding no chance of crossing, I continued on up the river till
a short distance above Bush run, opposite to Piunphry's Bar
in the river and opposite to Pumphry's Bottom, long known as
Beech Bottom. Here I determined to cross over. Accordingly,
I collected some old rails, which had come down the river in the
drift and had lodged against a large sugar tree. I next peeled
the bark from a number of small walnut saplings, with which I
tied the rails together, making a crude raft. I stepped upon
this with gun in hand, but I was too near the front of the raft,
and narrowly escaped being thrown into the water. I shifted
my position and had no more difficulty in crossing, using a
piece of slivered rail as a paddle.

I had seen a nimiber of horses feeding on the Piunphry beech
bottom, and I resolved to ride one of them at all hazards. I
took the white walnut bark from the raft and twisted it into a
halter. I next attempted to catch one of the horses, but was
imable to get near any of them, until I came to an old raw-boned
mare. I put the halter on her, and mounted, gun in hand, and
rode up the hill, keeping the pathway until I came to an im-
provement in the way of a cabin house, some cleared land and
fences. Here, for the first time since my out-going trip from
the Ohio, I heard the cock crow. However, there were no in-
habitants about, and no dog barked. Still keeping the path
farther on past several improvements where cocks crowed but
no dogs barked. I at length came to a fort near Virginia Short
Creek. Here all the people of the neighboring country were
collected for safety, and this explained the deserted homes I had
passed. Here, to my stirprise, I found some of my friends in
the battle, who had reached the fort before me. I remained
a day at the fort, resting and doctoring my burnt foot, which
was very much inflamed, and very sore. Here I procured a horse
to carry me to Washington, Pennsylvania, where I remained a
day at a relative's home. From this relative I obtained another

Third Generation: Colonel James Paull 91

horse, on which I rode to my own home. There all was gloomy
expectancy, for they had not heard of me, and believed that I
had been killed, or taken prisoner, as your father could give no
information concerning me, after he had roused me from sleep
on the battleground the night of the retreat, as before stated."
June 10, after the defeat, Colonel Crawford and Dr. Knight,
surgeon of the regiment, were conducted by a band of Indians
to the old Sandusky town, thirty-three miles distant. Four
of the nine other prisoners were tomahawked and scalped on
the way ; the remaining five were killed by the squaws and boys,
soon as they reached the town. Then, Colonel Crawford met
his doom. Dr. Khight was put in charge of a yoimg Indian
with orders to take him to a Shawnee town, forty miles from
Sandusky, there to be treated in the same manner. The first
day they traveled twenty-five miles, then stopped for the night.
Swarms of gnats were annoying, and Dr. Knight requested his
custodian, next morning, to unite him and allow him to assist
in making a fire to keep them off. The thoughtless "brave"
complied. While on his knees and elbows blowing the fire,
the doctor struck him on the head, knocking him into the fire.
Howling with pain, he took to his heels, leaving his rifle, which
the doctor seized, and made off. He cautiously threaded his
way to Fort Mcintosh, which he reached the twenty-second
day, exhausted and nearly famished, having lived on roots and
berries, and young birds. To Dr. Knight, alone, is due the
account of the prolonged and cruel treatment which ended
Colonel Crawford's life. In addition to the detailed account,
he put the story into rhjone.

92 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

CRAWFORD'S DEFEAT

Come all you good people wherever you be,
Pray draw near awhile and listen to me ;
A story I'll tell you, which happened of late
Concerning brave Crawford's most cruel defeat.

A bold-hearted Company, as we do hear,
Equipped themselves, being all volunteers.
Their number four hundred fifty and nine,
To take the Sandusky town was their design.

In Seventeen hundred and eighty and two,

The twenty-sixth of May, I tell unto you.

They crossed the Ohio, as I understand,

When brave Colonel Crawford, he gave the command.

With courage undaunted, away did they steer,
Through Indian country, without dread or fear.
Where Nicholas Slover and Jonathan Zanes
Conducted them over to Sandusky plains.

Now, brave Colonel Crawford was an officer bold,
On the fourth day of Jime did the Indians behold.
On the plains of Sandusky at three the same day
Both armies did meet in battle array.

The Indians on horse-back, Girty gave the command.
On the side of the plains they boldly did stand
Our men like brave heroes upon them did fire.
Until backwards the Indians were forced to retire.

Third Generation: Colonel James Paull 93

Our rifles did rattle, and bullets did fly,
And some of our men on the groimd did lie,
And some being wounded, to others they said,
"Fight on brother soldiers, and be not dismayed".

Then brave Colonel Williamson, as I understand,
Wanted two hundred men at his command ;
If the same had been granted, I think, without doubt, .
That he would have soon put those proud Indians to rout.

For this brave commander, like a hero so bold.
Behaved with courage, like David of old,
Who, with the Philistines he used for to war,
And returned safe home without receiving a scar.

There was brave Major Brenton, the first in command,
In the front of the battle he boldly did stand.
With courage and conduct his part did maintain,
Tho' bullets like hail in great showers they came.

And as this brave hero was giving command

The rifle balls rattled on every hand ;

He received a ball, but his life did not yield.

He remained with the wounded men out on the field.

Brave Biggs, and brave Ogle, received, each, a ball,
On the plains of Sandusky it was their lot to fall ;
And not these alone, but several men
Had the honor to die on Sandusky plain.

There was brave Captain Mann, like a hero of old,
Likewise Captain Ross, another as bold,
Received, each, a ball, but did not expire,
Tho' into the camp they were forced to retire.

94 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

There was brave Captain Hoglan, I must not go past,
He fought it out bravely while the battle did last,
And on the retreat, to a fire did go,
What came of him after, we never could know.

There was Ensign McMasters, another as brave,
Who fought many battles his country to save ;
On the plains of Sandusky he received a wound,
Unable to go, he was left on the ground.

There was Sherrard, and Rogers, and Paull, of renown,
They marched with Crawford to Sandusky town.
Where they bravely did fight till the battle was done,
And without a scar they returned safely home.

Our officers all so bravely did fight,
And so did our men, two days and a night.
Until re-inforcement of Indians came,
Which caused us to leave the Sandusky plain.

"Now", said our commander, "since we have lost ground,

By superior numbers they do us surround;

We'll gather the wounded, and let us save

All that's able to go, and the rest we must leave".

There was brave Colonel Crawford, upon the retreat,
And also Major Harrison, and brave Dr. Knight,
With Slover the pilot, and several men.
Were all taken prisoners on Sandusky plain.

Well, now. they have taken these men of renown.
And dragged them away to the Sandusky town.
And there, in their council, condemned for to be
Burned at the stake, by most cruel Girty.

Third Generation : Colonel James Paull 95

Like young Diabolus this act did pursue,
And Girty the head of this infernal crew,
This renegade white man was standing by.
While there in the fire their bodies did fry.

The scalps from their heads while alive they did tear,
Their bodies with irons red-hot they did sear;
They bravely expired without e'er a groan,
Which might melt a heart that was harder than stone.

After our heroes were burned at the stake.
Brave Knight and brave Slover, they made their escape,
And with Heaven's assistance, they brought us the news.
So none need the truth of these tidings refuse.

Now, from east unto west let it be understood.
Let every one arise and avenge Crawford's blood,
And likewise the blood of those men of renown
That were taken and burned at Sandusky town.

The name of Colonel PauU's farm. "Deer Park," came about
nattu-ally. An enclosure was made, in which several deer were
kept, the pride of their owner and the admiration of all who
saw them. The large farm was, by and by, divided into several
tracts; one sold to Alexander Hill, is still known as the "Hill
farm". One tract, "Woodvale", became Martha PauU's at her
marriage.

The log house continued to be the paternal home until the
death of Colonel Paull. It had also served as a fortress, bear-
ing the marks of bullets fired by the Indians, who were the
sworn enemies of the "Indian fighter". Some years after his
death, carpenters, in re-roofing the house, found many bullets
lodged under the old shingles. The old house had never been
without the presence of little children. Joseph, the youngest,
was but three months old when Jim, the eldest, was the proud

96 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

father of a baby boy, Findley. After the grandchildren, the
great-grandchildren came trooping over the threshold; for
more than fifty years the house rang with the merriment of
children. No wonder it was still youthful, when more than a
century old!

The eldest of Colonel PauU's living grandchildren is Hannah
Paull Stoneroad, the only descendant who remembers him.
She recalls the happy visits at her grandfather's, the freedom,
the indulgence, the pleasure in following the vain peafowls,
the countless attractions always to be found at one's grand-
parents'. She describes her grandfather as tall and slender,
jovial, fond of company. Her grandmother was tall, fair,
"very pretty", with a happy disposition. Old Hagar was mis-
tress of the johnnycakes, as well as of the mush pot; she baked
them on white boards, cared for as scrupulously as she cared for
her frying-pan. Hannah thought nothing that came out of the
frjdng-pan, or Dutch oven, could equal the sweet, crisp, johnny-
cakes; her grandfather agreed with her, and long-continued
indulgence had worn his teeth almost to the giuns.*

Hagar's long term of service gave her privileges; familiarity
with the family was pardonable on this accoujit. One day the
Colonel said to her, "Hagar, the com is getting low, you darkies
must eat wheat-bread". She replied, "I'll be boun' fo' you,
always wantin' the best fo' you'self". Hagar's son, Joe, had a
propensity for taking things that he fancied. The Colonel's
buckskin riding-gloves had a special attraction for him. For
some time they had been missing; at length, suspicious of Joe,
the Colonel offered to fee him, if he found and returned them.
The gloves were "found," and Joe received his fee.

Captain McClelland was one of Colonel Paull 's intimate
friends. Taking dinner with him at his home one day, the
Captain said, "Jim, cut light into the butter, it is twenty -five
cents a pound". "Jim" understood; he was an expert in the
game of "give and take". The Captain was a violinist. As

•Hannah Paull Stoneroad has since passed on, the last member of her father's family
She rests in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Third Generation: Colonel James Paull 97

Colonel Paull was fond of music, especially that of the violin,
he bought one, to make sure of having music when Captain
McClelland came to visit him. His visits were frequent, and
while the delightful strains of familiar airs continued, the family,
often joined by neighbors, gathered about the hearthstone,
failed to note the swing of the pendulimi in the tall comer
clock. After the musician and his host had departed, the violin
was neglected; untutored fingers, playing over the sensitive
"vocal chords", added injury to neglect, and the sweet voice
refused to sing as before. The soul was gone, and the skeleton
that remained soon went the way of all things earthly.

Elizabeth Rogers Paull died September 12, 1838. She had
lived seventy-four years, faithfully performing every duty that
came to her hands. She was buried at Laurel Hill, while Rev.
James Guthrie was pastor of the church. A large, white
marble slab bears the inscription:

In memory of Elizabeth Paull,

consort of Colonel James Paull,

who departed this life on the 12th day of September, 1838,

in the 75th year of her age.

She was an affectionate wife, a devoted mother,

and died in the hope of a glorious immortality.

Three years later, the term of life allotted to Colonel Paull
came to a close, from a paralytic stroke, when on his way to
Laurel Hill church, accompanied by his son Joseph, both on
horseback. Joseph, a few feet in advance, heard his father's
cane drop to the ground and said, tiiming aroimd, "Father,
you have dropped your cane", at the same time noticing his
unsteadiness. He died Friday, July 9th, and was laid away in
the family burying ground at Laurel Hill. On a white slab
corresponding with that which covers Elizabeth Paull 's grave,
is the simple inscription:

98 Paull-Irmin: A Family Sketch

Sacred to the memory of James Paull Sr.
Was bom on thel7th day of September, 1760,
and died on the 9th day of July, 1841,
in the 8 1st year of his age.

A riotous growth of myrtle, unbroken between the two graves,
furnishes perennial green.

Colonel Paull was a typical frontiersman, resolute and fear-
less, with a robust constitution; sharing in the taming of the
wilderness, and in subduing the savage. From the storm clouds
of the Revolution, he had seen the Thirteen Colonies emerge,
an independent Nation. His eyes were closed twenty years
before there occurred the pitiable spectacle of these United Col-
onies, grown to thirty-four, at strife with each other, over the
question of the continuance of the "blessed tie that binds".

With keen interest Colonel Paull had watched the adminis-
trations of nine Presidents, from George Washington through
the short term of William Henry Harrison. During his life,
the change in the State Government had taken place. The
Proprietorship of the Penns came to an end at the close of the
Revolution, when the American Government bought their
rights in Pennsylvania. From this time until 1790, when the
present form of government was established, a President and
Council, called "The Supreme Executive Council", directed the
affairs of the State. Thomas Mifflin, last of the seven Presi-
dents, was continued as the first Governor of the Keystone
State, 1790-1799. At the time of Colonel Paull 's death, the
incumbent of the office was David Rittenhouse Porter, whose
son. General Horace Porter was the honored instrument in re-
covering the long-concealed body of Admiral John Paul Jones.

Deer Park passed into the hands of Colonel Paull's youngest
son, Joseph, whose i^raWy, together with John, the unmarried
son, lived in the old home. Within a year, the family were
housed in a fine new brick house. The log house, sound, and
promising many more years of usefulness, was thought to
be indispensable as a storeroom. But a fire unaccovmtably

Third Generation: Colonel James Paull

99

brought it to ashes near the close of the century, January,
1899.

Within four years, there were Hving six of Colonel Paull 's
grandchildren, three of them daughters of his eldest son, James
Paull, Jr. : Martha, Louisa, and Hannah. There remain, James
Paull Walker, of Seattle; Mary Ellen Walker Stewart, of
Pittsburgh; James Lea Paull, son of Joseph, of Pittsburgh.

^-^Sp

^s

FOURTH GENERATION

JAMES PAULL, Jr.
June 6th, 1781— June 7th, 1856

James, eldest son of Colonel James Paull, bom in the stormy
days of the Revolution, was two years old when the conflict
ended. Brought up at Deer Park, he learned the practical side
of farming. His education began and ended at the county
school.

An accident which occurred in early manhood, a kick on the
knee from a vicious horse, made him slightly lame during the
rest of his life. His father, having had a memorable experience
with a lame foot, would say, when Jim was inclined to walk
slow or limp, "You could run if the Indians were after you!"

December 2nd, 1807, James Paull married Hannah, daughter
of John and Sarah Orick Jackson. John was a son of James
Jackson, pioneer, who ran away from Ireland at the early age of
twelve years, to escape being bound out to a weaver. America
received the runaway, who became a wealthy landowner in
Pennsylvania and a loyal supporter of the cause of American
freedom. He married, and brought up a family. John married

(100)

JAMES PAULL. jR.

1781 - 1856
Uniontown, Pennsylvania

MARY CLARK PAULL
1799-1875

Fourth Generation: James Paull, Jr. 101

Sarah Orick of Virginia, whose sister Mary married Judge
James Findley of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. John and
Sarah Jackson had eleven children: Mary married Captain
John McLean (who was in the War of 1812) son of Samuel, who
was a brother of Colonel Alexander McLean. Edward Jackson
died unmarried; Hannah Jackson married James Paull; Rob-
ert Jackson married Agnes Nancy Canon; Catherine Jackson
married Elisha Allen; Helen Jackson married James Withe-
row; Nancy Jackson married General Henry Beeson; Orick
Jackson died unmarried; Margaret Jackson married John
Hardgrove; John Jackson married Nancy Canon, niece of
Robert's wife; Susannah Jackson, (twin of John), married
Wilson Hardgrove, brother of John.

James Paull took his bride to a two-story log house on a farm
seven miles west of Deer Park. In early days, numerous forts
had been built in this community. The ruins of one were on
James PauU's farm ; traces of another, on the land belonging to
his brother-in-law, General Henry Beeson. When the Revolu-
tion was in progress, General George Morgan fenced in a range
for cattle which was called "Morgan's bullock pens". Later,
this land became the property of General Morgan. The Paull
tract was a part of this tract, together with a section which had
been the property of Dr. James Craik, the physician who ac-
companied Washington in his army career, and attended him
in his last illness.

In the log house, the large living-room entered from a porch,
was cheery with sunshine and with a bright wood fire in the
chimney-place. This, with a bedroom and kitchen, three bed-
rooms on the second floor, comprised the apartments. The
attic was reached through a square hole in the low ceiling by
climbing from the banisters. A room over the kitchen was
occupied by the colored maids; at one time, Tillie, and her
mother, Lyd, who was cook; often, by Sukie and Ann, daughters
of Hagar, a Deer Park fixture.

Findley, the first child, bom February 20, 1809, was a name-
sake of Judge James Findley, his mother's uncle, in whose

102 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

childless home she was brought up. Within ten years, there
was a family of seven children. At the age of 37, the mother,
Hannah Paull, died in July, 1822. She was buried in the grave-
yard of the Stone Church, ("Seceder"), where her father's
family worshipped.

James Paull's second wife was Mary, daughter of Daniel and
Agnes McClelland Canon. Daniel Canon (often spelled
"Cannon") was probably the son of the pioneer of the same
name, rather than the pioneer himself, who came from Virginia
to Fayette County, and took up land which was surveyed for
him as "Captain" Daniel Canon. He figured in Indian wars
and in the Revolution. He died about 1797, leaving his wife,

Agnes, and seven children: John Canon married ;

Elizabeth Canon married Rev. Mr. Eaton, a Presbyetrian min-
ister; Isabella Canon married John Witherow; Martha Canon
married James Caughey, Mary Canon ("Polly") married James
Paull; Daniel Canon, 3rd, married Ann Jones; Agnes Nancy
Canon married Robert Jackson. In recent years, a descendant
of John Canon's, living in Ohio, was a member of a business
firm, "Canon, Rifle, and Gun".

Mary Canon Paull asstuned the care of three boys and four
girls, ranging in age from four to fourteen. In the log house,
fourteen children were brought up. The eldest, Findley, was
twenty-eight years older than the youngest, Louisa, who had
several nephews and nieces older than she.

James Paull was a Whig; a Presbyterian in church denomina-
tion. His family were all brought up under the ministry of
Rev. James Guthrie, of Laurel Hill. Old folk and children at-
tended the Sunday School, many coming from a distance of
several miles, on foot, or two or three on one horse, if not able
to own a conveyance. The chief exercise was the reciting of
Scripture, committed to memory during the week. The West-
minster Shorter Catechism went hand in hand with the Scrip-
tures, and he was a dull or an indifferent pupil, who could not
give the one hundred seven questions and answers, with the
"whereins" and "wherebys", the "reasons annexed", each in its

Fourth Generation: James Paull, Jr. 103

proper place. The social feature of the Sabbath service was a
welcome break in the routine of farmer life. Under the oak
trees where the horses were hitched and the buggies sheltered,
there was a general handshaking, neighborhood news were
discussed, housewives exchanged experiences, and learned of
sickness and want, if such existed, to which they promptly
ministered. The Day's uplift fiunished a lubricator for the
home machinery, which would start next morning for another
week's whirl.

The church session made a rule, obliging each boy to attend
Simday School in summer, without shoes, for the sake of those
who had none. Generally, the boys were well pleased with the
plan, because they all traveled the "Barefoot trail" six days of
the week, and shoes were uncomfortable over stone-bruises and
stumped toes, on Sunday.

Day school was held for a few months only, in winter. In
connection with it, were debating societies where would-be
orators evinced talent or its lack. Following the general cus-
tom, the young people met in the schoolhouse at "early candle
light" for spelling-matches and singing. The practice produced
a community of "good spellers", just as the use of the buck-
wheat notes, imder the instruction of a singing-master with a
tuningfork, produced "good singers". The accomplishment was
turned to good account in church worship and at social gath-
erings.

Sarah Paull, the eldest daughter, was married December
15th, 1831, to Samuel Huston — the only wedding which took
place in the log house. Mary and Martha were married away
from home. Findley went to Wheeling, where he was employed
in the store of his uncle, Thomas Paull. There he became
acquainted with Maria Ann Bayless, whom he married in
October, 1835. They went to the "far west", and established a
home in Palestine, Illinois. Eliza Paull, while visiting her
brother Findley, married William Beans Baker, and remained in
Palestine. She lived but one year after her marriage.

104 ' Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

In June, 1840, death again entered the home and summoned
the mother, Mary Paull, who left seven children of her o^ti,
three sons and four daughters ; Nathaniel was then but three
years old. She was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

In December, 1841, Mary, daughter of William and Elizabeth
Clark, became the third wife of James Paull. Her brother,
William Clark, married Mary Andrews, whose son, William
Andrews Clark, ex-Senator from Montana, is the donor of the
beautiful "Mary Andrews Clark Home" to the Yoiing Women's
Christian Association of Los Angeles. Mary Paull's sister
Margaret Clark, married Alexander Johnston, whose son, John
Johnston, gave a daughter to the Paull family — Annie Rogers
Johnston, who married Joseph Rogers Paull, son of James Lea
Paull. Mary Clark Paull had no children, but her stepchildren
could testify to her motherly interest and kindness.

After the daughters had finished their education at the
seminary in Uniontown, conducted by Rev. Samuel Wilson,
they shared in the housework, and became proficient cooks,
housekeepers, and buttermakers. The milkhouse was outside
the yard, a spring of delicious water sending a cold stream
through the milk and butter troughs. Over the milkhouse, a
large room with several beds, a stove, etc., furnished sleeping
room for the brothers, who were crowded out of the house.

All free hands were needed in quilting, and in the work at-
tending "butchering", when a dozen or more hogs came under
the cruel knife. Sugar-stirrings, and apple-bees were occasions
for fun, quite as much as for work. Six weeks of harvesting
the crops required the labor of several men who were boarded
at the house — a busy, tiresome season to all excepting the
youngsters, for whom it was a prolonged frolic. Liquor was
used in the harvest field because it was the custom, and sup-
posed to be beneficial. Cider was the only "drink" ever used
in the house. Com-huskings in the fall, held by the neighbors
in turn, were times of merrymaking and suppers of big pro-
portions.

Fourth Generation: James Paull, Jr. 105

A large flock of sheep, dotting the field or clustered together,
was a lovely picture before one's eyes the summer long. In
shearing-time, in May, the snip, snip, of the sharp shears con-
tinued until each beautiful victim had been "fleeced", and then
turned loose, shorn of beauty, as well. Herds of cattle were
kept on the Paull land on the mountain, and they were treated
to the craved "lick of salt" each Saturday. A large drove of
horses and mules, turned into a wide range of pasture, added
a picturesque touch to the landscape. There were riding-
horses, trim and sleek, the great, strong, much-traveled. Cones-
toga wagon-horses; and the faithful farm-toilers, as grateful
for their oats and a roll in the grass, as the plowman was for his
supper and his pipe.

Each of the girls had her own riding-horse which was brought
to the gate at her bidding. One afternoon, Hannah and Louisa
went visiting on horseback, Joshua Canon accompanying them.
Hannah's bonnet was white crepe with pink rose buds; Louisa's,
a Leghorn trimmed with green ribbon. Nature was radiant
with sunshine and flowers, and away they went, in buoyant
spirits. A threatening cloud appeared, and the horses quick-
ened their pace at a touch from the slender whips. A few
raindrops fell, by way of warning. Jenny Lind and Bill were
urged to travel their best until a drenching down-pour brought
a halt. No farther need to hasten, the beautiful bonnets were
ruined!

The purchase of a handsome horse which was turned into the
range with the others, proved to be direful. A disease, then
termed "consumption", soon ended his life, but not until the
contagion had spread. One after another succumbed to the
disease, fourteen in all! Some of the unfortunates were old
horses ending their days in luxury ; they were retired from service
and pensioned with watchful care. One of the riding horses.
Flora, a spirited gray of unusual swiftness, came to an untimely
end in a singular manner. A drover, herding his cattle over
night at John Bute's near by, borrowed Flora for the evening,
and put her in the Bute barn when he retiimed. A continuous,

106 Paull- Irwin: A Family Sketch

high wind, during the night became a wild tornado, which
wrecked many houses, even stone buildings, and hurled house-
hold effects, as well as people, some distances from their moor-
ings. In several instances, beds with their occupants were
carried from the house. The bam in which Flora was sheltered
was blown over, the helpless guest borne by the storm to a wood,
and there cruelly dropped so that she died from the injury. At
the Paull home, Hannah, for the sake of novelty, wrote a letter
by the light from the continuous lightning. Only black Svikie
was alarmed. No one suspected the extent nor the seriousness
of the damage. But the neighborhood was "a-buzz" next
morning.

For many years a large business was carried on by drovers,
taking cattle, horses, sheep, and hogs, from western Pennsyl-
vania to eastern markets. They stopped over night at road
houses or with farmers along the way, six or eight men, or more,
in charge. The remuneration, together with that received
from giving pasture to large herds, was a revenue not incon-
siderable, and many farmers reserved pasture for this purpose.
The approach of a drove was known by the lowing and bleating
of the animals and the loud calls of the men; qmte as much,
perhaps, by the dense clouds of dust stirred up. In the spring,
when the season opened, the muddy roads over which they
passed to the "pike" were deeply plowed by hxmdreds of hoofs.
When the sun dried these plowed highways, miles of stubborn
clods were an irritating hindrance to vehicles. But perseverence
and gentle showers eventually reduced conditions to a happy
level.

The Conestoga wagon preceded the railroad. Six strong
horses were attached to these large wagons which were deep and
long, bending up from the bottom, both at the rear and in front.
The sides were usually painted red and blue. Over wooden
bows reaching from side to side, white canvas was stretched.
Some of the wagons had a bell team; over the hames of each
horse, a bell was suspended from a thin iron arch. The wagons
carried country produce to eastern markets and returned with

Fourth Generation: James Paull, Jr. 107

dry goods, groceries and everything handled by merchants.
They were used by farmers in eastern Pennsylvania, before the
construction of turnpikes; after these were established, it was
estimated that in 1790, ten thousand Conestoga wagons were
needed for the traffic of Philadelphia. When on the road,
horses rested over night in the wagon-yards connected with the
road houses, covered with blankets in severe weather. They
were rarely stabled. Road houses averaged one to two miles
apart. The feeding-trough, carried at the rear of the wagon,
was taken down and fastened to the tongue of the wagon, where
the horses, three on each side, greedily ate that which was set
before them. Beds for the drivers, rolled up in front of the
wagon, were spread on the floor of the large bar-room, where
there was a glowing log fire in the large chimney-place, or in
later times, a coal fire in a grate, often of such dimensions as to
hold six bushels of coal. James Paull kept a wagon on the road
for many years; the driver, William (or "Bill") Worthington,
was very skillful with his team, and was proud of his ability to
turn his long wagon and six horses gracefully and in little space.
He lived on the Paull farm for thirteen years. Occasionally,
he was relieved by black Tom, who welcomed the change from
farm work.

With trustworthy men on the farm, James Paull spent much
time in the saddle, always riding a horse of mettle and a good
gait. With an object in view, distance was not considered.
The favorite horse was brought to the gate, promptly mounted,
and the rider was off, and soon out of sight. Friendliness was a
marked characteristic. When from home, he often went out of
his way to call upon a mere acquaintance or one who had rela-
tives in his community, that he might tell each of the welfare
of the other. When he wanted to communicate with Judge
Torrence, a valued friend and cousin, in Cincinnati, he pre-
ferred mounting his horse and talking the matter over, to writ-
ing a letter. Oneness of spirit made the meetings occasions of
great pleasure to each.

When on a trip to Ohio, he bought two horses.

108 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

On his way homeward, he stopped over night at a tavern, ki
a village where the people were roused over the daring of a
horsethief. The stranger was surprised and very angry next
morning to find himself suspected! Crowds gathered around
the tavern to hear the proceedings and find out what would be
done. He protested, and cracked his whip, fretted at the
detention. Plainly, he was not the thief and he was allowed
to proceed. A temper, heated to boiling point, propelled like
steam, and the three horses, with their engineer, reached the
home gate not much behind schedule time. Some time later,
accompanied by a neighbor, he went westward, to buy land.
The money, all in silver, was carried in saddlebags. One eve-
ning at dusk, they crossed a stream swollen with a recent rain.
The saddlebags slipped and down went the silver to the bottom
of the stream! The weight would surely prevent it beings car-
ried away, so they continued their journey a short distance,
until they reached a stopping-place for the night. The owner
of the silver slept with one eye open and was astir next morning
at daybreak. Reaching the brook, he found that the water had
fallen, and he soon recovered the soaked bags, with their con-
tents intact. He returned to the farmhouse, counted over the
coins, then slipped to the room of his sleeping companion and
placed the cold, wet bags, about his neck — a gentle way of
breaking the news!

James Paull dealt extensively in iron, having an interest in
several furnaces. He was a partner with Daniel Kane of Union-
town and William L. Miller of Connellsville in the ownership of
Laurel Furnace, on the mountain. Later, he operated Ross
Furnace, in Ligonier Valley, Westmoreland Coimty, in partner-
ship with Colonel Jacob Mathiot, under the firm name, Mathiot
and Paull.

About 1845, the log house gave place to the large brick man-
sion of the present time. Commodious, convenient, with doors
always open to guests, it sheltered no more, perhaps, than fotmd
hospitable accomodation in the contracted log dwelling. The
water from a large spring in the sugarcamp, coming down through

Rev. ROBERT BRADEN MOORE. D. D.

1835 — 1906

Vineland, New Jersey

Pastor, Writer, Philanthropist

A Friend in Need

LOUISA JANE PAULL MOORE
1835-1911

Fourth Generation: James Paull, Jr. 109

a pipe, tumbled and bubbled into a trough by the kitchen porch.
The music of the falling water was continuous; the water al-
ways fresh, having an outlet in the trough.

The first wedding in the new house occurred in March, 1850,
when Rev. Samuel Wilson united in marriage, Agnes Paull and
Thomas P. Townsley, a merchant of Xenia; a young man of
worth, and fine business qualifications; a graduate of Miami
University. Later, he became a member of the State
Legislature.

A memorable event was a change in the pastorate of Laurel
Hill church in 1852. Rev. James Guthrie closed his ministry
of 48 years and was succeeded by Rev. Joel Stoneroad. His
wife, Rebecca Veech, a sister of Judge James Veech of Union-
town, died soon afterwards. By and by, Hannah Paull be-
came Mr. Stoneroad's second wife. In the month of roses,
1854, a happy company of relatives and friends again met in
the large, sunny parlor, to witness the marriage of one of the
daughters. Dr. Wilson performed the marriage ceremony.
Mr. Stoneroad was a watchful shepherd, ministering to his
flock through a period of nearly 30 years, in all kinds of weather
vmtil his health failed.

The marriage of Louisa Paull to Rev. Robert Braden Moore,
a Presbyterian minister, was the last one in the family. It took
place at the home of her sister, Agnes Paull Townsley.

The tranquil, benevolent life of James Paull, came to a close
Jvme 7th, 1856, the day following his seventy-fifth birthday.
Mr. Stoneroad delivered the funeral address. He was laid
beside his wife, Mary Canon Paull, and his son Daniel, who had
died in childhood. An interest in the welfare of every one, his
cordial handclasp, his generosity, honesty, and undoubted sin-
cerity, made him greatly beloved and won for him a host of
ardent friends, such as few, in private life, can claim. His
funeral was attended by people from far and near; the proces-
sion to the cemetery was said by many to have been the largest
they had ever seen.

110 Paull-Irmin: A Family Sketch

When the farm home was broken up, Mary Clark Paull re-
moved to Connellsville, where she Hved until her death, August
13, 1875, aged 76. A former pastor of the Presbyterian Church,
Rev. N. H. G. Fife, officiated at the funeral, and the last inter-
ment was made in the family lot in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Fifth Generation

James Paull m. (1) Hannah Jackson; children: Findley,
Sarah Orick, George Torrence, Reuben Bailey, Mary Jackson,
EHza, Martha; m. (2) Mary Canon; children: Agnes Canon,
James (drowned, in California, aged 24), Hannah, Isabel Withe-
row (died unmarried) , Daniel Canon (died in childhood) , Louisa
Jane, Nathaniel Ewing (died unmarried); m. (3) Mary Clark;
no children.

Sixth Generation

Findley Paull m. Ann Maria Bayless; children: Ellen, John
Bayless (died in childhood), Henry Weed (died in childhood),
James Torrence, Frances, Anna, William Orick.

Sarah Orick Paull m. Samuel Huston; children: James,
David, George, Hannah, Daniel (all died unmarried), Mary
McClintock, William Miller, Charles.

George Torrence Pavill m. Rebecca Brownfield Turner;
children: Jane Turner, Hannah Jackson m. William J. Scully,
Elisabeth Maxwell, Frances Gaddis, Mary Louise, Jessie
Townsley.

Reuben Bailey Paull m. Mary Tate; children: Henry,
Hannah, James Reuben.

Mary Jackson Paull m. John Austin; children: Findley
Webb (died vmmarried), Ann Eliza.

Eliza Paull m. William Beans Baker; child: Eliza.

Martha Paull m. Harvey Gaddis; children: Hannah, Goerge
m. Margaret Strain, Frances, Sarah m. William Price, James
Paull.

Agnes Canon Paull m. Thomas P. Townsley; children;
James Paull (died unmarried), George Lowry.

Fourth Generation: James Paull, Jr. Ill

Hannah Paull m. Rev. Joel Stoneroad (Presbyterian) ; chil-
dren: James Paull, Thomas Louis (drowned, when fishing in the
Youghiogheny River, aged 25), Mary Bell, Joel Townsley Moore.

Louisa Jane Paull m. Rev. Robert Braden Moore (Presby-
terian); children: Minnie (died in infancy), Nancy Hurst,
Paull.

Seventh Generation

(Findley Paull)

Ellen Paull m. James Alfred Wilson; children: Jennie Bay-
less, Frank Decker (died unmarried), Torrence Bement, Isabel
Paull.

James Torrence Paull m. Amanda Gaines; children: Henry
Weed (died unmarried), Frank Bayless m. Twanette Kauble,
Jessie Lena (died in childhood).

Frances Paull m. Cullen M. Patton; children: George Paull
m. Nellie Wall, Charles Findley, Glenn (died unmarried), Tor-
' rence Hayes, Herbert (died unmarried).

Anna Paull m. Findley Paull Nichols; children: Jessie
Paull, Claude Orick (died unmarried), Frank Merritt m.
Mary Musette Smith, Findley Paull (died unmarried).

William Orick Paull m. Flora Ellen Varre; children: Edna
Varre, James Orick, Julia Ann, Laurence and Clarence, twins,
died in childhood.

(Sarah Paull Huston)

William Miller Huston m. Dora Hamlin; children: Samuel,
George, Sarah, Robert.

Charles Huston m. Mary Taylor; children: Paull m. Lucile
Kimmel, Mabel, Ray, Kate.

(George Torrence Paull)

Jane Turner Paull m. George Mulholland Ray; children:
Alice m. H. L. Strobridge, Margretta (died in infancy), George
Paull (died in childhood), Samuel Matthews, Mary Louise.

112 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

Mary Louise Paull m. John Franklin Miller; child: Rebecca
Turner Paull.

(Reuben Bailey Paiill)

Henry Paull m. Margaret Lackey; children: Frank Leroy,
James (died in infancy), Carl.

Hannah Paull m. James W. Harper; child: Earl.

James Reuben Paull m. Laura Davis ; children : Ruth Hannah
m. Samuel Milroy Ballard, Homer Robert (killed in a tornado,
in childhood), Mary Jerrine, David Davis m. Maude Ras-
musin, James Leslie and Elsie, twins.

(Mary Paull Austin)

Ann Ehza Austin m. John H. Warren; children: Harry
Gaddis, Mary Bell, Charles F., Nellie Paull, Carrie Murray,
Eugene Austin, Miller, Fanny Kate (died immarried), Martha
Louise.

(Eliza Paull Baker)

Eliza Baker m. Chauncy Clark; children: John Baker, Rob-
ert, Alice.

(Martha Paull Gaddis)

Hannah Gaddis m. Joseph Lovett; children: Eva Bell,
Sarah, Martha Louise.

James Patill Gaddis m. Elfaretta Temple; children: Ethel
Temple Gaddis m. Bert Pedlow, Harold Paull Gaddis m. Julia
Steam, Francis Clark.

(Hannah Paull Stoneroad)

James Paull Stoneroad m. Mary Bell Dickerson; children:
Fanny Paull, Joel Carr Dickerson (died in infancy).

(Louisa Paull Moore)

Nancy Hurst Moore m. Ralph Davis Sneath; children ^
Samuel Braden, Emily Louise.

, Fourth Generation: James Paull, Jr. 113

Eighth Generation

(Findley Paull)

Jennie Bayless Wilson m. Immanuel Bruck; children: Otto,
Earl, Glenn, Irene.

Torrence Bement Wilson m. Safronia Terrell; children:
Georgia, James Alfred.

Torrence Hayes Patton m. Olive Eleanor Hall; children:
Pauline, Herbert.

Jessie Paull Nichols m. Martin Kent; child: Paull Nichols.

James Orick Paiill m. Mary Alice Voorhees; child: Alice
Louise.

(Sarah Paull Huston)

Mabel Huston m. John Sherwood; children: Pauline David
Herbert.

(George Torrence Paull)

Mary Louise Ray m. Avery Fitch Crounse; children: Philip
Seabury 1911, (lived four days), George Paull 1912, (portrait,
page 115), Barbara Crounse 1915.

Rebecca Turner Paull Miller m. Allen Stewart Davison;
children: Allen Lape 1913, John Franklin Miller 1914, (por-
trait page 116).

(Reuben Bailey Paull)

Frank Leroy Paull m. Mary Pidgeon; child: Donald.
Carl Paull m. Elizabeth Hopping; child: Robert Bruce.
Earl Paull Harper m. Mary Beldon; children: Donald,
Ralph, Dorothy Hope.

(Mary Paull Austin)

Harry Gaddis Warren m. Clara Bumham; children: John
Bvimham, Adriana.

Mary Bell Warren m. William Sipes; children: Chester,
Hazel.

Charles F. Warren m. Frances L. Freshwater; child: Leo F.

Nellie Paull Warren m. Sherman Jackson; children: Anna

114 Paull-Irmn: A Family Sketch

Elizabeth, George Warren.

Carrie Mtirray Warren m. Ernest H. Decker; children:
Robert Moore, Lucy Marie, Leroy Vail.

Eugene Austin Warren m. Carrie Bell Harmon; child:
Florence Dant.

Martha Louise Warren m. Mtirlin Stults; child: Mary
Pauline.

(Eliza Paull Baker)

John Baker Clark m. Sarah Isham; children: Helen Mar-
guerite, Dorothy.

Robert Clark m. Laura Davis; children: Laura Mae,
Dorothy.

Alice Clark m. Ford Moore; children: Chauncy Clark,
Coral yn.

(Martha Paull Caddis)

Eva Bell Lovett m. Alva Brook Gossett; child: Paull Leland.

Sarah Lovett m. Tracy DeLong; children: Martha Louise,
Grace Marie, Dora Helen.

Martha Louise Lovett m. Lyle Kenworthy; children: Hugh
Perry, Roy Leonard.

(Hannah Paull Stoneroad)

Fanny Paull Stoneroad m. Walter Dunklin Burnett; child:
Paull Dtinklin Burnett.

Ninth Generation

(Mary Paull Austin)

Chester Sipes m. Marie Scully; child: Anna Bell Sipes
opens the door J or the ninth Paull Generation.

GEORGE PAULL CROUNSE, BARBARA CROUNSE
Minneapolis, Minnesota

JAMES PAULL, Jr.
Eighth Generation

Philip Seabury Crounse, George Paull Crounse, Barbara Crounse

Paternal Line of Descent

1st John Alden married Priscilla Mullens.

2nd Elizabeth Alden married William Pabodie.

3rd Martha Pabodie married Samuel Seabury M. D.

4th Lieutenant Joseph Seabury married Phebe (Fobes)

Smith — widow.
5th Sion Seabury married Anna Butts.
6th Philip Seabury married Sarah Pearce.
7th David Seabury married Lydia Wood.
8th John W. Seabury married Betsy Gallup.
9th Hannah Gallup Seabury married Avery Crounse.
10th Avery Fitch Crounse married Mary Louise Ray.

Philip Seabury Crounse.
11th { George Paull Crounse.

Barbara Crounse.

JAMES PAULL, Jr.
Eighth Generation

Allen Lape Davison — John Franklin Miller Davison

Paternal Line of Descent

1st John Alden married Priscilla Mullens.
2nd Elizabeth Alden married William Pabodie.
3rd Mercy Pabodie married John Simmons.
4th William Simmons married Abigail Church.
5th Benjamin Simmons married Mercy Taylor.
6th Samuel Simmons married Phebe Manchester.

7th William Simmons married Rebecca

8th Abraham Simmons married

9th Pamelia Simmons married Frederick Allen Lape.
10th Clara Elizabeth Lape married George Stewart Davison.
11th Allen Stewart Davison married Rebecca Turner Paull
Miller.
, j Allen Lape Davison.

I John Franklin Miller Davison.

ALLEN LAPE DAVISON
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

JOHN FRANKLIN MILLER DAVISON

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

'ON9

ROSS FURNACE

Ross Furnace, built by Colonel Isaac Meason in 1814, on
Tub Mill Creek, four miles south of New Florence, was one of
six which were built in Ligonier Valley, a region furnishing, in
rich abundance, the requirements of a furnace location, ore,
wood, and water. Hannah Furnace, on the same creek, a few
miles below, preceded Ross by four years, but was soon aban-
doned. California Furnace, built about 1855, was the last one
in Ligonier Valley ; it was in blast but a few years, the day of
old-style furnaces having passed.

Ross Furnace, with superior advantages as to location and
able management, was in blast continuously for more than
thirty years. In 1842, Colonel Jacob D. Mathiot and James
Paull, Jr. became its owners, erecting a new stack of stone,
thirty or forty feet square at the base, hollow to the top. Built
close by a hill, not much trestle was needed to reach the stack,
into which the ore, limestone, and charcoal, were dumped.
Then the blast was turned on and a roaring noise began, fol-
lowed by a shower of sparks from the top of the stack. This
was continuous, day and night ; the metal must not be allowed
to chill in the furnace. From the Tub Mill, a mountain stream
famed for its pure water and its trout, the water was carried
along a hill through a race from which it poured through a
trough into the capacious buckets of an overshot wheel. The
products were pig iron, stoves, ovens, kettles, skillets, pots,
etc., which were hauled to the Conemaugh River, four miles
distant, and taken by canal to Pittsburgh and Allegheny.

(117)

118 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

Houses for the workmen, charcoal-burners, and teamsters,
were chiefly log, the big chimney outside, a picturesque village,
overshadowed by the Chestnut Ridge. "The House", occupied
by Colonel Mathiot's family, a large white frame with green
shutters, was the scene of stirring social life, friends from else-
where always finding the house "open". The' large parlor
witnessed many merrymakings and the weddings of several of
the daughters.

Beside the "babbling brook," and surrounded by a large yard,
with a vegetable garden at the rear, a flower garden across the
creek near which an artiiScial pond added charm, Ross Furnace
was the chief attraction in Ligonier Valley, until its day closed.

Katy, one of the domestics, and Frank Coleman, her husband,
(a runaway slave from a Mississippi plantation,) kept a station
on the "Undergrotmd railroad". One evening in February,
1837, two refugees arrived — John Parker, from old Virginia,
and his "lady lub", Catherine Black (or "Cam") whom he had
picked up at Morgantown. John had been sold to a young
master from whose cruel treatment he had escaped by fleeing
from the cornfield, in September, taking the sharp comcutter
with him. He was pursued by a patrolman with a blood hound.
John was a man of great strength for his size, measuring five and
one-half feet in height, and weighing one htmdred sixty pounds;
and was left-handed. He believed he was master of the situa-
tion when the patrolman approached him and gleefully seized
his right arm, sure of his prisoner. Quickly, the strong left
hand, with one blow from the comcutter, took off the man's
hand. With the same weapon he killed the bloodhound, then
renewed his course over the rough road to freedom. In swampy
sections, he slept in the fork of a tree, out of reach of the deadly
moccasin. For some time he lived among the colored people in
the Blue Ridge, wearing woman's garb when venturing any
distance away.

He continued his joumey to Morgantown, where Cam joined
him. She had procured a crude map of the country as far as
Ross Furnace from her stepfather, who had been through to
the Portage section of the "Underground" at Johnstown. Cam

GEORGE TORRENCE PAULL

1812- 1883
Blairsville, Pennsylvania

REBECCA BROWNFIELD TURNER PAULL

Of Quaker lineage
A recent photograph

Ross Furnace 119

donned man's attire and the two started off, begging food on the
way. Coleman and Katy kept them in hiding for a day or two,
then turned them over to Colonel Mathiot, who employed
John as teamster, and Cam as cook. He had a minister marry
them and gave them quarters in the building which included
an icehouse, a smokehouse and a schoolroom. They remained
in the Colonel's employ until the operation of the furnace
ceased. They were valued helpers. John's superior intelli-
gence and efficiency brought him into special favor with Colonel
Mathiot, who frequently entrusted him with responsibilities
which but few in his station could have borne. He died in
1862, an old man. One son, John, a boy of nineteen, gave his
life in helping to preserve the Union, in the Civil War.

By and by, when the furnace site, with its surroimding acres,
passed into the private ownership of George Torrence Paull,
son of James Paull, Jr., Cam was available, and returned to
service in the white house. She was a fat, short, jolly soul,
ready to do a kindness to any one. Some years later, Katy,
advanced to "Aunt Katy", found a place with the same family,
after they had removed to town. She was womanly, intelligent,
combining traits not usually found among her race — a treasure,
worthy of the affectionate regard in which she was held.

When Ross Furnace became private property, some of the
picturesque features were yet in evidence; a few of the cabins,
the well-built stack, the thirsty old wheel, dry to a crisp, the
rusty furnace bell, hanging under its moss-covered roof, mutely
pleading to be allowed to be heard once more. An opportimity
came, an unusual event was to be celebrated. During the
Civil War, when news of a great victory won by the Union
Army was flashed over the coimtry, Mr. Henry Phipps and Mr.
Carnegie were guests at the white house for a few days. They
climbed up and over rickety timbers and assisted the long-
silent bell to do its best to celebrate the victory. It proved
that it could ring out a soimd (harsh, and clangorous, to be
sure) which could be heard beyond the cabins' boundary — no
more was required in the heyday of its activity.

120

Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

Ross Furnace is now a beautiful siimmer resort, "Ross Moun-
tain Park", owned by shareholders, among whom are Paulls,
and those with other names, of the Paiill connection. Thirteen
cottages, dotting the hill, face the moimtain and the sunrise,
Tub Mill Creek intervening. Emerging from the moimtain
clear and cold, with the breath of fern and rhododendron, its
music is ceaseless as it tiimbles over mossy rocks on its way to
the Conemaugh.

AUNT CARN

iiHiiiiB,

AUNT KATY

Her open gate was the first one sought by the newly-atrived preacher " sent by
Conference " to her church.

GEORGE PAULL
January 29th, 1784— February 9th, 1830

George, second son of Colonel James Paull, was bom the
year following the close of the Revolution. But Indian war-
fare was not yet ended, and his youthful father was engaged in
frontier duty, commanding a company of scouts along the
border of the State.

George spent his boyhood on the farm; attended country
school, then followed Dr. Dunlap, the pastor of the home church
to Jefferson College. This old institution has an interesting
history.

It was founded by Rev. John McMillan, the first classical
school west of the Alleghenies. Mr. McMillan was bom in
1752, in Fagg's Manor, Chester County. In 1776 he married
Catherine, daughter of William Brown of Forks of the Brandy-
wine. Two years later, they came to the neighborhood of
Cannonsburg and built a cabin on a hill near the town, where
they lived until the death of Mr. McMillan, in 1833. The
urgent need of a school, fiunishing instruction in the higher
branches, led him to imdertake the work, and in 1779 or '80,
•the one door of the log college was thrown wide open for stud-
ents. There was a glad response, and the growth and prosperity
of the school were proof of the wisdom of its establishment.
Within a few years, the log cabin was burned down, but about
1786 it was replaced by another one, now a treasiu"ed relic in the
campus of old Jefferson College. The good work was carried
on within the narrow walls of the cabin until 1794 when its door
was closed, and the students were transferred to the academy in

(121)

122 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

Cannonsburg, which had been founded three years before.
This aspiring academy applied to the legislature for a college
charter, which was granted in January, 1802. In April, 1803,
Rev. James Dunlap, pastor of Laurel Hill Church, was elected
to the presidency. His sudden rise to prominence was due to
his scholarly attainments, not known to the general public imtil
a happy circumstance brought him to the front. Colleges, and
the ministry, were greatly puzzled over the proper translation
of a difficult passage in one of the Greek or Latin classics. When
the question reached Dr. Dunlap, he quickly and easily ren-
dered a translation pleasing to every one. He was a Princeton
graduate and had been a tutor there. He did a noble work and
was beloved by the students; but ill health and insufficient
salary led him to resign in 181L

From this institution, George Paull was graduated July 1st,
1810. In the century which has since passed, each generation
of the Paulls has been represented there by descendants of
George Paull or of his brothers; notably by the three sons of
Joseph Paull, Aaron, George, and James Lea Paull. Washing-
ton College, founded in 1806, was consolidated with Jefferson
in 1865 and the location of "Washington and Jefferson Col-
lege" fixed at Washington in 1869.

George Paull chose the law and went to Wheeling to study
his profession. November 10, 1810, he married Elizabeth,
daughter of Colonel Archibald and Ann Pogue Woods, of Wheel-
ing. For a short time they lived in St. Clairsville, Ohio, then
returned to Wheeling, where the home continued to be, and
where their descendants, to the fourth generation, now live
— a goodly number, and prominently connected with the com-
mercial, civic and religious life of the community.

George and Elizabeth Paull were, as their descendants are,
"blue Presbyterians". They were members of the Ehn Grove
Church during the ministry of Rev. James Hervey. This
church, five miles from Wheeling, was founded in 1787, the
first Presbyterian organization in the vicinity. The pioneers
first worshipped under a giant oak, still standing, in front of the

Rev. ALFRED PAULL. Son of George Paull

1815—1872

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

MARY ROWLAND WEED PAULL

1818 - 1892

Judge JAMES PAULL. Son of George Paull

1817—1875

Wheeling, West Virginia

ELIZA JANE OTT PAULL
— 1909

Fourth Generation: George Paull 123

"Old Stone Church". The protection furnished by the oak in
summer did not suffice for the storms of winter, and the congre-
gation moved into a tent. A log house followed; later, a stone
church, which was replaced by the picturesque stone building
of the present day, situated on a hill overlooking the beautiful
valley where the two forks of Wheeling Creek unite. The
first minister of this historic church was Rev. John Brice, who
was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Stevenson. The third minister,
Rev. James Hervey, continued with the congregation for 47
years, until 1859.

George Paull was commissioned colonel of the Twenty-
seventh Regiment, United States Infantry, Ohio troops, in the
War of 1812. He served under General Harrison in the Army
of the Northwest at the Battle of the Thames, Michigan,
October 5th, 1813. He also served in the Regular Army for a
short time. Later, he was a member of the State Legislature.

There were but three children in George Paull's family;
Alfred, James, and Archibald Woods, who were made mother-
less when aged, respectively, twelve, ten, and five years. Eliza-
beth Paull died July 29, 1827, aged 37, and was buried in the
Elm Grove Cemetery. Within three years, the brothers were
left orphans, in the care of a most kind stepmother, Abigail
Caldwell Paull, who afterwards married John Irwin.

Archibald Paull was graduated from Princeton in 1844 but
died soon afterwards. James practiced law; was Judge of the
Supreme Court of Appeals in Wheeling at the time of his death.
The history of Alfred Paull, a Presbyterian minister, is closely
associated with that of the Presbyterian churches of Wheeling.
Rev. James Hervey, founder of the First Church of Wheeling
in 1812, divided his time between this congregation and Elm
Grove. This was the first regtilar preaching by any Christian
denomination in Wheeling. Rev. Henry R. Weed ministered
to the First Church from 1833 to 1870. His daughter, Mary
Rowland Weed, married Rev. Alfred Paull. A Simday school
held in the basement of Samuel Ott's home, developed into a
third church which was organized in 1849, in South Wheeling,

124 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

then called Richietown, with Rev. Alfred Paull the first minis-
ter. He donated the lot for a chvirch building, a frame, which
gave place afterwards to the more pretentious building of the
present time.

The father of these worthy sons, George Paull, rests with his
wife and sons in the family lot in Elm Grove Cemetery, a loca-
tion overlooking the beautiful valley.

Fifth Generation

George Paull m. Elizabeth Woods; children: Alfred, James,
Archibald Woods.

Sixth Generation.

Rev. Alfred Paull (Presbyterian) m. Mary Rowland Weed;
children : Ann Elizabeth Woods, Henry Rowland (died in child-
hood), Phebe W., George Alfred, Sarah Prunette, Mary Todd.

Judge James Paull m. (1) Jane Ann Fry; children: Archi-
bald Woods, Joseph Fry, Alfred, George (died in childhood),
Ann Eve (died in childhood), Martha (died in childhood).

Judge James Paull m. (2) Eliza Jane Ott; children: James,
Ehzabeth, Henr\' Weed, Samuel Ott Paull m. Celeste Worthen,
Margaret Susan (died unmarried).

Seventh Generation
(Rev. Alfred Paull)

Ann Elizabeth Woods Paull m. Samuel M. Pahner; children:
Alfred Paull, Samuel M. m. Emma Frances French.

Phebe W. Paull m. Edward R. Hanekel; child: Phebe (died
in infancy).

Rev. George Alfred Paull (Presbyterian) m. (1) Minnie E.
Kenney; child: Henry Wharton (died in childhood) m. (2)
Eliza P. Sutphen.

Sarah Prunette Paull m. W. W. Hayden ; child : Paull Hayden.

Mary Todd Paull m. Richard Smallbrook McKinley; chil-
dren: Rowland Paull, Richard Smallbrook, Louise (died in
infancy).

Fourth Generation: John Paull 125

(Judge James Paull)

Archibald Woods Paull m. Caroline Ott; children: Archi-
bald Woods, Irwin.

Joseph Fry Paull m. Emma Senseney; children: James
Senseney, Joseph Fry Paull m. Mary List Hazlett, Rebecca.

Alfred Paull m. Leana Singleton; children: Mary I., Lyde,
Alfred Singleton Paull m. Mary Virginia Sands, Lee C.

James Paull m. Mariana Jacob ; children : John, Jacob, James.

Elizabeth Paull m. W. C. Jacob; children: William Paull,
James Archibald.

Eighth Generation

(Rev. Alfred Paull)

Alfred Paull Pahner m. Elizabeth Hahn Ashman; child:
William Ashman.

(Judge James Paull, 1st marriage)

Archibald Woods Paull m. Sarah Dalzell; children: Caroline,
Archibald Woods, Ambrose.

James Senseney Paull m. Elizabeth Doddridge; children:
Philip Doddridge, Josephine.

Rebecca Paull m. John Marshall; children: John, Joseph
Paull.

Mary L Paull m. Arthur Hubbard; children: Leana, Eliza-
beth, Chester, Paull.

Lyde Paull m. Lyman Kirkpatrick; child: Helen Kirkpatrick.

Lee C. Paull m. Mary Glessner; child: Lee C. Pavill.

JOHN PAULL
June 29, 1789— January 14, 1857

John, third son of Colonel James Paull, was bom the year the
young republic elected her first President, George Washington.

He was a printer by trade. He was brought up a Presby-
terian, but became interested in meetings held by the Meth-

126 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

odist denomination on the Alexander Hill farm near Dunbar,
and joined that chiirch. He remained single. After the death
of his father, he continued to live in the old home with his
brother Joseph until his death. He was bviried in Laurel
Hill Cemetery.

ARCHIBALD PAULL

July 9th, 1793— June 24, 1854

Archibald, fourth son of Colonel James Paull, was probably
named for his father's uncle, Archibald Irwin, a frequent visitor
at Deer Park. The latter had rendered conspicuovis service
in the War for Independence, which had closed 10 years before
the birth of this namesake. Young Archibald proved to be
worthy of the honored name he bore. August 13, 1818, he mar-
ried Catherine Meason Murphy, daughter of Jacob and Eliza-
beth Meason Murphy. From childhood she had lived with
her grandfather. Colonel Isaac Meason, a Virginian who came to
Pennsylvania in 1770. With existing public conditions, inter-
course with the Virginia relatives was not frequent; but horse-
back trips were made occasionally, and Catherine Murphy
shared in the adventvire, riding all the way to Richmond from
her grandfather's, at Movmt Braddock. After her marriage, no
change was made in her home for several years. About 1824,
Archibald and Catherine Paull removed to Kentucky, where
Archibald became identified with the iron industry. A section
of coimtry along the Ohio River, in Ohio and Kentuck , ^nown
as "Hanging Rock Iron Region", embraced a wide area. The
village of Hanging Rock, on the Ohio side of the river, was
founded by Robert Hamilton, who died there in 1856. There
was no furnace at Hanging Rock vmtil 1881. The number of
furnaces in this region, from the earliest date until charcoal
furnaces were abandoned, were more than fifty; chiefly on the
Kentucky side, where slave-ov^^lers put their slaves out for
hire to ftimace men on the Ohio side, where slavery did not
exist.

ARCHIBALD PAULL

1793 — 1854
Wheeling, West Virginia

'jj v

CATHERINE MEASON MURPHY PAULL
1797—1859

Fourth Generation: Archibald Paull 127

The village of Hanging Rock was the shipping point for iron.
Archibald Paull built Bellefonte Furnace about 1832, two miles
back from Amanda Furnace, which was situated on the river.
His partners were the Shreve brothers and William Boyce, his
son-in-law. William Boyce lived but one year after his mar-
riage, leaving an infant daughter, LaBelle Boyce; his widow
was then but eighteen.

Amanda Furnace was built by Lindsey Pogue and named for
his daughter, Amanda Pogue. The interests of the two fur-
naces, Bellefonte and Amanda, were combined; when Archi-
bald Paull's partners became the Messrs. Pogue, father and two
sons. The father and one son died in 1836. The other son,
Lindsey Pogue, bought the stock of the two; he, together with
John Culver, continued partners with Archibald Paull. His
bookkeeper was a nephew, George Torrence Paull, son of his
brother James. In Archibald Paull's absence, he had charge
of the works. His home was with his imcle's family, and a
mutual attachment was formed which afforded happy experien-
ces during the life together, and delightful memories after it was
severed. Friendly, sympathetic, conscientious, accurate in
business, and with a vein of original himior, George soon won
a place in his micle's esteem, and they became like boy chums.
One day there came into the office a man whom the proprietor
greeted cordially, and to whom he said, "Jim, I want my
nephew to meet you — George Paull". He grasped the ex-
tended hand, and George said, with a twinkle, "I am glad to
meet you — Mr. James, I suppose". Archibald and one of his
friends were down the river on a business trip. He had bor-
rowed George's watch, something having gone wrong with his
own at the last moment. His companion frequently asked him,
in the presence of others, "Arch, what time is it, by George's
watch?".

A family of eight came with the passing years, two sons, six
daughters. A large brick house on the Kentucky side of the
river was the hospitable home, where friends, and strangers as
well, always met a welcome. The family were Presbyterians,

128 Paull-Invin: A Family Sketch

attending the church in the village clustered around Amanda
Furnace.

Guests from Cincinnati and near-by towns came often;
their visits were returned, and the merry round was kept going
imtil, one after another, the attractive daughters were captured.

The village school gave little more instruction than the "three
Rs". The three eldest daughters were educated in Cincinnati
the two youngest ones were sent east.

When one of the daughters was married, she was much
touched by the grief of the little sister; embracing her sooth-
ingly she said, "Never mind, dear, I will soon be back". Be-
tween sobs, the child replied, "I don't care when you come
back — I want to go to the boat!" One morning. Master Charles,
passing through the kitchen on his way to school, noticed the
remains of breakfast. With good old Ittie's sanction he took
a piece of com bread, which he deposited in the pocket of his
roundabout; tmnoticed, he stepped to the bowl of ham gravy,
and poured a generous stream over the com bread! Away he
ran, chuckling at the thought of the delicious lunch he would
slyly eat in school, and no one would ever know about it!

Among the house servants was one specially valued, George
Chivis. He was bought at a sale in Lexington in the autumn,
and taken at once to Amanda Furnace. He was sad and de-
pressed. His master, perhaps not without a suspicion of the
cause, asked him what was the matter. He replied that he was
home-sick for "Sallie an' de chillens." He was told that he might
go after them in the spring when the roads were good. His
black face shone with a gladness he had not known since he
stepped from the aucton-block and left his weeping family
behind. Spring came, and good weather made good roads.
True to his promise, George's owner eqviipped him with a wagon
and horses, and money for the purchase of his family. His
friends and neighbors laughed at him for placing confidence in
a negro, and predicted loss of darkey, team, and money. "Give
him reasonable time, and we'll see if he cannot be trusted",
was the rejoinder. Within a "reasonable time", the wagon

Fourth Generation: Archibald Paull 129

arrived with George, Sallie, and the babies, all as merry as
black birds. George was trust- worthy to the end, devotedly
attached to his master. Archibald Paull 's kindly treatment
of his slaves was reflected in his nephew, George Paull, who
evinced his interest in their welfare, by encouraging them to
work for themselves. He taught them how to tvim a penny
when the allotted work was done. They showed their gratitude
by watching for opportimities to serve him. During the
Harrison campaign, in 1840, the village was astir with a demon-
stration, a gala occasion which appealed to the simple, pleasure-
loving, colored people. Two strong fellows entered the office,
and, regardless of protest, lifted the chair, with' its occupant,
and triumphantly joined the parade, to the great amusement
of George's friends!

When Archibald Paull retired from active business, the
family returned to Wheeling, taking with them the cook, Ittie
Boyce, and the coachman, George Lock, whom their master set
free, and for whom he made provision during the remainder of
their lives.

The large brick house no longer marks the Kentucky home;
little else remains to indicate the throbbing life of Furnace days.

The family remained in Wheeling until the home was broken
up by the marriage of the remaining daughters, and the death
of the parents. In ill health, Archibald Paull went to Cape
May in the early simimer, 1854, attended by his faithful ser-
vant, George Chivis. He died there Jime 24th. Catherine
Paull died April 26, 1859. Together they rest, in Mount Wood
Cemetery, Wheeling.

Fifth Generation

Archibald Paull m. Catherine Meason Murphy; children:
Elizabeth Murphy, Martha Ann, Catherine Meason, William
Harrison (died in childhood) , Charles Henry (died in childhood) ,
Mary Louise. Ellen (died in childhood), Julia Caroline.

130 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

Sixth Generation

Elizabeth Murphy Paull m. (1) John William Boyce; child:
LaBelle Boyce; m. (2) Samuel Mitchell ; children : Martha (died
unmarried), Paull (died unmarried) Archibald Paull, Julia
Paull.

Martha Ann Paull m. John Hunter; children: Kate Paull,
John William (died unmarried), Clara (died tmmarried), Ella
Meason, Archibald Paull (died in childhood).

Catherine Meason Paull m. James Whitehead Pax ton; chil-
dren: James Whitehead, Albert, Archibald Paull, William,
Kate Paull, Matilda Heiskell, George (all died in early life).

Mary Louise Paull m. John Oldham Harrison; children:
Katherine Paull Harrison m. William McDowell Bent, Amelia
Oldham, Julia Paull.

Julia Caroline Paull m. Heirome L. Opie; children: Heirome
L. (died in early manhood), Julian Paull (died in childhood.)

Seventh Generation

(Elizabeth Murphy Paull 1st marriage)

LaBelle Boyce m. Henry Clay Dunlap; child: John R.
Dunlap.

(Elizabeth Murphy Paull 2nd marriage)

Archibald Paull Mitchell m. Lucy Martin; children: Archi-
bald Paull Mitchell m. Augusta Heam, Lucy Paull, Frank
Pavill, Malcolm, Zoe (died in infancy).

Julia Paull Mitchell m. George W. Carr; child: George
Julian Carr.

(Mary Louise Paull)

Amelia Oldham Harrison m. (1) Thomas Adam Speed: (2)
John Edgar Levey; children: Meto du Pont Speed m. Guy
Scott Warren; Mary Yuley Speed m. Samuel Young Bingham.

Jtdia Paull Harrison m. Antoine Dvimesnil; children: Kath-
erine, Mary Ormsby, Geneveve.

Fourth Generation: Thomas Paull 131

Eighth Generation

(Elizabeth Murphy Paull, 1st marriage)

John R. Dunlap m. Isador Pollock; children: Mortimer
Pollock (died in childhood), LaBelle, Boyce, John R.

(Elizabeth Murphy Paull, 2nd marriage)

Lucy Paull Mitchell m. (1) Herbert B. Seely, (2) Arnold
Lawson; children: Vera, Jean, Thomas, Arnold.

Frank Paull Mitchell m. Stella Livingston Reilly; children:
Vera Margaret, Frank Paull, Edward Archibald, Arnold Martin.

(Mary Louise Paull)

Katherine Dimiesnil m. (1) Walter Haldeman Pearce, (2)
Frank Bishop; child: William Haldeman Pearce.

THOMAS PAULL

April 7th, 1779— September, 1855

Thomas, fifth son of Colonel James Paull, was probably the
first of the children born in the new house, the two-story log,
following the primitive cabin. He spent his childhood and
youth on the farm, performing the duties of a farmer boy, such
as were easily handed over to the next younger brother when a
wider field for work was offered. He left home for Wheeling,
where he became a dry-goods merchant. He was brought up
a Presbyterian; became an Episcopalian through his marriage
to Ellen White, December 16, 1824. She was the eldest daugh-
ter of John White, a wealthy Scotchman bom in Findhom,
whose wife was Sallie Eoff of Shepherdstown, Virginia. •

The spring following Ellen White's marriage, when La
Fayette visited the United States, Wheeling enjoyed the dis-
tinction of entertaining him. A ball given in his honor was

132 Paull- Irwin: A Family Sketch

attended by the fashionable people of the city. From the
elegantly gowned ladies with their puffs and powder and curls,
General La Fayette chose Ellen Paull his partner in opening
the ball.

The first home of Thomas and Ellen Paull was on Main
Street. About 1832 they built a fine brick house on the comer
of Fourteenth and Chaplin Streets, next door to the family of
George Paull, a brother of Thomas.

Some years before the outbreak of the Civil War, Thomas
Paull made a business trip to the South, where his heart was
touched by the inhtunan practices of slave-owners. A family
numbering eight or nine were put up for sale on the auction-
block. The stranger, a Northerner, imfamiliar with such
scenes, and opposed to slavery, manifested sympathy with the
helpless creatures. Quick to detect a friendly attitude, the
hopeful victims surrounded him, begging him to buy them, and
not separate them. Their appeals were successful. The par-
ents and half a dozen children were bought, and taken to Wheel-
ing, where they were sheltered by their gracious benefactor,
and employed in the service of the household; rendering a
small return contrasted with the expense of their purchase and
maintenance. One morning, not a black face was to be seen!
During the night, the whole family, with their meager be-
longings, had sHpped off! They were not pursued with a whip
and blood hounds; rather, their owner looked upon their de-
parture as a piece of good fortune. However, at the end of a
two- weeks' "vacation", the family, returned, profuse with
explanations, and begging to be allowed to return to their work.
They were taken back, given their freedom, and paid wages
for their service.

Thomas Paull was afflicted with palsy the latter years of his
life, going about in a carriage, to and from which he was carried
by his faithful servant. He was always thoughtful of others,
his sympathy and generosity prompting to kindly deeds.

John White's second daughter, Susan, had married Dr. Wil-
liam Isett who had died in 1848, leaving four children, Virginia,

THOMAS PAULL

1799 — 1855
Wheeling, West Virginia

ELLEN WHITE PAULL
1803— I860

Fourth Generation: Thomas Paull 133

William, John, and little Sallie, six years old. These children
were carefully watched by their uncle Thomas, who made
weekly visits to their home. They lived on the comer of Mar-
ket Street and an alley. Each Thursday the expected guest,
with fruit or flowers for "Aunt Susie", drove down, turned into
the alley, and tapped on the dining-room window with the
driver's whip. Little Sallie, on the alert, ran and threw up the
sash. Her mother sat in a chair by the open window and
chatted for an hour or more with her uncle Thomas, who re-
clined in his carriage. The black coachman and the dog,
Watch, would embrace the opportunity to curl up and take a
nap.

By and b5% the visits came to an end. The patient, lovable
spirit was released, and the weary body was laid to rest in
Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling. Ellen Paull followed, five
years later, March 3rd, 1860, aged 57. With but one or two
exceptions, their children, numbering seven, with descendants
of later generations, are gathered together in the sacred plot.

Fifth Generation

Thomas. Paull m. Ellen White; children: James (died un-
married), Sarah W., John (died unmarried), Horace Van Lear
(died in childhood), George, Elizabeth Rogers Paull m. Wil-
liam Miller, William Rogers.

Sixth Generation

Sarah W. Paull m. Andrew Allen Howell; children: Ellen
Paull (died in childhood), Allen Stockton, Sarah Paull, Richard
Lewis, Thomas Paull, William Paull Howell m. Julia Crowell
Clark.

George Paull m. Elizabeth Fook; children: Ellen, Mollie.

William Rogers Paull m. Anna Spackman; children: Thomas
Spackman (died in childhood), George Spackman, Sarah How-
ell Paull m. William B. Allen, William Lang, Allen Howell
Paull m. Georgia D. Allen; two infant sons died unnamed.

134 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

Seventh Generation
(Sarah W. Paull)

Allen Stockton Howell m. Lillie Belle Patterson; children:
Ellen Paull, James Patterson, Mary Belle, Loring.

Sarah Paull Howell m. Earl William Oglebay; child: Sarita
Howell Oglebay m. Courtney Burton.

Richard Lewis Howell m. (1) Mary Theresa Rush; child:
Richard Lewis; m. (2) Gwendolin Whistler; children: Vera,
Beatrice.

Thomas Paull Howell m. Alice King; children: John King,
Andrew Allen.

(George Paull)

Ellen Paull m. (1) Harvy B. Halliday; children: Eugenia
Paull, Gertrude Harvy; m. (2) James B. McKee; child: Vir-
ginia Paull McKee.

Gertrude Harvy Halliday m. Norman E. Ritchie.

MoUie Paull m. Allen T. Bowie; child: Georgia Paull Bowie.

(William Rogers Paull)

George Spackman Paull m. Elizabeth A. Hammond; children
Elizabeth Aldrich, Harriet Chance.

William Lang Paull m. Florence M. Bemet; children: Mar-
ian Ann, Hugh George Ernest, bom May 31, 1913 ( portrait
page 40) .

WILLIAM PAULL

November 25th, 1801— March 19th, 1847

William, sixth son of Colonel James Paull, was brought up
on Deer Park farm. March 26, 1826, he married Mary Walker
of Uniontown, daughter of Zadock and Elizabeth Rogers
Walker. He was engaged in iron concerns at Amanda Fur-
nace, Kentucky, in connection with his brother Archibald. He
died at Amanda Furnace, and was there buried. His family
returned to Uniontown, where they remained until the mar-

WILLIAM PAULL

1801 — 1847

Amanda Furnace, Kentucky

MARY WALKER PAULL

1807 - 1890

Fourth Generation: William Paull 135

riage of the only surviving daughter, Rosekna, who married
David M. Alexander, of Canton, Ohio. With her daughter's
family, Mary Paull made her home; in Wheeling, afterwards
in Canton, continuing to be, as she had always been, an Epis-
copalian. She died May 18, 1890, at the age of 83, and was
biiried in Canton.

Fifth Generation

William Paull m. Mary Walker; children: George Walker,
Eliza Jane (died in childhood), Henry Blackstone (died in child-
hood), Mary Josephine (died in childhood), Thomas (died in
childhood), Mary (died in childhood), Ellen Roselma, Archi-
bald (died in childhood).

Sixth Generation

George Walker Paull m. Mary Duncan Oliphant; children:
William, Frederick (died unmarried).

Ellen Roselma Paull m. David M. Alexander; children:
James Caldwell Alexander m. Bessie Coleman, George Paull,
Mary Walker, Henry Morgan, Frances AdeHne.

Seventh Generation
(George Walker Paull)

William Paull m. Minnie Luther; child: Bertrand Paull.
(Ellen Roselma Paull)

George Paull Alexander m. Alice Lynch; child: Ruth Paull
(died in childhood) .

Mary Walker Alexander m. Lester L. Deweese; children:
Josephine England, Roselma Paull.

Henry Morgan Alexander m. Katherine Harter; children:
Mary, Constance.

Frances Adeline Alexander m. Stanley Buxton; child: David
Alexander Buxtoti.

WHY, WEST VIRGINIA

Three of Hugh Paull's great-grandsons, George, Archibald
and Thomas Paull, bom in Pennsylvania, reverted to the ancest-
ral region, the fourth generation to live in the Old Dominion.
The name of the home county was changed four times. The
lower Shenandoah Valley, a vast area, was but one county,
Spottsylvania, from 1720 until 1734, when a huge slice was taken
off, and named Orange; from which, in 1738, two counties
were formed — Frederick, and Augusta. Frederick so remained
for thirty-four years until 1772, when Berkeley was cut off.
The county was probably Frederick during the whole of Hugh
Paull's residence in Virginia. The change to Berkeley, in
which county the Paull lands were located, was made after his
descendants had removed to Pennsylvania. The change made
then, one hundred forty years ago, was the final one. Natural
causes brought about the erection of smaller counties. A
grave reason led to the division of the State. The people of the
lower valley adhered to the principles of their fathers, firm as
the mountains 'round about them. The mountain ranges,
separating them from tidewater Virginia, were a barrier no
stronger than dissimilarity in race, occupation, social life, and
religious creed. Neither were there commercial relations ex-
isting between them. The Church of England, dominant in
eastern and southern Virginia, had but slight foothold in west-
em and northern sections where the inhabitants were chiefly
Scotch-Irish, Germans, and Quakers. Antagonism to the Eng-
lish Church was the primary- cause of the injustice and aggrava-

( 136 )

Why, West Virginia 137

tions to which they were subjected. They were denied their
lawrful share of representation in the legislature, and were sub-
jected to an unequal and unjust system of taxation.

When the Southern Confederacy was formed, the people
of western Virginia stoutly refused to become a part of it. In
1861, the Virginia General Assembly ordered an election for
delegates to a State convention at the Capital, February 13th.
This convention passed an Ordinance of Secession in secret,
eighty-eight favoring, fifty-five opposing it. The men who
cast the opposing votes were expelled — they returned home,
many of them at great risk to personal safety.

The Virginia Convention entered into a league with the
Southern Confederacy, without waiting for the vote of the
people on the Ordinance of Secession to be made at the election
of May 23rd. A meeting at Clarksburg, April 22, called the
first convention of the loyalists to be held in Washington Hall,
Wheeling, May 13th. It was a perilous step. The morning
of the 13th found the city swarming with an excited throng of
its own people, and the delegates to the convention. The large
hall was packed — delegates were present from each of the loyal
counties. The convention was a unique assemblage, one with-
out a parallel. It avowed adherence to the Constitution and
the Union as against secession and rebellion. It arranged for a
convention to be held in June, in case the Secession Ordinance
should be ratified at the election of May 23rd. At this election
of May 23rd, the vote in the counties now comprising West
Virginia, showed a loyal majority of over thirteen thousand!
But the ordinance was passed, and the convention of loyalists
was held in Wheeling, June 11th, when a declaration of inde-
pendence was adopted.

The ordinance reorganizing and restoring the State govern-
ment, with Francis H. Pierpont as governor, was passed June
19th, 1861. An election was ordered within the bounds of the
proposed new State for October 24th. The vote at this elec-
tion resulted in over eighteen thousand in favor of separation,
four hundred eighty-one opposing it.

138

Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

Several new names were proposed for the new State, Kana-
wha, Augusta, West, Virginia, Allegheny. West Virginia was
the final choice, confirmed by a vote of thirty. The State
constitution, with the emancipation amendment, was ratified
March 26th, 1863, and on April 20th, President Lincoln pro-
claimed West Virginia a State in the Union, sixty days from
date. Accordingly, on June 20th, 1863, West Virginia was
inaugurated at Linsly Institute, Wheeling, where the seat of
government remained until 1870, when it was removed to
Charleston; back again to Wheeling in 1875, for nine years;
again, in 1884, to Charleston, which became the permanent
location.

^^

WILLIAM WALKER

1800-1878

Dunbar, Pennsylvania

MARTHA PAULL WALKER
1805 - 1880

r

MARTHA PAULL WALKER
May 11, 1805— September 29, 1880

Three years after the death of Colonel PauU's mother, Martha
Irwin Paull, and on the anniversary of her death, her namesake
was bom, the seventh child and only daughter, a much-indulged
pet. The cook humored her with the dishes she liked; the
biggest plvrai, the reddest apple, grew for the little girl. The
boys, always stirring, found outdoors more to their taste than
the quiet of the fireside. The sister sat with her mother in her
hickory rocking-chair, sewing quilt patches, or hemming her
own little pinafores — a daily companion. Her father warned
"Betsy", as he called his wife, that she would "ruin Patty",
with so much attention and indulgence, but it was continued,
notwithstanding. An event so unusual as the advent of a
daughter, demanded more than ordinary consideration.

With her brothers she rode on the top of harvest wagons,
brought Boss and Daisy from pasture, gathered berries and nuts;
attended school, coasted on the hillside. For her they made
willow whistles and grapevine swings; at husking time, corn-
stalk fiddles were in fashion, and the rasping "music" was en-
dured tmtil displaced by a new attraction.

When the eldest brothers left home, their gifts were frequent,
gratifying every whim.

From the long-continued occupation of making coats and
trousers, the mother found a pleasant change in making aprons
and gowns, linsey-woolsey, and calico, made quite long, reaching

( 139 )

140 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

almost to low shoes. Playhouses were "built" where fancy
dictated, in the house, or bam, or iinder a tree; her doll was
rolled-up cloth, or perhaps a plump little pumpkin with a slip
tied arotmd its long neck. The old plantation had not enjoyed
the sunny life of a little maiden since Patty's aunt, Jinsy Paull,
more than 20 years before, slipped out of childhood. To Patty,
the summer days were very long; the months between her
birthdays seemed interminable. But each twelvemonth coimted
a year. By and by, the doll was pushed out of sight into the
rag-bag, and the pumpkin baby was made into a pie. Frills
and laces for personal adornment became very absorbing. The
plain little frocks and sunbonnets gave place to gowns of better
material, and bonnets of Milan straw or shirred silk, trimmed
with rosettes and posies. An only daughter, and with indul-
gent brothers, the young lady had fine clothes to her heart's
content. David Sherrard, (afterwards "Squire Sherrard, a
grandson of John Sherrard, the pioneer) took note of the fine
appearance of the Colonel's daughter, as she entered Laurel
Hill church or mounted her pacer after service. He com-
mented, "Patty Paull is the best-dressed woman in Laurel Hill
church". Like all young women of her time, she was expert
with her needle, accomplishing beautiful work and much of it.
A white dress, elaborately embroidered with vines and eyelets,
was handed down to her daughter and worn without much
change. Remnants of the exquisite work are now prized by
her granddaughter. She had lost none of her skill, or good
taste, when se^vdng for her children; with all her household
cares, the little garments were daintily embroidered.

When Martha Paull reached yotmg womanhood, she was
sent to Brownsville to school, about twelve miles distant from
Deer Park. The pleasure in having a visit from one of the
home folk, was counteracted by homesickness when they went
away. Her eldest brother, Jim, too sympathetic to be stem,
humored her pleading to return home with him. "The horse
will carr\' double, jimip on behind", was the permission, and
the jimip was promptly made. WTien she alighted on the home

Fourth Generation: Martha Paull 141

"up-on" block, the sight of Hagar's smiling face peering around
the comer of the house, and the bounding of the hounds in
their welcome, buoyed her for the anticipated scolding from
her father!

School days over, there were happy social gatherings with
the neighbors and her cousins, the Torrences, Rogers, etc.
Henry Ebbert of Uniontown (afterwards, Judge Ebbert of
Tiffin, Ohio) was one of the clique of yoimg people who fre-
quently met at Deer Park. He went out one afternoon for a
horseback ride with Patty. They rode to her brother Jim's;
finding only the servants at the house, they returned, and went
on to her aunt Mary Torrence's. On the way, a heavy rain
fell upon them. Henry's overcoat, strapped behind his saddle,
was offered to Patty who refused it, and it remained strapped.
When Patty alighted at her aunt Mary's, her sorry plight
created merriment, which she did not relish. Henry asked for
dry clothing for Miss Paull, which added to her displeasure,
and she said, "Henry Ebbert, you haven't good sense"!

Stagecoaching was alluring, and those living near the lines of
travel, availed themselves of the diversion. A change from
horseback riding, pleasure parties took jaunts along the route.
It was a long-continued undertaking that had finally achieved
the modem highway — Indian trail-packhorse route — then a
wider passage for wagons.

The first turnpike in the United States was the "Philadelphia
and Lancaster", built in 1792-94, sixty-two miles long, owned
entirely by stockholders. This was followed by many others.
There were two routes connecting Philadelphia and Pittsburgh,
called "northern" and "southem tumpikes," each route em-
bracing more than one turnpike.

After communication between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
had been opened through the turnpike, lines of stagecoaches
were established for carrying passengers and mail. The first
through line was established in 1804. For many years two
great lines of coaches ran daily between the two cities, a distance
of three hundred miles, requiring about three days when the

142 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

roads were in good condition, traveling day and night and
changing horses every twelve miles. These lines were the
"Good Intent", and the "Old Line", the latter owned by Lucius
W. Stockton. When the dashing coach reached a station, a
relay of horses stood harnessed. The driver, keeping his seat,
threw down the reins, the incoming horses and the fresh team
quickly exchanged places, the reins were tossed back to the
driver, and off they sped, a few minutes, only, having been
spent in the exchange. The detention at toUgates was short.
The coaches ran with such regularity, that people living along
the route knew when they would arrive.

The coaches were handsomely painted and ornamented, fur-
nished with three seats upholstered in plush, and carrying
comfortably, nine passengers, besides one on the seat with the
driver. This outside seat was a coveted place in good weather.
At the base of a long and steep hill, the coach was awaited by a
postilion with two horses to assist the four coachhorses in mak-
ing the ascent. When the siommit was reached, they were
detached and returned to await the arrival of the next coach.
Great interest and curiosity were aroused at road houses and
towns by the arrival and departure of coaches, coming in with
streamers flying, drivers blowing horns, horses galloping.
Often as many as thirty coaches, fifteen each way, passed over
the road in a single day. The fare from Philadelphia to Pitts-
burgh varied from fifteen dollars to twenty dollars. There
were companies for transporting immigrants in covered wagons
at lower rates. The slow, plodding teams, hauling heavy
wagons, were a contrast to the gay, flying coaches; there was
a marked contrast, as well, between the passengers.

Arriving at Uniontown, the "Good Intent" had its head-
quarters at the McClelland House on Main Street. Here the
passengers took their meals, and the horses were cared for in
the stables. The "Old Line" had its headquarters at the Nat-
ional House on Morgantown Street. Mr. Stockton lived in
Uniontown, where his coaches were made and repaired. His
superb coachhorses, at range in a field adjoining the factory,

Fourth Generation: Martha Paull 143

were the admiration of all who saw them; they could not be
stirpassed for speed and beauty.

When Congress first met after independence had been
achieved and the Federal Constitution adopted, the urgent
need of good roads demanded attention. Various schemes
to meet the want were proposed. Albert Gallatin, Secretary of
the Treasury, is credited with having suggested the National
Highway which is known as the Ctimberland Road, so named
because it started at Cvunberland, Maryland. The matter
took shape in 1806, when Thomas Jefferson was President.
The road, commenced at Cumberland in 1811, was completed
to Wheeling, and opened to the public in 1818. Passing through
seven States, a distance of eight hundred miles, it terminated at
St. Louis. It was completed in 1822, at a cost of $7,000,000
from the United States Treasury. Eventually, Congress sur-
rendered the road to the control of the several States through
which it passed. It was a magnificent achievement, and
greatly exceeded the expectations of its advocates in serving the
country as a thoroughfare for travel and traffic. It was the
route followed by all Conestoga wagons and stage coaches
crossing the State. Tollgates and tollhouses were stationed at
intervals along the way. Pennsylvania had at least half a
dozen. After 1850, when the trend was over canal and rail-
road, it was used chiefly for local purposes. Within a few
years, a portion of the old Ctimberland Road has been restored
in several States, to something of its former appearance and
utility. This road, passing through Uniontown, is within a
few miles of the Paull properties.

July 4th, 1826, near Harrisburg, ground was broken for the
combined railroad and main branch of the Pennsylvania canal
connecting Philadelphia with Pittsburgh. The length of the
canal and connecting railroad was four hundred miles. The
Portage road, over the Allegheny Motmtain, was regarded as an
engineering wonder; up to that time nothing more difficult had
been accomplished. This road had the first timnel in the

144 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

United States, nine hundred feet in length. The canal had
freight lines, and packets exclusively for passengers.

The main line of the canal and connecting railroad, opened
in 1834, virtually came to an end within thirty years, because
of corrupt management and competition of the Pennsylvania
Railroad. This company bought the main line of the canal
in 1857.

The only wedding celebrated in the two-story log house, was
that of the daughter, Martha, to William Walker, of Uniontown.
(His sister Mary had married Martha's brother William).
For some days the mounds of hyacinths and jonquils had been
watched with keen interest, because they were expected to
furnish the wedding decorations. The day before the event,
a heavy, soft snow fell, covering the flowers and deepening the
mud in the roads, already nearly impassable. On the wedding
morning, April 11, 1826, the white covering was brushed aside,
and the smiling flowers, none the worse for the surprise, met the
expectation. The hour arrived, but the important man was
not in sight. Fifteen minutes passed — half an hour; Patty,
gowned and ready, grew impatient, then provoked, and de-
clared she had a mind not to marry William Walker! But
when, at the end of an hour, the watchers saw a horse with a
rider laboring down the hill in the mud, she decided she would,
after all! The mud-splashed horse and outer garment of the
groom, were a satisfactory explanation, and the marriage took
place, without much further delay. The bride's gown was
white brocaded satin combined with a gauzy material; skirt
plain, rather full, without a train; short, puffed waist, low neck,
short, puffed sleeves; white kid gloves. The style of bonnet
was large, wide and high, a frame covered with shirred silk, or
satin, the space above the head filled in with flowers. The first
home was, for a short time, at Fairchance, a village near Union-
town. The permanent home was established, soon afterwards,
at Woodvale. a section of Deer Park farm, a gift to Martha
from her father.

Fourth Generation: Martha Paull 145

Together with farming and looking after Furnace interests,
William Walker kept a store of general merchandise in a build-
ing near the house and on the public road. The small storeroom
was the post office as well. The building, now gone, remained
for years after its original purpose had been served.

The family of William and Martha Walker included two
daughters and five sons. The death of Arm Elizabeth, at the
age of two years, left the home without a daughter for many
years until the birth of Mary Ellen, the youngest child. Her
pets were her companions: especially a dearly-loved lamb,
"whose fleece was white as snow; and everywhere that Mary
went, the lamb was sure to go" . A favorite walk was to Vachel's
cabin. The old man, once owned by the Griffiths, worked on
the Woodvale farm, and he was given a piece of ground, with
pel-mission to build a cabin. Here he lived, with his chickens
and little garden, which he cared for when the day's work on the
farm closed. Mary Ellen, like Red Riding Hood, carried him
little pots of butter, and other good things. But the wolf was
never encoimtered — he was kept from the door by these kindly
ministrations. When Vachel became feeble from age, he was
taken to the house and cared for until death placed him in the
quiet comer reserved for his people. A familiar sight was that
of old Vachie, bent with years, his shining black face resting
in his hands, sitting in the sunshine by the kitchen door — a
scene with a live touch of "de ole" plantation.

Mary Ellen made daily visits to the store for a stick of candy
or a lump of sugar. When her father was away for supplies, her
uncle, John Paull, had charge of the store, and he grudgingly
allowed her the daily treat. He was a bachelor and a bit
crusty — an instance of cause and effect.

At Woodvale, as at the homestead, the host kept open house,
and liberally entertained all who came, parents with their
children. Thomas and Ellen Paull came for a visit, and planned
spending a few days at Fayette Springs with Martha Walker.
The three, seated in the carriage ready to start, were arrested
by the sorrowful face of Mary Ellen, who, standing on the "up-

146 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

on" block, declared her heart would be broken if she were left
behind! Her uncle Thomas pleaded for her, and she was soon
made ready and permitted to be one of the party. The trium-
phant child had one blissful day, playing with the children at
the Springs. The next day she was ill — for several days,
quite ill with measles. After her recovery and the return home,
it was learned that the children who had played with her were
all sick with measles!

Mary Ellen attended school at Woodbtim Seminary, Morgan-
town. She married Rev. William G. Stewart, a Presbyterian
minister.

William Walker died at the age of 78, April 7, 1878, and was
buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Uniontown. Two years later,
Martha Paull Walker passed on, the last member of her father's
family. She was laid to rest beside her husband.

"She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;

Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy."

The home remained in the family for eight or ten years after
the death of the mother. It still offers a chair, and a place at
the family table, but strangers dispense the hospitality.

Fifth Generation

Martha Ann Paull m. William Walker; children: George
Paull, Ann Elizabeth (died in infancy), infant son (died un-
named), Zadock, James Paull, Joseph (died in childhood),
Thomas Paull Walker m. Mary Greer, Mary Ellen Walker m.
Rev. William G. Stewart (Presbjrterian).

Sixth Generation

George Paull Walker m. Helen Nicolls; children: William,
George, Jennie.

Zadock Walker m. Sarah Boyd; children: John, Martha.

James Paull Walker m. Elvira Spriggs; children: Anna,
William (died in boyhood) , Mary Ellen.

Fourth Generation: Joseph Paull 147

Seventh Generation
(Zadock Walker)
Martha Walker m. Horace Moody; child: Horace Moody.

(James Paull Walker)

Anna Walker m. Ray Mines; children: Henry Walker, Ray,
Marjorie.

JOSEPH PAULL

November 14th, 1808— February 14th, 1880

When Joseph, seventh son of Colonel James Paull, was bom,
James, the eldest, had left the home for one of his own, seven
miles distant.

One by one, the brothers, then the sister, left the home,
leaving only Joseph. Upon him rested the responsibility of the
farm work. More than forty years before, the pioneer cabin
received its first bride, Elizabeth Rogers Paull. The bride had
matured with the years and she was the staunch, kindly mis-
tress of the home, when another bride came, finding a hearty
welcome, and a place by the hearthstone. Joseph Paull mar-
ried Eliza Lea Rogers, a relative, Jime 4, 1833.

Deer Park embraced many acres, requiring the help of many
"hands" for the plowing and sowing, reaping and garnering.
The day's work in summer began when the gray light first
touched the hilltops, waking the birds, when they joined in a
jubilant chorus. A herald on the chicken roost stretched his
neck and crowed; from each harem followed, in turn, a friendly
response, the only time in the day when these feathered lords
were on friendly terms. They closed their eyes for another
nap, then clumsily dropped from their perches, flapped their
wings, and another round of crowing thoroughly roused all
fowldom, sending them down, and out, to continue their life
occupation, that of hunting something to tuck in their craws.

148 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

The cows, roused from their resting-place in the open, chewed
their cuds, and dreamily listened to the call of the maids to
come to the bars to be milked; they rose not if they chose not,
and must be met on their own ground. One or two of the
men, off in the dew to the meadow, sounded a call with which
the equine ears were familiar, and which was well understood,
"Cope, cope, cope". Conscientious veterans came to the bars
to be "caught", their more youthful companions sometimes
invited a chase. The men with the horses, their comrades,
were on their way to the field when the sun, in the midst of an
expanse of glory, emerged from behind Laurel Hill, and smiled
his approval — and added his blessing. The time-honored
horn tooted early hours for dinner and supper ; if the work was
urgent, it was continued after supper, until the sun had blinked
good night, and all nature was relaxed. Soothing lullabies
were twittered among the nestlings. Dusky birds in hiding
through the day, ventured out tmder cover of the darkness, and
added their peculiar notes to the vociferous noise of the katydids
and their attendants of countless insects — the "Hoo hoo" of
the owl, and the threat of the "Whip-poor-will".

Joseph Paull's first child, bom April 13, 1834, lived but a
few hours. The second, Aaron, bom a year later, sacrificed his
young life in the Civil War. There were four children when the
grandfather. Colonel Paull, departed to the other life, July,
1841. To Joseph, the home and farm descended — rich in fertile
soil, pasture, timber, coal, water, etc. Sheep and cattle pas-
tured on the hills and in the meadows, proud peafowls continued
to strut as their antecedents had done. But deer no longer
adorned the park, although many of the graceful creatures
roamed at large on the mountain, sometimes venturing down
to the "settlement". Joseph Paull, on a hvmt with his father,
once followed a deer which had wandered from its haunts down
to Connellsville and dashed through the hall of a public house!

Joseph Paull built the brick house of the present time in 1841 ,
having commenced the work shortly before the death of his
father. The house faces east, overlooking the site of the log

JOSEPH PAULL

1808—1880
Dunbar, Pennsylvania

ELIZA ROGERS PAULL
1809- 1889

Fourth Generation: Joseph Paull 149

house, and that of the first cabin, near which was the deer en-
closure. The view commands a lovely expanse of rolling
coimtry, the everlasting hills in the distance; intervening, the
historic Youghiogheny flows, concealed from view by hills and
forests. The hospitality which had always characterized the
home life was continued. The turning of the new knob opened
the door as wide as the lifting of the old latchstring had done.
"Welcome" was the message given to the winds; relatives,
friends, neighbors, strangers, responded to the invitation. An
,'open house" the red brick was, and continued to be. Nephews
and nieces, to the third generation, were given the freedom of
the house, the bam, the orchard, of the whole premises! For
rollicking noise and mischief, there was no rebuke from dear
"Uncle Joseph" or from long-suffering, sweet, "Aunt Eliza".
Following their father, James and Joseph Paull kept herds
of cattle on the mountain ; they made weekly trips to give them
salt, and ask of them, "How do you do?" James, an early
riser, going by way of Deer Park to be joined by Joseph, would
reach the gate at an "early-bird" hour, and call, "Hello, Joe!"
which meant, "Let's be off!" The trip each way, and going
among the herds, required the whole day, making it necessary
to carry lunch. The two were occasionally joined by a neigh-
bor, who also owned a herd. He usually wore a woolen
"wamus", not always freshly laundered. His lunch of biscuit
or cookies was conveniently carried loose in the wide sleeves of
his "wamus"; when "passed around", the other members of
the party politely and graciously (report so credits them) de-
clined a share!

Joseph Paull 's family, many years before his death, had trans-
ferred their church membership from Laurel Hill to the Pres-
byterian Chiirch at Connellsville, in which church Joseph
Paull was an elder. He removed to Connellsville in 1873, to
be near his beloved church; his son, James Lea, succeeding
him at Deer Park. The youngest member of his father's
family, he was the last but one, to leave the scenes familiar to
five generations, embracing a period of one himdred twelve

150 Paull- Irwin: A Family Sketch

years. He died February 14th, 1880, at the age of 72, and was
buried in Hill Grove Cemetery, Connellsville.

A great sorrow had fallen upon the home and the community.
Every one had lost a friend. As was said of Joseph the
Patriarch, the people mourned for him forty days, and much
longer. Sweet-souled and gentle, he loved mankind, and was
beloved by all who knew him. Eliza Paull returned to the old
home, making long visits, as she chose, to her only daughter,
Elizabeth Paull Fife, in Sterling, Illinois. While there, she was
summoned to the Eternal Home in April, 1889, and now
sleeps with her husband (and the daughter who has since
joined them) in Hill Grove Cemetery.

Her memory is cherished by many relatives and friends who
received imstinted welcome and entertainment from her warm
heart and bountiful hands.

Strangers hold the key and reap the grain at Deer Park farm,
but ownership in the Paull name continues — an ownership un-
broken in one hundred forty-five years.

Self-sacrifice, generosity, imiform cheeriness and kindness,
characterized the ruling spirits in this genial home; fitting
representatives of the era closing, when man lived near the great
heart of Nature, receiving her boimty through the labor of his
own hands ; when hours were long, and one could go slow, and
give a thought to his neighbor ; when social life was wholesome,
and divine institutions were held sacred. Such was life, in the
old Home foimded by the Colonial patriot, heroic George Paull.

REV. GEORGE PAULL

February 3, 1837— May 14, 1865

Missionary to Africa

Joseph Paull's eldest sons, Aaron and George, after a prepara-
tory course at the Presbyterian Academy at Dunlap's Creek,
entered Jefferson College at Cannonsburg. George was
graduated in the class of 1858, during the presidency of Rev.

DEER PARK FARM, 1708-1914

Fifth Generation: Rev. George Paull 151

John Scott, D. D. He taught in Mississippi for a short time,
then entered the Theological Seminary in Allegheny (now
North Side, Pittsburgh) finishing the course in 1862.

The Board of Foreign Missions accepted his offer to go to
Africa, but were prevented from sending him at once because
of financial embarrassment occasioned by the Civil War, then
in progress. He preached to several congregations during the
year and a half of waiting. He sailed finally for his chosen field
November 28, 1863, on the City of London. When he
reached Africa, he was stationed at Benito, a new Station opened
on Corisco Island. His home letters bore testimony to his in-
terest in every phase of life, every condition in the new sur-
roundings, and to his enthusiasm in working for the uplift of
the needy people. But in one year a malignant fever ended
his beautiful, consecrated life — Sabbath, May 14th, 1865.

Fifth Generation

Joseph Paull m. Eliza Lea Rogers; children: infant son
(died unnamed), Aaron Torrence (died unmarried), (Rev.)
George Paull (Presbyterian) died in Africa, unmarried, Mary
Elizabeth, Martha Ann (died in childhood), Phebe Ann (died
in childhood) , infant (died unnamed) , James Lea, Joseph Rog-
gers m. Lilian Heiskell, Sally Ann (died in childhood).

Sixth Generation

Mary Elizabeth Paull m. Rev. Noah Halleck Gillette Fife;
children: Eliza Paull, Charles (M. D.), Paull.

James Lea Paull m. Elizabeth Galloway; children: Joseph
Rogers, Robert Galloway, George.

Seventh Generation
(Mary Elizabeth Paull)

Paull Fife m. Gertrude Orr; children: Mary Elizabeth,
Margaret Orr (twins), Ann.

152

Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

(James Lea Paull)

Joseph Rogers Paull m. Annie Rogers Johnston; children:
James Dana, Marion (died in childhood), Josephine.

Robert Galloway Paull m. Emilie Madeline Schelenberg;
children: Francis (died in infancy), Elizabeth, Emilie, Robert
Galloway.

George Paull m. Mary Stewart Dickey; children: Nancy
Lea, William Dickey, Mary Louise.

DUBLIN'S PEOPLE

The Colored People connected with Deer Park were probably
the descendants of George Pavill's slaves. Dublin was the first
to come into notice. Later, there were Joe and Hagar Ross,
the parents of Joe, Sukie, and Ann, who were bom at Deer
Park. They all belonged to the "plantation", and were trans-
ferable among the brothers and their sister Martha, when needed.
They were loyal and trustworthy. When Ann was young, she
was fun-loving and full of pranks. She fancied that Sukie was
more of a favorite than she, because Sukie was given employ-
ment in the house, while she was sent to the field or garden.
To even up, she sometimes helped herself to a pie or some other
tempting eatables Hagar had prepared for the family. Sukie
and she were allowed to go to school, but Colonel Paull requested
the school-master to omit writing from Ann's course of in-
struction, believing she would turn the accomplishment to a
mischievous purpose. The master obeyed the order, but it
mattered not to Ann. On the sly, she mastered with her
goose-quill, the "A B Cs" in Sukie's copy-book; then the whole-
some injunction, "Honesty is the best Policy", including the
flourishes with which the master had embellished it. She be-
came quite proficient, and as predicted, her acquirement was
another tool in her hands for working practical jokes. Anony-
mous letters, or letters signed with the name of some one in the
neighborhood, were frequent, and she was gleeful over the stir
she could create, and the surprise shown, when the tricks were
traced to black Ann, who was never taught to write! She was
once sent to the Paull families in Wheeling, with a limit to her
, leave of absence. When nearing the time for her return, she

(153)

154 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

wrote of having fallen from a horse, and broken her leg — which
was a ruse to keep her longer in Wheeling. But the ruse was
understood to be such, and no one was surprised when Ann
arrived at the appointed time. She was not without curiosity,
eager to hear and see what was going on at the house. When a
member of the family retiimed from one of the towns frequently
visited, or when Colonel Paull came home after several days'
absence among his cattle in the mountain, she was quick to
find what was in the saddle-bags. On one occasion. Colonel
Paull put a rattlesnake he had killed among the salt-sacks in
the saddle-bags, knowing Ann would be the one to find it.
When he arrived home, she at once opened the bags; her first
dive was the only one, fright checked farther investigation.

Ann married Ben Freeman. She had no children. Sukie
married Alec Freeman, a half-brother of Ben. If all her shining
babies had lived, she would have been the proud mother of a
large family. One after another of her little black infants was
carried over to the parcel of ground set apart for Dublin and
his people. Polly, only, lived beyond infancy, a saucy little
thing, very winning, withal, and a great pet, especially with the
girls at James PauU's, where she was in danger of being spoiled.

Sukie, bereft of all her family, lived with Ann, in the loft over
the stone spring-house. The sore grief over the death of the
head of the house, Joseph Paull, wore upon her health, and she
failed rapidly. She was tenderly watched and cared for in her
last illness. When nearing the end, she looked up and said,
"I see him!" "Whom do you see, Aunt Sukie?" "My
Josie!" was the exultant reply. When death came, in Septem-
ber, 1880, James Lea Paull, his father's successor in the old
home, honored Sukie with a funeral in the house parlor, where
her beloved "Folks", the Paull connection, and the neighbors,
came to pay a tribute of appreciation to dear old Aimt Sukie.

Ann lived four years after Sukie's death; lonely, but happy
in serving "her people". She cared for Joseph Paull 's grand-
children with lavish fondness, winning their love and devotion.
In the auttunn of 1884, at the Wood vale home occupied by

I

Graveyard, and site, of the first Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church — 1 772. The
prominent stone marks the grave of George Paull, facing east; Martha PauU's grave
next, on the left, stone broken off.

WHERE DUBLIN'S PEOPLE AWAIT THE TRUMPET-CALL

(Deer Park Farm)

" You may bury me in de east.
You may bury me in de west.
But I'll heah de Trumpet soundin'
In de Mo'ning ! "

Ll

Dublin's People 155

Zadock Walker, Ann died, and was laid to rest in the arms of
Mother Earth, who receives her children, of whatever color,
with equal tenderness. She was the last one of the dark-hued
domestics inseparably connected with Deer Park from the be-
ginning of its history. Simultaneously with the last representa-
tive of the old-time regime, they vanished with the close of the
picturesque Day.

I CAN'T STAY BEHIND

Slave Song

O, my Mudder is gone, my Mudder is gone!
My Mudder is gone into Heaven, my Lord!

I can't stay behind!
Dere's room in dar, room in dar.
Room in dar, in de Heaven, my Lord!

I can't stay behind!

O, my Fadder is gone, my Fadder is gone!
My Fadder is gone into Heaven, my Lord!

I can't stay behind!
Dere's room in dar, room in dar.
Room in dar, in de Heaven, my Lord!

I can't stay behind!

O, I'se been on de road, I'se been on de road!
I'se been on de road into Heaven, my Lord!

I can't stay behind!
Dere's room in dar, room in dar.
Room in dar, in de Heaven, my Lord!

I can't stay behind!

THE AME*I,CAN FLAG— ITS DEFENDERS

For seventy years before the Revolution, the American
Colonies flew the British Flag, red, with the tinion of the cross
of St. George (English) and St. Andrew (Scotch). There is but
little on record regarding the colors carried by the Colonial
troops in the early engagements of the Revolutionary War.
There was no officially authorized standard; the Colonies had
different flags, of various designs and colors. Jtine 15th, 1775,
Washington was appointed Commander-in-chief of the Colonial
forces, by the Continental Congress sitting in Philadelphia.
He left for Boston on the 21st, accompanied by Generals Lee
and Schuyler, escorted part of the way by the Light Horse
Troop of Philadelphia. They carried a banner which is be-
lieved to have been the first in which the Thirteen Colonies were
typified by thirteen stripes — made of yellow silk, elaborately
painted on both sides with suggestive designs, a canton com-
posed of thirteen alternate blue and white stripes. It is pre-
served in the armory at Philadelphia, mounted between glass
plates. Benjamin Harrison, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas
Ljmch, were appointed a committee to confer with Washington
and several officers of the New England Colonies, regarding
the organization of a Continental Army. The conference was
held in Cambridge, and the new army came into being on New
Year's, 1776, when General Washington hoisted, at army head-
quarters, Cambridge, the Grand Union flag, "thirteen stripes,
red and white alternately, with the English Union cantoned
in the comer", "In compliment to the United Colonies",
Washington wrote to Joseph Reed, of Philadelphia.

(156)

A FLAG OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 1775-1783

The first Stars and Stripes.

The first Ensign to float over an American Battleship.

The first to receive a National salute from a Foreign Power, February 14th,
1778.

" The American Flag was, for the first time, recognized, in the fullest and
completest manner possible, by the Flag of France ! "

John Paul Jones.

The American Flag — Its Dejetiders 157

Up to this time, Washington believed in the possibility of a
reconciliation with Great Britain. Shortly afterwards, he
believed differently. In June, 1776, he was in Philadelphia;
convinced, now, that the time had come when the Colonies
shotild have an emblem distinctively American, he, in company
with Robert Morris and Colonel George Ross, called at the
upholstery shop of Betsy Ross (widow of John, a nephew of
Colonel Ross) and engaged her services in making the first
"Starry Banner" — thirteen stripes, alternate red and white;
thirteen white stars arranged in a circle on a blue field. The
following year, June 14th, 1777, Congress adopted this flag;
it was officially proclaimed September 3rd. Mrs. Ross added
flag-making to her business of upholstering. For fifty years
she supplied the Government with our beautiful "Stars and
Stripes", the ensign which, proudly waving over Paul Jones'
ship, the Ranger, was recognized by the French Navy. The
flag remained vinaltered for eighteen years, when the admission
of Vermont and Kentucky into the Union, brought about a
change. In 1795, Congress passed an act authorizing fifteen
stripes and fifteen stars. The flag thus established, remained
so for twenty-three years. The admission of Tennessee, Ohio,
Louisiana, Indiana, and Mississippi, into the Union, neces-
sitated another change. In 1819, to simplify necessary changes
in the future, Samuel C. Reid, a sea captain, proposed the plan
which was adopted by Congress at this time, and which has been
followed for nearly one hundred years: a return to the original
thirteen stripes, the admission of a new State to be noted by an
additional star in the blue field.

Defenders of thf Flag

War of the Rebellion

Fort Svunter, South Carolina, 1861— Appomattox, Virginia, 1865

"The Union Forever!"

Nathaniel Ewing Paull, son of James Paull, Jr., Uniontown,
Pennsylvania. Volunteer Private, First West Virginia Cavalry.

158 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

William Rogers Patdl, son of Thomas Paull. Voltmteer
Private. Enlisted December 1st, 1861, at West Chester,
Pennsylvania. Company A, First Regiment Pennsylvania
Reserves. Infantry. May 23rd, 1864, he was transferred to
the One Hundred Ninetieth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun-
teers. He served until January 3rd, 1865. He fought in many
battles, which included Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg,
The Wilderness, and Gettysburg. In the long marches he
suffered from the rubbing of the hard army boots, which caused
sore ankles, and he was obliged to spend six months in a hospital.
He never recovered; rhetunatism followed, which caused his
death eventually, twenty-five years later.

Sons of William and Martha Paull Walker:

Zaddock Walker, Dimbar, Pennsylvania. Voltmteer. Cap-
tain Company B, Fourteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Thomas Paull Walker, Dunbar. Volimteer. Lieutenant Com-
pany B, Fourteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry.

James Paull Walker, Dunbar. Volunteer. Sergeant Com-
pany H, First Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves. Cavalry.

Grandsons of James Paull, Jr. :

Sons of Samuel and Sarah Paull Huston:

James Huston, Carmichaels, Pennsylvania. Volunteer. Priv-
ate. Infantry.

David Huston, Carmichaels. Voltmteer. Private. Cavalry.
George Huston, Carmichaels. Volunteer. Private. Infantry.

Grandson of James Paull, Jr. :

Son of Findley and Ann Bayless Paull :

James Torrence Paull, Palestine, Illinois. Volimteer. Private.
Enlisted June 13th, 1861, Company I, Twenty-first Regiment,
Illinois Infantry, Army of the Ctmiberland, tmder Generals

/;

JAMES TORRENCE PAULL
At 18

The American Flag — 7/5 Defenders 159

Rosecrans and Thomas. He participated in battles in Missouri,
Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky (a trying march of four
hundred miles was accomplished, from Mississippi to Louisville,
Kentucky), Tennessee, and Georgia: Fredericktown, Jackson-
port, Shilo, Perryville, Nashville. At Nashville, the army was
reorganized. Company I transferred to the Twentieth Corps,
under General McCook; First Brigade commanded by General
Harlan; First Division, commanded by General Davis. Fol-
lowing, were the Battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout
Mountain and Missionary Ridge ; fighting continued for forty-
two days, on the way to Atlanta, when there occurred the Bat-
tles of Big Shanty, Marietta, and Peach Tree Creek. After
the fall of Atlanta, a fierce battle took place at Franklin, Ten-
nessee, and the destruction of General Good's army at Nash-
ville. The "boys in blue" went by steamboat to New Orleans,
and down the Rio Grande to San Antonio, Texas, where they
were mustered out of service, December 16th, 1865.

It was said of John Paul Jones, that in his prolonged sea
service in the cause of American freedom, he was never defeated,
never wounded. Of the nine kinsmen who "endured hardship
as good soldiers" (in imprisonment, weary marches, loss of
health) in the endeavor to maintain the union of the freed
States, not one was killed in battle, not one was wounded.
Two remain — James Paull Walker, Seattle; James Torrence
Paull, Milwaukee.

JUDGE GEORGE PAULL TORRENCE
February 14th, 1782— August 27th, 1855

George Paull Torrence, eldest son of Joseph and Mary Paull
Torrence, was bom on the farm named "Peace", near Con-
nellsville, Pennsylvania. He studied law, and went to Cin-
cinnati in 1806, when he was admitted to the Hamilton County
bar. At the home of Colonel James Findlay he became ac-
quainted with their niece, Mary Brownson Findlay, whom he
married February 14th, 1811, at the home of her father in Mer-
cersburg. When a war cloud hung over the nation in 1812,
George Torrence recruited a company; he was chosen captain,
in which capacity he served until the close of the war, when he
returned to the practice of law. In this he continued until
1817, when he was elected to the State senate. In 1819 he was
elected presiding Judge of the Ninth Judicial District, and re-
elected in 1826. His judicial career covered a period of twenty
years. In a eulogy, Honorable John Frazer said of him "I am
informed by one who is reliable and well-informed that all of
Judge Torrence's decisions were sustained by the Supreme
Court. I doubt if this covdd be said of any other Judge in the
State. If not the ablest lawyer in the State, he was one of the
ablest, and most reliable judges".

In 1826, when party spirit was high, the contest for the Judge-
ship was an exciting one, and the friends of Judge Torrence
feared his defeat. One of his friends, a member of the Senate,
with unbounded confidence in his ability to coimteract the
false representations of his opponents by his fine presence and

(160)

Judge GEORGE PAULL TORRENCE

1782- 1855

Cincinnati, Ohio

MARY BROWNSON FINDLAY TORRENCE
1792 — 1866

-Oe^

.«'p\s 7

Fourth Generation: Judge George Paull Torrence 161

conciliatory manner, sent for him to go to Columbus. He
went, and so impressed the people with his honesty and sin-
cerity, that he won the day by a pleasing majority.

He was elected treasurer of Hamilton County in 1834 was
reelected, and continued in the office until 1840, when he re-
tired to private life. He was public-spirited, an active and use-
ful citizen. He organized the first company of firemen in Cin-
cinnati and was himself an efficient fireman. He was a loyal
member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cincinnati, of
which Rev. Joshua Wilson was pastor; and a generous contri-
butor to benevolences.

Hospitality characterized the home life; any time, all the
time, guests were welcome. On one occasion, a company of
eight telegraphed they were on the way. Upon their arrival,
they found accomodations and a royal welcome.

Affable and friendly, the Judge was beloved by all classes of
people. His uniformly kind treatment of the house servants,
made them his "slaves" in the modem use of the term. Pris-
sie, a slight little creature, a slave for whom the Judge had paid
$500 ($5.00 a pound, he said) was given freedom papers long
before slavery was abolished by law. Happy where she was,
she probably thought that "freedom" meant going elsewhere,
and she promptly laid the papers on the fire, thus preventing
any such misfortune!

Judge Torrence died at the age of 73, and was buried in
Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati. By the members of the
bar, he was held in the highest esteem, because of his moral
greatness and ability in his profession. "The good Judge",
"The soul of honor," "A Christian gentleman" were deserving
titles.

MARY BROWNSON FINDLAY TORRENCE

Colonel John Findlay married Agnes, daughter of Dr. Rich-
ard Brownson, March 11, 1788. They had two sons and five
daughters. Agnes died in 1805. Colonel Findlay married,
five years later, Jane Bard McDowell of Mercersburg. The
large family could easily spare one daughter and Mary went to
live with her uncle. Colonel James Findlay, in Cincinnati. In
charge of friends who were going westward, Mary crossed the
movmtain on horseback, following a trail where there was one,
or the course marked by blazed trees. At night a circle of fire
was built around the small encampment not only for warmth
in the November chilliness, but to frighten wild animals roam-
ing near. When the Ohio River was reached, the remainder of
the trip was made on a raft. The wear>- traveler found a hos-
pitable home and open arms awaiting her at her uncle's. With
no children of their own, Mary was one of five who were
adopted. She became their daughter, and remained with them
until her marriage. She was small, with brown hair and blue
eyes. She was married to George Paull Torrence at her father's
home in Mercersburg by Rev. Alexander Denny. The young
couple returned to Cincinnati and commenced their married
life in the house which remained in the family for sixty-five
years and is still standing. Thirteen children were bom, eleven
of whom lived to maturity. Twice, there were twins. At the
time of the birth of one of the children, Mrs. Torrence lost a
sister who left a helpless baby; the little one was taken to her
warm heart and shared loving care with her own child — the third
time two babies were brought up together.

(162)

Fourth Generation: Mary Browttson Findlay Torrence 163

Of the six sons, five never married, but lived and died in the
old home. At one time, one of the sons, John Findlay Torrence,
was candidate for mayor on the Republican ticket; Joseph,
opposing him on the Democratic ticket. Two brothers voted
for John, two for Joseph. The Republican won in the race.

The Torrence home was the central point at which the family
connection gathered, always sure of a welcome. A cousin
came one day for a visit. Soon after his arrival he became ill,
the development showed, next day, a clear case of smallpox!
Mrs. Torrence had him removed to a large room in the third
story, and cared for him herself — in quarantine — imtil he was
well. She and her large household of children and servants
escaped the disease.

With her heart and her hands consecrated to the work of her
beloved church and the interests of her family, Mrs. Torrence
had neither time nor inclination for worldly pleasures. Always
serene and patient, she was a friend to be absolutely trusted
and depended upon for wise counsel. A keeper of many secrets,
she betrayed none. The heart of her husband safely trusted
in her. Her children and their children, rise up and call her
blessed. Beside her husband "good Judge Torrence" she rests
in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati.

Fifth Generation

George Paull Torrence m. Mary Brownson Findlay ; children :
Nancy Brownson (died unmarried), James Findlay, Joseph
(died unmarried), John Findlay (died unmarried), Clarissa
(died in childhood), Mary Paull, Eliza Jane, Samuel Findlay
(died unmarried), Aaron (died immarried), Harriet Rebecca
m. Hugh Stewart, William Irwin (died unmarried), George
Paull (died in childhood).

Sixth Generation

James Findlay Torrence m. Ann Rebecca Findlay ; children :
Mary (died in childhood), Thomas (died in childhood), Jane

164 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

Findlay, George Paull, Elizabeth Findlay, James Findlay,
Joseph (died unmarried) .

Mary Paull Torrence m. William Henry Harrison (not re-
lated to President Harrison); children: George Torrence,
Nancy Torrence (died in childhood), Martha Pitts, Mary
Torrence.

Eliza Jane Torrence m. Robert Handy; child: William Tor-
rence Handy.

Seventh Generation

(James Findlay Torrence)

Jane Findlay Torrence m. Rev. Christopher Smith Sargent
(Episcopalian) children: James Findlay Torrence, Edward,
Christopher Smith (died in childhood) , Rebecca Torrence (died
in childhood), George Paull Torrence, Mary (died in childhood),
Thomas Frazer (died in childhood).

Rev. George Paull Torrence (Episcopalian) m. Mary Fergu-
son; children: Ann Rebecca, Jeannette Ferguson, Elizabeth
Findlay (died in childhood), George Paull, Mary Ferguson,
John Ferguson.

James Findlay Torrence m. Jessie Peckover; children:
James Findlay, Pauline McBain, Elizabeth Findlay, Joseph.

(Mary Torrence Harrison)

George Torrence Harrison m. Sarah Perin; children: Mary
Perin, William Henry Harrison m. Adele Hagar.

Martha Pitts Harrison m. Clark B. Montgomery; child:
Mary Torrence.

(Eliza Torrence Handy)

William Torrence Handy m. Mary Welsh; children: Wil-
liam Torrence (died in childhood), Nancy Brownson Handy
m. John Boswell Sneed, Priscilla Welsh, Harriet Rebecca
Stewart.

Fourth Generation: Judge George Paull Torrence 165

Eight Generation
(James Findlay Torrence)

James Findlay Torrence Sargent m. Katherine Edmunds;
child: James Findlay Torrence.

Rev. George Paull Torrence Sargent (Episcopalian) m. Mabel
McMahon; children: Jane Findlay Torrence, Christopher
Smith.

Ann Rebecca Torrence m. Rev. William H. Standring (Epis-
copalian); child: Mary Torrence.

Jeannette Ferguson Torrence m. Archibald Price; children:
Mary Ann (died in infancy), Emily Ruth, Archibald David,
Elizabeth Jeannette.

George Paull Torrence m. Florence Abbott; child: George
Paull.

(Mary Torrence Harrison)

Mary Perin Harrison m. Dudley Sutphen; child: Elizabeth
Harrison.

Mary Torrence Montgomery' m. Clark Davis, M. D.; child:
Clark Montgomery.

(Eliza Torrence Handy)

Harriet Rebecca Stewart Handy m. William Taylor Clark;
children : Mary Welsh (died in infancy) , William Taylor.

FIFTH GENERATION

ANN REBECCA FINDLAY TORRENCE

The tender regard for Mrs. James Findlay Torrence was ex-
pressed in an appreciative tribute published in a Cincinnati
paper at the time of her death, February 7, 1895.

"In the death of Mrs. Torrence there has drawn to its close a
more than ordinary Hfe. Coming to Cincinnati a bride in 1841
she entered a circle of relatives and friends which centered in the
homes of Colonel James Findlay and Judge Torrence. In her
home, in her church relations, among relatives and friends and
with her servants, she was a loyal friend, a wise counselor; sym-
pathetic, generous, living apparently with one aim, to do God's
service. A friend said of her. 'In all the years I have known
her, I never heard her say an unkind word of kny one'. Her
charitableness was widely known. Her wise and quaint say-
ings have been cherished in memory and often repeated. For
years 'Old Stormy Point' on East Walnut Hills was the rally-
ing place for old and young, who looked upon it as a second
home. One whose girlhood visits there had been frequent,
wrote from abroad 'When I dream of America, I am at Stormy
Point'.

"As the head of the household, respected and beloved by
every one, Mrs. Torrence spent many years of her life. The
seven years following the death of Mr. Torrence were spent in
close retirement, seeing only her friends of past years, and the

( 166 )

Fifth Generation: Ann Rebecca Findlay Torrence 167

children who loved to come to her. She retained her faculties
to the end and in a remarkable degree kept up her interest in
everything around her. She lived to make others happy. It
was she who remembered the birthdays and anniversaries, both
joyous and sad. From the quiet room where she spent the last
years, went out many, many Christmas baskets; many little
children and older people sent up a prayer that day for the 'dear
old lady'.

"It was her privilege to the last to be cared for by a devoted
daughter and by old servants who loved her. She died as she
had lived, with an imwavering faith ready to pass on when the
call came. Many are grateful for having known her, for having
been influenced by her sweet, beneficent life."

SIXTH GENERATION

WILLIAM TORRENCE HANDY

A life so unselfish as that of William Handy deserves more than
the mere mention of its beginning and its close. Soon after its be-
ginning, the baby boy was deprived of a mother's care and this
responsibility was assumed by his aunts, sisters of his mother,
Nancy and Harriet Torrence. Their devotion, and the ap-
preciative response, developed a beautiful attachment, a close
and affectionate relation not always existing between a mother
and her son.

When at college, William Handy was much attached to his
roommate, a yoimg man with a small purse and in ill health.
His physician said his one chance for continued life was a year's
residence in Europe. His "friend in need" cheerfully offered
to go with him and bear expenses, relinquishing all that was in-
cluded in the last year of his college course to do so. The trip
was made, the year's program carried out, and health was re-
stored. A life spared for service, the consciousness of having
followed the example of Him who came "not to be ministered
unto, but to minister", was of greater value to an exalted soul,
than anything his Alma Mater could offer.

To his perseverance and efficiency is due largely, the com-
pletion of the Family chart which embraces the Findlays,
Brownsons, Smiths, Irwins, Paulls, etc.

(168)

Sixth Generation: William Torre'nce Handy 169

After some time spent on a western ranch with a cousin,
William Handy married Mary Welsh, and returned to his kins-
folk, establishing a home on an old Kentucky estate at Cin-
thiana, which he bought, retaining the colored people, whose
hearts would have been broken in leaving the old plantation.
He had them cared for in sickness and in death.

He loved his own people, the "poor relation" receiving special
notice and assistance when assistance was needed. He was
lay reader in the church in the absence of a minister. He
visited sick people, old people, needy ones in the parish, cheering
them with his happy spirit and his diverting stories; reading
to them, praying with them.

For years he suffered from an incurable disease in his ear,
but no one not familiar with the fact could have suspected that
he was a sufferer — uncomplaining, patient, concealing his own
burden that he might bear some one else's, his was an example
of sublime heroism.

The Easter preceding his death, he sent flowers to many,
near friends, neglected people, lowly ones.

When the last days came, his room was radiant with simshine
and gladness. He slipped away from earth's trammels to the
promised glory one stunmer day in 1908.

SIXTH GENERATION

COLONEL WILLIAM LUDLAM MILLER

February 6th, 1793— November 17th, 1867
Contributed by his grandson, John Franklin Miller

By the marriage of William Miller, on January 7th, 1820,
with Jane Torrence, daughter of Joseph Torrence and grand-
daughter of George Paull, the name of Miller first appears in
the genealogical records of the Paull family. This branch of
the family has been traced back to John^ Miller, who died at
East Hampton, New Jersey, soon after his arrival, about the
year 1650.

John^ Miller.

John^ driller.

William^ Miller, who was an Alderman of the Borough of
Elizabeth, New Jersey, and is known as "Alderman" Miller.

William* Miller Jr., who, with his father, is buried in the old
churchyard at Westfield, New Jersey.

Noah^ Miller, bom August, 6th, 1756. In 1778, he married
Sarah Ludlam Marsh, widow of Eliphalet Marsh; served as a
private in the Revolutionary War, emigrated to Fayette
County, Pennsylvania, about 1800, and settled at or near, New
Haven. He married, as his second wife, a widow, Sarah Morri-
son. He died at Rising Sim, Indiana, September 12th, 1838.
Noah and Sarah Ludlam Miller had eight children :

(170)

Colonel WILLIAM LUDLAM MILLER

1793- 1867

Port Perry, Pennsylvania

r

JANE TORRENCE MILLER

1797— 1863

Sixth Generation: Col. William Ludlam Miller 171

Sabra® Miller manied Matthias Welsch; Sarah Miller mar-
ried Elihu Meeker; Anne Miller; Joanna Miller; Cornelius
Miller; William Ludlam Miller and Joseph D. Miller, twins.
Joseph Miller married Martha Byers, whose children were:
Susan Miller married Joseph Vance; Sarah Miller married

James Wood; Andrew Byers Miller married Ann ;

Hannah Miller married Robert Jelly; Mary Miller married
William H. Bingham; Ann Miller married Robert Boyle,
whose children are : Lucius Robert Boyle, Alice Boyle Baldwin,
Anna Boyle Rupp, James Boyle, Martha Boyle Murdoch,
Fannie Boyle, Walter Vance Boyle, Margaret Boyle Officer.

Noah Miller's brother, John^ Miller, settled near Centerville,
Indiana, at an early date. One of his daughters married a
widower, named Morton, and became the mother of Oliver P.
Morton, the war Governor of Indiana and afterwards, for many
years. United States Senator from that State. The senior
Morton also had a son by his previous marriage, who married
the youngest daughter of John Miller — by which alliance he
became his father's brother-in-law.

The close intimacy betwee^ the Scudder family of New York
and the Miller family of Port Perry, which has lasted over a
hundred years through three generations, arose from the first
marriage of Sarah Ludlam to Eliphalet Marsh, whose daughter,
Catherine Marsh, married William Hays of Westfield, New
Jersey, in 1801, and who died March 16th, 1851. William and
Catherine Hays were the parents of John Hays and Nancy Hays
Scudder of New York City.

Coming to Fayette County when about seven years of age,
William L.^ Miller, during his early life, worked with his father
as a carpenter and builder, and early gained local fame by his
remarkable skill in squaring timber with a broadax. Possibly
the strength and accuracy so acquired were reflected in his ability
to throw stones and other missiles almost as straight as most
men can shoot, and many interesting tales are told of his
achievements along these lines.

172 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

In 1810, the Millers built a bam on the old Torrence farm
"Peace" (where the Leisenering Coke Works are now located),
and during the progress of the work, young William found time
and opportunity to win the good graces of Jane Torrence, whom
he married ten years later, and to whom he proved a devoted
husband, imtil her death in 1863. Prior to his marriage,
he assisted in building boats for the river trade, and in 1816 made
a trip on one of them to New Orleans, returning by way of New
York, where he was confined in a hospital on Staten Island for
some time, by an attack of yellow fever. During the same
period he assisted in the organization of a military company,
probably the Youghiogheny Blues, which appears to have been
called into being by the War of 1812. This service, while not
active, won for him the honorary title of colonel, by which he
was thereafter widely known throughout western Pennsylvania.

About the time of his marriage he was active in developing
the infant iron industry, and in one of these foundries he was as-
sociated with Colonel Jacob Mathiot and James Paull Jr., the
firm name being Miller, Mathiot, and Paull. Having acquired
a tract of mountain land near Connellsville, he built, or at least
for a time operated. Breakneck Furnace, and it was at that
point where his son, George Torrence Miller, was bom,
March 26th, 1825.

In 1837 Colonel Miller removed to Port Perry, Allegheny
Covmty, Pennsylvania, at the mouth of Turtle Creek, where he
purchased about 200 acres of land, and where he passed the re-
mainder of his life, excepting the year 1840, when he removed,
temporarily, to Birmingham (now, South Side, Pittsburgh).
The town of Port Perry was originally laid out by John Perry,
in 1793, but was surveyed and laid out anew by Colonel Miller
in 1848. From that time imtil his death in 1867, he was oc-
cupied in building up the town, operating his farm, and develop-
ing the coal and timber resourcies of the vicinity. Through his
ownership of the riparian rights at Port Perry, he secured the
water power privilege created by the erection of the Lock and
Dam No. 2 of the Monongahela Navigation Company, and in

GEORGE TORRENCE MILLER

1825 —1892

Port Perry, Pennsylvania

MARY JANE CRAIG MILLER

Sixth Generation: Col. Williant Ludlani Miller 173

partnership with his son, George Torrence Miller, built and
operated a flourmill and sawmill, at that point.

His home on the hill was the center of the old-fashioned
hospitality which is justly famous. Healthily located, com-
manding an extended and beautiful view, it was known as
"Delightful Hill", among the friends and relatives who often
came from New York and Cincinnati to spend their summer
vacations.

Colonel Miller was an old-time Democrat, and exerted a
powerful political interest throughout the vicinity in which he
lived, but never held a political office, excepting that of the
year 1838, when he was one of the yovmgest, if not the yoimgest
member, of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention held
in that year.

An obituary notice states that he was, for some years, a com-
muning member of the Presbyterian Church of Beulah. "He
was the generous friend of the poor, and dispersed from his
affluence largely and constantly to those in need".

Fifth Generation

Jane Torrence m. William Ludlam Miller; children: Joseph
Torrence (died in childhood), Noah (died unmarried), George
Torrence, Mary Paull m. WilHam F. Knox, M. D., Eliza Jane
(died in infancy), Catherine m. Rev. John M. Hastings (Pres-
byterian), Phebe Ann, Albert Gallatin, Clarissa Jane (died in
childhood) .

Sixth Generation

George Torrence Miller m. Mary Jane Craig; children:
(Rev.) William Sydney (Presbyterian), Mary Harrison (died
in childhood) , Mortimer Craig, Nancy Torrence (died in child-
hood), John Franklin, George Torrence (died in childhood),
Anna Paull (died in childhood) , Joseph Torrence.

Phebe Ann Miller m. Daniel F. Cooper; children: Samuel
Frisbee, Jane Torrence, William Miller, Mary Catherine.

Albert Gallatin Miller m. Ann Rebecca Chalfant; children:
Henry Chalfant, William Ludlam.

174 Paull- Irwin: A Family Sketch

Seventh Generation
(George Torrence Miller)

Mortimer Craig Miller m. Rachel McMasters; children:
Rachel McMasters m. Arthur Roy Hunt, George Torrence,
Margaret McMasters (died in infancy).

John Franklin Miller m. Mary Louise Paull; child: Rebecca
Turner Paull.

Joseph Torrence Miller m. Mary Margaret Stewart; children:
Jane Craig, Nancy Irwin.

(Phebe Ann Miller Cooper)

Samuel Frisbee Cooper m. Mabel Gray; children: Phebe
Miller, Harriet Gray, Joshua Torrence, John Franklin, Rodney
Paull.

William Miller Cooper m. Helen Gilson; children: William
Miller, Agnes Pollock.

Mary Catherine Cooper m. Elmer E. Wible, M. D.; children:
William Paull, Elizabeth Miller.

(Albert Gallatin Miller)

Henry Chalfant Miller m. Grace Kelly; child: Eugenie
Chalfant.

Eighth Generation

(George Torrence Miller)

Rebecca Turner Paull Miller m. Allen Stewart Davison;
children: Allen Lape, John Franklin Miller.

JOHN FRANKLIN MILLER, Son of George Torrence Miller

First Vice-President Westinghouse Air Brake Company,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

JAMES IRWIN

OF THE

CONOCOCHEAGUE SETTLEMENT

First American Ancestor
1778

For many years before 1603, when James the First ascended
the throne of England, there had been constant friction between
the English and Irish in Ulster, Ireland. After the conflict,
which resulted in the defeat of the Irish, King James, a Scotch-
man, invited his countrymen to go and take up the lands aban-
doned by the Irish, with a view to having Protestants outnum-
ber Catholics, and become the controlling element in the
country. There was a gratifying response by intelligent men
and women of the best sort, yeomen and artisans. Regarded
as intruders by the natives, they were hated ; and some years
later, an attempt was made to exterminate them. An appeal
made to England was fruitless, because of trouble between
Cromwell and Charles the First. They then turned to their
own people in Scotland, poor and suffering though they were.
General Munro asked for volunteers; they must serve without
pay, and furnish their own horses and arms. Ten thousand of
the flower of Scotland voltmteered. The two thousand five
hundred needed, soon put an end to the strife. The reward to
the ten thousand were tillable acres in the North of Ireland.

(175)

176 Paull-Irmin: A Family Sketch

Many more from Scotland joined them, and by their pluck and
enterprise, they turned the bogs and fens of Ulster, the most
neglected part of the island, into blooming gardens. They
established manufactories of woolens and linens, to which the
passing years have given world-wide fame. At the close of
fifty years, the people nimibered 300,000 in Ulster; in another
fifty years, in 1700, they had grown to 1,000,000. Out of
three hundred nineteen signers to a public doamient, in 1718,
all but thirteen wrote their names in full — a condition which
could not be matched anywhere in the British Empire, at the
time. The Roman Catholics were called "Irish", those of the
Church of England "Protestants", and the Presbyterians,
"Scotch". These people, continuing to prosper, excited the
envy of rival manufacturers in England. In 1698, they had
laws enacted, which so crippled the Irish manufacturers, that
thousands of men were thrown out of employment. In 1704,
and for some years following the Irish Presbyterians were op-
pressed with restrictive laws. They were debarred from
school-teaching, and from holding any office higher than that
of constable. Marriages performed by their own ministers
were declared illegal. These grievances were endured for
many years for the situation was supposed to be but tempo-
rary. But it continued until 1782, when the "Toleration Act
for Ireland" was passed. Long before this, however, the hope
for just treatment had vanished. To these devout people, who
believed that an overruling Hand shapes destinies, oppression
and humiliation were "working together for good" to an
extent never thought of. To the smiling skies and broad
acres of open-armed America, their minds were turned. In
1719 the exodus commenced, after a residence in Ireland of but
one hundred years, the oldest families had been there for only
three generations. The migrations to America from Ulster ex-
ceeded those of all others; previous to the days of steamships.
In 1727, six shiploads were landed at Philadelphia in one
week. Between 1730 and 1770, the influx from Ulster to the
American Colonies was so great that they formed not less than

James Irwin of the Conococheague Settlement 177

a sixth part of the population at the time of the Revolution!
Smarting from the wrongs they had endured, they zealously
supported the cause of the oppressed Colonies. Dr. Eigle,
Historian of Pennsylvania, says "Had it not been for the out-
spoken words of bravery, and the indomitable spirit of the
Scotch-Irish in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Carolinas, there
would have been no independence, and the now glorious Union
would be but an English Colony".

Pennsylvania received so large a number that her population
in 1770 was one-third Scotch-Irish. A large colony settled in
Cumberland (now Franklin) County, spreading over a district
embracing fourteen square miles ; drained by the west branch of
the Conococheague Creek, which gave its name to the settle-
ment "West Conococheague". There is evidence that the
first white settlers on the Indian hunting ground, were John
and Jane Black, before the appearance of the Scotch-Irish,
whose settlement dates from 1730. With a will, the refugees
commenced to build and plant; breathing pure moimtain air
with a blessed sense of freedom.

At the north end of the settlement, a log mill had been built
by James Black, a son of John and Jane Black. Around this
mill several houses were built, and the place was called "Black's
Town".

To a section in Peter's Township (named for Richard Peters,
Colonial Secretary) four miles south of this hamlet, James Ir-
win came with his wife and several children. With his two
brothers he first settled in the lower end of the Ctimberland
Valley, eight miles west of the Susquehanna River, on a winding,
crooked, mountain stream, Conodoguinet Creek. He was one
of the Ulster refugees, a farmer and a blacksmith. To the
original tract he added other "surveys", owning five at the
time of his death, besides the "plantation" on which he lived.
The place became known as "Irwinton Mills".

There were many interests to keep the settlers active. Food
and clothing must be provided, the children must be educated.
The stealthy redman was never far away, and for protection

178 Paull- Irwin: A Family Sketch

in times of danger, several forts were built within the bounds of
the settlement. One of these forts was built on the east side of
the Conococheague by William McDowell, who, with his wife
Mary, came to the settlement in 1735. The fort, a log mill
strongly built and furnished with portholes, was a conspicuous
one in early Indian warfare. In 1761, an alarm caused the set-
tlers to flee to McDowell's Mill.

The provision was low, and one of the brave women, Mrs.
Cunningham, ventured to go home to milk the cows. When
nearing the fort on her return, with the milk, a savage, con-
cealed from sight, killed her with an arrow. Mrs. Cunningham
was a sister of John King, a young man from Lancaster, after-
wards a minister, who taught school in a little log house near
the church, from 1760 to 1763. This is said to have been the
first school in the county where the classics were taught.

A house of worship preceded the schoolhouse. In a district
so large, the location must be central. A place afterwards
named "Church Hill" was selected and a warrant for land taken
out by William Campbell and William Maxwell. In 1738 the
Presbyterians were housed in a log church, surrounded by a
stockade made of pointed logs seventeen feet high, driven four
or five feet into the ground. There were no pews, pulpit, ceil-
ing, nor floor. All the men including the preacher, attended
service armed. By means of portholes in the stockade the men
on guard, standing on a raised platform, could give warning of
the approach of the Indians.

The congregation had no settled minister until 1754, when
Rev. John Steel became the pastor, and remained for two
years. He was courageous and fearless, frequently leading his
flock out from the church (which was often called "Steel's
Fort") in pursuit of the Indians. At the outbreak of hostilities
with the Delaware Indians in 1755 a company was formed and
placed under the command of Mr. Steel — "The Reverend Cap-
tain" he was called. Because of the frequency of Indian
raids, the congregation was disbanded, and Mr. Steel took
charge of the church at Carlisle, in whose graveyard he was laid

James Irwin of the Conococheague Settlement 179

to rest in 1779. The Conococheague congregation was broken
up a second time by Indian troubles or other hardships. But in

1767 it was permanently established and prosperous. In

1768 a call was extended to Rev. John King, of Philadelphia
Presbytery, to whom the people became attached during his
three-years' term among them as schoolmaster. He married
Elizabeth McDowell, daughter of John McDowell, the miller.
His pastorate of forty-two years was one of devotion to his
people, one of incalculable influence in the valley. In 1792
Dickinson College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of
Divinity. The same year he was honored with the moder-
atorship of the General Assembly. He died in 1813, and was
buried with his beloved people at Church Hill.

The primitive log church was enlarged twice during Dr.
King's ministry. In 1820 a stone building replaced the old
one. In 1791 Honorable Robert Smith donated a lot in Mer-
cersburg for a second house of worship to meet the need of the
growing and widely dispersed congregation. A stone church
was built, and the two congregations shared the services of the
minister until 1855 when the country church, much dilapidated,
was abandoned altogether.

Situated on a hill surrounded by a guard of stately forest
trees, it was a beckoning hand when danger threatened— a place
where tried souls and weary bodies foimd rest under the inspira-
tion of a Gospel discourse, and in singing the favorite Scottish
Psalm (Rouse's Version, 1643), "The Lord's my Shepherd".

The church walls, hallowed by thrilling and tender associa-
tions, yielded to the pitiless strokes of the demolisher. But
the sacred enclosure across the road remains imdisturbed — the
resting place of the old families of West Conococheague. The
present pastor of the congregation is Rev. J. H. Rose, D. D.

In 1759 William Smith, father of Honorable Robert Smith,
bought the old mill north of the settlement, when "Black's
Town" became "Smith's Town". Nearly thirty years later,
in 1786, a son William, William Smith, Jr., laid out a new
town on land inherited from his father, which he named "Mer-

180 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

cersburg", in honor of Dr. Hugh Mercer, a yoving Scotch physi-
cian who suspended his profession to take up arms in the inter-
ests of the Colonies. From that time, "West Conococheague"
and "Smith's Town" gradually passed out of use.

William Smith, the founder of the new town, had married
Margaret (or "Peggy") Piper. Before the Revolution, Peggy's
parents, William and Sarah McDowell Piper, had removed to
the west branch of the Susquehanna River. Here they were
visited frequently by Rev. Philip V. Fithian, a Presbyterian
missionary to the people on the frontier. He describes little
Peggy in his diary, July 13, 1775 — "There is no one in the
Society but my little wain that can tell you what is 'Efectual
Calling'. Indeed this little wain is a lovely girl. She is an
only child, just ten years old. She seems to me to be remark-
ably intelligent, reads very clear, attends well to the quantity
of words, has a sweet, nervous accent. Indeed, I have not
been so lately pleased, as with this little rosy-cheeked Miss
Peggy Piper." As the wife of William Smith, Jr., little Peggy
returned to the Conococheague. They had one child, Sarah,
or "Sallie". In William Smith's will, he stipulated that his
executors should build for his wife and "little daughter Sallie",
"near where my stable now stands, a neat and commodious
house of a middling size."

The hastily-built log cabins of the first settlers had been fol-
lowed by frame buildings. Now, the more pretentious stone
structures became -popular. Accordingly, a handsome stone
house, "neat and commodious", was built for Peggy Smith and
her little daughter. They lived contentedly, happy with each
other and in the performance of daily duties. But there was
loneliness, and this situation appealed to the tender sympathy
of a swain at Irwinton Mills. James In\'in, son of Archibald,
grandson of James the pioneer, moimted his horse, and soon
covered the four miles leading to the new stone house, where
he was cordially greeted by the attractive j^oimg widow, who
was his cousin.

CONOCOCHEAGUE CREEK

i^s^-'f-^'C^r-.

MERCERSBURG. 1914

James Irwin of the Conococheague Settlement 181

Peggy Smith needed a support, little Sallie a protector —
didn't Peggy think so? Of course she did! Did she think Jim
Irwin could meet the requirement in each case? Of course he
could! With the matter satisfactorily settled, the Rev. John
King pronoimced them husband and wife, and Jim at once
shouldered his responsibilities, and made good his promise.
This fine old stone building, with modem additions and orna-
mentations, is now one of the beautiful residences of the historic
old town, the property of Mr. C. F. Fendrick, who bought it
from the widow of Robert Smith Brownson, M. D. (Dr. Brown-
son, a major in the Civil War, was the son of John Brownson
and "little Sallie" Smith.)

The people of the Conococheague, like those of all the early
settlements, brought about perplexing situations by intermar-
riages. Cousins frequently married; several members of one
family would all marry members of some other family. An
uncle might become a brother-in-law, or an aunt a sister-in-
law. Family names were so often repeated, that one must
speak of "big Andy", or "little Andy"— "John's Polly", or
"Sam's Polly". Robert Smith, a brother of Peggy Irwin's
first husband married Elizabeth Irwin, a sister of Peggy's sec-
ond husband! Two sisters of Robert Smith's wife, Nancy and
Jane Irwin, married brothers, William and James Findlay,
who were nephews of Robert Smith!

Mercersburg was an important point for trading with the
Indians and the settlements beyond. Merchants from the Mo-
nongahela country went in companies of eight or ten over the
mountain on horseback to Philadelphia and purchased yearly,
supplies of all sorts of merchandise, which was carried to its
destination by packhorse. Long trains of fifty or one hundred
horses, slowly passing through the town, or halting to deliver
or take on goods, were a picturesque sight. In packtrains, the
horses, one behind the other, were fastened together by a rope.
The manager of the train rode behind, directing them by his
voice. The packsaddle was made of four pieces of wood, fitted
over the back of the horse. The lead horse had an arched band

182 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

of iron over the front of the saddle, to which bells were hung.
Each horse carried about five himdred pounds fifteen miles a
day. In this way, clothing, farm implements, sacks of charcoal,
boxes of glass, iron, powder, salt, spice, etc., were carried over
the moimtains.

Material at hand employed the brawn of the settlers; dense
forests furnished fuel and timber for building, necessitating
sawmills. The hillsides were quarried for stone blocks. The
soil yielded abimdant crops, and gristmills sprang up along the
streams. Tanneries were numerous.

Needed commodities, not supplied by the settlement, were
brought in by packhorse and handled by the proprietor of the
little "department" store, one room accommodating probably
the whole stock in trade. From the horseshoes made in James
Irwin's blacksmith shop, or maple sugar and candle-dips from
his farm products, to the linen and woolen goods from the ever-
running spinning-wheels and looms, the modest needs of the
people could be met. The surplus was sent on to other settle-
ments by packhorse. The primitive store was a source of
comfortable income to the merchant, and a popular meeting-
place for the settlers, where local happenings were discussed,
jokes exchanged, where perhaps gossip was not tabooed. In-
dian encoimters fiunished a never-failing topic. Intelligence
from the sister Colonies or from across the waters, was eagerly
caught and passed on.

James Irwin was a blacksmith, a farmer, and a distiller.
He was also a devout Presbyterian with a conscience as clear,
apparently, as his cider. He brought up a large family of
sons and daughters, influential citizens, loyal to their country
and to the church of their Fathers. His third son, Archibald,
served in the Indian Wars and in the Revolution. Soon after
Rev. John Steel entered the service, he wrote to Governor
Morris of the need of flints, arms, blankets, etc., for his men;
adding, "May it please your Honor to enlist me an Ensign, for
I find Sergeants pay will not prevail with men to enlist in
whom much confidence is reposed. I beg leave to recommend

James Irwin oj the Conococheague Settlement 183

Archibald Irwin to your Honor, for the purpose". The re-
quest was granted, and Archibald Irwin was commissioned
ensign, April, 175G. His military service was continued during
the Revolution. In January, 1778, he was quartermaster in
Colonel Samuel Culbertson's regiment. In 1757, Archibald
Irwin married Jean McDowell, daughter of William and Mary
McDowell, who has been neighbors of the Irwins in Ireland.

The McDowells, staunch Presbyterians, gave a distinguished
family to the country of their adoption. They first settled in
Chester County, about 1715. They came to the Conoco-
cheague about 1735, and obtained a warrant for a "plantation"
which is now occupied by one of the same name, a descendant
of the pioneer. William McDowell died in 1759, and was
buried in the graveyard of the Donegal Presbyterian Church in
Lancaster County. Mary McDowell died in 1782. The eldest
son, John, operated the mill, "McDowell's Fort".

John McDowell married Agnes Craig (their daughter, Eliza-
beth McDowell, married Rev. John King).

William McDowell married Mary Maxwell.

Nathan McDowell married Catherine Maxwell.

James McDowell married Jean Smith, daughter of Robert
and Jean Smith.

Jean McDowell married Archibald Irwin, son of James the
pioneer.

Sarah McDowell married William Piper.

Elizabeth McDowell married James Halliday.

Margaret McDowell married first, Daniel McAlister, second,
Robert Newall.

Annabel McDowell married Major John Johnson, his second
wife.

Thomas McDowell.

Susan McDowell.

John McDowell, son of William and grandson of the pioneer,
was the first president of St. John's College, Annapolis, and the
third provost of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

184 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

A fine stone house, a gristmill, and a sawmill were built either
by James Irwin the pioneer, or his son Archibald — probably by
the son, although the land did not become his imtil after the
death of his father. The house, unusual for its day, continues
to merit admiration. The woodwork is very handsome, the
whole house attractive and in good condition. The present
owner is Mrs. J. W. Witherspoon.

There is no trace of the original log cabin.

About 1758, Martha, fourth daughter of James Irwin married
George Paull, a young Virginian of Scottish ancestry. In early
manhood, he was engaged in border warfare in which he con-
tinued with intermissions until the close of his life. His hardi-
hood and bravery were inherited by his son James, who became
a noted Indian fighter. One son and three daughters com-
prised their family.

In 1778, James Irrsdn the pioneer, closed his eyes upon a com-
fortable home, in the presence of his "beloved wife Jean", and
his sons and daughters. He was buried in the White Stone
graveyard at Church Hill. Rev. John King was the minister.
His sons, Joseph and James inherited equal shares of the home
tract; Archibald, the tract adjoining. George Croghan, Deputy
Indian Agent under Sir William Johnson, controlled the large
Aughwick grant, from which many farms were surveyed. James
Irwin bought at least one of the Aughwick tracts which de-
scended to his son Archibald. To James, the bachelor son,
was willed the "Waggon, Team Still, and Still vessals". Whether
the still was all-engrossing, precluding thought of a wife, or too
poor a business to support one, the record does not state. His
sister Elizabeth was married twice and that kept the family
balanced. "Uncle Jimmy" served his day single-handed, and
then laid him down to rest in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cin-
cinnati, in Judge Torrence's family lot. Judge Torrence's
mother, Mary Paull, was Uncle Jimmy's niece.

Archibald Ir^^in was an elder in the Presbyterian Church at
Church Hill. He died in the winter of 1798-9, from palsy,
aged about 65. His wife, Jean, died August 6, 1805, aged 69.

James Irwin oj the Conococheague Settlement 185

Together they rest in the graveyard at the White Stone Church,
Church Hill. The family of Archibald and Jean Irwin was a
notable one. There were four sons and five daughters.

James Irwin, the eldest, married Peggy Piper Smith.

Nancy Irwin married William Findlay, Governor of Pennsyl-
vania, 1817 — 1820. Their daughter, Jane Findlay, married
Francis Rawn Shunk, Governor of Pennsylvania, 1845 — 1848.

Jane Irwin married Colonel James Findlay, brother of Wil-
liam Findlay.

Elizabeth Irwin married Robert Smith, brother of William
Smith, founder of Mercersburg.

Robert Smith, (1766 — 1849) was a native of Mercersburg.
He was a member of the legislature, 1807 — 1815; a state sena-
tor, 1819 — 1823; associate Judge in Franklin County, 1836 —
1843.

Archibald Irwin, Jr., married first, Mary Ramsey. Mary's
sister, Nancy Ramsey, married John Sutherland, a Scotch-
man, living at North Bend, Ohio. Mary Irwin's daughters,
Jane and Elizabeth, visited their aunt, Mrs. Sutherland, and
became acquainted with the family of General William Henry
Harrison, of North Bend. By and by, William H. Harrison,
Jr., wooed and won Jane Irwin, whom he married in 1824.
When General Harrison became President, in 1841, Mrs. Harri-
son was ill, and her daughter-in-law, Jane Irwin Harrison, grace-
fully bore the responsibilities of the Mistress of the White House
during the short term of the General's Administration — one
month.

John Scott Harrison, a brother of William Henry Harrison,
Jr., was a farmer at North Bend, a widower, whose first wife was
Lucretia Knapp Johnson. After making the acquaintance of
the Irwin girls, he made frequent trips to Irwinton Mills, on a
lover's errand. In 1831, when Elizabeth Irwin was twenty-one,
again the hospitable stone house witnessed a wedding and
resounded with happy congratulations. The youthful visitor at
North Bend, returned to make it her permanent home. The
first child received his grandfather's name, the second, the name

186 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

of his great-grandfather, Benjamin Harrison (bom in 1726)
one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. John
Scott Harrison was a Whig and represented his party in Con-
gress from 1853 to 1857. When his life closed, he was buried
in the family burying-grovmd, which was on the Harrison farm.
Soon afterwards, it was discovered that the grave had been
disturbed; examination was made, and the body was missing.
It was traced to a Medical School in Cincinnati, and recovered.

Second Generation

James Irwin m. Jean ; children: Joseph In^^in m. Vio-
let Porter; James Irwin, Jr. (died immarried); Archibald;
Elizabeth Irv\'in m. (l) William McConnell, (2) Aaron Torrence;

John Irwin m. Hage; Jean Irwin m. John Boggs; Lydia;

Martha; Margaret Irwin m. Thomas Patton; Mary Irwin m.
William Nesbit.

Third Generation

Archibald Irwin m. Jean McDowell; children: James Irwin
m. "Peggy Piper" Smith (widow); Mary Irwin m. Matthew
van Lear; Margaret Irwin (died unmarried); Nancy Irwin;
William Irwin m. Mary Smith; Elizabeth IrNva. m. Robert
Smith; Jane Irwin m. James Findlay; Archibald Irwin, Jr.;
John Irw4n (dro\\Tied in childhood).

Lydia Irwin m. Moses Porter; children: Phineas, Jean.<
-Martha Irwin m. George Paull; children: James m. Eliza-
beth Rogers; Marym. Joseph Torrence ; Elizabeth m. Andrew
Byers; Jean m. George Allen.

Fourth Generation

Nancy Irwin (daughter of Archibald 1st) m. William Findlay;
children: Samuel, James, Archibald Irwin, Jane, John King,
Robert Smith.

James Irwin of the Conococheague Settlement 187

Archibald Irwin, Jr., m. (l) Mary Ramsey ; children : James
Ramsey (died unmarried); Jane m. (l) William Henry Harri-
son, Jr., (2) Lewis Whiteman; John Ramsey m. Anna Eaton;
Archibald Irwin, 3rd (twin of John), m. Martha Simiwault;
Elizabeth.

Archibald Irwin, Jr., m. (2) Sydney Grubb; children: Joseph
Grubb (died unmarried), William Findlay, Mary Jane (died
immarried), Nancy Isabella, Louisa, Sarah Ellen, Sydney
Grubb m. John Grubb.

Fifth Generation

(Nancy Irwin Findlay)

Jane Findlay m. Francis Rawn Shunk; children: Francis J.,
William Findlay, Casper, Nancy Findlay, Elizabeth Rawn.

(Archibald Irwin, Jr., 1st marriage)

Elizabeth Irwin m. John Scott Harrison; children: Archi-
bald Irwin Harrison m. Elizabeth Lawrence Sheets, descendant
of General Arthur St. Clair; Benjamin Harrison m. (l) Caroline
L. Scott, (2) Mary Dimmick; Mary Jane m. 1859, Samuel
Vance Morris, (she died in 1867); Carter Bassett m. Sophia,
widow of William Lytle; Anna Symmes m. 1869, Samuel
Vance Morris; John Scott m. Sophia Lytle, daughter of Car-
ter's wife; James Findlay (died in childhood); Jane Irwin
(died in childhood).

(Archibald Irwin, Jr., 2nd marriage)

William Findlay Irwin m. Harriet Whiteman; children:
Lewis Whiteman, Archibald Louisa, Jane Findlay.

Nancy Isabella Irwin m. Cephas Huston; children: Mary,
Jane Whiteman.

Louisa Irwin m. Charles Maclay; children: Sydney, John,
Archibald, Harriet.

Sarah Ellen Irwin m. Frisby Snively Newcomer; children:
Mary, Nancy Irwin, George Mears.

188 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

Sixth Generation
(Archibald Irwin, Jr., 2nd marriage)

Mary Newcomer m. Benjamin D. Walcott; children: Harris
Walcott (died immarried), Mary Gladys, Nancy Newcomer.

George Mears Newcomer m. Alice Vincent Kay; children:
Marjorie Newcomer m. Harry W. Rockwell; Martin New-
comer m. Edith Stacy; Vincent Kay Newcomer.

Seventh Generation
(Archibald Irwin, Jr., 2nd marriage)
Mary Gladys Walcott m. Frederick Dodds Rose; children:
Theodore Freylinghuyson, Walcott.

Nancy Newcomer Walcott m. Lewis Watson ; child : Walcott
Watson.

BENJAMIN HARRISON
Twenty-third President of the United States, 1889 — 1893

' BENJAMIN HARRISON
August 20th, 1833— March 31st, 1901

Benjamin Harrison, son of John Scott and Elizabeth Irwin
Harrison, was bom in North Bend, Ohio, and was brought up
on his father's farm. He was graduated from Miami University
in 1852. He studied law in Cincinnati but estabHshed his
home and his practice in IndianapoHs. He was a Presbyterian,
a ruling elder in the church. He married first, Caroline L.
Scott, daughter of a Presbyterian minister. Rev. John Wither-
spoon Scott, Professor in Miami University. His second wife
was Mary Dimmick. In the Civil War, he was colonel of the
70th Indiana Volimteers, brevet brigadier general. United
States Volunteers. He was in the United States Senate from
1881 to 1887. He was nominated for the Presidency in the
Republican Convention in Chicago in 1888, and was elected,
the twenty-third President, 1889 — 1893. He was renominated
in 1892, but was defeated by the Democratic candidate, Grover
Cleveland.

Benjamin Harrison delivered lectures on International Law
in Leland Stanford University, 1893—1894.

He died after a brief illness, and was buried in Crown Hill
Cemetery, Indianapolis.

(189)

ALLIED FAMILIES

FINDLAY

Comet Brown, active in the defence of Derr>' in 16S8, came to
America soon after this event, and settled in Philadelphia,
where he remained. His daughter, Elizabeth BrowTi, married
Samuel Findlay, who died, leaving a son, Samuel Findlay.
The young widow, with her son, removed to the Conococheague
where she became, by and by, the wife of Major James Johnson,
a Scotchman from Annandale, Dumfrieshire. They had four
sons, each an officer in the Revolution. Their son, Major
John Johnson, married first, Rebecca Smith, daughter of
James and Jermct Smith; second, Annabel McDowell, daughter
of William and Mary McDowell. Samuel, son of Major and
Rebecca Johnson, married Maria Buchanan, sister of President
James Buchanan. Samuel Findlay, eldest son of Elizabeth
Findlay Johnson, married Jane Smith, daughter of William
Smith, Sr., who was called "Squire Smith". Jane Smith Find-
lay died at thirty-five, leaving six sons: Jonathan, Thomas,
Robert, John, William, James. In the Revolution, Samuel
Findlay was quartermaster in the Sixth Pennsylvania; Dr.
Richard Bro\\Tison was surgeon. Samuel Findlay died in
1799, and was buried in the graveyard at Church Hill, the
\'ard of the original log church.

(190)

Allied Families 191

Thomas Findlay, son of Samuel, was brought up on the farm
at Mercersbirrg, as all the sons were. He married Ann Perry
Bell, of Hartford, in 1800. They had a large family, fourteen
living to maturity. Thomas Findlay was appointed post-
master at Baltimore, during the short administration of Wil-
liam Henry Harrison. One of his daughters, Ann Rebecca
Findlay, became the wife of James Findlay Torrence, whose
descendants are prominent in the lines of benevolence and
church work. Two serve important parishes in the Episcopal
Church; two are wives of Episcopal clergymen, one of whom,
Ann Rebecca Torrence Standring, is a missionary in Soochow,
China.

John Findlay, son of Samuel, bom in 1766, married Agnes,
daughter of Dr. Richard Brownson. She died in 1805, leaving
two sons and five daughters. Three years later, John Findlay
married Jane Bard McDowell of Mercersburg. In the War of
1812, John Findlay was commissioned colonel of Pennsylvania
Volunteers and marched to the defence of Baltimore. In 1821,
he was elected to the National House of Representatives, where
he remained until, in 1829, President Jackson, a personal friend,
appointed him postmaster at Chambersburg; a position which
he held until his death, in 1838.

William Findlay, son of Samuel, was bom in Mercersburg in
1768. He married Nancy Irwin, a neighbor, December 17th,
1791 . She was the daughter of Archibald Irwin, granddaughter
of James Irwin, the pioneer. On the portion of the home farm
inherited at his father's death, William and his bride commenced
their married life. He became a member of the Pennsylvania
House of Representatives in 1797 and was re-elected in 1803.
The seat of government was then temporarily located in
Lancaster. In 1799 he proposed the permanent location of the
State Capital at Harrisburg — which was accomplished in 1812.
He was elected State treasurer in 1807. Notwithstanding the
exercise of great care and watchfulness, spurious currency,
amounting to thousands of dollars, found its way into the
Treasury. The loss was promptly met by the treasurer him-

192 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

self from his private funds. When the fact became known to
the members of the legislature, they voluntarily refunded the
amoimt. From 1817 until 1820, WiUiam Findlay was Gover-
nor of Pennsylvania, elected by the Whigs. During his admin-
istration he laid the foimdation of the Capitol. In 1822^ he
became a member of the United States Senate, remaining for
six years. At the same time, his brothers, John and James,
were in the National House of Representatives — a circumstance
very rare in the history of Congress. At the expiration of his
term, President Jackson appointed him treasurer of the Mint
at Philadelphia; this position he resigned in 1841, and retired
to private life. His wife, Nancy Irwin Findlay, died in 1824.
His daughter, Jane Findlay, was the wife of Francis Rawn
Shunk, Governor of Pennsylvania from 1845 until 1848. At
the Shunk home in Harrisburg, William Findlay died November
12, 1848, aged 78. He was a type of noble manhood ; exemplary
in private and public life; devoted to the interests of his family,
his church (the Presbyterian), and his country. His handsome
portrait adds adornment to the walls of old Independence HaU,
Philadelphia.

James Findlay, son of Samuel, was bom in 1770. He mar-
ried Jane Irwin, a sister of Nancy, wife of his brother WilHam.
Without children of their own, they had five adopted sons and
daughters, relatives; one was Mary Brownson Findlay (daugh-
ter of John Findlay), who married Judge George PauU Torrence.
Another of the adopted daughters was Jane Irwin (daughter of
Archibald Irwin, 2nd), who married William Henry Harrison. Jr.
In 1793, James Findlay went to Cincinnati, then a frontier
fort, and became prominent in public life, filling various posi-
tions civil and military. In 1812, he was commissioned colonel of
the Second Ohio Volimteers under General Hull at Detroit.
He was a member of the National House of Representatives
from 1826 imtil 1833. He died in Cincinnati in 1835. Jane
Irwin Findlay shared with her niece, Jane Irwin Harrison, the
honor of presiding at social affairs in the White House, for one
month, March, 1841. She died in 1851, aged 82.

Allied Families 193

SMITH

Robert and Jean Smith removed to the Conococheague from
Chester County. They had a daughter Mary, a daughter Jean,
and a son, Colonel James Smith, who was held in captivity
by the Indians for six years. He afterwards attained fame
as "Captain of the Black Boys". He was said to have been the
first American to defy the authority of Great Britain in arms —
he boldly defied the English garrison at Fort Loudon.

Jean Smith married James McDowell, brother of Jean Mc-
Dowell, wife of Archibald Irwin. Mary Smith's marriage
linked two Smith families.

SMITH

James and Jennet Smith, immigrants from Antrim, Ireland,
settled on the Conococheague. A son, Abraham, was a Revolu-
tionary soldier and a member of the Supreme Executive Coun-
cil of Pennsylvania.

Rebecca, daughter of James and Jennet Smith, married
Major John Johnson, son of Elizabeth Brown Findlay Johnson.

William, a son of James and Jennet Smith, known as "Squire
Smith", married Mary, daughter of Robert and Jean Smith.
By this marriage the two families of Smith were united.

Jane, daughter of Squire Smith, married Samuel Findlay,
son of Elizabeth Findlay Johnson. (The Squire's sister, Re-
becca, had married another son of Elizabeth Johnson).

Mary, daughter of Squire Smith, married Captain Robert
Parker, a distinguished soldier of the Revolution, whose mother
was Elizabeth Todd, of the family from which came Mary Todd
Lincoln, wife of President Lincoln. Captain Parker's sister,
Elizabeth Parker, married Andrew Porter. She was the mother
of David Rittenhouse Porter, Governor of Pennsylvania, and the
grandmother of General Horace Porter, who recovered the
body of the long-neglected naval hero, John Paul "Jones".

Robert, son of Squire Smith, married Elizabeth, daughter of
Archibald and Jean McDowell Irwin. (Robert's son, William

194 Paull- Irwin: A Family Sketch

Smith, married Mary Johnson, daughter of Major and Rebecca
Smith Johnson. Robert's daughter, Sarah Smith, married
John Findlay, Jr., a son of Colonel John Findlay.)

William Smith, Jr., son of Squire Smith, married Margaret
(or "Peggy") Piper, daughter of William and Sarah McDowell
Piper . They had one child, Sallie Smith, who married Major
John Brownson, son of Dr. Richard Brownson. Sallie Smith
Brownson was the mother of Robert Smith Brownson, M. D.,
(major in the Civil War), and of Rev. James I. Brownson, D. D.,
a noted Presbyterian minister of Washington, Pennsylvania.

VAN LEAR

John van Lear came to America with an early tide from
Holland. His son, John van Lear, Jr., settled in Lancaster
County. John van Lear, Jr., had two sons, Matthew and Wil-
liam, and a daughter, Sarah, who married William McMahon,
an historian of Mar>'land. Matthew owned a large tract of
land in Maryland, and built a fine house which is still standing,
on an eminence called "Mount Tammany". Matthew van
Lear married Mar>', daughter of Archibald and Jean McDow-
ell Irwin, in 1782. One of the Van Lears kxpt a tavern in Hag-
earstown, Marj'land. In 1775, Rev. Philip Fithian and Rev.
Andrew Hunter, on a visiting tour among the lower valley
churches, stopped over night at the Van Lear tavern, on their
way from Falling Waters church. When they offered to pay
their bill, next morning, the generous landlord said, "A minis-
ter's money would not pass with him". Matthew van Lear's
yotmgest daughter, Sophia van Lear, married her cousin, Archi-
bald Irwin Findlay, son of Governor William Findlay.

RAMSEY

Major James Ramsey, bom in 1751, lived at Mercersburg,
and built the mill now known as Heister's Mill. He removed to

Allied Families 195

Westmoreland County, and bought, at Sheriff's sale, land which
included the present town of Ligonier. Major Ramsey married,
in 1776, Elizabeth, a daughter of William Porter; she was
bom in 1754. From Ligonier, the family removed to Indiana
County, and lived near Blairsville, in a weatherboarded log
house of two stories, two rooms on each side of a hall, on the
first floor. Here a daughter was married in 1806, to Michael,
son of General Charles Campbell. Major Ramsey died in 1810.
By and by, General Campbell came "a-courting" to the pre-
tentious house, exciting the curiosity of the grandchildren, who
were keen for at least a peep, when their grandmother had
closed the door for a talk with the general. One of the ir-
repressibles managed, one summer afternoon, when the door
was left open, to hide behind a piece of furniture. After awhile,
old Maria called her — repeatedly called her. What in the world
should she do! She must not make any noise, she must not be
seen! She watched her chance, glided out, and ofl[ to the bam,
soon returning with eggs caught up in her apron, which she
opened before Maria, who held up her hands: "Bless yo' hea't,
honey I'se been weepin' my eyes out, thought yo' was lost —
might a knowed yo' was engaged in yo' fav'ite ocapation!"
The little egg-gatherer was privileged to witness, in 1821, the
marriage of her grandfather Campbell to her grandmother
Ramsey. Only the stone foundation of the house remains.

Sarah, daughter of Major Ramsey, married Rev. William
Speer, bom near Gettysburg, pastor of Falling Spring Presby-
terian Church at Chambersburg ; later, of the churches of Unity
and Greensburg, all in Pennsylvania. At Greensburg, Sarah
Ramsey Speer was killed by lightning in 1804. Mr. Speer's
sister, Elizabeth, who married James Buchanan, was the mother
of James Buchanan, fifteenth President of the United States.

John, son of Major Ramsey, married Jane, daughter of Mat-
thew and Mary Irwin van Lear. He laid out the town of
Ligonier, on the land purchased by his father at sheriff's sale,
in 1794. He kept a tavern in Mercersburg; later, removed to
Pittsburgh, and continued to be a hotelkeeper.

196 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

Mary, daughter of Major Ramsey, married Archibald Irwin,
2nd. They were the grandparents of President Benjamin
Harrison.

Alice, daughter of Major Ramsey, married William Johnson, a
salt manufacturer at Saltsburg, Indiana County, Pennsylvania.

Elizabeth, daughter of Major Ramsey, married Michael, son
of General Charles Campbell.

Nancy, daughter of Major Ramsey, married John Sutherland,
a Scotchman, bom in Caithness, living near North Bend, Ohio.
Nancy was his third wife. Their daughter, Mary Ann, married
Carter Bassett Harrison, son of President William Henry
Harrison.

James Porter, son of Major Ramsey, married first, Mc-

Landburg; second, Jane Young.

Elizabeth Speer Buchanan's son, James Buchanan, Jr., was
bom at Stony Batter, near Mercersbiu-g, April 23, 1791. He
spent his youth in Mercersbtu-g, where his father built a large
brick house in 1796. His mother died in Greensburg in 1833,
and was btiried in Waddell's graveyard, north of Mercersburg.
In 1848, James Buchanan bought "Wheatlands", a fine estate
near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The "Bachelor's Hall" was
enlivened by the presence of Harriet and Mary Lane, daughters
of his sister Jane, after the death of both their parents. Harriet
was a charming girl, attracting many admirers. Her uncle
cautioned her to receive attentions modestly, to keep humble,
and not allow herself to become engaged before her judgment
was mature.

Harriet accompanied her uncle to London, where they dined
with Queen Victoria and Edward, Prince of Wales. She
charmed every one, and her uncle renewed the warning. The
Prince of Wales (aftenvards King Edward VII) visited America
in 1860, and was the guest of President Buchanan while in
Washington, when Harriet Lane was "First Lady". The
President did not countenance dancing in the White House,
but his authority did not assert itself on the Potomac River.
Returning from Mount Vernon on a boat, Harriet Lane had the

f

; Allied Families 197

'.pleasure of dancing with the Prince of Wales. In 1866, she

; married Henry E. Johnson, of Baltimore.

When a young man, James Buchanan was engaged to Miss

.' Coleman, of Lancaster. She died in 1819, but he remained her

i lover to the end of his life. At the close of his administra-
tion, in 1861, he retired to Wheatlands. He was a churchgoer,
but not a member until 1865, when he joined the Presbyterian

' Church of Lancaster. His grave is in Lancaster, where he
died June 1, 1868.

COCHRAN

Among the families whose sturdy characteristics descended
with their sons and daughters, were the Browns, of the Conoco-
cheague, and the Cochrans, near-by settlers. John Cochran
was a strict Covenanter; with his family, he frequently walked
over the mountain to Marsh Creek Tent (Gettysburg) for Sab-
bath worship. The children were not allowed to pick the
huckleberries growing in thick clusters along their path. Mary,
daughter of John Cochran, married William Findley, of West-
moreland County, a captain in the Revolution ; later, a member
of Congress, re-elected so often, he was called "Father of the
House".

Eleanor Cochran was sent to the Conococheague settlement,
to the home of Captain George Brown, to attend Enoch
Brown's school. Eleanor married Joseph Jimkin; she was the
mother of George Junkin, who became a distinguished Presby-
terian minister, and the president of Washington College (now
Washington and Lee University) at Lexington, Virginia. At
the beginning of the Civil War, a secession flag was hoisted over
the college, which led Dr. Junkin to resign and come North.
In the roomy carriage, he brought his family to Chambersburg.
Two daughters remained in the South; Margaret, wife of
Colonel John Preston, and Eleanor, first wife of "Stonewall"
Jackson.

198 Paull-Irwin: A Family Sketch

The wife of the present minister at old Tuscarora Church,
(Rev. F. M. Woods, D. D.) is a niece of Dr. Jiinkin. Tuscarora,
near Martinsburg, West Virginia is one of a cluster of pioneer
churches founded by the early Presbyterian settlers in the
lower Shenandoah Valley.

BROWN

Thomas Brown was a pioneer settler on the Conococheague.
His son, Captain George Brown, married Agnes Maxwell,
daughter of William and Susanna Maxwell, of the Conocochea-
gue. Captain Brown had two daughters, Susanna and Sarah.
When Sarah was a child, attending Enoch Brown's school, Elea-
nor Cochran was her schoolmate and companion. One day,
in the spring of 1764, Sarah was kept from school to pull flax,
Eleanor remaining to help her. During the day, a band of
bloodthirsty Indians attacked the school, murdering teacher
and pupils! Two, only, were spared, providentially employed
in the flax field!

Sarah Brown married Captain Benjamin Chambers, son of
Colonel Benjamin Chambers, the founder of Chambersburg.

In 1776, Susanna BrowTi married Rev. John McKnight, a
native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, a Presbyterian minister of
tmusual force and ability, a conspicuous figure in the Church
during all of his ministry. He was the first settled pastor at
Elk Branch, another of the early churches, a branch of "Poto-
moke" Church, near Shepherdstown, believed by some authori-
ties to have been the first built in the lower valley. Mr. Mc-
Knight received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Yale
in 1791; was moderator of the General Assembly in 1795;
president of Dickinson College in 1815. He resigned at the
close of the first year and retired to his farm near Chambers-
burg, where he died in 1823, aged 70.

■ A MEMORIAL TO MY FATHER

GEORGE TORRENCE PAULL

SON OF

JAMES PAULL, Jr. ,

/

•n' I

^m