In the very ordinary stories of my 5th great-grandfather, a private in the Revolutionary War, lie the extraordinary heartache of war and a nation's westward expansion.
Gosh I have work to do on that one. Your latest article about John Hinkson had me thinking about that and another ancestor, John Bradshaw. He was, among other things, a scout for the Patriots in the mountains of (now West) Virginia and later a founder of the town of Huntersville.
I’ll get your latest article added to the Stories250 series shortly! I can’t wait for your retelling of this story in June!
That handwritten account is a great find! I cannot even imagine floating down the Ohio on a homemade raft. I grew up on the Ohio, been on it many times, and definitely would not want to be on any raft. That took a lot of courage.
Thank you. You never know what you're going to find out there. This was on Ancestry, attached to a record with little context. It feels like a child's report, but that's all I really know. Yeah, the whole journey was extraordinary.
Firewood detail may sound routine, but it was one of the most dangerous tasks in a Revolutionary War camp. Soldiers had to leave the safety of the encampment to gather the wood needed for cooking, warmth, and building shelters or defenses. Even with guards posted, these small groups were vulnerable to attack from Loyalists, Native allies of the British, or enemy troops. Many men were wounded, captured, or even killed while performing this essential duty.
Interesting. I didn’t really even think about that. Have you seen the other stories submitted for this Stories250 series? There are over 20 of them now … arranged into a Stories250-timeline and Stories250-map too. They probably look familiar. 🤭
Fascinating read and so much thorough research, really enjoyed this, Barbara! I love your teasers for future posts and the way you weave all your stories together. Several times I clicked through to read more, just the right amount of info for the story but I enjoy your related links, too to run off and learn more stuff! Now, to the timeline. 😆🇺🇸
Few soldiers served in the Revolutionary War as long as Private Ross. Not only was he in numerous battles, he was even a prisoner of war and suvived those harsh conditions. I would be proud to be a descendant of Ezekiel Ross.
Oh, Vanessa. I knew you were out there. I am indeed proud of him. I've noticed you dropping me little cookies to follow over on FamilySearch. Thank you. You're like my little fairy godmother of Genealogy.
Now I'm diving into some incredible Ohio land records shared with me by Crystal Lorimor based on BLM records... saving these now for another post. Oh... and YOU are going to love her coming talk on the Seven Ranges in Ohio, the first to be surveyed after the Land Ordinance of 1785.
Might be a longshot, but Wheeling, Virginia is now Wheeling, West Virginia, right next door to me. They have a fabulous local history section online. You might find details of the area when your family started down the Ohio River. https://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/research
I have a new post coming out about my Coffin ancestors, scheduled for release tomorrow, that focuses on William Coffin, Levi Coffin, Sr.'s dad, during the Revolutionary War. The family does come through Wheeling on their way to Indiana, but I don't have much detail on their time in Ohio. Perhaps that will have to be another episode. I still have another half-dozen to track through the same pathway.
Maybe I'll have to bring my own covered wagon to Ohio.
Ah, well, I’m not seeing the relationship… maybe? William was born in Ireland, 1787 (FamilySearch ID G471-ZQS). My guy was John Bradshaw from Huntersville in Pocahontas county West Virginia. He was my 5th great grandfather. Though born in Hertfordshire, England, he fought for the revolution (as a spy, which I think is cool) and was buried in Huntersville. His wife and my 5th GG, Isabelle McKamey, was from Virginia, as was her father who also fought for the revolution.🗡️ I’m thinking this was plantation life which… is another whole THING. 🤔. I haven’t even touched that yet.
What wonderful documents to work with - so often the pension applications are short and sparse. And the Ohio account IS delightful! Loved the storytelling and can’t wait for more!
What a great bit of research and story. His travels down the Ohio River sound so familiar to the research I’ve been finding.
Gosh I have work to do on that one. Your latest article about John Hinkson had me thinking about that and another ancestor, John Bradshaw. He was, among other things, a scout for the Patriots in the mountains of (now West) Virginia and later a founder of the town of Huntersville.
I’ll get your latest article added to the Stories250 series shortly! I can’t wait for your retelling of this story in June!
That handwritten account is a great find! I cannot even imagine floating down the Ohio on a homemade raft. I grew up on the Ohio, been on it many times, and definitely would not want to be on any raft. That took a lot of courage.
Thank you. You never know what you're going to find out there. This was on Ancestry, attached to a record with little context. It feels like a child's report, but that's all I really know. Yeah, the whole journey was extraordinary.
Firewood detail may sound routine, but it was one of the most dangerous tasks in a Revolutionary War camp. Soldiers had to leave the safety of the encampment to gather the wood needed for cooking, warmth, and building shelters or defenses. Even with guards posted, these small groups were vulnerable to attack from Loyalists, Native allies of the British, or enemy troops. Many men were wounded, captured, or even killed while performing this essential duty.
Interesting. I didn’t really even think about that. Have you seen the other stories submitted for this Stories250 series? There are over 20 of them now … arranged into a Stories250-timeline and Stories250-map too. They probably look familiar. 🤭
Fascinating read and so much thorough research, really enjoyed this, Barbara! I love your teasers for future posts and the way you weave all your stories together. Several times I clicked through to read more, just the right amount of info for the story but I enjoy your related links, too to run off and learn more stuff! Now, to the timeline. 😆🇺🇸
<blush> oh, thank you, with this talented crowd of writers that means a lot. 🥲
Few soldiers served in the Revolutionary War as long as Private Ross. Not only was he in numerous battles, he was even a prisoner of war and suvived those harsh conditions. I would be proud to be a descendant of Ezekiel Ross.
Oh, Vanessa. I knew you were out there. I am indeed proud of him. I've noticed you dropping me little cookies to follow over on FamilySearch. Thank you. You're like my little fairy godmother of Genealogy.
Now I'm diving into some incredible Ohio land records shared with me by Crystal Lorimor based on BLM records... saving these now for another post. Oh... and YOU are going to love her coming talk on the Seven Ranges in Ohio, the first to be surveyed after the Land Ordinance of 1785.
(See https://creightoncabin.substack.com/i/172868950/thursday-october-at-eastern-time-projectkin-will-help-us-unveil-a-new-map-resource-for-anyone-researching-the-seven-ranges-or-ancestors-who-purchased-land-in-the-area-from-to-around-from-the-federal-government)
Might be a longshot, but Wheeling, Virginia is now Wheeling, West Virginia, right next door to me. They have a fabulous local history section online. You might find details of the area when your family started down the Ohio River. https://www.ohiocountylibrary.org/research
I have a new post coming out about my Coffin ancestors, scheduled for release tomorrow, that focuses on William Coffin, Levi Coffin, Sr.'s dad, during the Revolutionary War. The family does come through Wheeling on their way to Indiana, but I don't have much detail on their time in Ohio. Perhaps that will have to be another episode. I still have another half-dozen to track through the same pathway.
Maybe I'll have to bring my own covered wagon to Ohio.
Yay!!!
Ohio county West Virginia…go figure. Very 😎 cool. Fantastic website and app!
Ohhhhh and I have another whole line there… the Bradshaws. I can’t wait!
If you have a William Bradshaw and Harriet Carter Bradshaw, let me know. They are buried close to me.
Ah, well, I’m not seeing the relationship… maybe? William was born in Ireland, 1787 (FamilySearch ID G471-ZQS). My guy was John Bradshaw from Huntersville in Pocahontas county West Virginia. He was my 5th great grandfather. Though born in Hertfordshire, England, he fought for the revolution (as a spy, which I think is cool) and was buried in Huntersville. His wife and my 5th GG, Isabelle McKamey, was from Virginia, as was her father who also fought for the revolution.🗡️ I’m thinking this was plantation life which… is another whole THING. 🤔. I haven’t even touched that yet.
What wonderful documents to work with - so often the pension applications are short and sparse. And the Ohio account IS delightful! Loved the storytelling and can’t wait for more!
You're so encouraging, thank you.
You have several primary sources here, a very good thing, Barbara!