Adams County, Ohio Military History
Biographical Sketches of Revolutionary War Veterans
Henry Aldred was born in Germany. He was one of the first settlers on Brush Creek. He died in 1835, and is buried in the McColm Cemetery on Brush Creek. He has descendants living in the county.
Reverend William Baldridge, pastor of the Cherry Fork United Presbyterian Church, 1809-1830, was a revolutionary soldier. He enlisted from North Carolina in the cavalry and is said to have served seven years. None of his numerous and distinguished descendants could be interested in this work and hence we are unable to give his official record. He and his first wife rest in unmarked graves in the Cherry Fork Cemetery and the location of their graves has been lost. He served longer than any of whom we have obtained a record.
John Baldwin was born in 1756 in Frederick County MD. He enlisted in the militia in Jul 1776 for four months as a private in Captain Jacob Goode's company, Colonel Griffin, from the state of Maryland. He enlisted again 02 Sep 1777 for two months, as a private, in Captain W. Peppel's company, Colonel Johnson, from Maryland. He was engaged in the battle of Germantown. He died 04 Oct 1848 in his ninety-second year and was buried in the Kirker Cemetery in Liberty Township.
William Cochran came to the colonies as a British soldier with his two brothers during the Revolutionary War. They deserted soon after they came over, and joined the Revolutionary army, but we have been unable to obtain the Revolutionary record of William Cochran. There is no doubt, however, but what he served in the Revolutionary War, but in what capacity we are unable to learn. The facts as to his service are known through his family.
Ephraim Cole, father of James M., Leonard, and Allaniah Cole, and grandfather of George D., Alfred E., and Allaniah B. Cole, was born in Maryland. He enlisted 16 Nov 1777 in Captain Jonathan Drown's company, Colonel William Lee's regiment of Maryland troops, for three years. During his service he undertook to act as a spy, and got inside the British lines. He accomplished his errand and was leaving when he was arrested. He managed to create doubt in the minds of his captors as to his real character, and showed up his masonry. There being Free Masons among his captors, he was given the benefit of the doubt, and he was released and sent out of the lines. So we are spared a Captain Nathan Hale's story, which, but for his masonry, Ephriam Cole's would have been. He was buried in the Collings Cemetery, south of West Union.
James Collings was a private in Captain John Lynch's company, Fifth Maryland regiment, commanded by Colonel William Richardson. He served from 18 Jan 1777 until 16 Aug 1780. He removed to Adams County in 1794, and is buried in the Collings Cemetery, east of West Union.
Daniel Copple served as a private in the German battalion of the continental troops, revolutionary army. He was a member of Captain Daniel Burchart's company between 04 Oct 1776 and Jul 1777. He was on the rolls of Captain Peter Boyer's company from Aug 1777 to Jun 1779. His name appears as Daniel Kettle on the rolls of Captain Michael Boyer's company from Nov 1779 to Dec 1780. He was enlisted for the war. This battalion was raised from the several colonies. There were four companies from Pennsylvania and four from Maryland. Daniel Copple, a former resident of Liberty Township, Adams County, was his grandson and Mrs. M. J. Earley, of Red Oak OH, is his great-granddaughter. He is buried in the Dutch graveyard in Liberty Township, together with his wife, and his grave is unmarked. He could speak only a few words of English and that with great difficulty.
Jesse Edwards was born 03 Apr 1754 in the state of Maryland. When a boy he was bound out to a farmer by the name of Clulls, living in West Virginia. He enlisted as a soldier of the Revolutionary War May 1776 for two months, as a private of Captain William MeCalla's company; colonel not stated. At the time of this enlistment, he was from the state of Pennsylvania. He enlisted again from the state of Pennsylvania in Jul 1776, for six months, as a private in Captain Thomas Craig's company, Colonel Nathaniel Baxter. He enlisted a third time from the state of Virginia 17 Jul 1781, for two months, as a private of Captain Beaver's company; colonel not stated. He was engaged in the battles of Staten Island and Fort Washington, at which place he was made a prisoner. At the time of his first enlistment he was a resident of Bucks County PA, and at the time of his last enlistment a resident of Loudon County VA. He applied for a pension 25 Oct 1832, and at that time resided in Jefferson Township, Adams County OH, being the age of seventy-six years. He obtained a land warrant and exchanged it for land near New York City, which he leased for ninety-nine years. After the Revolution he first came to Kentucky and married a widow by the name of Skilman. She was a slave holder and he and she separated and were divorced. He then came to Adams County and married a Miss Beatman. He settled on Scioto Brush Creek on the site of the village of Rarden in Adams County, but a resurvey of the county put the place in Scioto County. He reared a large family, and his wife died in 1840 at Isma Freeman's near Otway. From that time until his death he made his home with John Edwards, a grandson. His death occurred 02 Nov 1856 at the great age of 101 years, 7 months and 29 days. His descendants made an effort to recover his New York property, but failed on account of being unable to establish their identity.
Edward Evans was a revolutionary soldier, great-grandfather of one of the editors of this work. He is buried in the village cemetery at Russellville and his grave is marked as that of a revolutionary soldier.
William Falls, a revolutionary soldier, is buried near the Cedar College school house on the hill just opposite the mouth of Beasley Fork.
William Faulkner was born in Ireland. He was said to have been a captain. He was married, and lived at the mouth of Brush Creek. He was a Catholic, and is buried near his former residence. William Faulkner is buried in Monroe Township.
Charles Fields, a revolutionary soldier, was born in Ireland in 1739. He served during the entire war. He married Grizzel Hemphill, and moved to Ohio in 1798, and was one of the first settlers on Beasley's Fork. He never had any children. He died in 1822 at the age of eighty-three. He never applied for a pension, and could not have obtained it for reasons hereinafter shown. His wife died the day before he did, and both are buried on the Miller farm in Monroe Township.
William Floyd was born in Virginia in 1739. He was a recruit under General Daniel Morgan, and was said to be his illegitimate son. He was made a prisoner and confined in Quebec but escaped. A hue and cry was raised after him, and he joined in the chase, and cried out "Here he is!" He made good his escape and followed the stars. He went around Lake Champlain on foot. He married Elizabeth Goodie. They had a daughter, who married a Taylor. Floyd located on Brush Creek and died 09 Dec 1833, and is buried on P. Young's farm near the Cedar College school house. A rail pen marks his grave.
Nathaniel Foster was born 07 Feb 1760 in Morris County NY. He removed to Bucks County PA in 1776, and thence to Hampshire County VA in 1780; thence to Bourbon County KY in 1791, and to Adams County OH in 1798. He enlisted in Hunterdon County NJ in Aug 1776, in Captain Tom Broeck's company. In 1777 he enlisted in Captain Bubonah's company, Colonel Moore, from Bucks County PA. In Apr 1781, he enlisted from Hampshire County VA, and served six months in all; two in Captain Thomas Anderson's company, two in Captain McCarty's company , and two in Captain Isaac Parson's company. He applied for pension 25 Oct 1832 at the age of seventy-two years. He died in 1842 and is buried on the banks of Brush Creek in the Foster graveyard. He was twice married. He had three sons and two daughters by his first wife: Samuel, Isaac, Nathaniel, Mary and Anna. His daughter Mary married Samuel Lockhart, and Anna married David Young. His second wife's maiden name was Cleveland, a native of Connecticut. She first married Henry Smith, a revolutionary soldier; and after his death, Nathaniel Foster. Of this marriage there were four sons and one daughter: Nathan, Moses, Jedediah, and Asa; the daughter's name is at present unknown.
The records show that one Richard Grimes served as a private in Captain Henry Darby's company of Colonel Hazlet's Delaware regiment, Revolutionary War. He enlisted 31 Jan 1776, and he was discharged 31 Jan 1777. He was the uncle of the late Greer B. Grimes, of Monroe Township, Adams County OH.
Thomas Jack enlisted 01 Mar 1776 for ten months and was sergeant in Captain William Butler's company of Colonel Arthur St. Clair's regiment from Pennsylvania. He enlisted again in Jan 1777 for four months, and was sergeant in Captain Thomas Butler's company under Colonel Thomas Craig from Pennsylvania. He was engaged in the battles of Short Hills, Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. He was born in 1749 in Westmoreland County PA. After his colonel became a general, his regiment was commanded by Colonel Joseph Wood. He served under Generals Henry Knox and Daniel Morgan. He was married 07 Jun 1787 to Jane Kincaid, and he died 09 Aug 1831. He was a pensioner of the war of the revolution under the act of 18 Mar 1818, and his widow also received a pension.
John Killin was born 1755 near Carlisle PA. He enlisted in Feb 1776 for fourteen months in Captain Robert Adams' company, Colonel Irwin's regiment. In the fall of 1777, he enlisted for two months in Captain James Powers' company, Colonel Watt's regiment. In the spring of 1778, he served two months in Captain Thomas Clark's company, Colonel Watt's regiment. Jul 1778, he enlisted for two months in Captain Grimes' company, Colonel Dunlap's regiment, and in the fall of 1778, he served two months in Captain James Powers' company, Colonel Dunlap's regiment. In the winter of 1778-1779, he served two months in Captain Thomas Clark's company, Colonel Watt's regiment. All these were Pennsylvania organizations. In all these services he was enrolled as a musician. He was in the battles of Three Rivers and Crooked Billett. He died 10 Sep 1844, aged eighty-seven years, and was buried in West Union cemetery. He was a pensioner. His wife, Rachael Harper, to whom he was married 19 Nov 1797, survived him and was pensioned. He owned a large tract of land east of West Union, and laid out Killenstown. William and George Killen were his sons and his daughter, Mary, married William Carpenter.
Thomas Kincaid was a sergeant in Captain William Henderson's company, and colonel in Daniel Morgan's rifle regiment from Jul 1777 till after Nov 1777. He was born 13 Dec 1755 near Richmond VA, and died in Adams County 03 Jul 1819. His wife, Mary Patterson, was born in Virginia 20 Sep 1757, and died in Adams County 10 Mar 1824. Both are buried at Winchester.
Charles McManis was a private in Pennsylvania militia, company and regiment not designated. His name appears among the official pensioners of Pennsylvania, War of the Revolution, Pennsylvania archives, third series, page 583. He was born in 1754, and came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1817. He died near Cherry Fork in 1840, in his eighty-sixth year. He entered the Revolutionary army in 1776. After his location in Adams County, he was a farmer, and is buried in the Cherry Fork Cemetery. He is an ancestor of former Sheriff Greenleaf N. McManis.
John R. Mehaffey was born in Sussex County NJ 31 Aug 1759. He removed to Cumberland County PA in 1774, and to Westmoreland County in 1776 and to Adams County OH in 1799. On 03 Jul 1778, he enlisted for four months as a private in Captain James Moore's company, Colonel John Shields' regiment from the state of Pennsylvania. He enlisted again 01 Apr 1779 for seven months as a ranger; captain and colonel not stated, but from the state of Pennsylvania. He enlisted again 01 Apr 1780 for seven months from the state of Pennsylvania in a company captain not stated, under Major James Wilson, from Westmoreland County. He applied for pension 05 Oct 1832, then a resident of Adams County, at the age of seventy-three years.
James Miller was born in County Tyrone in Ireland in 1740. He emigrated to this country just before the Revolutionary War, and served throughout the whole of it. He was six feet two inches tall, without shoes. He served in the artillery. He was never taken a prisoner or wounded. He never applied for a pension. Said he fought for liberty and obtained it, and that was all he wanted. He was married to Elizabeth Hemphill in New England. He located in Adams County in 1798. He had been a sailor, and knew the business of milling. He built the first mill in Monroe Township, and it is still standing. He twice walked to Philadelphia and back, and one trip brought two flower shrubs, which are growing and blooming yet. He had a large family of children, but only three reached maturity. His son William married Jane Morrison. His daughter Elizabeth married Christopher Oppy, and resided on Scioto Brush Creek. His daughter Hannah married William Stevenson, and lived on Beasley's Fork. Miller was a prosperous man. He was a Presbyterian, and walked five miles to church every Sunday. He died on Christmas Day 1830 at the age of ninety years. Here is his official record: Member of Captain Thomas Clark's artillery company, continental troop, commanded by General Henry Knox and Colonel Thomas Lamb. He enlisted as a private 25 Dec 1776 for three years, was a driver May 1777, and was Matross in Jun 1777. The last record of him on the rolls is 03 Jan 1780. He is the great-grandfather of Miss Mary Stevenson, of Beasley's Fork, who has taken more interest in preserving the memory of the revolutionary soldiers who died in Adams County than any person in the county. He is also the great-grandfather of Professor James A. Oppy, of Portsmouth OH.
Henry Oldridge, or Aldred, is buried on Ohio Brush Creek, either in the Foster or McColm Cemetery.
William Pemberton was a private in Captain Thomas Meriwether's company, First Virginia State Regiment, commanded by Colonel George Gibson. He enlisted for three years. His name is first on the roll 01 Sep 1777. He served to 01 Oct 1777, sixteen days, and last appears on the roll for March 1778, without remark, but it was known that he was in the siege of Yorktown. He was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He is a great-grandfather of Ezekiel Arnold, of Locust Grove, and an ancestor of all the Pembertons of Franklin and Meigs Townships.
Benjamin Piatt was born in 1763 in Virginia. He came to Adams County in 1810 and bought land in Tiffin Township. He was a first lieutenant under General McCullough. He married Polly Waddle in Virginia, and was a pensioner. He died in 1851, at the age of ninety-eight, and is buried near West Union, probably in the Trotter Cemetery. No stone marks his grave. He has a son, Benjamin, who was living [in 1898] near West Union. A daughter, Margaret Denning, lived near Stone Chapel [in 1898]. He had six children, three sons and three daughters. His son Jacob married Polly Trotter. His son John married Hester Black. Benjamin married Myra Bayless. Margaret married Newton Denning. Elizabeth married Lewis Trotter. Polly married John Black.
Peter Platter, the son of Joseph and Anna Barbara Platter, was born in the town of Saarbruck, duchy of Nassau, Germany, on 21 Sep 1758. He was seven years old when his parents came to America and settled in Frederick County MD. He was eighteen years of age when the struggle began between the colonies and the mother country. He enlisted as a soldier and served during the war of the revolution, participating in the battle of Brandywine and other engagements, and after seeing much service was honorably discharged at the conclusion of the war. At or near the close of the war his father, Joseph Platter, removed to Washington County PA. In the archives of Pennsylvania, second series, Vol. 14, page 768, is a record of Peter Platter, a private in Captain Robert Ramsey's company from Washington County, doing service on the frontiers from 1782 to 1785. In 1787, he was married to Sarah Crabs and in 1793, in company with Peter Wickerham, who had married his sister Mary, he emigrated to Kentucky, and from there came to Adams County OH about the year 1800. He settled about a mile southwest of Locust Grove and lived there about ten years, removing in 1811 to Twin Township, Ross County OH, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died 02 Jan 1832, at the ripe age of seventy-three years, and his remains now rest in the city cemetery at Chillicothe OH. He was a man of sterling integrity of character, and a devout Christian. He left behind him a memory highly cherished by his children and his children's children.
Henry Smith was born in Connecticut in 1760. He died in Adams County in 1802. He was buried in a field near his home and a stone marks his grave, placed there by his son Oliver. He came to the Northwest Territory in 1799 and bought 300 acres of land at the mouth of Beasley Fork. After his death his widow became the second wife of Nathaniel Foster above.
Charles Stevenson was born in Glasgow Scotland on 01 Jan 1759, and came to the United States in 1761 He enlisted 01 May 1776 for two months as a private in Captain Savages' company, in Colonel Ross's regiment. He enlisted again 01 Jul 1776 for six months as a private in Captain William McCaskey's company, and in Colonel William McCallister's regiment. He enlisted again in Jul 1778 for two months as a private in Captain McMaster's company, regiment not stated. All these were Pennsylvania organizations. His residence was in York PA at his enlistment. He was in the battle of Staten Island. He married 24 Sep 1791 to Margaret Kain. He was captured at Fort Washington in Nov 1776 and was a prisoner until Nov 1777. The British gave him bread with lime in it to eat, and he picked out the lime and ate the bread. He spent the winter of 1777, after released from prison, at Valley Forge. While a prisoner, the British offered him money to renounce his allegiance and to enlist in their army. He scorned it. After the war he purchased 300 acres of land in Venango County PA and resided there till 1818, when he came to Ohio. He was a weaver by trade, and followed it in Pennsylvania. Margaret Kain went with some other girls to see him weave. He fell in love with her on first sight, and afterwards married her. He had four children, three sons and one daughter. His son William married Hannah Miller and lived on Beasley Fork. His daughter Elizabeth married Charles Mashea and lived in West Union, His son George married Nancy Hemphill and removed to Illinois. His son Charles married Christina Collings and lived on Beasley's Fork. Our subject was -a devoted Presbyterian, and would walk five miles every Sunday to church. He died 13 Apr 1841, and is buried in the Ralston graveyard. He is the great-grandfather of Miss Mary Stevenson, of Beasley Fork, of Adams County, who has furnished the editors of this work more information in regard to the revolutionary soldiers than any other person.
John Stivers was the grandfather of A. J. Stivers of Ripley, and great-grandfather of Frank Stivers, the banker, of Ripley, and also of Emmons B. Stivers, one of the editors of this work. He enlisted May 1780, at the age of fifteen, for five months, as a private in Captain Robert Daniel's company, Colonel Spencer, from the state of Virginia. He enlisted again Jun 1781, for three months, as a private in Robert Harris's company. At the time of his enlistment, he was a resident of Spottsylvania County VA. He applied for pension 15 Oct 1832, and resided at that time in Sprigg Township, Adams County OH. He died at the age of sixty-four years, and is buried at Decatur, Brown County OH.
John Treber, father of Jacob Treber, was a revolutionary soldier. He located where William Treber now resides, in 1796, and there he died. He is buried in the family cemetery on the farm.
Elijah Walden was born 24 Aug 1762 in Prince William County VA, a son of John Walden. He enlisted in early April 1778 for eighteen months in Captian Payton's Troop of Light Horse (cavalry), which became part of Major Henry Lee's Legion. He then served in the infantry under Captain Rudolph until July 1781. Elijah was involved in many skirmishes, the most notable of which was the Storming of Stony Point under the leadership of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. After the war he moved to Fayette County PA, where he married Mary Phillips, daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Theophilus Phillips. He removed to Adams County OH in 1796, where he lived until his death in 1833. He and his wife, Mary, are buried at Copas Cemetary. Elijah is listed in the Virginia military rolls and his service has been recognized by the D.A.R. His grandson, Samuel Cramer Walden, served in Company H, 182 O.V.I.
Thomas Waters is buried in Monroe Township.
James Williams was born on 22 Feb 1759 in Chester County PA. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, he resided in Washington County MD. In the fall of 1777, he enlisted in Captain Jacob Louder's company of the state of Maryland for a term of four months. The colonel of this regiment is not stated. In the year of 1778, he removed to Washington County PA, and in Oct 1780, he enlisted as a private for two months in Captain Eleazer Williamson's company; Colonel David Williamson, from Pennsylvania. He enlisted a third time in May 1781 for four months as a private in Captain Timothy Downing's company; Colonel William Crawford, state of Pennsylvania. He was with Crawford against the Indians on the Sandusky River. This is the same Colonel Crawford who was burned by the Indians at the stake in June 1782. He lived in Washington County PA for three years, when he removed to Ohio County VA and resided there until 1793, when he removed to Adams County OH. He applied for pension on 25 Oct 1832, and it was granted the following year. He first settled on Ohio Brush Creek, nearly opposite the residence of Mr. George Bayless. How long he lived here is not known, but he sold or traded the land for the farm on Scioto Brush Creek, where he lived, until his death, in 1844. He is buried in the Copas Cemetery, near the hotel of Charles Copas. He has many descendants in the states of Ohio, Illinois and Iowa. He is a great-grandfather of James G. Metz, former sheriff of Adams County.
Reverend William Williamsonwas a revolutionary soldier. He is buried at the Manchester Old Cemetery and his grave is marked.
Richard Woodworth was born in Ireland in 1758. He enlisted in 1775 and served during the entire war. He married in Adams County in 1802 to Sarah Ann Robinson. His children were: Laban, Mary, wife of J. N. Timmonds; Wheeler; Nellie, wife of William Gilges; William, James, Richard, Sarah, wife of Samuel Shaw; Rebecca, wife of John Sparks. He has a grandson, George Sparks, at Rome, two granddaughters at Little KY, Mrs. Harriet A. Little and Mrs. H. C. McCoy, and others in Kansas and Illinois. He died in 1841 or 1842 and is buried on Blue Creek.
Benjamin Yates, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, died in Manchester on 30 Jan 1849, and is buried in the old graveyard there. He is said to have been over one hundred and fourteen years old when he died. He came from Meadville PA. He has no descendants living, nearer than great-grandchildren. He enlisted Mar 1778 for one year as a private in Captain Pichett's company, from Maryland, colonel not stated. He re-enlisted May 1781 in Captain Murdock's company; colonel not stated. He was wounded at the battle of Yorktown by a piece of shell. He resided in Frederick County MD when he enlisted. He applied for a pension 10 May 1834, at which time he was eighty-eight years of age. His claim was allowed. He died 30 Jan 1849, leaving a widow, Sarah Robinson, whom he married 16 Jul 1835. She obtained a pension as his widow.
From A HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO
from its earliest settlement to the present time including character sketches of the prominent persons identified with the first century of the county's growth and containing numerous engravings and illustrations
Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers [1900, West Union OH]