USA > Virginia > Gleanings of Virginia history. An historical and genealogical collection, largely from original sources > Part 14
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A LIST OF THE OFFICERS OF THE VIRGINIA LINE WHO SERVED AT THE SIEGE OF YORK, OCTOBER 30TH, 1781.
Lt .- Colonel Gaskens. Cr. as received by Cap. Parker. Major Willes .*
Not credited.
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GLEANINGS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY.
Major Paulson. Credited on settlement with Audrs. Va.
Not mentioned of whom received.
Capts. Overton,
ditto.
ditto.
Capt. Thos. Parker, of 2d V. Regt.
ditto.
ditto.
Woodson,
ditto.
ditto. \ each 666.8
Lamme,
ditto.
ditto. 5 dollars.
Fields,
ditto.
ditto.
Williams,
ditto.
ditto.
Lovely,
ditto.
ditto.
Warman,*
ditto.
ditto.
Crane,*
Russell, t Credited with the Audrs. Virg., 66§8.
Alex. Parker,
ditto.
Delplane,
ditto.
Mayborn,
ditto.
each 66§§ Dollars.
Coverly,
ditto.
Andw. Lewis,
ditto.
LIST OF OFFICERS.
Lieuts.
Askredge,
Audrs. Va.
Stokely,#
Scarborough, 6682.
Miller,§
Hays, ţ
Clayton,*
Darby .* #
Ensigns
Barbour,*
Eustace .*
Cap. Thos. Payne. 666.º.
* Not credited.
t Do. settled with me nor Cr. with Auditors.
# Not settled with me.
¿ Lieutenant William Miller, of Artillery, has credited on settlement with Audrs. Virg. sundries received at York Town to the amount of £22 78. 10d., Va. Currency, equal to 47 57 dollars.
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GARRISON AT WEST POINT.
Lieut. Jno. Harris, dragoons, cred. with A. Dunscomb. Trabue, ditto. ditto.
Bailis .*
Chaplains Alexander Balmain,* John Hart .*
Surgeon George Monro, Audrs. Va.
Do. mate George Yates .* Total, 35.
The above is a Copy of a list of officers Contained among the papers of Capt. Williams, of the Maryland line, and who received goods of him at Yorktown, in Virginia, the Vouchers for which he says he delivered to Col. Carrington, Agreeably to a General order.
June 28th, 1785.
JOHN WHITE, Ast. Comiss.
GARRISON AT WEST POINT, JUNE 21, 1784.
GARRISON OF WEST POINT, - June 21st, 1784.
Sir : We the late officers of the American Army, deranged by the Resolution of Congress of the 2nd instant having been reduced to the necessity of adopting a measure, which may possibly by some be thought unjustifiable without the motives and reasons of our conduct being fully explained have thonght proper in this collective manner to communicate the transac- tion and the reasons on which it is grounded.
From the assurances of the Commander-in-Chief, and the other characters who were intrusted by Congress to arrange the troops who were to remain in service after the 1st of Jan- uary, 1784, and in whom we placed the fullest confidence, we
* Not credited.
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GLEANINGS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY.
had every prospect of Punctual Payment for our Services. With this view we gave up every idea of business and were at very great Expense in making our arrangements as military Characters. Having made every Preparation for the year The Resolution of Congress which dismissed us, arrived at a very unexpected period. Being made however by the Sov- ereign power of the Country we acquiessed with that cheerfull- ness and obedience which becomes Servants of the public. The same Resolution of Congress by which we obtained our dismission granted us only two months pay in notes of the Financier, and directed final settlement Certificates for the discharge of the other four-upon an adjustment of our accounts we found this sum by no means sufficient to satisfy those demands which had necessarily incurred during a ser- vice of six months. In a situation so distressing we looked around for a possibility of Relief-Nothing presented itself but an order on Mr. Lovell, which you had placed in the hands of the Pay master for the officers subsistence, after de- ducting three months subsistence for those who were to remain in service, including the Invalids we found there was a sufficient sum to furnish us with six weeks pay, and on an application to the person with whom it was intrusted for the purpose of exchange, he delivered the money, taking our re- ceipts to that amount received of the Regimentel Pay Master on account of our four months pay for the year 1784.
Thus Sir have we stated to you in the clearest manner the measures we have taken and the necessity which induced them. We fully persuaded ourselves they will be considered as perfectly just on our part and meet the approbation of all Concerned.
We are, Sir, with great regard and Esteem,
Your most obedient humble Servants, NAT. STONE, HENRY JACKSON,
JOB. SUMMER, C. GIBBS,
ISAAC FORYE, WM. HUTT,
NATHAN LEAVENWORTH, G. BAUMAN,
-
231
GARRISON AT WEST POINT.
JOHN MILLS,
J. WOFFY,
JONATHAN HASKELL,
S. HUKSON,
GAM. BRADFORD,
E. FENNO,
JAMES SAWYER,
WM. RICHARD,
C. SELDEN,
JOSEPH BLISS,
JOSEPH POTTER,
CALEB SWAN,
I. MORROW,
JOHN ADAMS,
HENRY NELSON,
JAMES SEVER,
H. CUNNINGHAM,
E. HASKELL,
THOMAS SMITH,
J. LARD,
JOHN REED,
ROBT. H. W. BOWLES,
P. PHELON,
JAMES BRADFORD.
On the back of the above letter the following is written : From the late officers of the Garrison at West Point, July 11, 1784.
WEST POINT.
West Point, the seat of the United States Military Academy, is situated on the Hudson River, 52 miles north of New York City.
Its importance as a strategic point for the defense of the Hudson river and the circumjacent country was early appreci- ated. Accordingly it was carefully fortified at the opening of the Revolution.
The establishment of a military training school dates back to 1776, when a committee of the Continental Congress was appointed "to prepare and bring in a plan of a military Academy at the Army."
Washington called attention to the subject in 1793 and again in 1796. The final act establishing such a school is dated March 16, 1802.
The accompanying letter, written after the close of the war and addressed presumably to the War office of the govern- ment, plainly indicates that official promises were not scrupu- lously observed, even by tho fathers of the Republic.
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GLEANINGS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY.
LETTER OF LIEUT .- COL. EDW. ANTILL TO PAYMASTER-GENERAL OF THE ARMY.
NEW YORK, July 17th, 1784.
Sir : Major Lloyd informs me you wished. for an explana- tion relative to some charges in my public account against certain officers then belonging to the Regiment. I will take up that of Captain McConnel for instance (the others are in the same predicament). I advanced Captain McConnel for the recruiting service at different times as per receipts 1104 dollars, together with twenty dollars as per memorandum Book dated in Feb., 1777. The whole of these 1124 dollars were given him from the time he received his recruiting in- structions in 76 to March, 77-In the beginning of March, 1777. I received a letter from Mr. R. Peters,* Secretary of war, dated Baltimore, Feb. 24, 1777, in the following words : "Sir, congress having received intelligence of the enemy's being reinforced in New Jersey Very considerably it becomes absolutely necessary both for the preservation of the army under General Washington and to check the progress of a cruel and remorseless enemy that he be joined immediately by all the forces that can possibly be procured. You have the resolve of Congress on that head inclosed by Direction of the Board of War with which they request you will instantly comply by sending all the men raised in your Regiment. Let them bring what Arms Blankets and clothes they have or can by any means obtain and the deficiency will be supplied at
* Richard Peters, a prominent jurist and agriculturist, was born at Blockley, near Philadelphia, August 22, 1744, and died there August 21, 1828. Lanman says 1824.
He spoke German fluently and was noted for his wit and humor. He achieved some success in the legal profession. At the opening of the Revolution he be- came a captain of a company of volunteers. This position, however, he held but a short time, when he was assigned by Congress to the Board of War, of which he was made Secretary, from June 13, 1776, to Dec., 1781. He was a member of Congress in 1782-3. From 1789 to the time of his death he was a Federal Judge in Pennsylvania.
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LETTER OF LIEUT .- COL. EDW. ANTILL.
Philadelphia or Head Quarters. Let nothing delay your im- mediate march either by companies or parts of companies as you can get them together as the safety of our country much depends on the exertions of its army at this trying period and it is hoped no care or pains of yours will be wanting when all we hold dear and valuable demands them. Signed Richard Peters Secry." Upon receipt of this letter anxious to comply with its contents, and unable to remove the troops without a considerable sum of money, they having received neither pay or subsistence since engaged, many of them in Nov. and Dec., 1776, I procured a loan from Lowman and Hubley of 6,000 Dollars, and from Mr. Atlee of 4,000 Dollars, 14th of March or thereabout, for which I gave them my Draughts on Con- gress, which were accepted, and for which sum I stand charged on the same day being hurried thro' my wish to meet the requests of Congress and not having time to take Receipts I began to pay out this money, and as I paid it Entered it in my book, I was obliged to received the money from those Gentlemen in such as they had, and I paid to Capt. McConnel that Day.
801
Continental Dollars.
49 Maryland Do.
58
Do Do
37 Continental Do.
55
Continental Do.
1,000 making in the whole.
Thus stands the matter as to this charge, and I am ready and willing to give you or Capt. McConnel any further light in the business in my power. The entry in my book is fair and clear, and I am willing to sware to the best of my knowl- edge and belief to its Justice.
I am with regard,
Your Very Humble Servant,
EDw. ANTILL.
١
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GLEANINGS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY.
The foregoing letter was addressed to John Pierce,* Pay- Master-General, Philadelphia, and seems to be post-marked New York, August 1st.
€
Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Antill was an officer in the 2d Canadian (known also as "Congress Own ") regiment, from the 22d of January, 1776, to the first of January, 1783. He was captured during his time of service, but was exchanged November 2, 1780. His retirement from the army occurred January 1, 1783.
The other field officers of his regiment in the order of ser- vice were :
Colonel Moses Hazen, January 22, 1776, to January 1, 1783.
Major John Taylor, Nov. 13, 1776, to -.
Major Joseph Torrey, Jan. 9, 1777, to
Major Tarlton Woodson, May 1, 1777, to March 1, 1782. Major James R. Reid, Sept. 1, 1777, to -.
Major Anthony Slin, to Jan. 1, 1783.
A. DUNCOMB TO JOS. HOWELL, ESQ.
RICHMOND, March 27, 1791.
Dear Sir : I suppose if I were to write you a letter in which you would be told that fate, fortune, or something, or some- body else has left, or given, or put in the power of you to command a good chew of Tobacco, that you would be atten- tive to give me thanks for the information. Why I thus write and why the real cause judge you? upon looking over my files I can boast of receiving one letter from you since my arrival at this place, but it is equal with other great men who
* John Pierce, from Connecticut, was an Assistant Paymaster-General in the Continental army during the carly part of the Revolution. He is reported, June 1, 1779, Deputy Paymaster-General; and on January 17, 1781, Paymaster- General. He died in New York about August, 1788.
235
LETTER OF A. DUNCOMB.
have not given me more-enough. Will you look into the return of Posey's Detachment? and there you will find that Capt. Scott was only settled for up to the rank of the com- mencement of his account-this happened in consequence of his having been Mustered on Command, which not being fully explained to me at the time the agent made the claim for all pay due the Detachment, remained to be settled thereafter, and various are the instances of after-settlements. to this and other matters let me call your serious attention. if you will examine thoroughly, you will find that I have lodged many accounts with you that remain as yet unsettled and which are the sources of disagreeable and fruitless applications. pray have all closed that can be and inform those that cannot, and give me a power of satisfying the minds and wishes of the needy and the concerned, for I am almost daily applyed to on one score or the other. Subsistence, Pay, &c., are the themes.
In haste yours,
[Signed] A. DUNCOMB.
Jos. HOWELL, ESQR., Acting Pay Master General, Philadelphia, Pa. [COPY. ]
Thomas Posey was born on the Potomac river, in Fairfax Co., Va., July 9, 1750, and died in Shawneetow, Ill., March 19, 1818. His education was acquired in the common schools. At the age of nineteen he removed to what is now West Virginia.
As quarter-master in Colonel Andrew Lewis's command, he participated in the defeat of the Indians at Point Pleasant, October 10, 1774, during Dunmore's War. The following year he was commissioned captain in the 7th Virginia Con- tinental regiment, and was present at the defeat of Lord Dun- more, July 8, 1776.
During the remainder of the war he served in New Jersey with Daniel Morgan and Horatio Gates.
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GLEANINGS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY.
The war having closed, he settled in Spottsylvania county, Va., and was made colonel of the county militia. In 1793 he was commissioned a brigadier-general and assigned to duty under Wayne in the Northwest. He resigned Feb. 28, 1794, and located in Kentucky, where he served a term in the State Senate. He was finally made major-general and assigned to the organization of state troops. Having removed to Louisi- ana, he served, by appointment, as U. S. Senator in 1812-13. Subsequently, he acted as governor of Indiana Territory to the date of its admission as a state.
His life was active and productive, the legitimate results of innate ability. In his sphere he was the equal of any of his contemporaries.
NEWMAN FAMILY OF VIRGINIA,
THE family name Newman is of the same origin as that of Newcome-" stranger newly arrived." It was originally spelled Nieuweman ; Latinized, Novus Homo. (See Patrony- mica Britannica, by Mark Antony Lower, page 237.) The original spelling would seem to indicate an Anglo-Saxon origin.
Among the members of the family who came to Virginia and left their impress upon the early history of the colony were Robert, William, John, and Thomas Newman. They were, doubtless, relatives of John Newman, grocer, a member of the London Virginia Company in 1609, and in all prob- ability came to Virginia at his suggestion in order to better their fortunes. Their descendants are now scattered through- out the South and West; many of them are prominent in the walks of social and business life.
First. Robert Newman arrived in Virginia in the ship " Furtherance," in 1618, aged 19 years. He was living in Elizabeth City county in 1624. On May 11, 1635, he ob- tained a patent for 450 acres of land, which he afterwards assigned to Richard Bennett. (See William and Mary College Quarterly, Vol. 9, page 139.) This is the earliest patent granted to any one of the name of which the compiler has record.
Robert Newman undoubtedly married and left, with other children, two sons, William and John. William was living in York county in 1698. (See William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 4, page 250.) It is believed that he married and was the father of John, who in 1709 was " summoned to answer a
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GLEANINGS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY.
presentment of the grand jury against him for absenting him- self from Divine Service." (York county records.)
Second. John Newman, second son of Robert, married Ruth Taberer, daughter of Thomas, of Isle of Wight county. The will of Thomas Taberer, dated Jan. 14, 1692, and proven in 1699, refers to his "son " John Newman, and his grand-". children, Thomas and Isabella Newman, to whom he leaves Basses' Choice. John Newman died about 1700; his will, bearing date Dec. 11, 1695, was proven in Isle of Wight county in 1700. In it he refers to his wife Ruth, and to his two children as son Thomas and daughter Isabella.
Second. William Newman, aged 35 years, arrived in 1622, in the ship " Furtherance " (Vol. 7, William and Mary Quar- terly, page 218), and settled in Isle of Wight county, where, on Aug. 26, 1643, he was granted a patent for 550 acres of land, situated " Northerly towards the Sunken marsh, Easterly upon a swamp, Southerly towards the lower Chip- pokes Creek." (See William and Mary College Quarterly, Vol. 9, page 144.)
In 1648, Sept. 25, George Codd confessed a judgment in favor of William Newman for 500 lbs. of tobacco, with costs, &c., York county, Virginia.
In 1658 " William Newman, as security for Gyles Thurloe, confesseth judgement to Capt. Gyles Brent for eighteen hun- dred pounds of sweet-scented tobacco and caske, which is ordered to be paid, with costs, &c.," York county, Virginia.
In 1662 William Newman served as a juror at an inquest over the body of a woman " accidentally shot by the glance of a ball intended for a wild beast." Whether he was Wil- liam Sr. or William Jr., son of Robert, who was living in York county in 1698, or what relation existed between the two, the writer is not informed. (See William and Mary Col- lege Quarterly, Vol. 4, page 250.)
[The will of William Newman, Sr., dated Jan. 20, 1669, was proven in York county court, July 25, 1670, leaving his wife Priscilla executrix ; from the will we infer he left no
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NEWMAN FAMILY OF VIRGINIA. 239
issue, his wife having been a widow at their marriage, with an only daughter Joan, who married Lawrence of Compton- Chamberlin, in Wiltshire, England.
Third. John Newman, aged 24 years, emigrated to Virginia in 1635 in the ship "Globe," and is believed to be the same John for whose transportation Capt. William Pearce was granted 50 acres of land the same year. (See presently.)
Fourth. Thomas Newman, the brother of John, came to Virginia in 1635 in the ship " Plaine Joan," aged 15 years. (See later.)
First. John Newman, as we have seen, emigrated to Vir- ginia in 1635, and settled in James City county, where on Apr. 1, 1644, Henry Thompson assigned to him one hundred and fifty acres of land, situated upon "Smith's Fort Creek, joining the lands of John Buckmaster, which was patented to the said Buckmaster, which patent was renewed to the said John Newman " in 1644; here he appears to have resided for about seven years, as between 1652 and 1677 he had acquired in the Northern Neck by letters patent, grant, and deeds, about 4000 acres of land, situated on both sides of Moratico Creek, in the present counties of Lancaster and Richmond. He resided near Tarplay's Point, then known as Moratico or Newman's Neck. He married, probably, a daughter of Paul Woodbridge (about 1655), in the then Rappahannock county. Issue: three children of whom we have record. His wife died before 1677, as she is not referred to in the will of her husband, who died during that year. His will proven at Tappahannock court house, Rappahannock county, shows him to have been a man of wealth, and refers to his children in the following order :
1. Alexander, " my oldest son," barely of age in 1677.
2. Samuel, a minor in 1677.
3. John, a minor in 1677.
SECOND GENERATION.
First. Alexander Nowman, Ist of John and his wife, nee Woodbridge, born about 1656, the same as "Captain. Alex-
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GLEANINGS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY.
ander " of the Richmond county records, married Elizabeth -, who was, probably, a kinswoman of the Brocken- broughs. He was a member of the House of Burgesses in 1694, from Richmond county, and but for his death at the early age of 42, would probably have achieved much distinc- tion. His will, proven in 1698, in Richmond county, is lost with will book 1, but the records that have been preserved show that he left his property to his cousin, Thomas Newman, and to William Dunn ; that he was a wealthy man of much local prominence ; and that he inherited his father's passion for acquiring land. He left no issue.
Second. Samuel Newman, 2d of John and his wife, nee Woodbridge, born about 1658, married -, re- ceived his portion of his father's estate in tobacco, the money of those days. In 1687 he was granted 559 acres of land in Henrico county, and in 1690, 292 acres in the same county. The date of his marriage, the name of his wife, and the dates of their death are unknown to the writer; lack of time has prevented a more thorough investigation of the records as to him and his family ; it is, however, certain that of his chil- dren there were the following sons :
1. Samuel, (See later.)
2. Jonathan,
Third. John Newman, the third son and youngest child of John, the immigrant, and his wife, - -, nee Wood- bridge, born -, was a minor in 1679, as shown by a deed of his brother Alexander Newman to Paul Woodbridge, his guardian ; is not mentioned in the records of old Rappa- hannock, Essex or Richmond counties after 1679; but the records of Lancaster county show that the land acquired by him under the will of his father was disposed of soon after he attained his majority. He is believed to have settled in Maryland, and to be the John Newman who was the pro- genitor of the Maryland branch of the family .*
* For his descendants, see manuscript notes by the Publisher.
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NEWMAN FAMILY OF VIRGINIA.
THIRD GENERATION.
First. Samuel Newman, 1st of Samuel, of John, the immi- grant, settled in the western portion of Spottsylvania county, and in 1748 he was administrator of the estate of his brother Jonathan, who died a resident of Augusta county. (See liber - -, Augusta county ; also, Liber 1, folios 100 and 220, Shenandoah county, Va.). In August, 1757, Samuel obtained a patent for 210 acres of land in Augusta county ; he appears to have removed to Frederick county, and after the organization of Shenandoah he was a resident of said county. (No further record.)
Second. Jonathan Newman, 2d of Samuel, of John the im- migrant, born in Lower Virginia, settled in Augusta county, where he married, -, Mary - Issue, two children :
1. John.
2. Walter.
Jonathan Newman died before Feb. 20, 1748, and after the settlement of his estate by his brother Samuel, his widow, with her two minor children, removed to Frederick county, now Shenandoah, where she married Mr. States, and where she was living in 1779. The records of Shenandoah county do not disclose any further information concerning her or her second husband.
FOURTH GENERATION.
First. John Newman, 1st of Jonathan and Mary, born in Augusta county ; m. Hannah - --. No further record.
FOURTH GENERATION.
Second. Walter Newman, 2d of Jonathan and Mary, born in Augusta county, Va. After the death of his father re- moved, with his mother and uncle Samuel, to what is now Shenandoah county. He was a soldier in Dunmore's war and a large planter. Married Catherine Issue, ten children :
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GLEANINGS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY.
1. John, (See later.)
2. Jonathan, b. -; was living in 1818. No further
[record.
3. Mary, b. -; married Daniel Moffett, born
Jan. 20, 1765, son of John Moffett. She received £100 by the will of her father.
4. Elizabeth, b. -; married Zachariah Hay. Ke- ceived £100 by the will of her father.
5. Catherine, b. -; married Bernard Peel. Received £100 by the will of her father.
6. Samuel, (See later.)
7. Ann, b. Received £100 by the will of her
8. Walter, (See later.) [father.
9. Lydia, b. -; married Benjamin Huff. Re- ceived £100 by the will of her father.
10. Margaret, b. - -; married Martin Ruffner. Re- ceived £100 by the will of her father.
Walter Newman, Sr., died in 1815. (Liber J, folio 391, Woodstock court house, Shenandoah county.) ITis sons, John and Samuel, were executors of his will. On Jan. 20, 1818, they made final settlement or division of the estate with his ten children, at which date all were living.
FIFTH GENERATION.
First. John Newman, 1st of Walter and Catherine, born in Shenandoah county, Va .; a member of the Virginia Senate for four years ; married Mary -. Issue, eight children :
1. Joseph M. In 1836, the date of their father's will, Joseph and George were students of med- icine at Orange Court House.
2. George.
3. Walter.
4. Catherine. Married Williams, a resident of Orange
5. Francos. [county.
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NEWMAN FAMILY OF VIRGINIA.
6. Sarah Ann.
7. Phoebe Ann.
8. John S.
John Newman died Aug., 1839. His will, bearing date Nov. 7, 1836, proven Aug. 12, 1839, is recorded in Liber V, folio 45, Woodstock court house, Shenandoah county. His wife Mary was executrix ; brother Samuel and sister Ann witnesses to the will.
Sixth. Samuel Newman, 3d son and 6th child of Walter and Catherine, born March 2, 1779; married, Jan. 2, 1806, Mary Moffett, born Feb. 9, 1782, daughter of the Rev. Ander- son Moffett. Issue, seven children. (From family record.)
1. Catherine, . b. Oct. 20, 1806. (See later.)
2. John, b. Sept. 25, 1808; m. Ethalinda Tilden, Apr. 30, 1839 ; d. June 29, 1869.
3. Anderson,
b. Nov. 5, 1810 ; m. Rebecca Dyer, Apr. 14, 1835 ; died Mar. 29, 1900.
4. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 3, 1813; m. John Moffett, Jan. 24, 1844 ; died June 11, 1845.
5. Margaret, b. Mar. 17, 1815 ; m. Corydon K. Moore, Jan. 26, 1841 ; died Feb. 25, 1895.
6. Walter, b. Apr. 6, 1817; m. Caroline H. Rice, Dec. 6, 1842; died Feb. 15, 1899.
7. Barbara Ann, b. July 14, 1819. No further record.
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