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Ancestors of Charles Edward Gillespie


Generation No. 8


      152. Johannes "John" George Minear, born February 11, 1730 in Michelfeld, Norbadin, Palatinate, Germany; died April 16, 1781 in Hacker Creek, Barbour Co., W. Va.. He was the son of 304. Johann (Hans) Gorg Minnir and 305. Anna Catharina Mayer. He married 153. Maria Ursula 1751 in Va..

      153. Maria Ursula, born Abt. 1738; died in St. George, Randolph Co., W. Va..

Notes for Johannes "John" George Minear:
Notes for JOHANNES (JOHN) GEROGE(MINEAR) MINNIR:
Notes on John Minear, born 1730 in Germany; His first 6 children were born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Pension Papers of son, David, also give his birth place as Bucks County. In 1773, John Minear first went to the area that is now Tucker County, West Virginia. In 1774 he led a party of 40 settlers to the Cheat River area. It is reported that he assisted Col. Joseph Cresap survey land in Holly Meadows, (now Tucker County) in 1774 and while there saw the Cheat River Valley. About 1774 he brought a colony from the South Branch, (Hampshire County), to Tucker County and built a Fort on the land later owned by S. E. Parsons. On account of Indian trouble the entire colony went back to Hampshire County but returned to Tucker County and went to the south branch of the Potomac River in 1776. This latter date is definitely known, for it that year John made a settlement and built a fort on Miller Run, the site of the present day, St. George. But in 1775 he had settled a tenant on some land in the Tygert's Valley (now Barbour County) at the mouth of Pleasant Creek. In 1781 he obtained title to both these tracts. (his reason for not staying on the land where the first fort was built in 1774 was that James Parsons had made an improvement on it in 1769 which gave him a claim to the land. Several families came with John , among them were two Millers, Cooper, Salathiel Goff and two Camerons. John's first land was along the north side of the Cheat River and extended down the River about 2 miles. South of the River, but a mile or so lower down, was the land of his son Jonathan; Coopers land was two miles still further down at the foot of Miller Hill; Cameron located on the opposite side of the River from Miller Hill; Salathiel Goff's land was just above that of John Minear. These locations are mentioned to help locate the grants of land to the Minear's. John Minear seems to have been the leader of the settlers and on him placed the general management of the colony. Fort Minear was built with logs, notched and fitted close together so the Indians could not shoot between the crevices; there was no windows and light came through port holes, as openings between the logs were called. The door was of heavy split boards thick enough to stop bullets. The chimneys were on the inside so Indians could not climb them; the fort was surrounded by palisades or line of stout posts fitted closely together and about twelve feet high. The colony prospered for about four years with but little disturbance from but much fear of the Indians. In 1776 John built the first saw mill west of the Alleghenies, carrying machinery piece by piece from near Red Horse, Maryland. He was killed by Shawnee Indians at Hackers Creek, Randolph County, West Virginia, April 5, 1781. He was returning from Clarksburg, where he filed land claims (Harrison County, West Virginia, Land Entry Book 1:52-53). The Minear Farm, at St. George, West Virginia, contains 400 acres. It is still believed to be in the family to this day. It is better now than when it was first formed. John's birth name was "JOHANNES GEORGE MINNIR"

From the book "The Monongalia Story - A Bicentennial History, II the
Pioneers", by Earl L. Core, p.p. 74-76:

"Battle at Pringle's Ford. On April 5, six men from the Fort Minear settlement (now Saint George) were returning home on horseback from Clarksburg, where they had appeared before the board of land
commissioners. They had located on valuable lands in the Cheat River valley and wanted to establish their ownership. The party was composed of John Minear, Daniel Cameron, Frederick Cooper, Salathiel Goff, Andrew Miller, and Henry Miller.
The trail ("Pringle's Packroad") from the West Fork and Buckhannon River areas crossed the Tygart Valley River at what was called Pringle's Ford (just below present Philippi); Ford Run flows into the river at that point. Here the Indians, hiding in thickets, ambushed the party.
Fansler tells the story: 'The Indians....had been on a raid... where they killed several persons, and practically exterminated the Schoolcraft family, fifteen of which had either ben killed or carried into captivity within a space of seven years....
'The Indians hung a leather gun-case over the trail and positioned themselves in the thickets on either side. The Minear party....were riding single file with Minear in the lead. He was almost beneath the decoy when he saw it and stopped, which also halted the five riders behind him. The fact of an ambush flashed to his mind and he yelled out 'Indians!' but, too late, the momentary halt had given the Indians time to aim and, as Minear called out, the firing commenced. Horses and men fell together, Minear, Cameron and Cooper being killed on the spot. Goff and Andrew Miller were unhorsed and took to the woods. Henry Miller, who was riding the rear file, turned and fled back to Clarksburg without much
difficulty, since he was mounted on a fleet horse and the Indians were afoot.
Andrew Miller ran up a steep hill with several Indians in pursuit, armed with knives and tomahawks, and yelling and gesticulating wildly. Had they exerted their energy in the chase instead of using it up by yelling and flinging their arms about, they undoubtedly would have caught Miller, but he made good his escape by reaching the crest of the hill fist and, with a downhill run, was able to outdistance them while they were still struggling to the crest.
Salathiel Goff, German immigrant, soldier of the Revolution, and 33 years of age at the time, made one of those storybook escapes. He ran for the river, in the opposite direction from the Millers, under the assumption that if the Indians chased them all it would divide their forces and reduce their effectiveness. Several Indians pursued him, confident of a speedy capture. At the river bank he doffed his coat to swim and then perceiving that it would be useless to do so, tossed his coat into the river and crawled into an otter den that just happened to be conveniently at hand. When the Indians reached the bank above him he learned, from their conversation, that they thought he had dived into the river and expected to see him rise at any moment. They saw his coat floating down the river and moved off to keep pace with it, thinking,perhaps, that he had either drowned or was floating beneath his coat. As soon as they were out of sight Goff crawled from concealment and headed for Saint George, thirty miles away, which he reached that night, bringing the startling intelligence of the massacre to the astonished settlers."

In book I of this five part series, titled, "The Monongalia Story - A Bicentennial History, Prelude", p.p. 320- 321, there is more: ( the parts in single quotes are italicized in the book, as it is taken from
another source, with the original spelling)
John Menior is in titled to four hundred acres of land in Monongalia County on Cheat River opposite the mouth of Clover Run to include his Settlement made Theron in the year 1776.' " John Minear was leader of the colony that settled at the mouth of Minear Run, Tucker County (Withers, 126). He supervised the construction of Fort Horseshoe and Fort Minear and was killed by the Indians in 1781 (Withers, 311; Fansler,
34, 53, 55, 58, 60, 61; Maxwel, 34-68)."
He is buried on the Frank Norris Farm above the B&O Railroad Bridge on Route 38 just across the river.
'Jonathan Manier is In titled to two hundred acres of land in Monongalia County on the Cheat River below the mouth of Clover Run to include his Settlement made there on in the year 1776.' "Tucker County. Jonathan Minear was a son of John (p. 320), and was killed by the Indians at Jonathan Run in 1780 (Fansler, 31-35)."
There is also a great picture of a roadside historical marker at Saint George. (this book was published in 1974). The marker reads, "FORT MINEAR Erected by John Minear in 1776, who with a group of immigrants later founded Saint George. Settlement attacked by Indian bands in spring of 1780 and in 1781. Minear and his son Jonathan among killed."


More About JOHANNES (JOHN) GEROGE(MINEAR) MINNIR:
Burial: Frank Norris Farm, 700 yards above the B&O Railroad Bridge

More About JOHANNES MINNIR and MARIE URSALA:
Marriage: Abt. 1750, Virginia


More About Johannes "John" George Minear:
Burial: Frank Norris Farm, 700 yards above the B&O Railroad Bridge
Note: April 05, 1781, Hackers Creek, Randolph Co., Va. Could be were he died.
     
Children of Johannes Minear and Maria Ursula are:
  i.   David Minear, born July 31, 1755 in Bucks Co., Penn; died November 20, 1834 in St. George, Tucker Co., West Virginia; married (1) Mary Ann Wiles Gilmore; born May 06, 1804 in St. George, Randolph Co., W. Va.; died September 29, 1882 in St. George, Tucker Co., (west) Virginia; married (2) Catherine Saylor April 24, 1785 in Harrison Co., VA; born December 10, 1771 in Harrison Co., Va.; died February 09, 1833 in St. George, Tucker Co., W.Va..
  Notes for David Minear:
Notes for DAVID MINEAR:
David was an Moravian Missionary. He did not live in the commune but sent his children to the Communal school. He bought the family farm on the Cheat River, at the edge of St. George, West Virginia. It stayed in the family until present day. He became the head of the family upon the death of his father in 1781.
He was a very interesting guy, and fortunately their is documentation on this. He was a Soldier, with Pension, in the Revolutionary War and Soldier in the Indian Wars. He came to Tucker County, West Virginia with his Father, John. In the spring of 1779 he enlisted in Captain William Haymond's Rangers where he served nine months and was discharged. In the summer of 1780 he was drafted and served six months in Captain Biscoe's Company under General Rogers Clark in Indiana against the Indians. After his marriage in 1787 he built a stone home in St. George, West Virginia, now torn down, in which school and church were conducted before buildings were built for that purpose. He died of Cancer of the Throat and is buried in St. George, beneath the Minear Memorial. He received a pension on Certificate No. 23, 565, Survivors File No. 15,932. His birth and death dates are given in Odie Chapman, "Cemetery Records of Tucker County, West Virginia".
His wedding ceremony was performed by Rev. J.W. Loofborough. In the days of his marriage the groom had to give bond that there was no lawful cause to obstruct the marriage. "The Bond" was signed by David Minear, Thomas Douglass, and John Haymond and witnessed by Benjamin Wilson. At the same time a certificate giving permission for the marriage was signed by John sailor, Eliazbeth Sailor and witnessed by Frederick Sailor and Phillip Minear; evidently John and Elizabeth Sailor were the parents of Catherine; Phillip Minear was a brother to David; Frederick Sailor was a brother to Elizabeth, Catherine's Uncle. (All these papers are on record in Book One, Page 37, Harrison County, West Virginia. David was much interested in the religious life of the colony. He went to the Methodist Conference "East of the Mountains" and had St George included in the Conference and a minister assigned to it. A separate room in his house was reserved for the minister on his visits and no other person ever occupied it.
David Minear built the first stone house in Tucker County. David was overseer of the poor in 1787 and Constable in 1789. In 1928 his descendants erected a large stone marker at his grave.

Following is a letter written by David's granddaughter, Mary Katherine
(Bonnifield) Swisher in 1914:

Though I was quite young when my grandfather died yet I remember him quite well.
He was a small man, very quiet, attended his own business and let others attend
theirs. He went to the M.E. [Methodist Episcopal] Conference more than a
hundred years ago to petition for a preacher in his back woods home. . . .

. . . Do not know how grandfather [David Minear] came to get the home place
[John Minear's homestead]. Suppose he bought out the other heirs. After he got
possession of the farm, he planted what was a large orchard for those days. Two
of the trees are still standing and bearing [fruit].

When the orchard was in its prime, I remember the red and yellow apples piled
about the old time cider mill with a hopper over two crushers made of wooden
rollers standing uprightly and with a beam to which a horse was hitched. It did
the work perfectly. The cider press was a separate
affair. A stout floor elevated a foot or two above the ground with a groove
around it near the edge to convey the cider to a point with a piece of bent tin
for a spout. On this floor was placed a layer of long straw; then a few inches
of ground apples were placed in the center leveled and rounded. The protruding
straw turned up over the apples.

Then more straw and apples till enough layers were made for a cheese containing
as much as a barrel of cider pressed out by a heavy beam. The end over the
cheese was placed in mortice in a tree or large post. Then heavy weights were
placed on the other end of the beam.

He sold the cider for $1.50 per barrel. Cheap! Yet a dollar stood for more
then than now. He built the stone house which stood where St. George is. It
served for a comfortable dwelling, also for a preaching place many years after
his death, and till the M.E. Church was built in St. George. He was decidedly
religious.

He died with cancer of the face [other source says throat cancer] and is buried
in the old graveyard on the home place. Being a pioneer and one of the few who
risked their lives, I think it just that his grave should be marked, at least by
a marble slab. But it is not!

While Uncle Enoch Minear lived, he kept it nicely fenced and cleaned up. He told
me not long before his death that he had a clause in his will that the stones in
the old house should be used to built a wall around the graves. But they were
not, but are in the abutment of the bridge across the river. Uncle Enochs
mother [Catherine (Saylor) Minear], wife, sister, and quite a number of others
besides relatives are buried there....

Pension Application of David Minear
for services in the Revolutionary War

Randolph County
State of Virginia

Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for the County of Randolph and State of Virginia on the 6th day of November, 1833, David Minear, a resident of the said county of Randolph and state of Virginia, aged 78 years and three months, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated. that in the year 1779 in the County of Monongahela in the spring of this year I volunteered in a company rangers commanded by Captain William Haymond. Our principal station was at Morgantown. From this place we were often out on Ranging Parties until the winter of 1779-80 set in. We were then engaged in guarding the fort or town until the spring of the year 1780. I was discharged having served this company of rangers near nine months. In the spring of the year 1780 after I had been discharged by Captain Haymond, I went to Kentucky in company with my brother Phillip Minear in order to explore and view that country. We arrived at the Falls of the Ohio where Lewisville now stands. We arrived at this place about the 20th of March. We remained in this neighborhood until sometime in the month of June or July when we were drafted for a term of duty the precise length of which is not recollected. A few days after our company was formed we joined the army under the command of General Clark and marched up the Ohio River to the mouth of Licking Creek. As the canoes and boats appeared (approached) the river they were fired upon by Indians and killed and wounded nine men of whom 4 were buried in the sand on the river bank. This attack was as well as this affiant remembers about the third day after the army left the falls.
From the mouth of Licking Creek we crossed the country then a wilderness to the Indian town called Chillicothe. We found this town evacuated by the Indians and the houses and wigwams on fire as the Indians had fired the towns before they fled. we stayed at this place no longer than to cut down and destroy the growing crops of corn which we did. We then marched to the Picua town about 12 miles from Chillicothe. At this place the Indians made a considerable stand as well as the affiant recollects. The battle lasted about three hours. At this time battle I believe there was fifteen Indians found dead, many having been removed as was the custom of the Indians to remove all their dead they possibly could I believe our losses was about 15 killed. We destroyed this town by burning the houses and we also cut down all the corn belonging to the Indians. It was supposed that at the two towns there was not less than 300 acres of corn destroyed. After the battle had ended we gathered all our dead and buried them in the floor of the Indian houses and then burned the houses down to disguise the graves. But the Indians made their boast afterwards that although we had been cunning in disguising the graves they had found them and had raised the dead and had scalped them. After the battle of Picua towm we marched back to the fort or station at the falls of the Ohio.
When this affiant was drafted he was placed under the command of Captain Brisco. This affiant also recollects that Col. Lyon was with the army as well as the affiant remembers this army was about one thousand strong when we left the falls but not quite so many when they reached the towns.
In the Spring of 1780 the Indians had attacked the settlements in Kentucky and had taken two stations and led the captive prisoners to the Indian towns. This as the affiant believes was the cause of the expedition of General Clark as described by affiant.
When we arrived at home from the expedition we were ordered to keep our selves in readiness to march at a moments warning as the Indians were expected to take vengeance at first opportunity and in fact it was but a short time after our arrival that they were again in small numbers plundering the country and in some instances killed some few who were hardly enough to leave the Fort recollect that about 4 weeks after the arrival of the troops at the fort there was a man brought in who had been killed by the Indians. His name I do not recollect. I was employed the balance of that year until about the first day of December in guarding the fort and making short excursions in the country at which time I was discharged by Captain Brisco having served six months. I then with my brother came back to the county of Monongahela in the state of Virginia. In the spring of the year 1780 the Indians made an attack upon the settlement of Cheat River and killed first Barney Sims. This happened whilst I was in Kentucky. In the month of April, 1781, the Indians again made an attack upon the same neighborhood and killed three men one of which was affiant's father (John Minear) Frederick Cooper and Daniel Cannon. This attack caused Col. Benjamin Wilson to order out the militia and affiant was drafted and placed under the command of Captain Salathieal Goff under whose command I remained during this term which as well as affiant remembers was six months. During which time they were employed in excursions in every direction for many miles around the fort and in guarding the fort and in going form one fort to other forts in the county. The fort to which this affiant properly belonged was called Manier Fort upon the land of the affiant's father (John Minear). In the month of March in 1782 this affiant was again drafted and placed under the command of the aforesaid Captain Salathial Goff and was engaged during the summer in rangeing the country form Manier's Fort on the Cheat River to Wilson's Fort on the Tigardts Valley and as far as Morgantown and Dunkers Creek and when not out on Ranging parties the affiant was engaged in in guarding the fort until the time of the year had expired when the Indians usually committed their depredations. When this affiant was discharged having served full six months. That in the spring of the year 1783 in the month of April as well as the affiant remembers on the 16th day the Indians again made their appearance and commenced their depredations on the affiant's neighborhood. On this day they killed and scalped his brother, Jonathon Manier. They the Indians took from his head a large piece of scull bone and stuck it in a stump by way of triumph. This affiant was again drafted and put under the said Salathial Goff and was again employed during the spring, summer and autumn of this year in Ranging and guarding the fort as aforesaid for the term of six months. When this affiant was discharged after having served full six months. From this period to the end of the war this affiant was often actively engaged in Ranging, spying and guarding the country against the depredations of the Indians.
This affiant hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Subscribed and sworn to the day and year aforesaid.
SIGNED: DAVID MINEAR

(THE FOLLOWING ARE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS NOT IN THE RECORD)

I was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania in the year 1755.

I have. It is in a book in my possession. Taken from the family record.

I was living upon the Cheat River in the county of Monongahela. I reside upon the same farm at this time but by division of counties now in the county of Randolph.

The first term I volunteered. Ever after I was drafted.

I am not certain that I knew any of the regular officers as I never served with any army except in Kentucky. I knew Captain Brisco, Col. Lyons and General Clark.

I never received a written discharge.

I refer to Thomas Parsons and Aaron Loughry as persons who can testify to my character and belief of service.

Sworn and subscribed this day above written.

SIGNED: DAVID MINEAR

We, thomas Parsons and Aaron Loughry residents in the said county of Randoph, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Minear who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 78 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion. Subscribed and sworn to this the 6th day of November, 1833.
SIGNED: THOMAS PARSONS
AARON LOUGHRY

And I the said Justice of the Peace do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation in of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that he above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and I the said Justice further certify that it appears to me that Thomas Parsons and Aaron Loughry who has signed the preceding certificate are creditable persons and that their statement is entitled to credit and I the said Justice further certify that there is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood of the above named applicant and that he from bodily infirmity is unable to travel (to the courthouse of the said county of Randoph from which he resides) 30 miles and I the said Justice further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of myself it the matter of the application of David Minear for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 6th day of November, 1833.
SIGNED: SAMUEL BONNIFIED J.P. SEAL

Virginia
Randolph County
I archibald Earle, Clerk of the county court of Randoph County hereby certify that Samuel Bonnifield before whom the above affidavit was made was at the time and still is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and that to all his acts as such due faith and credit is and ought to be given as well in courts of Justice as such and I do further certify that I believe the above signature of Samuel Bonnefield to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county this 30th day of December, 1833 and in the 58th year of the commonwealth.
SIGNED: A. EARLE, CLK R. C.

************************************************
The above was taken from the photostatic copy of the originals in the Pension Department in Washington D.C.
A letter from the Department Of the Interior, Washington D.C., states that David Minear (Manier) was granted a pension by certificate 23, 565, of February 28, 1834; eighty dollars a year from March 4, 1831; his record number is survivors file 15932.
This record enables any descendant to join the Daughters of the American Revolution or Sons of the American Revolution.
*************************************************


More About DAVID MINEAR:
Burial: Under the Minear Memorial in St. George, West Virginia
Cause of Death: Throat Cancer, as told by Hu Maxwell in the book, "History of Tucker County".




  More About David Minear:
Burial: Minear Cemetery, St. George, Tucker Co., W. VA
Note: October 21, 1834, Could have died.

  More About Catherine Saylor:
Burial: St. George, Cemetery, Tucker Co., W.Va.

  Marriage Notes for David Minear and Catherine Saylor:
Virginia
Harrison County

Minear, David married Taylor, Catherine on 07 Mar 1788 in Harrison County, Virginia
could this be catherine saylor?


  ii.   Adam C. Minear, born 1763 in Bucks Co., PA.; died 1838 in Clay Township, Kosciusko Co., IN; married Elizabeth Cobb 1792 in Harrison Co., W. Va; born 1768 in Bucks Co., PA or in Va.; died 1850 in Kosciusko Co., Indiana.
  Notes for Adam C. Minear:
Operated a ferry on Tygarts Valley River in 1792.

1 So far as known he did not get any land direct from the State Of Virginia but he obtained the tract in Barbour County, at the mouth of Pleasant Creek. This was deeded to him by various heirs of John Minear. The dates of his birth or marriage is not known. Many of his decendants now live in West virginia in Randoph, Barbour anbd Taylor Counties, though a large group (decendants of his son Isaac), live in Indiana. No record of hiswill has been located; his home place was purchased by John Howe Woodford, his son-in-law.

Mrs. Kathleen Mynhier Crady of Salt Lick, KY has information that Adam was born
in Bucks County, PA and died after 1838 in Clay Township, Indiana, where he
lived with his son Isaac, and that he moved to Indiana from Ohio in 1836. One
source lists his death year as 1858.

May be listed in 1850 census, Kosciusko Co., IN, pg 297 Warsaw

According to the 1830 Harrison Co., VA census, pg. 321, Adam Minear was 60-70
years old (if this is the right Adam) which would make him born between
1760-1770.)

There is a bit of information in the book, "A History of Seneca County", by
Warner, Beers, & Co, 1886. Adam is mentioned as an early purchaser of land in
Jackson Twp, Seneca County, Ohio, on September 8, 1835. The steady growth of
the city of Risdon (now called Fostoria), necessitated the addition of more land
to the village so in 1842, the first "Minear Addition" was annexed, and the
second "Minear Addition" was annexed in 1843.

Although Adam and most of his family moved on to Indiana, his grandson, Isaac
Jr, remained in Fostoria, Ohio for many years, before moving to Bowling Green,
Wood Co, Ohio between 1870 and 1880. Isaac Jr, both of his wives, and one son
are buried in Fostoria.
Spouse: Elizabeth Cobb
Birth: 1763, Tucker Co., WV
Death: abt 1838, Clay Twp., Kosciusko Co., IN




1860 Census: Tucker Co., West Virgina " SAINT GEORGE DISTRICT, SAINT GEORGE POST OFFICE"
Adam C. Minear
Catherine Minear
David/td
Enoch Minear
Mary A. Minear




  More About Adam C. Minear:
Note: 1770, Could be birth date
Occupation: 1792, Operated a ferry on Tygarts Balley River

  iii.   Jonathan Minear, born 1753 in St. George, Randolph Co., W. Va.; died April 16, 1780 in St. George, Randolph Co., W. VA; married Elizabeth.
  Notes for Jonathan Minear:
1 Killed by Indians in 1780, St. George, West Virginia. In Tucker County,West Virginia, below the mouth of Clover Run, he made a settlement,deeded to him by the State in 1781. He built a cabin on the land andraised a crop. By the time of his death most of the family had movedwithin or close to the "Fort Minear" on account of indications of Indiansin the vicinity. For some days there had been no signs of the Indians andthe settlers started back to their farms to look after their stock. (Itwas afterwards learned that the Indians had been watching the area for several days from the opposite side of the river.) Jonathan Minear, withhis brother-in-law, Philip Washburn, and one of the Camerons left thefort at sunrise, Cameron's farm was on the North side of Cheat River but Johathon and Washburn had to cross the river. When they reached thecabin, while Washburn went to the field to feed the cattle, Jonathon wentto the crib for corn to feed the hogs. As Washburn, with a load offodder, was passing through the fence bars he was grabbed by the Indians,Immediately there was a discharge of guns; Washburn saw Johathon running towards the river with a dozen Indians after him. He ran as though wounded, (he had been shot in the thigh) and th Indians soon overtook himon the river bank. Johathon sae he could not escape and , to avoid their tomahawks, ran around a beech tree to ward off the blows aimed at hishands. Several times they missed him and the marks of the tomahawks on the tree could still be seen as late as 1948, according to the book "TheDecendants Of John Minear". Finally his head was split by a tomahawk and a piece of his skull was fastened to a nearby tree stump. All this was seen by Cameron from the opposite side of the river. Cameron started atonce for the Fort to warn the men there but they had heard the shots and were already on their way down when they met Cameron. They decided that since both men were most likely dead the wise thing to do was to preparefor defence of those in the Fort. (they did not know a the time that Was burn was not killed but taken prisoner.) The next morning on going tothe farm they found the body of Johathon Minear but no trace of Washburn.By examining the trail of the Indians they found one track different fromthe rest and decided that Washburn had been taken prisoner. As soon aspossible the settlers, led by David Minear, Jonathon's brother, followedthe trail and on the second night caught up with the Indians. David Minear crawled near enough to spy out the positions and saw Washburn wasthere. The Camp was immediately attacked, two or three Indians killed and Washburn rescued. It is not known where Johathon was buried, but it is understood that it was east of St. George, West Virginia.
indicates that
on the 1780. pension his Homer Floyd is well Minear when John April were records, to be killed

Mrs. Kathleen Mynhier Crady of Salt Lick, KY has information that indicates that
Jonathan was born about 1753 in Buck County, PA and was killed by Indians on the
banks of Cheat River, near St. George, in Tucker County, VA on April 16, 1780.
However C.J. Maxwell's book states, "David in his application for a pension"
says Jonathan was killed April 16, 1783.

In 1789, according to the county records Philip Washburn was appointed
administrator of his estate." The marker at St. George shows the year of his
death as 1781.

However, his death from "History of Tucker County West Virginia" by Homer Floyd
Fansler. It is found on page 38. "However the date of April 16, 1780, is well
established because Daniel Cameron, who went down the river with Jonathan Minear
when he was killed, was also with John Minear, the father of Jonathan, when John
was Killed by Indians at the mouth of Hackers Creek in Barbour County, an April
5, 1781, a date which is definitely established by the fact that the men were
killed on their way back from filing claims to their lands. The claim records,
showing
the date of recording, definitely establish the date. Since Jonathan had to be
killed before John because Cameron was killed at the same time John was killed
and therefore couldn't have been with Jonathan at a subsequent date."

Spouse: Elizabeth

He was at least 21 years in 1776, for on that date he made a settlement in Tucker County below the mouth of Clover Run on land afterwards deeded to him by the state in 1781.

Child of JOHNATHON MINEAR is:
i. JOHN6 MINEAR.



  More About Jonathan Minear:
Note: April 16, 1786, Could be death date

  iv.   Elizabeth Minear, born Abt. 1774 in Bucks Co., PA; married Philip Washburn 1794 in Randolph Co., VA; born Abt. 1775.
  Notes for Elizabeth Minear:
The dates of her marriage to Philip Washburn are not known but she joined him in 1790 in a deed.


  Notes for Philip Washburn:
1 Philip was with Jonathon Minear when he was killed by Indians and Philip was taken prisoner in 1783. On April 29, 1789 he was appointed the administrator of the estate of Jonathon Minear.




  v.   Phillip Minear, born March 31, 1761 in Bucks Co., PA; died October 17, 1848 in Ross Co., Ohio; married (1) Agatha Jones April 11, 1785 in Harrison Co., West Virginia; born Abt. 1763 in Tucker Co., W. Va.; married (2) Winnie Farmer April 11, 1785 in Harrison Co., West Virginia; born May 06, 1767 in Harrison Co., W.Va.; died February 22, 1802; married (3) Elizabeth Ritchart March 24, 1803; born September 03, 1768 in Tucker Co., W. Va.; died February 27, 1855.
  Notes for Phillip Minear:
1 Philip Minear moved to Ross County, Ohio where he died October 17, 1848. Philip went with his brother, David, to Kentucky "to explore land" and was drafted in the Army. (See application of David Minear for a pension). He was recommended as " Lieutenant of Militia" in Harrison County (now Randolph) in 1785. In 1798 he sold Luke Bryan 300 acres, part of 400 acres William Haddox survey which he had leased. This was in Barbour County. at the same time he had 200 acres and 400 acres" by right of residence" on the Cheat River, (Tucker County), near the mouth of Buffalo Creek. This was obtained October 5, 1783. On March 6,1798, he made a deed to David Minear for 50 acres on both sides of "Minear's Mill Run" between The lands of Salathiel Goff and John Minear.
with 4 horses and 14 cows, while at the same time his brother David was assessed with 1 horse.



  More About Phillip Minear:
Burial: October 19, 1848, Springbank Cemetery, Pickaway Co., yellow bud, OH.
Note: March 31, 1763, Could have been born.

  Notes for Elizabeth Ritchart:
Her parents names were Christian Ritchart and Sophia.

  More About Elizabeth Ritchart:
Burial: Springbank Cemetery, Pickaway Co., OH.
Note: Spelling of last name could be Ritchard

  vi.   Mary Ann Minear, born Abt. 1775 in W.Va.; died December 21, 1858 in Athens Co., Ohio; married John Saylor October 16, 1795 in Randolph Co., VA; born Abt. 1771 in Penn. or Germany; died 1844 in Bath Co., Ky..
  Notes for Mary Ann Minear:
The spelling of the name can be spelled Minier or Manier.

  Notes for John Saylor:
There is a persistent tradition that John Saylor started up Saylor's Run, (near St. George, named after him) and was never seen again. As to the spelling of the name there is some confusion. In the original marriage record of David Minear and Catherine Sayor are found the signatures of John Sailor, Lizbeth Sailor and Frederick Sailor, but in all the land records the name is spelled Saylor.


  Marriage Notes for Mary Minear and John Saylor:
Virginia
Randolph County

Minear, Mary Ann married Taylor, John on 16 Oct 1795 in Randolph County, Virginia
this could be John Saylor.

  vii.   Sarah Minear, born 1779 in Tucker Co., W. Va.; died 1839 in St. George, Tucker Co., W. VA; married Benjamin Marsh March 14, 1799 in St. George, Randoph Co., West Virginia; born Abt. 1765 in Pennsylvania.
  Notes for Sarah Minear:
1 Sarah Minear and Benjamin Marsh's wedding was performed byRobert Maxwell in 1799. On October 22, 1798 David Minear sold his sisterSarah some land on the west side of Clover Run. John Minear (son of JohnMinear Jr.) sold Benjamin Marsh 149 acres "close to Clover Run". TheMarsh Family lived on this vicinity many years; some went to Ohio.Benjamin Marsh sold 149 acres to his son William who later moved toMonongalia County, West Virginia and later moved to California. Thisinformation is from Mary Olive Marsh. It is not know where Sarah andBenjamin were buried, but very likely on the old Marsh (later Auvil)place below the mouth of Clover Run.


  Marriage Notes for Sarah Minear and Benjamin Marsh:
Virginia Marriages, 1740-1850
List Benjamin Marsh Married Sarah Minear Mar. 14, 1779 in Randolph Co., Va.


  viii.   Samuel Minear, born 1780 in St. George, Randolph Co., Va.; died December 21, 1858 in Athens Co., Ohio; married Charity Gough 1801 in Va; born Abt. 1794 in St. George, Randolph Co., Va..
  Notes for Samuel Minear:
1 The date given for the birth of Samuel is 1780. If so, he was about a year old at the death of his father, and was born in St. George,West Virginia. His name does not appear in the early land transactionsfor he was not old enough. His place of burial is not knowm.

Last Name could be spelled Manier.



  More About Samuel Minear:
Note: 1790, Could be birth date.

  ix.   Katherine Mae Minear, born September 09, 1757 in North Hampton Co., Pa.; died 1842 in Barbour Co., W. Va; married William Nimrod Haddox July 14, 1804 in Randolph Co., Va; born March 15, 1758 in Tucker Co., W. Va.; died Bef. 1843 in Barbour Co., W.Va..
  Notes for Katherine Mae Minear:
1 Mary Catherine Minear and William Haddox seen to have lived in (now)Barbour County, West Virginia where several land entries are found.


  Notes for William Nimrod Haddox:
William served as a private and spy in the Virginia Militiaduring the Revolutionary War. His national numer is #69,499.


[Footnote: This data was principally gleaned from the Smith Family Record by
Joseph S. Harris, of Philadelphia, and it has been our aim to give the
history of the original Maxwell Family in this state, and then to write up
only the younger families that have been well-known here in times past, and
to-day.]

Ancestry.com
Full Context of Ritchie County, West Virginia History:
The Haddoxes, who have so long been identified with the citizenship of this
county, are of Irish extraction. The time of their coming to the Western
world is not definitely known, but as they are only another branch of the
family whose history appears with the North fork settlers, it is quite
probable that they crossed To Virginia at the same time--during the latter
part of the eighteenth century--as circumstances point strongly to the fact
that Jonathan Haddox, the head of the North fork family, and William, the
progenitor of this one, were brothers.

But Be that as it may, William Haddox and his wife, Mary Minear Haddox,
lived and died in what is now Barbour county, where they reared quite a
family.




  76 x.   John 2nd. Minear Jr., born 1756 in Bucks Co., PA.; died April 16, 1783 in Randolph Co. Va; married Magdelena Peveler 1775.
  xi.   Daughter Minear, born Abt. 1773 in St. George, Randolph Co., Va; married Peter Buckalew; born Abt. 1773 in Preston Co., VA..


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