McCracken Genealogy, Virginia

From the letter of Joseph Lloyd regarding Thomas and Patience (McCracken) Lloyd

"Thomas (your father) born October 2nd 1744, married in his nineteenth year Patience McCracken, of her family I know but little; Wm Norris her half brother, you know as well as I. He moved to the State of Ohio in 1813 or 1814." -- Letter of Joseph Lloyd, Oct 14, 1838, to his nephew James McCracken Lloyd.

The McCracken Family and It's Times (possibly Scottish?)

James McCracken, father of Patience, was an early settler of Orange County, Virginia, from which Frederick County was taken. In July, 1740, he received a commission for service in the Orange County Militia. In 1744, his name appeared on a list of persons in Frederick County who paid clerk's fees, and in 1745 he served as a witness in a law-suit. On April 6, 1750, he paid thirty-one pounds for a tract of 411 acres on Bullskin Marsh which he sold eight months later to George Washington.

From a post on RootsWeb:

John McCracken's will, dated 16 Jul 1763, New Haven, N.E. John is from Old Glenluce, Galloway, Scotland. He mentions his father Andrew of Barnsalie, his brothers Alexander, James and William, and his sister Grisel. Also, his uncle James McDoul.

Family members may be as this: James McCracken married Elizabeth Calvert, her brother John Calvert married Jane McMachan, and William McCracken married Sarah Osmund. Evidence - John Calvert mentions his brother William McMachan in his will dated, 2 Oct 1738, in Orange Co., VA. William McCracken left his will dated 14 May 1782 in Hampshire Co., VA.

Andrew McCracken is perhaps, Rev. Alexander McCracken's brother, and Anthony McCracken of Pennsylvania Rev. Alexander's grandson.

Pages 92-83. Bond of Jane Calvert, Robert Calvert, Isaiah Calvert, Wm. McMahan, James McCrackin and Terrence Kelly unto Robert Slaughter, Gent. For ₤200. 28 June 1739. Jane Calvert, Robert Colvert, Isaiah Calvert, Wm. McMachen are exors. of John Calvert. (signed) Jane (X) Calvert, Robert Calvert, Isaiah Calvert, Wm. McMachen, James McCracken, Terrence Kelly. Wit: Thos Wood. 28 June 1739. Ack. and OR. [Orange County Virginia Will Book 1, Dorman, pg. 18-19].

Samuel Worthington, heir of James for whom surveyed, no warrant, date from survey, 25 March 1753-26 April 1753; 291 acres on Plumb Run of Patterson's Creek. cc: John Ramsey and Oliver Cromwell. N.d. Caveated by Robert Worthington in behalf of son Samuel, James McCracken, deceased, intended this land for his grandson Samuel Worthington, said McCracken being killed by the Indians; deed to Samuel. Source: The Abstracts of the Northern Neck Warrants and Surveys, for Hampshire County, Virginia.

Pioneers of Old Frederick Co., VA, Cecil O'Dell

James McCracken was in Orange Co. VA was in Orange County, Virginia by 19 August 1735 when he was "brought before this court for rescuing Charles Hyatt a prisoner that was apprehended and in custody of Nath Thomas on suspicion of being concerned in the murder of one David Hopkins and acknowledging the fact is fined five pounds current money for his offense and it's ordered that he be and remain in the Sheriffs custody until he enter into bond in fifty pounds sterling with sufficient security for his good behavior for one whole year and that he then be discharged paying the fees." Orange County, Virginia Court Book 1, pg. 28

James McCracken was in Orange County, Virginia by 19 August 1735

At the time Washington made his purchase of land from James McCracken he was an eighteen year old, newly appointed land surveyor who was just beginning to acquire land on Virginia's western frontier. Washington's biographer, Douglas Southall Freeman, mentions this purchase:

On Bullskin Creek, West of Vestal's Gap, were 456 acres of James McCracken that would make a most desirable purchase. As soon as George was at Mount Vernon and could arrange the details, he paid McCracken 45 ₫, took a deed, and promised to tender the balance of 77 ₫ within a few months. George duly met this second payment to McCracken and could list the farm as his unencumbered own.

Freeman adds this note:

The circumstances suggest the possibility that the seller came to Mount Vernon with George to complete the transaction. McCracken may have decided at this date to transfer his energies from farming to distilling. When he died in 1756, his principal possession was a still with a cap and worm.

Apparently James McCracken decided to do just that, for he next appeared as operator of a hostel deep in Indian territory. The place he established was west of the Allegheny Mountains near the mouth of Patterson's Creek (now in Hampshire County, West Virginia). Traders and others traveling from Winchester to Will's Creek (Fort Cumberland) found McCracken's place a convenient overnight stopping place. Here James McCracken put his still to good use - its product being much in demand on the frontier for medicinal purposes, sociability, and the Indian trade.

At the time Indians were restive, and James McCracken soon found himself in the midst of war -- a war which brought renewal of his association with George Washington, but which also led to his death by Indian massacre.

Having been pushed from their hunting grounds east of the Allegheny Mountains, Indians deeply resented settlers taking over their lands west of the mountains. Encouraged by the French who were based at Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Indians began hit and run raids on isolated plantations in the back country of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Expecting to put an end to this threat, General Braddock, in the summer of 1755, led an expedition of 1,459 men from Philadelphia to the Monongahela River in Western Pennsylvania. He was disastrously defeated by the French and Indians on July 9, 1755. Losing 977 men, killed and wounded, Braddock was himself so severely wounded that he died three days later. A few of his men fell back to Will's Creek, but most of the survivors of his army retreated to Philadelphia.

Western areas of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia were left virtually defenseless, and Indians took full advantage of the situation. They stepped up guerrilla actions, attacked settlements as far east as the outskirts of Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia, and they continued sporadic attacks for the next ten years. Settlers became refugees, many fleeing east beyond the Shenandoah River to the Blue Ridge Mountains, to Loudoun and Fauquier counties, and to other states.

George Washington was very much involved in the defense of Virginia during these times. In November 1753, before major hostilities erupted, he had undertaken a difficult and dangerous mission to the French at Fort Le Boeuf. En route between Winchester and Fort Cumberland (Will's Creek), his biographer suggests, he probably had stopped at McCracken's place on Patterson's Creek.

During the battle at Monongahela River, July 9, 1755, Washington served as volunteer aid to General Braddock. Having had two horses shot from beneath him during the battle and exhausted, he led a party of men in retreat to Will's Creek. Recovering his strength, he started home on July 22. He reached McCracken's place on Patterson's Creek on July 23, 1755, and he spent the night there.

Within a few weeks George Washington was commissioned a Colonel of the Virginia Regiment, made Commander-in-Chief of its sixteen companies, and assigned the almost impossible task of defending western Virginia from the Indians. Establishing headquarters at Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, he found the local militia very much demoralized. Writing from Winchester, October 11, 1755, he noted:

... I arrived yesterday about noon, and found everything in the greatest hurry and confusion, by the back inhabitants flocking in, and those of the town removing out, which I have prevented as far as it was in my power. I was desirous of proceeding immediately, at the head of some militia, to put a stop to the Ravages of the Enemy; believing their Numbers to be few; but was told by Colo. Martin, who had attempted to raise Militia for the same purpose, that it was impossible to get above 20 or 25 Men; they having absolutely refused to stir; choosing as they say to die, with their wives and families.

Undaunted by the immensity of his task Washington began rebuilding the militia and ordered the construction of forts on Patterson's Creek and other waterways of the frontier.

Apparently, James McCracken was still alive when Washington spent the night of July 23, 1755, at his place, but the met death shortly thereafter. Washington was aware of McCracken's death no later than October 26, 1755, for, in an Order of that date to Lieutenant Bacon, Washington wrote:

You are to proceed to George Parkers Plantation, where you will meet with Captain William Cocks and his Company of Rangers, who are ordered to erect a Work of Defense at the said place ... Another Fort of the same dimensions is to be built by Captain Ashby's Company at the Plantation of Charles Sellers, or the late McCracken's; which so ever you shall judge the most convenient situation.

At the time of his death James McCracken had probably already fled with his family from Patterson's Creek to Back Creek near Winchester. Samuel Kercheval, in his History of the Valley of Virginia, describes a number of Indian Massacres of this period, one of them pertaining to the McCracken's:

Several inmates of a family by the name of M'Cracken, on Back Creek, about twelve miles from Winchester, were killed, and two of the daughters taken off as prisoners. They, however, got back, after an absence of three or four years. Mr. Lewis Neill informed the author that he saw and conversed with these women on the subject of their captivity after their return home.

There is no doubt that the family here described was that of James McCracken, it being the only McCracken family of which there is record in Frederick County, Virginia, at the time. Court records of 1756 apparently confirm this:

"At a Court held for Frederick County the 6th day of May 1756 James McCracken, Pltf. against Samuel Walker and William Davis, Excs' & Deft. The Pltf being dead the suit is ordered to abate."

And this: The following extract is from a journal kept by Col. Chas. Lewis a cousin of George Washington’s while marching to Fort Cumberland to defend the frontier against the Indians after the defeat of General Braddock in 1755:

Oct 25. - Marched from Patterson Creek & passed many deserted houses. I was this day very curious in the examination of the mischief done in the houses & was shocked at the havoc made by the barbarous & cruel Indians. At one Mecraggins [LOT 17] I found the master of the family who had been buried but slightly by his friends after his assassination, half out of the grave & eaten by the wolves, the house burnt, the corn field laid waste, & an entire ruin made.

Charles Keller was killed by Indians on lot #16 in 1756, probably the same time as his neighbor, James McCracken.

From another researcher: Fort Ashby is named in honor of Ashby's Fort erected Nov 1755 to protect the settlers and is located on Lot 16 (Fairfax Patterson Creek Manor) Charles Keller (Seller in GW orders) resided on #16. McCracken owned lots 17 & 18 in the Patterson Creek Land Grants. Ashby's Fort Barracks is only standing unit of forts built by GW.

The French and Indian War...

The French and Indian War also known as the Seven Years War, began in 1755 with general disaster to the British cause and the American colonies. The plan was for France to take possession of the British area of North America and for her and her allies to divide the colonies up among them. In the early part of 1754 every Indian suddenly and mysteriously disappeared from Frederick County. The emissaries of France had been among them and had enlisted their aid in their scheme to take possession of the full Mississippi Valley. England was laying claim to virtually all of North America. However, the French had a well established colony at New Orleans, and they were steadily extending their influence northward through the Mississippi Valley. When the English government made a grant of certain privileges beyond the Allegheny Mountains to the Virginia Ohio Company, the French increased their efforts to establish a chain of forts from Canada to their Mississippi settlements.

The object was to confine the English colonies to the Atlantic slope. The French had a long standing treaty with the Iroquois Indians, and the Iroquois were greatly feared by every other Indian tribe in the whole area, including Western Maryland. Thus the French and the Iroquois were able to intimidate the greater part of the Indian tribes of the area to make war upon the English colonies. All of the settlements of the western parts of Frederick County eventually came under attack. Since the Scots/Irish were largely in the area between the Indians and the Germans, they were the first to feel the brunt of the attacks. Then the colonists, including the Germans were killed, tortured and burned out. Monocacy was burned until just the old log Church and a few nearby buildings were left standing. The depredations suffered by the colonists were legendary and T. J. C. Williams goes into great detail in his "History of Western Maryland", so I won't go into it here. The war was won through the efforts of the colonial army with little actual help from the British regulars.

After the war was over, Creagerstown was laid out by John Cramer between 1760 and 1770 about a mile from the original settlement of Monacacy and a short distance north of the old Log Church.

As the tide of German immigrants increased, a more direct route to Western Maryland was established. The immigrants landed at Annapolis and later some at Baltimore. From there they traveled over the bad roads of that time to their destinations in the valley of the Monocacy. The Maryland officials early appreciated the value of the German settlers to the province and did all they could to encourage the movement, as the Germans were looked upon as a thrifty, industrious and God-fearing people who were a benefit to the community. From 1752 to 1755, 1060 German immigrants arrived by this route besides those that came in through Philadelphia and used the Monocacy Road.

As previously noted, the 1756 inventory of James McCracken's estate included a still with a cap and worm. It also included, " 1 Band-legged gray horse, 1 pyed cow and calf, 1 Brindled Bull, 1 pied 2 yr old heifer, 3 calves."

Kercheval's account of the massacre of James McCracken's family mentions the two daughters who were held captives by the Indians for three or four years, but it mentions no other survivors and it gives no names. Obviously, Patience McCracken and her mother, James McCracken's widow, survived. Whether Patience, who was ten or eleven years of age at the time, was one of the captives cannot be determined. James McCracken's widow later married a man named Norris, and she became the mother of Patience McCracken's half brother, William Norris.

1752 December /1753 August

Jacob Good of Frederick Parish, Frederick County, VA (lower Patterson’s Creek Lot #14) to neighbor Matthew Rogers (on lower Patterson's Creek Lot #13) 29 Dec 1752 Lease and Release – of Lot # 14 Patterson Creek to Matthew Rogers. (Lease Rec. in June 6, 1753, release rec. 7 August 1753) No wife is mentioned on the documents; Witnesses: Charles Keller (of lower Patterson’s Creek Lot #16), John Ramsey, Michael Tilbolt, and James McCracken (of lower Patterson’s Creek settlement Lot #17).

From the land record of 2 Mar 1768 for the sale of land of James McCracken the father of Ann McCracken Worthington establishes there was probably a sister named Margaret. So Ann McCracken could not have been called Margaret.

That deed as follows:

2 Mar 1768
Benjamin Rutherford, Robert Worthington & Margaret McCracken of Frederick Co., Va. sold to John Hardin of Hampshire Co., Va. Lot no. 17 & Lot No. 18 on Patterson's creek, Hampshire Co. /s/Ben Rutherford, /s/ R Worthington, /s/ Margaret McCracken, her mark. The release was signed by: Ben Rutherford, Elizabeth Rutherford, R. Worthington, Ann Worthington, her mark, Margaret McCracken, her mark. All appeared to acknowledge, except Elizabeth, who was to be privately examined. [Hampshire Co., Va., Deed Bk.
2, pp. 51-56 (or, pp. 91-96).]

Feb 6 1769 The same deed as above was made all over again because Jane McCracken's name had been omitted the first time.

From these deeds and others:

James McCracken and his wife Elizabeth (wife's name established in deed of Dec 3 1750 which includes "Elizabeth wife of James McCracken released her dower rights" had children:

1, Ann McCracken married Robert Worthington

2. Elizabeth m. Benjamin Rutherford

3, Margaret appears to have never married but had a daughter also named Margaret. In court record of Feb 7 1779 which says in part "Goods and Chattels, Rights and Credits which were of Margret McCracken late of
Westmoreland County, Deceased were granted to Margreat McCracken, the only child and daughter of the said deceased."

4. Jane "Jenne"

5. James McCracken (son who appears to have also died in the Indian attack which killed his father James McCracken in 1757. It was James' wife Hannah (son's wife) and his daughter Patience who was carried away by the Indians)

5. Patience McCracken wasn't listed in the above list of children, why not?

James McCracken is known to have: lived in Cecil County, MD: married Elizabeth (possibly Calvert); moved to Orange County, VA; become a Lt. in the Orange Country militia; sold land to George Washington; moved to Frederick County, Virginia; entertained Washington on his way to join Braddock; and was killed in an Indian massacre during the French and Indian Warat Back Creek 10 miles from Winchester along with several members of his family in 1755. He's also thought to have married Hannah Bell, though she might have been the wife of one of his sons who was killed in the massacre (names unknown at this time). His daughter Patience McCracken (Lloyd) and Hannah Bell were both captured by the Indians and returned after 4 years.

From Marshall, another researcher, Marshall and/or Betty Lowe:

I am sorry that I left you confused in regard to sur-names. The one thing that seems certain is that a James MCCRACKEN in the so-called northern neck who was killed by the Indians had a grandson named Samuel WORTHINGTON, the father who "caveated" Samuel's right to obtain MCCRACKEN'S LAND was named Robert WORTHINGTON. That much is a matter of record.

My gx4 grandmother was named Mary WORTHINGTON. She was born 15 Sept 1757 to Robert and Margaret Worthington at an unknown location. On 25 June 1777 she married Isaac Van Camp, and immediately thereafter they set up housekeeping at what is now the southern edge of Washington Co PA. Either individually or together it would seem that she and her husband had traveled Braddock Road, on which the McCracken Tavern seems to have been a prominent landmark.

Col. Lewis notes the attempt made by family and friends of McCracken (or Mcgroggin) to bury his body. James McCracken had it would seem at the time two married daughters, Jane and Margaret, married to Benjamin Rutherford and Robert WORTHINGTON.

According to an index of microfilmed information by the Library of Virginia, the following four jointly acquired titled to land along Patterson's Creek some years after MCCRACKEN'S death in 1766. Benjamin Rutherford, Robert Worthington, Jane McCracken and Margaret McCracken. My "hunch" is that Jane and Margaret MCCRACKEN were sisters, and that they had jointly acquired titled to property of their deceased father James. (Because married women could not own property apart from their husbands, it was necessary to include them on the deed." )

This hunch seems supported by property titled to James MCCRACKEN'S grandson Samuel Worthington, "caveated" by his father Robert WORTHINGTON.

Jane MCCRACKEN and Benjamin RUTHERFORD both remain mysteries, but that Benjamin RUTHERFORD AND James MCCRACKEN were neighbors if not also relatives seem supported by a record of a purchase of land described as immediately adjoining that of James MCCRACKEN on Patterson's Creek.

James guaranteed surety on bonds for Sarah Worthington, executor of the
estate of Samuel Worthington, deceased, and for Jane Calvert, Isaiah
Calvert, Robert Calvert and William McMachen, executors of the estate of
John Calvert, deceased on 28 June 1739.*

McCracken lived on the 422 acres, which he had purchased from David
Griffith on April 6, 1750 for 31 pounds, for a period of eight months and
then sold it to George Washington of King George County, Virginia (tract now
listed as being 456 acres) for 112 pounds on December 3, 1750.

*Orange County, Virginia Court Book 1, p. 28
*Ibid., Will Book 1, pp. 92, 102
*Frederick County, Virginia Deed Book 2, p. 207.

Feb 7, 1735. James Mcraken (?) wit. to receipt from Edmd. Cartlidge to
Lewis Thomas. (Orange County, VA deed Bk 1 & 2)

1739. James McCracken & Jacob Worthingtion gave bond for Sarah Worthington,
widow of Samuel. (Orange Co., Va. Will Bk. 1 (1735-1743),pp. 102-104

June 28 1739. N ames McCrackin, Jacob Worthington, Sarah Worthington, Ditto.
(Orange Co., VA will Bk 1 1735-1743 pp 102-104

Jun 21, 1741. James McCrackin, John Frost, & Geo. Hobson, returned an
Inventory of the estate of John Lilburn, dec'd., & he & Jacob Worthington
purchased from his estate sale. (Orange Co., Va. Will Bk 1746. James McCracken listed with 374 acres, Frederick Co. (Frederick Co., Rent Rolls-Frederick Co., VA Wills, ect., by King., p. 107). 1, pp. 159-160)

Sep 23-24, 1741. James McCrackin & Robert Worthington wit. deed from Robt.
Turk to Thos. Turk, both of Orange Co. (Orange Co., VA Deed Bk. 6, pp. 203-207)

May 29, 1742. Jas. McCraken bought at sale of Estate of Saml. Worthington, decd. (Orange Co., VA Will Bk. 1, pp 102-104

1746. James McCracken listed with 374 acres, Fredrick Co. (Frederick Co., Rent Rolls-Frederick Co., Virginia Wills, etc., by King, p. 107.)

Mar 2 1747. Robert Worthington, Saml. Worthington, Gersm. Keys, Samuel Walker, Wm. Davis, & james McCracken gave Bond for Estate of Sarah Hayes, dec'd. (She was sister to Robert & Samuel Worthington) Frederick Co., Va. Will Bk. 1, pp 161-163

Oct 22 1748. Geo Johnston & James McCracken wit. Letter of Attny from John Smith to Roberty Worthington (Note: John Smith was one of the executors of the estate of Robert Worthington, Sr., "Bobby Dunblaen"s" grandfather) Frederick Co., VA Deed Bk. 1, p. 475

Apr 5 1750. Deed to James McCracken from David Griffith, for 422 acres.
(Frederick Co., VA Deed Bk 2, p. 100

Dec 3, 1750. Deed from Jas. McCracken to George Washington, for 456 acres adjoining "Worthinton's patent". Elizabeth, wife of James McCracken released her dower rights. (Frederick Co., Va. deed book 2, p.207)

Oct. 7, 1756. Appraisement of Estate of James McCracken, dec'd. B.Rutherford & R. Worthington, administrators. Appraised by Lawrence Harrison, Samuel Worthington & Samuel Pearson. (Frederick Co., VA Will Book 2, pp. 206-207)
Frederick Co., Va. Will Bk. 2, pp. 206-207

(Shortly after this the Worthington's & McCracken women moved to Westmoreland
Co., PA where there are several records concerning Robert, the last one dated,
Apr 1788)

Dated Oct. 7, 1756
Appraisement Of McCracken Estate
A true and perfect Inventory of the appraisement of the Estate of James McCracken deced brought to our view by Robert Worthingon and Benjamin Rutherford Admrs. Viz.:

To 1 old Bandy lagged Gray Horse.L1. 0. 0
To 1 pyed Cow & Calf 1.15.0
To 1 Brindle Bull 1. 5. 0
To 1 pide two year old Heifer1. 0. 0
To 3 Calves.10. 0
To 3 Iron Chains. 5. 9
To 1 Still Cap and Worm.14. 0. 0
To 1 Pair of Plough Irons.0.14. 0
To 19 Harrow Teeth..0. 7. 6
To 3 Burnt Spaids 6. 0
To old Iron 0. 2. 0
To some Old Burnt Brace.0. 5. 0
To 1 old pail 1 old Half Bushell 1 old Runlet.0. 2. 6
To 889# of Beef .4. 8.10
To 290# of Port at 16/82. 8. 4
To 17 Bushells of Rye at 2/ 1.14. 0
L 36.
1.41

The above being appraised by us the subscribers being first sworn before a
Justice of the Peace in and for the said County 5th January 1756.

B. Rutherford ) Admrs. /s/ Lawrence
Harrison
R. Worthington) /s/
Samuel Worthington

/s/ Samuel Pearson
At a Court Held for Frederick County on Wednesday the 7th day of October
1756 This appraisment of the Estate of James McCracken Deceased was
Returned by the administrators and admitted to record.
Teste
J. Wood C.C.

Oct 21 1766. Thomas Lord Fairfax granted Lot No. 17, containing 201 acres,
on Patterson's Creek, in Hampshire Co., VA to Benjamin Rutherford, Robert
Worthington, Jane McCracken, & Margaret McCracken of Frederick Co. (Virginia
State Library, Norther Neck Grants N, 1766, Reel 295, p. 290

Oct 22 1766 Same, except Lot No. 18, containing 306 acres (Ibid.)

March 2 1768 Benjamin Rutherford, Robert Worthington & Margaret McCracken,
of Frederick Co., VA sold to John Hardin of Hampshire Co., VA Lot No. 17 &
Lot No. 18 on Patterson's Creek, Hampshire Co., /s/ Ben Rutherfore, /s/ R
Worthington, /s/ Margaret McCracken, her mark. The release was signed by :
Ben Rutherford, Elizabeth Rutherford, R. Worthington, Ann Worthington, her
mark, Margaret McCracken, her mark. All appeared to acknowledge, except
Elizabeth, who was to be privately examined. (Hampshire Co., VA Deed Bk 2 pp
51-56 or pp 91-96)

Feb 6 1769 The same deed as above was made all over again because Jane
McCracken's name had been omitted the first time. this one was signed by
Jenne mcCracken, her mark, Margratte McCracken, her mark, & Ben Rutherford &
Rob Whton, & acknwledged by the same person who acknowledged the first deed,
plus "Jean McCracken" her mark. And Thomas Rutherford, James Wood & Angus
McDonald were instructed to go to the homes of Ann Worthington & Elizabeth
Rutherford, & examine them privatel. (both were undoubtedly "expecting")
(Ibid., pp 119-124, or pp 221-226)

Shortly after 1769 Worthingtons and Mc Cracken Women moved to Westmoreland
Co., Pa.

Feb 1 1779 "Memorandum- that on the first day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy nine; letters of Administration of all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits which were of Margaret McCracken late of Westmoreland County, deceased, were granted to Margreat McCracken, the only child and daughter of the said Deceased. The said Administratrix is to make a true and perfect inventory of the personal estate of the said deceased, and file the same in the registers office at or before the first day of March next, and to make a true and just accoumpt
calculation and reckoning of her said administation on or before the first day of February next ensuing the date hereof.

From this site ~

"The plantation of Paterson’s Creek is entirely ruined…the smoke of the ruined houses is so great as to hide the adjacent mountains, and obscure the day."

The Gentlemen’s Magazine, London, January 1756

The Patterson Creek valley was devastated during the late summer and early fall of 1755. The defeat of Braddock’s force at the hands of the French and their Indian allies at the Forks-of-the-Ohio in early July had left the Virginia frontier at the mercy of marauding bands of hostile Indians. Although there were some troops stationed at Fort Cumberland to provide some measure of protection, they were too few and too demoralized to provide any protection beyond the safe walls of the Crown fort at Will’s Creek. Consequently, the Virginia northern frontier was a ripe fruit that needed only to be plucked, unless the colony took quick defensive measures.

Within a few weeks after the Braddock defeat, two companies of rangers were authorized to serve in Frederick and Hampshire Counties. William Cocks and John Ashby were appointed to command the 1st and 2nd Companies of Rangers, respectively. Both men were given captain’s commissions. By September 1755 both companies, with approximately 30 men each, were patrolling the area around Patterson Creek.

Figure 1: Washington's plan for a frontier fort.

With the approach of cold weather, the new commander of the Virginia Regiment, George Washington, ordered Lt. John Bacon of the Maryland forces to leave Fort Cumberland to oversee construction of two forts on Patterson Creek to house the ranger companies. By December, both forts were completed and garrisoned by the rangers. The 2nd company, commanded by Captain Ashby, was stationed at the fort built "…at the Plantation of Charles Sellars, or the late McCrackins…"1 now located in Fort Ashby, Mineral County, West Virginia. From the moment of its occupation until its demise, the fort took the name of its first commander; it was referred to as Ashby’s Fort.

The fort had a square stockade of 90 feet made of upright logs. Stockades on frontier forts were typically 12-15 feet high. Projecting outward from all four corners of the stockade were bastions; half-diamond shaped structures that were designed as the primary defensive points in forts of this period. The projecting bastions were also necessary to prevent an enemy from seeking cover at the stockaded walls of the fort (called curtains), thereby enabling an attacker, with relative safety, to breach the wall. These bastions were constructed of "hewn logs" and were probably of a strong, double-walled, earth-filled design. Inside the fort, a barracks and magazine were instructed to be built.2

Although initially intended to protect the inhabitants of Patterson Creek, by the time of its occupancy by the 2nd company, the valley was virtually abandoned. Instead, the fort served to protect the supply line between Fort Loudoun in Winchester, Virginia and Fort Cumberland.

Figure 2 Portion of colonial Hampshire County from the 1755 Fry & Jefferson map. Notice "McKrakens" in the top left on Patterson Creek---the site of Ashby's fort.

The spring of 1756 proved to be an extremely eventful period. Fort Ashby experienced the opening engagement of a month-long reign of terror. In a dispatch of 15 April 1756 sent to Fort Edwards on the Cacapon River, Ashby described an attempt of "a vast number" of Indians to persuade him to surrender or die. The captain, apparently knowing his men would be safe within the fort, dared the force to attack him. Being unsuccessful in their attempt to bluff the garrison out of the fort, the attackers moved elsewhere that evening. This large attacking force may have been the one that inflicted a disastrous defeat on the Virginia Regiment forces stationed at Edwards’s Fort three days later.3

Another event, occurring around July 25 of the same year, did not end with such exemplary behavior. Lt. Thomas Rutherford, now in command of the rangers at Ashby’s (Ashby having retired as the ranger companies were being disbanded), a few of the remaining rangers, and a number of militia were escorting an express from Winchester to Fort Cumberland. Some of the flankers spied some Indians in the woods ahead. When the alarm was sounded, the militia ran off before any firing began, leaving Rutherford and the ranger remnants no other choice but to return to the fort with the panicked militia. No mention is made of the party of Indians, so it can be assumed they went elsewhere.4

The disastrous April 1756 induced the legislature to take more seriously the attacks that were taking place in the backcountry of the colony. In May, the House of Burgesses approved the funding to erect a "chain of forts" that would stretch from the Potomac to the Mayo River, a span of nearly 500 miles. Ashby’s Fort was made a part of the defensive chain.

In early 1757, Fort Ashby was abandoned by the Virginia Regiment. The absence of inhabitants to protect together with a reduction in size of the Virginia Regiment and the loss of several hundred from the frontiers to act with the British in South Carolina contributed to the decision to abandon the fort. Not until the spring of 1758 was a garrison stationed at Ashby’s.

The arrival of the British forces at Raystown (later Bedford, PA) signaled a renewal of activity at the fort. Ashby’s was garrisoned again to protect the supplies and dispatches that moved along the road between Winchester and Fort Cumberland. Traffic on the road reached a peak during the summer and fall as the campaign to capture Fort Duquesne at the Forks-of-the-Ohio made its way through western Pennsylvania and began to draw supplies from western Virginia. After the conclusion of this successful campaign, the region was stabilized, making transportation and habitation much safer. Fort Ashby was not an essential element any longer and may have been used only intermittently until the end of hostilities in 1764, when it was, in all likelihood, abandoned. All that remains today of the fort is the barracks; the portion of the fort now identified as "Fort Ashby".

One last note: Fort Ashby served as a brief training ground for a future general and heroic icon of the American Revolutionary War. Daniel Morgan served as a private in Ashby’s company and spent his brief 10-month military career of the French and Indian War at Ashby’s Fort. While on duty with the ranger company, he received his first wound while escorting an express from Ashby’s to Winchester.5
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Footnotes

1Quote in GW Papers, 2:137 in letter to John Bacon.

2ibid

3GW Papers 3:23-4, n. 2

4GW Papers 3:313, letter to Robert Dinwiddie 4 August 1756. More detail is given in a letter from Adam Stephen 25 July 1756 in 3:294-5.

5Morgan is listed on "Weekly Return of the 2nd Co. Of Rangers Stationed at Sellars’s:Plantation on Pattersons Creek under Command of Capn John Ashby 29 Dec 1755", in the Library of Congress GW Papers. The incident of Morgan’s wound is described in a letter from Captain John Fenton Mercer to GW dated 17 April 1756 in GW Papers 3:11.