Our Pendergrast/Prendergast Line -   - IRISH

First Generation 


Pendergrass CrestPhillip De Pendergrast/Pendergrass, b. 1617 Beleek, County Mayo, Ireland d. 1670?, Beleek, Mayo County, Ireland ~ Spouse: Mary Jessee b. 1619 Beleek, County Mayo, Ireland d. 1669 Beleek, Mayo County, Ireland.  Philip Pendergrass immigrated to Virginia in order to give his family a new start. He left his wife and son James in Ireland, and set sail for Virginia in 1643 aboard ship Tryall out of Yougal Ireland. He established a working plantation with substantial acreage, which he turned over to son James in 1664, after whence Philip returned to Ireland where he lived out his life with wife Mary.

 
Child of Philip and Mary Jesse: (there must have been other children born to them & stayed in Ireland?)
 


i.

James Pendergrass ( 1639-1681)


 
Second Generation 


James Pendergrass b. 1639 Beleek, County Mayo, Ireland Source: Parish Records, Beleek, County Mayo, Ireland, James d. 1681, Middlesex, Virginia James Pendergrass  - Spouse: Mary Henry/Henri, Married 1662, Beleek, Mayo County, Ireland, Mary Henry b. 1640 Beleek, Mayo, Ireland d. 1681 Middlesex County, Virginia.

Please note: We do not know who the husband was of the Mary Pendergrass who died 15 Sep 1715 at Middlesex Virginia. We presume it to be wife of James Jr., or John, but are uncertain. 
That the wife of James may have been Mary is suggested by this entry in the Parish register of Christ Church, Middlesex Co. Virginia: "Sep. 15, 1715: Mary Pendergrass died." The wife of James' son James was also named Mary but she died before 1705 when James died, December 5, 1705, Richmond Co. Inventory, as their children were then treated as orphans: James was bound out to Bartholomew Dorsey and John to William Phillips.

James Pendergrass and Mary Henry/Henri or Mary Unknown, had the following children:

i

Michael PENDERGRASS, b. ca. 1664 & d. 1735 in Lancaster County, Virginia - He married a Rebecca UNKNOWN.
 

Post from Internet: Folks, I HAVE to step in again. Things are getting so out of hand on the internet that there is now a complete genealogy of the Ps posted on the web commencing with POWHATAN. Therefore, I include the text of the marriage record between John P and JANE (not Anne) Pleasants, and if you will take time to read it, you will see that no maiden name is listed for Rebecca Pendergrass. If you will read, also, the actual text of Allen Pendergraph's pamphlet which has caused so much misinformation to be published on the web that it will probably never be able to be straightened out again, you will see that Allen's only mention of Rebecca as a Bolling is that "if the family legend is true her last name MIGHT have been Bolling and she MIGHT have been descended from Pocahontas." Pocahontas' descendants are very well documented in various places, including a fine book that is in most decent libraries, and not one of her descendants married anyone named Pendergrass. TRULY.

PLEASE look at the actual text of the marriage record of John and Jane (not ANNE) Pleasants Pendergrass:

Source: Curles Meeting House Records: Banns & Marriage Book 7, Page 4, 1696-1710"  Dec 9th, 1709

JOHN PENDERGRAS ye sone of Michale Pendergras and Rebecca: He being of New Kent county and Christian: the daughter of John Pleasants and Dorothy, Jane of the Henrico county did publish their marriage at a meeting of men and women friends at the hose of her father in the county aforesd on the twelfth day of the Eleventh month last past. And coming before the meeting the second time in her fathers howse they did publish their marriage againe on the ninth day of this Instant month and were married in the howse of her father on the Ninth day of the Twelft month in the yeare 1709."[ Transcribed from" Early Virginia Quaker Records; Henrico
County, Virginia.]

PLEASE note that there is no indication whatsoever that Rebecca was a Bolling. There is no marriage record between a Michale Pendergrass and anyone else that has survived, unless someone out there has one that I've never seen.

Jane Pleasants was the daughter of John and Dorothy (maiden name unknown) Pleasants and John P was the son of Michale and Rebecca (maiden name unknown) Pendergrass. He wasn't a Quaker but she was.

Rebecca BOLLING as the mother of John P is a fictional person.

Mary Raleigh is also a fictional person, along with Mary Ransom. Further, there is no indication whatsoever that the John P. born around 1735 who was a soldier at age 21 in Northumberland Co, Va was the same John P who died in Wake Co In 1794. In fact, it is unlikely unless soldier John had perfected a method of being in two places at once, since the John P b. in 1735 was serving at Fort Hopewell in 1757/8 while the John who died in 1794 Wake Co was on tax lists in Granville NC in 1757/58, a whole state away.

Further, although there were in fact a William and Mary Pendergrass who were a married couple who came into Granville Co NC about 1757 (with Spencer and John P) from SOMEWHERE, he was likely NOT the Wm born in 1714 St Stephens Parish register, but more likely to be the Wm of ORANGE CO, NC. All over the web, you see both the Orange Co NC group and the Granville/Bute/Warren/Wake Co NC group (who do not seem to be related genetically) claiming the Wm born in 1714 for their own. The same William cannot have been in both places, with different families at the same time, so SOMEONE is wrong. There were people streaming into the country and we shouldn't assume that the ones we know about are the only ones there were.

Also, the original Spencer Pendergrass who married Sarah Thornton (if that marriage bond is ever found) in Granville/Bute Co 1763 was not JAMES Spencer Pendergrass but plain old Spencer Pendergrass, and as far as I know, so was his son. The "James" came, apparently, from Allen's attempt to make Spencer the James of the James and John P who bought land and then lost in in Spotsylvania CO Va in 1725. Let me remind everyone that prior to the revolution it was exceedingly rare for an Englishman/Irishman to have a middle name and nowhere in the actual paper records is Spencer ever referred to as anything except Spencer P. Same with the Robert Raleigh thing. Raleigh is something Allen added based on the fact that there were later children with the first name Raleigh.
 

ii

Robert Pendergrass, b. 1661, Westmoreland Co., VA - Robert Pendergrass, servant to Captain John Quigley, adjudged 17 yrs this day, ordered to serve 7 years 11 Dec 1678.  He could be a son of James, but supposedly James didn't come over until 1663, two years after Robert was born.  This record could be off by a couple of years, and he still could be a son of James and Mary.

iii

James PENDERGRASS, Jr. b. ca. 1666 in Lancaster County, Virginia m. Mary?, bef. 1689, d. 5 December 1705 in Richmond Co., North Farnham Parish, Virginia.  Spendergrass, John, son of James and Mary Spendergrass, b. April 1697.  North Farnham Parish Records.  Did he marry a Rebeccah?

iv

Elizabeth PENDERGRASS, b. ca. 1668 Lancaster County, Virginia

i

Female PENDERGRASS(2), b. ca. 1670 in Lancaster County, Virginia, d. in Virginia

vi

Female PENDERGRASS (3), b. ca. 1672 in Lancaster County, Virginia, d. in Virginia

vii

John PENDERGRASS, b. ca. 1674 in Middlesex County, Virginia d. 31 January 1717/8



Third Generation 


James PENDERGRAST, Jr. ~ b. ca. 1666 in Lancaster County, Virginia, d. Richmond County, North Farnham Parish, Virginia on 5 Dec 1705, he was 39.  James married Mary Bolling, sister to Rebecca Bolling who married Michael Pendergrass.

9/1/1714 John Pendergrass, an Orphan Son of James Pendergrass
, late of this County, was brought before Court by Susanna Phillips who prayed that the said John Pendergrass should be bound to her husband William Phillips. James Pendergrass, brother of the said John, objected against it and prayed that he might have the charge and tuition, which was granted, he paying William Phillips for the maintaining and bringing up of said John. (According to information on the internet, James Pendergrass died in North Farnham Parish in 1705. His son John was born in 1697. It appears that William and Susannah Phillips raised John Pendergrass from the age of 8 to the age of 17. They must have been related in some way. The sources on the internet claim that a William Phillips was married to ______ Pendergrass, John’s aunt. However, we know from the records that Susannah was the daughter of Joan and Roger Williams.)  Richmond County, Virginia Records

They had the following proposed children:

i

Edmund Pendergrast, born 1682, our line, more below

ii

Edward Pendergrast of Westmoreland County, VA no known proof of his birth date.  A will of his is supposed to be in Westmoreland Co., VA in 1727; I've yet to find it. 
Edward PENDERGRAST, born c. 1686-89 in Virginia, Edward died in Westmoreland Co., Virginia in 1727, he was about 37.  As evidenced in Westmoreland Co., VA records below, and left, it looks like was named Mary.  If this is the same Edmund who married Elizabeth Hickey 26 Feb. 1711, Christ Church Parish Middlesex Co., VA, records, then who is this Mary, his second wife more than likely.  Elizabeth Hickey died in 1717; so Edward must have remarried to a Mary unknown after Elizabeth died.  From Married Well and Often:  Mary Pendergrass, widow of Edward, married Edward Bussey before 28, March 1729 (WC OB 1721-31; pg. 258

 


WESTMORELAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA
COURT ORDERS 1705-1787
Library of Virginia microfilm reel nos. 55-61
Orders 1721-1731 (reel 55)
28 March 1729, p.258

Edward Bulger by his pet. to October Court Last therein Sett forth that he being security for Mary Pendergrass due admn. of the Est. of her dec. husband Edward Pendergrass and the sd Mary being Marryed again to one Edward Bussey who together with the said Mary had Imbezld a Great part of the sd Decd. Est. for which the plt. was Security so that he was likely to be assest Sufferrer whereupon a summons Issued which being by the Sheriff returned served and now at this Court the said Bussey and Mary his wife not appearing or anyone for them It is ordered that the said Edmund Bulger Take possession and have in his Custody what of the Est of the sd Edward Pendergrass is now left or can be found for and towards Indemnifing the sd petitionr. from his Securitiship as aforesaid.27 March 1729

p.253a Geo. Turberville assignee of Edward Bussey vs Joseph Woodward Debt for 500 pds of Tobac. } continued by ord vs Security
 27 June 1738p.271

Daniel Muse brought into Court a poor boy belonging to Mary Bussey a Widow Woman named Samuel Bussey and prayed the said boy Might be bound to him he being ready to teach him a Trade of a farmer? and to Comply with the Law in such Cases whereupon it is considered by the Court that the Church Wardens of Washington parish (where he the said Muse lives) do bind out the said Samuel Bussey out to him the Said Daniel Muse according to Law


John Summers d. btwn 8 Jan 1702/3 and 10 Feb 1702/3, Middlesex Co. VA:  drummer in VA Col. Militia (John Summers Will, Midlesex Co. VA will Book 1674-1770 pg. 5, dtd 8 Jan 1702/3 prob. 1 Feb 1702/3: VA Deed Book 2 (Middlesex)1694-1703 pg. 134 Bond for Elizabeth Summers, widow and Admx.  John Summers, with order to inventory estate: Crozier, William Armstrong.  VA Col. Militia 1651-1776. 1965 p. 99. Listed John Summers as Drummer in Middlesex Co. militia.

He married: Elizabeth Thompson daughter of William Thompson & Eleanor Montague. She was dead by Nov. 1694. He married 2nd Ann Minns (Widow of Thomas Minns) married 3rd Elizabeth unknown? by 14 Jun 1702. After his death she married John Hickey in 1704: then Edward Pendergrast in 1711. Elizabeth died 27 Jul. 1721/22.  Edward married a Mary unknown between 1722 and 1727 when he died.  Proposed children of Edward Pendergrass and Elizabeth unknown, and possibly Mary unknown? his second wife.  Edward and Elizabeth were married from 1711 until 1717, six years.  Philip's birth year is confirmed through his obit, 1725, so was he a son of Mary unknown? Edward's second wife.

iii

Elizabeth Pendergrast, married Anthony Gilbert, this couple took care of Mary and Edward when their father died.

iv

James Pendergrast, 'the tailor', 1692-1751 - I have James 'Spendergrass' married a Rebeccah: The Registers of North Farnnham Parish, 1663-1814 and Lunenburg Parish 1783-1800, Richmond County, VA.  Children: Daniel? 1719, Winifred, Aug 25, 1721; Eleanor, May 15, 1729; James, 1731, Daughter married Robert Tomlin, guardian of James and Mary, Chn. of John below, John of Richmond Co. Inv of Estate of James)

v

Rebecca Pendergrast, md. Robert Tolmin.  This couple cared for her older brother Edmund's youngest son Edmunt

vi

John Pendergrast, born 1686, Northumberland County, VA died July 20, 1715 in Northumberland Co., VA., probably married a Mary, had children John, James and Mary.  His sister, Rebecca, cared for his children after they died.

vii

Mary Pendergrast


 

Know all men by these presents that we John Smith & Wm James of the County of Richmond are held and firmly bound unto ye worshipful his majesty justice of ye peace for ye sd county in ye full & just sum of fifty pounds sterling to the which payment well and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and dated ye 6th day of August 1718.The condition of this obligation is such that if ye above bound John Smith admr of all ye goods chattels & credits of James Spendergrass decd do make a true and perfect inventory of all ye goods chattels & credits of ye sd decd and ye same so made doe exhibit into the county court of Richmond at such time as he shall be thereto required by ye sd court and ye same goods chattels & credits doe well & truly administer according to law and further make a just and true account of his actions and doings therein when thereof required by sd court and shall deliver & pay unto such persons respectively as the justices by their order or judgment shall direct pursuant to the laws in that case made & provide and it shall hereafter appear that any laws will and testament was made by ye decd and ye executor or executors their named ode exhibit grant ye same on ye sd court making request to have it all owed and approved ... Signed sealed and delivered in ye presence of no witness recorded. John Smith, his mark William James, is mark, 6 August 1718 Richmond County, VA Deeds 1720-1733Pughs lease to Spendergrass:

 This indenture made the 2nd day of March 1727 between Lewis Pugh of Parish of Farnham in county of Richmond on one partie and  of the same parish of the other partie witnesseth that Lewis Pugh in consideration of five shillings lawful money of England to him in hand paid by John Spendergrass whereof he doth acknowledge either receipt hath and by these presents doe bargain and sell unto John Spendergrass his heirs all that parcel of land containing fifty acres ..... in Barham’s line ..... branches of Totoskey and now in the tenure and occupation of John Spendergrass with all houses orchards privileges etc. to have for one whole year paying therefore the rent of one whole ear of Indian corn on the first day of the birth of our lord .... transferring uses into possession John Spendergrass may be in the actual possession of the premises and be therefore enabled to accept a grant of the inheritance thereof to him and his heirs.  Witnessed in presents of Will Walker, Jno Reynolds  3 March 1727 Lewis Pugh to John Spendergrass in consideration of one thousand four hundred fifty pounds of tobacco to him 50 acres.

 16 March 1727 Richard Barham Sr. Parish of Northfarnham John Spendergrass six hundred pounds tobacco  sells 25 acres.   Westmoreland County, VA Order Book 1679-1682 by Dorman Captain John Quigley did by his last will declare that Margaret Dobbin, Robert Pendergrass and Law ? Hanning, his servants to be free.  September 29, 1780.North Farham Parish / Lunenburg Parish  

Married John Spendergrass & Elizabeth Cribin December 2, 1728
Born, James Spendergrass son of John & Elizabeth Spendergrass 23 November 1729
Born Eleanor Spendergrass to James and Rebecca Spendergrass, 15 May 1729
Born John Spendergrass son of Robert & Elizabeth 10 December 1734.

Richmond County, VA Order Book 1721-1732  Pugh Ack to Spendergrass Lewis Pugh came into court and acknowledged his deeds of lease and release for land and bond for performance of covenants unto John Spendergrass which was admitted to record; Ann Pugh came into court, wife of Lewis and relinquished her dower in the land conveyed in the deeds to John Spendergrass which is also admitted to record.

 6th March 1727/28 Richmond County, VA Order Book 1721-1732

Tillery vs Spendergrass March 2, 1731/32In an action of debt between Richard Tillery plt & James Spendergrass dfdt 230 lbs of tobacco ...

 November 7, 1732 Tillery vs Spendergrass

April 2, 1733 Spendergrass will approved Stanley Gower, George Taylor, Nath Thrift, John Dozier, or any three of them between now and next court appraise the estate of John Spendergrass decd.
 
 April 2, 1733 Elizabeth Spendergrass appointed Executrix to John Spendergrass, dscd.

 April 4, 1733 James Spendergrass to pay Richard Tillery 230 lbs tobacco

 4 June 1733 John Spendergrass appraisement of his estate recorded.

Sheriff Luke Milner against Robert Spendergrass 530 lbs tobacco, 18 yards of conteloons, 2.4 yards montross sheeting, 8 bushels corn due ... didn’t show up, so ordered to pay.

3 May 1736 John Watts against Daniel Spendergrass 597 lbs tobacco.  Continued to next court.

7 June 1736 Daniel Spendergrass to serve Tobias Pursell for xix years and 7 months to pay his debts. August 1737William Heartly against James & Robert Spendergrass 628 lbs tobacco & ¾ quarters.



Fourth Generation 


Edmund Pendergrast was born 1682 and married Marry Garrett, daughter of John Garrett and Elizabeth Ware.  This has not been proven.  Edmund died in 1727, but his will has not been found.  After Edmund died, Mary remarried to John Mottrom of Northumberland County, Virginia.

i.

Garrett Pendergrass, Sr. b. circa 1712; died circa 1784?

ii

Robert Pendergrass, b. 1718 - Robert, son of Edmund & Elizabeth Pendergrass born Dec 10, 1718; baptized Jan 4, 1718, Middlesex Christ Church Parish records, pg. 101.  Robert ended up in North Carolina.

iii

Phillip Pendergrast, b. 1725, died 15 November 1797, Cumberland Co., PA - A Philip Pendergrass died in Cumberland Co., PA and it was taken from the Marriages and Deaths from the Carlisle Gazette and the Western Repository of Knowledge, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 1786-1800 - Remarks: Nov 22, 1797: Died in his 72nd year, of this borough. Married Margaret Hastings, had Robert, Mary, Lawrence, (married Sydney) Jane, Edward.  Edward is the one who ends up in Ripley Co., IN.  Robert, Lawrence, and Philip, sons of this Philip, b. 1725 were all in the Company of Captain Griffith Johnston of the Maryland Militia raised in Washington County, Maryland, adjacent to Franklin County, PA, adjacent to Bedford County, PA.

Edward Pendergast

 

Michael O'Neill in " Irish Settlers in America"  (reissued by Genealogical Publish Co., ) Vol 1, page 2 discusses Philip of Carlisle, citing his death in 1797, listing on tax roles in 1762 and service in French/Indian War. " He took part in the expedition of Kitanning in 1756 to repulse the Indians." He then notes: "It was a member of this family, Garrett Prendergrass who, in February 1770, purchased the ground now occupied by the city of Allegheney from the Six Nations. 

The old Prendergrass homestead was near Hanover, and is still occupied by the family...(and) was built in the last century by an Irishman named Byrnes who married into the family."

O'Neill was the historian for the Journal of American Irish Historical Society and this is from an article that appeared in the journal in 1906.  Obviously the 1943 article on "Catholic Pittsburgh's  One Hundred Years," which talks about Garrett as a Catholic, used this source, because some of the wording is too close not have been copied.  Since O'Neill identifies Philip of Carlisle as the one who took part in the fight at Kittanning that is my reason for thinking this is the same Philip who was reported "missing."  History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, pub. by DeBeers, 1886, p. 58 : Philip Prendergrass  of Capt. Hugh Mercer’s Company reported missing after Col. John Armstrong’s militia led an attack on Indian town at Kittanning on the Allegheny River, abt. 20 miles above Ft. Duquesne (Ft. Pitt) in present day Armstrong County.  

CAPTAIN MERCER'S COMPANY.-1756 - Killed-John Baker, John McCartney, Patrick Mullen, Cornelius McGinnis, Theophilus Thompson, Dennis Kilpatrick, Bryan Carrigan. Wounded -Richard Fitzgibbons. Missing-Captain Hugh Mercer, Ensign John Scott, Emanuel Minskey, John Taylor, John Francis Phillips, Eobert Morrow, Thomas Burk, Philip Pendergrass.

iv

John Pendergrass?, b. circa 1725? -
Necessary Roll of Captain Thomas Waggneer's Company, 14 Sept 1757
French and Indiana War, 1754-1763 - John Pendergrass

          
Fifth Generation 


Bedford County TownshipsGarrett PENDERGRAST.  Born about 1712 Virginia?. Garrett died circa Dec 1784, he was approximately 72.  As far as I know, there is no proof of Garrett's birth and death dates except through circumstantial evidence.Regarding the book by Harvey Allen, Allen notes that supposedly Garrett married Roseanna "Anne" Barker or Baker, born bef 1719 of Ireland.  There is no proof that I know of that Roseanna "Anne" Barker was his wife's name.  We know she signed a deed with Garrett as Anne, and that is all.  Harvey Allen made up his book and is not based in fact.Notes:  Garret (or Gerard) Pendergrass, a trader near the mouth of the Kanawha in 1735. (C.R., vii., 632, Va. State papers, i., 232, Md. Archives, v., 153.)  If this is our Garrett, which I'm sure it is, then his birth date of 1712 might be a bit early as he would only be 23 yrs old, but that is not that unusual, men matured early back then.Garrett Sr. is listed as living in Hempfield township, Westmoreland Co., and Jr. is listed as living in Fairfield Township, Westmoreland Co., PA.   Simrall's Ferry was on the Youghiogheny at what is now West Newton. Alexander "Simrall" and his sons, William, John and Alexander Jr., of Chester Co., Pa., bought it from Garrett Pendergast on May 28, 1778. See "Annals of Southwestern Pennsylvania" by Lewis Walkinshaw (Vol. 2).Garrett Pendergrass and  Anne Barker had the following children: (note, no daughters named Ann)

i

Mary Pendergrast, b. 1733? birth year a guess on marriage, she married SAMUEL SALTER, December 26, 1753, St John's Parish, Registration, Baltimore, Maryland

Jesse Pendergrast, born 1738?,

ii

Gertrude Pendergrast - b. ??  Died June 24, 1757 - From the History and Topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Pebrt Counties by I. Daniel Ruup:  In June 1757, several murders were committed near this Fort. In a letter from George Croghan to Col. Armstrong, dated Fort London, June 28, 1757, he says, " On Friday evening there was a man killed near Henry Paulin's and two of his children taken. The same evening there was a young lad fired on by seven Indians, from whom he made his escape, wounded in three places. The same day a daughter of Gerrard Pendegrass, was killed and scalped in sight of Fort Littleton. 

Bedford Gazette
Bedford Pennsylvania
July 30, 1951

 Gerty Pendergrass' Death Near Fort Bedford Told

With the aid of Miss Lillian Fleming of Clear Ridge, Henry W. Shoemaker, president of the Pennsylvania Folklore Society, State Museum, Harrisburg, last week told the tragic story of the slaying by Indians of Gerty Pendergrass, favorite child of Garrett Pendergrass, a half Irish, half Dutchman, known far and wide as "the father of Bedford County."

The story follows:

The story of Gerty's slaying within sight of her father at Fort Bedford 200 years ago has long been shrouded in mystery,"  Shoemaker said.  "The details were sought by the late Hervey Allen for his Bedford county historical novels, in his many visits to the State Archives at Harrisburg, but without success.

"Now the story has been revealed by Miss Lillian Fleming of Clear Ridge, Fulton county, whose search among musty papers for the history of the naming of the famous Indian Spring in that county disclosed a shocking tale of the Redman's cruelty.

"Ekawabo, of the Shawnee tribe, an Indian of streams of character, never liked Garret Pendergrass, yet became a 'blood-brother' of Abraham Keller, a Fulton county pioneer whom he often visited and to whom he seemed devoted.  Pendergrass quarreled several times with Ekawabo and on one occasion threw him out of Fort Bedford when he claimed there was a balance in muskets owing him on an exchange of beaver skins.

"The Indian left, vowing he would return and 'even the score'.  But as he did not come back in several weeks, Pendergrass allowed little Gerty to play with her pet lennichums (Indian dogs) and aboups (foxes) in the clearing about the stockade.  One morning while the child was at play, Pendergrass saw Ekawabo approaching, carrying no gun, and he raised his two hands to indicate his peaceful mission when his eyes met Pendergrass' up his rifle and went on with his keen glance.

"The frontiersman did not pick work, pounding corn, as the Indian drew near suddenly the crafty Ekawabo stopped down, drew his scalping knife, seized Gerty, put her head across his knee and removed her fine mahogany colored thatch before her agonized father could intervene, though her pet Indian dogs snapped at the redman's heels and might have driven him off had they been larger.

"Pendergrass seized his firearm, intending to drop the fiend in his tracks, but the gun missed fire and the Indian turned and ran into the woods, brandishing the bloody knife in one hand, the scalp in the other.  Both Pendergrass and his wife ran out and picked up the now unconscious child.  They carried her in the fort where she died from shock and loss of blood.  The licensed Indian traders, George Arents, Peter Moyer and Florian Povinger, emerged with their rifles having heard Mrs. Pendergrass' screams.  they took up the Indian's trail, following the drops of blood, but he eluded them by crossing several swift streams and escaped.

"The grief of the Pendergrass family was profound and they offered their best warrant of land and five hundred Spanish silver dollars for the Indian murdered, dead or alive, or his proven scalp.

"Several weeks later, Abraham Keller was approached by Ekawabo, his Indian 'Blood-brother.'  They shook hands and embraced and engaged in pleasant conversation for a few brief minutes.  Then, grinning broadly, Ekawabo drew from the deep pocket of his deerskin jacket a handsome, darkish, curling scalp.  "That is from the head of Gerty, Garret Pendergrass' favorite daughter,' he said, drawing himself up proudly.  Horrified by the speech and sight of he scalp, Keller quickly pulled around his rifle, which he wore on a strap over his shoulder, aimed and fired, killing the Indian instantly.  The question then was to dispose of the body in some way that the other Indians would not know of it and come seeking vengeance.  He shoved the body into the outlet of the big spring, hidden for all time.  Keller turned his oxen and scored the ground where the Indian had fallen so that no traces of blood were visible.

"For a period of many years, the secret was known only to Keller and a few intimates, except with the passing of time the fountain became the Indian Spring.  As the water flowed swiftly from the source there was no contamination from the Indian body.  Keller kept Gerty's scalp in his family chest, intending to take it to Fort Bedford and deliver it to Garret Pendergrass and his wife.  there was always an Indian uprising to intervene and Keller died before he had the opportunity to make the visit.

"The family probably never learned of it, as Keller was afraid of having his farm raided and kept the story a secret with himself and friends.  Several times Ekawabo's tribal friends came looking for him but never found the slightest clue.  At Keller's death, the Indians learned the story and raided the Fulton county coves, taking several captives, including a beautiful girl, Elizabeth Fleming, who, they believed, knew the secret of their comrade's disappearance.  Previously, like Abraham Keller, she had been a favorite of the aborigines.

"When to her surprise, the Indians carried her off, they tortured her, pushing her on a blazing camp fire and holding her there until she was deeply burned.  But she revealed nothing and was often beaten and made to carry superhuman burdens.  After three trips to Canada and back as a burden bearer, she was exchanged about 1784 and returned to her home, a shadow of her former self.

"Her relatives welcomed her at Carlisle and escorted her back to Anghwick Creek in a body and tried in every way to make her last years comfortable ones, and she passed her time as a ginseng digger.

"Ailing and dispirited as she was, she determined to restore Gerty's scalp to her loved ones but the family was widely scattered.  finally the unfortunate child's grave was pointe out to her.  Taking the mattocks she used to dig ginseng, she opened the grave, fitted the scalp on the  ... the last three sentences are blurred  and I can't read.  [darn !]

 



Also from A Selection of Some of the Most Interesting Narratives of Outrages committed by the Indians in their wars with the white people by Archibald Loudon, pub. 1811, page 195:  The following list of persons killed by the Indians, we have been furnished with by John M'Cullough, Esq. whose Narrative of his captivity has been given in the first volume.  June 24, 1757:  Alexander Miller killed and two of his daughters taken from Conococheague; John Kenedy badly wounded, and Gerhart Pendergras's daughter killed at for Littleton."From "The Life and times of Thomas Smith, 1745-1809, A Pennsylvania member of the Continental Congress.  "About two years later it is known by the name of another settler, Garrett Pendergrass, also a Scotch trader with the Indians, whom the natives drove out in 1755."

iv

Garrett Pendergrast Jr. (<1743-1777) - our line

v

Thomas? Pendergrast b. Abt. 1745

vi

Lawrence Pendergrast, b. Abt. 1748; d. March 1831, (North Carolina) the cemetery below is the one that this Luke propagated in North Carolina.


Following is a timeline of Garrett Pendergrass, Sr. from different sources:

Column on left refers to how old Garrett Pendergrass would be when the event occurred.

26

4 Aug 1738 - Garrett Pendergrass referred to in "Alleganey."

32

Frederick County 1744 - Garrett Pendergrass paid Court Clerk fee, Frederick County; 

40

20 March 1752 - Other Format Available on microfilm. Northern Neck Grants, reels 288-311. Note Location: Frederick County.

Description: 371 acres on the North Branch of Potomack adjoining a survey made for Gerrard Pendergrass. Source: Northern Neck Grants H, p. 149 (Reel 293. Original survey exists.

Part of the index to recorded copies of land grants issued by the agents of the Fairfax Proprietary between 1690 and 1781 and by the Commonwealth between 1786 and 1874. Original and recorded surveys are also indexed when available. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia.

40

"1752 - Garrett Pendergass buys a tract of land at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers from Chief Anonguit (present site of Pittsburgh). Pendergass is a trader based in the Bedford area."

45

Garrett's daughter Gertrude was killed by the Indians outside the walls of Fort Lyttelton, PA in 1757

54

Petition of Gerard Pendergrass to Governor Penn Philad, October 10th, 1766 To the Honorable John Penn, Esq., Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, &c., &c.: The Petition of Gerard Pendergrass, of the Town of Bedford, in the County of Cumberland, in the said Province, Yeoman, humbly Sheweth, That you Petitioner, in the year 1752, settled on the very Tract of Land on which the aforesaid Town of Bedford is now, by virtue of your Honor's Warrant laid out.  That your Petitioner, at his own proper Cost and expense, did erect and build, on the aforesd Premises, a good and substantial round Log house, of 24 feet square, well shingled, and had cleard and enfenced between 40 & 50 acres of Land, when, in the year 1755, he was obliged to fly before the Indiana enemy, who laid waste all that Country, burnt your Petitioner's House, and destroyed all his Improvements.

That the King's Generals made the Fort Bedford on your Petitioner's Improvements, and an Inclosure for pasturing Horses & Cattle.  And that since the King's Troops evacuated that Forst, and the Avenues thereof, the Improvements of your Petitioner have been surveyed, under your Honor's Warrant afsd, for the use of the Honorable the Proprietaries.  That your Petitioner humbly, and with submission to your Honor's own Judgment, conceives that by his Adventure of Building & Singling a House, clearing & enfenceing 40 or 50 acres of Land, he and his Heirs, under that ancient and well known Right of Occupancy & Improvement, (by which all colonies and establishment sin the World have, and especially your Province of Pennsylvania, has, increased and bettered,) and under the custom of the Province, are entitled to the quiet Possession of their Improvements, and a competent Quanity of Land to accommodate the said Improvements, paying to the Lords of the soil the Rents accustomed, &c. 

That your Petitioner is far from entering into any Contest with the Honorable the Proprietaries about their or his own Right to the said Improvements, & Land adjoining thereto; But that he puts his Confidence entirely into yoru Honor's sentiments of Justice and equity, so that you will make him a suitable Recompence for his Labour & Losses.  And your Petitioner shall every pray, as in Duty bound.On his Behalf, signed By Gerard Pendergrass Anne Pendergrass

57

Land Office, 29th July, 1769 Pennsylvania Archives, page 466:  Caveat Book No. 4 - Garret Pendergrass enters a Caveat against the acceptance of a Survey for William Elliott on his Application No. 3019 of a Tract of land at the Bullock Penns in the county of Cumberland, alleging the said survey interferes with his improvement - James Kennedy for James Tilghman, Sec'y.

59

Frederick County, Virginia, Deed Book Series, Volume 4
Deed Books 12, 13, 14, 1767-1771, Abstracted, Compiled by Amelia C. Gilreath, pg. 171Bk 14, p. 239-4 March 1771[Lease] Between John Cunningham of County of Frederick [to] Garrett Pendergrass of County of Cumberland of Province of Pennsylvania ... consideration of Five Shillings ... Two Parcel & Tracts of Land Lying and being on the West side Opeckon Creek & on a Channel .... Part of a Tract of one thousand and fourteen Acres granted to Evan Thomas by Patent the 12th Nov. 1735 and Part of a Tract of Two hundred & Forty Acres Devised Enos Thomas by the Last Will and Testament of Evan Thomas and being the Land granted and conveyed to said John Cunningham from said Enos Thomas by Deeds of L & R the 28th & 29th Sept. 1755 ... Corner to said Enos Thomas & John Thomas ... Containing forty Acres the other Tract of Land Lying adjoining the aforementioned Tract on the Draft below and being granted to said John Cunningham by Deed under the hand & Seal of the Right Hon.ble Thomas Lord Fairfax the 27th March 1761 ... in Patrick Duncan's Line ... Containing three hundred & forty five Acres ... Rent of one ear of Indian Corn on the Last day of said Term ...
                                                                        John Cunningham
Wit:  Gideon Richey, Willm. Harris
Abel Walker
Recorded:  6 March 1771
-------------------------------------------------------
Bk 14, p. 241-5 March 1771[Release] Between John Cunningham of County of Frederick [to] Garrett Pendergrass of County of Cumberland of Province of Pennsylvania) ... consideration of one hundred Pounds ... 2 Tracts of Land 40 Acres & 345 Acres (same as above) ...
                                                                        John Cunningham
Wit:  same as above
Recorded:  6 March 1771

59

4 Mar 1771 - Garrett Pendergrast of Cumberland Co, Pa. bought land on Opequon Creek, Frederick co., VA. [see above]

60

"The Indians to Garret Pendergrass", and recorded September 19, 1772. land where Pittsburg now stands.

61

Jan 1773 Morris Bready (Brady) vs. John McCulloch - tenant in possession - ejectment. McKee vs. Paul Froman. Garrett Pendergrass Jr. vs. Adam Sam. John McMullen vs. Dorsey Penticost. Robert Stephen vs. William Brashears. [Bedford Co. Civil Court Docket 1]

My notes:  I find Gerrad living in Bedford Co., 1773, paying taxes and then another one in 1773 paying taxes in Fairfield Township.  Senior and Junior?

"the first civil jury trial was that of the case of John Mason v. Garret Pendergrass, Jr., at the April term, 1774.  David Semple and Robert Galbraeth, who had been admitted first at Bedford, and later in Westmoreland, in the due course of their practice, were the attorneys for the plaintiff and the defendant, respectively.  The jury was composed of these well known pioneers:  Providence Mountz, James Gray, William McNees, John Coyle, Matthias Cowan, George Winterfer, John Nicholas, Isaac Parce (Parr), Michael Stockberger, Adam Hatfield, Alexander Maxfield and Ezekial Hickman.  A verdict was brought in for £12 10s 6d. damages, which the sheriff had to collect by write of fieri facias. [a writ commanding a sheriff to levy and sell as much of a debtor's property as is necessary to satisfy a creditor's claim against the debtor.]

1755: On one November morning in 1755, Patrick Burns, who had been captured by the Indians, escaped and came running into the Great Cove, shouting the King Shingas, the great Delaware War­rior whose hands had long been stained by white man's blood, was on his way to make ashes of the cabins and scalp every man, woman and child he could find.  Some of Sarah's neighbors refused to believe this rumor, but she knew the time had come.  Without waiting to gather her pots and blankets together, she lifted young Levi, Eliz­abeth and Jemima onto her remaining horse; then, fol­lowed by the other children, she hurried toward the eastern sun.  A dozen other families straggled along up the steep wooded slope toward the river pass that led to the new Fort Littleton on the other side of the moun­tain.  At the summit of the first foothill, Sarah and her neighbors turned to have one last look at the Valley. Before their eyes was an awesome spectacle of destruction. Their houses were in flames; Delaware were riding like wild men through the Great Cove; and even at this distance the refugees could hear "the last shrieks of their dying neighbors.  "Refugees crowded into the rectangular Fort Littleton, and by the following April, the surrounding area was de­serted.

63

But we now proceed with Captain Wood's journal. He tells us that, on the 20th of July, [1775] he met Garrett Pendergrass about 9 o'clock; that he had just left the Delaware towns; that two days before the Delaware's had just returned from the Wyandots' towns, where they had been at a grand council with a French and English officer and the Wyandots; that Monsieur Baubee and the English officer told them to be on their guard, that the white people intended to strike them very soon.  From the Book:  A Biographical Sketch of the life of the Late Captain Michael Cresp, by John J. Jacob, Cincinnati, Ohio, reprinted from the Cumberland Edition of 1826:

65

Simrall's Ferry was on the Youghiogheny at what is now West Newton. Alexander "Simrall" and his sons, William, John and Alexander Jr., of Chester Co., Pa., bought it from Garrett Pendergast on May 28, 1778. See "Anals of Southwestern Pennsylvannia" by Lewis Walkinshaw (Vol. 2).

October 26, 1778 - mentioned in letter of George Washington to his brother John A. Washington.

Garett Pendergrass The Diaries of George Washington. Vol. 2. Donald Jackson, ed.; Dorothy Twohig, assoc. ed. The Papers of George Washington. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1976. p. 289The Morning being wet & heavy we did not set off till 11 O'clock & arrivd that Night at one Killams on a branch of Georges C[ree]k, distant 101/2 Measurd Miles from the North Branch of Potomack where we cross at the lower end of my Decd. Brother Auge. Bottom, known by the name of Pendergrasses. This Crossing is two Miles from the aforesaid Mill & the Road bad as it likewise is to Killams, the Country being very Hilly & stony. From Killams to Fort Cumberland is the same distance that it is to the Crossing above mentioned, & the Road from thence to Jolliffs by the old Town much better. Pendergrass's Bottom was purchased by Lawrence Washington from Garret Pendergrass, probably when Pendergrass, an early settler and trader in the area, moved to Pennsylvania about 1752. In his will Lawrence left the land to his brother Augustine Washington (20 June 1752, DLC:GW).

Roster of Capt. Shelby, Chickamauga Campaign of 1779
Evan Shelby, Jun 1 blanket, 2 leggings, 1 moccasins, 1 tomahawk, 1 gunsack; Garrett Pendergrass; Alexander Carwell 1 blanket, 1 leggings, 2 moccasins, 1 tomahawk, 1 gunsack ...My Note:  Who is this?  Garrett Jr. died in 1777, I would think his father, Garrett sr. would be much too old to be in a Indian Campaign.

68

1780 per Samuel Barr's pension appllication, he states he was sent to Westmoreland Co., PA becasue Garrett Pendergrast's station was attacked.

70

dated June 22d 1782, Garrett Signed a petition (see below)

Garrett Sr. died after December 19, 1784 (Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania deed, Book B., p. 283, to Andrew Steel.

16 Jun 1808 - Jesse Pendergrast of Jefferson County, KY sold land on Opequon Creek, Frederick Co, VA, passed to him as heir at law of Garrett Pendergrast, his older brother being presumed dead.  [see land transaction above in 1771]

From: The Annals of Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Consisting of Condensed Sketches of the Most Important Events Which Occurred During the Century From January 1750 to 1850

BY HON. WILLIAM P. SCHELL
GAZETTE PUB. CO., PRINT The following excerpts regarding Garrett Pendergrass: First Settlers

The first white explorers in the vicinity of Bedford came about 1732, but of them nothing is known. In 1751 Robert Ray erected several buildings and the trading post became known as Raystown. In 1752 came Garrett Pendergrass, who bought the land from the Indians. This deed is on record in the Court House and very interesting it is. It is dated February 1770, and is recorded on page 58 of Book A; the paper is brown with age and crackles at a touch, the form quaint, but the writing is legible. The mark of Chief Anonguit is a turtle; Enishshera, or Capt. Henry Mountare's signature is followed by the letters "H. M.," and a circle marks the signature of Connehracahecat, the White Mingo. The date of recording is September 19, 1772, before Arthur St. Clair, the first Prothonotary and Register of the county, who was a Captain and afterwards Major-General.

Still later Pendergrass transferred to his son, Garrett, Jr., "the land on both sides of the Raystown, containing 300 acres," but did not long remain here and there were, evidently, no more English-speaking white settlers until the section was occupied by the vanguard of General Forbes' army in 1758, when the fort was erected. About that time the first taverns were built and soon the town became a stopping place for traders. Here was born William Frazer, the first white child born in the county. A number of whites were massacred by Indians in this section.

As first related, that Ray was the first settler in that section, we have data showing that with him came one Garrett Pendergrass, who, by consent of the chiefs of the Six Nations, took up his settlement at this place, made improvements, and it was supposed that he did a thriving business with the Indian traders, and set up his claim for three hundred acres of land, which included the three springs, but by an account furnished later, on account of the French and Indian wars, he sought safety at some other point eastward.
 I think Mr. Adams is mistaken as to the date when Ray was taken to Powell's house in saying it was in 1756; it must have been early in 1752, for in that year Garrett Pendergrass opened his trading post, erected three buildings and cleared 50 acres of land, and from that date Ray's Post was generally called "Pendergrass' Place" by the traders, Indians, and especially by Harris in his letter of 1754. However, the fact that he first settled at Raystown has passed his name down a century and a half and probably it may continue to go down through future centuries, well marked by four natural monuments--Raystown, Raystown branch of the Juniata river, Ray's Hill and Ray's Cove, over all of which passed the great Indian trail from Harris' Ferry, through Raystown, to the Ohio river. (In the early records this cove was

(p. 24)

called "the Harbor," from its enclosure on the north by Harbor Mt., which really is a mountain and is a northwest continuation of Ray's Hill.)

The second settlement was made by Garrett Pendergrass in 1752. It is very probable that Pendergrass was of Norman-French extraction, whose ancestors passed over to England with William the Conqueror, for the name appears in English history, and from thence he came to America with the Scotch-Irish and with them settled in Cumberland Valley. The name also appears in the records of Cumberland county during the Revolutionary War. After the defeat of General Braddock's army, Pendergrass fled with his family to Fort Lyttleton where, in 1757, his young daughter was mercilessly killed and scalped by marauding Indians in sight of the fort. It is very probable that Pendergrass returned to Raystown soon after General Forbes' army reached the place in 1758."he lived in Colerain township in 1772 and soon thereafter died."

From the book  In  Old Pennsylvania Towns by Anne Hollingsworth Wharton comes this:  "Robert Ray did not live long after establishing his trading post and was evidently succeeded by Garrett Pendergrass, as "Ray's Post" was called "Pendergrass Place"

From Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1753-1761, a case, apparently, where some of the locals, including Catholics, who were brought up on charges that they were not loyal to the country and were instead loyal to France.  In someone's testimony, comes this:

I was making this Meadow I married Elizabeth the Daughter of one William Deale who dwelt at that time in the Stony Forrest, near Jacob Bull's Mill, but she lived as a Servant with one John Darumple on a plantation that he rented of John Swinyard, and that lies near Abraham Jerrards; for about 3 Months I laboured hard in hopes of being able to make the Meadow according to Agreement, but finding it impossible at the End of that time & Renshaw at the same time threatning me with the penalty of the Bond I went off to York town in pensilvania, and Lieutenant Miller a tall Gentleman somewhat advanced in Years being recruiting there I was inlisted by him for Captain Clark's Company, and was soon after sent to Fort Cumberland Colonel Innes was then Commander in chief at that Fort, and Captain Rutherford commanded under him, I was there when your
Excellency arrived just before Christmas but was then meditating my Escape being determined to return (if possible) back to my Wife, or fly into one of the neighboring provinces, & send for her thither.

One Hancock who lived with Gerrard Pendegrass of Ray's Town came frequently among us and as I apprehended he was well acquainted with all that part of the Country, I entred into Conversation with him on that Subject, and from him learn't that there was a path from Fort Cumberland thro Ray's Town to pensilvania behind any of the Maryland Settlements, being thus advised I deserted in the Month of January with one Willoby Willett of Captain Rutherford's Company intending to go thro Ray's Town and pursue the Road that Hancock had described to us.

The Rebecca Smith tract lay between "Glentworth Park" on the north, "Mahogany" on the east, the manor on the south, and the Allegheny river of the west. The mouth of Garrett's run is near its northwestern corner. One branch of this run rises on that part of the John Schenck tract now owned by Peter Heilman, in Kittanning township. It was probably named after Garrett Pendergrass, who established a trading post near its mouth, about where Patterson's store now is, prior to 1800, with whom Jacob Waltenbough occasionally traded.

“A Large Hickory Bottom,” on the north side of Kentucky River, about five miles from its mouth. (P. 69.) (Property of Jesse Pendergrass, heir of Garrett Pendergrass.)  ”Interpretation. This is the bottom to the southeast of General Butler State Park and Indian Hills.  The nearest fordable crossing on the Ohio was probably 7-8 miles upstream at Ghent (Ky.) and Vevay (Ind.). It is likely that buffalo and Indians often crossed the river here. A remarkable outlying stand of cane occurs along Indian Creek north of Vevay (on State Route 56).


 


 

From:  The Kernel of Greatness, an informal Bicentennial History of Bedford [PA]pg. 17:  Settlers from the East  Most of the early immigration into Bedford County came from the South.  About forty-two years after the Diberts arrived, two men, Garrett Pendergrass and Thomas Croyle came in from the east.  Pendergrass had bought three-hundred sixty acres from the Indians prior to the time the Penns had paid them for the land in this section.  He built a trading post located in Bedford where the Hoffman Hotel formerly stood.  The main building was eight by forty feet in size, with the first floor made of native limestone, the windows only large enough to fire a rifle through, and the doors of very thick oak.  The beams for the second and third floors, of walnut logs from trees cut on the bank of the Raystown, hewn on two sides, were eighty feel long.  the Indians of another tribe forced the Pendergrass family to flee to Fort Littleton, where they murdered one of the daughters.  The remainder of the family went farther east to Carlisle. 

When they returned to their post, all that remained was the stone first floor.  By then the Penns had the town of Bedford surveyed, taking most of the Pendergrass' land.  Then Indians who sold it to him felt to sad about their brothers causing Pendergrass to lose his land that they gave him what they called worthless swamp between the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, the present "Golden Triangle" of Pittsburgh.  The deed for this land is in Deed Book "A" in the Bedford County Court House, and is signed by a circle within a circle and a turtle. 

When Pendergass went to claim his new land, squatters were already living on it. pg. 71:  The Black People Negroes may have come to this area the same time as the white men or soon afterwards.  They did not enter as pioneers clearing the wilderness and no records were kept for posterity of their activities.  Since they were forced to come, forced to work, they must have played an important role in the early development of the county - without recognition.  The earliest date found concerning their arrival was in Harvey Allen's book, Bedford Village, where he wrote that in 1763, Negroes were owned by Garrett Pendergrass, already an established innkeeper living near Fort Bedford.  [My Note:  As most if not all of Harvey Allen's book was fiction that he himself professed was so, I can not guarantee the above is the 'truth'.  There are no sources in this book (The Kernel of Greatness) so I am not sure where the description of the Inn came from and if it's accurate or not either.



Excerpts from books mentioning Garrett Pendergrass


Among the earlier Catholic inhabitants of Carlisle we find the Pendergrass family, who no doubt were among the pioneer settlers in the borough, and whose name will be found identified with almost all the larger settlements west of Carlisle. In Kline's Carlisle Gazette^ we ascertain that Philip Pendergrass died Nov. 17, 1797, "in the seventy-second year of his age, and was an old inhabitant of this borough." This Philip Pendergrass is no doubt the same, whose name is found on the list of Taxables* in 1762, and who again took part in the expedition to Kittanning in 1756, to repulse the Indians, whose bloody massacres at this time sent a thrill of alarm along the entire frontier. It was of this Pendergrass family, —

 Garret Jr., who in Feb. 1770, while a resident of Raystown (Bedford) purchased the ground now occupied by Alleghany City, from the Six Nations. A copy of this quaint conveyance is found in Egle's History of Pennsylvania.^ This last Pendergrass was no doubt the same alluded to in Gov. Hamilton's correspondence with Gov. Sharpe, in which he is alluded to as being an innkeeper, thoroughly reliable and capable as a guide, and with a most minute knowledge of the topography of the country.§ The old Pendergrass homestead was on Pomfret street, near Hanover. The house now occupied by the family, opposite the rectory, was built in the last century by another Catholic family named Byrns, who intermarried with the Pendergrass's.

This home, still in a good state of preservation, was built from logs cut and hewn on the premises, it being part of a dense piece of woodland. The families have both long since drifted away from their ancestral faith, and recall it only as a tradition. One of the last members of whom we have any knowledge as dying in the faith was Johanna Pendergrass, who departed this life July 9, 1823, and attached to whose death notice in the Parochial Register we find these touching words: " Mortua est in odore sanctitatis, pietatis et devotions ; " — " She died in the odor of sanctity, piety and devotion." No doubt a most deserving eulogy. The name of James Pendergrass is found as late as 1843 in the Parochial Records, but no evidence is at hand to prove that he died a Catholic.


 

Here is the Deed:

 Perhaps the most famous deed in the Courthouse can be found on page 29. It is titled "The Indians to Garret Pendergrass", and recorded September 19, 1772. The writing is very faded and the edges are worn. It is impossible to read the deed in detail. However, several years ago we were fortunate to locate the entire deed which had been copied before it became so faded and worn. It was in an old history published in 1846. Therefore, we will take the time and space here to reprint it in full for those who might be interested in reading once again the full details which are no longer possible to be deciphered."Know all men by these presents, that whereas a certain Garrett Pendergrass, Senior, of Bedford Settlement, in the Province of Penna, &, of Cumberland, was settled some number of years past, by leave of the Chiefs or deputies of the Six Nations of Indians, on a tract of land where Bedford now is situate, while the said land was yet the property of us, and our said Chiefs and deputies, said Pendergrass being dispossessed of said land, in time of war between the French and English, and before said Pendergrass could safely return to live on said land, it was entered upon by people, who have from time to time, and yet continue to keep said Pendergrass from enjoyment of said tract of land, said Pendergrass at the last treaty held at Fort Pitt with the representatives of the said Six Nations, informed our said Chiefs or their representatives or the deputies, that he was deprived of the above tract of land as above mentioned, where upon we, and our deputies did then, at said treaty, give him the said Pendergrass our leave in writing, under our hands, to settle on a tract of land called Long Resch, near the mouth of Youghagain, but the said last mentioned tract being at the time of the said treaty, or before improved by some other persons, contrary to our expectation, for which reason, he, the said Pendergrass, has not obtained possession of the latter mentioned tract, and cannot quietly enjoy neither of the two above mentioned tracts know ye, therefore that we the under, or within bound subscribers, who have hereunto caused our names to be set, and have put our marks; the first of us, assigning one of the Chiefs, and the other two deputies of the said Six Nations do give and grant, to the said Garrett Pendergrass, his heirs and trustees forever, our full leave and liberty of us, and for behalf of the Six Nations to settle on a tract of land on the north side of the Aligania river opposite to Fort Pitt; to join the said river on the one side, and to extend one mile and a half from the landing on the north side of the said river Allegheny opposite to Fort Pitt, in form of a semi-circle, from said landing, hereby granting to him, and his trustees and assigns, full liberty to build houses, make improvements and cultivate the said tract of land or any part thereof, and that he, the said Pendergrass may the more quietly enjoy the said land, and any benefit that he, his heirs or assigns, shall make or can make, thereby; we do ourselves, and in behalf of the said Six Nations, discharge all people what so ever from molesting or disturbing him, the said Pendergrass or his heirs or trustees, or assigns, in the possession or quiet firmly engage and promise to answer all objection that any Indian tribe or tribes have to making of the above settlement". –ANONQUIT ENISHHRD CONNEHRACAHECAT. 

The end of the deed was signed by the drawing of a turtle and a circle within a circle. Both signatures are now so faded and worn from countless fingers of those who have viewed this deed over the years that they can no longer be identified. According to the stories handed down through the years, the Indians, who originally sold the land here in Bedford, felt sorry for Pendergrass because these lands had been taken from him by the English, and therefore gave him the deed for the tract of land located between the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers. This deed was for land which today includes the 'Golden Triangle' in Pittsburgh. As a sad note, before Pendergrass could settle on this tract, others had moved there and claimed title to it. This transcription (above) came from this web site and it al so has a detailed history of the area (Bedford) where Garrett Pendergrast (my paternal 7th great grandfather) lived.


 

LUKE PENDERGAST CEMETERY, Caswell County, North Carolina

Recorded 1997 - W Ernest Blalock, 2618 John Oakley Rd, Prospect Hill, NC 27314 - 9405 Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by Stephen J Paul -- spaul@dialnet.net

Located in Caswell County NC in the Baynes - Prospect Church Community near Prospect Meth. Church.  Turn off Prospect Ch Rd onto Smith Loop Rd. The graves are located about 200 feet into the woods off the dirt road and about 50 feet from a house beside the woods. It is across the road from the old abandoned Lucion Miles home place and in sight of the old Thompson N Smith house. There are about 35 to 40 graves here and the area is covered with periwinkle. There are no markers left with names on them, just plain field rocks.

PENDERGAST, Luke, ca 1748 - Mar 1831, h/o Rachel Simmons, s/o Garrett & Rosannah Baker Pendergast of ? Alleghenny Co. Pa.

PENDERGAST, Rachel Simmons, Apr 8 1751 - aft 1831, w/o Luke Pendergast, d/o George & Elizabeth Fuller Simmons of Baltimore Co. Maryland.

PENDERGAST, George Pendergast's 1st wife, name not known, b. ca 1775 - d. ca 1816

PENDERGAST, George Pendergast's 2nd wife, Margaret Morrow, dates unknown

PENDERGAST, John Baker Pendergast's 1st wife. d. ca 1805, name unknown.  (John Baker Pendergast went to Tn, re-married there to Rhoda King by 1807, then went on to Limestone Co. Texas where he died Jan 4 1847.)

PENDERGAST, Thomas A, 1768 - ca 1843, s/o Luke & Rachel Simmons
Pendergast PENDERGAST, Jerusha (?), d. bef 1799, 1st w/o Thomas A Pendergast Nancy Jordan Harrison, ca 1770 - bef 1839, widow of John Harrison, 2nd w/o Thomas A Pendergast, d/o James and Martha Jordan of Isle of Wight Co Va.  PENDERGAST, Andrew Jackson, 1815 - ca 1850, 2nd h/o Morning (?) Montgomery, s/o George Pendergast & his 1st wifeNELSON, Samuel, ca 1800 - ? , h/o Harriet Pendergast, s/o James & Miss Twedle Nelson NELSON, Harriet Pendergast, ca 1802 - ca 1869, w/o Samuel Nelson, d/o Thomas & Nancy Jordan Harrison Pendergast BARNWELL, Mary C Virginia Nelson, Mar 1 1827 - Feb 14 1890, w/o William Harvey Barnwell, d/o Samuel & Harriet Pendergast Nelson BARNWELL, William Harvey "Bill", Aug 17 1817 - Mar 27 1907, h/o Mary C Virginia Nelson, s/o William & Elizabeth Smith Enochs Nelson BARNWELL, Rosaner Cathern, Nov 24 1852 - Jun 12 1853, d/o William Harvet & Mary C Virginia Nelson Barnwell


From: Early Kentucky Settlers, The Records of Jefferson Co., KY [Filson Club History Quarterly] 1988; p. 337

Standiford, Nathan. To James Stewart Standiford, eldest son of testator's brother David Standiford, estate except a stand of drawers to his sister Nancy Hench.  Executors to have use of property for education of above named until James Stewart Standiford becomes of age, when he is to be given estate.

Executor: David Standiford, also guardian for Nancy Hench.
Witnesses: J. G. Pendergrast, Alfred Thornberyy.
David Standiford qualified as administrator and gave bond with Alexander H. Gailbreath and Henry Cummins as securities.
Written July 12, 1830; probated September 3, 1832. [B2, p.443]

Pendergrast, James
1819 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY 1 white male over 21, 2 town lots.
1799 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY 1 white male over 21 (this list only has count/does not detail land)



(Source: Civil Court Docket, Westmoreland County, Pa., April Term 1774)

At a Court of Common Pleas for the county of Westmoreland, held at Robert Hanna's Esq, the first Tuesday in April 1774 before William Crawford and his associate Justices of the same Court.
No. - Parties - Proceedings


54 - Penticost, Dorsey, vs Garrett Pendergrass Jr - Summons Case
108 - Price, William, vs Garrett Pendergrass, Jr - Summons Case
76 - Sample, Samuel, vs Garrett Pendergrass Jr - Summons Case

Miscellaneous notes on several of the above cases:
#124 - Jones vs Elliot. October 1783: By consent of the parties, the Court appoints Isaac Light, Colonel William Parker, William Jackman, Benjamin Suttin, Samuel Holmes, John Nesbitt, and Hezekiah Mc(Gourdin?) to settle the dispute.
 



 


The first, historic Fort Bedford was built on the banks of the Raystown river by the forces of Colonel Henry Bouquet in the summer of 1758.As the rendezvous of the British and colonial troops, Fort Bedford served as the springboard from which the expedition of General John Forbes advanced by struggling stages through the mountain wilderness to the conquest of Fort Duquesne.
That decisive conquest, dwarfed though it was by the other great events of the Seven Year War for Empire, determined for all time that English speaking people would control the Ohio Valley and thus, eventually, the American continent.Fort Bedford stood for scarcely a decade, but in that eventful period it was a rallying point for the entire western frontier of pre-Revolutionary days. The village of Bedford which grew up around the stockade became the first county seat west of the Tuscarora Mountains and for a time was the county seat of all Western Pennsylvania.
 
Strategically located on a bluff overlooking the Juniata river, the fort controlled the river gap and served as a stockade palisade for the supply of the vanguard of men advancing over the mountains to Forts Ligonier and Duquesne.

 
The site was admirable. Bouquet and his engineer, Captain Gordon, constructed one of the best of the frontier forts at Bedford. Embracing and area of 7000 square yards, it had five bastions, places for the use of swivel guns, which guarded the corners of the irregularly shaped stockade. The main gate was on the south side of the fort. Parallel with the southern rampart ran Forbes Road, now known as Pitt Street. There was also a smaller gate on the west side, and a postern gate opening northward.

 
In order to secured the water and secure the banks of the stream, a gallery with loopholes extended from the central bastion on its north front down to the water's edge. A ladder-like arrangement of steps led down the river¼s bluff-like south bank. This enclosed gallery was a real military curiosity.British troops had a standard procedure which they followed in laying out Fort Bedford. Their first task was to dig a ditch, about four or five feet deep, around the area to be enclosed.
 Into this were placed oak logs, 18 feet long and pointed at the top, in an upright position and fitted closely side by side, so that they formed a solid wall. Two sides of the logs or "stockados," as they were called, were hewn flat, and the sides were brought close together and fastened securely, near the top, by horizontal pieces of timber spiked or pinned upon their inner side.
 Platforms were erected all around the inside of the enclosure, four or five feet from the ground. Loopholes were cut, at frequent intervals, at the required height above the platforms; and from these vantage points the entire garrison could stand and fire upon any attacking force. For the swivel guns, portholes were cut on both sides of the five bastions.
 
The picture of a fort in those days is really not that of a substantial, heavily armed structure. Fort Bedford was a rude but effective way for frontier soldiers to guard against sudden Indian attack. It could not have stood long against well-trained troops, with effective armament, even of that time. But it was a necessary protection.

 
The early soldiers and road-cutters drove wagons, horses and all their possessions into the enclosure. It was a hodge-podge of camping equipment, wagons, tents, and supplies. 
Although Fort Bedford stood but briefly on the banks of the Raystown, its memory has cast its shadow for all time over the peaceful community to which it gave a name. Fort Bedford, here restored in a scale model, proud symbol of Bedford County¼s role in the history of the young, new world in America 200 years ago.
 Fort BedfordOld Fort Bedford was a British stockade built in 1758 as part of the French and Indian War campaign against the French at Fort Duquesne. After several failed attempts in the early 1750s, the British launched a major offensive against Fort Duquesne in 1758. Facing the formidable task of crossing the Allegheny Mountains and the threat of attack, numerous stockades were built along the way west. Fort Bedford was constructed as a key fortification along the military path -- Forbes Road -- and served as the staging area for the successful campaign. After the war Fort Bedford stood until the 1770s, used as a British outpost on the frontier and as a refuge from Indian attack as westward migration increased in the 18th century.
 Bedford Museum Thousands of travelers stopping in Bedford have enjoyed visiting historic and educational Fort Bedford Museum. The blockhouse structure houses a large scale model of the original fort and depicts Forbes Road and the surrounding area. Fort Bedford Museum displays Native American artifacts collected from the region. Thousands of household items dating back 100 to more than 200 years ago -- from flintlock rifles to early clothing to antique hand tools -- help to recreate the atmosphere of pioneer days on the frontier of western Pennsylvania.In about 1751, Robert Ray built a trading post, around the site of present day Bedford. It became known as Ray's Town, or Raystown, the name also given to the nearby branch of the Juniata River. Garrett Pendergrass and William Fredregill were also early traders, but none seem to have stayed for a long period of time. In 1758, General Edward Forbes' troops built a
fort at this location. Soon, it was called Fort Bedford, in honor of England's' Duke of Bedford. This served as a staging area for colonial and British troops in their attack on the French Fort Duquesne, which drove the French from the American frontier. Of the first permanent settlers, John Fraser and his wife Jean are the best known. Their son William, born in 1759, is supposedly the first white child born in present day Bedford County. John was a guide and scout, ran an inn, and was one of the first justices of the peace when the County was organized. When he died prior to the Revolution, she married Captain Richard Dunlap and had children to him. Other early and prominent settlers were Barnard Dougherty, Robert Galbraith, Thomas Smith, and George Woods. In 1794, President George Washington commanded troops here to put down the frontier uprising known as the Whiskey Rebellion. His headquarters were in the Espy House, which was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1983.

Bedford borough was incorporated on March 13, 1795. The Bedford Gazette, the first newspaper in the county, was first published on September 21, 1805 by Charles McDowell. The first county bank was the Allegheny Bank of Pennsylvania, established on April 2, 1815 by Dr. John Anderson, the first bank between Chambersburg and Pittsburgh. The bank was housed in the same building as Dr. Anderson's residence. He had commissioned renowned local architect Solomon Filler to build the stately Georgian building. Filler also designed the Bedford County Courthouse, the Presbyterian Church, St. Thomas Catholic Church, the Mann House, and the James Russell House, among others.
 

WALTHOUR'S FORT.
 Walthour's Fort, as Mr. Brackenridge, in the article which we quote at length hereto, says "was one of those stockades or blockhouses to which a few families of the neighborhood collected in times of danger, and going to their fields in the day returned at night to this place of security." It was located, with regard to the present surroundings, eight miles west of Greensburg on the turnpike to Pittsburgh, twenty-three miles east of Pittsburgh, four miles south of Harrison City (Byerly Station, Forbes Road), and one and one-half miles from Irwin. It was built on the farm of Christopher Walthour, (as the name is usually spelled now by the family, but spelled then Waldhower), who owned a large body of land there. The farm remained in the Walthour family and name until 1868—near one hundred years. Christopher, his brother George, the Studebakers, Kunkles, Byerleys, Williards, Irwins, Hibergers, Wentlings, Baughmans, Gongawares, Fritchmans, Buzzards, Kifers, etc., belonged to that settlement.

 The land is now owned by Michael Clohessey. The site of the blockhouse and stockade, is about three hundred yards south of the turnpike, a little to the left of the barn, between two springs of water. The stockade enclosed the house of Walthour, and "inside of this enclosure and blockhouse all the people of the community would gather. The dead"—(when Williard was killed, as hereafter referred to, and others not individualized),—"were buried near the old fort. Afterwards an apple tree grew upon the spot spontaneously, and my father (says Joseph S. Walthour. Esq., MS.) always took the best care of it, because it marked the grave of the dead there buried."

 It would appear that the region about this fort suffered most during the seasons of 1781-2, and especially just before the destruction of Hannastown. Many petitions sent to Gen. Irvine from citizens of Washington and Westmoreland counties, show, in a clear light, the dangers and exposures of the border throughout this period.

Of these petitions there was one from Brush creek, dated June 22d 1782, of which Mr. Butterfield, the erudite historian of the Western Department, says: "This petition, so unexceptionably elegant in diction, as well as powerfully strong and clear in the points stated, is signed by nineteen borderers, mostly Germans. The document itself is in a bold and beautiful hand. It would be hard to find in all the Revolutionary records of the west a more forcible statement of border troubles, in a few words, than this." (Wash.-Irv. Cor., 301, note.)
 The names of these petitioners are given by Rev. Cyrus Cort in his Col. Henry Bouquet, etc., p. 98. They are as follows: George, Christopher, Joseph and Michael Waldhauer (Walthour), Abraham and Joseph Studabedker, Michael and Jacob Byerly, John and Jacob Rutdorf, Frederick Williard, Wiesskopf (Whitehead), Abraham Schneider, Peter and Jacob Loutzenheiser, Hanover Davis, Conrad Zulten, Garret Pendergrast and John Kammerer.

The following extracts are from the petition: They represent: "That since the commencement of the present war, time unabated fury of the savages hath been so particularly directed against us, that we are, at last, reduced to such a degree of despondency and distress that we are now readly to sink under the insupportable pressure of this very great calamity. * * * * That the season of our harvest is now fast approaching, in which we must endeavor to gather in our scanty crops, or otherwise subject ourselves to another calamity equally terrible to that of the scalping-knife—and from fatal experience, our fears suggest to us every misery that has usually accompanied that season. * * * * Wherefore we humbly pray for such an augmentation of our guard through the course of the harvest-season as will enable them to render us some essential service. * * * * And as we have hitherto been accustomed to the protection of the continental troops during the harvest-season we further pray, that we may be favored with a guard of your soldiers, if it is not inconsistent with other duties enjoined on you."

 A small force of continentals was stationed at Turtle creek, a post on the old Penn'a road where Turtle creek crossed. These were intended to protect all that settlement round about.

 Of Walthour's Fort, little would be known outside of well-preserved traditions but for an event which, on account of its unique character and the circumstances connected with it, had attracted the notice of H. H. Brackenridge who has in his narration redeemed this fort from a fate which otherwise would have been obscure. Mr. Brackenridge, who later was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, was at that time a practicing attorney at Pittsburgh. In his leisure he directed his vigorous intellect to literary pursuits, and wrote various articles on such subjects as partook of an historical or legal complexion. Thus, whatever he wrote for the public has great value, and from his method of treatment his articles are of peculiar interest to the antiquary. His story of the lame Indian depicts a peculiar phase of frontier life; and as its verity has never been questioned, we are constrained to admit is as a record which deserves to be perpetuated. The account, therefore, is here given, accompanied with the letters illustrating it. It is as follows:

 "In Pittsburgh (Penna.), about the year 1782, one evening just in the twilight, there was found sitting in a porch, an Indian with a light pole in his hand. He spoke in broken English to the person of the house who first came out, and asked for milk. The person (a girl) ran in and returning with others of the family they came to see what it was that had something like the appearance of a human skeleton. He was to the last degree emaciated, with scarcely the semblance of flesh upon his bones. One of his limbs had been wounded; and it had been on one foot and by the help of the pole that he had made his way to this place. Being questioned, he appeared too weak to give an account of himself, but asked for milk, which was given him, and word sent to the commanding officer of the garrison at that place, (General William Irvine), who sent a guard and had him taken to the garrison. After having had food and now being able to give some account of himself, he was questioned by the interpreter (Joseph Nicholson). He related that he had been on Beaver river trapping, and had a difference with a Mingo Indian who had shot him in the leg, because he had said he wished to come to the white people.

 "Being told that this was not credible, but that he must tell the truth, and that in so doing he would fare the better, he gave the following account, to wit: that he was one of a party who had struck the settlement in the last moon, and attacked a fort and killed some and took some prisoners.

 "This appeared to be a fort known by the name of Walthour's fort by the account which he gave, which is at the distance of twenty-three miles from the town on the Penn'a road towards Philadelphia, and within eight miles of what is now Greensburg. He stated that it was there that he received his wound.

 "The fact was that the old man Walthour, his daughter and two sons were at work in the field, having their guns at some distance, and which they seized on the appearance of the Indians, and made towards the fort. This was one of these stockades or blockhouses to which a few, families of the neighborhood collected in times of danger, and going to their fields in the day returned at night to this place of security.

 "These persons in the field were pursued by the Indians and the young woman taken. The old man with his son kept up a fire as they retreated and had got to the distance of about an hundred yards from the fort when the old man fell. An Indian had got upon him and was about to take his scalp, when one in the fort directing his rifle, fired upon the Indian who made a horrid yell and made off, limping on one foot. This was in fact the very Indian, as it now appeared, that had come to the town. He confessed the fact, and said, that on the party with which he was, being pursued, he had hid himself in the bushes a few yards from the path, along which the people from the fort in pursuit of them came. After the mischief was done, a party of our people had pursued the Indians to the Allegheny river, tracing their course, and had found the body of the young woman whom they had taken prisoner but had tomahawked and left. The Indian, as we have said, continuing his story to the interpreter, gave us to understand that he lay three days without moving from the place where he first threw himself into the bushes, until a pursuit might be over, lest he should be tracked; that after this he had got along on his hands and feet, until he found this pole in the marsh which he had used to assist him, and in the meantime had lived on berries and roots; that he had come to a post some distance, from here, where a detachment of soldiers was stationed, and thought of giving himself up, and lay all day on a hill above the place thinking whether he would or not, but seeing that they were all militia men and no regulars, he did not venture.

 "The Indians knew well the distinction between regulars and militia, and from these last they expected no quarter.

 "The post of which he spoke was about twelve miles from Pittsburgh on the Penn'a road at the crossings of what is called Turtle creek. It was now thirty-eight days since the affair of Walthour's fort, and during that time this miserable creature had subsisted on plants and roots and had made his way on one foot by the help of a pole.

According to his account, he had first attempted a course to his own country by crossing the Allegheny river a considerable distance above the town, but strength failing to accomplish this he had wished to gain the garrison where the regular troops were; having been at this place before the war; and, in fact, he was now known to some of the garrison by the name of Davy. I saw the Indian in the garrison after his confession, some days, and was struck with the endeavors of the creature to conciliate good-will by smiling and affecting placability and a friendly disposition.

 "The question was now what to do with him. From the mode of war carried on by the savages, they are not entitled to the laws of nations. But are we not bound by the laws of nature, to spare those that are in our power; and does not our right to put to death cease, when an enemy ceases to have it in his power to injure us. This diable boiteux, or devil on two sticks, as they may be called—his leg and his pole—would not seem to be likely to come to war again.

 "In the meantime the widow [Mrs. Mary Williard] of the man who had been killed at Walthour's fort and mother of the young woman who had been taken prisoner and found tomahawked, accompanied by a deputation of the people of the settlement, came to the garrison, and addressing themselves to the commanding officer, demanded that the Indian should be delivered up that it might be done with him, as the widow and mother and relations of the deceased should think proper. After much deliberation, and the country being greatly dissatisfied that he was spared, and a great clamour prevailing through the settlement, it was thought advisable to let them take him, and he was accordingly delivered up to the militia of the party which came to demand him. He was put on a horse and carried off with a view to take him to the spot where the first mischief had been done (Walthour's fort). But, as they were carrying him along, his leg, the fracture of which by this time was almost healed, the surgeon of the garrison having attended to it, was broken again by a fall from the horse which had happened some way in the carrying him. The intention of the people was to summon a jury of the country and try him, at least for the sake of form, but, as they alleged, in order to ascertain whether he was the identical Indian that had been of the party of Walthour's fort; though it was not very probable that he would have had an impartial trial, there having been a considerable prepossession against him.

 "The circumstance of being an Indian would have been sufficient evidence to condemn him. The idea was, in case of a verdict against him, which seemed morally certain, to execute him, according to the Indian manner, by torture and burning. For, the fate of [Colonel William] Crawford and others, was at this time in the minds of the people, and they thought retaliation a principle of natural justice. But while the jury were collecting, some time must elapse, that night at least; for he was brought to the fort, or blockhouse in the evening. Accordingly a strong guard was appointed to take care of him, while, in the meantime, one who had been deputed sheriff, went to summon a jury, and others to collect wood and materials for the burning, and to fix upon the place, which was to be the identical spot where he had received his wound, while about to scalp the man whom he had shot in the field, just as he was raising the scalp halloo, twisting his hand in the hair of the head, and brandishing the scalping-knife. It is to be presumed that the guard may be said to be off their guard somewhat on account of the lameness of the prisoner, and the seeming impossibility that he could escape; but so it was, that while engaged in conversation on the burning that was to take place, or by some other means inattentive, he had climbed up at the remote corner of the blockhouse, where he was, and got to the joists, and thence upon the wall-plate of the blockhouse, and thence as was supposed got down on the outside between the roof and the wall-plate; for the blockhouse is so constructed that the roof overjuts the wall of the blockhouse, resting on the ends of the joists that protrude a foot or two beyond the wall, for the purpose of those within firing down upon the Indians, who may approach the house to set fire to it, or attempt the door.

But so it was that, towards morning, the Indian was missed, and when the jury met, there was no Indian to be brought before them. Search had been made by the guard everywhere, and the jury joined in the search, and the militia went out in all directions, in order to track his course and regain the prisoner. But no discovery could be made, and the guard were much blamed for the want of vigilance; though some supposed that he had been let go on the principle of humanity that they might not be under the necessity of burning him.

 The search had been abandoned, but three days, when a lad looking for his horses, saw an Indian with a pole or long stick, just getting on one of them by the help of a log or trunk of a fallen tree; he had made a bridle of bark as it appeared which was on the horse's head and with which and his stick guiding the horse he set off at a smart trot, in a direction towards the frontier of the settlement. The boy was afraid to discover himself, or reclaim his horse, but ran home and gave the alarm, on which a party in the course of the day was collected and set out in pursuit of the Indian. They tracked the horse until it was dark, and were then obliged to lie by; but in the morning, taking it again, they tracked the horse as before, but found the course varied taking into branches of streams to prevent pursuit, and which greatly delayed them, requiring considerable time tracing the stream and to find where the horse had taken the bank and come out; sometimes taking along hard ridges, though not directly in his course, where the tracks of the horse could not be seen; in this manner he had got on to the Allegheny river where they found the horse with the bark bridle, where he appeared to have been left but a short time before. The sweat was scarcely dry upon his sides; for the weather was warm and he appeared to have been ridden hard; the distance he had come was about ninety miles. It was presumed the Indian had swam the river, into the uninhabited (and what was then called the Indian) country, where it was unsafe for the small party that were in pursuit to follow.


 "After the war, I took some pains to inform myself whether he had made his way good to the Indian towns, the nearest of which was Sandusky, at the distance of about two hundred miles; but it appeared that after all his efforts, he had been unsuccessful, and had not reached home. He had been drowned in the river or famished in the woods, or his broken limb had occasioned his death."

The following account written by Ephraim Douglass at Fort Pitt (see Penn. Mag. of Hist. and Biog., Vol. i, pp. 46-48), gives particulars, also, of the escape of the "Pet Indian:"
 "Pittsburgh, July 26, 1782.

"My Dear General: Some three months ago, or thereabouts, a party of Indians made a stroke (as it is called in our country phrase) at a station [Walthour's] distinguished by the name of the owner of the place, Wolthower's (or as near as I can come to a German name), where they killed an old man and his Sons, and captivated [captured] one of his daughters.

 "This massacre was committed so near the fort that the people from within fired upon the Indians so successfully as to wound several and preventing their scalping the dead. The girl was carried to within six miles of this place, up the Allegheny river, where her bones were afterward found with manifest marks on her skull of having been then knocked on the head and scalped. One of the Indians who had been wounded in the leg, unable to make any considerable way and in this condition deserted by his companions, after subsisting himself upon the spontaneous productions of the woods for more than thirty successive days, crawled into this village in the most miserable plight conceivable. He was received by the military and carefully guarded till about five days ago, when, at the reiterated request of the relations of those unfortunate people whom he had been employed in murdering, he was delivered to four or five country warriors deputed to receive and conduct him to the place which had been the scene of his cruelties, distant about twenty-five miles.

The wish, and perhaps the hope of getting some of our unfortunate captives restored to their friends for the release of this wretch, and the natural repugnance every man of spirit has to sacrificing uselessly the life of a fellow-creature whose hands are tied, to the resentment of an unthinking rabble, inclined the general to have his life spared, and to keep him still in close confinement. He was not delivered without some reluctance, and a preemptory forbiddance to put him to death without the concurrence of the magistrate and most respectable inhabitants of the district: they carried him, with every mark of exultation, away. Thus far, I give it to you authentic; and this evening, one of the inhabitants returned to town, from Mr. Wolthower's neighborhood, who finishes the history of our pet Indian (so he was ludicrously called) in this manner: That a night or two ago, when his guards, as they ought to be, were in a profound sleep, our Indian stole a march upon them and has not since been seen or heard of.


 
"I may perhaps, give you the sequel of this history another day; at present, I bid you good-night; my eyes refuse to light me longer.""Pittsburgh, 4th of August, 1782.

"Dear Sir: To continue my narrative—our pet Indian is certainly gone; he was seen a day or two after the night of his escape very well mounted, and has not since been seen or heard of; the heroes, however, who had him in charge, or some of their friends or connection, ashamed of such egregious stupidity, and desirous of being thought barbarous murderers rather than negligent block-heads, have propagated several very different reports concerning his supposed execution, all of them believed to be as false as they are ridiculous.

     "EPHRAIM DOUGLASS.

‘To Gen'l William Irvine."
The following was the order issued by Irvine:"You are hereby enjoined and required to take the Indian delivered into your charge by my order, and carry him safe into the settlement of Brush creek. You will afterwards warn two justices of the peace, and request their attendance at such place as they shall think proper to appoint, with several other reputable inhabitants. Until this is done and their advice and direction had in the matter, you are, at your peril, not to hurt him nor suffer any person to do it. Given under my hand at Fort Pitt, July 21, 1782.
 
"To Joseph Studibaker, Francis Birely, Jacob Randolph, Jacob Birely, Henry Willard, and Frederick Willard."______

 


Sixth Generation 


Garrett PENDERGRAST, Jr.  Born  before 1743, more than likely in somewhere in VA, MD or PA.  The land boundaries were in dispute between these three states and were in flux for several years.  Garrett was with the earliest explorers in Kentucky. Garrett died in Harrodsburg, Mercer Co., KY on 28 Mar 1777, he was probably in his 30s.  Garrett married Margaret America ELLIOTT, daughter of John Elliott & Patience Quigley.    As far as I know, a marriage record between Garrett and Margaret has yet to been found, nor do we know where or when they married.  I believe this is the land that Garret Jr. patented in Kentucky when he first came from Pennsylvania.  He and an Elliott had land near each other who would have been Margaret's brother, Garrett's wife; or some other relation of hers as her maiden name was Elliott.  This land was inherited by his son Jesse.  It is near where the Kentucky River joins the Ohio near modern day Carrolton Kentucky. Grantee: Pendergrass, Jesse

Acres: 4000, Book: 16, Survey Date: 1-13-1787
County: Fayette, Water Course: KY R
Reference: THE KENTUCKY LAND GRANTS
Volume 1, Part 1
CHAPTER II VIRGINIA GRANTS (1782-1792)
THE COUNTIES OF KENTUCKY
page 106
More Info: Grantee: Pendergrass, Jesse
Acres: 4000
Book: 16
Page: 270
Date Survey: 1-13-1787
County: Fayette
Watercourse: KY R

Pennsylvania Map of Cove Area


1755 Big Cove, Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania

Source: History of Washington Co., Pennsylvania p. 54.

 

 "In the morning of Sunday, the 2d of November, the Indian allies of the French attacked the Great Cove settlement, Cumberland County, killed six persons, and carried away seventeen prisoners.

On the same day Benjamin Chambers wrote from Fallow Spring (source Col. Rec., vol. vi. p. 675) 'To the Inhabitants of the Lower Part of the county of Cumberland. If you intend to go to the assistance of your neighbors, you need not wait any longer for Certainty of News. The Great Cove is destroyed. James Campbell left this Company last night and went to the Fort at Mr. Steel's Meeting House, and there saw some of the Inhabitants of the Great Cove, who gave this account, that as they came over the Hill they saw their houses in flames. The messenger says there is but one hundred, and that they divided into two parts, the one part to go against the Cove, and the other against the Conolloways and that there are no French among them. They are Delaware and Shawanese. . .

The people of the Cove that came off saw several men lying dead; they heard the murder shout and the firing of Guns, and saw the Indians going into the Houses that they had come out of before they left sight of the Cove. . . "On the day following the massacre and burning at Great Cove the settlements at Little Cove and Conoloways were attacked, all the houses burned, and several persons carried away as prisoners.

 Mr. Potter, sheriff of Cumberland County, reported 'that of ninety-three families which were settled in the two Coves and the Conolloways forty-seven were either killed or taken and the rest deserted.” (Withers, Chronicles of Border Warfare, p. 190 "In November 1755, a raid was made on the Big Cove settlement, by the Delaware chief Shingiss, but the Harrods were among the few families who escaped unharmed to Fort Littleton." 

 



From "A Report of the Causes Determined by the Late Supreme Court for the District of Kentucky, and by the Court of Appeals, In which Titles to Land were in Dispute by James Hughes, Second Edition, Edited by Harvey Myers, Cincinnati, Robert Clarke & Co., 1869".  Margaret Elliott Pendergrass Wilson was involved in a law suite over land she claimed in 1779; two years after her husband Garrett Pendergrass was killed at Fort Harrod.  It totaled 1,394 acres, including an original 400 acres she received for her late husband's service during the war.  By the time the lawsuit was brought, Margaret was already remarried to George Wilson. Pg. 123  Owens v. Whitaker - Where the holder of an entry is induced, by the fraud of the holder of a conflicting and inferior entry, to give up the land within the interference to the latter, a court of equity will compel him to surrender the title to the former  Pg. 155 Jackson v. Wilson - Where the complainant was induced to survey contrary to his entry by the fraud of the defendant who was the holder of an adjoining entry, and the defendant obtained a grant for land that would have been in complainant's entry, had it been properly surveyed, the defendant was decreed to convey the land so improperly obtained to the complainant.  Pg. 168 -

"Robert Elliott deposed, that in the spring of 1776, he sent a party to Clear creek, to repair the cabins he had begun the preceding winter, and Garrett Pendergrass, husband to Margaret, now married to the defendant Wilson, and himself went from the mouth of the Kentucky, to Clear creek, since called Brashear's Creek.  That they kept down the creek as far as the place where Samuel Shannon since lived, where he had previously built a cabin.  That the said Pendergrass asked him for, and he gave him the said cabin.  That he didn't not believe the said Pendergrass had ever been on the said creek before, nor had ever made an improvement there, either by himself or agent.  That they went from the mouth of Kentucky to Fort Pitt, about the 1st of June, or July, 1776, and that he had never heard from Pendergrass himself, or any other person, that he had ever made any improvement on Clear creek.  That he believe Garrett Pendergrass had never been in Kentucky before, and that the place where Samuel Shannon lives, is the place where the improvement was, which he gave to said Pendergrass".Note Garrett was killed and scalped by Indians outside of the Fort at Harrodsburg.   SEE THE ELLIOTT LINE HERE.

 





I recently visited Fort Harrodsburg, and have several photos of the fort and the pioneer cemetery where I suspect Garret was buried. Picture of myself on left in cemetery.






From the book:  Daring Exploits and Perilous Adventures; being a Record of Thrilling Narratives, Heroic Achievements, Hazardous Enterprises, and Astonishing Escapes; interspersed with numerous account of the most singular and entertaining facts, found in History; and embracing a most curious and interesting variety of valuable reading for all classes.  Prepared from authentic document and embellished with numerous engravings.  Hartford , Con., Published by Ezra Strong, 1843.


 
page 55


 
Adventure of a Kentucky Settler

 
The late John Haggin, Esq., of Mercer county, came to Kentucky at an early period.  On his arrival the few inhabitants resided principally at Harrodsburgh and Boonesborough.  Lexington had not then been settled.  Mr. Haggin, desirous of commencing the cultivation of the fertile land in this region of country, made some entries, that is, purchased several tracts from government; among the rest, one at a place near where Harrison, Bourbon, and Fayette counties unite.  He commenced the improvement of the place, removed some of the trees, erected a small log house, and brought to his new residence some furniture; among other things a few iron kettles, to be used in making sugar from the sugar trees, which were then, and are now abundant in that country. 


 Owing to the want of roads and means of transportation, heavy iron utensils were of great value, and but few persons had or could procure them.  Shortly after Mr. Haggin commenced working on his new place, the hostility of the savages became so alarming, that he was constrained to abandon his cabin and seek security in the fort at Harrodsburgh.  Previously, however, to his departure, he used the precaution of burying his kettles.  He was accompanied to Harrodsburgh by his wife and one child, a daughter, who is now residing in Woodford county, united in marriage to a gentleman of respectability.  Mr. Haggin spent the winter with his family in the fort, where they were somewhat incommoded by the crowd of persons within so small a place. 


 
In the spring, perceiving no indications of the savages in the vicinity, and desirous of getting out of the fort, he erected a cabin in the valley near the stream leading from the Big Spring towards the fort, on the side next to where the town of Harrodsburgh now is situated, less than a quarter of a mile distant from the fort, (the fort being on an eminence,) but directly in view.  Mr. Haggin and his family spent the summer at their little tenement, engaged in domestic concerns, and cultivating a small portion of land; released, to be sure, from the confinement of the fort, but under continual apprehension of a visit from the Indians.  Each morning, before the door was unbarred, they peeped out of the cabin, "illuminated by many a cranny," to spy out the insidious enemy, who, it was feared, might be lurking about behind logs and trees, ready to rush in and under the family.  They remained, however, in a great measure, uninterrupted until fall, when Mr. Haggin determined to revisit his place on this side of the river, for the purpose of removing some of his kettles to Harrodsburgh, preparatory to making sugar in the winter.  He set out in company with an active woodsman that he had hired to assist him.


 On the second day, they came in sight of Mr. Haggin's place, in the edge of what is now Harrison county; they were riding slowly and cautiously along, watching for enemies, when, looking forward to the place where the cabin had stood, they perceived that it had just been burned down, and saw three or four Indians sitting near the ruins.
 Haggin proposed to his companion that they should fall back and prepare themselves, and then return and give the Indians battle.  They retreated a few hundred yards, dismounted, took off their exterior clothing, retaining only their shirts, leggins, and moccasins, tied their other clothing on their horses, and turned them loose, intending, in case of a retreat, to regain their horses; but if they could not succeed in that, they deemed it prudent to be lightly clothed, that they might fly with more celerity.  Having examined their rifles, and seen that every thing was in order, they set out to attack the enemy.

 It was arranged that Haggin should proceed on foremost, fire his gun at the savages, and retreat to a tree; that his companion should reserve his shot until the enemy approached, and then fire and retreat; thus they would fire and load alternately.  But this well arranged plan, like many others equally sagacious, proved abortive.  Whilts Haggin and his companion were engaged in a council of war, it did not occur to them that the savages had seen them and were concerting plans also.
 Mr. Haggin, agreeable to the mode of attack agreed on, advanced slowly, his body bent down, casting his eyes forward, intently watching for a sight of an Indian, to get shot at.  He heard a low voice behind him; he listened; his companion cried out in a quicker undertone, "Haggin, don't you see we are about to be surrounded?  let us retreat."  Haggin cast his eyes around and saw tow hundred Indians rise up from among the cane, having nearly surrounded him.  He immediately fled; they pursued, but did not then fire, lest in shooting across, they should kill each other.

The two flanks of the ambuscade began rapidly to close upon Haggin.  he directed his steps towards his horse, which was quietly feeding on the cane.  Haggin was a very active man and a fleet runner; but some of the savages appeared to equal him.  He reached his horse, and sprung from the ground, intending to leap into the saddle from behind.  As he placed his hands on the horse's rump, and Indiana ran the muzzle of his gun against Haggin's side, and fired.  That moment Haggin leaped; at the same instant the horse, being alarmed, sprang also; Haggin fell, and thought he was mortally wounded; but feeling no pain, rebounded to his feet and fled, exerting his whole strength. 

The savages perceiving that he had escaped and was ahead of them, commenced firing on him, and perhaps one hundred bullets were commissioned to kill, but none took effect.  The chase was kept up for some hours, when the Indians, finding it fruitless, ceased the pursuit. 

Haggin being very hot and much fatigued, went into a creek to cool his limbs.  After he came out he sat down at the root of a tree and fell asleep; when he waked, he discovered that it was snowing, and the air had become cold, and he was much chilled.  Having time now to think, the horrors of his situation arose to his view; he had lost his horse, gun, and clothes, he was forty miles from Harrodsburgh, and twenty-five miles from the nearest other station, which was Boonsborough, without food or the means of getting any, night coming on, snow falling, no blanket to keep him warm, nor means of striking fire; he might perhaps freeze to death.  He determined to steer for Boonsborough.

After indescribable difficulty in making his way through the cane, loaded with snow, and suffering from cold, loss of sleep, and fatigue, he reached Boonsborough the next morning.  Having eaten something, he laid down and slept from that time until the following morning.

In the mean time, the man who accompanied Mr. Haggin, had got to Harrodsburgh, and reported that he was killed, overwhelming his wife with the distressing intelligence.  Haggin, on the day of his arrival, set out for Boonsborough, accompanied by a Mr. Pendergrast, for Harrodsburgh.  The wife of Mr. Pendergrast had been staying for some time with Mrs. Haggin, in a little tenement near the forest at Harrodsburgh.  Haggin had supplied himself with clothing and a gun, before he left Boonsborough.  The two friends journeyed on without interruption, until they arrived at a little eminence near Mr. Haggin's residence.  On casting their eyes to the spot where they expected to find what was most dear to them on earth, their wives and children, what mush have been their astonishment and horror, when they beheld the cabin a smoky ruin, and one of two hundred savages around the place.  Haggin's feelings were now wrought up to desperation; he called on Pendergrast to follow, saying he no longer valued life, now his wife and children were murdered; that he would die, but sell his life dear to the enemy.  Pendergrast accompanied him; they rushed directly up to where the Indians were standing.  The reckless manner in which they approached, excited the surprise of the savages; they stood inactive, not making any attempt to injure the two desperate men.  At this moment, one or both the them, cast a look towards the fort, and saw or thought they saw, their wives on the wall of the fort, waving their handkerchiefs to them.  The desire of living immediately returned to their hearts.  They changed their course and sprang towards the fort.

The Indians raised the yell, darted after them, and many guns were fired.  Both of the white men fell, in full view of the fort; the wives screamed, believing their husbands were slain.  In a moment Haggin was on his feet again; he rushed forward, the savages in close pursuit; one struck him on the back with his tomahawk, it proved harmless; the gate flew open, and he was received with a shout of joy in the arms of his wife, having escaped entirely unhurt; his fall had been accidental.  But poor Pendergrast fell to rise no more.  His friends, from the fort, saw the savages take the scalp from his head. Another mention of the incident:

Captain John Haggin (1753-1825) Draper MSS IICC257-263 Interview of William McBride in Bourbon County Kentucky."John Haggin was the man whose family escaped to the fort (Harrodsburg), while the Indians were burning the cabin.  Haggin was on this side of the Kentucky River somewhere, I think on Licking, and Pendergrass with him.  They got back while the cabin was about half burned.  The others in the fort, seeing them coming, hung out a handkerchief or a flag at the east end.  They made for Harrodsburg, but Pendergrass was killed.  (Hugh) McGary went out and brought in Mrs. (Nancy) Haggin on a sled.  Mrs. Haggin said she felt uneasy, the turkeys walked about the yard and yelped.  She said she would go if she could get there.  McGary went to the fort and fixed up a sled and moved them, (the wife and two children) (one of afterwards my wife).  Just as they entered the fort-gate, the Indians fired the cabin.I  n April 1775, John Haggin settled about 8 miles above Cynthiana, on Hinkston, or Stoner, I don't know which, and planted a crop there. Col. John Hinkston was uncle to Mrs. (Nancy) Haggin. Hinkston had come there that same spring, only a little before Haggin. Hinkston had built some block-houses, and had (not his family, but) some hired men with him. It had been a time of peace with the Indians and a good many Indians Haggin had seen. He had come up Licking in a canoe. His wife and child (afterwards my wife, then three months old, born 5th January,) and two men only were with him. They went along, some eight or ten canoes. They stopped and talked with the Indians, but was in nowise interrupted. (of these two men, one was Alexander McMillan.) The first they heard of any Indian depredations, one Sunday Mrs. Haggin was picking beans. Perhaps two men were on their way to Haggins, through the woods. When five or six miles from there, one of them was killed. The other came in. Haggin now went to Hinkstons, and from there to McClellnads fort, and thence to Harrodsburg. Hinkston brought out his family to Haggin's Station, some six or seven years after. Hinkston's Station was then burned.
 
Bourbon County Court Order Book (this is the same ref. as the deposition by John Sellers in my last e-mail, this deposition came after Sellers') The deposition of William McCune being of full age and duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was at the place where the letters aforesaid were marked in the [year] 1782 and that there then stood a cabbin which was called Townsends Cabbin. Question by Palmer: When was the covered cabbin which was built by John Townsend where you now live Burnt & Answer I believe in the fall 82. And further saith not. Signed William McCune. Teste David Clarkson. John Smith. Thomas Mahan.
 
Other records 1 haven't seen yet: John Hinkson, James Cooper, John Woods, John Townsend and William Huskins mentioned in Bourbon County office of the Clerk, Box 757.

From the Letters of George Rogers Clark (1752-1818):

March 6-26, 1777, Diary excerpts at Harrodsburg:
(my note:  Garrett Pendergrast, according to all accounts, died on March 28th; so I'm not certain if I transcribed the diary date wrong here or what, but several sources cite March 28th.

"Thomas Shores and William Ray killed near Shawnee Spring. . . A small party of Indians killed and scalped Hugh Wilson. . . Archibald McNeil died of wounds . . . A large party of Indians. . . killed and scalped Garret Pendergreet; killed or took prisoner Peter Flin." That's 6 heads of families in three weeks. There were only about 200 people in Harrodsburg at this time. 
Draper interviewed a "Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas" "She emigrated to Kentucky in 1775 and was at the seige of Harrodsburg in 1777.  Regarding Pendergrass:  "He was killed within 100 yards of the fort, his wife and family at the time looking out of the window and seeing it.  Thinks Pendergrass was lame.  "Draper Manuscripts MSS 12 C2b-29 and MSS 4CC85Published October 1929, Filson Club History Quarterly, Vol 3

 

 
From "A History of Shenandoah County", Virginia by John Walter Wayland:
Pendergrast:  Pendergrast's were early in Shenandoah and Frederick counties, Va.  The names Garrett and Jesse persisted in the family.  A Jesse Pendergrast sold land, 1808 Opequon, Frederick county.  Garrett Pendergrast (Jr.) was killed, 1777 at Harrodsburg, Ky.  Dr. Garrett Elliot Pendergrast, born at Harrodsburg, KY, 1776, was an eminent physician, who died at Cincinnati, Ohio, 1850.  Commodore Garrett Jesse Pendergrast, 12th Commodore of the U. S. Navy, born in (now) Carroll county, KY, 1802, was a son of a Jesse Pendergrast and Miss Moore.

 



Bullitt's Lick Region





A Map of the area in southern Jefferson county, KY where they lived, showing the forts, paths, etc.



Hello:

I am researching my Wilson surname in KY. Robert Wilson, a Capt. in the PA line Rev. War married Jane Elliott in Hagarstown, MD. Nov.1777. Jane was the dau. of John Elliott and Patience Quigley. Robert and Jane moved to KY after the war, apparently to be near her sister Margaret who married Garrett Pendergass. After Garrett died Margaret married GEORGE Wilson, the brother to Robert.


Also at genforum.genealogy.com/elliott/messages/5271.html there is a posting with quite a lot of info. on the Elliott line.  It seems to be well documented.  Robert Wilson's pension file # is W9010. It is quite long but has good info.
Carolyn





Destination MapAt the time this state, Kentucky, drew up a petition of rights to send to the assembly of Virginia and the Congress asking to become an independent state, Garrett Pendergast was deputized to carry the petition due to his having been friendly with Indians and able to do more with them.  It has been reported erroneously that Garrett was killed by Indians when carrying this petition which is untrue.  He was outside of the Fort when he was killed.  See the notes above.

 


Elihu Barker's MapFrom the Virginia Legislative Papers, From originals in the Virginia State Archives:  Deposition of John Gibson in regard to Delaware Indians:  Augusta County S. S.  Personally appeared before me John Gibson one of his Majesties Justices for the County of August, Garet Pendergrass, who being sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God Deposeth and Saith that he left the Delaware towns, on Muskingum on Monday last, that he was informed there by some of the Delaware that a number of their people had lately come from Detroit, that on Babee a French Trader had held a Council with them and that he desired them immediately to strike the White people that the Wiandots and all other tribes would join that he would furnish them and at the same time offered them ammunitions for that purpose.  He also told them the white people were not quite round them and intended soon to fall on the Indians that they sold Babee they could not join in anything of the kind as their head men and made a firm peace with their Brethren the English and refused receiving any ammuniction from him and further saith not.  Sworn and subscribed this 20th July 1775 at Logstown Garret Pendergrass Junior. Before me. 

John Gibson  Captain Joseph Bowman's Company, January 24, 1778 at Fort Harrodsburg and Neighboring Stations, from Collins History of Kentucky, Vol I:  Joseph Pendergrass, Michael Pendergrast, Thomas Pendergrast.

Cases Heard By the Kentucky Court of Appeals 1792 & Later
Abstracted by Bill Utterback

These are abstracts of appellate cases which were heard by the Kentucky Court of Appeals, which was created when Kentucky was granted statehood in in 1792. Appellate cases can often provide genealogical information, even if the only such information is the location of the parties involved and when they were there. Many of the cases in the early appeals time frame are associated with land disputes. Primarily, the issue involved warrants for surveys on land that was already claimed by preemption. The cases were brought to prevent another individual from settling on land through treasury or military warrants which had been settled earlier by what was commonly known as "squatting".

The abstracts present the essential information in these appellate cases, as found in the Opinion of the Kentucky Court of Appeals. The case files themselves, which would contain the actual depositions, petition and answer(s), and other materials are no longer extant for Kentucky appellate records until 1863, due to a fire. Copies of the full opinion (to be scanned and sent via e-mail attachment) in any case can be requested from me at billco@ARN.NET .

Users should be aware that given names are not always shown in the case opinions. In some cases, only the surnames are shown, especially for neighbors and others who may be corollary parties to the case. In addition, in the early Appellate Court decisions, the county in KY is not always given. In the "Other Names" field, be aware that these names, unless identified as a neighbor, witness, or other particular individual, may have no relationship to the plaintiff or defendant in the case, and that there is no other information in the opinion to identify these people more specifically. Plat maps of some of these land surveys are included in the opinions. These have been noted in the abstracts by: [plat map]. Additionally, it should be remember that these cases represent only those which were appealed - there were undoubtedly many dozens of others which were filed, and decided, at the lower court level, but which the losing party did not appeal.

This is a part of a continuing project by this contributor to abstract cases heard before the Kentucky Court of Appeals, which came into existence in 1792.

The information contained in these abstracts is public domain material. The format and arrangement is © 2006-2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Abbreviations:

(W) = Witness
(N) = Neighbor
(TW) = Treasury Warrant
(MW) = Military Warrant
(PE) = Preemption Claim
NG = Not Given
OGI = Other Genealogical Information
HAL = Heir-at-Law

COUNTY: Not given
CASE: Brackett Owens & Joel Jackson v. Aquilla Whitaker & Daniel Sullivan
DATE: May Tern 1795
CASE TYPE: Land

OTHER NAMES: Johnathan Smith, 1780, 134 acres on MW; Margaret Pendergrass (N); ---- Holman(N); Nicholas Mereweather;---- Porter (N) OGI: A. Whitaker, PE of 1000 acres; George Wilson intermarried with Margaret Pendergrass; Daniel Sullivan (deputy surveyor at time; Meret Price acted as witness; Whitaker left the district and returned in January 1784; Squire Boone, pilot for Sullivan; William McCoy, surety on bond. [Very long case]

CITATION: 1 Hughes Rpts. 123

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COUNTY: Shelby
CASE: Joel Jackson & Bracket Owens v. George Wilson & Margaret, His Wife, Late Margaret Pendergrass

DATE: May Term 1795
CASE TYPE: Land

OTHER NAMES: Nicholas Merewether; John Porter (W) [Margaret ’s agent]; ---- Holman (N); Daniel Sullivan (Deputy Surveyor); Aquilla Whitaker; Squire Boone (Surveyor & Witness); William Pope (W); Benjamin Pope (N) OGI: Margaret Pendergrass: PE, 17 Nov 1779; Improvement made 1777; 1400 acres, total; Jonathan Smith, assignor to Brackett Owens & Joel Jackson; Richard Taylor & Robert Breckenridge (W’s); William Roberts (W); Silas Ashby (W); William Taylor (W); David Standeford (W); David Gwynn (W); Jonathan Boone (W) [Deputy Surveyor]; Garrett Pendergrass, husband of Margaret; Samuel Shannon (N); Henry Ditto (W); Robert Elliott (W) {Long case]

CITATION: 1 Hughes Rpts. 155

Notes for MARGARET ELLIOTT: After her husband was killed in March, 1777, it appears from records below, that Margaret worked and earned money via the army/military, George Rogers Clark; and a substantial amount for those days.  I can't help but think this was the way Garrett Pendergrass was awarded for his service after he died.

 

 

Per George Rogers Clark Records:

 

 

6315-4-463-464- July 22, 1780: Top document. No. 12. State of Virginia Account of Margaret Pendergrass? for cooking 12 days for 5 men of Col. Clark's mess; and supplying of milk and butter at sundry times. Paid $168 by William Shannon. Names: Thomas Vickroy.

6935-4-861- October 11, 1780: Bill of Exchange for $1440 sent by Will Shannon at Falls of Ohio to Treasurer of Virginia for payment to Mrs. Margaret Pendergrass for sundries furnished troops stationed in the Illinois Department under command of George Rogers Clark.

 

7765-4-1382-1383-October 13, 1780: Top document. Account of the state of Virginia with Margaret Pendergrass for whiskey received by William Shannon of the Illinois Department. Names: John Handley.

 

7705-4-1325-1326-October 14, 1780: Bottom document. George Rogers Clark and William Shannon at Falls of Ohio sent Bill of exchange to Virginia Treasurer for payment of $ 4,150 to Margaret Pendergrass for sundries furnished to Illinois Department troops.

 

14682-9-94-101-January 1, 1782-Continued: Kennedy, James Sullivan, John Philips, George Slaughter, William Shannon, John Byrne, Mary Pendergrass, Thomas Philips, Col. Bowman, William Pope, Sandford Edwards, Aquilla Whitaker, John Standley, Samuel Wills, Simon Triplett, Mary Christie, James Wright, Jacob Valmoth, James Trabue, Daniel Trabue, Abraham Hamponstall, James Merriweather, James Dosant?, Col. Crockett, William Savago, Benjamin Kuykendall, William Henderson, Capt. Robert Patterson, Arthur Lindsay, Hugh Faber, David Standeford, James Dickory, William Tomilinson, Capt. Robert Elliott, Philip Chapman, Moses Kimbrough, James May, Hugh McGary, Charles Gratiot, James Young, George Hart, John Favour, Mark Thomas, Lazarus Ryan, Frederick Michael, Benjamin Logan, John Logan, M. Single, John Brown, William Hogan, Daniel Gass, James Brown, John Trabue, James Lloyd, James Kerr?, Nathaniel Hart, George Wilson, Patrick Shields, Samuel Johnson, Joseph Kimbrough, William Marshall, John Bowman, Samuel Smith, Josiah Baker, Simon Fletcher, Reuben Kemp, Richard Chinoweth, Newton Harris, James Sherlock, Philip Dejean, John Beckley, Robert Saunders, Daniel Rogers, Thomas Askins, Alexander Robertson, John Grant, Richard Barbour, Michael Stucker, Jacob Stucker, John Williams, Gabriel Madison, William Preston, Robert Buchanan, John Jameson, Henry Hanagar?, William Harrison, George Davidson, John Crittenden, Jacob Morris, Charles Bradford, Abraham Miller.


Items listed: beef, whiskey, boats, gun/rifle, boarding and attendance for wounded, iron, planks, salt, buffalo beef, bear meat, horses, medicine, tallow. Reference to Falls of Ohio, militia, Illinois Regiment, troops, Harrodsburgh Garrison, Shawnee Expedition, Kaskaskia Indians, Kentucky county, Lincoln Militia, Kent Militia, spies, Fort Jefferson, mouth of Ohio River, soldiers, muskets. Very fine handwriting. Many names are listed more than once.

 

15303-9-501-504-April 7, 1782: Appears to be an abstract of warrants issued for several months. Names: John Montgomery, William Myers, William Stoll, Gabriel Madison, William Bryan, William Koll, James Southall, Capt. John Rogers, Herman C. Allen?, Col. George Slaughter, Evan Shelby, Isaac Taylor, James Hunter, Nathaniel Randolph, William Shannon, Robert Todd, Samuel Sills, George Noahs?, Thomas Quirk, Charles Charleville, Monsieur McCarty, Richard Chinoweth, John Bowman, Philip Dejean, Robert Saunders, David Johnson, George Rogers Clark, John Williams, Philip Barbour, Stephen Arnott, James F. Moor, William Preston, Aaron Downs, James Sutton, John Duncan, James Sullivan, Richard Campbell, William Sullivan, Elisha Freeman, William Glasscock?, John Byrnes, Major Pendergrass, Absalom Miller, Sanford Edwards, James Dosart, William Savage, William Briscoe, Benjamin Grohdall?, Capt. Robert Elliott, Philip Chapman, Moses Kimbrough, Mark Thomas, ? Lawrence, George McAdoo, Evan Baker, Simon Fletcher, James Sherlock, James Volvo?, Charles Clinton, William Toor, James Powers, Thomas Points, Henry French, Hugh (should it read Margaret Pendergrass above?)

 

15646-9-701-706-May 6, 1782: Accounting for money issued for various dates as late as December 6, 1790. Reference to French money and paper money and pounds, and interest earned. Names: Adam Bingoman, John Maurey, Henry Croucher, Andrew Steel, Thomas Vickroy, Zephaniah Blackford, George Wilson, William Shannon, James Sullivan, ? Pendergrass.

 

17505-10-1089-1096-Abstract from Capt. William Shannon's vouchers of sundry expenditures in the Illinois Department. Dated entries from June 4, 1780-May 28, 1781. Items and services: rum, boats, beef, horses, salt, rent of store, whiskey, taffia, corn, flour, flat bottom boat, canoes, wagons, barrels, express, saddle, brandy, barges, indian meal, deer skins, cheese, butter, bear meat, planks, tar. Names: Gidion Jarrat, Matthew Willey, William Minurtry, Mary Christy. George Wilson, Daniel Standeford, Jacob Mires, David Douglas, Margaret Pendergrass, James Sullivan, Thomas McGee, Jacob Vanmeter, Thomas Bull, John Folkes, William Pope, Morias Hansborough, William Provance, John Phillips, Monsieur Carbonneaux, John Floyd, Aquilla Whitaker, John Handley, Thomas Vickroy, David Standeford, Dennis Springer, Thomas McCarty, Moses Kuykendall, Isaac Kellar, Uriah Johnson, John Asturgus, Hardy Hill, Willis Green, Samuel Culbertson, Robert Taylor, James Asturgus, Jacob Pyeatt, Galloway and Mitchell, James Galloway, James Wright, John Miller, Benjamin Price, Samuel Hinch, Jarret Williams, Isaac Morrison, James Keller, John Howe, Richard Loyde, Jonathan Rogers,

 

8429-5-419-422- August 10, 1780: Top document. Duplicate filming. Capt. Benjamin Roberts order to issue 4 pounds of flour for the wounded man at ? Pendergrass.
 

6763-4-739-740- August 4, 1780: Second document. Capt. Benjamin Roberts order to issue flour rations to the wounded men, who came from Col. Clark and who were living at B. Pendergast.


6923-4-847-848- August 14, 1780: Second document. No. 52. Capt. Benjamin Roberts order to issue 5 pounds of flour for 2 wounded men at William Pendergast [house], who were sent down the River by George Rogers Clark at the Falls of Ohio.

6925-4-849-850- August 16, 1780: Top document. Capt. Benjamin Roberts order to issue 4 pounds of flour for the 2 wounded men at William Pendergast [house] at the Falls of Ohio.

 

6936-4-862- October 16, 1780: Bill of Exchange for $150 sent by Will Shannon at Falls of Ohio to Treasurer of Virginia for payment to Mrs. Margaret Pendergrass for sundries furnished troops stationed in the Illinois Department under command of George Rogers Clark.
 

10672-6-800-803- May 6, 1781: The commonwealth of Virginia [account] with William Shannon. There are 4 pages for the document, which listed the cash received of the Treasurer in February of 1780. Entries refer to accounting credit and interest as well as payments. Names: George Wilson, James Francis Moore, James Sullivan, Adam Bingoman, John Marney, Andrew Steele, Thomas Vickroy, Zephaniah Blackford, Patrick Kennedy, and Mr. Pendergrass.

 

11916-7-279-280- July 10, 1781: Fourth document. John Crittenden order to Major George Walls to issue a tent to Col. Pendergast. Names: William Johnson.

 

Notes for Margaret"

 

June 1, 1780 - Margaret Pendergrass bought 600 acres Jefferson County Land Entries at Pendergrast Settlement, pg. A110

 

August 8, 1783 - pg. 29 Indenture June 13, 1783 Margaret Pendergrast sold land/lot in downtown Louisville....

May 6 1784 - Administration of the Estate of Garrett Pendergrass deceased, is granted unto George Wilson and Margaret his wife, who gave Bond and Security according to Law, in the penalty of 1500 and c. (Early Kentucky Wills, J' Co, KY. Wills, pg 115).

May 7, 1784 - Ordered that James Quertermous, Peter Newkirk, Francis Chain, and Jas. McCauley, or any three of them, being first sworn to appraise the personal Estate and Slaves if any of Garrett Pendergrass dc'd and return an inventory to the Court (Early KY Settlers, pg 120).

 

August 8, 1788 - Indenture George Wilson and Margaret his wife to Daniel Gregg and Patrick Carrol, for 35 pounds, Lot No. 41 on the new plan of the town of Louisville, originally drawn by the said Margaret Wilson, then Margaret Pendergrass as an inhabitant of the said town and deeded to her on June 4, 1783.  Witnessed William Johnson, William Sullivan, Mark Thomas and William Pope.  Recorded Aug 8, 1788

 

September 8, 1789 - George Wilson & Margaret Admin of Garrett Pendergrast, deceased, V. Richard Jackman, in Chancery, continued at costs of defendant.

 

October 18, 1791 - George Wilson, Margaret his wife, vs. Richard Jackman, dedimus granted to complaintent to take the depositions of John Skelding and Edwin Young, as witnesses on their behalf.

 

June 21, 1799 - pg. 106, Indenture Jesse Pendergrast and Elizabeth Pendergrast, his wife to William Sullivan.  Whereas the trustees of the town of Louisville by their indenture dated December 9, 1785, did sell to the said Elizabeth, who was at the time Elizabeth Moore, Lot No. 6 in the 20 acre range of lots in the town of Louisville.  And whereas the said Jesse Pendergrast has since intermarried with the said Elizabeth, since she has attained the age of 21 years, and the said Sullivan has purchased of Jesse ad Elizabeth Pendergrast the said lot of 20 acres for $200, this indenture witnesses the conveyance thereof witnessed by David Brown, William Harris and Samuel McGary.  Recorded June 27, 1799

 

December 18, 1800 - Jefferson County, KY Records Vol 5, Michael L. Cook, C. G.  Kentucky Record Series Pg. 10 - Indenture:  Jesse Pendergrast to James Francis Moore, for 300 pounds, a tract of land now in the possession of Moore by virtue of Pendergrast intermarrying with Elizabeth Moore.  Bounded by William Madison, James McCauley and others containing 150 acres.  Witnessed by John Harrison, Abraham Field and Thomas Hite.  Recorded July 10, 1801.

 

April 8, 1801, pg. 13 Indenture:

Jesse Pendergrast to Thomas Carrico of Nelson County for $1,090.00 330 acres in Gallatin County, Kentucky on the North side of Kentucky River, beginning on River bank at the mouth of the first gut below ASAHEL ROLLINGS, thence north east, being part of said Pendergrass's settlement and preemption.

 

In the spring, Captain Wilson and wife joined Mrs. Pendergrass and all came to the present site of Louisville, but not caring to locate at this place, came twelve miles south and bought land on the stream which they named Pennsylvania Run Creek.


They built block houses from the trees on their land. Among the first was the church they named Pennsylvania Run. They had come from Pennsylvania and were God fearing Presbyterians. These two sisters, Jean and Margaret Elliott, were the daughters of John Elliott.

SOURCE:  Written by Julia E. Young, 5th Generation from Rev. John Elliott. Article written on May 19, 1932 and printed in the Jeffersonian. Louisville, KY.

 

Notes for MARGARET ELLIOTT: This from Washington County Historical Society 135 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

My dau. Margaret. She appears to have married Garrett Pendergrass, the younger, "late of Bedford Co., who was killed at Harrodsburg, Ky., March 28, l777.

Bedford Co., Penn; May 18, 1779, Letters of Admr. on estate of Garrett Pendergrass, late of Bedford Co., Penna., were granted to James Elliott, highest creditor. They had a son, Jesse, born prior to 1777, who married Betsy Moore, in Shelby Co., Ky., Apr. 24, 1797, (2) Garrett Elliott Pendergrast, b. 1776 at Harrodsburg, died 1850 at Louisville, Ky. (3) Patience Pendergrast mar. in Shelby Co., Ky., Sept. 18, 1797, Thomas Theobald, Her brothers Jesse and Garrett Pendergrast were her witnesses: (4) Polly Pendergrast, no record.

 

Margaret Pendergrast, after the death of her husband Garrett, (Garrett died in 1777) about 1782 or 83 married a man named Wilson and the Wilson-Elliott descendants say he was William Wilson brother of Capt. Robert Wilson who had mar. Jane Elliott.  (My Note:  in all records, Margaret's husband is referred to as George Wilson).

 

Court records of Jefferson Co., Ky., show that Jesse Pendergrass, an infant son and heir of Garrett Pendergrass decd., made proof by the Oath of Margaret Pendergrass, widow of said descendent, that the said Garrett acted under a warrant or brevet as second in command of a company of guides to the Armies Commanded by General Forbes in the year 1758, and by General Stanwix in 1759. That he was engaged in the said service by Col. Adam Steven and continued therein till he was regularly discharged.

 

Louisville Courier Journal June 5, 1898 Vol. XC New Series-No.10749
NAVAL HEROES OF OTHER DAYS
Commodore Pendergrast a Jefferson County boy
AN INTERESTING CAREER
A Fighter of the Old School and His Record
GREAT BATTLE ON THE LAKES
The Elliot Family Also Resident of the County
(written for the Courier-Journal)

 

See the above article here, courtesy of Carolyn Zeagler, who found the article on Microfilm at the Louisville Public Library in 2005.
 

Jefferson County, KY Court Records:  Colonel Richard Taylor, Robert Breckinridge, James Meriwether, Abraham Hite and William Johnston, or any three of them, to settle the accounts of George Wilson as Guardian of the heirs of Garrett Pendergrass, dec'd, and make report.

 

and this:
 

Thomas Theobald made proof to the Court that Jesse Pendergrass, Garrett Pendergrass, Patience Theobald, Polly Pendergrass and Nancy Rawlings are the children and heirs of Garrett Pendergrass, dec'd.  Ordered certified.

In 1800, Deed Books indicate David Barber lost his land that included “one tract of five acres on Beargrass Creek including Barber’s Mill” to George Wilson. In May 1801, George Wilson sold the Fait-Barber property to Frederick Geiger. That same month, Geiger contributed money to build a bridge over Beargrass Creek along Bardstown Turnpike. A road was constructed from the Bardstown Turnpike north to the Ohio River. The orientation of this street is continued in the present-day street grid pattern throughout much of Butchertown.

Nelson Co., KY Deeds

Pg. 399 - 10 October 1791 – Acknowledgement of Margaret Wilson, wife of George Wilson to sale of 400 ac. to John Kennedy.

 Pg. 142 - 11 May 1791 – George Wilson, wife Margaret, to John Kennedy, 200 pounds, 400 ac. on Wilsons Creek, near Dr. Smith’s Station.

 Pg. 144 - 14 June 1791 – William Smiley, wife Rachel, to Robert Wilson, 100 pounds, 330 ac. waters of Fitches Fork of Cox’s Creek, adj.  John Fitch.
 

 

  Garrett Pendergrass and Margaret American Elliott had the following children:
 

i

Mary or Polly Pendergrast, born before 1777, died before 1818. could have married a Mr. Talbot,

ii

Nancy Pendergrast, born before 1777 when her father was killed.  according to Nelson County, KY marriage records, Nancy married a "Rolings, Sale" May 8, 1789 -  Family traditions are that Nathan had claimed he had six brothers, that two died in "the war" and two were killed by Indians. Whether that is true or not is uncertain. We do know that some of them were Asahel (died in Knox County, Indiana in 1814), married to the former Nancy Pendergrass. Nelson County Bonds, Marriages and Consents:  1785-1800, Vol 1, includes ministers' returns, sureties, parents (when given on bond & consent) and complete index - Nelson County Genealogists. Rawling, Aseal & Pendergrass, Nancy, Bond:  14 May 1789, Married:  18 May 1789, Signed bond:  Chrisly Romine - Note from George Wilson, stating Rawlings is a stranger & asking the clerk to issue a license, Married by John Wittaker, from Minister Return

From a post on the internet:  I am interested in the Pendergrass family because of Nancy Pendergrass' marriage in the late 1780's to Asahel Rawlings. They had several children before Asahel died sometime between 1804-1816. Nancy remarried in 1816 in Knox County, IN to Isaac Yates (Yeats). By about 1820 she appears in the Illinois Census (Edwards County). She had several siblings (Jesse, Garrett, etc.) I believe she was the daughter of Garrett Pendergrass, who appears to have been killed by Indians in the late 1700's in KY. I have some material on Jesse and his land dealings in Missouri in the early 1800's as well as a lawsuit involving much of the Pendergrass children that took place in the early 1800's.  Would welcome replies.  Ed -  wiessej@msn.com
Children:  Eleanor, married James Rawlings, Nancy, married Alexander Banks, Moses, married three times, possible other child named Michael, but little evidence.  Asahel and Nancy lived in Kentucky until the early 1800s.  They eventually settled in Knox County, Indiana where Asahel died in 1814.  Nancy remarried to Isaac Yeats (or Yates), in Knox County, Indiana in 1816.  No further reference to Isaac, except for a Knox County deed from about 1817/19.  Nancy was living in southeastern Illinois (Lawrence, Edwards Counties) during the 1820 Census, but after that, she appears to have died.  She had to begun to use the Rawlings Name again.

iii

Jesse Elliott Pendergrast  b. 1770? -this the Jesse Pendergrass referred to in a deed below indicating Jesse Pendergrast sold land in VA, and was heir at law of Garrett Pendergass, and his older brother, was presumed dead? Which brother is he referring?  Obviously from this he is not the oldest.  I don't know where to look for another brother.

iv

Garrett Elliott Pendergrast, M.D., 1776-77 Harrodsburg, Married first 1798, Louisville, KY to Mary Brooks, they divorced, and he married second 1823 in Louisville, KY to Susannah D. Richardson, children: Margaret America Pendergrast.  I read somewhere he accused her of running around on him. 

Deposition taken 9 Feb 1828 at the land office of Patrick H. Pope, Louisville, KY
 
Deposition of Garret E. Pendegrast:  taken 9 Feb 1828 at the land office, Louisville, KY   The deponent ... says that he went to school to Mr. Priestly in Bardstown; that when the school broke up, which was in the month of September, he returned to his step-father's, Major George Wilson, being the place where John C. Beeler now lives; that the deponent knows that Joseph Donohoe lived at that time at the Fish Pools, or at Romine's near said Fish Pools, and the latter being the place where old Mr. Gailbreath now lives; that at that time there was a cabin without a cover near the road and near the place where the Complainant Saunders lives or where Mrs. Rogers lives; the said cabin was in the woods & no fences about it and no one living in the cabin; and that it is his impression that it was in the fall of the year 1793 that sd. Donohoe lived at the Fish Pools or at sd. Romine's and that he lived there some time before the year 1793 & further the deponent says that the course from the Fish Pools to said cabin was about a point East of South and that it was about a mile & a half on a straight line from the said Fish Pools to said cabin.  And further the deponent sayeth not. Signed  G. E. Pendergrast

The Kentucky Gazette - Wednesday, March 22, 1797Six Dollars Reward

Lost from the plantation of Leonard Young, near Bryant's Station, a black horse, five yrs old, fifteen hands high, trots, branded with 'O'.  I believe on his rear buttock and a tear? on his off? hip.  G. Pendergrass, Lexington

Cincinnati Gazette, Weekly Journal, July 25, 1850

On Thursday, July 24th, 1850 at his residence on Market Street, Dr. Garrett Elliott Pendergrass, a native of Kentucky and among the oldest of her sons, born at Harrodsburg in 1776, nature had been kind to him in endowing him with a firm and strong memory.

He received a liberal education under the care of Dr. Priestly and at the Transylvania University at an early period of its history. Studied medicine with the distinguished Dr. Rush in Philadelphia and became eminent in his profession which he practiced usefully throughout his long life. His ancestry was efficient members of the Revolution with Great Britain by land, sea and in the Indian Wars in the Western Country.


Notes for GARRETT ELLIOTT PENDERGAST: 1797, July 5
Garrett Pendergrass releases Jesse Pendergrass from any expense connected with suit to recover any part of estate of Garrett Pendergrass, des'cd, Jesse Pendergrass having made a general sale to Garrett of all his rights in the estate of Garrett Pendergrass, deceased, with certain exceptions. July 5, 1797 Witnesses: Jno Harrison, Tho M. Winn, recorded July 5, 1797 [B1, p 215] (Early Kentucky Settlers, pg 403).

Notes for MARY "POLLY" BROOKS:  Child of Joseph Brooks, I have a synopsis of his will (Joseph.  His Daughter, Mary "Polly" Pendergrast and his granddaughter through Mary, Margaret America Pendergrast are both mentioned in his will.  I also have a copy of Mary's will.)

1821 "Early Kentucky Settlers" pg 280
Pendergrast, Mary..................................May 13, 1821

Child of GARRETT PENDERGAST and MARY BROOKS is:

i. MARGARET AMERICA PENDERGAST (went to Havana, where she wrote a will, which I have a copy of)

v

Patience Pendergrast, she was born before 1777 when her father died and marries Thomas Theobold in 1797, Shelby Co., KY.  Patience Quigley, more than likely was named for her grandmother, Patience Quigley, Margaret Elliot's mother who married John Elliott.  Thomas Theobald's, Will, Jefferson Co., KY, July 25, 1816-Aug 13, 1816  Nuncupative will.  Substance of what was considered to be last will of Thomas Theobold:  first that immediate application be made at County Court, at his expense, "obtain bill of divorcement of niece, Nancy Pendergrass, from her absconded husband John Baxter," she to receive her bed, support, etc. so long as she remain single.  After paying debts, residue to be divided among children.  Slaves to be hired out for support of children until youngest becomes of age, then slaves divided among them, except Harry to be freed.  Will hitherto made, and in the hands of his brother, to be void.  Signed by Walter Pearson, Rich. Dowling and James H. Overstreet [B2, p41]

B1, pgs. 200-201 Jefferson County Court

Theobald, Thomas heirs.  At July Court, 1832, on motion of William Prior [sic], one of the children and heirs of said Thomas, it was ordered that Wm Farquar, Saml Dickinson, Wm. Reed and Frederick A. Kaye divide slaves and real estate amongst his three children and heirs:  Garrett I., and William P., and Margaret (I've seen Ameila too, not sure if Margaret and Ameilia are the same person. Theobald.  (Wm and Garrett having reached the age of 21).

Nathan Pendergrast (from the family story) Nathan was stolen by the Indians while he was still a small child, and never heard of again, only by supposition. Many years afterward an Indiana Chief was slain in battle and found to be a white man. A most striking resemblance to the Pendergrast family was observed by the ones who saw him, which gave rise to the story that he was the long-lost boy of Margaret Elliott Pendergrast. Fortunately this discovery was not made until after the death of Mrs. Pendergrast, and thereby her grief was not intensified by living to learn that the little babe once so dear to her heart had attained unto manhood in savagery, and whose tomahawk would have been lifted against her had the opportunity offered.

 

Certificate Book of the Virginia Land Commission 1779-1780
By the Kentucky Historical Society
 Excerpts regarding Pendergrass/Pendergrast, etc.
 (Cert iss'd for 1400 fees &c pd)

Jesse Pendergrass
Heir at Law to Garrett Pendergrass deceased this day claimed a settlement & preemption to a tract of Land lying on the Kentucky River about 5 Miles from the Mouth on the North side thereof where there is a large Hickory Bottom by the said Decedents improving the same & raising a Crop of Corn in the year 1776 satisfactory proof being made to the Court they are of the Opinion that the said Pendergrass has a right to a settlement of 400 Acres including the said improvement & the preemption of 1000 Adjoining & that a Certificate issue accordingly. 

Cert Iss'd for 1400 fees &c pd D. D. to Mr. Pendergrass
William Woodard this day claimed a Settlement & preemption to a tract of Land lying on the waters of Breasheir's Creek about 4 or 5 Miles below the 3 Forks of the s'd Creek a branch of the Salt River, by improving the same in the year 1776 & residing in the Country 12 Months before the year 1778 satisfactory proof being made to the Court they are of Opinion that the said Woodard has a right to a settlement of 400 Acres of Land to include said improvement & the preemption of 1000 Adj'og & that a Certi issue accordingly. Cert iss'd for 1400 fees &c pd D. D.

Margarett Pendergrass this day claimed a right to a settlement & preemption to a tract of Land lying on Bresheirs Creek about 8 Miles below the head of said Creek on the South side by improving the same in the year 1777 and residing 12 Months since her Settlement satisfactory proof being made to the Court they are of Opinion that the said Margarett Pendergrass has a right to a settlement of 400 Acres including the s'd improv't & the preemption of 1000 Adjoining & that a Certificate issue accordingly. 

Present James Barbour Gent. --
Cert issd for 1499 fees &c pd D. D. to M. Pendergrass
Margret Pendergrass for an in behalf of James Elliott this day claimed a settlement & preemption to a tract of Land lying on the first large Run that empties into Kentucky above Cedar Creek on the Opposite side by the said Elliott's improving the same & residing in the Country 12 Months before the year 1778 satisfactory proof being made to the Court they are of the Opinion that the said Elliott has a right to a settlement of 400 Acres of Land to include the said improvement & preemption of 1000 Acres adjoining and that a Certificate issue accordingly -- Cert issd for 400177 Margarett Pendergrass Assee of Edward Wilson by Jno Todd Jun'r this day claimed a preempt'n of 400 Acres of Land at the State price in the district of Kentucky on Acc't of the s'd Wilson making an Actual settlem't in the year 1778 lying on a small branch of Wilson Creek on the North side of a branch of the Rolling fork of Salt River about 10 or 12 Miles South East of Bulletts Lick to include the s'd Wilsons improvement Satisfactory proof being made to the Court they are of Opinion that the s'd Pendergrass has a right to a preemption of 400 Acres to include the above Location & that a Cert. issue accordingly.177 Kentucky Historical Register, Vol.  21, pp. 45, 47, 52. 

 

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, to the Sheriff of Jefferson County, greeting: We command you to summon Garrett E. Pendergrast, Margaret America Pendergrast, Elizabeth Pendergrast, widow of Jesse Pendergrast, Ann Eliza Pendergrast, James F. Pendergrast, Garrett Pendergrast, Jesse Pendergrast, Hero Pendergrast, and Elizabeth Pendergrast, Heirs of the sd. Jesse dec’d. by the said Elizabeth their guardian and item, Garret Theobald, Prior, alias Pryor Theobald, and Amelia Theobald, Heirs of Patience Theobald, dec’d., who was Patience Pendergrast, by James H. Overstreet, their guardian ad item, heirs of Margaret Wilson, who was Margaret Pendergrast, deceased, to appear before the Judge of the Circuit Court for the Jefferson Circuit, at the Court House in Louisville, on the 12th day of our present February term, to answer a bill in Chancery in our said Court exhibited against them by Daniel P. Sullivan, William Sullivan, Edward Tyler Jr., and Rebecca his wife, who was Rebecca Sullivan and Sophia Sullivan, the last being under the age of twenty one years, sues by her next friend Edward Tyler Jr., heirs of William Sullivan, dec’d., and this they shall in nowise omit under the penalty of one hundred pounds – and have then there this writ. Witness, Worden Pope, Clerk of our said Court, at the Court House aforesaid, the 18th day of February 1820, and in the 28th year of the Commonwealth.

Worden Pope

Daniel P. Sullivan
William Sullivan
Edward Tyler Jr. and Rebecca his wife & COMPLAINANTS
Sophia Sullivan by the said Tyler her next friend

Against

Garret E. Pendergrast, Margaret America Pendergrast,
Elizabeth Pendergrast, Ann Eliza Pendergrast,
James F. Pendergrast, Garrett Pendergrast
Jesse Pendergrast, Hero Pendergrast & Defts.
Elizabeth Pendergrast, the last six being the children
and heirs and the seventh, the widow of Jesse Pendergrast,
dec’d., Garrett Theobald, Pryor Theobald, and Amelia
Theobald, children and heirs of Thomas and Patience
Theobald, dec’d., and Alexander Pope

This suit is brought by the complainants as the Heirs of William Sullivan, dec’d. for legal [title] to the half acre lot No. 130 on Market Street in Louisville, founded on an obligation of the said Jesse Pendergrast for his own and the share of the said Garrett Pendergrast in and to said lot – also on the obligation of Mary Pendergrast, for her one fifth part of the said lot - also on the obligation of Patience Theobald and Thomas Theobald, for her one fifth part of the said lot, and also on the obligation of Asahel Rawlings and Nancy his wife for her one fifth part.

The said lot was conveyed to Margaret Wilson who died intestate, by the trustees of Louisville as a claimant under Amasa Frizzell, and the said Jesse Pendergrast, Garrett Pendergrast, Nancy Rawlings, Mary Pendergrast, and Patience Theobald being her children and Heirs – the said Garrett Pendergrast having disavowed the sale of his interest in the said lot by the said Jesse Pendergrass his brother, dec’d. – and asserting a claim and right to the whole lot as Devisee of the said Frizzell, by his will the said Garrett alleges was [suppressed] and that he can establish – and the said Pope claiming the western half of said lot under a purchase of the whole lot upon execution of [Quinz] & Churchill against said Wm. Sullivans Admr. and Heirs –

The said Garrett E. Pendergrast has compromised the claim of the said Alexander Pope to said western half of said lot and has [?] his [release] and conveyance of his right and interest thereof for the sum of three hundred & fifty dollars and also with the said Edward Tyler Jr. for himself and his wife and the said Daniel P. Sullivan and William Sullivan and John C. Sullivan, Guardian to the said Sophia Sullivan appointed as such by the county court of Jefferson in this state with authority in each power to compromise disputes in their land titles – and by agreement between the complainants and the said Alexander Pope and Garrett E. Pendergrast each party are to pay their own costs – and it appearing to the court that the said Jesse Pendergrast died insolvent, that the said Asahel Rawlings also died insolvent, and that the said Nancy Rawlings afterwards sold and conveyed her part of said lot and that the said Thomas Theobald died in doubtful circumstances, and the said Patience having died without making a deed for her part of said lot, it is the opinion of the court that the said compromise is beneficial to the complainants and that the said compromise ought to be confirmed – Therefore, at the request of the complainants and the said Pope and Garrett E. Pendergrast, it is ordered and decreed that the compromise and [?] aforesaid be and the same is hereby confirmed and that each party pay their and his own costs

The Jefferson Circuit Court under the act of assembly in such cases provided is hereby requested to receive approve and record the above decree in the same manner as if the parties had appeared in court and asked for the same

Recorded in court February 5, 1822

From: Kentucky Court of Appeals Deed Books (O-U) VOL. 3, by Michael L. Cook, C.G. and Bettie A. Cook, C.G., Cook Publications, Evansville, Indiana (1985).

p. 56 Indenture, February 2, 1818, Nancy Rollins, formerly Nancy Pendergrast, of Palmyra, Illinois territory, to Isaac Watkins of Shelby County, Kentucky. Whereas Nancy Rollins is a daughter and one of the heirs of Margaret Pendergrast who afterwards intermarried with George Wilson, and Margaret Wilson has since deceased, and Nancy Rollins is also heir of Polly Pendergrast, her sister, dec’d, formerly of Louisville, Kentucky, and whereas Nancy Rollins, by virtue of the said estate has become entitled to many tracts of land in Kentucky and Indiana, and other property, which Nancy Rollins has now sold one-half interest in the two said estates to Isaac Watkins (the other half being conveyed to William Littell, Esq., of Shelby County) for $1,000. Now this Indenture witnesses the conveyance of the one-half interest. Recorded Shelby County, Kentucky, February 23, 1818, and by the Kentucky Court of Appeals, February 26, 1818.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, to the Sheriff of Jefferson County, greeting: We command you to summon Nimrod H. Moore, Elizabeth Moore, and John Jones to appear before the Judge of the Circuit Court for the Jefferson Circuit, at the Court House in Louisville, on the 1st day of our next October term, to answer a bill in Chancery in our said Court exhibited against them by Samuel M. Quartermous & Ann his wife, James F. Pendergrast, Garrett J. Pendergrast, Hero Pendergrast & Elizabeth Pendergrast, the said Hero and Elizabeth being infants under the age of 21 years, sue by the same James F. Pendergrast their brother and next friend, and this they shall in nowise omit under the penalty of one hundred pounds – and have then there this writ. Witness, Worden Pope, Clerk of our said Court, at the Court House aforesaid, the 3rd day of August 1824, and in the 33rd year of the Commonwealth.

Worden Pope

From a copy of an petition by Nimrod H. Moore, administrator of the estate of Jesse Pendergrass, to the Superior Court for the Territory of Missouri at St. Louis Missouri.

”The petition of Nimrod H. Moore Administrator of the estate of Jesse Pendergrass deceased. Respectfully shewith: That letters of administration, dated the sixth day of January eighteen hundred & seventeen, have been duly granted to your petitioner on the estate of the aforesaid Jesse Pendergrass, who died intestate in the State of Kentucky about the 22d day of January 1813.

That the said intestate at the date of his decease, was possessed of no personal property, and of a claim of only one tract of land containing four hundred [?] situated in the county of New Madrid in the Territory aforesaid.`

Samuel Quartermous and Ann his wife, James F. Pendergrass, Garrett J. Pendergrass, Hero Pendergrass, and Elizabeth Pendergrass, the said Elizabeth an infant by James F. Pendergrass

Against

Nimrod H. Moore and Elizabeth, his wife
June 1826

Note by Ed Wiessing – “Hero’s name crossed through here.”



WILSON, GEORGE - Erected the first courthouse in Louisville (1784) at a cost of $309.79. (Info from the book, Louisville Panorama by R. C. Riebel)

In 1800, Deed Books indicate David Barber lost his land that included “one tract of five acres on Beargrass Creek including Barber’s Mill” to George Wilson. In May 1801, George Wilson sold the Fait-Barber property to Frederick Geiger. That same month, Geiger contributed money to build a bridge over Beargrass Creek along Bardstown Turnpike. A road was constructed from the Bardstown Turnpike north to the Ohio River. The orientation of this street is continued in the present-day street grid pattern throughout much of Butchertown.

Nelson Co., KY Deeds

Pg. 142
11 May 1791 – George Wilson, wife Margaret, to John Kennedy, 200 pounds, 400 ac. on Wilsons Creek, near Dr. Smith’s Station.

Pg. 144
14 June 1791 – William Smiley, wife Rachel, to Robert Wilson, 100 pounds, 330 ac. waters of Fitches Fork of Cox’s Creek, adj. John Fitch.

Pg. 399
10 October 1791 – Acknowledgement of Margaret Wilson, wife of George Wilson to sale of 400 ac. to John Kennedy.

 

Seventh Generation 


Jesse Elliott PENDERGRAST. Born abt 1770?, in Pennsylvania.  On 24 Apr 1797 married Elizabeth "Betsy" MOORE, daughter of James Francis MOORE & Ann Standiford, in Shelby County, Kentucky. She was born about 1781 probably in Pennsylvania or Maryland.  (see article left about he and Betsy's house whom descendants have inherited).   According to court records above; Jesse died intestate in the state of Kentucky January 22, 1813; he was fairly young, around 43 or so. 

From an article I have on the settlement of Harrodsburg, and the fort there, it says that James Harrod, Abram Hite, Jacob and Jason Sandusky came to the site of the present Harrodsburg in June, (1774) and along with thirty other men laid off the town.  Per Jefferson County Land Entries, a Jesse Pendergrast bought 400 acres along the Kentucky river 12/7/1779.

From my cousin Mark, who descends from Jesse and Betsy (through their daughter Elizabeth:  Cat,  I live in Nashville. I haven't been back to Fish Pool in 5 or 6 years. I believe it is still in the hands of maternal relatives that go back to builder James F Moore. My 4th great grand parents, Theodore Young and Elizabeth Moore Pendergrast inherited the place from her mother. The current residents inherited it from Jesse and Sudie Young over a century ago. The 3rd generation Slack family still farms some of the land, but the estate is greatly reduced. The outside world has not been kind to the family or the historical presence of the place. The original cemetery was destroyed by vandals and then the highway forced the removal of what was left.  Mark


 

Notes for Jessie Elliot  Jesse Pendergrass an infant son and heir of Garrett Pendergrass dec'd, made proof by the oath of Margaret Pendergrass Widow, of the said deceased, that the said Garrett acted under a warrant, or Brevet, as the Second in command of a company of guides to the armies, commanded by General Forbes, in the year 1758, and by General Stanevix, in the year 1759 - That he was engaged in the said Service, by Colo. Adam Steven and continued therein till he was regularly discharged; that he received Lieutenants pay, and that he was an inhabitant of Virginia, at the time of entering into the Service, and also at that time of his death, and that he the said Garrett never in his lifetime, not the said Jesse, since his death, to the knowledge of the said Margaret even before made proof of such services, in order to obtain a Certificate thereof; or even obtained any warrant for such Services, under the King of Great Britain's proclamation of 1763. Pendergrass -

At a Court held for Jefferson County on the 7th of March 1781 then the above proof made. Test John May, Clerk Jefferson County, P. T. from "Early Kentucky Settlers" Pg 6

 “58. “A Large Hickory Bottom,” on the north side of Kentucky River, about five miles from its mouth. (P. 69.) (Property of Jesse Pendergrass, heir of Garrett Pendergrass.)” Interpretation. This is the bottom to the southeast of General Butler State Park and Indian Hills.  The nearest fordable crossing on the Ohio was probably 7-8 miles upstream at Ghent (Ky.) and Vevay (Ind.). It is likely that buffalo and Indians often crossed the river here. A remarkable outlying stand of cane occurs along Indian Creek north of Vevay (on State Route 56).

1826 "Early Kentucky Settlers" pg 449-450.

At December 4, 1826, Court, on motion of Samuel M. Quertermous and others, heirs of Jesse Pendergrast, deceased, it was ordered that Alexander Woodrow and Alexander Woodrow, Jr., Alexander Galbraith, Joshua McCawley, John C. Beeler, and Nathan Byers, divide and allot to Quertermous, James F. Pendergrast, Garrett I. Pendergrast, and Elizabeth Pendergrass, heirs of Jesse Pendergrass that portion of real estate of James F. Moore, devised by him to Nimrod H. Moore in Jefferson County and purchased by Quertermous and others.

Survey by Robert L. Woodrow, deputy surveyor of land, conveyed by Osborn Spring to James F. Moore, showed tract contained 736 acres, adjoining James Withers' 500 acre survey, and line of Levin Powell's 2000 acre survey, and Sprigg's 1,100 acre survey. Nimrod H. Moore is only heir mentioned. Further details of bounds of lands refer to George, James and David Sullivan's 463 acre survey, Robert Coleman's 12,231 acre survey, James Wither's 500 acre survey, George Slaughter's 1000 acre survey, John G. Moore's 1094 acre survey on Lick Run, "Otherwise called Chapman's Run," also North bank of Salt Block Run, and Pond Creek.  Recorded April 2, 1827. [B1, p 148]

An abstract of Elizabeth Pendergrass's will: Will Book 4, pg. 229

 Will dated 13 March 1847, Proved 8 May 1850.  Elizabeth Pendergrast gives to son Garrett J. Pendergrast 6 negro slaves.  (Garrett made loans to her since he came of age).  To her daughter Elizabeth Young 2 slaves, and then to Elizabeth Young's heirs at her death.  Household and ketchen furnishings also to Elizabeth.  To my daughter Ann Elizabeth who intermarried with Dr. Samuel Quertermous, I leave negro, household furnishings, etc., to granddaughter Margaret Quertermous whom I raised from the 8th year of her age, who intermarried with William Wells .... To James F. Pendergrast, my son, I leave a negro.  (Elizabeth says she has already advanced James money for education, land and other slaves and stock animals.  She believes he has his part, and he agrees.) Executors:  Son, Garrett Pendergrast, neighbor, Col. John Murphy, Taken From the Calendar of the George Rogers Clark Papers

Published by McDowell Publications, Rt. 4 Box 314, Utica, KY 42376, 1985

The reel number refers to the reel on which you can find the filmed originals from the Draper collection. The alphabetical letter is the series identifying letter, in this case George Rogers Clark Papers. Following the letter is the volume number within the series and then the page numbers. The page numbers noted in this published calendar did not always seem to agree with the numbers designated on the film. Researchers are advised to look several pages before and after the page number given. The Calendar page has also been noted.

An * before the identifying number means the item has been transcribed and appears in the publication Some Lynn/Linns Found in the Draper Manuscripts.

Reel #34, Series J, Vol. 51, p. 104 - Calendar 125
Jefferson Co. Ky. "Extracts from the Minute Books of Jefferson Co. Court, copied at Louisville, Oct. 1846 by LCD." William Linn's will proved; pre-exemption granted to Leighton White for military service; appointment of Dowdles's Station as the place for holding court; fixing of rates for tavern keepers; estates of Samuel Wells and Peter Austurgess administered; Jesse Pendergrass' claim for warrant under Proclamation of 1763 for services rendered by his father, Garrett Pendergrass; commission presented by George Rogers Clark as surveyor of the Virginia State line under the act for surveying lands given by law to the officers, etc; attorneys admitted to practice; will of Leonard Helm records; election of delegates to the Virginia Assembly; will of Meredith Price produced; Col. William Pope mentioned as guardian of sons of William Linn; security given by Bland W. Ballard as administrator of estate of Bland Ballard; qualification of Alexander S. Bullett as one of the executors of William Christian. Copy. 7 pp. 1781-88.

http://www.lynn-linn-lineage-quarterly.com/Draper/GeoRogers.htm


Jesse Elliot Pendergrass and Elizabeth Moore had the following children:

i.

Ann (Nancy) Pendergrast born circa 1798 married Samuel Quartermous, she first married John Baxter and he left her.  Her uncle Thomas Theobold took care of her until she married Samuel Quartermous.  

She and Samuel  had a daughter named Margaret Quartermous; born circa 1828? she married William Wells.  Margaret was only 6 yrs old when her mother died and she herself died when only 25 yrs old; her grandmother, Elizabeth Moore Pendergrass, raised her from age 8 as she indicated later in her will.  Her mother Nancy Pendergrast was about 36 when she died. 

Husband: William WELLS, Date of Birth: Abt. 1818, Bullitt Co., KY, Death: Bef. 1860, Jefferson Co., KY. Father: Thomas WELLS, __Date of Birth: Abt. 1779, Death: 1837, Mother: Mary "Polly" MILES, __Date of Birth: Abt. 1786, Death: Bef. 1840. 

Wife (1st): Margaret QUERTERMOUS, Date of Birth: Abt. 1828  Jefferson Co., KY, Date of Death: 1853, Place of Death: Jefferson Co., KY.  Father: Samuel Martin QUERTERMOUS Date of Birth: Abt. 1803, date of Death: 1848.  After Nancy/Ann Pendergrass died, Samuel Quartermous moved to Livingston County and married Cassandra Beverly. They had several children, these would be Margaret's half-siblings.

Mother: Ann Elizabeth "Nancy" PENDERGRAST, _Date of Birth: Abt. 1798, Date of Death: Abt. 1834 Children of Margaret Quartermous and William Wells:

Ann Elizabeth WELLS, Date of Birth: 15/11/1844, Bullitt Co., KY, Date of Death: 6/5/1913, Place of Death: Judsonia, White Co., AK, Spouse: Jacob Cyrus JOHNSON Marriage date: 21/12/1865, Jefferson Co., KY

Samuel Thomas WELLS, Date of Birth: 1846, Bullitt Co., KY, Date of Death: 1913 Columbus, Hickman Co., KY, Place of Burial: Columbus Cemetery, Hickman Co., KY Spouse: Anna Lena JOHNSON, Marriage date: 2/09/1869

James (F.?) WELLS, Date of Birth: Abt. 1848, Bullitt Co., KY, Bef. 1860, Place of Death: Place of Burial: Fishpool Plantation Cemetery, Jefferson Co.,

KY Garrett Pendergrast WELLS, Date of Birth: 7/3/1853, Place of Birth: Bullitt Co., KY, Date of Death: Bef. 1860, Jefferson Co., KY, Place of Burial: Fishpool Plantation Cemetery, Jefferson Co., KY

ii

Garrett Jesse Pendergrass - 1802-1862 - Commodore, U.S. Navy (info directly below)

iii Hero Pendergrass, b. 1803? under 21 yrs when father died.
iv

James Francis, Pendergrass M.D.,  born 1804?, our line

v.

John Pendergrast, M.D.,  born 1805? disappeared after 1820 with his uncle.  Note:  A John Pendergrass married Ann Cody, in Jefferson County, KY on September 26, 1853 by John Joyce.  the license was taken out 5 September 21, 1853.  James Cowan gave oath as to her age, or his approval.  If this is our 'John Pendergrast', then this is either a second marriage or he married later in life.  I have searched and searched for any other records on this John to no avail.  There is a John Pendergraft in the Jeffersontown Ky 1810 census with 2 boys, one girl and one woman.  Both adults are born before 1765, both being over 45 at the time of the census.  One male is under 10, the other is to 16.  There is also a girl to 16.

vi.

Elizabeth Pendergrass ~she was 68 yrs ld in the 1880 census, making her born in 1812.  Elizabeth Pendergrast married Theodore William Young. Theodore William Young is the son of John Douglass Young and Eliza Blair of Lexington Kentucky. Theodore William Young was born around 1808 and died in around 1875 in Jefferson County Kentucky. The date of the marriage is December 15, 1830 in Jefferson, Kentucky.  (Elizabeth and Theodore are the couple who inherited the Fish Pool Estate).  It is of the Garrett Young family and home.  Garrett Pendergrast Young is listed below.  From the History of the Ohio Falls and her Counties:  Mrs. Elizabeth Young is the widow of Mr. Theodore W. Young, who was born in Lexington in 1818.  When he was a young man he came to Louisville.  He was a tanner by trade and began the tanning business on Pennsylvania Run, in Jefferson county.  This he followed up to the time of his marriage to Miss Pendergrass in 1831.  He then settled on the old Pendergrass farm, where he lived until the time of his death, in 1875.  Mrs. Young is the daughter of Mr. Jesse Pendergrass, and the granddaughter of Colonel James F. Moore, of Salt Licks fame.  Her brother, Commodore Pendergrass, died while in command of the navy yard at Philadelphia during the Rebellion.  Her grandfather, Garrett Pendergrass, was killed by Indians at Harrodsburg when on his way to Louisville in the year 1777.  Mr. and Mrs. Young were blessed with a family of nine children, four of whom are married and citizens of Jefferson county and the city of Louisville.


Fish Pools & Col Moore’s Spring Dutch Station, Beargrass Creek, Louisville, KYDescription of Miss Julia Young: 

Miss Young, age about 70, is a descendant of Col. James Francis Moore, who settled Moore’s spring near the Fish Pools.  The Fish Pool Plantation or the Heritage, as Miss Young calls it, has never been out of the family since.  Today, four generations of the family are living there, Miss Julia’s mother, age 92 yrs; Miss Julia’s sister, Mrs. Slack and her husband; Mrs. Slack’s daughter, Mrs. Peyton and her husband and their three children. Saturday, April 9, 1955; Audrey and I drove out to the Fish Pools to talk to Miss Young.  The Fish Pools were located on a small branch of Fish Pool Creek that joins the main creek on the West side less than a quarter of a mile downstream from the Young’s house, which sits on the high ground in the point formed by the junction of these two branches of Fish Pool Creek.  Almost due West of the house, below the hill side and within 20 yards of the smaller West for, of the creek and on the East side of the creek, lies Moore’s’ Spring.  Col. Moore’s Fort was across the creek from the spring about fifty to one hundred yards up the bank and a little North of the spring.  Pendergrast’s station as located on the same side of the creek as the spring on a bench in the hillside about it and a little to the south.  It was about 100 yards away and the site is marked today by a grove of old locusts. Straight up this same branch of Fish Pool Creek about ½ mile or a little less and almost due South of the spring, was the location of the Fish Pools.  There were five of them, according to Miss Young, who remembers them as a little girl.  They were small deep holes with rocky bridges between them, and all of them occupied the space of an acre.  Miss Young mentioned a boy who had been drowned in them, also a team.  They were in the front yard of Tom Sanders house, and Tom filled them up.  He dumped rock, the timbers of a log house, which he tore down to build his own place, into the pools.  They were all swallowed up.  The furthest pool was I the SW corner of Tom Sanders front yard; they emptied into the above mentioned small West branch of Fish Pool Creek, and from the description given by Miss Young they appeared to have been deep well-like springs. 

They were about 20, 25 or 30 feet across; perhaps a little larger. The buffalo road, which Miss Young described, came up this West branch on the East side in the flat between the two forks, and not too far from the creek’s bank.  It ran as far as the spring, but where it went from there, Miss Young does not know.  The Moore & Young cemetery lies on a high point of ground NW of the spring overlooking the creek. A number of years ago there was some blasting in the neighborhood, and from that time the water in the fish pools and at the spring seemed to diminish, as Miss Young recalls.  Today the Fish Pools are filled up and sod growing over them so that their site is no longer visible and the spring runs a very small stream. 

Unfortunately, Miss Young’s information regarding the time when Col. James F. Moore fist settled there is questionable.  Miss Young is of the opinion that a James Moore married Audrey Tappan, one of the settlers of the Lost Colony.  The colony was settled 1587 and disappeared from the knowledge of men a few years later.  However Miss Young claims to have documentary proof that her ancestor James Moore and his wife Audrey Tappan were first brought by the Indians to the Fish Pools.  There James Moore built a cabin on the site of the house now occupied by the Young’s.  James Moore and Audrey Tappan had a son James Moore, who had a son James Moore, who was the father of Col. James F. Moore.  They were all born at the Fish Pools, which was inhabited continuously from 1593 or thereabouts to the present by some member of the Moore family or their descendants.  It would also make it the oldest settlement in the original 13 colonies, antedating Jamestown by ten or fifteen years. 

Miss Young has written a book in which all this is set forth as well as the astonishing fact that she has succeeded in tracing her family back to Egypt 3000 B. C.  Also many other startling facts.  Macmillan is interested should the book be published, I’m afraid all the histories are going to have to be revised, and Okalona should overnight become the most famous spot in the U. S. However one thing is certain; that is the precise location of Col. Moore’s spring on the road to the Salt works; as well as the Fish Pools, both important stops.  Also Miss Young’s description of the Fish Pools themselves accords very well with old accounts, which never speak of them as ponds.  The ponds, on which Pond Creek Settlement was located, were further west and North of the Fish Pools.  In fact Fish Pool, Fern Creek and Mud Creek all ran into Ash Pond.


Pennsylvania Run

At the time this state, Kentucky, drew up a petition of rights to send to the Assembly of Virginia and the Congress asking to become an independent state, Garrett Pendergrast was deputized to carry the petition due to his having been friendly with Indians and was able to do more with them.  He was sent from Fort Harrodsburg and was making this journey on horseback, but met a band of unfriendly Indians and was killed. His wife, Margaret Elliott Pendergrast, with one other woman spent the remainder of that winter in the fort alone. (Pictures in this paragraph generously donated by Carolyn Zeagler).

In the spring Captain Wilson and wife joined Mrs. Pendergrast and all came to the present site of Louisville, but not caring to locate at this place, came twelve miles south and bought land on a stream which they named Pennsylvania Run Creek.

They built block houses from the trees on their land. Among the first was the church which they named Pennsylvania Run. They had come from Pennsylvania and were God Fearing Presbyterians. These two sisters, Jean and Margaret Elliott, were the only daughters of Rev. John Elliott, who was the first to translate the bible into the Indian language.

Written by Julia E. Young
5th Generation from Rev. John Elliott
From the Jeffersonian, Louisville, Kentucky, May 19, 1932

The Heritage

Nine miles from Louisville, two miles south of Okolona, on the Preston Street Road is the Heritage, which has been deeded to the sixth successive generation of one family. The house stands on a hill overlooking a stream of water called Fish Pool. In 1745, James Francis Moore procured from the king of England a deed to a tract of land including what is now known as Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, Spencer, Shelby and Henry Counties. In 1763 a Fort was built on the present site of The Heritage by negro slaves from Maryland. In the same year Colonel Moore married Elizabeth Standiford of Virginia. To them was born a daughter, who in 1797 married Jesse Pendergrast of Pennsylvania, to whom the property was deeded by Colonel Moore.

To them were born seven children. One of their daughters, Elizabeth, married Theodore William Young of Lexington, Kentucky and they too lived in the Fort until 1837 and then built a frame addition to the block house, which now used as the dining room of the Heritage.  Living in the home at the present time are Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Young, Miss Julia Young, Mr. and Mrs. John Slack and their young children. This place is a treasure trove of early American days, and is conducted along lines as nearly as possible of these times. There are many interesting antiques and relics, including salt cellars presented by General Lafayette, 17th century candlesticks, a desk used by five generations of the family as well as wedding dresses, jewelry and ancient dolls.
 
Taken from an article published in the Louisville Times, July 26, 1938. Written by Walter Kiser.
Interesting History Penn Run Church
(Reprinted from the Jeffersonian-14 April 1932)

The Jeffersonian is indebted to Mrs. Lizzie W. Dean, a veteran news writer for the following interesting bit of history as relates to Pennsylvania Run Church and its efforts to build a larger house of worship back in 1840. The church built at that time, with some alterations and additions still stands, has regular preaching services, and active Sunday school and other organizations. “ Editor Pennsylvania Run Church, 5 January 1840. Whose names are subscribed promise to pay to the elders of this Presbyterian church, in the place several sums annexed to our names, for the purpose of erecting a new church, which will better accommodate the congregation than the one they now occupy. Payments to be made three, six and nine months after date:

 

Samuel Rice

Phil Blankenbaker

John Thixton

Eunice Guthrie

Gideon Pegram

William Gutherie

Francis Parris

William M. Burk

Robert Woodrow

Andrew C. Young

Robartus L. Bell

Mary Briscoe

Elizabeth Young

Thomas Taylor

William B. Woodruff

Mr. Gamble

Margaret Guthrie

Ortho F. Hoffman

Moses Cummins

Sarah McCoy

Abraham M. Funk

David Cummins

Jane McCoy

Henry Beents

Andrew Martin

Mary McCoy

Elisha Bowman

Alexander Moore

Ann McCoy

Jacob Johnson

Robert L. Woodrow

Harvey L. McCoy

William Farmer

Amos Seabolt

Book Vanover

Bartlett Stivers

Robert Crump

Sarah A. Crump

Robert H. Crump

Jesse W. Crump

Susan E. Crump

Edward J. Hikes

James C. Hall

John Murphy

James E. McConathy

Mathew Wilson

J. H. Blankenbaker

Sarah Augusta

Benjamin Hause

Pennsylvania Run, 26 September 1840 “ At a meeting of the elders, trustees and others, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted."1. Resolved first, that owing to the pressure of the times we judge it advisable not to call on the subscribers to the new church for any money during this present year.2. Resolved secondly, that if there be any persons however, who feel inclined and ready to pay their subscriptions, that the money will be thankfully relieved and employed in procuring materials for the building.3. Resolved thirdly, that those persons who have subscribed for the support of the gospel during the past year, and not yet paid the amount, they are respectfully requested to pay it over to the trustees to aid in building the church, or it will be taking in work, which ever may best suit the individuals.

The above list of names and the subscriptions attached are of much interest to many of their descendants, two of whom are Mrs. Anna M. Renegar, our editor, and Mrs. Gertrude Nealy, the latter a great grand-daughter of Robert L. Woodrow, and Mrs. Renegar a descendant of the McCoys.

The entire list is still remembered by their neighbors descend

ants and many of them reverenced by many of us as worthy Christian leaders and Sunday school teachers. The writer belonged to the bible class of Beulah church taught be Mr. Jacob Johnson and she shall never forget his forceful teaching of the scriptures there, nor the influence of his consistent Christian life on the young.


Cat,

If you haven't already found it, look for Mrs. F. F. Farman.  She is the lady who according to the newspaper article I sent yesterday was the current owner (in 1898) of the G. J. Pendergrast home.  Her name is directly under the two s's in the word Crossroads.  Yes, this area is called Crossroads on some of the censuses.  It is south of the community of Okolona.  I first started looking at Okolona when I read the pg. on Robert Wilson in a book called, Clues for Revolutionary War Soldiers with connections to Louisville and Jefferson County, KY.  I found this book at the SAR library in Louisville.  His brief bio. says he was buried at Okolona Cemetery.  But there is no Okolona cem. so I think he might have been buried in a family cemetery and perhaps even Fishpool.
 

Back to the map...You will see lots of squares with the surname "Young" around Mrs. Farnam.  The Youngs are grandchildren of Pendergrast.  Also if you look at the far lower rt. hand corner and find the name B. Landers.  We visited with the lady who lives in a house that is near this.   Her name is Bernice Thorne and in her 90's.   Her mother's maiden name was Landers and I think the house on the map with the Landers name is Bernice's grandparents.  Anyway her Thorne grandparents lived in the house that used to belong to Wilsons and on the map I think it is shown with the owner Jas Hall.  The Coopers, Standiford's are also intermarried into our lines.  The W. Wilson about 2" south of the second "o" in crossroads is the grandson of Robert Wilson who married Jane Elliott.  On Robert Wilson's will one of the witnesses was J. F. Pendergrast.  That will was dated Dec.8, 1834.

I'm sure you would like to see the Okolona book.  I wish now I had copied the whole thing.  I have a distant Wilson cousin that lives here in Oregon who has a copy.  I have not met her except on-line.  I hope someday to drive over to see her and copy that book.  I will send you a picture of the Pennsylvania Run Church, now a Baptist church, and the cemetery.  Also a pic. of the Thorne-Wilson house.  Carolyn

Hello,

I am descended from Robert Wilson and Jane Elliott, both born in PA but married in Hagarstown, MD and then moved into KY about 1790.  Jane's sister Margaret Elliott was first married to Garrett Pendergrast according to several sources on the web.  Charles has her as being born in KY but I believe she was born in PA to John Elliott and Patience Quigley.

I am wondering if you have any information or documents that tell who Margaret Elliott Pendergrast married after Garrett was killed in 1777. Some researchers say she married William Wilson, a brother to my 4Xgreat-grandfather Robert. I'd like to learn more about this connection if it is true. I have been trying to follow the Pendergrast children of Margaret and Garrett in order to locate any documents or records regarding this.  I have a copy of the article that was in the Louisville Courier Journal June 5, 1898 that gives some family information about the Pendergrasts, Elliotts, and the Wilsons. If you have not seen this and would like a copy I would be glad to send it. It was written by M. M. Thixton who was Amanda M. Thixton, the dau. of Daniel Wilson and granddau. of Robert Wilson and Jane Elliott.

She states that Commodore Garrett Jesse Pendergrast had no children but adopted Austin, the son of his brother Dr. Frank Pendergrast. Charles has posted 8 children for Garrett Jesse Pendergrast who married Susan Barron. He has an Austin as one of G. J.'s children as well as a brother to G. J. Perhaps you can help me sort this out. Were there any children from the Pendergrast-Barron marriage?

Thanks in advance.
Carolyn


Certificate Book of the Virginia Land Commission 1779-1780 by the Kentucky Historical Society

(Cert iss'd for 1400 fees &c pd)

Jesse Pendergrass Heir at Law to Garrett Pendergrass deceased this day claimed a settlement & preemption to a tract of Land lying on the Kentucky River about 5 Miles from the Mouth on the North side thereof where there is a large Hickory Bottom by the said Decedents improving the same & raising a Crop of Corn in the year 1776 satisfactory proof being made to the court they are of the Opinion that the said Pendergrass has a right to a settlement of 400 acres including the said improvement & preemption of 1000 adjoining & that a Certificate issue accordingly.  Cert iss'd for 1400 fees &c pd D. D.)


Margarett Pendergrass this day claimed a right to a settlement & preemption to a tract of Land lying on Bresheirs Creek about 8 Miles below the head of said Creek on the South side by improving the same in the year 1777 and residing 12 months since her settlement satisfactory proof being made to the Court they are of Opinion that the said Margarett Pendergrass has a right to a settlement of 400 Acres including the s'd improv't & the preemption of 1000 Adjoining & that a Certificate issue accordingly.  Cert issd for 1400 fees &c pd D. D. to M. Pendergrass Margaret Pendergrass for an in behalf of
James Elliott this day claimed a settlement & preemption to a tract of Land lying on the first large run that empties into Kentucky above Cedar Creek on the Opposite side by the said Elliott's improving the same & residing in the Country 12 months before the year 1778 satisfactory proof being made to the court they are of Opinion that the said Elliott has a right to a settlement of 400 Acres of Land to include the said improvement & preemption of 1000 Acres adjoining and that a Certificate issue accordingly. Cert issd for 400

Margarett Pendergrass Assee of Edward Wilson by Jno Todd Jun'r this day claimed a preempt'n of 400 acres of land at the state price in the district of Kentucky on Acc't of the s'd Wilson making an actual settlem't in the year 1778 lying on a small branch of Wilson Creek on the north side of a branch of the Rolling fork of Salt River about 10 or 12 miles south East of Bulletts Lick to include the s'd Wilson's improvement Satisfactory proof being made to the Court they are of Opinion that the s'd Pendergrass has a right to a preemption of 400 Acres to include the above Location & that a Cert. issue accordingly.




Elizabeth Moore Pendergrast in the 1810 Jefferson Co., KY Census after her husband Jesse had died in 1813.

 




1 male under 10 (born 1810-1813)
1 male 16-26 (born 1794-1804)
2 females under 10 (born 1800-1810)
1 female 10-16 (born 1794-1810)
1 female 16-26 (born 1784-1794)
1 female 26-45 (Born 1765-1784)
1 female over 45 (born before 1765)


 


Garret above, is Uncle to our line Patrick, but because we have this picture of him an he was a Commodore in the US Navy during the Civil War, I've included his information here.  This picture was passed down in family.  Garret Jesse PENDERGRAST.  Born December 5, 1802 in Kentucky. Garret Jesse died in 1862, he was 60.  In 1827 when Garret Jesse was 25, he married Susan Virginia BARRON. Born in 1806 in Kentucky.  Garrett was a Commodore in the US Navy during the Civil War.  Married: c.23 June 1827 in Norfolk County, Virginia - Note: bond posted 21 Jun 1827 in Norfolk Co., Gabriel Galt surety, the bride's father, James Barron, gave consent 1


May 25, 1861; Semi-Weekly Raleigh Register (North Carolina)
The Norfolk correspondent of the Petersburg Express writes:

Mrs. Commodore Pendergrast, who is a Southern lady, is still in Norfolk. She refuses to join her husband at the fort—says she will never live with him again, and it is reported that she will apply for a divorce. The wife of another reprobate who is at the fort, is in Norfolk, and has a pistol loaded, with which she says she intends shooting her liege lord upon sight.

PENDERGRAST, GARRETT JESSE, naval officer, was born Dec. 5, 1802, in Kentucky. He was appointed commandant of the Philadelphia navy-yard, which post he filled until two days before his death. Under the reorganization of the navy he was twelfth commodore on the retired list, which rank he attained in 1862. He died Nov. 7, 1862, in Philadelphia, Pa.

Civil War Union Naval Officer. Commissioned as a midshipman in 1812 at the age of only nine, and served in the War of 1812. Served in the United States Navy up to the Mexican war, where he commanded the USS Boston. Promoted to Captain in 1855, and was the commander of the United States Navy's Home Squadron at the Civil War's outbreak. On April 30, 1861, three days after President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a blockade of Southern ports, he blockaded Hampton Roads, Virginia, the first by the Union Navy. Promoted to Commodore in July 1862, he was named commander of the Philadelphia Navy Yard, serving in that post until his death four months later.  He is buried at the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Commodore Garrett Jesse Pendergrast (5 December 1802 – 7 November 1862) was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.

Pendergrast was born in Kentucky. He was married to Virginia Barron, the daughter of James Barron. Upon the Secession, she reportedly refused to accompany him in his allegiance to the United States and swore she'd never live with him again.

His nephew was Lieutenant Commander Austin Pendergrast, who took command of Congress when she was sunk by Virginia.

By 1832, he had been promoted to Lieutenant. He commanded Boston during the Mexican-American War in 1846. In 1856, he commissioned Merrimack, the ship that would later become Virginia.

Subsequently, he held command of both the Home Squadron and the West India Squadron.

He was in command of Cumberland in 1861, at the outbreak of the war and, at age 58, one of the oldest officers in service.

Promoted to Commodore on July 16, 1862, he was assigned to command the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and held that position when he died of a paralytic stroke on November 7, 1862. He is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery.  Virginia's father, Commodore Barron, killed Decatur in a famous duel; read about it.1.  Susan Virginia BARRON, daughter of Commodore James BARRON  "BARRON: James, Commodore (1769-1851)" and Elizabeth Moseley ARMISTEAD."


 
Garrett Pendergrass and Virginia Baron had the following children:

i

James Baron Pendergrast

I am uncertain if Commodore Pendergrast and his wife Virginia Baron had any more children than the son listed above.  A family historian wrote that they didn't have any children and he adopted his brother's son, Austin.  Commodore Pendergrast's brother, James Francis, MD, shot a teacher in a hot dispute (James Francis is my line).  He had to leave town and live out his life in Canada.  His wife had already died and some of the children had to be farmed out to relatives.  From memories of Sarah Virginia Ragland, b. 1832 @ this site There were newspaper articles on Virginia Dunlap published by the Memphis Commercial Appeal on 28 May 1915, 15 May 1919, and 23 April 1992. From these we get the following stories in her own words.

"When I was a young girl, about 14 years old, I think, I boarded with Mrs. Lawrence at the southwest corner of Third Street and Court Avenue, while I was attending school in town. Mrs. Lawrence was the widow of a civil engineer who had laid out Memphis for Mr. Overton. Commodore Pendergrast, who had charge of the navy yard, also boarded with Mrs. Lawrence. He made quite a pet of me, because my name and his wife’s name was Virginia. That year the United States warship Atlantic came up the river from New Orleans. I think that it was the first warship that had ever visited Memphis. Among the officers of the warship were Past Midshipman Rowe and Lieut. Russell, both handsome fellows, and a dance was given in their honor. Commodore Pendergrast told Mr. Rowe he would have to look after me, or he would face a court-martial. So Mr. Rowe escorted me into the ball room. He wore one of those old-fashioned high silk hats, which he placed on a chair in the ball room. I was so flustered that I sat down on it and mashed it flat."

Garret J. Pendergrast




On Garret's monument in Pennsylvania it reads as follows: Garret J. Pendergrast
Commander in the U. S. Navy born in Kentucky Dec 5, 1802

Died in command of the Navy Yard at Philadelphia, November 7, 1862
 
Distinguished for his zeal and ability in the performance of his duty and for his noble personal qualities.  A friend to his Officers and father to his men."The Lord knoweth the days of the upright and their inheritance shall be forever".  On the headstone over the grave of the son of the Admiral appears the following: 

Sacred
To the memory of James Barron Pendergrast, son of Lieutenant G. J. Pendergrast and Susan Virginia Pendergrast
June 21, 1855  - August 21, 1855

1858 John Dabney Shane, regarding Commodore Pendergrass:

Commodore Pendergrast's father was Jesse Pendergrass. He lived here 2 or 3 years. Then in 1804 he removed to Mann's Lick. The father was a plain man, a farmer. The mother was a clever woman, my mother thought a great deal of her. Dr. Pendergrast, another son, figured about here a good deal. A great scoundrel. My mother liked him very much. It strikes one she was a daughter of James Francis Moore. (Mann's Lick Moore lived at). Moore I know had a daughter by a first marriage.
 

Eighth Generation 

James Francis PENDERGRAST, M.D. Born abt 1802 in Kentucky and died around 1868 in Canada, but his remains were brought back and buried at Fish Pool Plantation, per family stories.  James Francis married Dorthea MILLER.  Dorthea Miller was the daughter of Robert Miller and Cassandra Moore.  This is a first 1/2 cousin marriage - James was the son of Elizabeth Moore and Dorthea is the dtr of Cassandra Miller, and they were half sisters.  Dorthea Miller was born in 1809 and must have died before 1840 as she is not in that census with Jesse, he is alone with his children.  I can not find Jesse after 1840, and two of his children, Robert and Garret are living with Dorthea's father (Robert Miller) in the 1850 census and Patrick and another were with another relative, I can't recall who at the moment.

According to an article in the , Jesse shot a teacher in a hot dispute and had to go to Canada and live out his life.  See what I've pieced together on the
Miller line here.  From "Kentucky:  A History of the State, Perrin, Battle, Kniffin, 8th ed., 1888, Jefferson co.  Biography on Josiah Alexander Ireland, M.D. mentions the following about his life:"At the age of seventeen he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. James F. Pendergrast, of Jefferson County; . . ."

James Francis Pendergrast and Dorothy Matthews Miller had the following children:


i

James Francis Pendergrass, born 1828 "during the last years of his life he was Wharf-master at new Orleans.  He died in that city in the '70s.  He married a daughter of Captain Smith.  My Notes:  There is a James F. Pendergrass in the 1860 Bullitt Co., KY census, James F. 40 yrs old, born KY  (b. 1820) 600 acres, looks like S. H. Pendergrass, 27 yrs old, then M. J. Pendergrass, female, 6 yrs old, born 1854, and S. Pendergrass, 2 yrs old, b. 1858, female' must be named for the mother.  I don't know if there are two separate James Francis or if perhaps her was married once in KY and then once in Louisiana.

What I've found on James:  He died in December 5, 1867 in New Orleans.  He married Julia Riley on December 7, 1858.  Julia was from Ireland and she immigrated to the States with her parents in 1852.
They had three children, per 1900 Louisiana, New Orleans census James F., born May 1866, Virginia, born Aug 1868, and Sidney, dtr, born July 1862.  All children indicate their father was born in Kentucky and their mother Ireland.  In the 1910 she and her daughters are living, and in the 1920.  In the 1930 census she, the mother, Julia, was gone.

ii

John Pendergrass, b. 1830?, enlisted in the southern army, was captured at Fort Donnelson and sustained a broken leg in the battle.  He was sent to the Gratiot Street prison in St. Louis (McDowel College).  His brother, Austin, who was in the U. S. Navy, got him out on parole, and it is supposed he died at Alton, IL, in a hospital.

iii

Austin Pendergrass, born circa 1833, IL, died 1874 in Philadelphia.  Buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery where his Uncle Commodore Pendergrass is buried.  to my knowledge there is not stone in the cemetery for him, he could be buried near his uncle, but I'm not sure.

Austin Pendergrast Rank Information: Midshipman, Passed Midshipman, Master, Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander, Commander Service Dates: 14 Oct 1848, 15 Jun 1854, 15 Sep 1855, 16 Sep 1855, 16 Jul 1862 Military Branch: US Navy Officers (1798-1900) Death Date: 23 Oct 1874

Austin Pendergrass, Louisville, KY

Captain Austin Pendergrass and friend

Austin Pendergrass


iv

Patrick Pendergrass (1832-1909) - Patrick Pendergrassthis is my maternal great great grandfather - "Pat was for many years a well to do farmer in Vermilion Co., IL.  He died there sometime in the '80s.  (this is incorrect as he died in 1909 according to his tombstone in the Rossville Cemetery.

v

Virginia Baron Pendergrass
Virginia Barron Pendergrast,1835-1840, Virginia married Dr. Waller Cooper, and after his death she married John W. Briscoe, by whom she had one child, Frank Pendergrass Briscoe, born September 3, 1857 and died January 21, 1938. She died while her child was very young.

vi


Garrett Jesse Pendergrast,1838-1894 (see biography from the Vermillion County History).  He and his brother Patrick migrated to Vermilion Co., IL, Patrick was a successful farmer.  Garrett moved around quite a bit and married later in life to Delia Hardesty.  I found them buried in Stanton Co., Kansas in the Mitchell Cemetery.

Garrett Jesse Pendergrass

Garrett J. Pendergrass



After Garrett died, Delia married 3/20/1908 Theodore Bauer, 50 Syracuse to Delia Pendergrast, she was 54 yrs old, married at Coolidge by John Thomas, Minister, March 21st.  By the 1910 Census, Delia is living without him and listed as "Pendergrast". I don't know if he died or they divorced. She is listed as Teacher.

vii

Robert Pendergrass, b. 1840, according to a family story, Robert disappeared never to be heard from again.

viii

Matilda Pendergrass, died as infant, born before 1840

 

 


James F. Pendergrast in the 1830 Jefferson Co., KY Census

2 males under 5
1 male 20-30
1 female under 5
1 female 20-30
Three children born between 1825-1830
 

James Francis Pendergrast in the 1840 Jefferson co., KY census as follows:
Dorthea must have died before 1840

2 males under 5, (1835-1840)
2 males 5-10, (1830-1835)
2 males 10-15, (1825-1830)
1 male 40-50, (1790-1800)
1 female 5-10. (1835-1840)

The older male, is James Francis

  

Surname

Given Name

MI

Occupation

Address

Pendergrast 

Garrett 

E. 

Physician 

Market b 7th and 8th 

Pendergsrast 

Garrett 

E. 

Physician 

shop w s 5th n Main 


 


Ninth Generation 



Patrick PENDERGRAST
 was born on 2 Jul 1832 in Louisville, Kentucky. Patrick died on 9 Jan 1909, Vermilion Co., IL; he was 76.  Patrick married Laura Virginia Albert. She was the daughter of Samuel Albert and Mary Crane Shivley.  Laura and her parents were from the Louisville area as well as the Pendergrass'.  The Albert's and Shivley's were German.






Laura Virginia Albert

Patrick Pendergrast

Laura and Patrick's Marriage Bond

Laura and Patrick's Tombstone

Patrick Pendergrast and Laura Virginia Albert had the following children:

i.

Austin Albert Pendergrast, born 9/30/1863 ~ January, 1949 @ 85 yrs (birth date from bible records), he lived in California and married Sarah Lee Herndon, she was from Missouri.  They had at least two daughters, one by the name of Aline, pictured right, who married a Walter Krause and had a daughter Mary.  Aline had a sister named Laura, obviously named for Austin's mother, Laura Virginia Albert.  Austin Lee PendergrassI haven't discovered anything on her yet.  Austin Albert PendergrassHis mother, Laura Virginia Albert Pendergrast, spent a year (circa 1909) out in California with him after her husband Patrick died.  Austin did not attend his mother'sAustin Albert Pendergrass funeral when she died in 1936, per Aunt Helen. A dear friend via the internet recently contacted me as she had saved a photo album at a church bazaar.  She then sleuthed around the internet and found me, a cousin of Aline's.  See Aline Pendergrast's photo album here. 

ii

Susan Pendergrast (1865-1936); my paternal great grandmother

iii.

George Heafer Pendergrast, born Nov 23, 1873, died @ one year old


 

PEOPLE IN PICTURE OF AUGUSTA ALLEN YOUNG HERNDON CARTTER
AND FAMILY -ABT 1915 MONROVIA
Per George Cartter-2006

From Left to Right:
Myrtle Gillette (wife of George Perry Cartter)
Augusta Allen Young Herndon Cartter
William Gilbert Cartter (“Gilbert”)
Martha Herndon Bachus (Mattie)
Laura Herndon Pendergrast (KBA’s grandmother)
Sarah Lee Herndon (“Sadie”—KBA’s great grandmother)
Florence Bachus (daughter of Mattie Herndon Bachus)
Augusta Bessie Cartter Lerrigo (“Gussie”—partly hidden)
James M. Bachus (son of Mattie Herndon Bachus)
Alex L. Bachus (husbans
Austin Albert Pendergrast
Leora Bachus (daughter of Mattie Herndon Bachus)
Mabel Grace Cartter


Patrick Pendergrast is listed in the 1859 Louisville directory as a brick layer.  From the 1870 Vermillion County, IL Census:

346a 8 Pendegrass Austin 7 Illinois
346a 10 Pendegrass Jennie 7 Louisiana
346a 7 Pendegrass Laura 32 Kentucky
346a 6 Pendegrass Pat 40 Kentucky
346a 9 Pendegrass Susan 4 Illinois

 

Author's Note:  I don't know who this Jennie Pendergrass is living with Patrick and Laura; she was born in 1863 in Louisiana, for certain, but believe she could be a niece, daughter of his brother who went to New Orleans.

From the 1880 Vermillion County, IL Census:
 

 Patrick PENDERGRAST 

 Self 

 M 

 Male 

 W 

 48 

 KY 

 Brick Mason 

 KY 

 KY 

 Laura PENDERGRAST 

 Wife 

 M 

 Female 

 W 

 40 

 KY 

 Keeping House 

 MD 

 KY 

 Austin PENDERGRAST 

 Son 

 S 

 Male 

 W 

 15 

 IL 

 Laborer 

 KY 

 KY 

 Susan PENDERGRAST 

 Dau 

 S 

 Female 

 W 

 12 

 IL 

 At Home 

 KY 

 KY 

 Mary ALBERT

 Other 

 S 

 Female 

 W 

 22 

 KY 

Domestic Servant 

 KY 

 KY 


Note:  I figured out that the Mary Albert above was Laura Virginia Albert's niece by her brother George Albert who remained in Louisville, KY.From the 1900 Vermillion County, IL Census:

214A 14 69 18 Pendergast Custer 19 Louisiana ed69-pg212a.txt
294B 80 96 1 Pendergrast Laura 62 Kentucky ed96-pg294a.txt
294B 79 96 1 Pendergrast Pat 68 Kentucky ed96-pg294a.txt


I do not know who this Custer Pendergast is, also born in Louisiana, he could be a nephew of Patrick's as one of his uncles went to LA/  He is not living with our Laura and Patrick, but I suspect a connection based on the girl (Jennie) who was living with them in the 1870 Census was also born in Louisiana.  Further investigation needed.


Tenth Generation 



Susan PENDERGRAST. Born on 1 Dec 1865. By the time Susan was born in 1865, the Pendergrast family has been in the United States for over 200 years !  Susan died in Illinois on 27 Aug 1936, she was 70.  On 13 Oct 1887 when Susan was 21, she married Charles SMITH, son of Thomas SMITH & Martha SADLER, in Rossville, Illinois. Born on 24 Mar 1864 in New York. Charles died in Illinois on 20 Sep 1918, from diabetes, he was 54.They had the following children (my paternal great uncles and aunts whom I never met.

 

i

Thomas Patrick Smith (1888-1961) - my paternal grandfather

ii

Fern Laura Smith - Born in 1890

iii

Edwin ("Eddie") Smith - Born 1892

iv

Ray A Smith  Born 1894, died at birth.

v

Austin Smith. Born 1895, never married

vi

Minnie Virginia Smith (1897-1965)

vii

Leo Charles Smith (1899-1973)  

viii

Donovan Smith (1902-1980)

ix

George Sadler Smith (1904-1986)


 

From here, see the Smith line.

 
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