1850 PA Census: Bedford Co



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Samuel SHANNON & Elizabeth McKEE Family

daughter Elizabeth, married William McDOWELL (b. c1763)

their daughter Agnes/Nancy, b. 1794, marr. Hugh Larimer, b. 9 Mar 1780

daughter Mary, perhaps wife of John ROBERTS

son Samuel, of the 1813 will?

son John

probably also Sarah, wife of George Adam Keltz

Janet Warter’s references:

NOTES & SOURCES:

1. "History of the County of Westmoreland", by George Dallas Albert, 1882. Page 103, under a discussion of Fort Ligonier: "When the regular garrison was withdrawn, the inhabitants of the valley kept the structure from falling into ruin, and occupied it during the Revolutionary war. It appears that Capt. SAMUEL SHANNON, a father-in-law of Col. William McDowell, both of them Revolutioners, was intrusted with the supervision of military affairs at the most critical times along from 1777 to 1780."

2. In Albert, 1882, p. 109 -- "It was thus that during this time the salvation of the people was in those ranging-parties which the young men chose to join in preference to the militia or to entering the regular sevice. Of those who, from 1778 to 1780, were prominent in the ranging service we mention James Guthrie, Thomas Stokely, Matthew Jack, Michael Huffnagle, James Smith, Joseph Erwin, William Cooper, SAMUEL SHANNON, Brady, Van Swearingen, the Wallaces, the Barrs, Col. Wilson, the Brownlees, the Shaws. These ranging companies were formed for the most part of the fighting-men who lived nearest to each. They were dressed in the homespun of their own manufacture, and carried their own rifles, knives, and hatchets. When word came that they were needed they hastened together and put themselves under the orders of their officers. It was their duty to alarm the settlers when an attack had been made or was apprehended, and they were to help off the women and children into some place of safety..."

3. Also in Albert, 1882 - p. 695 under Ligonier Twp. (formed 1822 from Fairfield and Donegal Twps.) -- discussion of early settlers. "Frederick Rohrer, innkeeper, from Hagerstown, Md., took up land in 1775 adjoining the mill-tract of St. Clair; Simon Eaker (Eicher), John Ramsey, James Pollock, Garret Pendergrass, Daniel Savoyer, Andrew Bonjour, SAMUEL SHANNON, James Knox, RICHARD SHANNON, Isaac Stimble, Robert McLaughlin, William McKinzie, John Campbell, Thomas Galbraith, an innkeeper in Ligonier, in 1773. St. Clair and Huffnagle both resided in Ligonier town then. Abel Fisher, Henry Kerns, McDowells, Kelsos (now Keltzes)." [Were Samuel & Richard Shannon brothers? Note also the mention of Isaac Stimble & Thomas Galbraith, mentioned in other notes below.]

4. "Old and New Westmoreland", Vol. 1, by John N. Boucher, 1918. Page 378 -- Extracts from the minutes of the Board of War: March 22, 1777 -Moses Young was directed to pay the following persons of Col. Lochry's Batt'n, of Westmoreland Militia, for Blankets appraised for their respective companies... Capt. SAMUEL SHANNON, 23 pounds 0s. 3d. (others not copied).

5. Also from O & N Westm'd -- p. 336 - 341 on the Lochry Expedition in 1781, in support of George Rogers Clark, in which Lochry was killed by Indians and 42 soldiers were killed and 64 taken prisoner. Some portions of the story: "When Lochry's forces reached Wheeling, they found that Clark had gone on the same day, having left provisions and boats in insuffiecient number, with instructions that Lochry should follow them and join the army twelve miles below. But they were detained four days in Wheeling in preparing boats, and when they reached the place designated, they found that Clark had left the day before...Clark promised to await them at the mouth of Little Kanawha River, but when Lochry reached there he found only a letter attached to a board directing them to follow...Without a knowledge of the currents of the river, he could...scarcely hope to overtake Clark. Lochry accordingly sent CAPTAIN SHANNON in a boat with seven men, hoping to overtake him and return with some supplies for his company. SHANNON carried letters to Clark, but had not gone far until he and his men were taken prisoners by the Indians...the letters which SHANNON carried for Clark gave the true knowledge of the situation and of Lochry's weakness, and when he was captured they fell into the hands of the enemy...The Indians...sent out in in all directions and collected a large number of warriors a short distance above the mouth of the Miami, which flows into the Ohio, where they watched and waited for Lochry's arrival. Close to the mouth of the Miami is an island which, to this day, is called Lochry's Island. Upon this island they posted the prisoners captured with SHANNON, and promised to spare their lives only on condition that they would hail Lochry and his troops as they came down the river and induce them to land. Should they fail in this way, they were to be tomahawked at once. But Lochry and his troops, wearied with continued disappointments and misfortunes, landed on the Ohio shore, about three miles above this island...It was at the mouth of a small creek, since known as Lochry's creek, about ten miles below the mouth of the Miami river. The creek is the dividing line between Ohio and Dearborn counties, in the southeastern corner of Indiana. They landed about 10 o'clock in the morning of August 24, 1781..." [continues with story of the attack and aftermath. There is nothing more on the fate of Samuel Shannon.]

6. "Old Westmoreland" Quarterly, Vol. 10, no. 4, p. 31 to 33. "Officers and Men of Col. Archibald Lochry Defeated in Battle 24 August 1781", list compiled by Chris McHenry. "Captian Samuel Shannon's Company. Capt. Shannon survived the battle but was killed in autumn of 1781 after an escape from the Indians. He left 7 children." Lists 5 prisoners and one killed from this Company.

7. Administration of Captain SAMUEL SHANNON - letters granted 06 Oct 1782 to ELIZABETH SHANNON and Thomas Galbraith. [Old Westmoreland Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 4, p. 6.]

8. It appears that the land of Samuel Shannon was sold after his death for debts. "Minute Book A, Westmoreland County, 1783 - On motion of Robert Galbraith Eaq whether the money should be immediately paid the sheriff by Mr. Sample for the purchase of a certain tract of land, the property of SAMUEL SHANNON, sold at the suit of John Muffley, or whether a new sale shall award. The Court orders that the sale be set aside and that a new sale be awarded." [Old Westmoreland Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 4, p. 24.]

9. Orphan's Court Records, Westmoreland Co., Docket A: 29. "1 Feb. 1791. Before the Justices: Petition of ELIZABETH SHANNON, widow of SAMUEL, late Captain of the Militia of Westmoreland (who was killed by hostile Indians), that she was in 1781 left in a very desolate situation by her husband going on an expedition against the Indians, being captured, escaping, and then being killed by Indians; and that she believes herself entitled to a pension."

[Old Westmoreland Quarterly, Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 10.]

10. Orphan's Court Records, Westmoreland Co., Docket A: 85. (no date). "Before the Judges. Petition of ELIZABETH SHANNON of Fairfield Township, widow of SAMUEL SHANNON, a Captain of Militia (who was killed in an expedition against the Indians) under the command of Colonel Archibald Lochry, showing that the Court on 2 Feb 1791 allowed her 100 pounds in lieu of pension until that time, and that she is still a widow upwards of 50 years of age, has no property, and works for a living, and requesting the Court to grant her an additional sum for the period until this time. Ordered by the Court that she receive 100 pounds to be delivered to Mr. Young, who will apply the money."

Old Westmoreland Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 1, p. 15.]

11. PA Archives, Fifth Series, Vol. iv, 1906, p. 593 - Pension awarded to Elizabeth Shannon, no date - "Elizabeth Shannon states that her husband, SAMUEL SHANNON, was Capt. in Regt. commanded by Archibald Lochry. While on an expedition carried out August 24, 1781 against the Indians he was taken prisoner on the west bank of the Ohio River, tomakawked and killed by an Indian about the middle of October of same year. He was thirty-five years of age at the time of death. Was survived by said widow and seven children. Capt. SAMUEL SHANNON was Capt. in Col. Pumroy's Battalion of Westmoreland County Militia. Pension granted to said widow." [This document is posted on the Shannon family site - genforum.]

12. Administration Abstracts, Westmoreland Co., Will Bk. 1:59. Admin. of ELIZABETH SHANNON - Letters granted 29 Nov 1800 to William McDowell. Bond: 200 pounds. Sureties: Robert Dickey Esq. [From Old Westmoreland quarterly, Vol. 6, No. 2., p. 13.]

13. DAR Patriot Index, Centennial Edition, 1990 - Part 3 (P-Z) - SAMUEL SHANNON, Capt., PA, b. ca. 1746, PA; d. Oct 1781, m. Elizabeth _____.

14. An IGI record () has Samuel Shannon b. 1746, d. 17 Oct 1781, married 1767 to Elizabeth McKee, b. abt.1747, d. 29 Nov. 1800. [29 Nov. is actually the date of granting letters for the Administration, so she would have died perhaps in Oct. or early Nov.] Also, a submission to the Ancestral File () shows Samuel Shannon, b. 1746, d. Oct 1781 and Elizabeth McGee, b. abt 1750, with 5 children: Mary, Jane, Elizabeth (x William McDowell), Richard, Rebecca. Birthdates all estimated, and no spouses for most children. [Was Elizabeth really a McKee? The DAR records have no maiden name for her.]

15. From about 1773 to 1775, several years before the death of Capt. Samuel Shannon on the Lochry Expedition in 1781, his name (or that of another Samuel Shannon) appears in early records regarding Isaac Stimble and the sale of Stimble's land. (See next several notes.) However, since the Samuel Shannon who died in 1781would have been only about 27 years old in 1773, these records might be for his father, if he was also Samuel Shannon. (See my note 23C below.) At this point, let the reader judge -- "Administration Abstracts, Westmoreland Co., 1773-1778: Isaac Stimble (also Stemble) of Westmoreland County, yeoman. Letters granted 28 Jun 1773 to SAMUEL SHANNON, son-in-law and principal creditor. bond: 200 pounds. Sureties: RICHARD SHANNON and Thomas Burd. Witnesses: Arthur St. Clair and Michael Hoofnagle." [Old Westmoreland Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 1, p. 11]. From the wording of this Administration, it seems that this Samuel Shannon was married to a daughter of Isaac Stimble.

16. Partition Records, Westmoreland County, Docket 3 -- 4 items concerning the estate of Isaac Stimble: "7 July 1773. Petition of SAMUEL SHANNON, administrator of Isaac Stimble, yeoman, dec'd, showing Stimble died leaving no personal estate sufficient to pay his just debts, and requesting the power to sell a small tract of land near Fort Ligonier which he did leave. Ordered by the Court to sell this land (page 2)". "2 Nov 1773. Report by SAMUEL SHANNON on the sale of land owned by Isaac Stimble shows that it was sold to Thomas Galbraith for 147 pounds. On the petition of Arthur St. Clair this return was placed under advisement and then disallowed on 05 Jan 1774. (page 2)." "2 Nov. 1774. Petition of SAMUEL SHANNON, administrator of Isaac Stimble, dec'd, show that Stimble died leaving no personal estate sufficient to pay his just debts, and requesting the power to sell a tract of land in Donegal Twp. and certain lots in Fairfield Twp. whereon two houses and a stable formerly stood, all being near Fort Ligonier, which he did leave. So ordered by the Court. (page 6)". "7 Feb 1775. Report by SAMUEL SHANNON on the sale of land owned by Isaac Stimble shows it was sold to Alexander Johnston for 250 pounds. (page 7)." [From Old Westmoreland Quarterly Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 11& 12]

17. Two deeds regarding the land of Isaac Stimble are in Deed Bk A-1, pp. 64 & 65 -- both dated 18 Feb. 1775. The first appears to be the disallowed sale to Thomas Galbraith. Second deed: "Alexander (x) Johnston, Fairfield Twp., Westmoreland Co., to Thomas Galbreath, innholder of Ligonier. Land: plantation and tract in Donegal Twp., bounded on east by the garrison, on south by William McKinzie, on west by John Campbell, dec'd.; plus two lots in town of Ligonier whereon two houses and a stable stood, being the land and improvements made by Isaac Stimble dec'd (a location being obtained from the office in Philadelphia in the name of Isaac Stimbel for 300 acres, being the same land, and numbered #1755). Price 147 pounds Pa currency. Witnesses: SAMUEL SHANNON, Samuel (x) Adams, Thomas Cheney. (page 65)." [From Old Westmoreland Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 1, p.4.]

18. The land sale above still did not satisfy Arthur St. Clair, as in the April 1775 Docket of The Court of Common Pleas, held at Robert Hanna's, # 54,55, 56 were suits by Arthur St. Clair, Esq. against Thomas Galbraith, SAMUEL SHANNON & Alexander Johnson, all for Capias Trespass. [Old Westmoreland Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 4, p. 25.]

19. "A Calendar of the Pennsylvania Land Transactions of Arthur St. Clair, 1766-1818" by Shirley G. McQuillis Iscrupe, 1984. [Old Westmoreland Quarterly, Vol. 5, No. 1, pages 1- 10, 38-39]. This article explains the struggles of Arthur St. Clair over his land claims around Ft. Ligonier, which seemed to have conflicted with many of the other settlers there, one of whom was Isaac Stimple. In a deposition, St. Clair states" All the settlers except one I have purchased out, and had agreed with the Administrator of Stimble and paid him part of the Money for his Claim, and he was to have made a Title under the Orphans Court. That fell thro, and he sold to another. Some time ago SAM'L SHANNON now Administror of Stimble entered into the above mentiond Lot by Force when it was rented by me. An Indictment was found against him for the forcible entry, but on his agreeing to take Administration and to make a Title as before mentioned I promised to Pay him fifty pounds, and he put me in instant Possession again and I dropped the prosecution..."

20. Isaac Stimble is mentioned on p. 112 of Albert's 1882 "History of the County of Westmoreland" -- "The sufferings and trials of the people of the valley from the time when Isaac Stimble, 'an industrious inhabitant of Ligonier' was shot and scalped on the road to Bedford...down to 1792, when Mad Anthony had broken them up at the Maumee, and stopped their depredations forever in these parts -- their suffering during this period, for reasons very apparant, have not been given to the world..." In Chap, 22, Lower Ligonier Valley During the Revolution.

21. There are several deeds for Samuel Shannon & wife Elizabeth abstracted in Old Westmoreland Quarterly: Deed Bk. A-1:99 - "07 Aug. 1772. Deed. Esther (x) McKee of Carlisle, Cumberland Co. to SAMUEL SHANNON of Bedford County. Land: a plantation tract in Bedford County [Westmoreland was still in Bedford Co. until Feb. of 1773], adjoining ELIZABETH SHANNON and SAMUEL SHANNON, containing 370 acres and 36 perches, surveyed to the said Esther by virtue of an order #3535, dated at Philadelphia 23 Jun 1769, together with all houses, stables, buildings, orchards, etc. Price: 5 shillings Pa currency. Witnesses: John McKee and Andrew McKee." [OW, Vol. 3, No. 1, p. 9] This deed indicates that Esther, John & Andrew McKee were probably relatives of either Samuel Shannon or his wife Elizabeth. Note the low price of the sale. It also indicates that the Samuel Shannon family likely came to Westmoreland from Cumberland Co.

Deed Bk A-1:98 - "22 Feb 1773. Deed. Thomas Alexander of Carlisle, Cumberland Co., to SAMUEL SHANNON of Donegal Twp., Westmoreland county, farmer. Land: 300 acre plantation and tract in Donegal Twp., with all houses, out houses, barns, stable, buildings, orchards, etc. (it being the same tract granted to Thomas Alexander by virtue of an application dated at Philadelphia 23 June 1769 and numbered 3539, said application being for 300 acres on the Loyalhanna in Fairfield Twp., part of which has been surveyed.) Price: 5 pounds Pa currency. Witnesses: Robert Hanna and William Alexander." [OW Vol. 2, No. 4, p. 6.]

Deed Bk A-1:74 - "2 Dec 1775. Deed. SAMUEL SHANNON and ELIZABETH his wife, to John Moore (also Muire) of Cecil County, Maryland, blacksmith. Land: 318 plantation and tract in Donegal Twp. on Salt Creek, together with all the houses...etc., it being the same tract granted to ELIZABETH SHANNON by virtue of an application date at Phildadelphia 23 June 1769 and numbered 3536. Price: 80 pounds Pa currency. Witnesses: James Pollock, Robert Williams, and RICHARD SHANNON." [OW Vol. 2, No. 2, p. 4] The three properties above were all warranted the same date and are #3535, 3536, 3539 -- indicating that they were likely taken out by related people.

Deed Bk. A-1: 235 - "7 May 1776. Deed. SAMUEL SHANNON of Donegal Twp. to Henry Schlator (also Slatter) of the same place. Price: 80 pounds Pa currency. Land: Two surveyed tracts in Donegal Twp. on the waters of Champion Run leading from Salt Lick Creek; the one tract located in the Proprietaries Office in the name of Esther Magee, adjoining SAMUEL SHANNON, which was surved and returned; the other located in the name of Thomas McCollum, adjoining lands of Esther McGee. Witnesses: Thomas Galbraith and Moses Watson. [OW Vol. 7, No. 2, p. 17.]

22. The database of Michael S. Caldwell (ID = michaelscaldwell) on Worldconnect has these same deeds, and other Shannon data in notes under Mary Shannon (1769-1833), believed to be a daughter of Capt. Samuel Shannon & Elizabeth. Mary Shannon (6 Jan 1769 - 6 Mar 1833) married John Roberts on 12 Sept. 1786. Their 16 children are in the database of Michael Caldwell. Also notes on the estate of Mary Shannon Roberts. [Although the evidence is not absolutely firm, I am adding Mary as a daughter of Capt. Samuel Shannon & Elizabeth -- Michael Caldwell suggests it, but does not link her.]

23. Samuel Shannon is listed in early court records as the Constable for Donegal Twp. in 1776 [OW Vol 4, No. 3, p. 23]. In 1773 he was an "overseerer of the poor" for Donegal Twp., and served as a road viewer (for the Laurel Hill area of the old Forbes Road) in 1773 [OW Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 15,16] There are other court records where he is suing or being sued, probably all related to the Isaac Stimble land.

24. Some other items that pertain to the SHANNON families of the Ligonier Valley -- A. Administration for RICHARD SHANNON, WB 1:60, " Letters 6 Mar 1800 to SAMUEL SHANNON. Bond 120 pounds. Sureties: George Keltz and William McDowell." [OW Vol. 6, No. 3, p. 13]

Was this Richard Shannon the brother of Capt. Samuel Shannon (died 1781?). Both Keltz and McDowell married into the Shannon family. Wm. McDowell was a son-in-law of Capt. Samuel Shannon (see my note 1), and George Adam Keltz may have married a sister of this Samuel Shannon, based on the age of Keltz (b. 1758), see note B below. There are at least 2 other databases on Worldconnect [Jeff Clark & "Bush"] that have George Adam Keltz & Sarah Shannon, but conflicting dates for their 10 children.

B. "1955 Yearbook of the PA Society of Sons of the American Revolution ", 1956, page 428 - "George Adam Keltz (Pvt., Westmoreland Co. Pa. Ranger), b. 1758, d. 6-1-1837, marr. to Sarah SHANNON b. 1765, d. 1829."

C. There is another SAMUEL SHANNON in the DAR Patriot Index, Centennial Edition, 1990, who might be the "other" Samuel (note 14) -- maybe the father of Samuel (d. 1781) -- but there is no proof in this DAR listing that he was actually from Westmoreland Co. Notice that he is also "Capt." SHANNON, Samuel: b c 1727/8 PA, d a 3-20-1813 PA m Martha ___, Capt. PA"

D. Admin. of SAMUEL SHANNON. "Letters granted 9 Apr. 1785 to ELIZABETH SHANNON and Mary Slaughter." No other details. Is this a second filing of the admin. for Samuel who died in 1781, or for another Samuel Shannon?

E. There are Administrations for other early Shannons in Westmoreland Co. --

1794 - CHARLES SHANNON - Vol. A:153

1797 - HENRY SHANNON - Vol. A: 128.

Relationships, if any, unknown. These are from "Index to Administrations, Westmoreland Co., PA, 1773-c. 1830", compiled by McQullis & Iscrupe, 1983. The other Shannons, already mentioned in notes, are also listed here.

F. "Index To Westmoreland County, PA Wills, Volumes 1-9, 1773-1896"

compiled by Bob & Mary Closson, 1979. Has these SHANNON Wills --

Samuel - 1806 - WB 1:212.

Samuel - 1813 - WB 1:309. [Added as the probable son of Capt. Samuel & Eliz.]

John - 1830 - WB 2:217. [Also a son?]

William - 1840 - WB 3:020.

G. Database of Michael S. Caldwell on Worldconnect [ID = michaelscaldwell] has data on several later members of the Shannon family of the Ligonier Valley area.

25. There are many unresolved problems (and probably errors) in the various genealogy records (including this one) for these early Shannons, confusion based on repeated names and lack of firm birth/baptism and marriage records. I have suggested 4 children for Capt. Samuel & Elizabeth, but the pension record for Elizabeth says there were 7 children. Input from others who might have better information is welcomed.

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