Bios: Robert McCurdy, 1754-1824: Cumberland/Mifflin Cos, PA File contributed to USGenWeb Archives by Jane Hodgson USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/mifflin/ ROBERT MCCURDY __________________________________________________________________ About 1754 Born (Possibly father is John) 8 Jun 1774 438 McCurdy, Robert 130 26 John Novacre Goldon 8 Feb 1733 Lancaster AA No.14, age 19 1 Jul 1775 Enlisted Revolutionary War, Carlisle, PA, served one year and attained the rank of Captain, brother John also. Went with regiment to Boston, in engagement at Litchman's Point Engagement at Dorchester Heights, Massachusetts, age 20 13 Jul 1776 Honorably discharged on Long Island, age 21 1 Aug 1776 Again enlisted at Lancaster in the state of Pennsylvania for six months in the flying camp, age 21 22 Aug 1776 Operations began in the Battle of Long Island, age 21 27 Aug 1776 Captured by the British and taken prisoner by them along with approximately 5000 prisoners from this battle (General Washington retreated with the remainder of the army across the East River, an extension of the ocean. If he had not successfully retreated, the war would have been lost to the British at this juncture.) Held captive either in a British prison on Long Island or in a prison ship. Winter of 1777-1778, the coldest winter during which many prisoners died due to cold and disease, as likewise did many soldiers at Valley Forge. Robert lived through the long months. Jun 1778 Exchanged as a prisoner of war and returned home, age 23 Married Margaret born Schoolmaster 11 Mar 1785 Purchased land Cumberland County, PA, age 30 1786/1787 Brother, John, moved to Georgia, age 31 20 May 1788 Vol.P, No.13, 145 McCurdy, Robt (In Trust) 246 147 Charles Swisher Spotsylvania 11 Mar 1785 Cumberland Sold land, sold land, age 33 13 Mar 1789 Went into court in Cumberland County to pay the other heirs of his father, John 4 Sep 1789 Robert born, age 34 1790 Received father's land in Cumberland County, Allen Twp for self and siblings, Land called Spotsylvania 17 Feb 1790 Nancy born, age 35 Schoolmaster 1790 Census, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, Milford Twp, age 35 1791 Brother, David, moved to Georgia, age 36 1791 "Polly" Mary born, age 36 1794 Exr Will of Michael Smith, Greenwood Twp, Cumberland Co, PA, age 39 1795 Jane born, age 40 1796 Thomas born, age 41 1800 Census, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania p.8, age 45 14 Feb 1809 Daughter Peggy married William Barnhill, Mifflintown, PA, age 54 1810 Census, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania p.1037, age 55 25 Apr 1816 Son Thomas married Ann Taylor, Mifflintown, PA Presbyterian, age 61 27 Aug 1818 Son Robert married Nancy Summerville, Mifflintown, PA, age 63 8 Jun 1819 Wife died, Harrison County, Ohio, age 64 8 Jun 1819 Began collecting $8.00 per month Revolutionary War pension, age 64 23 Sep 1819 Received certificate of pension, age 64 1820 Retired from schoolteaching due to infirmities, age 65 Went to live with daughter Nancy and Gabriel Barnhill 3 Jul 1821 At Courthouse in Wooster appeared to file an application for a pension, age 66 11 Jul 1821 Granted the Pension, age 66 23 Oct 1821 Daughter Jane married Martin Webb, Mifflintown, PA, age 66 3 Jul 1821 Applied for Veterans pension, Wayne County, Ohio, age 66 5 Feb 1824 Daughter Polly married John Young, Mifflintown, PA, age 69 11 Dec 1824 Wrote will in Wayne County, Ohio, witnesses Gabriel Barnhill and James Galbraith, age 69 12 Dec 1824 Died Wayne County, Ohio, age 69 Buried Boardman Cemetery, Mahoning County, Ohio Mahoning formed out of Columbiana & Trumbull in 1846 Census 1820 shows a David McCurdy in Columbiana Co, Centre Twp CHILDREN OF ROBERT MCCURDY & JANE LOWRY MCCURDY 1. MARGARET MCCURDY m. William Barnhill 2. ROBERT MCCURDY (4 Sep 1789 - 18 Jan 1844) m. Nancy Summerville 3. THOMAS MCCURDY (b. abt 1796) m. Ann Taylor 4. NANCY AGNES MCCURDY (17 Feb 1790 - 5 Dec 1851) m. Gabriel Barnhill 5. MARY POLLY MCCURDY (b. 1791) m. John Young 6. JANE MCCURDY (1795 - 1862) 7. FRANCIS MCCURDY m. Elizabeth McKee ________________________________________________________________________ NATIONAL ARCHIVES, WASHINGTON D.C. Penn. McCurdy, Robert S41851 Robert McCurdy Wayne Co in the state of Ohio who was a private in the regiment commanded by Died Dec 12, 1824 Colonel ed Hand of the Pennsylvania line, for the term of One Year. Transcribed on the roll of Ohio at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 8th of June 1819. Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd of Sept 1819 and Sent to Samuel Boyd Esq Cadiz, Ohio Arrears to 4th of Sept 1819 $23.20 Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1820 48.00 -------- Dollars 71.20 Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818 Notification Sent to H.H. Leavitt Esq Steubenville Ohio 19 Sept 1821 State of Ohio On the eighth day of June A.D. 1819 before Harrison County the subscriber, one of the associate Judges of the court of Common Pleas of Harrison County aforesaid, personally appeared Robert McCurdy aged sixty five years a resident of the county of Wayne in the State aforesaid, who being duly sworn, in at the following declaration under oath, for the purpose of obtaining the beifit of the act of Congress, passed March 18th 1818, Entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war that he enlisted at the town of Carlisle, in the State of Pennsylvania about the 1st of July 1775, under Captain James Chambers, in the 1st Regiment of the Pennsylvania troops, then com- manded by Col William Thompson, who being afterwards promoted to be a Brigadier General, was succeeded in the Command of said Regi- ment by Col Edward Hand who had previously been the Lieutenant Colonel of said Regiment that on the 13 day of July in the year 1775 aforesaid his Regiment left Carlisle for Boston - that he was in an engagement at Litchman's Point and also at Dorchester Heights in Massachusetts - that after having served until the 13th of July 1776, he was honorably discharged by said Colonel Edward Hand, on the West end of Long Island - that his discarge through time and accidents, he believes to be lost or destroyed - that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of his country's assistance - that he herwith transmits all the evidence in his power of the foregoing facts and that he hereby relinquishes all claim & rights to any pension from his government other than what may be granted him under the provisions of the act aforesaid. Sworn to and declared the day & year aforesaid Robt McCurdy James Boyd Associate Judge State of Ohio On the 8th day of June A.D. 1819 Harrison County before the subscriber one of the Associate Judges Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County personally appeared Henry Rankin of lawful age, who being duly sworn, and cautioned to tell the truth, on his solemn oath, depositeth and saith, that he is well acquainted with the within named Robert McCurdy, a revolutionary soldier, and that during the revolutionary war the deponent served in the within named Colonel Edward Hands Reg ment along with the said Robert Mccurdy and that said Mccurdy did actually serve in said war for one year as within stated against the common enemy and this deponent believes that during that term he behaved in a soldier like manner, and as a true friend of his country Sworn to and subscribed the day Henry Rinkan and year aforesaid before me - Samuel Boyd Associate Judge State of Ohio On the 8th day of June A.D. 1819 before Harrison County the subscriber one of the associate Judges of this Seal court of Common Pleas of said county personally appeared David Barnhill & Gabriel Holland citizens & residents of said county of lawful age who being solemnly sworn according to law depose and say that they are well acquainted with the within named, Robert McCurdy, and with his circumstances as to property, and that he is in reduced circumstances etc., and stands in need of his country's assistance for support. Sworn to and subscribed David Barnhill the day and year aforesaid his before me -Samuel Boyd Gabriel x Holland Clerk Associate Judge Be it remembered that heretofore to wit at a Court of Common Pleas held at the Courthouse in the town of Wooster in the Court for the County of Wayne in the state of Ohio, on the third day of July A.D. 1821 by and before the honorable William Wilson President & David McConaghey John Hamman & John Patton Esquire Associate Judges of the said Court Robert McCurdy came into open Court and filed his application for a pension under the acts of Congress of 18th March 1818 & 1 May 1820 as follows to wit, The State of Ohio Wayne County On the third day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty one personally appeared in open Court being the Court of Common pleas for the County aforesaid being the fourth Judicial Circuit of Ohio and a court of record, Robert McCurdy, a citizen of said County who being faint? devoice? according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provisions of the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 1 May 1820, that he said Robert McCurdy enlisted for one year in the month of July 1775, at Carlisle in the State of Pennsylvania in the company Commanded by Captain James Chambers, in the Regiment commanded by Captain James Chambers, in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel William Thompson in the line of the State of Pennsylvania on the continental establishment that he continued to serve in said company for one year when he was dis- charged in July 1776 on Long Island, that during this term he was in the engagement at Litchmore Point in Massachusetts, and in the Commanade at the heights of Dorchester, that afterwards in the battle of July 1776, or the 1st of August he again enlisted at Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania for six months in the flying camp, that during said six months he was in the battle of Long Island on the 28th of August 1776, when he was captured by the British, and detained a prisoner by them till June 1778 when he was exchanged and returned home, and in pursuance of the Act of the 1 of May 1820, I do solemnly swear that on the 18th day of March 1818, I was a resident citizen of the United States, and that I have not since that time, by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent hereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the 18th of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor hence I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. I have no profession, but have for some years past followed the occupation of a Schoolmaster until about a year since when I was obliged to desist from it in consequence of my ill health, and am now unable to pursue my business on account of bodily infirmities, my wife is dead, and I live with my daughter. I am sixty years of age, I have received a certificate from the United States under the Act of March 18th 1818 dated 20 September 1810 and numbered 14598. The following is a schedule of all the property __ the said McCurdy owned and possessed of debts due to him-- Property none except necessary clothing debts due to said McCurdy Debts owing by said McCurdy By Lewis Vale, seven dollars 7.00 To Gabriel Barnhill 20.00 Christian Cornaghy, six 6.00 Do do Dan McPhail, scy 5.00 George Tice five 5.00 Isaac Drrrdorf, three 3.00 George Willock 3.50 ______ $24.50 (Signed) Sworn to & declared before me Robert McCurdy Whereupon on hearing the evidence adduced it is the Opinion of the Court that the property of the said Robert McCurdy is of no value The State of Ohio Wayne County In testimony of the aforegoing I hereto sign my name & affix the seal of said County at Wooster this 11th day of July A.D. 1821 W.E. Demsey? Clerk June 22, 1934 Mrs. Richard S. Baker ROBERT McCURDY 148 Willis Avenue S 41851 Youngstown, Ohio BA-J/MLB Dear Madam: Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Richard Baker who served in the Revolutionary War from Chester County, Pennsylvania, and of Robert McCurdy who received pension on Certificate 14598, issued September 23, 1819. Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States based upon military service of soldiers in that war. A careful search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of a Richard Baker as described. The record of Robert McCurdy was found and is given below as shown in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 41851, based upon his service in the Revolution. The date and palce of soldier's birth and names of his parents are not given. Robert McCurdy enlisted at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, about July 1, 1775, served as private in Captain James Chambers' company, Colonels William Thomson's and Edward Hand's Pennsylvania regiment, was in engagements at Letchmore's Point near Boston and at Corchester Heights, Massachusetts, and was discharged July 13, 1776. He again enlisted the latter part of July or first of August, 1776, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for six months in the flying camp, names of officers not given, was in the battle of Long Island in which he was taken prisoner by the British and held until June, 1778, when he was exchanged and returned home. He was allowed pension on his application executed June 8, 1819, at which time he was aged sixty-five years and a resident of Wayne County, Ohio. In 1821, Robert Mccurdy was still residing in Wayne County, Ohio, with a daughter, and stated that his wife was dead but did not give the name of either wife or daughter, nor did he give the date of his marriage or make reference to any other children. The soldier died December 12, 1824. Very truly yours A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator ________________________________________________________________________ PRODIGY ACADEMIC AMERICAN ENCYCLOPEDIA The Battle of Long Island, fought between the forces of George Washington and William Howe on Aug. 27, 1776, opened the British Campaign to seize New York City during the American Revolution. It was the first large-scale battle of the war. From American headquarters on Manhattan Island, Washington had sent about a third of his troops across the East River to Brooklyn Heights, where they constructed strong entrenchments. He erred, however, by sending forward 4,000 men to occupy the Heights of Guana and then failing to protect this left flank adequately. On August 22, Howe arrived from Staten Island with 20,000 men, whom he landed at Gravesend Bay, an inlet of lower New York Bay. In the early morning of August 27, Howe made a thrust against the American right. Simultaneously, he dispatched a column that passed undetected around the American left flank under Israel Putnam and attacked the Americans' rear position. The Americans lost over 1,000 men; Howe lost only 400. The American troops retreated to their Brooklyn entrenchments, and during the night of August 29-30, Washington ferried his demoralized army back to Manhattan. ________________________________________________________________________ NOTE 1876-1885 Wooster, Pastor Thomas A. McCurdy at First Presbyterian Church, linked with Wooster University. Daughters of the American Revolution (1938). The Official Roster of the Soldiers of the American Revolution who Lived in the State of Ohio, Vol.2. DAR Wayne County Chapter and Reading, PA Hetuck Chapter. ________________________________________________________________________ WILL (Died about 74) Francis McCurdy was the administrator of chattels. In the name of God Amen I Robert McCurdy of Wayne County & State of Ohio, being wake in body but of sound and mind & memory blesed by almighty God for the same, make & publish this my last will & testament, in manner & form following, viz, first I do give and bequeath unto my two youngest daughters Mary & Jane each a silk dress & a new Bible, I so also give & bequeath unto my oldest son Robert McCurdy all my waring apparal, I do also give and bequeath unto my second son Thomas McCurdy the silver watch that I now ware, I do also give and bequeath unto John McCurdy Barnhill my chest and all my books, likewise I have and Bequeath unto David Barnhill one pair Pantaloons & one shirt, likewise I leave & bequeath unto my son Robert McCurdy as stated above one shirt, likewise I leave and bequeath to my son Thomas McCurdy (the same as mentioned above) one shirt, likewise I leave & bequeath to Jane Barnhill my bed & bedding & silk umberella likewise I leave & bequeath my daughter Polly McCurd (the same as mentioned above) and daughter Nancy Barnhill all the money thats left when all mentioned above cecscus three parts) to be equally divided except as much as will decently bury me. This I make my last will & testament, revoking all former wills by me in whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 11th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty four. Signed and sealed and delivered in presence of James Galbreath Gabriel Barnhill Robert McCurdy (Seal) Very shaky above handwriting ________________________________________________________________________ DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (1938). THE OFFICIAL ROSTER OF THE SOLDIERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION WHO LIVED IN THE STATE OF OHIO. VOL. 2. McCurdy, Robert, Wayne co Pvt Pa Contl. Pensr 9-22-1819 Wayne co. Enl Carlisle Pa July 1 1775. Srvd 1 yr. Ag 65 1819 "Wf d" (appl 1821). Chldr: "dau" appl for pens Harrison co O June 8 1819 res Wayne co O July 3 1821. No will; no deed: Francis McCurdy Admst of Chattels. D in Wayne co Dec 12th 1824 aged 69, Ref Pa Archives 5th S V 2 Page 729. Rept by Wooster Wayne chpt; State DAR; Mary Steinmetz Reading Pa; Hetuck chpt. OHIO CEMETERIES McCurdy, Robert d 12/12/1824 a 69 yrs b 1755 1st PA, Wayne Co, OH; c Boardman, Mahoning Co, O; v12 p21, v 22-23 p21 ________________________________________________________________________ INDEX OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION APPLICATIONS McCURDY, Robert, Penn., BLWt 9878-100-Pvt. Issued 12/20/1791 to George Walton, Assignee. No papers McCURDY, Robert, Penn., S41851 1790 FEDERAL CENSUS Cumberland County, Eastern Portion Page 83 MCCURDY, Robert MCCURDY, Andrew Hopewell 76; Daniel Eastern 85; David Hopewell 78; Jaems Easter 82; James Eastern 81; John Eastern 84; Robert Eastern 83 MCCURDAY, John Mifflin County, Page 153 (Could this be Robert's brother?) Did Robert move to Mifflin between 1790 and 1800? ________________________________________________________________________ 1800 FEDERAL CENSUS 1800 Federal Census Index, PA, Mifflin County Page 477 Milford Township 31001-32010-00 McCurdy, Robert p.8 (age 45) Cumberland County, Andrew 101; John 191; other brothers have moved to GA ________________________________________________________________________ 1810 FEDERAL CENSUS 1810 Federal Census, PA, Mifflin County, Milford Township, p.1037 or 44 McCurdy, Robert ___ Francis Free white male 10-16 ___ _______ Free white male 10-16 ___ Thomas Free white male 16-26 ___ Robert Free white male 16-26 ___ Robert Free white male 45 and up (age 55) ___ _______ Free white female under 10 ___ Jane Free white female 10-16 ___ Margaret Free white female 16-26 ___ Polly Free white female 16-26 ___ Nancy Free white female 16-26 ___ Mary Free white female 45 and up ________________________________________________________________________ 1820 FEDERAL CENSUS (May be with Barnhills or other child) WAYNE COUNTY, PAINT TOWNSHIP, OHIO NIL ROBERT MCCURDY Columbiana County, Centre Twp McCurdy, David 1 - 2 3 1 - 2 - 2 - - - 1 - 5 NIL WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO ROBERT MCCURDY NIL MILFORD TWP, MIFFLIN COUNTY, PA ________________________________________________________________________ WILL OF MICHAEL SMITH Will which Robert McCurdy was executor and witness: Michael Smith, Greenwood, Cumberland Co, PA 24 Dec 1794 13 June 1796 Wife: Sarah Oldest son Michael Tom Philip Dau Catran Rollens Dau: Fanny Resh Dau: Susanna Keepler Dau: Eve Smith, youngest son, James Dautrs Elizabeth, Matslena. Sarah and Mary minors. Exrs. Sarah Smith and Robert McCurdy. Witness. Robert McCurdy Michael Smith William Everly. ________________________________________________________________________ Check Mahoning County and Harrison County Check HISTORICAL REGISTER OF OFFICERS OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY DURING THE REVOLUTION by F.B. Heitman. LETTERS FROM PRISONS AND PRISON SHIPS OF THE REVOLUTION by Henry R. Stiles. MEMOIRS OF HIS OWN TIMES, editor John S. Littrell. WRITINGS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON by John C. Fitzpatrick. ________________________________________________________________________ AMERICAN PRISONERS OF THE REVOLUTION by Danske Dandridge Page 25 Association of intense horror are linked with the records of the prisons and prison ships of New York. Thousands of captives perished miserably of hunger, cold, infection, and in some cases, actual poison. All the prisoners taken in the battle near Brooklyn in August, 1776 and at Fort Washington in November of the same year, were confined in New York, nearly 4000 in all. The New Jail and the New Bridewell were the only prisons. The former is the present Hall of Records. Three sugar houses, some dissenting churches, Columbia College, and the Hospital were all used as prisons. The great fire in September; the scarcity of provisions; and the cruel conduct of the Provost Marshal all combined to produce intense sufferings among the men, most of whom entered into captivity, strong, healthy, young, able-bodied, the flower of the American youth of the day. "Van Cortlandt's Sugar House was a famous (or infamous) prison. It stood on the northwest corner of Trinity church-yard. "Rhinelander's Sugar House was on the corner of william and Duane Streets. Perhaps the worst of all the New York prisons was the third Sugar House, which occupied the space on Liberty Street where two buildings, numbers 34 and 36, now stand. The North Dutch Church on William Street contained 800 prisoners, and there were perhaps as many in the Middle Dutch Church. The Friends' Meeting House on Liberty and several other buildings erected for the worship of a God of love were used as prisons. The New Jail was made a Provost Prison, and here officers and men of note were confined. At one time they were so crowded into this building, that when they lay down upon the floor to sleep all in the row were obliged to turn over at the same time at the call, 'Turn over! Left! Right! The sufferings of these brave men were largely due to the criminal indifference of Loring, Sproat, Lennox, and other Commissaries of the prisoners. Many of the captives were hanged in the gloom of night without trial and without a semblance of justice. Liberty Street Sugar House was a tall, narrow building five stories in height, and with dismal underground dungeons. In this gloomy abode jail fever was ever present. In the hot weather of July, 1777, companies of twenty at a time would be sent out for half an hour's outing, in the court yard. Inside groups of six stood for ten minutes at a time at the windows for a breath of air. There were no seats; the filthy straw bedding was never changed. Every day at least a dozen corpses were dragged out and pitched like dead dogs into the ditches and morasses beyond the city. Escapes, deaths, and exchange at last thinned the ranks. Hundreds left names and records on the walls. In 1778 the hulks of decaying ships were moored in the Wallabout. These prison ships were intended for sailors and seaman taken on the ocean, mostly the crews of privateersmen, but some soldiers were also sent to languish in their holds. The first vessels used were transports in which cattle and other stores had been brought over by the British in 1776. These lay in Gravesend Bay and there many of the prisoners taken in battle near Brooklyn in August, 1776, were confined, until the British took possession of New York, when they were moved to that city. In 1778 the hulks of ships were moored in the Wallabout, a sheltered bay on the Long Island shore, where the Navy Yard now is." The sufferings of the prisoners can be better understood by giving individual instances, and wherever this is possible it shall be done. We will commence by an abstract of ... __________________________________________________________________ MOUNT EATON, a post-village of Wayne co., Ohio, 18 miles S. E. from Wooster. Population in 1853, 500. __________________________________________________________________ Jane Hunter Hodgson Tucson, Arizona hodgson@azstarnet.com