Family History: McFALL Family: Northampton Co, Pennsylvania : Bucks, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Keith McFall. keith_mcfall@yahoo.com USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. NOTE: I have transcribed this keeping the original line lengths and typos. If you have an original and notice any mistakes, please contact me with corrections. ALSO looking for anyone who has a good copy of the images who would be willing to scan and submit them for this project. Thank you. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes on McFall and Allied Families -- FOREWARD -- In the pages which follow, the writer has attempted only to give more permanency to the scattered records and traditions concern- ing the maternal side of the family of which he is a member. It was not his purpose to construct a genealogical tree. The narrative is of primary interest to the descendants of Jesse and Mary McFall of Lower Mt. Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, but as will be noted, it includes considerable material which may prove useful, and is available, to collateral lines. As no rights have been reserved, the privilege of freely using any part of these pages is extended to any persons so desiring. Much of the data has been obtained from the Pennsylvania Archives, New Jersey Archives, State and Court records, the Collec- tions of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Historical So- cieties of Bucks and Northampton Counties, the Presbyterian His- torical Society, also family, church and tombstone records, and records, public and private, of a miscellaneous kind. The main facts are capable of verification by reference to the sources mentioned. There may be many loose joints in the structure and too much tradi- tion and speculation, but the interested and not too critical reader will be able to distinguish, and will charitably make allowances where needed. Ezra McFall Kuhns Dayton, Ohio, December, 1936 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Notes on McFall and Allied Families ??? Printed ------------------------------------------------------------------------ School house in Lower Mt. Bethel (Martin's Creek) 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MCFALL According to information furnished the writer by a genealogist in the City of Belfast, the McFall family had its origin in the High- lands of Scotland, finding its way, either as a family or as individuals at an early date, into Northern Ireland. There they settled in Count- ies Antrim and Londonderry. The name is sometimes spelled McFaul, Macfall, and McPhail, but the orthodox spelling of the writer's branch of the family is McFall. On the west coast of Scot- land, overlooking Ireland, there is said to be a castle, perhaps a point, known as McPhail's. If one would go to the trouble to locate this place, probably it would fix the vicinity of the Scottish origin of the family of McFall, however diversified the spelling of the name might be. The progenitor of the family here under consideration, in America, was a certain Francis McFall, who arrived approximately in 1730, during a period of very heavy emigration from Ulster. In that year as many as twenty-five hundred families sailed from Belfast for a new home in America, all of whom settled in Pennsylvania. The arrivals can be numbered by thousands. Despite a heavy tax imposed by the English government to prevent or discourage the departure of so many of its subjects especially from that part of Ireland where the Protestant faith was predominant, the arrivals reached many thousands in number in the course of only a few years. These immigrants, while really Scots, sometimes known as Ulster Scots, are usually known by the more descriptive term of Scotch- Irish, although there was but little, if any mingling with Celtic blood. Except in certain sections, these people were not the first settlers in America, having been preceded by English, and Germans from the Palatinate. They usually selected the more remote districts in which to establish their new abodes, where they followed the streams, felled the forests, and laid the foundations for a hardy and robust civilization. Francis McFall was not married, probably, until after reaching this country, and it is safe to assert that he came in the same group as Alexander Miller, whose daughter became the wife of Francis and who is referred to later on in this narrative. Francis McFall's home in Ireland, was near Belfast. Close to the border line of Coun- ties Antrim and Londonderry, but in the latter county, located about thirty miles from the City of Belfast, near Lake Lough) Neagh, is the small town of Maghera. According to the Hearth-Money Rolls for the year 1663, now in the Collection of the Presbyterian Histori- cal Society, Church House, Belfast, Daniel McFall and John McFall 5 --------------------------------------------------------------------- were then living in the barony of Loghenholin, Parish of Tamlaght, County of Londonderry ; and in a Manuscript list of Protestant Householders for the year 1740, in possession of the above Society, appear the names of Thomas, James, and John McFall, residing in the above barony of Loghenholin, but in the adjoining parish of Maghera. Unfortunately, as the writer is informed, this search could not be continued, as practically all records, public and church, were destroyed in the Irish troubles of 1922. However, from the names appearing on the lists just mentioned, and the accepted tradition as to the Irish home-place of Francis McFall, it may be assumed that the John McFall of the Hearth-Money Rolls of 1663, is in the an- cestral line of Francis, and that the three McFalls in the House- holders' list of 1740, were of the same family. It might also be fairly assumed that the John McFall of the latter list was either the father or brother of Francis, since the name John was given to the eldest son of Francis, and that name transmitted to numerous descendants. In view of the foregoing, the writer places the Irish origin of the family in or near the town of Maghera, which lies equally distant from Belfast and Londonderry, the respective County Seats of Antrim and Londonderry. Whether or not Francis McFall came into Bucks County, Pennsyl- vania, direct from Ireland, is not known. However, it is found that on November 2, 1736, he purchased 100 acres of land lying in the east part of Bedminster Township in that county, and on April 7, 1744, and additional 50 acres, also making purchases of several small adjoining tracts at various times, so that at his death early in 1759, Francis was the owner of 176 acres in Bedminster Township, located at the intersection of the Easton and Durham Roads, where the Vil- lage of Pipersville now is. Bedminster Township has sometimes been called the home of the Scotch-Irish, as these people settled there in large numbers at quite an early date. Here they remained until crowded out by the German arrivals, and even as early as the American Revolution, the Scotch- Irish, the original settlers in that township, had been reduced to a small minority. The death of Francis McFall occurring in the early part of 1759, the widow, Elizabeth McFall, was appointed administratrix, there being no will. The inventory discloses a fair amount of chattel prop- erty, sufficient for the purposes of a farm of the size owned by Francis McFall, and included livestock, crops, and farm implements. There were, at the time of his death, four living children, namely Jane, Margaret, John, and Hugh. The age of Francis at his death is not known, but in a proceeding in the Orphan's Court in 1763, it appears that the daughters were then of lawful age. In Christ Episcopal 6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Presbyterian Church, Lower Mt. Bethel (Martin's Creek) 7 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Church at Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, New Jersey, there is the record of the baptism of a Hugh McFall, of Freehold, on June 27, 1762, the boy being ten years of age ; the parents names are not given. While no identity is established by this entry, yet it might be inferred that this was the little son of Francis McFall, and that when the lad was baptized, his mother was on a visit to Scotch-Irish ac- quantances in Monmouth County, where people of that strain had settled in large numbers. Of course, this is pure conjecture and can be taken for what it is worth, but it has value in justifying the state- ment that Francis McFall was not an old man at the time of his death, and a fair guess would be that his birth in Londonderry oc- curred approximately in 1710. Francis and Elizabeth worshipped at the Deep Run Presbyterian Church in Bedminster Township, one of the early churches, if not the earliest, of that denomination in Bucks County. No membership rolls are extant, except a fragment of an early one, showing a partial roll of members at or prior to the year 1770. This gives the name of "Widow McFaul."--undoubtedly Elizabeth, the widow of Francis. Another list, bearing the date of December, 1770, is of those con- tributing to the support of the pastor of this church. Elizabeth McFall subscribing and paying the sum of five shillings, and in a similar list for the Red Hill Presbyterian Church, at Ottsville, in Tinicum Township, Bucks County, for the support of the pastor, Rev. Alexander Mitchell, for the year 1785, the name of "Widow" McFall is given as a contributor. The Red Hill Church was located in the vicinity of the McFall residence, closer than that of Deep Run, and as the latter church had all but closed its doors, the McFalls seemed to have transferred their membership to the more active organization in Tinicum Township. It also appears Elizabeth McFall had remarried, for a record in Bucks County shows that a marriage bond was given on March 17, 1774, with William Wilson as surety, licensing the marriage of Samuel Boyd of Tinicum Township and Elizabeth McFall of Bedminster Township. After this marriage, Elizabeth may have transferred her membership and support to the Red Hill Church in Tinicum. The circumstance of the name of Widow McFall appearing on the church lists long after it had been changed by remarriage, is of no particular significance, as in many cases these names were continued to be carried long after the death of the member, probably identifying a family, rather than an in- dividual. Elizabeth McFall was not living in 1788, since she is not men- tioned in a court proceeding brought that year to sell the farm. The parties to this proceeding are Margaret. Jane, John, and John Smith, next friend of the children of Hugh, who had died in the early part of the year 1786. 8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Lutheran Church, Lower Mt. Bethel (Martin's Creek) (Presbyterian burying ground adjoining) 9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- It might be added that the facts regarding the estate of Francis McFall are not always clear, due to the informal nature of court proceedings, and the neglect of parties to record instruments of transfer of real estate. In those days, possession was nine points of the law, and title was passed by possession rather than by deed or indenture. This causes much difficulty in tracing titles and family lines through public records. Tradition says that Francis and Eliza- beth were buried in the Deep Run burying ground ; but if so, there are no records or markers to that effect. Neither are there any records of the baptism of their children, with the exception of Hugh. As Scotch-Irish moved from Bedminster Township to give place to new settlers of other national background, Deep Run was prac- tically abandoned as a place of worship, except for an occasional service required to retain title to the property. This explains, in part, the absence or scarcity of church records pertaining to that old-time church and its members. As far as Francis and Elizabeth are concerned, they lie in unmarked graves. In view of the record of the remarriage of Elizabeth to a resident of Tinicum Township, and other circumstances, it is more probable that Elizabeth lies in the Red Hill burying ground ; but as to this, nothing is definitely known. HUGH MCFALL, the younger of the sons of Francis and Elizabeth, born in 1752, if the Shrewsbury baptismal record can be accepted, was probably named for Hugh Carlisle, an early Presbyterian clergyman and pastor in those parts of Bucks County where the McFall family had located. Hugh McFall was twice married, the name of his first wife being unknown. There were two children by this marriage, namely, John and Eleanor. According to a record in the Second Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, dated September 22, 1781, Hugh then married Anne Smith Sebring. She was the widow of John Sebring of Solebury Township, Bucks County. Sebring was of a large and influential family in that locality, which possessed property and participated actively in the cause of the Colonies in the Revolution. Shortly after his marriage to the Widow Sebring, Hugh McFall moved into Solebury Township upon a 160- acre tract belonging to his wife, and died there in 1786. By this marriage there were children, Francis, Hanna, and Hugh. Hugh McFall, Sr., was buried in the Sebring burial ground in Solebury Township. A fragment of his stone marker was once found on a pile with others in that abandoned cemetery. It was too far damaged to decipher the year of Hugh's birth, but the year of death plainly appeared as 1786. There is a record of a bond or note given by this Hugh McFall, in 1772, to one David Graham ; also in 1771, Hugh and his mother, Elizabeth McFall, executed a deed for a portion of the home farm sold off at an earlier date in the settlement of Francis McFall's 10 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- estate. These transactions indicate that Hugh had arrived at legal age, which corresponds approximately with the age stated in the baptismal record. Hugh McFall was a member of a Company of Associators organ- ized in 1775 in Bedminster Township, served in that Company until his removal to Solebury Township, where he became a member of the Company of Solebury until the close of the Revolution. John, a wheelwright, and Hugh, sons of the above Hugh McFall, moved to Beaver County, Pennsylvania, previous to 1810. As the particular interest in this narrative relates to John, the eldest son of Francis McFall, the Scotch-Irish immigrant, no further search or inquiry has been made by the writer as to these or other children of Hugh McFall of Bedminster Township, or their descendants. Margaret and Jane McFall were living in 1788 at the time of the partition proceedings, and the first named appears as a contributor to the Red Hill Presbyterian Church for several years before and after the above date. Both names then disappear forever, except perhaps in a name or names given to a child or children of the gen- eration following, as will be noticed later. The burial place of Margaret and Jane is unknown. JOHN MCFALL, son of Francis and Elizabeth, was born in Bed- minister Township, approximately in 1750, although there is no present record of the date. He grew up on his father's farm, was married, in the early part of 1773, to Hanna Craig of Greenwich Township, Sussex County, New Jersey, and several years after this marriage the couple moved into Springfield Township on a 150-acre tract belonging to Carpenter Wharton, an extensive landowner of Philadelphia. Robert Craig, a brother of Hanna, and James, another brother, farmed the adjoining tract of 150 acres, which also belonged to Carpenter Wharton. The latter died in 1780. Robert Craig moved to the adjacent Township of Durham, in 1784. This township was east of Springfield Township, adjoining the Delaware River. De- posits of iron ore are found in the surrounding hills. There was an active and lively business established by certain capitalists of that day, George Taylor, of Easton, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, being one of them, in connection with these deposits. This business was known as Durham Furnace. Across the river, sev- eral miles up Musconectong Creek, was another industry, owned largely by the same interests as that of Durham Furnace. This was known as Greenwich Forge. Still further east in the same general vicinity was Oxford Forge. These industries shipped their products to various markets, even as far as Philadelphia. Each establishment had its general store, and the account books of these stores, some of which are preserved, give a clue to the people and the activities in 11 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Home of Thomas McFall and birthplace of Jesse McFall (Lower Mt. Bethel Tp. Northampton Co., Pa.) Anne Murdock McFall Thomas McFall (1781-1866) (Son of Peggy McFall Davidson ; born 1826) 12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- the neighborhood, as will be mentioned later. Several ferries served these industries, as well as other transportation requirements of that section. In due course, McFall came into possession of the entire tract of 300 acres which had belonged to Wharton, and was assessed on that amount of land over a number of years, up to his death in 1800. On the tax rolls for 1784, John McFall is listed as the owner of one house, with five white inhabitants. In the U.S. Census of 1790, he has in his household, in addition to himself, one male adult over sixteen years of age, four males under sixteen, and two females, ages not stated. The death of John McFall occurred in January, 1800. In the U.S. Census for that year, the wife Hanna McFall, is listed as not over 45 years of age. She was, therefore, born not earlier than 1755. She was living with her son Francis in Northampton County, Pa., according to the Census of 1810, but had probably died previous to the Census 0f 1820, as there is no trace of her in that year. Tradition is silent in respect to the year of her death. The estate of John McFall was administered by his sons Francis and Thomas, there being no will, and the widow having waived. The inventory discloses a large personal estate, consisting of cattle and other live stock, grain, implements, household goods, furniture, a few books and one Bible. There are also listed, as part of his hold- ings, numerous notes and accounts. A bond of five thousand pounds was furnished by the administrators. This would indicate an estate of considerable proportions, and would tend to confirm the family tradition that McFall, in connection with farming, operated a grist mill, or as some say, a tannery and cooperage. The inventory throws no light on the assertion. In respect to the Bible, it might be observed that had anyone seen fit to preserve it for the use or inspection of the present generation, much speculation now employed to recon- struct the family history might have been dispensed with, as it doubtless contained the customary entries concerning marriages, births, baptisms and deaths. The McFall residence in Springfield Township is said to have been on the great road running from Philadelphia to Bethlehem, but in the absence of title deeds it cannot now be definitely located. John and Hannah McFall are probably buried in the burying ground at the Red Hill Presbyterian Church, but as there are no markers or records of burial, the exact spot is unknown. Tradition says at Deep Run, but Red Hill is more probable. John McFall served in the Revolution, but the meager lists of Associators for Springfield Township do not permit conclusions as to his service from that township. However, he was a member of the Company of Associators for Bedminster Township, as shown in 13 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- a list for 1775. In April, 1783, he was elected lieutenant in Captain George Heinline's company for Durham Township. McFall's name does not appear in any of the very extensive lists of those paying non-attendance fines in any of the townships mentioned, or of those refusing to render military service ; hence it can be rightfully in- ferred that he discharge his patriotic obligations faithfully from the time of his enlistment in the Bedminster Company in 1775 until the close of the war. As stated previously, his brother Hugh was an as- sociator from the beginning until the close of the Revolution. Neither of these brothers belonged to the regiments of the line. John McFall was a member of the Red Hill Presbyterian Church at Ottsville in Tinicum Township, Bucks County, and continued as a member and contributor until his death in 1800. Records in possession of the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia are the authority for the foregoing statement, also as to the membership of the sister Margaret. John and Hanna McFall were the parents of six sons, namely, Francis, Thomas, John, Carpenter, James, and Hugh. There were no daughters who survived girlhood. In 1801, Francis and Thomas McFall purchased from David Beidleman a tract of 150 acres in Lower Mount Bethel Township, in Northampton County, Pennsyl- vania, to which the family then removed. The influences which led to this migration were threefold. First, the new location was in the vicinity of the James McIlhenny holdings. This party was the hus- band of Elizabeth, the sister of Hannah McFall. Second, there were better mill sites in the new location. Third, as Springfield Township was then largely in the possession of German occupants, the longing for the more familiar contacts with the Scotch-Irish strain, and per- haps old neighbors, was a contributing factor. Perhaps, also, the family desired to live in the neighborhood of the Millers and Wilsons mentioned below. The tradition is that the McFalls, Millers and Wilsons exchanged visits, journeying on horseback back and forth over the mountains. Before speaking further of the children of John and Hanna McFall, mention should be made of Alexander Miller, the father of Elizabeth McFall, who, as has already been stated, was the wife of Francis, the immigrant. Alexander Miller was born in North Ireland in 1681. His parentage has not been ascertained. He arrived in this country with a group of Scotch-Irishmen about 1730 and settled in Mount Bethel Township, Bucks County (later Northampton), Pennsylvania. He took up land upon arrival and followed farming as an occupation. The location in which these people settled was known as Hunter Settlement, later Martin's Creek. A few miles to the West was the Craig, or Irish, Settlement. The settlers at Hunter's affiliated and had close intimacy 14 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- with those of the Craig Settlement, but their affairs, in the main, remained separate. Needless to say, they were Presbyterians, and among their first concerns in the new land was the organization of a Presbyterian congregation. Alexander Miller was one of the earliest of the ruling elders of the congregation at this settlement, now known as Martin's Creek, located in Lower Mount Bethel Township, and also a trustee of the church site. In 1752, Alexander Miller was a member of the first grand jury for Northampton County, which in that year had been organized from Bucks County. There is a record showing that he supplied a team for the Provincial Army during the French and Indian War. This pioneer died on September 5, 1765, and was buried in the Presbyterian churchyard at Martin's Creek. At the grave is a simple marker giving the date of death, with the age (84) inscribed there- on. This is one of the oldest marked graves in that peaceful burying place, where so many of his hardy race have their last sleep. Unless it be the burying ground at Old Tennent Church, Freehold, Mon- mouth County, New Jersey, there is perhaps no other burying ground in this country where so large a proportion of the occupants are Scotch-Irish. Alexander Miller was twice married. The first wife's name is un- known. His second wife, a widow, also bore the name of Miller. She had a son James Miller, who was a witness to the will of his step- father. Mary died on December 12, 1765, aged 62 years, and is buried beside her husband, Alexander Miller. By his first wife, Alexander had sons John, William, and Oliver ; and daughters Jane, married to Thompson ; Molly, married to Wil- son, and Elizabeth married to McFall. A grandniece Daisy, daughter of Alexander Miller, a nephew, is given a legacy by will. Alexander Miller (Sr.) spent his last days and died at the home of daughter, Elizabeth McFall, in Bedminster Township. His will, dated February 20, 1765, was probated in Northampton County. The executors were James Martin, of Northumberland County, and Robert Robinson, of Bucks County. The latter was afterwards captain of the Bed- minster Company of Associators in the Revolution, also colonel of a regiment of Bucks County militia. Daniel Bedringhaus, the second witness to the will, was a landowner in Bedminster Township. The will provides small legacies for each of the children, with the balance to the widow. The amount of the estate is not stated. Oliver Miller migrated West and died in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1782. His will, dated February 3, 1782, was probated on March 12 of that year. He had sons Alexander, Thomas, John and James, and a daughter, Mary Miller. A grandson, Oliver, is named in the will. 15 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- It is interesting to note that Alexander Miller was a small boy in Ireland when the memorable siege of Londonderry took place, also the battle of the Boyne, the first in 1689, and the battle in 1690. As a result of these historic conflicts, the Stuarts were overthrown, and the free government of William and Mary firmly established. Alex- ander no doubt witnessed the stirring events of the siege, which was so tenaciously resisted and accompanied by the most acute suffering in the surrounding country. The name Oliver, which he gave his son, would indicate that the family were supporters in Ireland of Crom- well and the Commonwealth, which, in turn, furnishes the reason for the emigration to America, at a later date. The following paragraphs relate to the children of John and Hanna McFall : FRANCIS. This was the oldest son of John and Hanna McFall. He was born in Bedminster Township (Bucks County) on April 1, 1774, and died in Lower Mount Bethel Township (Northampton County) on April 2, 1840. His wife's maiden name was Sarah, family name unknown. Both are buried in the Presbyterian churchyard at Mar- tin's Creek. The children of this couple were John, Elizabeth, Eleanor, Jemima, Hanna, and Sarah Ann. These, with the possible exception of John, are likewise buried at that place. John's wife was Catherine. Their children were Jacob, Abraham, Evelina, Mi- randa, and Naomi. Elizabeth was born November 25, 1800, and died April 3, 1877, unmarried ; Jemima was born June 11, 1807, intermarried with Peter D. Kiefer, and her death occurred on April 26, 1865. Two children born of this couple died in infancy. Sarah Ann was born April 20, 1808, intermarried with Henry G. Brittain, and died March 2, 1842. Eleanor was born on April 3, 1805. She married Henry G. Brittain as his second wife. She died on October 4, 1878. Neither Sarah Ann nor Eleanor had issue. Hanna, the youngest daughter of Francis and Sarah McFall, was born April 7, 1816, intermarried with John Farrow, and died on May 12, 1851, leaving one son, William, and daughters Sarah Anne Steele and Elizabeth Hutcheson. Francis McFall was 27 years old when he migrated to Lower Mount Bethel. He was a farmer and miller, and was recognized as an upright and worthy man in the community. He had the reputation of being successful in his business enterprises. CARPENTER. This was the third son of John and Hanna McFall. He was born in Springfield Township about the year 1780, and was named for Carpenter Wharton, upon whose lands the McFalls were then living. Coming with the family to Lower Mount Bethel in 1801, he lived and died in that township and is buried in an unmarked 16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- grave in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Martin's Creek. According to evidence in an amicable proceeding to perfect title to land, he died in 1825. His wife, whose name is unknown, is not mentioned, hence the inference that she had previously died. The children were a son Hugh, who was baptized in the Lower Mount Bethel Presbyterian Church on August 13, 1809, and a daughter, Mary Ann, baptized in the same place on September 6, 1806. She married Robert Mack, a tailor, residing in Greenwich Township, Sussex (Warren) County, New Jersey. The Carpenter McFall homestead was acquired in due course by Mack, and later sold to Anne McFall, the widow of Thomas. Robert and Mary Anne Mack had one child, Susan, born August 30, 1834. At one time Carpenter McFall was an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Lower Mount Bethel. JOHN. This was the fourth son of John and Hanna McFall. He was born in Springfield Township, Bucks County, about 1784. He came with the family to Lower Mount Bethel, where he died in 1844, his place of burial presumably being in the Presbyterian churchyard at Martin's Creek, but without a marker. John was a miller by occupation, as well as a farmer. There is a conveyance of record to him on January 27, 1819, of 69 acres, and on March 28, 1836, he acquired 14 acres more. However, on March 27, 1844, he, with his wife Mary, made an assignment for the benefit of creditors, and little further is known as to him, or the names of children, if any. JAMES. This was the fifth son of John and Hanna McFall. He was born about 1787, in Springfield Township. He acquired from his brother Francis, in 1813, a small messuage of 13 acres adjacent to the tract previously bought by Francis and Thomas. He owned the plot at his death on November 7, 1821. His brother Francis was administrator of the small estate. The wife's given name was Abby, and they had children Mary, Thomas, and Josiah. Mary married John Diemer of Williams Township, and Thomas married Elizabeth Meusch. While there is no marker, it is thought that James McFall was buried in the Presbyterian burying ground at Martin's Creek HUGH. This was the sixth and youngest son of John and Hanna McFall. He was born in Springfield Township on November 12, 1790. Presumably he never married. The tombstone inscription records his death on July 7, 1848, aged 57 years, 7 mos., 25 days. He lies in the Presbyterian burying ground at Martin's Creek. This Hugh should not be confused with Hugh, he son of Thomas, who died on June 16, 1848, nor with Hugh, the son of Carpenter, whose death occurred in 1852, nor with Hugh, the son of Hugh of Bedminster and Sole- bury, who moved to Beaver County. THOMAS. This was the second son of John and Hanna McFall, and the ancestor of the writer. He was born in Springfield Township March 2, 1777, and died, of a consumption, in Lower Mt. Bethel 17 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Township, Northampton County, Pa., on March 11, 1824, aged 47 years and 9 days. The earliest mention of Thomas is found in the day- book of Greenwich Forge, in which, according to an entry made on October 22, 1782, Daniel (or Samuel) Cahill made a purchase per Thos. McFall, of "1 doz. snuff, 1/2 lb. coffee, and 4 lbs. sugar." Thomas, then only five and a half years old, may have been on a visit to his grandparents, Thomas and Mary Craig, when he per- formed this little service for the purchaser, perhaps a neighbor of the Craigs. Thomas McFall, who no doubt was named for his grandfather, arrived in Lower Mt. Bethel, with the family, in 1801, having pur- chased in connection with his brother Francis, a substantial farm and mill site in that township. He lived on this tract, to which others were added, from arrival until his death. In 1801, preceding his removal from Springfield Township, Thomas McFall had married Anne Murdock, the daughter of William Murdock and wife whose given name is unknown, but whose surname was Hare or Hair. As the mother of Anne was a Quakeress, to avoid a Quaker form of mar- riage, these young persons rode horseback to Bustleton, near Phila- delphia, and were married by a Presbyterian clergyman. Unfortu- nately, the exact date is unknown, as no records can be found. Thomas McFall followed the business of farming and milling. He was an industrious and thrifty man, but as the family was a large one, the estate at death was of only ordinary size. It required careful and prudent handling on the part of the sons to maintain a com- fortable station, and perhaps a rather severe struggle to keep the family together. The burden fell chiefly upon the son Jesse, herein- after mentioned. Thomas McFall was highly respected and a man of integrity. His given name has been transmitted to later generations more often than any other, which bears testimony, in a certain way, to his character and worth. Thomas and Anne were members of the Presbyterian Church at Martin's Creek. They were the parents of the following children : Margaret (Peggy), born January 19, 1802 ; died January 24, 1826. John, born November 6, 1803 ; died April 14, 1863. Jesse, born January 13, 1806 ; died August 25, 1883. James, born July 17, 1808 ; died August 29, 1880. Hugh, born October 24, 1810 ; died June 16, 1848. William, born March 22, 1813 ; died November 20, 1815. W.H. Harrison, born September 6, 1815 ; died ----, 1892 (?). Peter Winter, born May 2, 1818 ; died October 15, 1881. Susan, born August 20, 1820 ; died July 19, 1822. Elizabeth, born August 14, 1822 ; died February 8, 1823. Thomas, born September 4, 1824 ; died March 31, 1850. 18 ------------------------------------------------------------------- The mother, Anne, was born September 1, 1781, and died May 6, 1866. She is buried by the side of her husband in the Presbyterian churchyard at Martin's Creek, and a modest tombstone marks the place of burial of both. The daughter Margaret (Peggy) was mar- ried to Isaac Davidson, of Oxford Township, Sussex County, N.J. They had one child, Thomas McFall Davidson. Peggy died at or shortly after the birth of the son. Beautiful traditions as to her love- able qualities have passed down to the present generation, and her memory is still treasured after the lapse of over a century. Thomas grew up to enjoy and share in the affections of the large circle of his McFall kith and kin. Nancy, the wife of John McFall, son of Thomas and Anne Mc- Fall, was a daughter of Col. Henry Winter, a distinguished citizen of Lower Mt. Bethel, quite prominent in military, civic, and political affairs. Another daughter of Col. Winter was Susan, the great-grand- mother of Mrs. William Jennings Bryan. One of the children of Thomas McFall was named for this Susan, and another for Peter Winter, the father or brother of Col. Winter. Anne McFall, wife of Thomas, was a woman of much force of character, not educated, but with considerable capacity. She is said to have been of a sentimental nature, which under other circum- stances, and with other opportunities, might have ripened into qualities, perhaps, of an artistic kind. She was a good and generous woman, who struggled hard, amidst much personal sorrow because of the early death of her husband and of a number of children, to rear a large family of boys. Tales of her quaint humor and char- acteristic Quaker expressions have endured to this very day. The son Harrison, when a young man, went West to seek his fortune, settling in Sandusky, Ohio. He there engaged in various enterprises, and his sons became prominent business men of Detroit. He was married several times, one wife, whose maiden name was Campbell, being a near cousin of President McKinley. On March 25, 1837, Jesse McFall, the second son of Thomas and Anne McFall, married Mary Shull, who was born on August 24, 1815, in Lower Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Philip and Margaret Bryan Shull. As the names Craig and Murdock became intertwined with that of McFall, the narrative will now proceed with respect to those families, followed by an account of the Shull-Bryan families, after which the McFall family will be resumed in the persons of Jesse McFall and wife Mary. 19 ------------------------------------------------------------------- CRAIG Hanna McFall, wife of John McFall, was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Craig, of Greenwich Township, Sussex (now Warren) County, New Jersey. According to the deduction in respect to her age in 1800, Hanna was born not earlier than 1755. Her father, Thomas Craig, above referred to, was married to Mary Truax, of Monmouth County, N.J., on July 8, 1748. Mary was the daughter of John and Anne Truax, of that country, and he, John Truax, was of an Huguenot family which arrived in New Amsterdam from Holland in the early part of the seventeenth century. The name uses the prefix "de" or "du" in the early records. It is sometimes spelled Truex or Trieux. The founder of the family in this country was a certain Philip du Trieux, who settled in New Amsterdam in 1621. His second son Jacob was baptized in the Dutch Church in New York City, on December 7, 1645, and he, Jacob, later settled in Monmouth County, N. J. His eldest son was Philip, whose son was the John Truax mentioned. John Truax died in 1777. In his will the daughter Mary, wife of Thomas Craig, is named. This Thomas Craig, so far as can be made out, was the son of a Thomas Craig, a landowner in Monmouth County, as shown in a certificate accompanying a bond executed by him (by mark in 1753, in con- nection with the administration of the estate of William Shaw. He was a pew holder in Old Tennant Church in Freehold, N.J., sharing the pew with John Truax and William Shaw, the same person men- tioned above. His name is also found on a subscription list (1749 to raise money for the rebuilding of the church, but there, too, the name seems to have been written by another, probably the clerk of the congregation. As the writer has figured out, the elder Thomas Craig was closely related to John and Moses Craig, and it might be safe to say that he was a brother. John and Moses Craig, according to well authenti- cated records, arrived in this country from North Ireland in 1730 and settled in Somerset County, N. J. All of these persons were land- owners and Presbyterians. John Craig, who died in 1753, had a son John who died in 1773. In the latter's will, mention is made of the three daughters of David Craig. As this person can not be placed, and as he is not mentioned in the will of John Craig, Sr., it is assumed that he was a deceased brother of John and Moses, and, perhaps, of Thomas, the elder. It may be noted that Moses Craig had a son named Thomas, who, with his sister Catherine, was baptized in Old Tennent Church on April 13, 1755 (Easter). This would tend to support the influence that a near relationship existed between the 20 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Craigs of Somerset and Thomas Craig under discussion. As Thomas was not named in the will of Moses, probated in 1778, the inference is that he had died previous to that time. Catherine was married to Joseph Huff, who died December 7, 1769. As to the date when Thomas Craig of Sussex County, left Mon- mouth, there is nothing so far known. The records of Old Tennent Church show that a John Craig, son of Thomas Craig, was baptized on October 27, 1751, and a son David on January 19, 1755. As the Thomas Craig in question had a son John who was only 18 years old at his father's death in 1785, the first son by that name, must have died in infancy. It appears by a rent roll of the so-called "Barker ??rvey" in Alexandria Township, Hunterdon County, which adjoins Greenwich Township, for the year 1765. Thomas, William and Samuel Craig are leaseholders. Records show that a Samuel Craig was in this vicinity as early as 1759. In 1765, Thomas Craig was a witness to the will of John MacFarland of Greenwich Township, and in 1778, he was an appraiser of the estate of William MacDonald of the same township. Thomas Craig was a witness to the will of William Craig, in 1766. The latter died in that year, in Alexandria Township. The community in which these transactions occurred must have been settled by either Scots from Scotland, or Scotch- Irish. The names as above, indicate either way. The migrations of Thomas Craig seem to have been from Mon- mouth to Hunterdon County, thence to the adjoining county of Sussex. That part of the latter county in which he settled, is now known as Warren County. Alexandria and Greenwich Townships where divided by the Musconetcong Creek which flowed into the Delaware River at a point opposite Durham Township, in Bucks County, Pa. This creek was navigable for small boats which handled traffic growing out of the Durham Furnace and Greenwich Forge activities. It was probably along this Creek where the plantation of Thomas Craig was situate, and upon which he died. The numerous entries on the books of Greenwich Forge, showing transactions with the Craigs, father and sons, would indicate that his holdings were in that vicinity. Thomas Craig died in September, 1785. His will, executed on the 2 of that year, was probated in the following October. The will was drawn in considerable detail, but with clear evidences of haste. As no mention is made of the wife, she, presumably, had died, but as she is named in the will of her father, John Truax, executed in 1777, her death must, necessarily, have occurred subsequent to that date. The sons are named in the will, repeatedly by name. The two oldest, Robert and James, were appointed executors, and so qualified. The other sons named are David, John and William, also 21 ------------------------------------------------------------------- called "Billey". Six daughters are named, viz., Mary Van Hook a Monmouth County family, Elizabeth McIlhenny, Sarah, Hanna, Susannah, and Martha. Elizabeth was the wife of James McIlhenny of Lower Mt. Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pa., who, in 1774, at about the time of his marriage to Elizabeth Craig, was living in Sussex County, N. J., as shown by his mother's will which was pro- bated in that year. James McIlhenny was the son of William Mc- Ilhenny an Ulster Scot who located at Hunter Settlement with a group of North Irish about 1730, and presumably in the same group was Alexander Miller who is referred to in the sketch of the McFall family. Susanna was the wife of Anthony Shenk, who, with his father and several brothers, operated a ferry on the Delaware River from a point in Durham Township. Anthony and Susanna were married in December, 1783. Hanna was the wife of John McFall, as previously stated. An interesting paragraph of the will of Thomas Craig reads as follows : "It is my desire that David and John and Patty give Billey, clothing and victuals and schooling for the term of three years". An- other paragraph provides that "My son William is to stay with my son David until the expiration of three years, and to be governed and directed as well as my son John by my executors, who I appoint to look over them, and it is my desire that my executors will see that John behave himself well". As the will of Thomas Craig speaks of the plantation on which he was then living, it can be inferred that he had other holdings upon which he had previously maintained a residence. As he was one of the petitioners for the establishment of Durham Township in 1775, he may have lived, at one time, on the Pennsylvania side of the Dele- ware River. According to public records, the Durham Furnace peo- ple owned a tract of 327 acres which lay directly across the river from Greenwich Township, and which was rented to a Thomas Craig, from approximately the above year until 1783, when it was taken over by Daniel Stilwell. On this tract was the west terminus of Craig's ferry, later Stilwell's. Adjoining this ferry on the north, was Shenk's ferry, referred to above. Without the benefit of birth records, but taking into consideration the date of his marriage, and the age of his youngest child in 1785, which was the year of Thomas Craig's death, the best assumption is that he was born about the year 1725, in North Ireland. In addition to the sons named in the will, it seems to be clear that there was another son whose name also was Thomas, but who, for some reason best known to the testator, is not mentioned in the will. This Thomas resided in Durham Township, apparently on the 327 acre tract, where he managed his father's interests. The omission from the will may have been due to some business advantages set up 22 ------------------------------------------------------------------- for him by his father or furnished to him in the latter's lifetime. This son Thomas figured for several years in the affairs of the neighbor- hood of Durham, and in 1783 moved to the adjoining township of Springfield on a 50-acre tract located near the McFall holdings in that township. His wife's given name was Catharine. He was a member of the Red Hill Presbyterian Church at Ottsville in Tinicum Township, as shown by lists in 1785 and several years following, after which his name disappears from church, tax, and other lists, which indicates that he had died or moved away. His name is not found in the United States census of 1790 for Bucks County. This Thomas is mentioned in the account books of Durham Furnace and Greenwich Forge, where he sometimes appears as Thomas Craig of Durham, or Thomas Craig of Pennsylvania, or Thomas Craig. Jr. His brothers Robert, James, David, and John also had transactions with the above interests, as their names appear on the books. These entries are from about 1780 to 1785. Other entries record transactions with the father, as Thomas Craig of New Jersey, or Thomas Craig, Sr. In 1779, Robert and James Craig were listed in Springfield Town- ship, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, as single men. Robert was also listed with John McFall as tenant on a 300-acre tract in that town- ship, belonging to Carpenter Wharton. In 1784, Robert moved to Durham Township, and on the death of his father in 1785, returned to New Jersey. He later lived in Knowlton Township, Sussex County, where he died in 1812. The brother John was the executor of Rob- ert's will, executed in 1805, and William, the youngest brother, was a witness. Both Robert and his brother Thomas were patriots in the Revolution. In 1781, Robert was a private in Capt. Bennet's Com- pany of Light Horse for Bucks County. Thomas was a member of Capt. Heinlein's Company of Associators for Durham Township, and in the same year of 1780, contributed a sum of money towards the support of two volunteers. The name of Thomas Craig is shown in a militia list serving from Lower Mt. Bethel Township, for the year 1777. James McIlhenny was also a member of this company. Thomas was in all probability, living at the time at the home of his sister Elizabeth, wife of James McIlhenny, which would account for his enlistment in that company. The identity of the persons mentioned in the foregoing sketch is helped in a large measure, by comparing original signatures to be found on public and private documents which have been examined by the writer. Thomas Craig of Sussex wrote a clear hand, although the signature to his will is somewhat shaky. The signature of his son Thomas is nearly identical with his own. It shows clearly that he was taught to write at home, doubtless around the log fire and under the instruction of his father. 23 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Leanora McFall (Kuhns) Jesse McFall (1806-1883) aged 18 years Mary Shull McFall Leanora McFall (Kuhns) 1815-1902 aged 16 years 24 ------------------------------------------------------------------- The foregoing statements exhaust the known data as to the Craigs of the writer's ancestral line. There is but little tradition in regard to these persons. There was a rather fixed belief on the part of the older members of the family, long since deceased, that the Craigs furnished a boat or boats for the use of the American Army at the crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night in 1776. It is also known that the Craigs visited the home of Jesse McFall in New Jersey, when he lived on that side of the river. One of these was a Presbyte- rian clergyman. There were numerous Craigs in Monmouth County, New Jersey, originating with John, who came from Scotland in 1686 with sons James and Archibald and a daughter Ursula. No relationship be- tween these Craigs and Thomas Craig of Sussex is known to exist. There was also a large Craig family at the Irish settlement in Bath Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, Elder Thomas Craig being the most outstanding member of the earlier generation, and General Thomas Craig, a grandson of the former, of Revolutionary fame, and a friend of Washington, of his generation. General Craig died in 1832 at an advanced age, being then the last field officer of the Revolution. If any relationship existed between this family and Thomas Craig of Sussex, it must have been remote. It is realized that there are difficulties in respect to some of the conclusions presented in the foregoing sketch of the Craig family, especially in connecting the Sussex County Craigs with those of Monmouth County, as stated. However, it is believed that further information would support them rather than otherwise. Thomas Craig is not mentioned in any Monmouth County records after the year 1755, when his son David was baptized, but shortly thereafter a Thomas Craig came into notice in the adjacent counties. The use of the same given names is remarkable in the families of Moses, John, Thomas, and others. This has a significance of considerable value in establishing identity and relationship and has partially influenced the conclusions.* ----- * Since preparing the foregoing sketch, the author has received information from reliable additional source in confirmation for the intermarriage of the Craig and Truax families as shown. 25 ------------------------------------------------------------------- MURDOCK ANNE MURDOCK, married to Thomas McFall in 1801, was the daughter of William Murdock, of Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and his wife, whose maiden name was Hare or Hair. The name is one of Scotch-Irish origin and is variously spelled Murdoch and Murdaugh. William Murdock and a brother, Joseph, arrived in this country from North Ireland some time pre- vious to the Revolution and settled in Bucks County. Joseph Murdock married Sarah Anderson on December 19, 1765, in the Presbyterian Church at Churchville in Bucks County. The earliest record as to William Murdock is found in a roll of the company of Associators for the above township, dated August 19, 1775. The name is there spelled Murdoch. The name also appears in a similar list for 1778 ; and in 1779 William Murdock is again enrolled for the above town- ship as the owner of a small amount of chattel property, but no lands. This same person was a private in the Lieutenant-Colonel's company of the Ninth Pennsylvania Regiment of the Line, for seven months in 1780. The United States census of 1790 gives his residence in Upper Makefield Township. His name does not appear in the census of 1800, as he was then living with Samuel Lewis, a son-in-law, in the township mentioned, but in 1810 William and his wife were living in Springfield Township, Bucks County, where he died on March 9, 1811, aged 75 years, according to a notice to be found in papers relating to Bucks County on file with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The name is there spelled Murdaugh. Nothing further is known as to the brother Joseph mentioned above, except that it has always been understood that he left Bucks County and took up land in one of the more westerly counties. The given name of William Murdock's wife is unknown. She was the daughter of Richard and Joanne Hare, who resided in Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pa., where Richard died in 1747, leaving a small estate, his wife being appointed administratrix. Richard was the son of a Nathaniel Hare, who had a daughter Mary, born on March 22, 1705, according to the records of the Falls Monthly Meet- ing. Richard Hare was a blacksmith. In addition to the daughter who became the wife of William Murdock, there was a son named John who belonged to the Buckingham Monthly Meeting, from which he was transferred to Falls in August, 1765. His son John, in 1781, married Anne, the daughter of James Torbert of Upper Makefield Township. Another son named Samuel, enlisted in the Plumstead Company of Associators, in 1775, and later on joined Capt. Lacey's company, nearly all the members being young men of Quaker families, which 26 ------------------------------------------------------------------- company was attached to a regiment commanded by Col. Anthony Wayne in the Northern Expedition. Samuel never returned to Bucks County, and probably died in the service. It has been said that Joanne Hare's maiden name was Smith. One of the appraisers of Richard Hare's estate was a Timothy Smith, perhaps a brother. The persons just mentioned, including the Hares, were Quakers. William Murdock does not seem to have owned land at any time in Bucks County. His trade was blacksmithing or some other calling such as a rural section would require. From what is stated later on, he may have been a tailor. William Murdock and wife had a son Jesse by name, and four daughters : Phoebe, who married Samuel Lewis on September 17, 1788 ; Letitia, who married John Ryder, a farmer of Plumstead Township, Bucks County, on July 29, 1804 ; this marriage taking place at Hinkle's Tavern in Newtown, according to an entry on the docket of Isaac Hicks. Her residence was stated as Buckingham Township. Anne, who was the youngest daughter, was married to Thomas McFall in 1801. There was a daughter named Jemima, as to whose marriage, if any, nothing is known. There are entries on the docket of John Wilson Esq., noting the fact that Jesse and Letitia Murdock were witnesses to the marriage of William Boyd and Betsy Pidcock on October 30, 1796, and that on December 19, 1798, Jemima Murdock was a witness to the marriage of William Log and Rebecca Worker. The dockets of John Wilson and Isaac Hicks record the marriages of numerous persons who belonged to the Quaker sect but preferred not to be married in conformity with the requirements of the Quaker meetings. Jesse Murdock was married to Jane Carr February 3, 1796, in the Neshaminy Presbyterian Church at Hartsville, Bucks County, Penn- sylvania. In 1794 he belonged to a troop of Light Dragoons for Bucks County, Samuel Gibbs, Captain, which was dispatched on the West- ern Expedition, usually known as the "Whiskey Rebellion". There is no further record concerning this party so far as discovered. In 1827 there was a William Murdock of Warrington Township, Bucks County, who was appointed administrator of the estate of his wife, Jane Murdock, deceased. This William was most probably a son of Jesse Murdock. The name of William Murdock appears in the Pennsylvania Archives in various military lists. It is possible that these were one and the same person, and might be identified with William Murdock of Upper Makefield Township. One of these was a private in a Provincial regiment which served in the French and Indian Wars, of which regiment William Burd was Colonel and Joseph Shippen 27 ------------------------------------------------------------------- was Lieutenant-Colonel. The regiment was stationed at Fort Hunter in Paxtang Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and also at Fort Augusta. In one of the muster rolls, William Murdock's occu- pation is given as that of "taylor". Apparently his term of service was from 1759 to 1765. As William Murdock of Upper Makefield was of military age at the period of the enlistment give above, this might suggest an identity, although not proven. Murdock may have come over with an Irish regiment for service in the French and Indian conflict. There was a also a William Murdock who served in the so-called "Partisan Legion" of General Armand. This legion consisted of five troops of cavalry authorized by Congress, being recruited from per- sons of French birth as well as others, and in 1781, after the Battle of Yorktown, the regiment was filled up by recruiting from regiments of the line of all of the states. This William Murdock was "cornet" of his company, which was the lowest commissioned officer. There were several Bucks County soldiers in this regiment. The strongest support for the assumption that this William Murdock was the same person by that name who lived in Upper Makefield Township is based upon the generally accepted tradition that William Murdock of Upper Makefield served in South Carolina under General Greene ; and, since Armand's Legion went South after the Battle of Yorktown, for further service under Greene, an identity can be assumed, although not proven, as it rests, so far at least, merely upon family hearsay. In any event, that William Murdock of Upper Makefield Township was a veteran soldier of considerable length of service was always under- stood among the older members of the family, which understanding was, in turn, handed down to the present generation. The log house in which the Murdocks lived was back of the hills adjacent to the Delaware River, in close proximity to Washington's crossing, and the tradition in the family is to the effect that preced- ing the expedition which resulted in the capture of Trenton by a surprise attack, Washington moved his headquarters from the Wil- liam Keith residence to the Murdock cabin and on the afternoon of Christmas Day paraded his troops in the meadows skirting the hills. The Ninth Pennsylvania Regiment of the Line was on duty at West Point at the time of the attempted betrayal by Arnold, and Murdock's company, with others of that regiment, was on picket duty. From the pension application of Peter Bellsfelt, of that regi- ment, who was from Murdock's neighborhood in Bucks County, it appears that these soldiers witnessed the escape of Arnold to the British boat lying in waiting. Strangely, William Murdock's name is not found in the numerous lists of taxpayers or residents of Bucks County for several years prior to 1790. It has been said that he moved out of the county after 28 ------------------------------------------------------------------- returning from the Army. In 1786, a William Murdock is listed as the warrantee of 400 acres of land in Northampton County. The warrant is dated on September 2 of that year. It was apparently sold, but the name of the patentee can not be identified. The land, sur- veyed on November 13, 1786, lies on the branches of Wallingpanpack Creek, now part of Pike and Monroe Counties. This is not military land. It is quite possible that Murdock migrated to this place, resid- ing there for a time, but returned to Bucks County to locate again in Upper Makefield Township, where he died in 1811. As the name indicates, the Murdocks were Scotch-Irish. The Hares were probably so, but their Quaker connections, also their early appearance in the county, probably at the end of the seven- teenth century, would suggest that they were English. Either may be the case. William Murdock was a Presbyterian. SHULL --- BRYAN A comprehensive history of these and related families has been published (Grafton Press, 1930), under the title "Scholl, Sholl, Shull Genealogy". Mr. H.G. Shull, deceased, of Easton, Pa., has collabo- rated with the author of that book in a 200-page account of the an- cestral line of those descended from Johann Peter Scholl, of whom, Mary Shull, married to Jesse McFall, was one. The history referred to discusses in great detail the European background of the various families, under one or the other from of the name, and speaks much of their antiquity, crests, coats of arms, etc. It is recommended as instructive and informative reading, to those interested in this kind of research. Much credit should be given to Mr. Shull, of Easton, for his patient labors in respect to the branch in which this sketch is concerned. The writer has had correspondence with him, but claims nothing in regard to the great body of data accumulated in the course of the latter's efforts, as it represents original research on Mr. Shull's part. Much is of common knowledge, however, through public and church records, and traditions passed on from one generation to an- other, and it is largely from these sources that the account which follows, is given. By the marriage of Jesse McFall and Mary Shull, there is brought into the Scotch-Irish ancestral line, a German element, which reached Bucks County, Pa., before the middle of the 18th century, remaining there for sixty or more, and then, in the person of Elias Scholl (Shull), migrating to Lower Mt. Bethel, about the year 1800. The progenitor in the country was Johann Peter Scholl, born in the Palatinate, in 1711. He may have come from Zweibruecken, an adjacent province in Germany, and claims have been made for both. 29 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Home of Elias Scholl on South Bank of Tinicum Creek. Tinicum Tp., Bucks Co., Pa. Home of Johann Peter Scholl, Lower Milford Tp., Bucks Co., Pa. (built 1744) 30 ------------------------------------------------------------------- With his wife Anna Maria, family name unknown, he sailed in the ship "Samuel" and arrived in Philadelphia on August 27, 1739. He registered as 28 years of age. He made his first purchase of land in Lower Milford Township, Bucks County, in 1743, and to this he added from time to time as circumstances permitted. In addition to farming, he followed the business of miller, and operator of a still. His will, dated April 17,1772, was probated on March 6, 1773, the year of his death. His wife died on April 15, 1783. Johann Peter was naturalized in Philadelphia on March 25, 1749. Although both were Lutherans, they attended for convenience, the Great Swamp Re- formed church near Spinnerstown, where they are buried. The date of Anna Maria's birth at or near Worms, Germany, has been given as March 15, 1718. Johann Peter Scholl and Anna Maria, his wife, had issue as follows : Anna Maria Catherina, Maria Margaretha, Maria Eliza- betha, Anna Maria Magdalena, Philip, Peter, and Elias. The latter (being in the ancestral line) was born in Lower Milford Township on February 3, 1755 (new style, 1756), and died in Lower Mt. Bethel Township, Northampton County, Pa., on May 3, 1838. His first wife was Catherine Kruger often spelt Gruver). She was the daughter of Nicholas Kruger, Jr., and Charity (for Charlotte) Gertrant (for Gertrude), his wife, whose surname is unknown. Cath- erine died on March 6, 1793. Following the death of Caterine, Elias married Charity Gertrant Schuman, the widow of John Herman Schuman, deceased. This Charity was the daughter of Nicholas Kruger, Sr., and thus, Elias took for his second wife, the half aunt of his first wife, as Nicholas Kruger, Sr., had for his second wife a widow named Julianna Veronica Hersch, and she was the mother and Nicholas the father of this Charity. The two wives of Elias were of about the same age. The second wife died on August 14, 1839, and both she and her husband rest in the new cemetery at Martin's Creek. All of these people were of the Lutheran faith. Nicholas Kruger, Sr., was born in 1700, in the Palatinate, and arrived in this country with his wife and children, in the ship "Samuel", on December 31, 1740. He died in Tinicum Township, Bucks County, in 1774. He was a farmer, owning a good sized farm in the above township, which was divided upon his death. Nicholas Kruger, Jr., was born in Germany on March 25, 1727, and lived, after arrival with his parents, either in Tinicum or Nockamixon Township, Bucks County, until his death, which occurred in the year 1811, in the latter township, where he was then residing. Letters of Administration were granted to his sons Philip and Nicholas on October 21, 1811, and in due course, the estate, which was an un- usually large one for those times, was divided. He had converted his real estate holdings into mortgage and other forms of bonds, and 31 ------------------------------------------------------------------- these constituted a very comfortable estate. These people were all Lutherans and their names appear frequently in the records of the churches of that denomination in the locality in which they lived. It might be added, for clarity, that the generally accepted spelling of the name is "Gruver" and not "Kruger". Elias and Catherine Scholl were the parents of the following chil- dren : Catherine, born July 18, 1781 ; Philip, born July 2, 1784 ; Elias born November 27, 1787 ; Maria Sarah, born October 9, 1790 ; and Peter, born March 6, 1793. Elias and Charity had children, Elizabeth, born April 23, 1794, and Mary, born June 18, 1796. Elias owned farms at various times both in Tinicum and Buck- ingham Townships, Bucks County. In 1800, he concluded to sell his land and migrate to Ontario, Canada, where many families of his neighborhood had already located. These were largely Mennonites, a peace loving people who were suffering some discomfort on account of their neutral attitude in the war of the Revolution. In the Province of Ontario there was an abundance of rich land, and news as to the hospitable and friendly surroundings in the new country, influenced these people to relocate. Having disposed of his lands, Elias loaded the wagons and commenced the long journey. When he arrived at Easton, there were reports of serious Indian outbreaks, which induced him to reconsider, with the result that he abandoned the enterprise, bought land in Lower Mt. Bethel, where he engaged in the business of farming, conducted a tavern, and followed other pursuits, such as cabinet making and kindred useful vocations. Elias thrived abundantly in his new home, and at his death was the largest land owner in Lower Mt. Bethel Township. At one time he owned lands extending more than a mile along the Delaware river. Elias, as well as his brothers Philip and Peter, were members of various militia companies in the Revolution. At one time, Elias was a private in the Company of Capt. Manus Yost, of Haycock Town- ship, and at another time a private in the company of Capt. Shoop, of Nockamixon Township. It was known as a certainty that he was in service with the Bucks County militia at one of the lower points on the Delaware, at the time of the taking of Trenton, by General Washington, on Christmas night, 1776. However, there are no existing muster rolls to show this service. Without records to support this statement, it is also well accredited from accounts given by Elias personally to persons who knew him and lived to an extreme old age, that he was at the battle of Crooked Billet, fought on May 1, 1778, between a detachment of American Loyalists from Philadelphia, and several militia companies from Bucks and Cumberland Counties, commanded by General John Lacey. The American troops, despite a 32 ------------------------------------------------------------------- sturdy resistance, were badly beaten and scattered. The attack was a surprise one, and Elias Scholl heard Lacey exclaim, when hotly pursued, his horse being unable to make a fence, "For God's sake, pull down the fence". Lacey was a capable officer, in Washington's confidence, and entrusted with much difficult work in that region of Pennsylvania where the Tory and non-combatant population pre- dominated. He was of Quaker parentage, and came from Bucking- ham Township, where Elias Scholl once owned land and resided. The children of Elias Scholl were true patricians in the best sense of that word. They were persons of quiet dignity, lovable, approachable, and always kindly and generous, and leaders in their respective fields in Lower Mt. Bethel and the surrounding country. Philip Scholl, or Shull, oldest son of Elias and Catherine, born July 2, 1784, in Lower Milford Township, Bucks County, was a boy of sixteen years of age when the family migrated to Lower Mt. Bethel, and it was in the latter township where he spent the remainder of his life, as a farmer and miller. Incidentally, he had learned the trade of tailor, but never followed that trade as an occupation. On July 3, 1808, he married Margaret Bryan, of Mansfield Woodhouse Town- ship, Sussex County, N. J. This is now Warren County. Margaret was born on January 11, 1791. She was the daughter of Isaac and Nancy Groff Bryan. According to an entry in the family Bible written by himself, Isaac was born on May 15, 1774. The writer doubts the accuracy of the record, but accepts it in the absence of contrary evidence, and it has been generally accepted by the Bryan family as the correct date of Isaac's birth. There was a brother John, ten years older ; also a brother William, who moved to Luzerne County, Pa. Nothing is known as to the parentage of these brothers. As they were Presbyterians, it can safely be assumed that they were Scotch- Irish. There is a tradition that the family belonged to the Quaker sect, and the names of the children of Isaac and Nancy add credi- bility to that tradition. It is the writer's view that the family came originally from Buck's County, Pa., finding its way into New Jersey at the time of the disturbances of the Revolution. A vague tradition exists that they were Loyalists. There were families in upper Bucks at and prior to that time, with surnames and given names which fit in, but there is no other evidence to support a claim of relationship. It has been stated that Philip Shull met Margaret Bryan when on a visit to Bucks County relatives, and it is possible that Margaret was there under similar circumstances. This might easily have been the case, as the social, business, church and other contacts between the peoples on either side of the river were quite intimate, and families moved and visited back and forth with much frequency. 33 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Philip Shull (1784-1860) Margaret Bryan Shull (1791-1875) Jane Shull Merrill (mother of Rev. Dr. Philip Merril, pastor of White Temple, Miami, Fla.) 34 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Nancy Bryan, the mother of Margaret, was the daughter of Joseph and Anne Groff, of Mansfield Township, Sussex County, N. J. Joseph was the son of Henry Groff, or Graff, of E. Amwell Township, Hunterdon County, N. J., and wife Anna. Henry was born in one of the Rhine provinces in 1699. He was in America as early as 1724, and in cooperation with one Landis of Germantown, Pa., engaged in numerous business operations, including farming. His will was probated on May 30, 1780. His wife Anna, born Sept. 27, 1751, was the daughter of Christian and Catherine Cummins, both of whom were born in Germany,he on March 16, 1716, and she on April 18, 1723. They came to this country about 1745, when they settled in Asbury, Sussex County, N.J., a small village in Mansfield-Woodhouse Township, that State. Christian, during the course of a busy life, acquired considerable property, farm and otherwise. His will was dated January 10, 1781, and as the estate was divided in 1785, his death occurred between those years. The name Cummins is more English than German, and it seems that the family was originally a Norman-French one, one branch going to England with William the Conqueror, and becoming the progenitors of the English families Cummins and Cummings. Another branch reached Germany through Belgium, probably leav- ing the latter country at the time of the religious persecutions. The name was then spelt Comynes. Christian Cummins was a man of affairs in his community. He was frequently used in connection with estates, either as executor, administrator, or appraiser, and his name appears often as a witness to wills. It is believed that his religious affiliations were with one of the sects of the peace loving kind, and this may have been the basis of the Quaker tradition connected with the Bryan family, and above referred to. Joseph Groff, father of Nancy Bryan, died in 1819. A year or two previous to his death he was placed under guardianship because of mental trouble resulting from severe injuries to the head, suffered while felling a tree on his premises. The estate was divided in due course. The Isaac Bryan farm, while large, was unprofitable, and in course of time was disposed of. The sons and daughters, in the main, fol- lowed farming. They were remembered by the older generation as men and women of fine qualities. Upon the death of Isaac, the widow, who reached an extreme age, lived in turns with her children. The writer has talked with persons who remembered her, also knowing the sons and daughters, and he recalls pleasantly the intimate descrip- tions of these kindly and industrious persons. Isaac and Nancy Bryan had the following children : Margaret, born Jan. 11, 1791 ; John, b. July 5, 1794 ; Jacob, b. April 10, 1796 ; Sarah, b. Feb. 15, 1798 ; Mary, b. Aug. 16, 1800 ; Rachel, b. Sept. 2, 35 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1802 ; Joseph, b. Aug. 12, 1804 ; Susannah, b. Sept. 11, 1806 ; Wil- liam, b. March 3, 1809 ; Aaron, b. Feb. 26, 1811 ; Isaac, b. Nov 2, 1813 ; Eliza Anne, b. Oct 16, 1816 ; and Daniel, b. Aug. 20, 1820. Philip and Margaret Bryan Shull, after their marriage in 1808, established their home in Lower Mt. Bethel Township, where he engaged in farming and milling. Upon his retirement from active business, this couple spent their last years in a comfortable home in the village of Martin's Creek. Both Phillip and Margaret Shull were members of the Presbyterian church in that village. They are buried in the new cemetery and their graves have suitable markers. Philip was a kindly man, generous, helping and respected. Margaret was of a stern temperament, but a good organizer and manager. She kept house and managed its affairs with much precision. Philip died on April 15, 1860, and Margaret on October 18, 1875. The children of this couple are as follows: Charity, b. Aug. 27, 1809, died March 4, 1819 ; Nancy, b. Nov. 25, 1810, m. to Samuel Thompson, died June 22, 1845 ; Sarah, b. July 28, 1812, m. to Jacob Slough, died in 1894 ; Catherine, b. Jan. 29, 1814, m. Aaron Vannatta, d. April 10, 1883 ; Mary, b. Aug 24, 1815, m. to Jesse McFall, d. Oct 25, 1902 ; Elizabeth, b. April 27, 1817, m. to Samuel Thompson (2nd wife) d. ----; Jane, b. March 30, 1819, m. Richard Nye Merill, d. Oct. 30, 1882 ; Elias, b. March 19, 1821, m. to Margaret Eakin, d. June 17, 1905 ; Joseph, b. March 15, 1823, twice married, d. March 10, 1909 ; Isaac Bryan, b. March 15, 1826, m. to Sophia Beck, d. April 24, 1907 ; and Alexander Sherrard, b. Aug. 9, 1834, m. to Margaret Stocker, d. March 25, 1909. JESSE AND MARY MCFALL Mary was the sixth child of Philip and Margaret Bryan Shull. After her marriage to Jesse McFall in 1837, this couple removed to Harmony Township, Warren County, N.J., where they remained for ten years of more, following the business of farming. They then re- turned to Lower Mt. Bethel Township, in Northampton County, Pa., where Jesse McFall, often in association with his father-in-law, Philip Shull, operated one or more grist mills in connection with his farms. He was successful in business, but suffered reverses by reason of too generous endorsements for friends and relatives. In the Census of 1870, he is listed with the second largest holdings in Lower Mt. Bethel. As has been shown, Jesse McFall died on August 25, 1883, and Mary, his wife, on Oct. 25, 1902. They are buried side by side in the new cemetery at Martin's Creek, the graves being suitably marked. 36 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Home of Jesse McFall and family, Harmony Tp., Warren Co., N. J. Birthplace of Leanora McFall (Kuhns) Delaware River in foreground 37 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Jesse McFall and Mary, his wife, were the parents of twelve chil- dren, one of which died in infancy. These children are as follows : Isaac Davidson, b. Jan. 26, 1838, m. Louisa Young, d. Nov. 8, 1930 ; William Harrison, b. Aug. 11, 1839, m. Eliza Buzzard, d. April 3, 1921 ; Leanora, b. Nov. 8, 1841, m. Daniel Y. Kuhns, d. Jan 17, 1924 ; Henrietta, b. Nov. 23, 1843, m. George Mershon, d. Sept. 8, 1931 ; Anne, b. May 20, 1845, m. William Ackerman, d. Oct. 8, 1920 ; Margaret, b. December 9, 1847, d. January 12, 1852 ; Miriam, b. Sept. 4, 1848, m. Nathan Buck, d. Jan 16, 1900 ; Nancy Jane, b. Aug. 31, 1850, m. George Stocker, died Feb., 1900 ; Rebecca, b. Dec. 1, 1852, m. Daniel Kemler, d. Sept. 14, 1927 ; Ezra, b. May 8, 1854, m. Martha McCrea, d. Jan. 22, 1920 ; Mary, b. June 25, 1856, m. John Wise, Living, 1936. Jesse, b. Oct. 22, 1859, m. Anna Belle Mack, d. Dec. 19, 1931. Leanora, the third child of Jesse and Mary McFall, was born in Harmony Township, Warren County, N. J. When about nine years of age, she removed with her parents to Lower Mt. Bethel Township, where she remained until her marriage to Daniel Y. Kuhns, of Lan- caster, Pa., at Stone Church, Williamsburg, Northampton County, Pa., on May 10, 1862. Following their marriage, they removed to Dayton, Ohio, and with the exception of a residence in Ogoma County, Michigan, for several years, and a brief residence in Lower Mt. Bethel, lived in Dayton until death ; her death occurring on January 17, 1924. Daniel died on April 23, 1893. Both are buried in Woodland Cemetery, Dayton, Ohio. They were the parents of the following children : Flora May, William Jesse, Albert Shull (de- ceased), Charles Arthur, Ezra McFall, and Miles Standish. Notwithstanding the fact that the early religious training of the members of the household of Jesse and Mary McFall, was, following the church connections of their parents, under Presbyterian direction, in course of time and as they reached maturity, most of the sons and daughters, including Leanora, united with the Lutheran Church in Martin's Creek, which for the time being at least, was under more zealous and popular leadership. Upon her removal to Dayton, O., Leanora McFall (Kuhns) transferred her membership to the First Lutheran Church in that city. --------------------- The object of this narrative having been to assemble the avail- able, although widely scattered data concerning the origin of the respective families, and to furnish as much relating thereto as will enable the present and later generations to construct their own gene- alogical stories with greater advantage, it will now be closed, with the hope that the purpose has been accomplished with at least a mod- erate degree of success and satisfaction. It is unfortunate that the 38 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Scotch-Irish immigrants, and even their offspring failed to keep more complete records of their family, church, and community life. This, no doubt, was due to the tenets of their religious faith, which emphasized the eternal rather than the temporal values. It may also be partly explained by the frequent removals which characterized these people as the German immigration pressed upon them. There was extreme simplicity in their church structures, and with it, a cor- responding simplicity in, or rather lack of, markers and memorials in connection with the burial places. The English and German settlers were quite more attentive to the details of church and baptismal records. The little schoolhouse in Lower Mt. Bethel, where the Scotch- Irish and Pennsylvania German youths mingled and obtained their first instruction, can lay claim, either through its pupils or in their descendants, to an outstanding list of persons who achieved distinc- tion as clergymen, doctors, lawyers, judges, educators, artists and musicians. It has been said that no schoolhouse in the land can match Lower Mt. Bethel in that respect. To close the narrative without and expression of the writer's impres- sions and recollections of those of the preceding generation whom he knew, would be improper. This can be summed up in a sentence. They were kindly, religious, soft-spoken, quiet mannered, friendly, thrifty, with a good sense of humor, and always good fathers and mothers, having all of the virtues of their race, and representing its best qualities in more than an ordinary degree. The writer looks with pride to these pioneers of old who performed heroically and with great sacrifice the duties of their generation, and helped to lay the sure foundations of American freedom and char- acter. As St. Paul said, "Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also." 39 -------------------------------------------------------------------