Bios: Eve Oury, 1849: Hannahstown, Westmoreland County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Starlene Oary. starlene@cross-roads1.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. ____________________________________________________________ If Hanna's Town can lay claim to having a heroine, that heroine is Eve Oury. Eve belonged to the Francis Oury family of Hempfield, later Salem Township. Her brothers, Adam and George, both saw Revolutionary war Service in the 8th PA. Adam also went on the Lochry Expedition of 1781 against the Indians of the Ohio country which resulted in his captivity. The Francis Oury family migrated to western Pennsylvania from Cumberland County, PA., ca. 1769 after the Treaty Of Fort Stanwyx in 1768. The children were named Adam, George, Catherine, Christina, Mary, Elizabeth, Eve, John, Martha, Esther, Francis, and Jacob. (1) In May of 1782, the father and his youngest son Jacob, were killed by the Indians. Two other sons, John and Francis, were captured and the farm burned. John and Francis later returned and John spent the rest of his life under the care of his brother Adam, having never recovered fully from injuries suffered while running the gauntlet. (2) Eve Oury and her family were probably living in Hanna's Town at the time of the raid since the farm had been burned in the May attack. Eve took an active part in the defense of the fort and was, in 1838 and 1846, awarded money and an annuity by the Pennsylvania General Assembly for her wartime services. (3) Eve Oury's pension application of 1846 was made when she was 89 years old. In it, she describes the July 13, 1782 attack on the town and also makes reference to an attack in 1778. As yet, research has not verified an attack in that year. (4) Eve Oury died in Shieldsburg in 1848. She is buried in Congruitiy Cemetery, Westmoreland County. Although she is not recorded as being married, she willed her property to her daughter, Ann Crissy. The DAR, in September of 1940, placed a stone and plaque in memory of Eve at the Congruity Cemetery. 1. Niles, James G. ----- Francis Oury and Some of His Descendants in Early Westmoreland County. 2. "Petition Of Partition: Francis Oury". Office of Registrar of Wills, Westmoreland County Court House, Greensburg, PA. 3. "An Act for the Relief of Eve Oury for Services Rendered During the Revolution". Laws of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, 1846 Session. pg. 210 4. Pension Application of Eve Oury. Papers of the House of Representatives, National Archives, Washington, D.C. This information is from: ANNA L. WARREN, Westmoreland Co. Historical Society Eve bought her land from John Shields 2 entries Vo.14, pg 146, Oct. 31, 1820, Shieldsburg, PA. Eve can be found in the tax records from 1822 thru 1848 the last listing in 1849 says dead. _____________ The Following is an Affidavit made by EVE OURY December 4, 1846 at Westmoreland Co. PA. To the honorable the Senate and House of Representative of the United States of America in Congress This petition of Eve Oury of Westmoreland Co. in the State of PA. respectfully represents that she is a native of Pennsylvania and that she resided during the revolutionary war in the vicinity of old Hannahstown in said County. This place called Hannahstown was a military station during the revolutionary war in which place there was a fort erected and a number of the drafted military and volunteers were stationed for the protection of the inhabitants living in that region of country. To this fort the inhabitants would flee during the frequent and sudden alarms of the enemy. Your petitioner at this time was living with her father, on his plantation. about two and a half miles from Hannahstown which was then the county set of Westmoreland. About three months previous to the burning of Hannahstown, her father was killed on his plantation by the indians and also her youngest brother Jacob was killed on the same day and her two other brothers John and Francis were taken prisoner and were carried off by the indians. Your petitioner with the residue of the family then fled into Hannahstown for safety and protection-after which her fathers property which had been destroyed by the indians and Tories was appraised by the constituted authorities and the damages were estimated at six hundred pounds sterling. These sad events took place as near as she can now remember in the summer of 1778 ( my note: this date should of been 1782 for the death of her father and brother) during which year the indians, instigated by the British and Tories, had committed in various parts of the county many revolting deeds of horror, murder and devastation. In the month of July in the same year, there was a court convened at Hannahstown which adjourned on Friday. During the same day, the inhabitants of the town were nearly all out engaged in their harvest fields and about 3:00 in the afternoon , when no danger was apprehended a large body of indians said to be three hundred exclusive of Tories and British making terrific yells, commenced a furious and sudden attack on the town, and after butchering a number of defenseless women and children who had no time or chance to flee from danger and death, and after shooting down great numbers of cattle and destroying everything in their way, then set fires to the town and laid it in ashes, the fort being only saved through great exertions. In this conflagration, your petitioner and family lost all they possessed except their every day clothing. During the engagement Mr. Hannah, being greatly terrified proposed to have the fort and those in it surrendered, for says he, to use his own language "WELL BE ALL KILLED". Your petitioner opposed this resolution with all her might and advice and declared that they "WOULD NOT GIVE UP". At about this time Major Wilson, the commanding officer who heard the firing and who had miraculously escaped death, having his clothes perorated with bullets shot form the enemy, was seen advancing to the fort with full speed on horseback, at this junction your petitioner sprang forward to open the gate for his admission but she was with force thrown back the gate however was opened and the major enter in safety, but his horse was killed before the gate. At the time the fort was attacked there were but a few old muskets and rifles in the fort. The major then took the command and inquired for powder and ammunition. A report was made that it was all consumed, however, after a diligent search, there was some powder found in the office which was then held in the fort. The inquiry was then made for lead, and none could be had. Your petitioner told one of the men. who's name was Adam Freeman, to make a fire and "we would soon make bullets". Your petitioner then went and took whatever pewter articles came to hand which she and Freeman speedily ran into bullets, by means of which, the Indians were kept at a distance, the fort preserved and the people in it saved from a horrid butchery. Your petitioner, *after the enemy had retired, attended to dressing the wounds of those who had been injured, and contributed all she could to their distressed situation. Your petitioner then volunteered to do all she could to save the fort and the people left in it from future attacks. She was constantly doing duty of one kind or other and keeping everything in their proper places, so far as her judgement dictated and officers requested. Capt. Samuel Miller, Major Wilson, Col. McCoy, Capt. Clark, were more or less engaged in restoring security to the inhabitants, with which officers she served in her capacity as an attendant at and about the fort, and from whom she received her orders and directions as occasion required from time to time. Col. McCoy died in the service, Captain Miller was Killed by the Indians. The inhabitants of Hannahstown were constantly agitated for several months after the cruel and unexpected blow had been struck by the enemy. Your petitioner was engaged as sentinel to give the alarm whilst the men were in the fields or on other duties and she contributed all she was able to defend herself and those stationed at the fort. Although she did not turn out and pursue the enemy with arms in her hand, yet she assisted to guard what was stored in the fort and rendered herself useful in and about said fort for at least six months and upwards. This she well remembers, for the inhabitants were not relieved from their terrible agetations and dangers till late in the ensuing fall and winter. Your petitioner does not at present know there is any living witness to whom she can prove the abouve mentioned services or any part thereof, She is now eighty nine years of age. Owning too her great age and consequent loss of memory she can not bring to her mind the many fearfull events that transpired during these perilous times. One of my Brothers, Adam Oury served in the revolutionary war under the command of General Daniel Broadhead. At one time Whilst on a tour of duty he came home on a furlough. Subsequent to the war of the revolution he served under General H. Clair in his expedition against the Indians during the disastrous battle fought under General H. Clair he assisted in carrying his own wounded Captain from the battle ground, in which he was severely wounded himself. After peace was restored her two brothers John and Frank who were taken prisoner by the Indians were returned. Her fathers name was Francis. His farm was situated within three miles of Hannahstown fort. The Property destroyed by the enemy by fire and sword amounted to six hundred pounds as before stated among which was six valuable Morgan horses, twelve milk cows and other stock and a great amount of other personal estate. After the destruction of Hannahstown General Broadhead brought guns and ammunition to the fort in a wagon and one of my brothers drove the wagon. One David Shaw assisted in the transportation load. Butler raised the first Company in Hannahstown. He was then a Capt. and my brother Adam enlisted with him and was marched to the defense of New York. My father served as a Capt. of Pack Horses with General Braddock's army. Your petitioner remembers what great numbers were killed in Braddock's expedition. That she saw herself fifthteen men that were surprised and killed in one night by Indians during this war. Your petitioner has thus given you a statement of her revolutionary services and the loss which she sustained during said revolutionary war. As your petitioner is the only surviving child and only heir at law of her deceased father, Frances Oury, who fell a sacrifice to a cruel and barbarous foe, she prays that congress will view her services in their appropriate light and grant her some remuneration as well for her revolutionary services as also for the destruction of her fathers property by the invading foe, and your aged petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray. her Eve x Oury mark NOTE: There are 4 sworn , signed, statements by Samuel Morehead, Benjamin Halk, James McCallister, and John Bigham stating that they are personally acquainted with Eve Oury and attesting to her honesty and their belief, and the area residents belief, in her services during the revolutionary war and the fact that she was instrumental in saving the fort at Hannahstown. __________________ The following is an affidavit made by GEORGE MILLER on Dec. 12th, 1846 at Westmoreland Co. State of PA. Personally appeared before me the undersigned A Justice of The Peace in and for said county George Miller who being duly sworn doth upon his solemn oath diposed and states that he is personally acquainted with Eve Oury the above named petitioner and knew her and her Father's family well during the revolutionary war. That this disponent resided near old Hannahstown above mentioned and was often called upon to serve as a guard at and about said fort. That her father lived not far from Hannastown. That he owned a valuable farm with valuable buildings there on well furnished. That in the summer of the year 1778 the indians killed the father of said Oury and one of her brothers. And burned killed and destroyed a large amount of property belonging to said Frances Oury, the father of Eve Oury the aforesaid. That this diponent knows that said property was appraised by the constituted authority and valued at six hundred pounds current money and upwards. This diponent also remembers of seeing said petitioner Eve Oury at said fort and that she was in and about said fort when it was attacked as above mentioned. That she was considered by the Officers and men stationed at the fort as a very intrepid person and it was then supposed and always believed that she was instrumental in saving the fort and all in it from entire destruction. That she continued for a number of months in and about the fort doing duty as a watch or sentinel and various other duties required by the officers above mentioned with whom she served. She was ever considered very useful in the services she rendered. This diponent can not say how long she did serve, but he is positive from his own personal knowledge that she served not less than six months at and about said fort in what may be justly termed a military capacity, rendering very important services. This diponent is now eighty eight years of age, knew the Oury family well-that the said Eve Oury is the only child living and heir at law in fee to the said Frances Oury who's property to the amount of six hundred pounds was destroyed and himself and son Jacob killed by the indians. The indians were supposed to be instigated to these direful deeds by the Tories who hated him for his patriotism. Sworn and subscribed the 12th day of Dec. A.D. 1846 before me James Rutlidge J.P. George Miller NOTE: There then follows a statement by James Rutlidge attesting to the truthfulness of George Miller and stating that he is a reputed soldier of the revolution. NOTE: There then follows a statement made by the Court of Common Pleas in Greensburg in the County of Westmoreland, State of Pennsylvania attesting to the signatures, legality, etc. of all the proceeding statements. LAWS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNS.-PASSED AT THE SESSION OF 1846 - PG 210 AN ACT FOR THE RELIEF OF EVE OURY, FOR SERVICES RENDERED DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. Whereas, it appears from credible testimony, that Eve Oury, of Westmoreland County, during a tremendous attack upon Hannastown Fort, in said county, made by a large party of Indians and others, during the summer of 1778 signalized herself by the most heroic bravery, risking her life in the defence of the garrison, inspiring, by her fortitude and determination, her associates with courage, and performing the most active and efficient service in during away the assailing party, by which many were saved from a horrid butchery by the merciless and savage foe: And whereas, It is entirely proper that such noble behaviour in a female, should be gratefully remembered and rewarded: And whereas, The said Eve Oury is now old, infirm, and in necessitous circumstances, and has never received any compensation from the legislature of this state, therefore, Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Common wealth of Pens. in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the state treasurer by and he is hereby authorized and directed to pay to Eve Oury, of Westmoreland Co. or to her order, and annuity of forty dollars during life, payable half-yearly, to commence on the first day of January, 1846, and also to her order, the sum of forty dollars, as a gratuity, for her services in the Revolutionary War. Findley Patterson, Speaker of the House of Representatives Daniel L. Sherwood, Speaker of the Senate Approved - The first day of April, 1846 _______________________________________ Laws Of PA. 1837-1838 pg. 80 No. 31 AN ACT Section 3. The State Treasurer is herby authorized and required to pay to George Yerikes of Montgomery Co., and Simon Ruffner of Westmoreland Co., a gratuity of 40 dollars each, in full for their services in the Revolutionary War, and to Eve Oury of Westmoreland Co. a gratuity of $100 in full for her services during the Indian War, the foregoing gratuities and annuities to be paid in conformity with the existing laws. Lewis Dewart Speaker of the House of Rep. J.R. Burden Speaker of the Senate Approved the 17, day of March 1838 __________________________________ DEDICATION SERVICES HELD AT CONGRUITY CEMETERY Sept. 1940 Monday afternoon Sept. 16, marked the completion of a project of the historical Research Committee of the Pheobe Bayard Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution when a beautiful blue rock monument with bronze plate attached was dedicated to the memory of Eve Oury, in Congruity cemetery with appropriate and impressive ceremony.