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