Tag Archives: William Preston

Aracoma (Part 4)

04 Sunday Dec 2022

Posted by in Logan, Native American History, Women's History

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Doris Miller (1903-1993), a longtime educator, historian, writer, and poet operating in the area of Huntington, West Virginia, composed this biography of Aracoma, a well-known Native American figure who lived in present-day Logan, West Virginia. This is Part 4 of her composition.

One other detail of the legend, not generally known but occasionally heard, is the story that Aracoma was Cornstalk’s daughter by adoption, that her mother was a sister of Cornstalk who had married Chief Logan and died soon after Aracoma’s birth. For this reason, the infant was taken into the lodge of Chief Cornstalk, where there were squaws to rear her, and this kinship by marriage and common interest in Aracoma was the secret of the alliance between the two famous Indian leaders who joined forces at the Battle of Point Pleasant in 1774. There is nothing in Aracoma’s dying words to refute this claim—she still would have considered Cornstalk her father and have been the last of his line, through a niece. But Logan’s words do carry a refutation.

At the time Logan made this speech under the Circleville Elm, and it was written down to be dispatched to Lord Dunmore at Camp Charlotte, where peace was being negotiated, he could not have said, “There runs not a drop of my blood in any living creature” if Aracoma had been his daughter.

Some historians have discounted Logan’s speech, but it is fully in keeping with the man pictured by his contemporaries in the Horn Papers and other sourcebooks of American history. Scottish Lord Dunmore must have [p. 10] accepted it as authentic, when it was brought to him wrapped in a wampum belt by a man he had sent to fetch Logan.

Logan had been friendly to white settlers of Virginia and Pennsylvania. As a boy, he lived in the home of James Logan, former secretary of William Penn, who educated the youth, a son of a friendly Indian chief. Thereafter Logan bore the name of his foster-father instead of Tahgahinte, his Indian name. Chief Logan remained friendly to the settlers until his family was treacherously murdered by white men. Later it was established that Colonel Cresap was not a party to the deed, though Logan thought so for a long time.

Colonel Madison who led the Virginians against Aracoma’s settlement, is said to have been a son-in-law of Colonel William Preston, a noted Virginia surveyor. Some of the earliest land surveys in present Logan County were recorded in names of members of the Preston, Madison and Breckenridge families, and it is quite likely others went to men who served under Madison and Breckenridge of the Battle of the Island, or members of their families. So the Legend of Aracoma came into the Guyandotte Valley in the memories of the white settlers who came first after her, and in their imaginations.

Another reason for discounting the story that Aracoma was the daughter of Logan is her name. Cornflower seems the logical name of a daughter of Cornstalk.

The residents of the Guyandotte Valley have treasured their legend and have honored the name of Aracoma in many ways. In the early 1800s, the town which grew up in the area of Aracoma’s settlement and grave was known as Lawnsville. During the 1850s, Thomas Dunn English, a physician and poet who was the first mayor of the town, insisted on changing the name to Aracoma, which it remained until its incorporation as a city in 1907. The change then may have been due to men’s custom of referring to the town as “Logan Courthouse” rather than by its true name. Since that time, the name of Aracoma has been given to a smaller community in the county.

When Logan County observed its Centennial in 1952, Thomas Patterson, the author of American Primitive and other well known plays, was commissioned to write a drama based on the legend of Princess Aracoma. The pageant was produced on successive days of the celebration and was considered one of the highlights. [p. 11]

Source: West Virginia Women, Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock (1974), p. 11.

For more about Doris Miller, go here: https://mds.marshall.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1284&context=sc_finding_aids

William Lucas, Revolutionary War Veteran of Giles County, VA

20 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by in American Revolutionary War, Big Creek, Giles County, Native American History

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William Lucas was born on 25 July 1749 to Charles and Kathleen Lucas in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He married Margaret Elizabeth Price. They lived on Sinking Creek in present-day Giles County, Virginia. Lucas served in the American Revolutionary War (see pension records below). He was my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather. I descend through two of his grandsons, David Price Lucas (born c.1811) and William R. Lucas (born 1825).

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Pension Application of William Lucas (R6507 VA)

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Logan County November the 9th 1832

We the undersigned Justices of the peace for the County of Logan and State of Virginia, do hereby certify, that at the request of William Lucas, who from age and infirmity, is at present unable to attend at the courthouse of said County; We attended at the house of his son where he now lives; And he the said William Lucas, being duly Sworn, according to Law, made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress in favour of revolutionary soldiers, passed on the 7th day of June 1832. That he enlisted in the company of Virginia Militia commanded by Captain Abraham Trigg in
Montgomery County Virginia; (The regiment was then Commanded by Colo. [Evan] Shelby; at an early period in our revolutionary War; and served in said Company and in said Regiment under the orders of General [William] Campbell in Carolina until the end of his eighteen months tour of Service [see endnote], when he again enlisted into Captain [James] Burns Company in the Regiment commanded by Colo [William] Preston Lieutenants name Snidow [Christian Snidow, pension application S17112] for some time, when he was discharged. He also Joined with his two Brothers in Montgomery County, in hireing men as Substitute, as the Law required, and he has never received any remuneration for his services. he is now 82 years of age, very infirm & poor & certainly well entitled to his Country’s aid; for he is intirely dependent on Charity for his support. Given under our hands & seals this 7th day of September in the year eighteen hundred & thirty two.

[signed] Nath’l Mullins [and] Anthony Lawson

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Giles County To Wit [18 Jan 1833]

We Ralph Lucas and Wm H. Snidow two of the Justices of the peace in and for the said County of Giles do hereby certify that James Johnston [S5640] & Parker Lucas [S8868] appeared personally before us in said county and each being duly sworn according to Law the said James Johnston deposeth and said that in the year 1781 he served as a private in the army of the revolutionary war under the command of Capt James Burns on a call of the militia from the county of Montgomery that the company in which he served continued in Service about two months and he further sayeth that Wm. Lucas (who he understands now resides in the county of Logan and State of Virginia) Served as a private with him in the said company commanded by Capt James Burns which tour Served by Lucas he believes was about two months and further this Deponent sayeth not

James hisXmark Johnston

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And the said Parker Lucas doth state that William Lucas he understands and believes now resides in the County of Logan and State of Virginia Served as a Private in the Virginia Militia Company in the Revolutionary war which Company was Commanded by Capt. James Burns which tower of Service he believes was about three months and Rendered in the State of North Carolina and he states further that the said William Lucas served Three months at Culbertson’s Bottom under Capt Thomas Burk which tour of Duty the said William Lucas served with this deponent and further this Deponent sayeth not.

Parker hisXmark Lucas

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Virginia Giles County to Wit [28 Jan 1833]
We Ralph Lucas and Wm. H Snidow two of the Justices of the peace in and for the said County of Giles do hereby Certify, That Christian Snidow Sen personally appeared before us in said county and he first being duly sworn according to Law the s’d Christian Snidow deposeth and says that in year 1776 he served as a private under the command of Capt Thomas Burke on a call of the militia from the County of montgomery that the company in which he served continued in service about three months. And he further sayeth that that Wm. Lucas (who he now understands resides in the county of Logan) and State of Virginia served as a private with him in the said company commanded By Capt Thos. Burke which tour served by Lucas he believes was about three months, and he further sayeth that he served as Lieutenant in the year 1778 under the command of Cap James Burns that the company in which he served continued in service about two months and the said Wm Lucas served as a private under the command of Capt James Burns the same period above mentioned.

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Virginia Giles County To Wit [28 Jan 1833]
We Ralph Lucas and Wm. H Snidow two of the Justices of peace in and for the said County of giles do hereby certify that Thomas Farley [W7244] appeared personally before us in said county and being first sworn duly according to law the said Thomas Farley deposth and said that in the year 1781 he served as a private in the army of the revolutionary war under the command of Capt Beirnes [sic] on a call of the militia from the county of Montgomery, and that he belives said Tour lasted about two months, and that he also knows that the said William Lucas served a Tour of Three months under the Command of Captain Thomas Burk, and Further this deponant sayeth not

Thomas hisXmark Farley

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State of Virginia } To Wit
Logan County }
On this 16th day of February 1833 Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid William Lucas a resident of the county of Logan and State of Virginia aged Eighty three years on the 25th day July 1832 who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832 That he was drafted in the Militia service in the year 1781 by the order of Col. William Preston and that he served three Months in a company commanded by Capt Thomas Burk at Culvertsons bottom in the County of Montgomery Virginia and was then marched to Muddy fort [probably one of the forts on Muddy Creek] Greenbrier County and served their three months under the same Capt Burk against the Indians and was then ordered by Colo Wm Preston to march in the company commanded by Captain James Burns to fort Chissel [sic: Fort Chiswell in present Wythe County VA.] and then marched into North Carolina in the same company of Capt James Burns and Lieutenant Snidow and after serving two months was discharged by Colonel William Preston in North Carlina in the year 1781 – He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity (except the present) and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me. Joshua Butcher, J. Peace.

William hisXmark Lucas

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Virginia Giles County to wit
This day Parker Lucas Se’r personally appeared before the undersigned justices of the peace in and for said County, and made oath in due form of law, that William Lucas now of the County of Logan who he understands is now applying for a Pension, that the said William Lucas was forted at McGriffs Fort in the year 1772 to the best of his recollection, for a term of something like three months, and that in the year 1773 the said Lucas was forted at Lucas’s Fort [John Lucas’s Fort on New River] For a term of about three months, and in the year 1774 the said Lucas was forted at Bargers Fort [possibly Barager’s Fort, then and now in Montgomery County] for a like term of about three months, and that in the year 1777 to the best of this affiants recollection the said Lucas was stationed at Farleys Fort [at present Crumps Bottom in Summers County WV] and that in 1778 (as he believes) the said Lucas was stationed at Woods’ fort [Wood’s Fort on Rich Creek in present Monroe County WV] for the term of three months, and that the foregoing services were rendered in defence of the white People against the Indians, and that in the year 1781 (as this affiant believes) the said Lucas served a tour of Service in the militia under the command of Captain James Burns in the State of North carolina which tour he thinks lasted for the term of three months.

Parker Lucas Sr

We do certify that the foregoing affidavit was sworn to before us in the County of Giles and State aforesaid this 18th day of April 1834

Ralph Lucas J.P. [and] Wm. H. Snidow J.P.

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Virginia Cabell County to wit

This Day Came Hezekiah Adkins, Sen’r [R290] personally appeared before me the under signed Justice of the peace in and for said County and made oath in due form of law that William Lucas now of the County of Logan who he understands is now applying for a pension that the said William Lucas he believes was forted at Mcgriffs fort but dont recollect how long the foresaid H Adkins to the best of his recollection the said Lucas was forted at Lucas fort for a turm about Three months and that the said Lucas was forted at wood and fort for the turm about three months and that the foregoing services ware rendered in defence of the white people against indians and this affiant believes that the said Lucas served two towers and believes one of them under preston and dont recollect how Long

Hezekiah Adkins

I do certify that the said Hezekiah Adkins Senr is a or dained preacher of the gospel and do also certify that the forgoing affidavid was sworn to before me in County of Cabell and state of Virginia this 13th day of October 1834 Hezekiah Adkins Jur

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Logan County Va. November the 1st day 1834
We the undersigned Justices of the peace for the County of Logan in the State of Virginia Do hereby certify that at the request of William Lucas who, from old age and infirmity, is unable to attend at the Courthouse of said County; We attended at the house of his son John Lucas, where he now lives, and the said William Lucas, being duely Sworn, in form of Law, made the following, declaration, in order to obtain, the benefit of an Act passed by Congress on the 7 day of June 1832. That he was drafted, in the year 1772 to go on a tour of Service; to protect the frontier of Virginia, a gainst the Indians, and also in 1773 and a gain in 1777 he was drafted, for the same Service, & was stationed at Farleys fort on New river for 3 months; and in 1778 he was Stationed at Woods fort for 3 months; He was shortly after drafted into the Virginia Militia, & served a tour of three months, in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Shelby; in the Company of Captain Abraham Trigg, was with the army under Gen’l. Campbell in Carolina, at the end of this tour He enlisted into the regiment Commanded by his neighbour Col. Preston, and served a tour of three months, in the Company of James Burns; Lieut Snidow, when he was discharged. He also enlisted with his brothers in hiring substitutes, as the Law required; and alltho’ his brother in Giles County [Parker Lucas], in better circumstances has received a pension, he has received nothing in payment for his services, whatever; He is now 84 years of Age, and very infirm, and poor; and certainly well entitled to his Countrys aid; in the time of his great need; and utter inability to help himself–: He relinquishes every other Claim except the present, to any pension; & his name is on no pension Roll whatever in any State–

William hisXmark Lucas

Sworn to, and subscribed before us this 1st day of November 1834
[signed] Anthony Lawson J.P.  Nath’l. Mullins JP

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The following interogatories were then put by us as are required by the War office:

Agent of pension

1. Question. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer I was born in Pittsylvania County Va. in the year 1749.

2. Question Have you any record of your age &c?
Answer. I have no record of my age, nor do I know of any.

3. Question. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since, and where do you now live?
Answer. I was living in Botetourt County Va. – I have lived Chiefly since in Montgomery
County; and now, & for 7 years last past in Logan County Virginia –

4. Question. How were you called into service, were you drafted, or were you a Substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer. I was drafted frequently & also volunteered –

5. Question. State the names of some of the regular officers, who were with the troops where you served; such continental and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect & the general circumstances of our services.
Answer. I remember the names of Col Shelby, Col Preston; Capt Trigg, Capt [Thomas] Burke, Capt. [John] Lucas; Capt Burns; & Lieut Snidow.

6. Question. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, & if so; by whom was it given; and what has become of it?
Answer. I believe that I received a discharge from Col. Preston but have lost it many years ago–

NOTES:
A letter in the file explains that Lucas’ first declaration was questioned by the Pension Office because the claim for a militia tour of 18 months was out of the ordinary. The claim for a pension was ultimately rejected because Lucas’s later declarations were inconsistent with each other and the supporting statements. In his own pension application James Johnston did not claim to have served in 1781.