Notes
Note for: John EWING, 1741 - 17 MAY 1822 Index
Burial:
Date: 1822
Place: Rockingham County, Virginia
Note: [McNutt7.FTW]
John lived in Rockingham County, Virginia after age 1 for his entire
life. His son William eventually owned the Rockingham property and built
a brick home in 1825 that is still in very good condition. Ben Ewing
visited the home in 1989.
Notes
Note for: James EWING, 14 FEB 1720/21 - 31 MAY 1801 Index
Note: [McNutt7.FTW]
It is suggested that James was born in Ireland between 1715 and 1720.
James came to America around 1750. He married an Irish girl, but we are
not sure of her name. Recent contacts have indicated the name of his wife
as Sarah Mays. However, other contacts will dispute that, so I will leave
it as unknown for now. It has also been indicated that James had
children by a second wife, Sarah Edwards.In a letter written in 1891 by
Gilbert Ewing he recounts a tradition that James Ewing was descended from
one of six brothers who fled Scotland after being on the losing side of
an insurrection. James Ewing came to America about 1740, moved on to the
wilderness of western Virginia building a cabin on land that is now
Pocahontas county West Virginia. In 1745 land was surveyed for him (254
acres) in Bathe County, Virginia. Abt 1760 he moved to a site on Ewing
Creek later renamed Knapp Creek in Pocahontas County, Virginia. In 1791
he received a grant of land of 1,000 acres for his military service
during the Revolution. He did not leave a will but his estate was
inventoried on 07-14-1801 the total value was set at 26.29 pounds.
Story of James Ewing written by Wally Ewing
One day two men stopped by at the Ewing cabin and asked for something to
eat. James's wife was happy to oblige, hospitality being part of the
frontier spirit. James had left earlier in the day for some apparent
routine business, leaving behind his wife and his prized flintlock. While
the visitors were eating one of them spotted the flintlock and decided he
would like to have it for his own- without payment. Mrs. Ewing protested,
but there was little she could do to stop the men who were not above
taking advantage of her friendliness and openess.
When James returned later that day and learned of the theft, he concluded
quickly that the two men probably were part of the notorious "Shockley
Gang", which had been rustiling cattle, thieving and generally terroizing
the mountainside. James loaded his shotgun with buckshot and used his
hunting experience and familiarity with the mountain trails to follow and
find the thieves. Towards evening he overtook them as they were preparing
camp for the night, convinced they were safe from pursuit. Quietly James
re-primed his shotgun, to ensure a clean shot, and stepping up to the
campsite, he demanded his flintlock. Shockley responded by raising the
stolen gun to his shoulder and aiming it at James, who just as quickly
brought his shotgun to firing position. James gun discharged, but
Shockley's weapon misfired and he fell dead with a charge of buckshot in
his chest. The two men were so close to each other that Shockley's neck
cloth was burned by the powder from the shot that killed him. James's
appearance and the gun fight happended so quickly that the second thief
did not have time to get a gun but instead he jumped on James, who found
himself in a hand-to hand battle of survival. James ended the fight by
using his hunting knife to cause a fatal wound to the man's neck. He
gathered up his two firearms, called it a day, and returned to his cabin.
There are conflicting stories about whether or not James collected the
reward of several hundred dollars that had been on Shockley's head. One
version says he did, the other says he declared it was reward enough to
retrieve his gun and get rid of the two "pesky varmints".
-------------------------
1786
-------------------------
Ewing, James
Date: Sep 20, 1786
Location: Augusta Co., VA
Record ID: 35376
Description: Grantee
Book Page: 25-414
Remarks: Delivered to Joseph Ewing, son of the grantee, 4 Jan 1800.
Notes: This land record was originally published in "Chronicles of the
Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745-1800. Extracted from the
Original Court Records of Augusta County" by Lyman Chalkley.
Ewing, Jane & Moses Moore; Marriage [Bride is daughter of James Ewing],
Apr 11, 1786; Bond Date: Mar 22, 1786
"Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, 1745-1800.
Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County" by Lyman
Chalkley: Volume 2, Marriages Pages 280-289, Page 281
1786--March 22, Moses Moore and Jane Ewing, daughter of James Ewing;
witnesses, Wm. Rankin, Alex. Gibson.
*******This James Ewing is father of Swago Bill Ewing and Indian John
Ewing.
Notes
Note for: Mary EWING, BEF 20 JAN 1705/06 - Index
Baptism:
Date: 20 JAN 1705/06
Note: [McNutt7.FTW]
Survey B-53-50, Chester Co., PA, West Nottingham twp. dated 9/30/1748 and
warranted on 11/10/1748 shows this land adjacent to that of Samuel Ewing
and Thomas Ewing brothers of Mary Ewing Collins. In 1755 it was purchased
by the above Thomas Ewing at a Sherrif's sale having been forfeited by
Thomas Collins (son of Mary Ewing and Joseph Collins). This family may
have moed to Frederick Co., VA.