Susan Wylie Day & Her Horrific Demise

 

By Teresa Martin Klaiber, October 2022

 

Susan Wylie was the daughter of James Wylie.  She married Nathaniel Day circa 1737, probably in Pennsylvania. Susan and Nathaniel had five known children.  Several of the children were born while residing in Plumstead Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  Susan’s daughter Martha,  is this compiler’s ancestor. Martha married Charles Kinnison who was a Greenbrier volunteer at the Battle of Point Pleasant. I have blogged about the Kinnison’s before.

 Susan’s father, James Wylie, is mentioned when amounts were paid to John Campbell for his burial and the notation that seven gallons of liquor were at the funeral, 30 January 1761.  A good send-off.

 Most history books and researchers have state that Susan’s husband, Nathaniel Day,  died in 1754. They go on to state that Susan and her children then migrated to Virginia with her father.  But at least one version states that Susan’s husband was scalped and survived. There is a pay statement to a Nathaniel in 1757 opening speculation.  This compiler believes this could be either Susan’s husband or the son. Nathaniel (Jr.), even if born in 1738 shortly after his parent’s marriage, was only about 19. Nathaniel Day received pay for service in the Company of William Preston in November 1757 along with John Day, another son of Susan Wylie Day, born circa 1742, who was still in his teens. (Ref. Draper Manuscript Collection. Papers of Col. Wm. Preston, Volume 6QQ, item 114; microfilm roll #101.)  Nathaniel Jr. did fight in Dunmore’s War (1774).

 Pocahontas county publications tell the story of the massacre.  The genealogy of county formations shows Pocahontas not formed until 1821.   John Day states that the Indians came into Botetourt County. (Botetourt was not formed until 1770 from Augusta.)

 The beautiful Cacapon River flows for some 81 miles. Capon Springs lays within Hampshire County today. Some accounts place Susan’s death in adjoining Frederick County. The Cedar Creek watershed encompasses a large portion of southwestern Frederick County. The massacre is attributed, by John Day, to Shawnees.

  The time-frame was during the French and Indian Wars. Many of the Indians travelled long distances in alliance with the French Canadians.  In June 1756 Fort Vause was attacked by French, Ottowa, Miami and Shawnee.  While many Cherokee volunteered in the company of Captain McNutt (Annals of Augusta County p 129/130).  So many sad, bloody tales. Leevice Vause was captured, taken to a Shawnee camp, but escaped. The Levisa Fork, a tributary of the Big Sandy River and named in her honor. The Annals of Bath County tell of another massacre near Jackson’s River in 1756. 

 Various accounts of the Wyle family have been repeated about the tragedy that unfolded from Indian attacks.  At least one version states Susan’s husband was scalped but survived.  Yet another indication that he migrated to Virginia and this compiler wonders about the 1757 pay stub.  The events of the Indian attack of the Day family in 1756 were given in great detail by their son John but he never mentioned his father. 

 Some say Indians attacked the farm while the family was working in the fields.  The youngest child David was killed instantly.  Susan, Martha and Sally [Sarah] were taken prisoners by the Indians and marched over the mountains in the Cacapon River area of Frederick County.  Martha said that her mother remarked to her friends that she believed the Indians intended to kill her and when asked why she thought that she said that they had given moccasins to all the prisoners but her and left her bare foot.  The History of Pocahontas County says that all were ready to move when  a warrior walked up to Mrs. Day and with his war club struck her a stunning blow between her shoulders, knocking the breath out of her, and then in an instant lifted her scalp-lock.  She was left there in a state of insensibility and it was never known whether she recovered consciousness or died immediately.

 A party of twenty,  under Captain Fry, had set out to try and retrieve the prisoners, among them was Susan’s son John, about 14 years of age.  Years later when Susan’s son, John applied for a military pension he gave the following account:

 "The Shawnee Indians had come into Botetourt County in the said State of Virginia and killed my brother David Day and taken my mother and two sisters, Sally Day and Martha Day, prisoners, and also took some other property and made for their towns, the first night the Indians camped on a mountain, between Cape Capen (sic) River and Cedar Creek and at that camp killed my Mother, Susan Day … Captain Fry raised twenty men of which I was one. We followed said Indians, and when we came to the Indian camp aforesaid, there lay my mother dead, and stripped naked, her head skinned (sic): and we lifted her and laid her between some rocks and laid some rocks over her: and we followed on after the Indians, and the second day came in sight of them at their camp, and I raised my gun to shoot one of them, and just as I was about to draw trigger, I saw one of my sisters rise up right before the muzzle of my gun between me and the Indian: and I was so alarmed at seeing my sister rise before my gun that I involuntarily hollored, which so alarmed the Indians that they broke and ran, leaving the prisoners, and what they had at the camp, and run with all their might: and we got the prisoners, and what property the Indians left at the camp, and brought all safe to the fort."

I recommend the following for my readers:

 Church Records of Pocahontas Virginia LDS 1017649 item 3

 White Pole Meeting House by Frank Johnson

 Descendants of Christopher Day of Bucks County Pennsylvania, compiled   by J. Edward Day, 1959 

 "Our Pioneer Ancestors" written by Ruth Hendrick De Verter...

 Genealogical History of William Henry Kinnison of Angus, Nuckolls, County, Nebraska, Don E. Kinnison,   2nd Ed, 1981 LDS #1035948, item 5

 Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County, West Virginia by Wm T. Price 1901

 

Biography of Christopher Day who died in 1748 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania

 compiled by Teresa Martin Klaiber, October 2022

In correspondence to this compiler, J. Edward Day wrote, two years prior to his death, “At the time I wrote my genealogical compilation in 1959 I had not gotten back further than the Bucks County Christopher.  Now I know that his parents were Christopher Day and Elizabeth Gowland, married January 30, 1677 in Easton, Yorkshire England.”   There is a baptism in the records of Eston for Christopher Day the son of Christopher & Elizabeth, 22 March 1689, which was thought to be Christopher who migrates to America. However that the entry is followed by the burial of Christopher son of Christopher on 8 July the same year also recorded at Eston.  J. Edward Day did a wonderful job tracking the Day heritage but ill never found the burial entry.

The first recorded land purchase we have of a Christopher Day occurred  in 1689 in the Province of Pennsylvania within Bucks County.  The purchase was from Arthur Cooke for a portion of a 2000 acre survey.  The History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania mentions an Arthur Day and Richard Day as landowners in Plumstead, Bucks County that J. Edward Day had not connected to the family either and warrants further research.  

The first confirmed record of our ancestor, Christopher Day begins with the purchase of 50 acres of land from Clement and Thomas Dungan in Plumstead Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania in 1708 when Christopher was about 19/20 years of age.  On November 6, 1714 The Pennypack Baptist Church of Philadelphia notes the baptismal record of Christopher Day and wife Martha.  Several publications incorrectly reference the Church as Pennyback Baptist Church. The Dungans were also members of the church.

Pennypack Baptist Church in northeastern Philadelphia was first known as Lower Dublin Church.  The Church was built in 1688 along Pennypack Creek with the elder Thomas Dungan as an early minister for a company of Welsh and Irish Baptists.  Pennypack or Pennepek is a Delaware Indian word which translates to water not having a current.  Membership grew including meetings in Salem and Burlington in New Jersey. This second baptism of Christopher was possibly as an affirmation.    Portions of the church wished Saturday as the Sabbath when Keithians [dissident Friends   sometimes called Christian Quakers] merged with Lower Dublin.

Christopher and Martha had six known children.  He appears on the 1722 tax list for Bucks County, Pennsylvania and according to J. Edward Day was a witness at a Quaker wedding on 17 March of that year.  In 1730 he was appointed assessor and overseer of the poor.  In 1731 he paid 21 pounds 6 shillings on his acreage.

Christopher wrote his will 1 September 1746.  He left his wife Martha the mansion house, spring house, household goods, two cows, her riding horse, side saddle and warming pan.  He set aside 100 perches for a burial ground.  He left the orginal 50 acres where son Christopher where he was then living.  Matthew received 50 acres off the opposite end of the tract.  He made sure that his wife received a sum each year from Christopher as well as fire wood.  The residue of this estate went to Matthew.  Each of the other children were to receive five pounds. Christopher died March 6, 1748 and was buried in the cemetery about one mile from  Cross Keys, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. tk

Family Stories, Myths and Half- truths involving the Marshall and Markham Genealogy

 

By Teresa Martin Klaiber October 2022

 

I have written about George Marshall  (1768-1827) and wife Nancy Ann Rossell several times in previous blog posts.

http://easternkentuckygenealogy.blogspot.com/search?q=marshall 

http://easternkentuckygenealogy.blogspot.com/search?q=happy+trails

 

George migrated from Orange County, Virginia, to Scott County, Kentucky, moving yet again, he died 26 September 1827 in Caldwell County, Kentucky.  Sadly, many researchers, from various branches of this family, confuse  two George Marshalls because of published accounts of a George related to Chief Justice John Marshall. After all, many of our Marshall branch were told  as we grew up “you are related to Chief Justice John Marshall”. It is true the George Marshall of Henry County, Kentucky (wife Naomi), is indeed related to the Chief Justice. He died in Henry County, Kentucky and is NOT the same George Marshall that dies in Caldwell County.

This compiler’s journey started out with my grandfather’s little black book of recorded family information, which lead me down the rabbit hole, without success, to a direct link to the Chief Justice.  As I became more proficient in using court documentation, and great assistance from  fellow researcher, Debbie Vaughn, records proved that our George is the son of Merryman Marshall and wife Margaret  ”Peggy” Farguson.

Merryman was a grandson of William and Sarah Merryman Marshall whose records lead from Old Rappahannock to Richmond and then to King George County. Both Marshall lines may indeed have a much earlier relationship, yet to be discovered.

The half-truth surfaced as I traced Peggy Farguson Marshall’s family.  She is cited as a daughter in Joshua Farguson’s will, King George County, Virginia (wbk 1 p 172).

A county court order in Westmoreland County, Virginia, British America, shed light on the family relationship of Joshua Farguson his wife, Ann and the clue to another family relationship with the Marshall’s.

Westmoreland County Court Order 1 October 1719 (p 64). A judgment was granted Joshua Farguson and Ann his wife,   daughter of Lewis Markham, against William Seale who intermarried with Elizabeth the relict and executor of  Lewis Markham for the sum of 88 pounds 10 shillings.

Thus George Marshall who dies in Caldwell County, is a second cousin of Chief Justice John Marshall through the Justice’s maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Markham Marshall, on his father’s side of the tree with the mutual ancestor being Lewis Markham.

Lewis Markham, great, great, grandfather of George Marshall leads us to the next flowery family story that has been passed down through the lines of Chief Justice John Marshall.  Marshall’s grandmother is  Elizabeth Markham who married Capt. John “of the Forest” Marshall.  The best known publication on this line is The Marshall Family by W. M. Paxton.  But many other publications carry variants of the story, which I encourage my readers to review.  They state that Elizabeth Markham Marshall was the daughter of John Markham who was a privateer that stepped over the bounds to piracy and thus she ends up living with her uncle, Lewis Markham.  Some of the stories even tie him to Blackbeard.  Hearty, colorful, pirate stories.

The latest of these publications is John Markham: The Origin of  Virginia’s Pirate by Kathleen Shelby Boyett.  While she can cite court records for Lewis Markham, her only argument that there even was John the Pirate is that he was supposedly from Alexandria, Virginia. She also tells readers to make up their own mind about the stories. I tend to refute the story that Lewis Markham is Elizabeth’s uncle, instead I believe, at this point in my research, that Lewis Markham is her father.

Alexandria fell within old Rappahannock, later Stafford County during the timeframe of this discussion. There is a John Marcume mentioned in a deed in Old Rappahannock twenty years prior to the birth of Elizabeth Markham. (Rapp. Dbk 7 p 317).  Robert Ruddiford to James Holloway 100 acres being the remainder of 50 acres sold John Marcume 8 Jan 1686.  As a point of interest Peggy Farguson Marshall’s grandfather, John Farguson,  was also from Old Rappahannock.  It is easy to see why, even today researchers are muddled.

None of the many materials, both published (including Boyett) and original court documents, I have reviewed cite any blaring court records for Elizabeth. But there is early court reference. Born circa 1704, Elizabeth is a child when Lewis Markham died.  And thus far is the only child of Lewis Markham that I have located a guardianship for. I am not sure why writers have overlooked these cites except they bounce around various county courts, making it harder to follow. The first court order is in Richmond County.  On 7 December 1720, Elizabeth now 16 and old enough to request who she wishes came into court and prayed that John Farguson become her guardian.  (Richmond Order bk 8 p 212) John Farguson is her sister Ann Markham Farguson’s brother-in-law.

On 6 October 1721, we find the next record in the Court Orders in  King George County. Upon the Petition of John Farguson. Guardian to ELIZABETH MARKHAM, Spinster, against JAMES MARKHAM setting forth that the said JAMES, her Brother, has all or the major part of her Estate in his Custody and possession: Whereupon it is considered by the Court and accordingly ordered that William Strother Gent., Thomas Turner, Benjamin Strother and Walter Anderson or any three of them separate and set apart all such goods chattels rights and Credits as belongs to the said Elizabeth Markham and make report thereof to the next Court.

 

By the following year, Elizabeth has married, 5 January 1722,  Capt. John Marshall.  So let me stop here and explain that Virginia was under English Rule.  Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England  state that a guardian is placed only if the minor is entitled to an estate in lands.  Lewis Markham left lands but when he wrote his will in Westmoreland County 14 March 1712 he only cites son William by name and wife Elizabeth.  He simply says that “his children” are to have their due parts of the estate.  (Westmoreland Wills p 176/7)  If Elizabeth were a niece, I believe she would have been singled out for a portion not included as “his children.”  Thus this compiler strongly believes that Elizabeth is the younger sister of Ann, William and James Markham (identified issues of Lewis).

 

Brother James Markham was brought into court 8 February 1723/4 giving a deposition in the violent stabbing of John Farguson with a pen knife. (King George Order bk p 157 extracted by Sparacio 1992.) He is cited in a deed 7 Sep. 1726 between Anthony Seale and Thomas Turner…That William Seale late of Richmond Co was seized with a tract of 200 acres …Anthony Seale being the younger heir at law of William and Anthony agreed to sell his right of inheritance with James Markham posting the bond (King George book 1 p 382). Elizabeth widow of Lewis Markham had remarried to William Seale.

 

A record that needs further study is dated, earlier, 4 May 1720, in Richmond County (dbk 7 p 516) when James Markham, William Strother Jr. and Jno. Farguson of Richmond were bound in the sum of 200 pounds. The obligation was the administration of Margaret Markham deceased.  This is the same year Elizabeth requests John Farguson as her guardian.  Is Margaret an unmarried sister as suggested by Early Colonial Setters of Southern Maryland and Virginia’s Northern Neck Counties?

 

https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I139336&tree=Tree1&sitever=standard  ?

 

Read the wonderful tales of swash buckling John Markham and know that Lewis Markham was almost as colorful as any pirate. Continue to research for half-truths lay somewhere within the stories.

 

When reviewing publications and on-line material I find that most researchers do not take a deep look into the records. Yes, many cite extracts from other publications.  It is always important to follow up by reading the original documents. Lewis Markham (wife Elizabeth) was the son of Lewis Markham born about 1636 (wife Jane).  And there is where the real story begins.  Little threads of words within court records change how we look at a person.

 

Lewis Markham, was an indentured servant from St. Fagans, Glamoganshire.  He sailed December 1658 to Barbados with his agent being William Hayman.  Once he worked off the payment and sundry items owed Hayman, in those four years, he sailed on to Westmoreland County, British America. 

 

http://www.virtualjamestown.org/indentures/search_indentures.cgi?start_page=133&search_type=basic&db=bristol_ind&servant_ln=%

 

Eleven years later he has an agreement with John Washington. For more about the people and this agreement I recommend reading Chapters In the History of Popes creek Plantation compiled for the Historic Preservation of the National Park System.  By November 1676 Markham has sponsored at least six indentured servants coming to British America, at least one, Ann Davis, is a female.

The elder Lewis Markham appears to be well trusted, on both sides of the pond, becoming power of attorney for several Bristol Merchants. He is executor of several wills yet no record of his death has been found.  The only substantial way to separate the elder from the younger is when the younger is appointed Sheriff in his thirty’s.  The elder would not have acted in that capacity in 1700 being in his 70’s.

Publications tout the younger Lewis, father of Ann and Elizabeth, as being sheriff and Justice.  They cite the land grants he received but neglect to tell you that they are obtained after he knows that a deceased person has left no will nor heirs to get said grants.  Markham, involved with county affairs would be one of the first to know when a person has died. The word escheat appears in the documents meaning the reversion of the property to the state because the original grantor has died without issue. A very clever way to gain property.   Two such examples from his chronology are: The death of Thomas Carter (Northern Neck Grant fhl 008358039, image 672 page 199), and another grant when George Thorne dies (Bk 3 p 193, image 666).

Remarkably he or his father sponsored at least 24 indentured servants coming to this country.  All are listed in the Westmoreland Court Orders in September 1702 when Markham lists them by name as imported by him and that from this day forward will not be responsible for their claims (Westmoreland, Order fhl 0078988 image 356). Of the twenty-four on the list four are females. This record may well be that of the elder Lewis Markham, for at least one of the names on the list also appears on the 1676 entry.

This blog does not list all the citations I have reviewed for Lewis Markham (younger & elder) as they have been repeated many times and can be located with good research techniques.   The same cannot be said for a pirate John Markham of the correct age, as being the actual father of Elizabeth.  But like Boyett, I will leave that up to you to determine after reading the stories.

I leave researchers with one last comment.  In Lewis Markham’s will (the younger Lewis Markham) Markham also left a mourning ring to Joseph and Ann Bayley. A mourning ring often bore the name and date of death of a person and most of the time was made from black jet.  Thus leading one to understand the deep sentiment they had for each other. Both Lawrence and John Washington, associated with Markham,  also left mourning rings to various persons.  The Bailey-Britton History and Genealogy written by Thomas H. Bailey 1962 page 95 states that Joseph Bayley and Ann were the parents of Lewis’ wife Elizabeth.  Joseph Bayly does not cite his children in his will when he dies c. 1717.  But this is the only author/researcher that I have seen that actually looked at why Markham left such an item to the Bayley’s.

Never pass up a family story as total myth.  But do question the words. Enjoy the journey.

tk