Person:George Calhoun (3)

Information on George Calhoon

From Notes and queries: Chiefly relating to Interior Pennsylvania, Volume 1, William Henry Egle: 1887, p. 53

John Calhoun of Paxtang, d. October, 1754, leaving a wife Jennett and child George. He leaves bequests to Jennett [Jane] Lycan and Rebecca Simpson.

From Calhoun, Hamilton, Baskin and Related Families, Lewin Dwinell McPherson: 1957, p. 81

George CALHOUN, Sr., 2-, and wife, Elizabeth WILSON, apparently were the parents of the following children, if not more: (b. in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania): 1-Samuel, ,1740, 2-Charles, p. 329, 3-Adam? 4-Zaccheus Wilson, who d. July 10, 1781, p. 81, 5-George, Jr., pp. 329-331, 6-David, 7-Phoebe, p. 331, 8- p. 331 9- daughter.

A George Calhoun and Samuel Calhoun were listed as taxpayers in LUNNENBURG county, Virginia in 1782.

From Brief Biographical Sketches of Some of the Early Ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Richard Beard: 1867, p. 76

The grandfather and grandmother of Mr. [Thomas] Calhoon emigrated from Ireland, and settled in Pennsylvania. They were there converted, under the preaching of Mr. Whitefield. From Pennsylvania they moved to North Carolina, and settled in Mecklenburg county. The old man, the grandfather, having been blind for a number of years, was led by the hand, on a certain occasion, to hear Mr. McGready. Whilst the sermon was in progress he became much excited, and declared that he was hearing another Whitefield. Mr. Calhoon says: "My old grandfather would call me into his room every day, and make me read a chapter in the Bible." The old couple would sing,

"Begone, unbelief, my Saviour is near," etc.

The grandfather, who was mighty in prayer, would then pray.

From "Rev. George Whitefield at Harris' Ferry", Annals of Harrisburg: 1858, p. 25

A granddaughter of John Harris, Sr., related that when the celebrated preacher, George Whitefield, was passing through Pennsylvania, about the year 1740, he remained some time in and about Harris' Ferry, and preached repeatedly to the people, who flocked from all quarters to hear him. So great was the fascination of his eloquence, that many of the people neglected the cultivation of their farms, and their fields were left unsown. Mr. Harris remonstrated with them, but ineffectually; and the consequences of their improvidence were likely to prove serious, since not a few, at the end of the season, found themselves in want. Seeing their destitute condition, Mr. Harris sent a considerable quantity of grain to the nearest mill, and gave directions that meal should be furnished to any of his poor neighbors who might apply for it. Thus were the families of those who had not listened to the prudent counsels of Harris saved from distress by his liberal kindness.

From History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: 1886, pp. 847-851

In May, 1750, Richard Peters and Conrad Weiser were ordered to go to lands not purchased by the Indians in the new county of Cumberland and give information to the magistrates of such people as had settled on the lands beyond the Kittanning Mountains, and to bring them to conviction for not removing upon a previous notice from the Governor. As the trespassers still remained, the Indians of the Six Nations were complaining to the proprietaries of breach of their promises.

It will be noticed that reference is made to the settlement of Frederick Star at the place where William White and others were found. The extract from the same letter referred to gives the account of their proceedings while there. Mr. Peters and Mr. Weiser left Philadelphia on the 15th of May for the new county of Cumberland, where they met Mr. George Croghan, Andrew Montour and five Indians, who were authorized to transact business for the Six Nations.

A conference was held, and the magistrates gave the Indians assurance that the trespassers would be removed and strings of wampum were exchanged.

Mr. Peters, in the letter above referred to, gives the account of the movements and action of the magistrates after the conference above mentioned, as follows:

“On Tuesday, the 22nd of May, Matthew Dill, George Croghan, Benjamin Chambers, Thomas Wilson, John Finley and James Galbreth, Esquires, Justices of the said county of Cumberland, attended by the Under Sheriff, came to Big Juniata, situate at the distance of twenty-five miles from the mouth therof, and about ten miles north from the Blue Hill, a place much esteemed by the Indians for some of their best hunting-ground; and there they found five cabins or log Houses, one possessed by William White, another by George Cahoon, and another not quite yet finished, in possession of David Huddleston, another possessed by George and William Galloway, and another by Andrew Lycon; of these Persons William White, George and William Galloway, David Huddleston and George Cahoon appeared before the Magistrates, and being asked by what right or authority they had possessed themselves of those Lands and erected cabins thereon? They replied by no right or authority but that the Land belonged to the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania. They were then asked whether they did not know they were acting against the Law, and in contempt of frequent Notices given them by the Governor’s proclamation. They said they had seen one such proclamation, and had nothing to say for themselves, but craved mercy. Hereupon the said William White, George and William Galloway, David Huddleston and George Cahoon, being convicted by said Justices on their view, the under Sheriff was charged with them, and he took William White, David Huddleston and George Cahoon into Custody, but George and William Galloway resisted, and having got at some distance from the Under Sheriff, they called to us: ‘You may take our Lands and Houses and do what you please with them; we deliver them to you with all our hearts, but we will not be carried to Jail.’

“The next morning, being Wednesday, the 23d of May, the said Justices went to the log House or cabin of Andrew Lycon, and finding none there but children, and hearing that the Father and Mother were expected soon, and William White and others offering to become Security, jointly and severally, and to enter into Recognizance, as well for Andrew’s appearance at Court and immediate removal, as for their own, this proposal was accepted, and William White, David Huddleston and George Cahoon entered into a recognizance of one hundred Pounds, and executed Bonds to the Proprietaries in the sum of Five Hundred Pounds, reciting that they were Trespassers and had no manner of Right, and had delivered Possession to me for the Proprietaries. When the Magistrates went to the cabin or log House of George and William Galloway (which they had delivered up as aforesaid the day before, after they were convicted and were flying from the Sheriff), all the Goods belonging to the said George and William were taken out, and the Cabbin being quite empty, I took possession thereof for the Proprietaries; and then a conference was held, what should be done with the empty Cabbin, and after great deliberation, all agreed that if some Cabbins were not destroyed, they would tempt the trespassers to return again, or encourage others to come there should these trespassers go away; and so what was doing would Signify nothing, since the possession of them was at such a distance from the inhabitants, could not be kept for the Proprietaries; and Mr. Weiser also giving it as his opinion that if all the Cabbins were left standing, the Indians would conceive such a contemptible Opinion of the Government, that they would come themselves, in the Winter, murder the People, and set their houses on fire. On these considerations, the Cabbin, by my order, was burnt by the under Sheriff and company.

“Then the company went to the House possessed by David Huddleston, who had entered into Bond as aforesaid, and he having voluntarily taken out all the things which were in the cabin, and left me in possession, that empty and unfurnished cabin was likewise set on fire by the under Sheriff, by my order.

“The next day, being the 24th of May, Mr. Weiser and Mr. Galbreath, with the under Sheriff and myself, on our way to the mouth of Juniata, called at Andrew Lycon’s, with intent only to inform him that his Neighbors were bound for his appearance and immediate Removal, and to caution him not to bring him or them into trouble by a refusal. But he presented a loaded Gun to the Magistrates and Sheriff, said he would shoot the first man that dared to come nigher. On this, he was disarmed, convicted and committed in the custody of the Sheriff. This whole transaction happened in the sight of a tribe of Indians, who had by accident in the Night time fixed their tent on that plantation; and Lycon’s behaviour giving them great offence, the Shickcalamies insisted on our burning the cabin, or they would do it themselves. Whereupon everything was taken out of it (Andrew Lycon all the while assisting) and Possession being delivered to me, the empty cabin was set on fire by the under Sheriff, and Lycon was carried to Jail.”

Mr. Peters says, in closing his letter,--

“Finding such a general submission, except the two Galloways and Andrew Lycon, and vainly believing the evil would be effectually taken away, there was no kindness in my power which I did not do for the offenders; I gave them money where they were poor, and telling them they might go directly on any part of the two millions of acres lately purchased of the Indians; and where the families were large, as I happened to have several of my own plantations vacant, I offered them to stay on them rent-free till they could provide for themselves; then I told them that if, after all this lenity and good usage, they would dare to stay after the time limited for their departure, no mercy would be shown them, but that they would feel the rigour of the law.

“It may be proper to add that the cabins of log-Houses which were burnt were of no considerable value, being such as the Country People erect in a day or two, and cost only the charge of an entertainment. “Richard Peters.”

...

Upon the opening of the Land-Office, February 3, 1755, William White and John Lycon each took out warrants—White for two hundred acres, and Lycon for three hundred and twenty-three acres. John Cahoon purchased of William White a tract of land, April 16th of the same year. All three of these tracts are on the Juniata, White and Cahoon on tracts adjoining and above the James Patterson tract, at the mouth of D. O. Run. John Lycon’s tract was below the Patterson (the Valentine Stern) tract, and above Thompsontown, relatively in the same position as when Peters left White’s, May 24th,--“on our way to the mouth of Juniata, called at Andrew Lycon’s,” Dr. Egle says that Andrew Lycon had but one son, John, who was commissioned lieutenant about 1762, and disappears before the Revolutionary War. All the evidence here given inclines to the idea that after the purchase of the lands William White returned to his settlement on the Juniata, where his cabin was evidently left standing in 1750 (as Peters was very particular in all cases to state what was burned), and to the place he, in his wanderings for a location, had decided upon. John Lycon, a son of Andrew, settled below on the river and John Cahoon or Calhoon, as is shown later, adjoining lands of White.

...

A part of the original White tract had been sold to John Cahoon, (or Calhoon), who sold part to the heirs of William White, who conveyed it to James Barr. It passed to William McCammon and John Riddle, and on April 1, 1814, Riddle sold one and a half acres of this land for a parsonage to Jacob Byner, of Decatur, Mifflin County, John Kepner and John Rice, of Milford, Henry Fry, of Greenwood, Cumberland County, who were trustees for the United German congregations in the mentioned townships. Upon this lot was built a parsonage, where the Rev. John William Heim lived until his removal to Loysville, Perry County, in 1828. The property was sold, April 1, 1835, to Solomon Hays, who, in 1838, conveyed it to Sarah Diven, widow of Peter Diven. The trustees at this time were William Rannels, Sr., Jacob Kepner, John Weishaupt and John Murphy, of the Lutheran congregation, and Peter Diven and William Waldsmith, of the Reformed Church. The parsonage property is now owned by Miss Susanna Weaver.

In a deed recorded in Mifflin County mention is made, in connection with the above transfers, that a warrant was granted to John Colhoon (or Cahoon) February 6, 1755, adjoining lands of William White. No warrant at this place or in the purchase of 1754 of that date appears in the Land Office; but on April 16, 1775, Cahoon did buy part of the White lands, and part of it passed to Andrew Cahoon (or Colhoon), who, by article, June 4, 1792, sold to James Barr. The executors of Andrew Colhoon gave a deed to James Barr, May 28, 1795.

It will be remembered that, with the names of William White and Andrew Lycon, the Galloways, David Huddleston and George Cahoon also appear. The Galloways, by Mr. Peters’ account, abandoned their lands, and probably never returned. There is nothing to show, either, that Huddleston returned.

From FamilyTreeMaker site of Robert Gleaves:

George Calhoun was born 1713 in Strahulter, in Ardstraw, Co. Tyrone, Ireland, and died Jun 08, 1796 in Mecklenburg Co., NC. He married Elizabeth Wilson on 1738 in Pennsylvania.

Notes for George Calhoun: Orville O. Calhoun writes that George Calhoun was born in Ireland and moved with his family to Lancaster Co., PA, in 1733. Source: "Our Calhoun Family, Book 2" We assume he moved his family to Prince Edward Co., VA, and from there to Mecklenburg Co., NC, because of information provided in the following deed: "GEORGE CALHOUN, DEED, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, January 12, 1775. GEORGE CALHOUN and ELIZABETH, his wife, to their son SAMUEL CALHOUN, for a consideration of 100 lbs, a tract of land on the EAST side of the CATAWBA RIVER.... This GEORGE CALHOUN was from Prince Edward County, Virginia" ["Abstracts of Some Ancient Items from the Mecklenburg County Records"]. In April 1783 George and eleven other men were fined for not appearing as jurors in a Mecklenburg Co. Court. ["Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Minutes of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions"]. In October 1783 the following deed was approved in open court and ordered to be registered: "One from George Calhoun & wife to Jas. Greer, for 150 Acres of Land Dated 24th Feby. 1783, [proved] by John Bigham." Source: "Mecklenburg Count, North Carolina, Minutes of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions" This probably refers to George Calhoun, Sr., because his son appears in another case as George Calhoun, Junr. In this case, who is the wife mentioned here? Elizabeth Wilson Calhoun died in 1781. The 1790 census lists him as living in District 2 (northern part of the county), with one female in the house. Was this his second wife? His name is spelled Calhoon on his tombstone. Genealogists such as Orville Calhoun say that he was born in 1712 and died in 1795, but Sharon Gleaves Mobley, who visited the gravesite in 2003, notes that the eastern side of his tombstone says "In memory of George Calhoon who ended this life June 8, 1796 on the 83rd year of his Age." This suggests that he was born in 1713 and died in 1796. The western side of the tombstone reads "No I'll repine at Death no more / But with a chearfill Voice resign / To the cold Dungeon of the Grave / these dying with'ring limbs of mine // Let worms destroy my waiting Flesh / and crumble all my Bones to Dust / My God shall raise my frame anew / At the revival of the just"

More About George Calhoun: Burial: Unknown, Steele Creek Presbyterian Church cemetery, Mecklenburg Co., NC. Nationality: Irish.

More About George Calhoun and Elizabeth Wilson: Marriage: 1738, Pennsylvania.

Children of George Calhoun and Elizabeth Wilson are:

Samuel Calhoun, b. 1740, Cumberland Co., PA, d. Apr 06, 1833, Big Springs, Wilson Co., TN.

Charles Calhoun, b. Abt. 1742, d. Abt. 1822, Harpeth Lick, Williamson Co., TN.

Adam Calhoun, b. 1744, Pennsylvania, d. date unknown.

Zaccheus Wilson Calhoun, b. 1746, d. Jul 10, 1781, Mecklenburg Co., NC.

+George Calhoun, Jr., b. 1748, PA or Mecklenburg Co., NC, d. 1820, Harpeth Lick, Williamson Co., TN.

David Calhoun, b. 1750, d. date unknown.

+Phebe Calhoun, b. Abt. 1752, d. date unknown.

Source: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/g/l/e/Robert-M-Gleaves-NC/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0662.html

1.   McPherson, Lewin Dwinell. Calhoun, Hamilton, Baskin and related families. (s.n.], c1957).
2.   Ellis, Franklin, and Alfred Matthews. History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Everts, Peck & Richards, c1886).
3.   Beard, Richard. Brief biographical sketches of some of the early ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1955).
4.   Morgan, George Hallenbrooke; Patricia Wainwright Collins; Shirley G. M Iscrupe; and William L Iscrupe. Annals of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and 460 Dauphin and Lebanon County marriage and death records, 1788-1838. (Laughlintown, Pennsylvania: Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogical Services, c1987)
   1858.