Person:Johann Ickes (3)

BIOGRAPHICAL INFO:

Nicholas ICKES, with his family, came to Cumberland CO, now Perry CO area, about 1795, and purchased the land of Robert Robinson (275 acres) (250 acres and allowances were warranted by Robinson May 25, 1774.) Ickes purchased the land February 11, 1796. On this tract Ickes in 1816-18, soon after the erection of the township of Saville, laid out a town-plat into streets and lots and named the new village "Ickesburg".

Nicholas Ickes was the Ickes who purchased the land of Johannes and Christina Hench in Chester CO, which was about to be forfeited because of defective title. Johannes cleared the title as part of the transaction.

31 Oct 2004 14:49:57 DEATH NOTICE:

Perry CO Democrat, Bloomfield, Pa Thurs, 3/29/1849 Pg 3 Col 3 Died

On the 25th inst, in Ickesburg, Mr Nicholas Ickes, aged 84 years, and 5 months. The deceased was born in Limrick township, Montgomery CO, Pa. At the age of sixteen he served a short time in the Revolutionary war under Washington. At a very early age he connected himself with the Evangelical Lutheran Church. in which he lived a consistent member up to the time of his death. He was married twice; had 20 children, 111 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren. Of this number, 14 children, 86 grandchildren, and 37 great grandchildren are now living.

19 Sep 2004 20:47:29 Nicholas ICKES (1764 -1848), at the age of 16, served as a substitute in the Pennsylvania militia. He was born in Limericktown; died in Ickesburg, PA

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution DAR ID Numbers: 26014, 64519, 113198, 126362

23 Jan 2003 20:46:13 Nicholas ICKES, the father of twenty children was one of the German families that migrated from Chester & Montgomery Counties to what is now Perry CO. It is reported that Nicholas was a substitute in the American Army in the Revolution. About 1812, Nicholas sold his Chester Co. farm and moved to Sherman's Valley, Tyrone Twp., Perry Co., PA. In 1820 he was taxed for sawmill, distillery, house and lot. Ickesburg was founded on his land.

Nancy C. Stockton

23 Jan 2003 20:49:57 Posted by: Joy Denison Date: December 18, 1999

My son, Nathan, a recent Eagle Scout, received a scholarship application from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Among the requirements he was asked to write an essay dealing with an American revolutionary patriotic theme and submit a 4 generation ancestor chart. My dad, William Ickes of Lubbock, Texas has often told the story of an ancestor Nicholas (I think was his first name) Ickes who was a right hand man to General George Washington and looked in between the the logs of his cabin finding Gen. Washington kneeling in prayer before a battle. This would be a wonderful account upon which to base his essay if it is true. He has to provide a bibliography, so we have to find a record of this documented somewhere. Anyone know where we can verify this story?

Replies

1) Posted by: Barb Date: January 23, 2000

I have copies of Nicholas' pension application papers. He served as a substitute for George Evans under Colonel Anthony Bitting and Captain John Missimer. At that time he resided in Limerick Twp., Philadelphia (now Montgomery) CO. He enlisted about Sept. 1781 (he was age 17 on Oct. 1, 1781). He marched from Kreps Tavern, Philadelphia Co. (I could not find out where Kreps Tavern was) to Uniontown, Bucks CO where he was stationed in the garrison and performed the duties of a soldier. Served about two months. This info from his pension file. His application for pension was rejected because he had not served 6 months. His obit says "At the age of sixteen he served a short time in the Revolutionary war under Washington". Rumor had it he had run away to join the troops - this cannot be verified.

2) Posted by: Joy Denison Date: September 10, 2000

My dad, Bill Ickes, had the answer to my question all along. He had a hand written history of Nicholas Ickes, though the author is not known. It was incomplete as the bottom of the page had been torn off, but a portion of it read: "Among my list of thirty-two ancestors who served as members of the Committee of Safety, patriots, privates, and nurses in the Revolutionary Way, perhaps the youngest to enlist was Nicholas Ickes who was born in Limerick Township, Montgomery Co., Pa., in 1764. "Nicholas was left motherless at the age of four and fatherless at the age of fourteen. At sixteen, he enlisted as a substitute for George Evans and served until peace was declared. "One day, while on duty close to George Washington's headquarters near Valley Forge, he peeped through an opening between the boards and saw General Washington alone on his knees in prayer." I don't know the true accuracy of this account as the author's name is not listed, but it goes on to talk about his life through to his death. The author talked about an "Old Homecoming Day" honoring him as founder of Ickesburg at which 6 grandchildren were present but Harold L. Ickes was unable to attend due to his duties as Sectetary of the Interior. The author and a woman named Alice Grabe unveiled a marker at that event. This occured in August (during one of the years which Harold Ickes served as Sec. of the Interior) and a family reunion was held the following day.

19 Sep 2004 20:45:13