Person:Thomas Erskine (10)

Thomas Askey was born about 1727. He died in 1807 in Path Valley, PA. He was a lieutenant in the French and Indian War, and a Captain in the Revolutionary War. He served under General Anthony Wayne. (See information on General Anthony Wayne.) The Erskine name eventually became Askey in America, probably through misunderstanding of the Scotch-Irish pronunciation. Erskine was a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian." The birth year was based on an inscription on the tombstone reported seen at one time at his grave. Donald Askey has done a significant amount of research on the name....Here's a bit of Askey (Erskine) information. Our origins have been traced back as far as Thomas Askey who was born somewhere in the vicinity of 1730. There is conflicting "evidence" regarding his birth date and place. But his life from 1763 to 1807 is well documented in military and other legal documents. Linn in his 1883 history of Centre County indicates that "...Askey wrote his name 'Thomas Erskin,' but ...his name is carried upon the military records as Askey, and that is the spelling now used by the family." On one 1777 document, Thomas clearly signs his name Thom Askins. Donald also has found single documents which contain different spellings. Apparently, spelling was not an issue with Thomas. Donald lists the following variations in "From the Valleys of the Susquehanna: The Story of the First Askey Family in America", West Branch Publications, State College, PA, Copyright, 1994: "ERSKIN, ERESKIN, ERESKEY, ERESKINS, ASKINS, ASKENS, ASKIN, ARSKIN, ARSKINS, ERSKEY, ERESKEY, ASQUEY, ASKEY AND ASKY." It is believed that in his mysterious early years, Thomas traveled around PENNSYLVANIA in the areas populated by Scotish-Irish Presbyterians. After years of research by many family historians, the origins of Thomas was born Erskine, the name Thomas Erskine was about as popular in Scotish-Irish circles as John Smith is in the US today. (Sorry Johnny, I didn't make this up!) Without some kind of miracle find, hopes of tracing our roots back to the UK are slim to none. However, much has been compiled on Thomas' descendants. (See information regarding the Erskine Clan, and Erskine Genealogy.)

Notes from Dorothy Johansen: Thomas Erskine (Askey) Information from Robert Erskine of Cambridge, Ohio Came to American 1738-39 with parents - Inherited father's land in Cumberland Co., PA. Served in French and Indian War as Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Pennsylvania Regiment, expedition to Ft. Duquesne, 4 Mar 1764. Received 3 officer land grants. Settled June 1784 on 288 1/2 acres in Bald Eagle Valley, near Howard, Centre, PA. War. 8 Mar 1769, Pat. 18 Mar. 1774, Rev. War: Captain, (Fannett, Cumberland Co., Mil.) 1st Bat. and 8th class 6th Bat. Lieutenant - Rench & Indian War Sources: American Rev. Soldiers of Franklin Co., PA, pg 19, 20, 30, 285 Captain Thomas Askey & Descendants by Clara Jane Kline Hicks 1926 Patent: Book AA, vol. 14, p. 221 History of Centre & Clinton Co., PA by J.B. Linn p. 10, 227, 326 Daily stories of Pennsylvania by Godcharles p. 305-306 History of Hunntington & Blair Co., Pa. by Africa 1883 p. 26 Rangers of the Frontier p. 285 Annals of Buffalo Valley 1755-1855 p. 26-27 Clearfield Co., Historical Museum - M67.16 Sword & Scabbard 1790 Census Baker-Lucas Genealogy 929.2 B1781 - Pa State Library Duffield letter to John Martin Askey M.D. Samuel Baker letter 1872 Seilhamer's Genealogical Notes - Vol. 1 p. 164 (errors) Spangler Collection - Centre Co. Library, Bellefonte, PA Headstones MARRIAGE: Hist. of Dauphin Co., Pa by Luther Reiley Kelker v. 2 p. 683 1791 - Overseer of the poor, Northumberland Co., Pa. 1793 - Constable, Northumberland Co., Pa. 1799 - Supervisor of Centre Township, Northumberland Intestate: Centre Co., Pa Admin. 20 Oct 1807 - Docket #54 BURIAL: Lick Run Presbyterian Cemetery at Jacksonvill, Centre, Pa.

Note from Grace Paulsen dated Nov. 27, 1971 ..."I have had more kick out of digging up ancestors this last year. Mother's Great, great grandfather, Thomas Askey, Lieut. in French and Indian War and Capt. in Revolution and his wife Elizabeth Baker (daughter of Col. Baker) were one of the four first settlers of Howard, Pa. in 1782. (they were there ten or more years before that!) We have found the graves of all in Centre Co. back to Thomas Askey. Paul and I have been to Centre Co. three times this year!

1. ↑ From the Valleys of the Susquehanna: The Story of the First Askey in America.

   "It is believed that the name Erskine is of Scottish origin".

   From the Valleys of the Susquehanna: The Story of the First Askey in America, West Branch Publications, State College, PA, copyright 1994, by Donald E. Askey.