X. HUGH McCORMICK, (Thomas, James,) b. about the year 1735; d. in September, 1799 in Scott county, Kentucky. William, Hugh, and Robert McCormick were among the first settlers and land-owners within the present limits of Juniata county, Pa. They, and their brother Thomas, took out warrants in 1755 for a tract of land located two miles north of Mifflintown, along the Juniata river, in Fermanagh township, and the three first-named settled thereon about that time. On several occasions they were driven out by the Indians, the last being in 1786, when they fled for refuge to Huntingdon county. They returned home in 1787, and immediately thereafter Hugh McCormick erected a large stone house on his property, which it is said was built partly with the view of using it as a fort in case of another Indian raid, the windows being made high and narrow. This house is yet standing, apparently, without a flaw or seam in its walls. The brothers are described as being very large and robust men, fond of frontier life, and in every way suited to its dangers and excitements. Hugh served in the war for Independence, and Mrs. Catharine Laird, a graddaughter, says of him: “Grandfather Hugh McCormick lived at the beginning of the Revolutionary war on the Juniata river. Grandmother said that when he came home from the war he was covered with rags. In his knapsack he had only a conch shell, which she kept until her death, and gave to our mother to be handed down as a memento of his service.” That shell is now in possession of his grandson, Col. George M. Chambers, of Jacksonville, Ill. By deed dated October 19, 1798, Hugh McCormick and Catharine, his wife, disposed of the farm in Fermanagh township, and soon thereafter removed with their family to Scott county, Kentucky. Mr. McCormick m., in 1767, CATHARINE SANDERSON, b. 1742; d. in 1810, in Scott county, Ky.; daughter of GEORGE SANDERSON,* of Middleton township, Cumberland county, Pa. They had issue:
