6. John, [born] _____ ; married Rachel R. ...
... JOHN CRAIGHEAD, the youngest son of Rev. Thomas Craighead, was born in Ireland, previous to his father's removal to New England, and was married to Rachel R.
After residing for a time in Philadelphia, as a merchant, he removed to Cumberland County, Pa., in 1742, and, purchasing a large tract of land from the Shippens (who were the agents of the Penns), four miles south of Carlisle, on the Yellow Breeches Creek (the Indian name of which is Callapasscinke),* he continued to reside upon it, and improve and cultivate it until his death.
At this period the Indians were numerous and hostile. The settlers were obliged frequently to carry their rifles with them to their fields, as they turned up the virgin soil to receive the seed, or as they sought to gather the golden grain. And with all their precautions, they were oftentimes surprised while engaged in their peaceful occupations by their stealthy, treacherous foes, and murdered in cold blood; or, what was more terrible still, reserved for protracted and cruel tortures. With a wilderness around them to subdue and render productive, and savages against whose treachery and violence they had ever to be on their guard, the lives of these pioneers were filled up with stirring and exciting incidents. Hardships were abundant, but then these developed characters that qualified them for the great work which God had given them to do in this " new world."
The site of the old mansion, constructed of logs, was near where the water from the present dam enters the mill-race. A large portion of the original lands purchased by John Craighead are still in possession of his descendants ; the fifth and sixth generations occupying and cultivating them.
* Name given by the Delaware Indians to the stream ; signifying "horseshoe bends." — Heckawelder.
