|
|
Rev. John Rhodes, of Peaked (Massanutten) Mountain
Facts and Events
John Rhodes was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia
__________________________
Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA
Acquisition of Land from Orange County, Virginia Records:
- Pages 403-06. 26-27 May 1741. Jacob Greuter of Orange County to John Rode of same. Lease and release; for £16 Pennsylvania money. 100 acres on the north side Sherrundo River joining to Martin Kauffman's tract at Elk Lick and Prubecker's (Proopecker, Brubecker) lower tract. (signed) Jacob Greitter. 28 May 1741. Acknowledged by Jacob Greuter to John Rhode. [Orange County Virginia Deed Book 4, Dorman, pg. 62].
Disposition of Land from Chalkley's:
- Page 33.--18th November, 1760. John Rodes, of County Frederick, to Henry Price, of Frederick County, £15, 400 acres at foot of Peaked Mountain. Delivered to grantee's son, Adam Price, 20th March, 1815. (Note: "Peaked Mountain" was later called "Massanutten Mountain".
- Page 36.--18th November, 1760. Same (John Rodes, of County Frederick) to Daniel Sinks, £10, 400 acres in Forks of Shenandore near Picked Mountain.
Records in Augusta County, VA
From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:
- Page 236.--18th May, 1762. Henry ( ) Price to Augustine Price, £30, 121 acres patented to John Roads. 15th March, 1744, and conveyed by John to Henry, between Shanando River and Peaked Mountain; cor. Daniel Sinks. Delivered to A. Price. 8th Tanuary, 1789.
- Page 240.--18th May, 1762. Henry ( ) Price to Daniel Price, £30, 112 acres, part of 400 acres patented to John Roads, 15th March, 1764, between Shanando River and Peaked Mountain. Delivered: Adam Price, the present owner, 20th March, 1815.
Account of Indian attack of Home of Rev. John Rhodes
From "History of the Valley of Virginia" by Samuel Kercheval, pub. 1833, pg.
- In the latter part of August, the same year (1766), a party of eight Indians and a worthless villain of a white man crossed Powell's Fort mountain, to the South fork of the Shenandoah, at the late residence of John Gatewood, Esq. where the Rev. John Roads, a Menonist preacher of the gospel, then lived. Mr. R., his wife, and three of his sons, were murdered. Mr. Roads was standing in his door, when he was shot and fell dead. Mrs. Roads and one of her sons were killed in the yard. One of the young men was at the distance of about 150 yards from the house, in a corn field. Hearing the report of the guns at the house, he ascended a pear tree to see what it meant, where he was discovered by an Indian and instantly killed. The third poor young lad attempted to save himself by flight, and to cross the river, but was pursued and killed in the river. The place is called the Bloody ford to this day. The enemy demanded of the youth who was killed in the yard, where his father kept his money; and was told that if he did not immediately point out the place, they would kill him; but if he would show them the money, his life should be spared. On his declaring he could not tell them, he was instantly shot and fell dead. Mr. Roads's eldest daughter Elizabeth caught up her little sister, a child about 16 or 18 months old, ran into the barn, and closed and secured the door. An Indian discovered and pursued her, and attempted to force open the door; but not succeeding, he with many oaths and threats ordered her to open it. On her refusing, the fellow ran back to the house to get fire; and while he was gone, Elizabeth crept out at a hole on the opposite side of the barn, with her little sister in her arms, ran through a field of tall hemp, crossed the river, and got safe to a neighboring house, and thus saved herself and sister. After plundering the house of such articles as they chose to take, the Indians set fire to all the buildings, and left the dead body of Mr. Roads to be consumed in the flames. They then moved off, taking with them two of the sons and two of the daughters prisoners. The youngest prisoner was a weak, sickly little boy, 8 or 9 years of age; he of course was not able to stand the fatigue of traveling; and crossing the head of Powell's fort, they killed him. His two sisters then refusing to go any farther with them were barbarously murdered and their bodies left a prey to wolves and other wild beasts. The other boy was taken off and remanied about three years in captivity before he returned home. It was generally believed at the time, that the white scoundrel who was with the Indians, induced them to commit this horrid murder in order to rob Mr. Rodes of his money; but he missed his object. Mr. Rodes kept his money and title papers in a niche in the cellar wall, the dampness and coolness of which preserved them from injury. They were all found safe.
- From "Massanutten, Settled by the Pennsylvania Pilgrim, 1724" by Harry M. Strickler, 1924:
- The Roads family, massacred by the Indians, are buried on the bank of the river." (South Fork of the Shenandoah) John Roads and his wife Eve Albright were killed in 1764; also four sons and two daughters. The oldest daughter, Elizabeth fled with her baby sister. They crossed the river to the home of friends. Elizabeth later married Jacob Gochenour.
Sources
- "A History of the Valley of Virginia", by Samuel Kercheval, 1833
- "Forerunners, a History of Genealogy of the Strickler Families", by Harry Strickler
- http://www.theharmons.us/harmon_t/b1527.htm#P38602
References
- ↑ Strickler, Harry Miller. Forerunners, a history of genealogy of the Strickler families: their kith and kin, including Kauffmans, Stovers, Burners, Ruffners, Beavers, Shavers, Brumbachs, Zirkles, Blossers, Groves, Brubakers, Neffs, Rothgebs and many other early families of Shenandoah, Rockingham, Augusta, Frederick and Page counties of the Shenandoah Valley, a memorial to those who have gone before, from about 1700 to the present time, 1924. (Harrisonburg, Va.: H. M. Strickler, c1925).
|
|
