Nancy Wasson

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jun 17 2018, 5:01:22 UTC

comments

Given name has also been reported to be:

• Nancy Ann
• Ann Nancy

Date and place of marriage to John Wasson have also been (erroneously?) reported to be:

• 1735 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America <attestation unknown, conflicts with her Find A Grave memorial>
• May 26, 1744 at Mercerburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America <attestation unknown, conflicts with her Find A Grave memorial>

Date and place of death have also been (erroneously?) reported to be circa 1776 at Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America <unattested, conflicts with her Find A Grave memorial>.

sources

• The Means Family of America Genealogy Book. Editor: Elizabeth Cissel Foglesong. Published 1972.
• Research of Col. James Verner Wasson, US Army, Ret'd., Bel Air, Maryland
• Notes on Franklin County History, by John Finafrock, 1942, pg. 25, Kittochtinny Historical Society. *Pennsylvania Archives, 5th Series, Vol. 6, pgs, 276, 289, 297, 299, 305, 315. *Research of Walter Reed Sloan, 1930. *Pennslyvania Gazette, pg. 108, 1756. *Anthony F. C. Wallace, King of the Delawares, Teedyscung", pgs 211-12.

content to clean up

Nancy Ann MEANS was buried at Mercersburg, Franklin, PA. Name mentioned in father's will.

She is the subject of a famous story concerning being captured by the Indians after her husband was killed in 1756. She was born in 1717 at Fermagh, Tyrone, Ireland. She married John WASSON circa 1744. Nancy Ann MEANS died after 1772 at Mercersburg, Franklin, PA.

• Family 1
• Children
• Robert SLOAN+ b. 1738, d. 4 Mar 1816
• Jean SLOAN+ b. 7 Oct 1744, d. 6 Jan 1819
• Family 2
• John WASSON b. c 1715, d. 26 May 1756
• Children
• Thomas WASSON+ b. 1745, d. 1803
• Elizabeth WASSON+ b. 12 Oct 1747, d. 6 Dec 1834

  ---

From: "The MEANS FAMILY of America" edited by Elizabeth Cissel Foglesong

Nancy or Ann as she was called, married 2nd, JOHN WASSON, born ; died 26 May 1756. Following is an account of the death of John and the capture by Indians of his wife. In the spring of 1756 we find Ann Wasson living with her second husband, John Wasson, and seven children on a plantation of 450 acres in Peters Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. These were very dangerous times, as there had been many Indian uprisings, and Fort McCord had fallen with the loss of many lives. Reverend John Steele's Meeting House had been turned into a fort for the protection of the women and children of the neighborhood. John had taken his family to the fort for safety and as it was seeding time had returned to his plantation to till the fields. Ann, leaving her children at the fort, returned to assist her husband, and without any warning they were attacked by the Indians. John was killed and scalped; Ann was taken captive. In the "Pennsylvania Gazette," page 108, 1756, was the following account: "On Wednesday 26th May 1756, They (the Indians) came to the Plantation of John Wasson in Peters Township, Cumberland County, whom they killed and mangled in so horrible and cruel manner, that a regard to decency forbids describing it, and afterwards burned his house and carried off his wife. A party of Steele's and Peters men went out after the enemy, but to no purpose."

Nancy Means (Sloan, Wasson) This interesting family story was sent to William L. Anderson III, 5th great grandson of Nancy Means, in December 1997 by Paul Corbett, another Means descendant, who lives in Sharon Pennsylvania. NANCY MEANS, born about 1717, came to America with her father in 1718, probably from Ireland. She married 1st, WILLIAM SLOAN. They had the following issue: · William · John · Robert, b. 1738; d. 4 March 1816 · Jane, b. 7 October 1744 Nancy or Ann as she was called, married 2nd, JOHN WASSON, died 26 May 1756. Following is an account of the death of John and the capture by Indians of his wife. In the spring of 1756 we find Ann Wasson living with her second husband, John Wasson, and seven children on a plantation of 450 acres in Peters Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. These were very dangerous times, as there had been many Indian uprisings, and Fort McCord had fallen with the loss of many lives. Reverend John Steele’s Meeting House had been turned into a fort for the protection of the women and children of the neighborhood. John had taken his family to the fort for safety and as it was seeding time had returned to his plantation to till the fields. Ann leaving her children at the fort, returned to assist her husband, and without any warning they were attacked by Indians. John was killed and scalped; Ann was taken captive. In the “Pennsylvania Gazette,” page 108, 1756, was the following account: “On Wednesday 26th May 1756, They (the Indians) came the Plantation of John Wasson in Peters Township, Cumberland County, whom they killed and mangled in so horrible and cruel manner, that a regard to decency forbids describing it, and afterwards burned his house and carried off his wife. A party of Steele’s and Peters men went out after the enemy, but to no purpose.” John and Nancy had the following issue: · Thomas · James · Elizabeth, b. 12 October 1747; d 6 December 1834 After the Indian raid, the authorities were notified and John Potter, the Sheriff of Cumberland County, learning from the older children of an uncle, a brother to Ann, living near Newton, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, notified him as follows: Mr. Robert Means- These are to certify to you, your brother, John Wasson, last Wednesday was barbarously killed by the Indians and his wife carried captive, and as the time is so exceedingly dangerous in these parts and no relatives of the orphans here to take care of them, the children desires to go to you; and all things considered, it appears to us most advisable; and with them we send you an account of his estate as it is now situate, his crops in the ground, the young lads can tell you best. His debts appears to be near fifty pounds, and if you incline to administer, send word to come up with the young lads yourself, you being the highest relative. This 29th of May 1756. John Potter Will Maxwell Hez Alexander William Dunwoddy Moses Thomson It is not known just where Ann was kept captive, but she was held for three and one-half years. On 27 November 1759, a pass was granted to Teedyuscung, a famous Deleware Chief, at the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to conduct four white captives, two women and two boys, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to deliver them to the Governor. On 1 December 1759, they were delivered to James Hamilton, lieutenant governor of the province of Pennsylvania. The other woman was Maria Wagoner, wife of Conrad Wagoner. The young boys were nearly naked, and the lieutenant governor, in his message to the legislature, requested that they provide the necessary clothing for the boys. Ann Wasson was reunited with her children, and in 1769 she was living at Mercersburg with her family. On 22 April 1762 letters of administration were issued at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the estate of John Wasson, with Ann Wasson and William Sloan, her eldest son, as administrators. In the settlement of this estate, it was brought out that John Wasson had received all and singular the personal estate of William Sloan, the first husband of Ann. As this sum was now due to the Sloan children, William Allison, John Holiday, William Maxwell, and James Potter were asked to act as arbitrators. On 26 May 1762 they made settlement with the consent of all parties. This settlement was confirmed at an Orphan’s Court held at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania on 8 March 1763. In November 1951, while digging a ditch along the South Penn railroad on his farm, one and a half miles northwest of Williamson, Pennsylvania, Elmer C. Myers uncovered the skeleton of a man, believed to be that of John Wasson. Dr. William E. B. Hall, Chambersburg Hospital pathologist, who examined the remains immediately after they were found, reported that the man was brutally attacked with both a tomahawk and war clubs. Marks on the skull and other indications pointed to a violent death; ribs were fractured by blows to the body, and one of the skeleton’s arms was broken by twisting. The discovery of the skeleton prompted research into the life of John Wasson and it was learned that he had taken up residence on the farm in Peters Township during the period of the French and Indian Wars. The farm was located only a few miles from the Rev. John Steele’ s church at Church Hill, near the present village of Lemasters.

 Immigrant

 Immigrant

 Captive Nancy Means William's sister, Nancy, was only one year of age when John brought her to America. She first married William Sloan, having four children prior to his death. She then married John Wasson, having three children by that marriage. In the spring of 1776, they were all living in Peters Township, Cumberland County, PA. Nearby Ft. MCord had fallen to the Indians so Reverand John Steele's Meeting House had been made into a fort to protect the community. They were there when John decided to retun home to plant his crops. Later, Nancy left the seven children at the meeting house and followed to help John. They were attacked and John was killed, scalped, and mutlilated. Nancy was carried off by the Indians and held in the wilderness until December 1, 1759 when she and three others were turned over to Lt. Gov. James Hamilton by Delware Chief Teedysung. Six of her children lived with her brother, Robert, for those years. In the spring of 1756, we find Ann (Nancy) Wasson living with her second husband , John Wasson, and seven children on a plantation of 460 acres in Peters Twp, Cumberland County PA. These were very dangerous times, as there had been many Indian uprisings, and Fort McCord had fallen with the loss of many lives. Rev. John Steele's meeting House had been turned into a fort for the protection of the women and children of the neighborhood. John had taken his family to the fort for safety and as it was seeding time had returned to his plantation to till the fields. Ann, leaving her children at the fort, returned to assist her husband, and without any warning they were attacked by the Indians. John was killed and scalped. Ann was taken captive. Without warning they were attacked by the Indians. John Wason was horribly mangled and scalped. Ann Wason was taken captive. The following account is from the Pennsylvania Gazette, Page 108, 1756: On Wednesday 26th May, 1756 they (the Indians) came to the plantation of John Wason in Peters Township, Cumberland County, whom they killed and mangled in so horrid and cruel manner, that a regard to decency forbids describing it, and afterwards burned his house and carried off his wife. A part of Steele's and Peter's men when out after the enemy, but to no purpose.[The children were sent to live with an Uncle Robert Means].. Ann Wason was held captive for three and one half years. Some idea of where she spent her captivity can be gained from the following extract from a biography (King of the Delawares. Teedyscung by Anthony F.C. Wallace, pages 211 and 212). At Assinisink (in the southern part of New York) Teedyuscung--only a guest at the conference at the Munsee town--bluntly demanded the Ekoan, the Munsee chief, deliver up to him the thirteen prisoners which Ekoan admitted having. Edoan refuesed even to answer this presumptuous request and Teedyscung was obliged to collect as best he could two elderly white women and two boys, quite naked and destitute, to carry down to Brother Onas (Indian title for William Penn and the government of Pennsylvania)... At the end of November Teedyscung returned to Philadelphia with the four prisoners and six horses to prove his loyalty to the British cause. Ann Wason is identified as one of the elderly women. On December 1, 1759, Ann Wason was delivered by Teedyuscung to James Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania. The official record of this delivery is found in an original manuscript, the property of the State of Pennsylvania, in the State Library at Harrisburg, which reads: Memorandum of Ann Wasson: She was taken in the year 1756 in the beginning of May at Caghnehscheeky in Cumberland County, her husband, John Wasson, was then killed scalped. She left seven children about two miles off, and she hope [sic] they are alive some where. She is unable to support herself. She has two brothers some where in Chester of Bucks County. When she was returned to white authorities, James Hamilton stated to Teedyuscung, Brother; The sight our flesh and blood, after a dedious captivity, gives us great pleasure, and I thank you for the return of the four prisoners, and expect you will continue to do your utmost that all be retuned to us as soon as possible. (Gave a strong of wampum). (Pennsylvania Archives: Fourth Series, Vol. 3. page 6). The condition of the prisoners is described by Lieutenant Governor Hamilton as being naked and destitute in a messsage he sen tto the Assembly on December 7, 1759.... Just when and where Ann Wason was united with her children is not known, but in Pennsylvania Archives, Eighth Series, Vol. VII, page 5658: showsd the following entry in a list of of expenses of the Commissioners of the Province approved by the Provincial Assembly: November 10, (1760) Ann Wasden to take to Conegocheague -- L 5-0-0. Thus, it appears she was not reunited with her family until eleven months after her release from captivity, and that in the meantime she had been a ward of the Province. In 1769 find Ann Wason is lised as a member of the congregation of Dr. John King at Mercersburg. It is not known when she died or where she is buried. On Oct. 30, 1772, Thomas Wason, on behalf of himself, his mother, brother and sister, entered a caveat against the acceptance of a survey on Peters Twp. This is the last date on which there is any evidence of her being alive (Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Ser. Vo. 2, pg. 511 Many years later, the remains of John Wasson were found: In Nov. 1951, while digging a ditch along the South Penn railroad, a farmer uncovered the skeleton of a man believed to be that of John Wasson. The examining pathologist reported that the man was brutally attacked with both a tomahawk and war clubs. Marks on the skull and other indications pointed to a violent death; ribs were fractured by blows to the body, and one of the skeleton's arms was broken by twisting. John and Ann (Means) Wasson--Indian Attack Ann Was{s}on

<> Written by Walter Sloane for the Franklin County Scool Annual. Donated by the Mary E. Dessen Estate to the Kittochtinny Historical Society which gave permission to print.

"The story of Ann Wasson is not one of youth and romance as has been portrayed of other Indian captives, but that of suffering and privation. The story of a noble pioneer woman who was willing to risk all that this country should be developed for her children. In the spring of 1756 we find Ann Wasson living with her second husband, John Wasson, and seven children-John, William, Robert and Jane Sloan, issue with her first husband, William Sloan, and Thomas, James and Elizabeth Wasson, issue with her second husband, John Wasson- on a plantation of 450 acres in Peters Township. Cumberland (now Franklin) County. The times were exceedingly dangerous. Since Braddock's defeat the previous fall the Indians bad been terrorizing this whole section. Many settlers had lost their lives and many been captured. Rev. John Steele's meeting house had been turned into a fort, which was a place of refuge for the women and children of the neighborhood, as well as a stronghold when attacked by the Indians. On April 5, 1 756, Fort McCord, just a few miles away, had fallen with the loss of many lives. Seedtime was at hand. John Wasson was busy tilling his land On May26, 1756, Ann Wasson leaving her seven children at Fort Steele, had gone to their plantation, risking her life that she may be at the side of her husband. Without warning they were attacked by the Indians. John Wasson was horribly mangled and scalped. Ann Wasson was taken captive. We find this account in the Pennsylvania Gazelle. Page 108. 1756. "On Wednesday 26th May, I 756, they (the Indians) came to the plantation of John Wasson in Peters Township, Cumberland County, whom they killed and mangled in so horrid and cruel manner, that a regard to decency forbids describing it, and afterwards burned his house and carried off his wife. A party of Steeles and Peters men went out after the enemy, but to no purpose." The authorities were notified. John Potter, the first sheriff of Cumberland County, took charge. The question arose as to what should done with the children. The older ones--young lads, nearly grown--told of an uncle, a brother of their mothers, who live near Newton, Bucks County. It was decided that the children should go to him. A notice was written Mr. Robert Means These are to certify to you your brother John Wasson last Wednesday was barbarously killed by the Indians and his wife carried captive and as the time is so exceeding dangerous in these parts and no relatives of the orphans here to take care of them the children desires to go to you and all things considered it appears to be most advisable and with them we send you an account of his estate as it is now situate his crops in the ground the young lads Can tell you best. His debts appears to be near fifty pound and if you incline to administer send word or come up with the young lads yourself, you being the nighest relation. This 29th of May, 1756 John Potter Will Maxwell, Hez Alexander, Win. Dunwody, Moses Thomson. Just where Ann Wasson spent her captivity is hot known. She was held captivity for three and one-half years. On November 27, 1759, a pass was granted to Teedyuscung, a famous Delaware King, at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to conduct four white captives, two women and two boys, to l) Philadelphia, to deliver to the governor. Ann Wasson is identified as one of these captives: Page 692, Vol. 3, First Series, and Pennsylvania Archives: "Timothy Horsfield's Pass to Teedyuscung. 1759. Northampton, 55. L. S.) These are to request all his Majesty's liege people to suffer the bearer, King Teedyuscung & Daniel, with seven other Indians, men & women having with them four white captives. \'iz. two women & 2 boys. to pass unmolested to Philada.. their business being to deliver the said captives to his honour the Governor. Given under my hand & seal at Bethlehem on the 27th Nov., I 759. Timo. Horsfirld." In December 1, 1759, Teedynscung delivered Ann Wasson to James Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor of the province of Pennsylvania. The official record of this delivery is found in an original manuscript, the property of the State of Pennsylvania, in the State Library at Harrisburg, which reads Memorandum of Ann Wasson She was taken ill the year 1756 in the beginning of May, at Caghnehseheeky in Cumberland County her husband John Wasson was then killed and scalped. She left seven children about two miles off, and she hopes they are alive some where. She is unable to support herself. She has two brothers some where in Chester or Bucks County. Memorandum of Maria Wagoner She was taken in the year 1757 in September and her husband was then killed and scalped his name was Conrad Wagoner they lived on Scarboro in Lancaster County, she has no children. Peter Newfang, a lad of about 11 or 12 years of age was taken in the year 1756 in May on the other side of the mountains, his mother was then killed. He can't talk a word of German. His father, Balhaser Newfang, is a private soldier in Battalion of Penna. Regiment. Endorsed on the back of the above record is the following: "Names of 4 prisoners delivered by Teedyuscung to Gov. 1st Dec.1759" James Hamilton was just beginning his second term as Lieutenant Governor of the province of Pennsylvania when Teedyscung delivered these four prisoners to him in Philadelphia. In fact he had not yet made his inaugural address. On December 4, 1759, he addresses Teedyuscung: Page 6, Vol. 3, Fourth Series, Pennsylvania Archives: James Hamilton, Lieu tenant Governor, to Teedyuscung chief of the Delaware, December 4, 1759. Brother: The sight of our flesh and blood, after a tedious captivity gives us great pleasure, and I thank you for the return of the four prisoners, and expect you will continue to (10 your utmost that all be returned to us as soon as possible. (Gave a string of Wampum.) Brother: You have acted a just part in bringing the six horses that have been stolen from the poor people on the borders by some of your unthinking young men. The condition of the prisoners is described by Lieutenant Governor Hamilton as being "naked and destitute" in a message he sent to the assembly on Dec. 7, 1759 Page 12', Vol. 3; Fourth Series, Pennsylvania Archives: James Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor, to the Assembly, December 7, 1759. There are two Indian messengers in town from the Ohio, who, with Teedyuscung, to whom they were recommended to be conducted here, have been assisting in a council of Indians held at Atsintsing, an Indian town, situate on the Cayuga Branch of the Sasquehannah. Teedynscung, having delivered to me four prisoners, two elderly women and two boys, who are quite naked and destitute, I recommend it to you to enable me to make some provision for them, and likewise to send these messengers away well pleased with their reception, being of opinion with Teedyuscung, that it will be of great service, at this time, to engage the friendship of the nation to whom they belong. Isaac Norris, Speaker of the House finds that the assembly made some provision for the four prisoners in the response to the Lieutenant Governor's message, on December 8, 1759. Voles of Assembly, Vol. 5, December 8, 1759: We have recommended the other parts of your Honor's message to the commissioners who will make a suitable provision for the prisoners now delivered, and also to take care that the messengers from the Ohio shall depart well satisfied with their reception. Amongst us signed by the Order of the House December 8, 1759 Isaac Norris Speaker. Just when and where Ann Wasson was united with her children is not known. On April 22, 1762, letters of administration were issued at Carlisle on the estate of John Wasson, with Ann Wasson and William Sloan, her eldest son, as administrators in the settlement of this estate it was brought out that John Wasson "had received all and singular the personal estate of William Sloan", Ann Wasson' s first husband. As this sum was now due the Sloan children. William Allison, John Holiday, William Maxwell and James Potter asked to act as arbitrators. On May 26, 1762, they made settlement with the consent of all parties. This settlement was confirmed at an Orphan's Court held at Shippensburg on the 8th day of March 1763. In Nov. 1951, while digging a ditch along the South Penn railroad, a farmer uncovered the skeleton of a man believed to be that of John Wasson. The examining pathologist reported that the man was brutally attacked with both a tomahawk and war clubs. Marks on the skull and other indications pointed to a violent death; ribs were fractured by blows to the body, and one of the skeleton's arms was broken by twisting."

John Wasson and Some McClellands on Tax List The following is an excerpt from the USGenWeb archives: Area History: Warner-Beers' History of Franklin County, PA, 1887 -- Part II: Chapters I & II

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joyce Moore

USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commerical individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites require permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents.

           __________________________________________________

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO:

                     WARNER, BEERS & CO., 1887

Chicago:

                   JOHN MORRIS COMPANY, PRINTERS

                     118 and 120 Monroe Street.

"....It is much to be regretted that the names of these early pioneers, who struggled so heroically against the wilds of the forest and the depredations of the savages, have not been more carefully preserved. We append, however, a list of taxable names in 1751 and 1752. From it may be learned the general locations of these settlers..... TAXABLES' NAMES, 1751 and 1752 [Excerpts]

<> <>".......In ANTRIM TOWNSHIP - which embraced the territory now in ANTRIM, WASHINGTON, and QUINCY TOWNSHIPS - the taxables' names were as follows: William Allison Widow Adams Joshua Alexander Thomas Brown Jacob Batterly William Brotherton John Chambers George Cassil William Clark William Cross Joshua Coal Josh. Crunkleton, Jr. Peter Craul John Crunkleton William Dunbar Thomas Davis John Davies Henry Dutch David Duncan William Erwin Robert Erwin James Finley William Grimes Nicholas Gulp John Gyles Lorance Galocher Thomas Grogan George Gordon Abraham Gabriel Paulus Harick Robert Harkness William Hall Nath. Harkness Christian Hicks Robert Hamilton Adam Hoops James Jack James Johnston Peter Johnston Henry Kefort James Kerr David Kennedy Widow Leiper Peter Leiper Kath. Leatherman Dietric Lauw James Lilon Thomas Long William McGaw Samuel McFaran John Mitchel William McAlmory William Mearns William McLean George Martin John Monk John Moorhead John McMath William McBriar David McBriar James McBride Josh. McFaran David McClellan James McClanahan Hugh McClellan Patrick McIntire Arch. McClean Samuel Monagh William McClellan John Moor John McCoon John McDowell Alexander Miller James McKee Patrick McClarin Edward Nichols Thomas Nisbit Jacob Pisacker Thomas Patterson John Pritchet Thomas Poa Henry Pauling John Potter James Paile William Patrick James Pattro John Reynolds William Rankin William Ramsey James Ramsey John Roass Mathias Ringer Joseph Roddy John Roal Samuel Smith John Scott Robert Southerland John Smith James Scott Daniel Scott John Staret Henry Stall Jacob Snider William Shanon Jacob Snively John Stoaner Katharine Thomson Anthony Thomson Moses Thomson Joseph Walter John Willocks John Wallace.  <>

".....In PETERS TOWNSHIP - which then included the present townships of PETERS and MONTGOMERY, and that part of ST. THOMAS TOWNSHIP west of CAMPBELL's RUN - Daniel Alexander Andrew Alexander Wm. Armstrong Hezekiah Alexander, Adam Armstrong Arthur Alexander John Baird James Blair Alex. Brown, Thomas Barr Ann Black (widow) Thomas Boal Samuel Brown Wm. Barnett, Joshua Bradner John Black John Baird James Black Widow Brown, Robert Barnet David Bowel John Blair George Brown Wm. Clark Robert Clugage Wm. Campbell Michael Carsell Samuel Chapman Thomas Calhoun, Michael Campbell Robert Crawford Patrick Clark Wm. Campbell Robert Culbertson Charles Campbell Thomas Clark John Dickey James Dickey, Widow Donelson Wm. Dunwood John Docherty Samuel Davis David Davis, James Davis Widow Davis Philip Davis Joseph Dunlop Arthur Donelson David Davis Nath. Davis Josh. Davis Thomas Davis James Erwin Widow Farier John Flanaghin James Flanaghin Moses Fisher James Galbreath, John Gilmore Widow Garison Samuel Gilespie James Galaway Josh. Harris John Harris Jeremiah Harris Charles Harris Widow Huston, James Holland John Huston John Hamilton Joseph How John Holyday, Wm. Holyday Wm. Hanbey David Huston John Hill James Holiday Alex. Hotchison Mesech James Hugh Kerrell Wm. Lowrie Henry Larkan Wm. Maxwell James Mitchell John Morlan John Martin James Mercer John Mercer Wm. Marshall Wm. Moor Widow McFarland Andrew Morison John McDowell Alex. McKee Robert McClellan Wm. McDowell, Jr. Wm. McClellan John McClellan Andrew Moor Wm. McDowell James McConnell Robert McCoy Wm. McIllhatton James McMahon James Murphy Wm. Morrison James McClellan Robert Newell Victor Neely James Orr Thomas Orbison Thomas Owins Nathan Orr Matthew Patton John Patton, Francis Patterson David Rees James Rankin Alex. Robertson Wm. Semple James Sloan Richard Stevens Andrew Simpson Wm. Shannon Hugh Shannon Widow Scott Alex. Staret Collin Spence John Taylor James Wright Wm. Wilson John Wilson John Winton James Wilkey James Wilson Matthew Wallace Moses White John Wasson Joseph Williams, John Wood Joseph White Thomas Waddle. Nancy Ann Means - Notes from Geneocity [The following notes are from a Geneocity page compiled by Rick Jackson at http://www.geneocity.com/sarah2-o/p12.ht]

Nancy Ann Means "Nancy Ann Means F, b. 1717, d. between 1769 and 1776 Nancy Ann Means|b. 1717\nd. bt 1769 - 1776|p12.htm#i485|John Means|b. c 1678\nd. 29 Jan 1738/39|p12.htm#i494|Elizabeth McCord|d. 1717|p13.htm#i495|Joseph Means|b. 1653|p13.htm#i499|||||||||| Nancy Ann Means Birth: 1717 in Fermanagh, Tyrone, Ireland Death: 1776 in Mercerburg, Franklin, Pennsylvania Note: Notes for Ann Means: [Allman.ged] Ann had a least two brothers living in Chesterfield, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. She was taken captive at the time of her husband's murder and was held for 3 and 1/2 years. She was returned from captivity on December 1, 1759. A brother cared for the children, (this would be Robert). The children from her first marriage relocated to Lincoln Co. North Carolina. Ann apparently made it back to her family area and lived until 1769. Ann was born in County Tyrone, Ireland in 1717 to John Means and his first wife, a McCord, first name unknown. Ann's mother may have died in childbirth to Ann in Ireland or died at sea on the family's journey to Boston, Massachusetts in the summer of 1718. (It is difficult to imagine a father of five children, one an infant, making the journey across the Atlantic without the mother or a female companion in the early 18th century.) John and his family left Londonderry in the summer of 1718 and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on October 14, 1718. John remained in Boston through the winter at least. In 1720 we find the Means family in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. John Means married a second time in 1723 in Bucks Co. to Mary Spencer Kelley, the widow of Moses Kelley. Moses Kelley had died at sea on his journey to America. Ann married first, William Sloan in Bucks Co. and had four children before William's death. Ann's second marriage was to John Wasson, a Scots immigrant, who had settled in Peters Twp., Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania. The first documentation of John Wasson in America is in 1715 in Peters Twp. Cumberland Co. There are recorded accounts of John Wasson's gruesome murder and his wife's kidnap by a raiding party of Delaware. On May 26, 1756, John and Ann left the nearby fort to work their fields and plant for the spring. The children were left behind for safety at Fort Steele. There had been constant uprisings and raids throughout Pennsylvania since Braddock's defeat. John was attacked in his field, scalped, beaten, and mutilated; Ann was carried off in captivity. A couple of parties of men from the local militia pursued the raiders, but lost the trail quickly. John was buried on his farm. His skeleton was discovered years later by a farmer digging a ditch along the South Penn railroad in November of 1951. Ann was to spend three and half years in captivity. Her 4 children by William Sloan, and her three children by John Wasson were taken to her brother, Robert Means in Newton, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. A letter was sent from authorities in Cumberland Co. to Robert on May 29, 1756. Robert, who had married Nancy Kelley, daughter of his father's second wife, raised and cared for the children. In Walter Sloan's work on Ann Means, we find a note on her return that indicates she was probably at Conococheague. From Anthony Wallace's "King of the Delawares, Teedyscung," we find that Ann may have been held near Assinisink, in the southern part of New York, by Ekoan, a Munsee chief. In the fall of 1759, Teedyscung demanded from Ekoan the release of thirteen pioneer prisoners, but only received two women and two children. To prove his loyalty to William Penn, Teedyschung returned the four prisoners to Philadelphia in late November of 1759. On December 1, 1759, Teedyscung presented Ann Means Wasson, now age 42 and described as quite naked and destitute, to James Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania. It appears that Ann remained a ward of the Province of Pennsylvania for almost the first year of her freedom. She was apparently not reunited with her family until late 1760. On April 22, 1762, she and her son, William Sloan were appointed administrators of John Wasson's estate. In 1769 we find Ann a member of the congregation of Dr. John King's Presbyterian Church in Mercersburg. The last known evidence of Ann's tragic and dynamic life is on October 30, 1772 when her son Thomas enters a caveat on a survey of the Wasson family farm on behalf of himself, his mother, his brother and sister. It is presumed she is buried in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. Sources: *Research of Col. James Verner Wasson, US Army, Ret'd., Bel Air, Maryland *Notes on Franklin County History, by John Finafrock, 1942, pg. 25, Kittochtinny Historical Society. *Pennsylvania Archives, 5th Series, Vol. 6, pgs, 276, 289, 297, 299, 305, 315. *Research of Walter Reed Sloan, 1930. *Pennslyvania Gazette, pg. 108, 1756. *Anthony F. C. Wallace, King of the Delawares, Teedyscung", pgs 211-12. *************************************************  Account of Indian Capture: Nancy Means (Sloan, Wasson) This interesting family story was sent to William L. Anderson III, 5th great grandson of Nancy Means, in December 1997 by Paul Corbett, another Means descendant, who lives in Sharon Pennsylvania. NANCY MEANS, born about 1717, came to America with her father in 1718, probably from Ireland. She married 1st, WILLIAM SLOAN. They had the following issue: William, (lived in Kittaning, Pennsylvania John Robert, b. 1738; d. 4 March 1816 Jane, b. 7 October 1744 [Great-Great-Great Grandmother of William McGuire Plonk] Nancy or Ann as she was called, married 2nd, JOHN WASSON, died 26 May 1756. Following is an account of the death of John and the capture by Indians of his wife. In the spring of 1756 we find Ann Wasson living with her second husband, John Wasson, and seven children on a plantation of 450 acres in Peters Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. These were very dangerous times, as there had been many Indian uprisings, and Fort McCord had fallen with the loss of many lives. Reverend John Steele’s Meeting House had been turned into a fort for the protection of the women and children of the neighborhood. John had taken his family to the fort for safety and as it was seeding time had returned to his plantation to till the fields. Ann leaving her children at the fort, returned to assist her husband, and without any warning they were attacked by Indians. John was killed and scalped; Ann was taken captive. In the "Pennsylvania Gazette," page 108, 1756, was the following account: "On Wednesday 26th May 1756, They (the Indians) came the Plantation of John Wasson in Peters Township, Cumberland County, whom they killed and mangled in so horrible and cruel manner, that a regard to decency forbids describing it, and afterwards burned his house and carried off his wife. A party of Steele’s and Peters men went out after the enemy, but to no purpose." John and Nancy had the following issue: Thomas James Elizabeth, b. 12 October 1747; d 6 December 1834 After the Indian raid, the authorities were notified and John Potter, the Sheriff of Cumberland County, learning from the older children of an uncle, a brother to Ann, living near Newton, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, notified him as follows: Mr. Robert Means- These are to certify to you, your brother, John Wasson, last Wednesday was barbarously killed by the Indians and his wife carried captive, and as the time is so exceedingly dangerous in these parts and no relatives of the orphans here to take care of them, the children desires to go to you; and all things considered, it appears to us most advisable; and with them we send you an account of his estate as it is now situate, his crops in the ground, the young lads can tell you best. His debts appears to be near fifty pounds, and if you incline to administer, send word to come up with the young lads yourself, you being the highest relative. This 29th of May 1756. John Potter Will Maxwell Hez Alexander William Dunwoddy Moses Thomson It is not known just where Ann was kept captive, but she was held for three and one-half years. On 27 November 1759, a pass was granted to Teedyuscung, a famous Deleware Chief, at the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to conduct four white captives, two women and two boys, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to deliver them to the Governor. On 1 December 1759, they were delivered to James Hamilton, lieutenant governor of the province of Pennsylvania. The other woman was Maria Wagoner, wife of Conrad Wagoner. The young boys were nearly naked, and the lieutenant governor, in his message to the legislature, requested that they provide the necessary clothing for the boys. Ann Wasson was reunited with her children, and in 1769 she was living at Mercersburg with her family. On 22 April 1762 letters of administration were issued at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the estate of John Wasson, with Ann Wasson and William Sloan, her eldest son, as administrators. In the settlement of this estate, it was brought out that John Wasson had received all and singular the personal estate of William Sloan, the first husband of Ann. As this sum was now due to the Sloan children, William Allison, John Holiday, William Maxwell, and James Potter were asked to act as arbitrators. On 26 May 1762 they made settlement with the consent of all parties. This settlement was confirmed at an Orphan’s Court held at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania on 8 March 1763. In November 1951, while digging a ditch along the South Penn railroad on his farm, one and a half miles northwest of Williamson, Pennsylvania, Elmer C. Myers uncovered the skeleton of a man, believed to be that of John Wasson. Dr. William E. B. Hall, Chambersburg Hospital pathologist, who examined the remains immediately after they were found, reported that the man was brutally attacked with both a tomahawk and war clubs. Marks on the skull and other indications pointed to a violent death; ribs were fractured by blows to the body, and one of the skeleton’s arms was broken by twisting. The discovery of the skeleton prompted research into the life of John Wasson and it was learned that he had taken up residence on the farm in Peters Township during the period of the French and Indian Wars. The farm was located only a few miles from the Rev. John Steele’ s church at Church Hill, near the present village of Lemasters, Source: http://www.elesoft.com/band/tree/doc/nancymeans.htm Sources: Sources: 1. "Sloan-Trout Family" by Walter Reed Sloan [father, spouse, Sloan children] 2. LDS: International Genealogial Index [Nancy Ann Means, dpob, 2nd spouse, dpod] 3. Biographical Sketch from the History of Westmoreland Co. Pa by Geo D. Albert page 609 [Captive story] 4. Mayhan, Laura, Email Correspondance, Jun 2000, [parents, dpom, spouse, 4 Wasson children]. She was born in 1717 at Fermanaugh, Tyrone, Ireland. She was the daughter of John Means and Elizabeth McCord. Nancy Ann Means married William Sloan, son of George? Sloan, circa 1735 at Bucks, PA?. As of circa 1735,her married name was Sloan. Nancy Ann Means married John Wasson (?) on 26 May 1744 at Bucks, PA. Nancy Ann Means was on 26 May 1756 at John Wasson Killed by Indians, Ann taken captive, Peters Twp, Cumberland, PA. She was on 1 December 1759 at Returned from captivity by Teedyuscung, Philadelphia, PA. She died between 1769 and 1776 at Mercerburg, Franklin, PA.

Children of Nancy Ann Means and William Sloan:

• John Sloan+ b. c 1734, d. 23 Jul 1835 * William Sloan+ b. c 1736, d. c 1804
• Robert Sloan+ b. 1738, d. 4 Mar 18161
• Robert Sloan+ b. 1738, d. 4 Mar 1816
• Jane (Jean?) Sloan b. 7 Oct 1744

Children of Nancy Ann Means and John Wasson: ) * John Wasson b. c 1745

• Thomas Wasson b. 1744/45
• Robert Means Wasson b. c 1746
• James Wasson b. 1746?
• Elizabeth Wasson b. c 1747 Citations 1. [S210] Sloan Connection, online http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi Notes on John Means and Ann Means Wasson The Means Family History Traced from Scotland to Ireland to America Last updated 3/22/2003 With thanks to Mary Downing and my mother, Irene Basey (who compiled records left behind by my grandmother, Bertha Mae Means). Additional records were added from a memoir that my father wrote before his death. Although we have no names and dates, our family history should begin in Scotland, where we were a sept of the Menzies clan. In the early 1600s, England divided Ulster into plantations with the result that about 200,000 Scots moved to Northern Ireland. There are no written records to show our family's emigration from Scotland to Ireland, but one can check the web pages at Ulster and The Ulster Scots to read overviews of why our ancestors probably left their homes in Scotland to settle in northern Ireland. As our ancestors came from Ulster, in an area which had been settled by the Scots as part of the organized settlement scheme of 1605-1697, it is a fairly safe assumption that they were part of the Ulster Plantation. The intent was to replace the disloyal Irishmen of the area (who were judged guilty of committing treason and thus subject to confiscation of their land) with loyal British (and Protestant) subjects. Scotland allegedly saw this as a means of ridding themselves of hordes of poverty-stricken lowlanders who had turned to thievery as an occupation. After 1630, Scottish migration to Ireland waned for a decade and some of the Scots returned home. In October 1641, the Irish rose in armed rebellion against their Scottish neighbors. The survivors rushed to the seaports and many went back to Scotland. In the summer of 1642, Ten thousand Scottish soldiers arrived to quell the Irish rebellion and many of those soldiers stayed on in Ireland, replacing those who had departed, thus expanding the Ulster gene pool to encompass families from all over Scotland. The Muster Rolls and Estate Maps of the eight Plantation Counties of Ulster for the period 1607 - 1633, which was the initial phase of the plantation scheme, show Two Means and one Meens living in Tyrone. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that our ancestors were among the first Scots to settle in the area. The records also show two families of Means and one family of Meens listed as living in Fermanagh, Ulster, Ireland during the Plantation Era, and thus is may be assumed that our ancestors moved from Scotland to Ireland during that era.

It is not difficult to see why our ancestors chose to emigrate to America. A look at history shows our ancestors survived the Williamite Wars, which occurred because James, the successor to Charles, declared himself a Catholic with intentions to raise his son as a Catholic. James' daughter, Mary, was a Prostetant and married to William of Orange. Thus, we had the Jacobites against the Williamites and the fighting waged for quite some time. The Ulster Scots began leaving for America in increasingly large numbers during the Williamite Wars and in 1718, the emigation began in ernest as eleven Presbyterian ministers and about 300 members petitioned the governor of New England, Samuel Shute, for a grant of land. As most of this group went to Maine and settled in New Hampshire and Maine and our ancestors settled elsewhere, it is reasonable to believe that they were not among this large group of emigrants. The religious wars in Ireland have been waged for hundreds of years, but our ancestors left after a single century. John, Hugh and Samuel left Ireland for the three counties William Penn established in 1662. They departed Ireland at Londenderry and landed in Boston Massachuttes on October 14, 1718, remaining there until Spring, when they moved to Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. Approximately 300 Scots arrived about the same time and thus there was insufficient housing for the new arrivals. Some had to stay on the boats over the winter and the majority of the Scots who migrated settled in Maine and New Hamsphere. Our relatives choice of a different location is a little odd in light of this and I note that there are records of many Means in the Massachuttes area, so apparently there were other family members who stayed behind. JOHN John Means was a widower with three known children, his first wife's last name was McCord and she was born 1678 in Tyrone. According to Means in America, copyright 1972 by Elizabeth Cissel Foglesong, John left Ireland from Londenberry, arriving in Boston, Massachuttes on October 14, 1718, remained there through the winter, and then John and his children moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania about 1720. They remained there until his death in 1739 and he is buried in the Deep Run Presybterian Churchyard in Bucks County. John's first wife's name is unknown, but they had the following children: William Robert d. 1779 Nancy, b. ca 1717 John married his second wife, Mary Kelley, in 1723. Mary came from Ireland with seven children and settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Quoting from The Means Family in America, edited by Elizabeth Ciseel Foglesong, Copyright 1972: Mary's son, Matthew Kelley, was a weaver who sold his Bucks County, Pennsylvania property 6 May 1772. The deed was witnessed by Robert Means, his brother-in-law. Matthew, with his brother George, took a warranty for 156 acres of land at the southern end of Dry Valley, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania around 1773 and patented it 1 October 1776. George transferred his interest in the property back to Matthew 1 Apr 1784 and moved back to Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Mathew married and had three children: John, Nancy, and Moses (born 1768, d 1853). Nancy married a Frampton. Moses married and had 7 children: John, Matthew, Elizabeth, b. 1809, who married Harry McCauley, and 4 unnamed daughters. He served in the Cumberland Milita, 5th Battalion, during the Revolutionary War, 1777-1779. He also held the office of Overseer of the poor and superintendant of roads in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. Matthew served in the Wills Creek Settlement Company s a First Lieutenant, serving under Captain Samuel Paxton in Bedrford County, Pennsylvaia, 19 May 1778. He received a certificate of Public Debt for 13 pounds, 12 shillins 1 April 1784 for service in he Beford County Militia. Of her other children, the following is known: George Kelly lived in Derry Township and owned property with his brother, Matthew. He returned to Bucks County, PA about 1790. George was listed as a trustee of a school house in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, PA on or about 30 December 1763. He married and had a son named Phineas. John Kelly lived in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. He enrolled in the 8th Battalion Cumberland Militia 1780-1782. He married Margaret Armour and they had a son, John. Joseph Kelly Nancy Kelly ws born 1721 and married Robert Means Abraham Kelly lived in Derry Township, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania and enrolled in the 8th Battalion of the Cumberland Militia 1780-1782. William Kelly lived in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania and was enrolled in the 5th Battalion of the Cumberland Militia 1777-1779.

John and Mary Kelley Means had three children together: Alexander Sarah Elizabeth

Most of the descendants moved from Bucks County, Pennsylvania to Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. John Means left the following Last Will and Testament, quoted from The Means Family of America edited by Elizabeth Cissel Foglesong, copyright 1972, printed in the United States of America. The Last Will and Testament of John Means In the name of God, Amen, I, John Means, of the Township of Buckingham and county of Bucks and Province of Pennsylvania, being weak of body but sound in mind and memory prayed to God therefore do make this my last Will and Testament as follows: IMPRIMIS. I give to my son William Means all my waring aparril. Item. I give to my son Robert that part of the land I now hold which was bought by David Law, his paying the demand of David Law. Item. I give to my son Alexander the two hefers. Item. I give to my daughter Sara 1 sow pig. Item. I give to my daughter Ann (Nancy) the benefit of amount of thirty shilling owe from Alexander Rudy. Item. I give to my daughter Elizabeth, 1 sow pig. I desire my neighbors, Robert Smith and Richard Norton to assist my wife by way of advise in such things as her business may require. In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of January, One thousand seven hundred and thirty nine. Sealed and delivered by the above john Means for his Last Will and Testament. Witnesses - Richard Norton, James Temple, Robert Smith Mary Kelley Means administered on the Estate, date of her bond, 18 March 1739, 40 pounds security.

WILLIAM: To quote from the Means Family in America, edited by Elizabeth Cissel Foglesong, copyright 1972 by Elizabeth Cissel Foglesong, printed in the United States of America: William Means, born probably in Ireland; died probably in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He had already arrived at man's estate (21) when he arrived in America with his fther in 1718. As was mentioned in the account of George Means he was a man of remarkable stature and strength. he married but his wife's name is not known. They settled after their marriage at Quitapanilla Creek, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and had the following known issue: John Robert Sally Isaac Not much is know of most of William's children. His son, John, as a very old man, was living in western PA in 1813. he had three known children, a son, Robert, and two daughters. Robert, John's brother, was probably born in Ireland. His birthdate is not known. He married his step-sister, Nancy Kelly, on September 16, 1742, at the First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA. She was 21 years of age. They lived in Bucks County until 1770 when they, with their family and other brothers and sisters, moved to Mifflin County, PA. At an area known as Perguson's Run of the Juniata Valley, and bought land and built cabins for their large family of 10 children. During his sister Nancy's captivity, he also cared for 6 of her children for three years. He lived there until his death in 1779. all four of his sons served in the Revolutinary War, three as Army officers, and one as a Navy Ensign. William's sister, Nancy, was only one year of age when John brought her to America. She first married William Sloan, having four children prior to his death. She then married John Wasson, having three children by that marriage. In the spring of 1776, they were all living in Peters Township, Cumberland County, PA. Nearby Ft. MCord had fallen to the Indians so Reverand John Steele's Meeting House had been made into a fort to protect the community. They were there when John decided to retun home to plant his crops. Later, Nancy left the seven children at the meeting house and followed to help John. They were attacked and John was killed, scalped, and mutlilated. Nancy was carried off by the Indians and held in the wilderness until December 1, 1759 when she and three others were turned over to Lt. Gov. James Hamilton by Delware Chief Teedysung. Six of her children lived with her brother, Robert, for those years. In the spring of 1756, we find Ann (Nancy) Wasson living with her second husband , John Wasson, and seven children on a plantation of 460 acres in Peters Twp, Cumberland County PA. These were very dangerous times, as there had been many Indian uprisings, and Fort McCord had fallen with the loss of many lives. Rev. John Steele's meeting House had been turned into a fort for the protection of the women and children of the neighborhood. John had taken his family to the fort for safety and as it was seeding time had returned to his plantation to till the fields. Ann, leaving her children at the fort, returned to assist her husband, and without any warning they were attacked by the Indians. John was killed and scalped. Ann was taken captive. Without warning they were attacked by the Indians. John Wason was horribly mangled and scalped. Ann Wason was taken captive. The following account is from the Pennsylvania Gazette, Page 108, 1756: On Wednesday 26th May, 1756 they (the Indians) came to the plantation of John Wason in Peters Township, Cumberland County, whom they killed and mangled in so horrid and cruel manner, that a regard to decency forbids describing it, and afterwards burned his house and carried off his wife. A part of Steele's and Peter's men when out after the enemy, but to no purpose.[The children were sent to live with an Uncle Robert Means].. Ann Wason was held captive for three and one half years. Some idea of where she spent her captivity can be gained from the following extract from a biography (King of the Delawares. Teedyscung by Anthony F.C. Wallace, pages 211 and 212). At Assinisink (in the southern part of New York) Teedyuscung--only a guest at the conference at the Munsee town--bluntly demanded the Ekoan, the Munsee chief, deliver up to him the thirteen prisoners which Ekoan admitted having. Edoan refuesed even to answer this presumptuous request and Teedyscung was obliged to collect as best he could two elderly white women and two boys, quite naked and destitute, to carry down to Brother Onas (Indian title for William Penn and the government of Pennsylvania)... At the end of November Teedyscung returned to Philadelphia with the four prisoners and six horses to prove his loyalty to the British cause. Ann Wason is identified as one of the elderly women. On December 1, 1759, Ann Wason was delivered by Teedyuscung to James Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania. The official record of this delivery is found in an original manuscript, the property of the State of Pennsylvania, in the State Library at Harrisburg, which reads: Memorandum of Ann Wasson: She was taken in the year 1756 in the beginning of May at Caghnehscheeky in Cumberland County, her husband, John Wasson, was then killed scalped. She left seven children about two miles off, and she hope [sic] they are alive some where. She is unable to support herself. She has two brothers some where in Chester of Bucks County. When she was returned to white authorities, James Hamilton stated to Teedyuscung, Brother; The sight our flesh and blood, after a dedious captivity, gives us great pleasure, and I thank you for the return of the four prisoners, and expect you will continue to do your utmost that all be retuned to us as soon as possible. (Gave a strong of wampum). (Pennsylvania Archives: Fourth Series, Vol. 3. page 6). The condition of the prisoners is described by Lieutenant Governor Hamilton as being naked and destitute in a messsage he sen tto the Assembly on December 7, 1759.... Just when and where Ann Wason was united with her children is not known, but in Pennsylvania Archives, Eighth Series, Vol. VII, page 5658: showsd the following entry in a list of of expenses of the Commissioners of the Province approved by the Provincial Assembly: November 10, (1760) Ann Wasden to take to Conegocheague -- L 5-0-0. Thus, it appears she was not reunited with her family until eleven months after her release from captivity, and that in the meantime she had been a ward of the Province. In 1769 find Ann Wason is lised as a member of the congregation of Dr. John King at Mercersburg. It is not known when she died or where she is buried. On Oct. 30, 1772, Thomas Wason, on behalf of himself, his mother, brother and sister, entered a caveat against the acceptance of a survey on Peters Twp. This is the last date on which there is any evidence of her being alive (Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Ser. Vo. 2, pg. 511 Many years later, the remains of John Wasson were found: In Nov. 1951, while digging a ditch along the South Penn railroad, a farmer uncovered the skeleton of a man believed to be that of John Wasson. The examining pathologist reported that the man was brutally attacked with both a tomahawk and war clubs. Marks on the skull and other indications pointed to a violent death; ribs were fractured by blows to the body, and one of the skeleton's arms was broken by twisting.

Robert Means Robert Means Sr. settled in Derry Township about 1770. He was a son of John Means, who died in Buckingham Township, Buck s County, in 1739. John had six children: William (went to S. C.), Robert (see below), Alexander, Sara, Ann, Elizabeth. Ann Means married first William Sloan, second John Wasson. May 26, 1756, Ann was captured by the Indians and her second husband killed. She was released December 1, 1759. Robert Means Sr. married about 1743, Nancy Kelley of Bucks County. Her brother, Matthew Kelley settled about 1772 in Dry Valley. Robert Sr. died in Derry Township in the Spring of 1779. He had 10 children: 1. John Means, born 1744, lieutenant in Revolution. 2. Margaret Means, born 1748. 3. Robert Means Jr., born November 2. 1750, captain Revolution, died in Derry Township July 15, 1837; married May 13, 1791, Hannah McKee. Issue: George, Margaret (Corbet), William, Andrew, Robert Anderson, Nancy (McClure), Mary Ann, Eliza (Rothrock), Hannah (McFarlane). 4. James Means, born May 2, 1753, died July 3, 1828, at Seneca, New York, ensign in Revolution. 5. Jean Means, born 1755. 6. Joseph Means, born 1760, died young. 7. Mary Means, born 1763. 8. George Means, born 1764, private in Revolution. 9. Nancy Means, born 1766. 10. William Means, born 1769, died young. http://www.genealogytrails.com/penn/mifflin/history.html

Notes for Ann Means: [Allman.ged] Ann had a least two brothers living in Chesterfield, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. She was taken captive at the time of her husband's murder and was held for 3 and 1/2 years. She was returned from captivity on December 1, 1759. A brother cared for the children, (this would be Robert). The children from her first marriage relocated to Lincoln Co. North Carolina. Ann apparently made it back to her family area and lived until 1769.

Ann was born in County Tyrone, Ireland in 1717 to John Means and his first wife, a McCord, first name unknown. Ann's mother may have died in childbirth to Ann in Ireland or died at sea on the family's journey to Boston, Massachusetts in the summer of 1718. (It is difficult to imagine a father of five children, one an infant, making the journey across the Atlantic without the mother or a female companion in the early 18th century.) John and his family left Londonderry in the summer of 1718 and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on October 14, 1718. John remained in Boston through the winter at least.

In 1720 we find the Means family in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. John Means married a second time in 1723 in Bucks Co. to Mary Spencer Kelley, the widow of Moses Kelley. Moses Kelley had died at sea on his journey to America.

Ann married first, William Sloan in Bucks Co. and had four children before William's death. Ann's second marriage was to John Wasson, a Scots immigrant, who had settled in Peters Twp., Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania. The first documentation of John Wasson in America is in 1715 in Peters Twp. Cumberland Co. There are recorded accounts of John Wasson's gruesome murder and his wife's kidnap by a raiding party of Delaware. On May 26, 1756, John and Ann left the nearby fort to work their fields and plant for the spring. The children were left behind for safety at Fort Steele. There had been constant uprisings and raids throughout Pennsylvania since Braddock's defeat. John was attacked in his field, scalped, beaten, and mutilated; Ann was carried off in captivity. A couple of parties of men from the local militia pursued the raiders, but lost the trail quickly. John was buried on his farm. His skeleton was discovered years later by a farmer digging a ditch along the South Penn railroad in November of 1951. Ann was to spend three and half years in captivity. Her 4 children by William Sloan, and her three children by John Wasson were taken to her brother, Robert Means in Newton, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania.

A letter was sent from authorities in Cumberland Co. to Robert on May 29, 1756. Robert, who had married Nancy Kelley, daughter of his father's second wife, raised and cared for the children. In Walter Sloan's work on Ann Means, we find a note on her return that indicates she was probably at Conococheague. From Anthony Wallace's "King of the Delawares, Teedyscung," we find that Ann may have been held near Assinisink, in the southern part of New York, by Ekoan, a Munsee chief. In the fall of 1759, Teedyscung demanded from Ekoan the release of thirteen pioneer prisoners, but only received two women and two children. To prove his loyalty to William Penn, Teedyschung returned the four prisoners to Philadelphia in late November of 1759. On December 1, 1759, Teedyscung presented Ann Means Wasson, now age 42 and described as quite naked and destitute, to James Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania. It appears that Ann remained a ward of the Province of Pennsylvania for almost the first year of her freedom. She was apparently not reunited with her family until late 1760. On April 22, 1762, she and her son, William Sloan were appointed administrators of John Wasson's estate. In 1769 we find Ann a member of the congregation of Dr. John King's Presbyterian Church in Mercersburg. The last known evidence of Ann's tragic and dynamic life is on October 30, 1772 when her son Thomas enters a caveat on a survey of the Wasson family farm on behalf of himself, his mother, his brother and sister. It is presumed she is buried in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.

Sources: *Research of Col. James Verner Wasson, US Army, Ret'd., Bel Air, Maryland *Notes on Franklin County History, by John Finafrock, 1942, pg. 25, Kittochtinny Historical Society. *Pennsylvania Archives, 5th Series, Vol. 6, pgs, 276, 289, 297, 299, 305, 315. *Research of Walter Reed Sloan, 1930. *Pennslyvania Gazette, pg. 108, 1756. *Anthony F. C. Wallace, King of the Delawares, Teedyscung", pgs 211-12.

Notes for Ann Means: [Allman.ged] Ann had a least two brothers living in Chesterfield, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. She was taken captive at the time of her husband's murder and was held for 3 and 1/2 years. She was returned from captivity on December 1, 1759. A brother cared for the children, (this would be Robert). The children from her first marriage relocated to Lincoln Co. North Carolina. Ann apparently made it back to her family area and lived until 1769.

Ann was born in County Tyrone, Ireland in 1717 to John Means and his first wife, a McCord, first name unknown. Ann's mother may have died in childbirth to Ann in Ireland or died at sea on the family's journey to Boston, Massachusetts in the summer of 1718. (It is difficult to imagine a father of five children, one an infant, making the journey across the Atlantic without the mother or a female companion in the early 18th century.) John and his family left Londonderry in the summer of 1718 and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on October 14, 1718. John remained in Boston through the winter at least.

In 1720 we find the Means family in Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. John Means married a second time in 1723 in Bucks Co. to Mary Spencer Kelley, the widow of Moses Kelley. Moses Kelley had died at sea on his journey to America.

Ann married first, William Sloan in Bucks Co. and had four children before William's death. Ann's second marriage was to John Wasson, a Scots immigrant, who had settled in Peters Twp., Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania. The first documentation of John Wasson in America is in 1715 in Peters Twp. Cumberland Co. There are recorded accounts of John Wasson's gruesome murder and his wife's kidnap by a raiding party of Delaware. On May 26, 1756, John and Ann left the nearby fort to work their fields and plant for the spring. The children were left behind for safety at Fort Steele. There had been constant uprisings and raids throughout Pennsylvania since Braddock's defeat. John was attacked in his field, scalped, beaten, and mutilated; Ann was carried off in captivity. A couple of parties of men from the local militia pursued the raiders, but lost the trail quickly. John was buried on his farm. His skeleton was discovered years later by a farmer digging a ditch along the South Penn railroad in November of 1951. Ann was to spend three and half years in captivity. Her 4 children by William Sloan, and her three children by John Wasson were taken to her brother, Robert Means in Newton, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania.

A letter was sent from authorities in Cumberland Co. to Robert on May 29, 1756. Robert, who had married Nancy Kelley, daughter of his father's second wife, raised and cared for the children. In Walter Sloan's work on Ann Means, we find a note on her return that indicates she was probably at Conococheague. From Anthony Wallace's "King of the Delawares, Teedyscung," we find that Ann may have been held near Assinisink, in the southern part of New York, by Ekoan, a Munsee chief. In the fall of 1759, Teedyscung demanded from Ekoan the release of thirteen pioneer prisoners, but only received two women and two children. To prove his loyalty to William Penn, Teedyschung returned the four prisoners to Philadelphia in late November of 1759. On December 1, 1759, Teedyscung presented Ann Means Wasson, now age 42 and described as quite naked and destitute, to James Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania. It appears that Ann remained a ward of the Province of Pennsylvania for almost the first year of her freedom. She was apparently not reunited with her family until late 1760. On April 22, 1762, she and her son, William Sloan were appointed administrators of John Wasson's estate. In 1769 we find Ann a member of the congregation of Dr. John King's Presbyterian Church in Mercersburg. The last known evidence of Ann's tragic and dynamic life is on October 30, 1772 when her son Thomas enters a caveat on a survey of the Wasson family farm on behalf of himself, his mother, his brother and sister. It is presumed she is buried in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.

Sources: *Research of Col. James Verner Wasson, US Army, Ret'd., Bel Air, Maryland *Notes on Franklin County History, by John Finafrock, 1942, pg. 25, Kittochtinny Historical Society. *Pennsylvania Archives, 5th Series, Vol. 6, pgs, 276, 289, 297, 299, 305, 315. *Research of Walter Reed Sloan, 1930. *Pennslyvania Gazette, pg. 108, 1756. *Anthony F. C. Wallace, King of the Delawares, Teedyscung", pgs 211-12.

Burial: Church Hill Graveyard Mercersburg Franklin County Pennsylvania, USA

Nancy Ann Means was born in County Tyrone, Ireland in 1717 to John Means and his first wife, McCord (first name unknown). Nancy’s (or Ann as she was called) mother may have died in childbirth to Ann in Ireland or died at sea on the family's journey to Boston, Massachusetts in the summer of 1718. (It is highly unlikely a father of five children, one an infant, would make the journey across the Atlantic without the mother or a female companion in the early 18th century.) John and his family left Londonderry in the summer of 1718 and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts on October 14, 1718. John remained in Boston through, at least, the winter.

In 1720, the Means family is found in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. John Means married a second time in 1723 in Bucks Co. to Mary Spencer Kelley, the widow of Moses Kelley. Moses Kelley had died at sea on his journey to America. Ann had at least two brothers living in Chesterfield, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

She married, William Sloan in Buck’s County and had the following children, before William’s death:

1) William Sloan, lived in Kittanning, Pennsylvania 2) John Sloan 3) Robert Sloan, b. 1738; d. 4 Mar 1816 4) Jane Sloan, b. 7 Oct 1744

Ann’s second marriage was to John Wasson, a Scots immigrant, who had settled in Peters Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The first documentation of John in America is in 1715 in Peters Township, Cumberland Co., Pa.

John and Nancy had the following issue: 1) Thomas Wasson 2) James Wasson 3) Elizabeth Wasson, b 12 Oct 1747; d 6 Dec 1834

Living in Peters Township, Cumberland County, in the spring of 1756, were Ann, John Wasson, and 7 children on a plantation of 450 acres.

There are several recorded accounts of the gruesome murder of John Wasson and the capture of his wife, Ann, by a raiding party of Delaware Indians.

There were very dangerous times, as there had been many Indian uprisings, and Fort McCord had fallen with the loss of many lives. Reverend John Steel's Meeting House had been turned into a fort for the protection of the women and children of the neighborhood. John had taken his family to the fort for safety and as it was seeding time had returned to his plantation to till the fields. Ann, leaving her children at the fort, returned to assist her husband, and without any warning, they were attacked by Indians. John was killed and scalped; Ann was taken captive.

In the "Pennsylvania Gazette", page 108, 1756, was the following account: "On Wednesday, 26th May 1756, they (the Indians) came to the Plantation of John Wasson of Peters Township, Cumberland County, whom they killed and mangled in so horrible and cruel manner, that a regard to decency forbids describing it, and afterwards burned his house and carried off his wife. party of Steele's and Peters men went out after the enemy, but to no purpose."

A couple of parties of men from the local militia pursued the raiders, but lost the trail quickly. John was buried on his farm.

The authorities were notified and John Potter, the Sheriff of Cumberland County, learning from the older children of an uncle, a brother to Ann, living near Newton, Bucks County, PA, sent a letter to Robert Means on May 29, 1756. Robert, who had married Nancy Kelley, daughter of his father's second wife, raised and cared for the children.

“Mr. Robert Means - These are to certify to you, your brother, John Wasson, last Wednesday was barbarously killed by the Indians and his wife carried captive, and as the time is so exceedingly dangerous in these parts and no relatives of the orphans here to take care of them, the children desires to go to you; and all things considered, it appears to us most advisable; and with them we send you an account of his estate as it is now situate, his crops in the ground, the young lads can tell you best. His debts appears to be near fifty pounds, and if you incline to administer, send word or come up with the young lads yourself, you being the highest relation. This 29th of May 1756. John Potter, Will Maxwell, Hez Alexander, William Dunwoddy, Moses Thomsen.”

In Walter Sloan's work on Ann Means, we find a note on her return that indicates she was probably at Conococheague. From Anthony Wallace's "King of the Delawares, Teedyscung," we find that Ann may have been held near Assinisink, in the southern part of New York, by Ekoan, a Munsee chief. In the fall of 1759, Teedyscung demanded from Ekoan the release of thirteen pioneer prisoners, but only received two women and two children. To prove his loyalty to William Penn, Teedyschung returned the four prisoners to Philadelphia in late November of 1759. On December 1, 1759, Teedyscung presented Ann Means Wasson, now age 42 and described as quite naked and destitute, to James Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania. It appears that Ann remained a ward of the Province of Pennsylvania for almost the first year of her freedom. She was apparently not reunited with her family until late 1760.

On 22 Apr 1762, letters of administration were issued at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the estate of John Wasson, with Ann Wasson and William Sloan, her eldest son, as administrators. In the settlement of this estate, it was brought out that John Wasson had received all and singular the personal estate of William Sloan, the first husband of Ann. As this sum was now due to the Sloan children, William Allison, John Holiday, William Maxwell and James Potter were asked to act as arbitrators. On 26 May 1762, they made settlement with the consent of all parties. This settlement was confirmed at an Orphan's Court held at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania on 8 March 1763. Pennsylvania.

Ann Wasson was reunited with her children, and in 1769 she was living at Mercersburg with her family. Ann was a member of the congregation of Dr. John King's Presbyterian Church in Mercersburg. The last known evidence of Ann's tragic and dynamic life is on October 30, 1772 when her son Thomas enters a caveat on a survey of the Wasson family farm on behalf of himself, his mother, his brother and sister. It is presumed she is buried in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.

In November of 1951, a farmer while digging a ditch along the South Penn railroad discovered John’s skeleton.

GEDCOM Note

Kidnapped by Indians!!