Alexander Ewing (RevWar Patriot)

M, #100046, b. 28 May 1763, d. 1 January 1827
Alexander Ewing (RevWar Patriot)|b. 28 May 1763\nd. 1 Jan 1827|p100046.htm|Alexander Ewing|b. 1731|p100092.htm|Mary (__________)||p100093.htm|Alexander Ewing|b. 1693|p100184.htm|Anne Joshua||p100185.htm|||||||
  
Reference 3G Grf, B46
Charts Pedigree starting with Jack (representing the grandchildren) - incorporates the branches below - largest chart
Pedigree for Guilford Carlile Babcock Jr
Father* Alexander Ewing1 b. 1731
Mother* Mary (__________)
Note*Clan Ewing by Elbert R. Ewing, p. 145 - 146. 
NoteOur Ewing Heritage with Related Families, Betty Carson and Doris Wooley, revised edition 1996. 
NoteEllsworth Ewing in letter 17 May 1988 says that Alex is son of Alexander and Jane Kirkpatrick, who was the son of Nathaniel and Rachel Porter, who was the oldest (& only child of 1st wife) of William of Glasgow, the son of Wm of Stirling (b.1620). 
Birth*28 May 1763 Alexander Ewing (RevWar Patriot) was born 28 May 1763 at Pennsylvania tombstone says 1769 but that is wrong or he would not have been old enough for the Rev War. DAR says 1763, also, his son said "My father, Alexander Ewing, was born in the State of Pennsylvania (the county not recollected) about the year 1763, of Irish parentage - the third son - (his father's name was also Alexander) had two older brothers named William and Samuel."2 
He was the son of Alexander Ewing and Mary (__________).1 
Military*between 1775 and 1783Alexander Ewing (RevWar Patriot) was in the military: between 1775 and 1783 Revolutionary War Private, Pennsylvania - dates from commemorative tombstone medalion. 
Military1779He was in the military: 1779 About the year 1769 [sic s/b 1779], my father, then a lad of some sixteen years of age, attractred by the spirit of patriotism, ... repared to Philadelphia, and there enlisted in the continental army, and remainded in service dureing the last three years of the glorious Revolutionary war. I often heard my brave sire speak of the incidentes of that war, and of his love and veration for Gen. Washington; but like many other young and thoughtless men who werved in the Revolutionary war, he failed to preserve the written evidence of his discharge, or to leave behind him any statement showing what regiment he served in or the name of his commander."2 
Event-Misccirca 1787He had the following event: The next I remember of my father's history is, that some years after peace was restored, perhaps as late as the year 1787, he was engaged in a trading expedition, in what was then called "the far west" among the Six Nation Indian tribe. He erected a trading post on "Buffaloe Creek" then an etire wilderness, and extended his winter trading expedition, after furs and peltries, into the country of the Alleghany mountains, encountering all the privations and hardships that are usual in a frontier life. Where once stood his humbel trading cabin, now stands the great and growing commercial city of Buffalo. circa 1787 at Buffalo, Montgomery Co. (now Erie Co.), New York.2 
BndryChange*1789In 1789 Ontario Co, New York was created from Montgomery. 
Event-Misc1792He had the following event: he was one of the surveyors for this town per History of Ontario Co., New York by McIntosh, pg 14 (SLC 974.786 H2h). Didn't copy because that's all it said. The name was misspelled Ewings in 1792 at Canandaigua, Genesee District, Ontario Co., New York. 
Marriage*7 March 1795He married Charlotte Griffith, daughter of William Griffith (RevWar Patriot) and Freelove Eckle, on 7 March 1795 at Avon Springs, Ontario Co. (now Livingston Co.), New York, A few years later, and my father had settled down, prosperously, on a large and splendid farm, on the Genessee flats, near the village of "Big Tree". This is in the State of New York, on the Genessee river, some sixty miles above [sic, s/b below] the city of Rochester. There he courted and married my mother, whose maiden name was Charlotte Griffith, the daugher of Wm. Griffith, a most excellent and moral man, of Welsh descent, and a farmer by vocation. The nuptials of my beloved parents, were celebrated at or near Avon Springs, not far from what is now known as Genesseo. I cannot state the year that they were married, but think it must have been in 1795, or there abouts. And aunt of mine, my father's youngest sister, "Katy,' or Catherine Ewing, was married, at the same time to the Hon. John Jones [they married 7 Mar 1795].
     Valley of the Upper Maumee says: "He prospered here, and a few years later settleed on a splendid farm, on the Genesee about sixty miles above [sic, s/b below] Rochester. Here, he was married to Charlotte Griffith, a sister of Captain William Griffith..."
     (The newest Ewing book says that "Alexander Ewing born about 1761-3 married Charlotte Griffith in Cumberland Co PA, and that the marriage record is a part of that county's records. Strange that there are two couples in the same time period with the same names. The author also says the names of the children do not match, and that the other couple both died in West Twnshp, Huntington Co. PA. The Cumberland couple is a totally different couple.)
     The Indian Traders book gives the date of 7 Mar 1795 citing Brice's History.
     Note that he was twice as old as she, 31 to her 15.2,3,4 
Event-Misc1796Alexander Ewing (RevWar Patriot) had the following event: he was on the town books of the district of Geneseo, in the list of names of people who had chosed an ear mark. in 1796 at Genesee District, Ontario Co. (now Livingston Co.), New York.5 
Event-Misc*1797He had the following event: The [annual] town meeting of 1797 was held at the house of William Wadsworth. It was here voted that a town house be built on the town square... The building committeer were William Wadsworth, Horaiton Jones, Alexander Ewing, John Barsley, and John M Miner. in 1797 at Canawaugus, Genesee District, Ontario Co. (now Livingston Co.), New York.6 
Residence*1802 1802, Alexander Ewing (RevWar Patriot) resided: In the year 1802, my parents, in consequense of reverse fortune - my father having lost his splended farm and residence, in consequence of security debts - removed from the State of New York, and settled on the river raisin, in the territory of Michigan, where now stands the village of Monroe, a beautiful and flourishing town. There my brothers, Wm. G. and Alex. H. Ewing, were born - and there too, I was born.
     Indian Traders book says "for reasons that are still unclear, the mortgage was foreclosed and the farm lost."2,4 
Residencebetween 1807 and 1822 Between 1807 and 1822, Alexander Ewing (RevWar Patriot) resided: In 1807, my parents moved to the State of Ohio, and settled in the small frontier town of "Washington", now known as Piqua - there, and at Troy, a town seven miles south of Piqua, we resided until the year 1822.2 
Military1813He was in the military: 1813 In the war of 1812, my father volunteered and accompanied the Northwestern army, under command of Wm. H. Harrison. He was along in the fall compaign of 1813 when the great war chief, Tecumseh and his British allies, were defeated at the celebrated battle of the Thames. My father attached himself, as a volunteer, to the spies, commanded by Capt. Wm. Griffith, my mother's eldest brother, a brave, and gallant officer. ... He received two balls, in the skirmish at the crossing of the river at the Moravian Towns, a few days before the final action, but they were not mortal. [goes on to state that Tecumsceh died 5 Oct 1813, and that his father and uncle Knagg found and recognized his body for they both "knew him well"]
     In Roster of Ohio Soldiers in the War of 1812, OH 1916, he's on page 4 under General and Field Officers as Colonel Alexander Ewing.2 
Census1820*1820He was the head of the household in the 1820 census, Troy, Miami Co., Ohio with 1m10-15 (Geo W) 13m16-26 (Alex, Wm G, Charles) 1m26-45 (?) 1m45+ (Alexander) 3f0-10 (Harriet, Lovina, Louisa) 2f16-26 (Sophia & ?) 1f26-45 (Charlotte) - note that the 16-26 male category very clearly says 13, not 3 but no clue who they would be so assumed to be an error). 
Biography*He had this bibliographic information: A letter from the Ontaro County (NY) Historical Society (20 Feb 1987) provides info from the Orasmus Turner's History of the Pioneer Settlement of Phelps & Gorham's Purchase... (available at SLC 974.7 H2t) page 328. "Another son Alexander was a Pioneer at Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he carried on an Indian trade. His son Charles, was the U.S. District Judge Ewing, another son, George W., was State Senator of Indiana; William G. Ewing of Indiana was another son." 
Residence1822 1822, Alexander Ewing (RevWar Patriot) resided Ft Wayne, Allen Co., Indiana: 1821 moved from Troy OH to "this place" per daughter Sophia (per letter from Ellsworth Ewing dated 28 Sep 1990) - however, it was 1822 per George W Ewing. 
MovedTo*1822He moved in 1822 to Ft Wayne, Allen Co., Indiana, In the spring of 1822, my parents moved from Troy, in the State of Ohio, to Fort Wayne, in the State of Indiana.7  
Association*1823 In 1823 Alexander Ewing (RevWar Patriot) was associated in Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Ohio, with member of the Wayne lodge of Masons.4 
Occupation*He Tavern Owner, owner of much commercial real estate in Fort Wayne. 
Will*17 December 1826He left a will 17 December 1826 Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Ohio, In the name of God Amen
I, Alexander Ewing of Fort Wayne, Allen County and State of Indiana, being sick and weak in body but of sound disposing mind memory & understanding and considering the certainty of death, and the uncertanity of the time thereof, and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs, and thereby be the better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me hence do therefore make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following: that is to say:
     First and principally, I commit my soul unto the hands of Almighty God and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my wife herein after named, and after my debts and funeral charges are paid do give and bequeath all my property both real and personal rents dues and profits money and other effects of every description whatsoever to my dearly beloved wife Charlotte for her own proper use and behoof for and during the whole term of her widowhood and no longer; (and thereby request and authorize my executor ot this my last will and testament to invoice all my effects both real and personal under oath & file the same in the clerks office in the County of Allen Indiana) then to be equally divided among my lawful heirs to have and to hold forever.
     And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my dearly beloved wife Charlotte Executor of this my last will and testament revoking and annulling all former wills by me hertofor made, ratifying and confirming this, and none other to be my last will and testament.
     In testimoney whereof I, Alexander Ewing, have to this will will consisting of [blank space] sheets of paper, set my hand and seal at the bottom of every sheet, this seventeenth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty six.
     A. Ewing (original signature)
     Signed, sealed published and declared by Alexander Ewing the above named testator as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at his request, and in his presence, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Joseph Holman
James Barnett
     State of Indiana Allen County This is to certify the within will and testament has been recorded in the recorders office of Allen County in Deed Book A page 175.6.7.8 this 15th day of February 1831. Robert Hood R.A.C.
     This will is to be found at the Indiana State Library Manuscript Section in the L323 Ewing Family Papers, Box 1 Folder 2 - We have a copy.
     We also copied the will from deed book A pg 175 (SLC 2166724) - note this is the deed book not the will book. 
Death*1 January 1827He died on 1 January 1827 at Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Indiana, at age 63 "On the first day of January, 1827, my father died, aged about sixty-three years. His disease was asthma, and other infirmaties, produced by a life of hardship and adventure." A personal description is also in son's autobiography.
[The DAR Patriot Index erroneously shows his death year as 1822]7 
Probate*6 November 1828His estate was probated on 6 November 1828 at Carroll Co., Indiana, One of the first cases in Carroll Co., Indiana, taking place in 1828, was "Charlotte Ewing, executrix of the estate of Alexander Ewing, deceased, vs Joseph Barron & Joseph Heleman". for "In an action of trespass on the case upon premis"
     It is unknown why this was in Carroll county because that is several counties away from Allen county where he lived and died. One must assume that this is where the defendants lived.
     This day comes the said plaintiff by counsel and the said defendants being three times colemnly called and requested to appear and answer to the plaintiff action in this behalf comes not but herin alltogether makes default and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that that processin this behalf has been executed on the said defendants ten days prior to the first day of this term and the said plaintiff remaining herin altogether undefended. It is therefor considered that the plaintiff aforesaid recover against the said Joseph Barron and Joseph Holeman the sum of one hundred and eighty nine dollars twenty one cents for her damages in this behalf also her cost by her about the recovery thereof in this behlaf expended and the defendants in mercy etc. Alexander Grimes assignee of Jesse Clark - civil order book 1 pg 5 (SLC 2196400)
     Meanwhile, back in Allen County in May Term 1830:
     "And now comes into court Charlotte Ewing Executrix of Alexander Ewing deceased and it appearing that the probate judge of this court is an heir of Alexander Ewing deceased and that the proceedings papers and documents of the said executrix related to said estate transferred to the Allen Circuit Court agreeable to an act of the Legislature of the State of Indiana in such cases made and provided." - probate book A pg 14 (SLC 2133358)
     In the circuit court book 1 pg 183 (not copied, SLC 2130633) is a crossed out entry for Charlotte petitioning to be appointed guardian of Louisa (the only child still a minor) followed by William G Ewing as "next friend" of Louisa petitioning that the court appoint Charlotte as the guardian. Then on page 186, Charlotte as Louisa's guardian, petitions to "sell real estate of minor". I've not followed subseqent transactions.
     15 Aug 1836 Charlotte Ewing to Alexander's heirs bk B pg 408. Lots of heirs transactions, including a whole bunch in Jan 1843 selling many of the lots. 
Probate15 February 1831His estate was probated on 15 February 1831 at Allen Co., Indiana, His will was recorded this date in deed book A pgs 175-178
Look up this entry on SLC 2166724 - not important if not there as we already got a copy. However, it would be interesting to see if it is in the deed book. 
Burial*13 December 1871He was buried on 13 December 1871 at Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Indiana, "His mortal remains were, by his own request, interred on a small mound, on the prairie (his own land), just west of what was then the village of Fort Wayne. This sacred spot is marked by a small oak tree, still standing - but in consequence of the construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal, in 1833, which passed very near to this spot, my brother (Wm. G. Ewing) and myself, thought it an unfit place for the final reposing of the remains of our father; so, in 1847, we erected a vault, known as the 'Ewing Vault', situated in the public grave yard immediately south of the 'Ewing addition' to Fort Wayne, and there we caused to be deposited our father's mortal remains - enclosed in a zink [sic] coffin." (goes on to say the rest of people buried there).
     Their Memorial is a forty foot obelisk in Lindenwood Cemetery Section B (largest monument in the cemetery). The memorial gives his birth as 28 May 1769 PA and death as 1 Jan 1827 in Ft Wayne IN. The birth year is probably wrong and s/b 1763, because otherwise he would not have been old enough for the Rev War.
     Son George's will says "The remains of my family be interred in a lot in Lindenwood cemetery. My father, mother, brother, sister and wife and children brought back from St Louis and interred therin."
     What were they doing in St Louis? I checked St Louis wills to be sure, but Alexander's will is not there.2,8
Negative*Negative searches: Avon: heart of the Genesee country. 974.785/A1 H2p has no index listings for either Ewing or Griffith. 

Family

 Charlotte Griffith b. 14 Feb 1780, d. 18 Mar 1843
Marriage*7 March 1795He married Charlotte Griffith, daughter of William Griffith (RevWar Patriot) and Freelove Eckle, on 7 March 1795 at Avon Springs, Ontario Co. (now Livingston Co.), New York, A few years later, and my father had settled down, prosperously, on a large and splendid farm, on the Genessee flats, near the village of "Big Tree". This is in the State of New York, on the Genessee river, some sixty miles above [sic, s/b below] the city of Rochester. There he courted and married my mother, whose maiden name was Charlotte Griffith, the daugher of Wm. Griffith, a most excellent and moral man, of Welsh descent, and a farmer by vocation. The nuptials of my beloved parents, were celebrated at or near Avon Springs, not far from what is now known as Genesseo. I cannot state the year that they were married, but think it must have been in 1795, or there abouts. And aunt of mine, my father's youngest sister, "Katy,' or Catherine Ewing, was married, at the same time to the Hon. John Jones [they married 7 Mar 1795].
     Valley of the Upper Maumee says: "He prospered here, and a few years later settleed on a splendid farm, on the Genesee about sixty miles above [sic, s/b below] Rochester. Here, he was married to Charlotte Griffith, a sister of Captain William Griffith..."
     (The newest Ewing book says that "Alexander Ewing born about 1761-3 married Charlotte Griffith in Cumberland Co PA, and that the marriage record is a part of that county's records. Strange that there are two couples in the same time period with the same names. The author also says the names of the children do not match, and that the other couple both died in West Twnshp, Huntington Co. PA. The Cumberland couple is a totally different couple.)
     The Indian Traders book gives the date of 7 Mar 1795 citing Brice's History.
     Note that he was twice as old as she, 31 to her 15.2,3,4 
Children 1.Sophia Charlotte Ewing+ b. Aug 1796, d. 18 Dec 1867
 2.Hon. Charles Wayne Ewing+ b. 13 Oct 1798, d. 9 Jan 1843
 3.Hon. William Griffith Ewing+ b. 18 Oct 1801, d. 11 Jul 1854
 4.Alexander Hamilton Ewing+ b. 10 Feb 1803, d. 28 Aug 1847
 5.Col. George Washington Ewing+ b. 10 Dec 1804, d. 29 May 1866
 6.Harriet Ewing9 b. 1806, d. 1807
 7.Harriet Ewing b. 18 Nov 1808
 8.Lovina Ewing+ b. 15 Sep 1809, d. 16 Apr 1835
 9.Louisa Ewing+ b. 18 Mar 1819, d. 10 Mar 1887
Last Edited 2 Jun 2011

Citations

  1. [S117] History of Ft Wayne from the Earliest Known Accounts - article "The Ewings - W.G. and G.W. Ewing", Wallace A Brice , D.W. Jones & Son: Fort Wayne IN, 1868 SLC 977.274/F1 H2b.
  2. [S117] History of Ft Wayne from the Earliest Known Accounts - article "The Ewings - W.G. and G.W. Ewing", Wallace A Brice , D.W. Jones & Son: Fort Wayne IN, 1868 SLC 977.274/F1 H2b, pg 24.
  3. [S118] Valley of the Upper Maumee River, with historical account of Allen county..., Brant & Fuller: Madison WI, 1889 vol 2 SLC 977.274 H2v v. 2, pg 33.
  4. [S227] Indian Traders on the Middle Boarder - House of Ewing 1827-54, Robert A Trennert Jr , University of Nebraska Press: Lincoln/London.
  5. [S234] History of the Pioneer Settlement of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase (... Pioneer History of Monroe County), Orsamus Turner : Rochester, 1851 SLC 974.7 H2t, pg 345.
  6. [S116] History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present, Lockwood R. Doty , W.J. Van Deusen: Jackson, MI, 1905.
  7. [S117] History of Ft Wayne from the Earliest Known Accounts - article "The Ewings - W.G. and G.W. Ewing", Wallace A Brice , D.W. Jones & Son: Fort Wayne IN, 1868 SLC 977.274/F1 H2b, pg 25.
  8. [S358] Lindenwood Cemetery Database http://friendsofallencounty.org/search_linden.php, Section B, Lot 62.
  9. [S364] Genealogy of the Ewing Family by Isabella H Taylor in Indiana Biography Series v.14 pgs 99-101 at Indiana State Library, 22 Nov 1929.
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