Andrew Cruikshank Sr. & Jane Miller
Andrew
Cruikshank was a
Scotch-Irishman
who emigrated to this country and arrived in Westmoreland County previous to
the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in the 8th
Pennsylvania Regiment.
(Historical
documentation says he enlisted as a private in Fayette Co., PA on Aug. 17,
1776.)
He served under Captain Samuel Miller until Miler was killed by Indians in
ambush along with a small detail of men on July 7, 1778.
The Miller detail was assigned to delivering grain and supplies to
Fort Hand north of Hannastown.
After the close of the war, Andrew
(Andrew was decommissioned in Sept. 1779)
was one of the militia soldiers stationed in
Westmoreland County to keep down Indian outbreaks. He married Jane Luckey
Miller on 9 May 1780, the widow of Captain Samuel. The Cruikshanks settled
at Miller’s Station, the home of widow Jane Miller, until it was burned
during the Indian attack on Hannastown in 1782.
After peace had been finally secured Andrew was engaged for several years in
teaming, bringing goods from Philadelphia to the new settlements in
Westmoreland County.
Andrew was a skilled teamster and horseman.
Around 1797-98 Andrew Cruikshank moved his family to his tract of Donation
land now located in Winfield Twp., Butler County, Pa.
He first came to this township with one of his sons
(probably John about age 16)
and erected a good log house, then returned for his family. They journeyed
from Greensburg with a four-horse wagon, and assisted by a few Freeport
settlers cut their way through as far as the Big Buffalo Creek. Crossing
this stream they continued their way, the Smiths and others of the few
settlers then in this neighborhood helping them to make a road. No one but
the most daring Wagoner would have ever thought it possible to get a team
and a load of goods over the route which they followed. But in due time they
arrived in safety, and established themselves in their new home. The house
was without a floor, and stick and a mud chimney stood and the end of it.
The family consisted of Mr. Cruikshank and his wife and three children John,
Andrew and Sarah the youngest at the time being about eleven years of age.
In time the house was comfortably fitted up (Smith’s whip saw supplying some
boards for floor, etc.) and the family entered upon the work before them in
zeal. Andrew Cruikshank raised the first barn of any size in the
neighborhood. It was of hewed logs, about 55x 30 feet, with a clapboard
roof. The work of raising it occupied three days. Settlers from nine miles
around were present and assisted. The raising was conducted in the usual
manner- skids were laid and men with ropes drew the logs upon the structure,
while others stood below and lifted with forked poles. For want of
sufficient help, one end of the log was first drawn into position and
fastened, then the crew proceeded to the other end and continued their work.
Andrew Cruikshank died during the War of 1812 on the very day when his son
Andrew was to enter the service having been drafted. In consequence of his
affliction, and because his father had served his country so long, the son
was not compelled to join the army. Andrew Sr. is said to be buried at
the Buffalo U.P. cemetery as are most of his children.
Of the children of this pioneer, John settled in
Armstrong County, Sarah married Charles Foreman and settled first in
Westmoreland County then in Armstrong County. Andrew remained and died on
the old homestead. He reared ten children; of whom six are still living, viz,
William, the oldest resident of Winfield township born in 1810, and living
on the old farm; Dorcus (Bruner), Armstrong County; John, Winfield; David,
Missouri; Martha (Bruner), Armstrong County, and Samuel, Middlesex.” History
of Butler County, Winfield Township, page 275.
The Family of Andrew Cruikshank , Sr. & Jane
Luckey Miller
Andrew Cruikshank
born in Ireland and died 1813 in Buffalo Twp., Butler County, PA; Parents:
Unknown;
Wife:
Jane Miller
widow of Capt. Samuel Miller, who was killed in a Indian ambush in PA,. 10 July
1778.
Children of the Millers:
1.)
Jane Miller,
b. 20 Oct 1771, married
William Clark;
2.)
Dorcus Miller,
b. 11 Nov 1773,
married
Joseph Russell;
3).
Isaac Miller,
b. 1 Feb 1776, married
Sarah Grier
28 Sep 1805; 4.)
Samuel Miller
killed
by Indians 1782
Children of the Cruikshanks:
5.)
John Cruikshank,
b. 1782, d. 28 Aug 1861, married
Jane Foreman;
6.
Andrew
Cruikshank
b. 1785, died 1859, married
Nancy Foreman;
7).
Sarah Cruikshank,
b. 1788, married
Charles
Foreman
A Time line for Andrew Cruikshank & Jane Miller
1776 Aug 17th
Andrew Cruikshank enlisted in the 8th
Pennsylvania Line serving until Sept.1779.
He served under Capt. Samuel Miller until the Capt is killed by
Indians.
1778 July 10th
Capt. Samuel Miller killed by Indians.
1782 July 13th
Indians attacked Hannastown and
Miller’s Station while the men were in the fields reaping.
Jane Cruikshank escaped with the help of her brother Andrew Luckey.
Many others were killed and captured.
1784 May 4th
An Orphans Court held at Hannastown before John Moore, Charles
Foreman and Christopher Truby, (Justices of the said Court). (Partitions &
Orphans Court Docket Book #3) Upon petition of Jean Crookshanks, late widow
of Capt. Samuel Miller, deceased, setting forth that the said Samuel Miller
was appointed a Captain in the Eighth Pennsylvania Line for the protection
of the Western frontier the ninth day of August 1776.
That in the year of our lord 1778, the said Captain Samuel Miller on
the 10th
day of July was killed by the Indians then being in service as appears by a
Certificate from Colonel Daniel Broadhead and other necessary proofs,
leaving her the said petitioner and four small children to wit: Jean, Dorcus,
Isaac and Samuel Miller to survive him and praying the Court to acertain the
half-pay agreeable to act of assembly and draw an order to the treasurer of
same. The Court after considering the petition of the said Jean/Jane Crookshanks,
late Jean/Jane Miller and having heard the necessary proofs did acertain the said
half-pay from the 10th of
July 1778 to the 9th
day of May 1780, being the day of intermarriage with Andrew Cruikshanks, her
present husband, being one year nine months and twenty nine days at 5 pounds
per month being 164 pound 10 shillings, which the court orders paid in
quarterly payments.
1785
Apr 11th
At an Orphans Court held at Hannastown, present Christopher Truby,
William Jack and Michael Huffnagle (Esquires Justices of the same Court),
Order from the state of PA the above petition that the treasurer pay to
Andrew Cruikshanks intermarried with Jane Miller late widow of Capt.
Samuel Miller, deceased, the half pay due her during her widowhood amounting
to 165 pounds.
(To
see copies of actual documents of this Orphan's Court case, please go here.)
1789
May 5th
"I do certify that Andrew Crookshanks served as Adjudant
in the 2nd Battalion of militia of Westmoreland County for three
years passed. Given under my hand." Col. Chas. Campbell.
1790
U.S. Census Hempfield Twp., Westmoreland County, Pa, page 263 Andrew
Cruckshanks-1 male over 16, 4 males under 16, 3 females.
1798
The Cruikshanks move to Butler
County.
1800
U.S. Census Buffalo Twp., Butler County, Pa, page 333- Andrew
Crookshank 1m 10-16, 1m 16-26, 1m 26-45, 1f –10, 1f 26-45.
1808 Feb. 16th,
“Andrew Crookshanks of Butler County, farmer, applies
for a tract of land of four hundred acres or there abouts, on the waters of
Buffaloe Creek in said county bounded by lands surveyed for Joseph Poak on
the west and George Emline on the east on which the said Andrew Crookshank
hath made an actual settlement and improvement agreeable to law in pursuance
of a contract between them the said McCall and Crookshanks on the partition
of two hundred acres to the said Andrew Crookshank and remainder to the said
Archibald McCall. The tracts of land was surveyed by Stephen Goshen(?)
on an improvement for David Poak in pursuance of which
a warrant of acceptance issued to said McCall. Interest from
29 August
1794”.
Signed: Andrew Crookshank, Butler County: “Before us two of the Justices of the Peace in and for
said county came Andrew Crookshank, applicant above named and being duly
sworn that he has resided for upwards of five years on the tract of land in
the above application described, that he hath annually raised grain thereon
and hath erected a house thereon for the habitation of man in which he now
resides with his family and hath at least 30 acres cleared fenced and
cultivated and hath double barn and springhouse thereon.”
16 Feb. 1808, Wit: Arthur and Andrew Smith. Signed: Andrew Crookshank.
1808 May 12th
A draft of a tract of land situated on the waters of Buffaloe Creek in
Butler County containing 415 acres and 16 perches and allowance of six
percent for roads. Surveyed 22 Jan. 1808 in pursuance of a warrant for 400
acres granted to Andrew Crookshanks dated 12th
May 1808.
1808 May 12th
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Whereas Andrew Crookshanks of the County of
Butler hath by his application set forth he has settled and improved on a
tract of 400 acres on Buffaloe Creek in the County of Butler bounded by
lands surveyed for Joseph Poak on the west and George Emlen on the east
(being the same tract which was surveyed in pursuance of an improvement
made for David Poak; and for which a warrant of acceptance has been issued
to Archibald McCall. Interest from 29 August 1794, to Andrew Crookshanks 12
May 1808.
1810
Census Buffalo Twp., Butler County, Pa, page
1030 -
A. Crookshank Sr. , Male
(Unable
to read M.H.),
1 female 45+.
A. Crookshank, Jr., 1 male under 10, 1 male 16-26, 1
female 16-26
1813 Nov 24th
Butler County, Pa, the
Will of Andrew Cruikshank Sr.:
"In
the name of God, Amen, I Andrew Crookshank of the county of Butler and the
State of Pennsylvania farmer being weak in body but sound in mind and memory
and understanding Blessed be God for the same and considering the
uncertainty of this Transitory Life, do make and publish my Last will and
Testament in manner and form following towit:
Principally and first of all: I commend my imortal Soul into the hand of God
who gave it and my Body to the Earth to be buried in a decent and Christian
like manner at the discretion of my executors herein after named and as to
such worldly Estate where it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life, I
give and dispose of the same in the manner following Towit:
To my beloved wife I do bequeath the dwelling house and all the house
furniture to have for proper use During her life and at her death to be
disposed by her at her pleasure and all the Cows horses Hogs and sheep which
is to say all the living stock which I do own at present to be her own
proper right and at her own disposal in like manner as above and likewise my
wife is to have half of the grain in the barn at present and of any hay sold
she is to have Half the grain and she is to have of the grain in the ground
a half and third in the shock and Likewise she is to have the one Third of
the profits arising from the Rail Estate in and During her Natural life and
at her Death said land to be sold and to be Equally Divided into two parts
and my son Andrew to have the one half of said sum so divided Clear of all
Dues or Demands and the other half of said sum so divided to be Equally
Divided between my son John and my Daughter Sarah only Sarah out of her part
is to give my son Andrew the sum of fifty Dollars and my son Andrew is to
have all the farming utencils as that stand at present to his own proper use
and my riding saddle I give to my son John and my riding bridle and
sirsingle to my wife and my apparel to be Disposed of by my wife to my
children as she pleaseth.
As I have here freely and fully made my last will and testament I do choose
and appoint Robert Galbreath and David Moorehead as Executors of the said
will in witness wereof I set my hand and seal the 24th
of November 1813.”
Witnesses
Present:
Robt.Galbreath,
John Fair
“The above signed Andrew Crookshank came personaly before and acknowledged
the above to be his will and Testament and as sutch Desired it to be
recorded as witness my hand seal the 24th of November 1813”
“The above Testator Andrew Crookshank having sometime past given an
assignment of my real estate to my son Andrew, though at the same time
reluctantly and not with my free will and since having grate Disquiet in my
mind Concerning the said assignment knowing that thereby I have not
done justice to the rest of my Children and considering myself at present
apparently in a state shortly to remove out of this world and I do therefore
look on it as my duty at present to Disanul and make void the
("sd"
was inserted
here)
assignment. I do therefore agreeable to my last testament where to this is
anuned
(? This word was unreadable in the handwritten will.
I am thinking that the word was intended to be “anulled”. M.H.)
declare said assignment to be void and of no force as
my alt
(? Short for "Alternate"? M.H.)
and to assurt and manifest the truth and sincerity of my heart in what is
here done.
I do set my hand and
seal the 24th
Day of
November 1813.”
Witness present….
Robt. Galbreath,
1814 Mar
14th ,
-
Andrew Crookshank’s will is probated in Butler County,
PA.
