The Fellowship Room

Don Ruhl 12:23 pm on January 12, 2011 Reply  

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  Scott McCown 1:07 pm on January 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply

  In my tree are two that I will mention from the American Revolution — one infamous (acquitted) and the other regrets his hero status.

  The first is Malcom McCown. He was one of the participants in the murder of Chief Cornstalks of the Shawnee People. Here is the newspaper account of the trial. “CORNSTALK MURDER From the VIRGINIA GAZETTE 3 April 1778 By HIS Excellency PATRICK HENRY Governor, or Chief Magistrate of the Commonwealth of VIRGINIA

  A PROCLAMATION
  WHEREAS a most barbarous murder was on the tenth day of November last committed by a number of persons belonging to a detachment of the militia of this state an Indian chief called CORNSTALK, his son, and two other Indians at Fort Randolph on the Ohio, although the said Indians had been convicted of no hostile act or purpose, and were at that time under the pl ghted (sic) protection of the garrison of the place, whereby a deep wound has been given to the honor and faith of this country, the laws of the state have been most flagrantly violated, and the vengeance of a cruel enemy provoked on the innocent inhabitants of the western frontiers, as well as a dangerous example given to licentious and bloodthirsty men wantonly to involve their country in the horrours of a savage war; and whereas it appears from sundry depositions transmitted to me that James Hall of the county of Rockbridqe, and Malcolm McCown of Augusta, Adam Barnes of Greenbrier, William Roane of Rockbridge and Hugh Galbreath of Rockbridge were deeply concerned in promoting and perpetrating the said outrage, I do by and with the advice of the Council of State issue this my proclamation strictly requiring the citizens of this commonwealth, more especially all officers civil and military, to use the most vigorous exertions to bring these seperate offenders to the punishment due their guilt. And as an encouragement thereto, as well as a proof of the public abhorrence of such detestable crimes, I do offer to such person or persons as shall secure any of the offenders so that they be brought to justice the following rewards that is for James Hall 200 dollars, for Malcolm McCown 150 dollars, for Adam Barnes, William Roane and Hugh Galbreath 100 dollars each.
  Given under my hand at the Council Chamber in the city of Williamsburg this 27th day of March in the second year of the commonwealth, Annogue Dom 1778″

  The second is Captain Oliver Brown of the Mass. Continental Army Artilery. You can read his biography here: http://tinyurl.com/4ogt7jt . He witnessed the Boston Tea Party as a teenager and enlisted when he was old enough. We served at the battle of Lexington and was in charge the night he and sailors took down the statue of King George III in New York (an event George Washington denounced and Capt Brown said he regretted later in life). Brown recalled being sent on special missions by General Washington.

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    Don Ruhl 2:39 pm on January 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply

    Interesting. Thanks.

    Don Ruhl

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