Re: Mohawk Valley McGraws 1750-1800
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In reply to:
Re: Mohawk Valley McGraws 1750-1800
Elaine Facklam 3/30/01
Elaine,
Thank you for the letter you received in 1990 from Dorothy Alstrom.I transcribed them below.Interesting story for any McGraw:
Notes by Dorothy Alstrom
McGraw Gen.
Christopher McGraw received County lands of 60 acres eastside of Schoharie Creek, being southeast corner at Henry Backley. (Fort Hunter, NY.)
McGraw Genealogy
I. Christopher McGraw born near Dublin Ireland. In Sir William Johnson's Papers Vol. I. mentioned him being imprisoned in Canada, so he must have been taken in the French & Indian War.The first work Christopher did when he came to this country was to make the mortar for the old stone fort at Fort Hunter. (Ref: Rachel Pettegill Devedorf of rec.) Comment! It seems as if he was too youngt to make the mortar (1712).His marriage February 24, 1743/4 [/4 is crossed out --JAM] to Mary Connor is recorded in the Old Queen Anne Chapel by Rev. Henry Barclay, whose records are from 1735 to 1746.Also record of the baptism May 27, 1744 of his son William. Son John was born June 23, 1750.
II. John McGraw born June 23, 1750 probably at Fort Hunter, N.Y. He married May 10, 1775 Margaret Cline, daughter of Johannes and wife Mary Christina Cline.John McGraw was a soldier in the Rev. war & records show him a member of Capt. Mabee's Company of Col. Vissher's Third Tryon County Regiment, & also enrolled as a private in Col. Goose Van Schaich's First Regiment of the Line.John lived near Snook's Corners.We have in our possession (1943) John McGraw's powder horn dated 1776.This horn was the first Revolutionary powder horn sketched by the historical artist the late Rufus A. Grider [Gridee? Gridu?] in 1886. Mr. Grider was s impressed that he conceived the possibility of making a collection of Revolutionary powder horn sketches.The collection grew to over five hundred water color drawings.After Mr. Griders death in 1900 they became the property of Mr. Isaac J. Greenwood of New York City who in 1907 presented the collection to the New York Historical Society. -- The horn has a carving of the Cambridge flag that was first hoisted Jan. 17, 1776 at Cambridge Mass.
The John McGraw powder horn was found in a woodshed among the chips, when the building was being torn down.The house stood just about Frank De Nese's place on Devendorf Rd. in the middle of the field, before you reach the corner near the cemetery "Old Place".That house could have been the home of John McGraw and wife Margaret Cline.The powder horn was found by DeWitt A. Devendorf.John McGraw and wfie Margaret Cline had one child at least; probably more.
III Christine McGraw, born 1777 dau of John McGraw and wife Margaret Cline.She married Cornelius Pettengill (born 1777- D1831 son of Capt. Samuel Pettengill & wife Elizabeth Cline. See Pettengill gen.)Christina McGraw Pettengill died on the "Flats" May 29, 1861 age 84 years and buried at "Old Place" family cemetery Town of Florida, N.Y. See stone, but no stone for her & husband Cornelius ["no stone" is crossed out with the word "yes" above it]."Aunt Nettie" (Mrs. Willard Silmser 1856-1940 great grand daughter of Christina when a little girl of five remembered "Granny Pettingell", ^ that she was afraid of her as she lay in her bed, which stood in the corner of the room where the large fireplace is, at the "Flats".Granny was a large person & wore a cap over her head.Her son Henry Pettengill was then living on the "Flats" on the banks of the Schoharie (See Pettengill or Cline Gen.)
Christopher (1) McGraw, John (2), Christina (3) Pettingell, Henry (4) Pettengill, Rachel (5) Devendorf, Dewitt (6) Devendorf, Dorothy (7) Alstrom, Virginia & Robert (8) Alstrom, William & Carolyn (9).
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Re: Mohawk Valley McGraws 1750-1800
Patty Carson 6/24/01