Tom McCabes Genealogy 2022

We shall now quote at length from, "A History of the Valley of Virginia," by Samuel Kercheval, 2nd edition, Woodstock, VA, John Catewood, printer, 1850, pages 69-71:

"In the year 1758, a party of about fifty Indians and four Frenchmen penetrated into the neighborhood of Mill Creek, now in the county of Shenandoah, about 9 miles south of Woodstock. This was a pretty thickly settled neighborhood; and among other houses, George Painter had erected a large log one, with a good sized cellar. On the     alarm being given the neighboring people took refuge in this house.

Late in the afternoon they were attacked. Mr. Painter, attempting to fly, had three balls shot through his body, and fell dead, when the others surrendered. The Indians dragged the dead body back to the house, threw it in, plundered the house of what they chose, and then set fire to it. While the house was in flames, consuming the body of Mr. Painter, they forced from the arms of their mothers four infant children, hung them up in trees, shot them in savage sport, and left them hanging.They then set fire to a stable in which were enclosed a parcel of sheep and calves, thus cruelly and wantonly torturing to death the inoffensive dumb animals. After these atrocities they moved off with forty-eight prisoners; among whom were Mrs. Painter, five of her daughters, and one of her sons; a Mrs. Smith and several of her     children; a Mr. Fisher and several of his children, among them a lad of twelve or thirteen years old, a fine well grown boy, and remarkably     fleshy. This little fellow, it will presently be seen, was destined to be the victim of savage cruelty.

Two of Painter's sons, and a young man by the name of Jacob Myers escaped being captured by concealment. One of the Painters, with Myers, ran over that night to Powell's fort, a distance of at least fifteen miles, and to Keller's fort, in quest of aid. They had neither hat nor shoes, nor any other clothing than a shirt and trousers each. A small party of men set out early the next  morning. well mounted and armed, to avenge the outrage. They reached Mr. Painter's early in the day; but on learning their strength, (from the     other young Painter, who had remained concealed all that evening and night, and by that means was enabled to count the number of the enemy), they declined pursuit, being too weak in numbers to venture further. Thus this savage band got off with their prisoners and booty, without pursuit or interruption.

After six days travel they reached their  villages west of the Allegany mountains, where they held a council, and determined to    sacrifice their helpless prisoner Jacob Fisher. They first ordered him to collect a quantity of dry wood. The poor little fellow shuddered, burst into tears, and told his father they intended to burn him. His father replied, `I hope not;' and advised him to obey. When he had collected a sufficient quantity of wood to answer their     purpose, they cleared and smoothed a ring around a sapling, to which they tied him by one hand, then formed a trail of wood around the tree and set it on fire. The poor boy was then compelled to run around in this ring of fire until his rope wound him to the sapling, and then back until he came in contact with the flame, whilst his infernal     tormentors were drinking, singing and dancing round him, with `horrid joy.' This was continued for several hours; during which time the savage men became beastly drunk, and as they fell prostrate to the ground, the squaws would keep up the fire. With long sharp poles, prepared for the purpose, they would pierce the body of their victim whenever he flagged, until the poor and helpless boy fell and expired with the mostexcruciating torments, whilst his father and brothers were compelled to be witnesses of the heart-rending tragedy.

After an absence of about three years, Mrs. Painter, with her son and two of her daughters; Mrs. Smith, who had the honor, if it could be so deemed, of presenting her husband with an Indian son* by a distinguished war chief. Fisher and his remaining sons; and several other prisoners, returned home. Three of Mrs. Painter's daughters     remained with the Indians. Mary, the youngest, was about nine years old when taken, and was eighteen years a prisoner; two of the daughters never returned. A man by the name of Michael Copple, who had himself been a prisoner about two years with the Indians, had learned their language, became an Indian trader, and traveled much among them, at length found Mary Painter with a wandering party of Cherokees. In conversing with her, he discovered who she was -- that he was acquainted with her family connections, and proposed to her to accompany him home, to which she refused her assent. He then said that her brothers had removed to Point Pleasant, and were desirous of seeing her; upon which she consented to accompany him that far to see her brothers; but finding on arriving at the Point, that he had deceived her, she manifested such dissatisfaction, and attempted to go back to the Indians.Copple, however, after much entreaty, and promising to make her his wife, prevailed upon her to return home. He performed his promise of marriage, lived several years on Painter's land, and raised a family of children. Mary had lost her mother tung, (sic) learned a little English afterwards, but always conversed with her husband in the Indian language.** They finally removed to the west."

"Smith received his wife, and never maltreated her on this account; but he had a most bitter aversion to the young chief. The boy grew up to manhood, and exhibited the appearance and disposition of his size. Attempts were made to educate him, but without success. He enlisted into the army of the revolution as a common soldier, and never returned."

"The author deems a particular history of this woman necessary, because it is one among many instances of young white children, when taken prisoners, becoming attached to savage life, and leaving it with great reluctance. Mr. George Painter, an aged and respectable citizen of Shenandoah County, who resides on the spot where this bloody tragedy was acted, and is the grandson of the man who was murdered and     burnt, detailed these particulars to the author."

The "one son" of Mrs. Painter (two had escaped) --- who spent about three years of captivity with his mother among the Indians was     none other than our ancestor, "Big Adam" Painter, born about 1735-36. He became a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and had a large family of his own. There is no doubt about his relationship to George Painter who was killed by the Shawnee Indians. Adam Painter states in his Revolutionary War Pension application No. S-1923 (listed under     the name AdamPANTER) that he was "born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, about 1735-36, that his father's house was burned in Virginia by Shawnee Indians, that his father was killed, and that he, Adam, was kept two years by the Indians." This clearly fits     Kercheval's history and Kercheval got detailed information first hand from "Gentleman" George Painter, a grandson of the man (old George     Painter) who was murdered and burned.

Posted by EC Painter on Oct 21, 2005 on Painter GenForum:

My ancestor Adam (Bender) Painter born 1734 in Pa. moved to Shenandoah Co.,sometime around this same time was captured by French & Indians the summer of 1758. His mother and five of his sisters were captured at this same time. His father Johan Gerge(John George)Painter was killed during the Indian Raid. After returning to captivity he later moved to the vicinity of Culpeper,Page , Orange and Madision County, Va. In 1776 his son was baptized at the Hebron Lutheran Church in Madision Co.,Va. Adam served in the Rev War four seperate tours and twice joined Washington's Army, once at the Sckyull River and once at the Delaware River. In the 1780's he went to the area of what is now Washington County, Tn. He is buried on Bitner's Knob in the old Painter Cemetery on Horse Creek across from and on his original homeplace. Adam's mother and three of his sisters, returned with him after captivity. Two of his sisters remained with Indians. His known wives were Susan Carpenter, Demelia--, Elizabeth Painter who was executrix of his estate(She was living in Linn County, Missouri with her son Aaron Painter(re: 1850 census of Missouri) she is shown born in Maryland.

Posted on Painter Genforum, Oct 21, 2005

Children of Adam Painter who died in 1835 at Washington County, Tenn. 1.Hezekiel- baptized 1776 at Hebron Lutheran Church, Madison Co., Va. Shown as taxpayer in Washington Co., Tenn.Later lived in Habersham County, Ga.in 1850 Census.Name shown as Ezekiel Painter in Gold lottery of Ga.

2.John - born 1781 in Ky. married Milly Kindle 5 Oct 1807-Washington County, TN

3.Aaron-born 1801 at Washington Co., Tn.1st wife Rebecca born 1801 2nd wife Caroline Phillipsborn 1812.Was living in Linn County, Mo. during 1850 census-his mother Elizabeth was with him and his family.

4.William born Feb 16, 1784 married 4Jan 1809 to Mary Prathar 2nd to Matilda(Earnest?)

5.Adam born 3 Oct 1786 Washington County, Tn married Keziah Newberry born 15 Oct 1788 died 11 Jan 1875. Adam, jr died 29 Dec 1851 buried Old Painter Cemetary ,Horse Creek, Washington Co. Tn. 6.David born 3 Oct 1786, Washington County, Tn. married Rebecca Carr married 9 April 1812, born in SCarolina

7. Jessee born 1797 Washington Co., Tn married Sarah Mock 10 Oct 1826.

8.Philip born 1795 in Washington County, Tn married 1st Nancy Prathar 23 Feb 1823.2nd Martha Leming.He has descendants living in E. Tenn., Harlowton, Montana,Helena, Montana,Walla Walla , Washington, Torrance Calif.others in Washington and California.

9.Samuel born 1800 Washington Co., Tn married 25 May 1825 to Hannah Johnston born 1805.

10.Sally, born Washington County, Tn. married 1 Dec 1812 to John Gann. Moved to vicinity Chattnooga, Tn. 4 sons fought in Civil War.

11.Polly, born Washington County, Tn married Aaron Bowman

12.(??)Nathaniel may be one of the above sons. His name appears in Court Records with some of the other sons in Washington County, Tn. (Old Adam was probably had at least one other wife early on in Virginia).

I have copies of wills for Jessee, Philip, etc.

From the Culpepper Genweb site (John's Germana Notes):

A family that I want to learn something about is the Pender/Bender/Painter family in Culpepper County, Virginia. A short paragraph here recently added to what I do know, but I would be interested in more.

Adam Painter was in Culpeper Class 92, of which the other members were Lt. Michael Garr, John Wilhoit, John Slaughter, Elisha Yager, Matthias Smith, Andrew Finks, Wm. Bates, Wm. Bates, Jr., Jesse Vawter, Ephraim Klugg, Robert Baxter, and Matthias McDonald. Adam was the selection, and no note to the records indicates that he hired a substitute. So, I would presume he saw service. This would be 1781. There are no Painter, Pender, or Benders in the 1787 tax list.

Adam took communion at the Lutheran church on Christmas Day 1775, on Easter of 1776, Pentecost of 1776, and Christmas of 1776. After being so attentive to the festival days, he makes no more appearances there. Elisabetha Bender was there on Christmas 1775. Demilia was there on Easter of 1776 (when she was confirmed), and on Christmas of 1776. From the baptismal register we find that Adam and Demilia were husband and wife, for Hezeckiel, their son, was baptized on 28 Jul 1776. The boy had been born 16 Jun. This is a case of marriage before confirmation (perhaps even baptism). The family was probably quite young then. (There could be two Demilias.)

For what it is worth, the sponsors of the baby were Andrew Carpenter and his wife Barbara (Weaver), and Moses Broyl and Elisabeth Breil [consistency is not one of the hallmarks of the scribes at the Lutheran church]. A Moses Broyl had married a Barbara Carpenter, and there are too many Elisabeth Breils to even hazard a guess. Though sponsors are often relatives, I suspect that in this case the Benders had no relatives in the community. Again, they were probably in transit, trying different communities.

I have a note on the margin of some material that the maiden name of Johann Theobald Christler's mother was Bender. Johannes Bender left Germany for Pennsylvania on 20 April 1719. I do not know if Adam Bender has any relationship to the Christlers. Certainly they did not show up in his choice of sponsors for his son Hezeckiel.

We have learned that Adam is buried on Horse Creek in Washington Co., Tennessee. (Added by tm: This could be Adam Jr. who is buried in that cemetary.)

(02 Aug 01)

I published two books, "Hebron" Communion Lists and "Hebron" Baptismal Register, and these are available for sale, see my website at germanna.com.

Adam Painter (as Adam Bender) does not appear very often. HIs wife was Demilia and they had a son Ezekiel.

More detail follows:

Bender. Johann Adam Bender married Demilia Broyles. Their son, Heseckiel, born 16 JUN 1776, was baptized 28 JUL 1776. Sponsors were Andrew Carpenter and his wife Barbara, Moses Broyles, and Elizabeth Broyles. Adam Bender was a communicant 25 DEC 1775. On Easter Sunday (7 APR) in 1776, Adam Bender was a communicant while Demilia was confirmed. On Pentecost in 1776, Adam Bender was a communicant and at Christmas in 1776, Adam Bender and wife were communicants. Adam Pander signed the petition in the fall of 1776 made by the church members to be freed of the support of the state church. He is not found though as a signer of the church constitution of May 1776.

The confusion between P and B and between T and D is typical of Germans. The letter e is pronounced as a "a" (ay as in hay). So the differece between Painter and Bender is not great.

-- John.Blankenbaker@comcast.net

The following enrtries are taken from "Hebron" BAPTISMAL REGISTER 2nd Ed by John Blankenbaker:

German Lutheran Church in Culpepper/Madison Counties Virginia, 1750-1849

[28] 1776 Adam Bender w. Demilia (parents) Heseckiel 16 Jun 1776 Witnesses: Andreas Carpenter & w. Barbara (Weaver) ; 28 Jul 1776 Moses Broyls, Elizabeth Breil

"Hebron" COMMUNION LISTS compiled and translated by Andreas Mielke and John Blankenbaker:

2 Christmas 25 Dec A.D. 1775 Communicants Adam Bender

3 Easter 7 April 1776 Communicants Adam Bender Johannes Carpenter Sen Confirmations Demilia Bender

4 Pentecost A.D. 1776 [26 May] Communicants Adam Bender

6 Christmas A.D. 1776[24/25 December] Communicants Adam Bender wife Demilia

List of soldiers from Washington Co TN in the War of 1812:

Captain William McLin's Company (12 October 1813 - 8 February 1814) Painter, Adam; left sick at Maryville (Could be Adam Jr.)

From a ancestry.com family tree posted in jan 2007 by jbhitt@att.net for Demilia Broyles, in reference to Adam Painter:

..BENDER DAR records gives one wife as Susan Carpenter. Deed in Washington Co. TN. gives wife as Katrina ...

Several of our ancestors signed a petition in 1776. To save space many names have been eliminated from the petition:

22 October 1776

To the Honorable, the President and Delegates of the Convention of the Common Wealth of Virginia

The Petition of the German Congregation of the County of Culpepper Showeth

Our Fathers lived under an arbitrary Prince in Germany and were invited by the Honorable William Penn to settle in his Province. By the faith they had in the Charter and by the word of the Germans that lived there, we could enjoy freedom in the exercise of Religion, supporting only our own Church and the Poor. Our Fathers ventured their lives and fortunes to come into a Land of Liberty to enjoy the Sweets of Freedom which God created for all Men. They journeyed from Germany to London and there agreed with a Captain to land them in Pennsylvania. The Captain proved false and landed them against their will and agreement in Virginia where he sold them for Servants.

Soon they gathered to the Place where we now live and they concluded to erect a Church and a School House. They were granted a License to collect money, build a church, call a minister, worship God in a congregation, and practice their religion as they were taught by their parents in Europe.

In our poverty we are obliged to pay Parochial Charges as well as support our own Church which leaves many of us distressed.  Now, with our fellow citizens, we are obliged to bleed for Freedom and contribute to the expense of the War.  We are not breaking from the established Church as do the common Dissenters.

We humbly pray that we may be exempted from further payment of the Parochial Charges except to support our own Church and Poor:

... Andrew Carpenter, John Weaver, .. , Michael Fleshman, .. Nicholas Broyles, Adam Moyer, .. , Zachariah Broyles, .., Jacob Broyle, .. , Jacob Broyles, William Carpenter, Adam Bender.

    Nicholas Wilheit, John Carpenter, John Fleshman, Frederick Lipp, John Broyles, Robert Fleshman, .. Adam Broyles, Christopher Zimmerman, Zacharias Smith, Christopher Moyer, Jr.,.. John Carpenter, Sr.,  Ziriakus Broyles, .., Peter Broyles, .. Christopher Moyer, George Wilheit.