Individual Details

John Echols (c.1722- 18 Mar. 1795) was “one of the largest men ever Raisd in Virginia… he was a Quaker preacher.” During the French and Indian War, John kept a journal of the exploits of Capt. Robert Wade’s Company of the Halifax County militia. His captain may have been the Robert Wade who married Sarah Robertson Vaughan. Echols’ journal recorded his march in the summer of 1758 from Mayo Fort to New River “in search of our enemy Indians

Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol. 6
South River Monthly Meeting:

1757, 12, 17. John, son William & Sarah, received by request

1758, 5, 20. John granted permission to remove; removed

1759, 4, 21. John condemned going with soldiers in pursuit of some Indians (Note by D.S.B.) See “History of Southwest Virginia 1746-1786” by Lewis Preston Summers, pages 62-66 for an extract of a Journal by John Echols “concerning a march that Capt. Robert Wade took to the New River” in search of Indians, Saturday, 12th of August, 1758

1764, 10, 20. John “by order of the quarterly meeting held 1763, 8, 25, a paper of denial was read against him” in this monthly meeting

1786, 3, 18. John [Echolds] reinstated

Journal of Capt. Robert Wade Company “Capt. Robert Wade march’t from Mayo Fort with 35 men in order to take a range to the New River in search of our enemy Indians. We marcht about three miles that day to a Plantation where Peter Rentfro formerly lived and took up camp. Next morning we marcht along to a place called Gobling Town where we Eat our Brakefast, and so continued our march and took up our camp that night at the foot of the Blew Ledge” “Next Day we crossed the Blew Ledge and marched to Francis Eason’s Plantation and continued there that night. Our hunters brought in a plentiful supply of venison. Next morning begin Tuesday the 15th we marcht down to Richard Ratcliff’s plantation on Meadow Creek where we continued that night. Next morning sent out Spyes and hunters to Spy for enemy signs and to hunt for provisions” Echols told how they spent several days there, and then one day five Indians came very unexpectedly upon them. He said the Indians “stood in amaise and Reason they had, for I suppose there were twenty guns presented at them. They said they were Cherokees. I made sign to them to shew me their Pass But they had none. They had with them five head of horse and Skelps that appeared to be whitemen. Four of the horses appeared as tho’ they had been recently taken, the other was very poor.” There was a hunter with them named Abraham Dunkleberry who said the Indians were Cherokees, but that they evidently were rogues. The Captain was doubtful of what he should do, but finally allowed the Indians to depart, which greatly displeased the men who said there was no use in ranging if the enemy were to be allowed to go after catching them. So after the hunter Dunkleberry had packed up his skins and gone the Captain appointed twelve men to go after the Indians, and overtaking them in an Orchard they killed four and wounded the other. Then finding so many Indian signs about and their ammunition running low, the decided to return. On Tuesday the 22nd they ate dinner on Blackwater Creek and spent the night on Robert Jones’ plantation at the head of Pigg River. The following day “myself and four more left the company and went across by Gobling Town and came to Mayo Fort that night. The Captain and the rest of the men tells us they came to Hickey’s Fort that night and the next day to Mayo Fort. I remember no more worth making a Remark of, so courteous reader, I Rem Yrs. Etc. John Echols”

Bedford County, VA - Will Index, 1754 - 1830
Eckhols, John, 22 June, 1795.
He probably never had children and his wife died before he did because in his will he left his property to Quakers and his niece.

Goose Creek Monthly Meeting, Bedford Co VA
Eckholds
1795, 3, 18. John died age 74y

There is a Virginia Land Patent issued to John Echols on 8 Aug 1787, 953 acres at the beginning of the foot of Weavers Knob.

Birth	Abt 1721
Death	18 Mar 1795	Bedford County, Virginia

Father	William Echols (1702 - 1771)
Mother	Sarah Turner ( - )
Sibling	Hannah Echols (1740 - )
Sibling	Ruth Echols (1735 - 1813)
Sibling	William Echols ( - 1794)
Sibling	Judith Echols ( - 1765)
Sibling	Ann Echols ( - )
Sibling	Daughter Echols ( - )
Sibling	Elizabeth Echols ( - )