Individual Details

Is this the same John McFall?
Chalkley's Chronicles, Vol. 3, Deed Book 9
p.495.--14th February, 1761. John McFall, of Bedford, to
David Miller, £25, 141 acres on Glade Creek, branch of Roanoke; cor. John
Bowin's land. Teste: John Smith, John Miller, John Thomson, David
Luney, Francis Liber. Delivered: Israel Christian, January, 1767.
p.497.--9th June, 1761. Same to George Paris, £39, 220 acres on
Roanoke on Glade Creek, by patent, 10th March, 1756; John Boens line.
Delivered: Robert Paris, 27th August, 1787.

Library of Virginia, Land Patents
PB 32, p.698
10 March 1756 Grant to John McFall on waters of Roanoak on branch called Glade Creek, 220 acres.
PB 34, p.10
10 March 1756 Grant to John McFall on a branch of Roanoak called Glade Creek, 141 acres


Kentucky Land Grants, 1782-1924 on Ancestry.com
John McFall, 1000 acres, Surveyed 18 Feb 1784, Fayette Co on Mill Creek
The actual papers found on the Kentucky Land Office website. John McFall had a preemption certificate for 1000 acres, dated 31 Jan 1780, which included a deer lick and his cabin - issued by the commission of Virginia to settle the land claims in the District of Kentucky. He had been on the tract since 1776. McFall paid 400 pounds to the commonwealth of Virginia for his claim. Two warrants were issued - one for 892 acres entered 27 Apr 1780, the other for 108 acres entered 13 Mar 1783 . The two tracts were surveyed together in Fayette Co; they adjoined each other on Mill Creek a branch of Licking Creek, 6 miles west of Ruddles Station - the survey dated 18 Feb 1784. The grant was issued 1 Jun 1785, transcript included below.

Old query on Harrison Co KY USGenWeb page:
Tuesday, November 25, 1997
Looking for help in locating the family of John McFall, who married a woman by the name of Barbara. He had family of eight children and was involved in the battle at Ruddles Station 1780. He and the children were taken to Canada while Barbara was kept with the Indians. They reunited sometime later. John died in Harrison County, Kentucky in 1800. I have the records of land division for wife and children. I believe that all the children left Kentucky except for David McFall, who married a second time and died in Bourbon County, Kentucky.

Note: John McFall is a recognized Patriot in NSDAR, but only through son Joseph.

John McFall and wife Barbara came to the Kentucky territory apparently in 1776 and settled at Ruddle's Station, then in Fayette County. This fort was captured by the British and their Indian forces in June 1780. John McFall and his children were taken as prisoners of the British to Detroit where they were later released. The Indians were so impressed by Barbara McFall's bravery during the taking of the fort, they took her into the Shannee [sic] (Shawnee) tribe.
She was rescued, two and a half years later, by George Rogers Clark's forces near McKee's Town in the Ohio Territory.

Some "Draper's Interview" on McFall's in Ruddel's Attack :
As Far as I can tell John and Barbara McFall came to Ruddell's Station with their family during the winter of 1779-80. They were present at the fort when Indians attacked it March 10, 1780. Peter Smith, who knew the McFalls, later recalled Mrs.McFall's actions during this first attack:
"One Indian managed to get under the puncheon floor, perhaps in the night, and Mrs. McFall poured hot water between the cracks - and the Indian rolled out in a lively manner, and jumping up, he ran in a zigzag manner, when several shots were ineffectually discharged at him." (Lyman Draper's interview with Peter Smith, August 27, 1863, Draper MSS 18S-113-115)

After capture John McFall and his children, Patrick, age 13, Joseph, age 11, Margaret, age 9, and Sarah, age 7 were together at Detroit and later conveyed to Montreal when they were released in 1782. John McFall was mentioned in the trial of Captain Isaac Ruddell when John Mahan deposed:
"That John McFall had informed him, this Deponent he was well assured from convienencing circumstances it was thro the means of Riddle that he (McFall) being then a prisoner with the British was transported from Detroit to Montreal." (Library of Virginia - Governor's Letters Received, June 29,1776 -
November 30, 1784. Letter of Isaac Zane, Marlbro Iron Works, [to] governor, January 14, 1783, Image No. GLR04283.)

Christiana Gatliff deposed:
"sometime in or about the month of Septr. 1780, while she was a prisoner in a Blockhouse at Detroit with John McFall who understanding he was like to be sent to Montreal declared that should an attempt of that kind be made, he would make his escape at the risk of his life upon information of which Isaac
Riddle [illegible] by Sergeant Chapman of the British came to this Deponent and minutely interrogated her what information she had made to John Conway (who has since taken protection under the King) respecting John McFall's declaration of making an attempt to escape to which the replies as above upon
which Riddle Ordered the Sergeant immediately to take McFall into Custody and take care of him and since then she has never seen McFall." (Library of Virginia -Governor's Letters Received, June 29, 1776 - November 30, 1784.
Letter of IsaacZane, Marlbro Iron Works, [to] governor, January 14, 1783,
Image No. GLR04283.)

Peter Smith told Draper: "John McFall was a prisoner with the Indians - got away by Clark's army invading the Indian country, his wife was retained by the Indians some years, and finally got back. They settled on Mill Creek, in now Harrison County."

John McFall's "Long Shot" at Ruddel's Fort
Another incident preserved is the successful long shot made by John McFall which killed Thomas McCarty who was with Alexaner McKee's advanced party at Ruddell's Station on June 24, 1780. Captain Bird wrote in his report:
"I had before that day entreated every Indian officer that appeared to have influence among the savages to persuade them not to engage with the Fort until the Guns were up - fearing, if any were killed, it might exasperate the Indians & make them commit cruelties when the Rebels surrendered. Poor McCarty, in every other respect an extreme, attentive, serviceable fellow, perished by disobeying this order."
Michael Baker, whose parents were prisoners at Detroit, later recalled the story of John McFall's long shot which killed Thomas McCarty:
"McCarty... secreted himself in a big tree, which he had climbed, sufficiently near the fort to shoot one or two who had too incautiously exposed themselves - when John McFall in the fort, discovered McCarty, and with his large musket well loaded with bullets & buckshot, brought him down dead."
(Lyman Draper's interview with Michael Baker, Draper MSS 4S:159)

John M.Ruddell, son of Stephen Ruddell, recalled the aftermath of the shooting:
"A long shot killed a white of the British party - and when the guns were stacked, Bird desired Capt. Ruddell to point out the gun that had performed the successful shot of three or four hundred yards and Bird had it largely ornamented with silver on his return and kept it for his personal use."
(Lyman Draper's interview with John M. Ruddell, 1868, Draper MSS 22S:41-52)

According to an August 13, 1783 Pennsylvania Gazette, Barbara McFall and her son, John McFall were listed as prisoners of the Indians about 1782.
Barbara McFall was liberated in 1782 during George Rogers Clark's raid into Ohio. In the 1846 History of Ohio, the reminiscences of Abraham Thomas were published and said "a party of Indians on horseback with their squaws came out of a trace that led to some Indian villages near the present site of Granville. They were going on a frolic, or powwow, to be held at Piqua, and had with them a Mrs. McFall, who was some time before taken prisoner from Kentucky; the Indians escaped into the woods leaving their women, with Mrs. McFall, to the mercy of our company. We took those along with us to Piqua and
Mrs. McFall returned to Kentucky."

John McFall later settled on 1,000 acres of land on Mill Creek now in Harrison County, Kentucky.

To all whom these presents shall come greeting know ye that by Virtue and in Consideration of two land office preemption Warrants Number 232 for Eight hundred and ninety two Acres the other warrant is a balance of the warrant Number 232 that was issued the 21st day of March 1782. There is granted by the Said Commonwealth unto John McFall a Certain Tract or parcel of land Containing one thousand acres by an exclusive survey bearing date the 18th day of February 1784(prob 1781) lying and being in the County of Fayette on Mill Creek about six miles westwardly from Ruddles Station and bounded as follows.
Beginning at a white oak hickory and sugar tree on the west side of the Creek running thence south forty degrees East two hundred and sixteen poles to a hickory and sugar tree thence north fifty degrees East eight six poles to two hickories thence South forty degrees East two hundred and forty poles to a buckeye and ash tree thence north fifty degrees east three hundred and ten poles to a buckeye and white oak thence north forty degrees West four hundred and fifty six poles to an ash white and red oaks growing out together thence south fifty degrees west three hundred and ninety six poles (including) a lick in the bank of the Creek known by the name of Logan's Lick, to the Beginning with its appurtenences To have and to hold the Said Tract or Parcel of land with its appurtenances to the said John McFall and his heirs forever. In witness where of the said Patrick Henry Esq. Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia hath here unto set his hand and Caused the Seal of the Said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond the first day of June in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty five and of the Commonwealth the Ninth.
Signed: Patrick Henry.

1810 Census. Harrison Co, KY
John McFalls: 2m under 10, 1m over 45. 2f under 10, 1f 26-45
A Joseph McFalls is on the same page: 3m under 10, 1m 10-16, 1m 16-26. 1f under 10, 1f 10-16

Kentucky Records, Volume II
by Julia Ardery
HARRISON COUNTY
(Formed 1793, from Bourbon and Scott Counties)
ORDER BOOK A
Pages 26, 27, 28, May, 1806-Deposition of Samuel Van Hook to establish land of Thos. Moore and Benj. Johnson on Mill Creek, entered 1780, conflicting with McFall's claim, deposeth: Came back from being a prisoner in Spring of '79, settled at Ruddle's Station, and in year '80 after Christmas moved to Martin's Station and taken prisoner in June following, and returned in four or five years. Wm. McCune deposeth: Saw land in question in company with John Hinkson while living at Ruddle's Station in year 1780. Wm. Anderson became familiar with place in year 1785. Thos. Ravencroft saw same in year 1785.
Book A, pg. 70, July 17, 1795-John McFall of Harrison Co., Ky., to Henry Coleman and John Hutcherson, gdns. of Elizabeth and Catey Coleman, hrs. at law of John Coleman, decd., land located in Harrison.
Book 5, pg. 28, Aug. 1816-Whereas Jas. M. Hannon in his lifetime to wit, 12th of Oct. 1807, executed bond to David McFall all right as hr. at law of John McFall, decd., the real estate of decedent's land laid off to Barbara McFall, widow, also interest of Patrick McFall, another of the hrs., held by deed of Patrick McFall. Indenture made Aug. 20, 1816, Margaret Hannon, widow of Jas. M. Hannon, decd., John Hannon, Jas. Hannon, Braxton King and wife, Sally, late Hannon, last three hrs. of Jas. M. Hannon, decd., of lawful age, and Polly Hannon, Samuel Hannon, Hannah Hannon, Thos. Hannon, Mary Ann Hannon and Archemedus Hannon, inft. hrs. of said Jas. M. Hannon, decd., by Isaac Holeman, Jas. Hannon, John Hannon, Commissioners to David McFall, land located in Harrison; patent of John McFall's settlement and preemption.

Page 257, July, 1812-Sarah Hannon and Samuel Hannon, inft. orphans of James M. Hannon, decd., chose Isaac Holman gdn.; court. apptd. said Isaac Holman gdn. to Polly, Thos., Maryann and Archimedus Hannon, inft. orphans of same. Surety: Josephus Perrin.


FamilyTree on Ancestry.com
Many of these accounts represented have been preserved by historian, Lyman Draper (1815 - 1891). He was the State Historical Society of Wisconsin's first director. He collected first hand accounts from men and women involved in the early history of the trans-Allegheny west. The originals documents are housed at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, and microfilm copies can be found at various libraries across the US.

" From a deposition taken at the house of David McFall at McFalls lick on Mill creek taken 22 Jan 1811. James Gray age 55 said that he came to this place July 1779 and found John McFall building his Cabbin (sic) at this spot. Gray also deposed that Ruddles Station was founded in April 1779. This comes from a law suit filed in Harrison Co., KY. He further said that while living at the Station during 1779 & 1780 McFall frequently left the station to work on his Cabbin and the residents were fearful of his safety because the Indians were troublesome."

The first attack on the fort, March 10, 1780, was unsuccessful, however we are left with an account of it from the Draper papers:" As Far as I can tell John and Barbara McFall came to Ruddell's Station with their family during the winter of 1779-80. They were present at the fort when Indians attacked it March 10, 1780. Peter Smith, who knew the McFalls, later recalled Mrs .McFall's actions during this first attack: ' One Indian managed to get under the puncheon floor, perhaps in the night, and Mrs. McFall poured hot water between the cracks - and the Indian rolled out in a lively manner, and jumping up, he ran in a zigzag manner, when several shots were ineffectually discharged at him.'"
(Lyman Draper's interview with Peter Smith, August 27, 1863, Draper MSS 18S-113-115)

Another incident preserved is the successful long shot made by John McFall which killed Thomas McCarty who was with Alexaner McKee's advanced party at Ruddell's Station on June 24, 1780. Captain Bird wrote in his report:" I had before that day entreated every Indian officer that appeared to have influence among the savages to persuade them not to engage with the Fort until the Guns were up - fearing, if any were killed, it might exasperate the Indians & make them commit cruelties when the Rebels surrendered. Poor McCarty, in every other respect an extreme, attentive, serviceable fellow, perished by disobeying this order." Michael Baker, whose parents were prisoners at Detroit, later recalled the story of John McFall's long shot which killed Thomas McCarty:" McCarty... secreted himself in a big tree, which he had climbed, sufficiently near the fort to shoot one or two who had too incautiously exposed themselves - when John McFall in the fort, discovered McCarty, and with his large musket well loaded with bullets & buckshot, brought him down dead."
(Lyman Draper's interview with Michael Baker, Draper MSS 4S:159)

On ar about June 22, 1780 (some say the 26th) in the early morning hours, Capt. Bird and his troops, estimated to number about 200 Canadian and Tories, and 400 (possibly up to 1000) Indians from the Great Lakes region, arrived at Ruddle's Station with two cannons, a smaller 3 pound, and a larger 6 pound cannon. (These were probably the size of the cannonballs.)

A few rifle shots were reportedly shot at the fort, and gunfire was exchanged, then the smaller cannon was fired at the entrance to Ruddle's. One account has that the cannon ball embedded itself into the wooden wall, and another account has that it bounced off the wall.

In any case, the larger cannon was ordered to the front, loaded and fired towards the basically defenseless fort. As the roar of the cannon being fired, and the shaking of the ground, the north wall of the station fell as the cannon ball destroyed the logs. This is the first time a cannon was used against a Kentucky fort.

As the large cannon was ordered to be reloaded, a white flag appeared. Several men emerged and began to talk to Capt. Bird. Bird ordered their surrender, unconditionally, in the name of King George III.

Seeing no other option, a surrender was agreed to, with the condition that men were to be taken prisoners, and the women and children be allowed to travel to the next settlement.The next few minutes were about to changes their lives....The Indians were not satisfied with the surrender agreement, as they wanted revenge for the earlier burning of their villages in Ohio, by George Rogers Clark. Vastly out-numbering the British troops, and ignoring orders to stay outside the fort, the Indians rushed into the fort and started on a rampage, with tomahawks and knives.They began taking prisoners, killing the old and sick, and taking scalps, while babies were taken from their mother's arms, bashed against posts, and thrown into the fire. The Indians took everything of value, and it is reported, they even took some of the clothing off of the men.It is said that 20 - 24 men, women, and children lost their lives in those few minutes. It is hard to imagine the fear and horror that the families experienced.

The belongings of the captives became the loot that the Indians were to take. The cattle and other small animals were killed, which would later prove to be a mistake.The British and Indian allies continued on to Martin's Station, located 5 miles away in now Bourbon County.

The inhabitants of Martin's Station heard of the attack and surrender at Ruddle's and decided to do the same, on the condition that there would be no killing. Again, the Indians broke their promise to Capt. Bird.

By this time, Capt. Bird had seen enough of the barbarious actions, and gave the orders on June 27, 1780 to begin the 400 mile march to Detroit with over 400 prisoners from Ruddle's and Martin's Stations. Some of the Indians continued on, to other nearby forts. When they arrived at Bryan's Station, they had found the inhabitants had already fled to safety. The fort was looted, and then burned.

The captives, were forced to carry the "loot," their belongings, on the march to Detroit.Capt. Bird had planned on bringing the cattle and small animals from Ruddle's on the march, as food for the great army, and the prisoners, now referred to as slaves by the Indians.Some records indicate that the prisoners were given only 1 cup of flour for the men, and 1/2 cup for the women and children, per day. They were forced to walk as much as 20 miles per day, carrying the "loot" from their own homes.

The march to Detroit lasted 41 days, arriving on August 4, 1780.Many prisoners died on the march from exhaustion, illness, wounds, and starvation. Some were even killed becaused they failed to keep up with the others.

Upon arriving at Detroit, the captives were divided up, some became farm workers or servants in Detroit area farms and homes, a few went to jail, 33 were sent on an additional 800 miles by boat to Montreal, Canada including John McFall, and about 200 captives were kept by the Indians to work in their settlements as servants and slaves, including Barbara McFall and son John Jr.Many families were split apart in Detroit, including the McFall's.

Children, Patrick, Joseph, Margaret, and Sarah are listed as being with their father, John McFall in Detroit, and later transported to Montreal, but it is unclear if they were among the original 33 sent on to Montreal, or if they were sent at a later time.


After capture John McFall and his children, Patrick, age 13, Joseph, age 11, Margaret, age 9, and Sarah, age 7 were together at Detroit and later conveyed to Montreal when they were released in 1782. John McFall was mentioned in the trial of Captain Isaac Ruddell when John Mahan deposed:

" That John McFall had informed him, this Deponent he was well assured from convienencing circumstances it was thro the means of Riddle that he (McFall) being then a prisoner with the British was transported from Detroit to Montreal." (Library of Virginia - Governor's Letters Received, June 29,1776 - November 30, 1784. Letter of Isaac Zane, Marlbro Iron Works, [to] governor, January 14, 1783, Image No. GLR04283.) Christiana Gatliff deposed:" sometime in or about the month of Septr. 1780, while she was a prisoner in a Blockhouse at Detroit with John McFall who understanding he was like to be sent to Montreal declared that should an attempt of that kind be made, he would make his escape at the risk of his life upon information of which Isaac Riddle [illegible] by Sergeant Chapman of the British came to this Deponent and minutely interrogated her what information she had made to John Conway (who has since taken protection under the King) respecting John McFall's declaration of making an attempt to escape to which the replies as above upon which Riddle Ordered the Sergeant immediately to take McFall into Custody and take care of him and since then she has never seen McFall." (Library of Virginia -Governor's Letters Received, June 29, 1776 - November 30, 1784. Letter of IsaacZane, Marlbro Iron Works, [to] governor, January 14, 1783, Image No. GLR04283.)

According to an August 13, 1783 Pennsylvania Gazette report, Barbara McFall and her son, John McFall were listed as prisoners of the Indians about 1782.

Barbara McFall was liberated in 1782 during George Rogers Clark's raid into Ohio. In the 1846 History of Ohio, the reminiscences of Abraham Thomas were published and said "a party of Indians on horseback with their squaws came out of a trace that led to some Indian villages near the present site of Granville. They were going on a frolic, or powwow, to be held at Piqua, and had with them a Mrs. McFall, who was some time before taken prisoner from Kentucky; the Indians escaped into the woods leaving their women, with Mrs. McFall, to the mercy of our company. We took those along with us to Piqua and Mrs. McFall returned to Kentucky."
While living with the Indians, I have seen few reports of harshness or abuse. In fact most seem to have been treated well, and some captives, especially children, were "adopted into" the Indian families. There are at least a couple reports of former captives returning to live with their Indian families, and taking Indian wives.
From the documents, it appears that Barbara McFall (& son John Jr. ?) were the first of the family to be released from captivity in August 1782, during George Rogers Clark's raid of Indian villages in Ohio.
It must have been overwhelming for her emotionally, as she returned home to Harrison Co., Kentucky, to find that her husband and other four children were not there. Did she know of their whereabouts and well-being? Was their cabin still intact, or had someone taken it over? This meant Barbara was on her own, to provide for herself and little John. She must have relied on the kindness of neighbors as well for some food, as it would have been too late in the season to begin growing food in a garden.
John McFall and the other children, were probably released, as mentioned above, in December 1782. What a reunion that must have been when they returned home!
Eventually, life probably got back to normal.
In 1785, the family continued to grow with the birth of son David, and again in 1787 with son Daniel, and finally in 1789, with the birth of daughter Susannah.


Rebel Prisoners at Quebec 1778-1783
Chris McHenry, Compiler, 1981
Halderman Papers, Add Mss 21, 843 ­ Microfilm Roll A-765. P.109 List of Rebel Prisoners in and near Montreal 30 Oct 1780 (Ed. Note: All of the following were marked "Taken from their Farms and Houses and Not In Arms.")
Name Age Taken At James Shannon 40 Virginia, June 1780 Campbell La Fever 22 ditto William Marshall 22 ditto George Finlay 34 ditto Wm Butt 41 ditto
P.111 "All taken Ft. George 11 Oct 1780 All in arms."
Name Age Taken At John Angel 20 Virginia, June 1780 (in arms) Lewis Field 15 ditto (in arms) Widow LaForce 52 Virginia, 26 June 1780--Brought from their farm Wm. LaForce 16 Anne LaForce 20 Judith LaForce John Duncan 40 Virginia 26 June 1780--Taken from their farm the man not in arms Elinor Duncan his wife 38 Elizabeth Duncan 18 John Duncan, Jr. 16 Margaret Duncan 14 Joseph Duncan 12 Mary Duncan 9 Sarah Duncan 7 Anne Duncan 5 Faithful Duncan 2 John Mahan 27 Same as above Agnes Mahan his wife 19 King LaForce Mahan 1__ Widow Mahon 48 Virginia 26 June 1780--Taken from their farms not in arms Thos. Mahon her son 20 Wm. Mahon, ditto 17 Elizabeth Mahon, dau 23 Isabella Mahon, ditto 18 Jane Mahon, ditto 16 James Morrow 26 Virginia 26 June 1780--Taken fromtheir farms not in arms Margaret Morrow, wife 21 William McGuire 26 Mary McGuire, wife 19 Michael McGuire 2 John McFall 52 Virginia 24 June 1780--Taken from their farms not in arms Patrick McFall, son 13 Joseph McFall, son 11 Margaret McFall, dau 9 Sarah McFall, dau 7

MCFALL, JOHN DAR Ancestor #: A076755
Service:
VIRGINIA Rank: PATRIOTIC SERVICE
Birth:
1745
Death:
ANTE -1800 HARRISON CO KENTUCKY
Service Source:
CLIFT, KY IN RETROSPECT: NOTEWORTHY PERSONAGES & EVENTS IN KY HIST 1792-1967, PP 215, 217; COLLINS, HIST OF KY, VOL 2, PP 72, 139
Service Description:
1) CAPTURED IN DEFENSE OF RUDDELL'S FORT, JUNE 22, 1780

Birth	1728	Pennsylvania
Death	1800	Harrison County, Kentucky
Marriage		Barbara ?Burrells

Spouse	Barbara ?Burrells ( - 1815)
Child	Patrick McFall (1767 - )
Child	Joseph McFall (1770 - 1821)
Child	Margaret "Peggy" McFall (1771 - 1824)
Child	Sarah McFall (1773 - )
Child	JOHN McFALL (1777 - 1841)
Child	David McFall (1785 - 1831)
Child	Daniel McFall (1787 - )
Child	Susannah McFall (1789 - )