Information received May 12, 1998, from Poke Run Presbyterian Church's Early History Records "It is not possible to give a complete list of the names of members of the Session of the Church at the time of organization. The following persons were among the first elders. Joseph Thorn. John Hamilton, John Gwinn, John Guthrie, William Guthrie, William Hill, David Carnahan and Samuel Paul. Some of those persons were, without a doubt, ordained elders when they came to this community, and others were elected when the congregation was organized. History records that John Hamilton was one of the elders who helped to organize the Church, From the minutes of the Redstone Presbytery, we know that John Hamilton attended a meeting at Round Hill on April 17, 1792. During the next five years we do not have any record of the above named elders as being present at the meetings of Presbytery until John Hamilton attended a meeting at Sewickly, Tuesday, April 10, 1798.
In these days the Presbytery did not record the name of the Church that the elders represented so it is possible that there were other elders who represented the Church but we did not recognize their names. Very little is known of the history of these men. John Hamilton served as an officer in the War of 1812.
From History of Poke Run Presbyterian Church revised 1977 edition page152 There are three soldiers of the War of 1812 well marked by Major General Arthur St. Clair chapter of the Daughters of 1812. Jesse Miller 1767-1853 Major John Hamilton Robert McQuilkin died June 11, 1844 age 62 years marked by 1812 marker. DEATHS (*noted on headstone) *In honor of service N.S.U.S.D. 1812..Major Jno Hamilton--War of 1812 *Our Father Matthew Hamilton 1806-1880 (son of Major Jno. above) *Our Mother Ruth Steel, wife of Matthew Hamilton 1813-1880 *John Hamilton, born January 19, 1845 died February 2, 1882 (grandson of Major Jno. and brother of Thomas Rayburn) *Martha, daughter of Matthew and Ruth Hamilton died Apr 2, 1840, age 4yr29d Mrs Thomas Hamilton Mar 17, 1942 (non-member) Marjorie Isabelle McCutcheon wife of Thomas Rayburn Hamilton (grandson of Major Jno) Homer Dale Hamilton May 8, 1962 (son of Marjorie and Thomas Rayburn Hamilton)
Baptisms Records Thomas Hamilton-Adult- Oct. 1, 1843 could be Thomas and Mary John Hamilton son of Thomas and Mary born 20 Jan 1845 bapt. 1849-50 Mary Ann Clark Hamilton daughter of Thomas and Mary Hamilton born 19 Dec. 1849 bapt 1849-50 Adam Hamilton, son of Thomas and Mary Hamilton born 29 Oct. 1851 bapt 1851-52 Captain John Hamilton
Excerpts of the Battle of Fort Meigs was taken from "History of Westmoreland County" edited by George Dallas Albert page 232. and an unknown printed source mentioning Capt. John Hamilton as Harrison's emissary Capt. John Hamilton , (listed in some records as Major) was born about 1769 after his parents (Squire John Hamilton and Agnes (Nancy) Raeburn) came to the colonies. Some records state he was born on the ship on the way here but 1850 census state he was born in Pennsylvamia. He married Isabella (Sadie) Courtney. They had eleven children. When Governor Snyder called on the troops to assist in the War of 1812 Captain John Hamilton rounded up his militia and responded.
Being one of the elders he was made Captain of his troop and proceeded to do his duty. A supply base was needed so a fortress was built on the south-east side of the River Maumee near the battle-ground where General Wayne defeated the Indians in 1794. The fortress was called Fort Meigs, commanded by General Leftwitch, with his Virginia troops and about two hundred and fifty Pennsylvanians. Near the beginning of April 1813 the enemy was planning a siege of the fort. General Leftwitch left with his Virginians for reasons unknown, but the Pennsylvanians, although their terms of service had expired, volunteered for its defense. General Harrison, knowing the fort was in danger, hurried with reinforcements for the relief of the Pennsylvanians who now composed most of the garrison. When Harrison arrived at the fort he saw the situation was critical. The fort could not hold out forever. Once the ammunition was gone the men would be at the mercy of the better trained army of the seasoned British regulars and the enraged Indians. Captain Oliver arrived at the fort with news that General Clay was about two hours away. Realizing he must act at once Captain John Hamilton, an aide to Harrison, was sent to carry orders to General Clay with a plan of attack of surprise, discipline, and perfect timing. He knew the Kentuckians had seen no more than thirty days of service but he had to take a gamble on them and his plan, to succeed. The surprise attack worked and the fort was saved. Captain John Hamilton and his militia were then released from duty.
Following information from the Pennsylvania Archives 2nd series Vol. 12 page 177 ROLL OF CAPTAIN JOHN HAMILTON'S COMPANY Payroll of a company of infantry commanded by Captain John Hamilton, in the Second brigade, Second regiment, under the command of Brigadier General Richard Cooke, from the 2d of October, 1812, to the 2d of April, 1813. Captain Hamilton, John. Lieutenant McDowell, John. Ensign Borts, Michael. Sergeants Carrell, James. Montgomery, Benjamin. Nealy, Henry. Corporals Moore, John. Watts, David Arbs, Luis Privates Smith, Simon. Kerr, David. Anthony, Samuel. Kindley, William. Caranahan, Robert. Moore, William. Moore, John. Hank, Michael. Brown, Andrew. Siluire, Henry. Shilhamer, Phillips. Perk, Daniel. Alexander, Joseph. Gibson, William, died since discharge. Gorley, David. McGeary, David. 12-Vol. XII page 178 WAR OF 1812-13 Almax, Henry. Taylor, Frederick. Roley, Easa. Brice, Ezekiel. Herriss, William. Henderson, John. Miller, Jesse. Elwood, Thomas, left sick at Lisbon, October 22, 1812. Stoops, John, Sr., left on permit, at Mansfield, December 23,1812. Stoops, John. Jr., left on permit, at Mansfield, December 23, 1812. Linenger, Conrad, left on permit, at Mansfield, December 23, 1812. Jamison, James, left on permit, at Mansfield, December 23, 1812. Cunningham, William. left on permit, at Mansfield, December 23, 1812. Robison, James, left on permit, at Mansfield, December 22,1812. McDaide, George, volunteered at Fort Meigs, fifteen days Edwards, Henry, volunteered fifteen days, at Fort Meigs. Wigle, John. Bush, Christian. Knapingbarger, John Hartman, Jacob. Whitlinger, John. Snider, Daniel. Richey, George. Miller, Jacob. Trout, John. Brown, John, volunteered fifteen days, at Fort Meigs. Brown, William. Stewart, John. Stewart, James. Borland, John. Kerns, John. McGeary, James. Ridenour, John. Healy, George. Wagaman, John. Siliure, John. McCollaugh, Robert, discharged November 26, 1812. Everhart, Christian, discharged November 26, 1812. Hitz, Jacob, discharged October 23, 1812. Anderson, William, discharged January 4, 1812. ? should be1813? I certify, on honor, that this exhibits a true state of Capt. Hamilton's company, and that the remarks opposite to each name are accurate and just.
JOHN HAMILTON September 22, 1813. He had served a total of six months as Captain of the second regiment of (Patterson's) Pennsylvania Militia from 2 Oct. 1812 to 18 April 1813 at which time he was given a discharge at Fort Meigs, which was 300 miles from his home in Greensburgh, Pennsylvania. While in defense of his country he received 40 dollars a month pay, served a total of 3 months and 17 days and was allowed 15 days travel time. On November 23rd 1850 John Hamilton applied for Bounty Land offered by the government under the "act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the Military Service of the United States" passed Sept. 28th 1850. He had given his original certificate of discharge to Henry Norton who forwarded it to his agent Brooks McCall, a resident of the City of Washington, to serve as a voucher to enable the said Brooks McCall to draw the "transportation money" due him, the said John Hamilton and having never again been returned to him. On the 9 April 1855 John Hamilton returned the 80 acre bounty land warrant #19.320 for the purpose of obtaining additional Bounty Land under the act approved 3 March 1855, at which time he received 160 acres WT # 17918. The witnesses to this transaction for purpose of identification were James Steel and Hiram Steel.
