John Caldwell was born in Ireland 22 Jan 1753. While still
a boy, his parents immigrated to America and settled first at Balti-
more. In 1773 Caldwell removed to the vicinity of Wheeling and was
for several years in the Indian Wars. In 1774 he was out with Dunmore.
In Oct 1776 under the command of Capt. Wm. Harrod, Caldwell was one of
a party from Grave Creek Fort that went down the river to rescue the
wounded and bury the dead of Robert Patterson's party coming from KY.
The next year Caldwell was a volunteer under Capt Samuel Mason. At
first stationed at Shepherd's Fort, he was at Fort Henry during the siege.
His son related to Draper that Caldwell ran up the hill to escape the
ambuscade, tripped and fell, and was wedged in between two trees. Seeing
an Indian pursuing him, he wrenched himself loose with great effort, just
as the Indian threw his tomahawk, which missed its aim, and Caldwell
escaped to Shepherd's Fort six miles up the creek. In 1778 and 9
Caldwell was a volunteer guard at Wheeling and in the latter year went
on to Broddhead's campaign; he also served a while at Rail's Fort on
Buffalo Creek. He lived on Wheeling Creek about 14 miles above its
mouth, until his death in 1840, and at one time drew pension for his
services.
