Bios: Eve Oury, 1849: Hannahstown, Westmoreland County, PA
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If Hanna's Town can lay claim to having a heroine, that heroine is Eve Oury.
Eve belonged to the Francis Oury family of Hempfield, later Salem
Township. Her brothers, Adam and George, both saw Revolutionary war
Service in the 8th PA. Adam also went on the Lochry Expedition of 1781
against the Indians of the Ohio country which resulted in his captivity.
The Francis Oury family migrated to western Pennsylvania from
Cumberland County, PA.,
ca. 1769 after the Treaty Of Fort Stanwyx in 1768. The children were
named Adam, George, Catherine, Christina, Mary, Elizabeth, Eve, John,
Martha, Esther, Francis, and Jacob. (1)
In May of 1782, the father and his youngest son Jacob, were killed by
the Indians. Two other sons, John and Francis, were captured and the
farm burned. John and Francis later returned and John spent the rest of
his life under the care of his brother Adam, having never recovered
fully from injuries suffered while running the gauntlet. (2)
Eve Oury and her family were probably living in Hanna's Town at the
time of the raid since the farm had been burned in the May attack. Eve
took an active part in the defense of the fort and was,
in 1838 and 1846, awarded money and an annuity by the Pennsylvania
General Assembly for her wartime services. (3) Eve Oury's pension
application of 1846 was made when she was 89 years old. In it, she
describes the July 13, 1782 attack on the town and also makes reference
to an attack in 1778. As yet, research has not verified an attack in
that year. (4)
Eve Oury died in Shieldsburg in 1848. She is buried in Congruitiy
Cemetery, Westmoreland County. Although she is not recorded as being
married, she willed her property to her daughter, Ann Crissy. The DAR,
in September of 1940, placed a stone and plaque in memory of Eve at the
Congruity Cemetery.
1. Niles, James G. ----- Francis Oury and Some of His Descendants in
Early Westmoreland County.
2. "Petition Of Partition: Francis Oury". Office of Registrar of
Wills, Westmoreland County Court House, Greensburg, PA.
3. "An Act for the Relief of Eve Oury for Services Rendered During the
Revolution".
Laws of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, 1846 Session.
pg. 210
4. Pension Application of Eve Oury. Papers of the House of
Representatives, National Archives,
Washington, D.C.
This information is from: ANNA L. WARREN, Westmoreland Co. Historical
Society
Eve bought her land from John Shields 2 entries Vo.14, pg 146, Oct. 31,
1820, Shieldsburg, PA.
Eve can be found in the tax records from 1822 thru 1848 the last listing
in 1849 says dead.
_____________
The Following is an Affidavit made by EVE OURY December 4, 1846 at
Westmoreland Co. PA.
To the honorable the Senate and House of Representative of the United
States of America in Congress
This petition of Eve Oury of Westmoreland Co. in the State of PA.
respectfully represents that she is a native of Pennsylvania and that
she resided during the revolutionary war in the vicinity of old
Hannahstown in said County. This place called Hannahstown was a
military station during the revolutionary war in which place there was a
fort erected and a number of the drafted military and volunteers were
stationed for the protection of the inhabitants living in that region of
country. To this fort the inhabitants would flee during the frequent
and sudden alarms of the enemy. Your petitioner at this time was
living with her father, on his plantation. about two and a half
miles from Hannahstown which was then the county set of Westmoreland.
About three months previous to the burning of Hannahstown, her father
was killed on his plantation by the indians and also her youngest
brother Jacob was killed on the same day and her two other brothers John
and Francis were taken prisoner and were carried off by the indians.
Your petitioner with the residue of the family then fled into
Hannahstown for safety and protection-after which her fathers property
which had been destroyed by the indians and Tories was appraised by the
constituted authorities and the damages were estimated at six hundred
pounds sterling. These sad events took place as near as she can now
remember in the summer of 1778 ( my note: this date should of been 1782
for the death of her father and brother) during which year the indians,
instigated by the British and Tories, had committed in various parts of
the county many revolting deeds of horror, murder and devastation. In
the month of July in the same year, there was a court convened at
Hannahstown which adjourned on Friday. During the same day, the
inhabitants of the town were nearly all out engaged in their harvest
fields and about 3:00 in the afternoon , when no danger was apprehended
a large body of indians said to be three hundred exclusive of Tories and
British making terrific yells, commenced a furious and sudden attack on
the town, and after butchering a number of defenseless women and
children who had no time or chance to flee from danger and death, and
after shooting down great numbers of cattle and destroying everything in
their way, then set fires to the town and laid it in ashes, the fort
being only saved through great exertions. In this conflagration, your
petitioner and family lost all they possessed except their every day
clothing. During the engagement Mr. Hannah, being greatly terrified
proposed to have the fort and those in it surrendered, for says he, to
use his own language "WELL BE ALL KILLED". Your petitioner opposed
this resolution with all her might and advice and declared that they
"WOULD NOT GIVE UP". At about this time Major Wilson, the commanding
officer who heard the firing and who had miraculously escaped death,
having his clothes perorated with bullets shot form the enemy, was seen
advancing to the fort with full speed on horseback, at this junction
your petitioner sprang forward to open the gate for his admission but
she was with force thrown back the gate however was opened and the major
enter in safety, but his horse was killed before the gate. At the time
the fort was attacked there were but a few old muskets and rifles in
the fort. The major then took the command and inquired for powder and
ammunition. A report was made that it was all consumed, however, after
a diligent search, there was some powder found in the office which was
then held in the fort. The inquiry was then made for lead, and none
could be had. Your petitioner told one of the men. who's name was Adam
Freeman, to make a fire and "we would soon make bullets". Your
petitioner then went and took whatever pewter articles came to hand
which she and Freeman speedily ran into bullets, by means of which, the
Indians were kept at a distance, the fort preserved and the people in it
saved from a horrid butchery. Your petitioner, *after the enemy had
retired, attended to dressing the wounds of those who had been injured,
and contributed all she could to their distressed situation. Your
petitioner then volunteered to do all she could to save the fort and
the people left in it from future attacks. She was constantly doing duty
of one kind or other and keeping everything in their proper places, so
far as her judgement dictated and officers requested. Capt. Samuel
Miller, Major Wilson, Col. McCoy, Capt. Clark, were more or less engaged
in restoring security to the inhabitants, with which officers she served
in her capacity as an attendant at and about the fort, and from whom she
received her orders and directions as occasion required from time to
time. Col. McCoy died in the service, Captain Miller was Killed by the
Indians. The inhabitants of Hannahstown were constantly agitated for
several months after the cruel and unexpected blow had been struck by
the enemy. Your petitioner was engaged as sentinel to give the alarm
whilst the men were in the fields or on other duties and she contributed
all she was able to defend herself and those stationed at the fort.
Although she did not turn out and pursue the enemy with arms in her hand,
yet she assisted to guard what was stored in the fort and rendered
herself useful in and about said fort for at least six months and
upwards. This she well remembers, for the inhabitants were not relieved
from their terrible agetations and dangers till late in the ensuing
fall and winter. Your petitioner does not at present know there is any
living witness to whom she can prove the abouve mentioned services or
any part thereof, She is now eighty nine years of age. Owning too her
great age and consequent loss of memory she can not bring to her mind
the many fearfull events that transpired
during these perilous times. One of my Brothers, Adam Oury served in the
revolutionary war under the command of General Daniel Broadhead. At one
time Whilst on a tour of duty he came home on a furlough. Subsequent to
the war of the revolution he served under General H. Clair in his
expedition against the Indians during the disastrous battle fought under
General H. Clair he assisted in carrying his own wounded Captain from
the battle ground, in which he was severely wounded himself. After peace
was restored her two brothers John and Frank who were taken prisoner by
the Indians were returned. Her fathers name was Francis. His farm was
situated within three miles of Hannahstown fort. The Property destroyed
by the enemy by fire and sword amounted to six hundred pounds as before
stated among which was six valuable Morgan horses, twelve milk cows and
other stock and a great amount of other personal estate. After the
destruction of Hannahstown General Broadhead brought guns and ammunition
to the fort in a wagon and one of my brothers drove the wagon. One
David Shaw assisted in the transportation load. Butler raised the first
Company in Hannahstown. He was then a Capt. and my brother Adam
enlisted with him and was marched to the defense of New York. My father
served as a Capt. of Pack Horses with General Braddock's army. Your
petitioner remembers what great numbers were killed in Braddock's
expedition. That she saw herself fifthteen men that were surprised and
killed in one night by Indians during this war. Your petitioner has thus
given you a statement of her revolutionary services and the loss which
she sustained during said revolutionary war. As your petitioner is the
only surviving child and only heir at law of her deceased father,
Frances Oury, who fell a sacrifice to a cruel and barbarous foe, she
prays that congress will view her services in their appropriate light
and grant her some remuneration as well for her revolutionary services
as also for the destruction of her fathers property by the invading foe,
and your aged petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray.
her
Eve x Oury
mark
NOTE: There are 4 sworn , signed, statements by Samuel Morehead,
Benjamin Halk, James McCallister, and John Bigham stating that they are
personally acquainted with Eve Oury and attesting to her honesty and
their belief, and the area residents belief, in her services during the
revolutionary war and the fact that she was instrumental in saving the
fort at Hannahstown.
__________________
The following is an affidavit made by GEORGE MILLER on Dec. 12th, 1846
at Westmoreland Co. State of PA.
Personally appeared before me the undersigned A Justice of The Peace in
and for said county George Miller who being duly sworn doth upon his
solemn oath diposed and states that he is personally acquainted with Eve
Oury the above named petitioner and knew her and her Father's family
well during the revolutionary war. That this disponent resided near
old Hannahstown above mentioned and was often called upon to serve as a
guard at and about said fort. That her father lived not far from
Hannastown. That he owned a valuable farm with valuable buildings there
on well furnished. That in the summer of the year 1778 the indians
killed the father of said Oury and one of her brothers. And burned
killed and destroyed a large amount of property belonging to said
Frances Oury, the father of Eve Oury the aforesaid. That this diponent
knows that said property was appraised by the constituted authority and
valued at six hundred pounds current money and upwards. This diponent
also remembers of seeing said petitioner Eve Oury at said fort and that
she was in and about said fort when it was attacked as above mentioned.
That she was considered by the Officers and men stationed at the fort as
a very intrepid person and it was then supposed and always believed that
she was instrumental in saving the fort and all in it from entire
destruction. That she continued for a number of months in and about the
fort doing duty as a watch or sentinel and various other duties required
by the officers above mentioned with whom she served. She was ever
considered very useful in the services she rendered. This diponent can
not say how long she did serve, but he is positive from his own personal
knowledge that she served not less than six months at and about said
fort in what may be justly termed a military capacity, rendering very
important services. This diponent is now eighty eight years of age,
knew the Oury family well-that the said Eve Oury is the only child
living and heir at law in fee to the said Frances Oury who's property to
the amount of six hundred pounds was destroyed and himself and son Jacob
killed by the indians. The indians were supposed to be instigated to
these direful deeds by the Tories who hated him for his patriotism.
Sworn and subscribed the 12th day of Dec. A.D. 1846 before me James
Rutlidge J.P.
George Miller
NOTE: There then follows a statement by James Rutlidge attesting to the
truthfulness of George Miller and stating that he is a reputed soldier
of the revolution.
NOTE: There then follows a statement made by the Court of Common Pleas
in Greensburg in the County of Westmoreland, State of Pennsylvania
attesting to the signatures, legality, etc. of all the proceeding
statements.
LAWS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNS.-PASSED AT THE
SESSION OF 1846 - PG 210
AN ACT FOR THE RELIEF OF EVE OURY, FOR SERVICES RENDERED DURING THE
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Whereas, it appears from credible testimony, that Eve Oury, of
Westmoreland County, during a tremendous attack upon Hannastown Fort, in
said county, made by a large party of Indians and others, during the
summer of 1778 signalized herself by the most heroic bravery, risking
her life in the defence of the garrison, inspiring, by her fortitude
and determination, her associates with courage, and performing the most
active and efficient service in during away the assailing party, by
which many were saved from a horrid butchery by the merciless and savage
foe: And whereas, It is entirely proper that such noble behaviour in a
female, should be gratefully remembered and rewarded: And whereas, The
said Eve Oury is now old, infirm, and in necessitous circumstances, and
has never received any compensation from the legislature of this state,
therefore,
Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the Common wealth of Pens. in General Assembly met, and it is hereby
enacted by the authority of the same, That the state treasurer by and he
is hereby authorized and directed to pay to Eve Oury, of Westmoreland
Co. or to her order, and annuity of forty dollars during life, payable
half-yearly, to commence on the first day of January, 1846, and also to
her order, the sum of forty dollars, as a gratuity, for her services in
the Revolutionary War.
Findley Patterson,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Daniel L. Sherwood,
Speaker of the Senate
Approved - The first day of April, 1846
_______________________________________
Laws Of PA. 1837-1838 pg. 80
No. 31 AN ACT
Section 3. The State Treasurer is herby authorized and required to pay
to George Yerikes of Montgomery Co., and Simon Ruffner of Westmoreland
Co., a gratuity of 40 dollars each, in full for their services in the
Revolutionary War, and to Eve Oury of Westmoreland Co. a gratuity of
$100 in full for her services during the Indian War, the foregoing
gratuities and annuities to be paid in conformity with the existing laws.
Lewis Dewart
Speaker of the House of Rep.
J.R. Burden
Speaker of the Senate
Approved the 17, day of March 1838
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DEDICATION SERVICES HELD AT CONGRUITY CEMETERY
Sept. 1940
Monday afternoon Sept. 16, marked the completion of a project of the
historical Research Committee of the Pheobe Bayard Chapter Daughters of
the American Revolution when a beautiful blue rock monument with bronze
plate attached was dedicated to the memory of Eve Oury, in Congruity
cemetery with appropriate and impressive ceremony.