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K R
O'Hair PAGE-164
CHAPTER
X
Michael's Post War Years
in Virginia
It is reasonable to assume that Michael O'Hair arrived at his home near
Fincastle, Virginia, in Botetourt County, shortly after being discharged from
the army at Fredericksburg on February 14, 1782.
A professional record tracer, Charles T. Burton, of Trouteville, Virginia was
employed many times during the past few years to search records in many counties
in quest of information concerning Michael O'Hair. The county records of
Botetourt County reveal Michael's presence in that county from April 10, 1782
until August, 1788 when he left Virginia with his family, bound for Kentucky.
Michael was taxed on six horses and seven cows on April 10, 1782. The fact that
he was taxed on livestock only indicates that he was a tenant farmer.
The following September, Michael was enlisted again in the United States Army
for a term of three years, or duration of the war. This enlistment was to fill
the state's quota of troops and was principally for the protection of the
country against Indian invasion. The war with England had ended, but the peace
treaty had not yet been signed.
"The following is an exact copy of original records found in the basement of the
courthouse, in Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia. Some names were too faded
to be legible, and a part was missing.
'At a meeting of the field officers this thirty-first of August, 1782, for the
county of Botetourt, for the purpose of carrying into Exercution this state's
quota of Troops to serve the United States Army for
K R O'Hair PAGE-165
the Term of three years, or during the War. Present, George Skillern, County
Lieut., Hugh Crocket, Colo., Wm. McClenechan, Lieut. Colo., Patr. Lockhart,
Majr., James Breckenridge appointed Clerk, who took the Oath by Law required.
Adam Peck appointed martial. '" 1
There were a total of fifteen captains listed, whose men numbered a total of
664. All of the names of the men enlisted were printed under the names of each
company. The first part of Capt. Looney's list was missing. The next part of his
list contained thirteen names, including Michl O'Hair and John Hawkins.
During the Summer of 1960 this writer motored to Virginia for the purpose of
finding additional records and the location of the farm where Michael O'Hair
resided previous to his departure from Virginia. The county clerk of Craig
County, at New Castle, Virginia in 1960, was a descendant of the Captain Joseph
Looney who enlisted Michael in the Virginia militia in August, 1782. Much
valuable information was obtained concerning the location of Captain Looney's
farm. The farm was then in Fincastle County, since formed into Craig County. The
farm was in the rich bottomland between Sinking Creek Mountain and Johns Creek
Mountain. The house which stood there on a small hill was demolished around
1880. The impressions of three root cellars are still to be seen near the site
of the house. The remains of an old stone and log springhouse can still be seen
about 200 yards from the house site. Old residents of the community recollect
that the spring water was piped through hollowed out log "pipes" to the house.
Michael lived just a few miles northeast of the Looney farm on Craig's Creek,
about ten miles from Fincastle. Although many photographs were taken of the
countryside around the locality where Michael lived, they fail to do justice
to its beauty. These photographs are on file at the office of this writer.
This country of hills, mountains, valleys and streams is very similar to the
country around Newry , County Down, Ireland, where Michael lived as a small boy;
and, as it was in Ireland, ideal for livestock. He must have raised tobacco
also, because Botetourt County Order Book #5, page 196, indicates that he was
ordered to "pay unto Elizabeth and Sarah Burkes one hundred pounds of tobacco
for four days attendance as witnesses"
K R O'Hair PAGE-166
for him at the suit of William Preston vs Michael O'Hair.
The John Hawkins who was enlisted in Looney's Company with Michael in August,
1782, is believed to have been a brother of Elinor Hawkins to whom Michael was
married around June 10, 1783. Virginia law in those days required a marriage
bond which served as a license. Michael's marriage bond is recorded at the
county courthouse at Fincastle, Virginia.
MARRIAGE BOND
Know all men by these presents that we, Michl Ohair and Jesse Clark are held
and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of fifty pounds
current money for the Parish whereof Will and truly be sealed with our seals
and dated this 10th day of June 1783.
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a
marriage shortly intended to be had and Solemnized between the above bound
Michl Ohair and Elinor Hawkins of this Parish. If therefore there shall be no
lawfull cause to obstruct the said marriage then this obligation to be void---
His
Michl Ohair
Mark
Jess Clark
Michael signed his marriage bond by his mark which indicates that he could not
write at that date.
K R O'Hair PAGE-167
Michael's presence in Botetourt County is further revealed by the tax lists.
TITHEABLE BOOK, VOL. 1
Page 268 April 10, 1782
Michael Ohair 1 tithe 6 horses 7
cattle
TITHEABLE BOOK, VOL. 2
Page 5 May 6, 1783
Michael Ohair 1 tithe 6 horses 4
cattle
Page 59 1784
Michael Ohair 1 tithe 4 horses 5
cattle
Page 151 Feb. 23, 1785
Michael Ohair number of souls 3
Page 161 April 9, 1785
Michael Hair 1 tithe 5 horses 6
cattle
Page 280 Nov. 11, 1786
Michael Ohare 1 tithe
Two weeks after Michael was married to Elinor Hawkins, he received pay for his
service in the Illinois Regiment. A photo copy of the original record of
Michael's final pay was provided by the Virginia State Library, Richmond,
Virginia, and is in possession of K. R. O'Hair at Paris, Illinois. Michael
O'Hair drew the same amount of pay twice. He received pay on June 27, 1783 and
again on July 4, 1783, as did many others. No explanation of this appears on the
record. The Virginia Legislature had enacted several laws which provided for
extra pay for re-enlistment and for unusual service: therefore, it would be
reasonable to assume that Michael received double pay pursuant to such special
legislation.
K R O'Hair PAGE-168
A list of State Soldiers and Seaman who have received Certificates for the
balance of their full pay. Agreeable to Act of Assembly passed November Session
1781.
NAME DRAWN BY
TIME SUMS
Oliver John Sold. Inf. Mr. Graves May 20 1783
102 14 2
Owen Charles Ditto himself
. . . . 12 . . . . 102 4 5
Oliver John ditto Maj. Staughter . . . . 31 . .
. . 49 13 4
Olive David ditto Maj. Hunter June 7 . . .
. 41 13 1
Owen John ditto Mr. Smith . . . . 10 . .
. . 59 12 2
Orr Samuel ditto French Strother . . . . 25 . . .
. 54 1 10
Oharro Michael Sold. Cav. himself . . . . 27
. . . . 62 10
Orr James do Inf. ditto July 1
. . . . 17 1 4
Oharrow Michael do Cav. himself . . . . 4 . . .
. 62 10
Oakly George Sergt. Inf. Mr. D. Coleman
. . . . 6 . . . . 76 1
Oneal William Sold. Cav. himself
Sept. 29 . . . . 51 6
Owens Vincent ditto Col. Jennings Dec. 1 . . .
. 62 6
Oustin Charles ditto Mr. Banks Feb. 25 . . .
. 47 10
Orbin Phillip ditto ditto . . . .
28 . . . . 24
Oliver Turner ditto
ditto . . . . 29 . . . . 73 16
Oast George ditto David Anderson Aprl 28 . . .
. 51 5 10
Oliver William ditto
Mr. Reddick May 26 . . . . 59 11 9
Owen John] ditto Mr. Trigg June 3 . .
. . 1
K R O'Hair PAGE-169
The Virginia State Library also furnished another list from Rogers' command
indicating that payment had been made, in most cases. This list bears the
notation "paid twice" opposite Michael's name.
A List of Men Intitled to pay for Services
Performed under the Command of Capt.
Jno Rogers. of State Cavalry.
Wm Meriwether - paid
Mikl Glass - paid
Thomas Key - paid Robert Barnett dead
David Pagan Richard Richards
- paid
Henry Blankenship Charles Martin - paid
George Snow - paid Irvin Hammond dead
George Key - paid Saml Watkins
-
Dominick Welch - paid
Abn Frazer -
Jasper Jaler - paid
Wm Booton - paid
Travis Booton - paid
Wm Goodwin - paid
Wm Froggit - paid
James Spillman - paid
Frank Spillman - paid
David McDonold - paid
John Campbell - paid
Wm Leave - paid
Nathl Mershon, Dead
Rice Curtis - paid
Z....Smith - ditto
John Jones - paid
Barney Higgins - paid
John Murphey -
Henry Goodloe - paid
James Durmitt - paid
James Cordin - paid
Mikl Oharrow - paid twice
Ellich Chambers -
Wm Kindal. - paid
John Wheler - paid
Florance Mahoney paid
Wm Gavin Dead
Frederick Dohaty Dead
K R O'Hair PAGE-170
The following letter suggests some reason for the fact that Michael O'Hair drew
pay twice. The report also suggests there was a valid reason for such payment.
Section II (Document No. 43)
(17) A List of Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of The Virginia State
Line, and Non-Commissioned Officers and Seamen and Marines of the State Navy,
Whose Names are on the Army Register, and who have not Received Bounty Land
for Revolutionary Services, Richmond, 1835. John H. Smith, comr. &c.
To his Excellency L. W. Tazewell)
Governor of Virginia )
Sir,
I have been required by law to examine certain revolutionary documents, and to
report to the governor a list of the names of all such persons as may be
entitled to claims on Virginia for bounty land on account of services rendered
in the war of the revolution - and such other information touching
revolutionary services as may be deemed important. . .
The list which I now report contains all the information (except such as has
been heretofore reported to the governor) in relation to claims of
non-commissioned officers, seamen and marines of the state navy, and
non-commissioned officers and conformity with the declared wishes of the
general assembly
The same name frequently appears more than once, and sometimes very often, on
the army registers. I had supposed that each name was that of a different
individual. They whose names are on the army registers, received certificates
for the balance of pay due for their services, agreeable to the act of
assembly passed November session, 1781. If there was but one balance of pay
due the soldier, his name would generally appear once only on the army
register, this was not always the case: The
K R O'Hair PAGE-171
same individual may have had a balance of pay due him in different characters
- For example, for services as a private, as a sergeant or corporal, and as a
commissioned officer. Therefore, the name of the same individual may sometimes
be found more than once on the army registers. This creates some uncertainty
in regard to claims.
Respectfully submitted.
John H. Smith, Com'r &c.
Richmond, November 25, 1834 2
The list submitted by Mr. Smith to the governor, contained the name of "Oharrow,
Michael, Soldier, Cav." as written in Brumbaugh's book on page 209.
A small book published in 1962, confirms the grants of land for services in the
Illinois Regiment under the command of General George Rogers Clark. This book
made public reports of John H. Smith to the governor of Virginia. Excerpts from
this book follow:
Introduction
One year after youthful General George Rogers Clark and his ragtag army
secured the Old Northwest to the Union, a grateful Virginia legislature took
steps to insure that every man who served in Clark's corps of volunteers
should receive for his services certain grants of land.
Fifty-five years later, in the interest of survivors of the campaign and their
descendants, John H. Smith, State Commissioner on Revolutionary Claims, was
requested by the Chief Executive of Virginia to enquire into the "validity of
the Illinois claims, generally, and report at large thereon."
These pages, reproduced from the 1833 Virginia House of Delegates Journal, are
eloquent testimony of the thoroughness of Mr. Smith's investigation and
report.
The appearance of this slight volume marks the third important reprint to
issue from Borderland Books, at Anchorage, Kentucky.
The reissue of this rare and difficult-to-secure
K R O'Hair PAGE-172
item is a distinctive contribution to the bibliography of early western
literature. Its acquisition will delight and reward historians and collectors
everywhere. '
C. Glenn Clift
Frankfort, Kentucky
December 28, 1962 3
The laws and other legislative proceedings having a bearing on the bounty land
question are:
"An act concerning officers, soldiers, sailors and marines,' passed May, 1779,
(see Hen. Stat. 10, 23 &c.) which provides, that every able bodied freeman who
shall enlist, or who having enlisted to serve a particular period of time
unexpired, shall re-enlist, to serve during the continuance of the present
war, among the troops of this commonwealth, either at home or in the
continental army, as he shall be directed, or as a sailor or marine on board
of the armed vessels of this commonwealth, shall at the end of the war be
entitled to a grant of one hundred acres of any unappropriated land within
this commonwealth; and every of the officers commanding the said soldiers,
sailors or marines, shall be entitled to a grant of the like quantity of lands
as is allowed to officers of the same rank in the Virginia regiments on
continental establishment."
The said act further provides - "That every soldier who enlisted in the corps
of volunteers commanded by colonel Geo. Rogers Clarke, and continued therein
until the taking of the several British posts in the Illinois country, shall
at the end of the war be entitled to a grant of two hundred acres of any
unappropriated land within this commonwealth," &c.
"And every able-bodied freeman, who shall enlist, or who having enlisted for a
period of time unexpired, shall re-enlist, to serve during the war, among the
troops ordered for the protection and defence of the country of Illinois,
shall be entitled
K R O'Hair PAGE-173
to a grant of one hundred acres of land, on the terms herein before declared.
"
an act "for raising a body of troops for the defence of the commonwealth,"
passed May, 1779, (see Hening's Stat. Vol. 10, 32 &c.) after providing for the
raising of four regiments, two for the western and two for the eastern
frontiers, enacted - "That all officers and soldiers serving in any of the
regiments to be raised by virtue of this act, shall be entitled to the same
pay, benefits, privileges and emoluments provided for the officers and
soldiers of this state, by the act of this present session of assembly,
entitled, 'an act concerning officers, soldiers, sailors and marines.'" Col.
Crockett's regiment was the only one raised under this law.
"An act for more effectually securing to the officers and soldiers of the
Virginia line the lands reserved for them, and for other purposes," passed
October, 1779, (see Hen. Stat. vol. 10, 158 &c.) fixed the proportions of land
to be allowed to officers of the state line, and of the state line on
continental establishment; and to non-commissioned officers, soldiers and
sailors upon each of the said establishments, for three years service, and for
service during the war; and increased the bounty to soldiers, for the war, to
two hundred acres of land.
In October, 1780, a law passed, entitled, "an act for recruiting this state's
quota of troops, to serve in the continental army," (see Hen. Stat. vol. 10,
326, &c.) which increased the bounty to soldiers for the war, who had
enlisted, or should enlist before April, 1781, to three hundred acres of land,
and a healthy, sound negro, between the ages of ten and thirty years, or 60
pounds in gold or silver, in lieu of all such bounties given by any former
laws.
The volunteers under colonel Clarke, and the Illinois regiment, were distinct,
in view of the leg-
K R O'Hair PAGE-174
islature. This law was worded, as to draw the line of distinction between
them. The first consisted of the brave men who volunteered to make a first
impression in the north-western territory - to encounter all the horrors of
combined British and Indian warfare - and to carry into execution col.
Clarke's bold plan of taking the British posts. The last consisted of the
regular corps who enlisted for the protection and defence of the western
frontiers. The first were bound to continue in service for no certain time,
but were to serve until the British posts were reduced. The last enlisted for
three years or for the war. The first were troops raised for a special
purpose, who were to continue in service, probably, only a short time, and
were not of the state line. The last were troops raised for the general
purpose of the western defence, were bound for three years or for the war, and
were of the state line.
Many of the volunteers who first went out with colonel Clarke, afterwards
enlisted in the Illinois regiment; but the two corps were still in law, and in
fact, distinct.
The provisions of the act respecting them are as follows: "Every soldier who
enlisted in the corps of volunteers commanded by col. Geo. R. Clarke, and
continued therein until the taking of the several posts in the Illinois
country, shall be entitled to a grant of 200 acres of land," &c. This clause
of the act relates exclusively to those who first marched out with col.
Clarke, &c.
The provision immediately following this, in the act, relates to the Illinois
regiment - "Every able bodied freeman who shall enlist, or who having enlisted
for a period of time unexpired, shall re-enlist to serve during the war, among
the troops ordered for the protection and defence of the country of Illinois,
shall, at the end of the war, be entitled to a grant of 100 acres of land, on
the terms herein before declared."
K R O'Hair PAGE-175
A LIST OF
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS
of the
ILLINOIS REGIMENT, AND THE WESTERN ARMY,
Under the command of General G. R. Clarke,
who are entitled to Bounty in Land.
No. Names Rank
Remarks
1 Allery Joseph
Private Entitled to land
for the war.
100 Cogar Peter do
Entitled to land
for 3 years.
127 Campbell John
do Entitled to land
for the war.
224 Glass Michael do do
do
382 Merriwether Wm do do do
422 Oharro Michael do do
do
533 Spillman James do do
do 4
The following excerpts from John Gwathmey's book, "Historical Register of
Virginians in the Revolution," give additional information on the variations of
spelling of the same name.
Careful search has been made to obtain all the essential data available for
each man, which makes this book far more than just a list of names. In the
case of the officers the material is remarkably complete. With the privates it
occurs all too frequently that the man is named only on a muster roll, an
orderly book, a receipt for pay, or other such miscellaneous documents, with
no other references given. In many cases, however, the men are found to have
been receiving pensions long after the war, and their post-war residences are
thus established. It is amazing how widely the Virginia soldiers scattered
after the war, for it is noted that up to fifty years following the conclusion
of hostilities they were receiving pensions in every State in the Union which
had been admitted up to that time. West Virginia was still a part of Virginia,
and this fact should be borne in mind in connection with the pen-
K R O'Hair PAGE-176
sioners in the various counties. There was an enormous exodus of Virginians,
shortly after the Revolution, to Kentucky and to the Northwest Territory
particularly. Many of the families were prompted to make this move in order
that they might occupy lands awarded for military service.
Page V, Preface:
Of transcendent importance to historians, genealogists and the patriotic
organizations of the West is the fact that all of the men who served under
General George Rogers Clark in the conquest and subjucation of the Northwest
Territory were Virginia State troops and their service records can be found
only among the Virginia papers.
Page VI, Preface:
Especial effort was made to segregate the Virginians who fought with Morgan's
Riflemen. This celebrated Regiment, under the command of Colonel Daniel
Morgan, was made up of picked men from the army at large in 1777. Most of them
were Virginians, but not all. Also this book names all of those who were
captured with Morgan, then a Captain, in the siege of Quebec, December 31,
1775.
Page VII, Preface:
In some of the County Clerks' offices there are unrecorded and unindexed
papers pertaining to Militia pensions. There was an unavailable muster roll of
Fincastle soldiers in the Virginia Historical Society which appeared in the
"Virginia Magazine of History and Biography," July, 1938. Additional records
might be added from the Draper papers in Wisconsin, and there are doubtless a
few Revolutionary papers in private hands. Also there were a few Virginians
who served with troops of other States, and it is certain that in course of
time references to still others will be found among the masses of unindexed
material in the State Archives. With these exceptions, this register should be
virtually complete.
In the matter of variations in the spelling of names, so puzzling in all works
of this kind, has been met in this case in a very simple way. No
K R O'Hair PAGE-177
guessing has been done, and a separate entry has been made for each name.
Parenthetical inserts following many of the names have a definite meaning. For
instance, if the muster rolls for several months carried the name of John
Smith, then for a period the name John Smith dropped out and John Smythe
appeared, it is logical to conclude that this was only a variation in spelling
and that they were not two different men.
Page 593 - 594 VIRGINIANS IN THE REVOLUTION
[variations of the spelling of the O'Hairs, or O'Haras, or O'harros who
served]
Ohanow, Michael, Pvt., WD.
Ohara, Daniel (Oharro) 6 CL.
O'Hara, Daniel, 10 CL.
O'Hara, James, Captain of an independent company stationed at Fort Pitt from
Sept. 16, 1777, to May 20, 1778; July 25, 1778, Captain O'Hara was in command
of an expedition down the Mississippi to the Arkansas; April 3, 1779, it is
stated that Captain O'Hara had resigned, his company joined that of Captain
Heth for the garrisoning of Fort Randolph, on the Great Kanawha.
O'Hara, John (O'Harra) 8 CL. 12 CL. as Crp.
Ohara, Michael 9 CL.
O'hara, Michael, Morgan's Riflemen.
O'Hara, Patrick, Drummer, 2 CL.
O'Harah, Daniel (OHarro) 6 CL.
O'Harra, John, Corp., 8 CL.
O'Harra, Patrick (O'Hara) Drummer, 2 CL.
Oharrah, John, Corp., 4, 8 and 12 CL. 8 CL.
Oharral, , of Botetourt, E.
O'Harraw, John (O'Harra, O'Haro) Corp. 8 CL.
Oharro, Daniel 6 CL. E.
Oharro, Michael (O'hara) Drummer, 2 CL.
Oharro, John (O'Harra) Corp., 8 CL.
Oharro, Michael, Clark's Ill. Reg.
Oharron, Michael, IP
Oharrow, Michael, Cav., Clark's Ill. Reg. T-FV2P727.
STAFF OFFICERS OF ORGANIZATIONS
Morgan's Riflemen--Col. Daniel Morgan. This Regiment, organized about June,
1777, was composed of men picked from the army at large, a majority be-
K R O'Hair PAGE-178
ing from Virginia. Most of the names are found also under other commands.
Captains were:
Hawkins Boone,
Samuel Jordan Cabel,
(of Pennsylvania) James Knox,
William Henderson,
Gabriel Long,
James Parr, Michael Simpson,
Thomas Posey, Benjamin Taliaferro,
Van Swearingen. 5
On historical and other records, Michael O'Hair's name was spelled in many
different ways, such as may be found in the preceding list. The O'Hara and the
O'Hare families in Ireland were separate and distinct families and were not
related, but the spelling became mixed in America. Michael's name was
incorrectly spelled O'Hara on a few records.
On January 2, 1781, the Virginia Assembly had made effective a pledge of 150,000
acres on the northwest side of the Ohio River at any point the officers of the
regiment might choose. The land was to be divided between the officers and men
of General Clark's Illinois Regiment. The officers decided to locate their
150,000 acres across the Ohio River from Louisville, in what is now the State of
Indiana. Clark and his officers organized their land interest in February, 1783,
and named a land agent. General Clark was one of five deputies acting for the
officers and men of the regiment. Many of the details concerning the
distribution of the land are to be found in the Clark Papers.
Minutes of the meeting of the Board of Commissioners for the land grants were as
follows:
"At a meeting of a Board of Commrs for apportioning the Lands granted to the
Illinois Regiment etc. at Louisville, July 6, 1785. Present, John Edwards John
Campbell, Abraham Chapline; John Bailey Robert Todd and William Clark Commrs.
"Captain Rogers produced a list of his Company, which had before been allowed
their Claims by a Board that sat in August last but their names had been lost
or misslaid; which said Claims are Confirmed by the present Board; to wit,
William Meriwether Sergt Thos Key Sergt., George Key, George Snow, David
Pagan, Henry Blankenship, Dominique
K R O'Hair PAGE-179
Welch, Gasper Gayler, Robert Barnet, Frank Spelman, James Spelman, Travis
Booton, William Booton, William Leare,
William Kendall, William Froggett, William Givin, William Goodwin, John
Campbell, Charles Martin, Barney Higgans, Frederick Doherty, Nathaniel Mershon,
David McDonald, James Hammitt, John Jones, John Murphy Michael Glass, Michael
Oharrow, Rice Curtis & George Smith, Soldiers.
"On a motion made in behalf of Thomas Hays, the Board think him intitled to a
Soldiers part of land in the Illinois Grant, also Francis Hardin; also Patrick
Marr; also Charles Morgan as a Serjeant; also John Setzer and Michael Setzer
as Soldiers
Adjd till tomorrow morning. -
(signed) John Edwards Chn." 6
Michael O'Hair was allotted 108 acres of land. All privates were granted the
same amount of acreage. The grant of land was sometimes called the Illinois
Grant. Michael's land was in what is now the eastern part of Floyd County,
Indiana, near the City of Louisville. Part of his land was section number 149,
called the Muddy Fork of Silver Creek. The other part was in Section number 211,
on a small branch of the Fourteen Mile Creek.
"Roll of Officers and Soldiers who were allotted land in Clark's Grant
[Indiana] for serving under Geo. Rogers Clark 'in the reduction of the British
Posts in the Illinois.'
Privates...
O'Harrow, Michael--- 8 acres in section #148
and 100 acres in subdi-
vision B, Section 211." 7
Michael O'Hair sold his land bounty to Captain John Rogers, as evidenced by the
following minutes of another meeting:
"At a Meeting of the following Members of the Board of Commisrs at Louisville
the 31st of Augt 1789. Vizt. Geo: R. Clark, Alexr Breckenridge
K R O'Hair PAGE-180
Robt Breckenridge. Richd Terrell. William Croghan, William Clark & John
Campbell.
"Deeds signed in favr Tardiview Brothers assnee...To John Rogers
assee...and 100 acres the right of Michl Oharrow in No 211." 8
******
Tax assessment records for 1787 were not found, although Michael was still in
Botetourt County as evidenced by the various court records. He brought suit in
November, 1787, against the executors of Adam Smyth for a debt. Judgement on
that suit was obtained on December 13, 1787.
Beginning in May, 1783 there were a series of court records entered in the Order
Books of Botetourt County involving Michael O'Hair. He sued various persons for
debts due him, and was once sued for the debt of another man for whom he was
surety. The last of the court entries was dated December 13, 1787.
Several suits were brought against debtors by assignees of Michael O'Hair in
1789. These suits indicate Michael had sold his property August 1, 1788. He
probably left shortly thereafter for Kentucky, allowing several weeks for the
long journey. The suits by Michael's assignees reveal he had received notes at
his sale, and in turn sold the notes to assignees who had to bring suit against
the debtors to collect. Such suits were filed in August, November and December
of 1789. A judgement was rendered July 10, 1792.
"BOTETOURT ORDER BOOK 1788 - 1792
July 10, 1792
Page 519
Upon the petition of Archebald Murray assignee of Michael Ohair against
William Milldubarriger for debt by note, this day came the parties by their
attorneys and on hearing their arguments it is considered by the court that
the plaintiff recover against the defendant one pound seven shillings with
legal interest thereon from the first day of August 1788 until paid and his
costs by him in this behalf expended."
K R O'Hair PAGE-181
The Order Books were searched for the years of 1792 and 1793 without finding any
further mention of Michael. Since the preceding judgement provided for interest
to be paid from August 1, 1788, it is reasonable to assume that was the date of
his sale. No further record of his presence in Virginia appears after that date.
This is also the opinion of the record searcher who wrote as follows
Trouteville, Va.
22 Sept. 1960
Dear Mr. O'Hair:
The court orders for a year in the 1790's require more time to read than the
earlier ones because the dockets were heavier.
From these notes, I believe we can say Michael probably left this country in
August, 1788: he no longer appeared in person at court. My guess is that he had
a sale before he left. Alexander Smyth, William Milldubarriger and John Lackland
paid for their purchases with notes which Michael discounted to John Withers and
Archebald Murray.
I found no other O'Hairs mentioned in these books.
Yours,
(signed) Charles T. Burton |
