J. Greenville Trimble
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BRANN PAGE-17 COPY State of Kentucky The affiant, James Greenville Trimble of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, states: There is a tradition that one Michael, O'Hair who was born in Ireland, imigrated to America a few years before the beginning of the Revolutionary war with great Britain and volunteered his services in behalf of his adopted country and was a gallant soldier under Gen. Morgan and others until the close of the war, and participated in many of the hard fought battles upon southern soil, including the battle of the Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, Eutaw Springs and many others, and when in marching their way might be tracked by the blood from their shoeless feet, and which resulted in our independence from the British crown, and giving to his thousands descendants the political and religious liberties which they now enjoy. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and came to and settled in the county of Kentucky in the State of Virginia about ten miles south of Lexington, now Jessamine County, to enjoy his well earned honors and the thanks of his grateful countrymen, where he was married. There were four children born to them, one son and three daughters, named Thomas, Sally, Katy and Bettie. I was acquainted with the first two named. His wife died there after which he moved to Montgomery County and located near Mt. Sterling, where he formed a second matrimonial alliance with Miss Elizabeth Tribbett from Virginia. After living there a few years he moved to where Hazel Green is now located where he continued to live until his death, which occurred on the day of ______ 181_, leaving his second wife ten children, five sons and five daughters, named as follows: John, William, James, Michael, and Washington, Eleanor, Sibby, Polly, Nancy and Rose Ann. The affiant further states that he was intimately acquainted with all, of
the foregoing named 10 children, having often been at all their houses,
(save one) and partaken of their hospitality and often heard them talk about
their father, Michael O'Hair, having been in the Revolutionary army, and his
experience therein as related by him to them. Eleanor was my mother, having been married to William Trimble on the 15th
day of November 1814, in Montgomery County by Rev. Joseph Rice, and located
at Hazel Green, where they continued to live until their death. The result
of their union was twelve children born to them, six sons and six daughters,
all lived to maturity and named as follows: He further states that the O'Hair families have kept up a reunion for 39 years, held at or near the residence of James O'Hair, son of Michael, in Putnam County, Indiana. The writer of this has frequently been invited to attend the reunions, but never attended in person, but on the 25th July, 1897, he wrote a letter of from 10 to 12 pages on legal cap, giving a history of Michael O'Hair, so far as was known, and especially that part of it in reference to his services and experience in the Revolutionary War. That letter was read at the reunion held that year and has been read at every reunion held since that time to thousands of people. The time of his death is unknown, but supposed to be about 1812. He lived an
honored life and his remains now rest in an unknown and unmarked grave upon
a beautiful and elevated eminence overlooking the surrounding country in the
vicinity of Hazel Green. It is to be regretted that not even a stone marks
his last resting place. Peace to his ashes. This day personally appeared before me, J. G. Trimble and made oath that the statements in the foregoing affidavit are true as he believes. Given under my hand and seal as notary public for Montgomery County, Ky.,
November 25, 1912 I hereby certify that the foregoing document is a true copy of the original
now in the hands of Mrs. Thos. D. Jones of Tampa Sworn to before me this Sixteenth day of March Nineteen Hundred and
fourteen. |
