Archibald Armstrong (1727 - 1792)

Born 1727 in Co Tyrone, Ireland

Husband of Elisabetha (Staring) Armstrong — married 1761 in New York

Descendants

Died 1792 at about age 65 in Rome, Oneida, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Garth Evans [send private message]

Biography

Lieutenant Archibald Armstrong served with Tryon County New York Militia during the American Revolution.

Archibald Armstrong is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A003088.

From ?Earliest Armstrong Ancestors? by Kathy Alvis Patterson: Yorker Armstrongs

In 1790, there were two Armstrongs in Montgomery Co NY, which comprised all of western NY.

1790, Montgomery Co NY, Whites Twp: Archibald Armstrong, 222 [father of the Ontario Co man]

1790, Montgomery Co NY, German Flatts Twp: John Armstrong, 121 [probably the oldest brother, who went to Canada]

Archibald Armstrong is easy to identify from later records in Italy Hollow, Yates Co NY. History and directory of Yates County: containing a sketch of its original settlement by the Public Universal Friends ... Cleveland, 1873, contains two sketches of this Archibald Armstrong. Page 385:

 ?Archibald Armstrong settled in this hollowin 1794, on lot No. 11 of the North Survey, or northeast section, and resided there until 1817, when he sold to Philander Woodworth, and moved to Middlesex. He belonged to the advance guard of civilization1 , and was in some respects a rough character. Owing to his great physical strength, he was seldom worsted in his pugilitic conquests, which were very frequent, and gave him the name of the ?Old algerine.? His brother-in-law, Alexander Porter, was however sometimes able to thrash him very soundly, and no doubt with salutary effect. Armstrong was of Scotch descent, and was very familiar with the Indians, understanding their language perfectly, and speaking it fluently. His wife was buried in the orchard on the farm on which he settled in Italy Hollow, and her grave is still enclosed with a picket fence....John Armstrong, cousin of Archibald, settled on lot No. 3, North Survey, in 1795, remaining there until 1806.?

And on page 594:

 ?Cornelius Sawyer Jr. married? Esther Henry, widow?born in Italy in 1804?the daughter of Alexander Porter, who settled about a mile east of Middlesex Center in 1804. He first settled in Flint Creek Hollow in 1798, near Archibald Armstrong, the first settler in that hollow? Armstrong was a celebrated drummer, and served through the war of the Revolution with three brothers. The following incident is related on good authority: a hostile Indian was killed and skinned and his hide given to Uncle Arch., as he was called. He tanned and made a drum-head of it, and on Lafayette?s visit to this country in 1825, Uncle arch. took his drum to Canandaiga, and showed it to him. The General recollected the circumstance, and at once recognized Mr. Armstrong, with whom he was acquainted in the army.

 ?Alexander Porter was a brother-in-law of Armstrong?having married his sister Catherine on the German flats near Rome, N.Y. Both Porter and armstrong were of Irish origin. Porter came to this country at the age of fourteen, about the close of the Revolutionary War, and married his wife, who was born in America, and had been taken prisoner near Fort Stanwix, now Rome, and was in the hands of the Indians during the Revolution. She was taken to Canada, and there redeemed by a relative who was a British officer and knew her. After her release and return, she and other prisoners were provided with a dinner by General Washington, while on a visit at Albany. This was at or after the close of the war, for she had been retained in Canada nearly three years??

Their son?s reminiscences were published in the Ontario Repository and Messenger, 29 January 1868:

 ?The friends of Henry Porter, Naples, were assembled at his house Jan. 15th, to commemorate his golden wedding. ?. Mr. Porter gave his history, from memory, mostly, which we subjoin below:

 ?This occasion requires that I should give a short history of my ancestry, and having no family record in full, I shall depend somewhat upon my memory. My grandfather was of Irish descent, and emigrated to this country about the year 1776, and settled on the Delaware river, in Penn. He died in the year 1812. My grandmother died about the same time. My father,  Alexander Porter, came to this country at the age of fourteen and settled in Oneida county, this State. He had one brother who settled near Albany, N. Y., and one sister who settled in Philadelphia. In the year 1797, my father moved to Flint Creek Hollow (now the north part of Italy Hollow.) This whole section was then a howling, unbroken wilderness, and my father the third family that settled. It was infested with panthers, bears and wolves, that prowled about filling the woods with hideous yells. The wolves were so ravenous that they killed yearling cattle in daylight, and at night were kept from the cabins by fire-brands. The bears were very numerous and troublesome, carrying off pigs and even hogs. One hog weighing 200 lbs., was taken from the pen in the daytime, and carried by the bear bodily, walking on his hind feet, fifty rods, and was shot while dragging his victim through a brush fence. We suffered much for help, so scarce were settlers and no teams. The trees were felled in slashes, across each other, suffered to lay one year, and then burned, and our corn was planted between the logs. When it was ripe, was cut up, a great fire built of the logs, and the settlers invited to the husking. The men carried the bundles and the women husked till midnight. This was done with each other until all were served. My father moved to Middlesex, adjoining this town, where he lived several years, when he moved to this town and died here at the advanced age of 89 years.

 ?My mother was American born and her maiden name was Catherine Armstrong. While she was a child, living with her father at Fort Stanwix, (now Rome, Oneida Co.), she was one day picking wild cherries about one-fourth of a mile from the Fort, accompanied by another girl, and was taken prisoner by the Indians. The girls tried to elude them and the other girl succeeded, but as my mother was climbing a fence, she was taken. She was shown then, the scalps of seven neighboring women, fresh and dripping, and was in great fear. She saw her mother at evening when she went out to milk, but was told if she made a loud noise, her's would be there too. She was a prisoner among the Indians two years and nine months, and was then ransomed by her uncle, for five guineas and several gallons of rum. After the ransom she was sent to Albany with other prisoners, and there Gen'l Washington conversed with them about their hardships, and giving them their dinner and a crown each, sent them home. She died here at the age of 76.?

1800, Ontario Co NY, Middletown Twp: Archibald Armstrong, 10010/00010

next door: Alexander Porter, 22010/30110

1810, Ontario Co NY, Naples Twp: Archd Armstrong, 21010/20010

1820, Ontario Co NY, Gorham Twp: Archibald Armstrong, 110201/010101

previous page: George Armstrong, 200110/111000, probably the brother who married Anna Hilton and died in Kalamazoo MI.

1830 Ontario Co NY, Groham Twp: Archibald Armstrong, 000100001/00000011

1840, Washtenaw Co MI, Saline Twp: Archibald Armstrong, 00000000001/010000001

A history of Herkimer County: including the Upper Mohawk Valley: from the earliest period to the present time, p 72, (Ancestry.com) shows his father as a First Lieutenant during the Revolutionary War. Ancestry.com has this family and data for Archibald Armstrong:

b 1762 in German Flats, Herkimer Co NY; d 29 JAN 1847 in Pittsfield, Washtenaw Co MI; bur Oakwood; died from effects of rattlesnake bite; was a friend of Gen. Lafayette. Chapter Four of "Armstrong Family" by Frank H. Armstrong (Draft copy March, 2001) pages 2 and 3, provides extensive information about Archibald II, his parentage, his military service, his wives, children, and grandchildren. Also refers to a living descendant, Charles Stratton, 424 Highview, Dearborn, Michigan 48128-1555 (313) 562 3134, email: Charles Stratton@/umich.edu. 2nd draft copy of the same reference [4/01] from Revolutionary War records: Enlisted in Jan 1779 and served until June 1783 under Captains Hicks and Parsons and Colonel Van Schaick. Was a drummer boy at the execution of Major Andre and was in the Battle of Yorktown (Capture of Cornwallis).The reference includes he was a drummer boy in the battles of Monmouth NJ 28 June 1778 and Germantown PA 4 Oct 1777. He was at the battle of Cowpens SC 17 Jan 1781 (Michigan Heritage Vol. 1 No. 2)

Archibald Armstrong Sr?s history was summarized at Donald Armstrong?s Ancestry.com gedcom, from Robert Armstrong, January 27th, 2000 ::

"Born 1727 in Tyrone, Ireland; d 1792 in W. Rome, Oneida Co NY. Archibald first appeared at German Flats in 1760 on the Church Records at Stone Arabia. This was for the Christening of his son Johannes with his wife Elizabeth Staring. The record states that he was a soldier in the 46th Regiment. These were British troops that were stationed there due to the French and Indian War. There seems to be some question of when the marriage took place. Not much else was known except by family tradition that he was ?from Pennsylavania, came up the Hudson Valley to the Mohawk River valley.?

 ?Recent research in England at the Military History Library found the record of one of the Companies of that Regiment, Captain Francis Legge Company of Foot, dated June 1, 1762 at New York Harbor. It is known that many Militia troops were drawn from Pennsylvania at the time of this war. An Archibald Armstrong as Sergeant in a Militia Company fits the picture but it remains for the future to determine if they are the same.

 ?Archibald later served in Militia companies at Stone Arabia as a second Lieutenant in the early part of the American Revolution and later as a Private, when the Companies were reorganized. He had three sons, Archibald, John, and Adam who served in the 1st New York Regiment which was attached to General Washington Headquarters. Archibald was a Drummer and the other two were fifers. They were at the hanging of Andre and again at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Adam's discharge (at the national Archives) was signed by Washington. It is assumed that the others were but they were lost over time.

 ?Before and after the Revolution, Archibald was an Indian Trader at the junction of Wood and Canada Creek, near present day Rome, New York This was known to his descendants and the location was often pointed out to them. Archealogical research was done in the 1950's and verified the site.

 ?The New York Archives contains a Note: For value Received I promise to pay on demand to Friederich fox or his______ the sum of Three pound ten shillings and ten pence New York Currency with _______ full interest from the date_______of until paid as_____ my hand. German Flats February the 4th 1788 with_______Archibald Armstrong Wit: Wilhelm Dygert.

Marriage

• Elizabeth STAHRING b ca 1741 in German Flats; m 1761 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY

Children Of Elizabeth Stahring

1. John Johannes ARMSTRONG , Sr b: 11 JAN 1760 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY. Record of Birth & Baptism From Records of the Reformed Dutch Church of Stone Arabia in the town of Palantine, Montgomery Co NY: Transcribed by The NY Genealogical and Biographical Society, Vol. 1: Elisabetha, Johann Nicel Starings leichtferetige Tochter ein Kind in Hurerey erziehlet und giebt zum Vatter and Aerdchi Armstrang ein Soldat unter dem 46ten Regiment, welcher sie auch nach der Zeit geheurathet."

1778 Feb 28-Nov 30: Copy of actual payroll, listing service of John, Archibald, and others in Revolutionary War; "A payroll of Capt. Michael Ittig's Company of Col. Peter Bellinger's Regiment of Militia of German Flatts in the County of Tryon, and the State of New York, being in service at sundry times from February the 28th to November the 30th, 1778 inclusive." 1779 Mar : "New York in the Revolution" New York State Archives, by Berthold Fernow, Vol. 1: includes several references to John and other family members, including "The New York Line; Second Company" p. 176: "Armstrong, John; 1st mustered March '79; to end of war. M R". This [no clear antecedent-KP] is the first time we have had a clue on his whereabouts since early 1800 when family knew he went to Canada. His wife?s name is Mary Chichester, who was from New Jersey. John was in the American troops during the Revolutionary War.

Information from Robert Armstrong, January 27th, 2000: "Enlisted at Rome New York in the New York line for the Revolutionary War. His pension number S44553 was filed in Cayuga Co NY in 1820. At that he gave his age 58, indicating birth in 1762, although the church record says 1760. Service was in 3rd company of Captain Graham, enlisting in March 1779 to the end of the war. Roster of Captain Michael Ittig's Company of Colonel Peter Bellinger's Regiment of Militia as Drummer, February 1778 to November 30th of 1778. After the war he went to Cayuga County and later to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada." : Frank H. Armstrong, in the rough draft of his "Armstrong Family", pg 8, shows "John Armstrong, who on church records is named Johannes, was born 11 January 1761 out of wedlock. He was at the Battle of Oriskany in August 1777. Later. he enlisted in the continentals (First NY Regiment) and was in other battles." After the war, Johannes and Mary Armstrong moved to Hamilton, Ontario (Western tip of Lake Ontario). Another source refers to Erin Village in Wellington County, 35 miles north of Hamilton. Johannes and Mary had three sons..... including John (Johannes) ARMSTRONG , Jr b 19 MAR 1784 in German Flats, New York; d 1 MAR 1865 in Delaware Twp, Sanilac Co MI.

1. Maria ARMSTRONG b: 5 MAY 1764
2. Adam ARMSTRONG b: ABT. 1765 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY [Death: 27 AUG 1843 in Lee, Oneida Co NY; m Sara H. SARJE m 2 DEC 1793 in Herkimer, NY. Four children, no John.]
3. Catherine ARMSTRONG b: 26 APR 1765 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY
4. Archibald ARMSTRONG b: ABT. 1765 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY [above]
5. Anna ARMSTRONG b: 27 JUN 1766 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY
6. Elizabeth ARMSTRONG b: 11 AUG 1767 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY
7. Henry ARMSTRONG b: 24 SEP 1768 in Stone Arabia, Herkimer, NY [m Dorothy Bauman, four children, no John]
8. Maria ARMSTRONG b: 8 APR 1777 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY
9. Nicholas ARMSTRONG b: 24 JUN 1778 in Herkimer, Herkimer, NY [d 19 MAY 1823 Annsville Twp, Oneida Co NY; bur William Armstrong Farm, Meadows Road, Taberg NY; m Eva CUNNINGHAM 27 JUL 1798 in Utica, Oneida Co NY, nine children, including a John, not ours.]
10. Margareta ARMSTRONG b: 11 SEP 1779 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY
11. George Armstrong was born in the early 1780's. He married Anna Hilton, settled in Kalamazoo MI.]

Marriage

• Elizabeth Crim EISENLORD, m 11 MAR 1784 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY

Children of Elizabeth Crim Eisenlord

1. Gertrude ARMSTRONG b: 20 JUL 1788

The ?cousin John? mentioned in the Yates Co book is unclear, as is the relative who ransomed Catherine Armstrong from the Indians. ?John? was possibly a lapse on the part of the authos, thinking of George or his brother John, who lived there in 1820 and was not related to this family.

Marriage 1 Elizabeth STAHRING b: ABT. 1741 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY

* Married: 1761 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY

Children

1. John Johannes ARMSTRONG , Sr b: 11 JAN 1760 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY

2. Maria ARMSTRONG b: 5 MAY 1764

3. Adam ARMSTRONG b: ABT. 1765 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY

4. Catherine ARMSTRONG b: 26 APR 1765 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY

5. Archibald ARMSTRONG b: ABT. 1765 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY

6. Anna ARMSTRONG b: 27 JUN 1766 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY

7. Elizabeth ARMSTRONG b: 11 AUG 1767 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY

8. Henry ARMSTRONG b: 24 SEP 1768 in Stone Arabia, Herkimer, NY

9. Maria ARMSTRONG b: 8 APR 1777 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY

10. Nicholas ARMSTRONG b: 24 JUN 1778 in Herkimer, Herkimer, NY

11. Margareta ARMSTRONG b: 11 SEP 1779 in German Flats, Herkimer, NY

Sources

• DAR record https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A003088
• https://gw.geneanet.org/craigsharrow?lang=en&pz=living&nz=armstrong&ocz=61&p=archibald&n=armstrong&oc=10