Patrick Hugh Callen (1745 - 1823)

Born 1745 in Ireland

Descendants

Died 19 Apr 1823 at about age 78 in Toby Township, Armstrong, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

This profile is part of the Callan Name Study.

Private Patrick Callen served with Pennsylvania Militia during the American Revolution.

Patrick Callen is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A111173.

Patrick Callen was born in 1745. He was the son of John Callen and Nora Minihane. He passed away in 1823. ^[1]

Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania ..., Volume 1, Pg 1521 "...was a native of Ireland, and at an early day, crossed the Atlantic and took up his residence near Kittanning, Armstrong County, Penn......" ^[2]

Patrick Callin is DAR Patriot Ancestor #: A111173. He served as a Private for Pennsylvania. The DAR record shows birth in Pennsylvania but it likely he simply lived there during the Revolution. His service is Pennsylvania Archives, 2ND SER, VOL 14, P 678. Spouse: Sarah Hennen. Children in file: Hugh who m. Mary ______; Eleanor who m James Reyburn. ^[3]

The Callen Chronicles

"Patrick Callen was born around 1745-1750. we're uncertain if he was born in the Colonies or if "at an early day (he) crossed the Atlantic". He was of Scotch/Irish descent, perhaps a son of John Callen who purchased land in Lancaster County around 1733.
The first we actually hear of Patrick is in 1769 when he was taxed in Pennsborough Twp, Cumberland Co, PA, for 1 horse, 1 cow, and 50 acres of land. In 1773 Patrick was taxed for land in Westmoreland Co. From Westmoreland Co land records, we learn that Patrick married Sarah Hennen (or Heaney), sister of David Hennen and james Hennen. Sarah was also of Scotch/Irish descent.
On July 21, 1778 Private Patrick Callen is listed in a Roll of detachment of Capt. John McCleland's company to escort provisions to Fort Hand. "Fort hand was erected in the spring of 1778... it was located in Westmoreland Co about 14 miles north of Hannastown, at a point described in an old manuscript as being 'about a mile south of the ford of the Kiskiminetas; and the ford was about 6 miles above the mouth of the stream.'" Fort Hand was intended to protect the north border of Westmoreland Co from the raids of the Indians who lived on the upper waters of the Allegheny River." Just 3 weeks earlier, on July 7th, another "party of 9 men, under the leadership of Capt. Miller, were bringing grain to Fort Hand... and on their return were surprised by a party of Indians who lay in wait for them and killed the captain and seven others."
It may be about this same time that the story has been told about Patrick's and Sarah's identical twin daughters, their names uncertain. "During the Revolutionary War when there was much Indian activity in Westmoreland Co., the two little girls were kidnapped in an Indian raid when Patrick was away from home. The little girls were about five or six at the time, and both were taken. About 10 or 12 years later (after the Revolutionary War was over) a fur trader went into a remote Indian village, in far western Pennsylvania or Ohio, to trade with the Indians. While he was in the village he saw two young white women, about 18 years old, living with the tribe. One was the wife of a young indian brave and had a tiny baby; the other was unattached, but under the "protection" of a family in the tribe. During his visit he had no opportunity to talk with either of the women; however, after he had traded with the indians and left the village, he found one of the young women under the supplies in his canoe. She told him that she wanted to return to her white family; she said that she had talked with her sister before leaving and that her sister had wanted to remain behind with her indian family." She was returned to Patrick and Sarah Callen - apparently just a short time before they moved to Armstrong Co. The story continued, "the returned daughter had not been injured or mistreated, the family that had taken her in in the tribe had treated her as a daughter. Though she never regretted returning to her natural family, she was often restless. She was a private person, enjoying her time alone and in the woods, and she was described by her nephew, Watson, as 'special and different'. She had a way with wild animals that no one, not even her family understood. She was slender, tall, and very blond but she spent every day in the sun and the wind and she was as brown as an indian. Watson said that his grandparents just let her be herself, and did not attempt to change her, but cherished her for who she was."
In 1790 the first U.S. census was taken and we find Patrick listed in Salem Township, Westmoreland Co. - showing 1 male head-of-household, 2 males under 16, 3 free white females including the head-of-household.
In November of 1793, while living in Westmoreland Co, Patrick made initial improvements to a tract of land located in the loop of Buffalo Creek and on the right bank... which he later patented as "Downpatrick" in 1804. The property was surveyed to him in 1802 and he was accordingly assessed for it, along with 1 horse and 1 cow. In 1798 according to the notes of the assessor his 300 acres was valued at $316.00 and his buildings, consisting of a 16x18 longhouse and a 10x12 stable were valued at a mere $16.00. The assessor added this note: "He must work better or he might a had a better house"!!
In April 1802 Patrick moved his family to his property on Buffalo Creek, Armstrong Co. He transferred 150 acres of land on Beaver Run in Westmoreland Co. to Samuel Callen; and in 1811 he conveyed 97 acres of "Downpatrick" to Robert Morris and another 100 acres to John Callen. In 1818 he bought back the 100 acres from John Callen at the same purchase price as he sold it.
Patrick served in the War of 1812, mustering in on March 18 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Light Dragoons. He transferred to the 26th Infantry on May 11, 1814, and was made 1st Lieutenant on May 20th. He was honorable discharged on June 15, 1815, estimating his age at the time to be around 65 years old.
On November 3, 1814 Patrick is listed among the signers of a letter calling Rev John Redick to be the pastor of the Slate Lick Presbyterian Church in Armstrong Co.
In March 1825 Patrick Callen, then of Toby Twp, Armstrong Co died, naming his son, Hugh, and son-in-law James Rayburn as executors of his will which is registered in Armstrong Co. The place of his burial is unknown. No more is heard of his wife Sarah; her death date was probably in early 1827, her burial place also unknown.

Sources

1. ↑ Re: PATRICK CALLEN OF LANCASTER/ARMSTRONG-PA By Beatrice Thompson August 27, 2011 at 01:44:52 https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/callen/216/
2. ↑ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, and of Many of the Early Settled Families. (1898). United States: Unigraphic Incorporated; page 1521.
3. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 24 July 2019), "Record of Patrick Callin", Ancestor # A111173. Meehan-411
4. ↑ McNellis, Edna M. C. The Callin Chronicles: Aka (callan Callin Callon Callens Callons), Biographical - with Photographs. Barberton, OH.: E. McNellis, 1990. Print; pg. 17-20. (https://www.worldcat.org/title/callen-chronicles-aka-callan-callin-callon-callens-callons-biographical-with-photographs/oclc/22948450).

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