Charity (Casteel) Perdew (abt. 1757 - 1848)

Born about 1757 in Piscataway Parish, Prince George's, Maryland

Ancestors

Wife of William Perdew — married 1773 in Bedford, Maryland

Descendants

Died 29 Jul 1848 at about age 91 in Bedford, Bedford, Pennsylvania, United States,

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This profile is part of the Casteel Name Study.

Biography

^[1]THE FRONTIERS of SHADRICK CASTEEL :Written by Wm. Derrel Lyon July 2009 :with additional information provided by Kathleen McKee Cook.

"An important note: I have corrected the spelling of this ancestors name. He appears on many documents such as his will, estate inventory, tax lists, and census records as SHADRICK CASTEEL and very few as SHADRACH or SHADRACK. I know we have all tried to keep with the biblical spelling of the names Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego for the sons of Edmond Casteel III. Since Edmond, on his will signed his name by making his mark, he was probably illiterate. His son Shadrick also had to make his mark instead of a signature on his 1795 will. Evidently when asked his name, he always pronounced it as Shadrick and that is why it appears on the documents and lists spelled that way. If anyone has documents or proof to convince me to change it back to the Shadrach spelling, I will do so, otherwise I will forever keep it as Shadrick. This story is still a work in progress, if there are any mistakes seen in this story that need to be corrected or additional information that someone can supply, please feel free to contact me at wlionden@sbcglobal.net. )"

"Shadrick Casteel was born about 1735 in Piscataway Parish, Prince George’s County Maryland, according to most family researchers. He was the first son born of Edmond Casteel III and Rebecca William and grew up at the family tobacco plantation named “Casteel”. His brother Meshack was born a few years later or about 1740. The other children of Edmond and Rebecca were; Lucy, Susannah, Abednego, Francis, Cassandra, Charity, Keziah, Sarah and perhaps others not named in Edmond’s will. Shadrick’s grandparents Edmond Casteel II and Johanna lived within a short distance and he probably saw them often. He was about seven years old when these grandparents passed away. Shadrick’s Uncle Meshach Casteel and Aunt Catherine lived at the adjoining plantation called “Edmond’s Frolick Enlarged”. These were smaller plantations compared to those of the Darnall family who had owned thousands of acres just to the southeast of them at a place called the Woodyards. Almost all the early plantations at first used white indentured servants to work the land, but by the time Shadrick was born most planters owned Negro slaves as laborers. Evidently the Casteel family used slave labor as well. After Uncle Meshach’s death the following is stated: “His widow, Catherine Casteel, placed a chattel mortgage on her Negroes March 31, 1791”. This is not to say that the Casteel families did not work their own lands. It was common on the smaller plantations to see the owners and their children working the lands beside the slave labor. Planting, cultivating, harvesting and curing tobacco was labor intensive and was always a risky crop to grow. Tobacco was greatly affected by the weather. Dry weather in the spring or fall could put off planting schedules. If it was extremely wet it drowned the tobacco causing the leaves to spot and ruined the crop. The acreage used for the crop had to lay fallow after three years because of the nutrients depleted from the soil. It took seventeen months from planting to prizing (compressing into barrels) before the crop was ready for marketing. Tobacco was used as payment in exchange for goods and land purchases. The Casteel families were known to make such transactions."

"Shadrick Casteel was born in a time period when tobacco was becoming so over abundant that the prices had dropped and was no longer accepted as payment for goods. The demand for the Maryland crop was low as well because the quality became questionable. In 1732 there was rioting in Prince George’s County and other parts of Maryland, because the Maryland Assembly was doing nothing to help the situation. Virginia had passed inspection laws to improve quality through inspection and the planters of Maryland wanted the same controls implemented. There were some Maryland farmers still shipping “trash” in the hogshead tobacco barrels and merchants in England were not buying it any longer. This situation continued through the 1740’s. By 1747 planters began their own inspection policies. Soon county officials started making the inspection which became the normal procedure. Sorting by quality, burning trash tobacco, weighing, numbering hogsheads, labeling of tobacco type, and making a common warehouse for all planters hogsheads brought the controls needed to bring the prices back in to line with competing areas."

"Now was the time in Shadrick's life for play, and the beginnings of farm skills. It probably worried Shadrick very little what was occurring with the economy. He was a young boy and little concerned with such events. Shadrick's playmates would have been sisters, brothers, cousins and neighbor children. Common games were trundling hoops, marbles, draughts (checkers), cups and balls, skittles (an early form of bowling) and others. Their toys would have been home made construction, such as stilts, jackstraws (pickup sticks), tops, buzz saws (spinning button on a string), etc. It was acceptable for a young son of a land owner in that time period to be able to roam freely over the plantation. Even at a young age, Shadrick would have been well acquainted with the land he grew up on. He would learn every creek and stream, fishing and swimming hole, trail and Indian path in the general area he called home. By the time the child reached puberty, their father began to give them chores, duties and scheduled routines. There became a separation between siblings in which the girls took their direction from their mother and the boys from their father. They were no longer considered young children and had certain responsibilities and distinctions to uphold. The plow, sickle, rake, grub hoe and ax were no strangers to him. He would learn to grow corn, as well as tobacco. The corn was a valuable crop needed to feed the family, laborers and the animals. An ax, maul and wedge would be essential tools for Shadrick. Splitting fence rails and making a zigzag worm fence along the property lines was the law of the land. The Acts of the General Assembly required that fences be constructed at least five feet high and maintained to keep the owners livestock inside the enclosed land and neighbor's animals from coming onto the plantation and damaging crops. As Shadrick looked up from his work in the field, he could take a look at the plantations his grandfather, father and he himself helped shape from the wilderness. (This was still considered the frontier of Maryland until the 1740s). He probably would see the modest plantation house within his view, along with the kitchen garden nearby the house. (A vegetable and herb garden tended by the mother and her daughters was needed for daily survival in this sparsely settled area). A smoke house might be seen near the house for curing the meats. He would see the tobacco barn and crops in the field farther in the distance. Cows and horses in fenced enclosures in which he would be responsible were in his view. Barely visible were hogs foraging in the wooded areas beyond the clearings. He might walk, or ride a horse up the trails beyond the Casteel plantation to the roads that were being widened and see the clearings being made for new roads. He would see giant hogshead barrels rolling down these new roads. These were packed with tobacco, weighing 1000 lbs. or more with an axle put through the barrel and pulled by oxen driven by laborers to the market. The roads tended to be laid out northeast to the southwest following the creeks down to ships at the Potomac River and the market places. At the major cross roads, and where bridges crossed creeks and rivers, inns and taverns were built for travelers and these became places to learn news of the day. These are the images Shadrick would have carried with him the rest of his life. He was reaching manhood now and had learned the skills needed to survive on the plantation or just about anywhere he wanted to go."

"It was about the year 1752 when Shadrick Casteel married Laurena. or when he was about 17 to 18 years old. Most family researchers have his wife as being a few years older than Shadrick. We don’t know what Laurena’s family name was. She was most likely from a neighboring plantation and of a family of equal social status. Possibly the marriage was arranged by the parents and a dowry negotiated as was common practice at that time. It could be that Shadrick simply met her at church and fell in love. The closest churches at that time were St. John’s Episcopal Church Broadcreek (south of Oxon Hill) and, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church at Oxon Hill. Various laws had to be strictly followed in order that a ceremony be considered legal. No justice or magistrate could perform marriages if a minister was available. Publication of intention to marry had to conform to the rules of the Church of England. If the Parish had no official, advertisement was to be set up at the Courthouse door and remain there at least three weeks, only then could a Clerk of the court issue a certificate. After publication or certificate any minister could perform marriage according to the Liturgy of the Church of England. Five witnesses had to be present at the ceremony. The minister was allowed to charge 100 pounds of tobacco as a fee for marriage. Family and neighbors would receive invitations to the event. Usually the short ceremony was at the home of the bride. After the minister completed his ceremony and blessed the union, the dancing began, followed by an elaborate supper where the couple was toasted. Near the end of the festivities the couple would simply slip away to where they were spending their wedding night. Sometimes a shivaree party would appear at the newlywed couple’s place after dark hoping to catch them as they went to bed. The group would commence yelling and beating on pots and pans. If the groom came to the door, they would want to be admitted for one last toast to the couple. Sometimes the groom would give money or treats to make them go away. If no one had come to the door, the couple might be abducted and separated for the night. So, began the marriage of Shadrick and Laurena Casteel into the Maryland plantation life."

"Since sons growing up in Maryland in this time of the depressed economy were not as prosperous as there fathers, a common practice was for them to live as tenants on their fathers land and borrow his father’s slaves or laborers to work the land. Most sons of that generation never achieved the economic wealth that their fathers had twenty years earlier. The best they could do was inherit land and slaves after the death of their father. Shadrick and Laurena may have lived at the Casteel plantation when first married, but sometime prior to 1757 they were living on a 100 acre tract of land called, “Poor Man’s Industry”. This was acquired by Shadrick’s father Edmond at some unknown date. The location of the property was on the west side of the Patuxent River. Robt. Johnson owned the land in 1717 and its location was described more precisely as, “On Tinker’s branch Piskathaway (sic).” This plantation was still within walking distance to the Casteel and Edmond’s Frolick plantations."

"On January 13, 1758, Shadrick was given property from his cousin Rachel Watkins in consideration for caring for her the remainder of her natural life. On that date he had the deed of gift recorded at the courthouse in Prince George's County. The following is a transcription of that document."

^[2] Deed book PP pages 83 & 84 At the request of Shadrach Casteel the following Deed of Gift was Recorded January 13th 1758 This Indenture made this thirteenth day of January in the year of our lord God One Thousand Seven Hundred and fifty eight Between Rachel Watkins of Prince Georges County in the province of Maryland of the one part and Shadrach Casteel of the said County and province aforesaid Planter of the other part Witnesseth that the said Rachel Watkins for and in consideration of having all proper necessarys of life found & provided for me during my natural life the love good will and Affection that she hath and do bear unto her loving cozen the said Shadrack Casteel and Also for the diverse other causes and Considerations her hereunto more especially moving have given Granted and by these presents do freely clearly and Absolutely give and grant unto the said Shadrack Casteel two beds two blankets two sheets two rugs one quilt 2 boulsters two pillows two pillow cases four Sows twenty eight pigs five Barrows two Iron pots Six dishes Six plates 2 dozen of Spoons one Chest with Twenty nine yards of fine linnen and two yards of Black Silk Six yards of Striped holland three yards of red Shalloon one pair of Womens Shoes two pair of Childrens Shoes & Stockings one Childs hat Fifteen Barrels of Indian corn one frying pan one Sifter two hoes one Ax one plough two Chizzels one pruning knife one hatchet, one hammer one mans Coat one mans Jacket one pair of mens Breeches one pair of mens Shoes one pair of mens Stockings one Linnen Wheel one wollen wheel one pair of wool cards Six tea cups one Gold ring one mans Saddle and Bridle and one horse which is branded on the off Buttock thus (drawing of brand) also three Basons and one Bad likewise apercel of Flax also one Skillet one Chamber pot also two Bedsteads and two bed cords one lock pins and needlesand Sundry other thingin the above mentioned Chest To Have and to Hold all the said goods Chattles household stuff implements and all other premises unto the said Shadrach Casteel his heirs Executors and Administrators and to his and their only proper use and behalf for ever and as his and their proper goods for ever absolutely without any manner of Condition or with out any manner of recliam challenge or Contradiction of me the said Rachel Watkins my heirs Executors Assigns or any other person or persons by any means Title or procurement in any manner or wise and without any account reckoning or answer therefore to me or any in my name to be given rendered or done in time to come In Witness whereof the party first above named hath hereunto set her hand and Affixed her Seal the day and date first above Written Sealed and delivered the word whereof my last line but one } Rachell (her mark W) Watkins {seal} being first interlined in the presence of the word and the Considerations of having all proper necessarys of life found & provided for me during my natural life being interlined between the forth and fifth lines before Sealing & delivery Signed Sealed and Acknowledged befor Geo. Gordon Mary Watson On the Back of which deed was endorsed viz}Maryland Prince Georges County (unreadable) the 13th of January 1758 then came Rachel Watkins party to the within deed before me the Subscriber of the Right Honorable the lord Proprietarys Justices of the peace for the County aforesaid and did acknowledge the within goods and effects to be the right of the within named Shadrack Casteel & accordingly ackknowledged the within deed according to law before Geo. Gordon

Shadrick and Laurena’s children were: Thomas born about 1753, Ezedock 1754, John 1755, Jesse 1756, Elizabeth 1758 and Archibald 1763.

The French and Indian War began in 1754, but Maryland was just a bystander in this conflict. The only concern was for home defense and Militias were raised to guard the Maryland frontier. New taxes were implemented to pay for war costs. It is believed that the Casteel families were not directly involved in this war.

By the late 1750s Shadrick’s father Edmond was selling the plantations one parcel at a time. Possibly this was caused by the poor economy.

31 Jan 1757, (as described above) Edmund sold, “Poor Man’s Industry”, to Rev. John Eversfield.

8 June 1757, Edmund Casteel conveys to Rev. Eversfield 26 acres of Edmund’s Frolick

7 Nov 1766, Edmund Casteel sold to (his son) Meshack Casteel all of a tract called “Casteel”, and part of “Edmund’s Frolick Enlarged”.

30 Aug 1771 Edmund Casteel to James Mitchell all of that part of tract of land called “Casteel” and part of “Edmund’s Frolick Enlarged” of 40 ¼ acres total.

Edmond Casteel died between March and April 1773 leaving a will dated 11 April 1772. It was a few years before his father's death, Shadrick decided to move his young family to the frontier wilderness of Pennsylvania. We know from tax records of Bedford County, Pa. that Shadrick was already in Pennsylvania by 1773. Why would he leave when his father was nearing the end of his life? According to traditions and customs the eldest son usually inherited his fathers land, but this did not happen. Shadrich's younger brother Meshack had already acquired land from their father (by purchase) in 1766. Edmond's will states the following: I give and bequeath to my wife Rebecca Casteel all my personal Estate namely Part of a Tract of land called Casteel, part of Edmunds Frolich Enlarged and all my Goods and Personal Estate consisting of what kind or value soever during her Natural Life and then I give and bequeath all the remaining part of the above said Land: Item and goods to be sold and the money to be Equally Divided amongst my Several children as follows; Viz: Shadrach Casteel, Abednego Casteel, Francis Casteel, Lucy Athey, Keziah Mitchell, Susannah Searce, Sarah Medly, Cassandra Casteel, Charity Casteel. It is strange that Edmond would appoint his daughter Cassander as his executrix instead of appointing either Shadrick or Meshack as executor. This is some proof that Shadrick was already gone from Maryland by that time. Maybe Edmond was not happy that Shadrick left when he needed him the most and drafted the will to suit the situation. Could it be that Shadrick learned of what his father's intentions were before the will was written, and was displeased enough to leave for the frontier? Maybe Shadrick was informed of his fathers health and took a trip back to Maryland before the death. Another possibility is that he returned after his father's death to receive the personal items bequeathed to him. It could also be that when Shadrick left Maryland for the frontier and he never intended to ever set foot there again. In that case the inherited items might have been brought to him by other kinsmen moving to the frontier. We may never know the true story.

The route from Maryland to the frontier of Pennsylvania that Shadrick took can only be surmised.

Considering the mountainous terrain and primitive roads and trails they would have to travel, the use of pack horses and oxen fitted with a pack saddles would be more useful than wagons. All needed household goods could be transported in this manner. They would probably begin by following the Potomac River northwest to Fort Frederick, from there taking Braddock’s road westward through Turner’s Gap then to Hagerstown, Maryland. Braddock’s road continued westward to Fort Cumberland Maryland. From there an old Indian trail following Evits Creek could be taken northward to Bedford town near old Fort Bedford where Shadrick would rest his family. He probably stayed near the settlements there for a while and learned of the prospective lands and procedure for acquiring the wilderness lands, before moving south to Flintstone Creek. We know he was firmly settled in Bedford County by the early 1770s. Shadrich Casteel (with his name spelled this way) appears on the tax assessment of 1773 Cumberland Valley Twp., Bedford County, Pennsylvania assessed at 3 .6 . He owned 108 acres with only eight acres improved (or cleared for farming, it took a man about a year to clear five to ten acres, if he left the stumps) he owned two horses and two cows. He appears as Shedrick Castle on the 1774 tax list, Cumberland Valley,Twp. assessed at 11. And the 1775 tax list as Shadrick Castel assessed at 0 8 .5 . The 1776 tax list of Cumberland Valley Township shows that Shederick Casteel owned 100 acres which was 25 acres cultivated and 75 acres uncultivated, he had one horse and two cows. He was assessed at 0 5 .6 ½ for uncultivated land and 0 4 .9 for Provincial tax. His name appears again on the 1778 tax list of Cumberland Valley Twp. as Shedrick Castell. In 1779 he appears on the tax list of Cumberlad Valley Twp. as Shadrach Casteel with 50 acres 3 horses 3 cows and 7 sheep. His son Thomas is listed that year with no land, 1 horse, 1 cow. Also listed is Zadock Casteel as a single freeman owning nothing. The 1783 Federal Supply Tax list of Bedford County, Cumberland Valley, Twp shows Shadarach Casteel with 150 acres, 3 horses, 3 cows, 6 sheep and the assessment at 2 .1 .6. His son Thomas Casteel also appears that year with 50 acres, 1 horse, 1 cow assessed at 0 13 .8. In 1784 a census was taken showing Cumberland Valley Twp., Shederick Casteel with no land 1 dwelling house 3 whites living there. It also shows Thomas Casteel with no land, 1 dwelling house, 3 whites.

This area of Pennsylvania was truly unbroken wilderness. The valley he brought his family to is surrounded by mountain ridges. To the east is Tussey’s Mountain, and on the west is Martin Mountain (originally called Flintstone Ridge) Martin Mountain is rugged solid limestone with a sandstone cap. It has many sink holes that open into a cave system. Wildlife on the mountain included golden eagle, hawks, wolves, panthers, black bear, white-tailed deer, racoon, squirrel and wild turkey. Eastern hemlock along with a chestnut oak and hickory forest make up the main tree species found here. Fire cherry, sugar and striped maple. black and yellow birch are found on the upper slopes of the mountain. There is an undergrowth of wood fern, Virginia creeper and gooseberry. Rhododendren grow along the creek edges.

Shadrick, now in his late thirties had sons well into their teens to help him clear land, plant and cultivate. In the manner of most new settlers, upon arriving on their new land, a temporary lean- to or shelter would be constructed from materials at hand. A place near a creek or spring would be cleared of its trees and other trees selected from farther away cut and hauled to the site. The log house, usually built with a loft above for sleeping, was of basic construction. At first only one opening for a door, fireplace and maybe one window was sawed out of the log structure. Usually the window openings were placed high on the structure to avoid indians from getting inside. Spaces in between the logs were chinked with clay mortar, straw or wood chips. A chimney and fireplace was essential for cooking and needed heat. Out buildings (sheds and pens), and fencing would be on the list to build next. Inside the cabin they would hammer pegs into the walls to hang clothing, rifles, and personal items. They wouldn’t have brought much of their own furniture. Usually tables, stools, and beds were of homemade construction. (Looking at Shadrick's estate inventory list of 1795 a bedstead , table and chairs along with a chest may actually have been brought with them from Maryland.) The Casteel sons would have learned from their father the essential skills of farming, hunting, fishing and survival to help them carry on in this harsh new land.

The Winter of 1772-73 was long and severe in Bedford County, with a least two foot snow on the ground until March. It wasn't until the Spring of 1773 before a crop could be sowed. Usually, after first settling and clearing some acreage, a farmer would grow wheat. All that was needed was to scratch the land with a hoe and scatter the seeds. The Fall of 1773 was said to have been very productive for planting and snow was late in coming that Winter, this made for a desent harvest in the summer of 1774. Later after the land had been broken by plowing, potatoes, turnips, cabbage and corn could be grown. Cattle and hogs were set free to forage in the woodlands. The boys would be told to keep a watchful eye out for wolves and panthers attacking the livestock. Their hunting dogs were needed alarms of imminent danger. Later the zigzag, worm, split rail fences Shadrick had learned to build as a young boy would be erected to enclose the land and protect the livestock and crops. This fence construction doesn’t require holes in this unbroken ground for posts. Clearing the land by ax could be accelerated by chopping the bark off at the base in a circle around the tree. This kills the tree and then it is burned. The boys would bring in fresh game to the table, where their mother and sister would gather wild nuts and berries. Flax would be a needed early crop for making linen clothing. It was sown in May and could be harvested in July. One quarter acre of land was usually planted for each person in the family for flax/linen clothing. There were many steps to prepare the flax and get it ready to spin on the treadled small spinning wheel. It had to be striped of its seed pods, and soaked / rotted for three weeks. After drying, the stalks were put through a flax brake to shatter it into chaff. The precess of seperating the chaff from the fibers came next. The hetchel (mentioned in Shadrick's estate inventory) was used to comb the fibers so it could be spun into linen thread.

The Winter 1779-1780 proved to be quite harsh. The snow came early that season and lay in depths of five feet well into the Spring of 1780. It became a real struggle to survive on the frontier for settlers and their livestock. Individual farmers became cut off from their neighbors because of the heavy snow storms and became isolated and totally dependant on their own resources.

The Kentucky flintlock long rifle was a valuable and prized posession on the frontier. The bulk of what was called the Kentucky rifle was made in Pennsylvania. Shadrick’s sons would have learned to use a smaller, shorter rifle when they reached their early teens, but by the time they were reaching manhood they would have acquired the much sought after long rifle. There was a style of long rifle called the “Bedford”, made in the county from 1776 to the early 1800s , and it is most likely the Casteels owned one sometime during that time period. It has been stated that as many as twenty gunsmiths lived in Bedford County in those years, making some version of this firearm. The “Bedford” rifle was always made of the finest curly maple of local harvest, prized for its beauty, and second to none. It was longer than most eastern Pennsylvania rifles, and had a graceful slope to the stock from the wrist to the butt. All the metal hardware was handmade and of unique design. Even the carving on the stock did not conform to eastern Pennsylvania patterns.

Pioneers would have to become skilled with weaponry along with wearing proper clothing to survive in this wilderness. The Casteel sons would most likely learn to use the tomahawk as well the long rifle, and carry a versatile hunting knife. Buckskin shirt and leggings were worn in the warmer months, linsey-woolsey (linen & wool homespun) in the colder, wetter months. Buckskin moccasins were the usual footwear and in the winter stuffed with straw, leaves or deer hair.

The Seneca and Shawnee Indians claimed these lands for hunting and several trails and paths were still evident throughout this region. These paths were usually no wider than a man’s shoulders, but were straight trails, well worn and easy to follow. Since they followed the higher ground they were dry and could be depended on in bad weather. Warrior’s Path just one valley to the east was used by the Iroquois in raids and war on their enemies. During the Revolutionary War the Indians on the Pennsylvania frontier were allies to the British, and were constantly raiding and attacking individual cabins in the Bedford area. Shadrick’s sons were called on several occasions into the Militia to provide defense from Indian attacks. Friends and neighbors became a community of collective protection. Scouting and providing an early warning against imminent attacks was the part the Casteel sons played in the Revolutionary War. Shadrick's son Ezedock was involved in one incident where his scouting party was ambushed by Indians and he barely excaped being killed. The years 1780-1782 saw numerous Indian attacks in Bedford County. In July 1782. news spread a large Indian attack in Hagerstown, Westmoreland County where the settlement was destroyed. Panic set in and settlers in Bedford County began fleeing and seeking protection at Forts and Towns to the South and East . It is not believed that the Casteel family was among those leaving to seek safety. (Shadrick served on a jury in Bedford in Oct. 1782). Most settlers returned to their lands within two years. A more regulated Militia system calmed the fears on the frontier and this panic epoisode was never repeated again.

In 1789, a list of inhabitants of Cumberland Twp. Bedford County, made subject to the Militia laws of Pennsylvania was taken by Henry Williams. On this list are Archibald Casteel, Thomas Casteel, Brice Blair, Nathaniel Perdew, William Perdue, John Perdew, John Dickin, Amos Dickin, Thomas Dickin, Wm. Lazure, John Lazure, Thomas Lazure, and Joseph Lazure. (this a partial list of those men thought to be kin or close neighbors).

Shadrick’s son Archibald Casteel married Rebecca Perdew (Some researchers say he married 1st a Charity Perdew and 2nd Nancy Perdew) probably in the late 1780’s and remained in Bedford county. He appears on the census of that county in 1790 with the townships not stated. Living nearby Archibald is his brother Thomas Casteel. Also nearby are Brison (Brice) Blare, John & Thomas Leasure. A few pages farther in the census is Shedick Casteel (their father) and Ezedock Casteel. Neighbors are John Ingland, John Tate, Thomas Leasure, Wm. Leasure, John Leasure, Thomas Dickson, Steven Dickson, Micael Tufman, Tetery Tufman, and Baptist Luman.

On several occasions Shadrick served jury duty. Each time he would start a 25 journey North along a meandering path, crossing through Martin's Hill just north of Bean's Cove following the Bear Gap Trail into Colerain Township and up Friend's Cove. He would then have to cross Ray's Branch and join Forbes' Road traveling west into the town of Bedford. This trip, by horseback, probably took a day or an additional half a day to make, considering the terrain. He would have sought lodging after arriving. The Nawgle Tavern on West Pitt St. adjoined by George Funk's Inn were places of rest and refreshment after a long journey. Shadrick was sworn in as a member of a Grand Jury for the January Session of 1775 at the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace of Bedford County..Shadrick Casteel then served Bedford County Court in Oct. 1782 in which that court tried and found guilty Daniel Palmer for horse stealing. The following from the court records of Bedford County, gives details of the sentencing.

“POTHONOTARY COURT October Session 1782” Pennsylvania vs. Daniel Palmer –Indictment for horse stealing-- “It is therefore considered by the court that the said Daniel Palmer shall be taken tomorrow morning to the public whipping post between the hours of eight and ten of the clock shall receive thirty-nine lashes to be well laid on bare back, and that immediately afterward the said Daniel Palmer shall be placed in the pillory where he shall stand for one hour and have his ears cut off and nailed to the pillory and shall forfeit to the Commonwealth the sum of fifteen pounds, being the value of the goods of Ludowich Friedline of which the said Daniel Palmer is convicted of stealing and shall pay the costs attending prosecution and be committed until the whole of the sentence is complied with.”

This court building was built in 1773-1774, and stood on the northwest corner of the public square, near the lines of Penn and Juliana streets. This was a two story limestone structure and steeple, with the jail on the first floor, court on the second, and under the high peaked roof in what would be considered the attic was divided into rooms for the grand and petit juries. Court was administered by an appointed and commissioned justice of the peace. Shadrick probably was dressed in the finest clothing he had. According to the estate inventory at Shadrick's death, he owned a great coat, short coat, velvet jacket (vest), three shirts, breeches and shoes. These would have been the clothes he wore to court or church. He inherited clothing from his father's estate and these items may have been the attire described above.

Ludiwick Fredeline appears on the 1790 census of Bedford County, evidently Daniel Palmer left the area and was never heard from again.

Shadrick was probably a member of the Episcopal Church as a young man in Maryland. After his move to Bedford County there were no churches of this denomination anywhere within his range of travel. He probably turned to whatever christian church that was available. The first Methodist preaching in America occurred in 1766. Two Methodist Preachers came to Bean's Cove, Southampton Township, Bedford County, Pa. by 1784. One was Rev. Thomas Leakins (or Lakin) who had come from Montgomery Co., Md. the other was Rev. John Leasure. Maybe they first preached under a brush arbor or at neighbor's houses. By 1816 a log church was built at the foot of Martin's Mountain at Bean's Cove for the congregation to meet. (The first school for the area was held in this structure as well.) Shadrick's son Archibald was most certainly a member of the Methodist Church. Archibald's son John became a Methodist Reverend.

Nearing the end of his life, there was one more event Shadrick would be aware of. This was the Whiskey Rebellion of the years 1791-1795. The new American federal government was needing to raise revenue to pay for debts. On March 3 1791, an act was passed to tax whiskey at nine cents per gallon for small producers. This created a severe hardship on farmers. Money was in short supply, and distilling whiskey from excess rye and wheat grain was one of the few ways for a farmer to earn cash money or use the whiskey to barter with. It was a staple consumer good and served as an important means of exchange. Even though Shadrick grew these crops and may have made whiskey, the inventory of his estate in 1795 did not include whiskey. Like others in the county he probably kept his produce hidden to avoid taxation. The government was telling them to hand over to the tax collector their small profits for tax payment. This tax act caused a rebellion among the frontier areas of Pennsylvania. It was as volatile as the stamp act had been against the British in 1765. By the summer of 1794, the protest had become an armed revolt. In August 1794, 500 men met in Bedford County and agreed to resist the tax. There were assaults on tax collectors, tar and feathering them, shots fired at them, Court proceedings disrupted, mail robbed to withhold the names of protesters from the government, and even a threat mounted to assault Pittsburgh and burn the town. George Washington invoked martial law and organized a militia of almost thirteen thousand men to put down the revolt. In Bedford County, a large number of men were arrested and later fined five to fifteen shillings for protesting the tax act. On Oct 19 1794, President Washington set his headquarters in Bedford with six thousand men encamped there awaiting to march on the revolt. General Harry Lee left Bedford two days later to begin putting down the insurrection. The tax act was never very successful in collecting the revenue it had hoped and was repealed in 1803.

At the approximate age of sixty. in December 1795, Shadrick Casteel died in Bedford County, Pennsylvania leaving a will dated Sep. 24, 1795. He left the land he lived on to his son Archibald Casteel. This was north of the mouth of Muddy Run to Brice Blares line. He gave his son Jesse Casteel the land south of the mouth of Muddy Run, a straight line up a holler, cross the land. (This would be the lands on Flintstone Creek evidently with a tributary called Muddy Run). To receive his inheritance Archibald would need to build a house for his mother Lurena to live in, and care for her the rest of her life. Money would be paid to Zadock (25 pounds) by Archibald in one year after Shadrick’s death. Daughter Elizabeth Casteel Whiticar would receive fifteen pounds from Archibald two years after Shadrick’s death. Son, Thomas Casteel would receive fifty pounds, half in three years and half in four years by Archibald.

(All spelling and mistakes are those of the person or attorney who prepared the will, all my comments or explanations are in parenthesis) W.D.L.

The Will of Shadrack Casteel dated September 24, 1795 (transcribed by Wm. Derrel Lyon from a copy received from Bedford County Register & Recorder July 1, 2009)

795 12

(first page) In the Name of god amen I Shadrick Castel of Flintstone Crek Cumberland Valley Township & Bedford County and commonwealth of pennsylvania Farmer Being in perfect strength of mind and memory thanks be to god for all of his mercies and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die I do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the manner and form following Viz (to wit) First I recommend my soul into the Hand of God who gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my executors in a decent Christian manner and as touching such worldly Estates as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and dispose of the same in the manner and form to witt I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Luraner Casteel her choice of my horses and the cows /one together with her bed and bedding together with all my household furniture and the rest of my personal estate to be sold and the money collected for her use after all of my dets and funeral expenses is paid together with all my cash and dets that is to collect to remane her full part and paritimony :Item: I bequeath unto my son Archabel Castel the land I now live on to the mouth of the muddy run and from that up the creek to Brice Blares line and Archabel is to pay to my son Zadock Casteel twenty five pounds current money of pennsylvania to be paid in one full year after my desese :Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Whitecar fifteen pounds current money of pennsylvania in two full years after my desese to be paid by Archibel heir :Item: I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Casteel fifty pounds current money of Pennsylvania twenty five pounds to be paid three full years after my desese and the

(second page) other twenty five pounds to be paid in four years after my discease (written over in an attempt to correct the misspelling but misspelled again) to be paid by my son Archabel :Item: I then give and bequeath to my son Jesse Casteel all my land be low the mouth of the four said Run to remane his property and to his proper use and behalf to go with a strate line up a holler cros the Land and I appoint my son Archabel to take care of my der beloved wife and he is to build her a dwelling house on his part of the Land suteabel for her to live in and to take care of her during her life, And I do hereby constitute my dearly beloved wife Luraner Casteel and Archabel Casteel my son to be my whole and sole Executers and I appoint and ordane them executers of this my last will and testament and I do utterly disanull all former wills testaments bequeaths and executers here to four made ratifying and confirming this and no other as my last will and testament : In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of September one thousand seven hundred and ninety five : And in the twenty first year of independency of the United States of America

Signed sealed published and delivered by him-

The said Shadrick Casteel as his last will and testament in the presents of us

David Jackson his mark seal

Shadrick / Casteel

Brice Blare

"Bedford County}Before me John Anderson Esquire register for the probate of wills & granting letters of administration in & for the County of Bedford in the state of Pennsylvania personally came the within named David Jackson & Brice Blare the two subscribing witnesses to the above Instrument of Writing and on their solemn oaths taken before me to say that they were personally present and heard and saw the within named Shadrick Casteel sign seal publish pronounce & declare the said Instrument of Writing

(third page) to be his last will & testament that at the time of doing the same the said Shadrick Casteel was of sound and disposing mind and memory according to the best of these deponents knowledge & belief and that they subscribed their names thereto in his presence and at his request Brice Blare

Sworn to & subscribed David Jackson (lived next to Shadrick in the 1790 census)

the (left blank) day (left blank)

1795

before me (date below appears to have been written by someone else)

F. 1 – 12 - 1796

John Andersen Register

To John Andersen Register

December 10, 1795 Be it known that I Lewrina (the letter “r” in her name had to be added above with the caret symbol “^”) Casteel widow of Shadrick Casteel being appointed one of the executors of the last will & testament of the said Shadrick Casteel. On account of the infirmities through old age her ability to attend to the business of the executorship do hereby resign all my rights in the said executorship I decline acting in any shape whatever. Witness my hand the day and year above written.

Luraner / Casteel (her mark)

In the presence

of

Brice Blare (lived next to Archibald Casteel in the 1790 census as Brison Blare)

David Jackson (lived next to Shadrick Casteel in the 1790 census)

Bedford County on the 11th day of December A.D. 1795 Brice Blare & David Jackson on their oath do say they saw the above Laurena Casteel make the above mark I acknowledge the above renunciation to be her act indeed before me

John Anderson Register

An Inventory of the goods and chattels

Anno : 1795 } belonging to Shederick Cassteel deceased

December } being valued by Thomas Stuart

the 16th } and Brice Blair at the request of the executors

. . . . . . . Pounds . .. . . Shillings . . . . Pence

one Horse Saddle and Briddle 27 10

one Black Cow at 4 15

one Black Heifer at 4

one steer 3 19

one Red Bull at 1 15

one Red Heifer 1 17 6

two Black steer calves at 1 15

one Brindled Heifer at 1 17 6

one Red Heifer at 1 17 6

one Black sow and Five shotes (shoat is a weaning pig) at 1 13 9

one Red sow and Five pigs at 1 2 6

one Blue Barrow (young male castrated pig) at 1

one White Barrow at 1

one White Barrow at 1

one Blue Barrow at 1

Four Barrows three Black and

one Red at one pound seven shellings each 5 10

one Red Barrow at 1 10

Two hundred eighty eight pounds of pork at 1 pound 3 shillings per C (hundred) wt. 3 12 6

six ewes and one ram at 3 5

two sows at 1 5

two sows and seven pigs at 1 10

one Boar at 1 pound 2 shillings 6 pence 1 2 6

One Hundred and sixty four Bushels

( the inventory doesn't state of what crop, but probably rye or corn)

and one half at 2 Shillings 6 pence per bushel 20 11 3

seven bushels of Rye supposed to be

in the sheaf at 3 Shillings 9 pence 1 6 3

one half bushel of (flax seed) sowed and pulled 11 3

one half bushel of flax seed sowed pull

and raked at 12 6

twenty five bushels of oats supposed to be in

the sheaf at 2 shillings per bushel 2 10

two Iron Bound Barrels at 5

Flaxseed in the Chalf at 3 9

eight bushels of potatoes 12

one sled, swingle trees (single trees ) and cliveses (clevises) old 10

(The sled was used to drag logs and harvested crops to a location. Single trees are swinging wooden beam attached to iron clevises and then to plows or wagons in which trace chains are connected from the mule or horse. )

one old plow and irons at 1 2 6

four stacks of hay at 6

one stack of hay at 1 10

one old chair and a cagg (keg ? ) at 3

one old Bigg Wheell and a Little one at 7 6

(probably spinning wheels, the big one for wool yarn and the little one for flax linen)

twelve bushels of corn nubbins (undeveloped corn, dwarfed ) 12 6

old Iron Bound Barrels two and one gum (possibly hollow log container, usually for honey bees) 5

two pair of old horse geers and chains 15

one Log chain 7 6

one old ax and drawing knife and old hand saw at 5

(page two)continued

one table 11 5

two old Bells 5

one Tub one spice mortar and bred trea (bread tray) Cagg (keg ?) old 5

one Basket and old Iron 6 6

one cutting Knife one Frying pan and two

juggs and a piece of leather 11 6

one Large Ketle and Bake oven Iron at 1 15 6

one Large Iron pot one little one and one skillet 1 2 6

one Washing Tub and Basket very old  ? 6

one pair of Wooll card one pail one pair of

sheep shears one brass cock (? ) very old 10 6

(wool cards are flat brushes with iron teeth used to prepare wool for spinning into yarn)

two Beasons (basins) and one pail and one Flesh

fork (used to lift or turn meat in a cooking pot or cauldron) at 8 3

one Beason (basin) one Tankard and sundry

other Kitchen Furniture at 1

Ditto 1

Two Voials 1

(not sure what this is)

One pair of leading lines & sundry other

Articles very at 2 6

one Loking (Looking) Glass and Shue Buckels (Shoe Buckles) at 2 6

one old Lantern and Back Bonn (bone) Hooks at 1

sundre old Articles at 3

two lances (?) and sleeves Buttons at 4 3

two Books at 6 6

(usually at that time, one was the Bible and the other the works of Shakespeare)

one old gun and shot pouch at 17 6

one pare (?) old sickles at 3 6

one Fire shovel and poker at 3 9

one pair of stillyard at 12 6

(steelyard is a scale used for weighing)

one Hetchel and Horse phlems (?) at 12 6

(flax Hatchel or comb to prepare flax for spinning into linen)

one Bucket and milk pots 3 9

one Augor (Auger, for drilling peg holes in wood) 3 6

Fifteen pounds and one quarter of Wooll at 1 shilling 10 pence per pound 1 0 7

Three pounds of Wooll at 1 shilling 6 pence per pound 4 6

Five pounds of Tobacco at 6 pence per pound 2 6

Fifteen pounds of Shuggar at

1 shilling per pound 15

one Check Reell (?) at 5

Sundry old Gums and Beans (?) at 5

Twelve Bushels and one Peck of Wheat at

six shillings per bushel 3 15

one Churn and Iron Wedge at 2

one Basket at 3 9

Four Chairs at 10

one half Dozzen of Knives and forks 5

two and a half pounds of Dyed yearn

and one Cream pot 8 6

(there is no loom listed, usually the yarn was taken to someone who was paid to weave the yarn into cloth)

one Bed stead and Cord (the cord provided the base netting to lay the bed tick mattress upon) 7 6

one Bed stead and bed Clothes ( This is expensive, maybe this a bed stead they brought with them from Maryland, or perhaps the bed clothing was considered of high value.) 5 10

one great and two short coats old (the great coat usually extended several inches below the knee to the top of the boot, where the length of short coat only reached to the knee) 1 5

two pair of Breeches (he may have owned buckskin breeches, but since they were producing linen and wool, these were probably made of the combined fibers called linsey-woolsey) at 1 5

one Velvet jacket one hat one pair

of shoes (a jacket at that time was usually sleeveless like a vest to provide warmth under a coat) at

1 7 6

(page three) continued

one old bag and Wallet 2

one Chest (this was the usual storage place for the person's best clothing) 5

Three shirts at nine shillings each shirt (these were usually linen) 1 7

Debts Due }

by Note and }

and Book ---}

Accounts }

one Note on Samuel Barret for Forty Four Dollars 16 10

Margret perril to part pay of a Cow 1 1

Phillip Studer (Study) to cash 2

(1800 census Providence & Colerain Twp. Bedford Co. Pa.)

Jacob Rowland to cash 2

(1800 census Prividence & Colerain Twp. Bedford Co. Pa.)

John Frazzyear (Frasher) to servis of the jack ass 15

(1790 census Bedford Co., Pa. living close to Archibald Casteel)

John Frazzyear Due by settlement in balance

of a note 8

John Jinkins to the service of the jack ass 7 6

James Steed to cash lent three Dollors 1 2 6

(1800 census Providence & Colerain Twp. Bedford Co., Pa.)

(1810 census Southampton Twp. Bedford Co., living near Blair, Perdew, Leazure)

Jesse Casteel to Cash Due by settlement 13

Thomas Kinton to the service of the stallion 5

(1810 census Bedford & St. Clair Twp. Bedford Co. Pa.)

Zedock Casteel to three yards of Linnen

at three shillings pr. yd. 9

Archibald Casteel to Cash 6 10 6

( notes total) 32 7 7

one paire of hors shues 1 6

two Tables old 13

cash in hand 12 7 6

Bedford County to cort

Personaly appeared before the Quarterly session of the Justice of the Peace and for the said county Thomas Stewart and Brice Blair and made oath that they have well and truly appraised all the goods chattell and effects delinquent or (unreadable) therein by the executor of the said estate of Shedrack Casteel desceased

sworn before me this 7th day of Dec 1795

Thomas (unreadable)

(unreadable)

(written in another hand F. 12- 7 - 1795)

In the manner of funerals of 1790s Pennsylvania, word of his death, would have been passed along to neighbors and relatives and eventually all in that small valley area would have known of his passing. The gathering of all who knew him would be held at the home of the deceased and sweetened cider, or rum punch along with cake would be available to all. The funerals in that time period almost always took place in the early evening hours. The casket would be placed on a wagon and the funeral procession led by the minister would walk to the church. The immediate family members usually rode on horseback behind the wagon. At the church the minister gave the funeral sermon after which a brief biography of the deceased was given. Then, they took the coffin to the cemetery for burial. It is unknown where Shadrick is buried. The only organized settlement or church at that time would later be called Bean's Cove just north of his home. If he is buried there, a marked grave doesn't exist. The other possibility is that he was buried on his own property, and this grave has been lost through time.

Father; Edmund Casteel Birth about 1716 Death about 24 March 1773 (Age 57) -- , , Pr. Georges Co., MD

Mother; Rebecca ‎(unknown) Birth about 1721 -- , , , MD

William ‎'Purdy' Perdew husband

Laban Perdew son

Sarah Dicken daughter

Elijah Perdew son

William Perdew, III son

Mary Blair daughter

Asa Perdew son

Rebecca Johnson daughter

Keziah Dicken daughter

John Perdew son

James Perdew son

Charity Perdew daughter

Sources

1. ↑ Lyon, William Derrel THE FRONTIERS of SHADRICK CASTEEL :Written by July 2009
2. ↑ Prince Georges County Maryland Deed book PP pages 83 & 84

• https://www.geni.com/people/Charity-Perdew/6000000008157144909?through=3974520300920053357