William Colgan (abt. 1760 - 1837)

Born about 1760 in American Colonies [uncertain]

Husband of Eleanor (Long) Colgan — married 19 Mar 1782 in Berkeley, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 25 Oct 1837 at about age 77 in Springfield Township, Williams, Ohio, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kerry Larson [send private message]

Biography

Private William Colgan served with 3rd Continental Light Dragoons, Continental Army during the American Revolution.

William Colgan is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A112525.

William Colgan is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor.
NSSAR Ancestor #: 136475
Rank: Private

William was the son of William and Susannah Colgan of Mechlenburg (aka Mecklenburg), Federick Co., Virginia (now Shepherdstown, Berkeley Co., West Virginia).

William enlisted for three years during the Revolutionary War on 1 Aug 1777 near Martinsburg, Berkeley, Virginia as a Private under Capt. Cadwallader Jones. The unit was part of the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons^[1] under the command of Lt. Col. George Baylor^[2] His pension application states that he was involved in the Battle of Monmouth (28 Jun 1778)^[3].

Col. Baylor was captured during the "Baylor Massacre" at Old Tappan^[4][5] on 27 Sep 1778 and "William Colgan further saith that he was likewise taken by the British at this same time and places tho aforesaid [Col. Baylor] was taken and sent by a British Guard to the city of New York and there confined in the Sugar Houses^[6] during this term of one month only. From there the aforesaid William Colgan further saith he was conducted by a British Guard to Elizabethtown point and there exchanged^[7] and the aforesaid William Colgan further saith that he immediately again entered into the service of the United States in the same company commanded by the same Cap. Cad. W Jones belonging to the third regiment of light Dragoons commonly called General Washington's Life Guard." He was honorably discharged at Halifax, North Carolina on 1 Aug 1780.^[8]

He married Eleanor/Elenor Long on 19 Mar 1782 in Berkeley Co.^[9][10] He and brother Daniel appeared on the 1782 militia tax list for Berkeley Co.^[11] William and Eleanor are recorded as selling several tracts of land in Berkeley Co.:^[12]

• 17 Apr 1783 - 16 acres to Frederick Stip^[13]
• 17 Sep 1783 - 30.25 acres to Michael McKewn^[14]
• 21 Apr 1784 - 160 acres to Nicholas Roush^[15]

He and brother Daniel moved to Kentucky, probably in 1789, when Daniel bought land in Jefferson Co., and where William was taxed in 1800 in Shelby Co. (formed from Jefferson Co. in 1792) as well as Mason Co.^[16][17] "William Colgin" was enumerated in the 1810 census in Greenup Co., Kentucky.^[18][19]

Children:^[20][21][22]

1. William, b. ~1782, m. 10 Mar 1808 in Greenup, KY, Nancy Hatton^[23]
2. Hannah, m. (1) ~1809, John Hamilton, (2) John Wilcoxson/Wilcoxen^[24]
3. Susannah, b. ~1792, m. (1) Amos Bassett, (2) John Ford
4. Eleanor/Elenor, m. 24 Feb 1814 in Scioto, OH, John Hatton^[25]
5. Mary, b. ~1800, m. Hector R. Major
6. Daniel, b. 1 Jan 1806, m. 7 Jan 1830 in Mad River, Champaign, OH, Christiana Haller

"William Colgan and his wife, Eleanor (Long) Colgan, along with their two youngest children, left Shelby County, Kentucky, and went to Mad River Township, Champaign County, Ohio. William had applied for a pension at age 58, in 1818, from Mad River TWP, Ohio for his service in the Revolutionary War."^[17] He began receiving a $96 annual pension on 20 May 1818.^[26][27][28] "He is a reed maker but by reason of his remote situation he has not followed it for many years and has labored as a husbandman...He owns one mare and colt, three small young cattle bought on credit, one sow and nine pigs, one table, four chairs, cupboard and furniture, grain growing on six acres of rented land of which he is to give one third rent. He owes $80."^[8]

He was taxed from 1822 through 1834 on 80 acres in Mad River Twp. located in the NE quarter of S14 T4E R11N (Section/Township/Range, GPS 40.0735523, -83.8409690). ^{[29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38]}

"William Colgan left Mad River TWP, Champaign County, Ohio after the 1830 Census^[39] was taken there, and went to Springfield TWP, Williams County, Ohio. He wrote his will dated 25 January 1837, Springfield TWP, Williams County, Ohio; and, he died there on [October 25], 1837 at 77 years of age."^[17][40] He probably actually left after 24 Jul 1833 when he sold 83.25 acres in Mad River Township to William Turner for $700^[41] and after 1835 when a report to congress on Revolutionary War pensions showed him still in Champaign Co.^[42] He was taxed in Springfield Township in 1837.^[43][44]

No wife was named in his will, but he did name his six living children. His executor was from Defiance, Ohio which is where he was buried. His will was probated on 14 Apr 1838.^{[45][20] [21] [46]}

Death Notice (Note: Actual age 77)[47]

His pension was paid until Sep 1837 with a death date noted of 4 Nov 1837.^[48] Final payment was not made until Jun 1861.^[49]

Research Notes

He may have been in Champaign Co. much earlier than 1818 as William Colgan is listed as one of the supporters of the Section 16 school in Concord Mills circa 1811.

• Antrim, Joshua, and Wilberforce Eames. The History of Champaign and Logan Counties: From Their First Settlement. Bellefontaine, O.: Press printing Co, 1872. p. 136

A William Colgan was taxed in Defiance, OH in 1834.

• "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:77VX-WJPZ : 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1834; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849181.

A William Colgan taxed on 160 acres in Tiffin Twp, Williams Co. in 1837, 1838, and 1839; this is likely his son.^[50][51][52]

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "3rd Continental Light Dragoons," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=3rd_Continental_Light_Dragoons&oldid=850881967 (accessed April 2, 2019).
2. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "George Baylor," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=George_Baylor&oldid=876850840 (accessed April 2, 2019).
3. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Battle of Monmouth," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Battle_of_Monmouth&oldid=890676868 (accessed April 3, 2019).

   Note: His unit is not listed in the Order of Battle, but apparently there were light dragoons involved:

   "On May 24, 1778, General Washington wrote to Colonel Moylan of the 4th Dragoons (who was in Trenton, NJ, about 50 miles from Valley Forge) that enough forage was now available to accommodate the Cavalry in the Neighbourhood of the Camp. 'I therefore desire that you will immediately come over with all the Horse of your own, Bland’s and Baylor’s regiments that are in good order, Sheldon is to remain at Chatham.'"

   • “The Battle of Monmouth | Second Continental Light Dragoons.” Accessed April 2, 2019. http://www.dragoons.info/our_past/the-battle-of-monmouth/.
   • Wikipedia contributors, "Monmouth order of battle," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Monmouth_order_of_battle&oldid=887934864 (accessed April 3, 2019).
4. ↑ Harry Schenawolf, “The Baylor Massacre Sept. 28, 1778: British General ‘No-Flint’ Grey, Just Like the Paoli Massacre, Ordered a Sudden, Silent, and Savage Nighttime Bayonet Attack on Sleeping American Soldiers”, Revolutionary War Journal (blog), October 27, 2018
5. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Baylor Massacre," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Baylor_Massacre&oldid=890536096 (accessed April 3, 2019).
6. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Sugar house prisons in New York City," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sugar_house_prisons_in_New_York_City&oldid=877597864 (accessed April 3, 2019).
7. ↑ "Trenton, November 4", The New-Jersey Gazette., Vol. 1, No. 48, 4 Nov 1778, Trenton, NJ. p. 3 (Image)

   "Last week Colonel Baylor's cavalry, who were made prisoners by the enemy at Old Tappan, and taken to New York, were all exchanged, some of whom arrived here on Sunday last."

8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (NARA microfilm publication M804, 2,670 rolls). Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
   • https://www.fold3.com/image/12624299 (Document copy)
   • Ancestry Record revwarpbountylandgrants #12852 (Document copy)
   • Transcribed copy of application at https://revwarapps.org/s42652.pdf. Backup copy
9. ↑ "West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FBBV-TMN : 11 February 2018), William Colyars and Elenor Long, 19 Mar 1782; citing Berkeley Co., Virginia, p51, county clerks, West Virginia; FHL microfilm 831,960.
   • Image at Film number: 004227438 > image 15 of 851, FamilySearch Image: S3HY-6WQH-YT
   • Image at http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view2.aspx?FilmNumber=831960&ImageNumber=15
10. ↑ Dodd, Jordan R., et al. Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850. Bountiful, UT, USA: Precision Indexing Publishers. Ancestry Record 3723 #155761
11. ↑ Templeton, Marjorie Kimball. Official Militia Roster, Berkeley County, West Virginia (Tax List) 1782. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970. p. 3, Image 351 of 550
12. ↑ Kneisel, p. 16
13. ↑ Berkeley County (West Virginia). Clerk of the County Court. Deeds. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970. p. 121 Image 69 of 681
14. ↑ Berkeley County (West Virginia). Clerk of the County Court. Deeds. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970. p. 179 Image 98 of 681
15. ↑ Berkeley County (West Virginia). Clerk of the County Court. Deeds. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970. p. 247 Image 132 of 681
16. ↑ Clift, G. Glenn. "Second Census" of Kentucky 1800. Frankfort, Ky: Author, 1954. p. 58
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1 17.2} Kneisel, p. 18
18. ↑ "United States Census, 1810", citing Page: 278; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M252; Digital film/folder number: 005157063; FHL microfilm: 0181351; Image number: 297, FamilySearch Record: XH2C-SDJ FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9YYK-3JPD, William Colgin in Greenup, Kentucky, United States.
19. ↑ "1810 United States Federal Census", Year: 1810; Census Place: Greenup, Kentucky; Roll: 6; Page: 278; Image: Kym252_6-0290; FHL Roll: 0181351, Ancestry Record 7613 #563111, William Colgin in Greenup, Kentucky, USA.
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1} Probate Records, 1825-1893; Index, 1825-1972; Probate Place: Williams, Ohio Ancestry Record 8801 #7412581 (free link)
    • Different handwritten copy available at Ancestry Record 8801 #6859792 (free link)
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} "Ohio Probate Records, 1789-1996," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99QP-M7CK?cc=1992421&wc=S2CL-SPK%3A266473501%2C266488501 : 1 July 2014), Williams > Administration records 1825-1859 vol 1 > image 133 of 152; county courthouses, Ohio.
22. ↑ Personal letter from K.V. Haymaker to John R. Colgan, dated 29 Sep 1894. Posted by 'maryyoung' to Ancestry.com on 22 Mar 2012. Media (Copy)
23. ↑ Dodd, Jordan, Comp. Kentucky Marriages to 1850. Electronic transcription of marriage records held by the individual counties in Kentucky. Ancestry Record 2089 #28915
24. ↑ FamilySearch, Hanna Colgan, LJKG-34L
25. ↑ Marriage Records of Scioto County, Ohio, 1803-1860. Genealogical Publishing Com; 1987. p. 56.
26. ↑ "United States Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24Q-VGN7 : accessed 14 February 2020), William Colgan, 20 May 1818; citing Ohio, United States, NARA microfilm publication T718 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1962), roll 1; FHL microfilm 1,319,381.
27. ↑ Report from the Secretary of War. 1835. p. 1821.
28. ↑ United States Senate.The Pension Roll of 1835.4 vols. 1968 Reprint, with index. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1992. Ancestry Record pensionroll1835 #1392 (free link)
29. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7DFS-75N2: 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1822; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849021.
30. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7D3X-V22M: 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1828; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849382.
31. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7D3P-HF3Z : 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1829; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849382.
32. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7DWZ-H72M : 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1830; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849382.
33. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7D73-8FN2 : 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1830; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849382.
34. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7WWC-D3MM : 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1832; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849383.
35. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7W7C-5MMM : 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1833; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849383.
36. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7WHS-6Z3Z : 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1833; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849383.
37. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:784Y-D3N2 : 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1834; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849384.
38. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:78HD-9G6Z : 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1834; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849384.
39. ↑ "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHGJ-C92 : 10 September 2017), William Colgan, Mad River, Champaign, Ohio, United States; citing 29, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 128; FHL microfilm 337,939.
    • Also at Ancestry Record 8058 #270223
40. ↑ The National Archives; Washington, D.C.; Ledgers of Payments, 1818-1872, to U.S. Pensioners Under Acts of 1818 Through 1858 From Records of the Office of the Third Auditor of the Treasury; Record Group Title: Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury; Record Group Number: 217; Series Number: T718; Roll Number: 5 Ancestry Record 1116 #1866 (free link)
41. ↑ Champaign County (Ohio). County Clerk. Deeds 1805-1901; General Index to Deeds 1806-1968. Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1962. "Deeds v. K-L 1832-1835", FHL Film 295245, Vol. K, p. 485, image 255 of 675
42. ↑ United States. Report from the Secretary of War, In Obedience to Resolutions of the Senate of the 5th and 30th of June, 1834, and the 3d of March, 1835, in Relation to the Pension Establishment of the United States. Washington: Printed by D. Green, 1835. p. 48
43. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7NDG-R4MM : 20 May 2019), William Colgan, 1837; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Springfield Township, Williams, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849441.
44. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7QBT-233Z : 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1837; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Springfield Township, Williams, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849181.
45. ↑ "Ohio Probate Records, 1789-1996," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89QG-BVGC?cc=1992421&wc=S2C2-ZNT%3A266473501%2C266628601 : 1 July 2014), Williams > Wills 1827-1872 vol 1-2 > image 13 of 446; county courthouses, Ohio.
46. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #14597939
47. ↑ State Journal and Political Register, Columbus, Ohio, 24 Nov 1837, p. 3
48. ↑ "United States Revolutionary War Pension Payment Ledgers, 1818-1872", citing Ohio, United States, NARA microfilm publication T718 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1962), roll 5; FHL microfilm 1,319,385, FamilySearch Record: Q24Q-2GTL FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-99WB-9L5Z Image number 00158, Name: William Colgan; Military Service Place: Ohio, United States; Death Date: 04 Nov 1837; Event Place Sup: 5-vol E Revolutionary War pensioners.
49. ↑ National Archives and Record Administration, Record Group 217: Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, Series: Index to Final Pension Payment Vouchers, NAID: 117108092, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/117108092?objectPage=248
50. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7N67-6ST2 : 20 May 2019), William Coljan, 1837; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Tiffin Township, Williams, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849441.
51. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7Q1R-NKMM : 29 March 2019), William Colgan, 1838; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Tiffin Township, Williams, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849181.
52. ↑ "Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7V4L-VYZM : 20 May 2019), William Colgan, 1839; citing multiple county courthouse offices, Tiffin Township, Williams, Ohio, United States, p. , Tax records indexed by Ohio Genealogy Society; FHL microfilm 004849441.

• United States. War Department. Letter from the Secretary of War: Transmitting a Report of the Names, Rank, and Line, of Every Person Placed on the Pension List, in Pursuance to the Act of the 18th March, 1818, &c. January 20, 1820. Read and Ordered to Lie on the Table. Gales & Seaton; 1820. p. 633
  • https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433075951750?urlappend=%3Bseq=644
  • https://books.google.com/books?id=g7sqAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA633
  • https://archive.org/details/letterfromsecret00unite/page/632
• "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHL3-4WS : accessed 14 February 2020), William Colgan Jr, Mad River, Champaign, Ohio, United States; citing p. 460, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 86; FHL microfilm 181,392.
  • Also at Ancestry Record 7734 #310193
  • Both mistakenly indexed as "Jr." instead of "Sen"
• "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHGJ-C92 : 10 September 2017), William Colgan, Mad River, Champaign, Ohio, United States; citing 29, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 128; FHL microfilm 337,939.
  • Also at Ancestry Record 8058 #270223
• Dailey, Jane Dowd. The Official Roster of the Soldiers of the American Revolution Who Lived in the State of Ohio. Ohio: State Society Daughters of the the American Revolution of Ohio, 1938. Vol. 2 of 3, p. 97
  • See also Image at Ancestry.com
• Gordon, William. The History of the Rise, Progress, and Establishment of the Independence of the United States of America]. Samuel Campbell, no. 124, Pearl-street; 3rd Edition - 1801. Vol. 2, p. 391–2.
  • Also 1st Edition - 1788, Vol. 3, p. 193-5.
• Kneisel, Mary Elizabeth Colgan Moore. Colgan Pedigree. Marietta, Georgia: M.M. Kneisel, 1999.
• Langner, Christine L. Baylor's Regiment: The Third Continental Light Dragoons. 2015. Note: William Colgan listed as one of the men.
• Maurer, C. F. William. Dragoon Diary: The History of the Third Continental Light Dragoons. Bloomington, Ind: AuthorHouse, 2005.
• Lupien, David L. (ed.) Veteran History of Williams County Ohio : sketches, personal accounts, memoirs, letters, diaries, government reports, newspaper reviews, POW/MIA lists, and County Memorial Rolls of Honor. Bryan, Ohio: Northwest Territory Chapter, Ohio Society Sons of the American Revolution, 2003. p. 11-

• Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 2 Apr 2019), "Record of William Colgan", Ancestor # A112525.
• FamilySearch, William Colgan, 9KZ5-VFC