Lydia Cunningham (1781 - 1785)

Born 1781 in Monongalia County, Virginia, USA

Ancestors

Died 1785 at about age 4 in Monongalia County, Common Wealth of Virginia

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Biography

Lydia was born in 1781. She was the daughter of Thomas Cunningham and Phoebe Tucker. She was murdered in 1785. ^[1]

It was during the Shawnee Attack that Lydia was murdered.

Phoebe and the children were just sitting down to enjoy their dinner when the shadow of an Indian tomahawk fell across the threshold. Thomas had gone on a trading trip and was to return that day. The table held place sittings for herself, her husband, and three of her children. Henry was 4, Lydia 3, Walter 2, and Thomas was 6 months. Thomas being only 6 months old was being carried by his mother.

A Shawnee broke into the house and when his companion tried to follow he was shot by Edward. Edward wounded the Shawnee and when that Shawnee had crawled out of sight the one still in the house drove his tomahawk into 2 year old Walter's head and took his scalp. The Indian then led Phoebe from the house with baby Thomas in her arms. Henry and Lydia were still hanging onto her skirts.

The Shawnee led Phoebe from the house with baby Thomas in her arms. Henry and Lydia were still hanging onto her skirts. She thought they were hidden from Edward's view because of all of the smoke. She and her children were led into the woods where the wounded Shawnee was along with others. This is where Henry and Lydia were murdered by the Shawnee.^[2]

Sources

• Lough, Glenn D.. "The Ordeal of Phebe Cunningham." Now and long ago: a history of the Marion County area. 1969. Reprint. Parsons: [Printed by McClain Printing Company], 1994. . Print

• Lowther, Minnie Kendall. "IV, Page 66." History of Ritchie County, with Biographical Sketches of Its Pioneers and Their Ancestors, and with Interesting Reminiscences of Revolutionary and Indian Times,. Wheeling, W. Va.: Wheeling News Litho, 1911. Print.

1. ↑ Phoebe's Revolutionary War Pension Application, 1836
2. ↑ Phoebe's Revolutionary War Pension Application, 1836