Robert Means (1715 - 1779)

Born 1715 in Ireland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 1779 at about age 64 in Derry, Mifflin, Pennsylvania

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Robert Means was a Pennsylvanian.

Biography

Robert Means, son of John Means and wife Elizabeth (McCord) Means was born in Jan 1714 in Ireland. His father moved the family to Philadelphia County, Province of Pennsylvania in 1718. His mother was either already deceased, or died on the ocean crossing, as she did not arrive in Pennsylvania.

In 1720 the father, John Means, moved the family to Bucks County, where he later died.^[1][2]

Robert married his step-sister, "Anne" Nancy Kelly Sep 16, 1744, in the First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania.^[3] They were the parents of 10 children:^[2]

1. John (1744-1835)^[4]
2. Margaret (Means) Keever (1748-1825)^[5]
3. Robert (1750-1837)^[6]
4. James (1753-1828)^[7]
5. Jane (Means) Campbell (1755 - )
6. Joseph (1760-1760)
7. Mary (Means) Holt (1763 - )^[8]
8. George (1764-1833)^[9]
9. Nancy (Means) Scott (1767 - )^[2]
10. William (1769 - )^[2]

During the "Seven Years' War"^[10] Robert's sister, Nancy "Ann or Ana" and her second husband John Was[s]on were living in Peters Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania in 1756. Their settlement was attacked and the families retreated to Rev. John Steele's Meeting House, which had been converted to a fort to protect the women and children. John Was[s]son returned to his farmstead to plant a crop. Leaving the children at the fort, Nancy followed him. She was captured and carried off by Native Americans of the Delaware tribe May 26 1756. Her husband was killed at the same time and badly mutilated. Their house was burned.^[11]

After the Indian raid the authorities were notified and John Potter, the Sheriff of Cumberland County, learning from the older children of an uncle, a brother to Ann, living near Newton, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, notified him as follows :

Mr. Robert Means- These are to certify to you, your brother, John Wasson, last Wednesday was barbarously killed by the Indians and his wife carried captive, and as the time is so exceedingly dangerous in these parts and no relatives of the orphans here to take care of them, the children desires to go to you; and all things considered, it appears to us most advisable; and with them we send you an account of his estate as it is now situate, his crops in the ground, the young lads can tell you best. His debts appears to be near fifty pounds, and if you incline to administer, send word or come up with the young lads yourself, you being the nighest relation . This 29th of May 1756. John Potter, Will Maxwell, Hez Alexander, William Dunwoddy, Moses Thomson.^[12]

Her brother Robert and his family took her children in and raised them. She was located by the Delaware chief, Teedyuscung, and brought in to the British in Nov 1759. She was not returned to her family for more than a year after she was surrendered by her captors.^[10][2]

Robert and his family moved to Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1770. (Foglesong says they went to Mifflin County but it was not created until 1789.^[10]) The family joined others from Bucks County and lashed canoes together to travel up the Juniata River.^[2]

Land warrant #442 of the Old Survey, called "Federal Green" was the first 200 acres Robert entered on May 4 1773. It adjoined lands of John Keever, John Steckley, and Thomas Ferguson. A survey was made September 23, 1773 and returned September 22, 1788. This land was left to his sons James and George.

Jul 12 1774, he purchased two more tracts, a part of original land warrant #454, of the New Survey called "Ways and Means", part of which laid along Jack's Mountain. Apparently to avoid problems with people who held it by "squatter's rights," he purchased their claims.^[10] These tracts were left by Robert to his sons John and Robert. This land was originally granted to Robert July 12 1774, surveyed December 15 1774, and patented to him February 18 1788, being then recorded February 21 1788. The tracts called "Ways and Means" were proved in 1789 and 1795 after the death of Robert.

They built a log cabin soon after they arrived, and shortly after another cabin to accommodate their large family. Robert and Nancy were strict Presbyterians and assisted in the construction of the church at Lewistown.^[2]

Robert lived to see four of his sons (John, Robert, James and George) take part in the Revolutionary War, the first three being officers, while George later became a Captain in the Lewis County, Kentucky Militia. (This is incorrect, as Lewis County, Kentucky was not formed until 1806; it probably should be Fayette County, Kentucky.^[10]) The following is recorded in the Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Volume 14: July 31, 1777 and also May 4, 1778 Fifth Battalion, 8th Company, Cumberland County, Militia: George Ball - Captain; John Means - 1st Lieutenant; Robert Means - 2nd Lieutenant; James Means - Ensign.

Robert wrote his will Apr 10 1779 styled "of Derry Township, Cumberland County, Province of Pennsylvania. He divided 221 acres between his sons John and Robert; and 219 acres between his sons James and George. He left money to his daughters Margaret, Jean, Mary and Nancy.^[1] Jean is apparently the same person as Jane. Apparently son William predeceased him, without children, as he is not mentioned in the will.^[10]

It is believed that Robert and Nancy are buried in the homestead graveyard near their residence at Ferguson's Run of the Juniata Valley, also known as Little Valley.^[2]

Note

These pieces of the original land grants remained in the Means family for many years, Robert Means deeding them to his son Robert Anderson Means, and he to his son Robert Howard Means. At the present time, 1970, the old home place is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Carl C. Laughlin.^[2]

Research Needed

In 1993, Jennings D Means published a "Supplement to 'The Means Family of America' and this Supplement changed the first pages of the "Means" book as to the origins of the Means. It is this Supplement that indicated that Robert Means was born in New Jersey and not Ireland. This supplement needs to be found and analyzed.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find a Grave; Originally Created by: Gone Too Soon; Added: 1 Dec 2012; Find a Grave Memorial 101555930 Robert Means
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8} Foglesong, Elizabeth Cissel, 1918-2003;The Means Family of America; n.p., 1972; (OCoLC)703499133; pages 3, 13 and 48
3. ↑ U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970; section Baptisms, Births, Marriages 1701-1746; frame 84 of 106
4. ↑ Find-A-Grave 101556357
5. ↑ Find-A-Grave 101555645
6. ↑ Find-A-Grave 43715825
7. ↑ Find-A-Grave 13222065
8. ↑ Find-A-Grave 101585612
9. ↑ Find-A-Grave 101585927
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5} Kerns, Margaret Ann (Kepner), 729 NW 1101 Road, Urich, Missouri 64788-8121, research, analysis and conclusions
11. ↑ Pennsylvania Gazette Page 108. 1756
12. ↑ https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/62641864/person/38108220660/media/7c19f63f-318f-4367-bcf6-1049c839abfb?_phsrc=mEN24&usePUBJs=true story of Native American Attack, no source given

Acknowledgment

This person was created through the import of Kelley Family Tree.ged on 14 January 2011.