Hugh Purdy (abt. 1768 - 1791)

Born about 1768 in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Died 4 Nov 1791 at about age 23 in Mercer County, Northwest Territory (Ohio)

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Biography

Hugh Purdy was born in about 1768, the son of James and Martha (McConnell) Purdy, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, where he was raised.

Hugh and his brother William both joined either the Pennsylvania Militia or the Continental Army near the end of the Revolutionary War and became officers after they stayed on once the war had ended. They would serve, most likely in the newly formed United States Army, west of the Appalachian Mountains in what was then known as the Northwest Territory where several battles took place against the British backed Native American tribes in that area. Hugh was a Lieutenant while William had become a Captain when, during The Battle of the Wabash in what is now Mercer County, Ohio (western Ohio) took place. Over 1,000 Indian warriors attacked on the morning of November 4, 1791, and overran General Arthur St. Clair's line. With the militia men breaking and running, both Hugh and William were killed along with around 1,000 other U.S. Army and Militia soldiers in what is believed to have been hand to hand combat. This battle has been described as the worst defeat in the history of the United States Army.

Hugh would have been around 23 years of age. His remains are buried in the Fort Recovery Monument Park in Fort Recovery, Mercer County, Ohio, along with William's.

Sources

• Find a Grave Memorial for Lieut. Hugh Purdy [1]

• Sons of the American Revolution - Marietta Chapter, Ohio Society - Fort Harmar - Hugh Purdy is mentioned under "Some of the Men Serving at Fort Harmar or in the Indian Wars" [2]

• Wikipedia - St. Clair's Defeat or The Battle of the Wabash [3]

• The Army Historical Foundation - The Battle of the Wabash: The Forgotten Disaster of the Indian Wars, By Patrick Feng, Foundation Programs and Operations Coordinator. [4]

• Family Search Profile on Hugh Purdy [5]