Former content of Cassell-824
Location: [unknown]
- This is a temporary holding space.
- The text below came from the original Cassell-824 (authored by Kimberly Lindsey) prior to its merge into Castle-331. Some, but not all, of this text should be incorporated, as appropriate, into the merged profile. Note that there is current disagreement about relationships for the man represented by this profile. -- Jillaine, project coordinator, WikiTree's Native Americans Project
Contents |
Biography
- The Life Summary of Jacob "White Tassel" Cassel:
When Jacob Cassel was born on 1 April 1717, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America, his father, Hans Peter Cassel, was 43 and his mother, Catherine Elizabeth Hobart, was 41.
He lived in Letterkenny Township, Franklin, Pennsylvania, United States in 1800 and Rockingham, Virginia, United States in 1774.
He registered for military service in 1780.[1]
He died on 26 September 1803, in Russell, Virginia, United States, at the age of 86, and was buried in Castlewood, Russell, Virginia, United States.[2]
For more information about this man 'about town', see: [3]
Military Service
- 7 Oct 1780, Battle of King's Mountain: American Revolution [4]
- Jacob Kastle: U.S. Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783
- Name: Jacob Kastle
- Event Type: Military Service
- Event Date: 1782
- Military Regiment: 8th Company 7th Battalion Of Lancaster County
- Military Rank: 7th Class
- Military Rank (Original): 7th Class.[5]
Sources
- ↑ "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG29-9N1C : 1 March 2021), Jacob Kastle, 1782; citing Military Service, , Citing various published state rosters, United States; FHL microfilm 102229246.
- ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/139043975/jacob-'white_tassel'-cassel_castle
- ↑ https://sites.google.com/site/thecassellfamilyhistory/home/jacob-cassell-castle
- ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/timeline/L5GQ-CDR
- ↑ "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG29-9N1C : 1 March 2021), Jacob Kastle, 1782; citing Military Service, , Citing various published state rosters, United States; FHL microfilm 102229246.
Research Notes
About Jacob "The Hunter" Castle Jacob Castle, Sr. was born in Palatinate, Germany. On September 5, 1738 Jacob arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with some other German settlers. Most of those German settlers traveled to and settled in Southwestern Virginia. Jacob settled in what is now known as western Russell County, Virginia.
Another Name for Jacob Castle: White Tassel-hunter-taumee Elene-Corn Man Jacob had more than four native wives and twenty known children, though Sowege was his primary wife.
"Jacob Castle was probably of German stock, most likely Palatinate. The first record I find of Jacob Castle is when he appeared on the 1738 Tithe List for Orange Co., VA. Also appearing on the list was Jacob Stover." (Copyright © 1999 by Brian Keith Nichols.)
Castlewood, Virginia takes it name from "Castle’s Woods", the vast expansion of forest land that Jacob Castle acquired from the Indians. There are many stories regarding Castle’s acquisition of the land. Some historians say that (in 1746) he traded the Indians a butcher knife and a musket for the expanse of woodland that later took his name. (Copyright 1997 © by Ron Hall.)
Daniel Boone lived in the Castlewood area from 1773 to 1775 before moving on to Kentucky. Castle would probably have known him and would have had at least 30 years of woodsman experience on him. It is known that Boone took credit for a lot of the deeds of William Russell and it is probable that he claimed some of Jacob Castle’s as well. (Copyright 1997 © by Ron Hall.)
Jacob fought in The Battle at Kings Mountain during the American Revolutionary War.
"On June 25, 1740, Jacob Cassell purchased 200 acres of land from Jacob Stover in Orange County, VA for 40 pounds current money (Orange Co., VA Deed Book 4, pages 47-48). On June 26, 1740, Jacob Cassel sold 75 acres to Jacob Coger for 17 pounds Pennsylvania money (Orange Co., VA Deed Book 4, pages 52-54). On September 23, 1742, Jacob Castle leased 125 acres in Orange County to Elizabeth Downs for 5 pounds current money (Orange Co., VA Deed Book 8, pages 228-230). This document goes on to say that the 125 acres is the remaining part of the original 200 acres purchased from Jacob Stover after having sold 75 acres to Jacob Coger." (Copyright © 1999 by Brian Keith Nichols.)
"In Augusta Co., VA Court Order Book 2, page 105, is an entry for Jacob Castle being charged by Adam Harmon with threatening to aid the French. Castle is ordered to be arrested and brought before a called court on the next Monday. The date is May 17, 1749. In the same book, on page 130, Jacob Castle is acquitted of the charge of treason in going over to and assisting the French. The date is May 22, 1749." (Copyright © 1999 by Brian Keith Nichols.)
In December 1785, a group of inhabitants of extreme southwest Virginia petitioned the government to form the new county of Russell. Among those signing the petition were: Jacob Castle and Joseph Castle. (Copyright © 1999 by Brian Keith Nichols.)
From Russell Co., VA Land Entry Book 1, Page 275: May 31, 1798 - Jacob Castle enters fifty acres of land on his own line by virtue of part of one land office treasury warrant No. 14,292 dated the 16th day of Sept. 1781 Beginning at Little Hollow & running with his line crossing his spring he now drinks out of, thence running toward Copper Creek for compliment. (Copyright © 1999 by Brian Keith Nichols.)
Early American Traditional Folklore about Jacob Castle, Sr.
"Historians, as well as court records, indicate that Jacob Castle was a "long hunter" and lived for great periods of time with the Indians in the vicinity of what, today, is Castlewood in the western part of Russell County, Virginia. Castle dressed in Buckskin moccasins and leggings, a leather hunting shirt and "breeches" and a cap made of beaver or otter skin. He carried a hatchet, knife, shotpouch, powder horn, rifle (or musket) and enough food for at least 2 days." (Copyright 1997 © by Ron Hall.)
"Most of his descendents in Russell, Wise and Scott counties bear the traits and appearance of the Indian to whom he was married. He was married legally, according to Indian law, which was the only law on the frontier when Castle was in the southwestern portion of Virginia." (Copyright 1997 © by Ron Hall.)
"The story of Jacob Castle fits the pattern of western activity in pre-revolution days. "Long Hunters" spent long periods of time in the forests away from farmers and civilization. They lived much as the Indians did, depending upon their hunting skills to provide food, clothing and trade goods. Try as they might, the long hunters often found civilization catching up with them. This was the case in Russell County since the first permanent settlers moved there in 1769. The people who came that year were squatters since several years would pass before they could claim legal title to their land." (Copyright 1997 © by Ron Hall.)
"Castle was a longhunter who lived for months in the woods and traded deerskins and animal pelts. He would leave home in the fall and disappear for months dressed in a deerskin hunting shirt, beaver cap, buckskin moccasins and leggings. The tail of the beaver cap would hang to the nape of his neck. He took a hatchet, knife, shot pouch and provisions such as meal, salt, jerked beef and pemmican in a sling over his shoulder. He carried a long-barrelled rifle commonly made by Germanic gunsmiths in eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland and along the western trail. Originally it was called the Pennsylvania rifle but later became more famous as the Kentucky Hunter's Rifle. The wagon road later became part of the Wilderness Road. Travelers would go for miles and days without seeing but little evidence of civilization. Occasionally there would be a log hut along the rugged land of cliffs and forest in southwest Virginia. In 1769, other pioneers cleared patches of land at Castle's Woods and moved in as squatters. Threats from Indians compelled them to live close together. The Loyal Land Company owned so much land at the time that emigrants would build a cabin and set up housekeeping without the formality of buying or renting. If the land was poor or the area proved unsafe they would move on. Otherwise they would stay until confronted by the owner and forced to buy." (Excerpt from the article "In and Around the State of Cumberland: Jadon Talks about Pioneer Life of 1700's," by Jadon Gibson, from THE POWELL VALLEY TIMES, December 5, 1990.)
"The earliest Castle men who settled in southwestern Virginia obtained, from the indians, a large tract of land situated on the Clinch River. The area was known in the early records as Castle's Woods. Although the Castle's had traded with the indians to obtain their land they did not have sufficient title to it. As other white settlers came into the area they settled there and eventually obtained land warrants. Isaiah Salyer apparently lived on land in the Castle's Woods area when he first arrived in southwestern Virginia. Both Jacob and Joseph Castle lived among the Indians and were known to have been Indian traders. Records indicate that they both produced children of Indian ancestry." (Copyright © 2003, "Descendants of Jacob Castle," as edited by William C. Reed.)
In 1982 the writer of The Heritage of Russell County visted a field in Russell County, near
the Scott County line, that was said to be an old Indian Graveyard. The area was full of
depressions indicating sunken graves. Many of the graves were marked with broken field
stones. One grave in particular was interesting in that it was not sunken and had a cut stone
marker. The stone was barely protruding above ground. Upon digging out the stone, she
found it inscribed "J. Castle, Age 67 years, Died September 26 18__." Source: https://sites.google.com/site/thecassellfamilyhistory/home/jacob-cassell-castle
Jacob took a different path—he went native. His first wife was Shawnee; her name Sowege means “gliding swan.” They married about 1736, and she was the mother of Jacob Jr. and perhaps others. Jacob may have had several other wives, reputedly all Cherokee, with whom he had other children. He came to southwest Virginia when it was the frontier, and apparently traded with the natives for land that became known as “Castle’s woods.” Because his name had been associated with the area long before Daniel Boone set foot there, it has been suggested that old Jacob may have been the one who pointed out the Cumberland Gap to Boone.
Jacob’s Indian name was “White Tassel,” and some have even gone so far as to describe him as an albino. It is more probable that, with his German heritage, he was very fair-haired compared to his Indian neighbors. As a longhunter, he would have ranged far from home, killing deer for meat and hides with his long-barreled rifle made by German gunsmiths in Pennsylvania. In 1740 Jacob bought land on the New River from Jacob Stover. When he was home from his travels, he seemed to have conflicts with his neighbors, particularly one named Adam Herman (or Harmon.) In 1746 Jacob and other settlers were detailed to build a road from Adam Harmon’s to the river; Jacob objected. In April 1749 Herman’s home was robbed of several deer and elk skins on three consecutive days. Jacob became a suspect since he hunted with a party of Indians that had been known to steal horses and other livestock in the settlement. Herman applied for a writ to arrest Jacob Castle and led a posse to Jacob’s hunting camp in Castle’s woods, but Jacob’s Indian friends chased the posse away. Later in the month Adam and his brother were arrested because they had robbed Jacob. By May 17 Adam was out of jail, charging Jacob with “threatening to aid and assist the French against his Majesty’s forces.” Jacob was arrested, tried, and acquitted of the charge of treason.
Others have commented that Jacob probably did feel more loyalty to his Indian friends—and thus the French—than he did to the British. I would like to think so, since my sympathies have always been with the Indians. (Wait till you hear about my ancestor on the other side of the family, William Whitley. He and Jacob Castle are my only claims to famous ancestors, and they couldn’t have been more different.) In any case, Jacob was thought to have taken part in the Battle of Kings Mountain in the Revolutionary War—with the Americans. Historical Information about Jacob Castle, Sr. "Jacob Castle was probably of German stock, most likely Palatinate. The first record I find of Jacob Castle is when he appeared on the 1738 Tithe List for Orange Co., VA. Also appearing on the list was Jacob Stover." (Copyright © 1999 by Brian Keith Nichols.)
"On June 25, 1740, Jacob Cassell purchased 200 acres of land from Jacob Stover in Orange County, VA for 40 pounds current money (Orange Co., VA Deed Book 4, pages 47-48). On June 26, 1740, Jacob Cassel sold 75 acres to Jacob Coger for 17 pounds Pennsylvania money (Orange Co., VA Deed Book 4, pages 52-54). On September 23, 1742, Jacob Castle leased 125 acres in Orange County to Elizabeth Downs for 5 pounds current money (Orange Co., VA Deed Book 8, pages 228-230). This document goes on to say that the 125 acres is the remaining part of the original 200 acres purchased from Jacob Stover after having sold 75 acres to Jacob Coger." (Copyright © 1999 by Brian Keith Nichols.)
"In Augusta Co., VA Court Order Book 2, page 105, is an entry for Jacob Castle being charged by Adam Harmon with threatening to aid the French. Castle is ordered to be arrested and brought before a called court on the next Monday. The date is May 17, 1749. In the same book, on page 130, Jacob Castle is acquitted of the charge of treason in going over to and assisting the French. The date is May 22, 1749." (Copyright © 1999 by Brian Keith Nichols.)
In December 1785, a group of inhabitants of extreme southwest Virginia petitioned the government to form the new county of Russell. Among those signing the petition were: Jacob Castle and Joseph Castle. (Copyright © 1999 by Brian Keith Nichols.)
From Russell Co., VA Land Entry Book 1, Page 275: May 31, 1798 - Jacob Castle enters fifty acres of land on his own line by virtue of part of one land office treasury warrant No. 14,292 dated the 16th day of Sept. 1781 Beginning at Little Hollow & running with his line crossing his spring he now drinks out of, thence running toward Copper Creek for compliment. (Copyright © 1999 by Brian Keith Nichols.)
"Bazil Castle, who was born in Virginia circa 1760 and died in Kentucky on October 8, 1846, gave the following information in his pension statement on February 27, 1834, "Indian spying in western Virginia 1779-1780 under Colonel Preston, Capt. Lewis, Lt. Robinson at battle of Ruby Falls, Guilford Courthouse. April 1779 entered service as an Indian spy. Two spies working together took a certain range and at night they met at an appointed place. The first four months spent on Bluestone River. September 1779 marched with whole company down Clinch River to Fort Blackamore, arriving there in late September. Served at Fort Blackamore till December. In February 1780 marched from Blackamore to Fort Chiswell Hill. April 1780 discharged at Fort Chiswell Hill. Fall 1780 remained at home with his mother while his father went to Kings Mountain with Campbell and other Virginia men. His father, Jacob Castle, was at the battle of Kings Mountain." " (Copyright © 1999 by Brian Keith Nichols.)
Early American Traditional Folklore about Jacob Castle, Sr.
"Historians, as well as court records, indicate that Jacob Castle was a "long hunter" and lived for great periods of time with the Indians in the vicinity of what, today, is Castlewood in the western part of Russell County, Virginia. Castle dressed in Buckskin moccasins and leggings, a leather hunting shirt and "breeches" and a cap made of beaver or otter skin. He carried a hatchet, knife, shotpouch, powder horn, rifle (or musket) and enough food for at least 2 days." (Copyright 1997 © by Ron Hall.)
"Most of his descendents in Russell, Wise and Scott counties bear the traits and appearance of the Indian to whom he was married. He was married legally, according to Indian law, which was the only law on the frontier when Castle was in the southwestern portion of Virginia." (Copyright 1997 © by Ron Hall.)
"The story of Jacob Castle fits the pattern of western activity in pre-revolution days. "Long Hunters" spent long periods of time in the forests away from farmers and civilization. They lived much as the Indians did, depending upon their hunting skills to provide food, clothing and trade goods. Try as they might, the long hunters often found civilization catching up with them. This was the case in Russell County since the first permanent settlers moved there in 1769. The people who came that year were squatters since several years would pass before they could claim legal title to their land." (Copyright 1997 © by Ron Hall.)
"Castle was a longhunter who lived for months in the woods and traded deerskins and animal pelts. He would leave home in the fall and disappear for months dressed in a deerskin hunting shirt, beaver cap, buckskin moccasins and leggings. The tail of the beaver cap would hang to the nape of his neck. He took a hatchet, knife, shot pouch and provisions such as meal, salt, jerked beef and pemmican in a sling over his shoulder. He carried a long-barrelled rifle commonly made by Germanic gunsmiths in eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland and along the western trail. Originally it was called the Pennsylvania rifle but later became more famous as the Kentucky Hunter's Rifle. The wagon road later became part of the Wilderness Road. Travelers would go for miles and days without seeing but little evidence of civilization. Occasionally there would be a log hut along the rugged land of cliffs and forest in southwest Virginia. In 1769, other pioneers cleared patches of land at Castle's Woods and moved in as squatters. Threats from Indians compelled them to live close together. The Loyal Land Company owned so much land at the time that emigrants would build a cabin and set up housekeeping without the formality of buying or renting. If the land was poor or the area proved unsafe they would move on. Otherwise they would stay until confronted by the owner and forced to buy." (Excerpt from the article "In and Around the State of Cumberland: Jadon Talks about Pioneer Life of 1700's," by Jadon Gibson, from THE POWELL VALLEY TIMES, December 5, 1990.)
"The earliest Castle men who settled in southwestern Virginia obtained, from the indians, a large tract of land situated on the Clinch River. The area was known in the early records as Castle's Woods. Although the Castle's had traded with the indians to obtain their land they did not have sufficient title to it. As other white settlers came into the area they settled there and eventually obtained land warrants. Isaiah Salyer apparently lived on land in the Castle's Woods area when he first arrived in southwestern Virginia. Both Jacob and Joseph Castle lived among the Indians and were known to have been Indian traders. Records indicate that they both produced children of Indian ancestry." (Copyright © 2003, "Descendants of Jacob Castle," as edited by William C. Reed.)
More Notes
In The Post (Big Stone Gap, Virginia 06 Jan 1938, Thursday, page 1 and six is an article PIONEER DAYS IN CASTLEWOODS that states, "All historian agree that the settlement, and later the down, derived its name from a man named Castle or Cassel. But we find one writer saying that Castle was a horse thief and that irate settlers chased him into a forest here, where he was captured and hanged to a tree, while another tells us that Castle was an honest settler, the first to ever build a home at the place which was to bear his name. I am inclined to believe that Castle was the first, or among the first settlers here, and that the horse thief and lynching story has been transferred name and all, from some other locally and planted here on the hills of the winding Clinch. " By James Taylor Adams. Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/139043975/jacob-'white_tassel'-cassel_castle
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