Heinrich (Henry) (Skygusta) HARMAN

Other Events:

• _UID: 8E7C367A721C4A2CA2B48FF65E22BDAA806C

Notes:

Revolutionary War Veteran Residence during the revolution: Randolph County, NC
Info from Ann Pierce Thompson 10008 Whitestone Road
Raleigh, North Carolina USA
annthompson@attglobal.net

"Annals of Tazewell Co, VA", Harman, Vol II, page 445.
The Harman Family. Son of Heinrich Adam Harman, Sr. Born on his parents way to America. Married Nancy Ann Wilburn in Rowan Co, NC abt 1759.

--------------------

Henry Harman's Fight With the Indians
By Emory L. Hamilton

From the unpublished manuscript, Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell and Holston Rivers, pages 164-172.

Walter Crockett, County Lieutenant of Militia for Montgomery Co., VA, wrote to Governor Edmund Randolph, on February 16, 1789, saying:

I take this opportunity to write to you by Captain Sayers, who is going to Richmond on business of his own, to inform you of the state of our frontiers in this county. There has been several of our hunters from the frontier down the
Sandy River forty or fifty miles below the settlement on Bluestone on the Clinch, and discovered fresh signs of several parties of Indians, one of the hunters is a brother to Henry Harman, that had the skirmish with them late in the fall, (November 12, 1788) when he and his two sons behaved like heroes, they came immediately in, and warned the frontier settlements, and has applied to me to send out
spys. They say that if there was four Scouts that they could confide in, they would endeavor to plant corn this spring, and stay the summer. Otherwise Bluestone settlement will break up, and of course the settlement on the head of Clinch will not stand long. I expect as soon as the winter
breaks up, that the Indians will commit hostilities on some part of the frontiers of this county the ensuing spring, but God only knows the event. Whatever orders your Excellency and shall be punctually obeyed."

Henry, the second son of Heinrich Adam, owned land in North Carolina, Giles and Tazewell counties in Virginia. Sometime in the 1750s, he was married to Anna Wilborn of the Moravian
settlement in North Carolina, and died at his home at "Holly Brook" on Kimberlin Creek in present day Bland Co., VA, in 1822. In 1789, he and his son, Mathias, founded Harman's Station in Kentucky.

There is much evidence in the records to prove the great prowess of the Harmans as hunters and Indian fighters. In another land suit in the High Court of Chancery of Augusta Co., Wynn vs Inglish heirs, it is stated: that Henry Harman was in the habit of collecting the men and fighting the Indians. In a land dispute case filed in Augusta Samuel Walker states on May 30, 1805, that he came to the head of Clinch in 1771 and met Valentine Harman. In the same suit Mathias and Daniel Harman, brothers of Henry, state that they were on the land in dispute on a hunting trip in 1760. This statement proves that the Harmans were familiar with the country at the head of Clinch and Bluestone Rivers long before they made actual settlement in the area. In the Minutes of the Court of Montgomery County for May 26, 1790, is found this entry: Inhabitants of Bluestone ordered to
show cause why they should not work on that part of the road between Rocky Gap and the head of Clinch. The following were appointed overseers of the road, among whom was Captain Henry Harman.

Details of the fight between Henry Harman and the Indians are taken from Bickley's History of Tazewell County, with the correct date added.On the 12th of November, 1788, Henry
Harman, and his two sons, George and Mathias, and George Draper left the settlement, to engage in a Bear hunt on Tug River. They were provided with pack horses, independent of those used for riding, and on which were to be brought in the game. The country in which their hunt was to take place, was penetrated by the "war-path" leading to and from the Ohio river; but as it was late in the season they did not expect to meet with Indians.

Arriving at the hunting grounds in the early part of the evening, they stopped and built their camp; a work executed generally by the old man, who might be said to be particular in having it constructed to his own taste. George and Mathias loaded, and put their guns in order, and
started to the woods, to look for sign, and perchance kill a buck for the evening repast, while Draper busied himself in hobbling and caring for the horses.

In a short time, George returned with the startling intelligence of Indians! He had found a camp but a short distance from their own, in which partly consumed sticks were still burning. They could not, of course, be at any considerable distance, and might now be concealed near them,
watching their every movement. George, while at the camp, had made a rapid search for sign, and found a pair of leggins, which he showed the old man. Now old Mr. Harman, was a type of frontiersman, in some things, and particularly
that remarkable self-possession, which is so often to be met with in new countries, where dangers are ever in the path of the settler. So taking a seat on the ground, he began to interrogate his son on the dimensions, appearance, etc., of the camp. When he had fully satisfied himself, he remarked, that, "there must be from five to seven Indians",
and that they must pack up and hurry back to the settlements, to prevent, if possible, the Indians from doing mischief; and, said he, "if we fall in with them, we must fight them."

Mathias was immediately called in, and the horses repacked. Mr. Harman and Draper, now began to load their guns, when the old man observing Draper, laboring under what is known
to hunters as the "Buck Ague", being that state of excitement, which causes excessive trembling, remarked to him, "My son, I fear you cannot fight."

The plan was now agreed upon, which was, that Mr. Harman and Draper should lead the way, the pack horses follow them, and Mathias and George bring up the rear. After they had started, Draper remarked to Mr. Harman that he would go ahead, as he could see better than Mr. Harman, and that he would keep a sharp lookout. It is highly probable that he was cogitating a plan of escape, as he had not gone far before he declared he saw the Indians, which proved not to
be true. Proceeding a short distance further, he suddenly wheeled his horse about, at the same time crying out, "Yonder they are - behind that log." As a liar is not to be believed when he speaks the truth, so Mr. Draper was not believed this time. Mr. Harman rode on, while a large dog,
he had with him, ran up to the log and reared himself upon it, showing no sign of the presence of Indians. At this second, a sheet of fire and smoke from the Indians' rifles, completely concealed the log from view, for Draper had
really spoken the truth.

Before the smoke had cleared away, Mr. Harman and his sons were dismounted, while Draper had fled with all the speed of a swift horse. There were seven of the Indians, only four
of whom had guns; the rest being armed with bows and arrows, tomahawks and scalping knives. As soon as they fired, they rushed on Mr. Harman, who fell back to where his two sons stood ready to meet the Indians.

They immediately surrounded the three white men, who had formed a triangle, each man looking out, or, what would have been, with men enough a hollow square. The old gentlemen bid Mathias to reserve his fire, while himself and
George fired, wounding, as it would seem, two of the Indians. George was a lame man, from having had white-swelling in his childhood, and after firing a few rounds, the Indians noticed his limping, and one who had fired at him, rushed upon him thinking him wounded. George saw the
fatal tomahawk raised, and drawing back his gun, prepared to meet it. When the Indian had got within striking distance, George let down upon his head with the gun, which brought him to the ground; he soon recovered, and made at him again, half-bent and head foremost, George sprang up and jumped across him, which brought the Indian to his knees. Feeling for his own knife, and not getting hold of it, he seized the Indians' and plunged it deep into his side. Mathias struck him on the head with a tomahawk, and finished the work with him.

Two Indians had attacked the old man with bows, and were maneuvering around him, to get clear fire at his left breast. The Harmans, to a man, wore their bullet pouches on the left side, and with this and his arm he so completely
shielded his breast, that the Indians did not fire till they saw the old gentleman's gun nearly loaded again, when one fired on him, and struck his elbow near the joint, cutting one of the principal arteries. In a second more, the fearful string was heard to vibrate, and an arrow entered Mr. Harman's breast and lodged against a rib. He had by this time loaded his gun, and was raising it to his face to shoot one of the Indians, when the stream of blood from the wounded artery flew into the pan, and so soiled his gun that it was impossible to make it fire. Raising his gun, however, had the effect to drive back the Indians, who retreated to where the others stood with their guns empty.

Mathias, who had remained an almost inactive spectator, now asked permission to fire, which the old man granted. The Indian at whom he fired appeared to be the chief, and was
standing under a large beech tree. At the report of the rifle, the Indian fell, throwing his tomahawk high among the limbs of the tree under which he stood.

Seeing two of their number lying dead upon the ground, and two more badly wounded, they immediately made off; passing by Draper, who had left his horse, and concealed himself
behind a log.

As soon as the Indians retreated, the old man fell back on the ground exhausted and fainting from the loss of blood. The wounded arm being tied up and his face washed in cold water, soon restored him. The first words he uttered were, "We've whipped them, give me my pipe." This was furnished him, and he took a whiff, while the boys scalped one of the Indians.

When Draper saw the Indians pass him, he stealthily crept from his hiding place, and pushed on for the settlement, where he reported the whole party murdered. The people assembled and started soon the following morning to bury
them; but they had not gone far before they met Mr. Harman, and his sons, in too good condition to need burying.

Upon the tree, under which the chief was killed, is roughly carved an Indian, a bow and a gun, commemorative of the fight. The arrows which were shot into Mr. Harman, are in
possession of some of his descendants.

David E. Johnston in his History of the Middle New River Settlements, page 96, gives a ballad which he says was composed by Captain Henry Harman, herein inserted to show the correct date and add interest to the details of this story

HARMAN'S BATTLE SONG

Come all ye bold heroes whose hearts flow with
courage,
With respect pay attention to a bloody fray.
Fought by Captain Harman and valiant sons,
With the murdering Shawnees they met on the way.

The battle was fought on the twelfth of November,
Seventeen hundred and eighty-eight.
Where God of his mercy stood by those brave heroes,
Or they must have yielded to a dismal fate.

Oh! Nothing would do this bold Henry Harman,
But down to the Tug River without more delay,
With valiant sons and their noble rifles,
Intending a number of bears to slay.

They camped on Tug River with pleasing
contentment,
Till the sign of blood thirsty Shawnees appears,
Then with brave resolution they quickly embark,
To cross the high mountains and warn the frontiers.

Brave Harman rode foremost with undaunted
courage,
Nor left his old trail these heathen to shun;
His firm resolution was to save Bluestone,
Though he knew by their sign they were near three
to one.

The first salutation the Shawnees did give them,
They saw the smoke rise from behind some old logs;
Brave Harman to fight them then quickly
dismounted,
Saying, "Do you lie there, you save, murdering
dogs?"

He says, "My dear sons stand by me with courage,
And like heroes fight on till you die on the ground."
Without hesitation they swiftly rushed forward,
They'd have the honor of taking their hair.

At first by the host of red skins surrounded,
His well pointed gun made them jump behind trees,
At last all slain, but two, and they wounded,
Cherokee in the shoulder, and Wolf in the knees.

Great thanks to the Almighty for the strength and
the courage,
By which the brave Harmans triumphed 'oer the foe;
Not the women and children then intended to
slaughter,
But the bloody invaders themselves are laid low.

May their generation on the frnotiers he stationed,
To confound and defeat all their murdering schemes,
And put a frustration to every invasion,
And drive the Shawnees from Montgomery's fair
streams.

Sources:

Calender Virginia State Papers, Vol. IV, page 564.

Harman Genealogy by John Newton Harman

Augusta Court Causes Ended, Taylor vs Harman.

Augusta Court Causes Ended, Wynn vs Inglish heirs.

Heinrich married Anna Nancy WILBURN Abt 1755-8, Salem, South Carolina. Anna was born 1735, Rowan Co, NC; died 1808, Bland Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Daniel Harman Killed

From the unpublished manuscript,
Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell and
Holston Rivers, by Emory L. Hamilton page 210.

Daniel Conrad Harman as a son of Henry Harman, Sr., (the same who with his sons, George and Matthias had the fight with the Indians in 1789) and his wife Anna Wilborn. Daniel was born on Abbott's Creek, in Rowan Co., NC, on June or
January 26th, 1760.

In a land lawsuit in the High Court of Chancery, Augusta Co., VA, Wynn vs Inglish heirs, Henry Harman, Sr., makes a statement in his deposition, "that one of his sons, Daniel, was killed by the Indians." In the same lawsuit Christopher Marrs, says: "Henry Harman, Sr., had one of his sons killed, scalped and massacreed by the Indians in the attempt of settling the land now in dispute, who left a wife and 4 young children."

Pendleton in his History of Tazewell County, page 465, states: 'Daniel Harman left his house, on the head of Clinch, on a fine morning in the fall of 1791, for the purpose of killing a deer. Where he went for that purpose is not known, but having done so, he started for home with the deer fastened to the cantle of his saddle. Harman was a great hunter, and owned a choice rifle, and the superior
structure of its triggers which were, as usual, of the double kind. So strong was the spring of these that when sprung, the noise might be heard for a considerable distance.

He was riding a large horse, fleet, and spirited, and had gotten within a mile of home, and was passing through a bottom, near the present residence, and on the lands of Mr.
William O. George, when suddenly a party of Indians sprang from behind a log, and fired on him. He was unhurt and putting spurs to his horse away he went through the heavy timber, forgetting all other danger, in his precarious situation. On he went, but his horse, too near a tree, struck the rider's knee, breaking his leg.'


Daniel Harman Killed

From the unpublished manuscript,
Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell and
Holston Rivers, by Emory L. Hamilton page 210.

Daniel Conrad Harman as a son of Henry Harman, Sr., (the same who with his sons, George and Matthias had the fight with the Indians in 1789) and his wife Anna Wilborn. Daniel was born on Abbott's Creek, in Rowan Co., NC, on June or
January 26th, 1760.

In a land lawsuit in the High Court of Chancery, Augusta Co., VA, Wynn vs Inglish heirs, Henry Harman, Sr., makes a statement in his deposition, "that one of his sons, Daniel, was killed by the Indians." In the same lawsuit Christopher Marrs, says: "Henry Harman, Sr., had one of his sons killed, scalped and massacreed by the Indians in the attempt of settling the land now in dispute, who left a wife and 4 young children."

Pendleton in his History of Tazewell County, page 465, states: 'Daniel Harman left his house, on the head of Clinch, on a fine morning in the fall of 1791, for the purpose of killing a deer. Where he went for that purpose is not known, but having done so, he started for home with the deer fastened to the cantle of his saddle. Harman was a great hunter, and owned a choice rifle, and the superior
structure of its triggers which were, as usual, of the double kind. So strong was the spring of these that when sprung, the noise might be heard for a considerable distance.

He was riding a large horse, fleet, and spirited, and had gotten within a mile of home, and was passing through a bottom, near the present residence, and on the lands of Mr.
William O. George, when suddenly a party of Indians sprang from behind a log, and fired on him. He was unhurt and putting spurs to his horse away he went through the heavy timber, forgetting all other danger, in his precarious situation. On he went, but his horse, too near a tree, struck the rider's knee, breaking his leg.'

Notes:

"Annals of Tazewell Co, VA", Harman, Vol II, page 445.
The Harman Family. He married his first cousin, Christina Harman, daughter of Daniel (son of Heinrich Adam Harman.

"Harman Genealogy, Southern Branch", John Newton Harman, Sr, page 69.

"Harman Genealogy, Southern Branch", 1700-1924, Harman, page 28. Henry A. Harman married Christina Harman on 26 Aug 1847.

Henry married Christina Harman. Christina (daughter of Daniel HARMAN and Anna Bughsen) was born 10 Feb 1767; died 20 Nov 1836. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

A prominent early leader in the government of Tazewell Co, sixth son of Henry Harman Sr. the famous Indian fighter.

Hezekiah was born either Oct 30, 1771 (Bible record) or Nov 30 1772 (tombstone record) probably in Rowan County N.C.. From there, his famly moved to southwest Virginia about 1775 or 1776.

Hezekiah signed several of the petitions circulated in the 1790's supporting the formation of Tazwell County from Russell and Wythe Counties. From this time on he was mentioned repeatedly in the court records of Tazewell County.

He was appointed the first surveyer of Tazewell County in 1800, having served as deputy surveyor of Wythe County for several months. His first assignment was to survey the land given by William Peery and Samuel Ferguson for the county seat for which he was allowed $5.25 compensation. In 1800, Governor James Monroe appointed Hezekiah a Justice of the County Court. He sat on the bench until 1830, part of that time as Presiding Justice.

He was appointed lieutenant, captain, major, and colonel of the 112th Regiment of the Militia of Virginia and served until March 1830, when he became sheriff of Tazewell Co.
His will, dated Jan 25 1845, mentions ten children.

Hezekiah was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1815. He conveyed to the trustees of the church (of which he was one) "one acre around Bethel meeting housing on the head of Clinch (river)."

Hezekiah was a slave holder as evidenced by his will. He stated that his slaves were to be liberated upon his wife's death if the law would permit their freedom. If not, the slaves were to choose any one of his children to be their guardians.

"Annals of Tazewell Co, VA", Harman, Vol II, page 445.
The Harman Family. He married Polly Brown on 6 April 1802.

"Harman Genealogy, Southern Branch", John Newton Harman, Sr, page 71.

"Archives of Tazewell...", Yantis, page 247.
Born 30 Oct 1771, married Mary Brown, daughter of Low Brown

Hezekiah married Mary (Polly) Brown 06 Apr 1802, Tazewell Co. VA. Mary (daughter of Low W. Brown and Jane Davidson) was born 1784, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 8EE893B917BB43C2AAAE38EC77A51A115C82

Notes:

Info received from Ann Pierce Thompson 10008 Whitestone Road
Raleigh, North Carolina USA
annthompson@attglobal.net

Rhoda married William NEEL, NEAL 16 Apr 1794, Wythe County, VA. [Group Sheet]

Nancy married Hezekiah (Kiah) Harman, Jr.. Hezekiah (son of Hezekiah HARMAN and Mary (Polly) Brown) was born 11 Nov 1799, Tazewell Co. VA; died 01 Nov 1876, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

"Annals of Tazewell Co, VA", Harman, Vol II, page 448.
Nancy Harman married Kiah Harman, son of Hezekiah, Sr. of Henry Sr. She died in 1866. Their children were: Henry Dorsey, Rhoda, Christina, Hezekiah Augustus, and Erastus French Harman.

McDowell Co, Births: 1887-1899, Marriages: 1861-1899, Wills & Inventories: 1860-1899, WV Archives & History Library, 929.3 H62, 111.

Kiah Harman will probated 27 Nov 1867, resided in Tazewell Co, VA; wife Nancy B.; children, Henry D., Rhoda May, Christina Austin, Hezekiah; grandchildren, children of E.
F. Harman, Rhoda May and H.A. Harman.

1850 Census, Tazewell Co, VA, taken on 3 Aug 1850, Page 248B, Family #459. Listed as Ciar Harman, age 50, born in VA, farmer, head of household.

1860 Census, Tazewell Co, VA, Five Oaks PO, taken on 7 Jul 1860, Page 785, Family #663. Listed as Kiah Harman, age 60, born in VA, farmer, head of household.

Hezekiah married Nancy Belle Harman. Nancy (daughter of Henry Adam HARMAN and Christina Harman) was born 13 Nov 1801, Tazewell Co. VA; died 02 Jun 1877, Tazewell Co, VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: F59B303136BC4AD3B0CCFF70712A2ECC8015

Notes:

Death date originally listed as 1863. DAR records indicate 1862.
Info from Ann Pierce Thompson 10008 Whitestone Road
Raleigh, North Carolina USA
annthompson@attglobal.net

Notes:

Company ?I" 16th Virginia Cavalry, CSA

This company was formed on January 15, 1863 from two Virginia Cavalry Battalions. Those two battalions were; 1. Maj. Otis Caldwell and 2. Capt. Milton Ferguson-later promoted to Col.

Annotated by Karen EAGLE Moman
October 2002

ENLISTED: (in alphabetical order)

E. F. HARMAN
Erastus French Harman, s/o Hezekiah 'Kiah' Harman, Jr., & Nancy Harman, d/o Henry Harman, Jr. E. F. Harman married Susannah 'Susan' Vance, 8 Apr 1856 in Tazewell Co., VA., d/o Elijah & Jane Vance, Esq.

Erastus married Susan Vance 08 Apr 1856, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]