“Return of Cap’t French Battell’s company of Ye Low’r county Provincials 1758”
Name and date of enlistment
Greenwood, Joseph, May 18
The area now known as "Delaware" had no official name before 1776; it was administered by the proprietors of Pennsylvania as part of their jurisdiction, even though it had a separate local assembly and courts. The term "Lower Counties" refers to the fact that New Castle, Kent, and Sussex were lower, or farther downstream, on the Delaware River than the counties constituting Pennsylvania proper.
The Pennsylvania 1st Battalion was stationed in Philadelphia and drew recruits from the entire Delaware valley region. The 3rd Battalion or (the Augusta Battalion) was taken from the Pennsylvania 1st and 2nd Battalions. This then would be the vehicle that took him from Delaware to Philadelphia to Cumberland County and eventually back to Philadelphia.
We know from the Bell family Bible that Joseph Greenwood married a lady by the name of Mary on May 27, 1752 and from the Arthur Bell DAR record we also find out that his third daughter Mary Elizabeth Greenwood was born in Philadelphia in 1759.
The Historical Society of Perry County tells me that Joseph Greenwood purchased 500 acres of land just above Duncannon on the west side of the Susquehanna river and that Greenwood township in (now Perry County) was named for him.
Joseph Greenwood’s land holdings in that area are just to the east of Amity Hall on the West banks of the Susquehanna River. His nearest neighbor, Marcus Hulings, claimed the point between the Juniata and Susquehanna River. Neither man took a warrant or had a survey made at the time. They agreed between themselves where the boundary would be according to a letter of complaint Mr. Hulings wrote in 1762 to land office in Philadelphia. In this letter he complains that Mr. Greenwood sold his property to a Mr. Neaves a Philadelphia merchant who then encroached on his property while he was absent.
Joseph Greenwood sold this property in 1754 or 1755 to a Samuel Neave.
Note: Albert Straw tells us that Arthur Bell came to Clearfield from “The Big Island” which is the island immediately to the East of Joseph Greenwood and Marcus Hulings property.
Samuel Neave made application for the survey on Joseph Greenwood's property on Mar 5, and June 30, 1755 for two 250-acre lots between the rivers, which were returned on May 2, 1765. This is not the end of the story yet because Joseph Greenwood also writes a letter of complaint in 1764 against John Armstrong the surveyor stating that he was cheated out of one of the finest plantations in Cumberland County.
Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
Archives & Special Collections
John Armstrong Papers
Box 1 - MC 2001.4
Correspondence.
Lukens, John.
Letters Received Folder (08).
Letter of complaint from Joseph Greenwood against John Armstrong, dated 22
Oct 1764, sent to John Lukens, Surveyor General for the Proprietors of
Pennsylvania.
(Sir:)
I having of this opportunity have wrote to you understanding that Judge
Allen has full power from the Proprietor to rectify all such as are wronged
out of their rights by the Secretary or any of his agents & as to your
certain knowledge John Armstrong has wronged me out of as good a plantation
as any in Cumberland County, for which reason if you would be so good as to
see into the affair and talk to Mr. Allen in my behalf and more especially
as it does in some measure concern yourself and if you could give me any
encouragement I would come down about it myself to you as soon as ever you
would send me a letter. It is very hard for a poor man to come so far upon
uncertainties to such an expensive place as Philadelphia is but as I am
certain that you're a gentleman that's full of lenity and humanity I hope
you'll take my case into consideration and do me all the justice that a poor
man can ask or expect from a gentleman for I can assure you I am brought as
low as man can be almost to beg for the support of my family and to be
wronged as I am by John Armstrong which is evident to be seen in your
office, so I hope Mr. Lukins will talk with Mr. Allen and send me his answer
to this.
I am Sir your most obedient humble servant,
JOSEPH GREENWOOD
Middletown
22nd Octb'r 1764
The last record of him is March 18th 1784 in Tyrone township Cumberland county where he and Frederick Watts were wittnesses to the deed of Watts to Lylburn.
1752, 27 May, married Mary ??? They had 8 children (Bell family Bible)
1754, 12 Feb., his first daughter Ann is born in Philadelphia. (Arthur Bell DAR file)
1754, or before, claimed 500 acres, he and Marcus Haulings agree on land boundary between their properties on the west side of the Susquehanna River, north of Duncannon.
1755, Fled because of Indian attacks.
1755, Sold property to Mr. Samuel Neves a Philadelphia merchant.
1756, July, fled because of Indian attacks.
1756, 11 July, second daughter Sarah Rebecca was born. (Bell family Bible)
1756, July, guide to soldiers going to build Fort Augusta (Sunbury).
1758, 18 May, enlisted in Capt. French Battell's Co. of ye Lower County Provincials.
1759, 16 May, third daughter Mary Elizabeth was born. (Bell family Bible)
1762, 10 May, fourth daughter Margaret was born. (Bell family Bible)
1763, taxed in Fermanagh Twp. (now Watts). (That would be on the origional property.)
1764, Fled to Middletown, Paxton Twp. because of Indians.
1764, 1 Mar. at Kensington, Deed - admintrators Rebecca Greenwood - Charles Neves - Joseph Joeats - Henry Woodrow who will sell household goods.
1765, 23 Sept. fifth daughter Dorcas was born.
1767, Greenwood Twp. named for Joseph Greenwood, formed from Fermanagh.
1767, 24 Aug. sixth child Frances is born.
1768, 20 June, witness to deed of James Gailey in Carlisle.
1768, 14 Aug. seventh child Thomas is born.
1768, taxed in Greenwood Twp. (That would be on the origional property.)
1769, 20 Feb., witness to deed of William Ferguson in W Pennsborough Twp. Cumberland Co., PA
1769, 17 May witness to deed of David Hoge in Carlisle.
1769, 24 Oct., witness to deed of Hoge to Brown and Hoge to Wilkins in Carlisle.
1769-70, on Carlisle tax list. (All surrounding areas were recorded in Carlisle)
1770, 22 Feb., witness to deed of Lowery to Robinson in Carlisle.
1770, 21 April, witness to deed of Wilkins to Urie in Carlisle.
1771, 3 June, Elliot John born, last child of Joseph and Mary. (Perhaps wife died in childbirth, see 1772)
1771, 29, June, witness to will of James Patterson of Fermanagh twp.
1772, 12 Dec., widower Joseph Greenwood and widow Jane Caruther were married in Phila.
1774 - 1779, taxed Philadelphia, PA.
1777, military service under Capt. John Downey commanded by Sharp Delany. 2nd company of the Philadelphia militia, 2nd Battalion of Foot, in the service of the United States. Capt Downey was killed by the English in 1778.
1780 and 1781, taxed for the Christian Marshall estate in the City of Philadelphia.
1783 John Conrad taxed in the City of Philadelphia for Joseph Greenwood.
1784, 18 Mar., witness with Frederick Watts to deed of Watts to Lylburn in Tyrone township, Cumberland Co., PA
1781 Letter from Joseph Greenwood to Congress:
"To His Excellency Samuel Huntington, Esq., Honorable President of the Congress of the United States of America:
The Humble Petition of JOSEPH GREENWOOD, late Wagon Master, Most Respectfully Sheweth: That your petitioner was appointed by the D.Q.M.G.* on his recommendations from his friends and and was in service from the 1st day of May to the 14th day of July, both days included at 12 dollars per diem, and from the 15th of July to 22d day of August at 35 dollars specia** per month as per your Honorable Board Resolve of the said 15 day of July.
Your petitioner is a poor man and has a large family, and thinks himself aggrieved by the D.Q.M.G., who declares he will pay no more than 12 dollars a day for the whole time.
Your petitioner, well knowing your Excellency's well known punctuality, most humbly supplicates implores Yr. Honr. to grant him such redress in the premises as shall seem most meet and he will as in duty bound will pray.
Philadelphia, Jan'y 22, 1781
/s/JOSEPH GREENWOOD"
* DQMG. Deputy Quartermaster General
**specia (for "specie"), in coin rather than paper money.
Note: there is another letter that I don't have yet. It is a letter to Benjamin Franklin in 1764.
This may be the father of our Joseph Greenwood:
Joseph Greenwood (d. prior to Oct. 25, 1744) and wife Ann of Kent county, DE
1. He had a son named Joseph.
2. Our Joseph named his first child Ann.
Calendar of Kent County Delaware Probate Records 1680 - 1800 page 102
Jonathan Greenwood was the Administrator of the will of Joseph Greenwood, to Ann Greenwood. Oct. 25, 1744.
Arch. vol. A20, page 153. Reg. of Wills, Liber I, folio 93.
mentions heirs, Joseph, William, Mary Ann Greenwood, & widow Ann Greenwood.
Children of Joseph Greenwood and his wife Mary
1) ANN GREENWOOD, was born February 12, 1754. She married CASPER HOCKENBERRY. He was born 1761, and died 1866.
PA Archives 5th Series; Vol. 6 page 408-409.
In a class roll of Capt Thomas Askey’s Company of the 6th Battalion of Cumberland County Milita Commanded by Col. James Dunlap. Apr. 10, 1771.
Caspar Hackenbery, Pvt. 3rd Class
Peeter Hackenbery, Pvt. 1st Class; same company
Jas Hackenbery, Pvt. 2nd Class; same company
John Hackenbery, Pvt. 5th Class; same company
Henrey Hackenbery, Pvt. 6th Class; same company
Pa Archives, 5th Series Vol. 6 page 441 - 442
A class roll of Capt. Thomas Askey’s Company of the 8th class of the 6th Battalion of Cumberland County Militia commanded by Col. James Dunlap, Aug. 14th 1782. Capt. Thomas Askey
Petter Hackenbery - Pvt. 1st class
Caspar Hackenbery - Pvt. class no. 3
Herney Hockenbry - Pvt. class no. 6
Children of Casper Hockenberry and Ann Greenwood
i) THOMAS HOCKENBERRY, b. 1790.
ii) JOHN HOCKENBERRY, b. 1791; d. 1870.
iii) NEHEMIA HOCKENBERRY, b. 1793.
iv) MARTIN HOCKENBERRY, b. 1798.
v) JOSEPH HOCKENBERRY, b. 1801.
vi) JAMES HOCKENBERRY, b. 1806.
vii) ARTHUR HOCKENBERRY, b. 1806; d. 1866; m. (1) SARAH MCCRACKEN; b. 1811; m.
2) SARAH REBECCA GREENWOOD, born July 11, 1756, PA; died after 1806, Clearfield County, PA. It appears from the above records of the movements of Joseph Greenwood that he and the family had to flee their home on July 30th of 1756. They would have forded the river from their home (now Watts township, Perry county) to Fort Hunter on the east side of the river. Sarah Rebecca would have been only weeks old.
Joseph her father also was a guide for the British army in July of 1756. He may not have been home during the Indian attack that drove his family from their home.
3) MARY ELIZABETH GREENWOOD, was born May 16, 1759 in Philadelphia, PA, and died August 07, 1824 in Clearfield County, PA. She married ARTHUR BELL March 10, 1783 in Cumberland Co., PA, son of WILLIAM BELL and LETITIA NELSON. He was born August 01, 1761 in Middletown, PA, and died October 22, 1836 in Pike township., Clearfield. County, PA. (See Arthur Bell for the family of Mary Elizabeth Greenwood)
4) MARGARET GREENWOOD, b. May 10, 1762. No further information.
5) DORCAS GREENWOOD, b. September 23, 1765. No further information.
6) FRANCES GREENWOOD, b. August 24, 1767. No further information.
7) THOMAS GREENWOOD, was born August 14, 1768 in Carslile, PA, and died January 27, 1847 in Harbor Creek, Erie County, PA. He married DORCAS BELL, daughter of JOHN BELL and SARAH BELL. She was born 1764, and died May 06, 1849.
Transcript of notes from the family bible of Thomas Greenwood submitted by Walt Greenwood of Everett WA.
March 26, 1918
Record taken from the old family bible of Thos. Greenwood.
Thomas Greenwood born at Carlisle, Pa August 1768, died January 27, 1847 at Harbor Creek, Pa. Was a Judge of the township and a shoe maker who made shoes all by hand and considered a first class trade as no machinery was used at that time. He was first educated to be an Epis. Minister after which he became an atheist. Dorcas, his wife, a widow whose maiden name was Bell, had married a man named Taylor. Two daughters were born, twins Sara and Eliz Taylor, Oct. 28, 1787.
Children born to Thomas and Dorcas Greenwood.
Joseph born July 2, 1790 died Feb 4, 1808
Marry " Feb. 6, 1797 " Nov 31, 1878
Walter " Mar 16, 1798 " 1890
Rachel " Apr 12, 1800 " Jan 12, 1874
Thos. " Dec 12, 1802 " ?
Arthur " ? 1803 " ?
Elenore " Feb 18, 180(6 or 8) " Nov 5, 1888
Lyons
grand mother
Rachel Lyons dau of Leut. Thos. Lyons Contenial Troop commanded by Col. Seth Warmer. Was wounded at the battle of Brandy Wine. Thomas Lyon address Cincinnati Ohio.
We are only related to Ell***** by twin daughters of Dorcas Taylor. Mrs Ella Corson - Abbingdon near Gailsburg, Ill.
Thomas Lyon gave a letter power of Attorney to a man named _______ ______ at Whitehall, NY. Said paper in the hands of John Troop of Erie, Pa.
Walter son of Thomas (?Lyons?) or (?Greenwood?)
Saraellen
Marry
Grace
Tom
Jay Hugh "Stuff"
Arthur
Nette
Saraellen married Throop had two sons John and Clarence
Bertha from Clarence
Gerald, Isabell & Elliott from John.
Children of Thomas Greenwood and Dorcas Bell
i) JOSEPH GREENWOOD, b. July 02, 1795; d. February 04, 1858, Harbor Creek, Erie county, PA; m. MARY BELL, January 04, 1821, Harrisburg, PA; b. 1788.
ii) MARY GREENWOOD, b. February 06, 1797, PA; d. November 31, 1878, Harbor Creek, Erie Co., PA; m. JAMES STINSON.
iii) WALTER GREENWOOD, b. March 16, 1798, PA; d. February 07, 1889, Harbor Creek, Erie Co., PA; m. RACHEL LYON; b. Abt. 1807, NY. iv) RACHEL GREENWOOD, b. April 12, 1800, PA; d. 1839, Cincinnati, OH; m. FRANKLIN LYON.
v) THOMAS GREENWOOD Jr., b. December 12, 1802, Dauphin county, PA; d. November 29, 1884, Scott Twp., Fremont county, IA; m. ELIZA BRUBAKER, April 21, 1835, Somerset county,PA; b. April 01, 1815, Berlin, Somerset county, PA; d. July 01, 1894. Both are buried in the Thurman cemetery Fremont county, IA.
vi) ARTHUR GREENWOOD, b. July 05, 1803, PA; m. (1) MERILLA; d. Abt. 1849; m. (2) LAURA ( b. 1827.
vii) ELANOR GREENWOOD, b. February 18, 1805, PA; d. November 05, 1888, Harbor Creek, Erie county, PA.
8) ELLIOT JOHN GREENWOOD, b. June 03, 1771. No further information.
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