John Giffen and Eleanor Herron

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Husband John Giffen ^{1 2}

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           Born: 17 Mar 1743 - Cumberland Co, PA 1
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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         Father: Andrew Giffen (      -      ) 1 2
         Mother: Agnes Nesbit (      -      ) 1

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       Marriage: 24 Aug 1762 1 2

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Wife Eleanor Herron ²

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            AKA: Eleanor Heron,1 Agnes Nesbit 3
           Born: 
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Children

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1 U [Infant] Giffen ⁴

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: in infancy
         Buried: 

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2 U [Infant] Giffen ⁴

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: in infancy
         Buried: 

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3 F Mary Giffen ^{2 4}

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           Born: 11 Sep 1766 2 4
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         Spouse: William McGeary (      -      ) 2 4
           Marr: 17 Nov 1788 2 4

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4 F Agnes Giffen ^{2 4}

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            AKA: Agnes Giffern,5 Agnes Giffin,6 Agnes Griffen,7 Agnes Griffin
           Born: 26 Mar 1769 - Westmoreland Co, PA 2 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 15 Jul 1854 - Mercer Co, PA 8
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Fergus Smith (1763-1853) 2 4 5 6
           Marr: 25 Mar 1794 - Westmoreland Co, PA 2 4

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5 F Margaret Giffen ^{2 4}

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           Born: 20 Oct 1771 2 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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6 M John Giffen ^{2 3 4}

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           Born: 17 Oct 1774 2 4
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           Died: 6 Oct 1854 4
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Jean Robison (1785-      ) 2 3 4
           Marr: 10 Jan 1807 2 4

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7 U [Infant] Giffen ⁴

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: in infancy
         Buried: 

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8 F Hannah Giffen ^{2 4}

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            AKA: Hannah Griffin 9
           Born: 26 Oct 1779 2 4
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           Died: 
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         Spouse: William Hunter (      -      ) 2 9
           Marr: 18 Feb 1806 2 4

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9 F Eleanor Giffen ^{2 4}

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           Born: 18 Oct 1782 2 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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10 F Martha Giffen ^{2 4}

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           Born: 1 Dec 1786 2 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Andrew Robinson (      -      ) 2 4
           Marr: 15 Oct 1807 2 4

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General Notes: Husband - John Giffen

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He remained on the home farm until his marriage, and shortly afterward, about 1763, it is supposed, he came to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where he purchased about three hundred acres or upwards of land, located in the north-east corner of Mount Pleasant township, and there built a log cabin and started to improve his new possessions. Here he lived and followed farming for a livelihood throughout the remainder of his life time. He was a devoted Christian, and a member of the Presbyterian church.

About the year 1763 he and his wife crossed the mountains on horseback, carrying their chattels, etc., on pack saddles. Settling in the wilds of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, among the Indians, he purchased about three hundred acres of land, built a log cabin and began to clear his land. Many were the trials and hardships they encountered. Upon one occasion the Indians, who had been very friendly, became warlike, and having been informed of the uprising, he kept a sharp lookout. One morning while working in his clearing he noticed some Indian scouts acting suspiciously, foresaw danger, and he called to his wife, and without any preparations both hastily mounted the horse and started as fast as they could for the fort. Immediately the Indian scouts gave the war whoop and looking back in terror they saw many Indians pursuing them. They pressed their terrified horse to his utmost. Fast and furious was the chase, with the Indians gaining on them as their horse had a double load to carry. Just as they came in view and within a few hundred feet of the fort, their trusty horse fell, throwing them to the ground. They regained their feet but expected any moment to be overtaken and scalped. The fleet-footed Indians were almost upon them, and thinking they had them sure let out terrible yells. Fortunately the settlers who had already been driven to the fort heard them, and seeing them opened fire and checked the attackers. The plucky couple reached the fort mid a shower of arrows. There they remained ten days. The provisions almost gave out and lots were cast to see who would go, it falling to Mr. Giffen to go first. They had not seen or heard anything of the Indians for some time. They ventured out, and seeing no one, returned to their home, expecting to find all in ruins, but were surprised to find little damage done and their faithful horse grazing nearby.

1 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. III (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 382.

2 John W. Jordan, LL.D, A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People, Vol. IV (New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908), Pg 313.

3 Jane Maria Craig, Samuel Craig, Senior, Pioneer to Western Pennsylvania, and His Descendants (Greensburg, PA: Privately printed, 1915), Pg 43.

4 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. III (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 383.

5 J. G. White, A Twentieth Century History of Mercer County Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1909), Pg 693.

6 Editor, History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Its Past and Present (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk & Co., Publishers, 1888), Pg 983.

7 Editor, History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Its Past and Present (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk & Co., Publishers, 1888), Pg 1137.

8 Editor, History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Its Past and Present (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk & Co., Publishers, 1888), Pg 984.

9 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. III (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 380.