Michael (Susannah) Deck

5 Sept. 1832. Madison Co., Ill. Michael (X) Deck of said county, aged 73, declares he volunteered as a private soldier in Rockingham Co., Va., under Capt. Robert Cravens in the Virginia militia on 5 May 1778 or 1779, about two years and five or six months before the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. He marched against the Indians to Tiger’s Valley, now in Randolph County, and about harvest time the company was divided, Michael Trout the lieutenant taking the command of something like thirty men, who were ordered to the West Fork of the Monongahela River, and the captain taking the balance of the men and returning home with the view of joining Gen. McIntosh’s campaign. After the captain returned home to Rockingham, he being with him, he increased his company and William Herrin was elected lieutenant and George Mallow ensign. They then marched to the Ohio River in company with Capt. Abraham Linkhorn’s [Lincoln, grandfather of the 16th president] from the same county and the Hampshire troops, one company of which was commanded by Capt. Cunnigan who joined them at the South Branch of Potomac. The whole was under Col. Benjamin Harrison from Rockingham and Maj. Vanmeter from the South Branch of Potomac in Hampshire County. After they reach the Ohio River they aided in building Fort McIntosh about twenty-five miles below Fort Pitt, and on the opposite side from said place. They then marched to the Tuscarawba [sic] River, a distance of sixty-eight miles from Fort McIntosh, within seven or eight miles of the Indian town, where they built Fort Lawrence. In a short time thereafter the Indians and Gen. McIntosh concluded a treaty, after which they returned to Fort McIntosh where the whole of the militia were discharged a few days before Christmas and they returned home. He was in no battle but on their march from Fort McIntosh to the Tuscarawba River the Indians fired on them and some of the regulars were killed, among whom was a lieutenant. When they came to the Ohio River, the headquarters of Gen. McIntosh and where they built Fort McIntosh, Gen McIntosh took the command and marched with them to the Tuscarawba, Col. Broadhead from Pennsylvania being with them. He was in service more than six months at this time.

Michael Deck was born in Rockingham Co., Va., where he lived until Sept. 1830. Since that time he has resided mostly on Madison Co., Ill. 1 Nov. 1843. Madison Co., Ill. Susannah (X) Deck of said county, aged 74 on 10 April 1843, declares she is the widow of Michael Deck. She was married 25 April 1790 and her husband died 3 April 1843. He maiden name was Susannah MONGER. She was married by a minister of the Gospel in Rockingham Co., Va. She bore ten children. Names and birth dates listed.

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