Person Page 28

From Russell Windle: In 1804 John Adams Windle was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia. He was the first in our family to drop the spelling of our last name from Wendel to Windle. In 1827 at the age of 23 he was married and living in Pickens County, Alabama around other Windles (Andrew Moore Windle). Not much is known about his first wife including her name. It has been theorized that she was probably Indian since Indian names were not registered and that John A. had lived around Indians most of his life in Virginia. His first son John William Windle was born in 1827 in Pickens County, Alabama. The description of John William from Lucinda Willis Windle’s affidavit for a widows pension as being "about five feet six inches high, rather dark complexion, black hair and black eyes", which indicates that more than likely he was part Indian.

The next recorded record of John A Windle places him in Overton County, Tennessee where he once again settled near other Windle’s (Joseph Hawkins Windle) living in the area, where his second son James William was born in 1829 and where John A’s first wife died. John A took a second wife in Lincoln County, Tennessee in 1835; her name was Permelia Lusk. Permelia was born in Union City South Carolina. In 1836 Permelia and John A are recorded as having a daughter Permelia Elizabeth on July 2, 1836 in the state of Louisiana.

On August 1st 1845 (date on Fannin Co. Land grant), John A. Windle received two known land grants from the Republic of Texas, one in what was then known as being a part of Nacogdoches Co. (what is now known as Rusk Co.) and the second in Fannin Co. (there was a rumor of a third land grant). Whether John A was in Texas at the time or still in LA is not known. There was a migration of a number of families from TN to TX of which John A’s family was one of them. The Hamilton, Davis, Lusk, and Willis families also settled in Texas at the same time. John A and Permelia settled in Henderson as did most of the migrating families. In Henderson John A and Permelia had three more children. David K. born in 1847, Mary Catherine born in 1848, and Isaac Parker born April 25, 1851. John A owned a 12-year-old male slave according to the 1850 slave schedule census. In 1852 Permelia passed away. John A then married Mary Harmon in Henderson on February 5th 1854. With her he had four more children Nicholas born March 3rd 1857, George Washington April 5th 1859, Sarah Isabella date not known, and John A II, born January 18th, 1861 who was born after John A’s death in 1860. John A Windle died at the age of 56 in Henderson Co. in 1860. John A and most of his later children and wives are buried in Davis Cemetery (formerly know as the Windle Cemetery) in Henderson. Texas.

John A. Windle’s first son John William, married Lucinda Willis in 1847. After serving in the Mexican war in 1846, Corporal John William served under L. H. Mabbitt's Shelby County Mounted Volunteers During the Mexican War along with his younger brother James W. John William’s wife Lucinda was born in 1830 in Tennessee. The 1850 Census for Rusk Co shows John William and Lucinda having two children James 2 and Nancy Elizabeth 6 months. Between 1850 and the 1860 census John William’s family moved to the Fannin County land grant. He and Lucinda had three more children Charles who was 8, John Pressley who was 6 (born April 1st, 1855), and Robert D. who was 4 in 1860. John William was a member of the Black Dragoons in Fannin Co.; this organization protected the women and children from Indian attacks while their husbands and sons were off fighting the Civil War. On December 30th 1854 John A deeded all of the 1,470 acres (a.k.a. John A. Windle survey) of the Fannin Co. land grant to John William, as the deed stated "out of natural love and affection." The deed duly recorded in Bonham TX. Fannin Co. shows John A’s mark "X" with his name written around it as witness. John William returned to Henderson in Rusk Co. TX in 1867 after his father’s death and was killed in Henderson Co. returning from Henderson in Rusk Co. In an Affidavit given by his son John Pressley Windle and his sister Nancy Elizabeth Windle Jamison they stated, " That they are the children of the said William and Lucinda Windle and that they were present at his death which occurred in Henderson Co. Texas on October 29th, 1867". Lucinda and their children remained on the Fannin Co land grant. She petitioned the US Government for a Pressley who was 34 along with his sister Nancy Elizabeth Windle Jamison who was 39 gave an affidavit previously mentioned above as witnesses for the widow’s pension. On June 6th, 1889 Lucinda was granted the pension due to John William’s service in the Mexican War.

Lucinda and John William’s third son was John Pressley Windle; he was born on April 1st 1855. He was an enterprising man. He was a partner in a dry goods store on the square in Bonham TX. later he owned and ran a dry goods store in Lamasco TX. He was one of the first, if not the first notaries in Fannin Co. He married Harriet Ellen Havens August 31st 1876 in Hunt Co. With Harriet he had one son, David Parker born March 3rd 1880, and four daughters Effie Odam born 1883, Viola Mae born May 8th1884, Carrie born in 1885 died at birth, Cora born in 1886 and Mamie born 1887. Harriet died at the age of 31 in 1888 and was buried at Center Grove Cemetery in Lamasco, which was land donated from John A Windle survey by John Pressley for the Cemetery outside of Lamasco.

On February 16th 1891 in Hunt Co. TX John Pressley Married Virginia Caroline Son Harris Havens. Who had previously married twice, first to John Harris, and then John Havens, she was John Pressley and his first wife Harriet’s sister in law by her marriage to Harriet’s brother John. With her first husband John Harris she had one son James born 1883, and with her second husband John Haven’s she had one son Wesley born in 1888. With John Pressley she had six children Angelina Lucinda born 1892, Presley Owen in 1893, John David whose birth year was not recorded he died in infancy, Bessie in 1898, William McKinley in 1901, and Emma Brown in 1903. In 1904 at the age of 43 Virginia passed away and in 1931 at the age of 75 John Pressley passed away both were also buried at Center Grove Cemetery.

Contributed by: Russell Windle on February 9, 2003.

The parents of John A. Windle have not been documented. Based on the known locations in his earlier life, it seems most likely that he was a Christopher Wendel descendant, related to the Wendel descendants of Overton County, Tennesee and Pickens County, Alabama. My personal speculation is that he was a son of Daniel Wendel and Mary Hawkins. DLB 2011.

Per Alan Bunner (abunner@surfbest.net) John Bunner of Monongalia County, (West) Virginia, born about 1750, writing his will in 1810, left a bequest to his sister "Susanna Laramore." See Wills, 1819-1957; West Virginia. County Court (Monongalia County); in Wills, Vol 1-3, 1819-1903, pp.336-7, [database online], ancestry.com.

A marriage record shows Killian Lang as groom. Bride's name unknown. Possibly an earlier marriage of the same Killian Lang.

Record ID# 288713, Family Archives CD# 129 "Church Records: Adams, Berks, and Lancaster Counties, Pennsylvania, 1729-1881."

From "History of the Long Family of Pennsylvania":

"Our research work has lead us into Bern and Basel, Switzerland; and in the records we find that a number of Langs (Longs) who settled in Lancaster County, PA, were originally located in Stadel, Windlach, Rath, Wintersingen, Muttenz, and Sissach, Switzerland."

Some branches of the Lang Family of Switzerland immigrated to the Palatinate, locating in Langen, Hesse, and in Zweibrücken as well as at other points in Germany. Later, some of the descendants of this branch of the family emigrated from Germany to America.

Christian LANG, the emigrant ancestor of the Long Family Of Pennsylvania, from information that is apparently authentic, but very meager, came from the Palatinate, Germany. Family records do not clearly nor definitely state the name of the town or province from which he came, but family tradition indicates that he was located in or near Langen, Hesse, Germany.

We are led to believe that the family name was originally LANGEN, but later, was changed to LANG, and finally, about the time of the Civil War, the English pronunciation of LONG was universally adopted.

Christian Lang, as near as can be determined at this late date, was born in the year 1664. He was influenced by men like William Penn, who very glowingly pictured the freedom and wonders of the new country across the sea, for tradition says that at about the age of nineteen or twenty years, he bade his family and friends adieu, and ventured across the waters to the shores of an unknown country, called America, landing at what was then known as Germantown, now Philadelphia, PA, in the year 1683-1684.

On the voyage to America he became acquainted with a young German girl, who with her parents was also bound for these shores and an unknown future. This acquaintance, ripened into love, and at a later time, probably in Philadelphia, they were married.

We also understand that this Christian Lang was one of the one Hundred and fifty high and low Germans who with Johannes Koster petitioned the Court of Philadelphia on March 15, 1706. A part of which petition follows:

'Court at Philadelphia, fifteenth day, third month, 1706. Petition of Johannes Koster and 150 other high and low Germans, Having for 22 years behaved as liege and loyal subjects of England by cultivating lands in the Province, turning them into settlements, that 60 above petitioners at one time, viz: - 7th day, 3d mo., 1691, had in open court promised allegiance to King William and Queen Mary, etc.'

Being adventurous, and feeling the greater possibilities of the future were on the frontier, Christian and his family did not remain in Germantown, but, following the trails and water courses, he finally arrived at Hickorytown, now known as Lancaster, PA.

Tradition says that where Lancaster now stands, there was once an Indian Wigwam. A hickory tree stood in its center, not far from a spring. Under this tree, the councils met, and it was from one of these councils that a deputation was sent to confer with William Penn at Shackamaxon, in 1683. The Indian nation was called "Hickory", and the town was called Hickorytown before Lancaster was laid out. It is also said that the town derived its name from the log-huts that were built of hickory logs.

Christian Lang was approximately fifty-four years old when he was recorded as a resident of Lancaster in 1718-1719. (Rupp's 30000 Names, page 438.).

Unfortunately, records were not available so that we could definitely determine the names of all of his children, especially insofar as it relates to the female side of the family, for marriages, births and deaths occurred without the proper recording at this early date. Therefore, we were not able to secure the statistics regarding the marriages of the daughters, nor were we able to get the names of all the male children. However, the records and history of the following children and their descendants will be given:

1) Christian, married to Ann Margaret ---.

2) Herman, married to Anne Hershey

3) Urbanus (Urban) married to Catharine Blum

4) John, married to Anna ---.

5) Michael, married to Regina Magdalena Lora."

Children:

1. Christian LANG

2. Herman LANG b: ABT 1700 in Lancaster Co., PA

3. Urbanus LANG

4. John LANG

5. Michael LANG.

After the death of her husband, she moved with her two sons to her father's house. She stayed there after the death of her parents, then made her home in Shippensburg until 1850 when she went to Mt. Joy and spent a few years there. Later she moved to Springfield, Ohio.

From "The McKinney-Brady-Quigley Families" by Belle McKinney Hays Swope, printed 1905, pp. 234 - 5.

Birth date per headstone, Ferncliff Cemetery, seen and photographed by Donald L. Boyd, 1999.

Studied theology under Rev. Robert Cooper, D.D. and was appointed chaplain of Fifth and Sixth Pennsylvania Battalions during the Revolution. Friend and admirer of George Washington, gave a great sermon at his New York City church on Washington's death.

From the Sullivant book:

"William Linn, grandson of the above, was a distinguished Presbyterian divine and theological writer, settled over a church in New York City. He was a contemporary, great admirer, and personal friend of Washington, a member of the "Society of Cincinnati," and his sermon on the death of Washington was very able and eloquent, giving him great reputation."²

From Early American Presbyterians:

Brother of Rev. Samuel Blair, born in Ireland and educated at Log College at Nashaminy, and licensed by the New Side Presbytery of New Castle at its earliest sessions. He was ordained December 27th, 1742, pastor of Middle Spring, Rocky Spring, and Big Spring in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and gave two-thirds of his time to Big Spring, dividing the remaining between the others. During his ministry here he made two visits to Virginia -- the last in 1746 -- preaching with great power in various places, organizing new congregations, and leaving an enduring impression of his piety and eloquence. The incursions of the Indians led him to resign his pastoral charge, December 28th, 1748. He seems to have remained without a settlement till 1757, when he accepted a call from the church at Fagg's Manor, which had become vacant by the death of his brother. Here he continued not only as pastor of the church, but as head of the school which his brother had established. In this latter capacity he assisted in the preparation of many young men for the ministry. In 1767 he was chosen Professor of Divinity and Moral Philosophy in the College of New Jersey, and was elected President before he was thirty years of age. But soon after his election, intelligence was received from Scotland that Dr. Witherspoon, who had previously declined the position, would, in all probability, if the call were repeated, accept it. As soon as this was known to Mr. Blair, with a modesty and magnanimity worthy of record, he immediately wrote to the President of the Board, declining the office, and accepted a call to Wallkill, in the Highlands of New York, May 19th, 1769. He died there December 8th, 1771.

During the excitement growing out of the question concerning the examination of candidates on their experience of saving grace, one of the Old Side published "Thoughts on the Examination and Trials of Candidates." To this pamplet Mr. Blair published "Animadversions," dated "Fagg's Manor, August 27th, 1766." He also published a reply to Harker's "Appeal to the Christian World," entitled "The Synod of New York and Philadelphia Vindicated." He left behind him a treatise on regeneration, orthodox, and ably written; it was published shortly before his death, with the title, "A Treatise on the Nature, Use, and Subjects of the Sacraments, on Regeneration, and on the nature and Use of the Means of Grace." The preface is dated "Goodwill, alias Wallkill, December 21st, 1770." It was reprinted by Dr. James P. Wilson, in his collection of Sacramental Treatises.

Possible birthplace Dublin, Ireland. A Durbarrow family was there in 1685 (see Tom Townsend's database for Hannah Durbarrow).

A possible name variant is Durborough, from Somerset, England.