Ewalt Genealogy

by JOSEPH HEDGES EWALT*

John Ewalt, Senior, was born in Palatine on the Rhine, Germany, in 1707, and emigrated to America In 1765 with his wife, Sarah, born In 1726, and two brothers, Richard and Henry. They settled on a farm about two miles east of Bedford, Pennsylvania, then known as Cumberland County, which was a vast wilderness of woods, located on Dunnings Creek, and cleared a farm known as the Colfelt farm, which was less than one-half mile from, and in plain view of an Indian settlement in the lowlands and near this small stream. Indian arrowheads have been gathered there by the hundreds. The celebrated Ewalt apple originated on this farm.

John Ewalt, Senior, died upon this farm November 12, 1792, at the age of 86 years, and his wife, Sarah, died January 10,1809, at the age of 83 years.

They are buried about one-eighth mile east of the home on said farm, and just east of the forks of the roads, and about 25 feet from the road, and about 25 feet above the road surface, on a natural elevation or hill.

Their graves are enclosed in a lot about 11 feet square, surrounded by a solid stone wall three feet high, and two inches thick at the head and 18 inches thick at sides and foot, and laid with masonry of concrete and flint stone.

There are two tablets inside this enclosure on marble 20 inches wide and two inches thick and about 30 or more inches high, with very pretty scroll tops. On one is the followling inscription "In memory of John Ewalt, Senior, who departed this life November 12, 1792, aged 85 years." On the other, "In memory of Sarah Ewalt, consort of John Ewalt, Senior, who departed this life January 10th 1809, aged 83 years." Each also have foot stones with just the initials. The remarkable thing about same is fact that the lettering is just as plain as though placed there very recently.

John Ewalt, Senior, and Sarah Ewalt were the parents of the following named children: Samuel, Mary, Henry, Rebecca, Esther, John, Anna, Sarah and Richard. The dates of their birth were from July 22, 1750 to January 3rd, 1772.

Henry, the second son, was born January 27, 1754. He rendered gallent service as a soldier in the Continental line during the "War of the Revolution." On the 10th. of December 1777, about one month prior to his 24th. birthday, he was commissioned an Ensign of the Sixth Company of the First Battalion oI Pennsylvania Militia. His command played an important part throughout the memorable conflict to gain our independence.

He married Mrs. Elizabeth (Frye) Keller, widow of Jacob Keller. She was born in Frederick County, Virginia, the daughter of Abraham Frye, Senior, and Agnes Ann Frye.

Abraham Frye, Senior, was a member of Captain Charles McCluy's Company of First Battalion Cumberland County, Pennsylvanla Militia during the Revolutionary War.

Several years following that was Henry and Elizabeth (Frye) (Keller) Ewalt removed from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, while the latter was still under the Jurisdiction of Virginia.

On the fourth of August 1788, John Haggin of Harrodsburg located in the same territory, deeded to Henry Ewalt, 200 acres of land north on Coopers Run Creek (now in Bourbon County) for a consideration of 110 pounds sterling, amounting to a little in excess of $500.

About 1795, he built a two story frame house with lower and upper halls and a small ell. The original front is still in an excellent state of preservation. During the period of the second war with England (1810-1812), the ell was torn away to make room for a two story stone addition to the original two story building (to the right) mentioned. The walls are 22 inches thick, and the masonry is still as solid as when built, now over 130 years ago.

In this substantial building were reared seven children of this couple, who were endowed with the pioneer strength and industry. They spent their declining years in this home made possible by youthful activities and superior foresight, until the final summons. His death occurred in 1829 , and his companion closed her eyes to things material in 1837.

Their remains are interred in the family burying ground, enclosed by a well constructed stone wall on the old homestead, located at a point where two highly improved macadamized roads cross, six miles from what is now known as Paris; the county seat of Bourbon Oounty, on the road leading to Cynthiana, Harrison County, bearing the appellation of "Ewalt's Crossroads."

The names of the seven chlldren of Henry Ewalt (1754-1829) and Elizabeth (Frye) (Keller) Ewalt were as follows: Sarah, Mary, John, Rebecca, Henry, Samuel and Richard. Samuel, the third son, served with Captain Brasfield's company in the quartermaster's department under the supervision of General James Taylor and Thomas Bodley of Paynes Brigade of Kentucky Militla, War of 1812.

By his frugality and business acumen, he accumulated a sufficient acreage of land, making it possible for him to ride "horseback" (a method of transportation so universal in pioneer days ) upon his own land, covering a distance of over two miles, extending from Coopers Run Creek to Townsend Valley Creek, the border stream between the counties of Bourbon and Harrlson.

For a period, he was engaged in flatboating livestock and merchandise on the Ohio and Mississippi river from the then growing center of Cincinnati to New Orleans. He married Cynthia Pugh (born March 30, 1796) on December 24, 1817 (died September 28, 1833). She was the daughter of Joseph Pugh (1753-1820) and Elizabeth (Hunt) Pugh (1763-1829). Joseph Pugh was comissioned a lieutenant in the 14th. Virginia Regiment upon Continental establishment, Revolutionary War.

They were the parents of eight children, viz: John Hunt, Elizabeth, Ann Wllliam Pugh, Elizabeth Ann, Joseph Henry, Mary Susan and Sara Smith. Samuel Ewalt's (1782) second marriage was to Ellza Porter Smith (born August 27,1799) on June 7,1834 (died February 28, 1863).

The issue by that union were Samuel, Ann Smlth and Cynthia Pugh.

At the advanced age of 86, the long and useful career came to an end on August 28, 1878. His remains, together with the two wives and two children (the second and third of the first marriage dying in infancy), also the father-in-law, Joseph Pugh (1753-1820), and mother-in-law, Elizabeth (Hunt) Pugh (1763-1829) are interred in the burying ground near Mount Carmel Christian church, a short distance from the home where he resided during his closing years.

On March 1st., 1853, William Pugh (1825-1896) and Joseph Henry Ewalt (1828-1877), second and third sons of Samuel Ewalt (1792-1878) and Cynthia (Pugh) Ewalt (1792-1833) were deeded by their parents, the ancestral Ewalt Home (known as Ewalt Crossroads) with 380 acres of land surrounding it. Besides general farming by these brothers, a specialty was made of dealing in mules, breeding and training pedigreed horses. The partnership continued with success until the death of the junior in 1877. The land was then divided; the homestead with 215 acres was allotted to the widow and two children of Joseph Henry (1828).

Joseph Henry Ewalt (1828) and Sophia M. Spears (born September 6, 1838) were married on December 18, 1868. Her ancestors emigrated from Virginia before Kentucky was admitted to statehood, June 1st. 1792. There was no issue from this union. She died August 27, 1857. He then married Henrietta Hedges (born August 6, 1839) on December 10, 1863.

Her ancestors were of English descent, who came to Kentucky from Maryland and Virginia prior to 1800. Her immediate grandfather, Joseph Hedges (1750-1805) served in the Revolutionary War with Captain John Combs Company (also known as Captain James Wards Company ) in the Regiment on Foot, Contlnental Troops, commanded by Col. Oliver Spencer, from September 1777 to December 1780. The enlistment was for the duration of that war.

There were four children born to Joseph Henry (1838) and Henrietta (Hedges) Ewalt (1839), viz: Joseph Hedges, born July 16, 1866; Rebecca Anne, born January 11, 1867; died Septembor 17, 1867; Lily, born April 20, 1869, died November 15, 1886, in Brooklyn, New York of typhoid pneumonia and Letty Clay, born December, 31, 1870, died April 16, 1874 following an illness of 10 weeks of spinal meningitis, an epidemic of that disease for several months.

The father, Joseph Henry (1828), found interest in democratic politics as a diversion.from an active business career. The mysteries of the age old fraternity, Masonry, were unveiled to him in the middle of eighteen fifties, completing the first two branches the symbolic and capitular rites, attaining the seventh degree, known as the Royal Arch. A firm advocate of pregressiveness, ever ready to promote what was beneficial to his county-the community spirit strongly prevailed.

A protracted heart affectation was fatal, passing to "that unknown realm from whose borne no traveler has returned" on August 1, 1877, in his 49th. year.

The widow, Henrietta (Hedges) Ewalt (1839) survived her companion nearly 40 years. Without experience she exhibited marked business ability in successfully administering the winding up of a complicated estate. Charity figured largely in her life; rendering assistance where it was needed. While in youth she joined Old Cane Rldge Christian Church, and reluctantly removed membership to be affiliated nearer later residence. The final summons came March 10, 1917, following a two years illness.

Joseph Hedges Ewalt, born July 15, 1865, after the passing of his father was a student at Lexington two years with Threlkeld Select School in the old Masonic Temple, corner Walnut and Short Streets, now the site of the Central Christian church; then three years at Transylvania University. After completing a commercial course at Eastman's National Business College, Poughkeepse, New York, he was employed as bookkeeper by the Delaware Wagon Company, Delaware, Ohio. Severing his connection with that company, he returned to Bourbon County, March 1, 1887, to take charge of the old homestead in conjunction with his mother, where general agricultural pursuits with stock raising have been the main features for more than half a century.

In the historic home of Mr. and Mrs. Williiam Garrard Talbot at Mount Lebanon in Bourbon County, on the 19th. of November 1903, a solemn ceremony was performed by Reverend Cary E. Morgan, pastor of the Paris Christian church, uniting the destinies ot Joseph Hedges Ewalt (1866) and Nancy Clay Thomas born July 17, 1876, the daughter of Keller (1845-1914) and Martha (Anderson) Thomas (1844-1902). She is lineal descendant of Moses Thomas, John Hinkson, John Strode, Andrew Lair, Thomas Pope and Abraham Frye, Senior, veterans of the Revolutionary War. Owing to their service, she holds membership in the Jemima Johnson chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

The father enlisted in the Confederate Army at the age of 16, rendering valliant service under that gallant and intrepid leader, General John Hunt Morgan. Membership in the Richard Hawes chapter, No. 287, United Daughters of the Confederacy, for Mrs. Ewalt (1875) was made available by her father's activlty in behalf of southern cause.

The union of Joseph Hedges Ewalt (1865) and Nancy Clay Thomas Ewalt (1875) has been blessed with two attractive and self reliant daughters, viz; Ann Thomas born October 13, 1904 and Josephine Hedges Ewalt, born July 4, 1906. Their primary education was under the tutelage of Mrs. Fanniebelle Sutherland a noted instructor of Paris, for two years. Finished the four remaining years of graded school at Kiserton in Bourbon County. Had a four years course in Paris high school, graduating in June 1922, under the supervision ot Professor Lee Kirkpatrick, who merits a state wide reputation as a ranking superintendent.

The college courses of freshman and sophomore were taken at Randolph Macon Women's College at Lynchburg, Virginia. The last two years of the classical course were completed at Northwestern Univerelty, Evanston, Ill. The younger sister had the distinction of attaining the honorary scholastic fraternity, Phi Beta Cappa, and ranking highest in scholarahlp of the 1926 graduating class, before attaining the age of 20 years. Chicago has been their home since college careers, "merely using the ancestral home as a parking place."

The elder sister taught school until her marriage to Cloyde Edwin McKinley, born September 6, 1894, of Chicago, but native ot Nebraska. After five years of wedded happiness, the husband was called suddenly to his reward on August 20th, 1938.

The younger sister had a year's course in Journalism-plying that vocation until 1930, when she became associated with the United Savings and Loan League of Chicago, of which she is now publicity director.

It is the pride of their parents, that they are happily situated in the adopted home.

The home life of Joseph Hedges Ewalt (1865) has been all the pleasanter by the cooperation of his companion, who has made his interest, her interest.

Masonry has figured conspicuously in the life of the fifth proprietor of the pioneer homestead since the purchase from John Haggin on August 14, 1788. Upon attaining his majority, he evidenced an interest in this ancient order. The fundamental principle portraying the beauties of the "brotherhood of man", were first unveiled to him on the 12th.of August 1863, at Hiram Lodge No. 18, Free and Accepted Masons, at Delaware, Ohio. Membership waa transferred to Paris upon his return to permanent residence at the place of birth. There have been activities in the local and state bodies.

The honor of being selected the presiding officer of Kentucky's four grand bodies has been conferred upon only eight during the 150 years of the State's Masonic history. Joseph Hedges Ewalt is the sole survivor of those having been the recipient of such a distinguished achievement.

The last preferment was the coronation to the 33rd. and highest degree in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, conferred in "The House the Temple" Washington, District of Columbla, on a large clas__ representing every section of the vast territory.

He has been a member of the Kentucky Society, Sons of the American Revolution since March 26,1909, being a lineal descendant of seven ancestors who rendered service to establish American Independence, viz Henry Ewalt, Joseph Hedges, Joseph Pugh, Samuel Clay, Dr. Henry Clay, William Moran and Abraham Frye, Senior.

Mr. and Mrs. Ewalt have been communicants of the Paris Christian church for more than one-third of a century.

*This article was taken from the archives of the Duncan Tavern Historical Library, Paris, Kentucky. The Ewalt house was recently willed to Joseph Ewalt from Lexington, Kentucky, by the late Josephine Hedges Ewalt. {Robert E. Francis}