September 16-1782 was a tragic day for Sarah [her name was Salome,
called "Sally" - the court thought Sarah] Philabaum, for early
on that day her husband, Conrad, and her oldest son, George, were killed
by Indians in an attack on Rice's fort in the Dutch Fork settlement in
Donegal Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. This is 10 miles east
of the Ohio river. In Sarah's own words from the Conrad Philabaum
estate account papers, File P-6, 1787, Washington County courthouse:
We being greatly on the frontier line - this horrid scene hap-
pened as we were all forted at Mr. Rice's and between our cabin
and his blockhouse. This happened, my husband and son as they
fell in the enemy's hand - my husband scalped, lying in his blood,
which was to me a great surprise and affecting sight, the loss
of a good husband and an obedient son.
This attack by 60 Indians has been called the last battle of the Revo-
lution. Indians, ten days later were ordered to cease attacks. Crumrine
in his History of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Phila. 1882) wrote:
Some of the men from the fort had gone to Hagerstown for supplies
and only five were left to defend it, viz.: George Leffler,
Peter Fullenwider, Daniel Rice, George Philabaum and Jacob
Leffler, Jr. This force was increased to six by the arrival
of (Jacob) Miller (Jr.). The Indians soon made their appear-
ance and surrounded the fort. The 6 defenders fired and 3
savages fell. The Indians returned the fire without effect,
but in their second volley they killed George Philabaum, who
was standing at a porthole. The firing was kept up during the
day. Abraham Rice, of the fort, was absent, having set out
for assistance. (page 135)
Crumrine says nothing about the massacre of the older Philabaum.
The PHILABAUM name has countless spellings. They are summarized as:
Ph a a m
e 1 (1) e (n) b (a) u
F i i rn
Conrad Philabaum, with his wife, three sons and five daughters, had
settled on Buffalo Creek's Dutch Fork in 1774. See Virginia Certificate,
No. 280, application for 400 acres, February 18-1780, entered June 6-
1780, at Coxes fort, near Wellsburg, West Virginia. Entry Book, Ohio County,
Virginia at West Virginia University, Morgantown.
This land was surveyed by Pennsylvania for 208 acres on September 24-
1785 (Pennsylvania Archives, hereafter P A, III, 26, 559) under the names
"Philabaum's Grove" and "Copeland". The warrant to accept was dated
December 18-1797; the patent December 29-1797 (Patent Book P, 33, 442;
Washington County Deed Book 330, 157). Adjoinees in 1785 were Jacob Lef-
fler, Jacob Rice, Francis Miller and Christian Weygandt (whose right
passed to Christopher Winter).
The Philabaum family was one of several German-speaking families who
settled in the locality 1773-75. Others who made land claims were:
Jacob Rice (Reis), Jacob and Francis Miller (Muller), Henry Fullenweider
(Vollenweider) Sr. and Jr., Jacob Leffler (Luffler) and John Hupp.
Other settles were Christopher Winter and Andrew and Henry Deeds (Deitz).
Conrad and George Philabaum were not the first to be killed in Indian
attacks in this settlement. On March 31-1782 Jacob Miller and John Hupp
had been killed in an attack on Miller's fort, two miles south of Rice's
fort. In February 1782 John Carpenter had been captured by the Indians
on Buffalo creek, but he escaped.
The massacre of the Moravian Indians at Gnadenhutten, Ohio (about 50
miles west of Rice's fort) on March 8-1782, five months after the surren-
der of Cornwallis, triggered a number of Indian Incursions:
March 30-31 Attack on Miller's fort
May 12 Killing of the Corbley family in Green County - attacks as
far east as Mifflen and Snyder Counties
June 11 Killing of William Crawford in Ohio
July 13 Burning of Hannas Town in Westmoreland County
September 11-13 Attack on Fort Henry (Wheeling) by 240 Indians and
40 British rangers (here Betty Zane gained fame)
September 15-16 Attack on Rice's fort
Little did Contad Philabaum realize what lay before him when he landed
at Philadelphia September 30-1743, with Adam, likely his brother (and
possibly a brother, David, under 16, not listed). Since they were emi-
grants from a German-speaking country, they took the oath of allegiance
to the British King. (Pennsylvania German Pioneers, I, list 101C)
Conrad settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where there were
likely friends or relatives. On August 14-1753 he warranted 100 acres and
on February 28-1754 25 acres in Brecknock Township (P A, III, 24, 410).
His brother, Adam, was taxed in 1753 in the part of Brecknock Township
that became a part of Berks County at it formation in 1752. Misfortune
soon struck Conrad, for as a result of an August 10-1754 court order the
sheriff on November 7 sold his land. (Lancaster County Deed Book D, 207)
In 1756 he was taxed in Brecknock Township (N.G.S. Publication, No. 4,
page 26, 1930); in 1771 in Cocalico Township as a renter ("inmate") (P A,
III, 17, 49).
Adam Philabaum's daughter, Mary Barbara, about 16, took her first
communion at "Cacusy" in Berks County in 1766. (P A, VI, 6, 273) In 1779
Adam paid taxes in Heidleberg Township, Berks County. (P A, III, 18, 231)
In 1780 John (?Adam's son) served in the Lancaster County Militia. (P A,
V. 4, 258; V, 5, 287; III, 23, 355) There is no further record of Adam.
David Philabaum was a renter in Earl Township, Lancaster County in
1782. (P A, III, 17, 890) Christian (?a son) was a single freeman, over
21. Both served in the Lancaster County militia in 1778. (P A, V, 7, 506,
517, 519; VI, 3, 591)
Conrad Philabaum's children are listed in a petition to the July 1797
Washington Court Orphans Court (B, 61). George is the eldest. At the
October 1797 court a report was made on the value of the land. The living
children were:
Christian, Sarah wife of John Seller, Elizabeth wife of Stophel Wyce,
Christiana wife of George Leffler, Catharine wife of George Snyder,
Mary wife of Henry Deeds
A son, Adam, was dead. See Washington County Will Book 2, 1.
Conrad and George took the oath of allegiance in Ohio County, Virginia
in 1777; George October 4, Conrad December 17. See H. L. Leckey, The Ten
Mile Country and its Pioneer Families, III, 17, 20.
The Donegal Township tax lists record:
1784 Sarah 200 acres, value $80
1793 Adam 200 acres - a single freeman 1794
1798 Christian 200 acres, value $654; house worth $10
Christian Philabaum, the surviving son, died in Donegal Township
before March 16-1835, althought taxed in 1835. Two deeds (Washington
County Deed Books 2D, 100 and 3H, 408) give the names of his sons, and
his wife, Elizabeth. He had one or two daughters. Christian Philabaum
sold 78 acres 1806, 1 acre 1818, 50 acres 1819. The heirs sold the rest,
74 acres in 1849.
The widow, "Sarah" Philabaum, married a neighbor, Jacob Rice. He died
soon after 1800. The will of Sarah Rice is in Will Book 2, 1. A Rice
deed lists her as "Sally". The man who wrote her will correctly used
"Salome". Rice in German is Reis. The feminine ending is Reisen.
So her will is listed as that of "Salome Risson". It was written July
23 and probated October 8-1803. Sons Christian and Adam (deceased) are
named. In 1795 her second husband, Jacob Rice, made an agreement with
son, Abraham Rice, to supply Jacob and Sarah annually 150 pounds of
pork, 10 bushels of corn, 20 pounds of sugar, half a bushel of salt,
and 12 pounds of tow and flax. They are likely buried in the Zion United
Methodist cemetery, about 4 miles north of Claysville. The church dates
back to 1799 - originally United Brethren (German Methodist).
The settlement of the estate of George Philabaum, son of Conrad is
found in Account File P-1, 1785, Washington County. A bond was issued
April 1-1783 to Catharine Philabaum, administratrix, and Francis Miller
and Andrew Deeds as bondsmen. Appraisers were appointed May 8. The in-
ventory was made June 4-1783. Accounts were filed January 4-1784.
The appraisal was Pounds 24-16-10. The charges against the estate were
Pounds 24-19-9, of which Pounds 21-5-0 was for care of a child from December 9-
1782 to March 9-1787. Apparently the child was born December 9 and cal-
culation was made that by March 9-1787 (4 1/4 years) the balance of the
estate would be used up. It is an unusual proceeding. The inventory
was made by Francis Miller (possibly George's father-in-law) and Law-
rence Stults. It listed:
black horse 3 old jackets
roan mare 2 pairs breeches
bell and bell collar pair thread stackers
2 pack saddles hunting shirt
mall rings and bridle bit 2 young hogs
small pot silver brooch
loom irons 2 pairs old leggings
table furniture pocket book
gun barrel with some pair shoe buckles
mounderies thimble and cross blades
powder horn and shot pouch handkerchief
mattock and weeding hoe 1 ½ yards linen
spinning wheel testament
2 bags 2 yards linen
small coat
The estate papers of Conrad Philabaum in Account Files P-6, 1787 and
P-10, 1797 show that bonds were issued twice and accounts filed twice.
Apparently, the 1787 accounts omitted some inventory items and additional
expenses,. part of which were related to the land. The first bond was
November 26-1785 to Sarah and Christian Philabaum, administrator, and
George Leffler and Jacob Caume as bondsmen. The second bond was June 5-
1797 to Sarah and Christian with Christopher Winter and Henry Rice, bonds-
men. The inventory was taken December 1, with vendue (sale) on December
13. Accounts were filed December 20, but examination was not completed
until May 2-1787. The inventory was corrected and submitted with a new
set of accounts June 5-1797. In 1785 the appraisal was Pounds 19-0-3 with a
balance of Pounds 13-0-0. In 1797 the appraisal was Pounds 29-4-10 ½ with a balance
of Pounds 22-19-0. Expense items added in 1797 were:
minister 1-7-9; whiskey at the sale 7-6 and charge for surveying the
land 2-12-9.
Sarah Philabaum filed these statements:
The goods that I took for my use is as follows:
1782 November 3 hogs, small bull for our winter meat;
sold a cow for a bushel of salt
1783 sold cow for 5 Pounds cash; yearling steer for 20-0;
bought a horse; sold a hog for 8 bushels of corn;
lent 8 bushels of wheat; killed a hog for winter meat
1784 killed 2 hogs for winter meat; lost a hoe; lent a
pair of old --- and a leading line; got bull's hide
for shoe leather; gave some leather for a pair of
shoes for the horse
September 16-1782. By our care and industry I have raised a
heifer 2 ½ years old, another heifer 1 ½ years old and this
year a calf and likewise I have raised 3 hogs. This is the
amount of my stock - all that I have raised by me. Sarah Philabaum
The inventory of Conrad Philabaum, late of Buffalo Creek, was made
by William Johnston and Isaac Morris, on December 1-1785. It was:
hand mill 2 table forks and knife
sundry vessels, such as earthen pot and earthen cup
cellars, churn, bucket, dish 3 iron pots and pot rack and rails
frying pan pewter, dish, basin, 6 plates
sundry other things such as quart tankard and cup
flash forks, shears, 8 spoons
scraper, hammer spinning wheel
box of iron, gimlet bedstead and clothing
hammer and anvil pair of plow irons, 2 clevests and hang-
mail rings, wedge, chain ings to a double tree
bell and 2 straps with 2 hoes bridle
dung fork brown cow
small pair cellars table and chair
pepper box
Added May 31-1797 were:
2 drawing knives broad axe
foot adze yarding hoe
old shovel book, lamp and bags
old fire shovel
The vendue list of December 13-1785 was:
Sarah Philabaum 2 cellars, mall rings and wedge, earthen pot & bucket,
2 hoes, dish of pewter, 4 plates, 4 spoons & tankard,
2 plates & spoons, large iron pot, kettle post, box of
iron, chair & table, brown cow, pair small bellows,
frying pan
George Leffler keg, dung fork
Jacob Razer 2 cellars, churn, hand mill
Henry Deeds hammer & scythe
Robert Graham bell & straps
Casper Simler axe, chisel, gimlet, plow irons, double tree, clevests
William Johnston lamp & chair, pot rack, pickling tub
Francis Miller bag
Lawrence Stultz iron pot
Jeremiah Dunn pewter cup, bridle
added May 31-1797
Christopher Miller black heifer
George Leffler black heifer
Isaac Morris calf
Sarah Philabaum horse, young bull
George Miller handkerchief
Daniel Rice handkerchief
Henry Fullenwider handkerchief
PHILABAUM Conrad Philabaum b c1723 d Sep 16-1782 Donegal Twp m c1750
Salome d 1803, she m2 Jacob Rice, in her will are named sons, Christian,
Adam, John Seller(s) and Henry Deeds - Conrad landed 1743 with bro-
ther, Adam - in Lancaster Co, Pa, 1771 - Conrad's administratrix,
"Sarah" Philabaum, Nov 26-1785, administrator, Christian Philabaum,
Jun 5-1797; sureties, George Leffler, Jacob Caume; second bond covered
additional expenses, land, minister for funeral Pounds 1-7-9
Conrad and Salome Philabaum had children baptized at Muddy Creek
Reformed Church, Lancaster Co, Pa 1 3 6 9 - Adam Philabaum had
children baptized about 1751 and in 1755
1. Elizabeth Philabaum bap Jan 24-1751 m Christopher Weiss (Wyce) Aug 8-1768
(Dau Mary b Apr 13-1769)
2. Catharine Philabaum b c1753 m George Snyder
3. George Philabaum bap Mar 9-1755 d Sep 16-1782 Donegal Twp m c1781
Catharine ?Miller b c1762 - child b Dec 9-1782 - George's admini-
stratrix, Catharine Philabaum, Apr 1-1783; sureties, Francis
Miller, Andrew Deeds
4. Christiana Philabaum b c1757 d c1816 m c1778 George Leffler
b 1751 d bef 1836 Harrison Co, Ind
Ch: Jacob, David, Daniel, Jonathan, John
5. Mary Philabaum b c1760 m c1781 Henry Deeds - 1 son, 2 daughters
6. Salome bap Jul 10-1763 d young
7. Christian Philabaum b c1764 d 1835 Donegal Twp m c1797 Elizabeth ---
a. David b c1800 m c1825 ?Esther --- - 1850 Green Twp, Ross Co, Ohio
Ch: Elizabeth 1826-, Mary 1828-, David 1831-, Peter 1834-,
?Galila 1836-, Lydia 1838-, Martha 1842-, Drusilla 1845-,
Sophia 1847-
b. Simon b c1802 m 1831 Agnes b c1803 -1850 Donegal Twp Dau: Christina 1835-
c. John b c1805 m 1826 Mary Reed b 1806 - 1850 White Eyes Twp, Coshocton Co, Ohio
Ch: Isaac1832-, Catharine 1834-, Eliza 1836-,
Sarah Jane 1838-, Levi 1840-, and likely others
d. George b c1807 m 1837 Sarah Miller b 1820 - 1850 same twp as John
Ch: Alexander 1838-, Docitha 1840-, Hannah 1842-, Eliza
1844-, John 1846-, Mary 1849-, and two others
e. Christian b c1809 left Donegal 1835 - he may have m Elizabeth---
b 1819 who was living in Donegal Twp 1860 with these children
Ch: Thomas 1840-, David 1846-, Nancy 1852-, Mary 1854-,
John 1857-, Joseph 1857-
f. Peter b Apr 11-1811 d Feb 13-1878 W Va - 1849 in Brooke Co
m c1831 Elizabeth McCormick
Ch: Levi 1832-1913, Mary 1834-, (Payne), John 1836-1917,
Elaska (in Ohio), James, Jane(Simpson), George (in Ohio),
Jacob Emery 1846-1928, Corinda (Crawford), Dessie (Mazingo)
g. Isaac b c1813 m1 c 1831 Jane Harvey, m2 c1843 Margaret --- b 1810
1850 Adams Twp, Coshocton Co, Ohio
Ch: William J 1832-, Jane M 1834-, John H 1836-, Joseph Bryan
1838-, Margaret 1844-, Isaac 1846-, Sarah C 1848-, and
possibly others.
h. Jacob b 1816 m 1839 Mary --- b 1818 - 1850 Donegal Twp
Ch: Hester J 1840-, Elizabeth 1843-, George 1849-, and others
i. Levi b 1819 d 1861 Donegal Twp m 1842 Mary Margaret Ritchie b c1822
Ch: George 1843-, Rebecca 1845-, David 1847-, Margaret 1851-,
John 1853-, Jacob 1855-, Kaye 1859-
8. Adam Philabaum b c1766 d c1795, single
9. Salome (Sarah) Philabaum b Feb 24-1769 living 1819 Donegal Twp
m c1789 John Seller(s)
Raymond M. Bell
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