From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 689-690.
Brant & Fuller, 1890. 

HISTORY OF THE CROW FAMILY

Jacob Crow, Sr., left Germany when a young man for America.  As he 
left without money as well as leaving his mother and two sisters who 
were all the family, behind, he was sold after landing, a sufficient 
time to pay his passage. After his time was out he married Miss Susan 
Seacress, and lived on and owned a farm near the mouth of Dunkard 
creek, Greene county, Penn., where most of their children were born.  
Between 1765 and 1770, he bought or traded for the farm on south 
branch of Wheeling creek, now known as the old Crow farm, or Crow's 
mills. They raised eleven children, five sons and six daughters, 
named, Frederick, Martin, Peter, John, Michael, Susan, Elizabeth, 
Tena, Catherine, Esther and Mary.  They moved to their new and 
wilderness home when Michael was but a few weeks old. The first night 
they were there the family became alarmed at what they supposed to be 
Indians, and all rushed out in the dark, becoming separated.  The 
mother had the babe, and fearing to call, and also that the child 
might cry, she walked nearly all night, not knowing where, but was 
pleased, when daylight came, to find herself in sight of home.  When 
Michael was seven years old there was an alarm circulated that 
Indians were around, and all fled to the block house at Lindley's, 
Washington county, Penn.  Two men living alone on what is now known 
as the Harsh farm, not getting word soon enough, were killed.  After 
all were at the fort, a number of men started to see about the men 
they supposed to be killed.  John Crow was one of the number, and for 
some reason brought Michael with them to the Farley farm, now owned 
by Thomas Steele.  There they left him, John promising to come back 
that night.  Fearing to stay at the house, he crossed the creek and 
stayed under a cliff of rocks.  At evening he came to the house and 
got something to eat.  Fearing both Indians and wolves, he raised a 
"puncheon" in the floor and arranged so that if Indians came he could 
crawl down and out under the house.  If wolves came, he could go in 
the house and shut the hole.  He was left there till the evening of 
the third day, when the men came back.  The men at Harsh place were 
found dead and buried.  The head of one was gone, and was afterward 
found by some of Jacob Crow's sons while hauling wood.  After the 
block house was built at the Crow farm, word was given that the 
Indians were about.  When they gathered at the fort there in the 
evening, it turned out that Whartons, who lived where Majorsville now 
is, had not been apprised of the danger, and no one seemed willing to 
go.  Michael, then perhaps fifteen years old, said he would go.  
After the warning had been given he was returning across the hill, 
following a footpath through the woods, something attracted his 
attention.  The moon was just rising, he stooped for a better view, 
and saw Indians crouched in the path.  He turned quickly aside and 
jumped behind a tree.  A large dog come after him and he ran to 
another tree, at the same time striking at the dog to keep him off.  
He then took a more circuitous route and got home in safety.  The 
following morning two boys went to catch horses which were running in 
the woods when the Indians came on, captured and took them prisoners.  
They were taken nearly to Moundsville and tied to a tree, while the 
Indians went somewhere.  While left thus alone, they succeeded in 
making their escape.  While the settlers were tending their crops at 
that time they kept part of the men out as spies to watch for the 
redskins.  


(Linda Fluharty)