Union County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Its Townships, Towns, Churches, Schools, etc.; General and Local Statistics; Military Records; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; History of the Northwest Territory; History of Ohio; Miscellaneous Matters, etc. etc. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883.

"James CURRY the subject of this biographic sketch was born near Belfast, Ireland, Jan. 29, 1752. He was the first born child of James Curry, a prosperous Irish farmer of County Antrim. His mother's maiden name was Warwick, showing an English origin in her side of the family. Her relatives were prominent in England during Cromwell's time siding with the great commander and one of them, a Capt. Warwick, was among the number shot to death after the restoration. Very little is known, however, of the far-off lady, not even her given name. We only know that she was a Warwick, that she was of Protestant stock that she was married to James Curry, near Belfast about the year 1750, that before leaving Ireland she bore her husband five children, two sons and three daughters, that after reaching America and settling with her husband in Virginia, she bore him for additional children, three daughters and one son; that at the close of the Revolutionary war, she removed with her husband to the neighborhood of Paris, KY., and there, some years after, died at the age of ninety-three. The Protestants of the North of Ireland were and are to this day an educated people, cultivated, prosperous, tolerant, and the inference which supported by tradition is that her family was a superior one. Certainly she inherited from it sterling virtues and received a liberal education, which were in turn bestowed upon her own children.

Of James Curry, her husband, the father of the subject of this sketch, we know about as little. It has been claimed that his ancestors entered Britain with the Normans, at the time of the conquest, but an excellent authority asserts that the Currys are of pure Celtic stock and owe their origin solely to the Irish of pre-historic days. The Scotch and Welsh are of the same race, and so were the ancient Britons. Ireland is honey-combed with Currys, and while they are generally of the middle-class, plain, well-to-do citizens, there are in the Counties ?Caran? and ?Fermanah?, castles or their remains which were once the abode of nobles of the name, Lords Belmone and Lowry Curry, and Lord Clon Curry. Many towns bear the name such as Tubercurry, Bathcurry, etc. From time immemorial almost, these families have had large landed possessions in the counties named, and in fact all over Ireland the name, either spelled with a u or an o, is as plentiful as Smith in this country.

The immediate family of this James Curry, were Irish Presbyterians, thrifty, doubtless, and intelligent, for they had so educated their son that he, in turn, had before quitting Ireland began to prepare his son (the subject of this sketch) for the ministry. It is well known, indeed, that Col. James Curry had been in early childhood marked for the holy calling, had begun his studies to that end, and had had, according to a custom of that place and day, his hair cropped and his head adorned with a wig, in token of the life he had been ordained to lead. But a far different career was in store of the young novitiate. When but ten years of age, his father's thoughts were turned to the New World, then as now the Land of Promise for struggling Irishmen. The family accordingly embarked at Belfast for America on board the ship "Good Return" some time in 1762. A large colony accompanied, including several brothers with their families and other relatives. The ship was a stanch and fast sailer, which had once made the voyage in five weeks time, but this trip she had been overloaded, so that what with head winds and counter-currents, her passage across the Atlantic was prolonged to fifteen weeks. Disease, starvation and death meanwhile made sad havoc among the passengers and crew. The greatest part died and were buried at sea, among them the four youngest children of James Curry. The ship finally made Philadelphia, and the James Curry family stepped ashore with but three, where seven should have been in number. The family seems then to have at once started with other relatives for Virginia; one of the brothers went, however, to Pennsylvania, and one, from which the famous Methodist divine, Rev. Dr. Curry, is descended, settled in New York. But it is only with James Curry's family that this sketch is concerned. Going to the neighborhood of Staunton, in Augusta County, VA., the emigrant, James Curry, with his Warwick wife and one son, James, then ten years of age, settled down to a planter's life. This removal to Augusta County is supposed to have been made very soon after landing at Philadelphia. It may have been later, however, and if so, where the family lived meanwhile is unknown. The land records at Richmond, A., contain the name of James Curry as a patentee for a large body of land "on both sides of the North River of Shenandoah," dated April 6, 1769. If this patent was issued to James Curry, the emigrant, its day may fix the time of his settlement in Virginia, though of course he could have lived there for several years prior thereto. And then, again, it may have issued to his son, James Curry (of whom we write), who was at the time seventeen years of age.

Of James Curry, Sr., we only know further, that after settling in Virginia, there were born to him ur children -- Susan, Rebecca, Polly and John. That after the close of the Revolutionary war, he removed to the neighborhood of Pairs, Ky., where at an advanced age, he died and was buried.

Some of his children, certainly John, accompanied him into Kentucky, others among them, James, the subject of this sketch remained in Virginia. Of the sisters and the brother of Col. Curry, it may be briefly stated that Susan married Rev. William Erwin and removed to what is now the State of Indian, where her descendants now live; and Rebecca married John Erwin, whose descendants now reside in the southern part of Union County; Polly, married Wallace Harmonson, whose descendants live in Iowa and Texas; John married Ann McConnell, and both he and his wife lived and died in Kentucky.

Some time after, a daughter who had married a Mr. Thornton, becoming widowed, removed to Hanover, Ind., having in charge a much younger sister, Anna R. (whom she had raised), together with several children of her own. These children, girls, were married, one to a Rev. Mr. rice, one to a Mr. James Gardner and one to a Mr. Andrews, and Anna R. to a Rev. Mr. Mills. They all, except Anna R. and her husband, now live in California.

Returning to Col. James Curry -- whose name and memory this article is intended to perpetuate -- it is known that, having lived and worked on a farm with his father for several years after landing at Philadelphia, he at the age of fourteen began teaching a school in the neighborhood, showing that the foundation for his intended ministerial life had been pretty well laid in the old country, since there could have been few opportunities for study opened to him after reaching America. Thus employed -- summers working the farm, and winters teaching -- the lad grew into manhood, strong of limb and vigorous on intellect, when a call having been made by Lord Dunmore, then Governor of Virginia, for volunteers to suppress the Indians who were massacreing the white settlers of the Ohio River frontier. At the age of twenty-two, he took his first step as a soldier, enlisting as a private at Staunton. His company was finally assigned to one of the regiments which made up the force of 1,500 men, with which Gen. Andrew Lewis made a tell-some journey across the mountains and rendezvoused, under orders to await a junction with Lord Dunmore at Point Pleasant, where the Kanawha enters the Ohio River. Here occurred the famous battle of point Pleasant, where the whites, though at heavy loss, were victorious -- a battle which put an end to the conflict known in history as Cresap's War, and which led some weeks after to the noted council with the Indians near Chillicothe, in which the Mingo chief, Logan, arraigned the whites in a burst of scathing eloquence. Of this battle Col. Curry's recollections are most vivid. The morning of October 10, 1774, as the little army lay in cap, on the point of land made b the junction of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, awaiting the coming of Lord Dunmore, an immense body of Indians under command of the chief, Cornstalk, crept upon it, and by daylight a bloody conflict was in progress. The historic account of this fight is of course familiar to all, and need not be repeated. Suffice to say that Col. Curry's often-told story of the battle, agreed in the main with the published accounts. The whites themselves adopted the Indian's tactics and took to the trees for shelter, thus reducing the battle as it were, to a sort of duel between individuals, the combatants fighting each other to the death of one, and then turning to engage another. In this manner the desperate struggle continued from daylight to sunset until the Indians finally, under the impression that the white were being re-enforced, fled to the north bank of the Ohio. Young Curry was closely engaged throughout the greater part of the day, using now one tree, now another for cover, and doubtless sent many a daring brave to his long home. Toward evening, however, becoming two venturesome, he was himself shot through the right elbow by an unseen foe, while in the act of leveling his gun at his immediate antagonist. Falling down amongst the roots of the large elm tree, behind which he had been fighting he lay concealed till the close of the battle. One of his stories of the day, told in after years with much glee, was that when the surgeon came to dress his wound, he asked if it would be hurtful to drink a glass of wine? To which it was replied, "Not if he drank it with the surgeon." This would of course ended his fighting for the time, and threw home amongst the invalids, and to the rear and homeward, when Gen. Lewis afterward crossed the Ohio in pursuit of the Indians.

Reaching home, the young soldier went again to work upon his father's farm, having sufficiently recovered from his wound, though he could never after lift a cup of water or coffee to his lips with that right arm.

But stirring times were impending. The colonists, restive and maddened under British oppression, had already in their legislative bodies inaugurated the Revolution. These Irish immigrants had no more love for England then than have the same class of men today, and it may be well supposed that the Currys espoused the cause of the colonists, and not alone from motives of patriotism. It is remembered that the elder Curry was an untiring and powerful advocate of the patriot's cause, and when at length the blow was struck, his son James required no urging to take part in the conflict. He was then a young man of twenty-four, strong and active and not unused to the duties of a soldier. His campaign to the Indian country, and experience at Point Pleasant two years before, had been good schooling for him, and we find that very soon after being enrolled, he was named a Lieutenant in the Eighth Virginia Regiment, Continental Establishment. It is not known exactly what time the young soldier began service, however, though we do know the date of his Lieutenant's commission. A statement of his account with the United States Government up to December 31, 1781 (hereafter shown in the fascimile, fixes the beginning of his Lieutenancy at June 24, 1777, yet he must have been for some moths before a private, or non-commissioned officer; however, has served as a Lieutenant in the Eight Virginia until September 23, 1779, when he was commissioned as a Captain in the Fourth Virginia, and so served doubtless until the close of the war. During the greater part of this service he was on staff duty, most of the time at the headquarters of Col. Nathaniel Gist. Winters he was usually detailed as a recruiting officer at Staunton, summers always in the field with his chief.

With the scanty authority at command (and it may be stated that a great public library has been assiduously, but vainly searched, it is impossible to fix accurately the part taken by the Eighth and Fourth Virginia Regiments in the war. It is known, however, that Col. Curry himself was at the battle of Brandywine, on the 11th of September, 1777, the first general engagement between the American forces under Gen. Washington's immediate command and the British. He was indeed with the army under Washington through the whole of the disastrous fall campaign of 1777. He participated in the famous battle fo Germantown October 4, 1777, and was often heard to recite the stirring incidents of that engagement. A memorandum in the hand writing of the late Otway Curry, his son, describing evidently in Col. Curry's own words the part taken by himself in the battle, may be of interest.

"After Brandywine, the two armies came in close contact at the White House, but our forces crossed the river higher up and encamped at the Eighteen Mile Stone. During our stay at this place, we distinctly heard the cannonading at Mud Fort, and heard also the explosion of the Augusta. The Commanding General having determined to attack the British forces at Germantown, issued a general order for the encouragement of the troops, wherein was displayed, in glowing colors, the recent success of the Northern army under Gates at Saratoga. About dusk the whole force was in motion, moving directly on Germantown, which was situated on the main road to Philadelphia. Unavoidable delays, occasioned by the ammunition wagons and artillery, together with the fatigues of a night march, so far overcame the watchfulness of the troops that many of the files were actually dozing, and would have halted and slept upon their feet, had it not been for the impulse given them by other files immediately succeeding them. Still further inconvenience was experienced on account of the road being in many places obstructed by shallow pools of water. The advancing platoons filed off to right and left for the purpose of passing with dry feet, a movement which could not be accomplished without considerate delay. One being acquainted with the circumstance, Geo. Washington rode hastily forward and addressed the officers personally. 'Gentlemen, Officers, I call upon you to exert yourselves. If you keep filing around every mud-puddle in this manner, when shall we reach the enemy?' The effect of this laconic address was very salutary. Officers and privates went forward by common consent with a quicker and firmer step. There was no more going around the puddles, obstacles were unheeded, and there seamed to be no feeling but to reach the British quarters in the quickest time possible.

"About daybreak the advance came upon the picket guard of the enemy at Chestnut Hill, which retreated precipitately, after discharging a field piece to give the alarm to the main body. After a short but rapid pursuit, we found ourselves suddenly confronted by the British lines at Germantown, and in a few moments the random firing, which had been previously kept up, was succeeded by an almost unremitted crash of small arms and artillery, along the whole extent of the contending armies. The morning was darkened by a heavy fog, which blended with the smoke of the firing, had became so thick that we were unable to distinguish the British uniform at twenty paces and were only assured of their locality by the streams of fire emitted from their pieces, which were leveled toward us. The enemy very soon gave way, and were unable to make a decided stand until nearly noon, when they were re-enforced by a strong detachment from Philadelphia, under the command of Lord Cornwallis. Our troops being imperfectly disciplined and flushed with success, were unfortunately in disorder at this critical juncture, and were in consequence, though not until after a hard struggle, forced literally to retreat from victory. We were pursued by the enemy a distance of two or three miles, until we attained a favorable position on some rising ground, from whence we were enabled to check their progress by a few discharges of artillery. The retreat was then continued some distance beyond the former encampment."

It is a matter of history that Washington was forced to make this battle, which ended in defeat, by public clamor, and against his better judgement.

The army of Washington engaged in no more battles that fall, and was winter approached went into camp at Valley Forge. The suffering of this camp were often alluded to by Col. Curry, the historical descriptions which are familiar to all.

The evacuation of Philadelphia by the British, under Sir Henry Clinton, June 18, 1778 opened the campaign of that year. Washington put his army in motion, and following the retreating British, attacked them at Monmouth, N.J., June 28. It was a drawn battle, as history tells, nevertheless the British, fearing to risk a second day's engagement stole away in the night, and by daybreak were beyond pursuit. It was here that Gen. Washington so severely arraigned Gen. Lee for the disorderly retreat of his troops. Col. Curry was within hearing, and distinctly remembering, was often heard to repeat the stinging words of the great commander. Riding up to Lee, he said: "Sir, what means this disorderly retreat?" "Sir, your raw militia cannot cope with the British regulars." Replied Lee. "You have not tried them," said Washington and wheeling his horse rallied the flying columns. Then turning to Lee, he asked, "Will you command?" "Yes," exclaimed the discomfited officer, "and I will not be the first to leave the field." Neither was he, but for the rest of the day carried his troops valiantly through the hottest of the fight.

Col. Curry remained with the army in the field until the winter following, when he was detailed for the recruiting service and stationed at Staunton. In the spring he returned to the army and was on active staff duty, following the fortunes of the army of Washington throughout the year. The winter of 1779 found him again at Staunton as a recruiting officer. Again in the spring of 1780 we find him in the filed and as active operations were this year transferred to the Carolinas, his experiences were uneventful. The following winter he was again at Staunton, recruiting men, but he seems to have returned early to the army, for he was one of the 700 veteran Virginians detached and ordered to the relief of Gen. Lincoln, who was defending Charleston, S.C. Col. Curry's story of the march to the succor of that beleaguered city is remembered as of thrilling interest. The column started from Philadelphia in February, 1781. The snow was the deepest that had ever been known, and was badly drifted. It was crusted over, however, as to uphold horses and wagons, and was so deep that artillery even could be hauled over the tops of fences. But in low places and along the streams wagons and artillery were constantly breaking through, entailing the hardest work to get them again onto solid snow. Reaching the neighborhood of Charleston, they were taken into small boats in an endeavor to enter the city by water at night; they had a sorry time, however, drifting about in the harbor, frequently losing sight of the city's lights and were finally compelled to board a French vessel, and remain 'til morning. April 7,1781, they rowed into the city, entering it just two days before the British blockading squadron closed the harbor. Two days more and they would have been spared the consequences of Gen. Lincoln's surrender, for they could not have passed the cordon of British troops which forbade a land approach. For more that a month the beleaguered Americans defended themselves, with heroics fortitude, soldiers and citizens combated every British approach, but were finally on the 12th of May compelled to succumb. The capitulation put the American troops on parole as prisoners of war, and for some months Col. Curry was compelled to a life of inactivity. During the siege, the Colonel was severely wounded in the hand by a bursting of a shell. After the surrender, the American officers were treated with much distinction by their British captors. An incident, often related by Col. Curry, exhibits the wonderful agility of the man at this time and the dexterity to which he had arrived in the use of the sword.

Out walking one day in the environs of the city, accompanied by a party of British officers, a rabbit was espied. Drawing his sword he mad a plunge, and spitting the unfortunate animal, turned, and with a polite bow, extended it to the principal officer of the party.

While lying at Charlestown, he figured too, in an affair of honor, no less than a duel, between his chief, Gen. Nathaniel Giest (for whom he was a second) and Gen. Wade Hampton, ancestor of the celebrated South Carolinian, now bearing this name. But one shot was fired and the matter was settled without bloodshed.

His account of the duel, as well as of another in which he was one time during the war a second, is well remembered. In the other affair, he supported a Capt. Kirkpatrick, a fiery Irish officer, who engaged a Capt. McCook.

In this encounter Capt. McCook was severely wounded, and so hot was the contest that a tragedy was barely avoided. Duels in those days were, however, of frequent occurrence amongst the officers, and Col. Curry seemed never to attach much importance to the part he had played in the two referred to.

From the surrender of Charleston, even the principal points in the military career of Col. Curry are involved in doubt. The length of time he was on parole as a prisoner of war is uncertain, but it is a family tradition that it was for fourteen months, during which time he "was not to cross any river, bay or arm of the sea, nor to go farther than five miles into the country." On the other hand, it is claimed that the young officer was early exchanged and was in the fall following at the siege of Yorktown, October 19, 1781. Certainly Gen. Lincoln was there as was most of the army which had been humiliated the May before in South Carolina. But whether at Yorktown or not, he was in the service until the close of the war and is thought to have been with Washington when the great leader made his triumphant entry into New York City, November 25, 1783. The term of Col. Curry's service is furthermore fixed beyond dispute by the wording of an old land patent, dated March 16, 1816 and signed my James Madison, President.

This patent recites that "in consideration of military service performed by James Curry, a captain ic) for six months more that six years, to the Untied States in the Virginia line in Continental establishment * * * * * * there is granted by the Untied States unto the said James Curry, etc."

The fall and winter of 1783 wound up the war of the Revolution, the British evacuating New York and quitting the country the day of Washington's entry. The 4th of December following the commander-in-chief took farewell of his officers and wen to Annapolis where Congress was in session, where December 23, he resigned his commission.

About this time, Col. Curry's commission must have expired, or he had been mustered out of the service, as it is known that he was in Staunton a good part of the winter of 1783-84. He had served his country valiantly and well through the long and bloody struggle for independence and at the close we find him returned to the avocations of peace, among the foremost of his countrymen shaping and administering the laws of the newly unfranchised country.

Concluding our necessarily imperfect and meager history of Col. Curry's military career we are happily able to present a fascimile of a statement of his account with the United States during a portion of his service. It is on a great sheet of old time paper, yellow with age (it must have been written in 1782), and strikingly exhibits in its careful ruling, its regular columns, and beautifully shaped characters, the methodic habits of the man and the experiences with which he could when required, handle the pen. It will be noticed that his calculations were in pounds, shillings and pence, and as indication of the worthless condition to which the currency of the colonies was then reduced it should be observed that his second column of figures on each page is a showing of the true values of the moneys handled, being but two percent of the whole. Unlike most accounting offices these times, it will be noticed to, that Col. Curry was a creditor of the Government he had been serving having a balance in his favor of some hundreds of pounds.

At Staunton, he filled several important civil offices, amongst others, Clerk of the Court of Augusta County. He was then thirty-one years of age, in the prime of intellectual and paysies vigor, and, having rendered conspicuous military services, was entitled to and received the unbounded confidence of the people of that county.

The 20th day of November, 1784, he was married near Staunton to the daughter of a Capt. Robert Burns (then deceased), who had been an honored officer in the Pennsylvania line throughout the war. His home had been at Charlottesville, N.C., where this daughter was born 10th October 1768. She was a beautiful young girl when married to Col. Curry, scarcely more than half her husband's age, but well educated and of unusual strength of character, and she was simple Mary Burns when married, but the name did not please her husband and it was agreed that it should be changed to Maria. But this did not fully satisfy the ardent man, and his young wife was finally persuaded to answer to the name of Maria Magdalene, by which was ever after known. The child had been, during the war, a great deal with her father, who it seems was an officer of the departments of supplies, stationed in many different points. She had thus, though but a mere child, been an eye witness of many of the stirring scenes of the Revolution, and, in after years, recounted with an unfailing memory the numerous thrilling incidents of her army experience. She was a great reader, especially of poetry, and among all her favorites in the latter years of her life, none stood so high as Robert Burns, with whose family her own was understood to be connected She was tall of person and finely formed, her hair luxuriant and dark brown, and her eyes a beautiful blue. She had a tuneful voice of winning sweetness, and must have been withal a charming handsome woman indeed. She had, too, an extraordinary memory, and could repeat, as she often did to her children, her favorite poetry by the hour. Then she was ever telling her children old stories and fairy tales and the venerable Mrs. Martha, Boal Taylor, of Columbus, who lived in her childhood on an adjoining farm, remembers that it was her supreme delight to get an evening at Mrs. Curry's fireside and listen to her wonderful accounts of the land of elfs. The late Otway Curry was never weary talking of this mother of his, whose poetic heart had instilled into his own such a love of the beautiful and true. She it was who first turned his eyes to the glory of the starry heavens, and taught him the names of the constellations, and she it was who guided his early lisping tongue to put sweet thoughts and beautiful words into rhythm and rhyme.

Her transition from her life of ease and comfort to which she had been accustomed in Virginia to the wilderness of Ohio must have been a sad trial, but it is in evidence that she accepted her lot, and shared with her husband and children the discomforts of a pioneer cabin courageously and uncomplainingly. She died January 10, 1825, on the farm in Jerome Township, which her husband had settled in 1811.

But to resume in connected form a narrative of the life of Col. Curry. We find that after marriage he lived for a year in Staunton, and here the first child of the happy couple was born, a boy, whom they named Robert Burns, in honor of the young mother's dead father. This child was born November 2, 1785, dying when grown to manhood, December 7,1805, at his father's home, in the new State of Ohio. The year 1785 Col. Curry moved to Rockingham C. H., afterward called Harrisonburg, county seat of the newly made county of Rockingham. He engaged in merchandising in this new home, and held the while several offices of trust, both civil and military. He was amongst other things, Brigade Inspector of the Seventh Brigade, a salaried position of much importance. It was his duty to attend each place of muster, and "superintend the exercise" of the troops. In this connection, a very interesting paper, in the hands of W. L. Curry, signed by Brig. Gen. Isaac Zane, exists, directing "Major" James Curry to attend for the purpose of "Superintending the exercises" of the regiments, the several mustering places named Woodstock, Cunningham's Mill, Harrisonburg and Staunton. It is dated September 26, 1794.

Here a half sister* of his wife, a daughter of her father's second marriage, Peggy, was married about the year 1798, to one Jewitt Gamble, to whom numerous children were born -- children whose descendants are to-day scattered all through the South. This Jewitt Gamble was a brother to Robert Gamble, one of Staunton's leading merchants of the day, a man who afterward removed to Richmond, and became one of the heaviest business men of that city and immensely wealthy. He married Letitia, a daughter of Gen. James Breckenridge, and left two sons, one of whom became Governor of Florida and the other of Missouri. One of his daughters married William Wirt, one Chancellor Harper, of South Carolina, and one W. H. Cabill, Governor of Virginia.

In Harrisonburg, Col. Curry greatly prospered, and here his second child, James A., was born, March 30, 1787, who coming with his parents into Union County, lived to a ripe old age and died March 1, 1874. And here was born a son, Otway, March 30, 1789, who died when but three years old. Here, too, was born Harriet, their first girl child, who died an infant, in her second year. Here, too was born Harriet smith, April 3,1793, who came with her parents to Ohio, was married to James Buck, and died in Union County August 10, 1845.

In the fall of 1797, Col. Curry determined to remove to the territory of Ohio, in which the State of Virginia had reserved an immense tract of land for the use of her soldiers in the war of the Revolution. It was the soldier's ultima thule, and glowing accounts of its vast reaches of forest and alluvial bottom lands having reach Virginia, thither flocked the men of war, with their families and friends, in rapidly increasing numbers. Selling his property, Col. Curry with his little family safely sheltered in a great wagon drawn by five horses started October 5, 1797 for his long journey over the mountains of Virginia. Reaching Morganstown on the Mononghela River, he embarked on a flat-boat and made the remainder of the journey down that stream and the Ohio, and to the confines of the territory of his destination by water.

This voyage was very tedious, some six months having been consumed in making it, and very hazardous. The winter of 1797-98 was a hard one, the rivers full of ice and floating trees, so that very often the devoted family thought themselves doomed to destruction. However, the mouth of the Scioto River was finally entered, and after weeks of contest against its angry current, the wanderers at length reached was afterward known as High Bank Prairie, Ross County, landing April 1, 1798. Here Col. Curry erected his first house, a cabin without door, floor, or windows, in which he lived for two years. He then removed to the present site of Greenfield, Highland County, where for eleven years, he lived and cultivated the land. Here three children were born -- Stephenson, December 3, 1801, who died in Union County, April 2, 1861; Otway, March 26, 1804, who died in Marysville February 15, 1855; and Louisa, July 21, 1807, who came with her parents to Union County, where she married Nelson Cone and still lives. The settlement at Greenfield was a prosperous and healthy one, numbering some 200 souls; and during the whole of Col. Curry's residence there, not a physician lived in the place. The nearest doctor was at Chillicothe, twenty miles away, and when sickness did occur, Col. Curry was always called upon for prescriptions. He was surgeon, too, for broken limbs and fractured bones, but it is not recorded that he ever undertook to amputate an offending member.

Col. Curry held but one office, we believe, while living in Highland County, that of Brigade Inspector. His service as an officer in the Revolutionary army was, of course, well known, and he had been often urged to take a part in military matters, but had steadily refused. Duncan McArthur had been for a long time the Inspector, but had, for some reason, become unpopular when, one general muster (1806 probably), it was decided to oust him. An officer named Christian Platter said, "Let's elect a man who has some sense," whereupon the voters, with one single exception, cast their ballots for Col. Curry (McArthur getting just one vote), who had, at once, though protesting and unwilling, to take the office. McArthur, who had before this been a frequent visitor and an industrious reader of the Colonel's ample library of books, never again entered Col. Curry's door. At the next election, Col., Curry peremptorily refused and Gen. McArthur was again given the place. In this connection an amusing story is told. McArthur was so elated that he broke in three barrels of whisky, inviting the boys to help themselves and they desired and be happy. A grand old carousal, worthy the time and the men followed. Col. Curry's horse got loose, and going home, warned the family to send for the master. His son, James A., started immediately, and midway met a man named Hamilton, drunk and happy. He was sober enough, however, to declare that the "muster was over, that it had been a glorious time; that there had been a great outpouring of spirit, and that over 300 souls were down!"

Col. Curry brought with him warrants for many thousand acres of land, issued for military services. He had also a warrant for 9,000 acres issued because of money paid into the treasury of the State of Virginia. The military warrants were variously laid, portions in what is now Ross and Highland and Fayette Counties, Ohio, one of a thousand acres in southwestern Kentucky, and in 1807, one of a thousand acres (Survey No. 1,440) in what is now Jerome Township, Union County. Other warrants were instructed to a man by the name of Harrod, the founder of Harrodsburg, Ky., and lost.

The treasury warrant was never laid. The old Colonel had too much land, so he kept the warrant to look at, satisfied and doubtless gratified to think that some day his grandchildren could use and enjoy it. But alas for the uncertainty of human calculations, after his death, the warrant fell into the hands of Silas G. Strong, was lost and never recovered. Years after when the matter came to be investigated, the State of Virginia was found to have not lands left upon to father the treasury and debts of the mother of States, that 9,000 principality was found to be eternally gone. Nevertheless, the writer was once told in Richmond that the State had doubtless a good many mountain peaks yet untaken, whereon the warrant or its re-issue might be laid.

The year 1811, Col. Curry removed himself and family to the Jerome Township land. His son, James A., had, in company with a many by the name of Joseph Bell, gone up the winter before and made a clearing on the place now owned by W. W. Curry, and a man named Call had cleared a portion of the present farm of John Nonemaker, and erected a cabin. In the Call cabin Col. Curry began life in a wilderness for the third time. The country was practically unsettled, only a few houses being scattered along the Darby, and Indians were everywhere. The savages were farm from being peaceably disposed, and as the war with England of 1812 was impending, the most serious consequences to the family of Col. Curry were feared, as the result of his rash removal to the wilds of Madison County. Illustrative of the dangers then supposed to attend such a residence, an old letter addressed "Col. James Curry, Madison County, Ohio to the care of Mr. Cadwalader Wallace, Chillicothe" is a point. This letter, postmarked Harrisonburg, VA., February 15, 1813, bears the following request: "Mr. Wallace will oblige Alex Herring (the writer) by forwarding this to Col. Curry, as it is probably he has moved from the residence in Madison County, for fear of the Indians." The Colonel, nevertheless had not removed from his newly mad home, where the letter finally reached him. But the family had many frights, and not a few thrilling adventures. An experience of unusual interest is named elsewhere, when the brave mother, arming her two children, Stephenson and Otway, mad ready to defend her little home against savage assault. In this home and on this farm, now owned, as stated by John Nonemaker, Col. James Curry lived the remainder of his days. The territory was then Madison County, and the Colonel was not sooner well located than his fellow citizens returned him to the Legislature of the State, representing the district composed of Delaware and Madison Counties. This was for the session of 1812-13, when the capital was Chillicothe. The nomination was altogether unexpected, and of course unsolicited. As proof of this, Mr. James Cone, of Jerome, remembers reading, when a chunk of a boy, a letter, dated at Delaware, and signed by a committee, stating that a convention of citizens had without consulting him, presumed to place his name at the head of their ticket. The letter ended by saying that they hoped he would feel free to give his influence in favor of the ticket so nominated. In wonderful contrast this to the modern way of procuring candidates for office. The succeeding winter, that of 1813-14, the Colonel was again sent to represent the district, the Legislature again meeting in Chillicothe. This session (or possibly the one before) the new capital Columbus was projected, and the membership must have numbered very many choice spirits. The following letter in the clearly cut chirography of Samuel P. Hildreth, one of Ohio's early historians, and by him signed, shows that there was fun as well as legislation going on at Chillicothe that session.

Marietta, January 20, 1813

My Dear Colonel: Your favor by hand of Col. Barber was duly received, and it is quite pleasing to me that I still retain a place in your memory. I am happy to hear that things go on smoothly in No. 6* and I would have given all my old shows to have been with you on that evening when "Crazy Bill"* was initiated in the mysteries of the Directorship of Columbus, that city which is to be the Babylon of Ohio. It must have been a lively and large evening with you -- one side was Col. Jim's pipe throwing out continued volleys of smoke, on the other Geo. Ca[---] broad mouth throwing out continued volleys of laughter, with here and there interspersed Ludlow's chain of causes and effects; and the sallies of wit and humor from the rest of the company, all combined, must have had a very happy effect, and would have relaxed the stern muscles of Diogeness had he been there. I should have highly enjoyed the scene could I have been present; but as I could not be, I can console myself with the thought that some of my friends were there and were happy, which to me is at all times a pleasing reflection. I am happy to hear that my friend Ludlow has been successful, as he is really a worthy and deserving man, and will fill his station* with propriety and ability. I am also pleased that the office of Major General has fallen to the lot of Mr. Cass. He will support it with dignity and show to the people of the State of Ohio that its Legislature has not mistaken their confidence. This election will probably put to sleep any further inquiries respecting the Major General of the Second Division. I have to regret that my acquaintance with Col. Curry could not have been longer, but from what few days we were acquainted I feel a growing attachment which twice that number of years will not obliterate, and believe me, sir, when I say I shall consider that day which introduced you to my acquaintance as one of the most interesting in my calendar. However, I hope and trust that our knowledge of each other is not to end here, but that we shall yet pass many happy hours together.

With sentiments of respect, I am your friend, S. P. Hildreth

Col. J. Curry, member of the Legislature, Chillicothe, Ohio

Col. Curry was returned from the Delaware and Madison district, the winter of 1814-15 and in the session of 1815-16 we find him again a member from that district, the legislature still convening at Chillicothe. The next year and the first in which the Legislature sat at Columbus, the new capital, 1816-17, the two counties were each given a representation, and Col. Curry's own county, Madison, took up a new man, one Isaac Miner.

The Colonel was not retired to private life, however, for this year (1816) he was chosen one of the electors who met at Chillicothe, and cast the vote of the State for James Monroe of Virginia, for President, and Daniel D. Tompkins of New York, for Vice President. His associates were John G. Young, Abraham Shepherd, Aaron Wheeler, Othniel Looker, John Patterson, Benjamin Hough and William Skinner.

The sessions of the Legislature of 1817-18 and 1818-19, Moner continued to sit for the county, but at of 1819-20, Col. Curry was returned as Madison's representative. This, the eighteenth General Assembly of the State of Ohio, the last in which the Colonel ever sat as a member, was held at Columbus, that "modern Babylon," and it is to be supposed that Mr. Hildreth was there and all the genial spirits who the winter of 1813-14 had made the walls of "No. 6" at Chillicothe echo with sallies of wit and volleys of laughter. This session, a bill for the organization of Union County, was introduced into the Senate by Gen. Foos, then representing Franklin, Madison and Delaware, and was passed. The bill went to the House Friday, December 14, 1819, and on motion of Col. Curry was made the order the following Tuesday, when it was passed and became law.

June 3, 1811, Col. Curry was made the happy father of another son, his last child, and the only one ever born in Madison County. To this son the name of Robert Burns was given, a very appropriate reproduction of that borne by his first-born child. This son, now an old man with whitened hair, but when last in Ohio as light of heart and as playful as when thirty years younger, yet lives, having years ago removed to the State of Kansas.

The Colonel's only other living child, a daughter, married, as has been stated, to Mr. Nelson Cone, and yet lives in Jerome Township in sight of the spot where seventy-two years ago her parents first made their home. A venerable, intelligent, gentle woman, though sadly afflicted, she still lives, the joy of her household, respected, loved, revered by every one, kin and stranger, who come within her sweet presence.

But though Col. Curry did not again return to the duty of making laws, he was, in the years 1822-23-24-25-26-27 and 1828, one of the Associate Judges of the county who executed them. The courts were held in Milford and from the April term of 1822 to the August term of 1823, the bench was constituted: John A. McDowell, President Judge, David Mitchell, William Gabriel, James Curry, Associates. The November term of 1823, Gustavis Swan was President Judge, same Associates. April term of 1824, Ebenezer Lane became President Judge, and the same Associates held till the February term of 1826, when Robert Nelson was appointed in the place of Col. Curry. October term of 1827, Ebenezer Lane still presiding; Col. C. returned to the bench, displacing David Mitchell. February term of 1828, Gustavis Swan again became Presiding Judge, so continuing Col. Curry, William Gabriel and Robert Nelson as Associates to and including the September term of 1828.

This was the last of Col. Curry's office holding, and as he was not some seventy-six years of age, he was probably quite willing to relinquish into other and younger hands the duties of office, which in either a military or civil capacity he had been with but little cessation fulfilling continuously for fifty years. Full of honors, and enjoying to the utmost the confidence and esteem of the people of the county he had been instrumental in organizing, he at a ripe old age retired to his farm, to spend peacefully, what few days might yet remain for him. Though old in years, he was still strong and vigorous, it is remembered in body and mind. He succumbed, however, to an attack of apoplexy, dying July 5, 1834, at 10 o'clock A.M. Two days after, his body was laid to rest by that of his beloved wife, who had preceded him some eight years, and the two yet lay side by side in a quiet corner of the old farm, which in 1807 he had covered with Survey 1440. So ceased the life of Col. James Curry. In estimating his character we have only to point to the fact that while as an officer, civil or military, he achieved illustrious fame, he was steadily and persistently successful in every position he undertook to fill and failed in none. As a citizen, husband, father, few men excelled him in the respect with which he was held by his neighbors and friends and in the love and esteem borne him by his wife and children. He had been a captivating man in youth, and Mrs. Nelson cone now declares that he was the handsomest man she ever saw; she remembers her uncle John's statement that her father and mother were the handsomest couple ever married in Staunton. Mrs. Cone mentions, too, his appearance on horseback, "the finest" she ever saw. He was of medium height, about five feet ten, weighed some two hundred pounds was very broad across the shoulders and back and was of wonderful strength and activity. In dress, while not particular on the farm, he was scrupulously exact and neat when going abroad to the legislature or to court. He was of very regular habits and most punctilious as to his children and other members of his household. He would never go to the table or pay any attention to a notice that a meal was ready, unless asked, "Please come to dinner, father," and when seated the children while small were not permitted to speak aloud. He insisted on perfect obedience yet was very kind. He kept his money in the till of a chest, and Mrs. Cone remembers that when a child she would frequently find money lying on the floor near by as if accidentally dropped which she would always carry to her father. His reply invariably was "Why how careless. Well, Louis, you can keep it for yourself." As to his political creed, he was an uncompromising Jacksonian Democrat, hating the very name of Federalism. His two sons Stephenson and Otway, came, however, in time to be anti-Jacksonian. Otway particularly leading in many a wordy, excited debate with his father. These boys, the old gentleman was accustomed to call his little tories.

In religion, he was perhaps more a Baptist than anything else though he was never a church member. Nevertheless he always said grace at the table and up to his wife's death, possibly after, conducted family worship each and every morning. Mr. Nelson Cone remembers talking with him s to the division of the Baptists on the communion question and that he took sides with the "open communion" faction. However, the good man himself tells us what were his religious beliefs away along back in 1782, when a young man of thirty, and it is not known that he had at all changed his sentiments in after years. An old faded course grained fool's-cap sheet, dated October 7, 82 and signed with a fine, flowing hand, James Curry tells the story.

This was written along toward the close of his army life, when a young, unmarried man and must be taken as the sum of his convictions as to religion. No sect is favored, no creed proclaimed; but what a grand, though simple, expression of faith in God, in Jesus Christ, and in the efficacy of the Christian's plan of salvation. The unbelieving reader will hardly repress an emotion of exultation at the eloquent simplicity of the hundred-year-old piece of parchment, coming as it were from the tomb, to warn and convict. It almost surpasses belief that the grand old soldier was, indeed, never an acknowledged member of any one of the churches of that day.

"Uncle" David Winget, who lived years in his family, says that he was reserved in manner but a good talker when aroused and encountering a peer. He was a great reader, and had, for that day, a very large library of books, historical, religious, scientific and poetic. About every newspaper published in America came to him as a regular subscriber, and the writer has now in possession piles of such, running back to the Revolutionary war, and beyond, carefully stitched (by his own had, doubtless), for preservation. Few men of that day were more intelligent than Col. Curry, whose advice, on all matters (so Mr. Wingert says), business and social was sought by everybody.

He was hot tempered, but ever courteous. His hair was dark and closely cut; forehead high and broad; eyes hazel; nose straight; chin as shapely as could have been molded. His face, always closely shaven, is said to have nearly resembled that of his son James A.

Such, finally, is what the writer hereof can make out of the few facts obtainable of the life of Col. James Curry. Books have been searched, and letters written, with a diligence and labor little imagined; but it must be, after all, confessed so small purpose. The great state of Virginia is absolutely without a history in detail of the grand part taken by her sons in the war of the Revolution. A letter written to the writer by a distinguished citizen of Augusta County, confesses that there is no history of that county in the war of the Revolutions extant; and yet it was that day the principal one in wealth and population of the State. It comprised, indeed, everything west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, covering the famous valley of Virginia, between the Ridge and the Alleghanies, into which it was Washington's declared purpose to retire if defeated north of the Potomac, and with his trained army of Spartan followers defend himself and his country to the last.