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Facts and Events
John Hounshell was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia
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Records of John Hounshell
- The family was in Pennsylvania in 1757 when his sister, Christina md Johann Casper Hannshell (Hounshell) at Augusta Lutheran Evangelical Church, Providence, Philadelphia, Pa., now Trappe, Montgomery, Pa. Christina or Johann Casper or both were from Westtown Twp., Chester, Pa. (FHL #384544)
- John Hounshell's name is on a petition in Augusta County Court Records in about 1767. The two men's names next to his could be Barnet Smith & John Smith or Messersmith. The petition reads: "To the Worshipful Court of Augusta County the Petition of the Inhabitants of Reedy Creek Humbly Sheweth: That whereas we, your petitioners, for some time past have been debarred settling and improving and cultivating our patent lands on the Western Waters, the reason whereof is best known to our legislators, but by virtue of the late treaty held to the northward, we hope we may, without offense, petition your worships to give orders that there may be alterations and amendments made on the old road leading from Capt. Ingle's Ferry to James Davis's, on the head of the Holston River, and appoint such surveyors as you in your wisdom shall think fit, and your petitions, as in duty bound, will pray. (Signed) Joseph Black, James Holice, John Montgomery, Robt. Montgomery, James Montgomery, George Breckenridge, Alexander Breckenridge, Robert Breckenridge, Robert Campbell, Robert Doack, William Doack, William Sayers, Arthur Campbell, William Davis, James Hays, Samuel Hopes, William Leftwich, Gasper Gender, George Gender, Jacob Kinder, William Phips, John Houncal, Barnet Small, John Smith, John Bets, Robert Buchanan, Robert Davis, Samuel McAdam, James Davis, Nicholas Buchanan, Alex. Buchanan. (p 498 Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia by Lyman Chalkley Vol 1) The paper was found between leaves of Order Bk XI, pg 90. The original record was searched for in the Court records of Augusta Co. in order to look at the names more closely but it was not found. Perhaps after Mr. Chalkley found it, the paper was filed elsewhere. He moved to Virginia before 1771 as that is when he is listed on List 14 of the Tithable List taken in by Walter Crockett from William Sayers to the Head of Holston River in Botetourt Co., Va. His brother-in law John Hownshell is also on the list. It is believed that Barnabas Messersmith, John Messersmith & John Hounshell left Pennsylvania together to come to Virginia.
- On 16 Dec 1773 John, his brother Barnabas, (Barney) and his brother-in-law John Hounshell received land from the Loyal Company grant. See the survey below for John. Barney's land was located on both sides of the So. Fork of Reed Creek a branch of New River corner to John Hounshedel (Hounshell) From the description of the land, John, Barney & John Hounshell lived near each other. Barney sold his land to Andrew Houshell 21 Jul 1803.
- On 3 Jun 1774 a Survey was made for John Messersmith for 239 Acres of Land by Virtue of the Order of Council made 16 Dec 1773 and as part of the Loyal Company Grant lying in Fincastle County on a branch of the South Fork of Reed Creek and bounded as follows "beginning at a stake near a large white oak - corner to John Ounshall (Hounshell) running thence 37 W 55 poles to a Spanish oak etc. Survey taken by Robert Doack & Wm. Preston (Va State Land Office Survey No. 34 pg 296 Film 29576 & Montgomery Co. Plott Bk A) with an endorsement dated 12 Aug 1797 "Sir, I have for a valuable consideration sold and conveyed to Henry Lambert all my right title and claim to a certain survey of Land made in my name adjoining a Tract of Land known by the name of Paxton's Glade and the land formerly John Houndshells, you will please there receive the money due to the Company for said land and let said Lambert have the pattent in his name. And oblige your Humble servant" s/ John Mercersmith X his mark Teste William Ward Ang Katering Land in Wythe (Virginia Land Office Surveys p 296 Film 32618) John Ounshall (Hounshell) md John Messersmith's sister Christina. The land known as Paxton's Glade is also mentioned in the 1783 survey of the St. Paul Lutheran Church. (Survey Bk B p 278 Montgomery Co., Va)
- A David Flin was on Personal Property Tax List "A" for 5 Mar 1790 in Montgomery Co., Va. (975.5785 R42s) He may have been Nancy's first husband. Barny & John Gullion are also on this list for Mar 1790 & Duncan Gullion is on the list for Apr 1.1790. David Flin is again shown on March 5 1790 on Locating Residences of Taxpayers (Nick's Cr., Bear Cr. on Middle Fk of Holston & head and south side of Reed Cr., Cripple Cr., Paxton Glade) Barney Gullion, John, Gullion, Andrew Houndshell, John Hounshell, Sr., Peter Mercer are also on this list.
- On 10 Oct 1795/6 William Ward, John Hounshell, Andrew Hounshell, Nancy MSmith, Esther Johnston provided two days in Court (Wythe Co., VA. Order Book 1795-1796 Pg 13 (Wythe Co., Va Film 34243)
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Info
This is some info on Johann Casper Hounshell and his descendents. It is thought that he arrived in Pennsylvania on Friday, May 3, 1752 on the ship Queen of Denmark. The name was actually listed as John Ohnsheild. On the burg Lutheran Church baptismal records of both Mary's and Andrew's baptism, Johann is listed as John Unschild. He married Christina Messersmith d/o Andreas Messersmith and Anna Maria Heyes. Children born were John b., Oct. 5, 1759, Mary Christina b. June 6, 1762, and Andrew b. Aug. 30 1766. died Jan or Feb 1832 m. Sept 17, 1786 Andrew married Louisa Lambert, d/o Johann Henrich Lambert and Maria Magdalene Daude.
Notes for JOHANN CASPAR (HAUNSHIELD) HOUNSHELL:
Source: Allen Hounshell + Clifford Canfield author of the book "The Hounshell's of S/W Virginia".
Was probably born in Germany. It is believed he may have arrived in Pennsylvania on Friday, Mar 3, 1752 on the ship "Queen of Denmark". This is not a proven fact as the passenger listed was named "John Ohnshield". The problem with the spelling of many names probably arose from the translations from the German records or of the inability of the recorder to understand the accents of the parties involved. Many of these people spoke only broken English.
On August 11, 1810, the heirs of Johan Hounshell, named as John, Andrew, Martin Wyrick and his wife, Mary, sold 113 acres of land to Lewis Kegley for the sum of $1.00 according to a deed found in the Wythe County Deeds, book 5, page 298. It was also located on the South Fork of Reed Creek and Mr. Canfield thinks it was the same 113 acres.
Since all of the heirs made their "mark" (X) it is probable that they could not read or write English.
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