[Vol 1 No. 2 - Nov 1994. Page 3]

The following article was published in The LaBelle Star, Wednesday, January 10, 1979.

January 10, 1979, marks the sixty-sixth anniversary of the death of Ella Ewing of Gorin. Miss Ewing was widely known as "the Missouri Giantess" and was billed as reaching a height of 8 feet 4 1/2 inches before her death at the age of nearly 41.

The present Guiness Book of World Records gives Miss Ewing's height before her death at an estimated 7 feet 6 inches. These discrepancies aside, Miss Ewing did become widely known for her size and the following article was taken from earlier articles published in area newspapers.

Miss Ewing was born March 9, 1872, in Lewis County, and when about a year old was brought by her family to the Gorin vicinity in Scotland County, which was her home until her death. She was the only child of Benjamin F. and Annie Eliza Herring Ewing, both of whom were of average size, the father 6 feet, 2 inches and the mother, 5 feet, 6 inches. In her early years, Ella was a small, frail child and until about nine years of age appeared to be of normal size in comparison to other children of that age. However, about that age she began to grow so rapidly that by the time she was ten years old she was 6 feet, 9 inches tall. She was still a "little" girl, typical of other ten-year-olds, but towered above the tallest men in the neighborhood.

Problems began to arise and her parents, hard-working farm people with a very small income, spent most of their time and money in trying to make things as comfortable as possible for their daughter, but it seemed impossible to keep up with her phenomenal growth. Most of her growth was from her waist down and in her arms and hands. A ring that would fit the thumb of a man would barely slip on her little finger. She was known to wear many rings to camouflage her large hands.

Ella grew up near Gorin and local people remembered her as a warm, friendly person whose personality overshadowed her size. Her parents tried to shield her from "gawkers" but the task became harder all the time and Ella continued to grow taller and taller.

One of her neighbor friends said that she never thought of her as being different from other people and that her earliest memories were reaching up to her knees and how she had to stoop to get through their doors, and that Ella "always made the best of everything." She said that she was kind and sweet and everyone who knew her loved her. She told that when she came to their home to play croquet or some other game, she rode a horse with a side saddle as it tired her to walk and she had a long black riding skirt to cover her feet, like everyone had in those days.

The first public appearance that Ella made was reported to have been of age 14 at a Fourth of July celebration at Rutledge where she was to read the Declaration of Independence, but she became so embarrassed and was too nervous to read the document that another person had to do it and she left in tears. Other reports state that the celebration was at Wyaconda and the same day, later in the afternoon, she read the Declaration before a group at Gorin.

Her first "exhibition" was a trying one as the stares from the crowd broke her composure and she was led from the platform. She realized that day that she was destined to live as a "freak" in the eyes of normal people. Ella became increasingly sensitive of her size and for a time remained at home and away from all public places.

After her first public appearance, news spread rapidly, far and wide, of this "tall and getting taller" person. Her parents, who had tried to shield her and had for several years firmly refused the offers of shows, carnivals and circuses, finally agreed to let her appear for $250 a week plus expenses for both parents to accompany her. It was also said by some that a close friend convinced her to capitalize on her appearance. If people were going to stare - make them pay.

She became a featured attraction in 1890 with Barnum and Bailey Circus at age 18 and later with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and in her own tent from time to time at fairs and expositions. Her parents or a friend and traveling companion always accompanied her. Ella never overcame her "homesickness" and if her parents were unable to be with her, it was a proviso that at least once a month their expenses would be paid to visit their daughter while on tour. Some of her traveling companions were named in articles to be a Miss Blackwood, Miss Maude Wilson of Kahoka, Miss Alta Moore of Edina and manager, D.J. Buford.

(Picture not part of document.)

  Miss Ella Ewing and her parents, Benjamin F. and Ann Herring Ewing, taken at a fair in Edina. She was 8 feet 4 1/2 inches tall and weighed 256 pounds when this picture was taken in September, 1895.

Ella found happiness with the circus, among others who were "Different" from the ordinary people. They didn't find her great size so strange, they, too, had uncommon features. Happiness also was found in that she was not a burden to her parents and her dream was to become a reality in providing for them. She wanted to make them comfortable and during her circus and show years, she made enough money to buy a 120-acre farm near Gorin, in the Harmony Grove community.

A comfortable home was built with 15-foot ceilings, 10-foot doors and 7-foot windows, high enough so that she need not stoop. It is said that she would have been a few inches taller had she not carried herself in a somewhat stooped position, partly because of embarrassment of her tallness and also because of entering ordinary-size doors and entrances.

(Picture not part of document.)

    Miss Ella Ewing, in center, stands with members of her family in front of the Ewing home at Gorin. The tall windows, doors and ceilings were built to accommodate her height.

It was told that Ella stated that her father could never keep up with the race of her growth. She was too tall for her bed, too tall to see out the windows and was in the way at a dinner party. Her knees came a foot or so above the table and once when she stretched them out underneath, she upset the table. It took 25 yards of cloth to make her a dress and she outgrew it soon after being made. Persons who approached from the rear as she sat in a chair were not aware of her height until she stood up and then they were speechless. her home was built to her specifications as was her furniture. Her bed was 9 1/2 feet long and sheets 10 1/2 feet long, her dresser, 6 feet high, was without bottom drawers so that she did not have to stoop to get its contents, a hammock was 15 feet long and her table was 4 1/2 feet tall.

Traveling brought its difficulties because of her size, much different to that of her home and furnishings. Sleeping cars and carriages of her day were uncomfortable, but a hansom carriage afforded her traveling pleasure. One area resident said that many times he had seen her return home by Santa Fe and that always a large crowd was on hand to welcome her, as well those who came sightseeing.

There are different stories pertaining to Ella's tour of Europe. Some say that she would not consent to leaving the United States but other articles refer to her own story in which she made the statement that she went all over the country with the circus and also in Europe. She described the trip across the ocean and of no accommodations on the steamship for her size, being obliged to lie diagonally across the floor and "curl up" a little. It required two ordinary beds placed side by side for her to sleep away from home.

Even though she became accustomed to millions of people staring at her during her circus days, she never overcame her shyness concerning the size of her feet. She had a special canvas built which could be moved to prevent viewers from seeing her feet as she walked from a platform or down steps. One article stated that a man at the fair, probably on one or her appearances at he Knox County Fairgrounds at the east edge of Edina, said, "Let me see your feet," and she replied, "You want too much for your money."

Reports as to the size of her shoes varied from sizes 20 to 24, but a pattern of her shoe in this office measured 16 inches long and 9 inches across at the widest part. One report stated that in the making of the high-top lace shoe, two and two-thirds feet of patent stock were required in the vamp and 5 feet of mat kid for the upper stock. The leather for the soles supposedly weighed 3 1/4 pounds. A shoe and numerous other articles are on display at the State Historical Museum in Jefferson City and other items are owned by friends among her home community.

When Ella was baptized in 1900 at age 27, on an extremely hot day, she sat on a chair placed in the water and two men helped the minister tip the chair backward into the water to immerse her. She was an active member of the Harmony Grove Baptist Church and was baptized in the nearby Fabius River.

Miss Ewing made use of her extensive travel and was able to converse fluently of what she had seen in various localities. She was acquainted with the affairs of the nation and her travels served a good purpose in completion of her education.

Her home was one of hospitality and Miss Ewing was a charming hostess delighted to entertain company. Following her tours, she returned to enjoy her home and friends. She wanted only enough money to live comfortably. Many stories, none confirmed to any extent, are told about the amount of money she made on her tours but apparently no large estate was left.

Although she never married she received many proposals during her lifetime. She refused each one believing that her suitors sought only her money.

Miss Ewing became ill of pneumonia while on tour and came home where she died Jan. 10, 1913, at age 40 years, 10 months and 1 day. The Embalming Burial Case Company of Burlington, Iowa, was said to have put its entire force to work all one night and half the next day to make her casket, designed with a fancy octagon end and covered with white plush. The casket was so long that the seat in the horse-drawn hearse had to be removed to allow the rear doors to close. The undertaker was George Baskett of Wyaconda, who assisted with funeral arrangements and said that it was a big funeral, between 800 and 900 persons, who came to pay their final respects to their friend and neighbor, and there were no sightseers. Old records listed the funeral cost at $284.80, complete, an average funeral at that time being $56 to $100.

The services were at the Harmony Grove Church in Knox County and so many persons attended that the church and churchyard were filled. Because it was an extremely cold day, with snow drifts piled along the country roads, two stoves were set up in the yard to warm those who could not get in the church. The Rev. F.M. Baker officiated and Mrs. Dauma was pianist. One record gave the names of pallbearers as Francis and Claude Frazee, Willis Davis, Elmer Snelling and James Parrish. The sixth was not named. Burial was in the Harmony Grove Cemetery.

On her death bed she requested her father have her body cremated, and that he should stand beside the oven and see the reduction of her body to ashes, in order that her remains might be secure from the hands of possible vandals, whom she always feared would take her body from the grave. But her father declared he could not stand to see such a thing, and in order that her body should be doubly secured from those who might see to take it up, it was decided that the grave should be lined with a thick wall of Portland cement and a heavy lid covering of the same material should be built over it, and that the body should be put in a steel casket, seven feet, eight inches in length, inside measurements, and deep enough to accommodate the high pillow which was necessary in order to accommodate the stooped condition of the body and enable the casket to contain her length. The steel casket was enclosed in an invulnerable, automatic steel vault, and the vault lowered into the sarcophagus of cement, the covering built permanently thereon leaving no possible opening.

The family had steadfastly refused permission for examinations of any sort to be made and feared that someone might steal Ella's body from the grave and sell it for medical examination, so Mr. Ewing kept a guard in the cemetery for some time after Ella's death to assure her body the privacy that he had sough for her in life.

Her parents are also buried there. Her mother died March 23, 1900, in Chicago, of appendicitis, while on tour with Ella, and the father died at the Gorin home in April of 1933. After the death of the mother, the home was shared by the father and an aunt of Ella, Miss Susie Herring.

In 1966 there started a project of securing enough money from friends to provide a memorial for Ella and in 1967 it was completed. The long flat cement border surrounds the granite marker which reads: "In memory of Ella K. Ewing, born March 9, 1872, Lewis County, Missouri, died January 10, 1912, (a date disputed by area records) Scotland County, Missouri. Height 8 feet 4 1/2 inches, weight 256 pounds. Member of the Harmony Baptist Church. Daughter of Benjamin F. and Anna Herring Ewing." The memorial below the engraving reads "This memorial made possible by folks that knew of Ella, 1967."

The two-story Ewing home fell into shambles. The house had suffered from curiosity seekers and visitors, later was used for grain storage and fell into ruins and was finally destroyed by fire from unknown origin in July of 1967.

During the early 1940's the Gorin Civic Club planned to restore the old home but efforts did not progress. The club had a room in Gorin where a large cardboard model of the home was displayed along with some of the Ewing furniture.

The Missouri Department of Conservation honored Miss Ewing when a 15-acre lake near Gorin, built by the Soil Conservation Service, was opened Oct. 1, 1969, the Ella Ewing Lake. It is a fishing attraction for the Northeast Missouri area.

Many little quirks could be added to any story written of Ella Ewing. It is hoped that the above will be enjoyed by interested readers even though there may be some who "knew or had heard differently" or could have added first-hand information.

AN OMISSION:

The source for the article about Miss Ella Ewing in the last issue was not given in error. Through some correspondence with the Caldwell family the article was sent in by Mrs. Marianna Barneyback. We appreciate the article being sent to us from someone outside of the Ewing family. After the last Journal was mailed, we learned that Ewing, MO, at one time was called Briscoe's Station, but the name was changed to Ewing in honor of Ella Ewing. (Source: A 1975 letter from Missouri Historical Society to Russell Ewing, Carpinteria, CA)

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JOHN EWING OF CARNSHANAGH 

[Vol 1 No 3 Feb 1995, page 4]

The Descendants of William Ewing of Scotland in the United States 1695-1990, charts, complied by E. S. Ewing, Fifth Edition 1990 show John Ewing as a younger half-brother to Nathaniel Ewing. Both are shown as descendant from William, son of William of Sterling. The depicted descendancy of this John results in a fundamental error that needs to be corrected. The lines of descendancy shown in the "John" chart cannot be of John the half-brother of Nathaniel Ewing. It is most likely, however, that they represent the descendancy of John Ewing from Carnshanagh, Parish of Fahan, County Donegal, Ireland. Sometimes he is called John Ewing, "Burgess of Londonderry." (There are many variants of the spelling of Carnshanagh. See Clan Ewing of Scotland, page 118.)

There are several sources that give dates for the birth of John from Carnshanagh. These dates are either ca. 1648 or ca. 1660. It is generally accepted that Nathaniel Ewing, said grandson of William of Stirling, was born in 1693, married Rachel Porter ca. 1721 and died in 1748. If these dates are only roughly true, John from Carnshanagh cannot be a younger half-brother to Nathaniel—he was alive, married, and having children prior to the time that Nathaniel was born. In other words, he would be a contemporary of the above William, son of William of Stirling. It is interesting to note that Elbert Ewing, author of Clan Ewing of Scotland, had difficulty with John who was the half-brother to Nathaniel. He was not able to pin him down and trace where he went (see page 286 of Clan Ewing of Scotland). It is also of interest that no one has been able to tie John of Carnshanagh and his family to any of the other Ewing immigrant families.

John Ewing of Carnshanagh was said to have been of Scottish descent. He married twice: first to Jannet Wilson ca. 1685 and second to Janet McElvaney in 1701. (Note that there are many variants in the spelling of McElvaney.) It is probable that he had as many as seven or eight children by his first wife, some dying at an early age. We now think he had six children by his second wife. The six children by his second wife were named John, Mary, Thomas, William, Samuel, and James.

There are two important family letters. The first was written by Robert Ewing (Robert⁴, Robert³, Samuel², John¹) in August of 1827. It was based on family information he received from his aunt, Elizabeth Ewing Jamison, in July of 1820. Elizabeth Ewing Jamison was the daughter of Samuel and the granddaughter of John Ewing. Robert sent a letter with this information to his cousin, Sallie Jamison, who was Elizabeth's daughter. This letter names most of the sons and daughters of John's second marriage and goes on to say that "John Ewing Senior was of Scotch descent and born in the North of Ireland about the year 1660. Married, name of first wife unknown, about 1685. Fought the Irish Armies of James II." The letter continues, "John Ewing Senior, then married his second wife, Janet McElvaney, and embarked to America in the year A.D. 1715." The year 1715 would be consistent with the well-known statement that his youngest son, James, was "born in America."

The second letter was written by the above Sallie Jamison to her niece Catherine (Reily) Cochran and was dated 26 May 1875. Sallie Jamison, the great granddaughter, writes "He (meaning John Ewing - WSE) was an old man when he came to America. He fetched his family with him. He bought land in Chester County, Pennsylvania in Nottingham Township on Octarira [sic] Creek." (No evidence has been found that John owned land - WSE) This letter was in the possession of Robert A. Todd in 1947.

 An additional account is given in the History of the Epler, Oldwiller, Huckleberry, Carr and Ewing Families compiled by Emma Epler Knudson. She published 150 copies of this genealogy in the early 1900s. From this source we have the quotation, "He (John - WSE) immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1729. His sons with their families wished to come to America, but their father being 81 years of age..." Unfortunately, this genealogy is flawed. There is no record or evidence to support the thesis that John Ewing was 81 years of age when he came to America. However, I have examined an old book entitled Confession of Faith. This book was handed down through the Ewing and Walter family lines. In this book is the inscription, "John Ewing has departed this life September 23rd 1745 in the 97th year of his age." If he were 97 when he died, he would have been born ca. 1648. If he were 81 when he came to America, he would have arrived ca. 1729. The earlier birth date and later arrival in America have been accepted and handed down through a number of the family branches. There is a genealogy that was compiled by John Gillespie Ewing, an Attorney from New York and Washington D. C. It references the above account of Emma Epler Knudson and quotes part of her genealogy, "their father being 81 (?) years of age." The question mark was added in John Gillespie Ewing's genealogy. This indicates that he had some reservations about the age of John when he arrived in America. I share this reservation.

However, from the foregoing, it is reasonable to argue that this John Ewing came to America no sooner than 1715 and no later than 1729. There are virtually no traces of him or his wife, Janet McElvaney. There has been speculation that in his later years he lived with his son, William, near a place called Stevens City, Virginia.

In an old Ewing cemetery near Stevens City, Virginia there are headstones that have been uncovered belonging to early family members. This location is where William Ewing, son of John, settled. Most notable are the partial stone of William and Samuel's headstone. William and Samuel are sons of John. The stone of Elizabeth Ewing wife of William,* has also been found there. To their credit, Jim and Evelyn Ewing of Emporia, VA, along with family and friends, have cleaned up and enclosed the cemetery and are seeking an easement. This past summer several new stones were found, and town elders relate that there were once about 20 headstones there. Unfortunately, there was not enough time for major excavation. This will hopefully follow next year. It would be an exciting event to find the headstone of John from Carnshanagh. Meanwhile, there are others that believe that they have identified the John who was a half-brother of Nathaniel.

                                                                        William S. Ewing

Acknowledgments: Margaret Ewing Fife, Anne Kimball and Sally Geitz

*Names in bold is a correction formerly read “Elizabeth Ewing Jamison, daughter of Samuel” which was in error.

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LAND PATENTS AND GRANTS: 

[Vol 1 No 3 Feb 1995, page 17]

Ewing land patents, Virginia Land Patent and Grants 1623-1800

Mr. John W. Burris submitted the following records and a portion of his letter is printed which explains these land grants and patents.

This is a complete list of Ewing land patents and grants found in Virginia. There is a total of 42 books and to find out more it would be necessary to look at each book or patent/grant number.

Bear in mind this is a list of land grants and patents by the State of Virginia. More records will be found in each county as many Ewings bought land from other people rather than from the state. Sometimes and many times these records will also be found in the county records.

This is only an index, the actual record or deed will have more information. If all the data on these land transactions were gathered and printed we would have a better understanding of the different Ewing families in Virginia.

                                                                        John W. Burris

[NOTE: When reading the information, you need to remember that West Virginia did not become a state until 1863 and all of the counties of today in Virginia did not exist at the time the grants and patents were issued.]

[Note: You may have to enlarge your window to see a readable rendition of the following table.]

Name                          Date                County            Acres  Location         Grant/ Page

                                                                                                Patent

Alexander Ewing                    25 Apr 1785           Montgomery           215                                          Gr. O      634

Alexander Ewing                    10 Mar 1794           Wythe                     200          Cripple Creek         Gr. 29     416

Alexander Ewing, Jr               25 Apr 1785            Montgomery           400          Cripple Creek         Gr. O      461

Alexander Ewing, Jr               30 Oct 1785            Montgomery           144          Cripple Creek         Gr. S       391

Alexander Ewing                    30 Oct 1785            Montgomery           156          Cripple Creek         Gr. S       392

Charles Ewing                        10 Jun 1760            Bedford                   242          Otter Creek             Pa. 34      523

Charles Ewing                         6 Apr 1769             Bedford                   70            Boreauger Cr          Pa. 38      610

Charles Ewing                        20 Aug 1770           Bedford                   200          Goose Creek           Gr. G      99

Charles Ewing                         1 Jan 1782             Bedford                   16            Otter Creek             Gr. G      13

Charles Ewing                         1 Jun 1782             Bedford                   390          Otter Creek             Gr. F       396

George Ewing                         15 Dec 1749           Amelia                    (168)       Vaughanes Cr         Pa. 27      494

George Ewing                         20 Nov 1784           Montgomery           168                                          Gr. N      365

George Ewing                         20 Mar 1785           Montgomery           400          Hobbs Branch         Gr. P       320

George & Samuel Ewing       20 Aug 1794           Montgomery           390          Cinch River            Gr. P       297

Henry Ewing                          14 Jan 1780            Augusta                  128          Cooks Creek           Pa. A       423

James Ewing                           5 Jul 1774              Botetourt                 1,000       Wolf Creek²           Pa. 42      518

James Ewing                          22 Jun 1791            Randolph                1,000       Adj. his own land   Gr. 23     632

James Ewing &

    Francis McNutt                    7 May 1787            Greenbrier                              Indian Creek           Gr. 8       647

John Ewing                             13 Jan 1780            Augusta                  19            Cooks Creek           Pa. A       462

John Ewing                             13 Jan 1780            Bath                        50 Adj. to land lives on       Gr. 37     26

John Ewing                              4 Jun 1783             Greenbrier                              Greenbrier Riv.       Gr. H      97

John Ewing                             16 Aug 1787           Greenbrier              300          Upper end of

                                                                                                                                Great Leavels         Gr. 12     482

John Ewing                             18 Jul 1787             Washington            500          Trading Creek         Gr. 12     188

John Ewing                             18 Jul 1787             Washington            440          Powells River & 

                                                                                                                                Trading Creek        Gr13       275

John Ewing                             28 Aug 1794           Washington            400          Powells River,       Gr.30      298

                                                                                                                                Coxes Branch

John Ewing                             30 May 1795          Montgomery           315          Powells Valley      Gr.32      232

Joshua Ewing                         24 May 1794          Greenbrier              509          Greenbrier Riv.       Gr. 31     117

Joshua Ewing                         18 Mar 1777           Greenbrier              150          Little Leavels          Gr. 37     185

Joshua Ewing                          7 Jan 1783             Greenbrier              250          Locust Creek          Gr. 27     345

Joshua Ewing                         13 Jan 1800            Lee                          300          Lick Branch of

                                                                                                                                Martins Creek         Gr. 43     225

Joshua Ewing                         23 Jul 1788             Washington            270          Isl. of Cinch Riv     Gr. 16     572

Robert Ewing                         15 Dec 1749           Augusta                  160          Br of Roanoak R.    Pa. 27      465

Robert Ewing                         27 Mar 1760           Bedford                   225          S. Otter Creek         Pa. 33      860

Robert Ewing                         27 Aug 1779           Bedford                   194          Otter & Goose Cr   Pa. 39      98

Robert Ewing                          5 Jul 1793              Bedford                   200          Otter River              Pa. 42      619

Robert Ewing                          2 Nov 1779            Bedford                   370          Goose Creek           Pa. B       36

Robert Ewing                          1 Sep 1780             Bedford                   700          On Otter River        Pa. D       296

Robert Ewing                          5 Jul 1785              Bedford                   77            On Otter River        Gr. Q      387

Samuel Ewing                        12 Jan 1746            Amelia                    595          On Fort Creek         Pa. 24      597

Samuel Ewing                         1 Jul 1782              Bedford                   See Ewing, Charles                Gr. F       396

Samuel Ewing                        21 Apr 1785            Greenbrier              350          On Indian Cr.          Gr. O      599

Samuel Ewing                        23 May 1799          Lee                          150          On Trading Cr.       Gr. 39     297

Samuel Ewing                        24 May 1797          Lee                          170          On Trading Cr.       Gr. 39     296

Samuel Ewing                        27 Aug 1794           Washington            390          On Holstein Riv      Gr. 30     297

Samuel Ewing                        15 Aug 1792           Washington            (200)       Holstein River        Gr. 28     2

William Ewing                        1 Jan 1795             Bath                        745          On Swago Cr.         Gr. 3       10

William Ewing                        1 Sep 1780             Bedford                   300          On Otter River        Pa. D       263

William Ewing                        1 Jan 1782             Bedford                   283          On Otter River        Gr. F       392

William Ewing                       11 Jun 1799            Greenbrier              205                                          Gr. 41     312

William Ewing                       30 Jan 1796            Greenbrier              170                                          Gr. 36     35

William Ewing                        8 Jul 1791              Lee                          300          On Trading Cr        Gr. 42    425

William Ewing                       17 Jul 1788             Montgomery           307          On Cripple Cr         Gr. 18     112

William Ewing                       17 Jul 1782             Montgomery           86            On Cripple Cr         Gr. 18     113

William Ewing                       15 Mar 1793           Montgomery           192          On Cripple Cr         Gr. 27     591

William Ewing                       18 Jul 1787             Washington            815          Powells Valley       Gr. 11     586

Wm & Joseph Ewing             30 Jan 1795             Greenbrier             170          South side

                                                                                                                                Swobes Knobs        Gr. 31     302

George Ewins                         25 Jan 1747            Amelia                    287          on Buffalo River     Pa. 36      77

William Ewins                        29 Sep 1643            James City              1,100       Chippokes               Pa. 1       904

¹Charles, Samuel, George, Legatees of Charles Ewing got this land, Deed.

²Branch of Greenbrier River

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ALEXANDER EWING FAMILY CEMETERY 

[Vol 1 No 3 Feb 1995, page 19]

Alexander Ewing (1752-1822) served in the American Revolution. He entered the service in Virginia. After the war he moved to what is now Davidson County, Tennessee. His farm and home were just north of Nashville. The home (Woodlon Hall) is a National Historic Landmark and a modern day sub-division is built on most of the land that was once his farm.

In November, 1994, it was discovered that a two and one-half acre tract of land in which is the Ewing Family Cemetery was being bulldozed and being cleared for the construction of a multi-family dwelling. The cemetery is located at the corner of Ewing Drive and Knight Road in what is now the northwest part of Nashville.

Channel five News in Nashville and the State Archeologist, Nick Fielder, got involved and the project has been stopped for now. The land is offered for sale at $110,000. A family that descends from Alexander Ewing has responded in a way to try to help save this old family cemetery and to prevent the cemetery land from being turned into a development.

In an effort to save this family cemetery, where Alexander Ewing and wife, Sarah Smith, are buried along with others, most likely being family, friends, and slaves, three things will be done provided the resources are available. These being:

1.         An application has been made for a government headstone--a veteran's benefit which Alexander should deserve for his revolutionary war service. However, the cost of setting the stone and the additional engraving of Sarah's name and dates must be born by the family.

2.         Application is being made for a historical marker to be placed on or near the site. The marker will both allude to Alexander's prominence in the Revolutionary War and in Nashville. We will also allude to the spot as being the site of his family cemetery. With such a marker, it will be difficult for a future owner to destroy the cemetery claiming ignorance as to its existence. The cost of the marker is $1,300, and it, too, must be paid by the family. It will be an official steel marker of the type you have probably seen all over the United States. It will be maintained by the Metropolitan Historical Society of Nashville, but that organization does not have money for new stones.

3.         If possible, we would like to construct an attractive fence around the cemetery and provide for future maintenance of the grounds.

Mrs. Evelyn Ewing, wife of Vernon Ewing, deceased, and her two daughters spent a week in Nashville learning what could be done to save this Ewing family cemetery.

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WILLIAM DAVIS EWING 

[Vol 1 No 3 Feb 1995, page 22]

William Davis Ewing, M.D. (30 October 1829 - 22 January 1902) was born at the Ewing homestead "The Grove" located three miles west of Harrisonburg, Virginia. At the age of 20, he attended Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) during the term 1849-1850. The president of the University informed me by letter dated December 22, 1980 that the records show "He had a course in general chemistry with a grade of 5 1/2, rhetoric 5.67, freshman math 4.94, natural philosophy 6.42, behavior 7." also, the minutes of the Board of Trustees show on "June 20, 1849 The Rev. Horatice Thompson, Revd. I. D. Ewing and Dr. A. Leyburn are appointed a committee to attend the examinations for the ensuing year."

The Alumni Association, University of Virginia records show he attended the Medical College 1852-1853 and at one time listed his address as Mt. Meridian, VA.

By letter dated February 26, 1980 Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Penn. reported he was a graduate in the Class of 1854 receiving a M. D. degree. Jefferson Medical College was established in 1847 and in 1855 graduated 170 students. Requirements included good character, student of medicine for three years with at least one course in clinical instruction and a thesis. Term was from October to February.

He moved to Augusta County in 1855 apparently on a farm with his sisters near Mount Horeb Presbyterian Church and practiced his profession. At the bride's residence "Spring Farm" on October 24, 1859, by Rev. Irving, he was united in wedlock with Margaret Ann Sellers (25 Dec 1833 - 20 Nov 1915) daughter of Isaac Sellers (1797-1839) and Susannah Long (1809-1888).

The property described as "Spring Farm" is of interest to the Ewing Family. Major David Golladay (1759-1823) purchased 200 acres for 750 lbs. from Charles Beard of Rockingham County and his brother William Beard of Augusta County by deed dated 21 July 1808 and being a part of 400 acres acquired by Samuel Lockhard by Patent dated May 17, 1751. David moved into his newly constructed home in 1809 and described it in his holographic will as his "manchen house". He constructed on his land and operated Rockland Mills (grist and saw mills). He later acquired additional land contiguous to his original acquisition and sold 56 acres (lying cross North River in Rockingham County) of the original acquisition of 200 acres to his sister-in-law Teckla Hockman Krickenberger and her husband Johannes Krickenberger. The Krickenbergers had preceded the Golladays in moving from Shenandoah County by about 5 years.

Major Golladay and wife Rebecca Hockman Golladay produced 10 children and raised three nephews, attended Old Augusta Stone Church, enjoyed Thomas Jefferson hospitality and entertained his daughter in law's (Jane Lowry Golladay) nephew Commondore Barron who killed Admiral Stephen Decatur in a duel. See Augusta Historical Bulletin Vol 6, No. 2, Fall, 1969.

David died in 1823 and his wife Rebecca died in 1828 - both are buried in the family graveyard on the bank of North River now known as "Sellers Cemetery".

By deed dated October 29, 1827 Spring Farm consisting of 285 acres was conveyed by Rebecca Golladay, her sons William and Isaac Golladay to Isaac Sellers and wife Susannah Long Sellers for the sum of $7,000.00. Isaac and wife Susannah are buried in Sellers Cemetery.

(A picture of the house in the article is not of the quality that it could be reproduced. "Spring Farm" Weyers Cave, Virginia. Also, the picture of the mantle done by the Hession soldier artisans cannot be reproduced.)

Dr. Ewing enlisted at Staunton, Virginia August 2, 1861 as a surgeon in Company G, 52 Inf. and assigned to hospital duty in Winchester, Virginia. On May 14, 1863 he was relieved from hospital duty and in August 1863 detailed to Regimental Duty in General Early's Division. Transfer from surgery to Hospital Duty - his request was denied. On September 19, 1864 he was captured at Winchester, Virginia - was held as surgeon to wounded Confederates for about four months and on January 19, 1865 was in the U. S. Army General hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. On February 2, 1865 he was in Fortress Monroe, later paroled at Winchester, Virginia and discharged at Lee's surrender on April 19, 1865.

He practiced his profession at "Slate Hill" farm located 1 1/2 miles east of Weyers Cave, Virginia and died of Bright's disease in 1902. Dr. Ewing's great grandson acquired Slate Hill farm in 1971 and restored the old dwelling house.

Ownership of "The Grove"

"The Grove" is located three mile northwest of Harrisonburg, Virginia. The first house was built about 1742, the second house was built about 1822.

Name of the original owner to present day owner:

a. William Ewing (1694-1796), the immigrant, by patent, 1742.

b. John Ewing, son of William, by inheritance, 1796.

c. William Ewing, son of John Ewing, by inheritance, June 1822.

d. Mary Elizabeth Ewing, by inheritance and division 1890 and 1894.

e. W. N. Deputy, by deed from H. W. Wyant Spcl. commissioner, Novel 1919.

f. William C. Wampler, by deed from W. N. Deputy November 24, 1919.

g. The New York Life Insurance Company of New York from trustee. Aug 1. 1933.

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