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From: "Patch227" <>
Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] Purgett genealogy
Date: Sun, 14 May 2000 18:20:19 -0400
References: <391C26EF.84169283@thesurf.com> <391CA9D2.F8F995B1@shentel.net>


The may help on the rebellion of 1781
Claypoole is my direct line, the papers from VA records cover both, the men
in the reb., John's letter for pardon and others requesting a pardon. Very
simply the men were drunk and resented high taxes.There are a very more
official VA. papers.
Barbara Johnson
On April 11, 1781, Col. VanMeter the County Lieutenant, informed Gov.
Jefferson that "a dangerous insurrection" had broken out in Hampshire and
the collection of beef and clothing for the army had come to a halt. John
Claypole, the leader, had announced that "if all the men were of his mind
they would not make up any Cloathes, beef or men," and publicly drank a
health to George III. When the sheriff went to arrest Claypole, he found
sixty or seventy armed men standing guard at his house and prudently
withdrew. As the Claypole family had many relations and connections "with
the most considerable Families on those Waters and the strongest friends to
our present constitution, " it was virtually impossible to find militiamen
to bring him to justice. When Hampshire militia would not turn out after
Claypole's men exchanged fire with a small party of them on Lost River, the
county lieutenant called for help from the Frederick and Rockingham
militia. Bo. Benjamin Harrison, who lived in the old stone For Harrison in
Dayton, recalled later the he "had entrusted to his conduct a little
expedition against some Tories in Hardy Co. (then Hampshire) who had
assembled under the influence of a man called General Claypole." General
Harrison's Rockingham Co., Militia pursued their quarry through the mountain
valleys of Lost River and the Cacapon. "It turned out to be a frolic rather
than a battle. The chief aim of the expedition was to capture the general,
but he eluded their pursuit."Claypole and his confederates finally
surrendered on terms. When they were brought to trial in August, mothers,
wives and children, crowded the courtroom ready to bid a last farewell to
their relations. It was understood that there would be a death sentence ,
followed by an immediate execution. But Claypole's friends and relations
were seeking a full pardon for him and his fellow insurgents. General Daniel
Morgan himself sad wrote Claypole promising to obtain a full pardon for him
if he would give himself up and return to his duty. Petitions from nearly
all the prominent Patriots in that part of Virginia reached Gov. Thomas
Nelson. In the end, Claypole was granted a full pardon and the Lost River
insurgents were almost heroes, for they had successfully stood up to the tax
collector and county lieutenant and spoken aloud what their neighbors deeply
felt.

----- Original Message -----
From: Veerle Foreman <>
To: <>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2000 9:03 PM
Subject: Re: [WVHAMPSH-L] Purgett genealogy


> This was known as Claypool's Rebellion and was covered by Richard
MacMaster
> in his History of Hardy County, 1786-1986..
>
> Mike
>
> john kleinke wrote:
>
> > Thanks to Herman Fagley, I have been able to better read my 4ggr. Rev .
> > war app. papers. Found the listing and some history on the reason these
> > men were only to serve for 6 months. Info about Fort McIntosh and Fort
> > Laurens and all the hardships they had. Herman always sends a little
> > history with his info. Thanks again.
> > One thing I haven't found is in 1781 men from (I gather) the militia
> > wer called into service for 2 or 3 weeks to fight the Tories in Hardy
> > Co. WV. Do's anyone have any info about this campain?
> > Thanks again to all.
> > Diane Kleinke - purgett
>
>


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