Hi List: Wish I'd realized that this topic hadn't come up before! I would have mentioned sooner that I have two very similar accounts of the Indian attack, one from the Harrison County (WV) Genealogical Society newsletter and one transcribed from a book. Neither mentions the wife's name but Rachel seems most likely. I am descended from their son Zadoc. The HCGS article says the attack was in 1801, but that's the only place I've ever seen that date mentioned. It's probably an error. In an interesting note, an elderly cousin tells me that her father frequently told them the story about the bear which follows: Excerpt from "Ashcraft Family Represents Forbears of Various Lines Now Residents of Harrison, Wetzel, Taylor and Other Counties," Harrison County Genealogical Society newsletter, Volume 8, issue 4, 1994. "An interesting legend is told about the miraculous escape from massacre of the children of John McIntire, a brother of Mrs. Uriah Ashcraft, in May 1801 when both McIntire and his wife were slain by Indians. As the latter were coming down Nutter run to the Bingamon creek valley, they passed the McIntire house and heard such a racket that they thought it full of people and passed on without making an attack. The parents were away from home and the children had taken a pet bear into the house and were romping with it, thus creating the noise which misled the savages. The bear doubtless saved their lives. Prowling Indian On their way home that day, Mr. and Mrs. McIntire crossed the Ashcraft yard and a short time thereafter Uriah Ashcraft was startled by the sudden growling and warning attitude of his dogs. Stepping quickly to a door, he saw an Indian on the outside with a gun drawn. Ashcraft hastily closed and fastened the door and ran upstairs the better to fire at the intruder. Snapping his gun several times and discovering other Indians in the yard, he loudly shouted to apprise his neighbors he was in danger. Frightened the Indians retreated. Three brothers of John McIntire came to Ashcraft�s relief and he joined them in an attempt to trail the Indians. A mile away they discovered the body of John McIntire tomahawked, stripped and scalped. Concluding Mrs. McIntire had been taken prisoner, they hurriedly sent an alarm to Clarksburg, and a company of men led by John Haymond and George Jackson hastened to the scene and started to pursue the Indians. Below the three forks of Middle island creek, now in Doddridge county, before they were aware of proximity to the savages, they were fired upon by the latter, and two of the party narrowly escaped injury or death. A ball passed through a handkerchief on Haymond�s head, and another through one o Jackson�s shirtsleeves. Promptly returning fire, the white men rushed forward, but the Indians had retreated, abandoning some of their plunder, among which was the scalp of Mrs. McIntire. Her body was later found a short distance from the spot where he husband had been slain." The coordinator of the Harrison County Rootsweb site found this for me in the "Harrison Co Heritage" book: "known children of John and Rachel (Rose) McIntire (who were killed by Indians): Charles married Lucinda Nay; Elizabeth married Charles Nutter; Joseph married Mary "Molly" Glover; Isaac, who died young; Zadoc married Keziah Drummond. Joseph McIntire sold his land in Harrison and purchased 1200 acres in Tyler Co. At his death, this land was divided among his children, 4 of whom preceded him in death. Children: Malinda; Fralkin who married Phoebe Martin; Elizabeth; Permelia; Jacob who married Nancy Lyons; Rev George W; Luke who married Sarah Lemasters; and Henderson, who married Mary Lemasters." Stand by for part two! __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Auctions - Buy the things you want at great prices. http://auctions.yahoo.com/