I am researching info on Major John James (1772-1854), whose father, Captain John James, was a member of the Ohio Company. The James family arrived in Washington county in 1789 (not 1790 as historian's suggest). Over the weekend, I received a copy of a letter that Prescott Hildreth wrote to his father, Dr Samuel Hildreth, in January of 1846 from Jackson, Ohio. Major John James had left the Parkersburg area in 1807 and moved to Jackson Ohio where he spent the rest of his life. Prescott had been dispatched to Jackson by his father to gather info on his life and recollections of his time in Washington county and Wood county Virginia. William James, a brother to Major John James, had been one of the settlers massacred at Big Bottom in January of 1791. It turns out that Major James and his father both just missed being victims as well. And in Major James place was Isaac Meeks and his family. Major James stated that the Ohio Company had offered 100 acres of land to citizens willing to settle the land up the Muskingum River. Captain James and his two sons took the offer and were part of a "company" that made the journey up the Muskingum in late 1790 where they built the infamous blockhouse. Major James stated that he was to be sent up the Monongahela River for "provisions" for the settlers but not wanting to lose his land claim, he hired Isaac Meeks "from near Parkersburg" to take his place while he was away. Ice on the Monongahela delayed Major James return. Also, Captain James had left the evening before the massacre to return to the Parkersburg area. Thus, Captain and son Major James narrowly averted death and instead, Isaac Meeks, his wife and two children were victims.