Thomas Dick
Thomas Dick was my great-great-great-great-grandfather.
His story is told in a short biography called "Pioneer Days of
Thomas Dick", by Pearle Dick, tentatively dated 1940,
an uncopyrighted eleven-page pamphlet
held by the
Ohio Historical Society, which will send out
photocopies for a reasonable fee. It is mistitled there as "Pioneer
Days of Thomas Dick and Elizabeth McCoy Dick, his beloved
and devoted wife", when in fact, as the pamphlet does make
clear, his first wife was named Jane McCoy, while his second
wife was not a McCoy at all. She is listed in it
as Elizabeth May, but other sources indicate that her name
was actually Elizabeth May Campbell.
The manuscript begins:
Thomas Dick was born on October 8, 1763, at 8 o'clock am, at or
near Ballimony, Ireland.
There is not much known of Thomas Dick's father's family
and relatives; but by examining some old letters we find that
his father's name was Quinton, and had five sons and two
daughters, namely: Quinton, Hugh, Campbell, Robert, Thomas, Elizabeth,
and Mary.
The next record we have of Thomas Dick is that in his 13th year he went to
Stewartstown, Ireland to live with his brother, Campbell, and was bound to him
on December 15, 1776, and stayed with him until February 20, 1781.
During this time he went to school to Adam Calderwood, commencing
December 1, 1779, and left it on the 10th of August, 1780.
He continued his studies and prepared himself as a school master and preferred a situiation as such.
Not finding an opening in Ireland for teaching, he decided to seek
his fortune in America.
He left Ireland on Tuesday, September 23, 1783, sailing from
Belfast on the good ship, "Three Sisters," commanded by Captain
Gillis, and landed in Philadelphia on Friday, November 28, 1783, having
been on the ocean two months and three days. The ship was driven from its proper
course many times due to storms.
Mr. Dick remained in Philadelphia for some time, but finding it difficult to get employment which suited him,
he concluded to seek it in the country.
About the first of June, 1789, when nature wore her most fascinating dress,
he crossed the Laurel Hill and entered the secluded and beautiful district
of country lying between that Mountain and Chesnut Ridge, known as Legonier Valley.
He was so charmed as he leisurely surveryed it from the mountain - the neat cottages of the farmers with their clustering roses and other summer flowers,
the grain fields promising an adundant harvest, and the grazing herds - he thought that indeed here was the valley of peace - the realization of his early
dreams - and here he would make his home in the sweet and quiet retreat, thus gently embosemed amid the grandeur of the surrounding mountains.
Towards the close of the day, he arrived at one of the most substantial looking farm houses
and was kindly received by the inmates. In the morning he made known
his occupation and desire for employment.
The neaighborhood was not large but his new friends became interested
in the matter and in the course of a few weeks a small school composed
of the little folks, who were too young for farm and housework, was made
up for him.
He continued to teach until fall, amusing himself morning, evening and Saturdays,
rambling among the enchanting scenery of the valley and the adjacent
mountains.
His school was continued during the winter, and became more profitable
as the members at that season were greatly increased.
Satisfied and contented with the location he felt that with one of the
rosy-cheeked girls of the valley, who strongly attracted him, he could
settle for life in the pursuit of his peaceful vocation.
Accordingly on September 8, 1789, he was married to Miss Jane McCoy of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
Soon after establishing himself in a home of his own, with prospects for himself and companion, of permanency as well as peace and happiness.
But his peace and happiness were short-lived.
Mr. Dick has just returned from a business visit to Pittsburgh, and while seated
at the table in company with his wife and a young man of the neiughborhood
who had called to see him on business, when his house was suddenly and without
any previous warning surrounded by Indians.
No danger had been anticipated in the valley, it being some 50 miles from the fronteir, although the inhabitants
were aware of the hostilities of the savages, and the many deadly attacks recently made by them in the neighborhoods less protected than theirs.
The first intimation Mr. Dick therefore had of the presence of the Indians was the discharge of their rifles through the open door, by which the
young man who sat with them was killed, and the next consciousness he had afterwards, was standing in a remote corner of the room and an
Indian painted and dressed in full costume, about to strike him with a tomahawk. For some reason not apparent to Mr. Dick, the Indian desisted at the critical moment and seizing him by the arms bound them before he was aware of his purpose and led him out of the house.
As soon as he was out, he discovered much to his relief, that Mrs. Dick was not injured, but like himself only a prisoner.
The Indians were a party belonging to the Seneca tribe.
It goes on to describe how Mrs. Dick's exposure to the cold and wet weather
brought on a severe attack of rheumatism
that the Indians were unable to help. Unable to walk, she was left behind in
the village when the Indians sold Mr. Dick
tp a trader who took him to Detroit, where he was released.
Mr. Dick was able to hire an Indian to go steal his wife back for him, after which
he carried her himself many miles in the snow, to get her home again.
After this experience, they had three children, before Jane McCoy died
when their youngest child, their daughter Elizabeth (my ancestor),
was two or three years old.
Last updated: March 2004