George Washington Petro

Notes:

Was a scout in the Revolutionary War. In 1777 he was captured by Indians while on lookout along Little Kanawha River Indian trail (war path) that led from Wood County to Gilmer. Around 1781 he was released to British at Ft. Detroit.

In 1801 he receives a land grant in OH.

Leonard married Mary See ca 1787, Hardy Co. VA (now WV). Mary (daughter of Frederick Michael See and Catherine Vanderpool) was born ca 1748, Augusta Co. VA; died 1823, Clear Creek Township, Warren Co. OH. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Frederick See and his father George See were one of the early settlers of Augusta County, Virginia arriving in about 1743. Frederick built his cabin home along the Greenbrier river on what was called Muddy Creek. In 1755, war broke out between France and England and the French incited the Native Americans to make war on the back-country settlers of Virginia. Many of the settlers moved to safer areas. In 1762 the Greenbrier settlement was renewed, but it wasn't safe.

Chief Cornstalk led a party of 80 or 90 Shawnees crossed over the Ohio River and swept up the Kanawha in July 1863. They came to the Frederick See cabin in a friendly manner. The Sees welcomed them, and as it was near to mealtime they offered to share their food with the Indians. After the meal was finished, the Shawnees lounged around for a bit and rested. Suddenly they fell upon their family, killing Fredrick Michael See, his son-in-law (Littleberry Roach) and Felty Yocum, Frederick's cousin.

The women and children were taken prisoners.


Died:
Killed by Shawnee Indians in Muddy Creek Massacre.

Frederick married Catherine Vanderpool 1744, possibly Augusta Co. VA. Catherine was born 30 Jun 1725, Albany, Albany Co. NY; died 1808, Chillicothe, Ross Co. OH. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Catherine Vanderpool was involved in one of the worst Indian Massacres in early Virginia history, known as "The Muddy Creek Massacre", which occurred in Greenbrier County, Virginia on July 16, 1763. Her husband, Frederick See was killed and scalped, and she was taken captive by the Shawnee Indians with several of her children.

Several accounts of this incident show that she showed incredible bravery during her captivity, which no doubt saved the lives of Catherine and her children ["A Chronicle of the See family and their Kindred", written and compiled by Irene See Brasel (1892-1963)]

On the way to Ohio, those women and children who were unable to keep up were killed. Her grandson, the child of Margaret (See) Roach was killed. Her youngest son, John, was quite weak and Catherine feared for his life. Seeing a warrior riding their horse, Catherine indicated to him that she wanted it. When he refused, she picked up a club and attempted to knock him off the horse. About to kill her, the amused Indians prevented the warrior from doing so.

Once they reached the Shawnee settlement in what is now Ross County, OH, Catherine was called upon to run the gauntlet. Grabbing a stick she began making whirling moves
swinging the stick which pleased all the warriors greatly.

When cold weather came, there was not enough room inside for all the prisoners, so one of Catherine's sons had to sleep outside with the dogs to keep warm.

She became the 5th wife of her captor, Chief Cornstalk.

A document written by Colonel Henry Bouquet to William Penn, Governor of Pennsylvania, on November 15, 1764, stated all tribes led by Chief Cornstalk had at last agreed to release the prisoners, not only from the incident at the See home but a number of other similar incidents at other family homes on the South Branch.

Catherine and at least some of her children must have been separated during their captivity, because her youngest child, John, was adopted by a Shawnee family who had lost their son. John became very fond of his new family. When the time arrived for the Shawnee to release their prisoners, all of the See family except nine-year-old Elizabeth, were freed. Cornstalk would not agree to let her go, but kept her for nine more years during which time his son married her.

The return prisoner list included Catherine See and her children Michael, George, John, Mary, Margaret and Lois...along with Margaret, George, Elizabeth and Sally Yocum (Yoakum). John returned to the Shawnee settlement to his new family, and eventually his uncle, Michael Adam See (brother of Frederick Michael and husband of Barbara Rebecca Harness). ransomed and took him back to Hampshire County, Virginia where the rest of the See family was then living.