September 1896
Jeffersonian Democrat
FAMILY HISTORY
The ancestor of the Hindmans was an Irishman. His name was David and his wife was Miss Linville. They belong to a class of sturdy, determined, straight-going fellows greatly distinguished for their love of order and peace. They were always the last men to enter on war or controversy, but when they did engage in a battle it was only on absolute conviction that they were right and as a consequence they would be the last to leave the field. Their comrades felt good when they had the members of this class behind them in a retreat, and so owing to these traits they came to be spoken as "hind men", meaning brave, invincible fellows who were good as a mountain between a good cause and its enemies. This is the tradition but I can't vouch for its reliability. Knowing what I do, however, of many of the descendants of this country it seems most plausible.
David Hindman and his young wife came across the ocean in 1760 and settled near Carlisle, Pennsylvania. At a later date they removed to Saltsburg in the Westmoreland County. They raise an interesting family of five sons and five daughters all of whom, except one son, James, married in had families of good size.
Two daughters were married to McKees. Martha to John and Maria to Robert. Sally married John Richey, Agnes, James Leech, and Jane, Charles Bryan. (This is how the Hindmans are related to the next president). Thomas was the father of twin sons, Samuel and John, who became distinguished in the Ministry of the Associate Reformed Church, more familiarly known as the "Seceder church". They were earnest man of God, simple and plain in the preaching and thoroughly Orthodox. They could do and did do what preachers of the present day would not risk doing, viz: Lay off one by one, coat, vest and tie while preaching and put them on in like manner without losing the thread of discourse or provoking a smile. These twin brothers while teaching school at 50 miles apart suddenly became possessed with the conviction without having had any previous discussion or communication on the subject that they were called to preach the gospel. They dismissed school for a day or two but they might see each other and talk it over and to their mutual surprise they met in the road halfway, and much more to their mutual surprise they learned they were both on the same errand. Certainly they could not help but feel that they were called of God.
Their father and two of his brothers came to death by accident inside of two years, and within a circle of less than a mile in diameter. Thomas was killed in building a bridge across the Loyalhanna, David in raising a barn and James drowned in the Kiskiminetas.
Two of the brothers removed near Corsica, John in 1806 and Samuel several years later. Samuel settled on what is now known as the Holden farm and after a few years residence remove to Trumbull County, Ohio. John, who married Sally Matthews, first settled on a farm now owned and occupied by Robert M. Corbett. The Indians assisted him in building a log cabin, the first improvement made in the vicinity. His nearest neighbor was at Port Barnett and he was obligated to go to Kittanning for his groceries, there being no store within shorter distance. Mr. Hindman's second residence was on what is now known as the Fairman farm, and his third and final one on a farm north of the pike from the Old Milton Fleming farm about mile. Here he spent the greater part of his life, raised his large family of eight sons and four girls and died at the advanced age of 96. All his children were present at the funeral in 1860 as they had been at their mother's in 1847. But they have all passed away now except Crawford and Robert H. James married Rachel Christy and became the father of six children 3 still living and three dead. John L. married Nancy Latimore by whom he had seven children, all dead but two. His second wife was Nancy Patton.
William M. married Rachel Clough by whom he had seven children, but only three survive. His second wife was Mary Ann Bunker and by her he had five children, all dead now except one.
Lydia was married to George Trimble and her family consisted of 4 children, only one now living.
Nancy's husband was Andrew Gayley, she raised no children.
Samuel married Ann McGuire and raise three children, two of whom survived.
Sally became the wife of John Summerville, and the mother of eight children 5 living.
Alexander took Hanna Frampton for his wife, and was blessed with five children, all now living but one.
McConnell's wife was Sarah Rea, and to them were born six children, and they are all dead but Frank.
Crawford married Mary J., daughter of Rev. William Kennedy, and raised 8 children, all living. His family is the only one of the 11 that is never been visited by death. He is now past his three score and ten and the golden wedding occurred nigh two years ago. Among his children, in his grandchildren numbering eight, he is not yet witnessed a death. This is remarkable.
Eliza never was married, and made her home with her brother Robert H., at whose home she died only a year or so ago. Robert H. married to Cassandra Thompson, and their family consisted of five children, three surviving. Thus it will be seen that the descendants of John and Sally Hindman numbered 12 children all dead but 2, and 64 grandchildren 37 of whom are living and 27 dead. The number of the 4th and 5th generations we did not learn.
Such is a brief outline of the history of one of the oldest and worthiest families of this section. Time and space would not permit of anything in greater detail. Their influence has been on the side of morality and Christianity, and they have made contributions to all the honorable callings and professions that have brought honor to the name. Long may their race abide and its people abound, for we like that of the Hindman's behind us and before us and on either side of us. Let us suggest that Crawford , P. R., and W.A. Hindman act as a committee on history and the calling of future conventions. And let us have more family conventions. The Framptons, the Corbetts, and Hindmans have had theirs, and why should not other excellent families be found in Clarion and Jefferson County follow their example. We Americans do not take the pride we should in collecting and preserving family history.
Also read the companion piece on the Hindman Convention from the same issue of the Jeffersonian Democrat.