Mary Lewis was born in Basking Ridge in 1763. When she was 15, she married Joseph Kinnan and together they moved west to farm in the western part of Virginia in a place called Tygart's Valley.
Living with the Kinnans, was Margaret Ward and her son. Margaret was the widow of a Revolutionary War Veteran and since Joseph had served with her husband in the war, they invited her to live on the farm with them.
In May 1791, three renegade Shawnee braves attacked the farm, killed Joseph and their daughter. Escaping were Mary's two sons, her brother Jacob Lewis, Margaret and her son.
Mary was taken captive and brought to Ohio, then to the Detroit area, where she remained a captive for three years. Mary managed to get a message out to an Army courier to bring back to her brother in Basking Ridge. On the way back East, the courier died of yellow fever and was buried. Because he was carrying important documents, his body was exhumed. Mary's message was found and delivered to her brother who went to Detroit and rescued and returned her to Basking Ridge, where she lived to the ripe old age of 85. Her grave is a simple stone with Mary in large letters.
Source: Informational Pamplet from the Church
Living with the Kinnans, was Margaret Ward and her son. Margaret was the widow of a Revolutionary War Veteran and since Joseph had served with her husband in the war, they invited her to live on the farm with them.
In May 1791, three renegade Shawnee braves attacked the farm, killed Joseph and their daughter. Escaping were Mary's two sons, her brother Jacob Lewis, Margaret and her son.
Mary was taken captive and brought to Ohio, then to the Detroit area, where she remained a captive for three years. Mary managed to get a message out to an Army courier to bring back to her brother in Basking Ridge. On the way back East, the courier died of yellow fever and was buried. Because he was carrying important documents, his body was exhumed. Mary's message was found and delivered to her brother who went to Detroit and rescued and returned her to Basking Ridge, where she lived to the ripe old age of 85. Her grave is a simple stone with Mary in large letters.
Source: Informational Pamplet from the Church
Mary Lewis was born in Basking Ridge in 1763. When she was 15, she married Joseph Kinnan and together they moved west to farm in the western part of Virginia in a place called Tygart's Valley.
Living with the Kinnans, was Margaret Ward and her son. Margaret was the widow of a Revolutionary War Veteran and since Joseph had served with her husband in the war, they invited her to live on the farm with them.
In May 1791, three renegade Shawnee braves attacked the farm, killed Joseph and their daughter. Escaping were Mary's two sons, her brother Jacob Lewis, Margaret and her son.
Mary was taken captive and brought to Ohio, then to the Detroit area, where she remained a captive for three years. Mary managed to get a message out to an Army courier to bring back to her brother in Basking Ridge. On the way back East, the courier died of yellow fever and was buried. Because he was carrying important documents, his body was exhumed. Mary's message was found and delivered to her brother who went to Detroit and rescued and returned her to Basking Ridge, where she lived to the ripe old age of 85. Her grave is a simple stone with Mary in large letters.
Source: Informational Pamplet from the Church
Living with the Kinnans, was Margaret Ward and her son. Margaret was the widow of a Revolutionary War Veteran and since Joseph had served with her husband in the war, they invited her to live on the farm with them.
In May 1791, three renegade Shawnee braves attacked the farm, killed Joseph and their daughter. Escaping were Mary's two sons, her brother Jacob Lewis, Margaret and her son.
Mary was taken captive and brought to Ohio, then to the Detroit area, where she remained a captive for three years. Mary managed to get a message out to an Army courier to bring back to her brother in Basking Ridge. On the way back East, the courier died of yellow fever and was buried. Because he was carrying important documents, his body was exhumed. Mary's message was found and delivered to her brother who went to Detroit and rescued and returned her to Basking Ridge, where she lived to the ripe old age of 85. Her grave is a simple stone with Mary in large letters.
Source: Informational Pamplet from the Church
Inscription
IN
Memory of MARY
wife of
Joseph Kinnan
who departed this life March 12th 1848
In the 85th year of her age.
My Lord hath called and I obey
To meet and with him dwell.
The last and greatest debt I've paid,
And bid this world farewell.
Family Members
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