John McKibben was born abt

The following information was submitted by Joyce E. Bennett in November 2006 for inclusion on www.chartiers.com. Her email address is Joyce.E.Bennett at adelphia.net

McKibben Family of Washington County, PA

John McKibben was born abt.1728 in County Antrim, Ireland and died Oct. 28, 1798 in Washington Co., PA. He married Sarah Coburn abt.1754 in Armstrong Co., PA. She was born abt.1730 in County Down, Ireland, and died June 9, 1812 in Harrison Co., OH. They had the following 8 children:

Thomas 1755-1822

Richard 1757-1827

Samuel 1759-1836

Margaret 1760-1798

John 1763-1844

Sarah 1765-1838

Mary 1767(8)-1861

William 1768-1834

McKibbens originally moved from the lowlands of Scotland to County Antrim and Armagh in Ireland. They settled around County Antrim at a place called "The Craigs". There were eventually so many McKibbens in the Craigs' colony, that it was renamed "McKibben's Town" and is so called to this day. McKibben means "children from sunny side of the mountain" and many are still in Ireland raising sheep.

The McKibben migration to America occured about 1745-48 with three brothers: John, Joseph and Thomas. John eventually settled in what was then Westmoreland Co., Washington twp., PA on a farm, built a large log house in 1773, and put up a stockade around the house for protection from Indian raids. Many of his neighbors collected there for long periods during the frequent raids.

The McKibben compound held the first Presbyterian Church service west of the Alleghenys on April 19, 1775.

During the fall of 1777, Captain Samuel Moorhead came to command McKibben's Blockhouse and fortify it for use during the Revolution. It was renamed "Fort Hand" after Gen. Edward Hand, commander at Fort Pitt. The Continental Army quartered at Fort Hand and John McKibben was considered a "defender of the frontier". It was one of only two forts used by the Continental Army west of the Alleghenys.

April 26, 1779, Fort Hand was attacked by 100 Indians and Capt. Moorehead had only 17 men inside to defend her. The fort was assailed by constant fire until noon and then the Indians left April 27. It burned down later in 1779.

Three of John's sons fought in the Revolution.

Sources:

"Early Forts of PA" by Thwaites & Elliott

PA Archives 3rd series Vol.25

"History of Wash. Co., PA" by Boyd Crumrine

Draper Calendar #3NN67-68 "Account of John McKibben's house on White Pine Run"

PA Archives Vol.6 pg.673

"3000 Descendants of John McKibben" by Sally Jordan Reed

The photos are of:

Thomas McKibben Jr.'s family group composite

David McKibben home in West Freedom, PA

Painting of the McKibben School, Clarion, PA