1776
Leaving York County, Pennsylvania and following the Monocacy Trail to the end, Johan Martin Kirschman and his family (including Martin Cashman) arrived in Washington County, Maryland in 1776 shortly after it was created from the division of Frederick County, Maryland. Apparently the Kirschmans arrived after the 1776 tax list was taken as he is not listed. The family settled in Washington County, Maryland along the Potomac River.
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1776 Frederick County, Maryland is divided and Washington County, Maryland formed, named in honor of the young General George Washington who was leading the Continental Army against Britain. Adjacent to Washington County, Maryland is Berkeley County, Virginia. The counties are separated by the Potomac River, which creates a natural border between not only these two counties, but also between where the Cumberland Valley ends and the Shenandoah Valley begins.
Later in the 1830s West Virginia is formed and encompasses Berkeley County. Today the county seats of Hagerstown (old Elizabethtown), Maryland and Martinsburg, West Virginia are a growing metropolitan area.
See Map of 1776 Maryland: http://www.familyhistory101.com/maps/pa_cf.html
See Map of 1776 Virginia: http://www.familyhistory101.com/maps/pa_cf.html
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Disturbing news continued to trickle in to Washington County, Maryland: King George has now declared Congress traitors and the colonies in rebellion. Up until now a substantial percentage of Maryland and Virginia colonists remained loyal to the British Crown, seeking peaceful resolution of their grievances, not physical conflict. But that soon changed. In May 1776 the colonists responded by formally declaring their independence as a new nation, the United States of America, claiming sovereignty and rejecting any allegiance to the British monarchy. (Note: the Declaration of Independence was then written and signed in July 1776.)
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The War of Independence was now fully engaged. Johan Martin Kirschman and his family would do their part to help support the cause. As did all the new colonial states, Maryland law required all able-bodied men ages 18-50 to enlist in the local militia to protect the state against the British army should it invade. Those unwilling to do so were considered Tories or Neutrals and thus treated accordingly. Both Johan Martin Kirschman and his 20-year-old son George became Privates in Captain James Smith's 2nd Battalion. Martin Kirschman Jr. (Martin Cashman) around age 14 was too young to join the militia.
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1776/1777 Washington County, Maryland
Kishman, George. Private, Militia, 2nd Class, Capt. James Smith’s Company, 2nd Battalion. 1776/1777 (Ref: M-239, A-1146).
Kishman, Martin. Private, Militia, 7th Class, Capt. James Smith’s Company, 2nd Battalion. 1776/1777 (Ref: M-240, A-1146). Took the Oath of Allegiance before the Hon. Henry Schnebley in 1778 (Ref: 0-50, J-13, which listed his name as “Martin Kirshman.”
Source: Revolutionary Patriots of Washington County, Maryland 1776-1783. Henry C. Peden, Jr. Pg. 98 FHL 975.291 m28p
Source: The Maryland Militia in the Revolutionary War. S. Eugene Clements and F. Edward Wright. Pg. 239-240
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During this time of political turmoil, life in the Kirschman household went on. Johan Martin’s oldest son Joh. George Kirschman met and married Elisabeth ____. By the fall of 1777 their first child was born and baptized Johanna Kirschman.
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1777 Washington County, Maryland
Johanna is born to George Kiessman and Elisabeth, born 13 Nov 1777 is baptized Dec.7, 1777 at the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church at Elizabethtown (Hagerstown) Maryland.
Source: Washington County, Maryland Church Records of the 18th Century. Published by Family Line Publications. 1988. Pg. 3. FHL 975.291
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Little fighting occurred in Maryland and Virginia during the first five years of the Revolution; the focus of the war was in the northern colonies. Still, the citizens of Virginia and Maryland along the Potomac were greatly affected by and involved in the war efforts by providing food, clothing, and other goods to the soldiers. Sometimes transportation, shelter, and other services were required.
In addition, loyalties must be declared. In 1788 Maryland and Virginia required all men ages 18 and older to swear an Oath of Allegiance or Oath of Fidelity. An oath was considered unbreakable and no man of honor or virtue would consider doing so as their reputation would be ruined and their integrity lost. (Consider the infamous traitor Benedict Arnold).
Those who were loyal to the Crown, or “Tories,” would not take the Oath or join the Militia. They either returned to England or other British territories, or they left the society of the community to join with other Tories. Some colonists refused to take the Oath or join the Militia claiming to be “Neutral” and unwilling to risk their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor in the fight. Neutrals, including members of the religious Society of Friends (Quakers) who were not permitted to bear arms or swear oaths of allegiance, were often forced to pay triple taxes in addition to having their livestock commandeered or confiscated. As a result, it was hard to stay Neutral for too many years.
Johan Martin Kirschman was neither a Loyalist nor a Quaker, so he took the Oath. This is another reason to consider that Johan Martin Kirschman is not the Hans Martin Kirschman who took the Oath of Allegiance to the British Crown that German immigrants were required to take upon arriving in Pennsylvania. To have made this new oath of allegiance to Maryland would have meant breaking the first oath and would have violated his honor and integrity. Johan Martin Kirschman was free to make this new oath because he had been too young to take the first one in Pennsylvania. Hans Martin Kirschman did not have to face this dilemma as he died prior to 1761.
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1778 Washington County, Maryland
Martin Kirshman took the Oath of Allegiance before the Hon. Henry Schnebley.
Source: Revolutionary Patriots of Washington Co, MD 1776-1783. Henry C. Peden, Jr. Pg. 98 FHL 975.291 m28p
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In 1778 Martin Kirschman Jr. (Martin Cashman) was a young man of about 16 years – too young to be required to take the Oath or join the militia. His older brother George certainly was old enough to take the oath, but a record of it has not been found. However, his service in the militia proves his loyalty to the cause. These records qualify Johan Martin Kirschman & Johan George Kirschman for entry into the D.A.R.
No more records of Johan Martin Kirschman Sr. appear in the Washington County, Maryland records. A search in surrounding counties finds Johan Martin Kirschman on the tax lists of Bedford County, Pennsylvania – which in 1779 was adjacent to Washington County on the northwest. Agnes and five of their children are with him. Martin Jr. and George Kirschman remained in Washington County, Maryland.
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1779 Providence Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania (Formed 1771 from Cumberland Co.)
Source: Bedford County Pennsylvania 1779 Tax List. Family Line Publications. Pg.69. FHL 974.5 A1 No. 430
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.The presence of the Kirschman family is evident in this "tri-County area" of Bedford Co Pennsylvania, Berkeley Co Virginia, and Washington Co Maryland for the next decade or more. They appear periodically as children get married, babies are baptized, and taxes are collected. During this time as the Revolutionary War rages on, settlers and visitors continue to enter this fertile valley, which is fast becoming the "highway" to southern Virginia and its western frontier (now known as Kentucky).
.In 1780 a man from western Pennsylvania, William Hardin, who had returned from an exploration of the Virginia frontier west of the Appalachian Mountains known as Kentucky County, Virginia came through Berkeley County. Mr. Hardin was recruiting single men and families to return with him to help establish and defend desirable land in central Kentucky.
Balser Claycomb and Adam Barr are enticed by William Hardin’s descriptions of Kentucky’s cheap, fertile farmlands that are also rich with abundant wildlife, including herds of elk, deer, and buffalo. Adam Barr, having already served a tour of duty in the War of Independence, will prove handy to have along against Indian attacks. These two men’s adventure will eventually influence two children of Johan Martin Kirschman (Martin Jr. and daughter Elizabeth) to relocate to the Kentucky frontier.
Balser Claycomb’s father, Johan Conrad Kleikam, wrote his will in 1780 naming all his living children, including his two single daughters Mary & Sophia Claycomb. Mary Claycomb will eventually marry Adam Barr and Sophia Claycomb will eventually marry Martin Kirschman Jr. (Martin Cashman). It is important to understand that Johan Conrad Kleikam (Claycomb) and his children are the first and only Claycombs in America at this time, so any Claycomb found in the 17th and early 18th century America is his posterity.
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1780 Berkeley County, Virginia Probate Records
Johan Conrad Kleckham writes his will on 7 Feb.1780. Children listed: Henry Claycomb, Balser Claycomb, Charlotte Claycomb, Conrad Claycomb, Peter Claycomb, Frederick Claycomb, George Claycomb, and single daughters Sophia & Mary Claycomb. Will proved 17 August 1784 in Berkeley County, Virginia. (12).
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In January 1781 the focus of the War of Independence turned toward the Southern colonies. South Carolina was under siege by the British. Then North Carolina was attacked and lost. British General Cornwallis, resupplied and reinforced, was now marching north to unprotected Virginia. In March 1781, General Washington dispatched General Lafayette to Virginia with all hast. (13)
Virginia and Maryland citizens along both sides of the Potomac River prepared for battle, including 19-year-old Martin Kirschman Jr., in Washington County, Maryland and the Kleikams (Claycombs) in Berkeley County, Virginia. It is during these tumultuous war times of 1781 that Martin Kirschman Jr. meets Miss Sophia Claycomb.
Under the threat of General Cornwallis marching to Virginia, the Virginia militia is mustered to duty. At 23 years old, Sophia’s brother Frederick Claycomb is drafted into the Berkeley militia for a six-month tour of duty, of which Martin Kirschman Jr. will later testify as in Kentucky.
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1781 Berkeley County, Virginia
Frederick Claycomb, militia. Capt. Garret under Col. Dart’s Regiment. Marched with said company to Williamsburg, Virginia where other troops were stationed, and had the satisfaction to see General Washington. After the expiration of his time of service he was honorably discharged. The written discharge was lost or misplaced many years ago and he has no documentary evidence to prove his service, but Barney Miller and Martin Cashman of Breckinridge County, Kentucky whose statements will be annexed to this declaration can testify to his service as herein stated.
Source: Pension Claim S. 16083; Certificate #3024. Microfilm: www.footnotes.com/image/14670970
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In April, a British force under the recently-turned traitor Benedict Arnold landed in Virginia. Arnold moved through the Virginia countryside, destroying supply depots, mills, and other economic targets, before joining his army with that of Cornwallis. Lafayette skirmished with Cornwallis, avoiding a decisive battle while gathering reinforcements. Cornwallis moved his forces to Yorktown, Virginia in July so the Royal Navy could return his army to New York. It is to this conflict that Frederick Claycomb and the Virginia militia is deployed to Williamsburg. (13)
Through Gen. George Washington’s strategic maneuvering, the war converged in 1781 at Yorktown, Virginia. Washington moved American and French troops from New York, and a combined Franco-American force of 17,000 men commenced the Siege of Yorktown in early October. For several days, the French and Americans bombarded the British defenses. Prisoners are captured on both sides, then marched to prison camps.
The Virginia militia use Fort Frederick in Washington County, Maryland as their prison camp. The Virginia militia marched the British prisoners northwest through Winchester to Berkeley County, then across the Potomac River to Washington County, Maryland. Martin Kirschman is there to help ferry the prisoners across the river. (13) .
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1781 Berkeley County, Virginia
Martin Kershman alld. L7-17 (pounds) for ferriage over Potawmack River. 556 prisoners and guards and 1 wagon & team on march from Winchester, Virginia to Fort Frederick.
Source: Virginia Publick Claims Berkeley County. Janice L. Abercrombie and Richard Slatten. Iberian Publishing Company. Pg. v gives dates 1779-1781 and Pg. 18 lists Martin Kershman. Courtesy of Kris Kerlin.
Unfortunately, this record does not indicate whether this is Martin Sr. (Johan Martin) or Martin Jr. (Martin Cashman). But this narrative supports that it is Martin Jr. for the following reasons:
1) Ferrying 556 prisoners would have taken a great many trips across the river, which likely occurred over several days. According to history, prisoners were being sent from Yorktown to Fort Frederick every day for several days during the seige. Ferrying these passengers would have required considerable strength and stamina. Johan Martin Kirschman, Sr. was an older man in his mid-40s. Would he have had the physical strength and stamina to be working as a ferry man?
2) Would Johan Martin Kirschman, Sr. have left Bedford Co. Pennsylvnia to work as a ferry man on the Potomac River? Or was he a farmer in Bedford Co.?
3) 19-year-old Martin Kirschman, Jr. lived on the Fort Frederick side of the Potomac in Washington County, Maryland. Since he didn't live in Virginia he wasn't mustered into the Virginia militia, and the Maryland militia wasn't called to help in Yorktown. Here was his chance to help in the war. It's very plausible that he would be employed as a ferry man transporting passengers (and prisoners).
4) Martin Jr. became very acquainted with the Claycomb family in Berkeley County, Virginia, particularly with Frederick & Sophia. Perhaps he met them while working on the Berkeley County, Virginia side of the Potomac...
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Once ferried across the river, the prisoners were taken to Fort Frederick in Washington County, Maryland. Fort Frederick is an impressive stone garrison constructed in 1756 for protection during the French & Indian Seven Years War. The fort was never attacked, but it served as an important supply base for the army led by then Lt. Col. George Washington. Fort Frederick saw service again during the War of Independence. Under the command of Colonel Moses Rawlings, the old fort was refurbished and used to imprison thousands of captured British and Hessian (Germans) soldiers from the battles of Saratoga in 1777 and Yorktown in 1781. Fort Frederick is now a state park open to the public. (14)
http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/ftfrederickhistory.html
Toward the end of the year General Cornwallis' position quickly weakened, and he surrendered his entire army of 7,000 men on October 19, 1781. With the surrender at Yorktown, there were no further major military activities on land, though the war continued on sea against France allies until 1783. America had won its independence! (13)
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With the fight for Independence won and peace restored in Virginia and Maryland, life among the citizens resumed. In 1781 of Providence, Bedford, Pennsylvania, Johan Martin Kirschman’s daughter Catharine Kirschman married David Buck, and they raised their family here until Catherine died in Bedford County, Pennsylvania in 1816. One of Catharine’s daughters Elizabeth Buck marries David Garlick and later joins The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Immediately the family is subjected to religious persecution. The family moves to Nauvoo, Illinois and eventually joins the Mormon pioneer trek across the plains to Utah.
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1781 Providence, Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Catharine Kirschman marries David Buck.
Source: http://hatchfamilyhistory.googlepages.com/DavidGarlickandElizabethBuckHistory.pdf
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In Maryland, a record of George Kirschman’s daughter being baptized appears in the same Lutheran church as their first born. Likely they had other children born during this time, but no other records are found.
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1782 Washington County, Maryland Church Records
Maria, daughter of George Kirshman and Elisabeth, born 13 March 1782 is baptized 7 July 1782 at the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church at Elizabethtown (Hagerstown) Maryland.
Source: Washington County, Maryland Church Records of the 18th Century. Published by Family Line Publications. 1988. Pg. 5. FHL 975.291
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In early 1783, Martin Kirschman Jr. married Sophia Claycomb who lived with her family across the Potomac River in Berkeley County, Virginia. In July 1783 the new Mrs. Sophia Kirschmann of Washington County, Maryland is the sponsor witness for the baptism of a friend’s baby. This record provides significant evidence that Martin Cashman of Kentucky is Martin Kirschman Jr. of Washington, Maryland, and it gives an approximation of when he married Sophia and where they were living.
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1783 Berkeley County, Virginia
Martin Kirschman Jr. marries Sophia Kleikam/Claycomb of Berkeley County, Virginia.
Source: Genealogy of Claycomb Family(12). Bride is from Berkeley County and her siblings are found marrying there, so it can be concluded this couple married in Berkeley County as well – though no marriage record is yet found.
Sophia Kleikam/Claycomb b. 27 Aug. 1765, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Johan Conrad Kleikam & Anna Elizabeth Lutzen, immigrants from Germany. Sophia was baptized/confirmed in the New Hollard Luthern Church of Lancaster, Pennsylvania on 19 April 1767.
Source: New Holland Luthern Church at Lancaster Pennsylvania. FHL 975.291 kw
1783 Washington County, Maryland Church Records
Susana Marstus, dau of Johannes and Maria Matalena Marstus baptized on 21 Jul 1783. Sophia Kirschmann witnesses. Reformed Church in Washington County, Maryland.
Source: Washington County, Maryland Church Records of the 18th Century. Published by Family Line Publications. 1988. Pg. 41. FHL 975.291
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The 1783 Tax List of Maryland provides a snapshot in time of the Cashman/Kirschman family and the Claycomb family. The tax list also shows the German surnames are starting to take on the Anglicized spellings; by 1783 George has already made the leap from “Kirschman” to “Cashman” and the Kleikam is being spelled “Claycomb.”
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1783 Maryland State Tax Assessment List
George Cashman. Washington Co., Marsh p. 2.
Martin Kershman. Washington Co., Salisbury and Conocheague p. 45.
Henry Claycomb. Washington Co., Salisbury and Conocheague p. 43.
www.msa.md.gov/msa/stagser/s1400/s1437/html/1437wa.html
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Interestingly, the 1783 Maryland tax list showing “George Cashman” provides a clue that his father, Johan Martin Kirschman, is still living nearby in Bedford, Pennsylvania, because dad is well aware of his son’s new spelling as evidenced by Johan Martin’s will in 1804 wherein he names his son “George Cashman” but leaves all the other son’s last name spelled the same as his. This clue may help in pinpointing when Johan Martin moved to Virginia.
1784 Washington County, Maryland
Martin & Sophia Kirschman’s first child is born, a son named Conrad Kirschman (Cashman), named for Sophia’s father. The family is known to be living in Washington County, Maryland although no birth records are yet found.
During the Revolutionary War, the General Assembly of Virginia had required the citizens to provide livestock, foodstuffs, arms, and other supplies or services for the use of the militia and Virginia and Continental armies. Military officers borrowed, bought, impressed, or sometimes simply took necessary supplies from the citizens. Many of the officers provided certificates, or receipts, for the articles or services they took so the owners could seek reimbursement from the state government or from Congress.
As mentioned earlier, Martin Kirschman Jr. had ferried 556 enemy prisoners in Berkeley County, Virginia across the Potomac River to Washington County, Maryland. In 1784 the Virginia court was ready to pay its war debts, so Martin Jr. went to Berkeley County, Virginia to file his claim for payment of services.
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1784 Berkeley County, Virginia
Martin Kershman alld. L7-17 (pounds) for ferriage over Potawmack River. 556 prisoners and guards and 1 wagon & team on march from Winchester, Virginia to Fort Frederick.
Source: Virginia Publick Claims Berkeley County. Janice L. Abercrombie and Richard Slatten. Iberian Publishing Company. Pg. v gives dates 1779-1781 and Pg. 18 lists Martin Kershman. Courtesy of Kris Kerlin.
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Sometime in 1874 Balser Claycomb and Adam Barr returned to Berkeley County, Virginia from their exploration of the frontier Kentucky territory with William Hardin. (15). They tell of their adventures fighting the Indians, and they speak highly of Kentucky’s fertile farmlands. However, it will be another eight years before Balser Claycomb moves to Kentucky, and even longer before Adam Barr joins him.
The next year, Lt. Adam Barr married Balser’s little sister Mary Claycomb in 1785. The marriage record indicates the couple married in the home of her mother in Berkeley County, Virginia. Little is know about this couple until 1797 when they are found again in Breckinridge, Kentucky with the rest of the Claycomb clan and Martin Cashman. More about this couple and their family can be found in the book "Family of Adam and Mary Claycomb Barr" by Steve Barr.
While still living in Washington County, Maryland, Martin & Sophia Kirschman continue to have the following children as named in Martin’s will in Breckinridge County, Kentucky in 1833 and in other Breckinridge sources. It is interesting to note that children Martin and Agnes are named after their paternal grandparents Johan Martin & Agnes Kirschman, while most of their other children are named after Sophia Claycomb’s side of the family: her father is Johan Conrad. Son John is named after both his grandfathers. This is additional evidence of Martin Jr.'s connection to his German immigrant parents Johan Martin & Agnes Kirschman.
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Martin & Sophia Kirschman (Cashman) Family
Conrad Kirschman b. 1784 in Washington County, Maryland d. (last found on 1840 census in Lewis Co. Missouri)
Peter Kirschman b. 18 Dec 1785 in Washington County, Maryland m. 15 or 19 Nov. 1809 to Mary Bruington in Breckinridge County, Kentucky m. Eliza (1860 Census) d. 16 May 1873 in Breckinridge Co.
Sophia Kirschman b. 1787 in Washington County, Maryland
Agnes Kirschman b. 1789 in Washington County, Maryland m. Daniel Hays d. Last found in Perry County, Indiana
Charlotte Kirschman b. 1790 in Washington County, Maryland m. 15 Sept. 1814 to Abraham Miller in Breckinridge county, Kentucky d. Last found in Perry County, Indiana
Sarah “Sallie” Kirschman b. 1791 in Washington County, Maryland
John Kirschman b. 1792 in Washington County, Maryland d. 1818 in Breckinridge Co. (unmarried)
Martin Kirschman b. 1795 in Hardin County, Kentucky ???? m. Jane d. Last found on 1840 Census in Perry Co., Indiana
Note: When this family moved to Kentucky they anglicized the spelling of their last name to “Cashman.”
The above are the names and dates of their children as I have found records for in Breckinridge County marriage records, court records, and information recorded in Weaner & Shull’s book Cashman Surname in America. I am seeking further clarification and documentation.
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Although few tax records of Washington County, Maryland are available, Berkeley County Virginia tax records show members of the Claycomb family during the 1780s. Since Martin & Sophia Kirschman (Cashman)’s departure for Kentucky is closely connected to the Claycomb family, these tax records are helpful in determining where members of the Claycomb family are living during this time.
1784 Berkeley County, Virginia Tax Assessment List
Johann C. Kleikham is listed (Father of Sophia Claycomb Kirschman)
1785 Berkeley County, Virginia Tax Records
Frederick Claycomb, male 21+ owns 3 horses and 2 cattle
1787 Berkeley County, Virginia Tax Records
Elizabeth Claycomb (“Mother Claycomb” – Husband Johan Conrad has passed away)
1788 Berkeley County, Virginia Tax Records
Frederick Claycomb
1789 Berkeley County, Virginia Tax List
Frederick Claycomb
When the 1790 Census (or tax list) was taken several farmers were missed. Why this happened is unknown, but Johan Martin Kirschman was known to still be living in Bedford County, Pennsylvania in 1790, and although Martin Kirschman Jr. is not listed either, it makes logical sense that he is still in Washington County, Maryland as there is no evidence to suggest he has yet moved away. Several Claycomb brothers are also missing from the 1790 Census, yet we know they have not yet migrated to Kentucky.
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1790 Census
George Kershman – Washington County, Maryland
George Claycomb - Washington County, Maryland
Frederick Claycomb – Washington County, Maryland
Frederick & George Claycomb are neighbors in Washington County, both listed with wife but no children. Neither Johan Martin nor Martin Kirschman, Jr. is listed on the 1790 Census and several Claycombs are also missing.
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Although Johan Martin Kirschman is not listed on the 1790 Census, the following marriage record of Johan Martin Kirschman’s daughter Mary Kirschman in Berkeley, Virginia indicates Johan Martin and his family members are still living nearby in the adjacent county of Bedford, Pennsylvania - the "tri-stake area." Mary & Jacob Bassell (Paitsel) eventually move to Franklin County, Virginia where Mary dies around 1856.
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1790 Martinsburg, Berkeley County, Virginia
On 8 December 1790 Mary Kershman and Jacob Bassell (Paitsel) are married.
Witness: Peter Myers.
Source: Marriage license & bond in possession. Courtesy of Kris Kerlin.
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Between 1790 and 1800, no other records of Johan Martin Kirschman are found in the tri-county area of Washington County, Maryland or Berkeley County, Virginia, or Bedford, Pennsylvania. However, it’s possible that his son Christian (spelling of name changes on different records) is found on the 1800 tax list of Berkeley, Virginia. It does look like Johan Martin Kirschman’s grandsons appear in various records of this tri-county area.
It is proposed that Johan Martin Kirschman and his son Martin Cashman do not appear in records of Maryland or Pennsylvania during this decade because they have migrated south. In the spring of 1794 Martin Kirschman Jr. (Martin Cashman) and his family headed to Kentucky with the Claycombs. By 1797 records in Kentucky show Martin Cashman in Hardin County, Kentucky with all but two of his Claycomb brothers-in-law and Adam Barr (married to sister-in-law Mary Claycomb). Only Henry Claycomb and Conrod Claycomb remain in Berkeley County, Virginia, as evidenced by the 1800 Census tax list of Berkeley co., Vir.
This is the same time period that Cashman Surname in America’s Jacob Cashman is still found living in Pennsylvania, indicating again that these are two different men. More on Martin Kirschman Jr. (Martin Cashman) is found in the section of this document titled “Martin Cashman’s Journey to Kentucky.”
Around the same time Martin Cashman’s family left Washington County for Kentucky 1794, his father Johan Martin Kirschman was also itching to migrate to new lands. Johan Martin Kirschman, his wife Agnes, and their youngest daughter Elisabeth Kirschman, moved southward to Bedford County, Virginia where he is listed on the 1800 tax list. He is listed again as Martin Cashman with 2 bushels of corn on another Bedford County, Virginia record found on the internet at: http://jscott.tierranet.com/scottfam/stithfam/estie/frances/p027.gif
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1800 Tax List - Bedford County, Virginia Lists: Martin Cashman
This is Johan Martin Kirschman with his Anglicized name. Like other pioneers of his time, Johan Martin Kirschman could neither read nor write (as evidence by his mark “x” on his will in 1804), so the spelling of his name was dependant on the person taking the tax roll or writing his will.
Source: The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 7, 1963 by John Frederick Dorman. Pg. 124. Courtesy of Phil Reyburn who provided documentation.
Source: http://www.binnsgenealogy.com/VirginiaTaxListCensuses/Bedford/1800PersonalB/03.jpg
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As the only Cashman listed on this tax record, it appears that none of Johan Martin and Agnes’s sons went to southern Virginia with their father. We know Martin Cashman went to Kentucky, but where are George, Christian, and Abraham in 1800? The 1800 Virginia tax lists of Berkeley suggests Christian Kirschman may have stayed in the area.
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1800 Tax List - Berkeley County, Virginia
Peter Cashner (1-2 Residence: Stephens Neck)
Christopher Cashman (1-2 Residence: Stephens Neck)
Henry Claycomb (2-3 Residence: Tuscarora)
Conrod Claycomb (1-5 Residence: Stephens Neck)
The first number after each name is the number of white males over age 21 in household, the second is the number of horses owned.
Source: The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 8, 1964 by John Frederick Dorman. Pg. 19. Courtesy of Phil Reyburn who provided documentation.
Note: This is a transcription of the original document’s handwriting. It’s possible the transcription of the handwriting is not accurate, but should be compared to other sources. One comparison shows Christian Cashman instead of Christopher. It’s possible this is one of the four sons named in Johan Martin Kirschman’s will of 1804.
Although one might suppose that “Peter Cashner” is Peter Cashman the son of Martin Cashman in Kentucky, this is incorrect. Reasons shows there are two things to take into consideration:
1) Peter Cashman, son of Martin Cashman, was born in 1785, which means he was 15 years old in 1800. His age would not have qualified him to be listed as a “white male age 21+" indicating this person was born prior to 1779 - before Martin was having children.
2) The commonly occurring surname Kirshner could have easily been anglicized to Cashner
No “Bruington” is listed in the 1800 Tax List of Berkeley, Virginia.
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In 1803, Johan Martin & Agnes’ youngest daughter Elisabeth Kirschman or “Betsy,” whose birth record is found in York, Pennsylvania, marries Jesse Orendorff in Bedford County, Virginia (or Botetourt County – not yet determined). After her parents’ deaths, Elisabeth & Jesse join her brother Martin Cashman in Breckinridge County, Kentucky where she dies in 1847
By 1804 Johan Martin Kirschman and wife Agnes have moved to Bedford County, Virginia where he writes his will and passes away.
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1804 Bedford County, Virginia
Johan Martin Keshman’s will is probated. Will names “my beloved wife Agnes” and “my seven children” as follows: George Cashman, Catherine Buck, Martin Keshman, Jr., Mary Batesel, Christian Keshman, Abraham Keshman, Elizabeth Orandorff. Estate is inventoried and it appears Johan Martin Keshman is a farmer of means for that time. Will was written on 7 April 1804 and signed with J. Martin Keshman’s mark. Will was proved in court 24 Sept. 1804.
Source: Bedford County, Virginia Will Book 3, pg. 40-41. Inventory on pg. 62. Courtesy of Kris Kerlin who provided documentation.
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Eventually, Conrod Claycomb joins his brothers in Kentucky. Of the Claycomb men, only Henry Claycomb remained in the tri-county area of Berkeley. In 1806 Henry Claycomb married Susannah Holley on 3 April 1806 in Washington County, Maryland. During the War of 1812 he enlisted as a private in the 67th Regiment of the Virginia Militia in 1815. He later moved his family to Bedford County, Pennsylvania as evidenced by the 1820 Census.
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To continue reading the sage of the Kirschman Family’s Journey in America, click on “older posts” located at the bottom right hand side.
