John William Runyon

Not all of Phineas and Charity's children chose the Shaker communal way of life. In fact, only four of fourteen chose that road.

I am slowly attempting to track down the others. Their oldest child, son John William Runyon, went as an adult - as several did - from Kentucky to Preble County, Ohio.  After the family had moved from New Jersey to North Carolina and then to Madison County Kentucky, John married Patricia Mary Bennett (in Madison County).

According to a letter written to Mrs. B.S. Lewellen in 1934 regarding the Revolutionary War record of John Runyon, pensioner in Preble Co, Ohio:

John Runyon was born November 4, 1763, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

While residing in Rowan County, NC, John Runyon enlisted in the summer of 1780, served at various times until after the surrender of Cornwallis, amounting in all to about 1 and one half months, as a private under Captains James Byers, Peter Hedrick, Cole and Carson, and Colonels Francis Locke, and Collier in the North Carolina troops, was in the battle of Rugeley's Mills, and a severe engagment with the Tories near Deep River, during which action he was injured in his right arm by a ball passing through the flesh about the elbow; he served a subsequent tour of one month from sometimes in November 1781 under Catain William, guarding munition wagons from New Bern to Duplin, North Carolina.

After the war, the soldier resided in Madison County, Kentucky and moved from there to Preble County, Ohio. He was allowed pension on his application executed September 21, 1832, at which time he resided in Dickson [Dixon] Township, Preble County, Ohio; he remained resided in that county for about thirteen years.

According to Find a Grave, John and Patty are buried at Friendship Cemetery, Sugar Valley, Preble County, Ohio

On this date 232 years ago ...

Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers in America died at the community of Watervliet, New York.

Do all your work as though 

you've a thousand years to live, 

and as you would if you knew 

you must die tomorrow. 

- Mother Ann Lee 

Ann Lee's grave at the Shaker Cemetery in Albany County, NY
Photo by Erik Lander, 2001