Jean (Jane) Bell History From the Beatty Family History Jean Bell is sometimes referred to as Jane in some of the records. Jane's first husband was Edward McClain (McLean) was a captain in the British army and died in 1754. Jean/Jane came from West VA to Bedford, Co. PA with her Second husband , John Fraser. Jane and her husband John were Inn Keepers by trade and Jane also cooked for her Inn guests. She was a Protestant. In 1775, Jean was captured by Indians and taken to Ohio. She was held captive there for 18 months. Her first child was born in captivity and died there.With two other captive white men, Jean was able to finally escape and able to make her way back to Patterson Run on November 30, 1756. Ruby Frazier Frey, has written the book "The Red Morning," which explains how Jean met John Fraser and the story of her capture by the Indians. On Januray 1, 1775, following the death of John Fraser, Jean married Richard Dunlap (Delapt). Dunlap had been a private under Captain John Boyd. He later commanded the 6th Company under the leadership of Col. William Parker, 1st Battalon, Bedford Co., PA Militia. Files show that the children of John Fraser and Jean left their home and went to live with others following the marraige of their mother to Captain Dunlap. They did not like her third husband. (Res. Bedford Co. Archieves, Vol. 7 written by James B. Whisker.) Richard has been born about 1734 in Ireland. He married Jean in 1735 and they had one child, Nancy Ann Agnes Delapt on 9 May, 1776 in Bedrod Co., PA. Captain Dunlap(Delapt) and Jean's son were killed by Indians near Frankstown, PA in 1781. Jean/Jane died on 3 May 1773 in Bedford Co., PA and was burried at Old Herline Farm, located in Harrison township, Bedford, Co., PA. REFERENCE BOOK "RED MORNING", BY RUBY FRAZIER FREY FOUND IN THE SALT LAKE CITY OR THE LOS ANGELES LDS GENEALOGY LIBRARY RESEARCH BY CARL M BEATTY Jane Bell was born in Winchester, Virginia late in January of 1735. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. James Bell of England. They lived on a plantation in Winchester. Jane and her parents lived on Bow Lane - thus bowBells was the name of their plantation. Jane had a very proper upbringing. but was very spirited and loved the wilderness and adventure. Jane was married to Captain Edward McClain when 18 years of age. They lived in Virginia near Winchester in Will's Creek by the Potomac River. Edward died after August of 1753. James Bell died from inflammation of the joints on 17 May 1854. Mrs. Bell returned to England on 29 July 1754, accompanied by her brother. (Duncan O'Gullion, a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian: owned the oldest tavern in Wincahester.) John Frazier, a Highland Scotsman, was orphaned at the age of 12. His parents were Scotch-Irish. He wanted to make guns. He was apprenticed to Schmidt in Lancaster, Pa. At age 20, he took up land in Paxtang on the Susquehanna. He too loved the wilderness and was a gunsmith and trader. He served in the army with General Braddock and George Washington. According to the book this is John's insignia which he put on every gun he made and letter he wrote. On August 8, 1854 John and Jane were married at ABowBells. In November they went back to Will's Creek. Sometime after October 5 of 1855, Jane was stolen by the Delaware Indian Chieftain Shingas and was held captive for thirteen months. (Other sources say 18 months). They travelled up the hill to North of the Narrows to the Old Indian Trail, then turned west up the mountains past Turtle Creek to Shingas Town near the Muskingum River, far beyond the Forks of the Ohio. Jane was not known for her patience. An old woman friend of hers' used to say, "When the morning is red and another is dead, she will have patience, patience..." When Jane arrived at the Indian camp the sky was red, her baby was born and died. She was half-conscious and kept uttering, the phrase "Red Morning," thus the Indians named her Red Morning. She didn't understand the meaning of the phrase until then. Jane was married agaist her will to Shingas' brother Pesquitomen. Two white men were captured about the same time as Jane was and the three of them plannned their escape. The men accompanied Jane to within about 100 to 200 miles of Fort Cumberland where John was. They became ill and stayed behind. Jane climbed the Savage Mountains and found her way back to Evitts Creek and was reunited with John. John had heard that Jane was dead and married again, but resumed his life with Jane. They soon left for Turtle Creek to make a new home. Life Sketch of John Fraizier and Life Sketch of Jane Bell Written by Marguerite Beatty Jane Bell was born in 1735 near Winchester, Virginia. She was married when she was sixteen years of age to John Fraizier, a Highland Scotsman who came to the United States about the year 1755. John Fraizier was a gunsmith by trade. Jane was captred by the Miami Indians near their home in Tibbitts Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River in Maryland, in 1752. She escaped after 18 months and returned to her home after which three children were born. Her children: 1. Amelia Fraizier - Never married 2. James Fraizier - Married Mis Didiers 3. Mary Fraizier - Mary was born in the year 1769. She married William Beatty, when she was 18 years of age. He was building a house and fell from a scaffold and was killed in 1799. Mary and William Beatty had three children. She, being a widow, came to Ohio in 1812, and settled near Cincinnati. She died in 1839 at 70 years of age. From the History of Allegany Co. Maryland. Vol. I By James W. Thomas and Judge T. J. C. Williams. Publisher L. R. Taitaworth and Co. 1923 After failure of the Braddock Campaign, Indians came in great numbers and a hundred persons were murdered or carried away prisoners by these barbarians who burned the houses and ravished the plantations. The men were killed but the women were usually taken away, never to return. There is however on record one case in which a female prisoner succeeded after a long time in getting back. She was taken by the Miami's to their settlement on the Miami River in the state of Ohio, where she was kept for 18 months, when after making her escape and weeks of trumping through an almost unbroken wilderness, with all the physical and mental suffering it entailed, by what seems almost a miracle, she flound her way back and reached her home. This woman was Jane Fraizier, the wife of John Fraizier who lived near the mouth of Ivitts Creek, a few miles only Southeast of Fort Cumberland. The Maryland Gazette, published at Annapolis, Maryland in its issue October 9, 1755, contained the following notice of this capture, "by a person who arrived in town last Wednesday from Col. Creap's (Old town about ten miles from Tuttle Creek) we were told that last Monday the Indians had taken a man prisoner who was going to Fort Cumberland from Frazier's and had also carried off a woman from Fraizier's Plantation which is four miles this side of Fort Cumberland." After the return of Mrs. Fraizier she wrote a narrative of her wonderful experience which has been preserved by successive generations of her family and which has hitherto never been published. It is given below in full. This is a remarkable document, not only by reason of its historic value, but as demonstrating that an upright dignified and well directed demeanor is always a protecting Shield of woman, and even at the hands of the untutored savage. ________________ Jane Fraizier "My name is Jane Fraizier. I was born in the year 1735, and raised near Winchester, Virginia. When nineteen years of age, I was married to John Fraizier, a young Highland Scotchman. Soon after our marriage we moved to the state of Maryland and settled on a triburary of the Potomac, called Tibbitts Creek, a few miles from the town of Cumberland. Soon after we settled, my husband, a gunsmith by trade determined to build a shop and set up his own business. As a consequence he invited our neighbors (who had at that time been few and far between), to come and assist in the building of his shop. Accordingly a few came and the building was commenced. After I had prepared the dinner and they had eaten, I requested my husband to let our hired man, Bradly by name, to take our horses and go with me to Cumberland to procure some necessities at the store. He got the horses, saddled them, we mounted and started. Our road passed down the ridge from the house, crossed the Creek and ascended the hill on the other side. As we passed the Creek, Bradly related a dream which he had the night before which related to Indians. To this I replied that I did not like his dream and suggested that we turn back, but he laughed and said he had no faith in dreams, and we went on. While conversing in this manner we ascended the hill and while yet in sight of our own home we were fired upon by the Indians. My horse fell, and I fainted. When I recovered I was surrounded by Indians and the Chief said to me, "You no die; you pretty squaw; me no hurt you." Bradly was shot dead. My horse had only been creased--a ball through a little below the top of the mane, immediately in front of the withers--an animal shot in that way will soon recover, though he fell prosterate. The chief inquired what so many men were doing at the house, and I told him they were building another house. He inquired if they were well armed. I told him they were armed, meaning arms of flesh for they were poorly supplied with firearms and had the Indians known this they woudl have massacred the whole company. My captors immediately placed me on my horse. The chief walking by my side supported me on the saddle while one of his warriors led my horse. Their course was westerly to their homes in the wilderness. No mortal can describe my feelings at this time. Thus in a moment without warning to be torn from husband and home; from all I held near and dear on earth and held as a prisoner by the savages--subject to all their savage notions; then it came to my mind that I was to be carried into a western wilderness uncertain as to when, if ever I should return; add to this that I was not in a condition to endure much hardship or fatigue, and you may in a measure, appreciate the awfulness of my situation. The chief who had me in charge was very kind and assisted me all he could. He would not suffer the other Indians to offer me any harm. In this manner we traveled on till night when we encamped on a low ravine near a small stream. We lay without fires as the Indians were fearful of persuit. My captors spread a blanket on the ground and compelled me to lie down; then they spread another blanket over me and an Indian lay down; then they lay there beside me all night so as to prevent me rising without awakening them. In the morning our breakfast was made from provisions stolen from the settlers, after which we resumed our journey in a northerly direction. My captors belonged to the Miami tribe and their big town was situated on the great Miami River. We had a long journey before us and a tedious troublesome time passing many dangerous places and crossing streams of water. Wild animals and birds were numerous. During the entire journey I was allowed to ride my own horse and each night was guarded as before. I suffered many privations; and finally our provisions ran out and we had to endure hunger. Sometimes it was 25 or 30 hours at a time that I went without eating. We passed through several tribes of Indians, but none of them were allowed to harm me. After traveling in this manner for three weeks, being worn out with exhaustion and discouraged, we arrived in the town of the Miami's. When we came a sensation was created, and the entire town was soon in motion; wariors, squaws, and children were all running to see the "white squaw", and welcome back the chief, and his band, but my captors would not permit them to interfere with me. A council was called and the Chief related the principal incidents of his expedition; showed how they had way laid on the road, killed my companion, and took me prisoner. The scalp of my man Bradly, he had brought with him as a trophy, and hung it up in his wigwam. I was adopted into one of the principal families of the tribe and informed that I must now consider myself an Indian Squaw, for they had intended that I should live with them. It was with many misgivings and forebodings that I took up my abode with them, but there was no way for me to avoid it. Our family consisted of six people; an old gray haired warrior, a middle aged warrior and his wife who was a robust squaw, two children, and myself. With this family I lived about one month, when my first child was born. The Indians were very kind to me, and took all the care of me they possibly could in their wild way. They did all in their power to make me happy and contented. Some of them went to the nearest settlement and stole some clothing for my child, and said they wanted me to take good care of it until it grew to be a warrior and a great chief, but the poor little thing died when three months old. Then my cup of sorrow was full to overflow. Thus to be torn from home and friends and all that was dear to me, and consigned to live like a brute among savages, there to loose my only comfort, my first born, and have it buried in this wilderness, was more than my frail nature could bear, and I became nearly crazy for a time. Still the Indians were kind to me, and when they saw my child was dead, they cut a hickory tree, peeled off the bark and made a coffin, and wrapping it in some of the clothing they had stolen, they placed it in the coffin they made, and burried it near their town in their own burying ground. I remained with these Indians eighteen months, in the summertime helping the squaws in their corn and vegetable patches, and in the wintertime assisted them in their cooking operations. While I was with this tribe they determined on another raid into Pennsylvania, consequently they performed their pow-wows and dances to give them good luck in their expedition. They then left for a long trip. They took all the best warriors, leaving a few old men and some boys to hunt game and food for the squaws and papooses. The Chief and warriors were gone about seven weeks. They returned bringing with them two Dutchmen from Pennsylvania,whom they adopted into the tribe. One of them was a tanner by trade, and they employed him to tan skins for them. He worked a little ways from the town where there was a large spring, and the other man was allowed to help him. These men were very restless in their confinement and determined to leave at the first opportunity. In a short time the Indians determined on another raid and in a few days departed. The dutchmen now determined to leave and they let me into their secret. So they procurred an old rifle which they repaired and we hid all the provisions we could find, but a week after the warriors were gone the game became very scarse, so the hunters had to be out nearly all the time to obtain provisions for the squaws and children. We now concluded this would be our best time to regain our liberty. So obtaining a small amount of ammunition, we gathered up our old gun and some provisions, and left our new connections without stopping to say good-bye, taking advantage of the absence of the warriors, and hunters, we left for home. We started as near as we could tell in a southeastern direction. We traveled constantly as long as possible knowing that we would be followed as soon as the hunters came home. When we tired down, we concealed ourselves and rested for a short time and then resumed our journey. On the second night we stopped on a high ridge near a stream of water and in a few seconds we heard a dog bark and saw the Indians make a fire on the opposite side of the stream. We immediately started and entered the stream a short distance above, and waded the water for several hours in order to prevent the dog form tracking us, but we saw no more of the Indians. On the fourth day our provisions gave out and we were compelled to travel without food, as we dare not shoot for fear of being discovered. On the sixth day, one of the men ventured to shoot a rabbit which they discovered, and they were so near famished with hunger that after dressing the rabbit, they ate theirs raw. And one of them took the entrails and forcing the contents out with his fingers devoured them. In this way we traveled on, sometimes for days without provisions, and sometimes on small allowances, until we were convinced that the Indians had given up pursuit. The men then shot a turkey and being so very hungry they both floundered themselves and on the next morning neither one of them was able to travel. Fearing that we might still be overtaken, I would not consent to stay with them, choosing rather the chances of the wilderness than the danger of captivity again, I started on alone. Here I experienced untold privations, having to live on vegetables and the bark of trees and climb up a tree or down in a hollow to be secure from wild beasts at night. In this way I traveled for nine days, when I came upon a trail or road that led right across the path I had chosen. Here I was in a dilema not knowing which way I should go. While I stood undetermined which way to take, a most beautiful bird, such as I had never seen before, came flying along the road, and passing close by me, flew down the road, as far as I could see. In this moment it came along again, passing in the same way. Taking this as an omen, I followed and I have always considered this as providential, as the other end would have led me back into the wilderness again. Traveling on this road for two days, I came to a settlement and soon found my way home again. When I got near my home, I was told by my neighbors that my hasband waited until near night the day I was captured, and my not returning went to search for me, and discovered Bradley dead and scalped, and saw the Indians trail,and knew they had taken me prisoner, but had been gone for four or five hours and night coming on he could do nothing more that evening but get some of his neighbors and bury Bradley, and next morning a half dozen of them took the trail of the Indians and followed it for a week but finding they could not overtake us they gave it up and came back. So, my husband one year after that concluded that I died, and he married again. My neighbors too told me if I would remain with them, that they would get me some decent clothing, put me on a horse and take me home in triumph for they knew my husband would most gladly take me back. So being completely worn down and almost unable to move, I consented to their arrangement. And sure enough the next morning they had about fifty men and women and children, a couple of flags, and some horns, a good horse and saddle, and having dressed me up in good style, placed me on the horse and away we went as a surprise party, horns blowing, men and women singing and dogs barking. The weary wanderer in triumph returning home. We had about eight miles to travel. When we got about half way the neighbors who had not been notified were taken by surprise and came from every side to ascertain what it all meant, were all pleased with the movement. They joined in and helped rejoice. So we came in sight of the place and I was so glad I felt like I wanted to fly. Nearing the house, my husband and his wife came out very much frightened at the parade. When seeing some of his neighbors in the procession, he came out and comming near the horse, saw me, and grabbing me off the horse, shouted with all his power, "The lost is found, the dead is alive!" And he would not let go of me for some time, fearing it was all an apparation. Finally we went into the house and I met his second wife. She seemed a very nice woman, but he told her that he could not give me up again, that as I was living their marriage was illegal, but that he would still support her as he had promised to do, but she would have to go back to her father's home and consider herself the same as she was before they were married. And she being a woman of good sense, took it all in good part, wished me much joy, and said she would come some time and hear me tell all about my captivity. So our friends got up a big dinner, and after rejoicing with us for hours, returned to their homes. Now here we both were again at the old home in the woods. Financially not quite as well fixed as when I was captured. Both our horses gone, and my husband feeling so bad over my captivity and Bradley's death, he could not work, and did not finish his shop. After mourning for a year, thinking me dead, he recovered himself and concluded to take a new start. He got married and was only fairly well settled when I returned. GENERATION I. We both went to work with a will, prospered right along, dug in a farm out of the wilderness, built us a good house. GENERATION II. Three Children were born to us; 1. Amelia Frazier 2. James Frazier and his sister Mary moved to Johnstown, Pa. 3. Mary Frazier married William Beatty; raised three children; GENERATION III.....I. Jane married Samuel Helderbrand. Nine children. II. John Beatty returned to Pa. in 1814 and married Mary Hilderbrand; nine children III. Hester Beatty moved with her mother to Cincinnati, Ohio. Wm. Beatty--Mary Frazier Beatty's husband fell from a building on which he was at work and was killed. She and their son John and sister Hester moved to Cincinnatti, Ohio. About 1845 they all moved to Indiana and settled along the Wabash. This story was related by William T. Beatty, Delphia, Indiana, Nov. 9, 1900. Copied from the "Weekly Times" of Delphia, Indiana, by Nellie Amelia Beatty, great, great, granddaughter of Jane Frazier. This copy written by a first cousin of Nellie Amelia Beatty, Marguerite Beatty Hughes, March 2, 1967, at Oak Ridge Acres Nursing Home, Hiawatha, Kansas 65434 Col.Wm.T. Beatty copied this story from the leaves of an old diary kept by his greatgrandmother, Mrs. Jane Bell who was born 1735 near Winchester, Virginia. She married John Frazier a Scotchman when she was 19 years of age. December 1966, Dorothy M.Clendenen, of Yonkers, New York visited Allegany County, Virginia and copied this, the story of Jane Frazier from the county records, exactly as it has been related here. Dorothy M. Clendenen is a niece of Marguerite B. Hughes, and she sent the typed copies to her Aunt Marguerite B. Hughes, who at 90 years of age is writing the Family History. This has been recopied by Cyndi Mitchell, who is compiling her family history. The original copy was given to her by her mother Joan Hughes Verdeal after it had been in the possession of Rosealyce Gribben Hughes (Joan's mother). Joan Huges Verdeal states "Dorothy Clendenen is my great aunt. She was a very well educated woman, never married, was a college professor and travels a lot! She's still alive, lives in Florida I believe. She was my grandma Hughes niece--her sister's daughter. Her sister was Bess". This was recopied January 16, 1986.