Robert Orr

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Robert Orr

ROBERT ORR was one of the most distinguished of those men of character and
unalterable purpose by whose strength the foundations of this Commonwealth
were laid. He had the courage backed by physical fitness, and the intellectual
qualities supported by moral stamina, necessary to success in the face of the
obstacles with which the early founders of communities in western Pennsylvania
had to contend. When he came to this region Armstrong county was on the outer
border of civilization, and he was one of the patriot officers who defended
the frontier of Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War. Later, upon the
organization of the county for judicial purposes, in 1805, he became associate
judge, and continued to serve as such for over a quarter of a century, until
his death. In every position he rendered superior service to his fellow men,
and his name will live as one of the early builders whose work has proved to
be of permanent value.

Born in County Derry, Ireland, Robert Orr came to this country in 1766, and
thereafter lived in Pennsylvania. He first settled east of the mountains in
what is now Mifflin (then Cumberland) county, where he continued to reside
until the year of his marriage, 1774, to Frances Culbertson, member of a
celebrated pioneer family of this State, she being the daughter of Squire
Samuel Culbertson, a distinguished man of his day, for whom Captain Orr worked
as farmer several years before he married the daughter. Then Mr. Orr removed
to Hannastown, in Westmoreland county, where she died. He married secondly
Rachel Hunter, who died one year later at Hannastown. His third wife was
Rachel Chambers, whom he married about 1799. They settled some years later in
Sugar Creek township, Armstrong county. When the Revolutionary War broke out
he was an earnest supporter of the Colonial cause from the very beginning,
giving his personal services and enlisting others to its aid. At that time no
regular troops could be spared to protect the residents in the outlying
settlements from the Indians, and volunteers had to be depended upon in
emergencies. Early in the summer of 1781 Gen. George Rogers Clark, of
Virginia, having determined to enter upon a campaign against Indians down the
Ohio river, communicated his intention to Archibald Lochry, the lieutenant of
Westmoreland county, and requested him to raise one hundred volunteers and a
company of cavalry in this county. Lochry acquainted Orr, one of the most
reliable friends, with the situation, the latter being captain of a company of
militia. As he did not have the authority to order these from home Orr
promptly raised a company of volunteer riflemen, chiefly at his own expense,
furnishing the necessary equipment to such of its members as could not afford
same. Early in July he marched with his command to Carnahan�s block-house,
about eleven miles northwest of Hannastown, where Lochry�s whole force
rendezvoused the 24th of the month, consisting of two companies of rangers
commanded by Captains Shannon and Stokeley and a calvary company under Captain
Campbell besides Captain Orr�s command. They numbered about 125 men in all,
and General Clark had instructed Colonel Lochry that he would await his
arrival at Fort Henry (Now Wheeling). On July 25th they started by way of
Pittsburgh. On reaching Fort Henry, however, it was found that the General had
advanced with his men twelve miles down the river, and although he had left
some provisions and a boat for them there was not enough to afford subsistence
for the men or forage for the horses. Though their supply of ammunition was
also inadequate they proceeded down the river, expecting to overtake the main
body or meet them at the mouth of the Kanawha. Again they were disappointed,
Clark having been obliged to move his force in order to prevent desertions.
The situation was desperate. They had no other source from which to replenish
their supplies than this main body ahead of them, and the water in the river
was so low that ordinary progress was impossible, but their provisions and
forage were so nearly exhausted something had to be done. Lochry accordingly
sent Captain Shannon ahead with four men in a small boat, hoping they might
catch up with Clark and arrange the supplies. The little party was captured by
the Indians, to whom the letter intended for Clark revealed the destitute
condition of Lochry�s forces and the fact they had not been able to join
Clark. There were nineteen deserters from Clark�s army whom Lochry had
arrested but afterward released, and they joined the Indians and gave them
information. Taking advantage of these circumstances, the savages collected in
force below the mouth of the Great Miami, placed their prisoners in a
conspicuous position on the right bank, and promised to spare their lives if
they would hail their comrades passing down the river and induce them to
surrender. Before the little force reached that point, however, worn out and
despairing of meeting Clark, they disembarked about ten o�clock on the
morning of August 25th at the mouth of an inlet since called Lochry�s creek,
landing their horses to feed on the grass. While preparing a meal from the
meat of a buffalo they had killed they were surprised with a volley of rifle
balls from an overhanging bluff where a large number of Indians had gathered.
Though taken at a disadvantage they defended themselves until their ammunition
was exhausted and then attempted to escape by the river. But the boats were
unwieldy, the water low, and the 106 men too weak to resist successfully the
band of 300 Indians who made the attack. Not one escaped. The Indians hastily
massacred Lochry and several others, though this was done without the approval
of their leader, the celebrated Captain Brant. Forty-two, including all those
wounded so that they were unable to travel, were tomahawked on the ground, and
the other sixty-four were taken captive, among them being Captain Orr, whose
left arm had been broken by a shot early in the engagement; the bullet pierced
the rim of his hat and then broke his arm. The prisoners, regardless of wounds
and fatigue, were taken through the woods to lower Sandusky. After several
months there Captain Orr was taken to the military hospital at Detroit, and
thence during the late winter or spring to Montreal. His wound not having been
properly treated, he was becoming such a care that the Indians were going to
dispatch him on the road to Montreal as an encumbrance, when a Frenchman saved
his life by buying him from the savages, for a gallon of whiskey and two fox
skins. Years afterward this Frenchman visited him at Kittanning, and the
Captain gave him $100 in gold–a large sum in those days–as a substantial
mark for his appreciation. The man at first refused to take the money, but the
Captain insisted on him accepting it, feeling that he owed his life to him. In
his later years, the Captain�s grandchildren used to joke him about not
being “worth more than a gallon of whiskey and two fox skins.” He
was an earnest Christian, and his faith sustained him bravely in those trying
days. His fellow prisoners were exchanged early in the spring of 1783 and
returned to their homes, and he was one of the few of Lochry�s men who
managed to get back. He arrived at Hannastown, where he had long been mourned
as dead, in the summer of 1783, having come on foot from Montreal. On July 13,
1782, the town had been attacked and burned by the Indians, and his house and
property were destroyed. Soon after reaching home he raised another company to
serve in the defense of the frontier, and they advanced to the mouth of Bull
creek, on the right bank of the Allegheny, where Tarentum is now situated,
building a blockhouse there under his direction. In the fall of 1783 Captain
Orr was honored with election of Sheriff of Westmoreland county, in which
office he gave great satisfaction. He took part in the subsequent Indian wars
of the region. By act of Assembly, March 20, 1821, the State treasurer of
Pennsylvania was authorized to pay Captain Orr or his order, immediately
thereafter, $750, in consideration of his services and losses during the
Revolutionary War, which was to be full compensation for such services and
losses, including all his claims for military service.

From the time of his settlement prior to 1800 in Sugar Creek township,
Armstrong county, until about 1812 Captain Orr resided at what was known as
the McDonald-Monteith-Dinsmore-Wilson tract, thence removing to the place in
Sugar Creek afterward owned by his sons Robert and Chambers Orr, half
brothers. In the history of Armstrong county published in 1883 was found the
following account of property: “Next south of the Moore-Adams tract is a
square one, 300 acres, on which Robert Orr, Sr., settled, and with 197 acres,
one horse and five cattle, he was assessed in 1805 and 1806 at $146.80. The
patent for the entire tract was granted him Feb. 16, 1815; 140 or more acres
in the northern part he conveyed to John Conly, July 4, 1816. Robert Orr, Sr.
continued in the occupancy of the southern half of this tract until he leased
it to Solomon Rumbaugh about 1825, about which time he moved to Kittanning. He
conveyed this parcel to his sons, Chambers and Robert Orr on May 7,
1831.” In 1818 or 1819 Captain Orr laid out north of his residence on
this tract, and west of the present Kittanning and Brady�s Bend road, the
town of Orrsville, the plan of which is not on record. Its first separate
assessment was listed in 1819. The names of Robert Orr, Sr., and of his sons,
John, Robert and Chambers Orr, appear in the record of various real estate
transactions in the vicinity.

When Armstrong county was organized for judicial purposes, in 1805, Captain
Orr was one of three associate judges appointed to preside over its several
courts, and he served as such continuously until his death, which occurred
Sept. 4, 1833, at Kittanning when he was in his eighty-ninth year. He was
buried in the old graveyard between Jefferson and High streets with military
honors, the Armstrong Guards, under the command of Captain John Reynolds (son
of William Reynolds, a tanner, brother of David Reynolds), having obtained
permission to pay this last mark of respect to one whose life and deeds had
brought honor to his community. The medical profession, the local clergy, the
officers of the courts and members of the bar also took part in the funeral
procession, and a large number of citizens attended the burial of this
venerable patriot.

At a meeting of the members of the bar and the officers of the court of
Armstrong county, convened at the prothonotary�s office in Kittanning on
Wednesday evening, Sept. 4, 1833: On motion the Hon. Samuel S. Harrison was
appointed chairman, Frederick Rohrer, Esq., secretary. On motion of Thomas
Blair, Esq., the following resolutions were offered and unanimously adopted.

That we as officers and members of the court, over which the deceased has
been a judge for upwards of twenty-seven years, as a tribute of respect to the
deceased, do unanimously resolve that we will wear crepe on the left arm for
thirty days and that we will attend the funeral of the deceased.

Resolved that Thomas Blair, William M. Watson and John Croll, Esqs., be a
committee for the purposes of communicating the proceedings to the relatives
of the deceased, and making the necessary arrangements.

S.S. Harrison, Chairman

Fred�k Rohrer, Secretary

By his first marriage to Frances (Fannie) Culbertson, Captain Orr was the
father of the following children: John, the first sheriff of Armstrong county,
married Jane Maffit; Samuel Culbertson married Margaret Sloan; Robert is
mentioned below; Mary Ann first married a Mr. McCartney, who was drowned in
Spruce creek, near Mifflin, and later became the wife of a Mr. Jones and moved
to Philadelphia (by her first marriage she had two daughters, Elizabeth and
Mary Ann, and by her second union one son, Robert).

Capt. Robert Orr married for his second wife Rachel Hunter, sister of Col.
Robert Hunter of Westmoreland county, Pa. She died about a year later, at
Hannastown, about the time of the birth of her son William. The latter, who
settled in Clarion county, Pa., married Catherine Tarr. Returning to his old
home in the Cumberland valley, in what is now Franklin county, Pa. on a visit,
Captain Orr married (third) Rachel Chambers, of Chambersburg, who had brothers
George, William, James and Benjamin, the owners and settlers of Chambersburg,
Pa., they afterward visited Captain Orr in Kittanning. By this union there was
one son, Chambers Orr, born March 6, 1800, who died April 8, 1873. He married
Hannah Dorney (sometimes written Turney), daughter of Peter and Susan (Hine)
Dorney, and granddaughter of Anna Margaretha Dorney. Mrs. Ephraim Buffington
has the baptismal certificate (1759) of her great-grandmother, Anna Margaretha;
she was the daughter of John, who came from Holland to Germantown (near
Philadelphia), Pa. Chambers Orr and his wife had ten children among whom was
Margaret Chambers Orr, who married Ephraim Buffington. They had six children:
(1.) Catherine is the widow of D.W. Martin, late of Allegheny, PA, son of
William Martin, formerly of Allegheny City; both were in the iron and steel
business. They had two children, Ephraim B., who was drowned at the age of
eight years, and Frances, wife of Frank R. Dravo, of Sewickley, Allegheny Co.,
Pa. The mother, Mrs. Martin resides at Kittanning. (2) Miss Marion Buffington
resides in Kittanning. (3) Miss Hannah Buffington also resides in Kittanning.
(4) Miss Mary Frances Buffington died April 27, 1908, aged fifty-six years.
She was a graduate of Vassar College, taught in Wilson College, at
Chambersburg, Pa. for thirteen years, was lady principal of St. Katherine�s
School, an Episcopal school for girls at Davenport, Iowa, for four years, and
lady principal of St. Catherine�s Hall, an Episcopal preparatory college, at
Brooklyn N.Y., for one year. She studied one year abroad, at Leipsic, Germany,
and made two other trips to Europe. (5) Judge Joseph Buffington, United States
Circuit Judge, resides at Pittsburgh, Pa. (6) Orr Buffington is a leading
attorney at Kittanning.

Robert Orr, son of Capt. Robert Orr by his first marriage, was born March
5, 1786, in Westmoreland County, probably at Hannastown. He was quite young
when he moved with his parents west of the Allegheny in Armstrong county. He
grew up amid pioneer surroundings, and developed the strength and courage
which such conditions foster in men of character. He inherited the forceful
mental and moral qualities of his father, for whom he was named, and he lived
a life that added prestige and glory to the record of an honored family.
Though the educational advantages he had in his native county was scarcely any
better than those he found in his new home he gained considerable learning for
his day, and he was one of those who acquired much through observation and
experience. This faculty, coupled with ability and energy beyond the average,
accounts for his usefulness and success in life. After living with his parents
in Sugar Creek township for a few years he came to Kittanning when the county
was organized for judicial administration, in 1805, and became deputy under
his brother John, who was the first sheriff of Armstrong county. Subsequently
he studied surveying, which he followed so successfully that he was afterward
appointed deputy district surveyor. He inherited his father�s military
spirit and sense of duty to his country, as was shown by his activity during
the war of 1812, in which he rendered valuable service. When the 2nd brigade
rendezvoused at Pittsburgh (Oct. 2, 1812) he was elected major, and left that
place the same fall under the command of General Crooks, to join the
northwestern army under General Harrison, on the Miami river, where Fort Meigs
was afterward built. At Upper Sandusky they were joined by a brigade of
militia from Virginia. From that place Major Orr, by the direction of the
General, took charge of the artillery, munitions, stores, etc., and set off
with about 300 men to the headquarters of General Harrison. While on the way
he was met by an express from Harrison, bringing information of the defeat of
General Winchester on the river Raisin, and requesting him to bring on his
force as rapidly as possible. After consolidation with the balance of the army
from Upper Sandusky, they proceeded to the rapids of the Miami (Maumee), where
they remained until the six months term of duty of the Pennsylvania and
Virginia militia had expired. General Harrision then appealed for volunteers
to remain fifteen days longer, until he should receive reinforcements from
Kentucky. Major Orr and about 200 other Pennsylvanians did volunteer and
remain until they were discharged, after the Battle of Fort Meigs, upon April
19, 1813.

In 1817 General Orr received his first honor in civil life, being elected
to the legislature, in which body he served two terms. Then in 1821, he was
sent to the State Senate to represent the large, but comparatively thinly
settled, district composed of the counties of Armstrong, Warren, Indiana,
Jefferson, Cambria, and Venango, the latter county including much of the
territory now in Clarion. After serving one term he was led to enter the
contest for election to Congress, and, doing so, defeated Gen. Abner Laycock.
He thus became the representative in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Congresses
of the district composed of Armstrong, Butler, Beaver, and Allegheny counties.
In the Legislature, in the State Senate and in Congress he served
satisfactorily to his people and with unwavering integrity of purpose. Calm,
judicious and experienced, his presence in the national counsels could not but
exert a beneficial influence in the direction and control of the affairs of
the country, which at that time witnessed the earlier symptoms of the
disturbance that eventually culminated in the tragic events of 1861. Later in
life General Orr was appointed by the governor associate judge of Armstrong
county and served very acceptably to the people. He retained his interest in
military affairs and was active in the militia organizations of western
Pennsylvania, in this connection acquiring the rank and title of general.

General Orr became possessed of a large number of land tracts in Armstrong
and adjoining counties, which he leased or sold as he had opportunity. During
the years he was most extensively engaged in his land business, money was
scarce, and it was very frequently the case that purchasers were unable to
meet their payments. His true character was shown in his liberality and fair
treatment of all. When those to whom he sold were embarrassed and could not
meet their obligations, he extended their time and gave them easier terms.
With many individuals this was done again and again, until at last they were
able to pay. He never dispossessed a man of property on which he was toiling
to discharge his indebtedness. Often the sons of the men who contracted with
him for lands completed the payment for them. Through his leniency and lack of
oppression many families were enabled to gain homes. He was in a very literal
sense the steward of his riches, holding them for others� good as well as
for his

own. His kindness of heart and practical philanthropy found expression in
many other ways, for he was unostentatiously and judiciously charitable
throughout his life. He did much to advance the interests of the school and
church, and for many years prior to his death was a member of the Presbyterian
Church.

For about three years (1848-52) General Orr resided in Allegheny City, and
for a short time, about 1845, he lived at Orrsville (mouth of Mahoning), but
the greater number of his years were passed in Kittanning. He was interested
in and helped to advance almost every local public improvement inaugurated
during his time. Laboring zealously for the construction of the Allegheny
Valley railroad, he lived to realize his hope in that direction and see the
wealth of his country practically increased by its mineral and agricultural
resources being made more easily available to the uses of the world.

In politics General Orr was a Democrat, in 1861 a War Democrat. He used his
influence and contributed liberally of his means to assist the organization of
the military, and the camp where the 78th and the 103d Regiments rendezvoused
was appropriately named Camp Orr in his honor. His appearance upon the ground,
when the soldiers were encamped there, was always a signal for an ovation, or
at least hearty cheers, and all who knew him gathered around him to shake the
hand of the old soldier of 1812. He lived to see the war ended and the country
he loved so much preserved in union. He lived to witness the nation recover
from the worst effects of the war and in the centennial year rejoice in peace
and prosperity. He passed away May 22, 1876, at his residence in Kittanning,
after a lingering but not severe illness.

In 1836 General Orr was married to Martha Grier, sister of the late Judge
Robert C. Grier, of the United States Supreme Court. She died Dec. 7, 1881.
Two children were born to this union, Grier C. and Fannie E. The latter died
March 14, 1882. Grier C. Orr, Esq., an able lawyer, died Nov. 17, 1895.

Source: Pages 301-324 Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and
Present, J.H. Beers, & Co. 1914
Transcribed September 1998 by Donna Sheaffer for the Armstrong County Beers
Project
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)

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