Andrew Wayt was born about 1738 in England. He came to live near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, about 1765 by crossing the Allegheny mountains. He eventually settled in West Pike Run District, Washington County, where he was granted 400 acres of land1. Andrew Wayt married Mary James on 20 August 1765 at a German Reformed Church2 and the couple had ten children. He died in 1814, age 77.
Andrew joined the Washington County (Fallowfield Township) Militia in 1781 and served through 17833. His rank was Private 5th Class, Third Company, Fifth Battalion under Captain Jacob White. “These men from Washington County apparently did not see much action, having been mustered to fight the Indians, who were greatly feared after the Sandusky expedition of 1782, but who did not press their advantage.”4
Andrew Wayt was summoned into duty in response to the following:
“First, there had been an expedition led by Colonel William Crawford to defeat the Indians in their towns along the Sandusky [River] in Ohio. The only problem was the Indians and British surprised the Americans and the expedition turned into a ‘disaster.'”5
“On May 25, 1782, 480 mounted Pennsylvania and Virginia frontiersmen, led by Col. William Crawford, set out from the Mingo Bottom, a short distance from Pittsburgh, to attack the Wyandotte and the Shawnee Indians on the Upper Sandusky River. Within ten miles of the first Sandusky village, the Americans were surprised by a force of British rangers and Indians under Capt. William Caldwell. After a battle, lasting two days, Crawford ordered a retreat which quickly turned into a rout, and seventy of his men were killed or missing. Crawford was captured and burned at the stake by Delaware Indians.”6
“A number of fugitives from the disordered forces of Col. Crawford reached the Ohio River considerably in advance of the main body in its retreat under command of Williamson. These stragglers immediately returned to their homes, and spread through the frontier settlements the most alarming and exaggerated reports of the disaster…The earliest reports which obtained currency were to the effect that the army of Crawford was almost annihilated, and that the Indians were pursuing them to the Ohio, and would doubtless cross the river and carry rapine and desolation through the border settlements. The fact that including all those killed in battle, those who afterwards died of wounds, those who suffered death at the hands of their savage captors, and those who were missing and never heard from, the total loss sustained by Crawford’s forces was less than seventy-five men.”7
“The reports caused widespread panic and alarm. Immediately, the residents decided to raise up a militia to fight the Indians – on a new expedition. After the Indian depredations began, however, the newly raised militia remained closer to home.” (McKey) As part of this action, Andrew Wayt was “summonsed” on June 10, 1782, to Col. Thomas Crooks Militia.
References and Notes
1The land deed for Andrew Wayt shows many transfers as were common in that area. Many soldiers were given land and not wanting it, they sold it, sometimes recorded as several sales in one day. This seems to be the case with this piece of land.
2Pennsylvania Vital Records, Vol. 1, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania (1761-1800).
3Military Accounts of Comptroller General, located at the Division of Archives and Manuscripts, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
4Wayt, Wilma. “Archives of Wilma Wayt,” sent to Gregory J. Winters (2004-2008).
5Wayt family researcher JoAnn Riley McKey, citing History of Washington County, Pennsylvaniaby Boyd Crumrine. L.H. Evers & Co., 1882.
6McKey quotingDictionary of American History Vol. II, edited by James Truslow Adams. Scribner, 1946. Page 83.
7McKey citing Crumrine, pp. 130-31.