The HARBERT Family of Harrison County, West Virginia

"Where did you get all of this information???…. I don't know anything about my family history!"

And the fact is, it's true! I know very little of the maternal side of my family. My wife has spent years trying to research her family. While she has had some success, it's come very slowly with much effort. But for the most part, she just runs into dead ends.

I mention this only to let you know you have a rich history of which to be proud. It's something we don't need to let fade away into obscurity. Our ancestors were proud of their heritage and celebrated it annually and handed it down from generation to generation. We should do no less. It's for this reason I created this website, and the reason for this long overdue tribute to our ancestor - Thomas Harbert, Sr.

On this page I'll post memorials to not only Thomas, but also individuals who have contributed and dedicated themselves to preserving the legacy of our Harbert family.

Thomas Harbert SAR Ceremony

Thomas Harbert (Sr) July 4, 1734 - March 3, 1778

Most eulogies give a brief and heart-warming account of an individuals life and his/her accomplishments from the unique perspective of one who knew them personally. Delivering a eulogy for our great-grandfather Thomas Harbert is problematic for several reasons: First and foremost is the fact that he’s been dead for over 236 years; and second - the fact that he was a common man... just a regular guy. But fortunately, there is enough anecdotal historical evidence for us to construct a composite picture of him and give us a glimpse into his character.

Context...

Before reviewing his life events and accomplishments, it will help us to step back and take a look at the times in which he lived. !
The early to mid 18th century in colonial America was a tumultuous and dynamic time in our nations history. Most notably during Thomas’ young adulthood and married life was the “Seven Years War” or what we refer to as the “French & Indian War” from 1754-1763. This war in the “New World” was characterized by English, French & Spanish competing interests in and struggle for control of its colonization and trade. This war ended in 1763 with the Treaty of Paris.

The Significance of The 1763 Treaty of Paris

• French and Indian Wars (75 year period 1688-1763) ended
• The French colonial empire is destroyed leaving British Empire dominant force on North American continent
• France cedes all of Canada and all Louisiana east of the Mississippi to Great Britain (with exception of New Orleans)
• Great Britain is saddled with massive war debt following the wars and attempts to raise revenue by imposing new taxes. Within twelve years, these upper-handed tactics and the young colonists desire for independence and freedom from colonial imperialism ultimately leads to our American War for Independence (1775-1783)
• In 1763 Great Britain issues its “Royal Proclamation.” This proclamation was outwardly designed to calm the Native American’s fears by prohibiting the colonists westward expansion across the Alleghenies into Indian territory. But it also served a more insidious and subversive purpose: to keep its colonists concentrated east of the mountains where they could more easily be monitored, controlled and taxed!
• Although the “French & Indian War” had officially ended with this treaty, the so-called “Border Wars” of the territories along the 1763 Line of Proclamation continued until 1795 when the power of the indian tribes was crushed by General Anthony Wayne.
• Seven years prior to this proclamation in 1753, The Virginia General Assembly seeing the necessity of protection for settlers in the region (from the French & Indians) had authorized the building of a series of forts from the Ohio River southward to North Carolina along the Appalachian Mountains about twenty miles apart under the supervision of a young General George Washington, who had recently earned distinction leading the Royal British Army and local troops in the Fort Duquesne region.
• Following the close of the French and Indian war there was a 10 year period (1763-1773) of relative peace in this region marked by a continual migration of people from eastern Virginia westward, and also from the Pittsburgh area southward along the Ohio River. During this time of relative peace in the border area, these forts fell into disuse.
• This period of peace came to an abrupt end with “Lord Dunmore’s War” which began in 1774 when John Murray (4th Earl of Dunmore) asked the Virginia Legislature to declare war on the hostile Indian nations (mostly Shawnee & Mingo) who were attacking the British Colonists who had been slowly encroaching on areas in which they held hunting rights secured by prior treaties, even though this same land had been acquired from the Iroquois Confederacy by the British in the Treaty of Fort Stanwix in 1768. During this time of escalating conflict between the Indians and settlers a new series of forts, stockades & blockhouses was quickly erected for the settler’s defense, from Fort Pitt southward along the Monongahela & West Fork into regions of the Kanawha and westward as far as Maysville, Kentucky.
• Lord Dunmore’s War ended soon after Virginia’s victory on October 10, 1774 in the Battle of Point Pleasant in which a subsequent treaty resulted in the Indians losing their right to hunting grounds south of the Ohio.
• Although this treaty was signed by their national chieftains, many felt they had been sold out and betrayed by them. The hostilities with the settlers continued...
• In 1776 when war broke out between Great Britain and the colonists, the war factions of the Indian nations gained power and joined Great Britain in its war against the colonists whom they apparently viewed a greater threat.

These were the times in which our THOMAS HARBERT was compelled to live and raise a family.

Similarities between the times of Thomas Harbert & today...

• out of control and ever-encroaching Federal Government
• insidious erosion of our individual liberties

• born: July 4, 1734 (280 yrs old today) in New Jersey - contemporary of Daniel Boone (1734-1820) and George Washington (1732-1799)
• married: August 6, 1758 - to Isabel Wright was recorded @ Christchurch, Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, NJ
• Father of 6 children (1760-1775):
• 1. Samuel - born: c. 1760 in New Jersey
• 2. Edward - born: May 10, 1762 in Burlington County, NJ! • William - born: c. 1765 in Winchester, VA
• 3. William - born: c. 1765 in Winchester, VA
• 4. Thomas - born: 1768 in Winchester, VA
• 5. John - born: November 1769 in Winchester, VA
• 6. Celia - born: c. 1775 in Harrison County, VA
• c. 1765-6 - moved family west from Burlington, NJ to Winchester, VA (frontier)
• c. 1771 - moved family to Decker’s Creek, Monongalia County, Virginia
• c. 1775 - moved family to present Harrison County, WV
• April 13, 1776 - signed promissory note for £35 (≈ $2400.00) to Ananias Davisson
• served in the militia as a captain under Major Benjamin Robinson
• c. 1775-1777 - Thomas & others built “Fort Harbert” (Harbert Blockhouse) on Jones’ Run for the defense of the frontier
• died: defending Harbert Blockhouse/Fort from attack by Shawnee on March 3, 1778

"On the third of March, some children, playing with a crippled crow, at a short distance from the yard, espied a number of Indians proceeding towards them; and running briskly to the house, told "that a number of red men were close by." John Murphey stepped to the door to see if danger had really approached, when one of the Indians, turning the corner of the house, fired at him. The ball took effect, and Murphey fell back into the house. The Indian springing directly in, was grappled by Harbert, and thrown on the floor. A shot from without, wounded Harbert, yet he continued to maintain his advantage over the prostrate savage, striking him as effectually as he could with his tomahawk, when another gun was fired at him from without the house. The ball passed through his head, and he fell lifeless. His antagonist then slipped out at the door, sorely wounded in the encounter…"

After looking at these facts and events in his life, we come to know the following about him...

• He was a person of vision
• He was a person of passion
• He loved adventure
• He was industrious
• He valued liberty & freedom
• He was brave
• He was a regular guy - he had to work, was in debt and had to borrow money (not an aristocrat)
• He was dedicated to his family & community
• He was a patriot

Although we’ve never met him, I think we would have liked hanging out with him. I believe he enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest... and that he loved his family, community and his country. And so, great-grandfather Thomas - today, July 4th 2014 - 236 years after your death, on your 280th birthday and the 238th birthday of our nation, we want to thank you for your life and unselfish sacrificial death, and dedicate this monument in your memory.

On behalf of the Harbert Family at large I'd like to thank the George Rogers Clark branch of the S.A.R. for helping us formally recognize the long-overdue contributions of our ancestor Thomas Harbert - not only to his family, but also to this community and our country, with the placement of this granite marker... an enduring symbol to future generations of a life marked by a vision, hard work & endurance, and sacrifice in the pursuit of liberty & freedom.

• Our joint book: "Echoes From The Blockhouse"
• Gravestone Marker for Thomas Harbert
• Thomas Harbert's S.A.R. approval