Re: What we believe/what we know.
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In reply to:
Re: What we believe/what we know.
10/27/98
I am not directly related to the SLUSS Family as far as I know but I am sure that I am indirectly related through marriage.I know that there are conflicting stories about the massacre, *especially from reading this forum*however being a part of the area most of my life through my mom's side, the story that I have always heard from many different relatives/friends has always been very similar along the same story lines.
The story goes that the massacre happened the latter part of July 1779.The group of around 60 Indians were Shawnee and it was led by the son of Chief Cornstalk.They had already massacred a family in Giles County but most in the area (what is now Ceres) & surrounding community thought it was another wild tale.The dad's name is recorded as Jared and his oldest son James who probably from what I have heard was around 12 years old.They were working in a field close by but not in view of the house.
The story goes that the massacre happened the latter part of July 1779.The group of around 60 Indians were Shawnee and it was led by the son of Chief Cornstalk.They had already massacred a family in Giles County but most in the area (what is now Ceres) & surrounding community thought it was another wild tale.The dad's name is recorded as Jared and his oldest son James who probably from what I have heard was around 12 years old.They were working in a field close by but not in view of the house.(of note, a small girl 8 years I am pretty sure her last name was Spanglerhad gone to the springhouse and saw some Indians hiding.She would not tell her parents because she though they would laugh at her.Had she, the Sluss family may not have been massacred.it is a question that will never be answered.)
(of note, a small girl 8 years I am pretty sure her last name was Spanglerhad gone to the springhouse and saw some Indians hiding.She would not tell her parents because she though they would laugh at her.Had she, the Sluss family may not have been massacred.it is a question that will never be answered.)The story goes that 2 of their daughters were not at home - maybe at school, maybe married, maybe taking care of someone who was sick or elderly (that is the only job that single women/girls could do) - we will probably never know why they were away.
The story goes that 2 of their daughters were not at home - maybe at school, maybe married, maybe taking care of someone who was sick or elderly (that is the only job that single women/girls could do) - we will probably never know why they were away.The other three children were much younger - The two girls, Laura was around 4 years old, Hazel was around 10 yrs old & mom's little helper.Their brother, Marian was about 7 years old and then there was a baby girl - Mary - (I do not recollect how old she was but I think she was probably at least 6 months old).
The other three children were much younger - The two girls, Laura was around 4 years old, Hazel was around 10 yrs old & mom's little helper.Their brother, Marian was about 7 years old and then there was a baby girl - Mary - (I do not recollect how old she was but I think she was probably at least 6 months old).Their mom was Christina and I am not sure what her maiden name was.She had fed the baby and placed it in the cradle under the bedto keep the flies from bothering the baby - (beds were usually very high above the floor - I have one that my great grandfather made for his new wife and I can actually put another set of mattress under the bed.I have also heard that she hid her sleeping baby underneath the bed to keep the Indians from finding her.
Their mom was Christina and I am not sure what her maiden name was.She had fed the baby and placed it in the cradle under the bedto keep the flies from bothering the baby - (beds were usually very high above the floor - I have one that my great grandfather made for his new wife and I can actually put another set of mattress under the bed.I have also heard that she hid her sleeping baby underneath the bed to keep the Indians from finding her.The Indians first attacked the children getting between the house and the children so that they could not run in the house so they started running to their father.Their screams brought their mom to the door where she saw what was happening.By being the youngest, Laura was first killed by an Indian war club on the head.Hazel had already climbed over the fence and went to help Marion get over the fence while she tried to protect him.An arrow ended her life.Marion was able to escape and ran to his father (which had heard the commotion and was coming from the field). His dad told him to go to the fort (which was nearby) for help. The men from the fort found the family.Jared and James were next to each other in a pool of blood which it has been said that they fought - from what has been said, it looked like there was intense struggle -
The Indians first attacked the children getting between the house and the children so that they could not run in the house so they started running to their father.Their screams brought their mom to the door where she saw what was happening.By being the youngest, Laura was first killed by an Indian war club on the head.Hazel had already climbed over the fence and went to help Marion get over the fence while she tried to protect him.An arrow ended her life.Marion was able to escape and ran to his father (which had heard the commotion and was coming from the field). His dad told him to go to the fort (which was nearby) for help. The men from the fort found the family.Jared and James were next to each other in a pool of blood which it has been said that they fought - from what has been said, it looked like there was intense struggle -Christina was found just outside her kitchen from what was said was that she really fought also because her arm was broken where she had been hacked. She was just barely living - and did regain conciousness enough to tell what happened and I believe that she died about three days later.
Christina was found just outside her kitchen from what was said was that she really fought also because her arm was broken where she had been hacked. She was just barely living - and did regain conciousness enough to tell what happened and I believe that she died about three days later.They are all buried at the Sharon Lutheran Church in Ceres.The Indians were doing victory hoops and hollers during the funerals.They are in unmarked graves- because they did not want the Indians to know where they were buried which a lot of our ancestors are buried in unmarked graves becauseof that reason. The mtn stones now mark the graves which must have been placed shortly afterwards.There is a memorial written about the Sluss family in the cemetery and if you are ever that way, it is well worth the visit.
They are all buried at the Sharon Lutheran Church in Ceres.The Indians were doing victory hoops and hollers during the funerals.They are in unmarked graves- because they did not want the Indians to know where they were buried which a lot of our ancestors are buried in unmarked graves becauseof that reason. The mtn stones now mark the graves which must have been placed shortly afterwards.There is a memorial written about the Sluss family in the cemetery and if you are ever that way, it is well worth the visit.I only know of Marion,baby Mary, and their two sisters that were not there that survived.I don't remember what their names were (I wish my sources were still living)
I only know of Marion,baby Mary, and their two sisters that were not there that survived.I don't remember what their names were (I wish my sources were still living)The cabin is no longer standing and but it was near the first two story brick home in what is now Ceres, in what is now Bland County.The John Crabtree & his familybought the Sluss farm and built the firstbrick home from clay from this farm. The Crabtree home was beautiful and was only about a couple hundred feet west from the Sluss home.However, sadly much to my dismay, this home has been torn down from descendents of the Crabtrees who have opted to put a mobile home which appears to be more closer to the actual place of the original Sluss cabin.
The cabin is no longer standing and but it was near the first two story brick home in what is now Ceres, in what is now Bland County.The John Crabtree & his familybought the Sluss farm and built the firstbrick home from clay from this farm. The Crabtree home was beautiful and was only about a couple hundred feet west from the Sluss home.However, sadly much to my dismay, this home has been torn down from descendents of the Crabtrees who have opted to put a mobile home which appears to be more closer to the actual place of the original Sluss cabin.The fort and the cabin were torn down probably about 100 years ago.It was still there during my grandparents life when they were young children.
The fort and the cabin were torn down probably about 100 years ago.It was still there during my grandparents life when they were young children.I do not know if they still come up (someone may have gotten rid of them) but used to each year beautiful white fragrant daffodils came up each year (which has been said that it was a memorial to the family) and it has always been said that Christina had planted them - they were flowers that she had brought the bulbs with her either when the SLUSSes came over from the old country or were given to her from some of the dutch families from the area.
I do not know if they still come up (someone may have gotten rid of them) but used to each year beautiful white fragrant daffodils came up each year (which has been said that it was a memorial to the family) and it has always been said that Christina had planted them - they were flowers that she had brought the bulbs with her either when the SLUSSes came over from the old country or were given to her from some of the dutch families from the area.This is the story as I have always heard it.I have read the forum and heard all the different possiblities that may have happened - and I am somewhat surprise that some are saying that Jared survived.He is listed in the Sharon Cemetery that he did die in the massacre.
This is the story as I have always heard it.I have read the forum and heard all the different possiblities that may have happened - and I am somewhat surprise that some are saying that Jared survived.He is listed in the Sharon Cemetery that he did die in the massacre.Sometimes we have to be careful because in our ancestry from this area, there are first names used repeatedly in all branches in the family tree.
Sometimes we have to be careful because in our ancestry from this area, there are first names used repeatedly in all branches in the family tree.
There are lots of other Indian stories from the area including women that they took as prisoners and later escaped and even one ladyactually lost her mind after she watch the Indians massacre each one of ther children.
There are lots of other Indian stories from the area including women that they took as prisoners and later escaped and even one ladyactually lost her mind after she watch the Indians massacre each one of ther children.
This story is only relating to what has been told from many in the Ceres, Bland County area.I had been all over the Sluss farm with my Grandmother on numerous occasions.
This story is only relating to what has been told from many in the Ceres, Bland County area.I had been all over the Sluss farm with my Grandmother on numerous occasions.More Replies:
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Re: Stories versus facts