Alexander McGuffey facts for kids
Alexander McGuffey, also known as Sandy (born November 22, 1767 – died March 1, 1855), was a Scottish American scout. He lived on the Ohio frontier during the Northwest Indian War. He was the father of William Holmes and Alexander Hamilton McGuffey. These sons later created the famous McGuffey Readers textbooks. Their mother, Anna Holmes McGuffey, taught them at home. She also made sure they received a good formal education.
Contents
Early Life and Family Moves
Alexander McGuffey was born in Wigtownshire, Scotland, on November 22, 1767. His parents were Ann McKittrick and William McGuffey. When Alexander was about five or six years old, his family moved to Colonial America. They arrived in Philadelphia in August 1774. Then, they started a farm in York County, Pennsylvania.
On May 27, 1779, Alexander joined the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). Many soldiers at that time were Scottish-Irish. They had a strong dislike for the British.
During the war, Alexander's family continued farming. They also ran a tavern. George Washington and his officers visited the tavern several times. Alexander learned about the war by listening to the soldiers talk. After the war, his father returned to run the farm and the tavern. He also repaired shoes.
In 1789, the McGuffey family moved west to Pennsylvania. They traveled on the Cumberland Road, likely in large wagons. Alexander's 18-year-old sister, Elizabeth, died and was buried along the way. Alexander and his 21-year-old sister, Catherine, finished the trip with their parents. They settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The family farmed in Finley Township near Claysville. Land was cheap there. Many Scottish-Irish settlers found success as farmers. They also made iron and whiskey. The area had plenty of buffalo, deer, and other small animals for food and furs. The McGuffeys were Covenanters. This meant they supported a Presbyterian Church of Scotland. They were against drinking, slavery, and dancing. They also disliked some government and church rules.
Life as a Scout
Native American tribes often raided settlements in Western Pennsylvania. They also raided areas throughout the Northwest Territory. These tribes included the Ojibwas, Odawas, Potawatomis, Miamis, Delawares, Shawnees, and Senecas. Boats carrying goods on the Ohio River were also attacked.
In 1790, Alexander McGuffey and his best friend, Duncan McArthur, became scouts. They volunteered at Fort Pitt, an American Army base. Samuel Brady trained them. He tested their skills in hunting, shooting, running, and swimming. They also learned how to spy on tribes and handle conflicts. Both Alexander and Duncan passed the tests. They were sent on military missions. They wore simple clothes, buckskin leggings, and a vest. They carried a tomahawk and a small knife. The tomahawk helped them cut trees for shelter and clear paths through forests. Alexander first served near Wheeling, West Virginia. He worked in the Ohio River Valley.
In the early 1790s, the young men served under General Anthony Wayne and Arthur St. Clair. Their goal was to move Native Americans out of the Ohio Territory. Being a scout was very dangerous. Scouts could be killed or scalped. Alexander had many close calls. Once, a shot just missed him and hit the tree behind him. Another time, a shot hit his powder horn but did not hurt him. Other times, Native Americans spotted him, and he had to run far away until they gave up. Alexander served as a scout until 1796.
Duncan McArthur later served in the War of 1812. He became a general. He was also elected governor of Ohio. He built a large estate called "Fruit Hill" near Chillicothe, Ohio.
Family Life
Life in Pennsylvania
In December 1797, Alexander married Anna Holmes (born 1776). Her parents were Jane Roney Holmes and Henry Holmes. They owned a wealthy farm in Washington County. Anna was educated in the frontier school system. Alexander and Anna built a log cabin on the Holmes farm. They lived there for five years. During this time, they had three children: Jane (born 1799), William Holmes (born 1800), and Henry (born 1802).
Alexander was a farmer. He also built houses, roads, and bridges. He dealt with challenges like droughts, floods, pests, and wild animals on the frontier.
In 1789, Washington County had about 1,540 residents. The Scottish-Irish residents had different views on slavery and alcohol. They also had different political ideas. The McGuffeys were Covenanters.
Moving to Ohio
The Connecticut Western Reserve
The first European settlers began moving into this area in 1798. Alexander McGuffey started clearing land and building a log cabin in 1800. The area had many wild animals, nuts, and berries. The land was flatter than western Pennsylvania. This made it easier to grow crops like potatoes, corn, and wheat. The community was diverse. It included Pennsylvania Germans who shared farming methods. There were also New Englanders who taught how to tap trees for syrup. Quakers and Scottish-Irish families also moved there. This diverse community shared values. They disliked war, slavery, and drunkenness. They also believed in giving children good educations.
Children in the community learned to read, write, and spell. They memorized verses using the Bible and other books. Some children used The New England Primer and Webster's Blue Back Speller. Other books used for teaching included The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes, Mother Goose's Melody, The Pilgrim's Progress, Robinson Crusoe, and Gulliver's Travels.
The McGuffey Family in Ohio
In 1802, the McGuffeys left Washington County. Alexander, Anna, and their three children moved with Alexander's parents. They bought a 160-acre farm in Coitsville, Ohio. This was near Youngstown.
Alexander served on the local school board. He also helped value houses and list property. Anna taught their children at home. In winter, William and Jane stayed and attended Rev. William Wick's school in Youngstown. This school was about five miles from their home. They studied there until 1814.
William began teaching when he was 14. Between teaching jobs, he studied at Old Stone Academy in Darlington, Pennsylvania. William later helped his younger brother Alexander get an education. Both brothers helped create the very successful McGuffey Readers textbooks. Alexander's wife, Anna, died while the family was still in Ohio.
Later Life in Pennsylvania
Alexander McGuffey returned to western Pennsylvania before 1847. He lived along the Shenango River. He married Mary Hemphill Dickey, who was a respected lady. Alexander's parents, William and Ann McGuffey, moved in with the couple. His mother, Ann, lived to be 90 years old. His father, William, lived to be 94.
On September 22, 1847, Dr. Daniel Drake visited the McGuffeys. He was from Cincinnati. His daughter, Elizabeth M. Drake, married Alexander's son, Alexander. Daniel Drake was 62 years old at the time. He founded the first medical college west of the Allegheny Mountains. Like the McGuffeys, Daniel Drake and his parents had faced challenges on the frontier. Daniel was sent to Cincinnati in 1800 to get an education. He became a doctor and lived comfortably. His and Alexander McGuffey's grandchildren later lived a life of luxury. They attended private schools.
Death and Legacy
Alexander McGuffey died on March 1, 1855, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
In 1847, when Drake visited Alexander McGuffey, they talked about his days as a scout. Afterward, Drake wrote a short story about Alexander McGuffey's life.
