William Henry Church, Sr.

Founder of Hundred, West Virginia. Husband of Hannah Keine.

Henry Church was born in Suffolk, England, 11/30/1750 and died 9/14/1860. His age was 109 years, 9 months and 14 days at the time of death. He was the eldest man in the state of VA. He and John Taylor, the father of the Taylor generation in the town of Hundred, while in England, were members of King George's body guards. When the American colonists rebelled against England and took up arms in defense of their rights, Henry Church and John Taylor were sent to this country as members of the 63rd Light Infantry. They served under Lord Cornwallis in the Memorable Campaign of 1781. But it was not his fortune to have seen that great day of glory and disaster at Yorktown which terminated that campaign, and with it the War of Independence. A short time before, while on a scouting party between Richmond and Petersburg, he was taken prisoner by the troops under General Lafayette, and sent to Camp Chase, near Lancaster, PA, where he remained until peace was declared.

The Intelligencer, Wheeling, VA Corner of Main and Quincy - sts. Tuesday Morning, July 13, 1858

A VENERABLE COUPLE.--The Crayon for July contains a highly rendable description, by the editor, of the recent "Artists' Excursion" over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, in which the varied scenic attractions of the journey are portrayed from an artist's point of view. The following is a description of an interesting old couple the party visited: On the western side of the Alleghenies the excursionists stopped to make a call on an aged couple living on the line of the road; the parties being respectively 108 and 103 years of age.-- The old man, Henry Church by name, was formerly an English soldier under Lord Cornwallis, and was taken prisoner by the Americans. He had shortly after this event, now more than seventy years ago, settled upon the spot where we found him, the country being indeed a wilderness. Chairs were brought from the cars for the old people to sit in; a daughter of theirs, over sixty, was called from the log-house to complete the group, and photographs and pencil sketches were soon accomplished. The old man appeared pleased with the attentions paid by the eager group of spectators, and showed much animation when past characters and events were alluded to that aroused his slumbering memory. Particularly was this visible when Mr. Hope, who is one of the heroes of the Crimean campaign, was introduced as an Englishman. "What a handsome young fellow!' exclaimed the old man, as he shook hands with him. Many kind words and greetings were exchanged. Mr. Hope favored the old man with strains of martial music on the cornet, that seemed to delight him exceedingly; the old lady, livelier and more active than her spouse, traversed the cars admiringly, shaking hands with the ladies, and wishing them pleasure and happiness as she bid the adieu. On leaving, a bumper of claret, three cheers, and a tremendous 'tiger' were given to this old and interesting couple.

Dailey Intelligence, Wheeling, VA Thursday Morning, May 1, 1860

A Venerable Soldier.--Near Broad Tree Tunnel, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, lives the venerable Henry Church. His house was visited by the editorial excursionists last week, on their way east. Mr. Church enjoys excellent health, although he has reached the remarkable age of 109. His wife and daughter live with him, the former being 102 years of age and the latter in her 82nd year. Mr. Church was born in the year 1751, and came to this country as a soldier in Lord Cornwallis' army. He was taken prisoner by a detachment of Gen. Lafayette's command just previous to the battle of Yorktown, and was afterwards exchanged. Just previous to the English army leaving the country, he deserted, and soon thereafter married and moved to the wilderness, as it was then, where he has resided ever since. The old gentleman expressed himself much pleased with the visit.

Children of Henry and Hannah: William Clark Church (1772 - 1873) Elizabeth Church Bland (1784 - 1857) James Church (1793 - 1880) Henry Church (1795 - 1892) Elsie Church (1799 - 1846) Sarah Church Soles (1805 - 1891) Hannah Church (1806 - 1872) Annie Church (1808 - )

Bio: Provided by Karen Brewer

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33173107/henry-church

Henry Church BIRTH 30 Nov 1750 Suffolk, England DEATH 14 Sep 1860 (aged 109) Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia, USA BURIAL Hundred Cemetery Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia, USA MEMORIAL ID 33173107 · View Source

MEMORIAL PHOTOS 3 FLOWERS 7 Founder of Hundred, West Virginia. Husband of Hannah Keine.

Henry Church was born in Suffolk, England, 11/30/1750 and died 9/14/1860. His age was 109 years, 9 months and 14 days at the time of death. He was the eldest man in the state of VA. He and John Taylor, the father of the Taylor generation in the town of Hundred, while in England, were members of King George's body guards. When the American colonists rebelled against England and took up arms in defense of their rights, Henry Church and John Taylor were sent to this country as members of the 63rd Light Infantry. They served under Lord Cornwallis in the Memorable Campaign of 1781. But it was not his fortune to have seen that great day of glory and disaster at Yorktown which terminated that campaign, and with it the War of Independence. A short time before, while on a scouting party between Richmond and Petersburg, he was taken prisoner by the troops under General Lafayette, and sent to Camp Chase, near Lancaster, PA, where he remained until peace was declared.

The Intelligencer, Wheeling, VA Corner of Main and Quincy - sts. Tuesday Morning, July 13, 1858

A VENERABLE COUPLE.--The Crayon for July contains a highly rendable description, by the editor, of the recent "Artists' Excursion" over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, in which the varied scenic attractions of the journey are portrayed from an artist's point of view. The following is a description of an interesting old couple the party visited: On the western side of the Alleghenies the excursionists stopped to make a call on an aged couple living on the line of the road; the parties being respectively 108 and 103 years of age.-- The old man, Henry Church by name, was formerly an English soldier under Lord Cornwallis, and was taken prisoner by the Americans. He had shortly after this event, now more than seventy years ago, settled upon the spot where we found him, the country being indeed a wilderness. Chairs were brought from the cars for the old people to sit in; a daughter of theirs, over sixty, was called from the log-house to complete the group, and photographs and pencil sketches were soon accomplished. The old man appeared pleased with the attentions paid by the eager group of spectators, and showed much animation when past characters and events were alluded to that aroused his slumbering memory. Particularly was this visible when Mr. Hope, who is one of the heroes of the Crimean campaign, was introduced as an Englishman. "What a handsome young fellow!' exclaimed the old man, as he shook hands with him. Many kind words and greetings were exchanged. Mr. Hope favored the old man with strains of martial music on the cornet, that seemed to delight him exceedingly; the old lady, livelier and more active than her spouse, traversed the cars admiringly, shaking hands with the ladies, and wishing them pleasure and happiness as she bid the adieu. On leaving, a bumper of claret, three cheers, and a tremendous 'tiger' were given to this old and interesting couple.

Dailey Intelligence, Wheeling, VA Thursday Morning, May 1, 1860

A Venerable Soldier.--Near Broad Tree Tunnel, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, lives the venerable Henry Church. His house was visited by the editorial excursionists last week, on their way east. Mr. Church enjoys excellent health, although he has reached the remarkable age of 109. His wife and daughter live with him, the former being 102 years of age and the latter in her 82nd year. Mr. Church was born in the year 1751, and came to this country as a soldier in Lord Cornwallis' army. He was taken prisoner by a detachment of Gen. Lafayette's command just previous to the battle of Yorktown, and was afterwards exchanged. Just previous to the English army leaving the country, he deserted, and soon thereafter married and moved to the wilderness, as it was then, where he has resided ever since. The old gentleman expressed himself much pleased with the visit.

Children of Henry and Hannah: William Clark Church (1772 - 1873) Elizabeth Church Bland (1784 - 1857) James Church (1793 - 1880) Henry Church (1795 - 1892) Elsie Church (1799 - 1846) Sarah Church Soles (1805 - 1891) Hannah Church (1806 - 1872) Annie Church (1808 - )

Bio: Provided by Karen Brewer

Henry Church
BIRTH 30 Nov 1750
Suffolk, England
DEATH 14 Sep 1860 (aged 109)
Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia, USA
BURIAL
Hundred Cemetery
Hundred, Wetzel County, West Virginia

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33173107/henry-church

Children
Elizabeth Church Bland
1793–1871

Photo
James Church
1793–1880

Photo
Henry Church
1795–1892

Photo
Hannah Church
1803–1872

Sarah Church Sole
1805–1891