Isaac Powell (1749 - Mar 1819) was the third son and fifth of the known 10 children of David Powell and Elizabeth Chalfont, according to "History of the Powell, Bailey, Troutman, and allied families" by Jehu Z. Powell. Isaac was born in East Fallowfield Township, Chester Co., PA. [Note: This is a simulated portrait of Isaac. This is not an actual painting of Isaac.]1. Ellis Powell (18 Aug 1775 - 1 May 1849)
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Maxwell's Position at Battle of Brandywine.
The Chester Co. Militia fought at the Battle of Brandywine on 11 Sep 1777. Two hundred men from Isaac's 8th Battalion under Colonel Bell were attached to General William Maxwell's Corps of Light Infantry, part of General Washington's advance forces, and were tasked to provide reconnaisance for the American forces, given that the men of the Chester Co. Militia were very familiar with the territory, although they lacked military training. [Note: Maxwell's forces were posted west of Brandywine Creek toward Kennett Square.] Their lack of training was apparent, as records suggest that many militiamen were wandering around aimlessly the morning of the battle, all according to "The Philadelphia Campaign: Brandywine and the fall of Philadelphia" by Thomas J. McGuire. During the battle, Maxwell's troops were engaged by the advanced forces British General Howe.
It is yet uncertain whether or not Isaac participated in the Battle of Brandywine, but he was listed as being in service in May of 1778 under Captain Bezaleel Bentley. Captain Bentley commanded the 3rd Company, out of East Fallowfield Twp., of the 8th Battalion of the PA Militia under Colonel Patterson Bell. Captain Morras took command of this company in 1779, and then in 1780 the men of East Fallowfield became the 2nd Company of the 8th Battalion, under Captain Robert Morell and Lt. Colonel Matthew Boyd respectively, all according to the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Isaac and brothers Nathan and Benjamin, however, were not listed in the 1780 rolls and may have already gone to Washington Co., PA.
The Powell brothers were subsequently listed on the Washington Co. Militia rolls. They were part of Captain Benjamin White's Company (Fallowfield Township) under the Washington Co. Militia's 5th Battalion under Colonel Thomas Crooks. Natahn Powell was Captain White's lieutenant, and Benjamin Powell was the ensign, while Isaac was a private in class number six, according to USGenWeb archives. [Note: The class indicated the rotation order for when designated individuals were required to show up for their two months of active duty. So, Isaac's duty fell within the sixth rotation.] Isaac's class included Henry Dixon, Robert Reilley, John Adams, Amos White, James McCormick, Jacob White, and Isaac Darnold; so he would have been well acquainted with them. Since this list was undated, this may have represented the militia after the war.
On 18 May 1782, Isaac's brother Nathan was a co-signer to a letter to Brigadier General Irvine, where Captain White appealed to him for seven-nine men to guard the mill of Alexander Wells, according to "Washington-Irvine Correspondence" by Consul Willshire Butterfield, George Washington, William Irvine. The seventh and eighth classes were summoned to duty on 27 Jun 1782, so it is possible that Isaac was on duty from Apr - May 1782, when the letter was sent, according to Pennsylvania Archives.
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Sometime between 1805 and 1808, Isaac Powell was among petitioners who were worried that the relocation of the old road, leading from near Laurel Run Bridge to intersect the new location and road leading from Selby's Bottom toward the mouth of Booth's Creek, would no longer afford their farms an outlet. The petitioners were successful in getting the plan annulled, all according to "Monongalia County, (West) Virginia Records of the District, Superior & County
Courts Vol. 6 1805-1808" by Melba Pender Zinn.
Isaac probably died in Mar or or Apr 1819 and was laid to rest in the Powell Family Cemetery at his farm, north of Smithtown in the Clinton District of Monongalia Co., (W)VA. [Note: The cemetery is located off of Opekiska Ridge Rd.] Isaac's will was either drawn up or declared in Mar 1819, and the inventory of Isaac's estate was taken on 20 Mar 1819. [Note: Inventories usually were done within 30 days of death, unless a will was contested.] The bill of sale of his estate occurred on 4 Jun 1819. Isaac's will mentioned the following as devisees (beneficiaries): his sons - John, Silas, Ellis, Isaac, Joseph, Amos, Levi, Bushrod, Chalfant, and James; daughters - Abigail West, Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth, Polly, and Rebecca; wife Elizabeth; and others, all according to West Virginia Estate Settlements.
Old Swede's Church
Powell Farm Cemetery General Location.
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