Hinkles and Hanrahans

'Joseph received five pounds from the will of his father, Christopher. However, in the lengthy court suit finally settled in 1852," there is evidence that on 5 June 1779 Joseph sold the house in Alexandria to Dorsey Pentecost, who in turn sold it in the Winter of 1779 to Jesse Hollingsworth of Baltimore. In Washington County, Pennsylvania on 25 August 1786, Joseph Beeler and Margaret acknowledged that the transaction had occurred. Signing were Dorsey, Joseph, Catherine, Margaret Pentecost, and Mary Beeler/' This house, with modifications, is still standing.
The legality of the transaction was questioned. Half-brother Benjamin, as administrator, initiated a suit in the High Court of Chancery of Richmond, Virginia in September 1782. Subsequent suits were Beeler Family (grandchildren) vs Stephen Hollingsworth, Joseph Beeler & Benjamin Beeler, 26 February 1799; and Beeler Family vs Jesse Hollingsworth, Joseph Beeler & Benjamin Beeler, 29 November 1799. The Richmond High Court of Chancery records are not extant. The case was heard for years in the Superior Court of Chancery in Staunton, Virginia. Included in the many papers was a deposition on 21 June 1803, in Jefferson County, Virginia, in which Benjamin Beeler stated that the original executors of the will of his father, Christopher , refused to qualify, and that he, Benjamin was granted the administration.
Joseph Beeler, the half-brother, and eldest son, was under the impression that father Christopher died intestate. Joseph Beeler "took possession" of the house in Alexandria. The Court eventually ruled in favor of the Benjamin Beeler heirs. '

Christopher Beeler 1705-1775, compiled by Caroline H. Pappas 1997.

Joseph Beeler served as a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, and some of his writings from that time are included in "The History of Washington County, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men", Boyd Crumrine 1882. He lived on Chartiers Creek in what became Peters Township, Washington Co, PA. There were numerous Indian raids in the area, and Beeler as County Commissioner of Yohogania Co, VA, was instructed to raise a militia to help fight the tribes allied with the British. His orders from Col. Daniel Brodhead were as follows:
"Dear Sir, I find it will not be in my power to provide for the number of men I have ordered to be called into service so soon as I expected. Besides, I have heard that a number of Artillery and Stores and two Regiments of Infantry are now on their march to reinforce my command. The account of Artillery and Stores I have received officially, and I believe the other may be credited. It will be essentially necessary for the leading officers of your County to excite the greatest industry in planting and sowing the Summer crop, and to have your troops at Fort Henry (Wheeling, Va.) by the 4th day of next month. The Militia should be drafted for two months, although the expedition will probably end in one, and let them be well armed and accoutred as circumstances will admit. Encourage
them to bring two weeks' allowance of provisions lest there should be a deficiency. I have no doubt but you and all the good People
of your County are convinced of the necessity there is for prosecuting some offensive operations against the Savages, and I trust that by a well-timed movement from the new settlements down the river to favour our Expedition we shall be enabled to strike a general panic amongst the hostile tribes. I am averse to putting too much to hazard, as a defeat would prove fatal to the settlements, and therefore I expect the full quota of men will be furnished, which with the blessing of Divine Providence will insure success. Indeed, I expect besides the Militia many will turn out volunteers to secure to themselves the blessings of peace. I have the honor to be with great respect, Yours,
Daniel Brodhead,
Col. Com'd'g W. D."

The food supply for his troops was often in jeopardy. In response to one of Col. Beeler's requests for supplies, in particular salt to preserve the meat his men hunted, he received this reply:
"Head-Q'r's, Fort Pitt, May 20, 1780.
Dear Sir,—I find it impossible to procure a sufficient quantity of provisions to subsist the Troops which were intended to be employed on an expedition against the Indians in alliance with Great Britain; therefore you will be pleased to give immediate notice to such as are warned not to march until you receive further notice from me. In the mean time I shall endeavor to give every possible protection to the settlements and amuse the Indians by speeches. I am sorry for having given you the trouble of drafting the militia, but the disappointments with regard to the means of getting supplies are very embarrassing, and must apologize for the alteration in our measures."

There was some dispute about whether Pennsylvania or Virginia held claim to the area where Beeler lived, which created problems in his supply chain and issues with volunteer and drafted miltitia. Col Beeler wrote to his commander on this subject more than once.
"October l0th, 1780.
Dear Sir,—1 received yours of the 71h Inst, this morning, but it is not in my power to give you a just return, as you request, until the last of this week, for I have been obliged to issue orders to press hones all draught men, as I could not get Volunteers enough, of which I have not got a return as yet. I am sorry to inform you that I am afraid we shall come but little speed; I find that the Government of Virginia will not protect me in any thing I do by vertue of the laws of Virginia since their last Resolution & the lawsuit Pensys. have not as yet taken us under their protection ; all this the Country is acquainted with, so that every thing I do is at the Risque of my Fortune, unless protected by the States. If it had not been to forward an Expedition, I should have declined acting a good while ago ; as no man ever had a more disagreeable time of it than I have at present, having no law to defend me. We are assured of your good intentions for the safety of the Countrey, and are very sorry that we cannot act with that spirit that we ought to. But hope the laws
of Pens. will either be extended in a few Days from this time, or the laws of Virg. be kept in force. It is very unhappy for this Countrey that the two contending States has not provided a better way for the defence of this Countrey than to let it fall between them both until matters are settled between them.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest
Respect, Dear Sir, your most obed. Hble Servt,

Joseph Beeler,
without Law to protect me."

Joseph Beeler and his sons continued to serve during the War and later held political positions in their home state.

Above information from Christopher Beeler 1701-1775, Carolyn H. Pappas.