Hugh Linn (1808)

Hugh Linn
Born	August 8, 1808(1808-08-08) Concord, Pennsylvania
Died	February 7, 1845 (aged 36) Robinsonville, Pennsylvania
Resting place	Robinsonville Cemetery, Robinsonville, Pennsylvania
Spouse	Mary Ann Saylor (m. ?–) «Did not recognize date. Try slightly modifying the date in the first parameter.»"Marriage: Mary Ann Saylor to Hugh Linn (1808)" Location: (linkback:http://jimlindstrom.com/mediawiki/index.php/Hugh_Linn_(1808))
Children	John S. Linn (1838) Charles Linn (1839) Elizabeth Linn 1840 Lucinda V. Linn (1842) Riley Linn (1844) Samuel Linn (1845) William Linn (1847) Alfred Linn (1848) Catherine Linn (1850) Cambridge Linn (1853) Mary Linn (1855) Alexander Lee Linn (1858)
Parents	John Linn Jane Van Scyoc

Entry in Clan Linn

Written by Loretta Lynn-Layman and Pattie Lynn-Blevins

Hugh Linn was the second son and fourth child of John Linn and Jane Van Scyoc. Hugh was 5' 11" tall with grey eyes, dark hair, and fair complexion.

Before his father's will was written, Hugh and brothers Charles and John had moved to Fulton County. They already had received a share of their father's fortune and would inherit a portion of his personal property.

In the 1850's, Hugh moved again. He purchased 220 acres in Monroe township of Bedford County. There he and his wife Mary Saylor raised 13 children. There he lived a man of duty and courage, Christian faith and principle.

When the principles of the nation were so clearly and cruelly divided in its civil war, Hugh Linn responded. At the age of 52 he left the farm, his wife and little ones, and with two of the 'older' sons volunteered to serve. His son Riled was 17; William, only a boy of 14.) Hugh was less than perfect health--he was partially deaf and only as strong as a man of his age would be in the time in which he lived. Yet staunchly he offered himself and his own wagon and team of horses to further the cause of the Union. Together with his young sons he enlisted at Warfordsburg, Pennsylvania, on 20 September 1861. It was the third birthday of his youngest, Alexander. One can only imagine the scene as father and sons left their loved ones and the safety of home to enter the conflict of war.

On 2 December Hugh, Riley, and William were assigned to Company B of the Third Maryland Regiment, Potomac Home Brigade. Hugh performed the tasks of a teamster or wagoner. Since the Third was a regiment of infantry, his primary function was carrying supplies to the troops. He was in a very vulnerable position in an attack.

Because of his age and health, and perhaps the nature of his duties, Hugh was given considerable leave. By the end of December he had been granted seventeen days at home. In February of 1862, he was 'absent with leave.' Again, in May and June, he was 'at home with leave to recruit health.'

In the meantime, the regiment was assigned to the Upper Potomac River in Maryland and Virginia and engaged the enemy in several places. It is safe to assume that Hugh was involved in some of this action.

In September of 1862, he was with the regiment as it assisted the beleaguered garrison at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. Then on the 13th, General Stonewall Jackson led the Confederates in an attack against them. The fighting continued until the 15th, when the garrison was forced to surrender. Hugh, Riley, and William were taken prisoners of war.

Soon, however, they were released and reported to Camp Parole, Maryland, for reassignment. With their regiment they were sent to guard the line of the B&O Railroad.

In January and February of 1863, Hugh was again absent with leave. Then, on 30 March 1863, his company commander referred him to an army surgeon for a disability discharge. Captain Cardiff cited poor health over the summer of 1862 and stated that since 'exposure at Harper's Ferry' his hearing and health had degenerated. On 14 May, Hugh Linn was discharged from the Army of the Potomac.

One by one the men of the Linn family returned from war. The father, worn and weary, found comfort at home in the spring of the year. Yet he certainly did not rest. There was the farm. And there were two sons still in conflict, for whom he must have daily prayed. The wait was long. Sixteen months passed before Riley returned. In three months more, another year came...it was 1865. Soon then, it was spring again, and William, who had marched off a boy, returned at man!

What a joyous reunion it must have been! More than one family had lost all its men in the long and bitter struggle. The family who had trusted God for His providential care saw three of its members go out to war and all three return.

As the head of that family, Hugh Linn had faithfully held to the principles by which his father and grandfather had lived. He strove to teach them to his children. They were to rely on hard work, sensibility, and the goodness of God, rather than trust their luck. In his will, written in 1879, Hugh gave portions of his farmland to sons Mason, Alfred, and Alexander, and the house and remaining land to sons Riley and Charles with the following stipulation: 'Believing that card playing is an evil, and has a tendency to corrupt the mind, and not wishing that either of my sons should take to this evil practice, or that this house should become a nuisance, I declare and direct that if either of my sons should take to this practice...their legacy revert to my other children.' The home he and his sons had worked so hard to build was not to be neglected nor lost entirely by the squandering of anyone. It was to be the home of his wife and their mother for as long as she lived, and it was to be cherished and honored.

Hugh Linn passed away while asleep in that home on 17 February 1881. He awoke in his heavenly abode as he departed the earthly.

Last Will and Testament

reprinted in Clan Linn in the Twentieth Century, courtesy of Loretta Ann Lynn

Be it remembered that I Hugh Linn, Yeoman, of Monroe township, in the county of Bedford, and State of Pennsylvania, being of ill health, but of sound mind, memory and understanding, considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof, and to the end I may be better prepared to leave this world whenever it shall please God to call me hence, do therefore make and declare this my last will and testament in the manner following, that is to say: First, I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be fully paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.

I give and bequeath to my son John Linn in California, one dollar.

I give and bequeath to my two sons Alfred Linn and Cambridge Linn (who are somewhere in the west) each on dollar.

I direct that my son Alfred Linn, pay my son William Linn one hundred dollars out of the "Old Mill House," and the said Alfred Linn, have and hold the balance of said Mill property for his own proper use and benefit.

I give, devise and bequeath to my son Mason Linn, the following described real estate, vis: beginning at Robinsons corner and running parallel to McKibbins' line, supposed to contain twenty-five or thirty acres, with the appurtenances to have and to hold the said messuage and tract of land above described, to him, his heirs, and assigns.

I give devise and bequeath to my son Alexander Linn the following described real estate, to wit: Joining lands of John Crawford on the north; Christopher Crawford on the west; and McKibbin in the east, containing forty acres more or less, with the appurtenances, to have and to hold the said messuage or tract of land above described, to him his heirs and assigns.

I give devise and bequeath to my two sons Riley Linn and Charles Linn, the reversion or remainder of my real estate, (Mansion Farm) containing one hundred and fifty acres more or less; and I direct that my beloved wife Mary Ann Linn leave her dowry in the said mansion property during her natural life, and after the decease of my beloved wife to have and to hold the same in common to them, my sons Riley and Charles Linn, their heirs and assigns forever.

I desire the saw mill for the use of the farm, and that each one of my sons help keep it up, and have the use of the same.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Lucinda Miller, wife of Bartly Miller, one hundred dollars, but not to be paid until it can be made off the farm.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Kinser, wife of James Kinser, one hundred dollars, but not to be paid until it can be made off the farm.

I give and bequeath to my two daughters Elizabeth Linn and Catherine Linn each one hundred dollars, but their dowry to remain in the mansion property, until they are married. If either of my two daughters who are single should marry I direct that each shall have the following personal property, to wit: one cow; one bed; three head sheep; and two head hogs.

I direct that my sons Riley, Mason and Alexander Linn each pay an equal share to my daughters, Lucinda Miller and Mary Kinser, and Riley and Charles pay Elizabeth and Cather their dowry if they marry.

I direct that if there is an surplus money after my just debts are satisfied that said money be paid on my daughters dowry.

Believing that card playing is an evil, and has a tendency to corrupt the mind, and not wishing that either of my sons should take to this evil practice, or that this house should become a nuisance, I declare and direct that if either of my sons should take to this practice of card playing, that their legacy revert to my other children.

And lastly, I nominate, constitute and apoint my sons Riley Linn and Mason Linn to be executors of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 20th day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.

Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the above named Hugh Linn as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses, thereto. J. T. Shaffer, Job Robinson, W. C. L. Conell.

Probated 22 February 1881, letters testamentary granted to Riley Linn and Mason Linn. Riley made oath that Hugh Linn died at his home 'February 18th A.D. 1881 at 5:30 o'clock, A.M.