Lodowick Laird is an important part of American history. Lodowick's family survived the French and Indian war, which was accented by vicious Indian attacks. Indians roamed the frontier of Pennsylvania in small groups attacking cabins, killing men, women and children; the tomahawk being weapon of choice. Those that were not killed were taken as hostage or slaves. Many of the female children were forced to become wifes for the Indians as their numbers were getting low and they needed new blood. Young males were brought up as part of the tribe becoming warriors. Men many times were burned alive at the stake or made to run the gauntlet. The gauntlet was a cruel from of torture that was performed by the men and women of the tribe forming two lines, the captive was forced to run down the middle while being struck by sticks and shot by rifles loaded with gunpowder. Many of the people taken, upon rescue, after years of captivity chose to stay with their captors and live the life of an Indian. In 1755 Lodowick Laird sold his land in Pennsylvania to Samuel Laird, a lawyer in Lancaster County. Who happens to be an Uncle of mine about nine generations back. This led many people to believe that they may be related in some way, this idea has turned out to be false. Samuel Laird was one of the sons of James and Jane Laird who acquired a William Penn land grant moving from Larne, Northern Ireland about 1737.  Lodowick and Samuel Laird were involved in a court case which was brought about when squatters moved onto the property that Lodowick sold to Samuel Laird. This action led to a agreement that gave Samuel and the squatter land in the same area. Lodowick and family moved down the Great Wagon Road, stopping in various states along the way to his eventual death in Georgia.  Lodowick and family acquired land in South Carolina. Lodowick's son Robert was a Captain of the militia during the American Revolution serving in South Carolina. Robert applied for a war pension for his service, this application is on file and can be ordered from the U.S government. Lodowick's descendants are quite active on the Internet. If you would like to learn more about this family a good place to reference would be The Laird Family Association, and take the link to Spencer Laird's Home Page.

Lodowick Laird and family