George William Kincaid
George William Kincaid was born in Philadelphia, June 23d., A.D. 1790, on Fourth Street between Market and Chestnut Streets, where he spent his childhood and youth. His parents named him William, but his father having been an active officer in the Revolutionary War became intimately acquainted with Gen. Washington, and frequently called at Mr. Kincaid's and dandled the little boy on his knees, and at one time told his parents to name him "George", and George was prefixed to his name, and ever after his name was and is George William, and not George Washington as was generally supposed. Mr. Kincaid has vivid recollection of matters transpiring in those times. He remembers Washington well, and sitting on his knee, and seeing his funeral procession pass. He shook hands with Gen. Lafayette in 1824. In 1811 Mr. Kincaid volunteered and took an active part in getting recruits for the then pending war of 1812. He was commissioned Sergeant-Major, and held that office during the war. Mr. Kincaid was assigned to the first company 14th. regiment of Gen. Brown's army, and participated in all the hardships and battles of that army during the war of 1812. Among the principle ones were at Fort George, Sackets Harbor, Fort Erie, Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, Queenstown, Thames River and many other battles and skirmishes of less note. When Gen. Ross started to capture Washington and other cities along the rivers and Eastern coast, Mr. Kincaid was among his pursuers, and was assigned to Fort McHenry for duty, for the defense of Baltimore, and took an active part in that memorable bombardment on the 12th. and 14th. of September, A.D. 1814; for 48 hours having nothing to eat. On the 13th. a soldier's wife brought her husband his breakfast in a bucket. He tried to persuade her to leave the fort immediately, but she said: "No, if you die here I want to die with you." When he had eaten his meal she stooped to pick up the bucket, a shell came and tore her body to shreds and cut the husband nearly in two, and she died with him. Mr. Kincaid at one time helped to replace the flag on the fort, which had been shot down, and they kept it up for Mr. Key to "See by the dawn's early light". Mr. Kincaid was hit on the left hand by a fragment of an exploded shell. The wound was very slight, but the scar is yet there, and is the only wound or scar he received during the war. Near the close of the war Mr. Kincaid was on duty at the headquarters of Col. Lane in Philadelphia, when a sealed package was sent in. It was referred to him to examine. He broke the seal and read aloud the treaty of peace. This was the first news of the ratification of that instrument in Philadelphia, and great was the rejoicing for many days thereafter. Mr. Kincaid voted for President Monroe in 1814 and has voted at every succeeding Presidential election up to the present time. Miss Anna Minerva Bond was born at Martinsburg, Va., April 22, 1802, and was married to George William Kincaid at Woodbery, Frederick County, Md., on September 3d., 1818, by Rev. Hammond of the M.E. Church. The children born to them were fourteen, only four of them are now living. Mr. Kincaid came to Bellville in A.D. 1836, with his large family, and without any means of support but his trade, tailor. By the assistance of a faithful and industrious helpmate, with constant labor and economy, he succeeded in feeding, clothing, and caring in a proper manner for them, until they acquired age and skill to care for themselves. When at times he asked for credit for rents and other necessaries, he got it and always paid the last dollar and never was sued. After the twin having lived and labored diligently together as husband and wife nearly 67 years, the wife died in Bellville, July 10, 1884, aged 82 years, 2 months and 18 day. Mr. Kincaid is still in Bellville, now in his 95th. year. He is quite feeble and in destitute circumstances, yet with his pension and assistance of the Odd Fellows, of which order he has been a member for many years, he is eking out his remaining days. His honest, upright and moral character has attached to him many friends; his enemies are not known.
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From The Mansfield Herald, June 4, 1885, Vol. 35, No. 29
