John died about 1766-67. Mary later moved in with her McClellan relatives. Their oldest son William moved 38 miles northwest across the Appalachians to Turkey Hill in Shades Valley in 1770.

William, following in his father's footsteps, served in the frontier militia during the American Revolution, defending the homefront against attacks from the British and their Native American allies. Pennsylvania Home Page Northern Ireland.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/1pa/paarchivesseries/series2/vol2/pass2-13.html OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATED REGIMENT OF LANCASTER COUNTY, OVER THE RIVER, SASQUEHANNA–1747-8

Colonel–Benjamin Chambers

Lieut Colonel–Robert Dunning

Major–William Maxwell

Captain–Richard O'Kane (O'Cain)

Lieut–William Smith

Ensign–John Mitchell

Captain–Robert Chambers

Lieut–Andrew Finley

Ensign–John Cesna

Captain–James Carnahan

Lieut–James Jack

Ensign–John Thompson

Captain–John Chambers

Lieut–Jonathan Holmes

Ensign–Walter Davis

Captain–James Silver

Lieut–Tobias Hendricks

Ensign–Joseph Irwin (Irvine)

Captain–Charles Morrow

Lieut–James Dyssart

Ensign–John Anderson

Captain–George Brown

Lieut–John Potter

Ensign–John Randals (Reynolds)

Page 512

Captain–James Woods

Lieut–John McCormick

Ensign–Samuel Fisher

Captain–James McAteer

Lieut–William Trindle

Ensign–Moses Starr

Captain–Matthew Dill

Lieut–Andrew Miller

Ensign–George Brennan

Captain–Benjamin Chambers

Lieut–Charles McGill

Ensign–Robert Mull

Captain–William Maxwell

Lieut–John Winton

Ensign–James Wilkey

Captain–Robert Dunning

Lieut–John Mitchell

Ensign–Adam Hayes

The Penn Colonial Records, which call these units Malitia, or Association Regiments as coined by Benj Franklin, were notified in Dec 1745 that the French and Indians were preparing to march again. This one fizzled out, but was quickly followed by like incidents. One of the saved records, for 1747/8 raised in the area, clearly records, the officers appointed, Major Wm Maxwell, Captain Wm Maxwell Jr, Lt John Winton, Lt Wm Smith, and Ensign James Wilkey, all of Peters (Peter/old Lancaster, present Franklin). Such records for other close like years lost. This record is held in Penn State Archives, as well as recorded in Histories of Lancaster Co, Cumberland County, Franklin Co, Penn.

As well, The "old Mercerburg" publication of Franklin Co Penn, quoting old history in some, states, "that the settlers had to obliged to protect themselves, because of the slowness of the Quaker government, and this was done in the construction of private stockades and block houses, and organizing a malitia." "In 1748, we find Major Wm Maxwell, and Lts. Wm Smith and John Winton, of Peters Township, guarding the west side". This "guarding the west side" and "the lines of this province", meant just that, - - - the furthest extreme of the then so called "civilization". These accounts are also in all of the area history books. The Penn Colonial Records, saved, Record 5, Volume 5, Page 210, (old Lancaster Co) Penn State Archives, and five Penn County Histories, and Penn State History, and several Historical Publications, and Presbyterian Church records and Publications, etc.