David Sprong was born on February 13, 1763 in Rensselaer County, New York and died on April 22, 1842 in Finneytown, Ohio at age 79. He was the son of Cornelius Sprong and Maria Shans. He married Lois Finney (Ebenezer and Rachael Finney’s eldest daughter) on March 11, 1794 in Rensselaer County, New York.
David and Lois had 11 children: James, Solomon, Ward, Cornelius, Stephen, David, Jr., Samuel, Henry, John, Jeremiah and John Finney. David’s father, Cornelius, fought in the French and Indian War as a member of the Albany County Militia on the east side of the Hudson River. Cornelius was taken prisoner by the French and held captive in Quebec until a deal was struck to exchange prisoners. He died at age 60 from an axe wound to the head on January 14, 1783.
David enlisted as a private at 13 years of age in the 4th regiment of Albany County, New York militia, under Colonel Kalliane Van Rensselaer, Captain Nicholas Star's Company. Second Van Rensselaerwick Battalion. He served 5 years from 1776-1781.
“Early in 1800, David Sprong, with his father-in-law, Ebenezer Ward Finney, brother-in-law, Samuel Raymond, brother-in-law, Cuthbert Robinson, and their families, left Albany with ox teams and traveled by covered wagon across New York State, and then down the Allegheny River to Pittsburgh. Here they camped and built large flat boats, fitted with wagon covers over the back part to shelter the women and children.” (Burdge 1953).
“These boats were made of green oak planks fastened with wooden pins to a timber frame and caulked with tow or any other pliant substance that could be procured.” (Burdge 1953). Then they loaded all their belongings on the boats and proceeded down the Ohio, finally landing at a point near Cincinnati, Ohio, and settled on the 10,000 acre tract of land owned by Ebenezer Ward Finney’s grandfather, Ebenezer Ward.
David Sprong bought of Henry and Ann House, 150 acres for $600, on November 17, 1800 in presence of Ebenezer Ward Finney and John Mercer. A year later, David bought 320 acres in 1801 from Ebenezer Ward Finney, and wife Rachel for $500 and on that tract he build a large barn for his farm.
David and Rachel’s son, David, Jr. built a house on North Bend Road in 1865, which still stands today at 701 North Bend Road. The original fireplace complete with cooking crane is still intact. (F.L.S. Website).
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