William Fife (Sr.) was born in Fifeshire, Scotland in 1720 to unknown parents. He and two brothers, John and Matthew immigrated to County Tyrone, Ireland and lived on a farm at Archill about twenty two miles from Londonderry. He left his brother, Matthew, and followed his brother, John Fife, to America landing about 1767, with his wife, Jane, and his children. He “went west” to Upper St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania in 1769 and “took up” his claim adjoining his brother, John. William’s claim of 386 acres was patented on February 18, 1786 and named “Fifer’s Delight.”
William Fife served with honor in the American Revolution. Known as “Captain Billy” he lead the 2nd Battalion of the Washington County Militia. Their duty was to patrol the western border between Pittsburgh and Wheeling. In May, 1782 he led a company of frontiersmen in Col. William Crawford’s punitive expedition against the Indians on the Sandusky River in Ohio. While returning to his farm in Upper St. Clair Township, he found a white child alone in the woods, brought her home, and adopted her.
During the Whiskey Insurrection, William Fife was continued his loyalty to the government. He was engaged in the transportation of whisky and salt over the mountains and kept his men so engaged that they took no part in the affair.
William Fife died in 1799 and is buried in Bethel Cemetery, Upper St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
Children of William and Jane Fife:
JOHN FIFE died 1817 married his cousin ELIZABETH FIFE and removed to Madison Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.
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