James Ewing went West about the time (1773) that Westmorland County was created from
Bedford County. He was accompanied by his wife, Mary McKown, and first son, William. He
was also probably accompanied by his brother Moses. It is probable that he first settled
land along Montours Run, near its mouth with the Ohio River, in the area that became
known as Ewing's Mill. His 1814 Will refers to “land on Montours Run adjoining David Smith,
William Holland and a second parcel held by patent on which are both a Grist Mill and Saw
Mill lying (together, my whole claim on the waters of Montours Run)." He subsequently
homesteaded – with the assistance of several slaves to help clear his land and erect
improvements – some 680 acres in the area near Walker's Mill in Collier Township. Later, he
purchased  an additional 350-or-so acres from Robert Boyd, this land lying between his
original homestead and the land of Isaac Walker. He  apparently also owned some land in
North Fayette Township, to the west of the Walker's, that he transferred to his cousin
Samuel Ewing (1741-1820).50

In or about the year 1775 James Ewing, known in early days as “Squire Ewing.” came to Pittsburgh, and soon thereafter moved to Robinson township, to near the present town of Walker’s Mills. He purchased a tract of land on Robinson’s run, extending on the east and west side of the creek from the present town of Mansfield to Walker’s Mills. In this tract were some nine hundred acres, to which he afterward made additional purchases, owning at one time about two thousand acres. This pioneer farmer and millwright married Mary McKown, who bore him five sons and four daughters. At the death of their father the sons inherited the land. He left five sons-William, Alexander, Samuel, John and James — and four daughters, all of whom reared large families. Samuel, called “Major Sam,” married a Miss Letty McCurdy, who lived to the age of one hundred and seven years, and died but three or four years ago. The daughters were married, respectively, to a Mr. Boyd, a Maj. Walker, a Mr. Kelso and a Mr. Fryor. All of old Squire Ewing’s children are dead, but he has left many grand and great-grandchildren, dispersed, it is believed, over many of the states and territories; one of them preaches in New Jersey; some of his descendants are in Oregon and in Washington territory. 48