John Alexander Binns

John Alexander Binns c.1761-1813, American agriculturist, b. Loudoun co., Va. He was one of the first to experiment with gypsum as a fertilizer and to convince others of its efficacy. Partly through example and partly through his pamphlet, Treatise on Practical Farming (1903), what came to be known as the Loudoun system of soil treatment spread rapidly throughout Virginia and Maryland and ultimately into other states.

Scammell, Alexander (1747–81) Revolutionary War army officer. In 1774 he became involved in antiroyalist activities in New Hampshire and, when fighting broke out, was commissioned a major by both the Massachusetts and the New Hampshire militias. On George Washington's recommendation, he was appointed a brigade major in the Continental army. Scammell fought at Trenton (1776) and Princeton (1777) and participated in the unsuccessful defense of Fort Ticonderoga; he was wounded at the battle of Saratoga (1777). In 1780 Washington ordered him to conduct the execution of the convicted British spy John André. After 1781 he again held field commands; he was mortally wounded by shrapnel while on an intelligence-gathering mission prior to the battle at Yorktown; his unit was surrounded by British troops, and, while surrendering, Scammell was unexpectedly shot.