(Christopher Gist is credited with twice saving Washington's life when they were surveying land in the Ohio country in 1753.) Mordecai Gist was also distantly related to John Eager Howard.
It is recorded that Christopher Gist successfully saved Washington's life on two occasions while they were conducting a land survey in the Ohio territory in 1753. Additionally, Mordecai Gist had a familial connection to John Eager Howard.