Area History: Warner-Beers' History of Franklin County, PA, 1887 -- Part II: Chapters III & IV
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HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO:
WARNER, BEERS & CO., 1887
Chicago:
JOHN MORRIS COMPANY, PRINTERS
118 and 120 Monroe Street.
__________________________________________________
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - Part II
CHAPTER III. -- INDIAN WAR
Indian Nations Described -- War Between French
and English -- Colonies Involved -- Braddock's
Defeat and its Effects -- Forts Located and
Described -- Massacres from 1754 to 1765 --
Conflicts Between the Civil and Military at
Fort Loudoun.
At the time the Cumberland Valley was opened up to the colonization
of the white race, it was virtually in possession of the aggregation of
tribes known as the Six Nations. At the opening of the seventeenth
century, it is declared, "the lower valley of the Susquehanna, appears
to have been a vast uninhabited highway, through which hordes of hostile
savages were constantly roaming between the northern and southern waters,
and where they often met in bloody encounters. The Six Nations were
acknowledged as the sovereigns of the Susquehanna, and they regarded
with jealousy and permitted with reluctance the settlement of other
tribes upon its margin." (footnote: Historical Collection of
Pennsylvania)
The Six Nations were the Onondagas, Cayugas, Oneidas, Senecas,
Mohawks, and Tuscaroras, the last-named tribe joining the other five
from North Carolina in 1712. By the French they were called the
Iroquois. The Lenni Lenape, another powerful Indian confederacy,
disputed the claim of the Six Nations to this rich territory, and
professed to be, as their name implies, "the original people." The
Lenni Lenape were known among the white settlers as the Delaware
Indians. They were divided into three principal tribes, viz.: the
Turtle, the Turkeys and Monseys or Wolf tribes. Monsey or Wolf tribe
occupied the country between The Kittatinny or Blue Mountain, and the
sources of the Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers, and had settlements also
on the banks of the Susquehanna. The Shawanees, also, by the permission
of the Six Nations, held for a time the Cumberland Valley as a
hunting-ground. This rivalry between these two great Indian
Confederacies, the Lenni Lenape and the Six Nations, both of which laid
claim to the original right to the soil of Pennsylvania, and hence to
the Cumberland Valley, led to bloody conflicts and greatly retarded the
permanent settlement of the region between the Susquehanna and the
Potomac. It led, also, to unpleasant complications in the securing of
legal titles. The Indians had as serious disputes among themselves
relative to their lands as the inhabitants of Pennsylvania and Maryland
subsequently did. The result of this quarrel among the Indians was that
the Six Nations overcame the Lenni Lenape and held them in a state of
vassalage until the year 1756. The Shawanees ultimately proved bad
neighbors to both the Delawares and the Iroquois, and were removed by
the latter, in 1755, to the head waters of the Ohio.
For the reasons previously given, Kittatinny or Cumberland Valley
was a hunting-ground for the Indians, and highly prized by them. None of
the tribes made permanent settlements in its forest, which accounts for
the absence of Indian relics so numerous in certain western and southern
localities. With reluctance, therefore, did they leave this beautiful
valley, and seek their wild game and fish elsewhere, and yet they
finally consented to dispose of their cherished possessions. On the 11th
of October, 1736, the chiefs of the Six Nations met in Philadelphia, and,
reviving all past treaties of friendship, executed a deed conveying to
John, Thomas and Richard Penn and their heirs,
"all the said river Susquehanna, with the lands lying on both sides
thereof, to extend eastward as far as the head of the branches or
springs which run into the said Susquehanna, and all the land lying on
the west side of the said river to the setting sun." The indefiniteness
of this language was destined to result in serious trouble. Advantage of
the ambiguity of treaties made with the Indians was taken by
unscrupulous white men, and thus gradually the red man saw himself
deprived of all he held dear; and yet it is true that no serious
complaints were made by him until about 1742, and were then confined to
unlawful settlements on lands in Tulpehocken, on the Juniata, Aughwick,
Path Valley and on Licking Creek near the Potomac, which embraced the
Big and Little Coves.
The French were eager and successful, too, in poisoning the Indian
mind with a sense of their gross wrongs, and thus secured their
cooperation against the regular British soldiers. The animosities
existing between the two European governments were readily transferred
to the rival colonies in the new world. Twenty years of cunning effort
on the part of the French had resulted in winning the Indians to them as
allies, in endeavoring to establish French supremacy in America. Since
1744, war had existed between England and France, but its effects had
not been felt in the colonies. The settlers of this valley, isolated as
they were, did not exhibit any fears of attack till 1748, when they
banded together for the support of their home and foreign governments.
Loyalty to his English majesty reigned in every heart. An associated
regiment was formed in the valley and included among its officers the
following from what is now Franklin County: Col. Benjamin Chambers, of
Chambersburg; Maj. William Maxwell, of Peters; Lieuts. William Smith,
of Peters; Andrew Finley, of Lurgan; John Potter, of Antrim; Charles
McGill of Guilford; John Winton, of Peters; Ensign John Randalls, of
Antrim. At first some doubts existed as to the legality and expediency
of these organizations, but these doubts were finally removed by a
letter from the council to the proprietaries, dated July 30,1748. "The
zeal and industry, the skill and regularity of the officers have
surprised every one, though it has been for them a hard service. The
whole has been attended by such expense, care and fatigue, as would not
have been borne or undertaken by any who were not warm and sincere
friends of the Government, and true lovers of their country. In short,
we have by this means, in the opinion of most strangers, the best
militia in America; so that, had the war continued, we should have been
in little pain about any future enterprises of our enemies. Whatever
opinions lawyers or others, not fully acquainted with our unhappy
circumstances, may entertain of it, it is, in our opinion, one of the
wisest and most useful measures that was ever undertaken in any country."
The lull was but temporary. In 1753 war broke out in earnest. The
French established a line of forts from the lakes to the sources of the
Ohio, and thence along it to the Mississippi and down to its mouth. They
held the bow of the country, while the English held the string along the
Atlantic. One of these strongholds was Fort Du Quesne at Pittsburgh.
Against it, in 1755, marched the English and provincial troops under
command of Gen. Braddock, a skillful and experienced officer in ordinary
warfare, but unacquainted with the nature and intrigues of the Indian.
Disregarding the wise suggestions of his sub-ordinates, he was
thoroughly routed by the French and Indians on the Monongahela July 9,
1755, and his demoralized and straggling army hurled back along the line
of its advance, the merciless enemy hanging on flank and rear to increase
the consternation and destruction.
The effect of the retreat can be better imagined than told. "News
of contemplated attacks upon the settlements along the frontier from the
Delaware to the Maryland and Virginia line came upon the people in quick
succession, and some actual massacres, burnings and captivities were
reported from the south, west and north. Even before Braddock's defeat,
and when that General with his army had gone only thirty miles from Fort
Cumberland, a party of 100 Indians, under the notorious Shingas, came to
the Big Cove and to the Conolloways (creeks on the border of Maryland,
in what is now Fulton County) and killed and took prisoners about thirty
people, and drove the remainder from their homes." [Penn. Archives, Vol. II]
The consternation which succeeded the defeat was inexpressible. The
retreat left the whole frontier uncovered. The inhabitants, unprotected
and undisciplined, were compelled to flee hastily or use such means of
defense as were at hand. Men, women and children were ruthlessly
slaughtered like dumb animals. A Reign of terror prevailed everywhere.
The occupations of civil life were suspended, and all efforts to secure
safety by flight or resistance were resorted to. Gov. Morris, moved by
the piteous appeals from the frontier, summoned the Assembly to convene
November 3, when he presented the case clearly and demanded men and a
law calling out the militia. Petitions were pouring in upon him, asking
for men and the munitions of war, and beseeching protection from the
destruction raging on every hand. The Assembly was tardy. The people, to
impress its members with the folly of the "non-resistance policy,"
actually sent some of the dead and mangled victims of savage cruelty to
Philadelphia to be exhibited on the streets. Everywhere men flew to
arms. Twenty-five companies of militia, numbering about 1,400 men, were
raised and equipped for the defense of the frontier. The second
batallion, comprising 700 men and stationed west of the Susquehanna,
was commanded by Col. John Armstrong, of Carlisle. His subordinates were
Capts. Hance Hamilton, John Potter, Hugh Mercer, George Armstrong, Edward
Ward, Joseph Armstrong, and Robert Callender. Of these, Joseph Armstrong
was an early settler of Hamilton Township, this county. The Following is
the roster of his private soldiers, the names of the subordinate Officers
not being known.
John Armstrong
Thomas Armstrong
James Barnet
John Barnet
Joshua Barnet
Thomas Barnet, Sr.
Thomas Barnet, Jr.
Samuel Brown
John Boyd
Alexander Caldwell
Robert Caldwell
James Dinney
William Dinney
Robert Dixson
William Dixson
James Eaton
John Eaton
Joshua Eaton
James Elder
George Gallery
Robert Groin
James Guthrie
John Hindman
Abram Irwin
Christopher Irwin
James Jones
James McCamant, Sr.
James McCamant, Jr.
Charles McCamant
James McCamish
John McCamish
William McCamish
Robert McConnell
John McCord
Jonathan McKearney
John Machan
James Michell
Joshua Mitchell
William Mitchell
Jon. Moore
James Norrice
John Norrice
James Patterson
Joshua Patterson
William Rankin
Jon. Rippey
Barnet Robertson
Francis Scott
Patrick Scott
William Scott
David Shields
Matthew Shields Sr.
Matthew Shields Jr.
Robert Shilds Sr.
Robert Shilds Jr.
Jon. Swan
Joshua Swan
William Swan
Charles Stuart
Daniel Stuart
Devard Williams
Jon. Wilson
The intense feeling of the time is shown by the following letters,
which Speak for themselves:
Falling Springs, Sabbath Morning, Nov. 2, 1755
To the inhabitants of the lower part of the county of Cumberland:
Gentlemen -
If you intend to go to the assistance of your neighbors, you need
wait no longer for the certainty of the news. The Great Cove is
destroyed. James Campbell left his company last night and went to the
fort at Mr. Steel's meeting house, and there saw some of the
inhabitants of the Great Cove who gave this account, that as they came
over the Hill they saw their houses in flames. The messenger says that
there are but one hundred, and that they are divided into two parts; the
one part to go against the Cove and the other against the Conollaways,
and that there are two French among them. They are Delawares and
Shawnese. The part that came against the Cove are under the command of
Shingas, the Delaware King. The people of the Cove that came off saw
several men lying dead; they heard the murder shout and the firing of
guns, and saw the Indians going into their houses that they had come out
of before they left sight of the Cove. I have sent express to Marsh creek
at the same time I send this; so I expect there will be a good company
there this day, and as there are but one hundred of the enemy, I think
it is in our power, if God permits, to put them to flight, if you turn
out well from your parts. I understand that the West settlement is
designed to go if they can get any assistance to repel them.
All in haste, from
Your humble servant,
Benjamin Chambers.
Shippensburg, 2d November 1755
To Hon. Edward Shippen, Esq., at Lancaster:
Dear and Honored Sir:
We are in great confusion here at present - We have received
express last night that the Indians and French are in a large body in
the Cove, a little way from William Maxwell, Esq., and that they
immediately intend to fall down upon this county. We, for these two days
past, have been working at our Fort here, and believe shall work this day
(Sunday). This town is full of people, they being all moving in with
their families - five or six families in a house. we are in great want
of arms and ammunition; but with what we have we are determined to give
the enemy as warm a reception as we can. Some of our people had been
taken prisoners by this party, and have made their escape from them, and
came in to us this morning.
As our Fort goes on here with great vigor, and expect it to be
finished in fifteen days, in which we intend to place all the women and
children; it would be greatly encouraging, could we have reason to
expect assistance from Philadelphia by private donation of Swivels, a
few great guns, small arms and ammunition, we would send our own wagons
for them; and we do not doubt that upon proper application but something
of this kind will be done for us from Philadelphia.
We have one hundred men working at Fort Morris with heart and hand
every day.
Dear Sir, yours, &c.,
James Burd
Conococheague,. Nov. 6, 1755
May it please your Honor:
I have sent enclosed two qualifications, one of which is Patrick
Burns', the bearer, and a tomahawk which was found sticking in the
breast of one David McClellan.
The people of Path Valley are all gathered in a small fort, and
according to the last account, were safe. The Great Cove and Conolloways
are all buried to ashes, and about fifty persons killed or taken. -
Numbers of the inhabitants of this county have moved their families,
some to York county, some to Maryland.
Hance Hamilton, Esq., is now at John McDowell's mill, with upwards
of two hundred men (from York county) and two hundred from this county,
in all about four hundred. Tomorrow we intend to go to the Cove and Path
Valley, in order to bring what cattle and horses the Indians let live. We
are informed by a Delaware Indian, who lives amongst us, that on the
same day the murder was committed, he saw four hundred Indians in the
Cove; and we have some reason to believe they are about there yet.
The people of Shearman's creek and Juniata have all come away and
left their horses; and there are now about thirty miles of this county
laid waste. I am afraid there will soon be more. I am yhour Honor's most
Humble servant, Adam Hoops. P.S. I have just received the account of one
George McSwane, who was taken captive about 14 days ago, and has made
his escape, and brought two scalps and a tomahawk with him.
Shortly after the Indians had made hostile incursions into the
Great Cove and commenced their devastation, Sheriff Potter was in
Philadelphia, as appears from the following extract, under date of
November 14, 1755 - [Prov. Rec. N. 289.]
Mr. Potter, the sheriff of Cumberland being in town was sent for,
and desired to give an account of the upper part of that country in
which the Indians had committed their late ravages; and he said that
twenty-seven plantations were burnt and a great quantity of cattle
killed; that a woman ninty-three years of age was found lying killed
with her breast torn off and a stake run through her body. That of
ninty-three families which were settled in the two Coves and the
Conolloways, forty-seven were either killed or taken, and the rest
deserted.
The names of those murdered and abducted, besides those already
mentioned, are given in the Pennsylvania Gazette of November 14, 1755,
and are as follows: Elizabeth Gallway, Henry Gibson, Robert Peer,
William Berryhill, and David McClelland were murdered. The missing are
John Martin's wife and five children; William Gallway's wife and two
children, and a young woman' Charles Stewart's wife and two children;
David McClelland's wife and two children. William Fleming and wife were
taken prisoners. Fleming's son and one Hicks were killed and scalped.
But the times demanded more than men and ammunition. Families
needed to be put into some place of safety while their natural
protectors were gone to overtake the cruel savages, who had burned
houses and destroyed helpless women and children. This necessitated the
building of private and public forts at such natural points as would
best accommodate the people. Wisely these were distributed along the
western line of the valley to guard against the hostile invasions from
the west, and notably from Path Valley, Cove Gap, and the Little Cove.
These forts answered several purposes: 1. They were places for the
concentration of defenseless and helpless women and children while their
natural protectors were absent from home. 2. They served as deposits for
the surplus ammunition and other valuable stores needed in the
settlements. 3. They served as rallying points, for protection and
defense, to the frightened inhabitants.
At a meeting of the general committee of Cumberland Country,
convened by order of John Potter, sheriff of the county, at the house of
Edward Shippen, October 30, 1755, at which eighteen persons (William
Allison, John Irwin, Alan Hoops, James Burd, William Smith, James
McCormick, Benjamin Chambers, Robert Chambers, H. Alexander, John
Findlay, John Potter, Rev. Mr. Bay, John Mushett, Samuel Reynolds, Rev.
John Blair, John Smith, Alex Culbertson, John Armstrong.) including Col.
Benjamin Chambers, were present, it was resolved to build immediately
five large forts, viz.: at Carlisle, Shippensburg, Col. Chambers', Mr.
Steele's meetinghouse and William Allison, Esq.'s, in which the women
and children were to be deposited, from which, on any alarm,
intelligence was to be sent to the other forts. It is thought to be
doubtful whether this plan was executed in full.
CHAMBERS' FORT - This fort was erected by Colonel Benjamin Chambers
and located at the confluence of the Falling Spring and the Conococheague
Creek, where Chambersburg now stands. Hon. George Chambers said: "It was
erected in the winter and spring of 1756, being a stockade, including
the dwelling house, flour and saw-mills of the proprietor (Col.
Chambers); within the fort he erected a large stone building two stories
in height, the waters of the Falling Spring running under part of it; for
safe access to the water, its windows were small, and adapted to defense;
the roof of it was covered with sheet-lead, to protect it against fire
from the savages. In addition to small arms, Col. Chambers had supplied
himself with two four-pound cannon which were mounted and used.
Within the fort he remained in safety with his family throughout the
whole series of Indian wars. It was also a place of shelter and security
to many of the neighboring families in times of alarm. In a letter dated
Harris' Ferry, October 17, 1756, Jas. Young pronounces it "a good
Private Fort, and on an exceeding good situation to be made very
defenceable." He feared lest the fort, with its two four-pound cannon,
with "nobody but a few Country People to defend it," should be captured,
and they used against Shippensburg and Carlisle. He recommended the
removal of the guns, or a proper force stationed for their protection.
When Gov. Denny directed these guns to be removed from Fort Chambers, he
found his orders disregarded, as was proper under the circumstances.
DAVIS' FORT - was erected by Philip Davis in 1756. It was about
nine miles south of Fort Loudoun, nearly the Maryland line, at the
northern termination of one of the Kittochtinny ranges, known in early
times and since as Davis' Knob. It was sixteen and one-half miles from
Chamber's Fort, and eight from McDowell's mill.
McDOWELL'S MILL. - This fort was known by several names, as "Fort
at McDowell's Mill," "McDowell's Mill," or "McDowell's." It was named
in honor of its founder, John McDowell, who settled at and around the
present site of Bridgeport, shortly after the Chambers settlement was
made at Falling Spring. He erected a mill of logs, and some thirty yards
from it a rude two story log house with a liberal supply of port holes.
The mill and fort sites are now owned by Mr. Jacob Wister.
This fort, which occupied such a conspicuous place in the early
history of the province for the period of only about two or three years,
was built as early as 1754, for Col. John Armstrong, then stationed at
Carlisle, in a "plan for the defense of the Frontier of Cumberland
County from Philip Davies' to Shippensburg," issued in 1754, "ordered
that one company cover from Philip Davies' to Thomas Waddel's; And as
John McDowell's mill is at the most important Pass, most exposed to
danger, has a fort already made about it, and there provisions may be
most easily had - for these Reasons let the Chief Quarters be there; let
five men be constantly at Philip Davies', William Marshall's and Thomas
Waddle's, which shall be relieved every day by the patrolling guards;
let ten men be sent early every morning from the chief quarters to
Thomas Waddle's, and ten return from thence back in the evening. A
likewise ten men sent from the chief quarters to the other extremity
daily, to go by William Marshall's to Philip Davies', and return the
same way in the afternoon. By this plan the whole bounds will be
patrolled every day; a watch will be constantly kept at four most
important places, and there will be every night forty-five men at ye
chief quarters ready for any exigence." The importance of the place is
further seen in the fact that, when Gen. Braddock, in the spring of
1755, was passing on his way for the reduction of Fort Du Quesne, he
urged Gov. Morris to hurry up the army supplies along the public road
that passed near McDowell's mill. On the 3d of July, 1755, the Governor
announces his compliance with the request and his purpose to "form the
magazine at or near McDowell's mill, and put some Stuccados around it to
protect the magazine and the people that will have the care of it." In
response, Gen. Braddock indicated his "approbation of the Deposits being
made at McDowell's Mill." In November of this year (1755), as we learn
from a letter by Adam Hoops, commissary to Gov. Morris, "Hance
Hamilton, Esq., was at John McDowell's Mill with about 400 men," to be
used in gathering up the cattle and horses not destroyed by the Indians
in Path Valley.
In consequence of the cutting of a new road to the Ohio, about two
miles north, and in view of the indefensibility of McDowell's, it was
determined to change the location of the fort; hence its successor.
FORT LOUDOUN - In the autumn of 1756, Col. John Armstrong began the
construction of this place of defense. Some difficulty was experienced
in securing a suitable site. At last one was chosen near to Parnell's
Knob, where one Patton lived, "near the new road," making the "distance
from Shippensburg to Fort Lyttleton two miles shorter than by
McDowell's." In a letter to Gov. Denny, dated at McDowell's November
1119, 1756, Col. Armstrong says: "I'm making the best preparation in my
power to forward this Fort (Loudon), as well as to prepare by barracks,
etc., all the others for the approaching winter.
Today we begin to digg a cellar in the new fort, the loggs and
roof of a new house having there been erected by Patton before the
Indians burn'd his old one. We shall apprise this house, and then take
the benefit of it, either for Officers' Barracks or a Storehouse; by
which means the provisions may the sooner be mov'd from this place,
which at present divides our strength." December 22, 1756, A. Stephens
says: "The public stores are safely removed from McDowell's mill to Fort
Loudoun - the barracks for the soldiers are built, and some proficiency
made in the Stockade, the finishing of which will doubtless be retarded
by the in clemency of the weather." Capt. Thompson, in a letter dated at
Loudoun, April 7, 1758, mentions the arrival of forty Cherokee Indians
at the fort, and that more were expected. He desires Gov. Denny's
immediate directions as to how they were to be treated and supplied, as
they had come without arms or clothes; they had come for service in the
colonies.
General Forbes, while on his expedition to Fort Du Quesne to expel
the French and their Indian allies from the frontiers, addressed a
letter from Loudoun (the town being distant a mile from the fort) to
Gov. Denny, urging the hearty cooperation of the authorities and people
to secure the desired success. September 9, 1758, he wrote: "Everything
is ready, for the army is advancing; but that I cannot do, unless I have
a sufficient quantity of provisions in the magazines at Raystown." His
march was resumed soon afterward, and continued till he reached Fort
DuQuesne, which the enemy evacuated November 24, 1758. In October of the
same year, Forbes recommended to the governor the necessity of
distributing 1200 men among the different forts, 100 of whom were to be
stationed at Fort Loudoun.
Col. Bouquet having assumed command of the regular and provincial
troops, left Carlisle (whither Gov. Penn had accompanied him) on his
expedition westward early in August. On August 13, their small army got
to Fort Loudoun; but notwithstanding all the precautions taken to
prevent desertions, the Pennsylvania troops were now reduced to 700 men.
Further additions were therefore requested, and furnished by the
governor. While here he received an account from Presque Isle, by Capt.
Bradstreet, of peace being made with the Delawares and Shawnese; but
Col. Bouquet, not believing they were sincere, proceeded forward from
Fort Loudoun to Fort Pitt, where he arrived on September 17." -
[Bouquet's Historical Account.]
The name Pomfret Castle was first suggested, but was dropped and
that of Loudoun (spelled Loudon at present) in honor of the Earl of
Loudoun, lately arrived as commander-in-chief of His Majesty's forces,
was adopted. It embraced over an acre of ground. The foundations were of
stone, the superstructure of logs, bastions being placed in each corner.
No vestiges of it remain at present. The site of the fort is owned by
Mr. J. H. Horner of the village of Loudon.
McCORD'S - was a private fort, erected probably in 1755 or 1756,
along the base of Kittochtinny Mountains, north of Parnell's Knob, and
intended, doubtless, for temporary occupation during the early Indian
wars. It is believed to have been not many miles from Fort Loudoun, but
its precise location cannot be definitely fixed. It was attacked and
burned by the Indians in April, 1756, and many captives taken and
carried off. This circumstance greatly impaired confidence in private
forts, and led to the early erection of those of greater security.
STEELE'S MEETING HOUSE - Judge Chambers, in a note published in the
Appendix to Pennsylvania Archives, says: "The first fort of which I
have information, in the Conococheague Settlement, which comprises
nearly the whole of the County of Franklin, was at the Rev. John
Steele's meeting house, which was surrounded by a rude Stockade Fort in
1755. It was erected shortly after Braddock's defeat, we suppose, as it
was referred to in the Indian Invasion in November, 1755. ("November ye
25, 1755. The Reverand John Steele at Conegochig: 2 quarter casks of
powder; 2 cwt. of lead," [Government Account]). It was situated where
what is called The Presbyterian White Church, south of Fort Loudoun
about five miles, and east of Mercersburg three miles. It was a place of
notoriety during the Indian Wars." Upon a visit of the Indians to this
settlement in November 1755," the Rev. Mr. Steele, with others, to the
number of about 100, went in quest of them, but with no success." In a
letter from Peters Township to Gov. Morris, dated April 11, 1756, Mr.
Steele says: "As I can neither have the men, arms, nor blankets, I am
obliged to apply to your Honor for them; the necessity of the
circumstances has obliged me to muster before two magistrates the
one-half of my company whom I enlisted, and am obliged to order guns. I
pray that with all possible expedition, 54 fire arms and as many
blankets, and a quantity of flints, may be sent to me; for since
McCord's Fort has been taken, and the men defeated and pursued, our
county is in the utmost confusion, great numbers have left the county,
and many are preparing to follow. May it please your honor to allow me
an ensign, for I find a sergeant's pay will not prevail with men to
enlist in whom much confidence is reposed." - [Pennsylvania Archives,
Volume II, p. 623].
WADDLE'S - is sometimes referred to in old records. It must have
been a private fort built about the same time with the others, probably
near what is now called Waddle's (sometimes Eckert's) graveyard.
ALLISON'S - was also a private fort near Greencastle, and served
its purpose.
MAXWELL'S - Where this was located the writer has not been able to
ascertain. It was evidently a private fort or block-house in the general
line of defense against the incursions of Indians from the west.
ELIOTT'S - stood in Path Valley, about a mile north of
Fannettsburg, at the place now known as Springtown. It was erected in
1754 or 1755. At this place are half a dozen limestone springs, one of
which was enclosed by the fort. At the time the barn of James and Samuel
Walker, one mile south of Fannettsburg, was burned by the Indians, viz."
On the night of March 22, 1763, the neighbors collected together and
scouts were sent by a by-path to give alarm at the fort, so that it must
have been still occupied by British soldiers.
BAKER'S - is supposed to have been at or near the village of Dry
Run.
The foregoing is by no means an enumeration of all the forts of a
private character in Franklin County. The great danger, however, was to
be apprehended from the west, and hence the wisdom of locating a line
of these defenses from Parnell's to Casey's Knots, and patrolling them
regularly. From Path Valley and through Cove Gap the greatest danger was
to be apprehended.
The massacres mentioned in the following pages are found in various
records, which cannot here be specified. It will be seen that they
occurred more frequently and with greater malignity shortly after the
defeat of Braddock's army.
In September 1754, Joseph Campble was killed, near Parnell's Knob,
by an Indian of the Six Nations, named Israel.
In February, 1756, two lads were taken at Widow Cox's near
Parnell's Know, also a man named John Craig. They afterward escaped.
February 29, 1756, two boys were fired at by the Indians in the
Little Cove. One was killed but the other alarmed the fort, and the
Indians were pursued and driven away after a loss of four soldiers.
On the same day, a man named Alexander discovered a party of
Indians near Thomas Barr's place, in Peters Township. The alarm was
given, and an engagement ensued in which several citizens were killed,
one being Barr's son.
April 5, 1756, McCord's Fort was burned and many inhabitants killed
and captured by the Indians. Immediately upon receipt of the news,
Captain Aleder Culbertson, with a company of fifty men, set out in
pursuit, and overtook them at Sidling Hill, where a serious contest
ensued, in which Capt. Culbertson was slain. So many were wounded, that
a surgeon, living in Carlisle, was sent for, and even then much
inconvenience was experienced. Following is a list of killed and
wounded:
KILLED:
Alexander Culbertson, captain
John Reynolds, ensign, Capt. Chambers' Co.
William Kerr
James Blair
John Layson
William Denny
Francis Scott
William Boyd
Jacob Paynter
Jacob Jones
Robert Kerr
William Chambers
Daniel McCoy
James Robertson, tailor
James Robertson, weaver
James Peace
John Blair
Henry Jones
John McCarty
John Kelly
James Lowder
WOUNDED:
Abraham Jones
Francis Campbell
William Reynolds
John Barnet
Benjamin Blyth
John McDonald
Isaac Miller
Ensign Jamieson
William Hunter
Matthias Ganshorn
William Swailes
Shortly after, Capt. Jacobs (Indian chief,) with a band of forty
savages, made an expedition into the Coves, burning and scalping. Hugh
McSwine was taken prisoner, and afterward escaped on the leader's horse.
This he took to Col. Washington, who gave him a commission as lieutenant.
William Mitchel, living in Conococheague, was shot and killed by a
band of Indians, while at work in the harvest field.
On the 26th of May, 1756, John Wasson, a farmer living in Peters
Township, was horribly mangled and scalped by a small party of Indians.
His house was burned and his wife taken captive.
July 26th 1756, William Morrison was captured and his house burned.
August 28, Betty Ramsey, her son, and the cropper was killed and
daughter taken prisoner.
November, 1756, in the upper part of the county, near
Conococheague, a party of savages barbarously mangled a number of the
inhabitants, and took many women and children captives. Following is a
list of killed and missing:
KILLED:
James McDonald
William McDonald
Bartholomew McCafferty
Anthony McQuoid
John Woods, with his wife and mother-in-law
Samuel Perry
Hugh Kerrel
John Culbertson
Elizabeth, wife of John Archer
MISSING:
James Corkem
William Cornwall
John Archer's four children
Samuel Neely
James McCoid
March 29, 1857, the Indians made a breach at Rocky Springs, where
one woman was killed and eleven taken prisoners.
April 2, 1757, William McKinley and son were killed. He had left
Chamber's Fort to visit his farm on the creek below Chambersburg, but
was discovered and scalped by the Indians.
April 7, 1757, three families, two named Campbell and Patterson,
were cut off at Conococheague, and barbarously treated.
April 23, 1757, John Martin and William Blair were killed at
Conococheague, and Patrick McClelland wounded by savages.
May 13, 1757, William Walker and an unknown man killed at
Conodoguinet.
June 24, 1757, Alexander Miller killed, and his two daughters
captured at Conococheague.
July 2, 1757, a man named Springson killed near Logan's Mill.
July 8, two boys taken prisoners at Cross's Fort, Conococheague.
July 27, man named McKisson wounded, and son captured at South
Mountain.
August 17, 1757, William Manson and son killed at Cross's Fort,
Conococheague.
September 26, 1757, Robert Rush, John McCraken killed, and five
others captured near Chambersburg.
May 23, 1758, John Galady killed, and his wife and child captured
at Conococheague.
November 9, 1757, John Woods, his wife and mother-in-law, and the
wife of John Archer, were killed, four children taken captives, and nine
men killed near McDowell's mill.
April 5, 1758, one man killed and ten taken near Black's Gap, South
Mountain.
April 13, 1758, one killed and nine taken near Archibald's, South
Mountain.
For a long time after this no record of any massacres has been
found; but doubtless many were committed, and many outrages
perpetrated, of which nothing is known.
We are indebted to Capt. J. H. Walker, a descendant of James
Walker, for the following well authenticated and detailed account of his
captivity and escape from the Indians.
"About the middle of August 1762, James Walker, who lived on the
farm where John D. Walker now resides, near Fannettsburg, was on his way
home from the fort at Loudon, and when near Richmond, on the old Braddock
road, was fired at by a part of Indians. His horse was killed under him,
and in falling the horse fell on him in such a way that before he could
extricate himself the Indians captured him. They then took the saddle
off his horse, and fastening it on his back, compelled him to carry it,
and started over the mountains westward. The first night they stopped
near Fort Littleton, and to make their prisoner secure, they tied his
hands and an Indian slept on each side of him. The next morning,
discovering some horses grazing in the neighborhood of the fort, they
made several attempts to capture them, but without success. After
repeated failures they determined that their prisoner should make a
trial of it, and lest he might wander off too far, or attempt his
escape, they made a rope or line of hickory bark, and fastened to his
leg, the Indians holding one end of the line, but the horses were shy,
he met with no better success, and they were compelled to give it up,
being fearful that they might be discovered from the fort. After
remaining nearly the whole day and watching the operations at the fort,
they again started westward. For several days they traveled by easy
stages, crossing on their way the South or Raystown branch of the
Juniata River. At length, as they seemed to approach the Indian
settlement, the party divided one evening, and left their prisoner in
charge of two of their company for the night. Taking the precaution to
tie him safely as before, they lay down, one on each side of him, and
soon were in a sound sleep. The apparently sound sleep of their
prisoner, however, was not real, as he had fully determined that now, if
ever, was his opportunity to try to make his escape. He had a knife
secreted about his person, which fortunately his captors had failed to
discover. After long and patient effort, he succeeded in getting one of
his hands loosed. He then worked his knife out of its hiding place, and
cut the cords with which he was fastened. During this operation one of
the Indians started as if about to rouse up, but their prisoner affected
such soundness of sleep that his suspicions were allayed, and he soon
went to sleep again.
"But this being too critical a position in which to remain very
long, Mr. Walker, as soon as he thought it safe to do so, raised
cautiously to his feet, but in doing so the same wily savage again
awoke, and this time realizing the situation, grasped his tomahawk, and
was about to spring to his feet, and while in the act of doing so Mr.
Walker seized him by the hair, and quick as thought plunged his knife
into the throat of his antagonist, who fell mortally wounded at his
feet. The other Indian, being awakened by the scuffle, and the death
knell of his companion, and supposing doubtless that they had been
pursued by a party of whites, hastily fled, leaving Mr. Walker master of
the situation. He knew too well the importance of having as great a
space between himself and the scene of his encounter as practicable
before daylight, and made all possible speed in the homeward direction.
When daylight came he sought a secure hiding place, and remained there
all day. His journey eastward was attended with many difficulties, and
much suffering, as he traveled mostly by night to avoid recapture, and
the country being a dense wilderness, he frequently became bewildered,
and sometimes traveled in a wrong direction. Besides subsisting chiefly
on roots, berries, etc., his flesh was torn with briars, and badly
bruised when crossing the mountains, and forcing his way through the
thickets. At length, after many weary days and nights, he found his way
back to the fort at Littleton, where he received the medical attention
that his situation demanded. He was greatly weakened by the exposure and
suffering, and the condition of his sores was so horrible, the worms
having already got into them, that he was compelled to remain there for
some time before he could be removed to his home."
In 1764, however, on July 26, three miles northwest of Greencastle,
was perpetrated what Parkman, the great historian of colonial times,
pronounces "an outrage unmatched in fiend-like atrocity through all the
annals of the war." This was the massacre of Enoch Brown, a kind-hearted
exemplary Christian schoolmaster and ten pupils - eight boys and two
girls. Ruth Hart and Ruth Hale were the names of the girls. Among the
boys were Eben Taylor, George Dunstan, and Archie McCullough. All were
knocked down and scalped by the merciless savages. Mourning and
desolation came to many homes in the valley, for each of the slaughtered
innocents belonged to a different family. The last named boy indeed
survived the effects of the scalping knife, but in a somewhat demented
condition.
The teacher offered his life and scalp in a spirit of
self-sacrificing devotion, if the savages would only spare the lives of
the little ones under his charge and care. But no! the tender mercies of
the heathen are cruel, and so a perfect holocaust was made to the Moloch
of war by the relentless fiends in human form. The school house was
located on the farm now owned by Mr. Henry Diehl and formerly owned by
Mr. Christian Koser. It stood in a cleared field at the head of a deep
ravine, surrounded by dense forests. Down this ravine the savages fled a
mile or two until they struck Conococheague Creek, along the bed of
which, to conceal their tracks, they traveled to the mouth of Path
Valley up which and across the mountains they made good their escape to
their village near the Ohio. The bodies were given, at the time, a
burial in a common grave - a rude box containing the forms of the
teacher and his associate victims.
August 4, 1843, or seventy-nine years after the slaughter, a number
of the principal citizens of Greencastle made excavations to verify the
traditional account of the place and manner of burial. Some remains of
the rough coffin were found at quite a depth from the surface, and then
the skull and other remains of a grown person, alongside of which were
remains of several children. Metal buttons, part of a tobacco box,
teeth, etc., were picked up as relics by those present, among whom were
some of our citizens still living with us in a green old age, viz.: Dr.
Wm. Grubb, (since deceased) Dr. J. K. Davison, George W. Ziegler, Esq.,
and Gen. David Detrich.
The question of erecting a monument to the memory of these
unfortunates was agitated at different times, but never reached a
tangible solution till 1885, when, as the result of a very spirited
canvass of schools, Sunday schools, churches, and private individuals,
as well as by excursions and other legitimate agencies, about $1,400 was
raised for the purpose. Twenty acres of land was purchased and the
monument was finally unveiled August 4, 1885, in the presence of 5,000
people.
The meeting was called to order by Col. B. F. Winger, chief
marshal. Mounting the base of the monument the Rev. Cort made a few
preliminary remarks, and then four little girls and nine boys pulled the
cords, the mantle of red, white and blue fell, and the monument stood
forth a thing of beauty and strength, the delight of all beholders. It
is indeed a massive affair. On the top of four feet of solid masonry
underneath the ground are nearly four feet of dressed limestone of
immense proportions from Hawbecker's Williamson quarry. On the top of
this limestone foundation, which is five feet square, is placed the
granite base of the monument, four feet square and seventeen inches
high, and weighing 4,600 pounds. Next comes the polished die or subbase,
three feet square and two feet high, on the four sides of which are
engraved the inscriptions. On the top of this stands the shaft of the
monument, two feet square at the base, ten feet high and tapering
gracefully to a pyramidal apex. The shaft weighs 4,100 pounds. Inclosing
the monument is a very substantial iron fence, fifteen feet square. The
following are the inscriptions:
On the east side:
Sacred to the memory of school-master Enoch
Brown and Eleven Scholars, viz.: Ruth Hart, Ruth
Hale, Eren Taylor, George Dunstan, Archie
McCullogh, and six others (names unknown), who
were massacred and scalped by Indians on this spot,
July 26, 1764, during the Pontiac War.
On the north side:
Erected by direction of the Franklin County
Centennial Convention of April 22, 1884, in the
name of the teachers and scholars of all the
schools in the county, including common schools,
select schools and Sunday schools. For a full
list of contributors see archives of Franklin
County Historical Society or Recorder's Office.
West side inscription, next to grave,
The remains of Enoch Brown and ten scholars
(Archie McCullough survived the scalping) lie
buried in a common grave, south 62 º degrees,
West 14 ‡ rods from this monument. They fell
as pioneer martyrs in the cause of education
and Christian civilization.
On the south side:
The ground is holy where they fell,
And where their mingled ashes lie,
Ye Christian people, mark it well
With granite columns strong and high;
And cherish well forevermore
The storied wealth of early years,
The sacred legacies of yore,
The toils and trials of pioneers.
The small monument was unveiled at the grave by Rev. Cort after a
few preliminary remarks. It is a very chaste and pretty structure,
composed, like the larger monument, of Concord granite. It is about
seven feet high and two feet square at the base. On the side facing the
grave is this inscription: "The grave of Schoolmaster Enoch Brown and
Ten Scholars, massacred by the Indians July 26, 1764." Around it is
also a solid iron fence ten feet square.
George W. Ziegler, Esq., was chosen president for the day, and made
a short address, heartily approving the cause which had brought the
people together and commending the monument committee for its faithful
and energetic labors. Rev. J. D. Hunter then offered a very appropriate
prayer. The Reformed Church choir, under the lead of Prof. Collins,
assisted by a few amateurs, sang "America," "My Country, 'tis of Thee,"
and afterward, "The Infant Martyrs" a hymn composed by Dr. Henry
Hardbaugh on the martyred babes of Bethlehem who were slain by King
Herod. The organization was completed by the election of the
vice-presidents and secretaries, viz.:
Vice-presidents: Rev. J. Spangler Kiefer, Hagerstown, Md.; Gen.
David Detrich, Dr. James K. Davidson, Capt. Jacob Diehl, Antrim: Jacob
Hoke, Simon Lecron, D.C. Shank, George J. Balsley, D.O. Nicodemus,
Washington; Joseph Winger, Montgomery; Dr. Frick, Quincy; Rev.
Knappenberger, John Hoch, Mercersburg; Rev. Bahner, Waynesboro; Rev.
Riddle, Fairfax, Va.; Andrew K. Kissecker, Tiffin, Ohio. Secretaries: W.
G. Davison, W. C. Kreps, Greencastle; Bruce Laudebaugh, G. W. Atherton,
Mercersburg; William A. Ried, Antrim; A. N. Pomeroy, Chambersburg.
Rev. Cyrus Cort, chairman of the monument committee, then made the
presentation speech, which was well received.
After a sumptuous dinner, Rev. J. W. Knappenberger, of
Mercersburg, offered a short but appropriate prayer. Peter A. Witmer,
of Hagerstown, Md., made an address heartily approving the work. He was
followed by Rev. F. M. Woods, of Martinsburg, W. Va. John M. Cooper, of
Harrisburg, delivered the historical address of the occasion on "Pontiac
and Bouquet." He complimented, in eloquent terms, Rev. Cyrus Cort (the
writer is indebted for the facts contained in this account of the Enoch
Brown Massacre to Rev. Cort's excellent little volume, "Enoch Brown
Memorial.") for the intense zeal he had manifested in the erection of
this, the people's monument - a tribute to the educational martyrs of
the county. The benediction was pronounced by Rev. John R. Agnew.
One of the last massacres committed by the Indians in Franklin
County, probably about the time of the Revolutionary war, was that of
the Renfrew sisters (Sarah and Jane), on what is now the farm of A. J.
Fahestock, near Waynesboro. The girls, it is said, were washing clothes
on the bank of the Little Antietam, when two Indians came upon them, and
having stricken them down and taken their scalps, went to the little
cabin standing on the hill and killed an infant, dashing its brains out
against a tree. They then betook themselves in flight to the mountains,
westward, but were pursued by two experienced hunters living in the
neighborhood. The savages were finally overtaken in an open forest, in
the Big Cove, engaged in eating wild plums. According to previous plans,
the wary hunters approached sufficiently close to see the seeds of the
plums drop, one by one. Raising their trusty guns, they fired, each
bringing his victim to the ground. Scalping the savages and recovering
the scalps of the girls, they hastily retraced their steps and reached
the Renfrew home in time to deposit all four scalps in the coffin ready
to be buried. The dust of the Renfrews now rests in a humble grave in
what is known as Burns graveyard on the Fahnestock place, and is marked
by a simple slab of rough sandstone.
In 1765 a difficulty occurred between the military authorities at
Fort Loudoun, under command of Lieut. Charles Grant, and certain
citizens in Peters Township, under the leadership of James Smith. The
whole affair grew out of the fact that certain Indian traders from
Philadelphia were in the habit of smuggling lead, tomahawks, scalping
knives, etc., through the lines and disposing of the same to the
ruthless savages. With a band of men, blacked and painted, Smith,
highly incensed at these damnable acts, ambushed and waylaid a company
of traders, killing their ponies, capturing certain supplies, and
burning others. The traders repaired to the fort, and secured the
services of a squad of Highland soldiers, under command of Sergt.
Leonard McGlashan, to arrest the robbers, as the citizens were called. A
number of innocent men were apprehended and thrown into the guard house
at the fort. Smith raised 300 riflemen and marched to the fort,
encamping on a high hill in sight of the works. "We were not long
there," says smith, "until we had more than double as many of the
British troops prisoners in our camp, as they had of our people in the
guardhouse. Capt. Grant, a Highland officer who then commanded Fort
Loudoun, then sent a flag of truce to our camp, where we settled a
cartel and gave them above two for one, which enabled us to redeem all
our men from the guardhouse with further difficulty."
Grant retained a number of rifle guns which his men had taken from
the citizens, refusing to deliver them until he had explicit orders from
his superior, Gen. Gage. "As he was riding out one day," continues Smith,
"we took him prisoner, and detained him until he delivered up the arms;
we also destroyed a large quantity of gunpowder that the traders had
stored up, lest it might be conveyed privately to the Indians. The
king's troops and our party had now got entirely out of the channel of
the civil law, and many unjustifiable things were done by both parties.
This convinced me, more than ever I had been before, of the absolute
necessity of the civil law in order to govern mankind."
This conflict between the civil and military authorities, the
outgrowth of Indian difficulties, involved the magistrates of the
township, the governor of the State and the commander-in-chief of the
British forces in America. It was finally settled, but not without much
difficulty and ill-feeling.
CHAPTER IV. -- THE REVOLUTION
Its Causes -- Loyalty to the Mother Country --
Early Military -- Roster and Roll of Franklin Men --
From Colonies to States -- Heroes from Franklin County --
One of the First American Cannons, etc.
The colonists had hardly recovered from the cruelties and
sufferings of the French and Indian war and the ensuing raids of the
savages upon the scattered and defenseless settlers, when dark clouds
began to gather in the distance, that were portentous of a coming storm
of seven long years of cruel and bitter war between the feeble colonies
and the mother country.
The century and a half preceding the breaking out of the
Revolutionary war had been a long and severe school for the colonists
and their ancestors to prepare them for the coming ordeal. Most of the
immigrants were fugitives from cruel religious persecutions, and outlaws
from their native lands. Those who escaped death emerged from dismal
dungeons to skulk in caves and out-of-the-way places, and to hide, by
strange disguises, from the unappeasable wrath of man, guilty of no
crime save that of a determination to be free to think, act, and serve
their Divine Master in accordance with the dictates of their own
consciences. This was a trying school in which to rear a people - it
was the ordeal of fire, the baptism of blood; but it tended to mold
characters of iron, to instill heroic blood, to plant the seed of
liberty in the hearts of the people thus relentlessly pursued, and raise
up heroes who feared nothing but their God. These poor, suffering victims
had heard of the New World; and, in the dark perspective, it was to them
the guiding star of promise, bidding them to come.
They gladly fled from their native country and landed upon the
shores of this continent - the land of the ignorant and treacherous
savages. They were in the direst extremities of poverty, but rich in
hope and deeply imbued with the first lessons in the love of freedom.
Their awful persecutions, instead of driving them away from their
religion and its practices, only made them the more determined in their
convictions and more fearless in proclaiming their faith.
Nothing that has occurred in this world has had so powerful an
influence upon mankind as the war for independence. All men realize that
it made this a great, free, and independent people. But this was only a
part of what that righteous war effected. It gave liberty to mankind. It
was the turning point in man's destiny upon earth. It was the enduring
and ever-growing triumph in the struggle between right and wrong. It
lifted up the human race, and, as an instance of how strong and wide
reaching its effects were, it need only be noticed that its good results
were, and have been, as strong in Great Britain as they have been
anywhere else, and the blessings of freedom she so strove to crush have
penetrated her entire realms, and, like the gentle dews from heaven,
have blessed all alike. Since the earliest traditions the earth has
been chiefly the theater of bloody wars - wars of tribes; wars of
nations; civil wars; wars for self, for power, for the ambition
of rulers, and religious wars and crusades for sentiment. What a stream
of blood it was! What a world of woe this raging stream bore upon its
bosom! Rulers, besotted and beastly, made war; men were simply
food-powder-victims driven to the bloody shambles; until the American
Revolution, no war had been successfully waged for the rights of the
people - for liberty of the souls and bodies of men.
In 1765 the people of Pennsylvania began to enter their first
protest against the oppressive action of the mother country. At first
these could not be called mutterings - they were merely the mild
expressions of a loyal people against the manifold acts of injustice,
with no thought of any one going further than words of the most
respectful and loyal dissent. Their words fell upon dull ears; they were
not heeded, and, even if noticed at all, they were only answered with
silent contempt. In the course of time a public sympathy sprang up for
the people of Boston. the outrages grew in numbers and severity, and in
the course of the next decade men became alarmed, and then public
expression and public action began to take place.
July 12, 1774, the people of Cumberland County met at Carlisle.
JOHN MONTGOMERY presided over the meeting. The state of the country was
briefly, very briefly, it seems, discussed, and steps were promptly
taken that showed the temper of the men of those times. They
unanimously passed resolutions condemning Parliament for closing the
port of Boston; recommending a General Congress of the colonies; the
abandonment of the use of British merchandise, and finally for the
appointing of deputies to concert measures for the meeting of the
General Congress. As emphatic as were the people of this meeting, there
was no sentiment of revolt or war upon the mother country. Even after
the war had actually commenced and the battle of Lexington had been
fought, the loyalty of the people to their government is manifested by
the action of the Assembly of Pennsylvania, in November, 1775,
appointing delegates to represent the province in Congress, and
expressly instructing them "that they, in behalf of this colony,
dissent from, and utterly reject any proposition, should such be made,
that may cause or lead to a separation from our mother country, or a
change of the form of this government." This was in November, but the
battle of Lexington occurred in the preceeding April.
In Volume II, page 516, "American Archives," of date May 6, 1775,
seventeen days after the battle of Lexington, occurs the following:
"Yesterday the county committee of Cumberland County, from nineteen
townships, met on the short notice they had. About 3,000 have already
associated. The arms returned are about 1,500. The committee has voted
500 men, besides commissioned officers, to be taken into pay, armed and
disciplined, to march on the first emergency; to be paid and supported
as long as necessary, by a tax on all estates real and personal." The
next day they again met and unanimously voted they "were ready to raise
1,500 to 2,000 men," should they be needed, and also were ready and
willing to put a debt of 27,000 pounds per annum on the county. A number
of companies from Cumberland County were soon ready, and marched to join
Washington's army at the siege of Boston. One of these companies, it is
known, was from what is now Franklin County. This was Capt. James
Chamber's company. He was soon promoted colonel, and afterward became a
brigadier-general; he and his company continued in the service during
nearly all the seven years' war. General James Chambers was the eldest
son of Col. Benjamin Chambers, the founder of Chambersburg. His company
joined Pennsylvania's first rifle regiment under Colonel William
Thompson, of Cumberland County. This was the first regiment south of the
Hudson that marched to the relief of Boston and the historian says "their
arrival attracted much attention; they were stout and hardy yeomanry,
the flower of Pennsylvania's frontiersmen and remarkable for the
accuracy of their aim" - an important desideratum at that time. This
regiment had been enlisted under the resolution of Congress, July 14,
1775, authorizing the raising of six companies of expert riflemen in
Pennsylvania, ten in Maryland, and two in Virginia. Each company was to
contain 68 privates, 1 captain, 3 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, 1 corporal,
and 1 drummer. They rendezvoused at Reading, where the regiment was
organized by the election of Colonel William Thompson, of Carlisle;
Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Hand, of Lancaster; and Major Robert Magaw,
of Carlisle.
ROSTER OF CAPT. JAMES CHAMBERS' COMPANY
Captain - James Chambers
First lieutenant - James Grier
Second lieutenant - Nathan McConnell
Third lieutenant - Thomas Buchanan
Sergeants - David Hay, Arthur Andrews, Alex. Crawford
PRIVATES
David Boyd
John Brandon
Johnson Brooks
James Black
Thomas Beatty
David Biddle
Michael Benker
Archibald Brown
Black Brown
John Brown
William Barnett
Timothy Campbell
William Campbell
Benjamin Carson
William Chestney
John Dermont
Joseph Eaton
John Everly
Abijah Fairchild
James Furmoil
John Fidd
William Gildersleeve
Richard Henny
Peter Hogan
Geo. Houseman
John Hutchinson
Thomas Hutchison
Charles Irwin
Francis Jamieson
Robert Joblier
Andrew Johnston
George Justice
Andrew Keith
Lewis Kettling
Michael Kelly
Thomas Kelly
Silas Leonard
David Lukens
Thomas Lochry
Patrick Logan
Nicholas Lowrie
John Lynch
John McCosh
James McEleve
John McDonald
Michael McGibson
Cornelius McGiggin
James McHaffey
John McMurtrie
Patrick McGaw
Thomas Mason
Patrick McGaw
Thomas Mason
Patrick Neale
William Parker
David Riddle
Thomas Rodgers
Nicholas Sawyer
Joseph Scott
Jacob Shute
Moses Skinner
Timothy Styles
Patrick Sullivan
James Sweeny
James Symns
Thomas Vaughn
This was not only the first company of infantry that went to war
from what is now Franklin, but it was the first from this valley. The
account of the patriotic Chambers family, in the Indian wars and in the
war of the Revolution, is very nearly as complete an account of the
doings of the people of the county as can now be learned. Colonel
Benjamin Chambers had been the most conspicuous figure in southern
Pennsylvania in the first Indian wars and raids in the valley. When the
war for independence broke out, he was then too old to go to the
battlefield, but his three sons, all of whom became eminent in the
ranks of the colonial armies, were the first to heed the call of duty
and rally the people around the flag of liberty. These were James,
William, and Benjamin. James, as related above, by rapid promotion for
gallantry, was soon made brigadier-general. William and Benjamin, were
each promoted to captain, and all served during nearly the entire war.
A full account of the Chambers family may be found in the biography
given elsewhere, but a brief resume is here given of the services in the
field of General Chambers, as it is, in a large measure, now the best
account we can obtain of the part taken by the people in the war.
August 26, 1775, 400 men drawn from Cumberland county companies,
were placed under the command of Captain James Chambers, and sent to
Prospect and Ploughed Hill, near Boston, to protect a force of nearly
2,000 men, who were erecting a redoubt near the latter hill. Here they
performed some hard and efficient service. In March, 1776, he was
promoted lieutenant-colonel; Vice Colonel Hand, appointed colonel in
place of Colonel Thompson, who had been made a brigadier-general.
Colonel Chambers was ordered to Long Island, was in the battle of Flat
Bush August 22, 1776, and also in the fight at King's Bridge. In his
report of the operations at Flat Bush, among other things, he says:
"Captain John Steel acted with great bravery." In August, 1776, the
Pennsylvania troops were selected as a reserve to cover the retreat of
our army from Long Island. That body was composed mostly of troops from
Cumberland and what is now Franklin County. September 26, 1776, Lt.
Col. Chambers was made colonel of his regiment, Colonel Hand, having
been promoted. In June 1777, his command was in New Jersey, and was
among the first to enter New Brunswick, driving the enemy before it.
September 11, 1777, his command was opposed to the Hessians, under
General Knyphausen, at Chadd's ford and Brandywine, where Colonel
Chambers was wounded in the side, Lieutenant Holliday was killed, and
Captains Grier and Craig were wounded. With his command, he was also in
the battle of Germantown October 4, 1777, and in the fight at Monmouth
June 28, 1778. He led the attack of Bergen Point July 20, 1780, and the
command was highly complimented by General Wayne for gallantry in this
charge. He, with his command, was at White Plains, West Point, and in
many other minor battles up to the time of his resignation in 1781.
After his retirement he was three different times appointed to the
command of a battalion in his native county. In 1794 he was appointed to
command the Third Brigade of Pennsylvania troops, called out to quell the
whisky insurrection. In 1798 he was again appointed to a similar command
in anticipation of a war with France.
The substance of an article from the pen of Hon. John B. Linn,
Deputy Secretary of the commonwealth, that appeared in the Philadelphia
Weekly Times of April 14, 1878, is given below, confined as much as
possible to those parts that refer to this action of the Franklin
County men: "The Historical Society of Pennsylvania has in its
temporary possession a very interesting relic of the revolution. It is
the standard of the First Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion. * * * This
regiment was raised on the reception of the news of the battle of Bunker
hill, and entered the trenches in front of Boston, August 8, 1775. It was
in the skirmishes in front of Boston, and before the British evacuated
that city it was ordered to New York to repel their landing there. * *
* The term of the battalion expired June 30, 1776, but officers and
men in large numbers re-enlisted for three years, or during the war. * *
* It was at Long Island, White Plains, Trenton and Princeton under
command of Colonel Hand, and under the command of Colonel Chambers, at
Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and in every other battle and skirmish
of the main army until Colonel Chambers resignation in 1781.
Colonel Chambers was succeeded by Colonel Daniel Broadhead,
on May 26, 1781. The regiment, after this long service under General
Wayne, joined General Lafayette at Raccoon Ford on the Rappahannock,
June 10, fought at Green Springs, July 6; opened the second parallel at
Yorktown. General Steuben, in his orders dated October 21, says of this
movement that he considered it the most important part of the siege. The
regiment that went south with General Wayne and fought in the last battle
of the war at Sharon, GA, May 24, 1782; entered Savannah in triumph July
11, and Charleston December 14, 1782; went into camp on James Island,
S.C., May 11, 1783, and when the news of the cessation of hostilities
reached there, they embarked for Philadelphia. In its services it
traversed every one of the original thirteen States of the Union; for
while in Boston, CAPT. PARR was ordered with a battalion to Portsmouth,
N. H. to defend that point." In December, 1775, the Second Pennsylvania
Regiment was formed. It was at first under the command of Colonel John
Bull, afterward under Colonel John Philip De Haas.
Under a call from Congress for four more battalions, in January
1776, Colonel Irvine's Sixth Regiment was formed. It was composed of
eight companies; and of these, three companies were mostly from Franklin
County territory, to-wit: Company 3, Captain Abraham Smith. There is some
dispute as to whether Captain Smith's company was from what is now
Cumberland County, or from this county. The truth probably is, it was
made up of men from both of them. The others were Company 4, Captain
William Rippey, and Company 8, Captain Jeremiah Talbott.
It is now believed that Captain Smith was from Lurgan Township,
just north of the Franklin County line. There evidently were two
Captain Abraham Smiths, from this and Cumberland County. One was a
civilian, but which was which, the confusion in the records does not
always make plain. One was of Lurgan and the other of Antrim Township.
This fact is now evident.
The following are the names of the officers and men:
COMPANY NO. 3 OF IRVINE'S REGIMENT
Captain - Abraham Smith, commissioned January 9, 1776
First lieutenant - Robert White
Second lieutenants - John Alexander, Andrew Irvine
Ensigns - Samuel Montgomery, Samuel Kennedy
Sergeants - John Beatty, Samuel Hamilton, Hugh Foster, William Scott,
William Burke
Corporals - William Burke, George Standley, John Moore, William
Campbell, Seth Richey, William McCormick, William Drennon;
Fifer - William Cochran
Drummer - John Fannon
PRIVATES
David Armor
John Brown
Patrick Brown
John Blakeley
John Brannon
Phillip Boyle
Josiah Cochran
Robert Craighead
Anthony Creevy
William Cochran
James Dunlap
Thomas Drennon
William Downey
Hugh Drennon
Daniel Divinney
Pat. Fleming
William Gwin
Alex. Gordon
Robert Gregg
Thomas Higgins
James Holliday
Thomas Holmes
John Hendricks
Benj. Ishmail
Robert Jarrett
Thomas Johnson
Samuel Love
Geo. Lucas
Nicholas Little
James Lowrey
Daniel McKusick
John McCollam
William McCormick
Michael McGarea
Bryan McLaughlin
John McFetridge
Michael McMullin
James McKissock
Adam McBreas
James McDowell
Samuel McBrea
Robert McIlno
Alex. McKenny
John McKingham
John Montgomery
Alex. Moore
Robert Miller
Hugh Milligan
Moses Powell
Nathan Points
John Rannell
Seth Richey
Patrick Rogers
John Rannell, Jr.
Peter Runey
Alex. Reid
Borthal Roharty
Thomas Smith
Patrick Silvers
Thomas Scott
George Simpson
Robert Swinie
John Stoops
Ad. Sheaver
William Stitt
Peter Sheran
Charles Tipper
John Todd
Mich. White
James White
John Wilson
John Young
COMPANY NO. 4 OF IRVINE'S REGIMENT
Captain - William Rippey
First Lieutenants - William Alexander, Alexander Parker
Second lieutenant - John Brooks
Ensign - William Lusk
Sergeants - John Hughes, Robert Watt, John McClelland, William Anderson
Corporals - William Gibbs, Jeremiah McKibben, James McCulloh,
George Gordon, Nath Stevenson
Fifer - William Richards
Drummer - Daniel Peterson
PRIVATES
Jacob Anderson
Robert Barckley
Bernerd Burns
Robert Caskey
Henry Cartright
Robert Cortney
Jacob Christyardinger
Benjamin Cochran
Hugh Call
John Collins
William Dougherty
John Davison
Joseph Devine
Anthony Dawson
Thomas Dycke
James Finerty
Hugh Forsyth
Hugh Ferguson
Thomas Falls
William George
Henry Girden
Thomas Gell
Jacob Glouse
Nathan Hemphill
Robert Haslet
John Hendry
William Henderson
James Hervey
Cumberland Hamilton
Neal Hardon
George Hewitt
Robert Irvine
Jacob Justice
John Johnston
Christopher Kechler
Francis Kain
John Kelly
William Lowry
Daniel Lavery
David Linsey
James Lynch
John Madden
Josiah McCall
John McMicheal
James McComb
William McIntyre
John Moore
James Mullin
Thomas McCall
Philip Melon
Alexander McNichols
James McCoy
James McCon.
David McClain
John McDonell
Daniel McClain
John McGaw
Charles Malone
George McFerson
William Nicholson
John Ortman
John O'Neal
Thomas Pratt
Thomas Parsons
Aaron Patterson
Charles Rasbrough
John Rasbrough
John Rogers
Thomas Reed
Robert Robeson
Basil Regan
John Stoner
Henry Scott
Alexander Stephenson
Nathan Stephenson
James Smiley
William Thompson
John Tribele
Jacob Trash
John Van Kirk
William Winn
John Wright
Peter Young
COMPANY NO. 8, OF IRVINE'S REGIMENT
Captain - Jeremiah Talbott
First lieutenant - John McDonald
Second lieutenant - Alexander Brown
Ensign - William Graham
Sergeants - John McCollam, John Wilson, James Cupples, Samuel Mitchell
Corporals - William Campbell, Robert Hunter, John Chain, John Reniston
Drummer - John Milton
Fifer - John Killin
PRIVATES
Robert Asten
John Bradley
William Black
John Church
George Coghren
Francis Clark
Robert Carnahan
Charles Conna
John Campbell
Joseph Chambers
John Dinning
William Evans
John Faulkner
Hugh Fairess
James Gardner
Daniel Gibson
William Heaslett
John Heatherington
Duke Handlon
John Higgens
Kern Kelley
Stephen Lyon
Jacob Lewis
Hugh Lilley
John Marten
Robert Mollon
Benj. Morrison
James McFarlan
Charles McRoun.
Archibald McDonald
Matthew McConnell
Thomas McCreary
Charles McMullen
Thomas Mitchell
Charles Marry
Patrick Marry
Able Morgan
Archibald Nickel
Andrew Pinkerton
Samuel Power
John Pollock
James Quarre
William Shaw
Mike Sesalo
John Shoemaker
James Sloan
John Totten
John Thompson
Hugh Thompson
William White
John White
John Welch
Robert Watson
Isaac Wiley
In April 1777, Capt. Talbott's company had been so reduced by hard
service that it was recruited up to the required number. The following
are the recruits that were then added:
John McCullum
John Foster
John Ferguson
Michael Black
John Wilson
Robert Hunter
John Brown
Gilbert Berryhill
Hugh Casserty
Charles Conner
George Corohan
Edward Hart
John Shoemaker
James Garlant
James Loe
Jacob Weaver
Patrick Guinn
Joseph West
Peter Smith
John Smith
Michael Sitsler
John McKinley
Charles Kelley
John Johnson
William Antrican
Michael Brown
John Milton
Henry Vaughan
James Ralls
Patrick Doyle
William McDonald
Michael Danfee
John Kellenough
Patrick Murrey
Conrad Carcass
William Gibbs
Thomas Whitely
Hugh Thompson
William Foster
Phelix O'Neal
John Crowl
John Fullerton
Pat Boyle
Thomas Sherry
John Cavenaugh
Robert Burns
Andrew McGahey
William McCalley
Isaac Shockey
Christopher Row
Francis O'Harrah
Thomas Dunn
Daniel McCartey
Barney McGilligen
Thomas Aston
John Smith (tanner.)
Patrick McKinley
John Robinson
John Feaghander
William Campbell
Patrick McCullum
In addition to the companies enumerated above, it is an established
fact that there were companies of Captain James McConnell, Captain
William Huston, Captain Robert Culbertson, and Captain Conrad Schneider
- four full companies - that were from what is now Franklin County.
These were recruited and all prepared to go to the front, but as they
were among the last men enlisted, it is not positively known, nor are
there any records by which the fact can be exactly stated, that they
were ordered from the county and were in the field. Possibly they did
not really join the Colonial Army, and this may account for the absence
of them on the army rolls.
In the early part of 1777, the first battalion of Cumberland County
militia was formed; commanded by Colonel James Dunlap. The Lieutenant-
Colonel was Robert Culbertson, of Franklin County. In this battalion
were three companies that were from what is now Franklin County - the
companies of Captain Noah Abraham of Path Valley; Captain Patrick Jack
of Hamilton, and Captain Charles Maclay of Lurgen. The roster of
Captain Abraham's company was as follows:
Captain - Noah Abraham
First lieutenant - Archibald Elliott
Second lieutenant - Samuel Walker
Sergeants - James McConnaughy, Joseph Noble, Robert McConnell,
Thomas Clark
PRIVATES
John Garven
George Farmer
Samuel Elder
William Elliott
Francis Elliott
Abram Elder
George Dixson
Alex. Douglas (weaver)
Henry Delmer
Patrick Dougherty
Andrew Douglas, Sr.
Samuel Campbell
James Carmady
Hugh McCurdy
Robert Alexander
Alexander McConnell
James Alexander
Charles Gibson
James Harvey
James Howe
William Harvey
Henderson Harvey
James Mitchell
David Armstrong
John Mclellan, Jr.
John Adams
Samuel Mears
William Adams
James Mackey
James Allen
Robert McGuire
John Brown
Henry McGee
James Boggs
John Mackey
Nathaniel Bryan
John Montgomery
Allen Brown
James Nealy
Alex. Hopper
Adam Humberg
John Johnson
Alex. Long
John McLellan
William Buchanan
David Neal
John Bell
James Park
Daniel Colbert
Henry Varner
William Cortz
William Wright
John Canady
Robert Walker
Samuel Watson
William Woodrow
Alexander Mear
Samuel McCauley
Samuel Woodrow
James McLellan
Patrick Davidson
Wm. McLellan
Wm. McIbbins
John Means
Nathan McColley
James Montgomery
Alex. Meor
In Colonel John Davis' Second Battalion, was Captain Charles
Leeper's company of Lurgan Township. Captain James McConnell, of
Letterkenny, with his company, was in the Fourth Battalion.
The Sixth Battalion was mostly officered by Franklin County men,
as follows: Colonel Samuel Culbertson; Lieutenant-Colonel John Work;
Major James McCammont (McCalmont); Adjutant John Wilson; Quartermaster
Samuel Finley; Surgeon Richard Brownson. The officers in Company No. 2
of this battalion were the following: Captain Patrick Jack;
First-Lieutenant William Reynolds; Second Lieutenant James McLene;
Ensign Francis Gardner. This company was recruited from Hamilton
Township.
Company 3 in this battalion, was from Letterkenny Township, and the
following officers: Captain Samuel Patton; First Lieutenant John Eaton;
Second Lieutenant David Shields; Ensign William Ramsey. A company No. 4
from Peters Township had the following: Captain James Patton; First
Lieutenant Thomas McDowell; Second Lieutenant John Welsh; Ensign John
Dickey. Company No. 5: Captain Joseph Culbertson; First Lieutenant
John Barr, Second Lieutenant William Cessna; Ensign Hugh Allison. This
company was from Lurgan Township. Company 6 as follows: Captain William
Huston; First Lieutenant William Elliott; Second Lieutenant James
McFarland; Ensign Robert Kyle. It is said this company was recruited
from Montgomery, Peters, and Hamilton Townships. To this company
Reverend John King delivered a patriotic address as they were about
starting for the field. "The case is plain; life must be hazarded or all
is gone. You must go and fight, or send your humble submission, and bow
as a beast to its burden, or an ox to the slaughter. The King of Great
Britain has declared us rebels, a capital crime; submission therefore
consents to the rope or the ax. Liberty is doubtless gone; none could
imagine a tyrant king should be more favorable to conquered rebels, than
he was to loyal, humble, petitioning subjects. No! No! If ever a people
lay in chains we must, if our enemies carry their point against us, and
oblige us to unconditional submission. This is not all. Our tory
neighbors will be our proud and tormenting enemies."
Company 7 the following: Captain Robert McCoy; First Lieutenant
James Irwin; Second Lieutenant Samuel Dunwoody; Ensign Walter McKinney -
from Peters Township. Company 8 as follows: Captain John McConnell;
First Lieutenant Joseph Stevenson; Second Lieutenant George Stevenson;
Ensign James Caldwell, from Letterkenny Township. In the Eighth
Batallion, Colonel Abraham Smith of Franklin County. There were four
other field officers from this county, named: Lieutenant-Colonel James
Johnston; Major John Johnston; Adjutant Thomas Johnston; and
Quartermaster Terrance Campbell.
Four companies in the Eighth Batallion were from Franklin County
men as follows: Company No. 1 of Waynesboro - Captain Samuel Royer;
First Lieutenant Jacob Foreman; Second Lieutenant John Riddlesberger;
Ensign Peter Shaver. Company 2, Lurgan Township - Captain John Jack;
First Lieutenant James Brotherton; Second Lieutenant Daniel McLene;
Ensign James Drummond. Company 3 from Antrim Township - Captain James
Poe; First Lieutenant Joseph Patterson; Second Lieutenant Jacob Stotler;
Ensign James Dickson. Company 8, Lurgan Township - Captain John Rea;
First Lieutenant Albert Torrence; Second Lieutenant Alexander Thomson;
Ensign Hugh Wiley. This is all the record now accessible concerning
these companies.
In 1779 a company recruited from Path Valley was mustered into the
service, and sent west to quell an Indian disturbance. This was Captain
Noah Abraham's company - First Lieutenant Nathaniel Stevenson; Second
Lieutenant Adam Harman; Sergeants Joseph Ferguson, Campbell Lefever,
James Hamilton, John Roatch; Privates, Daniel Colbert, Neal Dougherty,
Frederick Dougherty, Patrick Dougherty, Thomas Knox, Daniel Lavrey,
William Love, Redmond McDonough, Mathias Maers, John Maghan, John
Millison, James Megraw, Isaac Miner, James Russell, John Robinson, James
Ray, and William Walker.
At the same time another company went from Letterkenny Township:
Captain Samuel Patton; First Lieutenant Ezekiel Sample; Sergeants John
Kincaid, William Spear; Privates John Bran, Thomas Crotley, Richard
Cooper, George Hunter, Samuel Howard, John Hart, William Lowry, George
Lamb, John Lytle, Henry Marshal, John Mathias (weaver), Lorans McReady,
John Parker, William Patterson, Abram Rosenberry, William Sharp, John
Welsh, Henry Williamson.
It is supposed the above enumeration includes all of the separate
organizations that went to the war from what is now Franklin County.
Just how many men did go cannot now be accurately told. That there were
many who joined commands from other counties in small squads and singly,
cannot be doubted; but on the rolls their identity is lost, and it is
greatly to be regretted their names cannot be properly placed on the
roll of the immortals.
There were men who enacted a conspicuous part in the Revolution
outside of the line of military duty. For instance, in the Provincial
Conference, 1776, the province of Pennsylvania sent a full delegation,
which met in Carpenter's Hall, in the city of Philadelphia. The
delegates from Franklin were McLene, Allison, Maclay, Calhoun and
Creigh.
Here and there, through all the annals of the Revolution, is to be
found a hero, who was a native of what is now Franklin County. Of these,
Colonel James Smith, a native of Peters Township, has left an illustrious
record. As early as 1755, while engaged in opening a road from Fort
Loudoun to Bedford, he was captured by the Indians. He was adopted in
the Conewago tribe and remained with them until 1759, when he escaped to
Montreal, and reached his home in 1760. In 1763 he was actively engaged
against the Indians as captain of a company of rangers. He then became
an ensign in the English provincial army. In 1764 he served under
General John Armstrong, and was a Lieutenant in Bouquet's expedition
against the savages. In 1765 he was the leader of a band of settlers,
who attacked the Indians, drove them off and burned the goods of some
Indian traders, because they were selling to the savages powder and
lead. Some of Colonel Smith's neighbors, who had nothing to do with this
burning, were arrested by British officers and locked up in the Fort
Loudoun. Smith and his study and fearless gang went to the rescue of
their neighbors, captured the fort, released their friends, and took
more English soldiers prisoners than Smith's command numbered.
Afterward, more of Smith's neighbors were arrested for the burning of
the Indian traders' goods, and this time confined in Fort Bedford.
Again, Smith rallied his neighbors, assaulted the fort, captured the
garrison and liberated the prisoners. Some time after, Smith's companion
was killed. He was then charged with the killing and thrown in prison. A
body of 600 of his neighbors gathered and marched to Carlisle and
demanded his release. He made an address to his friends, refused to be
released, and counseled them to peacefully go home. He was kept in
prison four months, tried and acquitted. At once he was elected
commissioner of Bedford County. He then removed to Westmoreland, and
there was elected to the same office. In 1774, he was again a captain of
a company of rangers serving in the Revolutionary war, and with
thirty-six men, defeated 200 Hessians, taking the most of them
prisoners. Then for two years he was in civil offices. In 1777, General
Washington offered him a major's commission, but not liking the colonel
of the regiment, he declined to accept it. He asked and was given
permission to raise a battalion of rifle rangers to serve against the
British in New Jersey. His major was James McCammont, a Franklin County
man. When Colonel Smith was disabled by disease, McCammont became
commanding colonel. Colonel James McCalmont (originally spelled
McCammont), was born in Letterkenny Township in 1739 - a typical
frontiersman, wonderfully made for the troblous time in which he was
born. He was a brave man and an ardent patriot. His services to his
country, in the Revolution, were invaluable. When the British occupied
Philadelphia, he was commanding a troop of rangers, and assigned to the
duty of preventing the Tories of the interior from furnishing the enemy
with supplies. While on this duty he captured a lot of Hessians in New
Jersey; he not only made prisoners of them, but induced them to become
settlers near Strausburg, where may be found their descendants to this
day. He served as major in the Sixth Battalion of the Cumberland County
troops under the command of Colonel Samuel Culbertson, another native of
Franklin County, and an eminent Revolutionary soldier and patriot. After
the war he was for many succeeding terms elected to the House of
Representatives; in 1789 appointed judge, which position he held until
his death July 19, 1809.
Captain Samuel Brady, already celebrated before the Revolution as
an Indian scout, was, of course, the first to respond to his country's
call to fight for liberty. He was under command of Colonel Hand, at
Princeton, and at the massacre of Paoli, he barely escaped. He was
promoted for bravery after the battle of Monmouth, and then was ordered
to Fort Pitt (Pittsburg), to join General Broadhead, with whom he soon
became a great favorite, and was almost constantly employed as a scout
His father and brother had been massacred in 1778-1779 by the Indians,
and he never failed to wreak vengence upon the savages at every
opportunity. His name was a terror to the Indians. He died in West
Liberty, Va., in 1800.
Colonel Joseph Armstrong was one of the early settlers in Hamilton
Township. He was a brave and fearless Indian fighter, commanding a
company of rangers in 1755. After much service in the Indian wars, in
1776 he raised a battalion (the Fifth Cumberland Company), and marched
to the defense of Philadelphia. Among his Captains were John Andrew,
Samuel Patton, John McConnell, William Thompson (became Brigadier
General), Charles Maclay, James McKee, John Martin, John Rea (afterward
Brigadier General), John Murphy, George Mathews, and John Boggs. This
command had been chiefly recruited from Lurgan, Letterkenny and Hamilton
Townships. They were noted for their activity, bravery and alertness in
punishing the country's enemies, as well as their rigid faith in
Presbyterianism. It is said that a majority of them had been members of
the old Rocky Spring Church. Captain Charles Maclay's company, which
numbered 100, was raised in Lurgan Township, and every man said to be
six feet in height. This company suffered severely in the surprise of
General Lacy's command at Crooked Billet, Bucks County, May 4, 1778.
Captain Maclay and about half his company were killed. General Lacy in
his report, says: "The wounded were treated in a manner the most brutal
savages could not equal; even while living, some were thrown into
buckwheat straw and the straw set on fire and burned."
In addition to these great Revolutionary heroes there were noted:
Reverand John Steele and Dr. Robert Johnston, his son John Johnston, and
many others.
ONE OF THE FIRST AMERICAN CANNON
There are conflicting accounts, in different histories, on the
subject of the making of the first cannon in this country. We are
indebted for this account of the making of, if not the first, certainly
very close to being, the first wrought iron cannon in the world, to Mr.
J. C. Burns, who writes from "near Waynesboro, May 3, 1886." He gives
the current history of this successful effort at making a wrought iron
cannon, omitting such portions of the generally published accounts, and
making such additions as his information made necessary to arriving at
the truth of the matter. Another man in Cumberland County, about the
same time, made two cannon, and one of these two was also captured at
Brandywine, and quoting from Hazard's Register, "is now in the Tower of
London." He then alludes to a letter written by a British soldier soon
after the battle at Brandywine, in which the writer refers to "two
cannon of singular appearance and construction, captured" from the
Americans, Evidently one of these cannon was the one of the two made by
the Cumberland County man, and the other, the one made by Mr. Bourns. In
further explanation, it may be stated, that John Bourns was the
grandfather of J.C. Burns, whose account of the cannon is given, as
taken from "McCauley's Historical Sketch of Franklin County," with Mr.
Burns corrections:
"A century ago near the banks of the Antietam, three miles east
of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, stood a blacksmith shop. Here in 1775,
worked John Bourns, at his trade of sickle making. The war alarum rang
over the country, and to John Bourns it brought the tidings that he,
too, must do his share to free his fair land from the tyrant's yoke. He
determined to try his skill on a wrought iron cannon. An extra pair of
bellows was set up, and his brother - James Bourns - together with some
neighbors, being called upon to give all necessary aid in keeping up a
continuous hot fire for the purpose of welding, the work was begun. A
core of iron was first prepared, and bars of iron were welded together
one by one longitudinally around this core. The welding having been
accomplished successfully, and the core withdrawn, the bore was brought
to as perfect a degree of smoothness and circularity as was possible
with the tools accessible. It is likely this was one of the first
successful attempts ever made to manufacture a wrought iron cannon.
"This small cannon was taken to the army, and doubtless gave no
uncertain voice in freedom's favor. On the 11th of September 1777, the
battle of Brandywine was fought, and this cannon was captured and taken
to England.
"John Bourns was drafted into the army previously to the battle of
Brandywine, was in the battle himself, and no doubt regretted the loss
of his pet when he learned that it had fallen into the hands of the
enemy. On account of his superior skill as a smith, he was detached from
active service and detailed to repair gunlocks and make bayonets for the
use of the army.
"John Bourns was the father of the late General James Burns, of
Waynesboro, and he and William Burns - his brother - frequently related
the story, heretofore given, to different persons. Readers will notice
the change in the orthography of the names of the father and son."