John Godfrey (Godfrey) Schuh Sr aka Shew

*WikiTree, John Schuh" *[[Schuh-101 | John Schuh]] *https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Schuh-101

Born about 1733 in Germany

Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]

[sibling(s) unknown]

Husband of Katherine Catharina Phillippina Frey — married 28 Apr 1757 in Churchville Presbyterian Church, Northampton Twp., Churchville, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania map Descendants descendants Father of Jacob Shew Sr.

Died Oct 1805 in Northampton Twp., Fish House, Montgomery Co., NY map

NOTE: The source of this document is a profile listed on WikiTree.com as is referenced hereinabove. The below has not been edited from the original. ______

== Biography ==

''This biography was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import. It's a rough draft and needs to be edited.''

=== Name === : Name: Godfrey (John Godfrey) /Shew Schuh/ SrSource: [[#S1]] Page: Pennsylvania Marriage Records. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Archives Printed Series, 1876. Series 2, Series 6, page 500; Pennsylvania, Marriage Records, 1700-1821 at Ancestry.com Note: "Catrina Fry" married "John Godfrey Schach" April 28, 1757.

=== Birth === : Birth: :: Date: ABT 1733 :: Place: Germany :: Note: (or circa 1711 according to his great grand daughter Susannah Shew) This is an estimated date.

"Godfrey Shew, the father of Jacob Shew, emigrated from Germany to this country, at the age of 19, and just before the French war". Germany at that time was a conglomeration of provinces, kingdoms, duchies & city-states, with northern Germany being predominantly protestant and southern Germany tending to be Catholic. There was a large immigration movement of Germans in the early 1700's as a result of constant conflict & displacement in the

area. It is possible that Godfrey may have been from Pfalz (Palatinate). It was common for the immigrants to 1st move down the Rhine River to Holland, and then on to England. Many sailed on to North America after that. "Jacob Dunham (1727-1779) of Lebanon, Conn. and Mayfield, N.Y. : his descendants and ancestors with five generations of English ancestors : also ancestors and descendants of Stephen Shew with historical accounts of the Shews, Sammons, and Dunhams" By Sophie Dunham Moore 1933. HISTORY OF THE GODFREY SHEW FAMILY by Susannah Shew, 1862.

The subject of this narrative is Godfrey Shew, who embarked from Germany about the year 1739 for the purpose of visiting this country. But alas, ere he completed half of his journey, his pleasure was clouded with sorrow. The ship was struck by lightening which caused a leak and all on board were in agony, expecting soon to find a watery grave. No time was lost pumping out the water and devising a plan to stop the leak, which they succeeded in doing the third day by spiking a piece of sole leather over the leak, then placing heavy boxes immediately on to close the valve. The exertion of all the passengers was so great that the insides of their hands were, in some cases, worn through to the bone. Although it was not his intention to remain in America, when he left home, after such extreme suffering he resolved when he reached New York "never to cross the ocean again". From thence he proceeded to view the country in Pennsylvania. There he married Katie Fry and remained in the State until some time after the close of the French and Indian War. He was in several battles and was wounded in his right arm, which caused his elbow to remain stiff afterwards.

He next moved to Johnstown, then Montgomery Co., with his wife and two children, John and Harry (Henry), at which place, four more children, Stephen, Jacob, Polly and Sally were added to the family. They remained there until about 1772 when they came to Fish-house village and built the first house in this village in the north end of the lot where the Methodist Church now stands. The only method then to obtain direction of their journey was by marked trees.

During the first year after the Shew family settled here, the only method provided to get bread was to go to Johnstown, a distance of about 18 miles and bring sacks of flour on their backs. The second year, they raised their own grain, but their labor, however, was doubled as they had to carry the grain to Johnstown and back again. Later they had a large mortar apparatus and converted the corn into syrup, thus obviating the labor to some degree. About two years after they settled here, Godfrey, Jr. was added to the family. He was the first white child born in this now beautiful and flourishing village. The family remained here until some time after the Revolutionary war broke out. On June 3, 1778, Mr. Shew, with his three sons, John, Stephen and Jacob -- Harry being absent -- were taken prisoners by the Tories and Indians who burned their buildings and killed their cattle, sheep and hogs. Mrs. Shew and three small children were left unaided, unprotected, and without any means of sustenance. Their only resource was to flee to Johnstown, which direction they obtained by marked trees. Three nights previous to the capture of Mr. Shew, & his three sons, the same Indians and Tories who took them prisoners left their bark canoes on the bank of the river about 4 rods East of the present dwelling house of L. P. Shew.

Some of the Shews saw the fire the next morning but were not alarmed as they were repeatedly assured by some professed friendly Indians, who had received favors from them, that no harm should befall them. The only satisfaction the prisoners received for mercy from "friendly Indians" was "me not know you". Two hatchets have since been found while clearing the land where they encamped. From Tribes Hill, they returned to their bark canoes with their prisoners compelling them to carry a heavy load of the provisions they had plundered.

They sailed for Quebec on the Sacandaga, and as often as they came to the rapids would take their boats out of the water and carry them on their heads. The first night after their departure from this place, Soloman Woodworth, one of the prisoners, ran away from them and returned home. The remainder submitted to their fate and traveled through the wilderness to Quebec where they were kept prisoners for some weeks. Their food consisted principally of horsemeat. This, however, was considered as a luxury when compared with previous refreshments, such as tainted beef made into soup. Every inducement was proffered them to join the British, but their love for freedom far

surpassed their love for gold. Said John Shew was noted for being a superior marksman and on this account, was not allowed to leave the Indians. The remainder were sent to Boston and exchanged for British prisoners. Mr. Shew and Stephen returned to Johnstown in pursuit of wife and other children. Jacob, having small pox, was allowed to remain behind until recovered. Stephen, Harry and Jacob, soon after their return enlisted in the American Army, leaving their father to care for the remainder of the family. Henry (Harry) was at the taking of Burgoyne; Stephen was one of the number to guard the Fort at Johnstown; and Jacob was in the Battle with the Indians near East Canada Creek. The company was 45 in number, two-thirds of whom were killed. Capt. Soloman Woodworth, above mentioned, was one of the number who fell at Jacob's side. He escaped, however, although one ball passed through the clothes of his body, another cut off his hair between the place where it was tied and his head. He was also on an expedition from Johnstown to Schuylerville, and encamped one night by the high road spring Saratoga, which was then a wilderness.

He was also on several scouting expeditions in various places. You are doubtless anxious to hear more about John, who was retained by the Indians. He was kept a prisoner for six months, and having won their confidence by a prompt return with plenty of game, was allowed to go out alone to hunt. After so long a confinement, he resolved to leave the first opportunity. To prepare for this scheme, he prolonged his stay each time and finally ran away from them. He subsisted principally on roots and herbs, not daring to shoot his gun, and as often as it became necessary to cross a stream of water, would travel a short distance up and down, in order to mislead his pursuers. It was a trial for him to have to part with his gun, when he swam across the St. Lawrence River, and yet it must have been a torture for him to have it and not be able to shoot it when he was starving for game. At length, he arrived home in safety, and remained there until peace was declared. He then resumed his favorite recreation and about a year from this time when engaged in the town of Milton, Saratoga Co., was suddenly called upon to halt by some eight or ten Indians to "Surrender and they would give him quarters".

Seeing no way to escape he therefore surrendered. They then bound his hands and feet and tortured him to death by shooting arrows into him and mangling him beyond description, as his friends were credibly informed by two or three who interred his remains. He was murdered Oct. 1780. An account of the torture was also related by one of the Tories several years later in the State of Michigan at some neighborhood gathering, when Harry was present. After this boasting of cruelty, the Tory concluded by saying, "We gave him quarters with a hell to it".

While Harry's blood was still boiling with rage he told this Tory never to repeat the incident again, informing him the subject of that torture was his brother. Upon hearing this, the Tory immediately started it again. Harry took off his coat and seized him, intent upon giving him quarters "ditto". The remainder of the gathering instantly formed a circle around them and suffered Harry to barely leave the Tory alive. After the war terminated, the family removed to Fish House wilderness and built in their former situation, and afterwards rebuilt 40 rods north of the school- house. The heads of the family here spent the remainder of their days. Mrs. Shew died in 1800 and Mr. Shew in 1804. Their remains were interred about 30 rods north of the monument to John Roosevelt, Jr.*The Frontiersmen of New York: Showing Customs of the Indians, Vicissitudes of the Pioneer White Settlers, and Border Strife in Two Wars By Jeptha Root Simms Published by G.C. Riggs, 1883. Volume 2. Original from Harvard University Digitized May 21, 2008, Page 216

Godfrey Shew, the father of Jacob Shew, emigrated from Germany to this country, at the age of 19, and just before the French war. In that war, he was a soldier under Sir William Johnson, and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he received a severe bullet wound in his right arm. At the close of the war, he went to Philadelphia, where he married a German girl named Catharine Frey, daughter of Henry Frey. It is supposed she was not the only child of her parents. On arriving in this country, the family landed in Philadelphia, at which time Catharine was nine years old, and she was sold into servitude to defray the expense of her passage, for the next nine years. The man who stipulated for her service was one of two brothers, Michael and Randall Hutchinson, citizens of Philadelphia. Not long after this child was thus disposed of, her parents removed to the Wyoming valley, with the understanding that at the expiration of her time, they would return for her ; but as they did not come, she

supposed they had been murdered in the French war. Fortunately the little stranger fell into Samaritan hands who appreciated her merits, and from whom she received parental kindness. Soon after his marriage, Godfrey Shew removed to Johnstown, N. Y., and settled on a farm two miles to the westward of Johnson hall. He lived at this place eight- or ten years, and then took up a farm of 100 acres under Sir William Johnson, 18 miles northeast of Johnstown, and near Johnson's fish house. Mr. Shew took possession with the promise of a permanent lease, occupying for a time a squatter's hut near the river. The Shew family erected and resided in a log dwelling in their pioneer residence at first, but they had hewn out timber for a framed building just as the Revolution began, and at its close, the timber was unfit for use.

Godfrey Shew raised seven children, five sons and two daughters, born in the following order : John, Henry, Stephen, Jacob, Mary, Godfrey and Sarah. The girls, when grown up, married Calvin and Alvin Jackson, brothers. When the struggle for liberty began, the Shew family were numbered among the patriotic ones of Tryon county

=== Death === : Death: :: Date: OCT 1805 :: Place: Northampton Twp., Fish House, Montgomery Co., NY Bk 1-74 Fulton (Montgomery) Co, N.Y. Repository: Montgomery County Department of History and Archives, Fonda, N.Y.

:'''Transcription of WILL OF GODFREY SHEW:''' :Made: 12 Feb 1805, :A resident of Town of Northampton, Montgomery Co., NY. : Witness: Caleb Watson & Samuel Scribner :Probate: 16 Oct 1805 before Surrogate James Lansing of Town of Johnstown, Montgomery Co., N.Y.

Give to youngest son, GODFREY, all my premises of the real property of Lot #2 out of Lot #26 of the NORTHAMPTON PATENT and also ten ackers of the same more or less that is called the TRYANGEL (triangle) Lot #3 out of Lot 26 of the Northampton Patent which I exchanged with my son JACOB SHEW, the hool containing one hundred ackers, and furthermore I give to my oldest son HENRY (Heneary) Shew $12.50, also to son STEPHEN SHEW $12.50, also to son JACOB SHEW $12.50, also to my daughter MARY JACKSON, $12.50, also to daughter SAREY JACKSON $12.50, also to my son JACOB'S OLDEST SON, GODFREY SHEW, being my GRANDSON, the sum of $12.50 for barying (bearing) my Christian name for him to remember me thereby and make good use of the name. Furthermore, it is my will that my son, GODFREY, shall rase this money to pay the above mentioned legatees out of my stock of cattel, horses, or other creatures or otherwise to agree themselves and, if not, by appraisal by good men. Furthermore, I give to CATHERINE SHEW, my DAUGHTER- IN-LAW, my son GODFREY SHEW'S wife, two beeds and all the furniture that is in my room now and all the rest of the household furniture excepting one chest that I give to my son GODFREY'S OLDEST DATTER, SUSANNAH, and the contents therein. Furthermore, I do make and apint JACOB and GODFREY SHEW to be Executors of this, my last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 12th day of Feb. 1805.

=== Immigration === : Immigration: :: Note: See excerpts from "Pennsylvania Germans, A Persistent Minority" by William T. Parsons for an excellent discussion of conditions confronting early 18th century German immigrants on the voyage to America and upon arrival at the Port of Philadelphia. It is probable that these or similar conditions were experienced by Godfrey Shew Sr.

::: An initial hazard for many, if not for a majority of the German arrivals, was the settlement of accounts for

passage across the Atlantic Ocean. "Redemptioners" were so handicapped by lack of funds that they signed indenture contracts with the ship captains in Rotterdam; their status was fixed before departure. "Freemen" or "free willers" were slightly better off. They sailed as free men but submitted to indentures after arrival.

: Immigration: :: Date: 23 OCT 1752 :: Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania :: Title: 1752 Gottfried Schutz immigrat

::: Note: "Names of foreigners who took the oath of allegiance to the province and state of Pennsylvania, 1727- 1775"

::: According to Donald Sawyer's fictionalized book, Godfrey's immigration was on the British ship "Gull" to New York City. I have found a record of a Johann Gottfried Schutz who was on the passenger list of the ship "Bawley" with Captain John Grove, having set sail from Rotterdam, Holland at the mouth of the Rhine River (the largest seaport in Europe in what is now The Netherlands), stopping on the way at the Port of Plymouth, England, and arriving in Philadelphia on October 23, 1752. All the passengers on the ship all swore an oath of allegiance to the King of England & Pennsylvania the same day. It is possible that this is actually Godfrey Shew.

Note: "Godfrey Shew, the father of Jacob Shew, emigrated from Germany to this country, at the age of 19, and just before the French war. In that war, he was a soldier under Sir William Johnson, and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he received a severe bullet wound in his right arm. At the close of the war, he went to Philadelphia, where he married a German girl named Catharine Frey, daughter of Henry Frey. It is supposed she was not the only child of her parents. On arriving in this country, the family landed in Philadelphia, at which time Catharine was nine years old, and she was sold into servitude to defray the expense of her passage, for the next nine years. The man who stipulated for her service was one of two brothers, Michael and Randall Hutchinson, citizens of Philadelphia. Not long after this child was thus disposed of, her parents removed to the Wyoming valley, with the understanding that at the expiration of her time, they would return for her ; but as they did not come, she supposed they had been murdered in the French war. Fortunately the little stranger fell into Samaritan hands who appreciated her merits, and from whom she received parental kindness. Soon after his marriage, Godfrey Shew removed to Johnstown, N. Y., and settled on a farm two miles to the westward of Johnson hall. He lived at this place eight- or ten years, and then took up a farm of 100 acres under Sir William Johnson, 18 miles northeast of Johnstown, and near Johnson's fish house. Mr. Shew took possession with the promise of a permanent lease, occupying for a time a squatter's hut near the river. The Shew family erected and resided in a log dwelling in their pioneer residence at first, but they had hewn out timber for a framed building just as the Revolution began, and at its close, the timber was unfit for use."Source: [[#S1]] Page: "Names of foreigners who took the oath of allegiance to the province and state of Pennsylvania, 1727-1775: with the foreign arrivals, 1786-1808", By William Henry Egle; Published by E. K. Meyers, state printer, 1892 ancestry.com, googlebooksSource: [[#S1]] Page: "Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727 to 1808", Vol. I by Ralph B.Strassburger & William J. Hinke, 1934, 1980 Ancestry.comSource: [[#S36]] Page: http://www.feedblitz.com/t.asp?/48932/2593374/http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2009/05/what- attracted-our-ancestors-to-the-new-world.html

=== Event === : Event: Milit-Beg :: Place: NY :: Note: According to Simms: "In that war (French & Indian, 1754-1763), he was a soldier under Sir William

Johnson, and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he received a severe bullet wound in his right arm." "Susannah Shew: "He was in several battles (French & Indian War) and was wounded in his right arm, which caused his elbow to remain stiff ever afterwards." ::: Using these 2 quotes from the 2 earliest sources available, I have tried to determine which battles Godfrey Shew could have participated in by finding Sir William Johnson's records, filed in the following several notes. ::: Godfrey could have been with Jelles Fonda 14 Oct, 1755 at Lake George. Jelles Fonda was a lieutenant under General Johnson in the French war. ::: ::: Capt. Henry Hanson's Company was the Mohawk Company in the Second Battalion of Albany County Militia commanded by Colonel Sir William Johnson, Baronet. This company was formed in 1760 and existed until 1775. Godfrey may have been connected with it. ::: ::: It appears that the Simms account cannot be completely correct, since Colonel William Johnson was not at the Taking of Fort Ticonderoga from the French (Jun27 - July 1759). ::: ::: Sir William Johnson In February 1748 was made colonel of the 14 militia companies on the New York frontier, and in May, 1748, colonel of the militia regiment for the city and county of Albany, positions which he held for the rest of his life. In April 1755 Braddock had also made Johnson commander, with the provincial commission of major-general, of an expedition to take Fort Saint-Frédéric. The campaign, which called as well for a force under Braddock to seize Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh, Pa) and one under William Shirley to take Fort Niagara (near Youngstown, N.Y.), was a dismal failure except for one engagement in which Johnson was involved early in September. At Lake George (Lac Saint-Sacrement) with part of his force of some 300 Indians headed by Theyanoguin* and 3,000 Americans, Johnson learned that a strong French column under Jean-Armand Dieskau* was moving towards Fort Edward, where the rest of his men were encamped. Johnson s relief detachment was ambushed and the survivors hotly pursued by some French regulars, who rashly attempted to take the hastily fortified position at Lake George by storm. They were cut to pieces by the Americans, and Dieskau was wounded and captured. Johnson, himself wounded early in the attack, played little part in the battle but was given credit for its outcome. When he visited New York City at the end of the year, he was greeted as a hero, and the king created him a baronet. ::: ::: July 7-8, 1758, a major British Army under General Abercromby was defeated in the Battle of Fort Carillon. "Some 400 Mohawk warriors led by Sir William Johnson finally arrived from Johnstown at Ticonderoga on 8 July. (2 days after the advance began) They choose to sit out the contest and watched the battle from the slopes of the 700' Mount Defiance(Rattlesnake Mt-1 mi west of Fort Ticonderoga)." Participating in this battle were 2715 Militia in 3 battalions from New York, and 2727 from Pennsylvania. It seems likely that Godfrey could also have been with one of these groups at this first battle of Fort Carillon in 1758, perhaps not under the command of Sir William Johnson. ::: ::: Determined not to repeat the tactical mistakes of 1758, Sir Jeffrey Amherst moved north from Lake George's Fort Edwards to cut off French supply lines to Fort Carillon. The French quickly withdrew most of their remaining forces as the British advanced June 27, 1759, and the fort fell to Amherst after a 4 day seige in early July 1759. Sir William Johnson was not there. ::: ::: Col. Johnson participated under the command of British Brigadier General John Prideaux in the taking of Fort Oswego in June 1759 and he was second in command beginning July 6, 1759 at the 20 day seige & battle of Fort Niagara. French Captain Pouchot directed a vigorous defense that claimed British Brigadier General John Prideaux's life several days into the siege. Command of the British army then fell to Sir William Johnson. The French capitulated on July 26 after a French relief force was defeated at the Battle of La Belle-Famille two miles south of Fort Niagara. :::

::: Godfrey Shew could have been with the 1000 man provincial militia under Sir William Johnson in June-July 1759 at Fort Niagara, or he could have been at the taking of Fort Ticonderoga with Amherst, but not both.Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Frontiersmen of New York: Showing Customs of the Indians, Vicissitudes of the Pioneer White Settlers, and Border Strife in Two Wars By Jeptha Root Simms Published by G.C. Riggs, 1883 Volume 2 Original from Harvard University Digitized May 21, 2008 Page 216 N

Source: [[#S36]] Page: http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?BioId=36096 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Carillon_(1758) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ticonderoga_(1759) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_NiagaraSource: [[#S1]] Page: Ticonderoga 1758: Montcalm's Victory Against All Odds By Rene Chartrand, Patrice Courcelle Published by Osprey Publishing, 2000 ISBN 1841760935, 9781841760933 96 pages page 36, 37 Note: "Some 400 Mohawk warriors led by Sir William Johnson finally arrived at Ticonderoga on 8 July. (2 days after the advance began) They choose to sit out the contest and watched the battle from the slopes of Mount Defiance."Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Epic Battles for Ticonderoga, 1758 By William R. Nester Published by SUNY Press, 2008 ISBN 079147321X, 9780791473214 264 pages page 79, pg 103 googlebooks.comSource: [[#S1]] Page: "THe History of Montgomery County" Town of Mohawk http://threerivershms.com/twnmohawk.pdf Note: Jelles Fonda was a lieutenant under General Johnson in the French war. A picture of him in this connection is afforded by the following report to his superior, which is more amusing to the reader than it could have been to the writer: "CAMP AT LAKE GEORGE 14 Octr 1755. " A Report of the Scout under my Command being in number i Sergint and 12 Men Agreeable to orders Came op first with the party Commanded by Lut: Van Shaick who was on the return back to this Camp and asked the Reason why they returned so soon or why they had not preceded as an accident had happened to one of their men he sayd he was sick and unfit to proced on which I left him and Came up with the party Commanded by Capt" Syms, who was waiting for orders on which I then gave him the orders I Received from gen" Johnson Aid De Camp to March forward upon which all Excepting Refused, to proced and then I asked my party to go ana take their Blanketts and provisions which they Denied Except with their own Officers and I then Called and said all you that are Cowards Come and He take y' names Down and they Come so thick that I Could see But 10 or 12 Left of the whole party & they mostly Consisting of New Yorkers and then I asked the Commander what he woud do or whether he understood me that he was to go forward he said he believed he would Come back and so we returned to this Camp. "JELLES FONDA." : Event: :: Type: Milit-Beg :: Date: 06 JUL 1758 :: Place: Fort Carillion (Ticonderoga), Essex Co., NY :: Note: During July 7-8, 1758, a major British Army under General Abercromby was defeated in the Battle of Fort Carillon. "Some 400 Mohawk warriors led by Sir William Johnson finally arrived from Johnstown at Ticonderoga on 8 July. (2 days after the advance began) They choose to sit out the contest and watched the battle from the slopes of the 700' Mount Defiance(Rattlesnake Mountain, 1 mi west of Fort Ticonderoga)." Participating in this battle were 2715 Militia in 3 battalions from New York, and 2727 from Pennsylvania. It seems likely that Godfrey Shew could also have been with one of these Pennsylvania or New York groups at this first battle of Fort Carillon in 1758, perhaps not under the command of Sir William Johnson.Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Frontiersmen of New York: Showing Customs of the Indians, Vicissitudes of the Pioneer White Settlers, and Border Strife in Two Wars By Jeptha Root Simms Published by G.C. Riggs, 1883 Volume 2 Original from Harvard University Digitized May 21, 2008 Page 216 Note: Godfrey Shew, the father of Jacoh Shew, emigrated from Germany to this country, at the age of 19, and just before the French war. In that war, he was a soldier under Sir William Johnson, and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he received a severe bullet wound in his right arm. At the close of the war, he went to Philadelphia, where he married a German girl named Catharine Frey, daughter of Henry Frey. It is supposed she was not the only child of her parents. On arriving in this country, the family landed in Philadelphia, at which time Catharine was nine years old, and she was sold into servitude to defray the expense of her passage, for the next nine years. The man who stipulated for her service was one of two brothers, Michael

and Randall Hutchinson, citizens of Philadelphia. Not long after this child was thus disposed of, her parents removed to the Wyoming valley, with the understanding that at the expiration of her time, they would return for her ; but as they did not come, she supposed they had been murdered in the French war. Fortunately the little stranger fell into Samaritan hands who appreciated her merits, and from whom she received parental kindness. Soon after his marriage, Godfrey Shew removed to Johnstown, N. Y., and settled on a farm two miles to the westward of Johnson hall. He lived at this place eight- or ten years, and then took up a farm of 100 acres under Sir William Johnson, 18 miles northeast of Johnstown, and near Johnson's fish house. Mr. Shew took possession with the promise of a permanent lease, occupying for a time a squatter's hut near the river. The Shew family erected and resided in a log dwelling in their pioneer residence at first, but they had hewn out timber for a framed building just as the Revolution began, and at its close, the timber was unfit for use. The Shew Family, and Others Surprised by the Enemy. Godfrey Shew raised seven children, five sons and two daughters, born in the following order : John, Henry, Stephen, Jacob, Mary, Godfrey and Sarah. The girls, when grown up, married Calvin and Alvin Jackson, brothers. When the struggle for liberty began, the Shew family were numbered among the patriotic ones of Tryon county

"He proceeded to view the country in Pennsylvania. There he married Katie Fry & remained in that state until some time after the close of the French War. He was in several battles and was wounded in his right arm, which caused his elbow to remain stiff ever afterwards."Source: [[#S36]] Page: http://www.biographi.ca/009004- 119.01-e.php?BioId=36096 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Carillon_(1758) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ticonderoga_(1759) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_NiagaraSource: [[#S1]] Page: Ticonderoga 1758: Montcalm's Victory Against All Odds By Rene Chartrand, Patrice Courcelle Published by Osprey Publishing, 2000 ISBN 1841760935, 9781841760933 96 pages page 36, 37 Note: "Some 400 Mohawk warriors led by Sir William Johnson finally arrived at Ticonderoga on 8 July. (2 days after the advance began) They choose to sit out the contest and watched the battle from the slopes of Mount Defiance."Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Epic Battles for Ticonderoga, 1758 By William R. Nester Published by SUNY Press, 2008 ISBN 079147321X, 9780791473214 264 pages page 79, pg 103 googlebooks.comSource: [[#S1]] Page: "THe History of Montgomery County" Town of Mohawk http://threerivershms.com/twnmohawk.pdf Note: Jelles Fonda was a lieutenant under General Johnson in the French war. A picture of him in this connection is afforded by the following report to his superior, which is more amusing to the reader than it could have been to the writer: "CAMP AT LAKE GEORGE 14 Octr 1755. " A Report of the Scout under my Command being in number i Sergint and 12 Men Agreeable to orders Came op first with the party Commanded by Lut: Van Shaick who was on the return back to this Camp and asked the Reason why they returned so soon or why they had not preceded as an accident had happened to one of their men he sayd he was sick and unfit to proced on which I left him and Came up with the party Commanded by Capt" Syms, who was waiting for orders on which I then gave him the orders I Received from gen" Johnson Aid De Camp to March forward upon which all Excepting Refused, to proced and then I asked my party to go ana take their Blanketts and provisions which they Denied Except with their own Officers and I then Called and said all you that are Cowards Come and He take y' names Down and they Come so thick that I Could see But 10 or 12 Left of the whole party & they mostly Consisting of New Yorkers and then I asked the Commander what he woud do or whether he understood me that he was to go forward he said he believed he would Come back and so we returned to this Camp. "JELLES FONDA." : Event: :: Type: Milit-Beg :: Date: 01 JUL 1759 :: Place: Fort Carillion, Essex Co., NY :: Note: Determined not to repeat the tactical mistakes of 1758, Sir Jeffrey Amherst moved north from Lake George's Fort Edwards to cut off French supply lines to Fort Carillon. The French quickly withdrew most of their remaining forces as the British advanced June 27, 1759, and the fort fell to Amherst after a 4 day seige July 1, 1759. Sir William Johnson was not there. ::: At that same time, Col. Johnson was participating under the command of British Brigadier General John

Prideaux in the taking of Fort Oswego in June 1759 and he was second in command beginning July 6, 1759 at the 20 day seige & battle of Fort Niagara. French Captain Pouchot directed a vigorous defense that claimed British Brigadier General John Prideaux's life several days into the siege. Command of the British army then fell to Sir William Johnson. The French capitulated on July 26 after a French relief force was defeated at the Battle of La Belle-Famille two miles south of Fort Niagara. ::: ::: It appears that the Simms account cannot be completely correct, since Colonel William Johnson was not at the Taking of Fort Ticonderoga from the French (Jun27 - July 1759). Godfrey Shew could have been with the 1000 man provincial militia under Sir William Johnson in June-July 1759 at Fort Niagara, or he could have been at the taking of Fort Ticonderoga with Amherst, but not both.Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Frontiersmen of New York: Showing Customs of the Indians, Vicissitudes of the Pioneer White Settlers, and Border Strife in Two Wars By Jeptha Root Simms Published by G.C. Riggs, 1883 Volume 2 Original from Harvard University Digitized May 21, 2008 Page 216 Note: Godfrey Shew, the father of Jacoh Shew, emigrated from Germany to this country, at the age of 19, and just before the French war. In that war, he was a soldier under Sir William Johnson, and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he received a severe bullet wound in his right arm. At the close of the war, he went to Philadelphia, where he married a German girl named Catharine Frey, daughter of Henry Frey. It is supposed she was not the only child of her parents. On arriving in this country, the family landed in Philadelphia, at which time Catharine was nine years old, and she was sold into servitude to defray the expense of her passage, for the next nine years. The man who stipulated for her service was one of two brothers, Michael and Randall Hutchinson, citizens of Philadelphia. Not long after this child was thus disposed of, her parents removed to the Wyoming valley, with the understanding that at the expiration of her time, they would return for her ; but as they did not come, she supposed they had been murdered in the French war. Fortunately the little stranger fell into Samaritan hands who appreciated her merits, and from whom she received parental kindness. Soon after his marriage, Godfrey Shew removed to Johnstown, N. Y., and settled on a farm two miles to the westward of Johnson hall. He lived at this place eight- or ten years, and then took up a farm of 100 acres under Sir William Johnson, 18 miles northeast of Johnstown, and near Johnson's fish house. Mr. Shew took possession with the promise of a permanent lease, occupying for a time a squatter's hut near the river. The Shew family erected and resided in a log dwelling in their pioneer residence at first, but they had hewn out timber for a framed building just as the Revolution began, and at its close, the timber was unfit for use. The Shew Family, and Others Surprised by the Enemy. Godfrey Shew raised seven children, five sons and two daughters, born in the following order : John, Henry, Stephen, Jacob, Mary, Godfrey and Sarah. The girls, when grown up, married Calvin and Alvin Jackson, brothers. When the struggle for liberty began, the Shew family were numbered among the patriotic ones of Tryon countySource: [[#S1]] Page: Ticonderoga 1758: Montcalm's Victory Against All Odds By Rene Chartrand, Patrice Courcelle Published by Osprey Publishing, 2000 ISBN 1841760935, 9781841760933 96 pages page 36, 37 Note: "Some 400 Mohawk warriors led by Sir William Johnson finally arrived at Ticonderoga on 8 July. (2 days after the advance began) They choose to sit out the contest and watched the battle from the slopes of Mount Defiance."Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Epic Battles for Ticonderoga, 1758 By William R. Nester Published by SUNY Press, 2008 ISBN 079147321X, 9780791473214 264 pages page 79, pg 103 googlebooks.comSource: [[#S1]] Page: "THe History of Montgomery County" Town of Mohawk http://threerivershms.com/twnmohawk.pdf Note: Jelles Fonda was a lieutenant under General Johnson in the French war. A picture of him in this connection is afforded by the following report to his superior, which is more amusing to the reader than it could have been to the writer: "CAMP AT LAKE GEORGE 14 Octr 1755. " A Report of the Scout under my Command being in number i Sergint and 12 Men Agreeable to orders Came op first with the party Commanded by Lut: Van Shaick who was on the return back to this Camp and asked the Reason why they returned so soon or why they had not preceded as an accident had happened to one of their men he sayd he was sick and unfit to proced on which I left him and Came up with the party Commanded by Capt" Syms, who was waiting for orders on which I then gave him the orders I Received from gen" Johnson Aid De Camp to March forward upon which all Excepting Refused, to proced and then I asked my party to go ana take their Blanketts and provisions which they Denied Except with their own Officers and I then Called and said all you that are Cowards Come and He take y' names Down and they Come so thick that I Could see But 10 or 12 Left

of the whole party & they mostly Consisting of New Yorkers and then I asked the Commander what he woud do or whether he understood me that he was to go forward he said he believed he would Come back and so we returned to this Camp. "JELLES FONDA." : Event: :: Type: Milit-Beg :: Date: 1760 :: Place: NY :: Note: Capt. Henry Hanson's Company was the Mohawk Company in the Second Battalion of Albany County Militia commanded by Colonel Sir William Johnson, Baronet. This company was formed in 1760 and existed until 1775. Godfrey may have been connected with it.Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Frontiersmen of New York: Showing Customs of the Indians, Vicissitudes of the Pioneer White Settlers, and Border Strife in Two Wars By Jeptha Root Simms Published by G.C. Riggs, 1883 Volume 2 Original from Harvard University Digitized May 21, 2008 Page 216 Note: Godfrey Shew, the father of Jacoh Shew, emigrated from Germany to this country, at the age of 19, and just before the French war. In that war, he was a soldier under Sir William Johnson, and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he received a severe bullet wound in his right arm. At the close of the war, he went to Philadelphia, where he married a German girl named Catharine Frey, daughter of Henry Frey. It is supposed she was not the only child of her parents. On arriving in this country, the family landed in Philadelphia, at which time Catharine was nine years old, and she was sold into servitude to defray the expense of her passage, for the next nine years. The man who stipulated for her service was one of two brothers, Michael and Randall Hutchinson, citizens of Philadelphia. Not long after this child was thus disposed of, her parents removed to the Wyoming valley, with the understanding that at the expiration of her time, they would return for her ; but as they did not come, she supposed they had been murdered in the French war. Fortunately the little stranger fell into Samaritan hands who appreciated her merits, and from whom she received parental kindness. Soon after his marriage, Godfrey Shew removed to Johnstown, N. Y., and settled on a farm two miles to the westward of Johnson hall. He lived at this place eight- or ten years, and then took up a farm of 100 acres under Sir William Johnson, 18 miles northeast of Johnstown, and near Johnson's fish house. Mr. Shew took possession with the promise of a permanent lease, occupying for a time a squatter's hut near the river. The Shew family erected and resided in a log dwelling in their pioneer residence at first, but they had hewn out timber for a framed building just as the Revolution began, and at its close, the timber was unfit for use. The Shew Family, and Others Surprised by the Enemy. Godfrey Shew raised seven children, five sons and two daughters, born in the following order : John, Henry, Stephen, Jacob, Mary, Godfrey and Sarah. The girls, when grown up, married Calvin and Alvin Jackson, brothers. When the struggle for liberty began, the Shew family were numbered among the patriotic ones of Tryon countySource: [[#S1]] Page: Ticonderoga 1758: Montcalm's Victory Against All Odds By Rene Chartrand, Patrice Courcelle Published by Osprey Publishing, 2000 ISBN 1841760935, 9781841760933 96 pages page 36, 37 Note: "Some 400 Mohawk warriors led by Sir William Johnson finally arrived at Ticonderoga on 8 July. (2 days after the advance began) They choose to sit out the contest and watched the battle from the slopes of Mount Defiance."Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Epic Battles for Ticonderoga, 1758 By William R. Nester Published by SUNY Press, 2008 ISBN 079147321X, 9780791473214 264 pages page 79, pg 103 googlebooks.comSource: [[#S1]] Page: "THe History of Montgomery County" Town of Mohawk http://threerivershms.com/twnmohawk.pdf Note: Jelles Fonda was a lieutenant under General Johnson in the French war. A picture of him in this connection is afforded by the following report to his superior, which is more amusing to the reader than it could have been to the writer: "CAMP AT LAKE GEORGE 14 Octr 1755. " A Report of the Scout under my Comman d being in number i Sergint and 12 Men Agreeable to orders Came op first with the party Commanded by Lut: Van Shaick who was on the return back to this Camp and asked the Reason why they returned so soon or why they had not preceded as an accident had happened to one of their men he sayd he was sick and unfit to proced on which I left him and Came up with the party Commanded by Capt" Syms, who was waiting for orders on which I then gave him the orders I Received from gen" Johnson Aid De Camp to March forward upon which all Excepting Refused, to proced and then I asked my party to go ana take their Blanketts and provisions which they Denied Except with their own Officers and I then Called and said all you that are Cowards Come and He take y' names Down and they Come so thick that I Could see But 10 or 12 Left of the whole party &

they mostly Consisting of New Yorkers and then I asked the Commander what he woud do or whether he understood me that he was to go forward he said he believed he would Come back and so we returned to this Camp. "JELLES FONDA."

: Event: Moved :: Date: 1761 :: Place: Albany Co., NY :: Note: According to his son Henry's pension application, "His father [Godfrey] moved his family including this deponent [son Henry] to Albany in the State of New York when this deponent was 2 or 3 years old..." This may have referred to Albany County rather than the City of Albany.Source: [[#S28]] Page: Revolutionary War Pension Monroe, Michigan 29,744 Book 2, volumn 9, page 107 by an Act of US Congress Jun 7, 1832 Footnote.com Heritagequest.com Note: "His father moved his family jncluding this deponent to Albany in the State of New York when this deponent was 2 or 3 years old, and about a year afterwards removed to Johnstown in Montgomery County in the State of New York. The above account of facts was issued from deponents father & mother. This deponent lived at Johnstown until he was about 11 years old when he moved with his father's family to a place called Northampton in the same county & lived there until the war of the Revolution commenced." : Event: Moved :: Date: 1762 :: Place: Johnstown, Albany Co., NY

::: Title: Johnson Hall ::: File: C:\Users\Pete Shew\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8\Exhibits\Johnson Hall.jpg ::: Note: Johnson Hall built 1762 by Sir William Johnson :: Note: This is the year that Johnstown was founded by Sir William Johnson & Johnson Hall was built. Johnson then proceeded to import settlers to his lands surrounding Johnson Hall. "... when this deponent (Henry Shew) was 2 or 3 years old, and about a year afterwards (The Shews) removed to Johnstown in Montgomery County in the State of New York. The above account of facts was issued from deponent's father & mother. This deponent lived at Johnstown until he was about 11 years old..."Source: [[#S28]] Page: Revolutionary War Pension Monroe, Michigan 29,744 Book 2, volumn 9, page 107 by an Act of US Congress Jun 7, 1832 Footnote.com Heritagequest.com Note: "His father moved his family jncluding this deponent to Albany in the State of New York when this deponent was 2 or 3 years old, and about a year afterwards removed to Johnstown in Montgomery County in the State of New York. The above account of facts was issued from deponents father & mother. This deponent lived at Johnstown until he was about 11 years old when he moved with his father's family to a place called Northampton in the same county & lived there until the war of the Revolution commenced."Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Frontiersmen of New York: Showing Customs of the Indians, Vicissitudes of the Pioneer White Settlers, and Border Strife in Two Wars By Jeptha Root Simms Published by G.C. Riggs, 1883 Volume 2 Original from Harvard University Digitized May 21, 2008 Pages 477-480 Note: INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF JACOB SHEW - This is the narrative of the venerable patriot, Jacob Shew; of his own captivity, and that of 15 other captives made in the Mayfield and Sacandaga settlements. It was obtained from conversation's with him by the author, Jeptha Simms prior to 1850, at which time Mr. Shew was a resident of Fulton County, N.Y. To follow the footsteps of a soldier, long after his fatiguing marches and counter-marches have ended, and with him, in imagination, fight his battles over again, sharing his dangers and privations; though it prove a thankless task, is nevertheless a profitable and pleasing one. If we are to know the true value of our liberty, we must learn its cost in blood, sweat, and tears, hunger, pain and privation; by following in our minds, the pioneer settler to his peril-encompassed log cabin. After all, the histories of interesting people and locations are to a nation, what inlets are to the mountain rivulet. Godfrey Shew, the father of Jacob Shew, emigrated from Germany to this country, at the age of 19, and just before the French & Indian War. In that war he was an enlisted soldier under the command of Sir William Johnson, and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he received a severe bullet wound in his right arm. At the close of the war, he went to Philadelphia, where he met and married a German girl named Katherine Frey, daughter of Henry Frey. (It is supposed she was not the only child of her parents). On

arriving in this country, the Frey family landed in Philadelphia, at which time Katherine was nine years old and was sold into servitude for the next nine years to defray the expense of her passage. The man to whom she was indentured was one of two brothers, Michael or Randall Hutchinson, citizens of Philadelphia. Not long after Katherine was disposed of, her parents removed to the Wyoming Valley, with the understanding that at the expiration date of her time, they would return for her; but as they did not return, she supposed they had been murdered in the French & Indian War. Fortunately she was left in the good hands of the brothers who appreciated her merits, and from whom she received parental kindness. Soon after their marriage, Godfrey and Katherine Shew removed to Johnstown, N.Y., and settled on a farm two miles west of Johnson Hall. They lived at this place eight or ten years, and then took up a farm of 100 acres under Sir William Johnson, 18 miles northeast of Johnstown, near Johnson's fish house. Mr. Shew took possession of the land with the promise of a permanent lease, occupying for a time a squatter's hut near the river. The Shew family erected and resided in a log dwelling in their pioneer residence at first, but they had hewn out timber for a framed building just as the Revolution began, and by its close, the timber was unfit for use. THE SHEW FAMILY, AND OTHERS SURPRISED BY THE ENEMY - Godfrey and Katherine Shew raised seven children, five sons and two daughters, born in the following order: John, Henry, Stephen, Jacob, Mary, Godfrey and Sarah The girls, when grown, married Calvin and Alvin Jackson , brothers. When the struggle for liberty began, the Shew family were numbered among the patriotic ones of Tryon County; and although many of the frontier settlers left their homes for less exposed situations when Indian depredations began in 1777, the Shew family chose to remain and brave the dangers of their forest home. On the south side of the great Sacandaga Vlaie, some two miles westward from the Shews, dwelt Robert Martin and Zebulon Algar occupying the same house; and four or five miles still farther west lived Solomon Woodworth, who were also men of the times. They, too, remained exposed, after the British Indians were let loose. John and Henry Shew had several times been on militia duty in 1776 and 1777, as had Solomon Woodworth, who was a sergeant. In the afternoon of June 2, 1778, Woodworth having occasion to call on his neighbor Martin, found to his surprise, that his dwelling was tenantless, and conjecturing the family might be prisoners with the enemy; and armed with his unerring riffle, he went to the Shew's to communicate his suspicions; arriving there early in the evening. Shew's family were all at home except Henry, who had accompanied Zebulon Algar to Johnstown on an errand. As it was too late and hazardous for Woodworth to return to his own dwelling that evening, he tarried overnight at Shew's , and preparations were to give the enemy a warm reception, should the house be attacked in the night. As a precautionary measure adopted, a large pile of stones was deposited at the head of the stairway , and Jacob was stationed all night beside it, ready to cast down his cold shot upon the foe. The inmates of the house were not disturbed during the night, and after breakfast in the morning, Woodworth, Mr. Shew and his son John went out to discover , if possible, what had become of the Martin Family. Finding the house still deserted, the three proceeded in the direction of Summer House Point , two miles distant, in the hope of obtaining some trace of the absentees. On the way, John, who was a sportsman and a dead shot, saw a noble buck crossing his path, and forgetting his foes for the moment, he raised his rifle and shot it. Leaving the animal where it fell until their return, where it probably rotted, the trio proceeded onward, but in a short distance they were surprised by a dozen Indians who had been encamped nearby; now drawn to the spot by the young hunters rifle. Woodworth was about to flee, when the elder Shew, observing the Indians poise their rifles, seized and held him, fearing if he started he would be shot. It now turned out that about 100 of the enemy, Indians and Tories led by Lieut. (afterwards Major) Ross, had come from Canada by the northern route, many of them to remove their families thither. They were also desirous of taking back some patriots as prisoners, with the plunder their dwellings might afford. That they should not be thwarted in the main object of the expedition, they crossed the Sacandaga two miles below the Fish House, where they concealed their canoes, and from thence proceeded with great circumspection to the river settlement near Tribes Hill, where most of their friends resided. They avoided doing any act that might betray their visit to any of the little forts in the neighborhood and elicit pursuit and having collected the Indian and Tory families sought, as expeditiously as possible, they were gathering to take their canoes, when fortune gave them the three prisoners named; having confined their range for prisoners and plunder to the dwellings of the outsiders of civilization. In Philadelphia bush, north of Tribes Hill, they captured Charles Morris and his son John, George Cough, and his son Henry, and an old gentleman named Eikler, who, for some unknown reason, was liberated; and passing through Fonda's Bush they added to their prisoners, John Putnam, Joseph Scott, John Reese, Herman Salisbury, and

Andreas Bowman. The prisoners named in this connection, as also Robert Martin and David Harris, a lad aged 16 years then living with the latter, were made captives on the 2nd day of June; and the Shews and Woodworth, on the following. On the night of the 2nd, the enemy was encamped with their prisoners at a little distance southeast of Summer House Point. After securing Woodworth and his companions, the enemy proceeded directly to Mr. Shew's dwelling, which they had intended to visit on breaking up their camp in the morning. When his father left home, he charged his son Jacob Shew to keep a good lookout up the river for the foe. Mr. Shew's house was situated in a ravine between two gentle elevations, upon which Mr. Rosevelt and Mr. Grinnell erected nice dwellings about the year 1840. On the westerly one near the site of the Grinnell mansion, Jacob took his station. His vigils had lasted perhaps two hours, when he descried a canoe containing several Indians coming sown the creek from Summer House Point. (1) He had not heard the report of his brothers rifle some time before, and on seeing the canoe he ran home to report his discovery; where the party with the prisoners named had already arrived from an opposite direction. Jacob and his brother Stephen now increased the number of prisoners to 16. Jacob, one of the youngest captives, was born April 15, 1763, being 15 years old when taken. COULD NOT POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND - Several Indians among the invaders, the most of whom were Mohawks, were not only old acquaintances, but long and professed friends of Mr. Shew; from whom they had received numerous favors. The vicinity of his location being a great resort for fisherman and hunters; at times a dozen Indians slept at his house in a single night, partaking, while there, the hospitality of his table. He was assured by Aaron and David, two of his Indian friends who were brothers, when they followed the fortunes of the Johnson Family to Canada, that for the numerous favors they had received from their "white brother", as they called him, he should be duly notified of impending danger, and not be injured or captured in his isolated retreat. This promise of the Indians was heard by young Jacob. Accordingly, pretending not to consider himself a prisoner on reaching home, the elder Shew was very attentive to the wants of his quondam friends. Observing they were reserved and stoical, he took occasion to remind them of their former promises. David, with a guttural grunt and shrug of the shoulders, replied in his native dialect, "Yok- tah cock-a-rungkee!" (I dont understand you!). Proving for once, at least, the old adage false, which said an Indian could never forget a favor. Owing to a combination of circumstances, the enemy were more humane than usual in this invasion, as no women or small children were either killed or carried into captivity. The dwellings of all the captives, except that of Woodworth, which was several miles out of the way, were plundered; and after taking from Shew's house whatever they desired, the enemy suffered Mrs. Shew and her three youngest children to remain on the premises, but left them houseless; for now being out of danger of pursuit, as they believed, the torch was applied and the house mostly consumed before the incendiaries left it. The barn would have escaped destruction as the party had all moved forward, but for William Bowen, a Tory present, who also had received many favors from the Shew family. Looking back, the knave exclaimed "What, are you going to let the cursed rebels barn Stand?". He then ran back some rods back to the burning house, got a fire-brand, set the barn on fire and soon it was a heap of ruins. The invaders under Lt. Ross, who was a British Officer, were all Indians but five, and well known to the Shew family. They were two brothers named Bowen, James Lintz, Sweeny and Louks. The latter was painted and clad like an Indian, but Mr. Shew recognized him soon after his capture and told him he need not paint to disguise his real character. Finding himself detected, he washed off his paint and did not use it again during his journey, to Canada. Among the plunder made at Shew's, was about 500 pounds of maple sugar, which the family had made that spring and were husbanding with care to make it last through the year. The Indian's tomahawks were put in requisition, and soon all the enemy were running about with large cakes, the family not being allowed a morsel of it. This looked cruel to the children, who's mouths watered in vain for the saccharine plunder. Mrs. Shew, after seeing her husband and two sons led off into the forest, and her buildings and their contents destroyed or carried away, set out for Johnstown, 18 miles distant, with feelings none can justly realize at this late day. A Tory squatter, an old Irishman named Kennedy (2), aided Mrs. Shew and her children in crossing the Kennyetto at Summer House Point, from whence they proceeded to the house of Warren Howell (3) , a pioneer settler in Mayfield, 8 miles from the ashes of her own home. The fugitives were kindly treated at Howell's, considering the bias of the family, and remained there over night. On the following day they set forward , and were met at Philadelphia Bush by Mrs. Amasa Stevens and Miss Hannah Putman (4), daughters of Lodowyck Putman, on horseback. They had heard of Mrs. Shew's misfortunes, and thus proceeded to meet and assist her in getting to a place of safety. Mrs. Shew tarried all night with the hospitable Putman family, and arrived the next day with her children at the Johnstown

Fort. Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Algar, with their children, were kept in the enemy's camp on the night Martin was captured (possibly where the families of other captives were) and the following morning were set across the Kennyetto at Summer House Point, in the canoe which Henry Shew had left there, and proceeded on by Sir William Johnson's road (5) via Philadelphia Bush to Johnstown, where they arrived before Mrs. Shew. Of the plunder taken along by the enemy, were four good horses, one of which belonged to Algar, the others to the Shew family. From Shew's place the party proceeded down the river to their canoes. Increased, as the party was, by 20 or 30 Indian families, from Tribes Hill, and the prisoners, the watercraft -- some 20 canoes, including the one from Summer House Point -- was found insufficient, and two large elm trees were cut down, from the bark of which two canoes were made and put afloat in about three hours, each carrying four or five men with their packs. A part of the warriors swam the river with the horses and proceeded along its northern shore, while the remainder, with their prisoners and families, floated down the river in canoes. At the rapids, about 20 miles from the starting point and near the present village of Conklingville, the party halted for the night, the canoes being all drawn out to shore. An Indian chief named Peter Sword, who made known his sir-name to the prisoners by significantly extending his right arm, appeared to share the command with Ross; having, much of the time, most of the say. The prisoners were assembled every night and morning and counted in a novel manner. Peter, standing upon his feet, would drop his hands upon his knees, strain open his eyes like a monkey, and for every prisoner give a shrill whoop, to be numbered by another of the party. He seemed pleased when, at the end of his labor the first night, the invoice ran up to sixteen. He also made a speech every morning to the Indians, just before or just after numbering the prisoners. In counting the captives at the first morning's dawn, the tally fell short one; when Peter sprang up from his recumbent position in evident surprise, and hastily scanning the prisoners he exclaimed in no very good humor- "Ump! Yankee gone!". The most of his prisoners were German. The prisoners were bound nights, and usually an Indian slept on each side of every captive; but early in the evening, after his capture, Woodworth feigned sudden illness with choleramorbus, and he was loosened to vomit, or rather try to, with no little contortion of body and visage, and he was, to all appearances, very sick, having often to run to the bank of the river, whither no one followed him, he was not rebound. His illness only lasted, however, until his foes were all asleep, who flushed with their recent success, did not practice their usual vigilance. Proceeding to the river, Woodworth set a canoe adrift -- not recovered by the enemy -- to make them believe he had crossed the stream; but instead of doing so he struck off up the river on its easterly shore, arriving near the site of the present village of Northville early in the morning -- 25 miles from where he had been obliged to abandoned his trusty rifle. At this point he forded the river, returned home, to the great joy of his family, and with it he arrived in Johnstown in the evening of the day after his captivity. The water party consisting of part of the enemy, most of the prisoners and the removing families, went down the Sacandaga to the Hudson, crossed that river and transported their canoes to the shore of Lake George. In a carrying place about a mile distant from the lake, they found a three-handed bateau, which they took along. They floated north through Lakes George and Champlain to St. Johns, always encamping on the shore at night. The party on land with the horses proceeded along the western side of the lakes, and at the south end of Lake Champlain both parties came together. John Shew, known by the enemy to be a good woodsman, was taken with the party on land. The Algar horse having broken a leg on the uneven ground, was killed and eaten by its new owners. The best horse of the three taken at Shew's, was owned by young Stephen. When the parties united, Stephen again saw his favorite animal grazing with its fellows, and could not give up the idea of its being his property. Pointing to it he observed to an Indian who had the care of it -- "That is my horse!". "Umph ! He mine now!" replied the Indian, by way of comfort to the boy. The food of the water party and probably that of the other, consisted principally of fresh mutton, beef, poultry, etc., obtained as plunder on the premises of the prisoners. The meat was soon fly blown, but the Indians made soup of it. Jacob Shew carried the saddle of a sheep from the Sacondaga to Lake George. The prisoners generally had food enough, although Indian's fare, but for two days near the end of their journey, the water party fasted: enjoying the occupation of eating moldy biscuits--several barrels of which had been left in that neighborhood by a cut-off party of Burgoyne's men the year before. While the enemy were without food, says George Cough, they thought seriously of killing the elder Shew to replenish their larder. After a halt of one day at St. John's, the parties united, set out for Montreal. At an Indian village situated some miles above Montreal, called Caughnawaga, all the prisoners were obliged to run the gauntlet. The lines were composed principally of Indian men armed with birch gads, who loosened the jackets of the prisoners, but none were seriously injured. The

captives were 12 days going from the Fish House to Montreal, where a British officer paid twelve dollars and a half each for these of them the Indians chose to give up. Mr. Cough and his son, John Shew, Scott and Bowman were not given up with the rest as prisoners of war, but were retained by the Indians and taken to their homes. What reward, if any, was paid for their capture is unknown. At the time of this invasion, the enemy were desirous of getting prisoners for exchange, and offered a more liberal bounty for prisoners than for scalps; this probably accounts for there having been no blood shed by Ross's party; believed to have been an unparalleled instance of humanity exercised by Canadian invaders during the war. The 10 captives retained as prisoners of war were kept at Montreal for several weeks and then sent up to Quebec on a sloop, from which they were transferred to the ship Maria, under the command of Capt. Max, and remained on board of her at that port two or three months. While there, a British sergeant drew up at their request, a petition to Sir John Johnson, which the ten Johnstown prisoners and perhaps others signed; proposing as they were held ready for an exchange, they would return home across the lakes and send back a number of the enemy then prisoners with the Americans, equaling their own number. To this proposition Sir John would not agree, but went on board the ship and told them in person that "If they would join his corps, they would all return together to posses their Johnstown lands." "When the d--l will that be?" interrogated the elder Shew, in no very good humor. "The rebels cant hold out much longer," said Sir John, "and at the end of the war, we'll all go to Johnstown together." "Never," responded the old patriot with emphasis, "will you go back to inherit your Johnstown possessions again!" The Tory chieftain was unwilling to believe the war would terminate so disastrously for his future prospects, and soon after left the ship. A few days after, Johnson sent for Mr. Shew to know if any of the prisoners of his acquaintance would be likely to enlist into his Majesty's service. Shew told him he thought they would not, but that he could try them if he chose. After a request from Sir John that he would exert his influence in that direction, the prisoner returned to the ship. Continue to Part 2 A CHANCE TO ENLIST - The next morning a recruiting officer, a Sergeant, named Hilliard, who had removed from Johnstown to Canada, and who knew some of the prisoners, visited the ship to beat up for recruits. The prisoners were all on deck, and, agreeable to his instructions, he waited upon Mr. Shew to make known the nature of his errand. As the young captives gathered round the old gentleman, he said to them, "Here is a recruiting officer come to enlist you into the British service! My lads, if any of you want to sell your country for a green coat with red facings, and a cap with a lock of red horse-hair hanging down one side of it, you now have a good chance!" The reader is aware that the force of an argument depends much on the time and manner of its utterance. That the one of Mr. Shew had its desired weight, may be inferred from the fact that after numerous luring inducements and golden promises of reward in his Majesty's service, Sergeant Hilliard gathered up his papers and left the ship, without having added a single recruit. Thus much for the principles of the back woods men of western New York in the hour that tried men's souls. When the Maria was moored under the Heights of Abraham, the British in the fortifications would play "Yankee-Doodle" to irritate the prisoners. Many of them who were in good spirits, however, would throw up their hats, hurrah for the cause of liberty, begin a jig on the ship's deck and shout to the enemy to play away and they would dance for them. Early in September the Maria was ready to sail for England, via New York, where she was to land her prisoners, some 60 in all. Of the number were Lieut. Col. Frederick Bellinger, and Major John Frey, officers who were made prisoners at Oriskany the summer before. When the ship was about to sail, those officers were told that they could remain at Quebec or go to New York. Major Frey said he would rather remain on the vessel with his countrymen and share their chance to get home, and Col. Bellinger expressed the same views, and they remained on board. After a pleasant sail down the St. Lawrence and into the gulf, the vessel was brought to Newfoundland, to inquire if any Yankees had been there lately; an inquiry known, there, to apply to privateers. They were informed that some had left that port only the day before. Soon after leaving the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Maria fell in with a privateer, which immediately gave chase. The pursuit lasted for two days, and the British vessel escaped by being a better sailor than her antagonist; but she was driven directly out of her course; and after a sail of several weeks, being part of the time nearer Europe than America, and not daring to run down to New York, she returned to Halifax, there landed her captives and sailed directly from thence to England. The trip to sea was a novelty in the life of the Johnstown settlers, the most of whom were very sea-sick for several days; often lining the ship's side and casting up their dinners without the aid of stomach-pumps. Capt. Max was a gentlemen, and treated the prisoners while on his vessel, as though he was born with a soul, a contingency that does not always happen in the birth of naval commanders. Nearly 1,300 captives were then assembled at Halifax, and two ships were fitted

out to take them to Boston to be exchanged. Several prisoners had effected their escape from Halifax, by having good knives; and when the Johnstown prisoners were confined there, their knives were taken from all of them except the elder Shew. They had to cook their own meat in a large kettle set in an arch, and often were allowed but a scanty supply of fuel to do it with. Not infrequently the grease was skimmed off to increase the flame, and at times an old garment was tucked under the kettle. If the meat was not half cooked, as was frequently the case, it had to be eaten in its raw state, with the peas of beans soaked with it--the meat having to be pulled apart with the fingers. Jacob Shew chanced to find a piece of an iron hoop, and with an immense rubbing upon a stone, he made it supply the needs of a knife to the mess which included him. An old tar who had managed to retain his knife, exposed it to a sentinel from motives of mischief, who demanded its surrender to him. The prisoner refused to part with it, and the soldier was taking measures to get it by force, when the old salt, knife in hand, fell back among the prisoners, and the sentinel not daring to leave his post, bit his lip in anger to see his authority set at defiance. While detained at Halifax, Putman, Salisbury and the elder Morris were taken sick and died. The rest of the Johnstown prisoners who had been on board the ship Maria, were landed in Boston, where young Morris also died. Reese left Boston, but as he never reached home, his friends supposed he died on the way. The three Shews, father, Stephen, and Jacob, left Boston together, the latter with the small-pox just developing. Dr. Farrell, of Rhode Island, and Moses Hicks, of Virginia, fellow prisoners, journeyed with the Shews from Boston to Roxbury. As the three latter sat down much fatigued by the wayside in Massachusetts, opposite a nice house, to rest their wearied limbs, some 15 or 18 miles from the city, a little black girl was sent out to inquire if they were deserters. "If you are deserters," said she "master said you should come in, but if you are not, he does not wish to see you." Such was the comfort meted by wealthy Tories, to men suffering in the cause of freedom. On arriving in the town of Sudbury, nearly 20 miles from Boston, Jacob Shew gave out, sat down by the way-side, and told his friends he could go no farther. After seeing him well cared for, they journeyed on, found friends on the route who supplied their necessities, and arrived in Johnstown on January 1, 1779. Jacob fortunately fell into Samaritan hands, was cured of his loathsome disease, and reached Johnstown on the 17 of March following his capture, it being "St. Patrick's day in the morning." HOW SHEW AND SCOTT MADE THEIR ESCAPE - I have observed that several of the Johnstown prisoners were retained among the Indians. John Shew and Joseph Scott, known by their captors to be good hunters, the former being a celebrated marksman, were taken some distance north of the St. Lawrence, where they were retained not far apart. They were allowed to hunt for their new masters to supply them with food, and several times met in their excursions. At one of those accidental meetings the two friends agreed to take French leave of the forest and return home. Securing what food and ammunition they could, they met by concert and set their faces toward Johnstown, distant several hundred miles. On arriving at the St. Lawrence, they luckily found a tree canoe on shore, in which they crossed the river. Fearing they might be on an island, they concealed the canoe in the bushes, but they were soon undeceived and resumed their march. They had secured hooks and fish-lines, and with those and their fire arms they, for several days, were well fed. While journeying along the western shore of Lake Champlain, they became straitened for food, and seeing a British vessel not far from the shore, they resolved to obtain a supply from her. Making a signal, a boat was sent for them and they were soon on ship-board. They stated that they were Tories (it is a wonder the lie did not choke them), going to see their suffering families in a frontier settlement, and there chanced to be no one on board who knew them, they were believed, obtained a good supply of food, were again set on shore, and meeting with no hindrance, they arrived in a few days at Saratoga, where they were arrested as British spies. Gen. Schuyler, who was then in command there, was informed in the evening that two spies had been taken. "Bring them in tomorrow morning for examination," said the General. In the campaign of 1777, John Shew had become acquainted with General Schuyler, and when himself and his comrade were taken into his presence in the morning, the latter instantly recognized his Johnstown friend. "What, John, are you here as a spy?" said he in a friendly manner, advancing and offering his hand. "They say so," said John, exchanging the proffered salutation. "But where do you come from?" inquired the general, who had no doubt about his patriotism. "I suppose you knew," said the wearied soldier, "that I was some weeks ago made a prisoner, with my friends and neighbors, and taken to Canada." At his request, Shew related the manner of his own and his friends' capture and conveyance to Canada; how, on their arrival, they were separated; how he and Scott had escaped from their captors; and how, when in want of food they had obtained it of their foes, etc., etc., all of which deeply interested the General; and learning that they desired to go directly to their friends, he supplied their immediate

wants and gave them a parting blessing. They arrived in Johnstown some five or six weeks after their capture. : Event: :: Type: Moved :: Date: 1767 :: Place: Fish House, Albany Co., NY :: Note: From Jacob's Pension: "Some eight years previous to the commencement of the Revolutionary War, Godfrey Shew, (this applicant's father) with his family, removed from Johnstown to a place called Sacandaga at that time; which place is now called Fish-house in the Town of Northampton, on the west branch of the Hudson's river, about eighteen miles from Johnstown." ::: This year, Sir William Johnson was appointed brigadier general of all the northern New York State Militia with his son & 2 sons-in-law each commanding a regiment. The Militia was his personal unit.Source: [[#S28]] Page: JACOB SHEW REVOLUTIONARY WAR SERVICE PENSION APPLICATION Pension file S 22985 Repository: National Archives, Washington DC Morrison's Pensions http://morrisonspensions.org/shewjacob.html Note: State of New York County of Fulton On this fourth of July one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, personally appeard in open Court, before the Hon. John Wells Judge, in and for said County of Fulton in the Village of Johnstown, Jacob Shew, a resident of the Town of Broadalbin, in the said County of Fulton, and State of New York, aged eighty-five years on the fifteenth day of April last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832: that he was born in the town of Johnstown, (on the 15th day of April 1763) then the County of Tryon, (since Montgomery) now Fulton County in the State of New York. That some eight years previous to the commencement of the Revolutionary War, Godfrey Shew, (this applicant's father) with his family, removed from Johnstown to a place called Sacandaga at that time; which place is now called Fish-house in the Town of Northampton, on the west branch of the Hudson's river, about eighteen miles from Johnstown. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That on the 2nd day of June 1778, a man by the name of Solomon Woodworth, a resident of Mayfield, assuming himself to be a Sergeant in Colonel Fishers regiment of Militia, while out as a spy, or on a scout, discovered a house plundered of its contents, within about two miles of the residence of Godfrey Shew. The said Solomon Woodworth repaired immediately to the residence of Godfrey Shew, and informed him and family of what he had discovered, and that he, by his authority as a non-commissioned officer, ordered all who were able to bear arms in defence of their country, to turn out in militia service immediately, expecting the enemy to attack them the approaching night; the night was spent by a regular order of keeping garrison, (by the said Solomon Woodworth, Godfrey Shew, and his sons to wit; Stephen Shew, John Shew, Godfrey Shew Jr. & this applicant,) according to the rules and regulations of armies in time of war. On the morning following June 3rd all the above named persons turned out on scouts in one direction, one party some considerable distance ahead of the other for the purpose of ascertaining where the enemy might be. A party of Indians and tories, about one hundred in number, lay in ambush, and the foremost party was taken prisoners. They immediately repaired to the residence of said Godfrey Shew and there took the other party who had returned to the house at the approach of the enemy.- The said party had previously taken prisoners whose names were John Putman, Christopher Morris, Robert Martin, Harmanus Salisbury, John Reece & David Harris. The names of those taken at the residence of the said Godfrey Shew, and those last described as being taken while the party lay in ambush, were said Godfrey Shew, Solomon Woodworth, John Shew, Stephen Shew and this applicant. After some consultation the party plundered the house & barns of their contents and after destroying all the buildings by fire etc. set out for Canada down the west branch of the Hudson's or Sacandaga river by the way of the Lakes George and Champlain. Arriving at an Indian village called Caughnawaga, about nine miles above Montreal, crossed the river, and went down to Montreal, and part of our number was given up as prisoners of war, and the others taken with the Indians to their northern settlements. Solomon Woodworth made his escape the first night after being taken. The names of those persons given up as prisoners of war, were Robert Martin, David Harris, Godfrey Shew, Stephen Shew, and this applicant. The summer season was spent in close confinement on a Ship at Montreal, and Quebec, from thence to Halifax, and there exchanged and about the first of December was sent to Boston and there

set at liberty. After thus being set at liberty, and arriving at Sudbury, about twenty miles from Boston, this applicant was taken sick with the small pox, and by order of Asahel Wheeler, then Chairman of the Select men of Sudbury, medical aid was procured, and all assistance, requisite, was provided, until in the early part of March following, when, on the 17th, being what is commonly called St. Patrick's day, this applicant returned to Johnstown where his mother & and her younger children had designed to go, at the time of their separation when taken prisoner, in company with others as above stated. The summer season passed away, (to wit 1779.) without any particular engagement in regular service, until the fall season, when this applicant went out as a substitute, about four weeks, for Michael Gollinger, who was an exempt in Capt. Giles Fonda's Company, Col. Fishers regiment, for the purpose of keeping garrison in Minden, going out on scouts etc. etc. 1780.. Enlisted in Capt. Garret Putman's Company at Johnstown in the spring season of the year, Col. Harpers regt. for nine months. Soon after having enlisted, was ordered to go to Fort Plain, for the purpose of keeping garrison, going on scouts etc. until about the first of August when by a special order from said Capt. Putman was ordered to go to Johnstown & join a Company commanded by Capt. John Little, for the express purpose of exploring the frontier settlements, woods, mountains, rivers etc. etc. until some time in the fall season of the same year, when he was ordered by said Capt. Little to return to said Capt. Putman's company, which was then stationed at Fort Plain. 1781. Again enlisted in Capt. Garret Putman's Company for nine months, under Col. Willet, in the spring season of the year; was mustered or enrolled, and joined said Capt. Putman's Company at Fort Hunter. Soon after went to Fort Plain to guard the Fort, go out on scouts etc. etc. and on the arrival of several boats, (up the Mohawk river, bound for Fort Stanwix,) loaded with provisions for the Army, went on shore to look out for enemy some distance ahead of the boats; the object of which was to guard the boats, so that they might arrive in safety at Fort Stanwix. Soon after, returned to Fort Plain, with the boats in company with said Capt. Putman, and several others, members of his company. That again in the summer season of the same year, was ordered by Capt. Putman to go to Fort Stanwix, in company with several others, soldiers, (this applicant being then a Corporal,) for the express purpose of guarding the Fort, when, in about ten days after arriving at Fort Stanwix, said Fort was evacuated, and all its contents removed to Schenectada, in boats down the Mohawk river. 1782. In the spring season of the year, enlisted in a Company commanded by Capt. Abner French, Col. Willet for nine months, at Johnstown. From thence to Fort House, then in Palatine, to guard the fort, go on scouts etc. etc. and spent said nine months by guarding the different Forts along the Mohawk river as far up as Herkimer, and also at, and about Johnstown. The service thus rendered was in the capacity of a corporal. The sequel will exhibit more particularly the several engagements and battles in which he was engaged, and descriptive answers to the several interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, but prior to entering into those particulars, a more definite description must be given about the manner of entering the service of Col. Hazen's regiment, commanded by Col. Antle, for which a pension, or pay had been allowed under the Act of 1828. That some time in the fall season of the year 1782, while serving as above stated in Capt. French's company, in Col. Willet's regt. there was a regt. of the Continental line, came up the Mohawk river as far as Caughnawaga, commanded by Lt. Col. Antle, of which Hazen was the Colonel commandant, and as they were strangers to the surrounding country; this applicant was detached from Capt. French's company and by mutual consent of the officers placed under the command of Colonel Antle for the express purpose of assisting his regt. in sending out scouting parties, that they might serve to advantage in exploring the frontier settlements.- That Col. Antle with his regt. remained in and about Johnstown, until after the close of the year 1782, and as far into the year '83 as the time when the news was fast circulating that peace was declared, which was some time in the winter or spring season. That this applicant remained in said regt. until after the time had expired for which he enlisted in Capt. French's Company, and that about the time when Co. Antle was about to leave Johnstown with his regiment, this applicant received a discharge from Col. Antles regt., signed, either by himself, or Capt. Lloyd, and was immediately enrolled in Capt. Littles company of Militia, because Capt. French's company had served out the time for which they had engaged, and were all discharged from the service, and returned to their respective places of abode:- Therefore, whatever is found on file in the claim under the Act of 1828, or any communications having been sent to the Pension Office, since that time which might differ from the above statement was not designed to fraud, or deceive the department, or government of the United States, but was sincerely believed that said Act of 1828, both in letter & spirit, embraced such a claim. That in the year 1781, summer season, while going the second time to Fort Stanwix as previously described, the party was fired at by a small party of Indians who fell in their way, and

after a few shots were exchanged, the enemy fled, with their wounded, and one man on our side was also wounded. That soon after the evacuation of Fort Stanwix, Col. Willet gave authority to Lt. Solomon Woodworth to select out on his regiment or from the militia a company of men to be at his command, for the purpose of ranging the frontier settlements, to make discoveries etc. etc. A company of forty men being soon selected, they set out in a northeasterly direction, and after traversing the woods a distance of some ten miles, a party of Indians and tories lay in ambush, said to be eighty in number, and that in less than one minute after the firing commenced, twenty-five men were killed and lay dead on the field of battle. A few men made their escape after the firing ceased, at the time of the taking the remainder prisoners, by being swifter on foot than the Indians; this applicant having been one of that number, after having been through the midst of the firing where bullets flew in every direction around him. After the burial of the dead the next day, and the fatigue of the battle had passed away, this applicant returned to the company from which he had been taken. Again in the fall season of the same year a battle was waged near Johnstown between a party of Indians and tories, about four hundred in number, and Colonel Willet with his regt. and many others. This applicant being out with a scouting party the same day, consisting of twelve in number. viz: Capt. Little, John Eikler, John Brothers, Peter Yost, Henry Shew, this applicant & others whose names are forgotten; on hearing the firing, immediately turned their course towards Johnstown, and came in as a reinforcement before the battle was over. This is what is commonly called the Hall battle. Having thus served through a war of suffering and hardships & privations to establish a Republican form of government etc. etc. he now hereby claims a pension for services rendered, as set forth in the foregoing declaration, and particularly requests that for services rendered in the capacity of a Corporal shall be first computed, and the remainder of the time filled with that of a private soldier, and that of having been a prisoner of war. He hereby relinquished every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present; and declared that his name is not now on the pension roll of the Agency of any State, but that he had been pensioned under the Act of 1828, and has been suspended. Interrogations Question I. Where and in what year were you born? Answer. On the 15th April 1763, at Johnstown I I. Have you any record of your age? Ans. My father recorded it in his bible, and it was destroyed by fire June 3rd 1778, the day we were taken prisoners. My son Godfrey recorded it in a Bible some forty years ago, and has it now in his possession in Jefferson Co. III. Where were you living when called into service? Ans. Sacandaga. After that, resided in Johnstown at the several times of going into the service as more particularly described in the foregoing declaration. IV. Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? Ans. Johnstown, Montgomery County, N.Y. Northampton do. do. Leray, Jefferson County; and now in Broadalbin, Fulton County V. How were you called into service? Ans. First, by being ordered into, by Solomon Woodworth a non commissioned officer. Second, a substitute for Michael Gollinger. Third, by an agreement with a class(?), termed(?), enlisted, at Johnstown for 9 months at three different periods to wit, 1780, '81, & '82, as set forth in the foregoing declaration. VI. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such continental regiments as you can recollect etc. Ans. Col. Frederick Fisher, Lt. Col. Veeder, Col. Gansevoort, Lt. Col. Willet, Col. Harper, Lt. Col. Anlte, Majr. Vanbenscouten, Fink, Eisenlord, Capt. Lloyd, Lt. Martin, Capt. Sacket, Capt. Little, Capt. Fonda, Capt. Bennett, Capt. Vanslyck, Vrooman, Tierce. VII. Did you ever receive a discharge? I think I had some kind of a discharge from Lieut. Col. Anlte or Capt. Lloyd, if so, it has been mislaid or lost. Sworn to and subscribed this 4th day of July --- 1848 (signature)------Clerk (signature) Jacob Shew ______State of New York County of Jefferson On this 16th day of November 1848, personally appeard before me (signature) Jerome Whitaker a justice of the peace, in and for said County of Jefferson, Godfrey Shew, aged seventy seven years, who, being first duly sworn according to the law, doth, on his oath, depose and say that, he is brother of Jacob Shew, who was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress of 15th May 1838, and has been suspended and is now an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of June 7th 1832, as this deponent has been informed and verily believes to be true. That on the third day of June 1778, the said Jacob Shew was taken prisoner, in the presence of this deponent, by a party of Indians, and returned from captivity on the 17th March 1779, being St. Patrick's day. That in the Spring season of the year 1780, the said Jacob Shew enlisted for a term of nine months in a company commanded by Capt. Garret Putman in Col. Harper's regiment, the said Jacob Shew having been previously enrolled in a company of Militia, commanded by Capt. John Little, in Col. Fisher's regiment. That the said Jacob Shew continued in the service until the expiration of the said nine months and then

returned home. That in the Spring season of the year 1781, the said Jacob Shew again enlisted for nine months, in Capt. Garret Putman's Company, in Col. Willet's regiment, and served therein until the expiration of the said nine months and was then discharged or dismissed from the service, and returned home. That again, in the Spring season of the year 1782 the said Jacob Shew again enlisted for a term of nine months in a company commanded by Capt. Abner French, in Col. Willet's regiment, and again continued in the service until the expiration of said nine months, and then again returned home. And further this deponent saith not. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written before mehis (signature) Jerome Whitaker Justice of the Peace Godfrey ( ) Shewmark I, (signature) Jerome Whitaker the above named Justice of the Peace, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Godfrey Shew above named, and that he uniformly sustains an irreproachable character, and that the facts set forth by him in the foregoing affidavit are entitled to credit and that by reason of a trembling hand he cannot write his name. (signature) Jerome Whitaker Justice of the Peace ______Broadalbin, N.Y.June 4th 1849 Sir, Some time in the month of April last (say near the middle) I wrote to you respecting the "error" in my venerable father, (Jacob Shew's) certificate of pension, and have not as yet heard from you on the subject. The Act of 20th May 1836, as construed by B. F.Butler, appears to be direct to the point, and applicable in this case, etc. etc. as more particularly described and set forth in said communication in April last, and having waited, what we suppose to be a reasonable time for a reply, we hereby inform you that an appeal to the Secretary of War, or the Home Department has been formally made out, and forwarded through the mails accordingly.Respectfully etc.(signature) John I. Shew Honl. J. L. Edwards, Comr. of Pensions N.B. If the communication above spoken of has been lost through the mails, and that you have not as yet received it, please advise me of the fact.

Mrs. Grace C. Wellwood Bridgewater Connecticut Dear Madam: The data which follows were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S. 22985, based upon the service of Jacob Shew in the Revolutionary War. Jacob Shew was born April 15, 1763 in Johnstown, New York. He was the son of Godfrey Shew, name of his mother not stated. Godfrey Shew moved his family from Johnstown, to Sacandaga, New York. While living in Sacandaga, New York, June 2, 1778, Jacob Shew, with his fether, Godfrey Shew, and brothers, Stephen, John and Godfrey, Junior, were ordered out by Sergeant Solomon Woodworth of Colonel Fisher's New York regiment, on an alarm in pursuit of Indians; they were captured by Indians, their home was burned and their mother was driven back to Johnstown. Godfrey Shew and his sons, Stephen and Jacob Shew were carried to Canada and held on a prison ship at Montreal, at Quebec, and at Halifax, about December, 1778. Jacob Shew was sent to Boston, and there exchanged, on reaching Sudbury, he had small pox, and did not reach Johnstown until March 17, 1779, where his mother was still living. Jacob Shew volunteered in the fall of 1779, served four weeks in Captain Giles Fonda's company, Colonel Fisher's regiment; he enlisted in the spring of 1780, served nine months in Captain Garret Putnam's and John Little's companies, part of the time in Colonel Harper's regiment; he enlisted in the spring of 1781, served nine months as a corporal in Captain Garret Putnam's company, Colonel Willet's regiment; he enlisted in the spring of 1782, served as corporal in Captains Abner French's and P. Tearse's companies, Colonel Marinus Willet's regiment, was transferred to Colonel Hazen's regiment and served therein until the close of the war. He was out on frequent alarms, and much of his duty was in guarding the forts along the Mohawk River. The soldier, Jacob Shew, was allowed pension on his application executed August 23, 1828, at which time he was living in Northampton, Montgomery County, New York. He was later in life allowed pension under the Act of June 7, 1832. He was living in 1848 in Broadalbin, New York. He died January 23, 1853. The soldier's son, Godfrey Shew, was living in 1848 in Jefferson County, New York, soldier's son John I. Shew, was living in 1849 in Broadalbin, New York. Godfrey Shew, brother of the soldier, was seventy-seven years old in 1848. Reference was made to one Henry Shew, but no relationship to the family is given. The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data. In order to obtain the name and address of the person who received the last payment of this pension, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data- Jacob Shew, certificate # 32632, issued March 31, 1851, rate $85.33 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, New York Agency.Very truly yours A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the AdministratorSource: [[#S1]] Page: Mohawk Baronet, Sir William Johnson of New York by

James Thomas Flexner, pub NYC 1959 Note: p336 : Event: Moved :: Date: ABT 1770 :: Place: Northampton Twp., Fish House, Albany Co., NY :: Note: "... he (Henry Shew) was about 11 years old when he moved with his father's family to a place called Northampton in the same county & lived there until the war of the Revolution commenced." "They built the first house (log) in this village in the north end of the lot where the Methodist Church now stands."

::: "Soon after their marriage, Godfrey and Katherine Shew removed to Johnstown, N.Y., and settled on a farm two miles west of Johnson Hall. They lived at this place eight or ten years, and then took up a farm of 100 acres under Sir William Johnson, 18 miles northeast of Johnstown, near Johnson's fish house. Mr. Shew took possession of the land with the promise of a permanent lease, occupying for a time a squatter's hut near the river. The Shew family erected and resided in a log dwelling in their pioneer residence at first, but they had hewn out timber for a framed building just as the Revolution began, and by its close, the timber was unfit for use." "It must have been about the time of Nicholas Stoner's location in Fonda's Bush, that Godfrey Shew, a German, made the first permanent location near Sir William Johnson's fishing lodge, denominated the Fish House, and situated on the Sacondaga river, eight miles northeast of Stoner's dwelling. Before Shew planted himself at the Fish House, several families of squatters had been there, who had gone "to parts unknown," and desirous of getting a wholesome citizen to remain there, the baronet held out liberal inducements to Mr. Shew, of which he accepted." He was either granted or bought a 100 acre tract of land from Sir William Johnson, and became the overseer of Johnson's Fish House properties.Source: [[#S1]] Page: "Jacob Dunham (1727-1779) of Lebanon, Conn. and Mayfield, N.Y. : his descendants and ancestors with five generations of English ancestors : also ancestors and descendants of Stephen Shew with historical accounts of the Shews, Sammons, and Dunhams" By Sophie Dunham Moore 1933 page 5

Note: INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF JACOB SHEW - This is the narrative of the venerable patriot, Jacob Shew; of his own captivity, and that of 15 other captives made in the Mayfield and Sacandaga settlements. It was obtained from conversation's with him by the author, Jeptha Simms prior to 1850, at which time Mr. Shew was a resident of Fulton County, N.Y. To follow the footsteps of a soldier, long after his fatiguing marches and counter-marches have ended, and with him, in imagination, fight his battles over again, sharing his dangers and privations; though it prove a thankless task, is nevertheless a profitable and pleasing one. If we are to know the true value of our liberty, we must learn its cost in blood, sweat, and tears, hunger, pain and privation; by following in our minds, the pioneer settler to his peril-encompassed log cabin. After all, the histories of interesting people and locations are to a nation, what inlets are to the mountain rivulet.

When the struggle for liberty began, the Shew family were numbered among the patriotic ones of Tryon County; and although many of the frontier settlers left their homes for less exposed situations when Indian depredations began in 1777, the Shew family chose to remain and brave the dangers of their forest home. On the south side of the great Sacandaga Vlaie, some two miles westward from the Shews, dwelt Robert Martin and Zebulon Algar occupying the same house; and four or five miles still farther west lived Solomon Woodworth, who were also men of the times. They, too, remained exposed, after the British Indians were let loose. John and Henry Shew had several times been on militia duty in 1776 and 1777, as had Solomon Woodworth, who was a sergeant. In the afternoon of June 2, 1778, Woodworth having occasion to call on his neighbor Martin, found to his surprise, that his dwelling was tenantless, and conjecturing the family might be prisoners with the enemy; and armed with his unerring riffle, he went to the Shew's to communicate his suspicions; arriving there early in the evening. Shew's family were all at home except Henry, who had accompanied Zebulon Algar to Johnstown on an errand. As it was too late and hazardous for Woodworth to return to his own dwelling that evening, he tarried overnight at Shew's , and preparations were to give the enemy a warm reception, should the house be attacked in the night. As a precautionary measure adopted, a large pile of stones was deposited at the head of the stairway , and Jacob was stationed all night beside it, ready to cast down his cold shot upon the foe. The inmates of the house were not disturbed during the night, and after breakfast in the morning, Woodworth, Mr. Shew and his son John went out to

discover , if possible, what had become of the Martin Family. Finding the house still deserted, the three proceeded in the direction of Summer House Point , two miles distant, in the hope of obtaining some trace of the absentees. On the way, John, who was a sportsman and a dead shot, saw a noble buck crossing his path, and forgetting his foes for the moment, he raised his rifle and shot it. Leaving the animal where it fell until their return, where it probably rotted, the trio proceeded onward, but in a short distance they were surprised by a dozen Indians who had been encamped nearby; now drawn to the spot by the young hunters rifle. Woodworth was about to flee, when the elder Shew, observing the Indians poise their rifles, seized and held him, fearing if he started he would be shot. I

It now turned out that about 100 of the enemy, Indians and Tories led by Lieut. (afterwards Major) Ross, had come from Canada by the northern route, many of them to remove their families thither. They were also desirous of taking back some patriots as prisoners, with the plunder their dwellings might afford. That they should not be thwarted in the main object of the expedition, they crossed the Sacandaga two miles below the Fish House, where they concealed their canoes, and from thence proceeded with great circumspection to the river settlement near Tribes Hill, where most of their friends resided. They avoided doing any act that might betray their visit to any of the little forts in the neighborhood and elicit pursuit and having collected the Indian and Tory families sought, as expeditiously as possible, they were gathering to take their canoes, when fortune gave them the three prisoners named; having confined their range for prisoners and plunder to the dwellings of the outsiders of civilization. In Philadelphia bush, north of Tribes Hill, they captured Charles Morris and his son John, George Cough, and his son Henry, and an old gentleman named Eikler, who, for some unknown reason, was liberated; and passing through Fonda's Bush they added to their prisoners, John Putnam, Joseph Scott, John Reese, Herman Salisbury, and Andreas Bowman. The prisoners named in this connection, as also Robert Martin and David Harris, a lad aged 16 years then living with the latter, were made captives on the 2nd day of June; and the Shews and Woodworth, on the following. On the night of the 2nd, the enemy was encamped with their prisoners at a little distance southeast of Summer House Point. After securing Woodworth and his companions, the enemy proceeded directly to Mr. Shew's dwelling, which they had intended to visit on breaking up their camp in the morning. When his father left home, he charged his son Jacob Shew to keep a good lookout up the river for the foe. Mr. Shew's house was situated in a ravine between two gentle elevations, upon which Mr. Rosevelt and Mr. Grinnell erected nice dwellings about the year 1840. On the westerly one near the site of the Grinnell mansion, Jacob took his station. His vigils had lasted perhaps two hours, when he descried a canoe containing several Indians coming sown the creek from Summer House Point. (1) He had not heard the report of his brothers rifle some time before, and on seeing the canoe he ran home to report his discovery; where the party with the prisoners named had already arrived from an opposite direction. Jacob and his brother Stephen now increased the number of prisoners to 16. Jacob, one of the youngest captives, was born April 15, 1763, being 15 years old when taken. COULD NOT POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND - Several Indians among the invaders, the most of whom were Mohawks, were not only old acquaintances, but long and professed friends of Mr. Shew; from whom they had received numerous favors. The vicinity of his location being a great resort for fisherman and hunters; at times a dozen Indians slept at his house in a single night, partaking, while there, the hospitality of his table. He was assured by Aaron and David, two of his Indian friends who were brothers, when they followed the fortunes of the Johnson Family to Canada, that for the numerous favors they had received from their "white brother", as they called him, he should be duly notified of impending danger, and not be injured or captured in his isolated retreat. This promise of the Indians was heard by young Jacob. Accordingly, pretending not to consider himself a prisoner on reaching home, the elder Shew was very attentive to the wants of his quondam friends. Observing they were reserved and stoical, he took occasion to remind them of their former promises. David, with a guttural grunt and shrug of the shoulders, replied in his native dialect, "Yok- tah cock-a-rungkee!" (I dont understand you!). Proving for once, at least, the old adage false, which said an Indian could never forget a favor. Owing to a combination of circumstances, the enemy were more humane than usual in this invasion, as no women or small children were either killed or carried into captivity. The dwellings of all the captives, except that of Woodworth, which was several miles out of the way, were plundered; and after taking from Shew's house whatever they desired, the enemy suffered Mrs. Shew and her three youngest children to remain on the premises, but left them houseless; for now being out of danger of pursuit, as they believed, the torch was applied and the house mostly consumed before the incendiaries left it. The barn would have escaped destruction as

the party had all moved forward, but for William Bowen, a Tory present, who also had received many favors from the Shew family. Looking back, the knave exclaimed "What, are you going to let the cursed rebels barn Stand?". He then ran back some rods back to the burning house, got a fire-brand, set the barn on fire and soon it was a heap of ruins. The invaders under Lt. Ross, who was a British Officer, were all Indians but five, and well known to the Shew family. They were two brothers named Bowen, James Lintz, Sweeny and Louks. The latter was painted and clad like an Indian, but Mr. Shew recognized him soon after his capture and told him he need not paint to disguise his real character. Finding himself detected, he washed off his paint and did not use it again during his journey, to Canada. Among the plunder made at Shew's, was about 500 pounds of maple sugar, which the family had made that spring and were husbanding with care to make it last through the year. The Indian's tomahawks were put in requisition, and soon all the enemy were running about with large cakes, the family not being allowed a morsel of it. This looked cruel to the children, who's mouths watered in vain for the saccharine plunder. Mrs. Shew, after seeing her husband and two sons led off into the forest, and her buildings and their contents destroyed or carried away, set out for Johnstown, 18 miles distant, with feelings none can justly realize at this late day. A Tory squatter, an old Irishman named Kennedy (2), aided Mrs. Shew and her children in crossing the Kennyetto at Summer House Point, from whence they proceeded to the house of Warren Howell (3) , a pioneer settler in Mayfield, 8 miles from the ashes of her own home. The fugitives were kindly treated at Howell's, considering the bias of the family, and remained there over night. On the following day they set forward , and were met at Philadelphia Bush by Mrs. Amasa Stevens and Miss Hannah Putman (4), daughters of Lodowyck Putman, on horseback. They had heard of Mrs. Shew's misfortunes, and thus proceeded to meet and assist her in getting to a place of safety. Mrs. Shew tarried all night with the hospitable Putman family, and arrived the next day with her children at the Johnstown Fort. Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Algar, with their children, were kept in the enemy's camp on the night Martin was captured (possibly where the families of other captives were) and the following morning were set across the Kennyetto at Summer House Point, in the canoe which Henry Shew had left there, and proceeded on by Sir William Johnson's road (5) via Philadelphia Bush to Johnstown, where they arrived before Mrs. Shew. Of the plunder taken along by the enemy, were four good horses, one of which belonged to Algar, the others to the Shew family. From Shew's place the party proceeded down the river to their canoes. Increased, as the party was, by 20 or 30 Indian families, from Tribes Hill, and the prisoners, the watercraft -- some 20 canoes, including the one from Summer House Point -- was found insufficient, and two large elm trees were cut down, from the bark of which two canoes were made and put afloat in about three hours, each carrying four or five men with their packs. A part of the warriors swam the river with the horses and proceeded along its northern shore, while the remainder, with their prisoners and families, floated down the river in canoes. At the rapids, about 20 miles from the starting point and near the present village of Conklingville, the party halted for the night, the canoes being all drawn out to shore. An Indian chief named Peter Sword, who made known his sir-name to the prisoners by significantly extending his right arm, appeared to share the command with Ross; having, much of the time, most of the say. The prisoners were assembled every night and morning and counted in a novel manner. Peter, standing upon his feet, would drop his hands upon his knees, strain open his eyes like a monkey, and for every prisoner give a shrill whoop, to be numbered by another of the party. He seemed pleased when, at the end of his labor the first night, the invoice ran up to sixteen. He also made a speech every morning to the Indians, just before or just after numbering the prisoners. In counting the captives at the first morning's dawn, the tally fell short one; when Peter sprang up from his recumbent position in evident surprise, and hastily scanning the prisoners he exclaimed in no very good humor- "Ump! Yankee gone!". The most of his prisoners were German. The prisoners were bound nights, and usually an Indian slept on each side of every captive; but early in the evening, after his capture, Woodworth feigned sudden illness with choleramorbus, and he was loosened to vomit, or rather try to, with no little contortion of body and visage, and he was, to all appearances, very sick, having often to run to the bank of the river, whither no one followed him, he was not rebound. His illness only lasted, however, until his foes were all asleep, who flushed with their recent success, did not practice their usual vigilance. Proceeding to the river, Woodworth set a canoe adrift -- not recovered by the enemy -- to make them believe he had crossed the stream; but instead of doing so he struck off up the river on its easterly shore, arriving near the site of the present village of Northville early in the morning -- 25 miles from where he had been obliged to abandoned his trusty rifle. At this point he forded the river, returned home, to the great joy of his family, and with it he arrived in Johnstown in the evening of the day after his captivity.

The water party consisting of part of the enemy, most of the prisoners and the removing families, went down the Sacandaga to the Hudson, crossed that river and transported their canoes to the shore of Lake George. In a carrying place about a mile distant from the lake, they found a three-handed bateau, which they took along. They floated north through Lakes George and Champlain to St. Johns, always encamping on the shore at night. The party on land with the horses proceeded along the western side of the lakes, and at the south end of Lake Champlain both parties came together. John Shew, known by the enemy to be a good woodsman, was taken with the party on land. The Algar horse having broken a leg on the uneven ground, was killed and eaten by its new owners. The best horse of the three taken at Shew's, was owned by young Stephen. When the parties united, Stephen again saw his favorite animal grazing with its fellows, and could not give up the idea of its being his property. Pointing to it he observed to an Indian who had the care of it -- "That is my horse!". "Umph ! He mine now!" replied the Indian, by way of comfort to the boy. The food of the water party and probably that of the other, consisted principally of fresh mutton, beef, poultry, etc., obtained as plunder on the premises of the prisoners. The meat was soon fly blown, but the Indians made soup of it. Jacob Shew carried the saddle of a sheep from the Sacondaga to Lake George. The prisoners generally had food enough, although Indian's fare, but for two days near the end of their journey, the water party fasted: enjoying the occupation of eating moldy biscuits--several barrels of which had been left in that neighborhood by a cut-off party of Burgoyne's men the year before. While the enemy were without food, says George Cough, they thought seriously of killing the elder Shew to replenish their larder. After a halt of one day at St. John's, the parties united, set out for Montreal. At an Indian village situated some miles above Montreal, called Caughnawaga, all the prisoners were obliged to run the gauntlet. The lines were composed principally of Indian men armed with birch gads, who loosened the jackets of the prisoners, but none were seriously injured. The captives were 12 days going from the Fish House to Montreal, where a British officer paid twelve dollars and a half each for these of them the Indians chose to give up. Mr. Cough and his son, John Shew, Scott and Bowman were not given up with the rest as prisoners of war, but were retained by the Indians and taken to their homes. What reward, if any, was paid for their capture is unknown. At the time of this invasion, the enemy were desirous of getting prisoners for exchange, and offered a more liberal bounty for prisoners than for scalps; this probably accounts for there having been no blood shed by Ross's party; believed to have been an unparalleled instance of humanity exercised by Canadian invaders during the war. The 10 captives retained as prisoners of war were kept at Montreal for several weeks and then sent up to Quebec on a sloop, from which they were transferred to the ship Maria, under the command of Capt. Max, and remained on board of her at that port two or three months. While there, a British sergeant drew up at their request, a petition to Sir John Johnson, which the ten Johnstown prisoners and perhaps others signed; proposing as they were held ready for an exchange, they would return home across the lakes and send back a number of the enemy then prisoners with the Americans, equaling their own number. To this proposition Sir John would not agree, but went on board the ship and told them in person that "If they would join his corps, they would all return together to posses their Johnstown lands." "When the d--l will that be?" interrogated the elder Shew, in no very good humor. "The rebels cant hold out much longer," said Sir John, "and at the end of the war, we'll all go to Johnstown together." "Never," responded the old patriot with emphasis, "will you go back to inherit your Johnstown possessions again!" The Tory chieftain was unwilling to believe the war would terminate so disastrously for his future prospects, and soon after left the ship. A few days after, Johnson sent for Mr. Shew to know if any of the prisoners of his acquaintance would be likely to enlist into his Majesty's service. Shew told him he thought they would not, but that he could try them if he chose. After a request from Sir John that he would exert his influence in that direction, the prisoner returned to the ship. Continue to Part 2 A CHANCE TO ENLIST - The next morning a recruiting officer, a Sergeant, named Hilliard, who had removed from Johnstown to Canada, and who knew some of the prisoners, visited the ship to beat up for recruits. The prisoners were all on deck, and, agreeable to his instructions, he waited upon Mr. Shew to make known the nature of his errand. As the young captives gathered round the old gentleman, he said to them, "Here is a recruiting officer come to enlist you into the British service! My lads, if any of you want to sell your country for a green coat with red facings, and a cap with a lock of red horse-hair hanging down one side of it, you now have a good chance!" The reader is aware that the force of an argument depends much on the time and manner of its utterance. That the one of Mr. Shew had its desired weight, may be inferred from the fact that after numerous luring inducements and golden promises of reward in his Majesty's service, Sergeant Hilliard gathered up his papers and left the ship, without having added a

single recruit. Thus much for the principles of the back woods men of western New York in the hour that tried men's souls. When the Maria was moored under the Heights of Abraham, the British in the fortifications would play "Yankee-Doodle" to irritate the prisoners. Many of them who were in good spirits, however, would throw up their hats, hurrah for the cause of liberty, begin a jig on the ship's deck and shout to the enemy to play away and they would dance for them. Early in September the Maria was ready to sail for England, via New York, where she was to land her prisoners, some 60 in all. Of the number were Lieut. Col. Frederick Bellinger, and Major John Frey, officers who were made prisoners at Oriskany the summer before. When the ship was about to sail, those officers were told that they could remain at Quebec or go to New York. Major Frey said he would rather remain on the vessel with his countrymen and share their chance to get home, and Col. Bellinger expressed the same views, and they remained on board. After a pleasant sail down the St. Lawrence and into the gulf, the vessel was brought to Newfoundland, to inquire if any Yankees had been there lately; an inquiry known, there, to apply to privateers. They were informed that some had left that port only the day before. Soon after leaving the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Maria fell in with a privateer, which immediately gave chase. The pursuit lasted for two days, and the British vessel escaped by being a better sailor than her antagonist; but she was driven directly out of her course; and after a sail of several weeks, being part of the time nearer Europe than America, and not daring to run down to New York, she returned to Halifax, there landed her captives and sailed directly from thence to England. The trip to sea was a novelty in the life of the Johnstown settlers, the most of whom were very sea-sick for several days; often lining the ship's side and casting up their dinners without the aid of stomach-pumps. Capt. Max was a gentlemen, and treated the prisoners while on his vessel, as though he was born with a soul, a contingency that does not always happen in the birth of naval commanders. Nearly 1,300 captives were then assembled at Halifax, and two ships were fitted out to take them to Boston to be exchanged. Several prisoners had effected their escape from Halifax, by having good knives; and when the Johnstown prisoners were confined there, their knives were taken from all of them except the elder Shew. They had to cook their own meat in a large kettle set in an arch, and often were allowed but a scanty supply of fuel to do it with. Not infrequently the grease was skimmed off to increase the flame, and at times an old garment was tucked under the kettle. If the meat was not half cooked, as was frequently the case, it had to be eaten in its raw state, with the peas of beans soaked with it--the meat having to be pulled apart with the fingers. Jacob Shew chanced to find a piece of an iron hoop, and with an immense rubbing upon a stone, he made it supply the needs of a knife to the mess which included him. An old tar who had managed to retain his knife, exposed it to a sentinel from motives of mischief, who demanded its surrender to him. The prisoner refused to part with it, and the soldier was taking measures to get it by force, when the old salt, knife in hand, fell back among the prisoners, and the sentinel not daring to leave his post, bit his lip in anger to see his authority set at defiance. While detained at Halifax, Putman, Salisbury and the elder Morris were taken sick and died. The rest of the Johnstown prisoners who had been on board the ship Maria, were landed in Boston, where young Morris also died. Reese left Boston, but as he never reached home, his friends supposed he died on the way. The three Shews, father, Stephen, and Jacob, left Boston together, the latter with the small-pox just developing. Dr. Farrell, of Rhode Island, and Moses Hicks, of Virginia, fellow prisoners, journeyed with the Shews from Boston to Roxbury. As the three latter sat down much fatigued by the wayside in Massachusetts, opposite a nice house, to rest their wearied limbs, some 15 or 18 miles from the city, a little black girl was sent out to inquire if they were deserters. "If you are deserters," said she "master said you should come in, but if you are not, he does not wish to see you." Such was the comfort meted by wealthy Tories, to men suffering in the cause of freedom. On arriving in the town of Sudbury, nearly 20 miles from Boston, Jacob Shew gave out, sat down by the way-side, and told his friends he could go no farther. After seeing him well cared for, they journeyed on, found friends on the route who supplied their necessities, and arrived in Johnstown on January 1, 1779. Jacob fortunately fell into Samaritan hands, was cured of his loathsome disease, and reached Johnstown on the 17 of March following his capture, it being "St. Patrick's day in the morning." HOW SHEW AND SCOTT MADE THEIR ESCAPE - I have observed that several of the Johnstown prisoners were retained among the Indians. John Shew and Joseph Scott, known by their captors to be good hunters, the former being a celebrated marksman, were taken some distance north of the St. Lawrence, where they were retained not far apart. They were allowed to hunt for their new masters to supply them with food, and several times met in their excursions. At one of those accidental meetings the two friends agreed to take French leave of the forest and return home. Securing what food and ammunition they could, they met by concert and set their faces

toward Johnstown, distant several hundred miles. On arriving at the St. Lawrence, they luckily found a tree canoe on shore, in which they crossed the river. Fearing they might be on an island, they concealed the canoe in the bushes, but they were soon undeceived and resumed their march. They had secured hooks and fish-lines, and with those and their fire arms they, for several days, were well fed. While journeying along the western shore of Lake Champlain, they became straitened for food, and seeing a British vessel not far from the shore, they resolved to obtain a supply from her. Making a signal, a boat was sent for them and they were soon on ship-board. They stated that they were Tories (it is a wonder the lie did not choke them), going to see their suffering families in a frontier settlement, and there chanced to be no one on board who knew them, they were believed, obtained a good supply of food, were again set on shore, and meeting with no hindrance, they arrived in a few days at Saratoga, where they were arrested as British spies. Gen. Schuyler, who was then in command there, was informed in the evening that two spies had been taken. "Bring them in tomorrow morning for examination," said the General. In the campaign of 1777, John Shew had become acquainted with General Schuyler, and when himself and his comrade were taken into his presence in the morning, the latter instantly recognized his Johnstown friend. "What, John, are you here as a spy?" said he in a friendly manner, advancing and offering his hand. "They say so," said John, exchanging the proffered salutation. "But where do you come from?" inquired the general, who had no doubt about his patriotism. "I suppose you knew," said the wearied soldier, "that I was some weeks ago made a prisoner, with my friends and neighbors, and taken to Canada." At his request, Shew related the manner of his own and his friends' capture and conveyance to Canada; how, on their arrival, they were separated; how he and Scott had escaped from their captors; and how, when in want of food they had obtained it of their foes, etc., etc., all of which deeply interested the General; and learning that they desired to go directly to their friends, he supplied their immediate wants and gave them a parting blessing. They arrived in Johnstown some five or six weeks after their capture.Source: [[#S25]] Page: by James F. Morrison Jr. Gloversville Leader-Herald Oct 18, 1973, page 19Source: [[#S1]] Page: "Trappers of New York or a BIOGRAPHY of NICHOLAS STONER & NATHANIEL FOSTER; TOGETHER WITH ANECDOTES OF OTHER CELEBRATED HUNTERS, AND SOME ACCOUNT OF SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON AND HIS STYLE OF LIVING" by Jeptha R. Simms A Reprint with New Supplementary Matter Printed by Enterprise and News St. Johnsville, N.Y. 1935 Albany: J. Munsell, 82 State Street. 1850 chapter 1 googlebooks.com http://threerivershms.com/simmsch1.htm Note: It must have been about the time of Stoner's location in Fonda's Bush, that Godfrey Shew, a German, made the first permanent location near Sir William Johnson's fishing lodge, denominated the Fish House, and situated on the Sacondaga river, eight miles northeast of Stoner's dwelling. Before Shew planted himself at the Fish House, several families of squatters had been there, who had gone "to parts unknown," and desirous of getting a wholesome citizen to remain there, the baronet held out liberal inducements to Mr. Shew, of which he accepted. : Event: Milit-Event :: Date: 25 MAR 1776 :: Place: Fish House, Tryon Co., NY ::: Title: 1776 Godfrey Shew Gen SchuylerC:\Users\Pete Shew\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8\Exhibits\1776 Godfrey Shew Gen Schuyler Letter.pdf

:: Note: Godfrey Shew related an encounter at his home with some Mohawk Indians in a notarized letter to General Schuyler, warning of a pending attack in the Mohawk River Valley.Source: [[#S19]] Page: Deposition given by Godfrey Shew Collection Title: Papers of the Continental Congress Publication Title: Papers of the Continental Congress Item Number: 153 Publication Number: M247 Item Description: Letters from Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler, 1775-85; Jan. 1777-June 1785 (Vol. III) Item Title: Ltrs from Gen Schuyler Volume Number: 2 Volume Title: Vol 2: June 1775-Dec 1776 Page: 85 & 86 Subject: TRYON COUNTY, N.Y. Date: 1776-03-25 Abstract: Shew, Godfrey. Caughnawaga. Testimony re Indians. 2 p. Copy. Roll Number: 172 NARA, www.footnote.com

: Event: Milit-Event :: Date: 03 JUN 1778 :: Place: Fish House, Tryon Co., NY

:: Note: "When the struggle for liberty began, the Shew family were numbered among the patriotic ones of Tryon County; and although many of the frontier settlers left their homes for less exposed situations when Indian depredations began in 1777, the Shew family chose to remain and brave the dangers of their forest home. On the south side of the great Sacandaga Vlaie, some two miles westward from the Shews, dwelt Robert Martin and Zebulon Algar occupying the same house; and four or five miles still farther west lived Solomon Woodworth, who were also men of the times. They, too, remained exposed, after the British Indians were let loose. ::: John and Henry Shew had several times been on militia duty in 1776 and 1777, as had Solomon Woodworth, who was a sergeant. In the afternoon of June 2, 1778, Woodworth having occasion to call on his neighbor Martin, found to his surprise, that his dwelling was tenantless, and conjecturing the family might be prisoners with the enemy; and armed with his unerring riffle, he went to the Shew's to communicate his suspicions; arriving there early in the evening. Shew's family were all at home except Henry, who had accompanied Zebulon Algar to Johnstown on an errand. As it was too late and hazardous for Woodworth to return to his own dwelling that evening, he tarried overnight at Shew's , and preparations were to give the enemy a warm reception, should the house be attacked in the night. As a precautionary measure adopted, a large pile of stones was deposited at the head of the stairway , and Jacob was stationed all night beside it, ready to cast down his cold shot upon the foe. The inmates of the house were not disturbed during the night, and after breakfast in the morning, Woodworth, Mr. Shew and his son John went out to discover , if possible, what had become of the Martin Family. Finding the house still deserted, the three proceeded in the direction of Summer House Point , two miles distant, in the hope of obtaining some trace of the absentees. On the way, John, who was a sportsman and a dead shot, saw a noble buck crossing his path, and forgetting his foes for the moment, he raised his rifle and shot it. Leaving the animal where it fell until their return, where it probably rotted, the trio proceeded onward, but in a short distance they were surprised by a dozen Indians who had been encamped nearby; now drawn to the spot by the young hunters rifle. Woodworth was about to flee, when the elder Shew, observing the Indians poise their rifles, seized and held him, fearing if he started he would be shot. It now turned out that about 100 of the enemy, Indians and Tories led by Lieut. (afterwards Major) Ross, had come from Canada by the northern route, many of them to remove their families thither. They were also desirous of taking back some patriots as prisoners, with the plunder their dwellings might afford. That they should not be thwarted in the main object of the expedition, they crossed the Sacandaga two miles below the Fish House, where they concealed their canoes, and from thence proceeded with great circumspection to the river settlement near Tribes Hill, where most of their friends resided. They avoided doing any act that might betray their visit to any of the little forts in the neighborhood and elicit pursuit and having collected the Indian and Tory families sought, as expeditiously as possible, they were gathering to take their canoes, when fortune gave them the three prisoners named; having confined their range for prisoners and plunder to the dwellings of the outsiders of civilization. ::: In Philadelphia Bush, north of Tribes Hill, they captured Charles Morris and his son John, George Cough, and his son Henry, and an old gentleman named Eikler, who, for some unknown reason, was liberated; and passing through Fonda's Bush they added to their prisoners, John Putnam, Joseph Scott, John Reese, Herman Salisbury, and Andreas Bowman. The prisoners named in this connection, as also Robert Martin and David Harris, a lad aged 16 years then living with the latter, were made captives on the 2nd day of June; and the Shews and Woodworth, on the following. On the night of the 2nd, the enemy was encamped with their prisoners at a little distance southeast of Summer House Point. After securing Woodworth and his companions, the enemy proceeded directly to Mr. Shew's dwelling, which they had intended to visit on breaking up their camp in the morning. ::: When his father left home, he charged his son Jacob Shew to keep a good lookout up the river for the foe. Mr. Shew's house was situated in a ravine between two gentle elevations, upon which Mr. Rosevelt and Mr. Grinnell erected nice dwellings about the year 1840. On the westerly one near the site of the Grinnell mansion, Jacob took his station. His vigils had lasted perhaps two hours, when he descried a canoe containing several Indians coming sown the creek from Summer House Point. (1) He had not heard the report of his brothers rifle some time before, and on seeing the canoe he ran home to report his discovery; where the party with the prisoners named had already arrived from an opposite direction. Jacob and his brother Stephen now increased the number of prisoners to 16. Jacob, one of the youngest captives, was born April 15, 1763, being 15 years old when taken. ::: COULD NOT POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND - Several Indians among the invaders, the most of whom were

Mohawks, were not only old acquaintances, but long and professed friends of Mr. Shew; from whom they had received numerous favors. The vicinity of his location being a great resort for fisherman and hunters; at times a dozen Indians slept at his house in a single night, partaking, while there, the hospitality of his table. He was assured by Aaron and David, two of his Indian friends who were brothers, when they followed the fortunes of the Johnson Family to Canada, that for the numerous favors they had received from their "white brother", as they called him, he should be duly notified of impending danger, and not be injured or captured in his isolated retreat. This promise of the Indians was heard by young Jacob. Accordingly, pretending not to consider himself a prisoner on reaching home, the elder Shew was very attentive to the wants of his quondam friends. ::: Observing they were reserved and stoical, he took occasion to remind them of their former promises. David, with a guttural grunt and shrug of the shoulders, replied in his native dialect, "Yok-tah cock-a-rungkee!" (I dont understand you!). Proving for once, at least, the old adage false, which said an Indian could never forget a favor. Owing to a combination of circumstances, the enemy were more humane than usual in this invasion, as no women or small children were either killed or carried into captivity. The dwellings of all the captives, except that of Woodworth, which was several miles out of the way, were plundered; and after taking from Shew's house whatever they desired, the enemy suffered Mrs. Shew and her three youngest children to remain on the premises, but left them houseless; for now being out of danger of pursuit, as they believed, the torch was applied and the house mostly consumed before the incendiaries left it. The barn would have escaped destruction as the party had all moved forward, but for William Bowen, a Tory present, who also had received many favors from the Shew family. Looking back, the knave exclaimed "What, are you going to let the cursed rebels barn Stand?". He then ran back some rods back to the burning house, got a fire-brand, set the barn on fire and soon it was a heap of ruins. ::: The invaders under Lt. Ross, who was a British Officer, were all Indians but five, and well known to the Shew family. They were two brothers named Bowen, James Lintz, Sweeny and Louks. The latter was painted and clad like an Indian, but Mr. Shew recognized him soon after his capture and told him he need not paint to disguise his real character. Finding himself detected, he washed off his paint and did not use it again during his journey, to Canada. Among the plunder made at Shew's, was about 500 pounds of maple sugar, which the family had made that spring and were husbanding with care to make it last through the year. The Indian's tomahawks were put in requisition, and soon all the enemy were running about with large cakes, the family not being allowed a morsel of it. This looked cruel to the children, who's mouths watered in vain for the saccharine plunder. ::: Mrs. Shew, after seeing her husband and two sons led off into the forest, and her buildings and their contents destroyed or carried away, set out for Johnstown, 18 miles distant, with feelings none can justly realize at this late day. A Tory squatter, an old Irishman named Kennedy (2), aided Mrs. Shew and her children in crossing the Kennyetto at Summer House Point, from whence they proceeded to the house of Warren Howell (3) , a pioneer settler in Mayfield, 8 miles from the ashes of her own home. The fugitives were kindly treated at Howell's, considering the bias of the family, and remained there over night. On the following day they set forward , and were met at Philadelphia Bush by Mrs. Amasa Stevens and Miss Hannah Putman (4), daughters of Lodowyck Putman, on horseback. They had heard of Mrs. Shew's misfortunes, and thus proceeded to meet and assist her in getting to a place of safety. Mrs. Shew tarried all night with the hospitable Putman family, and arrived the next day with her children at the Johnstown Fort. ::: Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Algar, with their children, were kept in the enemy's camp on the night Martin was captured (possibly where the families of other captives were) and the following morning were set across the Kennyetto at Summer House Point, in the canoe which Henry Shew had left there, and proceeded on by Sir William Johnson's road (5) via Philadelphia Bush to Johnstown, where they arrived before Mrs. Shew. ::: Of the plunder taken along by the enemy, were four good horses, one of which belonged to Algar, the others to the Shew family. From Shew's place the party proceeded down the river to their canoes. Increased, as the party was, by 20 or 30 Indian families, from Tribes Hill, and the prisoners, the watercraft -- some 20 canoes, including the one from Summer House Point -- was found insufficient, and two large elm trees were cut down, from the bark of which two canoes were made and put afloat in about three hours, each carrying four or five men with their packs. A part of the warriors swam the river with the horses and proceeded along its northern shore, while the remainder, with their prisoners and families, floated down the river in canoes. At the rapids, about 20 miles from the starting point and near the present village of Conklingville, the party halted for the night, the canoes being all drawn out to

shore. ::: An Indian chief named Peter Sword, who made known his sir-name to the prisoners by significantly extending his right arm, appeared to share the command with Ross; having, much of the time, most of the say. The prisoners were assembled every night and morning and counted in a novel manner. Peter, standing upon his feet, would drop his hands upon his knees, strain open his eyes like a monkey, and for every prisoner give a shrill whoop, to be numbered by another of the party. He seemed pleased when, at the end of his labor the first night, the invoice ran up to sixteen. He also made a speech every morning to the Indians, just before or just after numbering the prisoners. In counting the captives at the first morning's dawn, the tally fell short one; when Peter sprang up from his recumbent position in evident surprise, and hastily scanning the prisoners he exclaimed in no very good humor- "Ump! Yankee gone!". The most of his prisoners were German. ::: The prisoners were bound nights, and usually an Indian slept on each side of every captive; but early in the evening, after his capture, Woodworth feigned sudden illness with choleramorbus, and he was loosened to vomit, or rather try to, with no little contortion of body and visage, and he was, to all appearances, very sick, having often to run to the bank of the river, whither no one followed him, he was not rebound. His illness only lasted, however, until his foes were all asleep, who flushed with their recent success, did not practice their usual vigilance. Proceeding to the river, Woodworth set a canoe adrift -- not recovered by the enemy -- to make them believe he had crossed the stream; but instead of doing so he struck off up the river on its easterly shore, arriving near the site of the present village of Northville early in the morning -- 25 miles from where he had been obliged to abandoned his trusty rifle. At this point he forded the river, returned home, to the great joy of his family, and with it he arrived in Johnstown in the evening of the day after his captivity. ::: The water party consisting of part of the enemy, most of the prisoners and the removing families, went down the Sacandaga to the Hudson, crossed that river and transported their canoes to the shore of Lake George. In a carrying place about a mile distant from the lake, they found a three-handed bateau, which they took along. They floated north through Lakes George and Champlain to St. Johns, always encamping on the shore at night. The party on land with the horses proceeded along the western side of the lakes, and at the south end of Lake Champlain both parties came together. John Shew, known by the enemy to be a good woodsman, was taken with the party on land. The Algar horse having broken a leg on the uneven ground, was killed and eaten by its new owners. The best horse of the three taken at Shew's, was owned by young Stephen. When the parties united, Stephen again saw his favorite animal grazing with its fellows, and could not give up the idea of its being his property. Pointing to it he observed to an Indian who had the care of it -- "That is my horse!". "Umph ! He mine now!" replied the Indian, by way of comfort to the boy. ::: The food of the water party and probably that of the other, consisted principally of fresh mutton, beef, poultry, etc., obtained as plunder on the premises of the prisoners. The meat was soon fly blown, but the Indians made soup of it. Jacob Shew carried the saddle of a sheep from the Sacondaga to Lake George. The prisoners generally had food enough, although Indian's fare, but for two days near the end of their journey, the water party fasted: enjoying the occupation of eating moldy biscuits--several barrels of which had been left in that neighborhood by a cut-off party of Burgoyne's men the year before. While the enemy were without food, says George Cough, they thought seriously of killing the elder Shew to replenish their larder. After a halt of one day at St. John's, the parties united, set out for Montreal. At an Indian village situated some miles above Montreal, called Caughnawaga, all the prisoners were obliged to run the gauntlet. The lines were composed principally of Indian men armed with birch gads, who loosened the jackets of the prisoners, but none were seriously injured. ::: The captives were 12 days going from the Fish House to Montreal, where a British officer paid twelve dollars and a half each for these of them the Indians chose to give up. Mr. Cough and his son, John Shew, Scott and Bowman were not given up with the rest as prisoners of war, but were retained by the Indians and taken to their homes. What reward, if any, was paid for their capture is unknown. At the time of this invasion, the enemy were desirous of getting prisoners for exchange, and offered a more liberal bounty for prisoners than for scalps; this probably accounts for there having been no blood shed by Ross's party; believed to have been an unparalleled instance of humanity exercised by Canadian invaders during the war. ::: The 10 captives retained as prisoners of war were kept at Montreal for several weeks and then sent up to Quebec on a sloop, from which they were transferred to the ship Maria, under the command of Capt. Max, and remained on

board of her at that port two or three months. While there, a British sergeant drew up at their request, a petition to Sir John Johnson, which the ten Johnstown prisoners and perhaps others signed; proposing as they were held ready for an exchange, they would return home across the lakes and send back a number of the enemy then prisoners with the Americans, equaling their own number. To this proposition Sir John would not agree, but went on board the ship and told them in person that "If they would join his corps, they would all return together to posses their Johnstown lands." ::: "When the d--l will that be?" interrogated the elder Shew, in no very good humor. ::: "The rebels cant hold out much longer," said Sir John, "and at the end of the war, we'll all go to Johnstown together." ::: "Never," responded the old patriot with emphasis, "will you go back to inherit your Johnstown possessions again!" ::: The Tory chieftain was unwilling to believe the war would terminate so disastrously for his future prospects, and soon after left the ship. A few days after, Johnson sent for Mr. Shew to know if any of the prisoners of his acquaintance would be likely to enlist into his Majesty's service. Shew told him he thought they would not, but that he could try them if he chose. After a request from Sir John that he would exert his influence in that direction, the prisoner returned to the ship. ::: A CHANCE TO ENLIST - The next morning a recruiting officer, a Sergeant, named Hilliard, who had removed from Johnstown to Canada, and who knew some of the prisoners, visited the ship to beat up for recruits. The prisoners were all on deck, and, agreeable to his instructions, he waited upon Mr. Shew to make known the nature of his errand. As the young captives gathered round the old gentleman, he said to them, "Here is a recruiting officer come to enlist you into the British service! My lads, if any of you want to sell your country for a green coat with red facings, and a cap with a lock of red horse-hair hanging down one side of it, you now have a good chance!" The reader is aware that the force of an argument depends much on the time and manner of its utterance. That the one of Mr. Shew had its desired weight, may be inferred from the fact that after numerous luring inducements and golden promises of reward in his Majesty's service, Sergeant Hilliard gathered up his papers and left the ship, without having added a single recruit. Thus much for the principles of the back woods men of western New York in the hour that tried men's souls. ::: When the Maria was moored under the Heights of Abraham, the British in the fortifications would play "Yankee-Doodle" to irritate the prisoners. Many of them who were in good spirits, however, would throw up their hats, hurrah for the cause of liberty, begin a jig on the ship's deck and shout to the enemy to play away and they would dance for them. Early in September the Maria was ready to sail for England, via New York, where she was to land her prisoners, some 60 in all. Of the number were Lieut. Col. Frederick Bellinger, and Major John Frey, officers who were made prisoners at Oriskany the summer before. When the ship was about to sail, those officers were told that they could remain at Quebec or go to New York. Major Frey said he would rather remain on the vessel with his countrymen and share their chance to get home, and Col. Bellinger expressed the same views, and they remained on board. After a pleasant sail down the St. Lawrence and into the gulf, the vessel was brought to Newfoundland, to inquire if any Yankees had been there lately; an inquiry known, there, to apply to privateers. They were informed that some had left that port only the day before. ::: Soon after leaving the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Maria fell in with a privateer, which immediately gave chase. The pursuit lasted for two days, and the British vessel escaped by being a better sailor than her antagonist; but she was driven directly out of her course; and after a sail of several weeks, being part of the time nearer Europe than America, and not daring to run down to New York, she returned to Halifax, there landed her captives and sailed directly from thence to England. The trip to sea was a novelty in the life of the Johnstown settlers, the most of whom were very sea-sick for several days; often lining the ship's side and casting up their dinners without the aid of stomach-pumps. Capt. Max was a gentlemen, and treated the prisoners while on his vessel, as though he was born with a soul, a contingency that does not always happen in the birth of naval commanders. ::: Nearly 1,300 captives were then assembled at Halifax, and two ships were fitted out to take them to Boston to be exchanged. Several prisoners had effected their escape from Halifax, by having good knives; and when the Johnstown prisoners were confined there, their knives were taken from all of them except the elder Shew. They had to cook their own meat in a large kettle set in an arch, and often were allowed but a scanty supply of fuel to do it

with. Not infrequently the grease was skimmed off to increase the flame, and at times an old garment was tucked under the kettle. If the meat was not half cooked, as was frequently the case, it had to be eaten in its raw state, with the peas of beans soaked with it--the meat having to be pulled apart with the fingers. Jacob Shew chanced to find a piece of an iron hoop, and with an immense rubbing upon a stone, he made it supply the needs of a knife to the mess which included him. An old tar who had managed to retain his knife, exposed it to a sentinel from motives of mischief, who demanded its surrender to him. The prisoner refused to part with it, and the soldier was taking measures to get it by force, when the old salt, knife in hand, fell back among the prisoners, and the sentinel not daring to leave his post, bit his lip in anger to see his authority set at defiance. ::: While detained at Halifax, Putman, Salisbury and the elder Morris were taken sick and died. The rest of the Johnstown prisoners who had been on board the ship Maria, were landed in Boston, where young Morris also died. Reese left Boston, but as he never reached home, his friends supposed he died on the way. The three Shews, father, Stephen, and Jacob, left Boston together, the latter with the small-pox just developing. Dr. Farrell, of Rhode Island, and Moses Hicks, of Virginia, fellow prisoners, journeyed with the Shews from Boston to Roxbury. As the three latter sat down much fatigued by the wayside in Massachusetts, opposite a nice house, to rest their wearied limbs, some 15 or 18 miles from the city, a little black girl was sent out to inquire if they were deserters. "If you are deserters," said she "master said you should come in, but if you are not, he does not wish to see you." Such was the comfort meted by wealthy Tories, to men suffering in the cause of freedom. ::: On arriving in the town of Sudbury, nearly 20 miles from Boston, Jacob Shew gave out, sat down by the way- side, and told his friends he could go no farther. After seeing him well cared for, they journeyed on, found friends on the route who supplied their necessities, and arrived in Johnstown on January 1, 1779. Jacob fortunately fell into Samaritan hands, was cured of his loathsome disease, and reached Johnstown on the 17 of March following his capture, it being "St. Patrick's day in the morning."Source: [[#S1]] Page: "Jacob Dunham (1727-1779) of Lebanon, Conn. and Mayfield, N.Y. : his descendants and ancestors with five generations of English ancestors : also ancestors and descendants of Stephen Shew with historical accounts of the Shews, Sammons, and Dunhams" By Sophie Dunham Moore 1933 page 5 Note: HISTORY OF THE GODFREY SHEW FAMILY by Susannah Shew, 1862 The subject of this narrative is Godfrey Shew, who embarked from Germany about the year 1739 for the purpose of visiting this country. But alas, ere he completed half of his journey, his pleasure was clouded with sorrow. The ship was struck by lightening which caused a leak and all on board were in agony, expecting soon to find a watery grave. No time was lost pumping out the water and devising a plan to stop the leak, which they succeeded in doing the third day by spiking a piece of sole leather over the leak, then placing heavy boxes immediately on to close the valve. The exertion of all the passengers was so great that the insides of their hands were, in some cases, worn through to the bone. Although it was not his intention to remain in America, when he left home, after such extreme suffering he resolved when he reached New York "never to cross the ocean again". From thence he proceeded to view the country in Pennsylvania. There he married Katie Fry and remained in the State until some time after the close of the French and Indian War. He was in several battles and was wounded in his right arm, which caused his elbow to remain stiff afterwards. He next moved to Johnstown, then Montgomery Co., with his wife and two children, John and Harry (Henry), at which place, four more children, Stephen, Jacob, Polly and Sally were added to the family. Page 61 They remained there until about 1772 when they came to Fish-house village and built the first house in this village in the north end of the lot where the Methodist Church now stands. The only method then to obtain direction of their journey was by marked trees. Allow me to digress a little from the subject. About a year from this time, Sir William Johnson had built a log house on the ground now occupied by Dr. Marvin's garden, which he called his Fish-house, because he had spent his summer months in fishing in that place. But to return to my story -- During the first year after the Shew family settled here, the only method provided to get bread was to go to Johnstown, a distance of about 18 miles and bring sacks of flour on their backs. The second year, they raised their own grain, but their labor, however, was doubled as they had to carry the grain to Johnstown and back again. Later they had a large mortar apparatus and converted the corn into syrup, thus obviating the labor to some degree. About two years after they settled here, Godfrey, Jr. was added to the family. He was the first white child born in this now beautiful and flourishing village. The family remained here until some time after the Revolutionary war broke out. On June 3, 1778, Mr. Shew, with his three sons, John, Stephen and Jacob -- Harry being absent -- were taken prisoners by the Tories and Indians who burned their buildings and killed

their cattle, sheep and hogs. Mrs. Shew and three small children were left unaided, unprotected, and without any means of sustenance. Their only resource was to flee to Johnstown, which direction they obtained by marked trees. Three nights previous to the capture of Mr. Shew, & his three sons, the same Indians and Tories who took them prisoners left their bark canoes on the bank of the river about 4 rods East of the present dwelling house of L. P. Shew. Some of the Shews saw the fire the next morning but were not alarmed as they were repeatedly assured by some professed friendly indians, who had received favors from them, that no harm should befall them. The only satisfaction the prisoners received for mercy from "friendly Indians" was "me not know you". Two hatchets have since been found while clearing the land where they encamped. From Tribes Hill, they returned to their bark canoes Page 62 with their prisoners compelling them to carry a heavy load of the provisions they had plundered. They sailed for Quebec on the Sacandaga, and as often as they came to the rapids would take their boats out of the water and carry them on their heads. The first night after their departure from this place, Soloman Woodworth, one of the prisoners, ran away from them and returned home. The remainder submitted to their fate and traveled through the wilderness to Quebec where they were kept prisoners for some weeks. Their food consisted principally of horsemeat. This, however, was considered as a luxury when compared with previous refreshments, such as tainted beef made into soup. Every inducement was proffered them to join the British, but their love for freedom far surpassed their love for gold. Said John Shew was noted for being a superior marksman and on this account, was not allowed to leave the Indians. The remainder were sent to Boston and exchanged for British prisoners. Mr. Shew and Stephen returned to Johnstown in pursuit of wife and other children. Jacob, having small pox, was allowed to remain behind until recovered. Stephen, Harry and Jacob, soon after their return enlisted in the American Army, leaving their father to care for the remainder of the family. Henry (Harry) was at the taking of Burgoyne; Stephen was one of the number to guard the Fort at Johnstown; and Jacob was in the Battle with the Indians near East Canada Creek. The company was 45 in number, two-thirds of whom were killed. Capt. Soloman Woodworth, above mentioned, was one of the number who fell at Jacob's side. He escaped, however, although one ball passed through the clothes of his body, another cut off his hair between the place where it was tied and his head. He was also on an expedition from Johnstown to Schuylerville, and encamped one night by the high road spring Saratoga, which was then a wilderness. At that time, the water boiled over the surface of the rock. He was also on several scouting expeditions in various places. You are doubtless anxious to hear more about John, who was retained by the Indians. He was kept a prisoner for six months, and having won their confidence by a prompt return with plenty of game, was allowed to go out alone to hunt. After so long a confinement, he resolved to leave the first opportunity. To prepare for this scheme, he prolonged his stay each time and finally ran away from them. He subsisted principally Page 63 on roots and herbs, not daring to shoot his gun, and as often as it became necessary to cross a stream of water, would travel a short distance up and down, in order to mislead his pursuers. It was a trial for him to have to part with his gun, when he swam across the St. Lawrence River, and yet it must have been a torture for him to have it and not be able to shoot it when he was starving for game. At length, he arrived home in safety, and remained there until peace was declared. He then resumed his favorite recreation and about a year from this time when engaged in the town of Milton, Saratoga Co., was suddenly called upon to halt by some eight or ten Indians to "Surrender and they would give him quarters". Seeing no way to escape he therefore surrendered. They then bound his hands and feet and tortured him to death by shooting arrows into him and mangling him beyond discription, as his friends were credibly informed by two or three who interred his remains. He was murdered Oct. 1780. An account of the torture was also related by one of the Tories several years later in the State of Michigan at some neighborhood gathering, when Harry was present. After this boasting of cruelty, the Tory concluded by saying, "We gave him quarters with a hell to it". While Harry's blood was still boiling with rage he told this Tory never to repeat the incident again, informing him the subject of that torture was his brother. Upon hearing this, the Tory immediately started it again. Harry took off his coat and seized him, intent upon giving him quarters "ditto". The remainder of the gathering instantly formed a circle around them and suffered Harry to barely leave the Tory alive. After the war terminated, the family removed to Fish House wilderness and built in their former situation, and afterwards rebuilt 40 rods north of the school-house. The heads of the family here spent the remainder of their days. Mrs. Shew died in 1800 and Mr. Shew in 1804. Their remains were interred about 30 rods north of the monument to John Roosevelt, Jr.*Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Frontiersmen of New York: Showing Customs of the Indians, Vicissitudes of the Pioneer White Settlers, and Border Strife in Two Wars By

Jeptha Root Simms Published by G.C. Riggs, 1883 Volume 2 Original from Harvard University Digitized May 21, 2008 Pages 477-480 Note: INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF JACOB SHEW -

This is the narrative of the venerable patriot, Jacob Shew; of his own captivity, and that of 15 other captives made in the Mayfield and Sacandaga settlements. It was obtained from conversation's with him by the author, Jeptha Simms prior to 1850, at which time Mr. Shew was a resident of Fulton County, N.Y. To follow the footsteps of a soldier, long after his fatiguing marches and counter-marches have ended, and with him, in imagination, fight his battles over again, sharing his dangers and privations; though it prove a thankless task, is nevertheless a profitable and pleasing one. If we are to know the true value of our liberty, we must learn its cost in blood, sweat, and tears, hunger, pain and privation; by following in our minds, the pioneer settler to his peril-encompassed log cabin. After all, the histories of interesting people and locations are to a nation, what inlets are to the mountain rivulet. Godfrey Shew, the father of Jacob Shew, emigrated from Germany to this country, at the age of 19, and just before the French & Indian War. In that war he was an enlisted soldier under the command of Sir William Johnson, and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he received a severe bullet wound in his right arm. At the close of the war, he went to Philadelphia, where he met and married a German girl named Katherine Frey, daughter of Henry Frey. (It is supposed she was not the only child of her parents). On arriving in this country, the Frey family landed in Philadelphia, at which time Katherine was nine years old and was sold into servitude for the next nine years to defray the expense of her passage. The man to whom she was indentured was one of two brothers, Michael or Randall Hutchinson, citizens of Philadelphia. Not long after Katherine was disposed of, her parents removed to the Wyoming Valley, with the understanding that at the expiration date of her time, they would return for her; but as they did not return, she supposed they had been murdered in the French & Indian War. Fortunately she was left in the good hands of the brothers who appreciated her merits, and from whom she received parental kindness. Soon after their marriage, Godfrey and Katherine Shew removed to Johnstown, N.Y., and settled on a farm two miles west of Johnson Hall. They lived at this place eight or ten years, and then took up a farm of 100 acres under Sir William Johnson, 18 miles northeast of Johnstown, near Johnson's fish house. Mr. Shew took possession of the land with the promise of a permanent lease, occupying for a time a squatter's hut near the river. The Shew family erected and resided in a log dwelling in their pioneer residence at first, but they had hewn out timber for a framed building just as the Revolution began, and by its close, the timber was unfit for use. THE SHEW FAMILY, AND OTHERS SURPRISED BY THE ENEMY - Godfrey and Katherine Shew raised seven children, five sons and two daughters, born in the following order: John, Henry, Stephen, Jacob, Mary, Godfrey and Sarah The girls, when grown, married Calvin and Alvin Jackson , brothers. When the struggle for liberty began, the Shew family were numbered among the patriotic ones of Tryon County; and although many of the frontier settlers left their homes for less exposed situations when Indian depredations began in 1777, the Shew family chose to remain and brave the dangers of their forest home. On the south side of the great Sacandaga Vlaie, some two miles westward from the Shews, dwelt Robert Martin and Zebulon Algar occupying the same house; and four or five miles still farther west lived Solomon Woodworth, who were also men of the times. They, too, remained exposed, after the British Indians were let loose. John and Henry Shew had several times been on militia duty in 1776 and 1777, as had Solomon Woodworth, who was a sergeant. In the afternoon of June 2, 1778, Woodworth having occasion to call on his neighbor Martin, found to his surprise, that his dwelling was tenantless, and conjecturing the family might be prisoners with the enemy; and armed with his unerring riffle, he went to the Shew's to communicate his suspicions; arriving there early in the evening. Shew's family were all at home except Henry, who had accompanied Zebulon Algar to Johnstown on an errand. As it was too late and hazardous for Woodworth to return to his own dwelling that evening, he tarried overnight at Shew's , and preparations were to give the enemy a warm reception, should the house be attacked in the night. As a precautionary measure adopted, a large pile of stones was deposited at the head of the stairway , and Jacob was stationed all night beside it, ready to cast down his cold shot upon the foe. The inmates of the house were not disturbed during the night, and after breakfast in the morning, Woodworth, Mr. Shew and his son John went out to discover , if possible, what had become of the Martin Family. Finding the house still deserted, the three proceeded in the direction of Summer House Point , two miles distant, in the hope of obtaining some trace of the absentees. On the way, John, who was a sportsman and a dead shot, saw a noble buck crossing his path, and forgetting his foes for the moment, he raised his rifle and shot it. Leaving the animal where it fell until

their return, where it probably rotted, the trio proceeded onward, but in a short distance they were surprised by a dozen Indians who had been encamped nearby; now drawn to the spot by the young hunters rifle. Woodworth was about to flee, when the elder Shew, observing the Indians poise their rifles, seized and held him, fearing if he started he would be shot. It now turned out that about 100 of the enemy, Indians and Tories led by Lieut. (afterwards Major) Ross, had come from Canada by the northern route, many of them to remove their families thither. They were also desirous of taking back some patriots as prisoners, with the plunder their dwellings might afford. That they should not be thwarted in the main object of the expedition, they crossed the Sacandaga two miles below the Fish House, where they concealed their canoes, and from thence proceeded with great circumspection to the river settlement near Tribes Hill, where most of their friends resided. They avoided doing any act that might betray their visit to any of the little forts in the neighborhood and elicit pursuit and having collected the Indian and Tory families sought, as expeditiously as possible, they were gathering to take their canoes, when fortune gave them the three prisoners named; having confined their range for prisoners and plunder to the dwellings of the outsiders of civilization. In Philadelphia bush, north of Tribes Hill, they captured Charles Morris and his son John, George Cough, and his son Henry, and an old gentleman named Eikler, who, for some unknown reason, was liberated; and passing through Fonda's Bush they added to their prisoners, John Putnam, Joseph Scott, John Reese, Herman Salisbury, and Andreas Bowman. The prisoners named in this connection, as also Robert Martin and David Harris, a lad aged 16 years then living with the latter, were made captives on the 2nd day of June; and the Shews and Woodworth, on the following. On the night of the 2nd, the enemy was encamped with their prisoners at a little distance southeast of Summer House Point. After securing Woodworth and his companions, the enemy proceeded directly to Mr. Shew's dwelling, which they had intended to visit on breaking up their camp in the morning. When his father left home, he charged his son Jacob Shew to keep a good lookout up the river for the foe. Mr. Shew's house was situated in a ravine between two gentle elevations, upon which Mr. Rosevelt and Mr. Grinnell erected nice dwellings about the year 1840. On the westerly one near the site of the Grinnell mansion, Jacob took his station. His vigils had lasted perhaps two hours, when he descried a canoe containing several Indians coming sown the creek from Summer House Point. (1) He had not heard the report of his brothers rifle some time before, and on seeing the canoe he ran home to report his discovery; where the party with the prisoners named had already arrived from an opposite direction. Jacob and his brother Stephen now increased the number of prisoners to 16. Jacob, one of the youngest captives, was born April 15, 1763, being 15 years old when taken. COULD NOT POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND - Several Indians among the invaders, the most of whom were Mohawks, were not only old acquaintances, but long and professed friends of Mr. Shew; from whom they had received numerous favors. The vicinity of his location being a great resort for fisherman and hunters; at times a dozen Indians slept at his house in a single night, partaking, while there, the hospitality of his table. He was assured by Aaron and David, two of his Indian friends who were brothers, when they followed the fortunes of the Johnson Family to Canada, that for the numerous favors they had received from their "white brother", as they called him, he should be duly notified of impending danger, and not be injured or captured in his isolated retreat. This promise of the Indians was heard by young Jacob. Accordingly, pretending not to consider himself a prisoner on reaching home, the elder Shew was very attentive to the wants of his quondam friends. Observing they were reserved and stoical, he took occasion to remind them of their former promises. David, with a guttural grunt and shrug of the shoulders, replied in his native dialect, "Yok-tah cock-a-rungkee!" (I dont understand you!). Proving for once, at least, the old adage false, which said an Indian could never forget a favor. Owing to a combination of circumstances, the enemy were more humane than usual in this invasion, as no women or small children were either killed or carried into captivity. The dwellings of all the captives, except that of Woodworth, which was several miles out of the way, were plundered; and after taking from Shew's house whatever they desired, the enemy suffered Mrs. Shew and her three youngest children to remain on the premises, but left them houseless; for now being out of danger of pursuit, as they believed, the torch was applied and the house mostly consumed before the incendiaries left it. The barn would have escaped destruction as the party had all moved forward, but for William Bowen, a Tory present, who also had received many favors from the Shew family. Looking back, the knave exclaimed "What, are you going to let the cursed rebels barn Stand?". He then ran back some rods back to the burning house, got a fire-brand, set the barn on fire and soon it was a heap of ruins. The invaders under Lt. Ross, who was a British Officer, were all Indians but five, and well known to the Shew family. They were two brothers named Bowen, James Lintz, Sweeny and Louks. The

latter was painted and clad like an Indian, but Mr. Shew recognized him soon after his capture and told him he need not paint to disguise his real character. Finding himself detected, he washed off his paint and did not use it again during his journey, to Canada. Among the plunder made at Shew's, was about 500 pounds of maple sugar, which the family had made that spring and were husbanding with care to make it last through the year. The Indian's tomahawks were put in requisition, and soon all the enemy were running about with large cakes, the family not being allowed a morsel of it. This looked cruel to the children, who's mouths watered in vain for the saccharine plunder. Mrs. Shew, after seeing her husband and two sons led off into the forest, and her buildings and their contents destroyed or carried away, set out for Johnstown, 18 miles distant, with feelings none can justly realize at this late day. A Tory squatter, an old Irishman named Kennedy (2), aided Mrs. Shew and her children in crossing the Kennyetto at Summer House Point, from whence they proceeded to the house of Warren Howell (3) , a pioneer settler in Mayfield, 8 miles from the ashes of her own home. The fugitives were kindly treated at Howell's, considering the bias of the family, and remained there over night. On the following day they set forward , and were met at Philadelphia Bush by Mrs. Amasa Stevens and Miss Hannah Putman (4), daughters of Lodowyck Putman, on horseback. They had heard of Mrs. Shew's misfortunes, and thus proceeded to meet and assist her in getting to a place of safety. Mrs. Shew tarried all night with the hospitable Putman family, and arrived the next day with her children at the Johnstown Fort. Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Algar, with their children, were kept in the enemy's camp on the night Martin was captured (possibly where the families of other captives were) and the following morning were set across the Kennyetto at Summer House Point, in the canoe which Henry Shew had left there, and proceeded on by Sir William Johnson's road (5) via Philadelphia Bush to Johnstown, where they arrived before Mrs. Shew. Of the plunder taken along by the enemy, were four good horses, one of which belonged to Algar, the others to the Shew family. From Shew's place the party proceeded down the river to their canoes. Increased, as the party was, by 20 or 30 Indian families, from Tribes Hill, and the prisoners, the watercraft -- some 20 canoes, including the one from Summer House Point -- was found insufficient, and two large elm trees were cut down, from the bark of which two canoes were made and put afloat in about three hours, each carrying four or five men with their packs. A part of the warriors swam the river with the horses and proceeded along its northern shore, while the remainder, with their prisoners and families, floated down the river in canoes. At the rapids, about 20 miles from the starting point and near the present village of Conklingville, the party halted for the night, the canoes being all drawn out to shore. An Indian chief named Peter Sword, who made known his sir-name to the prisoners by significantly extending his right arm, appeared to share the command with Ross; having, much of the time, most of the say. The prisoners were assembled every night and morning and counted in a novel manner. Peter, standing upon his feet, would drop his hands upon his knees, strain open his eyes like a monkey, and for every prisoner give a shrill whoop, to be numbered by another of the party. He seemed pleased when, at the end of his labor the first night, the invoice ran up to sixteen. He also made a speech every morning to the Indians, just before or just after numbering the prisoners. In counting the captives at the first morning's dawn, the tally fell short one; when Peter sprang up from his recumbent position in evident surprise, and hastily scanning the prisoners he exclaimed in no very good humor- "Ump! Yankee gone!". The most of his prisoners were German. The prisoners were bound nights, and usually an Indian slept on each side of every captive; but early in the evening, after his capture, Woodworth feigned sudden illness with choleramorbus, and he was loosened to vomit, or rather try to, with no little contortion of body and visage, and he was, to all appearances, very sick, having often to run to the bank of the river, whither no one followed him, he was not rebound. His illness only lasted, however, until his foes were all asleep, who flushed with their recent success, did not practice their usual vigilance. Proceeding to the river, Woodworth set a canoe adrift -- not recovered by the enemy -- to make them believe he had crossed the stream; but instead of doing so he struck off up the river on its easterly shore, arriving near the site of the present village of Northville early in the morning -- 25 miles from where he had been obliged to abandoned his trusty rifle. At this point he forded the river, returned home, to the great joy of his family, and with it he arrived in Johnstown in the evening of the day after his captivity. The water party consisting of part of the enemy, most of the prisoners and the removing families, went down the Sacandaga to the Hudson, crossed that river and transported their canoes to the shore of Lake George. In a carrying place about a mile distant from the lake, they found a three-handed bateau, which they took along. They floated north through Lakes George and Champlain to St. Johns, always encamping on the shore at night. The party on land with the horses proceeded along the western side of the lakes, and at the south end of Lake Champlain both parties

came together. John Shew, known by the enemy to be a good woodsman, was taken with the party on land. The Algar horse having broken a leg on the uneven ground, was killed and eaten by its new owners. The best horse of the three taken at Shew's, was owned by young Stephen. When the parties united, Stephen again saw his favorite animal grazing with its fellows, and could not give up the idea of its being his property. Pointing to it he observed to an Indian who had the care of it -- "That is my horse!". "Umph ! He mine now!" replied the Indian, by way of comfort to the boy. The food of the water party and probably that of the other, consisted principally of fresh mutton, beef, poultry, etc., obtained as plunder on the premises of the prisoners. The meat was soon fly blown, but the Indians made soup of it. Jacob Shew carried the saddle of a sheep from the Sacondaga to Lake George. The prisoners generally had food enough, although Indian's fare, but for two days near the end of their journey, the water party fasted: enjoying the occupation of eating moldy biscuits--several barrels of which had been left in that neighborhood by a cut-off party of Burgoyne's men the year before. While the enemy were without food, says George Cough, they thought seriously of killing the elder Shew to replenish their larder. After a halt of one day at St. John's, the parties united, set out for Montreal. At an Indian village situated some miles above Montreal, called Caughnawaga, all the prisoners were obliged to run the gauntlet. The lines were composed principally of Indian men armed with birch gads, who loosened the jackets of the prisoners, but none were seriously injured. The captives were 12 days going from the Fish House to Montreal, where a British officer paid twelve dollars and a half each for these of them the Indians chose to give up. Mr. Cough and his son, John Shew, Scott and Bowman were not given up with the rest as prisoners of war, but were retained by the Indians and taken to their homes. What reward, if any, was paid for their capture is unknown. At the time of this invasion, the enemy were desirous of getting prisoners for exchange, and offered a more liberal bounty for prisoners than for scalps; this probably accounts for there having been no blood shed by Ross's party; believed to have been an unparalleled instance of humanity exercised by Canadian invaders during the war. The 10 captives retained as prisoners of war were kept at Montreal for several weeks and then sent up to Quebec on a sloop, from which they were transferred to the ship Maria, under the command of Capt. Max, and remained on board of her at that port two or three months. While there, a British sergeant drew up at their request, a petition to Sir John Johnson, which the ten Johnstown prisoners and perhaps others signed; proposing as they were held ready for an exchange, they would return home across the lakes and send back a number of the enemy then prisoners with the Americans, equaling their own number. To this proposition Sir John would not agree, but went on board the ship and told them in person that "If they would join his corps, they would all return together to posses their Johnstown lands." "When the d--l will that be?" interrogated the elder Shew, in no very good humor. "The rebels cant hold out much longer," said Sir John, "and at the end of the war, we'll all go to Johnstown together." "Never," responded the old patriot with emphasis, "will you go back to inherit your Johnstown possessions again!" The Tory chieftain was unwilling to believe the war would terminate so disastrously for his future prospects, and soon after left the ship. A few days after, Johnson sent for Mr. Shew to know if any of the prisoners of his acquaintance would be likely to enlist into his Majesty's service. Shew told him he thought they would not, but that he could try them if he chose. After a request from Sir John that he would exert his influence in that direction, the prisoner returned to the ship. Continue to Part 2 A CHANCE TO ENLIST - The next morning a recruiting officer, a Sergeant, named Hilliard, who had removed from Johnstown to Canada, and who knew some of the prisoners, visited the ship to beat up for recruits. The prisoners were all on deck, and, agreeable to his instructions, he waited upon Mr. Shew to make known the nature of his errand. As the young captives gathered round the old gentleman, he said to them, "Here is a recruiting officer come to enlist you into the British service! My lads, if any of you want to sell your country for a green coat with red facings, and a cap with a lock of red horse-hair hanging down one side of it, you now have a good chance!" The reader is aware that the force of an argument depends much on the time and manner of its utterance. That the one of Mr. Shew had its desired weight, may be inferred from the fact that after numerous luring inducements and golden promises of reward in his Majesty's service, Sergeant Hilliard gathered up his papers and left the ship, without having added a single recruit. Thus much for the principles of the back woods men of western New York in the hour that tried men's souls. When the Maria was moored under the Heights of Abraham, the British in the fortifications would play "Yankee-Doodle" to irritate the prisoners. Many of them who were in good spirits, however, would throw up their hats, hurrah for the cause of liberty, begin a jig on the ship's deck and shout to the enemy to play away and they would dance for them. Early in September the Maria was ready to sail for England, via New York, where she

was to land her prisoners, some 60 in all. Of the number were Lieut. Col. Frederick Bellinger, and Major John Frey, officers who were made prisoners at Oriskany the summer before. When the ship was about to sail, those officers were told that they could remain at Quebec or go to New York. Major Frey said he would rather remain on the vessel with his countrymen and share their chance to get home, and Col. Bellinger expressed the same views, and they remained on board. After a pleasant sail down the St. Lawrence and into the gulf, the vessel was brought to Newfoundland, to inquire if any Yankees had been there lately; an inquiry known, there, to apply to privateers. They were informed that some had left that port only the day before. Soon after leaving the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Maria fell in with a privateer, which immediately gave chase. The pursuit lasted for two days, and the British vessel escaped by being a better sailor than her antagonist; but she was driven directly out of her course; and after a sail of several weeks, being part of the time nearer Europe than America, and not daring to run down to New York, she returned to Halifax, there landed her captives and sailed directly from thence to England. The trip to sea was a novelty in the life of the Johnstown settlers, the most of whom were very sea-sick for several days; often lining the ship's side and casting up their dinners without the aid of stomach-pumps. Capt. Max was a gentlemen, and treated the prisoners while on his vessel, as though he was born with a soul, a contingency that does not always happen in the birth of naval commanders. Nearly 1,300 captives were then assembled at Halifax, and two ships were fitted out to take them to Boston to be exchanged. Several prisoners had effected their escape from Halifax, by having good knives; and when the Johnstown prisoners were confined there, their knives were taken from all of them except the elder Shew. They had to cook their own meat in a large kettle set in an arch, and often were allowed but a scanty supply of fuel to do it with. Not infrequently the grease was skimmed off to increase the flame, and at times an old garment was tucked under the kettle. If the meat was not half cooked, as was frequently the case, it had to be eaten in its raw state, with the peas of beans soaked with it--the meat having to be pulled apart with the fingers. Jacob Shew chanced to find a piece of an iron hoop, and with an immense rubbing upon a stone, he made it supply the needs of a knife to the mess which included him. An old tar who had managed to retain his knife, exposed it to a sentinel from motives of mischief, who demanded its surrender to him. The prisoner refused to part with it, and the soldier was taking measures to get it by force, when the old salt, knife in hand, fell back among the prisoners, and the sentinel not daring to leave his post, bit his lip in anger to see his authority set at defiance. While detained at Halifax, Putman, Salisbury and the elder Morris were taken sick and died. The rest of the Johnstown prisoners who had been on board the ship Maria, were landed in Boston, where young Morris also died. Reese left Boston, but as he never reached home, his friends supposed he died on the way. The three Shews, father, Stephen, and Jacob, left Boston together, the latter with the small-pox just developing. Dr. Farrell, of Rhode Island, and Moses Hicks, of Virginia, fellow prisoners, journeyed with the Shews from Boston to Roxbury. As the three latter sat down much fatigued by the wayside in Massachusetts, opposite a nice house, to rest their wearied limbs, some 15 or 18 miles from the city, a little black girl was sent out to inquire if they were deserters. "If you are deserters," said she "master said you should come in, but if you are not, he does not wish to see you." Such was the comfort meted by wealthy Tories, to men suffering in the cause of freedom. On arriving in the town of Sudbury, nearly 20 miles from Boston, Jacob Shew gave out, sat down by the way-side, and told his friends he could go no farther. After seeing him well cared for, they journeyed on, found friends on the route who supplied their necessities, and arrived in Johnstown on January 1, 1779. Jacob fortunately fell into Samaritan hands, was cured of his loathsome disease, and reached Johnstown on the 17 of March following his capture, it being "St. Patrick's day in the morning." HOW SHEW AND SCOTT MADE THEIR ESCAPE - I have observed that several of the Johnstown prisoners were retained among the Indians. John Shew and Joseph Scott, known by their captors to be good hunters, the former being a celebrated marksman, were taken some distance north of the St. Lawrence, where they were retained not far apart. They were allowed to hunt for their new masters to supply them with food, and several times met in their excursions. At one of those accidental meetings the two friends agreed to take French leave of the forest and return home. Securing what food and ammunition they could, they met by concert and set their faces toward Johnstown, distant several hundred miles. On arriving at the St. Lawrence, they luckily found a tree canoe on shore, in which they crossed the river. Fearing they might be on an island, they concealed the canoe in the bushes, but they were soon undeceived and resumed their march. They had secured hooks and fish-lines, and with those and their fire arms they, for several days, were well fed. While journeying along the western shore of Lake Champlain, they became straitened for food, and seeing a British vessel not far from the shore, they resolved to

obtain a supply from her. Making a signal, a boat was sent for them and they were soon on ship-board. They stated that they were Tories (it is a wonder the lie did not choke them), going to see their suffering families in a frontier settlement, and there chanced to be no one on board who knew them, they were believed, obtained a good supply of food, were again set on shore, and meeting with no hindrance, they arrived in a few days at Saratoga, where they were arrested as British spies. Gen. Schuyler, who was then in command there, was informed in the evening that two spies had been taken. "Bring them in tomorrow morning for examination," said the General. In the campaign of 1777, John Shew had become acquainted with General Schuyler, and when himself and his comrade were taken into his presence in the morning, the latter instantly recognized his Johnstown friend. "What, John, are you here as a spy?" said he in a friendly manner, advancing and offering his hand. "They say so," said John, exchanging the proffered salutation. "But where do you come from?" inquired the general, who had no doubt about his patriotism. "I suppose you knew," said the wearied soldier, "that I was some weeks ago made a prisoner, with my friends and neighbors, and taken to Canada." At his request, Shew related the manner of his own and his friends' capture and conveyance to Canada; how, on their arrival, they were separated; how he and Scott had escaped from their captors; and how, when in want of food they had obtained it of their foes, etc., etc., all of which deeply interested the General; and learning that they desired to go directly to their friends, he supplied their immediate wants and gave them a parting blessing. They arrived in Johnstown some five or six weeks after their capture.Source: [[#S36]] Page: http://www.threerivershms.com/Bio.htm : Event: :: Type: Milit-Event :: Date: 01 JAN 1779 :: Note: After being held prisoner nearly 7 months, Godfrey arrived back home with his son Stephen by way of Quebec, Halifax, & Boston. The prisoner exchange occured in Boston.Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Frontiersmen of New York: Showing Customs of the Indians, Vicissitudes of the Pioneer White Settlers, and Border Strife in Two Wars By Jeptha Root Simms Published by G.C. Riggs, 1883 Volume 2 Original from Harvard University Digitized May 21, 2008 Page 216 Note: "INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF JACOB SHEW - This is the narrative of the venerable patriot, Jacob Shew; of his own captivity, and that of 15 other captives made in the Mayfield and Sacandaga settlements. It was obtained from conversation's with him by the author, Jeptha Simms prior to 1850, at which time Mr. Shew was a resident of Fulton County, N.Y. To follow the footsteps of a soldier, long after his fatiguing marches and counter-marches have ended, and with him, in imagination, fight his battles over again, sharing his dangers and privations; though it prove a thankless task, is nevertheless a profitable and pleasing one. If we are to know the true value of our liberty, we must learn its cost in blood, sweat, and tears, hunger, pain and privation; by following in our minds, the pioneer settler to his peril-encompassed log cabin. After all, the histories of interesting people and locations are to a nation, what inlets are to the mountain rivulet. Godfrey Shew, the father of Jacob Shew, emigrated from Germany to this country, at the age of 19, and just before the French & Indian War. In that war he was an enlisted soldier under the command of Sir William Johnson, and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he received a severe bullet wound in his right arm. At the close of the war, he went to Philadelphia, where he met and married a German girl named Katherine Frey, daughter of Henry Frey. (It is supposed she was not the only child of her parents). On arriving in this country, the Frey family landed in Philadelphia, at which time Katherine was nine years old and was sold into servitude for the next nine years to defray the expense of her passage. The man to whom she was indentured was one of two brothers, Michael or Randall Hutchinson, citizens of Philadelphia. Not long after Katherine was disposed of, her parents removed to the Wyoming Valley, with the understanding that at the expiration date of her time, they would return for her; but as they did not return, she supposed they had been murdered in the French & Indian War. Fortunately she was left in the good hands of the brothers who appreciated her merits, and from whom she received parental kindness. Soon after their marriage, Godfrey and Katherine Shew removed to Johnstown, N.Y., and settled on a farm two miles west of Johnson Hall. They lived at this place eight or ten years, and then took up a farm of 100 acres under Sir William Johnson, 18 miles northeast of Johnstown, near Johnson's fish house. Mr. Shew took possession of the land with the promise of a permanent lease, occupying for a time a squatter's hut near the river. The Shew family erected and resided in a log dwelling in their pioneer residence at first, but they had hewn out timber for a framed building just as the Revolution began, and by its close, the timber was unfit for use. THE SHEW FAMILY, AND

OTHERS SURPRISED BY THE ENEMY - Godfrey and Katherine Shew raised seven children, five sons and two daughters, born in the following order: John, Henry, Stephen, Jacob, Mary, Godfrey and Sarah The girls, when grown, married Calvin and Alvin Jackson , brothers. When the struggle for liberty began, the Shew family were numbered among the patriotic ones of Tryon County; and although many of the frontier settlers left their homes for less exposed situations when Indian depredations began in 1777, the Shew family chose to remain and brave the dangers of their forest home. On the south side of the great Sacandaga Vlaie, some two miles westward from the Shews, dwelt Robert Martin and Zebulon Algar occupying the same house; and four or five miles still farther west lived Solomon Woodworth, who were also men of the times. They, too, remained exposed, after the British Indians were let loose. John and Henry Shew had several times been on militia duty in 1776 and 1777, as had Solomon Woodworth, who was a sergeant. In the afternoon of June 2, 1778, Woodworth having occasion to call on his neighbor Martin, found to his surprise, that his dwelling was tenantless, and conjecturing the family might be prisoners with the enemy; and armed with his unerring riffle, he went to the Shew's to communicate his suspicions; arriving there early in the evening. Shew's family were all at home except Henry, who had accompanied Zebulon Algar to Johnstown on an errand. As it was too late and hazardous for Woodworth to return to his own dwelling that evening, he tarried overnight at Shew's , and preparations were to give the enemy a warm reception, should the house be attacked in the night. As a precautionary measure adopted, a large pile of stones was deposited at the head of the stairway , and Jacob was stationed all night beside it, ready to cast down his cold shot upon the foe. The inmates of the house were not disturbed during the night, and after breakfast in the morning, Woodworth, Mr. Shew and his son John went out to discover , if possible, what had become of the Martin Family. Finding the house still deserted, the three proceeded in the direction of Summer House Point , two miles distant, in the hope of obtaining some trace of the absentees. On the way, John, who was a sportsman and a dead shot, saw a noble buck crossing his path, and forgetting his foes for the moment, he raised his rifle and shot it. Leaving the animal where it fell until their return, where it probably rotted, the trio proceeded onward, but in a short distance they were surprised by a dozen Indians who had been encamped nearby; now drawn to the spot by the young hunters rifle. Woodworth was about to flee, when the elder Shew, observing the Indians poise their rifles, seized and held him, fearing if he started he would be shot. It now turned out that about 100 of the enemy, Indians and Tories led by Lieut. (afterwards Major) Ross, had come from Canada by the northern route, many of them to remove their families thither. They were also desirous of taking back some patriots as prisoners, with the plunder their dwellings might afford. That they should not be thwarted in the main object of the expedition, they crossed the Sacandaga two miles below the Fish House, where they concealed their canoes, and from thence proceeded with great circumspection to the river settlement near Tribes Hill, where most of their friends resided. They avoided doing any act that might betray their visit to any of the little forts in the neighborhood and elicit pursuit and having collected the Indian and Tory families sought, as expeditiously as possible, they were gathering to take their canoes, when fortune gave them the three prisoners named; having confined their range for prisoners and plunder to the dwellings of the outsiders of civilization. In Philadelphia bush, north of Tribes Hill, they captured Charles Morris and his son John, George Cough, and his son Henry, and an old gentleman named Eikler, who, for some unknown reason, was liberated; and passing through Fonda's Bush they added to their prisoners, John Putnam, Joseph Scott, John Reese, Herman Salisbury, and Andreas Bowman. The prisoners named in this connection, as also Robert Martin and David Harris, a lad aged 16 years then living with the latter, were made captives on the 2nd day of June; and the Shews and Woodworth, on the following. On the night of the 2nd, the enemy was encamped with their prisoners at a little distance southeast of Summer House Point. After securing Woodworth and his companions, the enemy proceeded directly to Mr. Shew's dwelling, which they had intended to visit on breaking up their camp in the morning. When his father left home, he charged his son Jacob Shew to keep a good lookout up the river for the foe. Mr. Shew's house was situated in a ravine between two gentle elevations, upon which Mr. Rosevelt and Mr. Grinnell erected nice dwellings about the year 1840. On the westerly one near the site of the Grinnell mansion, Jacob took his station. His vigils had lasted perhaps two hours, when he descried a canoe containing several Indians coming sown the creek from Summer House Point. (1) He had not heard the report of his brothers rifle some time before, and on seeing the canoe he ran home to report his discovery; where the party with the prisoners named had already arrived from an opposite direction. Jacob and his brother Stephen now increased the number of prisoners to 16. Jacob, one of the youngest captives, was born April 15, 1763, being 15 years old when taken. COULD NOT POSSIBLY

UNDERSTAND - Several Indians among the invaders, the most of whom were Mohawks, were not only old acquaintances, but long and professed friends of Mr. Shew; from whom they had received numerous favors. The vicinity of his location being a great resort for fisherman and hunters; at times a dozen Indians slept at his house in a single night, partaking, while there, the hospitality of his table. He was assured by Aaron and David, two of his Indian friends who were brothers, when they followed the fortunes of the Johnson Family to Canada, that for the numerous favors they had received from their "white brother", as they called him, he should be duly notified of impending danger, and not be injured or captured in his isolated retreat. This promise of the Indians was heard by young Jacob. Accordingly, pretending not to consider himself a prisoner on reaching home, the elder Shew was very attentive to the wants of his quondam friends. Observing they were reserved and stoical, he took occasion to remind them of their former promises. David, with a guttural grunt and shrug of the shoulders, replied in his native dialect, "Yok-tah cock-a-rungkee!" (I dont understand you!). Proving for once, at least, the old adage false, which said an Indian could never forget a favor. Owing to a combination of circumstances, the enemy were more humane than usual in this invasion, as no women or small children were either killed or carried into captivity. The dwellings of all the captives, except that of Woodworth, which was several miles out of the way, were plundered; and after taking from Shew's house whatever they desired, the enemy suffered Mrs. Shew and her three youngest children to remain on the premises, but left them houseless; for now being out of danger of pursuit, as they believed, the torch was applied and the house mostly consumed before the incendiaries left it. The barn would have escaped destruction as the party had all moved forward, but for William Bowen, a Tory present, who also had received many favors from the Shew family. Looking back, the knave exclaimed "What, are you going to let the cursed rebels barn Stand?". He then ran back some rods back to the burning house, got a fire-brand, set the barn on fire and soon it was a heap of ruins. The invaders under Lt. Ross, who was a British Officer, were all Indians but five, and well known to the Shew family. They were two brothers named Bowen, James Lintz, Sweeny and Louks. The latter was painted and clad like an Indian, but Mr. Shew recognized him soon after his capture and told him he need not paint to disguise his real character. Finding himself detected, he washed off his paint and did not use it again during his journey, to Canada. Among the plunder made at Shew's, was about 500 pounds of maple sugar, which the family had made that spring and were husbanding with care to make it last through the year. The Indian's tomahawks were put in requisition, and soon all the enemy were running about with large cakes, the family not being allowed a morsel of it. This looked cruel to the children, who's mouths watered in vain for the saccharine plunder. Mrs. Shew, after seeing her husband and two sons led off into the forest, and her buildings and their contents destroyed or carried away, set out for Johnstown, 18 miles distant, with feelings none can justly realize at this late day. A Tory squatter, an old Irishman named Kennedy (2), aided Mrs. Shew and her children in crossing the Kennyetto at Summer House Point, from whence they proceeded to the house of Warren Howell (3) , a pioneer settler in Mayfield, 8 miles from the ashes of her own home. The fugitives were kindly treated at Howell's, considering the bias of the family, and remained there over night. On the following day they set forward , and were met at Philadelphia Bush by Mrs. Amasa Stevens and Miss Hannah Putman (4), daughters of Lodowyck Putman, on horseback. They had heard of Mrs. Shew's misfortunes, and thus proceeded to meet and assist her in getting to a place of safety. Mrs. Shew tarried all night with the hospitable Putman family, and arrived the next day with her children at the Johnstown Fort. Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Algar, with their children, were kept in the enemy's camp on the night Martin was captured (possibly where the families of other captives were) and the following morning were set across the Kennyetto at Summer House Point, in the canoe which Henry Shew had left there, and proceeded on by Sir William Johnson's road (5) via Philadelphia Bush to Johnstown, where they arrived before Mrs. Shew. Of the plunder taken along by the enemy, were four good horses, one of which belonged to Algar, the others to the Shew family. From Shew's place the party proceeded down the river to their canoes. Increased, as the party was, by 20 or 30 Indian families, from Tribes Hill, and the prisoners, the watercraft -- some 20 canoes, including the one from Summer House Point -- was found insufficient, and two large elm trees were cut down, from the bark of which two canoes were made and put afloat in about three hours, each carrying four or five men with their packs. A part of the warriors swam the river with the horses and proceeded along its northern shore, while the remainder, with their prisoners and families, floated down the river in canoes. At the rapids, about 20 miles from the starting point and near the present village of Conklingville, the party halted for the night, the canoes being all drawn out to shore. An Indian chief named Peter Sword, who made known his sir-name to the prisoners by significantly

extending his right arm, appeared to share the command with Ross; having, much of the time, most of the say. The prisoners were assembled every night and morning and counted in a novel manner. Peter, standing upon his feet, would drop his hands upon his knees, strain open his eyes like a monkey, and for every prisoner give a shrill whoop, to be numbered by another of the party. He seemed pleased when, at the end of his labor the first night, the invoice ran up to sixteen. He also made a speech every morning to the Indians, just before or just after numbering the prisoners. In counting the captives at the first morning's dawn, the tally fell short one; when Peter sprang up from his recumbent position in evident surprise, and hastily scanning the prisoners he exclaimed in no very good humor- "Ump! Yankee gone!". The most of his prisoners were German. The prisoners were bound nights, and usually an Indian slept on each side of every captive; but early in the evening, after his capture, Woodworth feigned sudden illness with choleramorbus, and he was loosened to vomit, or rather try to, with no little contortion of body and visage, and he was, to all appearances, very sick, having often to run to the bank of the river, whither no one followed him, he was not rebound. His illness only lasted, however, until his foes were all asleep, who flushed with their recent success, did not practice their usual vigilance. Proceeding to the river, Woodworth set a canoe adrift -- not recovered by the enemy -- to make them believe he had crossed the stream; but instead of doing so he struck off up the river on its easterly shore, arriving near the site of the present village of Northville early in the morning -- 25 miles from where he had been obliged to abandoned his trusty rifle. At this point he forded the river, returned home, to the great joy of his family, and with it he arrived in Johnstown in the evening of the day after his captivity. The water party consisting of part of the enemy, most of the prisoners and the removing families, went down the Sacandaga to the Hudson, crossed that river and transported their canoes to the shore of Lake George. In a carrying place about a mile distant from the lake, they found a three-handed bateau, which they took along. They floated north through Lakes George and Champlain to St. Johns, always encamping on the shore at night. The party on land with the horses proceeded along the western side of the lakes, and at the south end of Lake Champlain both parties came together. John Shew, known by the enemy to be a good woodsman, was taken with the party on land. The Algar horse having broken a leg on the uneven ground, was killed and eaten by its new owners. The best horse of the three taken at Shew's, was owned by young Stephen. When the parties united, Stephen again saw his favorite animal grazing with its fellows, and could not give up the idea of its being his property. Pointing to it he observed to an Indian who had the care of it -- "That is my horse!". "Umph ! He mine now!" replied the Indian, by way of comfort to the boy. The food of the water party and probably that of the other, consisted principally of fresh mutton, beef, poultry, etc., obtained as plunder on the premises of the prisoners. The meat was soon fly blown, but the Indians made soup of it. Jacob Shew carried the saddle of a sheep from the Sacondaga to Lake George. The prisoners generally had food enough, although Indian's fare, but for two days near the end of their journey, the water party fasted: enjoying the occupation of eating moldy biscuits--several barrels of which had been left in that neighborhood by a cut-off party of Burgoyne's men the year before. While the enemy were without food, says George Cough, they thought seriously of killing the elder Shew to replenish their larder. After a halt of one day at St. John's, the parties united, set out for Montreal. At an Indian village situated some miles above Montreal, called Caughnawaga, all the prisoners were obliged to run the gauntlet. The lines were composed principally of Indian men armed with birch gads, who loosened the jackets of the prisoners, but none were seriously injured. The captives were 12 days going from the Fish House to Montreal, where a British officer paid twelve dollars and a half each for these of them the Indians chose to give up. Mr. Cough and his son, John Shew, Scott and Bowman were not given up with the rest as prisoners of war, but were retained by the Indians and taken to their homes. What reward, if any, was paid for their capture is unknown. At the time of this invasion, the enemy were desirous of getting prisoners for exchange, and offered a more liberal bounty for prisoners than for scalps; this probably accounts for there having been no blood shed by Ross's party; believed to have been an unparalleled instance of humanity exercised by Canadian invaders during the war. The 10 captives retained as prisoners of war were kept at Montreal for several weeks and then sent up to Quebec on a sloop, from which they were transferred to the ship Maria, under the command of Capt. Max, and remained on board of her at that port two or three months. While there, a British sergeant drew up at their request, a petition to Sir John Johnson, which the ten Johnstown prisoners and perhaps others signed; proposing as they were held ready for an exchange, they would return home across the lakes and send back a number of the enemy then prisoners with the Americans, equaling their own number. To this proposition Sir John would not agree, but went on board the ship and told them in person that "If they would join

his corps, they would all return together to posses their Johnstown lands." "When the d--l will that be?" interrogated the elder Shew, in no very good humor. "The rebels cant hold out much longer," said Sir John, "and at the end of the war, we'll all go to Johnstown together." "Never," responded the old patriot with emphasis, "will you go back to inherit your Johnstown possessions again!" The Tory chieftain was unwilling to believe the war would terminate so disastrously for his future prospects, and soon after left the ship. A few days after, Johnson sent for Mr. Shew to know if any of the prisoners of his acquaintance would be likely to enlist into his Majesty's service. Shew told him he thought they would not, but that he could try them if he chose. After a request from Sir John that he would exert his influence in that direction, the prisoner returned to the ship. Continue to Part 2 A CHANCE TO ENLIST - The next morning a recruiting officer, a Sergeant, named Hilliard, who had removed from Johnstown to Canada, and who knew some of the prisoners, visited the ship to beat up for recruits. The prisoners were all on deck, and, agreeable to his instructions, he waited upon Mr. Shew to make known the nature of his errand. As the young captives gathered round the old gentleman, he said to them, "Here is a recruiting officer come to enlist you into the British service! My lads, if any of you want to sell your country for a green coat with red facings, and a cap with a lock of red horse-hair hanging down one side of it, you now have a good chance!" The reader is aware that the force of an argument depends much on the time and manner of its utterance. That the one of Mr. Shew had its desired weight, may be inferred from the fact that after numerous luring inducements and golden promises of reward in his Majesty's service, Sergeant Hilliard gathered up his papers and left the ship, without having added a single recruit. Thus much for the principles of the back woods men of western New York in the hour that tried men's souls. When the Maria was moored under the Heights of Abraham, the British in the fortifications would play "Yankee-Doodle" to irritate the prisoners. Many of them who were in good spirits, however, would throw up their hats, hurrah for the cause of liberty, begin a jig on the ship's deck and shout to the enemy to play away and they would dance for them. Early in September the Maria was ready to sail for England, via New York, where she was to land her prisoners, some 60 in all. Of the number were Lieut. Col. Frederick Bellinger, and Major John Frey, officers who were made prisoners at Oriskany the summer before. When the ship was about to sail, those officers were told that they could remain at Quebec or go to New York. Major Frey said he would rather remain on the vessel with his countrymen and share their chance to get home, and Col. Bellinger expressed the same views, and they remained on board. After a pleasant sail down the St. Lawrence and into the gulf, the vessel was brought to Newfoundland, to inquire if any Yankees had been there lately; an inquiry known, there, to apply to privateers. They were informed that some had left that port only the day before. Soon after leaving the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Maria fell in with a privateer, which immediately gave chase. The pursuit lasted for two days, and the British vessel escaped by being a better sailor than her antagonist; but she was driven directly out of her course; and after a sail of several weeks, being part of the time nearer Europe than America, and not daring to run down to New York, she returned to Halifax, there landed her captives and sailed directly from thence to England. The trip to sea was a novelty in the life of the Johnstown settlers, the most of whom were very sea-sick for several days; often lining the ship's side and casting up their dinners without the aid of stomach-pumps. Capt. Max was a gentlemen, and treated the prisoners while on his vessel, as though he was born with a soul, a contingency that does not always happen in the birth of naval commanders. Nearly 1,300 captives were then assembled at Halifax, and two ships were fitted out to take them to Boston to be exchanged. Several prisoners had effected their escape from Halifax, by having good knives; and when the Johnstown prisoners were confined there, their knives were taken from all of them except the elder Shew. They had to cook their own meat in a large kettle set in an arch, and often were allowed but a scanty supply of fuel to do it with. Not infrequently the grease was skimmed off to increase the flame, and at times an old garment was tucked under the kettle. If the meat was not half cooked, as was frequently the case, it had to be eaten in its raw state, with the peas of beans soaked with it--the meat having to be pulled apart with the fingers. Jacob Shew chanced to find a piece of an iron hoop, and with an immense rubbing upon a stone, he made it supply the needs of a knife to the mess which included him. An old tar who had managed to retain his knife, exposed it to a sentinel from motives of mischief, who demanded its surrender to him. The prisoner refused to part with it, and the soldier was taking measures to get it by force, when the old salt, knife in hand, fell back among the prisoners, and the sentinel not daring to leave his post, bit his lip in anger to see his authority set at defiance. While detained at Halifax, Putman, Salisbury and the elder Morris were taken sick and died. The rest of the Johnstown prisoners who had been on board the ship Maria, were landed in Boston, where young Morris also died. Reese left

Boston, but as he never reached home, his friends supposed he died on the way. The three Shews, father, Stephen, and Jacob, left Boston together, the latter with the small-pox just developing. Dr. Farrell, of Rhode Island, and Moses Hicks, of Virginia, fellow prisoners, journeyed with the Shews from Boston to Roxbury. As the three latter sat down much fatigued by the wayside in Massachusetts, opposite a nice house, to rest their wearied limbs, some 15 or 18 miles from the city, a little black girl was sent out to inquire if they were deserters. "If you are deserters," said she "master said you should come in, but if you are not, he does not wish to see you." Such was the comfort meted by wealthy Tories, to men suffering in the cause of freedom. On arriving in the town of Sudbury, nearly 20 miles from Boston, Jacob Shew gave out, sat down by the way-side, and told his friends he could go no farther. After seeing him well cared for, they journeyed on, found friends on the route who supplied their necessities, and arrived in Johnstown on January 1, 1779. Jacob fortunately fell into Samaritan hands, was cured of his loathsome disease, and reached Johnstown on the 17 of March following his capture, it being "St. Patrick's day in the morning." HOW SHEW AND SCOTT MADE THEIR ESCAPE - I have observed that several of the Johnstown prisoners were retained among the Indians. John Shew and Joseph Scott, known by their captors to be good hunters, the former being a celebrated marksman, were taken some distance north of the St. Lawrence, where they were retained not far apart. They were allowed to hunt for their new masters to supply them with food, and several times met in their excursions. At one of those accidental meetings the two friends agreed to take French leave of the forest and return home. Securing what food and ammunition they could, they met by concert and set their faces toward Johnstown, distant several hundred miles. On arriving at the St. Lawrence, they luckily found a tree canoe on shore, in which they crossed the river. Fearing they might be on an island, they concealed the canoe in the bushes, but they were soon undeceived and resumed their march. They had secured hooks and fish-lines, and with those and their fire arms they, for several days, were well fed. While journeying along the western shore of Lake Champlain, they became straitened for food, and seeing a British vessel not far from the shore, they resolved to obtain a supply from her. Making a signal, a boat was sent for them and they were soon on ship-board. They stated that they were Tories (it is a wonder the lie did not choke them), going to see their suffering families in a frontier settlement, and there chanced to be no one on board who knew them, they were believed, obtained a good supply of food, were again set on shore, and meeting with no hindrance, they arrived in a few days at Saratoga, where they were arrested as British spies. Gen. Schuyler, who was then in command there, was informed in the evening that two spies had been taken. "Bring them in tomorrow morning for examination," said the General. In the campaign of 1777, John Shew had become acquainted with General Schuyler, and when himself and his comrade were taken into his presence in the morning, the latter instantly recognized his Johnstown friend. "What, John, are you here as a spy?" said he in a friendly manner, advancing and offering his hand. "They say so," said John, exchanging the proffered salutation. "But where do you come from?" inquired the general, who had no doubt about his patriotism. "I suppose you knew," said the wearied soldier, "that I was some weeks ago made a prisoner, with my friends and neighbors, and taken to Canada." At his request, Shew related the manner of his own and his friends' capture and conveyance to Canada; how, on their arrival, they were separated; how he and Scott had escaped from their captors; and how, when in want of food they had obtained it of their foes, etc., etc., all of which deeply interested the General; and learning that they desired to go directly to their friends, he supplied their immediate wants and gave them a parting blessing. They arrived in Johnstown some five or six weeks after their capture."Source: [[#S36]] Page: http://www.threerivershms.com/Bio.htm : Event: :: Type: Real estate :: Date: 15 SEP 1779 :: Place: Tryon Co., NY :: Object: ::: Format: PDF ::: Title: 1779 Godfrey Shew Committee Se ::: File: C:\Users\Pete Shew\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8\Exhibits\1779 Godfrey Shew Committee Sequestration.pdf :: Note: In an effort to raise funds to support the militia, New York's new legislature passed regulations in March & April 1777 to permit confiscation of land & properties of Loyalists who has deserted their homes & farms &

gone to Canada. These farms were then rented out on annual leases. On Sept 15, 1779, Godfrey "Shue" leased the farm of H. Huff for $14 but "was not able to pay." Possibly this is where the Shew family lived after returning from being prisoners in Canada, since their home & farm buildings had been burned June 1, 1778. ::: This may have been the farm of Loyalists Hendrick Huff and his son, Private John Huff, both formerly of Brant's Volunteers.Source: [[#S1]] Page: New York in the Revolution as Colony and State By James Arthur Roberts, Frederic Gregory Mather pub Albany, N.Y. by O.A. Quayle, 1898, 1901 googlebooks http://www.fortklock.com/commsequ.pdf : Event: :: Type: Milit-Event :: Date: 1780 :: Place: Tryon Co., NY :: Note: Godfrey, listed as a private & later a sergeant, is found on the payroll for Capt J. Fonda's Company of Associated Exempts, 2nd Battalion of Tryon Co. Militia, commanded by Col. Wemple. Captain Jellis J. Fonda (pronounced Yellis by the Dutch and German and as Giles by the English) was a captain in Colonel Abraham Wemple's Regiment of Albany County Militia (the 2nd Regiment but better known as the Schenectady Regiment). ::: ::: The 3rd Regt. of Albany County Militia in 1768 which became the 3rd Regt. of Tryon County Militia in 1772 and reformed in 1775 for the War of Independence. The Third Regiment, usually known as Col.. Fisher's or Visscher's, was composed of militia from the present east end of the county, or the Mohawk District. This included both sides of the river eastward of the Noses and ran to the county line east of Amsterdam. The men were drawn largely from the Fonda settlement, then Caughnawaga, this being the principal settlement. ::: ::: Tryon County Rangers and Exempts: Exempts were men too old for active duty, but who were called out in emergencies to repel invasion. In the battle of Oriskany all were called and it was not uncommon for father and son to fight side by side. In several cases three generations were represented. Rangers were the scouts of that day. They were selected from the militia. John Frank, a pensioner, says: "the local militia were classed into classes of eight or ten and sometimes fifteen men and each groups was required to furnish one man, either on order of the governor or Committee of Safety." They enlisted for nine months and virtually "lay out" along the frontiers to detect Indian movements. They were the "eyes of the army." They went on foot, subsisted as best they could, and carried the responsibility of protecting the settlements against surprise.Source: [[#S22]] Page: Footnote.com image saved 6/17/2007 Publication Number: M246 Publication Title: Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 Publisher: NARA State: New York Military Org: Wemple's Regiment of Militia Date Range: 1780 Folder: 170 Note: NARA M246. These documents include muster rolls, payrolls, strength returns, and other miscellaneous personnel, pay, and supply records of American Army units, 1775-83.Source: [[#S4]] Page: "Documents relating to the Clonial History of the State of NY" edited by Berthold Fernow, 1887 Vol 15 State Archives, Vol I, Albany , NY, page 470 as stated in DAR application of Emma Brown SimmonsSource: [[#S36]] Page: http://french-indian.morrisonspensions.org/3rdalbay.htm Note: 3rd Regt. of Albany County Militia in 1768 which became the 3rd Regt. of Tryon County Militia in 1772 and reformed in 1775 for the War of Independence. Capt. Henry Hanson's Company was the Mohawk Company in the Second Battalion of Albany County Militia commanded by Colonel Sir William Johnson, Bart. This company was formed in 1760 and existed until 1775.Source: [[#S1]] Page: New York In The Revolution as Colony and State by James A. Roberts, Comptroller Compiled by Frederic G. Mather Second Edition 1898 Two Volumes googlebooks.com http://threerivershms.com/nyrevtryon3.htm Note: Tryon County Militia--Third Regiment Colonel Frederick Fisher; Lieut. Col. Volkert Veeder; Major John Bluen; Major John Nukerk; Adjutant Peter Conyn; Adjutant John G. Lansingh, Jr.; Adjutant Gideon Marlatt; Q'R Master Theodorus F. Romine; Quarter Master Abrahan Van Horn; Quarter Master Simon Veeder; Surgeon John George Folke; Surgeon William Petry Capt. Amunneiel Degrauf Capt. John Fisher Capt. Jellis Fonda Capt. Jacob Gaerdenyer Capt. Dirik Hogoboom Capt. John Littel Capt. Harmanus Mabie Capt. David McMaster Capt. Isaac Marselis Capt. Gerrit Putnam Capt. Samuel Rees Capt. William Snook Capt. Abraham Veeder Capt. Andrew Wemple Capt. John Wemple Capt. Robert Yates Capt. Joseph Yeomans Lieut. Amos Bennet Lieut. Benjamin Deline Lieut. Nicklis Dockstetter Lieut. Christ Ernest

Lieut. William Hall Lieut. William Lard Lieut. Gerritt Newkirk Lieut. Benjamin Oline Lieut. Josop Printup Lieut. Francis F. Pruyn Lieut. Abrahand Quacenbosh Lieut. Mc W. Quackenbush Lieut. Vincent Quackenbush Lieut. Lorentz Schuler Lieut. John Snook Lieut. Isias J. Swart Lieut. Garett S. Van Bracklen Lieut Thomas Van Horn Lieut. Peter Van Olynde Lieut. Derick Van Veghten Lieut. Henry H. Broman Lieut Peter Yates Lieut. Peter Yong Ensign Henry Lewis Ensign Gideon Marlatt Ensign Rechrt Potman Ensign Francies Potman Ensign Conrad Stone Ensign Gorg Stone Ensign Garrett G. Van Bracklen Ensign Peter Vroman Enlisted Men (as well as many others): Shew Godfrey Shew Henry Shew Jacob Shew John Shew Stephen Hogoboom Christion Hogoboom John Hogoboom Peter Putman Cornelys, Jr. Putman David Putman Factor Futman Fredrick Putman Hanry Putman Jacobus Putman John Putman Lewis Putman Lodiwik Putman Victor Putman William Sammons Frederick Sammons Thomas Schoonmaker Thomas Wampal Cornelius Wampel Handrick Wample John Wample William Wemple Barent Wemple John T. Wemple Myndert Yost Peter Young George Young Lodowick Young WilliamSource: [[#S1]] Page: "The Book of Names Especially Relating to The Early Palatines and theFirst Settlers in the Mohawk Valley" Compiled and Arranged by Lou D. MacWethy Published by The Enterprise and News St. Johnsville, NY., 1933 Note: Tryon County Militia, 3rd Regiment Col. Frederick Fisher The Third Regiment, usually known as Col.. Fisher's of Vischer's, was composed of militia from the present east end of the county, or the Mohawk District. This included both sides of the river eastward of the Noses and ran to the county line east of Amsterdam. The men were drawn largely from the Fonda settlement, then Caughnawaga, this being the principal settlement. Owing to the proximity of the Johnson, this regiment was handicapped by their influence during the early stages of the war. Col. Frederick Fisher stood alone in defiance of the Johnson at one time. He was born February 22, 1741 and died June 9, 1809. He was Colonel of the Militia during the war. After Johnson deserted Johnstown he was in charge of the fort there. When Sir John Johnson invaded the valley early in 1780 by way of Johnstown his Indians fell on the Fishers and killed and scalped the Colonel and his two brothers, Captain John and Harman. His sisters escaped but the aged mother was struck down by a tomahawk. Both the mother and Col. Fisher recovered. He was afterwards first Judge of Montgomery county common please. He was a member of the Committee of Safety for the Mohawk District prior to the outbreak of the war. Lt. Col. Volkert Veeder was a prominent officer. He was Lt. Col. of the 5th Albany Militia and then of the Third Tryon County Militia. His name appears to be spelled both Veeder and Vedder. There were seventy-five men in the service by the name Veeder and Vedder.Tryon County Militia--Third Regiment Colonel Frederick Fisher; Lieut. Col. Volkert Veeder; Major John Bluen; Major John Nukerk; Adjutant Peter Conyn; Adjutant John G. Lansingh, Jr.; Adjutant Gideon Marlatt; Q'R Master Theodorus F. Romine; Quarter Master Abrahan Van Horn; Quarter Master Simon Veeder; Surgeon John George Folke; Surgeon William Petry Capt. Amunneiel Degrauf Capt. John Fisher Capt. Jellis Fonda Capt. Jacob Gaerdenyer Capt. Dirik Hogoboom Capt. John Littel Capt. Harmanus Mabie Capt. David McMaster Capt. Isaac Marselis Capt. Gerrit Putnam Capt. Samuel Rees Capt. William Snook Capt. Abraham Veeder Capt. Andrew Wemple Capt. John Wemple Capt. Robert Yates Capt. Joseph Yeomans Lieut. Amos Bennet Lieut. Benjamin Deline Lieut. Nicklis Dockstetter Lieut. Christ Ernest Lieut. William Hall Lieut. William Lard Lieut. Gerritt Newkirk Lieut. Benjamin Oline Lieut. Josop Printup Lieut. Francis F. Pruyn Lieut. Abrahand Quacenbosh Lieut. Mc W. Quackenbush Lieut. Vincent Quackenbush Lieut. Lorentz Schuler Lieut. John Snook Lieut. Isias J. Swart Lieut. Garett S. Van Bracklen Lieut Thomas Van Horn Lieut. Peter Van Olynde Lieut. Derick Van Veghten Lieut. Henry H. Broman Lieut Peter Yates Lieut. Peter Yong Ensign Henry Lewis Ensign Gideon Marlatt Ensign Rechrt Potman Ensign Francies Potman Ensign Conrad Stone Ensign Gorg Stone Ensign Garrett G. Van Bracklen Ensign Peter Vroman Enlisted Men (as well as many others): Shew Godfrey Shew Henry Shew Jacob Shew John Shew Stephen Hogoboom Christion Hogoboom John Hogoboom Peter Putman Cornelys, Jr. Putman David Putman Factor Futman Fredrick Putman Hanry Putman Jacobus Putman John Putman Lewis Putman Lodiwik Putman Victor Putman William Sammons Frederick Sammons Thomas Schoonmaker Thomas Wampal Cornelius Wampel Handrick Wample John Wample William Wemple Barent Wemple John T. Wemple Myndert Yost Peter Young George Young Lodowick Young William Tryon County Rangers and Exempts Exempts were men too old for active duty, but who were called out in emergencies to repel invasion. In the battle of Oriskany all were called and it was not uncommon for father and son to fight side by side. In several cases three generations were represented. Rangers were the scouts of that day. They were selected from the militia. John Frank, a pensioner, says: "the local militia

were classed into classes of eight or ten and sometimes fifteen men and each groups was required to furnish one man, either on order of the governor or Committee of Safety." They enlisted for nine months and virtually "lay out" along the frontiers to detect Indian movements. They were the "eyes of the army." They went on foot, subsisted as best they could, and carried the responsibility of protecting the settlements against surprise.Source: [[#S1]] Page: Documents Relating to The Colonial History of the State of New York Edited by Berthold Fernow Volume XV. State Archives, Vol. I Albany N.Y. Wood Parsons and Company, Printers, 1887. http://www.threerivershms.com/docnyhistalpha19.htm Note: Shew Garret, private Hays Smith Shew Gilbert, corporal Hays Smith Shew Gilbert, private Hays Smith Shew Godfred, sergeant Fonda Shew Godfred, private Fonda Shew Henry, sergeant Harper Putman Shew, Henry, sergeant Fisher Little Shew, Henry, private Fisher Little Shew, Jacob, private Harper Putman Shew, Jacob, private Fisher Little Shew, John, private Hays Smith Shew, John, private Fisher Little : Event: :: Type: Milit-Event :: Date: 25 OCT 1781 :: Note: The battle of Johnstown was the last battle fought in the American theatre of the American Revolutionary War, fought six days after General Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington at Yorktown. : Event: :: Type: Real estate :: Date: 1784 :: Place: Fish House, Tryon Co., NY :: Note: The lands & holding of Sir William Johnson & other loyalists were sold at auction by the Tryon County Committee of Sequestration. It is likely that Godfrey Shew had to buy his farm again at this time since he was previously a tenant farmer on Sir William Johnson's land.Source: [[#S1]] Page: New York in the Revolution as Colony and State By James Arthur Roberts, Frederic Gregory Mather pub Albany, N.Y. by O.A. Quayle, 1898, 1901 http://www.fortklock.com/commsequ.pdf googlebooks : Event: :: Type: Real estate :: Date: 05 AUG 1784 :: Place: Montgomery Co., NY :: Object: ::: Format: PDF ::: Title: 1784 Godfrey Shew Sr Land.pdf ::: File: C:\Users\Pete Shew\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8\Exhibits\1784 Godfrey Shew Sr Land.pdf :: Note: Advertisement in The New York [City] Journal: "State of New York, by the Commissioners of Forfeitures of the Western District. Public Notice is hereby given, that by virtue of an act of the legislature of this state, passed the 12th day of May last, entitled 'An act for the speedy sale of the forfeited & confiscates estates within this state, and for other purposes therein mentioned' the following lands, tenements, & hereditaments, forfeited to the people of this state will be sold at public vendue:" Included in this listing is Johnson Hall (700 acres), the adjoining Mill Lots #1 & #2 (100 acres each) and lot "#399, lying on The Canada or Cayadutta Kill [creek], adjoining to Mill Lot #2, now in possession of Godfrey Shew, Esq, est at 180 acres."..."The sales will begin on Thursday the 16th day of Sept next at the House of Rowland, innkeeper, living in Johnstown..." I suspect that this is the property of Loyalist Hendrick Huff who fled to Canada, & whos property Godfrey Shew leased Sep 15, 1779, and perhaps where the Shew family lived until they finished building their new frame home at Fish House later in 1784. Since all the lands & holding of Sir William Johnson & other loyalists were sold at auction by the Tryon County Committee of Sequestration, it is likely that Godfrey Shew had to buy his Fish House farm again around this time since he was previously only a tenant farmer on Sir William Johnson's land.Source: [[#S25]] Page: New York Journal Aug 5, 1784 Column 3 www.newsbank.com from Godfrey Library.comSource: [[#S1]] Page: New York in the Revolution as Colony and State By James Arthur Roberts, Frederic Gregory Mather pub Albany, N.Y. by O.A. Quayle, 1898, 1901 http://www.fortklock.com/commsequ.pdf googlebooks : Event:

:: Type: Moved :: Date: 1784 :: Place: Northampton Twp., Fish House, Tryon Co., NY :: Object: ::: Format: JPEG ::: Title: Godfrey Shew House sign ::: File: C:\Users\Pete Shew\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8\Exhibits\Godfrey Shew House sign.JPG ::: Note: 1784 Godfrey Shew Home, Fish House, NY :: Object: ::: Format: JPEG ::: Title: 1784 Godfrey Shew Home Fish Ho ::: File: C:\Users\Pete Shew\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8\Exhibits\1784 Godfrey Shew Home Fish House, NY.jpg :: Note: After the war, they returned to Fish House & Godfrey Sr & his sons built a frame house 40 rods north of the 1890's school house, both of which are still standing today in 2008 on South Shore Rd, County Rd 7. Jacob Shew Sr sold the house & 130 acre farm to David Page who left it to his son Robert S Page. Robert's wife sold it after his death in 1894 to Mrs Osborne who occupied it for several years. Then ___ Cook owned it & sold it in 1924 to Flickinger who left it to his son John Flickinger. It was built in 1784 and is a 2-story, five-bay-wide and two-bay-deep, timber-frame, gable-roofed residence in the Federal style. Attached to the main block is a 1-story wing. It features a 1-story entrance porch supported by four Tuscan columns. Also on the property is a 2 1?2-story carriage house dating to about 1885.Source: [[#S1]] Page: "Jacob Dunham (1727-1779) of Lebanon, Conn. and Mayfield, N.Y. : his descendants and ancestors with five generations of English ancestors : also ancestors and descendants of Stephen Shew with historical accounts of the Shews, Sammons, and Dunhams" By Sophie Dunham Moore 1933 page 5 Note: HISTORY OF THE GODFREY SHEW FAMILY by Susannah Shew, 1862 The subject of this narrative is Godfrey Shew, who embarked from Germany about the year 1739 for the purpose of visiting this country. But alas, ere he completed half of his journey, his pleasure was clouded with sorrow. The ship was struck by lightening which caused a leak and all on board were in agony, expecting soon to find a watery grave. No time was lost pumping out the water and devising a plan to stop the leak, which they succeeded in doing the third day by spiking a piece of sole leather over the leak, then placing heavy boxes immediately on to close the valve. The exertion of all the passengers was so great that the insides of their hands were, in some cases, worn through to the bone. Although it was not his intention to remain in America, when he left home, after such extreme suffering he resolved when he reached New York "never to cross the ocean again". From thence he proceeded to view the country in Pennsylvania. There he married Katie Fry and remained in the State until some time after the close of the French and Indian War. He was in several battles and was wounded in his right arm, which caused his elbow to remain stiff afterwards. He next moved to Johnstown, then Montgomery Co., with his wife and two children, John and Harry (Henry), at which place, four more children, Stephen, Jacob, Polly and Sally were added to the family. Page 61 They remained there until about 1772 when they came to Fish-house village and built the first house in this village in the north end of the lot where the Methodist Church now stands. The only method then to obtain direction of their journey was by marked trees. Allow me to digress a little from the subject. About a year from this time, Sir William Johnson had built a log house on the ground now occupied by Dr. Marvin's garden, which he called his Fish-house, because he had spent his summer months in fishing in that place. But to return to my story -- During the first year after the Shew family settled here, the only method provided to get bread was to go to Johnstown, a distance of about 18 miles and bring sacks of flour on their backs. The second year, they raised their own grain, but their labor, however, was doubled as they had to carry the grain to Johnstown and back again. Later they had a large mortar apparatus and converted the corn into syrup, thus obviating the labor to some degree. About two years after they settled here, Godfrey, Jr. was added to the family. He was the first white child born in this now beautiful and flourishing village. The family remained here until some time after the Revolutionary war broke out. On June 3, 1778, Mr. Shew, with his three sons, John, Stephen and Jacob -- Harry being absent -- were taken prisoners by the Tories and Indians who burned their buildings and killed their cattle, sheep and hogs. Mrs. Shew and three small children were left unaided, unprotected, and without any means of

sustenance. Their only resource was to flee to Johnstown, which direction they obtained by marked trees. Three nights previous to the capture of Mr. Shew, & his three sons, the same Indians and Tories who took them prisoners left their bark canoes on the bank of the river about 4 rods East of the present dwelling house of L. P. Shew. Some of the Shews saw the fire the next morning but were not alarmed as they were repeatedly assured by some professed friendly indians, who had received favors from them, that no harm should befall them. The only satisfaction the prisoners received for mercy from "friendly Indians" was "me not know you". Two hatchets have since been found while clearing the land where they encamped. From Tribes Hill, they returned to their bark canoes Page 62 with their prisoners compelling them to carry a heavy load of the provisions they had plundered. They sailed for Quebec on the Sacandaga, and as often as they came to the rapids would take their boats out of the water and carry them on their heads. The first night after their departure from this place, Soloman Woodworth, one of the prisoners, ran away from them and returned home. The remainder submitted to their fate and traveled through the wilderness to Quebec where they were kept prisoners for some weeks. Their food consisted principally of horsemeat. This, however, was considered as a luxury when compared with previous refreshments, such as tainted beef made into soup. Every inducement was proffered them to join the British, but their love for freedom far surpassed their love for gold. Said John Shew was noted for being a superior marksman and on this account, was not allowed to leave the Indians. The remainder were sent to Boston and exchanged for British prisoners. Mr. Shew and Stephen returned to Johnstown in pursuit of wife and other children. Jacob, having small pox, was allowed to remain behind until recovered. Stephen, Harry and Jacob, soon after their return enlisted in the American Army, leaving their father to care for the remainder of the family. Henry (Harry) was at the taking of Burgoyne; Stephen was one of the number to guard the Fort at Johnstown; and Jacob was in the Battle with the Indians near East Canada Creek. The company was 45 in number, two-thirds of whom were killed. Capt. Soloman Woodworth, above mentioned, was one of the number who fell at Jacob's side. He escaped, however, although one ball passed through the clothes of his body, another cut off his hair between the place where it was tied and his head. He was also on an expedition from Johnstown to Schuylerville, and encamped one night by the high road spring Saratoga, which was then a wilderness. At that time, the water boiled over the surface of the rock. He was also on several scouting expeditions in various places. You are doubtless anxious to hear more about John, who was retained by the Indians. He was kept a prisoner for six months, and having won their confidence by a prompt return with plenty of game, was allowed to go out alone to hunt. After so long a confinement, he resolved to leave the first opportunity. To prepare for this scheme, he prolonged his stay each time and finally ran away from them. He subsisted principally Page 63 on roots and herbs, not daring to shoot his gun, and as often as it became necessary to cross a stream of water, would travel a short distance up and down, in order to mislead his pursuers. It was a trial for him to have to part with his gun, when he swam across the St. Lawrence River, and yet it must have been a torture for him to have it and not be able to shoot it when he was starving for game. At length, he arrived home in safety, and remained there until peace was declared. He then resumed his favorite recreation and about a year from this time when engaged in the town of Milton, Saratoga Co., was suddenly called upon to halt by some eight or ten Indians to "Surrender and they would give him quarters". Seeing no way to escape he therefore surrendered. They then bound his hands and feet and tortured him to death by shooting arrows into him and mangling him beyond discription, as his friends were credibly informed by two or three who interred his remains. He was murdered Oct. 1780. An account of the torture was also related by one of the Tories several years later in the State of Michigan at some neighborhood gathering, when Harry was present. After this boasting of cruelty, the Tory concluded by saying, "We gave him quarters with a hell to it". While Harry's blood was still boiling with rage he told this Tory never to repeat the incident again, informing him the subject of that torture was his brother. Upon hearing this, the Tory immediately started it again. Harry took off his coat and seized him, intent upon giving him quarters "ditto". The remainder of the gathering instantly formed a circle around them and suffered Harry to barely leave the Tory alive. After the war terminated, the family removed to Fish House wilderness and built in their former situation, and afterwards rebuilt 40 rods north of the school-house. The heads of the family here spent the remainder of their days. Mrs. Shew died in 1800 and Mr. Shew in 1804. Their remains were interred about 30 rods north of the monument to John Roosevelt, Jr.*Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Frontiersmen of New York: Showing Customs of the Indians, Vicissitudes of the Pioneer White Settlers, and Border Strife in Two Wars By Jeptha Root Simms Published by G.C. Riggs, 1883 Volume 2 Original from Harvard University Digitized May

21, 2008 Page 216 Note: "INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF JACOB SHEW - This is the narrative of the venerable patriot, Jacob Shew; of his own captivity, and that of 15 other captives made in the Mayfield and Sacandaga settlements. It was obtained from conversation's with him by the author, Jeptha Simms prior to 1850, at which time Mr. Shew was a resident of Fulton County, N.Y. To follow the footsteps of a soldier, long after his fatiguing marches and counter-marches have ended, and with him, in imagination, fight his battles over again, sharing his dangers and privations; though it prove a thankless task, is nevertheless a profitable and pleasing one. If we are to know the true value of our liberty, we must learn its cost in blood, sweat, and tears, hunger, pain and privation; by following in our minds, the pioneer settler to his peril-encompassed log cabin. After all, the histories of interesting people and locations are to a nation, what inlets are to the mountain rivulet. Godfrey Shew, the father of Jacob Shew, emigrated from Germany to this country, at the age of 19, and just before the French & Indian War. In that war he was an enlisted soldier under the command of Sir William Johnson, and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he received a severe bullet wound in his right arm. At the close of the war, he went to Philadelphia, where he met and married a German girl named Katherine Frey, daughter of Henry Frey. (It is supposed she was not the only child of her parents). On arriving in this country, the Frey family landed in Philadelphia, at which time Katherine was nine years old and was sold into servitude for the next nine years to defray the expense of her passage. The man to whom she was indentured was one of two brothers, Michael or Randall Hutchinson, citizens of Philadelphia. Not long after Katherine was disposed of, her parents removed to the Wyoming Valley, with the understanding that at the expiration date of her time, they would return for her; but as they did not return, she supposed they had been murdered in the French & Indian War. Fortunately she was left in the good hands of the brothers who appreciated her merits, and from whom she received parental kindness. Soon after their marriage, Godfrey and Katherine Shew removed to Johnstown, N.Y., and settled on a farm two miles west of Johnson Hall. They lived at this place eight or ten years, and then took up a farm of 100 acres under Sir William Johnson, 18 miles northeast of Johnstown, near Johnson's fish house. Mr. Shew took possession of the land with the promise of a permanent lease, occupying for a time a squatter's hut near the river. The Shew family erected and resided in a log dwelling in their pioneer residence at first, but they had hewn out timber for a framed building just as the Revolution began, and by its close, the timber was unfit for use. THE SHEW FAMILY, AND OTHERS SURPRISED BY THE ENEMY - Godfrey and Katherine Shew raised seven children, five sons and two daughters, born in the following order: John, Henry, Stephen, Jacob, Mary, Godfrey and Sarah The girls, when grown, married Calvin and Alvin Jackson , brothers. When the struggle for liberty began, the Shew family were numbered among the patriotic ones of Tryon County; and although many of the frontier settlers left their homes for less exposed situations when Indian depredations began in 1777, the Shew family chose to remain and brave the dangers of their forest home. On the south side of the great Sacandaga Vlaie, some two miles westward from the Shews, dwelt Robert Martin and Zebulon Algar occupying the same house; and four or five miles still farther west lived Solomon Woodworth, who were also men of the times. They, too, remained exposed, after the British Indians were let loose. John and Henry Shew had several times been on militia duty in 1776 and 1777, as had Solomon Woodworth, who was a sergeant. In the afternoon of June 2, 1778, Woodworth having occasion to call on his neighbor Martin, found to his surprise, that his dwelling was tenantless, and conjecturing the family might be prisoners with the enemy; and armed with his unerring riffle, he went to the Shew's to communicate his suspicions; arriving there early in the evening. Shew's family were all at home except Henry, who had accompanied Zebulon Algar to Johnstown on an errand. As it was too late and hazardous for Woodworth to return to his own dwelling that evening, he tarried overnight at Shew's , and preparations were to give the enemy a warm reception, should the house be attacked in the night. As a precautionary measure adopted, a large pile of stones was deposited at the head of the stairway , and Jacob was stationed all night beside it, ready to cast down his cold shot upon the foe. The inmates of the house were not disturbed during the night, and after breakfast in the morning, Woodworth, Mr. Shew and his son John went out to discover , if possible, what had become of the Martin Family. Finding the house still deserted, the three proceeded in the direction of Summer House Point , two miles distant, in the hope of obtaining some trace of the absentees. On the way, John, who was a sportsman and a dead shot, saw a noble buck crossing his path, and forgetting his foes for the moment, he raised his rifle and shot it. Leaving the animal where it fell until their return, where it probably rotted, the trio proceeded onward, but in a short distance they were surprised by a dozen Indians who had been encamped nearby; now drawn to the spot by the young hunters rifle. Woodworth was

about to flee, when the elder Shew, observing the Indians poise their rifles, seized and held him, fearing if he started he would be shot. It now turned out that about 100 of the enemy, Indians and Tories led by Lieut. (afterwards Major) Ross, had come from Canada by the northern route, many of them to remove their families thither. They were also desirous of taking back some patriots as prisoners, with the plunder their dwellings might afford. That they should not be thwarted in the main object of the expedition, they crossed the Sacandaga two miles below the Fish House, where they concealed their canoes, and from thence proceeded with great circumspection to the river settlement near Tribes Hill, where most of their friends resided. They avoided doing any act that might betray their visit to any of the little forts in the neighborhood and elicit pursuit and having collected the Indian and Tory families sought, as expeditiously as possible, they were gathering to take their canoes, when fortune gave them the three prisoners named; having confined their range for prisoners and plunder to the dwellings of the outsiders of civilization. In Philadelphia bush, north of Tribes Hill, they captured Charles Morris and his son John, George Cough, and his son Henry, and an old gentleman named Eikler, who, for some unknown reason, was liberated; and passing through Fonda's Bush they added to their prisoners, John Putnam, Joseph Scott, John Reese, Herman Salisbury, and Andreas Bowman. The prisoners named in this connection, as also Robert Martin and David Harris, a lad aged 16 years then living with the latter, were made captives on the 2nd day of June; and the Shews and Woodworth, on the following. On the night of the 2nd, the enemy was encamped with their prisoners at a little distance southeast of Summer House Point. After securing Woodworth and his companions, the enemy proceeded directly to Mr. Shew's dwelling, which they had intended to visit on breaking up their camp in the morning. When his father left home, he charged his son Jacob Shew to keep a good lookout up the river for the foe. Mr. Shew's house was situated in a ravine between two gentle elevations, upon which Mr. Rosevelt and Mr. Grinnell erected nice dwellings about the year 1840. On the westerly one near the site of the Grinnell mansion, Jacob took his station. His vigils had lasted perhaps two hours, when he descried a canoe containing several Indians coming sown the creek from Summer House Point. (1) He had not heard the report of his brothers rifle some time before, and on seeing the canoe he ran home to report his discovery; where the party with the prisoners named had already arrived from an opposite direction. Jacob and his brother Stephen now increased the number of prisoners to 16. Jacob, one of the youngest captives, was born April 15, 1763, being 15 years old when taken. COULD NOT POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND - Several Indians among the invaders, the most of whom were Mohawks, were not only old acquaintances, but long and professed friends of Mr. Shew; from whom they had received numerous favors. The vicinity of his location being a great resort for fisherman and hunters; at times a dozen Indians slept at his house in a single night, partaking, while there, the hospitality of his table. He was assured by Aaron and David, two of his Indian friends who were brothers, when they followed the fortunes of the Johnson Family to Canada, that for the numerous favors they had received from their "white brother", as they called him, he should be duly notified of impending danger, and not be injured or captured in his isolated retreat. This promise of the Indians was heard by young Jacob. Accordingly, pretending not to consider himself a prisoner on reaching home, the elder Shew was very attentive to the wants of his quondam friends. Observing they were reserved and stoical, he took occasion to remind them of their former promises. David, with a guttural grunt and shrug of the shoulders, replied in his native dialect, "Yok-tah cock-a-rungkee!" (I dont understand you!). Proving for once, at least, the old adage false, which said an Indian could never forget a favor. Owing to a combination of circumstances, the enemy were more humane than usual in this invasion, as no women or small children were either killed or carried into captivity. The dwellings of all the captives, except that of Woodworth, which was several miles out of the way, were plundered; and after taking from Shew's house whatever they desired, the enemy suffered Mrs. Shew and her three youngest children to remain on the premises, but left them houseless; for now being out of danger of pursuit, as they believed, the torch was applied and the house mostly consumed before the incendiaries left it. The barn would have escaped destruction as the party had all moved forward, but for William Bowen, a Tory present, who also had received many favors from the Shew family. Looking back, the knave exclaimed "What, are you going to let the cursed rebels barn Stand?". He then ran back some rods back to the burning house, got a fire-brand, set the barn on fire and soon it was a heap of ruins. The invaders under Lt. Ross, who was a British Officer, were all Indians but five, and well known to the Shew family. They were two brothers named Bowen, James Lintz, Sweeny and Louks. The latter was painted and clad like an Indian, but Mr. Shew recognized him soon after his capture and told him he need not paint to disguise his real character. Finding himself detected, he washed off his paint and did not use it again

during his journey, to Canada. Among the plunder made at Shew's, was about 500 pounds of maple sugar, which the family had made that spring and were husbanding with care to make it last through the year. The Indian's tomahawks were put in requisition, and soon all the enemy were running about with large cakes, the family not being allowed a morsel of it. This looked cruel to the children, who's mouths watered in vain for the saccharine plunder. Mrs. Shew, after seeing her husband and two sons led off into the forest, and her buildings and their contents destroyed or carried away, set out for Johnstown, 18 miles distant, with feelings none can justly realize at this late day. A Tory squatter, an old Irishman named Kennedy (2), aided Mrs. Shew and her children in crossing the Kennyetto at Summer House Point, from whence they proceeded to the house of Warren Howell (3) , a pioneer settler in Mayfield, 8 miles from the ashes of her own home. The fugitives were kindly treated at Howell's, considering the bias of the family, and remained there over night. On the following day they set forward , and were met at Philadelphia Bush by Mrs. Amasa Stevens and Miss Hannah Putman (4), daughters of Lodowyck Putman, on horseback. They had heard of Mrs. Shew's misfortunes, and thus proceeded to meet and assist her in getting to a place of safety. Mrs. Shew tarried all night with the hospitable Putman family, and arrived the next day with her children at the Johnstown Fort. Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Algar, with their children, were kept in the enemy's camp on the night Martin was captured (possibly where the families of other captives were) and the following morning were set across the Kennyetto at Summer House Point, in the canoe which Henry Shew had left there, and proceeded on by Sir William Johnson's road (5) via Philadelphia Bush to Johnstown, where they arrived before Mrs. Shew. Of the plunder taken along by the enemy, were four good horses, one of which belonged to Algar, the others to the Shew family. From Shew's place the party proceeded down the river to their canoes. Increased, as the party was, by 20 or 30 Indian families, from Tribes Hill, and the prisoners, the watercraft -- some 20 canoes, including the one from Summer House Point -- was found insufficient, and two large elm trees were cut down, from the bark of which two canoes were made and put afloat in about three hours, each carrying four or five men with their packs. A part of the warriors swam the river with the horses and proceeded along its northern shore, while the remainder, with their prisoners and families, floated down the river in canoes. At the rapids, about 20 miles from the starting point and near the present village of Conklingville, the party halted for the night, the canoes being all drawn out to shore. An Indian chief named Peter Sword, who made known his sir-name to the prisoners by significantly extending his right arm, appeared to share the command with Ross; having, much of the time, most of the say. The prisoners were assembled every night and morning and counted in a novel manner. Peter, standing upon his feet, would drop his hands upon his knees, strain open his eyes like a monkey, and for every prisoner give a shrill whoop, to be numbered by another of the party. He seemed pleased when, at the end of his labor the first night, the invoice ran up to sixteen. He also made a speech every morning to the Indians, just before or just after numbering the prisoners. In counting the captives at the first morning's dawn, the tally fell short one; when Peter sprang up from his recumbent position in evident surprise, and hastily scanning the prisoners he exclaimed in no very good humor- "Ump! Yankee gone!". The most of his prisoners were German. The prisoners were bound nights, and usually an Indian slept on each side of every captive; but early in the evening, after his capture, Woodworth feigned sudden illness with choleramorbus, and he was loosened to vomit, or rather try to, with no little contortion of body and visage, and he was, to all appearances, very sick, having often to run to the bank of the river, whither no one followed him, he was not rebound. His illness only lasted, however, until his foes were all asleep, who flushed with their recent success, did not practice their usual vigilance. Proceeding to the river, Woodworth set a canoe adrift -- not recovered by the enemy -- to make them believe he had crossed the stream; but instead of doing so he struck off up the river on its easterly shore, arriving near the site of the present village of Northville early in the morning -- 25 miles from where he had been obliged to abandoned his trusty rifle. At this point he forded the river, returned home, to the great joy of his family, and with it he arrived in Johnstown in the evening of the day after his captivity. The water party consisting of part of the enemy, most of the prisoners and the removing families, went down the Sacandaga to the Hudson, crossed that river and transported their canoes to the shore of Lake George. In a carrying place about a mile distant from the lake, they found a three-handed bateau, which they took along. They floated north through Lakes George and Champlain to St. Johns, always encamping on the shore at night. The party on land with the horses proceeded along the western side of the lakes, and at the south end of Lake Champlain both parties came together. John Shew, known by the enemy to be a good woodsman, was taken with the party on land. The Algar horse having broken a leg on the uneven ground, was killed and eaten by its new owners. The best horse of

the three taken at Shew's, was owned by young Stephen. When the parties united, Stephen again saw his favorite animal grazing with its fellows, and could not give up the idea of its being his property. Pointing to it he observed to an Indian who had the care of it -- "That is my horse!". "Umph ! He mine now!" replied the Indian, by way of comfort to the boy. The food of the water party and probably that of the other, consisted principally of fresh mutton, beef, poultry, etc., obtained as plunder on the premises of the prisoners. The meat was soon fly blown, but the Indians made soup of it. Jacob Shew carried the saddle of a sheep from the Sacondaga to Lake George. The prisoners generally had food enough, although Indian's fare, but for two days near the end of their journey, the water party fasted: enjoying the occupation of eating moldy biscuits--several barrels of which had been left in that neighborhood by a cut-off party of Burgoyne's men the year before. While the enemy were without food, says George Cough, they thought seriously of killing the elder Shew to replenish their larder. After a halt of one day at St. John's, the parties united, set out for Montreal. At an Indian village situated some miles above Montreal, called Caughnawaga, all the prisoners were obliged to run the gauntlet. The lines were composed principally of Indian men armed with birch gads, who loosened the jackets of the prisoners, but none were seriously injured. The captives were 12 days going from the Fish House to Montreal, where a British officer paid twelve dollars and a half each for these of them the Indians chose to give up. Mr. Cough and his son, John Shew, Scott and Bowman were not given up with the rest as prisoners of war, but were retained by the Indians and taken to their homes. What reward, if any, was paid for their capture is unknown. At the time of this invasion, the enemy were desirous of getting prisoners for exchange, and offered a more liberal bounty for prisoners than for scalps; this probably accounts for there having been no blood shed by Ross's party; believed to have been an unparalleled instance of humanity exercised by Canadian invaders during the war. The 10 captives retained as prisoners of war were kept at Montreal for several weeks and then sent up to Quebec on a sloop, from which they were transferred to the ship Maria, under the command of Capt. Max, and remained on board of her at that port two or three months. While there, a British sergeant drew up at their request, a petition to Sir John Johnson, which the ten Johnstown prisoners and perhaps others signed; proposing as they were held ready for an exchange, they would return home across the lakes and send back a number of the enemy then prisoners with the Americans, equaling their own number. To this proposition Sir John would not agree, but went on board the ship and told them in person that "If they would join his corps, they would all return together to posses their Johnstown lands." "When the d--l will that be?" interrogated the elder Shew, in no very good humor. "The rebels cant hold out much longer," said Sir John, "and at the end of the war, we'll all go to Johnstown together." "Never," responded the old patriot with emphasis, "will you go back to inherit your Johnstown possessions again!" The Tory chieftain was unwilling to believe the war would terminate so disastrously for his future prospects, and soon after left the ship. A few days after, Johnson sent for Mr. Shew to know if any of the prisoners of his acquaintance would be likely to enlist into his Majesty's service. Shew told him he thought they would not, but that he could try them if he chose. After a request from Sir John that he would exert his influence in that direction, the prisoner returned to the ship. Continue to Part 2 A CHANCE TO ENLIST - The next morning a recruiting officer, a Sergeant, named Hilliard, who had removed from Johnstown to Canada, and who knew some of the prisoners, visited the ship to beat up for recruits. The prisoners were all on deck, and, agreeable to his instructions, he waited upon Mr. Shew to make known the nature of his errand. As the young captives gathered round the old gentleman, he said to them, "Here is a recruiting officer come to enlist you into the British service! My lads, if any of you want to sell your country for a green coat with red facings, and a cap with a lock of red horse-hair hanging down one side of it, you now have a good chance!" The reader is aware that the force of an argument depends much on the time and manner of its utterance. That the one of Mr. Shew had its desired weight, may be inferred from the fact that after numerous luring inducements and golden promises of reward in his Majesty's service, Sergeant Hilliard gathered up his papers and left the ship, without having added a single recruit. Thus much for the principles of the back woods men of western New York in the hour that tried men's souls. When the Maria was moored under the Heights of Abraham, the British in the fortifications would play "Yankee-Doodle" to irritate the prisoners. Many of them who were in good spirits, however, would throw up their hats, hurrah for the cause of liberty, begin a jig on the ship's deck and shout to the enemy to play away and they would dance for them. Early in September the Maria was ready to sail for England, via New York, where she was to land her prisoners, some 60 in all. Of the number were Lieut. Col. Frederick Bellinger, and Major John Frey, officers who were made prisoners at Oriskany the summer before. When the ship was about to sail, those officers

were told that they could remain at Quebec or go to New York. Major Frey said he would rather remain on the vessel with his countrymen and share their chance to get home, and Col. Bellinger expressed the same views, and they remained on board. After a pleasant sail down the St. Lawrence and into the gulf, the vessel was brought to Newfoundland, to inquire if any Yankees had been there lately; an inquiry known, there, to apply to privateers. They were informed that some had left that port only the day before. Soon after leaving the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Maria fell in with a privateer, which immediately gave chase. The pursuit lasted for two days, and the British vessel escaped by being a better sailor than her antagonist; but she was driven directly out of her course; and after a sail of several weeks, being part of the time nearer Europe than America, and not daring to run down to New York, she returned to Halifax, there landed her captives and sailed directly from thence to England. The trip to sea was a novelty in the life of the Johnstown settlers, the most of whom were very sea-sick for several days; often lining the ship's side and casting up their dinners without the aid of stomach-pumps. Capt. Max was a gentlemen, and treated the prisoners while on his vessel, as though he was born with a soul, a contingency that does not always happen in the birth of naval commanders. Nearly 1,300 captives were then assembled at Halifax, and two ships were fitted out to take them to Boston to be exchanged. Several prisoners had effected their escape from Halifax, by having good knives; and when the Johnstown prisoners were confined there, their knives were taken from all of them except the elder Shew. They had to cook their own meat in a large kettle set in an arch, and often were allowed but a scanty supply of fuel to do it with. Not infrequently the grease was skimmed off to increase the flame, and at times an old garment was tucked under the kettle. If the meat was not half cooked, as was frequently the case, it had to be eaten in its raw state, with the peas of beans soaked with it--the meat having to be pulled apart with the fingers. Jacob Shew chanced to find a piece of an iron hoop, and with an immense rubbing upon a stone, he made it supply the needs of a knife to the mess which included him. An old tar who had managed to retain his knife, exposed it to a sentinel from motives of mischief, who demanded its surrender to him. The prisoner refused to part with it, and the soldier was taking measures to get it by force, when the old salt, knife in hand, fell back among the prisoners, and the sentinel not daring to leave his post, bit his lip in anger to see his authority set at defiance. While detained at Halifax, Putman, Salisbury and the elder Morris were taken sick and died. The rest of the Johnstown prisoners who had been on board the ship Maria, were landed in Boston, where young Morris also died. Reese left Boston, but as he never reached home, his friends supposed he died on the way. The three Shews, father, Stephen, and Jacob, left Boston together, the latter with the small-pox just developing. Dr. Farrell, of Rhode Island, and Moses Hicks, of Virginia, fellow prisoners, journeyed with the Shews from Boston to Roxbury. As the three latter sat down much fatigued by the wayside in Massachusetts, opposite a nice house, to rest their wearied limbs, some 15 or 18 miles from the city, a little black girl was sent out to inquire if they were deserters. "If you are deserters," said she "master said you should come in, but if you are not, he does not wish to see you." Such was the comfort meted by wealthy Tories, to men suffering in the cause of freedom. On arriving in the town of Sudbury, nearly 20 miles from Boston, Jacob Shew gave out, sat down by the way-side, and told his friends he could go no farther. After seeing him well cared for, they journeyed on, found friends on the route who supplied their necessities, and arrived in Johnstown on January 1, 1779. Jacob fortunately fell into Samaritan hands, was cured of his loathsome disease, and reached Johnstown on the 17 of March following his capture, it being "St. Patrick's day in the morning." HOW SHEW AND SCOTT MADE THEIR ESCAPE - I have observed that several of the Johnstown prisoners were retained among the Indians. John Shew and Joseph Scott, known by their captors to be good hunters, the former being a celebrated marksman, were taken some distance north of the St. Lawrence, where they were retained not far apart. They were allowed to hunt for their new masters to supply them with food, and several times met in their excursions. At one of those accidental meetings the two friends agreed to take French leave of the forest and return home. Securing what food and ammunition they could, they met by concert and set their faces toward Johnstown, distant several hundred miles. On arriving at the St. Lawrence, they luckily found a tree canoe on shore, in which they crossed the river. Fearing they might be on an island, they concealed the canoe in the bushes, but they were soon undeceived and resumed their march. They had secured hooks and fish-lines, and with those and their fire arms they, for several days, were well fed. While journeying along the western shore of Lake Champlain, they became straitened for food, and seeing a British vessel not far from the shore, they resolved to obtain a supply from her. Making a signal, a boat was sent for them and they were soon on ship-board. They stated that they were Tories (it is a wonder the lie did not choke them), going to see their suffering families in a frontier

settlement, and there chanced to be no one on board who knew them, they were believed, obtained a good supply of food, were again set on shore, and meeting with no hindrance, they arrived in a few days at Saratoga, where they were arrested as British spies. Gen. Schuyler, who was then in command there, was informed in the evening that two spies had been taken. "Bring them in tomorrow morning for examination," said the General. In the campaign of 1777, John Shew had become acquainted with General Schuyler, and when himself and his comrade were taken into his presence in the morning, the latter instantly recognized his Johnstown friend. "What, John, are you here as a spy?" said he in a friendly manner, advancing and offering his hand. "They say so," said John, exchanging the proffered salutation. "But where do you come from?" inquired the general, who had no doubt about his patriotism. "I suppose you knew," said the wearied soldier, "that I was some weeks ago made a prisoner, with my friends and neighbors, and taken to Canada." At his request, Shew related the manner of his own and his friends' capture and conveyance to Canada; how, on their arrival, they were separated; how he and Scott had escaped from their captors; and how, when in want of food they had obtained it of their foes, etc., etc., all of which deeply interested the General; and learning that they desired to go directly to their friends, he supplied their immediate wants and gave them a parting blessing. They arrived in Johnstown some five or six weeks after their capture."Source: [[#S36]] Page: NYS Historic Marker http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/historicmarkers/hisall.cfm Location: ON CO. RD. AT NORTHAMPTON Note: SHEW HOUSE BUILT 1784 BY GODFREY SHEW AND HIS SONS JOHN, STEPHEN AND JACOB AFTER THEIR RETURN FROM CANADA AS PRISONERS OF COL. ROSS ON JUNE 3, 1778

=== Note === : Note: Col William Johnson's first military encounter: Sir William Johnson In February 1748 was appointed colonel of the 14 militia companies on the New York frontier, and in May, 1748, appointed colonel of the militia regiment for the city and county of Albany, positions which he held for the rest of his life. In April 1755 Braddock had also commissioned Johnson major-general over the provincial troops in an expedition to take Fort Saint- Frédéric on Lake George. With part of his force of some 300 Indians headed by Theyanoguin and 3,000 Americans, Johnson learned that a strong French column under Jean-Armand Dieskau was moving towards Fort Lyman (later Fort Edward), where the rest of his men were encamped. Johnson s relief detachment was ambushed and the survivors hotly pursued by some French regulars, who rashly attempted to take the hastily fortified position at Lake George by storm. The French were cut to pieces by the Americans, and Dieskau was wounded and captured. Johnson, himself wounded early in the attack, played little part in the battle but was given credit for its outcome. When he visited New York City at the end of the year, he was greeted as a hero, and the king created him a baronet and a grant of one hundred thousand acres of land north of the Mohawk and Schoharie Rivers . This patent, known as the Kingsborough, included parcels in Johnstown and present day Gloversville , Fulton County. :: :: There was one regiment of Provincial troops (800) from New York involved & therefore a small possibility that Godfrey Shew could have been with them especially since "Jelles Fonda was a lieutenant under General Johnson in the French war." and participated in the Battle of St George.Source: [[#S36]] Page: http://www.friendsofjohnsonhall.org/Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Life and Times of Sir William Johnson, Bart., by William L. Stone Vol. I, CHAPTER XVI (1755) Pub Albany: J. Munsell, 78 State Street, 1865. Note: By the end of June, all the forces destined for the reduction of Crown Point had assembled at Albany. They were composed chiefly of provincial militia from the colonies of Massachusetts and Connecticut. New York had contributed one regiment to the expedition, and New Hampshire had raised for the same object, five hundred sturdy mountaineers, and had placed them under the command of Colonel Joshua Blanchard. The latter was first sent by Governor Wentworth to the Connecticut, river to erect a fort at Cohoes, under the impression that it was on his route to Crown Point. While on the way, however, advices being received from Governor Shirley, urging him to hasten to Albany, he marched forthwith for that city, where he arrived with his men, after a tiresome march through the woods by way of Number Four, in time to join the rest of the troops. In the beginning of August, General Lyman was sent forward with the greater part of the troops, to erect a fort on the east bank of the Hudson river, at the great carrying-place between that river and Lake George, first called Fort Lyman and which afterward received from General Johnson the name of Fort Edward.Source: [[#S1]] Page: "THe History of Montgomery

County" Town of Mohawk http://threerivershms.com/twnmohawk.pdf Note: Jelles Fonda was a lieutenant under General Johnson in the French war. A picture of him in this connection is afforded by the following report to his superior, which is more amusing to the reader than it could have been to the writer: "CAMP AT LAKE GEORGE 14 Octr 1755. " A Report of the Scout under my Command being in number i Sergint and 12 Men Agreeable to orders Came op first with the party Commanded by Lut: Van Shaick who was on the return back to this Camp and asked the Reason why they returned so soon or why they had not preceded as an accident had happened to one of their men he sayd he was sick and unfit to proced on which I left him and Came up with the party Commanded by Capt" Syms, who was waiting for orders on which I then gave him the orders I Received from gen" Johnson Aid De Camp to March forward upon which all Excepting Refused, to proced and then I asked my party to go ana take their Blanketts and provisions which they Denied Except with their own Officers and I then Called and said all you that are Cowards Come and He take y' names Down and they Come so thick that I Could see But 10 or 12 Left of the whole party & they mostly Consisting of New Yorkers and then I asked the Commander what he woud do or whether he understood me that he was to go forward he said he believed he would Come back and so we returned to this Camp. "JELLES FONDA." : Note: At this time, "To anyone not accustomed to city life, the crowds & noise seemed overwhelming, and worst were market days, Wednesdays & Saturdays, when German-speaking country people came rolling into town in huge farm wagons loaded with produce, live chickens, pigs & cattle" It's quite possible that this is how the Godfrey Shew family made a living here.Source: [[#S1]] Page: "John Adams" by David McCullough, pub 2001 by Thorndike Press, Maine : Note: Sir William Johnson built his fish house on the site of present day Fish House Village, NY :: Object: ::: Title: Fish House Road Marker ::: File: c:\My Documents\Geneology Documents\Village Photos & Maps\Fish House Village\Fish House Road Marker.jpg : Note: By this time, Sir William Johnson could no longer ride horseback because of continuing & worsening illness and a bullet lodged in his hip from the 1855 battle. "He built a carraige road 14 miles from Johnson Hall into a landscape that contrasted sharply with the wooded Mohawk Valley. Here a huge marsh stretched flat & treeless to the Mayfield hills." Here he built "Mount Joy" on a spit of land known as Summer House point. 4 miles down the waterway was Fish House, a wild camp which he had built earlier as a younger healthier hunter." :: Object: ::: Title: Carraige Road sign ::: File: C:\Users\Pete Shew\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8\Exhibits\Carraige Road sign.jpgSource: [[#S1]] Page: Mohawk Baronet, Sir William Johnson of New York by James Thomas Flexner, pub NYC 1959 Note: p337 : Note: "In June 1769 Sir William Johnson received as a personal gift from the King "in acknowledgement of your services" a deed to 99,000 acres (154 square miles) which he proudly named Kingsland. Northeast of Kingsland & Johnstown, he extended his holdings as the years passed, to the far bank of the Sacandaga and along that river to it's junction with the Hudson. This involved shares in the Sacandaga, Mayfield, Duncan, Glen & Vrooman Patents. Johnson sent Banyar (Goldsbrow Banyar, Deputy Secretary of State of the Colony) lists of friends, dependants, tenants, & indentured servants whose names were to be put on his part of the patents. To charges that he was engrossing all the best land, Johnson replied that he was doing the public a service because he instantly - sometimes even before the patent was actually granted - placed on his acres settlers of whom he took personal care. For Johnson's tenants, not only the fear of indians but every other rigor of the frontier was erased. The wilderness privation that usually extended from first axe-blow to first harvest, when all food had to be bought except game, was banished by Sir William's foresight in clearing, before each group of tenants came, communal fields on which they might sow & reap until their own farms were ready. He would supply seed & even horses & cows on the easiest terms. Roads (the settlers would have to labor on them a certain number of days a year) already connected the unimproved farms with the outside world, the gristmills & the sawmills. He advertised in big-city newspapers for tradesmen, craftsmen, & settlers. Johnson combined paternalism with self interest. He followed the established New York custom of not selling but, as a complainant put it, exacting a certain tribute annually and forever. His

leases were long, usually 2 or 3 lives. The first 5 years when the woods were being cleared into farms were given rent free, and the next ten at a reduced rent. His acres filled up so fast that by 1772 he no longer had to advertise for tenants. He boasted during 1771 that the road to the extensive meadow of the Sacandaga had 3 years before run through an entire wilderness but is now one continued chain of settlements.Source: [[#S1]] Page: Mohawk Baronet, Sir William Johnson of New York by James Thomas Flexner, pub NYC 1959 Note: page296-305 : Note: Tryon county, broken off of Albany County was named after the Governor of New York at the time, and took in the present counties of Montgomery, Fulton, Herkimer and portions of several others. This was done at the request of Sir William Johnson & the area basically included his large estate, with Johnstown it's capital. All of it's officials were picked at the time by Sir William Johnson. "In 1772 New York's then governor William Tryon visited the Baronet's domain. General Johnson treated him to 3 musters of militia regiments, upwards of 1400 men"Source: [[#S1]] Page: "History of Schoharie County, and Border Wars of New York: Containing Also a Sketch of the Causes which Led to the American Revolution; and Interesting Memoranda of the Mohawk Valley" By Jeptha Root Simms Published by Munsell & Tanner, printers, 1845 Original from the New York Public Library Digitized Feb 11, 2008 Page 152 of 672 pages Note: Tryon county, so called after the Governor of New York at the time, was organized in 1772, and took in the present counties of Montgomery, Fulton, Herkimer and portions of several others. The first court of general quarter sessions of the peace for this county, was held in Johnstown, so called after Sir William Johnson, on Tuesday September 8, 1772. The Bench consisted of " Guy Johnson, Judge. " John Butler, Peter Conyne, Judges. " Sir John Johnson, knight, Daniel Glaus, John Wells, Jelles Fonda, Assistant Judges. "John Collins, Joseph Chew, Adam Loucks, John Fry, Fr. Young, Peter Ten Broeck, Justices." In 1791, the county of Herkimer was organized from Tryon, and called after General Herkimer who fell at Oriskany; and in 1794 the name of Tryon county was changed to that of Montgomery, who fell at Quebec.Source: [[#S1]] Page: Mohawk Baronet, Sir William Johnson of New York by James Thomas Flexner, pub NYC 1959 Note: p335 : Note: Sir William Johnson died and his son Sir John Johnson moved into Johnson Hall and assumed the responsibility for his father's tenant farmers & 200,000 acre estate. His funeral procession included all the clergymen in the Mohawk Valley, the Governor & others of political importance, his white & indian children & many Mohawk wives & every living Mohawk & 2000 settlers dressed in their sunday best as well as many other Iroquois. Undoubtably the Godfrey Shew family would have been there.Source: [[#S1]] Page: Mohawk Baronet, Sir William Johnson of New York by James Thomas Flexner, pub NYC 1959 Note: p347 : Note: Within 2 months of Sir William's death, a Committee of Safety was formed, & Sir William's sons & family eventually deserted his holdings and left for Canada. : Note: The Battle of Lexington & Concord, first battle of the Revolution. : Note: On file in the office of the Clerk of the Court of Appeals of the County Clerk at Albany From Will # "1615(S144) Aug 11, 1782 - Jany 10, 1783. Service, Peter of Tryon Co., farmer, wife Madallaine, sons in law Jacob Kitts & Johannes Kitts. Real & Personal estate. Executors the two sons-in-law. Witnesses James Plattoe of Cachnawage, Tryon Co., yeoman, Godfrey Shew and Steven Shew."Source: [[#S1]] Page: Calendar of Wills, 1626 - 1836. Berthold Fernow. (1896) page 367 http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/SingleIndexIndView.aspx?ix=gpc_0806301104_CalendarOfWills&hpp=1&rf=* ,z*&qt=i&zpage=385&highlight=shew : Note: "Indian Hunters Come Back to the Johnstown Settlements.- Soon after the war, the Indian hunters of Northern New York, began to visit the Fish House settlement, and go from there to Johnstown to sell fur. On one occasion two Indian hunters hired Godfrey Shew to take them to Johnstown in a wagon, and on their way they stopped at the house of George Cough. The reader will remember he had twice gone to Canada as a prisoner, and judge his surprise at seeing in the person of one of the Indians, a former tyrannic master. " What, Shew '." said the old gentleman starting with surprise, with his passions kindling, " and do you bring this cursed Indian here? He took me prisoner the last time I went to Canada?" :: :: "Ah ! we friends now !" said the Indian extending his hand for a shake, which Cough finally received, and acting on the Christian principle of rendering good for evil, that former foe was shown some kindness by the family. The Indian told the sons playfully, that they had got to be men from having been under his care. On arriving at

Johnstown, the hunters sold their fur to Gen. Dodge, + and paid Mr. Shew liberally for taking them there."Source: [[#S1]] Page: The Frontiersmen of New York by Jeptha R. Simms Albany, NY 1883 Volume II, Page 645. Note: Indian Hunters Come Back to the Johnstown Settlements.- Soon after the war, the Indian hunters of Northern New York, began to visit the Fish House settlement, and go from there to Johnstown to sell fur. On one occasion two Indian hunters hired Godfrey Shew to take them to Johnstown in a wagon, and on their way they stopped at the house of George Cough. The reader will remember he had twice gone to Canada as a prisoner, and judge his surprise at seeing in the person of one of the Indians, a former tyrannic master. " What, Shew '." said the old gentleman starting with surprise, with his passions kindling, " and do you bring this cursed Indian here? He took me prisoner the last time I went to Canada?" "Ah ! we friends now !" said the Indian extending his hand for a shake, which Cough finally received, and acting on the Christian principle of rendering good for evil, that former foe was shown some kindness by the family. The Indian told the sons playfully, that they had got to be men from having been under his care.* On arriving at Johnstown, the hunters sold their fur to Gen. Dodge, + and paid Mr. Shew liberally for taking them there.-Jacob Shew, a son of Godfrey Shew. : Note: Tryon County was renamed Montgomery County. The town of Caughnawaga originally embraced all that part of Montgomery county lying north of the Mohawk and east of a line extending from the "Nose" to Canada. In 1793 Caughnawaga was divided into Amsterdam, Broadalbin, Johnstown and Mayfield Townships.Source: [[#S1]] Page: The History of Montgomery Classis, R.C.A. by W.N.P. Dailey, Recorder Press, Amsterdam, NY 1916 http://www.threerivershms.com/rcafonda.htm Note: The village was named after Douw Fonda who came from Schenectady and settled here in 1751. The former name for the village of Fonda was "Caughnawaga," the meaning of which is "stone in the water" or "at the rapids." The Caughnawagas of Tribes Hill were a family of the Wolf Tribe of the Mohawks, to which tribe Brant's mother belonged. In 1669 the Jesuits built a chapel here, called St. Peter's of logs on the Sand Flats of Caughnawaga. Here in 1676 the Iroquois maiden, Te-ga-wi-ta, the white lily of the Mohawk, the now canonized saint of the Romanists, was baptised by James de Lamberville. The town of Caughnawaga originally embraced all that part of Montgomery county lying north of the Mohawk and east of a line extending from the "Nose" to Canada. In 1793 it was divided into Amsterdam, Broadalbin, Johnstown and Mayfield. As early as 1659 Arent Van Curler held a conference with the Mohawks at Caughnawaga, renewing the treaty of 1643. Douw Fonda came into this section in 1751, and after him the village was named. When Fonda had come to his eightieth year, on May 22, 1780, he was killed at his home, and two of his sons, John and Adam, were taken captives to Canada. There is a story current that the renegade Tory, Walter Butler, killed the old man who had been a great friend of Sir William Johnson. : Note: The House of Assembly in the State Legislature declared that the demands of Godfrey, Jacob, John (deceased) & Stephen Shew for payment relief as a result of the Revolution, "are not proper claims against this state, but if duly authenticated, they may be just claims against the United States." :: Object: ::: Format: PDF ::: Title: 1792 Jacob Shew war claims.pdf ::: File: C:\Users\Pete Shew\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8\Exhibits\1792 Jacob Shew war claims.pdfSource: [[#S25]] Page: New York Daily Advertiser Volume VIII, issue 2190, page 2 Column 3, NY House of Assembly ; Mon Feb 13, 1792, paragraph 3 www.infoweb.newsbank.com from GodfreyLibrary.com

=== Religion === : Religion: The Shew family attended the Reformed Dutch Church of Caughnawaga & many Shew children were baptised here. This stone church was erected in 1763 by voluntary contributions & Sir William Johnson contributed liberally. Thomas Romayne was it's first pastor from 1763-1795. It is located about half a mile east of the court-house in the village of Fonda, & 4.5 mi south of Johnstown. :: Date: 1763 :: Place: Fonda, Albany Co., NY :: Object: ::: Format: JPEG

::: Title: 1763 Caughnawaga Dutch Reforme ::: File: C:\Users\Pete Shew\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8\Exhibits\1763 Caughnawaga Dutch Reformed Church.jpgSource: [[#S1]] Page: "History of Schoharie County, and Border Wars of New York: Containing Also a Sketch of the Causes which Led to the American Revolution; and Interesting Memoranda of the Mohawk Valley" By Jeptha Root Simms Published by Munsell & Tanner, printers, 1845 Original from the New York Public Library Digitized Feb 11, 2008 Page 152 of 672 pages Note: This old church, now (1848) known as the Fonda Academy, under the management of Rev. Douw Van Olinda, is about half a mile east of the court-house, in the village of Fonda. It is a stone edifice, and was erected in 1763 by voluntary contributions. Sir William Johnson contributed liberally. Its first pastor was Thomas Romayne, who was succeeded in 1795 by Abraham Van Horn, one of the earliest graduates of King's (now Columbia) College, in the city of New York. He was from Kingston, Ulster county, and remained its pastor until 1840. During his ministry he united in marriage 1500 couples. The church was without a bell until the confiscated property of Sir John Johnson was sold in the Revolution, when the dinner-bell of his father was purchased and hung in the steeple. The bell weighs a little more'than one hundred pounds, and bears the following inscription: US. R. William Johnson, baronet, 1774. Made by Miller and Ross, in Eliz. Town." from: Simm's Schoharie County, &c. Over the door of the church is a stone tablet, with this inscription in Dutch : " Komt laelt ons op gaen tot den Bergh des Heerdn, to den huyse des godes Jacobs, op dat hy ons leere van syne wegen, en dat wy wandel in syne paden." In English: " Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord & to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths."

=== Education === : Education: Sir William while living in Johnson Hall, built six nearby dwellings to house, as he expressed it, 'tradesmen and artificers' when they settled here. All six buildings were constructed alike. They were painted yellow, and so was the school which was located on the southeast corner of William and New Sacandaga Streets; the first absolutely free, non-sectarian school in the colony of New York. Edward Wall was the schoolmaster for Sir William Johnson's children and the children of the little hamlet of John's Town. The Baronet conducted a long search for a schoolmaster for his school. When he discovered Edward Wall, a fellow countryman from Ireland, he brought him to settlement, John's Town. Mr. Wall was provided with a new cottage, built in 1763, and ready to occupy. All of Godfrey Shew's children that were old enough attended school here. :: Date: 1763 :: Place: Johnstown, Albany Co., NY :: Object: ::: Format: JPEG ::: Title: Sir William Johnson Portrait ::: File: c:\My Documents\Geneology Documents\0.Godfrey Shew Sr\Sir William Johnson Portrait.jpg ::: Note: Sir William JohnsonSource: [[#S36]] Page: http://french- indian.morrisonspensions.org/johnstown1769.html Note: WELCOME INTO THE 18th CENTURY PLEASE THINK OF IT AS PRECISELY THE YEAR 1769 This is the home of Edward Wall, schoolmaster for Sir William Johnson's children and the children of the little hamlet of John's Town. The school being located on the southeast corner of William and New Sacandaga Streets; the first absolutely free, non-sectarian school in the colony of New York. In this year of 1769 Sir William is living in Johnson Hall. He founded and named our community after his son. He built six dwellings to house, as he expressed it, 'tradesmen and artificers' when they settled here. All six buildings are constructed alike. They are painted yellow, and so is the school. Sir William assigned this cottage, which is one of the six, to the schoolmaster. To-day you are a guest in this interesting home. The schoolmaster welcomes your visit to see his dwelling and furnishings. It shows you, of course, the way he lives. Look, and feel free to ask questions, but please do not touch anything. The Baronet conducted a long search for a schoolmaster for his school. When he discovered Edward Wall, a fellow countryman from Ireland, he brought him to the frontier settlement, John's Town. Mr. Wall was provided with a new cottage, built in 1763, and ready to occupy. You are visiting that house to-day. There are two good sized rooms on the first floor: the Keeping room and the Parlour. Upstairs are the East and West Bedchambers. A commodious Hall occupies the middle of the

house. You will note that it is the Keeping room where the household finds its 'board and keep'. Cooking, dining and housekeeping tasks: such as spinning, herb-drying and washing are assigned to this room. The Parlour offers a place to relax. It is a family gathering room. The clock is from Scotland; the cupboard, called Kass (Dutch name). The schoolmaster's desk and books are here. Even a pointer, which is sometimes used to discipline pupils, lies across the top of the desk. The West Bedchamber is Mr. Wall's sleeping room. Note the commode chair; and the bed wrench to tighten the bed ropes, so that he can "sleep tight". Currently, the schoolmaster is a bachelor, although courting. Therefore, he uses the East Bedchamber as a Storeroom. Good judgment in a frontier town, because a household needs to keep equipment accessible to maintain self-sufficiency. You have helped us, indeed, to maintain our self-sufficiency by your donation in the fried cake jar. Please tell others to be sure and visit the 18th Century home of the schoolmaster in John's Town.

=== Census === : Census: :: Date: 1800 :: Place: Northampton Twp., Fish House, Montgomery Co., NY :: Object: ::: Format: JPEG ::: Title: 1800 census Godfrey Shew Sr ::: File: C:\Users\Pete Shew\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8\Exhibits\1800 census Godfrey Shew Sr.jpg ::: Note: 1800 census, Fish House, Northampton Twp, Montgomery County, NY :: Note: This is the 1st page of the Northampton census, with Godfrey Shew being the first family listed on the page since his house is right on the Saratoga County border. So this is the Village of Fish House. Godfrey (over 45) is living with wife (over 45), 1 male 16-26 [?], 1 female under 10 [Sarah] Both Thomas & Green Wells, the 2 older brothers of Stephen Shew's 2nd wife Susannah Wells are living here in Fish House as well as Wm Stark, Abraham Beecher, and Alexander St John.Source: [[#S2]] Page: 1800 census, Series M32, Roll: 24, Page: 81 line 1 indexed at ancestry.com as Jodfrey Shene, image 88 indexed correctly at heritagequest

=== Will === : Will: :: Date: 12 FEB 1805 :: Place: Northampton Twp., Montgomery Co., NY :: Object: ::: Format: JPEG ::: Title: 1805 Godfrey Shew will ::: File: C:\Users\Pete Shew\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8\Exhibits\1805 Godfrey Shew will.jpg ::: Note: 1805 Godfrey Shew will :: Note: "I Give to youngest son, GODFREY, all my premises of the real property of Lot #2 out of Lot #26 of the NORTHAMPTON PATENT and also ten ackers of the same more or less that is called the TRYANGEL (triangle) Lot #3 out of Lot 26 of the Northampton Patent which I exchanged with my son JACOB SHEW, the hool containing one hundred ackers, and furthermore I give to my oldest son HENRY (Heneary) Shew $12.50, also to son STEPHEN SHEW $12.50, also to son JACOB SHEW $12.50, also to my daughter MARY JACKSON, $12.50, also to daughter SAREY JACKSON $12.50, also to my son JACOB'S OLDEST SON, GODFREY SHEW, being my GRANDSON, the sum of $12.50 for barying (bearing) my Christian name for him to remember me thereby and make good use of the name. ::: ::: Furthermore, it is my will that my son, GODFREY, shall rase this money to pay the above mentioned legatees out of my stock of cattel, horses, or other creatures or otherwise to agree themselves and, if not, by appraisal by good men. ::: ::: Furthermore, I give to CATHERINE SHEW, my DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, my son GODFREY SHEW'S wife, two

beeds and all the furniture that is in my room now and all the rest of the household furniture excepting one chest that I give to my son GODFREY'S OLDEST DATTER, SUSANNAH, and the contents therein. ::: ::: Furthermore, I do make and appoint JACOB and GODFREY SHEW to be Executors of this, my last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 12th day of Feb. 1805.

=== Probate === : Probate: :: Date: 16 OCT 1805 :: Place: Johnstown, Montgomery Co., NY :: Note: Godfrey's will was probated by Surrogate James Lansing and witnessed by Caleb Watson & Samuel Scribner with Jacob Shew (Sr) & Godfrey Shew (Jr) being the executors.

=== Burial === : Burial: :: Place: Northampton Twp., Fish House, Montgomery Co., NY :: Note: According to Susannah Shew in 1862: "Their [Godfrey & Katie] remains were interred about 30 rods north of the Monument to John Roosevelt Jr." She is referring to Roosevelt's gravestone in the Northampton Cemetery in Fish House. Percy Orton, Historian of that locality said that "when the new reservoir was built in the Sacandaga river, the old cemetery stones were moved to any locality the families of the deceased requested; The stones of Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey Shew laid near an empty field at that time", -- presumably have been destroyed by now. Rogers Finch studied the records of the Hudson River Regulating District and was convinced that they were not among those whose graves were moved when the Sacandaga Reservoir was constructed.Source: [[#S32]] Page: Rogers Finch Note: Percy Orton, Historian of that locality told me that "when the new reservoir was built in the Sacandaga river, the old cemetery stones were moved to any locality the families of the deceased requested; The stones of Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey Shew laid near an empty field at that time", -- presumably have been destroyed by now.Source: [[#S1]] Page: Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 1999. Original data: Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots. Vol. 1-4. Dallas, TX, USA: Pioneer Heritage Press, 1987 Note: Name: Godfrey Shew Cemetery: 30 rods N to John Roosevelt Sr LOCATION: Fulton CO NY 41 Reference: Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots, Vol.4, p. Serial: 10572; Volume: 12

=== Object === :: Title: Godfrey Shew Road sign C:\Users\Pete Shew\Documents\The Master Genealogist v8\Exhibits\Godfrey Shew Road sign.JPG

=== Marriage ===

: Husband: [[Shew Schuh-1|Godfrey (John Godfrey) Shew Schuh]] : Wife: [[Frey-764|Katherine Catharina Phillippina Frey]] : Child: [[Shew-20|Jacob Shew]] : Marriage: :: Date: 28 APR 1757 :: Place: Churchville Presbyterian Church, Northampton Twp., Churchville, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania ::: 1757 Godfrey Schach & Catrinac:\My Documents\Geneology DocumentsFAMS_BIO.Godfrey Shew Sr57 Godfrey Schach & Catrina Fry marriage.jpg

::: Note: Pennsylvania Marriage Records, 1700-1821 at Ancestry.com :: Note: "Catrina Fry & John Godfrey Schach." "Schach"is probably "Schuh" with the top of the "u" closed in the original cursive record. Churchville is 25 miles north of downtown Philadelphia and was originally called

Smoketown because of the Dutch custom of smoking long clay pipes. They were married in the middle of the French & Indian War. This could also be the Low Dutch Church known as the Northampton Dutch Reformed Church, built in 1737 near Feasterville 4 miles south of Churchville. churchesSource: [[#S1]] Page: The Compendium of American Genealogy, Vol. VII, page 595 ancestry.comSource: [[#S1]] Page: The Frontiersmen of New York: Showing Customs of the Indians, Vicissitudes of the Pioneer White Settlers, and Border Strife in Two Wars By Jeptha Root Simms Published by G.C. Riggs, 1883 Volume 2 Original from Harvard University Digitized May 21, 2008 Page 216 Note:

1 "Godfrey Shew, the father of Jacob Shew, emigrated from Germany to this country, at the age of 19, and just before the French war. In that war, he was a soldier under Sir William Johnson, and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he received a severe bullet wound in his right arm. At the close of the war, he went to Philadelphia, where he married a German girl named Catharine Frey, daughter of Henry Frey. It is supposed she was not the only child of her parents. On arriving in this country, the family landed in Philadelphia, at which time Catharine was nine years old, and she was sold into servitude to defray the expense of her passage, for the next nine years. The man who stipulated for her service was one of two brothers, Michael and Randall Hutchinson, citizens of Philadelphia. Not long after this child was thus disposed of, her parents removed to the Wyoming valley, with the understanding that at the expiration of her time, they would return for her ; but as they did not come, she supposed they had been murdered in the French war. Fortunately the little stranger fell into Samaritan hands who appreciated her merits, and from whom she received parental kindness. Soon after his marriage, Godfrey Shew removed to Johnstown, N. Y., and settled on a farm two miles to the westward of Johnson hall. He lived at this place eight- or ten years, and then took up a farm of 100 acres under Sir William Johnson, 18 miles northeast of Johnstown, and near Johnson's fish house. Mr. Shew took possession with the promise of a permanent lease, occupying for a time a squatter's hut near the river. The Shew family erected and resided in a log dwelling in their pioneer residence at first, but they had hewn out timber for a framed building just as the Revolution began, and at its close, the timber was unfit for use."Source: [[#S1]] Page: "Marriage Record of the Presbyterian Church, Churchville, Bucks County, 1738-1810," pages 495-511, Pennsylvania Archives. Second Series. Vol. IX, Published under direction of Matthew S. Quay, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Edited by John B. Linn and Wm. H. Egle, M.D. Harrisburg: Lane S. Hart, State Printer, 1880. Pennsylvania Marriage Records. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Archives Printed Series, 1876. Series 2, Series 6, page 500; Pennsylvania, Marriage Records, 1700- 1821 at Ancestry.com Note: "Catrina Fry" married "John Godfrey Schach" April 28, 1757.

== Sources ==

* Source: S2 Title: Census, Federal Abbreviation: Census, Federal * Source: S22 Title: US National Archives & Records Administration Abbreviation: NARA * Source: S25 Title: Newspaper Article Abbreviation: Newspaper Article * Source: S28 Title: Pension (Military) Abbreviation: Pension (Military)

* Source: S4 Title: Certificate or Manuscript Abbreviation: Certificate or Manuscript * Jacob Dunham (1727-1779) of Lebanon, Conn. and Mayfield, N.Y. : his descendants and ancestors with five generations of English ancestors : also ancestors and descendants of Stephen Shew with historical accounts of the Shews, Sammons, and Dunhams. Book Author: Sophie Dunham Moore Publication: Kalamazoo, Mich, 1933

== Footnotes ==

=== Acknowledgments === * Thank you to [[Shew-18 | Pete Shew]] for creating WikiTree profile Shew Schuh-1 through the import of Jacob Shew 364 descendants Gedcom.ged on Aug 23, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Pete and

others.