The Militia of Northumberland County During the Revolution

Home , Frederick Muhlenberg, Moses Van Campen, Muncy Creek, Northumberland, Shamokin Creek

BY CHARLES FISHER SNYDER

Presented before the Society March 12, 1948

The militia system has been traditional with our people from the earliest times. Almost all ancient armies, especially those of the Germanic tribes, were militia or national levies, remaining under arms during the war or campaign and returning to their ordinary oc- cupations at the close of each military episode. The tribal militia system gradually developed into Feudalism. The noble and the knight spent most of their lives in the field, and from youth were trained in the cult of arms, but the feudal tenantry were bound to give forty days war service each year, and no more. Prior to the Norman Conquest, the armed force of England was essentially a national militia,' the English army at Hastings consisted mainly of such levies. Down through the fifteenth century, and throughout the Hun- dred Years War with France, the English yeomanry ruled the battlefield. The otherwise drab succession of seemingly endless fighting is singularly embellished by the startling victories at Crecy, Poitiers, and Agincourt, usually against overwhelming forces of mounted knight- hood, by the massing of common soldiery, the longbow- men of England. It should be noted, however, that these yeomen while in foreign service were paid volunteers.

1 Encyc. Brittanica, 14th edit., Vol. 10, p. 677. 48 The Northumberland County Historical Society

The introduction of firearms turned the balance in favor of the professional soldier, nevertheless the tradition persisted and was accepted as a matter of fact by our Continental forefathers. In 1774, the Massachusetts Assembly appointed a Committee of Safety, and their example was quickly followed by the other Colonies including Pennsylvania in 1775. On April 24, 1775, an express rider galloped into Philadelphia with news of the Battle of Lexington. The next day, the Committee of Correspondence took charge and its authority was duly recognized and accepted. A town meeting was called, when thousands of citizens assembled. Only one resolution was proposed and adopted, to "associate together, to defend with arms their property, liberty, and lives against all attempts to deprive them of it." The Associators immediately turned their organizations into military companies. The officers chosen for the Battalions formed in the newer counties near the frontier were, for the most part, men of military skill who were veterans of the French and Indian War and other Indian incursions. However, this was not generally true in the older counties where many chosen were without military experience and owed their position to political activity or social prominence. About sixty-five or seventy Battalions were organized in the eleven counties then comprising Pennsyl- vania; four of them in Northumberland County, which at that date was less than four years old, of vast extent, but relatively sparsely populated. The assessors were required to make returns of all males between eighteen and fifty years of age, and the captains of the various companies of Associators were directed to furnish to their colonels, and the colonels to

-I Northumberland County Militia 49 the County Commissioners, lists of such persons as had joined the Associators. The Commissioners were empowered to assess or fine those not associated 2 pounds 10 shillings annually in addition to their ordinary tax. Fines were also levied for failure to report for duty. A case of this type was the sale of a lot owned by John Bullion in 1779 by the "High Sheriff of the county of Northumberland for delinquency in Northumberland Militia." 2 While these military organizations differed greatly in their makeup, the average Battalion was composed of eight companies, and these in turn of eight classes. A class might vary from six to as many as twenty men. It is supposed the men were classified by age, the youth being in the First Class and the elders in the Eighth Class. On a tour of duty, two, three, or four classes were called out, the older men being called when the action lulled or came closer home. From this outline we can see that the average company was composed of perhaps sixty men, and the battalion of five hundred, serving at one time. On this basis, it can be seen that the Associators furnished over 35,000 men throughout Pennsylvania, and in Northumberland County over two thousand. At the outset of the war, the only Battalion of our county which has a recorded number of men is the Second, which by the return dated January 24, 17763 reported 47 officers and 713 private soldiers, which read- ily confirms the above estimate; while in the report of May 1, 1778 after many had enlisted in the various companies sent to the Continental Line, the total for the four battalions is 1582 men. While in service on the frontier these men seem to have clothed and provisioned themselves. Blankets are issued to them when they are sent on long or distant

2 Northumberland County Deed Book, B, p. 304 3 Penna. Archives, 5thSeries, VIII, p. 667. 50 The Northumberland County Historical Society tours of duty. According to the records4 "each man that found himself a good Riffle & Accoutrements was to be allowed Eighty Dollars", although muskets are occasionally issued. On the frontier they fed themselves, living off the land by hunting and snaring game. The most important items which they could not provide themselves, and which were always scarce on the frontier, were gunpowder and lead. Early in the war the Committee of Safety made an urgent plea for such supplies.

To the Hon'ble the Council of Safety of the State of Pennsylvania.5 The Inhabitants of the County of Northumberland, have just grounds to believe that they will be disturb'd by the Indians, and as they are the people that will greatly suffer if they are not immediately supplyed with a sufficient quantity of Amun- ition to defend themselves, we the subscribers, in behalf of said county, request that your Hon'ble board will immediately grant a sufficient quantity of Amunition; as there is four Batal- lions in the County we think not less than Seven hundred & Fifty wt of Powder & Lead in proportion would be necessary for to supply them. ROB'T MARTIN, MATTHEW BROWN, WALTER CLARK, JNO. KELLY, JAMES CRAWFORD. July 29th, 1776 Our local militia was first engaged in active duty during the winter of 1776-77. On the 5th of December, the Supreme Executive Council appointed Robert Martin of Northumberland "paymaster to the Northumberland county militia, now going into service." On the 8th of January he was superseded by Alexander Hunter, "paymaster to the militia of Northumberland county, enrolled to serve to the 10th of March next." One detachment marched to Reading under Colonel Cole of the Fourth Battalion, and another to Philadelphia under Lieut. Col. Murray of the Third Battalion. Among the companies under Col. Murray's command were Captain Benjamin

4 Penna. Archives, 1st series, Vol. VI, pp. 711, 774 5 Penna. Archives, Ist series, Vol. IV, p. 788. Northumberland County Militia 51

Weiser's and John Lee's; the latter being composed of volunteers from the First Battalion, and organized with the following officers:6 Capt. John Lee, 1st Lieut. Hugh White, 2nd Lieut. Thomas Gaskins, Ensign, Gustavus Ross, They marched on the 24th of December 1776 and arrived at Philadelphia prior to the 11th of January. The entire roster of Capt. Weiser's company is published as of Philadelphia, Jan. the 30th 1777.7 4 Comit'd officers 4 Serjant 1 Drummer 31 Privates Other than these several volunteer groups who marched to the eastern parts of the state, our militia does not seem to have had more than routine duty, patrol- ing our frontier along both branches of the Susquehanna and the like, until the summer of 1777. The war which had started around Boston in 1775, moved to New York in 1776, then to Trenton and back and forth across New Jersey in the early part of 1777. During the summer of that year, reliable information pointed to a British attack on Philadelphia, which was expected by sea since land efforts across New Jersey had failed, and Lord Howe believed that the war could be ended by the capture of the city which was the seat of the Continental Congress. The war, which until that time had come no closer than Washington's retreat to the west shore of the Delaware, was coming to Pennsylvania. The militia was called out. On June 16th, the Council addressed "Samuel Hunter, Esqr, Lieut of the County of Northumberland," as follows:8

6 ibid, V, p. 133. 7 Penna. Archives, 5th series, VIII, pp. 662, 670. 8 Penna. Archives, 1st series, Vol. V, p. 370. 52 The Northumberland County Historical Society

The situation and circumstances of your county induce the Council to order but one class of your Militia into the Field. I do therefore hereby order you to array and bring out the first class of the Militia of your county, and to march them as soon as possible to Bristol, on the Delaware. And further, you are to use your utmost diligence in getting ready the second class, which, it is but too probable will be called upon in a short time. You are to obtain as many Blankets and Arms fit for service as can be procured in the county; and you may depend on it, that whatever may be deficient, shall be supplyed to them, on their arrival at Bristol. To this order he replied as follows:9

Fort Augusta, 19th June, 1777. Sr,

Yours of the sixteenth Inst. I received. I had orders from Generals Mifflin, Armstrong, and Potter, to turn out our Militia, and according to the Orders received, I immediately gave orders for the different Sub Lieutenants of this County, to get the two first Classes out of each Company ready. Their Orders came to hand the 17th Inst., which was communicated to the Colonels of our County, & in obedience to that, they were to march two Classes out of each Company, on Monday or Tues- day next. But as one Class is deemed sufficient, they shall march on one or other of those Days, 'tho 'tis very hard upon the People to leave this part of the Country at this Time of the year, yet their attachment to the present Cause, which I hope will always be the motive that induces the Militia to march, stimulates them. I am yr Excellencys most h'ble servt, SAM'L HUNTER. Meanwhile, the situation seems to have eased, temporarily, and the order to march the militia was countermanded by a circular to the County Lieutenants,1O which drew the following answer from Hunter:

Northumberland County. Fort Augusta, 5th July 177711 Sir:

Agreeable to your orders Dated ye 19th June, to stop the militia of this County from marching, I Recd. the 29th, when the first class was on their march to Bristol on the Delaware, which I had to send after them to return back again; ...... There was one Company marched upwards of sixty miles, & two other Companys about thirty.

9 ibid, P. 377% 10 ibid, p. 380. 11 ibid, p. 414. Northumberland County Militia 53

As the Brandywine campaign progressed, Colonel Hunter wrote: Fort Augusta, 10th Sept. 1777.12 Sir: Your circular letter I received this day in regard of the first class of the Militia of this County to March out immediately, and the whole of the other classes to hold themselves in Rediness, you may depend upon it, I will exert myself to the utmost to have the Orders I Receive from the Executive Council put in Execution, Suppose at this present time the Inhabitants of this County is afraid of the Indians comeing down uppon our fronteers, as there has been a number of them seen about fourty miles above the Great Island, and a Col. of our Militia one Cookson Long set off last Saturday with a party of men to know if they had any Hostile intentions, such a large party as was reported to him of Indians in a body as two Hundred was enough to alarm that Part of the Country.

Fort Augusta, 27th October, 1777.13 Sir, Yours of the 27th September I received, with Seven Hun- dred and fifty Pounds cash for the use of the militia of North- umberland County, that is on the Frontiers doing Duty. I likewise received 500 lb of Powder & 1200 lb of Lead, all de- livered me by Lieut. Thomas Grant but no Riffle Guns, which is one Material article much wanted in this County, for in case the Indians com mnences Hostilitys we are badly off for Arms. Coll John Kelly who Commands there is out at this present time with a party of fifty men & an Indian called Joab Chillaway to Reconiter and make Discoverys of any Enemy indians if within fifty miles of the Great Island, and if his Report is favourable, it will be a means of Encouraging the poor Setlers to go back to their respective Habitations, as there has been since the first alarm upwards of five Hundred of men Women & Children, Assembled at three different places on the west Branch of Susquahana, Viz. at the mouth of Bald Eagle, Antis, mill & Leacoming, there is some friend In- dians with their familys come in to our people, whome I allow provisions while they stay. As the third Class of this County will soon be Call'd I would be desireous to know whether Council will order them up the River to Releive the Militia now there, or down to Joine the main Army. I amx Sir your most Obedt ;Humbe Servt, SAML HUNTER, Lieut,

12 Mbid, p. 610. 13 ibid, p. 717, 54 The Northumberland County Historical Society

Fort Augusta, 1st November, 1777.14 Sir, Yours of the 23 October, I received yesterday by express, ordering that the third and fourth Classes of the Militia of this County be sent out to joine General Washington, and to be supplyed with arms and Blankets, which is not to be got in this County at present, the first Class and part of the second is stationed on the Frontiers of this County and has all the good arms that could be Collected in those parts, so that when those classes that is now called march, they must go without arms, I had promised the poor back inhabitants to relieve the first class whose time is expired the sixteenth of this month, the People there is in a bad way as they have got in no Crops this fall, which is very hard on them being generaly Poor, & new setlers. . .

Fort Augusta, 11th Novr, 1777.15 Sir, This day there is the third & fourth Classes of three Bat- talions of this County Militia marches to joine the army under his Excellency General Washington, under the command of Coll James Murray, the two Classes of Coll Cookson Long's Battalion I have ordered to do duty on the Frontiers, as the first Class of this county, that was commanded by Col. John Kelly, has come off from thence, after serving there two months, and to incourage the poor scattered Inhabitants to Return back to their habitations again induced me to do this, which I hope will be aproved of by Council. The Militia that marches now is badly of for Blankets and severals goes without any and but thinly cloathed otherwise, which shows their attachment to the American cause, though poor yet brave and can be depended uppon for their integrity. The first Class that did Duty up at the Bald Eagle lookes to me for their pay, as now their two months is out and they are come home with the loss of two men Drounded on their way Down the River. If its agreeable to you to send me about three Thousand Dollars as I was obliged to advance a Good sum for those now on their march. I am Sir, your most Obedt Humbe Servt, SAM. HUNTER.

After the army went into winter quarters at Valley Forge, the extremity of the situation can be read in the orders from the Council concerning the militia.

14 ibid, Vol. V, p. 737. 15 ibid, p. 762, also Linn, Annals of the gjffo, Valley, p. 144 Northumberland County Militia 55

In Council, 1778, January 5thlO Sir, The whole eight classes of the Militia of the interior counties having been called into the field, & there being now a necessity that a considerable force be kept up on the eastern side of the river Schuylkill; You are hereby ordered to draw out, & send to Head-Quarters for orders, the sixth & seventh classes of the Militia of your county as compleatly accoutered, and equipped, as possible, these classes ought to be sent forward immediately, as the time of service of those in the field is very neary expired. Two classes of Militia from the county of York, two from the county of Cumberland, two from the county of Northamp- ton, and one from the county of Northumberland, are ordered into the Field to cover the country between Schuylkill and Delaware.17

To this Hunter protested that the frontiers of our own county were being attacked, and that our militia was needed here. Historians have, in general, ignored the fact that Northumberland County had a vast frontier, perhaps the most vulnerable to attack from the powerful Six Nations on the rear, and this attack did come in the sad and bloody forays of 1778 and 1779. I doubt whether there was another county in the thirteen states of our struggling infant republic which embraced a frontier open to such a powerful enemy and of such vast extent. Colonel Hartley describes it very aptly, later this same year, "with a Frontier from Wioming to Alle- gany."18 The Pennsylvania Archives are filled with letters covering our local situation at this point, however I shall quote but a few.

Fort Augusta, 14th January, 1778.19 Sir, Yours of the 5th Inst I received yesterday, ordering out the fifth class of the Militia of this County, which I shall pay due regard to all the orders I receive from Council, but beg leave to acquaint you what confusion these Frontiers is in at present,

16 Penna. Archives, 1st series, Vol. VI, p. 157. 17 ibid, p. 169. 18 Penna. Archives, 1st series, Vol. VII, p. 5. 19 Penna. Archives, 1st series, Vol. VI, p. 175. 56 The Northumberland County Historical Society

in regard of the Indians Commiting Hostilitys; there has been two men kill'd & scalped by them leatly, near the Great Island. One the 23d of last month, near the mouth of Pine Creek, which occasioned the Inhabitants to Assemble in two or three different places in that quarter, for their own preservation. Lieu't Col'l Antis came down to me to Consult what was best to be done, as there was several Indians seen, upon which I ordered out three Classes of Col'l Long's Battalion, that lives on the West Branch. Throughout the spring and early summer Hunter continues to write regarding the incursions, mostly along the West Branch, since the Wyoming settlements blocked any nearby forays from that quarter. He sums up the situation in the following:

Fort Augusta, 31st May, 1778.20 Dear Sir, We are Really in a Meloncoly situation in this County at present the back inhabitants has all Evacuated their habitations and Assembled in different places; all above Muncy to Lycoming is come to Samuel Wallises, and the people of Muncy has gathered to Captain Bradys, all above Lycoming is at Antis's Mill & the mouth of Bald Eagle Creek, all the inhabitants of Penn's Valley is gathered to one place in Potters Township, the Inhabitants of White Deer Township is assembled at three Different places, and the back setlers of Bufaloe is come down to the River, Penn's Township likewise has moved to the River, all from Muncy Hill to Chilisquake has assembled at three Different places, Fishing Creek and Mah- oning Setlement has all come to the River side; as you are ac- quainted with the Country makes me mention this, to think what a pannick prevails in this County; it is really Distressing to see the inhabitants flying away and leaving their alL .... there was a number of the Inhabitants with me to day, to consult in Regard of Petitiong Congress for some Companys to be stationed here and properly supported, for as the generality of the setlers is poor they cannot subsist long in case they are obliged to keep so many of the Militia on Duty, as there is at this time three Classes, which takes the chief of all the arms, so that there is not enough left to suply them that guards the Weomen and Children.

Five weeks later came the disastrous Battle of Wy- oming, refugees streamed down along the North Branch, while panic spread to the West Branch which we know as the Great Runaway.

20 ibid, p. 570 *.*vj-- - I -I - - I .-II - ; ; # J I J i/ IS

Northumberland County Militia 57

Fort Augusta, 9 July, 1778.21 Gentlemen, I am sorry to inform you of the present distressed situation of this County. I suppose before this Comes to hand you will be informed of the Carnage which happened at Wioming. The Inhabitants of the West Branch of the Susquehanmah have suffered almost as much, tho' not at one time, therefore not so severely felt, however, both branches are almost evacuated, and from all appearances the Towns of Northumberland & Sun- bury will be the Frontier in less than twenty-four hours. the Inhabitants of both Towns, with A few of the Fugitives from the upper parts of the County, seem determined to make a stand, .... Nothing but a firm reliance on Divine providence and the Virtue of our neighbors, induces the few to stand that remain in the two Towns . . . . history affords, in no Instance of more heathenish Cruelty or savage barbarity than has been exhibited in this County; I shall only add that a few hundred men, timely sent to Sunbury, to act in conjunction with the People who mean to stand there, or proceed further up the Country as occasion may require, will in all human probability, save numbers of lives. as you may believe me no time should be lost, or all this County is lost, and the fate of other Counties hangs on as slender a thread as this did. Three days later, July 12th, William Maclay, erst- while patriot, and at the moment one of the larger local property owners, appealed from his secure spot at Paxton (Harrisburg) fifty miles away :22

I left Sunbury, and almost all my property, on Wednesday last - - - - In short, Northumberland County is broken up, Col. Hunter only remained using his utmost endeavours to rally some of the Inhabitants, and to make a stand, however short, against the Enemy. . . For God's Sake, for the Sake of the Country, let Col. Hunter be reinforced at Sunbury - send him but a single Company, if you cannot do more. However, the expected stroke did not come. The British, Tory and Indian fury had spent itself at Wyom- ing. Within the month a counter offensive, or punitive expedition was organized. General John Armstrong wrote concerning the plans:

Carlisle, 6th August, 1778.23 As an Excursion is to be made into the Enemies Country, N. ward, by Coll. Morgan, &c., I am opinion that Coll. Hart-

21 ibid, p. 631. 22 ibid, p. 634. 23 ibid, pp. 680, 681. 58 The Northumberland County Historical Society

leys & the Militia now going out, are fully sufficient on the defensive, & may be able to gratify the people of Cumberland & Northumberland in that line of duty...... With respect to General Potter, I am of opinion he shou'd immediately be Order'd to take the Command of the State Militia on the waters of the Sasquehanah, provided the number amount to Six or Seven hundred men, or upward - at least for some short time, even on the defensive. His situation, knowledge of the Country, &c., appears to call for this. As to the matter of doubt respecting him, it will not be any objection with the Militia now called, that is the 1st & 2d Classes of this County, & in case of an excursion on the offensive when other Classes may be wanted.

As Colonel Hartley prepared for his expedition, he organized the remaining inhabitants and refugees so as to allay the disorder and confusion as much as possible, and to improve their defenses before venturing into the Indian country. He reports to the Council as follows:24

Sunberry, 10 Augst, 1778. Gentlemen, In my last to you of the 2 Inst, I mentioned the steps I had then taken, & the situation of these Frontiers. Since then I have disposed of the militia who have arrive, at different posts, for the Protection of the People.... Berks County has furnished its Quota of militia. Lancaster Conty has fallen far short. Northumberand County distract- ed and distressed; many of the Inhabitants fled & not returned, could afford but few men to act in the general scale of militia.... All the People of the West Branch above Wallace's (who lives near Muncy) had fled & evacuated their settlements-so on the North-East Branch, all above Nescopeck Falls were gone. I was resolved to hold posts at both these extremes, and have an intermediate one on the head waters of Chelesquaque- there had been a small work began near one Jenkinses, about five miles from Nescopeck Falls, near Brier Creek, this I have garrisoned. I have a Body in the Forks of Chelesquaque, but the left Flank on the West Branch, which was most exposed, & where the greatest present danger appeared, I visited, & as I before observed, found all the settlements, above Wallace's evacuated, those about Muncy & below, wavering & doubtfull. Indians daily appearing .... Upon the whole, we were clear of opinion that a Fort ought to be Built near Saml. Wallace's, about two miles from Muncy Creek, I therefore, directed one to be laid out accordingly, a rough plan of which I enclose you.

24 bibd, p. 692. - I - I I I I I I I I I I -JJ J ......

Northumberland County Militia 59

The events of Colonel Hartley's expedition, which had been organized in much haste, have been recounted before our Society by our late President, Frederic A. God- charles and published. 25 Col. Hartley returned to Fort Augusta on October 5th, and on the 8th addressed Con- gress in a five page report, from which I will quote briefly: 26

Our Rendezvous was Fort Muncy, on the West Branch, in- tending to penitrate, by the Sheshecununk Path, to Tioga, at the Junction of the Cayuga, with the main North-East Branch of Susquehannah, from thence act as circumstances might require. The Troops met at Muncy the 18 Septr, . We waded or swam the River Lycoming upwards of 20 Times. I will not trouble your honourable Body with a tedious Detail, but I cannot help observing that, I immagine, the Difficulties in Crossing the Alps, or passing up Kennipeck, could not have been greater than those our men experienced for the Time. . . No Time was lost, we advanced towards Sheshecununk.... We moved with the greatest Dispatch towards Tioga, . . . It was soon resolved we should proceed no further, but if possible, make our way good to Wioming. We burnt Tioga, Queen Hester Palace or Town, & all the settlements on this side; ... The Consternation of the Enemy was great, we pushed our good Forture as far as we dare.... Tho' we were happy enough to succeed in this Action, yet I am convinced that a number of Lighter Troops, under good officers, are necessary for this Service.... I arrived here with the remainder of the detachment on the 5th, we have performed a Circuit of near 300 miles in about two weeks. We brought of near 50 Head of Cattle, 28 Canoes, besides many other articles. My little Regiment, with two Classes of Lancaster and Berks County Militia will be scarcely sufficient to preserve the Posts from Nescopake Falls to Muncy, and from thence to the Head of Penns Vally. I am with the greatest Respect your most obedt Humble Servt. THOS HARTLEY, Col. Commdt on the Northern Frontiers of Penna. Sunbury, Octr 8th, 1778.

25 Godcharles. North'd County Hist. Soc., Vol. IV, p. 3 26 Penna. Archives. 1st series, Vol. VII, pp. 5 to 9. Meginness, Otzinachson, pp. 552 to 558. 60 The Northumberland County Historical Society

Colonel Hartley's expedition put an end to hostilities for the year 1778. During the winter, however, Colonel Hunter wrote to the Council, reporting the local situation and also raising several questions regarding our militia. His letter dated Sunbury, 13th December, 1778 is of interest:27

The Coppy of the Resolve of Congress that I Received, mentions Eighty Dollars to Each man that shall provide himself with a Good Rifle and Accutrements, . . . There is one thing I would be desirous to know of Council, Concerning the Guns and Blankets that has been Appraised in this County belonging to the Militia, that has from time to time been calld out into Actual Service, and some of them lost in Action, who is to pay for them, . . . My Department in this County differs from any of the neighbouring Countys on Account of the Militia doing duty here, and they are troops thats not Easy Governed, nor cannot be brought under due Subordination as Regular Troops is. I have had the first, second, third, & part of the fourth Classes of this County Militia doing duty this two Months past, . . . I am sorry at Coll. Hartley leaveing this County, for to do him Justice, he made the best use possable of what Troops was under his Command, . . . when Coll. Hartley and myself Issued orders to the Inhabitants to Assemble at such & such places, I never see them turn out more spirited than they did on this Occasion to Guard the frontiers, and I am certain would fight, as severals of them that had leatly come back to the County told me they would Rather die fighting than leave their homes again, as their familys suffered for want of the Necessaries of life while they were Absent from this County. The events of the year are summed up in a lengthy report from President Reed, directed to General Washing- ton (dated May 8th 1779) :28

Northumberland has also raised 3 Companies these will make 265 Men.... Last Year the Counties of Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks & Northampton furnished 1200 men for the Frontier on this side the Mountains westmoreland sent every Man that they could spare to Fort Pitt - The unevacuated Part of Northum- berland kept all their Militia under Arms with Col. Hartley the whole Season. The story of the war on the Pennsylvania frontier during 1779 is the story of General Sullivan's expedition

27 Penna. Archives, Ist series, Vol. VII p. 116. 28 ibid, p. 383. Northumberland County Militia 61 against the powerful Six Nations. While most of the action was in New York, the preparations were made and the supplies gathered here. This entire story has been told before our Society several times, so that I merely wish to mention the important local events of this year. The first suggestion that Colonel Hartley's advice- that the war must be carried into the Indian's own country with a force superior to that with which he had tried that objective;-was contained in a letter2 9 from Joseph Reed, President of the Council "To the Lieuten- ants of Bedford, Westmoreland and Northumberland." dated March 27th 1779. General Hand "is ordered over to the Frontiers of Northampton & Northumberland" and also directed the enlistment of five additional companies of Rangers. Colonel Hunter reports the local events at the open- ing of activities in a letter dated 27th April, 1779.30

I am Really sorry to inform you of our present Disturbances; not a day but there is some of the Enemy makes their appearances on our frontiers. On Sunday last, there was a party of the Savages attact'd the inhabitants that lived near Fort Jen- kins, and had taken two or three familys prisoners... Yesterday, there was another party of indians, about thirty or forty, kill'd and took seven of our Militia, that was stationed at a little Fort near Muncy hill, call'd Fort Freeland; there was two or three of the inhabitants taken prisoners. . . . This is the way our Frontiers is harresed by a cruel Savage Enemy, so that they cannot get any Spring crops in to induce them to stay In the County. I am afraid in a very short time we shall have no inhabitants above this place. . . Coll. Hartley's Regiment, our two months men, and what Militia we can turn out, is Very In- adequate to Guard our County,

As General Sullivan prepared his forces, he com- plained that the stores gathered along the Susquehanna were not being guarded,3

29 ibid, p. 267. 30 ibid, p. 346. 31 ibid, p. 450. 62 The Northumberland County Historical Society

Should the whole fail to be ready at this time I must request the favor of your Executive Councill to order out a number of militia from the neighbourhood of Sunbury for the purpose, as my Sending a part of the Troops from this Quarter must be attended with the most Injurious Delay. President Reed replied on June 3rd,3 2

We have wrote to the Lieut of Northumberland to comply with any Requisitions you may make him for Militia for Escort from Sunbury to Wyoming.

Three weeks later Colonel Hunter reported to Pres- ident Reed:33

All the Militia I could Collect Exclusive of what was at Fort freeland & General Potters, was about thirty, which I ordered to stay at Sunbury to Guard the Stores there, until the Con- tinental troops Returned from Wyoming.

During the following month, while General Sullivan waited for supplies at Wyoming, poised to strike into the heart of the Indian country, Capt. John McDonald in command of a party of British Regulars, Tories and Indians struck down along the West Branch in an at- tempt to turn Sullivan's left flank and delay his expedition from its objective. This action, which we know as the Battle of Fort Freeland, July 28, 1779, brought the war, actively and realisticly, to the soil of Northumber- land County and has been the subject of several papers read before this Society and is summed up concisely in a letter to the Council from William Maclay,-another frantic appeal-again written from the safety of his Har- ris Ferry refuge.34

Paxton, July 30th, 1779. Sir, The worst that we can fear for Northumberland County is like to happen. Early on the 28th the Fort at Freeland's mill was invested by about 100 British Regulars and 200 Indians

32 ibid, p. 458. 33 bd, p. 511 34 Ibid, p. 593. Northumberland County Militia 63

under the command of an officer of the name of McDonald- They defended themselves for some time, were three times summoned to surrender, a Capitalation was agreed on, the men Prisoners of war, the Women and Children to go to the Towns of Northumberland and Sunbury & we know not with certainty how these Terms have been observed, Capt. Boon on hearing the Firing advanced to the Relief of Fort Freeland, with thirty men, his defeat was the consequence, himself and many more killed. The Situation of Northumberland County, beyond description distressing, not a single Inhabitant north of Northumberland Town - These Facts ascertained by Letters from Col. Hunter, Doctr Alison and others by express this moment arrived. No Expectation of Relief from Gen. Sullivan; the last accounts mention his being on march on Monday last. I need not ask you what is to be done, Help, Help; or the Towns of Sunbury and Northumberland must fail; our whole Frontier laid open, and the Communication with Gen. Sullivan's army is cut off. I am in the utmost Haste with great Respect, yr most obedt Servt, WM. MACLAY. The same day General Sullivan wrote to Colonel Hunter from his headquarters at Wyoming:3 5 with the Disagreeable intelligence of the loss of Fort Freeland, your situation in Consequence must be unhappy, I feel for you, and could wish to assist you, but the good of the service will not admit of it. . . Nothing can so Effectually draw the Indians out of your Oountry as Carrying the War into theirs, Tomorrow morning I shall march with the whole Army for Tioga. We have had the story of General Sullivan's expedition narrated before our Society on several occasions: suffice to say that his victorious army returned from the campaign in central New York; arriving back at Tioga on October 1st and at Easton on the 15th; having sub- dued the Six Nations, so that for the remainder of the war no more forays, comparable to the battles of Wyom- ing or Fort Freeland, but only occasional and usually isolated incursions by small parties of the enemy came to our county. Colonel Hunter wrote to President Reed concerning the garrisons in the frontier posts in our county:36

35 ibid, p. 594. 36 Penna. Archives, ast series, Vol. VIII, p. 26. 8 a

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Sunbury, November 27th 1779. Sir, Yours of the 20th ult, I received informing me of What you had done in Regard of procuring some Troops for the Safety of this county, in Consequence of which the Board of War has ordered the German Regiment that was at Wyoming to this place, and desired the commanding Officer to advice with me in Stationing his troops in such manner and places as would be deemed most proper for the Protection of the Inhabitants and the security of his men. When the Col. of the Regiment and I met upon this, I found the number he had not sufficient to Garris the different posts I made mention of to him, which I thought would give the most Effectual support and protection to the distressed Inhabitants, was to Rebuild Fort Muncy and Garrison it with one Hundred men, twenty men at Fort Jenkins, a serjents Guard at Boslys mills on Chilisquake and another Serjts Guard at Titzols mills in Buffaloe Valy and the remainder where the Commanding Officer resided, as I was informed the Regiment consisted of two Hundred men but instead of that number, there was but one Hundred & twenty Effective men Exclusive of Officers, that we had but sixty men to Order out to the Frontiers, as the Commanding Officer is Resolved to keep the one Half with himself in Sunbury to Relieve the Others Monthly so that there is but forty men at Montgomerys Fort twelve miles on this side Fort Muncy & twenty men at Fort Jenkins, Captain Kemplen and his company of Rangers which consists of fourteen men is stationed at Minegers place on the west Branch about seventeen miles from Sunbury, Kemplen has recruted some men lately for six months, which I would be desirous to know if its agreeable to Council he should recrute for that time. Perhaps our greatest ally at this critical period was Nature, itself; for while the Six Nations Confederacy never recovered from the terrible blows dealt them by General Sullivan, their food supplies destroyed, many starved or froze to death in the terrible winter of 1779-80, which was long remembered as "the winter of the deep snow", perhaps the most severe winter in the history of our country.3 7 As a result, the forays of the Indians along our frontiers during the following years were never again as severe or concentrated as during the previous years, 1778 and 1779, the years of the "Runaways." However, the the loss of their homes, their crops, and in many cases members of their families had greatly discouraged our frontier settlers, Colonel Hunter describes the situation:38

37 Sipe, The Indian Wars of Penna., p. 606. 66 The Northumberland County Historical Society

Sunbury, April 2d, 1780. Sir, The Savages have made their appearance on our Frontiers in an Hostil manner. The Day before yesterday they took seven or eight Prisoners, about two miles above fort Jenkins, and two Days before that Carryed off several People from about Wyom- ing; this has struck such terror to the poor scattered Inhabi- tants of this County, that all the settlers above this will be in the Towns of Sunbury and Northumberland before two Days. Our case is Realy Deplorable, and without some speedy assistance being Ordered here, I am afraid the County will break up intirely, as the German Regiment thats stationed here is no ways adiquit to Grant us the Necessary Releife Required, and as for calling out the Militia of this County its impossible to Expect it in the present sircumstances the inhabitants is Re- duced to; for if they Miss Geting spring Crops put in the Ground for the support of their familys they have nothing that can induce them to stay. The case is Quite altered with us till what it was this time Twelve month; we had a prity Good Fort Garrisoned at Muncy, of Continental Troops, Bradys Fort and Freelands, with our Owen inhabitants, but now we have but about fourty or fifty at Montgomerys, and thirty at Fort Jenkins, the latter of which was not able to spare men enough out of the Garrison to pur- sue the Enemy that Carryed of the Prisoners, suppose there was not above thirty Indians and Torys in the party, and a prity deep snow had fallen the night before, which they could be easily tracted. I am sorry to mention this, as I have seen the time, within this three years past, that we could turn out some Hundred of Good Woodsmen, but now the case is altered, as our County is Quite Drained of our Best men. I hope to have a favourable answer to this by the Bearer, as it would Encourage the Drooping spirits of a poor Distressed Frontier County; in the mean time I would be Desirous of your Partic- ular Orders in Regard of Embodying the Militia of this County, suppose I have issued out Orders already for that purpose, but your Orders would Enable me to procure Provisions for any party we can have stationed out on our Frontiers. I am Sir, your Excellencys most obdt & very Humbe Servt, SAMi HUNTER, Lieut N. C. Two weeks later he again writes, "we have at this time all the Militia we can Muster uppon Duty, and con- stantly partys out,"39 while on May 18th Colonel Matthew Smith writes from Northumberland Town:40

38 Penna. Archives, 1st series, VII, p. 157. LInn, Annals of Buffalo Valley, p. 184. 39 Penna. Archives, 1st series, Vol. VIII, p. 189. 40 ibid, p. 249. Northumberland County Militia 67

I am unhappy Enough to Inform you the Savage Enemy have on the 16th Inst., made a Stroke on the Inhabitants of this much Distress'd County at Buffaloe Valley. At French Jacob Grozong's Mills four Men kill'd, viz., Jno. Forster, Jun.,- Eytzwiller, James Chambers & Samuel M'Laughlen. During the summer and also throughout the following year our militia seems to have been serving constant tours of duty on our frontiers, ranging the valleys of both branches of the Susquehanna. However, since the Great Runaways, the garrisoned posts were restricted to the area between Fort Jenkins on the North Branch and Fort Muncy on the West Branch; Forts Antes, Horn and Reed in the area of present Jersey Shore and Lock Haven, had been destroyed by the Indians, and no effort was made to garrison any point beyond Fort Muncy; while in Penn's Valley, in present Centre County, Linn states that following the Runaway, and the severe winter of 1779-80 the inhabitants all deserted the area, and its history is a blank until 1784.41 In the fall Hunter reports another foray with the enemy:42 Sunbury, Septr. 21st, 1780. Sir, We were alarmed by a large party of the Enimy making their appearance in our County on the 6th Inst. they came first to a small Fort that Col. Weitners troops had Erected on the Head Waters of Chilisquake called Fort Rice, about thirteen miles from Sunbury, which I ordered to be garrisoned by twenty of our militia when the German Regiment marched of the Enimy attacted the Fort about Sundown and fired very smartly, the garrison Returned the fire with spirit. in the meantime our militia had Collected to the number of one Hundred men under the Command of Col. John Kelly who marched to the Relief of the Garrison. . . General Potter just coming home from Camp at this Critical time, came up to Sunbury and took the Command of the party that went in Quest of the Enimy. . . When the German Reg- iment marched off from here I gave orders to the Frontier Companys to embody and keep one fourth of the men con- stantly Reconnoitering, after garrissoning Fort Jenkins, Fort Rice, and Fort Swarts, with twenty men in Each of them, as this was the only method I could think of encouraging the people as we were left to our own Exertions. The recurrence of the Indian incursions along our frontier every year since 1777 had become an accepted

41 Linn, History of Centre and Clinton Cos., p. 21. 42 Penna. Archives, Ist series, Vol. VMI, p. 567 68 The Northumberland County Historical Society and expected occurrence, although by 1781 these forays usually struck at one or two isolated families, with the Indians hastening to put distance between them and the organized pursuit that followed their trail. By 1781, this pursuit was detailed to Ranger Companies, who had the status of militia, yet were enlisted for this daring work, leaving the family men and older men for the more routine militia duty and to work the farms, especially at harvest time. Too much credit cannot be given to the protection these Ranger Companies brought to our distressed frontier during those dark days. Unfortun- ately these men did not record their hundreds of encounters with the Indians, only a few such as Sam Brady, Robert Covenhoven and Moses Van Campen have recounted their adventures so that they eventually were put into print.

The story of these last years of the war is mainly an attack upon some frontier home, then the organized pursuit of the Rangers. Between April and July 1780 there were at least five such attacks in Buffalo Valley, in what is now Union County, including the Klinesmith family, as recounted before our Society by Prof. Frank P. Boyer.43 In the spring of 1781 there was the attack along Middle Creek upon the Stock family and the pursuit by Michael Grove, Peter Pence and a man named Stroh.44 Van Campen also tells in detail of several encounters with the Indians during this period, at one time being a captive of the Indians together with Pence, making their escape, and returning down the North Branch.45

The day after I went to Sunbury, where I was received with joy; my scalps were exhibited, the cannons were fired, &c. Before my return a commission had been sent me as ensign

43 Boyer, North'd Co. Hist. Soc., Vol. Xrl, p. 55 44 Dunkelberger, North'd Co. Hist. Soc., Vol. Xi, p. 128 45 Sherman Day, Hist. Collections of Penna., pp. 235, 247 Theiss, North'd Co. Hist. Soc., Vol. XIV, p. 108 Northumberland County Militia 69

of a company to be commanded by Capt. Thomas Robinson. The summer of 1780 was spent in the recruiting service; our company was organized, and was retained for the defence of the frontier service. In Feb. 1781, I was promoted to a lieutenancy, and entered upon active duty of an officer.... We kept up a constant chain of scouts around the frontier settlements, from the North to the West branch of the Susquehanna, by way of the head-waters of Little Fishing cr., Chillisquake Muncy, &c. In the spring of 1781, we built a fort on the widow M'Clure's plantation, called M'Clure's fort, where our provisions were stored. There seems to be little doubt the most noteworthy among these daring groups were those of Captain Thomas Robinson, who ranged our frontier far beyond Forts Jen- kins and Muncy during the years 1781-82-83. Early in the first of these years, when he was recruiting his company, he wrote to Joseph Reed, Esq., President of the Council: 46

Northumberland County, June 15, 1781. Sir I take this oppertunity of adressing your Excellency and Council in order to Inform you of the Present state of my Company I have used Every exertion in Recruiting that my Cercumstances would admit of. I Have Engaged 52 men Dur- ing the war the want of necessary Clothing and money Puts it out of my Pour to Render that service to this Distressed part of the Country I Could otherwise do most of them are naked they have not a sufficiency to Cover themselves. Blankits they have none. I Hope Council by this time will be able to afford me sufficient Clothing and what money is due them to the first of June this will not only be Doing Proper Justice to the Company but will enable me to fill my Company very soon. Lieut Grove has Raised 17 men for seven months. Mr. Saml McGredey has Raised 20 men for the same time and has been extreamely active with them. I have with the advice of Genl Potter nominated him as a Lieut to Command that Detach- ment I hope this will meet with your Excellences approbation. I have Raisd 14 men for 7 months and as we have mostly Been Devided in small Detachments it was Impossible for Mr. Van- camp & myself to Do the necessary duty. One thing more I Beg your attention to is the Establishing the Posts in this County. I have for some time had in Con- templation to Rebuild Fort Muncy, this Gen. Potter is extremly fond of. These rangers, even though poorly clothed and equipped, performed very efficient duty on the frontier.

46 Penna. Archives, 1st series, Vol. IX, p. 208. 70 The Northumberland County Historical Society

No attacks of consequence are noted during the summer, and some clothing and supplies reached them, as is evi- denced by the report sent by Capt. Robinson in the fall: 47

Northumberland County, September 8th, 1781. Sir, I take this oppertunity of adressing your Excellency and Council in order to Inform you that the Clothing and amonition sent to this County is Com Safe to hand, the Savagis has been a Long time quiet this summer, the have Dun no harm in this County since I have been able with men to go to the woods to Scout, the Mead their appearance in harvist twist but did no hurt, for as soon as wee found that the weir on our Coast wee Turn'd out and Gave Chass and wounded one, the Got off but has not mead their appearance Since, Lieut Vancamp and six men is just going in to the Indian Country to discover their moovs this fall and if he finds aney of them a Coming in to our fronteers I intend to waylay their march before the get in to the Setelment which will Stop their Designs unless their Body be very strong itself wee shall be able to Rais the Cuntry to our assistance if early Discovered.

During these latter years, the war had resolved itself into several campaigns in the South, terminated by the Surrender at, Yorktown on October 19th 1781. We have, more or less, accepted this date as the end of the Revolu- tion. It will be somewhat of an astonishment to note that the war did not end in Northumberland County until almost a year and a half later.

In the spring of the following year, Colonel Hunter wrote to James Potter, Esqr., Vice President of the Su- preme Executive Council:48

Sunbury April, 17th 1782. Dear Sir, Agreeable to your letter and the resolve of Council, Cap- tain Robinsons head Quarters is at Fort Muncy, and I am certain he does all he can in the Rangeing way for the Good of the County, but as for doing much towards the Repaireing of the Fort its not in his Power at present, as the Enemy has made their appearance once more on our Frontiers.

47 ibid. p. 392. 48 Penna. Archives, 1st series, IX, p. 528. Northumberland County Militia 71

Captain Robinson Expects there will be some arms sent up for the use of his Company as they are very much wanted. He Exchanged twenty muskets in Reading when he came of from there, and he would require twenty muskets more with Bayonets and fifteen Rifles, as it would be much better this Company had Publick arms than the way they are, for Every now and then they are selling and Bartering off their Rifles because they are their own Property.

During the summer of 1782 a number of simultan- eous expeditions had been planned to move against the Indian allies of the British in western New York and Ohio. One under Major General James Potter was to be based on Fort Augusta and move against the Iroquois in the valley of the Genesee. However, a change in the British command to General Carleton who had sent out orders to stop the Indian atrocities on the frontier, led General Washington to countermand this expedition. Among the last incursions in our area were the attack on the family of Major John Lee at the present site of Winfield on the evening of August 13, 1782;49 and the killing of John Martin and his wife at their home along Chillis- quaque Creek on October 14th, and of Sergeant Edward Lee within two miles of Fort Rice on October 24th. The harried frontiersmen and their families, believ- ing that the many years of Indian incursions were at an end, participated with great joy in the first general ob- servance of Thanksgiving Day, on the last Thursday of November, 1782:50

The United States in Congress Assembled, taking into consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engage-the present happy and promising state of public

49 Linn, Annals of Buffalo Valley, p. 210 Sipe, The Indian Wars of Penna., p. 675 Bell, Hist. of North'd Co., p. 137 50 Sipe, The Indian Wars of Penna., p. 680. Penna. Archives, 1st series, IX, p. 650. It should be noted that a similar proclamation was issued the preceeding year following the victory at Yorktown, setting Dec. 13, 1781 as a day of Thanksgiving ibid. p. 442, but evidently not as generally observed as the date set in 1782. 72 The Northumberland County Historical Society

Affairs, and the events of the War in the course of the year now drawing to a close . . . do hereby recommend to the Inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, & request the several States to interpose their Authority in appointing and Commanding the observation of Thursday, the 28th Day of November next, as a day of solemn thanksgiving to God for all his mercies. Happily for our distressed frontier, and the intrepid militiamen of our county, who must have literally fought with one hand on the plow and a rifle in the other, the independence of the United States was acknowledged by Great Britain in a preliminary treaty signed at Paris on November 30th 1782, and upon receiving this news an armistice was declared between the military forces on January 20th 1783. On April 11th the British received official notice that peace had been concluded, and on the same day Congress issued a proclamation enjoin- ing a cessation of hostilities.

# * * * . * . . .e In order to complete the data on our militia, and so that it may serve as a guide to the future researcher, I shall add several listings of the officers of the various Battalions which were organized in this county, also an index of the various Ranger Companies showing the source where a complete roster of most of these companies can be found; and finally I shall use several excerpts from the Pension Declarations placed on file in the Li- brary of our Society by W. F. Wagner, M. D. of Washing- ton, D. C and Hartleton, Pa.-approximately 400 declarations of veterans still living in 1833 in this and five nearby counties. These Declarations furnish us with excellent accounts of probably every campaign and battle of the Revolution, recounted by the veterans themselves about fifty-five years later, when these men were all about eighty years of age. I have selected several which are typical and which give excellent first hand accounts of militia service in our county, and will serve to give the reader a Northumberland County Militia 73 far better overall summary of this important service than I could hope to approach.

* e * * * * * * S

DECLARATION OF HENRY HILL On the twentieth day of November, A. D. 1832, personally appeared before the Hon. Seth Chapman . . . in open court, Henry Hill, a resident of the township of Turbut aged seventy-seven years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his solemn oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June the 7th, 1832,-to wit:-That he was born in the township of Wentser in the county of Berks. in 1755, where he remained till the summer of 1776,-when he removed to the township of Turbut in the county of Northum- berland. . . where he has since continued to reside. That in the late fall of 1776, he, at the township of Turbut at the age of 21, volunteered for three months in a company of militia (a) 51 commanded by captain Cooksey Long, wherein Joseph Newman was Lieutenant, and William Reed, Ensign . . They marched to the town of Northumberland, where they staid four or five days,-thence to Sunbury-thence to Reading where they remained one week,-thence to Philadelphia,-thence to Trenton in the state of New Jersey,-thence to Princeton, thence to Morristown, where they staid two weeks. While there they had a battle at a place called Ash Swamp. . . The inhabitants of Morristown were so highly pleased with our courage and success at the Ash Swamp, that they gave each soldier in our camp . cup full of rum, or what the Yankee's called a "gigger". The deponent thinks they deserved it for they had fought hard . . . and staid there until his discharge, he the said Henry Hill, having served a period of four months,- having remained with the army one month after the time for which he had enlisted. In 177752 he, at the township of Turbut, volunteered for six months in a company of militia, commanded by Capt. Walker. They marched from Hall's farm in MuncyS3 . . . to Sheeshickonee (Sheshequin) an Indian town, thence to Chemung also an Indian town, where they caught two torries, whom they asked how many Indians there were at the Indian camp 51 Penna. Archives, 5th series, VIII, p. 646. Evidently the 5th Company of the 2nd Battalion Recruited from the vicinity of the mouth of Bald Eagle Creek. 52 This year is plainly in error, since Col. Hartley's expedition moved from Muncy in Sept. 1778. 53 The stone house built by Samuel Wallis in 1769; became the property of Charles Hall, Esq. of Sunbury in 1804, and referred to during the early years of the Revolution as Wallis' Fort or Fort Muncy. In August and September 1779, the military structure which we know as Fort Muncy was built, about 500 yards northeast of the stone house by Capt. Andrew Walker, as the base of Col. Hartley's expedition. 74 The Northumberland County Historical Society

but they would not tell. Col. Hartley then put a rope around their necks and ordered his soldiers to draw them up to a limb of a tree. They did so, the tories now lost their stubborness. * . From Chemung they went to Wyalusing, an Indian town, thence to Wyoming by way of the river. Here they sent him, the said Henry Hill, Ebenezer Green, and Robert Covenhoven54 to Hall's farm at Muncy, to inform the inhabitants of their success on their march to Wyomnig. About one week after this, the army arrived55 from Wyoming, and were discharged, he, the said Henry Hill, having in this tour served a period of six months,-the time for which he had volunteered. In 1779, he, at the township of Muncy . . . volunteered for two months, in a company of militia commanded by captain Sameul Brady, a noble and heroic fellow.56 . . kept them continually scouting in small parties. On one occasion he sent six men, of whom I was one, to Freeland's fort, near Warrior's Run . . . . within a few miles of the said creek they heard the firing of the Indians.57 . . In a few days they returned to Fort Muncy and were discharged, he, the said Henry Hill, having performed a service of two months.-In 1780, he, at Muncy . . . volunteered for two months, in a company of militia commanded by Captain William McGraddy,58 who was as rough as an Indian himself. They marched in a small scouting party to the place where Milton now stands,-thence to Fishing Creek on the North Branch of the Susquehanna,- thence up the said creek to the North Mountain,-watching the Indian trails, &c. They returned to the place where Milton now stands, there being but one house there, and that was occu- pied by the soldiers on this frontier.59 They next went up the 54 Robert Covenhoven attaches a supporting affidavit to Henry Hill's application. Several discrepancies are noted: at one place he says, "in the year 1778, said Hill enlisted under Captain Thomas Caffleton." This may be the same service which Hill gives under Capt. Samuel Brady, or Capt. Joseph Newman, or Capt. Walker. This officer's name is usually written Campleton, Kemplen, Kemp- lin or Kempling. He served in Col. Hartley's expedition of 1778, and it is highly probable that Hill was in his company. Capt. Kempling and his son were killed by Indians near the mouth of Muncy creek in March 1781. Meginness, Otzinachson, p. 636 55 Probably at Sunbury. 56 Dr. Wagner questions this statement, since Samuel Brady was stationed at Fort Muncy for only a month in July and August 1778, and when Col. Hartley arrived he proceeded with his company to Fort Pitt. Hill probably confused Brady's service here in 1778 with the events of 1779. 57 Here Hill recounts the story of Mrs. Durham, who he found along the creek, scalped by the Indians, but who revived and was con- veyed by canoe to Northumberland, where Dr. Plunkett dressed her wounds, and she lived for fifty years. See Meginness, Otzinachson, p. 551. 58 Hill has probably confused the Christian name of Lieut. Samuel McGrady, who recruited a ranger company at this time. W. F. W. 59 The farm and home of Buchanon Smith, a short distance below Milton, was used as headquarters for the local militia at this period, as stated in some of these declarations. W. F. W. _,,.,.11111111- 0- YT

Northumberland County Militia 75

West Branch of the Susquehanna to Larry's creek thence to Pine creek, . . . then crossed the Susquehanna and went into Nittany valley,-thence they passed through Sugar valley,-and came to the river somewhere about Black Hole valley. Here they again crossed the river and marched to the place where Milton now stands. They staid there until discharged, he the said Henry Hill, having served a period of two months-the time for which he had volunteered. In 1781, he, at Sunbury, the place where the court is now setting-volunteered in a company of militia commanded by Captain Peter Grove.-They went out scouting to Middle creek- Penn's creek-Muncy hills-Cilisquaque-Shamokin creek, &c., at that time in Northumberland county. At the expiration of these scoutings they were discharged, he, the said Henry Hill, having rendered service for one month,- and altogether a period of one year and seven months, and for which service he claims a pension.

* * * e , * * * e

DECLARATION OF JOHN PAINTER OF CHILLISQUAQUE TOWNSHIP, FEB. 1, 1833 Who, being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists, &c, doth depose and sa v that on the twenty-fourth day of December, A.D. 1776, he marched as a private in Capt'n John Lee's Com- pany of Militia and served a tour of three months in the state of New Jersey - on his return to North'd County in the spring of 1777, he was Elected second Lieutenant in Capt. John Chat- tam's Company of volunteers and serv'd a two months tour under Col. Antis in the months of March and April, 1778.60 At the conclusion of the aforesaid two months service, the Inhabitants of Northumberland county were driven off in consequence of the incursions of the Indians, and the deponent was employed in October 1778, in building a fort at Northum.-

60 This old and discolored certificate, written in ink, on a plain sheet of paper of perhaps 4 by 8 inches, yet remains in the Pension Office, and reads as follows: Northumberland County, Agust the 12th 1778. This is to certify that Leut. John Painter hath served one Tower (tour) of Duty in the fift class of Northumberland County militia, in March & Abrill last then under my command as witness my hand. Henry Antes, Leut. Coll. 4 B, N'd Conty. 76 The Northumberland County Historical Society

berland Town61 and in various scouting parties against the In- dians, which service continued through the months of October, November, and December of the year 1778. Deponent further saith, that during the months of January and February, 1779, he performed Garrison duty in the fort at Northumberland, and in the month of March following was employed in scouting parties against the Indians on the North and West branches of the Susquehanna in the neighborhood of Jenkins' fort, Bosley's fort,, Freeland's fort, and Wallis' fort, and at other places throughout the county where duty required, amounting altogether to six months service. Deponent further saith, that he performed Garrison duty in Northumberland in the winter of 1779-1780, two months, during the Spring and Summer of 1780, deponent was employed in scouting parties against the Indians, and in conveying succour and supplies to some of the forts above named, especially Bosley's fort, which was attack'd by the In- dians-the amount of this summer service amounting to six months. In the winter of 1780-81, deponent performed Garri- son duty in Northumberland, and in the Spring and Summer of 1781, was employed in scouting parties against the Indians, is similar to the service performed the preceeding year, the whole service this year amounting to six months. In the Spring and during the summer of 1782, Deponent was employed as in the year preceeding for a period of six months. - In the year 1783, deponent was employed three months in scouting parties, as aforesaid-the whole of the beforementioned service from the date of the accompanying Certificate from Lieut. Col. Henry Antis was performed in the capacity of Second Lieut. and under the command of Col. Sam'l Hunter, at the time Lieutenant of the County of Northumberland.

61 Little information has come down to us as to the location and name of this fort, although the tradition of such a work has been persistent. A few fragments can be pieced together, and are of- fered for what they are. William Hoffman and Philip Frick came up the river by canoe, arriving in Northumberland on the 10th of June, 1772. Frick had formed the design of building a brewery, and Hoffman, a carpenter, accompanied him to perform or super- vise its construction. A log house was accordingly erected opposite the Burr House, where Frick made his residence. What progress he made in the brewing business cannot be ascertained. On the opposite side of King Street, Hoffman erected a log house on the site of the Burr House, and here dug the first well in the town. See Bell, History of North'd County, p. 517. It is disclosed in these declarations that a fort and two redoubts were built in Northumberland about September 1778 for its protection, and to shelter refugees on that shore until they could be transported to Fort Augusta or Sunbury. In an affidavit by a woman who had lived there as a young girl during this period she gives an account of a salute being fired from one of those redoubts which she calls "The Brewer's Redoubt," perhaps getting its name from the brewery or proposed brewery, noted above as the home of Philip Frick, W. F. W. Northumberland County Militia 77

DECLARATION OF RICHARD MARTIN OF MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP, LYCOMING COUNTY, MAY 5, 1834 That in the spring of the year, A. D. 1778, this declarant was residing in the Town of Northumberland . . . that Col. Samuel Hunter, who had the command of the militia of Penna. in Northumberland county, by the command and under the direction of Col. Thomas Hartley issued orders to Captains John Chatham and Alexander Hamilton, to enroll the inhabitants of said county and the militia under his command The company commanded by Capt. John Chatham met in Northumberland . . . held a regular election . . that he accepted said office and performed the duties of said station as first Lieutenant until the conclusion of the War. that immediately after he entered upon the duties of his office, they found it necessary to build a Redoubt and Stockade for the defence of the inhabitants of that place and those of the adjoining country who had fled there for protection against the ravages of the hostile Indians, who infested that part of the country. Northumberland then being a place of rendesvous for the citizens of the county.62 That during at least eight months of the year A. D. 1779, this applicant was stationed at the Fort at Northumberland63 and in going out with scouting parties, many of which this applicant commanded, and traversed the country between that Fort and Bosley's Fort at Chillisquaque, and Freeland's Fort at Warr- ior's Run, and Fort Muncy, and during said period of eight months this applicant was not employed in any civil pursuit. That during the year, A. D. 1780, the applicant continued stationed at Nortliumberland, aforesaid, that he went out on scouting parties up the North Branch of the river Susquehanna as far as Cattawissa, under the command of Major John Hays, and also at Fort Jenkins on the waters of Fishing creek, also up the West Branch, as far as Freeland's Fort and Fort Muncy, and during said year was in actual service at least six months, during which time he was not employed in any civil pursuit.- That during the year A. D. 1781, said applicant continued station-

62 Ellis Martin, apparently his brother, says in his affidavit in support of the above claim, "That this deponent was one of the men engaged in building the Redoubt and Stockade at Northumberland," while Robert Hamilton in a similar affidavit says, "We were engaged in fortifying the Town of Northumberland, building a Re- doubt and Stockades as was necessary for a defence." 63 Richard Martin and Thomas Martin in an affidavit supporting the declaration of Robert Hamilton state that they were driven from their home near the Great Island after the massacre at Wyoming. "That he, together with a number of others made a hault at Northumberland Town, and that about September in the A. D. 1778 written orders were issued by Colonel Hunter . . ordering them to fortify the Town and make a stand and defend it . . . pursuant to these orders were Enrolled and labored on the Fortifications until one large Fort and two smaller ones were finished." 78 The Northumberland County Historical Society

ed at Northumberland, aforesaid, and during the summer of that year he went up the West Branch of the River Susque- hanna as far as the Great Island to drive away the savages and to protect the inhabitants against the Indians. . . That during the year, A. D. 1782, this applicant was still stationed at Northumberland and engaged in scouts in various parts of the adjoining country for at least four months.

* * * * * * * * * The Northumberland County Militia during the Revolution comprised four battalions; the officers of which are listed in the Pennsylvania Archives, as I have indicated. The first returns were made in February 1776, others in March and June and finally the Fourth Battalion is reported in October of that year. From this complete roll of officers, we assume that their men came from the same locality, and by checking the tax assessments for Northumberland county for the years 1778 to 1780 and later, (Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd series, Vol. XIX, pp. 405 to 805) we have reasonable indication of the area comprised in each company and battalion, as follows:

1st Battalion - 1776 2nd Battalion - 1776 Company Company 1 Augusta 1 Turbut 2 Turbut-Buffalo 2 White Deer 3 Mahoning 4 White Deer 4 Turbut-Mahoning 5 Bald Eagle 5 Augusta-Mahoning 9 Potter's 6 Augusta 10 Turbut 7 Mahoning 11 Turbut 8 Wyoming A later return, Dec. 1776, shows the officers of the 5th Company from Turbut.

3rd Battalion - 1776 4th Battalion - 1776 Company Company 1 Bald Eagle 1 Buffalo 2 Muncy 2 Penn's 3 Muncy 3 Buffalo 4 Bald Eagle 4 Penn's 5 Turbut 5 Buffalo 6 Bald Eagle 6 Buffalo 7 Muncy In other words, the First Battalion comprised the North Branch area, Augusta township to Wyoming; the 2nd Battalion, Turbut, White Deer and Potter's town- Northumberland County Militia 79 ships; the 3rd Battalion the upper West Branch area, Muncy and Bald Eagle townships; while the 4th Bat- talion comprised Penn's and Buffalo townships, present Snyder and Union counties. A few inconsistencies that can be noted may be explained by the fact that due to the unsettled conditions especially in townships at a distance from Sunbury, the officers may have lived in a certain township, i. e. Turbut or White Deer in 1776, but after the Runaway, might be assessed in Augusta in 1780-We know that General Potter came down from Potter's Fort in 1779 and lived along Middle Creek in 1781 and 1782.

First Battalion 64 - 1776 Colonel - Samuel Hunter, (A) Lieut. Col. - William Cooke, (T) Majors - Casper Weitzel, (A) John Lee, (B) 1st Co. 2nd Co. Capt. Nicholas Miller, (A) Capt. Hugh White, (Mg) 1st Lt. Christopher Gettig, (A) 1st Lt. John Forster, (B) 2nd Lt. Nehemiah Breese, 2nd Lt. Andrew Gibson, (T) Ensigns, Gustavus Ross, (A) Ensign, Samuel Young, (B) William Sims, (A) 3rd Co. 4th Co. Capt. James McMahon, (Mg) Capt. Charles Gillespie, (Mg) 1st Lt. John Murray, (Mg) 1st Lt. Robert King, (Mg) 2nd Lt. William Fisher, (Mg) 2nd Lt. Samuel Fulton, (B) Ensign, William Baily, Ensigns, William Boyd, (T) John Woodside, 5th Co. 6th Co. Capt. William Scull, (A) Capt. William Clarke, (A) 1st Lt. Jonathan Lodge, (Mg) 1st Lt. John Teitson, (A) 2nd Lt. George Calhoun, (T) 2nd Lt. William McDonald, Ensigns, William Sawyers, (A) Ensign, John Moll, (A) George Grant, (A) 7th Co. 8th Co. Capt. John Simpson, (A) Capt. Robert Crawford, (Wy) 1st Lt. Robert Curry, (Mg) 1st Lt. James McClure, (Wy) 2nd Lt. John Ewart, (Mg) 2nd Lt. George Aspey, (Wy) Ensigns, Thomas Gaskins, (Mg) Ensign, Joseph Salmon, (Wy) David Mead, (Mg) All officers returned, February 8, 1776, except the 7th Battalion, March 25, 1776, and the 8th Battalion, June 12, 1776. 64 Penna. Archives, 2nd series, Vol. XIV, p. 313 Penna. Archives, 5th series, Vol. VIII, pp. 633-636 Linn, Annals of Buffalo Valley, p. 102 Bell, History of North'd Co., p. 116 80 The Northumberland County Historical Society

6 5 Second Battalion - 1776

Colonel - James Potter, (Pot) Lieut. Col. - Robert Moody, (T) Majors - John Kelly, (WD) John Brady, (M)

1st Co. 2nd Co. Capt. Arthur Taggart, (T) Capt. William Gray, (WD) 1st Lt. Cornelius Atkinson, 1st Lt. William Clark, (A) 2nd Lt. James McClung, (T) 2nd Lt. James Murdock, Ensign, James Wilson, (T) Ensign William Thompson (Pot) 85 privates 90 privates

3rd Co. 4th Co. Capt. David Berry, (M) Capt. Samuel Dale, (WD) 1st Lt. William Hammond, (M 1st Lt. William Bennett, (BE) 2nd Lt. Israel Pashel, (M) 2nd Lt. Hawkins Boon, (WD) Ensign Benjamin Burt, (M) Ensign Jesse Weeks, (WD) 45 privates 67 privates (transferred to the 3rd Battaliola in which it became the 7th Co.)

5th Co. 6th Co. Capt. Cookson Long, (BE) Capt. Samuel Wallis, (M) 1st Lt. William 1st Lt. John Scudder, (M) Mucklehatton, (BE ) 2nd Lt. Peter Jones, (M) 2nd Lt. Robert Fleming, (BE) Ensign James Hampton, (M) Ensign Robert Fleming, Jr. (BEi) 91 privates 59 privates (A return of Dec. 3, 1776 lists (transferred to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Lt. James Hayes, (T) 2nd Lt. Joseph Bonser, in which it became the 2nd Ensign Joseph Newman, (A) and 73 privates Company)

7th Co. 8th Co. Capt. James Murray, (T) Capt. Henry Antis, (BE) 1st Lt. William Murray, (T) 1st Lt. Thomas Brandon, 2nd Lt. Thomas Plunket, 2nd Lt. Alexander Ensign Andrew Robinson, (A) Hamilton, (BE) 60 privates Ensign Simon Cole, (BE) (probably transferred to the 3xrd 58 privates Battalion, 5th Company) (transferred to the 3rd Battalion in which it became the 1st Co.)

65 Penna. Archives, 2nd series, Vol. XIV, p. 318 Penna. Archives, 5th series, Vol. VIII, pp. 641-647 Linn, Annals of Buffalo Valley, p. 90 Bell, History of North'd Co., p. 116 Northumberland County Militia 81

9th Co. 10th Co. Capt. John McMullen, (Pot) Capt. David Hayes, (T) 1st Lt. John McConnol, (Pot) 1st Lt. Charles Clark, (T) 2nd Lt. John McCormick, (Pot)) Ensign Thomas Gray, (A) Ensign Charles Wilson, (Pot) 41 privates 43 privates 11th Co. Capt. Philip Davis, (T) Ist Lt. James Espey, (T) 2nd Lt. John Nelson, (T) Ensign Jacob Fulmore, (T) 74 privates All officers returned, January 24, 1776.

Third Battalion66 - 1776

Colonel - William Plunket, (T) Lieut. Col. - James Murray, (T) Majors - John Brady, (M) Cookson Long, (BE) 1st Co. 2nd Co. Capt Henry Antis, (BE) Capt. Samuel Wallis, CM) 1st Lt. Thomas Brandon, 1st Lt. John Scudder, (M) 2nd Lt. Alexander 2nd Lt. Peter Jones, (M) Hamilton, (BE) Ensign James Hampton, (M) Ensigns John Morrison, James Alexander, (BE)

3rd Co. 44th Co. Capt. John Robb, (M) Capt. William McElhatten, (BE) 1st Lt. William Watson, (M) 1st Lt. Andrew Boggs, (BE) 2nd Lt. Robert Nelson, 2nd Lt. Thomas Nelson, Ensign James White, Ensign John McCormick, (Pot)

5th Co. 6th Co. Capt. William Murray, (T) Capt. Simon Cole, (BE) 1st Lt. Richard Irwin, (WD) 1st Lt. Thomas Kemplen, (BE) 2nd Lt. Thomas Plunket, 2nd Lt. James Branden, Ensigns Andrew Robinson, (A) Ensigns William King, (WD) Benjamin Jordan, (T) James Hughes,

7th Co. Capt. David Berry, (M) 1st Lt. William Hammond, (M) 2nd Lt. Joseph Bonser, All officers returned, Ensign Israel Pershel, (M) March 13, 1776

66 Penna. Archives, 2nd series, Vol. XIV, p. 332 Penna. Archives, 5th series, Vol. VIII, pp. 651-653 Linn, Annals of Bulfalo Valley, p. 104 Bell, History of North'd Co., p. 117 82 The Northumberland County Historical Society

Fourth Battalion67 - 1776

Colonel - Philip Cole, (B) Lieut. Col. - Thomas Sutherland, (B) First Major - Thomas Foster, (Mg) Second Major - Casper Jost, (P) Adjutant - James McCoy, (B) Standard Bearer - Dewalt Miller, (P)

1st Co. 2nd Co. Capt. John Clark, (B) Capt. Michael Weaver, (P) 1st Lt. Henry Pontius, (B) 1st Lt. George Ulrich, (P) 2nd Lt. James Moore, (WD) 2nd Lt. Christian Regter, (P) Ensign Patrick Watson, (B) 78 privates listed 4th Co. -complete roster Capt. William Weirick, (P) 1st Lt. Jacob Sherred, (P) 3rd Co. 2nd Lt. William Gill, (P) Capt. Jacob Links, (B) Ensign Nathaniel Moon, (P) 5th Co. 6th Co. Capt. George Wolff, (B) Capt. George Overmeier, (B) 1st Lt. George Conrad, (P) 1st Lt. James McKelvy, (B) 2nd Lt. Michael Wildgoose, (B 2nd Lt. Peter Weirick, (P) Ensign John Hessler, (B) Ensign Michael Snyder, (B) All officers returned, October 8, 1776

67 Penna. Archives, 2nd series, Vol. XIV, p. 325 Penna, Archives, 5th series, Vol. VIII, pp. 657-661 Linn, Annals of Buffalo Valley, p. 119 Bell, History of North'd Co., p. 117 Northumberland County Militia 83

In May 1778, just prior to the Great Runaway, our militia seems to have been re-organized, as follows: ASSOCIATORS 1778 1st Battalion68 - 1778 Col. John Kelly, (WD) 1st Co. - Capt. John Forster, 55 Men, (B) 2nd Co. - James Thompson, 44 Men, (B) 3rd Co. - Geo. Overmeier, 51 Men, (B) 4th Co. - Samuel Fisher, 55 Men, (WD) 5th Co. - Samuel Young, 51 Men, (B) 6th Co. - Abraham Piatt, 53 Men, (Pot) 7th Co. - William Irvin, 53 Men, (B) 8th Co. - William Gray, 44 Men, (WD)

2nd Battalion69 - 1778 Col. James Murray, (T) 1st Co. - Capt. Thomas Gaskins, 61 Men, (Mg) 2nd Co. - John Nelson, 60 Men, (T) 3rd Co. - David Hayes, 63 Men, (T) 4th Co. - Arthur Taggart, 66 Men, (T) 5th Co. - James McMahan, 57 Men, (Mg) 6th Co. - Robert Reynolds, 43 Men, (T) 7th Co. - John Chatham, 49 Men, (T) 8th Co. - John Clingman, 73 Men, (Wy) 7 0 3rd Battalion - May 1, 1778 Col. Peter Hosterman (P) 1st Co.- Capt. Casper Reed, 34 Men, (P) 2nd Co. - Michael Weaver, 63 Men, (P) 3rd Co. - Samuel Harris, 54 Men, (A) 4th Co. -John Mull, 55 Men, (A) 5th Co. - John Black, 49 Men, (A) 6th Co. -William Wyrick, 56 Men, (P) 7th Co.- Adam Shaffer, 82 Men, (Mah) 8th Co. - Michael Motze, 46 Men, (P) 4th Battalion 7 l - May 1, 1778 Col. Cookson Long (BE) 1st Co. - Capt. Thomas Wilson, 48 Men, (BE) 2nd Co.- Simon Cool, 42 Men, 3rd Co. - Joseph Newman, 43 Men, (M) 4th Co. - Thomas Kemplen, 46 Men, (BE) 5th Co. - William Hepburn, 45 Men, (M) 6th Co. - Alexander Hamilton, 41 Men, (BE) 68 Penna. Archives, 2nd series, Vol. XIV, p. 332 Penna. Archives, 5th series, Vol. VIII, p. 637 Penna. Gernan Soc. Vol. XVII, p. 329 69 Penna. Archives, 2nd series, Vol. XIV, p. 333 Penna. Archives, 5th series, Vol. VIII, p. 647 Bell, History of North'd County, p. 119 70 Penna. Archives 5th series, Vol. VIII, p. 654 71 Penna. Archives 5th series, Vol. VIII, p. 663 84 The Northumberland County Historical Society

The First Battalion now covered the area west of the Susquehanna, Buffalo, White Deer and Potter townships-now Union and Centre Counties; the Second Bat- talion comprised the area between the West Branch and the North Branch, Turbut, Mahoning and Wyoming townships-now upper Northumberland, Montour and Columbia Counties; the Third Battalion comprised the area on both sides of the Main Stream of the Susque- hanna, Augusta, Mahanoy and Penn's townships-now lower Northumberland and Snyder Counties; while the Fourth Battalion comprised the upper West Branch area, Muncy and Bald Eagle townships-now Lycoming and Clinton Counties. Following the Great Runaway in July 1778, and the depopulation of Muncy, Bald Eagle, Potter's and much of White Deer, and the even greater inroads in 1779, we can see how disorganized our militia must have been, and how the Ranger Companies with their volunteers came to practically supersede the system whereby the various classes were called up, especially in the latter part of 1779, to a greater extent in 1780, and by 1781 and 1782 the Ranger Companies had taken over the entire defense of our frontier.

RANGER COMPANIES FROM NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (All references are Penna. Archives 3rd ser. Vol. X=III unless otherwise noted - number of names listed on roster in each case in parenthesis) Ranger Company (no officers stated) (36) (24) (17) p. 220, 277, 278 Antis, Lieut. Henry (Lieut. Col.) (31) p. 255, 339 Atkinson, Lieut. Cornelius, (37) (27) (12) p. 245, 338, 343 Bard, Lieut. Jacob, May 1780 (10) P. A. 5th, VIII, p. 677 Beatty, Capt. Jno. (41) (51) (54) p. 242, 243, 353 Black, Capt. John, (26) (31) p. 264, 344 Bosley, James, p. 338 Bovard, Capt. James, (42) (42) p. 248, 350 Bowman, Capt. Henry, (68) p. 339 Clark, Capt. Wm. (12) (34) (70) (60) p. 245, 248, 261, 349 Clark, Capt. John, Sept. 1776 (81) P. A. 5th, VIII, p. 657 Coleman, Lieut. Jno. May 1780, (19) P. A. 5th, VIII, p. 677 Dougherty, Capt. John, (21) p. 339 Ferguson, Capt. Thomas, (19) p. 337 - __~ -~ ~- ~ ~~TI--- " l rr-

Northumberland County Militia 85

Forster, Capt. John, (33) (114) p. 244, 351 Foster, Capt. John, (38) p. 247 Freeland, Ensign Jacob, (18) P. 343 Gaskins, Capt. Thomas, (35) (44) p. 249, 347 Green, Capt. Joseph, (39) (19) (11) (47) p. 248, 260, 261, 349 1782, No roster, P. A. 2nd XIV, p. 768, 5th VIII, p. 674 Grove, Lieut. Peter, June 1781, (13) 197, Linn An. Buffalo Valley p. 206 P. A. 5th, VIII, p. 683 Hall, Lieut. John (33) p. 340 Hepburn, Capt. Wm., Aug. 1778, (38) P. A. 2nd XIV, 773 5th VIII, 671 Herrold, Ensign Simon, June 1780, (20) P. A. 5th, VIII, p. 680 Himrod, Lieut. Simon p. 262, 263 Kemplen, Capt. Thomas, June 15, 1779, (16) P. A. 2nd XIV, 334, 5th VIII, 672 Kemplin's Rangers, (3) p. 198 Long, Col. Cookson, May-June 1778, (27) P. A. 5th, VIII, p. 670 Long, Capt. Cookson, Dec. 1776 (76) P. A. 5th, VIII, p. 646 Lytle, Adjutant John, (those taken prisoner at Ft. Freeland) (23) P. A. 5th, VIII, 674 McElvy, Lieut. James, (41) p. 247 McIlhatten, Capt. John, 1779, No roster P. A. 2nd XIV, 764, 5th, VIII 673 McGrady, Lieut. Samuel (20) 196 Linn, Annals of Boffalo Valley, p. 206 P. A. 5th, VIII, p. 683 McMahan, Capt. James, (15) (57) (28) (50) p. 250, 255, 348 Moll, Capt. John, (90) (62) p. 245, 343 Motz, Capt. Mich'l, (46) (46) p. 257, 342 Murray, Capt. James, (13) (18) p. 246, 348 Myer, Capt. Charles, (39) (44) p. 256, 341 Nelson, Capt. John, (10) (96) (39) p. 220, 345, 347 Overmeir, Capt. George, (55) (51) p. 243, 344 Reinhart, Lieut. P: ederick, (49) p. 244 Reynolds, Capt. Rob't, (37) (27) p. 249, 348 Robinson, Capt. Thomas, 1780, Roster, officers only, P. A. 2nd XIV p. 766, 767 5th, VIII, p. 674 June 1781, (12) 5th, VIII, p. 682 July 1783, (45) 5th, VIII, p. 695 Robinson's Rangers, Roster, (47) (51) (30) (60) (8) p. 195, 196, 197, 198 Robinson's Volunteers, Roster (50) p. 196 Smith, Major Robert, (80) (70) (35) p. 262, 263, 346 Sneider, Capt. Jno., May 1780, (37) P. A. 5th VIII, p. 678 Spees, Lieut Jacob, May-June 1780, (33) P. A. 5th VIII, p. 679 Spies, Lieut. Jacob, p. 246 Stockley's, Capt. Thomas, Rangers, (2) p. 198, 273 Swartz, George, (31) p. 337 Thompson, Capt. James, (10) (35) (31) p. 243, 340, 345 VanCampen, Lieut. (Moses) (11) p. 337, 338 Watson, Capt. Patrick, (42) p. 352 Weaver, Capt. Mich'l, (32) (47) p. 256, 341 Weiracke, Capt. Wm. (26) (34) p. 256, 341 Weiser, Capt. Benjn., Jan. 30, 1777, (39) P. A. 5th VIII, p. 661, 668 Wiley, Lieut. Isaac, (47) p. 250 Wilson, Capt. Mathew, (36) p. 352

I The Romance of Mahanoy

BY CHARLES FISHER SNYDER

Presented before the Society August 4, 1948

At this, the first stop on the seventeenth annual Pilgrimage of our Society I shall read a few brief re- marks which I had originally presented before the Penn- sylvania Alpine Club on the summit of this mountain on July 26, 1942. It was on the highest point of Mahanoy that the Pennsylvania Alpine Club had been organized twenty five years previous; this summit was no doubt chosen because it was easily accessable, well known and commanded an inspiring outlook; but in addition to all this, it is one of the most historic mountains in Pennsyl- vania, with all the romance that makes our local history fascinating. Had those who planned to found the Penn- sylvania Alpine Club searched the length and breadth of the Keystone they could not have selected a more beautiful, romantic and historic mountain on which to initiate their activities than upon old Mahanoy in April 1917. Mahanoy Mountain is actually the end of one of those folds where two long mountain ridges merge-the Susquehanna in its age-long southward course, cutting our mountain ranges transversely, skirts its western tip. Actually, on a geological map these ranges resemble a giant hairpin, the more southern leg, known as Line Mountain, extending almost due east about twenty-four miles into Schuylkill County where it merges in another fold with Mahantongo Mountain, being broken only by the gap through which Mahanoy Creek breaks out of this enclosure at Dornsife; while the northern leg known as Little Mountain (and locally as the Trevorton Mountain) extends east-northeast over thirty miles to the vicinity of Ringtown, boeing broken by two gaps

View of Mahanoy Mountain from across the Susquehanna, showing lower end of the Isle of Que.

View from Summit of Mahanoy Mountain looking south-west - showing Herndon at the left - Mouth of Mahanoy Creek - White's Island - and lower end of Hoover's Island at the right. The Romance of Mahanoy 87 through which Shamokin and Roaring Creeks flow northward. Mahanoy Mountain, within a distance of one halt mile, rises to over one thousand feet above the Susque- hanna-probably the greatest elevation within so short a distance along its entire course-a distinctive land- mark on many a beautiful landscape for miles around- raising its head high over the surrounding hills. Often in driving along some lonesome country road I have come to the crest of a hill and caught a view of this beautiful mountain-from dozens of different angles, yet always distinctive in its many different settings. It always gives me the thrill of meeting an old friend in a strange place. Some years ago, before the Society,' I traced the origin, meaning, and various spellings of the name, Mahanoy, so I shall not repeat them here. Mahanoy has a romantic history reaching back many years before the white men ever settled these valleys. As a young man, Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg, later to be the speaker of the First Congress of the United States writes of it in his journal of his journey to the Susquehanna in company with his cousin, Conrad Weiser the younger (son of Frederick), in June 1771, as follows:2

On the 28th . . . . In the afternoon I went up a high mountain at Mahanoy. Here the Conestoga and Delaware In- dians formerly had one of their strongholds. But they were vanquished by the Six Nations. More than two wagon loads of bones are still lying here. I tried to fit together a skeleton, but the time was too short. It may happen in the future. In his diary, under the same date, June 28, 1771, he states briefly: 28th. Took a look at the larger portion of the Weiser land. 1 Proceedings, North'd County Historical Society, Vol. VIII, p. 206 2 Proceedings,. North'd County Historical Society, Vol. IX, p. 222 Lutheran Church Review, Vol. XXV, 1906, pp. 535 to 544 - 88 The Northumberland County Historical Society

Here Muhlenberg reveals what was possibly the prime motive of his journey to the Susquehanna. His grandfather, Conrad Weiser, had died in 1760, and until this time the heirs had been unable to divide or dis- pose of the several thousand acres of land on both shores of the Susquehanna and islands in the main stream which Conrad Weiser had bequeathed them.3 Item. I give devise and bequeath unto my Children Philip, Frederick, Peter, Samuel, Benjamin, Maria Muhlenberg and Margaret Fricker All those my Lands lying beyond the Kittoch- tinny Mountains and all my Grants or Rights to Lands lying beyond the same Mountains. These lands he had acquired from time to time in lieu of cash for services rendered the Proprietaries, in negotiating treaties with the Indians which had brought to the Penns the Indian title to what is today over half of Pennsylvania. The Indians had been far more generous; the Shikellamys, grateful to Tarachia- wagen had made him the outright gift of much choice land in our valley, which Indian titles, not valid under Pennsylvania law, Weiser had made secure by covering with Proprietary grants.4 There were 866 acres given him in 1750 following the treaty of 1749 and over 2000 acres in 1755 for his services at the Albany Treaty in 1754. Two years after this trip of inspection from the vantage point on the mountain above us, by deed of par- tition dated Sept. 24, 1773 the Weiser heirs apportioned this land between them. This deed covering four folio pages, is recorded at length four times in our county court house.5 The fact that Jacob Fisher, a former neighbor in Tulpehocken accompanied the two Weiser grandsons to the river, and within a month after the division of this vast tract of land, by deed of Oct. 16, 1773 bought for £475, the 167 acre tract at the southern end

3 Wallace, Conrad Weiser, p. 573 4 Wallace, Conrad Weiser, pp. 287 to 291, 377, 378 5 Office of Recorder of Deeds Northumberland County. Deed Books C, p. 217; L, p. 26; M, pp. 57, 182 The Romance of Mahanoy 89 of the Isle of Que together with the 273 acre island directly opposite us (Hoover's Island) from the Muhlen- bergs, indicates that the inspection of this land from this vantage point was one of the main objectives of Frederick Muhlenberg's trip to the Susquehanna in 1771. Although no granite boulder with bronze tablet pro- claims the fact, Mahanoy is itself an eternal monu- ment and should witness to every Pennsylvanian-especially those of us with an historical interest, that here was the boundary between the Province of Pennsyl- vania and the Indian land, as designated by the Treaty of 1749. Canassatego, the Onondaga chief, had come down to Pennsylvania and stopped at Weiser's home. In addition to his party of Six Nations Indians, he had a motley crowd of "Mohikans, Delawares, Nonticocks & Shomokin Indians", 260 in all. Fearing that the expected entertainment and presents would not be forth- coming, they "trumped up a speech" offering to sell land east of the .Susquehanna. At a Council held at Philadelphia, Monday, 21st of August, 17498 Brethren - - We have taken into Consideration your offer of the Sale of some Lands lying on the East side of Sasquehanna we gave you to understand that we could by no means accede to your proposal in the manner you had limited it, viz., to take land lying on the East side of the Sasquehanna, as far as Thomas McKee's, . . . it appears that all you offer is mountani- ous, broken & poor Land, you must know that this is not worth our acceptance, but we added that if you'd extend your offer to go more Northerly on Sasquehanna as far as Shamo- ken . . . On this you held a Council & made us a second offer that you would sign a Deed to the Proprietors for all that Tract of Land that lies within he following bounds, viz: Beginning at the Kittochtinny Hills, where your last Pur- chase ends, on Sasquehanna, from thence by the Courses of the River Sasquehanna to the first Mountain North of the Creek, called in the Onondaga Language Cantawghy, & in the Delaware Language Makooniahy, on the said River Sasquehanna, this is the Western boundary; then for the North boundary by a straight line to be run from that Mountain to the Main Branch of Delaware River, at the North side of the Mouth of Lecha- 6 Colonial Records, Vol. V, p. 406 90 The Northumberland County Historical Society

wachsein, so as to take in the waters of Lechawachsein; The East Boundary to be the River Delaware from the North of the Viskil to the Kittochtinny Hills; the South boundary to be that Range of the Kittochtinny Hills to the Place of Beginning, together with the Islands in the River Sasquehanna & Dela- ware in that Compass. For almost twenty years-1749 to 1768-years covering the period of the greatest frontier struggle between our forbears on the frontier and the Indians for the possession of this valley, this mountain marked the boundary. At the outset of the French and Indian War, the first blood shed by an Indian on the warpath against Pennsylvania was within our sight-The Penn's Creek Massacre-which research has shown is identical with the action formerly referred to as the Mahanoy Massacre and which has been covered at length in papers presented before our Society. The second part of this action-often referred to as the John Harris Ambush- occurred directly opposite on the west shore of the river. Harris and his party is making their escape by fording to the east shore came to a point just below us. Many travelers have come this way. In the early pioneer days, the Indian trail along the east shore of the Susquehanna skirted the end of Mahanoy, and many of the early travelers over the famous Tulpehocken Trail, used this section as a detour or by-pass to avoid crossing the three formidable mountain ranges between the Indian town of Shamokin (Sunbury) and the Spread Eagle (Klingerstown). Here passed Conrad Weiser on many of his trips to meet with Shikellamy at his town of Shamokin, or to continue on to the Great Council Fire of the Six Nations at Onondaga-too many journeys to even recount at this time. He must have loved this spot, for he acquired land both north and south of the mountain on the east shore of the Susquehanna, practically all the islands in the river within our view, the Isle of Que and The Romance of Mahanoy 91 the site of Selinsgrove on the west shore, directly across from this point; in all about three thousand acres where he perhaps felt he had selected home sites for his children and grandchildren. In fact, after this vast land holding had been surveyed and divided, a decade after Conrad Weiser's death, three of his sons, Peter, Samuel and Benjamin did take up their residence on their shares of this land, . while the sons and grandsons of Philip had lived there until the present genera- tion. In passing we will only call attention to the oft repeated legend of Weiser's acquisition of the Isle of Que from Shikellamy. Here also passed the men of science, John Bartram and Lewis Evans in 1743, and the Mor- avian missionaries on their many journeys up and down along the river. Bishops Zinzendorf, Zeisberger, Spang- enberg, and the rest. In 1745 Spangenberg refers to this mountain as "Jacob's Heights" and notes7 "At noon we reached 'Cool Bank' on the Susquehanna, where we dined on a mess of fish caught by Bro. Zeisberger." Just south of this spot, at the river's edge was the terminus of the famous Tulpehocken Road-laid out in 1769-the first road ever surveyed into the area that is today Northumberland County. One of the viewers appointed, and who made the report of the survey8 was my ancestor, Frederick Weiser. From this point, the trader, frontiersman or early settler could follow the old trail north to Fort Augusta, or if his destination was west of the Susquehanna he could ford to the lower end of Hoover's Island, traverse its length and then again ford to the tip of the Isle of Que. Not so many years ago this route was still being used by drovers driving their herds of cattle down from Union and Centre Coun- ties-using the islands as stepping stones in crossing the river-in the days when cattle must of necessity be driven to the market, usually Lancaster-the Chicago

7 Penna. Mag. of Hist. & Biog., Vol. II, pp. 424 to 432 Proceedings, North'd County Hist. Soc. Vol. XIV, p. 20 8 Proceedings, North'd County Hist. Soc. Vol. V, pp. 89, 92 92 The Northumberland County Historical Society of that day-and even now one of the great packing centers of the east. This site is also an historic point on the boundaries of our state and county. Here the diagonal north-west line which marked the boundary between Berks and Lancaster crossed the Susquehanna, so that during the twenty years from 1752 when Berks County was erected until 1772 when Northumberland County was organized, this point was the extreme northern corner of Lancaster County-a triangle roughly ten miles or a side with its northern angle here, was the area that Lancaster County con- tributed to our county. To the west of the Susque- hanna was Cumberland County, so that this same diagonal north-west line there marked the boundary between Cumberland and Berks Counties until 1772. This line approximately bisected Hoover's Island, diagonally, and reached the west shore of the Susquehanna just south of the tip of the Isle of Que. Mahanoy Mountain itself is the oldest boundary on the map of Northumberland County, and for that reason is usually marked as Line Mountain. In February 1775, when the first division of the area, now in Northumber- land County was made,9 the lower portion of Augusta township south of this mountain, became Mahanoy township. This triangular area now comprises five townships, Lower Mahanoy, Jackson, Washington, Jor- dan and Upper Mahanoy, but is still referred to as the Mahanoy area. This boundary line, to a certain extent also marks the limits of the Pennsylvania German language and culture from that of the diverse groups who settled the portion of our county north of this mountain. This mountain and the area which the alpinist can view from its summit are particularly rich in romance and folklore. There is perhaps no other spot in our

9 Proceedings, North'd County Hi-t, Soc, VYO.VII, p. 218 The Romance of Mahanoy 93

Commonwealth from which can be pointed out the locale of so many of our richest folklore stories. I have already sketched the outline of much of the history which has been enacted in this area, and I will now merely refer to these folklore stories, and the interested reader can refer to the sources quoted in order to get these folklore stories-some of which may have historical basis, and others purely the embroidery which has been added to our recorded history. Chronologically, the first is the story of the death of the great Shawnee Chieftain, Kishacoquillas, at the trading post of Thomas McKee on the present site of Dalmatia in 1754.10 Then there is the story, already referred to, as to how Conrad Weiser acquired the Isle of Que from Shikellamy, as a result of the famous dream.11 We have all heard the legend relating how John Penn found his long lost wife on her death bed in the old stone house along the railroad at Fisher's Ferry.1 2 Another legend, also from the pen of our good friend, Colonel Henry VT. Shoemaker, now the official Folklorist of our Commonwealth, is that relating how Confeder- ate scouts crossed the railroad bridge from Port Trevor- ton to Herndon in 1863 during the Gettysburg Cam- paign.13 Then there is the lesser known tradition of the immortal Ole Bull, playing on his almost priceless Stradivarius for the rural dance in the tavern at Dal- matia,1 4 and as a final and modern fiction story we have Elsie Singmaster's Isle of Que. All these combine to enhance the romance of this spot, which nature already made beautiful.

10 Proceedings, North'd County Hist. Soc. Vol. IX, p. 51, Vol. XV, p. 31 Hanna, The Wilderness Trail, Vol. I, p. 248 11 Proceedings, North'd County Hist. Soc. Vol. VI, p. 56 12 Shoemaker, Tulliallan-Allegheny Episodes, pp. 9 to 30 Godcharles, Chronicles of Cent. Penna. Vol. III, p. 253 Godcharles, Daily Stories of Penna. p. 393 Proceedings, North'd County Hist. Soc., Vol. VIII, p. 40 13 Proceedings, North'd County Hist. Soc., Vol. VIII, p. 173, Vol XV, p. 148 14 Proceedings, North'd County Hist. Soc., Vol. VIII, p. 172