Chapter XXXIV: Section 8: provided minute directions for the distribution of the tracts (22)

Many descendants of the gallant Colonel Armstrong are living today and well may they be proud of such a distinguished ancestor.

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Franklin County Erected from Part
of Cumberland County
September 9, 1784

On January 27, 1759, Lancaster County was divided by act of Assembly, and the southern division thereof erected into a new county, to which the name of “Cumberland” was given, with the town of Carlisle as the seat of justice.

For a quarter of a century the county of Cumberland thus constituted, remained intact, when the wants of the southwestern part, known as the Conocheague settlement, led them to petition the General Assembly of 1784 that their territory might be set apart as a new county, with concomitant privileges setting forth in glowing terms the hardships they were compelled to endure traveling the long distance from their homes to the seat of justice at Carlisle, etc.

The General Assembly complied therewith and September 9, 1784, erected the new county to be named “Franklin,” in honor of the great Pennsylvanian, Benjamin Franklin.

By 1790 some doubts arose as to the correct boundary, and March 29, in that year, a re-adjustment of the lines was made by running a new line so as to leave the entire tract of land owned by Edward Shippen, of Lancaster, and upon which Shippensburg now stands, in Cumberland County.

On March 29, 1798, a portion of the then county of Bedford, known as the “Little Cove” was detached from that county and annexed to Franklin, and the county thus erected is the Franklin County of today.

By the terms of the act establishing the county of Franklin, James Maxwell, James McCalmont, Josiah Crawford, David Stoner, and John Johnson were appointed trustees on behalf of the county, and were directed to procure two lots of ground in the town of Chambersburg or Chamberstown, for seats of a court house and of a county gaol.

The original court house was a brick building of two stories, surmounted by a tall conical cupola and a spire. In the belfry was suspended a bell of Spanish make, which had rendered service in an old convent.

The first court in Franklin County was held September 15, 1784. As the court house was not yet completed this first session was convened in the stone house on the corner of the “square,” which was built by John Jack in 1770. This historic building stood until July 30, 1864, when the rebel horde burned the town during the Civil War.

The first court was held before Judges Humphrey Fullerton Thomas Johnston and James Findley. Edward Crawford, Jr., was prothonotary. Jeremiah Talbot was commissioned sheriff October 20, 1784.

The following named persons sat as the first grand jury: James Poe, Henry Pawling, William Allison, William McDowell, Robert Wilkins, John McConnell, John McCarny, John Ray, John Jack, Jr., John Dickson, D. McClintock, Joseph Chambers, and Joseph Long.

As late as 1748 there were many Indians within the present limits of Franklin County. The first settlers of Franklin County were Scotch-Irish, many of whose descendants yet remain, but the larger proportion migrated west or south, giving way before the German element coming from the eastern counties of the state.

It is believed that Joseph and Benjamin Chambers located at the Falling Spring earlier than 1730. They had previously built at Fort Hunter, above Harrisburg, on the Susquehanna, but an accidental fire consumed their mill on the Fishing Creek, and they wandered westward, finally located at Falling Spring, where they erected a log house, and eventually a saw and grist mill.

Benjamin Chambers maintained a friendly intercourse with the Indians in his vicinity. They became attached to him; with them he traded, and had so much of their confidence and respect that they did not injure him or offer to molest him.

After Braddock’s defeat July, 1755, the Western Indians became so troublesome, and made so many incursions east of the mountains, that Colonel Chambers, for the security of his family and his neighbors, erected a large stone dwelling house, where Chambersburg now is. This house was surrounded by water from Falling Spring, and, to prevent the Indians from setting it on fire, the roof was made of lead. The dwelling, buildings and mill were surrounded with a stockade.

This fort was provided with a blunderbluss and swivel, and the garrison had an ample supply of smaller firearms. The Indians seldom assaulted this fort and none of its defenders was killed or carried off.

Benjamin Chambers reported the terrible massacre at Great Cove, Sunday morning, November 2, 1755. He wrote: “If you intend to go to the assistance of your neighbors, you need wait no longer for the certainty of the news. The Great Cove is destroyed.”

The Great Cove was burned by the Indians and fifty-seven persons out of ninety-three settlers were killed or taken captive.

A record of the persons killed or taken captive by the Indians during this period until the close of the Revolution reveals a long list of savage cruelty.

In the war of 1812–14, Franklin County played an important part. Eight companies were mustered in the county; Chambersburg furnished four, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Waynesboro and Path Valley, each one.

During the Civil War Franklin County suffered as did no other border county of Pennsylvania.

First came the great Confederate raid in October, 1862, led by Generals J. E. B. Stuart and Wade Hampton; then during General Lee’s invasion, June, 1863; and finally General McCausland’s invasion when the town of Chambersburg was sacked and burned July 30, 1864. The scenes presented on the latter terrible occasion beggar description.

Wilson College is situated in Chambersburg, and Mercersburg Academy is in the borough of Mercersburg, which was also the home of Marshall College, now a part of Franklin and Marshall College, of Lancaster. The Soldiers’ Orphans’ Industrial School of the state is located at Scotland, and the Pennsylvania State Sanitarium for Tuberculosis, No. 1, is beautifully located at Mont Alto.

Green Castle and Waynesboro are the other towns of importance in old Franklin County. James Buchanan, President of the United States, and William Findlay, Governor of Pennsylvania, were both born in Mercersburg.

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Commodore Perry Defeats British Squadron
on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813

Foreign nations, who still smiled incredulously at the pretensions of the United States in carrying on an ocean warfare with the proud “Mistress of the Seas,” as England was everywhere acknowledged to be, were not prepared to receive, in addition to the splendid victory of the United States frigate Constitution over the Guerriere, fresh and decisive proof of the naval supremacy of the youthful Republic, in the magnificent triumph achieved by Commodore Oliver H. Perry on the waters of Lake Erie September 10, 1813.

It was here for the first time in the history of the Western World the flag of a British squadron was struck, humiliatingly, to the Americans. Great Britain had already been signally defeated in single naval combats during the War of 1812; she was now beaten in squadron; every one of her ships striking their colors to the Stars and Stripes.

The unexpected and disgraceful surrender of the Northern Army under General Hull to the British rendered a superior force on Lake Erie necessary for the defense of the American territory bordering on the lake, as well as for offensive operations in Canada.

Under those circumstances, Oliver H. Perry, a brave and capable young officer, was designated to the command on Lake Erie. But at this time the United States possessed no naval force on the lake; the only vessels belonging to the Government had been captured at Detroit.

Commodore Perry was directed to locate at Presque Isle, where a peninsula extended a considerable distance into the lake, encircling a harbor, on the borders of which was the port of Erie. He was to build ships, and the only materials at hand were the vast forests—shipbuilders, sailors, naval stores, guns and ammunition were all transported overland by wagons over 400 miles of bad roads from Albany, Buffalo and Philadelphia via Pittsburgh.

In spite of those embarrassments, by August 1, 1813, Perry had provided a flotilla, consisting of the ships Lawrence and Niagara, of twenty guns each, and seven smaller vessels, to wit: One of four guns, one of three, two of two and three of one.

The enemy appeared off the harbor while this navy was being built, but the shallowness of the water prevented their approach where the construction work could be destroyed.

After Perry succeeded in getting his navy into the deep waters of the lake, he proceeded to Put-in Bay, near where the British fleet lay under the guns of the fort. Here he watched the movements of the enemy and awaited a chance to offer battle.

On the morning of September 10, 1813, the enemy was discovered bearing down upon the American force, which immediately prepared to meet them. Perry had nine vessels with fifty-three guns and two swivels. The British fleet consisted of six vessels, carrying sixty-three guns, four howitzers and two swivels.

Perry advised his officers he proposed to bring the enemy to close quarters. As soon, therefore, as the approach of the enemy warranted the display of the signal, every vessel was under sail beating out against the wind with the boats ahead towing the others.

Perry endeavored to beat to the windward of the islands, which interposed between them and the two approaching squadrons, hoping thus to be able to bear down upon the enemy with the wind, but that proved to be too light and baffling, and so much time was lost by tacking that Perry suddenly changed his plans and ordered his ships to run to the leeward of the islands, when his sailing master replied: “Then we’ll have to engage the enemy from the leeward.” “I don’t care,” replied Perry; “to windward or leeward, they will fight today.”

Perry formed his line of battle and the two squadrons slowly approached each other. Realizing they would be in battle by the noon hour, grog and bread were served in advance, and in a moment every man was at quarters. Perry made a round of the deck, from gun to gun, carefully examining each and exchanging cheering words with the men.

At fifteen minutes after 11 a bugle was sounded on board the enemy’s flagship, the Detroit. Loud cheers burst from all their crews, and a tremendous fire opened upon the Lawrence from the British long guns, which on account of the range of the guns on the Lawrence the fire could not be returned for nearly forty minutes.

The Lawrence kept her course in gallant and determined style, but was badly cut up by the big guns of the Detroit. The enemy’s fire was clearly directed toward the Lawrence. She was hit in every direction and narrowly escaped several explosions.

Perry realized the seriousness of his situation and made full sail, directing the other vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with the enemy. The terrible fire, however, to which he was exposed soon cut away every brace and bowline of the Lawrence, and the boat became unmanageable. The other vessels could not close up, and in this disastrous situation the Lawrence continued to sustain the main force of the enemy’s fire.

Throughout the ordeal order prevailed. There was no sign of fear, and as rapidly as the men at the guns were wounded they were quietly carried below, and others bravely stepped to their places. The dead remained where they fell until after the action.

At this juncture the enemy believed the battle won. The Lawrence was reduced to a mere wreck; her deck was streaming with blood and covered with mangled limbs and bodies of the slain; nearly the whole crew were either killed or wounded; her guns, too, were dismounted, Commodore Perry and his officers working the very last one capable of firing a shot.

At 2 o’clock Captain Elliott was enabled to bring the Niagara into closer action; and Commodore Perry, finding he could get no further use from the Lawrence, suddenly shifted his flag to the Niagara and boarded her, leaving the gallant Lieutenant Yarnell in command of the Lawrence.

The transfer of Perry was made in the face of a terrible fire from the enemy ships, with the commodore standing erect in the small boat and directing his oarsmen.

The entire squadron was soon in action and Perry alongside the British Commodore Barclay, in the Lady Prevost. Approaching within half pistol shot, Perry’s fire was so deadly that the enemy’s men were compelled to run below.

The Caledonia opened a destructive fire upon the British, and she was closely followed by the other American vessels, and the enemy was soon enclosed between the Niagara and the American fleet, and in that position the British ships suffered a terrible fire on both quarters.

Thus, after a contest of three hours, a naval victory was achieved by the Americans, in which every vessel of the enemy fleet was captured. If anything could enhance its brilliancy it was the modest and laconic manner in which it was announced by the gallant victor—“We have met the enemy and they are ours!”

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Lord Cornwallis Defeats American Forces
on the Brandywine, September 11, 1777

The objective of the British forces, early in the Revolution, was to occupy Philadelphia, which was then the largest city in the revolting provinces. It was the seat of the Continental Congress, and the center of the colonies. Although commanding easy access to the sea, it was capable of being readily protected from the approach of a hostile fleet, and it lay in the heart of an open, extended country, rich, populous and so far but little disturbed by war.

Philadelphia was, in a sense, regarded as the capital of the new-born Nation, and the moral influence resulting from its occupation by Congress was great, so that it was deemed an important point would be gained by its conquest. There was much criticism hurled at an army which could not penetrate to the headquarters of the infant Nation.

Sir William Howe directed the campaign of 1777, and disposed the troops under his command to that purpose. The British fleet under Lord Howe, bearing a land force of 18,000, left New York in July, 1777, with the intention of approaching Philadelphia by way of the Delaware River.

When about to enter it, however, the British commander was informed that the Americans had placed obstructions in the channel, and he, therefore, proceeded to the Chesapeake, and on August 25, landed his forces at Turkey Point.

When the departure of the British fleet from New York was made known to General Washington, he was uncertain as to its objects, but directed the concentration of his army in Bucks County, so as to meet the enemy should he attempt to approach Philadelphia.

Washington soon learned that the fleet was off the Capes of the Chesapeake, and turned his attention in that direction. The very day the British landed the Americans marched to Wilmington with a force of about eleven thousand men.

Washington made immediate preparations to oppose the enemy. A severe though brief encounter occurred September 3 at Iron Hill, Delaware.

On the 8th the American Army took its position behind the Red Clay Creek, where a battle was anticipated. Washington saw that the object was to turn his right, cross the Brandywine, and cut off his communication with Philadelphia.

After reconnoitering the enemy, Washington withdrew to Chadd’s Ford, on the Brandywine, where he arrived on the 9th of September, and entrenched himself.

Maxwell’s Light Infantry occupied the advance posts, and during the night of the 10th threw up defenses on the west side at the approaches to the ford. Here Washington determined to take his stand.

On the evening of the 9th the British Army entered Chester County in two divisions, one of which, under General Knyphausen, encamped at New Garden and Kennet Square, and the other, under Lord Cornwallis, a short distance below Hockesson Meeting House.

Early on the morning of the 10th they united at Kennet Square, whence in the evening the forces under Knyphausen advanced toward Welsh’s Tavern, later known as the Anvil, and those under Cornwallis remained encamped on the hills north and west of Kennet Square.

Early on the morning of the 11th the army divided into two columns—one division, under Knyphausen, marched to Chadd’s Ford, by the Philadelphia road; the other, under Cornwallis and accompanied by Sir William Howe, took a circuitous route and crossed the west branch of the Brandywine at Trimble’s Ford, and approached the Birmingham Meeting House. The object of these movements was to hem in the Americans between the two British forces and thus make them easy prey.

Both British columns had moved early and through a dense fog which did not lift until a later hour. The column under Knyphausen skirmished with the advance parties of the American Army sent forward to harass their march.

Maxwell’s corps, which occupied the hills west of the Brandywine, was driven across the stream after a severe engagement, and joined the main body of the American Army, which was already ranged in battle order, awaiting the attack of the enemy.

Several detachments of the Continental troops subsequently recrossed the creek and assailed the British, who were busy throwing up intrenchments and planting batteries. A footing having thus been gained on the western bank, General Maxwell returned in force, and a hot conflict ensued, the Americans driving the enemy from the ground.

The spirit of this action soon drew upon them overwhelming numbers, and the Americans were again repulsed.

Lord Cornwallis, with a larger division, under cover of the hills and forests and aided by the fog, proceeded in a circuitous route a considerable distance unobserved, and reached the hills south of Trimble’s Ford about the time Knyphausen moved from his position east of Kennet Square.

General John Sullivan, who commanded the right wing of the American Army, had received instructions to guard the fords as far up the stream as Buffingtons.

About 9 o’clock intelligence was brought that the British left wing was about crossing the Brandywine above its forks. Colonel Bland sent word to General Washington that a large force of the enemy was seen advancing up the road toward Trimble’s Ford.

That was confirmed by a note from Colonel Ross, who was in their rear, and who advised their strength was 5000. Those reports were in contradiction to one that Squire Thomas Cheney gave when he rode up to General Sullivan and advised him that the main body of the British had crossed the Brandywine and was already near at hand, approaching from the north.

The squire was not believed, and demanded to be led to General Washington, who doubted his information, but was at length convinced of its truth and immediately disposed of his troops to meet the emergency.

General Sullivan attacked the Hessians, who were the advance guard, who returned the fire, and soon the action became general. The artillery of both sides opened with terrible effect, and while the Americans held their position, the carnage was great.

The right wing of the American army under General Debarre gave way first, and the left under General Sullivan, soon followed. The latter tried to rally his troops, but fled over the fields toward the main army at Chadd’s Ford.

Sterling’s division in the center remained firm. General Sullivan attached himself to this division, and with Lafayette he engaged personally in the hottest of the battle. Cornwallis used his artillery with telling effect. Two of Sullivan’s aides were killed and Lafayette fell with a wounded leg. The troops fled into the woods, but were again rallied and after a sharp conflict again retreated.

When Washington learned of the approach of the British, he pushed forward with Green’s division of Pennsylvanians and Virginians to the support of Sullivan, leaving Wayne at Chadd’s Ford to oppose Knyphausen. Green, by a skillful movement, opened his ranks and received the fleeing troops and closed them again.

Wayne was on the alert, and the moment Knyphausen moved forward he opened a heavy artillery fire upon him. Soon as he learned of Sullivan’s defeat he retreated.

The approach of night ended the bloody conflict, but not soon enough to prevent the American army from a defeat which was most distressing to the American cause at this critical period.

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Mob Storms Mifflin County Courthouse
September 12, 1791

September, 1791, an incident occurred during a term of court in Mifflin County, which has since been known as the Lewistown Riot.

The cause of the disturbance centered in the act of Samuel Bryson, then a resident of what is now the borough of Mifflintown, who for several years had served as county lieutenant, and while acting in that capacity refused to commission two colonels who had been elected by their regiments, which so incensed the members and their friends that when Mr. Bryson subsequently received the appointment of Associate Justice they were indignant and determined he should not act in that capacity.

On Monday, September 12, 1791, the Hon. William Brown, Samuel Bryson and James Armstrong, Esqs., met in the forenoon in order to open the Court and proceed to business, but Thomas Beale, Esq., one of the Associate Judges, not having arrived, the others did not attempt to convene the Court until he appeared, which was 3 o’clock, when he was requested to proceed with them to the court house. Mr. Beale declined to go, but the others went into the court room, where the commissions of the Judges were read, the Court duly opened, the officers sworn in, and Court adjourned until 10 o’clock next morning.

The following morning, John Clarke, Deputy State’s Attorney, received the intelligence that a large body of men was assembled below the Long Narrows, at David Jordan’s tavern, on the Juniata River shore.

They were armed with guns, swords and pistols, with an avowed intention to proceed to Lewistown and seize Judge Bryson on the bench and drag him from his seat, and march him off before them, and otherwise ill-treat him.

That information was immediately communicated to the Judges, who, acting upon the suggestion of Mr. Clarke, named Samuel Edminston, Esq., the Prothonotary; Judge Thomas Beale, Mr. Stewart, William Bell, Esq., and the Sheriff of Mifflin County, a committee to proceed to the place where the mob had assembled and meet with the rioters.

The Sheriff was commanded to inquire of them their object and intention, and if hostile, to order them to disperse and tell them the Court was alarmed at their proceedings.

Two hours after this the Court opened. A fife was heard playing, some guns were discharged and almost immediately the mob appeared, marching toward the court house. Three men on horseback were leading the column. The gentlemen who had been sent to counsel with them were being marched under a guard in the rear. When the column reached Lewistown all the committee were permitted to go at large except George Wilson, the Sheriff, who was held by an armed guard of four men.

The Court ordered Mr. Clarke to go and meet the rioters and remonstrate against their proceedings and warn them of their danger, which order was obeyed, but his endeavors were in vain.

The mob cried out, “March on! March on! Draw your sword on him! Ride over him!”

Mr. Clarke grabbed the reins of the leader’s horse, who refused to be held, and threatened to proceed to the bench and drag Judge Bryson off, take him down the Narrows to his own farm and there compel him to sign a written paper that he would never again sit there as a Judge.

This leader was a brother of Sheriff George Wilson. The mob cried out, “March on!” He drew his sword and ordered Clarke to let go the reins. The crowd pressed on him and one of them, a nephew of Judge Beale, pressed a pistol to his breast, when Clarke let go of the horse, and the mob reached the stairs on the outside of the court house. Clarke rushed ahead, and as he mounted the stairs he was met by Judge Armstrong, who said: “Since nothing else will do, let us defend the stairs.”

At that point several of the attorneys and citizens, who had been in the court, reached the stairs, where they were met by the rioters, now ably led by William Wilson, Colonel Walker and Colonel Holt. They cried:

“March on, damn you; proceed and take him!”

Judge Armstrong replied, “You damned rascals, come on! We will defend the Court ourselves, and before you shall take Judge Bryson you shall kill me and many others, which seems to be your intention, and which you may do.”

At this moment Colonel Holt seized Judge Armstrong by the arm with the intention of dragging him down the stairs, but he freed himself. Holt’s brother rushed to him with a sword and urged him to run it through the Judge. The other leaders drew swords and pistols.

Clarke suggested that they name three of their most respectable persons to meet with him to settle the dispute. Wilson, the leader, agreed to that, but it was with difficulty he was able to get the mob to move from the court house.

Mr. Hamilton went with Mr. Clarke to Alexander’s tavern, and soon after their arrival Messrs. Wilson, Walker and Sterritt, of the rioters, came in. Sterritt acted as their chief counselor.

Proposals were made that they should return home, offer no insult to Judge Bryson or the Court and send to the Governor a decent petition, stating their grievances, so that they might be laid before the Legislature, and that in the meantime Judge Bryson should sit on the bench of the court.

They seemed to be agreed, when mutual honor was pledged, but Sterritt stated that too great a delay was evident, that injuries had been received which required immediate redress and even objected to the power of the Governor as to the points proposed.

At that juncture Colonel Holt and young Beale rushed in, the latter heavily armed, and insisted on Wilson joining them, which broke up the conference. Clarke followed them to the field where the mob was assembled. Clarke asked Wilson:

“Your object is that Judge Bryson leave the bench and not sit on it this Court?”

He and Walker replied, “Yes.”

“Will you promise to disperse and go home and offer him no insult?”

They replied, “Yes.”

Their mutual honor was pledged for the performance of the agreement.

Mr. Hamilton then entered the Court, told Judge Bryson the agreement, when he left his seat and retired.

Hardly had Messrs. Hamilton and Clarke reached the court house when the mob again appeared in martial attitude at the foot of the stairs. Clarke reminded Wilson of his broken pledge; he acknowledged it, but said the mob would not have it that way. Clarke told him Judge Bryson had left the bench and departed.

The next day Colonel McFarland, of the local militia, marched his command to the court house.

The Court adjourned until 2 o’clock, and at that hour directed the Sheriff to invite Judge Bryson to march in and sit with them.

The Sheriff returned and advised them Judge Beale would not walk in or sit with Bryson. The Sheriff and Judge Bryson got into an argument, when the Sheriff struck and kicked the Judge.

Judge Armstrong seized the Sheriff, and took his rod from him, the Sheriff was brought before the Court, when he was committed to jail.

That night the mob again assembled with the object of rescuing the Sheriff, but before a sufficient number could be raised the Sheriff apologized to the Court and was released on his own recognizance.

The mob to the number of 300 assembled at the Narrows the following day, but when they learned the Sheriff was no longer in jail and had been forgiven by the Court they dispersed and went to their homes. The Court then adjourned.

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Inhuman Murder of Lieutenant Thomas Boyd
by Tory Butler, September 13, 1779

During the expedition of Major General John Sullivan against the Six Nations, in August and September, 1779, there occurred one of the most horrible Indian massacres recorded in the frontier history of Pennsylvania.

On September 12, Lieutenant Thomas Boyd, of the Rifle Corps, a resident of Northumberland and older brother of the illustrious Captain John Boyd and brother of Lieutenant William Boyd, who lost his life in the Battle of Brandywine, was sent with about twenty-four soldiers to reconnoiter the town of Genesee. They were guided by a friendly Oneida Indian named Hanjost, a chief of that tribe.

This number was too few if a battle was intended and too many for a secretive expedition. When the party reached Little Castle, on September 13, they surprised, killed and scalped two Indians.

They mistook this place for Genesee, and Lieutenant Boyd intended to await there for the advance of the main army, and sent four men to report his intentions. This party was fired on, a corporal was killed and the others fled until the main army was reached.

Boyd dispatched two more men to learn what had detained the army, when they discovered the dead corporal and at the same time the presence of Indians. They informed Lieutenant Boyd, who immediately assembled his party and gave chase, following the British and Tories to within less than three miles from the main army.

There they encountered a body of four or five hundred which lay in ambush, probably awaiting to surprise the main army, who immediately surrounded Boyd’s small party. Their defense against overwhelming odds was not less gallant than it was hopeless.

In their extremity they posted themselves in a small grove, with a considerable open space around it, and there they continued to fight. Some of the enemy were so near that the powder from their muskets burned the clothing and persons of the Americans, who fought bravely until the overwhelming superiority of the enemy obliged them to attempt a retreat, which they did, covering their movement with a deadly fire.

This small army of British and Indians was under the command of Colonel John Butler and the notorious Indian chieftain, Joseph Brant.

The Indians killed and in a most inhuman manner tomahawked and scalped six of Boyd’s soldiers, whose bodies were found the next day.

Nine of Boyd’s party escaped and reported the battle as soon as they had reached the main army.

As Lieutenant Boyd, the Indian guide, Chief Hanjost, Timothy Murphy and six others had not arrived safe in camp, there was much anxiety for their safety.

Timothy Murphy was from Northumberland, a personal friend of the Boyd brothers and one of the most famous marksmen in the service. It was his unerring aim which killed General Frazer, the British commander at the second battle of Stillwater, October 7, 1777.

Colonel Adam Hubley, in the journal which he kept during the Sullivan expedition, writes of him:

“This Murphy is a noted marksman and a great soldier, he having killed and scalped that morning in the Town they were at an Indian, which makes the three & thirtieth man of the Enemy he has killed (as is well known to his officers) in this War.”

It is also interesting to note that Murphy made his escape and was the one to report that Lieutenant Boyd and Chief Hanjost were taken prisoners, and he told in detail of the brave resistance they made.

The army made a quick march with the hope of releasing Lieutenant Boyd, but on arriving at Genesee Castle, or “Little Beard’s Town,” the capital settlement of the Seneca country, Colonel Hubley writes:

“At this place we found the body of the brave but unfortunate Lieutenant Boyd and one Rifleman massacred in the most cruel and barbarous manner that the human mind can possibly conceive. The savages having put them to the most excruciating torments possible by first plucking their nails from hands and feet, then spearing, cutting and whipping them and mangling their bodys, then cutting off the flesh from their shoulders, tomahawking & severing their heads from their bodys and leaving them a prey to their dogs.

“This evening the remains of Lieutenant Boyd and the Rifleman were interred with military honors. Mr. Boyd’s former good character as a brave soldier and an honest man, and his behaviour in the skirmish of yesterday (several of the Indians being found dead & some seen carried off) must indear him to all friends of mankind. May his fate await those who have been the cause of his. O! Britain—Behold—and blush!”

Miner in his “History of Wyoming” says their tongues were pulled out and flaming pine knots thrust into their flesh and that they were slowly burned to death in addition to the tortures mentioned by Colonel Hubley.

Miner says that Lieutenant Boyd was taken before Colonel Butler, the detestable Tory, who examined him, while Boyd was held by two savages, with a third standing at his back, with a tomahawk raised.

Butler demanded: “How many men has Sullivan?”

Boyd replied: “I cannot tell you, sir.”

Butler then asked: “How is the army divided and disposed?”

Boyd replied: “I cannot give you any information, sir.”

Butler then taunted him: “Boyd, life is sweet, you had better answer me.”

The brave lieutenant replied: “Duty forbids, and I would not if life depended on the word—but Colonel Butler, I know the issue, my doom is fixed.”

That a prisoner should be taken before Colonel John Butler for examination is quite probable.

Sergeant Michael Parker was the rifleman who was murdered with Lieutenant Boyd.

The remains of Lieutenant Boyd and Sergeant Parker were found on the outskirts of the town and were interred with the honors of war. In August, 1842, the remains of these two soldiers were exhumed and removed to Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, N. Y., where they were re-interred.

The unfortunate Lieutenant Boyd had shared all the hardships of the ill-fated expedition to Quebec under General Arnold, and had experienced many campaigns prior to the one in which he made the supreme sacrifice.

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Major Grant Meets Defeat at Fort
Duquesne, September 14, 1758

The destruction of the Indian town at Kittanning September 8, 1755, was a severe blow to the Indians. The English had never before that time assailed them in their own towns, and they were led to believe they would not venture to approach them. While they desired to retaliate the blow, they feared another such attack upon their home, when they were absent on war parties. Such of them as had belonged to Kittanning and made their escape, refused to settle again east of Fort Duquesne.

Nothing was done to annoy the French or check the Indians, until a change occurred in the English Ministry, and the master mind of William Pitt assumed the control of the mother country. He seemed to fully realize the situation of the English subjects in the colonies and immediately determined to send troops in sufficient strength to maintain her power.

Pennsylvania, as usual, led the way and equipped 2700 men. The other colonies contributed large quotas.

Three expeditions were determined upon, and the most active measures taken to bring them to the field. The one in which Pennsylvanians are more properly interested was known as the Western expedition. It was placed under the command of Major General John Forbes, an officer of great skill, energy and resolution. His army consisted of nearly 9000 men, embracing British regulars and provincials from Pennsylvania, and the Lower Counties, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.

The troops from the other Governments rendezvoused at Winchester, while the Pennsylvanians, under Colonel Henry Bouquet, assembled at Raystown, now Bedford.

General Forbes, with his regulars, marched from Philadelphia to effect a junction with the provincials at Raystown, but the serious illness of the general compelled him to stop at Carlisle, where he remained until the middle of September, when he reached Bedford and the provincial troops under Colonel George Washington.

At the suggestion of Colonel Bouquet and the Pennsylvania officers, a new road was cut direct from Raystown to Loyalhanna, a distance of forty-five miles, where Colonel Bouquet erected Fort Ligonier.

Before the arrival of General Forbes at Loyalhanna, Colonel Bouquet had dispatched Major William Grant, of the Highland Regiment, with thirty-seven officers and 800 troops, to reconnoitre the fort and adjacent country. His instructions were to approach not too near the fort, and in no event to take the risk of an attack.

Grant camped the first day on the banks of the Nine Mile Run, ten miles west of the camp on the Loyalhanna. The second day he proceeded farther, and on the third reached to within about twelve miles of Fort Duquesne.

Although the French and Indians were constantly watching the movements of the army, yet Grant succeeded in coming within sight of the fort, after marching fifty miles without being discovered.

The detachment halted here until 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when the troops quietly marched to about two miles from the fort, where they left their baggage under charge of Captain Bullitt, two subalterns and fifty men. It was already dark, and later in the night Major Grant appeared with his troops at the brow of the fatal hill, which still bears his name, between the two rivers, about a quarter of a mile from the fort.

From the apparent stillness of the enemy’s camp and not having met with either French or Indians on the march, Major Grant supposed that the forces in the fort must be comparatively small, and at once determined to make an attack.

Two officers and fifty men were dispatched to approach the fort and fall upon the French and Indians that might be lying out, if not in too great number. They saw none, nor were they challenged by the sentinels, and as they returned they set fire to a large store house, but the fire was discovered and extinguished.

At break of day, Major Lewis was sent with 200 men, principally American regulars and Virginia volunteers, to take post about half a mile back, and lie in ambush in the road on which they had left their baggage, under the pretension of fears that the enemy would make a bold attempt to capture it.

But Major Grant, who was jealous of Major Lewis, wished to have the glory of capturing the enemy who had so signally repulsed General Braddock with his army.

Four hundred men were posted along the hill facing the fort, to cover the retreat of Captain McDonald’s company, who marched with drums beating toward the enemy, in order to draw a party out of the fort, as Major Grant believed there were not more than 200 men, including Indians, in the fortress.

The garrison was aroused from its slumber by the music of the invaders, and French and Indians sallied out in great numbers to the attack. Their whole force was divided into three divisions. The first two were sent directly under cover of the banks of the river to surround the main body under Major Grant. The remaining division was delayed while the others maneuvred, and then displayed themselves before the fort, as if exhibiting their whole strength.

The attack then commenced, and Captain McDonald was immediately obliged to fall back upon the main body and was a moment later killed.

Major Grant received and returned a most destructive fire. At this moment he suddenly found himself flanked on all sides by the detachments from the banks of the river. The struggle became desperate.

The provincials put up a good defense while concealing themselves behind trees, but the Highlanders who stood exposed to the enemy’s fire without cover, fell in great numbers, and at last gave way and fled. Soon the provincials, having lost all their support, and being overpowered by numbers, were compelled to follow.

Major Grant retreated to the baggage where Captain Bullitt was posted, where he again endeavored to rally his flying soldiers. His earnest appeals for support were unavailing, as the French and Indians were too close at their heels.

As soon as the enemy came up Captain Bullitt attacked them with great fury for awhile, but not being supported, and most of his men having been killed, he was obliged to give way.

The resistance shown by Captain Bullitt’s detail afforded many of the retreating and a few of the wounded to escape. Major Grant and Captain Bullitt were the last to leave the field, but when they separated Major Grant was taken prisoner.

In this conflict, which took place September 14, 1758, 270 men were killed, forty-two wounded and several taken prisoners.

“It was,” says Colonel Washington, in a letter to the Governor of Virginia, “a very ill-concerted, or a very ill-executed plan, perhaps both; but it seems to be generally acknowledged that Major Grant exceeded his orders and that no disposition was made for engaging.”

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Madame Montour Resents Murder of Her
Brother, September 15, 1711

In the provincial history of Pennsylvania the name of the Montours stands out among the many Indians of note, and the intimate story of this large family presents many interesting and contradictory characteristics.

The first one of this family, which has given us its name for a county, town, river, creek and mountain range, was the celebrated Madame Montour.

There has always been a question of doubt as to her birth. She claimed to be a half-breed French-Indian, her father being a Governor of Canada. Whether this is true or not, about 1665 a French nobleman named Montour settled in Canada, where by an Indian woman, probably a Huron, he became the father of a son and two daughters. This son of Montour grew up among those Indians, who were at that time in alliance with the French.

In 1685, while in the French service, he was wounded in a fight with two Mohawk warriors on Lake Champlain. Subsequently he deserted the French cause and again lived among the Indians. In 1709 he was killed while inducing twelve of the Western tribes to support the English.

One of his sisters became a noted interpreter and friend of the English, and was known as Madame Montour; the other sister married a Miami Indian and her history is lost.

Madame Montour was born previous to the year 1684. When about ten years old she was captured by some Iroquois warriors and adopted, probably by the Seneca tribe, for at maturity she married a Seneca named Roland Montour, by whom she had five children: Andrew, Henry, Robert, Lewis and Margaret.

After the death of Roland, Madame Montour married the noted Oneida chief, Carondowanen, or “Big Tree,” who later took the name Robert Hunter in honor of the royal governor of the province of New York.

About 1729 Robert Hunter was killed in battle with the Catawba, against whom he was waging war.

Madame Montour first appeared as an official interpreter at the conference at Albany, September 15, 1711. At this conference the wanton murder of her brother, Andrew, by Vaudreuil, was bitterly resented by Madame Montour, and she employed her great influence with telling effect against the French, who tried to induce her to remove to Canada, but she remained loyal to the English and was put in a position of great power with lucrative return.

Madame Montour was the interpreter in Philadelphia in 1727 at a conference between Deputy Governor Patrick Gordon and the Provincial Council on the one hand and the Six Nations, Conestoga, Ganawese and Susquehanna Indians on the other.

It is claimed that Madame Montour was a lady in manner and education, was very attractive in mind and body, and that she was entertained by ladies of the best society on her trips to Philadelphia; but as her sister married an Indian and she was twice wedded to an Indian warrior, it is probable her education and refinement were not so marked as is claimed.

Nevertheless, from the testimony of those who saw and knew her, but contrary to the statement of Lord Cornbury, who knew her brother, it seems almost certain that she was a French-Canadian without any admixture of Indian blood, and that for some unaccountable reason she preferred the life and dress of her adopted people.

Madame Montour was always uniformly friendly toward the proprietary Government, and such was the loyalty of her family that at least two of her sons, Henry and Andrew, received large grants of “donation land” from the Government. That of Henry lay upon the Chillisquaque Creek, in Northumberland County, and that of Andrew, on the Loyalsock, where Montoursville, in Lycoming County, is now situated.

Madame Montour resided at the village of Ostonwackin[7] in 1734. This was some times known as Frenchtown. When Conrad Weiser visited there in 1737, on his way to Onondaga, he wrote of Madame Montour, as “a French woman by birth, of a good family, but now in mode of life a complete Indian.”

Footnote 7:

Village at mouth of Loyalsock Creek, present site of Montoursville,
Lycoming County, Pa.

When she attended the great treaty at Lancaster in 1744 she was accompanied by two of her daughters, and at that time related to Witham Marshe the story of her life. He represented her as genteel and of polite address and as having been attractive in her prime.

When Count Zinzendorf, the Moravian missionary, visited Shamokin (now Sunbury) in 1742, he was welcomed by Madame Montour and her son Andrew. She had moved to that place from Ostonwackin.

Upon learning that the Count came to preach the gospel, the truths of which she had almost forgotten, she burst into tears. It was learned that she believed that Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, was situated in France, and that it was the English who crucified him—a silly perversion of the truth that originated with French religious teachers.

It is thought she died at the home of her son, Andrew, in 1752.

Of the children of Madame Montour, Andrew became the most prominent and indeed he was one of the strong men during a long period of stirring times in the province. His Indian name was Sattelihu, he was a son by her first husband.

Andrew became an interpreter at an early age and served the Proprietary Government faithfully and well; he also was loved by his Indian brethren, for he zealously guarded their interests.

In 1745 he accompanied Conrad Weiser and Shikellamy, the vicegerent of the Six Nations on the Susquehanna, on a mission to Onondaga, the Federal capital of the confederation.

He was sent on important missions to Maryland and other places and in 1753 the French authorities set a price of $500 on his head. In 1755 he was living ten miles northwest from Carlisle, on land which had been granted to him for his services.

During the French and Indian War he was captain of a company of Indians in the English service, and later rose to the rank of major.

In 1762 he was King’s interpreter to the United Nations, and he served as interpreter for the Delaware Indians at Fort Augusta, at the time Conrad Weiser held a conference for the purpose of bringing about peace between the Southern Confederation and the Six Nations.

October 29, 1768, the Proprietary Government surveyed and granted to Andrew Montour 880 acres of land at the mouth of the Loyalsock, where the borough of Montoursville now is. With this and other grants he was considered a man of great wealth.

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Matthew Carey, Editor and Influential
Writer of Philadelphia, Died There
September 16, 1839

Matthew Carey came to Philadelphia in November 1784, and spent the remainder of his eventful life there, dying September 16, 1839. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, January 28, 1760, where he spent his early life.

He learned the business of printer and bookseller, and at the age of seventeen he wrote and published a pamphlet on duelling. This was soon followed by an address to Roman Catholics in Ireland on their oppression by the penal code. This was so seditious and inflammatory that he was compelled to fly to Paris, but returned in the course of a year, and was soon after prosecuted for printing a libel.

In 1783, he edited the Freeman’s Journal and established the Volunteer’s Journal.

In 1784, he printed a libel on the Lord Mayor of Dublin, and was imprisoned during the session of Parliament. He escaped on board a ship in woman’s dress, and arrived in Philadelphia, November 15, 1784.

General Lafayette, then on a visit to the United States, heard his story, and not only procured influence for him, but advanced $400 to Carey, who immediately started the Pennsylvania Herald, the first number of which publication appeared January 25, 1785.

The young printer, publisher, and editor attracted immediate attention and patronage by giving the best reports of the Assembly yet published. The Herald was in fact the first newspaper in America which gave full and accurate reports of legislative proceedings.

Matthew Carey was most aggressive with his pen, and burning with hate to England, he at once became one of the most notable of the foreign-born editors in America.

But the spirited temper of the enterprising young Irishman aroused collisions, one of which with Colonel Oswald, had serious result. Eleazer Oswald had been a colonel in the Continental army during the war, in which he appears to have served with credit; he was a kinsman of Elizabeth Holt, wife of John Holt, and aided her in conducting the Journal after the death of her husband, in 1785 and 1786. They sold the Journal in 1787 to Thomas Greenleaf.

Oswald had an “unpleasantness” with Francis Child, of the New York Advertiser, and then succeeded in getting himself into a political dispute with Matthew Carey.

This latter quarrel terminated in a duel, in which Carey was shot above the knee, a wound that confined him to the house for nearly sixteen months.

During the interval, Carey seems to have been able to continue his editorial labors, and, in 1786, with several partners, he started the Columbian Magazine, but withdrew from this enterprise the following December, and founded the American Museum, a monthly eclectic magazine, which he edited with marked ability for six years.

After abandoning the Museum Carey entered into business as a bookseller and publisher, and among other works issued a quarto edition of the Bible, called the standing edition—as it was kept in type.

He took an active part in charitable enterprises, and every fortnight dispensed food and other necessaries of life to hundreds of poor widows. He was particularly active in works of benevolence during the prevalence of yellow fever in Philadelphia in 1793, and wrote and published a history of that epidemic.

In 1793 Carey founded the Hibernian Society and undertook with Hugh Gaine a system of annual book fairs, resembling the present trade sales.

He was an associate of Bishop William White and others in the formation of the first American Sunday School Society.

While the War of 1812–14 was kindling he wrote much on political subjects, and in 1814 the Olive Branch appeared, in which he attempted to harmonize the contending parties in the United States. It passed through ten editions.

In 1818 he published “Vindicia Hibernicæ,” which was a refutation of charges made against the Catholics of Ireland of butchering Protestants in the insurrection of 1640.

In 1820 he published “The New Olive Branch,” which was in favor of protection to American industry; and two years later his “Essays on Political Economy,” were also published in favor of protection. These publications were widely circulated.

In 1830, under the title of “Miscellaneous Essays,” Carey republished selections from his writings. There are fifty-eight papers, essays, and longer compositions, and two hundred pieces collected under the heading of “Light Reading.”

Carey also advocated the system of internal improvements which led to the construction of the great canal system in Pennsylvania.

He was active in promoting education, and in forming associations for the relief of those unable to help themselves.

As Matthew Carey advanced in years, he acquired a fair amount of wealth, and in consequence of ease and comfortable environment, he became a prolific writer, but always on subjects which were solid. He gave no time to the elegancies of literature or fiction.

In this field of literature he was succeeded by his son Henry Charles Carey, who became well known for his robust works on political economy.

In 1833–34 Matthew Carey contributed his autobiography to the New England Magazine.

He acquired an enviable social position as well as one of wealth. He died much lamented at his home in Philadelphia, September 16, 1839.

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First Constitution of United States Adopted
in Philadelphia September 17, 1787

The Constitution of the United States, as is well known, was framed during the summer of 1787, by a convention of Delegates from twelve States. The convention sat in the old State House at Philadelphia, and after a stormy session of four months ended its labors on September 17, 1787.

In the preliminary movement to form a nation, only five of the thirteen colonies were represented. Delegates from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia, met at Annapolis, Md., September 11, 1786, and after much discussion and consideration, they recommended that a convention be called to meet in Philadelphia on the second Monday of May, 1787.