USA > Delaware > History of Delaware : 1609-1888 > Part 50
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end of the dwelling. It was gathered from the castle where Mary, Queen of Scots, was impris- oned, and presented to Mrs. Jaquett. She, also, cultivated the first Champney rose in this vicinity, and was a great lover of the beautiful in nature.
On his tomb in the oldl Swedes' Church-yard is the following inscription :
"A distinguished officer of the Revolutionary army, who died at his residentre -- Long Hook Farm-wear this city, september Fith, A. D. 1834, in the sith year of his age, having been born on the fth of April, 1:33. On the Ith of Jaminuty, 1776, he joined the Delaware Regiment, and until Apmit, 1780, he was in every zenetal engagement under Washington which took place in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and the Eastern states, He was then ordered to join the Southern army under General Crates ; and with the brave De Kal', he was in the battle of Catuden, of the P th of August, in which the Dela- ware Regiment, consisting of eight companies, was reduced to two only, of ninety-six men euch, the command of which devolved upon its brave comrade Kirkwood and himself, as the oldest officers left of this gallant band. Ile was also in the battle of Gmffind Court-House, the secotrì battle of Caniden and in the battle of Eutaw springs. He assisted in the siege of 'un, and capture of the village of that name ; and was also in every action and skirmish under General Green, in whose army he renmined uutil the capture of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. He re- turned to his native state in 1782, and iu 1794 married Eliza P. Price. daughter of Elisha Price, of Chester, Pa. ; and, as a farmer, he lived upon his paternal estate until his death. The brave and honored sol- dier-the kind and obliging neighbor and friend."
Captain David Kirkpatrick, one of the last heroes of the Revolution, who lived in Wilming- ton, entered the army in the Fourth New Jersey Line as a sergeant, but his courage and abilities soon attraeted notice, and he was promoted to a lieutenant and then to a captain of sappers and miners, under the command of General Duportail. He was engaged in the battles of Monmouth, Ger- mantown, Brandywine, Trenton, Cowpens and others. At Brandywine he distinguished himself, and received a sword at the hands of General La- fayette as a testimonial of the estimation in which he was held by that illustrious commander. Cap- tain Kirkpatrick was much beloved by the soldiers under his command, and often, during his life, they visited him to testify their admiration and love for his courage and kindness Ile was twiee wounded, and the many hardships and trials which he en- dured in defense of his country aided materially in impairing his constitution. Late in life a sr- vere fall disabled him from walking, and subjected him to much suffering. Never was old age more beautifully portrayed than in Captain Kirkpatrick. The gentleness of his manners, the quiet tones of his voice, the benign expression of his eye, rendered him an object of deep interest ; and never was filial piety more lovely than was exhibited in the comforts which surrounded the aged veteran. The tender hands of affectionate children had long "rocked the cradle of declining age," and their ministry ended only with his life.
Captain Kirkpatrick was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Wilmington and a member of the Society of the Cineinnati. His descendants are prominent morocco manufacturers in Phila- delphia.
John Hamilton was born in Scotland, where he resided until the invasion of Ireland by William of Orange, when he joined his army and for his meritorious eonduet was given a large estate, which afterwards fell into the hands of Lord Knox. By what means he became dispossessed of that property is not known. In 1771 he removed with his wife and nine children to this country, and settled in White Clay Creek Hundred, New Castle County, where he resided until his death. Of his children, John became master of a Phila- delphia merchantman and died in Liverpool, January, 1828; Archibald, who practiced law in Wilmington, successfully, and died October, 1841; James became captain of a merchant Vessel and died at sea, July, 1826; Charles also a sea captain ; Robert, one of the youngest soDs, settled in or near Wilmington. Robert Hamilton married Ann Little, the daughter of Archibald Little, and resided in Wilming- ton fifty years. He served in the Revolutionary War at the battles of Trenton and Princeton. He filled various official positions under the general and state governments. Late in life he purchased a farm on the shores of the Dela- ware, just north of Wilmington, whither he removed his family, and there he dispensed the kind and generous hospitality for which he was dis- tinguished. He is said to have had no enemies and was the peacemaker, the counselor and adviser of his neighbors. He died July 22, 1826.
Captain Samuel Lovering, who was a native of Boston, sailed from Wilmington at the age of seven- teen. He entered the army at Bostou, and being taken prisoner by the English was confined six months in the old " Jersey " prison ship, where so many of the youths of our country fell victims to disease and eruel treatment. He was spared to reach his birthplace, Boston, where, from his skeleton form and tattered outer garments, he was not recognized by his fond mother. When he recovered strength he preferred a life on the ocean, and Wilmington became his home. Here he married a daughter of Joseph Shalleross, in whose employ he sailed. During the European war in San Domingo he and his erew were pressed by the French commander to aid in quelling the insurrection. He was detained six months in actual service, enduring perils and hardships. Hle returned to Wilmington, but died young, leaving a widow and three small children.
Hance Naff, who died October 9. 1841, aged eighty-six years, was one of the last soldiers of the Revolution in Wilmington. He was of Swiss descent, and at the opening of the war was a member of Colonel Duft's regiment, Captain O'Flinn's com- pany, and took part in all the engagements of his regiment. He lived for many years in a log
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cabin near Cool Spring. ITis widow survived him to the age of ninety-five years. Hance Naff, their son, and a familiar personage in Wilmington in his last years, lived on the Kennet Rad. now Delaware Avenue). He died at eighty and his wife at cighty-tive. II J. Naff, the editor of the Jour- nal, was his son.
Lydia Hall, an industrious colored woman, who lived to the age of one hundred and two years in a small house of her own on the west side of Mar- ket, just above Ninth Wilmington, had two sons in the War of the Revolution. One of them was captured by the British and never was returned ; the other came home when peace was declared.
Jonathan Rumford, a worthy gentleman and shipping merchant, who owned the wharf above the drawbridge on the Christiana, leaned to royalty, but was not an avowed Tory. He thon lived an Fourth Street, below Marker. Some over- enthusiastic persons, without any definite cause, entered his dwelling and abused him in the most brutal manner. They fractured his skull with @ blacksmith's hammer, and spread fire-brands through his house. Hugh Montgomery, the sea- captain, and militia captains Kean and Stidham came to his rescue at this instant and saved the house from destruction. Rumford partially re- covered from his wounds, but his faculties were impaired ; his business did not prosper afterwards. In 1792, soon after his decease, his mansion, then at the corner of Front and Thorn, and his wharf were sold to pay his debts. Dr. Nicholas E. McComb bought the property and generously presented part of the amount to Mrs. Rumford.
Joshua North, a well-to-do man who resided at Prospect Hill, was a Tory during the Revolution and was compelled to leave this country. His property was confiscated by authority of Congress. Many other valuable estates along the Delaware were taken by the government in the same way, notably that of Jacob Derrickson, a decendant of the early Swedish settlers.
Tory Jack was a notorious outlaw during the Revolution He owned a small gun-boat and frequently appeared in the Delaware in search of spoils. On one cecasion he captured John Harris, a trading merchant of Wilmington, when in com- mand of one of his ves-els. and placed him on a British frigate. Harris escaped and soon after- ward Tory Jack was captured down the river by some people of Wilmington, of whom Harris was one. They brought him up the Delaware and hanged him on an apple-tree at " the Rocks," on the prop- erty of the Mccullough Iron Works. Some of the Hessian soldiers deserted the army and remained in Delaware. Peter Davis, one of them, was long a sexton to Old Swedes' Church. He had charge of the old Academy on Market Street, Wilming- ton, and lived in its basement.
Many were the events of the Revolution in the good oid Quaker town "'twixt the Brandywine and the Chinsteen," but few were afterward- described with roare eager interest than the one which transpired at the large residence of' Mrs. Hanson, en the northwest corner of' sixth and Ship- !: Strecis. It was shortly after the battle of Brandy- wine that her two sons-in law, Colonel Tilton, of the Cominental Lite, and Captain Bellach, of the militia, temporarily away from their command-, were her goeste. At midnight, when all were asleep. Mis- Nancy Hanson, her daughter, was awakened by a noise on the streets below, and opening a window, saw that in front of their house was a squad of British soldiers. She took in the situation at a glance, aroused the rest of the family from their slumbers, but all remained quiet and all met in the parler to devise plans for the escape of the officers. Captain Bellach had no clothing with: hon but a military suit, and for him to escape seemed difficult. The soldiers would search the house, find the clothing and thus detect the presence of the officers.
"Conceal the suit," said Miss Hanson, " under- neath the bricks of the hearth, and in the morning I will go across the street and borrow another." She was one of the belles of the town and very intelligent. Early in the morning she attired herself in her best and appeared at the front door. Observing her winning charms, the British officer in command saluted her and began a friendly conversation.
" Beg pardon, sir, but may I go across the street to procure an article of clothing for a sick relative now in our house ?"
" Most certainly ! Queer it would be if such a request would not be granted," replied the officer as he escorted the young lady to the house opposite. He waited by the door-way, and a few minutes later gallantly returned with her to the Hanson mansion, politely carrying the package for her.
"Thank you for your kind attention ; will you come in and take breakfast with my mother, my sister and I?"
" It would indeed be an honor to be so highly favored. Colonel Tilton, of the Continental Line, is your brother-in-law, I am told ; and how did he fare in the late battle?" asked he, with the ex- peetation of finding out where Colonel Tilton was.
" He escaped unharmed, so far as we have learned," replied the lady with the greatest com- posure, as she showed the man a seat in the parlor. When the breakfast was ready he ate with the little family, and talked freely of the events of the day in an entertaining manner, while his soldiers partook of their morning meal on the streets.
" A carriage has been sent for to convey our sick relative to his- country house. Will you
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DELAWARE DURING THE REVOLUTION.
please see that it is not detained by your soldiers ? We shall be glad to reciprocate such kindness " said Miss Hanson in her sweetest tones, looking the British captain full in the face.
" It will afford me much pleasure to comply with your wishes," said he, as he arose from the table. "Such courtesy as you have shown me is rarely aecorded the best of men. Would that this cruel war was over, and that I too might enjoy the pleasures of home." ITis stern heart was touched with emotion, and his last words were spoken in a tone of sadness, as he stepped outside the house to his men.
The carriage arrived. Colonel Tilton, clothed in a plain suit, feigning sickness, was led by Cap- tain Bellach and Miss Hanson to it, and they drove to the old ferry and crossed the Christiana.
" "Twas Colonel Tilton who escaped in that ear- riage," shouted a red coat up Market Street, and in an instant a dozen dragoons were in hot pursuit of the fleeing patriot officers ; but they had es- caped, and ere the evening sun had set, were safe in the town of Dover. All the town and country round-about gave Miss Hanson the highest praise for her sagacity and great presence of mind, by means of which these two men were saved from capture.
A year or two after the Revolution she married Major D. G. Adams, a soldier of the Revolution. He served several years as brigadier-general of militia, and was sheriff of New Castle County.
General Smallwood, of Washington's army for a short time, had his headquarters at the public inn, corner Third and Market Streets, afterwards known as the Lafayette. One day he ordered some horses to be pastured in a fertile field north of town. The owners of the land were not avowed patriots, and his lusty wife became indignant at what she thought an unjustifiable aet. She hastened to town, called at the hotel, and asked if " William Smallwood " was there. She was told that General Smallwood was in the parlor. Ap- proaching the officer she thus accosted him : " Is thy name William Smallwood ? " to which singu- lar inquiry he answered " yes," with a significant smile, wondering who should address him so. The audacious woman answered, by saying, " Well, thee deserves small wood well laid across thy broad shoulders, thee naughty man, for destroying my fine pasture." The brave officer promised to pay for it some time in the future, and often laughed about his singular interviewer.
The residence of William Canby, near the Brandywine Bridge, when the British occupied the city, was entered by a Hessian soldier, who made a dash at Mrs. Canby with a sword, and out the window-shutter as she jumped out of the window. She escaped unhurt, and ran to her husband's mill.
Joel Zane, a Friend, lived at the southeast cor- ner of Fourth and Shipley Streets. His wife was well-known for her noble acts of charity. When the French soldiers of Washington's army were quartered in Wilmington, she every day gathered vegetables from her garden and made them soup, and gave them the choicest of the flowers from her yard.
As soon as it was announeed in America that the " Tea Act " was to be carried into effect, it was generally denounced as a scheme to establish the right of Parliament to tax the colonies and to give the East India Company the monopoly of their trade. As it bore on all the colonies, it diverted attention from the local issues, which had been agi- tating them during the preceding three years, to the original question of taxation, and the determi- nation of the Americans was not to pay a tax levied by a body in which they were not repre- sented.
The scheme roused more indignation than had been created by the Stamp Act. The House of Representatives of Delaware immediately upon assembling took into consideration the several letters and other communications which had been addressed to the Speaker by the Assemblies of Virginia, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. On the 23d of October, 1773. Mr. MeKean, chair- man of the committee to whom the resolutions and letters had been referred, made the following report :
"WHEREAS, the speaker of the late a-sembly presented to the House Normal letters which he received during the recess of the House, one from the truly patriotic House of Burgesses of Ins Majesty's ancient Dominion of Virginia, inckering a copy of certain resolutions, entered into by them on the 12th of March last, one from the hotiviable House of Deputies of the Colony of Rhode Island, and providence plantations inclosing cert un resolutions, entered into by them on the 7th of May last, and ono from the free and spirited House of Representatives of the province of Massachusetts Bay, including certain resolutions entered itito by them on the esth of May last, and requesting that a committee of this House may be appointed to communicate from time to time with the corresponding emutnittees appointed by the said assemblies, and muned in the sud respective resolves ;
"AND WHERAS this House is of opinion that the measures adopted by the aforesand assemblies, and proposed to this, are very salutary and highly necessary at this time, when the Rights and Liberties of all appear to be systematically invaded ;
" Resolved, That this House have a very grateful sense of the obligations they are under to the House of Burgesses in Virginia, for the vigilance, firmness, and wisdom which they have discovered at all times in support of the rights and liberties of the American Colonies, and do heartily concur with them in their sand judicious and spuited resolves,
" Resolved, That a standing committee of correspondence and in- quiry be appointed to consist of five turmilers, any three of whom to he a quorum ; whose business it shall be to obtain the most early and an- thentic intelligence of all such aets and resolutions of the British Par- Lament, of proceedings of administration, as may relate to or atleet the British colonies in America ; mind to keepand maintain a correspondence and communication with our sister coloties respecting these important consultations, and the result of such their proceedings from time to time to lay before this House.
" Hooded, That it be an instruction to the sand committee that they do without delay inform themselves particularly of the principles and authority of which was tingutufted a Court of enquiry, held in Rhode J-lund, said to les vested with growers to transport persons a chcel of of- f. mees conn, atted in Ameri & to places beyond the seas to be thed.
"Reward. That the said commutter la further instructed to prepare and report to this house draught+ of very respectful answers to the let- teis aleve mentioned, also a circular letter to the speaker of the everal other Honved of Assembly on this continent, including the moresud re- Bolsos; and requesting them to lay the same before their respective assemblies, in confidence that they will readily aud cheetfully comply
1
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with the well-concerted and wise resolves of the House of Burgesses in Virginia."
The House adopted the report and appointed the following standing " Committee of Correspondence and Communication with the other Colonies : " Casar Rodney (Speaker), George Read, Thomas MeKean, John MeKinly and Thomas Robinson
On December 16, 1773, a party of B »tonians, disguised as Indians, threw overboard from a vessel in their harbor several hundred chests of ten, and in the succeeding March, Parliament passed the bills closing the port of Boston, depriv- ing the people of Massachusetts of every import- ant vestige of self government, and ordaining that any person indicted for capital offenses committed in aiding the magistrates in the execution of the laws, might be sent by the Goveruor to any other colony or to England for trial. On the arrival of the news of the passage of these measures, the colonists in general made common cause with the people of Massachusetts, and in various ways ex- pressed their sympathy with the inhabitants of Boston.1 On June 17, 1774, the following card, signed " A Freeman," was published at New Castle :
"To the Gentlemen, Freeholders and others in the C. unty of New Castle, upon Delaware, who have a vote in the election of Representa- tives in General Assembly :
1 American Archives, fourth series, vol. i., p. 419.
The following letter was sent to the Committee of Correspondence of Virginia :
" NEW CASTLE ON DELAWARE, MAY 20, 1774. " Gentlemen : The alarm which the British act of Parliament, for shut- ting up the port of Boston, has occasionied amongst us, makes it a matter of duty on this committee to contribute, as far as they may, to a general union of sentiments and measures in the colonies, as the most effectual method of relief, not only from the present encroachment on the rights of the inhabitants of Boston, but trom future attempts at the like kind.
" We consider each colony of this continent as puits of the same leonly, and an attack on one to etfret all. The people of Boston are sigied out upon this occasion by the British Ministry for appuient reasons, and if they can succeed so far as to procurea submission, the hke, or some such experiment, will be made on each colony in turn ; if this should happen there would be an end of American freedom for a century at least.
"Imports and exports are things undoubtedly within the power of the Americans and they are become of great consequence to Great Britain , total cessttiun of both, as to that kingdom, for a time, would not only aların in turn, but procure applications for our relief from those who, in all likelyhood would be more favorably heard than the Americans ; therefore we apprehend a measure of this sort a necesary previous step in the present exigency : and from our knowledge of the sentiments of the people within this small government, we can, with confidence, sy that they would generally approve and firmly support such an engage- nent if adopted by the principal colettes,
" The conduit t of the British Parlament on this occasion, so derogatory of the character which thar $ .nate once hul, needs no comment, a shadow of justice, a cloak of power need for America's scourge, indented the necessity of a Congress of Deputies from the several ed dies to deterinne and agree opon further measures for re tres of present of future griet- ances; and we are confident that if such a proposal shall be made in June one of the principal colomes the Representatives of the people here will adopt it and embrace the first opportunity of carrying it into execution.
" We have included a copy of the Boston resolves, transtutted to 14 from Philadelphia, as a paper wanted to be sent by their last express to yon for North Carolina.
" As the inhabitants of this Government entertun a high opinion of the zeal and firmness of your colony in the common cause of America, we are persmwiel that their resolutions at this important erias will have great weight here, and we shall be glad to have your sentiments thereon. In the meantime, we who are ot the committee of correspond- ence for the Deleware government ate, gentlemen,
" Your mont obt. humble serves,
" THO4 MPKEAN "JOHN McKINLI."
"The several acty of Parliament made for these ten years last post, relating to the British colottes in North America, and their operationa upon the property, liberty and lives of the goal paqde of this country- Ale too Well known and too severely felt to require any enmariation of explanation-antber it to mention that they have taken away the propr- etty of the coloutsts withunt their participation of consent ; that th. v have introduced the odtous and arbitrary power of event into the cu- toms , that they have made all revenue call-es triable without jury and under the decision of a dependent party judge , that they have taken from the Assemblies all freed an of debate and determination in the in- state of suspending the legislative power of New York ; that they have extended the olsolete and arbitrary act of 3; Henry VIII., for trial of treeson and nuspuston of treasu, to the deputting of the subjects of a fair trial in the proper country, and exposty him to the most grievon4 exritions of tyranny and injustice; that they have maintained a stand- ingarmy in time of peace atmise the control of the civil authority; and that they have not only declared that they can make laws to bind us in all cases rehabnever, but, to crown all, have se tually deprived the greit aral lately thatthing town of Beton of all trade whatsoever, by shut- ting up then port and harbour with a tornahly tret an i army ; and, it is not doubted, have bew moulded the charter of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay : and virtually undomainedull officers of the customs. the army and the nasy, and others acting by their contmand, from all murders and other crimes which they miy comunit upon the loyal, brave and free people of that proviner. These are Do phantomis musing from a heated bram, but real tat fs, not exagp Land
". It is umpresible that any people, impressed with the least sense of constitutional hberty, should ever patiently submit to these enormous grievances, and accordingly we find our brethren and fellow sulgeeta in most of the colonies are deliberating and resolving upon such mesitres as are thought to be most likely to recover our lost rights and privi- Jegry.
. shall the people of this large and wealthy county, heretofore the foremost on many occasions particularly in the time of the detestable Stamp Act, to oppose all attempts to deprive them of their personal se- curity and private property, be now inactive and silent ? Forbid it, hb- erty ; let humanity forbid it.
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