A history of Washington County, Maryland from the earliest settlements to the present time, including a history of Hagerstown, Part 14

Author: Williams, Thomas J. C. (Thomas John Chew)
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: [Chambersburg, Pa.] : J.M. Runk & L.R.
Number of Pages: 622

USA > Maryland > Washington County > Hagerstown > A history of Washington County, Maryland from the earliest settlements to the present time, including a history of Hagerstown > Part 14

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One of the favorite selections for school dec- lamations has always been the speech of Logan, the great Indian chieftain, which he sent by a messenger to be delivered to Lord Dunmore. It is a noble and pathetic appeal. "I appeal to any white man" said Logan, "to say if he ever enter- ed Logan's cabin hungry and he gave him not

meat, or if he came cold and naked and he clothed him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war Logan remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites that any countrymen pointed as they passed and said 'Logan is the friend of the white man.' I had even thought to have lived with you but for the injuries of one man, Col. Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood and unprovoked, murdered all the relations of Logan, not sparing even my women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it; i have killed many; I have fully glutted my ven- geance. For my country I rejoice at the beams of peace. But do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one."

Michael Cresap, the youngest son of Col. Thomas Cresap, was the man accused by Logan. He was born in Washington County, then part of Frederick, June 29, 1742. He was only 14 years old at the beginning of the French and Indian War, but before the conclusion he was engaged with his father in the bitter warfare with the In- dians where quarter was not asked nor given. In 1774 he went to the Ohio, his father, Col. Thomas Cresap, being associated with Gen. Washington as a member of the Ohio Company. Michael Cre- sap established a colony on the river below Wlicel- ing. Soon afterwards, an Indian war broke out and Cresap took command of the pioneers. He met and defeated -a party of Indians on the river. Later, another party of whites treacherously mas- sacred the family of Logan. In his "Notes on Virginia," published in 1787, Jefferson, referring to this incident, wrote "Col. Cresap, a man infa- mous for many murders he had committed on those much injured people [the Indians] collected a party and proceeded down the Kanhaway in quest of vengeance. Unfortunately, a canoe of women and children with one man only, was seen coming from the opposite shore, unarmed and unsuspecting an hostile attack from the whites, Cresap and his party concealed themselves on the bank of the river and the moment the canoe touch- ed the shore, singled out his objects and at one fire killed every person in it. This happened to be the family of Logan, who had been distinguish- ed as a friend of the whites. This unworthy rc- turn provoked his vengeance. IIe accordingly sig-

HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

nalized himself in the war which ensued." This accusation of Cresap was based upon Logan's asser- tion that Cresap killed his family.

Gen. George Rogers Clark, who afterwards distinguished himself by the conquest of the Illin- ois County for the United States and who was with Cresap about this time, wrote in 1798: "The conduct of Cresap I am perfectly acquainted with ; he was not the author of that murder, but a fam- ily of the name of Greathouse. But some tranac- tions that happened under the conduct of Capt. Cresap a few days previous to the murder of Logan's family, gave him sufficient ground to sup- pose it was Cresap who had done him the injury." The question was greatly discussed for many years, especially by the descendants of Michael Cresap, who appear to have effectually proved that it was not Cresap who killed Logan's family. Michacl Cresap went to the Ohio country, not to fight Indians, but to engage in agriculture and to start a settlement. But when the Indians went upon the war path and renewed the horrible atroc- ities among the settlers with which Cresap had been familiar in his youth, he naturally became a leader of the forces organized for protection. Governor Dunmore gave him a commission as Captain of a militia company from Hampshire County. Upon his return from an expedition into Kentucky lie learned that he had been appointed captain of the Maryland riflemen. He returned at once to his native State, led his riflemen through the wilderness, and joined Washington before Boston. After a short period of active ser- vice there, he was taken with a fatal malady and obtained sick leave. He started for his home but got no farther than New York, where he died and was buried with military honors in the church yard of old Trinity Church where his monument still stands.

Michael Cresap married Miss Whitehead, of Philadelphia. They had three daughters and two sons. The eldest daughter married Luther Mar- tin, the great Maryland lawyer. The second daughter married Lenox Martin, brother of Luther and the third married Osborne Sprigg, of Alle- gany ('ounty. Two of their sons were members of Congress, Michael ('resap Sprigg, from Mary- land, and James C. Sprigg, from Kentucky. Michael C. Sprigg was for a time president of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company. Col. Michael Cresap's widow married John 1. Jacobs.

Their son, J. J. Jacobs, was Governor of West Virginia.

The young lieutenant in Capt. Price's Com- pany became one of the distinguished and brilliant officers in the Revolution. Otho Holland Wil- liams came of a family which settled in Maryland in the early times of the Province. He was born in Prince George's County, March 1, 1749. His parents were Joseph and Prudence Holland Wil- liams. They died when their son was but 13 years of age. Shortly afterwards he was employed in the clerk's office of Frederick County and later, in the clerk's office in Baltimore City. After the Marylanders under Cresap reached Boston, Capt. Price was soon promoted and Williams succeeded to the command of the Company. At the fall of Fort Washington, on the Hudson river, the Colonel was absent, Lieutenant-Colonel Rawlings was wounded early in the engagement and the com- mand of the regiment devolved upon Williams, who after a desperate struggle was compelled to surrender to the British. He was wounded in this engagement, and was afterward a prisoner of war for 15 months in New York, until in 1778 he was exchanged for his friend, Major Ackland, a British officer. On his liberation he was given the command of the Sixth Maryland Regiment. While in captivity he was confined a part of the time in a sugar warehouse, and then in one of the terrible hulks where he was subjected to that cruel treatment under which large numbers of prisoners died. He was Deputy Adjutant-General of the army under Gen. Horatio Gates, took part in the battle of Camden, was appointed adjutant-general under Gen. Nathaniel Green and commanded the rear guard in Greenc's celebrated retreat. At the battle of Eutaw he led the bayonet charge that swept the field and secured victory for the patriots and was brevetted brigadier-general. Near the close of the war. Williams was sent by Gen. Greene with dispatches to Congress and he was promoted by that body to the rank of brigadier-general. When the war closed, he settled in Baltimore and was appointed by the Governor of Maryland collec- tor of the Port of Baltimore. After the adoption of the Constitution, President Washington con- tinucd him in that office. While he was collector of the Port, Gen. Williams bought Springfield farm in Washington County and another tract of land at the mouth of the Conoeocheague, where he laid out the town of Williamsport in 1787. Gen. Wil-

OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND.

liams died at Woodstoek, Va., July 15, 1794, on his way to the Sweet Springs. He was buried in tlie eemetery at Williamsport overlooking the Po- tomae. Here a monument to his memory was ereeted and in 1905 Congress passed a bill, intro- dueed by Senator Louis E. MeComas, of Mary- land, appropriating $20,000 for a more suitable monument to the memory of this brave soldier.

The children of Joseph and Prudenee ( Hol- land) Williams were: Merey Williams, born in 1746, who married first George Ross and seeond, John Stull; Otho Holland Williams, born March 1, 1749, died July 15, 1794, (he married Mary Smith, daughter of William Smith) ; Elie Wil- liams, born 1750, who married Miss Barbara Grosh; Cassandra Williams, born 1753, who mnar- ried Mr. Minor; Priseilla Williams, born 1755, who married Mr. Israel; Sarah Theresa Williams, born 1758, who married Amos Davis; Emelia Wil- liams; Cynthia Williams, born 1762.

The children of Gen. Otho Holland and Mary (Sinith) Williams were: Robert Smith Williams, who died in childhood; William Eli Williams, who married Susan F. Cooke, daughter of Willian Cooke, of Baltimore; Edward Green Willianis, who married Anne Gilmor, daughter of William Gilmor, a member of the firm of Robert Gilmor & Sons, Baltimore ; Harry Lee Williams, who died unmarried; Otho Holland Williams, who was thrown from a horse and killed.

Edward Greene Williams, seeond son of Gen. Otho Holland Williams, was born March 23, 1789. He was a gradute of the Princeton University and inherited Springfield. He served with honor as eaptain of horse in the War of 1812, and was twiee delegate from Washington County to the Legis- lature. His death occurred February 7, 1829, when he was but 40 years old. His only daughter

was Mary Smith Williams, who married the Rev. John Campbell White, D. D., of Baltimore, brother of ex-Gov. William Pinkney White.

Several companies were organized at Eliz- abeth Town, some for home duty and some to mareh to the war. Among the latter was Capt. William Heyser's Company* which did honorable serviee in the Continental Army. William Heyser was the first of that name to settle in this County and he eame among the first. The building of Zion Reformed Church, in which operation Jona- than Hager lost his life, was his work. It was begun before the outbreak of hostilities, inter- rupted during Heyser's absenee in the Army, and completed upon his return. A letter from his son, William, dated October 12, 1776, is directed to Capt. Heyser "at the American Camp, Philadel- phia." The letter informs him that William, the writer, and his brother, Jaeob, continue at sehool. It would be interesting to know what school they attended, as we have no record of any sehool in Hagerstown at that time. It is eurious that this letter is dated "Hagerstown" at a time when its name was Elizabethtown and shortly after that name had been bestowed.

Another Washington County soldier in the Continental Army who beeame widely known was Captain John Hughes, a member of a distinguish- ed family which has been prominent in the Coun- ty sinee its first settlement. Captain Hughes was a son of Barnabas Hughes, a native of Ireland, who eome to this eountry about 1750. He built the Mt. Aetna and other Iron Furnaces in the County and cast many of the eannon used by the Continental Army. Captain John Hughes was the intimate friend of Major Andre' during his eonfinement.

Peregrine and William Fitzhugh also served

*William Heyser, Capt .; Jacob Kotz, 1st Lieut .; David Morgan, 1st Sergt .; Jacob Hose, 2d Sergt .; John Jaquet, 3d Sergt .; Jacob Miller, 4th Sergt .; P. Revenacht, 1st Corp .; Bernard Frey, 2d Corp .; Wm. Lewis, 3rd Corp .; John Breecher, 4th Corp .; George Buck, David Morgan, John Michael, Andrew Fuller, Frederick Switzer, James Duncan, John Entier, Wil- liam Lewis, Henry Stroam, Melcher Bender, Jolın Breecher, George Wise, Otzen Reeger, Jacob Bishop, George Harmany, John Craft, Peter Fisher, Mathias Dunkle, Stuffle Beever, John Metz, Henry Tomm, George Gitting, Alexander Seller, Peter Gitting, Jamcs Furnier, Jacob Pifer, Jacob Klien, John Smithley, John Flick, John Roberston, Thomas Clifton, Nich- olas Biard, Henry Stadler, Martin Pifer, Jacob Lowre, Jacob Hoover, John Oster, Drummer; Maurice Power,

Fifer; George Willhelm, Phillip Greechbawn, Chri- tian Sides, Jonathan Heckert, Henry Queer, Philip Revenacht, Francis Myers, Jacob Miller, Michael Weever, Jacob Gross, Conrad Hoyl, John Fogle, Fred- erick Fuller, Thomas Burney, Jr., Daniel Jaquet, Michael Yeakly, Barnard Frey, Everhearet Smith, Michael Gambler, Jacob Belshoover, John Smith, Peter Sheese, Henry Wagoner. Frederick Locher, Tobias Friend, George Miller, John Kibler, Godfrey Young, John Rhods, Wentle Strayley, Adam Leiser, Mathies Gieser, Simon Fogler, Stuffle Waggner, John Crapp, John Shoemaker, Jacob Hose, Philip Fisher, Henry Benter, John Hattfield, Jacob Heffner, George Biggleman, Robert Hartness, Jacob Great- house, Adam Stonebrake, John Armstrong, Henry Michael.

HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

with credit in the Revolutionary War. They were sons of Col. Wm. Fitzhugh a retired officer of the British Army, who removed to this County from the shores of the Patuxent at an early date. He was the ancestor of a large and honorable and leading family in this County.

Perry Benson, who attained the rank of Major General in the United States Army, and who distinguished himself in the campaign in the Southern States, and afterwards in the war with the British in 1812, was another of the brave officers furnished by Washington County for the service of their native land in the struggle for freedom.

Col. Henry Gaither, a captain in the Revolu- itonary Army, was father of H. H. and Edward Gaither, both at one time residents of Hagerstown. The former, up to the time of his death. Major Gaither commanded a battalion from Hagerstown, Md., in the levies of 1791, in Darke's Regiment, under Maj. Gen. St. Clair, against the Miami Indians. He was afterwards major in the Regn- lar Army -- 3rd Sub. Legion in 1792, and Lt. Col. in 1793. He left the service in 1802.

The nearest approach our County had to a

war was the confinement of a number of British prisoners in Fort Frederick, and the arrest near Hagerstown of Dr. John Connelly, a tory of Pennsylvania, with a party on the way to the Western frontier. They bore a commission from Lord Dunmore to form an army to the westward and to march back through Washington and Fred- erick Counties and cut off communication between the American forces in the North and South. Connelly's papers were so carefully concealed that they were not discovered, but in his fright he acknowledged his mission. After being detained for some time in Frederick, the party was sent to Philadelphia. Hagerstown was occupied by sol- diers as winter quarters in 1778. During the war, Washington County furnished a considerable quantity of wheat for the support of the army, and a number of purchasing agents was always busy buying from the farmer.

Danicl and James Hughes were actively en- gaged in casting cannon at the Antietam Iron Works near Sharpsburg and it is not unlikely there were several powder mills within the County. A number of small woolen factories supplied many blankets for the use of the soldiers.

Extracts from the minutes of the Committee of Safety:

"The committee met according to adjournment. Present, Joseph Smith, Esq., in the chair; Samuel Hughes, Secretary; James Smith, C. Orendorff, Z. Cox, C. Swearingen, Capts. Hager and Stull, C. Hog- mire, G. Zwingly, J. Sellars, W. Yates, W. Rench and W. Baird.

"It appears to this committee (from the repre- sentation of some of the members who have endeav- ored to get their neighbors to enroll in companies of militia) that the greatest number refuse in conse- quence of several religious sects being excepted by the resolves of the convention.

"Resolved, That this committee is of opinion that it is highly reasonable that every person who enjoys the benefit of their religion and protection of the laws of this free country ought to contribute, either in money or military service, towards the de- fence of these invaluable rights.

"Resolved, That two shillings and six pence, currency per week (for all those who are constrain- ed by religious principles from contributing their proportion in military service) would be equal to mustering, agreeable to the directions of the conven- tion.

"Resolved, That a remonstrance be sent to the next convention, setting forth the cause and sub- stance of the above resolve.

"Ordered, That the commissioned officers of the militia companies in this district attend at Elizabeth Town on the third Monday of this month, in order

to vote for persons to be recommended to the coun- cil of safety, as field officers.

"The committee met acording to adjournment. Present, John Stull, Esq., in the chair; Samuel Hughes, secretary; George Zwingley, James Smith, J. Rench, C. Orendorff, C. Swearingen and W. Rench, Capt. Hager, W. Baird, John Sellars, Z. Cox.

"On a motion being made and seconded, it was "Ordered, That a letter should be written to the committe of correspondence in the middle district, that it is the opinion of this district that the battal- ion of minute-men for this county would receive great advantage by being kept together and in- structed, and that this committee are desirous such a plan should be adopted, and that a meeting of the three districts of this county would be advisable; and, in case such meeting should be appointed, Messrs. James Smith and Samuel Hughes are ap- pointed to attend at said meeting, with full power to act for this committee in the aforesaid business. "Ordered, That all those who have enrolled with Mr. Brooks and Mr. Dement, do join and form one company, and immediately proceed to the choice of officers.

"On motion of Mr. Thomas Trink, Sr., of Upper District of Frederick County, that he hath been often jostled by the residents of upper part of Frederick County by refusing to pay their public dues, it is of the opinion and advice of this committee that they ought to pay their levies and all their public dues for the support of the civil government.

"A motion being made by a meniber of the com-

OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND.

mittee, that as sundry companies of militia that are not yet made up and ordered according to the direc- tions of the Provincial convention and as the num- bers of the said companies appointed to be raised do not amount to make up two battalions, it is

"Resolved by the committee, in order to satisfy the populace, that an election be held for the Hag- erstown battalion on the 22d day of October, 1775, and for the lower battalion on the 30th day of Octo- ber; and that the said lower battalion shall transmit a full and clear copy of their election to the com- mittee of correspondence for the said district, in order that they may transmit the same to the Coun- cil of Safety of this province that they may take order there in.

"The committee met on the 11th of November, 1775, Col. Joseph Smith in the chair.

"Agreed, That Capts. Stull, Hogmire, Baker, Rench, Hughes, Kershner, Shryock, Clapsaddle, be the first battalion; Capts. Orendorff, Shelley, Wil- liams, Davis, Smith, Demond, Swearingen, Walling, be the second battalion.

"Whereas it hath been represented to this com- mittee by Mr. John Swan that his character has been much aspersed by a certain John Shryock as having said that he suspected the said Mr. Swan of having been an enemy to America, the said John Shryock being called to this committee, and making nothing appear against him, the said John Swan is honorably acquitted by this committee of said charge. "At the meeting of the committee on the 20th of November, 1775. Present, Mr. James Smith, pres- ident; Messrs. Stull, Baird, Swearingen, A. Rench, Zwingly, John Rench and S. Hughes, Doct. John C- [Connolly], of Fort Pitt, and certain persons called Doctor S- [Smith], and M. C- [Cameron], were bro't before the committee and ac- cused of being inimical to the liberties of America.

"Resolved, Unanimously, That the aforesaid Doc- tor S- 1 M. being found guilty of many equivocations and coming in company with the aforesaid Doct. C- from the dangerous councils of Lord Dunmore, that it is the opinion of this committe that the said S- and C- shall be sent to the Council of Safety or convention for further enquiry. The committee adjourns till the 1st Monday in December.

"The committee met accordingly. Present, Mr. Jos. Smith in the chair; Christian Orendorff, John Rench, Andrew Rench, C. Swearingen, George Zwing- ly, S. Hughes, B. Yorder, the committee appointed Daniel Heaster to arbitrate and award on an affair of controversy now depending betwixt William Sitzter and Christian Sneckenberger, in the room of Capt. Jonathan Hager, dec'd.

"Ordered, That Samuel Hughes and Andrew Rench do attend at Mr. Harry's on Thursday next, in order to receive the accounts of necessaries sup- plied to the rifle companies, and transmit the same to the treasurer in Philadelphia for payment. .

"December the 18th, 1775, the committee met; Jos. Smith in the chair. Christian Orendorff, Andrew W. Rench, George Zwingley, John Rench, John Sel- lars, Conrad Hogmire.

"Agreed, That Capt. Shryock is to have one

pound powder and four pounds lead, for which he was out in taking C --

"Agreed, That each captain of the two battal- ions is to have two pounds of powder and six pounds of lead, to be applied only to the public in case of an invasion, and to be returned if demanded.

"Agreed, That if Capt. H- comes home be- fore the day of January next, and does not come to this committee upon the complaint of Lieut. William Hyer, Adam Smith and John Oster, he will then be sent for.

"The committee was called on the 10th of Jan- uary, 1776, Samuel Hughes in the chair.

"Capts. Hogmire, Smith, Swearingen and Rench, and Messrs. Zwingly, Sellars, John Rench. Dr. S- who made his escape from Frederick Town, was brought before the committee, and several letters of consequence from Dr. C- to the enemies of America in the back country were found with him. "Resolved, That the said Dr. S- be sent under safe guard to the Congress,

"The committee met, according to adjournment, January 15. Present, Joseph Smith in the chair; John Rench, C. Hogmire, James Smith, A. Rench, John Sellars, C. Orendorff, G. Zwingley, S. Hughes. "Ordered, That Henry Yost be supplied with six pounds of powder to prove his muskets with.

"The committee met according to adjournment, on Monday, Feb. 5, 1776. Present, John Stull, Esq., in the chair; A. Rench, John Sellars, C. Hogmire, C. Swearingen, G. Zwingley, Samuel Hughes, John Rench, E. Cox, Wm. Yates, Wm. Baird.

"Ordered, That Thomas Brooke be clerk to this committee. The committee proceed to the trial of Capt. S. H-, and after examination of evidence, do honorably acquit him, they not being able to make anything appear against him. Henry Y -- having been charged with making use of or selling the pow- der allowed him by this committee to prove his muskets, is honorably acquitted, as he has fulty sat- isfied the committee he is clear of the charge.

"Ordered, That Basil Prather be recommended by this committee as a captain, and Henry Prather as lieutenant, to the Continental Congress.

"The committee met, according to adjournment, the 19th of February. Present, Maj. Joseph Smith, in the chair; Col. John Stull, Majs. C. Swearingen and A. Rench, Capts. J. Sellars, C. Orendorff, C. Hog- mire, Mr. John Rench.

"Capt.John Sellars and Lieut. M. Laughin ap- pointed to enquire what number of the country s arms are either in the hands of Capt. Baker, and to know what order they are in.

"Ordered, That Capt. S. Hughes have nine pounds of powder to prove one of the cannon.

"Ordered, That Mr. Moses Chapline be recom- mended by this committee to the Continental Con- gress as of fit person to take the command of a com- pany as captain in the service of his country.

"Ordered, That Lieut. Col. Smith, of the Thirty- sixth Battalion, be recommended to the Council of Safety or Convention of this Province as first colonel to said battalion in place of Col. Beall, who has refused his commission; and Capt. Orendorff as lieutenant colonel to said battalion, and Jno. Rey-

HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

nolds,* captain, and George Keefer first lieutenant to Capt. Orendorff's company.

"The committee met according to adjoruument, the 4th March, 1776. Present, Capt. Conrad Hogmire in the chair; Col. John Stull, Capt. J. Sellars, John Rench, Capt. Samuel Hughes, Col. A. Rench, G. Zwingly.

"Ordered, That the following persons hand about the Association papers: Thomas Brooke, George De- mont, John Charlton, Joshua Barnes, Jas. Walling, J. Rench, J. Sellars, David Jones, John Bonett, J. Stull, Samuel Hughes, Peter Shelley, Daniel Perry, John Reynolds.

"Ordered, That the Captains of each hundred take an Association paper and present to the inhabi- tants of their hundred for signing, and make an ex- act account of those that sign and those that refuse, with their reasons for refusing Conococheague hun- dred excepted. David Jones, J. Barnett, Balsar Moudy, and Matthias Pots being appointed for that purpose.

"Ordered, That Col. J. Stull, Capt. S. Hughes and Col. Joseph Smith be judges of the election for the choice of six members in the place of Capt. Hager, (deceased), Col. Samuel Beall, Col. Thomas Cresap, Mr. Joseph Chapline, (who refused), Messrs. Cox and William Yates, who are taken into the upper hundred.

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A history of Washington County, Maryland from the earliest settlements to the present time, including a history of Hagerstown, Part 14

Author: Williams, Thomas J. C. (Thomas John Chew) Publication date: 1906 Publisher: [Chambersburg, Pa.] : J.M. Runk & L.R. Number of Pages: 622

Author: Williams, Thomas J. C. (Thomas John Chew)
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: [Chambersburg, Pa.] : J.M. Runk & L.R.
Number of Pages: 622