USA > New York > Ulster County > Kingston > History and legend, fact, fancy and romance of the Old Mine Road, Kingston, N.Y., to the mine holes of Pahaquarry > Part 13
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Although the following narratives do not present aoch extraordinary instances of divine interposition as the above, still the thoughtful reader will find much to elicit his gratitude to that Almighty Being who has provided for us, in this western world, an asylam from the galltog yoke of civil and religione despotiam.
As respects his materials for this little work, the author would say that he has been moetly dodebted to tradition. Something, however, has been obtained from those who were actors in those scenes, and much from those who were then in boyhood. Having lived for many years in the vicinity where most of the evente occurred, aod having often heard them related hy the old people, and having had the spots pointed out where they transpired, the writer has enjoyed advantagea in this respect over many others, to getting the toctdente correct. It ta not expected, however, that a work of this kind should be perfect. Notices of errors, or any further interesting details, con- nected with these narratives, will be thankfully received and acknowledged, and may be addressed to the publisher. It has been the great aim of the author to present a plain statement of facta, according to the best authenticated accounts which have fallen within his reach-to applaud and commend the conduct of those who acted well their part in the great drama through which they were called to pass and to exhibit the cowards and Tories, in all their naked deformity, to the derision and contempt of the world, that others might be deterred from walking in their steps.
The author can most heartily subscribe to the suggestions contained in an article published in the Christian Intelligencer of the 7th of September, 1844, extracted from the Christian Parlor Magazine, wherein the writer advocates the propriety and utility of having a history of our country, "that would reveal the beatings or the common heart in the cause of liberty-that would lead us into the domestic circle," and inform 08 of what passed there, in those days of darkness, thet tried mea'e and women's souls, as well as those great schievements which decided the fate of armies in a day. Such a
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vi
PREFACE.
hlatory the author truata he has been enabled to present of the town of Wawsaink; and if similar hiatories should be written of other towns, equally rich in revolutionary lore, materials would be furnished for such a work aa is recommended la the article alluded to above. The author feels that he owes an apology to the general reader for hla minuteneas in pointing out particular localities and family connexions. He has been induced to do so by the conviction, thet the work would lose much of its interest to the descendants of the first settlers of Wawasink, (for whom it is particularly de- signed,) if this feature were omitted.
CONTENTS.
Introduction
NARRATIVE I.
Osterhout and Anderson taken Prisoners near Binghampton-They kill the Indians and Escape-Strange Conduct of Anderson 15
NARRATIVE II.
Murder of Shurker and Miller-Baker taken Prisoner-Three Barns and one Hoose Bornt- Porsuit by Capt. Kortright-Massacre of Lieut. John Graims, at Graimsville-Burial of the Dead 20
NARRATIVE III.
Narrow Escape of Three School-children from the Iodiaos 25
NARRATIVE IV.
Massacre at Fantinekili-Widew of Isaac Bevier and two Sons killed-Magdalene taken Prisoner and Released-Michsei Socks' whole family killed-Narrow Escape of Jesse Bevler and family-Wonderful Sagacity of a Dog-Bold and Heroic Conduct of Lewis Bevler and Conradt Bevier-Arrival of Col. Cortland's Regiment-Flight of the Women and Children to the Mountain-Laudable Conduct of Capt. Kortright ..... 26
NARRATIVE V.
Murder of John and Elsie Mack, by the indians, in the Shawaogunk Mountain-Narrow Escape of John Mans and Col. Jansen 38
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CONTENTS.
NARRATIVE VI.
Borniog of Wawaeink-Murder of Kettle Nohle Condnet of Captains Kortright, Harden- bergh and Pierson- Capture of Hide and Bonck-Their Sufferings and Escape -End of the War .42
Historical Notes-
*
Treatment of Torlee after the War by the Whigs 63 Treatment of the Tory Vanvleet, nf Newtown 65
Conteat between the Tories and Repuhilcane, at the first Training after the War .. 65
Appendix-
Topatcoke 67
Ice Cave 67
The Honk Falla 68 The Old Church of Wawasink .60
The Old Cannon 73
Taxation of America
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INTRODUCTION.
When this country was discovered by Europeans, it was found to be inhabited by a brave and warlike people. Their immense numbers, and the extent of their settlements, (which were found to be co-extensive with the bounds of the continent,) evince that they must either have immi- grated to this country in considerable numbers, or they must have found their way to this continent at an early period, and spread by natural increase. The latter would appear most probable. Their universal ac- knowledgement of a "Great Spirit," or Supreme Being, and their com- parative exemption from the degrading and abominable sin of idol wor- ship, would lead us to infer that they derived their origin from a people that had a knowledge of the true Jehovah-perhaps from the patriarchs, as early as the time of Jacob. We read in Genesis, 48th chapter, that Jacob, after blessing the sons of Joseph, prophesied that the "seed of Ephraim should become a multitude of nations." Perhaps this prediction has been fulfilled in the American Indians, who are a multitude of distinct tribes, or "nations," having peculiarities common to all; which would lead us to suppose that they all have one common origin. As respects the man- ner of their getting across the ocean, the most credible supposition, in the opinion of the writer, is, that they have crossed from Asia at
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INTRODUCTION.
Behring's Straits, which are said to be but forty miles wide, and might be crossed with canoes; and besides that, it is sometimes frozen over. They may also have crossed part of the way on the ice, and part of the way in a canoe. But all attempts to arrive at certainty in this matter, have ever proved futile, and probably will, to the end of time.
It does not appear that the whites purchased the land of the In- dians west of the Shawangunk, as they did the Old Paltz patent. This however, is not certain. Their settlements were scattered along the streams and brooks, where they cultivated small patches of corn and some other vegetables, on soil the easiest to be subdued; having, until the whites came amongst them, no axes but those of stone, and no arms but bows and arrows, pointed with flint, which are still found occasionally by the ploughman. Their principal game was deer, which abounded in the boundless forests about them.
As the pale-faces encroached upon them, they removed farther into the wilderness; but they carried on a traffic in furs, on their part, with the whites, in exchange for blankets, trinkets, ammunition, and intox- icating drinks, and were on amicable terms until the French war, when, it appears, that one family was massacred at the county line, seven miles south of Naponoch. After that, it does not appear that any depre- dations were committed on this frontier until the commencement of the Revolution. At that time the British agents, taking advantage of their fondness of war, and of their too just reason to complain of the en- croachments of the whites, and also of their cupidity, (by offering them a guinea for every white scalp they obtained,) induced them to take part with them in an attempt to subdue the sons of liberty. Had it not been for this disgraceful act of the British, of forming a contract with savage
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INTRODUCTION.
tribes who could not be governed by the rules of civilized warfare, the inhabitants of this frontier might have reposed in security. But as it was, their lives were in constant jeopardy. At night they assembled in stockade forts, or several families would assemble in a common dwelling- house, all of which, however, had their windows blockaded, and double doors, sufficient to stop a bullet. Their arms, also, must always be at hand. When they went to church, they carried their armor with them. When they were ploughing in the field it was necessary to have a senti- nel. Some removed their families across the mountain, into the towns of Shawangunk and Paltz, for safety. The State usually afforded some troops for the protection of the frontier; but they were often inadequate to the exigencies of the times, and the inhabitants had to depend mainly on their own resources for security and defence. In consequence of this state of things, the soil was but partially cultivated; whilst the price of all imported articles raised, and the taxes of the people were increased enormously; and to this may be added the depreciation of the conti- nental money. Such were the burdens and privations in the Revolution. But all this was borne with patience, on account of the love they bore to the goddess of Liberty.
Although the Tories were not so numerous here, as in many other parts, still there were enough to apprise the Indians when there was a favorable opportunity of striking a blow on the whites, when there were but few troops on the line, &c. The most bitter animosity, (as the reader will readily apprehend,) existed between them and the Whigs; and when they fell into the power of the latter, even after the close of the war, they were treated with every insult, which justly incurred en- mity could devise, as will appear in the sequel of this work.
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xii
INTRODUCTION.
It was exceedingly difficult to convict them of Toryism, unless taken in the act of open hostility. They would live on the frontier, be much out in the woods, and communicate secretly with the Indians, and at the same time profess allegiance to the whites. The strongest evidence against them, in most cases, was that their property was not destroyed. When they went out with the Indians, they painted their faces, to avoid detection; but they could not paint their eyes, by which they were some- times distinguished. In point of barbarity, they were even worse than the Indians, as will appear from the following circumstance, which oc- curred along the Mohawk River, and was related afterwards by one of those demons in human form, whilst under the influence of strong drink.
The Indians and Tories gained access to a dwelling, and they found an infant laying in a cradle. As the Indian approached the child with his tomahawk, it smiled, and he shrunk back from the deed. Although he had, doubtless, often plunged the fatal instrument of death into the bosom of hardier foes, without compunction, the stout heart of the savage warrior gave way before the penetrating smile of infant inno- cence: the infernal Tory then advanced, and executed the fatal deed.
The Indian settlements being far remote from the frontier, there was not much danger from them in the winter season; but as soon as the strengthened rays of the vernal sun had dissolved the snows on the sides of the western hills, they had to be on their guard. For their better secur- ity, it was customary to have out spies, or rangers, between the frontier and the settlements of the Indians, to watch the movements of the enemy, and give notice of their approach; but in consequence of the subtle character of the enemy, but little benefit was derived from this measure.
xiii
INTRODUCTION.
The Indians have left an everlasting remembrance of themselves in the names which they have given to places in this town; such as Wawa- sink, Lackawack, Honkhill, Naponoch, Sockanisank,* Tapatcoke,; Poy- enhook, &c.
Although our fathers were severely tried by privations and hard- ships, they were not cast down. A kind providence gave them strength according to their day; and their common afflictions only served to strengthen the bond of affection between them. The following anecdotes. will serve to show the good spirits of the people, and also their readi- ness for mutual defence.
Two men were ploughing on a farm, now owned by Mr. Simpson, one mile south of Naponoch-a third man was stationed as a sentinel, to watch the Indians. He became weary of watching, and strolled off along the creek, amongst some trees; the ploughmen determined to put a trick upon him, and at the same time punish him for his indolence. They seized their guns, and fired over his head in the bushes. Not doubting that a host of Indians were on hand, he laid his course for the Naponoch, and the ploughmen in full pursuit. "The race went hot" for about a mile, when he came to the Naponoch Creek, into which he bounded like a deer closely pursued by hounds. Here he found some soldiers bathing; but before he could communicate the matter, the ploughmen came up and explained the riddle.
On another occasion, some neighbors and soldiers were assembled at Capt. Andrew Bevier's, at Naponoch, in the evening, and they de- termined to put a trick upon Johannis Bevier, who lived where the Fe-
. The name of a spring in the Shawsngunk mountain.
t The name of a lot of low-land near Naponoch.
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INTRODUCTION.
male Seminary now stands; so they mounted the old cannon on some kind of a carriage, loaded it, and drew it slily immediately in front of Bevier's house, in the street. One of the company went into the house, to prevent him from injuring them, and to see how he would act. Hc was sitting by the fire, rather in a sleepy mood. The moment the can- non was fired, he sprang up and seized his gun, which lay over his head against the beam, and sprang to the window, ready to pour the leaden death into his supposed adversaries, when his hand was stayed by the man who had been sent in for that purpose.
NOTE .- A man by the name of Conradt Vernooy was shot by the Indians, in the French war, as he was riding slong the road nesr the house of John G. Hardenbergh, Esq. He rode to the Esquire's. On loosening his clothes, the blood gushed out, and he died suddenly. He was an ancestor of Simon Vernooy, now living in the town of Shawangunk, Ulster county.
THE INDIANS.
NARRATIVE I.
Osterhout and Anderson taken Prisoners, near Binghampton-They Kill the Indians and Escape-Strange Condnet of Anderson.
It is the unanimous testimony of tradition, that the following events occurred a little before, or about the commencement of the American Revolution-the precise date is not known.
There was a widow lady living at Lackawack, about four miles from Naponoch, who had lost her second husband. Her first husband's name was Osterhout, and she had a son by the name of Jacob Osterhout. She kept a public house at that place; and it appears that either Oster- hout or Anderson had, on a previous occasion, offended the Indians, by telling her not to let them have any more liquor. The Indians were determined on revenge; and a favorable opportunity occurring when George Anderson and Jacob Osterhout were both at this tavern in the night, three Indians entered it, took them both prisoners, and carried them off towards Binghampton, in Broome county. It appears that whilst they were securing the prisoners, the woman fled, with no other clothing about her than her night clothes. She was out all night in the
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INDIAN NARRATIVES.
woods, and in a shower of rain. The next day she came to Wawasink, and gave the alarm. Whether the Indians were pursued or not, the writer has not been able to ascertain-the probability is, that they were.
The prisoners were taken to within thirteen miles of the place of destination, where they effected their escape. George Anderson could understand the Indian dialect, and on their last day's march he gathered from the conversation of the Indians that it was their design to scalp Osterhout, he being a weakly man, and not able to travel fast. They said his scalp would fetch more than he would be worth alive. Ander- son made this known to his companion in tribulation, and endeavored to inspire him with a determination to make a desperate effort to escape. At night, in the providence of God, an opportunity offered. The In- dians, as their custom was, after taking supper and securing the pris- oners, retired to rest by the side of a large fire provided for the purpose. Before the Indians retired, a knife had been used either by them in se- curing the prisoners, or by the prisoners, in eating. Anderson succeeded in covering it slightly in the leaves with his feet, without being discov- ered by the Indians. They looked for it before retiring to rest, but not finding it readily, gave up the search. Tired by the avocations of the day, they soon fell into a deep sleep; but sleep was too "coy a dame to be wooed by the prisoners that night." With the assistance of the glim- mering embers, Anderson found the knife, with which he cut loose the fetters of his fellow prisoner, who then cut him loose. The next thing was to despatch the Indians, two of whom lay on one side of the fire, and one on the other. The understanding was that Osterhout should kill the one, and Anderson the other two. Each took the hatchet to give the fatal blow. Anderson commenced; but in
17
OSTERHOUT AND ANDERSON.
his haste, he struck the first Indian rather slightly, when he rose up and fell into the fire; the next blow finished the other. Osterhout not doing his part, he crossed over to the other side of the fire, and killed the third Indian. In the mean time Osterhout had pulled the first In- dian out of the fire, instead of helping to destroy them. This conduct of Osterhout appears surpassing strange, and can only be accounted for on the ground that he, being a weakly, timid man, was completely dis- concerted and unnerved, and for the time being, did not know what he was doing. There were two squaws with the Indians, who woke up, and made the forest resound with their frantic yells. One tradition of this event says that the agreement between Osterhout and Anderson was, that the former was to kill the squaws, and the latter the Indians. Could this have been effected their subsequent danger of arrest by other In- dians would not have been half so great. But as it turned out they were well aware that the squaws would inform the nearest Indians of what had occurred; and if they should be so unfortunate as to fall into their hands, after having killed three of their number, the most awful torture that savage barbarity could invent, embittered by revenge, (the darling passion of the Indian,) would be their inevitable doom. Nerved by this reflection, as well as encouraged by what they had already, with the blessing of Heaven, been enabled to accomplish, by which they were re- lieved from immediate danger, they made every preparation in their power for their return, taking from the slaughtered Indians all the food which they had with them, and such other articles as might be useful to them in their journey, which lay most of the way through an un- broken wilderness, frequently traversed by parties of hostile Indians. Never was the influence of that immortal passion which a benignant
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INDIAN NARRATIVES.
Creator has implanted in the breast of every human being, more neces- sary than on this occasion. Well has the poet said :-
"Hope, of all passions, most befriends us here; Passions of prouder name befriend us less; Joy has her fears, and Transport has her death; Hope, like a cordial, innocent, though strong, Man's heart at once inspirits and serenes."
From the part Osterhout had acted, and from the fact that he was naturally a timid, weakly man, Anderson was well aware that their es- cape, if effected, would depend mostly on his own vigilance and perse- verance. His speed was much retarded by the slow movements of his companion, and self-preservation doubtless dictated to him to leave him behind-but this, every feeling of humanity and affection, strengthened by their being companions in suffering, forbade. Besides this, how could he ever approach the presence of that tender and heart-broken mother. yearning over the fate of her unfortunate son! Their scanty supply of provisions was soon exhausted, and torturing hunger, the usual scourge and accompaniment on such occasions, began to pierce their very vitals. Although they had arms and ammunition, they dared not fire at any game, for fear of being heard by Indians. In the course of their march, they fell in with a horse, which they killed with a spear, and cut the flesh out of the thighs to eat. They were obliged to avoid the usual route, and often to secrete themselves in the day time and travel at night, in order to avoid detection, and on one occasion Anderson had to swim a small river with Osterhout on his back.
After suffering more than tongue can tell, or pen describe, they arrived at a house on Honkhill, where Chester L. Dudley now lives,
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OSTERHOUT AND ANDERSON.
then owned by a man named Timmerman .* This place was, or became soon after, the site of a stockade fort, and was occupied by a garrison, as will appear in the next narrative.
Osterhout and Anderson were so nearly exhausted with hunger that it would have been death to them both, to have eaten a full meal. An- derson had still self-government enough to manage his own case. He took a crust of bread and eat it, and kept walking across the floor. Osterhout was fed like a child. His slender constitution survived the shock but a short time, and he was numbered with his fathers.
The conduct of George Anderson after this time became surpassing strange, and we can no longer contemplate him as the brave and un- daunted hero. It was no doubt the result of physical disease, caused by his extraordinary sufferings. He appeared to be constantly in fear, and apprehensive of some imminent danger. He left Wawasink and went across the Shawangunk Mountain, and took up his abode in a cave, from which he would sally out in the night and take things that were not his own, to satisfy his wants. He became quite a pest to the people, but they forbore to arrest or punish him, from the consideration of what he had suffered, and that it was supposed he was not in his right mind.
ยท This Timmerman was anch n notoriona old miser, and had such a faculty for aroun- ing the sympathies, that a brief notice of him, it is believed, will be interesting to the reader. He owned a house and farm, and had one or more boya to aaalat him in work- ing it; but in preference to that, he went begging all around the country, and in large towna and cities. He was a very pitiful looking man, and could invent a most plaintive atory: he also posaeased the uncommon faculty of crying whenever it would assiat him in aronaing the sympathies of the people and accomplishing his enda. A more des- picable character can scarcely be imagined to exist in human form, than the above. Ha carried the leg of an old stocking for his money-purse. When his oid chimney was torn down, a few years aince, by John Christie, four or five hard dollars were found between the atonea.
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INDIAN NARRATIVES.
The last that the writer has been able to learn of him, he was journey- ing towards the West. It has been intimated that the ground of his mental distress was a guilty conscience, for having killed the Indians; but it appears to the writer that he was justifiable, both in the sight of God and man; and that his fears were the result of mental derangement.
NARRATIVE II.
Murder of Sharker and Miller-Baker taken Prisoner-Three Barns and one Honse Brat -Pursnit by Capt. Kortrite-Masaacre of Lient. John Graima, at Graimaville-Burial of the Dead.
The events of this narrative took place next in the order of time to the preceding one, but the precise date the writer has not been able to ascertain. It must have been in the early part of the war; probably in '77 or '78. There were three families living at that time in the vicinity of Pinebush, in the town of Rochester, where Mr. Churchill now lives, by the name of Shurker, Miller and Baker. It appears that Shurker was suspected of being a Tory; and that a short time previous to the occur- rence of the following events, a Whig neighbor had been at his house, and intimated as much to him, personally; and that he then made the strongest attestations of fidelity to the cause of liberty; and that this was overheard by some Tories, and communicated to the Indians. Living thus on the outposts, and in imminent danger from both Indians and Tories, those people had strong temptations to keep the good will of the
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SHURKER AND MILLER.
enemy, in order to save their lives and property, though at heart they were Whigs. But if they had had the disinterested patriotism of a Wash- ington, who reproached his steward for furnishing supplies to the Brit- ish when their fleet lay near his premises, (although by that means he saved his buildings from the devouring element,) they would never have tampered with the enemy in that way. At dawn of day the alarm of "Indians," was heard at the military posts at Pinebush. The report of firearms was heard, and the flames were seen through the twilight, as- cending from burning buildings, in awful grandeur, to the heavens, tell- ing, in unequivocal terms, that the destroyers were there. Capt. Benja- min Kortrite, father of Cornelius Kortrite, now living at Pinebush, on the old homestead-a man who knew not what fear was, and who was always ready at the call of his country-marshalled his patriotic band, with his usual agility, and marched to the scene of action. When they came in sight, they saw the enemy retiring from the house, which was on fire. They halted a moment, extinguishing the fire, and saved this house; but another house and three barns were consumed. Here they found Shurker, with his brains dashed out. Whilst they were here, the enemy fired a volley on the hill near by. After putting out the fire, they pur- sued the enemy. When they came on the hill, they found Miller, liter- ally perforated with bullet-holes. It is remarkable that the women and children were not injured on this occasion; which may be accounted for by the consideration, that a large proportion of the enemies were Tories; that they may have had some ties of relationship, or affinity, which re- strained them, in this case, from their usual barbarity.
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