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 14
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Capt. Kortrite pursued them until he came to the Vernooy Creek, when, his provisions being exhausted, he returned home to Pinebush.
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INDIAN NARRATIVES.
On their return, they buried the unfortunate Shurker and Miller, who fell martyrs to the cause of liberty.
The fate of Baker is wrapt in impenetrable mystery. Nothing has ever been seen or heard of him. He was the stoutest man of the three. It is not improbable that he was reserved by the Indians as the object on which to wreak their vengeance for the three red men killed by Anderson, as mentioned in the preceding narrative. There is one consoling reflection connected with this, and similar tragedies recorded in this little work, and that is-that what- ever pains they may have inflicted on the bodies of their victims, they could not kill the immortal soul; and that if they have had an interest in the great Redeemer of mankind, they will be raised to immortality and glory at the last great day, and be again united in everlasting bonds of love and affection with those they loved below.
At the time of this massacre, there was a body of two of three hun- dred troops laying at the Fort on Honkhill, where C. L. Dudley now lives. On learning the facts above stated, it was resolved by the officer in command, to fit out an expedition to waylay the Indians on their re- turn, at the Chestnut Woods, (now called Graimsville,) in Sullivan county, about thirteen miles from Naponoch. The officer called out for volunteers, when Lieut. John Graims, or Grahams, stepped out. He was asked how many men he would have; to which he replied, that he would take no more than "his honor" gave him, which was eighteen privates, with one sergeant and corporal. This, it appears, was called a Lieuten- ant's guard. He was offered more men, but refused to take them. Iu this he exhibited more valor, than prudence or skill in fighting Indians, as the event will show.
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KORTRITE'S EXPEDITION.
He marched on immediately and reached Graimsville in advance of the enemy. He selected his position at the foot of a steep hill. They were all raw recruits from the old towns on the east side of the Shaw- angunk, and knew nothing about Indian warfare-fit subjects to give the Indians sport. Abraham Vancampen, the only good marksman amongst them, Graims had imprudently sent a hunting, to get them some fresh meat. Before he returned, the Indians came. They had discov- ered the plot of the whites; and the skill and ingenuity manifested in their attack, is seldom surpassed in the annals of warfare, savage or civilized. One Indian only was sent forward on the regular path in front of Graims' garrison. All the rest had approached undiscovered from the opposite side of the hill, and lay ready with their fingers on the triggers of their guns to send the leaden death into the bosoms of their unsuspecting foes. Mr. Graims had just been very deliberately taking a drink from a crystal rivulet, which flowed in gentle murmurs near his camp, harmonizing with the calm and quiet frame of his mind, and as he rose from drinking, he saw an Indian in the path, and directed his men to fire. A volley was discharged at him without effect. As my in- formant says, "he jumped up sound." Now was the time for the Indians on the opposite side to perform their part in the game. The attention of the whites was all directed to the one Indian, and their guns dis- charged. At their first fire Graims fell, and most of his men. For the remnant to protract the contest, under such circumstances, would have been the height of folly. Two nien, besides Vancampen, made their escape to the fort, to tell the horrid tale. Never was a flock of partridges more effectually and skilfully taken in a fowler's net, than were the in-
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INDIAN NARRATIVES.
experienced and unfortunate Lient. John Graims and his unsuspecting guard.
The greatest care should ever be exercised in selecting officers to conduct an expedition against Indians, and none should ever be en- trusted with that service who are not qualified by nature and a thorough knowledge of Indian traits, and their peculiar modes of warfare. Every attempt that was made in this quarter to surprise or intercept the In- dians, failed of success. When the Indians were strong enough, they would attack and defeat the whites. If too weak, they would evade them, or retreat; and one might as well attempt to stem the foaming current of Niagara at the summit of the falls, as to think of overtaking them in the woods.
As soon as the necessary preparations could be made, a force of three hundred men went up to Graimsville to bury the dead. They found them all scalped, and divested of every article that could be put to any use; but their bodies were not mangled, as was frequently the case. They were buried in several separate trenches in the place where they fell. The troops had considerable sport with one of the men who es- caped. In his haste, in jumping across a brook, his bayonet had struck into the ground, and he had left his gun, not taking time to pull it out. It was found to be loaded and all the cartridges were in his cartridge- box, so it was evident that he had not once fired his gun. It may be proper here to observe that the place where Graims fell, is called Graims- ville, after his name, and serves to commemorate that event. It was called the "Chestnut Woods" before.
NARRATIVE III.
Narrow Escape of Three School-children from the Indians.
The following incident also occurred, it is believed, in the early part of the American Revolution, and is treasured up in the minds of the descendants of the subjects of this happy escape from savage barbarity, as a precious reminiscence of the trials and dangers through which our fathers had to pass, and of the goodness of that God whose direction and blessing they did not fail to implore, in those "times of need."
Three children started from Jacob Bevier's, who lived in Naponoch, in the lane where Job Crum now lives, in the old stone house, to go to school at Wawasink, near where Jacob S. Vanwagnen now lives. One of those children was Jacob Bevier's son, and father of Andries Bevier of Tuthilltown, lately deceased. His name was Abram, and from his being a bright and shrewd child, he had received the nickname of Lawyer-um, by which he was generally known amongst the old Dutch people The other two, it is believed, were his sisters. In those times there was a footpath which left the road a little east of where Abm. G. Bevier now lives, and struck the road again about half a mile further east. Soon after leaving this path Lawyer-um discovered two or three Indians sitting by the wayside, either engaged in eating a piece, or mending their moccasins. He immediately sung out "Indians," but having been in the habit of making false alarms, in order to frighten his schoolmates. was not heeded at first; but they soon perceived by his countenace,
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INDIAN NARRATIVES.
which spoke a language not to be misunderstood, that it was now in ear- nest. They dropped their dinner baskets and ran for life. A little knoll intervening between them and the Indians, they could not keep sight of them. The children took the footpath, and were happy in reaching home in safety. The men then went after the Indians. They saw by their tracks in the road where the footpath intersected it, that they had been at a loss to ascertain which the children had taken, and whilst they dal- lied the children got beyond their reach, and were happily restored to the bosom of their parents and friends.
NARRATIVE IV.
Massacre at Fantinekill-Widow Isaac Bevier and two song Killed-Magdalene taken Prisoner and Released-Michael Socka' whole family Killed-Narrow Escape of Jesse Bevier and Family-Wonderful Sagacity of a Dog-Bold and Heroic Conduct of Louis Bevler and Conradt Bevler-Arrival of Col. Cortland's Regiment-Flight of the Women and Children to the Mountain-Laudable Conduct of Capt. Kortrite.
The following narrative is full of interesting incidents. It occurred in the midst of a settlement of the descendants of the French Hugue- nots, and the distinguishing traits of that people are brought to view in this narrative. They were bold, persevering and resolute-were firm be- lievers in the doctrine of a particular providence, which they did not forget to invoke in every time of need. The three families mentioned above lived at the Fantinekill, near each other; about three quarters of a
27
MURDER OF THE BEVIER FAMILY.
mile northeast of Ellenville. It appears that the attack was simultaneous on those three families; in fact, they lived so near each other that the one could not be assaulted without alarming the other two. As usual, the assault was made just at the dawn of day. It would appear to be characteristic of the Indians, when they have the opportunity, to com- mence their assaults at that time. It was the case at the burning of Wawasink, in 1781. The crew of the ship "Tonquin," belonging to John Jacob Astor, were destroyed at the break of day by the Indians on the north west coast, in 1810. And the attack upon Gen. Harrison at the Tippicanoe River was made a little before day. One exception occurs to the mind of the writer, which is the slaughter of the Virginians in 1824 .* under the command of the successor of Powhaten, this commenced precisely at 12 o'clock, M .- There was a young negro, by the name of Robert, living at the widow Isaac Bevier's. He heard an unusual tramp . ing around the house, early in the morning, like that of horses. He got up and listened, and soon found out that it was Indians. He opened the door, and taking a little start, jumped out and ran. As he was going, he received a wound from a tomahawk in his head, and a ball was fired through the elbow of his roundabout, but did not hurt him. The Indians sung out, in their native tongue-"Run, you black! run, you black!" It does not appear that he was pursued by them. He made his escape over the low-land to Naponoch; but tarried a while in the field, at a stack, in order to stop the blood which was flowing profusely from his wound. Whether the Indians met with much resistance or not at this place, does not appear; but we know that the widow and both her sons were killed. The house was set on fire, and the women went into the cellar. The
* Correct date probably 1624.
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INDIAN NARRATIVES.
daughter Magdalene took the Dutch family Bible with her. When the flames approached them there, they chose rather to deliver themselves up to the savages than to endure a horrible death by fire-and then, too, they did not know but that God, who can turn the hearts of all men, "even as the rivers of water are turned," would interpose in their be- half. The event proved that "the one must be taken, and the other left." They made their way through the cellar-window-the mother in ad- vance. The daughter threw her apron over her head, so as not to see her mother killed! What tongue can describe the feelings of that mother and daughter at that moment! It is in vain for me to attempt to de- scribe them. Language fails-words are inadequate to express them- and I must leave it to the reflections of the reader. The Indians were ready to receive their unfortunate and unoffending victims. The mother instantly became a prey to the ruthless tomahawk, whilst the daughter was retained as a prisoner. It is said that a young Indian manifested a strong attachment to her, and interposed in her behalf, but this is not certain. Some of the old people say that she was saved on account of her not being altogether sane; which was the case. The Bible was wrested from her hands and stamped in the mud. When the Indians left the place they took her a short distance into the woods, and then sent her back with a war-club, and a letter written by the Tories to Capt. Andries Bevier, at Naponoch. The club was stained with fresh blood and hair. It was long in the family of the Beviers, but is now lost.
In the letter they invited the old Captain to dine with them the next. day at Lackawack. There was an allusion in it to the club-that so they meant to serve him. On her return she recovered that invaluable treas- ure which she had preserved from the flames-some of the leaves were
29
MURDER OF THE SOCKS FAMILY.
soiled hy the mud, but not materially. It is still preserved as a precious relic in the family of her connections.
Whether the two boys perished in the flames, or were tomahawked, the writer has not been able to learn. This widow Bevier had a daughter by the name of Catharine. She had been lately married to Abm. Jansen, whose father lived about four miles southwest of Fantinekill, and was strongly suspected of being a Tory, and of assisting and communicating with the Indians. The following are some of the circumstances on which this suspicion rested. I. His premises, although on the outposts, and unguarded, were not molested. 2. The moccason tracks of the In- dians were seen about his premises. 3. His daughter, who was at a neighbor's house, was importuned to return home the night before Fan- tinekill was burnt. 4. It was so managed that his daughter-in-law was at that time on a visit to Jacob Bevier's, at Naponoch. By the death of his daughter in-law's family, his son fell heir to the estate at Fantine- kill. *
* * If he was guilty of participation in so foul a plot, he has had to account for it to Him who "judgeth righteons judgment," and who will bring every secret thing into judgment, whether it be good or evil. May this reflection warn us all to "beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he pos- sesses."
The family of Michael Socks were all killed. As none survived to tell the awful tale, no particulars can be given here. There were a father, a mother, and two sons who were young men; and it is believed that there were two other members in the family .* One young man, either
* Since writing the above, I have learned from an nnquestionable source that there were two children in this family; so the whole number lost was eleven.
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INDIAN NARRATIVES.
a Socks or a Bevier, had run some distance from the house into a piece of plowed ground, where it appears that a desperate contest had taken place between him and an Indian. A large patch of ground was trodden down; and the scalped and mangled corpse of the young man lay upon it-he had several wounds from a tomahawk in his arms. A few days before this there had been a training at Naponoch, and one of those boys boasted that he was not afraid of the Indians. We may learn from this how vain it is to put confidence in an arm of flesh, instead of the "mighty God of Jacob."
At the house of Jesse Bevier there were some "mighty men of valor," and the enemy accordingly met a warm reception. The first salute which the old man received was, the blocks in the window were stove in, and two or three balls were fired just above his head, as he lay in the bed. He sprang from the bed and seized his axe, with which he prevented them from entering the window, at the same time calling to his sons David and John, who were soon in readiness, and a desperate action ensued. Those Beviers were all famous marksmen, and extraordi- narily fond of hunting, especially David, who had some choice powder for that purpose, which his mother brought forward in the course of the action. He declined to use it; thinking that common powder was good enough to shoot Indians with. * * They had their powder loose in basins on a table, for the sake of convenience, and measured their charges only in their hands. It appears that the women assisted in load- ing-it being common to have a double stock of arms. But the enemy fired the old log house at a point where the little band of Huguenot heroes could not bring their guns to bear. Their situation now became alarming in the exterme. Every drop of liquid in the house was applied
31
WONDERFUL SAGACITY OF A DOG.
to retard the progress of the flames, by the women. They took milk, and even swill, in their mouths, and spirted it through the cracks of the logs, hoping in this way to protract their existence until relief might come from Naponoch. At this awful crisis, when death in its most awful form was staring them full in the face, that pious mother, know- ing that "with God all things are possible," and that man's extremity is his opportunity, proposed that they should suspend hostilities, and unite in petitions to the throne of grace for mercy. David replied that "she must pray, and they would continue to fight."-Although his name was "David," and he was "the son of Jesse," he evidently possessed more of the spirit of "Nimrod" than of Israel's king. But perhaps he thought of the words of Solomon, "that there is a time for every work and pur- pose under the sun;" and that now was the time for "his hands to war and his fingers to fight." But that mother prayed, and the sequel will show its efficacy, in connection with the verification of the promises of God to those who call on him in sincerity and truth. Wherever this nar- rative is read, "there will this also which this woman did, be" read, "for a memorial of her," and for encouragement to those who shall come after, to follow her example.
We frequently meet with accounts in the public prints of the sagacity of dogs-some indeed that are very remarkable-but it is believed that the following, taking all the circumstances into consideration, is without a parallel in the history of that animal. In the course of the morning, after the battle commenced at Fantinekill, Jesse Bevier's dog, without any sign or motion from his master, or having been trained to any thing of the kind, came to Naponoch, a distance of two miles, to the house of Lewis Bevier, his master's brother. He came to him and jumped up
F
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INDIAN NARRATIVES.
against his breast, and looked at him, and then ran to the gate which led to his master's, looking back to see if he was coming ;- this he did several times. Lewis could distinctly hear the firing at Fantinekill, and could easily guess what was going on, but fear had hitherto deterred him from going; but now he resolved to go, if he should go alone. He took his arms and hastened to his neighbor's, Johannis Bevier's, who lived where the Female Seminary now stands, and told him that his brother's dog had come to call him, and he would go to his relief; that "it was too much for flesh and blood to stand;" and wanted him to go with him; but he thought it not prudent to go, as the Indians were ex- pected there every minute, and it was almost certain death for them to go alone. But there was standing by, a youth, by the name of Conradt, son of Johannis, whose patriotism and courage, kindled into a lively flame by the pathetic address of his friend, rose superior to all fear, and he determined to go with him. In addition to his courage and martial skill, this youth was extremely fleet on foot, like Asahel of old, "he was light of foot as a wild roe." He boasted that no Indian could outrun him. Those two set out over the low-lands for Fantinekill. When they came near, the Indian sentry on the hill fired an alarm. The Indians and Tories, not knowing how large a company was coming, immediately withdrew from the house, and they rushed in. The flames at this mo- ment had extended, in spite of all their exertions, to the curtains of the bed. The door was now thrown open, and the women rushed down the hill to the spring, for water to extinguish the flames, whilst the men stood at the door with their arms in their hands to protect them.
Amongst the women who went to the spring was Jesse's daughter Catharine, mother of Mrs. Daniel Hoornbeek, now living at Wawasink.
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COL. CORTLAND'S REGIMENT.
While at the spring she heard the groans of the dying in the swampy ground near by. Tories were also recognized, by their striped panta- loons, and also by the streaks which the sweat made in their painted faces. The fire was happily extinguished, and this family saved from an awful catastrophe. Had not assistance arrived from Naponoch, precisely when it did, we cannot see how they could have escaped; and the writer thinks that he cannot justly incur the charge of fanaticism, in ascribing this wonderful deliverance to the direct interposition of divine provi- dence, in their behalf. in answer to prayer. That God who commanded the ravens to feed the prophet Elijah at the brook Cherith, in a time of persecution and famine, and who caused the beasts to go into Noah's ark-the clean beasts by sevens, and the unclean by twos-could, and doubtless did, direct that dog to do as above stated; and which resulted in their deliverance.
We must now ask the attention of the reader to what transpired at Naponoch. Col. Cortland's regiment had been lying in the vicinty of Naponoch for some time previous to this event, but their time of serv- ice had expired a few days before the assault was made at Fantinekill; and it was supposed that the Tories had found this out, and made it known to the Indians. But the soldiers, having received some money, had got into a frolic at a tavern in Wawasink, and were there on the morning of the alarm. They were mustered with all possible speed, and when they came to Naponoch, were joined by Capt. Andries Bevier's company, and marched to the scene of action. When they came to the Naponoch Creek, the Indian yells and war-whoops were heard on the western hills, and the savages fired at them as they were crossing the stream, and continued to fire on them from the woods, as they passed
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INDIAN NARRATIVES.
on towards Fantinekill. Their fire was promptly returned by the regi- ment. It is not known that any loss was sustained on either side, at this stage of the action; but there is no doubt that Jesse and his sons killed some of them, as before intimated. The Indians made their way off to the west, firing the woods as they went, to avoid pursuit .- When the war-whoop was heard on the hills west of Naponoch, and the soldiers were seen leaving the place to go to Fantinekill. the women, children and invalids, made a precipitate flight to the Shawangunk Mountain, ex- pecting that the Indians would enter, and burn the place-which, indeed, they might have done with ease, had they known the situation of it. Two sons of Andries Bevier, lads of 12 or 14, ran across the mountain, through the burnt woods, bare footed, a distance of not less than five miles. They first came to the residence of a Mr. Manse, on the east side of the mountain; from thence they made their way to the Shawangunk village, and gave the alarm. Their names were Samuel and Cornelius. Several members of Jacob Bevier's family also made their way across the mountain; but some of the neighbors missed their way, got lost, and were all night in the mountain, which was full of people from both sides, with horns. hunting for them. The little ones, and those who were feeble and infirm, went only to the base of the mountain, and se- creted themselves amid the craggy rocks which nature has provided there in great abundance, especially along the sides of a noted ravine in the mountain, opposite to Naponoch, commonly called "Louis's Ra- vine." In their flight to the mountain they were joined by the young black, (Robert,) who escaped from Fantinekill. In crossing the Rond- out, a child of Andrew Bevier, by the name of Lewis, came near going down with the current. He was caught by a friendly hand, and helped
35
EXAMPLE OF FILIAL PIETY.
ashore. When they came to the foot of the mountain, an invalid soldier climbed up a tree to see if Naponoch was on fire. He heard the firing of Cortland's regiment, and said he could distinguish it from the firing of the Indians, "because they fired by platoons." Towards night the men came to look for their families; but, apprehending that they might be Tories, they gave no heed to their calls until they were sure they were their friends.
The most solemn and affecting scene in this part of our narrative remains to be told.
Mr. Jacob Bevier, mentioned in the preceding narrative, lay sick. and unable to move. All the family had fled across the mountain, ex- cept an insane brother, by the name of Daniel, who was sitting on the fence, unconscious of his danger, and a daughter, who had resolved not to leave her father. The father expostulated with her; telling her that if the Indians came. she could not save him-that they must both inevi- tably fall before the tomahawk and scalping knife. But how could she leave a dear and tender father alone upon a sick bed, without any one to smooth his pillow or administer to his necessities? Every feeling of humanity and affection rose in opposition to the disinterested exhorta- tions of a tender father. Violent indeed must have been the struggle that agitated the bosom of that daughter, and which could only find relief in a flood of tears. No doubt her feelings were such as were ex- pressed by Ruth to Naomi, on a similar occasion-"Where thou lodgest I will lodge; where thou diest I will die, and there will I be buried." At last, the sound reasonings of the father, seconded by that strong in- nate principle implanted in the bosom of every human being by an all- wise Creator, which prompts us to efforts for self-preservation, pre-
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