USA > New York > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, and border wars of New York, containing a sketch of the early settlements in the county > Part 4
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Joseph and Alexander, the youngest male members of the Harper family at the above mentioned date, both of whom fought during the Revolution in the protection of Harpersfield
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and the Schoharie frontiers, (for a more particular account of which reference is had to a future chapter,) and who afterward removed to Ohio, where they obtained a grant of land, and where their descendants now reside. In the words of another- "The approach of civilization was not congenial to them; they preferred the life of a borderer, and sought it amid the boundless forests that covered that beautiful State.
Another member of the Harper family, a younger sister, Abigail, married William McFarland, and who also removed to Ohio, some time subsequent to the ratification of the treaty of peace. He is said to have been an intelligent and respected citizen, as a proof of which, it may be mentioned that he was for several years Supervisor of the town of Harpersfield, while it yet formed a portion of Tryon, or as it was called, Montgomery county.
By referring to the register of this family, we find that their grandsire removed from the county of Derry, in the north of Ireland, and settled at Casco Bay, in the province of Maine, as early as 1720, but subsequently, on the breaking out of a bloody war between the settlers and several tribes of Indians, he removed with his family; leaving however his eldest son, John, who enlisted in the defence of the frontiers, and remained in the service three years and eight months. On his discharge he followed the family to Boston, and from thence a year or two subsequently he removed to Hopking- ton, where he became acquainted with and married Abigail Montgomery, mentioned above, who died at Cherry Valley the year before their removal to Harpersfield.
Following the history of the family through a later period, in 1729 they removed to Nodell's Island, near Boston, and from thence to Connecticut in 1741, from which place they finally removed to Cherry Valley.
From the period at which the Harpers had taken up their abode in Cherry Valley, their fortunes became an inseparable
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link in the history of the frontier settlements. Inheriting as they did, a goodly portion of the bold and martial spirit which had conspicuously characterized their ancestors, and profiting by the experience and knowledge of Indian character and its peculiarities, acquired by the elder John during the long cam- paign through which he had passed 'in Maine, they were enabled to cultivate successfully amicable relations with the Six Nations, and to exert over them a powerful controlling influence, a consideration of the utmost importance in their exposed situation at that period. Between the afterward renowned Indian sachem, Jo Brant, as he was familiarly known, and John Harper, Jr., an intimacy had sprung up while attending school together at Lebanon, Connecticut, where the young half-breed had been placed, through the influence of Sir William Johnston, in July, 1761. This school was at that time under the supervision of the Rev. Doctor Wheelock, afterward President of Dartmouth College, into which this institution was merged at a subsequent date. It is now familiarly known, as it was then called the " Moor Charity School."
In 1768, the Harpers and several other individuals, whom they had associated with them in the novel enterprise, deter- mined upon founding a settlement of their own; but what induced them to decide upon Harpersfield as the theatre for their future operations, it is impossible at this remote day but to conjecture. It might have been at the instigation of friendly Indians, but more probably was the result of their own explorations and observations. The manufacture of maple sugar was then looked upon as a comparative lucrative business, and requiring but a limited capital-a sap kettle and a supply of wooden troughs being all that was necessary; as the forests at that early day were considered as, of but little consequence. Accordingly, during the winter months small parties of two or three persons would associate themselves
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together and go out in the forests in various directions, selecting a favorable location where the sugar maple trees were standing thickest, would prepare a sufficient quantity of troughs and fuel, and construct a temporary log-hut, which answered the double purpose of shielding their persons from the storm, and in which they boiled their sap. Having made all things in readiness at the "camp," they repaired to it again at the opening of spring, and frequently remained seve- ral weeks making maple sugar, often returning at the expira- tion of the sugar season with large quantities of delicious sugar. Harpersfield was well adapted to this pursuit, and it is more than probable that the knowledge of this fact induced them to locate there.
Persevering in their determination of founding a new set- tlement, they purchased of the Indians a large tract of land, stretching from the Charlotte on the north, to the head waters of the west branch of the Delaware river on the south. Accordingly, in conformity to the above purchase, a grant was secured the following year by letters-patent to John Har- per, William Harper, John Harper, Jr., Joseph Harper, Alex- ander Harper, Andries Riber, and sixteen other individuals, of a tract of land containing twenty-two thousand acres, in- cluded by the present town of Harpersfield.
In the spring of 1770, Governor Tryon sent out a surveyor to accompany the patentees and locate the limits of the patent. He was accompanied by John Harper, the principal proprie- tor, and his faithful consort. This heroic woman, whose cou- rage and fortitude entitle her to a conspicuous place among the heroines of those early times, unwilling that her husband should share alone the perils incident to the undertaking, determined to accompany, and if possible, in some degree alle- viate their situation. While the men were surveying, she with her own hands constructed a rude log-hut and covered it with bark. In this hut she frequently was compelled to
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remain alone days, and sometimes even nights, while her hus- band and his companions were engaged upon a remote part of the patent. It is a historical fact and one worthy of mention, that this was the first domicile dedicated to civilization, erected within the present limits of the county ; and that its fearless architect was unquestionably the first pale face of the fair sex whose presence lent a delectable charm to the lonely wilder- ness.
In the spring of 1771, the survey and division of the patent having been completed, the family of Harpers removed front Cherry Valley to Harpersfield, and made a permanent settle- ment there.
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The following incident was related to me by the Rev. Mr. Boyce, of Harpersfield, who married a niece of Colonel Harper, and who has been for many years intimately connected with the family. The first winter succeeding the removal of the Harpers into Harpersfield, was distinguished for its unprece- dented severity. The partial and incomplete arrangements they had been enabled to make, proved hardly sufficient for the unseen privations they were called upon to endure. During the summer and fall preceding this memorable winter they had removed their goods, provisions, &c., to Schoharie, from which place to Harpersfield there was no road, and they had stored them at the former place-except a few provisions- intending to remove them to the place of destination upon the snow. Winter set in much sooner than was anticipated, and the snow fell upon the ground to a great depth, cutting off all communications, and rendering it almost impossible to reach any settlement of which, the reader must be aware, there was none nearer than Schoharie, over twenty miles distant-Cherry Valley, their former place of residence, lying still farther off.
In the midst of this dilemma their stock of provisions became exhausted excepting a little corn, which was powdered in a mortar and converted into a rude bread, familiarly known
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as Johnny cake. Upon this scanty diet they subsisted for a brief period, in the hope of a speedy cessation of the extreme cold weather. At last the remaining meal was all consumed, and but one small loaf of Johnny cake was left to preserve the existence of the members of the new settlement. His faith- ful partner, who had borne up under all their former priva- tions with becoming fortitude, now began to yield. Cautiously she had concealed from her husband the real state of their provisions, well knowing, as she did, the imminent peril that would surround any attempt to reach the settlements, as well as that bold resolution that would prompt him immediately to undertake the journey, at any hazard. Noble woman, I would fain weave for thee, in this history, a eulogy worthy of such heroism. The fierce contest had raged in her own bosom, between alternate hope and fear-the love with which she cherished her offspring and the plighted affections of her hus- band-and would that the invocation of the prophet had been there, by his power from above, to have replenished the exhausted "measure of meal." But the urgent claims of hunger and the prospect of starvation, will unnerve the strong- est mind and move the firmest purpose.
A sad and painful picture did that little family circle pre- sent, as the children, prompted by hunger, gathered around the mother and anxiously presented their urgent demands for bread. The youngest were uttering their cries, while those who were older and better able to realize more fully their extreme situation, but hardly comprehending its fearful reality, were anxiously propounding the inquiry, " Mother, must, we starve ?"
While the children were gathered around the mother, the father entered ; his eyes immediately fell upon the pale and anxious features of his wife; her tearful eyes met his own and revealed to him the reality of their situation. It was useless to conceal the truth from him longer, and she now told him
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that one small loaf was the last morsel the house contained, and for this even the children were crying, but she dared not give it to them, hardly knowing what. they would do when that was consumed.
The father now resolved, as a last resort, to repair to the Schoharie settlement on the morrow, which he doubted not he could do, travelling by the aid of snow shoes; and taking the dainty morsel from the shelf and breaking it, distributed it among the members of the family, giving a portion to his wife and each of his children, but touching it not himself. John Harper was a consistent Christian and a good man, and the trust he reposed in his God sustained him in this trying hour. He consoled his wife, by exhorting her to "fear not, Providence would provide."
We will now turn to the Schoharie settlements; the inha- bitants, aware of the scanty supply of provisions of their neighbors at the "Bush," as Harpersfield was usually termed, and conscious that unless they could afford them succor, they must perish with hunger, had fortunately, the same day that the provisions of the family became exhausted, and the affect- ing scene narrated above had transpired, determined to go to their assistance. Accordingly, early on the day in. question, a company set out from Schoharie, travelling by the aid of snow shoes toward Harpersfield, at which place they arrived at midnight, to the joyful surprise of the starving inhabit- ants.
The little settlenient at Harpersfield continued gradually but slowly to increase, during the subsequent years that inter- vened up to the period of the Revolution. Each year added some new comers to the list of their neighbors, and each was hailed with unaffected joy by the inhabitants. A correspond- ent, whose grey hairs entitle him to a respectful hearing, and whose memory serves him of by-gone times, says : " It was an invariable custom among the early settlers, that when a new
4
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comer made his appearance among them, the most commodious house in the whole settlement was freely offered for his use, until a bee could be made, and a house prepared without any expense to himself. Indeed to such an extent were their pe- culiar sentiments of hospitality carried, that neighbors fre- quently quarrelled which should have the pleasure of accom- modating the new guests." [
It is the design of the present chapter to recite briefly the history of the early settlements in the county prior to the Revolution, but of the other settlements made within the lim- its of the county, and especially of those in Middletown, the description which I shall be able to give, will at the most prove but vague and uncertain. How much ever of interest their antiquity may possess, a great portion of their history is buried in oblivion, and the men who first settled there, and all who might have rendered valuable assistance have passed away; the researches of the antiquarian therefore must prove an almost hopeless task.
From the few reliable reminiscences I have been enabled to gather, it appears that at a very early period, a few Low- Dutch families from Marbletown and Hurley, followed up the Esopus or Shandaken creek (the latter being the Indian name, signifying swift waters,) and crossing the hills that divide its waters from the east branch of the Delaware, located them- selves in a small settlement upon the fertile flats that skirt the latter stream. One of these settlers, a Mr. Van Waggoner, settled near the present residence of Colonel Noah Dimmick, to whom the author is indebted for the above information. Another settled a short distance above, by the name of Kittle- this place was afterward familiarly known as the "Kittle Farm." Several other settlers were scattered along at inter- vals for several miles down the river, among whom were Her- manus Dumond, about a mile below Margaretville, on the
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opposite side of the river, who was shot during the Revolu- tion under the following painful circumstances :
Dumond, in company with John Barrow, a neighbor, who occupied and owned the present residence of Warren Dim- mick, Esq., in Middletown, had been-as my informant Colo- nel Dimmick recollects, and which somewhat differs from a subsequent recital of the same event in this chapter-up the river on a hunting excursion, and when returning and while near Arkville on the flat, they unexpectedly fell in with a company of Schoharie guards, who had been sent by Colonel Vroman, of Schoharie, to scour the head waters of the Dela- ware, and to arrest certain disaffected persons, and to destroy supposed Indian settlements, and who were now on their return to Schoharie.
The Guard perceiving them armed, ordered them to " halt." Dumond and Barrow, from the best authority I can command, were favorable to the cause of the colonies, although from considerations of personal safety they had been prompted to maintain, as much as possible, a neutral position. It is there- fore probable, that in their haste they mistook the character of the troops, and supposing them to be tories and Indians, . disregarded the injunction, and immediately attempted to flee. Perceiving their retreat, the commander of the troops ordered his men to fire upon them, when Dumond fell mortally wounded, surviving his fall but a brief period, while Barrow, more fortunate than his companion, escaped unhurt and un- molested, to carry the painful intelligence to the family of the deceased. The guard dismounted, and gathering around the expiring man, expressed in heartfelt grief their sympathy at his untimely death; raising him gently upon their locked arms, they conveyed him to a house near by. No physician was at hand to render efficient aid, and indeed none was neces- sary, for it was apparent to all as they watched the tremulous palor of his countenance, the glazed and fixed expression of
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his dark eye, and the cold drops of sweat that gathered upon his icy, but manly forehead, revealed in unmistakeable lan- guage,
" That the golden bowl was broken,"
and that life hung for a time but by a flickering and dissevered thread. It was indeed a time for mourning; that little band of brave men had wives and children and hearth-stones of their own, and it was for these, the dearest and tenderest of all human interests, that they had come forth and taken upon themselves the armor of war, to protect and defend them; and when the expiring man with his last accent breathed sweet counsel to his wife and children, who depended upon him for their daily bread, there arose spontaneous in every bosom, the reflected counterpart of their own homes; perhaps at that instant the ruthless savage has raised the fierce war-whoop, and with tomahawk in hand has passed the threshold of his own domicile to drink the heart's blood of his own kindred, or if they escape death, to be carried into a captivity, if possible, worse even than death. But pass this picture ! for already have the eyes of the unfortunate man closed, and he has sunk in the embrace of that sleep which wakes only at the resur- rection morn. A rude and shallow grave is prepared, in which, without coffin or shroud, or monument to mark his resting place, they placed him with his arms slightly folded, and without removing his clothes. "
The death of Dumond was an unfortunate circumstance for his family. He was the father of a large family of children, most of whom at that time were small. My informant, Cyrus Burr, Esq., knew three of the sons, John, David, and Herma- nus, all of whom are now dead, and two daughters, both of whom married men by the name of Yaples. One of them,
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the widow, of Philip Yaple, deceased, resides at present in Plattekill, in the town of Middletown.
There was another pioneer who had located in Middletown by the name of Burgher; of the precise place he occupied I am unable to state definitely, but it lay several miles farther down the river, and within the limits of the town of Andes. This settler, supposing he might remain in safety during the war, by professing to take no part in the issues of the day, was shot by an Indian scout while threshing buckwheat in the open field. His eldest son, then but a lad, who was at work with the father, was taken into captivity, where he suffered greatly during the remainder of the war. After an absence of several years he was finally permitted to return to the family at Middletown. He was drowned many years after, while attempting to cross the Delaware during a freshet, on horse-back.
At the period of the first settlements which were made along the east branch of the Delaware, there were scattered upon that stream several small Indian settlements .* It is not probable, however, that this tribe or tribes made any perma- nent residence on the Delaware, but only visiting it at certain seasons of the year to prosecute their favourite employment of hunting and fishing, which commodities there existed in great abundance; and it may here be remarked, that beaver were found in abundance along up the river. The first set- tlers found several huge dams which this ingenious animal had thrown across the stream. One of these dams, near the site of the present village of Roxbury, was the circumstance from which it derived its former name of " Beaver Dam."t /
* VOL. I., Documentary History of New York.
+ A full-grown beaver weighs from fifty to sixty pounds ; its length is usually about four feet from the snout to the end of the tail. The tail is about five or six inches wide by one inch in thickness, and 4*
t
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One of these Indian villages was only a short distance above Margaretville, on the opposite side of the stream, where may be seen a couple of ancient looking apple-trees, which are said to have been nurtured by the original proprietors themselves. The oldest living settlers bear witness to the fact, by stating that they were old trees when they were boys; they were per- haps at that early date the only bearing apple trees in the county, and those persons are still living who can bear witness to the miraculous disappearance of the fruit. .
An intelligent and reliable informant, speaking of these apple trees, related the following anecdote of their early his- tory : Some fifty years ago, the only grist-mill for a large cir-
what seems peculiar, although the body of the animal is so well covered with fur and hair, the tail is without either, except at its insertion, and is covered with a species of scales. The fore part of the beaver has the consistency of land animals, while the hind legs and tail have not only the smell, but the savor, and nearly all the qualities of the fish.
The food of the beaver is principally vegetable. The bait used by hunters to entice them to a trap is castoreum, or bark stone, which substance is obtained from the glandulous pouches of the male ani- mals. The beavers prefer usually to locate their dams in a moderate current, which they substitute as a motive power, to float the trees which they fell into the stream above, to the precise point where they are required. The number of trees which they thus cut is truly surprising, and those unacquainted with the animal, would suppose them cut with an axe.
The dams which they build in a running stream are curved, with the convexity opposed to the current; the interstices are filled with mud and stones. Their work is all prepared in the night; as soon as any of the material is placed where it is intended to remain, the ani- mal turns round and gives it a smart blow with its tail. The same sort of a blow is struck by them on the surface of the water, when they are in the act of diving. The hut of the beaver is rudely con- structed of bushes and mud, which is applied after the water becomes sufficiently cold to freeze it.
.
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cumference of territory was situated on the east branch of the Delaware, near Arkville. This mill had been built, and for some years owned and occupied, by a man by the name of -, distinguished especially among the "younger Ame- rica," who frequently brought grists to his mill, for his gene- rosity and liberality. The apple trees spoken of above were owned by him, and usually, in the fall of the year, hung loaded with myriads of tiny apples, scarcely larger than a small sized hen's egg, but a greater rarity at that time to boys especially, than the delicious fruits of the tropics are now. And it was principally to the liberality with which he allowed his young customers to partake of this fruit, and load their pockets to carry to their mothers and sisters at home, that the miller had acquired his enviable reputation. Several years after, this place was purchased by one - -, who, in contradistinction with the former owner, soon came into notoriety, under the appellation of stingy ; but the boys, who had come to think themselves as by right entitled to some of the fruit, were not to be outdone, and after several unsuccessful attempts to persuade the proprietor to open his heart toward them, an expedient was put in execution, which proved successful, to the miraculous disappearance of the fruit. Two of the boys were sent to coax the old man, who by the way was short of sight, while their companions repaired at the same instant to the trees, which in mock charity to the owner they handled rather roughly, and procured a goodly quantity of his apples.
The same informant states that, when a lad of a dozen years, his father packed him off to this mill-the first he had ever visited-upon horseback, with a small grist to be con- verted into flour for the consumption of the family. The father, before he left, impressed upon the mind of the young lad the necessity of watching the miller pretty closely, remark- ing, "that millers sometimes steal." This caution placed the young tyro on his guard, and sure enough, shortly after the
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grist had been emptied into the hopper he saw the miller go to a small bin near by, and, taking a measure, filled it from the grain in the hopper, and emptied it back into the bin. - The boy kept watch, and when a favourable opportunity presented itself, and when the miller's back was turned, he filled the measure out of the bin, and emptied it back into the hopper, replacing what he supposed the miller had intended to steal. To use his own words, he said : "I felt really proud of what I had done, and when I returned home that night I related to my father what had transpired at the mill, telling him that the miller did not get much the best of me, 'for he struck the measure full he took out of the hopper, while I heaped up the one I put in;' that he was a big thief, for there was a large bin full of grain, which I felt sure he had stolen in like manner. My father laughed heartily over the joke, and then' explained to me that this was the way they were paid for the use of their mill."
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