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 5
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The tribe of Indians who occupied this village near Marga- retville, and which, in the Indian dialect, was called Pakatakan, said to signify the union of two streams in one, (an appropriate cognomen, as it was at this place that the Dry-brook stream falls into the East Branch,) according to O. Callighan's His- tory of New York, were the Wappinger Indians of Dutchess county and Esopus ; and according to the same account, this same tribe had a couple of other villages farther down the river in Colchester, one of which they called Papagouck and the other Pepacton.
The following information kindly furnished by Dr. O. M. Allaben, of Margaretville, who has evinced much interest in the compilation of this work, coming to hand too late to become incorporated in the thread of my history, and although some parts are a repetition of the foregoing, we have inserted it in full. We regret to state in this place, that so few per-
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sons are found who have evinced the same degree of interest in the collection of historical reminiscences.
"Dear Sir :- The timely appearance of your work, embracing the settlement and early history of Delaware county, furnishes a desideratum, the importance of which has long been, felt; and I cheerfully contribute the few historical items which I have been enabled to gather from an intercourse of more than twenty years with the people of this town, for the purpose of rescuing from oblivion what is still matter of veritable history, but which will have become mere tradition, unless' speedily placed upon record by the historian. Reliable sources of information have sensibly decreased within the few years' last past, and indeed I believe no person is now living who came into this town with the early pioneers, and but few even are left, who have any knowledge of the trials and unforeseen embarrassments which beset the hardy adventurers who first emigrated into this valley."
I am principally indebted for the facts here presented, to Frederick Kittle, who came into the settlement with the first emigrants, by his stepfather, Mr. Hendricks. He spent nearly his whole life in this neighborhood, and died some years since at a very advanced age. He was a boy when the little colony was founded, but old enough to remember many of the incidents attendant upon that event. Also, to Christian Yaple, who at the age of about two years emigrated with his father from Pennsylvania, and settled in Middletown, about six years prior to the Revolution. Also, to Nelly Yaple, the only person now living, who was upon the stage of action when most of the events to be narrated occurred. She is the daughter of Hermanus Dumond, one of the original settlers, and was born in Middle- town in 1774. Also, to James Dumond, grandson of Peter Dumond, another early settler, who was born about the close of the Revolution, and who has resided in Middletown ever since. . The latter person is, perhaps, as well acquainted with
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the traditionary history of the first settlements, as any person at present living,-possessing naturally an enquiring mind and a retentive memory, and having been brought up in one of the original families, most of the leading incidents have come with- in the scope of his research and observation.
Perhaps no settlement in Delaware County, dates anterior to that in Middletown. In the latter part of the year 1762, or early in the spring of 1763, a party was formed in Hurley, Ulster County, for the purpose of exploring the Delaware valley, and if considered expedient, of making arrangements for emigrat- ing thither with their families. Among these adventurers were Hermanus Dumond, his brother Peter Dumond, Johannes Van Waggoner, and a man by the name of Hendricks; each of whom, after having made the necessary explorations, purchased a farm of the patentee, at a place called by the Indians, Pakatakan, and as before stated, near where the present village of Margaret- ville is located. These four pioneer families, constituted the first permanent colony on the East Branch, but at the period of their arrival in the valley, there still remained abundant evidence of their having been preceded by others, supposed to have been French Canadians, or half-breeds, who had squatted upon these flats previous to, or during the French war, for the purpose of traffic with the aborigines, but who were compelled to retire from considerations of personal safety, during the troublesome times that followed. Mr. Kittle, has frequently asserted that his step-father Hendricks, purchased his posses- sion of one of these squatters, and Mrs. Yaples well recollects from the narrations of her mother, that agricultural imple- ments of various kinds, were found by her parents on their arrival, satisfying them that they had been preceded by others of European extraction.
The land titles of the first settlers, were warranty deeds granted by Mr. Livingston to the purchaser, with a provision allowing the latter to cut wood or quarry stone, upon any
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part of the patent, for farm or family uses. The date of these deeds is April 6, 1763.
The Indian village of Pakatakan, was a little above the site of the present village of Margaretville, as before stated, and near the junction of the Bush-kill with the East Branch. Mr. Kittle designated it as a Tuscarora village, and informed me that the Indian etymology of the name was, " The place where the streams come together," or " The meeting of the waters," a very appropriate cognomen, as three very considera- ble streams intersect in that neighborhood, besides three or four smaller ones.
The early settlers were principally Dutch, and both wrote and spoke that language. They lived, so far as I have been able to learn, upon very friendly terms with the Indians, up to the dark period of the Revolutionary war. They suffered all the privations incident to a new and distant settlement, and were for a long period obliged to do their milling, trading, &c., at Esopus, forty-five miles distant, and the greater part of the distance being through an unbroken wilderness .* For a period of more than ten years from the first settlement, and until the breaking out of hostilities, the little colony continued slow- ly to increase in the valley of the Delaware, and nearly all the alluvial lands along the main stream were occupied, and more or less improved for a distance of more than twenty miles. Several schools were also established, where instruction was given in the Dutch dialect.
But few of the names of those who settled before the war has been handed down to us; among them, we find those of Hermanus and Peter Dumond, Van Waggoner, Hendricks,
* Mr. Kittle informed me, that both the settlers and Indians (who, it seems employed horses,) fastened their horses and cut fodder for them at the Beaver meadows, in Roxbury, distant ten or twelve miles, fol- lowing an Indian trail or foot-path, from Pakatakan to the meadows.
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Kittle, Yaple, Brugher, Slyter, Hinebagh, Green, Blanch, and others. Among the friendly Indians were Tunis and Canope, (the sad fate of the latter of whom is narrated in a future chapter.)
The disputes and strife which preceded the war of the Re- volution, took early and deep root among the inhabitants of Pakatakan, attributable doubtless, in a greater or less extent, to the influence which the presence of a savage foe, exerted upon the fears and hopes of a frontier settlement, and conse- quently, it does not seem strange that a large portion of the settlers should have espoused the royal cause. There were a few whigs however, and among them, were- Yaples, Peter Dumond, and Hinebagh. Hermanus Dumond and Peter Brugher, the former of whom was killed by the Americans, and the latter by the Indians, were said to occupy neutral ground.
The first open rupture, growing out of the political troubles of the times, among the settlers of Pakatakan, is said to have occurred at a school house within the precincts of the settle- ment, between Isaac Dumond, a son of Peter, and a boy by the name of Markle. Markle called Dumond a rebel, whereupon the latter in a fit of resentment, dealt the other a blow. A bout of fist-cuffs ensued, which finally broke up the school.
Early in the spring of 1778, or soon after the burning of Kingston, by the detachment of British troops, under Gen. Vaughn, the hostile Indians, emboldened by the terror which that act produced in the minds of the border revolutionists, advanced to Colchester or Pepacton, as it was then called, where they encamped, and commenced the perpetration of a series of depredations upon the whigs in the vicinity, stealing their cattle, goods, &c., and finally, they formed a plot with the cognizance of some of the tories, to murder or drive them out of Pakatakan.
This intended massacre was prevented by a timely notice
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from Tunis, a friendly Indian, who informed Yaple of the im- pending danger, and advised him to leave the settlement. Yaple immediately spread the alarm among the whigs, who, after hastily collecting their cattle, and such of their goods as they could conveniently carry, and after burying or otherwise concealing the remainder, took a hasty leave of the settlement. On the same day that Yaple, Peter Dumond, and Hinebagh fled, the Indians made a concerted descent upon the settlement, and after destroying such of their effects as remained unconcealed, and reducing the buildings to ashes, sent a detachment of twenty Indian warriors under the guidance of two well known tories in pursuit of the fugitives, who followed them as far as Shandaken, when they gave up the chase. Yaple subsequently returned after the remainder of his goods, and was taken pri- soner by the tories, among whom was Blanch. He was taken to Colchester, where he was detained in custody for several weeks, but finally allowed to return with his goods.
These outrages at Pakatakan, aroused the attention of the Americans, who sent a company of militia from Schoharie to drive the marauders from the frontiers. On the approach of the troops, the tories fled to the older settlements of Hurley, while the Indians retired toward the Susquehanna.
No further attempts were make by the settlers to establı. h themselves at Pakatakan, until after the close of the war, but occasional visits were made to the place, by the settlers, for the removal of their property, or gathering in of their crops. It was on occasions like this that both Dumond and Burgher were shot. Dumond was killed on the twenty-sixth of August, 1778. He had returned with John Barrow from Hurley, to which place they had fled, as stated above, in order to secure a piece of grain. Having accomplished their purpose, they set out to return again to Hurley, and when about a mile from his place of residence at Pakatakan, they fell in with the Scho- harie Guard, who took them prisoners. They were mounted
5
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upon a single horse, Burrow behind Dumond, to accompany . the troops. Seeing a favorable opportunity to escape, they put spurs to the horse and rode off in an opposite direction, They were fired upon by the guard, and Dumond fell fatally wounded to the ground. He was conveyed to the house or the farm where Col. Dimmick now resides, where he died after suffering excruciating pain for three days. Burrow made his escape, threaded the forest, up Dry Brook, and over the mountains into Shandaken, travelling through the day and lodging in a tree by night. Such is the commonly received opinion in relation to the death of Dumond; but Mrs. Yaple, however, believes that her father and Burrow mounted one of his own horses and attempted to escape before he was taken prisoner, supposing the troops to have been Butler men, and enemies of the colonies.
In the fall of the same year, 1778, Peter Burgher returned with his son, a small boy, and others, to secure his crops. He had incurred the displeasure of the Indians by piloting the troops from Pakatakan, and they sought this opportunity to ambush and destroy him. He was shot, it is said, by a Seneca Indian named Abraham, while threshing buckwheat, and his little son was taken prisoner, carried to Niagara, and sold to a British officer. He afterwards returned, and was drowned while crossing the Delaware, near where his father was killed, in the neighborhood of Mill Brook.
There is, near Margaretville, an ancient grave-yard, sup- posed to have been used either by the early Dutch settlers be- fore the Revolution, or by the half-breeds who preceded them, It has long been abandoned, and the spot and even the graves of many of them are overgrown with trees and underwood, and little or nothing is now known of its history save its exist- ence. Near the mouth of the Mill brook, and on the banks of the Delaware, are certain remains which bear strong resem- blance to works of art. Many suppose them to have been
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ancient fortifications or works of defence, but when or by whom they were erected is mere conjecture. I am informed by Mr. Dickinson, who resides near them, that in that vicinity were once found what was supposed to have been a stone battle-axe, and that arrow-heads exist in great abundance in that imme- diate locality, which strengthens the opinion that they were of « Indian occupation. They are two in number, each of a circular form, and have been surrounded by a high embankment, pro- tected by a deep ditch. The one on the east side of the river has been passed over many times with the plow, but much of its original symmetry and form are still visible. The other, on the opposite side, further down the stream, is still surrounded by a deep ditch filled with growing trees and underwood, but has less regularity, and will not so soon attract the attention of the antiquarian.
BROOK
CURIOUS REMAINS
OLD
DELAWAR
RIVER
BED
RIVER
RIVER
CURIOUS REMAINS
OF
DELAWARE
PUBLIC
BROOK
HIGHWAY
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CHAPTER IV.
Revolution-Early conflicts-Eloquence of Pitt in Parliament-Advo- cates the cause of American rights-His efforts unavailing-Pro- vincial Congress assemble-Eloquent appeal of Patrick Henry- Effect of his speech-Resolution of Continental Congress-George Washington unanimously chosen Commander-in-Chief of the Ame- rican forces-His acceptation-Meetings of the inhabitants to express their sentiments-Vigilant Committees-Organization of, in Tryon County-Influences brought to bear-Sir Wm. Johnson espouses the Royal cause-His sudden death-His successors in office-Patriot- ism of the inhabitants of Harpersfield and Cherry Valley-First open act of hostility-Organization of a Vigilant Committee in Harpersfield-Their service to the American cause-The names of members-The chairman-Col. John Harper despatched by Con- gress on a Mission to the Indians-His apparent success-Reception by the Indians-Great feast and other ceremonies-Harper returns -Intimacy between Brant and Harper-Copy of a letter-Indians prove treacherous-Affidavit of the Rev. Wm. Johnston-Driven with his family from Sidney Plains-Obituary notice of Capt. Hugh Johnston-Effect of the intelligence communicated by Johnston along the frontiers-Letter from Harpersfield Vigilant Committee- Herkimer's Mission-Singular interview between Gen. Herkimer and Brant-Speech of Brant-Failure of the expedition-Evacua- tion of Harpersfield-John More an early settler-Warned of dan- ger-Journey to Catskill-Accident-Enumeration of the inhabit- ants before the war-Scotchmen settle in the Valley of Wright's Brook-Story of the Scotchman and his gold-Capture of a party of Indians by Col. Harper-McDonald, a tory, invades Schoharie- Exposed situation of the settlement-Harper volunteers to go to Albany-Procures a company of Cavalry-Marches to Schoharie- Disperses the enemy-Letter from Harper to Congress.
HAVING rendered a passing notice to the early settlements, within the present limits of the county, we now approach that dark period of warfare, strife, and blood-the Revolutionary
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struggle, which eventually resulted in the immolation and cessation over them of foreign despotism in the colonies. Already have the clashing of steel and the boom of musketry been heard upon Bunker and Breed's Hill. Already have the excited and irritated Bostonians, disguised as Indians, con- signed the cargoes of tea of several vessels to the mercy of the waves, as a mark of their just indignation at the infamous Stamp Act of Parliament.
It was now evident, that the rupture had become irreparable. The eloquence of Pitt, in Parliament, whose voice had been raised uniformly in behalf of the oppressed against the oppres- sor, who, at the close of a speech upon an illustrious occasion, in which he had exhorted the House to the exercise of wisdom and moderation in their dealings with America, concluded with the words of Prior the poet :-
" Be to her faults a little blind- Be to her virtues very kind."
All had proved unavailing. In 1775, the Provincial Congress' re-assembled at Philadelphia, to resolve on what steps were necessary in the emergency in which the colonies were placed. It was during this session, that Patrick Henry depicted with his thundering eloquence the history of our relations to the mother country : closing his appeal he remarked " The war is inevitable! and let it come ! ! I repeat it, sir, let it come !! ! It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry peace, peace-but there is no peace ! The war is actually begun ! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms ! Our brethren are already in the field ! What is it that gentlemen wish ? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery ? Forbid it, Al- mighty God ! I know not what course others may take, but 5*
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as for me," he cried, with both arms extended aloft, his brow knit, every feature marked with the resolute purpose of his soul, and with his voice swelled to its loudest note : " Give me liberty or give me death."
This speech had its desired effect; its noble and fearless sentiments found a home in every patriotic breast. On the fifteenth of June, a resolution was adopted by the CONTI- NENTAL CONGRESS, "That a general be appointed to command all the Continental forces, raised for the defence of American Liberty." George Washington , was unanimously called to assume the responsibilities of this station, who rose in his place, being a member from Virginia, and signified his accept- ance in a brief and appropriate reply; at the close of which he remarked : " As to pay, sir, I beg leave to assure the Con- gress that, as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept the arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. These, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I desire."
And while their representatives were assembled, the people themselves were far from being idle. Meetings of citizens were called in every village and district ; to give expressions to their sentiments, to favor liberty or oppression. Committees of vigilance were organized, whose duty it was to report the names of disaffected persons, to correspond with the General Assembly, and to whom was acceded the power of calling out troops in cases of emergency, to repel invasion ; although, I believe, they actually possessed no such power. Such a com- mittee was organized in Tryon county, as early as May, 1775, consisting of members from each of the districts; and we may perhaps with propriety in this place glance at the peculiar political condition of the county, in order to better understand the nature of the forthcoming struggle.
The population of Tryon was a mixed one, composed of
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Dutch, who lived principally in the Mohawk valley, the de- scendants of the German Palatines, who had settled in the Schoharie valley, and of Scotch Irish, who had settled in Cherry valley, Harpersfield, Laurens, Otsego, and other places. The Dutch and Germans were an exceedingly illiterate people, and had been accustomed to look up to Sir Wm. Johnston for counsel and advice, who, being a man of sagacity and address, it is not strange that, when he declared himself openly opposed to Congress, and favored the cause of that monarch who had heaped upon him emolument and honor, a major portion of the inhabitants within his potent influence should also go over to his standard. But Providence, in the midst of his active preparations for war, and when in the midst of an Indian council at Johnston, called him suddenly away
" To that bourne from which no traveller returns."
He died in June, 1774, and was succeeded in his estates and titles by his son, Sir John Johnston, while the authority of superintendent of the Indian department fell into the hands of his son-in-law, Col. Guy Johnston, who understood the Indian affairs better than any one else, having acted in the capacity of deputy to the old baronet. The successors of Sir William were illy calculated to assume, and fulfil successfully the exalted station vacated by his death, and consequently, quite a number of those least affected, declared unconditionally for the cause of Congress soon after.
But while the larger portion of the inhabitants of the northern and eastern sections declared themselves uncon- ditionally in favor of the authority of the crown, in Cherry Valley and Harpersfield an exactly opposite state of things prevailed; they there openly denounced the position assumed by the Johnstons and their adherents; they denounced the oppressive acts of Parliament, and loudly extolled the measures
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adopted by the CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. A high state of excitement prevailed,-frequent and angry discussions were indulged in, which strongly tended to neutralize the parties from each other, and prepared them to embrace the actual com- mencement of hostilities with open arms, with the vain hope of satiating their personal animosities under the all-sufficient cloak of war; where they might justify themselves in apply- ing the lighted torch, or the merciless tomahawk,-sacrificing with impunity the property and lives of their nearest neigh- bors, whose only fault was, --
" They did not think as we."
The first open act of hostility that was committed in Tryon county, was at the meeting of those favorable to the cause of Independence, in May, 1775, at the house of John Veeder, in the Caughuawaga district, for the purpose of raising a "liberty pole." The citizens, unapprehensive of danger, assembled unarmed. In the midst of their deliberations, and while one of their leading whigs* was haranguing the assembled multi- tude, whose hearts beat in unison with his own, they were suddenly thrown into great confusion by the appearance of an armed body of loyalists, commanded by Sir John Johnston in person. The whigs, indignant at the unceremonious inter- ruption of their proceedings, determined to compel Johnston and his retainers to withdraw : a violent scuffle ensued, which resulted in black eyes and bruised noses on both sides, but no blood was shed, or other serious injury sustained by either side, when the parties actually withdrew, the loyalists to Johnstown, and the whigs to their respective homes, leaving the "pole" unraised.
The report of these proceedings was immediately communi-
* Stone's Border Wars, gives the name as Sampson Sammons.
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· cated to the general committee of safety, and by them trans- mitted throughout the State, and leading whigs were every- where vehement in their denunciations of Johnston and his adherents, and overflowing in the emulation of the bravery and resolute spirit evinced by leading patriotic Tryon brethren.
In August, 1775, a meeting of the citizens of Harpersfield was held at the house of John Harper, and a committee of vigilance was appointed to watch the movements of certain disaffected persons, and to gain what information they could of the stealthy movements of the hostile Indians under Brant, who, report had reached them, was then at Oquago, on the Susquehanna. The exposed situation of Harpersfield, and the well known and patriotic character of the leading inhabitants of that section, rendered their communications to the state council of safety, not unfrequently of the utmost importance. They, through intercourse with friendly Indians, and by scouts, were constantly kept reconnoitering the disaffected set- tlements. Cautiously were the movements of Brant and his host of bloody retainers noted, and when, at last, the storm broke in all its fury,-when the impatience of the savages could no longer be restrained, and they demanded to be led on "to butcher and to burn,"-when Schoharie, and all the frontier settlements of New York were about to become the theatre of predatory warfare, this committee communicated the timely warning to their faithful brethren.
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