USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. II > Part 70
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" We frequently meet with accounts of the sagacity of dogs, -- some indeed, that are very remarkable, -- but it is believed that the follow- ing, taking all the circumstances into consideration, is without a par- allel in the history of that animal. In the course of the morning, after the battle commenced at Fantinekill, Jesse Bevier's dog. with- out any sign or motion from his master, or having been trained to any thing of the kind, came to Napanoch, a distauce of two miles, to the house of Lewis Bevier, his master's brother. He came to hiu: and jumped up 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 be did several times. Lewis could distinctly hear the firing at Fantinekill, and could easily guess what was going on, but fear bad hitherto deterred him from going ; but now he resolved to go, if he should go alone. Ile took his arms and hastened to his neighbor's, Johannis Bevier's, 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 an ! bloed to stand ;' and wanted him to go with him; but he thought it not prudent to go, as the Indians were expected there every minute, aud it was almost certain death for them to go alone. But there was u youth, by the name of Conradt, son of Johannis, whose patriotism and evurage rose superior to all fear, and he determined to go. In addition to his courage and martial skill, this youth was extremely fleet on foot ; like Asahel of oll, 'he was light of foot as a wild roe.' Hle boasted that no Iudian conld 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 know - ing how large a company was coming, immediately withdrew from the house, and they rushed in. The flames at this woweut had ex- tended, in spite of ull their exertions, to the curtains of the bed. The door was now thrown open, and the women rushed down the hill t) 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 tho women who went to the spring was Jesse's dangl tor Catharine, mother of Mrs. Daniel Hoornbeek. Whilst at the spring she heard the groans of the dying in the swampy ground near by. Tories were also recognized by their striped pantaloons, and also ly the streaks which the sweat made in their painted tares, The fire was happily extinguished, undl this family saved from an awful catastrophe. Ilad not assistance arrived from Napunoch precisely when it did, we eanuot sec how they could have csrapel.
# The writer of the history says in a note : " Since writing the above, I have learned from an nuquestionable source that there were two children in this family ; so tho whale number lost was eleven."
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TOWN OF WAWARSING.
" We must now ask the attention of the reader to what transpired st Napanoch. Co !. Cortland's regimeut had been lying in the vicinity of Napanoch for some time previous to this event, but their time of service had expired a few days before the assault was monde at Fan- tinekill ; and it was supposed that the Tories had toand this out, and made it known to the Indians. But the soldiers, having received some money, had got into a frotie at a tavern in Wawarsing, and were there on the morning of the alarm. They were mustered with all possible speel, and when they came to Napanoch were joined by Capt. An- dries Bevier's company, and marched to the scene of action. When they came to the Napanoch Creek, the Indian yells and war-whoops were heard on the western hills, and the savages fired at theto as they were crossing the stream, aud continued to fire on them from the woods as they passed on towards Fantinekill. Their fire was promptly re- trued by the regiment. It is not known that any loss was sustained on either side at this stage of the action, but there is no doubt that Jose and his sons killed some of them, us before intimated. The Imiinns 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 Napanoch, and the soldiers were seen leaving the place to go to Fantinekill, the women, children, and invalidls made a precipitate tlight to the Shawangunk Mountain, expecting that the Indians would enter and burn the place, which, indeed, they might have done with case had they known the situation of it. Two sons of Andries Be- vier, lads of 12 or 11, ran across the mountain, through the burnt woods, barefooted, a distance of not less than five miles. They first came to the residence of a Mr. Manse, on the east side of the moun- taiu ; from thener they made their way to the Shawangunk village, and gave the alarm. Their names were Samuel and Coruelins, Sey- eral 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 iu the mountain, which was full of propte from both sides, with horns, buuting for them. The little ones, and those who were feeble and infirm, went only to the base of the mountain, and secretel themselves amid the eraggy rocks which nature has provided there in great abundance, especially along the sides of a noted ravine in the mountain, opposite to Napanoch, commonly called ' Louis's Kavinc.' In their flight to the mountain they were joined by the young black ( Robert) who escaped from Fantinekill. In crossing the lon- dout a child of Andrew Bevier, by the name of Lewis, cante near going down with the current, He was caught by a friendly hand, and helped ashore. When they came to the foot of the mountain, an in- valid soldier climbed up a tree to see if Napanoch was on fire. He hard 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, appre- hending that they might be Tories, they gave no heed to their calls until they were sure they were their friends.
" Mr. Jacob Bevier, mentioned in the preceding narrative, lny sick and unable to move. All the family had det across the mountain, except an insane brother, by the name of Daniel, who was sitting on the fence, wieonseious of his danger, and a daughter, who had re- elved 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 inevitably fall before the tomahawk and scalping- 1. nife. But how could she leave a dear and tender father aloue upon a siel: bed, without any one to smooth bis pillow or administer to his hevessities? At last the sound reasonings of the father, seconded by that strong innate principle which prompts us to efforts for self- preservation, prevailed, and she made her way for old Shawangunk tunrough dense thickets and over awful precipices. Being more fortu- Date than her sisters, who had started before, in fiddling the path ; and having no chill, as they had, to carry, she arrived first at the place of destination.
"Andries Bevier's black woman, 'Nan,' put over the dinner pot and built a good fire under it, and then secreted herself along the creek, a short distance from the house. Knowing that the In lians were not disposed to injure blacks, and being able to speak their din- icet, she had but little to fear from them.
" We must now notice the noble conduct of Capt. Coutrite on this cenasion. As soon as he heard of the affair at Fantinekill he directed La sergeant ( without waiting for orders from his superior oficer) to vrler ont all his company (abont 70), to be at his house the next tabruing at daylight, nriued und equipped, with provisions for two days. The summons was promptly obeyed. He stepped at the head
of those ' hearts of hickory,' int , whom he had, by his bold at. 1 ... t. dier-like department and address, infused the same spirit, and marched thetu up to Graimsville, a distance of eighteen or twenty miles, with a view of intercepting the Indians on their return from Fantinekill. He selecte l a suitable place, arrangedl his men in order. and awaited the arrival of the Indians. But, as usunt, the Indians discovered hin first, and instead of coming on the usual route they passed by on his rear.
"The first salute he received was a volley from the Indians, and one ball struck within six inches of the old captain's head, but they kept at a proper distance, knowing they had a giant to grapple with. Not an Indian could be seen.
" The writer has been credibly informed that six of the individuals who perished at Fantinekill were buried in one grave, near the place where they lived and died. If those six were all of the Socks family (which is believed to bo the case), then there were ning who lost their lives at this time of the whites. The loss of the enemy is not known. The only honse, which stool where the village of Ellenville is sta- ated, was burnt. Its occupants made a narrow escape. It was own- I by John Bodly. They, in common with several other families in the neighborhood of Loorenkill, fled to the mountain and secreted thein- selves, but fortunately the enemy did not reach that place.
"NARRATIVE 4. " MURDER OF JOHN AND ELSIE MACK.
" Mr. John Mack lived in Wawarsink ; he had a son-in-law namet Jobu Mans, who lived on the east side of the Shawangunk. Some- time during the war be resolved to go over to visit his daughter. ac- companied by another daughter, named Elsie. There was at this time a footpath crossing the mountain. It begau ou the west si le, a. a place called Port Ilyxon, and ended at Col. Jansen's. afterwards Gen. Jansen, west of the Shawangunk village. They crossed the mountain in safety, and made the contemplated visit. On their re- turn the son-in-law accompanied him with two horses as far as the top of the mountain, for him and Elsie to ride on, the old man heinz rather infirm. John Mans proposed to take his riffe with him, bur tis father warmly opposed it, saying it was not necessary. When they arrived at the top of the hill, where they were to separate, they dis- mounted, and the old man seated himself on a log and sin del his pipe. Whilst sitting here, Mans discovered by the horses' cars teat they saw something, and looking round he discovered two men al- vaucing in the path which they had just left, and another, whom he recognized as a notorious Indiau called Shanks Ben, taking a cir- cuitous route through the woods, in order to get in advance, or. i ss surround them. Mans understood his design, and was aware of the haminent danger that awaited him. It was then that be regret .i bitterly that he had not taken his rifle. He said he might have sto the Indian if he had had it. The other two were Tories. They had with them two young negroes whom they had taken prisoners at to !. Jansen's. Mans started with Elsie by the hand, in a direction so as to elude the design of bis enemy. The old wan, knowing it wollte vain for him to attempt to flee, sat still, resigned to his awfil fute. Mane ran with the girl outil be eine to a precipice of ahou: . if .. perpendienlar, down which he jumped. Here he was oblige I to leave the girl. He thought he might have saved her had it not hun tera little dog which followed themu, and kept constantly barking. by which the lilian couldl follow. In jumping down the precipice he sprained his ankle, which troubled him considerably. He was obliged to take off his shoe and stocking and go barefooted, on account of the swell- ing of his foot.
" When he cante in sight of Col. Jansen's he saw a number of then around, and, not knowing whether they were friends or thes, he tarri. I some time, until he discovered they were whites. He then at - proached, and related the awful tale. His father-in-law and the maiden were found side by side, covered with purple gore. It was with difficulty, in after-times, that Mans could be persundled to relate this melancholy tale.
" Intimately connected with this narrative is the aceout of the narrow escape of Col. Jansen from being taken by the same party who killed Mr. Mack and daughter.
" A desperate effort was made by Shanks Ben and others to the Col. Jansen and some other distinguished individuals who Lvelia that viciuity. It is probable that a large reward was placed on their heads by the British. That notorious ludian, as has since been . ascertained, had been lying for whole days and nights in places of
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
concealment, waiting for au opportunity to take those distinguished ' Sons of Liberty.'
"Early one morning the colonel went to his barn to see to bis stock, and discovered Shanks Ben in the stable. He ran for the house with all his might, and tho Indian in close pursuit. The black woman, who was in the stable milking, saw the race. She said that the In- dian came so close that he grasped after the skirts of his coat, but ho reached the house in safety, elosed the door, and secured it. The In- dian, disappointed of his prey, and exasperated, seized an axe which happened to lay near by, and began to work his way through the door. Tho colonel then ealled to his wife to fetch him his pistols, which he fired, or intended to fire, through the door. Tho Indian, howover, desisted and went into the kitchen, where he and the two Taries (who were recognized as such by the black woman, who ob- served that they had blue eyes and painted faces) helped themselves to the best that the house could afford, not forgetting the eider, of which the Indians are excessively fond.
" Whilst the enemy were thes engaget, a white girl by the name of Goetches was observed by the black woman coming to the house. She winde signs to her to go back, but she misunderstood them, think- ing she meant her to come, which she did, when she was taken pris- oner. The enemy took her a short distance ; but, she being unwilling to go with them, they dragged her along for some time, and then killed and sealped her. They took two young negroes of Col. Jan- sen's, who have never been heard of since. They were seen by Mans in the mountain. An alarm was given at Jansen's, either by blowing a horn or firing a gun, and the neighbors come to his relief; but the work of death was done, and the enemy were beyond the reach of pursuit.
"NARRATIVE 5. " BURNING OF WAWARSING.
" The last attempt of the savages under the eorumand of British authority to destroy the inhabitants of the frontier occurred Aug. 12, 1781. This expedition was fitted out at one of the northern forts, and placed under command of one Coldwell. He was directed to com- mence his assault at Capt. Andries Bevier's, at Napanoch, and to kill or capture ali the inhabitants, and to destroy or carry of their prop- erty until they came to the Widow Hasbrouck's, twelve miles north- east of Napanoch, commonly known in those times as the ' rest place.'
" It was the practice to keep out spies in the direction from which tho enemy was expected. In preparing for one of these . seouts,' Philip Iline had occasion to purchase some ment. The seller made partienlar inquiries of Mr. Hine as to where he was going, etc., to which he gave honest replies. No sooner did the seller know his in- tentions than he found some means of communicating to the enemy. Mr. Hine, accompanied by Mr. Bouck, went ou the contemplated cruise. When they came along the Neversink Creek, twenty-odd miles southwest of Napanoch, they discovered a body of Indians and Tories advaucing. They watched their course secretly until they saw that their place of destination was Wawasink ; they then took a circuitous route, and struck the road, as they supposed, far in advance of the enemy, Innt in this they were mistaken. The Indians, having been ajquised that spies were ont, were on the alert, and discovered foot- marks where the spies had crossed a stream of water. Kunners were sent in pursuit, and soon overtook them. It was not more than half an hour after the spies struck the road before they were taken by the Indians.
"The prisoners were required, on pain of death, to give a correct account of the fortifications and other means of defense on the fron- tier at Wawasink. They told them there was a cannon at Capt. Bevier's, at Napanoch. On account of this intelligence they did not commence their attack at that place, and consequently much property and perhaps precious lives were saved.
" The prisoners were tied hand and foot, apart from each other. In this situation they were compelled to remain for the most part of three days and nights without anything to cat or drink, until the Judians returned.
" It had been the intention of the fu lians to dispatch one hundred of their troops, under the command of Shanks Ben, across the forest, From the Delaware River to Newtown, to commence the work of death there, und meet their comrades ut some place in the valley of the Roudout. But by av accident, which occurred in drying some powder which had been wet, Shanks Ben and several others were burnt, so that he was unable to perform that service. Heremom the Indians proposed to Silas Bouch that if he woubl perform that ser-
vice, they would grant him his liberty the moment he enme to New- town. This proposal ho nobly rejected with disdain. He said 'they could but kill him,' and be would rather die on the spot than be ucecssory to the death of his countrymen. llow unlike the conduct of Benedict Arnoki is this, who, for a little paltry dust, was willing to sacrifice un ariny of patriots and the cause of liberty !
"After securing the prisoners, and obtaining information from them, as above stated, they set forward for Wawasink. On that ever- memorable Sabbath, the 12th of August, 1781. early in the morning, they arrived at the old stoue fort in Wawasink, which was situated near the ahl church. Having taken the spies, Do notiec had been re- ceived at the fort of their approach, and most of its occupants were yet in their beds. Two individuals, however, had left the fort that morning,-viz., Mr. Johanis Hoornbeeck and a colored man named Flink. A young woman natued Catharine Vernooy was also about leaving the fort, to go to milk, when she saw the Indians coming. She returned to the fort, closed the door, and called to Chambers to assist her in getting the huge brace against it. This Chambers was stationed on the sentry-box at the time, but, being somewhat derange 1, he did not fire his gun. Fortunately, however, he sung out, 'vyand, vyand,'-enemy, enemy. No sooner bad they secured the door than the Indians enme against it with all their might, in order to burst it in. Had net the door been seenred at that instant, the enemy would inevitably have gained admittance to the fort, and the fate of its inmates would have been sealed.
" The negro Flink soon discovered the Indians approaching the fort after he left it. He concealed himself until he saw that they did not obtain an entrance into the fort, and then left bis milk-pail and made his way with all possible speed to the fort at Napanoch, to inform them of the arrival of the enemy. Mr. Hoornbeck, the other individual who left the fort to see to his eorn-field, heard the alarm when about a mile from the fort. Being a large fleshy innn, and not able to travel fast on foot, he succeeded in entebing a horse owned by Mr. Bruyn, which he mounted, and made off to his father's, Ben- jumin Hoornbeck, who lived at Rochester. When he came there be was so completely exhausted by excitement and fatigue, that he fell upon the floor as dead, but recovered sufficiently to be able to return home in the afternoon, in company with the troops, who went in pur- suit of the Indians.
"The old stone fort was now the seene of active operations. The meu leaped from their beds, aul without much attention to dress, as the reader will readily imagine, seized their guns, which were always at haud, aud commeneed their defeuse. John Gritin was the first who fired, and he brought one of the sons of the forest to the ground. Another Indian came to remove him from the ground, and just as he stooped to raise him up, Cornelius Vernooy gare him a charge of shot, having had his gun loaded with shot to kill a duek which came in his mill-pond. The other Indians soon hurried them both away, and they were seen no more.
" At Peter Vernooy's, who lived abont a quarter of a mile southeast of the fort, they wade an attack, but were bravely repulsed by the little garrison. which consisted of but one efficient wan and two others who were not able to afford much assistance. On the frst advance of the Indians, Vernooy shot one from a window in the southeast side of the house. One of the meu went into the garret to try to get a crack ut them. He discovered some of them bebind a ledge of rocks northeast of the house, watching for an opportunity to fire when any one came before the port-holes. Whilst be was preparing to tire at them he saw the flash of their priming ; he drew back his head suddenly, and the ball just grazed his face. An old hat which hung up in the garret had been muistaken for n man's head, and was full of bullet-holes.
" The conduct of the women at this place was worthy of the daughters of liberty, and deserves to be noticed. It appears there were three in the house, -- Mrs. Peter Verrooy and two of her connections from Lackawack. Some of them loaded the guns for the men, whilst others stood with axes, to plunge into their foes if they should attempt to break through the windows, which were fortified with blocks of oak or other band . wood. Mrs. Vernooy had a family of small children at this time. Some of them were lying in the bank, and became very uneasy at the unusual proceedings about them, but the hervie mation noblressed them in language so decided and unequivocal as instantis to secure their quiet.
" At Cornelias Bevier's, where E. Vernooy now lives, the enemy found none to oppose theiss. They entered the house, built a fire on the floor with some of the furniture, und then left it, taking with them s
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colored woman and two deformed colored boys n short distance, when they let them return homo. The fire had progressed but little, and they succeeded in putting it out.
" The next assault was made at Cornelius Depuy's, where a few neighbors were assembled, as the enstom was, for mutual safety und defeuse. Tho enemy advanced from the hills southeast of the house. The person who neted as commander of this little garrison ordered them not to fire until they eame quite near, but a lad of sixteen, named Garret Vunwagenen, full of enthusiasm and patriotic fire, could not wait for the word of command. He had his old Holland zun well charged, and leveled at one of them. He fred, and brought him to the ground. The Indians then fled in another direction. Some shots were discharged at them, but with what effeet is not known.
"Tho next attack was at the stone house of Jobs Kettle, where Jobn Stall now lives.
" It will now be necessary to give a sketch of the noble conduct of Capt. J. L. Hardenbergh on this occasion. He was at Esquire J. G. Ifardenbergh's at the time of the alarm, ono mile east of Kettle's, with only six men with him (some say but two). He determined to go to the relief of his countrymen, notwithstanding the imminent danger which he had to face, When he came in sight of Kettle's house he saw a number of Indians in advance in the road. To attempt to fight them with so few men, without any fortification, was vain, and there was no time to be lost; all depended on the decision of the moment. His vigorous and active mind furnished a stratagem which answered his desigu to admiration. Ile turned aside into the woods with his little band of Spartan heroes, so that their numbers could not be perceived by the enemy, took off his bat, huzzaed with all his migbt, and advanced towards Kettle's house, which was in the same direction as the Indians. The enemy skulked off' in every direction. This gave the captain time to reach the house. Just as he reached the door, the Indians, discovering the trick, poured R shower of bullets at him, which struck against the door and sides of the building, hat our heroes escaped buhurt. They broke holes through the rear of the house with an axe, which fortunately had remained in the house, and also through the roof for port- holes, and then defended themselves without mnch difficulty. Some Indiaus were killed nere. The captain found tho houso occupied by three soldiers, one of whom was Henry Kettle.
" The Indians proceeded as far as the Kerhonkson, a small stream about three and a half miles northeast of the old fort at Wawasink, prar which they shot John Kettle, the father of Henry Kettle, above mentioned. Jacobus Brayn had removed with his family over the mountain for safety from the Iulians, and it appears that Mr. Kettle bad been about his premises to see to some of his things, and was there at the time when the alanto occurred. Ho took a route over the fields to go to the fort at Pinebush, and struck the road near the Kerhonkson, where he was shot. His was the ouly scalp which they took in this expedition.
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