USA > New York > Warren County > History of Warren County [N.Y.] with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 43
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366
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
a wound he had received in one of his adventures, and exhausted by the pain and fatigue, he was forced to halt at brief intervals, stopping first with one Humighans, a Tory living on the south line of Fort Anne, and next at the house of Peter Freel at Fort Edward. From here he proceeded toward Fort Miller, but on the way was pursued by a scouting party of Whigs, and compelled to seek safety in flight across the river, and shelter in the house of Noah Payn, a Whig who resided opposite to the block-house at Fort Miller. His danger was so imminent that he was obliged to make known to the latter his relations to General Schuyler and the American army. His secret was faithfully kept, and Payn afforded him the needed protection and rest, and assisted him on the way to Easton, giving him at the same time a letter of recommendation to General Putnam, a former townsman, neighbor, and friend of Payn.
" After the battle of Stillwater, and Burgoyne's surrender, Harris received (so runs the family tradition) a purse of one hundred guineas from General Schuyler for services, and after the close of the war a pension of ninety- six dollars per annum was awarded him by the government. After the war he returned to his favorite hunting haunts in the vicinity of Lake George, where he purchased a tract of two thousand acres of land 1 to which, and the adjacent territory, the name of Harrisena was given, where the remainder of his life was passed amidst the tranquillity of peaceful scenes, and where many of his descendants still reside.
" In a communication from Gouverneur Morris at Saratoga dated July 17th to the Council of Safety, he says: 'I left Fort Edward with General Schuyler at noon, and shall return thither some tinie to-morrow morning. Fort George was destroyed yesterday afternoon, previous to which the provisions, stores, batteaux, &c., were removed, and this morning at ten o'clock the last of them passed us about three miles to the northward of Fort Edward, at which place all the troops from the lake have arrived, and these, together with some others, form an advanced post towards Fort George; about twelve hundred, perhaps more, are somewhat further advanced upon the road to Fort Anne. The ene- my have not yet made any motion that we know of, nor indeed can they make any of consequence until they shall have procured carriages, and then they may find it rather difficult to come this way, if proper care be taken to prevent them from procuring forage. For this purpose I shall give it as my opinion to the general, whenever he asks it, to break up all the settlements upon our
I " Mr. Benjamin Harris states that there were 21 corners to this lot, that he bought of Law- rence, Boel and Tuttle, who had a king's patent, which was surveyed by him in 1775. The three brothers, Moses, Joseph and William, came to settle on this tract in 1786. In the Calendar of N. Y. Land Papers there is a record of 16 certificates of location for about 5000 acres of land in small parels - adjoining the other main tract ; all in favor of Moses llarris, jr., occurring from 1786 to 1789. In the same authority, p. 506, there is a return of survey Oct. 12, 1770, for two tracts of land of 3000 acres each within the bounds of the Robert Harpur patent, surrendered to the crown, lying partly in Queensbury and partly in Fort Anne, to John Lawrence, Henry Boel and Stephen Tuttle."
367
PATENT AND TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
northern frontier, to drive off the cattle, secure or destroy the forage, etc. ; and also to destroy the saw mills.
"'These measures, harsh as they may seem, are, I am confident, absolutely necessary. They ought undoubtedly to be taken with prudence, and temper- ately carried into execution. But I will venture to say that if we lay it down as a maxim never to contend for ground but in the last necessity, to leave nothing but a wilderness to the enemy, their progress must be impeded by ob- stacles which it is not in human nature to surmount ; and then, unless we have, with our usual good nature, built posts for their defense, they must at the ap- proach of winter retire to the place from whence they at first set out. The militia from the eastward come in by degrees, and I expect we shall soon be in force to carry on the petite guerre to advantage, provided always, Bur- goyne attempts to annoy us, for it is pretty clear that we cannot get at him.'
"At the near approach of the enemy, the women and children had been collected under escort, and sent forward within the American lines to places of quiet and security for protection. Most of the residents of Queensbury, who desired to avail themselves of the privilege, took refuge in Duchess county. Some few remained behind, depending for safety upon their principles of non- resistance and their faith and reliance in God's protection. The scene of this general flitting, expedited by the frequent appearance of small bands of armed savages, is thus graphically portrayed by another : -
""'The roads were filled with fugitives; men leading little children by the hand, women pressing their infant offspring to their bosoms, hurrying forward in utmost consternation from the scene of danger. Occasionally passed a caval- cade, two and even three mounted on a single steed, panting under its heavy load ; sometimes carrying a mother and her child, while the father ran breath- less by the horse's side. Then came a procession of carts drawn by oxen, laden with furniture hastily collected ; and here and there, mingling with the crowd of vehicles, was seen many a sturdy husbandman followed by his house- hold and driving his domestic animals before him.'"1
Following the engagement at and evacuation of Fort Anne, an interval of nearly three weeks elapsed before Burgoyne began his advance to Fort Ed- ward. This short period was fatal to his success and opened the way for his overwhelming defeat, as chronicled in our earlier chapters.
The first great blow for freedom was struck and the entire country drew a breath of relief; but the desolated hearthstones of Queensbury told plainly of the terrors of the struggle. A few families remained here during all of this struggle, and with the promise of peace now held out, the scattered and fugi- tive settlers returned to rebuild their shattered homes and resume the avoca- tions of peace.2
1 WILSON'S Life of Fane McCrea, p. 80. HOLDEN'S History of Queensbury, p. 450.
2 The two following extracts from the Wing manuscripts go to show the continued occupancy of the settlement :-
368
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
The Wing papers, as drawn upon in Holden's History of Queensbury, show further losses by the war, additional to those already detailed. It will be seen that they amount in the aggregate to large sums in value, particularly those borne by Mr. Wing : -
NO. I.
Affidavit of Abraham Wing relating to losses incurred during the retreat of the American army at the time of Burgoyne's advance towards Saratoga.
" In the month of July, 1777, the under-mentioned cattle were taken from me by General Orders and Converted to the use of the Continental Army, for which I have never received any compensation, vizt : -
" I Red Sorrel Horse aged 7 years and worth £25,,00,0
" I Large Mare aged 2 years worth. 20 ,, 00 ,, o
" I Mare and her colt worth 18,,00 ,0
" I Cow five years old worth 8,, 00 , 0
" 2 large fatt Calves worth when taken 3 ,, 00,, 0
" II Best Sheep worth two Dollars each. 8,, 16 ,, 0
"£83,, 16 ,, 0
" And in the month of July, 1777, my mills were dismantled of 25 Saws, 2 Rag-Wheels, Gudgeons, Hoops, Bands, Hoggles, Roundsills, Hands, Dogs, Barrs & all other utensills necessary for two Mills in Compleat Repair, for none of which articles I have ever received any compensation whatever.
" These Mill Irons were carried off in two waggons on the retreat of the Continental army from Fort George and were worth at least one Hundred and Twenty Pounds.
" ABRAHAM WING.
" Washington County 6th March, 1786
"This Day personally appeared the above named Abm Wing and made affirmation to the truth of the above before me.
" ADIEL SHERWOOD, Jus. Pe."
I. NOTICE of a Friend's Meeting with visitors from abroad .- Extract from Abraham Wing's Pocket Memorandum.
3d mo. 6, 1778.
George Dillwyn from Burlington in West Jersey accompanied by Edward Hallock, Isaac Vail and Paul Upton of the Nine Partners monthly meeting, were here and had a meeting.
II. MEMORANDUM concerning some horses left with Abraham Wing.
Lake George the 12th Day of June A D 1778.
Mr. Abraham Wing I Cant have my Horses carried to Ticonderoga at Present and If you will Keep 2 llorses for me until the Hurry is over and then will send them up to Leonard Joneses and Desire him to send them to Ticonderoga and send me an account What the cost is I will send you the money or cum this way & Pay you If I may leave it at Leonard Joneses it will be the Handiest for me. I shall be glad to have them have good Pasture. This from yours to sarve.
to mr. Abraham Wing
&c DAVID WELCH
369
PATENT AND TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
No. 2.
Affirmation of Abraham and Benjamin Wing, concerning grain and hay con- verted to the use of the Continental Army.
" We do hereby most solemnly affirm that in the month of July, 1777, the undernamed grain was taken from us for the use of the Continental Army on their retreat from Fort George for which we have Never received any Com- pensation in any Manner & grane, and the Quantity was apprised by Morgan Lewis and the price affixed by Phineas Babcock, Andrew Lewis and James Higson, viz.
" 16 Bushels Oats " 18 Bushels rye " 30 Bushels of Oats " 66 Bushels of Corn
" 36 Bushels of Wheat " 3 tons of hay
Valued at forty-three pounds five shillings
ABRAHAM WING BENJAMIN WING
" Washington } 6th March 1786 County This day personally appeared the above Signers and Solemnly affirmed in the presense of Almighty God that they had not received any compensation for the above articles.
" ADIEL SHERWOOD, Juss Peice." No. 3.
Certificate of the Quartermaster General to the receipt of grain and hay for the use of the Continental Army.
" 60 Bushels Potatoes " 80 Skipples Wheat " 5 Tons Hay " 16 Busls Oats " 18 Do Rye
Abm Wing
" 30 Do Oats "66 Do Corn "36 Do Wheat " 3 Tons Hay
Benjn Wing
"The above is agreeable to appraisement made by order Maj'r Gen'l Schuyler.
"9 May 1778
M. LEWIS, D. Q. M. G."
No. 4.
Affidavit relating to the same.
"We do hereby solemnly swear that to the best of our knowledge the dif- ferent articles as certified by Morgan Lewis which were taken from Abraham and Benjamin Wing by the Continental Army were worth vizt. :
24
370
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
" from Abraham Wing amount
"60 Bushels potatoes worth 2s. 6d. per Bushell £7, 10 ,,0
" 80 Skipples Wheat 4s. 6d. per Skipple. 18,, 00 , 0
" 5 Tons Hay 6os. per Ton. 15,, 00 ,, O
" From Benjn Wing.
£40,, 10 ,, 0
" 16 Bushell Oats worth 2s. 6d. per Bushell. £2,,00 , 0
" 18 Bushell Rye 5s. per Bushell. 4, 10 , 0
" 30 Bushell Oats 2s. 6d. per Bushell 3,, 15 ,, O
"66 Bushell Corn 4s. per Bushell. 13, 4 ,0
" 36 Bushell Wheat 6s. per Bushell 10, 16 ,, O
" 3 Tons Hay at 6os. per Ton. 9,, 00 , 0
" Amount of the whole £43,, 5 ,,0
" PHINEHAS BABCOCK
" JAMES HIGSON
" ANDREW LEWIS
" Washington County, 6th March 1786.
"This day personally appeared before me the above signers and made Solemn Oath in the presence of Almighty God the above estimation was to the best of their knowledge.
" ADIEL SHERWOOD, Jus."
No. 5.
The following memorandum of account fixes the date of the foregoing.
" The Public
"1777 To Abraham Wing Dr
"July 16th To 60 Bushels at 6s. £18,,00,0
80 Skipples Wheat at 15s. 45,, 00 ,, 0
5 Tons Hay at £6, 30 , 00 ,, 0"
No. 6.
Affidavit of Andrew Lewis,-relating to loss of horses.
" I do hereby most solemnly Swear that on the retreat of the Continental Army from Fort George, there was a black mare taken from me by order of Major General Schuyler, by a party Commanded by Col Morgan Lewis, which mare was worth at least Twelve pounds in Gold or Silver & under nine years of age. ANDREW LEWIS.
" Washington 6th March, 1786.
County
"This day personally appeared before me Andrew Lewis the signer of the above and made solemn oath to the truth of the above.
" ADIEL SHERWOOD, Jus."
37I
PATENT AND TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
No. 7.
Benjamin Wing's affirmation respecting the loss of cattle, etc.
"I do hereby most solemnly affirm that in the Month of July 1777, the under-named Cattle were taken from me by order of Major General Schuyler for the Use of the Continental army on their retreat from Fort George, vizt
" I Large Young Horse worth £26-0-0
" I Large Ox worth 10-0-0
" I Bull worth 5-0-0
" 3 Milch Cows worth 67 Each 21-0-0
" 2 Large fatt Heifers worth 12-0-0
" 3 Calves worth 3-0-0
" £77-0-0
"which Cattle I do solemnly affirm were worth at Least Seventy-seven pounds in Gold or Silver, when taken from me, & for which I never have received any Compensation myself nor no other person on my account. BENJ WING. " Washington } 6th March 1786.
County
" This Day personally appeared before me the above signer Benj Wing and affirmed in the presence of Almighty God that the above act. is True for which he had received no Compensation. ADIEL SHERWOOD, Jus"
No. 8.
Phinehas Babcock's affidavit concerning losses.
"I do hereby most Solemnly Swear that on the retreat of the Continental Troops from Fort George
"Captain Lyman & a party of Solders took from me one Milch Cow value
£6-0-0
" Capt Whitcomb & a party of Soldiers took from me 10 Sheep value IOS 5-0-0
"Lieut Howard & a party of Soldiers took from me I yoke of oxen valued at £20
30-0-0
" I Mare 3 years old value 10
£41-0-0
" Amounting in all to forty-one pounds, for which no compensation whatever has been made to me or any other person on my behalf & I do further most solemnly swear that the above Cattle were worth the above valuation of forty- one pounds, in Gold or Silver, when taken from me for the use of the Conti- nental Army- PHINEHAS BABCOCK.
" Washington } 6th March 1786.
County
"This Day personally appeared before me the above Signer Phinehas Bab-
372
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
cock Made Solemn Oath in the presence of Almighty God that the above Estimation was true and that he had not received any pay or Compensation for any of them. ADIEL SHERWOOD Jus :"
No. 9.
In addition to the cattle heretofore enumerated were a number of milch kine which were returned to the owners pursuant to the following order of Maj. Gen. Schuyler.
"Sir: A number of Milch Cows have been brought down from beyond our lines some of which belong to Mr. Abraham Wyng and his family and as he is so situated that he cannot move I have permitted him to remain and consented that he should take back eight of his cows. You will therefore please to de- liver them to him. " I am Sir
" Your Hu Sert " PH : SCHUYLER.
" Head Quarters July 26 1777
"To Major Gray
"D: Commissary."
No. IO. James Higson's affidavit respecting losses.
"In the month of July 1777, the Undermentioned articles were taken from me for the use of the Continental Army By General orders & delivered to Brigadier Genl. Larned, vizt.
" One Large Bay Mare value £20-0-0
" One Large Bay Mare value. 15-0-0
" Two very Large Milch Cows 16-0-0
" I Large Heifer 4-0-0
" 2 Store Calves. 3-0-0
"£58-0-0
" For the above cattle which when taken were worth in Specie ,fifty-eight pounds I do solemnly swear that I never received any compensation nor any person on my behalf.
" I do most solemnly Swear that in the month of July 1777, a quantity of corn as appraised by Col. Lewis & others to four acres, a Quantity of oats as appraised by Col. Lewis & others to three acres & Potatoes appraised by the same to one half acre were taken from me for the use of the Continental Army, for none of which I have received any compensation, nor any person on my behalf.
1
JAMES HIGSON.
"Washington ? County this day personally appeared before me James Higson and made oath in the presence of Almighty God that the above act. was Just and True.
"Fort Edward 6th March, 1786.
ADIEL SHERWOOD Jus .: " -
-
373
PATENT AND TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
No. II.
Permit from Col. Yates to Abraham Wing, jr., to keep a horse.
" Saratoga, Nov. 17th, 1777.
"I have considered about your Sons Horse and give him Leave to keep the Same until some higher Power shall order it otherwise. I also grant you Leave to keep a hunting gun in your house and forbid any one to take the same without orders from the general. I am Sir
" Your friend & hu Servt.
" A true copy
CHRIS YATES.
" To Abraham Wing. "
Fortunately for the inhabitants of Queensbury, the important military op- erations of the next two years occurred farther to the southward along the sea- board, giving them and their property, which had not already been taken or destroyed, a little immunity from the effects of the war. A small garrison was retained at Fort Edward, which was for several months the frontier post on the northern military route.
The town book shows the results of the usual spring election in the follow- ing record :-
" At an annual town meeting held in Queensbury on Tuesday ye 5 Day of May 1778 for the Township of Queensbury :
" I voted. Abraham Wing, Moderator.
" 2 voted. Benjamin Wing, Town Clerk.
" 3 voted. Abraham Wing, Supervisor.
" 4 voted. James Higson, Constable.
"5 voted. John Graves, Constable.
" 6 voted. Ebenezer Fuller, Phinehas Babcock and Nehemiah Sealey, As- sessors.
" 7 voted. Ebenezer Fuller, Pathmaster.
" 8 voted. Nehemiah Sealey and Benjamin Wing, Overseers of the Poor.
"9 voted. Phinehas Babcock, Collector.
" 10 voted. Abraham Wing, Town treasurer.
" I I voted. Abraham Wing, Jur., Pound keeper.
" 12 voted. Nehemiah Sealey and Benjamin Wing, Viewers of fence and prizers of Damage."
With the opening of the spring campaign of 1778 General John Stark was placed in command of the northern department. The year was locally sig- nalized by bitter strife among the Tories and their loyal neighbors. The former element had reached a position of defiance, maliciousness and cruelty, and it was determined to put them down at whatever cost. In June Serenus Parks, a Tory residing near the Harris settlement in the north part of the town, was arrested, as appears by the following letter found among the Wing papers :-
374
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
" Stillwater, 18th of June, 1778.
"Sir we have Received yours of the 16th Inst. in which you have sent us mr. Parks & Jackson's Crime as Pr. Complaint, we let you know that our Next meeting will be at the house of James Swarts at Saratoga on Thursday the 26th Inst. and as by order of Convention we are the Proper Judges of Persons of our own district in actions cognizable before a Sub Committee we therefore demand that the Sd Parks & Jackson shall be forthwith delivered to the Cus- tody of Ensign Isac Doty-who is hereby authorized to Receive them in order that they may be caused to appear before us at the time and Place above men- tioned when the Complainants may have opportunity to Produce their Evi- dence and proceed to tryal By order of Committee,
" GEORGE PALMER, Chairman."
It was in this season, also, that Levi Crocker was taken prisoner by a band of Tories, of which some were neighbors and supposed friends. Crocker was at work in his field when taken, and he received such abuse, indignity and in- sult, that he said to one of his captors, "Tom, there will come a time when I will make you bite the dust for this!" After some months' incarceration he was fortunate enough to escape from his prison, and return to his home at Fort Miller in safety. One day a member of the family discovered the of- fending Tory, making his way across the lower end of their garden. Crocker, who happened to be in the house, was immediately notified and, taking down his gun, which was always loaded in those exciting times, he stepped to the door and deliberately shot him. While writhing in his death agony, Crocker walked to his side and reminded him of his treachery, and his own well-exe- cuted threat.
" Among the pioneer settlers of the Bradshaw patent was Moses Harris, father of the spy whose exploits have already been in part narrated. Like his brother Gilbert,1 the Tory, he was also a militia man at the time of the cap- ture of Port Royal. In consequence of this service he became entitled to bounty-land, and it was probably while endeavoring to locate his scrip, that he settled in the northwestern part of Kingsbury. He was arrested about the time of the occurrence of the events just narrated, at the house of his brother Gilbert. The latter, well knowing that Moses was fully cognizant of his evil doings, insisted that he should be taken into Canada as a prisoner, even if he died on the route, he being not only advanced in years, but in feeble health at that time, but Andrew Rakely (or Rikely), who was in charge or command of the party of Tories, resolutely opposed the proposition, saying, 'He is an old man, and if he goes the exposure and fatigue will kill him.' To this Gilbert unfeelingly responded, 'Let him die then.' The matter was finally compro-
1 Old Gil. Harris found Kingsbury an unhealthy neighborhood to live in after the war was ended. He removed, it is said, to Bolton, and died and was buried somewhere in the vicinity of Basin Bay on Lake George.
1
375
PATENT AND TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
mised by Moses taking an oath not to reveal anything, so long as the war last- ed, which would prejudice Gilbert's interests or bring him into disrepute with his Whig neighbors. After the war, Joseph Harris, Moses's son, out of grati- tude for this unusual act of kindness, sent word to Rakely in Canada, that if he would come down and settle on it, he would give him one hundred acres of as good farming land as this section of country afforded.
" About the same time a lad by the name of Oliver Graham, being with a party of three or four others on their way from Fort Edward, was shot at and wounded by a party of Tories concealed on the route, of whom Gil Harris was one. One of the number exclaimed as he was about to fire, 'Why that's little Oliver Graham, don't kill him;' to which Harris savagely replied, " Yes, damn him ! let's kill all.' The poor fellow, on finding himself wounded, jumped from the roadway into the woods on the opposite side from which the gun was fired, and fell into the hands of another party in ambush, by whom he was taken a prisoner to Canada, where he remained a prisoner until after the close of the war, when he returned again to Sandy Hill."1
In short, anarchy reigned supreme; brother was often arrayed against brother and father against son ; few knew who could be trusted; the soldiery assumed a license2 to which they were not entitled, and justice, when it did overtake the enemies of the country, was often prompt in obtaining satisfac- tion. The following extract from a letter written by General Stark in June to the president of the New Hampshire Congress is a vivid and blood-chilling comment upon the general condition of affairs : -
"They [the people] do very well in the hanging way. They hanged nine on the 16th of May, on the 5th of June nine; and have one hundred and twenty in jail, of which, I believe, more than one-half will go in the same way. Murder and robberies are committed every day in this neighborhood. So you may judge of my situation, with the enemy on my front, and the devil at my rear."
On the 8th of June there were only twenty men left at Fort Edward, and there is no mention of any force at Fort George or the smaller posts between.
The events of the year 1778, as far as relates to this section, were closed by a Tory raid by the way of Lake George and the Sacandaga, which is thus described in Stone's Life of Brant : -
"Much has been said in the traditions of Tryon county, and somewhat, also, in the courts of law, in cases involving titles to real estate formerly in the family of Sir William Johnson, respecting the burial of an iron chest, by his son, Sir John, previous to his flight to Canada, containing the most valuable
1 These incidents are thus related in HOLDEN'S History of Queensbury.
2 In a letter from General Stark to Colonel Safford, dated at Albany, May Ist, he says : "Doctor Smith complains that the troops at Fort Edward are turning out the inhabitants and destroying the buildings at that place. I should be glad that such disorders should be suppressed, and the inhabi- tants' property secured."
376
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
of his own and his father's papers. Late in the autumn of the present year, General Haldimand, at the request of Sir John, sent a party of between forty and fifty men privately to Johnstown, to dig up and carry the chest away. The expedition was successful; but the chest not being suffi- ciently tight to prevent the influence of dampness from the earth, the papers had become mouldy, rotten and illegible when taken up. The in- formation respecting this expedition was derived in the spring following, from a man named Helmer, who composed one of the party, and assisted in dis- interring the chest."
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