USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Buffalo Valley, Pennsylvania, 1755-1855 > Part 10
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109
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1776.]
Whether our Hon. Assembly, by disposing of commissions to gentlemen in different counties to raise companies which are to form the number of battalions thought necessary for the defense of the Province, did not intend that the respective captains should raise their companies where they [were] appointed ; and not dis- tress our county by taking from it all the men necessary for the business of agriculture, as well as the defense of the same? From our knowledge of the state of this county, we make free to give our opinion of what would be most for its advantage, as well as that of the Province, (between which we hope there never will be a differ- ence,) and first are to inform you [of] the poverty of the people, many of whom came bare and naked here, being plundered by a banditti who call themselves Yankees, and those who brought some property with them, from the necessary delay of cultivating a wil- derness before they could have any produce to live upon, together with the necessity of still continuing the closest application to labor and industry for their support, renders it morally improbable that a well disciplined militia can be established here, as the distance which some men are obliged to go to muster is the loss of two days to them, which, not being paid for, they will not, nor indeed can they, so often attend as is necessary to complete them even in the manual exercise. We would recommend that two or more com- panies be raised and put in pay for the use of the Province, to be ready to march when and where the service may require them, and when not wanted for the service of the public at any particular place, to be stationed in this county in order to be near and defend our frontier, should they be attacked by our enemies of any denomi- nation, the good effect of which, we imagine, would be consider- able, as though they may be too few to repel, they may stop the progress of an enemy until the militia could be raised to assist them. Should this proposal appear eligible, please to inform us thereof, and we will recommend such gentlemen for officers as we think will be most suitable for the service and agreeable to the people.
We are, gentlemen, with due respect, your very humble servants,
Signed for and in behalf of the committee, JOHN HAMBRIGHT, Chairman.
To the COMMITTEE OF SAFFTY, Philadelphia.
IIO
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1776.
August ye 13, 1776.
The following gentlemen being unanimously chosen by their respective townships to serve in the committee for the county of Northumberland, for the space of six months, met at school-house in the town of Northumberland, viz :
For Augusta township.
Mr. William McClay,
Mr. David Mckinney, Mr. John McClay.
Turbit township.
George McCandish, Wm. Shaw, Paul Geddis.
Bald Eagle township.
Robert Fleming,
Thomas Campling, John Section.
Wyoming township.
Samuel McClure,
Peter Meelick, John Clingman.
Moughonoy township.
Potter township.
Bastian Brossius, George Reitz, Peter Almang.
Mahoning township. Laughlan McCartney, Thomas Robinson, John Boyd.
Muncy township. Mordecai Mckinney, James Giles, Andrew Culbertson.
Buffaloe township. Martin Treaster, William Speedy, Philip Coal.
Penn's township. Simeon Woodrow, Adam Bolinger, Paul Gemberling.
White Deer township. James McClanachan, Robert Fruit, Wm. Gray.
The committee proceeded to elect a chairman and clerk, when Mr. Robert Fruit was unanimously appointed chairman during the time of six months, and John Boyd, clerk.
1II
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1776.]
Ist. Resolved, That no complaint be received by this committee that arises in any township and does not respect the county at large, except upon an appeal from the township committee, and that such appeal be delivered in writing, as well as all complaints that are re- ceived, and that all complaints be signed by the persons aggrieved or complaining.
2d. Resolved, That Andrew Culbertson, Mordecai Mckinney, and James Giles, call upon Colonel Wm. Plunket for the dividend of ammunition belonging to the six companies of his battalion that lie above Muncy, and in case it is inconvenient for him to make the dividend, Laughlan McCartney, at whose house the ammunition is lodged, is hereby desired to do it and deliver the quotas allotted for the aforesaid six companies to the aforesaid Andrew Culbertson, Mordecai Mckinney, and James Giles, who are to deliver the same to the respective captains, and by them kept in some convenient dry place, ready to be delivered out when occasion requires.
3d. Resolved, That the committee, or any two of them, belonging to the other three battalions of this county, call upon Laughlan McCartney for their equal dividend of what ammunition is in hand, and deliver to the respective captains in each battalion an equal dividend of said ammunition according to their number of men, and by them kept secure in some convenient dry place, ready to be de- livered out when occasion requires.
4th. Resolved, That each colonel recommend to their respective captains to use all possible exertions to have any arms that are out of repair put in as good order as soon as possible.
As this committee is informed of a quantity powder and lead at Mr. John Harris's ferry, which belongs to the associators of this county, we do recommend Major John Lee and Captain Charles Gillespy as two suitable persons for to bring up the same, and we do appoint Laughlan McCartney and John Boyd for to agree with them for the bringing up of the said ammunition.
5th. Resolved, That this committee be adjourned to Tuesday, the Ioth of September next, to meet in the town of Northumber- land.
II2
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
[1776.
Tuesday ye 10 of September, 1776.
The committee met according to adjournment, in the town of Northumberland, Mr. Robert Fruit in the chair.
Complaint being made to this committee against Mr. Aaron Levy and John Bullion, setting forth that the aforesaid Levy and Bullion have a quantity of salt on hand, which they refuse to sell for cash, by a former resolve of the committee,
Resolved, That the aforesaid salt that is in the hands of the afore- said Levy and Bullion, (as they have refused the same for sale,) be put into the hands of Mr. William Sayers, and by him sold at the rate of fifteen shillings per bushel, and not to sell unto any family above half a bushel for the time that the said salt is selling, and that the said Sayers shall keep a particular account of every bushel that he sells, and when sold, he shall return the money arising from said salt to this committee, first deducting one shilling out of the pound for his trouble of selling said salt, and six shillings and four pence for porterage.
A complaint being made to this committee against two certain men, namely, William Chattim and James Parker, of not behaving . themselves as friends to our country in general, and had armed themselves with two pistols ; therefore, it was
Resolved, That the aforesaid Chattim and Parker should be sent for and examined.
Being brought before the committee and examined, they con- fessed themselves to be two of his His Britannic Majesty's soldiers, and both prisoners. Therefore, this committee thought it most proper to convey the two aforesaid men into the care of Lancaster committee, where we understand there is a number of their fellow prisoners, and that the aforesaid arms should be sold at public sale, and the money arising from the sale of said arms, should, as far as it would admit of, be put to discharge of such expenses as would arise for the trouble of said prisoners.
And as there was a bill of expenses produced to this committee by John Chattim, against the two aforesaid prisoners, and he refus- ing to approve the same, it was Resolved, that the aforesaid bill shall not be accepted of by this committee unless the aforesaid John Chattim do prove the same.
113
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1776.]
September 12th, 1776.
On examination of the two different quantities of ammunition heretofore forwarded to the care of the committee of this county, and on a careful examination of the number of associators in this county, it appears that the quota of each associator is half a pound of powder and one pound of lead.
AND WHEREAS, the greater part of Col. Plunket's battalion are situated on the frontier, and the most exposed parts of this county ; therefore, Resolved, that the further quantity of eighty-nine pounds of powder and one hundred and seventy-eight pounds of lead be delivered into the hands of Mr. Fleming, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Kemp- ling, Mr. Culbertson, and Mr. Giles, and that the same be by them delivered among the different captains of the said battalion, with the strictest charge that the same be preserved for the purposes of the defense of this county. The same division to be made with a proper regard to the different number in each company.
And it is further Resolved, that the further quantity of eighty-six pounds and three quarters of powder and the quantity of one hun- dred and seventy-three pounds and one half of lead, be delivered to Mr. Fruit, Mr. Gray, Mr. McClenachan, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Mc- Candles and Mr. Geddis, to be by them distributed among the cap- tains of Col. Potter's battalion, in such sort, that each private have one quarter of powder, and half a pound of lead, Captain McMil- lan's company excepted, who are to have each half a pound of pow- der and one pound of lead.
And it is further Resolved, that the further quantity of fifty pounds of powder and one hundred pounds of lead be delivered to Mr. Coal, Mr. Treaster, Mr. Bolander, Mr. Brousers and Mr. Ritz, by them to be divided among the captains of Col. Wiser's battalion in the same proportions as the former fifty weight of powder was directed to be divided.
It is likewise further Resolved, that the additional quantity of fifty pounds of powder and one hundred weight of lead be delivered to John Maclay, Laughlin McCartney, and James McClure, to be by them divided among the captains of Col. Hunter's battalion, in due proportion to the number of privates in their respective com- panies.
WHEREAS, This committee being informed by one of our members
8
114
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
[1776.
of convention, that there is a dividend of salt in Philadelphia, which is allotted for this county, by a late resolve of convention, wherefore, this committee thought proper to appoint two suitable persons to go to Philadelphia and take charge of said salt, and [to] be by them conveyed to this county and delivered to the care of this committee. Therefore, William Maclay and Mordecai Mckinney were unani- imously appointed by this committee for the purpose above men- tioned.
Resolved, That the salt belonging to this county is to be sold at fifteen shillings per bushel.
A complaint being laid unto this committee by Samuel Dail against Col. William Plunket, the same being read, was postponed until our next meeting.
A record of Mr. Robert Fruit's letter to this committee, respecting salt, &c. :
PHILADELPHIA, November 23, 1776.
GENTLEMEN : I have received from the Council of Safety, in this city, seventy-seven bushels of salt for the use of the inhabitants of the county of Northumberland, which I have delivered to Marcus Hulings to forward up.
It is delivered to me on the express condition of being divided amongst those of the inhabitants who did not get any part of the former quantity ; therefore, you will please to take notice to inform the county of this exception, when you advertise for the distribution of it. Mr. Hulings has advanced all the money for the salt, together with all costs, &c.
I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant,
ROBERT FRUIT.
To the COMMITTEE OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
The Committee of the County of Northumberland,
To MARCUS HULINGS, Dr.
For cash paid the Council of Safety, in Philadelphia,
for seventy seven-bushels of salt, at 15s per bushel, £ 57 15 For cash paid for casks, to pack said salt 3 Porterage and cooperage, 18
115
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1776. ]
Cash paid Hugh Cook for carriage of seventy seven
bushels of salt, from Philadelphia to Middletown, Storage at Middletown,
£13 9 6 8 6
Carriage from Middletown to Northumberland, . II II
£ 87 2 O
December 14, 1776.
The committee met, by express from Captain John Brady, upon sundry charges, produced by said Brady, against a certain Robert Robb. Sundry evidences were referred to, to prove the several charges against said Robb, which are as follows :
The evidence of Thomas Newman against Robert Robb.
This deponent, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that said Robb had a paper, at a certain house, where they were erecting a chimney, which paper was supposed to be from Lord Howe, con- cerning conditions of peace, of which said Robb said this is the very thing I would be at ; says further, Mr. Frankling was a rogue, he · well knew, and that he has led the Government into two or three scrapes already known to him. Also, it was thought Frankling had a pension from home ; likewise that it was thought the convention was bribed. Also, said Robb says that Lord Howe used the members of Congress politely that were sent to treat with him, but that they used him ill.
And that, as this deponent was one of the township committee, he, the said Robb, thought it was proper he should call a few of the township together, to consult concerning these things. And further saith not.
his THOMAS > NEWMAN. mark.
Joseph Newman's evidence against said Robb.
That Robert Robb read, at the aforesaid place, a paper, [which] (as the deponent supposeth,) was a declaration of peace from Lord Howe, and asked this deponent's father if he would call a few of the neighbors to consult concerning it, and that his father refused to do it. And concerning the members of Congress, Mr. Robb
116
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY. [1776.
said Lord Howe used them politely, and they used him ill. And as for Mr. Frankling, there were very hard thoughts of him, and that it was thought he had a pension from home; also that it was thought there was bribery in the convention.
And further saith not.
JOSEPH NEWMAN.
The substance of John Morris' evidence against Robert Robb.
This deponent saith he heard Robert Robb read a paper concern- ing terms of peace from Lord Howe. Said Robb was asked why this paper was not made public sooner. Robb said, because it was kept back by the Congress and committees below. Said Robb said, also, it is well known what Writtenhouse and Frankling was. Mr. Newman asked said Robb what was the reason there was such men in Congress. Robb said it was thought there was bribery in the convention ; also said, it was a minority that held this new form of government, and that the majority would not be ruled by the minority.
And further saith not.
JOHN MORRIS. ·
The substance of James Giles' evidence.
This deponent saith, that he saw Mr. Robb pull out a paper at the aforesaid building, read it, which he said was printed in New York near three months ago. Mr. Newman asked said Robb how it came to be kept back. This deponent saith, he understood Mr. Robb said it was our rulers kept it back, and that the substance of the above paper was terms of peace from Lord Howe.
And further saith not.
JAMES GILES.
The evidence of George Silverthorn for Robert Robb, vis :
This deponent, being at Mr. Robb's house, and from there went together to a chimney raising in the neighborhood. After a while said Robb pulled out a handbill which gave an account of General Washington's army being in need of a reinforcement, and Mr. Robb said in public, that it was necessary for every one to turn out that would go. However, after a while, Mr. Robb pulled out another
117
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1776.]
paper, which he said was a declaration of peace, from Lord Howe, and read it in public. After reading the said paper, Mr. Robb said he came on purpose to see Mr. Newman, and whether or not he thought proper to call some of the neighbors together, in order to see whether or not the said declaration was of any effect or not, as he was one of the town committee, or how they would take it, as he would not depend upon his own judgment on such an occasion, as being but one person. And this deponent saith, that after the papers came out which gave an account of what passed between General Howe and them at Staten Island, this deponent was telling said Robb that he had heard them read at Mr. Mckinney's, and that Mr. Robb said that he thought it would not be proper to lay down their arms till peace would be concluded on better terms than these for the benefit of the country.
And further saith not.
GEORGE SILVERTHORN.
Lieutenant John Scudder, being duly sworn, saith that Robert Robb said that the King's troops are able to learn us to beat them- selves, as Peter the Great said of Charles, King of Sweden, and that the said Robb never did anything against the cause of America, but always encouraged the same, to the best of his know- ledge ; and further saith, that Mr. Newman charged Robert Robb with discouraging people going into the service, and that George Silverthorn and his family were the people.
And further saith not.
JOHN SCUDDER.
December 17th, 1776.
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY .- The committee of this county, taking the proofs and allegations for and against Robert Robb under their serious consideration, do judge that the said Robb hath behaved in such manner as gives just grounds for this committee to suspect him of being not only unfriendly, but inimical, to our com- mon cause ; therefore,
Resolved, That said Robert Robb shall either take his gun and march immediately with the militia of this county into actual ser- vice, for the defense of the United States, in order to wipe off the present evil suspicions, or otherwise to be committed to the care of
118
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
[1776.
Lieut. Col. James Murray, of the second battalion, to be by him sent to some proper place of confinement, until released by further authority. Signed by order of the committee.
PAUL GEDDIS, Chairman.
December 18th, 1776.
The above Robert Robb desires to appeal to the Council of Safety of this State :
Resolved, That said Robb may appeal to said council, under the care of the said Col. Murray.
PAUL GEDDIS, Chairman.
Muster Roll of Captain Casper Weitzel's Company, in the first Bat- talion of Pennsylvania Regiment of Rifemen commanded by Col- onel Samuel Miles. Camp near Kingsbridge, September 1, 1776.
Captain-Casper Weitzel, Esquire, of Sunbury appointed March 9, 1776.
First Lieutenant-William Gray, appointed March 15 ; captured August 27 ; exchanged December 8, 1776, for Lieutenant Thompson.
Second Lieutenant-John Robb, appointed March 16, 1776, promoted captain 18th April, 1777.
Third Lieutenant-George Grant, appointed March 19, 1776, captain in the 9th P. C. L. Died 10th October, 1779.
Sergeant Major-John Gordon.
Sergeants-Jacob Snider, Thomas Price, William Orr, Thomas Shanks.
Drummer-John Everard. September 1, sick at New York.
Privates-1Allison, William; Arthur, John; Aumiller, John ; Barr, William; 1Brady, Peter ; Brinson, Stout ; Burke, John ; Car- son, Samuel; Carson, William, junior ; Carson, William, senior ; Carter, Andrew ; Carter, Charles; 1Caruthers, Robert ; Chisnell, James ; Clark, William ; Clayton, James; Connell, Jeffry ; Cribs, John; Curry, David; Davis, Peter; Doran, Edward; Durell, David ; Durell, Stephen ; Elder, James; Ewig, Christian; 1Gass, Henry ; Gerhart, Henry; Glover, James; Hardy, John ; Harper, William ; Hissom, Thomas; 1Huggins, Dennis; Hunt, Elijah; Irvine, James ; 1Kerstetter, Martin ; Little, Thomas; McCleane, Charles ; 1McCor-
' Missing after the battle of Long Island, August 27.
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ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1776.]
mick, William ; McDonald, John; McInnis, Patrick ; McManus, Patrick ; McMath, William; 1McVey, Patrick; Madden, Joseph ; Miller, Henry ; 1Morehead, Robert : Newman, Richard ; Noland, Michael ; Ralston, Andrew ; Randolph, James ; 1Rice, John ; Sands, John ; Shaffer, John; 1Spiess, Jacob; Staples, Samuel ; Turner, David ; 1Watt, James; Wilson, Robert; Winters, Christian; Wolcot, Silas.
Lieutenant William Gray, afterwards Captain Gray, died at Sun- bury, July 18, 1804, aged fifty-four.
Sergeant Price ended his days in a small log house on Water street, in Selinsgrove. It seems he was carried to Halifax, in Nova Scotia. Made his escape traveling through the vast forests interven- ing between that country and the nearest American settlements. See History of West Branch, page 109. In a letter to Honorable Samuel Maclay, member of Congress at Philadelphia, dated Penn's township, December 4, 1798, written in a very good hand, he com- plains that he had been three times elected colonel, beating Charles Drum twice and Frederick Evans once, and yet had not been com- missioned, because, as he says, it was alleged that he was too poor for such a post. He says, " I settled in these parts before the war. and have resided here ever since, except while I was out in the army. I enlisted in Captain Weitzel's company, and was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Long Island. I underwent many hardships, but at last found means to escape, returned to the army, and served my time out ; was honorably discharged, and never re- ceived my pay. Soon after my return home I was elected adjutant, and continued in that post many years. Afterwards was elected major."
Associators.
On the 31st of August the field officers for the battalion in Buffalo and Penn's townships were chosen, and the 8th of October commis- sions were issued to them as fourth battalion of Northumberland county associators and to the company officers :
Colonel-Cole, Philip.
Lieutenant Colonel-Sutherland, Thomas. First Major-Foster, Thomas.
I20
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
[1776.
Second Major-Yost, Casper. Standard Bearer-Miller, Dewalt. Adjutant-McCoy, James.
Company No. I.
Captain-Clarke, John. First Lieutenant-Pontius, Henry.
Second Lieutenant-Moore, James. Ensign-Watson, Patrick.
Four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, one fifer, and forty-six privates, certified by me, this 26th day of September, 1776. John Clarke, captain.
Second Company. Captain-Weaver, Michael.
Third Company. Captain-Links, Jacob.
Fourth Company.
Captain-Weirick, William. First Lieutenant-Sherred, Jacob. Second Lieutenant-Gill, William. Ensign-Moon, Nicholas.
Four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, one fifer, forty privates. The whole of the above as associators testified by me, this 26th day of September, 1776. William Weirick, Captain.
Fifth Company.
Captain-Wolff, George. First Lieutenant-Conrad, George. Second Lieutenant-Wildgoose, Michael. Ensign-Hessler, John.
Four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, one fifer, forty- one privates.
I21
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
1776.]
Sixth Company.
Captain-Overmeier, George. First Lieutenant-McCelvey, James. Second Lieutenant-Weirick, Peter. Ensign-Snyder, Michael.
Four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, one fifer, forty privates. The whole of the above as associators testified by me, this 26th day of September, 1776. Captain George Overmeier.
This battalion, or rather drafts from it, went into service in Decem- ber, when Colonel Cole was with part of it at Reading. Colonel Brodhead writes that he made use of a company from Buffalo Valley to apprehend some of the disaffected and to compel some of the militia of Berks to march.
It is probable that when the danger to Philadelphia became im- minent, officers and men volunteered to fill up Captain Clarke's company, as we find their names on the following roll. I am in- debted to John C. Watson, of West Buffalo township, a grandson of Captain Clarke, for an old account book which contained the names. The company left the Valley on the 5th of December, and served three months and eighteen days.
It appears from some memorandums in this book, that the com- pany did not leave Reading until the 3d of January, 1777, and consequently did not participate at Trenton and Princeton, but was in the subsequent skirmishes. It was attached to Colonel Potter's second battalion, Lieutenant Colonel James Murray, Majors John Kelly and Thomas Robinson. Joseph Green assigned as surgeon's mate to Doctor Benjamin Allison. Four companies, Clarke's, Lee's, Taggart's, Cookson Long's, had casualties during the campaign :
Roll of Captain John Clarke's Company.
Allen, Robert ; Augustine, Hieronimus ; Barnett, Joseph; Beatty, John; Bower, George; Cery, Thomas; Clark, George; Cogh, Daniel; Colpetzer, Adam; Commer, Daniel; Conner, Jacob; Con- rad, George ; Conrad, Henry ; Cousins, William ; Esterly, Jacob ; Etzweiler, George; Ewig, Philip; Fought, Michael; Foster, Thomas ; Fry, John ; Gill, William ; Gilman, Henry ; Green, Joseph ; Green- lee, William; Groninger, Joseph; Grove, Wendell; Hain, John;
I22
ANNALS OF BUFFALO VALLEY.
[1776.
Harpster, Jacob; Heny, Stophel; Hessler, William; Hessler, John; Hessler, Michael; Kellahan, Patrick; Keeny, Jacob; Kishler, Francis ; Kneedler, Frederick ; Kneedler, Conrad ; Lamb, Michael ; Links, Jacob; Long, Jacob; Long, William; Lowdon, Richard ; McCashon, John ; McCelvey, James; McClung, Matthew ; Mc- Donneld, Randal ; Macklin, Valentine ; Miller, Benjamin ; Moor, William; Morrow, Andrew; Nees, Henry; Nees, Peter ; Overmeier, George ; Pontius, Nicholas ; Pontius, George ; Rinehart, Frederick ; Rinehart, George ; Rith or Ritle, Yost ; Rote, Michael; Row, Lud- wig ; Sierer, George; Schneider, Michael; Schock, John ; Schock, Michael; Schock, George ; Scott, Robert ; Smith, Michael ; Speddy, William ; Speese, Jacob ; Stevenson, James ; Storm, David; Thomp- son, Robert; Ulrich, George; Weaver, John; Weaver, David ; Wenderbach, Henry ; Wilson, Robert ; Wolfe, George.
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