USA > Pennsylvania > Annals of Buffalo Valley, Pennsylvania, 1755-1855 > Part 11
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Captain Clarke lived on the first farm above Mifflinburg, south of the turnpike; died February 22, 1809, aged seventy-three ; buried in the Lewis graveyard. Lieutenant Thomas Foster, grand- father of Mrs. Mark Halfpenny, died June 4, 1804; buried in Lewis graveyard. Augustine was a weaver ; lived near Selinsg rove as late as 1800. George Bower lived in Union township. Joseph Barnett became the patriarch of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania. See a full notice of him in Day's Historical Collections. Honorable I. G. Gordon, of Brookville, writes me, 1871, that some of his grandchildren live near that place. John Beatty lived near New
Berlin. George Clark was a prominent surveyor in the Valley until 1800, and then removed West. He lived in a house near Judge Hummel's, now torn down. He was an exceedingly tall man, and took delight in making his axe marks as surveyor beyond the reach of other men. He once made a narrow escape from the Indians by leaping Little Buffalo creek, from the high bank, near late Jacob Moyer's. It was attributed to Brady, but Brady's leap was in the western part of the State, in Armstrong county. Jacob Conner lived in Buffalo. Adam Colpetzer, in West Buffalo ; married a daughter of George Rote, of Mifflinburg. George Etzweiler was killed by the Indians in 1780, at Heberling's mill, then French Jacob Grochong's. Michael Fought, in Union, on Seebold's farm, near Chappel Hollow, east of it. William Gill, in Penn's. Wendell Grove, in Derrstown. Henry Gilman, in White Deer. Joseph
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Groninger, in Kelly, on Clingan's place. Joseph Green near Philip Pontius' ; he was grandfather of Joseph Green, of Lewis- burg. Jacob Harpster, in Beaver township. John Hain, in Penn's. The Hesslers, near Crotzerville. The church there bears their name. Christopher Heny, on General James Irvine's, now, or lately, Kleckner's, west of Mifflinburg. Patrick Kellahan, north-west of Mifflinburg. Jacob Keeny, on John Aurand's place, Turtle creek. Richard Lowdon was a brother of Captain John, and lived with him. Andrew Morrow was a tenant on Samuel Maclay's place. Benjamin Miller, afterwards owned James Biehl's place. Matthew McClung, late George Gundy's heirs, near Turtle creek. Randal McDonneld, on S. Maclay's, just north of the Great Western, now Mrs. Shoemaker's. Peter Nees died of wounds received February I, 1777. George Overmeier lived near Seebold's, in Limestone. Nicholas Pontius was the father of the late J. F. Pontius. George was his brother, sons of John, who owned the Captain Bucher tract, where his descendants still reside, or a few of them, as the name is legion now. David Storm, where B. Lahr lives, on Esquire Came- ron's farm. Robert Scott, on Barber's place, White Springs. Jacob Speese lived, within our memory, in White Deer. William Speddy, see 1772. The Schock's, about Mifflinburg. Michael Smith, in East Buffalo, above Henry Mertz's. George Wolfe was the grand- father of Jonathan, of Lewisburg.
Colonel William Cooke's regiment was directed to be raised in the counties of Northampton and Northumberland. Among the last acts of the convention, on the 28th of September, was the election of field officers of this regiment. Four' companies, Miller's, Boone's, Brady's, and Harris', were from Northumberland county. These companies were nearly full on the 11th of December, and left Sun- bury about a week thereafter, as Marcus Huling claimed for loss of a boat in taking them down the river at that time.
The regiment went immediately into active service. Being com- posed mainly of good riflemen, large drafts were made upon it for picket and skirmish duty. A portion, under Boone, was sent into the northern army, and assisted in the capture of Burgoyne. At Brandywine the regiment lost heavily in officers and men, and at Germantown ; so that, after wintering at Valley Forge, the field offi- cers were mustered out, the supernumerary line officers discharged,
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and what remained of officers and companies distributed into the third and sixth regiments.
Roster of Colonel William Cooke's Twelfth Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line. ,
Colonel-Cooke, William, of Northumberland, commissioned Oc- tober 2, 1776.
Lieutenant Colonel-Gray, Neigal, of Northampton county. He moved to Buffalo Valley after the war.
Major-Crawford, James, commissioned October 8, 1776. After- wards justice of the peace in Lycoming county, where he died.
Adjutant-Hanson, Thomas.
Paymasters-Levers, Robert ; Dungan, Thomas ; appointed April 29, 1777.
Quartermaster-Vaughan, George.
Surgeon-Ledlie, Doctor Andrew, of Easton.
Surgeon's Mate-Woodruff, Aaron.
Captains-Withington, Peter, commissioned October 1, 1776; took sick, in Philadelphia, in December, 1776; sent home, to Reading, where he died May 11, 1777; his widow, Eve, survived him over fifty years, and died in Mifflinburg ; Miller, Nicholas, appointed October 4, 1776, from Northumberland county ; died, in 179-, in Northampton county ; Boone, Hawkins, appointed October 4, 1776 ; killed, at Fort Freeland, July 28, 1779; Brady, John, appointed October 14, 1776; killed, by the Indians, April 11, 1779; Harris, John, appointed October 14, 1776; Mckinley, Reverend Henry, of Carlisle; appointed October 16, 1776 ; Pat- terson, Alexander, of Northampton county ; Work, William, ap- pointed October 16, 1776.
Lieutenants-Brandon, Thomas, appointed October 4, 1776 ; Lincoln, Hananiah, appointed October 4, 1776 ; he was a sergeant in Captain George Nagel's company, Colonel William Thompson's regiment, 1775-1776; resigned, after battle of Brandywine, and went to Daniel Boone's settlement, in Kentucky ; he followed Boone to Missouri, where he died ; Gettig, Christopher, appointed October 14, 1776, from Sunbury ; wounded at Piscataway, New Jersey, May II, 1777 ; taken prisoner, and had his leg amputated ; justice`of the peace many years afterward at Sunbury ; his descendants reside near
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Bellefonte ; Reily, John, appointed October 16, 1776; promoted Captain, May 20, 1777 ; mustered out of service November 3, 1783 ; Chambers, Stephen, Esquire, appointed October 16, 1776 ; promoted captain ; one of the council of censors, in 1783; Delegate to the Federal Convention, December 12, 1787 ; wounded in a duel with Doctor Jacob Rieger, on Monday, 11th May, 1789 ; died on Satur- day, 16th, at his house, in Lancaster ; McElhatton, William, appointed October 16, 1776 ; wounded, at Bonhamtown, New Jersey, in right shoulder ; disabled, and transferred to the invalid corps July 1, 1779 ; died April 26, 1807 ; Henderson, John, appointed Oc- tober 16, 1776; Sayre, William, appointed October 16, 1776.
Second Lieutenants-King, Robert, October 4, 1776 ; promoted lieutenant, third Pennsylvania, May 20, 1777; left out of service June 23, 1779 ; Williamson, James, October 4, 1776 ; McCabe, Edward, October 16, 1776; Hays, John, October 16, 1776; Quinn, Samuel, October 16, 1776 ; Boyd, John, of Northumberland, promoted lieutenant in third Pennsylvania, June 18, 1779 ; died February 13, 1832 ; Bard, William, October 1, 1776; Carothers, John, October 16, 1776 ; killed, at Germantown, October 4, 1777 ; Falconer, Robert.
Ensigns-Lodge, Benjamin, junior, October 16, 1776 ; promoted lieutenant sixth Pennsylvania, October 11, 1777; Hamilton, Thomas, October 16, 1776; Blackall, William Ball, October 16, 1776 ; promoted lieutenant third Pennsylvania, 11th September, 1778 ; mustered out November 3, 1783 ; Boyd, William, appointed October 16, 1776; killed at Brandywine, September 11, 1777 ; Stone, John, October 16, 1776; resigned January 8, 1777; died March, 1792 ; Herbert, Stewart, October 16, 1776; promoted lieutenant sixth Pennsylvania, January 9, 1778; Engle, Andrew, October 16, 1776; promoted lieutenant of third Pennsylvania, December 20, 1778; retired January 1, 1781 ; Stricker, Henry, October 16, 1776 ; Seeley, John, February 3, 1777 ; Armstrong, John, formerly sergeant ; served until the end of the war, and promoted lieutenant in Captain James Moore's corps.
PHILADELPHIA, December, 1776.
I am commanded by the House to request your attendance in this city, in order to take your seat in Council, that we may immediately
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carry all the powers of government into execution. As this must appear absolutely necessary to every good man, we can have no doubt, from your general character, but you are so well disposed to the public, and so desirous of order and good government, that you will not neglect to take your seat in that important body. Com- pliance will much oblige the State in general, and in particular thy real, though unknown, friend.
JOHN JACOBS, Speaker. JOHN LOWDON, Esquire, Northumberland county.
24th December, Colonel Hunter writes that a company out of his battalion had volunteered ; chosen Major John Lee, captain ; Hugh White, first lieutenant ; Thomas Gaskins, second lieutenant, and marched that day ; and he had impressed guns and blankets for them, and had them appraised.
1777. .
OFFICIALS-MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, CONTINUED-MAJOR KELLY AT PRINCETON-ROLL OF CAPTAIN B. WEISER'S COMPANY- MATTHEW BROWN-PAOLI-GENERAL POTTER'S LETTERS.
HOMAS WHARTON, President of the State. John Lowdon member of Council until October, when he was succeeded by Captain John Hambright, of Turbut township. Members of Assembly elected in October : Samuel Dale, Robert Fruit, James Murray, William Irwin, Simon Himrod, and Robert Fleming.
On the 9th of June the following justices were appointed under the new constitution : Samuel Hunter, Thomas Hewitt, Robert Crawford, John Weitzel, Robert Martin, Michael Troy, Samuel Allen, John Aurand, William Shaw, and John Livingston. William Maclay, Prothonotary until September 11, when he was succeeded by David Harris ; Jonathan Lodge, Sheriff, elected in October ; John
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Simpson, the first Register and Recorder of the county, appointed March 14.
March 21, Samuel Hunter appointed lieutenant, and Walter Clark, William Murray, George Wolfe, and William Wilson, sub-lieuten- ants of Northumberland county.
Constable of Buffalo : Martin Trester ; White Deer, Henry Derr.
Elias Younkman's name appears on the grand jury. He resided in Turbut before moving into Buffalo, in 1783.
Minutes of the Committee of Safety-Continued.
January Ist, 1777.
The complaint of Peter Smith against Robert Robb.
TO THE HONORABLE COMMITTEE OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY :
That on the 20th of last month, at the house of Captain John Brady, said Robb did violently beat and very much abuse said Smith, and further produceth James Brady and Jean Kennan as evidence of said charge, and also Patrick Murdock as evidence afterwards to the wounds alleged to be received by said Smith from said Robb.
his PETER X SMITH. mark.
The above named Peter Smith maketh oath that he received the above-mentioned abuse, by the above-named Robert Robb, at the time and place above-mentioned, and that he, this deponent, has not been able, ever since receiving the above-mentioned abuse, to follow his usual vocation, as formerly.
his PETER X SMITH. mark.
James Brady's Evidence between Peter Smith, complainant, and Robert Robb, defendant.
This deponent saith, that on Friday, the 20th day of December last, Robert Robb did, at the house of this deponent's father, and in his presence, violently beat and abuse the above-said Smith, and continued so to do until he, this deponent, rescued him out of his hands. This deponent further saith, that Robert Robb said he
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believed the committee got very little satisfaction of him, and that they were a set of rascals, some of them were robbers, some were horse-thieves, and some of them were murderers.
And further saith not.
JAMES BRADY,
Jean Cannon's Evidence.
This deponent saith, that she saw Peter Smith immediately after difference with Robert Robb, and that said Smith seemed to her to have been very much abused. as she understood, by said Robert Robb. This deponent further saith, that said Robb said the com- mittee was a set of rascals, some of them were horse-thieves, some robbers, and some of them were murderers.
And further saith not.
her JEAN X CANNON. mark.
January 4th, 1777.
Resolved, That this committee be adjourned until the 1 4th day of this instant, to meet at the house of George McCandlish.
January 14.
The committee met, by adjournment, at the house of Mr. George McCandlish, and proceeded to hear the evidence of James Patton, in behalf of Robert Robb.
James Patton, being duly sworn, deposeth and said, that he, this deponent, with Peter Smith and some others, were drinking together at the house of Captain John Brady, when said Smith asked Mr. Robb what news. Mr. Robb answered that he desired none of his discourse, and asked James Brady if there was any fire in the new house. Brady said there was. Mr. Robb then got up and . asked this deponent if he would go into the said house and drink share of half a pint. This deponent said he would. After sitting down, the aforesaid Smith came in. Says Mr. Robb, you have followed me here again, Peter. Mr. Robb further said, if you choose to sit here, I will go into the other house, and if you follow me, I will flog you, or turn you out. Mr. Robb then got up, and asked this deponent to go with him to the other house. This deponent further
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saith, that Mr. Robb said that once in his day he never thought to be tried by such men as some of the committee. Some of them had been tried for murder and some for horse stealing.
And further saith not.
JAMES PATTON.
WHEREAS, A certain Robert Robb was brought before the con- mittee of this county, on account of sundry charges proven against him, and a resolve of this committee entered thereon, bearing date December 17th, 1776, by virtue whereof he was committed to the custody of Colonel James Murray, to be by him sent to some proper place of confinement until released by a superior authority :
AND WHEREAS, The said Colonel Murray, out of lenity to said Robb's family, saw fit to appoint the mansion house of the said Robb as a prison for him, on a promise of his good behavior for the future, but as said Robb hath since (as appears by sufficient tes- timony given before this committee) very ungratefully abused the lenity shown him by said Colonel Murray, by barbarously beating and much abusing a certain Peter Smith, of this county, so as to render him unable, for a considerable time, to support himself and his small family by his industry, as usual, as appears by the testi- mony of said Smith, and other evidences produced before this com- mittee :
AND WHEREAS, He did, at the same time, not only despise all authority of this committee, but also charge them with horse steal- ing, robbery, and murder, as appears by the testimony of said evidences : therefore,
Resolved, Notified to take, or order to be taken, the aforesaid Robert Robb before the Council of Safety, of this State, to whom he hath appealed, in order to answer the several charges proven against him before this committee, which we have inclosed in a letter directed to the said Council of Safety, which you are desired to deliver with said prisoner.
Signed by order of committee.
PAUL GEDDIS, Chairman.
January 15, 1777.
Resolved, That notice be sent to Captain Murray, requesting his attendance to-morrow morning, which was accordingly sent by Mr. Johnson.
9
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January 16.
Upon Captain Murray's not appearing according to notice,
Resolved, That Thomas Combs be hired and sent with a second notice to Captain Murray, requesting his attendance immediately.
Upon Captain Murray's non-appearance upon second notice,
Resolved, That the aforesaid Thomas Combs be again sent with a third notice to Captain Murray, and paid five shillings for his trouble.
January 17.
Thomas Combs returned from Captain Murray's, and brought a letter of which the following is a copy :
January 17, 1777.
GENTLEMEN : I sent you word by Mr. McKnight and Mr. John- son that I would not act any longer as an officer ; and since you wont take my word, I now send you my commission, and I hope you will believe me now.
WILLIAM MURRAY.
To the committee.
Upon Captain Murray's non-compliance with the resolve of this committee,
1
Resolved, That Simon Himrod and Buchanan Smith be ap- pointed to conduct Robert Robb to the Council of Safety of this State, and that they be paid two pounds five shillings for their trouble.
Resolved, That the sum of one pound ten shillings be paid to Captain John Hambright, for this book found by him, for the use of this committee.
Resolved, That Mordecai McKinney be paid by the chairman one pound two shillings and six pence, out of the balance received by Mr. Clay, on account of expresses to the different officers of Colonel Murray's battalion.
Job Jolloway applied to this committee for a letter to Thomas Ferguson, to go with him to the Six Nations.
Resolved, That a letter be sent accordingly.
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NORTHUMBERLAND, February 13, 1777.
The following gentlemen being unanimously chosen by their re- spective townships to serve in the committee of this county for the ensuing six months, met at the house of Laughlan McCartney, in Northumberland, and gave in the following returns of their election, viz :
Augusta township.
Potter's township.
John Livingstone, John McMillan.
Turbutt township.
Thomas Jordan, John Nelson, Josiah Espy.
Buffalo Township.
John Aurand, Thomas Sutherland, George Overmire.
Bald Eagle township.
John Fleming, James Hughs, John Walker.
Mochonoy township. George Yeakle, Henry Zartman, Henry Krebs.
Penn's township. Andrew Moore, David Miller, Jacob Hosterman.
White Deer township.
William Blyth, James McCormick, William Reed,
Muncy township. John Coates, James Hampton, William Hammond.
Mahoning township.
Wyoming township. James McClure, Peter Milleck, John Clingman.
The committee, according to order, proceeded to elect their chairman and clerk, when Thomas Jordan was unanimously chosen chairman, and John Coates, clerk.
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Resolved, That this committee be adjourned till Tuesday, the IIth day of March next, when they are to meet at the house of George McCandlish ; and as sundry of the townships have neglected to send out their members at this meeting, the committee have ordered the chairman to give notice to the said townships by public advertisement to attend at next meeting.
March 11th, 1777.
The committee met according to adjournment, Mr. Thomas Jor- dan in the chair.
Upon complaints being made by a certain Allis Read, of Wyom- ing township, that he, the said Read, had a horse strayed or stolen from him some time ago, and was found in the custody of a certain John Drake, when said Read replevied the horse and got him and kept him in his possession for about six months, and then the widow of said Drake came and took him forcibly out of said Read's stable, he not being at home himself, and now keeps the horse, and abso- lutely refuses to give him up again to the said Read.
Resolved, That Messrs. James McClure, Peter Milleck, and John Clingman, with the assistance of the committee of Wyoming town- ship be a joint committee to meet at the house of James McClure, in said township, on Saturday, the 22d day of this instant, March, to hear the complaint and defense of both parties concerning the said horse, and that the chairman of this committee issue summons for the evidences of the complainer to attend at said meeting, which summons are to be served by the complainer himself, as also a sum- mons for the said Widow Drake to attend with the horse and her evidences or reasons, if any she have, why the complainer should not have his horse upon proper proofs being made of his being his property, and the aforesaid persons are hereby authorized to judge and determine betwixt both parties, and upon proper proofs being ยท made, give their final judgment in the matter.
A certain Captain Jacob Links, of Buffalo township, appealed to this committee in consequence of a resolve of the committee of said township, a copy of which is as follows, viz :
" Resolved, That Jacob Links does return several sums of money, which a number of the inhabitants of this township did deliver to him for the use of purchasing salt, he, said Links, acknowledging he
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could have had salt, but it being troublesome times, he was afraid he should suffer loss if he would purchase the salt, and a certain evidence did declare that he said he was going on his own business to Philadelphia, and he, said Links, did not bring salt.
December 21, 1776, by the committee of Buffalo township.
(Signed,) WILL. IRWIN, Chairman."
In consequence of said appeal, Mr. Links was called in before this committee and asked if he had evidence to produce. He said he had, but that he had them not then ready.
Resolved, That Mr. Links appeal be referred till the next meet- ing of committee, and that his evidence be summoned to attend.
WHEREAS, Colonel or Captain Benjamin Weiser has made com- plaint to this committee that a number of persons who had been out under his command in the militia of this county, in order to join the continental army, in New Jersey, and that the said persons were deserted from him and returned home to this county, as the same is more fully expressed in a letter to this committee, bearing date -, craving their assistance.
Resolved, That a day of muster be assigned for the said persons to meet and march off to camp, and serve out their time, allowing them to elect new officers, if they had any objections to the old ones, cer- tifying them also, that if they neglect to obey this resolve, they are to be taken up and committed as deserters.
WHEREAS, This committee have received a letter from the com- mittee of the township of Bald Eagle, together with a resolve of their committee anent the selling of grain, &c., in their township, craving advice before they should carry their resolve into execution, of which the following is a copy :
February 26th, 1776. We, the committee of the township of Bald Eagle met, and as a complaint was made to us by a number of the inhabitants that there is a quantity of rye that is going to be carried out of the township, for stilling, and that there are some of the in- habitants, which have not sold their grain as yet, nor will not sell without they get eighteen pence or two shillings per bushel above the highest market price that grain is giving in the county, but will keep it up and carry it off ; and as it appears to us that a great num- ber of the inhabitants of the township will suffer if such a practice is allowed to go on ; therefore, we
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Resolve, That no stiller in this township shall buy any more grain this season for to still, or still any more than what he hath already by him. And further, we resolve, that no grain be carried out of this township till the necessity of the poor is supplied, or till the first day of May next ; and any person having grain of any kind to dispose of, and will not take the market price at Sunbury, reduct- ing a reasonable carriage or the highest price that it will be there when the grain is wanted, we allow to seize on it and take it by force, and pay them their money. Given under our hands the day and year above mentioned.
(Signed,) JOHN DICKSON, ROBERT LOVE, JAMES ERWIN.
Resolved, That the committee of Bald Eagle is the most compe- tent judges of the circumstances of the people in that township ; that, therefore, the affair be referred back to them to act as they shall see just cause, but, in the meantime, that they be cautioned against using too much rigor in their measures, and that they keep by mod- eration as much as possible, and study a sort of medium between seizing of property and supplying the wants of the poor.
Whereas, Report has been made to this committee of a certain Henry Sterratt profaning the Sabbath in an unchristian and scan- dalous manner, causing his servants to maul rails, &c., on that day, and beating and abusing them if they offered to disobey such his unlawful commands.
Resolved, That the committee of Bald Eagle township, where he now resides, be recommended to suppress such like practices to the utmost of their power.
Resolved, That this committee be adjourned till Tuesday, the 15th of April next, when it is again to meet at the house of George McCandlish.
April 15th, 1777.
The committee met according to adjournment, Mr. Thomas Jor- dan in the chair.
WHEREAS, A certain Jacob Dreisbach having disobeyed a sum- mons issued by this committee at their last sitting, for him to have compeared at this meeting of committee as evidence in the affair of Jacob Links,
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Resolved, That a special warrant be now granted for bringing him before this committee to-morrow, at nine o'clock.
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