USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Centennial : the settlement, formation and progress of Dauphine County, Pennsylvania, from 1785 to 1876 > Part 12
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Mr. A. Boyd Hamilton, of Harrisburg, then delivered the following address :
HEROES AND PATRIOTS OF DAUPHIN COUN- TY ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
Upon an occasion such as this, it is fitting that the present should show its appreciative gratitude to those whose records form a glorious past. It is the province of history to preserve from oblivion recollections of deeds whose character made a name and nation.
With these objects in view, this brief account is pre- pared, recalling the memories of those who laid lives and fortunes upon the altar of their country, and who con- tributed to an uncommon extent personal effort as their share to secure that independence, to celebrate which has caused us to assemble this day.
The present Dauphin, then part of Lancaster county, presents a remarkable roll of honor, from 1775, when the revolution commenced, to its conclusion in 1783. It com- prises of officers alone about 150, and of privates nearly 2,000 persons. This exceeds in magnitude any contri- bution made since that period, from any part of Penn- sylvania to the military service of the country. It sug- gests a train of thought very gratifying to those whose ancestry formed a part of this patriotic band. When it is remembered that these soldiers were drawn from a sparse population along the borders of the Susquehanna river, the Swatara, Beaver, Manada and Wiconisco creeks, the aggregate is most surprising.
These people were engaged at that time, in preparing rugged forests for future cultivation, in the labor common to a frontier life, yet old and young seem to have cheerfully
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forsaken all to follow the fortunes of "a nation that had as yet no flag." This day there are more than a million "starry banners" floating in this single county.
No sooner was a call for volunteers issued in 1775, than we find a company formed in Paxton and Derry to march "for Boston," soon after to Quebec, having as officers and privates Matthew Smith, James Crouch, Richard Dixon, Archibald Steele, Michael Simpson, John Joseph Henry, John and David Harris, sons of Harris, founder of Harrisburg, and other honored names, now seldom re- called, but the remembrance of whose valiant deeds, hardy endurance, and patriotic sacrifices should never be forgotten by a grateful people.
The sergeant, Dixon, of "Dixon Ford," on the Swa- tara, and John Harris, Harris Ferry, never returned from the campaign to and assault on Quebec. One of them, certainly, was killed there-the exact fate of the latter is quite uncertain. Alexander Nelson of Derry was also killed in this assault .***
*NOTE .- It has been a work of patience and research to recover so much of the roll of Smith's brave men as is herewith presented. It is thought all that marched from the present Dauphin county are embraced in it. I do not think it possible to recover a complete list of the company. It was 87 strong, and all of them from the then, Lancaster county. This roll names 48 of them. Who were the other 39 ? No papers of Smithi, Steel, Simpson or Cross, are known. Indeed almost all we know of that celebrated event, or of the heroic men who formed its ranks, is found in the memoir of it by Judge Henry-a private soldier.
Lieutenant Michael Simpson commanded, under an order of Gen. Arnold, the company in the assault on Quebec. Captain Smith was sick at Isle Or- leans. An excellent memoir of Gen. Simpson, prepared by George W. Har- ris, Esq., has been published since the foregoing address was delivered.
OFFICERS AND PRIVATES.
Captain-Matthew Smith, Paxton.
1st Lieut .- Archibald Steel, Donegal.
2d Lieut .- Michael Simpson, Paxton, commanded in the assault.
3d Lient .- William Cross, Hanover.
Boyd, Thomas, Sergeant, Derry, afterwards Captain-Lieutenant 1st P. M.
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It will be impossible in the brief compass to which this must be confined, to do more than refer to the services of those who were subsequently soldiers, afterward, hon- ored and useful citizens of Dauphin county. A recital of the names of most of them is all that can possibly be presented.
Of the considerable number of active officers resident in our own and the present Lebanon county, after 1785, the year of the formation of Dauphin county, very little is known of themselves or families. The memories of the brave privates it is impossible to recover. The fe- verish migrations previous to 1820 and of several subse
Binnagle, Curtis, Londonderry.
Bollinger, Emanuel, resided in Dauphin county in 1813.
Black, James, Hanover.
Black, Jolın, Upper Paxton.
Cavenaugh, Edward, resided in York county. "Honest Ned," of Judge Henry.
Carbach, Peter, enlisted in J. P. Scott's Co. March 12, 1777, afterwards in Capt. Selin's, discharged at Lancaster in 1783. Resided- in Dearborn county, Indiana, in 1830.
Conner, Timothy, Bethel.
Crouch, James, Paxton, afterwards a Colonel.
Cochran, Samuel, Paxton, afterwards a Captain of militia 1781.
Crow, Henry, died in Derry.
Cunningham, Robert, Londonderry, died at Lancaster of disease con- tracted in prison, soon after his return.
Dougherty, James, Londonderry, captured at Quebec, and put in irons eight weeks. Enlisted afterwards in 12th Penn.
Dixon, Robert, Sergeant, killed in front of Quebec, Nov. 17, 1775. Be- longed to West Hanover.
Dixon, Richard, Dixon's Ford.
Dean, Samuel, served one year, then appointed Lieutenant in Col. Hart's regiment, Flying camp. Subsequently 1st Lieutenant 11th Pa.
Adam Egle, wagon-master at Cambridge, Col. Thompson's regiment. Was in Smith's recruits, from Lebanon township.
Feely, Timothy, Dixon Ford.
Griffith John, Harris Ferry.
Harris, John, Harris Ferry, killed at Quebec.
Harris, David, Harris Ferry.
Henry, John Joseph, Lancaster, died at Harrisburg.
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quent years, dispersed families in localities distant from each other. The loss of home scattered their records and weakened their family ties. Indifference to ancestry, to private position, or public affairs seems to have charac- terized the emigrants from this charming region, to a land supposed to be more fruitful still, beyond the Allegheny mountains. All are aware that the life of a border settler is not conducive to the preservation of records, or of placing in indestructible form accounts of current affairs ; and thus it has happened that many things this genera- tion would like to know, are buried so deep in the abyss of oblivion, that it will be the merest accident, if they are ever rescued. Perhaps the imperfect information I pre-
Kennedy John, Hanover.
Marshall, Lawrence, Hanover.
McGranaghan Charles, Londonderry.
Merchant, George, Donegal.
McEnally, Henry, Londonderry.
McKonkey, John, Hanover.
Mellen, Atchison, resided in Lycoming county in 1813.
Nilson, Alexander, Derry, killed in front of Quebec, Jan. 1, 1776. Old, James, Derry.
Porterfield, Charles, Hanover.
Ryan, John, Derry.
Simpson, William, Paxton, wounded August 27, 1775, brother of Gen. Michael Simpson.
Sparrow, William, Derry.
Shaeffer, John, drummer, resided in Lancaster in 1809.
Smith, Samuel, Paxton.
Taylor, Henry, captured 31st December, 1775; returned 10th Novem- ber, 1776.
Tidd, [Todd, ] John, of Hanover.
Teeder, Michael, re-enlisted in 5th Penn.
Warner, James, died in the wilderness near Chaudiere lake .- Henry, p. 198.
Wheeler. - -, [uncertain, from Paxton. ]
Weirick, Valentine, Hanover, resided in Dauphin county in 1813. Waun, Michael, Derry.
Nilson [Nelson probably ] and Waun did not return. The former was killed in the assault. The other died at the "erossing of the Chaudiere." Thus Dixon, Harris and Nilson were killed in the battle.
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sent is as complete a record as can be gathered at this date, and is the only statement in a permanent form that has ever been collected. If for no other, this is a good reason for its preservation. In only one or two instances, has it appeared that the evils of ignorance, poverty, or vice, have overtaken any of the race of these noble fathers.
With these preliminary observations, the subject will be taken up based upon a list of names prepared by and contained in a circular issued by the Dauphin County Historical Society in May last, and with such other infor- mation as has since come to the knowledge of that or- ganization.
A great majority of those who served from Paxton, Derry, Hanover, Upper Paxton and Londonderry, the townships into which the upper part of Lancaster county was divided in 1774, were styled "associators," officered by those of their own choice, and serving short terms of duty as called upon by the supreme executive council. Many of them as early as the first year of the contest, en- tered the Pennsylvania line composed of thirteen regi- ments, enlisted for a term of three years. Whenever it has been possible to separate those who served as asso- ciators from those who were continental officers, it has been done.
In a few instances, company rolls have been recovered, but all search has been ineffectual in securing any num- ber of them. We know that Boyd, Wallace, Morrison Hays, McKnight, Wilson, McKee, Armstrong, McClure, Fleming, Bennet, Cochran, and other familiar names marched with Col. Timothy Greene, whilst Forster, Rutherford, Harris, Carson, Elder, Gray, McElhenny, Crawford, Gilchrist, Montgomery, McFarlane, Espy, and
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so on, marched under Cowden, Murray or Crouch. Happily the information respecting the following who in 1776, or afterwards, citizens of Dauphin county is pre- cise, and authentic as to dates and services.
Matthew Smith, June 25, 1775, captain in Col. William Thompson's Rifle regiment, which afterwards became the Ist Pennsylvania of the line, Col. Hand; promoted major in 9th Pennsylvania December 1, 1776; Vice President Executive Council, October 11, 1779 ; prothonotary of Northumberland county, Feb. 4, 1780-83. Died at Mil- ton, 1794; buried at Warrior's Run.
Archibald Steel, Ist lieutenant in Smith's company June 25, 1775; wounded at Quebec, losing two fingers ; captured December 31, 1775; carried on the rolls as lieutenant of Ist Pennsylvania. In service 57 years. Dying commander of the Frankford arsenal, aged 97, October 19, 1832. Buried at Philadelphia.
Michael Simpson, 2d lieutenant in Smith's company June 25, 1775; promoted captain of Ist Pennsylvania December 1, 1776; relieved from service January I, 1781. Died June 1, 1813. Buried at Paxton, aged 65 years.
William Cross, 2d lieutenant in Col. Moylan's cavalry regiment ; July 3, 1777, promoted captain 4th Pennsylva- nia regiment. Buried at Hanover, Dauphin county.
John Joseph Henry, private in Smith's company. (See his memoirs.) Died April 15, 1811.
John Hamilton, captain of volunteer unattached caval- ry, December, 1776; marched to the relief of Washing- ton before the battle of Trenton; again called out in 1778. Died and is buried at Harrisburg 1793, aged 43 years.
Alexander Graydon, captured January 5, 1776; 3d Pennsylvania battalion, Col. Shee; taken November 16,
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1776, at Fort Washington ; exchanged April 15, 1778. Died at Philadelphia, May 2, 1818, aged 67. (See his memoir.)
John Harris, commissioned captain of 12th Pennsylva- nia, Col. Wm. Cook, October 14, 1776. Founder of Harrisburg. Died July 29, 1791. Buried at Paxton, aged 65 years.
Dr. Robert Harris, Nov. 1, 1777, commissioned sur- geon's mate of 2d Pennsylvania regiment of the line. Died March 4, 1785, at Blue Ball tavern, Tredyfferin township, in Chester county, of an attack of quinsy, on his way from Philadelphia.
James Crouch died an aged man, at Walnut Hill, near Middletown, May 24, 1794 ; had been at Quebec, Prince- ton, Monmouth, Germantown, and rose from a private at Quebec, to be colonel of one of the Pennsylvania regi- ments. He is buried at Paxton.
John Stoner, appointed lieutenant of Capt. John Mur- ray's company, Col. Miles' regiment, March 15, 1776; promoted captain 10th Pennsylvania regiment, Decem- ber 4, 1776. Died at Harrisburg March 24, 1825, aged 77.
Andrew Lee, died June 30, 1821, aged 80 years. Na- tive of Paxton. Buried at Hanover, Luzerne county.
Ambrose Crain enlisted as a private in Capt. John Marshall's company, Col. Miles' regiment; promoted quartermaster sergeant July 15, 1776, and in April, 1777, second Lieutenant of Capt. Anderson's company, Col. Stewart's 10th Pennsylvania. Buried at Hanover.
Adam Boyd, second lieutenant on the armed ship Burke, Jan. 23, 1776; promoted to first lieutenant Octo- ber 4, 1776; honorably discharged July 16, 1777; lieu- tenant in the Northampton county contingent August,
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1777, at Brandywine, Germantown to Yorktown. Died May, 1814, aged 68 years, and is buried at Harrisburg.
John Murray, captain, Col. Miles' regiment, March 7, 1776; promoted major April 18, 1777; lieutenant colo- nel of 2d Pennsylvania regiment in 1780; relieved from service January 1, 1781 ; died in Chillisquaque township, Northumberland county. His company was from Upper Paxton and nearly used up at Long Island December 27, I776.
Andrew Forrest, second lieutenant Captain Graydon's company, 3d Pennsylvania battery; captured November 16, 1776, at Fort Washington; exchanged October 25, 1780. A physician and long resident of Harrisburg. Died at Danville 1815.
Captain John Brisban, commissioned January 5, 1776, 2d Pennsylvania battery, Col. Arthur St. Clair; served one year, died March 13, 1822, aged 91; buried at Paxton.
David Harris, second son of John the founder, was an officer early in the contest-rose to be a major, removed to and died at Baltimore.
Capt. John Marshall's company, Col. Miles' regiment, was raised in Hanover; his lieutenants were John Clark, Thomas Gourley and Stephen Hanna. This fine com- pany was nearly destroyed at the battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776.
Samuel Weir, commissioned second lieutenant 1777, had served at Princeton previously, and was an officer at Germantown and Yorktown. Died 1820, aged 76 years, and buried at Harrisburg.
Archibald McAllister, commissioned second lieutenant July, 1776; served at Monmouth, Princeton to Yorktown. Died at Fort Hunter, an historical spot in the border wars from 1750 to 1768. Died at and is buried at Fort Hunter.
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Historical Sketch of Dauphin County.
James Cowden, a native of Paxton, Dauphin county ; colonel of Associators. Died in the house in which he was born October 10, 1810, aged 73 years. Buried at Paxton church yard.
The law relative to "Associators" was a very strict one. It was provided that an officer so forgetful of his position as to use profane language was held to pay a fine of five shillings for each oath; a private was fined for a like of fence one shilling and "further punishment." Thus in- dulgence in profanity was a costly luxury.
An officer guilty of drunkenness was visited with ex- pulsion and reduction to the ranks; a private fined and "further punishment."
All landlords were forbidden to distress Associators un- der pain of punishment, the grade of which the councils wisely, as it seems to us, did not name. We have met with no instance of this threat being executed.
Non-associators were compelled to pay a tax, gener- ally of three dollars, twice a year to the State. It was collected with unusual severity.
The patriotism of the "Associators" was encouraged by stirring addresses from the brave and brilliant men who were at the head of the movement-those who were to give enduring form to institutions which exist to this day. One example is given, an eloquent and inspiring appeal to Pennsylvania, from those who assembled in June, 1776, to form a State constitution. No State paper before or during this contest of arms that followed, breathes more lofty sentiments, purer patriotism or in- tense love of freedom, than this. For these reasons it is quoted at length. It will bear perusal now with as lively admiration as it did one hundred years ago.
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Historical Sketch of Dauphin County.
TO THE ASSOCIATORS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Gentlemen :- The only design of our meeting together was to put an end to our own power in the Province, by fixing upon a plan for calling for a convention, to form a govern- ment under the authority of the people. But the sudden and unexpected separation of the late assembly has com- pelled us to undertake the execution of a resolve of Con- gress, for calling forth 4,500 of the militia of the Province, to join the militia of the neighboring Colonies, to form a camp for our immediate protection. We presume only to recommend the plan we have formed to you, trusting that in a case of so much consequence, your love of vir- tue and zeal for liberty, will supply the want of authority delegated to us expressly for that purpose.
We need not remind you that you are now furnished with new motives to animate and support your courage.
You are not about to contend against the power of Great Britain, in order to displace one set of villains to make room for another. Your arms will not be ener- vated in the day of battle with the reflection, that you are to risk your lives or shed your blood for a British tyrant; or that your posterity will have your work to do over again.
You are about to contend for permanent freedom, to be supported by a government which will be derived from yourselves, and which will have for its object, not the emolument of one man or class of men only, but the safety, liberty and happiness of every indi- vidual in the community. We call upon you there- fore by the respect and obedience, which are due to the authority of the United Colonies, to concur in this important measure. The present campaign will proba- bly decide the fate of America. It is now in your power to immortalize your names, by mingling your achievements with the events of the year 1776-a year which we hope will be famed in the annals of history to the end of time, for establishing upon a lasting foundation the liberties of one quarter of the globe.
Historical Sketch of Dauphin County. 173
Remember the honor of our colony is at stake. Should . you desert the common cause at the present juncture, the glory you have acquired by your former exertions of strength and virtue will be tarnished: and our friends and brethren who are now acquiring laurels in the most re- mote parts of America, will reproach us and blush to own themselves natives or inhabitants of Pennsylvania.
But there are other motives before you. Your houses, your fields, the legacies of your ancestors, or the dearly bought fruits of your own industry, and your liberty, now urge you to the field. These cannot plead with you in vain, or we might point out to you further your wives, your children, your aged fathers and mothers who now look up to you for aid, and hope for salvation in this day of calamity only from the instrumentality of your swords.
Remember the name of Pennsylvania !- Think of your ancestors and your posterity.
Signed by an unanimous order of the Conference.
THOMAS M'KEAN, President.
JUNE 25, 1776.
Powder was scarce and many persons set to making it, under the principal direction of Dr. Robert Harris, of Donegal, afterwards a surgeon in the line. Muskets and their fixtures were still more difficult to obtain; the material and skill, however, was at hand to manufacture them. A large trade was created in their manufacture at Lancaster, and one or two other points in what is at present our territory. Their cost was about nine pounds, or in the currency of that day twenty-five dollars. Judge John Joseph Henry was an apprentice at this handicraft when he ran off to fight against Quebec. He afterwards was the first law judge of Dauphin county.
During the first years of the war letters are preserved addressed to the "Lancaster Committee," from officers of the Association, stating that certain privates about Swa-
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Historical Sketch of Dauphin County.
tara were gunsmiths-mostly apprentices-and request- ing their excuse from "duty." In no case was such a request declined; often as it proved, to the great mortifi- cation of the youth whose ambition it was to distinguish himself as a defender of his country. Judge Henry, Captain Shearer and Ensign Young, are prominent ex- amples of this feeling.
The first formal call upon the Associators was in June, 1775, although in January a notice of such intention was promulgated to the "Lieutenants" of the counties. The number demanded of Lancaster county was 600 men, of which Paxton, Derry, Hanover, Upper Paxton and Lon- donderry were to furnish about one-half. There arose the usual dispute about rank amongst those who had held commands in the provincial service. This among the Paxton boys, was carried on in the fractious fashion of the race. It ended so far as our relation is concerned, in the retirement of Col. James Burd, the senior colonel of the provincial troops, and in turning over his com- mand to Majors Cornelius Cox, of Estherton, and James Crouch, of Middletown.
These gentlemen had a great deal of trouble, ere they were able to get their forces in marching condition. It occupied the attention of Rev. Mr. Elder, still a lieu- tenant colonel in the provincial service, Capt. Joseph Shearer, Capt. John Harris, Capt. Robert Elder, after- wards a lieutenant colonel, Lieutentant William Young and Ensigns Samuel Berryhill, Thomas Forster, Jacob Snyder and William Steel, the whole of a wearisome summer, to get these heroes in good humor. However, they did get to the field of conflict, and no complaint has ever been heard that they were not valiant, as well as obedient soldiers.
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At one period or other, besides the officers already mentioned, the following served :
James Cowden, Timothy Greene,
COLONELS. James Crawford, James Crouch.
LIEUTENANT COLONELS. | Peter Hetericks.
Robert Elder,
Cornelius Cox, John Rogers, Abram Latschall, John Gilchrist, Jr., Anthony McCreight,
James Rogers, Patrick Hayes, Jas. McCreight, John Hartenrider, Daniel Bradley, Samuel Cochran, Michael Brown. Jr., William Allen, George Lauer, Robert M'Callen, Jonathan M'Clure, William M'Clure, Jr., William Murray,
Matthew Gilchrist, William Hill, Adam Mark, Castle Byers, William Barnett, John Bakestose, William Patterson, John Ryan, George Clark, William Montgomery, John Matthews, John Chesney, John Hallebaugh, Daniel Hoffman, Joseph Smith, Thomas Sturgeon, William M'Millen,
John Eversole, Jacob Pruder, William Branden, James Johnson, Baltzer Stone, John Brown, Jr., Daniel Stover, William Stewart, George Taylor, James Reed,
MAJORS.
James Stewart, and perhaps others in these grades, the officers of which were continually being changed by Congress or the Council.
CAPTAINS.
Martin Weaver, Andrew Stewart. Geo. M'Millen, Hugh Robertson, William Johnson,
William Laird,
John Kean, the elder.
Thomas Koppenheffer, Benjamin Snodgrass,
James Sayer, Michael Whitley, Frederick Hummel, founder of the town of Hummelstown.
LIEUTENANTS.
Michael Linnes, George Clark, Emanuel Ferree, Robert M'Kee, Upper Paxton, pro- moted to a majority 1779,
John Barrett, John M'Farland,
Jacob Latchsar, Peter Brightbel, John Weaver, Jacob Gibbins,
Robert Martin,
James Wilson, Derry, Henry M'Cormick, Balzer Bomgardner, Andrew Rogers.
ENSIGNS.
William Lochrey, George Treebaugh, Jonathan Woodside, Daniel Hoffman, James Wallace, Robert Greenley, Henry Graham, John Weaver, Jacob Stein, George Killinger.
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Many of those present who hear or read this, will find an ancestral name among those who form the foregoing patriotic roli of honor." Very complete notices of Col. Greene, and Rev. Mr. Elder are to be found in printed publications, to which you are referred.
Interesting particulars of them could be recited, but the bounds set to this address is limited and all that is left for us to do is to recall the memories of the fragrant past.
Several of the very earliest settlers, lotholders in Har- risburg, 1785, were men of the revolution-lived long enough to see the village of Harris Ferry-four years Louisburg-then Harrisburg-well equipped for its on- ward progress to a prosperous and populous communi- ty. A few moments devoted to them will close this epi- sode, so interesting in the history of a border land before Dauphin county existed.
These men, Alexander Graydon, our first prothono- tary; James Sayer, who was at Germantown and Chadd's Ford with Samuel Weir and John Stoner-Adam Boyd, who had served as an officer in the fight at Chadd's Ford, Germantown and Yorktown-Andrew Mitchel who had served four years from Monmouth to Yorktown-John Hamilton, a cavalry officer at Trenton-John Kean, the younger, at Yorktown-Andrew Forrest, an officer who was "in everything," as he expressed it, from Trenton to Yorktown, and Thomas Forster of Paxton.
To the names of these excellent fathers, must be added those of William Graydon, Joseph, Hugh and John Mont- gomery, Andrew Gregg, William Murray, Jacob Awl, Conrad Bombaugh, John Hoge, Samuel Grimes (Gra- ham,) Wendel Hipsman, George Hoyer, William Glass, William Milham, and perhaps others of whom we are un- certain, all very early residents of Harrisburg having
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