USA > Pennsylvania > Early history of western Pennsylvania, and of the West, and of western expeditions and campaigns, from MDCCLIV to MDCCCXXXIII > Part 71
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"On the 13th July, 1782, a party of the townsfolk went to O'Con- nor's fields, about a mile and a half north of the village, to cut the harvest of Michael Huffnagle. * The summer of '82 was a sorrowful one to the frontier inhabitants. The blood of many a family had sprinkled their own fields. The frontier northwest of the town was almost deserted; the inhabitants had fled for safety and repose towards the Sewickly settlement. At this very time there were a num- ber of families at Miller's station, about two miles south of the town. There was, therefore, little impediment to the Indians, either by way of resistance, or even of giving warning of their approach. When the reapers had cut down one field, one of the number who had crossed to the side next to the woods, returned in great alarm, and reported that he [262 ]
WESTMORELAND COUNTY.
had seen a number of Indians approaching. The whole reaping party ran for the town, each one intent upon his own safety. The scene which then presented itself may more readily be conceived than de- scribed. Fathers seeking for their wives and children, and children calling upon their parents and friends, and all hurrying in a state of consternation to the fort. Some criminals were confined in jail, the doors of which were thrown open. After some time it was proposed that some person should reconnoitre, and relieve them from uncertainty. Four young men, David Shaw, James Brison, and two others, with their rifles, started on foot through the highlands, between that and Crabtree creek, pursuing a direct course towards O'Connor's fields ; whilst Capt. J-, who happened to be in the town, pursued a more circuitous route on horseback.
" The captain was the first to arrive at the fields, and his eye was not long in doubt, for the whole force of the savages was there mustered. He turned his horse to fly, but was observed and pursued. When he had proceeded a short distance, he met the four on foot-told them to fly for their lives-that the savages were coming in great force-that he would take a circuitous route and alarm the settlements. He went to Love's, where Frederick Beaver now lives, about a mile and a quarter east of the town, and assisted the family to fly, taking Mrs. Love on the horse behind him. The four made all speed for the town, but the fore- most Indians obtained sight of them, and gave them hot pursuit. By the time they had reached the Crabtree creek, they could hear the dis- tinct footfalls of their pursuers, and see the sunbeams glistening through the foliage of the trees upon their naked skins. When, however, they got into the mouth of the ravine that led up from the creek to the town, they felt almost secure. The Indians, who knew nothing of the pre- vious alarm given to the town, and supposed that they would take it by surprise, did not fire, lest that might give notice of their approach; this saved the lives of David Shaw and his companions. When they got to the top of the hill, the strong instinct of nature impelled Shaw to go first into the town, and see whether his kindred had gone into the fort, before he entered it himself. As he reached his father's threshold and saw all within desolate, he turned and saw the savages, with their tufts of hair flying in the wind, and their brandished tomahawks, for they had emerged into the open space around the town, and commenced the war-whoop. He resolved to make one of them give his death halloo, and raising his rifle to his eye, his bullet whizzed true, for the stout savage at whom he aimed bounded into the air and fell upon his face. Then, with the speed of an arrow, he fied for the fort, which he entered in safety. The Indians were exasperated when they found the town deserted, and after pillaging the houses, they set them on fire. Although a considerable part of the town was within rifle range of the fort, the whites did but little execution, being more intent on their own safety than solicitous about destroying the enemy. One savage, who had put on the military coat of one of the inhabitants, paraded himself so ostentatiously that he was shot down. Except this one, and the one laid low by Shaw, there was no evidence of any other execution, but some human bones found among the ashes of one of the houses, where
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APPENDIX-NO. XXVII.
they, it was supposed, burnt those that were killed. There were not more than 14 or 15 rifles in the fort ; and a company having marched from the town some time before, in Lochry's ill-fated campaign, many of the most efficient men were absent ; not more than 20 or 25 remained. A maiden, Jennet Shaw, was killed in the fort; a child having run opposite the gate, in which there were some apertures through which a bullet from the Indians occasionally whistled, she followed it, and as she stooped to pick it up, a bullet entered her bosom-she thus fell a victim to her kindness of heart. 'The savages, with their wild yells and hideous gesticulations, exulted as the flames spread, and looked like demoniacs rejoicing over the lost hopes of mortals.
"Soon after the arrival of the marauders, a large party of them was observed to break off, by what seemed concerted signals, and march towards Miller's station. At that place there had been a wedding the day before. Love is a delicate plant, but will take root in the midst of perils in gentle bosoms. A young couple, fugitives from the frontier, fell in love and were married. Among those who visited the bridal festivity, were Mrs. H-, and her two beautiful daughters, from the town. John Brownlee, who then owned what is now the fine farm of Frederick J. Cope, and his family, were also there. This individual was well known in frontier forage and scouting parties. His courage, activity, generosity, and manly form, won for him among lis associates, as they win everywhere, confidence and attachment. Many of the In- dians were acquainted with his character, some of them probably had seen his person. There were in addition to the mansion a number of cabins, rudely constructed, in which those families who had been driven from their homes resided. 'The station was generally called Miller's town. The bridal party were enjoying themselves in the principal mansion, without the least shadow of approaching danger. Some men were mowing in the meadow-people in the cabins were variously oc- cupied-when suddenly the war-whoop, like a clap of thunder from a cloudless sky, broke upon their astonished ears. The people in the cabins and those in the meadow, mostly made their escape. One inci- dent always excites emotions in my bosom when I have heard it related. Many who fled took an east course, over the long steep hills which ascend towards Peter George's farm. One man was carrying his child, and assisting his mother in the flight, and when they got towards the top of the hill, the mother exclaimed they would be murdered, that the savages were gaining space upon them. The son and father put down and abandoned his child that he might more effectually assist his mother. Let those disposed to condemn, keep silence until the same struggle of nature takes place in their own bosoms. Perhaps he though the sav- ages would be more apt to spare the innocence of infancy than the weakness of age. But most likely it was the instinct of feeling, and even a brave man had hardly time to think under such circumstances. At all events, Providence seemed to smile on the act, for at the dawn of the next morning, when the father returned to the cabin, he found his little innocent curled upon his bed, sound asleep, the only human thing left amidst the desolation. Let fathers appreciate his feelings : whether the Indians had found the child and took compassion on it, and carried [264 ]
WESTMORELAND COUNTY,
it back, or whether the little creature had been unobserved, and when it became tired of its solitude, had wandered home through brush and over briers, will never be known. The latter supposition would seem most probable from being found in its own cabin and on its own bed. At the principal mansion, the party were so agitated by the cries of women and children, mingling with the yell of the savage, that all were for a moment irresolute, and that moment sealed their fate. One young man of powerful frame grasped a child near him, which happened to be Brownlee's, and effected his escape. He was pursued by three or four savages. But his strength enabled him to gain slightly upon his fol- lowers, when he came to a rye-field, and taking advantage of a thick copse, which by a sudden turn intervened between him and them, he got on the fence and leaped far into the rye, where he lay down with the child. He heard the quick tread of the savages as they passed, and their slower steps as they returned, muttering their guttural disar point- ment. That man lived to an honored old age, but is now no more .- Brownlee made his way to the door, having seized a rifle; he saw however, that it was a desperate game, but made a rush at some Ir dians who were entering the gate. The shrill clear voice of his wife, ex- claiming, "Jack, will you leave me ?" instantly recalled him, and he sat down beside her at the door, yielding himself a willing victim. The party were made prisoners, including the bridegroom and bride, and several of the family of Miller. At this point of time, Capt. J-, was seen coming up the lane in full gallop. The Indians were certain of their prey, and the prisoners were dismayed at his rashness. For- tunately he noticed the peril in which he was placed in time to save himself. Eagerly bent upon giving warning to the people, his mind was so engrossed with that idea, that he did not see the enemy until he was within full gun shot. When he did see them, and turned to fly, several bullets whistled by him, one of which cut his bridle-rein, but he escaped. When those of the marauders who had pursued the fugitives returned, and when they had safely secured their prisoners and loaded them with plunder, they commenced their retreat.
" Heavy were the hearts of the women and maidens as they were led into captivity. Who can tell the bitterness of their sorrow ? They looked, as they thought, for the last time upon the dear fields of their country, and of civilized life. They thought of their fathers, their hus- bands, their brothers, and, as their eyes streamed with tears, the cruelty and uncertainty which hung over their fate as prisoners of savages over- whelmed them in despair. They had proceeded about half a mile, and four or five Indians near the group of prisoners in which was Brownlee were observed to exchange rapid sentences among each other and look earnestly at him. Some of the prisoners had named him ; and, whether it was from that circumstance or because some of the Indians had recog- nized his person, it was evident that he was a doomed man. He stooped slightly to adjust his child on his back, which he carried in ad- dition to the luggage which they had put on him ; and, as he did so, one of the Indians who had looked so earnestly at him stepped to him hastily and buried a tomahawk in his head. When he fell, the child was quickly dispatched by the same individual. One of the women
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APPENDIX-NO. XXVII.
captives screamed at this butchery, and the same bloody instrument and ferocious hand immediately ended her agony of spirit. God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, and He enabled Mrs. Brownlee to bear that scene in speechless agony of wo. Their bodies were found the next : day by the settlers, and interred where they fell. The spot is marked | to this day in Mechling's field. As the shades of evening began to fall, the marauders met again on the plains of Hanna's town. They retired ! into the low grounds about the Crabtree creek, and there regaled them- selves on what they had stolen. It was their intention to attack the fort : the next morning before the dawn of day.
" At nightfall thirty yeomen, good and true, had assembled at George's farm, not far from Miller's, determined to give, that night, what succor they could to the people in the fort. They set off for the town, each with his trusty rifle, some on horseback and some on foot. As soon as they came near the fort the greatest caution and circumspection was ob- served. Experienced woodsmen soon ascertained that the enemy was in the crab tree bottom, and that they might enter the fort. Accordingly, they all marched to the gate, and were most joyfully welcomed by those within. After some consultation, it was the general opinion that the Indians intended to make an attack the next morning ; and, as there were but about 45 rifles in the fort, and about 55 or 60 men, the contest was considered extremely doubtful, considering the great superiority of numbers on the part of the savages. It became, therefore, a matter of the first importance to impress the enemy with a belief that large rein- forcements were arriving. For that purpose the horses were mounted by active men and brought full trot over the bridge of plank that was across the ditch which surrounded the stockading. This was frequently repeated. Two old drums were found in the fort, which were new braced, and music on the fife and drum was kept occasionally going during the night. While marching and counter-marching, the bridge was frequently crossed on foot by the whole garrison. These measures had the desired effect. The military music from the fort, the trampling of the horses, and the marching over the bridge, were borne on the silence of night over the low lands of the crab-tree, and the sounds car .. ried terror into the bosoms of the cowardly savages. They feared the retribution which they deserved, and fled shortly after midnight in their stealthy and wolf-like habits. 300 Indians, and about 60 white savages - in the shape of refugees, (as they were then called,) crossed the crab- tree that day, with the intention ot destroying Hanna's town and Miller's station.
" The next day a number of the whites pursued the trail as far as the Kiskiminetas without being able to overtake them.
" The little community, which had now no homes but what the fort supplied, looked out on the ruins of the town with the deepest sorrow. It had been to them the scene of heartfelt joys-embracing the intensity and tednerness of all which renders the domestic hearth and family altar sacred. By degrees they all sought themselves places where they might, like Noah's dove, find rest for the soles of their feet. The lots of the town, either by sale or abandonment, became merged in the ad- joining farm ; and the labors of the husbandman soon effaced what time [266]
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WASHINGTON COUNTY.
might have spared. Many a tall harvest have I seen growing upon the ground ; but never did I look upon its waving luxuriance without think- ing of the severe trials, the patient fortitude, the high courage which characterized the early settlers.
" The prisoners were surrendered by the Indians to the British in Canada. The beauty and misfortune of the Misses H- attracted attention ; and an English officer-perhaps moved by beauty in distress to love her for the dangers she had passed-wooed and won the fair and gentle Marian. After the peace of '83 the rest of the captives were delivered up, and returned to their country."
[ NO. XXVIII. ]
? WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Washington county was erected by an act passed March 28, 1781, and was then bounded as follows: "Beginning at the junction of the Monongahela and Ohio rivers ; thence up the Monongahela river afore- said, to the line run by Mason and Dixon ; thence by the said line due west, to the end thereof; and from thence the same course, to the end of five degrees west longitude, computed from the river Delaware ; thence by a meridian line extended north, until the same intersect the Ohio river ; and thence by the same to the place of beginning; (the said lines, from the end of Mason and Dixon's line to the Ohio river, to be under- stood as to be hereafter ascertained by commissioners now appointed, or to be appointed for that purpose)."
The limits of this county were reduced by erecting Allegheny in 1788, subsequently by adding another portion of this county to Allegheny, in 1789, and erecting Greene in 1796, and Beaver in 1800, and by altering the lines between Washington and Greene in 1802.
By the act erecting this county, James Edgar, Hugh Scott, Van Swearingham, Daniel Lite and John Armstrong, were appointed com- missioners, to purchase a piece of land for county purposes, at some convenient place to be approved of by the President* of the Supreme Council, thereon to erect a court house and prison.
Washington county is bounded north by Beaver, north-east by Alle- gheny, east by Westmoreland and Fayette, south by Greene, and west by the State of Virginia. Length, 31 miles; breadth, 28; area, 888 square miles ; and contains 568,320 acres of land. Population in 1790, 23,866; in 1800, 28,293; in 1810, 36,289; in 1820, 40,038; in 1830, 42,784 ; in 1840, 41,279.
* William Moore was President of the Supreme Executive Council at the time.
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APPENDIX-NO. XXVIII.
The following table exhibits at one view the population of each town ship, according to the census of 1820, '30, and '40 :
TOWNSHIPS, BOROUGHS.
POPULATION.
Washington borough,
1,687
1,816
2,002
0
Creek,
1,908
2,147
2,00€
Hanover,
1,329
1,573
2,002
Smith,
1,848
2,089
1,345
North Straban,
2,571
2,599
1,207
b
South Straban,
1,075
Canton,
1,276
1,218
1,132 a
Mount Pleasant,
1,254
1,327
1,203
Robinson,
925
944
860
East Findley,
1,967
1,219
1,147
East Bethlehem,
1,239
2,606
2,312
Donegal,
1,879
2,093
1,747 1
Hopewell,
2,186
1,897
1,596
Canonsburg borough,
792
687
Amwell,
1,825
1,733
1,536
Chartiers,
1,330
1,575
1,616
Morris,
1,713
2,048
1,683
West Bethlehem,
2,187
2,048
1,743
West Middletown borough,
297
260
Wellsboro borough,
312
West Findley,
1,218
1,187
Monongahela city borough,
752
Carroll,
1,235
Fallowfield,
2,020
2,142
1,203
Union,
858
Nottingham,
2,098
2,118
983
Somerset,
1,540
1,573
1,620
West Pike Run,
1,967
2,081
9471
Greenfield borough,
264
Peters,
1,265
1,196
1,024
Cecil,
1,154
1,107
1,027
Total,
40,038 42,680 41,279
The adult population was variously employed. In mining, 120; ag- riculture, 6,667; commerce, 170 ; manufactures and trades, 1,690 ; in navigation of the ocean, 9; navigation of canals and rivers, 46; learned professions, 176.
Though, properly speaking, there are no mountains in this county, yet the surface is very hilly and uneven : deeply furrowed by valleys along the streams, between which the upland is indulating; the soil is very fertile, and highly productive when carefully cultivated; as an agricultural district it is not much inferior to any in the State; the cli- [268]
0
B
b
b
Claysville borough,
292
C
B
h
0
East Pike Run,
1,240
h
m
1820.
1830.
1840.). 16
e
m
Buffaloe,
1,430
1,516
1,116
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
own. mate is pleasant and healthy ; the scenery unsurpassed, truly picturesque in its contrast of woods and hills-supporting scores of flocks of sheep -being one of the best wool-growing counties in the State.
The geological character is briefly given in the language of another : 1840. " The rocks in this part of the State belonging to the upper series of 2,002 2,006 2,002 1,345 our bituminous coal formation, consist of alternating strata of sandstones, shales and limestones, with interposed beds of coal, from three to six or eight feet in thickness. These nearly level strata, extending over the whole of this and a great part of the adjoining counties, are cut through 1,207 by the deep valleys of the streams, and exposed in varied succession in 1,075 the steep banks and along the hill sides, in situations favorable to access, 1,132 and affording great facilities for mining and quarrying. Coal for domes- 1,203 tic consumption is abundant in every part of the county, and along the bank of the Monongahela it is dug in great quantities, and sent in flat ,147 boats down the Ohio river for sale."
The staple articles are abundant. The following summary of the census of 1840, may afford the reader some idea of the actual wealth of this county :
Mineral, Agricultural, Horticultural, Commercial, &c., Statistics of Washington County.
Raised anthracite coal, 9,283 tons ; bituminous coal, 976,200 bushels; men employed, 325 ; capital, $25,824.
Live stock, &c .- Horses and mules, 15,690; neat cattle, 35,344 ; sheep, 222,631; swine, 54,285; value of poultry of all kinds, $25,617. Bushels of wheat raised, 666,200; barley, 11,913; oats, 1,862,528; rye, 38,157; buckwheat, 29,368; corn, 652,692; pounds of wool, 482,603; hops, 3,148; wax, 1,147; bushels of potatoes, 581,569; hay, 22,122 tons; sugar made, 56,032 pounds; value of the products of the dairy, $75,937; of the orchard, $38,768; of home-made goods, $43,844. Stores of all kinds, 120; capital, $481,800. Fulling mills, 3; woollen manu- factories, 3; value of manufactured goods, $8,769; capital, $5,800; value of caps and hats manufactured, $3,900. Tanneries, 30; tanned 6,145 sides of sole, and 8,935 upper leather; capital, $41,800. Dis- tilleries 18, produced 151,758 gallons; capital, $7,800. Two glass- houses and 2 glass-cutting establishments, employed 80 men; value of manufactured articles, $100,000; capital invested, $18,000. ' alue of carriages and wagons manufactured, $37,370; capital, $18,075. Flour- ing mills, 25; grist mills, 66; saw mills, 72. Total capital invested in manufactures, $279,005.
The aggregate amount of property taxable in 1845, was $7,172,092; whereof $6,401,148 was real estate.
The Monongahela river, rising in Randolph county, Virginia, in its onward course to the Ohio, flows along the eastern side, for a distance of about thirty miles, This, with the numerous other streams of the county, afford an abundant supply of water for agricultural and manu- facturing purposes. The creeks are, Chartiers, Ten-mile, Pigeon, Rac- coon, Harman's, Wheeling, Cross, Buffalo, Fish, Little North Fork, Bane's Fork, Ramsey's, George's Miller's Branch, Dutch Fork, Maple-
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860 ,312 292 ,747 ,596 687 ,536 616 ,116 683 743 260 312 187 752 235 203 358 983 $20 47 40 64 24 27 79 in ed
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APPENDIX -- NO. XXVIII.
Indian, Mingo, Burgett's branch. The runs are, Pike, Brushy, Castle. man's, Little Pike, Montours, beside several smaller ones.
Timber is abundant. The most common forest trees are the different kinds of oak, hickory, sugar-maple, from which more than 50,000 pounds of sugar are annually manufactured.
The public improvements here are made by the Monongahela Navi- gation company, which must prove a great advantage to the eastern por- tion of the county. There are several turnpike roads passing through this county. The one constructed by the National Government, which is the great thoroughfare from Baltimore and Washington city, to the West, passes through this county, from Brownsville on the Mononga- hela to Wheeling. The turnpike road from Bedford, through Somerset, Mount Pleasant, and Monongahela, connects with the National turnpike at the town of Washington. Common roads, generally in good order, pass through the county in various directions. Many of the streamns have bridges thrown across them.
From the general character of the people, it is reasonable to expect that education would receive considerable attention, and that means for that purpose would be provided commensurately with the importance of the subject. There are two colleges in this county. Washington col- lege, which arose from the Washington Academy, and had been incor- porated in 1787. This college was incorporated in 1806. Jefferson college, at Canonsburg, was founded in 1802. Both sustain a high reputation. The Washington Female Seminary, established in 1836, also sustains a fair reputation.
The Common School System is in full operation. In 1845, twenty- nine out of thirty school districts were reported to the Superintendent of Common Schools. ' A school tax of $11,607,78 was raised. The State appropriation was $5,292,21. In these schools 4,594 males, and 3,456 females, were taught during seven months and six days. Sunday schools, Bible and Tract societies, are liberally supported.
The prevailing religious denominations are Presbyterians, Seceders, Methodists, Baptists, some Catholics, Episcopalians, German Reformed, Lutheran, and Cumberland Presbyterians.
WASHINGTON, the county seat, occupying nearly a central position, was laid out in 1782, by John and William Hoge, is situated on the National road, thirty miles east of the Ohio river at Wheeling, and twenty-five south-west from Pittsburg. It is incorporated into a borough, and contained in 1840, 2,100 inhabitants. It contains a new and well built court house, completed in 1842, which is an ornament to the place, and several fine churches owned by the Presbyterians, Methodists, Lu- therans and Reformed, Episcopal, Protestant Methodists, Cumberland Presbyterians, Baptists, and African Methodists. Washington College, the Female Seminary and Market-house, also add much to the appear- ance of the place, which is beautiful and flourishing, beyond description.
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