USA > Pennsylvania > Historical register : notes and queries historical and genealogical, chiefly relating to interior Pennsylvania. Volume I > Part 25
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283
Captain David Ziegler.
for several months before his death, from the further prosecution of business. He was a good husband, a good neighbor, a punctual dealer, and in truth an upright man.
The funeral of the deceased hero, which was performed with great military pomp, is described in the same paper as follows:
On Thursday the 26th instanter, the corpse of Major Ziegler was in- terred with military honours, and was accompanied to the grave by the Harmonical society, who played on various wind-instruments during the procession, which was extremely numerous and respecta- ble. The order of the procession was :
First, the Major's horse with his saddle, holster, and pistols.
Second, the clergy and Physicians of the town.
Third, Cincinnati band of Music.
Fourth, the Military, Infantry, Capt. Mansfield, Artillery, Capt. Jenkinson, Cavalry, Capt. Sloan, with arms reversed.
Next came the hearse of the deceased accompanied by the following pall-bearers : Capt. Sloan, Capt. Jenkinson, Capt. Torrence, Capt. Carr, Major Ruffin, Major Stanley, Col. Riddle, and Genl. Gano.
Sixth, Mourners.
Seventh, Militia officers in uniform.
Eighth, Citizens.
His body was interred in the cemetery of the Presbyterian Congre- gation, of which he was a member, on Fourth Street. On the Sun- day evening following a funeral sermon was preached on his death by the Rev. Joshua L. Wilson, at the Presbyterian meeting-house."
"Thus," says the "Western Spy," " has America lost another of her revolutionary officers."
Major Ziegler was a man of medium height, dark complexion, and proud military carriage; always polite and affable in his manners. His face was round and bore the character of good nature, bordering on humorousness. Judge Burnett said of him, in connection with Martin Baum, another of Cincinnati's earliest and best citizens, that they were his two black German. brothers, he himself being of dark complexion.
When, in the year 1844, the village, whose first " Burgomas- ter" Ziegler had been, had risen to the great commercial me- tropolis of the West, and when part of the cemetery, on the Fourth street front, had to give way to the erection of busi- ness houses, the tombstone of Ziegler was discovered, buried beneath a mass of shrubbery and rubbish. Its brief biograph- ical inscription revived the memory of the forgotten hero. A movement was set on foot, and the German militia companies
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of Cincinnati assembled at the old cemetery, dug out what was left of the remains and escorted the ashes to the cemetery on Twelfth street where they were again interred. But that cem- etery has likewise disappeared, together with the stone bearing the legend of his memory. And now, underneath the green lawn of the " Washington Park " in Cincinnati lies buried the first Chief Magistrate of the great metropolis of the Ohio val- ley, unknown. perhaps, and forgotten by most of its inhabi- tants. with no monument to refresh the memory of the present and future generations, that a true Cincinnatus, a noble warrior, and a good citizen sleeps there his last sleep.
285
Fithian's Journal.
FITHIAN'S JOURNAL. Buffalo Valley (now Union County) in 1775.
ANNOTATED BY JOHN BLAIR LINN.
Mr. Gray received me cordially. He owns here a most ex- cellent farm on the south side and upon the West Branch. I walked out to a neighbor of his, Mr. Allen's." Mr, Allen was reaping rye. The reapers were merry and civil. We returned through the rich woods. It is a dull calm. The woods are musical : they are harmonious. Bells tinkling from every quar- ter make a continued and cheering echo. Cows returning home. Sheep and horses grazing through the woods, and these all around in every part make a transporting Vesper.
Friday, July 7 .- Early to-day, and with diligence, I pursued my preparations for the approaching Fast. I wrote in Mr. Gray's barn; his house is hot and thronged. I shall finish one sermon to-day, and enter upon the other. I have been told that the memorable Mr. Whitefield studied the greater part of his sermons upon his knees. Noble man! I revere his abili- ties. Surely, he was raised above the level of common men. Had he been under the necessity of studying as many hours and with as close application as I, blood and body must have given way. Towards evening I took a pleasant turn upon the . river. I wished to leave the boat and swim, but spectators for- bid. I drew, with a fife I was playing, the ear of all the swains around. In particular a woman who was washing in the river, on the other side, gave remarkable attention. She seemed to listen with eagerness to the floating notes. Indeed, in so still an evening it is fine.
Saturday, July 8 .- Lovely weather for harvest. I apply
*Samuel Allen occurs upon the assessment list of Buffalo township in 1775. He probably occupied Colonel Slifer's upper farm on the creek.
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myself close to study. On the fertile goodly lands of this majestic river, in a small smoky cabin, or under some shady tree, covered with loftiest timber, surrounded with the most luxuriant herbage, very, very charming. Towards evening, I visited a near neighbor who was reaping rye by far the largest I have ever seen. I will record what I am witness to this day : On a single acre, and so through the fields, eight and forty dozen large sheaves of rye.
Sunday, July 9 .- The people are building a big meeting- house, up the valley, four miles from the river [Buffalo X Roads. ] There is here a numerous society, and it is a growing, promising place. We had a good number to-day. But I was put to my trumps. There is no house. I must preach among the trees. I mounted, therefore, upon a little bench before the people; but it is hard to speak in the air, entirely sub-Jove. The assembly was very attentive. I could not avoid smiling at the new appearance to see them peeping at me through the bushes. I am told there is at present, in Philadelphia, an in- dependent numbers of men called "The Silk Stocking Com- pany.". I will also call this "the Silk gowned congregation." I saw here the grestest number and the greatest variety of silk gowns among the ladies that I have yet seen in my course. It is and shall be, therefore, "the Silk gowned congregation." An Irish gentleman on the other side of the water. Mr. Plunket, # kindly invited me to his house while I stay. Mr. Vandyke, t also, from Abington, near Philadelphia, and many others. But on account of the approaching Fast, I chose to return to Mr. Gray's. Towards evening I took a solitary walk along the banks of the river. Much my heart teazes me about home. This is a happier place. It is silent and peace-
* Dr. William Plunket, who then resided on the other side of the river, a little above the month of Chillisquaque creek, at his place called " Soldiers' Retreat."
i Henry Vandyke, who lived at the late John Rishel's, half a mile east of Buffalo X Roads. The spring went by the name of Van- dyke's Spring. His descendants are numerous. Vandykes of Clin- ton and Centre : Kalamazoo, Michigan ; Stephenson county, Illinois, etc.
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Fithian's Journal.
ful: these sylvan shades do improve contemplation. Every cot is filled with plenty, and simplicity with frugality and kindness. Here I am, so far as I can see, in the very spot al- lotted to me to labor according to the course of my education ; let me, then, be wholly content.
Monday, July 10 .- I confine myself close to study. I sit, now, in a small joiner shop near the house and study, amid saws, and planes, and chisels. Before the door of this shop is a rich meadow; in this meadow a great quantity of walnut. The birds are very musical among these trees. Often I break off and, bearing chorus with them, sing some favorite air. I was visited by a young gentleman, Mr. Linn, " of Path Valley. We spent two hours in conversation. Appeared to be a mod- est, sensible, and religious youth. Towards evening there was a most violent thundergust. I walked. just before sunset, up the bank of this water, to Mr. Robert Fruit's, t half a mile.
He was reaping. The corn and grass upon his farm are most luxuriant. A poor, unfortunate Dutch (German) woman, this morning, while she was reaping in the harvest field, was bitten by a snake. She lies now in great distress, swelled up into her back and shoulders. They call it a "copperhead." I have taken pleasure in rambling among the trees and bushes, but I fear the pleasure's gone.
Tuesday, July 11 .- Early I returned to Mr. Gray's, to my study. He reaps to-day. It seems, now, to be the hurry of harvest. Mr. Clark,# a gentleman in the neighborhood, gave me for the supply twenty shillings. He also demanded a receipt. I pored over my sermon in the little shop so closely to-day that I grew quite stupid, as they say, "so through other,"
* John Linn, father of late James F. Linn, Esq., came up to Buf- falo Valley in 1775, and settled on part of the tract his father pur- chased of Colonel Francis, on Buffalo creek, where he died in 1809.
¡ Robert Fruit lived on the Heinly place. He sold this place about 1812, and moved to Columbia county, Pa. Robert Fruit's descend- ants are prominent and wealthy people in Mercer county, Pa.
/ # Probably Walter Clark who lived then, 1775, on Col. Slifer's place. See Dr. Egle's "Members of the Convention of 1776," (Pennsylra- nia Magazine, 1879, page 200,) for sketch of Walter Clark.
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that I laid it by and went among the reapers. There is one thing here a little remarkable : These damp evenings, the mos- quitoes are thick and troublesome. But oh ! the fleas. Some mornings, at some houses. I rise spotted and bepurpled, like a person in the measles. I had a long confabulation with Mr. Allen on church government. He is an experienced critic.
Wednesday, July 12 .- A violent thundergust last night. Soon after breakfast I left Mr. Gray's. Rode to Mr. Fruit's. and must breakfast again. Mr. Fruit very civilly gallanted me on my road. We forded the river, and rode up the bank on the north side. The country on both sides of this water very inviting and admirably fertile. Mr. Fruit left me, and I jogged along alone. A narrow bridle road, logs fallen across it. bushes spread over it, but I came at last to Captain Piper's, at Warrior Run, twelve miles.
289
Major Isaac Craig.
MAJOR ISAAC CRAIG.
EXTRACTS FROM HIS LETTER-BOOKS WHILE QUARTER- MASTER AT FORT PITT, 1791-1804.
Isaac Craig was born near Hillsborough, County Down, Ire- land, of Presbyterian parents. in 1741 : emigrated to America in 1765, and settled in Philadelphia, where he became a master- builder. In November, 1775. he received an appointment as the oldest lieutenant of marines in the Navy then being fitted out, and in that capacity served ten months on board the Andrew Doria, commanded by the gallant and unfortunate Nicholas Bid- dle. While on the Doria, that vessel formed one of the squad- ron of Commodore Hopkins, which captured the two forts, Nas- sau and Montague, upon the island of New Providence, in the West Indies, capturing the Governor and a large number of cannon and military stores, then much needed by the Ameri- cans, and subsequently used in the forts in Rhode Island and on the Delaware. On his return he received a captain's com- mission dated in October, 1776. In the latter part of Novem- ber, the marines were ordered to join the army and do duty as infantry, and in that capacity Captain Craig was present at the crossing of the Delaware, the capture of the Hessians at Tren- ton, and at the battle of Princeton. On the 3d of March, 1777, he was appointed a captain in a regiment of artillery then formed, under the command of Colonel Thomas Proctor, in which he continued to serve until it was disbanded at the close of the Revolution. On the 11th of September, 1777, he was engaged in the battle of Brandywine, where he was severely wounded. The ensuing month he was at the battle of German- town, and his company was one of those which cannonaded Chew's house, which was so gallantly defended by Major Mus- grave.
Having passed the ordeal of Valley Forge, early in the spring of 1778 Captain Craig and several other officers were
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ordered to Carlisle to learn the laboratory art, under the in- struction of Captain Isaac Coren, an officer of skill and experi- ence. On the 29th of March, 1779, he was ordered to the command of the fort at Billingsport, on the Delaware, below Philadelphia. May 20th the regiment was ordered to Easton, and joined Sullivan in his expedition against the Six Nations, returning to Easton on the 18th of October following. The severe winter of 1779-80 he was -with the army at Morris- town, New Jersey. On the 20th of April, 1780, Captain Craig was ordered to Fort Pitt with a detachment of artillery and military stores, where he arrived on the 25th of June. Here he continued in command of the artillery until the 29th of July, 1781, when he left with his detachment for the Falls `of the Ohio (Louisville) to join General Clark in his intended expedition against Detroit. He returned to Fort Pitt the 26th of November. During his absence down the river he had been promoted to the rank of major, from the 7th of October, 1781. In November, 1782, General Irvine received intelli- gence that the British had established a military post at San- dusky, and were about to establish one either at Cuyahoga or Grand river. He, therefore, ordered Major Craig to take with him the General's aid, Lieutenant Rose. and six active men, and proceed to Cuyahoga and Grand river, to ascertain whether the enemy were making such attempts. This order was elo- quent in urging Major Craig to be cautious, and not be stimu- lated by his zeal for the service to venture too far, and con- cludes by saying: "One man falling into the hands of the enemy may not only ruin your whole present business, but also prevent future discovery."
The Major and his party started on their expedition on the 13th of November, taking with them one horse, with a supply of provisions. They crossed the Big Beaver river at its mouth. Thence they proceeded in a direction south of west, as if bound to the Indian town at the forks of Muskingum, pursuing that course until night, and then turned directly north, and traveled all night in that direction. This was done to mislead and elude the pursuit of Indians who may have followed them. When they arrived, as they supposed, within a day's march of the
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291
Major Isaac Craig.
mouth of the Cuyahoga, they left one man with the extra pro- visions. It was the intention, upon rejoining this man, to have taken a fresh supply of provisions, and then proceed to ex- amine the mouth of Grand river. General Irvine had, in his instructions, treated this as a point of less importance than the Cuyahoga, but vet worthy of attention. The weather proved very unfavorable after the separation, and the Major, with his party, was detained beyond the appoined time, and the soldier, with the horse, had disappeared; so that when they reached the designated place, weary and half famished, they found no relief, and had before them a journey of more than one hundred miles through a hostile wilderness. The examination of Grand river had to be abandoned. and the party was compelled to hasten back to Fort Pitt. Variable and tempestuous weather made the return journey laborious and painful. Pursuing the most direct course homeward, before they reached the Conne- quenessing the weather became extremely cold, and they found the stream frozen over, but the ice not firm enough to bear the weight of a man. They resorted to the following ex- pedient as the best the circumstances allowed : A large fire was kindled on the northern bank, and when it was burning freely, the party stripped off their clothes; one man took a heavy bludgeon to break the ice, while each of the others fol- lowed with portions of the clothes and arms in one hand and a fire-brand in the other. Upon reaching the southern bank of the stream, these brands were placed together and a brisk fire soon raised, by which the party dressed themselves. Upon reaching the Cranberry plains they were delighted to find there a hunting party, consisting of Captain Uriah Springer and other officers, and some soldiers from Fort Pitt. Here, of course, they were welcomed and kindly treated. They reached the fort on the 2d of December, and Major Craig reported that there was no sign of occupancy at the mouth of the Cuyahoga. At the very time the party were crossing the Connequenessing, November the 30th, 1782, the Treaty of Peace between the United States and Great Britain was signed at Paris. The treaty was ratified by Congress on the 19th of April, 1783, and the disbandment of the army soon followed.
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Major Craig and Colonel Stephen Bavard formed a partner- ship to carry on the mercantile business in Pittsburgh, and to deal in lands. On the 22d of January, 1784, by articles of agreement, they purchased from the Penns the first ground that was sold within the limits of Pittsburgh.
On the first of February, 1785, Major Craig married Amelia Neville, the only daughter of General John Neville, who had commanded the 4th Virginia regiment in the Revolutionary war.
In September, 1787, an act was passed by the Legislature incorporating the Presbyterian Congregation of the town of Pittsburgh ; eleven trustees were named, of whom six were officers of the Revolutionary army, Major Craig being one.
In the spring of 1788, Major Craig retired from business to Farm-Hill, adjoining the farms of his father-in-law, and brother- in-law, Colonel Presley Neville. He remained there but a short time. When the National Government was organized, his old commander and true friend, General Henry Knox, was appointed the first Secretary of War, and in February, 1791, offered him the situation of Quartermaster and Military Store- keeper at Pittsburgh, then a frontier town; this he accepted and held until after the election of Jefferson. Major Craig, like the great majority of the officers of the Revolution, belonged to the party of which Washington and Hamilton were the leaders, and not very long after Jefferson came into power he was removed from office.
After the declaration of war in 1812, his services were again sought for, when the knowledge acquired from Captain Coren at Carlisle was found valuable in preparing munitions of war for the north-western army. After this war Major Craig re- moved to Montour's Island, where he died on the 14th of May, 1826. His remains are buried in the First Presbyterian Church- yard, Pittsburgh.
Major Craig preserved copies of all his letters, and it is from these valuable records that the following interesting extracts have been made. We are sure they will be highly acceptable to the readers of the Register :
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Major Isaac Craig.
[ To Gen. Knox, Sec. of War, March 25th, 1791.]
In consequence of a number of people being killed and several taken prisoners by the Indians in the vicinity of this place within a few days past, and frequent reports of large large parties of Savages being on our Frontier, the people of this Town have made repeated applications for arms and ammu- nition to me, which I have hitherto refused; but in a Town meeting held yesterday it was Resolved that the principle men of the Town should wait on me and request a loan of 100 musquets with bayonets and cartouch-boxes and they should enter into an obligation to re-deliver said arms, &c., in good order to me in two months, or sooner if demanded by me, in consequence of any order of the Commanding Officer of the troops, or Secretary of War, but in case of my refusing to com- ply with their requisition, it was Resolved to break open the stores and take such a number as they might think proper. Accordingly ten of the most respectable characters of the Town waited on me this day and made the above demand and told me they were determined to take them in case of my re- fusal-that nothing but the necessity of putting the Town in a state of defence and their desire to guard the public stores could have induced them to such a determination.
I repeated my instructions to the gentlemen and told them I must be guilty of a breach of orders by issuing the smalest article without proper authority, and that their proper step would be to send an Express to the Secretary of War, request- ing an order on me for such articles as they thought necessary. They agreed with me that it was proper to send an Express, but that there was not an hour to be lost in arming the in- habitants of the Town. I had then no other alternative either to see the Store Houses broke open and perhaps part of the Stores destroyed, or to deliver 100 musquets and make the gentlemen accountable and obtain a guard for the protection of the Stores. I chose the latter, and took an obligation signed by ten of the most respectable characters by which they are accountable for 100 musquets, bayonets and cartouch-boxes, and obliged to re-deliver them in two months from this date or sooner if demanded; furnish such a guard for the Stores as I
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may think necessary, and also to make application by Express for your approbation of this transaction.
I hope, sir, it will appear to you, that of two evils one of which was unavoidable I have made choice of the least. I shall be very unhappy in your disapprobation of my conduct in this transaction.
[To Samuel Hodgdon, Q. M. G., March 30, 1791.]
I have informed Gen. Knox that the Store Houses cannot be made perfectly secure, they are old log buildings badly con- structed, and considerably decayed. I have made such repairs, as was indispensibly necessary only. I am making some re- pairs and alterations on the Magazine, which I expect will make a safe depositary for powder and fixed ammunition.
[To Gen. Knox, March 31, 1791.]
I have this moment the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 24th instant and am happy in your information of Major General St. Clair being on his way here; his presence is much wanted.
Your observations on the murder of the Indians at Beaver Creek is already confirmed to be too true; several people with- in a few miles of this place have lately fallen victims it is probable to the revenge of those Indians that escaped from the Block-house on Beaver Creek.
[To Gen. Knox, April 12, 1791.]
I mentioned my having been under the necessity of lending one hundred musquets, bayonets and cartouch-boxes to a com- mittee of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh; those arms are now considered by Major John Irwin, to whom Col. Biddle's order has been directed, as part of the amount of that order, and I am to have credit for them accordingly.
Gen. St. Clair is not yet arrived, but is expected hourly. Col. George Gibson, who has been here, says he expects I shall find Quarters for his Recruits as they assemble at this Post.
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295
Major Isaac Craig.
As your orders to me do not fully extend to that business I have to request further instructions, in the meantime shall execute the orders of the Commanding Officer of the Troops.
I am apprehensive that my Return of Stores of the 31st of of March had not reached the War Office, at the time the order was drawn in favor of Col. Biddle; as there is no lead on hand, but musquet balls, at this Post, I have therefore pre- sumed that the same weight of balls may be delivered.
[To Gen. Knox, April 28, 1791.]
I have nearly compleated the repairs and improvements on the Magazine; it is now perfectly dry, and will be very secure. The reason of its former dampness was its standing in the Gorge of the Bastion, the carth about five feet high around three sides, and in such a manner that all the rain that fell on its roof and within the Parapets of the Bastion ran into or through the walls of it. I have had the earth removed from the walls and the water that falls within the Bastion diverted another way.
Gen. St. Clair is rather of opinion that it would be better to erect new Store Houses than repair the old ones, and that the ground within the Fort is not the mnost eligable place for such buildings, he has however set of for Kentucky without giving me any other orders respecting the Fort than making a road into it by way of the Sallyport. The bridge over the Foss, at the main gate being so much decayed as not to be repaired without considerable expense, I have suggested to Gen. St. Clair that it is very probable that Messrs. John Penns would gladly exchange any ground now in their possession, within the Town of Pittsburgh for that on which the Fort stands in order to get out of a difficulty they are at present in.
[To Gen. Knoe, May 12th, 1791.]
Messrs. Turnbull & Marmie are now in this country and have directed their Lawyers to prosecute their Ejectments in the Supreme Court, which is held here at this place some time
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in this month. They are very confident of being put in pos- session of the Fort by the Sheriff immediately after the Court. I presume, sir, you have employed Counsel to attend to this business at Court. I have reason to believe they have em- ployed all the Lawyers of note that attend this Court.
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