USA > Pennsylvania > Historical register : notes and queries historical and genealogical, chiefly relating to interior Pennsylvania. Volume I > Part 26
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[To Gen. Knox, May 19th, 1791.]
I have delivered arms to Capt. Power's and Capt. Slough's Companies, who have both arrived at this Post. No part of Major Clark's Battallion have yet come forward, but are ex- pected in a few days. One hundred suits of clothing and one hundred blankets have arrived, but no tents. Sundry Ord- nance & Quarter Masters Stores this day came to hand, which will be particularly enumerated in my Return by next post, amongst which several Pack saddles, much damaged, which appears to have been unavoidable, the Wagoner being a very careful man. Pack saddles could have been furnished here for 8 4 pr. Saddle. that would have answered as well.
We have frequent accounts of murders being committed by Indians on our Frontiers. Several parties of them have pene- trated ten, fifteen & twenty miles into the country.
Would it not be prudent to order any Stores or unarmed parties that may hereafter come forward to take the Glade road, on their way to this place.
Capt. Armstrong has wrote me to reserve for his Company . buff bayonet belts, and says he has an order for them. I men- tion this least Capt. Armstrong should be disappointed by any neglect in forwarding these articles.
[To Gen. Knox, June 2d, 1791.]
I have delivered 61 musquets, bayonets & scabbards on your order in favor Col. Clement Biddle. General Butler directs me not to issue the balance of the order at present; he thinks there is not an immediate necessity for it, as there are now sev- eral detachments of Levies on our Frontiers.
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Major Isaac Craig. [To Gen. Knox, June 16th, 1791.]
I have received your favor of the 9th instant, also your or- der in favor of Col. Zane for arms and accoutriments to which I shall pay immediate attention.
I intended to have inclosed an abstract of my disbursements, but as Col. Hodgdon, who is now here, has your instructions to discharge my engagements, I shall render my account to him, and by next Post forward a duplicate. I have enclosed abstracts of my receipts and deliveries at this Post up to the first instant.
I intended also to have forwarded Muster Rolls of Major Clark's Battalion of Levies, but as recruits are coming in almost every day, I shall wait till next Post. Some of the Companies are nearly full and a prospect of the Battalion being compleated in a short time.
[To Samuel Hodgdon, Esq., Q. M. G., Sept. 3d, 1791.]
I am very happy in the account you give of your trip to Wheeling and have no doubt the remaining part of your jour- ney will be as agreeable.
The boats I had engaged up the river are detained by want of water to float them to this place. In order therefore to transport Capt. Newman's detachment, I have been obliged to apply to Gen. Neville for a boat that he intended to have loaded with provisions, which he was so kind as to let me have on condition of my procuring him one of the same demen- tions as soon as possible. That together with one other is sufficient for Capt. Newman, but not to carry any considerable quaintity of stores in addition. I have therefore sent only one large case of stores and a few other articles, which probably may be wanted. I wished to have forwarded 20 Barrels of powder that have lately come to hand; but find it must be postponed till next detachment comes forward. I have in- closed an account of Clothing delivered at this Post; it is probable it may be of use as a check on future applications for clothing. Mr. Swan arrived in time for letters to go Post. Capt. Newman will deliver you the packet brought by Post
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together with Pittsburgh papers. Craig has returned the Grey Horse ; since that a stray Pack Horse has been brought in. I have engaged Benj. Cummings as Pilot for Capt. New- man. I believe his ability as Pilot is nearly equal to Huling or Adams; his character otherwise very fair; he is to be paid five pounds pr. month till his return, therefore he ought to be dispatched from Fort Washington as soon after his arrival as possible. Gen. Knox writes that Capt. Buell may be expected the 10th instant with 100 men. From the present appearance of the river rising Capt. Newman has concluded to wait another day as some people have persuaded him, that he will not lose time by it.
Gen. Neville and Mrs. Craig present their respects to you.
[To Gen. Knox, Oct. 6th, 1791.]
Messrs. Turnbull & Marmie continue to pull down and sell the materials of the Fort, and have lately been so ill natured as to institute a suit against me, for pointing out a piece of ground between the Fort and Allegheny river for Capt. Buel to encamp on and notwithstanding several detachments had before encamped there, as the most convenient place, before Genl. Butler descended the Ohio, and Captain Newman since, and no injury ever done their property, by the troops, and I . then told them that Capt. Buel was to halt only a few days to refresh his men, and if any injury was done in that time I should make restitution. I shall be much obliged to you for instructions how to act in any future like occasion, with Turn- bull & Marmie.
[To Gen. Knox, Oct. 8, 1791.
By accounts from Venango the Indians in that quarter are determined to be quiet, and not join to take up arms unless it be necessary in their own defense. The militia that were called out on Gen. Butler's requisition, before he set of for Head Quarters are dismissed. Some people here think toosoon, as small parties of Indians are still suspected to be in our neigh- bourhood.
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Major Isaac Craig.
[To Gen. Knox, Oct. 13, 1791.]
Your letter letter by last post for Head Quarters I have re- ceived and forwarded last Friday by a safe hand in a boat of the contractors with stores, for Fort Washington, in company with three others for Kentucky. Gen. Harmer is not yet arrived but shortly expected. Lieut. Denny is coming up with Gen. Harmer it is said in order to resign.
Major Trescott and Mr. Balie arrived here on the 11th instant. Mr. Balie has concluded to wait Capt. Haskels ar- rival, which is expected will be on the 16th.
I have this moment received a letter from Major Stagg en- closing a letter to Maj' Gen' St. Clair, also several other letters which shall be carefully forwarded.
The annual election is just over, William Findley, Esqr., is elected Representative in Congress from this District.
[To Samuel Hodgdon, Oct. 19, 1791.]
Mr. Boyers is gone on to Philadelphia very much dejected. I furnished him with twelve dollars, to defray his travelling expenses and gave him a shirt and pair of shoes, which he was very much in need of. Major Trescott is instructed to detain his company, for the protection of our frontier, till further orders.
[To Gen. Knox, Nov. 7, 1791.]
By a gentleman who left Fort Washington on the 10 Ultimo, we are informed that three days previous to that date the army had moved on from their Station 23 miles in advance of Fort Washington, and were to establish another post at the junction of Mad river with the Miami.
[To Gen. Knox, Dec. 29, 1791.]
By last post I informed you of Captains Cushing & Has- kel's companies having embarked and left this place on the morning of the 22d. In the evening of the same day, the post
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arrived with your letters of the 16th instant, also one for Capt. Cushing & other dispatches for Head-Quarters, which I immediately forwarded to Wheeling by Express. Capt. Has- kel had passed Wheeling before the Express arrived. Ensigns Miller & Andrews just arrived with part of both companies. Capt. Cushing had not arrived at that place on the morning of the 25th. Ensign Andrews writes me by the return of the post, say Express, that he is apprehensive Capt. Cushing's boat is driven on shore by the ice in the night of the 24th & has therefore dispatched two men with a guide up the river shore with your letters.
I have forwarded by Capt. Cushing all the woolen overalls, shirts & shoes, except a sufficient number for Lieut. Jeffers' detachment which I have also forwarded to Fort Franklin, by Ensign Bond of the Levies, who I have since learned had arrived safely.
I am making every possible exertion for the erection of a work for the defence of the Town and Stores. Accounts just arrived from Fort Franklin, as well as your orders, urge the necessity, of immediate attention to the defence of this place.
By next post I shall inclose a sketch of the grounds & a work I have judged necessary for its defence. The work must be erected on a part of eight Town lots, the property of Messrs. John Penn, Junt & John Penn. Mr. Anthony Butler of Philadelphia is their Agent. The price of the lots were fixed at the time the Town was extended in 1784. The lots No. 55, 56, 57, 58, 91, 92, 93 & 94 are those I have fixed on. The work is not intended to cover all the eight lots; but it takes a part of each and will leave a part of low ground between the Fort and the Alleghany river, which will be convenient for a garden for the garrison.
Mr. Eli Williams, the contractor has the quantity of provi- -sions you have ordered, for Fort Franklin ready, and only waits for an Escort; application has been made to the County Lieutenant for that purpose, and a party is expected to assem- ble here in a few days at which time I shall see that the quan- tity ordered is forwarded.
I have taken the liberty of inclosing copies of two letters,
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Major Isaac Craig.
dated Fort Franklin 26th instant and extracts of other letters of same date, by all of which it appears that the garrison is in eminent danger and that the fidelity of the Northern Indians is not to be depended upon.
I am mounting four old iron six pounders on ship carriages, which I have for the Block Houses; but have neither round shot, canister nor grape for that calibre, the last of the 6 pound shot being lately forwarded to Fort Washington. There is on hand at this place 1458-12 pd. round shot. There is only three boxes of musket-balls on hand : one rheam of cartridge paper, and only two or three barrels of musket-powder; that arrived here last being all cannon-powder.
Ensign Morgan of the Sth Regt. has just arrived here and informs me that Capt. Cushing has, in consequence of your order, detached thirty men from Wheeling and that they are on their march to this place, and that Capts. Cushing & Haskel together with Major Swan, had gone on to Fort Washington.
I have just received your favor of the 23d instant. I am doing everything in my power to forward the Block House for the defense of the Town. Mr. Swan is now out of reach of an Express; I shall, however, forward your letters by the first safe hand going to Fort Washington.
[To Gen. Knox, Jan. 5th, 1792.]
I have just received yours of the 29th ultimo, together with letters for the County Lieutenants, which shall be forwarded immediately by Express. The letter to Gen. St. Clair I have returned, as he is certainly on his way by land to Philadelphia.
I expected to have completed an estimate of the expence and a draught of the ground and a sketch of the works, but was prevented by my attention in forwarding the provissions and ammunition to Fort Franklin, which I this day effected, under an escort of sixty militia volunteers.
Lt. Howe with 26 men has returned from Wheeling, and are now assisting at the Barracks.
I enclose Return of Stores up to the 31st Ultimo. Since which I have forwarded to Fort Franklin two barrels of powder
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and all the musket-balls on hand, depending on a supply com- ing forward, and on the people now employed in the Labro- tarv.
[To Lieut. John Jeffers, Fort Franklin, Jan. 5, 1792.]
In the hurry of business I have only time to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 30th ultimo, and to tell you I have sent you, in the particular charge of our friend Ormsby, the powder and lead you called for as per receipt inclosed. You will observe that the powder is rather coarse, but it is the best I could pick in the Magazine.
I have enclosed a letter from the Secretary of War which I have reason to believe informs you that Capt. Cass has orders to re-inforce your Garrison to 70 men from his detachment. which I expect will arrive at this place about the 25th. I shall then if necessary send you a further supply of amuni- tion. Gen. Knox has directed me to see that four months' salted provision for seventy men be immediately forwarded and deposited in Fort Franklin. You will therefore please inform me of the quantity on hand-including the recent sup- plies-in order that I may take measures with the Contractors to have the full compliment forwarded without delay.
Captains Asheton, Keney and Ensign Morgan are here on their way to Philadelphia to recruit.
[To Gen. Knox, Jan. 12, 1792.]
As there are no six pound shot at this place I have taken the liberty of engaging four hundred to be cast at Turnbull and Marmie's Furnace which is now in blast. Mr. Turnbull says he will deliver round or grape-shot, or any other castings at this place considerably cheaper than they can be brought from any other place. He desires me to inform you that if re- quested he will cast Mortars, Howetzers, Cohorns or Swivels equal in quality to any that have been made in the United States, and if any of them are wanted, he wishes that orders may come forward as early as possible.
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Major Isaac Craig.
By accounts from Lieut. Jeffers the 4th instant at Fort Franklin all was quiet there, Lieut. Jeffers says his men com- plain much for want of Coats, Shirts and blankets; he is anxious for a re-inforcement ; says some of the Levies he had enlisted have deserted, and others that had promised to enlist refused because he had not cloathing to give them. Corn- planter has gone to a treaty at Buffalo Creek on Lake Erie- his fidelity is greatly depended on by Lieut. Jeffers and the people of that quarter.
Reports that came by way of Fort Franklin say that the In- dians in the late action with General St. Clair had 300 killed and a great number wounded, that Captain Brant is amongst the former, and there was upwards of 800 Canadians and sev- eral British officers in the engagement.
The post this moment arrived with your favor of the 6th instant together with several other letters which shall be duly forwarded. The militia escort, mentioned in my last, is not . yet returned from Fort Franklin, but is expected on the 17th. I shall then endeavor to obtain another detachment to reinforce the garrison of Fort Franklin till Captain Cass arrives.
I shall have means provided for transporting the Indian goods to Fort Franklin the moment they reach this place. The Lieuts. of Washington and Allegheny counties have already engaged scounts by your orders; the other Lieutenants have certainly received your letters. I shall take the liberty of communicating that part of your letter to the Committee of Pittsburgh, which assures the frontier inhabitants of such ample and generous means of protection.
I believe with you that Cornplanter is sincere; but would not a Post established at Presqu' Isle, on Lake Erie, give greater confidence to him and his adherents, and also facilitate future operations, that may be carried on that way ?
[fo Gen. Knox, Jan. 15, 1792.]
I enclose a sketch of the Works that I am now erecting for the defence of the Town and the public stores. Two of the Block-houses and one of the ranges of Barricks, viz: No. 2 are
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.now going forward ; the pikets are mostly on the ground and shall be planted as soon as possible. The length of the exte- rior lines of each side is 240 feet. Perhaps the design may ap- pear too large, but any of the ranges of buildings may be omitted ; the Barracks will not be much two large for 200 men, the number mentioned in your letter, and I am persuaded that 100 men will defend it against any number that may come against it without artillery. Capt. Asheton the bearer has been with me on the ground and can give you any information respecting it. I have intended the Block-houses to be raised perpendicular, because those built with projecting upper stories are very insubstantial buildings; especially where cannon are mounted. The lower stories will make excellent store-houses. The magazine is placed in bastion next the Town.
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Notes and Queries.
NOTES AND QUERIES.
[TO OUR READERS :- In closing the first volume of the Historical Register it is proper that our individual thanks be tendered all who have aided in the work we have presented. The contents speak for themselves, and in the coming year we have promise of additional assistance from varions sections of the State. We desire making the Historical Register a repository of valuable information concerning the history, biography, and genealogy of Pennsylvania ; one, too, de- serving the support of all therein interested. . W. H. E.]
NECROLOGY OF PROMINENT PENNSYLVANIANS .- At the sugges- tion of Hon. John Blair Linn, we have decided to give in each number several pages of necrological notices of prominent Pennsyl- vanians. We request, therefore, that biographical notices of such be forwarded us, so that proper reference may be made.
DEATH OF JACOB FATZINGER, junior .- We regret to announce the death of our correspondent, Jacob Fatzinger, junior, which oc- curred on the 27th of November, 1883. in his 43d year, after a few days illness. We hope to present a brief sketch of him in our next issue.
RECENT HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS.
VIRGINIA. A HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE. John Esten Cooke. Boston. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1883. [18 mo. pp. xxi., 523.]
This is the first of a series of volumes entitled " American Com- monwealths," under the editorship of Mr. Horace E. Scudder. It is appropriately termed "A History of the People," and its author, Mr. Cooke, has brought to his work a most intimate knowledge of the people of whom he writes, and an ardent love for them and their manners and customs pervades every line of his writing. He assumes the position that Virginia and New England were the origi- nal forces of American society and shaped its development, and that to understand the history of this country it is necessary to study the Virginia and New England of the seventeenth and eighteenth
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centuries. He admits (and other States outside of New England must, equally with Virginia, make the same admission) that in the case of New England the study of every detail of her history has been prosecuted with enthusiasm, whilst Virginia has been much neglected, with the result that the great proportions of the Puritan character have been fully appreciated, and little is known of the Virginians. The writer then addresses himself to the task of draw- ing an outline of the people of Virginia, and of presenting a succinct narrative of the events of their history. To this end he divides his work into three periods: The plantations, the colony, and the com- monwealth ; the first extending from the landing at Jamestown to the grant of free government, the second period reaching to the Revolution, and the third embracing the events of the Revolutionary struggle. The many interesting features of the life of the people dur- ing these several periods the writer presents in a pleasing narrative, wherein the dry details of history are made to sparkle with brilliant touches of the imagination-embellishments naturally to be expected when a writer from the field of fiction steps into that of history.
OREGON. THE STRUGGLE FOR POSSESSION. By William Barrows. Boston. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1883. [1S mo. pp. viii, 363.]
This is the second of the series of "American Commonwealths." Mr. Barrows' book is, what he himself terms it, " A monograph or study of a single line of thought and growth in American history." He gives a faithful narrative in a systematic and unembellished style of the successive endeavors of the four Trans-Atlantic nations : Eng- land, France, Spain, and Russia, and of the United States to gain possession of this great prize of the North-west, and of the events which led to the subsequent establishment of the supremacy of the latter government in this region of country. To this he adds a brief - account of " The Oregon of To-day." His work evinces exhaustive research, and he has prefixed a summary of authorities cited by him " to afford aid to any who may wish to study this topic more at large."
BENCH AND BAR OF PHILADELPHIA, TOGETHER WITH OTHER LISTS OF PERSONS APPOINTED TO ADMINISTER THE LAWS IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA, AND THE PROV- INCE AND COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. By John Hill Martin, of the Philadelphia Bar. Philadelphia. Rees, Welsh & Co., Publishers, 1883. [S vo., pp. xvi, 326.]
Mr. Martin's earnest and devoted labors have given us a most valu- able acquisition to Pennsylvania history in the present admirable work, the " Bench and Bar of Philadelphia." It is a book to be seen and referred to to be properly appreciated, and is a vade mecum as to the provincial history of the legal profession. It exhibits much
-
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painstaking research, and the author has done his work well. The bibliography of Pennsylvania laws, and the list of names of persons admitted to the Philadelphia bar, with biographical memoranda attached, are exceedingly valuable, and the same may, with justice, be said of the contents of every page of this carefully prepared volume. As a work of reference it is incomparable in its line.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CHESTER-ON-DELAWARE. By Henry Graham Ashead. With maps and illustrations. Chester, Pa., 1883. [S vo., pp. ix, 336.]
In addition to Mr. Ashmead's excellent historical review of Chester, there is included in the volume a full account of the work of the General Committee of the Penn Bi-Centennial Association of Chester, names of members of same and of sub-committees, list of subscribers to the fund, commemorative exercises of the Society of Friends, Chester, first day, 10th month 22d, 1882. Bi-Centennial celebration October 23d, 15$2, unveiling of memorial stone November 9th, 1SS2, and a list of industries, by William Shaler Johnson. "Old Chester " has been fortunate in its historians. The admirable work of John Hill Martin, published six years ago, with this of Mr. Ashmead's, makes the history of that oldest town in Pennsylvania all to be desired. If the former is entertaining and interesting, the latter is none the less so, and Mr. Ashmead is deserving of the thanks of lovers of Pennsyl- vania history for gathering together so much that is of permanent value. Although his work professes to be simply a resume of the life of Old Chester, it shows painstaking research and that intimate knowledge of his subject which make his labor the more appreciated. Copies of the work can be obtained by addressing the author at Chester. There are, no doubt, many of our readers who will gladly avail themselves of this opportunity.
RECOLLECTIONS OF A NAVAL OFFICER, 1841-1865. By Capt. Wil- liam Harwar Parker, New York. Charles Scribners' Sons, 1883. [12 mo., pp. xv, 372.]
Capt. Parker's book is a charming one. It is as entertaining as a romance, and, from beginning to end, is delightful reading. It is a narrative of events during the Mexican war, cruising in South American waters, and later, of matters connected with the War for the Union, formning a glimpse of the history of our Navy which is of exceeding interest and value.
THE POLLOCK FAMILY OF PENNSYLVANIA, by Rev. Horace Edwin Hayden, of Wilkes-Barre, has been published separately in an elegantly printed pamphlet with cover, rubricated title-page, and complete index. A few copies only, can be purchased of the author, addressed as above. It is an important addition to our Pennsylvania genealogy. W. H. E.
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GENERAL INDEX.
Allison, Rev. Francis, note, 219.
Arnold, the Defection of, 227.
Axacan, 114.
Baptisms of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading, 104-10S. St. Gabriel's P. E. Church, Morlotton, 216-217. .
Berks county, first families of, 18-26.
Biddle, Charles, autobiography of, quoted, 218, 224. Col. Clement, note, 135.
Bord, Adam, letter of Gen. Hanna to, S3.
Buffalo Valley in 1775, 285.
Burr, Theodore, biographical sketch of, 157.
Butler, Edward George Washington, son of Edward, notice of, 16. James Richard, notice of, 16.
Col. Percival, biographical sketch of, 13.
Gen. Richard, biographical sketch of, 3. a contemporary account of death of, 235.
Richard, son of William, notice of, 16.
Robert, son of Col. Thomas, notice of, 16.
Thomas, family of, 2.
Col. Thomas, biographical sketch of, 11.
Col. William, biographical sketch of, 11.
William Orlando, notice of, 16.
Butlers, the, of the Cumberland Valley, by Rav. J. A. Murray, D. D., 1-17.
Cedar Springs, Cumberland county, 93.
Census, records of the first, 79.
Clark, Col. Robert, of Chillisquaque, letter of Gen. Hanna to, 84.
Conewago canal, account of, 126-130.
Congress, first, Penn'a Convention to nominate representatives to, 159. Craig, Isaac, notes concerning Col. White-Eyes, 232.
Major Isaac, biographical sketch of, 289-292; extracts from letter- book of, 1791-1804, 293-304. Will, letter of, from Wyoming, 125.
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