USA > Pennsylvania > Historical register : notes and queries historical and genealogical, chiefly relating to interior Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 14
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WHITEHILL .- James Whitehill, senior, b. February 1, 1700; d. February 2, 1760, at Pequea, Lancaster county, Penn'a. He was twice married. By first wife-name unknown-he had :
i. James ; b. January 1, 1725 ; d. Dec. 26, 1757.
By second wife, Rachel Creswell, who d. June 29, 1795, there was issue :
ii. John; b. Dec. 1, 1729 ; m. August 13, 1755, Nancy Sanderson. iii. Jane; born June 23, 1731 ; d. March, 1740.
iv. Elizabeth; b. July 1, 1733; m. Nov. 1, 1752, Col. James Moore.
". Robert; b. July 24, 1735 : d. April 8, 1813; m. Eleanor Reed.
vi. Sarah; b. June 19, 1737 ; d. May 12, 1778 ; m. March 13, 1760, George Stewart.
vii. Rachel; b. June 18, 1739 ; d. May 5, 1812; m. January 18, 1772, Thomas Irvine.
viii. Margaret; b. July 1, 1741 ; d. February 14, 1777 ; m. January 1, 1765, Robert Craig.
ix. David; b. May 24, 1743; m. April 3, 1770, Rachel
x. Joseph; b. August 2, 1746 ; m. May 20, 1780, Mary Kennedy. xi. Hannah; b. Dec. 13, 1749 ; m. Oct. 19, 1769, Patrick
Who was the father of James Whitehill, Senior ? Was John Whitehill of this family, and brother of Robert, the member of As- sembly from Lancaster county, member of the Council of Censors and of the Supreme Executive Council ? W. H. S. '
[James Whitehill, Sen., was probably the first emigrant. His name is on the Pequea Assessment for 1724. It was his son John who was so prominent in public affairs.]
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Notes und Queries.
JOHN VAN REED, Jr .- Admitted to the Philadelphia bar, (see Philadelphia Directory of 1803 ;) died March 10, 1804, aged thirty-six years; was Agent General for the United States under the treaty with Great Britain, (see " Martin's Bench and Bar," page 319.) What relation was he to the Van Reeds mentioned in the HISTORICAL REGISTER, Vol. II, No. 1, page 40 ? M.
CALVIN BLYTHE was appointed Attorney General of Pennsylvania February 5, 1828, and served until May 6, same year. On p. 28, HIS- TORICAL REGISTER, this is not noticed. He was Collector of the Port from 1842 to 1845. It is an error to say he twice was appointed col- lector. (See " Martin's Bench and Bar," pp. 27 and 131.) M.
CARSON-HAMEL .- The will of James Hamel, of Tyrone township, Adams county, Pa., proven March 27, 1764, mentions step-daughter Rachel Rogers, step-son Wm. Carson, and daughter Mary Hamel. He appomts William Delap executor. Who can give any clue to the descendants of Rachel Rogers, William Carson, or Mary Hamel ?
POTTSVILLE, PA. J. A. M. PASSMORE.
LOCAL HISTORIES IN PREPARATION .- We learn that the follow- ing County Histories are in course of preparation and will be issued the coming autumn :
Delaware County; by Henry G. Ashmead.
Montgomery County; by William J. Buck and Col. Theo. W. Bean.
Lehigh and Carbon Counties; by Alfred Mathews, assisted by a number of local writers.
The publishers are the well known subscription book firm of Messrs. L. H. Everts & Co., 719 Filbert St., Philadelphia ; and the price $12 per copy. They have recently issued a History of Philadelphia by Thompson Westcott and J. Thomas Scharf, in three volumes, copies of which can be obtained for $25. We have not yet seen this history, but the high reputation of Mr. Westcott as the Historian of Phila- delphia is a sufficient guarantee that the work is a valuable one.
It may be stated in this connection that the following are also in course of preparation-due notice of publication to be given :
History of Reading and the County of Berks, Pennsylvania, by Morton L. Montgomery, of the Berks County Bar.
History of the One Hundred and Forty-First Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteers ; by Rev. David Craft, of Wyalusing, Bradford county, Pennsylvania.
Any information appertaining to either of these histories will no doubt be gratefully appreciated by the authors.
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Historical Register.
THE FRANKLIN COUNTY IHISTORICAL SOCIETY .- In response to invitations, a number of citizens of Franklin county met in the court- house, at Chambersburg. on Monday afternoon, April 14, 1SS4, for the purpose of organizing a County Historical Society. Jacob Hoke, Esq., was chosen temporary chairman, and Dr. D. W. Head secre- tary. Short addresses were made by Hon. D. W. Rowe, James A. McKnight, Esq , Col. T. B. Kennedy, W. A. Reid, Esq., Col. B. F. Winger, Dr. H. G. Chritzman, P. M. Shoemaker, Esq., and John G. Orr, Esq., showing the necessity and importance of an organization for the collection and preservation of the history of the county. B. M. Nead, Esq., and Dr. W. H. Egle, of Harrisburg, also addressed the meeting. On Saturday, May 26, an adjourned meeting was held in the court-house, in Chambersburg, at which a permanent organi- zation was effected and officers elected for the ensuing year. The constitution provides for quarterly meetings, and in accordance with this provision, the first regular meeting of the Franklin County His- torical Society was held in the grand jury rooms of the Franklin county court-house, on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 3, 1884. Among other business transacted was the perfecting of the organiza- tion by the election of an executive committee, composed of one resi- dent of each voting district of the county. The following are the officers of the society :
President-Jacob Hoke, Chambersburg.
Vice Presidents-Benjamin Chambers. Hon. D. W. Rowe, Cham- bersburg; Dr. William C. Lane, Mercersburg.
Recording Secretaries-B. F. Winger, Greencastle; D. A. Orr, Chambersburg.
Corresponding Secretary-B. L. Maurer, Chambersburg.
Librarian-Dr. George F. Platt, Chambersburg.
Executive Committee-Antrim, Ist District, J. C. McLanahan ; An- trim, 2d district, Rev. C. Cort ; Antrim, 3d district, W. A. Reid; Antrim, 4th district, John Wilhelm ; Chambersburg, Ist ward, John G. Orr; Chambersburg, 2d ward, Jas. A. McKnight; Chambersburg, 3d ward, W. Rush Gillan : Chambersburg, 4th ward, E. W. Curriden ; Concord, Rev. James H. Little; Dry Run, Rev. S. C. Alexander ; Fayetteville, J. Burns White; Greenvillage, Dr. C. T. Maclay ; Guilford, B. R. George: Hamilton, Davison Greenawalt; Letter- kenny, W. W. Britton ; Lurgan, D. D. Swanger; Loudon, George M. Stenger; Metal, Wm. S. McAllen ; Montgomery, Dr. R. S. Brownson; Orrstown, W. H. Blair ; Peters, R. J. Boyd ; Quincy, 1st district, H. E. Wertz; Quincy, 2d district, Geo. B. Wiestling; Southampton, J. McCord Means; Sulphur Spring, John A. Shoe- maker; St. Thomas, James D. McDowell; Washington, 1st district, J. C. Burns ; Washington, 2d district, Dr. I. N. Snively ; Warren, J. C. McCulloch ; Welsh Run, Dr. H. G. Chritzman.
HISTORICAL REGISTER:
NOTES AND QUERIES,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.
RELATING TO
Interior Pennsylvania.
Vol. II. - No. 3.
"Out of monuments, names, words, proverbs. traditions, private records, and evidences, fragments of stories, passages of bocks, and the like, we doe save and recover somewhat from the deluge of time."
HARRISBURG, PA. LASE S. HART, PUBLISHER. 1884.
HISTORICAL REGISTER: NOTES AND QUERIES,
BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.
VOL. II. SEPTEMBER, 1884. No. 3.
LETTER-BOOK OF MAJOR ISAAC CRAIG.
IV. [To James O' Hara, Q. Mf., May 28th, 1793.]
General Knox informs me that about 500 recruits will be sent forward in the course of this month and the next, and di- rects me to have boats provided for them,
Capt. Prior with his Indians are here: they wait for their baggage, &c., arriving, and then are to descend the Ohio. A. boat is now fitted up for them.
Green & Miegs wish to enter into a contract for delivering 8,000 bushels of corn at Fort Washington. I enclose their proposal. They request your answer as soon as possible.
Mr. Dangerfield, one of Gen'l Posey's family, wait here the arrival of the General's stores. I expect to send by him a considerable quantity of Quarter Master's stores that I am in- formed are now on their way. I enclose Mr. Belli's receipt for the stores delivered him.
Mrs. O'Hara was very well this morning.
[To General Knox, May 31st, 1793.]
On the twenty-eighth instant General Posey, Lieuts. An- drews and Harrison, together with General Wilkinson's Lady and son, embarked and set off for Headquarters on board a
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Kentucky boat particularly fitted up for their accommodation, another boat fitted up for carrying their horses, baggage, and stores set off in company. the water being low their horses were sent by land to Wheeling. Nine forage boats are now waiting for the rise of the water. * The present rain I am in hopes will effect that purpose.
Cornplanter's nephew and two other Indians arrived a few days ago with a speech to Colo. O'Hara, a copy of which I en- close.
I have just received, per post, a packet for the Commander- in-Chief, together with several letters for officers at Headquar- ters, &c., all of which shall be duly sent forward.
The spies discovered the tracks of a few Indians, supposed to be eight in number; they crossed the river a few days ago near Mingo Bottom. A party of militia are now in quest of them.
[To Col. James O' Hara, Fort Washington, June 2d, 1793.]
Your letter of the 8th ultimo, I have just received, and am made happy by your expeditious and safe arrival at Fort Wash- ington, and also by the arrival of Huling's forage boats. This most extraordinary run of such a large fleet of transports, store, and forage boats, without loss or damage, bodes well, I apprehend, and will reflect honor on the Quarter Master General as well as on the Commander-in-Chief. * *
I have contracted for four tons of Hughes' iron and two tons of Turnbull & Marmies', and now look for its arrival. As soon as it comes to hand it shall be sent forward. A number of the bags are provided and more are expected from Washington and Redstone. I shall purchase the wagons as soon as possible; two that I have already engaged shall be immediately sent, to- gether with the horses you mention. The teams shall be pro- vided and sent forward without loss of time, and to answer your description if possible.
Major McCully is now at Buffalo and Wheeling, loading five grain and four hay boats, which I hope he will be able to set off with the present high water. Mr. James Hewing takes
.
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Letter-book of Major Isaac Cring.
charge of these boats as MeCully cannot leave his family at this juncture.
[To Lieut. Tinsley, Fort Franklin, June 8th, 1793.]
I have sent Thomas Ray. the bearer, to bring a quantity of pine plank from David Mead's saw mill at Casewago: as it was inconvenient at his setting off to find men to accompany and assist him in this business, I am under the necessity of apply- ing to you, sir, and request, as a very particular favour. that you permit two or three of your men to assist Ray in forming his rafts and bring them to the mouth of the creek, and from thence one man to Pittsburgh. The plank is wanted for im- mediate public use, or else I should not have taken the liberty of making this application. The men shall have a compensa- tion for their services.
[To Gen. Knox. June 7th, 1793.]
On the 4th instant three Seneca Indians arrived express from Niagara with letters from the Commissioners, a copy of which I enclosed. These Indians met Messrs. Wilson and Ash, the Interpreters, on their way to Buffalo Creek. I have procured and am sending to the Commissioners, thirty-eight thousand white wampum, which is the whole that can be found in Pitts- burgh. The Senecas are anxious to have some of the Wabash Indians go with them to the treaty. Yesterday Guyasutha and the three Senecas met the Wabash Indians in council in pre- sence of Colonel Clarke, Capt. Prior, Major Hunt, and myself. The Senecas, after expostulating with the Wabash Indians on the impropriety of returning home without going to the treaty. and upbraiding them with breach of promise made to some of the Seneca Chiefs in Philadelphia, have prevailed on two of the Wabash Indians to accompany them to the treaty; in con- sequence of which I am under the necessity of furnishing them with four horses, and sending Joseph Nicholas to Niagara with them as an interpreter, from whence he is to return. The Senecas, after their arrival, intimated that they wished to have some tokens of our gratitude to shew on their return home. I
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have therefore taken the liberty of giving them a few articles. an account of which, together with that of the wampum, &c., and a further estimate of charges against the Q. M. Depart- ment, shall be sent by next post.
Capt. Prior still waits for his baggage. He is entirely out of money.
[ To Hon'ble Benj. Lincoln, Beverly Randolph, and Timothy Pickering, Niagara, June 8th, 1793.]
' Your letters of the 26th and 27th ultimo was delivered to me on the 4th instant by three Seneca Indians.
On the 16th ultimo, Mr. William Wilson accompanied by Sylvester Ash, both interpreters of the Shawanese tongue, set off for Niagara via Fort Franklin and Buffalo Creek. They were met by the Express Indians at Cornplanter's town, and I sup- pose they must have reached you before this time at Niagara.
I have purchased and sent you 37,000 white wampum and 1,760 of mixed colour, this is all that could be procured in Pittsburgh ; part of it has heretofore been in use. I hope it has not by that means been rendered unfit for the present pur- pose. The Seneca Indians, on their arrival at Pittsburgh, found the Wabash Indians here and prevailed on two of them to accompany them to the treaty, in consequence of this I am under the necessity of sending Joseph Nicholas, as an Interpreter; he will attend them to Niagara and then return, provided his service is not further wanted.
The Wabash Indians have also an Interpreter with them; he and Mr. Nicholas being unable to undertake this journey on foot, and one of the Senecas being lame and Como the Potto- wattoma Chief not quite recovered of a late illness, I have been under the necessity of furnishing four horses equipt with saddles, &c., for them. These horses will be subject to your order on their arrival. I have also furnished them with amuni- tion and provisions. Joseph Nicholas will deliver you the wampum, and receive instructions either to return, or to attend you to the treaty as Interpreter of the Seneca language, which he professes to be master of. Be pleased to fix a compensation for his services should you think proper to continue him.
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Letter-book of Major Isaac Craig.
[To Gen .. Knox. June 14th, 1793.]
I have received your letter of the 7th instant. together with dispatches for the Commander-in-Chief, which shall be for- warded immediately in the manner you direct. and as the river is at present very high, his letters will reach Fort Washington in four days.
I believe there is as great danger to be apprehended on the road that wagons must take to Wheeling, as on any other part of the frontier.
A small stockade, at that place, into which the inhabitants have sometimes retired, has several times been attacked by parties of Indians, but has never been taken. I shall by next post inform you of the number and capacity of the buildings, and the population in that neighborhood.
The navigation of the Ohio. is not materially better from Wheeling than from Pittsburgh in a dry season, and our best Ohio pilots say they find nearly the same difficulty till they pass the Rapids below Little Kanhawa ; indeed we have found that more accidents have happened to boats, and more loss sus- tained, below than above.
Governor St. Clair has directed me to have a boat fitted up to carry him to Fort Washington; he intends to set off on the 22d instant.
Four bales of Indian goods are come to hand. Capt. Prior is still waiting for the arrival of his baggage; it is said that Thomas Martin. the wagoner who took charge of the Indian baggage has stopped at Shippensburg.
I have had no communication from Headquarters since last post, but hourly expect an Express boat.
[To Gen. Knox, June 25th, 1793.]
As last Post arrived late in the evening, and set off, after a very short stay, the same night, I had not then an opportunity of obtaining the necessary information required in your letter respecting the navigation of the Ohio. population in vicinity of Wheeling, &c. I have received answers to queries (similar to those in your letter,) from two gentlemen of veracity and in-
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formation, which I now take the liberty of inelosing. I have also been assured by several others, that the danger to be ap- prebended from hostile Indians, is as great on upwards of twenty miles of the road that wagons must take to Wheeling. as on any other part of our frontiers.
I have prepared the necessary tools for erecting the buildings at Wheeling. The country in the vicinity of that place is badly timbered, and most of that which was fit for building has been cut down, therefore building timber must be brought a considerable distance, which will greatly increase the expence.
I apprehend that by sending the stores directly to the mouth of Buffalo creek, every purpose might be answered that could possibly be by sending them to Wheeling, and a considerable saving made, as there are already there an excellent landing, and store houses, which I presume can be obtained at a reason- able rate, and fifteen or eighteen miles of land carriage would be saved, and less danger from the enemy in approaching Buffalo than Wheeling, as the population is greater. Timber and other materials for building can be readily procured at that place.
Capt. Melcher set off for Headquarters on the morning of the 15th instant, charged with the dispatches for General Wayne, put up in the manner you directed. loaded with lead, and delivered to him with particular instructions not to suffer them to fall into the enemies hands. He has nine good men with him well armed.
I have enclosed the Indian Commissioners instructions for drawing on you for the amount of wampum purchased and sent to Niagara ; the account of the wampum purchased is also enclosed accompanied with three accounts of charges that have accrued in consequence of the arrival of the Seneca Indians, from the Commissioners ; be pleased either toremit the amount of the four accounts, viz : two hundred and ninety-seven dollars and twenty-nine cents, or the amount of the wampum only, and return the other three accounts in order that they may be entered in my abstract of disbursements in the Quarter Master's Department.
By a late law of Pennsylvania, permission is given to locate the lands vacant west of the Alleghany river, in consequence
167
Letter-book of. Major Isaac Craig.
of which great numbers of people armed are now extended to the utmost limits of the State, viewing and marking lands. Several people have avowed their intention of putting to death all the Indians they may find, whether Senecas or others. This land jobbing business is permitted at a very unseasonable time, whilst the treaty is pending. It certainly would have been prudent in Governor Mifflin, to have restrained these peo- ple till after the treaty.
I have just received your favour of the 14th instant, together with a packet for the Commander-in-Chief, and letters for offi- cers at Headquarters, which shall be forwarded on the 24th. I have also received a letter from Mr. William Knox accompa- nied with a packet containing five thousand dollars in Post Notes, a packet containing wampum, and a letter for Capt. Prior is also come to hand and delivered to him; he is still here waiting for the remainder of his baggage, part of it hav- ing arrived, and part still on the road. The Indians are very im- patient to be gone.
The river is still sufficiently high for any craft whatever, and by the late rains must rise considerably; indeed from present appearances it is probable that no difficulty can occur in the navigation of the Ohio before the 1st of August and perhaps not then, as there has been, and continues to be a remarkable wet season. I shall however advise you weekly of the state of the river.
The following letters were enclosed in the above :
NIAGARA, May 26th, 1793.
ŞIR : Not having obtained any white wampum either at New York or Albany, we have desired Major Craig to procure any quantity, not exceeding eighty thousand, at Pittsburgh. Should he procure it, he will transmit you the account thereof, which we request you to pay at five days' sight hereof.
Your most obed't servants,
B. LINCOLN, Commissioners for BEVERLY RANDOLPH, treating with the
TIMOTHY PICKERING, Western Indians. Gen. KNOX. Secretary of War, Philadelphia.
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PITTSBURGH, June 15th. 1793.
SIR: In answer to your several enquiries, I shall first take notice of that respecting the navigation of the Ohio river. be- tween Wheeling and Fort Washington. I have descended and ascended the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to the great Rapids and from the great Rapids to Pittsburgh frequently since 1773. in different-sized crafts, and in high, low, and midling state of
the water. The principle obsticles for loaded boats in low water between Wheeling and Fort Washington, are the shoals at Grave Creek, at Fishing Creek, several in the Long Reach, and the little Rapids, or what is called by some Latart's falls, below the mouth of little Canauway: this I know to be the most difficult for loaded boats to pass in low water of any place between Pittsburgh and Fort Washington, on account of shoals and rocky bottom.
When the water is in a state of passing loaded boats with safety over the above-mentioned shoals, they may go with safety from Pittsburgh, as the shoals between Wheeling and Pittsburgh are less dangerous than those mentioned.
In regard to the population at the mouth of Wheeling, Mr. Zane. who is proprietor of the soil above the mouth of the Creek. laid out a town last summer. Lots have been Pur- chased and eight Log Houses are erected with two small store- houses near the landing. The stockade Fort built there in the year 1774 is entirely Demolished. The inhabitants are at pre- sent without any place of defence.
As to waggons passing from Redstone or Washington with safety I cannot say, it depends in some measure on chance. As far as twenty miles on this side of Wheeling and on the Wash- ington road has been thought as dangerous a frontier as any on this side the Allegheny mountings; the difference in Land Car- riage will be at least 55 miles.
I am, Sir, with respect, your
Most Obed't Servant, GEO. McCULLY. Major CRAIG.
DEAR SIR :
PITTSBURGH, June 17th, 1793.
I have received yours of this date, wherein you request in-
Letter-book of Major Isaac Craig. 169
formation from me respecting the navigation of the Ohio for boats below Wheeling. I have for many years passed up and down the Ohio from this place to the Siota River at different seasons of the year, when the river was low. and have always found as much difficulty between Wheeling and the mouth of big Kenhawa, as between Wheeling and Pittsburgh. The falls below the mouth of Hockhocking called Letart's falls, the shoals at the mouth of Fish and Fishing Creeks. Grave Creek and a number of other in the long reach, are equally as difficult for loaded boats to pass as any between this and Wheeling: added to this, that should the Indians be. Hostile. Carriage will have to Pass along a frontier for near twenty miles, which is as much exposed to the Incursions of the Indians as any in this Country.
I am with regard. Dear Sir, Your Very Humble Serv't, JNO. GIBSON. Major CRAIG.
[To Gen. Knox, June 28th, 1793.]
Capt. Prior's baggage has not yet arrived he has, however, determined to set off this evening and wait at Fort Washing- ton for it. The charges against him at this place, for board, &c., of the Indians and interpreter amounts to three hundred and twenty-five dollars; that sum I shall, agreeable to your in- struction, draw on you for, in favour of General Gibson, by whom I shall transmit the Indian accounts.
Gen. St. Clair is hourly expected on his way to Fort Wash- ington ; a boat is ready for him.
The river continues remarkably high for the season.
I have enclosed a packet just arrived from Fort Washington.
[To Gen. Knox, July 5th, 1793.]
I have received your letter of the 28th ultimo, enclosing one from the Secretary of the Treasury.
I shall pay particular attention to your instructions respect- ing the Block House and Store house to be erected at Wheeling.
1
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Historical Register.
Boats to carry Capt. Pike's and the other detachments, to- gether with all the stores that are vet arrived, or may come to hand during his stay at this place, shall be ready. The river continues sufficiently high for any purpose of navigation.
I shall write to Col. Sproat respecting the business mentioned in the Secretary of the Treasury's letter. and shall send a con- fidential person to transact that business at Beaver Creek: but I am astonished that Colonel Hamilton has made choice of Fort McIntosh for a place of deposit. as there is not a building of any kind on that ground. nor within three miles of it on that side of the Ohio, and the only one at that distance is the Block House on Beaver creek, now garrisoned by a serjeant and small party, who occupy the whole building, it being only a large hut : therefore an improper place to deposit spirits.
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