USA > Pennsylvania > Historical register : notes and queries historical and genealogical, chiefly relating to interior Pennsylvania. Volume II > Part 22
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Thy Assured Ffr'ds, John Wright, Tobias Hendricks. Sam1. Blunston."13
Cartlidge, in his report to Gov. Gordon of May 14, 1732, says : "I find Peter Charteire well Inclined and Stands firm by the Interestt of Pensylvania, and Very Ready on all acctts to Do all the Service hee Can, and as hee has the Shawanise Tongue Very perfectt and well Looktt upon among them, hee may- Do a greatt Deale of Good. I Could nott have any Con- versation with ye french By Reason of James Le Tortts nott attending, altho hee knew both Time and place; hee has been of no Servis to me att all." 14
In 1743, Peter Chartier endeavored to engage the Shaw- anese in a war with the Six Nations. This offense was over- looked by the Pennsylvania government, from an apprehension that his punishment would serve as a pretext for violence to
Noted Characters in our Early History. 253
their traders : but, being reprimanded by Governor Thomas for some other impropriety. he became alarmed. fled to the Shaw- anese, and persuaded them to declare for the French. 15 This must have occurred after Mar. 1744, for in that month Char- tier received a license from the State to trade with the Indians. 1 6 Gov. George Thomas, in a message to the Provincial Council. May 25, 1745. says: "I have just received information that Pe- ter Chartier, after disposing of his effects in this government, has gone over to the enemy."17 Soon after he fled, "at the head of four hundred Shawanese, well armed with guns, pis- tols, and cutlasses, he surprised and took prisoner two Indian traders, James Dinnew and Peter Tostee, on the Allegheny river, robbed them of all their effects to the amount of £1600."18 The minute of the Governor's message in regard to this is as fol- lows : "The Governor laid befor the Board a Deposition made by James Cunningham, Servant to Peter Chartier, Indian Trader at Allegheny, and sworn to on the 18th Instant before James Arm- strong, Esq'., one of the Justices of Lancaster County, where- by it appears that Peter Chartier, his Master, had accepted a Military Commission under the French King, and was going to Canada, which is likewise confirmed by a Letter wrote by Peter Chartier to Jacob Pyat, another Indian Trader, a copy whereof was also laid befor the Board. " 19 In addressing the Provincial Council, December 17, 1745, Gov. Thomas remarked : "That as the Indians had actually cut off the people of Sara- toga, and as Peter Chartier, who was with those Indians, would not fail to do what mischief he could to this Province, whether this piece of intelligence should prove true or false, it was nec- essary to give the back inhabitants of Lancaster county the earliest notice possible that they might be upon their guard." 2 0 In a letter from Conrad Weiser to Richard Peters, dated Pax- tang, Nov. 28, 1747, he says : "Scariohady told Shikalamy at my house very privately that Peter Chartier and his company had accepted the French hatchet, but kept in their bosom till they would see what interest they could make in favor of the French. "21 In July, 1748, several of the Shawanese who had deserted with Chartier, returned, together with Kekewatcheky, the old Shawanese king, and his friends who had withstood the
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solicitations of Chartier, joined together and applied in the fol- lowing submisive manner to Scarrowyady: "Grandfathers and Brethern-We the Shawanese have been misled, and carried on a private correspondence with the French without letting your or our Brethern the English know it. We travelled se- cretly through the bushes to Canada, and the French promised us great things, but we find ourselves deceived. We are sorry we had anything to do with them. We now find we could not see, although the sun did shine. We earnestly desire you would intercede with our bretheren the English for us who are left at Ohio, that we may be permitted to be restored to the Chain of Friendship and be looked upon as heretofore the same flesh with them. "22
M. de Berthet, the French commandant at the Illinois, in a report written in the months of November and December, 1747, says: "The Chaouenons of Chartier's tribe, so far from coming to Detroit according to invitation, have surprised some distant establishment on the River of the Cheraquis; they are reported to be in a fort with the Cherokees and Alibanons, though this Chartier, who has much influence over this tribe, excuses that evasion, assuring that it will not be prejudicial to the attachment of these Indians towards the French. "Tis to be feared either that he is not able to control them, or that he will, himself, change his opinion. " 2 3 M. Berthet was "recom- mended to arrange, if possible, the affairs of the Chaouenons ; 'tis with this view that the man named Rheaume, who is con- nected with Chartier, is sent."24
.June 24, 1760, M. de Vaudreiul, in a letter to M. Benyer, writes: "In the last days of the month of June of the last year, five Chaouoinons of Chartier's band, came to him [Mac Carty] and told him there forty of their cabins in the river coming to ask him for a piece of ground as their's was not good. M. de MacCarty sent some provisions to those Indians whoin he placed near Fort Massiac; they were more useful and less dangerous there than when collected together at Sonyote."25
This is the latest mention of a man whose name is affixed to two different streams in Western Pennsylvania.
Noted. Characters in our Early History. 255
1. Samuel Evans, Esq., in History Lancaster co., pp. 7 and 15.
2. Col. Rec. ii, 131.
3. Evans' Lancaster co., p. 7 ; Col. Rec. ii, 386-90.
4. Col. Rec. ii. 403-4.
5. Col. Rec. ii. 533.
6, Col. Rec. iii, 22.
7. Rupp's Lancaster co., 120-1; Washington co., 165.
8. Samuel Evans, Esq., in letter to writer.
9. Evans' Lancaster co., 15.
10. Rupp's Lancaster co., 253 ; Washington co., 164.
11. Bancroft's U. S. iii, 344: Rupp's History of Western Pa., 31.
12. Rupp's West. Pa., 33; Evans S.
13. Pa. Arch. i, 299.
14. Pa. Arch. i, 32S.
15. Gordon's Pa., 249 ; Western Annals, 98; Rupp's West. Pa., 34.
16. 2d Pa. Arch. ii, 619.
17. Col. Rec. iv, 757 ; West. Pa., appendix 33.
18. Rupp's West. Pa., appendix 23; Gordon's Pa., 250; Hildreth's Pioneer History, 17-18.
19. Col. Rec. iv, 757.
20. Col. Rec. v, 1-2.
21. Col. Rec. v, 167.
22. Col. Rec. v, 311.
23. N. Y. Col. Doc. x, 156.
24. N. Y. Col. Doc. x, 161.
25. N. Y. Col. Doc. x, 1092.
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ROBERT TRAILL OF NORTHAMPTON.
ROBERT TRAILL was born in Sanda, one of the Orkney isles, on the 29th day of April, 1744, old style. His father was the Rev. Thomas Traill, and his mother Sabilla Grant, daughter of the Rev. Alexander Grant of South Ronaldshay. When nine years of age, the father died, leaving a widow with four daughters and three sons. The eldest daughter and the sons were sent to Kirkwall, the capital of the county of Orkney, to be educated. The society of Kirkwall is spoken of to this day as equal to that of the best provincial towns of Scotland, and has its grammar school and its libraries. After his fourteenth year, Robert entered the mercantile business with George Pitcarne in Edinburgh. He afterwards returned to Kirkwall, and in October, 1763, sailed for America in a vessel bound for Phila- delphia. He kept a diary of his voyage, which is preserved among the papers left at his death. He says: "The vessel was commanded by one John Thompson of Londonderry. After a passage of ten weeks we arrived at Reedy Island in the Dela- ware, on the 24th of December, the river being full of floating ice. The vessel with difficulty got into Darby creek, and the next day the Captain and I hired horses and arrived in Phila- delphia. I had a letter from my oldest sister to one Mr. Gil- bert Barclay, who in a few days procured a place for me with one Myer Hart, a merchant in Easton, a Hebrew. I lived with him about twenty months, taught school one year, and then went to Lewis Gordon the prothonotary." The probabilities are that under Gordon, who subsequently became an attorney of distinction. Mr. Traill studied law. He was admitted to the Northampton bar in 1777, and was the second or third resi- dent lawyer of Easton.
When the struggle with the Mother Country came, he was outspoken in favor of independence, and was one of the leading Whigs in Northampton county. From 1776 to 1778, he was the Secretary of the Committee of Safety for the county, and
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Robert Traill of Northampton.
the records of that patriotic body. in his hand-writing. have been preserved. He was appointed one of the justices of the peace June 3. 1777 ; and, on the 11th of March. 1778, military store- keeper at Easton ; a position, however, he declined.
From October 15, 1781. to November 5, 1784, he filled the office of the sheriff of the county, and was chosen to the Gen- eral Assembly for the sessions of 1785-6. He was elected a member of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, serving from October 23, 1786. to May 21, 1788, when he re- signed. at the same time making application for the prothono- taryship of the county, made vacant by the death of Mr. Levers. The appointment, however, had already been made.
Under the Constitution of 1790. he was commissioned by Governor Mifflin one of the associate judges of Northampton county, and held office from May 14. 1796, to January 22, 1798, when, as was the case with many other judges upon the bench, on account of their antipathy to Governor Mckean --- who, while chief justice of the State, had shown a very arbitrary disposition-he probably refused to be continued in commis- sion. Judge Traill died at Easton on the 31st of July, 1816, aged seventy-two years. The Spirit of Pennsylvania, in a notice of his death, said: " He was an honest and virtuous citi- zen, much esteemed by his fellow-citizens, and venerated for his uniform morality and his punctuality in business. He ex- pired as a firm and faithful servant of our Redeemer." Judge James M. Porter, in an historical address relating to the county, spoke of many of the early inhabitants of Northamp- ton county. In the course of his remarks he said : "Lewis Gordon was the first attorney ; then James Biddle, afterwards Judge Biddle, the father of John Marks Biddle of Reading, who was the King's attorney at the organization of the county. The next was Robert Traill, a native of Scotland, who settled here sometime before the Revolution, and took an active part in favor of the Colonies. His descendants in the female line are yet among us, and among the most respectable part of our citi- zens. He was a man of great probity and industry, and of singular professional accuracy, and although he had not much of the suaviter in modo, he had a good deal of the fortiter in re
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in him." Henry, in his " History of the Lehigh Valley," says : "Of Mr. Traill it can be said that in every respect he, for many years, was everything to everybody. Any inhabitant getting into difficulty was told to go to Mr. Traill, .he will tell you what to do.' If any workings were to be drawn cor- rectly, 'go to Mr. . Traill.' If any secretary or clerk was wanting at any public meeting, Mr. Traill was called upon to officiate." It is also stated of him that he studied the German language and was so well acquainted with it that he acted as interpreter in the Northampton courts, in which, in his day, there must have been many witnesses who could not speak the English language. We learn that on one occasion Samnel Sitgreaves, an eminent lawyer at the same bar, expressed a doubt as to the translation which he made. Mr. Traill put on his hat and left the court-room. Mr. Sitgreaves made an apology for the interruption he had made in the examination of the witness. Mr. Traill's honesty in every position was never doubted, and Mr. Sitgreaves felt that he had erred in ex- pressing himself as he did in regard to Mr. Traill's knowledge of the German and his faithfulness in its translation. His family .Bible was in German; and it is more than probable that his wife was most familiar with that language. In this connection, to show the characteristics of the man, it may be proper to recall the following counsel to his children, which was found among his papers after his death :
" My dear and loving children :
"Before I depart this life, and leave you under the precepts and example of a wise and Almighty Ruler of the Universe, I am desirous to give you a little advice, for your future conduct in this precarious and uncertain world. You and all of you have, to my great satisfaction, heretofore behaved well and af- fectionately to your mother and me, and should your mother survive me, I hope you will continue so to do. She has been an industrious, loving, and affectionate wife and mother. Keep always in memory the instruction you have in your youth re- ceived, and the many mercies and benefits bestowed on you by the Lord. Attend Divine worship when circumstances and op- portunities serve. In your leisure hours and walks, meditate
.
Robert Traill of Northampton. 259
on the works of God, and repeat some comforting Hymns or Psalms. These were often my company in my solitary walks, and gave me relief when in trouble or concern of mind. There are several of the Psalms of David which I would recommend, and which I got by heart in my younger days when at school, particularly the 1st, 23d, 67th. 100th, 120th, 121st, 123d, 127th, 131st and 133d. I have several good books which I have di- rected to be divided amongst you, as well as other instructive ones as you may choose among yourselves. Let. I pray you, no jealousy or discord appear between you, and should your mother survive me, at her decease divide her clothing and linen as equally as possible between yourselves without any disagree- ment whatsoever. You have been always affectionate and loving towards one another, and I hope in God you may so continue. As Easton is a place of much discord, ill-will towards one an- other, and very much tattling. I would recommend to you that you may hear what you will of your neighbor, give no re- ply nor interfere in a thing that does not concern you. Tat- tling and back-biting are great evils. and often bring people to trouble. Bring up your children in a decent, Christian man- ner, remembering the Scripture saying. 'Train up a child in the way he shall go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.' Show at all times a good example to your offspring, and you will, with God's help, have pleasure in their conduct. My last wish is, that the Lord, the Ruler of the Universe, may bless and protect you and them for Christ's sake, who shed His blood for the remission of sin.
" Your affectionate father,
" ROBERT TRAILL. " EASTON, September 11th, 1815."
In the foregoing paternal letter, Mr. Traill alludes to the gossiping prevailing at Easton. This was the case, generally, at that period in all small towns where the people seemed to have nothing to do save to mind their neighbors' business. In the active, earnest life of to-day, this "tattling" of which he spoke has passed away.
Judge Traill married, on the 3d of March, 1774, Elizabeth Grotz, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Grotz, who were of
.
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German birth. Her family name was Shaffbuch. She was born on the 7th day of July, 1751, and died on the 31st of May, 1816, preceding her husband's death two months. She was a woman of intelligence and energy, a very helpmate to her Scotch husband. Their children were:
i. Elizabeth, m. Benjamin Green. They were the parents of Dr. Traill Green, the eminent physician of Easton.
ii. Mary, m. Abraham Ealer.
iii. Catharine, d. unm.
ir. Sarah, m. Peter Nungessor.
v. Isabella, m. Melchior Horn.
vi. Anne. m. Jacob Kline.
vii. Rebecca, d. unm.
All the daughters grew up to mature age. There were three sons, Thomas, George, and Jacob, who died in infancy.
261
Letter- Book of Major Isaac Craig.
LETTER-BOOK OF MAJOR ISAAC CRAIG. V. [To Samuel Hodgdon, Nov. 1st, 1793.]
Yours of the 25th ultimo is just come to hand, inclosing five thousand dollars : a very seasonable supply, as it superceeds a necessity of drawing on you as I had proposed.
Yesterday a boat arrived from Fort Washington, which brought letters as late as the 8th ultimo, by which it appears the army moved forward on the 7th ultimo in excellent order and high spirits, and that a large body of the militia of Ken- tucky was to follow in a few days. A copy of the Quarter Master General's letter of the 6th is inclosed. By this boat I have received several packages for the Secretary of War, which are sent by this post. Some other packages addressed to Oliver Wolcott, Esqr., together with my returns & accounts shall be sent by next post, the whole being too bulkey for one
* * mail. * *
It appears that Jacob Hassleman, who was sent Express with money for the army, died at Fort Washington, a few days after his arrival at Headquarters. He left a horse and saddle, which he told me was his own property ; what is to be done with them ?
[To Gen. Knox, Nov. 8th, 1793.]
I am made particularly happy by the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant, which intimates your safe return to the War Office.
I shall not neglect to forward instantly by Express any im- portant information that may be received at this post from the army.
Lieut. Whistler, with forty-seven recruits have arrived and is to embark to-morrow morning for Fort Washington. A few packages of clothing and a quantity of lead, &c., have come to
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hand since Lieut. Martz's departure, are now going forward in charge of Lt. Whistler.
Dr. Wallace who has charge of a number of sick men that have been left in the Hospital of Fort Fayette by different de- tachments, says that his medicine chest is entirely exhausted, and that he has for a considerable time been under a necessity of procuring medicine and hospital stores at this place. I have already paid some high accounts for these articles, and similar charges are daily accruing, which might be saved by sending a supply of these articles from Philadelphia at first cost.
[To Major John Finley, Wheeling, Nov. 9th, 1793.]
I have received your letter of the 5th instant, as also your draft of same date, in favor of Mr. John MeIntire, for two hundred dollars, which I have paid to David Donnelly the Postmaster.
As soon as the present Detachment is off my hands I intend to make you a visit, but should you, in the meantiine, have oc- casion for a further supply of cash you may draw on me for five hundred dollars, and it will be most convenient that your draft be for even sums.
[To Jas. O' Hara, Q. M. G., Nov. 10, 1793.]
The smiths are constantly employed at horse-shoes and axes: two boxes of wagon horse-shoes are now sent by Lt. Whistler. A further supply of this article, together with a quantity of axes and iron that I expect in a few days, shall be sent in charge of Major Winston of the cavalry, who is now here on his way to Headquarters, and will embark in a few days; by him I shall send my Return and Abstract of Dis- bursements which I have made up to the first of November, thereby taking in a considerable amount paid to boatmen that returned with Warner and were then dismissed.
I have informed those persons with whom I have contracted to deliver grain at Fort Washington, of the necessity of punc-
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Letter- Book of Major Icuac Craig.
tuality, and shall send a copy of their contract to the acting Quarter Master there.
The Secretary of War had arrived at the Falls of the Schuylkill on the 4th instant, but had not done any business in his office at that time. It is said that the contagious fever, that has been so destructive at Philadelphia, has entirely abated. and that those who had fled from the city were return- ing: the President was expected the beginning of this month.
The attention of this part of the world is anxiously turned to the army. Your friends expect you here in the winter crowned with laurels.
[ To Major John Finley, Wheeling, Vor. 20, 1793.]
Your letters of the 13th and 14th instants have both come to hand, and agreeable to your request I have sent by Mr. Irish two hundred dollars, the notes of the lowest denominations that could be procured in Pittsburgh. I have also sent by Mr. Irish, for Mr. Ebenezer Zane, Esqr., three hundred and sixty- six dollars and sixty-six and two thirds cents, in discharge of a due bill for forage ; part of that sum I was under a necessity of sending in large notes ; but requested Mr. Irish to get them changed in Canonsburg and Washington ; and you will please inform Mr. Zane that his remaining forage account shall be settled as soon as his vouchers for delivery are produced at my office.
[To Gen. Knox, Nov. 22d, 1793.]
I have received your favor of the 14th instant. I am appre- hensive that the detachment you mention will come too late to descend the Ohio, and shall therefore make provissions for their wintering at Pittsburgh ; however boats for their transpor- tation shall not be neglected. * * * *
The letters for Governors St. Clair and Shelby, &c., shall be sent forward by the Ohio Packet Boat which is preparing to set off to-morrow for Fort Washington.
By accounts from Kentucky, it appears that the army was,
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on the 18th of October, six miles advanced of Fort Jefferson and that a small party escorting either forage or commissary stores commanded by Lieut. Lowery had been attacked, Lieut. Lowery killed and the party defeated.
By accounts this moment arrived, ria Niagara and Genesee, it appears that our army has had a general engagement with the enemy and has obtained a complete victory.
[To James O Hura, Nov. 24th, 1793.]
The Secretary of War informs me that one hundred re- cruits will march from Carlisle on the 25th instant for this post, and must immediately descend the Ohio if the river is open at the time of their arrival: if not, they are to continue at Pittsburgh. He also informs mne that dispatches are now preparing at the War Office for the Commander-in-Chief, and directs me to have a light boat prepared and maned, by the 28th instant, to carry them to Fort Washington.
Two tons of iron that is now on its way from Carlisle, shall be sent forward as soon as it arrives. I have continued to send forward axes, horse-shoe nails, camp-kettles and pack- saddles by every oppertunity, and I presume that all the arti- cles manufactured here and sent forward have been of the best quality.
The world is all anxiety for the fate of your campaign.
[To Gen. Knox, Nov. 25th, 1793.]
Nothing of importance has occurred since last post, except that Major Winston set off for Fort Washington on the 23d.
The letters for Governors Shelby and St. Clair were sent for- ward by a careful hand. It is said Governor St. Clair is at Marietta.
I formerly pointed out the necessity of obtaining a title to the lots on which Fort Fayette is erected, and it is now my opinion that it is necessary immediately to pay attention to it, as I have reason to believe there are people in this country
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Letter- Book of Major Isaac Craig.
who would have no objection to purchase that ground, on ac- count of the public buildings erected thereon.
[ To the same, Nov. 29th, 1793.]
We have no later accounts from the army, but are hourly expecting one of Mr. Myer's Packet Boats from Fort Wash- ington, and should any dispatches arrive from the army an Express shall immediately set off for the War Office.
[To Samuel Hodgdon, Nov. 29th. 1793.]
Mr. Cary's pamphlet gives me a very accurate account of the deplorable situation during the continuation of the late malignant fever. Your standing your ground during the whole of the dreadful scourge is a proof of great firmness of mind.
No accounts have vet arrived from the army that can be de- pended on.
Major Cass will deliver Jacob Hasselman's horse, saddle and bridle.
[To James O' Hara, Dec. 5th, 1793.]
By the arrival of Colo. Mentges, I have received a letter from Samuel Hodgdon. Esquire, enclosing one addressed to you said to contain ten thousand dollars. which I have now sent forward in charge of Capt. John Crawford, who has also charge of a large sum of money, addressed to Caleb Swan, for the army.
Health has returned to Philadelphia. Congress and the As- sembly met there as usual. We are anxiously waiting for news from you; a report has circulated of your having ob- tained a complete victory ; but no confirmation of it.
[To Gen. Knox, Dec. 6th, 1793.]
Captain Crawford set off last evening with the money on
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Historical Register.
board an armed boat. and as he had to halt at Wheeling to take on board some men from that post. I am in hopes an Express I sent off with Gen. Wayne's packet (the moment it arrived) will overtake him there.
Mr. Howell has sent me. by Colo. Mentges, three months' pay for the troops at the upper posts, together with blank muster and pay-rolls. But as the officers commanding at Wheeling, Beaver Block-house. and Fort Favette, are not I apprehend of sufficient information to enable them to authen- ticate their rolls. it is probable the payment of these three posts must be postponed until Capte Crawford returns.
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