USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 16
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 16
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 16
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Capt. Brown's company was recruited in Bed- ford county in February and March, 1776, and formed part of the 1st battalion of the Pennsylva- nia Rifle Regiment, Col. Samuel Miles in com- mand. The regiment, as part of Brig .- Gen. Lord Sterling's command, fought in the disastrous battle of Long Island on the 27th of August, 1776, where many were killed, wounded and captured. Afterward it was engaged in the capture of the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey, December 26, 1776 ; in the battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777; lay part of the ensuing winter at Phila- delphia, and moved down to Billingsport in March, 1777.
Lieut .- Col. James Piper, of Bedford county, was one of the field officers of the 1st battalion of this regiment. He was commissioned March 13, 1776. ' Captured at the battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776, he died in captivity, leaving a widow, Lucinda, who resided in Cum- berland county in 1791. He had proved to be an efficient officer during the French and Indian wars, and he it was who, while serving as county
commissioner of Bedford county, met with the difficulties narrated in the preceding chapter.
CAPTAIN ANDREW MANN'S COMPANY.
Under authority of a resolution of congress, dated July 15, 1776 (Journal, vol. 1, 411-419), the 8th regiment of the Pennsylvania Line was raised for the defense of the western fron- tier, to garrison the posts of Presque Isle, Le Bœuff and Kittanning. It consisted of eight companies, seven from Westmoreland and one from Bedford county. Afterward two more companies were added. Its first field officers were Col. Æneas Mackey (frequently written McCay), Lieut .- Col. George Wilson (the same who, while justice of the peace of Bedford county, wrested a loaded gun from a riotous in- habitant. See chapter entitled Organization, etc., of Bedford County) and Maj. Richard Butler. Col. Mackey and Lieut .- Col. Wilson both died in the winter of 1777, and thereupon Col. Daniel Brodhead became the commander of the regi- ment.
The Bedford county company was commanded by Capt. Andrew Mann* whose home was in that part of Bedford now known as Ful- ton county. No separate muster roll of his company has been preserved. But we learn that in December, 1776, it contained sixty-two en- listed men. The regiment performed most arduous service. It rendezvoused at Kittanning, from thence it marched in midwinter to New Jersey and joined Washington's army, many of the officers and men dying from lack of medicines and other army supplies. After participating in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, it was ordered to march to Pittsburgh, where it became part of Gen. McIntosh's command. During the remainder of that year it waged an active warfare against the Indians. In 1779 it went up the Allegheny river on Gen. Brodhead's
* In 1750 the brothers Jacob, Andrew and Bernard Mann emi- grated from the German side of the Rhine and landed at Phila- delphia. Soon afterward they settled in the "Tolonoway settle- ment," a region now embraced by Fulton county, Pennsylvania. One of the brothers finally removed to Kentucky and another to one of the south western counties of Pennsylvania; Andrew alone remaining an inhabitant of Bedford county. He was married to Rachel Egnor, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1760. He was commissioned captain in Col. Mackey's regiment September 14, 1776, and he died January 13, 1818 The names of his children were Margaret, Jacob, Bernard, Rachel, John, Elizabeth, Andrew, David and Joseph.
Of these children Jacob was the father of Hon. Job Mann, and David was the father of the family known to present residents of Bedford. Hon. David Mann married Elizabeth Farquhar (a member of an old and prominent family in Frederick county, Maryland) December 20, 1810. Their children were James M., B. Franklin, Almiru M. (Daugherty), Sarah E. (Reamer), William Findley, Bernard and David F. David Mann became a resident of Bedford soon after his election as prothonotary. He also held other positions of trust and honor." See Bedford county civil lists.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD, SOMERSET AND FULTON COUNTIES.
expedition, attacked the Indians and defeated them and burned their towns. On the return of the regiment, its time having expired, it was discharged at Pittsburgh. For a full account of the services of the regiment in the West, the reader is referred to Brodhead's letter-book, published in the twelfth volume, first series, of the Pennsylvania Archives.
Among those who are known to have been members of Capt. Mann's company were Robert Aikens, Abraham Faith (who resided in Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, in 1825), Joseph Han- cock (who resided in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1834), Jacob Justice (who resided in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1820), Allen McComb (who resided in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, in 1810), James Mitchell (who resided in Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, in 1810) and Philip Wolf (who resided in Bedford county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1790).
Benjamin Jennings, of the Turkey-Foot settle- ment, served in Capt. David Kilgore's company of the 8th Pennsylvania as private. As late as 1840 he resided in Somerset county and was paid a pension. Several other residents of Somerset county served as members in the West- moreland county companies, 8th regiment, but it is now impossible to designate them by name.
The facts relating to the history of Bedford county during the revolutionary period, in their entirety, are of an unsatisfactory nature - only such, indeed, as can be gathered by scanning the county records and state archives- hence, the remainder of this chapter will consist of letters, orders, muster-rolls, extracts, etc., gleaned from the sources above mentioned.
COL. JOHN PIPER TO COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. SHIPPENSBURG, 31st Dec', 1776.
Gentlem": I would Beg Leave to Enform you that the Resolves of Congrass & Committee of Safety for this State, of the 22 Nov', Directed to the Command- ing officers of the Different Batt. of Beadford County, I have had the Honour of Recaveing, Requiring att Least one Company of Vallenteers out of Each Batt. to march & Joyne General Washington, I have in Consequence of sª orders callª uppon Each Capt to turn out of his Company his quoto, in order to Com- pleate the said Company, a number of which is now upon their March ; the Enclemency of the Wether & Depth of the Snow in this Mountainous Country, Ren- der it very hard to Assemble the Different Partys into one body, we therefore give Each Capt orders to march his Party the Nighest & Best way to Ph", & there to wait till farther orders; so that I hope Gent", youl take propper Notice of Each Party as
they Com, & give them orders. I have likewise got Entiligence Since I left home, that the officers of the Other Batt. of Bedford are Ordered to give the Militia ten Dollars Advance, But as I have Not Seed any of the Gent" Since their orders Com up, would be glad to know where I might be fornished with Cash for that Porpose ; I Beg Lave to Refare to the Berer for forther Perticulars, & am, Gent", with Grate Esteem
Your moust Obedant & Very Humble Servant, JOHN PIPER.
SOLDIERS OF 1777.
A Role of the officers and privets out of the Ist Bat- talion of Bedford county, who Marched to Camp under the command of Capt. Jacob Hendershot & In- roled 9th January & Discharged 10th March & allowed pay untill the 25th March, 1777.
Captain : Jacob Hendershot.
Lieutenant : Frederick Storts.
Sergeant : Francis Shives.
Corporal : William Steed.
Privates: Adam Hersler, William Pittman, William Andrews, John Peck, John Coombs, John Rush, Thomas Mitchell, Nelson Jolly, Jacob Hart, Abraham Clavinger, George Enslow, John Slaughter, Richard Pittman, John Williams, Evan Jenkins.
Officers who marched with the company:
Lieut. Col. James Graham.
Maj. Edward Coombs.
Maj. John Cessna.
Capt. Obadiah Stillwell.
Lieut. Moses Reed.
Lieut. John Stillwell.
Ensign Stillwell Troax.
Lieut. Levi Linn with Capt. Paxton.
Private Cornelius Troax with Capt. Paxton.
Private Josepha Tronx* with Capt. Paxton.
The officers mentioned at the end of the above list - Col. Graham, Majs. Coombs, Cessna, etc. - marched as volunteers, and received but little more pay and subsistence than the privates. As another pertinent matter regard- ing this movement of the Bedford county troops we append the following :
The State of Pennsylu to the 1st Battalion of Bedford County. Dr.
From Dec. 13th, 1776, to Jan'y 19th, 1777.
To Cash pay'd by Col. George Woods to Col. Graham, Maj. Coombs & Maj. Cessna in actual service as appears by Bill. £33 3 9
To Cash pay'd by Do to Capt. Cable for Do 7 10 0
To cash pay'd by Do to Lieut' Chaney & Higgins. 8 17 8
To Capt. Paxton's Muster Role 349 12 2
To Capt. Hendershot's Muster Role. 223 11 2
To Lieut. William Frier's Muster Role. . 187 6 9
To 300 miles subsistence alowed the whole 31 17 6
£841 18 9
* Joseph Troax died in service February 15, 1777.
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Brought forward £841 18 9
To allowance of liquor for 7 men from
Bedford to Phila. 2 12 0
£844 10 9
To the amount of Guns and Blankets per Bill
91 90
To amount pay'd expresses . 3 16
To a Bill for Liquor for Paxton's company 3 14 0
£942 15 3
To additional pay to Col. Graham, Maj'rs Coombs & Cessna, & Capt. Stillwell, Lieuts: Reed & Stillwell & Ensign Troax, nine days from home to Phila.
31 2 6
To one Month's service from 3ª Dec., 1776, to Jan. 34, 1777 (myself). 28 2 6
£1,002 0 3
CREDIT.
By Cash Received from David Espy, Esq .. £261 5 0 GEN. PUTNAM TO COUNCILS, ETC.
PRINCETON, Feb. 18, 1777.
GENTLEMEN : Last night Col. Neilson, with a party of about 150 men, attacked sixty belonging to Cort- land Skinner's Brigade, at Lawrence's Island, under command of Maj" .Richª Stockton, formerly an In- habitant of this place-the Enemy's renowned land Pilot-the Colonel took the whole, among which ware this Stockton, a Captain & three or four Subaltern offi- cers; the enemy had four killed, and one wounded-we had one killed-this you may depend upon to be a fact. Col. Neilson is just arrived here. I shall for- ward the prisoners on in a day or two to you-50 of the Bedford County Riflemen of your State, what I detached from this place, were with Col. Neilson- the whole officers & men, both belonging to that County & the Militia of this State, behaved with great bravery, such as would do honour to veteran Soldiers; there are also thirty or sixty stand of arms, which I think the Middlesex Militia ought to have. The Bearer I send purposely to acquaint you with the Circumstance.
I am Gentlemen, with Esteem Your Hum. Serv't, ISRAEL PUTNAM.
COL. JOHN PIPER TO JAMES MARTIN.
SIR: Please to wait upon the Executive Council for this State and lay Before them the disadvantages we labour under in Executing the Business Committed to us, the art and influence of Some individuals in this County Has induc'd Maney of the inhabitants to deny the authority of our Present Legislators, So that whole townships are taught to deny all authority, nor will they Comply in one Single instance with the acts of our Present assembly, and the Great Caus why our Business is not Carry'd on with dispatch is owing in a great Measure to the two Gent", viz. Cable and Brown, who were appointed Sub Lieuts., in the Western * district of this County, there Refus-
ing to do their duty untill the Scence of the People are taken att Large, which throws Such Load of Business upon me that I find My Self unable to Per- form, notwithstanding the number of Good People in this County that are active in their duty, Yet from the art and influence of these People there are So mutch oposition and So maney difficultys thrown in our way that our Business is mutch Retarded, therefore, Sir I hope you'l Lay this Matter before the House and Executive Council and Pray that they may Grant us Sutch Relief Either by apointing others to do the duty or Any other directions they in their wisdoms May think Proppair. Pleas to Enform that the County is Lay'd off in districks and Each districk Apointed their field officers, But the other Business is much kep'd Back for the want of Concurrance and assistance of the above named Gentlemen.
I am, Sir, your obed't H'ble Serv't
JULY 20, 1777. JOHN PIPER.
DEMAND OF RECORDS.
THOMAS SMITH, Esqr.
SIR: I hereby demand of you the Books, Records and other Papers and Seals of Office of the office of Prothonotary, Register of Wills, Recorder of Deeds, and Clerk of the Orphan's Court for the County of Bedford.
I am Sir yours &c, ROBERT GALBRAITH.
BEDFORD, September 29th, 1777."
In reply to this Thomas Smith verbally an- swered " that the sentiments of the people were to be taken for a new convention, and when that was known if there was a majority he would then immediately give them up, or if Robert Galbraith would call the township com- mittee and they should say he (the said Thomas Smith) should give them up he immediately would." Subsequently, Smith gave up the books, papers, etc., and Galbraith became pro- thonotary. See a succeeding paragraph.
ROBERT GALBRAITH TO PRESIDENT WHARTON.
SIR: I have been at Bedford and opened the Courts without any opposition. The Sheriff held the election, and though but a small one, yet I hope it will answer a good purpose. Mr. Smith still refuses to deliver up the Records, as appears by the affidavits sent you by Mr. John Morris, Clerk of the Assembly. I've sent by Mr. Morris the Nomination of Bedford Justices of the Peace, which I expect the Council will take notice of, and send up the Commissions per first opportunity. I should be glad of some instruc- tions relative to the Tavernkeepers; some have ap- plied at the Court, and recommended, but I have no Licence nor orders to proceed in the matter. Mr. Woods [meaning George Woods] has taken the Oath of Allegiance, and wonders why himself and the other two Gentlemen recommended with him, are
. Meaning that part now known as Somerset County.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD, SOMERSET AND FULTON COUNTIES.
not Commissioned ; he says he is now determined to support the Constitution, and most undoubtedly he can do a great deal of good or ill in this County at the present Time. If the Council thought proper to send for Mr. Smith, and dispose of him in some other way than confineing him in Bedford, it might answer a bet- ter purpose, for I am apprehensive he might be res- cued here, and I am of opinion if he was brought before the Council he would agree to deliver them up; but this I leave to the wisdom and the prudence of the Council.
The generality of the People in Bedford County are well disposed to the Constitution, and a little Time, I am persuaded, will put matters upon a good footing. I attended at Carlisle Court, and matters there went on middling well. Mr. Morris, who attended, also can inform you. I write this in York Town, where I have attended on behalf of the State ; the Courts were opened here, but in manner, and under what circumstances, Mr. McLean, who intends waiting on you in a few Days, will inform. I intend returning to Bedford in a few Days, as soon as I can get Seals of Office engraved here.
With compliments to Mr. Bryan and the other Gentlemen of the Council.
I am with respect, your Excellencys most obed', humble serv',
ROBERT GALBRAITH.
YORK TOWN, October 31", 1777.
THOMAS SMITH ARRESTED.
PENNSYLVANIA, 89.
To the Sheriff of Bedford County: Greeting.
WHEREAN, it is made to appear before the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl- vania, upon the Oath of Robert Galbraith and Will- iam Parker Esquires, that Thomas Smith Esq' being a person who has acted as Prothonotary in the County of Bedford, hath been duly required and summoned by a demand in writing, to deliver up all and singular the books, records, papers and seals belonging to or in use in the office of Prothonotary, in and for the said county of Bedford, unto the said Robert Gal- braith (he the said Robert Galbraith being the person who hath been appointed by the President and this Council to succeed him the said Thomas Smith in the said office) and that he the sd Thomas Smith hath neglected to comply with the sª demand, you are therefore hereby commanded to take the said Thomas Smith, and him safely keep in close custody in the common Goal of the said County of Bedford without bail or mainprize, until the said Robert Galbraith shall become possessed of the said books, records, papers and seals. Given under my hand at Lan- caster this 17th day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy- seven.
GEORGE BRYAN, Vice-President.
COL. JOHN PIPER TO PRESIDENT WHARTON.
LANCASTER, NOV. 24, 1777.
SIR: I would beg leave to inform that in Conse- quence of a Commission from the Supream Executive Council of this State, apointing me Lieut. of Bedford County, for the Purpose of Mustering and Classing the Militia of sd County, notwithstanding the opposition and difficulty that atended the Business, we Have been able to goe so farr into it that we have form'd the sd militia in Battalions and likewise into Companys, and Classed agreeable to an act of Assembly pass'd for that Purpose. But from our distance and other Disadvantages Have not been able to obtain Com- missions, therefore Prays that Commissions may be granted, and as our Militia Have Been and are still a Calling upon not only to Guard our own frontiers, but likewise to Escort Provisions and other Carriages to Fort Pitt, and a number of our Militia Have Been call'd upon to joyne Gen. Hand, and as no Provision has ever been made for the Paymt or Equipmt. of these men, who, notwithstanding these difficultys, Have stepped forth in Defense of this Country and ar still Ready to appear in its Defence, I would, therefore, Pray in Behalf of sd. County, that Provision for the Pay and Equipmt. of these Men who are called into actual service, may Be Procured. * * *
THOMAS SMITH AND GEORGE WOODS TO PRESIDENT WHARTON.
Nov. 27, 1777.
GENTLEMEN : The present situation of this County is so truly deplorable that we should be inexcusable if we delayed a moment in acquainting you with it, an Indian War is now raging around us in its utmost fury. Before you went down they had killed one man at Stony Creek, since that time they have killed five on the Mountain, over against the heads of Dunning's Creek, Killed or taken three at the three springs, wounded one and kill'd some Children by Franks- town, and had they not providentially been discovered in the Night, & a party went out and fired on them, they would, in all probability, have destroyed a great part of that settlement in a few hours. A small party went out into Morrison's Cove scouting, and un- fortunately divided, the Indians discovered one divi- sion and out of eight killed seven & wounded the other. In short, a day hardly passes without our hearing of some new murder and if the People con- tinue only a week longer to fly as they have done for a week Past, Cumberland County will be a frontier. From Morrison's, Croyl's and Friend's Coves, Dun- ning's Creek, & one-half of the Glades they are fled or forted, and for all the defence that can be made here, the Indians may do almost what they please. We keep out ranging parties, in which we go out by turns; but all that we can do that way is but weak and ineffectual for our defence, because one-half of the People are fled, those that remain are too busily employed in puting their families and the little of their Effects that they can save and take into some place of safety, so that the whole burden falls upon a few of the Frontier
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Inhabitants. For those who are at a distance from danger have not as yet offered us any assistance, we are far from blaming the officers of the Militia be- cause they have not ordered them out, for if they had they really can be of little or no service, not only for the foregoing reasons, but also for these: not one Man in ten of them is armed, if they were armed you are sensible and take the country through there is not one fourth Man that is fit to go against Indians, and it might often happen that in a whole Class there might be a single Person who is acquainted with the In- dians' ways or the woods, and if there should be a few good men and the rest unfit for that service, those who are fit to take the Indians in their own way, could not act with the same resolution and spirit as if they were sure of being properly supported by men like themselves. The Consequences would be that the Indians, after gaining an advantage over them, would become much more daring and fearless, and drive all before them. A small number of select Men would be of more real service to guard the frontiers than six times that number of People unused to arms or the woods.
It is not for us to dictate what steps ought to be taken, but some steps ought to be taken without the loss of an hour. The safety of your country, of your families, of your Property, will, we are convinced, urge you to do every thing in your Power to put the Frontiers in some state of defence. Suppose there were orders given to raise about 100 Rangers, under the Command of spirited officers who were well ac- quainted with the woods and the Indians and could take them in their own way. They could be raised in- stantly, and we are informed there are a great number of Rifles lying in Carlisle, useless, altho' all the back country is suffering for the want of arms. It was a fatal step that was taken last winter in leaving so many guns when the Militia came from Camp. About this place especially, and all the country near it, they are remarkably distressed for the want of Guns, for when the Men were raised for the army you know we procured every Gun that we could for their use, the country reflects hard on us now for our assiduity on those occasions, as it now deprives them of the means of defence. But this is not the only instance in which we bear reflections which are not deserved. The safety of our country then called loudly on us to send all the arms to the Camp that could be procured, and it now as loudly calls on us to entreat that we may be allowed some as soon as possible. As also some ammunition, as that which was entrusted to our care is now almost delivered out to the officers who are fortifying, and what remains of it is not fit for rifles. We need not repeat our entreaties that whatever is done may be done as soon as possi- ble, as a day's delay may be the destruction of hun- dreds.
We are in haste, Gentlemen, Your most obedient, humble servants,
GEORGE WOODS, THOMAS SMITH.
COL. JOHN PIPER TO PRESIDENT WHARTON.
BEDFORD COUNTY, Jan' 20th, 1778.
SIR: I would beg leave to Enform, that on my Re- turn from Councill the Distressing Situation of our frontiers oblidged me to Call upon the Subalterns to Consult upon measures to prevent our frontiers from Being Entirely Evacuated, when we were oblidged to Adopt the following measures, viz: to Give orders to Raise 30 men for the defence of the Settlement called the Gleads, 40 men for the Senter divission, Enclud- ing Bedford, thirty men for Frankstown, and the same number for Sinking Valley, and thirty men to Guard the Inhabitants of Hart's Log Settlement and Shaver's Creek; the urgant Call for these men and the Exorbitant Prices of all articles, Lay'd us under the necessity of augmenting their pay to five Pounds Pr Month, the men to Be Engaged for the space of nine months, unless sooner discharged. These People have Repeatedly applyed to me, praying their Situa- tion to Be Layd Before Council, and Assureing Council of their determination to make a Stand-if they meet with this necessary Assistance, they Likewise Pray that a Suitable Person may be Apointed to Lay a Small Store of Provisions at Each Post to Suply Scouting Party, or other troops who may be Employª as Guards. If these measures are aproven by Coun- cill the People will Stand, and if Rejected I have the Greatest Reason to Believe, that upon the first alarm from Indians A great Part of our County will Be Left desolate. * * *
COUNCIL TO COL. JOHN PIPER.
IN COUNCIL, LANCASTER, Feb. 204, 1778.
SIR: Your letter of the 20th of last month, a petition from divers inhabitants of your County, and a repre- sentation of the situation of your County, signed by Lieut .- Col. Hugh Davidson, have all been laid before the Council.
The Council is much surprised to find that you have gone into the enlistment of men for nine months, as they cannot conceive how it is possible for the order of the 9th of December to be construed to give you any authority for so doing. They intended to author- ise you to call out the Militia of your County for the immediate defence of the inhabitants, as a temporary measure, until Congress could obtain the necessary information from which to form a judgment of what force would be wanted to oppose those savages, and to take effectual steps at the Continental Expence as hath been done in the Southern States for chastising them, for which purpose a committee of Congress is gone to the westward. As it was expected that the people of your County would more cheerfully exert themselves in their own immediate defence, and more willingly turn out in this service than in one more distant from home, they were not called to meet and oppose the army of the British King, but were per- mitted to remain at home, while the Militia of most of the other Counties have been called out, and in many of them the whole eight classes have been called, and have either served their turns, found substitutes, or
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