USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 17
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 17
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 17
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD, SOMERSET AND FULTON COUNTIES.
become liable to pay the hire of substitutes. Of this money, considerable sums are already paid in, and the remainder is collecting from the delinquents. There does not appear any good reason why the people of your county should not exert their strength in their own defence at such a critical time as this, on the same terms that the other parts of the State render their services.
The Militia of almost every state in America has been called into the field, and in many places rendered very important services and gained great honor.
Our Militia law points out the mode of calling the people together for their defence, this Council has no authority to adopt any other plan, or establish an army, however small, on any other principles than what the law has directed : And, indeed, the con- federation proposed by Congress is directly against the establishing of a standing force of any kind differ- ent from the Militia. But, were it otherwise, the en- listing of men for nine months appears to be wholly improper and unnecessary. It is very improper, as there is no fund for the payment of them, and it would be a most dangerous example to the other coun- ties, who would each have equal right to claim an exemption from Militia service ; and unnecessary, as the Militia, by a proper exertion, is certainly able to defend themselves against a much more formidable enemy than is at present reasonably expected to come against the western frontiers. As to the price at which it is proposed to pay the men, this alone is a sufficient reason against the measure, as the same pay would undoubtedly be immediately claimed by the Militia of the other Counties, and perhaps occasion an un- easiness in the regular army which might produce fatal consequences, from these circumstances alone, there cannot be a doubt but that Congress would dis- approve of it, and refuse to pay such advanced wages.
The order of the ninth of December still exists in full force, and it is all that the Council have power to do for you.
Col. Davidson has an order on the Treasurer for the sum of two hundred pounds, to be delivered by him to you, and to be charged by the Treasurer to your account.
JOHN PIPER, Lieut., Bedford.
COL. ROBERT GALBRAITH TO PRESIDENT WHARTON.
ROCK CREEK, February 6, 1778.
SIR: These will serve to inform your Excellency that upon my going to Bedford, I put the Warrant I obtained from the Council into the hands of the Sheriff who took Mr. Smith into Custody, upon which he delivered up the Records, Seals, &c. Not- withstanding the Indian disturbances in the County, we had a pretty smart Court. The Grand Jury found several Bills, and a great many who were for some time past backward in taking the oath came into Court and took it, so that I have the pleasure to in- form you matters wear a good aspect now in Bedford, with regard to the Constitution.
It seems that Galbraith was then acting as attorney for the commonwealth, for in the same communication he speaks of having attended courts at Carlisle, York Town, Northumber- land, and other places.
COL. JOHN PIPER TO PRESIDENT WHARTON.
BEDFORD, May 4th, 1778.
SIR: An affair of the most alarming nature (and as I believe altogether unprecedented) has happened lately in a Corner of this County [ meaning that part now embraced by the counties of Huntingdon and Blair], and which I could not think myself justifi- able in not communicating to the Honorable the Supreme Executive Council of this State. 'Tis as follows: a Number of evil minded Persons, to the amount of thirty-five (I think), having actually asso- ciated together, marched away toward the Indian Country in order to join the Indians, and to con- duct them into the Inhabitance, and there united kill, burn and destroy Men, Women and Children.
They came up with a Body of Indians near or at the Kittannings, and in conferring with them, they, the Indians, suspecting some design in the white People, on weh one of their Chiefs shot one Weston, who was the Ring-leader of the Tories, and scalp'd him before the Rest, and Immediately (as if Divine Providence ever attentive to Baffle and defeat the the Schemes and Measures of wicked Men) the rest fled and dispersed.
A very considerable number of the well affected Inhabitants having, as soon as their combination and march was known, pursued them and met five of them, and yesterday brought them under a strong Guard to the County Goal.
They confess their Crime and Intention of destroy- ing both Men and Property; as these People thus in open rebellion are so numerous, there is great Rea- son to believe them as a part of a greater whole in some dangerous confederacy with the Common Enemy either at Phila or Detroit. * * *
COL. JOHN PIPER TO PRESIDENT WHARTON.
BEDFORD, May 15th, 1778.
SIR: The orders of Council requireing an Exact re- turn of the arms Belonging to this State are in our Possession, which orders I would gladly comply with, But the distressing Situation of our County att present renders it next to impossible to assertain an Exact List of all the arms in Possession of the inhabitants of this County, But as I am Enformed there are two Hundred Rifles, and one Hundred muskets, But as soon as I can obtain an Exact List of old arms shall make report to Council, the orders for warn- ing four Classes to be in readyness upon the Shortest notice which may be issued, But it is impossable in our Present Situation that sd orders will be comply'd with as I have great reason to Believe that not less than one-third the men in our County are actually fled, and the rest who remain are Constantly on
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their watch Tower, and in dayly expectation of an attack from indians or torys, who seem at Present verey numeras and dayly Encreasing. Thus Sir, I have given a short sketch of our situation in Hopes y' Ex- cellency will Pardon any difficiancy that may arise from our distressed Situation.
ROBERT GALBRAITH TO PRESIDENT WHARTON.
May 16, 1778.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY : The Courts at Bedford, Carlisle and York are held with great regu- larity and propriety, and more business done in the sessions in a week, than used formerly to be done under the old Constitution. It is with pleasure that I acquaint you that a reconciliation is effected in Bed- ford County, between the Inhabitants, who for some time past were opposed to each other with regard to the Constitution and political sentiments. The mat- ter originated between Mr. Smith and myself, and our endeavors with each Party had the desired effect. Mr. Woods, Mr. Smith & Mr. Espy all applied at the Court for admission as attornies, and were by the Court admitted accordingly ; previous to which they had taken the Oath of allegiance, and gave assurance of their sincere intentions of burying all past disputes in oblivion, and their hearty and sincere endeavors to) assist government and its Laws and Officers to the ut- most of their power. The Bench and Bar, as usual, Dined together two Days of the Court Week, and transacted business with great unanimity. I had sound reasons for joining with them (for I would in- form, the application came from Mr. Smith to me), first, because a returning penitent ought to be admit- ted, and because they had it in their power to do a great deal of good or harm ; they were old settlers, ac- quainted with business, still had the confidence of a number capable of giving uneasiness and trouble, not. withstanding we had brought them under the Law. That " forced prayers are not good " is an old maxim, and " convince a Man against his will and he'd be of the same opinion still " is another I well remember. The application, coming from them, has every mark of sincerity ; their getting admitted and bearing alle- giance voluntarily, &c., is, in my opinion, not only a: sufficient acknowledgment to Bedford County, but the State in general. That by their assistance and advice their mouths are stopped from finding fault, the pres- ent officers eased of a great deal of the Burthen of publick business, & the Council be no more troubled with long Epistles, &c. For had not this been effected at last Court, there would've been a nuni- ber of Replevins and other actions commenced against the present officers that (well or ill founded) would've done more harm than good, and to avoid this they say they want nothing but friendship, and that Jus- tice may be done them.
As I look upon myself bound to do every thing in my power for the good of the Cause in general, and Bedford County in particular, I would, at the request of Mr. Smith (for I believe he is almost tired of writ- ing to Council himself ), mention the Situation of some
Townships in Bedford County with regard to Magis- trates. George Woods, Sam' Davidson and George Funk, were elected for Bedford Town, and returned some time ago. Whether it would be proper to Commission Mr. Woods, or not, as he is admitted an attorney at Law, I leave to the Council to determine ; Mr. Davidson has been in the Commission before and made a good Magistrate ; George Funk is an honest Man, and may please the Germans ; William Proctor, Junior, was in Commission before, and made a good Magistrate ; William Tod came to Bedford County to live shortly before I removed to York County, but as he has been elected with Mr. Proctor for Bedford Township may do very well. I am uneasy concern- ing Cumberland Valley Township. Colonel Charles Cessna and Thomas Coulter are the two fittest Men in that Township for the Commission, and yet these two men have not been upon good Terms these several years, and I imagine have had seperate Elections for that purpose. Mr. Coulter was in the Commission before, and made a good magistrate. The Council may receive information from Colonel Cessna, as I expect he is now in the Assembly. * *
THOMAS MCKEAN TO VICE PRESIDENT GEORGE BRYAN.
YORK TOWN, May 27th, 1778.
DEAR SIR: Your favor of the 21st came safe to hand, together with the extracts of Col. Piper's and Council- lor Urie's Letters.
It may be well to make examples of some of the most wicked of the prisoners in Bedford [meaning the Tories of Weston's party ] as soon as practicable ; but when I reflect on the Savages having scalped eleven women & children, within five miles of the town of Bedford; that the people must be all in arms; that these criminals might escape for want of testimony or the Attorney General's presence, who cannot well bear the expense of so long a journey without some salary ; that before a Precept could be sent to the Sheriff of that county, and the legal time summoning Jurors, &c., being allowed, we should be in the begin- ning of harvest, with the Court ; and more especially that in great probability the Enemy may soon evacu- ate Philadelphia, which happening, will require me immediately to resign my seat in Congress, and to repair thither, as there will be an absolute necessity for a Judge on the spot. I say, sir, when I consider these things I am rather of opinion it would be ad- visable to defer holding a court there yet. * * *
EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
PHILADA, Sat. Aug. 15, 1778. * * * *
* * * * *
Thomas Smith, Esq'r, of the County of Bedford, attended in Council & represented that the Board of War had under their consideration the building of a Stockade Fort at the Town of Bedford, & that the said Board was desirous of being informed of the Sentiments of this Council respecting the propriety & necessity of it.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD, SOMERSET AND FULTON COUNTIES.
On consideration of the advantages to be derived from such a fortification in the keeping open the Communication with Pittsburg, especially while an expedition to the Westward is on foot, Council are of opinion that the erecting of such a fort will be very proper.
It is apparent, then, that the old provincial fort at Bedford, which was erected in the sum- mer of 1758, had fallen into disuse and decay before the beginning of the revolution, but, not- withstanding the consideration of the matter as above set forth, it was not rebuilt during the war of 1775-83.
COUNCIL TO JOHN HUBLEY, ESQ.
PHILADELPHIA, 19th Septem , 1778.
SIR: I am directed by Council to reiterate their request that you will give the publick your assistance on the Court of Oyer & Terminer, to be holden at Bedford for tryal of the Traytors who took the des- perate Course of Joining the Indians against their Country. As this flagitious crime appears to have been committed by multitudes along the frontier, there is the greater and louder call for immediate and exemplary Justice. It is hoped that your affairs will not so much interfere as to prevent your going up. Gen. Armstrong will, I understand, be there; But lest his infirmity of Body hinder, it would be very satisfactory to hear that you made a point of attend- ing. * * *
EXTRACT FROM THE BOOKS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
BEDFORD, May 17, 1779.
Pursuant to adjournment the subscribers met at George Milligan's with the Intention to assess and lay the Quota of the 62,000 Dollars as also the Taxes for the current year, but the Indians having made a recent and general Invasion into this County the un- fortunate Inhabitants have generally been obliged to abandon their Habitations and either to fly or collect into Forts to save their lives, has made it impossible for a full Board to meet. To this Cause, & this alone, it is Owing that we cannot lay the Said Tax. We are anxious to Shew our Readiness to contribute our share towards the General expense and gratefully sensible of the Exemption that the Legislature has granted us in Consideration of our truly distressed Circumstances for the last year ; but we cannot with- out incurring a large Expense to the County proceed to tax those very few Persons who have not suffered by the last year's Depredations. As our present Po- sition is so critical that We cannot with any Certainty appoint any fixed Time to meet again. Resolved, there- fore, by the Members of the Board now present, that as soon as the least Interval of Peace and Safety will permit, this Board will meet for the Purpose afore- said, of which the Commissioners do hereby engage to give notice.
Signed by James Martin and Samuel Davidson, county commissioners; Gideon Richey, county asses- sor ; Thomas Crossan, Jacob Hoover and Jacob Hendershot, township assessors.
EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ..
PHILAD'A, Saturday, May 29, 1779. *
* *
* * * * *
* * *
An Order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Thomas Smith, Esq'r (of Bedford), for the Sum of Fourteen Thousand Dollars, of which sum he is to deliver to Capt. Cluggage the sum of Six Thousand Dollars to be applied to the raising his Company of Rangers; And he is to deliver to John Carson, at Carlisle, the Sum of Eight Thousand Dollars, to be applied in purchasing of Arms for the several Com- panies of Rangers.
A return of an Election of Officers in Capt. Rhoads' Company in the first Battalion of the County of Bed- ford, was read, by which it appears that the following Gentlemen were chosen, viz : James Hendricks, first Lieutenant ; Jacob Walker, second Lieutenant ; & John Bowman, Ensign.
* * * * *
* *
Ordered, That Col. John Piper, Lieut. of the County of Bedford, or the Sub .- Lieut. of the said County, be authorized to call out the Militia of the said County for their common defence, in case of actual invasion of the Country by the sudden incussion of the Common Enemy.
GEORGE WOODS TO THOMAS URIE.
BEDFORD, July 4th, 1779.
DEAR SIR: I have just upertunity as fare as ('ar- lisle, to Convey you a few lines ; last Saturday was a week, a man and his daughter, of the name of Braik- inridge, in wood Cock valley, was kild & scalp' by the Indeans. The action was Don hard by hartsock's Fort. Frenkstown is intirely Evequated. Mr. Holli- day lives at the flat Spring in your Vally; we have all Indeverd, with Piper, what lies in Our power, to rease a fue men to Kape Frenkstown Settlement to- gether but all to no purpose. Mr. Holliday Applied to Coll" piper for men to bring off the Stors, but was Obleged to Lave them there. The Indeans after doing the above mentioned Damages, Drove off a Considera- ble many horsis. When the Enemy are so fare into Our Contery you must Know the Situation we are all in ; not a single Solger or Militia man appears in this County for Our Defence. I just now here that Collu. piper has got a guard at his hous. On Receiving the late Instructions from Council, per Coll" Smith, Mr. Martin has indevered to bring out a fue of the Militia from the Townships of Are and Bethul, but his Orders are immediately Countermanded by Coll" piper, as I understand. Dear Sir, you know well whate Situation Our County is in respecting the Conduct of the Lieu- tenants, you have often mentioned to me Some of their fealings & now Our poor Starving Contery, when they have Got Something on the Ground for Gether- ing, Dare not Go out to Save it. Our County Seems
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to be pointed out for Distruction ; every other frontier Settlement has Some Notice taken of them & assistance Sint them; in the name of wonder, if you are a mem- ber of Council for our County, will you never Get us taken Notice of or Git us a Share of Relefe according to the rest of our Contery. I wish you would Spake your mind as freely in Council respecting Some of Our officers as you do here; I think we would be soon in a better Situation. I am Certain you have a Gentle- man now at the head of your Board that would not Suffer us to be used in this mannor Did he but Knaw it. Your Soon Robt. is Gon out with Capt. Erwin. I understand John Montower has Come into fort pitt, & some Indeans with him, I also understand he has taken in hand to bring in Simon Guirty. Capt. Brady lately retook two prisoners, five Scalps & kill" One Indean, he is Gon out again, in company with Montower & two Indeans, in Order to bring in Girty, which I hope They will perform.
I am, De Sir,
Your Ob' Humble Serve, GEORGE WOODS.
Directed,
To Thomas Urie, Esq., of Bedford County, member of the Supreme Executive Council, Philadelphia.
EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
BEDFORD, July 5, 1779. *
* .
The Members above mentioned [meaning James Martin and Samuel Davidson] are still very desirous of contributing every Thing in their Power towards defraying the Common Expenses of the war, but find it is impossible for the other Members of the Board to attend at this Time, or for the Town- ship and assistant assessors to do the Duty required of them by the Act of Assembly, as many of the Townships are chiefly evacuated, and the Inhabi- tants thereof obliged to leave their Habitations on account of the many Ravages & Murders com- mitted by the Savages on the Frontier. They, therefore, are wholly at a loss to know what is best to be done in the very distressed situation of the County at present, unless the Humanity of the House of Assembly will afford them Relief in the Premises.
PRESIDENT REED TO LIEUT. JOHN PIPER.
IN COUNCIL, PHILADA, July 24, 1779.
SIR: The letter of which the enclosed is an Extract has been laid before this Board, as this is the first Information we have had of any Late Ravages of the Indians, it has given us much Concern & Surprize. We trusted the Inhabitants of your County were fully apprized of the Measures we took for their Relief as early as last March. Either Help must be drawn from the County itself, or its Neighbors-if the Militia Laws are supported & rigorously executed there can be no Doubt but a County would find in itself very powerful Resources against Danger & Destruction, but if Officers are harrassed by Suits, Replevins issued when the Fines are imposed, & every Step taken to
harrass & oppose those who are acting to the best of their Judgment & Ability under the Laws of the State, the Consequences will undoubtedly be ruinous to the County -nor will their Neighbours be disposed to help them when they see them wanting to themselves. We hope these Remarks are not applicable to the County of Bedford, and that this Board might show the fullest attention to them, we ordd 125 Men, prop- erly officered, to march from York and Lancaster to cover the Inhabitants of Bedford during their Seed Time & Harvest. Why those Counties did not obey the Orders will be a proper Subject of Inquiry by the Members of Assembly. * To repeat our Order will, we apprehend, be quite unnecessary, as we do not know that greater Regard will be paid to the 2d than the first. We hoped that as long as Capt. Clug- gages Company stayed in the County, & we understand it is yet there, it would have afforded the Inhabitants some Assistance. * * * If there are any Supplies necessary for your County, we desire you will acquaint us, as the Intimation that your County is pointed out for Destruction appears to us to have proceeded rather from Mistake than otherwise.
EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
PHILADELPHIA, August 10th, 1779. *
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Colonel Piper, Lieutenant of Bedford County, hav- ing made a return of officers to be commissioned for the first Battalion of Militia of the said county, viz :
.Thomas Smith, Colonel; William Tissue * and Oliver Drake,* Captains; Christy Agency * and William Nicholls," First Lieutenants; George Bruner* and Henry Abrams,* Second Lieutenants ; George Shaver * and David Standiford,* Ensigns.
In the Second Battalion, John Galloway, Captain ; and in the Third Battalion, Samuel Thompson, Cap- tain.
Resolved, That the said commissions do issue.
EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
BEDFORD, June 5th, 1780.
The Board met agreeable to adjournment and the assessors of Cumberland Valley, Air, Hopewell and Turkey Foot attended with their returns. Those from the other Townships do not attend. The board, upon examination, find that some of the Townships have made returns to different Periods, of the depreciation, & that in some others no assessment has been made since the Revolution began. That the frontier Town- ships being some of them altogether depopulated & others mostly No & that on account of the present distressed situation of the County by the ravages of the Indians, it is impossible to procure any return from them. This being the case, the Board find it utterly impossible to lay the Taxes which, as the whole county is invaded & in a state of war, they trust will be sufficient excuse to the Legislature.
*Then residents of that part of Bedford now known as Somer- set county.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD, SOMERSET AND FULTON COUNTIES.
COL. JOHN PIPER TO PRESIDENT REED. BEDFORD COUNTY, Aug' 6th, 1780.
SIR: Your favour of the 3d of June with the Blank Commissions have Been duly Recevª. Since which we Have been anxiously employed in raising our quota of Pennsylvania Volunteers and at the Same time defending our fronteers, but.in our Present shattered Situation a full Company Cannot be Expected from this County when a number of our Militia Companys are Intirely Broke up and whole Townships Layd waste. So that the Communication betwixt our uper and Lower districts is Entirely broke, and our appre- hentions of Emediate Danger are not lessond But Greatly Agravated by a most Alarming Stroke. Cap' Phillips,* an Experienced good woods man Had Engaged a Company of Rangers for the space of two Months for the Defence of Our fronteers, was Surprised at His Post on Sunday, the 16th July, when the Capt., with Eleven of His Company, were all taken and Killd. When I Recevª the Intelligence, which was the day following, I marched with only ten Men directly to the Place, where we found the House Burnt to Ashes, with sundry Indian Tomahawks that had been lost in the Action, But found no Person Killd at that Place. But upon taking the Indian tracks, within about one Half mile we found ten of Capt. Phillips' Company with their Hands tyd and Murdered in the most Cruel Manner.
This Bold Enterprise so Alarmed the Inhabitants that our whole fronteers were upon the point of Giveing way, but upon Aplication to the Lieut. of Cumberland County, He Hath sent to our Assistance one Company of the Penny" volanteers which, with the volanteers Raisd in our own County, Hath so En- couraged the Inhabitants that they seem Determined to Stand it a Little Longer. We hope our Conduct will Receve your Approbation, and you'l pleas to aprove it By Sending your Special Order to our County Com- missioner to furnish these Men with Provisions and other necessarys untill Such times as other Provisions Can be made for our Defence. As Colonel Smith will Deliver this, I Beg Leave to Recommend you to Him, as he is verrey Capable to Give full Satisfaction to you in Every Particular of our Present Circum- stances. * *
* * *
* JOHN PIPER.
N. B. As Colonel Smith, the Bearer, promises to take Particular Care of what May be Committed to His Care By Council for the use of County, you'l therefore Pleas to Deliver Him, for the use of this County, the following Artickles, viz : Five Hundred wt. of Powder and Lead in Proportion, One thousand Gun flints, One dozen falling axes, Six Camp kittles, } Rheam Writing Paper. As we are mutch Distressed for want of the above Particulars, your Complyance will be a means of encouraging what Remains of the County to Stand this Season, as allso Serving the
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