History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 18

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 967

USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Fulton County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 18
USA > Pennsylvania > Somerset County > History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania > Part 18

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Publick & he who has the Honour of subscribing himself as Before. J. P.

FACTS GATHERED FROM THE MINUTES OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

In December, 1780, in proceeding to levy a tax upon the twelve townships of the county for the purpose of "raising the county's quota of $620,000 for the use of the United States, and the sum of $5,700,000 for the current year of 1779," the real and personal property of the inhabitants of the county was rated as fol- lows : Bethel township, £4,960 ; Air township, £2,120; Dublin township, £4,740; Barree town- 'ship, £10,013 ; Hopewell township, £4,956; Colerain township, £3,286; Bedford town- ship, £4,964; Cumberland Valley township, £1,764; Brother's Valley township, £7,093 ; Turkey-Foot township, £4,727; Frankstown township, £17,251; Quemahoning township, £4,780.

At the same time, the points where appeals were designated to be held were Standing Stone (now Huntingdon) for Barree, Hopewell and Frankstown ; Littleton, for Dublin, Air and Bethel ; Bedford, for Bedford, Colerain and Cumberland Valley, and at James Black's "in the Glades," for Brother's Valley, Quema- honing and Turkey-Foot.

COUNTY-LIEUT. GEORGE ASHMAN TO PRESIDENT REED. BEDFORD COUNTY, LITTLETON, May 19, 1781.

SIR: On Friday the fourth of this instant the Indians came into this County, killed one man, a woman and two children, and took one man prisoner within one mile of Col. John Pipers on Yellow Creek. I have just received all the returns of the male white Inhabitants residing in this county that come under the Militia Law, in the whole, fourteen. Hundred and fifty-six, and am now forming them. I hope your Excellency will order one hundred of the Militia of Cumberland County to be ready to take post in this county when those that are now here are discharged, which will be on the fourteenth day of June, or send me such orders as will enable me to call out the Militia of this County from the interior parts of it by that time. If this is omitted I can as- sure your Excellency that a principal part of the Inhabitants of this County will move off, as many familys have already moved where the late damage was dun. I have been obliged to surply the Cum- berland Militia with ammunition, therefore pleas to order three hundred of powder and six hundred of Lead to be sent for the use of this county as soon as possible, as the County is much in want of ammu- nition, you may depend that nothing shall be wanting of me in the execution of my office that is in my power.

* Capt. Phillips lived near Williamsburg (now in Blair county), Pennsylvania, and the affair took place in Woodcock Valley.

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THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.

GEORGE ASHMAN TO PRESIDENT REED.

BEDFORD COUNTY, June 12th, 1781.

SIR: I have to inform you that on Sunday the third of this instant a party of the rangers under Captain Boyd, eight in number, with twenty-five Volunteers under Capt Moore and Lieut. Smith of the Militia of this County had an Engagement with a party of Indians (said to be numerous) within three iniles of Frankstown where Seventy-five of the Cum- berland County Militia were stationed, commanded by Captn. James Young. Sum of the party running into the Garrison acquainting Capt. Young of what had happened he Issued out a party Immediatly and Brought in Seven more, five of Whome are wounded and two made their escape to Bedford, Eight kıl'd and scalpt, Capt. Boyd, Captn. Moore, and Captn. Dunlap * with six others are missing. Captn. Young expecting from the enemy's numbers that his garri- son would be surrounded sent express to me Imme- diately, but before I could colleckt as many voluntiers as was sufficient to march to Frankstown with, the enemy had return'd over Alligany hill, the warters being high occation'd by heavy rains they could not be pursu'd, this County at this time is in a Deplorable sittuation a number of Familys are flying away daily ever since the late damage was dun, I can assure Youre Excellency that if Immediate assistance is not sent to this County that the whole of the frontiere In- habitants will move of in a few days. Colo. Abm. Smith of Cumberland has Just Inform" me that he has no orders to send us any more Militia from Cumberland County to our assistance which I am much surprised to heare, I shall move my family to Maryland in a few days, as I am convinced that not any one settlement is able to make any stand against such Numbers of the Enemy. If your Excellency should please to order us any assistance less than three hundred will be of but little relief to this County, ammunition we have not any, the Cumberland militia will be Discharg'a in two days. It is dreadful to think what the Consequence of leaving such a num- ber of helpless Inhabitants may to the Crueltys of a savage Enemy.

Please to send me by the first opportunity Three hundred pounds as I cannot possably doe the bussi- ness without money, you may Depend that nothing shall be wanting in me to serve my Cuntry as far as iny abilities.

CAPT. JOHN BOYD'S RANGING COMPANY, 1781. Raised in the County of Bedford.

Captain : John Boyd, late of 3d Pa. Lieutenant : Richard Johnston.

Sergeants : Robert Atkins, Henry Dugan, Florence Grimes, David Beates and William Ward.

Privates : William Alligane, Stephen Archer, Isaac Arthur, Jobn Arthur, Moses Bernan, Abraham Bodle, Joshua Burton, Daniel Corert, John Conrad, Richard Corps, Jacob Creviston, John Crowsin, Ludwig Curtz, John Downey, Sr , John Downey, Jr., William Decker, Benjamin Frazier, Marshall Galloway, Daniel Glovert, James Grimes, John Grimes, James Hall. Samuel Has- lett, George Jones, William Jones, Samuel Kennedy, Felix

Mckinney, Joseph Martin, Samuel Moore, Michael Nicholas, James Paxton, Henry Simons, Solomon 8parks, John Thomas, William Tucker and John Whiteacre.

The duties assigned to this and other com- panies, of rangers were to scout the forests and guard the settlements against surprise and attack from the hostile Indians.

DIVERS ITEMS.

The Third Batalion of Bedford County Militia com- manded by Barnard Dougherty, Lieutenant Colonel, & John Woods, Major,containing Providence, Bedford, Quemahoning, Brother's Valley, Turkey Foot and Mil- ford Townships, bounded on East by the line of the First Batalion, on the South by the Maryland line, on the West by the county line, and on the North by the line of the Second Batalion, and sub-divided into eight parts, or companys, with their respective officers. First company commanded by Oliver Drake; second company commanded by Christopher Brigely ; third, by George Hostadlor ; fourth, by Samuel Moore; fifth, by Peter Ankeny ; sixth, by Solomon Adams ; seventh, by William McCall; eighth, by Phillip C'able.

The return of the above Batalion and officers men- tioned is just & true as it stands now stated by orders of and superintended by James Martain, sub-Lieuten- ant of Bedford county.

Dated this 20th April Ano down 1781.

The following document gives us an idea of what the militia were called upon to do in 1780:

These are to certify that Robert McKiney was employed six days with two horses carrying flower for the use of the militia and volunteers in actual service in defence of the fruntier of Bedford county, at a time when said county was invaded with Sav- edges.

Witness my hand the 24th day of May, 1780.

The State dr. to Lewis Davis.

To two busshels of wheat, + shillings.

To flower, 2 shillings, 6 pence.

To salt, 1 shilling, 6 pence.

The above articles advanced to Mrs. King for sup- ort in the time of a tower of militia.

Lewis Davis (almoner).

The following indorsement is on this bill :

These are that the within articles was found for the relief of a poor militia man's family when on a tower of duty, as witness my hand this 28th, 1783. Filward Combe, sub-lieutenant, B. C.

The following bill was presented to the state by John Rankon for services therein named :

An account of the services done by John Rankon, Ensign of the fifth company of Bedford county Militia.

* The second husband of Mrs. John Fraser.

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HISTORY OF BEDFORD, SOMERSET AND FULTON COUNTIES.

To warning militia, June 2nd, 1781, May 20th and August 25th, 1782, 78. 6d. per day, September 23rd, attending the apeal according to orders to answer for the seventh class, 7s. 6d. September 29th, 1782 attending the place of rendevous in order to have the men equipt for marching, 78. 6d.

Here is Rankon's affidavit to the correctness of his account :

Bedford County SS. May 23, 1783.

Parsonaly appeared before me the subscriber one of the justices for the county of Bedford John Rankon, ensign, and, being duley sworen as the Law Drects, saith the within account of Days sarvices Dun by him in warning the malishia is just and true, and says he never receved aney satesfaction nor no parson by his orders. Sworen and subscribed before me

thomas Paxton. John Rankon.

Capt. Henry Rush presented the following bill, which was paid by an order on the county treasurer:

December ye 29th, 1780.

By orders received from Col. George Ashman for to take a list of all the names and surnames of all the male white inhabitants of Bethel township between the ages of eighteen and fifty-three. Fifteen days in taking the above, return and returning the same to Col. George Ashman at Bedford town, January ye 19-1781.

Among other documents is a small piece of paper bearing what appears to be the record of some game which was indulged in by a captain, two lieutenants and two ensigns, and the figures show that the captain "raked in the pot." Over the score these touching lines are written:

I am in debt for your good will, Though I am but sumthing Bleat, Instruction is as good to me as food, When put in my numscull peat.

We strongly suspect that this verse was penned by Lieut. John Ferguson after the ter- mination of the social game with his brother officers, as the record shows that he scored but one point. Hence his assertion that instruction is as good to him as food.

On the 29th of September, 1781, the sub- lieutenant of Bedford county ordered an elec- tion of officers for "the company of Bedford township." Arthur McCaughey and James Fletcher acted as judges, and John McCaughey as inspector. Solomon Adams was chosen cap- tain, Allen McComb lieutenant, and Wm. Clark, Jr .. ensign.

CAPT. CHAS. CESSNA TO COL. JACOB MORGAN, JR.

BEDFORD, June 30th, 1781.

SIR: The bearer, Mr. Isaac Worrell, one of my Deputys in the purchasing way in this County, goes to you for the express purpose of getting your advice in order to direct and govern me in the Departments. The distresses of this County are truly great, Murderx and depredations are committed almost every week, and not a single Article can be had for the Money that's now current; I am even threatened and in- veighed against by the people, for not having suitable provisions for such as do Militia duty, and it is impos- sible for me to get them for the money I have. I am indebted to numbers in Consequence of such articles as we have purchased and so are my Deputies, having engaged on the Credit of the Money and woh is now useless; and unless something be done in order to enable us to get provisions for such as are employed in protecting the County, I am afraid the settlement will brake up totally and that very soon. It is im- possible for me to send you an accurate Return, having purchased on the credit of the Money which way in so fluctuating a state while it dubiously passed as to leave no room for a certain price in any Article; and now no person wou'd receive any quantity of it for a single Beef Cattle, I beg you will dispatch the Bearer with all due haste and I hope in such a manner equipped as will enable me and those that are em- ployed by me in the Service, to do the requisite and necessary Duty expected of us.

EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES OF THE SUPREME EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

PHILADA, Friday, Decem'r 14, 1781. * * * * *

* * *

Ordered, That Colonel Lewis Farmer be directed . `to deliver to the Honourable John Piper, Esquire, forty coats, forty waistcoats, forty hats, forty pair of shoes, eighty shirts, forty pair of overalls, and twenty- two blankets, to be forwarded to the county of Bed- ford, for the use of Captain Boyd's company of Rangers raised in the said county. On the 19th of the same month and year it was further ordered that Capt. Joseph Stiles, Commissary of Military Stores, deliver to the Honorable John Piper, Esquire, or his order, three hundred and fifty weight of gun- powder, seven hundred weight of lead, and eight hundred flints, to be forwarded to Colonel George Ashman, Lieutenant of the county of Bedford, for the defence of the frontiers of the said county.

PHILADELPHIA, Saturday, February 23d, 1782. * * * * * *

* *

* * * Ordered, That Lieutenant Richard Johnston,* now at Yorktown, be directed to march with his company to Bedford forthwith, and there put himself under the command of the Lieutenant of the county of Bedford, for the defence of the frontiers of the said county.

* It will be noticed that Lieut. Johnston was the lieutenant of Capt. Boyd's company of rangers.

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THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD.

BARNARD DOUGHERTY TO PRESIDENT MOORE. PHILADA, August 19th, 1782.

SIR: I beg leave to lay before your Excellency and the Honorable Council, the present Situation of the County of Bedford: On the 8th, of this Inst., were found killed and scalped about eighteen Miles on this side of the Town of Bedford, and within half a Mile of the great Road one Peck, his wife and two children, his house burnt, and another who lived there is miss- ing and thought to be taken away. The Enemy penetrating so far into the very heart of the country has struck a general panick, and the People are mostly fled. On my coming down I had occasion to pass thro' the settlements of Brush Creek, Tonolowas, Licking Creek and the Big Cove, and most of the people were either gathered at different places, gone, or going away into Maryland, Virginia or Conego- cheague, however, on my crossing Tuscarora Mountain leading from the Coves to Conegocheague, I met sev- eral families returning into the Coves.

I would likewise inform your Excellency that there are several Stations occupied at present in the County of Bedford, by the Bedford Pennsylvania Company of Rangers, and the Bedford County Militia, to wit, Frankstown, Heads of Dunning's Creek, Fort Piper, the Town and Environs of Bedford, along the River Juniata, and some other inconsiderable small parties at other Stations, in all about one hundred and fifty or one hundred and sixty men; that there is not above one week's provisions for their subsistence, and, that it was not possible for me to have got more, having not a penny to purchase with, and if there is not a speedy supply sent to those stations, they will, of Course, be evacuated, and as sure as Frankstown, Fort Piper, Dunning's Creek posts, or any one of them are evacuated, I am of Opinion Cumberland County will become the Frontier, because these are the most Ma- terial stations in the County, and if it is heard once thatany of them are deserted, the whole of the Country to which they are a frontier will immediately fly.

The other Frontier Counties are equally distressed by every report that I can hear.

I had almost forgot informing your Excellency that the notorious Girty has for some years past threatened the Town of Bedford with destruction, in like manner as he has that of Hanna's Town, he has effected his design on the latter, and how soon he may effect a similar Destruction on the former, I know not, but I am greatly afraid he has it in Contempla- tion; This Information I thought myself under an absolute necessity of giving to your Honorable Board.

The massacre of the Peck family, above men- tioned by Judge Dougherty, appears to have been the last of a long series of horrible outrages perpetrated upon the inhabitants of Bedford county by savages, paid and encouraged by the British government. The posts mentioned were revictualed and strengthened, and the Indians closely watched during the remainder of 1782.

On January 20, 1788, the preliminary treaty of peace between all the belligerents - England, France and the United States- was signed. The glad tidings were first received at Philadel- phia, per the French cutter Triomphe, March 24, 1783. On April 11, following, congress issued a proclamation enjoining a cessation of hostilities ; and on the 16th of the same month, the supreme executive council made public announcement of the happy event at the court-house in Philadel- phia. Congress issued a thanksgiving procla- mation, October 18, 1783, but the definitive treaty of peace with England was not ratified by that body (congress) until January 14, 1784.

The taxes levied upon the different townships in September, 1784, at the rate of " three pence in the pound of the clear yearly value of the estates of the Inhabitants" were, for Bedford, £63 38 9d ; Cumberland Valley, £21 118 4d ; Colerain, £23 6s 1d ; Providence, £32 198 3d ; Hopewell, £21 1s 9d; Barree, £14 48 7d; Huntingdon, £30 8s 3d ; Brother's Valley, £47 13s 4d ; Que- mahoning, £17 13s 5d ; Turkey-Foot, £24 98 2d; Milford, £27 68 ; Dublin, £24 48 6d ; Shirley, £38 48; Air, £35 88 5d; Bethel, £49 28 9d; Frankstown, not stated.

REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.

According to the sixth census the residents of Bedford and Somerset counties who were then receiving pensions for services performed during the revolutionary and Indian wars were as follows:

Bedford County .- Bedford borough: William Clark, aged 80 years. Cumberland Valley township : Frederick Simons, aged 78 years ; Valentine Miller, aged 86 years, and William Drenning, aged 77 years. Hopewell township : John McNey, aged 75 years, and Mary Gordon, aged 92 years. Colerain township : Christopher Hart, aged 87 years, and Peter Morgan, aged 82 years. Union township : John Artis, aged 86 years, and Leonard Curl, aged 76 years. Broad Top township : John Lain, aged 85 years. South- ampton township: William Davis, aged 83 years. Londonderry township : William Masters, aged 88 years. St. Clair township: William Slick, aged 91 years. Napier township: John McCracken, aged 89 years, and William Frasey, aged 80 years.

Somerset County. - Allegheny township : Jacob Burchart, aged 82 years, and George Platz, aged 75 years. Brother's Valley town- ship : John Lowry, aged 81 years. Shade town- ship : Christopher Burket, aged 93 years. Paint township : David Livingston, aged 79 years.

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HISTORY OF BEDFORD, SOMERSET AND FULTON COUNTIES.

Milford township: Christian Rice, aged 77 years ; Peter Henry, aged 80 years, and William Crich- field, aged 87 years. Southampton township : Peter Troutman, aged 84 years. Turkey-Foot township : Peter Gary, aged 77 years ; George Bealer, aged 89 years ; Benjamin Jennings, aged 81 years, and Jacob Rush, aged 85 years.

DEAD REVOLUTIONARY HEROES.

Names of revolutionary soldiers who died and were buried in the Turkey-Foot region : Jacob Rush, Sr. ; Oliver Drake, founder of Draketown ; Obadiah Reed, James Moon, George Bealer and Robert Colborn, all buried in the "Jersey cemetery." Capt. Benjamin Jennings, a man of whom it is said he was possessed of great physical strength, a deep, heavy voice, and a very fair complexion. He was buried in the " old Ursina cemetery." John McNair, who served seven years under Wash- ington, was buried at the "Six Poplars." Oliver Friend, who was buried in the old grave- yard near Castleman's Bridge at Confluence.

Capt. John Webster, for many of the early years a prominent citizen and innkeeper in the borough of Somerset, was also a veteran of the revolutionary war.

We close this chapter by adding that accord- ing to a census enumeration made in 1785, the male white inhabitants between eighteen and fifty-three years of age, in the townships which then embraced the whole of the present coun- ties of Bedford and Somerset, were as follows: Bedford, 230 ; Colerain, 85 ; Cumberland Val- ley, 66 ; Londonderry, 101; Providence, 103 ; Hopewell, 113; Brother's Valley, 230 ; Milford, 109 ; Quemahoning, 93, and Turkey-Foot, 90.

CHAPTER XI. THE WHISKY INSURRECTION.

Early Legislation Respecting Excise Duties - An Incipient Re- bellion in 1786 - National Excise Law passed in 1791 - The Situation in Western Pennsylvania - Early Distillers of Bed- ford and Somerset Counties-Insurgents Organizing-An Act of Open Violence - Washington's Warning - Seizure of U. S. Mails - The President's Call for Troops-Bedford County Men Indicted-The Army Orderedto March-Its Composition and Strength - Gen. Lee's Instructions - Washington Visits Bed- ford -Consternation of the Insurgents -Gen. Lee's Address to the Rebels - Movements of the Army - The Treatment Accorded Insurgent Prisoners -Collapse of the Insurrection - Pardons Granted - U. S. Troops in Winter Cantonments- Final Pardons and End of the Insurrection.

THE whisky insurrection is a phrase which has been applied usually to a series of unlawful and violent acts committed - prin-

cipally in 1794, but to some extent in previous years - by inhabitants more especially in the southwestern quarter of the state, yet there were many others residing in adjoining counties (notably in Bedford, which then included the present county of Somerset) who not only sympathized, but made common cause with the most violent and boisterous of the insurrec- tionists. These illegal and insurrectionary acts embraced an armed resistance on several occa- sions to the operation of certain state and national laws imposing an excise tax on distilled spirits and stills used for the manufacture of such spirits. Although the tax was but a light one, comparatively, it was quite generally and peculiarly obnoxious to the people of South- western Pennsylvania, because they regarded it as bearing with especial and discriminating severity on the industries of their section as compared with other portions of the common- wealth.

The first excise tax imposed in the province of Pennsylvania was that authorized by an act of assembly approved March 16, 1684, entitled a " Bill of Aid and Assistance of the Govern- ment." As it was found to be objectionable to the major portion of the inhabitants, that part of the bill relating to the collection of excise duties was repealed soon afterward, and there- after no similar legislation was enacted. for more than half a century. In 1738, however, the provincial assembly passed "An Act for laying an excise on wine, rum, brandy and other spirits," but this act, like that of 1684, was received with such unmistakable disfavor that it remained in force only a few months. Again, in May, 1744, the assembly renewed the measure, "for the purpose of providing money without a general tax, not only to pur- chase arms and ammunition for defense, but to answer such demands as might be made upon the inhabitants of the province by his majesty for distressing the public enemy * in America." This enactment remained in operation but a short time. Another excise law was passed in 1756, but failed of execution ; then for a period of nearly sixteen years the people of Pennsylvania were undisturbed by govern- mental attempts to collect duties on spirits.

In 1772 the subject was again considered by the assembly, and as a means of increasing the

* Meaning the French. Both France and England having declared war against each other in 1744.

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THE WHISKY INSURRECTION.

revenues a bill was passed levying a duty on foreign and domestic distilled spirits. At first no energetic attempt was made to execute this law, in reference to domestic liquors ; but after Pennsylvania became a state, and her necessi- ties were greatly increased by the revolution- ary war, then in progress, the law was put into force, and a very considerable revenue obtained in that way. The measure was less obnoxious at that time, because the majority of patriotic men were opposed to the consumption of grain in distillation at a time when every bushel was needed for the subsistence of troops in the field fighting for liberty. A large part of the pro- ceeds collected at that time was appropriated to the "depreciation fund," created in this state (as in others, in pursuance of a resolution passed by congress in 1780) for the purpose of giving to officers and soldiers of the revolu- tionary army an additional compensation, a measure manifestly just and proper, because the value of their pay had been greatly diminished by the rapid depreciation of the continental currency.

Hence, laws imposing excise duties on dis- tilled spirits remained on the statute books of Pennsylvania during the revolutionary war and until the year 1791, when they were repealed. During the period mentioned, however, from 1772 to 1791, although the excise laws of the state were by no means generally enforced, the collection of the revenue tax on spirits was sev- eral times attempted, but never successfully exe- cuted in the southwestern counties. In the year 1786, a Mr. Graham, excise officer of the district composed of Washington, Westmoreland and Fayette counties, made such an attempt. The treatment he received in the first named county is shown by a letter written by Dorsey Pente- cost * to the Executive Council of Pennsylvania, as follows :

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History of Bedford, Somerset, Fulton counties Pennsylvania, Part 18

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 967

Author: Waterman, Watkins & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 967