History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 20

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162

USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches > Part 20

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A Major Furgesson, who was the commander of a small corps of riflemen attached to the British army, mentions an incident which he says took place while he lay con- cealed in a small skirt of woods in front of Knyphausen's division. In a letter to Dr. Furgesson he writes,-

"We had not lain long when a rebel officer remarkable for a huz- zar dress passed towards our army, within one hundred yards of my right flank, not peroeiving us. He was followed by another dressed in dark green and blue, mounted on a good bay horse, with a remark- ably high cocked hat. I ordered three good shots to steal near to them ; but the idea disgusted me. I recalled the order. The hazzar, in returning, made a circuit, but the other passed withio a hundred yards of ua; upon which I advanced from the wooda towarda him. Upon my calling, he stopped ; but looking at me, he proceeded. I again drew his attention, and made a sigo to him to stop, but he slowly continued on his way. Aa I was within that distance at which, in the quickest firing, I could have lodged half a dozen balla in or about him before he was out of my reach, I had only to determine ; hat it was not pleasant to fire at the back of an unoffending individual, who was acquitling himself very coolly of his duty, ao I let him alone. The day after, when I was telling this atory to some wounded officera who lay in the same room with me, one of our surgeons, who had heen dressing the rebel officers, came in and told me that General Washington waa all that morning with the light troops, and only ac- companied by a French officer in a huzzar dreas, he himself dressed and mounted in every way as ahove described. I am not sorry that I did not know at the time who it was."

The good genius of Washington never forsook him.

The place where Lafayette received his wound, as pointed out by himself in 1825, was on the high ground a little northwest of the frame public school-house, and southeast of the present residence of John Beunett. It occurred while Washington in person and the worthy young French- man were endeavoring to rally some of the retreating regi- ments. Some hard fighting took place at this point.

8, 29, 1777 .- Benjamin Hawley writes in his diary :

" Yesterday the sick soldiers took possession of ye meeting house" (this was probably Concord Meeting-house), and on the 31st (First Day) he notes that his son John and Jane Jefferis (housekeeper) "went to meeting at Newlins."

9, 9, 1777 .- " The soldiers Came for a fowl & milk."

11th " Fifth Day very hot: finished harrowing the Rye: 600 Wm took his horse : the English Engaged the Americans; the Latter De- feated with mach Loss."

12th "Sixth Day Cloudy: putting up fences that the American Soldiers made in their retreat."

13th "Seventh Day Some Clouds Some of ye English Soldiers had sundries to ye value of 88. & did not pay."

14th " First Day do at home: Jane 49 weeks; the Soldiers Came & had milk bread & pye"

15 "Second Day do do Recd of ye Soldiers about 108. Lost an Ax, 2 bags & an Iron pot. Thrash'd 3 Doz."

16 "Third Day Cloudy the English Soldiers went away Thrash'd 2 Doz Rachel Miller & Isaac Came to visit us P.M. very hard Rain."

Benjamin Hawley was farming a place belonging to his son William, in Concord.

The battle of Brandywine, as is known to most of our people, was fought on two different fields,-at Birmingham and at Chad's Ford. The British army, soon after leaving Kennet Square, on their march eastward, formed in two divisions, one of them, under General Knyphausen, march- ing directly to Chad's Ford, and the other, under General Cornwallis, and accompanied by General Howe, the com- mander-in-chief, taking a northern direction, crossing the west branch of the Brandywine at Trimble's Ford, and the east branch at Jefferis' Ford, and then turning southward to Birmingham.

The public roads in those days were somewhat differently located from what they are at the present day. What is now known as the State road from West Chester to Jef- feris' Ford was not then in existence. The road from what is now West Chester-then only known as the Turk's Head-to Jefferis' Ford passed out the present Gay Street to Bradford Avenue, at the northwest corner of the late Orthodox Friends' burial-ground, then diagonally across Edwin James' lot, and by the farm-house on the property of Samuel R. Shipley, south of his residence, then by the dwelling-house on the farm of Edwin James, and from thence, nearly on the route of the present State road, to Jefferis' Ford. Between the farms of Edwin James and John James a road ran over the hills in a northern direc- tion, passing west of the residence of Jolin M. Hildeburn, and running south ward to a hamlet known as Sconneltown, where it united with a road from Jefferis' Ford, and contin- ued on to Birmingham Meeting-house, on the bed of the present road. From Sconneltown northward this road has been vacated, but its site in places is still plainly marked, and it can readily be traced. From the farm-house of Ed- win James a road ran northward very much as at present, past the farm-buildings formerly of the late Eusebius Townsend. An oil-mill stood in former times a very short distance west of the farm-house of Edwin James. It was supplied with water from a dam across the run a short dis- tance above the mill. The dam has become filled, but both the site of the oil-mill and dam are still plainly discernible.

The road past the mill was formerly known as the Oil- mill road, and it is still occasionally so called, although the mill has long since disappeared.

The farm-house already referred to, on the property of Samuel R. Shipley, just outside the present limits of West Chester, still standing and in good preservation, was in the days of the Revolution owned and occupied by one John Townsend. Emmor Jefferis resided in the house late of David Meconkey, west of Jefferis' Ford, his brother, James Jefferis, where John James lately resided, immediately east of the ford, and Cheyney Jefferis, a son of James Jefferis, where Edwin James lately resided. The hamlet known as Sconneltown was situated on the road leading southward towards Birmingham. It has entirely disap- peared, but its site is marked by a school-house bearing the same name. Among its few buildings was a large wheel- wright-shop, which stood on the east side of the road, and on the brow of the hill nearly opposite the present school- house.

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

When General Washington resolved to dispute the pas- sage of the Brandywine by the British army, and for that purpose marched his forces to its banks, he took possession of the Birmingham Friends' meeting-house, intending to use it as a hospital for the sick of the army. In conse- quence of this the Friends held their mid-week meeting on the 11th of September, 1777, in the wheelwright-shop at Sconneltown. Among those present at this meeting were two young men, Joseph Townsend and his brother William, sons of John Townsend, already referred to.

Some years subsequently Joseph Townsend wrote an interesting account of the engagement, and of his observa- tions on that memorable day, which was published in the year 1846; but it has been long out of print, and copies are very rarely to be met with.

Mr. Townsend was at the time of the battle about twenty-one years of age, and resided with his parents, in the house still standing on the property of Samuel R. Shipley, just outside of the present borough limits.

NARRATIVE.

"During the winter of 1776 and the spring of 1777 the British army had possession of New York, Long Island, etc., and numerous were the conjectures respecting their future destiny, or on what part of the continent the ensuing campaign would be opened. This continued to be the case until the summer appronched, when information was gen- erally spread that they were making preparations to lenve their winter quarters, which actually took place in the month of July; but their intended movements remained n profound secret until the latter end of the ensuing month, August, when they made their appearance in the Chesapeake Bay. It was then ascertained that their object was to get possession of Philadelphia, and to march thither the most direct and favorable ronte to obtain that purpose, having been led to believe that the productive country through which they were to pass would render grent facility to their contemplated march, and that but little obstruction or opposition would he met with from the inhabitants of that portion of the country. The number of soldiers under nrms amounted by computation to seventeen thousand, five thousand of them being German troops, generally termed Hessinne, the former being under the command of Gen. Howe, and the Intter under Gen. Knyphausen. The fleet conveyed them up above the mouth of the Susquehanna River, and Innded them a litttle enst of Turkey Point, from which place they contemplated marching. The news of their landing soon sprend throughout the adjacent country, and some were of opinion that a general devastation would he the consequence; others concluded that the country wns now conquered, and that pence and tranquillity would be restored hy the former government being re- established, ns considerable commotion and disturbances had taken place in that section of the country respecting it.

" At that time I resided nt my father's (John Townsend), the place of my nativity, adjoining to the ground where West Chester now stands, -n neighborhood where the inhabitants were alive to the prevailing reports and rumors of the day.

"The first neconnt received after their Innding wns that they were at Iron Hill, a place not much known or spoken of previously as a pince of note; the next news was that they were at Allen's tavern, in the settlement of New Garden, a person having arrived who had been in sight of them so near ne to discover the buttons on their coats, which I suppose was s regiment of the German troops, who were, during the whole march, kept in front of the army, to cover the English troops from any skirmishing which might take place with the Americans (or rebels, so termed with them), which probably would be the case before they arrived at Philadelphia, their intended winter quarters.

"Things at this time began to wear a serions aspect, and the countc- nances of many were changed : some of them evidently appeared gloomy, others somewhat brightened up from the consideration of pleasing prospects before them, and the favorable issue soon to be experienced.

"Gen. Washington was early apprised of the British forces landing

on the shores of the Chesapeake, and disposed of his troops in different directions, to arrest their progress in their intended march through that section of the country, and to make a stand against them at every position favorable for that purpose. A breastwork was thrown up on an eminence on the cast side of Brandywine Creek, nearly opposite to Chad's Ford, near which his principal army was en- camped. Scouting-parties were reconnoitring in various directione for several miles up the said creek, to discover if possible the ford over which the invaders intended to force their march.

"Several persons in the neighborhood who had manifested a dispo- sition to support the Americans' cause now thought it advisable to remove their families, stock, and furniture to a distance, that it might be safe from the British plunderers, as destruction would be the con- sequence if left in their wny ; others, being of a different opinion, were disposed to remain at home, and risk the danger to which they might be exposed, let the consequence be what it might.

" A majority of the inhabitants were nf the Society of Friends, who could not, consistently with their principles, take any active port in the war, and who generally believed it right to remain at their dwell- ings, and patiently submit to whatever suffering might be their lot, and trust their all to a kind, protecting Providence, who had hitherto protected and prospered their undertaking in an extraordinary man- ner ever since their first settlement of the country under the proprietor and Governor, William Penn.

"Gen. Washington had his headquarters nt Benjamin Ring's, who resided near the enst side of Chad's Ford, and Gen. Lafayette was near at hand, in the neighborhood, at Gideon Gilpin's. They were frequently together, which afforded an opportunity to spectators to view them both at the same time.

" On the 10th of September, in the evening, the British forces arrived and eneamped at Kennet Square and its vicinity, and early on the morning following were disposed to carry into effect their concerted plan of crossing the Brandywine Creek and routing the American army from their ground of encampment, which was for Gen. Kny- phausen to conduct the troops under hie command to the high grounda of the creek, on the west side, and commence n brisk cannonading, in order to keep up the appearance of an attempt to cross the stream, while Gen. Howe conducted his troops, artillery, etc., up the stream about seven miles to Jefferis' Ford, that he might surprise Washing- ton's army, which lay southeast of Birmingham Meeting-house.

"The order given to Gen. Knyphausen was complied with. He arranged his artillery on the lands of William Harvey, Jacob Wny, and others adjoining, as the most eligible spot for the intended pur- pose, having the principal part of his troops under arms in full view of the Americans, who oocupied the eminences on the enst side.

"Gen. Knyphausen commenced his cannonsding enrly after day- light, and continued it the grenter part of the forenoon. It then, in a grent mensure, censed, and it appeared na if the troops were retiring; so much so, that a company of Americans ventured to cross the creek at the ford and advance some distance on the west side without any in- terruption from the enemy. Thus were the Americans amused during the forenoon, and until information arrived that Gen. Howe and his troops were crossing the Brandywine at Jefferis' Ford, which unex- pected intelligence occasioned a general consternation and commotion throughout the whole of Gen. Washington's nrmy.

" It may be recollcoted the whole of the movements of the enemy were concealed from Gen. Washington. He could obtain no correct intelligence respecting them, except the firing of the cannon opposite to Chad's Ford. It wns near twelve o'clock before the information renched him, and it took some considerable time before he could ar- range his forces to risk an engagement with them, which he endesv- ored to do, by posting such of his troops as were prepared for action on the eminence in front of and south of Birmingham Meeting-house. Some few of them were sent forward to the meeting-house, the bury- ing-ground and site contiguous being favorable for the first attack, which took place accordingly.

" As the object of these memoranda is to recite some particulars of the transnotions of that day, I shall now turn to the early part of it and relate some circumstances lending thereto. On the arrival of Gen. Washington's army from the eastward, in order to impede the pro- gress of the British after their Innding on the shores of the Chesa- penke, & considerable number of the soldiers were sick, in consequence of their long marches through the excessive hest of that senson of the year. On that necount the commissaries, and those who bad the charge of the disordered persona, were obliged to take possession of

"NORTH HILL." RESIDENCE OF JOSHUA HARTSHORNE,

ALLERTON. CREAMERY.

RESIDENCE EAST

OF E. H. HOLLEY, BRADFORD.

GENERAL HISTORY.

the meeting-houses and other public buildings as hospitals to ac- commodate them. Among the number thus designated Birmingham Meeting-house was to be one, and preparations were being made therein for that purpose. First-day morning arrived. Friends assembled as usual, from an expectation that the meeting might be held in the house even if it should be taken possession of after- wards; but, from the situation of it, their request could not be granted. They therefore got permission to take some of the beaches out of the house, and placed them under the trees which stood io front thereof, on which they seated themselves in the quiet, as far as was practicable under existing circumstances, inasmuch as the offi- cers and workmen were moving about, and engaged in making prep- aration to receive the sick, to be brought there as soon as the prem- ises could be got in readiness. . . . Under these circumstances it became necessary that some other building should be provided to ac- commodate the meeting in future until the meeting house should be cleared and put in order for the purpose; and how soon that would be the case was uncertain from the present gloomy appearouces. Several houses and rooms were talked of, but it was finally concluded to hold the next meeting in a large wheelwright-shop, which stood on the cmigence north of the dwelling-house owned by Philip Price (at the date of the writing of this sketch), at a place then in existence, and ealled Sconneltowa. The next meeting day was on the 11th of the month, which proved to be a memorable day.

" Amos House, who had left his dwelling near Chad's Ford, and was succeeded therein by Lord Stirling and his attendants, was in the practice of visiting the premises almost daily to see what discovery. he could make, went down on the morning of the eleventh, after the cannonading had commenced, and rode under the cannon-balls that were discharged from the artillery on the hills, on each side of the creek, without receiving any injury therefrom.

"Possessed with curiosity, and fond of new things, my brother, William Townsend, myself, and some others rode alongside of the Brandy wine for some distance to discover the approach of the British army, in case they should attempt to cross at any of the fords on the creek between Jefferis' and Chad's. We fell in with many like our- selves, but no intelligence could be obtained. We then returned to the aforesaid wheelwright-shop, to assemble with Friends in holding eur week-day meeting, it being near the heur appointed. While we were sitting therein some disturbance was discovered near the house and about the door, which occasioned some individuals to go out to knew the cause, and the uneasiness not subsiding, suspiciens arose that something serions was taking place, and the meeting accordingly closed. On our coming out of the house and making some inquiry of what had happened, found it to be an alarm among some of the neigh- boring women that the English were coming, and that they murdered all before them, young and old. Some of us endeavored to quiet their fears by telling them it was not likely to he the case, and that they had better compose themselves instead of making further disturbance; and while we were reasoning with them our eyes were caught on a andden by the appearance of the army coming out of the woods ioto the fields belonging to Emmor Jefferis, on the west side of the creek, above the fording-place. In a few minutes the fields were literally covered over with them, and they were hastening towards us. Their arms and bayonets, being raised, shone as bright as silver, the sky being clear and the day exceedingly warm. Recollecting that there was no one at our dwelling except some of our sisters, we concluded it advisable to return home as expeditiously as possible, as we had no doubt that they were marching direct for Philadelphia, and would pass by the house and over the farm .. Our parents had a few days before heen called to their daughter Lamborn's, at Kennet, on account of the illness of her children, one of whom had died during their stay there. They were considerably plundered by the rabble which accom- panied the army during their encampment at Kennet Square, to which they were contiguous.

"After our arrival at home, and our horses inclosed in the stable, we were in momentary expectation of the army's approach, but in this we were disappointed; and having waited some time, we ventured down the road towards them, and when in sight of Jefferis' Ford we discovered that they had turned their course towards Birmingham; and were passing by where the meeting on that day had been held. Being disposed to have a better and nearer view of them, we sat out for the purpose; and passing by the dwelling of Abel Boake, we soon after met Sarab, his wife, who had been as curious as ourselves, and had been among the soldiers as they marched along. The space oc-

cupied by the main body and flanking parties was near half a mile wide. Sarah encouraged our going among them, at the same time admired their appearance, and said what fine-looking fellows they were, aud (to use her own phrase) 'they were something like an army,' which we could see for ourselves, if we would go among them, and that there would not be any objection to our entrance. Thus encouraged, we walked en until we approached the flanking party, when a soldier under arms called out, ' Where are you going?' We replied that wo wished to see the army, if there was no objection. He observed that there was their captain, we must speak to him; which being done, leave was readily obtained, and in a few minutes we found ourselves in the midst of military characters, rank and file ; little to be discovered but staff-officers and a continued march of soldiers, with occasionally a troop of horse passing. Great numbers of baggage-wagons began to make their appearance, well guarded by proper officers and soldiers. We passed through them until we reached one of the most eligible housce in the town (Sconneltown), and soon after divers of the principal officers came in, who manifested an un- common sociable disposition. They were full of inquiries respecting the rebels, where they were to be met with, and where Mr. Washing- ton was to be found. This inquiry respecting the rebels was a general thing among the common soldiers, and others, as they moved along. The officers aforementioned were replied to by my brother, William Townsend, who modestly and spiritedly told them, if they would have patience a short time, he expected they would meet with Gen. Wash- ington and his forces, whe were not far distant. Had we koown it, the front of his army was then in view, on the heights at Birming- ham Meeting-house, though three miles distant from us. They in- quired what sort of man Mr. Washington was. My brother, who had a knowledge of him by being with him at his quarters at Chad's Ford, replied that he was a stately, well-proportioned, fioc-looking man, of great abilities, active, firm, and resolute, of a social disposi- tion, and was considered to be a good man. This he observed to check their cagerness for a sight of the general, and to draw forth some fur- ther observations from them respecting him; to which one of them answered, that ' He might be a good man, but he was most damnably misled to take up arms against his sovereign.' During the ioter- view, while I was conversing with one of the officers, I inquired of him at what place they had encamped the night before; of which he replied, that he knew not where the main body of the army was, but that their regiment lay on the south side of the hill beyond Keunet Square. He then observed to me, with much animation, 'You have got a hell of a fine country here, which we have found to be the case ever since we landed at the Head of Elk.'

"The heuse we were in was elevated, so that on the first floor, where we stood, we had a pretty full view of the army as they passed along ; and while we were conversing together, my brother called to me to step to the door to see Gen. Lord Cornwallis, who was passing by. He was on horseback, appeared very talt and sat very erect. His rich scarlet clothing, loaded with gold lace, epaulets, etc., occasioned him to make a brilliant and martial appearance. The advanced portion of the army made a halt at this place, and refreshed their horses by hastily clearing off some of the corn patches that were within their reach. It might be observed that most or all of the officers whe con- versed with us were of first rank, and were rather stout, portly men, well dressed and of genteel appearance, and did not look as if they had ever been exposed to any hardship; their skins were as white and delicate as is customary for females brought up in large cities or towne.

" As we spent no idle time in viewing the strangers who surrounded us, I discovered on a sudden that there was a general stir or movement among them. Inquiry was made what could be the object of it, and it was answered by one of them that they were resuming their march, and that the halt which had been made was only to refresh their horses, to enable them to perform the several duties required of them.

" Having by this time become familiar with them, and no danger or difficulty to apprehend from them, my curiosity or ambition was in- creased, and I wished a further and more full view than I before had, and te have it to say that I had seen the whole of them, as far as was practicable. I invited James Johnson, an acquaintance, who was standing by, to accompany me, and we proceeded through the crowd on the public road until we reached the advanced guarda, who were of the German troops. Many of them wore their beards on their upper lips, which was a novelty in that part of the country. This

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History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 20

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts Number of Pages: 1162

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162