USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania > Part 12
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1902
Samuel R. Abbott
1876
B. T. Dickinson . 1904
John J. Shoemaker
1879
John J. Hargest . 1 906
RECORDERS AND CLERKS OF THE ORPHANS' COURT.
(By Commission and Election. )
John Houser Jan., 1839
John S. Lynch Dec., 1878
Jacob Shell . Nov., 1839
John S. Lynch 1881
Robert F. Black Nov., 1842
Philip C. Swab
1884
Samuel Singer Jan., . 1848 Philip C. Swab 1887
Abraham Freeman Nov., 1848
Harry L. Hershey 1 890
Daniel S. Kepner Nov., 1854
Harry L. Hershey 1893
Peter Hummel
Nov., 1857
Ed. Z. Gross. 1896
John Ringland Dec., 1860 Ed. Z. Gross 1899
Wm. Kuhn Nov., 1866 H. M. Stine . 1902
John Fox Nov., 1872
H. M. Stine
. 1904
SHERIFFS.
Anthony Kelker Oct., 1785
Henry Wolf
Oct., 1815
Jacob Weirick
Oct., 1791
Peter Wenrick
Oct., 1819
John Elder
Nov., 1794
Christian Gleim
Oct., 1821
Henry Orth Oct., 1797
Thomas Walker
Oct., 1824
Samuel Elder Oct., 1800
Henry Chritzman Oct., 1827
Melchoir Rahm Oct.,
1803
Jacob Seiler Oct., 1830
Fred Wolfersberger Oct., 1806
John Fox
Oct., 1833
Henry Wolf Oct., 1809
William Cochran Oct., 1836
John Kelker Oct., 1812
John Fox
Oct., 1839
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
123
Samuel Faunce . Oct., 1842
Wm. W. Jennings Nov., 1875
James Martin Oct., 1845
Augustus Reel Dec., 1878
Jacob Shell Oct., 1848 Wm. Sheasley Dec., 1881
Ed. C. Williams Nov., 1851 Isaac Mumma Nov., 1884
Jacob D. Hoffman Nov., 1854
Wm. Sheesley Nov., 1887
Jacob M. Eyster Nov., 1857
Sam. F. Keller Nov.,
1890
Jacob D. Boas Nov., 1860
Henry H. Shellenberger . Nov.,
1893 Wm. W. Jennings Nov., 1863 Chas. W. Sellers Nov., 1896
Jacob D. Hoffman Dec. 1866 John S. Reiff Nov., 1899
Christian Heikel Nov., 1869
Chas. W. Sellers Nov., 1902
Henry J. Sheafer Nov., 1872
Samuel Dunkel 1906
PROTHONOTARIES.
(Commissioned. )
Alex. Graydon
.1785
Wm. Mitchell . 1855
Alex. Graydon
1791
Josiah C. Young 1861
Joshua Elder
1800
Joseph H. Nisley 1867
Jacob Boas
1809
Thomas G. Fox 1873
John Machesney
1815
E. B. Mitchell 1879
Thomas Walker 1821
Wm. H. Ulrich 1885
Obed Fahnestock 1830
Wm. H. Ulrich 1888
J. Dock 1835
John P. Melick 1891
G. Mish 1838
John P. Melick 1894
John A. Weir
1839
Jonah G. Diffenderfer 1897
W. D. Boas 1845
Jonah G. Diffenderfer 1900
Stephen Miller 1849
John K. Royal 1903
Jacob Shope 1855
James Warden
1906.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
John Thome
1785
LaRue Metzgar 1854
Adam Boyd
1792
Benjamin Buck 1856
Henry Beader
1806
Alex. W. Watson 1858
George Weidman
1809
John Carr 1860
George Shoch
1812
John L. Speed 1862
Daniel Stine
1815
Isaac Hershley 1864
Samuel Pool
1818
Edward G. Savage 1866
David Hummel
1821
Alfred Hummel 1868
Peter Brua
1824
Benjamin G. Peters 1870
Frederick Heisley 1827
John Till 1872
John Kelker
1829
John Early 1874
Richard T. Leech
1832
John S. Longnecker 188 1
Andrew Murray
1835
Erastus J. Jones 1884
Aaron Bombaugh 1838
Geo. H. Grove 1887
Andrew Graydon 1844
Henry W. Snyder 1890
Christian Caslow 1845
Christian W. Lynch 1893
John Hicks 1846
Abram S. Etter 1896
George Kaylor
1848
Archibald G. Knisely 1899
John J. Clyde 1850
Isaac Lyter . 1902
Christian Caslow
. 1852
John L. Grove 1905
124
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
(Commissioned.)
John Elder
May, 1785
Daniel Hoffman
Sept., 1845
Bertram Galbraith
Nov., 1791
Samuel Hoffer
.Oct., 1850
John Weidman
. Dec., 1791
Daniel Hoffman
Oct., 1856
Thomas Clark
April, 1800
Preston Miller Oct., 1859
WVm. Crabb
Jan.,
1801
Thomas Strohm
Oct.,
1862
Levi G. Holingsworth. . Oct.,
1804
Preston Miller . Oct.,
1865
Thomas Walker
Oct.,
1804
Mich'l R. Alleman June,
1868
John McKee
April,
1809
Thomas Strohm
Aug.,
1870
Thomas Smith May, 1815
Wm. H. Ulrich
Nov., 1874
James Maginis .Aug., 1821
Thomas Strohm
Nov., 1880
John Davis
June,
1824
Uriah D. Terree 1883
John Paul, Jr
July,
1830
Samuel W. Cooper
1889
Israel Carpenter May,
1833
Samuel W. Cooper
1892
John Davies Mar., 1835
Samuel W. Cooper 1895
Hiram H. Hetzel June,
1836
John F. Renseling 1898
Joseph Miller
Nov., 1836
Christian H. Hoffer
190I
Samuel Hoffer
.Nov.,
1836
Christian H. Hoffer
1904
Joseph Gray
May, 1839
CORONERS.
(Commissioned.)
Peter Miller
Oct., 1785
Conrad Peck
Nov., 1839
Michael Kapp
Oct., 1787
Charles Gleim
Feb.,
1843
Michael Rahm
Oct., 1788
Henry Fox Nov., 1843
Anthony Seyfert Jan., 1794
Abner Mash Nov., 1849
Jacob Bucher
Dec.,
1796
Jehu Chandler Jan.,
1854
Benjamin Kurtz Jan.,
1800
J. J. McCormick
Jan.,
1860
Jacob Wain Nov., 1805
Jesse B. Hunnell .Dec.,
1862
Geo. Ziegler Jan.,
1809
James Porter Aug.,
1867
Wm. Allison
Dec.,
18II
Geo. F. Shindler Dec., 1879
Daniel Stine .June, 1815
Geo. F. Shindler 1882
Fred Hyneman
Nov., 1816
Geo. F. Shindler
1885
Michael Krehl
April, 1818
Geo. F. Shindler 1888
Wm. Cochran . Oct., 1818
Francis H. Hoy 1891
Philip Fetterhoff Oct., 1821
Geo. C. Krause 1894
John Shell
Nov., 1824
Geo. C. Krause 1897
Jacob Hise
Oct., 1827
Geo. C. Krause
1900
D. McConaughy
April, 1834
Geo. C. Krause 1903
Geo. W. Finney
Nov., 1836
George C. Krause
1906
COUNTY AUDITORS.
Leonard W. Clemson
1881
Ed. M. Knupp 1887
I. N. Bonawitz
1884
Isaac N. Bonawitz 1887
Geo. W. Fox 1884
Ed. N. Knupp 1890
.
Obed Fahnestock Nov., 1802
Washington Barr .Oct.,
1856
Joseph Gray May, 1833
Uriah D. Terree 1885
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
125
Daniel H. Grissinger 1890
Elmer Dockey . 1904
Daniel H. Grissinger 1893
William H. Ettle 1904
Wm. C. Erb 1893
George F. Reigel I905
Ed. F. Eisley 1896
Elmer Dockey .1905
H. R. Shirk 1896
Charles Mattis . 1905
Geo. F. Reigel
. 1902
George F. Reigel
. 1906
Elmer Dockey
. 1902
Elmer Dockey 1906
George F. Reigel
1904
L. W. Hoover
1906
RECORDER OF DEEDS, ETC.
John S. Lynch 1881
Ed. Z. Gross 1896
Philip C. Schwaub
1884
Ed. Z. Gross 1899
Philip C. Schwaub
1887
H. M. Stine
1902
Henry L. Hershey
1890
H. M. Stine
1905
Henry L. Hershey 1893
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
(Under Constitution of 1776.)
1785. Christian Uhler.
Win. Smith.
1788. James Wilson.
Michael Ley.
1786. Christian Uler.
1789. James Wilson.
Valentine Hummel. Christian Uhler.
1787. Valentine Hummel.
1790. Christian Uhler.
James Wilson.
Christian King.
(Under Constitution of 1790.)
1791. Christian King. Casper Steiner. John Kean.
1798. Frederick Hummel. Henry Beader. Martin Shuey.
1792. Christian King. 1799. Henry Beader. John Kean. Henry Beader. Martin Shuey. James Wallace.
1793. John Kean. Henry Beader. Valentine Hummel.
1800. Martin Shuey. James Wallace. Peter Bricker.
1774. Henry Beader. Valentine Hummel. Conrad Bombaugh.
1801. James Wallace. Peter Bricker. John Krum.
1795. Valentine Hummel. Conrad Bombaugh. David Krause.
1802. Peter Bricker. John Krum. James Dixon.
1796. Conrad Bombaugh. David Krause. Frederick Hummel.
1797. David Krause. Frederick Hummel. Henry Beader.
1803. John Krum. James Dixon. Christian Walborn.
1804. James Dixon. Christian Walborn. Jacob Tice.
I26
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
1805. Christian Walborn. Jacob Tice. Christian Bowman.
1806. Jacob Tice. Christian Bowman. George Weinman.
1823. John Fager. John Buffington. Benjamin Jordan.
1807. Christian Bowman. George Weinman. Peter Shindel.
1824. John Buffington. Benjamin Jordan. Jacob Hise. .
1808. George Weinman. Peter Shindel. John Harrison.
1825. Benjamin Jordan. Jacob Hise. Frederick Rathvon.
1809. Peter Shindel.
John Harrison. John Shoch.
1826. Jacob Hise. Frederick Rathvon. Joseph Moody.
1810. John Harrison. John Shoch. Peter Lineaweaver.
18II. John Shoch.
Peter Lineaweaver. John Sawyer, Jr.
1812. Peter Lineaweaver. John Sawyer, Jr. Daniel Stine.
1829. Peter Brua. William Cochran. Martin Hocker.
1813. John Sawyer, Jr. Daniel Stine. John Baddorf.
1814. Daniel Stine.
William Allen. Isaac Smith.
1815. William Allen. Isaac Smith. John Zinn.
1816. Isaac Smith. John Zinn Nicholas Boyer.
1817. John Zinn.
1834. John Imshofstall. Abraham Bombaugh.
. Daniel Kendig. 1835. Abraham Bombaugh. Daniel Kendig. Joseph Miller.
1836. Daniel Kendig. Joseph Miller. John Berryhill.
1837. Joseph Miller. John Berryhill. Michael Whitley.
1838. John Berryhill. Michael Whitley. John Bischoff.
1827. Frederick Rathvon. Joseph Moody. Peter Brua.
1828. Joseph Moody. Peter Brua. William Cochran.
1830. William Cochran. Martin Hocker. Daniel Houser.
1831. Martin Hocker. Daniel Houser. Archibald Orme.
1832. Daniel Houser. Archibald Orme. John Imshofstall. 1833. Archibald Orme. John Imshofstall. Abraham Bombaugh.
Nicholas Boyer. Jacob Hummel. 1818. Nicholas Boyer. Jacob Hummel. David Doebler. 1819. Jacob Hummel. David Doebler. Elijah Ferree.
1820. David Doebler. Elijah Ferree. William King. 1821. Elijah Ferree. William King. John Fager.
1822. William King. John Fager. John Buffington.
12"
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
1839. Michael Whitley. John Bischoff. David Hummel.
1840. John Bischoff.
David Hummel. William Orth.
1857. Joseph Lyter. Jacob Smith: Elias Zollinger.
1841. David Hummel. William Orth. Isaac Rutter.
1858. Jacob Smith. David Cassel. Jacob Buffington.
1842. William Orth. Isaac Rutter. John Zinn.
1843. Isaac Rutter. . John Zinn. Peter Hocker.
1844. John Zinn.
Peter Hocker. George Hain.
1845. Peter Hocker. George Hain. Henry Herr.
1846. George Hain. Henry Herr. Christian Lenker.
1847. Henry Herr. William Reed. John Shell.
1848. Jacob D. Hoffman. John Shell. Henry Peffer.
1849. John Shell. Henry Peffer. Jacob D. Hoffman.
1866. Robert McClure. Henry Hartman. Jacob J. Milleisen.
1850. Henry Peffer.
Jacob D. Hoffman. Felix Nisley.
1867. Henry Hartman. Jacob J. Milleisen. John Miller.
1851. Jacob D. Hoffman. Felix Nisley. George Zinn.
1868. Jacob J. Milleisen. John Miller. Isaac Hoffman.
1852. Felix Nisley. George Zinn. Daniel Reigel.
1869. John Miller. Isaac Hoffman. John H. Backinstose.
1853. George Zinn.
Daniel Reigel. Isaac Mumma.
1854. Daniel Reigel.
Isaac Mumma. George Hain. 1855. Isaac Mumma. George Hain. Joseph Lyter.
1856. George Hain. Joseph Lyter. Jacob Smith.
1859. David Cassell. Jacob Buffington. John S. Musser. 1860. Jacob Buffington. John S. Musser. Jacob Behm.
1861. John S. Musser. Jacob Behm. George Garverick.
1862. Jacob Behm. George Garverick. Henry Meyer. 1863. George Garverick. Henry Meyer. Jacob J. Milleisen.
1864. Henry Meyer. Jacob J. Milleisen. Robert McClure. 1865. Jacob J. Milleisen. Robert McClure. Henry Harman.
1870. Isaac Hoffman. John H. Backinstose. John J. Shoemaker.
1871. John H. Backinstose. John J. Shoemaker. Jonathan Tobias. 1872. John J. Shoemaker. Jonathan Tobias. John L. Garver.
128
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
1873. Jonathan Tobias. John L. Garver. Samuel McIlhenny.
1874. John L. Garver. Samuel McIlhenny. Eli Swab.
1875. John L. Garver. Samuel McIlhenny. Eli Swab.
(Under Constitution of 1874.)
1876-79. Samuel McIlhenny. Eli Swab. John W. Diebler.
1896. Charles H. Smith.
S. Boyd Martin. 1899. Chas. H. Smith.
1879-82. S. Boyd Martin.
John W. Diebler.
Philip Moyer. Jacob Moyer.
1902. John S. Longnecker.
D. Frank Lebo.
1882-85. Philip Moyer.
1903. Isaac Lyter.
Michael Moyer. Charles Rodarmel.
1904. John S. Longnecker. D. Frank Lebo.
1887. Elias Earisman.
Cornelius Bickler.
J. P. Dohoney.
1890. Levi H. Nell. Isaac Lyter.
1906. John S. Longnecker.
1893. Isaac Lyter.
J. P. Dohoney. William W. Wallover.
ALEXANDER GRAYDON, ESQ.
The following biographical sketch of the first Prothonotary of Dauphin county originally appeared in the Philadelphia Monthly Magazine for April, 1829:
Among the contributors to the Port Folio was Alexander Graydon, author of a delightful book, entitled, "Memoirs of a Life Chiefly passed in Pennsylvania." He was an officer for a short time in the Revolutionary army, and his book contains many graphic sketches of occurrences of that eventful period. He wrote much pleasantry, and seldom fails to impress, in vivid colors, his pictures on the imagination of the reader. Graydon was born April 10, 1752, in the village of Bristol. His father who had been designed for the pulpit, left Ireland in 1730, and on his arrival in America di- rected his attention to mercantile pursuits, and afterwards to law. In 1761, the subject of this notice lost his father, whose property being inadequate to the support of his widow, she removed to Phila- delphia, and there established a boarding house. Mr. Graydon re- ceived the rudiments of the Latin language from Mr. Beveridge and at the age of sixteen commenced the study of the law. During this probation he acquired some knowledge of the French language. On January 4, 1776, he received a captain's commission in the battalion under the command of Col. Cadwalader. In the spring of the same year, his regiment was ordered to New York, and in November sur- rendered to the British at Washington.
1905. John S. Longnecker.
I29
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
It was not until the early part of 1778 that he was exchanged, and he did not afterwards resume his station in the army. He now married, was admitted to the bar; and in 1785 was appointed Pro- thonotary of Dauphin county, which office he held until the election of Governor Mckean, when he was removed on account of his po- litical opinions.
His reading must have been extensive. He wrote political es- says in Freneau's Gazette, in 1797, and at different periods contrib- uted to the Port Folio. He died in 1818, in Philadelphia, aged about sixty-five. In stature he was beneath the common size, and in his youth remarkably active; possessing an intelligent countenance, which became animated in conversation. He has been thus de- scribed : "He was one of the few survivors of that old school of ac- complished gentlemen which flourished before our Revolution, at a period when the courtesy of society was not disturbed by insubordi- nation in systems, nor violated by laxity in sentiment. In his youth, Mr. Graydon was remarkably elegant in his person, and he retained that advantage in an uncommon degree until his latest hour. He had projected a revised and enlarged edition of his memoirs, but died before he had made much progress." They were, however, pub- lished in 1846 by Mr. Littell, of Philadelphia.
CHAPTER VI.
MILITARY RECORD-THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR-WHISKEY INSURRECTION-REVOLUTIONARY WAR-WAR OF 1812-14 -THE "BUCKSHOT WAR"-MEXICAN WAR-CIVIL WAR -SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.
In common with other counties in the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania, the territory embraced within Dauphin county has been the scene of cruelty, bloodshed and wars, both on account of Indians, and in the settlement of difficulties between those of our own civil- ized people. The people who have constituted the population here have ever borne well their part in defense of their heaven-born rights. Whether we read of the brave-hearted first settlers, who were com- pelled to carry their rifles with them, as they tilled the soil for a livelihood, in order to shield their families from the arrow and scalping-knife of the Indian; whether we think of later pioneers, asserting their rights as against the heel of Kingly oppression in Revolutionary times and in the War of 1812-14; the Mexican, Civil and Spanish-American wars; at all times we come to know that the citizens of Dauphin county have ever been of that true and patriotic type which gives up life for great principles, if need be. Even prior to the "Declaration of Independence," similar declara- tions were formulated and put in the form of ringing resolutions in protest against tyranny, right here within Dauphin county.
Could the long since decayed block-houses and forts, together with the tomb-stones (the inscriptions of which time has almost effaced) but speak, what a tale of self-sacrifice, and heroism they would tell !
It will be the object of this chapter to bring forth from the British and American governmental archives, and from the pay- rolls and muster sheets of the various wars in which the sons of Dauphin have taken part, many historic events which have for long years rested beneath the dust of library shelves, in both public and private buildings. Before the last scrap of parchment and paper containing these army records shall have been forever lost from the eye of man, the historian of to-day is in duty bound to gather up the fragments and compile in consecutive and readable form the mili- tary history of this county, that future generations may be informed concerning the conflicts encountered by their forefathers.
131
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
Prior to 1755 there were but few Indian outrages in Dauphin county, but on account of the many murders on the Potomac river in Virginia, and along the frontier of Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, the inhabitants became restless, and felt that danger was at hand. They had long since lost faith in the Indians, and knew full well the influence exerted by the French people over the savages.
On July 22, 1754, the following petition was laid before the Governor of the Province :
The humble petition of the inhabitants of the townships of Pextang, Derry, and Hanover, Lancaster County, humbly showeth that your petitioners, being settled on and near the river Susquehanna, apprehend themselves in great danger from the French and French Indians, as it is in their power several times in the year to transport themselves, with ammunition, artillery, and every necessary, down the said river; and their conduct of late to the neighboring provinces increases our dread of a speedy visit from them, as we are as near and convenient as the provinces already attacked, and are less capable of defending ourselves, as we are unprovided with arms and ammu- nition and unable to purchase them. A great number are warm and active in these parts for the defense of themselves and country were they enabled so to do (although not such a number as would be able to withstand the enemy). We, your petitioners, therefore humbly pray that your Honor would take our distressed condition into consideration and make such provision for us as may prevent ourselves and families from being destroyed and ruined by such a cruel enemy ; and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
Thomas Forster, James Armstrong,
Jeremiah Sturgeon,
Thomas King,
Robert Smith,
Adam Reed,
John Carson,
Thomas Crawford,
David Shields,
John McClure,
William McMullen, John Coit, William Armstrong,
Thomas Steene,
John Hume,
James Armstrong, William Bell, John Daugherty,
Thomas McClure,
William McClure,
James Atkins, Andrew Cochran, James Reed,
John Rodgers, James Peterson,
John Young,
John Harris, Thomas Simpson, Samuel Simpson,
John Crawford,
Thomas Hume,
John Craig,
132
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
Thomas Rutherford,
Ez. Sankey,
T. McCarter,
John Forster,
William Steel,
Mitchell Graham,
Samuel Hunter,
James Toalen,
Thomas Mays,
James Galbreath,
James Coler,
James Campbel,
Henry Renicks,
Robert Boyd,
Rich. McClure,
James Chambers,
Thomas Dugan,
Robert Armstrong,
John Johnson,
John Campbell,
Peter Fleming,
Hugh Black,
Thomas Sturgeon,
Thomas Black.
Matthew Taylor,
After the defeat of General Braddock, in July, 1755, the entire western frontier was left defenceless, and the Indians committed depredations beyond description. There were hundreds of people- men, women and innocent children-killed in Dauphin and surround- ing counties, and a vast amount of valuable property destroyed. The Proprietaries refused to allow their lands to be taxed to raise money for the common protection, and the principles of the Quakers, Dunkards, Mennonites and other religious sects, still further compli- cated the situation. The Quakers held a majority vote in the Penn- sylvania Assembly, and refused aid to the helpless white settlers of this part of the Commonwealth. For the purpose of creating a senti- ment at Philadelphia, the leaders of the frontier sections sent to that city several of the terribly mangled bodies of the victims, which were carried through the streets, bearing placards as some of the martyrs of the Quaker policy of non-resistance. Dead bodies were placed in the doorway of the Assembly, and relief demanded. The members, however, were not moved, even at this. But in 1756-57 the Propri- etaries and Assembly, goaded on by popular sentiment, raised £135,- ono for the defence of the Province; and on April 9, 1756, the Governor was authorized to offer rewards for scalps, and on the 14th of the same month the following bounties were offered :
For every male Indian aged over twelve delivered at a govern- ment fort or jail, $150.
For every female prisoner, or male prisoner under twelve, $130. For the scalp of every male Indian, $130.
For the scalp of every female Indian, $50.
For every English subject rescued from the Indians, and de- livered at Philadelphia to the Governor, $150.
To every officer or soldier who shall rescue any English captives or take Indian prisoners or scalps, one-half of the said bounties.
I33
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
To guard against Indian devastations a chain of forts and block-houses were erected, at an expense of £85,000, along the Kitochtiny hills, from the river Delaware to the Maryland line. Of these the principal ones in Dauphin county were Forts Halifax, Hunter, McKee, Manady, Henry and Swatara.
During the Pontiac War of 1763, the "Paxton Boys" became widely known. The Indians, under the leadership of old Pontiac, rose simultaneously all along the frontier, and the border was then Paxton, for west of the Susquehanna there were but few whites living.
Rev. John Elder, pastor of the Paxtang and Derry Presby- terian Church, organized his famous "Rangers." The Scotch-Irish, who were members of this church, were foremost to enlist. The Quakers still held to their do-nothing policy, and sympathized with the Indians, one of their number even remarking in a letter, "They are a parcel of Scotch-Irish, who, if they were all killed, could well enough be spared."
Letters written in 1763 contained the following extracts :
"Imagination cannot conceive the perils with which the settle- ment at Paxton was surrounded from 1754 to 1765. To portray each scene of horror would be impossible. The heart even revolts at an attempt. Murder followed murder, and the settlers were goaded on to desperation. Rifles were kept loaded, horses were in readiness. The "Rangers" called upon their pastor, Rev. John Elder, to lead them. He was then 57 years of age." Another writer said: "Did we not brave the summer's heat, and winter's cold, and the savage tomahawk? Were we to look on tamely and see our brethren and families murdered and our fairest property blasted ? The blood of a thousand of our fellow creatures called for vengeance -what remains, is to leave our cause with God and our guns."
The subjoined is an extract from an address of the "Paxton Volunteers," in 1764, "to the candid and impartial world:"
"The Indians set fire to houses, barns, corn, hay, in short to everything that was combustible ; so that ye whole country seemed to be in one general blaze, and involved in one common ruin. Great numbers of ve Back Settlers were murdered, scalped and butchered in the most shocking manner, and their dead bodies inhumanly mangled, some having their ribs divided from ye chin with the tomahawk, others left expiring in ye most exquisite tortures, with their legs and arms broken, their skulls fractured and ye brains scattered on the ground. Many children were either spitted alive, and roasted, or covered under the ashes of a large fire before their
I34
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
helpless parents eyes. Ye hearts of some taken out and eaten reeking hot, while they were yet beating between their teeth, and others, where time and opportunity would admit of it, were skinned, boiled and eaten. Hundreds carried into ye most miserable captivity, and daily tortured to death in every method of cruelty which Indian barbarity can suggest .- The husband butchered in the presence of his helpless wife while ye children are clinging around his knees ;- Ye widowed mother reserved to be a spectator of ye inhuman massa- cre of her tender family, before she receives ye friendly hatchet that closes her eyes on ye shocking scene .- Those that are with child ripped open and mangled in ye most indecent manner .- Hundreds of miserable refugees flying to ye nearest frontier town with a part of their families leaving the remainder of them in the hands of ye enemy, or wandering till they perish in ye woods .- Hundreds re- duced from plentiful and independent circumstances, to a state of beggary and despair, taking shelter in the hovels and stables to secure their helpless families from ye inclemency of ye night or ye season; while others cannot even obtain this, but are obliged to make fires in ye woods and live even worse than the savages themselves .-- None but those who have been spectators or eye-witnesses of these shocking scenes can possibly have an adequate idea of our sufferings."
These "Rangers" scouted the country from one fort to another. They took turns in defense-two-thirds of them remained at home to protect their families and property, while one-third were out. Offi- cers were chosen just before the scouts went out. They used the Indian tactics in warfare, and were more dreaded by the savages than were the regular soldiers. The Assembly, being largely Quakers, refused to pay them for their time and outlay, and also made matters worse by constantly negotiating with and making gifts to the Indians.
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