USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania > Part 19
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
196
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
I did, but cant help it, he Desires to acquaint you that his sister's son was killed at Penns Creek in ye scrimmage with Capt. Patterson. "This with Due Respect from "Sir, your Hum'l Ser't, "THOMAS MCKEE." (Penn. Arch. II. p. 616).
In view of the alarming condition of affairs, it was determined to select a place for the rendezvous of troops, and storage and for- warding supplies. From its admirable location, both on land and no great distance from the source of these supplies, and on water by batteaux, they could readily be forwarded and distributed, Fort Hunter was at once named for that purpose, and on April 7, 1756, Governor Morris wrote as follows to Colonel William Clapham, in command of that territory :
"SIR :
"PHILAD'A, APR. 1756.
"As a Magazine of Provisions and other Warlike Stores will very soon be formed at or near Hunters Mill, upon the river Susque- hanna, I think it necessary for the protection thereof, and for other purposes, to order that you appoint the said place, called Hunters Mills, or some convenient place near it, for the General Rendez- vous of your regiment now raising, and that you order all the men already enlisted, not employed upon some other service, to march immediately to the said Rendezvous, and all your recruiting parties to send their recruits thither from time to time.
"You will order proper guards upon the magazine, and upon the boats and canoes which shall be collected there pursuant to my orders, you will give directions that the officers and men keep them- selves in good order, and ready to go upon duty at an hours warn- ing.
"You will inform the Commissioner of these my orders, and apply to them for the things necessary to carry them into execution. (Penn. Arch. II. p. 616).
The next day Governor Morris himself writes to the com- missioners giving them a synopsis of the above orders. One of them, Edward Shippen, realizing how well Fort Harris was adapted for storage purposes, does not approve of erecting a multiplicity of stockades all over the country, and even doubts the advantage of making a storehouse at Hunter's Mill. He writes from Lancaster, under date of April 19, 1756, amongst other things: "Hunter's house would indeed answer such a purpose, were it stockaded; but as it is quite naked and stands five or six hundred feet from the fort, the enemy may surprise it in ye night, and kill the people, and set
197
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
ye roof on fire in three or four places at once, and if the centrys should discern the fire as soon as it begins to blaze, it might be diffi- cult for them to quench it without buckets or pails." ( Penn. Arch. II., p. 635). In the same letter he mentions the fact that Captain McKee's plantation is twenty-five miles above Fort Hunter.
Hunter's Mill was, however, a very important place, and needed for other purposes besides that of mere storage, and Colonel Clapham's orders are not countermanded. He writes from Fort Halifax, July 1, "I shall leave a sergeant's party at Harris' con- sisting of twelve men, twenty-four at Hunter's Fort, twenty-four at McKee's store, each under the command of an ensign and Captain Miles with thirty men at Fort Halifax." (Penn. Arch. II., p. 686).
On June II, 1756, Colonel Clapham notifies the Governor from his camp at Armstrong, that he has stationed a party of twenty- four men, under the command of Mr. Johnson, at Hunter's Fort, with orders to defend the post and the neighborhood, and to escort any provisions that should come to him, up to McKee's store. (Penn. Arch. II., p. 663). The following orders to the commanding officer at Hunter's Fort are recorded :
"Whither Mr. Johnson, or Mr. Mears is ordered to furnish an escort of Fifteen men, under command of a Sergeant, to conduct the Waggon Master General, Mr. Erwin, to Fort Halifax, there join a detachment from Capt. Jamison's Company, to be commanded by Lieut. Anderson, and march to Fort Augusta.
"The commanding officer at Hunters Fort is to take Great Care of the Battoes, and not suffer them to be used unless by my particular Orders; He is like wise to weigh the two cannon which now lie in the water and place them on the bank, at some convenient Place for Transportation, till further Orders.
"FORT AUGUSTA, Nov. 3, 1756.
"A Copy of Orders to the Commander at Hunter's Fort. Indorsed.
Orders to the Commanding Officer at Fort Hunter.
Inclosed is Col. Clapham's, of 23 Nov., 1756, (Penn. Arch. III. p. 17).
Nov. 13, 1756-The State of the Garrison was: Number of men-2 Sergeants, 34 private men. Ammunition-41/2 lbs. Pow- der, 28 lbs. of Lead. Provisions-one thousand weight flower-two thousand of Beef. Men's Time Up-2 Mens Times." (Penn. Arch. III. p. 52).
About this time Robert Erwin, on his way from Philadelphia to Fort Augusta with a draft of horses for the use of that garrison,
198
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
applied to Mr. Mears, the commandant at Fort Hunter, for an escort, claiming that such were the instructions of Colonel Clapham, but was refused it, Mr. Mears informing him "that he should not pay any regard to these orders of Colonel Clapham or the Governor, for how could the Governor give him command of that fort, and yet command it himself." Upon learning that there was the greatest want of the horses at Fort Augusta, Mr. Erwin felt obliged to pro- ceed without escort. (Penn. Arch. III., p. 64).
On March 14, 1757, Lord Loudoun arrived at Philadelphia, where he remained two weeks, in consultation with Governor Denny. As a result of the conference on the defense of the province, at which Colonel Clapham and Lieutenant Colonels Weiser and Arm- strong were present, among other things it was decided that four hundred men should be kept at Fort Augusta and the work there completed; that one hundred men should constitute the garrison of Fort Halifax, and that Fort Hunter should be demolished, only fifty men being retained there temporarily, until the removal of the magazine, which was to take place as soon as possible. The long frontier of the Blue Range between the Susquehanna and Delaware was to be defended by Colonel Weiser's battalion, and the forts reduced to three in number. (Penn. Arch. III., p. 119).
This at once caused consternation among the settlers in its neighborhood, and brought forth from them an earnest appeal to the government, mention of which is made in the minutes of the council held at Philadelphia, Thursday, August 25, 1757, as fol- lows.
"A Petition from the Inhabitants of the Township of Paxtang, was read, setting forth that the evacuating Fort Hunter is a Great Discouragement to the Township; that Fort Halifax is not neces- sary to secure the Communication with Fort Augusta, and is not so proper a Station for the Battoe Parties as Fort Hunter, and praying the Governor would please to fix a sufficient number of men at Hun- ters under the command of an active officer with strict orders to range the Frontier Daily."
Commissary Young attended, and informed the Governor and . Council that "Fort Halifax was built by Colonel Chapham without the order of Governor Morris; that it is a very bad situation, being built beyond the ranges of hills, and nobody living near it, none could be protected by it; that it is no station for battle parties, hav- ing no command of the channel, which runs close on the western shore, and is besides covered with a large island between the channel and fort, so that numbers of the enemy may even in day time, run
199
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
down the river, without being seen by that garrison." He further said that "though the fort or block house at Hunter's was not tenable, being hastily erected, and not finished, yet the situation was the best upon the river for every service, as well as for the protection of the Frontiers." (Col. Records, Vol. II., p. 724).
Fearing this appeal might fail for lack of a little influence, the Rev. John Elder, of Paxton, adds a personal entreaty in a letter to Richard Peters, Esq., of Philadelphia, Secretary of the Council, dated July 3, 1757, thus :
"SIR: As we of this township have petitioned the Governor for a removal of the Garrison from Halifax to Hunters, I beg the favor of you to use your interest with his Hon'r on our behalf. The defense of Halifax is of no advantage, but a Garrison at Hunters, under the command of an active officer will be of great Service; it will render the carriage of provisions and Ammunition for the use of Augusta more easy and less expensive, and by encouraging the inhabitants to continue their places, will prevent the weakening of the frontier Settlements; we have only hinted at these things in the Petition, which you'll please enlarge on in conversation with the Governor and urge in such a manner as you think proper. It's well known that Representation from the back Inhabitants have but little weight with the Gentlemen in Power, they looking on us, either as uncapable of forming just notions of things, or as biass'd by Selfish Views; however I'm satisfied that you Sir, have more favor- able conception of us ; and that, from the knowledge you have of the Situation of the Places mentioned in our Petition, you'll readily agree with us and your best offices with the Governor to prevail with him to grant it; and you'll very much oblige.
"Sir, Y'r most obed't and hu'l Ser't, "(JOHN ELDER, ) (Penn. Arch. III. p. 251). "19 Sunday.
It is gratifying to know that this letter met with the success it so well deserved. Fort Hunter was not demolished, but, on the con- trary, strengthened, and on February 5, 1758, we have a return of Adjutant Kern which gives, under Captain Patterson and Lieuten- ant Allen, a garrison of forty men, having forty-four provincial and three private muskets, with fifteen pounds of powder and twenty pounds of lead. (Penn. Arch. III. p. 340) ; whilst on February 9, 1758, James Young, commissioner of the musters, reports the force on duty at that point in the pay of the Province, at one company of fifty-four men. (Penn. Arch. III. p. 341).
James Burd, in his journal says, Saturday, February 18, 1758:
200
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
"Set off for Hunters Fort ( from Fort Harris) arrived at dark, found the Capt's Patterson & Davis here with So men; the Capt's inform me that they have not above 3 loads of ammunition a man, ordered Mr. Barney Hughes (Commissary of Supplies) to send up here a barrel of Powder and lead answerable in the meantime, borrowed of Thomas Gallaher 40 lbs. of Poudder & 100 pounds of lead; Ordered a review of the Garrison to-morrow morning at 9 a. m.
"19 Sunday.
"Had a Review this morning of Capt. Patterson's company and found them compleat, 53 men, 44 Province arms and 44 Car- touch boxes, no powder, nor lead, divided 1/2 pint of poudder and lead in proportion a man, found in this Fort 4 months provisions for the garrison.
"Capt. Davis with his party of 55 men was out of Ammuni- tion, divided 1/2 pint of poudder and lead in proportion to them. Capt. Davis has gott 12 thousand weight of flour for the Battoes, Sundry of the Battoes are leeky, that they cant swim and must be left behind.
"Capt. Patterson cant Scout at present for want of officers. Ordered him to apply to the country to Assist him to Stockade the Fort agreeable to their promise to his Hon'r the Governor. 3 men sick here.
" This day at 11.00 a. m. marched for Fort Swettarrow, got to Crawforts, 14 miles from Hunters, here I stay all night; it rained hard." (Penn. Arch. III. p. 352).
Notwithstanding its apparent necessity, the work of completing the stockade seems to have gone slowly, as we notice by the follow- ing letter to Governor Denny :
"FORT HUNTER, YE 22 JULY, 1758.
"Please your honour :
"Whereas, I have the honour to bear a Commission in your Regiment, I was left in the Garrison of Fort Hunter, and received Orders from Gen. Forbes to repair it, and sent an engineer to inspect into the condition, who found necessary to Stockade it, fo which purpose I was to get the Country People; and accordingly apply'd to the several Justices of the Peace for the Townships of Paxton and Donegal, which latter I never had any answer from, but was informed by Parson Elder, of Paxton, whose word is the same with that of the Justice, that they act in conjunction in such affairs, that till harvest be over the Country People can do nothing; there- fore thought propper to acquaint you of this, as a duty incumbent, also that I am relieved, and that should the work of the fort be
201
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
pospon'd till harvest be over, 'twill be yett three weeks before they begin.
"I am, your Honours most obedt & most hum'le Ser't, "P. S. The Stockades are cut. G. PRICE."
In spite of the constant vigilance of the soldiers, depredations were committed by the savages, almost within the shadow of the fort, as is shown by the following extract from a letter from Mr. Bertram Galbraith, at Hunter's Fort, dated October, 1757:
"Notwithstanding the happy Situation, we thought this place was in on Captain Bussee's being stationed here we have had a man killed and scalped this evening, within twenty rods of Hunters barn. We all turned out, but night coming on so soon we could make no pursuit. We have advice from Fort Henry by express to Captain Bussee that the Indians are seen large Bodies, 60 together." (Penn. Arch. III. p. 277).
This is confirmed by the following report of Captain Chris- tian Busse to Governor Denny :
"HUNTER'S FORT, THE 3D OCT., 1757. "May it Please Your Honour :
"In my coming back from Ranging along the Fruntears on Sat- urday the first Instant, I Heard that the Day Before, Twelve Indians were seen not fare off from hear, as it was Leat and not knowing their Further Strength, I thought to go at Day Break next morning, with as many soldiers and Battowe-men as I could get. But in a Short Time we Heard a Gun fire off, and running Directly To The Spot, found the Dead Boddy of one William Martin, who went into the Woods To pick up chestnuts where the Indians were lying in Ambush. I ordered all the men to Run into the Woods, and we Rainged till it Grew Quite Dark; the continual Rain that Has Been Sins, Has Hindered my following them; there was a Number of the Inhabitants Came here to assist in following them but the weather prevented. There were only 3 Indians only Seen by some people, Who Were sitting Before the Dore of Mister Hunter, and they say, that all Was Don in Less than four minutes; that same night, I warned the Inhabitants to be upon their Guards, and in the morning, I Raigned on this side the mountain the Nixt day. But my men being few in number by Reason of their Being fourteen of them sick, I could Not Be Long from the Garrison; and it seems yet probable To me, that there is Great Numbers of the Enemy Indians on this River. The Townships of Paxton and Derry have Agreed to Keep Guard for some Time in the frunteer Houses, from
202
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
Monaday to Susquehanna, and Expects that your Honour will be pleased to Reinforce this Detachment.
"If these Townships should Break up, the Communications Between Fort Augusta and the Inhabitants would Be Greatly Endaingered.
"I am, with Greatest Respect, "Your Honours, "Most Obedient Humble Servant, "CHRISTIAN BURSE.
"Directed: To the Honorable William Deney, Esq., Gover- ernour and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania." (Penn. Arch. III. p. 279.)
Captain James Patterson, who was later in command at Fort Hunter, sent, on January 10, 1758, to Governor Denny, the fol- lowing interesting extracts from his journal, of duties performed at that place from December 5, 1757, to date :
"FORT HUNTER, JAN'RY YE IOTH, 1758.
"I took with 19 men and ranged from this Fort as far as Robinson's Fort, where I lodged, Keeping a guard of six men & one Corporal on Centry that night. The sixth day I marched towards Hunters Fort, ranging along the mountain foot very diligently till I came to the Fort that evening, my men being so afflicted with sick- ness I could not send out till the eighth day, Lieut. Allen, with 14 men, went to Range for three days. On the 12th day Lieut. Allen, with eighteen men & one Serjeant ranged along the mountain about fourteen miles from this fort, where they met Capt. Lieut. Weiser with his party and returned back towards this Fort the next day and came to it that night. The fifteenth, Lieut. Allen with 18 men kept along the Frontier till the 25th & came to this Fort that night. Hearing of Indians harbouring about Juniatta, on the 28th of De- cember, I took 15 men with me up the Creek, and about 14 miles from the mouth of it I found fresh tracks of Indians on both sides of the Creek & followed the tracks about four miles up the said Creek, where I lost the tracks. But I still kept up the Creek till I gott up about twenty-five miles from the mouth of said creek, where I encamped that night. The Indians I found were round me all the night for my Dogg made several attacks towards the woods as if he saw the Enemy and still run back to the Centry. On the 3d of January I returned down the creek in some canoes that I found on said creek, and when I came about nine miles down I espied about 20 Indians on the opposite side of the Creek to where I was. They seemed to get themselves in order to fire upon the men that were in canoes. I immediately ordered them all out but two men that let the canoes float close under the shore, and kept the Land in readiness
203
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
to fire upon the enemy as soon as they moved out of the place where they lay in Ambush, but I could see no more of them. On the 5th day of January I came to this Fort. On the sixth day I sent a Serjeant & Corporal with 15 men along the Frontier of Paxton and Maunadys, about fourteen miles from this Fort, and on the seventh day they returned back to said Fort. On this march one of the soldiers espied two Indians Just by one of the Frontier plantations; the soldiers gave the serjeant notice and the Serjeant kept on his course, as if he had not known anything of the Indians, till he gott some Bushes between the party and the Indians and then gott round the place where the Indians were seen, but they happening to see the party run off, when our party came to the place they saw the tracks of the Indians plain where they run off. As I am recruiting to fill up my Comp'y again, and my recruits are not all qualified as yet, it is not in my power to send y'r Hon'r a Roll of my Company, but expect in a few days to be in the capacity of doing it. As I am insensible there are Enemy Indians upon the Coast, I thought it fit- ting to send y'r Hon'r this Journal & remain,
"Y'r Honour's Most Obed .: humble Servant, "JAMES PATTERSON."
(Penn. Arch. III. p. 332.)
Truly the days of the provincial soldier of the French and Indian Wars were not passed in luxury and ease, nor his nights upon beds of roses. However, with the success of the British arms and consequent discomfiture of the French, the scene of action shifted during 1758, and the garrison of Fort Hunter had a rest until 1763, when Pontiac and his followers burst like a storm upon our western borders, and again deluged its fair fields with blood. Hunter's Mill was once more selected as a place of rendezvous for men and stores, and in June, 1763, we find Joseph Shippen, Jr., Governor Hamilton's secretary, there in person, giving attention to the recruiting of soldiers, collecting of batteaux, and gathering stores to be sent up the river to Fort Augusta. ( Penn. Arch. IV. p. III). A list of ten canoes hired from sundry parties at a cost of £5 Ios. is given. (Penn. Arch., IV. p. 112). The danger was imminent, and it was determined to recruit seven hundred men for the defense of the frontier. Full instructions to that effect are given July II, to Colonel Armstrong. (Penn. Arch., IV. p. 114). As the stores went forward to Fort Augusta, they were accompanied by small detachments of soldiers as guards, to whom full and explicit orders were given to guard against surprise. (Penn. Arch., IV. p. 113). Fortunately, though the strife was of bloody character, it was of brief duration, and at its close the Angel of Peace took the place of warlike man and merciless savage. Fort Hunter remained such
204
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
in name only until its last logs had disappeared, and now its memory alone exists. When the Duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, a French traveler, passed up the Susquehanna in 1796, he stopped at three settlements only, the first of which was Fort Hunter. It had then passed into the hands of Mr. McAllister. He says, in sub- stance : "McAllister owns about three hundred acres-about one hundred and twenty cultivated. Price of lands near to him is eight dollars for woodland; fifty dollars for cleared. The houses all of wood, except the inn, stands on the Susquehanna and in the pre- cincts of Fort Hunter, erected many years ago. (Penn. Hist. Col- lections, Sherman Day, p. 281).
Mr. R. McAllister, of Harrisburg, wrote a number of years ago the following interesting account in way of a "statement":
"The site of Fort Hunter is situated exactly six miles above Harrisburg, on the Susquehanna river, at its junction with Fishing Creek. There are no remains of this Fort, as upon its ancient foun- dations there is a very large store house, built by my grandfather, Archibald McAllister, in 1814, and now owned by my father, Cap- tain John C. McAllister. The situation of this house is very com- manding, about eighty feet above the Susquehanna, and the sur- rounding scenery is of the most romantic character.
"During the Revolutionary War and the early periods of our history, a block-house, or fort, occupied the site upon which now stands my father's large stone residence. This fort was called the "English Fort Hunter." About a mile above this point, where the river has evidently forced its way through a mountain pass, and where the river is narrow, deep and swift, immediately below the romantic village of Dauphin, where immense rocks (not yet worn away by the hand of time, or the friction of the water) jut out of the water, at this point, at the very base of the Kittantiny Mountains, the river is called Hunter's Falls.
"In distinction from the "English Fort Hunter" there was another fort about one mile below this, on the summit of the Second mountain, a very high peak, entirely commanding the Susquehanna river, overlooking Harrisburg, and called the "Indian Fort Hunter," At this point tradition tells us that the Indians had some sort of an erection from which they would occasionally emerge, and after committing great depredations they would again retire to their stronghold, which was the terror of the country. To keep these Indians in check, I have always understood that the English Fort was built. Tradition still delights to recount many fierce conflicts occur- ing between the inhabitants of these forts. Of the Indian Fort Hunter, which as a boy, I have frequently visited, there were yet distinct remains (1856). There is still to be seen a circular excava-
205
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY
tion of about four feet in depth and thirty feet in diameter. In this can be found heads of Indians' arrows and other evidences of its former use." (Penn. Arch. XII. p. 378).
This property, built on the site of the fort, is now owned by the estate of Daniel Boos, and occupied by John W. Reily. All evi- dence and concurrent testimony locate the fort on a narrow eleva- tion of gravel and bowlders, about forty feet high, at the mouth of Fishing Creek, where it empties into the Susquehanna river. It is also on the Harrisburg and Dauphin turnpike road, about half a mile north of the railroad bridge (stone arch) at Rockville, where the river is about seven-eighths of a mile wide, and the space of about one hundred and fifty feet between the pike and the river, which constitutes the grounds of the present substantial stone house built on the site of the fort, is very beautiful. The Pennsylvania canal, Northern Central and Schuylkill and Susquehanna railroads, all close together, pass by, to the west, distant about six hundred yards. In the rear of the barn, now standing on the oppostie side of the pike from the fort, were formerly erected barracks for the better accommodation of the soldiers forming the garrison and recruits gathered from other points. A house and barn occupy the site of Hunter's house and barn. Hunter's mill proper was located where now stands the mill owned by Abraham Ream, which is built on its site, distant about five hundred yards west of the fort. This will explain the unprotected nature of Hunter's mill, when it was sug- gested that it should be used for a storehouse. A little over one mile in a southerly direction from the fort is the base of a prominent peak in the Blue Mountains, on which for a number of years was displayed a flag marking the position of the so-called "Indian Fort Hunter," of which Mr. McAllister speaks. It is to be regretted that this misleading term came into general use. It was contrary to the custom and very nature of the Indians to erect any defense which might properly be called a "fort." Especially in the French and Indian wars, so far as they relate to this vicinity, the savages never attempted to gather together at any one place as headquarters and fortify the same; least of all did they do so near Fort Hunter. We have seen from the records that the marauding parties of the enemy were not of that immediate neighborhood, but as at every place, they consisted of small parties, from greater or less distances, bent solely on murder and plunder. We have learned nothing concerning the circular excavation of which Mr. McAllister writes, but have ascer- tained that there are still to be seen places in the rocks which have been hollowed out, of a small size, where probably the women were
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.