History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 37

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158

USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I > Part 37

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From this point the active operations of the campaign were to commence. They were within striking distance of the houses of the leaders of the disturbances in Bucks county, whom they sought to secure. Fries was the first object of capture, and, the same day the troops encamped at Sellers' tavern, a scout was organized to effect

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THE FRIES REBELLION.

his arrest. Some of his acquaintances had given General Macpherson information of his where- abouts, and one, a neighbor, agreed to accompany the troops as guide. The detail for this purpose consisted of four companies of calvary, two com- manded by Captain Porter and Wharton, but the names of the commanders of the other two we have not been able to learn. The troops left camp soon after noon piloted by David Penrose, who lived at Bunker Hill. It was known he was engaged that day to cry a vendue for one Fried at this place, and it was the intention to capture him while thus employed. They continued their march up the old Bethlehem road in the direction of that point.

In the forenoon when Fries was on his way to the vendue, he passed the residence of William Edwards, father of the late Caleb Edwards, Quakertown, who, with his son, was making fence along the road. Mr. Edwards told Fries he would be arrested if he went to the vendue, and he had better stay away. He replied he was not afraid, and that no one or two men would take him. Edwards said there would be more than two there, but Fries made no reply and con- tinued on his way. He was afoot and accompanied by his little black dog. Mr. Edwards' son soon mounted his father's horse and rode down to the vendue, where a large number of people were collected ; and the fact that the troops were ex- pected probably bringing more together than usually assembled at such places. When the troops were first seen approaching, about half a mile below the tavern, Fries was on the head of a barrel, bell in hand crying off an article ; this he knocked down to the bidder without much ceremony, then he jumped to the ground and took to his heels. The commanding officer rode up and ordered the people to stand, but, having be- come alarmed, they did not heed his order, and broke and ran in all directions, pursued by the troopers. Among the others was one Trum- bower, who, choosing to trust to his heels, was chased by a soldier. He made for a fence which he mounted and sprang over, but just at this time the trooper rode up and made a stroke at him with his sabre, which he fortunately avoided and the blow fell on the fence. The sabre was brok- en into three pieces, and Trumbower made his escape. Caleb Edwards ran for his horse which he mounted to ride home ; he was stopped by the soldiers; but David Penrose, the guide, coming up, told them to let him go, and he was permitted to ride away.

In the meantime Fries had succeeded in get- ting away from the crowd and for the time being, eluded his pursuers. In the confusion, which followed the arrival of the troops and the flight

of the crowd, it was some little time before an attempt was made to follow him. As none of the command knew him, they had to trust to their guide for his recognition. A search was insti- tuted among those who remained upon the ground and about the premises, and, not finding him, in- quiry was made as to the direction he had taken. This information was soon furnished. Upon leaving the vendue ground, Fries made for a nearby swamp, in a meadow on the farm of John Kachline, half a mile from Bunker Hill, where he concealed himself in a bunch of briars. The soldiers distributed themselves through the mea- dow as he was suspected of being there, and made a thorough search. He would have remained undiscovered, had not the presence of his dog be- trayed his hiding place. He offered no resistance. He was brought back to the tavern, when a horse of Samuel Edward's was seized, upon which he was tied and taken under the escort of the troops down to Sellers' tavern, where he was placed in close confinement.

There is a difference in opinion as to the place of capture of Fries. The Philadelphia Advertiser of April 8, 1799, in speaking of the affair, states he was taken in a wood and was not secured until after a pursuit of nearly five miles. Our infor- mation was obtained from Caleb Edwards, of Quakertown, who was present at the vendue the day of the arrest, and was conversant with all the facts of the case. We think his statement more reliable than that of a newspaper editor who lived at a distance of thirty miles from the scene of action. The same evening a detachment of cavalry from the first and third city troops left camp about sunset to arrest Eberhart, another of the insurgents. He was taken in his own house, in the night, and, of course, made no resistance. The troops called at the house of several other disaffected persons, but found none of them at home, they having probably fled at their approach. They returned to camp the next morning before day-break, after a ride of between forty and fifty miles. As soon as Eberhart heard of the approach of the troops, he became much alarmed and began to see the danger in which he stood. The day that Fries was taken he called upon Mr. Foulke and begged him to shield him from the military, and pleaded, in extenuation of the opposition he had made to the law, that he was drunk at the time. An officer, who writes from the camp at Sellers' tavern, under the date of April 6th, says when the capture of Fries was announced, "The joy manifested on this occasion was not to be described." The following extract from a letter written at Quakertown, on April 8th, considered the matter in a less serious light, and the writer

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

presumed to turn the campaign and capture of Fries into ridicule. The author was probably an officer or soldier of the command although that fact is not stated. He says:

"It will doubtless afford you much satisfac- tion to hear of the success of our arms against the rebels. Trexton's splendid naval victory must yield to the superior splendor of the late action, which took place on the 5th inst. in the neighbor- hood of Quakertown. Fries, the noted insurgent leader, who, by profession, is a vendue cryer, and who, on that account, had obtained some as- cendency over the multitude, was informed on the morning of the day of the action, (which was a day on which he was also to cry a vendue) that the federal troops were in the neighborhood, and that they were resolved to capture him, and all the world beside if they opposed them. Fries laughed at the account, said he would cry vendue in spite of the standing army, and seemed to talk as if he was not afraid of them. However, while he was busily engaged in his work of the lungs, to his great surprise he beheld about half a mile distant, the troops approaching. He carried no arms for his defense but his heels, and, of course the formidable appearance of a regular and dis- ciplined army struck him with such a panic he threw down the fire shovel he was crying and made the best of his way to the woods.

"The troops, with uncommon spirit and in- trepidity marched on towards the crowd assem- bled at the vendue, and, with a menacing air, demanded the leader of the rebels. A boy of about eighteen, never having seen (I suppose) such boldness and intrepidity in military array, fled with uncommon precipitation. Several of the troopers desirous of exhibiting their zeal and activity in the cause of humanity, pursued the poor soul. For some time, by dint of dodging and taking the advantage of fences, he kept them at bay. They grew more and more warm, as the battle increased in difficulty, and at last discharged their pistols at him and shot a hole through his hat ; this brought him to the ground. The troops drew their swords, and it is declared, by a person near the scene of action, that they wounded him severely, and would, no doubt, have killed him, had not some of those that were in the war been informed, that the person captured was not Fries, but a Dutch boy, 18 !!! Fries had a dog-(this dog, no doubt, will be entitled to a commission or a pension for life for his services)-this dog having missed his master was in search of him. Though as rank a rebel as Fries, no doubt yet it is ten to one that the sharp scented warrior would not have smelt his track, and of course he would have escaped, had it not been for his own officers and federal dog. The troops, understand that

Fries had gone such a particular course, and upon some persons among the insurgents panting after him, the troops had the dog as a pilot, till they finally came in sight of the true rebel. Thus was Fries taken by his dog. A dog worth two of Homer's hero's dogs! for he has, in a manner, quelled the formidable insurrection, an insur- rection that has called forth the energies of gov- ernment from all quarters. Now if this Federal dog is treated according to his merit, he will doubtless obtain an appointment in the army; a troop of dogs under his command might be used to great advantage among the savage Germans, and thus might they obtain new honors equal to the dogs of Cortez in South America."

Another informant says that the night after the arrest of Fries, he was taken to the house of Samuel Thomas, father of the late Edward Thomas, of Quakertown, who lived in Richland township, near Lester's tanyard, on the Bethle- hem road, where he was confined in a back room of a brick building standing a few years ago, and probably at this time, and, in 1861, inhabited by Enos P. Nace.

After the capture of John Fries, the military endeavored to make a prisoner of his son Daniel, an active youth of 18, who was somewhat im- plicated with his father in his operations. They attempted to capture him at home, but he eluded them and took to the fields and woods. He was chased by the light horse into what was then called "Smith's Meadow," near Swamp creek. The bogs bore him and he ran across without hinderance, but the horses were too heavy and broke through, one of the riders falling off and breaking his arm. Seeing they could not pursue young Fries across the meadow, they turned back and he escaped. During the imprisonment of his father, Daniel went to Philadelphia to be present at the trial and watch events. The authorities, hearing of him being in the city, made efforts to arrest him, but in this they were frustrated. In- formation of what was going on being conveyed to his friends, they concealed Daniel in a joiner's shop, until night, when he quietly left for home and reached it in safety. He was never appre- hended. He lived and died near Sumneytown, Montgomery county, where he was interviewed in his 78th year and gave these facts from his own lips.

The next day after the arrest of Fries, he was taken before Judge Peters and examined, and what he said was reduced to writing and signed by him. The following is a copy of what was produced at his trial and admitted in evidence against him. The confession is said to have been made voluntarily.

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THE FRIES REBELLION.

THE EXAMINATION OF JOHN FRIES, APRIL 6, 1799.

"The examinant, confesses that he was one of the party which rescued the prisoners from the Marshall at Bethlehem; that he was also one of a party that took from the assessors, at Quaker- town, their papers and forewarned them against the execution of their duty in making the assess- ments. The papers were delivered with the con- sent of the assessors, but without force: perhaps under the awe and terror of the numbers who demanded them, and were by this examinant de- livered to the assessors. He confesses that, at the house of Jacob Fries, a paper was written on the evening preceding the rescue of the prisoners at Bethlehem, containing an association or agree- ment of the subscribers to march for the pur- pose of making that rescue; but he is not certain whether he wrote that paper. He knows he did not sign it, but it was signed by many persons and delivered to the examinant ; he does not know where the paper is. The examinant confesses also, that some weeks ago, he wrote (before the assessors came into that township) an agreement which he, with others signed, purporting that, if an assessment must be made, that they would not agree to have it done by a person who did not reside in the township, but they would choose their own assessor within their township. A meeting has been held in the township since the affair at Bethlehem for the purpose of making such a choice; examinant went to the place of election, but left it before the election opened. The examinant further acknowledges that his motive in going to Bethlehem to rescue the pris- oners was not from personal attachment or regard to any of the persons who had been arrested, but proceeded from a general aversion to the law, and an intention to impede and prevent its ex- action. He thought that the acts for the assess- ment and collection of a direct tax did not impose the quota equally upon the citizens and therefore were wrong. He cannot say who originally pro- jected the rescue of the prisoners, or assembled the people for the purpose. The township seemed to be all of one mind. A man, unknown to the examinant, came to Quakertown, and said the people should meet at Conrad Marks' to go to Millerstown. The examinant says that, on the march of the people to Bethlehem, he was asked to take the lead, and did ride on before the people until they arrived at Bethlehem. The examinant had no arms, and took no command, except that he desired the people not to fire until he should give them orders, for he was afraid, as they were so much enraged, there would be bloodshed. He begged them, for God's sake, not to fire, unless

they had orders from him, or unless he should be shot down, and then they might take their own command. That he returned the papers of the assessors, which had been delivered into his hands, back to the assessors privately, at which the peo- ple were much enraged, and suspected him (Fries) of having turned from them, and threat- ened to shoot him, between the house of Jacob Fries and Quakertown."

(Signed) "JOHN FRIES.

Taken April 6, 1799, before Richard Peters.

As soon as this examination had been taken, Fries and Eberhart were sent off to Philadelphia under the escort of a detachment of the city cav- alry, where they arrived the same evening, Sat- urday, and were lodged in jail to await their trial for treason. Their arrival and commitment were announced in the newspapers the next morning, and created considerable excitement.

The troops broke camp at Sellers' tavern and marched for Quakertown, where they encamped, it is supposed, on the 6th. They pitched their tents at three different points within the limits of the borough, two companies being located at Penrose's pottery, belonging to the late Richard Moore. The same evening a detachment of cav- alry was despatched in pursuit of persons who were accused of having participated in the late disturbance. They were absent from camp all night, and after a hard scout returned the next morning with several prisoners. It was reported that Clergyman Eyerman was of the number, but this turned out to be a false rumor. He had put himself out of harm's way immediately upon his release at Bethlehem. While the army remained encamped at Quakertown the troops were active in the pursuit of the disaffected, and scouts were sent out in all directions to apprehend them. On the seventh a detachment was sent into the region known as the "Rocks," where some of the insur- gents resided, and captured several of them, whom they brought to camp, and placed in confinement. The troops remained here until the 8th when they struck their tents and marched for Millerstown, Northampton county. The presence of the troops at Quakertown inspired terror among the in- habitants in all that region of country, and their conduct caused great distress and suffering. In their zeal to arrest the guilty their displeasure often fell upon the innocent. Armed parties patrolled the county in all directions, day and night, and it was only necessary to cast suspicion upon the most upright citizen to secure his ar- rest. Many persons took advantage of this state of things to have revenge upon their personal or

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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

political enemies. The houses of quiet, unof- fending people were entered at the dead hour of night by armed men, and the husband torn from the arms of his wife and screaming children ; and their terror was greatly increased by the belief that death awaited those who should be taken, whether they were innocent or guilty. The scenes of distress which took place among these poor people, upon such occasions, are described by the eye-witnesses as heart-rending. In many cases the troops added insult to the injury, by exulting over the misfortunes of the poor creatures who had fallen into their hands. So general was the alarm that many of the inhabitants, persons of considerable property and respectable standing, came in and surrendered themselves to the mili- tary authorities.

THE ARMY MARCHES FROM QUAKERTOWN TO ALLENTOWN, AND RETURNS TO PHILADEL- PHIA VIA READING.

While the troops were encamped at Quaker- town and engaged in pursuit of those denounced as insurgents, an alarming system of terror pre- vailed. This was carried to such extent that a large majority of both officers and men, belong- ing to the expedition, became dissatisfied and dis- gusted with the duties they were called upon to perform. An officer thus writes to a friend in Philadelphia from camp under date of April 8, I799.

"The system of terror here, I am sorry to say, is carried far beyond what, in my opinion, the public good requires. Detachments are out every day and night apprehending one or other individ- uals. I am well informed that from the time the members from this district in the State Legislature went amongst the people and stated to them the impropriety of interfering with the civil power, the magistrates could have effected everything that government could require in the apprehen- sion of any person in the district. There is scarce- ly an officer or private in this expedition who is not satisfied of this fact. The scenes of distress which I have witnessed among these poor people, I cannot describe, when we have entered their houses. Conceive your home entered at the dead of night by a body of armed men, and yourself dragged from your wife and screaming children. These poor people are extreme- ly ignorant, but they have feelings, and they always consider that death awaits any one who is seized, be he culpable or not. I am sorry to say there have been any instances of an inhuman disposition exhibited; they have not in deed been many, but vaunting exultation over men, even if they are guilty, when they are cap-

tives, is neither a proof of generosity or courage. Great numbers of the inhabitants are coming in voluntarily and surrendering themselves; many of them persons of respectable property, and of good standing in the neighborhood."

The following is an extract from another let- ter, written from the same place while the army was encamped there and of the same date, which will give the reader some idea of the unpleasant state of feeling existing in the section of Bucks county where the disturbance had taken place :

"Some of the townships have been at variance ever since the commencement of our Revolution ; and they have been characterized according as they took part for or against Britain, as Tory or Whig townships ; they consist for the most part of Germans. The townships denominated Tory have always been attached to Mr. Adam's ad- ministration ; the others of course had different politics. Much bitterness has been constantly exhibited on both sides; but an anecdote, which occurred on this occasion, will, however, give you a closer view than a general relation. It ap- pears that persons of both descriptions were op- posed to the window tax, or rather the Tories were opposed to the tax, and the Whigs to the assessors. The landlord of the house in which we were quartered had given information against several of his neighbors who lived in a 'Whig' township, and said they should be hanged together with Fries, but particularly Fries for holding a captain's commission in the last war. A person present, who heard him make this declaration, supposing he meant in the British service, said it was not so; the landlord replied that it was true, and that a reference to the proceedings of Con- gress would show it, as well as the name of Con- tinental battalion in which he served."

Among the letters written from Quakertown, while the troops were encamped there was one giving the name, and number, and persons who were taken, or had surrendered, which breathes quite a belligerent spirit toward the unfortunates implicated, as the following extract will show:

"We are here now two days, and shall proceed immediately to Millerstown ; when we reach that place I expect to be permitted to return home. We have been successful since we set out, and shall have a drove of rascals sufficient to fill a jail; we have already taken thirty-one of them; against which there is sufficient proof to convict of high treason ; the others of misdemeanor. Some of them are frightened almost to death; the fear they are in is punishment almost sufficient for the greatest of the offenders. By to-morrow night we shall have about fifty more bad fellows ; small fry are admitted to bail. The main guard is pretty well filled.

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THE FRIES REBELLION.

"Some of the above persons came in and sur- rendered themselves, by way of making peace, which saved the troops the trouble of going for them, and may save their lives as they expect by it."

The following are the names given and the of- fences for which they were arrested :

TREASON.

John Fries, John Everhard, Jacob Huber, John Huber, Frederick Heaney, Christopher Sacks, Jacob Klein, Sr., John Klein, Jr., Daniel Klein, Abraham Braith, Jacob Klein, John Getman, William Getman and Daniel Weidner.

MISDEMEANOR.

Aaron Samsel, Peter Hamberg, Abraham Strong, Peter Herdick, Jacob Huber, Henry Huber, Michael Breich, Abraham Heidrick, Henry Mumbower, George Mumbower, Peter Gable, Jacob and Daniel Gable.

HELD AS WITNESSES.

George Mitchell and William Thomas.

These sum up fifteen for treason ; fourteen for misdemeanor, and two as witnesses, thirty-one in all. There is hardly a name in the list that can- not be found among the residents of the Ger- man districts, of Bucks to-day, and are among the most prosperous, intelligent and respectable cit- izens.

The army remained in camp at Quakertown until April 8th, when the march was resumed to- ward Bethlehem, Northampton county, in which region of country there were many insurgents whose arrest was desired. On that day they marched but ten miles, when they again halted, and encamped, as some arrests were to be made in that neighborhood. It was a great relief to the inhabitants of Quakertown and the surround- ing country when the army left that place, and many a prayer that they might never return was offered up. The absence of the soldiers and harassing scouts soon restored the usual quiet in that section of the county, although the interest in the campaign was still kept up. Of the pris- oners named, 19 were sent to Philadelphia, under an escort of cavalry commanded by Lieutenant Melbecke, where they arrived on Thursday, the 18th inst., and were turned over to the civil authorities. Conrad Marks, who will be re- membered as an active participant in Bucks county, surrendered himself on the 17th to the deputy marshal. A writ had been issued for his arrest and several parties of cavalry were sent

in pursuit of him, but he eluded them all, and, at last, thought proper to give himself up. He offered bail, but it was refused, and he was sent to the city and thrown into prison.

The army now proceeded to Millerstown (now Macungie, Lehigh county), which they reached on the 10th, and again encamped. We have no means of knowing how long they remained here, but probably did not leave before about the 16th. While encamped here they were joined by two more troops of horse, and a column of in- fantry. A grand review and inspection was held, and the troops are said to have presented a very handsome appearance. From this point parties of cavalry were sent out in pursuit of the insur- gents, and some arrests were made but neither the number nor names is given. It is related that one of the captured was brought before a well-known magistrate and was anxious to know the fate that awaited him, to which the official replied with becoming dignity, "in a fortnight the Circuit Court will met, when you will be tried, and, in a fortnight after, will be in hell, sir." This circumstance is mentioned to show the bitterness of the times, more than for any other purpose. Many excesses were also commit- ted while the troops lay at Millerstown, and the same system of terror was maintained. An of- ficer writing from camp under date of April 1 1 th, says :

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History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. I, Part 37

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1158

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1158