History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 20

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650

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The wagon guard, with several others, quickly repaired to the place where the firing occurred, and there, as it was feared, the gallant Captain was found lying dead in the road. The Indians, who had no doubt been dogging his footsteps from the time he left his house, were in such haste that they did not scalp him or take any of his effects. It was about midway between Fort Muncy and Fort Brady where they lay in ambush, and so anxious were they to make sure of killing him that they paid no attention to Smith, but all three fired on him at once. And as they knew there were plenty of armed men at both forts, and that they would be pursued at once, they dashed into the bushes and put themselves at a safe distance as quickly as pos- sible. They cared not for his scalp; it was glory enough to know that they had slain the man they all hated and feared.

His death caused much excitement among the few inhabitants along the river, as they all regarded him as an invaluable man in those days of peril, and his loss was well nigh irreparable. His widow was greatly distressed and felt the blow most keenly. Her lot was a hard one. Only eight months before her son James was stricken down by the same bloody hands that had slain her husband.

His daughter, Mary Gray, of Sunbury, who was fifteen years old at the time of the assassination of her father, retained to the last moments of her life (December 3, 1850) a vivid recollection of the startling scenes of that day, and could relate the circumstances with great minuteness. She said that two balls entered his back between the shoulders, showing that the miscreants fired at him after he had passed their place of concealment. The third shot missed him, if there were three, as it was always claimed; but Smith, in his excited condition, might easily have mistaken the number. Mrs. Gray said that her father carried a gold watch, and his parch- ment commission as a captain in the Continental Army in a green bag suspended from his neck. These were undisturbed.

When the body was found, strong arms tenderly assisted in carrying it to his late home, where preparations were begun for the funeral. A coffin was probably made of bark. There were no plain or costly burial cases in those days in the pioneer settlements, but the hero of many a well fought battle reposed as calmly in a bark or deal board coffin as he would in the most magnificent casket of modern times. His funeral, which took place two days afterwards, was attended by all in the settlement who could get away. All the men bore their arms, for they knew not the moment the lurking foe would assail them. The services were short, for there was no clergyman present to read a prayer or pronounce a fitting eulogy over his rude bier. What brief services took place were conducted by some sturdy friend, whose rifle stood within easy reach. The cortege moved across Muncy creek, up the road, and by the lonely place where he was instantly stricken down in the prime and vigor of his manhood, to the burial ground on the brow of the hill, within sight of Fort Muncy. There his grave had been prepared. Captain Walker, with a firing squad, was present, and a salute fitting to his rank was fired over the grave as the coffin was lowered to its last resting place. There were few dry eyes at that burial scene over 112 years ago. All felt that a friend and protector had been taken, and as each man firmly grasped his rifle he resolved that he would never relax in his

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

efforts to avenge the death of the fallen patriot while war lasted, or the red foe prowled in the forest.

The mourners returned to the saddened home from the lonely grave on the hill. There were no gay equipages or prancing steeds to convey them. Men carried their trusty rifles. Sadness and gloom settled over the Brady homestead at Muncy. The widow, whose cup of sorrow was now full to overflowing, speedily gathered her younger children around her and fled to the home of her parents in Cumberland county the following May, less than a month after the death of her husband. She had passed through the trying scenes of the "Big Runaway," but now that her husband was gone she could no longer remain in the settlement. Her eldest son, Sam- uel, the renowned scout and Indian slayer, was a captain in Colonel Brodhead's regi- ment, and was absent on a western expedition. It is said of him that when he heard of his father's death he raised his hand and vowed to high Heaven that he would avenge the murder of his father, and while he lived he would not be at peace with the Indians of any tribe. And terribly did he carry out his vow. He slew many and made himself a terror to all redskins on the western borders. Having fully avenged the death of both his father and younger brother James, and peace being restored, he died at his home near Wheeling, December 25, 1795.

It was never positively known what Indians were concerned in the death of Capt. John Brady. The secret was profoundly kept and perished with the deaths of those who committed the atrocious deed. The spot where he was killed is still pointed out. The ground afterwards became a part of the farm of Joseph Warner, and is now owned by Charles Robb, Esq., of Pittsburg, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers at Muncy, and were there when Brady was killed.

THE BRADY FAMILY.

The Brady family, on account of its patriotism and identification with the stirring times of the Revolution and border wars, has always occupied a conspicuous niche in history, and the heroic deeds and thrilling adventures of its prominent members, if fully recorded, would fill a large volume. Capt. John Brady, second son of Hugh, came of Irish parentage, and was born in Delaware in 1733. He received a fair education and wrote a plain round hand, as shown by his autograph now in the possession of the author. He taught school in New Jersey for a few terms before his parents emigrated to the Province of Pennsylvania and settled near Shippens- burg, Cumberland county, some time in 1750. He learned surveying and followed it before the Indian troubles became serious. In 1755 he married Miss Mary Quigley, of Cumberland county. Her parents and relatives were ancestors of the Quigleys now so numerous in Clinton county. John and Mary (Quigley) Brady had thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters. Two sons and one daughter died in infancy. Samuel, the eldest, was born in 1756. At the time of his birth "the tempestuous waves of trouble were rolling in upon the infant settlements in the wake of Braddock's defeat," and "he grew to manhood in the troublous times that tried men's souls."

On the breaking out of the French and Indian war John Brady offered his serv- ices as a soldier, and July 19, 1763, he was commissioned a captain of the Second Battalion of the regiment commanded by Governor John Penn, and took part in the

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DEATH OF CAPT. JOHN BRADY.

Bouquet expedition. For this service he came in with the officers for a grant of land, which he selected west of the present borough of Lewisburg.

Meanwhile, moved by the "restless, mysterious impulse that molds the destiny of the pioneers of civilization," Captain Brady had taken his family to Standing Stone, (now Huntingdon,) on the Juniata. There his son Hugh, afterwards major- general in the United States Army, and twin sister Jane, were born, July 27, 1768. In the summer of 1769 he moved his family to a tract of land lying on the river opposite Lewisburg, which he had reserved out of the "Officers' Surveys," and there he made some improvements. His profession as a surveyor called him to various places in the valley, and visiting Muncy manor he became impressed with the beauty of the location, richness of the land, and charming surroundings, when he selected a tract, as already stated, and decided to settle there. In the spring of 1776 he erected a stockade fort and soon afterwards took his family to it.

When Northumberland county was erected in 1772, and the first court was held at Fort Augusta in August of that year, he served as foreman of the first grand jury. In December, 1775, he accompanied Colonel Plunkett in his ill-advised expedition against Wyoming. Soon after the breaking out of the Revolution two battalions of associators were raised in Northumberland county, and commanded respectively by Colonels Hunter and Plunkett. In the latter Brady was appointed first major, March 13, 1776. July 4, 1776, he attended the convention of associators, held at Lancaster, as one of the representatives of Plunkett's battalion.

The term of associators for mutual protection ended with a year and nine months' service. After that regiments enlisted for the war were raised. William Cooke was made colonel of the Twelfth, which was composed of men enlisted in Northumber- land and Northampton counties. John Brady was commissioned captain of one of the companies, October 14, 1776, and on the 18th of December it left Sunbury to join the Continental Army in New Jersey. When Washington moved his army to the banks of the Brandywine to intercept Howe, Brady was present with his com- pany and took part in the engagement. He also had two sons in this battle. Samuel was first lieutenant in Capt. John Doyle's company, having been commissioned July 17, 1776. John, his fourth son, born March 18, 1762, and then only fifteen years old, was there also. He had gone to the army to ride some horses home, but noticing that a battle was imminent, insisted on remaining and taking part. He secured a gun and joined the company. The Twelfth regiment was in the thickest of the fight, and Lieutenant Boyd, of Northumberland, was killed by Captain Brady's side. His son John was slightly wounded, and he fell from a shot in the mouth. The day ended with disaster and the Twelfth nearly cut to pieces. Luckily Captain Brady's wound was not serious. The shot only loosened some of his teeth. As he was suffering from an attack of pleurisy, (from which he never entirely recovered,) he was given leave to visit his home. On the 1st of September, 1778, he reported for duty, but as the field officers of his regiment had been mustered out, and the companies distributed among the Third and Sixth regiments, Captain Brady was sent home by General Washington's orders, together with Captain Boone and Lieutenants Samuel and John Daugherty, with instructions to join Colonel Hartley and assist in defending the frontier. Brady and his companions reached Fort Muncy September 18th, joined Colonel Hartley, and, as already stated, participated in the expedition to Tioga.

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Captain Brady was one of those men to whom Colonel Hunter referred in his letter of December 13, 1778, "who would rather die fighting then leave their homes again." His son John, who took part in the battle of Brandywine, was elected sheriff of Northumberland county in 1794, and was in office when Lycoming county was erected. He died in 1809. The personal appearance of Capt. John Brady has come down to us through tradition. He was six feet in height, straight, well formed, had dark hair and complexion, and hazel eyes.

THE BRADY CENOTAPH.

The little cemetry where he was buried is on the face of the hill near Hartley Hall station, at the junction of the Williamsport and North Branch with the Phila- delphia and Reading railroad, ten miles east of Williamsport, and is plainly visible from the cars as they pass up and down both railroads. At the time of his interment only a few burials, mostly of persons killed by the Indians, had been made there. It is among the oldest cemeteries in Lycoming county, and is still used for that pur- pose. For many years it was neglected and became overrun with briers and bram- bles. But of late years it has been neatly kept. It is known as Hall's burial ground and belongs to that estate.

The spot where Captain Brady was laid is a lovely one, and a fine view of the surrounding country is afforded. The public road between Muncy and Williams- port passes the cemetery, and by looking over the picket fence the grave of the pa - triot soldier can be plainly seen. The grave was not attended for many years and was finally lost sight of. Gen. Hugh Brady, his youngest son, often sought it in vain. At last his daughter Mary, then the wife of Gen. Electus Backus, U. S. A., was made acquainted with it by Henry Lebo, an old comrade and Revolutionary sol- dier, who was present at the funeral. On his deathbed he made a request to be bur- ried by the side of Captain Brady, and his request was carried out. Lebo was in the battle of Germantown and was badly wounded. After the war he came to Mun- cy, married, and for many years kept a public house by the roadside on one of the Hall farms. He had several sons and daughters. Robert W. Lebo, a well known citizen of Port Penn, is a grandson.

Although it had often been suggested that a monument should bereared in honor of Capt. John Brady, a hundred years passed before it was done. Through the untiring efforts of J. M. M. Gernerd, of Muncy, enough money was raised by one dollar contributions to erect a beautiful cenotaph to his memory in the cemetery of Muncy, three miles away from the place where the ashes of the hero commingled with the soil. It was formally dedicated and unveiled, October 15, 1879, in the presence of a great throng of people, including many descendants of the distinguished dead. Hon. John Blair Linn, of Bellefonte, delivered the historical address, in which he recounted the many noble deeds of the deceased, whose grave had remained neglected and unmarked for the full round period of a century. In closing his elo- quent oration he used these words:

To Captain Brady's descendants, time fails me in paying a proper tribute. When border tales have lost their charm for the evening hour; when oblivion blots from the historic page the glorious record of Pennsylvania in the Revolution of 1776; then, and then only, will Capt. Samuel Brady, of the Rangers, be forgotten. In private life, in public office, at the bar, in the Senate of Pennsylvania, in the House of Representatives of the United States, in the

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DEATH OF CAPT. JOHN BRADY.

ranks of battle, Capt. John Brady's sons and grandsons and great-grandsons have flung far forward into the future the light of their family fame.

From far and near, all over this graud valley, the most beautiful to us the sun in his course through the heavens looks down upon, we have come to dedicate this monument to the memory of its pioneer defender-Capt. John Brady.

At thy feet, then, Oh! Mountains of Muncy! thy solemn Red Men fled before the mystic sound of coming civilization; we, before the tramp and tread of States; we dedicate this granite landmark to Brady, the pioneer, the Corypheus here, of title by improvement and pre-emption; a system which began by the rock at Plymouth, and will continue until the last echo of the woodman's axe dies away amid the surges of the Pacific.

In thy bosom, Oh! Valley of the West Branch! we dedicate this memorial to the eagle-eyed sentinel, who one hundred years ago peered through the dusky twilight for thy foes. Here, on these heights, in this holy bivouac of the dead, let it forever stand sentry of his compatriot slain of Antietam, of Fredericksburg, of the Wilderness, of Atlanta, of the mourned battle- fields of the war for the Union, whose last " All's well!" is still echoing gloriously through the Republic.

On thy bright waters, Oh! Noble Susquehana! which mirror in thy winding course so many, many scenes of domestic peace and comfort; so many scenes of Eden-like beauty, rescued from primeval wildness, only listening, in thy quiet course to the sea,

To the laughter from the village and the town.

And the church bells ever jangling as the weary day goes down.

Surrounded by these venerable fathers who have lingered in life's journey to see this happy day; surrounded by the life and beauty of this grand old home of brave sons and patriotic daughters, under the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic-the "Cincinnati" of the war for the Union-in solemn joy we dedicate this monument to our benefactor. And as we gaze upon it, let us resolve, that as this government came down to us from the past, it shall go from us into the future-a blessing to our posterity, and the hope of the world's freedom.

The ceremonies were opened with prayer by Rev. E. H. Leisenring, after a parade, with music, and were imposing and impressive. The poem was composed by Col. Thomas Chamberlin. It opened with a description of the valley and sur- rounding mountain scenery, the coming of the settlers, their trials and vicissitudes, the attacks of the Indians, the flight, return, and final death of Brady.

The cenotaph is plain but massive, and is constructed of Maine granite in four handsomely proportioned pieces, consisting of a base, a sub-base, a die, and an obelisk, the whole rising to a height of twenty-seven feet and weighing about twenty-five tons. It rests on a solid foundation of masonry hidden from sight by a sodded terrace nearly three feet high, and is in proportion to the size of the circular lot iu the center of which it stands. The total elevation of the cap of the shaft is about thirty feet. The date, "1779," is cut about the center of the shaft on the front face, in raised figures; the name, "John Brady," in heavy letters in the die, and the date of erection, " 1879," in the center of the sub-base. On each side of the die is a large polished panel, bordered by a neatly chiseled molding to corre- spond with the lines of the die and shaft. The faces of the letters and figures are brightly polished, and all other exposed parts of the cenotaph are finely cut. Its artistic proportions are pleasing to the eye, and it is much admired by visitors to the cemetery. It cost about $1,600.

In the cemetery at Hall's, where the remains of Brady lie, together with those of his compatriot and friend, Lebo, granite markers were also placed. They consist of thick slabs, 30x21 inches, set on bases 14x29 inches, and they are forty-four

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

inches in height. The stones are unpolished, except the fronts, on which the epitaphs are cut in plain letters. The foot stones are in the same simple style, without lettering. The money required to erect these markers, about $70, was also raised by Mr. Gernerd by means of an autograph album at twenty-five cents a signature. The inscriptions on these markers read as follows:

Captain John Brady fell in defence of our forefathers, at Wolf Run, April 11, 1779, aged forty-six years.

In memory of Henry Lebo, died July 4, 1828, in the seventieth year of his age.

There side by side sleep the patriot hero and his faithful friend. Near by stands a lonely pine tree, through whose branches the wind sighs a soft, plaintive requiem for their departed spirits. And notwithstanding more than a hundred years have rolled away since Brady was laid at rest in this quiet retreat, many strangers and others still visit the spot and stand with uncovered heads in the presence of the dead.

When the widow of Capt. John Brady, bowed down with grief and sorrow, bade adieu to her home on Muucy manor and started for Cumberland county her youngest child, Liberty, born August 9, 1778, at Sunbury, was only about seven months old. She was named Liberty, because she was born after Independ- ence was declared, and was the thirteenth child, corresponding with the thirteen original States. She grew to womanhood, married William Dewart, of Sunbury, and died there, without issue.

Although so overwhelmed with the weight of misfortune which had overtaken her, Mrs. Mary Quigley Brady did not sit down to pine in grief over her hard lot. She was made of sterner stuff, and proved herself a type of the Roman matron of old. Having recovered somewhat from the shock caused by her misfortunes, she determined to return to the West Branch valley and found a home for herself and children on the tract of land granted to her husband west of Lewisburg through the "Officers' Surveys," for his services in the Bouquet expedition. With this resolve she left the home of her parents the subsequent October and performed the wonder- ful feat of riding on horseback, carrying her young child, Liberty, aud leading a cow, from Shippensburg to her Buffalo valley home. How the other children got through is unknown, but they did and joined their resolute mother. There she lived until October 20, 1783, when she died, aged forty-eight years. A marble tablet in the cemetery at Lewisburg, with an appropriate inscription, marks her grave.

THE INDIANS AT WORK AGAIN.

After the death of Brady the Indians seemed emboldened and began their nefarious work again. They knew that their most dangerous enemy was dead. The authorities, however, were on the alert. April 14, 1779, President Reed wrote Colonel Hunter that General Washington had ordered General Hand to march from Minisink to Wyoming " with about 600 men," which he thought would be a competent force for the protection of this valley .as well as Wyoming. He recommended Hunter to ap- ply to him for a sufficient number of men to support the post at Fort Muncy. A new company of militia was being recruited, and commissions were forwarded for Cap- tain McElhatton, First Lieut. Robert Arthur, and Second Lieut. John Daugherty, the officers recommended to command it.

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DEATH OF CAPT. JOHN BRADY.

On the 27th Colonel Hunter acknowledged the receipt of the commissions for the officers to serve for nine months, and informed President Reed that Arthur had de- clined to serve, and McElhatton and Daugherty had not yet reached the county. He did not know whether they would accept, but if they declined he thought others could be secured who would.

MEDICINE BADLY NEEDED.

The outlook continued discouraging. Colonel Hunter informed Council by letter that they were at a great loss for medicine for the "poor wounded men." Dr. Benjamin Allison, who had " always attended the militia of this county," he con- tinued, " both in the camp and at Sunbury, had consumed what he had of his own, and never was allowed anything but his pay as surgeon. He had lost his case of surgical instruments, and there were none in the county. This fact he mentioned, because he did not know where to apply for another."

This letter was carried to the Supreme Executive Council by James Hepburn, who was also instructed to impart other points of information not alluded to in the correspondence.

About this time Captain Walker, who built Fort Muncy, and had rendered such efficient service in the way of protecting the infant settlements, seems to have taken his departure, but the records fail to give the time or where he went. Probably his departure was caused by the consolidation of Colonel Hartley's regiment with the . New Eleventh, on account of its decimated condition. It is a source of regret that so little has been preserved of the personal history of this brave and faithful officer. Colonel Hartley says that he entered the service with him as a lieutenant in his Con- tinental regiment, from Pennsylvania, " and on account of his merit was appointed captain on my request, January 23, 1778, and whilst under my command he was a punctual, brave, and deserving officer, and acquitted himself with the highest repu- tation." The last we hear of him was when he was transferred to the Second regiment, Pennsylvania Line, January 17, 1781.

William Maclay, writing to Council April 27, 1779, expressed much alarm for the safety of the settlements. "From the incursions that are being made it seems that the whole force of the Six Nations is being poured down upon us. How long we will be able to bear up under such complicated and severe attacks, God only knows." He feared that "the spring crops will be lost," and that the want of bread will be "added to our other calamities." The constant cry was for more men to protect the frontier. He believed that the most effectual way of striking a blow at the savages would "be to carry another expedition immediately into their own country," and he strongly advocated such a movement.

Mr. Maclay also advocated "hunting the scalping parties of Indians with horse- men and dogs." Dogs, it was known, would follow, and even seize them when urged by their masters. For this scheme he was subjected to some ridicule, but that did not shake his confidence in its success. But it does not appear to have been carried out.

So threatening did the Indians become on the West Branch, that General Hand was at last convinced that he must do something to protect the people here. On the 15th of May he reported a garrison of 100 men at Fort Jenkins, 100 at

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HISTORY OF LYCOMING COUNTY.

Fort Muncy, and 70 at Sunbury. These were all Continental veterans drawn from the Eleventh regiment. There was a local company of militia enlisted for nine months, commanded by Capt. John Kemplen, stationed at Bossley mills, and smaller detachments at Fort Freeland and minor posts.

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History of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, Part 20

Author: edited by John F. Meginness Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1650

Author: edited by John F. Meginness
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1650