History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 46

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 46

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191

THE WAR OF 1812 AND THE MEXICAN WAR.

Sergeunts .- Jacob Smith, Dieter Bncher, Daniel Smith, George Smith. Corporals .- Daniel Stitzer, Jacob Sasaman, John Gilbert, Mathies Gilbert.

Privates.

George Smith, John Yorgy, Jacob Gilbert, Peter Herpst, John Wiehn, Henry Linsenbigler, Jacob Reifsnider, Conrad Drease, George Dengler, Anthony Gilbert, John Yerger, John Deeker, John Drase, John Herpst, Mareks Yerger, Peter Deeker, Isaac Yerger, John Kepner, Lewis Linsen- bigler, Daniel Swinehard, David Swinehard, Mathies Yorgy, Conrad Reigner, John Wise, Peter Hanberger, Samuel Beydenman, John Fred- erick, Michael Kortz, John Erb.

"We du certify, on honor, that the within roll exhibits a true state of the company commanded by Captain George Sensenderfer, and that the remarks set opposite the men's names are accurate and just.

"GEORGE SENSENDENFEN, Captain.

** THOS. IlUMPHREY, Colonel First R. P. V. R."

List of non commissioned officers and privates in the Third Company, commanded by Captain Jacob Wentz, of the Fifty-Second Regiment, First Brigade, Second Division Pennsylvania Militia, now encamped at Marcus Hook, under command of Lientenant-Colonel Conrad Krickbaum :

Sergeants .- William Choyce, George Ellicott, Isaac B. Kimible, Jacob Snyder, Abel Morris.

Corporals,-Abraham Gunsinhouser, David Williams, Jacob Slack, Joseph Ashton.

Privates.

Henry Wilson, Charles Hammer, William Burney, Jacob Deddier, James Dyer, Joseph Rynear, Jacob Brand, Jacob Engle, John Bisbing, Samuel Yerkes, Jesse Ramsey, Edward MeCoon, Jesse Donley, John Barnes, Andrew Kreer, Israel Gilbert, Gilbert Walton, George S. Yerkes, John Cooker, Jacob Cammel, John Henry, Henry Foust, Michael Hurlougher, George Shade, George Reed, Philip Daywalt, George Jacob, Jacob Crouse, Daniel Bry, Israel Thomas, Elon Carmon, William Linn, John Henry, Henry Miller, Jesse Johnston, Richard Drake, William Johnston, Jobn Harr, Jolin Trexler, Elias Gilkeson, John Washburn, Jacob Redheifer, John Getman, Samuel Wright, Abner Cope, Philip Smith, John Kreer, James Wentz, Jacob Daring, Jobn Stetler, Isaac Root, John Sherer, Samuel Thatcher, Francis Tomlinson, John Reed, Samuel Lessig, Joseph Ettinger, John Bighoard, George Sholler, David Wambold, Edward Sweeny, Tobias Shull, Jesse Gilbert, Thomas West, Jacob Smith, Christian Burns, John Forker, John Weeks, William Roberts, Benjamin Yerkes, Henry Kreer, William Mann, Samuel Davis, Andrew Roberts, Charles Search, Benjamin Yerkes, Jr., Jacob Larkins, Elias Harsh, John Whitman, John Ilaring, Peter Kolb, Matthias Showeck, John Morty, Henry Zeiber, Conrad Bender, Christian Long, James Kelly, Benjamin Valentine, llenry Grub (entered into service October 8th), Edward Carson, Jacob Land.

"I certify npon honor that the foregoing is a correct list of non- commissioned officers and privates under my command. " JACOB WENTZ, Captain."

" I certify, upon honor, that this muster-roll exhibits a true statement of a company of the Montgomery County militia, of the State of Pennsyl- vania, now in the service of the United States. The remarks set opposite the names of the men are accurate and just. 1 believe the annexed to be a correct muster and pay-roll.

" EDWARD JOHNSON, First Lieutenant."

"CONBLAD KRICKBAUM, Lieutenant-Colonel."

" I certify that the company commanded by Captain Jacob Wentz is in the service of the United States, under orders of the general com- manding the Fourth Military District.

"SAMUEL SMITH, Brigadier-General."

"Camp Marcus Hook."

" PHILADELPHIA, October 1, 1814.

"Sir: Your letter of the twenty-sixth ult. was this day received. There are in and near this city, in the counties of Philadelphia and Ches- ter, a considerable number of companies of cavalry, completely equipped,

pany from Northampton Conuty, that their several companies are to form a battalion, to be attached until further orders to the regiment commanded by Colonel Thomas Humphrey, and that this afternoon, he- tween the hours of four and six o'clock, the officers and privates com- pusing said battalion are to meet at the new prison, and elect one major to command the same. The commanding officers of the said companies to select two competent judges to preside at the election, and make re- turn thereof to the governor, that a commission may issne accordingly. " SIMION SNYDER.

" N. B. BUILEAU, Ail-de-Camp."

and extremely anxious to be called into service. They all (like your company) have orders to hohl themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning. Your patriotism is much applauded, and deservedly 80 ; but poder existing circumstances, it is still thought most advisable that yon shall not march for this place before you receive special orders. Tents and other equipments for the field cannot be procured suddenly. It would give the Governor much pleasure to see your company march as infantry for the defense of this important section of the State. In that capacity you could render much more important service. Impelled, as was your company, from pure patriotism to offer their services, the Governor entertains no doubt they will be willing to render it in any way likely to prove most efficient. You will find an answer to your eu- quiries relative to the right of admission from one corps to another in the fifteenth section of the militia law of this Commonwealth, passed the twenty-eighth day of March, 1814.

" N. B. BOILEAU, Secretary."

[This letter is supposed to have been written to the commanding officer of the First Troop of Montgomery County. ]

Montgomery County Troops Serving in the Philadelphia Riots of 1844 .- The following is the official roster of field, staff, line officers and enlisted men called into the service of the State from Mont- gomery County who served during the riots in Phila- delphia, or were on their way to "headquarters," under the proclamation of the Governor of the com- monwealth and commander-in-chief, in the year 1844.

The citizen soldiers of Montgomery County re- sponded promptly to the call of the Governor when the strong arm of the commonwealth was required to repress the lawless spirit that rendered the civil au- thorities and the city of Philadelphia powerless in the summer of 1844. The fire and smoke of burning churches and adjoining buildings in the alarmed city could be plainly seen from the hills in our county, and many of the living still remember the sense of fear that was felt in all the towns in the Schuylkill Valley. The military moved promptly to the scene of danger, and by their presence, discipline, courage and good conduct soon restored order and confidenee in the city and surrounding country. The record of their public service is a part of the history of Mont- gomery County.

First Troop of Montgomery County Calvary .- The precise date when this volunteer company was organized cannot now be definitely determined, as there are no books or papers now in existenee (as far as the writer knows) which would fix its organiza- tion. We, therefore, have to resort to the oldest inhabitants now living to get what we can from them with regard to its early history, and from information received we conclude that it was organized shortly after the war of 1812,1 and may have been in exist- ence even prior to that time. There is yet living a citizen who became a member in the year 1835, whose father had beeu a member many years before that, so that we may safely conclude that the time before mentioned is about correct. The troop was then under

1 The Montgomery Troop of Light Horse, commanded by Captain James Morris, Esq., paraded in the Grand Federal Procession, Phila- delpbia, July 4, 1788. (Scharf and Westcott " Philadelphia History." vol. i. p. 448.) This is believed by many to be the organization subse- quently known as the "First Troop of Montgomery County."-En.

192

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the command of Captain John Mattheys of Norriton township, who was afterwards elected to the State Senate. It was known by the name of the First Democratic Troop of Montgomery County, and numbered about one hundred members. The uni- form then was as follows: Black leather cap covered with bearskin, with a buck-tail on the right side; navy blue coatee, with scarlet breast facing, three rows of round silver-plated buttons about the size of a musket ball, one row in the centre and the other two on the outer edge of the scarlet facing, which was circular in form, silver braid around the collar ; navy blue pantaloons with scarlet stripe one and one- fourth inches wide down the outer seam, black cravat, long boots, silver-plated spurs, white buckskin sword-belt, which passed over the right shoulder, ex- tending down to the left side, with silver-plated hooks by which the sword was attached, silver-plated medal in front, bearing upon its face the device of a mounted trooper, and buckskin gauntlets. The horse equip- ments consisted of a double bridle, with silver-plated curb and snaffle-bits, breast-strap with silver-plated breast-plate the shape of a heart; saddle, plated stirrups, blue saddle-cover, covering the saddle and extending as far back as the hips of the horse, with · a stripe of red cloth one and a half inches wide around the outer edge. The cost of this uniform and horse equipments at the time the writer became a member (1841) was about one hundred dollars ; the sword and pistol holsters and other accoutrements were furnished by the State.

This troop outranked all other military organiza- tions of the county. It may be proper to state in this connection that there was another military or- ganization, known as the Second Troop of Mont- gomery County, having about the same number of members, but differing from the First Troop in politics. Notwithstanding this difference, a general good feeling existed between them. They formed themselves into a battalion and each company endeavored to excel the other in drill and military deportment. After the resignation of Captain John Mattheys, Jacob Scheetz, son of General Henry Scheetz, of Whitemarsh township, was elected captain How many years he continued in command is not known. Next in command was William Z. Mattheys, son of the former Captain John Mattheys, who was a brilliant officer, and the troop was in a high state of drill while under his command, which continued until about 1839. Then Robert Pollard was elected captain, but only served one year, when Dr. John A. Martin (who had been surgeon of the troop) was elected captain ; Adam Hurst, first lieutenant ; Henry G. Hart, second lieutenant ; David Z. Mattheys, first orderly sergeant. The troop then numbered about seventy-five members, and there was a general attend- ance at every meeting for drill. They had a high regard for their captain, and he in turn took pride in teaching them the tactics and discipline of a

soldier. There were some changes made in the membership : old members who had served as volun- teers the required time according to the militia laws of the State would retire from the service and young men would fill their places, thus keeping the company up to the standard it had held for so many years. In the month of July, 1844, a serious riot broke out in the city of Philadelphia, which was beyond the control of the police force of the city, and the mayor called upon the Governor of the State for troops to quell the riot.

The first to reach the scene was a company from Germantown, who were badly handled by the rioters on Sunday night, some being killed and many wounded. On Monday, about noon, Captain Martin received orders from the Governor to proceed with the troop to the city, and, although the members lived scattered over the middle and lower section of the county, by eight o'clock of the same evening nearly every member reported for duty (many of them, being farmers, had to leave their crops unharvested). At one o'clock the next morning they commenced their march for the city, arriving at the outskirts about daybreak. Many of the rougher classes shouted at them as they passed on to the headquarters of Gen- eral Patterson, who was in command of all the mili- tary, his headquarters heing in the Girard Bank, on Third Street, near Dock. The troop was ordered to quarters at Douglass' Hotel, on Sixth Street, and were ordered to report at headquarters three times each day,-at nine in the morning, two in the afternoon and seven in the evening. They stood in line in front of the bank in the scorching sun of July, with the privi- lege of dismounting and standing by their horses, as it was expected every hour that an attack would be made at some point by the rioters. This routine of duty continued from Tuesday until Saturday night, when it was thought there would be no further dis- turbance of the peace. The troop was, therefore, at five o'clock dismissed to await further orders, but was not required to report at seven, as had been the custom. Consequently the members availed themselves of the opportunity of seeing something of the city, and were scattered about at different places. But about eight o'clock an officer from headquarters rode with orders to mount immediately and report to Gen- eral Patterson, as there was an attack made at the Moyamensing Prison to release some of the pris- oners. The alarm spread all over the city, and there was a rally for boots and saddles and mount, and in a very short time every member was in his place ready for service. As the troop reached Third Street they found the street packed with people in front of General Patterson's headquarters and extending up and down several squares. The sentinels in front of the bank were unable to keep the crowd back, but as the column pressed on, the people gave way, and a passage was cleared in front of the bank and the crowd began to diminish.

193

THE WAR OF 1812 AND THE MEXICAN WAR.

The next order was that the First Troop, together offering the services ofthe troop was discussed. Several of the members concluded that it was impossible for them to leave their families and farms (and it was com- taken it was a tie. It is but proper to state in this connection that this was not a party vote, but each member voted as he viewed his own private circum- stances, and although the troop did not go as then organized, many of the single men volunteered in other companies and several lost their lives on battle- fields. Owing to the continuation of the war and the members enlisting in other military organizations, the troop disbanded after an existence of about fifty years. with Captain Archambault's troop from Bucks County, should proceed to the prison to ascertain the state of affairs there. When the prison was reached, some of posed largely of farmers), and when the vote was the officers rode forward and found that it was a false alarm. The troops returned to headquarters and re- ! ported all quiet. They were then dismissed for the night, and, as there was no further outbreak, all were discharged on the following Tuesday and returned to their homes. At the commencement of the Mexican war Captain Martin proposed to offer the services of the troop to the government, but a number of mem- bers refused to accede to the proposition. Many withdrew, and shortly after Dr. Martin resigned and went to California. Lientenant Hurst was elected FIRST TROOP MONTGOMERY COUNTY CAVALRY. captain, but the membership declined very much and John A. Martin, captain ; Adam Hurst, second lieutenant. was on the eve of disbanding when Dr. Martin re- Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates. turned from California. There was a proposition to William Bickins, Henry Baker, James Burnsides, Samuel Beyer, Rich- ard Bickins, George Burkheimer, Samnel Beideman, Joseph Bruner, Jesse Bean, Joseph Cleaver, Henry Culp, Levi Cope, Philip Custer, George Cowden, Lemuel Eastburn, Amos Erh, Bennet Fulmer, Allen Fleck, Philip S. Gerheard, Peter Gilbert, Franklin Gouldy, Joseph Hague, Daniel S. Heist, Jacob Highly, James Highly, Jacob Hallman, Hiram C. Hoover, Jacob Hoover, Andrew Hart, George Hoof, Jacob Hurst, David Lukens, William Logan, Samuel Lightcap, David %. Matheys, William Martin, Charles Newman, Elwood Norney, Isaiah Richards, George Sen- senderfer, Conrad shive, William Teany, John Walker, George H. Wentz. re-elect him, when Captain Hurst withdrew altogether from the troop, which was then reorganized by the election of Dr. J. A. Martin, captain; H. C. Hoover, first lieutenant; and Jacob Hoover, second lieutenant. The nniform was also changed to the following: Beaver cap ornamented with horsehair plume and eagle in front, buff cord and tassels; blue coat, with buff collar, cuffs and skirt faeings, oval buttons (vel- SECOND TROOP MONTGOMERY COUNTY CAVALRY. low); sky-blue pantaloons, with a buff stripe down the Richard A. Edey, captain ; Henry S. Hitner, first lieutenant ; John Wentz, second lieutenant. outer seam one and one-fourth inches wide, blaek cravat, long boots, yellow spurs and white sword-belt Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates. with plate in front. The borse equipments were similar John Foulke, surgeon ; Charles T. Rogers, cornet ; Abram Weaver, first sergeant ; Jolin I. Kersey, quartermaster; William II. Cress. Isaac Bell, George W. Bishing, Lephemia Bolton, Moulton C. R. Dager, Mark Dehaven, Allen Dunehower, William H. Eder, Henry Edey, An- drew Famous, George Famons. Charles Fisher, George W. Fisher, Jere- minh Freas, Walton Freas, William Fratt, Alexander Fulton, William Gilmore, Charles Hallowell, George B. Hampton, Stacey Haines, George W. Henderson, William Hiltner, Jacob Hinkle, Septimus W. Jones, John P. Knapp, David Livergood, William M. Lukens, Isaac Markley, William Michener, Edward Preston, Ross Ranibo, Renben Y. Ramsey, Edward Rhine, Anderson Stewart, Charles stewart, Mark Supplee, George W. Supplee, Thomas Tomlinson, Washington Ulrich, Charles Weak, Abram Wentz, Thomas H. Wentz, Mordecai Dehaven. trumpeter. to the former, except yellow mounting was used in- stead of silver-plated. Many of the old members re- fused to equip themselves in the new uniform, but the ranks were soon filled by new members without regard to politics, as the Second Troop had disbanded, and, according to the fourth article of the constitu- tion adopted, any white male person of good moral character between the ages of eighteen and forty-five would be eligible to membership, but must receive the vote of two-thirds of the members present at the meeting when proposed, provided a majority of the UNION GREY ARTILLERISTS. members be present at such meeting. The members Nicholas K. Shoemaker, (commanding), first lieutenant ; George Lower, Solomon Katz, second lientenants. were nearly equally divided politically, and the same military deportment characterized the membership Non- Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates. which had always heretofore made it respected wherever it paraded.

Charles Thomson Jones, of Roxborough, captain of the Roxborough troop, extended an invitation to the First Troop of Montgomery County to participate in the unveiling of the monument erected in the Leverington Cemetery in memory of Virginia soldiers of the Revolutionary war who were surprised and bayoneted while asleep by a squad of British soldiers sent by a Tory. The troop accepted the invitation and participated in the ceremonies. General Patter- son and several other prominent military men were present.

At the opening of hostilities of the civil war a meet- ing was ordered by the captain, and the question of

Samuel H. Aiman, Charles Aiman, Samuel Armstrong, Robert Arthur, John Bickel, Jacob Risbing, Joshua Copelberger, Charles Donat, Chris- tian Donat, Robert Francis, Charles Gerhart, Eli Hoover, Adamı Hoffman, Stephen Ilaley, William Knipe, Joseph Kline, Christopher Keyser, Dan- iel Keyser, Edward Lower, Christopher Lower, Henry Lower, Joseph Mengesser, John Peterman, Edmund Stout, Peter Stott, Joseph Simmons, Charles Shaffer, Jonathan Shafter, John Shaffer, Christopher Smith. Samuel Van Winkle.

THE FIRST NATIONAL DRAGOONS.

Daniel Fry, captain ; Theodore Garber, first lieutenant ; Dr. William B. Ilahn, surgeon.

Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates.

Abraham W. Beard, first sergeant; Frederick M. Graff, quartermas- ter-sergeant ; Uriah Grubb, cornet ; Henry Kline, musician ; John II. Ashenfelter, Frederick Emery, Peter Fry, William S. Gilbert, John Razor, Ephraim A. Schwenk, Jacob Walt, Frederick Weideroder, Adam Yerger, William Evans, William Fisher, Rudolph Mauck, George Swell, Charles D. Smith, Charles Williams, John Wismer.

194

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

NEW HANOVER ARTILLERISTS.

Frederick Brendlinger, captain ; Solomon Stetler, first lieutenant ; Solo- mou Brendlinger, second lieutenant.

Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates.

Peter Y. Brendlinger, James Harbst, Benjamin Bushong, JJacob Feather, Samuel Mowrer, Daniel Polsgrove, Jacob Binder, George Den- gler, Ilenry Decker, Deiler Bushiong, Henry Newman, George Miller, Solomon Kurtz, Isaac Saylor, Aaron Polsgrove, John Stichler, Philip Koons, Francis Garber, Thomas Stichler, Joseph Christmas, William Egolf.

GOSCHIENHOPPEN GRAYS.

Henry H. Dotts, raptain; Martin Mager, first lieutenant ; Sammel Welker, second lieutenant.

Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Prirates.

Daniel Urffer, Jonathan Gerg, Henry Mock, William Graber, John Hersch, Jonathan Roeder, Reuben Gerg, John Mock, Charles Nuss, Matthias Rummel, John P. Reifsnyder, John Dotts, Ezra Brey, Jesse Gerg, Jesse Pannebecker, William Hersch, Joseph Hersch, Jacob Iloff- man, Edward Styer, George Seasholtz, William Sell, George Erh.

[In this return the name of Jonathan Roeder is returned as having served as a private. The services were performed by-Stahler, as will appear by the muster-roll made at the time of service. The reason for returning the name of Roeder is that he is a member of the company, and employed Stahler, who is not a member, as a substitute to serve for him, and the transaction being between themselves, the company recog- nized only Roeder ; his name is returned for the compensation. }

WASHINGTON GRAY ARTILLERISTS. Jesse B. Davis, captain ; David Trucksess, first lieutenant.

Non-Commissioned Oficers, Musicians and Privates.

Andrew Allebongh, Adam Ashenfelter, John M. Bean, Jacob Bur- kimer, John Coulston, Cephas Davis, Albert Dehaven, Theophilus Dew- ecse, Peter Fry, Abraham Foust, Henry W. Foust, Jacob Gotwals, Wil- liam Gillis, Daniel Green, David Gouldy, Joseph Keel, James McBride, John Nungesser, George Niblo, Philip Peters, John Richardson, William Roberts, William Royer, Joseph Reese, William B. Shupe, Thomas Sny- der, Francis A. Sperry, Bernard Streeper, William Smith, Henry Somers, William Wise, Peter Wagoner, Ezekiel Williams, Lewis Ulman.

MONTGOMERY GUARDS.

Heary Freedley, captain ; Thomas W. Potts, first lieutenant ; William B. Haha, second lieutenant.

Non-Commissioned Oficers, Musicians und Privates.

Ellis Aker, Jolın Carl, Frederick Conrad, Isaiah W. Davis, John Erby Joseph Fulforth, Samuel Groff, Frederick IIaas, Thomas Hastin, Spencer Hutnot, Luther Kennedy, John Keeler, George Keen, Philip S. Kirk, Juha K. Major, James Moyer, Edward Magee, James Mendenhall, Jacob Murry, Jonathan l'untzler, Benedict D. Potts, William Rapine, James W. Schrack, John Shanor, Lewis Sickel, Florence Sullivan, I. Lewis Worrell.

SUMNEYTOWN ARTILLERISTS.

John D. Apple, captain ; Jesse Fenstermacher, second lieutenant.

Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates.

Jacob Gilbert, George Gaugler, William Gilbert, Daniel Hefner, Charles Horsh, Henry Ilersh, Joha Hummel, John Kepp, Henry Nace, John Royer, Christian Royer, Tobias Schuyler, John Schuyler, William Sheffer.

LAFAYETTE BLUES.

George I. Williams, captain ; Charles Gerheart, first lietenant.

Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates.

Daniel McClelland, first sergeant; George Nuss, second sergeant : Lewis Hollman, third sergeant ; Joseph Stackhouse, fourth vergeant ; Francis Kehr, Jessu B. Fisher, musicians ; Joseph Booze, Gideon Beck, George Bowers, Thomas Betting, Nathan Barnes, George Brownholtz Isaac Brunt, Charles Brittain, George Cramar, Isaac Daves, William Frantz, John Foster, Joseph Hannabury, Daniel Heller, Richard Jack- BOD, William Kesell, Azor Kerbaugh, John Matthias, Peter Miller, John Nuss, Frederick Nash, George W. Nanneth, Francis Ott, Lewis Ott, l'at- rick Rodgers, Samuel Seddinger, Samuel Snyder, Charles Smith, William Trexler, Jereminh Trexler, Josiah Widener, William Winkler, privates.

[Joraim Engleman, second lieutenant of the company, marched with the company as far as Eighth and Market Streets, and then returned to his home. He was not reported at headquarters,

Isaac Daves had a severe attack of camp-fever after he . eturned home, and lay for many weeks in a very dangerous condition. John Foster was never well after his return. He died in the month of February.]

PENNSYLVANIA DEFENDERS.

Samnel Bradford, captain ; Heary O'Neal, first lieutenant.

Non-Commissioned Officers, Musicians and Privates.

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 46

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534