USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania. With illustrations descriptive of its scenery, palatial residences, public buildings, fine blocks, and important manufactories > Part 56
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156
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
When Mr. Cleaver had his health partially restored, he tanght school for some time and here no doubt, while pursuing this avocation, which has been the stepping-stone of so many of our American youths, his mind underwent that discipline, which peculiarly fitted it for the profession he afterward pursued. Mr. Cleaver, being a natural mechanic and mathematician, had a strong inclination for civil engineering, and when the first im- provement for the Middle Coal Field-the noble project uf constrneting the Danville and Pottsville Railroad was put into operation, he entered the Corps of Engineers as n peg driver. Ile was gradually promoted from one station to another until 1835, when he began as an engineer for that road. Upon this work he continued until 1836, when he removed to Pottsville and became connected with the Mt. Carbon Railroad. From this period until 1844 his time was variously divided on labors in this and Schuylkill County. During these years, Mr. Cleaver, at much personal cost aml labor, made most of the surveys, fcom which he afterwards constructed his grent map of the Middle Coal Fields of Pennsylvania. This work was of eminent service to capitalists, who have since become interested in our rich mineral regions, and rendered Mr. Cleaver one of the most useful and indispensable of men. The coal formation of Mt. Carmel, Coal, and Zerbet own- ships, so accurately represented on the comity map, is from the work of Mr. Cleaver.
During this time he located a route for a railroad from Shamokin to Danville, and also one from Shamokin to Pottsville, withont inclined planes.
From 1844 to 1850 he resided in Pottsville, and devoted most of his time to profes- sional laburs in that county.
In 1850 he removed to Shatnokin, where, in connection with Mr. II. Marshall, he has been connected with all the improvements that have metamorphosed our regions. He was Chief Engineer at Trevorton in locating and building its railroads to the Susquehanna, when that town emerged from a wilderness; and when Shamokin had finally awakened from an incubus of years, he was appointed principal engineer of the Philadelphia & Sunbury Railroad, of the collieries, and of laterol roads. Here he labored faithfully for ycors, und added many improvements to his genius.
In 1858, he was called to SchuylkillCounty to make some surveys in the mines at (i)co Carbon. Being much exposed to dampness, and sometimes in water up to his knees, of an icy temperature, he contracted a sickness, of which he died on the 19th of October, 1858, at Pottsville.
The announcement of his death created a pang of sorrow throughout the community in which he moved, and even in wider circles where his name had become familiar. His deecase was kindly noticed in the public prints of the day, and the different associa- tions with which he was connected passed resolutions, showing that they had lost more than an ordinary member.
Having given a hasty outline of Mr. Clenver's life, the sketeh will be concluded with a brief review of him, first as nn inventor, second as a politician, and lastly as a man.
Mr. Cleaver was a natural genius, but like Fitch and most inventors, his inventions never repaid him, but rather kept him poor.
Mr. Cleaver invented a droughting instrument, known as Cleater's Improred Protractor. The United States Government, appreciating the value of this instrument, kept the mian- ufacturer, W. J. Young, of Philadelphia, for some time employed in making them for the government serviec.
Mr. Cleaver gave much study to thesubject of electricity, with the view of introduc- ing it as an ngent in the propagation of news. Ile is entitled to the distinguished bonor of having first conceived and suggested the irles of n sob-inurine telegraph, and from his description of the apparatus, we are justified in the opinion, that he was not then aware of the Morse telegraph, which was invented in 1837 and not put in practical operation until 1844. The following article from the pen of Mr. Cleaver, in 1841, under the sig- nature of Cosmopolite, and published in a Harrisburg paper, will show that much credit for this great American invention is due to him.
" MR. EDITOR .- Dear Sir : I believe the time has now arrived, when the postulatum will be admitted, that the more intelligent the people are, and the better the facilities are fur conveying that intelligence from: State to State, and from nation to nation, the sooner will all distrusts and jealousy subside, and the human family be united in one harmonious whole. I admit 'the age of steam' affords facilities for conveying intelligence very rap- idly, and the broad Atlantic is traversed as a mill-pond, and Europe is brought to be our next-door neighbor; but if we con employ a messenger more expeditions, and equally truthful, then it is certainly our duty, as peace-maken, to tlo so. I mean electricity, which, of all materied agents that we are acquainted with, is the most fleet. Perhaps my readers will entertain some doubt us to the possibility of constructing an electric telegraph across the broad Atlantic; but only tell a Yankee boy that the project is impossible, and he will be sure to try it. Neither do I view it as a thing imposible, and will therefore briefly describe the plan, as follows: Manufacture a number of copper wires, equal in number to the letters in the alphabet, aml long enough to reach from the Capitol, at Washington, lo St. James' Palace, each wire being separately covered with silk, or some other non-conductor, then all being collectively covered with a strong, water-proof cover. ing, which would form a string of perhaps five inches in diameter; then assemble n suffi- cient number of water-crafts, and extend the string across the Atlantic, and at intervals say every two or three miles, fasten a weight, sufficient to sink the string, and nt a given
signal leave it down, retaining one end on shore at Washington, and one in England, and arrange the wires at both ends on a talile, each wire pointing to a letter of the alphabet, somewhat after the fashion of the keys of a piano-forte, and so constructed, that when a current of electric Ouid is communicated to either wire at one end of this string, it will produce an effect perceptible to one of the senses at the other end. Then, if any boun- dary or commercial treaties are to be negotiated, let the ministers of State be seated on a 'glass stool,' at this alphabeticol musicol table, and with an electricizing-machine supply the negotiators with the fluid; then, when he 'strikes the lyre' in truth, 'the nations would be as entranced.' Or, if a speech delivered in Congress is to be reported, let the reporters in the same way send it thrilling across the waters. It would be like uniting to the lightning's flash the thunder of our Republican eloquence, and 'earth's loveliest . bounds, and ocean's wildlast shore,' would be made vocal with the shouts of liberty.
Yours, &c.,
Pottaville, Pa.
COSMOPOLITE."
Mr. Cleaver invented a very ingenious car-box; the spiral shute, for breakers; the coal hammers, to take the place of rolls, in the preparation of coal; a cast-iron lock; and n new mode of framing, in place of mortise and tenon.
Mr. Cleaver had contemplated publishing a small work on the "Geology of the Coal Regions," which doubtless would have been of great interest.
As a politician, Mr. Cleaver did not belong to the modern class. He was no office- seeker, but preferred the quiet walks of private life.
Ile became connected with the Native American party, which started in 1844, and soun bemune one of the leaders. He was frequently nominated for office spositions which he never sought. In 1852, his party nominated him for Governor; in 1853, for Surveyor-General; in 1854, he was the American candidate for Congress in the Eleventh District; and in 1835 he was nominated for Canal Commissioner. For each of these offices he received a highly complimentary vote. In 1856, his name was placed on the Fillmore electoral ticket.
In private life he was universally esteemed. Possessed of strict integrity, and habits of industry, he won the good opinions of all. He was emphatically more than a comnion man, and his death left a void in social and scientific circles not easily filled.
"Patriot, yet friend to truth; of soul sincere, In netton faithful, and In honor elenr. Who broke no promise, served no private end, Who sought no title, and who lost no friend."
GENERAL DANIEL BRODHEAD.
One important feature of the Illustrated History of Northumberland County, will be the sketches of the lives and services of the prominent men, both dead and living. Their lives and acts enter into and form an essential part of the history of their times. With- out the lessons to be drawn from their self-denial and patriotism, the past would be but an imperfect guide for the future. One of the most notable men of Revolutionary times was Daniel Brodhend. General Brodhead was not a native of this County, nor did he spend much of his time while a soldier here; but the services rendered by him were so conspicuously productive of good to the people, and his magnanimous treatment of his enemies, was so marked in contrast with that of many others, and withal, the course pur- sued by him was so effectual in the accomplishment of the purposes of his campaign on the Susquehanna, that every fact and incident in the life of this truly great man is pub- lished.
In writing of the Revolutionary war, an author says: "The conflict was with the tomahawk and-scalping knife, united to the arm of scientific warfare; and to defend the country against the ravages of such a war, required inen of iron nerve, determined will' and no ordinary character;" and that "the skill, bravery and consummate judgment of able officers, and experienced fruntier soldiers saved the West from the diabolical system of subjugation, meditated by the British Ministry."
Looking back to that period, one is forced to conclude, that its actors, having achieved entire and glorious success, were so contented with their triumph, and happy in its en- joyment, that they fuiled to give just deference to any such thought, as that the genera- tions unbom, still more contented and happy, would yearn to know and be instructed in all the details of the war, as well as those general operations, which usually are matters of History, as those other oftimes more deeply interesting occurrences, which individual biography, can only furnish. Hence, the difficulty, at the end of n hundred years, in fur- nishing anything like a fair or just sketch of the lives of most of the members of the Revolutionary Army. All that can be now done, is to gather together scattered state- ments, found here and there, in publications issued from time to time, having other main objects in view, and thus scantily supplied, what a little more personal ambition, in such individuals, would have given to their posterity io the shape of a perfeet record. The following memoir, briefly prepared, of one of the men of much prominence in our corly history, but like most others of that period, without any specially prepared biography,
157
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
published at the time, when all could have been accurately delineated, is appropriately inserted here, inasmuch as nt a time of most urgent necessity, his services were devoted to the protection of Money, and the region round about.
In the Historical Collections of Pennsylvania, by Day, page 452, it is said: "Shortly after the Big Runaway (ns it was called,) Colonel Brodhend was ordered up with a force of 100 or 150 men, to rebuild Fort Muncy, and gnard the settlers while gathering their crops, which service he performed."
The Pennsylvania Archives, second series, vol. 3, page 215, contains n " Memorial of the Inhabitants of Muncy, dated June 10th, 1778, to the Ion, the Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania, which after stating their calamitous situation, pro- ceeds to say: "That upon being informed of the melancholy event of the 26th of June Inst, at Wyoming, the few militin which were stationed nt the little stands throughout the county, were called into the town of Sunbury, which so much alarmed the country, that every inhabitant, without exception, wero flying from the county, when they were in- formed that Colonel Brodhend, at the head of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment, who was with General M'Intosh on his march to the westward, at his own particular instance, bad obtained a permit from the General to come from Carlisle, to their relief. This account gave new life to the sinking spirits of such of the inhabitants as hud not gone too far witli their families to return, and induced your petitioners once more to attempt a stand, but are at the same time inter the greatest apprehensions of danger, when they are in- formed by the Colonel that he has no orders to stay amongst them." They, therefore, pray that an application be made to Congress for an order "to continue Colonel Brod- hend's Regiment, or some other Continental troops amongst them."
The following incidents in the life of Colonel, more generally known as General Daniel Brodhend, are all that we have been able to collect at the present time, His an- cestors were settled in Yorkshire, England, and after the Bestoration, one of them also named Daniel, a captain of Musketeers, was sent with Colonel Nicolls, to New York, in 1664; and after the surrender by the Dutch, wus appointed by Gov. N., in Itis, to the chief command of the militia at Esopus (now Kingston,) in Ulster County, un the Hud- son River. He was married in England to Ann Tye, by whom he had three bons. Richard, his third son, had a son Daniel, who was born in Ulster County, N. Y., in 1693, and married in Pennsylvania in 1737, and settled near Easton. He had several children, one of whom was Daniel Brodhead, the subject of this memoir. General Daniel Brod- head, was married to Elizabeth Depuy, daughter of Samuel Depny, residing near the Delaware, abont five miles eust of Stroudsburg, and one of the early settlers, a substan- tinì farmer, noted for his hospitality. By her he hud one child only, named Ann Gir- ton, who married Jasper Feiner, of Reading, Pa., and their children were Elizabeth, in- termarried with Captain Silas Webb, of Brouklyn, N. Y .; Margaret, with John Faulk, of Kittanning, Pa .; Daniel, who died unmarried, und Rebecen Justina, intermarried with Samuel Johnson, of Nenton, N. J. This lust daughter, after the death of her husband, removeil with her children, to Muncy, Lycoming County, where she resided until her death, in 1862, und where her surviving children now live. The following is an extract from the General's will, duted August 8th, 1809. "I give to my grandilanghter, Rebecca I. Jolmson (late Rebecca Heiner,) my miniature picture set in gold." "This little souve- mir is now held by her only surviving son, Hon. Henry Johnson, and is by him consid- ered of inestimable valne. It is the penciling of the best painters of that time, and looks as fresh as if just from the ensel. It represents the General as he was in military cos- tume of the year 1776, and it was painted just after his entering the Revolutionary Army.
The corliest mention of him is found in the Colonial Records, when under date of December 25th (yeur not stated,) it is recorded: " Accounts feom Easton of the whole country up the river being deserted, from thut to Brodhend's, who, with his sons und others, defended himself stoutly, till the Indians retired." This settlement of Brouhend's, wns probably not far from the mouth of the ereek which bears his name, or it might have been near the site of Stroudsburg. One of the sons, who defended themselves so gal- lantly, was no doubt the same who was afterwards distinguished in the Revolution, and in the subsequent Indian wars as General Brodhead, He had command at Fort Pitt, about the year 1780; and previous to that, lind charge of a garrison on the West Branch, He was particularly distinguished for his intrepidity and success in heading small par- ties of frontier men against the Indians," (Ilis. Col. p. 475.)
On the 15th of July, 1774, a provincial meeting of Deputies, chosen by the several counties in Pennsylvania, was commenced in Philadelphia. Daniel Brodhead, being elected and representing the conoty of Berks, he having removed to Rentling. The six- teen resolves, finally adopted unanimously hy this body, could have no other tendency than to hasten a final separation feom Great Britain. The last resolution, instructed their Representatives in the Assembly, "who are to meet next week," to appoint "members to attend a Congress of Deputies from the severul colonies, at such time and place ns may be agreed on, to effect one general plan of conduct."
In 1775, on the 10th of May, Congress proceeded to the organization of an army, placing General Washington at its head. The Assembly of Pennsylvania, immediately
took measures to raise forty-three hundred men apportioned to that province; made appropriation for their support, and the purchase of saltpetre. It authorized the enlist- ment of a battalion of eight companies for the Continental service, under Colonel John Bull, and fifteen hundred men for the defense of the province, until January, 1778, forming two battalions of Riflemen, under Colonel Mills, and Lieutenant Colonels Ennion Williams, and Daniel Brodhead, and one battalion of Infantry under Colonel Samuel Atlee .- (Ilis. Col. p. 35, 36.)
In 1776, he was in the battle of Long Island with his Pennsylvania Riflemen, in the report of which, it is stated, this regiment rendered distinguished service.
During the Revolutionary war, a garrison was maintained in the Fort at Pittsburg, which served to guard not only the settlement, but was also used as a central post, from which offensive expeditions could be set to attack the Indians on the northwest of the Ohio.
It has been stated, in the introductory portion of this article, that in 1778, he rebuilt and occupied Fort Muncy, having been authorized by his General to do so, on his urgent solicitation, and the favor with which he was received by the inhabitants is manifested by their memorial of June 10th, in that year.
The following letter, will show in what estimation he was held by the Father of his Country, and is given in full, as it supplies the date of his appointment to the command of the Western Department.
ILEADQUARTERS, MIDDLE BROOK, 5th March, 1779.
"SIR :- Brigadier General MeIntosh having requested from Congress leave to retire from the command to the westward, they have, by a resolve of the 20th of February, granted his request, and directed me to appoint an officer to succeed him. From my opinion of your abilities, your former acquaintance with the back country, and the knowledge you must have noquired upon this last tour of duty, I have appointed yon to the command in preference to a stranger, as he would not have time to gain the necessary information between that of his resuming the command and the commencement of operations.
"As soon as Congress hnd vested me with the superintendence of affairs to the west- ward, I gave General MeIntosh orders to make the preparations and inquiries contained in my letters of the 31st January, and Jath February last. Copies of these letters he will deliver to you, and will inform you how far he hath proceeded in the several matters recommended to him, and will likewise communicate to you what measures he may have taken and what orders may have been given towards the completion of the remainder.
" You will observe by my letter of the 15th February, that I have directed the Com- missary General, to endenvor to fnmmu his magazines by the Ist of Mny, by which time I hoje the other preparations will be in sufficient forwardness to move. To induce you to exert yourself to the pintust to be ready by the above time, I need only make use of my argument, which is, that the success of the intended expedition does not depend upon the progress of one boils of men, but upon the co-operation of several, anyone of which failing in point of time, may occasion the failure of the whole. The establishment of mleqnate magazines, and the preparation of a sufficient number of Bouts, of the kindl that may be deemed most proper, are what ought principally to engage your attention, should the inquiries concerning the Country, the waters, the distances, etc., be nut so complete as might be wished, we might yet proceed; but without the others we must be entirely at a stand.
" I hnd desired General Mcintosh to come down after he had put the matters recon- mended to him in a proper trim, and to bring down a list of sueli stores and other necessaries as might be wanting for the expedition. But I do not see inny there will be a possibility of your dning this. Had General MeIntosh have come down, you would have been fully com- petent to carrying on the preparations, but if you quit the just, I apprehend there will be no officer left of sufficient weight and ability. This is an opinion which I would wish you to keep to yourself, because it might give offence to officers in all other respects very worthy of the station they fill. I must therefore desire you to remnin at Fort Pitt, and you shall be from time to time fully informed of everything necessary for your Govern- ment.
" I have desired Gen. MeIntosh, in case you should be alsent, to send to you by a special messenger wherever you may be, and 1 must desire you to return to Fort Pitt with the utmost expeilitian, as yon will, notwithstanding every exertion, find the time which you have for the execution of the Business fall short for its coupletion.
I am Sir, Your most ob't and li'ble serv't,
GEO. WASHINGTON."
Col. Brodhead,
Shortly after this, at a conference of the Deluware Indian Chiefs the following con- plimentary communication, was made to Col. Brodhead, as found among his military pi- pers :
FORT PITT, April 9th, 1779.
"The Delawares at IL conference say :
"Of our ancestors, the good men of our nation, we have now handed you down the name, as we look upoo you, to be an upright man. You are henceforth called by us the Delaware nation, the Great Moon, that is, in Delaware, Maghingua Keeshock. Here- after our Great Grandchildren, yet unborn, when they come to the years of understanding, shall know that your name is handed down, as their Grand Father. All the speeches you now hand to the nations must be signed with your present name Mnghingna Kee- shock, and all the nations will address you by that name.
"There was four great good Kings of our nation. One of the names you have. Taime- need is another. We have yet two to bestow.
158
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
"Our ancestors in former times, they were of a good disposition, and are the cause of our now being as one Man. And now place yon in the same light with us. Now here- after perhaps those of our nation yet miborn are to know that that was the name of their
After the reception of this title, all the titles and spereher of Col. Bredhend to and from the Indians, were addressed to hian, und signed by this name. A letter bouk kept lay him, contains many very interesting and remarkable communications, tms urbiressed or signed, and all ought to be published in some enduring form. We can give but one at this time, as it neknowledgys the lionor conferred by the Delawares.
" Cul. Brodhead, or Maghingun Kveshock to the Chiefs of Hurons nt Coshocking. Brothers, the Hurons:
"I am much rejuired to hear from my friends nt Co-hocking, that you are on the road to take me by the hand at Fort Pitt, and you may expect a hearty weleame. I send yon this speech to inform you that what I told you before is true, and that you shall he well treated.
"Brothers, when you see me, yim will see your countrymen and not a stranger that makes fair speeches from his, for which his heart must tell him he is a liar. No, you will see a man well known to your Nephews, the Deluwares, and whom they have honored with a great name.
"Brothers, I wish you may be strong on your journey, aml make no delay on the road. I know you have a great way to travel and I send yon this string to wipe off' yoursweat.
MAGNINGUA KEESHOCK."
On the 22d of July, 1779, Col. Brodhead effected a tienty of peace und friendship, which is headed thus:
" Articles of Agreement and Confederation made mud entered into by Daniel Brod- head, ENp., Colonel Commanding the Western Department, for and in behalf of the United States of North America, of the one part, and the Ruven, Chief Warrior, and Shaweeskay or Peeweet Rird, Ochuniatuch or Red Parrot, Dol-cunnegh ar you say for nollung, Tockquaskeek or Tarpin and Shawtillce, Chiefs atul Warriors of the Cherokee Dation."
In this treaty, there is a provision, that if found conducive to the interest of both parties a state should be formed, to include other tribes, whereof the Delaware Nation shall be the head, and have n representation in Congress.
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