USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > History of Washington County : from its first settlement to the present time, first under Virginia as Yohogania, Ohio, or Augusta County until 1781, and subsequently under Pennsylvania > Part 47
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On the 28th of April, 1783, Rev. James Finley reported to Hon. John Dickinson, President of Council, that as the honorable council had appointed him to fulfil the intentions of the legislature, by en- deavoring to bring these deluded citizens in the western counties to a proper sense of their duty, who seemed disposed to separate from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and erect a new and independent State and to act as prudence might dictate, he therefore would give the following account of his commission :-
Immediately upon the receipt of the appointment and the instruc- tions, he set off to gain all the knowledge he could of the sentiments of the people in the different parts of the settlement. He found that the inhabitants on the east side of Youghiogheny River were mostly opposed to a new State, that a considerable number of people be- tween the Youghiogheny and the Monongahela River, and a great part of Washington County was in favor of it, being misled by a few aspiring and ill-designing men, or men who had not thoroughly con- sidered the whole matter, which latter was the case of some of the clergy.
Rev. Finley also reported that he found that the act to prevent the erecting any new and independent State, and likewise the act for the sale of certain lands therein mentioned, of December 3, 1782, quite intimidated and discouraged the populace, who had been buoyed up with the hopes of easily obtaining, and prospects of great advan-
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tage of, a new State; he therefore called upon a number of the ministers and other gentlemen, conversed with some and wrote to others, as well as cautioned the people, after sermon, against the forma- tion of a new State.
Rev. Finley resided six weeks among and visiting the people, and wrote a letter upon the subject of the formation of a new State, in which he used the following arguments : That its formation would be premature and unjust and dangerous to the settlement, that the expenses incurred in its formation and support would be greater than the people could bear; that Pennsylvania has a clear title to all the lands within her boundary; that Congress treated an application for a new State with the greatest displeasure; that as Christians it be- comes the people to be honest, peaceful, and submissive, and that they should pay their taxes and quietly submit to the laws of the State.
Rev. Finley, at the termination of his labors, assured the Supreme Executive Council that he was satisfied in his own mind that the new State affair was finally and forever settled, which proved to be the case, and the act of the Council, passed in December, 1782, de- claring it treason to attempt the formation of a new State, assisted the well-disposed citizens to urge upon all immediate and uncondi- tional submission, and the abandonment of so wicked a project.
The contemplated limits of the new State, says James Veech, Esq., was to include Western Pennsylvania, Ohio east of the Muskingum, and Virginia northeast of the Kanawha, with PITTSBURG as the seat of empire.
CHAPTER III.
INDIAN HISTORY OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND VIRGINIA.
Names of all the tribes of North America in 1764-Those inhabiting Western Pennsylvania and adjoining territory-Letters on the Indian wrongs from 1765 to 1780-Rice's fort-Letters from Dr. J. C. Hupp on Miller's block- house-Captivity and escape of Jacob Miller, and the cruel murder of five of Miller's friends-Vance's fort-Wells's fort-Lindley's fort.
IN 1764, John Stuart, Esq., Superintendent of Indian Affairs, received from his majesty a plan for the future management of Indian affairs in America. This plan was submitted on the 10th of July, 1764, by the commissioners of trade, consisting of Lord Hillsborough, George Riec, B. Gascoygne, and J. Dyson, and approved by his majesty. This plan consists of forty-three articles, regulating all matters connected with the several tribes of Indians. The second
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article divides the whole British dominion into two districts, making the river Ohio the boundary line, but shortly afterwards these same commissioners, finding that several of the northern nations had not only claims and interest, but possibly actual possession and residence to the south of some parts of the Ohio River, they had recourse to distinguishing each district by naming the several tribes to be com- prehended within each. It will also be observed that the Piankishaws, Wawiaghtonos, and other tribes which resided upon the Wabash and other rivers to the north of the confluence of the Ohio with the Mississippi, they placed in the northern district.
I shall enumerate first the names of the tribes of the northern district of North America, in alphabetical order-
Arundacks, Algonkins, Abinaquis, Arsigunticooks, Cayugas, Conoys, Caghnawagas, Canassadagas, Chippewaghs (or Missisagais), Delawares, Folsavoins, Foxes, Hurons, Illinois, Keskesias, Kicka- pous, Mohocks, Meynomenis, Masconteus, Mickmacks, Nanticokes, Norwidgewalks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Oswegatchies, Ottawas, Paw- tiwatamais, Puano, Piankashaws, Penobscots, Senecas, Saponeys, Skaghquanoghronos, Shawnese, Saxes, Sioux, St. Johns, Tuscaroras, Tutceres, Twightiveas, Wawiaghtonos, Wyandotts, amounting to 42.
Second, the Indian tribes in the southern district-
Attacapas, Bayuglas, Beluxis, Cherokees, Creeks, Chickasaws, Chactaws, Catawabas, Humas, Ofulgas, Peluches, Querphas, Tuni- cas, amounting to 13.
Before writing of the Indian wars which took place in Western Pennsylvania and the territory adjoining, it will be well to state the residence of some of these tribes for the benefit of the general read- er, who desires to investigate the subject and read Indian history understandingly.
Those tribes of Indians who inhabited Pennsylvania and the adjoining colonies, were the " Six Nations," known originally as the Five Nations, called by the French, Iroquois. . These five tribes consisted of the MOHAWKS and ONEIDAS (which were the oldest), SENECAS, ONONDAGOS, and CAYUGAS. In 1712, the Tuscaroras, who had resided in North Carolina, were driven off from their hunt- ing grounds in the southern district, and became the SIXTH of this powerful Indian confederacy. They were called the Six Indian Nations, because they all spoke the same language.
In describing the settlement of these Six Nations, it cannot be done in more appropriate language than in the words of an Oneida Chief, at a conference with the Indians held in 1762. In addressing the Governor, James Hamilton, he says :-
" It was we of the Mohawks, Oneidas, Senecas, Onondagos, Cayugas, and Tuscaroras, that first brought about the good work of peace. The Mohawks and Oneidas are the eldest of the Six Nations, both of a height. I will let you know the Mohawks are the eldest, yet they are the furthest off to the eastward. When they hear anything, they pass through the Oneidas to the Onondagos, where the council fire burns. Likewise when the Senecas hear anything, they
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come to the Cayngas, because they are next to the Onondago council, so that whenever they hear anything to the east or west, it is carried to the Onon- dago council."
In other words, there are only two doors to the Onondago council fire, either through the Mohocks in the east, or the Senecas in the west. This Indian confederacy of the Six Nations embraced what now comprises the States of Western New York, Northwestern Penn- sylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and their influence was felt even to the Mississippi, and in faet all the Indian tribes of the northern jurisdic- tion, more particularly the six western Indian tribes called the Dela- wares, Shawnese, Twightees, Wiwaghtamies, Kickapoes, and Tusea- roras. The remains of these Six Indian Nations still exist, but in very small numbers, by reservations secured to them by the States of New York and Pennsylvania. On the 25th of January, 1866, the legislature of Pennsylvania directed a monument to be erected to the memory of CORNPLANTER, of the Seneca tribe, and a principal chief of the Six Nations, for his distinguished services in behalf of the Revolutionary war. The monument was erected at Jennesadaga, Warren County, Pa., and dedicated with appropriate honors. Leaving Gy-ant-wa-chia, or Cornplanter, the last chief of the Senecas and of the Iroquois or Six Nations, buried in his last home, the old home- stead in which he lived and died at the age of one hundred years, we trace our steps to speak of Indian war, Indian cruelty, and Indian barbarity, made upon the early pioneers of the land upon which we dwell.
The first Indian war with which we as a county are immediately interested, was that of 1763, when all the Indian nations of the western country united against the frontier settlements of Pennsyl- vania and Virginia and other colonies. We have already, in our first chapter, exhibited the authority of the colonies of Pennsylvania and Virginia to restrain their citizens from making settlements west of the Allegheny Mountains, because the lands were claimed by the Indians. The indomitable courage of our people was neither daunted by government or fear, but gradually they made settlement after set- tlement, erected forts and block-houses, until the Indians resolved to take up arms in their own defence. They therefore resolved on a general massacre of all the white people not only in the western country, but along the Susquehanna, where many of their tribes were settled.
History tells us that their first attack was against the English traders settled at different points, and out of about one hundred and twenty, but two or three escaped ; that the garrisons of Presque Isle, St. Joseph, and Michilimakinac, were taken and a general slaughter ensued, and that it was with great difficulty that the forts at Bedford, Ligonier, Niagara, Detroit, and Pittsburg, were preserved. Fort Pitt being far from the settlements, the Indians resolved to reduce it by famine, but failed in the attempt.
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That the Indians were exasperated to this course of conduct, we can readily imagine from the tenor of the following letters :-
WINCHESTER, 30th April, 1765.
The frontier inhabitants of this colony (Virginia) and Maryland are re- moving fast over the Allegheny Mountains in order to settle and live there. The two hunters who killed the two Indians near Pittsburg, some time ago, are so audacious as to boast of the fact and show the scalps publicly- what may not such proceedings produce? One of these hunters lives in Maryland, the other, named Walker, lives in Augusta County, Virginia.
Extract of a Letter from Carlisle, 1765.
A number of men from this settlement went up to Shamokin (Fort Au- gusta) to kill the Indians there, which caused them all to fly from that place.
Extract of a Letter from Fort Loudon, 1768.
The last news we have had here, and which is very certain, is the killing of nine Shawnese Indians, in Augusta County, Virginia, who were passing this way to the Cherokee nation, to war against them, and had obtained a pass from one Col. Lewis of that county. Yet, notwithstanding, a number of the county people met them a few miles from Col Lewis' and killed nine of them, there being but ten in the company.
From Lord Botetourt, Governor of Virginia, 1770.
I have the honor to inclose two depositions, together with an answer to. a letter wrote by the Attorney-General, and have sent to your Excellency, by Lieutenant Inglis, the body of John Ingman, he having confessed him- self concerned in the murder of Indian Stephen, which was committed on ground claimed by your government. You will find that there never was an act of villany more unprovoked or more deliberately undertaken. It is therefore extremely my wish that the laws may enable you to do justice, and appease, by rigid punishment, a nation of offended Indians. Mr. Wm. Crawford, who is master of John Ingham, has engaged to do his utmost to procure any evidence which you may think material to examine.
Letter from Charles Edmonstone, Fort Pitt, 1771.
I take the liberty to inclose for your perusal the copy of an affidavit taken here, relative to the murder of two Seneca Indians. I have the supposed perpetrator of the crime in custody, and intend sending him to Bedford jail. I have had several meetings with the chiefs of the different tribes, who seem all pleased with the steps taken in this affair.
Letter from Arthur St. Clair, 1774 (Ligonier).
The murder of a Delaware Indian chief was perpetrated eighteen miles from this place. It is the most astonishing thing in the world, the dispo- sition of the common people of this county ; actuated by the most savage cruelty, they wantonly perpetrate crimes that are a disgrace to humanity, and seem at the same time to be under a kind of religious enthusiasm, whilst they want the daring spirit that usually inspires. * *
* * The Delawares are still friendly and it may perhaps prevent a general war if they can be kept in temper (by making them presents or to cover his bones; as they express it). I shall go to Fort Pitt and will consider well of it.
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Extract from a Letter of Alexander Mc Kea, Fort Pitt, 1774.
You must ere this be acquainted with the critical situation of this country, the unhappy disturbances which have lately rose between the Virginians and the natives, the event of which still continues doubtful whether matters will be brought to a general rupture or accommodation. Hostilities, how- ever, have been committed on both sides, but at present there seems to be a cessation. Some wise interposition of government is truly necessary, and would undoubtedly restore peace ; without it, impossible, and thousands of the inhabitants must be involved in misery and distress. But to do the Indians justice, they have given more proof of their pacific disposition and have acted with more moderation than those who ought to have been more rational, a few Mingoes and Shawnese excepted, who have long been re- fractory. There are more effectual means of chastising them for their insolence and perjury than by involving the defenceless country in a war, which there is too much reason to fear at this time will become general, and which must inevitably be the destruction of this country.
Extract of a Letter from D. Smith, Pittsburg, 1774.
The Indians were surprised to see a number of armed men at this place with their colors at different times, making a warlike appearance, and said that some of the militia fired on them at their camps near the mouth of the Sawmill Run.
Letter from Aeneas Mackay, 1774, Pittsburg.
We don't know what day or hour we will be attacked by our savage and provoked enemy, the Indians, who have already massacred sixteen persons to our certain knowledge, about and in the neighborhood of Tenmile Creek. A party of the militia, consisting of Captain McClure, Lieutenant Kincaid, and forty privates, were on their march to join Connolly at the mouth of Wheeling, where he intended to erect a stockade fort, when on a sudden they were attacked by only four Indians, who killed the captain on the spot, wounded the lieutenant, and made their escape.
On the 14th June, 1774, a petition was signed at Pittsburg by the promi- nent citizens of Westmoreland County (which then embraced Washington County), representing to Governor Penn that there is the greatest reason to apprehend that this part of the county will be immediately involved in all the horrors of an Indian war; that in the midst of these scenes of deso- lation and ruin, next to the Almighty, they look up to his honor for pro- tection and relief.
Extract of a Letter from John Montgomery, 1774, Carlisle.
The Shawnees seem well disposed and inclinable for peace, and will con- tinue so unless provoked by the Virginians. The Delawares are all for peace. Logan's party had returned and had thirteen scalps and one pri- soner. Logan says he is now satisfied for the loss of his relatives, and will sit still unless he hears what the Long Knife (the Virginians) will say. I am in hopes the storm will blow over, and that peace and tranquillity will be restored to the back inhabitants.
Extract from Richard Butler's Letter of 1774, Pittsburg.
* * These facts (as above enumerated) were sufficient to bring on a war with a Christian instead of a savage people, and I declare it as my
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opinion that the Shawnese did not intend a war this season, let their future intentions be what they might. I likewise declare, that I am afraid from the proceedings of the chiefs of the white people here, that they will bring on a general war, as there is so little pains taken to restrain the common people, whose prejudices lead them to greater lengths than ought to be shown by civilized people; and their superiors take too little, if any pains, and I do really think are much to blame themselves in the whole affair.
The Council of the Colony of Virginia met on the 12th of March, 1777, to consider the situation of Indian affairs ; appointed George Morgan, agent for Indian affairs at Pittsburg, and John Neville, Esqs., to confer with the chiefs of the Delaware and Shawnee In- dians, and procure their good will and favor in chastising those tribes who have been annoying their citizens ; and in case of their refusal, a battalion of three hundred men, with the necessary officers, . was ordered to be raised to make the contemplated expedition to Pluggystown, and punish that tribe for their unprovoked cruelties committed on the inhabitants of Virginia.
Col. David Shephard, of Ohio County, was appointed Commander- in-Chief of the expedition ; Major Henry Taylor, of Youghiogheny (now Washington) County, to be Major; and the other officers were appointed from the counties of Monongahela, Youghiogheny, and Ohio, of which I have spoken in a preceding chapter.
In consequence of these preparations the friendly Indians (the Delawares and Shawnese) exercised their influence to prevent a war, and I find from a letter of Samuel Mason to Brigadier-General Hand, dated June 8, 1777, at Fort Henry, in which he says: "I set off at eight this morning and flatter myself that you will not dis- approve our proceeding, but call on me, if any occasion should require, and as I may not return to the ensuing council at CATFISH (Washington), I take this opportunity of returning to you the strength of my company, which consists of fifty men, furnished for going on any emergency.
The distressed situation of the frontier inhabitants at this time required active and energetic measures, and the people erected two stockade forts at Ligonier and Hannahstown, Westmoreland County. I find Thomas Scott (whose name, subsequently, appears as the first Prothonotary of Washington County), under date of August 1, 1778, writes : "The Indians have made several breaches on the inhabitants, of late, in different parts of this country. Captain Mil- ler, of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment, with a party of nine men, chiefly continental soldiers, were bringing grain from the neighbor- hood to a fort called Fort Hand, about fourteen miles north of Han- nahstown, and on their return were surprised by a party of Indians, who killed the captain and seven others."
On account of this sad state of affairs, Congress deemed it advis- able to appoint commissioners to hold a treaty with the Delaware, Shawnese, and other Indians, and appointed Fort Pitt as the place of meeting, two commissioners to be appointed from Pennsylvania
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and one from Virginia. Col. Lewis, from Virginia, attended, but the record does not give the names of the Pennsylvania commis- sioners.
Gen. McIntosh writes under date of January 29, 1779, from Fort Pitt, that Capt. Clark, of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment, as he was returning from Fort Lawrence with a sergeant and fourteen men, on three miles of this side of that fort he was attacked by Simon Girty and a party of Mingoes, who killed two of our men, wounded four, and took one prisoner. This is the same Girty who took the oath of allegiance at Pittsburg and was afterwards engaged in the murderous treatment of Col. William Crawford, in 1782.
On 24th June, 1779, Col. Broadhead writes from Pittsburg that the Indians proceeded to the Sewickley settlement, where they killed a woman and her four children and took two children prisoners. These children were afterwards recovered; one resided in Westmore- land County and the other in Butler.
March 18, 1780, at a sugar camp on Racoon Creek, near Fort Pitt, five men were killed and three boys and three girls taken pri- soners. This murder was committed by the Wyandotts.
April 17, 1780, Northumberland County was authorized by the Supreme Executive Council to offer the following premiums for every male prisoner, whether white or Indian (if the former is acting with the latter), fifteen hundred dollars, and one thousand dollars for every Indian scalp. The Council were actuated to this course because they believed it more effectual than any sort of defensive operations.
September 5, 1780, the Indians killed two men on Robinson's Run, in what is called Youghiogheny County.
Washington County, April 5, 1783, the Indians took one Mrs. Walker prisoner on the 27th, on Buffalo Creek, but she made her escape. The 1st of April they took Boice and family, consisting of eight persons, and a man was killed the day following near Wash- ington County court-house.
May 12, 1784, two men killed at or near Cross Creek by the Indians.
The above history and extracts from letters contain all the Indian murders which were committed in this part of the country, whether known as Westmoreland, Yonghiogheny, Monongahela, and Ohio counties, or, since Virginia relinquished her claim, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Since its erection as a county, in 1781, no Indian murders have been perpetrated, yet it would be proper to state that all the Indian campaigns, commencing with Pontiac's war, in 1763, Lord Dunmore's war of 1774, Gen. McIntosh's cam- paign in 1778, the Coshocton campaign in 1780, the Moravian campaign, in 1782, had an influence and effect upon the settlement and prospects of Washington County, because farms could not be cultivated and the people were in constant dread of an Indian attack, and hence forts were erected here and there, to which, in case of
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
danger, the people fled for protection. While the farmer was culti- vating his ground he had his trusty rifle by his side for defence.
Of these forts I now speak. It appears that RICE's Fort fur- nishes the most satisfactory history of those times, which I have been able to procure.
RICE'S FORT.
This fort is situated on Buffalo Creek, about twelve miles from its junction with the Ohio River.
Rev. Dr. Dodridge gives the following description of a fort, which is worthy of being inserted as tending to throw much light upon the distinctions which should be borne in mind by the reader.
The fort consisted of CABINS, BLOCK-HOUSES, and STOCKADES. A range of cabins commonly formed one side, at least, of the fort. Divisions or parti- tions of logs separated the cabins from each other. The walls on the out- side were ten or twelve feet high, the slope of the roof being turned wholly inward. A very few of these cabins had puncheon floors, the greater part were earthen. The block-houses were built at the angles of the fort. They projected about two feet beyond the outer walls of the cabin and stockade. Their upper stories were about eighteen inches every way larger in dimen- sion than the under one, leaving an opening at the commencement of the second story to prevent the enemy from making a lodgment under their walls. In some forts, instead of block-houses, the angles of the fort were furnished with bastions. A large folding gate, made of thick slabs, nearest the spring, closed the fort. The stockades, bastions, cabins, and block- house walls, were furnished with portholes at proper heights and distances. The whole of the outside was made completely bullet-proof. In some places less exposed, a single block-house, with a cabin or two, constituted the whole fort. These forts answered the purpose for what they were intended, as the Indians had no artillery; they seldom attacked and scarcely ever took one of them.
The Indians, being defeated at Wheeling, resolved to strike a severe blow in the country, and hence about one hundred warriors marched to Rice's Fort, but the inhabitants being made aware of their approach, each ran to his cabin for his gun, and all took refuge in the block-house or fort. Although they intended to take it by assault, yet they failed, as the sequel will show, and they continued their depredations, destroying barns, fences, cattle, &c., but finally retreated. Rev. Dr. Dodridge, in his account of this fort, says :-
This place was defended by a Spartan band of men, against one hundred chosen warriors, exasperated to madness by their failure at Wheeling Fort. Their names shall be inscribed in the list of the heroes of our early times. They were Jacob Miller, George Leffer, Peter Fullenweider, Daniel Rice, George Felebaum, and Jacob Leffer, Jr. George Felebaum was shot in the forehead through a porthole at the second fire of the Indians, and in- stantly expired, so that in reality the defence of the place was made by only five men. Four of the Indians were killed. The next morning sixty men collected and pursued the Indians, but discovered they had separated into small parties, and the pursuit was given up.
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