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 57
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113
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
TOWNSHIPS
1787. 1788.
1790.
1791.
STILLS. STILLS. STILLS. STILLS.
1. Amwell,
11
8
3
5
2. Bethlehem,
22
12
9
16
3. Cecil,
17
27
14
10
4. Cumberland,
13
28
26
25
5. Donegal, .
9
11
14
13
6. Fallowfield,
22
24
25
14
7. Hopewell,
4
8
6
7
9. Peters,
13
23
6
5
10. Robinson,
9
8
9
12
11. Smith,
9
II
4
14
12. Strabane, .
3
8
4
22
13. Nottingham,
15
14
18
16
14. Somerset,
16
13
19
15. Green,
14
22
18. Hanover,
6
2
5
5
19. Franklin,
9
21
6
6
20. Finley,
5
1
I
21. Morris,
2
6
22. East Bethlehem,
10
13
23. West Bethlehem,
12
9
24. Cross Creek,
9
12
25. Chartiers,
14
16
228
280
262
272
We shall now proceed with the judicial view of the insurrection, by the publication of important letters :-
Pittsburg, November 24, 1794.
SIR : The judge of the district having spent several days in this town for the purpose of examining into the cases of persons accused, and taking the examination of witnesses relative to offences committed within the district against the United States, and his public business requiring his attendance in another part of the district, I am under the necessity of requesting your attention to the continuance of that inquiry, which public justice requires, relative to the offences committed as above mentioned.
The list inclosed, and the excepted cases in Governor Lee's proclama- tion, will indicate the persons in regard to whose conduct during the late convulsion it is desirable to establish the truth.
I will be obliged to you, sir, to reduce their testimony to writing, and to furnish me with the depositions, and to bind the witnesses over in a reason- able sum expressed in dollars to appear and testify in behalf of the United States, at the next circuit court of the United States, stated or special, to be holden within the district aforesaid.
The following cases I desire you to notice particularly :--
1. To bind over a certain Matthew Logan as a witness against Ebenezer Gallagher.
2. To take the recognizance of Thomas Hughes, Esq., if he shall offer bail and good securities in no less sum in the whole than 3000 dollars for his appearance to answer.
-
16-
21
28
27
8. Morgan, .
17
12
18
18
16. Dickinson,
17. Washington,
3
2
114
APPENDIX TO
The charge against him is his having been one of the blackened party who attacked the house of Capt. Faulkner, and his having signed a con- temptuous and improper paper on the 11th of September last. His offence, therefore, is of a bailable nature.
3. To send for and bind over as witnesses Major Richard Talbot and Rev. Philip Dodridge, of Hopewell township, and John Tennell of Cross Creek.
These instances are not mentioned as the exclusive cases in which your assistance is requested. To your judgment every other case is with great confidence committed. Truth will gradually reveal itself and testimony of which we are ignorant.
With great consideration and respect,
I have the honor to be
To JUDGE ADDISON.
W. RAWLE.
The endorsement is as follows : Bound R. Talbot 22d Dec. 1794. Mr. Talbot says Rev. Dodridge's name is Joseph. Philip is a brother.
Bound John Tennell and A. Wells.
Bound Joseph Dodridge and John Buchanan.
Recognizances for appearance at Pittsburg and Washington.
Pennsylvania ) Defendant turned over for bail by Gen. Lee, Commander- vS. in-Chief.
Moses Devore. S
Moses Devore, of Elizabeth township, Allegheny County, tent in £200, 66 100,
Joseph Becket,
John Dailey, of Rostraver township, Westmoreland County, “ 100, Conditioned for appearance at next court of quarter sessions for county of Allegheny, to answer, &c., 25th Nov. 1794.
COR. ALEX. ADDISON.
Recognized in court of Allegheny County to keep peace and good be- havior for twelve months, no bill having been found by grand jury.
Pennsylvania -
Henry Mckinney. J VS. Turned over ut supra.
Joseph Becket and John Dailey each held in £100 for appearance of Henry Mckinney, who is bound in the sum of £200.
No bill found, and bound by recognizance to keep the peace and good behavior for twelve months by Gen. Gibson.
Pennsylvania vS. Turned over ut supra.
Andrew Holmes. J
Andrew Holmes, of Nottingham township, Washington Co., tent £200, John Gaston, of Peters township, Washington County, tent £100,
Samuel McClean, of Nottingham township, Washington Co., tent £100,
Conditioned for appearance of Andrew Holmes at next court of quarter sessions for county of Allegheny and county of Washington, 25th Novem- ber, 1794.
COR. ALEX. ADDISON.
Recognized by Gen. Gibson to appear at circuit court. Dismissed by him till Washington court. No bill found by grand jury. Bound in recog- nizance to keep the peace and good behavior twelve months.
115
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
The same proceedings were held against John .Gaston, of Peters town- ship (Joseph Becket and John Dailey, securities).
David Donaldson, of Nottingham township (Robert Barr and John Gas- ton securities).
John Love, of Nottingham township (Robert Barr and Andrew McIntire, securities).
John McGill, of Canonsburg (with John Gaston and W. McMillan, se- curities).
Samuel Ewing,
Norris Morrison,
Against whom no bills were found, but each bound over for twelve months to keep peace and good behavior, on 25th Nov. 1794.
Fifth Circuit of Pennsylvania.
ALEXANDER ADDISON, President of the courts of common pleas [L.S.] of the fifth circuit, Pennsylvania,
To MICHAEL MOUNT and RICHARD LONGSTREET.
WHEREAS, Oath hath been made before me that Edward Wagner, of Peters township, the younger, did excite a number of riotous persons in the month of July last, to proceed with force and arms to the house of Gen. Neville in Allegheny County, there to commit sundry acts of violence and unlawful force, and did also, by menace and force in the month of Septem- ber last, prevent the signing of the submission required by government. These are, therefore, to require you and each of you to take the said Edward Wagner the younger and bring him forthwith before me at the house of Wm. Amberson in the town of Pittsburg, county of Allegheny, to answer to the premises, and be dealt with according to law. Given under my hand and seal at Pittsburg, November 21, 1794.
ALEXANDER ADDISON.
The warrant is indorsed : Edward Wagner, Jr., lives with his father at Wagner's Mills, on Peters Creek, Washington County, fifteen miles from Pittsburg. Go up the road to Redstone, turning to the left on the top of the coal hill over Monongahela, about fourteen miles off, inquire for James Barclay, who lives near Wagner. Non est inventus.
MICHAEL MOUNT.
List of Prisoners sent to Philadelphia, November 24, 1794.
James Kerr, John Hamilton, James Stuart, John Lockray, John Corbely, John Black, Marmaduke Curtis, Robert Porter, Thomas Burney, David Bolton, Joseph Scott, Caleb Mountz, John Barnet, Thomas Miller, Isaac Walker, Thomas Sedgwick, and William Crawford.
Greensburg, November 26, 1794.
JUDGE ADDISON : Permit me to request you will be good enough to send for a Doctor Robinson, Wm. Parker, Esq., Daniel Depuy, and Wm. Irwin, and endeavor to ascertain from their examinations from whom they received instructions to harangue Col. John Hamilton's battalion on the 4th of July last, in opposition to excise law (as it is called), for it appears, on in- quiry, that a regular plan has been formed to prevent the execution of the law by the extirpation of all the officers, and that the attack upon Gen. Neville's was an execution of their system.
I am, with great respect, your servant,
W. RAWLE. It appears that the depositions were sent January 1, 1795.
116
APPENDIX TO
Head Quarters, Pittsburg, November 26, 1794.
HON. ALEXANDER ADDISON :
SIR : Major-General Morgan, who will command the troops destined to continue in this district, will be always ready to support the civil authority when required.
To you, as the head of the judiciary, belongs the right of demanding this aid whenever in your judgment it shall be necessary. I am persuaded the wisdom and vigor which will be displayed by the officers of justice in their several stations will probably be found equal to all future exigencies. Should my hopes prove fallacious, the power of the protection established by me cannot fail in the immediate suppression of every irregularity, and will, I trust, be instantly resorted to.
Praying that this district may long enjoy peace and tranquillity, I return home with pleasing anticipations of their growing prospects and happiness, in which I cannot but feel myself deeply interested.
I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect,
Your obedient servant, HENRY LEE.
1794, Nov. 30. Gen. Henry Lee, in general orders, directed the books containing the oath of allegiance to the United States to return the same to the following persons :-
In Washington, to Judge Addison.
In Allegheny. to Judge Wallace.
In Westmoreland, to Judge Jack.
In Fayette, to Judge Breading.
HEAD QUARTERS, December, 15, 1794.
JUDGE ADDISON, Washington :-
SIR: I am at a loss to know how to act with respect to the people charged with treasonable practices against the United States, who have come under my notice.
Since Judge Peters left this country he wrote to me that they were to come under your notice. I will thank you to inform me in what way I am to act. The inclosed petition from Shields and Lapsley with some depo- sitions I think comes more under your notice than mine. A number of characters mentioned in Governor Lee's proclamation have delivered them- selves to me, who I have parolled at my own risk upon their giving me their words to come in whenever called on. If Shields and Lapsley had given themselves up to me, I should have used the same lenity with them, as I be- lieve the people of this county wish to come to order, and my intention is to encourage it as much as it lies in my power. Your immediate answer will particularly oblige Sir, your obedient servant,
DANIEL MORGAN.
About the 10th or 12th of November last I left home to visit a friend in Westmoreland County. I had no apprehension that I (a person who had signed the assurances of government) would be called for; but when hearing they were called for as well as others, I immediately came home, and finding the judges removed from Pittsburg, I gave myself up to Adamson Tannihill, Esq. This I certify in truth.
December 4, 1796. JOHN SHIELDS.
I do certify that I went abroad about the 10th or 12th day of November. last to visit some friends, not knowing at the time of my departure that there was any charge against myself, as I had the submissive paper as pre-
117
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
scribed by government; but hearing on my return that there had been a guard after me, I then proceeded as fast as possible and immediately deliv- ered myself to justice before Adamson T'annihill, Esq., December ye 4th, 1794.
THOMAS LAPSLEY.
To WHOM CONCERNED :-
I do certify that I heard Jacob Ferree say he was willing to give testi- mony that he saw John Shield sign a submission to the laws as directed by commissioners on behalf of the United States on the 11th of September last. I do also certify that I saw the names of John Shields and Thomas Lapsley written on the paper of submission taken on that day, and that the name of Thomas Lapsley I believe to be in his own hand writing
A. TANNIHIILL.
PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICT :-
Before me came William McMillan, of Peters township, Washington County, and declared on oath that Edward Wagner, Jr., of the said town- ship, came to the deponent on the 16th of July last, and called on deponent to go to Gen. Neville's house on the day following, intimating that unless he went his property would be in danger-that on the day of signing the submission the deponent was deterred from signing it by the threats of the said Edward Wagner. WILLIAM McMILLAN.
Sworn the 21st of November, 1794, before Alexander Addison.
HON. A. ADDISON :- Philadelphia December, 24, 1794.
DEAR SIR : I have just now the pleasure of receiving yours of the 5th inst. Agreeably to your request I proceed to make as full a statement of the reasons for excepting the persons specified in the proclamation as the present opportunity will admit.
The offences of +B. Parkinson, +John Holcross, }Daniel Hamilton, and David Bradford are too generally known to require a particular enumeration.
+ARTIIUR GARDNER, one of those who on the 4th of July, at the meeting of Colonel Hamilton's battalion, agreed to oppose excise law by arms, etc., met at Couch's, united in the attack on Gen. Neville's, issued orders for. the meeting at Braddock's Field, of assisting at Catfish the 14th of August in raising liberty pole.
THOMAS LAPSLEY, active at Neville's.
WILLIAM MILLER, active at Neville's and opposed to signing the paper; very contemptuous of the laws and processes of the United States.
EDWARD WRIGHT, at Neville's, at Braddock's Field, opposed to signing submission.
RICHARD NOLCROFT, set Neville's house on fire, active and acrimonious. at Braddock's Field.
+JOHN MITCHELL, at Neville's and robbed the mail.
ALEXANDER FULTON, at Neville's, privy to robbing the mail, signed circu -- lar letter to convene the meeting at Braddock's Field.
THOMAS SPIERS, Same as Fulton except being at Neville's.
WILLIAM BRADFORD, robbing the mail.
+GEORGE PARKER, at Couch's fort, Neville's, Braddock's, and Militia. meeting July 4, at Col. John Hamilton's.
WILLIAM HANNA, atrocious conduct at Neville's house, shot at General. Neville.
EDWARD WAGNER, at Neville's and menaces against those who signed the. paper.
THOMAS HUGHES, one of the men with blackened faces who attacked. Faulkner, etc.
118
APPENDIX TO
JOHN SHIELDS, a principal in the affair at Neville's.
WILLIAM HAY, went to Couch's, and thence to Neville's, and menaced one man if he would not go, also at Braddock's.
WILLIAM MCILHENNY, at Neville's.
+THOMAS PATTON is, I fear, a mistake either of the clerk or the press, at least I do not at present recollect, nor can I lay my hands relative to such a person.
+PATRICK JACK, S. Jack and A. Hilands concerned in the outrage on Regan and the destruction of Wells'.
(Those marked with a t delivered themselves to General Morgan under the direction of Judge Peters.)
The others are the three fugitives already examined by Judge Peters, and ordered for trial, and the Virginians who will probably be apprehended in the State where they reside.
The youth of George Parker was not known when his name was inserted. In respect to his resignation it is understood not to avail those who fly from home. It cannot be a bona fide submission in such cases. This also applies to Shields and Lapsley, yet it is open to them all to explain the reasons of their absence ; if proved to be of a justifiable nature, their right to present immunity will be restored.
I am with sincere respect, yours, etc.
W. RAWLE.
January 18, 1795.
H. H. BRACKENRIDGE, Esq.
SIR: I have been pursuing the plan for robbing the mail, and can trace it no higher than Bradford. It was proposed by him to Marshall on their way to the Mingo meeting-house. Baldwin and David Hamilton were in company, and it was put on them to execute it. The object to be obtained, was to know the opinions of the people on the business carried on. The post to be robbed was the post from Washington to Pittsburg, and it was only when Baldwin and Hamilton sent word that they could not perform their part, and when it was then too late to intercept the mail to Pittsburg, that the plan was changed to what was really executed. Bradford sent his cousin William, and David Hamilton, I believe, sent John Mitchel, who executed the business. My information is from a good source and may be depended on. The matter I believe was not talked of at the Mingo Creek meeting-house, nor did Edward Cook know anything of it.
ALEXANDER ADDISON.
April 10, 1795.
SIR: In respect to the recognizances, I apprehend that pursuant to the 33d section of the judiciary bill, the recognizances themselves, and not copies, should be produced, but although Judge Peters preferred the mode you state, during the western expedition from several motives, and I believe has continued the practice (whether he did so before I cannot tell), yet as the signature of the party is not essential to the effect of the recognizance, and is not generally practised by the State magistrates, I cannot suppose it would be deemed necessary in the courts of the United States.
While the law stands as it is, my duty (whatever may be my opinions) is to conform to it, and that duty being to prosecute every legal step conducive to a proper termination of such prosecution is to be pursued by me.
Yours, W. RAWLE.
JUDGE ADDISON.
1
119
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Judge Turner to Judge Addison.
Cincinnati, May 17, 1795.
SIR : After an absence of fifty-three weeks on the western circuit I landed yesterday at this place, and found here your two letters of the 3d of Jan. and 22d of April. This must be my apology for not having answered the former at least before this time.
I have made some inquiries into the case of C. Cunningham, who is recog- nized it seems, to appear before our general court on the charge you last mention. The offence being committed against the United States alone (of which this territory. is no part but only a dependency), our inferior court was wrong in binding Cunningham's appearance to the general court where the offence is not triable. It was imposing upon the accused a hard- ship not admissible in law, since his appearance could answer no other end than to extend his recognizance to the proper court within the United States, and to which the inferior court was competent in the first instance.
If, therefore, you will forward hither a certificate that Cunningham has entered into a fresh recognizance for that purpose, I shall take care to lay it before the general court whenever his case shall come up officially before it, so that he may be discharged from his present recognizance.
I am with respect, yours, G. TURNER.
Indorsed, took recognizance June 19, 1795, and transmitted to Judge Turner.
Letter of William Rawle to Hon. Alexander Addison.
DEAR SIR : Philadelphia, July 17, 1795.
In the expectation of seeing you at the court of errors and appeal this week I postponed answering your letter longer than I should other- wise have done.
Gen. Morgan was not very correct in the names he furnished; only the three last in the list came within the request, viz., Ewing, Paton, and McCall.
Arthur Gardner, George Parker, John Holcroft, having proved their signatures to submission, and accounted for their absence, are bound over as witnesses.
John Mitchell is under sentence.
Patrick Jack appeared, upon inquiry, not a fit object of prosecution, and no bill has been sent against him.
Ebenezer Gallagher and Daniel Hamilton are indicted.
Benjamin Parkinson surrendered himself; he continued however to avoid confinement, and the marshal has not yet been able to apprehend him- he is also indicted.
The marshal's officer, who is the bearer of this, has instructions to apply to you and to the magistrates where recourse cannot be had to you for advice, if necessary, in the execution of the duties he is going to perform.
Your active and able exertions in support of the laws (which have received so much public approbation) give me reason to hope you will not think this trouble too much. The event of Cunningham's case is, I flatter myself, conformable to your wishes.
I am, with great respect and esteem,
Your most obedient humble' servant,
W. RAWLE.
See letter of December 24, 1794, on the same subject.
120
APPENDIX TO
Judge Turner to Judge Addison.
SIR :
Cincinatti, July 24, 1795.
I was honored a few days ago with your letter, inclosing proper cer- tificate concerning Cunningham's recognizance, and shall in consequence take care by placing it on the files of the general court that no incon- venience shall arise to him in this quarter.
Either you have mistaken my meaning, or, what is more probable, I have not expressed myself clearly in my answer to your former com- munications. My letter-files are not this moment at hand. It was cer- tainly not my intention to have the matter open to the general court, because it was, and yet is, my decided opinion that the offence is not properly triable here.
We have lately had some expresses from head quarters. It appears that a treaty of some sort will at length be the result ; but how long this will last may easily be conjectured. It assuredly cannot be founded upon any decisive battle ; for notwithstanding accounts respecting the last action wore a very florid complexion, that doubtless was little if any more than a skirmish in which the enemy lost seven and twenty men.
I beg you to believe me to be, with perfect and respectful esteem,
Your very, very obedient servant,
G. TURNER.
Wm. Rawle, Esq., to Hon. Alexander Addison.
DEAR SIR :
Philadelphia, Aug. 15, 1795.
I must take the liberty of intruding once more upon a portion of your time on account of the trials, yet to take place, of persons charged with treasonable practice from your part of the State.
At the last sitting of the circuit court it was discovered that a great unwillingness in witnesses to say too much against their fellow-citizens, a re- luctance in the jury to convict the smaller engine on the testimony of their ringleaders, and a natural repugnance to capital convictions, occasioned some unexpected acquittals, and, in some instances, bills were returned ignoramus equally contrary to what appeared a grounded expectation. Something particularly on the latter score must, I think, be attributed to the difficult distinctions necessary to be made between the different jurisdic- tions. There now remain to be tried, upon bills found, Edward Wright, James Stuart, and David Bolton, whose presence is not doubtful ; and bills are found against David Bradford, Daniel Hamilton, William Miller, Ben- jamin Parkinson, Ebenezer Gallagher, William Hanna, Richard Holcroft, David Lock, Alexander Fulton, Peter Lisle, Thomas Spiers, and Samuel Hanna, some of whom may perhaps surrender themselves.
After the pains already taken to discover and produce testimony estab- lishing the offence charged, I do not know that it would be reasonable to expect greater success from further inquiry.
But if, in the course of your judicial proceedings, any matters relative to and explanatory of the conduct of the persons before mentioned should occur, you will oblige me much by forwarding such information thereon as may appear to you likely to be useful. A circumstance not very pleasing occurred during the trial of Robert Porter. James Parker, when before you at Washington, stating in his affidavit the persons who had been at the destruction of Gen. Neville's house, included the name of Robert Porter, yet on the trial he denied that he saw him elsewhere than at Couch's before, and at Col. D. Phillips's after the attack. It appeared
121
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
improper to avoid taking notice of this variance, as in one or the other case he must be forsworn. I was under the necessity of having him bound over to be prosecuted for perjury, to wit, on the false oath taken before you, and this, I fear, will render your attendance at Yorktown necessary, unless you can point out any means to do the business otherwise. I ear- nestly wish to terminate the whole of this business before next October, that the inhabitants of so remote a place may not again suffer the incon- venience of attending the federal court.
I am, with great respect and esteem, Your obedient humble servant, W. RAWLE. Philadelphia, Aug. 31, 1795.
Wm. Rawle to Hon. A. Addison concludes his letter with these words : "This, I believe, sir, is all the trouble I am likely to give you con- cerning this unhappy business, equally disadvantageous to the county in its immediate existence and its inevitable consequences. To murmur and to obey the laws is the full extent of political dissatisfaction on the eastern side of the State; to murmur and to resist it will not again I hope be the characteristic of any part of it."
DEAR SIR : Philadelphia, Oct. 29, 1795.
Joseph Dorsey may rest easy as to his recognizance. The event of the trials at York fully verified your observation as to the impediments to con- viction created by distance.
You have doubtless by this time been informed of the material circum- stances, which I, therefore, will not encroach upon your time by repeating.
I consider the business as now nearly ended. It is not probable that many, if any, of those who have fled will return. My information in re- spect to Bradford was I find erroneous. The witnesses are, however, gene- rally held under recognizance, and to be ready in any case of surrender.
I am, with respect and esteem, W. RAWLE.
JUDGE ADDISON.
32
.
INDEX.
(A. prefixed to a page means Appendix.)
A.
Act establishing Washington County, 39 Adams County, when organized, 33 Adams, President, to Fredericktown, 97 Addison, Judge, his affidavit, A. 77 his addresses to jury, A. 91 African M. E. Church of Washington, 197
Agricultural societies, 361
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