History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 33

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 33

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159

CONTINENTAL TROOPS.

if in future our services should be deemed of im- portance.

I have the honor to be with, &c.,

ARMAND, MARQUIS DE LA ROUERIE.

PENSIONERS.

The following is a list of Pensioners of the Revolutionary war, from Glossbrenner's His- tory :

Congress on the 18th of March, 1818, passed " an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war." We will here mention those of the inhabitants of York County, who became United States' Pensioners under this act and its supplement, and who were alive at the passage of the act.

John Schneider, served in Col. Hartley's regiment, Capt. Grier's company, from 11th November, 1775, until the end of one year and three months. He afterward served in the regiment commanded by Col. Haren, in Capt. Turner's company, from the early part of the year 1777, until the end of the war. In 1818, aged sixty-seven.

Christian Pepret, served in Col. Butler's regiment, in Capt. Bush's company from the year 1779 until the close of the war. In 1818, aged sixty-seven.

John Jacob Bauer, served in the First Pennsylvania regiment commanded by Col. Chambers, in Capt. James Wilson's company, from September, 1774, until the close of the war. In 1818, aged seventy-three.

John Deis, served in Capt. David Grier's company, in the regiment commanded by Col. Hartley, from March, 1776, until the end of one year. In 1818, aged sixty-two.

George Lingenfelder, served in Capt. Michael McGuire's company, in Col. Brooks' regiment, of Maryland, from June, 1780, until the close of the war. At the battle of Brandywine he was severely wounded. In 1818, aged fifty-nine.

David Ramsey, served in the First Rifle Regiment, under Col. Edward Hand, the company under Capt. Henry Miller, from 1st of July, 1775, until July, 1776. Being then discharged, he joined Col. Mannum's regi- ment, and was in service until taken prisoner at the battle of Brandywine. Besides this battle he was present and took part in those of Bunker Hill, Long Island, and at Flat Bush, at one of which he was wounded in the head. In 1818, aged sixty-nine.

Humphrey Andrews, enlisted in Chester County, Pennsylvania, on 26th January, 1776, for the term of one year, in the com- pany then commanded by Capt. James

Taylor, in the Fourth Pennsylvania Regi- ment, commanded by Col. Anthony Wayne. From Chester County he marched by the way of New York, Albany, Ticonderoga and Crown Point, to Montreal, at which place they met the troops under Gen. Thompson who were returning from the battle at the Three Rivers. He thence returned, with his fellow soldiers, to Crown Point, where he remained until the 24th of January, 1777, stationed between the two armies of Burgoyne and Howe. Marching to old Chester, in Pennsylvania, he was discharged on the 25th of February, 1777. Andrews was engaged in a skirmish with the British in November, 1776. In 1818, aged sixty-three.

Jacob Mayer, enlisted in York County, served in Col. Wagner's regiment, in the company commanded by Capt. James Taylor, from February 1776, to the end of one year, when he was discharged at Chester. In 1828, aged sixty-seven.

Robert Ditcher, enlisted in the spring of 1777, in Capt. James Lee's company of ar- tillery then in Philadelphia, attached to the regiment commanded by Col. Laub. He was present and took part in the battles of White Plains, Staten Island, Monmouth, Mud Island and Germantown, and was several times wounded. In 1818, aged fifty- seven.

John Taylor, enlisted in February, 1778, at Mount Holly, in New Jersey, in the com- pany of Capt. John Cummings, and in the Second Regiment of the New Jersey line attached to the brigade commanded by Gen. Maxwell ; and he continued in service until October, 1783, when he was discharged near Morristown in that State. He was at the battle of Monmouth, and at the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown ; he likewise served as a volunteer at the storming of Stony Point, by Gen. Wayne, at which he was slightly wounded. In 1818, aged seventy-one.

Dedlove Shadow, served from the spring of 1776 until the close of the war, in Con- gress Regiment commanded by Col. Moses Hazen, in the company commanned by Capt. Duncan. In 1818, aged sixty-two.

James Hogg, served from 26th January, 1779, in the First Regiment of the Maryland line, commanded at first by Col. Smallwood, and afterward by Col. Stone. His company was at first that of Capt. Nathaniel Ramsay, and afterward that of Capt. Hazen. In 1818, aged sixty-three.

Michael Schultze, served in Col. Hartley's regiment and in Capt. Grier's company from January, 1776, for the term of one year. In 1818, aged sixty-one.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

Mathias Kraut, served in the Tenth Regi- ment of the Pennsylvania line, commanded by Capt. Stout, from the year 1776 until the close of the war. In 1818, aged fifty- eight.

Thomas Randolph, served in the Seventh Regiment of the Virginia line commanded by Col. Mclellan, in the company command- ed by Capt. Peasey, from the year 1775 until 1778. In 1818, aged seventy-one. "The Soldiers' Friend" thus describes this old, old pensioner in 1818: Thomas Randolph-better known here as old Tommy Randall. the standing bugbear of children and likely to rival the most celebrated "Boog-a-boos" of any past age. We sincerely hope his sooty note of 'sweep O-sweep O' will soon be exchanged for more cheerful ones. Indeed he has scarcely a note of any kind left, as he is now a tenant of the poor house, having been some time ago gathered to that pro- miscuous congregation of fatherless, mother- less, sisterless, brotherless, houseless and friendless beings, each of whom is little less than civiliter mortuus.

Samuel Ramble, served in the First Regi- ment of the Virginia line, under Col. Camp- bell, in the company commanded by Capt. Moss, during the three last years of the war. In 1818, aged sixty.

Frederick Boyer, served in the detachment under Col. Almon from 1777 until 1779, when he enlisted in a corps of cavalry under Capt. Selincki, and under the command of Gen. Pulaski ; he served in the corps until nearly the whole of it was destroyed. In 1818, aged sixty-seven.

Henry Doll, served in the First Regiment of the Pennsylvania line under Col. Stewart, and in the company under Capt. Shade, for about one year. In 1818, aged seventy- one.

John Lockert, served in Col. Proctor's Regiment of Artillery in the Pennsylvania line, in the company of Capt. Duffie from June, 1777, until June, 1779. In 1818, aged sixty-six.

Thomas Burke, served in the Tenth Regi- ment of the Pennsylvania line commanded by Lieut. Col. Hazen, from June, 1778, until 1781. In 1818, aged fifty-eight.

Jacob Kramer, served in the regiment com- manded by Capt. Hausecker, and afterward by Col. Weltman, in the company commanded by Capt. Paulsell and afterward by Capt. Boyer. The term of his service was from 19th July, 1776, until 19th July, 1779. In 1818, aged sixty-two.

Joseph Wren, served in the Seventh Regi- ment of the Pennsylvania line, in the com-

pany of Capt. Wilson, from January, 1777, until the close of the war. In 1818, aged eighty. Joseph Wren made his original application for a pension through Samuel Bacon, formerly an attorney of York. Mr. Bacon thus writes concerning the old soldier in 1818:

" Joseph Wren .- This old man's body and spirit seem to be equally light. He can travel his thirty miles a day with ease. His appearance reminds you of the Egyptian Mummies so celebrated for their fresh and life-like appearance after the lapse of cen- turies. During the deluge (not Noah's flood, nor yet Ducalion's, as you might have supposed from his ancient date, but the deluge which buried a third part of our town in ruins, on the ever memorable 9th of Aug- ust, 1817,) old Wren, like the lively little bird of his own name, perched himself in a snug corner of the garret of a two-story house, and went to sleep. The house rose ou the bosom of the deep, plunged all but the garret into the waves, and was dashed from surge to surge till it lodged against a tree. Five persons were drowned; side by side they lay in a room of the second story of the house. Joseph slept on.

" At length when the God of nature held out the olive branch of hope to the terror-struck tenants of the roofs of the tottering houses, and the flood subsided so that 'the dry land appeared '-when the mighty ocean that had been as it were created in a moment and precipitated upon us, gathered itself into the mild and unassuming Codorus again, Joseph's abode of death, when youth and health, aud female excellence and manly virtue, had been buried in the waves, was visited, -and still he slept. When he awakened he rubbed his eyes, not certain they were his own, or whether he was Joseph Wren any more; for he knew not where he was, unless it might be in some place on the other side of the grave. Thus, indeed, has Joseph Wren had hair- breadth escapes, in the forest wild and city full, and is spared to he made glad by some- thing very unlike the ingratitude of repub- lies."

Conrad Pudding served in Armand's legion, in Capt. Sheriff's company from the spring of 1781, until the fall of 1783, when the army was disbanded. In 1818, aged sixty-four.

Michael Warner served in Capt. Jacob Bower's company of the Pennsylvania line from October, 1781, until October, 1783. In 1818, aged fifty-nine.

John Devinney served in the Fourth Regi- ment commanded by Col. Anthony Wayne, in

161

CONTINENTAL TROOPS.

Capt. Thomas Robinson's company from the fall of 1775 until the close of one year, at which time he entered in the Fifth Regiment, in Capt. Bartholemew's company in which he continued to serve until the close of the war. In 1818, aged sixty-two.

William Brown enlisted at Philadelphia in the autumn of 1777 for the term of three years, in the company commanded by Capt. John Doyle and the First Regiment of the Pennsylvania line commanded by Col. Hand. He was at the battle of Brandywine, at the taking of the Hessians at Trenton, and at the battles of Princeton, Monmouth, Stony Point and Paoli, at the last of which he received several wounds. Having continued to serve six years, he was discharged at Lancaster. In 1818, aged seventy-three.

John Beaty served in the Sixth Pennsyl- vania Regiment commanded by Col. Irwin, in the company of Abraham Smith from Febru- ary, 1776, until February, 1777. In 1818, aged sixty-three.

John Ohmnet served in the Tenth Regiment of the Pennsylvania line, commanded by Col. Richard Hampton, in the company of Capt. Hicks, from May, 1777, until the close of the war. In 1818, aged sixty.

Jacob McLean served in Col. Hansecker's regiment called the "German Regiment," in the company of Capt. Benjamin Weiser, from July, 1776, until the year 1779. In 1818, aged sixty.

Frederick Huebner, served in Gen. Ar- mand's legion, in the company of Capt. Barron for the term of about three years. In 1818, aged sixty-four.

Adam Schuhman, served in the Fifth Penn- sylvania Regiment commanded by Col. Richard Butler in Capt. Walker's company commanded by Lieut. Feldam, from the spring of 1776 until the close of the war. In 1818, aged sixty-six.

Joel Gray, served in Col. Hartley's regi- ment of the Pennsylvania line, in the company of Capt. Bush, from October, 1778, until the 1st of April, 1781. In 1818, aged seventy- five. Poor Joel was a client of Mr. Bacon, who thus writes of him in 1818: "Joel Gray-He may indeed be addressed in the style of the old ballad, and they may make the same response.

O why do you shiver and shake Gaffer Gray? And why does your nose look so blue? " I am grown very old, And the weather 'tis cold, And my doublet is not very new."

This old man, in 1818, says: " I have one chest worth about a dollar. I have no trade or any business whatsoever. I have no

children or friends to give me any kind of assistance. My pension and the poor-house are all I have to depend upon."

Michael Weirich, served in the Sixth Regi- ment of the Maryland line under Col. Will- iams and Col. Stewart, and in the company of Capt. Rebelle, during the last five years of the war. In 1818, aged sixty-four.

Zenos Macomber, served in Col. Carter's regiment from May, 1775, until January, 1776, when he enlisted in Col. Bond's regi- ment of the Massachusetts line. Having served in this regiment about two months, he was removed and placed in Gen. Washing- ton's foot guard. Here he continued until January, 1777, when he enlisted in Gen. Washington's horse guard in which he served three years. In 1818, aged sixty-one.

Anthony Lehman, served in the Fifth Regi- ment of the Pennsylvania line under Col. McGaw, in the company of Capt. Deckart, from February, 1775, till January, 1777. In 1818, aged sixty-five.

.Samuel Spicer, served in the Tenth Regi- ment of the Pennsylvania line, under Col. Hampton, in Capt. Weaver's company, for about one year before the close of the war. In 1818, aged eighty-one.

Christopher Nerr, served in the Second Regiment of the Pennsylvania line, com- manded by Col. Stewart, under Capt. Patter- son, from April, 1777, until January, 1780. In 1818, aged sixty -five.

William Smith, served in the Second Regi- ment of the Pennsylvania line, under Capt. Watson from February, 1776, until the expiration of one year. Being then in Can- ada, he returned home and enlisted in the Fourth Regiment of the Pennsylvania line, commanded by Col. William Butler, in Capt. Bird's company. In 1818, aged sixty nine.

Martin Muller, served in Count Pulaski's legion, in Capt. Seleski's company, for the term of eighteen months. In 1818, aged sixty-nine.

Ludwig Waltman, served in the Sixth Regi- ment of the Pennsylvania line, commanded by Col. Butler, in the company of Capt. Bush, from the fall of 1777 for the term of three years and a half. In 1818, aged sixty.

William Kline, served in Col. Wayne's regiment, in Capt. Frazers company, from December, 1775, until March, 1777. In 1818, aged sixty-three.

162

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

SUBSEQUENT MILITARY HISTORY.

FRONTIER DEFENSE.

TN 1790, the General Assembly took action in regard to the defense of the frontier, the Indians having continued to harass and distress the inhabitants. A conference was had by Gen. Washington on the 10th of Jan- uary, 1791, with the chiefs of the Seneca Nation, Cornplanter, Half-Town and Great Tree, without much result. The troops un- der Gov. St. Clair were defeated, and there was great alarm. The quotas of the several brigades of Pennsylvania, toward forming a detachment of 10,768 militia. officers in- cluded, agreeably to the requisition of the President of the United States, May 19, 1794, were to be in readiness to march according to the following divisions: Second Division, First Brigade, Brig .- Gen. Miller, County of York, S22 men, County of Lancaster 756 men .*

WHISKY INSURRECTION.

The excise laws had been enacted for the purpose of providing revenue, and laid a tax on spirituous liquors manufactured in the province, before the Revolution, and during the war it was necessary. on account of large quantities of grain consumed, and of the depreciation of the currency. Resistance be- gan in the western counties with the enthu- siasm of the opposition to the British tax on tea. The morality of making and drinking whisky was not then questioned. Although the Constitution of the United States made all taxes uniform, yet the tax on one article would be oppressive in particular sections of the country. In 1791, a law of Congress laid an excise of 4 pence per gallon on all distilled spirits. Among those who opposed the law were such men as Albert Gallatin and Judge Brackenridge. Public meetings were held in opposition to it and a conven- tion of delegates met at Pittsburgh. Col- lectors of excise were tarred and feathered, and also those who undertook to serve process against the rioters, who were called "Tom, the Tinker's men," from the mending the broken stills. The President of the United States issued a proclamation enjoining per- sons to submit to the law. The excitement caused bloodshed. The State and national authorities conferred, and committees of dis- tinguished citizens were sent to the West to investigate and negotiate. A call for troops followed.

Under the requisition of the President of the United States, 5,200 militia were called from Pennsylvania. The fourth division, Lancaster and York. Second Brigade; Yorke quota-22 cavalry, 550 officers, musicians and privates. The whole detachment of militia were to constitute one division, to be formed into three brigades, to be in readiness to march at a moment's warning. The third brigade. York. Gen. James Chambers, 500 men. Cavalry Corps, Russel's, York. 1 colonel, 2 majors, 1 ensign, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, I paymaster, 1 surgeon, 25 pri- vates.

York county, furnished, on this occasion. a regiment of well appointed militia, and two companies of volunteers. The regiment was commanded by Col. Daniel May. One company of volunteers was commanded by Capt. Andrew Johnston. Of this company Charles Barnitz was first lieutenant, and John Greer, ensign. Of the other, (which was a rifle company,) James Cross was cap- tain. *

Col. Alexander Russell to Gen. Harmar: Yorktown, September 6, 1794. "Five hundred to 1000 stand of arms and accoutrements care- fully put into hands of select volunteer com- panies would give new vigor to the troops and cheerful compliance with a call." } Sep- tember 11, 1794 .- Orders of Gen. Josiah Harmar, adjutant-general of the militia of Pennsylvania, on requisition of the Presi- dent of the United States, for assembling the quota of militia, drafted. The quota of York County to assemble at Yorktown, there to be furnished with arms, equipments and camp equipage, and to proceed direct to Car- lisle. Each company complete will be al- lowed one covered wagon with four horses, which is to carry their tents and camp kettles, but to be encumbered as little as possible with baggage, and every man is to carry his own pack.}

Secretary of War Hamilton, wrote to Gov. Mifflin, September 18, 1794, " that a detach- ment of the troops of the United States, under the command of Lieut. Daniel Bissell, is to march from this city as an escort to a train of artillery and military stores, intended for the Maryland and Virginia Militia called out against the Western insurgents. This detach- ment will march through Lancaster and Yorktown and from thence to Williamsport, in Maryland. I have to request that your ~ excellency would be pleased to give instruc- tions to the commanding officer of the militia at York, to furnish a reinforcement from his

#IV Archives, N. S, 764.

#Glossbrenner.

+IV Archives, N. S., 263. #282.

163

SUBSEQUENT MILITARY HISTORY.

militia to the said escort, if Lieut. Bissell should think it necessary, for the protection of his important charge." This was com- municated by Gov. Thomas Mifflin to Alex- ander Russell, Esq., brigade inspector of the county of York, the same day. Gov. Mifflin wrote to Gen. Edward Hand, on the 27th of September, that he had "just received a letter from the brigade inspector of York County, informing him that he was in want of rifles, and requesting that an order might be given for putting into his possession from fifty to one hundred of those which you have contracted for in York "*

On the 29th of September, 1794, Secretary Dallas wrote to Dr. Wales, of York, from Yorktown: "The governor has received a very honorable recommendation, for issuing a commission in your favor, as surgeon to the Marsh Creek troop of Horse, on the Western expedition, and he directs me to in- form you that the recommendation shall be complied with upon our arrival at Carlisle."+ A conference was held by the governor with the brigade officers of York County, at York, on the 29th of September.

On the 10th of October, President Wash. ington was at Carlisle, having passed en route through the upper part of York County. He left there on the 11th for Chambersburg, and went as far as Bedford, where he re- mained two or three days. But the people of the West had yielded and consented to obey the law, and orders were issued for the return of the troops on the 17th of Novem- ber. į

THE WAR OF 1812-14.

The prosperity of the United States, after the achievement of their independence, was interrupted by the war between England and France, during the career of Napoleon. Those nations mutually declared each other's ports to be in a state of blockade, which closed them against American commerce. The British government claimed the "right of search"-to take from American vessels the sailors they claimed to be of English birth and impress them into their service. The American people demanded " free trade and sailors' rights," and the outrages perpe- trated were so great that they insisted upon a surrender of the British claim of search. The Government of the United States refused to negotiate on the subject, an embargo was laid upon all ships in American ports, and war was declared by Congress against Great Britain in June, 1812.

James Madison, the President of the United States, issued a proclamation calling on the militia of the several States. In May, 1812, a draft of 14,000 men, as the i. quota of Pennsylvania of 100,000 militia, had been ordered by an act of Congress, and Gov. Snyder had issued his general orders for their organization, and volunteers from all parts of the State had tendered their ser- vices to the Government by the time war was declared. This war with Great Britain re- sulted in great glory to the American arms on sea and land, as in the celebrated naval battles of the Constitution and Guerriere and of Lake Erie, * on the water, and of Fort George, Lundy's Lane, North Point and New Orleans, on land.

The war was opposed by the Federalists, but York County was Republican, and it required but the near approach of the enemy to rouse their patriotism. This did not occur until the summer of 1814, when the enemy inva- ded the country by the way of the Chesa- peake Bay and the Potomac River. The City of Washington was captured by Gen. Ross, on the 25th of August, 1814, and the capitol was burned, the President's house and other public buildings, and then an expedi- tion was undertaken against Baltimore, which that ill-fated general boasted he would make " his winter quarters, and that with his command he could march where he pleased in Maryland." When word of these outrages, and of the threatened danger to a neighbor- ing city came here, companies were speedily formed and ready to march to its defense.

On the 18th of August, 1814, Gen. Win- der, commanding the Tenth Military District of Maryland, wrote from Washington City to Gov. Snyder, that, "In consequence of the arrival of large reinforcements to the enemy at the mouth of the Potomac, I am author- ized and directed by the President to require from you, immediately, the whole number of the militia of Pennsylvania designed for this district, out of the requisition of the 4th of July last, to wit : 5,000 men. The danger to the capital of our country is extreme, and I am authorized by the Presi- dent, without regard to the designated quotas of the late requisition, to call such militia aid as may be necessary. In the present state of things, therefore, and the imminent danger which threatens my district, I must

*IV Archives, N. S., 321. +381.

1465.

*A flag borne in the battle of Lake Erie is now in the pos- session of descendants of Com. Elliott, residing in this borough. Elliott commanded the United States Frigate Niagara, in that brilliant engagement, and for his gallant conduct was voted a gold medal by Congress. It was from the Lawrence to the Niag- ara, that the celebrated transfer ofthe flag, inscrihed "Don't give up the ship," by Com. Oliver Hazard Perry, in the heat of the engagement, took place. Com. Elliott subsequently commanded the farfamed frigate, Constitution.

164

HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY.

beg you to call out and send to me, from the counties nearest my district, either as volun- teers, or in any other manner, all the force you can detach." In consequence of this. the Governor issued the following general order:

GENERAL ORDERS.

HARRISBURG, August 26, 1814. To John M. Hyneman, Adjutant-General :- You are commanded, in conformity to a requisition from the constituted authorities of the Union, to have pre- pared for marching, and to have marched to York- town, in the county of York, the place of rendez- vous, 5,000 men, Pennsylvania militia, from the Second Brigade, Third Division, and from the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Divisions, which detach- ment is to consist of volunteers who have, or who may tender their services of flank companies, in- fantry and riflemen, who are to march in compan- ies, and of drafted militia designated for service under general orders of the 22d of July, last past, which shall be organized into one division and two brigades (if not as herewise directed), on the 5th day of September next, agreeably to law, and con- formably to the regulations prescribed for the Uni- ted States Army.

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 33

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104