History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 51

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor
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He was respectably connected, being a brother-in-law of Judge James Allison, the grandfather of John Allison, late Register of the Treasury of the United States. In Louisiana he became a successful planter, and won his way to wealth and a fair social position (Veech). A grand- daughter became the wife of Richard Brodhead, United States senator from Pennsylvania, 1851-57, and a son is said to have married a sister of Jefferson Davis.

EDWARD COOK, whose name we will often meet with somewhat later in the history of Southwestern Pennsylvania, was a native of the State, and one of the early inhabitants of Westmoreland. He was a member of the Committee of Conference which sat at Carpenter's Hall, June, 1776, and of the Constitutional Convention of that year. He took an active part in the defense of the frontier from 1779 to 1782, being a sub-lieutenant in 1781, and lieutenant of the county in 1782, being appointed successor to Lochry. He was in actual command of some of the rangers. He, however, took more interest and was more distinguished in civil than in military affairs. He was a leading county justice under the old system, and al- though he resided outside the boundary of our county after Washington and Fayette were erected, yet he held special commissions covering our county's jurisdiction for some time after, and presided at the court sitting at Hannastown when it was attacked and burnt by the Indians and Tories. These commissions were from time to time renewed. In 1791 he was associate judge of Fayette under the constitutional regulations of 1790. From 1796 to 1798 he was treasurer of Westmoreland. He took a for- ward part in the troubles of the Whiskey Insurrection, being recognized then as a man of much Dence , with the people, so much so, indeed, that he was chosen chair

the Mingo Creek meeting.

"FULTON was from Mar d; he was not only a Federalist, but an

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

open advocate of the azcles law ; indeed, the most opsaly co of any I have met with in the western counties, sad wee aa avowed friend of the Inspector (Neville). He kept a large distillery, and expected by the operations of the exclue to have considerable advantage over the small distillers. He had also erected a brewery. I have never been able to account for the inconsistency of his contact"-(Findley's History.)

ALBERT 'GALLATIN Wee a native of Geneva, in Switzerland. He wes of a good family, had received an excellent education, and come in carly youth to the United States; that is, during the Revolutionary war, in , more determined and sasalmons is thats wiebes for this repeal."

which he took a part. He was not bred to say particular profession. His talent for public speaking was developed by cironmoto ness. He at fret opposed the Federal Constitution, and it is believed that his mind was cramped by the barrow confederacy in which he was born. In con- sequence of this, sad the reasons it germinsted, bo wes rather opposed to the extension of our territory. His brilliant political career belongs to our national history.

DAVID REDICK was a native of Ireland and a lawyer by profession; admitted to practice in Washington County in 1782, one year after its organisation. In 1786 he was elected a member of the Supreme Execu- tive Council, and in 1788 choses vice-president of Pennsylvania, the duties of which office he continued to exercise until January the 19th, 1789. In October, 1787, he was appointed the agent of the State for communicating to the Governor of New York intelligence respecting Connecticut claims. In 1791, Mr. Rediok was appointed prothonotary of Washington County, and the following year clerk of the courts. As a basinem man he was active and energetic, and we find him exercising the duties of a surveyor, having been appointed to survey the ten islande in the Ohio and Alles. . ny Rivers, and divide the several tracts of land opposite Pittsburgh into building or town and outlots. At the time of the Whiskey Insurrection he took a prominent part in defense of law, order, and the constitution, and, with Mr. Findley, was appointed, Oct. 2, 1794, to wait upon President Washington and Governor Mifflin to explain the state of affairs in the Western counties. The result of their commission is narrated in the text and the accompanying papers. Mr. Redick died at Washington, Sept. 28, 1806, and was buried with Masonic honors.

WILLIAM IRVINE, who commanded at Fort Pitt during the latter days of the Revolution, and who took such an active part in the civil affairs later, and who has relatives yet residing in Westmoreland County, being uncle to the late Alexander Johnston, of Kingston House, deserves some special notice from Westmorelandera. We meet with his name so fre- quently in the early history of Western Pennsylvania and of Westmore- land County that we or the reader of our annals must long before this period have of necessity become familiar with his name, to may the least. He was born at Fermanagh, Ireland, Nov. 3, 1741. Educated at the University of Dublin, he studied medicine, and was some time surgeon in the English navy. After the peace of 1763 he removed to Pennsylvania, and settled at Carlisle. He was a member from Cumber- land County of the convention which met at Philadelphia on the 15th of July, 1774, and recommended a General Congress. He was a repre- wentative in the succeeding conferences of the Province. In 1776 he raised and commanded the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, and wes cap- tured at Trois Rivieres, Canada. On the 3d of August was released on parole; exchanged May 6, 1778. The same year be was appointed col- onel of the Second Pennsylvania Regiment, and the 12th of May, 1779, a brigadier-general. He served under Wayne during that and the fol- lowing year. In the autumn of 1781 he was stationed at Fort Pitt, in- trusted with the defense of the Northwestern frontier. In 1784 he served as a member of the Council of Censors. In 1786 he was ap- pointed by the President of Pennsylvania an agent to examine the pub- lic leads of the State, and suggested the purchase of the " Triangle," thus giving to Pennsylvania an outlet on Lake Erie. He was a member of the old Congress of 1786-88, and of the Constitutional Convention of 1790. In 1794, Governor Mifflin appointed him, with Chief Justice Mc- Kean, a commissioner to go to the western counties. He served as mem- ber of Congress from 1793 to 1795. He wes president of the Pennayiva- nia Society of the Cincinnati. He died at Philadelphia on the 29th of July, 1804.

The following extracts are from correspondence, contemporaneous histories, official reports, and from " The Papers Relating to the Whiskey Insurrection," Penn. Archives, with observations thereon, etc., as the same especially refers to Westmoreland County :

From William Findley's letter to Governor Mifflin :

"Mer. not, 170%.

" When I returned among my constitucate I discovered that not caly those who had been wavering in their opinion, but these also who had Bret thenght that they could avell themselves of the low to advantage, ! by running down the compiere of mell otilio in disadvantageone altre- tions, and even those who had originally advocated the law, were be- come wasaimowe againet it; for the more accurately they czamine the law, with application to their own local circumstances, they are the

At a meeting held at Pittsburgh, Sept. 7, 1791, the following gentlemen appeared from the counties of Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette, and Allegheny to take into consideration, etc., namely :

For Westmoreland County, Nehemiah Stokely and John Young, Enquires.

For Washington County, Col. James Marshall, Rev. David Phillips, and David Bradford, Enquires.

For Fayette County, Edward Cook, Nathaniel Bradly, and John Oliphant, Faquires.

For Allegheny County, Col. Thomas Morton, John Woods, Esquire, and William Plummer, Esquire.

Edward Cook, Esquire, was voted in the chair, and John Young appointed secretary.

The following persons were present at the meeting held at Pittsburgh on the 21st of August, 1792 : Pres- ent, John Cannon, William Wallace, Shesbazer Bent- ley, Bazel Bowel, Benjamin Parkinson, John Huey, John Badollet, John Hamilton, John McClellan, Neal Gillespie, David Bradford, Thomas Gaddes, Rev. David Phillips, Albert Gallatin, Matthew Jami- son, James Marshall, James Robinson, James Stew- art, John Smilie, Robert McClure, Peter Lisle, Alex- ander Long, Samuel Wilson, and Edward Cook.

Col. John Cannon was placed in the chair, and Albert Gallatin appointed clerk.

Among their resolutions were these :

" Resolved, That David Bradford, James Marshall, Albert Gallatin, Peter Lisle, and David Philips be appointed for the purpose of drawing a remonstrance to Congress, stating our objections against the law that imposes a duty upon spirituous liquore distilled within the United States, and praying for a repeal of the same, etc.

" And whereas, Some men may be found amongst ne so far lost to every sense of virtue and feeling for the distresses of this country as to accept offices for the collection of the duty,

" Resolved therefore, That in future we will consider such persons me unworthy of our friendship, bave no intercourse or dealings with them, withdraw from them every assistance, and withhold all the comforts of life which depend upon those duties that as men and follow-citisens we owe to each other, and upon all occasions treat them with that contempt they deserve, and that it be, and it is, hereby most earnestly recot- mended to the people at large to follow the same line of conduct to- wards them."

Extract from letter of Judge Addison to Governor Mifflin :

" WASHIN., 12th May, 1784.

"There are, so far as I have understood, but two Collectors of Excise in the four Counties of Pennsyl. on this side of the mountains. Benje- min Wells, of Fayette County, is collector for the Counties of Westmore- land and Fayette. Robert Johnston, of Allegheny County, is collector for the counties of Washington and Allegheny.

" Robert Johnston, so far as I have learnt of him, is an honest man of good character, but more remarkable for simplicity, good nature, and inoffensive manners than for those qualities of spirit, understanding, skill, and address which are necessary for carrying into execution a law odious and opposed where he is charged with its execution.

"Benjamin Wells, so far es I have heard him spoken of, is a contempti-

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THE WHISKEY INSURRECTION.

ble and unworthy man, whom, I believe, the people of this country would never wish to see in any office or trust with an object of any import- ace."

The inhabitants of Westmoreland to Gen. William Jack : :..

"BIR,-As attempts have been made to raise an armed force to disturb the pesce of this County and prevent the due Execution of the Laws, and an attack has been premeditated to be made on the Town of Greene- burg, we have thought proper to address you as the Commanding Of- ficer of the Militia on a subject so distressing to the minds of all well disposed Citizens. If such proceedings are not checked in their first On- reer, it is more easy to image than to point out the Calamities which may be the Consequence. We would be happy to have it in our power to my that the disposition to submit to the Laws was so prevalent that any ex- traordinary exertion of Government for that purpose and protecting well-disposed Citizens in the Enjoyment of their Rights and Liberties was unnecessary. Recent examples convince us to the Contrary. Until that protection can be afforded, we are of opinion that beeides Voluntary Associations among such as are well inclined, a small Corps of Militia Volunteers, embodied by your direction, to be kept in service so long as you shall judge the exigency of the case may require, will Essentially contribute to maintain the peace, and under the Olvil authority to assist in Suppressing Riots and traitorons designs. From the tenor and centi- ments manifested by the Executive, we make no doubt that your conduct in calling such a body of men into service for a short time will meet with the most unequivocal approbation, and the Expense be Defrayed out of the public Treasury. We add this our personal assurance of your being reimbursed any expense which may be incurred by you as to the pay and Rations of the officers and men whom you may think proper to call out for the Salutary purposes above mentioned.

" We are, Bir, your Humble Serv'ta,

" William Findley.

Samuel Porter.

William Todd.

Peter Olasson.

Thomas Hamilton.

John Conts.

James Guthre. John Kirkpatrick.

James McKellip.

Christopher Truby.

John Hutcheson.

Robert William. Robert Taylor.

Peter Tittle.

John Denniston.

Bimeon Hovey.

George Smith.

James Perry.

Robert Bolo.

William Magher.

John Branden.

Trederick Boher.

David Beans. Terrence Campbell.

Conrad Colmer.

Joseph Cook.

James Hill.

Nathan Williams."

(A majority of these were the personal friends and some of them neighbors of Findley. It was no doubt presented at his instance.)

" Tom the Tinker's" notice to John Reed :

"MR. BOUL" [ Editor and one of the Proprietors of the Pittsburgh Gasette]: "I am under the necessity of requesting you to put the following in your next paper. It was found pasted on a tree near my distillery. "JOHN REED.

"July 23, 1794.

"' ADVERTISEMENT.

"'In taking a survey of the troops under my direction in the late ex- pedition against that insolent exciseman, John Nevill, I find there were a great many delinquents, even among those who carry on distilling. It will therefore be observed that I, Tom the Tinker, will not suffer any certain class or set of men to be excluded the service of this my.dis- trict when notified to attend on any expedition carried on in order to obstruct the execution of the excise law and obtain a repeal thereof.

"" And I do declare on my solemn word, that if such delinquents do not come forth on the next alarm, with equipments, and give their assist- ance as much as in them lies, in opposing the execution and obtaining a repeal of the excise law, be or they will be deemed as enemies, and stand opposed to virtuous principles of republican liberty, and shall re- ceive punishment according to the nature of the offense.

""And whereas a certain John Reed, now resident in Washington, and being at his place near Pittsburgh, called Reedsburg, and having a set of stille employed at said Reedeburg, entered on the excise docket, con-

trary to the will and good pleasure of his fellow-citizena, and came not forth to assist in the suppression of the execution of said law, by aiding and assisting in the late expedition, have, by delinquency, mantfested his approbation to the execution of the aforesaid law, is hereby charged forth with to cause the contents of this paper, without adding or dimin- ishing, to be published in the Pittsburgh Gasette the ensuing week, un- der the no less peualty than the consumption of his distillery.

""Given under my hand, this 19th day of July, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four.

Extract from letter of the Secretary of the Treasury to President Washington :

"TREASURY DEPARTMENT, PHILADELPHIA, August 6, 1794. "Nor were the outrages perpetrated confined to the officers; they ex- tended to private citizens who only dared to show their respect for the laws of their country.

"Some time in October, 1791, an unhappy man of the name of Wilson, a stranger in the county, and manifestiy disordered in his intellect, im- agining himself to be a collector of the revenue, or invested with some trust in relation to it, was so unlucky as to make inquiries concerning distillers who had entered their stille, giving out that he wes to travel through the United States to ascertain and report to Congress the num- ber of stilla, etc. This man was pursued by a party in dieguise, taken out of his bed, carried about five miles back to a smith's shop, stripped of his clothes, which were afterwards burnt, and having been himself in- humanly burnt in several places with a heated iron, wes tarred and feathered, and about daylight dismissed, naked, wounded, sad otherwise in a very suffering condition. . . . The unhappy sufferer displayed the herole fortitude of a man who conceived himself to be a martyr to the discharge of some important duty."

Gen. Gibson to Governor Mifflin :

" CARLISLE, Ang. 14, 1794.

" I arrived here last night, having met on my way down to this piece Judge Yeates and Mr. Bradford, ten miles cast of Bedford, on Tuesday last in the morning, and Judge MoKean nad Gen. Irwin near to Little-' ton the same day, in the evening. On my arrival at Greeceburg I found a number of people assembled to choose delegates to attend the general meeting to be held this day. On my alighting at a tavern they our- rounded the house, and ordered me to quit the town in half an hour or I must abide the consequences. I then came to Gen. Jack's, sad re- mained the remainder of the day with him. I am much afraid from the present disposition of the people nothing good will result from the present meeting. Gen. Jack mesures me in the county of Westmoreland the people have made choice of the most violent men to represent them at the general meeting, and that nothing less than the repeal of the excise law will satisfy them. I wish they may oven treat the commte- doners with common decency. I shall remain here until the return of the next post from Pittsburgh, es I have left Mru. Gibson sad the family there. Should any violent measures be adopted by the general meeting che will leave that place, and I shall return to meet her. Inclosed is the resolves of the committee and their passport to mo.

"Should anything offer in which I can serve my country at the risque of my life and my fortune, I hope your Excellency will command me. " I have bonor to be your Excellency's most obedient humble ser- vant.

" Jos. Grason."

Representatives present at the first conference at Parkinson's ferry on the 14th of August, 1794, to confer on the subject of the late opposition to the laws, etc. :

" On the part of the Excouties Union: William Bradford, attorney-geo- eral of the United States; Jasper Yeates, associate judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; James Boes, senator in the Congress of the United States.

" On the part of the Executies of Pennsylvania .- Thomas Mckean, Chief Justice of the State of Pennsylvania; William Irvine, Representative in the Congress of the United States.

" Committee of Conferenos .- Westmoreland County, John Kirkpatrick, George Smith, John Powers; Fayette County, Edward Cook, Albert Get- latin, James Lang; Washington County, David Bradford, John Mar- shall, James Edgar; Allegheny County, Thomas Morton, John Lucas, H. H. Breckenridge; Oble Chanty (Virginia), William M. Kinley, Will. liam Sutherland, John DR."

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Timothy Buell. John Parker.

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

" We, the rebecribera, judges of a gearral electing beid in the coveral townships of the county of Westmoreland for the purpose of covertele- ing certain severances required of the citizens by the cuesmissioners on the part of the government, sad agreed to on the part of the delegates, having mot this day and taken into consideration the return from said townships (true copleser which have been returned to one of the com- missioners), and finding that sume gave only general meuranors of their cabmission and disposition for peace, without individually signing the mums, sad others, in numbers according to the returns by them respec- tively made, do certify that in our opinion es ill-dispueed, In wiees persons could suddenly assemble sad offer violence, it would not be cafe in im- mediately establishing an office of inspection thereta.

"Giren under our heads at the court-house in Grecosberg this 18th day of September, 1704.

" James McLean. John Denniston.

Ebeneser Brady. Christopher Finley.

Clements Burleigh.

John Kirkpatrick.

Hugh Martin. John Young.

James Caldwell. John Findley.

James Irwin.

Jeremiah Murray.

James Brady.

George Ament"

John Anderson.

Letter from Gen. William Jack to Governer Mifta.

- GEREELBURG, Sept. 22, 1794.

"Bra,-I think it my duty to transmit your Excellency sa account of the situation of this county at the present crisis, and the motives which induced me to cell int- . sevice a cisell corps of militia to cesiet ia .pro- serving peace and warding of may attack on the county town, where. the public records are kept, and in which the adjoining counties are in- terested as well as this.

" Until the disturbances took place, soon after the arrival of the federal marshal, the people of this county, altho' generally averse to the duty on spirits, thought very little about it, and I have reason to presume many of the principal distillers would have entered rather than sub- Jected themselves to a prosecution. The flame was soon communicated, and many from different views rather encouraged opposition than other- wise, whilst those who failed of other reasons made use of threats to no- complish their views. The inclosed paper, sent to a distiller in this county, shows the mode of invitation from Washington; but there is reason to suppose that open as well as dieguleed menaces of burning, &c., had the greatest effect in collecting the small number that went from Westmoreland to Braddock's field.

"The vigorous mesures proposed by Government, as well as the just fears of all good citizens, and the danger to persons and property, all had their effect in allaying the ferment. The people, however, revolted at the idea of submitting to the law complained of, as settled with the commissioners met at Pittsburgh. Considerable pains were need at this place to procure the signing required, and, I firmly believe, but for the steady countenance and determination of a few among os no signing at all would have taken place. The Germans, who are thick settled in this neighborhood, being from ignorance of our language more easily imposed upon, were extremely unwilling, and oven showed a disposition which I did not expect from those habits of industry to which they are used.

" On the 11th instant, the day fixed, only about eighty came forward to sign out of several hundred met; frequent attempts were made by come to intimidate and create mischief; at length some of the ringlead- ers attempted to snatch the papers, in order to destroy them, but were prevented. Those who were known to have signed have been more or lees threatened ever since by a set of worthless fellows.

" An association was set on foot in the town, the 13th instant, for pro- tection and mutual safety, and was generally agreed to, even by some of those who did not like the declaration to submit to the laws. On the 16th, being assured of an attempt set on foot by Lieut. Straw to raise a party to come to town with the pretense of getting the papers, I thought it most advisable to issue a warrant and committed him to gaol.

"Being joined by a number of friends to peace from the country, I went with a party of about fifty men to a house where the said Straw's party was to collect, about a mile from town, where we found about thirty persons who declared in favor of peace, and not finding some of those among them who had been the most active, we thought it best to be satisfied with their assurances.

"To put a check to further combinations of this kind, it was deter- mined expedient (on a consultation among the citizens of the town, and come who had come from the country, particularly Mr. Findley and Mr. Porter [Revd]), to have a party raised to be ready on any emergency.

In consequence I have given instructions for calling out a Nestesent sad thirty volunteers, militia, to readesvous here this week, tho ms- ber to be angacated if occasion requires; bet I hope this will not be necessary, the more especially co the treege ordered by the Executive are now supposed to be on their merch.

" For your Excellency's satisfaction I transmit you a copy of the Let- ter from the Citizens to me, sad at the same time request your meaction to the measure I beve undertaken.

" I am, dir, your Ezeolleney's most obedient, bamble corvent,

" WILLIAN JACK."

From notes of the march of the army from Sept. 30th to Oct. 29, 1794:

"Jeeray' MILL, Ost 20, 1784.

" I am distressed at the ridloulous accounts comestiare pobitibed in our papers. I amvaro you that these bee not been a single chet fred et car troops to my knowledge. The whole country trembles. The most turbulens characters so we advance tara out to salat mit, apply forgs, cattle, de. From Washington we hear of Little but for and fight. .. . Our march to Berlin (Somerset County) wee one of the coverest kind. The csoset of o meestsia in fine weather to a dingle trareler most je Istoriens, jadgo then what it must prove in a heavy rain to ca erky, with all their train of artillery nad wagons, cech private soldier carry- ing his arms and knapsack, yet no discontent appeared, and a double Allewasce of whiskey made them as happy as could be, the caly dtet- calty we have found with them, in relation to the main etfect, wee to re- strain thetn from eagerly appreheading those who were pointed out as Whiskey Boys."

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History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, with Biographical Sketches of Many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 51

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: George Dallas Albert, editor
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: