USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 4
USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 4
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It was subsequently believed that when the Indians crossed the river they intended taking vengeance on a storekeeper in the neighborhood with whom they had quarreled, but they failed to find the way. When they crossed in true Indian file, they were seen by Ulrich Schowalter, who then lived on the place now owned by Peter Troxel. He was working at the time on the roof of a building which stood upon a consid- erable elevation of ground, and had a good oppor- tunity to see and count the Indians, whom he found to number twelve. Probably he was the only person who saw the approach of the Indians, for it must be borne in mind that the greater portion of the conutry was at that time covered with forest.
The fierce nature of the savages had been aroused but not sated by the butcheries they had already performed on this beautiful autumn morning, and they were ready to vent their wild passion on whom- ever they found. On reaching the farm of John Jacob Mickley, in Whitehall, they came upon three of his children, Peter, Henry, and Barbary, running about in a field and gathering the chestnuts that the frost had dropped from the trees. The eldest of these children was eleven years old, the second nine, the. youngest seven. No doubt they were full of glee in their nut-gathering. but their innocent joy and mirth was suddenly changed to terror as the dark forms burst from the adjacent wood and rushed upon them. Little Barbary could run but a few steps when she was overtaken and knocked down with a tomahawk. Henry ran and reached the fence, but as be was climbing it an Indian threw a tomahawk at his back which it is supposed killed him instantly. Both of these children were scalped, but the little girl in an oldest boy, Peter, reached the woods safely, and con- cealed himself between two large trees which stood close together in a little thicket. There he remained without making any noise until, hearing screams at a neighboring house, he kuew the Indians to be there and the way open for his escape. Leaping from bis hiding-place, he ran with all his might by way of Adam Deshler's to his brother, John Jacob Mickley,
Hazlett attempted to fire upon them, but his flint or ; insensible state survived for twenty-four hours. The
1 The delachment of soldiers who performed this duty was under command of Lieut. Jonathan Dodge, who escaped the massacre. He was paid 99. 9d, on October 11th for this service.
" George Wellerholt, who was sheriff of Lehigh County, und u well- known citizen of Allentown, was hls grandson.
10
HISTORY OF LEIIIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
to whom he conveyed the melancholy tidings.1 The members of the Mickley family who were at the house escaped attack, it is believed by reason of their own- ing a huge and ferocious dog which had a particular antipathy to Indians.
Passing by Mickley's house, the Indians came to that of Nicholas Marks, whose family seeing tltem coming had made their escape. The house was fired. At Hans Schmeider's, near by, the household was surprised, and father, mother, and three children ruthlessly slaughtered. Two daughters who had at- tempted to escape were overtaken and scalped, but subsequently recovered.2 Another daughter was car- ried away as a captive, and her fate was never known. It was the screams from the terrified people at the Schneider house which were heard by the boy, Peter Mickley, in his place of hiding.
Their bloody work being done, the Indians left with all possible haste in the dircetion of the Blue Ridge.
A further account of these murders is afforded by a letter from Bethlehem to the Pennsylvania Gazette, dated Oct. 9, 1763 :
"Early this morning came Nicholas Marks, of Whitehall township, and brought the following account, viz .: That yesterday just after dinner, as he opened his door, he saw an Indian standing about two poles from the house, who endeavored to shoot at him ; but Marks shut- ting the door immediately, the fellow shipped into a cellar close by the house. After this said Marks went out of the house with his wife and an apprentice-boy,8 in order to make their escape, and saw another In- dian, who tried also to shoot at them, but his gun missed fire. They then saw the third Indian running through the orchard, upon which they made the best of their way, about two miles off, to Adam Deshler's place, where twenty men in arms were assembled, who went first to the house of John Jacob Mickley, where they found n boy and a girl lying dead, and the girl scalped. From thence they went lo Hans Schnei- der's and said Marks plantations, and found both honses on fire, and a horse tied to the bushes. They also fouml said Schneider, his wife, and three children dead in the field, the man and woman scalped; and on going farther they found two others wounded, one of whom was scalped. After this they returned with the two wounded girls to Adam Deshler's, and saw a woman, Jacob Alleman's wife, with a child lying dead in the rond and scalped. The number of Indians they think was abont fifteen or twenty. I cannot describe the deplorable condition this poor country is in ; most of the inhabitants of Allen's Town and other places are led From their habitations. Many are in Bethlehem and other places of the Brethren, and others tatthet down the country I cante' ascer. tain the number killed, but think It exceeds twenty. The people of Nazareth and other places belonging to the Bretbreu have put them- selves in the best posture of defruso they can ; they keep a strong watch every night, and hope by the blessing of God, if they are attacked, to make a good stand."
The house of Adam Deshler, here referred to, is a substantial stone structure, still giving unmistakable evidence, by its heavy walls and other peculiarities, that it was built to serve other purposes than those of
an ordinary farm domicile." This house was built by Mr. Deshler in 1760. Adjoining the stone structure upon the north was a large frame building, in which twenty soldiers might be quartered and a considerable quantity of military stores kept. The frame building passed into decay early in the present century, and was razed to the ground. During the Indian troubles this place was a kind of military post, furnished gratuitously by Adam Deshler, who was one of the most liberal and humane men in the region.5
Many of the settlers in the upper part of the county fled to Allentown (then Northampton) for safety. The people of that place were poorly pre- pared to defend themselves in ease of an attack, but they did the best thing possible under the circum- stances,-that is, they organized a company and sent for arms, as will appear from the following letter, written two. days after the murder, to Governor Hamilton.
" NORTHAMPTON, " THE 10TH OF THIS INSTANT OCTOBER, 1763.
" To the Honorable James Hambletowen, Esq., Lieutenant- Governor and Com- mander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, Newcassel, Cent, and Susox ou Delawar.
" As I, Joseph Roth, of Northampton Town, church minister, of this eighth instant October, as I was a-preaching, the people came in such numbers that I was obliged to quit my sarmon, and the same time for- nel James Bord was in the town, and I, the aforesaid minister, spoke with Cornel Bord concerning this affares of the Indians, and we found the Inhabitance had neither Gons, Powder nor Lead to defend them- selves, and that Cornel Bord had lately spoke with his hononr. He had informed me that we would assist them with Gons and ammunition, and he requested of me to write to your honor, because he was just setting off for Lancaster, and the Inhabitance of the Town had uot chose their officers at the time he set off. So we, the Inhabitance of the said Town, hath unanimons chose George Wolf, the Learer hereof, to be the Captain, and Abmham Rinker to be the Lieutenant.
" We whose names are under written promise to obey to this men- tioned Captin and Lieutenant, and so we hope will be so good and send 118 50 Gons, 100 1b. Powder, and 400 1b. Lead, and 150 stans for the Cons.
" These from your hunble servant, remaining under the protection of our Lord Saviour Jesus Christ.
" JACOB ROTH, Minister.
"The names of the company of this said Northampton Town :
"George Wolf, Captin. Leonard Abel.
" Abraham Rinker, Liet. Tobias Pittes.
" Philip hoogter. Lorenz Hank
" Peter Miller,
Simon Brenner.
" Jacob Wolf.
John Martin Doerr.
" Simon Lagundacker.
Peter Roth.
"George Nicholas.
Franz Koffer.
" David Deshler.
Jacob Mohr.
" Martin Froclich.
Abralınm Savitz.
" George Lauer.
John Schreck.
" Daniel Nonnemacher.
George S. Schneff.
" Peter Schab.
Michael Rothrock."
" Frederick Schachler.
4 The old stone house, which was a place of refuge in tronblous I- dian times, is in n good state off preservation and still inhalted. It stauds upon the north bank of Coplay Creek, in Whitehall township, upon a farm owned by D. J. F Deshler, of Allentown.
6 Facts concerning Adam Deshler and his family appear in the history of Whitehall township. It will be seen by reference to the chapter of Indian history in the Carbon County department of this work that Deshler furnished large quantities of provisions for the provincial forces in 1756, 1757, nnd 1758.
1 l'oter Mickley lived a number of years with his brother from this time, and removed to Bucks Conuly, where he died in the year 1827.
" A bill for the relief of these girls was passed by the Assembly in 1765, by which the anm of $44 38. 8d. was appropriated to discharge the bills brought against them by the surgeous who dressed their wounds and saved their lives.
3 George Graff, afterwards of Allentown. For biographical note sco chapter on that city.
11
LOCAL AFFAIRS DURING THE REVOLUTION.
That the military company was not of very much utility upon its organization will appear from an ex- tract from one of Col. James Burd's letters to the Governor, dated Oct. 17, 1763. He says, "I arrived here (Lancaster) on Monday night from Northamp- ton. I need not trouble your Honor with a relation of the misfortune of that county, as Mr. Horsfield told me he would send you an express and inform : you fully of what had happened. I will only mention that in the town of Northampton (where I was at the time) there were only four guns, three of which unfit for use, and the enemy within four miles of the place." From other sources we learn that the one gon in good condition was the property of David Deshler.
Fortunately there proved to be no necessity for the company or for guns. The feeling of alarm, however, extended much farther than Allentown. Bucks County had early sent suecor to her northern neighbor, one company of mounted men coming into the hostile country within twenty-four hours, and two others speedily following. Companies were quickly organ- ized in various parts of Northampton County. Louis Gordon, of Easton, was captain of one, and Jacob Arndt, who had removed from Bucks County, of another.
The Governor was thoroughly alarmed at what he supposed to be a general uprising of the Indians, and appears even to have been concerned for the safety of Philadelphia. On the 15th of October he called the attention of the Assembly to the murders in North- ampton County in an earnest message, in which he urged that immediate attention be given to the sub- ject of providing means for the protection of the fron- tier settlements. He said,-
. " I have received well-nttested accounts of many barbarons und shocking murders and other depredations having been committed ly Indians in Northampton County, in consequence whereof great bun- bers of those who escaped the rage of the enemy have already deserted, and are daily deserting their habitations ; so that unless some effectual aid bo speedily granted them, to induce them to stand their ground, it is dillienlt to say where their desertions will stop or to how small a dis- tance from the capitul onr frontier may be reduced.
" The Provincial commissioners aml I have, in consequence of the re- salve at the Assembly of the 6th of July last, done everything in mir power lor the jaolection of the province puissant to the frast imposed ch ns ; but as cor binda mo entirely exhausted, and even a considerable arrear becomes dno to the soldiers and ithers employed by the guvern- ment for their pay, which we have not in our power to discharge, it seems impossible that the forces now on foot can be longer kept to- gether withont a supply is speedily granted for that purpose.
" I therefore, gentlemen, in the most earnest manner recommend to your immediate consideration The distressed state of our unfortunate Inhabitants of the frontier, who are continually exposed to the savage cruelty of a merciless enemy, aml request that you will in your present Ression grant such a supply us, with God's assistance, may enable ns not only to protect our own people, but to take a severe revenge on off perfidlons foes by pursning than into their own country ; for which purpose there prevails at present a noble ardor umong our frontier pcg- ple which, in my opinion, ought by all means to bo cherished and im- proved." . . .
included), to be employed in the most effectual man- ner for the defense of this province."
The inhabitants having become thoroughly aroused and watchful, and the government having taken prompt and efficient measures, it was no longer within the bounds of practicable possibility for the Indians to invade the territory below the Blue Ridge, but they continued for a number of years-in fact, as late as 1780-to commit murders in the country just north of the mountains, some of which, having occurred in Carbon County, are related in this volume.
CHAPTER III.
LOCAL AFFAIRS DURING THE REVOLUTION.
Raising of Troops-Manufactures for the Army at Allentown-Dis- tressed Condition of the People.
WHEN the Revolutionary war opened the people of Lehigh, then an integral portion of old Northampton, with which its history of that period is inseparably merged, had enjoyed more than a decade of peaceful and prosperous years, which afforded a happy contrast with those intervening between 1755 and 1764. The farmers, who had so long lived in a state of fear and disquietude, had, on the establishment of peace after the atrocities of 1763, bent all of their energies to the improvement of their land and their homes, giving only that modicum of attention to public affairs which the interests of the State demand from good citizens. But when the inexorable flow of events operating on public opinion showed that the crisis of war with the mother-country was inevitable, the martial and the patriotic spirit of these quiet and usually undemon- strative people was awakened, and their thoughts were given to the one absorbing topie of the times.
The feeling that existed in the province is shown by the expressions of the convention which was held in Philadelphia Jan. 23-28, 1775. Follow- ing is an extract from the resolutions adopted : " But if the humble and loyal petition of said Con- gress to his most gracious Majesty should be dis- regarded, and the British administration, instead of redressing our grievances, should determine hy force to effect a submission to the late arbitrary acts of the British Parliament, in such a situation we hold it our indispensable duty to resist such force, and at every hazard to defend the rights and liberties of America."
Northampton was represented in the convention which thus enunciated the independent principles of the people by George Taylor, John Oakley, Peter Kichline, and Jacob Arndt.
The Assembly acted promptly, passing on Oet. 22, The war that was to last seven years opened with the battle of Lexington upon the 19th of April, 1775, and the battle of Bunker Hill was fought on the 17th 1763, a provision "that the sum of twenty-four thousand pounds be granted to his Majesty for raising, paying, and vietualling eight hundred men (officers , of the following June. Washington was placed at
.
1
12
HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
the head of the army. Pennsylvania took prompt action toward raising the four thousand three hun- dred men apportioned to the province, and made appropriations for their support. Northampton County was as fully aroused as any portion of the province, and quickly organized a company of sol- diers, each man enlisting receiving a bounty of three pounds ($8.00).
This company, of which Thomas Craig was captain, was composed almost entirely of Northampton County men, and there were many from that portion which is now Lehigh. The company formed a portion of the Second Pennsylvania Battalion,' of which Col. Arthur St. Clair (afterward major-general) was the commander.
Following is the roll of Captain Craig's company :
Captains,
Craig. Thomas, com. Jan, 5, 1776 ; pro, lient .- col. Sept. 7, 1776. Bunner, Rudolph.
First Lieutenants.
Kachlein, Andrew, com. Jan. 5, 1776; disch, June 21, 1776. Dunn, Isaac Budd, com. July 4, 1776.
Second Lieutenants,
Craig, John, com. Jan. 5, 1776; pro. Nov. 11, 1776; subsequently capt. in Light Dragoons, 4th Cavalry.
Armstrong, James, com. Nov. 11, 1776.
Ensigns.
Park, Thomas, com. Jan. 5, 1776 ; disch, June 20, 1776. Dull, Abraham, com. Oct. 25, 1776.
1 The Second Battalion was raised under authority of a resolution of Congress dated Dec. 9, 1775, The field-officers of the battalion were Col. Arthur St. Clair (afterward a major-general in the Revolutionary army), Lient .- Col. William Allen (promoted from captain in the First Battalion), and Maj, Joseph Wood. The adjutant was George Ross, On the 16th of February, 1776, the secret comoittee of Congress was di- rected to furnish Col. St. Clair's battalion with arms, and to write to him to use the utmost diligence in getting his battalion ready, and to murch the companies as fast as they were ready, one at a time, to Canada. Ou the 13th of March Lieut .- Col. Allen had arrived in New York, and embarked some of the companies for Albany, and received an order from Gen, Stirling to direct the rest of the companies to pro- ceed to New York, where quarters would be found for them. On the 12th of April, 1776, tive companies of the Second Battalion were at Fort Edward, N. Y., on the Upper Hudson River, where they remained until the 19th, when they were ordered to Fort George, whence they moved northward by way of Lake Champlain into Canada, The other companies of the Second came up, and on the 6th of May, Ment. Col. Allon with the battalion had passed Deschambault, and was within three miles of Quebec, where to met Gen. Thomas with the army retreating from Quebec, On the 7th, at n council of war, at which he was present, it was determined that the army should continne the retreat as far as the Sorel. Thomas with the army left Deschambault on the 13th, and was nt Three Rivers on the loth with abont eight hundred men. On the 20th, Gen. Thomas was at Sorel, and the same ilay issued an order to Col. Maxwell to abandon Three Rivers, which he did, and with the rear of the army reached Sorel on the 24th. From Sorel, Col. St. Clair's battalion with other troops turned back and pro- ceeded to Trois Rivieres, on the St. Lawrence, where, on Saturday, the 8th of June, a severe battle was fought, resulting in the defeat of the American force, which retreated up the St. Lawrence, and reached Sorel on the 10th. On the 14th the British general, Burgoyne, reached that place, the Americans having evaenated it only a few hours before, and moved up the Sorel River to St. John's, at the foot of Lake Cham- plain. From there the retreat was continued to Iste anx Noix, and thence to Crown Point nud Ticonderoga, which list-named place the Second Battalion left, Jan. 21, 1777, and moved sonthward to Pennsyl- vania, the enlistment of the men having expired. Subsequently many of them enlisted in the Third Regiment of Pennsylvanin,
Sergeants.
Marshall, Robert, npp. Jan. 7, 1776 ; disch. July 13, 1776. Smith, Peter, app. Jan. 15, 1776; pro. Nov. 11, 1776.
Horn, Abraham, app. Jan. 5, 1776. Dnll, Abraham, app. Jan. 19, 1776; pro. Oct. 25, 1776.
Shouse, Christian, app. July 13, 1776.
Curey, John, app. Oct, 25, 1776; disch. Nov. 21, 1776, McMichael, John, app. Nov. 21, 1776.
Minor, John, app. Jun. 13, 1776, arminmer.
Gangwer, George, app. Jan. 13, 1776; filer ; reduced Oct. 11, 1776. Fuller, Stephen, app. Oct. 11, 1776, fifer.
Corporals.
Shouse, Christian, app. Jan, 15, 1776; pro. July 13, 1776.
Carey, John, app. Jan. 5, 1776 ; pro. Oct. 25, 1776.
Byel, Peter, app. Jan. 17, 1776.
Powelson, Henry, app. Feb. 11, 1776.
MeMichael, John, app. April 8, 1776 ; pro. June 21, 1776.
Shearer, Robert, app. April 12, 1776.
Sweeney, James, app. Nov. 21, 1776. Mon, Samuel, app. July 12, 1776.
Privates.
Ackert, Johu. Kuns, George (died Ang. 0, 1776).
Assur, Anthony.
Kuns, Michael.
Byel, Jucob. Labar, Leonard.
Bowerman, Peter.
Labar, Melchior.
Boyer, John.
Man, John.
Thanthuwer, Adam.
Man, Lawrence.
Crane, Josiah, Crist, Butler,
Cunningham, Alexander,
Miller, Matthias,
Mengas, Conrad.
Darling, David.
Minon, Davil.
Davenport, Jacob.
Davis, Evan (Cookstown, Tyrone
Co., Ireland; enl. Jan. 7, 1776; missing since battle at Three Rivers, June Sth ; paroled Ang. 9, 1776).
Davis, John (missing since battle at Three Rivers, June 8th). Dieli, Daniel.
Dobbs, Thomas.
Docker, John.
Evans, Evan.
Fleek, Peter (wonnded).
Rinker, Abraham.
Fonlk, Daniel.
Rogers, Timothy.
Freedley, Henry.
Shaffer, Thomas.
Gingwer, George.
Shammon, Jolin.
Shearer, Henry.
Shearer, Robert (pro. April 12,
Groob, Philip.
Hans, Leonard.
Andth, Philip.
Hindman, John,
Standley, Peter.
Hirkie, William.
Stinson, David,
Iloofinan, Ludwig.
Sterner, George.
Horn, Frederick. Sweeney, James (pro. Nov. 21, Unbler, John, 1776). Huntsman, George. Thompson, James.
Jost, Martin,
Wilson, Robert.
Kautsman, Nicholus,
King, Charles,
Wise, Jacob. Yiesly, Felty.
When the news of the Declaration of Independence reached Easton it was determined to make a public demonstration, which was accordingly done tipon the 8th of July. Capt. Abraham Labar's company pa- raded the streets, with life and drum loudly resound- ing and colors flying, and the citizens assembled in the court-house to hear their townsman, Robert Levers, read the Declaration.
After the evacuation of Boston by the British under
-
McMichael, John (pro. April 8, 1776). Miller, Christian,
Daily, l'eter. Darling, John.
Mock, JJohn. Morey, Robert.
Mon, Samuel (pro, July 13, 1776).
Nagle, Leonard.
Ney, Samuel. Phass, George.
Powels, Jacob.
Prang, Stophel.
Ramsey, Thomas.
Rusarch, Conrad. Reyley, Dasdel. Richards, Jonathan,
Grimes, Sanmet (missing since the battle of Three Rivers, Inne 8, 1776).
1776). Smith, Poter.
4
13
RAISING OF TROOPS.
Howe, in March, 1776, Washington, apprehending that New York was the objective-point of the enemy, moved there with the whole of his arnty except a small force sufficient to garrison Boston. But his entire army was lamentably insufficient, and Congress re- solved to reinforce the commander-in-chief with thir- teen thousand eight hundred militia, ten thousand of whom were to form the "Flying Camp." Of this militia the quota of Pennsylvania was six thousand. The matter of the quotas of Pennsylvania and of the different counties was also considered at the confer- ence of the committees of the province, held at Car- penters' Hall, Philadelphia, from June 18th to the 25th, 1776, to which the delegates from Northampton County were Robert Levers, Col. Neigel Gray, John Weitzel, David Deshler, Nicholas Depue, and Ben- jamin Depue. At this session of the conference the following resolutions were passed concerning the organization of the troops :
" Resolved, unanimously, That this conference do recommend to the committees and associators 1 of this provineo to embody 4500 of the mili- tia, which, with the 1500 men now in the pay of this province, will be the quota of this province, as required by Congress,
" Resolved, unanimously, That the 4500 militia recommended to be raised be formed into six battalions, each battalion to be commanded by one colonel, one lientenant-colonel, one major; the staff to consist of a chaplain, a surgeon, an adjutant, a quartermaster, uml a surgeon's munte, aml to have ono surgron-major, one quarternoter-sergeant, a drum-major, and a hife-major, and to be composed of nine comjemies, viz. : eight battalion companies, to consist of a captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer, a fifer, and sixty- six privates each, and ono rille company, to consist of a captain, three lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporais, one drummer, one hifer, and eighty privates."
The establishment of a permanent provincial gov- ernment, and the holding of a convention for the pur- pose of forming the same, were also considered. A resolution was passed providing that all wlto were en- titled to vote for representatives in Assembly should be permitted to vote for delegates to the convention after taking the test-oath of allegiance (should it be required). The judges of election were vested with power to administer the oath. Monday, the 8th of July, was appointed as the time for holding the election.
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