USA > Pennsylvania > Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I > Part 33
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Mr. Ricker's house did a large business as a wagon stand, and still larger one as a stopping place for droves, there being a large tract of pasture land connected with the establishment. Soon after the death of Mr. Ricker, iu 1849, the house was converted into a private residence, and the Sign, which fell to the oldest son, Jacob, did duty for many years at a house on the Jonestown road in one of the Hanovers. In the meantime, about the year 1830, Frederick Ricker, another son, opened a house a short distance east of the old "Dry Tavern," under the sign of the Black Swan," but there being no inscription on the sign to indicate what particular fowl the picture was in- tended to represent, it was often mistaken
for the Black Duck, and sometimes for a Black Goose. This house did a fair busi- ness until the railroad was built, when it became valueless as a tavern. Mr. Ricker had retired shortly before this event, and although he was succeeded by several landlords, their occupation was that of farmers, rather than tavern keepers. And it may be said that the appearance of the locomotive in the Valley marked one of those eras which occur in the his- tory of all localities. where old institutions are swept away and society adjusts itself anew.
For the further accommodation of travelers, Polly Shank at an early day opened a cake house on the top of the hill which still bears her name. Polly was a celebrated character in her day and generation, and the fame of her cakes and beer was co- extensive with the territory accommo- dated by the road. She was the first keeper of the lower tollgate on the turn- pike road. Cakes and beer were also sold at a later day by Conrad Peck, an eccen- tric genius, who for many years collected the toll at the upper gate, near Bigger's Tavern.
Of all the public institutions on the road nothing remains but the tollgates. The taverns and cake shops have passed into history, and the places which once knew them know them no more. R.
NOTES AND QUERIES
Relating to the History of Dauphin County.
LIX.
DEATH OF GEN. WASHINGTON. - As to-morrow is the anniversary of the birth of that great and good man George Wash- ington, we have thought it pertinent to give the following action of the citizens of our town and county on the occasion of his death. From the Oracle of Dau- phin of 30th of December, 1799, which has its column rules upturned (in mourn- ing) for the departed hero, we have the following :
"At a meeting of a number of gentle- men of Harrisburg, at Capt. Lee's, on Monday evening, December 23, it was, among other resolutions,
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"Resolved, That as a mark of our un- feigned regret upon this melancholy oc- casion, we and our respective families will wear mourning for one month; and that we will recommend to such of our fellow-citizens as have similar feelings, to unite with us in this small testimonial of respect and veneration for his ( Wash- ington's) illustrious character.
On the 9th of January, 1800, the citi- zens of Middletown, Harrisburg, and the surrounding country testified their sorrow for the loss of the nation's favorite by meeting at the farm-house of Geo. Fisher, Esq, near the first named town, and moving therefrom in the following order to the meeting house (St. Peter's Lu- theran church) :
Trumpcteer. Cavalry on foot, swords drawn. Infantry, arms reversed, by platoons in- verted. Rifle company, arms reversed. Militia officers in uniform. Music. Standard. Surgeons. Clergy. Pall bearers. Young ladies in white. Ancient citizens first. Citizens in general by two. Boys by pairs.
Having arrived at the meeting house, the troops formed lines right and lefr, when the clergy, pall bearers and citizens entered, followed by the troops, while the Dead March from Saul was performed by the organist. The exercises were opened by a short prayer, and singing part of the 90th psalm. Rev. Mr. Snow- den and Rev. Mr. Moller, of Harrisburg, then delivered impressive and well adapted addresses. Most of the military who joined in the processian were from Harrisburg.
CHAMBERS OF DERRY AND PAX- TANG.
I. RANDLE or ROWLAND CHAMBERS son of Arthur Chambers, with his family, all born in county Antrim, Ireland, emigrated to America in 1730, and settled in what was subsequently Derry and Paxtang townships, Lancaster county, Province of Pennsylvania, where
they each took up separate and distinct tracts of land, on which they resided several years. Rowland Chambers died in the winter of 1747-8 in Derry leaving a wife ELIZABETH, and children among others, as follows:
2. i. Joseph, b. 1705; m. Catharine
ii Benjamin, b. 1708; m. and re- moved to the Cumberland Valley-where he took up large tracts of land at Falling Spring, and subsequently laid out the town which perpetuates the family name. 3 iii. John, b. 1711; m. and had issne. 4. iv Arthur, b. 1714; m. and had issue.
5. v. James, b. 1716; m. and had issue. vi Robert. b. 1719, m. and had issue; settled in the Cumberland Valley.
vii. Henry; little is known of him. 6. viii. William.
II. JOSEPH CHAMBERS (Rowland) b. about 1705; d. in 1748, in Paxtang. In 1745, he owned 258 acres along Susque. hanna river adjoining lands of Thomas Gardiner, Robert Renick and William Renick. His wife CATHARINE, subse- quently married Samuel Hunter. Joseph Chambers and Catharine his wife had issue:
i. James, b. 1728.
ii. Thomas, b. 1730; d. April 1768; hs! widow Mary Patterson afterwards m Gen. James Potter. There was issue Thomas and Catharine.
III. JOHN CHAMBERS (Rowland) b. about 1711; d. March 1770; leaving a wife MARGARET, and the following issue:
i. Samuel, b. 1735.
ii. Elizabeth, b. 1787.
iii. Robert, b. 1739.
iv. Isabel. b. 1741.
v. Esther, b. 1748.
vi. Mary, b. 1745; m. Stephen Forster. IV. ARTHUR CHAMBERS (Rowland) b. about 1714; d. November, 1762, in Derry township, Dauphin co., Penn'a., m. Jean . They had issue:
i. Arthur, b. 1740; d. Sept. 29, 1784; m. and had William, Robert, Arthur, and Elizabeth.
· ii. Rowland, b. 1743; m. and removed to Washington co., Md.
iii. Robert, b. 1746; m. Isabella - -; removed to Montgomery township, Frank- lin co., Penn'a.
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7. io. Maxwell, b. 1748; m. Elizabeth
0. John, b. 1750; d. Jan. 6. 1785.
V. JAMES CHAMBERS (Rowland), b. about 1716; d. March 13, 1758, in Derry township, Dauphin county, Penn'a; m. SARAH They had issuc.
i. Ann, b. 1740.
ii. Elizabeth, b. 1742.
iii. Rowland, b. 1744.
io. James, b. 1746
v. Benjamin, b. 1748.
vi. Joseph, o 1751.
vii. Sarah, b. 1753.
VI. WILLIAM CHAMBERS (Rowland) d. October, 1765; in Paxtang township, Dauphin county, Pa. . m. Mary -. They had issue:
i. John; m. and had Ann, Mary m. John Wylie, and Elizabeth m. David Pinker- on.
ii. Margaret; m. - Cochran.
iii. Elizabeth; m. John Byers.
iv. Samuel; d. August, 1766; m. Jean
v. William; m. and had a son William. vi. Sarah.
VII. MAXWELL CHAMBERS (Arthur, Rowland) b. 1748, in Derry township; d. July 4, 1784; m. December 5, 1771 m. ELIZABETH - ; b. 1751; d. Oct. 3, 1784. They had issue :
¿. Arthur. b. Dec. 5, 1772.
ii. Elizabeth, b. April 14, 1777.
iii. Jeremiah, b. Nov. 16, 1779.
iv. Maxwell, b. Sep. 7, 1782.
VALUABLE HISTORIC NOTES.
[ From the memorandum book of Adam . Reed, we have these references. ]
Books of My Own.
1-2. History of ye Church of Scotland, 2 volumes.
3. History of ye Church England.
4. Black well on Sunday's Work.
5. Confession of Faith.
6. Rellgious Courtship.
7. Welch 48 Sermons.
8. Wilson on Catechism.
9. Wilson on ye Sacrament.
10. Wilson on ye Balm of Gilead.
11. And'w Gray.
12. Youth & Conscheance.
13. Will'm Dyar.
14. Fox on time.
15. Guthry's triall. 16. John Shower
17 Flavill on ye hart.
18. David Lindsey.
19. Vincent's Cara.
20. Thos. taylor's Jacob's Wrestling.
21. Bunyan Com. &.
22. Allan's Alarm.
23. pilgrim's progress.
24. Wars of ye Jews.
[Our readers will bear in mind that the foregoing library of an early pioneer was at that period a most valuable one. It was characteristic too of the Scotch Irish settlers, who were thoroughly imbued with the principles of Knox and Calvin, and their children were well grounded in the doctrine of the Westminster Cate- chism. ]
AN OLD SONG
The following curious medly is said to have been popular in Ireland a century ago. Those of our readers who are fa- miliar with the social and political his- tory of the people of Erin may possibly be able to see something more in the song than lies upon the surface. It was first heard in Paxtang about sixty years ago, at the wedding of an Irish Gentleman and one of the Ladies of the Valley- and, by the way, the weddings of those days were not the briet, soulless affairs of to-day. Guests sometimes arrived before breakfast and remained until the "wee sma' hours" of night, and not unfre- quently Aurora herself escorted them home. The hours of daylight were spent in plays full of life and spirit, such as "Shove the Brogan," "The Meat's
a Burning," &c., interspersed with breathing for
spells re freshments, when wit
and humor had free scope, and such out-door sports as "Prisoners Base" and "Jump the Bullies." (The latter was a purely a masculine game, which offered the "young fellows" an excellent opportunity to display their agility). And when night let fall her sable curtain, the halls resounded with instrumental music and dancing and the voice of song. On this occasion, just before the company sepa- rated, the groom was called upon for a song. He prefaced his performance with the remark, "I'll give ye something
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Historical and Genealogical.
ye never heard before, and it'll end with a question none of ye can answer." Many better songs had been sung that night, but, owing perhaps 10 the character of the singer, and to the music as rendered by him, together with the peculiarity of the song itself, no other left sucli an impression upon the hearers, and the refrain is still heard, oc- casionally in the Valley. This is the song which sang: R.
The Tailor's Goose Will Never Fly.
Barney Baskin broke his nose- Want of money makes us sad- Without feet we can't have toes- Crazy folks are always mad- A farthing rush light's very small- Doctors wear large bushy wigs- One that's dumb can never bawl- And pickled pork is made of pigs.
With a ri tum tweedle dell, A yard of pudding's not an ell, Not forgetting tetherum tie, The Tailor's goose will never fly.
Patriots say they'll mend the Nation- Pigeons will make pretty pies- Lawyers deal in botheration- A gun's too big for shooting flies- Irish whiskey's very good- Lundy foot will make you sneeze- Wig blocks they are made of wood- And pepper's good with buttered peas.
With a ri tum tweedle dell, A yard of pudding's not an ell. Not forgetting tetherum tie, The Tailor's goose will never fly.
Times will get better, never fear , Old maids in scandal take delight, - Candles now are very dear- Roguery will come to light ; Chicken gloves 'aint made for pigs- Very seldom asses die- Plum pudding must be stuffed with figs, And Kilworth Mountain's very high, With a ri tum tweedlc dell, &c.
Puppet shows young folks amuse- Christmas comes but once a year- Wooden legs wear out no shoes- Eleven-pence the quart is beer ; Tailors cabbage all your cloth- Shins of beef are very tough- Flummery is just like froth- And Mrs. Clark's got up to snuff, With a ri tum tweedle dell &c.
We shall live until we die- Barney leave the girls alone- Catsup is'nt good with apple pie- Church warden's hearts are made of stone ; .-
Jolly tars are fond of fun- Long live the King, We'll nobly shout- Now good folks, my song is done- Can any tell what 'twas about ? With a ri tum tweedle dell, &c.
NOTES
AND QUERIES
Relating to the History of Dauphin County.
LX.
WICKERSHAM (Ivii)-The Abner Wick- ersham spoken of, was the son of James Wickersham and Anne Eachus, born in 1751, in Chester county, Penna. His grandfather, Thomas Wickersham, mar- ried Anne, daughter of Humphrey Kel- lenbeck, one of the earliest settlers in Chester county. When did Abner Wick- ersham die ?
NOTITIA FROM REV. JOHN ROAN'S ACCOUNT, BOOKS.
[The following memoranda we collate from the account books of the Rev. John Roan, pastor of Derry Congregation from 1745 to 1775.]
Dec. 26, 1766. Preached at Wm. Wil- son's. Mar. 4, 1763. Ye day I preached at Wm. W. June 10, 1769. Ye day I preached at D. Ferguson's. March 27, 1762. Andrew Roan's Rais- ing.
Dec. 11, 1765. Raising my barn. £ s. d.
Sept. 19, 1768-Derry cong'n Dr. to 6 years ye 3d of the time at £23:6:8 pr. annum. . 140 0 0 Do. to 17 years the two- fifth of ye time at £28:0:0 pr. annum 476 0 0
In all for full years preced- ing ye date. . .. 616 0 0
They have p'd in all before this date. 566 17 10
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Remains due for past years 49 02 13
Sept. 19, 1768, p'd more. .. 1 10 0
Rem'g due for past year . Sept. 19, '68. 47 12 1}
P'd more Sept. 28, 1768, as in ye Book. 1 07 6
46 4 73
Oct. 25, 1773. Sacrament Monday, Donegal.
May 15, 1769. Sacrament Monday, Paxtang. Oct. - , 1766. Sarament Monday,
Paxtang.
Sold the Land in Cumberland county June 22, 1768, to the two Hemphills for 183 pounds ready money or Bonds (with security) bearing interest till paid.
June 10, 1769. Preached at house of David Ferguson.
June 8, 1767. Sacram't Monday. June 12, 1768. Sacram't Monday. "Norvel, widow Barnett's son pd." Jan. 31, 1768.
"Rec'd for Lancaster meeting house from Wm. Muirhead
John Barnet
13 6
Jas. and Geo. McMullan 1 15 0
David Montgomery. 0 76
"For the use of David McBride at Peequea.
Rec'd by Mr MacFaiquar from the malcontents. 5 00
from Rocky Spring. 2 13 6
Rec'd from Mr. Cooper
4 46
Rec'd from Mr. Rea. . 0 15 6
Sept. 19, 1768, Paxtang Dr. pr yr .. 140 0 0
To 6 years the 3d of ye time at £23 6 8 per anum. . . . . To 17 years the two-fifths of ye time at 28 per anum. . 476 00 0
616 00 0
516 04 5
Remains due for past years.
99 15 7
Except one error of 3 dol lars were pd. 1 2 6
98 13 1
They pd also, Sept. 28, 1768, as set down in ye book. 5 99
Remains due for past years.
93 3 4
Memorand! Write to James Morrison in Drumlogh, To the care of Mr. John Cowan in the parish of Anahilt, county Down, on Robt. Chancelloi's acct.
State of accounts at ye Novr. Pby. 1769.
Paxtang in debt for time be-
fore May '69
74 8
4
Derry, do.
31 11
7
Donegal. 7.0
1
4
Balance due of what was
176 1 3
payable last May viz. 1769. .
State of accts Ap. 5, 1773, for money due May last Derry 15 13 6
"The Synod, 1769, adjudged me 13£ for my Services on ye frontiers 1760-of which pd
€ S. d
pr. Mr. Cooper 4 10 0
pr. Mr. Duft'd 3 10 pr. Mr. Forster 2 05 0 pr. Mr. Duff'd 2 14 6
13 00 0 "Synod voted me £13:00:0 for my Journey to Virg'a, of which Rec'd May 30, 1769, from Mr. Cooper 4:10:0. Paxtang Cong'n. Dr.
£. s. d.
May '51 To 6 years at 23:6:8
May '66 To 15 years at £28
pr. yr 420 0 0
1772. 10 'r 16. Rec'd from John Campbell 20 s. for Lancaster Meeting house.
Donegal Congregation, Dr.
To 15 years' Salary, May. 1760. 261068
1774-Harvest of 1774 Owing. £. s. d.
To Brice Dunlap, 1 Day
reaping 0 2 6
€. s d. 140 00 @
In all due for past years. . . . They have pd in all before this date.
99 15 7 Sept. 19, 1768.
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Historical and Genealogical.
To Brice Dunlap, 8 days mowing. .
1 0 0
To Brice Dunlap, 3 days hoeing corn.
0
5 0
To John Thompson, Reap ing two days.
5 0
mowing 7} davs. 0
10 9
Margt. Allison, Reaping one Day. 0
Mary Allison, Reaping one Day.
0
2
John Roan, one day Reap- ing .. .
0
0 0
mowing.
DAUPHIN'S CENTENNIAL.
Ringing of Bells and Blowing of Whis- tles on March 4. 1885.
Noon Wednesday the bells and whistles throughout the city announced the com- . pletion of the first century of Dauphin county. The event would have been more formally celebrated had not the ab- sence of so many dignitaries and officials at the inauguration of President Cleve- land interfered. The bells rang out in joyous peals and the whistles of the various industrial establishmentsscreamed as though in full sympathy with the im- portant occasion. Many of the citizens had forgotten the event and neglected to display flags. Others, however, had better memories. The early history of the infant county will be found in the following note from the pen of Dr. Egle:
"The 'act for erecting part of the county of Lancaster into a separate county,' to be called Dauphin, was passed on the 4th of March, 1785. At once ef- forts were made toward a proper organi- zation of the politcal machinery of the county, and the commissioners appointed to carry into effect the proposals of John Harris certified on the 14th of April, 1785, that the county town had been laid out under their direction and inspection. The earliest conveyances of property bear date April 15, 1785. John Hamilton, Henry Fulton, Chris- tian Kunkle and others had deeds of that date. The first officer commis- sioned was Captain Alexander Graydon, as prothonotary, March 9, 1785; the second
Rev. Joseph Montgomery as register and recorder, March 11, 1785. Thus it will be seen that very little time was lost in the organization. The first will proved was on the 27th of April, 1785, while the first deed was recorded on the 26th of April, 1785. The first courts were held on the third Tuesday of
2 6 May, 1785. The place was desig- nated Harris' Ferry on the records, 6 but a deed made by John Harris at this time, and also in his advertisements, give 2 6 it the name of Harrisburg. The convey- ance of lots for the erection of county buildings was given on the 6th of July,
0 5 0 1785, while the 'Ferry Lot' was granted the same day. The convey- ance of ground to the Commonwealth for its use bears the sam date. The state, county and city are therefore deeply in- debted to the founder, and it is fitting that whatever may be done in celebrat- ing our centennial, some lasting memorial of that wise and beneficent man, John Harris, be made. It is therefore emi- nently proper that the authorities con- cerned give counsel and aid to the move- ment."
The following committees have the ar- rangements for the centennial celebration in September in charge: The Historical Society very properly initiated the move- ment by appointing the following commit- tee: A. Boyd Hamilton, William H. Egle, George W. Buehler, Hamilton Alricks, John W. Simonton, Simon Cameron, Henry McCormick, Rudolph . F. Kelker, George H. Irwin, David Fleming, Thomas H. Robinson, Charles L. Bailey, Francis Jordan, David Mumma, John B. Simon and Charles R. Fager.
Councils followed this initial move- ment in the appointment of the following committees : Select Council- Messrs. Charles A. Miller, John A. Fritchey, Joseph B. Ewing, William L. Gorgas, Charles Mason, S. B. Martin, George E. M'Cleaster, John C. Forney and Isaac S. Trostle. Common Council-Messrs. M. H. Melvin, J. Wesley Miller, Valentine Hummel, F. K. Swartz, G. C. B. Swartz, John D. Weber, P. H. Ryan, J. G. M. Bay and David H. Leighton. Both gen- eral committees have appointed sub-com- mittees.
James Roan, two days mow- ing
Jas. Carnahan, two days
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Historical and Genealogical.
THE PAXTANG COMPANY BEFORE QUEBEC, 1775.
Capt. Archibald Steele was born in Drumore township, Lancaster county, Penna., and was the oldest son of Wil- liam Steele, sr. In Major Gen'l Hand's testimony given before the Judges of Lancaster Court on Dec. 19, 1785, he states:
"Archibald Stecle received a commis- sion as First Lieutenant in Cap. Matthew Smith's company in the regiment com- manded by William Thompson, Esq , of which I was Lieutenant Colonel. His commission bore datc June 25th, 1775, from Congress. The regiment arrived in camp entirely on the 17th of August, 1775. General Washington ordered a detachment to Canada under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Arnold, to be composed of drafts from the different regiments. Capt. Smith's and Capt. William Hendricks' companies were se- lected from our regiment, Mr. Steele marching with them. During the march we heard of the great hardships they underwent-of the death of Capt. Hen- dricks and the wound of Mr. Steele-after the seige. The next time, in the summer or fall of 1776, I saw Mr. Steele on York Island, where I saw his wound. I heard of Mr. Steele's acting as Adju- tant to the Detachment. Mr. Steele was generally approved of as an officer by all who knew him."
Cap Steele was wounded at the storm- ing of Quebec December 31, 1775, and had three fingers of his left hand shot off by a British ball, for which disability he received a pension of five pounds, eighteen shillings and nine pence specie per month, from the first day of October, 1776
The following certificate was given in the case of Robt. Cunningham, of Lan- caster Borough, who fought by Cap. Steele's side at Quebec, gives some inter- esting facts, not mentioned in Genl. Hand's affidavit :
"I do certify that Mr. Robert Cunning- nam, of the Borough of Lancaster, yeo. man, in the month of July, 1775, enlisted as a private in Cap. Matthew Smith's company in the First Regiment of Conti- nental troops commanded by Col. Wil- jiam Thompson, and was appointed a
sergeant in said company in said month, and continued to
act as ser- geant until our captivity at Que- bec; that the said Robert Cunningham was chosen as one of the advanced party, under my command, in our march from Boston to Quebec through the wilderness of Kennebeck and Shadear; that in the march he suffered fatigues and hardships equal to any that lived to reach the in- habitants; that at the storm of Quebec by the troops under the com . mand of General Montgomery, on the night of December 31. 1775, he fought at my side in that detachment of the army then under the immediate command of Benedict Arnold, and that after the said detachment had passed the first barrier, he the said Robert, was wounded in the right thigh by a baggio- nct of the enemy ; that the said Robert was taken prisoner with the detachment and was confined in hospital
with myself and a number of other sick and wounded, sixteen of whom died in twenty four hours after our first confinement, occasioned in a great measure by the neglect of the Sur- geons and others that attended the said hospital; that the said Robert during his imprisonment suffered exceedingly for want of fire in that severe climate, and was seized ill with a complaint which the Surgeons called the Asthma. by rea- son of which his life was despaired of for the some time; that on 19th
day of July, 1776, the said Robert with two others made their escape from captivity; that by the total reduc- tion of Arnold's detachment the muster rolls and many other public papers be- longing to the said detacliment were lost; that Capt. Matthew Smith atoresaid drew pay for the said Robert with the rest of his company up to the time of their captivity, to wir, the 31st day of Dec., 1775, and no longer, as I understood from himself ; that the said Robert during the time of his service in the army behaved himself with the greatest propriety and bravery, and par ticularly so at the storm of Que- bec aforesaid. I do further certify that I was well acquainted with the said Rob- ert Cunningham for many years before he entered into the army, and that he was
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Historical and Genealogical.
remarkably hale, healthy, active man, and that since his return from captivity has been in a very bad state of health, generally unable to follow any kind of industry so as to procure a livelihood for himself and family.
ARCHIBALD STEELE, Late First Lieutenant of Cap. Smith's company and Adjutant on the march of Arnold's detachment. o Quebec. Sworn before Wm. Henry, Dec.19, 1785."
The following certificate and deposi. tion was given by Christian Febiger, Esq., late Col. of the 2d Virginia Regi- ment:
"I do hereby certify that to my certain knowledge Archibald Steele, Esq, of Lancaster county, tate of Pa., was 1st Lieut. and commissioned as such in a Rifle Regiment commanded by the late Honorable Major William Thompson; that in the month of Sept., 1775, said regiment being then with the army before Boston, the company to which he belonged with one other af'd Regt., were detached with other troops under the late Arnold to wards Canada; on the march thither said Steele, Esq , was appointed Adjutant to one of the Battalions composing s'd de- tachment and obtained a warrant proper for the purpose ;- on the whole march he nad a command in the advance party, where he conducted himself with the greatest propriety. He continued to do the duty of a 1st Lieutenant and Ad. jutant until the storm of Quebec, in the night of the 31st of December, 1775, and in the storm of the afsd city was in the advaned corps and when scaling one of their strongest barriers received a wound in his lett hand which deprived him of three fingers. I was by his side at the time; he bore his wound with uncommon fortitude; I tied my handkerchief around it to stop the blood; he was made prisoner with myself and thirty-six others who suffered confinement in one room in the fifth story of a large house called the Seminary of Quebec, and remained there until the 7th day of August following, when the s'd Archibald was admitted to his parole and returned home. By the total de- struction of Arnold's detachment, the muster rolls, and many other public papers were lost; however, with
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