Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 55

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: s.n.
Number of Pages: 618

USA > Pennsylvania > Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I > Part 55

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GORDON HOWARD settled in Donegal in 1720, or at least was a large land- holder in that year. He resided on the farm now owned by I. Hershey, about two miles north east from Done- gal Meeting House. At this time he had a large family of grown up chil- dren. His sister Susanna m. James Pat- terson, the Indian Trader, the year that Mr. Howard came to Donegal He, too, was an Indian Trader, and a very promi- nent person. He m. Rachel McFarland

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in 1751. His children were then married and had families. He left issue :

i. Thomas, who owned a farm adjoin- ing Donegal Meeting House.

ii. Joseph, m. Rebecca -; died in 1777 and left issue:

1, James.

2. Thomas.

3. Joseph.

4. John.

5. David.

6. Martha.

7. Mary. iii John, d. in 1778, m. Ann ; and lett issue :

1. Martha.

2. David.

3. Mary.

4. Thomas.

5. Joseph.

6. John.

iv. William ; d. prior to 1766.

D. Robert ; m. Sarah ->; he sold his land to John Eby in 1763.

vi. Rebecca; d. 1764; m. James Allison; d. 1762; and left issue:

1. James, who became owner of the mansion farm of 300 a., a short dis- tance north of General Cameron's Donegal farm.

2. Ann ; m Defrance ; and had issue: James and John.

3. Janet ; m. William Watt.

4. Margaret ; m. - Bowman.

5. Sarah.

6 Rebecca.

vii. [ A dau ] ; m. Samuel Allison.

orii. Martha ; m. George Erwin, a shopkeeper in York, Pa.

ix. Susanna ; m. Charles McClure and moved to Mecklenburg, North Carolina, prior to 1766

The McFarlanes of Cumberland, Cen- tre and Mifiln counties doubtless belong to the families who settled along Chickies creek. They intermarried with the How- ards also. I hope to hear from that branch of the family who settled in Bed- ford county, Va. The McFarlands and Howards left Donegal prior to the Revolution. I find that Thomas Ew- ing's farm in Dauphin county was located along the Swatara at the mouth of the Quitopahilla. General James Ewing and Captain John Ewing sold this farm to Andrew Hershey, from

whom the Dauphin county branch came from. SAMUEL EVANS.

COLUMBIA, PA.

HISTORY OF THE WAR OF 1812-14

We are indebted to Rev. Horace E. Hayden for a copy of the following ad- vertisement:

"Proposal by Samuel White, of Adams county, Penn'a (a Prisoner in the Late War), for publishing by subscription an account of the American Troops under the command of Colonels Fenton and Campbell, crossing the Lake from Erie to Long Point in May, 1814, and the oc. currences that took place. Also, the crossing ot the Niagara by the troops un - der the command of Generals Gaines, Brown, Scott and Porter, on the 3d of July, 1814, the taking of Fort Erie, the battle of Chippewa. the im- prisonment of Colonel Bull, Major Galloway, and the author (then a cap- tain) by the savages; their treatment- the murder of Col. Bull by the Indians and the cause-the treatment of Ameri- can prisoners of war by the British, and also a historical account of the Canadas, from Fort Erie to York and Kingston, in Upper Canada; Montreal and Quebec in Lower Canada; and Halifax in Nova Scotia.

"The undersigned, members of the Perseverance Lodge, at Harrisburg, are personally acquainted with Gen. Samuel White, and have every

his

confidence in integrity and

veracity. Having lost

a valuable estate, from his absence in the service of his country during the late war, he is en- deavoring to raise a small sum for the maintenance of his family, by publishing a history of the events which transpired under his notice. It is hoped every brother will aid the author in his under- taking, by subscribing for, at least, one copy of the work.

(Signed) SIMON CAMERON,

JOEL BAILEY,

HENRY CHRITZMAN, N. B. WOOD, HENRY BEADER, JOHN A STEHLEY.

"Harrisburg, Penn'a., Jan., 1829 "

"CONDITIONS-This interesting work will be handsomely printed in pamphlet

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Historical and Genealogical.

form, on good paper, and contain up- wards of one hundred pages, at the low price of fifty cents per copy, payable on delivery. A considerable number of subscribers being already obtained, the work will shortly he put to press and finished without delay."

Was this volume ever published-and who among our readers can place a copy in our possession ? We are inclined to think it was, hut are not certain. The author resided at York Springs, Adams county, and perchance some of our read- ers may. give us not only information as to the hook itself, hut also concerning the author who was more or less promi- nent in Adams county. He probably was a member of the Masonic Lodge at York.

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Historical, Biographical and Genealogical.

CIV.

"BEDFORD IN YE OLDEN TIME," is the title of two interesting lectures by Dr. Charles N. Hickok, delivered in Bedford last winter and published by re- quest. One so conversant with the early history of Bedford county as Dr. H., should by all means give us more of the very valuable data in his possession. We had hoped when the recent history of Bedford county was issued, thit much of the early records of that historic county would he given us, but unfortunately the fellows who write history by the square foot, take any story given them for facts, make no researches whatever, and when the history of some of these counties appear as was the case with that of Bedford, there is little history hut a good deal of padding. It is to he regretted that one so familiar with all the interesting and valuahle records of Bedford county as Dr. Hickok, was not employed in that work. Never- theless it is his duty to publish his record of its early and Provincial history even if he does not come down to later days.

A REMINISCENCE .- The Port Austin (Michigan) Huron County News in allud- ing to the Hon. Simon Cameron, in its issue of the 12th of March, says:

"The senior of the News was employed as a compositor in the office of Gen. Cameron at Harrishurg fifty-eight years ago, when he was State Printer to Pennsylvania."

This "old compositor" is William F. Clark, sen., who with his son, publishes the paper from which the above is taken. The newspaper then published hy Gen. Cameron was the Pennsylvania Intelli- gencer, at the time one of the chief political papers in the State, and the administration organ. At that period, owing to the number of news- papers printed at the State Capital the State Printing was generally "di- vided up" -one office printing the laws, another the House Journal, another the bills, and so on. No one establishment, under the old regime would have under. taken all the printing in one office for the State, as it could not have heen done. However, the editions were very limited, and the entire State printing did not equal what is now necessary for a single derartment of the Commonwealth. No doubt Mr. Clark, senior, could give us some reminiscences of the long ago which would be of exceeding value and interest.

TWO INTERESTING LETTERS.

[The following letter would show that Col. Burd, of Tinian, was in the Jamaica trade prior to the French and Indian war. It may furnish a clue to some other points in his very interesting history. ]

John Swift to James Burd.

PHILAD'A, July 26. 1751.

MR. JAMES BURD-Dear Sir: When you arrive in Jamaica please to dispose of my 36 Barrels of Flour, and if you have an opportunity Ship the neat proceeds in heavy Pistoles to Mr. John White of Croydon, in Surray (near London) for my account. If there should he no op. portunity to London, I then leave it to your discretion either to ship the Pistoles to me here, or to purchase any produce of the Island that you imagine will answer in this place. God bless you, my good wishes will always attend you wherever you go; hecause I am

Your Humhle Serv't, JOHN SWIFT.

Endorsement on back of original letter: To James Burd, Merch't on Board the

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Sloop Charming Nancy; " or in his ab- sence to Messrs. Minet & Hatton, Merch'ts in Kingston, Jamaica.

John Harris to James Burd.

PAXTANG, March 19th, 1771. SIR: The Bearer, Philip Craft, is Be- ginning to 'take in Subscription in Order to see if a sufficient number of Subscri- bers can be got in Order to Encourage him to ride a post for 1 year like that - rode. Please to speak to Capt. Green or any you Please to subscribe. Hc proposes to carry a paper for Every Person for a year once a week for a dollar. Two papers 10s a year, which I think Reasonable. I put 15s to my name as an Encouragement. I would have been at Widow Martin's, but a Number of Persons came here that I can't get away at Present. I am, sir, with the Greatest Respects, your most obed't and most Humble Servant,

JOHN HARRIS.

JOURNAL OF LIEUT. KERN IN 1758.

[The following report was probably made to Captain James Patterson, who was in command at Fort Hunter, or to Col. James Burd in command at Fort Augusta, to whose command Capt. Pat- terson belonged. This Journal belongs to the Patterson papers. S. E.]

Journal of My Journey from Reading to Forks of Delaware and Back to Fort Hunter, viz :

January 23d, 1758 .- I left Reading and on ye 24th I arrived at Oyty block house ; Lieut. James Handshaw com- manded. I mustered the company at the same place; 23 men are stationed at Mr. Depoyes and 29 men at the block house. They have 100 weight powder, 200 lbs. lead and 4 months Provision. Mr. De- nane commissary. I delivered Lieut. Handshaw and ensign Hughes there com. mission. The companys are in good order.

25th .- I arrived at the block house where Lieut. Jacob Shnyder, with 24 men of Lieut. Engel's company. I mus . tered them, and are in good order and a good place for a Fortification. I have delivered Mı. Shnyder his commission. The same day I arrived at Fort Leashaw where Lieut. Engel was stationed. I

musterd that company and was not satis . fied because I did not bring him a Cap- tain's Commission. His men are not in good order; are 55 men in number.

26th .- I arrived at Fort Allen. I de- livered Capt. Arnd and Lieut. Conradt there commissions and mustered the com. panys. Them men arc in good order. This fort is of no service to the country.

27th .- I arrived at the block house of Allemengel, where Lieut. Henry Guyger commands 13 men, but he being absence. The men are in good order. The same day I arrived at Mr. Eberetz where Capt. Weatherholtz commands 43. I mustered that company. They are in good order and fine soldiers.

I give Lieut. Weatherholtz your order. I arrived at Fort Williams where Capt. Jacob Morgan commands.

January 29th. - I mustered Capt. Mor- gan's company, being 53 men and are in good order. This fort is of little service to the country.

January 30th. - I arrived at Fort Henry where Capt. Samuel Wyser at present co.u mands. Capt. Busse's and Capt. Wyser's are stationed here except 17 men of Capt. Wyser's men are at Fort Sweet- ara. Them men are in good order. The- two companies are complcated.

January 31st .- I staid at Fort Henry. February 1st .- I arrived at Fort Sweet- ara, where Lieut. Philip Marsloff and Ensign Martin are stationed.

February 2d .- I gave them their dis- charge, agreeable to your order and ordered Capt. Lieut. Samuel Allen to take the command. Them men are not in good order. The same day I whent to Crawford's.

Feb. 3 .- I arrived at Fort Hunter.

Feb. 4 .- I mustered that company. They have no ammunission.

Feb. 5 -I arrived at Lancaster. A true coppie of my Journall. JACOB KERN.

IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.

[The letter which follows, was written to Gov. Morris, of Pennsylvania, at the outset of the Indian war following Brad- dock's defeat. We are anxious to know why John Harris sent the young men mentioned, to the Ohio "to fetch scalps," and by what authority. ]

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Historical and Genealogical.

HEIDELBERG, Berks co., Dec. 22, 1755. Honored Sir : Last night I arrived from John Harris's Ferry, and herewith inform you that I did not reach my house in Heidelberg till the 14th inst. I sat out on the 16th for Harris's Ferry, where I found no Indians but the Old Belt and another Sinecker, called co > monly "Broken Thigh," a lame man.

Their young men. about six or seven in number, being sent out by John Har- ris, to fetch scalps from Ohio, but stopt at Aughwick by Mr. Croghan. I sent for Thomas McKee, John Carson and Samuel Hunter to John Harris's, to consult with them how to send your Honor's message to the Indians on the West Branch of the Susquehanna. They recommended one Hugh Crawford to me, on whom I pre- vailed to go to Aughwick with the mess sage, and from there send Indians to the W. Branch of the Susquehanna with it; and if the Indians thought it advisable, to go with them and conduct them down the river, either himself or James Patter- son, who is to go along with him to Aughwick.

I had the two old Indians in council with me. They received the message from me and Hugh Crawford; the wam- pum I gave and necessaries for them, and the written invitation from me, in pres- ence of the above named gentlemen. I hope he will go through with it.

Upon my arrival at John Harris's, I gave a string of wampum to the two old Indians above mentioned, requesting them to look upon me as a public mes- senger from their Brother Onas, and de sired them in his behalf to let me know all that they knew about this war, and who it was that murdered Onas' people ? And for what reason ?

Next morning they made answer to the following purport:

Brother:

We are very glad to see you here once more at these troublesome times. We look upon you here as our Brother Onas' messenger as we always did. The author of the murder of the people of Pennsyl- vania is Onontio; he employs his children for that purpose, and they come to this river (Susquehanna) to murder. We are sorry to tell you that they have pr. vailed upon our cousins, the Delawares, living

about half way from Shamokin to Schan. towano. (Wayomack) in a town called Nescopeckon. Those Indians have given their town (in defiance of us their uncles) to Onontio's children as a place of their rendezvous, and had undertaken to join and guide them the way to the English. That thereupon the Shickalamys and others of the Six Nations, fled towards the Six Nation country. 'That a report was spread among the Delawares, on that river, that the Pennsylvanians were com. ing with thousands to destroy the Indians on Susquehannah, which had occasioned the Sx Nation Indians before named to fly, because they would not fight against their Brethren, nor against the Indians, and that every thing was in a great con . fusion Honored Sir, Your most obedient And humble servant, CONRAD WEISER.

P. S .- Your Honor will have heard by this time that the Paxtang people took an enemy Indian on the other side of the Narrows, above Samuel Hunter's, and brought him down to Carson's house, where they examined him. The Indian begged his life and promised to tell all he knew to-morrow morning, but (shocking to me) they shot him in the midst of them, scalped him, and threw his body into the river.

The Old Belt told me, that as a child of Onontio, he deserved to be killed; but that he would have been very glad if they had delivered him up to the Gover- nor, in order to be examined stricter and better. Yours, &c., CONRAD WEISER.

To Gov. Morris.

Memorial Poem for Decoration Day 1886. I.

When Sumter's guns aroused the Loyal North, All panoplied for war "our boys" went forth; 'They'd beard their grand-sires tell of Free- dom won

A century before-what they had done

To form that UNION which rebellious hand Would tegrapart as 't were "a rope of sand. '

IL.

Upon our hills was caught the bugle-strain- Each mountain peak re echoed the refrain- It woke a nation to i newer life,

Though gained through war-through frat- ricidal strife ;

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Appealed to arms, we made the rebels fcel A freeman's blow and stalwart bade of stcel.

III.

Full five and twenty years with rapid tread Have garlanded the first of Pennsylvania's dead ;

And as we come in Joyal love to pay

Our tribute on tois Decoration Day,

We find that Time has frosted o'er our hair, Eyes dimming, feebler step, and brow of care.

IV. Our Soldier Dead ! No more the thunder hum

Of battle, bugle sound, or rattling drum,

Will quicken pulse, crowd artery and vein -

With them Earth's conflict's o'er, and we re- main ;-

Some sleep upon the patriot's crimson bed, And some in our loved City of the Dead !

He fell at Falling Waters, where we first Beheld the angry war cloud lower and burst-

He fell in tore-front of the battle tide-

A widow's only son-the hope, the pride- Yet perished not in vain-up from that dust Arose a stronger faith, a firmer trust.

VI.

One eve the van were crossing at the Ford- A whitrot bullets from the rebel horde,

And lo! he fell-our Captain in command- The cheer upon his lips -his sword in hand- At noon of night we laid our comrade low- Then on ward pressed t' o'ertake the fleeing foe.

VII.

Charles City saw our deathless hero fall, The gallant SIMMONS, grandest of them all ; Among the pincs is heard the wind's low moan,

A dirge for him who sleeps in [grave un- known ; For her who passed out from us in the year Well strew May roses -drop the silent tear.

VIII. And he, at Mission Ridge-the father's joy- That noble heart, brave Geary's braver boy. They, in the loathsome Southern prison-pen, Amid the crowding of ien thousand men ; Ill-fed, enduring cruelties untold-

The loyal-true, the fearless and the bold.

IX. South Mountain's skies were lurid with the glare Of cannon's flash, with thunderings in the air,

And terror's clash of arms-to usher in

Antietam's day of death, and dole, and din ; Ah ! there, upon that fatal field of strife,

The gallant BROOKS gave up hi, youthfui life.

x. At Fredericksburg I saw him climb the height-

Struck down amid the thickest of the fight- Though you and I were there, our lives were pared,

While those who with us march and picket shared

Passed out in conflict fierce and fell To consecrate the land they loved so well.

XI.

Ah, Gettysburg ! the Nation long shall keep Its watch and ward o'er those who sweetly sleep

Beneath thy blood-stained soil-the great, the good-

Who in the fight like wall of granite stood- Repelled the traitorous foe-held him at bay- 'Til Victory was ours, th it scorching day.

XII.

Our Marathon ! hushed is the trumpet-peal- Passed from review that sea of serried steel ;- No more the thundering shot, the murderous shell, The groan of wounded drowned by rebel yell ! Peace 10 thy Dead who sleep in Glory's Grave-

Thou Mecca-shrine to all the truly brave !

XIII.

We saw the Army of the Union press Into the shadows of the Wilderness, Where ball and bomb and sabre strokes were life --

How few came back from that Red Sea of Strife !-

No graves received them, but their bones strewn 'round Hallow that sacred spot as martyr-ground ! XIV.

At Richmond, he-the veteran of three wars- His body tattoed o'er with honors' scars! Into the city we our wounded bore-

"Enough," the patriot cried, "I ask no mo:c ;" And as that April day drew to a close He sink to Immortality's repose !

XV.

At Appomattox, thus the story runs, Up in the air we fired our trusty guns, The war had ceased-the end We prayed for come,

And heart and thoughts turned toward the Northern home;

Vanished fore'er the rebel rag of bars- U'prosc our glorious galaxy of stars !

XVI. .

Four years' exposure, on the march, in camp, Sun's burning days, and night's malarial damp, Are daily thinning ranks-in numbers few Who passed in 'sixty-five that Giand Re- view ! Comrades, be faithful ! Nor be appalled, Our muster-roll of death will soon be called.

XVII.

We come with fragrant flowers, the white and red, To deck the graves of all our soldier dead- The white to show how true they were of heart;

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The red, blood shed to gain the victor's part, In the full faith that from thyt verdant sod Wha e'er is done be sanctified of God !

XVIII.

Now, Comrades, here, see that your picket lines

Keep guard 'g inst vice which coils and twines, And drowns its victim in the "flowing bowl,"- Wrecked hopes and desolate home and ruined soul,- This badge, the enblem of the tried and true- Tri-colored-let preponderate the "blue "

XIX. Soon, soon for us will sound the last "re- treit."

Soon. soon for us the muffled drum will beat; Oh, Comrades ! When Life's final battle's o'er, May we be marshalled on that Blessed Shore, .CHRIST'S Loyal Soldiers, in the Father 's sight, To dwell with HIM in Heaven's Eternal Light!

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Historical, Biographical and Genealogical

CV.

SAMUEL WHITE (N. & Q ciit. )-The pamphlet as proposed by Captain Samuel White was printed. It gave an account of the war of 1812-14 on the Northern Frontier, the imprisonment of Colonel Bull, Major Galloway and Capt. White; also the murder of Col. Bull by the In- dians I think Captain White died near Newport, Perry county. I remember him well. My wife is a granddaughter of Col. Bull. A. C. C.

[If our correspondent at Newport can secure Capt. White's pamphlet which we desire for reference, we will be under many obligations. ]

LAMBRECHT .- In Rupp's "30,000 names," I find that Antonius Lam. brecht, "arrived at Philadelphia Septem. ber 24, 1751, on the ship Neptune, Capt. John Mason, master, from Rotterdam last from Cowes.' Will you kindly look up the record and inform me where said Lambrecht was born and resided prior to the time he sailed for America ? G. W. S.

[To our Lebanon correspondent, we can only say : In the lists of the foreign- ers who took the oath of allegiance to his

Brittanic Majesty and the Province of Pennsylvania on their arrival, none give age or birth -place. All were males over sixteen years of age. It is more than probable that records giving copies of passports were kept at the ports of sail ing, which, prior to the Revolution, were chiefly those of Holland. It would be exceedingly gratifying to many if some organized effort would be made to have research made in this connection ]

THOMPSON .- Can you give me any in - formation in regard to John Thompson, who came from County Antrim, Ireland, about the year 1735, to Pennsylvania ? I think, first to Bucks county, and after- wards to Hanover Cross Roads, near Harrisburg. Between 1770 and 1785 he removed to land two and a half miles east of Thompsontown with a large family by first and second wives. His sons were William, Robert, Isaac and John. Some tradition say they were among the Pax- tang boys who went to Lancaster. James, a brother of John, it is said, went to the Cumberland Valley and settled near the South Mountain. the younger folks used to visit their relatives here.

T. S. T.

[In reply to our Thompsontown friend we can only give the following informa- tion. John and Alexander Thomp son were settlers in Hanover

township, Lancaster now Dauphin. county, prior to 1740. During the war of the Revolution there were in active military service in Hanover companies of the name of Thompson, Robert, John, William, James, and Samuel. The proba- bilities are these were younger members of the families of the early settlers named. John Thompson, of Hanover, well ad- vanced in years, died about the first of October, 1778. His wife had previously deceased. The children named in his will on record at Lancaster, were An- drew. William, Jean married John Rob inson and John. The first two and John Robinson were the executors of the es- tate. It is more than probable that the son John was the John Thompson who located in the Juniata Valley. If our correspondent will give us the data al- ready in his possession, we may be of further assistance.

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SOME GENEALOGICAL NOTES.

JOB.

Jacob Job, d. prior to 1763, and had issue:

¿. Andrew, d. s. p.

iż. Jeremiah.

iii. Sarah, m. Jonathan White, of Chester county.

iv. Samuel, resided in Leacock town- ship, Lancaster county.

v. Mary.

JOHNSTON.

Gawin Johnston, d. prior to 1769, for at that time his widow Mary had become the wife of Henry Mckinney. Johnston left the following children:

i. James.

ii Margaret, m. Francis Johnston.

iii. Alexander.

iv. Jannett.

KUPPER.

John George Kupper, of Upper Pax- tang, d. prior to 1780, leaving a wife Elizabeth and children:

2. Adam.

ii. Anna-Maria.

iii. Jacob.

iv. Catharine. v. Elizabeth.

vi. Maudlina.

The first two were above fourteen years of age, the others under.

LECRON.

Daniel Lecron, d. prior to 1770, leaving a wife Maria Margaret, and issue:

i. John.

ii. Matthias.

iii. Andrew.

iv. Maria Susanna.

v, Susanna.

ai. Dorothea.

MAXWELL.

Robert Maxwell, d. prior to March, 1761, for at that date his widow Catha- rine was the wife of James Porterfield. He left issue:

i. James

ii Samuel.

iii. Robert.

iv. Margaret.

v. Joseph. vi. Thomas.

vii. Francis.

LEHMAN FAMILY.

[A correspodent handed us the follow- ing letter shortly after its receipt. The writer, a resident of Wayne county, Ohio, is still living at the age of ninety-six years. The orthography is as in the original, and when it is taken into con- sideration that the writer had reached the age of ninety-four years when the letter was penned, apart from its interesting in- formation, it is a remarkable one. ]

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Notes and queries historical, biographical, and genealogical, Vol. I, Part 55

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: s.n. Number of Pages: 618

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: s.n.
Number of Pages: 618