USA > Pennsylvania > Lycoming County > Picture of Lycoming County, 1st ed > Part 4
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As the war continued, trouble increased in the valley. The Indians had supported the English during the French and In- dian War. Consequently when the colonies revolted, the ma- jority of the Indians remained friendly to England and were a great source of anxiety to the frontier counties. English agents used the friendship of the Indians to their advantage. Through- out the Revolutionary War the Indians received aid and support from Tory sympathizers, who at times were more cruel in their warfare than were the natives.
COUNTY COMMITTEE OF SAFETY
The County Committee of Safety was composed of repre- sentatives of the various township committees of safety. It met each month unless called together more frequently because of an emergency. The members served for six-month terms. At its meetings the Committee pondered an almost endless variety of problems caused by the Revolution. The Committee was fre- quently criticized. On one occasion recruiting officers visited the territory to enlist men in the Continental Army. Several
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LYCOMING IN THE REVOLUTION
officers of the Committee entered a protest. They argued quite reasonably that every available man was needed for protection against Indian attacks.
Hawkins Boone, one of the recruiting officers, was sum- moned to appear before the Committee to answer charges that he had secured several enlistments in the army. Although Boone claimed he had authority from Congress for that purpose, he did not appear to answer the charges.
At one meeting, the Committee received a complaint against two traders. They were charged with having a large quantity of salt which they were holding in anticipation of higher prices. This was contrary to a regulation of the Committee. After de- bating the question, William Sayers was instructed to confiscate the salt and sell it at a rate of fifteen shillings a bushel. No family was allowed to purchase more than half a bushel at one time.
Sayers was told to keep an accurate account of every sale and, after deducting his commission, to turn the proceeds over to the Committee.
At another time the Committee of Safety of Bald Eagle Township complained about the amount of grain taken out of the county and used for the manufacture of liquor. They urged the County Committee to seize the grain and sell it at a fair price.
After consideration the resolution was referred back to the Bald Eagle Committee in altered form. It was suggested that the township committee use moderation, and "study a sort of medium between seizing of property and supply the wants of the poor."
AID REFUSED SETTLERS
As the war progressed, the Indians became bolder in their attacks. The settlers lacked numbers and ammunition. In a letter written on November 23, 1776, the Committee of Safety
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A PICTURE OF LYCOMING COUNTY
appealed to the Supreme Executive Council at Philadelphia for assistance.
The Supreme Executive Council was composed of thirteen members, chosen by districts, one from each of the twelve coun- ties, and one from Philadelphia. One-third of the Council were elected to terms of three years, one-third to two years and one- third to one-year terms. It was the duty of the Council to ex- ercise all the powers needed for the public safety and for the proper execution of the laws. The Committee of Safety urged the Philadelphia authorities to raise men and provide ammuni- tion for the defense of the frontier. They explained that the single men of the county felt that since they could not avoid fighting either in the Continental Army or against the Indians, they would prefer to enlist in the Army and be underpaid fight- ing a "humane enemy" than to fight "merciless savages" at their own expense.
The appeal to the Supreme Executive Council was in vain. That body was interested in obtaining men to serve in the Continental Army, and apparently gave little thought to the consequence of taking many of the best fighters from the fron- tier. It was not until after several years of war that the county received support from the State Government. Towards the close of the war the State Assembly passed a tax law, making a heavy assessment against each county. The tax was the only method by which they could obtain needed war supplies. To the amaze- ment of the residents it was found that the tax quota for the county exceeded the total value of all the personal property. After a vigorous protest had been sent, no further effort was made to collect the county's quota.
In 1777 a large number of settlers came from New Jersey. That state was overrun by both the British and the Continental Armies, and the New Jersey residents wanted to get away from the warfare. Most of the newcomers were poorly equipped with
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arms and the necessities of life, a factor which added to the burdens of the Committee of Safety.
Approximately seventy-five men from the territory which is now Lycoming County served in the Continental Army. Hundreds of others served on the frontiers with the local militia.
QUESTIONS CHAPTER V
1. What was one outstanding characteristic of the soldiers from Lycoming County who took part in the American Revolution?
2. Why did the Committee of Safety oppose the enlistment of men into the Continental Army?
3. What was the Supreme Executive Council?
4. Why did the Supreme Executive Council refuse aid to the settlers?
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Marker on site of massacre of white settlers by the Indians, 1778; Corner of Cemetery and Fourth Streets, in Williamsport
CHAPTER VI
The Big Runaway
A S the Revolutionary War progressed, relations between the Indians and the settlers became acute. English agents had been active in inciting trouble between them. Although the out- break of the war had caused apprehension in the region, it had not stemmed the tide of migration. The portion of the valley called the "New Purchase" had attracted the largest number of settlers. They willingly faced Indian hostility in order to obtain their share of the rich farm lands. They were almost unani- mously sympathetic with the Revolutionary cause. A great many of these recent settlers joined the Continental Army, and still more of them enlisted in a company of militia formed for the purpose of protecting the frontier against attack by the Indians.
The pioneers were in need of firearms, ammunition, and food. The latter was obtainable from the southeastern counties only in small quantities and at high prices. Supplies were trans- ported up the Susquehanna River in crude boats poled by hand, a slow and difficult task.
All the while hostile bands of Indians constantly molested the inhabitants. Frequent attacks were made on the homes of the settlers. The residents either were carried away as prisoners or their scalps were taken and exchanged for bounty the British had offered.
The most serious of these attacks took place on the site of the Calvary Methodist Church at West Fourth and Cemetery
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A PICTURE OF LYCOMING COUNTY
Streets, Williamsport, on June 10, 1778. A wagon party of six men, two women, and eight children, on their way to Ly- coming Creek, were ambushed. All were killed and scalped ex- cept Peter Smith, leader of the party, one other man, and two children, a boy and a girl. The dead were buried at the scene of the massacre. (An appropriate marker now designates this spot) .
As the war continued, more soldiers were needed for the Continental Army and supplies for the militia became more difficult to obtain. In spite of repeated appeals to State author- ities for more adequate protection, assistance was not forthcom- ing. In order to meet the urgent need for arms and ammunition, old and broken guns were repaired and household articles of lead were converted into war material. Lead weights were taken from the clocks and moulded into bullets.
By the early summer of 1778, the settlers had realized that the British and Indians intended to drive them from the north and west branches of the Susquehanna River. Job Chilloway, a friendly Delaware Indian, had warned the authorities against a surprise attack. On July 3, 1778, there occurred the Wyoming Massacre, the first step in the plan of the British and Indians to destroy the settlements along the Susquehanna River.
SETTLERS FLEE THEIR HOMES
News of the terrible tragedy on the North Branch soon reached Lycoming. The settlers now realized the warnings had been true and that the West Branch Valley would be the scene of the enemy's next attack. Knowing that an attack by a large force could not be successfully resisted, the inhabitants began to abandon their homes and assemble at various points. Those at Muncy met at Captain John Brady's stockaded home; those living between Muncy and Lycoming Creek gathered at Samuel Wallis' place: and those west of Lycoming Creek went to Fort
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THE BIG RUNAWAY
Antes, opposite Jersey Shore, or Harris' Fort, near the mouth of Bald Eagle Creek.
Colonel Samuel Hunter, in command at Fort Augusta, anxious for the safety of the people up the river ordered Colonel William Hepburn to evacuate the territory and retire to Fort Augusta. Colonel Hepburn called for volunteers to carry the message to Fort Antes. Robert Covenhoven, a fearless scout and skillful woodsman, was selected for the dangerous mission. To avoid the dangers of ambush by Indians, he kept away from the paths in the valley and climbed to the top of Bald Eagle Moun- tain, followed the ridge along the river to near the present village of Antes Fort, then dropped down to the fort. From Fort Antes the warning was sent on up the river.
In a short time the exodus was under way. Covenhoven returned to the Wallis' place and assisted his family to escape to Fort Augusta. He then returned in a keel boat for their house- hold goods. Livestock was herded together and driven to the bank of the river. Boats, canoes, and rafts were pressed into service. Hog-troughs, barn-doors, anything that would float, were used. The women and children, with hastily collected household goods, were loaded on these makeshift craft and floated down the river. Men drove the livestock along the bank, guarding the river party.
The excitement of the settlers was intense. Confusion and terror spread rapidly. Each mile of the journey brought new rumors and alarms to the refugees. At night the sky was red with the fires of burning buildings. When a craft was grounded, the men plunged into the river to push it into deep water.
In a few days the countryside was deserted. The settlers' homes and their ripened harvests were left to the invaders. The advancing Indians entered the West Branch from Lycoming Creek, and swarmed up river as far as Fort Antes and down river
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Model of Revolutionary Fort Muncy, built in 1778, destroyed by the British and Indians in 1779. Rebuilt and used until the end of the war. This reproduction of the famous frontier fort is on display in the Muncy Historical Museum.
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THE BIG RUNAWAY
as far as the present site of Muncy. In their wake they left de- vastation and destruction. From Muncy to Fort Antes, the only buildings left standing were the Wallis house and Fort Antes. The former, built of stone, withstood the flames. The fort, constructed of peeled oak logs set on end, was not easily set afire.
Four-fifths of the population of the West Branch Valley had deserted their homes. The loss in property and goods was estimated at 40,000 pounds (approximately $200,000). When their destructive work was completed, the invaders returned to Fort Niagara over the same route by which they came. Most of the inhabitants took refuge at Fort Augusta, but some of the recent emigrants from New Jersey returned to their former homes.
Colonel Hunter was severely criticized for acting so hastily in ordering the Big Runaway. Many of the settlers believed that if he had pursued a militant policy the militia, assisted by the inhabitants, would have been able to resist the invaders until re-enforcements arrived. Such a policy might have pre- vented the flight and spared the people much suffering and great property losses.
As soon as the enemy had retired from the valley the set- tlers began to return to their homes. In fact, a few of them arrived before the ruins of their buildings had stopped smoulder- ing. In their mad haste, it had been impossible to corral all their livestock, and some of the braver men hurried back to salvage what they could. As soon as a large number of settlers had returned, the guerrilla warfare was resumed. Small bands of Indians were continually prowling through the territory annoy- ing the settlers in their work of rebuilding their homes.
The State authorities, by this time aware of the necessity of protecting the frontier, ordered Colonel Daniel Brodhead, with a company of one hundred and twenty-five men, to the
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A PICTURE OF LYCOMING COUNTY
region. Arriving at Sunbury too late to assist the settlers at Wyoming on the North Branch, Brodhead pushed on to Wallis' place. The presence of the soldiers restored confidence among the people. Under their protection the portion of the harvest which had escaped the torch of the Indians was gathered. Colo- nel Brodhead remained until August 1, when he was replaced by Colonel Thomas Hartley. Hartley was deeply moved by the poverty-stricken plight of the inhabitants. One of his first duties was to build Fort Muncy, demanded by the women of the frontier before they would return. (The fort was situated 31/2 miles west of the borough of Muncy near the present Reading Company railroad tracks. A boulder and plaque on U. S. High- way 15 marks the site) .
COLONEL HARTLEY'S EXPEDITION
The authorities, believing that the most effective means of ending Indian raids was to invade their territory, directed Colo- nel Hartley to lead an expedition against them. A force con- sisting of approximately two hundred men left Fort Muncy, September 24, 1778. It followed the West Branch to the mouth of Lycoming Creek. They ascended the stream, by way of the Sheshequin Trail, to near its head, where they followed a trail to the North Branch. The first engagement occurred on Lycoming Creek, a short distance south of Canton. An Indian chief was killed and his followers routed. At Sheshecunnunk, an Indian town near the present town of Ulster, a second victory was won. From this place Hartley and his men moved on to Teago (near Athens), destroyed the village, took prisoners, and captured livestock and other articles of value. The little army marched to Wyalusing and then down the North Branch to Sunbury. They had covered about three hundred miles in less than two weeks. Hartley's losses were four men killed and ten wounded. Aside from the number of Indians killed and cap- tured, he returned to Fort Augusta with fifty head of cattle,
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THE BIG RUNAWAY
twenty-eight cannons, and other useful plunder. He had de- stroyed Queen Esther's town as well as the town of Teago, and for a time at least had subdued the Indians.
From the prisoners captured by the expedition it was learned that preparations were being made for other attacks at Wyoming and along the West Branch. Although Hartley's ex- pedition did not end the trouble with the Indians, it did effect the postponement of a general attack. The expedition received a vote of thanks from the Supreme Executive Council for its splendid work.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN JOHN BRADY
Smarting under their defeat by Colonel Hartley, the In- dians waited for an opportunity to avenge their losses. Captain John Brady, who had been released from service in the Conti- nental Army to assist Hartley in the expedition, proved so valu- able that he received special mention in Hartley's report. Because of his capability as a frontier fighter, Brady was hated and feared by the Indians.
During the fall and winter of 1778-1779, the situation near Muncy, where Brady lived, was comparatively quiet. The Indians apparently were biding their time and laying their plans with care. Brady's family lived near the mouth of Glade Run in a stockaded house, known at the time as Brady's Fort.
Accompanied by several men, Brady one day traveled to Fort Muncy for supplies. Having obtained them they started to return to his house. Brady, riding a horse, had lingered in the rear. Peter Smith, who had lost his wife and children in the massacre of June 10, 1778, was walking beside his mount talk- ing with him. When the pair were within a short distance of his home Smith proposed they take a short cut, which they did. As they approached Wolf Run, three rifles cracked and Brady fell from his horse, dead.
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A PICTURE OF LYCOMING COUNTY
Brady's body was buried in a small cemetery on a knoll facing the Susquehanna River near Hall's Station. The funeral was attended by nearly every one in the settlement. For some years the grave received no care and was not marked. Finally it was located and a marker placed. (Before the discovery of Brady's grave, a cenotaph had been erected in Muncy Cemetery in his honor) .
Captain John Brady, the second son of Hugh Brady, was born in Delaware in 1733. He received a good education for the times and taught school in New Jersey for a few years. In 1750 he emigrated with his parents to Pennsylvania, settling at Shippensburg, Cumberland County. Before the outbreak of Indian troubles he was a surveyor. At the beginning of the French and Indian War, Brady enlisted and became a captain in the second battalion of the regiment under the command of Governor John Penn. He also took part in Bouquet's expedi- tion to Fort Pitt.
In recognition of his services in the latter expedition Brady received a grant of land on the Susquehanna River, west of the present borough of Lewisburg. In 1769 he moved his family there, and made some improvements. Learning of the natural beauty of Muncy Manor and its fertile soil he selected a spot near the mouth of Glade Run for a home site.
In 1776 Brady was commissioned a Captain in the Con- tinental Army and served at Brandywine. In 1778 he was sent back to the West Branch to assist in the protection of the frontier.
THE LITTLE RUNAWAY (1779)
The death of Brady was a serious blow to the settlers, for the Indians, encouraged by the removal of their most feared enemy, resumed the attacks with increased vigor. Meanwhile, General John Sullivan was making preparations for an expedi- tion on the North Branch. His purpose was to drive the Indians
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THE BIG RUNAWAY
from the vicinity of the North Branch and, if possible, from the entire northern part of the state. Sullivan's base of supply was Fort Augusta. Supplies were transported up the river in boats, as many as two hundred being used at one time. Sullivan be- lieved that as his army moved up the North Branch the Indians would be drawn to that section to resist him, and thus the West Branch Valley would be in no great danger.
But Sullivan's strategy was faulty. The Indians, already acquainted with his plan, had mapped theirs accordingly. They planned to drive through the West Branch Valley and attack Sullivan from the rear. With a strong force in front of his party and another attacking from the rear, they believed Sulli- van could easily be defeated.
Rumors of the approach of a large force of Indians reached the settlements every day. Colonel Hepburn, still in charge at Fort Muncy, decided to send a scout up Lycoming Creek to ascertain the truth of these rumors. Again Robert Covenhoven was selected for the job. Preferring to go alone, he ascended Lycoming Creek to the vicinity of Roaring Branch. Here in the dense forest he discovered a large force of Indians. After con- cealing himself in a heavy thicket and observing them for a day, Covenhoven concluded they were preparing to swoop down the West Branch. He immediately returned to Fort Muncy and re- ported his findings to Hepburn. Covenhoven's observation proved to be correct, The marauding Indian bands which had been harassing the settlements were only the advance guards of the vast hordes concentrating in the wilderness along Lycoming Creek.
Hepburn at once notified the inhabitants of the threatening danger and they made immediate preparations to evacuate the territory. Although there was less excitement and confusion than at the time of the Big Runaway, the settlers retreated to Fort Augusta in much the same manner. The women, children, and household goods went down the river in rafts, boats, and
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A PICTURE OF LYCOMING COUNTY
canoes. The men, under the leadership of Robert Covenhoven, marched along the bank as guards.
The enemy entered the valley the 26th or 27th of July, 1779. Their forces consisted of approximately one hundred Tories and British and two hundred Indians. The British and Tories were commanded by Captain John McDonald, who lived near Albany, New York. The Indians were led by Hickatoo, a Seneca chief. They came down Lycoming Creek to the river valley, and followed the West Branch as far as Fort Freeland on Warriors Run, about four miles east of Watsontown. Here the settlers who either had ignored, or had not received the warn- ing, were attacked and more than half their number killed. The women and children were made prisoners, and the fort was burned. Among those killed in the attack was Captain Hawkins Boone.
McDonald and his allies were enraged to discover that most of the inhabitants had escaped. They scoured the countryside, burning every cabin, granary, and haystack. Brady's Fort and Fort Muncy were destroyed. The livestock was driven away for their own use. The total number of persons killed and cap- tured is unknown, but it was large in proportion to the popula- tion.
By this time Sullivan's army was well on its way up the North Branch. Messengers were sent to McDonald and Chief Hickatoo to hurry back northward to resist Sullivan's advance. They arrived in the Chemung country in time to take part in the battle of Newton (now Elmira, N. Y.), where the British and Indians were badly defeated.
The Little Runaway had the effect of arousing the state authorities to the necessity of providing adequate military pro- tection for white settlers on the frontiers. General Sullivan's expedition had given the Indians a taste of war in their own territory. Although roving bands still raided the settlements
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THE BIG RUNAWAY
and scalpings were frequent, Sullivan had dealt the enemy a blow from which they did not recover.
This time the settlers were more reluctant to return to their deserted farms and ruined homes. Some of the more venturesome returned that fall to collect stray livestock and other property. Frequent appeals were made to the State authorities. The settlers who had returned threatened to leave unless protection was as- sured. In response to these appeals, the German regiment of the Continental Army under command of Colonel Ludwig Weltner, was sent into the valley. Weltner had only the remnant of a regiment, approximately one hundred twenty men. With this small force it was impossible to patrol or protect the frontier properly.
The winter of 1779-1780 was very cold, with a heavy snowfall which retarded the activities of the Indians. But with the spring thaws their invasions were certain to be resumed. Weltner's regiment was withdrawn the following spring. He was followed by other commanders, the last of whom was Cap- tain Thomas Robinson. During Robinson's tenure a sense of se- curity returned to the settlers. They now felt they could rebuild their homes in safety. Although frontier troubles were not en- tirely ended, there were indications that the end of the Revolu- tion was near. When the treaty acknowledging the independence of the United States was signed, the citizens on the frontier rejoiced in the hope that they could once more establish them- selves in the rich and beautiful Lycoming country.
INCORPORATION OF LYCOMING COUNTY
Settlers hurried to take possession of the fertile West Branch Valley, at that time part of Northumberland County. The upper valley soon became the most densely populated sec- tion of the country. Many of the settlers had to travel forty or fifty miles to reach Sunbury, the county seat. Since there were no bridges across the many streams, the journey was dangerous.
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A PICTURE OF LYCOMING COUNTY
Because of these hardships a movement began for the formation of a new county. The people who lived in or near Sunbury naturally opposed this action, since they profited from the business of a large area.
In 1786 a motion was introduced into the General As- sembly to create a new county from the northern part of North- umberland County. The resolution failed of passage; and its advocates then submitted a petition requesting the removal of the county seat to a point more accessible to the West Branch Valley. This resolution was also defeated.
Agitation for change continued and adherents of the new county plan increased in number. On February 27, 1787 a "petition of 385 inhabitants of Northumberland County was filed, praying that the seat of justice may be removed from Sun- bury to Northumberland," a village on the west side of the river. A year and a half later another "petition signed by 996 inhabitants of Northumberland County, residing on the west side of the Susquehanna, was read asking for a division of said county." The petition contained the names of almost every settler residing from Muncy Hills west to Bald Eagle Valley. A legislative committee brought in a report opposing the request.
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