USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 8
USA > Pennsylvania > Bedford County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 8
USA > Pennsylvania > Cumberland County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 8
USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 8
USA > Pennsylvania > Franklin County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 8
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > The history and topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry counties [Pennsylvania] > Part 8
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late at night, they reported the number of the Iroquois to have been so great, that they durst not venture to attack them.
" This account, says Heckewelder, is faithfully given as I received it from Luke Holland himself, and took it down in writing at the time." --- Heckewelder's His. Acc. of Ind. Nations ; p. 168-70.
The near approach of the enemy threw all, in the outer settlements, into consternation. Their only safety was to flee and leave all to the enemy. They had in vain looked, for some time, for effectual relief from Government. Houses that had been occupied ; barns that had been filled with the fruits of a rich and plenteous harvest ; and newly sowed fields, and standing corn; and some cattle, were all aban- doned, by the hardy and industrious frontier settlers, expect- ing as they did, daily the enemy upon them. They were constantly in fear of being cut off. Even John Harris and his family were threatened with death, as stated by Mr. Harris himself in the following letter :
PAXTON, October 29, 1755.
Edward Shippen, Esq.
Sir : We expect the enemy upon us every day, and the inhabitants are abandoning their plantations, being greatly discouraged at the ap- proach of such a number of cruel savages, and no present sign of as- sistance. I had a certain account of fifteen hundred French and Indi- ans being on their march against us and Virginia, and now close upon our borders ; their scouts scalping our families on our frontiers daily. Andrew Montour and others at Shamokin, desired me to take care, that there was a party of forty Indians out many days, and intended to burn my house and destroy myself and family. I have this day cut loop holes in my house, and am determined to hold out to the last extremity if I can get some men to stand by me. But few can be had at present. as every one is in fear of his own family being cut off every hour .--- Great part of the Susquehanna Indians are no doubt actually in the French interest, and I am informed that a French officer is expected at Shamokin this week with a party of Delawares and Shawanese, no doubt to take possession of our river. We should raise men immedi - ately to build a fort up the river to take possession, and to induce some Indians to join us. We ought also to insist on the Indians to declare for or against us, and as soon as we are prepared for them, we should bid up the scalps, and keep our woods full of our people upon the scout, else they will ruin our province ; for they are a dreadful enemy. I have sent out two Indian spies to Shamokin ; they are Mohawks.
Sir, yours &c., JOHN HARRIS.
In the latter part of October 1755, the enemy again ap- peared in the neighborhood of Shamokin; and in November
INTRODUCTION. 89
they committed several murders upon the whites under circum- stances of cruelty and barbarity. Not only those on the im- mediate frontier settlers, but those residing towards the inte- rior were kept in constant alarm, as will be seen from address or appeal to the inhabitants of the Province.
PAXTON, Oct. 31, 1755. From John Harris' at 12, P. M.
To all his majesty's subjects in the Province of Pennsylvania, or elsewhere: Whereas, Andrew Montour, Belt of Wampum, two Mo- hawks, and other Indians came down this day from Shamokin,* who say the whole body of Indians or the greatest part of them in the French interest, is actually encamped on this side George Gabriel's,t near Susquehannah ; and that we may expect an attack in three days at farthest ; and a French fort to be begun at Shamokin in ten days hence. Tho' this be the Indian report; we the subscribers, do give it as our advice to repair immediately to the frontiers with all our forces to intercept their passage into our country, and to be prepared in the best manner possible for the worst event.
Witness our hands.
James Galbreath, John Allison, Barney Hughes, Robert Wallace, John Harris, James Pollock, James Anderson, William Work, Patrick Henry.
P. S. They positively affirm that the above named Indians discovered a party of the enemy at Thos. McKee's upper place on the 30th of Oc- tober last.
Mona-ca-too-tha, the Belt, and other Indians, here insist upon Mr. Weiser's coming immediately to John Harris' with his men, and to council with the Indians.
Before me, JAMES GALBREATH.+
While some of the savage barbarians were murdering the whites on the Susquehanna, others fell upon the settlers in the Great or Big Cove, in the western part of Cumberland, now Bedford county, slew many of them, fired their houses and barns-whom they did not slaughter, they carried away captive, whose subsequent sufferings were almost intolerable.
The suffering of these unfortunate persons may be learned from the following-Governor Morris' message to the As- sembly.
" Gentlemen :- This minute I received intelligence, that
* Shamokin is at the forks of Susquehanna, on the east side.
+ George Gabriel's below the forks of Susquehanna, about 30 miles of Harris' Ferry, on the west side of the river.
+ Prov. Rec. N. 259.
8*
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the settlements called the Great Cove, in the county of Cum- berland (Bedford,) are destroyed, the houses burnt, and such inhabitants as would not make their escape, either slaughtered or made prisoners. This, and the other cruelties committed upon our frontiers, has so alarmed the remaining inhabitants, that they are quitting their habitations, and crowding into the more settled parts of the Province, which in their turn will become the frontier if some stop is not speedily put to the cruel ravages of their bloody invaders. In this melan- choly situation of our affairs, any delay may be attended with the most fatal consequences; I must therefore again most earnestly press you upon this further intelligence, to strengthen my hands, and enable me speedily to draw forth the forces of this Province against his Majesty's enemies, and to afford the necessary and timely assistance to the back in- habitants .- Phila. Nov. 5, 1755, Votes iv. 495.
The following letters written by distinguished gentlemen at the time, give all the particulars of the murders committed in the Big Cove, &c.
FALLING SPRINGS, Sabbath morning, Nov. 2, 1775. To the inhabitants of the lower part of the county of Cumberland : Gentlemen-
If you intend to go to the assistance of your neighbors, you need wait no longer for the certainty of the news. The Great Cove is destroyed. James Campbell left his company last night and went to the fort at Mr. Steel's meeting house, and there saw some of the inhabitants of the Great Cove who gave this account, that as they came over the Hill they saw their houses in flames. The messenger says that there are but one hundred, and that they are divided into two parts ; the one part to go against the Cove and the other against the Conollaways, and that there are two French among them. They are Delawares and Shawnese. The part that came against the Cove are under the command of Shingas, the Delaware King. The people of the Cove that came off saw several men lying dead ; they heard the murder shout and the firing of guns, and saw the Indians going into their houses that they had come out of be- fore they left sight of the Covc. I have sent express to Marsh creek at the same time I send this ; so I expect there will be a good company there this day, and as there are but one hundred of the enemy, I think it is in our power, if God permit, to put them to flight, if you turn out well from your parts. I understand that the West settlement is design- ed to go if they can get any assistance to repel them.
All in haste, from Your humble servant, BENJAMIN CHAMBERS.
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CONOCOCHEAGUE, Nov. 2, 1755.
Mr. Peters :
Sir-This comes to bring you the melancholy news of the ruin of the Great Cove, which is reduced to ashes, and numbers of the inhabitants murdered and taken captives. On Saturday last about three of the clock in the afternoon, I received intelligence in conjunction with Ad- am Hoops, and sent immediately and appointed our neighbors to meet at McDowell's. On Sunday morning I was not there six minutes till we observed about a mile and a half distant one Matthew Patton's house and barn in flames ; on which we sat off with about forty men, though there were at least one hundred and sixty there; our old officers hid themselves, for aught I knew, to save their scalps, until afternoon when danger was over. We went to Patton's with a seeming resolution and courage, but found no Indians there, on whichi we advanced to a rising ground, where we immediately discovered another house and barn on fire belonging to Mesach James, about one mile up the creek from The-
mas Bars. We set off directly for that place ; but they had gone up the creek to another plantation, left by one widow Jordon the day be- fore ; but she had unhappily gone back that morning with a young wo- man, daughter to one William Clark, for some milk for her children, and were both taken captives ; but neither house nor barn hurt. I have heard of no more burnt in that valley, which makes me believe they have gone off for some time ; but I much fear they will return before we are prepared for them ; for it was three o'clock in the afternoon before a recruit came of about sixty men ; then we held council whe- ther to pursue up the valley all night or return to McDowell's ; the for- mer of which I and Mr. Hoops, and some others plead for, but could not obtain it without putting it to vote, which done, we were out-voted by a considerable number ; upon which I and company was left by them, (that night I came home) for I will not guard a man that will not fight when called in so imminent manner; for there were not six of these ten that would consent to go in pursuit of the Indians. I am much afraid that Juniata, Tuscarora, and Sheerman's valley hath suffered ; there are two-thirds of the inhabitants of this valley who have already fled, leaving their plantations ; and without speedy succour be granted, I am of opinion this county will be laid desolate and be without inhab- itants. Last night I had a family of upwards of an hundred women and children, who fled for succour. You can form no just idea of the dis- tress and distracted condition of our inhabitants, unless you saw and heard their cries. I am of opinion that it is not in the power of our representatives to meet in Assembly at this time. If our Assembly will give us any additional supply of arms and ammunition, the latter of which is most wanted. I would wish it were put into the hands of such persons as would go out upon scouts after the Indians, rather than for the supply of forts.
I am sir your most obedient, very humble servant, JOHN POTTER," Sheriff of Cumberland county.
* Prov. Rec. N, 262-3.
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CARLISLE, NOV. 2, 1775.
Governor Morris :
Honored Sir-
At four, this afternoon, by express from Conoeocheague, we are in- formed that yesterday about one hundred Indians were seen in the Great Cove, among whom was Shingas, the Delaware King; that immediately after discovery, as many as had notice fled, and looking back upon a high hill beheld their houses on fire ; heard several guns fired, and the last shrieks of their dying neighbors. It is said the enemy divided and one part moved toward the Conolloways. Mr. Hamilton was here with sixty men from York county, when the express came, and is to march early to-morrow to the upper part of the country. We have sent our expresses every where, and intend to collect the forces of this lower part ; expecting the enemy at Sheerman's valley, if not nearer at hand.
I am of the opinion that no other means than a chain of blockhouses along or near the south side of the Kittatinny mountain, from Susque- hanna to the temporary line, can secure the lives and properties even of the old inhabitants of this county; the new settlements being all fled, except those of Sheerman's valley whom, if God do not preserve, we fear, will suffer very soon.
I am your honor's disconsolate humble servant, JOHN ARMSTRONG .*
SHIPPENSBURG, 2d November, 1755.
To Hon. Edward Shippen, Esq., at Lancaster :
Dear and Honored Sir :
We are in great confusion here at present-We have received ex- press last night that the Indians and French are in a large body in the Cove, a little way from William Maxwell, Esq .; and that they immedi- ately intend to fall down up this county. We, for these two days past, have been working at our Fort here, and believe shall work this day (Sunday). This town is full of people, they being all moving in with their families-five or six families in a house. We are in great want of arms and ammunition ; but with what we have we are determined to give the enemy as warm a reception as we can. Some of our people had been taken prisoners by this party, and have made their escape from them, and came in to us this morning.
As our Fort goes on here with great vigor, and expect it to be finished in fifteen days, in which we intend to place all the women and children; it would be greatly encouraging, could we have reason to expect assis- tance from Philadelphia by private donation of Swivels, a few great guns, small arms and ammunition, we would send our own wagons for them ; and we do not doubt that upon proper application but something of this kind will be done for us from Philadelphia.
We have one hundred men working at Fort Morris with heart and hand every day.
Dear Sir, yours &c ..
JAMES BURD.
* Prov. Rec. N, 264.
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CONOCOCHEAGUE, Nov. 3d, 1755.
To the Hon. R. H. Morris, Esq., Gov. of Province of Pennsylvania.
Sir :- I am sorry I have to trouble you with this melancholy and disagreeable news; for on Saturday an express came from Peters' town- ship that the inhabitants of the Great Cove were all murdered or taken captive, and their houses and barns all in flames- some few fled, upon notice brought them by a certain Patrick Burns, a captive, who had made his escape that very morning before this sad tragedy was done. Upon information, as aforesaid, John Potter and myself sent expresses through our neighborhood, which induced many of them to meet with us, at John McDowell's mill, where I, with many others, had the un- happy prospect to see the smoke of two houses which had been set on fire by the Indians ; viz : Mathew Patton's and Mesech James' houses, where their cattle were shot down, and horses standing bleeding, with Indian arrows in them ; but the Indians had fled.
The Revd. Mr. Steel, Esq., and several others with us, to the number of about one hundred, went in quest of the Indians, with all the expe- dition imaginable, but without success. These Indians have likewise taken two women captives, belonging to said township. I very much fear Path Valley has undergone the same fate.
George Croghan was at Aughwick, where he had a small fort and about thirty-five men ; but whether he has been molested or not, we cannot, as yet say. We, to be sure, are in as bad circumstances as ever any poor christians were ever in. For the cries of widowers, widows, fatherless and motherless children, with many others for their relations, are enough to pierce the hardest of hearts. It is likewise a very sorrowful spectacle to see those that escaped with their lives, have not a mouthful to eat or bed to lie on, or clothes to cover their naked- ness, or keep them warm ; but all they had, consumed into ashes .- These deplorable circumstances cry aloud for your Honor's most wise consideration ; and that your Honor would take cognizance of, and grant what shall seem most meet. How shocking it is for the husband to see the wife of his bosom, have her head cut off, and the childrens' blood drunk like water by these bloody and cruel savages ; as we are informed it has been the fate of many.
While writing, I have received intelligence by some that fled from the Cove, that chiefly those in the upper part of it were killed, and taken. One Galloway's son escaped after he saw his grand-mother shot down, and other relations taken prisoners.
From some news I have had, I am apprehensive that George Croghan is in distress ; though just now Mr. Burd, with about forty men, left my house, and we intend to join him to-morrow at Mr. McDowell's mitl, with all the force we can raise, in order to see what damages have been done, and for his relief.
As we have no magazines at present to supply the guards, or scouts, the whole weight of their maintenance lies chiefly upon a few persons. I pray your Honor to excuse what blunders there are by reason of haste.
I am with due regard, your Honor's
Most obedient and humble servant,
ADAM HOOPS,
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INTRODUCTION.
CONOCOCHEAGUE, Nov. 6, 1755.
May it please your Honor :
I have sent enclosed two qualifications, one of which is Patrick Burns', the bearer, and a tomahawk which was found sticking in the breast of one David McClellan. 4
The people of Path Valley are all gathered in a small fort, and ac- cording to the last account, were safe. The Great Cove and Canallo- ways are all buried to ashes, and about fifty persons killed or taken .- Numbers of the inhabitants of this county have moved their families, some to York county, some to Maryland.
Hance Hamilton, Esq. is now at John McDowell's mill, with upwards of two hundred men (from York county) and two hundred from this county ; in all about four hundred. To-morrow we intend to go to the Cove and Path Valley, in order to bring what cattle and horses the In- dians let live. We are informed by a Delaware Indian who lives amongst us, that on the same day the murder was committed, he saw four hundred Indians in the Cove ; and we have some reason to believe they are about there yet.
'The people of Shearman's creek and Juniata have all come away, and left their horses; and there are now about thirty miles of this county laid waste. I am afraid there will soon be more.
I am your Honor's most
Humble servant,
ADAM HOOPS.
P. S. I have just received the account of one George McSwane, who was taken captive about 14 days ago, and has made his escape, and brought two scalps and a tomahawk with him.
Shortly after the Indians had made hostile incursions into the Great Cove and commenced their devastation, Sheriff Potter was in Philadelphia, as appears from the following extract, under date of Nov. 14, 1755 .- Prov. Rec. N. 289.
Mr. Potter, the sheriff of Cumberland being in town was sent for, and desired to give an account of the upper part of that county in which the Indians had committed their late ravages; and he said that twenty-seven plantations were burnt and a great quantity of cattle killed ; that a woman 93 years of age was found lying killed with her breast torn off and a stake run through her body. That of 93 families which were settled in the two Coves and the Conolloways, 47 were either killed or taken, and the rest deserted.
The names of those murdered and abducted, besides those already mentioned, are given in the Pennsylvania Gazette of Nov. 13, 1755, and are as follows :
Elizabeth Gallway, Henry Gilson, Robert Peer, William Berryhill, and David McClelland were murdered. The miss- ing are John Martin's wife and five children; William Gall- way's wife and two children, and a young woman ; Charles
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INTRODUCTION.
Stewart's wife and two children; David McClelland's wife and two children. William Fleming and wife were taken prisoners. Fleming's son, and one Hicks, were killed and scalped.
PAXTON, 9th November, 1755.
Mr. Peters, Esq.
I have just now received an express, informing me that out of a small party on guard last night in Tullyhoe's gap of the mountain, five were killed and two wounded. Such shockings accounts we frequently receive, and though we are careful to transmit them to Philadelphia, and remonstrate and petition from time to time, yet to no purpose, so that we seem to be given up into the hands of a merciless enemy.
There are within these few weeks upwards of forty of his majesty's subjects massacred on the frontiers of this and Cumberland counties, besides a great many carried into captivity, and yet nothing but unsea- sonable debates between the two parties of our legislature, instead of uniting on some probable scheme for the protection of the province. What may be the end of these things, God only knows ; but I really fear that unless vigorous methods are speedily used, we in these back settlements will unavoidably fall a sacrifice, and this part of the pro- vince be lost.
If I have expressed my sentiments with too much warmth, you will be kind enough to pardon me, as it proceeds from a hearty regard to the public good.
Sir, your obedient servant, JOHN ELDER.
Towards the close of December 1755, the Indians commit- ted some murders in Shearman's valley. The following is an extract from the narrative of Robert Robison, as contained in Loudon's Narratives, pages 171-72.
" The next I remember of was in 1755, the Woolcomber's family on Shearman's creek; the whole of the inhabitants of the valley was gathered at Robison's, but the Woolcomber would not leave home, he said it was the Irish who were killing one another, these peaceable people, the Indians, would not hurt any person. Being at home and at dinner, the Indians came in, and the Quaker asked them to come and eat dinner ; an Indian announced that he did not come to eat, but for scalps ; the son, a boy of fourteen or fifteen years of age, when he heard the Indian say so, repaired to a back door, and as he went out he looked back, and saw the In- dian strike the tomahawk into his father's head. The boy then ran over the creek, which was near to the house, and
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heard the screams of his mother, sisters and brother. The boy came to our fort and gave us the alarm ; about forty went to where the murder was done and buried the dead."
In the year 1755, says Loudon, Peter Shaver, John Sav- age and two other men were killed at the mouth of Shaver's creek, or Juniata, by the Indians.
CHAPTER VII.
INDIAN MASSACRES-(1756).
Murderers committed in Tuscarora valley --- At the Canalaways, mur- ders committed and dwellings burnt -- Widow Coxe's house burnt near McDowell's mill; John and Richard Coxe, and John Craig ab- ducted --- Several persons killed in Cumberland (Perry) county --- She- ridan and family killed -- Indians appear in Little Cove --- Indians pur- sued in Peters' township; skirmage, several persons killed --- Indians appear at Lycan's --- Bell's adventures --- McCord's forts in Conoco- cheague burnt --- Engagement with the Indians at Sidling Hill (Bed- ford county ;) a number of persons killed; names of killed and wounded --- Hance Hamilton's letter, &c .--- Captain Steel's letter, touch- ing the same ; Shippen's letter, &c .--- Coves attacked, &c .--- Indians surprise settlers in Conococheague --- Indians murder in Peters' town- ship --- Indians appear again in Shearman's valley, and commit mur- ders --- Fort Granville taken, and several persons killed --- Copy of the original of a paper put up at Fort Granville --- Translation of --- Ham- ilton's letter, &c .-- Armstrong's letter, &c .--- A family of seven persons murdered in Shearman's valley --- Remaining inhabitants of Cumber- land petition government --- Inhabitants of East Pennsborough, peti- tion --- Farmers abandon their improvements --- Murders committed by the savages on the west and east side of the Susquehanna --- Gal- breath's letter --- Reed's letters, &c.
Regardless of the inclemencies of the winter, the Indians still continued committing the most shocking murders imagi- nable, all along an unprotected frontier from the Delaware river to the Potomac. Towards the close of January 1756, they perpetrated murders on the Juniata river, within a few miles of Fort Patterson, at the mouth of Tuscarora valley, opposite Mexico.
On the 28th of January the Indians murdered a number of persons at the Canallaways, in Cumberland county (now Bedford). According to the Pennsylvania Gazette, of Feb- ruary 12, 1756, "they killed and scalped James Leaton,
9
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INTRODUCTION.
Catharine Stillwell, and one of her children were killed and scalped, and two others carried off; one about eight, the other three years old. Her husband, Richard Stillwell was at a neighbor's house when his wife was attacked, and from thence got into Coom's fort. Elias Stillwell had seven horses and a mare carried off, one cow killed and one burnt. John McKenny's house was burnt, with all his household goods and clothing ; and what remained of three beeves and seven fat hogs ; he had likewise three cows killed; and three calves burnt in Samuel Eaton's barn. Samuel Hicks had eleven cattle and a valuable mare killed. Richard Malone's house and barn were burnt, and two of his cattle killed. And a house was burnt that belonged to one Hicks, who had been murdered some time ago. The tracks of seven Indians and of a child, supposed to be Mr. Stillwell's, with those of the horses they carried off, were seen in a corn field, and they seemed to be going towards Aughwick."
A few days after the murder had been committed and damages done in the Conallaways, the Indians burnt the house of Widow Coxe, near McDowell's mill, in Cumberland county (Franklin), and carried off her two sons and another person. John Coxe, son of widow Coxe, stated in presence of the Provincial Council, September 6th, 1756, that him- self, his brother Richard, and John Craig, were taken, by nine Delaware Indians, in February 1756, from a plantation two miles from McDowell's mill, and carried to Kittanning town on the Ohio (Alleghany river,) that on his way thither, he met Shingas with a party of thirty men, and afterwards with Captain Jacobs and fifteen, who were going on a design to destroy the settlements in Conegochege, that when he ar- rived at Kittanning, he saw there about one hundred fight- ing men of the Delaware tribe with their families and about fifty English prisoners consisting of men, women and children, that during his stay there Shingas' and Jacobs' parties re- turned, the one with nine scalps and ten prisoners ; the other with several scalps and five prisoners ; and that another com- pany of eighteen came from Diahoga with seventeen scalps fixed on a pole and carried them to Fort Du Quesne to ob- tain their reward-That the warriors held a council, which, with their war dances, continued a week, after which, Cap- tain Jacobs went with a party of forty-eight men intending (as he was told) to fall upon the inhabitants of Paxton ; that the
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