USA > Virginia > A history of the valley of Virginia, 3rd ed > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
* Messrs. Aaron and Job Welton related this tradition to the author. It was thought that Delay would have recovered but for the unskillfulness of
SS
INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES.
On the day following, the whites left the Fort in pursuit, and overtook their enemy late that night on Dunkard Bottom, Cheat River, where they had encamped. The pursuers dismounted, and the captain ordered Bingaman (the same whose prowess is related in a preceding page) to guard the horses. He, however, disobeyed, and loitered in the rear of the party. To make the destruction of the enemy more certain, it was deemed advisable to wait for day- light before they began an attack; but a young man, whose zeal overcame his discretion, fired into the group, upon which the In- dians sprang to their feet and fled. Bingaman singled out a fellow of giant-like size, whom he pursued, throwing his rifle aside that his speed might not be retarded-passed several smaller Indians in the chase-came up with him, and with a single blow of his hatchet, cleft his skull. When Bingaman returned to the battle-ground, the cap- tain sternly observed, "I ordered you to stay and guard the horses." Bingaman as sternly replied, "you are a rascal, sir ; you intended to disgrace me; and one more insolent word, and you shall share the fate of that Indian," pointing toward the body he had just slain. The captain quailed before the stern menace, and held his peace. He and Bingaman had, a few days before, had a falling out. Several Indians fell in this affair, while the whites lost none of their party.
Dr. Turley stated to the author that he had often heard Mr. John Harness, who was one of the party that followed the Indians, relate that Delay was taken to Dunkard Bottom, and when the In- dians were then surprised, he was shot, but whether by his captors, or accidentally, was not known, Delay himself not being able to tell. He was conveyed home on a litter, and died directly after- wards. There were, however, two Delay's, and the first relation may be true.
Mrs. Shobe an aged and respectable lady, living on Mill Creek, in Hardy county, informed the author, that Delay was buried on the banks of the South Branch, and some years afterwards his skele- ton was washed out by a rising of the river. She then heard Job Welton say, that Delay had saved his life, and he would take care of his bones.
To show the spirit of the times, the following anecdote is re- lated. Valentine Powers, and his brother, with two or three others, left the Fort near Petersburg, * on a visit to their farms, when they were fired upon by the Indians from a thicket, and the brother of Powers killed. Valentine ran, but soon called to mind the saying, current among them, that "it was a bad man who took bad news home," he turned about and gave himself up and remained a prisoner five or six years. ¡
the surgeon (if he deserved the name) who attended him. The late Gen. William Darke married his widow.
* Called Fort George. The land is now owned by Job Welton, Esq.
t Related by Aaron Welton, Esq.
89
INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES.
Marion Peterson was taken a prisoner on the South Branch, and carried to the Sandusky towns. He used to accompany the Indians in their hunting excursions, and was permitted to have one load of powder and ball each day, which he always discharged at the game they met with. As he gained on the confidence of his captors, they increased his allowance to two loads, and subsequently to three. The same allowance was made to two other white prisoners. These three, one day, after receiving their allowance, determined to at- tempt an escape, and left the towns accordingly. As they ventured to travel only at night, guided by the north star, their progress was exceeding slow and difficult. On the second day one of their num- ber died from fatigue, and Peterson took his ammunition. A day or two afterwards, his remaining companion also gave out, and Peter- son taking his ammunition, left him to perish. He then pursued his way alone, and after a succession of hardships, came at length in sight of the Fort. But here, when within reach of his deliverance, his hopes were well-nigh blasted ; for the sentry, mistaking him for an Indian, fired ! Happily the ball missed its aim, and he was able to make himself known before the fire was repeated. This Fort was on the farm now the residence of Mr. John Welton, near Petersburg, Hardy county. *
Seybert's Fort, f was erected on the South Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac, on the land now owned by Mr. Ferdinand Lair, twelve miles northeast of Franklin, the present county seat of Pendleton. In the year 1758, a party of Indians surprised the Fort, in which were thirty persons. They bound ten, whom they conveyed without the Fort, and then proceeded to massacre the others in the
* Related by Aaron Welton, Esq.
+ The author, on a visit to Franklin, obtained some additional particu- lars in relation to the attack on Seybert's Fort : The party of Indians was commanded by the blood-thirsty and treacherous chief, Kill-buck. Sey- bert's son, a lad about fifteen years of age, exhibited great firinness and bravery in the defense of the post. He had with his rifle brought down two of his assailants, when Kill-buck called out to old Seybert, in English, to surrender, and their lives should be spared. At that instant young Sey- bert, having charged his rifle, was in the act of presenting it at Kill-buck, when his father seized the gun, and took it from him, observing : " We can- not defend the Fort, we must surrender in order to save our lives," confid- ing in the assurance of the faithless Kill-buck. The first salutation he received, after surrendering the Fort, was a stroke on his mouth from the monster, Kill-buck, with the pipe-end of his tomahawk, dislocating several of the old man's teeth ; and immediately after lie was massacred with the other victims. Young Seybert was taken off among the prisoners. He told Kill-buck he had raised his gun to kill him ; but that his father had wrested it from him. The savage laughed, and replied, "You little rascal, if you had killed me you would have saved the Fort; for had I fallen my warriors would have immediately fled, and given up the siege in despair." It is said there were three men in the Fort, not one of whom manifested a disposition to aid its defense. Had they joined young Seybert, and acted with the same intrepidity and coolness, the place might have been saved, and the awful sacrifice of the inmates avoided.
12
90
INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES.
following manner : They seated them in a row upon a log, with an Indian standing behind each ; and at a given signal, each Indian sunk his tomahawk into the head of his victim ; an additional blow or two dispatched them. The scene was witnessed by James Dyer, a lad fourteen years old, who, not having been removed without the Fort, supposed that he was to be massacred. He was, however, spared, and taken to Log Town, sixteen miles below Fort Pitt, thence to the mouth of the Muskingum River, and thence to the spot where Chilicothe now stands, where he remained a prisoner one year and ten months. He had by this time gained the entire confi- dence of his captors, and was permitted to accompany them to Fort Pitt on a trading expedition. When there he planned his escape, and happily succeeded. Being sent out for some bread with an In- dian lad, he slipped into a hovel, unobserved by his companion, and implored the protection of the poor woman who occupied it. She told him to get behind a chest, the only furniture in the room, and threw upon him a bed. The Indians, on missing him, spent the afternoon in search, during which they looked into the very hovel where he was, and left the place the next morning on their return. Fort Pitt being then in the possession of the English, a trooper very kindly conveyed him six or seven miles behind him, whence he made his way to his friends in Pennsylvania, where he remained two years longer, and then returned to South Fork. *
Another tradition says that Seybert's Fort was not surprised. It had been invested for two or three days, and after two Indians had been killed, the garrison agreed to surrender on condition that their lives should be spared, which was solemnly pledged. The gate was then opened, and the Indians rushed ini with demoniac yells. The whites then fled with precipitation, but were retaken, with the exception of one man. The massacre then took place, as before re- lated, and ten were taken off as prisoners.
Another tradition says, that, on the Fort's being given up the Indians seated twenty of the garrison in two rows, all of whom they killed except the wife of Jacob Peterson. When they reached her, an Indian interposed to save her life, and some altercation ensued. The friendly Indian at length prevailed ; and throwing her a pair of moccasins, told her to march off with the prisoners. How long she remained in captivity is not remembered. t
The Indians killed John Brake's wife on the South Fork of the Wappatomaka. John Brake became conspicious in the war of the revolution, which will be noticed hereafter. Frederick Jice had his whole family killed, with the exception of himself and one son. A man named Williams and his wife were also killed. Richard Wil- liams, and his wife and little daughter were taken prisoners ; the latter
* Related by Zebulon Dyer, Esq., Clerk of Pendleton county, and son of the James Dyer mentioned.
+ Mrs. Shobe informed the author that she had heard the wife of Jacob Peterson frequently relate this.
91
INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES.
was only eighteen months old when taken, remained with the In- dians until she was thirteen, and was then brought home. She had learned the Indian language perfectly ; afterwards learned to speak English, but there were some words she never could pronounce plainly. She married Uriah Blue, on the South Branch.
About eight miles below Romney stood a Fort. In time of harvest a Mrs. Hogeland went out about three hundred yards to gather beans, two men accompanying her as a guard. While gather- ing the beans, eight or ten Indians made their appearance. One of the guards instantly fled ; the other, whose name was Hogeland, called to the woman to run to the Fort, and placing himself between her and the enemy, with his rifle cocked and presented, retreated from tree to tree until both entered it. Some old men in the Fort fired off their guns to alarm the harvest hands, who ran into it, the Indians from the side of the mountain firing upon them, but doing no injury. The same day the harvest liands were waylaid as they returned to their work, fired upon Henry Newkirk and wounded him in the hip. The whites returned the fire, and wounded an In- dian, who dropped his gun and fled. The others also made off, and the harvest hands proceeded to their work.
In 1756, while the Indians were lurking about Fort Pleasant and constantly on the watch to cut off all communication therewith, a lad named Higgins, aged about twelve years, was directed by his mother to go to the spring, about a quarter of a mile without the Fort, and bring a bucket of water. He complied with much trepi- dation, and persuaded a companion of his, of about the same age, o accompany him. They repaired to the spring as cautiously as possible, and after filling their buckets, ran with speed towards the Fort, Higgins taking the lead. When about half way to the Fort, and Higgins had got about thirty yards before his companion, he heard a scream from the latter, which caused him to increase his speed to the utmost. He reached the Fort in safety, while his companion was captured by the Indians, and taken to the settlements, where he remained until the peace, and was then restored. The young Higgins subsequently became the active Capt. Robert Higgins in our revolutionary army, and after raising a numerous family Virginia, removed with them to the west. *
In the neighborhood of Moorefield a party of men were mowing for Peter Casey. They had placed their guns under a large tree in the edge of the meadow, and old Peter stood sentinel to watch and give the alarm should the enemy make their appearance. In a short time a party of Indians discovered the hands at work; and cautiously crept through the brambles and shrub- bery in order to get a position to make a deadly fire. One of them was in front of the others, and had approached very near old Peter before the latter saw him, when the old
* Related by Col. Isaac Vanmeter.
92
INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES.
man flew at him with his cane raised, crying out, " By the Lord, boys, here they come !" The Indian, desperately frightened, took to his heels ; the men flew to their guns; and the skulking savages retreated precipitately, without firing a single shot. It is not ini- probable that Casey still used the same stick with which he " knocked Kill-buck down." *
The author finding this chaper running to a tedious and per- haps tiresome length to the reader, will give his pen a short respite, and resume his narrative of Indian outrages in the next chapter.
* Related by Col. Isacc Vanmeter.
:
93
INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES.
CHAPTER IX.
INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES. - Continued.
On Stony Creek, five or six miles S. W. of Woodstock, there was a Fort called "Wolfe's Fort," where the people took shelter from the Indians for several years. Mr. Wolfe would venture out some- times for the purpose of killing game, and was always accompanied by a favorite dog. On one particular occasion, this faithful animal saved his master's life. Mr. Wolfe walked out with his gun and dog, but had not proceeded far before the latter manifested great alarm, and used all his ingenuity to induce his master to return. He repeatedly crossed his path, endeavoring to obstruct his walk ; would raise himself up, and place his feet against his master's breast, and strive to push him back ; would run a few steps toward the fort, and then return whining. From the extraordinary manifestations of uneasiness on the part of the dog, Mr. Wolfe began to suspect there was some lurking danger, of course kept a sharp look out, and soon discovered an Indian at some distance behind a tree, watching and waiting until he should come near enough to be a sure mark. Mr. Wolfe made a safe retreat into the Fort, and ever after felt the highest gratitude to his honest and faithful dog. The dog lived to be twenty-one years of age, and probably more. * Ulysses's dog "Argus" is much celebrated in history ; but it is very ques- tionable whether Argus ever rendered more important service to his lord and inaster. Ulysses was one of the commanding generals of the Greeks in the Trojan war, and was absent twenty years, it is said from his home. The story of his dog is related by Homer to the following beautiful poetical effusions : i
Thus near the gates conferring as they drew, Argus, the dog, his ancient master knew ; He, not unconscious of the voice and tread, Lifts to the sound his ear, and rears his head ;
* Moses Russell, Esq., of the county of Frederick, gave the author a detail of the particulars of this extraordinary story, and stated, that when he was a young man he once called at Mr. Wolfe's house and saw the dog. He appeared to be decript and suffering pain, and he asked Mr. Wolfe if he had not better kill the dog, and put him out of misery. Mr. Wolfe with much emphasis replied, "No, I would as readily consent to be killed myself as to kill that dog, or suffer him to be killed; he once saved my life;"' and Mr. Wolfe then related the above story. The dog was then twenty-one years old.
+ It is said that Argus was the only creature that immediately recognized his master on his return to his place from his twenty years' absence.
94
INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES
Bred by Ulysses, nourish'd at his board, But ah ! not fated long to please his lord ! To him, his swiftness and his strength were vain ; The voice of glory called him o'er the main, Till then in every sylvan chase renown'd, With Argus, Argus, rung the woods around ; With him the youth pursu'd the goat or fawn, Or trac'd the mazy leveret o'er the lawn, Now left to man's ingratitude he lay, Unhous'd, neglected in the public way ; And where on heaps the rich manure was spread, Obscene with reptiles, took his sordid bed.
He knew his lord ; he knew and strove to meet ; In vain he strove to crawl, and kiss his feet, Yet (all he could) his tail, his ears, his eyes, Salute his master, and confess his joys. Soft pity touch'd the mighty master's soul ; Adown his cheek a tear unbidden stole, Stole unperceiv'd, he turn'd his head, and dried The drop humane ; then thus impassion'd cried ; " What noble beast in this abandon'd state,
Lies here all helpless at Ulysses' gate ? His bulk and beauty speak no vulgar praise ; If, as he seems, he was in better days, Some care his age deserves, or was he priz'd For worthless beauty, therefore now despised ? Such dogs, and men there are, mere things of state, And always cherish'd by their friends, the great."
"Not Argus so, (Emmaus thus rejoin'd) But serv'd a master of a nobler kind, Who never, never, shall behold him more ! Long, long since perish'd on a distant shore ! O had you seen him, vigorous bold and young, Swift as a stag, and as a lion strong ; Him, no fell savage an the plain withstood, None scalp'd him, bosom'd in the gloomy wood ; His eye how piercing and his scent how true, To wind the vapor in the tainted dew ? Such, when Ulysses left his natal coast, Now years unnerve him, and his lord is lost, The women keep the generous creature bare, A sleek and idle race is all their care ; The master gone, the servants what restrains ? Or dwells humanity where riot reigns ? Jove fix'd it certain, that whatever day Makes man a slave, takes half his worth away." This said, the honest herdsmen strode before, The musing monarch pauses at the door. The dog whom fate had granted to hehold His lord when twenty tedious years had roll'd, Takes a last look, and having seen him, dies ; So clos'd forever faithful Argus' eyes !
€
There was no poet at the time to trausmit the name and fame of Mr. Wolfe's dog to posterity. European authors, in their prejudices, have on various occasions endeavored to disparague every thing of American production. The Count de Buffon is among the number. Englishmen delight in the disparagement of the American quadru-
95
INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES.
peds. In the Family Encyclopedia, an English work, under the article "dogs," it is asserted that "when English dogs are trans- ported to other countries, they degenerate, and become compara- tively worthless !" It is believed the annals of the world may be safely challenged to produce an instance of greater manifestation of sagacity and faithful affection towards a master, than was ex- hibited by Mr. Wolfe's dog on the occasion spoken of. But to return :
At the Forks of Capon stockade. The men who occupied it had to go about four miles to cultivate a fine fertile field of low ground, to produce bread for their support. In the year 1757 or 1758, two men, one named Bowers, the other York, walked to the field to see how things were going on. On their return in the evening they were waylaid by seven Indians. Bowers was shot and fell dead ; York ran, was pursued by three Indians, and took across a high ridge. One of his pursuers tired before he reached the top; the others continued the chase. After running a considerable distance, a second gave out. The third got so near that he several times extended his arm to seize York, but failed, and York got safe into the fort. *
On Patterson's Creek, at the present site of Frankfort, Ashby's Fort was erected. It was at this place that the celebrated race took place between the late Capt. John Ashby and three Indians. Capt. Ashby had walked out from the Fort with his gun, and after pro- ceeding some distance discovered three Indians, who knew him, but a little way off. He turned and ran ; two of the Indians fired, but missed him ; they all three then gave chase, but Ashby was too swift for them; and when they saw they could not overhaul him, one of them called out, "Run, Jack Ashby, run !" He replied, looking over his shoulder, "You fools, do you think I run booty ?" (with boots).
Near the Fort, Charles Keller was killed, the grandfather of Mr. Charles Keller, the present proprietor of the Frankfort Hotel. f
About the year 1756, Daniel Sullivan, at nine years of age, was taken prisoner by the Indians, with whom he remained nine years, when he was brought home. For some time he manifested a desire to return to the Indians, but at length became reconciled, and was afterwards their determined enemy. In his last battle with then, becoming desperately wounded, and his entrails falling out in his way, he tore them off, and continued to fight until he fell and ex- pired. The Indians after this considered him something more than man. #
At the Rev. Mr. Jacob's present residence, on North Branch, a man by the name of Wade was killed.
* Related by Mr. John Largent.
+ Mr. Keller stated this fact to the author.
# Isaac Kuykendall, Esq., of the South Branch, near Romney, stated this fact to the author, and added that Sullivan was his near relation.
96
INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES.
Logan, the celebrated Indian, killed Benjamin Bowman, and took Humphrey Worstead prisoner. He compelled the latter to halter several of his own and Bowman's horses, and took them off. *
At a battle at Oldtown, John Walker killed an Indian and wounded another. Walker cut out a part of the dead Indian's flesh from the thick part of his thigh, and threw it to his dog, who ate it. He otherwise mutilated his body ; and thrust parts of it into his mouth.
Thomas Higgins was one of the earliest settlers on the Cohon- goruton. He lived about four miles from Bath, but was driven thence, and removed to the neighborhood of Gerardstown in the county of Berkeley. After his removal, three of his sons were taken off as prisoners, and never returned. At the close of Dunmore's war, one of them was seen at Wheeling by a man who was acquaint- ed with his family, and asked why he did not come home, since his father had left him a good tract of land. He replied that he did not wish to live with white people, they would always call him Indian, and he had land enough. i
The wife of the late Walter Denny, of Frederick county, was taken by the Indians when a small child, and grew up among them. Her maiden name was Flaugherty. After returning from her cap- tivity she married Walter Denny, who resided some time after his marriage in the neighborhood of Pittsburg. In 1774 the Indians advised him to move off, as they intended to go to war with the whites. Mr. Denny removed and settled in the county of Frederick. The author recollects of frequently seeing this man. A Miss Williams was also taken about the same time ; she, too, grew up witli the Indians. Those two female children were taken on Patter- son's Creek.
There is a tradition of a battle fought on Patterson's Creek, be- tween the whites and Indians, the Spring before Braddock's defeat ; but the author has not been able to obtain the particulars, except that the Indians were defeated.
The Indians killed Oliver Kremer, in Short Gap, and took his wife prisoner.
In the year 1764, a party of eighteen Delawares crossed the mountains. Furman's Fort was about one mile above the Hanging Rock, on the South Branch. William Furman and Nimrod Ashby had gone out from the Fort to watch a deer lick in the Jersey Mouni- tain. ¿ The Indians discovered and killed them both, and passed on into the county of Frederick, where they divided into two parties. One party of eight moved on to the Cedar Creek settlement ; the other of ten to attack the people in the neighborhood of the present
* Related by Mr. Gerret Blue, of the North Branch.
+ Related by Mr. James Higgins of the North Branch.
# So called from its being first settled by immigrants from New Jersey.
97
INDIAN INCURSIONS AND MASSACRES.
residence of Maj. John White. On this place Dr. White, the ances- tor of the White family, had settled, and on his land a stockade was erected. The people in the neighborhood had taken the alarm, and were on their way to the Fort, when they were assaulted by these ten Indians. They killed David Jones and his wife, two old people. Some of Mrs. Thomas' family were killed, and she had one daugh- ter taken off. An old man by the name of Lloyd, and his wife, and several of his children, were killed. Esther Lloyd, their daughter, about thirteen years old, received three tomahawk wounds in the head, was scalped, and left lying, supposed to be dead. Henry Clouser and two of his sons were killed, and his wife and four of his daughters taken. The youngest daughter was about two years old ; and as she impeded the mother's traveling, when they reached the North Mountain, the poor little innocent babe was taken by its heels, its head dashed against a tree, and the brains beaten out, and left lying on the ground. Mrs. Thomas was taken to the Wappato- maka ; but the river being pretty full, and deep fording they en- camped near Furman's Fort for the night. The next morning a party of white men fired off their guns at the Fort, which alarmed the Indians, and they hurried across the river, assisting all their fe- male prisoners except Mrs. Thomas, who being quite stout and strong, was left to shift for herself. The current, however, proved too strong for her, and she floated down the river-but lodged against a rock, upon which she crawled, and saved herself from drowning. Before her capture she had concealed a half a loaf of bread in her bosom, which, during her struggles in the water, washed out, and, on her reaching the rock, floated to her again. In this instance, the text of Scripture, "Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days,"* might have some application. It was not "many days," but there appears to have been something providential in it, for it saved her from extreme suffering. The next morning Mrs. Thomas made her way to William's Fort, about two miles below the Hanging Rock, on the South Branch. t
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.