USA > Virginia > Historical collections of Virginia : containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c. relating to its history and antiquities ; together with geographical and statistical descriptions ; to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia. > Part 76
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* This gap wok dis name from a man by the anne of Maxwell, who was there killed by the te bass while ja pursuit of the wife of Thomas English, of Burke's Garden, who had beer . taken by a party of Indiars, at the head of which was this same Wolf.
491
TAZEWELL COUNTY.
night we made another kettle of broth, but ate no meat. This is Indian policy after fasting.
I travelled the whole route barefooted ; the consequence was that I had three stone- braises on each foot, and at this time my sufferings were very great. Frequently i would walk over rattlesnakes, but was not permitted to kill any, the Indians considering them their friends.
Some few days after this, we killed a buffalo that was very fat, and dried as much of the meat as lasted us for several days. After this we killed deer and buffaloes as our wants required, until we reached their towns, near what is now called Chillicothe, in Ohio, just 20 days from the time we set out. We crossed the Ohio between the mouth of Guyandot and Big Sandy, on a raft made of dry logs, and tied together with grape- vines. On the banks of the Scioto we remained one day. Here they made pictures to rep- resent three Indians, and me their prisoner. Near this place the old Wolf went off and procured some bullets which he had secreted.
When we came near the towns the Indians painted themselves black, but did not paint me. This was an omen of my safety. I was not taken directly into the town, but to the residence of Wolf's half-sister, to whom I was sold for an old horse. The reason why I was not taken directly to the town, was, I suppose, Ist, because it was a time of peace ; 2dly, that I might be saved from running the gauntlet, which was the case with prisoners taken in war. Shortly after I was sold, my mistress left me entirely alone for several days in her wigwam, leaving a kettle of hommony for me to cat. In this solitary situation I first began to pray, and call upon God for mercy and deliverance, and found great relief. Having cast my burdens on the Lord, I would arise from my knees and go off cheerfully. I had been taught to pray. My father prayed in his family ; and I now found the benefit of the religious instruction and example I hed enjoyed.
On one occasion while on our journey, I was sent some distance for water. Suppo- sing that I was entirely out of view, I gave vent to my feelings, and wept abundantly. 'The old Indian, however, had watched me, and noticing the marks of tears on my cheeks, he shook his tomahawk over my head to let me know I must not do so again. Their object in sending me off, was, I suppose, to see whether I would attempt to escape, as the situation appeared favorable for that purpose. After this I was no longer fastened with a halter.
In about two weeks after I was sold, my mistress sent me, with others, on a hunting excursion. In this we were very unsuccessful. 'The snow being knee-deep, my blanket too short to cover me, and having very little other clothing, my sufferings from hunger and cold were intense. Often after having lain down, and drawn up my feet to get them under the blanket, I became so benumbed that it was with difficulty I could straighten myself again. Early in the morning the old Indian would build up a large fire, and make me and the young Indians plunge all over in cold water. This, I think, was of great benefit, as it prevented us from taking cold.
When we returned from hunting in the spring, the old man gave me up to Capt. Elliot, a trader from Detroit. But my mistress, on learning this, became very angry, threatened Elliot, and got me back.
Some time in April, there was a dance at a town about two miles from where I resided. This I attended, in company with the Indian to whom I belonged. Meeting with a French trader froin Detroit, by the name of Bstest Ariome, who took a fancy to me on account of my resemblance to one of his sons, he bought me for 50 dollars in Indian . money .* Before leaving the dance I met with a Mr. Sherlock, a trader from Ky., who had formerly been a prisoner to this same tribe of Indians, and who had rescued a lad by the name of Mothit, who had been captured by the Indians on the head of the Clinch, and whose father was an intimate and particular friend of my father's.t I re- quested Mr. Sherlock to write to my father, through Mr. Moffit, informing him of my captivity, and that I had been purchased by a French trader, and was gone to Detroit. This letter, I have reason to believe, father received, and that it gave him the first infor- mation of what had become of me.
But we must pause in this narrative, to notice the destruction and captivity of the remaining part of Mr. Moore's family.
There being only a few families in the part of Va. where Mr. Moore resided, the Indians from the Shawaner towns made frequent incursions upon them. Consequently
* This consisted of silver brooches, crosses, &c.
Mr. Mollit had removed to Ky., and was then living there.
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492
TAZEWELL COUNTY.
most of the families returned to the more thickly settled parts of what is now Mont. gomery co., &c., but Mr. Moore still remained. Such was the fertility of the soil, and the adaptedness of the country to grazing, that Mr. M. kept about 100 head of horses. and a good stock of cattle, which principally wintered themselves. On the 14th of July, 1786, early in the morning, a gang of horses had come in from the range to the fick-blocks, about 100 yards from the house, and Mr. Moore had gone ont to saft them. 'Two men also, who were living with him, had gone out, and were reaping wheat. . The Indians, about 30 in number, who were lying in ambush, watching the house, supposing that all the men were absent, availed themselves of the opportunity and rushed forward with all speed. As they advanced they commenced firing, and killed two of the children, viz. William and Rebecca, who were returning from the spring, and Alexander in the yard. Mr. Moore attempted to get to the house, but finding it surrounded, ran past it through a small pasture in which the house stood. When he reached the fence be made a halt, and was shot through with seven bullets. The Indians said he might have escaped if he had not stopped on the fence. After he was shot he ran about 40 yards, and fell. He was then scalped by the Indians, and afterwards buried by the whites at the place where the body lay, and where his grave may yet be seen. It was thought that when he saw his family about to be massacred, without the possibility of rendering them assistance, he chose to share a like fate. There were two fierce dogs, which fought like heroes until the fiercest one was killed. The two men who were reaping, hearing the alarm, and seeing the house surrounded, fled, and alarmed the settlement. At that time the nearest family was distant 6 miles. As soon as the alarii was given, Mrs. Moore and Martha Iving* barred the door, but this was of no avail There was no man in the house at the time except John Simpson, the old Englishman already alluded to, and he was on the loft sick, and in bed. There were tive or six guns in the house, but having been shot off the evening before, they were then empty. It was in- tended to have loaded them after breakfast. Martha Ivins took two of them and went up stairs where Simpson was, and handing them to him, told him to shoot. He looked up, but had been shot in the head through a crack, and was then near bis end. The Indians then proceeded to cut down the door, which they soon effected. During this time Martha Ivins went to the far end of the house, lifted up a loose plank, and went under the floor, and requested Polly Mocre, (then eight years of age,) who had the youngest child, called Margaret, in her arms, (which was crying,) to set the child down and come under. Polly looked at the child, clasped it to her breast, and deterinined to share its fate. The Indians having broken into the house, took Mrs. Moore and her children, viz. : John, Jane, Polly, and Peggy, prisoners, and having taken every thing that suited them, they set it and the other buildings on fire, and then went away. Martha ivias remained under the floor a short time, and then came out and hid herself under a log that lay across a branch not far from the house. The Indians having tarried a short time with the view of catching horses, one of them walked across this log, sat down on the end of it, and began to fix his gun-lock. Miss Ivins supposing that she was discovered, and that he was preparing to shoot her, came out and gave berself up. At this he seemed much pleased. They then set out for their towns. Perceiving that John Moore was a boy weak in body and mind, and unable to travel, they killed him the first day. The babe they took two or three days, but it being fretful, on account of a wound it had received, they dashed its brains out against a tree. 'They then moved on with haste to their towns. For some time it was usual to tie very securely each of the prisoners at night, and for a warrior to lie beside cach of them with tomahawk in hand, so that in case of pursuit the prisoners might be speedily dispatched. Their manner of travelling was very much like that described by James Moore .. Not unfrequently they were several days without food, and when they killed game, their habit was to make broth as described by him. When they came to the banks of the Scioto, they carefully pointed out to Mrs. Moore and the prisoners, the hieroglyphics mentioned in the narra- tive of James Moore. When they reached their town, (which. was the one to which James Moore had been taken,) they were soon assembled in council, when an old man made a long speech to them dissoading them from war; but at the close of it the warriors shook their heads, and retired. This old man afterwards took Polly Moore into his family, where he and his wife scomed greatly to commiscrate her situation, and showed all possible kindness.
Shortly after they reached the towns, Mrs. Moore and her daughter Jane were put to death, being burned and tortured at the stake. This lasted some time, during which
* Miss Ivins was living in the fumaily at the time, helping them to spin; Joseph Moore, another sou was in Rockbridge co., going to school.
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493
TAZEWELL COUNTY,
she manifested the utmost Christian fortitude, and bore it without a murmar-at inter- vals conversing with her daughter Polly and Martha Ivins, and expressing great anxiety for the moment to arrive when her soul should wing its way to the bosom of her Saviour. At length an old squaw, more humane than the rest, dispatched her with a tomahawk .*
This tribe of Indians proving very troublesome to the whites, it was repeatedly con- templated to send an expedition against their town. This it is probable Martha Ivins in some measure postponed, by sending communications through the traders, urging the probable fate of the prisoners, if it were done immediately. In November, two years afterwards, however, such an expedition did go out. The Indians were aware of it from about the time it started, and when it drew near they concealed what they could not carry off, and with the prisoners, deserted their towns. About this time Polly Muore had serious thoughts of concealing herself until the arrival of the whites ; but fearing the consequences of a greater delay in their arrival than she might anticipate, she did not attempt it.
Late in November, however, the expedition did arrive, and after having burned their towns, destroyed their corn, &c., returned home. After this the Indians returned to their towns; but winter having set in, and finding themselves without houses or food, they were greatly dispirited, and went to. Detroit, where, giving themselves up to great ex- cess in drinking, they sold Polly Moore to a man who lived in or near a little village by the name of French Town, near the western end of Lake Erie, for half a gallon of rum. Though at this time the winter was very severe, the released captive had nothing to protect her feet but a pair of deerskin moccasins, and the state of her other clothing will presently appear. But it is now time to resume the narrative of James Moore.
" Mr. and Mrs. Arome were to me parents indeed. They treated me like one of their own sons. I ate at their table, and slept with their son's in a good feather-bed. They always gave me good counsel, and advised me, (particularly Mrs. Ariome, ) not to abandon the idea of returning to my friends. I worked on the farm with his sons, and occasion- ally assisted him in his trading expeditions. We traded at different places, and some- times went a considerable distance into the country. On one of these occasions, four young Indians began to boast of their bravery, and among other things said that one Indian could whip four white men. This provoked me, and I told them that I could whip all four of them. They immediately attacked me ; but Mr. Ariome hearing the noise, came and took me away. This I consider a kind Providence ; for the Indians are very unskilful in boxing, and in this manner of fighting, I could easily have whipped all of them ; but when they began to find themselves worsted, I expected them to at- tack me with clubs, or some other weapon, and if so, had laid my plans to kill them all with a knife which I had concealed in my belt, mount a fleet horse which was close at hand, and escape to Detroit.
" It was on one of these trading expeditions that I first heard of the destruction of father's family. This I learned through a Shawnee Indian with whom I had been ac- quainted when I lived with them, and who was one of the party on that occasion. I re- ceived this information some time in the same summer after it occurred. In the follow- ing winter I learned that my sister Polly had been purchased by a Mr. Stogwell, an American by birth, but unfriendly to the American cause. He was a man of bad char- acter -- an unfeeling wretch -- and treated my sister with great unkindness. At that time the resided a considerable distance from me. When I heard of my sister, I immediately prepared to go and see her ; but as it was then in the dead of winter, and the journey would have been attended with great difflemties, on being told by Mr. S. that he intended to remove to the neighborhood where I reskied in the following spring, I declined it. When I heard that Mr. Bigwell had removed, as was contemplated, I immediately went to see her. I found her in the most abject condition, almost naked, being clothed with only a few dirty and tattered rags, exhibiting to my mind an object of pity indeed. It is impossible to describe my feelings on that occasion ; sorrow and joy were both com- biaed ; and I have no doubt the fo lings of my sister were similar to my own. On be- ing advised, I applied to the commanding officer at Detroit, informing him of her treat- ment, with the hope of effecting her release. I went with Mr. Simon Girty to Col. MeKec, the superintendent for the Indians, who had Mr. Stogwell brought to trial te answer to the complaint against him. But i failed to procure her release. It was de-
* James Moore says that he learned from Martha Ivins that the murder of these prisoners was com- mitted by a party of Cherokee Indians, who were returning from a war excursion, in which they had Just some of their party. That la consequence of this they became exasperated, fell upon the prisoner, and put them to death.
494
TAZEWELL COUNTY.
eided, however, that when an opportunity should occur for our returning to o ir friends, she should be released without remuneration. This was punctually performed on . appli- cation of Mr. Thomas Ivins, who had come in search of his sister Martha, already al- luded to, who had been purchased from the Indians by some family in the neighborhood, and was at that time living with a Mr. Donaldson, a worthy and wealthy English far. mer, and working for herself.
" All being now at liberty, we made preparations for our journey to our distant friends, and set out, I think, some time in the month of October, 1789, it being little more than five years from the time of my captivity, and a little more than three years from the time of the captivity of my sister and Martha Ivins .* A trading boat coming down the lakes, we obtained a passage for myself and sister to the Moravian towns, a distance of' about 200 miles, and on our route to Pittsburg. There, according to appointment, we met with Mr. Ivins and his sister, the day after our arrival. He had in the mean time pro- cured three horses, and we immediately set out for Pittsburg. Fortunately for us, a party of friendly Indians, from these towns, were about starting on a hunting excursion, and accompanied us for a considerable distance on our route, which was through a wil- derness, and the hunting-ground of an unfriendly tribe. On one of the nights during our journey, we encamped near a large party of these hostile Indians. The next inorn. ing four or five of their warriors, painted red, came into our camp. This much alarmed us. They made many inquiries, but did not molest us, which might not have been the case if we had not been in company with other Indians. After this nothing occurred worthy of notice until we reached Pittsburg. Probably we would have reached Rock- bridge that fall if Mr. Ivins had not unfortunately got his shoulder dislocated. In con- sequence of this, we remained until spring with an uncle of his in the vicinity of Pitts- burg. Having expended nearly all his money in travelling, and with the physician, he left his sister, and proceeded on with sister Polly and myself to the house of our uncle, Wm. McPhoetus, about 10 miles southwest of Staunton, near the Middle River.t He received from uncle Joseph Moore, the administrator of father's estate, compensation for his services, and afterwards returned and brought in his sister."
Here the narrative of Mr. Moore closes. He remained several years with his friends in Rockbridge county, but subsequently returned to the plantation of his father, where he still resides, having raised a large family : himself a highly respectable member of the Methodist church ; in connection with which, also, are many of his children, and his brother Joseph, who is a resident of the same county. Martha Ivins married a man by the name of Hummer, emigrated to Indiana, and reared a family of children. Two of het sons are ministers in the Presbyterian church-one in the presbytery of Crawfords- ville, and the other in the presbytery of Iowa.
An incident in the captivity of Polly Moore has been omitted, too interesting to be passed over without notice.
At the time she became a prisoner, notwithstanding her father, two brothers, and a sister had just been murdered, herself and the rest captured, and the house set on fire, she took up two New Testainents, one of which she kept the whole time of her captivity, and that too when she was but eight years of age.# She did not long continue with Mir. McPhoetus, but lived with her uncle Joseph Walker, on Buffalo creek, about six miles south of Lexington, in Rockbridge county. At the age of twelve she was baptized, and admitted into inll communion with the Presbyterian church. When she grew up, she married the Rev. Samuel Brown, a distinguished Presbyterian clergyman of the same county, and pastor of New Providence congregation. She became the mother of eleven children. Of these, one died in infancy, another while quite young, and of the others, one is ruling eider in the church, another married a pious physician, another a clergy. man, five are Presbyterian ministers in Virginia, and the remaining one is a communi- cant in the church. Her last legacy was a Bible to each of her children.
At the north end of the grave-yard near New Providence church, 14 miles north of Lexington, is the grave of Mary Moore.
The following tragical song. commemorative of the death and
* James Moure had, in the mean time, become so much attached to the family of Mr. Ariome, and es- pecially to one of his daughters, that he would have been contented to remain had it not been for las sister.
This property is now in the possession of Mr. George Shue. The Rev. Dr. Win. McPhoetus informed the writer that he remembered the dimie.
# The other was stolen from her while with the Indians.
( This plantation was afterwards owaid by Mr. John Donahes, who kept a tavern. It is now owned yy a Mr. Maffit.
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495
TYLER COUNTY.
captivity of the Moore family, was written many years since, and is still much sung among the mountaineers of this region. We insert it as a curiosity :
MOORE'S LAMENTATION.
Assist me with words, Melpomene, assist me with skill to impart The dolorous sorrow and pain that dwelt upon every heart,
When Moore and his infantile throng the savages cruel did slay.
His wife they led captive along ; with murmuring voice Farewell ! ye soft bowers so green, I'll traverse these valleys no more, Beside yon murmuring stream lies bleeding the man I adore. And with him my sweet innocent babes, these barbarous Indians have slain, Were I but in one of their graves, then I would be free from my pain. Once more on them she cast her eyes and bade them forever farewell, Deep sobs from ber bosom did rise, while she ihus in anguish did wail. The heathen her sorrows to crown, led her without further delay, A victim to their Shawnee towns, and now comes her tragical day. A council upon her was held, and she was condemned for to die ; On a rock they a fire did build, while she did their torments espy ; With splints of light wood they prepared to pierce in her body all round, Her flesh for to mangle and tear. With sorrow she fell to the ground, But her sonses returning again, the mercy of God did implore. "Thou Saviour that for me wast slain and bathed in a bloody gore, Have mercy now on me in death, and Heaven will sing forth thy praise Soon as I have yielded my breath in a raging fiery blaze." Then to her destruction proceeds each cruel blood-thirsty hell-hound ; With lightwood they cause her to bleed, streaming from every wound. The smoke from her body doth rise; she begs for their pity in vain : These savages hear her fries, and with dancing laugh at her pain Three days in this manner she lay, tormented and bleeding the while, But God his mercy displayed, and on her with pity did smile, Growing angry at their cruel rage her soul would no longer confine, Her torments he soon assuaged, and in praise she her breath did resign. Let each noble, valorous youth, pity her deplorable end, Awhile from your true loves part; join me each brother and friend, For I have been where cannons roared and bullets did rapidly fly. And yet I would venture once more, the Shawnees to conquer or die. Beside the above, we here insert another song, derived, like the other, from a mountain cabin in this region. It was made on the battle of Point Pleasant, "sometimes called the Shawnee Battle." (See Mason county.) Let us mind the tenth day of October,. Seventy-four, which caused woe, The Indian savages they did cover The pleasant banks of the Ohio. The battle beginning in the morning, Throughout the day it lashed sore, Till the evening shades were returning down Upon the banks of the Ohio. Judgment precedes to execution, Let fame throughout all dangers go, Our heroes fought with resolution Upon the banks of the Ohio, Seven score lay dead and wounded Of champions that did face their fue, By which the heathen were confounded, Upon the banks of the Ohio. . Col. Lewis and some noble captains, Did down to death like Uriah go, Alas ! their heads wound up in napkins, * Upon the banks of the Ohio. Kings lamented their mighty fallen Upon the mountains of Gilboa, And now we mourn for brave Hugh Allen, Far from the banks of the Ohio. O bless the mighty King of Heaven For all his wondrous works below, Who hath to us the victory given, Upon the banks of the Ohio. TYLER. TYLER was formed in 1814. from Ohio, and named from John Tyler, gov. of Va. from 1808 to 1811, and father of the late Presi- dent of the U. S. It is 40 miles long, with a mean breadth of 18. miles. This county declines to the west towards the Ohio, and is drained by Middle Island and Fishing creeks, both running through the county and emptying into the Ohio. The surface is exceed 496 WARREN COUNTY. ingly hilly and broken, but the soil is of a fair quality, and on the creek and river bottoms, excellent. About 50,000 pounds of maple sugar are annually produced. Pop. in 1840, whites 6,854, slaves 85, free colored 5; total, 6,954. Middlebourn, the county-seat, is 307 miles northwesterly from Richmond, 52 miles s. of Wheeling, near the centre of the county, on Middle Island creek. It contains 3 mercantile stores, a Methodist church, and about 50 dwellings. Sistersville, 48 miles below Wheeling, is one of the best landings on the Ohio. This town was laid out in 1814 as the county-seat; but in 1816 it was re- moved to Middlebourn, 9 miles east of here. It is a flourishing village, containing 4 mercantile stores and about 80 dwellings. Martinsville, at the mouth of Fishing creek, 40 miles below Wheel- ing, contains 1 store and about 40 dwellings. Centreville. situated on the west bank of Middle Island creek, 7 miles E. of the C. H., contains from 30 to 40 dwellings. 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.