USA > Virginia > Augusta County > Augusta County > History of Augusta County, Virginia > Part 41
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Col. Fleming married and left a family. One of his daughters, Anne,
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married Rev. George A. Barter, D. D., Rector, in 1798, of Liberty Hall Academy, Professor of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, and minister of New Monmouth and Lexington churches, and, in 1831, Professor of Theology in Union Theological Seminary.
On page 363 of Howe's History of Virginia, Col. Fleming is mentioned as having been Governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary war. This must be an error. Patrick Henry was Governor from 1776 to 1779 ; then Thomas Jefferson to 1781 ; then Thomas Nelson to November, 1781 ; then Benjamin Harrison to 1784, when Henry was again elected Governor .*
OLD LETTER.
Through the kindness of Mr. D. W. Bernard, in whose possession the original now is, we have been furnished with the following letter, written by the mother of the great Patrick .Henry to Mrs. Fleming, wife of Col. Fleming. It is a quaint old document, which we are satisfied will possess for our readers an especial interest :
DEAR MADAM :
15TH OCT'R, 1774.
Kind Providence preserved me and all with me safe to our home in Hanover. Here people have been very sickly, but hope the sickly season is nigh over. My dear Annie has been ailing two or three days with a fever ; the dear children are very well.
My son Patrick has been gone to Philadelphia near seven weeks. The affairs of Congress are kept with great secresy-nobody being allowed to be present. I assure you we have our lowland troubles and fears with respect to Great Britain. Perhaps our good God may bring good to us out of these many evils which threaten us, not only from the mountains but from the seas. I cannot forget to thank my dear Mrs. Fleming for the great kindness that you showed us when in Botetourt, and assure you that I remember Col. Fleming and you with much esteem and best wishes, and I shall take it very kind if you will let me hear from you.
My daughter, Betty, joins me in kind love to yourself and Miss Rosie, and especially to your dear good mother when you see her.
I am, dear madam,
Your humble serv't,
SARAH HENRY.
REV. JAMES MADISON, D. D.
James Madison was born, August 27, 1749, in that part of Augusta County now embraced within the limits of Rockingham, and near the pre- sent town of Port Republic. He obtained his early education in Mary- land, and then at William and Mary College, where he matriculated 1768. He was distinguished at college for his diligence and attainments, and re- ceived a gold medal, presented by Lord Botetourt, in 1772. He studied law, and was admitted to the Bar, but soon abandoned it to study for the
*Col. F. was for a brief period acting Governor.
PUBS.
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ministry. In 1773, he was chosen Professor of Mathematics in William and Mary, and in 1775, proceeded to England, was admitted to holy orders, and was licensed by the Bishop of London for the colony of Vir- ginia. On his return to Virginia he resumed his situation in William and Mary, and in 1777, became president of the college. He now returned to England to qualify himself more thoroughly for his position, and remained abroad till 1778. Returning home, he entered upon his college du- ties with zeal. In 1784, he retired from the mathematical department, and became Professor of Natural and Moral Philosophy, International Law, etc., and retained those positions, with the presidency, until his death, August, 1815.
In 1785, the University of Pennsylvania conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Notwithstanding the Episcopal Church had been in existence for more than a century and a half in Virginia, she never had a Resident-Bishop until 1785-being nominally a part of the Diocese of London. Her first Convention was held in May, 1785, when Bishop Madison presided.
At the period when Bishop Madison entered on his office, the Episcopal Church in Virginia was in a state of extreme depression-the clergy being few in number, and many suffering from poverty, and the Bishop expressed the fear, at this convention, "that the great dereliction sustained by our church hath arisen, in no small degree, from the want of that fervent Chris- tian zeal which her many pious and zealous pastors ought more generally to have inspired."
The Bishop made his first visitation in 1792. At this time he seems to have been intensely interested on uniting all sincere Christians : "There is no one," he says, " but must cordially wish for such a union, provided it did not require a sacrifice of those points which are deemed essential by our church ; from them we have no power to retreat." At the New York convention of 1792, he opposed the use of "Articles " altogether, on the " principles of the confessional," and other like books.
His preaching was popular, and his character commanded respect, but his influence did little to revive the languishing interests of the church in Virginia.
His published works are a thanksgiving sermon, 1781 ; a letter to J. Morse, 1795 ; an addresss to the Episcopal Church in 1790 ; à eulogy on Washington, 1800; a discourse at the funeral of Mrs. Ann Semple, sister of President Tyler ; a large map of Virginia, and several papers in Bar- ton's journal.
Bishop Madison married, in 1779, Sarah Tate, one of the bright belles who adorned the society of Williamsburg. They left two children : James Catesby Madison, of Roanoke county, Va., and Susan, who married R. G. Scott, of Richmond.
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MAJ. SAMUEL M'CULLOCH
was born on Short creek, Augusta, now northwestern West Virginia, about 1752. At a very early age he distinguished himself as a bold and effi- cient borderer. As an Indian hunter, he had few superiors. He seemed to track the wily red man with a sagacity as remarkable as his efforts were successful. From early boyhood, he was almost constantly engaged in excursions against the enemy, or scouting for the security of the settle- ments. It was mainly to these energetic operations that the frontier was so often saved from savage depredation, and by cutting off their retreat, attacking their hunting camps, and annoying them in various other ways, he rendered himself an extraordinary object of fear and hatred. For these acts they marked him, and vowed vengeance against his name. In consideration of his services, he was commissioned major in 1775, and in 1777 he performed a remarkable feat. The circumstances connected with this achievement are as follows: During the siege of Wheeling, the In- dians drove Major McCulloch to the summit of a lofty hill which over- hangs the present city. Knowing their relentless hostility toward himself, he strained every muscle of his noble steed to gain the summit, and then escaped along the brow in the direction of Van Meter's fort. At length he attained the top, and galloping ahead of his pursuers, rejoiced at his lucky escape. As he gained a point on the hill near where a road passes, what should he suddenly encounter but a considerable body of Indians, who were just returning from a plundering excursion among the settle- ments. In an instant he comprehended the extent of his danger. Escape seemed out of the question, either in the direction of Short creek or back to the bottom. A fierce and revengeful foe completely hemmed him in, cutting off every chance of escape. What was to be done ?- Fall into their hands and share the most refined torture ?' That thought was agony, and in an instant the bold soldier, preferring death among the rocks and brambles, determined to plunge over the precipice before him-full three hundred feet high and almost perpendicular. Without a moment's hesi- tation, for the savages were pressing upon him, he firmly adjusted himself in the saddle, grasped securely the bridle in his left hand, and supporting his rifle in the right, pushed his unfaltering horse over. A plunge, a crash -crackling timber and tumbling rocks, were all that the wondering sav- ages could see or hear. They looked, chagrined and bewildered, one at another,-and while they inwardly regretted that the fire had been spared its victim, they could not but greatly rejoice that their most inveterate enemy was at length beyond the power of doing further injury. But, lo ! ere a single savage had recovered from his amazement, what should they see but the invulnerable major, on his white steed, galloping across the penin- sula. Such was the feat of Major McCulloch, certainly one of the most daring and successful ever attempted. The place has become memorable
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as "McCulloch's Leap," and will remain so long as the hill stands and the recollections of the past have a place in the hearts of the people.
It is to us a matter of regret that more of the stirring incidents in this man's life have not been collected and preserved. We have heard of many daring feats of personal prowess, but they come to us in such a mixed and unsatisfactory form as to render their publication unsafe.
We come now to the most painful duty of the biographer-the catas- trophe-the death of his hero. Towards the latter end of July, 1782, in- dications of Indians having been noticed by some of the settlers, Major McCulloch and his brother John mounted their horses and left Van Metre's fort, to ascertain the correctness of the report. They crossed Short creek, and continued in the direction of Wheeling, but inclining towards the river. They scouted closely but, cautiously ; and, not discovering any such "signs" as had been stated, descended to the bottom, at a point on the farm now owned by Alfred P. Woods, about two miles above Wheeling. They then passed up the river to the mouth of Short Creek, and thence up Girty's Point in the direction of Van Metre's. Not discovering any indications of the enemy, the brothers were riding leisurely along (July 30, 1782,) and when a short distance beyond the "Point," a deadly discharge of rifles took place, killing Major McCulloch instantly. His brother es- caped, but his horse was killed. Immediately mounting that of his brother, he made off to give the alarm. As yet no enemy had been seen ; but, turning in his saddle after riding fifty yards, he said the path was filled with Indians, and one fellow in the act of scalping the unfortunate major. Quick as thought the rifle of John was at his shoulder, and in an instant more the savage was rolling in the agonies of death. John es- caped to the fort unhurt, with the exception of a slight hip wound.
On the following day a party of men from Van Metre's went out and gathered up the mutilated remains of Major McCulloch. The savages had disemboweled him, but the viscera all remained except the heart. Some years subsequent to this melancholy affair an Indian, who had been one of the party on this occasion, told some whites that the heart of Maj. McCulloch had been divided and eaten by the party. This was done, said he, that " We be bold, like Major McCulloch." On another occasion an Indian, in speaking of the incident, said, "The whites (meaning John McCulloch) had killed a great captain, but they (the Indians) had killed a greater one."
Before closing this notice, it may, perhaps, be well enough to advert again to the question of identity, for the two brothers have been associated with these deeds. In the first place, then, it seems generally conceded that the person who accomplished the feat was Major McCulloch, and the year of its occurrence 1777. Well, Samuel McCulloch was commissioned major in 1775, John not until 1795. Let the reader decide which must
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have been the man. In 1775-'6-'7, etc., Samuel McCulloch was one of the most active and distinguished borderers in Virginia,-the pride of the settlements and a terror to the savages. John was born in 1759, and there- fore, in 1777, was only eighteen years of age,-quite too young a man to have rendered himself so odious to the fierce old Shawanese warriors. But there need be no necessity for depending upon doubtful conjecture or uncertain data. Without one single exception, all the older citizens agree in saying that it was Major Samuel. The late Col. Wood said so unhesi- tatingly and stated positively, that Major John never claimed the credit, al- though he (W.) often talked to him of the exploit.
Major John McCulloch was, perhaps, quite as brave and true as his brother. He did ample service in our long struggle for independence, and a more devoted patriot could not be found. He filled many important posts of honor and trust, and was greatly respected. The early records of Ohio county show that he acted a conspicuous part on the bench and otherwise.
The death of Maj. Samuel McCulloch occurred at the most unfortunate period of our history. It was in the Summer of that year (1782) so mem- orable in the annals of the west The united tribes of the north and west were meditating an attack upon the frontier posts of Virginia, and many feared that some of the weaker ones might yield. Amid such peril- ous scenes as these, the death of such a man could not but be greatly de- plored.
Major McCulloch married a Miss Mitchell, and had only enjoyed the wedded life six months at the time of his death.
COL. EBENEZER ZANE.
Ebenezer Zane was born October, 1747, in Augusta, now Berkeley Co., W. Va. The family is of Danish origin, but at an early day removed to England and thence in the 17th century to America. One branch settled in N. Jersey, the other in Va. The subject of this notice sprung from the latter branch. In 1770, he wandered to the west with his brothers Silas and Jonathan, and made his home on the site of the present town of Wheel- ing. In 1772 his family and a few friends removed from Berkeley to his new abode on the Ohio. There was not at the time a permanent Anglo- Saxon settlement from the source to the mouth of the Ohio. The little band at Wheeling stood alone in the immense solitude. Zane and his as- sociates soon opened a "clearing" and grew a crop of corn. In 1773 many families joined the settlement. Mr. Zane married a sister of the daring borderer, McCulloch, by whom he had eleven children. Zane's intercourse with the Indians was marked by mildness and honorable dealing-hence his hamlet escaped the fury of the savages until 1777. All three brothers were men of enterprise, prudence and sound judgment, and the Wheeling
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settlement was mainly due to them for its security and preservation during the revolution.
He was conspicuous during the seige of Fort Henry, and brought him- self so prominently before the public that he received various marks of dis- tinction from the Colonial State and Federal governments. He was a dis- bursing officer under Dunmore, and enjoyed under the Commonwealth nu- merous civil and military distinctions. He always preferred, however, the peace and quietude of his own home to the bustle and pomp of public place. He was as generous as brave ; strictly honorable to all men, and most jealous of his own rights. He possessed, in an eminent degree, the constituents of a true gentleman-the disposition to render unto all their dues, the quick, delicate, accurate perception of others' rights and others' claims. His temperament was nervous-bilious-quick, impetuous, and hard to re- strain when excited. He was, in short, a plain blunt man, rude of speech, but true of heart, knowing nothing of the formalities of social life and care- ing about little else than his family, his friends and his country.
The personal appearance of Col. Zane was somewhat remarkable : dark complexion, piercing black eyes, huge brows, and prominent nose-not very tall, but uncommonly active and athletic, he was a match for almost any man in the settlement, and many are the incidents, in wood and field, told of his prowess and his strength. He was a devoted hunter and spent much of his time in the woods. But few men could out-shoot, and fewer still out-run Zane. In illustration of his skill with the rifle, we will give an incident : About the year 1781, some of the whites in the fort observed an Indian on the island going through certain personal movements for the especial benefit of those within the fort. Colonel Zane's attention having been drawn to the indelicate performances, declared he would spoil the sport, and charging his rifle with an additional ball, patiently waited for the chap to re-appear. In a moment his naked body was seen emerging from behind a large sycamore, and commencing anew his performances, Col. Zane drew upon him a practised aim and the next instant the native harlequin was seen to go through a peculiar gyration, believed not to have been "on the bills."
Col. Zane was a man of true courage, as is exemplified by his almost single-handed defence of his own dwelling, in the fall of 1782.
The government of the United States, duly appreciating his capacity, energy and influence, employed him by an act of Congress, May, 1796, to open a road from Wheeling to Limestone, (Maysville.) This duty he per- formed in the following year, assisted by his brother Jonathan, and son-in- law, John McIntyre, aided by an Indian guide, Tomepomehala, whose knowledge of the country enabled him to render valuable suggestions. The road was marked through under the eye of Colonel Zane and then com- mitted to his assistants to cut out. As a compensation for opening this
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road, Congress granted Col. Zane the privilege of locating military war- rants upon three sections of land ; the first to be at the crossing of the Muskingum, the second at Hock-hocking, and the third at Scioto. Col. Zane thought of crossing the Muskingum at Duncan's falls, but foreseeing the great value of the hydraulic power created by the falls, determined to cross at the point where Zanesville has since been established, and thus secure this important power. The second section was located where Lan- caster now stands, and the third on the east side of the Scioto opposite Chillicothe. The first he gave, principally, to his two assistants for services rendered. In addition to these fine possessions, Col. Zane acquired large bodies of land throughout Western Virginia, by locating patents for those persons whose fear of the Indians deterred them undertaking personally so hazardous an enterprise.
After a life full of adventure and vicissitudes, the subject of our notice died of jaundice, in 1811, at the age of sixty four.
LEWIS WETZEL.
A singular custom with this borderer was to take an Autumn hunt in the Indian country. On one occasion he penetrated to the Muskingum, and fell upon a camp of four Indians. He waited till midnight, and then glided into the camp, his rifle in one hand, a tomahawk in the other. He rested his gun against a tree, and drawing his knife, approached the four sleeping warriors. Quick as thought he cleft the skull of one, in an instant a second was slain, the third, rising, shared the fate of his comrades, the fourth darted into the darkness and escaped, although Wetzel pursued some distance, uttering horrid yells.
During one of his scouts, he took shelter, on a stormy night, in a de- serted cabin. He climbed into the loft to sleep, and had been there only a short time when six savages entered, lit a fire, and commenced prepar- ing a meal. Soon after supper, the Indians fell asleep. Wetzel crawled down quietly, and going out, hid himself behind a log. In the morning one of the savages stepped forth. Wetzel, who had his finger on the trig- ger, shot him dead, and taking to his heels, escaped. When twenty-five, he entered the service of Gen. Harmer, commanding at Marietta. While thus engaged, he killed a friendly chief. He was arrested and confined in the fort. He requested the general to give him up to the savages, of whom there were a large number present, and let him and them fight it out with their knives-he against all. This the general refused to do, but allowed him to walk about the grounds, handcuffed, for the benefit of his health. Wetzel took advantage of this, and escaped. He made his way to the Ohio, swam the river, though his hands were in heavy iron hand- cuffs, went to the cabin of a friend, and was released. A large reward was offered by Gen. Harmer for his arrest, but the settlers became incensed at
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the idea of hanging a white man for killing an Indian, when they were killing the whites every day. Wetzel was afterwards recaptured, but set at liberty. During the career of this man of indomitable courage, energy and skill he killed twenty-seven Indian warriors. He died in 1808. He was five feet ten inches high, erect, broad across the shoulders, deep chest, and limbs denoting great muscular strength. His complexion was dark, eyes black, wild and rolling. His black hair was luxuriant, and when combed out fell below his knees-a rare scalp for the savages could they have secured it. He loved his friends and hated his enemies He was a rude, blunt man of few words. His name and fame will long survive among the backwoodsmen.
ANDREW POE.
Andrew Poe, one of the most formidable warriors of the border, was born about 1760, near Frederick, Md., and removed to northwest Virginia about 1774. He was shrewd, active and courageous, a thorough back- woodsman in every sense of the word. He was tall, muscular and erect, and determined to hold his own against the savages. In 1781, a party of six Indians crossed the Ohio near Poe's residence, and committed many depredations. Capt. Poe, with seven companions, pursued the barbarians, who were soon found to be under command of " Big Foot," one of the most daring, skillful and athletic of all the western warriors. Like Saul of old, Big Foot, who was nearly seven feet high, towered a head above his peers. Poe was delighted with the prospect of testing his strength with such a foe, and urged on the pursuit. Poe separated from his men in search of the savages near the river (Ohio) and soon came upon Big Foot, who was resting under the shade of a willow, talking to a single companion, another warrior. Poe engaged them both in gladatorial con- test. During the struggle, Big Foot's companion staggered under a blow into the river, and Poe released himself from the giant grasp of Big Foot. Before the giant could interpose, Poe shot Big Foot's companion, and en- gaged in a fist fight with the giant, during which both rolled into the river, and each attempted to drown the other. Carried out into the current be- yond their depth, each was compelled to relax his hold and swim for his life. Big Foot, on reaching the shore, was shot by Poe's brother, who came up while they were in the water and comprehended the situation. Big Foot's death was a severe blow to his tribe, and enhanced Poe's fame prodigiously. Poe, during his whole life, was an active and useful fron- tiersman and Indian fighter, and at his death, in 1840, left numerous de- scendants.
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CAPT. SAMUEL BRADY.
Samuel Brady, called the "Marion of the West," was born at Shippens - burg, Pa., 1756, and was the son of Jno. Brady. who was made a captain in the Colonial army for his services in the old French and Indian war. In 1776 Samuel joined the army, was commissioned Lieutenant and marched to Boston. He continued with the army and was in all the prin- cipal battles until after that of Monmouth, when he was ordered to the west and joined Gen. Broadhead. Broadhead employed Brady as a spy o ascertain the strength, resources &c. of the savages. Disguised as sava- ges, Brady, Williamson and Wetzel reached the Indian towns on the upper Sandusky. They entered the Indian village at night and made a thorough reconnoissance, and then retreated, traveling all night. In the morning they discovered the savages in pursuit, but finally escaped, having killed one of the enemy. Satisfied with the information brought by Brady and his companions, Broadhead's army moved onward. During all the Indian wars up to 1794, Brady took an active part and no braver or bolder man ever drew a sword or fired a rifle. He married a daughter of Capt. Van Swearengen, of Ohio county, and left descendants.
JESSE HUGHES.
One of the most active, daring and successful Indian hunters in the mountain region of Virginia was Jesse Hughes-sometimes styled the Wetzel of his portion of the State. He was born on the headwaters of the Monongahela, Va., about 1768, and early became skilled in the use of the rifle and tomahawk. He was a man of iron constitution, and could endure extraordinary privations and fatigue. ' Many anecdotes are told of his en- counters with the red men and of the invaluable services he rendered to the white settlements on the Monongahela. Jesse Hughes was more than a match at any time for the most wary savage in the forest. In his ability to anticipate all their artifices, he had few equals and no superiors. He was a great favorite, and no scouting party could be complete unless Jesse Hughes had something to do with it.
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