Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 13

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.]
Number of Pages: 607

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Lower down, Marquis and Allen had mills. Van Horn also erected a mill. This was in af- ter years known as Neill's mill (Huck's). One of the first mills was erected by Joist Hite and his son, Col. John, and occupied a space known as Stockade, hardby the site of the Bar- tonsville property now owned by L. R. Dettra. This was built of stone, and served as an im- promptu fort, which has been mentioned else- where.

The two mills on Cedar Creek near Marlboro are successors to very early grist mills. Fre- quent notice to parties concerning roads, locate these and give names of owners. Lower down

the creek, a very large mill was erected by Val- entine Rhodes, occupying the site of the Col. Briscoe Mills.

The mills owned at this writing by Mr. Daniel T. Wood are on the same foundation where a mill and distillery were operated in 1767. Several mills were on other streams flowing into the Opecquon at that point, notably the Greenwood mills, erected about 1785 by John and James Mc- Calister, who had a large business in Winches- ter. John built a substantial house at that point and lived there. The mills along the North Mountain stream were erected at an early day. Maj. White had two mills on the drains of Hogue Creek; the one near his old residence remains in fairly good condition, but not run- ning. The Russell and Richard's mills were famous in their early days. In another chap- ter, a number of mills are mentioned. Abram Hollingsworth started one of the first mills near Winchester, at his large springs now the city water power. The Milltown Mills erected by Isaac Hollingsworth in 1827, took the place of one erected by Isaac Perkins prior to 1756.

A reference to order of Court found in a previous chapter, shows that Noah Hampton had a mill on Capon, 1744, known as the old Stack- house mill.

The old time country water mill has virtually become a thing of the past. The new process for making flour by the "Roll System," where the grain is conducted through a succession of rollers, instead of the old burr millstone pro- cess, has revolutionized the mill business to such an extent, that nine-tenths of the old style have become poor investments and have gone into disuse. Many old mill owners grappled with the new style and were driven out of the lucra- tive business they previously enjoyed. The mill- ing business is now confined to very few per- sons, who are men of means; and by concen- trating capital with an intelligent handling of the new system, it proves a good investment. There are several in the County, one known as the Keckley Mill on the Valley Turnpike near Winchester; one at Bartonsville; one near Mid- dletown, known as the D. J. Miller mill; one at Marlboro, the owner, Dorsey Brill; one at

CARTMELL'S HISTORY

Gravel Springs, Luther Brill, owner; one at line of Martin Cartmell, owner of Homespun. Brucetown; one at Whitacre.

The mill near the head of Opecquon owned now by Salem E. Cooper, who succeeded Cas- per Rinker, was erected by permission obtained from the County Court March 3rd, 1812, to-wit: "On petition of Joseph Glass stating he was desirous of erecting a water Grist mill upon the "Opeckon" Creek in this County, the lands at that point on both sides belonging to him," granted with usual restrictions. This mill was the cause of much litigation with a co-terminous owner. Mr. Glass made the tail-race near the

On the Cartmell land was a famous spring and dairy. The spring stream was cut in twain by the deep tail-race; the spring supply ceased. Cartmell demanded damages. Glass failed to respond. A suit was instituted, which was on the docket for ten years. Cartmell lost, upon the ground that he had signed Glass's petition, with an understanding that Glass should cut his race of such depth as would prevent overflow of waste water. The useless old stone dairy re- mained intact until about 1890, when Mr. Miller, the owner removed it.

CHAPTER XIV

Gleanings From Old Courts, Continued

The author in his promised digression has probably wandered too far from the period where the minutes of court were drawn upon for the incidents given in former chapters. He deemed it best to follow out the development of the country by the numerous county roads, and in the same connection dispose of the railroads and ferries, so there would be continuous narra- tion throughout; and passed over the stirring years from 1750, and into the Nineteenth Cen- tury. During that time, the Old County was girding herself for tremendous events in her history-preparation for the Indian Wars, and following this closely, came the Revolution in 1775, and her transformation from a Colony to one of the great States of the New Union.

The new order of government, demanded the action and counsel of wise men. The old courts continued to record many incidents that are of exceeding value as part of our historical life; some of which may find place in these pages, if space permits. We must now retrace our in- vestigations, and disclose some of the stirring acts of the courts. Sept. 4th, 1753, this minute is made at this term. "A Treaty between the Indians is in progress; It is ordered by the Court, for preventing disturbance during the Treaty with the Indians at the town of Win- chester, that no Ordinary keeper, or other person presume to sell or give to the Indians, strong Liquors of any sort, unless those persons who shall be appointed to supply them with what shall be thought necessary."

Five Great Chiefs with a small following, spent many weeks near the town trying to work a scheme to have the white settlers vacate their territory West of the Great Mountains. This was refused; but a treaty was made to allow the Indians to remain in their villages on the Ohio River undisturbed, and that they should have the right to sell land on their reservation to peaceable white settlers. This treaty was basely violated by unscrupulous adventurers; and a bloody war was the result. (See French and Indian War sketches in this Volume.)

As will be seen in chapter on Winchester, the . town was fully established when Maj. Washing- ton appeared before the court in Jan., 1756, with his authority to organize the Militia, and an-

nounced his plans. He needed officers to form companies for his expedition against the In- dians; and after stating the emergency, the Court, upon this recommendation, designated the following men to serve as Captains in the Vir- ginia Regiment; George Mercer, Robert Stew- art, Thomas Cocke, William Bronaugh, Joshua Lewis, John Mercer, William Peachy, and David Bell. Walter Stewart, John Williams, and Au- gustine Brockenbraugh, were Lieutenants; and Charles Smith, Lehaynsius DeKeyser, and Wil- liam Crawford, Ensigns. This is more fully treated in the sketch of the French and Indian War. All took the required oath to His Majesty the King of England.

The sudden disclosure to the Justices caused consternation; and as stated elsewhere, they or- dered an adjournment to the house of Enoch Pearson. The Grand Jury failed to appear, owing to the Indian forays in the mountain sec- tions to the West; they were excused. Follow- ing November Court, Captains Thomas Swearin- gen, William Cocke, John Funk, Cornelius Ruddell, and William Vance presented claims before the Court for public services for them- selves and detachments sent under their com- mand-on an expedition to protect outlaying settlements. The court promptly allowed their payment. Some of the officers mentioned here figured in the Revolution.

The following year, the Court makes an entry of the expenses of the election, and required Washington and other candidates to file a re- port of what their outlay had been, and for what purpose.

June Court, 1755, "Ordered that Isaac Perkins, Gent. the Representative from this County at- tending House of Burgesses, be allowed pay for eleven days in June and nineteen days in August, 1755."

Nov. 3rd, 1756, "Ordered that Hugh West and Thomas Swearingen be allowed pay as repre- sentatives from this County to House of Bur- gesses in 1756." This shows that cach county paid their representatives for serving them in the General Assembly.

March Court, 1758. "Ordered that William Miller do procure a Silver Seal for the County court, to be about the size of an English Half

CARTMELL'S HISTORY

Crown with words, 'Frederick County,' engraved thereon, and the Arms of Virginia."

(This will be more fully mentioned in closing order of the County Court about two years ago.)

At this term John Hite, Robert Allen and Samuel Pritchard, were ordered, "To mark a road from Col. Hite's through the town out on Lewis Stephen's plantation."

Col. Washington had his tithables entered on tax lists Oct. 4, 1757-preparing them for his election campaign.

Nov. 4, 1757, "Sheriff ordered to get furniture for Courthouse and other fixtures."

Feb. 3rd, 1758, Special term held "to examine etc., Edward Doyle, charged with having de- stroyed part of the nose of Joseph King."

October, 1758, "Ordered that stone steps be placed up the hill to the courthouse."

1758 "Ordered that the Court be moved to the town of Winchester from Stephensburg on ac- count of Smallpox."

August, 1757, "Ludwig Castleman charged with the murder of James Haines, a soldier ; committed for Grand Jury."

Thomas Speak, Gent., Captain of Company of Militia, Marquis Calmes, Captain; John Hardin and Bayliss Earle, Lts. took the oaths. James Littlepage was recognized to appear at next term. Henry Spear, Captain, and Wm. Morgan and Archibald Ruddell, also appeared at the Nov. Term and were qualified.

James Keith, who was soon to be the Clerk of the Court, was admitted to practice law. Thomas Melbourne was paid one pound, five shillings, for services as guard in taking crimi- nal to Williamsburg jail-less than six dollars for the long and uninteresting journey. The Sheriff and guards of to-day by improved modes of travel, would require about $20.00.

This next minute shows the Justices were un- certain whether their records and scalps were not equally in danger. "The Clerk is ordered to remove the records to Fort Loudoun there being imminent danger from the enemy-or else- where as the case may require; and the Justices do seek a place of safety for further sessions of the Court."

Isaac White, a bold mountain man, was added to the list of constables at this term, doubtless to give extra service to his Lordship Thomas Lord Fairfax the presiding Justice. This was October 5, 1757, and it determines the question as to when the Fort was completed. Some writ- ers claim that Col. Washington was not in Winchester when the Fort was built; that he was with his command in the Fort Duquesne campaign. This command was in active service in the summer and fall of 1758-one year after

the order was entered Oct., 1757. This is fully shown in chapters on that war. The authority for erecting Fort Loudoun is fully given in chap- ters relating to Winchester, also the style of the fort when first used by the Virginia Regi- ment.

Passing over this period for several sessions of the Court without comment, we find a min- ute entered at the Feb. term, 1760, which is given here as a matter of reference: "The last will and testament of James Wood, late Clerk was produced and proved by Thomas Wood, who deposed that he saw James Porteous and Kath- arine Fitzsimmons sign their names as witnesses, said will is ordered to be recorded."

Archibald Wager had been appointed by Deputy Secretary Nelson, acting for the Gov- ernor, Clerk of the Court; and we find that James Wood, the son was, qualified as Deputy May 7, same year. For reasons that do not ap- pear, Wager's term was terminated when James Keith on the 4th of May, 1762, produced a com- mission as Clerk from the Secretary, and was duly sworn and qualified. Further notice will be given these old Clerks in the proper place.

The Old County Court from 1757 for about eight years, was continually called upon for as- sistance to protect outlying settlements. The Indians in every foray approached nearer the county seat, and the exposed places were calling for aid to build rude forts and stockades. The Governor and his military aids responded; and as will appear elsewhere, protection was given, but massacres continued to occur. The reader can well imagine from the character of the brief minutes already given, that the Court was much disturbed for its own safety. We must remem- ber too, that the old Justices were thinking of their homes in the various sections. They were well apprised of the frequent battles along the Great Capon and South Branch, and what had occurred in the settlement North of Woodstock; but when the roving bands appeared on Hogue Creek and on Cedar Creek, and carried away not only many scalps, but many prisoners, we can well see why they were anxious to seek Fort Loudoun for safety to the old records, also their friends and families in peril. If space can be given for brief accounts of some of the Indian raids and massacres, the author will gladly lay them before the reader, so as to show how the old settlers struggled to maintain a foot- hold. Some of these settlers had been in this struggle for more than twenty years; and often whole families were swept away by the torch and tomahawk without a moment's warning; and reader, it may be we will name some who suffer- ed who were your ancestors.

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There is abundant evidence to support the course pursued by the justices, in relation to the Indians and their expected depredations. As stated already, they were duly apprised of such depredations, which had become too frequent to pass unnoticed. One of the roving bands was led by their Chief, the notorious "Killbuck." This chief survived all the wars, and was visited by several citizens of Great Ca-Capon, South Branch and Patterson's Creek settlements. He lived to a great age. He was a Shawanese sav- age, mentally strong, and brutal in his instincts. We are indebted to Kercheval for the reliable incidents he has so carefully preserved. He re- lates in detail conversations had with "Killbuck" long after all treaties had been signed, and when the Old Chief was living in the Indian villages in Sciota Valley, Ohio. The men who visited "Killbuck," were sons and kinsmen of those who had been massacred; and from the Old Chief they gathered much information relating to who had been killed and who carried away captives. The Shawnee tribe knew every foot of the coun- try mentioned. They resented the encroachments of the Whites, and when they had apparently abandoned the country East of the Alleganies and moved their villages, and professed to be peace- ful, yet they frequently recrossed the Allegan- ies, and suddenly descended upon the settlers to murder and pillage. Col. Vincent Williams, Benj. Casey, two of the Weltons, Van Meter and several others composed the party seeking this information. They relate the old Chief's conversation in full, but we lack space to in- clude them here. However, we mention briefly that much light was given concerning the mur- der of Mr. Williams on Patterson's Creek in 1756; how Williams had killed five out of the seven of the warriors in the first attack and he, "Killbuck" with another band, approached the house in rear, lifted a warrior high enough to shoot through a crevice between the logs and thus killed the old hero who had withstood sim- ilar assaults. He was then quartered, and a quarter hung on each corner of the house. Mr. Williams left children that distinguished this family in the development of Hardy County. One grandson James, lived at the scene of the murder on Patterson's Creek, one hundred years subsequent to the tragedy. One son, Mr. Ed- ward Williams, was Clerk of Hardy County 1830, being then an aged man.

Much has been told through tradition of the Indian battle of The Trough. Killbuck told much about their attack on the small fort about seven miles above Romney. The whites were defeated in an open engagement, but held the fort; the Indians committed deviltry on the unprotected, lower down the river. The remains of the old

fort were standing near the home of the old Daniel McNeil place on the river. Old logs and other material used in this blockhouse, were well preserved when the author last saw it. There was another fort not far away on the Van Meter land: This was Fort Pleasant. Tradi- tions concerning the battle of the Trough are treasured among the families in that section. There was a fort on Big Capon near the North- west Turnpike, that relics have been taken from in recent years. This was "Edward's Fort." Capt. Mercer was stationed there in 1757, and his report of the disaster corroborates all that "Killbuck" told of his wily attacks. The Indians entered the Ca-Capon Valley in small parties to take observation. Killbuck's party of forty war- riors visited a mill and killed the two men found there. They carried away meal and corn and passed along a stream at the base of a high mountain, strewing meal in several places on the route, to lure the whites in their pursuit. Kill- buck selected a high point for his ambuscade, and awaited the arrival of the garrison from the Fort. Capt. Mercer, with forty-five men follow- ed the trail; and supposing the scattered meal indicated disorder and haste in the Indian band, the whites rushed on and suddenly received a most destructive fire from the Indians. Sixteen of Mercer's men fell dead; and as the others made hasty retreat, they were pursued by Kill- buck and slaughtered. Only six men got back to the fort. Kercheval says that Mr. George Smith, residing on Back Creek, told him in 1833 that one of the men escaping death from the Indians in the battle, was desperately wounded but succeeded in making his way over the moun- tains to his neighborhood, and he knew hirr for years. The Valley historian gives us some other interesting matter relating to this fort. He says Mr. William Carlisle, now 95 years old (1833), who lived near the battle ground, re- moved and settled on Capon soon after the bat- tle was fought. The garrison was strengthened, for it was well known the Indians would return with larger forces and endeavor to destroy the fort. Some color is given a tradition that cred- its Daniel Morgan with being present at the next assault on the fort; for we find the Court allowed payment to Daniel Morgan and others for claims produced for supplies taken by them to the settlers on Great Ca-Capon. The same old Mr. Carlisle states further that he had fre- quently heard that "Dan" Morgan was in the battle that soon followed the first. This time two Frenchmen accompanied the Indians; the garrison defeated this force, causing great slaugh- ter, with slight loss to the whites. The failure on the part of those reporting the battles with the Indians to give details is greatly to be re-

CARTMELL'S HISTORY

gretted. Had they done so, many descendants to-day could point with pride to the old pioneer fathers and give their names; but we must re- member that this custom is practiced in all re- ports of battles-nothing more said than some field officer lost, and the number of privates fallen or captured.

Just previous to the battle of The Trough, some depredations on the South Fork by a band of warriors led by Killbuck were also mentioned by the old Chief, which Dr. Charles A. Turley reduced to writing. He says the first attack was upon a well fortified dwelling of a Mrs. Brake, when she and a Mrs. Neff were carried away. The former was Tomahawked and scalped. The latter escaped and gave the alarm, and a body of men from "Buttermilk Fort" led by John Harness, (Great-grandfather of Col. William Henry Harness of the Laurel Brigade). This pursuit led to the battle at The Trough. About this period, Indian bands raided the neigh- borhood of Gerardstown; killed a man by the name of Kelly and several of his family, and carried away several women and children. George Stockton and Isabella, his sister, were of this number. Charles Porterfield about 20 years old, was killed in a running fight with the band. A man named Cohoon, made his escape; his wife was killed. The Stocktons were carried far North, but both finally returned to their former home. Similar bands about this time which were in the vicinity of Winchester, killed a man nam- ed Flaugherty and his wife. Several members of the MacCracken family on Back Creek, twelve miles from Winchester, were killed, and two of his daughters carried away captives. After an absence of four years, they found their way back to their former home, and related their exper- iences to Mr. Neill, who related these facts to Mr. Kercheval. Jacob Havely and several of his family were killed near Mountain Falls, about fifteen miles southwest of Winchester. Dispen- nette and several of his family were killed, and Vance and his family. It appears from the col- lection referred to, that the same marauding band appeared in the neighborhood of Belle Grove, the residence of Maj. Isaac Hite, and attacked the family of a Mr. Nicholls composed of eighteen persons, killing most of them, and carried away the remainder to meet a worse fate. At that time, there was a small fort near the present site of Middletown. Many persons were saved by taking refuge there. In 1758, a band of fifty Indians and four Frenchmen, en- tered the neighborhood of Mill Creek about nine miles South of Woodstock. The people took refuge in the house of George Painter. Painter was killed and the other whites surrendered. Four infants were torn from their mothers, and

were hung up in trees and brutally shot, and left hanging. The Indians then moved away with forty-eight prisoners, among whom were Mrs. Painter, five daughters and one of her sons; a Mrs. Fisher and several of her children. Two of the Painters escaped capture. One young man ran over that night to Powell's Fort, fifteen miles distant, and to Keller's Fort, and secured the services of a body of well mounted men; but they failed to overtake the savages, who es- caped to their villages West of the Allegany mountains. There they burned young Jacob Fisher at the stake. After an absence of three years, Mrs. Painter with her son and two of her daughters and Mrs. Smith with her Indian son, Fisher, and his surviving sons, and several other prisoners returned home. Three of Mrs. Painter's daughters remained with the Indians; two never returned. Many later on returned with Michael Copple, they were afterwards mar- ried and raised a family. She always conversed with her husband in the Indian language, that both had acquired while prisoners. Mr. Ker- cheval says Mrs. Rebecca Brinker the daughter of George Bowman, son-in-law of Joist Hite, lived to a great age in the neighborhood where the atrocities last named occurred, and related the incidents to him, she having personal knowl- edge of their occurrence.

In 1758, the Indians killed a number of people in the Hawksbill settlement: John Stone, Jacob Holtman's wife, and her children. The house of John Brewbaker was burned; Stone's wife and child about eight years old, and George Grandstaff, about sixteen, were carried away. The Indians murdered Mrs. Stone and her in- fant on the South Branch Mountain. Grandstaff returned in about three years. It was about this date that word came to the Justices' Court, that the Indians were at the old Zane Iron Works, and had entered the house of a man named Young, killed several of his family, and carried away two of his daughters.

NOTE: On the 10th day of April, 1908, Mr. Aiken Robinson found five skeletons on his farm a mile South of the old Zane Furnace, two were adults and three smaller sized. It is fully sub- stantiated in several ways, that the skeletons represent the massacred Young family mention- ed. Mr. Robinson, prepared a vault near by, and in presence of many neighbors, removed the skeletons to it and erected a slab with suitable inscriptions to mark the spot.)

Kercheval says that Lieut. Samuel Fry raised a force of about forty men and overtook the band on Short Mountain, a spur of the Allegany, and recaptured the prisoners; killing several In- dians. Mr. Kercheval tells us that in 1753, Wil- liam Zane and several of his family were taken

GLEANINGS FROM OLD COURTS

prisoners on the South Branch and carried away. Isaac Zane, one of his sons, remaining during his life with the Indians; and that he saw this Isaac Zane at Chillicothe in the autumn of 1797, and had conversations with him upon the subject of his captivity. He stated that he was captured when about nine years old; was four years without seeing a white person, had learned the Indian Tung quite well, but never lost his knowl- edge of English. That when he grew up to manhood, he married a sister of the Wyandott King, and raised a family of eight children. His sons were all Indian in their habits. The daugh- ters married white men and became civilized, and their progeny doubtless became prominent Ohio citizens. This man was instrumental in ef- fecting desirable treaties of peace. The United States Government granted him a patent for ten thousand acres of land. He was a near relative to Gen. Isaac Zane of Frederick County.

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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 13

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920 Publication date: 1909 Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.] Number of Pages: 607

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.]
Number of Pages: 607