Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 19

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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The traditions of Winchester have always men- tioned the following as well-known members of the Rifle Company who started to Quebec with Capt. Morgan, to-wit: Ist Lt. John Humphrey, 2d Lt. Wm. Heth, Ist Sergeant Geo. Porterfield. Privates : George Greenway, Wm. Greenway, Seth Stratton, John Schultz, Jacob Sperry, Peter Lauck, Simon Lauck, Frederick Kurtz, Adam Kurtz, Charles Grim, George Heiskell, Robert Anderson, Wm. Ball and Mark Hays. We ob- serve some discrepancy in the name of George Porterfield as Ist Sergeant. Charles Porterfield was the Ist Sergeant of this Company; George Porterfield "was a sergeant" in a company en- listed in Winchester by Col. Morgan in the Spring of 1777. We also notice that Morgan did not report to the British officer the names of George Greenway, Seth Stratton, Simon Lauck, Frederick Kurtz, George Heiskell, Rob- ert Anderson, Wm. Ball and Mark Hays; so we must conclude that these eight men of the rem- nant who escaped capture and ultimately arriv- ed in Winchester, and were regarded by the prisoners on their return as part of their old company : or, it may be, they were confounded with the enlistment in the Spring of 1777, for

the rosters of the two regiments organized then by Col. Morgan, show their names; and it may be added here that Timothy Feely either escaped after his enlistment in the King's service, or was soon exchanged, for he appears in the Summer of 1777 in Capt. Charles Porterfield's Company. This was Sergeant Charles Porterfield, a native of Frederick County, Va., mentioned by Genl. Arnold in his report to Genl. Washington as the first man to scale the walls at Quebec, and recommended by him for promotion. When ex- changed, he received a commission as Captain, and recruited a company from the Lower Val- ley and equipped it at his own expense. He was killed at Camden, S. C., while leading a regi- ment, as Lt. Col. of the Virginia Line. His brother George was Sergeant in his Company, afterwards Captain by promotion for gallant con- duct.

A scrap of local history can appropriately be mentioned here. It appears that some of the survivors of the Rifle Company, very soon after the Revolutionary War, organized a society styled the "Dutch Mess,"-thus perpetuating a title be- stowed upon certain members of the Company by their companions during their Northern cam- paign. How many composed the original organ- ization, none can tell; though regular observance of the anniversary of the Quebec campaign and capture, continued for a half century, no record appears to show who they were. Doubtless those familiar with the association in the early days, had no dreams of its perpetual observance and recognition; and though the old heroes have long since answered the final roll-call, the memory of the Dutch Mess is retained at this time by one or two old citizens of Winchester. The Author for many years during his boyhood period, had recounted to him many incidents connected with the annual celebrations, and heard much that would interest the reader now; but possibly some would not be inclined to accept such traditionary incidents. Fortunately, however, it is a well es- tablished fact that some of the Old Mess were well remembered by quite a number of intelli- gent elderly citizens towards the close of the Nineteenth Century, and would frequently men- tion the names of the survivors; and thus we are enabled to give a partial list. At this point it may be well to give authority for the foregoing statement. Mr. Wm. G. Russell, noted for his fund of information, when an old man twenty years ago, derived much pleasure in recounting to the writer many incidents of historical value; and he stated that he knew many of the old 96 Riflemen, and had vivid recollection of such anniversaries. Mr. Russell's statement, however, confined the Society or Mess to a membership

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of six, viz: John Schultz, Jacob Sperry, Simon Lauck, Charles Grim, Heiskell, and Peter Lauck, some of whom he had known intimately; and from his knowledge of the Society, the old soldiers only intended to keep up the associations formed on the march and in the camp; that they were well known as the Dutch Mess during the campaign. Mr. Russell also stated that as the number grew less, many citizens would be in line on the recurring anniversary, and did much to show their appreciation of the distinction giv- en the old heroes. Should any reader feel in- clined to learn something concerning the fate of other troops than those given as the Mor- gan Company, he is referred to "The Invasion of Canada in 1775;" by Edward Martin Stone, published at Providence, R. I., which is to be found in the National Library. He may there see that his ancestors were among the unfortu- nate invaders.

The Genl. George Rogers Clark campaign to the Illinois Forts in 1778, should be of sufficient interest to the Old Frederick County's history, to entitle it to mention here. As is well known to many readers, there were two forts on the frontier occupied by British officers and their Indian allies, that became a burden to all settlers in the territory eastward and along the Ohio River. Genl. Clark was chosen to command the expedition fitted out to capture those forts. We will briefly state that this little army equipped for light marching, was composed of men who had endured hardships and were fully acquaint- ed with Indian warfare. We will only mention that two of his companies were commanded by Captain Joseph Bowman of Frederick County, and Leonard Helm, of Fauquier County, and will only give the names of other officers and privates that may be familiar to Valley people. Many of their names appear in the records of the Old County prior to her subdivision; many of their descendants are to be found in the Counties from Shenandoah to the Potomac River. The enlist- ments were made in the dead of Winter, Janu- ary, 1778; and when the expedition encountered the hardships of the march and the warfare need- ed to capture Old Fort St. Vincent and Kaskas- kia, they stamped themselves heroes, and receiv- ed from the government substantial recognition for their services by grants of land in the cap- tured country :

Company Officers

Capt. Joseph Bowman, Capt. Leonard Helm; Ist Lt. Isaac Bowman; 2d Lt. Abram Keller; Ist Sergt. Daniel Dust; 2d Sergt. Isaac Keller; 2d Sergt. Jacob Speers; Sergt. Buckner Pittman; Sergt. Wm. Rubey; Sergt. Saml. Strode; Sergt. John Breeden.

Privates

Abraham Miller, Wm. Slack, Thomas Perry, Robt. McClanihan, Thomas Cartmell, Edward Bulger, Abram James, Barnaby Walters, Thomas H. Vance, George Millar, Patrick Doran, Nathan Cartmell, Isaac McBride, Edward Murrey, Jo- seph Simpson, Van Swearingen, Isaac Vanmeter, John Bender, Lewis Bender, Robert Bender, Christian Bowman, Christopher Coontz, Jacob Detering, Geo. Hite, Barney Master, John Set- ser, John Bentley, Henry Honaker, Fred. Hona- ker, Henry Funk, Alex. McIntire, Wm. Berry (1) Wm. Berry (2), Philip Long, George King, Zebe- niah Lee, John Isaacs, Wm. Myers, John Peters, Geo. Shepard, Peter Shepard, John Sitzer, Peter Brazer, Richard Breeden, John Bush, John Conn, Francis Haller, Fredk. Sowers.

The foregoing is not a complete list of the men in the two companies. It is intended only to preserve the evidence that the Valley was called upon, and her sons responded; and when the campaign closed with the Northwest Terri- tory virtually as their trophy, the survivors were discharged in August, 1778. Many of their num- ber never returned. Capt. Bowman died at a fort in the Summer of 1779; a number were killed in battle and found graves on the wilds of the frontier, Thomas Cartmell being one, and was buried at St. Vincente (now Vincennes). The Author has a fac-simile copy of his signa- ture to a paper written prior to his death, the original being on file with the State Historical Society of Indiana. The Author is indebted to the Hon. Wm. H. English, President of the So- ciety for many years, and also the author of the comprehensive and interesting history, "The Conquest of the North-West," for many courte- sies.

In the Winter of 1781, the Congress was pe- titioned for reinforcements for the northwest forts. The Valley again responded. Virginia, in supplying her quota, recruited two companies from the "State Line," and the men were as- signed to Capt. Benjamin Biggs and Capt. Uriah Springer's Companies. Only the familiar Valley names are given here: Wm. Barr, Richard Car- ter, James Smith, Jacob Conrad, Samuel Osburn, Wm. Bailey, Michael Kairnes (Kerns), Robert Crawford, John Lockhart, James Lockhart, Dav- id Clark, John Morrison, John Connor, Chas. Morgan, John Bean, John Daugherty, Jacob Rhodes, Jacob Rinker.

Genl. George Rogers Clark, who commanded the Western expedition already referred to, died Feby. 18, 1818.

Capt. Wm. Goodman of Berkley County, one of his officers, died July 10, 1825.

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Capt. Wm. Sommerville, one of his officers, died March 18, 1826.

Lt. Nathaniel Henry, of Frederick, one of his officers, died Jany. 14, 1824.

Capt. Robt. White, of Frederick, one of his of- ficers, died July 26, 1828.

Capt. Thomas Cartmell, of Frederick, one of his officers, died in the campaign.

Lt. Wm. Eskridge, of Frederick, one of his officers, died Oct. 9, 1830.

Ensign Reese Pritchard, of Hamp., one of his officers, died Sept. 25, 1824.

The following were some of the Valley men who suffered at Valley Forge, and gave such signal service to Genl. Washington in that try- ing Winter, that Congress recognized them in Special Act. They were members of an Artil- lery Company recruited at Winchester :

Capt. John Dandridge, commissioned Feby. 1, 1777.

Capt. Nathaniel Burwell, Aide to Genl. Robt. Howe.

Capt. John Blair.

Lt. William Campbell.

Lt. Wm. Stephenson.

Capt. Anthony Singleton.

Capt. James Pendleton. Several Maryland of- ficers and men mentioned.

The celebrated Legion of Cavalry commanded by Lt. Col. Henry Lee (Light Horse Harry) was raised East of the Blue Ridge. Major Henry Peyton recruited men from the Valley, however. The following are given, thinking they may be connected with the reader :

Maj. Peyton (died in service), Maj. Jos. Eg- gleston; Lt. and Surgeon Alexander Skinner, Wm. Winston, Adjt., and Lt. Patrick Carnes, Capt. Mathew Irwin, Surgeon Michael Rudolph, Capt. George Handy, Lt. Wm. Lewis, Robt. Pow- ers, Albion Throckmorton, Wm. B. Harrison, Clement Carrington, John Champe. A number of cadets were taken from the military school and distributed among the following companies, to drill the men : Captains, Johnson Oliver Tow- les, Thomas Patterson, Wm. Gregory, Saml. Hopkins, Saml. Cabell, Thos. Ruffin, Thos. Mas- sie, Thos. Hutchins and John Jones. (See Mili- tary Archives, War Dept., Washington, D. C.) At the December Term, 1796 of the County

Court, Henry Beatty and many others were re- commended for appointment as officers in the Virginia Line of Militia.

The reader doubtless feels that we have linger- ed long in our story of the Revolutionary War period. This effort required many weary days of travel and search; and out of the mass of records and historic collections, we submit the following chapters with as much brevity as pos- sible in condensing incidents that apply to Fred- erick County. Many more could be narrated from the thousands now in hand; but the pa- tience of the reader and our limited space must be considered.

The Court, 1784, directed the Clerk to record all marriages returned by ministers who had performed marriage rites. This was pursuant to an Act of Assembly, 1784, requiring all such persons to make a list of marriages they had solemnized and return same to clerk's office. The old marriage record is in the County Clerk's Office. Previous to the Revolution, the Estab- lished Church kept a register of all marriages. Dissenters were required to make return to that church. The marriage record is an important County record.

For other gleanings from the County Court records, subsequent to the close of the Revolu- tionary War, the reader is referred to the chap- ter pertaining to the history of Winchester.

The following is given as a list of Justices composing the Court from 1795 to 1813, inclusive :

John Smith, Wm. Vanmeter, Cornelius Bald- win, Wm. Snickers, James Singleton, Wm. Lynn, Jno. B. Tilden, Dolphine Drew, John S. Ball, Isaac Hite, Robert Berkley, George F. Norton, Bushrod Taylor, Chas. Smith, Jacob Heironimus, Joseph Baker, Thos. Buck, James Ware, Nathan- iel Burwell, Mandley Taylor, Geo. Blakemore, Chas. Brent, Joshua Gore, Beaty Carson, Robt. C. Burwell, Edward McGuire, Lewis McCoole, Moses Russell, Griffin Taylor, James M. Marshall, Philip Nelson, John Bell, Joseph Gamble, Jno. Jolliffe, Robt. Vance, Edward Smith, Elijah Lit- tler, Wm. McCoole, John Bell, Thomas Stribling, Saml. Baker, Benj. O'Rear, Jno. McCoole, Jo- seph Tidball, Wm. Castleman.

Order Books for the period mentioned, record the date of appointment, and much matter of in- terest.

CHAPTER XX

The War of 1812-14

The author has made strenuous efforts to secure sufficient data to produce a brief sketch of the part Frederick County had in this war; but owing to the carelessness on the part of those who could have preserved much to interest suc- ceeding generations, we have very little in our home records to show who were the moving spirits to respond to the appeals made for volun- teers to redress wrongs that Great Britain had perpetrated on the high seas and to our coast- wise mercantile interests. Mr. Jefferson, during his term as President, remonstrated with the British Government, protesting against the out- rages upon American vessels, and the impress- ment of American citizens into unwilling service in British fleets; and endeavored to avoid another war with England. But the British lion shook his mane in defiance, and England proceeded to maintain her claim as mistress of the seas; and when President Madison virtually declared war, a majority of the American people were ready when the call came for each State to fur- nish her quota. James Barbour then Governor of Virginia, called for volunteers. Winchester

immediately became the scene of war prepara- tions. Recruiting stations were established in the Lower Valley; and in a short time companies were organized, and marched away. This we know from tradition and clippings from news- papers of that period; but no record was made by this County of who her sons were that so quickly responded; and what the Author offers now has been taken from the Military Archives at Washington, where much confusion confronts the student in his efforts to secure a list of those who enlisted in Frederick County. We are able to state, however, that several companies were accredited to this section, and Winchester named as the recruiting station for companies command- ed by Capt. Willoughby Morgan, Capt. Thos. Roberts, Capt. Wm. Morris, Capt. Henry Beatty, and Capt. Michael Coyle. From the military files the writer, so far as he could, arranged the lists in the following order :

The First Infantry Company was recruited by Capt. Morgan, who was promoted, and entered the regular Army. The Company was then re- organized and used as Mounted Infantry, and

became known as Cavalry Company Number Four.

Officers:

Capt. Thos. Roberts. No other officers named. Members of Company, as the record says :

Thomas Roberts, Wm. Roberts, Alexander Holliday, Wm. Ball, William Campbell, James Campbell, Solomon Heister, Wm. C. Holliday, Jacob Baker, Charles Conrad, Nicholas Burwell, Augustus Streit, Peter Bowers, Jno. Bowley, James Bennett, Joshua Reed, John Denny, Andrew Bush, Presley Hansbury, James Vance, Sandy Hutchin- son, Jno. M. Magson, Richard Beckwith, James Barr, Stewart Grant, Isaac Lauck, Jno. Sloat, James Meredith, Philip Sherer, John Foster, Philip Hoff, John Price, Isaac Kurtz, John Mil- ler, Richard Holliday, Philip Bowers, James White, John Carter, George Rice, Jno. C. Clarke, Robert Jack, Geo. Swallum, Solomon Spengler, Jonas Ashby, Wm. Kane, Lewis Beatty, John Everly, John W. Miller, Alexander Newman.

Artillery Company (No Number).

Officers : Capt. Wm. Morris; Ist. Lt. Geo. W. Kiger; 2d Lt. Isaac Lauck; 3d Lt. Wm. Streit; 4th Lt. Jno. Poe; Ist corporal Wm. Van Horn; 2d Corp. Wm. Young; 3d Corp. Nathan Parkins ; 4th Corp. Wm. Macfee; Fifer, John Day; Drum- mer John Everly. Privates : Danl. Gray, Jno. Allen, Thomas Austin, Wm. Barnes, Levi Book- er, Francis Beckwith, David Cather, John Cooley, Louthan Cochrane, Jos. Kremer, Robt. David- son, Wm. Dalby, John Fenton, Jno. Farmer, Thomas Foster, Roger Fulkerson, Richard Gibbs, Jno. Hoffnagle, Samuel Herdsman, Wm. Hutchison, George Heinrick, John Johnson, John Haas, Jno. Hoffman, John Hesser, Asa Joyce, Richard Jones, Daniel Kiger, John Keeler, John Klyfustine, Thos. Lafferty, Jno. Miller, John Morris, James McCann, Craven Shaw, John Schultz, George Schreck, Elisha Winn, Henry Young.

Infantry Company No. 5.

Officers : Michael Coyle, Capt .; Wm. Throck- morton, Ist. Lt. Privates : Michael Copenhaver, Jacob Copenhaver, Henry Sloat, Jacob Mesmer, Robert Long, Isaac Russell, Jacob Lauck, . . Brill, Daniel Brown, Frederick Aulick, Benjamin

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Scrivner, Jno. V. Brown, John Magson, Henry Crebs, John Coyle, S. Hester, Wm. and Stephen Jenkins, J. Foster, John Jenkins.

The files show other names, but none appear as familiar names in this section; therefore are left out. A few names listed, are in doubt as to their residence. All the Companies named were sent to Norfolk and Point Comfort. Some of the Frederick County men died of yellow fever, -one being James Campbell, who was promoted to Ist Lt. in Co. 4. Lt. Campbell was a son of Wm. Campbell and uncle of the Author. Some other fatalities from the same fever. No other Frederick County men reported. It is known that other companies were raised in this section. Judge Henry St. George Tucker recruited a caval- ry company and marched to Norfolk. No list, however, appears. The following are to be found on the pay-roll, but their names are not con- nected with the Winchester Companies. They were what was known as Emergency Soldiers, enlisted for ninety days-what we would now term Reserves. We find that Simeon Hillman, Simpson Touchstone, Henry Glaize, Zachariah Crawford, Evan Thatcher, Richard Jones, James Welch, Simon Owen, Jackson Ryan, Nat. Ryan, Nicholas Perry substituted for Abner Hodgson, a drafted man. Many more of the latter class, but not familiar names in this section. The Au- thor knew quite a number of those mentioned, and knew some who secured pensions under Act of Congress in 1846, whose widows were con- tinued on the pension roll for many years: Two notable cases being Mrs. Charlotte Hillman, widow of Simeon, and Mrs. Eliza Russell widow of Isaac,-they being the last survivors to re- ceive pensions. The former died about 1896, the latter 1900. The reader will readily connect many of our present-day business men with the old patriots who answered their country's call nearly one hundred years ago: For instance, Jacob Baker who was Quarter Master for his Company ; whose carefully kept accounts, as such, are in possession of his daughter, Miss Portia

Baker. Mr. Baker was founder of the house of Baker & Company, whose sons succeeded him for many years, while his grandsons and great- grandsons are daily seen at the old stand, pur- suing the same methods established by their il- lustrious sire. Mr. Isaac Russell transmitted to his sons James B. and Isaac W. Russell his thrift and integrity, who are prominent business men. Many others will be recognized by many citizens as men who in their day discharged their duties faithfully in their various avocations. Many of the names sound strange in the ear to-day, for time has worked many changes. Some families have become extinct, and the places they once filled, others now occupy; but it would be well for us to remember their deeds and virtues. If they had their faults and failures, we have none to tell them now. Peace to their ashes!

The author has on his table at this writing the Discourse of Rev. Wm. Hill, D.D., which he delivered in the Presbyterian Church in Win- chester, Feby. 20, 1815, the occasion being a day set apart by common consent as a day of "Thanksgiving" by the Citizens of Frederick County for the Peace just concluded between this country and Great Britain. Dr. Hill's ora- tory and graphic arraignment of Great Britain for causing the war which resulted in loss of life and wanton destruction of property by the British, including the capitol at Washington, and many valuable records, is a literary gem, rare indeed. Every word of the sermon would edify the reader; but lack of space forbids further notice. Its brief mention is made to show the feeling of the Valley people as they once more rested under the banner of Peace. The sermon was published by Mr. John Heiskell, Editor of one of the newspapers of the town.

The Author is indebted to Miss Laura Gold, daughter of Mr. Wm. H. Gold, deceased, (who, in his day had many valuable collections of this character), for use of the pamphlet and other interesting publications.

CHAPTER XXI

The Old Justices' Court

From 1743 to 1776, the old Justices' Court was the only court holding jurisdiction in the terri- tory embraced in Old Frederick. From 1776, there were two courts of Law and Equity in the State, which had jurisdiction in this section of the Valley. In 1802, the Court was increased from two judges to three, and Districts appor- tioned. In 1809 another change occurred; and the "Superior Courts of Law," known as the Old Law and Chancery Court, was set in motion. One judge to hold terms twice a year in every County, superceding what was the old District Court-virtually the same court, but the records kept at some central point in the District. Win- chester for many years was this point, being chosen by Act of Assembly in 1811; and old Order Books of this Court, now in the county clerk's office, are interesting to study. The Dis- trict embraced among other counties, Loudoun County. Full minutes of the Chancery trials for the counties appear in these records. The first judge to preside in this court was Judge Robert White, succeeded by Judges Wm. Brockinbough and John Scott. They were not regularly as- signed. The General Assembly, Apl. 16, 1831, established a Court of Law and Chancery in each of the counties. Hon. Richard E. Parker, Judge of the General Court, was assigned to this Circuit. After his death in 1836, Hon. Isaac R. Douglas was appointed Judge of this Circuit. After his death in 1850, Hon. Richard Parker, son of the former Judge of this name, was ap- pointed for the Circuit. Gleanings from this Court give us some matters which will show the jurisdiction of this Court. The trial of Com- monwealth cases changed from the County Court. At the November Term, 1844, the Grand Jury presented Daniel Anderson for perjury at the election held in Newtown: witnesses G. L. White, R. W. Barton and J. L. Johnson. John M. Mayson, Conrad Kremer and Peeter Kreemer constable, for "abase" of their office by influenc- ing voters. Joseph Long, a tavern keeper in Newton, for partiality as Comr. of Election, etc., and twelve other persons presented for stoning Bushrod Taylor's tavern in Winchester, and for riotous conduct on night of election, Nov., 1844. David G. Danner was keeper of the tavern. This was the exciting election of Franklin Pierce for President. Whigs and Democrats waged a mem-

orable campaign; and the victors were too jubi- lant to suit the temper of the defeated Whigs, who presented the cases before the Grand Jury.

The first clerk to the first chancery court was John Peyton, 1793-Daniel Lee, 1804.

In 1809, Circuit Courts were substituted for District Courts, and one judge of the General Court assigned to each Circuit. This system prevailed for many years, the sessions held in April and September in Frederick.

By an Act of the General Assembly, the first Term of the Superior Court of Chancery to be held in Winchester, was on the 7th of July, 1812, Hon. Dabney Carr, Judge; Daniel Lee, Clerk,- Judge Carr's long service continued until another change was made in the circuit, when Hon. Henry St. George Tucker presided from 1824-Daniel Lee, Clerk-until 1831, when another change was made in the Districts; and, as has been shown, Judge Richard E. Parker appeared and was Judge until 1837. It was during Judge Carr's term that a celebrated criminal trial occurred. This was known as the Doct. Berkly murder

case. Three of his negroes, one woman and two men, committed the horrible murder in the Spring of 1818. His body was boiled and re- duced to a mass, then burned, together with his clothing. His brass buttons were found in the ashes; and through the efforts of his overseer, Robinson, the negroes were brought to trial and convicted, and hung in July of same year. The other slaves were transported to the Dry Tor- tugas. Berkly's home passed to John Rust. This was in the section now Warren County.

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Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 19

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