USA > Vermont > Windsor County > Royalton > History of Royalton, Vermont, with family genealogies, 1769-1911 > Part 15
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On their way thither, 'tis said, they came across several men from Newbury, who were engaged in hunting, near the place where Montpelier Village now stands, and made them prisoners. They made known their object to these hunters, and enquired of them whether an armed force was stationed at Newbury. Know- ing the defenceless state of that town, and hoping they should be able to induce the Indians to relinquish their object and return to Canada, they told them that such an armed garrison was kept at Newbury, as would render it extremely dangerous for them to approach. Thus artfully dissembling by ambiguity of expres- sion, the true condition of their fellow townsmen, and like Rahab the harlot, saved their father's house from destruction.
Unwilling, however, that their expedition should prove wholly fruitless, they turned their course to Royalton. No argu- ments which the prisoners could adduce, were sufficient to per- suade them from that determination.
Following up Onion River as far as the mouth of Ste- vens' branch, which empties into the river at Montpelier, they steered their course through Barre, at that time called Wilders- burgh ; proceeded up Gaol branch, which forms a part of Stevens' branch, and travelled over the mountains, through Orange and Washington; thence down the first branch of White River, through Chelsea and Tunbridge to Royalton. They laid there in encampment at Tunbridge, not far distant from Royalton, dur- ing the Sabbath, the day preceding their attack upon the latter place, for the purpose of concerting measures, to carry into effect
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their atrocious and malignant designs. Here were matured those diabolical seeds of depredation and cruelty, from which sprang bitterness, sorrow, and death !
As they entered the town before daylight appeared, darkness covered their approach, and they were not discovered till Monday morning, at dawn of day, when they entered the house of Mr. John Hutchinson, who resided not far from the line, separating Royalton from Tunbridge. He was totally ignorant of their ap- proach, and wholly unsuspicious of danger, till they burst the door upon him.
Here they took Mr. John Hutchinson, and Abijah Hutchin- son his brother, prisoners, and plundered the house; crossed the first branch, and went to the house of Mr. Robert Havens, who lived at a small distance from Mr. Hutchinson's. Mr. Havens had gone out into his pasture in pursuit of his sheep ; and having ascended a hill about forty rods from his house, hearing his neigh- bor Hutchinson's dog bark, halted, and stood in pensive silence. Here he listened with deep anxiety to know the extent of the evil he feared. But alas! he little expected to find a herd of savage men. It was his only fear that some voracious animal was among his sheep, which so disturbed the watchful dog. While he lis- tened in silence, with his thoughts suspended, he heard a noise, as of sheep or cattle running, with full speed, through the water. Casting his eye to the west, towards his own dwelling, he beheld a company of Indians, just entering the door! Seeing his own danger, he immediately laid down under a log, and hid him- self from their sight. But he could not hide sorrow from his mind. Here he wept! Tears trickling down his withered cheeks, bespoke the anguish of his soul, while he thought upon the dis- tress of his family. With groanings unutterable he lay awhile; heard the piercing shrieks of his beloved wife, and saw his sons escaping for their lives.
Bath'd in tears the hoary sage In sorrow lay conceal'd; while death In frightful form, stood thick around him,
With bow-bent readiness, and arrows dip'd
In venom, promiscuous flying.
Vigilance with his years had fled,
And hope was almost out of sight; Safety quite gone, and far beyond his reach.
Laden with the weight of years, decriped and infirm, he was sensible if he appeared in sight, it would prove his death. He therefore resolved not to move until a favorable opportunity presented. His son, Daniel Havens, and Thomas Pember, were in the house, and made their appearance at the door, a little before the Indians came up. Beholding the foe but few rods distant. they run for their lives. Daniel Havens made his escape
THE HAVENS MEADOW, IN ROYALTON. The Havens House on the little rise of ground.
SOLITARY TREE ON DISTANT HILL TOP IN TUNBRIDGE, Marks the Indian encampment on the other side of the Hill.
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by throwing himself over a hedge fence, down the bank of the branch, and crawling under a log; although a large number of the Indians passed directly over it, in pursuit of him. Who can tell the fears that agitated his bosom, while these savage pursuers stepped upon the log under which he lay! And who can tell the joys he felt, when he saw them pass off, leaving him. in safety! A quick transition from painful fear, and iminent danger, to joyful peace and calm retirement.
They pursued Thomas Pember, till they came so near as to throw a spear at him, which pierced his body, and put an end to his existence. He run some time, however, after he was wounded, till by loss of blood, he fainted, fell, and was unable to proceed farther. The savage monsters came up, several times thrust a spear through his body, took off his scalp, and left him, food for worms! While they were tearing his scalp from his head, how did his dying groans pierce the skies and call on Him, who holds the scales of justice, to mark their cruelty, and avenge his blood !
He had spent the night previous, at the house of Mr. Ha- vens, engaged in amorous conversation with a daughter of Mr. Havens, who was his choice companion, the intended partner of his life.
What jealous cares
Hang on his parting soul to think his love
Expos'd to wild oppression and a herd
Of savage men:" while himself lay With his eyes uplifted, fainting, doom'd To wait, and feel the fatal blow.
By imagination we view the fair survivor, surrounded by the savage tribe, whose frightful aspect threatened ruin; her soul o'erwhelmed with fear, and stung with grief, bereft of her dearest friend. Hear her exclaiming, with sorrowful accents, in the language of the Poet:
"You sacred mourners of a nobler mould, Born for a friend whose dear embraces hold Beyond all nature's ties; you that have known
Two happy souls made intimately one,
And felt the parting stroke; 'tis you must feel The smart, the twinges, and the racks, I feel;
This soul of mine, that dreadful wound has borne
Off from its side its dearest half is torn,
The rest lies bleeding, and but lives to mourn."
They made the house of Mr. Havens their rallying point, or post of observation, and stationed a part of their company there to guard their baggage, and make preparations for retreat, when they had completed their work of destruction. Like the mes- senger of death, silent and merciless, they were scarcely seen till felt. Or if seen, filled the mind with terror, nor often afforded
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opportunity for escape. Moving with violent steps, they pro- ceeded down the first branch to its mouth, while a number armed with spears, led the van, and were followed by others, armed with muskets and scalping knives. The former they called run- ners, who were directed to kill all those who should be overtaken in an attempt to escape, while the latter were denominated gun- ners, took charge of the prisoners, and scalped those who were killed.
They had not proceeded far before a young man by the name of Elias Button, being ignorant of their approach, made his appearance in the road, but a few rods from them. Espying his danger, he turned and ran with the greatest possible speed in his power, to escape their cruel hands. The savage tribe pur- sued him with their usual agility; soon overtook the trembling youth; pierced his body with their spears; took off his scalp, and left him weltering in his gore! Young, vigorous, and healthy, and blest with the brightest hopes of long life, and good days; he was overtaken by the merciless stroke of death, without having a minutes warning. Innocence and bravery were no shield, nor did activity secure him a safe retreat.
That they might be enabled to fall upon the inhabitants, unawares, and thereby secure a greater number of prisoners, as well as procure a greater quantity of plunder, they kept pro- found silence till they arrived at the mouth of the branch.
After killing Pember and Button, and taking such plunder as most pleased their fancy, they proceeded to the house of Jo- seph Kneeland, who resided about half a mile distant from the house of Mr. Havens. Here they found Messrs. Simeon Belknap, Giles Gibbs, and Jonathan Brown, together with Joseph Knee- land and his aged father, all of whom they made prisoners. They then went to the house of Mr. Elias Curtis, where they took Mr. Curtis, John Kent and Peter Mason. Mrs. Curtis had just waked from the slumbers of the night, and was about dressing herself as she sat upon her bed, when the savage monsters en- tered the door, and one of them instantly flew at her with a large knife in his hand, and seized her by the neck, apparently intend- ing to cut her throat. While in the very attitude of inflicting the fatal wound, the murderous wretch discovered a string of gold beads around her neck, which attracted his attention and prevented the dreadful stroke of death. Thus his avidity for gold allayed his thirst for human blood. His raging passions were suddenly cooled; curiosity restrained his vengeance, and spared the life of the frightened object of his cruelty. He had put the knife to her throat, and eternity seemed open to her view, but instead of taking her life, he only took her beads, and left her rejoicing at her deliverance. The barbarous looks of the
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wicked crew bespoke their malignant designs, and caused hor- ror and dismay to fill the minds of all who beheld them. But alas ! who can tell what horror filled the bosom of this trembling woman! What fearful pangs were made to pierce her soul! Be- hold the tawny wretch, with countenance wild, and awful grim- aces, standing by her bedside, holding her by the throat, with one hand, and the weapon of death in the other! See, standing around her a crowd of brutal savages, the sons of violence; foul tormentors. In vain do I attempt to paint the scene. Nor will I pretend to describe the feelings of a kind and tender mother, who, reposing in the arms of sleep, with her infant at her bosom, is roused from her slumbers by the approach of a tribe of savage Indians, at her bedside.
"No dangers seen; no fear to raise a sigh; No dangers fear'd; and yet was ruin nigh.
Dark was the night, and scarce a trembling breeze Was heard to whisper through the neighboring trees, When to sleep's arms the household was withdrawn, To rest in safety till the morrow's dawn; The morrow dawns and blushes at the sight Of bloody scenes, that shun detecting light; Urg'd by a nameless thirst for human prey, A savage band approach'd where beauty lay; Where innocence, and youth, and age reclin'd In sleep, refreshing as the southern wind. The sire, though bending with a load of years, To save his daughter-every danger dares; By some rough hand this ancient hero dies The trembling mother for her husband sighs; Sighs and entreats to spare her infant's life, Her sighs they hear, and spare him-with the knife. Pleas'd with the charm of beauty drench'd in tears, The savage tribe to gloomy desarts bears The weeping mother, void of all defence,
Save what she hoped from Heav'n and innocence."
To prevent an alarm from being sounded abroad, they com- manded the prisoners to keep silence, on pain of death. While the afflicted inhabitants beheld their property wasted, and their lives exposed to the arrows of death, it caused their hearts to swell with grief. But they were debarred the privilege of mak- ing known their sufferings to their nearest friends, or even to pour out their cries of distress, while surrounded by the savage band, whose malevolent appearance could not fail to spread fear and distress in every bosom. They plundered every house they found till they arrived at the mouth of the branch. Here the commander, a British officer, took his stand with a small party of Indians, while some went up, and others down, on each side of the river, to complete the work of destruction. They had already taken several horses, which some of them rode, to facili- tate their march and enable them to overtake those who attempted
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to make their escape. Frightened at the horrible appearance of their riders, who were in no way qualified to manage them, the horses served rather to impede than hasten their progress.
Instigated by "the powers of darkness;" fired with rage; eager to obtain that booty which they acquired by the pillage of houses; and fearful at the same time, that they should them- selves fall a prey to the American forces, they pursued their ravages with infuriated zeal, and violence and horror attended their movement.
"Uproar, revenge, and rage, and hate appear In all their murderous forms; and flame and blood, And sweat, and dust array the broad campaign In horror; hasty feet, and sparkling eyes, And all the savage passions of the soul,
Engage in the warm business of the day."
Gen. Elias Stevens, who resided in the first house on the river above the mouth of the branch, had gone down the river about two miles, and was engaged at work with his oxen and cart. While busily employed in loading his cart, casting his eye up the river, he beheld a man approaching, bare-headed, with his horse upon the run; who, seeing Gen. Stevens, cried out "for God's sake, turn out your oxen, for the Indians are at the mill." Gen. Stevens hastened to unyoke his oxen, turned them out, and immediately mounted his horse, and started to return to his family, filled with fearful apprehensions for the fate of his be- loved wife, and tender offspring! He had left them in apparent safety, reposing in the arms of sleep. Having proceeded on his return, about half way home, he met Capt. Joseph Parkhurst, who informed him that the Indians were but a few rods distant, in swift pursuit down the river, and that unless he returned immediately he would inevitably fall into their hands.
Apprized of his danger, he turned, and accompanied the Captain down the river. Conjugal and paternal affection alone can suggest to the imagination of the reader, what were the feel- ings of Gen. Stevens, when compelled for his own safety, to leave the wife of his bosom, and their little ones, to the mercy of a savage foe! What pains did he feel when he found himself deprived of all possible means to afford them relief! Nor could he expect a more favorable event, than to find them all sacrificed at the shrine of savage barbarity! Who, not totally devoid of sympathy, can refrain to drop a tear, as he reflects upon those painful emotions, which agitated the General's breast, when he was forced to turn his back upon his beloved family, while thus exposed to danger! Indeed, it was his only source of consolation, that he might be able to afford assistance to his defenceless neigh- bors. And as they soon came to the house of Deacon Daniel
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Rix, he there found opportunity to lend the hand of pity. Gen. Stevens took Mrs. Rix and two or three children with him upon his horse; Capt. Parkhurst took Mrs. Benton, and several chil- dren upon his horse with him, and they all rode off as fast as possible, accompanied by Deacon Rix and several others on foot, till they arrived at the place where the General first received the alarm. Filled with anxiety for his family, and not having seen any Indians, Gen. Stevens, here concluded again to return, hoping he should be able to reach home in time to secure his household from danger, before the Indians arrived. Leaving Mrs. Rix and children in the care of a Mr. Burroughs, he started for home and had proceeded about half a mile, when he discov- ered the Indians in the road ahead of him, but a few rods dis- tant. He quickly turned about; hastened his retreat; soon over- took the company he had left, and entreated them immediately to leave the road and take to the woods to prevent being taken. Those who were on foot jumped over the fence, hastened to the woods, out of sight of the Indians, where they remained in safety, undiscovered by the savage foe, who kept the road in pursuit of Gen. Stevens. He passed down the road about half a mile, and came to the house of Mr. Tilly Parkhurst, his father in law. Seeing his sister engaged in milking by the barn, he "told her to leave her cow immediately or the Indians would have her," and left her to secure her own retreat. They were now in plain sight, not more than eighty or an hundred rods off. The road was full of them, running like blood-hounds. The General rode to the house, told them to run for their lives, and proceeded to warn others who lived contiguous. By this time the way was filled with men, women and children, and a large body of Indians in open view, but just behind them. The savage tribe now began to make the surrounding wilderness re-echo with their frightful yells. Frightened and alarmed for their safety, children clung to their parents, and half distracted mothers, filled with fearful apprehensions of approaching destruction, were heard to make the air resound with their cries of distress! Gen. Stevens en- deavored to get into the woods, out of sight of the Indians. Fear had usurped the power of reason, and wisdom's voice was drowned in the torrent of distraction. There was no time for argument. All was at stake. The enemy hard by, and fast ap- proaching. Defenceless mothers, with helpless infants in their arms, fleeing for their lives! Despair was spread before them, while the roaring flood of destruction, seemed rolling behind them! Few could be persuaded to go into the woods, and most of them kept the road till they arrived at the house of Capt. E. Parkhurst, in Sharon. Here they halted a moment to take breath, hoping they should not be pursued any farther. The
-
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Indians being taken up in plundering the houses, had now fallen considerably in the rear. But the unhappy victims of distress, had not long been here, when the cruel pursuers again appeared in sight.
Screaming and crying now witnessed the horrors of that dreadful scene. Groans and tears bespoke the feelings of a heart agitated with fear, and swollen with grief! There was no time to be lost. While they waited, they waited for destruction. Children hanging to their mother's clothes; mothers enquiring what they should do, and calling for assistance; floods of tears, and piercing shrieks, all presented to view a most painful scene. Seeing the Indians approaching with hedious yells, that thrilled the heart of every one, Gen. Stevens put his mother and sister upon his own horse; Capt. Joseph Parkhurst put Mrs. Rix and three of her children upon another horse, without a bridle, and ordered them to hasten their flight. There yet remained the wife of Capt. E. Parkhurst, who stood in the most critical situation, in which a woman can be placed; begging and crying for help; surrounded by six small children, clinging to her clothes, and pleading with her for protection; Alas! how awful was the spectacle, how affecting the scene! To see a woman in this de- plorable condition, pleading for succor, when none can help; when safety and support had fled; and dangers rushing upon her! a heart not devoid of sympathy, could not fail to weep! Conscious of her wretched situation; feeling for her dear chil- dren; being told there was no probability for her escape; gath- ering her little ones around her she wept in bitterness of soul; tears of pity ran down her cheeks, while she waited the approach of the savage tribe to inflict upon her, whatever malice could invent, or inhumanity devise !
Her husband, to whom she fain would have looked for pro- tection was gone from home, when all her woes fell upon her! Well might she say, "Therefore are my loins filled with pain ; pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth," "my heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me; the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me." While Mrs. Parkhurst saw her friends and neighbors fleeing from her ; and beheld the Indians approaching with impetuous step; her bosom throbed with anguish; horror seized her soul; and death ! immediate death, both to her and her children, "stood thick around her," threatening to thrust his dagger into her aching heart. There was no time to decide on the priority of claims to pity, or the demands of justice. Those who were nearest at hand first received assistance; not however, without regard to that affection which arises from consanguinity or matrimonial con-
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nexion. And these relations not only unite the hearts, but con- nect the hands in scenes of distress.
At the time Gen. Stevens put his mother and his sister upon his horse, the Indians were not eight rods from him. They, in company with Mrs. Rix and her children, rode off as fast as possible. The General followed with several others on foot. Part of the Indians pursued them, while others entered the house, and plundered it of its furniture. They took her eldest son from her, then ordered her, with the rest of the children, to leave the house. She accordingly repaired into the fields back of the house, with five of her children, and remained in safety till they had left the place. Soon after Gen. Stevens started, his dog came in his way, and caused him to stumble and fall; which so re- tarded his progress that he was obliged to flee to the woods for safety, leaving the women and children to make the best of their retreat. The Indians pursued down the road after them, with frightful yells, and soon overtook those who were on foot. They took Gardner Rix, son of Deacon Rix, a boy about fourteen years old, just at the heels of his mother's horse; while she was com- pelled to witness the painful sight. Alas! what distress and horror filled her bosom, when she, with three of her children, no less dear than herself, fleeing from the savage foe, mounted upon a horse, snorting with fear, having nothing but a pocket handker- chief in his mouth for a bridle, saw her wearied son, faint for want of breath, fall a captive to this barbarous crew! Cruel fate! The trembling youth, overwhelmed with fear, and bathed in tears, was now torn from his tender parents, and compelled to roam the wilderness to unknown regions! Nor was the dis- consolate mother, with her other little ones, left in a much more safe condition.
Exposed, and expecting every step to fall to the ground, which, if it proved not their death, would leave them a prey to the savage monsters! No tongue can tell the pains she felt, nor pen describe the horrors of her soul! To behold her little son, while fleeing for his life, fall into the hands of these sons of cruelty, what kind and tender mother, would not feel her heart to bleed !
May we not listen to the voice of imagination, and hear her say :
"Oh! infinite distress! such raging grief Should command pity, and despair relief,
Passion, methinks, should rise from all my groans,
Give sense to rocks, and sympathy to stones."
The Indians pursued the women and children as far as the house of Mr. Benedict, the distance of about a mile. They ef- fected their escape, though surrounded with dangers, and pur-
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sued with impetuous and clamorous steps. Here they discovered Mr. Benedict on the opposite side of a stream called broad-brook, which ran near the house. They beckoned to have him come over to them. Choosing, however, not to hazard the consequences of yielding obedience to their request; he turned and ran a short distance and hid himself under a log. He had not long been in this situation, when these blood-thirsty wretches, came, and stood upon the same log, and were heard by him to exclaim in angry tone, "if they could find him, he should feel the toma- hawk."
After standing upon the log some time, and endeavoring to espy the concealed, trembling object of their pursuit; they left him and returned to the house. Ah! what joy filled his bosom, when he saw these messengers of death pass away leaving him in safety! How must his heart have glowed with grati- tude towards the "Great Preserver of men," at this unexpected deliverance from the most iminent danger.
His joys, however, were not unmingled with sorrow, as the fell destroyers were still at his house, committing ravages and wasting his property. But no man can be supposed to put his property in competition with his life.
The Indians pursued down the river about forty rods far- ther, where they made a young man, by the name of Avery, prisoner, and then concluded to return.
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