USA > West Virginia > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, West Virginia : from the early days of Northwestern Virginia to the present > Part 14
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CLARKSBURG, W. VA., MARCH 20, 1907.
Colonel Henry Haymond.
MY DEAR SIR :- Referring to the Johnson family who were massacred by the Indians in 1788, will say their home was on the north west side of Ten Mile Creek eight miles from Clarksburg, and opposite where now is the village of Sardis. The land where the house stood is now owned by Oliver Robinson.
Mrs. Johnson and three children were taken to the top of the hill on land now owned by Mrs. Susan Robey and were all killed. I have visited the place many times, where the house stood and also where they were killed and their bodies buried.
My grandfather Shinn had a pocketbook, which is now in my posses- sion, that was partly made from the skin of one of the Indians killed by Morgan.
Sincerely yours, R. S. OGDEN.
Another party of Indians about this time came to the house of John Mack, on a branch of Hacker's Creek, now in Lewis County. He being from home they killed all who were at the house. Two of the children who had been sent to the woods to hunt the cattle, returning saw a little sister lying in the yard scalped, and directly fled and gave the alarm. In the morning some men assembled, and went to ascertain the extent of the mischief. The house was not to be seen. The little girl who had been scalped in the yard was much burned and those who had been murdered in the house were consumed in it.
Mrs. Mack had been taken some distance from the house and toma- hawked and scalped. The men wrapped their hunting shirts around her and carried her to a neighboring house. She lived a few days, gave birth to a child and died.
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
Sometime after the murder of Mack's family, John Simms, living on a branch of Gnatty Creek, in what is now Elk District, seeing his horses come running up much affrighted, was led to believe that the Indians had been trying to catch them. In a few minutes the dogs began to bark furiously in the corn field adjoining, and he became satis- fied the savages were approaching. Knowing that he could offer no effectual resistance if they should attack his house, he contrived an artifice to deter them from approaching.
Taking down his gun he walked around the house backward and forward and as if speaking to men in it called out "Be watchful they will soon be here, and as soon as you see them draw a fine bead." Mrs. Sims in a coarse tone of voice and with feigned resolution answering as she had been advised "Never fear, let them once show their yellow hides and we'll pepper them." He would then retire into the house, change his garments the better to support the deception, and again go forth to watch and give directions to those within. He pursued this plan until night, when he withdrew with his family to a place of safety.
The Indians had actually been in the corn field and near enough to have shot Simms, the place where they had been sitting being plainly discernable the next morning, and as they were retreating they fired the house of Jethro Thompson on Lost Creek.
William McCleery writes to Governor Beverly Randolph, under date of April 25, 1789, from Morgantown stating:
"I have been informed that it has been suggested to you that the settlements in Ohio and Harrison Counties sufficiently covers this Country.
I assure you this is not so. The lowest settlements in Ohio County of any account are on the Ohio River at Grave Creek, which lies to the North West from us, and the nighest settlement of Harrison County to that is fifty or sixty miles, and which lies nearly South from this place at a distance of thirty-five to forty miles leaving an uninhabited country of the above extent open to the savages.
RICHMOND, MAY 7, 1789.
The Lieutenant Governor laid before the Board, the letters of Colonel John Evans and William McCleery, one of the delegates in the Assembly from Monongalia County.
Ordered that copies of said letters be sent to the President of the United States, and that a Lieutenant and twenty-five Rangers authorized to be ordered into service by Colonel Evans.
Colonel Benjamin Wilson in a letter to Governor Beverly Randolph dated Harrison County, May 22, 1789,
Acknowledges the letter and order in council of December 31, 1788, states the County Lieutenant being absent and if in the County is now living with his family on an island in the Ohio River opposite the mouth of the Muskingum River.
The Indians have killed some people this Spring in our adjoining County. The reports from the Shawnees and the report that Indians have been seen in the County induced him to call together the Militia officers of the County on the subject of the letter and order in Council. Had ordered six scouts in the field.
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
Colonel Wilson on September 27, 1789, gives the following list of mischief done by Indians in Harrison County.
September 19, 1789, William Johnson's family, four killed and four captivated, horses taken, cattle, hogs and sheep killed and the house plundered.
September 22, 1789. Mr. Stitzer's house burnt including his house- hold stuff, the family hardly escaping.
September 22, 1789. Mr. Mack's wife and two children killed. Cattle killed and house burnt.
September 23, 1789. Jethro Thompson's house burnt.
September 26, 1789. John Sims' house burnt, and horses taken away.
The above mischief done from the middle of the County and upwards.
This evening had received information that two Indians were seen near the lower end of the County.
HARRISON COUNTY, VA., SEPT. 28, 1789.
His Excellency Governor Beverly Randolph, Richmond, Virginia.
Sir :- I understand the protection of the State is now put into the hands of Governor St. Clair, who I believe is now absent from the station at the mouth of the Muskingum.
The Indians are very troublesome in this County as will appear by the enclosed list of depredations.
Our people are dispirited as they have soon felt the direful effects of an efficient treaty with the Indians, in which they had put some confidence.
They presume if Congress knew the situation it would soon be other- wise for which purpose I earnestly request that the bearer, Major William Lowther, may be called before your Board and examined on oath as touching the late incursions in this county and a copy of his testimony sent to Congress, that they may be acquainted with the sufferings of their people and the ill effects of partial treaties. Sir I am your very humble servant, BENJAMIN WILSON.
Mem. The above paper to be sent to the President of the United States.
The Assembly having taken up the subject, nothing to be done by the Executive.
Congress before the adoption of the Constitution took steps to occupy the territory West of the Ohio, and in 1785 a detach- ment of troops under Major John Doughty established a fort on the Ohio just below the mouth of the Muskingum River and named it Fort Harmar after an officer of the army, Colonel Josiah Harmar.
When Marietta was founded by a party of soldiers of the Revolution from the New England States in April 1788, it was the principal Military post in that part of the Country, and was for many years an important Military Station.
When Fort Harmar was built and garrisoned and Marrietta settled the pioneers on the Virginia side of the River felt encouraged and in some
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
degree protected by the location of a body of soldiers and citizens between them and the Indian villages.
By direction of the Virginia authorities a road was marked and cut out through the wilderness in 1788 between Minear's on the Valley River to Williamsport on the Ohio opposite Marietta.
Virginia having ceded the territory west of the Ohio River to the general government congress in 1787 by an act established that vast region as the North Western Territory and on the 5th. day of October in the same year appointed General Arthur St. Clair a distinguished Officer of the Revolutionary Army as its governor.
At the new settlement of Marietta on the 15th July, 1788, with dignified and proper ceremonies participated in by the Military from Fort Harmar, Governor St. Clair was duly installed in office and thus was organized the first civil government West of the Ohio.
Early in the year 1790 Henry Knox, Secretary of War in instruc- tions directed to Governor St. Clair and General Harmar, states that the President has received several applications for protection from the inhab- itants of the frontier counties of Virginia lying on the South Side of the Ohio.
These applications are founded on the depredations of small parties of Indians during the last year, who it seems have murdered many of the unguarded inhabitants, stolen their horses, burned their houses, etc.
Until the last year an arrangement of the following existed at the expense of Virginia. The Lieutenants of the exposed counties under certain restrictions were permitted to call forth a number of active men as patrols or scouts as they are generally termed and Rangers.
But the government of that state thought proper to discontinue this arrangement on the organization of the general government to which the inhabitants of said counties could apply for protection. All applications of this kind have been placed before Congress for their information. Authority was accordingly given to the officials of the Western territory to call out scouts and rangers from the frontier counties of Virginia in proportion to the danger threatening the exposed county, and to supply them with amunition.
Instructions were also given by the President to extirpate these bandits, provided the same could be done without interfering with the general object of peace with the regular Indian tribes lying upon the Wabash and vicinity.
Memorial addressed to the Governor of Virginia dated Richmond, October 27, 1790 by George Jackson, Abraham Claypool, Cornelius Begard, John Haymond, Delegates from Harrison and Randolph Coun- ties, state that they are informed that the claims from their counties for services performed in 1789 by four scouts are likely to be disallowed. These services were very essential and less than four would have been of no service.
At the time they were ordered out by the commanding officers, the Indians had massacred and captured eleven persons in that country in about one week, besides killing the stock and burning the furniture of several poor people, pray these claims will be allowed.
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
An expedition was organized at Fort Washington, now Cincinnati, by General Harmar in September, 1790, and marched against the Indian villages on the Sciota and Miami Rivers, in order to strike them at home and break up thier raids upon the settlements.
The troops fell into ambuscades and suffered severe loss, but suc- ceeded in destroying several towns and large fields of corn and other pro- visions, but in the end failed to bring on a general engagement, and were not entirely successful in the objects of the campaign.
This hostile movement failed to secure the frontiers of Virginia and Ohio from the predatory forays of small parties of Indians, as they were infuriated at the destructions of their towns and crops, considered that they had repelled Harmar's invasion and became more active than ever in the prosecution of hostilities.
Memorial to Governor Beverly Randolph by Benjamin Biggs and John Henderson of Ohio County, John Evans, Jr., and William McCleery of Monongalia County, George Jackson and John Prunty of Harrison County, Cornelius Bogardus and Abraham Claypool of Randolph County and others of Greenbrier and Montgomery Counties, delegates to the Assembly from these several counties, dated November 1, 1790.
Stating the defenceless condition of these counties forming a line of nearly four hundred miles along the Ohio River, exposed to the hostile invasion of the Indians and destitute of every support, is truly alarming. £ Notwithstanding all the regulations of the general government in that country they fear the consequences of the recent defeat of our army by the Indians (Harmar's defeat) on the late expe- dition, as they, flushed with victory, will doubtless fall on our frontiers as soon as the weather will permit.
Prays the Governor to relieve them, and if he cannot to lay their complaints before the proper tribunal where they may be redressed.
In the year 1790 the inhabitants of Harrison County were not greatly disturbed by Indian raids.
In the Spring of this year the neighborhood of Clarksburg was visited by Indians in quest of plunder, and succeeded in stealing quite a number of horses.
They were discovered and pursued to the Ohio River, when the pursuers being re-inforced, determined to follow on over into the Indian country.
Crossing the river and ascending the Hock Hocking near to the falls they came upon the camp of the savages. The whites opened an unex- pected fire, which killing one and wounding another of the Indians caused the remainder to fly, leaving their horses about the camp. These were caught, brought back and restored to their owners.
In April 1790 as Samuel Hull was engaged in ploughing a field for Major Benjamin Robinson, now in Eagle District, he was discovered by a small party of Indians, shot, tomahawked and scalped. The murder was discovered by Mrs. Robinson. Surprised that Hull did not come to the house as usual, to feed the horses and get his own dinner, she went to the field to see what detained him. She found the horses some distance from where they had been recently at work, and going on presently saw Hull
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
lying where he had been shot. The field in which this occurred was for many years known as the "Hull field."
On the 24th April, 1791, John Bush, who lived on Freeman's Creek, now in Lewis County, having early in the morning sent two of his children to drive up the cows, became alarmed by their screams and taking down his gun was proceeding to learn the cause of it when he was met at the door by an Indian, who caught hold of his gun, forced it from his grasp and shot him with it. Bush fell across the threshold and the savage drew his knife to scalp him with it. Mrs. Bush ran to the assistance of her husband and with an axe aimed a blow at the Indian with such force that it fastened itself in his shoulder, and when he jumped back his exertion pulled the handle from her hand. She then drew her husband into the house and secured the door.
By this time other of the savages had come up, and after endeavoring in vain to force open the door, commenced shooting through it. Fortun- ately Mrs. Bush remained unhurt although eleven bullets passed through her clothing and some of them grazed the skin. One of the savages observing an aperture between the logs, thrust the muzzle of his gun through it. With another axe Mrs. Bush struck on the barrel so as to make it ring and the savage on drawing it back exclaimed, "Dern you." Still they were endeavoring to force an entrance into the house until they heard what they believed to be a party of whites coming to its relief. It was Adam Bush, who living close by and hearing the screams of the children and the firing of the guns, had set off to learn what had given rise to them, and taking with him his dogs the noise made by them in crossing the creek alarmed the savages and caused them to retreat, taking the two children as prisoners.
A company of men was soon collected and went in pursuit of the Indians, but were unable to surprise them and regain the prisoners. They, however, came so nearly upon them on the Little Kanawha that they were forced to fly precipitately leaving the plunder and seven horses, which they had taken from the settlement, these were retaken and brought back.
In May, 1791, as John McIntire and his wife were returning to their home about two miles above the mouth of Bingamon Creek, in what is now Clay District, they passed through the yard of Uriah Ashcraft, and in a short time after Mr. Ashcraft startled by the sudden growling and springing up of one of his dogs, stepped quickly to the door to see what had aroused him. He had hardly reached the door when he espied an Indian on the outside with his gun presented. Closing and making fast the door, he ascended the stairs that he might better fire on the intruder, and after snapping his gun several times and discovering that there were other Indians in the yard he raised a loud shout to apprise those who were within the sound of his voice that he was surrounded by danger. Upon this the Indians moved off and three brothers of John McIntire coming to his relief they all pursued the trail of the savages.
About a mile from Ashcraft's they came upon the body of John McIntire tomahawked, stripped and scalped, and concluded that Mrs. McIntire had been taken prisoner. They sent intelligence to Clarksburg
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
of what had happened and requested assistance to follow the Indians and recover the prisoner from captivity. The desired assistance was im- mediately afforded and a company of men led on by John Haymond and George Jackson were in pursuit.
Below the three forks of Middle Island Creek, now in Doddridge County, before they were aware of their proximity to the savages they were fired upon by them, and two of the party very narrowly escaped being shot. A ball passed through the handkerchief on the head of John Hay- mond, and another through the sleeve of George Jackson's shirt. The fire was promptly returned and the men rushed forward. The Indians, however, made good their retreat, though not without having experienced some injury, as was discovered by the blood, and the throw- ing down of some of the plunder which they had taken.
It was here first ascertained that Mrs. McIntire had been killed, her scalp being found among the things abandoned by the Indians. Her body was afterwards found a short distance from where that of her husband had been previously discovered.
SHINNSTON, W. VA., APRIL 10, '08.
Mr. Henry Haymond,
DEAR SIR :- Yours received and contents noted and in reply will say that there was a Fort located on the old McIntire farm, which is about two and one half miles North from Shinnston near Enterprise, on the west bank of the West Fork River in Clay District. Charles McIntire now owns the farm. It was about one mile North West of the Fort on a ravine that emptied into Bingamon Creek that John McIntire and wife were killed, which is about two and one-half miles North of Shinns- ton. On the same day one Ashcraft was killed further up Bingamon Creek. I believe his name was Uriah Ashcraft and about the same time one of the Cunningham's was captured by the Indians on Cunningham's Run. Respectfully, B A. REEDER.
An account of this skirmish will be found in another part of this volume in a letter written by William Haymond, one of the participants.
This fight occurred on the North Side of McElroy Creek, near the mouth of Elk Lick Run in McClelland District, Doddridge County, about ten miles from West Union on land now (1908) owned by W. Benton Allen.
Some years afterwards a gun was found about 200 yards over the bluff North of the Battle ground by Christopher Ash, which had been thrown away by one of the wounded Indians.
As an incident of this murder the County Court on June 17, 1793, entered the following order:
"Ordered that Isaac McIntire, son of John McIntire, deceased be bound an apprentice to David Wamsley until he is twenty-one years old, he now being seven years old on October 15th, 1792."
The family tradition connected with the murder of John McIntire and his wife is that they were out hunting the cows and were attacked
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
by a small party of Indians. McIntire was killed at once but Mrs. McIntire escaped into the woods, was overtaken and killed some distance from her husband. For two or three days it was supposed that she was captured until her scalp was found in the effects of the Indians when they were overtaken by the pursuing party of whites. A search was then instituted and her body found.
It is supposed that it was the intention of the Indians to attack the McIntire house, but as they approached they heard quite a disturbance inside and presuming there was a number of men there passed on. The noise was occasioned by the McIntire children playing with a pet bear. The youngest of these children, Zadock, lived to take part in the war of 1812, was captured at the battle of Lundy's Lane in Canada and was imprisoned on a ship in Halifax Harbor for more than a year. He lived to a good old age and was buried in Hepseby Church yard.
In the month of September, 1791, Nicholas Carpenter set off from Clarksburg for Marietta with a drove of cattle to sell to the settlers in that vicinity and the soldiers of Fort Harmar, and after several days travel encamped near the Ohio River for the night.
Early the next morning while breaking camp the drovers were fired upon by a party of Indians, killing one and wounding another of the party. The remainder endeavored to save themselves by flight but Carpen- ter being a cripple by reason of a wound received some years before, plunged into a pond of water, where he fondly hoped he would escape observation, but both he and his son, who had likewise sought security there, were discovered, tomahawked and scalped.
George Leggett, one of the party, was never afterwards heard of, but Jesse Hughes succeeded in getting off though under disadvantageous circumstances. He wore long leggings and when the firing commenced at the camp they were fastened at the top of his belt but hanging loose below. Although an active runner he found that his pursuers were gain- ing and must ultimately overtake him if he did not rid himself of this incumbrance. For this purpose he halted somewhat, and stepping on the lower part of his leggings broke the string which tied them to his belt, but before he accomplished this, one of the savages approached and hurled a tomahawk at him. It barely grazed his head and he then again took to flight and soon got off.
It was afterwards learned that the Indians by whom this mischief was effected had crossed the Ohio River near the mouth of the Little Kanawha, where they captured a negro belonging to Captain James Neal and continued on towards the settlements on the West Fork until they came upon the trail made by Carpenter's cattle.
Supposing they belonged to families moving they followed on until they came upon the drovers and tying the negro boy to a sapling made an attack on them. The boy finding himself alone worked away at his fastening until he got loose and got safely away to Neal's Station. He told that the Indians danced and expressed great delight when they dis- covered Carpenter's trail and hurried on after him.
At a County Court held for the County of Harrison on the 20th. day of November, 1820, the following order was entered:
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HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY
"It being this day proved to the satisfaction of the Court by the oath of David Carpenter, that Nicholas Carpenter was killed by the Indians on the 4th day of October in the year 1791, and that Nancy Carpenter, daughter of the said Nicholas Carpenter, was born on the 15th. day of March 1792, and ordered that the same be certified."
Colonel Benjamin Wilson to Colonel John P. Duvall, Harrison County, October 19, 1791.
Discovering signs that the Indians who killed Carpenter and others, were going towards the West Fork River, and thus that the inhabitants of that region were in great danger, and believing that a few active and reliable scouts would make the best defense of the exposed people, he directed the Captains on the frontier to send out ten scouts for a few days, until the arrival of Colonel Duvall at Clarksburg. Hopes Colonel Duvall will apply to Government for their pay as scouts are so important to the defense of the exposed frontiers.
A statement of expenses incurred for Harrison County, for its pro- tection, for the year 1791.
1st. Rangers by order of the Executive of this State. I presume this expense has been paid by this State, I have no account of the amount.
2nd. Rangers by order of the General Government. This account has been paid by the General Government. I have no account of the amount.
f .
S
D
3rd. Scouts service 238 days at 5 shillings per day
59
10
0
Rations 238 days at 6d. each.
5
19
0
May 17th Total.
65
29
0
Colonel Benjamin Wilson to Governor Henry Lee,
SIR :- The above mentioned service of scouts was occasioned by an incursion made in this County last October, and the continued appearance of eminent danger for some time. The Lieutenant of the County informed me he had made you acquainted therewith, and by virtue of your letter dated 3rd of January, 1792, I am applying to the General Government, May 6, 1792, for payment. I know of no other expenses but those above stated.
John P. Duvall, County Lieutenant of Harrison County to the Gov- ernor of Virginia.
RICHMOND, NOVEMBER 27, 1791.
SIR :- The exposed situation and the frequent depredations which are committed in the County of Harrison by the savages constrains me to lay before your excellency the distressed situation of the frontiers of said County.
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