HISTORY: Warner Beers, 1886, Part 2, Chapter 23, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER XXIII. FRANKFORD TOWNSHIP. FRANKFORD TOWNSHIP, originally included n West Pennsborough, was formed in 1795. It lies in the northwestern portion of the county, bounded on the north by the North Mountains, east by North Middleton, south by West Pennsborough, and on the west by Mifflin Township. The Conadoguinet Creek forms the line of its boundary on the south, and the whole land of the township is intersected with small streams. The soil is of a slate and gravely character, but under improved methods of cultivation it produces good crops of cereals and fruit in abundance. The earliest settlers were principally Scotch-Irish. Among them were Allens, Armstrongs, Bells, Benders, Butlers, Browns, Dillers, Douglases, Ernsts, Espys, Galbreaths, Goods, Gillespies, Gettyses, Hayses, Leckeys, Logans, Lutzes, Lairds, McCom- 279 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. mons, Mountzes, Nickeys, Powers, Sharps, Stoners, Woods, Wagners and Wards. Of these only the names of Douglas, Hays and Logan occur in the tax-list of West Pennsborough (which then included Frankford) in 1750. Butler and Brown and Woods occur in the list for 1762. When the Germans began to settle in Frankford is not known, but it was probably as early as the formation of the township. THE BUTLER FAMILY. Among the names which we have mentioned (many of which are not now represented in the township or county), there is one family of National fame, worthy of especial mention. Thomas Butler, and Eleanor, his wife, emigrated from the North of Ireland in 1740, and settled first in York County, subsequently removing to a tract of land "adjoining ye Blue Mountains," in West Pennsborough, now Frankford Township, Cumberland County. Here Thomas Butler died in July, 1791, and little more is known of him save that he was the father of a remarkable family of sons. For our account of them, which follows, we are indebted to an article on "The Butlers of the Cumberland Valley," by Rev. J. A. Murray, of Carlisle, published in the first number of the Historical Register. There were five sons, all of whom so favorably distinguished themselves in the American Revolution that afterward Gen. Washington recognized them as "The Five Butlers, a gallant band of patriot brothers." They were generally called the "fighting Butlers." They claimed to be of noble blood, and traced their descent to the house of Ormond.* These five sons of Thomas Butler were Richard, born April 1, 1743, fell in battle November 4, 1791; William, born in January, 1745, died May 16, 1789; Thomas, born may 28, 1748, died September 7, 1805; Pierce (sometimes Percival), born April 6, 1760, died September 9, 1821; Edward, born March 20, 1762, died May 6, 1803. There was also a daughter, Eleanor, born about 1754. Richard Butler's first military experience was as an ensign of Capt. James Hendrick's company, First Pennsylvania Battalion, in Col. Bouquet's expedition of 1764. At the beginning of the Revolution he entered the Pennsylvania Line as major of the Eighth Regiment; was promoted lieutenant-colonel March 12, 1777, and was transferred to lieutenant-colonel of Morgan's rifle command June 9, 1777, whom he afterward succeeded. He was esteemed by Gen Washington and Gen. Wayne as one of the ablest partisan officers of the Revolution and most familiar with Indian life and affairs. He was also, it is said, familiar with a number of their dialects, and was requested by the commander to compile a vocabulary. He was sent with his rifle command to protect the flank and rear of Gates from the Indians under Brandt and after fighting successfully at the battle of Saratoga (October, 1777) was ordered back to headquarters. He fought at Monmouth, was assigned as colonel of the Ninth Pennsylvania, with which regiment he took a prominent part in the capture of Stony Point, where, says St. Clair (in a letter to Reed, July 25, 1779) "my friend Col. Butler commanded one of the attacks and distinguished himself." After the revolt of the Pennsylvania Line, the Ninth Regiment generally reenlisted under their old colonel in the Fifth Pennsylvania, who commanded in the campaign under Gen. Wayne in the south. In October following, in view of Col. Butler's valuable services prior to and at the capture of Yorktown, he was honorably designated to plant our flag upon the British works *James Butler, Duke of Ormond, was the first of the Anglo-Irish family of Butlers on whom the ducal title was conferred. Lord Dunboyne, of the house next in remainder to the house of Ormond, said: "I consider the five American Revolutionary Butler brothers as adding lustre to the Dunboyne pedigree." See also account of Pierce Butler (as a delegate to the Constitutional convention in 1787) in McMaster's History of the United States. 280 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. He detailed for this purpose his ensign, Maj. Ebenezer Denny, from Carlisle, but Baron Steuben unexpectedly appropriated this honor, for which reason Butler "sent the arrogant foreigner a message, as every one expected, and it took all the influence of Rochambeau and Washington to prevent a hostile meeting." "On a plan of Carlisle, made in 1764, the Butler home is then and there indicated as being on Lot 61 West Main Street, north side, and third lot from Pitt Street." In 1789 Col. Butler removed to Pittsburgh, and much of his career follows. The first hotel and a street, at an early period in that city, were named after him, as were also the county and town of Butler, in Pennsylvania. He was prominent in securing the formation of Allegheny County; was appointed to various positions; was commissioned one of the justices of the court of common pleas of Allegheny County November, 1788, resigned 1790, having been elected to the Assembly. He was commissioned (October, 1788) with Col. John Gibson (father of John Bannister Gibson, Chief Justice of Pennsylvania) to purchase Indian claims to the triangle on Lake Erie. He was appointed, after the failure of Gen. Harmer's expedition, major-general, and second in command (under Gen. St. Clair), and fell, when that army was defeated on the Miami, in the very bloody battle fought against the allied Indians under Brandt, on the 4th of November, 1791. Two of his brothers, Cols. Thomas and Edward Butler were also in this disastrous battle, and the first was severely wounded. "After Gen. Butler," says Dr. William Denny, in his memoir of his father, Maj. Ebenezer Denny, "had received; his first wound, he continued to walk in front, close along the line, with his coat off and his arm in a sling, encouraging the men, and retired only after receiving a second wound in the side. The Commander-in-chief sent Maj. Denny with his compliments to inquire how he was. He found him in the middle of the camp in a sitting posture, supported by knapsacks; the rifle balls of the Indians, who now surround closely the whole camp, concentrated upon that point. One of the wounded General's servants and two horses were shot here. He seemed, however, to have no anxiety, and to the inquiry of the aid-de-camp he answered that he felt well. Whilst making this reply, a young cadet from Virginia, who stood by his side, was hit on the cap of the knee by a spent ball, and cried so loudly with the pain and alarm that Gen. Butler actually shook his wounded side with laughter. This satisfied Maj. Denny that the second wound was not mortal-that the General being very fleshy the ball might not have penetrated a vital part. He always believed that he might have been brought away and his life saved. Probably his own aid-de- camp, Maj. John Morgan, may have offered to bring him off, as was his duty, and the wounded General declined, conscious that his weight and helplessness would only encumber his brave young friend for no use, and hinder him from saving himself." "About the time to which reference is here made," says Dr. Murray, "it is reliably stated that the youngest brother, Capt. Edward Butler, removed the General from the field and placed him near the road by which he knew the army must retreat, and on returning to the field found his other brother, Maj. Thomas Butler, shot through both legs. He then removed him to the side of the General, who, learning that the army was in retreat, insisted on being left alone, as he was mortally wounded, and that he should endeavor to save their wounded brother. He consequently placed Thomas on an artillery horse, captured from a retreating solder, and taking a sad leave of their gallant and noble brother 'they left him in his glory.'" A letter from Edward Butler to his brother Pierce, who had moved to the 281 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. South, dated Fort Washington, November 11, 1791, says "Yesterday I arrived here with our worthy brother, Major Thomas Butler, who is illy wounded, he having one leg broken & shot thro' the other. * * * He has borne the hard fortune of that day with the soldierly fortitude you might have expected from so brave a man. We left the worthiest of brothers, Gen. Richard Butler in the hands of the savages, but so nearly dead that I hope he was not sensible of any cruelty they might willingly wreak upon him." Chief Justice Hugh H. Brackenridge, who spent the last years of his life in Carlisle, where he died and was buried, wrote some lines on Gen. Wayne, in which the name of Butler occurs: "The birth of some great man or death Gives a celebrity to spots of earth; We say that Montcalm fell on Abraham's plains; That Butler presses the Miami bank; And that the promontory of Sigeum Has Achilles' tomb." Gen. Richard Butler's will, dated September 29, 1785, is recorded in Book E, page 251, at Carlisle, and as it is curious and interesting we will quote some portions of it. It was evidently written in haste and before some dangerous expedition. It begins: "It being proper for all men to consider the interest of their families, and to do justice to all people with whom they have had dealings, which can never be done to so much advantage to the parties concearned as when men are in health and out of bodily pain - which I thank God is my present situation. Therefore, in the name of the great God of heaven, creator of the universe, before whom I believe all men will be judged for their conduct in this life, I, Richard Butler, being in perfect health and senses, think it my duty (as I am going far from my family and into some degree of danger more than generally attend at my happy and peaceful home) to make some arrangement of my worldly affairs as I wish and desire may take place in case of my death, which I hope for the sake of my family, the great and almighty God will avert." The will speaks of his "much loved and honored wife Mary Butler" and children William and Mary. An inventory attached to the will shows his estate to have consisted of a house and lot in Carlisle, furniture, plate, etc.; tract of land in Westmoreland county, adjoining land of late col. George Croghan; tract on Allegheny River, below and adjoining land of Col. Croghan; tract on Plumb Creek, including the large forks of Plumb Creek, etc.; two lots in town of Pittsburgh, adjoining the lots of William Butler; two lots in the town of Appley, on the Allegheny River, near the old Kittanning: "One thousand acres of land, being a donation of the State of Pennsylvania, and six-hundred acres of land, a donation of the United States in Congress - these donations are for my services as a Colonel in the United States:" various notes, etc. The testator wishes his executors to construe the will "in the most natural construction of the expressions, as I well know the writing is not done in the most methodical way, or form, not having time even to copy or correct it." The executors were his wife Mary, his brother William, his "respected friend Thomas Smith, Esq., attorney at law, Carlisle, and my friend John Montgomery"; date September 29, 1785. Col. William Butler, second son of Thomas, was born in York County; served during the Revolution as lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Line, but acted as colonel, as the colonel of that regiment was a prisoner on parole. Col. Thomas Butler was born May 28, 1748, in West Pennsborough, now Frankford Township, Cumberland County. He was an eminently brave soldier. In 1776 he was studying law with James Wilson, one of the signers of the Declaration, at Carlisle. He entered the war as first lieutenant of the Second Pennsylvania Battalion, under Gen. St. Clair, January 5, 1776; became 282 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. captain in the Third Regiment in the line; fought in almost every battle in the Middle States, retiring from service January 1, 1781. At Brandywine (September 11, 1777) he received the thanks of the Commander-in-chief on the field of battle for his intrepid conduct in rallying a detachment of retreating troops, giving the enemy a severe fire. At Monmouth he received the thanks of Wayne for defending a defile in the face of a heavy fire, while his brother's, Col. Richard Butler's, regiment made good their retreat. After the war he returned to his farm, but left it in 1791 to fight the Indians on the frontier. He commanded a battalion in the disastrous battle of the 4th of November, in which his eldest brother fell. Though his own leg had been broken by a ball, yet, on horseback, he led his battalion to the charge. He was subsequently promoted as major (1792) and as lieutenant-colonel (1794); was in command of Fort Fayette (Pittsburgh) during the whiskey insurrection; was sent to Tennessee, 1797, to dispossess intruders on unpurchased lands and treat with Indians. "Col. Butler," says Dr. Murray, "was subsequently quite well known for disobeying the order to cut off queues, the amusing history of which may be here stated. The Butlers were the stanch friends of Washington and his school, and not very partial to Wilkinson and his clique. The famous military order to cut off queues, issued by Wilkinson, was chiefly designed for Col. Thomas Butler, whose queue was dressed and head powdered (even during a campaign) before reveille. When the order reached the command, where it was especially intended, the subordinate officers, who generally were the offensive appendage, called upon Col. Butler to get his advice and opinion for their guidance; and to the question 'What must we do?' he replied: 'Young gentlemen, you must obey orders.' And when asked if he designed cutting off his queue, answered: 'The Almighty gave me my hair, and no earthly power shall deprive me of it.' For this he was twice tried by court martial; first mildly reprimanded, and secondly suspended for one year, but before the sentence was pronounced he was gathered to his fathers (died at New Orleans September 7, 1805). And this gallant, sturdy, veteran son of Cumberland County died and was buried with his beloved queue." The most interesting fact is to come. The facts which we have briefly mentioned were "worked up with great humor by Washington Irving, in 'Kinckerbocker's History,' Gen. Wilkinson being the original Von Puffenburgh, and Keldermeester (master of the cellar) being a Dutch translation of butler." The passage in Irving is as follows: "The cel-skin queue of old Keldermeester," recounts Diedrich, "became instantly an affair of the utmost importance. The Commander- in-chief was too enlightened an officer not to perceive that the discipline of the garrison, the subordination and good order of the armies of the Nieuw Nederlands, the consequent safety of the whole province, and ultimately the dignity and prosperity of their High Mightinesses, the Lords States General, imperiously demanded the docking of that stubborn queue. He decreed, therefore, that old Keldermeester should be publicly shorn of his glories in presence of the whole garrison; the old man as resolutely stood on the defensive, where upon he was arrested and tried by a court-martial for mutiny, desertion, and all the other list of offenses noticed in the articles of war, ending with a 'videlicet, in wearing an eel-skin queue three feet long, contrary to orders.' Then came on arraignments and trials and pleadings, and the whole garrison was in a ferment about this unfortunate queue. As it is well known that the commander of a frontier post has the power of acting pretty much after his own will, there is little doubt but that the veteran would have been hanged or shot, at least, had he not luckily fallen ill of a fever through mere chagrin and mortification. 283 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. Portrait of John Hutton 284 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. Blank Page 285 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. and deserted from all earthly command with his beloved locks unviolated. He obstinately remained unshaken to the very last moment, when he directed that he should be carried to his grave with his eel- skin queue sticking out of a hole in his coffin." The will of Col. Thomas Butler, filed in the records of the county, is dated September 20, 1787. It begins "I, Thomas Butler, of West Pennsborough Township, in the county of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, Gunsmith," etc. It bequeathes to his loving son, Richard Butler, and spouse, and to his loving son, William Butler, and spouse, certain property; to his wife, Eleanor, his personal property, with excepted legacies; to his daughter, Eleanor, one hundred pounds, "now in the hands of my son, Edward Butler," also fifty pounds, "now in the hands of my son, Pierce Butler." Also to said Eleanor Butler all claims of cow-cattle at the stand in the barn, and her riding horse, also five pounds a year while she remains single. To my "loving and worthy son, Capt. Thomas Butler, all my real estate in West Pennsborough, [now Frankford] Township," county of Cumberland, etc. To loving wife Eleanor, twenty pounds yearly. To my loving son, Pierce Butler, the sum of one hundred and seventy-five pounds. To Edward Butler the sum of one hundred and seventy-five pounds. His wife, Eleanor, and sons, Thomas and Edward, executors. Col. Pierce Butler was born April 6, 1760, in West Pennsborough (now Frankford) Township, Cumberland County. He served in the Pennsylvania Line of the Revolution; was with Morgan at Saratoga and at siege of Yorktown and other engagements. He moved from Cumberland County, after the war, to the south. He was adjutant-general in the war of 1812. He was the father of William Orlando Butler, who succeeded Gen. Winfield Scott in Mexico, and ran for Vice-President (Democratic ticket) in 1848. Mr. McMaster, in his "History of the People of the United States," thus mentions Pierce Butler, in speaking of the delegates to the convention in 1787: "Another Irishman, Pierce Butler, was in the South Carolina delegation. Butler was a man of ability, and had attained to some eminence in his State; but no distinction was to him so much a matter of pride as his blood, for he boasted that he could trace unbroken descent to the great family of Ormond"; and in a note he adds: "Butler was often twitted in the lampoons of late years with noble descent. As one of the ten delegates who voted against Jay's treaty, he is described as "Pierce Butler next, a man of sterling worth, Because he justly claims a noble birth."* Col. Edward Butler, youngest son of Thomas, was born (March 20, 1762) on the homestead in West Pennsborough, now Frankford Township, Cumberland County. He served as a valiant soldier in several regiments of the Pennsylvania Line. In the operations on the Miami, he was adjutant general under Wayne. He died in Tennessee in 1803. He was the father of Edward G. Washington Butler, of the Mexican war, who still lives, venerable in years (aged now, 1886, eighty-six), in Louisiana, and who married the daughter of Lawrence Lewis and Eleanor Parke Custis, of Virginia, then the nearest living relative both of Gen. and Mrs. Washington - her father being the son of Fielding Lewis and Elizabeth Washington, the General's only sister; and the mother being the daughter of Mrs. Washington's only son, John Parke Custis, and of Julia Calvert, granddaughter of Lord Baltimore. Such was one of the distinguished families, whose first American home was under the shadow of the North Mountains, in the county of Cumberland. *The Democratiad - A poem. Philadelphia, 1795. 286 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. VILLAGE. There is only one village in the township, Bloserville, called, like so many of the smaller towns of the valley, from a family who owned the land upon which it is built. The first house was erected at Bloserville in 1847. There is a postoffice here.