HISTORY: Annals of Harrisburg, 1858, pages 50-75, Dauphin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judith Bookwalter Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/ _________________________________________ ANNALS OF HARRISBURG Annals, Comprising Memoirs, Incidents and Statistics of Harrisburg, From the Period of Its First Settlement, For the Past, the Present, and the Future. Compiled by George H. Morgan. Harrisburg: Published by Geo. A. Brooks, 1858. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1858, By George A. Brooks, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. CONTEMPLATED MASSACRE AT PAXTON CHURCH. "A party of hostile Indians had came down the river to murder the people of Paxton. They formed a camp in the thicket back of Elder's mill-dam. They designed falling on the people when at worship in Paxton church. They are supposed to have come on Monday, and after waiting several days they came to the conclusion that the congregation would not assemble, and they went off. They left the settlement by the way of Indiantown Gap. On their way off they murdered several persons and took a prisoner, from whom it was afterwards ascertained that they had been encamped here for several days. The people of this congregation, before and afterwards, came to 51 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. the church armed; and Mr. Elder, the pastor, also carried his gun into the pulpit." - G. W. Harris, Esq. The above incident is mentioned in "Webster's History of the Presbyterian Church" as having occurred in 1756. The same authority also states that in 1757 an attack was actually made on the settlers as they were leaving the church, two or three of whom were killed. Mr. Elder was pastor of the above church when it was first built, about 120 years ago, and preached to that congregation and in the Derry church upwards of 60 years. He was a colonel of the Paxton Rangers, whose duty it was to keep a look out for the Indians, and range the settlements for their protection, from the Blue Mountain to the river. He died at the advanced age of eighty-six, in 1792, on his farm near Harrisburg. Paxton Church is still standing, about two and a half miles from Harrisburg, near the Hummelstown turnpike, and many of the descendants of the early settlers still continue to worship there. ANOTHER INDIAN COUNCIL AT HARRIS' FERRY. "A meeting of the Six Nations and their Allies, and George Croghan, Esq., Deputy Agent to the Hon. Sir William Johnson, Baronet, His Majesty's sole Agent and Superintendent of the Six Nations, their allies and their dependents, was held by special order at John Harris', the 1st day of April, 1757. Present - The Rev. John Elder, Capt. Thos. M'Kee, Mr. Jas. Armstrong, Mr. Hugh Crawford, Mr. John Harris, Wm. Pentrup, Interpreter, and warriors from the Mohawks, Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Onondagoes, Nanticokes, Cayugas, Delawares, Senecas, and Conestogoes, with their women and children." Before this conference had concluded, the council fire was removed to Lancaster, where the remainder of its business was transacted. 52 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. ORIGINAL LETTERS OF JOHN HARRIS, JR. The following letters are copied verbatim et literatim from the original, in the hand-writing of John Harris, Jr., now in the possession of his grandson, David Harris, Esq.: "PAXTON April 30, 1757. SIR: I sent you Butter with * * * Hambright last Command w'ch I hope you Received safe. I shall Endeavor to Procure another Crock for you against next trip. I forwarded all the Letters you sent me by * * * to Lancaster Immediately & Capt'n M'Kee was going to Philada. from there, & took them with him, so that there was not the Least Delay. Mr. West wrote me this week that there was an English Packet arrived at Antigua w'ch left Spithead the 26th Feb'ry. * * & that there was laying there 200 Transports, Storeships, &c, with 16 Sail of the Line Commanded by Admiral Knowles, which were to sail in a few Days for North America (God send them a Quick & Safe Passage) there is actually arrived at Ft. Cumberland 126 Catawba warriers & 50 or 60 other Indians & a number more Expected who seems Hearty in our Cause. I Expect they'll pay our Cruel Enemys in their own Coin this Sumer. I am sir in Hase your most obed't Humble Serv't. JOHN HARRIS. To Major JAMES BURD att Fort Augusta." "PAXTON Nov'r 15, 1757. "Dr. Sr: I am Just arrived from Philada. No News of Importance, the Troops from the Northwerd are Part arrived in Philada., such as are to be Quartered there this Winter, & three Companys if not more of the first Battallion of Ye Royal American Riegement from Carlisle is to Pass here Next thursday, on their way to Winter Quarters in Philada., the 2nd Battallion is to soon follow & Remain at Lancaster, Excepting some who is by 53 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. the General Report, to be at York, Reading, &c, this Winter. We have acco'ts of our Grand English Fleet Sailing in September last on a Secret Expedition, & good accounts soon Expected from them. No Battles Lately in Europe Except Skirmishing between us, the French, Prusians, Austrians, Rusians, &c, tho' its currently Reported Generally Believed that ab't Seventy thousand Turks is actually on their March against the Queen of Hungary, & a Larger Army of Turks & Tarters is also marching against the Russians, to make a Diversion on the side of Prussia. Good accounts is also Expected from his Prussian Majesty, tho' his Enemy is numerous on all sides the French seems to be yet to strong for the Duke in Hanover but considering the Numbers Greater Strokes might have been Expected from them. We have been Tollerably Quiet on all the Frontiers this Long time (from Indian Incursions) the Barracks in Philada. in Great Forwardness. I am sir your most obed't Humble Serv't JOHN HARRIS. P. S. Mrs. Shippen & Mrs. Burd and family's well yesterday. I am sr. &c., J. H. To Major JAMES BURD at Fort Augusta." THE PAXTONIANS RETALIATE. The constant scenes of warfare infused a military and adventurous spirit into the young men of this vicinity incompatible with the quiet habits of agricultural life, and we find them, in time of peace, roaming through the mountain wilds as traders, or seeking out rich lands yet unpurchased from the Indians; and in time of war or frontier disturbance, they were ranging the border, watching the movements of the Indians, cutting off occasional parties, and breaking up their haunts. Being beyond the reach of the laws of the Province, as well as beyond the protection of the lower counties, the Paxton men were under 54 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. the necessity of protecting themselves, and were governed by usages of their own. Many of their families, as we have shown, had suffered by the tomahawk, and it was suspected by them that the hostile Indians were harbored, if not encouraged, by the friendly Indians at Conestoga, and among the Moravians. A deadly animosity was thus raised among the Paxton men against all of Indian blood, and it was during the height of this feeling that the bloody and unjustifiable massacre was perpetrated at Conestoga. The following, from "Day's Historical Recollections," combines the substance of the several conflicting statements in regard to this massacre: "On the night of the 14th December, 1763, a number of armed and mounted men from the townships of Paxton and Donegal, most of them belonging to the company of frontier rangers of those townships, concerted an attack on the Indians at Conestoga, Lancaster county, for the purpose, as they alleged, of securing one or more hostile Indians who were harbored there, and who were supposed to have recently murdered several families of whites. The number of the Paxton men is variously estimated from twenty to upwards of fifty. Few of the Indians were at home, the men probably being absent either in hunting or trading their baskets at Lancaster. In the dead of night the white men fell upon the village. Some defence was doubtless attempted by the few male Indians present, (Dr. Franklin's narrative says there were only three men, two women and a young boy,) but they were overpowered, and the whole, men, women and children, fell victims to the rifle, the tomahawk, and the knife of the frontier men. The dwellings were burned to the ground. The citizens and magistrates of Lancaster, shocked at the horrible outrage, with commendable humanity gathered the scattered individuals of the tribe who remained, into the stone workhouse at Lancaster, where, under bolts and bars, and the strict 55 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. supervision of the keeper, they could not doubt but the Indians would be safe until they could be conveyed to Philadelphia for more secure protection. But the Paxton men were satisfied with nothing short of the extermination of the tribe, alleging, however, that one or two of the hostile Indians were still among the Indians protected by the civil authority at Lancaster. Concealing themselves at night near Lancaster, they waited until the next day, (27th December,) when the whole community was engaged in the solemnities of the sanctuary; then, riding suddenly into town in a gallop, the band seized upon the keeper of the work-house and overpowered him, and rushing into the prison, the work of death was speedily accomplished. The poor Indians, about fourteen in number, were left weltering in gore, while the Paxton men left the town in the same haste with which they entered it. The alarm was raised through the town, but before the citizens could assemble, the "boys" were beyond their reach. In consequence of this affair, the Morovian Indians at Wyalusing and Nain, who had come to Philadelphia for protection, were removed to Province Island, near that city, and placed under the charge of the garrison. The Paxton men, elated by their recent success, assembled in great numbers early in January, and threatened to march to Philadelphia in a body, and destroy the Indians there. The people of the city were prodigiously alarmed, and several companies of foot, horse and artillery were formed to repel the expected attack. The Paxton men, who had approached the Schuylkill on their march, finding such a force prepared to receive them, returned home." Rev. John Elder, in a letter to Gov John Penn, dated Paxton, December 16, 1763, says: "On receiving intelligence, the 13th inst., that a number of persons were assembling on purpose to go and cut off the Conestoga Indians, in concert with Mr. Forster, the neighboring magistrate, I hurried off with a 56 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. written message to that party, entreating them to desist from such an undertaking, representing to them the unlawfulness and barbarity of such an action; that it was cruel and unchristian in its nature, and would be fatal in its consequences to themselves and families." In another letter to Gov. Penn, Rev. Mr. Elder describes Mr. Stewart (one of the Paxton Boys) as humane, liberal and religious. In a subsequent letter to the Governor, he says: "The storm which had been so long gathering has at length exploded. Had Government removed the Indians from Conestoga, which had frequently been urged without success, this painful catastrophe might have been avoided. What could I do with men heated to madness? All that I could do was done; I expostulated, but life and reason were set at defiance. And yet the men in private life are virtuous and respectable; not cruel, but mild and merciful. The time will come when each palliating circumstance will be calmly weighed. This deed, magnified into the blackest of crimes, shall be considered as one of the youthful ebullitions of wrath caused by momentary excitement, to which human infirmity is subjected." There is no doubt that the massacre was committed by the younger and more hot-headed members of the Rev. Col. Elder's corps of Rangers, residing at and about Harris' Ferry, joined, as they proceeded on their way to the fated village, by residents of Derry and Donegal townships, who were led on by one Lazarus Stewart, a daring partisan, and a man of considerable influence and standing in the Paxton settlement. The following extracts are from a series of historical papers written by Redmond Conyngham, Esq., of Lancaster: "Imagination cannot conceive the perils with which the settlement of Paxton were surrounded from 1754 to 1765. To portray each scene of horror would be impossible; the heart shrinks from the attempt. The settlers were goaded on to desperation; murder followed murder; scouts brought in intelligence that the 57 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. murderers were traced to Conestoga. Rifles were loaded, horses were in readiness. They mounted; they called on their pastor to lead them. He was then in the fifty-seventh year of his age. Had you seen him then you would have beheld a superior being. He had mounted, not to lead them on to the destruction of Conestoga, but to deter them from the attempt. He implored them to return; he urged them to reflect; 'pause, pause, before you proceed.' It was in vain; 'the blood of the murdered cries aloud for vengeance; we have waited long enough on Government; the murders are within our reach, and they must not escape.' Col. Elder reminded them that 'the guilty and innocent cannot be distinguished.' 'Innocent! Can they be called innocent who foster murderers?' Mr. Elder rode up in front, and said, 'As your pastor, I command you to relinquish your design.' 'Give way then,' said one Smith, 'or your horse dies,' presenting his rifle. To save his horse, to which he was much attached, Mr. E. drew him aside, and the Rangers were off on their fatal errand." SMITH'S NARRATIVE OF THE MASSACRE. A Mr. Smith, one of the "Paxton Boys," thus narrated the particulars of the massacre: "I was an early settler in Paxton, a member of the congregation of the Rev. Mr. Elder. I was one of the chief actors in the destruction of Conestoga, and in storming the workhouse at Lancaster. I have been stigmatized as a murderer. No man, unless he were living at that time in Paxton, could have an idea of the sufferings and anxieties of the people. For years the Indians had been on the most friendly terms; but some of the traders had been bought by the French; these corrupted the Indians. The savages unexpectedly destroyed our dwellings and murdered the unsuspicious. When we visited the wigwams in the neighborhood, we found the Indians occupied 58 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. in harmless sports or domestic work. There appeared no evidence that they were in any way instrumental in the bloody acts perpetrated on the frontiers. Well do I remember the evening when _____ stopt at my door: judge my surprise when I heard his tale: 'Four followed the Indians to the Big Island; from thence they went to Conestoga; five of us, _____, _____, _____, _____, _____, rode off for the village. I left my horse under their care, and cautiously crawled where I could get a view. I saw Indians arrived; they were strangers; they outnumbered us by dozens. I returned without being discovered. We meet to-night at _____; we shall expect you with knife, gun and ammunition.' We met, and our party, under cover of night, rode off for Conestoga. Our plan was well laid; the scout who had traced the Indians was with us; the village was stormed and reduced to ashes. The moment we were perceived an Indian fired at us, and rushed forward, brandishing his tomahawk. Tom cried, 'mark him,' and he fell pierced by more than one ball - ran up and cried out, 'it is the villain who murdered my mother.' This speech roused to vengeance, and Conestoga lay harmless before us. Our worst fears had been realized; these Indians, who had been housed and fed as the pets of the Province, were now proved to be our secret foes; necessity compelled us to do as we did. We mounted our horses and returned. Soon we were informed that a number of Indians were in the work-house at Lancaster. _____ was sent to Lancaster to get all the news he could. He reported that one of the Indians concerned in recent murders was there in safety; also, that they talked of rebuilding Conestoga, and placing these Indians in the new buildings. A few of us met to deliberate. Stewart proposed to go to Lancaster, storm their castle, and carry off the assassin; it was agreed to; the whole plan was arranged. Our clergyman did 59 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. not approve of our proceeding further. He thought everything was accomplished by the destruction of Conestoga, and advised us to try what we could do with the Governor and council. I, with the rest, was opposed to the measure proposed by our good pastor. It was painful for us to act in opposition to his will, but the Indian in Lancaster was known to have murdered the parent of _____, one of our party. The plan was made. Three were chosen to break in the doors, five to keep the keepers, &c., from meddling; Captain Stewart to remain outside, with about twelve men, to protect those within, to prevent surprise, and keep charge of the horses. The three were to secure the Indian, tie him with strong cords, and deliver him to Stewart. If the three were resisted, a shot was to be fired as a signal. I was one of them who entered; you know the rest; we fired; the Indians were left without life, and we rode hastily from Lancaster. Two of the Indians killed at Lancaster were recognized as murderers. This gave quiet to the frontiers, for no murder of our defenceless inhabitants has since happened." Mr. Smith, the above narrator, after the Revolution, went to Milton, Northumberland county; his son, Wilson Smith, removed to Erie, and represented that district in the Senate of Pennsylvania in 1812-13. Stewart, soon after the massacre, joined the Connecticut men, and became very conspicuous in the civil wars of Wyoming. He was once taken prisoner there, and delivered to the sheriff of York county; but his rangers rescued him, and he suddenly appeared with them again at Wyoming. He was slain there during the Revolution, in the disastrous battle of the 3d July, 1778. A proclamation was issued by the Governor, expressing the strongest indignation at the outrages at Conestoga and Lancaster, and offering a reward for the arrest of the perpetrators; but such was the state of public opinion in the interior counties 60 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. that no one dared to bring the offenders to justice, although they mingled openly among their fellow-citizens. PAXTON DURING THE REVOLUTION. Tradition and the records bear ample testimony that the first settlers of Paxton were not wanting in patriotism. At the first sound of alarm, these heroic farmers flocked eagerly around the standard of their country, and their blood was shed on many battle-fields of the Revolution. JOHN HARRIS FURNISHES SUPPLIES. "When Independence was first agitated, John Harris thought the declaration premature. He feared the Colonies were unequal to the task of combating with Great Britain; but when Independence was declared, he at once espoused the popular cause. Upon this occasion it is stated that he took his mother aside, and in the presence of one of his sons, read to her the Declaration of Independence from a Philadelphia paper. When he concluded it, he observed that 'the act was now done,' and that 'we must take sides either for or against the country. The war in which we are about to engage cannot be carried on without money. Now we have L3,000 in the house, and if you are agreed, I will take the money to Philadelphia, and put it into the public treasury, to carry on the war. If we succeed in obtaining our independence we may lose the money, as the Government may not be able to pay it back, but we will get our land.' His mother agreed to this proposition, and he carried the money to Philadelphia, where he deposited it in the Treasury, and took certificates. After the war, he sold these for 17s. 6d. in the pound. After the debt was funded, certificates rose to twenty-five shillings for the pound." - G. W. Harris, Esq. 61 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. Three of Mr. Harris' sons, David, William, and John, were officers in the Revolutionary Army - the former a Colonel, and the two latter Captains. CITIZENS OF PAXTON AND DERRY OFFER THEIR SERVICES. Rev. John Elder wrote as follows to the "Committee of Safety," at Philadelphia: "PAXTON, 21st February, 1776. "GENTLEMEN: If offers for the several companies allowed to complete the battalion to be raised now in this Province are not yet appointed, I would beg leave to recommend Mr. Wm. Bell for a Captaincy, or a First Lieutenancy; he is a young gentleman of good character, and well esteemed in this part of the country, and from his influence and agreeable disposition can, I think, in a short time engage a number of stout young men, farmers' sons, well affected to the American cause, and who may be expected to serve from principle and a due regard to liberty, but who will not enlist under officers they are unacquainted with. I am, gentlemen, your humble serv't, JOHN ELDER." Hon. Valentine Hummel, Sr., of Harrisburg, has in his possession, carefully preserved in a frame and glass, a manuscript containing the original agreement of certain settlers residing in Derry township, to serve in the battalion commanded by James Burd. The first name attached to it is that of Judge Hummel's father, then a very young man. The document reads as follows: "July 25th, 1776. - This is to certify that we, the Associates of Derry Township, in Lancaster County, Province of Pennsylvania, in the fourth Battalion, commanded by James Burd, Colonel, do bind ourselves in all the rules and regulations made 62 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. by the Honorable Congress in convention, for the militia of this Province." The following is of the same date, and written immediately under, in German, and then the names are attached: "Derry Township, July 25, 1776. - We, the undersigned' are willing to serve in the fourth Battalion, commanded by Col. James Burd, agreeably to order of Congress, and agree to serve until the first day of November, 1776, in the land service of the country, in favor of the flag of Liberty. Frederick Hummel, Alexander Montgomery, David Hummel, Philip Blessing, Philip Fishburn, Henry Miller, Nicholas Zimmerman, Samuel Ramsey, Peter Grove, Mathias Hoover, John M'Farlane, George Lower, Thos. Roulin." HARRIS LOOKS AFTER THE RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY. On the 20th of March, 1776, John Harris wrote to the Committee of Safety, informing that body that "a large quantity of pitch and tar may be made up the Susquehanna, Juniata, &c., which, if wanted for the public use, may be brought down the river in boats to Middletown, and from thence to Philadelphia."He also states that "there are some good four-pounder cannons at Sunbury, cannon balls, swivels, &c." JOHN HARRIS TO PRESIDENT WHARTON ON THE STATE OF AFFAIRS. "PAXTON, January 29, 1778. SIR: The bearer, Col. Wm. M'Eleary, is an honest man, and a true friend to the glorious cause of liberty, going down for aid to defend our frontiers against the encroachments of the savages. I am of opinion that the Indians will take an active part next spring (for or against us,) as their young men don't understand 63 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. acting as neutrals in time of war; and unless they, the western Indians, delivers up hostages to the United States immediately, or sends a number of their warriors to our camp to join us, we may depend upon an Indian war taking place against us, and ought to prepare for it as well as our present circumstances will admit. A defensive war against savages will never do the needful. However prudent and necessary it may be to grant assistance to several parts of the frontiers, &c., at particular times, and when we are assured that a general Indian war will take place, we must attack them in their own country at all hazards. If a French war takes place, I hope we may be eased of an Indian war, which will be a great mercy. I make free to give your honor my sentiments of the times, and conclude Your Honor's humble servant, JOHN HARRIS. Hon. THOS. WHARTON." JOHN HARRIS OFFERS HIS SERVICES TO TRANSPORT SUPPLIES. The situation of the people of Northumberland county, in the spring of 1778, was imminently critical. A large party of Indians, Tories and English had entered the county and commenced a war of extermination upon the settlers, who, being without the means of defence, fell an easy prey to the enemy. It was to furnish supplies to these settlers that prompted Mr. Harris to write the following letter to the Vice President of the Executive Council: "PAXTON, June 3d, 1778. SIR: I have received several letters from Col. Hunter lately, mentioning the distressed situations of Northumberland county, &c. It appears absolutely necessary that some person should receive, store, provide, and forward any stores the public may order up the Susquehanna, Juniata, &c., during the present In- 64 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. dian war. A quantity of flour is wanted; not a cask or bag to put it in. The inhabitants are leaving said county in great numbers. I pity my bleeding country, and am willing to assist the supplying the county of Northumberland by any means in my power, or forward any article up the different branches of this river from time to time. I am as good a judge of the navigation, in either boat or canoe, on our river as can be found. I expect to send up a quantity of stores to the lead mines, up Juniata, at Water Street, as soon as I receive a letter from Mr. Roberdeau, which I hourly expect. The present flood, to convey by water, should not be lost, as perhaps no other may happen till next fall. The Quartermaster can furnish provisions for boatmen or any necessary escorts, &c. If the inhabitants in their fright are suffered to move off as they are doing, and assistance not soon sent up, the crops will be lost in many frontier places, that may be saved by their getting timely aid from the public. A quantity of arms, some powder and lead, is here for Northumberland county, which I expect will be forwarded tomorrow. There's two good store-houses at my dwelling plantation, exclusive of a cellar fifty feet by forty, under my dwelling-house, so that there's plenty of store room for the public use if wanted. There's a great concourse of public wagons, &c., with stores, on the Reading road, too few flats at the Ferry here, and what there is will not be properly attended, that the public may suffer for want of a few men employed by the public (to assist in my opinion.) I have rented my Tavern, Ferry, &c., and am at leisure to assist the transporting stores, &c., up the Susquehanna as offered, if proper instructions are sent me. You'll please write to me by bearer, Mr. Whitsell, if you judge necessary. I am, sir, with the greatest esteem, Your most obed't and most humble serv't, JOHN HARRIS. Hon. GEORGE BRYAN. P. S. Excuse haste and blunders. J. H." 65 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. WYOMING REFUGEES SEEK PROTECTION AT HARRIS' FERRY. In July, 1778, a large number of the survivors of the Wyoming massacre arrived at Harris' Ferry in boats and flats to seek protection from the enemy. The following letter from Col. Matthew Smith alludes to this circumstance as follows: "PAXTANG, July 12, 10 o'clock, 1778. "SIR: I am this moment arrived at Harris' Ferry, and just now behold the greatest scene of distress I ever saw; the numerous poor ran away from their habitations, and left their all, and several families lost, part killed and scalped on their retreat; the most cruel butcheries ever known are practiced; wounded and others thrown into fires while yet living. The inhabitants, however, are much distressed; the Wyoming people are undoubtedly, by last accounts, entirely defeated. Northumberland county is evacuated. Not more than one hundred men with Col. Hunter at Sunbury; the Blue Mountain [five miles above Harrisburg] is now the frontier; and I am afraid Lancaster county will shortly follow the example of the other county. The stores at Carlisle are something very considerable. I doubt not their object is to destroy that place. I am informed there is not that care taken that should be. I think it would be necessary to appoint some careful officer at that place, that would do the duty more punctually. This party is large, having Col. Butler at their head, one hundred regular troops at first; about the same number of Tories, but is increased in two or three times that number; seven hundred Indians, all around in a most formidable manner, every one of them, exclusive of guns and tomahawks, as usual, each one has a large spontoon, and as soon as engaged, rushes on in a most dreadful manner. It is said they have field pieces, or swivels, and a number of light horse. It is the earnest request of all friends of their country, as well 66 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. as your humble servant, that something shall be done in the greatest haste. Be pleased to send an order for what arms are ready at Lancaster and Hummelstown, also for ammunition, and I shall exert every nerve in forwarding matters to the spot the men shall collect. I am yours, &c., MATHEW SMITH." Mrs. Elizabeth Brooks, still living in York county, a grandmother of the publisher of the "Annals," was one of the Wyoming settlers who sought protection at Harris' Ferry upon this occasion. HARRIS' FERRY A SUPPLY DEPOT FOR THE ARMY. It would seem that Harris' Ferry was a depot for army supplies during the Revolution. Col. Hartley wrote to President Reed, May 11, 1779, that "the Commissary in this county (York) had exerted himself very much in procuring provisions for the troops on the Susquehanna. The expedition on these waters must greatly depend upon the supplies from hence; but unfortunately no wagons can be provided in the ordinary course to transport the flour to Harris' Ferry, where the boats are to receive the same." Middletown, in this county, is also noticed in the Colonial Records as being a supply depot for the army. COL. SMITH PROPOSES RELIEF TO THE SETTLERS IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY. The earnest appeal of the struggling settlers of Northumberland county for succor, was quickly responded to by the Paxtonians, as will be seen by the following letter from Col Smith: "PAXTANG, July 31, 1779. "SIR: I take the opportunity of conveying a few lines by the bearer, John Gilchrist, Esq., (a member of the House of 67 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. Assembly,) who, I think, was pitched upon, thinking he might have more influence with council than another that might as quickly deliver the dispatches. For my part, I think the distresses of the Northumberland county people equal, if not superior, to anything that have happened to any part of the continent since the commencement of the present war. You will see the late accounts, in some measure, by the letters enclosed by Mr. M'Clay [Maclay?]; I believe only in some measure, as the accounts is almost every minute arriving by people who have escaped the enemy, that, if true, are indeed truly alarming. The accounts this moment is, the town of Northumberland is evacuated; if so, then Sunbury will soon follow the example, and the same frontier will be where it was twenty years past. This day the township of Paxtang met to appoint a committee to act in conjunction with other parts of the State, to fix and lower the prices. As soon as the letters came to hand, Messrs. Elder, M'Clay and myself attended, had the whole matter laid before the people, that was no inconsiderable number, and proposed a scheme for volunteers to turn out immediately for the relief of the distressed people. We have fixed Sunday morning, at 8 o'clock, to march, when I doubt not at least fifty men will go that way, as the distress was so great. Everything has been done to encourage, but no promise of reward absolutely given. I know the difficulty of getting the militia out; this method in the meantime, in hopes to stop the progress of the enemy, if the volunteers can be allowed wages, or even their expenses, it will be acceptable if it cannot be done. A few lines from your Excellency, or from your Excellency and Council, will be truly acceptable to me, and I will make the best use of it in my power, as I assure you I have made every proposal in my power, and perhaps more; but as the greater number now going from this battalion is officers, I hope to make the matter more easy than if they were generally privates. If you write by the bearer 68 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. direct to Northumberland county, as I will be there two or three weeks from this date, if the country is not entirely broken up. Your humble servant, MATT. SMITH. His Excellency JOSEPH REED." THE PAXTONIANS AFTER THE ENEMY. Col. Smith again wrote to President Reed, on the 3d of August, 1779, informing him that he "had arrived at Sunbury with sixty Paxtang boys," and that "the neighboring townships turns out a number of volunteers. Cumberland county will give a considerable assistance; to-morrow at 12 o'clock is fixed for the time of march;" that "provisions is scarce," but that "they will follow the savages and hope to come at them, and if they do will give a good account." THE ICE AND PUMPKIN FLOODS. "The ice flood happened in the winter of 1784-85, and the pumpkin flood in the fall of 1787. During the ice flood, the low ground about Harris' graveyard was covered with water, and the ferry flats were tied to the bars of the cellar windows of the stone house (now Pennsylvania Female College.) On that occasion the water rose into the first story of Judge Carson's house, above Harrisburg, and a considerable part of the river ran around that house and down Paxton creek. The fences on its route were generally carried away. During the pumpkin flood, the ground about the graveyard was also covered with water, and the pumpkins, carried off chiefly from the Yankees in Wyoming valley, were strewed in profusion over the low ground below Harrisburg." - Preface to Napey's Harrisburg Directory. It is evident, by the extracts appended below, that the dates given in the above statement are inaccurate. The ice flood above alluded to is thus described by the celebrated Dr. Benja- 69 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. min Rush, in a letter to the editor of the Columbian Magazine for November, 1786: "The winter of 1783-84 was uncommonly cold, insomuch that the mercury in Farenheit's thermometer stood several times at 5§ below 0. The snows were frequent, and in many places from two to three feet deep during the greatest part of the winter. All the rivers in Pennsylvania were frozen so as to bear wagons and sleds with immense weights. In the month of January a thaw came on suddenly, which opened our rivers so as to set the ice a-driving, to use the phrase of the country. In the course of one night during the thaw, the wind shifted suddenly to the north-west, and the weather became intensely cold. The ice, which had floated the day before, was suddenly obstructed; and in the river Susquehanna the obstructions were formed in those places where the water was most shallow, or where it had been accustomed to fall. This river is several hundred miles in length, and from half a mile to a mile and a half in breadth, and winds through a hilly, and in many places a fertile and highly cultivated country. It has as yet a most difficult communication with our bays and the sea, occasioned by the number and height of the falls which occur near the mouth of the river. The ice in many places, especially where there were falls, formed a kind of dam of a most stupendous height. About the middle of March our weather moderated, and a thaw became general. The effects of it were remarkable in all our rivers, but in none so much as in the river I have mentioned. I shall therefore endeavor, in a few words, to describe them. Unfortunately the dams of ice did not give way all at once, nor those which lay nearest to the mouth of the river first. While the upper dams were set afloat by the warm weather, the lower ones, which were the largest, and in which, of course, the ice was most impacted, remained fixed. In consequence of this the river rose in a few hours, in many places, above thirty feet, rolling upon its surface large lumps of ice from ten to forty cubic feet in size. 70 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. The effects of this sudden inundation were terrible. Whole farms were laid under water. Barns, stables, horses, cattle, fences, mills of every kind, and in one instance a large stone house, forty by thirty feet, were carried down the stream. Large trees were torn up by the roots, several small islands covered with woods were swept away, and not a vestige of them was left behind. On the barns which preserved their shape, in some instances, for many miles were to be seen living fowls; and in one dwelling a candle was seen to burn for some time after it was swept from its foundation. Where the shore was level, the lumps of ice and the ruins of houses and farms were thrown a quarter of a mile from the ordinary height of the river. In some instances farms were ruined by the mould being swept from them by the cakes of ice, or by depositions of sand; while others were enriched by large depositions of mud. The damage, upon the whole, done to the State of Pennsylvania by this fresh, was very great. In most places it happened in the daytime, or the consequences must have been fatal to many thousands." A writer in Hazzard's Register for 1832, who claimed to be in possession of a record of all the great floods that occurred in the Susquehanna since 1744, says: "The first regular flood on record is that of 1744; the second occurred in 1758; the third in 1772; the fourth in March, 1784; the fifth, known as the "great pumpkin fresh,' happened in September, 1786; the sixth in the spring of 1800; the seventh in August, 1814; and the eighth in August, 1817." ERECTION OF DAUPHIN COUNTY, AND HARRIS' FERRY MADE THE SEAT OF JUSTICE. Dauphin county, named in honor of a son of Louis XVI., was created out of a part of Lancaster county, and Harris' Ferry made the seat of justice thereof, by an act of Assembly dated March 4, 1785. The act is entitled "An act for erecting part of the county of Lancaster into a separate county. "The first, 71 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth sections provides for the name and boundaries of the county. The seventh section directs the Court to sit for the said county of Dauphin near Harris' Ferry, in the months of February, May, August and November, yearly, for the dispatch of the public business of said county. The eighth section provides that it shall and may be lawful to and for Jacob Awl, Joshua Elder, Andrew Stewart, James Dowden, and William Brown, of Paxton, or any three of them, to take assevrance to them and their heirs of such lot or piece of ground as shall be laid out and approved of by the said commissioners, or any three of them, for the erecting a court-house and gaol thereupon, in trust and for the use of the inhabitants of the said county of Dauphin, and thereupon to erect a court-house and prison sufficient to accommodate the public service of the said county. The ninth section gives the commissioners power to assess and levy taxes for building the same. The tenth section provides that the sum of money so raised shall not exceed L1500. HARRIS PROPOSES TO LAY OUT A TOWN AT HIS FERRY. Previous to the passage of the above act, Mr. Harris had made the following proposals to the General Assembly, which, perhaps, influenced that body to select Harris' Ferry as the seat of justice for the new county: "PHILADELPHIA, March 3, 1784. Proposals of John Harris for the laying out of a Town on his Land, on the River Susquehannah. That the said John Harris will immediately (if encouraged by Government) lay out a Town of Two hundred lots, on the high grounds above his present dwelling house, the lots of about 72 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. the Quantity of a Quarter of an acre each, in such form, with respect to streets, lanes and alleys, as the Commissioners may approve, a large street to be left for Publick landings along the River side. That the said John Harris agrees that the Honorable Assembly of this Commonwealth shall appoint Commissioners to value his said lots, after reserving Twenty Lots for his own use: That the s'd John Harris will convey all the streets, lanes and alleys, to the inhabitants of s'd Town, & will convey to proper Commissioners a lot for a Court House & Jail, and a square of Four Acres to the State of Pensilvania, for such purposes as the Government may apply the same: the appliers to have it at their choice to take the lots on a reasonable Ground-rent, or to purchase the fee simple of the same: The Commissioners in both cases to be Judges: That as soon as the s'd Two Hundred lots are built on or disposed of, should there be a further demand for lots, the s'd John Harris engages, that the Publick shall be accommodated at a reasonable rate. JOHN HARRIS." THE TOWN LAID OUT - DEED OF CONVEYANCE TO THE COMMISSIONERS. The town proposed by Harris was laid out in the spring of 1785, by William Maclay, who was a son-in-law of Mr. Harris. Mr. M. also made the draft of the town, and drew up the following conveyances from John Harris to the commissioners: "JULY 6th, 1785. * * * "By virtue of which said several grants, devices and conveyances the title to the land on which the town of Harrisburg in the county of Dauphin is situated is legally vested in the said John Harris his heirs and assigns; And whereas in and by a certain bond or obligation duly executed by the said John Harris to the State of Pennsylvania for the sum of five thousand pounds lawful monies of the same State bearing date 73 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. the 4th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-five conditioned for the faithful performance of all and singular the agreements promises engagements, articles matters and things which he had therein undertaken to do and perform, among other things did covenant to, and with Jacob Awl, Joshua Elder, Andrew Stewart, James Cowden and William Brown as follows: Whereas the Representatives of the freemen of the said Commonwealth in General Assembly met, in and by a certain bill before them now depending have resolved to erect part of the county of Lancaster into a separate county to be known and called by the name of the county of Dauphin, and that the seat of Justice in the said county of Dauphin shall be fixed at or near the place of the said John Harris' residence, and that Joshua Elder, Jacob Awl, Andrew Stewart, Wm. Brown and Jas. Cowden or any three of them shall be commissioners for certain purposes, in the said bill mentioned; And Whereas the said John Harris in order to promote the good intentions of the said General Assembly in fixing the seat of Justice at the said place, to enable the said commissioners to regulate the laying out a county town there to public advantage, and to promote the more speedy settlement thereof by a liberal encouragement to purchasers hath promised, covenanted, and agreed to and with the said commissioners, that as soon as the said bill shall be passed into a law he, the said John Harris will without delay lay out two hundred lots containing about one quarter acre each on the high grounds near his present dwelling house on the bank of the river Susquehanna as a site for the said county town, and that with the same lots shall be laid out such streets, lanes and alleys as the said commissioners or a majority of them shall direct, which streets shall be confirmed for public use forever; and that he will also lay out a large street along the river for public landing places; And Whereas the said John Harris in consideration of the 74 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. promises and other good causes hath also promised covenanted and agreed to and with the said intended commissioners that in case the said bill shall be passed into a law he will upon request convey to the said commissioners, or any three of them and their heirs a good and sufficient lot of ground for erecting a Court House and goal thereon in trust for the use of the inhabitants of the said county of Dauphin."[Here follows a quotation from the act erecting the new county.] "Now this indenture witnesseth that in consideration of the premises and for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings lawful money of Pennsylvania to them the said John Harris and Mary his wife his wife in hand paid by the said Jacob Awl, Joshua Elder, Andrew Stewart, James Cowden and William Brown at and before the ensealing and delivery of these presents the receipt of which sum of five shillings they the said John Harris and Mary his wife do hereby acknowledge, and thereof, and every thereof do acquit release the said Jacob Awl, Joshua Elder, Andrew Stewart, James Cowden and Wm. Brown their and each of their heirs executors administrators and assigns, and every of them have granted bargained sold released enfeoffed and confirmed and by these presents do grant bargain, sell alien, release enfeof and confirm unto the said Jacob Awl, Joshua Elder, Andrew Stewart, James Cowden and Wm. Brown their heirs and assigns all the streets, lanes alleys or highways as laid out by the commissioners of, in, and for the town of Harrisburg aforesaid in the county of Dauphin the butts, boundaries, courses, distances length and breadth thereof are as follows:"[Front, Paxton, Second, Market, Third, Pine, Locust, Walnut, Chestnut, and Mulberry streets, River, Raspberry, Barbara, Cranberry, Strawberry, Blackberry and Cherry alleys are here described]; "And in consideration of the further sum of five shillings lawful money aforesaid to them the said John Harris and Mary his wife in hand well and truly paid by the said Jacob Awl, And. 75 ANNALS OF HARRISBURG. Stewart, Joshua Elder, James Cowden and Wm. Brown the receipt thereof is hereby acknowledged and thereof and every part thereof the said Jacob Awl, Joshua Elder, Andrew Stewart, James Cowden and Wm. Brown, their and each of their heirs are fully acquitted and forever discharged, have granted, bargained, sold released aliened enfeoffed and confirmed, and by those presents do grant bargain, sell alien release, enfeoff and confirm unto them the said Jacob Awl Joshua Elder Andrew Stewart Jas. Cowden and Wm. Brown, their heirs and assigns four certain lots of ground in the aforesaid town of Harrisburg, marked on the general plan of said town Nos. 120, 121, 142, 143, situated and bounded as follows: Beginning at a corner where Rasberry alley intersects Market street, thence along the line of Market street to the line that divides lots No. 141 and 142; thence on the same division line crossing Strawberry alley to Walnut street; thence on the line of Walnut street to Rasberry alley; thence down the line of said alley to the place of beginning."