ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

thelivyjr
Site Admin
Posts: 73386
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:40 p

Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Post by thelivyjr »

On the evening of the second day, the journeying party reached the Susquehanna.

The prisoners were obliged to travel on foot, with the exception of Mrs. Vrooman, and the lad, Tunis Vrooman.

The provisions on the journey were fresh meat after the first day, as they obtained but little flour, which was boiled into a pudding the first night.

The meat taken from Schoharie was soon fly-blown, but when roasted in the coals it was feasted upon by the hungry prisoners.

They progressed slowly, because they were obliged to hunt deer, and catch fish for food on their way, generally having enough to eat, such as it was.

Fish they usually roasted whole in the coals, ate the flesh, and then threw the offal away.

The parties that had been led by Brant and Quakock, a chief second in command, into Tryon county and the Schoharie settlements, assembled at Oquago, when several hundred of the enemy, with their prisoners, came together.

The prisoners again separated at Oquago, and proceeded by different routes to Canada.

Josias E. Vrooman, who was among the prisoners, claimed by Seneca warriors, went with a party up the Chemung.

In the Genesee valley he saw a stake planted in the ground, some five or six feet high, which was painted red and sharpened at the top, on which was resting a fleshless skull.

The Indians told the prisoners it was the skull of Lieut. Boyd, who was killed in that vicinity the year before, and each of them was compelled to hold it.

Whether the skull shown the Vrooman's Land prisoners was that of Lieut. Boyd, or some other prisoner who had shared a similar fate, cannot now be known; but as several teeth were found with Boyd's and Parker's bones, when removed, there can remain no doubt but that the head of Parker, which was identified by an old scar, was buried by his comrades.

While on their journey, Lieut. Vrooman was once led out between two Indians - one armed with a tomahawk and the other a knife - to be murdered.

Standing on a log which lay across a marsh or mire between the Indians, he addressed them in their own dialect, and finally made his peace with them for some trifling offence, and his life was spared.

The old patriot Hager was cruelly treated all the way, and was several times struck upon the head with the flat side of a tomahawk.

I have said that John, a son of Capt. Vrooman, was wounded by the enemy while holding his father's horses.

He was compelled to travel on foot, and as no attention had been paid to the wound, it was soon filled with maggots, becoming exceedingly painful.

The Indians began to talk of killing him, if he failed to keep up with them.

His namesake, who was his uncle, then assumed the care of him, and dressed his wound with tobacco leaves; when it gained a healthy appearance, and he was greatly relieved.

While going through the Tonawanda swamp the ball worked out and the wound soon after healed.

On arriving in the Genesee valley, Mrs. Vrooman, then quite ill, was left there.

Adam Vrooman, a brother of her's, from below the Helleberg, on hearing of her captivity, paid her ransom.

Some of the prisoners were twenty-two days on their journey.

On arriving at the Indian settlements, they were compelled to run the gantlet; when some of them were seriously injured.

A girl twelve or fourteen years old, who was among the prisoners made in the Mohawk valley, was nearly killed; and Simon Vrooman and John Daly were so badly hurt, that they both died soon after arriving at their journey's end.

Vrooman's widow afterwards married a man named Markell, in Canada, and remained there.

Meriness was taken to Quebec, and while there, attempted, with several other prisoners to blow up the magazine.

The design was discovered, and the conspirators were nearly whipped to death - two of them did die; but Meriness finally recovered.

Negro captives were seldom bound while on their way to Canada, nor were they compelled to run the gantlet.

They hardly ever returned to the States to remain, generally adopting the Indian's life.

A negro belonging to Isaac Vrooman, usually called Tom Vrooman, who was taken to Canada at this time, became a waiter to Sir John Johnson, and in that capacity, passed through the Schoharie and Mohawk valleys in the following October.

He was, however, captured by Joseph Naylor, an American soldier, near Fort Plain, and with him an elegant horse belonging to his new master, with saddle, holsters and valise.

The greater part of the Schoharie prisoners were taken to Niagara, where they remained until November: when they proceeded in a vessel down Lake Ontario.

A new ship, called the Seneca, left Niagara at the same time with the commandant of that garrison, and three hundred and sixty soldiers on board.

Not long after they sailed, a terrible storm arose, and in the following night, the Seneca foundered and all on board were lost.

The vessel contained a large quantity of provisions destined for Montreal, which were also lost.

The prisoners were conveyed down the St. Lawrence in bateaus; and some of them suffered much for the want of suitable clothing, being barefooted, although the ground was covered with snow where they encamped on shore over night.

They arrived at Montreal about the first of December; from which place, after a few weeks stay, they were removed nine miles farther, to an old French post, called South Rakela, where they were confined until the summer following, and then exchanged for other prisoners.

While confined at the latter place, their provisions consisted, for the most part, of salt-beef - not always of the best kind - and oat-meal; the latter being boiled into puddings and eaten with molasses.

When an exchange was effected, most of the Schoharie prisoners, with others, were sent on board a vessel to the head of Lake Champlain, where they were landed, and from which place they returned home on foot, via. Saratoga.

They arrived at Schoharie on the 30th day of August, after an absence of little more than a year.

Mr. Hager was gone about eighteen months. 6

End of Chapter XII

Footnotes

6 The particulars relating to the destruction of Vrooman's Land, and the captivity of the citizens, so minutely detailed, were obtained from Tunis, a son of Capt. Tunis Vrooman; Josias E. and Bartholomew E., sons of Lieut. Ephraim Vrooman; Maria, daughter of John Vrooman, and afterwards the wife of Frederick Mattice, who were captives at the time ; the manuscript of Henry Hager; Mrs. Susannah Van Slyck, daughter of Samuel Vrooman; Angelica, daughter of Col. Peter Vrooman, afterwards the wife of Major Peter Vrooman; Lawrence Bouck and Lawrence Mattice.

TO BE CONTINUED ...
thelivyjr
Site Admin
Posts: 73386
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:40 p

Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Post by thelivyjr »

CHAPTER XIII

An affair of love: for Cupid was unchained even in perilous times.

Timothy Murphy, who so providentially escaped from the enemy in Sullivan's campaign, returned to Schoharie in the summer of 1780.

While on duty there in the fall and winter of 1778 and spring of 1779, Murphy became acquainted with - yes, enamored with - Miss Margaret, daughter of John Feeck, whose house was enclosed at the Upper fort.

She was an only child, and at that period was considered, in prospective wealth, the richest girl in the Schoharie settlements.

Perhaps the reader would be gratified with a brief outline of the personal appearance of a young lady, whose artless smiles could, at the age of fifteen or sixteen, win the affections of a rough soldier, and cause him, at the earliest opportunity, to transfer the services he considered due his country, to the fertile valley in which she dwelt.

The writer has conversed with not a few who were well acquainted with her, several of whom were numbered among her most intimate female friends, all of whom ascribe to her the character of a virtuous and amiable girl.

At the period of which I am writing, she had just passed "sweet seventeen," and was entering her eighteenth year; a period in the life of woman peculiarly calculated to convey and receive tender impressions.

She was rather tall, and slim; possessing a genteel form, with a full bust; and features, if not handsome, at least pretty and very insinuating.

Her hair was a rich auburn; her eyes a dark hazel, peering from beneath beautiful eye-lashes; her teeth clean and well set; her nose - but alas!

That was large, and altogether too prominent a nasal organ to grace the visage of a perfect beauty.

Her ruby lips and peach-colored cheeks, however, contrasted charmingly with her clear white skin, besides, nature had given her, what all men like to see, a neatly turned ankle.

Miss Feeck's literary acquirements, we must conclude, were limited.

She had not been sent to a fashionable boarding school, and instructed in the genteel and desirable arts, to the entire exclusion, indeed abhorrence, of a practical knowledge of domestic household duties, as is too often the case at the present day.

She, however, possessed a good share of common sense, was not too vain to be instructed, and practically understood housekeeping.

Uniting, as she did, a very amiable disposition with her other good qualities, it is not surprising that she won the soldier's affections, and proved to him an agreeable and happy companion.

Murphy, who was twelve years the senior of Miss Feeck, was a stout, well made man, with rather a large body and small limbs, was not quite as tall as his lady-love, but was handsomely featured, having jet black hair, black eyes, and a skin shaded in the same dye.

He possessed great muscular power, was fleet on foot, and wary in the covert as an Indian.

He indulged too much in profane levity - was passionate, and often rough-tongued; but was warm-hearted and ardent in his attachment, and proved himself a kind and indulgent husband, an obliging neighbor and worthy citizen.

He returned to Schoharie soon after the enemy desolated Vrooman's Land.

He had been back but a short time before it became apparent that what had, at an earlier day, seemed only a partiality on his part, and a juvenile preference on hers - won, perhaps, by his "deeds of noble daring" - was ripening into ardent, reciprocal love.

But when did love's torrent ever flow smoothly on?

As soon as their mutual preference became known to the parents of Miss Feeck, every effort was made by them to prevent the young lovers from meeting; and when they did chance to steal an interview, which sometimes happened when duty called him from the Middle to the Upper fort, it was, of necessity, brief and unsatisfactory.

Every effort was made by the parents to prevent those interviews, and Margaret was prohibited from leaving her father's house, alone, on any account.

Indeed, she was not allowed to go out of the picketed enclosure to milk, unless a vigilant cousin, or some member of the family attended her - while Murphy was forbidden to enter the house under any pretext.

The couple were plighted, but a serious obstacle interposed between them and Hymen's altar.

The law then required the publishing of the banns for several Sabbaths in a religious meeting.

Those marriage proposals were usually read by a clergyman, but as the Schoharie flocks were left to the mercy of the wolves, that of Murphy and his affianced was publicly read for several successive Sabbaths by John Van Dyck, (a good old deacon, living in the vicinity,) at a conference meeting held at the Middle fort, a certificate of which ceremony was placed in the hands of the groom.

TO BE CONTINUED ...
thelivyjr
Site Admin
Posts: 73386
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:40 p

Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Post by thelivyjr »

Cupid is seldom wanting in stratagems, and agents to execute them.

Although it had been contemplated by the parents to confine Margaret in a small room of the house, and she was so closely observed, still Murphy found repeated opportunities to nullify the paternal edict of non-intercourse, and communicate with his betrothed - not by letter, for he could not write - but through the agency of a trusty female named Maria Teabout, who was, as I have elsewhere stated, part native.

Maria was the bearer of five or six verbal messages between the couple.

As she was about to start on one of those errands, expressing some fear about her own safety, Murphy, whose character she almost venerated for the act, placed his hand upon her head, and repeating a few words - no doubt a lingo of his own, as he was at no loss for words - told her that no harm would ever befall her if she proved faithful to him.

She assigned as a reason why she escaped injury or captivity in the war, the protection invoked at that time.

As every thing was in a state of preparation for consummating their happiness, on a certain day about the 1st of October, 1780, Maria was sent with the final message from Murphy to his sweetheart - which was, in substance, Come, for all things are now ready.

A report had some time before reached the ears of Margaret's parents, that she had engaged to marry Murphy; which report, in answer to their interrogatories, she denied, hoping by white lies to lull their suspicious.

Still their vigilance was not relaxed, and it was with no little difficulty Maria found an opportunity at this time to inform Margaret, that her lover had the necessary certificate of publication, and would meet her that evening near the river, with a horse, and convey her to the Middle fort.

The answer to Murphy's last message was brief and artless; " Tell him," said Margaret, "I will meet him near the river, at the time appointed."

The day designated for meeting with her lover, was one of no little anxiety to Margaret.

The thought of leaving the home of her childhood against the wishes of her parents - possibly forever, and uniting her future destiny with that of a poor, though brave soldier, whose life was surrounded with constant danger, to say nothing of future prospects, was one of serious moment, as may be imagined, to a reflecting mind.

But love will brave every danger, and encounter every hardship.

In the course of the day she had matured her plan for eluding the vigilance of her parents, who little suspected her intended elopement; and with impatience she awaited the setting sun.

Margaret dared not change an article of apparel, as the would excite suspicion, and in any thing but a bridal dress, she went at the evening hour for milking, to perform that duty, accompanied as usual by a neighboring female cousin on the same errand.

The task accomplished, the girls separated, her cousin to go to her own home at a little distance from the fort, and our heroine to the presence of her mother.

On arriving with her pail of milk, some of which had been emptied upon the ground, she told her mother that one of the cows, it not being with the rest, had not been milked.

"Then", said her mother, "you must go after it, that cow must be milked."

This was placing matters precisely as she desired, and taking another pail she left the house with a light heart - barefooted, the better to disguise her real object.

Hanging her pail upon a stake at the cow-yard, she stole away unobserved in the direction of the river, and was soon concealed from observation by the darkness then fast obscuring the Onistagrawa.

Murphy, "as the evening shades prevailed," accompanied by three of his trusty comrades well armed, left the Middle fort, crossed the river and proceeded along its western bank to meet his intended.

Having gone full two-thirds of the way to the Upper fort, and above where she was to await his arrival, without meeting her, he began to apprehend his plan had proven abortive, and that her parents - aware of her intention - had taken proper means to prevent her leaving home.

Satisfied in his mind that such was the case, he began to retrace his steps, gently calling her name as he with his friends proceeding homeward.

On arriving just below the present site of the Middleburgh bridge, great was his surprise to hear her sweet voice respond to his call from the opposite shore of the river.

Fearing she might be followed, our heroine had not stopped where her lover had agreed to seek her, but went forward.

Not meeting him, she supposed some military duty had called him away, and believing her intention to leave home had already been discovered, by finding the cow in the yard and the pail near, she resolved to proceed alone to the Middle fort, and had actually forded the Schoharie, the water at the time being quite cold, before the voice of Murphy greeted her ear.

On his crossing the river, she mounted the horse behind him, and they rode to the fort where they were heartily welcomed by its inmates, about eight o'clock in the evening.

TO BE CONTINUED ...
thelivyjr
Site Admin
Posts: 73386
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:40 p

Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Post by thelivyjr »

Some little time elapsed before the absence of Margaret was known at the paternal dwelling, which favored her flight; but when the discovery was made, it aroused the most lively apprehension of the parents, for her safety.

Scouts were daily returning to the fort, with reports of either seeing parties of the enemy, or evidence of their recent proximity to the settlement; and the first supposition was, that one of those straggling parties had surprised and carried her into captivity.

But on finding the empty milk-pail, and learning from Margaret's cousin that the cows had all been milked while she was present, and that Maria had been up that morning from the fort below - the elopement of the daughter was rendered evident.

Margaret's father, accompanied by Joachim Follock, a soldier in the Upper fort, proceeded without delay to the Middle fort, the former often calling in Low Dutch to his Mar-chra-che, to which call the Onistagrawa feebly echoed, "Scratch-you."

On approaching the fort late in the evening, they were challenged by a sentinel, and not being able to give the countersign, came near being fired upon.

Mr. Feeck could not, by the most earnest entreaties, prevail upon his daughter to return home with him that night - still, to know that she was safe and unharmed, he felt amply compensated, after so great an excitement, for his journey to the fort, and the danger of having a bullet sent through his head.

He returned home, as we must suppose, little suspecting what the second act was to be in the comedy, of which he was not even to be a spectator, much less an actor.

As Margaret had left home in a sad plight to visit Hymen's altar, her young female friends at the fort lent her form their own wardrobes, for the occasion - one a gown, another a bonnet and neckerchief, a third hose, shoes, &c.; until she was so clad as to make a very respectable appearance.

Early in the day succeeding the elopement - preliminaries having been arranged the evening before - Murphy and Miss Feeck, accompanied by Miss Margaret Crysler, William Bouck, an uncle of the latter, and Sergt. William Lloyd, a Virginian, set out in a wagon furnished by Garret Becker, for Schenectada.

Although Murphy had the certificate of Mr. Van Dyck, a worthy old gentleman who was pretty well known abroad, that a notice of his intention "to commit matrimony" had been legally read, still it was feared the father might take effectual means in the cities of Albany and Schenectada to prevent the marriage of his daughter: and in anticipation of such an event, Maj. Woolsey, who then commanded the fort, gave Murphy a furlough to go to the head-quarters of the Commander-in-chief, if necessary, to have the marriage take place.

The party went to Schenectada, where Murphy on his arrival purchased silk for a gown, and other articles necessary to complete the female attire of a bride, and the immediate requisition of several dress-makers of that ancient town hastily fitted them to the pretty form of our heroine; soon after which she united in wedlock to the heroic Murphy - who had discovered himself successful, thus far, not only in the art of war, but of love.

The couple were united, if I am rightly informed, by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, who preached in Princetown several years, and subsequently in Harpersfield.

On the following day the party returned to Schoharie, where the successful groom was loudly cheered by his compatriots in arms.

During the absence of the wedding party, the officers of the garrison, assisted by the young ladies in the vicinity, made preparations for their reception in a becoming manner, at the house of Peter Becker, who then lived where Ralph Manning now resides - but a short distance from the Middle fort.

A sumptuous feast was prepared for the numerous guests, which was followed in the evening by a ball, given in honor of the happy event.

Nearly all the officers of the garrison were among the guests; on which occasion the beauty and fashion then existing in that valley were brought together.

After the delighted company had partaken of a rich supper, the tables were removed and the guests began to dance.

The young wife, from her modest and unsophisticated demeanor, as an old lady who was present assured the author, appeared to very good advantage in the evening, and "was indeed a pretty bride."

She, however, had previously been allowed to go into company but little, and her knowledge of dancing was limited - consequently at this ball, given in honor of her nuptials, she was led while performing her part of the dance.

Only two or three figures were danced, when a scout returned to the fort and reported, that they had fallen in with a party of Indians not far distant, whereupon the linstock was applied to the alarm gun, and its thunder went booming along the valley, echoing and reechoing among the surrounding mountains - a most unwelcome sound at the moment, but its import too well understood to be disregarded; and the party all repaired to the fort to finish the festival.

TO BE CONTINUED ...
thelivyjr
Site Admin
Posts: 73386
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:40 p

Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Post by thelivyjr »

Now for a reconciliation.

When Margaret's parents learned that she was married - that she was in truth the wife of Murphy - they were at first highly offended, and resolved never again to admit her into their house.

But time, which has healed worse wounds than theirs - which were occasioned more by the poverty of their son-in-law than by his demerits - began to work its own cure of wounded pride.

The mother, who felt the absence of an only child, who had been her constant companion, the most sensibly, was the first to yield to the dictates of nature; and Maria, who had acted as a stair-case between the lovers, was now employed by Mrs. Feeck, to obtain for her an interview with her daughter.

Margaret, if she had not dimpled cheeks, or a hand of French, and a foot of Chinese dimensions, had an affectionate and feeling heart, and longed to see her mother.

The meeting, according to appointment, was held in a field not far from her father's dwelling: but as she dared not approach her mother, much less enter the picketed enclosure which surrounded their dwelling - fearful that an effort would be made to detain her - they conversed on a grass plot for some time, at a little distance apart.

The parent was anxious to effect a reconciliation with Margaret and have her come home, but she could not think of admitting her Irish husband with her.

"Never," said the daughter with spirit, " as much as I love home and my parents, will I enter your house until my husband, who is quite as good as I am, enters it with me!"

As Margaret was about to return to the fort below, her mother requested her to remain until she could go to the house and get her something to eat.

She soon returned with a pie, which - as the daughter, retreated on her approach - she set down on the ground, then retired a little distance, and had the satisfaction to see her darling - her only child - advance, take it up, and eat of it.

This act was witnessed by Mrs. Frederick Mattice.

After eating part of the pie, she set out to go back, and the moistened eye of the mother followed, with womanly pride, the retreating footsteps of her daughter.

The father had not been present at the interview mentioned, and his heart also yearned to embrace his daughter, although pride prevented its acknowledgment.

Repeated messages were sent to Margaret, offering full pardon on her part for the past, urging her to visit the paternal dwelling: to all of which, her answers were similar to the one previously given her mother.

After a little time, its was hinted that Murphy intended to take his wife to Pennsylvania, which report caused the parents of Margaret much anxiety.

A new mediator, in the person of Cornelius Feeck, a relative of the young bride, was now deputed to wait upon the latter.

Among other fine sayings of his, which were uttered to induce her to return home, he told her "how much her father thought of her."

"Yes," she replied, with dignity and some warmth - goodly apparel bought by her generous husband had wrought - "When at home, I had two or three striped linsey petticoats and a calico frock: now see how I am dressed!" she added, at the same time flouncing the skirt of a rich silk gown - "This shows who cares most for me!"

She also intimated the intention of soon accompanying her husband to Pennsylvania.

TO BE CONTINUED ...
thelivyjr
Site Admin
Posts: 73386
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:40 p

Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Post by thelivyjr »

On learning the result of their kinsman's interview with their daughter, who had heard from her own pretty mouth (which, gentle reader, was neither too large nor too small,) that she expected soon to remove to another state, the anxiety of the parents became exceedingly irksome.

The fear of losing their daughter forever, wrought a wonderful change in the feelings of the parents, and false pride now yielded at once to the Christian spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation; and the next message from them offered a full pardon to groom and bride for past offenses, promising to bury in oblivion all former animosities - receive them home with a festival such as the Germans and Dutch were proverbially known to make at weddings in former days - and treat them as children deserved, having no bad habits, and no serious fault; unless genuine love could be so called.

The liberal terms proposed were accepted: a treaty of family alliance formed; and at an appointed time, the happy couple, accompanied by about thirty officers and soldiers, and a party of citizens - the whole attended by martial music - proceeded to the Upper fort.

As the guests drew near the entrance, Mr. Feeck ran forward, threw open the gate, and extending to Murphy and his wife each a hand, welcomed them home.

Said he, as he grasped the hand of the patriot soldier, "You have my daughter, but you shall not take her to Pennsylvania: I have enough to support us all."

Murphy was a man of powerful lungs, and giving the old man's hand a gripe he long remembered, replied in his usually loud voice - "She is no longer your's, Master Fake; she is my wife."

"I did not marry her to get your property, as I can take care of her myself."

As the party entered the house, the parents both wept for joy at the restoration of their child; and the good things were abundantly served to the guests, whose hearts - if I dare tell it in temperance times - "were made glad with good wine."

This reconciliation took place about a month after the marriage; from which time, the couple made their home at Mr. Feeck's.

On the death of her parents, Margaret inherited their valuable estate, and her sons still live on the patrimonial farm. - Mrs. Angelica Vrooman, Mrs. Van Slyck, Mrs. Frederick Mattice, Maria Teabout, and others.

TO BE CONTINUED ...
thelivyjr
Site Admin
Posts: 73386
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:40 p

Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Post by thelivyjr »

Most of the riflemen who continued in Schoharie during the war, and some of the more fearless citizens, enlisted to perform the duty of scouts, more or less of whom, were kept constantly out from the Schoharie forts, in the summer season.

They were called Rangers, a term very applicable.

Their duties were at times of the most dangerous and fatiguing kind, and not unfrequently in the fall and spring of the year, when they had to encamp on the ground at night without a fire, they suffered almost incredible hardships.

The music of those scouts, was that produced by a conch-shell, which was carried by the leader, and served to call the party together when they chanced to become separated in the woods.

If the duties of the Schoharie Rangers were peculiarly hazardous and perplexing, still they saw some happy hours.

Among the soldiers at the Middle fort were two fiddlers, who often played for their comrades to dance, when the latter could find female partners.

On a certain occasion, the officers at the Middle fort, resolved to have a dance.

The soldiers concluded to have one on the same night, and spared no pains or expense to rival the officers.

They sent to Albany for ten gallons of wine among other necessaries, and succeeded in getting the ladies all away from their epauletted superiors, so as entirely to prevent the latter from dancing.

My informant said that this dance cost him thirty dollars, and he supposed it cost several others quite as much.

In the fall of 1780, a small party of the enemy, a dozen or more in number, entered the Ballston settlement, under the direction of Joseph Bettys, a subaltern officer in the British service, known in border difficulties by the familiar name of Jo. Bettys.

He resided in the Ballston settlement previous to the war, and when the contest began, took up arms for the states, but afterwards entered the British service, proving to his former neighbors a source of frequent terror.

Major Andrew Mitchell, of Ballston, having visited Schenectada on business, there learned, possibly through the Oneida runners, that a small detachment, mostly tories, had left Canada, the destination of which was unknown.

In the afternoon, Mitchell set out for home on horseback, accompanied by one Armstrong, a neighbor.

After proceeding several miles, and arriving on the north side of Allplass creek, the thought occurred to him, that possibly he might not be free from danger, as a liberal reward was paid for the persons or scalps of officers.

He was riding through the woods at the time, and scarcely had the thought visited his mind, which caused him to quicken the speed of his horse, when he was hailed in a commanding voice to stop, by a man who sprang upon a fallen tree near the road.

The Major put spurs to his gallant steed and was soon out of sight of the highwayman, who fired at him as he passed.

Armstrong could not keep up with his companion, but as his person was not sought for, he escaped unmolested.

TO BE CONTINUED ...
thelivyjr
Site Admin
Posts: 73386
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:40 p

Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Post by thelivyjr »

Before the Revolution, Jo. Bettys and Jonathan Miller, another celebrated tory, dwelt, one on each side of Maj. Mitchell.

After the transaction occurred which is noticed above, it was satisfactorily ascertained that the man who fired on the major, was his old neighbor Miller; who had accompanied Bettys in his expedition, and then had at his beck some half a dozen genial spirits.

The ground being sandy, the horse's hoofs made but little noise, and the militia officer was not observed until opposite the party, secreted on both sides of the road expressly to capture him.

An enterprise of Bettys in the Ballston settlement, within a few days of the affair related, proved more successful.

He surprised and captured Aaron Banta, and his sons, Harry and Christian, Ensign Epenetus White, and some half a dozen others.

The elder Banta was left on parole, and the rest of the prisoners, who were among the best citizens in the vicinity, hurried off to Canada.

The escape and return of part of them with Col. Gordon, who was taken the year before, is already known to the reader.

A scout, consisting of Timothy Murphy, Bartholonew C. Vrooman, William Leek, and Robert Hutt, under the command of Sergeant Lloyd, left the Middle fort only a day or two after the celebration of Murphy's marriage, expecting to be gone eight or nine days.

Their absence was protracted to the thirteenth day, when they were welcomed at the fort, on the evening preceding the invasion of Schoharie by Sir John Johnson.

The scout while absent, visited Punchkill, Sharon, Cherry-Valley, Unadilla, Susquehanna, Delhi, Minisink, and Cairo; seeing the tracks of Indians in several places, but none of their persons.

They however captured a tory prisoner at Prattsville, and brought him to the fort.

The return of this scout was most opportune for the welfare of the garrison, as will soon appear.

In the latter part of September, 1780, Sir John Johnson left Niagara with about five hundred British, Royalist, and German troops, and pursued the road opened the year before by Gen. Sullivan, most of the way from the Genesee valley to the Susquehanna; where he was joined by a large body of Indians and tories there assembled under Capt. Brandt; making his effective force as estimated at the several forts, one thousand men.

There is a tradition, that several hundred of the Indians who left Niagara with Brandt, returned, owing to a quarrel.

Johnson's object in making this long journey so late in the season, was to ravage the beautiful valleys of the Schoharie and Mohawk rivers, when the crops of the husbandman were secured and could be burned, and if possible to capture and destroy the three Schoharie forts.

From Charlotte river, the eastern branch of the Susquehanna, the enemy proceeded toward the Schoharie, and passing down Panther creek, arrived near its shore in the evening of October 16th, and encamped just above Ottegus-berg,1 a romantic mountain on the west side of the river, near the upper end of Vrooman's land.

Judge Brown assured the author, that two days before the arrival of the enemy, he obtained a knowledge of their approach through a sister who was tory-fied, and communicated the fact to Col. Vrooman; whereupon Marcus Bellinger, the supervisor, was sent to Albany to procure a wagon-load of ammunition, in anticipation of such an event.

Bellinger was detained in the city from some cause, but arrived in safety at the Lower fort, on the evening of the 16th inst.

1. This mountain was so called by the early German settlers, and signified the Panther-mountain, the creek taking its name from it near which it enters the Schoharie. A mountain situated on the opposite side of the river above Panther mountain, distant from the latter not more than a mile or two, was called by the early Germans, Wock-holter-berg; and signified the Berry mountain - so called from the unusual quantity of juniper or other berries found upon it. The Schoharie by its serpentine course, flows at the base of both mountains, giving its banks a rugged appearance.

TO BE CONTINUED ...
thelivyjr
Site Admin
Posts: 73386
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:40 p

Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Post by thelivyjr »

Col. Johnson intended to resume his march sufficiently early on the morning of the 17th, 2 to pass the upper fort, situated about three miles from his encampment, unobserved, and arriving at the Middle fort, just at daylight, surprise and capture it; supposing, with very good reason, that the possession of it would soon cause the surrender of the other two more feebly garrisoned.

The enemy, passing along the bank of the river, crossed it nearly opposite, and not one third of a mile distant from the Upper fort.

Owing to some unknown delay, the troops were not in motion as early as they had intended, and the rear of the army was yet upon the bank of the river, when Peter Feeck, who had started to go after cows just as day began to dawn, discovered it, and notified a sentinel, who discharged his musket.

The troops were instantly called out, and the alarm gun thrice fired.

Captains Jacob Hager, and Joseph Harper, both men of acknowledged courage, with two companies of troops, numbering it is believed, less than one hundred men, were in this fort at the time.

The command of the garrison devolved on Capt. Hager, the senior officer, who sent a party of volunteers to the river early in the morning, among whom were Henry Hager, his son, Lawrence Bouck, and Isaac Vrooman.

They saw several of the enemy on the opposite shore, and crossed the river and captured an Indian who lagged behind his fellow.

As they approached him he fired upon them, the ball striking the powder-horn of Vrooman.

When they drew up to fire, he sprang behind a tree, which received three of the bullets discharged at him: he then fled, abandoning his horse, a poor black mare with a sore back, which, with a heavy pack on, was taken to the fort.

The Middle fort, at this time, was under the command of Major Woolsey, a continental officer, unfitted for the important duties of the station he held, who is said to have been a broken officer before going to Schoharie. 3

Col. Vrooman was fortunately in the fort, as were Lieut. Col. Zielie and Maj. Thomas Ecker, officers belonging to his regiment.

Captains Lansing, Pool, Hall Miller and Richtmyer, were in the fort on that day, several of whom were continental officers, and all, it is believed, were men of real courage.

The fort was garrisoned by about two hundred men continental troops, or nine months' men, as then called, and between one and two hundred militia.

Once during the night preceding the invasion, the sentinels gave a partial alarm, caused by the approach of a hostile scout.

Some of the citizens and soldiers were already up at the Middle fort, and hearing the alarm gun of the fort above, the drums were quickly beating to arms.

Livingston, an officer of artillery, was looking for a match to respond to the evidence of danger, when Susannah Vrooman ran to the house and brought him a live coal, with which the gun was instantly fired.

The voice of a brass nine pounder was thrice responded to from the Lower fort, and war's thunder rolled along the valley.

The discharge of the alarm guns at the forts, became the signal for the foe to apply the incendiary torch, which was accordingly done to the buildings of Frederick Mattice, situated on the east side of the river in Clauverwy, (where Edward Pindar now resides) and opposite that part of Vrooman's Land which was desolated the preceding August.

The barn of Mattice was the first of the beacon lights seen at the Middle fort that day, the number of which, from buildings, barracks of grain, and stacks of hay, viewed at that place, was estimated by an eye-witness, at three hundred.

An invasion having been anticipated, the citizens lodged at the several garrisons, and the movement of the hostiles commencing thus early, no individuals were found in their dwellings except such as were either tinctured with royalty, and chose to brave the coming dangers to save their property.

2 Col. Stone, in the "Life of Brant," erroneously dates this transaction on the 16th of October. Campbell, who wrote at an earlier period, has given its true date, and so far as it goes, a much more authentic account of the invasion. Col. Stone blended part of the invasion in August, with that in October, and incorporated several popular errors in the narrative.

3 When Major Woolsey, who was remarkably spry, first went to Schoharie, and was seen to leap fences, and give other evidences of agility, he was taken to be very smart, and was, of course, much respected, until found wanting in courage. He was the first man who wore a garment, since called a roundabout, in the Schoharie valley, considered at the time a novelty. - Mrs. Angelica Vrooman.

TO BE CONTINUED ...
thelivyjr
Site Admin
Posts: 73386
Joined: Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:40 p

Re: ON THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Post by thelivyjr »

A strong northeast wind continued to blow throughout the day and served to fan the flames of destruction.

The weather was also exceedingly cold, and snow in squalls almost constantly filled the air.

Maj. Ecker called for volunteers soon after daylight, and nineteen bold spirits left the fort with him to learn the cause of alarm, just as the fire of Mattice's buildings was discovered.

As the wind then blew almost a gale, the soldiers left their hats, and substituted kerchiefs tied closely about their heads.

The head of Timothy Murphy was adorned by the one that had concealed the pretty neck of his young bride, placed there by her own trembling hands; the head of Bartholomew C. Vrooman with that of Susannah Vrooman, his intended, (to whom he was married about two weeks afterwards,) and those of others by the shawls of friends or lovers.

Maj. Ecker, among whose followers were Lieut. Martinus Zielie, Sergeant Lloyd, Murphy, Elerson, Hoever, Vrooman, Richard Hanson, Peter Van Slyck, Wilbur, Joachim Folluck, Adam Shell, Tufts, and Leek, proceeded from the fort in the direction of the present village of Middleburgh, and fell in with enemy's advance not far from the site of the Brick church.

Murphy was on the extreme right toward the river.

Ecker's men now fired upon the enemy from behind a board fence, and some of them several times.

From his position, Murphy discovered that the enemy was extending his right to cut off their retreat to the fort, and communicated the fact to Maj. Ecker, who instantly ordered a retreat.

Murphy, although he had the greatest distance to run, was the last man who left the ground, and remained at the fence until he obtained a fair extra shot, when he also fled to the fort.

Hundreds of balls were fired within gun-shot at the volunteers, and several boards in the fence from which Murphy fled, were literally riddled with bullets; and yet not one of the party was wounded.

Most of the volunteers were riflemen, and wore short linen frocks, through which several of the enemy's shot passed, as also they did through other parts of their dress, and one struck the powder-horn of Vrooman.

Colonel Johnson had given orders to his troops to spare the churches in Schoharie, but the Dutch church, standing opposite the burying ground, and near the present residence of Dr. James Van Gaasbeck, in Middleburgh, was burned.

It is said to have been set on fire by William Crysler, a tory, owing to a grudge he held against some of its members.

This church was built after the model of the ancient Dutch church in Albany, with a steeple rising from the centre.

It was well finished within, and painted white outside.

Early on the morning of the 17th, Maj. Joseph Becker, then in commend of the Lower fort, knowing the lack of powder at the Middle fort, sent two men, each with a bag containing the necessary article on his back to that garrison.

Hearing the alarm guns of the Upper fort, and the response of the other two, they increased their speed, and fortunately arrived at their destination just as the enemy invested that post.

Mattice Ball, one of the two, and from whose lips this fact was obtained, said they were detained there during the day.

TO BE CONTINUED ...
Post Reply