A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIII, continued ...
The following letter from General Stark, who had been in command of the northern department since the opening of spring 28 to the commandant of the post at Fort Edward, throws some light upon the disturbed and unsettled state of the country, at this time.
"Albany, May 21, 1778."
"To Colonel Safford,"
"Sir: Doctor Smith complains that the troops at Fort Edward are turning out the inhabitants and destroying the buildings at that place."
"I should be glad that such disorders should be suppressed, and the inhabitants' property secured."
"I received a letter from you, directed to General Conway, informing him that you expected that the cannon would be at Fort Anne."
"I should be glad to know where they are now?" 29
"You mentioned teams to be sent from this place."
"Col. Lewis not being here, I can give no information in that matter."
"I expect him soon, when I can give you an account."
"Keep a good look out for the enemy, so that they do not come upon you unawares."
"Your most obedient humble servant,"
"John Stark.''
The following month Serenus Parks, a tory residing near the Harris settlement in the north part of the town, was arrested as appears by the following communication occurring among the Wing papers.
"Stillwater, 18th of June, 1778, Sir we have received yours of the 16th Inst, in which you have Sent us mr. Parks & Jackson's Crime as Pr. Complaint, we let you know that our Next meeting will be at the house of James Swarts at Saratoga on Thursday the 26th Inst, and as by order of Convention we are the Proper Judges of Persons of our own district in actions cognizable before a Sub Committee we therefore demand that the Sd Parks & Jackson shall be forthwith delivered to the Costody of Ensign Isac Doty — who is hereby authorized to Receive them in order that they may be caused to appear before us at the time and place above mentioned when the Complainants may have opportunity to Produce their Evidence and Proceed to tryal By order of Committee,"
"George Palmer, Chairman."
28 "Early in 1777 he was ordered to assume the command of the northern department at Albany. For this service, he had very few reliable troops, and was obliged to depend for support, at times, upon the militia." — Memoir of John Stark, p. 80.
29 "On the 24th of May, Gen. Stark writes to Gates that he had been informed by Colonel Safford, that all the cannon had been brought by him as far as Fort Anne." — Memoir of John Stark, p. 151. Idem., p. 158. Stark writes (p. 151), that he expects an attack, as the enemy's vessels are coming near Crown Point.
30 The following extract from a letter of General Stark to the president of the New Hampshire congress will give some idea of the disturbed state of the country at this time. "They (the people) do very well in the hanging way. They hanged nine on the 16th of May, on the 5th of June nine; and have one hundred and twenty in jail, of which, I believe, more than one half will go the same way. Murder and robberies are committed every day in this neighborhood. So you may judge of my situation, with the enemy on my front, and the devil in my rear." Dated Albany, 28th June, ms. — Memoir of Gen. Stark, p. 173.
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Holden's History of Queensbury
Re: Holden's History of Queensbury
A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIII, continued ...
On the 8th of June, there were only twenty men at Fort Edward, 31 and no mention made of any force at Fort George, or the smaller posts between.
This season, memorable in the annals of the times for the fearful massacres and butcheries at Wyoming and Cherry Valley, was also signalized by an irruption into Tryon county of which the following graphic description is copied verbatim from Stone's Life of Brant: 32
"In the month of June, the loyalists who had fled to Canada with Sir John Johnson, to the number of one hundred and upward, performed an exploit equally bold and remarkable, which naturally suggests the inquiry, where were the whigs of Tryon county at that time; and in what were they engaged."
"The incident to which reference is had, was the return of those selfsame loyalists for their families, whom they were permitted to collect together, and with whom they were suffered to depart into the country, and the active service of the enemy."
"Nor was this all."
"Not only was no opposition made to their proceedings, but on their way they actually committed flagrant acts of hostility, destroyed property, and took several prisoners."
"Having completed their arrangements, they moved northward from Fort Hunter, through Fonda's Bush, making four prisoners on their way thither, 33 and at Fonda's Bush five others." 34
"From this place they proceeded across the great marsh to Sir William Johnson's fish house on the Sacandaga, capturing a man named Martin, and another named Harris, on the way, and at the fish house taking a brave fellow named Solomon Woodworth and four others." 35
"They burnt the house and outbuildings of Godfrey Shew at this place, and departed with their prisoners, leaving the women and children homeless."
"Embarking on the Sacandaga in light canoes, previously moored at that place for the purpose, they descended twenty-five miles to the Hudson, and thence, by the way of Lake George and Champlain to St. Johns in safety."
"The day after his capture, Woodworth succeeded in making his escape."
"At St. Johns, John Shew and four others were given up to the Indians, by whom they were taken to their village in Canada."
"They were neither considered nor treated exactly as prisoners of war; and Shew, with three of his companions, soon afterward escaped and returned home." 36
"From St. Johns the loyal party proceeded down the St. Lawrence to Quebec, where the residue of the prisoners were kept in close confinement about four months."
"Some of the number died, and the remainder were sent to Halifax, and thence exchanged by the way of Boston."
31 Gates to Stark. — Memoirs, p. 161.
32 Original edition, vol. I, p. 309.
33 Mr. Cough and his son, and Mr. Marinus and his son.
34 John Putnam Jr., Mr. Salisbury, Mr. Rice, Mr. Joseph Scott, and Mr. Bowman.
35 Godfrey Shew, and his three sons, John, Stephen and Jacob.
36 "In the autumn of 1780, young Shew was again captured by a scouting party of Indians and tories, in the woods in the neighborhood of Ballston, and at the instigation of one of the latter, named John Parker, was immediately murdered. Parker was himself soon afterward taken as a spy by Captain Bernett of the militia, carried to Albany, tried, convicted and executed." — Stone ut supra.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIII, continued ...
On the 8th of June, there were only twenty men at Fort Edward, 31 and no mention made of any force at Fort George, or the smaller posts between.
This season, memorable in the annals of the times for the fearful massacres and butcheries at Wyoming and Cherry Valley, was also signalized by an irruption into Tryon county of which the following graphic description is copied verbatim from Stone's Life of Brant: 32
"In the month of June, the loyalists who had fled to Canada with Sir John Johnson, to the number of one hundred and upward, performed an exploit equally bold and remarkable, which naturally suggests the inquiry, where were the whigs of Tryon county at that time; and in what were they engaged."
"The incident to which reference is had, was the return of those selfsame loyalists for their families, whom they were permitted to collect together, and with whom they were suffered to depart into the country, and the active service of the enemy."
"Nor was this all."
"Not only was no opposition made to their proceedings, but on their way they actually committed flagrant acts of hostility, destroyed property, and took several prisoners."
"Having completed their arrangements, they moved northward from Fort Hunter, through Fonda's Bush, making four prisoners on their way thither, 33 and at Fonda's Bush five others." 34
"From this place they proceeded across the great marsh to Sir William Johnson's fish house on the Sacandaga, capturing a man named Martin, and another named Harris, on the way, and at the fish house taking a brave fellow named Solomon Woodworth and four others." 35
"They burnt the house and outbuildings of Godfrey Shew at this place, and departed with their prisoners, leaving the women and children homeless."
"Embarking on the Sacandaga in light canoes, previously moored at that place for the purpose, they descended twenty-five miles to the Hudson, and thence, by the way of Lake George and Champlain to St. Johns in safety."
"The day after his capture, Woodworth succeeded in making his escape."
"At St. Johns, John Shew and four others were given up to the Indians, by whom they were taken to their village in Canada."
"They were neither considered nor treated exactly as prisoners of war; and Shew, with three of his companions, soon afterward escaped and returned home." 36
"From St. Johns the loyal party proceeded down the St. Lawrence to Quebec, where the residue of the prisoners were kept in close confinement about four months."
"Some of the number died, and the remainder were sent to Halifax, and thence exchanged by the way of Boston."
31 Gates to Stark. — Memoirs, p. 161.
32 Original edition, vol. I, p. 309.
33 Mr. Cough and his son, and Mr. Marinus and his son.
34 John Putnam Jr., Mr. Salisbury, Mr. Rice, Mr. Joseph Scott, and Mr. Bowman.
35 Godfrey Shew, and his three sons, John, Stephen and Jacob.
36 "In the autumn of 1780, young Shew was again captured by a scouting party of Indians and tories, in the woods in the neighborhood of Ballston, and at the instigation of one of the latter, named John Parker, was immediately murdered. Parker was himself soon afterward taken as a spy by Captain Bernett of the militia, carried to Albany, tried, convicted and executed." — Stone ut supra.
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A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIII, continued ...
It was during this season, as nearly as can be ascertained, that Levi Crocker of Fort Miller was taken prisoner, 37 while at work in the fields near his home, by a party of tories, of which some were friends and neighbors.
He received such abuse, indignity, and insult, that he said to one of his captors, "Tom, there will come a time when I will make you bite the dust for this!"
After some months' incarceration, he was fortunate enough to escape from his prison, and return to his home at Fort Miller in safety.
One day, a member of the family discovered the offending tory, making his way across the lower end of their garden.
Crocker, who happened to be in the house, was immediately notified, and, taking down his gun, which was always loaded in those days of peril and danger, he stepped to the door, and deliberately shot him.
"While writhing and wallowing on the ground in his death agony, Crocker advanced to the spot where the dying man laid, and reminded him of his former treachery, and his own threat and promise now literally made good."
37 Relation of Miss Keziah Baker.
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A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIII, continued ...
It was during this season, as nearly as can be ascertained, that Levi Crocker of Fort Miller was taken prisoner, 37 while at work in the fields near his home, by a party of tories, of which some were friends and neighbors.
He received such abuse, indignity, and insult, that he said to one of his captors, "Tom, there will come a time when I will make you bite the dust for this!"
After some months' incarceration, he was fortunate enough to escape from his prison, and return to his home at Fort Miller in safety.
One day, a member of the family discovered the offending tory, making his way across the lower end of their garden.
Crocker, who happened to be in the house, was immediately notified, and, taking down his gun, which was always loaded in those days of peril and danger, he stepped to the door, and deliberately shot him.
"While writhing and wallowing on the ground in his death agony, Crocker advanced to the spot where the dying man laid, and reminded him of his former treachery, and his own threat and promise now literally made good."
37 Relation of Miss Keziah Baker.
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Re: Holden's History of Queensbury
A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIII, continued ...
Among the pioneer settlers of the Bradshaw patent was Moses Harris, 38 father of the spy whose exploits have already been in part narrated.
Like his brother Gilbert 39, the tory, he was also a militia man at the time of the capture of Port Royal.
In consequence of this service he became entitled to bounty-land, and it was probably while endeavoring to locate his scrip, that he settled in the north-western part of Kingsbury.
He was arrested about the time of the occurrence of the events just narrated, at the house of his brother Gilbert.
The latter, well knowing that Moses was fully cognizant of his evil doings, insisted that he should be taken into Canada as a prisoner, even if he died on the route, he being not only advanced in years, but in feeble health at the time, but Andrew Rakely, 40 who was in charge or command of the party of tories, resolutely opposed the proposition, saying, "he is an old man, and if he goes, the fatigue and exposure will kill him."
To this Gilbert unfeelingly responded, "let him die then."
The matter was finally compromised by Moses taking an oath not to reveal anything so long as the war lasted, which would prejudice Gilbert's interests or bring him into disrepute with his whig neighbors.
After the war, Joseph Harris, Moses' son, out of gratitude for this unusual act of kindness, sent word to Rakely in Canada, that if he would come down and settle on it, he would give him one hundred acres of as good farming land as this section of country afforded. 41
38 It is stated traditionally, that old Moses Harris after the close of the war emigrated to the then new state of Kentucky, whither he had been preceded by some of his children, and where he died.
39 Old Gil. Harris found Kingsbury an unhealthy neighborhood to live in, after the war was ended. He removed, it is said, to Bolton, and died, and was buried somewhere in the vicinity of Basin bay on Lake George.
40 Andrew Rikely, as given me by my informant, but as the name already appears in this work according to the spelling in the text, to avoid confusion I have thought best to follow Judge Hay's orthography.
41 Relation of Miss Keziah Baker.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIII, continued ...
Among the pioneer settlers of the Bradshaw patent was Moses Harris, 38 father of the spy whose exploits have already been in part narrated.
Like his brother Gilbert 39, the tory, he was also a militia man at the time of the capture of Port Royal.
In consequence of this service he became entitled to bounty-land, and it was probably while endeavoring to locate his scrip, that he settled in the north-western part of Kingsbury.
He was arrested about the time of the occurrence of the events just narrated, at the house of his brother Gilbert.
The latter, well knowing that Moses was fully cognizant of his evil doings, insisted that he should be taken into Canada as a prisoner, even if he died on the route, he being not only advanced in years, but in feeble health at the time, but Andrew Rakely, 40 who was in charge or command of the party of tories, resolutely opposed the proposition, saying, "he is an old man, and if he goes, the fatigue and exposure will kill him."
To this Gilbert unfeelingly responded, "let him die then."
The matter was finally compromised by Moses taking an oath not to reveal anything so long as the war lasted, which would prejudice Gilbert's interests or bring him into disrepute with his whig neighbors.
After the war, Joseph Harris, Moses' son, out of gratitude for this unusual act of kindness, sent word to Rakely in Canada, that if he would come down and settle on it, he would give him one hundred acres of as good farming land as this section of country afforded. 41
38 It is stated traditionally, that old Moses Harris after the close of the war emigrated to the then new state of Kentucky, whither he had been preceded by some of his children, and where he died.
39 Old Gil. Harris found Kingsbury an unhealthy neighborhood to live in, after the war was ended. He removed, it is said, to Bolton, and died, and was buried somewhere in the vicinity of Basin bay on Lake George.
40 Andrew Rikely, as given me by my informant, but as the name already appears in this work according to the spelling in the text, to avoid confusion I have thought best to follow Judge Hay's orthography.
41 Relation of Miss Keziah Baker.
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A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIII, concluded ...
About the same time, a lad by the name of Oliver Graham, being with a party of three or four others on their way from Fort Edward, was shot at and wounded by a party 42 of tories concealed on the route, of whom Gil Harris was one.
One of the number exclaimed, as he was about to fire, "Why that's little Oliver Graham, don't kill him;" to which Harris savagely replied, "Yes! damn him! let's kill all."
The poor fellow on finding himself wounded, jumped from the roadway into the woods on the opposite side from which the gun was fired, and fell into the hands of another party in ambush, by whom he was taken a prisoner to Canada, where he remained until after the close of the war, when he returned again to Sandy Hill. 43
Late in the summer, considerable bodies of troops were stationed at Otter creek, Fort Edward, Fort Schuyler, and one or two other stations in anticipation of tory forays into the country. 44
That these precautions were needed but ineffective appears from a communication of General Stark, who speaks of the detention of a captain with a flag of truce by the British commander at Crown Point, and also some of the inhabitants of the vicinity being detained on board the enemy's vessels. 45
The events of the year 1778, as relates to this section, were wound up by another tory raid by the way of Lake George and the Sacandaga.
The details of this expedition are related as follows by Stone in his Life of Brant. 46
"Much has been said in the traditions of Tryon county, and somewhat, also, in the courts of law, in cases involving titles to real estate formerly in the family of Sir William Johnson, respecting the burial of an iron chest, by his son Sir John, previous to his flight to Canada, containing the most valuable of his own and his father's papers."
"Late in the autumn of the present year, General Haldimand, at the request of Sir John, sent a party of between forty and fifty men privately to Johnstown, to dig up and carry the chest away."
"The expedition was successful; but the chest not being sufficiently tight to prevent the influence of dampness from the earth, the papers had become mouldy, rotten and illegible, when taken up."
"The information respecting this expedition was derived in the spring following, from a man named Helmer, 46 who composed one of the party, and assisted in disinterring the chest."
42 Relation of Miss Keziah Baker. About this time Hoffnagle, (or Huffnail as he was called) Baker's partner in the mills at Sandy Hill, who was a tory, also escaped to Canada, probably with the same party named in the text.
43 Memoir of Stark, p. 217.
44 Idem., pp. 190-1.
45 Vol. I, p. 393.
46 This person was arrested the following spring and executed as a spy. The foregoing information and statement in the text, is derived from the minutes of the court martial. — Id.
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A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIII, concluded ...
About the same time, a lad by the name of Oliver Graham, being with a party of three or four others on their way from Fort Edward, was shot at and wounded by a party 42 of tories concealed on the route, of whom Gil Harris was one.
One of the number exclaimed, as he was about to fire, "Why that's little Oliver Graham, don't kill him;" to which Harris savagely replied, "Yes! damn him! let's kill all."
The poor fellow on finding himself wounded, jumped from the roadway into the woods on the opposite side from which the gun was fired, and fell into the hands of another party in ambush, by whom he was taken a prisoner to Canada, where he remained until after the close of the war, when he returned again to Sandy Hill. 43
Late in the summer, considerable bodies of troops were stationed at Otter creek, Fort Edward, Fort Schuyler, and one or two other stations in anticipation of tory forays into the country. 44
That these precautions were needed but ineffective appears from a communication of General Stark, who speaks of the detention of a captain with a flag of truce by the British commander at Crown Point, and also some of the inhabitants of the vicinity being detained on board the enemy's vessels. 45
The events of the year 1778, as relates to this section, were wound up by another tory raid by the way of Lake George and the Sacandaga.
The details of this expedition are related as follows by Stone in his Life of Brant. 46
"Much has been said in the traditions of Tryon county, and somewhat, also, in the courts of law, in cases involving titles to real estate formerly in the family of Sir William Johnson, respecting the burial of an iron chest, by his son Sir John, previous to his flight to Canada, containing the most valuable of his own and his father's papers."
"Late in the autumn of the present year, General Haldimand, at the request of Sir John, sent a party of between forty and fifty men privately to Johnstown, to dig up and carry the chest away."
"The expedition was successful; but the chest not being sufficiently tight to prevent the influence of dampness from the earth, the papers had become mouldy, rotten and illegible, when taken up."
"The information respecting this expedition was derived in the spring following, from a man named Helmer, 46 who composed one of the party, and assisted in disinterring the chest."
42 Relation of Miss Keziah Baker. About this time Hoffnagle, (or Huffnail as he was called) Baker's partner in the mills at Sandy Hill, who was a tory, also escaped to Canada, probably with the same party named in the text.
43 Memoir of Stark, p. 217.
44 Idem., pp. 190-1.
45 Vol. I, p. 393.
46 This person was arrested the following spring and executed as a spy. The foregoing information and statement in the text, is derived from the minutes of the court martial. — Id.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: Holden's History of Queensbury
A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIV.
Campaign of 1780 — Investment, Capture, and Destruction of Skenesborough — Annual Town Meeting — Queensbury again Stripped of its Resources — Adventure of Justus Seelye — Sir John Johnson's Incursion to the Mohawk Valley — General Haldimand reoccupies Fort Ticonderoga — Tory Ravages in Vermont — Col. Warner Assigned to Duty on the Northern Frontier — Major Sherwood placed in Charge of Fort Anne — Adventure of two Sandy Hill Boys — Carleton's Invasion — Capture of Fort Anne and Fort George with their Garrisons — Burning of Kingsbury and Queensbury — The Harrises and others from Queensbury Carried into Captivity — Their Adventures.
NOTHING of any particular note transpired in this vicinity during the year 1779, of which any record remains.
The annual election of town officers required by the provisions of the patent was held as usual, the only change in the list of any importance, being the selection of Phineas Babcock for supervisor in the place of Abraham Wing.
Several new names also appear upon the record showing that the work of settlement and the pursuits of peace were still going forward notwithstanding the impending terrors of war looming up from a hostile frontier.
Before the ice had cleared out 1 from Lake Champlain and while it still remained passable, it was made available by a band of 130 Indians, led by the infamous Joe Bettys, and two Canadian Frenchmen, who made an attack upon the little settlement at Skenesborough, then garrisoned by a body of militia sixty in number, drafted from the towns of New Perth, now Salem, and Cambridge on the eastern border of Charlotte county.
The assailants approached the settlement from East bay, crossing the mountain east of Whitehall village.
A man and his wife who lived a short distance from the stone house built by Skene, were tomahawked and scalped; a part of the garrison perceiving their approach attempted to escape, by swimming across the icy waters of Wood creek, but their fleet footed pursuers were too quick for them.
When midway of the stream they were sternly ordered to return or they would be shot.
They accordingly went back and surrendered themselves.
The attack was made about two o'clock on the afternoon of the 21st of March, and before sundown the party, loaded with plunder and accompanied by their prisoners, had started on its retreat.
In this raid three persons (the two already named and one soldier), were killed and every building in the settlement was fired, so that of the once flourishing hamlet of Skeuesborough, not a roof was left, and Fort Anne for a brief period became the frontier post at the north.
The Indians comprising this marauding party were of the Caughnawaga or St. Regis tribes, and the prisoners, after reaching St. Johns were conducted through the wilderness to the Indian settlements at Chateaugay and French Mills, whence after a short detention, being robbed of all their valuables even to clothing, they were conveyed to Montreal where they were ransomed by the British officers for eight dollars apiece, and imprisoned, until they were exchanged, some of them in the mean time making their escape, and some remaining prisoners for two years or more. 2
1 Hough's Northern Invasion, Introduction, p. 18. His version of the affair is embraced in the following brief paragraph. "Six days later (i. e. the 21st of March), about one hundred Indians from Canada, with three tories from Ballston and Tryon, surprised a small post at Skenesborough, captured its little garrison of thirteen men, killed and scalped a man and his wife, burnt several buildings, and retired down the lake on the ice, by the way they came."
2 For this narrative, not hitherto published in any of our local or general histories, the author is indebted to Dr. Asa Fitch of Salem, by whom a full account was published in the Salem Press of Nov. 5th and 12th, 1867.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIV.
Campaign of 1780 — Investment, Capture, and Destruction of Skenesborough — Annual Town Meeting — Queensbury again Stripped of its Resources — Adventure of Justus Seelye — Sir John Johnson's Incursion to the Mohawk Valley — General Haldimand reoccupies Fort Ticonderoga — Tory Ravages in Vermont — Col. Warner Assigned to Duty on the Northern Frontier — Major Sherwood placed in Charge of Fort Anne — Adventure of two Sandy Hill Boys — Carleton's Invasion — Capture of Fort Anne and Fort George with their Garrisons — Burning of Kingsbury and Queensbury — The Harrises and others from Queensbury Carried into Captivity — Their Adventures.
NOTHING of any particular note transpired in this vicinity during the year 1779, of which any record remains.
The annual election of town officers required by the provisions of the patent was held as usual, the only change in the list of any importance, being the selection of Phineas Babcock for supervisor in the place of Abraham Wing.
Several new names also appear upon the record showing that the work of settlement and the pursuits of peace were still going forward notwithstanding the impending terrors of war looming up from a hostile frontier.
Before the ice had cleared out 1 from Lake Champlain and while it still remained passable, it was made available by a band of 130 Indians, led by the infamous Joe Bettys, and two Canadian Frenchmen, who made an attack upon the little settlement at Skenesborough, then garrisoned by a body of militia sixty in number, drafted from the towns of New Perth, now Salem, and Cambridge on the eastern border of Charlotte county.
The assailants approached the settlement from East bay, crossing the mountain east of Whitehall village.
A man and his wife who lived a short distance from the stone house built by Skene, were tomahawked and scalped; a part of the garrison perceiving their approach attempted to escape, by swimming across the icy waters of Wood creek, but their fleet footed pursuers were too quick for them.
When midway of the stream they were sternly ordered to return or they would be shot.
They accordingly went back and surrendered themselves.
The attack was made about two o'clock on the afternoon of the 21st of March, and before sundown the party, loaded with plunder and accompanied by their prisoners, had started on its retreat.
In this raid three persons (the two already named and one soldier), were killed and every building in the settlement was fired, so that of the once flourishing hamlet of Skeuesborough, not a roof was left, and Fort Anne for a brief period became the frontier post at the north.
The Indians comprising this marauding party were of the Caughnawaga or St. Regis tribes, and the prisoners, after reaching St. Johns were conducted through the wilderness to the Indian settlements at Chateaugay and French Mills, whence after a short detention, being robbed of all their valuables even to clothing, they were conveyed to Montreal where they were ransomed by the British officers for eight dollars apiece, and imprisoned, until they were exchanged, some of them in the mean time making their escape, and some remaining prisoners for two years or more. 2
1 Hough's Northern Invasion, Introduction, p. 18. His version of the affair is embraced in the following brief paragraph. "Six days later (i. e. the 21st of March), about one hundred Indians from Canada, with three tories from Ballston and Tryon, surprised a small post at Skenesborough, captured its little garrison of thirteen men, killed and scalped a man and his wife, burnt several buildings, and retired down the lake on the ice, by the way they came."
2 For this narrative, not hitherto published in any of our local or general histories, the author is indebted to Dr. Asa Fitch of Salem, by whom a full account was published in the Salem Press of Nov. 5th and 12th, 1867.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: Holden's History of Queensbury
A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIV., continued ...
The Queensbury town book exhibits the following entry for the year 1780.
"At an annual town meeting held in Queensbury on Tuesday ye 2 Day of May, 1780, For the Township of Queensbury."
"1. Voted, Abraham Wing, Moderater."
"2. Voted, to Regurn this to Fort Miller, at Duer's big house, till the Eight of this instant at 9 in the Morning."
"Fort Miller ye 8 AD. 1780, — the Meting mett, and opened according to appointment."
"3. Voted, Benjamin Wing, town Clark."
"4. Voted, Phinehas Babcock, Superviser."
"5. Voted, James Higson and Andrew Lewis, Constables."
"6. Voted, Ebenezer Fuller, James Higson and Andrew Lewis Assessors."
"7. Voted, Abraham Wing, Pathmaster."
"8. Voted, Abraham Wing, and Benja'n Wing, Overseers of the poor."
"9. Voted, Silas Brown Collector."
"10. Voted, Abraham Wing, town treasurer."
"11. Voted, Abraham Wing, Jur. Pound keeper."
"12. Voted, Pardon Daly and James Higson, fence viewers, and prisers of Damages."
The reason for adjourning this town meeting to Fort Miller, 3 is presumed to have been the fear of some tory irruption from Canada like that already related, of which there were several more in the course of the season.
3 That the Queensbury families continued to suffer from time to time in consequence of requisitions for the public service is apparent from the following certificates and affidavits, being a part of the Wing Mss.
No. 1. Memorandum of Account of Outlays, Expenditures and Losses by Abraham Wing:
Time expended in Search of my Iron which was con sealed by Sargent Williams & Company June the 20 Day 1778 6 men and myself 1 Day £8 „ 8 „
2 cwt of Nails 60 „ 00 „
To 3 journies to Fort Stark in the Summer in pursuit of sd iron 3 „ 12 „
2 days at Court 2 „ 8 „ "
2 large Carpenters Sledges or Mawls, 9 „ 12 „
1 ax „ 2
Iron wedges 6 „ 8 „
Abrm Wing.
No. 2. Statement of losses by one Jacob Ferguson.
Capt moss I understand by Cornal mcCray that you had wheat from my fathers plase with others ond as it was one third part mine please to pay Abraham Wing the money for what you Had and you will oblige your Friend Queensbury the 4 of February 1780, Jacob Ferguson.
Capt putnam I understand by Cornal mcCray that you had sum wheat from my Fathers plase which wheat was one third part mine please to pay Abraham Wing for the Same and you will oblige your friend to sarve. Queensbury the 4 february 1780. Jacob Ferguson.
No. 3. Affidavit of Samuel Younglove relating to the destruction of property in Queensbury in 1780. County of Washington, Personally before me Albert Baker one of the Justices for said County Samuel Younglove of Lawfull age deposeth and saith that he saw James Stinslor take out of the house of Abram Wing in the year thousand seven hundred and eighty to the amount of about one hundred panes of glass with the sashes or near there abouts and saw him have five saw-mill saws and sundry other articles which the said Stinslor told the deponent he had taken from the said Wing, and the deponent further declares that the said Stinslor told him the deponent that he had got to the amount of between forty and fifty pounds from old Wing, farthermore deponent saith not. Saml Younglove Sworn before me this 11th June, 1787 Albert Baker J. Peace.
No. 4. Affidavit concerning Cattle seized in 1780: Washington County State of New York ss. Personally appreared before me John Williams one of Judges of the Court of Sessions & common pleas for the said County John McCrea of said County of lawful age who being duly sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposeth and saith that in the month of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty that the Garrison stationed at Fort Edward were destitute of provisions and that the Commissary then at that post was directed to get Cattle where they might be had for the support of the Troops by order of General Schuyler Jonathan Jillet the then Commissary applyed to this deponent who had a pair of fatt oxen which he received and killed at the post that this deponent applied to the commissary for payment who gave this deponent a certificate for said Cattle which afterwards was destroyed with the buildings of this deponent by the enemy that he the said Commissary left the parts immediately after the Campaign ended so that this deponent could not obtain any relief in the premises & has made application to the Legislature of this State but did not receive any neither has he at any time or in any manner received any kind of restitution for said Cattle and further he this deponent has not assigned or made over said certificate to any person or persons whatever and that the certificate which this deponent received for said oxen from said Commissary was for fourteen hundred weight of Beef as near as this deponent recollects and further this deponent saith not. Sworn before me this 25th december 1790. John Williams Jud Curia.
No. 5. Official certificates in favor of Abraham Wing and son.
No 416 I do hereby acknowledge myself indebted to Abraham Wing in the Sum of Two Hundred dollars As Witness my hand this 11 Day of May 1780 Morn Lewis D Q M G
This Certifies that Mr Abraham Wing hath supplied the Publick with 150 Plank and 50 Boards Price not known of the above Boards. Jonathan Nicklison.
This Certifies that Abraham Wing hath Supplied the Public with Two tuns of Hay at One hundred and Sixty five Dollors pr tun Amounting to One Hundred and Thirty two Pounds for Which Sum this Shall be a Sufficient voucher Given under my hand and Seal of September 1780 £133-0 Chris Yates D Q M G Fort George 23d march
Fort George 23d march These to Certify That abraham Wing Jun hath been two days Imployed in Public services at the garrison of fort George with a Sleigh and two Yoke of Oxen one day and with one Span of Horses the other Day for which he hath Reed no pay. To Whom it may concern pr Wm MouiiTON Captn Commandt.
No. 6. Deposition of James Higson concerning two oxen, the property of Benjn. Wing — taken for the public service in 1781: The Peblic to Benjn. Wing Dr. 15th May 1781
To Two Oxen Taken from Fort Miller by Lieut. Bagley, by order of Lt. Col. Vandike. Washington County This Day personly appeared Before me James Higson of Lawfull age and made solomn oath in the presence of Almighty God, that he Saw the above named Lt. Bagley Take the Oxen from Fort Miller with a party of Soldiers and said he had orders from Col. Van Dicke to Do So, and that he the sd Deponant knew the oxen to be the property of the above named Benjamin Wing. James Higson. Sworn before me at Fort Edward this 6th Day of March, 1786. Adiel Sherwood Jus Peace
We Do hereby Solemnly Sware that to the best of our knowledge the Two oxen above specified which were Taken from Benjn. Wing for the use of the Continental Army, were worth at that Time in specie Thirty pounds york money.
Phinehas Babcock
Andrew Lewis
James Higson
Washington County this Day personly appeared before me the above Phis. Babcock, Andrew Lewis and James Higson and made oath to the same Fort Edward 6th March 1786. Adiel Sherwood, Jus. Peace
6th March 1786, this day personly appeared before me Benjn Wing and Most Solemnly affirmed in the presence of Almighty God that he had not Received any Compensation for the within mentioned oxen. Adiel Sherwood, Jus. Peace.
It is presumed that no part of these claims were ever adjusted.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIV., continued ...
The Queensbury town book exhibits the following entry for the year 1780.
"At an annual town meeting held in Queensbury on Tuesday ye 2 Day of May, 1780, For the Township of Queensbury."
"1. Voted, Abraham Wing, Moderater."
"2. Voted, to Regurn this to Fort Miller, at Duer's big house, till the Eight of this instant at 9 in the Morning."
"Fort Miller ye 8 AD. 1780, — the Meting mett, and opened according to appointment."
"3. Voted, Benjamin Wing, town Clark."
"4. Voted, Phinehas Babcock, Superviser."
"5. Voted, James Higson and Andrew Lewis, Constables."
"6. Voted, Ebenezer Fuller, James Higson and Andrew Lewis Assessors."
"7. Voted, Abraham Wing, Pathmaster."
"8. Voted, Abraham Wing, and Benja'n Wing, Overseers of the poor."
"9. Voted, Silas Brown Collector."
"10. Voted, Abraham Wing, town treasurer."
"11. Voted, Abraham Wing, Jur. Pound keeper."
"12. Voted, Pardon Daly and James Higson, fence viewers, and prisers of Damages."
The reason for adjourning this town meeting to Fort Miller, 3 is presumed to have been the fear of some tory irruption from Canada like that already related, of which there were several more in the course of the season.
3 That the Queensbury families continued to suffer from time to time in consequence of requisitions for the public service is apparent from the following certificates and affidavits, being a part of the Wing Mss.
No. 1. Memorandum of Account of Outlays, Expenditures and Losses by Abraham Wing:
Time expended in Search of my Iron which was con sealed by Sargent Williams & Company June the 20 Day 1778 6 men and myself 1 Day £8 „ 8 „
2 cwt of Nails 60 „ 00 „
To 3 journies to Fort Stark in the Summer in pursuit of sd iron 3 „ 12 „
2 days at Court 2 „ 8 „ "
2 large Carpenters Sledges or Mawls, 9 „ 12 „
1 ax „ 2
Iron wedges 6 „ 8 „
Abrm Wing.
No. 2. Statement of losses by one Jacob Ferguson.
Capt moss I understand by Cornal mcCray that you had wheat from my fathers plase with others ond as it was one third part mine please to pay Abraham Wing the money for what you Had and you will oblige your Friend Queensbury the 4 of February 1780, Jacob Ferguson.
Capt putnam I understand by Cornal mcCray that you had sum wheat from my Fathers plase which wheat was one third part mine please to pay Abraham Wing for the Same and you will oblige your friend to sarve. Queensbury the 4 february 1780. Jacob Ferguson.
No. 3. Affidavit of Samuel Younglove relating to the destruction of property in Queensbury in 1780. County of Washington, Personally before me Albert Baker one of the Justices for said County Samuel Younglove of Lawfull age deposeth and saith that he saw James Stinslor take out of the house of Abram Wing in the year thousand seven hundred and eighty to the amount of about one hundred panes of glass with the sashes or near there abouts and saw him have five saw-mill saws and sundry other articles which the said Stinslor told the deponent he had taken from the said Wing, and the deponent further declares that the said Stinslor told him the deponent that he had got to the amount of between forty and fifty pounds from old Wing, farthermore deponent saith not. Saml Younglove Sworn before me this 11th June, 1787 Albert Baker J. Peace.
No. 4. Affidavit concerning Cattle seized in 1780: Washington County State of New York ss. Personally appreared before me John Williams one of Judges of the Court of Sessions & common pleas for the said County John McCrea of said County of lawful age who being duly sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposeth and saith that in the month of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty that the Garrison stationed at Fort Edward were destitute of provisions and that the Commissary then at that post was directed to get Cattle where they might be had for the support of the Troops by order of General Schuyler Jonathan Jillet the then Commissary applyed to this deponent who had a pair of fatt oxen which he received and killed at the post that this deponent applied to the commissary for payment who gave this deponent a certificate for said Cattle which afterwards was destroyed with the buildings of this deponent by the enemy that he the said Commissary left the parts immediately after the Campaign ended so that this deponent could not obtain any relief in the premises & has made application to the Legislature of this State but did not receive any neither has he at any time or in any manner received any kind of restitution for said Cattle and further he this deponent has not assigned or made over said certificate to any person or persons whatever and that the certificate which this deponent received for said oxen from said Commissary was for fourteen hundred weight of Beef as near as this deponent recollects and further this deponent saith not. Sworn before me this 25th december 1790. John Williams Jud Curia.
No. 5. Official certificates in favor of Abraham Wing and son.
No 416 I do hereby acknowledge myself indebted to Abraham Wing in the Sum of Two Hundred dollars As Witness my hand this 11 Day of May 1780 Morn Lewis D Q M G
This Certifies that Mr Abraham Wing hath supplied the Publick with 150 Plank and 50 Boards Price not known of the above Boards. Jonathan Nicklison.
This Certifies that Abraham Wing hath Supplied the Public with Two tuns of Hay at One hundred and Sixty five Dollors pr tun Amounting to One Hundred and Thirty two Pounds for Which Sum this Shall be a Sufficient voucher Given under my hand and Seal of September 1780 £133-0 Chris Yates D Q M G Fort George 23d march
Fort George 23d march These to Certify That abraham Wing Jun hath been two days Imployed in Public services at the garrison of fort George with a Sleigh and two Yoke of Oxen one day and with one Span of Horses the other Day for which he hath Reed no pay. To Whom it may concern pr Wm MouiiTON Captn Commandt.
No. 6. Deposition of James Higson concerning two oxen, the property of Benjn. Wing — taken for the public service in 1781: The Peblic to Benjn. Wing Dr. 15th May 1781
To Two Oxen Taken from Fort Miller by Lieut. Bagley, by order of Lt. Col. Vandike. Washington County This Day personly appeared Before me James Higson of Lawfull age and made solomn oath in the presence of Almighty God, that he Saw the above named Lt. Bagley Take the Oxen from Fort Miller with a party of Soldiers and said he had orders from Col. Van Dicke to Do So, and that he the sd Deponant knew the oxen to be the property of the above named Benjamin Wing. James Higson. Sworn before me at Fort Edward this 6th Day of March, 1786. Adiel Sherwood Jus Peace
We Do hereby Solemnly Sware that to the best of our knowledge the Two oxen above specified which were Taken from Benjn. Wing for the use of the Continental Army, were worth at that Time in specie Thirty pounds york money.
Phinehas Babcock
Andrew Lewis
James Higson
Washington County this Day personly appeared before me the above Phis. Babcock, Andrew Lewis and James Higson and made oath to the same Fort Edward 6th March 1786. Adiel Sherwood, Jus. Peace
6th March 1786, this day personly appeared before me Benjn Wing and Most Solemnly affirmed in the presence of Almighty God that he had not Received any Compensation for the within mentioned oxen. Adiel Sherwood, Jus. Peace.
It is presumed that no part of these claims were ever adjusted.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: Holden's History of Queensbury
A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIV., continued ...
The Mohawk Valley was still full of sympathizers with the royal cause, giving substantial aid and comfort to the enemy with whom they were in constant correspondence, 4 and the Sacandaga and Lake George with an occasional dash into Queensbury was the favorite and most frequented route.
It was early in this season that Justus Seelye, 5 subsequently a resident of this town, then a small boy, was smuggled into a neighbor's house, at Fort Miller, where a meeting of Indians, as supposed, was held, and to whose consultations and proceedings he thus involuntarily became a witness.
After they left, he escaped to his home, and related the events and conversation of the evening.
A party was immediately organized in pursuit, which overtook, and captured them, when one of them was discovered to be a neighbor and a tory painted up in the fitting semblance of a savage.
He with the rest of his party, all tories, were sent to Albany and imprisoned, tried by court martial and hung.
4 "Major Jelles Fonda wrote to General Clinton (1779), stating that there were yet 300 tory families in the northern part of that settlement, affording aid and comfort to the hostile refugees, who kept up a continual intercourse with them, across through the woods, or by Lake Champlain to Canada." — Stone's Life of Brant, vol. I, p. 403.
5 Communicated to the author by his son.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIV., continued ...
The Mohawk Valley was still full of sympathizers with the royal cause, giving substantial aid and comfort to the enemy with whom they were in constant correspondence, 4 and the Sacandaga and Lake George with an occasional dash into Queensbury was the favorite and most frequented route.
It was early in this season that Justus Seelye, 5 subsequently a resident of this town, then a small boy, was smuggled into a neighbor's house, at Fort Miller, where a meeting of Indians, as supposed, was held, and to whose consultations and proceedings he thus involuntarily became a witness.
After they left, he escaped to his home, and related the events and conversation of the evening.
A party was immediately organized in pursuit, which overtook, and captured them, when one of them was discovered to be a neighbor and a tory painted up in the fitting semblance of a savage.
He with the rest of his party, all tories, were sent to Albany and imprisoned, tried by court martial and hung.
4 "Major Jelles Fonda wrote to General Clinton (1779), stating that there were yet 300 tory families in the northern part of that settlement, affording aid and comfort to the hostile refugees, who kept up a continual intercourse with them, across through the woods, or by Lake Champlain to Canada." — Stone's Life of Brant, vol. I, p. 403.
5 Communicated to the author by his son.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: Holden's History of Queensbury
A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIV., continued ...
Another incursion 6 into the Mohawk valley was made in the spring of this year by Sir John Johnson, at the head of 500 men consisting of a detachment of the regiment of Royal Greens of which he was commandant, and two hundred tories and Indians.
Advancing from the vicinity of Crown Point on Lake Champlain, where their bateaux were hidden, they entered the wilderness of Warren county in the present town of Johnsburgh, following the often traveled, and well beaten trail at the base of Crane's mountain, and striking the Sacandaga river near the Fish house, pursued their stealthy way to Johnstown which place he reached on the 21st of May, 1780.
The ostensible purpose of this foray was the recovery of the family plate, of which two barrels had been buried in the cellar of the old mansion.
This was disinterred and divided among the packs of forty soldiers, and carried back in safety to Montreal.
The route of this incursion was as usual, marked by rapine, slaughter, and ruined homesteads, and has been characterized as one of the most wanton, ruthless, and indefensible outrages of the whole war.
They were followed by Governor Clinton with a party of hastily gathered militia who took the route by the way of Queensbury and Lake George, as far as Ticonderoga and Crown Point but were too late, 7 the marauders having already made good their escape down the lake.
The prisoners were conveyed to Chambly and confined in the fortress at that place.
Before the retreat of Sir John, the militia of the district began to assemble under the command of Colonels John Harper and Volkert Veeder, but the number of the invading party was too large to warrant them in pursuit or attack, until it was too late.
6 Although many authorities have been consulted in regard to this affair, the author has followed chiefly the very full, and graphic account given by William L. Stone (the younger), in the appendix to the Life of Sir William Johnson.
7 He (John Neilson, the author's father), was also a volunteer under Governor George Clinton, at the time he went north to intercept the retreat of Sir John Johnson, and was one of the two scouts (John Benson being the other) who were selected by the governor, and sent from Crown Point to scour the wilderness, between that post and Schroon lake. — Neilson's Burgoyne's Campaign, p. 237.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIV., continued ...
Another incursion 6 into the Mohawk valley was made in the spring of this year by Sir John Johnson, at the head of 500 men consisting of a detachment of the regiment of Royal Greens of which he was commandant, and two hundred tories and Indians.
Advancing from the vicinity of Crown Point on Lake Champlain, where their bateaux were hidden, they entered the wilderness of Warren county in the present town of Johnsburgh, following the often traveled, and well beaten trail at the base of Crane's mountain, and striking the Sacandaga river near the Fish house, pursued their stealthy way to Johnstown which place he reached on the 21st of May, 1780.
The ostensible purpose of this foray was the recovery of the family plate, of which two barrels had been buried in the cellar of the old mansion.
This was disinterred and divided among the packs of forty soldiers, and carried back in safety to Montreal.
The route of this incursion was as usual, marked by rapine, slaughter, and ruined homesteads, and has been characterized as one of the most wanton, ruthless, and indefensible outrages of the whole war.
They were followed by Governor Clinton with a party of hastily gathered militia who took the route by the way of Queensbury and Lake George, as far as Ticonderoga and Crown Point but were too late, 7 the marauders having already made good their escape down the lake.
The prisoners were conveyed to Chambly and confined in the fortress at that place.
Before the retreat of Sir John, the militia of the district began to assemble under the command of Colonels John Harper and Volkert Veeder, but the number of the invading party was too large to warrant them in pursuit or attack, until it was too late.
6 Although many authorities have been consulted in regard to this affair, the author has followed chiefly the very full, and graphic account given by William L. Stone (the younger), in the appendix to the Life of Sir William Johnson.
7 He (John Neilson, the author's father), was also a volunteer under Governor George Clinton, at the time he went north to intercept the retreat of Sir John Johnson, and was one of the two scouts (John Benson being the other) who were selected by the governor, and sent from Crown Point to scour the wilderness, between that post and Schroon lake. — Neilson's Burgoyne's Campaign, p. 237.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
Re: Holden's History of Queensbury
A History of the Town of Queensbury, continued ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIV., continued ...
In the month of June or July General Haldimand who had been the year before appointed governor of Canada 8 in the place of Carleton, reoccupied the fortress at Ticonderoga, with a force of upwards of ten thousand men.
His mission was of a pacific nature, it being alleged that he was concerned in negotiations with the Vermont leaders to restore that territory to its fealty to the crown, and that his presence was to assure that people of his assistance and protection.
Notwithstanding this allegation and assurance, the Vermonters were made the special subjects of visitation by some marauding bands of tories and Indians during the season. 9
The towns of Barnard, Newbury, Peacham, Tunbridge, Royalton, Sharon and Randolph were attacked at different periods, a few killed, houses burned, fields laid waste, and several prisoners taken and carried to Canada, some of whom were ransomed from the Indians, some exchanged, and others remained until the close of the war.
During this season Col. Warner's regiment 10 appears to have been assigned to the duty of protecting the frontiers, a portion being stationed at Saratoga 11 (Schuylerville), a part at Fort Edward, and a company under Capt. John Chipman at Fort George.
Fort Anne was also garrisoned by a levy of Charlotte county militia, drawn chiefly from the towns of Queensbury, Kingsbury, and Fort Edward; and placed under the command of Captain Adiel Sherwood, of the same regiment, from which the militia were drafted.
8 General Sir Frederic Haldimand, had previous to this (18th Feb'y, 1779), superseded Sir Guy Carleton in the command of Canada. — Stone's Life of Brant, vol. I, p. 384.
9 Hoskin's History of Vermont, pp. 75, 6, 7, 8.
10 The adventure of Colonel Warner recorded in a note on page 304 of this work, most probably occurred about this time.
11 "The board of war decided to break up several minor stations, including those at Schenectady, Schoharie, Johnstown, Fort Plank, Oneida Castle, Half Moon Point, New-City (now Lansingburgh), Saratoga, Fort Edward and Skenesborough. The events upon the frontiers, already noticed, induced General Clinton to retain some of those at Skenosborough, Fort Plank, Herkimer, Schoharie, and Fort Edward." — Hough's Northern Invasion, p. 23.
TO BE CONTINUED ...
A. W. Holden, M.D.
PART II
HISTORY OF QUEENSBURY.
CHAPTER XIV., continued ...
In the month of June or July General Haldimand who had been the year before appointed governor of Canada 8 in the place of Carleton, reoccupied the fortress at Ticonderoga, with a force of upwards of ten thousand men.
His mission was of a pacific nature, it being alleged that he was concerned in negotiations with the Vermont leaders to restore that territory to its fealty to the crown, and that his presence was to assure that people of his assistance and protection.
Notwithstanding this allegation and assurance, the Vermonters were made the special subjects of visitation by some marauding bands of tories and Indians during the season. 9
The towns of Barnard, Newbury, Peacham, Tunbridge, Royalton, Sharon and Randolph were attacked at different periods, a few killed, houses burned, fields laid waste, and several prisoners taken and carried to Canada, some of whom were ransomed from the Indians, some exchanged, and others remained until the close of the war.
During this season Col. Warner's regiment 10 appears to have been assigned to the duty of protecting the frontiers, a portion being stationed at Saratoga 11 (Schuylerville), a part at Fort Edward, and a company under Capt. John Chipman at Fort George.
Fort Anne was also garrisoned by a levy of Charlotte county militia, drawn chiefly from the towns of Queensbury, Kingsbury, and Fort Edward; and placed under the command of Captain Adiel Sherwood, of the same regiment, from which the militia were drafted.
8 General Sir Frederic Haldimand, had previous to this (18th Feb'y, 1779), superseded Sir Guy Carleton in the command of Canada. — Stone's Life of Brant, vol. I, p. 384.
9 Hoskin's History of Vermont, pp. 75, 6, 7, 8.
10 The adventure of Colonel Warner recorded in a note on page 304 of this work, most probably occurred about this time.
11 "The board of war decided to break up several minor stations, including those at Schenectady, Schoharie, Johnstown, Fort Plank, Oneida Castle, Half Moon Point, New-City (now Lansingburgh), Saratoga, Fort Edward and Skenesborough. The events upon the frontiers, already noticed, induced General Clinton to retain some of those at Skenosborough, Fort Plank, Herkimer, Schoharie, and Fort Edward." — Hough's Northern Invasion, p. 23.
TO BE CONTINUED ...