THE MINISINK MA SACRE.

A Honesdale Writer Gives Some Interesting Facts and Sets Historian Chapman Straight on One Point.

[John Torrey in Honesdale Citizen, Feb. 10.] The notice of the recent death of the widow of the late Judge Manning, of Bethany, brings to remembrance some interesting historic events resulting in the death of one of her ancestors, in his country's service. To many of your readers the full history of the affair is not easily accessible, and to such a brief statement of the facts will be interesting.

Mrs. Manning was a daughter of David Wilder and wife, and her mother was the daughter of Paul Tyler, and a granddaughter of Captain Bezaleel Tyler, who was one of the pioneer settlers of the valley of the Delaware at Cochecton.

The early settlers then were much exposed to the attacks by the Northern Indians, and several times they were obliged to flee to neighboring settlements for safety.

On learning of the Wyoming massacre by the Indians in 1778 the settlers at Paupack, and most of those at Cochecton deemed it unsafe to remain at their homes and fled with their families to the settled parts of Orange County, New York, for safety.

While they were thus residing in Orange County as refugees, a band of Indians and Tories from the North, led by Col. Brandt, came into the Delaware Valley, and during the night of July 16, 1779, made an attack upon the settlement at the upper end of the Minisink flats, near Port Jervis, seized such property as they could take with them, destroyed such as they could not take and compelled the inhabitants to flee for their lives.

Information of the raid was immediately sent by a messenger to Goshen, and the militia of that region. together with such volunteers as could be obtained, were ordered by Col. Tusten to rendezvous at Minisink (now Port Jervis) early the following morning, July 21.

Capt. Bezaleel Tyler (grandfather of Mrs. Wilder) and Moses Thomas, Sen., (father of Judge Thomas) from Cochecton, and Moses Kellam, Sen., from Paupack settlement, all of whom were there as refugees, volunteered to join them.

On the morning of July 21st, the officers under Col. Tusten, and as large a force as could be mustered under so short a notice, met him at the place appointed, and found that the enemy had left, going up the Delaware with their plunder. After discussing the situation it was decided to pursue them, and they took up the line of march and proceeded some 17 miles that day, and encamped.

In the morning, Col. Hathorn, of War

wick, overtook them with a few more men, and being the senior officer, took the command.

They advanced to Half-Way-Brook, now Barryville, and found the Indians had there encamped the night before. Here, as Capt. Tyler was known to be familiar with the geography of the country over which they were now to proceed, he was selected to take command of a small scouting party, to go forward and reconnoitre the movements of the enemy, and suggest the most favorable ground for attacking them.

He and his party had proceeded but a short distance in advance, when he was singled out and killed, probably by some Tory who recognized him, and realized the danger to those who were fleeing, from having a man so familiar with the route, acting as guide to their pursuers.

About 9 o'clock they came in sight of the Indians, three-quarters of a mile distant, advancing leisurely up the river, and Col. Hathorn marched his men over the hill intending to reach the ford at the mouth of the Lackawaxen in advance of the Indians.

Col. Brandt discovered his movement and made a counter move so as to get in the rear of his pursuers, and chose his time and place for attacking them, and on the hill, about a mile east of the mouth of the Lackawaxen, he succeeded in so cutting off onethird of Col. Hathorn's forces that they could not again unite, and then on ground chosen by Brandt, a most desperate battle was fought, and Col. Hathorn's forces disastrously defeated, and more than forty of them killed and left on the battlefield.

Among those so killed, was Moses Thomas, Sen., who had at Cochecton, been a neighbor of Captain Tyler.

The bones of the men thus slain, were left to bleach in the forest, until 1822, when patriotic citizens of Orange county, united to collect them, and have them properly interred. And on the forty-third anniversary of the battle, July 22, 1822, the bones wore so disposed of beneath an appropriate monument then erected in Goshen, in honor of those brave but unfortunate men.

This battle has been called the "Battle of Minisink, or 'Minisink Massacre," ", but the site where it took place, was nearly 20 miles distance from that part of the Delaware valley, which the Indians called Minisink.

But another more important and misleading error is the statement in Chapman's History of Wyoming, in incidentally alluding to this battle, that the men who were there killed by the Indians, were part of a company of Pennsylvania militia who had been sent to the Lackawaxen to protect the settlers.

At that date, July 22, 1779, all the organized militia of Northeastern Pennsylvania

have been susposed to be massed at Wyoming, preparatory to moving up the Susquehanna under Gen. Sullivan that week to attack the Six Nations of Indians in the Chemang country, and if so, there would have been no company of Penn'a militia to spare to be sent to the Lackawaxen if needed. But historians very generally agree in telling us that immediately after the Wyoming massacre in 1778, the settlers at Paupack on the Lackawaxen, and at Cochectou all fled for safety, so that there were few, if any, settlers there needing military protection.

The evidence is now incontrovertible that the patriotic men who were in that Minisink battle, were from Orange County, New York, including a few refugees from Pennsylvania.

J. T.

FRIENDLY INDIANS AT WYOMING. On Their Way to See Gen. Washington at Philadelphia-Their Dread of Small

Pox.

In 1777 the settlements in Westmoreland were infected with small-pox and the disease was actively combated by the settlers. Pest houses were established at points off from the traveled roads and all cases of the disease were compelled to be conveyed thither for treatment. The Indians had a most intense dread of the infection, for then as now, they were its easy victims. We have before us volume 1 of the new series of Pennsylvania Archives, edited by Hon. John Blair Linn and Dr. W. H. Egle. So far as we have seen there is no reference in the local histories to the presence of the Indians referred to in the appended letter from Col. Denison to the committee of Easton, to whose friendly attentions the Indians were introduced:

WESTMORELAND, Jan'y 9th, 1777. GENTLEMEN: The Bearers hereof are Part of a Large Body of Indians belonging to the six Nations who have Expressed their friendship for the United States of America, at a Counsell held in this Place this day; they als Inform us they are upon a Journey to Philadelphia to speak with the Congress, (if returned,) Otherways intended to see General Washington. They have Desired us to write to you & beg that they may be Pointed to Places to Escape the Small Pox and other Pestilential Disorders, (if such there be among you.) This is wrote upon their Particular Desire, to give you Information of the approach of the Body of Indians, which Consists of about two Hundred Men, women & Children; and they further desired us to request of you your Influence, that their Proposed treaty might be at Eastown if it be possible at this time, for fear of the Dis

Lancaster County has organized a historical society and it has done so none too soon. It has been well nigh two hundred years since the first white settlements were made within the borders of what is now Lancaster County, and more than a century and a half since the erection of the county itself.

Following are the officers chosen for the permanent organization: President, Rev. J. H. Dubbs, D. D.: Vice Presidents, Hon. J. P. Wickersham, Samuel Evans; Recording Secretary, A. F. Hostetter; Corresponding Secretary, W. W. Griest; Librarian, S. H. Zahm; Treasurer, S. P. Eaby; Executive Committee, F. R. Diffenderffer, J. B. Hipple, R. M. Reilly, C. T. Steigerwalt, C. H. Stubbs, H. A. Brickenstein, Rev. J. Max Hark, S. C. Slaymaker, P. C. Hiller, W. U. Hensel.

Some one out in Ohio appears to have been writing for a paper there relative to James Bird, the hero of Lake Erie, as we learn from the following letter in the Norfolk Reflector, from C. J. Baldwin, a former resident of Luzerne County:

MESSRS. EDITORS: Your correspondent, H. Buckingham, in his interesting letter concerning James Bird, is mistaken as to the authorship of the song. It was not written by Charles Dorrance, as he claims, but by Charles Miner. My information is positive and direct. I am a native of Luzerne County, Pa., where I resided up to within twenty years. Am familiar with the history

of that county and its people, past and present. Have met Mr. Miner, and two years ago was at his old home, now occupied by his son, Wm. Penn, who for many years published the Wilkes-Barre RECORD OF THE TIMES, to whose columns it has been my privilege in times past to contribute articles for publication.

Charles Miner nublished at Wilkes-Barre from 1801 to 1818, a paper called the Gleaner which, it is reputed, was ably edited. Was afterwards elected to Congress. Subsequently devoted his time mainly to literature. Was the author of a work entitled the History of Wyoming. Col. Charles Dorrance, to whom Mr. Buckingham refers, 18 yet living, has a princely income from coal lands, and his age is now 82 years. His military title comes from having been elected colo. nel of volunteer militia in 1835, at which time my father was elected major, whose commission was signed by Wolfe, then governor of Pa., which I have in my possession. Dorrance's grandfather, George Dorrance, was killed at the massacre of Wyoming, July 3d, 1778.

Pace and Bowman, two of Bird's companions in arms, who were with Perry on the flagship. Niagara, lived about five miles from where I resided and when a boy I heard Pace say that he was below in the vessel throwing up cannon ball, and just before the close of the action Perry said to him; "A few more balls, my brave fellow, and the day is ours." Pace said it was impossible to even imagine the electrifying effect that remark had upon him. He could then throw with greater ease two balls where he had thrown one before.

Stewart Pearce, in his "Annals of Luzerne County," says that "Bird was from Pittston, and was descended from a most respectable family. He was a man of great bodily strength and activity, and was full of patriotic devotion to the cause of his country, but unfortunately his proud spirit boldly rejected many of the restraints imposed by the stern rules of military discipline. He fought like a tiger, and when wounded refused to be carried below. News of the intended attack of the enemy on New Orleans had reached the fleet on Lake Erie, and Bird, ambitious to be in the midst of the smoke and fire of battle, one night when in commaud of the guard, marched away with several of his men to join Gen. Jackson. He was pursued and arrested at Pittsburg, from which place he was about to embark with a company of volunteers for the Crescent City. Being arraigned before and tried before a court-martial, he was sentenced, in accordance with the rules of war, to be shot. Commodore Perry received intelligence of the proceedings in time, Bird's life would have been spared."

Had

VOL. I.

THE OLDEST PRINTER.

A Visit to a Venerable Printer and Jour

nalist.

Col. John F. Meginness, of the Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin, recently visited Major Wm. P. Elliott, at Lewistown, the oldest printer and editor in the United States, and thus tells of it:

At a stated hour last evening we called on Major Elliott, whom we found awaiting us in the drawing room of his comfortable res1dence. He partially arose and, leaning on his cane, warmly greeted us with a shake of the hands.

"I have been awaiting you for a quarter of an hour," he said, in a firm voice, and turning to the reverend gentleman continned: "I told you to bring your friend at 7:30 sharp; it is nearly a quarter past that time, but it's all right."

"I have long had a desire to meet you," I said, "as it is claimed by the press that you are the oldest printer and editor in the United States, and knew many of the leading men and politicians who flourished three quarters of a century ago."

His countenance brightened up at this remark and he replied:

"Yes; I believe I'm the oldest printer in this country. I was born here in Lewistown January 12, 1793, and have spent my entire life in and about this place."

"When did you commence learning the trade?"

"In 1807 I was apprenticed to Alexander & Paillips, publishers of the Carlisle Herald, to learn the trade of a printer. I was to serve four years."

"You served your apprenticeship?"

"Yes. In 1811, being a full fledged journeyman. I returned to my navive town and started the Juniata Gazette, in connection with James Dixon. It is still published, but is now known as the Lewistown Gazette." "You served as a soldier in the war of 1812?"

"I did. I was with a party on detached duty waen the battle of the Thames was fon bt, and saw considerable service in that part of the country."

"That was the battle in which, it is said, Colonel Dick Johnson killed Tecumsch, the famous Indian chief."

"Yes, sir: I think there is no doubt that Johnson killed him in that battle."

No. 7.

"Did you ever meet Col. Johnson?" "I have. He visited me here many years ago, and we had a pleasant time."

"Were you in the service when Perry gained his victory on Lake Erie?"

"I was near enough to hear the sound of his guns when he thrashed the British in that naval engagement."

"Did you return to the printing business after the close of the war?"

"In 1816 I sold out my interest in the Gazette to Mr. Dixon and engaged in other business, which I followed with varying success for many years. I was once engaged in the furnace business, but when hard times came I was obliged to suspend. Finally, in 1834, I returned to the old Gazette, and after publishing it a short time. sold out to my son in 1835."

"You knew many of the distinguished men of the time?"

"Very well. I've met Henry Clay, and once I traveled with him down the river from here in a boat. I knew James Buchanan well, John W. Forney and many other prominent men long since dead."

"Did you know U. J. Jones, who wrote the story called 'Simon Girty,' and the history of the Juniata Valley, more than thirty years ago?"

"Very well; and I once met Simon Girty, too. I visited him in his cabin, near Malden, after the battle of the Thames."

"You are an older printer than Gen. Simon Camerou?"

"Yes, sir; I learned my trade several years before Cameron had learned to set type."

"You attended the unveiling of the monument to Gov. Snyder, at Selinsgrove, three years ago?"

"I did, and I believe Gen. Cameron and myself were the only two men present on that occasion who knew and were acquainted with Gov. Snyder. I have in my possession a commission signed by Gov. Snyder commissioning me a major of mililia in 1817. I had a fine sword and uniform once, but an officer borrowed a portion of it on a certain occasion and failed to return it."

Oliver Hillard is achieving success in the effort to trace the genealogy of the Hillard family, and is in correspondence with members of different branches of the family in various States.

The Hakes Genealogy.

When, last summer, by way of diversion, Dr. Hakes undertook to collate and formulate his genealogical record of the Hakes Family, he had no expectation that his labor would be extended beyond a few weeks, nor that the outcome would exceed what might be comprised in a dozen to twenty pages of manuscript. The volume he has just published contains, however, eighty-seven printed pages. The record covers seven generations, and the list of names reaches the very considerable number of 561. Its production has consumed six months of arduous work, and that it is complete so far as obtainable, and adds an original feature in arrangement which, while it does not disturb the ordinary method, suggests a change that is likely to make more easily traceable the line of descent in branches of a family, is due to Dr. Hakes' thorough way of working and his clear conception of what is most intelligible to the ordinary reader.

Solomon Hakes is shown to be the common ancestor. He had sons, George and Jonathan. Finding that the living descendants are the direct posterity, either of Jonathan or of the sons of his brother GeorgeRichard, George S. and James-the contents of the book are arranged in four tables, the first tracing the descendants of Jonathan, the second those of Richard, the third those of George S., and the fourth those of James. Dr. Hakes is in the line of George S., through his son Lyman, whose children were Lyman, (who was a member of the Luzerne bar, his death occuring in 1873,) Minerva, (the mother of L H. Bennett, Esq.,) Homer, Adaline, Harlo, Harry, (who was an M. D. from 1846 to 187, and a member of the Luzerne bar since and at present,) Caroline and Vienna.

The Doctor makes this laconic observation for those who may inquire as to his reason for publishing the book: "To those who ponder as to a motive to make a record of this kind, (quite too long neglected) I trust the receipt of a copy, free of expense, postage paid, will be a consoling auswer.' There ought to be in every family one who would take the pains to preserve the family record that is so admirably to ken in this instance. The book is very tastefully printed. and is from the office of Robert Baur & Son. in connection we may add that Dr. Hakes made in his researches many new acquaintances, renewing old ones as well, and in order to create fraternal feeling and freshen family traditions, he purposes having a meeting of members of the family at the National Hotel, Niagara Falls, on the first Wednesday in August. He is making every effort to induce a large turnout, and we dare say he will secure it, and will have withal a royal good time.

Early Lackawanna.

[Dr. Hollister in Scranton Truth.] Fifty-four years were measured and reddened by wars and massacres at Wyoming after the Indian purchase, before stone coal through the genius of Judge Fell, of WilkesBarre, achieved its triumph over wood as a fuel in 1808. This fact imparted the first dim conception to the farmers of Lackawanna that the black stuff along the streams and new lands offending the eye and the plough, might be put to better use than impoverishing the soil otherwise productive. The population of the valley in 1808-12 was small and the inhabitants poor. Occupied with the plain duties of husbandry, put to their wits' end to provide for the pressing wants of large families, they gave no thought to the mineral resources of the country, of which they were totally ignorant until Judge Fell's success was diffused throughout the country. No one thought of digging coal, because it was worthless to all but the few blacksmiths occasionally at work with it near some cross roads. As the rivers and the various streams entering it from the mountains had laid coal bare in many places by the action of the water, the citizens of Pittston and Providevce, began to estimate the probable worth of this new fuel. In the absence of authentic record, it is difficult if not impossible to put the credit of first burning stone coal in the valley where it really belongs. The pioneers from New England were not tempted here with the hope of finding anthracite. Here and there. generally by a spring, a log cabin emerged from the fresh burned clearing in which brave hearts and strong arms met the assanits of poverty with undaunted heroism.

Communication with the lower valley, carried on by the returning mill boy, who told what he had heard at the mill while waiting for his grist, slowly agitated the settlement with the success of Fell's burning coal in a grate. Preserved Taylor, a man of observation and judgment, who lived on the western border of Capouse Meadow, owned the Tripp farm whose margin was watered by a small rivolet. From a vein of coal brought to light by the receding waterfall, near the present Mount Pleasant Colliery, he gathered a few lumps for a fire in his kitchen in the autumn of 1810, two years later than its introduction in Wilkes Barre.

Coal, like wood, everywhere abundant, cost nothing but the trouble of drawing it to the farmer's home on the bob sled in winter time. As it made a fire which would last all night and far into the next day without the trouble of kindling it each successive dawn with half frozen fingers and a wheezy bellows it soon advocated its way among the farmers along the river who were able to