E -2.33 >l74 ^^ .Ntf 0^^^::^".% 9^- ^0. 5^ o cz> v^ ■« "%„#■ c3 ^ ,^^ ^^ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/lifeofjanemccrea01wils THE LIFE JANE McCREA, WITH AX ACCOl'NT OV iurgap^'^ fe|eiritiou in 1777 D. WILSOX. NEW YORK: BAKER, GODWIN & CO., PRINTERS, CORNER NASSAU AND SPRUCE STREETS. 1853. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S53, by DAVID WILSON, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York ^9i^ TO WILLIE LOW, IN' THE HOPE THAT ITS PERUSAL, WHEN HE SHALL HAVE PASSED THE AGE OF CHILDHOOD, MAY REMIND HIM OF THE AUTHOR, Fort Edward on the Hudson, It was guarded day and night; But in the early morning- It saw a bitter sight ! A bitter sight, and fearful, And a shameful deed of blood ! All the plain was cleared around, But the slopes were thick with wood; And a mighty Pine stood there, On the summit of the hill, And a bright spring rose beneath it, With a low and hquid trill; And a little way below, All with vine-boughs overrun, A white-walled cot was sleeping — There, that shameful deed was done !" Herbert. CONTENTS. PEEFACE, , . Page ix CHAPTER I. Introductory — Contradictory Statements — Birth and Parentage — Personal appearance and qualities — The Jones Family — Re- moval up the Hudson — Mrs. Campbell and her daughter — Da vid Jones — The Betrothal — Unforeseen Events — Consequences of the war, Page 18 CHAPTEE 11. Early Settlement of the District — Kind Feeling among the Settlers — Their Simplicity of Character — The Spirit of the Revolution exhibits itself — Its Effects on Social Intercourse — Lingering Attachment to Great Britain — Capture of Ticonderoga — ^Excite- ment it created — ^The Invasion of Canada — Phillip Schuyler — John McCrea joins the Patriots — John and Daniel Jones, the Royalists — David Jones conceals his Sentiments — Jenny's Fears and Anxieties, Page 22 CHAPTER III. John MeCrea returns from Canada — Gloomy prospects of the Americans — David Jones joins the British at Crown Point — Re- ceives his commission at St. Johns — Accompanies Burgoyne up the Lake — The Indians assemble on the Boquet — The war-feast and dance — Burgoyne's address — Answer of the Iroquois — The pompous proclamation — Its effects in America and England — Sketch of Biirgoyne's life — Scattering of the manifestos — Jane receives a letter from Jones — The substance of its contents — Le Loup, the wolf, , . . Page 3S 1* y[ CONTENTS. GHAPTEE lY. Lieutenant Jones iissigned to Eraser's Division — Burgoyne ap- proaches Ticonderoga — Occupation of Mount Hope and Mount Defiance — Origin of the names of the three mountains — Criti- cal situation of St. Clair — ^The Council of War — ^Evacuation of the Fort — The Conflagration on Mount Independence — ^Flight of the Americans — The battle of Ilubbardton — The Patriots de- feated — Sketch of the life of Warner — Colonel Hale vindicated — Sketch of the life of St. Clair — The American galleys over- taken at Skenesborough — Flight towards Fort Edward — Bur- goyne halts to refresh his armj', . . . Page 46 CHAPTEE V. Disastrous intelligence — Fugitives arrive at Fort Edward — John iMeCrea volunteers — Secluded life of Jane — Her visit to Ar- gyle — Mrs. McNiel's family pride — Jane's suspense, on hearing of battle of Hubbardton — The mysterious boatman — Freel ar- rives with a letter — Its contents — State of the country around 'Fort Edward — Gloom and disaffection — General Phillip Schuy- ler — Sketch of his life — His devoted patriotism — He obstructs the roads and streams — John McCrea's arduous labors — Enter- tains feelings different from his sister's, . . Page 60 CHAPTEE YI. The March through the wilderness — Obstructions in Woodcreek — The Naturalist, Kalm— The battle of Fort Ann— The Expedi- tion to Bennington — Sketch of Philip Skene — Burgoyne's con- fidence in his representations — Restlessness of the Indians — Their excesses — Their appearance in the neighborhood of Fort Edward — The Alarm — Flight of the Patriots to Albany— Jenny hesitates to accompany her brother — The Earl of Harrington — Nephew of Lieutenant Jones — Alexander Freel — Contest be- tween duty and affection — Love triumphs. Page 72 CONTENTS. vii CHAPTER VII. Kelative position of the Belligerents — David and Solomon Jones at Moss Street — The old Military Eoad — Tlie Fountain and the Pine — The Alternative — Jenny's visit to Fort Edward — Dis- closes her intention to Miss Thompson on the way — Subsequent history of the latter — Col. McCrea's anxiety for his sister's re- turn — Twice sends a messenger for her — Her interview with Freel — Impossibility of Jones visiting Mrs. Mc Mel's — The impla- cable hatred of tories entertained by the patriots — The "true love" scheme — Jenny resolves to approach the British lines alone — The invisible attendants, .... Page 85 CHAPTEE YIII. The murder of the Allen family — Miss Hunter and companions in the forest — Consternation of the inhabitants — Duluth sets out on his romantic errand — Preparations for the marriage — Jenny watches for the signal — Mrs. McMel's account of the massacre — Her ignorance of the causes that led to it — Letter of James McCrea — Jenny discovers the sign — She sets forth alone to meet her lover — She meets Van Vechten's men retreating be- fore Le Loup — Her flight back to the house — The capture — Mrs. McNiel carried into camp — Her meeting with Fraser — Duluth's interference — He claims the right to escort Jenny — The contention — The catastrophe, . . . Page 97 CHAPTER IX. The Excitement — Correspondence between Gates and Burgoyne — The people aroused — Announcemeiit of the murder in the British camp — Its effect on David Jones — Sketch of his subse- quent life — The Jones famil}- — The recent claim — Discovery of Jenny's body — Evacuation of Fort Edward — The hasty burial — Le Loup condemned to death — His pardon — Burgoyne reaches the Hudson — ^The defeat at Bennington — Sketch of Gen. Stark viii CONTENTS. — Affairs in the Mohawk Vallej* — Battle of Oriskany — Retreat of St. Leger — The mystery explained — Burgoyne's march to the Battenkill — His passage of the Hudson — The first battle of BemiTs Heights — Justice to Arnold — Second battle of Bemus Heights — Death of Gen. Fraser — Desperation of Arnold — The Americans victorious — Burial of Fraser — Burgoyne's retreat — The surrender at Saratoga — Jenny's remains exhumed — The re- interment at Fort Edward — ^The second exhumation — Their present resting-place — The epitaph, . . . Page IIS APPENDIX, Page 141 PREFACE There are but few persons of tins generation who have looked into our annals, or listened to old men who participated in the trials of the Revolution, as they "fought their battles o'er again," but have become familiar with the name of Jane McCrea, and contemplated with melancholy interest her imhappy fate. Every writer who has recorded the events connected with the long and tedious struggle for Independence, has not failed to dwell mourn- fully upon the tragical occurrence ; and indeed "the story of the unfortunate girl," it has been truthfully said "is so interwoven in our history that it has become a component part." It has happened, however, that these w^riters contradict each other in many important particulars. For instance, one grave his- torian represents that Lieutenant Jones, on hearing of the mas- sacre, "flew to the spot, tore away the leaves and earth, clasped the bleeding body in his arms, and, wrapping it in his cloak, bore it to a place of secrecy, until he could dispose of it according to his affections. He sat by it all night," he adds," in a state of quiet deli- rium, now and then rousing himself to a furious determination to immolate the first Indian he could find ; but^" the account concludes, "they were in their lairs!"* Another, with equal gravity, re- * Knapp's Additions to Hinton's History and Topography of the United States Vol.l,25S. , ' X PREFACE. marks, that both parties of Indians who were present at the affair, on arriving in camp, were ordered by Burgoyne " to immediate execution."* These statements so candidly put forth, yet so unlike the facts, were probably drawn from the over-wrought versions and exaggerated ballads of the time. On the other hand, some modern writers, as if to atone for the errors of their predecessors, have endeavored to divest the story of all that romantic interest which actually belongs to it. They have even gone so far as to assert that she was not murdered by the Indians at all, but on the contrary, was shot by a pursuing party of Americans. All contemporary evidence, however, stamps the assertion as preposterous. Burgoyne instituted an in- quiry at Fort Ann, and after a severe examination into all the cir- cumstances connected with the affair, condemned the murderer to • death: "and he certainly should have suffered an ignominioits.i death," was his language, "had I not been convinced that a par-- don under the terms which I presented would be more efficacious ; than an execution, to prevent similar mischiefs."f He knew the; facts, accurately and minutely. He was publicly charged with s having "employed murderers," and "with having paid the price: of blood." If she had been shot by the Americans, he w^ould not, when attempting to escape the odium it had excited against him, ■and ingeniously laboring to excuse himself in the eyes of the world,i liave said that two chiefs " disputed which should be her guard,! and in a Jit of savage 2yassion in one, the unhappy woman became the victim."X It is supposed that there is no person now living who was in; Fort Edward or its vicinity at the time of the massacre ; at least * Indian War, 114. t Burgoyne's reply to Gates's Letter of the 20tb August % Mem. PREFACE. xi' no one, at that period of sufficient age to comprehend what was taking place. They are all gone, and even their immediate de- scendants have long since passed the spring and summer into the autumn of life. Before the latter, who have listened to the parti- culars of the incident from the lips of the surviving actors in the tragedy, should be called to sleep with their fathers, it occurred to the author that a more detailed and authentic history of the event should be written than has yet publicly appeared. He has accord- ingly spared no pains in collecting all the information in his power. Tlie sources from whence it is derived will sufficiently appear in , the body of the work. The murder of Miss MeCrea was one of the incidents of Bur- goyne's campaign. Her affianced husband accompanied him from his arrival at St. John's until his surrender at Saratoga. Her biog- raphy is so intermingled with the history of his expedition that it was found impossible to separate them. In preparing the account of the expedition, numerous historical works, both native and foreign, have been consulted ; but the " Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution," by Mr. B. F. Lossing, has afforded more assistance than any other. To the author of that most interesting and estimable book we are under especial obligations. The gleaner who went out over the fields of the Re- volution, and carefully gathered up what the reapers had left behind, has entitled himself to the thanks of his generation and the grati- tude of posterity. Circumstances beyond control have made it necessary to omit many facts of much interest in regard to the expedition, which otherwise would have been added. They will yet be supplied, however, should the reception of this volume seem to warrant a revised and enlarged edition. THE LIFE OF JANE McCREA CHAPTER I. Inti-oductory — Contradictory Statements — Birth and Parentage — Personal appearance and qualities — The Jones Family — Re- moval up the Hudson — Mrs. Campbell and her daughter — Da- vid Jones — ^The Betrothal — Unforeseen Events — Consequences of the war. In the history of the Revolutionary "War, per- haps no single incident is recorded which, at the time of its occurrence, created more intense sympa- thy, or aroused a spirit of more bitter indignation, than the massacre of Jane Mc Crea. The personal attractions, and amiable qualities for which the un- fortunate maiden was distinguished, as well as the peculiar circumstances connected with the tragedy, continue to invest the story of her life with a roman- tic interest. The poet has made it the theme of his touching ballad ; the artist has essayed to mould her supplicating form and features, as she knelt beneath the uplifted tomahawk of the savage ; 2 14 LIFE OF JANE McCREA. while thousands have lingered long at the fountain, overshadowed by the venerable pine, near which the sanguinary scene was enacted. Aside from the sympathy the story has univer- sally excited, and the air of sorrowful romarfce that surrounds it, its interest is enhanced by the fact, that it contributed to the success of our arms in the memorable events that followed. Industriously cir- culated among the people, somewhat exaggerated perhaps, it caused bands of patriots to flock to the American camp, determined to resist an enemy guilty of such merciless barbarities. How far the defeat of Burgoyne at Saratoga may be attributed to the indignant feeling thus aroused, has been the subject of curious speculation. The exaggerations of the Americans on one hand, and the exculpatory versions of the British on the other, have given rise to many contradictory statements ; but the following, drawn from an examination of them all, and also from personal interviews with several aged people in the vicinit}" whose memories extend back beyond that time, is presumed to be the most detailed and correct history of her life that has yet appeared. A number of the descendants of her family are yet living, and to them we are especially indebted for particulars relative to her earlier years. Jane Mc Crea was born at Lamington, ITew Jersey, about the year 1757. Her father, James Mc Crea, was a Presbyterian clergyman. He was a native of Scotland ; but emigrating shortly LIFE OF JANE McCREA. 15 previous to her birth, liad settled in ]^ew Jersey, where, until his death, he continued to perform the duties appertaining to his sacred calling with re- markable zeal and ability. At an early age, she met with an irreparable loss in the death of her mother, whom she never ceased, while living, to hold in most affectionate remembrance. Some accounts assert that her father remarried ; and there is a vague tradition that it was on this occasion she was influenced, by motives of a domes- tic character, to take her departure from his house. This, however, is not entitled to credit ; for certain it is, she remained with her surviving parent until his death, and, it is said, performed towards him every kind and tender office that filial affection could suggest. At this time she had reached the age of about sixteen ; and, however much the various stories rela- tive to her subsequent fate may contradict each other, all agree that she was a young lady of fine accomplishments, great personal attraction, and re- markable sweetness of disposition. Her father being a man somewhat devoted to literary pursuits, she found in his library the means of gratifying a natural taste for reading, not enjoyed by many of her age in those early times. The serious character of the works to which she was thus permitted ac- cess, as well as the influence of pious parental instruction, had given a religious hue to the current of her reflections, and in some measure subdued a spirit by nature sprightly and vivacious. 16 LIFE OF JANE McCREA. The late Mrs. Neilson, of Bemus Heights, who was her friend and neighbor, gives this description of her personal appearance. " At the time of her death, she was of middling stature, finely formed, dark hair, and uncommonly beautiful." Gen. Gates, also, in a letter addressed to Burgoyne upon the subject of Indian cruelties, speaks of her as "a young lady lovely to the sight, of virtuous character and amiable disposition." She is described by ano- ther as " so graceful in manners, and so intelligent in features, that she was the favorite of all who knew her."* In fine, wherever history has re- corded the testimony of those who knew her, she is spoken of in the language of admiration. Among her father's neighbors in New Jersey, was the family of Jones, consisting of a widow and six sons, Jonathan, John, Dunham, Daniel, David, and Solomon. A close intimacy existed between the families, which had been of long and uninter- rupted continuance. From infancy the children had been playmates ; and as they grew to maturity, and went abroad into the world to prepare homes for themselves, the friendships of youth were not forgotten. John Mc Crea, brother of Jenny, was one of those hardy adventurers who, at an early period, pressing forward beyond the borders of civilization, erected their rude habitations in the wilderness. Arrived at the age of manhood, with a family grow- * Lossing's Field Book, vol. i, p. 99, note. LIFE OF JANE McCREA. l7 ing up around him, he began to consider the pros- pects before him. The acquisition of cheap, wild lands, which would increase in value as his children advanced in years, suggested itself as the surest project of securing to them ultimately a respectable competence. Disregarding the laborious life to which it would necessarily subject himself, he re- solved to undertake it. Turning away from the scenes of his youth, he ascended the Hudson, and following the " great pass between the French and English settlements in North America," established himself on the right bank of that river, a few miles south of Fort Edward. Here, having cleared a small space, and constructed a simple dwelling, he entered upon the task of subduing those ancient forests, which have since given place to stately mansions and cultivated fields. A short time subsequently, through his influence undoubtedly, the Jones family also ascended the Hudson, and settled a few miles north of him on the same shore of the river. The elder sons, soon after marrying, located in the vicinity, — Daniel, whose name has since become somewhat conspicuous, ob- taining a large tract of land, near the place now known as Moss street, in the town of Kingsbury. John also selected a residence in its immediate neighborhood; while David and Solomon, youngest of the sons, remained at the homestead with their mother. Among the friends and associates of Jenny's 18 LIFE OF JANE McCREA. youth, besides the Joneses, was a Miss Campbell, of the city of New York. Her father was a seafaring man, and in one of his voj^ages was swept overboard and lost, during a violent tempest off the Irish coast. Mrs. Campbell soon after married a Mr. Mc Kiel, who also died at sea. After this event she removed with her daughter to an estate, owned by him, covering part of the present site of the village of Fort Edward. She was born and bred among the Highlands of Scotland, and connected both by blood and marriage with many of the most distin- guished families in her native country. Mrs. Mc 'Niel was a woman who had visited many lands, and who was possessed of an exhaustless fund of inter- esting intelligence, but was more remarkable per- haps for extreme corpulency, than for any peculiar characteristic. When Jane Mc Crea, therefore, was left an or- phan, at the age of sixteen, the most intimate of her friends and the nearest of her kindred were just established in their new abodes on the upper waters of the Hudson. Though at that time it was indeed an uninviting region, the ties of friendship and con- sanguinity would naturally conspire, in her lonely situation, to turn her attention thitherward. An attraction, however, stronger than these induced Jenny to share with gladness the fortunes of her brother, and to count as nothing the deprivations of a home in the forest. Years before, when they were children, playing about the doors of their old homes LIFE OF JANE McCREA. 19 ill New Jersey, a mutual affection had grown up between her and David Jones, which neither dis- tance nor absence w^as able to abate. David Jones was one, if tradition describes him truly, well calculated to attract attention. Besides a handsome and manly form, he possessed an easy affability and grace of manner, in striking contrast with many a stout, rough-mannered youth, familiar only with such lessons of refinement as are taught n the solitude of the woods. He is described as a young man of exceeding promise, as gay, social, brave, and generous, qualities which did not fail to render him popular among his companions. That his heart overflowed with tenderest emotions towards the object of his passion, is evidenced by the vio- lence of his grief over her bloody tresses, and the sad and melancholy life he ever afterwards led. When Jane came to reside with her brother, a large portion of their time was passed in each other's society. The attachment which had budded in childhood soon ripened and expanded into the full- blown flower. Whenever she visited her young friend. Miss Campbell, at the Fort — whenever she sailed upon the river, or galloped on horseback along its shores, David was her invariable escort and companion. It may be readily supposed, as traditionary accounts inform us, that his feet had indeed worn a path through the woodland to the door of her dwelling, and that he never returned from the hunt, or from excursions of business or 20 LIFE OF JANE McCREA. pleasiire to neighboring settlements, without passing it on his way. This does not appear to be entirely fictitious, nor even very greatly exaggerated, when we consider not only the natural desire a youth of his ardent and social temperament would cherish to seek the presence of the mistress of his heart, but also the further authenticated fact, that among the scattered inhabitants for leagues around, it was well understood that David and Jenny were be- trothed. The hardships and inconveniences incident to a life in a newly-settled district, were more than counterbalanced by the happiness they enjoyed. As the day approached which was to witness the consummation of their hopes by the ceremonial of marriage, they gave themselves up to delightful an- ticipations. In the morning of life, full of health and vigor, confident in the knowledge of reciproca- ted affection, and unconscious of impending danger, there was indeed no apparent reason why they should not indulge the most sanguine dreams. Events, however, were close at hand, they had not foreseen. This fat^^l region, which, a few years previous, had been the *' arena upon which most o-f the battles for the mastery of the colonies had been contested," was destined again to become the theater of strife, — its woods and valleys to re- sound once m^ore with the war-whoop and the fierce clang of arms ; and in the savage tumult, God had ordered that the paths of this affianced pair should LIFE OF JANE McCREA. 21 separate, — one passing, througli an awful scene of violence, down the valley of death ; the other, a crazed and melancholy man, down the more fearful valley of his life. 2* 22 LIFE OF JANE McOEEA. CHAPTER II. Early Settlement of the District — Kind Feeling among the Settlers —Their Simplicity of Character— The Spirit of the Revolution exhibits itself— Its Effects on Social Intercourse— Lingering Attachment to Great Britain — Capture of Ticonderoga — Excite- ment it created — The Invasion of Canada — Phillip Schuyler — John McCrea joins the Patriots — John and Daniel Jones, the Royalists — David Jones conceals his Sentiments — Jenny's Fears and Anxieties. Notwithstanding the territory in the neighbor- hood of Fort Edward had been the scene of extensive military operations for many years, in consequence of its proximity to the French frontiers and the avarice of provincial governors,* it remained a com- parative wilderness till the period of the Revolution. " The great carrying place " is frequently mentioned in our earliest annals, but chiefly as the only ob- stacle preventing a continuous water communication from Canada southward to the sea. An eminent American author,f in a work which has immortal- ized his name, describing the situation of this par- ticular district during the third year of the French and Indian war, uses the following language : — "While the husbandman shrank back from the * Fitch's History of Washington County. f Cooper. LIFE OF JANE McCREA. 23 dangerous passes, within the safer boundaries of the more ancient settlements, armies larger than those that had often disposed of the sceptres of the mother countries, were seen to bury themselves in these for- ests, whence they never re-issued but in skeleton bands, that were haggard with care, or dejected by defeat. Though the arts of peace were unknown to this deadly region, its forests were alive with men ; its glades and glens rang with the sounds of martial music; and the echoes of its mountains threw back the laugh or repeated the wanton cry of many a gallant and reckless youth, as he hurried by them, in the noontide of his spirits, to slumber in a long night of forgetfulness." Immediately following the treaty of peace, con- cluded in 1763, by the terms of which the English became masters of Canada, the settlement of the country steadily advanced. Discharged soldiers re- turning to their homes, and who had not failed to observe the fertile lands along the Hudson, now no longer apprehensive of barbarous molestation, ga- thered together their effects, and came from distant places to reside upon its shores. While the Dur- kees, and Paynes, and others from New England, established themselves on the eastern, the western side of the river was settled principally by families from New Jersey, among whom were the Joneses and McGreas. The quiet which followed the treaty of Paris, it was fondly hoped would be of long continuance. — 24 LIFE OF JANE McCREA. The excitements of border warfare had wholly sub- sided ; the rifle was laid aside for the axe, and the sounds of peaceful industry everywhere succeeded the cries of terror and the fierce clamor of contend- ing enemies. The husbandman went forth to his labors, fearing not that he might find his home in ashes and his household murdered on his return. — There was no longer any apprehension of such cal- amities ; and, as the sturdy trees fell before his well- directed blows, and the virgin soil received from his hands new and unaccustomed seeds, he looked con- fidently forward to the time when the harvest might be gathered in j)eace. Too far separated to admit of interference, re- mote from populous towns, and dependent in a great measure upon the neighborly kindness of each other, a strong friendly feeling bound together, as a band of brothers, all these dwellers in the forests. At log-rollings and fallow-burnings and house-raisings, they came from miles away to render assistance without reward. In the evening they gathered around the simple board, discoursing of crops, and cattle, and prices in the distant market ; or, if their thoughts chanced to turn in the direction of the past, they recounted the story of the " Bloody Run,"* the massacre of Fort William Henry, and * Bloody Run is a small stream, affording fine trout-fishing, wliich comes leaping in sparkling cascades from the hills, in the neighborhood of Fort Miller. It derives its name from the fact, that while the English had possession of the Fort in 1759, a party LIFE OF JANE MoCREA. 25 many a fearful tragedy of more troublous times, as yet fresh within their memories. The young people also were accustomed to assemble together, coming long distances over the hills and through winding wood-paths, to play and dance in the light of the flaming logs, that filled the capacious fire-place in the log mansion of the settler. And if aged matrons can be credited, who are wont to recount, with a melancholy sigh, the stories of their youth, there was a hearty, unaffected sociality in their pastimes, altogether unknown in these degen- erate days. They led a simple but happy life, ignorant of the luxuries and formalities of their descendants. The early inhabitants along the Hudson, were thus dw^elling together in primitive simplicity, when a spirit began to spread abroad in the land, that was destined, ere it could be allayed, not only to destroy the character of their happy intercourse, but to inark an important era in the history of the world. Clouds again were gathering in the political horizon, that foreboded an approaching storm. Sounds of disaffection, at first faint and indistinct, arose from the chief towns along the coast, and as they assumed of soldiers from the garrison went out on a fishing excursion. The hills, now cultivated, were then covered with dense forests, and afforded the Indians excellent ambush, A troop of savages lying near, sprang silently from their covert upon the fishers, and bore off nine scalps before those who escaped could reach the Fort and give the alarm. — Lossing's Field Booh, vol. i., p. 94. 26 LIFE OF JANE McCREA. a more loud and defiant tone, at length penetrated to the most remote abodes. New themes began to suggest themselves to the contemplation of the peo- ple. Those ordinary topics which had hitherto af- forded subjects of comment and discussion, were dismissed for lengthy disquisitions on the question of political rights. In the progress of the contro- versy, the minds of men became embittered, and friends and neighbors who had dwelt together for years in social harmony, began to array themselves against each other. While many of those to whom we have referred, urged by a sense of political oppression, espoused the cause of the complaining colonists, others, and many of them unquestionably actuated by honorable and conscientious motives, still adhered to that royal house to which their ancestors had yielded allegi- ance. They might indeed have felt aggrieved with the unjust legislation to which they were subjected; nevertheless they aspired not to political independ- ence, but looked earnestly forward to reconciliation and redress. They still cherished the love of coun- try for which their fathers were distinguished, and were proud of their connection with that mighty realm, everywhere victorious in arms, and at that time the most powerful nation of the earth. The magnitude of their grievances was insufficient to alienate their afiections altogether from the land of whose glorious history they were fain to boast, and LIFE OF JANE McCREA. 27 in whose soil reposed the ashes of those from whom thej were descended.* When the scene of agitation, however, was sud- denly transferred from the neighborhood of Boston to their own immediate vicinity, it was necessary for them to assume their distinct position, on one side or the other of the controversy. Though there were in fact two classes of royalists, the active and passive, they were alike regarded by their opponents as the enemies of liberty. Previous to the month of May, 1Y75, the general attention was directed to scenes enacting within the limits of Massachusetts Bay. Throughout the sparsely settled districts in the interior, the excitement had not arisen to the height of violence it had attained in the eastern por- tion of that Province. The capture of their neigh- bor, Major Skene, of Skenesborough, however, and the taking of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, by Ethan Allen and Seth Warner, on the tenth and twelfth of that month, aroused, as might well be supposed, throughout the surrounding region, emo- * Dr. Franklin was examined before the British House of Com- mons, and in answer to a question proposed to him concerning the feeling of the people of America towards Great Britain, replied — " They had not only a respect, but an affection for Great Britain, for its laws, its customs and its manners, and even a fondness for its fashions that greatly increased the commerce. Natives of Brit- ain were always treated with particular regard, and to be an Old JEnglandman was of itself a character of some respect, and gave a kind of rank among us." —Examination of Franklin before the House of Commons, in relation to the Stamp Act. 28 I^IFE OF JANE McCREA. tions of the most intense and exciting character. — The design of the expedition, and the expedition itself, had been kept a profound secret as far as pos- sible. It had not received the avowed sanction of any public body. The whole plan was of a private nature, having the tacit approbation only of the As- sembly of Connecticut. While, therefore, the Continental Congress, then in session at Philadelphia, received the news of this unexpected and bold adventure with some degree of alarm, those residing near the captured fortresses were utterly overwhelmed. The intelligence that Lake Champlain was in possession of the patriots, startled them as would a clap of thunder in an un- clouded day. Grim-visaged war, so long threatened, was come at last, and had shown his wrinkled front at their very doors. The husbandman left his fields, the mechanic his workshop ; and seizing those arms which, during the interval of peace, had rusted on the wall, arranged themselves respectively on the side they had espoused. Before the excitement, produced by the capture of Ticonderoga, was allayed, to wit, in the month of June following, the invasion of Canada was deter- mined upon. By a resolution of Congress, General Schuyler was appointed to the command of the ex- pedition. Three thousand men from JSTew England and New York, were designed for this service, and fifty thousand dollars in specie voted to defray ex- penses. LIFE OF JANE McCREA. 29 Scliuyler was at Kew York when this important command was entrusted to him. He hastened at once to Ticonderoga to make the necessary arrange- ments for the enterprise, and on his way thither, up the Hudson, exerted his utmost influence to in- crease the excitement ah'eady existing among the settlers. He inflamed their minds with repetitions of the wrongs imposed upon them, in glowing and indignant terms ; everywhere infusing into the hearts of his countrymen, a portion of that patriotic spirit that burned in his own bosom. From the commencement of difficulties, John McCrea leaned to the patriot side. As the absorb- ing questions of the day were more and more dis- cussed among his neighbors, he became, at length, the advocate and champion of their cause. And now, when armed men were following Montgomery ov^er the " Great Path " to Canada, he was found among them. When the call to arms first rang through the settlements of Saratoga, none obeyed it more readily than John McCrea, and his less for- tunate acquaintance, Joseph Bettys.* * Joseph Bettys, or, as he "was better known in those days, " Joe Bettys," was an ardent whig at the opening of the war. He was a native of Saratoga County, and fought bravely in the attack upon Quebec. He was also on board the Washington galley, com- manded by General Waterbury, in the desperate naval action be- tween Arnold and the British fleet on Lake Champlain, Oct. 13tb, 17*76, and was taken prisoner and carried to Canada. While a captive he was induced to join the royal standard, and was made an ensign. He afterwards became notorious as a spy, and having 30 LIFE OF JANE MoCREA. McCrea, however, was not accompanied on this occasion, by any of the sons of widow Jones. His old companions, more particularly John and Daniel, who resided at Kingsbury, were conspicuous tories, and had rendered themselves obnoxious on that ac- count. The entire family were regarded as friendly to the royal cause ; though Jonathan and David, as yet, remained uncommitted to either side. The motives that induced the latter to suppress the sen- timents he entertained in common with his elder brethren, can easily be conceived. John McCrea had imbibed the strong prejudices and animosities prevalent in his time ; and no tory, whether he came to woo his sister, or on any other errand, would have found a welcome in his house. Already he was es- tranged from John and Daniel Jones, denouncing them in unmeasured language, as the enemies of freedom, notwithstanding they had been the play- mates of his youth, and the closest of his companions in later years. David, however, continued his visits, as usual, though he was not received by the patriot with that cordiality with which he was wont to greet him. — been taken on one occasion by the Americans, was conducted to the gallows. He was, however, reprieved by Washington, at the instance of his friends, especially his aged and venerable parents, on condition of his no more aiding the enemies of America. But, false to his promise, he immediately rejoined the British; and for years his incendiarism and cold-blooded murders, made his name a terror in the region of his former residence. Finally, in 1*782, he was retaken, and executed at Alban}^, as a spy and traitor. LIFE OF JANE MoCREA. 3f Anxious to avoid a rupture which might interfere with the successful prosecution of his suit, he was cautious in the declaration of his sentiments. In fact, in the presence of his prospective brother-in- law, he feigned rather than otherwise, to coincide with him in opinion. Nevertheless, he was a royal- ist at heart, and secretly determined, if the exigen- cies of the times should demand his services, to join the standard of his king. For more than a year after the actual commence- ment of hostilities, he maintained his neutral po- sition, taking no part, and to outward appearances feeling little interest, in the result of the contest. — During that period, however, he had disclosed to Jenny his real sentiments. In many a long inter- view, he dwelt upon the folly of resisting England, characterizing the war as a hopeless rebellion, des- tined to a speedy and disastrous termination. He deplored the infatuation that had induced her bro- ther, not only to espouse an imworthy cause, but which had also created a bitterness towards his fa- mily, and an evident coldness towards himself. For the first time, presentiments of approaching trouble began to disturb them. A shadow had fallen on their path. The youthful wooer could illy brook the restraint imposed on himself; and Jenny's imagination thronged with horrors, when he spoke of leaving her for a time, to share in the dangers and glory of the war. She trembled also for her brother's safety, now absent with the northern 32 LIFE OF JANE McCREA. army. Daily rumors of sieges and battles, exagger- ated as they passed from mouth to mouth, overcame her with alarm. Withal, she knew not how soon the plighted lover of her youth might also be found in arms. She knew right well, however, the stand- ard he would seek ; and terrible was the thought in- deed, that those two, nearest and dearest of all the world to her, should ever meet each other in the shock of battle. Earnestly the dark-haired girl prayed for the re- turn of peace ; for the time to come when the sword should be laid aside, and " war's alarms " should cease. Alas ! she little dreamed that before the lapse of another year her name, ringing through the land, would arouse indignant men to arms, and in the hour of battle add fierceness to the strife. LIFE OF JANE McCEEA. 33 CHAPTER III. John Mc Crea returns from Canada — Gloomy prospects of the Americans — David Jones joins the British at Crown Point — Re- ceives his commission at St. Johns — Accompanies Burgoyne up the Lake — ^The Indians assemble on the Boquet — ^The war-feast and dance — Burgoyne's address — Answer of the Iroquois — The pompous proclamation — Its effects in America and England — Sketch of Burgoyne's life — Scattering of the manifestos — Jane receives a letter from Jones — The substance of its contents — Le Loup, the wolf. John Mc Ceea at length returned from the expe- dition to Canada, a mortified and dejected man. He had braved innumerable dangers, endured in- credible hardships, and in the end suffered the humiliation of defeat. In common with his friends, he had been sorely disappointed in the spirit of the people of the North. Instead of being received with open arms, as was anticipated, the inhabitants of the invaded province opposed them with a perse- vering and bloody obstinacy, that the unremitting exertions of Montgomery and the headlong courage of Arnold could not overcome. He had encoun- tered hunger, and fatigue, and danger, and all the trials incident to a winter campaign, only to witness the fall of his commander, and the slaughter of 34 LIFE OF JANE McCREA. many brave companions in arms. He returned to meet the scoff and scorn of his tory neighbors, and to bear the dismal tidings to many a bereaved household, that it had lost a husband or father beneath the battlements of Quebec. The affairs of the Americans, especially in the North, presented at this period a gloomy aspect indeed. The expedition which, it was warmly believed, would secure the co-operation of the Cana- dians, had resulted in disaster. In the progress ox events, the patriots were not only driven from the territory of Canada, but the English had again es- tablished themselves in the important fortress of Crown Point, and held possession of the northern, portion of the Lake. There was much to dispirit the resisting colonists in the prospect before them ; while toryism lifted high its head, uttering loud and confident predictions. Such was the situation of affairs, when David Jones, late in the autumn of 1776, resolved to re- main no longer an inactive spectator of the stirring scenes around him. He had heard of the anticipa- ted arrival at Quebec of a numerous and well-ap- pointed British army, and doubted not but the proposed expedition would be crowned with success, and that it would terminate at once a foolish and unjustifiable rebellion. In his conversations with Jane, he dwelt upon the absolute certainty of such a result. He de- picted the peaceful times that would ensue — a LIFE OF JANE McCREA. 35 return of those happy days when husbandmen were singing in the fields, and before the voices of love were drowned by the bitter clamor of contention. The feud which had sprung up between members of their families, would then cease. Then — so ran the current of their hopes, — old friends would re-imite over the grave of forgotten animosities, and the spirit of good fellowship would return with their allegiance to a lawful king. Kone waited with more intense anxiety than they, for the coming of a day of peace. For obvious reasons, they were now accustomed to meet at the house of Mrs. Mc Niel, situated a short distance from the Fort. Here it was their last interview occurred. Jenny's intimacy with Miss Campbell afforded sufficient pretext for fre- quent visits ; while a similarity of opinion between her mother and young Jones, secured for him, at all times, a cordial welcome. It was with many misgivings and apprehensions on the part of the affectionate maiden, that she yielded, at length, a reluctant consent to the step her lover proposed to take : which was, to give out among his neighbors that he intended to join the Americans at Ticonderoga, when his real design was to pass that fortress, and unite with the oppo- sing forces in Canada. In one so high spirited, it is to be presumed that some ambitious longings for distinction mingled with his more tender emotions. His intimate knowledge of the country, through 36 LIFE OF JANE McCREA. which lay the proposed rout of the invaders, would enable him to render profitable service, and perhaps afford him an opportunity of securing the favorable notice of his commander — possibly of his king. At least, it never occurred to him but that he would return with a victorious army, destined to suppress an audacious rebellion, and to receive the adulation of history. Having arranged to communicate to each other as frequently as opportunity presented, through the agency of a man of doubtful patriotism, by the name of Alexander Freel, — and having renewed their vows, with many earnest assurances of constancy, the plighted couple separated, at the house of Mrs. Mc ISTiel. Jane returned to her brother's family, on the opposite shore of the river ; while David in company with his brother Jonathan, and some sixty others, set out for the North, representing, to the patriots at least, that they were on their way to join the garrison at Ticonderoga. The whole party, however, either as originally intended, or influenced by the persuasive eloquence and flattering representations of the brothers Jones, who were the leading spirits of the little company, avoided Ticonderoga, and pushing hastily forward down the Lake, presented themselves at Crown Point, proffering their services to the British officer then in command of that place. Soon after, they proceeded to St. Johns, where they remained until tlie arrival of Burgoyne, in the LIFE OF JANE McCREA. 37 Spring of 1777. Previous to their departure from thence, both brothers were honored with commis- sions in the British service, Jonathan as captain, and David as lieutenant in the same company. They acted in the capacity of pilots and pioneers, — a service they were eminently enabled to perform, from a familiar acquaintance with localities in the contemplated route of the invading forces. The detachment under St. Leger, having de- parted upon its destination to the valley of the Mo- hawk, the main body, consisting of upwards of seven thousand men, sailed from St. Johns on the first of June. Halting a short time, to collect a quantity of stores, at Cumberland Head, a spot since rendered famous in our naval history, as the scene of Mc Donough's victory, the formidable armament pro- ceeded to a point on the west shore of the Lake, a number of leagues farther to the south. Here, in the gloom of a thick forest, on the banks of the Boquet, a small, romantic river that comes bubbling down from the lofty mountains on the west, Burgoyne directed his army to encamp. At this spot, he awaited the arrival of those savage allies which the mistaken and cruel policy of England had instructed him to employ. Extensive preparations were made for their reception ; here was to be held the grand council, and here were the dusky warriors to be entertained with a war-feast, after the manner of their tribes. It is but justice to the memory of Burgoyne, and 3 38 I^IFE OF JANE McCREA. still more to the memory of Carleton, Governor of Canada, to record the fact that both of them were averse to the employment of these barbarians. Their former experience had taught them that their presence was an encumbrance rather than otherwise. The extreme repugnance of the Governoi to such a measure, has been assigned as one of the principal causes of his not being entrusted with the conduct of the campaign. His ambitious rival yielded more readily to the ^positive instructions of the ministry, though it is apparent from the tenor of his speech on the shore of the Boquet, that he dis- countenanced the thought of indiscriminate blood- shed. His fatal error, not only on this but subse- quent occasions, sprang from an overweening confidence in his own influence — an influence he vainly flattered himself was sufiiciently powerful to restrain the ferocious spirit of the savage, within the limit of civilized humanity. Headed by a priest of Kome, the chiefs and their followers, decked with feathers and hid- eous with war-paint, made their appearance in camp. They exceeded four hundred in number, coming from remote parts of Canada, and were chiefly of the tribes of Algonquins, Ottawas, and Iroquois. Their arrival was attended with great pomp and ceremony. At the feast which followed, they sang their traditionary songs, and in exulting language, dwelt upon the extent of their history, and the ancient glory of their fathers. Frequently LIFE OF JANE McCREA. 39 they pointed to rude pictures of the deer, the squir- rel, and the oak, imprinted on their bodies — the armorial devices of their respective tribes. Then followed the war-dance, the entire band moving in a circle, whooping, brandishing their tomahawks, imitating the act of scalping, of lying in ambush, the sudden attack, the struggle, the carnage and the victory, thus representing how they should vanquish the enemies of their great father beyond the sea. It was the 2l8t of June, that these scenes were enacted in the presence of Burgoyne's army. Never before had such wild and warlike voices rung through the little valley of Boquet. At the con- clusion of these ceremonies, the barbarians were assembled to listen to the great chief. Burgoyne, approaching with a dignified air, and arrayed in magnificent uniform, addressed them through an interpreter, in a speech remarkable for its singular energy and adroitness. He explained to them the peculiar character of the controversy in which they were about to engage. It was not a common enemy whom he was going forth to conquer; but, on the contrary, a large proportion of the inhabitants of the country, still remained faithful to their sovereign. These were entitled to and should receive his protection. Old men, women, children, and prisoners should be spared ; those only who were found in arms should be put to death ; those only who were slain in battle, should be scalped. 40 LIFE OF JANE McCREA. " I positively forbid bloodshed," he remarked, " when you are not opposed in arms. You shall receive compensation for the prisoners you take, but you shall be called to account for scalps. In con- formity and indulgence of your customs, which have affixed an idea of honor to such badges of victory, you shall be allowed to take the scalps of the dead when killed by your fire and in fair opposition; but on no account, or pretense, or subtility, or pre- varication are they to be taken from the wounded, or even the dying ; and still less pardonable, if pos- sible, will it be held to kill men in that condition on purpose, and upon a supposition that this protec- tion to the wounded would be thereby evaded."* He sought to explain to their comprehension, the vast difference between a war waged against an entire nation, " and the present, in which the faith- ful were intermixe 1 with rebels, and traitors with friends ;" to excite their ardor in the common cause to a degree that should render them an object of terror, and at the same time to regulate their pas- sions, and repress the natural ferocity of their pro- pensities ; while, therefore, he threatened severest punishment towards those who should molest the aged, the helpless, and the prisoner, or who upon any pretext or provocation should scalp a living enemy, he also, in the same speech, gave utterance to language such as this — '' Go forth in the might * Extract from Burgoyne's Speech on the Boquet, June 21, 1777. LIFE OF JANE MoCREA. 41 of jour valor, and your cause; strike at the com- mon enemies of Great Britain and of America, disturbers of public order, peace and happiness, destroyers of commerce, parricides of the state." When he had concluded this ingenious address, intermingled with much flattering commendation of their enterprise, constancy and perseverance, which we have omitted to transcribe, a chief of the Iro- quois deliberately arose to reply. Had Lieutenant * Jones been permitted, at that moment, to have fore- seen events, he could not have maintained the com- posure with which he watched the unusual scene. After a brief silence, the savage stretched forth his hand — the same hand that afterwards clutched the long, disheveled hair of Jane McCrea — and said : " I stand up in the name of all the nations pres- ent, to assure our father that we have attentively listened to his discourse. We receive you as our father, because when you speak we hear the voice of our great father beyond the great lake. We rejoice in the approbation you have expressed of our behavior. We have been tried and tempted by the Bostonians ;* but we loved our father, and our hatchets have been sharpened upon our affec- tions. In proof of the sincerity of our professions, our whole villages able to go to war, are come forth. The old and infirm, our infants and wives, alone remain at home. With one common assent, * Massachusetts loyalists, whom he confounded with the patriots. 42 LIFE OF JANE McCREA. we promise a constant obedience to all you have ordered and all jou shall order ; and may the Father of Days give yon many, and success I""^ Burgoyne had the credulity to rely upon these promises, albeit to his shame and sorrow. Their ferocity was aroused as soon as their nostrils snuffed the first scent of blood, and all the restraints impo- sed upon them with such elaborate formality, were like ropes of sand. In the hour of triumph they marred the glory of his achievements with their butcheries ; in the hour of his sorest need, they de- serted him like cowards. From this vicinity, on the 29th of June, Bur- goyne sent forth that famous proclamation by which he thought to overawe the Americans with exagger- ated statements of the number of Indians accom- panying him, and their eagerness to be let loose upon them. "I have but to give stretch to the Indian forces under my direction, and they amount to thousands, to overtake the hardened enemies of Great Britain and America. I consider them the same, wherever they may lurk. "To those who con- tinued quietly to pursue their occupations, he prom- ised security and protection; those who persisted in rebellion, he threatened with terrible vengeance; and, as if to inspire the enemy with a sense of his vast consequence and overshadowing power, he commenced his swaggering manifesto as follows : — " By John Burgoyne, Esquire, Lieutenant General * Burgoyne's "State of the Expedition,"