Ck2.^.ia-5

IttblitstjiffiKS

)utmal ^at'uiu flf ^tu^l^nu.

CHAMBEESBUEG.

PBESKNTED TO THE PUBLIOATION FUND.

THE
HISTOEICAL SOCIETY
OP
PENNSYLYANIA.

p.«j5ilj£nt.
THOMAS SERGEANT.

¦FUt-^xtsiirtntjf.
J. R. TYSON, WILLIAM SHIPPEN, ,.
CHARLES MINER, Wilkes-Barrg,, GEORGE CHAMBERS, Chambersburg.
CoxrtKpon&ins .^ttittarj.
HORATIO G. JONES.
iS,UBtiiirts Suxtiux^.
FRANK M. ETTING.
^xtKSnxn.
CHARLES M. MORRIS.
I/iirttriait.
TOWNSEND WARD.
3ExMutiS« CommittJi.
BENJAMIN H. COATBS, ALEXANDER JOHNSTON,
J. FRANCIS FISHER, MORTON P. HENRY,
CHARLES J. RIDDLE, JOHN JORDAN, Jb.,
HENRY C. BAIRD, CHARLES S. KBYSBR,
EDWARD ARMSTRONG.
1856.

Constitution.

Article I. This association shall be called " The Historical Society of
Pennsylvania" — and its object shall he the elucidation of the history of
this State ; though other branches of history shall not be excluded.
Article II. The Society shall be composed of such persons as have been,
or may be, elected, from time to time, according to its laws and regulations.
Article III. The officers of the Society shall be annually chosen, by a
majority of ballots, at the stated meeting in February, and shall consist of
a President, four Vice-Presidents, a Corresponding Secretary, a Recording
Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Librarian. No person shall be eligible to
the office of President at more than two out of three, or Vice-President at
more than four out of five, successive elections.
Article IV. It shall be the duty of the President, or in his absence of
the Vice-Presidents, iu rotation, to preside at the meetings of the Society,
to preserve order, to regulate the debates, to state motions and questions,
and to announce the decisions thereupon. If neither the President nor any
of the Vice-Presidents be present at a meeting, the Society may choose a
member to act as President at that meeting.
Article V. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct and have charge
of the correspondence of the Society; he shall notify all members of their
election — and shall assist the Recording Secretary in the reading of all
letters and other documents at the meetings.
Article VI. The Recording Secretary shall keep fuU and correct minutes
of the proceedings of the Society, and shall have the same transcribed into
a book of record. He shall give due notice of any special meeting that
may be called.
Article VII. The Treasurer shall have charge of the moneys and other
funds belonging to the Society. He shall collect the contributions of the
members, and other income of the Society, and shall pay such claims against
the Society as shall have been duly examined and ordered to be paid. He
shall annually present, at the stated meeting in December, a statement of
his receipts and expenditures during the preceding year, -with a full report
on the financial condition of the Society.

Article VIII. The Librarian shall have charge of the books, manu
scripts, and other property iu the rooms of the Society, and shall arrange
and preserve the same in proper and convenient order. He shall keep an
arranged catalogue of the books, ipanuscripts, and other donations, with
the names of the donors. At the stated meeting in January, he shall
annually present a report to the Society, embracing an account of his
administration of the library, and of its condition during the preceding
year. Article IX. Vacancies which may occur in any of the above-named
offices shall be filled by an election at the next stated meeting after such
vacancy shall have been announced to the Society ; but such election shall
be only for the unexpired term of the person vacating the office.
Article X. The Society shall hold stated meetings on the second Monday
evening of every month. Special meetings may be called by the President
or one of the Vice-Presidents, by giving at least three days' notice thereof
in not less than two of the daily newspapers published in the City of Phila
delphia. The members present at any meeting shall constitute a quorum.
Article XI. No alteration shall be made in this Constitution unless the
proposed amendments shall have been drawn up in writing and read to the
Society at three successive monthly stated meetings. Nor shall any such
amendment be considered as adopted unless sanctioned by the votes of
three-fourths of the members present at the meeting when the question
shall be taken upon its adoption.

JlaiMs.
Article I. The election of members shall be by ballot, and shall form
part of the business at every stated meeting.
Article II. A member may at any meeting nominate, in writing, a
candidate for membership, and the nomination bo made may be concurred
in and signed by other members.
Article III. No person shall be balloted for, unless his nomination, with
tho names of the members proposing him, shall have been publicly read to
the Society at the stated meeting preceding that at which the balloting
takes place ; nor shall any candidate be deemed duly elected unless three-
fourths of the ballots cast shall have been in his favor.

Article IV. Those members shall be deemed qnalified voters at the
meetings and elections, who have subscribed to the Constitution, and who
have paid all their dues to the Society.
Article V. Before entering upon an election for members, the Secretary
shall announce the names of the several candidates, and any member may
then, for the information of the Society, speak of their character and quali
fications for membership.
Article VI. The names of the candidates and their places of residence
shall be designated on the ballot-boxes, and the names of the members
qualified to vote shall then be called by the Secretary. The members shall
theu ballot for the several candidates — a white ball Uteing considered in
favor pf the candidate.
Article VII. The balloting being gone through, the boxes shall be
opened and the result of the poll declared by the presiding officer. The
papers containing the names of the unsuccessful candidates shall be imme
diately destroyed; but the written nominations of the members elected
shall be preserved by the Secretary for future reference.
Article VIII. Every new member, upon his introduction into the So
ciety, shall be presented to the presiding officer, and shall sign the Consti
tution of the Society.
Article IX. Such members as reside within the City of Philadelphia,
shall pay an annual contribution of three dollars. The payment of twenty
dollars at one time, by a member not in arrears to the Society, shall con
stitute him a member for life, with an exemption from all future annual
payments. And any member liable to an annual contribution, who shall
neglect or refuse to pay the same for the term of two years, shall be notified
by the Treasurer, in writing, that his rights as a member are suspended —
and in case the said arrears are not paid when the third annual contribution
shall have become due, the membership of such defaulting member shall
then be forfeited, his name stricken from the roll, and reported to the
Society by the Treasurer.
Article X. On the Society being informed of the death of a member,
the fact shall be entered on the records, and a member may be appointed
to prepare an obituary notice of the deceased. The obituary notices of
members shall be read to the Society, and they shall be bound together
whenever they are sufficiently numerous to form a volume.
Article XI. There shall be chosen at the stated meeting on the second
Monday of February, in each year, the following Standing Committees, viz :

three members of the Society to be a Committee of Finance ; three to be a
Committee of Publication, and three to be a Committee on the Library.
And the members of these Committees together with the officers of the
Society, shall form an Executive Committee, with full power to direct the
business affairs of the Society, and they shall meet at the Hall on the
fourth Monday of every month.
Article XII. The Committee of Finance shall have the general superin
tendence of the financial concerns of the Society; they shall audit and
certify all bills for payment by the Treasurer; they shall always have
access to his books, accounts, and vouchers, and shall examine and audit
his annual report. They shall consult with the Treasurer, and authorize
and direct the investment of surplus funds. They shall also have power
to remit the dues from members in cases where they shall judge that cir
cumstances make it proper to do so.
Article XIII. The Committee of Publication shall superintend the print
ing and distribution of such publications as may be ordered to be made by
the Society, aud approved by the Trustees of the Publication Fund. They
shall have power to call on the Librarian for his assistance iu the perform
ance of their duties.
Article XIV. The Committee on the Library shall confer with aud assist
the Librarian in the general care and management of the library, and in
the disbursement of such appropriations as may be made by the Society
for its increase and maintenance, as well as in the disposition and arrange
ment of the books, maps, and documents belonging to the Society.
Article XV. All committees shall be chosen, unless the Society shall
otherwise direct, on nominations previously made and seconded, the ques
tion being taken on the appointment of each member of the committee
separately. The member first elected of any committee shall be the chair
man, and considered responsible for the discharge of the duties of the com
mittee. A inajority of any committee shall be a quorum.
Article XVI. Special committees shall report at the meeting next after
that at which they were appointed, unless otherwise ordered by the Society ;
and on the failure of any committee to make a final report at the proper
time, unless a satisfactory reason for their delay be given, they shall be
discharged, and the matter dropped or referred to another committee, as
the Society shall determine. All reports shall be in wifiting, and signed.
by the members agreeing thereto.
Article XVII. The names ofthe committees, the times of their appoint
ment, the matter of business committed to them, and the time when their

report is presented, shall be entered by the Secretary in a book to be pro
vided for the purpose.
Article XVIII. The Librarian shall attend at the library between the
hours of 12 and 1 P. M., aud on every Monday evening between the hours
of 8 and 10.
Article XIX. No alteration or amendment of the laws and regulations
of the Society shall be made or considered, unless the same shall have been
duly proposed and fairly drawn up in writing at one stated meeting of the
Society, and laid over for consideration and enactment at the next stated
meeting ; nor shall any such alteration, amendment, or regulation be cou-
.sidered as passed or binding upon the merabers, unless the same be
sanctioned by the vote of three-fourths of the number of qualified members
then present.
Article XX. The laws and regulations contained in the foregoing nine
teen articles shall be in force from and after the time of their adoption by
the Society, and thereafter all other laws and regulations heretofore made
by the Society, and not contained in its Constitution, shall be, and the same
are hereby repealed.

©rtrer of iSusinegs.
I. The chair taken by the presiding officer.
II. Names of members present minuted.
III. New members presented, and visitors from other societies introduced.
IV. Records read of last stated meeting, aud of any subsequent special
meeting. V. Correspondence read:
a. Acknowledgment of election to membership.
b. Letters from coiTesponding societies.
c. Other letters.
VI. Donations and other additions announced:
a. To the library.
b. Other donations or additions.
VII. Reports and communications on historical and literary subjects.

VIII. Obituary notices of members read, and announcements of the
decease of members made and acted on. *
IX. Pending nominations for membership and new nominations read.
X. Balloting for candidates for membership, and other stated business.
XI. Reports on business from officers and committees.
XII. Deferred business.
XIII. New business.
XIV. Minutes of the meeting read and submitted for correction.
XV. The Society adjourned by the presiding officer.

PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY.
jFtinti
FOR THE PUBLIOATION OP ORIGINAL, AND THE REPRINT OF RARE
AND VALUABLE, WORKS ON STATE AND NATIONAL HISTORY.
^xustns. prjjstttt StuU
GEORGE W. NORRIS, af fimlJ.
JOHN JORDAN, Jr., Interest only used :
HARRY CONRAD. $10,000.
The Publication Fund is composed of subscriptions of twenty dollars
each, the payment of which, by any person, obtains the right to receive
during life, or a public library for twenty years, a copy of all the publica
tions of the Society. This Fund is of recent establishment, yet its increase
has been rapid and steady. The selection of works for the press is deter
mined by the concurrence of both the Society and the Trustees; cither
having a negative upon the acts of the other in this respect. The first
issued is the History oj? Braddock's Expedition, by Winthrop Sargent;
a handsome octavo volume of four hundred and twenty pages, with valuable
maps and engravings. This interesting work has been very favorably
received by the public — the first edition of one thousand being now nearly
exhausted. By a special resolution, persons who become subscribers to
the Fund before the first day of May, 185G, will be entitled to a copy of

10
this History, and copies of Latuobe's Mason and Dixon's Line, and
Foulke's Right Use of History; and until the first of October, 1856, to a
copy of Garrard's Chambersburq in the Colony and the Revolution.
It gives the Trustees pleasure to state jhat Mason and Dixon's Line
was paid for by a subscription among the members of the Society ; Mr.
Foulke presented The Right Use op History ; and Dr. Garrard presented
the work written by him. The only work thus far printed at the cost of
the Fund, is Braddock's Expedition.
Early notice should be given of any delay iu the receipt of books.
Every available opportunity is embraced by the Society to collect and
preserve materials for the history of our Commonwealth, and to secure a just
tribute from posterity to the memory of citizens who have been in any way
distinguished by local or general services. It is hoped that historical
notices of towns and counties, memoranda of remarkable facts, biographical
and genealogical notices, and letters, diaries, and other manuscripts, will
continue to be sent to the Society. It is suggested that, in all cases of con
tribution, there should also be furnished, as far as practicable, a state
ment of such facts as may be requisite to establish the genuineness and
authority of the documents, as the name of the donor, and any information
respecting the archives are recorded and filed by the Society.

FEBRUARY 13, 1864.
Resolved, That any person, member or other, who shall pay to the
Treasurer of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania the sum of Twenty
Dollars, for that purpose, shall be, during his life, entitled to one copy of
each book or other matter published by the Society subsequent to the date
of payment. ,
Resolved, That the Treasurer open an account under the head of Publi
cation Fund, in which shall be entered all payments for this object, and
contributions thereto, as also the sums received from time to time from the
sale of the Society's publications.
Resolved, That the payments and contributions to the Publication Fund
be invested at convenient times in good securities, and that the interest
accruing thereon be the only money from that Fund to be used iu the ex
penses of publication. MAY 8, 1854.
Resolved, That George W. Norris, M. D., John Jordan, Jr., and Harry
Conrad be constituted Trustees of the Publication Fund of this Society,
with power to invest the same on good security, and apply the income for
the objects of said Fund, as stated iu the Resolutions of February 13
1854.

11
Office of the Treasurer, Charles M. Morris, No. 55 Walnut, above
Second Street.

Woifes Corrttmplatflr snlr in projrtss.
A History of the Expedition against Quebec in 1775, under the command
of Gen. Montgomery ; and of the subsequent operations of the American
forces in Canada ; by Aubrey H. Smith.
History of the Kittatinny Valley, west of the Susquehanna; by Geokqe
Chambers.
History of the Military Operations around Philadelphia during the War of
Independence ; by Charles J. Biddle.
Journal of John Bartram.
Aboriginal Nomenclature of Pennsylvania.
A collection of Treaties made with the Indians in Pennsylvania.
Forbes and Bouquet's Expedition, to form, with Braddock's Expedition, a
History of the Seven Years' War around the head of the Ohio ; by
Winthrop Sargent.
A list of the Officers of the Army of the Revolution, from the papers of
Col. Nicola ; edited by Henry C. Baibd.
The History of Delaware, from its settlement to its separation from Penn
sylvania.
History of Roxborough and Mauayunk, in the County of Philadelphia; by
Horatio Gates Jones.

Hist of ^utscrifiers

PUBLICATION PUND.

Abbett, Henry M., Baltimore
Aertsen, James M.
Allen, Samuel
Allen, William H.
Allibone, Thomas
Alter, S.
Altemus, S. T.
Anspach, Jr., John
Archer, Ellis S.
Armstrong, Edward
Arnold, S. W.
Ashbridge, William
Ashhurst, John
Ashburst, Richard
Ashhurst, Jr., Richard
Ashmead, Samuel B.
Bache, Franklin
Backus, F. R.
Bailey, E. Wescott
Baird, Henry C.
Baird, William M.
Balch, Thomas
Bald, J. Dorsey
Balderston, Jonathan
Baldwin, Matthias W.
Ball, George W.
Bancroft, George, New York
Bayard, Thomas F.
Beck, Charles F.
Bell, Helen
Bensoil^ Jr., Alexander
Betton, Thomas F., Germantown
Biddle, Thomas
Bigler, Willi,T.m, Clearfield, Pa.
Blanchard, William A.
Bleck, Ernest F., Bethlehem, Pa.
Boardman, Henry A.

Bond, James
Bond, L. Montgomery
Boric, Adolphe E.
Brady, P.
Breban, John J.
Breck, Samuel
Brewster, Benjamin H.
Brick, Samuel R.
Bringhurst, John H.
Brock, John P.
Broomall, John M., Chester, Pa.
Brown, D. P., Pottsville, Pa.
Brown, David S.
Brown, Frederick
Brown, John A.
Brown, Joseph D.
Browne, Charles, Boston
Browne, N. B.
Buck, Francis N.
Buck, Wm. J., Willow Grove, Pa.
Bunting, Jacob T.
Burgin, George H.
Bushnell, Charles J., New Y'ork
Butler, John M.
Cadwalader, John
Camac, J. Burgess
Carey, Henry C.
Carpenter, Edward
Carpenter, Samuel H.
Carpenter, Jr., Samuel H., New York
Carson, Joseph
Carver, Alexander B.
Castle, James H.
Cavender, Thomas S.
Chambers, George, Chambersburg
Chambers, Thomas
Chandler, James B.

13

Christian, Samuel J.
Claghorn, James L.
Claghorn, John W,
Clark, Charles H.
Clark, Edward W.
Clark, B. W.
Clarke, Edward S.
Coates, Benjamin
Coates, Benjamin H.
Coffin, Arthur G.
Coles, Edward
CoUaday, George W.
Collins, T. K.
Colwell, Stephen
Comly, P. A.
Conarroe, George W.
Conrad, Harry
Conway, J. M., Stafford C. H., Va.
Cooke, Jay
Cope, Alfred
Cope, Caleb
Cope, Jr., Thomas P.
Coryell, Lewis S., New Hope, Pa.
Cox, John C, Quincy, Illinois
Craige, Matilda
Craven, Thomas
Croasdale, Jeremiah
Croasdale, Susan, Monroe Co., Pa.
Croasdill, Charles W.
Cresson, John C.
Cresson, William P. •
Crosman, George H., U. S. A.
Crozer, John P., Chester, Pa.
Cummins, Alexander G.
Da Costa, John C.
Daniel, Jr., Peter V., Richmond, Va.
Davis, Lemuel H.
Dawson, Mordecai L.
Day, Alfred
Derbyshire, A. J.
Dougherty, Daniel
Dreer, Ferdinaud J.
Drowne, Henry T., New York
Duane, William
Dulty, William
Duncan, William Butler, New York
Dundas, James
Dungan, Charles B.
Dunlap, Thomas
Earl, Harrison
Early, William
Eckert, George N.
Eldridge, G. Morgan
Elkin, S.

Ellis, Thomas H., Richmond, Va.
Ellmaker, Peter C.
Elwyn, Alfred Langdon
Ely, John
Ely, Richard Elias, New Hope, Pa.
Emory, Charles
Errickson, Michael
Evans, Horace
Everett, Edward, Boston
Fagan, John
Fahnestock, B. A.
Fahnestock, George W.
Fallon, Christopher, Delaware Co.
Pa.
Fallon, John
Farnum, John
Fay, C. M.
Fell, Franklin
Fell, J. Gillingham
Felton, S. M.
Fenimore, J. L.
Fernon, Thomas S.
Fish, A. J.
Fisher, Charles Henry
Fisher, J. B.
Fisher, J. Francis
Poote, Wm. Henry, Romney, Va.
Foster, Jr., William B.
Foulke, Wm. Parker
Foust, Robert M.
Fox, Charles P.
Fox, Philip L.
Fraley, Frederick
Gardette, E. B.
Garrard, Kenner, U. S. A.
Garrard, Lewis H., Cincinnati
Gaul, Frederick
Gaw, Alexander G.
Gerhard, Benjamin
Gibbons, Charles
Gilbert, John
Gilpin, Henry D.
Gorgas, John, Wilmington, Del.
Graff, Frederick
Greene, Richard Ward, Providence
R. I.
Greeves, James R.
Gries, John M.
Grigg, John
Grimshaw, Arthur H., Wilmington
Grout, Henry T.
Grugan, Charles C.
Guitgras, Eusebio, Cuba
Guiteras, Pedro J., Cuba

14

Hacker, Isaiah
Hacker, Jeremiah
Hacker, William E.
Hamilton, James, Carlisle, Pa.
Hammersly, George
Hammond, Jr., Charles
Hanson, Hugh Cooper
Harlan, Charles
Harrison, Joseph
Hart, Abraham
Hartshorne, Edward
Haseltine, John
Haseltine, Ward B.
Haupt, Herman
Hayes, Isaac I.
Hazard, Erskine
Hazard, Samuel
Hedges, Joseph H.
Henderson, John N.
Henry, Granville, Northampton Co.,
Pa.
Hildebum, Henry M.
Hodge, Hugh L.
Hollingsworth, Thomas G.
HoUowbush, J. R., Quincy, Illinois
Holsman, Daniel
Hone, Isaac S.
Hoopes, Penrose R.
Howard, N. G.
Huddy, Benjamin P.
Hughes, Francis W., Pottsville, Pa.
Huidekoper, Alfred, Meadville, Pa.
Humphreys, Charles
Hunt, Mordecai, Moorestown, N. J.
Hutchinson, J. Pemberton
IngersoU, Joseph R.
Ingram, Thomas R.
Jacobs, Samuel F.
Jacobsen, John J., Baltimore
James, John 0.
James, ThomaS C.
Janney, Benjamin S.
Jenkiiis, Jr., Jabez
Johnson, Lawrence
Johnson, Theodore T.
Johnston, William B.
Jones, Caleb
Jones, D. D.
Jones, Horatio G.
Jones, Maurice C, Bethlehem, Pa.
Jordan, Francis
Jordan, Jr., John
Kane, Robert P.

Kane, Thomas L.
Keating, William V.
Keim, George M., Beading, Pa.
Kelly, William D.
Kempton, James C, Manayunk
Kent, Rodolphus
Kent, William C.
Kessler, Jr., John
Keyser, Charles S.
Keyser, Peter A.
King, D. Rodney
King, Robert P.
Kimball, Stephen
Kimber, Thomas, Jr.
Kirkbride, Thomas S.
Kirkham, William
Kirkpatrick, Edwin
Kneass, Strickland
Kneedler, J. S.
Koecker, Leonard R.
Kramer, Allen, Pittsburg, Pa.
Kuhn, Hartman
Lambert, John
Lambdin, Jas. R , Germantown, Pa.
Lardner, James L., U. S. N.
Lardner, Richard P.
Larimer, Jr., William, Omaha, Ne
braska
Latimer, John R., Wilmington, Del.
Lea, Isaac
Lee, George F.
Leedom, Benjamin J., Germantown
Lej^e, William B.
Lenox, James, New York
Lennig, Frederick
Levering, Lemuel S.
Levy, Lyon Joseph
Lewis, Ellis
Lewis, George T.
Lewis, John T.
Lewis, Mordecai D.
Lindsay, John
Lippincott, J. B.
Lo^an, J. Dickinson
Leper, R. F.
Lovering, Joseph S.
Lowrie, Robert 0.
Lucas, James
Ludewig, Herman E., New York
Library, Athenseum, West Chester
Library Company, Philadelphia, two
copies
Library of Seminary, Bethlehem, Pa.
Library of Seminary, Nazareth, Pa.
Library of Seminary, Salem, N. C.

15

Macalester, Charles
Magarge, Charles
Malone, Benjamin
Man, William
Markley, Edward 0.
Marsh, Benjamin V.
Marshall, Benjamin
Mason, Samuel
Massey, Robert V.
Meconkey, David, West Chester, Pa.
Megargee, Sylvester J.
Mellor, Thomas
Meredith, William M.
Mercer, S. A.
Merrick, Samuel V.
Mickley, Joseph J.
Miles, Edward fiarris
Miller, Andrew
Miller, John
Miner, Charles, Wilkes-Barr6, Pa.
Miskey, William F.
Mitchell, John C.
Mitchell, John K.
Mitchell, S. B. Wylie
fMitohell, Thomas S.
Mitchell, W. A.
Moreau, John B., New York
Morris, Caspar
Morris, Charles M.
Morris, Israel
f Morris, Jacob G.
Morris, Wistar
Muhlenberg, Hiester H., Reading,
Pa.
Muirheid, Charles H.
Murray, James B., Pittsburg, Pa.
Myers, Joseph B.
McAllister, Wardale G.
Mc Arthur, Jr., John
McCammon, D. C.
McCanles, John
MoHenry, George
McKean, H. Pratt
McMichael, Morton
Newbold, James S.
Newbold, John S.
fNewbold, Thomas H.
Newbold, William H.
Newell, Samuel
Newkirk, Matthew
Newland, Edward
Norris, George W.
Norris, Isaac
Norris, Samuel

Ogden, Charles S.
Packer, E. A.
Palmer, Jonathan
Pardee, A., Hazleton, Pa.
Parmelee, Charles N.
Parry, Richard Randolph
Patten, William
Patterson, Robert
Paul, Bettle
Paul, James W.
Paxton, Joseph R.
Peirce, William S.
Pemberton, Israel
Phillips, Henry M.
Phillips, John
Piatt, Jr., William
Pleasants, Samuel
Plitt, George
Poalk, Edward L.
Porter, David R., Harrisburg, Pa.
Porter, William A.
Powers, Thomas H.
Preston, Paul S., Stockport, Pa.
Price, Eli K.
Price, Richard
Priestley, Joseph R., Northumber
land, Pa.
Primrose, William
Purves, William
Randall, Josiah
Randolph, Evan
Randolph, Nathaniel
Ranch, John H., Burlington, Iowa
Reeves, Samuel J.
Remington, Thomas P.
Repplier, George S., Pottsville, Pa.
Repplier, John G.
Repplier, Joseph M.
Resor, Jacob, Cincinnati
Ritter, Jacob B.
Robbins, Jr., John
Roberts, George H.
Roberts, William R.
Robins, Thomas
Robinson, Hanson
Roepper, Wm. Theodore, Bethlehem,
Pa.
Rogers, Alfred W.
Rogers, Charles H.
Rogers, Fairmau
Rowland, Joseph Galloway, Quincy,
Illinois
Bupp, I. Daniel, Harrisburg, Pa.

f Deceased.

16

Rutter, R. L.
Ryerss, Joseph W.
Sanford, E. S.
Sargent, Winthrop
Scott, Lewis A.
Scull, G. D.
Seal, Joseph H.
Seltzer, J. H., Reading, Pa.
Sergeant, J. Dickinson
Sergeant, Thomas
Sergeant, William
Sharp, Joseph W.
Sharpless, Henry H. G.
Sharpless, Samuel J.
Sharswood, George
Sheppard, Purman
Shipley, Augustus B.
Shipley, Joseph, Wilmington, Del.
Shippen, William
Shober, Samuel L.
Sinclair, Thomas
Smith, Aubrey H.
Smith, A. Lewis
Smith, Beaton
Smith, Charles H.
Smith, Newberry A.
Smith, Robert P.
Snowden, James Ross
Snyder, George W., Pottsville, Pa.
Spangler, C. E.
Sparks, Thomas
Spencer, Howard
Spooner, Edwin
Steever, Henry D.
Stuart, George H.
Stoddart, Curwen
Sully, Thomas
Swift, Joseph
Taggart, Wm. H.
Tasker, Thomas T.
Thomas, John Dover
Thomas, Joseph M.
Thomas, Martin
Thomson, J. Edgar
Thompson, Oswald
Toland, Henry
Traquair, James

Trautwine, John C.
Trotter, Charles W.
Trotter, Joseph H.
Trotter, Newbold II.
Trotter, Wm. Henry
Trump, Daniel
Tucker, John
Turnpenny, Joseph C.
Tyler, George F.
Tyson, James L.
Tyson, J. R.
Vanderkemp, John J.
Vansyckel, James J.
Verree, John P.
Wagner, Charles M.
Wallace, John William
Wain, S. Morris
Ward, Townsend
Warner, Joseph
Warner, Redwood F.
Weber, Paul
Webster, David
Webster, Jr., Thomas
Weightman, William
Welsh, John
Welsh, Samuel .
Wharton, George M.
fWharton, Thomas I.
Whitall, John M.
White, J. Claude, Swatara, Pa
Whiting, William, Boston
Williams, Henry J.
Williams, James W.
Wilson, Oliver Howard
Wilson, Thomas B.
Winthrop, Robert C, Boston
Wistar, Mifflin
Wistar, Richard
Wood, George B.
Wood, H. B.
Woodward, Harry C.
Workman, Henry Weir
Worrell; James C.
Wynkoop, Francis M.
Yarnall, Ellis

CHAMBERSBURG

COLOJT AJ^D THE REYOLUTIO^

E ^Mtif.

BY

LEWIS H. GARRARD,
MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETT OF PENNS7L7ANIA, AND OF TBE BISTORICAL
IKB PHIL060PBI0AL SOCIETT OF OHIO.

PHILADELPHIA;
J. B. LIPPINCOTT AND CO.
1856.

Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by the
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP PENNSYLVANIA,
in the office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States in and for
the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
I Printed hy T. K. Si P. G. CoUina.

9,. 1. .f

PREPACE.

HiSTOEY possesses a charm and a satisfaction in
its gleanings from the annals of communities and
families. These bring to light the personal minutiae
that fascinatingly blend with the dry detail of events
— ^but which to the general historiau are inaccessi
ble or unnoticed (unless arranged by others) — and
elaborate points heretofore obscure, yet of weight,
as showing the development of sentiments shaping
the future policy of the State. Thus viewed, hum
bler writers are the servitors of the public interest,
and their circumscribed, and it may be partial,
labors assume more than a mere transient, local
value. A few months since, the writer was requested to
prepare for private circulation, a memoir of a de
scendant of the persons to whom this sketch chiefly
relates. Wishing to give, as prefatory to that me
moir, a succinct account of her predecessors — who

IV PREFACE.
are identified with the progress of the Colony and
the contest for Independence — such facts were vari
ously collated as have swelled the expected few
pages to the dimensions of the present little volume.
Had the original intention been for the Society,
other characters would have been introduced, and a
more comprehensive range of research taken. This
explanation, it is hoped, will be sufficient reason for
its exclusively personal bearing.
When near its completion, it was suggested that
its presentation to the Society would be acceptable.
The manuscript was then submitted to the Trustees,
who recommended it as worthy the Society's sanc
tion. From their hands, with a few emendations
necessary to its change from a private to a public
garb, and some definitive notes on the aboriginal
names of streams, it went to press.
The principal works here consulted, are the
Colonial Records and Archives of Pennsylvania;
Gordon's History of Pennsylvania; Rupp's History
of Cumberland and oth^r counties; the files of the
Pennsylvania Gazette from 1745 to 1769 inclusive;
Colonel Nicola's MS. list of Officers of the Revolu
tion; the Order Books of Colonel James Chambers,

PREFACE. V
from July 26th, 1778, to August Sth, 1780; and
Rev. Alfred Nevin's work, entitled Churches in the
VaUey. To these — to the friendly attentions of Judge
George Chambers and Mr. Thomas Chambers — to
the library of the Historical Society, and the kind
ness of his fellow-members of the Society, Mr.
Samuel Hazard, Mr. John Jordan, Jr., Mr. Henry
C. Baird, and, in an especial and grateful manner,
to Mr. Townsend Ward, the writer is indebted for
aid in dispelling the mists which have accumulated
around the subjects herein treated of in the past
one hundred and thirty years..

SKETCH

CHAMBEESBUEG.

THE COLONY.
About the year seventeen hundred and twenty-six, four
brothers — of Scotch descent, residents of County Antrim,
Ireland — allured by the bright prospects of fortune in the
New World, forsook the comforts of a pleasant home and
the familiar scenery of the picturesque Lough Neagh, and
wended their way to the distant province of Pennsylvania.
Of these, Benjamin Chambers was the youngest, who
thus, at the early age of seventeen, had chosen the arduous
and attractive life of a pioneer.^
' The first mention of the name of Chambers in the province is in the
following transaction from the Pennsylvania Archives, vol. i. p. 39. One
of the persons named was probably the father of the four brothers : —
"To my Loving Pr* Thomas Holms, Surveyor-General of Pennsylvania,
greeting :— ^
" These are to Authorize thee to Set out ye Survey'* Bounds to the
Respective purchasers use, according to the last Lists of Purchasers Sent
by Philip Ford, and by him Signed according to Authority. Given him
by me, and for so doing this shall be thy Sufficient Warrant. Given under
my hand this 22d day of 3 mo 1682. " Wm. Penn [l. s.] '^ Philip Fokd.
"An Account ofthe Lands in Pennsylvania granted by William Penn,
1

2 CHAMBEESBUEG IX THE COLONY
With ample means at their control, and predilections in
favor of no particular section, the brothers, after their
arrival in Philadelphia, took sufficient leisure to gain in
formation of the choicest portions of the back country.
Hearing much in praise of the rich soil and good timber
of what was then the remote Susquehanna, they proceeded
thither, and, near the month of Fishing Creek,^ put up a
mill, and appropriated a tract of excellent land.
The beautiful Cumberland Valley, or, as it was termed
in the poetic language of the Indian, the Kittatinny,'' or
^ endless," hemmed in by parallel ranges of pine-clad hills,
stretched from beyond the Delaware Eiver in New Jersey,
across Pennsylvania and through Virginia to North Caro
lina. In this valley, west of the Susquehanna to the temporary
line dividing the provinces of Pennsylvania and Maryland,
on the margins of the streams, the rudely shaped wigwams
of the Lenni Lenape were placed.
Open patches of prairie, undulating enough for certain
Esq., Chief Proprietary and Gtovemour of that Province, to Several Pur
chasers within the Kingdom of England, Ir«land, and Scotland, &c.
Acres.
" List No. 30. Beuamin Chambees 1,000.
"John Chameeks ,.500."
' Now ill Dauphin County. Namdeshaniie is the Lenni Lenape term
for Fish Greet.
' In a deed by "The Kve Nations Inhabitittgln the Province «f New
York," for lands on Susquehanna to John, Thomas, and Eichard Penn,
these " are called, in the language of the said Nations, the Tyannnnta-
eaota, or the Endless hills ; and, by the Delawaie Indians, the KeUnch-
•tananin." — Pa, Archives, vol. i. p. 494.

AND THE REVOLUTION. 3
drainage, and cleared of timber so long before the furthest
reaching memory as to be traditional, invited easy culture
for the corn and beans and pumpkin; the marshy spots
afforded the red willow, or "kinniconick," for pleasing
admixture with the soothing and precious tobacco; and
the thickets hard by, nd small vaa-iety of indigenous refresh
ing fruits. In the contiguous lordly parks, herds of timid
deer and stalking bands of elk, unmolested except for the
demands of hunger and limited trade, fattened on the
nutritious grasses of the summer and browsed the swelling
tree buds of the snowy season ; while the limpid brooks
yielded their treasures of beaver aad otter and lusty-sided
trout. The white man, venturing in this primeval seclusion,
often in his wanderings, directed by the sound of merry
voices, would stumble on troops of nimble-footed girls
swinging on the elastic green boughs or wading the
brook, and making the old woods reecho with the excess
of unrestrained glee ; while not far off, knots of bare-legged
embryonic young warriors were taking first lessons in
archery by stealthy, persevering, and murderous attempts
on wrens and scolding catbirds.
But the strange sight of a pale face would act like magic
in producing a silence as profound as the laughter a mo
ment before was extravagant. Some would stand still in
frightened indecision. Others would hurriedly seek the
protecting skirts of the dark-eyed squaws, who, with the
exclamatory "tiyah!" of surprise, would announce the
arrival to the host within, by whom the stranger was wel
comed to the most honored seat in the humble lodge.

4 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
Soon the assiduous care of the women would produce a
wooden bowl of savory v6nison or steaming " suck-a-tash,"
to which his regards would be paid in a manner compli
mentary, either to the skill of the admirin'g cooks or his
own gastronomic ability.
Tbat finished, the post-prandial pipe of amity was
whiffed with becoming gravity by him and his host ; and,
when the news were deliberately and monosyllabically dis
cussed, and the shades of night had descended, the grateful
pallet of dried leaves and overlying skins sustained his
tired limbs in invigorating quiescence.
The equitable and Christian policy of Penn's govern
ment taught the Indian to respect the English. Disarmed
of suspicion, he became confiding. In the impulse of a
simple heart, and with a sincere wish to serve his visitor,
he pointed, out the arable lands, the best fishing and hunt
ing grounds, and in unaffected generosity invited him to
partake freely, and without price, of the many advantages
of the happy valley.
All this region to the west of- the Susquehanna was not
then offered for sale (nor even purchased of the aborigines
until 1736), but the proprietaries of the Eoyal Grant, with
the consent of the tribes, encouraged settlement therein.
This was in pursuance of a liberal system, as well as to
prevent the encroachments of- the Maryland colony, whose
frontier posts were creeping westward, but too much in a
northern direction to suit the views of the Pennsylvania
grantees. In the excursions of the Lenapes to the mills of the
Chambers', their rich peltries and uniformly favorable

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 5
accounts of the country whence they came, excited the
desire of Benjamin "and Joseph to see it. A love of ex
ploration and adventure, with perhaps an approximate
similarity in the features of this newer Canaan to the hills
and glens of their boyhood's rovings, led them to various
parts of it, until directed by a hunter's glowing description
of the superior water-power at the junction of the Falling
Spring with the Conococheague,' they there rested in the
assurance of having realized their expectations.
The former stream commenced in the confluence of seve
ral large springs, and held its meandering way through
natural meadows, sometimes half hid by tusspcks of long
grass, sometimes overarched by impenetrable copses of the
thorny plum, that bent to the weight of its golden drupes
and the matted interlacing of purple-clustered vines. Then
it collected in deep glassy pools, where the speckled trout
sported in the bright sunshine, and darted away on the
slightest sound of crackling brush or incautious voice to
the safe refuge of a submerged log, or the intricacies of
friendly tree-roots, laid bare by the washing of the current ;
then it rushed with musical inurmur in glittering miniature
cascades, and over loose stones in the shallow channel, and
through mossy banks garlanded with pale wild flowers, and
hung with dripping aquatic plants, and again spread out in
broad placid sheets, which reflected in the stillness of the
glimmering noontide the wide leaves and branchless stems
' This was called by the Indians Guneukisschik, meaning "Indeed a
long way. The word appears to refer to some cause where they became
impatient. " — Heckewelder.

6 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
of huge sycamores, standing on the water's edge — where
ecary schools of minnows rejoiced secure from the' rapacious
maws of the larger fish, and the summer fly lazily buzzed
through its eccentric gyrations, an easy prey to the swift-
winged swallow that, with eager eye and voluble twitter,
lightly skimmed the air. Finally, the brook contracted
for the impetuous leap from rock to rock, and in foam, and
mist, and rapid rill mingled with the waters of the Conoeo-
cheague. Benjamin at once took possession of the most valuable
portion of this locality. His first improvement, which con
stituted the foundation of Chambersburg in 1730, was a log
house ; and, what was unusual at that day, the timbers com
posing it were hewn, and it was roofed with lapped cedar
shingles, fastened with nails. This was burned during his
absence to the Susquebanna for supplies by some unprinci
pled person, whose cupidity was aroused for the sake of the
iron used in its construction.
In an advantageous position, a saw-mill, and subsequently,
a grist-mill, were erected. Other buildings were arranged
in convenient order. Near by, in a cedar grove, was the
dwelling separated from the mill by the race, which was
crossed on a rustic wooden bridge.
In the course of a few years, the fertile meadows near
were inclosed, and gave good return to the seed planted
therein. With care and judgment, the cattle multiplied
and improved in quality ; horses roamed about half wild ;
goats nipped the tender herbage between the rocks ; and
geese and ducks, diving among the water- weeds, or floating

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 7
majestically with the stream, added grace to the scene, and
caused irresistible and cheering references to the calendar
of feast days. In the garden, the rarest fruits and flowers
of that time flourished ; and the orchard (of which a few
trees are now standing) was famous far and near.
The utility of the mills, and the kind disposition and reli
gious faith of Mr. Chambers, were highly instrumental in
settling the adjacent country. The people at Falling Spring
were almost exclusively Scotch Irish Presbyterians. These
brought with them from their native land, and rigidly main
tained, the strict discipline of the Scottish creed, which
calls the first day of the week the Sabbath — which de
manded on that day, complete banishment from the mind
of aught else than communion witb holy things.
The Sabbath there was in striking contrast with the rest
of the week. It was a period of delicious repose, in which
surrounding nature seemed to participate. The sun beamed
with genial lustre, performed its course, and gently waned
beyond the hills, as if in accordance with the character of
the day. The shrill note of the cock pierced the bracing
morning air, and the impatient neighing of the horses shut
up in the barn was more plainly heard than at other times.
The lowing of the cows, anxious to be freed from the security
of the night-inclosure, was modulated to a low, grateful
moan 9s they slowly emerged, one by one, over the half-let
down bars to puH the fresh grass, yet sparkling with moist
ening dews. The water-fowl sailed noiselessly under the
fringing alders of the mill-pond, or basked motionless in
its centre ; and the tinkbng of the cataract, now that the

8 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
stream was diverted from the silent water-wheel, struck softly
in delicate, crystal notes on the delighted ear.
In the house, the harmony was complete with the occasion
In deferential respect, the men were smoothly shaved, and
clad in coarse, but cleanly garb. The children presented a
bright array of decent clothes, polished, ruddy faces, and
recently combed hair; while the good wife, ever present and
ever kind, neat and skilful, prepared the moderate morning
meal, which was despatched with becoming sobriety. When
the table was cleared, the cloth folded, and order restored,
the old russet-bound Family Bible, which had been their
constant companion over land and over sea from the home
of their youth, was taken from its shelf, and laid near the
man who read aloud the blessed words of inspiration. Then,
on bended knee, with his little flock clustered around him,
he lifted his voice in supplication to the Almighty Euler
to accept the joint peace-offering of penitent hearts.
No fire, save for the merest necessities, was kindled on
the kitchen-hearth ; nor was the day by questionable con
ventional license, scandalized by being converted into a
period of feasting and sacrilegious hilarity. The Bible
was read earnestly and intelligently; and the retentive
memories of these settlers of Conococheague, made its his
tory and its precepts, as illustrated by the Confession of
Faith, household words. The children, reared without the
adventitious aid of fine churches and bells, and other helps
to Godliness in the cities, regarded the Sabbath at first with
mysterious awe, until increase of age, and corresponding
reason, assisted by the gradual inductions of the catechisms,

AND THE EEVOLUTION'.

explained its propriety, and taught them to follow the good
example set by their devoted fathers and mothers.
Emigrating with prejudices intensified in favor of a faith
that was born amidst tyranny and nurtured in fear and
persecution— "and cemented to the virtual exclusion of
other sects in bonds of kindred sentiment for, mutual pro
tection and spiritual comfort in the depths of an inhospi
table wilderness — their tenets may have lacked in charity,
and their habits been too austere, and defence of their pecu
liar views on subjects involving principle, too vehement for
those not of their blood, or own mode of thinking. They
were harsh in accent, and perhaps rough in exterior, and
they were not perfect in all things, for defects are human
attributes; but beneath their manly breasts beat hearts
teeming with firm resolve and high moral obligation.

Me. Chambees had been at the Falling Springs for some
years. He began to feel that the solitude so charming
when wooed with the never-ending novelty of camp and
travel, and the absorbing interest of a new settlement,
was, in the comparative quiet of steady and concentrated'
employment, a wearying monotony. Family legend does
not transmit a detail of the preliminary changes to this
important step ; but whatever may have been his youthful
antipathies or maturer indifference, he succumbed at last, a
willing sacrifice to natural law and generous affections. In
2

10 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
1741, he married the daughter of Captain Eobert Patterson
of Lancaster, who became the mother of his son James.
In 1748, several years subsequent to the death of his
first wife, he was united to Miss Jane Williams, the daughter
of an Episcopal clergyman of the Virginia colony from
Wales. In the certificate of this marriage, he is styled
colonel.' He also executed the duties of magistrate ; and,
' " A masked and indirect war had been for some time carried on
between France and Great Britain ; and hostilities were openly declared
by the former, on the 20th, and, by the latter, on the 31st of March (1744).
******
" He (Gov. Thomas) commanded, by proclamation, all the able-bodied
inhabitants to prepare arms, and commissioned ofEcers, and appointed
days for training. ******
" The exertions of Franklin, on this occasion, contributed greatly to the
security of the province, and to the preservation of harmony between
the executive and the assembly. He published a pamphlet, entitled
'Plain Truth,' exhibiting, in strong lights, the helpless state of the
province, and the necessity of union and discipline. Calling a meeting
of the citizens, he laid before them a plan for a mUitary association ;
twelve hundred signatures were immediately procured, and the volun
teers soon amounted to ten thousand, armed at their own expense, and
officered by their own choice. Franklin was chosen colonel of the Phila
delphia regiment, but, declining the service, Alderman Lawrence was
elected on his recommendation. By Franklin's means, also, a battery
was erected below the city, from funds raised by lottery, in which Logan
and many other Quakers, were adventurers. Logan, who was not scru
pulous in relation to defensive war, directed whatever prizes he might
draw, should be applied to the service of the battery.
" These military preparations were necessary to intimidate a foreign
enemy, and to curb the hostile disposition of the Indians, which had

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 11
on account of his reputation for judgment and integrity,
was, in his private capacity, frequently appealed to by his
neighbors as arbiter of their difficulties. And, among other
been awakened by several unpleasant rencontres with the whites." —
Gordon's History of Pennsylvania, pp. 244, 245.
The counties, iu emulation of the noble example set by Philadelphia,
furnished their quota of troops. Among the " officers chosen by the
Associators, and commissioned by the Governor for that part of Lancas
ter County which lies between the river of Susquehannah and the Lines
of the Province," are, for "Colonel, Benjamin Chambers, Esq. ; Lieute
nant-Colonel, Eobert Dunning, Esq. ; Major, William Maxwell, Esq." —
Pennsylvania Gazette, March 22, 1748.
The following extracts are quite characteristic of the public temper
and taste of the times : —
" Mottoes and Devices, painted on some of the Silk Colors of the Eegi
ment of Associators in Philadelphia and country adjacent.
A Lion erect, a naked Soymeter in one Paw, the other holding the
Pennsylvania Scutcheon. Motto : Pko Patkia.
Three Arms wearing different Linnen ruffled, plain and chequed ; the
Hands joined by grasping each the other's Wrist, denoting the Union of
all Eanks. Motto : Ukita Vietus Valet.
An Eagle, the Emblem of Victory, descending from the skies. Motto :
A Deo Viotokia.
The figure of Liberty sitting on a Cube, holding a Spear with the Cap
of Freedom on its Point. Motto : Inestimabilis.
An Elephant, being the Emblem of a Warrior always on his Guard, as
that Creature is said never to lie down, and hath his Arms ever in Readi
ness. Motto: Sempee Paeatus.
A Coronet, and Plume of Feathers. Motto : In God we trust.
Three of the Associators, marching with their muskets shouldered,
and dressed in different Clothes, intimating the Unanimity of the differ
ent Sorts of People in the Association. Motto : Via Unita Fobtior.
Eepresentation of a Glory, in the Middle of which is wrote, Jehovah
Nissi ; in English, The Lord our Banner.

12 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
duties of the head of a new colony, he performed the office
of physician — gratuitously prescribing and administering
medicine. During the controversy between Lord Baltimore and the
Penns, relative to the intermediate boundary of their re
spective provinces, which grew so bitter as to endanger the
peace and prosperity of both, Mr. Chambers went to Eng
land, to assist, by his testimony, in determining the ques
tions involved. So conclusive was his evidence in favor
of the Penns, that they offered him any compensation he
desired ; and pressed his acceptance of a grant to a tract
of land at the mouth of the Callapasscink,' the right to
which was lost by neglect.
While absent on this mission, he visited his native soil,
and induced many to accompany him on his return — he
bearing the expenses of those unable to do so themselves.
The Indians of the vicinity of Falling Spring, viewed
David, as he advanced against Goliah and flung the Stone. Motto :
In Nomine Domine.
The Duke of Cumberland as a General. Motto : Peo Deo and Georgio
Eege. Most of the above colours, together with the Officers' Half-Pikes and
Spontons, and even the Halberts, Drums, &c., have been given by the
Good Ladies of this City, who raised money by Subscription, among
tliemselves, for that Purpose." — Pennsylvania Gazette, January 12, and
April 16,- 1748.
' This is a Delaware Indian word, signifying a creek abounding in
horse-shoe bends. — Heckewelder. For some reason now unknown, it was
ijalled the Yallerbritches Creek, which name, grammatically rendered
and modernized, it still unfortunately bears.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 13
with wonder, the useful customs and blameless life of the
settlers. Ever treated with consideration, and receiving
fair equivalent for articles of trade, they kept up friendly
intercourse. Even after war was declared, neither the
family nor the property of Mr. Chambers was molested by
them. He spoke the language of the Delawares with fa
cility, and was on familiar terms with them. Sometimes,
however, in going to the fields to inspect his cattle, the
large dogs accompanying him would denote by fierce
barks, their presence, and the shaking of the bushes in the
distance, mark their hasty retreat. After peace was pro
claimed, they told him that they never wished to kill him,
but wanted to rob hirn of his gun and watch, and carry off
a negro woman of his, to raise corn for them.

But these were the early settlers, who conciliated the
Indians. Those who followed, were less careful in the ob
servance of the Golden Eule. Not understanding, nor
caring to understand, that the Indian's nature is a gentle
one, and best wielded by kind treatment, unintentional, and
too often purposed, offence was given. The French, who
were contending with the English for the possession of the
Ohio Valley, fanned their discontent into open rupture.
They saw, with jealousy, houses and white faces where,
before, were favorite hunting-grounds. The well-known
coverts supplying the certain game, were levelled to the
plough. They saw themselves every day poorer, and the

14 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
means of subsistence more difficult to obtain, while their
white neighbors increased their own stores of corn and
cattle to abundance. With this perverted state of feeling,
it was easy to magnify cold manner into fancied slight, and
a deserved rebuff into aggravated insult.
The settlements were sparsely scattered through the
Kittatinny country. At first, the danger did not appear
serious, and the people remained on their farms, though
with some misgivings of entire safety. Soon abductions
became frequent, and, occasionally a murder was com
mitted, and houses and grain-stacks fired. Yet these were
regarded rather as tokens of personal malice than national
hostility, and, as such, insufficient cause for war.
About the year 1753, the French had succeeded in
instilling in the minds of the various tribes, a hatred which
nothing but blood would satisfy. The amicable feeling to
ward the English, that for more than thirty years had
pervaded them, was now totally gone. They were laying
waste portions of Virginia ; and the frontier of Cumber
land County' offered the next nearest field. Consternation
was depicted on every face. Those who had been treated
by the aborigines with frankness, and who expected to
unmolestedly pursue their peaceful avocations, saw the
uselessness of further risk. Friends and foes shared alike
the savage vindictiveness.
' In 1750 Lancaster County was divided, and the new part took the
name of Cumberland, which latter was the sixth in order of erection.
Franklin County was the thirteenth in order, and was established in
1784, out of the southwestern part of Cumberland.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 15
Colonel Washington marched with troops across the
mountains against the advancing allied French and In
dians, but was compelled to capitulate to superior force at
Fort Necessity on the 3d July, 1754. Affairs in the valley
-were thrown into deplorable confusion ; and petitions for
relief were sent to the Provincial government.
" To the Honourable James Hamilton, Esq., Lieutenant-
Governour and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of
Pennsylvania and Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sus
sex on Delaware.
" The address of the subscribers. Inhabitants of the
County of Cumberland, humbly sheweth :
" That we are now in the most imminent danger by a
powerful army of cruel, merciless, and inhuman enemies,
by whom our lives, liberties, and estates, and all that tends
to promote our welfare, are in the utmost danger of dread
ful destruction, and this lamentable truth is most evident
from the late defeat of the Virginia forces ; and now, as
we are under your Honour's protection, we would beg your
immediate notice — we living upon the frontiers of the Pro
vince, and our enemies so close upon us — nothing doubting
but that these considerations will affect your Honour, and,
as you have our welfare at heart, that you defer nothing
that may tend to hasten our relief," &c.'
Signed by Benjamin Chambees, and seventy-four others
"Cdhbeelakd, July 15, 1754."
' Col. Eec, voL vi. p. 130.

16 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
Throughout the year, massacres were frequent. Many
farms were deserted outright. The people collected in
numbers for greater safety, and tended their fields, while
others watched, guns in hand, to give the alarm on the
approach of danger.
Meanwhile, they were sustained in the hour of peril hy
the hope that the forces then being conducted to repel the
enemy would be successful. The prayers of the distressed
inhabitants were daily offered in their behalf. Their pro
perty, their sustenance, and their lives, depended on the
fate of the expedition.
They were doomed to bitter disappointment. The news
of Braddock's defeat, on the 9th July, 1755, travelled with
the usual celerity of evil tidings. This overwhelming dis
aster completed the dismay that before had been partial only.
The settlements which were causing the fertile valleys reach
ing toward the Ohio to smile with luxuriant crops, and the
sturdy forest to bend to the blows of the civilizing axe, were
abandoned in utter despair. The Indians of the further
slope of the Alleghanies, ever ready for outrage,- and insti
gated, and even led by the French, who, in the first flush of
victory, miscalculated their ultimate strength, spared neither
the lives nor the substance of the hated English. The
people fled with what effects they could carry, to the safety
afforded at Shippensburg and Carlisle. At the former
town, a fort was in process of completion. Such was the
urgency to put it in a defensible condition that the ring
of hammers, and the labors of the men, intruded on the
sacredness of the Sabbath. The town was crowded with
refugees. So fierce was this war that in 1763, eight years

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 17
later, there were in Shippensburg, nearly fourteen hundred
of these wretched, houseless creatures occupying cellars,
sheds, barns, and other outhouses ; for the dwellings pro
per were filled to overflowing.
Another petition went from Cumberland County ; and
letters were written, showing the unprotected state of the
frontier : —
" To the Honourable Eobert Hunter Morris, Esq., Go
vernor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Province
of Pennsylvania.
" The Humble Petition of A Number of the Inhabitants
of Cumberland County, Heartily joined as a Company, Un
der the Care and Command of Joseph Armstrong, Esq'r,
Sheweth :
" That Your Petitioners are at present in a most Danger
ous Situation, as we live upon the frontier, Exposed to the
Inhuman Cruelty of Barbarous Savages, and Nothing to
Impede them or Defend us but the Sovereign Benignity of
Almighty God, for we are in a Defenceless Condition
having neither Arms nor Amunition, and in this Lament
able Case, Our Only Door of Hope (Next to the Divine
Goodness) is in Your Honour's Compassion, and the more
for that you have given the Utmost assurance to us of Your
Care of this Province, and, in Particular, by the Late Pro
visions made for our Brethren in Potter's Township, who
are in Equal Jeopardy with us.
" May it therefore Pleas Your Honour to Consider Our
Case, and grant us Some relief, by Ordering to us such
A number of Guns and Quantity of Amunition, and Upon
3

18 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
Such terms as Your Honour shall appoint, and Your Peti
tioners, as in Duty bound, shall Ever Pray.^
"August?, 1755." " Falling Speing, Sabbath Moening, Nov. 2, 1755.
" To the inhabitants of the lower part of the County of
Cumberland —
" Gentlemen : If you intend to go to the assistance of
your neighbors, you need wait no longer for the certainty
of the news. The Great Cove^ is destroyed. James Camp
bell left his company last night, and went to the fort at
Mr. Steel's meeting-house,' and there saw some of the
inhabitants of the Great Cove, who gave this account ; that
as they came over the Hill, they saw their houses in flames.
The messenger says that there are but one hundred, and tha^
they are divided into two parts, the one part to go against
the Cove, and the other against the ConoUoways ; and there
are two French among them. They are Delawares and
Shawnese. The part that came against the Cove are under
the command of Shingas, the Delaware king. The people
' Pa. Archives, vol. ii. p. 385.
^ The Great and Little Coves are valleys Inclosed by mountain-spurs
in the western part of Cumberland, (now Franklin) County. The first is
about twenty-five, the latter about seventeen, miles from Chambersburg.
' One of the first forts in the Conococheague settlement was built in
1755. This stood south of Fort Loudoun about five miles, and east of
Mereersburg three miles, where was situated the Presbyterian White
Church. It was called "Mr. Steel's Meeting-House" for the pastor
who took charge in 1754. The church, surrounded by a rude, but strong.
Stockade, thus became a bulwark for material, as well' as spiritual,
defence.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 19
of the Cove that came off saw several men lying dead ;
they heard the murder shout, and the firing of guns, and
saw the Indians going into their houses before they left
sight of the Cove. I have sent express to Marsh Creek at
the same time I send this, so I expect there will be a good
company there this day ; and, as there are but one hundred
of the enemy, I think it is in our power, if God permit, to
put them to flight if you turn out well from your parts.
I understand that the West settlement is designed to go if
they can get any assistance to repel them. All in haste
from Your humble servant,
Benjamin Chambees."
Extract of a letter from Col. Jno. Armstrong to Go
vernor Morris : —
Caelisle, November 2, 1755.
" The two Delawares who brought the hatchet further
said ; That about twenty-one days ago a large number of
Indians, and about one hundred French, supposed to make
about fifteen hundred men, set out from Fort Du Quesne in
order to destroy as many of the inhabitants eastward of the
Alleghany hUls as they could, and that eight days before
the main body left the fort, scouting parties were sent out
before them. * * * * y^Q should be pre
pared to receive them every hour, for that they were cer
tainly nigh us.
" At four o'clock this afternoon, by express from Cono^
cocheague, we are informed that yesterday about 100
Indians were seen in the Great Cove, among whom was

20 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
Shingas, the Delaware king; that immediately after the
discovery, as many as had notice fled, and, looking back
from an high hill, they beheld their houses on fire, heard
several guns fired, and the last shrieks of their dying
neighbors. * -x- * * ]£j-. Hamilton was here,
with sixty men from York County, when the express
came, and is to march early to-morrow to the upper part
of the county. We have sent out expresses everywhere,
and intend to collect the forces of this lower part, expect
ing the, enemy every moment at Shearman's Valley, if not
nearer hand. I'm of opinion that no other means than a
chain of block-houses along or near the south side of the
Kittatinny mountains, from the Susquehanna to the Tem
porary Line, can secure the lives and properties even of
the old inhabitants of this county; the new settlements
being all fled except Shearman's Valley, whom (if God do
not preserve) we fear will suffer very soon.
I am your Honor's
disconsolate, humble servant,
John Aemsteong.'"
Early in 1756, " A plan for the defence of Cumberland
County" was adopted, as suggested by Col. John Arm
strong in his letter just quoted. Governor Morris wrote
to Col. Washington : — "Feb. 2, 1756.
" SiE : I am favored with yours of the 1st (?) instant,
which I did not receive till my return on Wednesday last
' Pa. Archives, vol. ii. p. 452.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 21
from the frontiers, where I have been employed for a month
past in forming a line of forts and block-houses from
Delaware, along the Kittatinny hills, as far as the new
road that leads to the Alleghany hills, and which I am in
hopes ten days will complete. On the west of Susque
hanna, I have placed one at the Sugar Cabins upon the
new road, which I have named Fort Lyttleton,' another at
Augbwick, called Fort Shirley,^ a third upon the Juniata,
where the Kishequokilis' falls into it, called Fort Gran
ville, and a fourth between that and the Susquehanna,
called Pomfret Castle.'' In these, I have placed garrisons
of seventy-five men each, with orders to range the woods
each way from their respective forts, to give notice of the
approach of any enemy, and to use their utmost endeavors
to intercept and destroy any parties of French and Indians
they may discover."
These forts were productive of good, but were limited in
their range of benefit, and left many places at the mercy of
the foe. In various parts of the valley, private forts were
' The location of Fort Lyttleton is sixteen miles from Loudoun, or about
thirty miles in a western direction from Chambersburg.
^ Fort Shirley was at the present site of the town of Shirleysburg.
' " Gischochgokwalis — the snakes have all got into their dens. From
the words gischi, already ; achgook, snakes ; walicu, in dens." — Hecke
welder. ¦• Pomfret Castle was on the river Matchitongo, about twelve miles
from the Susquehanna.
' For these forts, see Gov. Morris's letters. Pa. Arch., vol. ii., pp. 556,
564, &c.

22 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
built and resorted to by those who could not reach the
provincial posts. The Great and Little Coves, and the Conol-
loways to the west of Falling Spring, were reduced to ashes;
and the inhabitants, leaving fifty prisoners in the hands of
the savages, fled, some to York County, and others to Mary
land. The country, for thirty miles, was laid waste ; cattle
were killed or driven off, and the corn rotted on the ground,
for no one was left to gather it.

The petition from Falling Spring was unanswered. The
same piteous appeal went up from all parts of the border.
Money was difficult to raise by taxing a people struggling
for precarious existence ; and the government was therefore
unable to comply with the urgent demands on its impover
ished treasury. It could only recommend refuge in its
few posts, or abandonment of the country.
Mr. Chambers was remotely situated, and beyond the
immediate protection of any fort. The danger became
daily more imminent. His mills, his farm, and the improve
ments of his neighbors, were of too much value, and had
been obtained at too great a cost of labor and backwoods'
privation, to leave to the despoilers.
He saw the madness of further dependence on a helpless
government. The time had come for decisive resistance
or ignominious flight. But one course presented itself to
his entire commendation. His enterprise and industry had
originated the settlement, and placed him pecuniarily at its

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 28
bead ; and he proved himself equal to the emergency, by
resolving to remain and defend it.
He built a large stone house, two stories in height, and
roofed it with lead, to prevent its being fired by arrows
carrying combustible matter. The walls were of great
thickness, and proof against the blows of the ponderous
log battering-ram. The windows were narrow, and arranged
to serve as loop-holes for musketry. One corner of the
fort projected over the brook to provide an unfailing sup
ply of water in the event of a long siege— and a broad and
deep moat surrounding, fed by the Falling Spring, gave
increased immunity. He then inclosed this and the mills
with a high stockade of upright, wooden puncheons, firmly
imbedded in the ground, which formed of itself a wall of
more than ordinary protection. Then, with two cannons
of four pound calibre, and small arms, for offensive opera
tions, be deemed himself quite secure. The reverberation
of the report of these cannon through the lonely hills,
struck terror in the hearts of the unsuccessful scalp-loving
assailants of this stronghold, and the exaggerated stpries of
their extraordinary power, soon taught them to make no
further attempts.
The vicinity of the fort, however, was closely beset ; for
the timorous excursions of those who had sought shelter
within its hospitable walls, to the adjacent fields, would
often result in a loss of the number by the fatal tomahawk,
or by being carried away prisoners, subjected to all the
horrors of barbarian warfare.
The alarm became general. In York County, much

24 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
nearer the Delaware river than the Conococheague part of
Cumberland County, the people were ill at ease, as the fol
lowing paper, read in Colonial Council, August 28, 1756,
will show : —
To GOVEENOE MOEEIS— ¦
" The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town and County
of York, most humbly sheweth : —
" That your Petitioners are sensible that your Honour has
left no measures (in your power) untried, for the protection
of our lives and liberties from the outrages of a barbarous
and savage enemy.
" That your petitioners hoped their sufferings were at aii
end when a chain of forts were erected along the frontier
for their defence.
" That, notwithstanding this, skirmishes are made, mur
ders and captivities daily committed upon the poor remain
ing inhabitants, who hold their possessions in the most
eminent danger, in hopes of seeing more happy days.
" That all our prospects of safety and protection are now
vanished, by finding one of our best forts upon the frontier
burnt and destroyed, and the men who bravely defended it,
carried into barbarous captivity, (and the rest of the forts
liable to the same fate, which may unhappily be the case
before this can reach your Honour's hands.)
" That, as the County of Cumberland is mostly evacuated,
and part of this become the frontier, the enemy may easily
enter and take possession of provisions sufficient to supply
many thousand men, and be thereby enabled to carry their
hostilities even to the metropolis. * * *

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 25
" Your petitioners therefore most humbly pray that * *
your Honour will recommend our complicated distresses to
the Eight Honourable the Earl of Loudoun, who, upon know
ing our truly deplorable condition, maybe graciously pleased
to take some measures to ease our calamities ; perhaps to
command the recruits now raised in the province, for the
Eoyal American regiment to be forthwith sent to our relief,
whilst the provincials now in pay, may go against the enemy
to avenge our bleeding cause."
The Eev. John Steel, captain of a company in the pay
of the province, stationed twelve miles from Falling Spring,
writes, Sept. 6, 1756, to the governor, of the most miserable
condition of the upper part of Cumberland County. A
letter from Shippensburg, of the same month, sets forth
the grievances of that town, and offers to finish a fort if
allowed arms and ammunition to defend it. Official state
ments of that time, also represent that where, a year before,
were three thousand men fit to bear arms, now, exclusive
of the colonial forces, not one hundred remained.
It seems that these private forts were considered unsafe,
and of no importance, by the authorities. This may have
been owing to the capture and destruction of several of
them, with the inmates. One provincial fort (Granville)
was also overpowered.
Commissary James Young, on a tour of duty some
months after the establishment of Chambers' fort, drew
conclusions in reference to its strength that facts did not.
seem to warrant.
4

26 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
In a letter to Gov. Denny, he says —
" Haekis' Feeey, Oct. 17th, 1756.
* * In our journey to Fort Littleton, we stopped
at Mr. Chainbers' mill, ten miles beyond Shippensburg,
towards McDowell's,^ where he has a good private fort, and
on an exceeding good situation, to be made very defence-
able, but what I think of great consequence to the Govern
ment is, that in said fort are two four -pound cannon
mounted, and nobody but a few country people to defend
it. If the enemy should take that fort, they would natu
rally bring those cannon to bear against Shippensburg and
Carlisle. I therefore would presume to recommend it to
your Honour, either to have the cannon taken from thence,
or a proper garrison stationed there."^
The Governor being either unable or indisposed to station
troops there, Mr. Chambers was applied to by the com
manding officer of the department, for the delivery of the
guns. Eeceiving no protection, and relying on himself for suc
cess, he had encountered the multifarious dangers incident
to his settlement ; and when his prudence suggested, and hi?
private funds paid for, the means of defence which thf.
government failed to supply, official interference was nor
' This was a private fort, erected early in 1756, and before the erection
of Fort Loudoun. Being near the passes through the western mountains,
it was sometimes occupied by companies of rangers and other provincial
forces. It was about two miles south of Loudoun, and where the village
¦of Bridgeport is now situated.
' Pa. Archives, vol. iii. p. 12.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 27
only ill-timed, but an impugnment of his bravery and
strength. The ire of the independent spirits of Conoco
cheague was aroused at this proposal to strip them of their
sole reliance while staying, in possession of their homes;
and they united in sustaining Mr. Chambers in his determi
nation to resist the attempt to deprive him of them. He
indignantly refused to obey an order so uncalled for, so
insulting, and replied, that if he was able to build a fort
and to arm it, he > well knew how to defend it, and that,
by superior force alone should the cannon be removed.
He was reported to the Governor. A true statement of
the case could hardly have been made. If otherwise, per
sonal enmity must have entered the matter, Mr. Chambers
was one of the commissioners to locate the county-seat of
Cumberland. Carlisle, Shippensburg, and a- place ten miles
from Falling Spring, were looked- at, and the former was
chosen. This made him obnoxious to those who did not
succeed, for he was strenuous in favor of Carlisle ; and it
is possible that the governor's mind was biassed by partial
representations of those opposed to Chambers.
Col, John Armstrong, in a letter to Gov. Dennyj of the
date of November 30, 1756, says —
"I have written to Mr. Chambers, concerning the guns
at his Fort, according to order, but he thinks, by going to
Philadelphia, he may prevail with y' Hon' to let them
stay where they are, and is to set out for that purpose in a
few days."* ' Pa. Archives, vol. iii. p. 77.

28 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
Be the cause what it may, the offence was too flagrant
an act of insubordination to pass unnoticed; and, despite
the propriety of retaining the guns, the Governor proceeded
to administer a lesson of obedience in the following sum
mons : —
Pennsylvania, ss.
The Honourable William Denny, Esquire, Lieutenant
Governor & Commander in Chief of the Province of Penn
sylvania and Counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex on
Delaware. To the Sheriff of Cumberland County Greet
ing. Whereas it having been represented to me that two
Great Guns or Cannon were in the Custody and Possession
of a Certain Benjainin Chambers at his Dwelling House on
the Western Frontier of this Province in the said County
of Cumberland, Where they did lie exposed to his Ma
jesty's Enemies who by taking Possession of them might
thereby be the better enabled to annoy and Distress his
said Majesty's Subjects in this Province, and to lay Siege
to and reduce his Majesty's Forts. Therein moved bymy
Duty to my Sovereign, and a regard & concern for the
safety of the People of this Province under my Command,
care and Protection. I issued my Order in writing bearing
date on or about the fourth day of February last past, di
rected to Lieutenant Colonel John Armstrong, thereby
Commanding him to cause the said two Cannon to be re
moved from the dwelling House of the said Benjamin
Chambers to Shippensburg or some other Fort under his
Command as a place of safety, where they might be secure
from falling into the hands of the Enemy. And Whereas

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 29
it has been proved to my satisfaction that the said John
Armstrong did send a party of his Majesty's Forces under
the Command of Thomas Smallman, to remove the said
Cannon accordingly, and that the said Benjamin Chambers
with an intent to disturb the King's peace himself did
assemble with divers other Persons unknown armed with
Swords, Guns, and other Warlike weapons, and Eiotously,
Traitorously and Seditiously without any Lawful authority
did oppose the March of the said Thomas Smallman and
the other Forces under his Command, would not suffer
them to execute my said order, and did not only refuse to
deliver up the said Cannon, but did threaten to kill the said
Thomas or any of the said Forces who should offer to take
Possession of the said Cannon, and I have reason to believe
that the said Benjamin Chambers is disaffected to his Ma
jesty and his Government. You are therefore hereby
strictly charged and commanded to take the Body of the
said Benjamin Chambers, and bring him under a strong
Guard before me the said William Denny, Esquire, at the
City of Philadelphia, to answer the Premises and be dealt
with according to Law, and all Officers Civil and Military,
and others his Majesty's Subjects in this Province are hereb}'
ordered and charged to be aiding and assisting to you
therein. Hereof fail not, as you will answer the Contrary
at your Peril, and for your so doing this Shall be your
Warrant, Given under my Hand and , Seal at Arms at
Philadelphia the fifth day of April, & Thirtieth Year of
his Majesty's Eeign.
WILLIAM DENNY.'"
' Pa, Archives, vol, iii. p. 105,

80 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
Col, Armstrong was deputed to convey the order into
effect. He found the settlers still firm in the resolve to
keep the guns. Irritated at seeing his authority disre
garded, and his force inadequate to the seizure of them, he
wrote as follows : — " Caelisle, 30th June, 1757,
* * I'm sorry Mr. Allen should be so uneasy on
the score of a person so troublesome and so perverse as
Chambers is known to be ; the recognizance was not taken
for his appearance before any person but the governor,
who issued the writ; it's thought, Chambers now designs a
law-suit, and he has said the action will be brought against
me, where I think it cannot lie.
If it is found, that he designs trouble (as he has the brass
and malice of the Devil) I think the Governor should
write to Col. Stanwix ; in the mean time, I will open the
matter to the colonel, who may think it necessary to seize
the guns himself, I am conscious he was, on that occasion,
treated not only with justice, but also with lenity. * *
* * The old magistrates had no other reason for
resigning than lest they should be left out; though some of
them I have lately heard say, it was owing to the Governor's
treatment of Ben. Chambers in regard of his guns ; but this
is finesse."* * . * * *
How the dispute ended is not known ; but the best
refutation of Commissary Young's fears, and evidence of
the completeness of the defensive plans are, that Mr. Cbam-
' Pa. Archives, vol. iii. p. 192,

AND THE EEVOLUTION, 31
bers remained in his fort during the eight years' war that
depopulated the country around. That the "two Great
Guns" were not removed, is apparent from the circum
stance of one of them being used at Chambersburg seventy-
three years after it had assisted irt repelling the foes of
England, in the celebration of the anniversary, of Inde
pendence Day.

32 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY

THE OLD CHURCHYARD.
In 1764, tbe town of Chambersburg was regularly sur
veyed. At one end of it, lay secluded a romantic_promi-
nence of a few acres in extent. This was conveyed, in
1768, through deed of gift, by Benjamin Chambers and
wife, to the religious society "then and thereafter adhering
to the Westminster profession of faith, and the mode of
government therein contained," for the purposes of a house
of worship, session and school-houses, and cemetery. The
congregation of Falling Spring was organized in 1738, and
incorporated by act of Assembly, in 1787,
A hundred feet or more from the road that skirts the
front of this ground, on the summit of the gradual rise, a
small log church was built,
" Here were they gathered every good Lord's day,
From town, from hamlet, and from country wide,
In pleasant groups, but meek and staid alway,
, They showed not often levity nor pride.
* *****
Blest sight it was to mark that Godly flock.
At intermission, grouped throughout this wood.
Each log, each bench, each family upping-block.
Some granddame held amidst her gathered brood.
Here cakes were shared, and fruit, aud counsel good ;
Devoutly spoken, 'twas of crops and rain ;
Hard by the church the broad-brimmed elders stood,
While o'er that slope did flow a constant train
Of bevies, springward bound, or coming back again,"

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 33
When the audience was beyond the capacity of the church,
service was held, in pleasant weather, at the mill, in which,
and in the cool shade of the surrounding trees, benches
were ranged. In 1767, to accommodate the increased num
ber of hearers, it was replaced by a large, single-storied
house, framed by joining three lengths of logs end to
end, and was of considerable width. This stood until 1803,
when the present substantial stone edifice was erected.^
' It is surprising to note the want, in those days, of the commonest
articles of utility. An extract from the minutes of this congregation
will give a curious and interesting illustration.
"2nd Meeting, Wednesday, 8th of February, 1786.
" Mr. Martin proposed to make a book for the Purpose of opening a
New account with the Subscribers iu the Congregation upon which it
was ordered that Mr. James Moor Purchase three quires of Paper of John
Colhoon and deliver the same to Mr. Martin for this Purpose and Pay
the same out of Monies of the Congregation now remaining in his Pos
session. " Mr. Edward Crawford is appointed to purchase three quires of Paper
and to make the same into a Book and transcribe the act of Incorporation
into the beginning of the same to be delivered to the Secretary at our
next meeting for the use of the Trustees. " 3ed Meeting, March 21st, 1786.
" The Trustees met according to their adjournment. Present the Eev,
James Lang, Col. Benjamin Chambers, James Moor, Matthew Wilson,
Patrick Varin and Josiah Crawford. Began with Prayer
" Mr. James Moor found on application to John Colhoon for Paper to
make the Book as directed at our last meeting, that there was none that
would suit. So the Book is not yet provided. Mr. Moor is ordered to
provide the Paper for this Purpose as soon as possible.
" Mr. Edward Crawford Junr. not being present, there is no account
5

34 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
From the rear of the church, the ground falls rapidly
to a grass-grown ravine, once the bed of the brook, but
diverted long ago into its present course by a beaver-dam.
Across this, an embankment has been made for convenient
transit to the main portion of the cemetery, which is broad
and level, and terminates abruptly in a low bluff, thickly
set with bushes. By its base the dark-brown waters of the
Conococheague flow gently in ripple and mirroring sheet,
and under which, in the alternating disclosure and obscurity
of the drifting clouds, can be seen ridges of rich deposite
and gray sand at the bottom. Huge slaty masses shelve
from the opposite shore far into the stream ; and against
them the white-crested waves exhaust their puny strength
in rapid succession, and in well-defined bne of evanescing
bubbles and yeasty foam float slowly out of view.
The plateau is studded with clumps of mournful cedars,
whose sombre green hue and prim outline are thrown into
agreeable contrast by the bright walnut-leaves in the sere
and yellow of annual mutation, and more delicate and
fringe-like in juxtaposition with the gnarled arms and
early frost-tinted foliage of the spreading oak. Out over
the creek the eye ranges on multiplied hUl and woody
whether he hath fulfilled his appointment respecting the Book for the
use of the Board."
Not long after this, Dr. Colhoon started at Chambersburg the first
paper mill iu the valley, if not in the western country. From this point,
paper was supplied as late as 1817 by means of pack horses, and then
by wagons, to Pittsburg and adjacent districts. An early issue of a
Pittsburg journal contains an apology for its delay because the paper
from Chambersburg had not arrived in its usual time.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 35
dale until they confusedly blend in the distant Kittat.inny
Mountain. In other directions, the density of the immediate forest
precludes the noise and sight of busy outer cares, and
impresses the wanderer within its limits with the gloom of
desolation. It is a spot where the world, so lately radiant
with the hopes and fears and sweet experiences that, ani
mate us to continued exertion, relapses into the merest
dream of reality — where the futility of eartbly aspirations,
compared with the glowing prize of immortality, over
whelms and saddens ; and retrospective musings, admit no
consolatory anticipations for the future.
Appropriately situated in the depths of this solitude,
in a low stone inclosure, whose antiquated architecture
bespeaks the work of a past generation, is the gathering-
place in death of the Chambers family. There rests a
pioneer of 1730 ; by his side lie two of his sons — a brave
colonel and a gallant captain of the Eevolution ; near
them now, as in life, a true Christian wife and mother, and
others, whom but to name invoke our tearful homage ;
while, close by, a plain white shaft, spotless and of recent
erection, marks the entombment of the crushed hopes and
the heart-wrung solicitude that were centered in an only
son. Through the dreary black winter night the old trees
creak and bend to the furious blast in such strange notes,
that we seem almost to hear again the wild pibroch wail
that in direful days of yore collected the Scottish clans to
battle undismayed for the right. At other times, the
balmy autumnal evening breeze sighs through the rustling

36 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
leaves a requiem gushing full of melody and soothing
sweetness, until we feel that though alone in the abode of
the dead, we can again commune with those we most
loved. Amid the swaying of the pensile boughs of this
sacred wood we silently ponder over the cold marble that
tells in few brief lines the beginning and the ending of
some of those who toiled and wearied not in the good
fight of faith and liberty in the Cumberland valley — who
for opinion's sake risked their lives and their fortunes
for a home of free thought in this distant land of promise.
It is not difficult to imagine the emotions with which
the provident giver of this holy ground foresaw the com
mon benefit of his appropriation, nor fail to appreciate the
gentle pathos of the sentiment that exacted in return the
yearly presentation in the month of June of a single rose.
This affecting and beautiful ceremony, it need hardly be
added, was piously observed for a long period.
Of this Falling Spring congregation, Benjamin Chambers
was an active and an humble member, for he lived in the
fear and the love of the Eedeemer, His death, in 1788,
was calm and joyous ; and in the cemetery he so tenderly
regarded, sleep the remains of the first white settler of that
vicinity.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 37

THE REVOLUTION.
Pateiotism was ever a leading trait among the people
of the Kittatinny Valley, As borderers, and as provincial
troops throughout the old French war and the subsequent
harassing Indian war, and as independent maintainers of
their isolated positions, they were conspicuous in bearing
the severest portion of the defence of the frontier.
It is a prevalent idea, and much dwelt upon, that those
who pronounced for liberty in 1775 were its authors.
This perhaps is right ; yet they but gave expression to the
awakened instincts of an intelligent people. It is urged,
and with much plausibility, that no evidence exists of such
previously -entertained aims. Were this even so, it would
prove but little ; for no one then cared to rashly incur the
penalties of treason by - publishing his opposition to the
supreme government.
That this dream of independence floated through the
popular mind long ere its national existence is clearly appa
rent. Prior to the Eevolution are to be found allusions — in
the English interest, and, of course, adverse to the feasi
bility of independence — showing that the idea at least was
cherished. This was the legitimate result of living at
great distance from a chief government, which the colo
nists knew only as the source of capricious and exacting
officials, by whom the best energies of a country capable

3.8 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
of self-maintenance, and withal increasing in vigor, were
taxed without receiving the benefit therefrom.
Conclusive on this head is the negative evidence, in
1755, of Lewis Evans, of Philadelphia (and his is probably
the first record of alarming- dissatisfaction):^-" It would be
the height of madness for them to propose an Independ
ency."^ Twenty brief years saw the culmination of that
madness, and but little imagination is requisite to fancy
the turbulent Pennsylvanians chafing the estimable geo
grapher into his emphatic argument. Not less so is
James Maury, who wrote in 1756 : " We have been in
formed that such' accounts of our temper and disposition
in this colony (Virginia) have been transmitted to England
by a certain person that the Ministry suppose we want
nothing but ability and opportunity to attempt shaking
off allegiance."^
Thus it is manifest that the sentiment of liberty was not
sprung as a sudden or individual creation on the public
gaze. It was latent and deep-seated, and had vigorous
root in the affections of the people. More quick to move
than those who become the exponents of the popular will,
the people are always in advance. It is only when the
masses are ripe for action that the feeling finds vent in the
prominent few. Without this solid basis, attempt at
leadership becomes mere personal advancement, and the
hero or patriot degenerates to the paltry factionist or
traitor. ' Analysis of a general map of the Colonies, p. 32,
' Memoirs of a Huguenot Family, p. 405.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 39
Had not the simultaneous passage of resolutions through
out the colonies been concerted, and, in fact proposed, by
the Committees of Correspondence, it is not too much to
believe that the hereditary sense of right, which had so
long animated this people, and whicbwas kept in abeyance
by the wisdom that saw defeat in premature action, signal
success in unity, would have led to the immediate defiant
avowal of independence.^
' Tlie subjoined resolutions are similar to those of various meetings
held through the colonies ; and, as designed by the Committees of Corre
spondence, they emboldened the congress that met in Philadelphia the
September following to adopt the decisive measures put forth by them.
"At a respectable meeting of the freeholders and freemen from several
townships of the Cumberland County iu the province of Pennsylvania,
held at Carlisle in the said county, on Tuesday the 12th day of July,
1774 ; John Montgomery, Esq., in the chair.
1, Eesolved, That the late act of the parliament of Great Britain, by
which the port of Boston is shut up, is oppressive to that town, and
subversive of the rights and liberties of the Colony of Massachusetts
Bay ; that the principle upon which that act is founded is not more
subversive of the rights and liberties of that colony than it is of all
other British colonies in North America ; and, therefore, the inhabitants
of Boston are suffering in the common cause of all these colonies.
2. That every vigorous and prudent measure ought speedily and
unanimously to be adopted by these colonies for obtaining redress of the
grievances under which the inhabitants of Boston are now laboring ;
and security from grievance of the same or of a still more severe
nature, under which they and the other inhabitants of the colonies
may, by a further operation of the same principle, hereafter labor.
3, That a Congress of Deputies from all the colonies will be one pro
per method for obtaining these purposes.
4, That the same purposes will, in the opinion of this meeting, be
promoted by an agreement of all the colonies not to import any mer-

40 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
Pennsylvania was a fitting school for the coming glorious
struggle. Side by side, for a series of years against the
common enemy, the comparative merits of English and
American arms were tested ; but not untH the bitter lesson
on the fatal field of Monongahela was the invidious dis
tinction broadly and irremediably drawn. In this long-
continued border warfare, irregular and peculiar by reason
of the habits and character of the aborigines, and per
fected by arduous experience, was acquired a degree of
chajidize from nor export any merchandize to Great Britain, Ireland, or
the British West Indies, nor to use any such merchandize so imported,
nor tea imported from any place whatever till these purposes shall be
obtained ; but that the inhabitants of this county wUl join any restric
tion of that agreement which the General Congress may think it neces
sary for the colonies to confine themselves to.
5. That the inhabitants of this county will contribute to the relief of
their suffering brethren in Boston at any time when they shall receive
intimation that such relief wUl be most seasonable,
6. That a committee be immediately appointed for this county, to
correspond with the committee of this province, or of the other provinces,
upon the great objects of the public attention ; and to co-operate in every
measure conducing to the general welfare of British America,
7. That the committee consist of the following persons, viz : James
Wilson, John Armstrong, John Montgomery, WUliam Irvine, Eobert
Gallender, William Thompson, John Colhoon, Jonathan Hoge, Eobert
Magaw, Ephraim Blane John Allison John Harris, and Eobert Miller,
or any five of them.
8. That James Wilson, Eobert Magaw, and William Irvine be the
Deputies appointed to meet the Deputies from other counties of this
province at Philadelphia, on Friday next, in order to concert measures
preparatory to the General Congress."* John Montgomekt, Chairman.

* Eupp, p. 403, et seg.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 41
native self-reliance which soon taught the Americans the
superiority of their tactics over those of the most approved
European generalship, and at the same time showed them
what to expect in the event of separation.

At the commencement of the Eevolution, Mr. Chambers
was unfit, by infirmity of years, for the fatigues and ex
posure of a campaign so distant as the heights of Boston.
But the spirit which in his progenitors resisted with zeal
ous bravery, arbitrary power in Ireland and Scotland had,
by the process of transplanting to the savage wilds of
America, lost none of its devotion to just principles of
government. On the receipt of the news of the battle of Lexington,
commendatory meetings were held, and the people banded
together in opposition to unmerited aggression.^
' A gentleman writing from Carlisle, May 6, 1775, says —
" Yesterday the County Committee met from nineteen townships on
the short notice they had. About three thousand men have already
associated. The arms returned amount to about fifteen hundred. The
committee have voted five hundred effective men, besides commissioned
officers, to be immediately drafted, taken into pay, armed and disci
plined, to march on the first emergency ; to be paid and supported as
long as necessary by a tax on all estates, real and personal, in the
county ; the returns to be taken by the township committees ; and the
tax laid by the commissioners and assessors ; the pay of the officers and
men as usual in times past.
" This morning we met again at eight o'clock ; among other subjects
6

42 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
Mr. Chambers' eldest son, James, was an ardent sup
porter of the rebel cause. In June, 1775, he marched as
captain of a company of infantry, accompanied by his
brothers, William and Beinjamin, as cadets, to the siege of
Boston.^ The ensuing extracts from James Chambers' private
correspondence (mostly to his wife) present stirring pic
tures of some of the important events of the period to
which they relate. They will be welcomed by the patriot
reader to the reminiscences of the Eevolution, and by the
of inquiry this day, the mode of drafting, or taking into pay, arming
and victualling immediately the men, and the choice of field and other
officers, will, among other matters, be the subject of deliberation. The
strength or spirit of this county perhaps may appear small if judged by
the number of men proposed ; but when it is considered that we are
ready to raise fifteen hundred or two thousand, should we have support
from the Province, and that .independent, and in uncertain expectation
of support, we have voluntarily, drawn upon this county a debt of about
£27,000 per annum, I hope we shall not appear contemptible. We make
great improvements in militarv disciuline. It is yet uncertain who may
go." — Am. Archives, ii. 516, '
' William and Benjamin Chambers were respectively twenty-two
and twenty years of age at this time. They were advanced to the
rank of captain soon after they joined the army. They were at the
battles of Long Island, Brandywine, and Germantown, and encountered
the severities of the campaign of 1776 and 1777 in the Jerseys,. They,
however, returned home before the close of the war to the attention of
their aged parents and their property, which latter had suffered greatly
from neglect. Notwithstanding their compulsory absence from the
battle-fields of the nation, they frequently assisted in the pursuit of
Indians, whose incursions on the settlements of Bedford and Huntingdon
•Counties created much alarm.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 43
posterity of the participators in the momentous struggle,
as most worthy of respectful registry :—
"Cambeidge, August 13, 1775.
"My deae Kitty: We arrived in camp on the 7th
ult., about 12 o'clock. We were not here above an hour
until we went to view the lines where the English camp is
all in plain sight. We crossed the lines, and went beyond
the outposts to a small hill, within musket-shot of a man-
of-war and a floating battery, and not further from the
works at the foot of Bunker Hill, where we could see
them very plainly. Whilst I was standing there, some of
our riflemen slipped down  Hill, about a gunshot
to the left of us, and began firing. The Eegulars returned
it without hurting our men. We thought we saw one of
the red coats fall. Since the riflemen came here, by the
latest accounts from Boston, there have been forty-two
killed, and thirty-eight prisoners taken at the Lighthouse,
twelve of the latter Tories. Amongst the killed are four
captains, one of them the son of a Lord, and worth £40,000
a year, whose name I cannot recollect. The riflemen go
where they please, and keep the Eegulars in continual hot
water. They are every day firing cannon at our people, but
have not yet killed a man. We expect six wagons loaded
with powder here in two or three days ; and when they
arrive, our twenty-four pounders will begin to play on
their ships and the lines on Bunker Hill. It is difficult
for our men to get within shot of them, as they have floating
batteries that flank the end of Winter Hill, and men-of-

44 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
war on the other side, though our boys think the-y killed
several of theih about an hour ago. I saw a small cannon
ading between two of the enemy's boats and one of our
batteries to the north of Boston. We can see all the town
distinctly from our fort on Prospect Hill, and it is a very
pretty place. * * * t^q deserters came to us
last night,"

" Camp at Cambeidgb, Aug. 29, 1775.
" My deae Kitty :
4f * * * * *.* * *
* * "On the evening of the 2'6th inst., Satur
day, I was ordered, to draw fifty men out of each of the
Cumberland companies, and be ready to march at sunset.
Accordingly I did so, and marched without beat of drum
to Prospect Hill, and thence proceeded with the riflemen
stationed there — in all about four hundred ; — to Ploughed
Hill and then down the hUl within three, or four hundred
yards of the enemy's strongest works, to cover a party of
about two thousand mnsketmen, who were at the same
time to entrench, on Ploughed HiU.
They labored very hard all night,, and at daybreak had
the redoubt nearly completed. When the English dis
covered our defences so near, they began a heavy can
nonading which continued all , day. They killed with
their cannon balls one adjutant and one soldier, and
wounded three others with musket balls. These were
close to the floating batteries and their field works. Mr.
Wilbam Simpson of Paxton, a volunteer, was struck by a
.shot and his foot carried away.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 45
On Monday we were with about fifteen thousand men
on Ploughed Hill, as the enemy made every appearance
of coming out to storm our works, but thought it not good
for their health, and so returned to Boston, They fired
Several cannon from Bunker Hill, and killed one man on
Ploughed Hill, This last point is about six hundred
yards frorri Bnnker's, where is their strongest force. Your
son Benjamin sends bis love to you, Hfe was with me in
all this affair."
On Marcb 7th, 1776, the Continehtal Congress promoted
Captain Chambers to the lieutenant colonelcy of " Hand's
Eifle Battalion in the Army at Cambridge." He was soon
after ordered to the vicinity of New Ybrk. The following
was written after the battle of Long Island. His commis
sion of colonel of the 1st regiment of continental troops of
the Pennsylvania Line is dated September 26th, 1776.

" In Camp at Delamebe's Mills, three rtiiles abovi King's Bridge.
Septesiber 3, 1776.
" My deae Kitty : I should have written to you sooner,
but the hurry and confusion we have been in for some
time past, has hindered me. I will now give you a short
account of transactions in tbis quarter.
On the morning of the 22nd Atigust there were nine
thousand British troops on New Utrecht plains. The
guard alarmed our small camp, and we assembled at the
flagstaff. We marched our forces, about two hundred in
number, to New Utrecht to watch the movements of the

46 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
enemy. When we came on the hill, we discovered a party
of them advancing toward us. We prepared to give them
a warm reception, when an imprudent fellow fired, and
they immediately halted and turned toward Flatbush, The
main body also, moved along the great road toward the
same place. We proceeded alongside of them in the edge
of the woods as far as the turn of the lane, where the
cherry-trees were, if you remember. We then found it
impracticable for so small a force to attack them on the
plain, and sent Captain Hamilton with twenty men, before
them to burn all the grain; which he did very cleverly,
and killed a great many cattle. It was then thought most
proper to return to camp and secure our baggage, which
we did, and left it in Fort Brown. Near 12 o'clock the
same day we returned down the great road to Flatbush
with only our small regiment, and one New England
regiment sent to support us, though at a mile's distance.
When in sight of Flatbush, we discovered the enemy, but
not the main body ; on perceiving us, they retreated down
the road perhaps a mile, A party of our people com
manded by Captain Miller followed them close with a
design to decoy a portion of them to follow him, whilst
the rest kept in the edge of the woods alongside of Captain
M. But they thought better of the matter, and would not
come after him though he went within two hundred yards.
There they stood .for a long time, and then Captain Miller
turned off to us and we proceeded along their flank.
Some of our men fired upon and killed several Hes
sians, as we ascertained two days afterwards. Strong
guards were maintained all day on the flanks of the enemy,

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 47
and our regiment and the Hessian yagers kept up a severe
firing, with a loss of but two wounded on our side. We
laid a few Hessians low, and made them retreat out of
Flatbush, Our people went into the town, and brought
the goods out of the burning houses.
The enemy liked to have lost their field-pieces. Cap
tain Steel, of your vicinity, acted bravely. We would
certainly have had the cannon had it not been for some
foolish person calling retreat. The main body of the foe
returned to the town ; and when our lads came back, they
told of their exploits. This was doubted by some, which
enraged our men so much that a few of them ran and
brought away several Hessians on their backs. This kind
of firing by our riflemen and theirs continued until ten
(two ?) o'clock in the morning of the 26th, when our regi
ment was relieved by a portion of the Flying Camp ; and
we started for Fort Greene to get refreshment, not having
lain down the whole of, this time, and almost dead with
fatigue. We had just got to the fort, and I had only laid
down, when the alarm gtins were fired. We were com
pelled to turn out to the lines, and as soon as it was light
saw our men and theirs engaged with field-pieces. At
last, the enemy found means to surround our men there
upon, guard, and then a heavy firing continued for several
hours. The main body that' surrounded our men marched
up within thirty yards of Forts Brown and Greene ; but
when we fired, they retreated with loss. From all I can
learn, we numbered about twenty-five hundred, and the
attacking party not less than twenty -five thousand, as they

48 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
had been landing for days before. Our men behaved as
bravely as ever men did ; but it is surprising that, with
the superiority of numbers, they were not cut to pieces.
They behaved gallantly, and there are but five or six
hundred missing.
General Lord Stirling fought like a wolf, and is taken
prisoner. Colonels Miles and Atlee, Major Bird, Captain
Peoples, Lieutenant Watt, and a great number of our other
officers also prisoners ; Colonel Piper missing. From
deserters, we learn that the enemy lost Major-General
Grant and two Brigadiers, and many others, and five
hundred' killed. Our loss is chiefly in prisoners.
It was thought advisable to retreat off Long Island ;
and on the night of the 80th, it was done with great
secrecy. Very few of the officers knew it until they
were on the boats, supposing that an attack was intended,
A discovery of our intention to the enemy would have
been fatal to us. The Pennsylvania troops were done
great honor by being chosen the corps de reserve to cover
the retreat. The regiments of Colonels Hand,^ Hagan,
Shea, and Hazlett were detailed for that, purpose. We
kept up fires, with outposts stationed, until all the rest
were over. We left the lines after it was fair day, and
then came off.
Never was a greater feat of generalship shown than in
this retreat ; to bring off an army of twelve thousand men
within sight of a strong enemy, possessed of as strong a
> 400.
' Chambers was lieutenant-colonel of this regiment.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 49
fleet as ever floated on our seas, without any loss, and
saving all the baggage.
General Washington saw the last over himself."

" Mount Prospect Camp, June, 1777.
********** * This day week, we drove the enemy from
Brunswick, and I was one of the first officers that entered
the town. The advance party took two prisoners, one a
Hessian officer. We cannonaded them smartly ; and they
ran, and left the works as we approached, without firing a
gun, though we were within shot of small arms.

This letter, relating to the battle of Brandywine, is with
out date, but must have been written not long subsequent
to its occurrence. Colonel Chambers' command opposed
the Hessians under General Knyphausen in his strategical
movement of crossing Chadd's Ford to enable Generals
Howe and Cornwallis to effect a passage, with the least
resistance, at the forks of the stream. In this action,
the Colonel received a ball in his right side, which,
though not productive of serious inconvenience at the
time, by derangement of some internal function, was in
later life the source of frequent and harassing illness.
" My deak —
*********
* * On the morning of the 11th Sept., 1777, we
were apprised that the enemy was advancing; and soon
7

50 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
after heard the engagement between our light troops and
their advanced parties. Whilst their main design was in
front to our right, the cannon ceased firing except now
and then ; and small detachments of our troops were con
stantly skirmishing with them. But in a short while, we
found that they had crossed the Brandywine near the forks,
and were coming in flank of our right wing. The can
nonade commenced about three o'clock, but soon gave way
to small arms, which continued like an incessant clap of
thunder till within an hour of sunset, when our people
filed off. Then the attack began with us on the left. But
I must observe to you that while the right was engaged,
the troops that were on the right of our brigade on the
hill were drawn off * * * and left our
right flank quite uncovered. The enemy kept an un
remitted fire from their artillery (and ours too, played with
great fury) until advancing under the thick smoke they
took possession of the redoubt in front of our park.
As there were no troops to cover the artillery in the
redoubt — the enemy was within thirty yards before being
discovered — our men were forced to fly and to leave three
pieces behind. Our brigade was drawn into line, with
the park of artillery two hugidred yards in the rear of the
redoubt. Our park was ordered off then, and my right
exposed. The enemy advanced on the hUl where our
park was, and came within fifty yards of the hill above
me. I then ordered my men to fire. Two or three rounds
made the lads clear the ground.
The General sent orders for our artillery to retreat —
it was on my right — and ordered me to cover it with 

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 51
of my regiment. It was done, biit to my surprise the
artillerymen had run and left the howitzer behind. The
two field pieces went up the road protected by about sixty
of my men, who had very warm work, but brought them
safe, I then ordered another party to fly to the howitzer
and bring it off. Captain Buchanan, Lieutenant Stimson,
and Lieutenant Douglass went immediately to the gun, and
the men followed their example, and I covered them with
the few I had remaining. But before this could be done,
the main body of the foe came within thirty yards, and
kept up the most terrible fire I suppose ever heard in
America; though with very little loss on our side. I
brought all the brigade artillery safely off, and I hope to
see them again fired at the scoundrels. Yet we retreated
to the next height in good order, in the midst of a very
heavy fire of cannon and small arms. Not thirty yards
distant, we formed to receive them, but they did not choose
to follow.
I lost Lieutenants Halliday and Wise killed ; Captain
Grier was badly wounded. Captain Craig and myself
slightly wounded. I have, I suppose, lost six or seven
killed, and about the same, number wounded. We lost
several fine officers out of the brigade."

" Camp Enolishtown, June 30th, 1778,
My deae —
I have the pleasure to inform you that on the 28th ult.,
we gave the enemy a fine drubbing at Freehold Church,'
' This was the battle of Monmouth.

52 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
about four miles from this place. The attack commenced
at eleven o'clock, and a most violent cannonade continued
for nearly five hours ; in which time both armies were
manoeuvring on the right and left. Our Division was
drawn in front of our artillery in a small hollow, while the
enemy's artillery was placed on an eminence in front of
our brigade. Of course, we were in a right line of their
fire, both parties playing their cannon over our heads, and
yet only killed two of our men, and wounded four of my
regiment with splinters of rails. Our army out-generalled
them, and at the same time advanced some baggage across
a swamp, and drove them before us. They fled in all
quarters, and at sunset we had driven them near to Mon
mouth town. We encamped on the field that night
They left on the ground several officers of distinction,
amongst them Colonel Monckton ; and yesterday we buried
upwards of two hundred and fifty of the bold Britons who
were to conquer the world !
I rode over the whole ground, and saw two hundred of
their dead. It is surprising thatwe lost not more than
thirty.' However, of this I can assure you, that for every
ten of them I did not see one of ours killed. During
yesterday, our fatigue parties were collecting the dead in
piles, and burying them. The enemy is flying with pre
cipitation to the Hook, and we are now on our march to
Brunswick. They desert very fast, so watch for news.
J. C."
' The British loss was about three hundiet killed in battle ; the
American not seventy, while both armies suffered some mortality from
fatigue and the excessive heat.

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 53
Lieutenant-Colonel Harmar, Inspector of the Pennsylva
nia Line, wrote to President Eeed, respecting the " State
of the regiments comprising Major-General St. Clair's
Division :"^- "Camp, West Poijit, October 15th, 1779.
Sir: I have the honor of transmitting your Excellency a
Eeturn of the strength of the eight regiments which at
present compose the Pennsylvania Division, specifying
when their times expire. The three other regiments of
our Line being detached, cannot be ascertained.
As the whole army now undergoes a monthly inspection
I beg leave to state to your Excellency the condition of
our troops. Their clothing (which was drawn last fall at
Fredericksburg) is now old and tattered. Shirts and
blankets greatly wanted and scarcely a good hat in the.
whole division. The daily and hard fatigue at this post
must consequently soon render them still worse. But
notwithstanding all these inconveniences, they are well
armed and cut as clean and decent an appearance as cir
cumstances can possibly admit.
By reference to the return accompanying the above
report, it shows that of Chambers' regiment there were
present the colonel, the lieutenant-colonel, one major,
five captains, nine lieutenants, two ensigns, one surgeon,
twenty-four sergeants, sixteen corporals, thirteen drums
and fifes, one hundred and eighty-three privates. Total,
> Pa. Archives, vol. vii. p. 750.

54 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
two hundred and thirty-six. Enlisted for the war, two
hundred and thirty-two ; for three years, four.
Total effective force of the division, twio thousand three
hundred and eighty-six ; non-effectives, forty-seven.

After the battle of Monmouth, Colonel Chambers was
with the army at White Plains, West Point, and other
parts of the country near the Hudson river. His order-
books, embracing the period from July 26th, 1778, to
August 5th, 1780; have lately been deposited in the library
of the Society. They contain the official details of the
movements of the 1st regiment and the division with
which he was connected ; and beyond copies of the orders
relative to the attack on Bergen Point, nothing of special
import to this narrative.
The following orders of General Wayne show the par
ticipation of the 1st regiment and other Pennsylvania
troops in the engagement at Bergen Point, and explain
Chambers' letter in reference to it.

' After Orders, New Bridge, July 21, 1780.
****** * -X-*
A detachment from the 1st regiment will prevent the
retreat of the refugees towards Paulus Hook — whilst this
is performing, the artillery will be preparing to demolish
the block houses — every precaution will be used to guard
against any serious consequences from up the river ; and
should the enemy be hardy enough to attempt the relief

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 55
of this post from Fort Washington, it may add never fading
laurels to troops which have always stepped the first for
glory, and who have everything to expect from victory,
nothing to dread frora disgrace ; for although it is not
in their power to command success, the general is well
assured they will produce a conviction to the world that
they deserve it.'"

" Division Orders, July 23, 1780.
It is with infinite pleasure that General Wayne ac
knowledges to the worthy officers and soldiers under his
cominand since the 20th inst., that he never saw more true
fortitude than that exhibited on the 21st, by the troops
immediately at the point of action; such was the enthu
siastic bravery of all ranks of officers and men, that the 1st
regiment, no longer capable of constraint, rushed with
impetuosity over the abattis and up to the stockades, from
which they were with difficulty withdrawn ; the contagion
spread to the 2d, but by the united efforts of the field and
other officers- of each regiment, they were at last restrained.
The general fortunately would not admit of the further
advance of the 10th, and the situation of General Irvine's
and the other troops, prevented them from experiencing
some loss of men ; as the same gallant spirit pervaded the
whole, they very probably would have shown the same
eager desire for close action. The block house was only a
' Pa. Archives, vol. viii. p. 451.

56 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
secondary object, and to serve as a lure to draw the enemy
across the river, and afford us an opportunity of deciding
the fate of the day in the defiles through which they might
pass before they could possess the strong ground. At 12
o'clock, the affairs assumed a pleasing aspect ; by intelli
gence from Gloster that the British were embarking at
Philips, and falling down the river towards Fort Lee,
where the 6th and 7th regiments were posted with orders
to secrete themselves, and after the enemy landed, to meet
them in the gorge of the mountain, and dispute the pass
with the point of the bayonet at every expense of blood,
until General Irvine with the 2d, and Colonel Humpton
with the 1st brigades would arrive to support them. So
that there ought to be no difficulty in giving up a small
object for one that was capital. Indeed, had the artillery
been of sufficient calibre, the brave officers and men who
conducted them would have succeeded in the reduction of
the block house by a constant fire of more than one hour,
within the medium distance of 60 yards, and not been under
the disagreeable sensation of leaving a post unreduced
behind them — this being too trifling an affair" to attend to
any longer, when a more ample and glorious prospect was
before us ; but in this we have been disappointed, as the
enemy prudently chose to remain in a less hostile position
than that of the Jersey shore.
The general cannot attempt to discriminate between
officers, regiments or corps; who with equal opportunity
would have acted with equal fortitude; and he fondly
hopes that the day is not far distant when the prowess of

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 57
those troops will be acknowledged by the European and
American world.' By order of General Wayne,
B. FISHBOUEN, Aid-de-Oamp:'

" Camp at New Bridge, Hackensack, Sept. 5, 1780.
¦ My deae Kitty :
**-»******* * About the 20th July, General Wayne
formed a design of attacking a block house built by the
British on the bank of North Eiver, on the point that runs
down to Bergen, six or seven miles above that town ; and
had orders from the Commander in Chief to bring off the
cattle. The general marched the Pennsylvania division
down in the . night to within a few miles of the place of
action, and then in the morning ordered the 2d brigade to
take post near Fort Lee, to prevent the enemy crossing
from Fort Washington, and falling on the rear of the
troops destined for the attack. After making the disposi
tion necessary, my regiment was ordered to advance and
commence the attack, and to cover the artillery, which was
done with unparalleled bravery. Advancing to the abattis,
which was within twenty yards of the house, several crept
through, and there continued under an incessant, fire till
ordered away. They retreated with reluctance. The foe
kept close under shelter, firing through loop holes. Our
men and artillery kept up a galling fire on the house, but
' Pa. Archives, vol. viii. p. 452.

68 CHAMBEESBUEG IN THE COLONY
at last were obliged to fall back, as our pieces were too
light to penetrate. There were twelve killed of the 1st
regiment, and four of them within the abattis ; in aU, forty
were killed, wounded and missing ; three of these in Ben's
platoon. You may depend your son is a good soldier.
All the officers and men say he behaved exceedingly well.
I had not the pleasure of seeing it, as I lay very sick at
the time. Ben can tell you plenty of news about fighting. J. C."

An act was passed by Congress to take effect January 1,
1781, reducing the Pennsylvania Line to six regiments and
allowing such officers as wished it, to retire with honorable
provision, exemption from various duties, &c. &c.
Colonel Chambers availed himself of this opportunity to
quit the service after nearly six years' unremitting devo
tion to it. Colonel Brodhead of the 8th then took com
mand of the gallant 1st regiment.
He evinced an interest in the cause before the war, as a
contributor to the columns of the Bostonian in 1775,
The annexed receipt shows that he also was a subscriber
to that paper : —
" Eeceived of James Chambers eight bushels of wheat,
being his subscription to the Bostonian.
Jany. 7th, 1775. Benj. Chambees, Jun."
It was expected that the Colonel or his brother Benja
min would have gone on the Quebec expedition. An

AND THE EEVOLUTION. 59
extract from a letter addressed to " Capt. Jas. Chambers,
at Ireland's farm, near Cambridge," by John McLellan, and
dated "Norwidgewock, 2d Oct., 1775," from the banks of
the Kennebec, Maine, says : — " Sir, with my best wishes, I
send you this to inform you that it is your indispensable
duty to thank God for not permitting the Devil to put it
into General Washington's head to send you here." He
then gives an account of the wretched country through
which they passed, and thinks their sufferings a sufficient
punishment for all their sins.
The act of the Congress of 1791, levying duty on spirits
distilled in the West, which was intended as an equaliza
tion of the imposts on foreign liquors at the seaboard, was
resisted with force, and gave rise to the " Whiskey Insur
rection." This was a severe test of the strength of the
new, government, and great apprehension for its safety
was everywhere created. Pacific policy failing, prompt
and more decisive measures were required to maintain
the supremacy of the federal authority; and in 1794, a
large military body, in which Col. Chambers commanded
a brigade, was marched to the seat of insubordination.
Happily, the moral power of this formidable display
obviated violent enforcement of order, and a most fearful
crisis was thus passed without civil war.
For several years from 1795, General Chambers served
in tbe capacity of Associate Judge of the Franklin County
Court of Common Pleas. In 1798, he was appointed
Brigadier-General in the Pennsylvania quota of militia,
called for by Congress in anticipation of difficulties with

60 CHAMBEESBUEG, ETC.
France, The brigade was organized and reported foi
duty ; but its services were not required in the field.
When stationed with the army in New York, he became
a member of the Masonic order, and was the founder of the
Chambersburg lodge, and its master until his resignation
in 1804.
He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati,
" Instituted by the Officers of the American Army at the
Period of its Dissolution, as well to commemorate the
great event which gave Independence to North America
as for the laudable Purpose of inculcating the Duty. of
laying down in Peace Arms assumed for public Defence,
and of uniting in Acts of brotherly affection and Bonds of
perpetual Friendship the Members constituting the same."
Though starting with a liberal estate, his retirement at
the close of the war was not marked by exemption from
the melancholy fate of shattered constitutions and dila
pidated fortunes which awaited the majority of the Eevo
lutionary heroes on their return to private life. He lived
in the bland consciousness of having fearlessly striven
to promote his country's welfare; and the much-hoped-
for end being attained, in peaceful advanced age he
encouraged in his children and his neighbors, by precept
and example, a sincere love of liberty and direct account
ability to God. He died at his residence, at Loudoun
Forge, on the evening of the 25th of April, 1805, and was
buried with military honors in the last resting-place con^-
secrated by his father.