related her own story of her capture and life among the Indians when
eighty years old.
She endured hardship and suffering with astonishing fortitude, and
amidst all the surrounding of barbaric life she preserved the
sensibilities of a white woman. The story of the captivity may be
briefly told as follows: Thomas and Jane Erwin Jemison emigrated from
Ireland about the year 1746. Mary, the fourth child, was born on
shipboard during the voyage to America.
Thomas Jemison removed his family to the then frontier settlements of
Pennsylvania on a tract of excellent land lying on Marsh Creek, in
Franklin Township, Adams County. They removed to another place near the
confluence of Sharps Run and Conewago Creek, a short distance from their
first home.
A few neighbors had come to live with the Jemison family on account of
the men being with Washington’s army and their fear of the Indians.
One morning Mary returned from an errand to the mill, and a man took her
horse to his house after a bag of grain. Mary’s father was busy with the
chores, her mother was getting breakfast; the two older brothers were in
the barn, and the little ones with Mary and the neighbor woman and her
three children in the house.
Breakfast was not yet ready when they were alarmed by the discharge of a
number of guns. On opening the door the man and horse lay dead. The
Indians captured Mr. Jemison, then rushed into the house and made
prisoners of Mrs. Jemison, Robert, Matthew, Betsey and Mary and the
other woman and her three children and then plundered the house. The two
brothers in the barn escaped and afterward went to Virginia.
In the attacking party were six Indians and four Frenchmen, and after
they took everything they wanted and all the food in the house, they set
out in great haste with their prisoners, keeping them in single file,
using a whip when any one lagged behind. No food or water was given them
all that day, and at night, fatigued and hungry, they were compelled to
lie upon the ground without fire or shelter. In the morning they were
given breakfast from the provisions taken from the Jemison home.
They were made to march a great distance the second day and at night had
a meal with bread and meat.
An Indian removed Mary’s shoes and stockings and put a pair of moccasins
on her feet which Mrs. Jemison believed meant they intended to spare her
life and destroy the other captives. An Indian removed the shoes and
stockings from the neighbor boy, and after putting moccasins on him, led
him and Mary off from the others some distance into the woods and there
laid down with them for the night.
That was the last time Mary ever saw her parents, for during the night,
the Indians murdered in most cruel manner the rest of the captives and
left their bodies in the swamps to be devoured by wild beasts.
During the next day’s march Mary had to watch them scrape and dry the
scalps of her parents, brothers and sisters and neighbors. Her mother’s
hair being red, she could easily distinguish it from the others, but she
knew them all, and the sight was one which remained with her during all
her life.
The boy was given to the French and Mary was given to two Shawnee
squaws. They started down the Ohio in canoes, toward their home at
Sciota. Upon arrival at the home of the squaws, Mary was given a suit of
Indian clothing and formally adopted according to Indian custom,
replacing a brother of the squaws, who had been killed in war. She was
given the Indian name Dickewamis, which means pretty girl or good thing.
She was not allowed to speak English, so soon learned the Indian tongue.
At this time the English had taken Fort Pitt, and as soon as the corn
was harvested the Indians went to the fort to make peace with the
British and Mary was taken along. She went with a light heart, feeling
sure she was to be restored to her brothers. The English asked her many
questions about herself, and this interest so alarmed her Indian sisters
that they hurried her away in their canoe. She learned later that some
white people had come to take her away, but could not find her.
Her Indian sisters made her marry a Delaware Indian named Sheninjee.
Mary spoke of him as noble, large in stature, elegant in appearance,
generous in conduct, courageous in war, a friend to peace and a great
lover of justice. Truly a fine tribute for an Indian warrior.
Her first child died soon after birth, but the fourth year she had a son
who she named in memory of her father, Thomas Jemison.
She had many hardships traveling with her child to the Genesee country,
which was 600 miles through an almost pathless wilderness.
Her husband died while she was en route to her new home. Several times
efforts were made to restore her to the English, and on one occasion the
chiefs determined she should be given up, but she fought against it
herself and her Indian brother helped her in her effort to remain among
the Indians.
Several years after the death of her husband she married Hiokatoo,
commonly called Gardow, by whom she had four daughters and two sons. Her
second husband was the most cruel Indian known.
Mary Jemison continued to live in the German Flats, N. Y., and upon the
death of Hiokatoo became possessed of much valuable land.
Two great sorrows were experienced when a feud between her sons resulted
in John, a wayward fellow, killing Thomas, who was a great comfort to
his mother and a leader among the Indians, and some years later John
killed his other brother, Jesse.
This double grief was almost more than the venerable woman could endure
and it was not assuaged when John was murdered in a drunken quarrel with
two Indians.
She was naturalized April 19, 1817, by which she received a clear title
to her reservation. In 1823 she disposed of the major portion of her
real estate holdings, reserving a tract two miles long and one mile
wide.
She died September 19, 1833, aged ninety-one years, and was buried with
Christian service in the cemetery of Seneca Mission Church, Buffalo
Creek Reservation. Her body was reinterred on March 7, 1874, in the
Indian Council House Grounds at Letchworth Park, where an elegant bronze
statue marks the grave of Mary Jemison, “The White Woman of the
Genesee.”
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Governor Penn Makes Trip Through State,
Starting April 6, 1788
Following the last great purchase from the Indians at Fort Stanwix,
October 23, 1784, the State enjoyed a steady flow of immigration. There
was an abundance of fertile and cheap lands, a desirable climate and low
taxes. It was possible for a foreigner to buy and hold lands with
relinquishment of their allegiance to the country of their birth. This
right had been granted for three years from 1787, and was continued for
a longer period after 1790.
About this time John Penn, son of Thomas Penn, and a grandson of William
Penn, and twice governor of the Province, traveled through the State to
look after some of the Proprietary estates, and during his trip from
Philadelphia to Carlisle and return he made some notes that are replete
with interest.
He set out from Philadelphia on the morning of April 6, 1788, on horse
back. He passed through the Township of Roxborough, and on his way saw
two meeting houses filled with people, another proof that the Friends
were still faithful to their old traditions.
At a tavern where he alighted he met a hoary-headed guest who invited
him within, calling him the “honorable proprietor.” That night he rested
at Brooke’s tavern and very much admired the sign, which was a striking
likeness of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, painted by George Rutter (Ritter), a
noted sign painter of that period. He then called on Frederick A.
Muhlenberg, Speaker of the last Assembly.
As Penn drew near Reading he was questioned by a person concerning a
manor of which he was the owner. This was Penn’s Mount, at that time on
the eastern limits of the town. Penn thought Reading was finely
situated. He dined on catfish with Abraham Whitman, the only tavern
keeper who had not voted against the confirmation of the proprietary
estate. He visited a ferry, still belonging to him, and from there went
to a farm “belonging to the proprietors,” which he determined to divide
and sell in smaller parcels.
Penn paid a visit to Angelica, the beautiful farm belonging to General
Thomas Mifflin, situated a few miles from Reading. A neighbor of General
Mifflin’s, who attracted Penn’s attention, was “one of the marrying
Dunkers, who live in their own houses like other countrymen, but wear
their beards long.”
Penn tarried here until the 9th, then went to Womelsdorf, passing on the
way one place that was “remarkable for its European appearance.” He then
rode through Lebanon, “a handsome town containing some hundred
inhabitants.” The horses were “baited” at Millerstown.
About sunset Penn caught his first glimpse of the Susquehanna “flowing
between its wooded and cultivated banks close to the town” of
Harrisburg.
Penn adds: “Mr. Harris, the owner and founder of the town, informed me
that three years ago there was but one house built and seemed to possess
pride and pleasure in his success.
“Though the courts are held here generally, Lebanon is infinitely
larger. The situation of this place is one of the finest I ever saw. One
good point of view is the tavern, almost close to the river. It is
called the Compass, and is one of the first public houses in
Pennsylvania. The room I had is twenty-two feet square and high in
proportion.”
After breakfast on the morning of April 11 Penn and John Harris walked
to the ferry and had a thrilling experience while ferrying across the
river, and on account of the high water and swift current they were
carried far out of their course.
About two miles west of the river they passed the home of Robert
Whitehill, the Assemblyman, and about 3 o’clock in the afternoon they
reached the town of Carlisle.
The first buildings seen were three or four separate wings, intended for
magazines originally, but granted by Congress to the trustees of
Dickinson College for twenty years. The Reverend Charles Nisbet, D. D.,
was then at the head of the institution.
In the neighborhood of Carlisle Penn had lands in charge of General John
Armstrong. Colonel Robert Magaw was also his companion during his stay
in Carlisle.
After remaining in Carlisle until the 13th Penn commenced his return to
Philadelphia by rising early in order “to see a cave near Conedoguinet
Creek,” in which the water petrifies as it drops from the roof. Then he
resumed his route and noted the “Yellow Breeches Creek,” reaching the
Susquehanna, again crossed Harris’ Ferry and then traveled along the
eastern bank of the river to Middletown. He was impressed with the
scenery and made many comments about both banks of the river. He wrote:
“At Middletown I put up at one More’s, who was a teacher formerly at
Philadelphia of Latin and Greek. He talked very sensibly, chiefly on
subjects which discovered him to be a warm Tory and friend of passive
obedience. Here the Great Swatara joins the Susquehanna, and a very fine
mill is kept at their confluence by Mr. Frey, a Dutchman, to whom I
carried a letter from Mr. D. Clymer.”
“April 14. Before my departure Mr. Frey showed me his excellent mill and
still more extraordinary millstream, running from one part of the
Swatara for above a mile till it rejoins it at the mouth. It was cut by
himself, with great expense and trouble, and is the only work of the
kind in Pennsylvania. Middletown is in a situation as beautiful as it is
adapted to trade, and already of respectable size.”
Penn then writes of passing through Elizabethtown, and over Creeks
Conewago and Chickesalunga, and adds: “As you leave Dauphin for
Lancaster County the lands improve.” He was told of a farm “said to be
worth £15 per acre.”
On his return through Lancaster Penn learned that the country was
friendly to the new Federal Constitution, the argument being “that
matters could not be worse nor taxes higher.”
“April 15. I rode alone over to Bluerock and spent a great part of the
day in examining the grounds, not returning till dusk. The consequence
of this ride was the resolution I made of keeping or purchasing nearly
200 acres round a spot admirably calculated for a country seat.”
Penn’s next stop was at the Horse and Groom, next to Nottingham Meeting
House. To this society William Penn had given forty acres as a place of
worship. The titles were in dispute, owing to the boundary lines being
uncertain between Pennsylvania and Maryland, and the grandson, having
his eyes wide open to all possibilities, remarked that he could gain
little information of his “claims to these lands.”
Continuing his journey Penn reached Wilmington, and after a brief visit
there returned to Philadelphia.
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Edwin Forrest, the Great American Actor,
Founded the Home for Actors,
April 7, 1873
One of the asylums which has attracted more attention than many others
is the Edwin Forrest Home for Retired Actors.
It was founded under the direction of Edwin Forrest, the famous
tragedian, who by his will, dated April 5, 1866, bequeathed to his
executors, James Oakes of Boston, James Lawson of New York, and David
Dougherty of Philadelphia, all his property, with the exception of
annuities to his sisters and some personal legacies, in trust for an
institution “which they will call the Edwin Forrest Home.” He further
directed that it should be established at his country place called
Spring Brook, below Holmesburg, in the city of Philadelphia, which he
had purchased some years before.
Mr. Forrest recommended that an application should be made to the
Legislature for a charter to trustees, with authority to conduct the
affairs of the institution in accordance with his plans.
Application was accordingly made, and on April 7, 1873, James Oakes of
Boston, James Lawson of New York, Daniel Dougherty, John W. Forney,
James H. Castle, John H. Michener, and the mayor of Philadelphia for the
time being, were made a body politic by the name of the Edwin Forrest
Home, with authority to carry out the designs of the donor.
The estate which Mr. Forrest left was largely in real property, land and
houses, some of it unproductive and waiting for a market, so that there
was no product from it. In addition there was a claim on behalf of his
wife, who had been separated from him for years, which seemed to affect
his property. She had been divorced in the State of New York, where the
judge had allowed her alimony, three thousand dollars per year, and this
claim was thought to be good against Mr. Forrest’s estate during the
entire period of her life.
This condition embarrassed the executors, but a compromise was arrived
at which released the property, upon payment of a large sum of money, by
which the aggregate fund for the support of the home was considerably
diminished.
The executors were not able to open the home until 1876, when it
commenced with four inmates, William Lomas, George G. Spear, Mrs. Rhoda
Wood and Mrs. Burroughs. To these old actors and actresses was shortly
added Jacob W. Thoman, who had made his first appearance at the Chestnut
Street Theater, Philadelphia, in 1834.
The location of the home was far out in the country and the actors who
spent their life in the environment of the stage, would prefer to spend
their declining days near the theatres, so that they could frequently
visit them and renew acquaintances and friendships with old companions
of the mask and wig.
The mansion was a fine house, and capable of being made comfortable. It
was of old style, three stories high, skirted by broad pillared
porticos, tastefully decorated with growing plants.
The halls and rooms were hung with portraits and works of arts, and
marble busts of the great characters of earlier days were there in
abundance. Many fine oil portraits of Forrest in different roles were
among the collection of art. Many interesting play-bills of his early
performances, and portraits of most of the actors who had won fame
before the footlights were on the walls.
The bedrooms were each furnished with high-post bedsteads, and old types
of bureaus and dressers.
The library was unique and wonderfully furnished, and the eight thousand
volumes embraced the classics, treatises upon art, and interesting
histories of the stage. In niches of the walls were busts of the
nation’s great men. Art masterpieces in oil and marble were to be found
in the old home.
The farm attached to the fine mansion contains one hundred and eleven
acres.
Edwin Forrest was born in Philadelphia, March 9, 1806. He died there
December 12, 1872.
His father was Scotch, his mother of German birth. He exhibited from
early age a taste for the stage, and when eleven years old participated
in theatrical representations as a member of an amateur club, sometimes
performing female roles.
His first appearance on the regular stage was on November 27, 1820, in
the part of Douglas in Home’s tragedy of that name.
A protracted professional tour in the west and south ensued, in which he
won considerable reputation.
His first great success was achieved May 26, 1826, in the Park Theater,
New York, as Othello. This led to a long engagement at the Bowery
Theater, where he enjoyed extraordinary popularity.
In 1836 he crossed the Atlantic and first appeared as Spartacus in Drury
Lane Theater, London, October 17. He achieved distinguished success, and
acquired the friendship of Macready, Kemble, and others.
In 1837 he married Catherine Norton Sinclair, daughter of John Sinclair
the singer, and soon afterward returned to the United States, where he
was welcomed by enthusiastic audiences.
In 1845 Mr. and Mrs. Forrest returned to London. During this visit,
which lasted two years, a rupture occurred in the friendly relations
between Forrest and Macready, and to the zeal with which the friends of
the former espoused his quarrel was due the disgraceful riot in New
York, May 10, 1849, during an engagement of Macready at the Astor Place
Theater. This was accompanied by serious loss of life.
Soon after Forrest separated from his wife, and between 1853 and 1860 he
retired from professional life, but when he returned to the stage he
filled the role of Hamlet with all his former acceptance.
Latterly he suffered considerably from illness, and his last engagement
began on February 6, 1871.
He died of apoplexy, surviving the attack only half an hour.
He was a man of fine presence, well equipped for his profession,
naturally frank and engaging.
A large part of his valuable library and Shakespeare collection, which
he had spent many years in gathering, was almost entirely destroyed by
fire in his house in Philadelphia, January 15, 1873.
----------
Monument Erected to Colonel Kelly, Revolutionary
War Hero, April 8, 1835
A monument to the memory of Colonel John Kelly was erected with
impressive ceremonies April 8, 1835, in the Presbyterian burial-ground,
in the borough of Lewisburg. A company of cavalry from Northumberland
County, one from Union, and three infantry companies participated.
General Abbott Green was grand marshal, with General Robert H. Hammond,
General Michael Brobst, Colonel Philip Ruhl and Surgeon Major Dr. James
S. Dougal as aids.
The parade was formed by the adjutant, Colonel Jackson McFadden, with
the citizen militia on the right of line, followed by the veterans of
the Revolutionary War and those of the War of 1812, and hundreds of
citizens.
The most interesting feature of the large procession was a float which
was drawn by four gray horses, upon which was placed the monument.
Cavalry on either side acted as a guard of honor. In the carriages were
the orator, General James Merrill, the clergy, and relatives of the old
hero in whose honor the celebration was being held.
Upon its arrival at the ground, after the proper military manoeuver was
performed, the monument was set by the architects, William Hubbard, F.
Stoughton, Samuel Hursh and Charles Penny. The orator had a subject
worthy of his best efforts, for such was Colonel John Kelly.
Colonel Kelly was born in Lancaster County, February, 1744. Almost
immediately after the purchase from the Indians, November 5, 1768, he
went to Buffalo Valley, in what is now Union County. There he endured
hardships common to all the settlers who pushed out along the frontiers.
He was in the prime of manhood, of a robust constitution, vigorous and
muscular, 6 feet 2 inches in height, and almost insensible to fatigue,
and so accustomed to dangers that bodily fear was foreign to his nature.
Colonel Kelly served in the Revolutionary War and distinguished himself
in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. In the course of one of the
retreats Colonel James Potter sent an order to Major Kelly to have a
certain bridge cut down to prevent the advance of the British, who were
then in sight. Kelly sent for an ax, but represented that the enterprise
would be very hazardous. Still the British advance must be stopped and
the order was not withdrawn. He said he could not order another to do
what some would say he was afraid to do himself—he would cut down the
bridge.
Before all the logs were cut away he was within range of the British
fire, and many balls struck the logs. The last log fell sooner than he
expected and he fell with it into the swollen stream. The American
soldiers moved off, not believing it possible to assist him to make his
escape. He, however, reached the shore and joined the troops and managed
to capture an armed British scout on the way and took him into camp a
prisoner of war.
History records the fact that our army was saved by the destruction of
that bridge, but the manner in which it was done or the person who did
it is not mentioned.
After his discharge Major Kelly returned to his farm and family, and
during the three succeeding years the Indians were troublesome to the
settlers on the West Branch. He became colonel of the regiment, and it
was his duty to guard the valley against the incursions of the savages.
When the “Big Runaway” occurred following the Wyoming massacre, Colonel
Kelly was among the first to return. For at least two harvests reapers
took their rifles to the field, and some of the company watched while
others wrought.
Colonel Kelly had the principal command of scouting parties in the
valley, and very often he went in person. Many nights he laid on the
branches of trees without a fire, because it would have indicated his
position to the enemy. He was skilled in Indian mode of warfare and was
a terror to their marauding bands.
So greatly was he feared by the savages that they determined on his
destruction and, being too cowardly to attack him openly, sought his
life by stealth. One night he apprehended they were near. He rose early
next morning and, looking through the crevices of his log house, he
ascertained that two at least, if not more, were lying with their arms
so as to shoot him when he should open his door. He fixed his own rifle
and took his position so that by a string he could open the door and
watch the Indians. The moment he pulled the door open two balls came
into the house and the Indians rose to advance. He fired and wounded
one, when they both retreated. When safe to do so he followed them by
the blood, but they escaped.
After the capture and destruction of Fort Freeland, Colonel Kelly with a
company of men went to the scene of the battle and buried the dead.
For many years Colonel Kelly held the office of Justice of the Peace,
and, in the administration of justice, he exhibited the same anxiety to
do right, which had characterized him in his military service. He would
at any time forego his own fees, and, if the parties were poor, pay the
constable’s costs, to procure a compromise.
While he was a devout Presbyterian he entertained an intense hatred for
an Indian. When the Presbytery of Northumberland called on Colonel Kelly
for a contribution to be used to evangelize the savages, he refused to
give one cent, but said he would cheerfully subscribe any sum required
to buy ropes to hang them.