remained intact, when the wants of the southwestern part, known as the
Conocheague settlement, led them to petition the General Assembly of
1784 that their territory might be set apart as a new county, with
concomitant privileges setting forth in glowing terms the hardships they
were compelled to endure traveling the long distance from their homes to
the seat of justice at Carlisle, etc.
The General Assembly complied therewith and September 9, 1784, erected
the new county to be named “Franklin,” in honor of the great
Pennsylvanian, Benjamin Franklin.
By 1790 some doubts arose as to the correct boundary, and March 29, in
that year, a re-adjustment of the lines was made by running a new line
so as to leave the entire tract of land owned by Edward Shippen, of
Lancaster, and upon which Shippensburg now stands, in Cumberland County.
On March 29, 1798, a portion of the then county of Bedford, known as the
“Little Cove” was detached from that county and annexed to Franklin, and
the county thus erected is the Franklin County of today.
By the terms of the act establishing the county of Franklin, James
Maxwell, James McCalmont, Josiah Crawford, David Stoner, and John
Johnson were appointed trustees on behalf of the county, and were
directed to procure two lots of ground in the town of Chambersburg or
Chamberstown, for seats of a court house and of a county gaol.
The original court house was a brick building of two stories, surmounted
by a tall conical cupola and a spire. In the belfry was suspended a bell
of Spanish make, which had rendered service in an old convent.
The first court in Franklin County was held September 15, 1784. As the
court house was not yet completed this first session was convened in the
stone house on the corner of the “square,” which was built by John Jack
in 1770. This historic building stood until July 30, 1864, when the
rebel horde burned the town during the Civil War.
The first court was held before Judges Humphrey Fullerton Thomas
Johnston and James Findley. Edward Crawford, Jr., was prothonotary.
Jeremiah Talbot was commissioned sheriff October 20, 1784.
The following named persons sat as the first grand jury: James Poe,
Henry Pawling, William Allison, William McDowell, Robert Wilkins, John
McConnell, John McCarny, John Ray, John Jack, Jr., John Dickson, D.
McClintock, Joseph Chambers, and Joseph Long.
As late as 1748 there were many Indians within the present limits of
Franklin County. The first settlers of Franklin County were
Scotch-Irish, many of whose descendants yet remain, but the larger
proportion migrated west or south, giving way before the German element
coming from the eastern counties of the state.
It is believed that Joseph and Benjamin Chambers located at the Falling
Spring earlier than 1730. They had previously built at Fort Hunter,
above Harrisburg, on the Susquehanna, but an accidental fire consumed
their mill on the Fishing Creek, and they wandered westward, finally
located at Falling Spring, where they erected a log house, and
eventually a saw and grist mill.
Benjamin Chambers maintained a friendly intercourse with the Indians in
his vicinity. They became attached to him; with them he traded, and had
so much of their confidence and respect that they did not injure him or
offer to molest him.
After Braddock’s defeat July, 1755, the Western Indians became so
troublesome, and made so many incursions east of the mountains, that
Colonel Chambers, for the security of his family and his neighbors,
erected a large stone dwelling house, where Chambersburg now is. This
house was surrounded by water from Falling Spring, and, to prevent the
Indians from setting it on fire, the roof was made of lead. The
dwelling, buildings and mill were surrounded with a stockade.
This fort was provided with a blunderbluss and swivel, and the garrison
had an ample supply of smaller firearms. The Indians seldom assaulted
this fort and none of its defenders was killed or carried off.
Benjamin Chambers reported the terrible massacre at Great Cove, Sunday
morning, November 2, 1755. He wrote: “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.”
The Great Cove was burned by the Indians and fifty-seven persons out of
ninety-three settlers were killed or taken captive.
A record of the persons killed or taken captive by the Indians during
this period until the close of the Revolution reveals a long list of
savage cruelty.
In the war of 1812–14, Franklin County played an important part. Eight
companies were mustered in the county; Chambersburg furnished four,
Greencastle, Mercersburg, Waynesboro and Path Valley, each one.
During the Civil War Franklin County suffered as did no other border
county of Pennsylvania.
First came the great Confederate raid in October, 1862, led by Generals
J. E. B. Stuart and Wade Hampton; then during General Lee’s invasion,
June, 1863; and finally General McCausland’s invasion when the town of
Chambersburg was sacked and burned July 30, 1864. The scenes presented
on the latter terrible occasion beggar description.
Wilson College is situated in Chambersburg, and Mercersburg Academy is
in the borough of Mercersburg, which was also the home of Marshall
College, now a part of Franklin and Marshall College, of Lancaster. The
Soldiers’ Orphans’ Industrial School of the state is located at
Scotland, and the Pennsylvania State Sanitarium for Tuberculosis, No. 1,
is beautifully located at Mont Alto.
Green Castle and Waynesboro are the other towns of importance in old
Franklin County. James Buchanan, President of the United States, and
William Findlay, Governor of Pennsylvania, were both born in
Mercersburg.
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Commodore Perry Defeats British Squadron
on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813
Foreign nations, who still smiled incredulously at the pretensions of
the United States in carrying on an ocean warfare with the proud
“Mistress of the Seas,” as England was everywhere acknowledged to be,
were not prepared to receive, in addition to the splendid victory of the
United States frigate Constitution over the Guerriere, fresh and
decisive proof of the naval supremacy of the youthful Republic, in the
magnificent triumph achieved by Commodore Oliver H. Perry on the waters
of Lake Erie September 10, 1813.
It was here for the first time in the history of the Western World the
flag of a British squadron was struck, humiliatingly, to the Americans.
Great Britain had already been signally defeated in single naval combats
during the War of 1812; she was now beaten in squadron; every one of her
ships striking their colors to the Stars and Stripes.
The unexpected and disgraceful surrender of the Northern Army under
General Hull to the British rendered a superior force on Lake Erie
necessary for the defense of the American territory bordering on the
lake, as well as for offensive operations in Canada.
Under those circumstances, Oliver H. Perry, a brave and capable young
officer, was designated to the command on Lake Erie. But at this time
the United States possessed no naval force on the lake; the only vessels
belonging to the Government had been captured at Detroit.
Commodore Perry was directed to locate at Presque Isle, where a
peninsula extended a considerable distance into the lake, encircling
a harbor, on the borders of which was the port of Erie. He was to
build ships, and the only materials at hand were the vast
forests—shipbuilders, sailors, naval stores, guns and ammunition
were all transported overland by wagons over 400 miles of bad roads
from Albany, Buffalo and Philadelphia via Pittsburgh.
In spite of those embarrassments, by August 1, 1813, Perry had provided
a flotilla, consisting of the ships Lawrence and Niagara, of twenty guns
each, and seven smaller vessels, to wit: One of four guns, one of three,
two of two and three of one.
The enemy appeared off the harbor while this navy was being built, but
the shallowness of the water prevented their approach where the
construction work could be destroyed.
After Perry succeeded in getting his navy into the deep waters of the
lake, he proceeded to Put-in Bay, near where the British fleet lay under
the guns of the fort. Here he watched the movements of the enemy and
awaited a chance to offer battle.
On the morning of September 10, 1813, the enemy was discovered bearing
down upon the American force, which immediately prepared to meet them.
Perry had nine vessels with fifty-three guns and two swivels. The
British fleet consisted of six vessels, carrying sixty-three guns, four
howitzers and two swivels.
Perry advised his officers he proposed to bring the enemy to close
quarters. As soon, therefore, as the approach of the enemy warranted the
display of the signal, every vessel was under sail beating out against
the wind with the boats ahead towing the others.
Perry endeavored to beat to the windward of the islands, which
interposed between them and the two approaching squadrons, hoping thus
to be able to bear down upon the enemy with the wind, but that proved to
be too light and baffling, and so much time was lost by tacking that
Perry suddenly changed his plans and ordered his ships to run to the
leeward of the islands, when his sailing master replied: “Then we’ll
have to engage the enemy from the leeward.” “I don’t care,” replied
Perry; “to windward or leeward, they will fight today.”
Perry formed his line of battle and the two squadrons slowly approached
each other. Realizing they would be in battle by the noon hour, grog and
bread were served in advance, and in a moment every man was at quarters.
Perry made a round of the deck, from gun to gun, carefully examining
each and exchanging cheering words with the men.
At fifteen minutes after 11 a bugle was sounded on board the enemy’s
flagship, the Detroit. Loud cheers burst from all their crews, and a
tremendous fire opened upon the Lawrence from the British long guns,
which on account of the range of the guns on the Lawrence the fire could
not be returned for nearly forty minutes.
The Lawrence kept her course in gallant and determined style, but was
badly cut up by the big guns of the Detroit. The enemy’s fire was
clearly directed toward the Lawrence. She was hit in every direction and
narrowly escaped several explosions.
Perry realized the seriousness of his situation and made full sail,
directing the other vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with
the enemy. The terrible fire, however, to which he was exposed soon cut
away every brace and bowline of the Lawrence, and the boat became
unmanageable. The other vessels could not close up, and in this
disastrous situation the Lawrence continued to sustain the main force of
the enemy’s fire.
Throughout the ordeal order prevailed. There was no sign of fear, and as
rapidly as the men at the guns were wounded they were quietly carried
below, and others bravely stepped to their places. The dead remained
where they fell until after the action.
At this juncture the enemy believed the battle won. The Lawrence was
reduced to a mere wreck; her deck was streaming with blood and covered
with mangled limbs and bodies of the slain; nearly the whole crew were
either killed or wounded; her guns, too, were dismounted, Commodore
Perry and his officers working the very last one capable of firing a
shot.
At 2 o’clock Captain Elliott was enabled to bring the Niagara into
closer action; and Commodore Perry, finding he could get no further use
from the Lawrence, suddenly shifted his flag to the Niagara and boarded
her, leaving the gallant Lieutenant Yarnell in command of the Lawrence.
The transfer of Perry was made in the face of a terrible fire from the
enemy ships, with the commodore standing erect in the small boat and
directing his oarsmen.
The entire squadron was soon in action and Perry alongside the British
Commodore Barclay, in the Lady Prevost. Approaching within half pistol
shot, Perry’s fire was so deadly that the enemy’s men were compelled to
run below.
The Caledonia opened a destructive fire upon the British, and she was
closely followed by the other American vessels, and the enemy was soon
enclosed between the Niagara and the American fleet, and in that
position the British ships suffered a terrible fire on both quarters.
Thus, after a contest of three hours, a naval victory was achieved by
the Americans, in which every vessel of the enemy fleet was captured. If
anything could enhance its brilliancy it was the modest and laconic
manner in which it was announced by the gallant victor—“We have met the
enemy and they are ours!”
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Lord Cornwallis Defeats American Forces
on the Brandywine, September 11, 1777
The objective of the British forces, early in the Revolution, was to
occupy Philadelphia, which was then the largest city in the revolting
provinces. It was the seat of the Continental Congress, and the center
of the colonies. Although commanding easy access to the sea, it was
capable of being readily protected from the approach of a hostile fleet,
and it lay in the heart of an open, extended country, rich, populous and
so far but little disturbed by war.
Philadelphia was, in a sense, regarded as the capital of the new-born
Nation, and the moral influence resulting from its occupation by
Congress was great, so that it was deemed an important point would be
gained by its conquest. There was much criticism hurled at an army which
could not penetrate to the headquarters of the infant Nation.
Sir William Howe directed the campaign of 1777, and disposed the troops
under his command to that purpose. The British fleet under Lord Howe,
bearing a land force of 18,000, left New York in July, 1777, with the
intention of approaching Philadelphia by way of the Delaware River.
When about to enter it, however, the British commander was informed that
the Americans had placed obstructions in the channel, and he, therefore,
proceeded to the Chesapeake, and on August 25, landed his forces at
Turkey Point.
When the departure of the British fleet from New York was made known to
General Washington, he was uncertain as to its objects, but directed the
concentration of his army in Bucks County, so as to meet the enemy
should he attempt to approach Philadelphia.
Washington soon learned that the fleet was off the Capes of the
Chesapeake, and turned his attention in that direction. The very day the
British landed the Americans marched to Wilmington with a force of about
eleven thousand men.
Washington made immediate preparations to oppose the enemy. A severe
though brief encounter occurred September 3 at Iron Hill, Delaware.
On the 8th the American Army took its position behind the Red Clay
Creek, where a battle was anticipated. Washington saw that the object
was to turn his right, cross the Brandywine, and cut off his
communication with Philadelphia.
After reconnoitering the enemy, Washington withdrew to Chadd’s Ford, on
the Brandywine, where he arrived on the 9th of September, and entrenched
himself.
Maxwell’s Light Infantry occupied the advance posts, and during the
night of the 10th threw up defenses on the west side at the approaches
to the ford. Here Washington determined to take his stand.
On the evening of the 9th the British Army entered Chester County in two
divisions, one of which, under General Knyphausen, encamped at New
Garden and Kennet Square, and the other, under Lord Cornwallis, a short
distance below Hockesson Meeting House.
Early on the morning of the 10th they united at Kennet Square, whence in
the evening the forces under Knyphausen advanced toward Welsh’s Tavern,
later known as the Anvil, and those under Cornwallis remained encamped
on the hills north and west of Kennet Square.
Early on the morning of the 11th the army divided into two columns—one
division, under Knyphausen, marched to Chadd’s Ford, by the Philadelphia
road; the other, under Cornwallis and accompanied by Sir William Howe,
took a circuitous route and crossed the west branch of the Brandywine at
Trimble’s Ford, and approached the Birmingham Meeting House. The object
of these movements was to hem in the Americans between the two British
forces and thus make them easy prey.
Both British columns had moved early and through a dense fog which did
not lift until a later hour. The column under Knyphausen skirmished with
the advance parties of the American Army sent forward to harass their
march.
Maxwell’s corps, which occupied the hills west of the Brandywine, was
driven across the stream after a severe engagement, and joined the main
body of the American Army, which was already ranged in battle order,
awaiting the attack of the enemy.
Several detachments of the Continental troops subsequently recrossed the
creek and assailed the British, who were busy throwing up intrenchments
and planting batteries. A footing having thus been gained on the western
bank, General Maxwell returned in force, and a hot conflict ensued, the
Americans driving the enemy from the ground.
The spirit of this action soon drew upon them overwhelming numbers, and
the Americans were again repulsed.
Lord Cornwallis, with a larger division, under cover of the hills and
forests and aided by the fog, proceeded in a circuitous route a
considerable distance unobserved, and reached the hills south of
Trimble’s Ford about the time Knyphausen moved from his position east of
Kennet Square.
General John Sullivan, who commanded the right wing of the American
Army, had received instructions to guard the fords as far up the stream
as Buffingtons.
About 9 o’clock intelligence was brought that the British left wing was
about crossing the Brandywine above its forks. Colonel Bland sent word
to General Washington that a large force of the enemy was seen advancing
up the road toward Trimble’s Ford.
That was confirmed by a note from Colonel Ross, who was in their rear,
and who advised their strength was 5000. Those reports were in
contradiction to one that Squire Thomas Cheney gave when he rode up to
General Sullivan and advised him that the main body of the British had
crossed the Brandywine and was already near at hand, approaching from
the north.
The squire was not believed, and demanded to be led to General
Washington, who doubted his information, but was at length convinced of
its truth and immediately disposed of his troops to meet the emergency.
General Sullivan attacked the Hessians, who were the advance guard, who
returned the fire, and soon the action became general. The artillery of
both sides opened with terrible effect, and while the Americans held
their position, the carnage was great.
The right wing of the American army under General Debarre gave way
first, and the left under General Sullivan, soon followed. The latter
tried to rally his troops, but fled over the fields toward the main army
at Chadd’s Ford.
Sterling’s division in the center remained firm. General Sullivan
attached himself to this division, and with Lafayette he engaged
personally in the hottest of the battle. Cornwallis used his artillery
with telling effect. Two of Sullivan’s aides were killed and Lafayette
fell with a wounded leg. The troops fled into the woods, but were again
rallied and after a sharp conflict again retreated.
When Washington learned of the approach of the British, he pushed
forward with Green’s division of Pennsylvanians and Virginians to the
support of Sullivan, leaving Wayne at Chadd’s Ford to oppose Knyphausen.
Green, by a skillful movement, opened his ranks and received the fleeing
troops and closed them again.
Wayne was on the alert, and the moment Knyphausen moved forward he
opened a heavy artillery fire upon him. Soon as he learned of Sullivan’s
defeat he retreated.
The approach of night ended the bloody conflict, but not soon enough to
prevent the American army from a defeat which was most distressing to
the American cause at this critical period.
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Mob Storms Mifflin County Courthouse
September 12, 1791
September, 1791, an incident occurred during a term of court in Mifflin
County, which has since been known as the Lewistown Riot.
The cause of the disturbance centered in the act of Samuel Bryson, then
a resident of what is now the borough of Mifflintown, who for several
years had served as county lieutenant, and while acting in that capacity
refused to commission two colonels who had been elected by their
regiments, which so incensed the members and their friends that when Mr.
Bryson subsequently received the appointment of Associate Justice they
were indignant and determined he should not act in that capacity.
On Monday, September 12, 1791, the Hon. William Brown, Samuel Bryson and
James Armstrong, Esqs., met in the forenoon in order to open the Court
and proceed to business, but Thomas Beale, Esq., one of the Associate
Judges, not having arrived, the others did not attempt to convene the
Court until he appeared, which was 3 o’clock, when he was requested to
proceed with them to the court house. Mr. Beale declined to go, but the
others went into the court room, where the commissions of the Judges
were read, the Court duly opened, the officers sworn in, and Court
adjourned until 10 o’clock next morning.
The following morning, John Clarke, Deputy State’s Attorney, received
the intelligence that a large body of men was assembled below the Long
Narrows, at David Jordan’s tavern, on the Juniata River shore.
They were armed with guns, swords and pistols, with an avowed intention
to proceed to Lewistown and seize Judge Bryson on the bench and drag him
from his seat, and march him off before them, and otherwise ill-treat
him.
That information was immediately communicated to the Judges, who, acting
upon the suggestion of Mr. Clarke, named Samuel Edminston, Esq., the
Prothonotary; Judge Thomas Beale, Mr. Stewart, William Bell, Esq., and
the Sheriff of Mifflin County, a committee to proceed to the place where
the mob had assembled and meet with the rioters.
The Sheriff was commanded to inquire of them their object and intention,
and if hostile, to order them to disperse and tell them the Court was
alarmed at their proceedings.
Two hours after this the Court opened. A fife was heard playing, some
guns were discharged and almost immediately the mob appeared, marching
toward the court house. Three men on horseback were leading the column.
The gentlemen who had been sent to counsel with them were being marched
under a guard in the rear. When the column reached Lewistown all the
committee were permitted to go at large except George Wilson, the
Sheriff, who was held by an armed guard of four men.
The Court ordered Mr. Clarke to go and meet the rioters and remonstrate
against their proceedings and warn them of their danger, which order was
obeyed, but his endeavors were in vain.
The mob cried out, “March on! March on! Draw your sword on him! Ride
over him!”
Mr. Clarke grabbed the reins of the leader’s horse, who refused to be
held, and threatened to proceed to the bench and drag Judge Bryson off,
take him down the Narrows to his own farm and there compel him to sign a
written paper that he would never again sit there as a Judge.
This leader was a brother of Sheriff George Wilson. The mob cried out,
“March on!” He drew his sword and ordered Clarke to let go the reins.
The crowd pressed on him and one of them, a nephew of Judge Beale,
pressed a pistol to his breast, when Clarke let go of the horse, and the
mob reached the stairs on the outside of the court house. Clarke rushed
ahead, and as he mounted the stairs he was met by Judge Armstrong, who
said: “Since nothing else will do, let us defend the stairs.”
At that point several of the attorneys and citizens, who had been in the
court, reached the stairs, where they were met by the rioters, now ably
led by William Wilson, Colonel Walker and Colonel Holt. They cried:
“March on, damn you; proceed and take him!”