x
RicliarU Wugeut, Editor
The whole art ov Government consists invtheart op being honest. Jefferson
' .. ' -
-and'" I'uSjl&IsW
VOL. I.
STROUDSBURG. MONROE COUNTY, PA., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1840;
and;
JEFFERSON IAN REPUBLICAN.
TERMS. Two dollars per annum in advance Two dollars
a Quarter, half yearly, and it not pam before the end of
the roar. Two dollars and a half. 1 hose who receive their ra-
iRers by a carrier or stage drivers employed by the proprietor,
rwili be charcca j cis. per u;ir, cxira.
No pancrsdiscontinucsl until all arrearages arc paid, except
t the ontion of the Editor.
ir7Advcrtisements not exceeding one sauarc f sixteen lines!
Kvill be inserted three weeks for one dollar : twcntv-five cents
for everv subsequent insertion ; larger ones in.proportion. A
libera discount will be made to yearly advertisers.
ur.ul letters aaarcssed to the bailor must be post paid.
JOB PRINTING.
- .
'llaring a general assortment of large- elegant plain and orna-
mental type, we are prepared to execute every des
cription of
Cards, Circulars, rBiii Heads, IVotes,
Khuxlc Receipts,
JUSTICES, LEGAL AND OTHER
IS&ANKS,
PAMPHLETS, &c.
Pnnted wiUi neatness and despatch, on reasonable terms.
The Trustees of this Institution, have the
pleasure of announcing to the public, and par-
nlarlv to the friends of education, that they
have engaged Ira B. Newma.v, as Superinten
dent and Principal of their Academy.
The Trustees invite the attention of parents
find guardians, wbo have children to send from
home, to this Institution. They are fitting up
ihe omlding in the first style, and its location
, from its retired nature is peculiarly favorable
Kor a boarding school. It commands a beauti
ful view of the Delaware river, near which it
Lis situated, and the surrounding scenery such
Pas the lover of nature will admire it is easily
iccessible the Easton and Milford Stages pass
tit dailv, and only S miles distant from the latter
place, and a more salubrious section of coun
try can nowhere be found. No fears need be
entertained that pupils will contract pernicious
Fhabits, or be seduced into vicious company it
is removed from all places of resort and those
'inducements to neglect their studies that are
furnished in large towns and villages.
Board can be obtained very low and near the
Academy. Mr. Daniel W. Dingman, ir. will
take several boarders, his house is very conve
nient, and students will there be under the im
mediate care of the Principal, whose reputa
tion, deportment und guardianship over his pu
pils, afford thebest security lor their proper
conduct, that the Trustees can give or parents
i and guardians demand.
The course of instruction will be thorough
adapted to the age of the pupil and the time
he designs to spend i&hterarT pursuits. Young
nen mav quahfy-rthemselves for entering upon
the study of the4eaifred professions or for an
Ivanced stand at College for mercantile pur
suits, for teaching orthe business of common
fife, useful will be pleTerred to ornamental stud-
s, nevertheless so much of the latter attended
as the advanced stages of the pupil's educa
tion -will admit. The male and female depart-
nent will be under the immediate superintend-
lence of the Principal, aided by a competent
n ile or female Assistant. Lessons in music
will be given to young ladies on the Piano
irte at theboarding house of the principal, bv
Ian experienced and accomplished Instructress.
Su.ii.ner Session commences May. 4th.
EXPENSES.
Board for Young Gentleman or Ladies with
the Principal, per week, SI 50
P-upils from 10 to 15 years of age from SI to
$1 25
Tuition far the Classics, Bcllcs-Lettros, French
&c.,per quarter, 2 00
Extra for music, per quarter, 5 00
I. B. A particular course of study will be
marked out tor those who wish to qualify them
selves tor Common School I cachers with ref-
erence to that object ; application made lor
teachers to the trustees or principal will meet
tm nediate attention,
Lectures on the various subjects of study will
through
He o.uvcreu ry auie speauer3f
bourse of year.
Bv ordoroftho Board,
" . DANIEL W. DINGMAN.
the
Pres't
:rv:m:fs Ferry, Pike co., Pa., May" 2 1810
NOTICE.
The Boo!: of Subscription to tho Stock of the
ppcr Lehigh Navigation Company, will be rc-
kvunei it Stoddartsville, on Wednesday, the 15th
lay ol July ensuing, when subscriptions will bo
received lor the balance ot stock which remains
yot open. t tho same tunn and place the Stock-
hoiuirs will elect a. board of Directors.
Charles Trump.
John S. Comfort,
. Henry W. Drinkei
William P. Clark,
Commissioner
Jane lfi, 1S40.
N". B. Proposals will be received atStoddarts-
vii.a on Thursday the 16th day of July ensuing,
for doi.ig the work oithcr-whollv or in iobs, requi
re 1 by buil ling a lock and inclined plane with the
ric-.essiry grading, fixtures and machinery foi
passing rafts descending tb Lehighaver the Falls
t Stoddartsvills. It-is expected that the work
.viU be commenced as soon as practicable and be
jcomnlettxLwithiidaspnt'eh.
WyoKsSasg' 'SZtctcIies.
(continued.)
"If misfortune conies, she brings along
The bravest virtues. And so many great
Illustrious spirits have conversed with wo
Have in her school been taught as are enough
To consecrate distress, and malic ambition
E'en wish the frown beyond the smile of fortune."
Considering the extent of the slaughter in the
battle and massacre of Wyoming, the number of
the survivors of that fatal day yet lingering this
side of the grave is much greater than we had
expected toJind. And the still larger number
of the immediate descendants of those who fell,
yet inhabiting the valley, was also a source of
surprise. Both circumstances speak well for
the place and the people proving the salu
brity of the climate, and the good taste and do
mestic habits of those who enjoy it.
Having refreshed our minds with the general
history of the valley, our next desire was to
traverse it, and visit the battle field, and the sites
of the old forts, and also to pay our respects to
some of the survivors of the dreadful scenes we
have been describing. Our arrangements for
this purpose were faeilitafed by the worthy gen
tleman heretofore named, Mr. Charles Miner,
who, with his excellent lady, joined our little
party in the excursion. "And who is Mr. Mi
ner?" perhaps some querulous reader may be
disposed to inquire. He is an able man, and
withal one of the most amiable and hospitable.
Charles Miner is a native of Norwich, Connec
ticut, and emigrated to the valley of Wyoming
in the year 1779 being then nineteen years of
age. He first engaged in school teaching.
Having a brother, a year or two older than him
self, who was a practical printer, he invited
him to join him in his sylvan retreat, and estab
lish a newspaper. The brother did so; and the
twain conjointly established one." J This one
was subsequently superseded by "Tho Glean
er," but under the same editorial conduct that
of Charles Miner. It was through the columns
of the Gleaner that Mr. Miner, for a long series
of months, instructed and amused the American
people by those celebrated essays of morals and
wit, of fact and fancy and dedicate humor pur
porting to come "From the Desk of Poor Rob
ert, the Scribe," and which were very general
ly republished in the newspapers. The Glean
er and its editor became so popular, that the lat
ter was invited to Philadelphia, as associate
editor of the "Political and Commercial Regis
ter," so long and favorably known under the
conduct of the late Major Jackson.
Not liking the metropolis, however, Mr. Mi
ner soon retired to the pleasant town of West
chester, 18 miles from Philadelphia, where, in
connexion with his brother Asher, who had al
so removed from Wilkesbarre, he established !
the Village Record a paper which became as
popular for its good taste, and the delicacy of
its humor, as the Gleaner had been aforetime.
Poor Robert here wrote again under the signa
ture of "John Harwood." While a resident of
Westchester, Mr. Miner was twice successive
ly elected to Congress, in a double district, asa
colleague of the present Senator Buchanan-
then a high-toned federalist now the very pink
ot democracy. And sucti democracy!
While in Congress Mr. Miner showed him
self not only as a useful, but as an able member.
On the subject of slavery he took a deep inter
est, laboring diligently in behalf of those ration
al measures for its melioration, which were" do
inggreat good before theabolition wild-fire broke
out, and paralysed the rational efforts of ration
al men. There is another act for which Mr.
Miner deserves all praise. It was he who a
wakened the attention of the country to the silk
growing business. He drew and introduced
the first resolution upon the subject, and wrote
the able report which was introduced by Gene
ral Van Rensselaer, as chairman of tho commit
tee on agriculture, to whom that resolution had
been referred.
it is now about six years since Mr. Minor
relinquished business in Westchester, and, with
his brother, returned to Wyoming, where boll
have every promise of spending ihe evening of
their daj-s most happily. They have extensive
farms, and eight hundred acres of coal-mines,
which must ere long become immensely valua
ble. But more upon this subject at another time
Crossing the Susquehanna from Wilkesbarre,
into Kingston, our first visit was to the Reverend
Benjamin Bidlac, a clergyman of the Metho
dist denomination, who, and his lady, are sur
vivors of the memorable scenes of 1778, already
uescnoeu. wc tounu the venerable man sit
ting m his arm-chair, and although between
eighty and ninety years of age, of clear and
sound mind. Ho is of a tall and athletic form.
of intellectual and stronglynarked features,
and in the full pride of manhood his presence
must have been commanding. The object of
our visit having been made known by Mr. Mi
ner, both Mr. and Mrs. Bidlac wero free awl
intelligent in their rehearsals of by-gono scenes
Mr. Bidlac was not himself in the battle of Wy
oming, not being at home at the time of its oc
currence. .But ho had a brother, Capt. James
Bidlac, jr., in that bloody affair, who bravely
full at tho head of his company, only eight of
whom escaped tho horrors of that day. He on
tered the field with but thirty-two rank and file,
t wenty-four of whom were slain, His ' station
was near the left wing, but he refused to move
from his post, although the greater portion of
his comrades had broken and wero in full flight.
Their father, James Bidlac, senior, was one of
the fathers of the settlement; and when the middle-aged
portion of their population was drawn
away by enlistment in the continental army, the
old gentleman commanded a corps of aged men,
exempts, and kept garrison in one of their little
forts, called Plymouth. Benjamin, the aged
patriot whom we were now visiting, went early
into the regular service, lie was with Wash
ington in the vicinity of Boston, in . the summer
ol 1775.
His term of enlistment expired in 1777,
whereupon he returned to his parental home,
and for a season engaged in the most hazar-
dous and fatiguing service of the border. En
gaging again in the regular service, he contin
ued in the army until the effectual conclusion
of the war by the brilliant cot quest of Lord
Cornwallis, at Yorktown, in the siege of which
fortress he participated. Speaking of that af
fair one day to Mr. Miner "Our batteries play
ed away night and day," said he with anima
tion: "It was an incessant blaze and thunder
roar and flash. Midnight was lighted up' so
that you might pick up a glove, almost anywhere
about the works."
In 1779, the year subsequent to the massa
cre, during a sudden irruption of the Indians,
Mr. James Bidlac the father was seized and car
ried into captivity, nor did he obtain a release
until the close of the war, He also lost another
son in battle before the contest. The old gen
tleman died about thirty years ago. It is many
years since Benjamin became a minister of the
Gospel. From his great age he no longer offi
ciates in that capacity, but it is said of his
preaching "that he spoke as he had fought, with
impressive earnestness, and ardent sincerity."
I he venerable consort of Mr. Bidlac is now
eighty one years of age, and of course must
have been twenty at tho time of the battle. She
bears her years exceedingly well, and we found
her cheerfully engaged in the domestic duties
of the household, and as active as though twen
ty years younger. Her maiden name was Gore,
a member of the brave family so many of whom
fell in the massacre, as related in a former num
ber. Five of her brothers and two brothers-in-law
went into the battle, and her father, who
had been commissioned a magistrate in the pre
ceding spring, by Governor Trumbull, was one
of the aged men left for the defence of Fort
Forty, while Col. Z. Butler marched forth to
meet the enemy. Five of her "brothers were
left dead on the field, and a sixth was wounded.
She was herself taken prisoner in Fort Wyo
ming, and one of the Indians placed his' mark
upon her as a protection. She stated that after
the capitulation the Indians treated the prison
ers kindly, although they plundered them of ev
ery thing except the clothes they had on. Some
of the females, in order to save what they could,
arrayed themselves in three or four dresses.
On discovering the artifice, however, the In
dians compelled them to disrobe, by threats of
having their throats cut.
But although enjoying the protection of her
Indian captors, such were their apprehensions
for the future, that MrsffBj'd.lac fled from the
valley nine days afterward and crossed the
fearful forests and fens ofifthc Pocono Tange oft
mountains to Stispydsburg, taking an infant, or
young sister, skwftlfher. Two of her brothers'
of Fort Forty, where the little aimy marched
forth to the attack. It stood upon the bank of
the river, and the spoC is preserved as a com
mon beautifully carpeted with green; but bear
ing no distinctive marks denoting the purposes
for which the ground in those troublous times
was occupied. Still we regarded it as a con
secrated place a spot that had been hallowed
in the days of yore by the blood of freemen.
From thence we proceeded a couple of miles
farther north, to the village called Troy, the
house in which Colonel Dennison's family re
sided, having b&en pointed out on the way. It
is an edifice of ancient aspect, painted red, and
embosomed by venerable trees.
Colonel Dennison, it will be recollected, was
the seeond in command on the fatal day of the
battle. He was in command of tho left wing
when it broke and fled. Nearly every histo
rian who has written upon the subject has cen
sured Colonel Dennison, if not for his conduct
in ibe battle, at least for the capitulation. But
an accurate knowledge of the events of the
day, and. the trying circumstances in which he
found himself on the day following, when, from
the necessary retreat of Colonel Z. Butler, the
comtna.nd had devolved upon him, will con
vince any reasonable man that these censures
were most unjust.
It must bb borne in mind that it was militia,
and not regulars, he was commanding. And
what officer ever yet succeeded in rallying, and
bringing again into line, a band of flying militia
with a cloud of savages upon their heels? When
lie capitulated, he was in a defenceless stock
ade fort, filled with women and children, and
surrounded by a savage and victorious foe.
But it was not true, as is stated in the books
the life of Brant excepted that when he de
manded upon what terms he might be allowed
to surrender, the reply was "The hatchet"
and that he thereupon capitulated uncondi
tionally, leaving the women and children to a
mereiless horde, of barbarians. On the con
trary, the terms he made were honorable, and
with the dead. The inmates of the fort could
distinctly hear the firing, from the commence
ment of the battle. At first, from the briskness,
they were full of high hopes. But as it began
to change into a scattered fire, and the sounds
grew nearer a-nd nearer, their hearts sunk with
the apprehension that the day was lost, and
their defenders on the retreat." The suspense
was dreadful, and was sustained until nearly
night-fall, when a few of the fugitives rushed
into the fiirf; and fell down, wounded, exhaust
ed and bloodv ! - '
Mrs. Myers was present at the capltuiattoi
on the following day, and sa(v the 'victorious
entrance of the enemy, six abreast, withdrums
beating and colors flying. The terms of capit
ulation were fair and honorable, but the Indians
nevertheless immediately began to rob, plunder,
burn, and destroy. Col. Dennison, according
to the relation of Mrs. Myers, as noted b;y Mr.
Miner, sent for Col. John Butler, the' British
commander. They sat down together by a ta
ble on which the capitulation had been signed,
(yet carefully preserved by Mrs. Myers.) Shu
and a younger girl sat on a seat within the fort,
close by, and heard every word they uttered
Col. Dennison complained of the injuries and
outrages
then
enacting
by tht
savages.
I
it was not his fault that the articles were vie
lated in regard to the plunderings and burnings brandishing of a tomahawk over
of the Indians. Colonel Dennison was a gen- compelled his acquiescence not,
will put a stop to it, sir I will put a stop to it'
said Col. Butler. But the plundering continu
ed, and Butler was again seut for by Col. Den
nison, who remonstrated sharply with him at
the violation of the treaty. " We have sur
rendered our fort and arm3 to you," said Col.
Dennison, " on the pledge of your faith that
both life and properly should be protected. Ar
ticles of capitulation are considered sacred by
all civilized people," " I tell you what, sir,"
replied Col. Butler, waving his hand emphat
ically, "I can do nothing with them: 1 can do
nothing with them." And probably he could
not, since the Indians, in the end, had the au
dacity to strip Col. Dennison himself of his hat
and rifle-frock, (a dress then often worn by th
officers.) Col. D. was not inclined to submit
peaceably to this additional outrage, but tho
his head
however.
tleman of highly respectable talents, and of until, during (he parley, the colonel had adriotly
liberal, and, we believe, collegiate attainments, transferred his purse to ohe ol the young i.
no was regaraeu dv all who served with or cues nresent. unooserveu ov me inaians. in:
ti J - - r
knew him, as a brave and faitful officer. After purse contained only a few dollars bin il v,
the close of the war, he held various important in fact the whole military chest of Wyom'nig.
cival appointments under the authority of Penn- rs- flyers represents Colbnel John Butler as
sylvama, and died at a very advanced age as "aving oeen a poniy good looKing man, oi j er
eminent for his sweet and unaffected piety as J1??3 forty-e' dressed in green, the uniform - -
i, t.fi .r, i- i ,. 1 j "is corps, with a cap and plumes. lie drew hn
he had ever been for his patriotism nonored, .XL ..n., r. . ,
who fell, Asa and Silas, wero ensigns. The
one who escaped, George, was the lieutenant
in Capt. Durkee s company, tho station of which
was the right wing. Durkee fell, wounded.
just at the commence m e nofth e rout, having
been shot from a thicKejulfed by Indians,
against whom, but a momenf before, ho was
cautioned by Gore. " Save yourself, Mr. Gore,
my fate is sealed, said the captain, and the
tomahawk completed the work that the bullet
began. Lieut. Gore succeeded in retreating to
a considerable distance, where ho leaped
fence, and concealed himself in a clump of
bushes. The Indians were close upon him
several times, one of whom passed and paused
close by his porilous lodgment. In the gray of
twilight, after the iurv of the enemy seemed to
have spent itself, Gore heard two persons in
conversation near tho road where he was ly
ing, one of whom, by his voice, he judged to be
Colonel John Butler, the enemy's leader. " It
has been a hard day for the Yankees," said one
of them. " Yes," replied the other, " there has
been blood enough shed."
Tho name of one of Mrs. Bidlac's brothers-in-law
who fell, was Murfee. In tho evening
the distress of his wife was very great and
rendered still more poignant from the appre
hension that he might have been captured, and j
would bo put to '.he torture. It was aomo re
lief to the bitterness of her anguish, to learn on
the following day that he had been killed out
right. Mrs. Murfee loo, fled to the mountains,
and wandered back to her native place rNor-
wich, in Connecticut where a few days after
her arrival among her friends, she gave birth to
an infant. During a part of Mrs. Bidlac's re
citals to us. she was much affected.- It seemed
like tearing open the ancient wounds afresh,
and she sobed ahd wept. ;
I ho next point of observation svas the site ;
1 . I ll Tt 1 1 .
, , i.t. m, uu iu una, who thP nnnitn atinn Kilt tht nriDns rpmnmci n inf
ot whom yet resides in the valley. 1 he other the settlements, and finished the. work of deatruc
died a few years ago, after having served his tion. In about a week after the battle the torch
country in the state legislature and in Congress. as simultaneously applied to most of the dwei
with ability and honor. nS houses then remaing, and Mrs. Meyers saw
We arrived at Trov a nlensnnt villa itn- Bato1 her father m flames among the number. lr.
J I C5
Bennett, the father of Mrs. Myers, with his farm
ly thereupon fled from the valley to a place of
greater security Mrs. Jlyer3 and Mrs. luttie, tne
sisters wnn wnom we were conversing,
being
ated about midway between the site of Fort
rorty and the place where the conflict was be
gun, l his is an interesting place, as the ene
my appear to have halted in this neighborhood among the fugitives".
at the close of the massacre. In a filed about Mr. Bennett removed back to Wyoming early in
sixty rods East of the highway, is the bloody the following spring,, and was shortly afterward
Mr. Hammond, a neighbor, while
1 . .. T "... . . .1 at tvuia 111 buc iiuiu. liiuiuuo muiuuuu wiisiu
iSBllfireioiore aescrioea. we nam a visit to tne . j .l. -vr.. .i. 1.. ,u. r.i
.m?:.w - j 1 iiiwjirii i n iiirin. uul iiurimr tne iniULUi me aei;
tSDOtSand examined the rack. 7t has n rnd. nfl
WVfiilWf , 7 I U11U Ul lilllll UUj IIJCJ1 UAJCUIliUll vruo wiwuyiii. IU U.
lifleSiK? appearance on one side, which sudden and most unexpected close, a rom a tew
Tneisuperstitious believe to have been caused words dropped bv one of the Indians, Mr. Ben-
by blood, which winter storms cannot wash nor lsett drew the inference that it was their design to
time Wear away. uiurutsr mem. Jie iiiereiuic resuncu, 11 vssiulv,
rvfpqr hv thn Kit of Forf Fnrtv ia ihn roc. v." " ....
, . . , .w rnn. nn..ni. In , r tha th r.f nut n
dr a t n r 1 i t r I mem a icvr iiiuiuciiia tu oianc 111.11 uuio uut ui j.
ence Of Mrs. Myers, 3 Widow lady of great Snr?nn- r, nlnn rnrthntn,,rnnSftwnrnnrfirted. Wft
age, but of a clear mind and excellent memory, have derived the particulars of the incident from
wno is a survivor ot tne Wyoming invasion, Mr. Miner. Mr- Bennett, being in years, was per-
and the horrible scenes attending it. Wo cal- mitted to travel unbound. Hammond and the boy
led to pay our respects to her,- but were in- were pinioned. At night they ail lay down to
formal ilint srin viitfna- hr cioior fn Trmr sleep, except one of the Indians and Mr. Bennett.
v t I 1 . . 1 3 i .. i 1 . T. t,
-also a survivor of the massacre, though some ' ne iau?r S " lu "rJLX
. . , ir ' r bi i .1 fire a-oomg for the night, and having apparently
ten years ounger man nerseii. we nau ne made v6r m ag mfortable a3 he could for a
"cuau,c UI scuiiij niuiu uuin lugeuie!, auu ui nifflnVs renosf sat h msalf down, and soon atter-
spending a most interesting hour in their soci- ward carelessly took the Indian's spear iu his hand,
ety. Mrs. Myers was the daughter of a Mr. and began listlessly to play with it upon his lap.
Bennett, whose family was renowned in the 1 he Indian now and then cast a nan-suspicious
domestic arinafs of Wyoming,- both for their glance upon him, but continued his employment,
patriotism and their courage. She was born in m?n fin" 01 P1." Is r a Ly
r,m i c . 11 the head of a deer which he had been roasting.
1762, and was of course sixteen years old at The mher InK wearied had d lhe.
the time of too invasion. She was m Fort -fiiM in i1R:r blankets, and bv the sounds nro.
Forty when Col. Zebulon Butler matched out ceeding from their nasal organs, gave ample evi
at the head of the provincials against the ene- dence of being in a deep tslumber.
my. Her recollections of all that passed be- The Indian left upon the watch, moreover, be
neath her eye on that occasion life remarkably Ran io nod oVor ln'3 supper as though half asleep,
vivid. The column marched forth three or Watching his opportunity, therefore, with the
r.. U... ,t, i . uu tmicas ui wiu auu ui jwsu, uuu wnn surer ami ,
four abreast, in good spirits, though not uncon- o.-ni k oa, r.GvA ,..:.
scious of the danger they wero to encounter. his own spear, and fell across the burning lors
with a groan. JSot an instant was lost in cuius
loose the limbs of Hammond and the-lad. Ti."
other Indians were in the same breath attacked .
tho thrpfi, and the result was that five of the t:w
warriors were- slain, and tho sixth rscpetl h'nr
Still, they were not apprised of the odds against
tnem, since the enemy had most skilfully con
cealed their strength.
Soon after the departure of rhe provincials,
horsemen galloped up from below, their irJj? avvay woundod,the spear sticking in his
steeds in a foam, and tho sweat dripping from The victors thereupon returned in triumph to ih,i
their sides. They proved to be Capt. Durkee,
Lieut. Pearce, and another officer, who, having
heard of the invasion, had left the detachment
of troops to which they belonged, then distant
fifty miles, and ridden all night to aid in tho
defence of their wives, their children, and their
homes, "A morsel of food and wo will follow,"
said these bravo men. The table was hastily
spead, and they all partook of their last meal.
Before the smi went down they wero numbered
valleyr bearing as trophies the scalps of the slai;
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
T-AKirco Something. "Come Dick, will you
take something," said a lad about 17 years old,
to one of his sronies, as they were standing in
front of a grog shop. "No," was the reply,
14 mothqr'i dead ; ar.d she always told nie, if
I got drunk the day she died, she'd pull my
ears."