Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-08-26
AN INCIDENT OF THE REVOLUTION.

lived Judge V. one of the finest and truest
patriots within the limits the "O.d Thirteen"
and deep in the confidence of Washington -
Like most men Of his time and substance, he
had furnished himself with arms and ammunition
sufficient for the males of his household They
consisted Of himself three sons, and about
twenty-five Regroes.-The female paf. ofhis
family consisted of his wife and daughter
Catharine, about eighteen years of age, the
heroine of our tale, and several slaves In the
second story of his dwelling house, Immediately
over the front door, was small room called
the "armory," in which the arms were deposit
ed, and always kept ready for immediate use
About the time at which we introduce our
story, the neighborhood was much ANNOYED by
the nocturnal prowing and dcpredations of nu-
merous Tories.
1t was calm bright Sabbath afternoon Of
the said summer, when Judge " and his fami-
Iy, with the exception of his daughter Catha-
rne and an old indisposcd slave, were attend
ing service in village church. Not breath
disturbed the serenity of the atmosphere-no
sound prufaned the sacrcdncss of the dav: the
times we're dangerous, and Ca,harine had lock-
cd hcrselfand the old slave in the house, until
the return of the family from church. rap
was heard at the front door. Surely said
Catharine to the slave, 'the family have not
come home church cannot be dismissed =
The rap was repeated. Il see what it is, said
Catharine, as she ran up stairs into the armory
On opening the window and looking down, she
saw six men standing at the front door and on
the opposite side Of the street. three of whom
were Tories, who formerly resided in that VIII
lage their names were Van Zandt, Finley and
Sheldon; the other three were Strangers but
she had reason to believe them of the same po-
litical stamp from the company in which she
found them.
Van Zandt was notorious character, and
the number and enormity of his crimes had rem
dered his name Infamous in that vicinity. Not
a murder or robbery was committed within
miles of s., that he did not get credit ei-
ther ofpanning or executing. The characters
ofFincy and Sheldon were also deeply stained
with crime, but Van Xandt wasa master spirit
OF lniquity. The appearance of such circum-
stances must have been truly alarming to
young lady ofCahnrinc's age, if not to any Ia.
dy young or old. But C1'harinc V. possessed
her fathers spirit-the spirit of the times. Van
Iandt was standing on the step, rapping at the
door. while his companions were talking in
whlsperon the sidewalk on the opposite side of
the street.
"'s Judge V. at home ," asked Van Xandt,
when he saw Catharnp at the window obove.
ale is not" said she.
we have business Of pressing importance
with him, and if you will open the door, said
Van Zandt, I'VE will walk in and remain till
he returns
NO. said Catharine, 'when he went to
church, he left particular directions not to have
! the doors opened until he and his family return
| ed. You had better call when the church is
dismissed
NO. rctorted the villain I'VE will enter
now or never
impossible, cried she /; you cannot enter un-
Ill he returns
open the door, cried he, 'or we'll break it
down and burn you and the house up together
So saying, he threw himself with all the force
he possessed against the door, at the same
time calling upon his companions to assist him.
/ The door, however, resisted his efforts.
DO not attempt that again. said Catharine,
'or you are a dead MAN. at the same time pre-
scnting from the window heavy horscman's
pistol, ready cooked.
At the sight of this formidable weapon, the
companions of Van Zandt, who had crossed
the street at his call, retreated.
What cried their leader, you cowar1s, are
you frightened al the threat of girl' And
again he threw himself against the door; the
weapon was discharged and Van Zandt fell.
The report was heard at the church, and
males and females at once rushed out to ascer-
tain the cause. On looking towards the resi-
dence Of Judge " they perceived FIVE men
running at full speed, to whom the Judges ne.
groes and several others gave chase, and from
an upper window of his residence white
handkerchief was waving as if beckoning for
aid
All rushed towards the place, and upon their
arrival, Van Zandt was in the agonies of death.
! He still retained strength TO acknowledge that
they had frequently been concealed in the
neghborhood for that purpose, but no opportuni.
| Al.