The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1848-03-03
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HEROIC WOMAN OF TIE REVOLT
TloN..llI.
MRS. HANNAH ERWIN ISRAEL.
BY MRS. e. r. ELLETT

BY MRS. b. II. ELLETT.
lT was somewhere about the close Of
the year l777--after the occupation of
Philadelphia by General Howe aud his
troops = that foo. passenger might have
been seen on the road leading from Will
mingtln TO Philadelphia, not far IRON the
city. II was young man of tall figure
and powerful frame, giving evidence OF
great muscular strength. To which walk
Of over thirty miles, under ordinary cir
,cumstances, would be triHe. Bat the
noble features Of the trave4er were dark
ened by anxiety and apprehension; and
1t was perhaps, more She overtaskiog Of
the mind than the body, hich occasioned
the WEAKNESS and lassitude under which
he as plainly laboring. His dress was
that Of simple citizen, and he was en-.
yeloped in large cloak, sffordng ample
protection against the severity Of the
weather, as well as serving to conceal
sundry parcels of provisions, and a bag Of
money, with which he was laden.
Ii was long after dark before he reach.
ed the ferry; but renew ed hope and CON.
fdence filled his heart, as lie approached
the termination OF his j.urney. |, may
be Remembered, that, after taking posses
sion oI the capi,a al, the British comrnan Ter
did not trust his security TO the welcome
apparently SO cordial, with which he had
bean received on his entrance by the timld
or interested citizens His first care W as
to erect batteries to command he river.
The British shipping for some time could
not ascend the Delaware, by reason OF
the obstructions prepared by the Ameri.
/. cans at Mud Island, about seven miles be.
low the capital, where Fort NJ "a IN cover
ed the main channel; aud the city was ex
posed TO danger from America0 vessels
But after the surrender Of the frigate Del.
aware, the others were compelled to re-
tire from the fire from the batteries; aud
iu October, the Brii having driven the
garrison from Mud Island, gained free
communication between their army and
the shipping.
When the hero of our ske ich arrived at
the ferry, he was promptly hailed by the
sentinel with-'Who goes there!'
"A friend was the reply.
'The countersign!' ....
The countersign for the night was whis-
pered in bis ear ..s.
Pass, frieod, said the soldier; aud the
other went quickly on. While he proceeds S
TO his destination, word or two of ex-
Planation may not be unacceptable.
Israel Israel was native Of Pennsyl-
vania, having received baptism at Olney,
June 18Th, l746, IRON the Rev MIR. Muh
lenburg, the head of that distinguished d
family, who in after years still exercised
pastoral care over him. After he had at
tanned his twenty 6rst rear, he left Amer.
ica, filed with the energy of youth, bu.
lacking competence, TO try his fortune
In Bridgetown, the capital of the Island
of Barbados. By nine or. ten years OF
patient industry, he amassed what 10 thos e
times was considered a large property;
and returned TO his native country rich
in the means of happiness, in health aud
hope. and in the respect Of all who knew
him. The war broke out; aud in a few
months after his marriage, his whole for
tune, lost or sacrificed by agents, was
swept away. New Castle, his mothers 3
place of residence, was considered toe
much exposed during the vicissitudes ol
the war for her family, and they we're re-
moved to Philadelphia. After the pos.
session Of the caPtalby the British troops
they endured severe trials and hardsBips