Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-03-10

frame building in Owego.
The aged William Ferguson, of Oweg0, son
of the pioneer and penSioner, Daniel Fergu-
| son.
Judge Briant Stoddard, son of Orringh
Stoddard. one of the leading proprietorS of the
Boston purchase Date of immigration to the
old town of Union, 1888. Was associate Judge
of Broomc county, Member of the Legislature,
&c. Now in the Slst year.
The venerable Judge Willsey, of Candor
Rev c. Grcatsinger, of Chemung.
The venerable Farley Coburn, now in his
SIst year Date of immigration to Warren
Bradford CO., 1900. ....#f.. .as.. 81.
Elder Dimock, of Montrose, an aged and
venerable gentleman. ....-....a-e.
The aged Mrs. Forsyth and Mrs Willis
daughters of the pioneer, Thomas Parks, who
took lively interest in all the proceedings of
the day.
Daniel Mills, of Barton; Elizur Talcott, Of
Owego; John F. Satterlee, of Athens; Russell
Grdley and Salmon Mead, of Candor; Messrs
Hunt, Coryell and Forman, of Nichols; DR..
Joel S Paige formerly of this village, who
came from his home in GeneSee CO., to attend
the Festival; the venerable VIM. Hoffman, of
Chemung; Judge McBurney, of Steuben;
Judge Robinson, of Broome; JudgeLa Porte,
of Towanda and very may others whose names,
owing to the shortneSs of the time and the
great amount Of business to be done, the Sec
retarics did not obtain.
Curious and valuable relics of the oldeu time
exhibited at the Festival;
An old family Bible printed in l7l6 at
Amsterdam, Holland, containing records of the
Van Valkenburg family, reaching back to 1910.
Several members of this family were living at
Wysox in May l778, when the houses of the
settlement were destroyed 10y the Indians
! The wives ofSebaston and John Stropc, whose
maiden names were Van Vakenburg, Eva
Van Valkenburg, their father and mother and
several children were captured. The houses
and every thing of value that could not be
carried away as plumber, were consumed. The
B BILE would have shared the same fate of the
building but for the rcSolute heroism of the
family, in rescuing it from the flames The
caDtiycs were taken at once to Tioga Point,
were there when the English rangers and
Indians under Butler, embarked in their
canoes for Wyoming; and were there when
they returned with their booty and scalps from
that desoate valley.
The captives were soon after ordered up the
Susquehanna, under an Indian escort to
Maughantowano, Owego, Bainbridge and Una
dilla, and in the fall retraccd their steps to
Troga Point Part of this journey was made
upon the trail upon the bank and partly by
water in canoes. Upon the victory of Hartley
that fall near Sheshequin, and upon the appre-
henson of Sulivans approach the next season,
they were marched with many other captives,
up the Tioga, Canisteo and down the Canes
arga creek and Genesee river to Fort Niagara );
thence to Lachine and other points in Canada,
where they were detained for over two years
At the end of this time they were exchanged by
cartel and sent to Skencsborough, now White
| hall. and thence to Catskill, where they remain
ed until peace was fully established after which
they again cmigrated to Wvsox and rebuilt
Daring all their wanderings this Bible was
with them-a treasure beyond all price
enabling them to rise sublime above their dark
fortunes. 1t is a very large and heavy The
sides and back are of white oak, nearly, if not
quite half an inch in thickness and covered
with leather the corners and edges tipped with
brass, and the covers held together in front by
movable and massive brass clasps. Its length
foot and half and in thickness nearly
six inches Upon the leather and wood are
marks of the fire from which it was saved
When we realize the toll of a captivity, npon
foot by the Indian trail, the great distance
this family travelled and the supplies which
their natures required and which they were
obliged to carry to keep from starvation, we
may well believe that the captives required
what the venerable old lady, Mrs. Willis,
said, when Judge Jessup was speaking of its
weight in the afternoon exercise" The Lore
Of God In their hearts made the burden Hght"
For the facts connected with the captivity
of this family, we are indebted to those publ
cations by Judge Avery, entitled the "Sus
quehanna Valley" and for the presence of this
valuable relic at our Festival we are Indebted
to Mr.. Harry Strope, grandson of Sebastion
Strope, who lives upon the storied ground, and
who had the kindness to make a journey with
his daughter, of nearly forty miles, to be present
on this interesting occasion.
Another interesting article exhibited was
the original document signed by the Indian
! Chiefs, in 1856, cedng the Owego half town.
ship to Amos Draper, whose Indian name was
Oghgwe-san, meaning Patrdge. This was
exhibited by Mr.. Avery.
5 Another-a spy glass of some two feet in
length A :rphy of the border warfare OF
the Susquchanna, taken by the intrepid Col
John Franklin. Exhibited by Mr.. Gore a
descendant of Obadiah Gore, whose name il
identified with Wyoming annals.
, Another-a bass drum, used by the Forsyth
Military Band, who enlivened the Festival
, with their music the shell of which was used
in some of the hard-fought fields of the revo
: luton.
This band and also the excellent Brass
Band in attendance, who discoursed capital
music through the day and evening gave thcir
services through the whole Festival, as free
) will offering, without fee or reward, to the
pioneers; for these old veterans are popular
with everybody.
In arranging and preparing the music, Mr.
!, Hosford, of the Music Emporium, was active
) and public spirited.
| Indenendent Enrine Comnany No s had