Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-23


gefield District, South .CadB. The coun-
try at that time was sparE Eettled, most OF
Its inhabitants being the cers from other
states, chiefly from VirgiE and their helgh-
borhood to the Indians Hcaused the adoP-
ton of some of tbe;r savo habits. The name
OF LdSetield is said to r. been GlVen' D'-
cause 1t was at that peri the edge OF DoUn-
Diary of the respectable pliers and theiF cui-
tivGted fields. CivilizfJn, however, ihcfe2s-
ed with the populationbd in the time ol 'he
Revolution, Ninety-Sjwas among 'he lore-
most in sending into Il field its quota ol mar
dy and enterprising Il fops to oppose 'iie Brit
ish and their savage flies.
AT the commentator of the cohtest' mrs
| Marshall had nine children. seven of whom
were sons old enoEh to bear arms. These
brave young men. Under the tuition and exam
pie Of their parents, had grown up IN attach
ment to their country, and a-dently devoted
TO its service, were ready on every occasion to
encounter the dangers Of border warfare
When the first call for volunteers sounded
| through the land the mother encouraged their
patriotic zeal.
| y
try fight till death, if you must, but never
let your country be dishonored. Wore L a
man would go with YOU"
At another time, when Col. Cruger COM
manded the British at Cambridge, and Colonel
Blown at Augusta, several British officers
Stopped at her house for refreshment, and one
Of them asked how many sons she had. She
answered-eight; and to the question where
they all were, replied promptly:
ssSeven ofthem are engaged in the service
of their country.''
s'Really, madame" observed the officer,
sncerfhgly, 'syou have enough of them.''
'.No, sir,'' said the matron, proudly, 81
wish i had a scora.' .--e-----
Her house in the absence of her sons was
frequently exposed to the depredations of the
Tories. On one occasion they cut open her
feather beds, and scattered the contents
When the young men returned shortly after
wards, their mother babe them pursue tho ma
rauders. One of the continental soldiers hay
ing been left at the house badly wounded, Mrs.
Martin kindly attended and nursed him till his
recovery. a party of the loyalists who heard
Of his being there, came with the intention of
taking his life, but she found means to hide
/ lin from their search.
\ Tho only daughter of Mrs. Martin, Letitia,
married. Capt. Edward Wade, of Virginia, who
fell With his commander, Gen. Montgomery,
at tho siege Of Quebec. At the time of the
siege of Charleston by Sir Henry Clinton, the
widow was residing with her mother at Nine
ty,Six. Her son Washington Wade was then
Eve years old, and remembered many occur
.races connected with the war; The house
yls about 100 miles in direct line west Of
Charleston. He recollects walking. in the pi-
aza on calm evening with his grandmother.
light breeze blew from the east, fand the
ound of heavy cannon was distinctly heard in
hat direction. The sound Of cannon heard at
hat time, and in that7part of the State, they
<new must come from the besieged city. As
report after report reached their ears, the agi-
tation of Mrs. Martin increased. She knew
not what evils might be announced; she knew
not but the sound might be the kncll of he1
sons, three of whom were then in Charleston.
Their wives were with her, and partook Of the
same heart chilling fears. They stood still
for a few minutes, each wrapped in her OWE
painful and silent reflections, till the mother
at length, lifting her hands ard eyes toward
heaven, exclaimed ervently:-'"thank God
they are the children of the Republic
OF the seven patriotic brothers, six were
spared through all the dangers of the partisan
warfare in the region of the s'darlz and bloody
rround'' The eldest, Vim. NJ. Martin, was q
captain of artillery; and after having served
kyith distinction in the siege Of Savannah and
Charleston, was killed at the siege of Angus
:. inst after lie had obtained favorable posi-
rso,. sar his cannon, by elevating it on one o.
the towers constructed by Gen. Pickens. Il
lis related that not long after his death, Brit
ish officer passing to Fort Ninety-Six, then il
'possession of the English, rode out of his way
Ito crafty his hatred to the Wings by carrying
fbo fatal news to the mother of this gallant
|Goung man. He called at the house and ask
<, :, rs. Martin if she had not son in the ar
40 auiu agusta. She replied in the aflirma
ted SpsaThen saw his brains blown out on the
'blieaA " battlc,'' said the monster, who antici
E1fUlkls triumph in the sighs of parent
aring {ixBut the effect Of the startling an
scus1 sss.ent was other than he expected. Ter
IAN hst' as the shock, and aggravated by th'
as a. psttsfs s ''sslsas.s va
1:s< - g. slirng sefio