Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-02-29
TALES AND SKETCHES
ENCEDENCs OF YIRE ssEvOhU.
VXON.

The following "incidcnts' are furnished
toy great grandson of"Uncle John"-Unclc
John, 50 called iamiliarly 3y his kindred and
neighbors, was John Levering of the town
ship of Royborough, near the city of Phila.
dclphia. He was patriot of the truest
stamp, "A man Of established reputation for
piety and moral goodness, and for many
years was the senior deacon of the Baptist
church at Roxborough He died at an
advanced age nearly forty Years ago, leaving
numerous and respectable family. He was
active in the Revolutionary war, and was
connected with Washington's military
family. His recollections of the great leader
of our armies were many and vivid, and he
! delighted to recount them at the close of his
! life. The writer of this has heard him re-
late the first incident, the tears flowing down
| his venerable cheeks all the while
DIVINE PROTECTION.
Said Uncle John, lin the summer Of l17S
while pursuing Gen. Howc's army through
! East Jersey, the American generals qua.tered
for the night in an adjacent farm house.
, Wayworn aud exhausted, Washington, La
| fayette, Green and Knox extended their
weary bodies on the floor of a comfortless
second story room. Blue Billy" Washing
tons negro servant, lay stretched, partly
. / u
master, and partly as a sort of inner body
guard across thestairway landing. During
the night Il heavy thunder storm pealed
above and around US, terrifying to all except
those who could trust in the Almighty
Flash after flash, and peal upon peal, fol-
lowed in quick succession. Sleep was i'm
possible All were awakened yet none felt
disposed to arise. Just in the heaviest, q
bolt, with stunning report, descended the
chimney to the open fire place, bounded ovel
the generals and Billy passed down the
staircase, and out the unclosed doorway
committing no injury. Upon looking ou
of the window, we could see three dwellings
on fire at the same time and felt thankful
for our providential escape.
RED BANK.
Brother Jacob was styled neutral,
though true patriot at heart and Secre
spy of General Washington. He resided
near the Schuylkill, in what is now Mana
yunk, then, few houses and under the pre-
tence of furnishing the British with the pro
duce of his farm, he obtained valuable in
formation, which he transmitted to Gen
Washington On one occasion, when obliged
to stay all night in the city, Samuel c.,
'Tory" cousin with whom he lodged, pri
vately informed him of the intention of Gen
Howe to send clandestine expedition t
surprise and seize Red Bank early mex
morning but one. Jacob treasured the in
formation, hoped they might attain thei
object turned over and went to sleep, ap
parently, but in reality he was meditatinG
upon the quickest way of getting the intel
ligence to General Washington,
Jacob reached home late the next after
noon, and when en- opportunity offered
beckoned me into the haymow Il was hom
on furlough then,) told me the scheme
and we laid our plans accordingly. Afte
supper Jacob complained Of fatigue, ant
proposed that the family shoL'1 early retiI
to rest, which they did. As soon as W
considered the inmates sound asleep, Jaco
silently let me out of back window, dow
over the shed roof to the ground, thence
the river bank, where unmooring sma
boat, / crossed to the opposite shore, secure
the boat, ran up the bank, tapped at VIII
dow of the ferryman's house, and soon game
admittanoe.
"Uncle Anthony, have business of grei
Importance with General Washington tn
night Can You lend me horse 7"
Eyes, John. Behind the kitchen doc
thee will find my great coat then 60 to Il
stable and take my best riding horse thu
will find his saddle banging up behind hir
don't care if thee rides him TO death,
thee does II for good"
did as was bidden, and by eleven o'clos
that night was at headquarters" in yall'
Forge. Passing the sentries, was usher.
into Washington's room. There, upon u
aoor. wrapped In their cloaks, lay the Cor