Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1875-10-15
CHAPTER X.

Young Sam Bradg at BoSton-His Fdthel
srounded at the Battle of Brandye1ine-
Discussion of Independinle at Northu,n,
berland-Dr. Plunket-Names and Lo
colities Of the Forts in the Valley- Colone
AnteS-Anecdote of job Ch,lloway-H His
rife Betsey-Nurders.
Although the settlements on tho West
Branch were comparatively weak, the call
for men for the Revolution was nobly re-
sponded to, and volunteers focked to the
American standard. Captain John Lou
den raised company of volunteer rifle
men, seventy in number, all were married,
and marched to Boston. Young Sam
Brady, son of John Brady, was one of the
number. 1t was the intention of the cap
tain that he should be an officer, but he
objected, saying, "let him first learn the
duties OF soldier, and then be will know
how to act as an officer" Whilst the
rifemen lay in the vicinity of Boston, many
skirmishes took place. On one occasion
Louden was ordered to take some able
bodied men and wade to an island and
drive OIL some cattle belonging to the ene-
my. Brady was considered too young for
the service, and was left behind but to
the astonishment of the Captain, he follow
ed, and was the second man on the island.
In 1776 he was appointed first Lieutenant
in Captain Doyle's company from Lancas-
ter county. He was with the army in all
the principal engagements till after the
battle of Monmouth, when be was promo
ted to Captain, and ordered to the West
under General Broadhead. During the
same year his father John Brady was ap-
pointed a captain in the 18th Pennsylva-
mia regiment, and was badly wounded at
the battle of Brandywine, after which he
returned home. At this time the question
of independence or no independence be-
came 80 warm at Northumberland that it
was decided to have discussion on the
subject. A scaffold was erected near where
the market-house now stands and the dis
eussion took place. Colonel Cooke and
Hunter took the stand on the side of Liber-
ty and Independence, and DR.. Plunkett
and c. Cooke took the side of loyalty. Con-
siderable warmth was manifested on both
sides. In ITS Cooke received orders to
join General Washington with his regi-
ment, which was composed in part Of three
raised in Northumberland Co.
by captains Gray, Buyers and
Brady. In 1779 Colonel Cooke asked leave
to reeign his commission, on account Of
i'll health, occasioned by pulmonary dis
ease, He was appointed commissary,
however, for the army of the north, which
Office he held during the war. He died in
1904.
Charles Cooke and DR.. Plunkett Oh ac-
count of their loyal sentiments, were order
ed by the Government TO leave the country
in teD days. Not being prepared to leave
an s"Hh abort notice, they kept themselves
secreted for long time. Colonel CU0Ke
his brother Charles Cooke to
New York to said for Europe. These they
exchanged watches as token of remem-
brance of other Charles was afterwards
sent as an ambassador from England to
France.
AS the struggle for liberty increased, and
the infant colonies were strainiug every
nerve, a new danger of a very alarming
character began to exhibit itself on the
northern and western frontiers. The Bri-
tish had tampered with Indians and induc
ed them to take up the Ratchet against the
whites. A stipulated price was also paid
for scalps, as an inducement for them to
kill and destroy. The West Branch Val
ley was an exposed and defenceless from
tier, at the mercy of the infuriated sayages.
Great CONSERVATION prevailed among the
inhabitants. and the government was petit
toned for assistance. 1t was found neces-
sary to construct forts at different points,
where small bodies Of men were stationed
to guard the settlements. On an alarm OF
Indians being given, tho settlers fed to
these stations, for refuge and protection.
Colonel Hunter commanded at Fort Au-
gusta. Freeland's Fort, it will be remem-
bered, was built Oh Warrior Run in 1773.
A small stockade was erected one mile
above Milton, and called Fort Schwartz.
This was probably in 1777. Boon's Fort
stood at the mouth of Muddy Run, 1t was
by Captain Boon. Fort Men
uinger was at the mouth of Warrior Run.
Fort Rice was on Chiilisquaque Greek,
near where Washing;onvile now stands.
1t became the frontier fort and held out
until the close of the war. John Brady
(Sam's father), who had removed from Op-
posite Lewisburg, and settled on the Mum
cy Manor, erected small fortifcation for
the protection of his own family and that
of his neighbors on the south side of Mum
cy Creek near where the town now stands.
It was called Fort Brady, and has often
been confounded with Muncy fort. The
latter, as / have already observed, was
erected on the Muncy farm, some miles
above the town, near the old mansion
where Mrs. E. Hall used to live. 1t was
often called Fort Wallis, who took up the
land now embraced in different farms. 1t
was quite an important place. A small
enclosure was erected near the mouth of
Creek, where Jays5urg now
stands, and called Fort Huff, after set
tier of that name. This little town lays on
the west side of Lycoming Creek aud is in
the boundary of the city of Williamsport.
The ground which Jaysburg Is built on
had been owned by NJ. Daniel Updegraph.
About ten years ago Mr.. Dodge and Son,
of New Yark City purchased about ten
acres of ground of Mr.. Urdegraph and
built large saw mill thereon. At what
price they purchased the land am unable
to tell, but the reader may Judge from the
fact that for field of five acres alongside
of it he refused fifty thousand dollars. Mr..
Updegraph is wealthy old gentleman and
10 n man that IN res for and helps the poor.