Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-11-04

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built in the rear of it. The pres
ent Jail is an fashioned, solid
looking building, erected about
/ eighty years ago. The citizens
seem TO regret that during the late
war, when the Confederate and
/ Union soldiers were doing SO much
mischief in the town. they did not
batter down the unsightly old
relic. 1t looks as though a bat
terry of four or five guns might
play upon it for week, and not
effect any damage to the old walls.
R.GENERALs GATES, STE
PEEN AND LEE.
Among the early residents of
Berkeley county were three noted
Generals of the Revolutionary
war Hordtio Gates, Alexander
Stephen and Charles Lee. AS an
evidence Of the well-known &C.
centricity of the former, is the fol-
lowing extract from his will, cop
led from the original, on file in the
office of the County Clerk:
Il desire, most earnestly, that |
may not be buried in any church
or church-yard, or within a mile
of any Presbyterian or Anabap-
tist meeting house; for, since |
have resided in this country. l
have kept so much bad company
when living, that | do not chUse
to continue it when dead | re-
commend my soul to the Creator
of all worlds aud all creatures, who
must, from his visible attributes,
be Indifferent to their modes of
worship or creeds. whether Chris
tianS, MOhammedenS or Jews !;
whether iDstilied by education or
taken up by reflection ; whether
more or less absurd ; as a weak
mortal can no more be answerable
for his persuasions, notions, or
even scepticism in religion, than
for the color of his skin"
The will is in his own hand
writing and presented to the Ber-
kelley County Court for record,
April 10, 1888.
The following extract is taken
from the County Court records,
under date of November 20, 1776:
proclamation being made for
the trial of a negro man, belong
ing to General Horatio Gates COM
mitted to the goal OF this county,
and Tor breaking open the cellar
of the said General Gates, and fell
oniousIy taking from thence a
chest of money and clothes who,
being brought to the bar, and it
being demanded of him whether
he was guilty of the offense where
with he stands charged, or not
guilty, he says ne is guilty 1t is,
therefore, the judgment of the
Court that be be remandet back
to the goal, from whence he came,
and there TO continue till the third
Friday 10 December next, then
from thence to be taken and hang
cd by the neck til he is dead. 1t
is the opinion Of the said Court
that The said slave is worth sew
en'y pounds -
p
STEPHEN.
Each one of these noted Gene
rails was cashiered - Alexander
Stephen for becoming drunk and
neglecting to bring his troops for
ward to the support of the balance
OF the army at the battle of Mon
mouth. His remains lie buried
upon the plantation of Hon. &. j.
Faulkner, adjoining the south part
Of the town. \ monument was
commenced 10 his memory, which
advanced 30 farther than the pla-
cling Of about three broad stones
for the base The balance of the
money intended 10 De expended
for this purpose was probably APP
urOpriated to a better use. The
stones which lie there sufficiently
serve the purpose Of a monument.
MAI. GEN. CHARLES LEE.
Gen. Lee was, at one time, a RI
val of Gen. George Washington,
aad an as irant for the position Of
Commander-iu- Caief Of the army;
and while the latter modestly arg
cd upon Congress 90 relieve him
from the responsibility, and ap-
point some one whom he imagiu-
ed could more creditably fill the
! Lositi0n, the for uer, by intrigue
aud with importantly sought aud
failed to obtain it, This led Gen.
Lee to entertain feelings of envy
and hatred toward Gen Washing
ton, much to the latter's regret,
who did his utmost to dispel
! them.
General Lee at this time lived
about ten miles from Martinsburg,
ia a long, low house, the back
room Of which was his bed room,
the next the dining room, then
the kitchen, in which his slaves
and dogs remained, and in front