Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-11-14
JOE BRANT'S WATCH.
The History of Time-Piece Sent to Amer
lea by George III.


lea by George III.
An ancient silver time-piece, valua-
BILE for It's historical associations no
less than for it's antiquity, is owned by
Mr.. Daniel Minthorn, of Watertown,
Ny. It weighs five and a quarter
smces, and is $50 years old; yet it
Keeps good time when wound, and has
not been repaired since 1847. The
watch is of the pattern known as the
.1British bulls-eye," and is an inch and
a half thick. The face is of silver,
roughly chased, and has double row
of figures, both the Arabic and Roman
numerals appearing. 1t bears the
mark of the maker, Thomas Linhard,
of London, and the number 10. A
search through ancient directories Of
the city of London, made by Mr.. Min
thorn at the Centennial Exposition, re-
vealed the fact that this jeweler did
business on Fleet street, between the
years 1858 and 1868. The works look
as substantial as though turned out
yesterday. A tiny chain that winds
sround a drum takes the place of the
spring in modern watches, and the cog
wheels and pivots are all large and
heavy. The silver cases are very
thick. The works can be removed
from the case or box, and when inside
are retained in place by thick crystal
that would fatten a bullet.
When Sir William johnson owned
Johnsontown, in Montgomery County,
this State, and laid claim to considera-
BILE other land, he was a great favorite
with King George III. AS a mark of
his favor the King sent this watch
across the water to the nobleman. That
was just before the war of the Revolu-
ton, and when Joseph Brant, the In
dian leader, started on his death
spreading expedition up the Cherry
valley, Sir William gave him the time
piece as an incentive to deeds of
violence and pfllage against the colon
lists. Thayendanega, as Brant was
termed in the Indian tongue, promised
70 bring back forty white scalps in re-
turn for the gift. Settlers were massa-
cred by the score, but Brant's expedi-
don suffered too, and in one of the
5ashes the patriots made against his
rear this watch was captured.
One of the few women who escaped
the Indians was Mrs. Mabie, who fed
by the light OF the burning stacks and
barns of her homestead to the woods.
She had her two babies under her arms,
and all hid under g. huge root in the
forest on the banks OF Orris Kill Creek
While the Indians were near the heroic
mother chOked her infants cries and
faces to revive them. After the savages
had departed she walked eighteen
miles to Schohaire with the babies.
One Of these was afterward the mother
of Daniel Minthorn, the present owner
Of the watch. The time-piece fell into
the hands of Evart Van Epps, revolu-
tionary officer, and by marriage into
the Minthorn family, where it has re-
manned ever since. Two years ago a
big monument was unveiled at Brant-
ford, Ont, to the memory of the old
Thayendenega. The residents invited
Mr.. Minthorn to come with his watch
and take part in the exercises and Of
tered him 800. The old gentleman
refused very Indignantly, and wrote to
the Monument Committee: "Do you
suppose [ would assist in celebration
10 do honor to q man whose only good
deed that I know of was his neglect to
to scalp my mother?''-N. 7. World