The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-09-01
JOE eRANT's WATCH.
The flistory ofs 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 Its antiquity, is owned by
Mr.. Daniel Minthorn, Of Watertown,
N. 7. 1t weighs five and quarter
ounces, and is 250 years old; yet it
keeps good time when wound, and has
not been repaired since 1S47. The
watch Is OF the pattern known as the
"British bulls-eve," 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. It bears the
mark of the maker, Thomas Linhard,
OF London, and the number ITO. A
search through ancient directories Of
the city OF London, made by Mr.. Min
thorn ut the Centennial Exposition, re-
vealed the fact that this jeweler did
business on Fleet street, between the
years 1888 and 1868. The works look
as substantial as though turned out
yesterday. A tiny chain that winds
around 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 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 LII. As mark o.
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 o
violence and pillage against the colon
lists. Thayendanega, as Brant wa
termed in the Indian tongue. promised
to bring back forty white scalps in re
turn for the gift. Settlers were massa
cred by the score, but Brant's expedi
tion suffered too, and in one of tn,
dashes the patriots made against hi
rear this watch was captured.
One of the few women who escaped
the Indians was Mrs. Mabie, who fec
by the light of the burning stacks ant
barns of her homestead to the woods
She had her two babies under her arms
and all hid under huge root in tn,
forest on the banks of Orris Kill Creek
While the Indians were near the heroi,
mother chol1ed her infants cries ant
was forced to throw water in thei
faces to revive them. After the savage
had departed she walked eighteen
miles to SchOhaire with the babies
One of these was afterward the mothe
of Daniel Minthorn, the present owne
of the watch. The time-piece fell int.
the hands of Evart Van Epps, a revolu
tionary officer, and by marriage int,
the Minthorn family, where it has re
mained ever since. Two years ago
big monument was unveiled at Brant
ford, Ont. to the memory of the oil
Thayendenega. The residents invite
Mr.. Minthorn to come with his watc
and take part in the exercises and o.
fered him 800. The old gentlema
refused very Indignantly, and wrote t
the Monument Committee: 'Do yo
suppose would assist in a celebratio
to do honor to a man whose only goo
deed that know of was his neglect t
to scalp my motherP"-M. Y. World.