The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-08-03
TO REAR MONUMENT TO 9. ISL.
I BRAVE HANNAH WESTON
Heroine of Revolution Who Braved Dangers Of
Forest, Infested With Hostile Indians.
Her Services to the Nation

place where they might effect a crossing
But, feeling sure that they were follow
ing the right course. they pushed on with
all their strength, expecting at every turn
that they would be able to catch q
glimpse Of the town. AS the strength OF
Miss Weston was fast becoming exhaust
ed. Mrs. Weston relieved her Of her bur-
den. and herself carried both the ammu-
milton and the provisions. When they
had proceeded short distance further.
however. the strength of Miss Weston
gave out completely. and she dropped up
on the ground. Mrs. Weston was still
resolute and hopeful. and after a brief
pause started alone for the top of hill
which could be plainly seen a little way
ahead.
BY this time night was falling ana IL
she failed to see the town from the top
of the hill they would be obliged to spend.
the night in the woods. Her highest
hopes were realized, however. when she
reached the summit of the hill. for she
could plainly see house a short distance
below. Fastening back to her cor1npan-
ion, she found her fast asleep. Quickly
arousing her, they lost no time~in climb
ing the hill and in making their way to
the house.
The news of their arrival was spread
through the village, and crowds of people
gathered at the house to extend congrat-
ulations and praise them for their noble
act. Captain o'Brien, Colonel Foster and
other prominent Machias men were
among the number. and were loud In
their praises of the two women. They
had entered upon the 'dificult task be-
cause they believed that the ammunition
would be needed In the battle that was
threatening. when the word was sent to
Jcnesboro, but while they were making
their march through the wilderness the
battle had been fought and won. Upon
their arrival at Machias they were I'M
formed that the Margaretta had BEEN
captured, and that her commander, Cap
tain Moor. had been wounded by shot
fired by Mrs. Westons brother, Samuel
Watts, which, must result fatally. This
proved to be true, for on the following
day the young British officer. the first
naval officer to lose his life in the revoIu-
ton, was dead. The ammunition, al
though 1t was not received in time to be
used in the battle, was afterward used
in the repulse of the British when they
attempted to recapture Machias5 Mr..
Watts was subsequently, pensioned by
the government for his service in the
Margaretta fight and that rendered to
the people of Machias In the later de-
fence Of the town. ~
The return of the brave women to
JonesboHo was not made through the
woods, but, after resting at Machias for
q day, they went home accompanied by
g. party of men, by vessel. Mrs. Weston
was hailed as the heroine of the day,
and every possible honor waS' shown her.
Hannah Weston Chapter, d. A. r., has
for six months been engaged in collecting
funds to pay for a suitable monument
and bronze tablet to be erected over the
now neglected grave of the heroine, and
Mrs. Weston's descendants, who number
100 and are scattered all over the coun-
try, are being asked to contribute, whil3
others and the town of Maehias have
given toward the fund.
Mrs. Weston, whose maiden name was
Hannah Watts, was born in HaverhiIL
N. H. on November %, l75s. and died at
Jonesboro on December Il, 1856. twenty
days after she had passed her 97th BIRTH
day. She was a direct descendant of Mrs.
Duston of HavsEhfIs whose capture by
the Indians and Subsequent escape made
her a famous character in New England
history. The marriage ceremony which
united Josiah weston and Hannah Watts
was performed by the Rev. James Lyons,
the Arst settled minister Of Machias.
Twelve children were born to them, tbs
youngest a boy, the others girls. Their
lives for many years. like those Of all
pioneers, were lives of hardship ana toll,
but by their perseverance they won sue
cess, and their memory is honored where
echoed the guns Of the first naval BATHS
Of the revolution.