The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-08-03

New Orleans States.
The people of Machias are preparing to
erect a suitable memorial over the grave
of Hannah Weston, an heroic woman,
who rendered notable service in connec-
ton with the first naval battle of the
revolutionary war in carrying from her
home, in Jonesboro, to Machias. dis
lance of sixteen miles through a wilder
ness infested with hostile Indians, sup
ply of ammunition to be used by the pa
triots under Captain John O'Brien in the
attack upon the British man-of-war Mar
garetta says a dispatch from Bangor,
Me-, to The New York Tribune. The
fight that resulted in the capture of the
Margaretta was the first naval conflict OF
the revolution. and is recorded as the
proudest event in Names history. The
date of its occurrence, June IL, ITO, Is to
the people of Machias and all that region
what April 10 is to Lexington and Con-
cord, and 1t is due to the efforts Of Han
nah Weston Chapter, Daughters OF the
American Revolution. that the noble SER
vice of the Jonesboro heroine Is to be
CONNIE morated.
When it was found that the presence
off the eastern coast of the Margaretta
was to lead to open hostilities, a Iaessen-
ger was dispatched from Machias through
the wilderness to Jonesboro and neigh
boring settlements to inform the people,
and to request all men who were able
and willing to bear arms to hasten to Ma
chias to assist in the defense OF the town
and in the capture of the hated war ves-
sell The word spread rapidly through tho
settlements, and the people made nasty
preparations to respond to the call for
aid. All gathered at the home of Josiah
and Hannah Weston. from which place
the start was to be made Mrs. Weston
took great interest in the preparations,
and when the start was made her hus-
band and two of her brothers were among
the volunteers.
She had made careful inquiry Of each
man as to the amount Of ammunition that
he carried, and she felt confident that
more would be needed II much fighting
was done. After their departure she call
ed at each home in the settlement and
gathered up what powder, lead. pewter
spoons etc, had been left behind. col
lections of about thirty or forty pounds
was made. and this was taken to her
home, twhere it was packed, ready to be
sent to Machias. But not man able to
make 1.-THE journey was left in the settle
ment. sand on the following morning, ac-
companied by Rebecca Weston, a sister
OF her husband. she started to make the
hazardous journey.
Mrs. Weston carried the ammunition.
while sthe younger woman carried
Ratchet and the two days supply of pro-
visions which they had taken along. The
distance to Machias was sixteen miles.
through a dense wilderness, with no
guide save the footprints made by the
soldiers who had gone on before. ana an
occasional blazed tree. For the FIRST five
miles the two women experienced no dh-
flculty. except from WEAKNESS Of carrying
so much weight over such a rugged path;
but before reaching the river they missed
their way, and their efforts to find the
trail were fruitless.
The younger woman, being Of COM
paratively weak constitution, became
nearly exhausted from their wanderings.
and the elder suggested rest and refresh
ment After resting for a time Mrs. Wes-
ton encouraged her companion to again
undertake the march. They had Travelled
for another hour through the woods.
when they were overJoyed to find them
selves upon the bank of the Machias riv-
err 1t was then about o'clock in the
afternoon. Knowing that they were
above the town, they decided that their
only course was to follow the river. but
fearing that they might encounter hostile
Indians IL they kept in sight of the water,
they followed a course parallel with the
river, but some distance from the bank.
They found 1t very lAborious to proceed
owing to the thick swamps through which
they were obliged to pass, and the brooks,
which frequently obliged them to make
long 'detours from their course to find