Newark post., 1910-08-31

hcadouarters. The old womans cur
iosty, however, was so great, that she
followed them out, and insisted on
knowing who her guests were.
George Washington, Madam, was
the reply, as they dashed off across
the Christiana Creek.
The old woman wrung her hands
and cried in dismay, TO think ! let
General Washington sleep on the moor
when had plenty OF good feather
beds in the house!
At this time Col Thomas Cooch
Sr., (great great grandfather OF }.
Wilkins Cooch) was living at the
Home stead at Cooch's Bridge, with
his grandson and granddaughters, his
son, Thomas Cooch. Jr., having en-
listed in Col Patterson's regiment.
Thomas Cooch. ST., had been
CAPTAIN in the French and Indian
Wars. and was a Colonel OF the Con
tinental Army in the earlier part OF
the War of the Revolution, but age
and infirmities had compelled him to
resign.
Colonel Cooch, hearing of the ap-
preaching armies, destined to meet at
the Bridge, took his family to his plan
tation in Little Britain Township,
Lancaster county, Pa.
One night before they left, he put
his gold in a tol-dsh, from his mill
at the loot OF the lawn, and his silver
and silver-plate in an iron chest, and
with his trusty old slave HATFIELD, bur
led both gold and silver in different
places in the woods. blazing the trees
to guide them to their burial places
after the war.
The next morning taking only what
each could carry on horseback, they
fled to safety.
Elizabeth. one OF the granddaugh-
ters, held in her arms looking glass,
treasured by beauties in those days
for. she sturdily declared, The Brit
ish shan't have thisf'
That mahogany-framed looking
glass is now owned by Francis a.
Cocch, Of the sixth generation
In the meantime, Howe's army, led
by Gen. knyphausen, was approaching
by the upper turnpike over Iron Hill,
and Lord Cornwalis with his troops
was marching through Allentown
Glasgow to join him at Cooch
Bridge.
The combined regiments were camp
ed for three days i'll the heldS back o.
the mansion, on the slope OF Iron IN
where bullets are found to this day
Gen. Washington, finding Iron I'LL
untenable, had furnished Gen. William
Maxwell with as many men and can
non as his comparatively meager sup
ply would permit him to spare, and
with the new flag OF the United States
had sent him TO oppose or harass th'
powerful foes.
The British officers took posses
sion OF the vacated home-the brick
Of whose walls had been brought oVeI
from England, as none were thel
made in America
They slept in what is now the Twins
room, and put their own horses, 10
safety in the parlor.
The first night couple OF neigh
bors, knowing nothing OF the fight ant
occupation, knocked at the back door
and were struck down where the,
stood, and killed for spies.
Here, then. on September 3, 1777
the battle was fought across tn
Christiana at Cooch's Bridge, and
"Old Glory" defeated, but not dis
mayed, had its first baptism OF bloc
and fire.
Not content with inevitable destruc
ton, the British wantonly burnt dow
the mill at the foot OF the lawn, an
set fire to the surrounding woods
thus destroying the blazed trees, lead
ing to the buried treasures.
However, after peace permitted tn
return OF the venerable Col. Thoma
Cooch, the silver and silverplate wer
found. One piece, a solid silver tanl
ard, is now in possession OF J. Wi
kins Cooch. of the fifth generation
and the iron chest, in which all tn
silver was buried, is still at Cooch
Bridge-but all traces of the toll-dis
were gone.
Dreams and Sonjuting1wands an
spades OF many eager seekers hay
failed to discover its hiding place, fo
Mother Earth is dumb, and keeps he
secret we'll
One hundred and thirty-three year
have passed since our Flag was fir!
,lnfurled in battle, defeated then, il
deed, but unconquered held by 10y;
hands, it has always led its armies
last to Victory.
(Mrs) J. WILKINS COOCH.