NOTES:
-- From: http://www.albertwisnerlibrary.org/~wisner/Factsandhistory/History/Benedict.htm:
"Elder James Benedict
The Pioneer Preacher of the Warwick and Wyoming Valleys
BY
MRS. ELIZABETH C. VAN DUZER
(Mrs. G. M. Van Duzer)
Warwick, New York
(Reprinted from Volume XVIII, Proceedings of the Society.)
Copied from the original records of the Baptist Church in Warwick, N.Y.
Wilkes-Barre, PA
1923
Transcribed for the Internet and
Warwick Historical Society
Published on the Internet with permission of the Wyoming Valley Historical Society May, 2000by Albert Wisner Public Library
The first settlers in Warwick, New York, were from New York City, having come into the valley with Benjamin Aske, a New York merchant whose share of the great Wawayanda Patent covered this part of Orange County. Aske was an Englishman, presumably from Warwickshire, as he gave the name "Warwick" to his tract of land. When he sold any of this land he invariably stated that it was from his "farm called Warwick."
The men who came with Aske were soon followed by many Connecticut families who sought new homes on the Wawayanda, or Warwick Creek, at the time that others from that State, many of them friends and relatives, were locating on the Susquehanna River in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania – in Connecticut’s Western Reserve.
In 1764 these New Englanders, in Warwick, missed their Church association so much and longed for the preaching they had been accustomed to in their old homes so strongly, that they accordingly took action on the matter as their old records show. I quote from the minutes of their meetings just as they were set down with a quill pen in 1764.
Be it Recorded that the year of our Lord oneTthousand feaven hundred and sixty four The Lord of his infinite mecy and grace Having Begun and Carying on a gloryous work of Souls Being awakened and convered to Jesuf Chrift as we truft and being Deftitute of thofe minifterant Helpt and ordanances that our
Souls now thurfted after and Being perfonally aquainted many of us with James Benedict who was a member of ye Baptis Church of Chrift at Stratfield Connecticut under the paftorial Care of Mr. John Share-wood and said Benedict Being Lifenced by that Church and other minefters to work of the preaching the gofpel a numbar of us joyntly agreaing togather Drew up a leter and fent to Said Benedict to come over and help us which acordingly he did about ye middel of November 1764 and preached about two weeks to our joy and Satisfaction and then returned home again. fome time in Decembar 1764 Mr. Dakin a Regular minsefter of ye Baptis ordor Came over and preached with us and Baptifed tree perfons.
March 1765 - Some time in march 1764 we again fent a mefengar over to said Benedict to come to our help who acordingly Came and brought a church Covanant with him which when we had heard gave felofhip to it it being agreable to our prinfables and fentaments thofe of us that were Baptifed entered into a follom injagment to be the Lords and gave ourfelves to the Lord and to one another by the will of god and figned the Covanant Then we Drew up a Leater of Requeft to the Church at Stratfield to give up a Leater of Requeft to the Church at Stratfield to give said Benedict to us and fent a menfenger with said Leater who Laid said Leater before said Church who gave felowfship to our Requeft and after Due confideration frealy and chearfully gave up said Brother to us and our Watch and Care and fent a Leater of Recommdation to us which we gave fellowfhip to and Brother Benedict gave himfelf up to us and figned the Covenant.
James Benedict was ordained November 7, 1765 and installed as Elder and pastor of the Baptist Church of Warwick. He thus became the first minister and this Church the first church in the Valley.
For eleven years Elder Benedict was the pastor of this flourishing church in the wilderness. During the Revolutionary war his log meeting house stood in a grove of oak trees to the Eastward of the village.
Here the men of Col. Dearboin’s New England Regiment camped on its march from Fish-Kill ferry to Easton, Pa., to join Sullivan’s Expedition against the Indians.
Meanwhile a number of the Elder’s Church members had removed to Westmoreland, attracted by the accounts of that wonderful region.
In 1776 they besought him to follow them to that place and establish a Church, which he accordingly did. There were Benedicts there before his arrival and Blackmans also. Probably near relations. The Elder's wife was Mary Blackman of Green Farms, Conn.
August Ye 1776 The Church Being met together for befnes our Breatheran at Westmoreland or Lacawano Laid a requeft befor the Church reprefenting Their Scaterd Scurcomftances as Sheep not having a Shepherd and Defierd help from This Church and it was agread and Voted to Send our Elder and two other Breatheran to answer to their requeft or to Act in behalf of the Church as they found matters. When they Came There who accordingly went in Defember and finding twelve of our members that w[ere] in Good Standing namely Jonathan Weaks, Samuel Robberds, Danel Cafh, Daniel Roberts, Hezekiah Roberts, Ebenezer Roberts, Ephraim Sanford femails, Abigail Weaks, Abigail Roberts, Mary Roberts, Mary Cafh, Sarah Roberts, with maney others that ware in Good Standing in other Churches, with Six that ware then baptieft to the number of thirty-two a Church was conftetuted at which time thefe twelve members ware Difmeft from the watch Care of this Church and jond with that and at the return of our members we refeved a Letter of there perfeding that gave us full fellofhip.
March 8, 1777 at a Confarance Meating at Starling it was then unanamoufly Voted the Church under the paftorael Care of Eldar James Benedict Showd Remove Before us to that land and we exfpect to follow after as a foone as porvidence will admit Signed in behalf of the Whole Church
Mathias Degarmo John Clark James Howard William Howard David Rogers Philip kecham John Miller Thomas Morgin Arther(?) Youmans John Carr Elifebeth Degermo Matthias Degermo Jr. Rebecah Bates Samuel Robeson Elifebeth Rogers. Philip Robbin Dim Hannah Howard John Barns Elizebeth Robbin Samuel Howard Phebe Robeson Jonathan Stepens Mary Howard Jonathan Silfbe Anner Howard Gerfham Bennit Elifebeth Kapp (Knap?) Chrisftana Silfbe
At a Church meating at Worwick Agust 21 : 1777 after prayer to god for his Direction Decon Silfby was Chosen modarater then profeded to Bifnes and in Confederation of a Vote pafed in the Church March the Eighth for the removel of the Church to Weftmoreland Some of the members Looking on Some tempral Deficatyes war Discureged and thought beft to Stop and not go which put the Elder under Grate Defikalty as to his termeral Intraft the Church Confedraing Same Voted that the Church Should Stop removing Wilst* next Spreing and the Elder to perfed to the advanteg of his tempral Intruft.
Warrack September the Third Day 1778 at our place of publeck Worfhep the Church being met together according to appointment to Confeder of Some votes that had bin pafed in the church before Confarning the Church removeing to Weftmorland where the Elder according to the foremenched votes had bin and being drove of by a Saveg Enemey and the whole Countrey laid in Diffolation which rendered it Impofable for the church to remove at Presant the Elder being returnd he was received by the Church again as a Pafteur and anEelder and he suffering Lofe by the Enemey as to temprals voted in the Church to help to Supply that want by Contrebution
After the Elder had escaped with his family and some of his neighbors after the battle, he returned to Warwick and never went back to Westmoreland except to visit.
He must often have thought longingly of the place where he had planned to make a home not only for himself, but for his Church and people.
But "Providence" did not "admit" as the record says. So his own numerous descendants, together with those of his congregation who were "Expecting to Follow after," never became the loyal citizens of Pennsylvania that they doubtless would have done, and had the Old Elder not been "drove of by a Saveg Enemey."
It is a great pleasure for me to be able to give to the Wyoming Valley Historical and Geological Society these records of my fourth (4th) great grandfather.
Elizabeth C. Van Duzer
(Mrs. G. M. Van Duzer.)
Warwick, New York
This Covenant is owned by his descendant, Miss Fanny Benedict of Warwick, N.Y. No doubt the same covenant was used when eleven years later "The said Benedict" founded the Baptist Church in the Wyoming Valley. In a note on Pittston in appendix, Miner’s "History of Wyoming Valley" is the statement, Rev. James Benedict was first minister there.
Many members of Elder Benedict’s Church lived at Sterling, and occasionally meetings were held at that place.
The last passage transcribed by Mrs. Van Duzer from the original record relates the terrible tragedy at Wyoming, Pennsylvania in 1778 called the Wyoming Massacre. The settlers of Westmoreland were ambushed and murdered by the English and a group of Indian warriors. In many accounts Joseph Brant who was a Christianized Iroquois chief was held responsible for the atrocity that took place that fateful day. These same accounts credit Brant with having given Elder James Benedict and his family safe passage away from the carnage. However, many professional historians have deduced from other written records that Brant had nothing to do with the Wyoming Massacre and was not in the area at the time. The Indians were reacting to the intrusion upon their lands, partnering with the English who were trying to maintain control of the American continent for the Crown during the American Revolution.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note by transcriber – As you read this original account, you will notice the letter F appears where one might install an s instead. A character which literally appears to be an f often appears in these old documents and is quite characteristic in the handwritten script of the time.
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-- From http://albertwisnerlibrary.org/~wisner/Factsandhistory/History/Minisink.htm:
The Battle of Minisink: Col. John Hathorn's Official Report
Click on the picture to access the full sized scan-- it will take a few moments to load Click here to view Page 2 Click here to view Page 3 This official report by Col. Hathorn gives an eyewitness account of the disastrous battle by its commander. The document is owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society as part of the Draper Manuscript Collection. In the late 1800's Lyman Draper collected numerous documents about the Battle of Minisink. Although he never published a book using his research, his work was later drawn upon by Vernon Leslie to write The Battle of Minisink. Also included in this collection are two letters to Draper from one of Col. Hathorn's grandsons . A transcript of the entire document is provided below. Unfortunately, most of Hathorn's personal papers were reportedly burned by family members after his death. See our "John Hathorn's Letters" and "John & Elizabeth Hathorn" pages for more information about Col. Hathorn. Microfilms of the entire collection are available from various agencies. The exact citation for this document is: Draper Manuscript, Vol. 20F Page 35 . Image provided by and used with the permission of the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Transcription
[as it appeared in the Weekly Register, Newburgh NY, July 23, 1879 with corrections from microfilm copies by S. Gardner]
Warwick, 27 July 1779 Sir, In conformity to the Militia Law I embrace this first opportunity to communicate to your Excellency my proceedings on a late tour of duty with my Regiment. On the Evening of the 21st of this incident I received an order from his Excellency General Washington, together with a requisition of the Commissary of Prisoners to furnish one hundred men of my Regiment for to guards the British Prisoners on their way to Easton (?), at the same time received an Express from Minisink that the Indians were ravaging and burning that place. I ordered Three Companies of my regiment—Including the Exempt Company to Parade for the Purpose of the General, the Other Three Companies to March Immediately to Minisink on the 22. I arrived with a part of my people at Minisink, where I found Col. Thurston & Major Meeker of New Jersey with part of their Regiments who had marcht with about forty men the whole amounting to one hundred and Twenty Men Officers Included. A Spy came in and Informed me the Enemy lay about four hours before and Mungaup Six Miles distant from us. Our people appeared in high spirits, we marched in pursuit with and Intention either to fall on them by Surprise or to gain and front and ambush them. We was soon informed that they were on their March up the River. I found it Impracticable to surprise them on the Grounds they now were and took my Rout along the Old Keshethton(?) Path. The Indians Encamped at the Mouth of the halfway brook, we encampted at 12 O'clock at Night at Skinners Saw Mill three Miles and a half from the Enemy where we lay the Remainder of the Night. The Mountains were so exceedingly ragged and high we could not possibly get at them as they had passed the grounds the most favorable for us to attack them on before we could overtake them. Skinners is about eighteen miles from Minnisink. At day light on the morning of the 24 after leaving our horses and disengaging of every thing heavy we marched on with intention to make the attack the moment and opportunity offered. In Indians probable from some discovery they had made of us marched with more alacrity and usually with an intention to get their Prisoners Cattle and plunder taken at Minnisink over the river. They had almost affected getting their Cattle and baggage across when we discovered them at Lacawak, 27 miles from Minnisink some Indians in the river and some had got over. It was determined in council to make an attack at this place. I therefore disposed of the men into three Divisions, ordered Col. Thurston to Command the one on the Right and to take the one on the right and to take post about three hundred yards distance on an eminence to secure our right; sent Col. Wesner with another Division to file out to the left and to dispose of himself in the like manner. In order to prevent the Enemy from gaining any advantage on our flank, the other Division under my Command to attack them with that Vigour Necessary to Strike Terror in such a foe. Capt. Tyler with the Advance Guard unhappily discharged his pierce before the Divisions could be properly posted which put me under the necessity of bringing on the Action. I ordered my Division to fix their Bayonets and push forcibly on them, which order being resolutely executed put the Indians to the utmost confusion great numbers took into the river who fell from the well directed fire of our Rifle men and incessant blaze from our Musketry without returning any fire. The Division in the rear not subject to order broke, some advanced down the hill toward me other fled into the woods. I soon perceived the enemy rallying on our right and recrossing the river to gain the height, I found myself under the necessity to really all my force which by this time was much less that I expected. The enemy by this time had collected in force and from the best accounts can be collected a reinforcement from K? began to fire on our left: We returned the fire and kept up a constant brush firing up the hill from the river in which the brave Capt. Tyler fell, several were wounded. The people being exceedingly fatigued obliged me to take post on a height which proved to be a strong and advantageous ground. The enemy repeatedly drew toward me. These spirits of these few notwithstanding their fatigue, situation, and unallayed thirst, added to that the cruel yelling of those bloody monsters, the seed of Anak in size, exceed thought or description. We defend the ground near three hours and a half during the whole time one blaze without intermission was kept up on both sides. Here we have three men killed and nine wounded. Among the wounded was Lt. Col. Thurston, in the hand, Major Meeker in the shoulder, Adjt. Finch in the Leg., Capt Jones in the foot, and Ensign Wood in the Wrist. The chief of our people was wounded by Angle shots from the Indians behind Rocks and Trees. Our Rifles here were very usefull. I found myself under the necessity of ceasing the fire, our Ammunition from the continued fire of more than five hours naturally suggested that it must be Exhausted, ordered no person to shoot without having his object sure that no short might be lost. This gave spirits to the Enemy who formed their whole strength and force the North East part of our Lines. Here we gave them severe Gaul. Our people not being able to support the lines retreated down the hill precipitately towards the River. The Enemy kept up a constant fire on our Right, which we returned. The people by this time was so scattered I found myself unequal to rally them again consequently every man made choice of his own way. Thus ended the Action. The following are missing in the whole from the last accounts: Col. Ellison's Regiment: Lieut. Col. Thurston Capt. Jones Capt. Wood Capt. Little Capt. Duncan And Twelve privates One private of New Jersey Adjutant Finch Ensign Wood and one private of my own regiment In the whole twenty one men. Several wounded men are in. I hope others will yet be found. I received a wound on my head, one on my leg and one on my thigh. [Slighty] the one on my thigh from Inattention is a little Troublesome. Several spies that lay near the Enemy that night following the action inform me that they moved off their wounded in canoes in the day following; that on the ground where they lay there was great quantities of blood, and the whole encampment was marked with wounded men. Great numbers of plasters and bloody rags was found. Although we suffered by the loss of so many brave men, the best for the number, without sensible error in the Precinct It's beyond doubt the enemy suffered much more. From the various parts of the action can be collected a greater number of Indians dead that we lost, besides their wounded. The number of Indians and Tories is not ascertained. Some accounts say 90 other 120, others 160. Col. Seward of New Jersey, with 93 men, was within five or six miles of the action on the Pennsylvania side, did not hear the firing, approached and lay near the Indians all night following, and from their conduct and groaning of the wounded gave rise to the belief that they had been in some action where they had suffered and would have attacked them round their fire but a mutiny arose among some of his people which prevented – a very unfortunate and to be lamented circumstance. If in their situation he had attacked them with the common smiles of Providence he must have Succeeded and put them to total rout. Dear Governor it's not in my power to paint out to you the disagreeable situation I was In, surrounded by a foe with such a handful of valuable men not only as soldiers but as fellow citizens and members of society, and nothing to be expected but the hatchet, spear, and scalping knife. The tremendous yells and whoops, all the fiends in the confines of the Infernal Regions with one united cry, could not exceed it. Add to this the cries and petitions of the wounded around me not to leave them, was beyond parallel or idea. My heart bleeds for the unfortunate wounded who fell into their hands. However, circumstances give me little consolation. Mr. Roger Townsend of Goshen received a wound in his thigh; exceedingly thirsty, making an attempt to go to some find some water, was met by and Indian who very friendly took him by the hand and said he was his prisoner and would not hurt him. A well-directed ball from one of our men put the Indian into a dose, and Mr. Townsend ran back into the lines. I hope some little humanity may yet be found in the breasts of the savages. I should be at the greatest loss was I to attempt to point any officer or soldier that exceeded another in bravery during the time of the general action. To much praise cannot be given to them for their attention in receiving orders and alacrity in executing them. I have acquiescend with Col. Woodhull in ordering one eighth of our Regiments to Minisink as a temporary guard until your Excellency's pleasure is known on the subject. The Indians were under the command of Brant, who was either killed or wounded in the action. They burnt Major Decker's house and barn, Samuel Davis's house, barn and mill, Jacobus Fleck's house and barn, Daniel Vaneker's barn (here were two Indians killed from a little fort round the house which was saved, Esquire Cuykindall's house and barn, Simon Westfall's house and barn, the Church, Peter Cuykindall's house and barn, Mertinus Decker's fort, house, barn, and saw-mills, and Nehemiah Patterson's saw-mill; killed and scalped Jeremiah Vanoker, Daniel Cole, Ephriam Ferguson and one Tavern and took with them several prisoners mostly children, with a great number of horses, cattle, and valuable plunder. Some of the cattle we rescued and returned to the owners. I hope your Excell'y will make allowance for the imperfect stile, razures and blotts on this line, whilest I have the honor to subscribe myself with the most perfect esteem, in haste, Your Excellencies Most Obt. Servt. John Hathorn, Col.
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