The following transcript from the published Pennsylvania Archives gives the most detail about the probable service of the militia from Hereford Township, Berks County. These letters correspond with the date shown on the receipt Valentine Eckert issued in August 1780 when paying for supplies for Captain Strouse's company.Portion of a 1776 Berks County map showing John Negman's farm. (Large file)
Pennsylvania Archives, Series 1, Volume 8, pp. 529 - 532
Valentine Eckart to V. P. The Hon. Wm. Moore, Esq., 1780
Reading, August 30, 1780
Sir,
By accounts received here on Monday last we are informed that one John Negman who lived at a saw mill on the Road from Reading to Shamokin about three miles above Conrad Minnicks and 33 from Reading, on Sunday last was with his three young children, barbarously murdered by the Indians, a Party of whom, five in number, had been seen on the same Road near Yarnal’s a few days before.
The day after the above murder a House and Barn on little Schuylkill were burned by them but no persons killed.
These occurrences have alarmed the people so much in that neighbourhood that many have already left it and waggons are going up in numbers to fetch off their effects; so that unless some speedy assistance can be given them, the whole settlement over the mountain will be evacuated.
On this occasion I have been applied to for amunition some of which I gave them and Col. Lindemuth, I am told, has marched with a Party to their Relief; But as this may not be sufficient to quiet the apprehensions of the Inhabitants, I must beg the Orders of Council in what manner to proceed and would be glad to know by the Bearer (who is sent Express for the purpose) what measures are intended to be pursued for the Protection of the inhabitants on the Frontier in this & the neighbouring Counties.
I am, Sir, with great Respect, Your very humble servant,
Valentine Eckart, Sub-Lieut of Berks CountyPS. If the militia of Lancaster are not yet all marched it might perhaps be thought best to send us some part for our defence until something more effectual can be fallen upon.
Capt. Dennis Leary to V. P. Moore, 1780
Reading, Sept 1st, 1780
I think it my Duty to inform you that On Sunday last I was alarmed with an account of an attack made by the Indians at a House about a mile from my Post on Schuylkill. I immediately marched thither with four Men and Buried the man of the House and two Children who lay dead, and a little Girl having been carried off by the Indians, The Day following I went in Pursuit of the Enemy with ten men and the same Day joined by Capt. Balty and the next Day by Colonel Lindemuth with about 50 men between them, With these we have scoured the Woods ‘till yesterday noon when we came down to Reading.
Since the first attack a House & Barn have been burned on little Schuylkill, & two Horses taken a little Boy Son of one Shurr is also missing since Tuesday last.
When we came down we left about sixty men at the Different Settlements for whose Subsistance we are accountable.
I must therefore beg the assistance of Council in forwarding such Supplies of men & provisions as will be necessary for defending the post where we are, at least, if not the rest of the Frontier.
These is still a matter to be mentioned which seems a little extraordinary. On Sunday a man and his wife came to join us at the post and the man pretending to be a Carpenter we received them, a few Days after it was discovered that his name was not John Hamilton (as he first called himself) but Niel Tye and his wife sent me a message desiring that I would take Care of myself as he was determined to scalp me, On this I had them bro’t to Reading where the man is now in Gaol.
I am Sir, with great Respect, your very humble servt,
Dennis Leary, Capt. Of Marines.
Pennsylvania Archives, Series 1, Volume 8, pp. 541 - 543
James Wilson to Monsieur Holker, 1780
Philadelphia, 4th Sept, 1780
Sir,
I have this Day received a Letter from Captain Leary, the Superintendant of the Workmen who are employed in cutting Masts up Schuylkill. He informs me that a Body of Tories and Indians have lately made an Incursion into that Neighborhood, and have killed a Man and two Children within a Mile of the Place where he is stationed. He also mentions, that he has been frequently told that the Indians intended to take him and his party. A Detachment of the Militia marched to that part of the Country. They have been kept to secure the Masts which have been cut for the use of the King’s Navy. The Express, who came with Captain Leary’s Letter tells me that a Number of very fine Masts are cut and ready to be hauled to the River. Many more may be procured, if Protections is afforded to the Workmen. It is easy for the Savages to render the Masts useless by cutting or notching them. The same Force that would protect the Workmen will also protect the Inhabitants of that Part of the Country. I know no other Place where Masts can be had without requiring larger Guards than will be necessary at the Place where Captain Leary is. It is of public consequence that the masts already cut should be secured, and that more should be obtained.
I have not the least Doubt but that the Minister Plenipotentiary of France will think it proper to apply, on the Occasion to Congress or to the Supreme Executive Council of the State for a Force sufficient to accomplish those valuable Purposes. I beg you will speedily make the necessary Representation to his Excellency on this Subject.
I have the honor to be with great Esteem Sir your most obedt h’ble Servt,
James Wilson
James Wilson to Monsieur Holker, 1780
Philadelphia, 6th Sept, 1780
Sir,
The Place where the Workmen are employed in cutting Masts is on Schuylkill near the Gap of the second Mountain, and about thirty file Miles above Reading in Berks County. It is, I believe, the most advantageous Pass for covering the frontiers of that Part of Pennsylvania. A guard of sixty or eighty Men, would I presume, be sufficient for the purpose.
I have the Honor to be Sir your very hble Servt,
James Wilson
Admiralty to President Reed, Supreme Executive Council, 1780
Admiralty Office
7th September, 1780Gentlemen:
The board of Admiralty some time in the spring of the present year, agreed with James Wilson Esqr., for Masts for the Navy of the United States, to be cut up the River Schuylkill, and consented that Captain Leary of the Marines should superintend the workmen who were to be employed in that business. On the 4th instant the board received a letter from Capt. Leary dated Reading Sept 1, 1780 informing them that he was intirely interrupted in the important business they were pleased to direct him to perform near the Blue Mountains, by the inroads & depredations of the Savages in that part. That he had represented these matters to the Council of this State, and hoped that the board would use their interest with them as well that the defenceless Inhabitants of the Frontiers might be protected, as to secure those parties work under his direction in that part of the Country.
The board are informed that Masts suitable not only for our Ships, but for those of our Illustrious Ally may be cut in that quarter, that in fact a number of very fine Masts are cut, and ready to be hauled to the river, that many more may be procured in protection should be afforded to the workmen. The same force that would protect the workmen, would also protect the Inhabitants of that part of the Country, and we believe that there is no other place where Masts can be had without requiring larger guards than will be necessary at the place where Capt Leary is. A company of fifty or sixty might be sufficient for the purpose.
Sensible of the importance of procuring Masts for the purposes mentioned, we do not doubt but that you will furnish a force sufficient for the protection of the workmen employed in the necessary business.
We have the honor to be with great respect your obedt Humble Servants,
Fra. Lewis, by order