Ohio History Journal

146        Ohio Arch. and His Society Publications.

COLONEL THOMAS CRESAP.*

BY MRS. MARY LOUISE CRESAP STEVENSON.

To write the history of Colonel Thomas Cresap is to write

the Colonial History of Maryland and Virginia and more or less

of Ohio. To recount the story of these colonies is, to tell the

story of the Revolution.

The rehearsal of that noble struggle would involve much of

the history of the great powers of Europe and you might con-

clude, we were like Tennyson's brook, and would 'go on for-

ever.' Therefore, we will try to give you only a snap shot at the

life and times of our hero. We will give you items here and

there, and leave you to develop the composite picture.

We believe, that when William the Norman invaded Eng-

land, he found the family of our hero on the ground. His char-

acteristics were essentially of the sturdy, faithful, "Cedric, the

Saxon" type! His family was ever loyal to country and flag.

Kings came and went, and the days of Edward III and the

Black Prince arrived. The British Lion was just the same, then

as now, only at that time, it was France, instead of South Africa

he was reaching for. The day of the famous "Battle of Cressy"

(1346) dawned, when Philip of Valois had 100,000 soldiers and

the victorious English only 30,000. Among these, it is said, was

the ancestor of our hero, Col. Cresap; and for great bravery on

that renowned field his family name, whatever it may have pre-

vionsly been, for we cannot now definitely learn, was changed

to "Cressy." In due course of evolution (there is nothing new

under the sun, not even the doctrine of evolution) the name be-

came "Cresap."

Notice the first characteristics we discern in the heredity

of our hero, are loyalty and bravery. Loyalty to his country

though she was reaching for the lilies of France and playing a

*This paper on the life of Thomas Cresap was read by Mrs. Stevenson, a

double descendant of Colonel Cresap, at the Eluathan Scofield Reunion held at

the residence of Mr. Frank Tallmadge, Columbus, Ohio, August 7, 1901. Mrs.

Stevenson is a resident of Dresden, Ohio.-[ED.]

Colonel Thomas Cresap.               147

landgrab game. The family have been ready to fight "pro patria"

ever since, and their coat of arms is a mailed head, and uplifted

right arm; Head in Armor, brains and bravery.

Years rolled on; the glorious protectorate of Cromwell was

over and Charles II, came to the throne in 1660. This was a

Revolutionary epoch. A little boy came to a Manor house in

Yorkshire about 1671, who was destined to outlive that merry

monarch, and several of his successors viz. James II, William and

Mary, Queen Anne, George I, George II and into the reign of

George III, some 17 years. The Yorkshire boy proved to be a

sturdy youth. James II oppressed the people-preparing for

another Revolution, and many came to the Colonies to escape the

religlious upheaval and the power of the Vatican. Among these

we find our hero, Thomas Cresap, in the year 1686- at the age

of 15.

We have said those were stirring times and a Revolutionary

epoch! Let us leave our hero, and glance at the times. In

Cresap's day Louis XIV "Revoked the Edict of Nantes" and

scattered the best families of France to Germany, England and

our colonies! In Cresap's day, Louis XV said, "After us the

deluge," and proceeded to prepare the way for the French Revo-

lution, that awful flood which swept the throne of his great grand-

son Louis XVI out of existence! In Cresaps' day Peter the

Great went to school in Holland and taught his people; revolu-

tionizing Russia! In Cresap's day Peter's widow, Catherine,

Empress of Russia, assisted Frederick the Great and the Em-

peror of Austria in the dismemberment of Poland, each nation

picking up a piece, much as the European nations now are looking

for curios - seeking rare bits of China! During his life the great

Empress, Maria Theresa, settled the Revolution in her empire and

secured the throne of her fathers. So we might continue with the

revolution in Spain and the war of the Spanish succession and so

on indefinitely.

But we return to our hero, Col. Cresap. He had just arrived

in the Colonies and brought with him his bravery, love of country

and loyalty. He settled in Maryland, and began to "grow up

with the country. He became an Indian trader, like the Astors

and some other notables. He married a wife (Hannah Johnson)

148       Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

and astutely settled at Havre de Grace, thus having the rich valley

of the Susquehanna and the fur-bearing wilderness on the one

hand and the Chesapeake Bay on the other, ready to float his furs

to market.

He had a sterling honesty, that made and kept friends.

Daniel Dulany was his early and life-long friend. Col. Cresap's

oldest son was named for this " Daniel" Dulany, and the many

Daniels in the Cresap clan testify not only to the Colonel's faculty

of faithfulness, but to the heredity of the quality. Once a friend

always a friend. Charles Calvert, the first Protestant Lord Bal-

timore, but fifth of the title was Cresap's earnest friend through

life, and the feeling was reciprocated. Col. Cresap also made

friends with the Indians and they used frequently to visit in

the early days at his house, and called him "Brother Cresap."

He prospered at Havre de Grace and accumulated a large quantity

of furs, which he shipped for England. Unfortunately, the

French captured the ship and furs. Cresap must begin over.

Nothing daunted, he went further into the wilderness, hoping

for better fortune and quicker returns. He obtained a Maryland

patent for 500 acres of land, up the Susquehanna, and built a

stone house. Here he expected to reside. But, "the best laid

plans of mice and men aft gang agley."

The Kings of England were exceedingly ignorant of the

geography of this country. Much trouble and sore distress to the

Colonist were the results of this ignorance. They suffered from

"over-lapping grants."  These were frequently given; we will

speak only of the grants of Maryland and Pennsylvania. These

"Grants" were full of high-sounding phrases--and the land

granted was always worded--extending "West to the Pacific

Ocean," so generous (?) were the kings, and so little did they

know how far off the Pacific might be.

The original grant of Maryland had been promised to George

Calvert, first Lord Baltimore, by James I, but it was really given

to Cecil Calvert, second Lord Baltimore, by Charles I, in 1632.

The settlers were brought in 1645 by his brother, Leonard Calvert.

The title to the Province was confirmed, after the restoration

of the Stuarts, by Charles II, July 31st, 1661, to Charles Calvert,

fifth Lord Baltimore (who was Col. Cresap's friend), and the

Colonel Thomas Cresap.               149

grant took in Maryland's present boundary and the whole of the

40th degree of latitude. This same monarch, " who never said a

foolish thing, and never did a wise one," settled his indebtedness

to William Penn, by issuing another grant to him, which included,

a large amount of the territory already given to Lord Baltimore!

What a just and liberal king! As Penn's grant was dated March

4th, 1681, or 20 years later than Lord Baltimore's, it does not re-

quire a "Philadelphia lawyer" nor an Ohio one either, to foresee

the trouble and friction that would follow. Thomas Cresap's new

stone house and his 500 acres of choice land, were situated up the

Susquehanna (at Wright's Ferry, near the present town of

Columbia, Penn.), and in the disputed territory claimed by the

Penns.

Our hero naturally, and warmly, espoused the cause of his

friend, Lord Baltimore. Certainly, to the unprejudiced and just

eye of to-day, Lord B. had the prior and the correct claim.

Cresap to his latest day, said-" If the son and successor of

Lord Baltimore had pursued the proper course, Maryland would

have been the richer, by a large strip of territory," perhaps one-

third of Pennsylvania. Once when asked what he thought of

Philadelphia?  He answered promptly-"Why, it is the finest

city in the State of Maryland."

While the Baltimores and Penns were settling their contro-

versy, Cresap must be about the business of life. So at a great

sacrifice of house, land and improvements, he went West as far

as Antietam. There he again took out a patent for land of

1400 acres. He built another stone house, a kind of fort,

inclosing a spring, for use in case of trouble with the savages.

This he sold later to his friend, Daniel Dulany. Another

friend Lord Baltimore persuaded him, then, to go to the western

frontier. Scharf gives the reason: "This Thomas Cresap, usually

called the "English Colonel," was a much trusted friend and

agent of the fifth Lord Baltimore, and was sent to the west por-

tion of the Province to guard his interests against Lord Fairfax.

It was another case of overlapping grants. Thomas Cresap is

named in the 'Treaty of the Six Nations,' with the Province of

Maryland. (Dated June 30th, 1744.) The family of Colonel

Cresap (writes the historian), was therefore one of the oldest

Colonel Thomas Cresap.              151

Providence placed Col. Cresap at the head of an army,

state or kingdom, he would have been a more conspic-

uous character, for he was not inferior to his contempora-

ries, Charles XII, of Sweden, in personal bravery, nor to Peter the

Great, whom in many things he much resembled, viz: in coolness

and fortitude and in that particular talent of learning wisdom from

misfortune and levying a tax upon damage and loss, to raise him

to future prosperity and success." Perhaps no trait in Colonel

Cresap's character was more highly estimated than his benevo-

lence and hospitality. In early times when hotels were few and

indifferent, Col. Cresap's house was open to all respectable

travelers, and they were made welcome to his table at Skipton

or Oldtown, as it was called later. His delight was to give and

receive useful information. This friendly disposition and warm

hospitality was not limited to the whites. The Indians called on

him in large parties, as they passed and re-passed North

and South on their expeditions. He kept a very large kettle for

their especial use and gave them a beef to kill for themselves,

each time they called; for his liberality to them, they gave him

the honorable title of the "Big Spoon." The Indian Guide Ne-

macolin, had so strong an affection for Col. Cresap and his family,

that he spent much time there, and when he finally went away,

he brought them  his son, "George", to raise, and "Indian

George" lived and died in the Colonel's family.

Col. Cresap had a vigorous and comprehensive mind, and

was called to fill many public offices. He was County Surveyor

of Prince George's County, which then included, also, Montgom-

ery, Frederick, Washington, Allegheny and Garrett Counties.

He frequently represented this district in the Provincial or State

Assembly. And says Jacobs: " For clearness of understanding,

soundness of judgment and firmness of mind, he was esteemed

one of their best members." He served well his Province and

Nation, and through his services his descendants may be " Colon-

ial Dames;" or, " Sons and Daughters of the Revolution."

Colonel Cresap had a fine constitution, and lived to be 106

years old. When 70 years old, he made the voyage back to En-

gland. Those were not the days of Ocean Greyhounds. A voy-

age then, meant much physical endurance and inconvenience, in

152      Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

1741, or 160 years ago. At the age of 100 he went partly by

sea and partly by land to Nova Scotia on business with a rela-

tive, Col. O'Ferrell, who a was a Colonel of the 22nd Regt. of

Infantry in Braddock's campaign, and returned safely without a

palace car.

BOUNDARY LINES.

While in London, at the age of 70, Colonel Cresap was com-

missioned by his friend, Lord Baltimore, to survey the Western

Boundary of Maryland, to decide which was the most Westerly

Branch of the Potomac - the North or the South Branch, a mat-

ter of dispute between Lord Baltimore and Lord Fairfax. The

survey was completed and Cresap drew the first map ever made

of these North and South Branches of the Potomac, showing the

course of the streams. And Cresap's survey, according to a Bal-

timore paper we saw last summer, is still the legal boundary of

Maryland. This map can be seen in Baltimore, as it is still ex-

tant. It was sent to Gov. Sharpe and is attested by his secretary,

Horatio Rideout, and on the map is this endorsement, by the son

of the Secretary (Henry Rideout): "The Cresaps will be re-

membered forever."

THE OHIO COMPANY.*

We said Col. Cresap " had renewed his friendship with the

Washington family," which began in early life. In 1749, a small

company of gentlemen of wealth and influence in Maryland and

Virginia (and a few in London), formed an organization called

"The Ohio Company." Among these men, were Gen. Wash-

ington, Col. George Mason and Col. Thomas Cresap. (Mason

and Dixon's line was called from Col. Mason).

To quote from the historians: " There can be no doubt that

the exertions and influence of this Company, accelerated the ex-

plorations and settlements of the West. They were in fact the

Corps of Pioneers, that opened the way to that immense flood

of population we now see, spreading like a torrent to the Pa-

cific Ocean. The nation is under obligation to this company and

especially to the bold and enterprising spirit of Col. Cresap, for

an early knowledge and acquisition of the country west of the

Allegheny mountains."

*This was the first Ohio Company not the later one that settled Marietta, 1788-ED.

Colonel Thomas Cresap.               153

In 1750 this company built a small stone house at

"Wills Creek," Cumberland, and stocked it with goods, for the

purpose of trading with the Indians, and the following year, one

of their number-Colonel Thomas Cresap, laid out and marked

a road from Wills Creek to the mouth of the Monongahela, now

Cumberland to Pittsburg. Col. Cresap with his usual judgment

called in an Indian to assist him, old Nemacolin. Scharf says-

"The work was so well done, and the route so well chosen, that

General Braddock with his army, afterward pursued this route,

which thence forward was called 'Braddock's road.'" Scharf

adds-"Col Cresap was one of the earliest settlers of Maryland,

and without exaggeration, was one of the most remarkable men of

his day." It should have been called "Cresap's road" but perhaps

the sad fate of Gen. Braddock, it being the last road he ever

traveled, helped to fix his name upon it. When the great "national

road," the wonder of its day, was built across the mountains, it too,

almost exactly followed Cresap's road. How glad would Col. Cre-

sap have been to have looked upon the magnificent arches of

solid masonry, across ravines and rivers, which still testify to

the splendid quality of the work done, over 60 years ago, and to

have looked upon the streams of travel and the relays of coaches,

changing every twelve miles, coaches which carried our earlier

Presidents to Washington. And then to have seen the railroads,

with millions of traffic. In laying out this road Col. Cresap was

a public benefactor, and worked for posterity and his name for

that should never be forgotten.

Soon after the road was completed to Pittsburg, the Ohio

Company made a settlement there, at their own expense. His-

torians tell us, the peace supposed to have been assured by the

"treaty of Utrecht 1713" was broken constantly, if not consecu-

tively. On this side the water, our poor colonists realized that

it was war off and on, for nearly 100 years. It was called vari-

ously, "Old French and Indian war," King James', King Wil-

liam's, Queen Anne's, Braddock's and Dunmore's war-but it was

all horrid war. Our own Sherman named it rightly -"War is

hell." The sufferings that our ancestors endured, that we might

enjoy our free, glorious country, we can never rightly understand

or appreciate. France and England were ever striving for su-

154       Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

premacy. France spared no effort to crush England, and claimed

nearly everything-and to hold it, enlisted the savages as her

allies, a measure which produced suffering unspeakable to our

ancestors-which would make the blood run cold even in this

July weather to relate. This we do know, England never would

have conquered France and wrested from her the Canadas but

for the colonies who loyally stood by her, and enabled her to hear

the shout "they fly, they fly," at the siege of Quebec.

England's grant, of 600,000 acres of land to the "Ohio Com-

pany"-("on the south side of the Ohio River, between the Mo-

nongahela and Kanawha rivers, and west of the Alleghenies,,), re-

opened the struggle. By the charter the Ohio Company was to

select its lands immediately. Soon after the Company made

its settlement at Pittsburg, the French with 1000 men fell upon

the defenseless works and took them, and called the place Fort

Duquesne. (April 1753.) Then they seized and pillaged the

trading posts of the Ohio Company all along the frontier, and

roused the savages against the English colonists. It was then,

that Gov. Dinwiddie of Virginia, sent Washington to the "Com-

mandant at Pittsburg to remonstrate with him and to demand

the evacuation of the territory (Oct. 31, 1753.). The demands

of Virginia, delivered by Washington were not granted. Noth-

ing was left but war.

Gov. Dinwiddie then summoned together, the "House of

Burgesses," and sent a note to the British Secretary of State,

(Earl of Holderness) "stating the precarious, and dangerous con-

dition of the western frontier," as the western part of Maryland,

Virginia and Pennsylvania was then called. He also issued circu-

lar letters to all the English colonies, "to repel by force all at-

tempts by the French, to intrude upon the settlements within the

colonies." Then the Maryland Assembly met, and they decided, that

they were resolutely determined to repel any hostile invasion by

any foreign power."

General Washington came to Fort Cumberland on a tour of

inspection, and also visited Col. Cresap, his old friend, at his

fortress home of Old Town. Departing, after having inspected

the frontier, Washington left Col. Innes (the son-in-law of Col.

Cresap) at Fort Cumberland, in charge of the forces.  Gov

Colonel Thomas Cresap.              155

Sharpe again called the "Maryland Assembly" together which

appropriated 6,000 pounds, "for his Majesty's use for the de-

fense of the colony of Virginia, attacked by French and Indians,

and for the relief of the wives and children of the colonists, who

put themselves under the care of the Government, etc."

On the passage of this act, Governor Sharpe immediately

notified Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, who recommended

"that Maryland raise a company of soldiers, to act in conjunc-

tion with the forces under Col. Innes, now at Cumberland."

Thereupon Gov. Sharpe issued a Commission to "Captain

Thomas Cresap, later called Colonel," who, writes the Governor,

"had behaved himself at all times, as a good servant of the Gov-

ernment, to raise a company of riflemen to serve beyond the

Alleghenies" July 2₅th, 1754. This Commission antedated Gen-

eral Braddock's arrival at Fort Cumberland by some months, as

he did not reach that fort until May 10th, 1755. Scharfe relates

"When Gen. Braddock arrived at Fort Cumberland he

found a large body of troops there, and among the officers, were

those present, who afterwards distinguished themselves in the

Revolution, viz: Thomas Cresap, Hugh Mercer, George Wash-

ington, Daniel Morgan, Horatio Gates and Thomas Gage."

The Indians were by this time laying waste all the frontier

settlements, instigated by the French. The family of Cresap, was

in a perilous situation, so he removed them to Conscocheage for

safety, but on the way was attacked by a party of Indians. They

were soon dispersed however, and he was not further molested.

Many families fled to Frederickstown and others to Baltimore.

After placing his family in safety, Col. Cresap obedient to Gov.

Sharpe, raised a company of volunteer riflemen, and among

them were two of his own sons, and marched to attack and repel

the Indians. This was April 23rd, 1756. We will quote from

the Maryland Gazette verbatim-"When they reached the mount-

ains, a little east of what is now Frostburgh, they saw a party of

Indians advancing. One of the riflemen firing too soon, alarmed

the Indians, and they fled as fast as they could into the thickets,

leaving their horses, and baggage which our people took and

brought off. Among their baggage, one white scalp was found.

156      Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

Colonel Cresap's son, Thomas Cresap Jr., chased one of the In-

dians nearly a mile, and gained on him, the Indian saw, he would

be overtaken, and they both fired at once. Young Cresap was

wounded, with a bullet and 7 buckshot, the bullet going through

his breast; the others coming up, he said, "Pursue the enemy,

don't mind me, I am a dead man," and he dropped down dead!

The Savage was also mortally wounded, but not yet dead, so

they dispatched him, with a tomahawk. They then buried the body

of young Cresap, as privately as possible, to preserve his scalp,

and the mountain where this tragedy occurred, has ever since

been called "Savage Mountain." His death was lamented by all

who knew him, he was a young widower, and left a little daughter.

From this wee lassie, only child of Thomas Cresap. Jr., are still

many descendants, and among the noblest in the land, and some

of them are present to-day, projectors of this re-union, being also

descendants of Judge Schofield.

The war was raging in earnest now. It might have been

settled, but abroad it was waged with fury by most of the Euro-

pean powers, and called there, the "Seven Years War." France

and England were fighting and the others joined in for various

reasons. Empress "Maria Theresa" allied herself with France

instead of England, because France had a grudge against Prussia,

and she hoped France would help recover "Silesia"-stolen by

the Great Frederick. Empress Elizabeth of Russia-daughter of

Peter the Great, fough twith them, zealously, against Prussia and

England, because Frederick had said of her, "Elizabeth is entirely

too fat and orthodox, and has not an ounce of nun in her com-

position." And so, because of revenge, and wounded vanity, and

stolen provinces and the coveting of one another's territory, by

these Kings, Queens, Emperors and Empresses-thousands of

miles away, our colonists on this side of the ocean must meet

death, by torture and scalping knife, and be burned in their

homes by yelling, painted savages. We would not go into the

horrid details, but the Indians claimed "that they took '50 white

scalps' for every Indian killed."

June 30th, 1756, Col. Cresap and his party, had another

skirmish with the savages. He had not forgotten the lamented

sleeper on Savage Mountain; he enlisted another company of

Colonel Thomas Cresap.                157

volunteers, taking with him his two surviving sons Daniel and

Michael and a gigantic negro servant, belonging to him.

This time they advanced into the wilderness as far as a

mountain, a mile west of Grantsville. There, they met the In-

dians; a fight took place and the negro Goliath was slain,

and the mountain has been "Negro Mountain" ever since. An-

other mountain is connected with the ramily of Col. Cresap. It is

called "Dan's Mountain" and its summit "Dan's Rock." It was

named for Daniel Cresap, oldest son of Col. Cresap, because of a

daring and brave hunting exploit in his early youth, and it will

wear his name forever. It is near Rawling's Station, where stands

also Daniel's stone house. Dan's Mountain, though rugged, steep

and difficult of ascent is much frequented by tourists, but they

do not ascend on foot as Daniel marched up it. So the very

mountains testify to the bravery of Col. Cresap and his family.

The troubles of our colonists increased. October 10th, 1755.

the frontier men, gathered at Col. Cresap's and strengthened his

Block House for defense. Gov. Sharpe then ordered into service,

the militia of the eastern counties too. His order reads-"The

troops are to march to Frederick, where James Dixon, will fur-

nish them provision for five days, thence to the mouth of the

Conecocheague where George Ross will furnish subsistence for

eight days, or until they can reach Col. Cresap's, where they are to

assist in the protection of the frontier!"  Once at Col. Cresap's,

the Governor seemed to know that they would be provided without

any special command. Still the war raged, and in large scalp-

ing parties the Indians were ravaging the whole frontier. It was

a concerted attack, and Washington wrote thus: "Another temp-

est has broken out on the frontier and the alarm spreads wider

than ever. In short the inhabitants are so apprehensive of danger,

that no families remain above Conecocheague road, and many

are gone from below. The harvests are lost, and the distresses

of the settlements are evident and manifold." On the 10th of

July 1763, Col. Cresap wrote Gov. Sharpe for aid and men to assist

in repelling the savages. Said "his fort was filled with distressed

families who had fled to his stockade for safety, and they were all

in hourly danger of being butchered, unless relief was afforded."

His letter is a vivid picture of the sufferings of our ancestors, and,

158         Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

is still in existence, preserved by the Historical Society of Mary-

land, and we herewith produce a certified copy;

OLD TOWN July 15th 1763.

May it Please your Excellency

I take this opportunity in the hight of Confusion to acquaint you

with our unhappy & most wretched Situation at this time being in Hourly

Expectation of being Massicread by our Barberous & Inhuman Enemy the

Indians we having been three days Successively Attacked by them viz.

the 13, 14 & this Instant on the 13th as 6 men were shocking some wheat

in the field 5 Indians fired on them & Killed one but was prevented

Scalping him by one of the other men firing on them as they Came to

do it & others Running to their assistance. On the 14 5 Indians Crep up

to & fired on about 16 men who were Sitting & walking under a Tree

at the Entrance of my Lane about 100 yards from My House but on

being fired at by the white men who much wounded Some of them they

Immediately Runn off & were followed by the white men about a Mile

all which way was great Quantitys of Blood on the Ground the white

men got 3 of their Bundles Containing Sundry Indian Implements & Goods

about 3 Hours after Several gunns were fired in the woods on which a

Party went in Quest of them & found 3 Beaves Killed by them, the In-

dians wounded one man at their first fire tho but slightly. On this Instant

as Mr. Saml. Wilder was going to a house of his about 300 yards Distant

from mine with 6 men & Several women the Indians Rushed on them

from a Rising Ground but they Perceiving them Coming, Run towards

my House hollowing which being heard by those at my house they Run

to their Assistance & met them & the Indians at the Entrance of my lane

on which the Indians Immediately fired on them to the Amount of 18 or

Twenty & Killed Mr. Wilder, the Party of white men Returned their fire

& Killed one of them dead on the spot & wounded Severall of the Others

as appeared by Considerable Quantitys of Blood Strewed on the Ground

as they Run off which they Immediately did & by their leaving behind

them 3 Gunns one Pistol & Sundry other Emplements of warr &c &c.

I have Inclosed a List of the Disolate men women & Children who

have fled to my House which is Inclosed by a Small Stockade for Safety

by which youl See what a number of Poor Soals destitute of Every Neces-

sary of Life are here penned up & likely to be Butchered without Imme-

diate Relief & Assistance & Can Expct none unless from the Province

to Which they Belong. I shall Submit to your wiser Judgment the Best

& most Effectual method for Such Relief & shall Conclude with hoping

we shall have it in time

I am Honnourable Sir

Your most Obedt. Servt.

THOS. CRESAP.

Colonel Thomas Cresap.               159

P. S. those Indians who Attacked us this day are part of that Body

which went to the Southward by this way In Spring which is Known by

one of the Gunns we now got from them

The Maryland Gazette of July 1₉th, 1763, says: Fred-

ericktown has contributed to the support of men to be added to

Col. Cresap's force, as we look upon the preservation of Cresap's

Fort at Old Town, to be of utmost importance to us, and a proper

check to the ravages of the Indians, and to keep the enemy at a

distance, and thus, shelter the whole province." July 21st, 1763,

the "Maryland Gazette" mentions "Cresap is not yet cut off,"

and later reports "ten men more were sent to his assistance.

The "Seven Years' War" ended in Europe, and with the

ceding of Canada to England by France on this side the sea.

(Sept. 1763.) Peace smiled on our long suffering colonists for

a few months. Then England forgot it was colonial valor

enabled her to conquer the Canadas; so, lest the colonies grow

too strong, she began to oppress and repress them. In just a

year and a half or March 22nd, 1765, the odious "Stamp Act,"

was proclaimed. The colonies rebelled. In Frederickstown, the

Stamp distributor, was burned in effig.  The Governor called

the "Provincial Assembly" together. Among those present from

Frederick County, which then constituted western Maryland, the

first one named is Col. Cresap.

This "Assembly" adopted resolutions against the "Stamp Act."

They did not stop with that. Feeling was too high. In October,

1765, "The Sons of Liberty" organized under the leadership of

Col. Thomas Cresap. Nov. 30th, the "Sons of Liberty" assembled

at the house of Samuel Swearingen, whose two sisters "Ruth"

and "Drusilla," married Col. Cresap's sons Daniel and Thomas,

and whose daughter Elizabeth, wedded the Col.'s grandson, Daniel

Cresap Jr.; (afterwards a Colonel in the Revolution). From the

residence of Samuel Swearingen, the "Sons of Liberty" marched,

two and two, taking up the coffin containing the "Stamp Act"

at exactly three o'clock, with drums, and banners, and civic officers,

and a figure in a chariot representing the Stamp Agent, (who

is named), and placards containing more truth, than compliments;

they marched through the principal streets, and arrived at the

gallows, on the Court House green, where the "Stamp Act" was

160       Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

buried under the gallows, amid loud huzzas. Then one of the

"Sons of Liberty" read a paper, taken from the bosom of the

figure, in a loud voice, purporting to be the Confession and last

wishes of the Stamp distributor. After filling up the grave, the

acclamations were repeated and the procession re-formed, and

marched back to Samuel Swearingen's, where an elegant supper

was prepared, and a ball given to the ladies, who made a brilliant

appearance, and many loyal and patriotic toasts were drunk, and

the whole concluded with the utmost decorum."  The result was,

the Stamp Act was soon rendered null and void in Maryland for-

ever, for through the influence of these Sons of Liberty, their

leader Col. Cresap, the Provincial Court of Maryland, March

31st, 1766 rescinded it. True, England repealed it March 18th,

but the news did not reach Maryland till May 22nd, 1766, and it

was already dead and buried. From this on, the mutterings of

the coming tempest or cyclone were heard. Lord Dunmore's

war broke out, instigated it is now believed by him and his agent,

with a view to the future enlistment of the Indians against the

colonists. He was an inveterate foe to the Revolution, and fore-

saw the inevitable, and used his power as Governor of Virginia

later on for Great Britain, and hoped by and through the aid of

the Indians-to weaken the much enduring colonists.

At all events, the Indians were on the warpath again, de-

stroying the settlements and butchering the inhabitants.

Lord Dunmore formally declared war April 21st, 1774,

though Governor of Virginia, he sent a Captain's Commission to

Cap. Michael Cresap dated June 10th, 1774, in spite of the fact

that the latter was a resident of Maryland.

As many petitions had reached Capt. Cresap from various

sections of the frontier, to come to their aid he accepted Lord

Dunmore's Commission; raised a company and joined Maj. Angus

McDonald's command, and marched with them to attack the In-

dians, at their strong town of "Waccatomica," on the Muskingum,

where Dresden (Ohio) now stands. Like his father, old Col.

Thomas Cresap, Capt. Michael Cresap was ever ready to obey his

country's call. He was so popular, and so many men flocked to

his standard that after his own company was full, he filled com-

pletely that of his nephew, Capt. Michael Cresap, Jr., and partly

Colonel Thomas Cresap.               161

the company of Capt. Hancock Lee. They did their duty and con-

quered the Indians again, and Dunmore's war ended in October,

1774. It however was only the precursor of the Revolution. The

troubles with England had increased, the "tax on tea," the "Bos-

ton Massacre," and "Boston Port Bill," had exasperated the

people.

So Frederick County had another convention, June 20th,

1774, and here again, we find our aged hero, Col. Cresap. This

convention suggested calling together the colonies. On the

22nd of June, there was a general convention at Annapolis, and

Cresap was a delegate there, and Maryland propsed the first Con-

tinental Congress, and elected the first set of delegates. The 18th

of November, at Fredericktown was another meeting and Col.

Cresap is present. Jan. 24th, 1775, a county convention held at

Frederick. Col. Cresap is there, and is named as one of the "Com-

mittee of Observation" to carry the resolves of the American

Congress into execution, and to raise money for arms and ammu-

nition. The Provincial Convention had ordered $10,000, a large

sum of money, to be collected. A subscription was to be opened

in every "hundred" in all the counties. For Skipton Hundred,

we find three names, and one is that of our aged hero, Col. Cresap.

The money collected was to be paid over March 2₃rd 1775,

just in time too, for April 19th "the shot was fired at Lexington

that echoed round the world," and set the colonies aflame with in-

dignation and patriotism.

The Maryland "Sons of Liberty" including Col. Cresap, were

all activity. They held meetings, and enlisted for service on the

field and at home. The heroic Colonel, so long called the "Eng-

lish Colonel," always foremost for liberty, justice, and loyalty,

was now too aged to go himself, but, urged his sons and grand-

sons to take up arms and march to the front.

The Second Continental Congress, sent word to Maryland,

"you will get experienced officers, and the very best men that can

be procured, as well, from affection to the service, as for the honor

of the Province." In consequence of this command Maryland

issued her first commission to Cap. Michael Cresap, the third son

of the brave Col. Cresap. Says Scharf: "Cresap's company

Vol. X-11.

162       Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

of riflemen was the first from the South to reach Cam-

bridge and join General Washington. After traveling 550 miles

over the rough and difficult roads of that period, they arrived

at their destination the ₉th of August, making the march in 22

days, without losing a man. His riflemen were enrolled at Rox-

bury in Washington's command, August 1₃th." A letter from

a gentleman of Fredericktown to Baltimore, July 19, 1775 says:

"Capt. Cresap with his brave company have marched-I need not

say anything of Capt. Cresap's undaunted courage. Not an Amer-

ican but knows him to be an intrepid warrior, and of course he

knows his men and has called them from the many." So pop-

ular was Capt. Michael Cresap that he enlisted enough for two

companies; he made his selection and kept 130; the rest were

added to other companies in the Regiment.

Colonel Cresap promised Capt. Michael to look after his wife

and little ones, and was exceedingly active in every way in helping

our country's cause. He stirred up three of his grandsons to also

go to the front in their Uncle's company.

We might quote from Brantz Mayer of Baltimore, be-

fore the Historical Society of Maryland.

"I have had the happiness of seeing Capt. Michael Cresap

marching at the head of a formidable company of upward 130

men, from the mountains, painted like Indians, and armed with

tomahawks and rifles, and dressed in their hunting shirts and moc-

casins and though some of them have traveled nearly 800 miles,

from the banks of the Ohio River, they seemed to walk as light,

and with as much spirit, as the first hour of their march." He then

describes their wonderful dexterity in rifle practice, standing up,

lying down, bending in a circle, in any position, and adds: "I

had the opportunity of attending the captain during his stay in

town, and observing the behavior of his men, and his manner

of treating them. It seems, all who go to war under him, not

only pay the most willing obedience to him, as commander, but

look to him in trouble as their friend and father, and he treated

them with kindness without losing his dignity. Among his men

were Michael Cresap Jr., Daniel Cresap Jr., and Joseph Cresap,

his nephews. Daniel Cresap Jr., became a Colonel and the others

were Lieutenants. The old Colonel was soon bereft of his son

Colonel Thomas Cresap.              163

Capt. Michael who died in the service, but he felt then as ever,

"it is sweet and glorious to die for one's country."

The old Colonel did not live to know the victory at Yorktown,

but saw it with the eye of faith, and never for a moment doubted

our ultimate triumph, and he labored for the cause of liberty and

country while he lived. His name is still held in reverence for

his brave achievements and sufferings which have helped to make

this great nation. All honor to him and his compatriots!

Col. Cresap's voice has echoed in the halls of Congress

through his descendants. On the Judge's Bench, and from the

legal forums, and in Legislative Assemblies, in most of our

States, including our own Ohio, his descendants have served with

the hereditary wisdom, for which he was so esteemed in the As-

semblies of the Province and State of Maryland.

His bravery did not expire on the battle fields of the Revo-

lution. In the War of 1812 through later Cresaps, his blood

flowed on the "Essex" upon the sea, and on the land too it was

shed.

In the Grand Army of the Republic, they marched with Sher-

man to the Sea. With Grant at Vicksburg, Shiloh and Appo-

mattox were many of his posterity, serving through the war, from

lieutenants in rank to generals. The commanding general of the

battle of Inka, and who served with honor through the war and

had charge of the Southwest Division later, was a grandson of

Col. Daniel Cresap of the Revolution, and great grandson of Col.

Thomas Cresap our aged hero, and he served until on "Fame's

eternal camping ground" he slept. (Gen. Edward Otho Cresap

Ord.)

In Cuba and Manila and in the home land, his children's

children to the seventh generation, fight for "old glory," and sup-

port the cause he loved and for which he suffered; the cause

of liberty, loyalty, country. Still his characteristics follow his

descendants. Among the promotions to higher rank, made this

month by President McKinley in the Regular Army, were some

of Col. Cresap's descendants. What must have been the strong

remarkable character of Col. Cresap, who could so impress upon

his children to the seventh generation, his honesty, integrity, be-

164       Ohio Arch. and His. Society Publications.

nevolence, wisdom, courage, patriotism, loyalty to country and

to friends!

Up San Juan hill that awful day, we hear the voice of the

brave old Colonel in one of his latest descendants. "All who are

brave follow me," he would rush, upward and onward, shouting

that cry and leading his men, then rest a few moments, and again

that young voice would ring out-"All who are brave follow me,"

calling to his men, then run ahead again-"All who are brave

follow me," when nearly at the top and in the moment of victory,

it is also the spirit of his ancestor Col. Cresap, the "bravest and

tenderest" which impels him, as he regards a wounded Spaniard

with pitying eye, to turn to his men with the order-"Take that

Spaniard and carry him behind the block house, out of the fire,"-

he was just in range and also in danger of being trampled to death

and, continues one of the men who received the command, "The

scoundrel listened, and then pulling out his pistol poked it in our

Lieutenant's face, and killed him on the spot, the brave boy, we

had been following all day, and, who in the moment of victory

had thought how he might save the scoundrel's life-and" con-

tinues the historian, "the leader of this scattered line, this forlorn

hope, that persisted in advancing through the leaden hail, was of

a family that has given many a brave soldier to our country, but

none braver than he"-"and so the officer we worshipped, lay

cold in death in the hour of victory." Shall we not hearken to

the will of this youthful scion of a brave house, we who are of

his blood, and though we lament the loss to our country of our

young hero, (Jules Gansche Ord, son of General Edward Otho

Cresap Ord), and with him descendants of the intrepid Col. Cre-

sap, shall we not love the starry banner and follow it where it

leads? mindful of the last message of that sweet young voice

"All who are brave follow me!"