Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.djvu/39

10 the West Branch; Bosley's Mills, on the Chillisquaque, now the site of Washingtonville, Montour county; Fort Freeland, on Warrior run, four miles above its mouth; Fort Meninger, at the mouth of Warrior run; Boone's Mill, seven miles from Fort Freeland, at the mouth of Muddy run; and Fort Swartz, about one mile above Milton.

These old forts were mainly designed to afford temporary shelter to the settlers from the raids of the Indians. In time of war they were regularly garrisoned by rangers. One of the methods of defense, which had been brought to America by natives of Europe, and formerly one of the weapons of the Romans, was the use of the "caltrop" or "crowsfoot," an iron instrument having four barbed points, which projected in all directions, so that when thrown on the ground at least one point stood upright. These implements were a great deterrent to the barefooted or moccasin-clad savage, and the unfortunate who stepped on one of them soon gave evidence of his presence. After the cessation of hostilities the settlers frequently complained of the presence of these barbs in their pastures, where cattle would get them fastened in their feet, the rusty iron often causing inflammation and death.

It is unnecessary to describe the forts outside of Columbia and Montour counties, as they have little bearing on local history, so we will simply detail the origin, history and ultimate fate of the forts which were erected within the present limits of the two counties. In relating the history of these forts the narrative would be incomplete without a brief sketch of Moses Van Campen, the builder of two of them. He grew to manhood and first came into prominence as a member of Col. John Kelly's command on Big Isle, on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, in 1777. In 1778 he had been promoted from orderly sergeant to lieutenant, and in that year built Fort Wheeler. In 1779 he did scouting duty for Sullivan's army near Tioga. In 1780 he was captured by Indians, his father, brother and uncle killed, and he, Peter Pence and Abram Pike carried into captivity. One night they rose, and after killing nine of their captors and wounding the remaining one made their escape. In 1781 Van Campen spent the summer in scouting and the winter in guarding British prisoners. In 1782 he marched with Robinson's rangers, of which he was a lieutenant, back to Northumberland, and after a few days' rest was ordered to build Fort Muncy. Later he was sent to Big Isle, where he was attacked by a large body of Indians and captured. He was sold to the English and remained in captivity for some time, but at last exchanged, returned home to recuperate, and then was sent to Wilkes-Barre, where he remained until the close of the war. He removed to New York State in 1795, and there, after an active life as surveyor and engineer, he died at the advanced age of ninety-two.

This fort was erected in the fall of 1777, or during the winter and the early spring of 1778, and was simply a stockade around the home of a Mr. Jenkins, one of the first settlers. Its size was 60 by 80 feet and it stood on the North Branch of the Susquehanna in Centre township, midway between Berwick and Bloomsburg. The old canal passes between its site and the river. A heavily wooded island stood in the river directly opposite, but repeated floods have long ago destroyed it.

Soon after the building of the stockade the fort was garrisoned by thirty men, under Colonel Hartley. Col. Adam Hubley, who succeeded him. marched the garrison away, and County Lieutenant Colonel Hunter furnished sufficient men to hold the fort until the arrival of Col. Ludwig Weltner and the German battalion. The latter held the post until 1780, when they departed to assist in the defense of Forts Rice and Augusta. Soon afterwards a party of Tories and Indians came by way of Knob mountain, and finding the fort deserted set fire to it and the surrounding buildings.

After peace had been declared Mr. Jenkins sold the land on which the fort had stood to James Wilson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, who sold it to Capt. Frederick Hill. The latter moved onto it, built a dwelling on the site of the fort and kept a tavern there, calling it the "Fort Jenkins Inn." His son Jacob succeeded him and conducted the tavern for a time, but was converted at a Methodist revival and abandoned the sale of liquor to take up farming. Charles F. Hill, the son, followed as owner. Charles S. Yorks is the owner of Fort Jenkins in 1914.

In April 1778, Lieut. Moses Van Campen began the building of Fort Wheeler, on the farm of Isaiah Wheeler, on the banks of Fishing creek, about three miles above the present