JC/IV/118 *{See legend below}
Note of the Continental Congress, 08 February, 1776
The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due... To Moses Gale, for the entertainment of Captain Cluggage's company of rifflemen, the sum of £3.17.0 New York currency = 9 7/10 dollars, and that the same ought to be paid to Henry Wisner, Esqr.
I/IV/712
Letter from Bedford County Commissioners to the Committee of Safety, 09 February, 1776.
Gent'n, We received your Letter dated 12th ulto., in which you called upon us to inform you what progress we had made in providing a Number of Firelocks, not less than one hundred, &c. In this very critical Situation of Affairs, we would write to give you a better account than we do at present. We have but one Gunsmith in the County, who has engaged to make twenty-five Firelocks, and has been employed for these three or four months past, but has not got any one of them compleated; yet we are in hopes he will soon have the twenty-five finished. He has been very industrious to procure Assistants or Journeymen, in order to undertake the whole but cannot obtain any; and we also have endeavoured to employ others in the adjacent Counties, but are informed they are already engaged. We have provided Leather, and have employed a Sadler to make the Cartridge Boxes, agreeable to the Pattern sent us, and will take every necessary step in our Power, in order to have the whole compleated, By order of the Commissioners and Assessors. David Espy, Clerk.
A4/V/717
Note of the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, 02 March, 1776
(Note: This entry was included in James B. Whisker's book, Bedford County Pennsylvania Archives Volume 5, page 27. Mr. Whisker's books contain a number of errors in regard to transcriptions and also source references. Mr. Whisker noted that this entry was transcribed from the American Archives, Series 4, Volume V, page 717. This entry, though, does not exist in the American Archives at that volume and page. The actual source cannot be determined.)
The Committee of Correspondence of Bedford County having drawn an order on this Board for the payment of 161 pounds of Powder and 118 pounds of Lead, purchased by them.
A4/II/677-678
Letter from the Bedford County Committee of Correspondence to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, 07 March, 1776
The House met pursuant to adjournment. A Petition from the Committee of Correspondence of the County or Bedford, was presented to the House, and is as follows, viz: To the Honourable the Representatives of the Freemen of the Province of PENNSYLVANIA, in General Assembly met. "We think it our duty, as Members of the Committee of Correspondence of the County or Bedford, humbly to represent to the honourable House the peculiar situation of that County; by reason of which, we flatter ourselves that the unusual request which we, in behalf of the Associators within the same, are now going to make, will not appear altogether unreasonable.
"Our County is new, and on the frontiers; its inhabitants few, and scattered amongst the mountains; by reason of which, they are under much greater inconveniences and diffictilties in associating, and mustering than those of the more interior parts of the country, having frequently twenty or thirty miles to ride for that purpose. This must necessarily take up much of their time, which, on account of their being mostly new settlers, is a peculiar loss and hardship on them, as it is almost their only treasure. Yet, notwithstanding these circumstances, we can, with great truth and pleasure, assure the honourable House that they are not only as unanimous in their patriotick principles, but as constant at their exercise as any in the Province, who have none of their disadvantages to encounter; besides, several of the officers and Companies have been at a pecuniary expense in paying fuglemen, drummers, fifers, and for drums, &c., which they could ill afford; and others of them, for this reason, have not yet been able to procure these articles, nor to he taught the exercise so completely as they could wish. By reason of our remote and scattered situation, it is often impossible for us to receive the necessary information in time to enable us to regulate ourselves according to the modes recommended to the Counties to transact their business in; to this cause it is owing, that we could not comply with the advertisement published some time ago respecting these articles. It will, perhaps, be said, Let them (such as have not already done it) buy and supply themselves with such articles in the same manner the other Counties have done, and then let them deliver in their accounts of the expenses incurred, and they will be paid in the same regular mariner. However trifling, such expense may appear, yet we are well convinced that it is out of the power of many of them to advance money sufficient for such purpose. By this confession, our County will perhaps appear too insignificant to merit any attention or encouragement. To those altogether unacquainted with the situation of a frontier and new settlement, this would appear to be the case; but when it is remembered that, upon a late demand, we, in a few days, raised and sent off a Company of Riflemen; that the greatest number of our inhabitants are inured to hardship, and that many of them were in the service in the late war, particularly against the Indians; those circumstances will, we believe entitle us to some recrard. We, therefore, beg leave to submit to the honourable House, whether it would not be expedient to empower the Committee appointed to settle the accounts of the Associators within the Province, to draw on their Treasurer in favour of your Petitioners, or of such other persons in the County as may he thought most proper, for such a sum of money as will answer in some measure those necessary purposes; the persons to whom it is delivered to be answerable for it; the accounts sent down properly authenticated in a limited time, and subject to the same control as the other Associators' accounts have been; and if it appear that the persons who shall receive the money have paid it where they ought not, they to be answerable in the first instance. We should not think it necessary that much more than half the sum paid to an equal number of Companies in any other part of the Province should be advanced, as we think that will answer every valuable purpose. We hope our request will appear the more equitable, when (added to the reasons arising from our situation) it is considered that, at a future day, we will have to pay our proportional part of the very large sums paid to most of the other Associators in the Province; and, indeed, our people will urge this point so strongly to us, that it will be impossible to keep, up that spirit of unanimity, and that readiness to lend their little aid in time of need, in conjunction with their more powerful compatriots; but they will become languid and indifferent, if they see that no regard is paid to their situation, when they feel that those advantaues are denied to them, which it is out of their power to obtain by the same method which those did who were not under their local and other disadvantages. We had twenty Companies returned to us, which are to be formed into two Battalions; the reason this was not sooner done, was, that we delayed it till we should receive the Articles of Association for them to sign, which they are now doing.
"As we have no other view in this representation than a faithful discharge of the trust reposed in us, we pray the honourable House will not construe the only means we could think of to answer the end, into an offence. We shall be ready, to the utmost of our power, to do our parts in carrying into execution any other method that may he proposed, if the prayer of our Petition shall be thought improper; which the honourable House will be pleased to take into their consideration. And their Petitioners, as in duty bound, will pray, &c.
A4/V/679
Note of the Pennsylvania Assembly, 08 March, 1776
The House proceeded in the consideration of the subject before them in the morning; and after further debate thereon,
Resolved, (upon the question,) That four additional Representatives in Assembly he allowed to the City of Philadelphia; ... and one additional Representative to each of the Counties of Bedford, Northumberland, and Westmoreland.
Ordered, That Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Reed, Mr. Rodman, Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Ross, Mr. Ewing, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Chreist, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Dougherty, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. Thompson, be a Committee to prepare and bring in a Bill for allowing to the City of Philadelphia, and certain Counties of this Province, such additional Members in Assembly as are mentioned in the foregoing Resolve.
A4/V/679
Note of the Pennsylvania Assembly, 09 March, 1776
The House met pursuant to adjournment; and resuming the consideration of Officers for the new Levies, Resolved, That William Rankin, of York County; William Peoples, of Cumberland County; Henry Chreist, Jun., of Berks County; Henry Shade, of Northampton County; Richard Brown, of Bedford County; Caspar Weitzall, of Northumberland County; and Joseph Irwin, of Westmoreland County, be, and hereby, are appointed Captains in the Rifle Battalions to be formed for the service of this Province.
A4/V/679-680
Note of the Pennsylvania Assembly, 11 March, 1776
Upon motion, the Petition from the Committee of Correspondence for the County of Bedford was again read; and after some debate,
Resolved, That the Committee for settling the Battalion Accounts draw an order on Michael Hillegas, Esq., for the sum of two hundred pounds, payable to Barnard Dougherty, Esq., to be applied to the purchase of Drums and Colours for the use of the Association in the said County of Bedford, and to be accounted for with said Committee by the Field-Officers of the said Association.
A4/I/683-684
Note of the Pennsylvania Assembly, 13 March, 1776
The House proceeded to the nomination of Field-Officers for the three Battalions to be raised for the service of this Province.
Resolved, That Daniel Broadhead, Esquire, of Berks County, James Piper, Esq., of Bedford County, and Caleb Parrey, Esq., of Philadelphia County, be, and they are hereby appointed Lieutenant-Colonels of the said three Battalions
(On the following day, 14 March, 1776 the following was recorded) Resolved, That James Piper, Esq., take rank as Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Battalion; and Daniel Broadhead, Esq., as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Battalion in the Regiment of Riflemen.
JC/IV/221
Note of the Continental Congress, 20 March, 1776
The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due...
To sundries, on certificates for necessaries furnished to one of the riffle companies, the sum of £45.18.8=122.5 dollars; of which sum £38.0.8 (=101.4 dollars) being for riffles, &c. furnished to Captain Cluggage's company, is to be charged to the said company. That the amount of the certificates be paid to Bernard Dougherty, Esqr.
JC/IV/242
Note of the Continental Congress, 30 March, 1776
The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due...
To sundries on certificates for riffles, shirts, &c. furnished to Captain Cluggage's company, the sum of £30.8.5 =81.1 dollars, which ought to be paid to John Montgomery, Esqr. and charged to the said company.
CR/X/531-532
Note of the Council of Safety, 01 April, 1776
Mr. Barnard Dougherty having represented it as impracticable for the Commiss'rs & Assess'rs of Bedford County, from their great distance, to contract with workmen for making the number of Muskets as ordered by the Assembly,
Resolved, That he be authorized to contract with workmen in any of the Back Counties for Compleating the Number of arms as ordered aforesaid, and that he draw on this Board for the payment of the same.
JC/IV/305
Note of the Continental Congress, 24 April, 1776
The Committee of Claims reported, that there is due...
To Duncan M'Donald, the sum of £5 18 5 =15.8 dollars, of which sum, £5 1 11 (=13.6 dollars) ought to be charged to Captain Hendrick's company, and the sum of 16/6 (=2.2 dollars) ought to be charged to Captain Cluggage's company, for goods furnished to the said companies; and that the same ought to be paid to Ephraim Blaine, Esqr.
CR/X/593
Note of the Council of Safety, 03 June, 1776
Upon application of Barnard Dougherty, Esq'r, for a sum of Money for the payment of Firelocks, engaged by him for the use of Bedford County, agreeable to a Resolve of this Board of the 1st April last, By order of the Board, an order was drawn in his favour, on Michael Hillegas, Esq'r, for £1.50, for that purpose.
JC/V/562
Note of the Continental Congress, 15 July, 1776
Resolved, That the batallion which is to garrison the posts of Presque Isle, Le Beuf, and Kittanning, he raised in the counties of Westmoreland and Bedford, in Pennsylvania, in the following proportions, to wit: seven companies in Westmoreland, and one company in Bedford:
That the commissioned officers of the several companies, be appointed by the committee of the county in which they are to he raised.
JC/V/589-590
Note of the Continental Congress, 18 July, 1776
Resolved, That the convention of Pensylvania be informed, that the Congress have agreed to the raising a battalion in the counties of Westmoreland and Bedford, for the defence of the western frontiers, and request them immediately to recommend proper persons to Congress for field officers for said battalion.
A5/I/409
Letter from John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress to the Pennsylvania Convention, 18 July, 1776
Gentlemen: I have it in charge from Congress to inform you that they have come to a resolution of raising a battalion in the Counties of Westmoreland and Bedford, in Pennsylvania, for the defence of the western parts of that state.
I am, therefore, to request you will immediately recommend proper persons to Congress for Field-Officers of said battalion.
I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble servant, John Hancock.
2/I/519
Note of the Memorandum Book of the Committee and Council of Safety, 26 July, 1776
T. Smith, of Bedford, Solicits Amunition.
CR/X/672
Note of the Council of Safety, 07 August, 1776
By order of the Board, an order was drawn on J.M. Nesbitt, Esq'r, Treas'r, in fav'r of Col. Thomas Smith, for £13 7 6, for Carriage of Ammunition to Bedford County.
JC/V/656
Note of the Continental Congress, 14 August, 1776
The Board of Treasury reported, that there is due...
To John Eshenbuth, for 19 meals of victuals supplied recruits of Captain Cluggage's company of Colonel Hand's battalion, 1 81/90 dollar.
A5/II/32
An Ordinance For The Appointment Of Justices Of Peace For The State Of Pennsylvania, September, 1776
An Ordinance for the Appointment of Justices of Peace for the State of Pennsylvania. "Whereas it is necessary that proper officers of Justice be appointed under the authority of the people only, and deriving no power whatever from the late Constitution: Be it therefore ordained and declared, and it is hereby ordained and declared, by the Representatives of the freemen of the State of Pennsylvania in General Convention met,...
And that Bernard Dougherty, William Proctor, George Wood, Abraham Cable, Thomas Smith, Thomas Coulter, Henry Lloyd, John Piper, Samuel Davidson, William Latta, John Wilkins, William Todd, Benjamin Elliott, William Parker, Evan Shelby, David Jones, Henry Rhoads, William Johnston, William McLeavy, Gideon Ritchey, John Mellot, Edward Coomb, Hugh Davis, Matthew Patton, Robert Ramsey, Benjamin Burd, John Shaver, Samuel Thompson, William Phillips, William Holliday the younger, Charles Cessna, John Mitchell, and Richard Brown of the County of Bedford, Esquires, are hereby made, constituted and appointed, Justices of the Peace for the County of Bedford.
And be it further ordained and declared, That the said Justices, and every of them, shall have full power and authority to take acknowledgement of deeds, and cognizance of criminal offences and breaches of the peace. And in cases of petty larceny, under five shillings, to proceed to punishment.
And he it further ordained and declared, That the laws which were in use before the dissolution of the late Government, shall be the rule of their proceedings, so far as the same may not be inconsistent with the oath or affirmation hereinafter directed to he taken and subscribed, and that the style of their precepts shall he in the name of the State of Pennsylvania.
And be it further ordained and declared, That the said Justices, and every of them, before they respectively enter upon their office, do take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation:
"I do swear or affirm, that I do not hold myself hound to bear allegiance to George the Third, King of Great Britain, and that I will steadily and firmly, at all times, promote the most effectual means, according to my skill and knowledge, to oppose the tyrannical proceedings of the King and Parliament of Great Britain against the United American States, and to support a Government in this State on the authority of the people only; and that as a Justice of the Peace I will do everything in that office to the best of my knowledge and abilities, consistent with the freedom and independence of this State."
And be it further ordained and declared, That the Members of the Council of Safety above named, do make and subscribe the said oath or affirmation before their President for the time being; and that the Justices appointed for the ... County of Bedford do take and subscribe the said oath or affirmation before George Wood and David Espy, Esquires, or one of them;...And be it further ordained and declared, That the Justices of the respective Counties shall have full power and authority from time to time, when they shall think it necessary, to appoint tailors to take care of the several Jails and prisons, and of the prisoners committed to them.
And be it further ordained and declared, That all Coroners, Constables, Overseers of the Poor and Supervisors of the Highways, who were lawfully in Office at the time of, or immediately before, the dissolution of the late Government of this State, shall continue to exercise the powers and perform the duties of their respective offices until a new appointment or future provision be made in such case.
And be it further ordained and declared, That this Ordinance shall continue and remain in force until altered or repealed by the future Legislature of this State, or by this Convention.
Passed in Convention, September 3, 1776, and signed by their order. B. Franklin, President. Attest: John Morris, Jun., Secretary.
A5/II/43-44
Note of the Pennsylvania Convention, September, 1776
Be it further ordained and declared by the authority aforesaid, (i.e. the Representatives of the freemen of the State of Pennsylvania in General Convention) ... And that Charles Cissna, Edward Coomb, and John Cissna, he, and are hereby appointed Commissioners; and Matthew Patton, Harman Husbands, William Todd, William Parker, William Phillips, and Benjamin Elliott, Assessors for the County of Bedford; who, or a majority of them, shall be a Board of Commissioners and Assessors for the County of Bedford ... Who shall meet at the Court Houses of their several and respective Counties, on Monday, the fourteenth day of October next ensuing, or as soon after as they can conveniently meet, and appoint proper persons to make returns to them of all Non-Associators in their respective districts, on or before the second Monday of November next ensuing.
And be it further ordained and declared by the authority aforesaid, That the said Commissioners and Assessors shall have all the powers, authorities, and jurisdictions which any Commissioners and Assessors heretofore enjoyed under the late laws of the Province of Pennsylvania and shall proceed in raising, levying and collecting the said sum of four shillings in the pound and twenty shillings per month in the same manner and under the same appeals, rates, directions, penalties, and forfeitures, in all respects, as in and by the several late laws of the late Government of Pennsylvania, which were in force on the first day of July last, for raising, levying, collecting, and paying the assessments and taxes of said Government, saving and excepting only such parts of the same laws as are hereby altered or supplied...
JC/V/759
Note of the Continental Congress, 14 September, 1776
The committees of Westmoreland and Bedford, having, in pursuance of the resolution of Congress of the 15 July, recommended Van Swearingan, Moses Carson, Samuel Miller, James Piggot, Wendal Oury, David Killgore, Eliezer Miers, and Andrew Mann, for captains in the regiment commanded by Colonel M'Coy (Mackey); and
Robert Mosley 1st lieutenant, William Thompson 2d lieutenant and Benjamin Neely ensign in Captain Van Swearingan's company.
John Findly 1st lieut: Alexander Sumrall 2 lieutenant and Joseph Kerr ensign in Captain Carson's company.
Matthew Jack 1st lieutenant, James Guthry 2d lieut: and John Simms ensign in Captain Miller's company.
Ezekiel Hickman 1st lieut: Philip Rodgers 2d Beat and David Wherry ensign in Captain Piggot's company.
Richard Carson 1st lieut, Samuel Smith 2d lieut. and Devalt Mecklin ensign in Capt: Oury's company.
William McGeary 1st lieut, William Mountz 2d lieut and Fealty (Valentine) Weaver ensign in Captain Kilgore's company.
James McDowel 1st lieut, James Beeler junr 2 lieut: and John Read ensign in Captain Miers' company.
Thomas Cook first lieut, John Crawford 2d lieut. and Aquilla White ensign in Captain Man's company.
JC/VI/903-904
Note of the Continental Congress, 25 October, 1776
The Committee of Treasury reported, ...That they have examined an account exhibited by Captain Robert Cluggage, for sundry articles charged to him, and which he prays an allowance of, and that he ought to be credited for the following sums, charged in the Bedford county accounts, viz.
For Drilling for haversacks, account No. 1 £6 5 10
Part of articles charged in account No. 31 £1 13 6
Cash paid Bernard Dougherty £0 15 0
An overcharge in a riffle bought of William Peeble £0 10 0
A charge of Abraham Cable, Esq. in additional account No. 2, £3 7 4
Repairing arms, charged in Colonel Irwin's account, per vouchers No. 7 and 8, £9 2 5
Occasional expenses which he paid for his company, on their march from Bedford to Boston £9 7 9
Equal to 82 92/90 dollars £31 1 10
CR/XI/13
Note of the Council of Safety, 23 November, 1776
Resolved, That the Salt now in the Possession of the Council of Safety be Immediately Sent to the Committee of the several Counties in the following Proportions, to wit: ...Bedford ---60 Bushels...
2/I/526
Note from the Memorandum Book of the Committee and Council of Safety, 24 November, 1776
Names of the Treasurers for the advance money in each County: For Bedford Co., Col. Tho. Smith
No. of Bat. 5
A5/III/197-198
Note of the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 26 November, 1776
Resolved, That Mr Kuhl and Mr Keppele be appointed to audit and settle the Accounts of the Commissioners of Bedford County, for calling out the Militia for the protection of the frontiers of this State.
CR/XI/17
Note of the Council of Safety, 27 November, 1776
An order was drawn on Mr. Nesbitt in favour of Bernard Dougherty, Esq'r, for £549 1 0, for the Pay of a Company of Rangers, Commanded by Capt. Baxter, raised in Bedford County, for the defence of the Frontiers of this State, against the depredations of the Indians, agreeable to a resolve of Convention.
1/V/81
Resolution of the Council of Safety, 01 December 1776
Resolved, That each man who shall on or before Wednesday next, march from the city and liberties of Philadelphia, to join General Washington, shall receive (over and besides his month's pay advance,) a Bounty of ten dollars, to be paid him by the Col. of his respective Battalion.
That each man who shall, on or before Saturday next, march from the counties of Philadelphia & Chester, to join General Washington, shall receive (over and beyond his months' pay advance) a Bounty of ten Dollars, to be paid him by the Col. of his respective Battalion.
That each man who shall, on or before Wednesday, the 11th of this month, march to join General Washington from the Counties of Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks & Northampton, shall receive (over & besides his month's pay advance,) a Bounty of toen dollars, to be paid him by the Col. of his respective Battalion.
That each man who shall, on or before the 18th of this month, march from the Counties of Northumberland, Bedford &Westmoreland to join General Washington, shall receive (over & besides his month's pay advance,) a Bounty of ten dollars, to be paid him by Collonel of his respective Battalion.
That the first 50 men in one company, who shall join General Washington from the city of Philadelphia, and the first 50 men in one Company from each of the Counties of this State respectively, shall receive ten dollars additional bounty, to bc paid on their arrival at the Camp, and that the second 50 men from the City and from each County respectively, shall receive the Bounty of five dollars each to be paid them on their arrival at the Camp.
That the Officers of the Battalions of the City and of each county respectively, who shall first march two hundred men shall receive a bounty proportioned to the County ordered to be paid to the first 50 men who shall arrive at the Camp, according to the pay of each officer respectively.
1/V/149-150
Letter from John Piper to the Committee of Safety, 31 December, 1776
Gentlemn, I would Beg Leave to Enform you that the Resolves of Congrass & Committee of Safety for this State, of the 22 Nov, Directed to the Commanding officers of the Different Batt. of Beadford County, I have had the Honour of Recaveing, Requiring att Least one Company of Vallenteers out of Each Batt. to march & Joyne General Washington, I have in Consequence of sd orders calld uppon Each Capt to turn out of his Company his quoto, in order to Compleate the said Company, a number of which is now upon their March; the Enclemency of the Wether & Depth of the Snow in this Mountainous Country, Render it very hard to Assemble the Different Partys into one body, we therefore give Each Capt orders to march his Party the Nighest & Best way to Pha, & there to wait till farther orders; so that I hope, Gentn, youl take propper Notice of Each Party as they Com, & give them orders. I have Likewise got Entiligence Since I Left home, that the officers of the Other Batt. of Bedford are Ordered to give the Militia ten Dollars Advance, But as I have Not Seed any of the Gentn Since their orders Corn up, would be glad to know where I might be fornished with Cash for that Porpose; I Beg Lave to Refare to the Berer for forther Perticulars, & am, Gentn, with Grate Esteem, Your moust Obedant & Very Humble Servant, JOHN PIPER.
* A-: American Archives, Series -; JC: Journals of the Continental Congress; CR: Colonial Records; 1: PA Archives, First Series; 2: PA Archives, Second Series; etc; / Volume / Page(s)
