CHAPTER I.

"PERSONAL REMINISCENCE OF

WYOMING."

"I was born in Norwich, New London County, Conn., September 8, 1769. When I was eleven months old my parents moved to Wilkesbarre, Pa., and settled on Land Granted by the King to the Colonies. They settled on the East side of the Susquehanna River, near Jacob's Plain. My Uncle, Daniel Gore drew a lot where a battle was fought about a Grasshopper about which some children got into a quarrel. The Parents took sides and over 300 were Slain. I have played many times Hide and Seek among these Graves. Grandmother said it was called the 'Grasshopper War.'

"We were driven off in about Six weeks by the Pennymites. My Father was taken Prisoner by them and while crossing the River he said something Displeasing to them, when one of them struck him across

This is a sketch of the life of Hannah Gore Durkee, as told by herself and written down direct from her lips by her daughter, Amanda.

the forehead with an oar, and he carried the Scar as long as he lived. How he escaped I do not know, but he went with his family to New Jersey where we lived about two years when we again returned to Wilkesbarre.

"Father built a Saw Mill soon after his return, and when he was building it my Mother sent my brother Avery across the River to get some chips to burn and when out of her sight he coaxed me to go with him. While crossing the Race, he said 'Now, Hannah, hold on tight and don't fall in the water.' The caution gave me such a fright that I immediately fell in. I was sinking the third time when he caught me by the Hair and drew me on shore, wrung the Water out of my clothes as well as he could, and when my reason returned, he cautioned me to remain there until my clothes were dry.

"We lived there about two years. Father built a Two story House. We were again beset by the ravages of war, and about this time my Mother gave birth to Twin Daughters, one of them did not live very long. Father learned about this time that the Pennymites had raised another Army and were coming to plunder and burn our house. Father shouldered his gun, and everyone who was able to bear arms went to meet them where they lay in ambush about two miles away. The attack was made and the Pennymites were driven away. This occured in 1776.

*"Soon after this, Father enlisted in the American Army with a commission of Lieutenant and he raised about twenty men and marched them to headquarters. He often came home for recruits and remained two or three weeks, and I have seen him enlist a good many Men. He was not there at the Battle of Wyoming. Many of our Neighbors were home on a Parole and were Killed in the Battle. My Father lived on the east side of the River and my Grandfather on the west side. My Mother's Parents lived with her at this time. Their names were Avery.

"The day after the Battle, July 4, 1778, a Party of Tories came to the opposite side of the River, and all concealed themselves but one. He called, Over! Over!' Grandfather Avery, thinking him to be a neighbor, went after him with a canoe when they all climbed in and compelled him to row them over. They went to the House and told Mother to carry out such things as she wished to save for they were going to burn it. She carried out the best of her goods and they took them down to the River, where the rest of their Party had arrived with canoes to carry off the plunder. After collecting such things as they wished to take away, they set fire to the house, and mother brought water and put out the fire. They came and fired it again and told her if she put

*"Obediah Gore, Jr., an active, enterprising young man, enlisted part of a Rifle company."- History of Wyoming.

the fire out again they would kill her. She saw it burn and then started for New Jersey on foot, carrying such things as they could of provisions and clothing. Mother had to carry my youngest Sister, who was then three years old, in her arms. They had to go through thirty Miles of Wood and camp on the ground. Grandfather and Grandmother Avery continued their journey through to Connecticut on foot.

"We were now living with Grandfather Gore near Forty Fort, and went with him to the fort July 2d. July 3d, Col. Jebular Butler mustered all that were able to bear arms and marched out to meet the enemy. I had seven Uncles in the Battle, and out of these five were killed and one was wounded. Silas, Asa and George Gore were killed, also Timothy Pierce and John Murphy, who married my Uncle's Sisters. Daniel Gore was wounded in the left arm.

"In the evening we sat outside the Fort and heard a man call on the other side of the River, and they called to know who he was. He replied, Daniel Gore,' and Grandmother said, 'Have I one son living?' At this time I was resting my head in her lap and we were all absorbed in Grief. They brought him over, dressed his wounds, and he left again under cover of the night.

"The next day the Fort Surrendered and the Indians commenced plundering. They made the women give up their beads and other ornaments.

My Aunt Sally Gore had a chest of very nice clothing, and she sat upon it. A young Indian told her to get up and she said she would not. He went out and an Old Indian came in with a Tomahawk and she was entreated by her friends to leave it for their inspection. They distributed her clothing among the squaws, one of them put on a white Satin Bonnet Hind Side before and wore it away.

"They took such things as suited their fancy, and then commenced the work of destruction by cutting open feather Beds and strewing the contents to the wind, with flour, meal, and all kinds of provision. I was broken out with the measles at the time, and they put me in bed with a sick Aunt and told them that I had the Small Pox, and they did not disturb us.

"One Indian came in with her husband's vest on and wore it away, and by that she knew he was killed. She gave her babe his Father's name, Asa Gore. When Aunt was able to be moved, I shall never forget the sobs and sighs at the sound of Guns which were completing the work of Death. Word came that a Nation of Indians who could not speak English were coming and that all who were found there would be killed.

"We then put up such things as we could carry in packs and handkerchiefs, and started for New Jersey. We travelled two days and passed a great many who had given out by the way, some sick by the road