Christmas past 1750s
Currently under construction:
Compiled, written by Jim Moyer 12/20/2015, 12/12/2016, 12/18/16, 12/25/2022
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Some may think this is just the view of a “White” Christmas. And they’re right. The Native American, who by now knew the whites by name and their ways were pushed and pulled in so many directions.
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The atrocities that followed were not by strangers but by those who knew each other. They traded with each other. Hunted with each other. Proof? Read the story of Killbuck. And that’s one story of many.
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[Picture of statue of George Washington looking at Guyasuta, one of the Indians on GW’s trip in 1753 to Fort LeBoeuf. Click on location. When map appears, click on red dot. ]
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With such a tidal wave of people hitting what was currently “their” land and the concepts of ownership radically different between the two, this is what happened:
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Letter carriers from Fort Cumberland needed armed escort to reach Winchester VA after the Braddock Expedition Defeat.
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From that July 9 defeat, into the winter of 1755, Fort Cumberland was an island outpost, surrounded by bands of native Americans waiting to pick off any outlyers, any settler still near the fort.
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Burnt cabins. Smoking corpses filleted. Children’s heads bashed in.
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Heart of Darkness
is a story going up the Congo River.
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is a movie based on that story but goes up the Mekong River.
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And this Story?
How about the Potomac River, Kurtz?
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John St Clair thought about blowing up
to make it more navigable
to transport supplies
and troops back and forth
for Major-General Edward Braddock, Generalissimo of H. R. M. Forces in America earlier in 1755.
Nightmare Before Christmas
Read a description of horror
preceding that Christmas of 1755:
CHARLES LEWIS’ observation
Quick magic marker sketch on white board by Jim Moyer
In this last command I may, with the greatest truth,
aver that I saw the most horrid,
shock- ing sight I ever yet beheld.
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At a house adjoining to the cornfield, in which our soldiers were employed in gathering corn, we saw the bodies of three different people who were first massacred, then scalped, and after thrown into a fire.
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These bodies were not yet quite consumed, but the flesh on many parts of them.
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These people were, in my opinion, very industrious, having the best corn I ever saw, and their plantations well calculated for produce and every other conveniency, suitable to the station of a farmer.
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Attacks, Scares, Seige
ADAM STEPHEN’S Observations
In this island of a semi siege called Fort Cumberland, sat Lt Col Adam Stephen, Washington’s No. 2 guy in the 1st VA Regiment.
Sunday about 9 O’Clock two Indians took a fuzee from a Boy within musket Shot of the Sentry in the Bottom as you pass Will’s Creek1—
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[Will’s Creek empties into Potomac River – location of Fort Cumberland Maryland. Click on Picture to enlarge. Picture is from William Lowdermilk’s 1878 History of Cumberland Maryland]
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They took hold of him and asked him to go along—why they did not kill him I cannot Say, but upon his refusing they gave him a Couple of Blows with their Fist—
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And upon his retiring a little, they Shot two Arrows into him, the wounds are but slight—
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He Roard out murder, & the Savages Ran.
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I sent out a party under Lt Stuart to intercept them, and about twelve, Burris came in wounded.2
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They took him about a mile below the Fort where the Old Path enters the waggon Road, and carried him to the Top of Wills Creek mountain, crossing Potomack above the New Store, and going Steight to the Gape.3
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They there discovered our Party and were only 300 yards behind them—Burris encouragd by the Sight of our men, while the Two Frenchmen and 5 Indians were Sculking, Sprung off—
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an Indian pursud him and coming up Sides with him threw the Tomhawk and woundd him Notwithstanding, Burris was lucky enough to Escape.
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Lt Stewart Saw nothing of the Enemy; Burris was oblig’d to take another Course.
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He learned from the Indian who Could Speak Shanase, That there were Parties all round us, & We have discoverd Numerous Tracts, in Several places.
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ADAM STEPHEN on Christmas 1755
In this context, Christmas of 1755 was still observed with merriment.
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Adam Stephen, who created Martinsburg WV, in 1777, writes to Washington in Winchester VA five months before the construction of Fort Loudoun Winchester VA in 1755:
I had the honour to dine at the head of 24 fine Gentlemen yesterday—We had an extreamly good dinner, and after drinking the loyal Healths, in a Ruff and Huzza at every Health we pass’d an hour in Singing and taking a Cheerful glass.
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We then amus’d ourselves with acting part of a Play, and spending the Night in mirth, Jollity and Dancing, we parted very affectionatly at 12 O’Clock, remembering all Absent Friends
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Footnote – A ruff, or ruffle, was a term used among drummers of British regiments to signify a sort of vibrating sound made upon a drum, less loud than the roll.
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Charles Lewis, in reporting the same celebration, spoke of the “Rowls of Drum” (Charles Lewis, “Journal” in ViU: Lewis Family Papers).
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In an amusing letter written probably in 1756, Henry Woodward described to John Dagworthy a production of “Tamorlane” performed at Fort Cumberland.
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Woodward listed the cast of 12 men, all members of the Virginia Regiment, and added: “Brockenbrough was so touchd by it so that he will never never Act Again.
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Aesop was the Farce and De fierre [Defever] was the fine Lady by wh you may judge if it was a Farce or not” (Turner, Sussex County, Delaware, 323).
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Austin Brockenbrough, who was no older than 17, took the role of “Prince of Tanais.”
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Source is Founders Online Footnote:
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CHARLES LEWIS on Christmas 1755
Captain Charles Lewis (NO relation to Major Andrew Lewis who commanded the southwestern portion of VA) also writes of the same Christmasin Fort Cumberland in his journal:
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December 24 1755
Being Christmas, we were invited to spend the evening with Colonel Stephen, where we spent the time in drinking loyal healths and dancing ’till 1 1 o’clock, and then parted in the most amicable manner.
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December 25th 1755
Were invited to dine with Colonel Stephens, where we had the most sumptuous entertainment. After dinner drank the Royal Healths and sung some entertaining songs with Huzzas and rolls of Drums to every health and song. Then took partners and spent the evening in dancing, about 12 o’clock broke up well pleased with our generous entertainment.
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December 26th 1755 Sociably spent.
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Here’s Charles Lewis’ journal.
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The next day he is to take over Fort Ashby…
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Christmas in Winchester 1755
And what was Christmas like for George Washington?
and for his aid de camp, Captain George Mercer?
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They’re staying at Cocke’s Tavern, 21 S Loudoun St Winchester VA (roughly on the lot that has the lawyer office across from the Thai House Restaurant as of 2016) .
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GW paid a year’s rent to Cocke’s Tavern on December 2, 1756 when he moved into the upstairs of the building in Fort Loudoun overlooking the present day walking mall of Loudoun Street.
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GEORGE MERCER’S ORDERS
Winchester December 25th 1755.
It is Colonel Washington’s Orders, that Ensigns Polson and Thompson,1 Corporals McDonald and Broughton,2 do immediately go in pursuit of Sergeant Campbell3 and two men who deserted last night;
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and use all possible means to apprehend and bring them back.
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As an encouragement for apprehending them, the Colonel promises a reward of twenty-shillings for each of them, to the two Corporals.
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G:M. Aid de camp (Captain George Mercer)
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N:B. That two of the above Deserters were brought in by John Rins; and a certificate given him, to entitle him to the reward by Law, for apprehending, and securing Deserters.
G:W.
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And Captain George Mercer adds among other things this Christmas Day:
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The commanding Officers of Companies to give in an exact return to the Commissary to-morrow morning, at 9 O’Clock, of their men, signed by themselves.
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Source:
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And about those Deserters on Christmas Day in Winchester VA?
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[Winchester, 26 December 1755]
After Orders.
The Deserters1 now confined in the Guard-House, are to be immediately handcuffed; and to be supported with bread and water only.
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1. Sgt. Henry Campbell and two soldiers deserted on Christmas Eve and were retaken on Christmas Day. See the Orders and After Orders of 25 Dec. 1755.
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Source:
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A 1754 CHRISTMAS
avers GW might have been around Mt Vernon for Christmas 1754 playing cards.
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1. Byrd’s invitation to spend the holidays at Westover probably was extended during GW’s visit to Williamsburg between 20 Oct. and 2 Nov. 1754. It may have been the leasing of Mount Vernon on 17 Dec. 1754 or some related event that prevented GW from keeping this engagement. He was apparently at or near Mount Vernon from the day the lease was signed until 1 Jan. 1755 when he set off on a trip to Fredericksburg. Little is known of his activities during that period beyond the fact that he played cards on 25, 26, and 27 Dec.
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George Washington and Christopher Gist’s adventure written by themselves.
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George Washington’s version gets printed in London, fascinating important readers across both sides of the Atlantic.
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LINKS
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Fort Cumberland Name Origin
Named after
Prince William Augustus (26 April 1721 [N.S.] – 31 October 1765)
was the third and youngest son of George II of Great Britain
and Caroline of Ansbach,
He was Duke of Cumberland from 1726.
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He is best remembered for his role
in putting down the Jacobite Rising
at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
Despite his triumph at Culloden,
he had a largely unsuccessful military career.
Following the Convention of Klosterzeven in 1757,
he never held active military command
and switched his attentions to politics and horse racing.
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Source
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Initially named Fort Mount Pleasant,
it was renamed Fort Cumberland in 1755 …
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Sources:
extracts from colonial Maryland Gazette September–October 1754
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CAST OF CHARACTERS
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DISAMBIGUATION
Which Lewis was related and
which Lewis was NOT
Short biographies on each Lewis:
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Charles Lewis (b. 1730), a cousin and friend of GW’s,
was a younger brother of Fielding Lewis, GW’s brother-in-law,
and of Warner Lewis, of Warner Hall in Gloucester County,
whose letter to GW of 9 Aug. is referred to here.
Charles Lewis secured a commission as captain
and served under GW in the Virginia Regiment
from Sept. 1755 until mid–1757, leaving the service
after Dinwiddie on 16 May 1757 ordered t
hat the number of captains in the regiment be reduced.
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Our Charles Lewis is related to George Washington,
according to Founders Online Footnote and
a different Charles Lewis is
killed in the Battle of Point Pleasant on October 10, 1774,
who is the younger brother of Andrew Lewis –
according to this source:
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Joshua Lewis – all correspondence with GW
Not sure if Joshua Lewis is related to
the Charles Smith of George Washington or
the Charles Smith of Andrew Lewis or
to neither.
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MAJOR ANDREW LEWIS FAMILY
Andrew Lewis – all correspondence with GW
Andrew Lewis – Wikipedia bio
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Thomas Lewis – all correspondence with GW.
Thomas Lewis 1718 to 1790 the older brother of Andrew Lewis, was the longtime surveyor of Augusta County. Source is Founders Online. Scroll down to see beginning of footnotes. See his Wikipedia bio.
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William Lewis
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More on Sir John St Clair, Baronet
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Biography in Pennsylvania Magazine 1885, Vol. IX, No.1
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Letters between John St Clair and GW
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EDWARD BRADDOCK
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The history of an expedition against Fort Du Quesne, in 1755; under Major-General Edward Braddock , Generalissimo of H.M.R Forces in America Author Sargent, Winthrop, 1825-1870 Publish Data 1855, 1856
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Wiki Map of Braddock
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A 1754 CHRISTMAS
avers GW might have been around Mt Vernon for Christmas 1754 playing cards.
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1. Byrd’s invitation to spend the holidays at Westover probably was extended during GW’s visit to Williamsburg between 20 Oct. and 2 Nov. 1754. It may have been the leasing of Mount Vernon on 17 Dec. 1754 or some related event that prevented GW from keeping this engagement. He was apparently at or near Mount Vernon from the day the lease was signed until 1 Jan. 1755 when he set off on a trip to Fredericksburg. Little is known of his activities during that period beyond the fact that he played cards on 25, 26, and 27 Dec.
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George Washington and Christopher Gist’s adventure written by themselves.
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George Washington’s version gets printed in London, fascinating important readers across both sides of the Atlantic.
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