Mar 8, 2020

History Around Us:THE GREAT COVE MASSACRE

On a outing several weeks ago for a BCUSA Bushclass I was lucky enough to find the location where the settlers from the massacre at Great Cove are buried and took some pics.


This is from the document
The History of bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania




FALLING SPRINGS, Sabbath Morning, Nov. 2, 1755.
To the Inhabitants of the Lower Part of the county of Cumberland:
Gentlemen, - If you intend to go to the assistance of your neighbors, you need
wait no longer for the certainty of the news. The Great Cove is destroyed.
James Campbell left his company last night and went to the fort at Mr. Steel's
meeting-house and there saw some of the inhabitants of the Great Cove, who gave
this account, that as they came over the hill they saw their houses in flames.
The messenger says that there are but one hundred, and that they are divided
into two parts; the one part to go against the Cove, and the other against the
Conolloways, and that there are two French among them; they are Delawares and
Shawnees. The part that came against the Cove are under the command of Shingas,
the Delaware king. The people of the Cove that came off saw several men lying
dead; they heard the murder shout and the firing of guns, and saw the Indians
going into their houses that they had come out of, before they left sight of the
Cove. I have sent express to Marsh Creek at the same time I send this; so I
expect there will be a good company there this day, and as there are but one
hundred of the enemy, I think it is in our power, if God permit, to put them to
flight, if you turn out well from your parts. I understand that the West
settlement is designed to go if they can get any assistance to repel them. All
in haste, from
Your humble servant,
BENJAMIN CHAMBERS.
















Sacred Ground.

Stay safe
Bob

13 comments:

Keith said...

Good one. Have posted on my blog.
Keith.
http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/

Polly Sue said...

Glad I found this blog post. My ancestor, William Linn, and one of his sons was killed in this event. Wonder if they are buried here. Lovely photos.

Terry Martin-Arnot said...

This is amazing. My ancestors, The Martin Family were captured by the Indians in this raid. The mother two daughters and two sons were kidnapped and kept by the indians for 9 years. The father and oldest son fought to win their freedom. Unfortunately, the oldest daughter was killed by the indian women shortly after capture. I have never seen photos of this. It is quite humbling. Thank you for sharing your photos.
-Terry Martin-Arnot

Back Creek bushcraft said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

The Linn family were my ancestors with the Clinkenbeards. The family was greatly affected, having a young boy surviving scalping and a young mother never fully recovering, to die the following year.

Polly Sue said...

We are cousins!

JJYork said...

I wonder if you saw any Galloway markers. My ancestors were the Galloway. Elizabeth Galloway was in her 90s and was found staked in the heart and her breasts were removed. Her daughter in law, Martha, and 2 grandchildren were taken and never heard from again. It was such a sad story on everyone's part. NA were losing their lands and took action. Sadly, innocent people who fled to the colonies lost their lives in pursuit of a better life. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Back Creek bushcraft said...

I'm planning on making a trip back to this site soon, I will look!
A lot of the markers were just stones laid on the graves.
Thanks for commenting about this!

Judy Mower Pearson said...

Thanks so much for sharing the info on our local Franklin/fulton County forts.
I am a lifelong resident here with many ancestors also from this area. It is
difficult to locate quality info about our local history. Where is the Big
Spring Graveyard?

Unknown said...

Elizabeth Galloway is my 8th great grandmother. I hope to visit the Great Cove in late April 2022. Other than the Big Spring Graveyard, do you any suggestions? Thanks, Tom Kieselbach

Anonymous said...

I'm planning on going and visiting the cemetery in a few days. Elizabeth was one of my ancestors as well.

Unknown said...

I visited the Great Cove this spring. It was a worth while visit. Mike, the curator at Fort Loudoun was very gracious and knowledgeable. Give Mike a call. He might help you as well.

Anonymous said...

I just found your post. MARTINS and Jamisons are part of my family too. The same that were captured by the indians. I would like to hear from you. My e mail is Skipperking64@gmail.com. TY Evelyn King Clark.