The Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution

by L. Carroll Judson

McKINSTRY JOHN is first ushered into historic notice at the battle of Bunker's Hill where he acted a brave part in repelling the overwhelming force of the enemy. From that time to the surrender of Yorktown he was constantly in the field with a commission of captain often commanding a partisan corps in bold and daring enterprises. In Canada he had become a terror to the enemy. At Cedar Keys, 30 miles above Montreal on the St. Lawrence, he was taken prisoner and soon bound to a tree by the savages and surrounded with faggots. All hope of escape had fled—a torturing death seemed inevitable—the torch was ready to be applied—the war dance was arranged—the Captain uttered what he supposed was his last prayer. At that awful moment Heaven reminded him that he was a Mason and had heard that the ruling chief Brandt, belonged to the same time honored fraternity. He gained his eye—gave him the proper sign—was instantly released—treated with great kindness and exchanged in a short time. Many instances are on record of a similar character and others of a different nature where a brother has been rescued from the jaws of death. Gen. Freegift Patchin, of my native place was rescued by Brandt when a prisoner in Canada under exactly similar circumstances. I have often heard it from his own lips. If all mankind were true Masons and no black sheep in the flock—a harmony would succeed before unknown. The instances above cited should silence every objector to an institution pure in principle but sometimes dishonored by the unworthy.

Capt. McKinstry resumed the business of agriculture when the army was disbanded and lived in the esteem of his countrymen in the town of Livingston, N. Y. until 1822 when his mourning neighbors performed the last solemn duty of placing him in his grave.

McPHERSON WILLIAM was born at Philadelphia, Pa. in 1756. He was made a cadet in the British army when but 13 years of age. At the commencement of the American Revolution he was adjutant of the 16th Regiment of the king's troops. This did not make him a loyalist. His innate love of freedom induced him to at once tender his resignation which was not accepted till 1779 when he repaired to the American camp. Having been stationed at Pensacola up to this time he had never drawn his sword against his country. He had been long personally and favorably known to Gen. Washington who at once made him a brevet major. He was an aid under Gen. La Fayette for some time and subsequently placed over a corps of cavalry in Virginia. On all occasions he acquitted himself nobly. On the 19th of September 1789 he was made surveyor of the port of Philadelphia—in 1792 inspector of revenue—in 1793 naval officer, which station he held until 1813 when he was called from time to eternity.

MADISON JAMES was born in Orange County, Virginia, on the 16th of March, 1751. Although young at the commencement of the Revolution he took a deep interest in its success. After the close of the struggle for Independence he was among those who clearly saw that the old Articles of Confederation could not preserve the priceless Liberty obtained. He has the imperishable honor of proposing the Convention that framed the inestimable Federal Constitution that has thus far held our ship of state to its moorings amidst the dashing waves of party spirit—the roaring breakers of political fanaticism—the angry purges of impolitic ultraism. His fame as a far-seeing statesman stands on a lofty eminence. His voluminous writings bear the impress of giant intellect—unalloyed patriotism—sterling integrity and untiring industry. He succeeded Thomas Jefferson in the Presidential chair and served two terms. He steered the ship of state through the second war of Independence and run her close to the wind. His life was a continued course of usefulness—his demise left a vacuum in our nation not readily filled. The curtain of death closed upon him in 1836.

ENGRAVED BY T.B. WELCH FROM A PORTRAIT BY G. STUART.

MANLY JOHN commenced his earthly pilgrimage in Massachusetts in 1734. He was one of the first who met the enemy on her favorite element. He was put in command of the armed schooner Lee on the 24th of October 1775 and cruised in and around Massachusetts Bay. His success was beyond all anticipation. He made numerous captures of great value to the American army and embryo navy. His noble daring and consummate skill were hailed as germs of future greatness. He was transferred to the privateer Hancock and launched out upon a more extensive cruise and captured the British sloop of war Fox and several other prizes. On his return he was received with great enthusiasm and transferred to the privateer Jason. Soon after he sailed he was attacked by two English privateers of 18 and 10 guns. He ran the Jason between them before he fired a gun and in a few brief moments they both surrendered. On his return passage with these prizes he was captured by the Rainbow of 40 guns on the 8th of July 1777 and was confined in Mill Prison and at Halifax until near the close of the war and treated with the proverbial cruelty so often before noticed. In 1782 he was put in command of the frigate Hague. During his cruise he was run on a sand bank near Guadaloupe by a 74 gun ship which was joined by three other ships of the line. They opened a tremendous fire upon the frigate which was continued for three days. On the morning of the fourth day the Hague swung clear, hoisted the Continental colors—fired a farewell salute of 13 guns and returned to Boston. Charges were there brought against this gallant captain by one of his officers. Those were partially sustained before a court martial but appear not to have been placed upon the public records nor well understood by the community. His unsurpassed bravery may have operated in his favor. He died at Boston on the 12th of February 1793.

MARSHALL JOHN was born in Virginia in 1756. He was one of the noble sons of the Old Dominion who threw themselves in the breach made upon our country by the corrupt British ministry. He was a long time in the tented field under Washington and acted a bold and glorious part in the achievement of our Independence. He was a man of superior talents—sound education and strong mind. In 1797 he was envoy to France—Secretary of State under Thomas Jefferson and soon after was made Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court which station he dignified to the close of his life. He wrote an elaborate Life of Washington. He was universally esteemed as an ornament to the bench, his country and to every circle in which he moved.

MATHEWS THOMAS is first spoken of as a citizen of Norfolk, Virginia and a brave officer of the Revolution. It is painful to the historian in search of facts relative to the Sages and Heroes of the American Revolution to be unable to ascertain even the birth-place of many who did good service in the glorious cause of independence. So in this case. Mr. Mathews was a prominent man—rose to the rank of general—was speaker of the House of Delegates in Virginia and nobly performed the public and private duties of life that devolved upon him. He died at Norfolk, Va. on the 20th of April 1812.

MERCER HUGH was born and educated at Aberdeen, Scotland. He became a physician and was surgeon's mate at the battle of Culloden Moor, Scotland, where the young Pretender was defeated by the Duke of Cumberland in 1745. He came to Pennsylvania in 1746 and was actively engaged in the border wars. He was with Gen. Braddock in 1755 and witnessed the awful slaughter on the day that general was mortally wounded. He formed an intimacy with Washington during that campaign. The next year he served under Gen. Armstrong and greatly distinguished himself at the battle with the Indians at Kittanning above Pittsburgh. He there narrowly escaped being captured—had his right arm broken with a ball—became separated from his companions and was alone in the wilderness two weeks before reaching Cumberland without any food but water and the flesh of a rattlesnake that he fortunately killed. The city of Philadelphia presented him with a splendid medal for his bravery on that occasion. In 1763 he removed to Fredericksburg, Va. where he enhanced his importance in society by leading Isabella Gordon to the hymeneal altar. He soon gained a good practice in his profession and the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. He was an ardent Whig and was among the first to repel the enemy by force of arms. He was at once made a brigadier-general. His brigade was a part of the left wing of the American army at the battle of Trenton in December 1776. On the 3d of January following he commenced the attack at Princeton with 350 men. Before the main force could be brought to his support he was charged by the whole regiment commanded by Col. Mawhood. His line was broken—he was surrounded in person and compelled to surrender after which he was mortally wounded. At that moment Washington came up and quickly routed the enemy and rescued the brave Mercer. He lived but one week and was buried at Princeton. His death was not only deeply deplored by his friends, the army and Congress but was a most serious loss to the country at large. His age, experience, talents, high character—all combined to render him one of the most important men of our nation at that eventful era. In the memoirs of Gen. Wilkinson he is placed next in rank to Washington in point of prospective usefulness. His whole soul was enlisted in the glorious cause of Liberty.