Samuel S. Forman - Narrative of a Journey Down the Ohio and Mississippi in 1789-90

I acknowledge my indebtedness to a friend of the Forman family forcalling my attention to the interesting narrative of Major Samuel S.Forman's early journey down the Ohio and Mississippi, and for aidingme in securing a copy for publication. The manuscript of thismonograph, as now presented, has been submitted to friends and kindredof Major Forman, who knew him long and well, and they have accorded ittheir warm approval.

With their kind approbation, I feel encouraged to offer this littlecontribution to western historical literature to an enlightenedpublic.

L. C. D.
Madison, Wis.

Every addition to our stock of information touching early westernhistory and adventure, and of the pioneer customs and habits of ahundred years ago, deserves a kindly reception. The followingnarrative of a journey down the Ohio and Mississippi, in 1789-90, wasnot reduced to writing till 1849, after a lapse of sixty years; but anunusually fine memory enabled Major Forman to relate such incidents ofhis trip as left a lasting impression upon him, alike with interestand general accuracy. A sketch of the writer will give us a betterinsight into his trustworthiness and character.

Major Forman, the third son of Samuel and Helena Denise Forman, wasborn at Middletown Point, Monmouth county, New Jersey, July 21, 1765.He was too young to participate in the Revolutionary war, during thestirring period of 1776 to 1780, in New Jersey; but his elderbrothers, Jonathan and Denise, were prominent and active throughoutthe great struggle. Major Forman has recorded some incidents of thewar that occurred in his region of New Jersey, and within his ownknowledge, worthy of preservation as interesting scraps ofRevolutionary history. At one time, a cousin of his, Tunis Forman,about seventeen years of age, met two Tory robbers, and after one hadfired at him and missed, he, getting the advantage of them in theadjustment of his gun, forced them to throw down their weapons, whenhe marched them several miles before him, and lodged them in jail atFreehold. For this brave act, young Forman received a large reward.

During the period while Major Henry Lee and his famous Light Dragoonswere serving in New Jersey, intelligence came of the maraudingoperations of a band of Tory robbers, located in the extensive pinewoods toward Barnegat, in Monmouth county, whose head-quarters were ata secret cave in that region. Lee dispatched a select party offearless men, who approached the dangerous region in a farmer's wagon,concealed under a covering of straw. Fagans, the robber leader, withsome followers, stopped the wagon to plunder it, when the concealeddragoons immediately put a ball through Fagans's head, and with hisfall his associates fled. Fagans's body was conveyed to Barkalow'swoods, the usual place of execution for such culprits, and thereexposed on a gibbet till the flesh dropped from the bones.

Mr. Forman mentions that his father, Samuel Forman, did not escape avisit from the Tories and British. At one time, they made a descentupon the village of Middletown Point. There was a mill at this place,which was well known and much resorted to for a great distance; andsome of these Tory invaders had been employed in the erection of thismill, and were personally well known to the citizens, and it wouldappear that their object was, at least, to capture Samuel Forman, ifnot to kill him. They plundered the houses of the settlement,destroying what they could not carry off, boasting that they had aidedin building the mill, and now assisted in kindling the fire in thebolting box to burn it down. They had surprised the guard placed forthe protection of the place, killing several of their number, who hadbeen their schoolmates in former years. Samuel Forman eluded theirvigilance, but lost heavily by this invasion, for he owned almost allof one side of Middletown Point, and part of both sides of Mainstreet. He never applied to Congress for any remuneration for hislosses. He died in 1792, in his seventy-eighth year. In this foray,the enemy burned two store-houses of Mr. John H. Burrows, robbed hishouse, and took him prisoner to New York. After several months, he wasexchanged, and returned home.

My brother, Denise Forman, entered the service when he was aboutsixteen years old. He was in the battle of Germantownin whichengagement eighteen of the Forman connection took partwhere theAmericans were badly used, on account of the British having some lightartillery in a large stone house. Our army had to retreat; when thattook place, Lieutenant Schenck, under whom brother Denise served, tookDenise's gun, and told him to take fast hold of his coat, and cling toit during the retreat. General David Forman conducted himself so well,that General Washington tendered his aid in securing a command in theContinental army; but General Forman declined the offer, as hebelieved he could be more serviceable to remain with the militia inMonmouth county, New Jersey, as they were continually harassed thereby the enemy from Staten Island and New York.

After this, Denise Forman engaged under a Captain Tyler, who hadcharge of a few gun-boats that coasted along the Jersey shore, toannoy and oppose the enemy. When the British fleet lay at anchor nearSandy Hook, Captain Tyler went, in the night, and surprised a largesloop at anchor among the men-of-war. Tyler's party boarded the sloop,secured the sailors, weighed anchor, and got her out from the fleet,and took her up Middletown creek, all without any fighting. The wholeenterprise was conducted with so much judgment, that the sailorprisoners dared not speak or give the least sign of alarm. "When wefirst touched the sloop," said Denise Forman, "I felt for a moment alittle streaked, but it was soon over, and then we worked fearlesslyto get the vessel under weigh, without alarming the fleet." Thesegun-boats were all propelled by muffled oars, that dipped in and outof the water so as to make no noise; nor did any of the men speakabove their breath. On the gunwale of the boat, a strip of heavycanvas was nailed, the inner edge having been left unfastened, underwhich were concealed their swords, guns, and other implements for usein a combat, and so placed that each man could, at an instant'snotice, lay his hand upon his own weapon. Even in port, the menbelonging to Tyler's party were not allowed to talk or speak to otherpeople, as a matter of precaution; and the captain always spoke in anundertone, and if a man laid down an oar, it was always done asnoiselessly as possible.

At one time, fifteen hundred British and Tories landed on Middletownshore, and marched from six to ten miles back into the country. Abeacon, placed on a conspicuous hill, was fired for the purpose ofgiving an alarm; and soon the militia of the country, understandingthe notice, gathered, and opposed the enemy. In Pleasant Valley theychecked their advance. Uncle John Schenck and brother Denise soclosely cornered a British or Tory officer of this party in abarn-yard, that he jumped from his horse, took to his heels andescaped, leaving his horse behind him.