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Note: HISTORY OF JOSEPH SALMON Our line of Salmons were originally Scotch and were Knighted by by Sir Robert Bruce in the 14th century. They moved across the border during the Highland Wars to Southhold, England. Three families came to America in 1640. One settled in Massachusetts, another in New Jersey and the third in Southhold, Long Island. Joseph Salmon the Frontier hero is a desendant of the New Jersey family of Salmon's. When a young man, he came to Briar Creek Northumberland County, Pennsylvania and was prominent in the service of the Northumberland County Militia. From the beginning of the Indian Wars he was active in the defense of the settlers along the Indian Trail that once followed the Suquehanna River. A concrete highway now covers the old trail. At the time of serious indian troubles about 1776, Joseph Salmon built a cabin on the bank of the stream known from circumstance as "Cabin Run" it is now Center Toronship. The cabin was destroyed three years later by a party of Indians from the Chillisquarque tribe as they passed through the Fishing Creek Valley below Knob Mountain and crossed Summer Hill through the narrow passage or gorge of Cabin Run, another cabin was destroyed during the same raid. Joseph Salmon gained prominence in 1778, On April of this year he joined Major Van Campen who had been sent from Fort Agusta by Col. Hunter to build a Fort on Fishing Creek for the protection of the settlers in that area. they soon constructed a stockade of logs around the home of Isaiah Wheeler, large enough to accomodate the families of that neighborhood. When completed it took the name of Fort Wheeler. It was Situated at the paper mill near the present town of Light Street. Joseph Salmon was a Captain during this time in the County Militia he was a man of prominence as a scout and showed extraordinary courage in fighting and dealing with the indians. It was during this time that Captian Salmon had an open rivilry with Major Van Campen over the daughter of the Isaiah Wheeler's. They must have discovered her while building the Fort at Wheelers place. Salmon and Wheeler were good friends and the competition ended with Salmon winning the damsel, Ann Wheeler became the wife of Joseph Salmon. Later while building a stockade around James McClure's home, Van Campen fell in love with McClure's daughter, Margaretta and married her. In this area Joseph Salmon built on what was then called Moses Creek, probably named for some indian chief. Later the name was changed to Salmon Creek in Joseph's honor. Years later the name was changed to Solomon Creek. On March 8, 1781, Joseph Salmon was taken prisoner, there were many hostile indians in the area where he built his home on the north branch of near Danville. He was in the field and saw the indians surrounding the his cabin. He ran there in time to persuade the savages to spare his wife and *and small child. In return he would go with the indians as their hostage. After traveling a few days his captors turned him over to another band of indians, among whom was an old acquaintance of Salmon's called Shenap. Shenap said to Salmon "Sollo you shain't be hurt". Soon after this they fell in with a large body of indians who had another white man named Williamson. These prisoners were in captivity about two years when they were compelled to run the gautlet for their freedom. Williamson refused and was beaten to death. But Captain Salmon plunged through receiving but a few bruises. Shenap came up to him and said "Sollo you run like debil - you run like hoss". Shenap was assigned to lead Salmon back to his home. Shenap guided him back as far as Knob Mountian and said "Sollo you can find your way home". Captain Salmon reached his home safely and continued to serve in the county militia until 1798. Some history shows that Joseph Salmon spent most of the two years as a prisoner in Canada. (see *) The Pennsylvania archive noted that Captain Joseph Salmon was held prisoner by the indians in Canada for two years. The archives also show land warrantes for Salmon's 250 acres and 450 acres. He was Captain in the III Battalion County Militia in 1792, in Feb. 1795 He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the 7th Regiment, and in March 23, 1798 He was a Lt. Colonel in the 5th Regiment. Joseph Salmon was given 300 acres of donation land by an act of the Senate and House Of Representatives of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania - which was approved March 4, 1807 Joseph finally Moved his family to a farm near Light Street where he became prominant in public affairs and agriculture interests. He and his wife Ann died at this place and are buried in Hidley Cementary. Joseph Salmon's son Isaiah lived and died on a farm in Briar Creek Township near Fowlersville, Isaiah and his wife are also buried in the Hidley Cementary. George Washington Salmon in our line, He was the father of William B. Salmon, who was the father of Henry Freeland Salmon, who was the father of John Homer Salmon, who is my dad (Dean Everett Salmon). * There is an account which says Joseph and Van Campen were neighbors and Salmon seeing smoke coming from Van Campen's area feared for and Indian attack and headed home from the field. When he approched near enough he could see his wife and child were already prisoners. Unfortunately the Indians saw him as he sought concealment in a nearby bridge. Several attempts were made to burn the bridge to get him out but this failed and they returned to the house and scalped his wife and set her free, but the infant child was unhumanly killed. This story doesn't seem likely, according to the act granting Salmon his property, it reads in part: Whereas it appears that Joseph Salmon late a captain in Colonel James Murray's Regiment of Northumberland County Militia whelst in the service of his country During the revolutionary War, was taken prisoner by the indians and detained in captivity upwards of two years, during which time his then infant family solely dependent on his labors for support was left destitute and himself treated with all the rigors incident to savage warfare; and it also appearing that he hath not received from his country any compensation for his services and suffering. This act by the Pennsylvania Legislature gave him 300 acres for compensation. Approved March 4, 1807. Recorded in L.B. No. 10. P 452. Bur in Hidlay Cem . Homstead was west and south of Wilkes Briar.
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