I have long had it in anticipation to write some of the events of my life. Not that it has been marked with anything peculiar, or particularly interesting. But from the feeling that the events I may note down may sometime be read by my children, and those of my friends, who may survive me, with interest and pleasure.
My father, John Test, was a native of New Jersey, and married my mother Lydia Dungan, who was a native of Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. I do not know the exact year but suppose it was 1801 or 1802. Soon after their marriage they moved from Philadelphia to Wilmington, Delaware, where my sister Mary Hall, who is now the wife of James Rariden, and my oldest brother Charles Henry, were born.
Having met with severe losses in business owing in all probability to his youth and inexperience, being at the time of his marriage to my mother only 19 or 20, he determined to leave Wilmington and try his future in the far West. My father left I suppose about the year 1804 or 1805, for what was in truth called the wilderness.
After a long and weary journey over the Alleganies, for the facilities for traveling were not then what they are now, they reached Brownsville Pa. where they concluded to remain for a while.
While residing in this place my sister Esther French was born. She was afterward the wife of David Wallace, who was at one time Governor of Indiana. My father went from this place to Uniontown, Pa. where he became interested in iron works and bought an interest in one of the furnaces near that place.
It was in the wild regions of Fairchance furnace on the 17th day of December 1807 and I was born (d. February 7, 1896). Here also was the birthplace of my brother John.
My mother who had been delicately reared in a large city, and who had been accustomed to refined society, became dissatisfied with the place, Dutch, called there by the work afforded by the furnace. She felt too, that such people could not be easily cultivated, or elevated, and she had a young family she was unwilling to rear in such circumstances, and in such society. Actuated by these motives, for my father felt their force, he sold his interest in the furnace, and came down the river to what was then the small village of Cincinnati. Here they would have settled permanently, but during the time of their stay there, we were all sick continually, and several of us came near losing our eye-sight with inflammatory sore eyes. This discouraged my parents and they determined to move again. My father plunged still farther into the wilderness for the village of Brookville in what was then the territory of Indiana, was decided upon as our future residence. I have many times listened with great pleasure to my mother's account of our arrival in Brookville.
My father had engaged for a residence a large double cabin with an entry between the two cabins. It was situated on the banks of a beautiful stream called from the clearness of its waters by the Indians White water. This river separates above the village of B- and runs completely around it, and on one of the forks of this stream our cabin stood.
It was with much difficulty that we made our way through a newly cut road, whose scarcely removed stumps formed considerable barrier to our approach to our new residence. On each side of this road was an impenetrable wilderness, so dense, and dark, that the small specks of sunshine that pierced their way through looked like stars glimmering on a dark lake. After much fatigue we arrived at our new home, and when we had deposited our goods in the new house, my father proposed as my mother thought going into the village, and the hotel to dinner. She little dreamed we were in the very heart of the village, and that four or five cabins made up the number of its houses. My mother dried her eyes and prepared us for the hotel. The prospect for her was a sad, sad one, and although a woman of great resolution she could not at times control her feelings at the prospect. When our faces were all washed, and clean aprons put on, and hair combed, we sallied forth with all the courage of children whose appetites have been sharpened by a wearesome journey. Enquiries were continually made as we passed, nay scrambled over logs, stumps, and often intercepted by briers, of where is the village? and where is the hotel? for nothing of their likeness was to be seen. But finally after many a scratch upon our hands, and many a rent in our dresses and white aprons, which were not calculated for such endurance, we reached and stopped at a small cabin surrounded by a rough worm fence, which we all were instructed to climb, to make our entrance into the cabin hotel. This hotel contained four large feather beds, made up with nice quilts but something in the form of graves, a corner cupboard, with dishes all arranged for show, a table and several split bottomed chairs, and a looking glass with a piece of flowered paper under, and a pin cushion, a hem stitched towell, and a housewife hanging round it. Here my mother seated herself and gave vent to tears that could no longer be suppressed, and reflections not very flattering to my father were passing rapidly through her mind, when the landlady who was cooking in a shed at the side of the cabin entered. She approached my mother with a pleasant smile, and with a cordial shake of the hand welcomed her to her rude home, with much affectionate kindness. After removing our bonnets, and shawls, and preparing a place at the foot of the bed for the baby, who was asleep, she returned to the kitchen to hurry the dinner.
The landlady's cheerful manner was not lost upon my mother, and her heart smote her for her repinings when she contrasted the situation of the landlady with her own. She had a better house, and more comforts in it, she should have no one to wait upon her own family, and an orphan niece of my father's who had accompanied them, would be there for company, who would also relieve her in all her domestic cares.
Reflections of this kind were doing its work of reconcilliation in her heart, when dinner was announced. It was a good one too, for nice fried squirrel, and wild turkey, cornbread, potatoes, together with bacon and eggs, and coffee, well prepared and set on a clean table cloth, and brightened withal by the smiling face of the landlady, made up a repast which to our appetites sharpened by our journey, was most acceptible, and well enjoyed. It had its effect too upon my mother, for she went to arranging her own cabin, if not with cheerfulness, at least with a feeling of submission.
My parents had scarcely become settled in their new home when war was declared with great 'Brittian.' The Indians took part with England, in this war. Brookville being a frontier town in what was then called the new purchase and containing but few inhabitants was in a very exposed condition to the Indians.
Our situation was really a perilous one for my mother being near her confinement with my brother Edward Francis was unable to go back as my father desired to Cincinnati. Consequently we had to remain at the peril of our lives until after her confinement.
My mother's condition at this time was truly pitiable living as we were in a lonely wilderness surrounded by few comforts and assistance being almost unobtainable the Indians too within hearing of our habitations any hour they could have fallen upon us unprotected as we were and 'annihialated' us. Such circumstances would have been trying to anyone and especially was it so to my mother accustomed as she was to all the refinements and delicacies of life.
When the neighbors who were called in entered my mother's room at the time of confinement I have heard her say she covered her face in terror beneath the bedclothes lest they were savages. They came dressed in striped cotton of their own manufacture coarse in the extreme and all barefooted. But coarse as they were in exterior kindly hearts beat in their bosoms whose liveliest sympathies were stirred with emotion at the condition of my mother. For they not only nursed her tenderly but took care of her family until she was restored. Her gratitude to them ended only with her life.
When my mother was sufficiently recovered to leave her room arrangements were made for the family to go back to Cincinnati our furniture was packaged and the waggons at the door to take them when my mother ascertained through her neighbors that it was my father's intention so soon as the family were situated out of danger to join Harrison's army as a volunteer. The knowledge of this fact put a sudden check to our return to Cincinnati for the waggons were speedily unpacked and the furniture placed again in the cabin and our stay determined on.
'I cannot let thee go,' said my mother. 'I have followed thy fortunes to this wilderness and now I cannot consent to let thee leave me and our helpless little ones in this desolate region of savages. Besides were thy own life secured to me I could not bear to think thy hand was raised to shed the blood of thy fellow creatures.' Her quaker education had given her a great heart. My father of course gave up his design of joining the army for he would not leave us in Brookville exposed as we were to the Indians.
Many very many were the hardships we endured. We were sometimes taken from our beds at night to a house where all the village had assembled to make as strong a resistence as possible to the savages who were prowling round us waiting for an unguarded moment on our part to massacre us all. They were constantly committing depredations all around us but we were mercifully spared from injury.
I was not old enough to remember all the circumstances relative to those times but there are some striking events I remember distinctly. For instance I remember when peace was restored seeing a long line of Indians ride through the village and being so terrified at the sight that I screamed with perfect agony. My father owned a mill which was situated on White water near our house and the Indians often came to it. I never got sight of one but I ran home and hid until they were gone. I had a perfect horror of them and have even now although I believe there are many noble spirits among them. But the loaded muskets which I was forbidden to touch and the pale countenance of my mother at the least unusual noise after night together with the frequent cry at the door: Run for your lives for the Indians are upon us are always associated in my mind with an Indian.
Then when old enough to be interested in these events I have sat and listened to the recital of barbarity by those who had been eye witnesses of their cruelty until my blood would almost freeze in my young veins.
After peace was restored and hostilities with the Indians ceased my father commenced reviewing the study of the law a study he had nearly completed previous to his marriage but which he had laid aside afterward. He was now the father of six children although not older than most men are when they first marry. This circumstance shows in my father's history that marriage is not the hindrance and burden that most persons suppose for the organs of the mind often lie dormant and underdeveloped until necessity brings them forth and marriage to those who are poor soon gives a necessity for active exertion and if prompted by affection the effort will usually be sufficient to secure success in anything which may be undertaken.
My father soon was admitted to the bar and was a successful lawyer. He had a love of study and a facility of learning which is rather remarkable.
Our cabin was exchanged for a house of larger dimensions. My father purchased a log house the difference between this and the cabin was that the logs were all dressed and made smooth and the house had large windows. To this was added a back building of frame adjoining which my father had his office.
In this house we passed many happy days it was here that we had many a little dance and play with all the children in the country round. My mother delighted to see us enjoy ourselves and she always endeavored to make home as pleasant as possible to her children. Prosperity attended my parents at this period of their lives. My father was appointed clerk of the court and he also bought goods and carried on merchandising. He bought a very pretty house on the hill at Brookville with several acres of ground around. These grounds my mother improved beautifully for she had great taste in such things. We had every kind of fruit and flower that could be procured and our situation was the admiration of everyone.
My father was made judge of the court and 'resigned' this situation to run for Congress. He was successful in his election. But I cannot pretend to mention all the events in his varied career particularly after he became a politic an besides I have forgotten dates.
My mother had three children who were natives of Indiana. Edward whom I have mentioned as being born soon after they came here William Allen and Martha who were born in the log house under the hill.
This little record has long remained untouched. The cares of life occupy may engross me almost wholly often much at variance with my feelings and tastes for I should love to devote more of my time to reading and to literary pursuits but I have taken upon myself the responsible cares of a family and I must not shrink from its duties. I should be unhappy should I do so.
[Odd pages loose in the book]
Feb. Tuesday 26th 1895
John Coburn is right about my father having a place in a history of Indiana. I believe no man came to the West who exerted a larger influence among the citizens than he. Although young not more than 25 he had a well developed mind which he was cultivating industriously all the time. He devoted every moment to business or study while at the same time he supported a family of a wife three or four children and always maintained a respectable position in society. He also took in all the improvements of the West besides planning many of them. His childhood was passed in New Jersey. Having lost his mother a step-mother was brought into the house which was not agreeable to him. He worked in some way until he had secured the means of going to Philadelphia where after a season of trials such as few boys ever got through with he got employment which gave him the means of a respectable living.
The want of society led his mind into books. He was seldom without one in his pocket which was opened and read or studied at every leisure moment. The love of learning became almost a passion with him. He concluded after trying several kinds of business to take up the law but this had to be pursued together with something by which he could supported (sic). He had at that time a wife and three children to support. The wife was no hindrance but a help meet indeed who managed their affairs as few women are capable of doing.
My mother was a woman whose character and attainments were very great. She was not beautiful but had a pleasing face with a graceful carriage and with sprightly manners and an intelligence that few women at that day possessed. She was fully my father's equal and was his advisor in every important event which took place in their lives.
'He used often to say to me I owe everything I am to my wife. Her encouragement was everything to me for otherwise I should have become weary and given up my undertakings. For my tasks were severe and my nature sometimes rebelled against them. I felt there was nothing for me but work. Why could I not enjoy life as others did and could. Then for a few days I would relax my efforts but shame would drive me back to it with redoubled force. There was nothing but work for me. I could not throw it aside conscientiously. After a while it became easier to me. I was not happy in idleness. And the reward of industry I enjoyed for there are pleasures in an active industrious life.'* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1895
John Coburn is right about my father having a place in a history of Indiana. He came early to the West and settled in Brookville Ind. He lost his mother when about 10 or 12 years of age and not long afterwards a stepmother was brought into the house to replace his father's wife without much reference to the care of the children of whom there were two or three. These motherless children my father among them were thrown upon their own resources as their father was occupied in making himself and surroundings agreeable to his wife.
He was apt at learning and having been sent to school during his mother's life he had improved his time as well as acquired a love of learning and his mind developed rapidly so that he was capable of early taking up pursuits which older heads scarcely dared to touch. My father as early as ten years felt the necessity of work and after what seemed to him a long delay found work such as running errands in a large dry goods house were he stid (sic) until he was able to take a higher and more lucrative position.
'I grew to love learning and books were my delight. The necessity of work by which I could be supported was not delicately hinted but was urged upon me so that I could resist it no longer and I set about hunting something to do.' Those are his own words. My father seemed to take no interest affairs. I had a bare existence at home at that time. I blame myself as I did not trouble myself to make myself agreeable to those around me in fact there seemed to be nothing desired or expected of me but to keep out of the way as much as possible.
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Whilst he determined to join Harrison's army. Our goods were all packed the horses stood at the door ready to start when some neighbor made some allusion to when my father would be ready to join the army. This was a secret he had kept from my mother. It aroused suspicion but she did not credit it until going into some neighbors to say good bye the young girls of the house jumped up as in great consternation when she went in and hid their work under the pillow of the bed. My mother being very intimate with the family and unsuspecting any secret got up jokingly saying I am going to see what you are hiding from me it may be some wedding finery. What was her surprise to take out a blue hunting shirt trimmed with white fringe. This was the uniform worn by the volunteers. She held it in her hands a few moments then tears gushing from her eyes said the secret is told now. I see it all I am not going to Cin- You may dismiss the carriage. My husband you have deceived me. You are sending the children and myself away so that you can join the army. Now I know that if I stay here in this wild country to which you have brought me you will not have the heart to leave us and I am going to stay. Expostulations were of no avail. She has been brought up in the quaker Faith and could not change. I shall not leave thee she said. If the Indians take us they take us all. I will stay by thee. And stay she did.
>> Judge Charles Test's Life as Told by Himself