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RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, J908
RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, 1908
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Sixth Reunion of the Pike Family
In the fall of I'.His the followinc^ notice was sent out to all the memhcrs of the Pike Family Association, to- £2:ether with the copy of the lOOii Records, to the addresses last known :
Sept. •?-?nd, 1908.
To THE JMeMBERS of THE PiKE FaIMILY ASSOCIATION :
It is with deepest req-ret I announce the death of our helovcd president, the Hon. Edwin Burhank Pike, which occurred on August ".'Ith last, at his home in Pike, N. H., after an illness of one week.
His death, and the absence of our secretary in Nevada, made it necessary to change the plans for our meeting", and after correspondence with the remaining: members of the hoard of directors, it was decided to hold the next meet- ing at Salisbury, Mass.. on Thursday, ( )ctober 22nd, in the Methodist church, which has kindly been offered for our use.
The regular biennial business meeting of the associa- tion will h.e called to order at Id.. "30 A. M., for the election of officers and the trar.saction of any other business that niav come before the meeting. For the afternoon a pro- gramme has been arranged by the Salisbury and New- burvport members of the association. It is earnestly hoped that a large number will be present, and it is especially re- quested that if you cannot be there you will send some word of greeting, and do not forget to enclose your dues.
Please send all communications to 'Sir. John O. Evans, Salisbury, Alass.
Take a train from Boston at the North Station via
4 RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY
Boston S: Maine, Eastern Division, to Salisbury or Xew- Iniryport. wliere electrics connect by a ten minute ride. Cars leave Xe\v1)uryport for Salisbury at lo minutes of and 1.-) minutes past the hour.
Trains leave for Xewburyport at T.;)(». S.47, !).on, !)..•)(> and 10.1(1 A. M. The :.:!n. s. IT and lo.lo trains stop at Salisburv.
If any desire to remain over, accommodations mav be obtained in Xe\vbury])(.rt. The next day local members will be i^]?A to show visiting- members the various places which are of interest to all descendants of Major Robert and Captain John Pike.
For the Hoard of Directors.
PIeri;rrt a. Pike. First \'ice President.
In accordance with this notice a goodly number of the Pike Family gathered at Salisbury. You will note that the call was for a session of one day only instead of the usual two days. Owing to the death of our beloved President. Edwin I>. Pike, and the absence of our Secretary and Treasurer in the West, we were deprived of the two who had taken the most active part in the plans for these gath- erings an<l it was tliought best to have the reunion this year more es])ecially for the election of officers and to com])ly with the regulations of the Association and no (.laborat- eniertainment or program was attempted. Yet the reunion proved enjoyable to all and the program, as you will see. was an interesting one.
The meeting was called to order at KXoO o'clock in the morning of Thursday. Oct. '^-Jnd. Herbert A. Pike, of Worcester, First \'ice President, in the chair.
The Records of last meeting as published were ac- cepted \yithout objection.
In the absence of the Secretary and Treasurer. ]Miss
RECOKDS OF THF. PIKE FAMILY 5
Frances C. Dickemian of Pike, N. H.. was appointed Sec- retary pro tern.
The Secretary's report was then called for and was read hv the Secretary pro tern. It was voted that this be accepted and placed on file.
Secretary's Report
Your Secretary, tho" far away, is pleased to send yon his crreetin_^s upon this joyous occasion throu,2^h his 1!)08 report to the Association. The past two years have been those of prosperity and have culminated in tlie addition of thirtv-six names to our roll of membership, and many more to our directory of names in the kinshi]), making' the total number who have joined the Association 75(S. Of these thirty-two have already been reported as havino- beeri taken from us and it is now my painful duty to report that fourteen more have gone to join that innumerable throng" where partings are unkr.own. Their names are as follows :
]^.Irs. Alva German.
!\lrs. J. E. Graves.
^Irs. Hiram W. Hill. James Henry Jenkins.
Mrs. L. H. Lamson.
Alvin I'ike. ' '
Miss Ella M. Pike.
Capt. John C. Pike.
Lt. Rowland Pike.
Hon. Edwin B. Pike.
Ezekiel Pike.
Miss Lena M. Pike.
Mrs. ]\lary Jane Remick.
Mrs. Henry A. Wilson.
Suitable resolutions should be drawn up to the memory
of these.
6 RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY
At the last Reunion the names of all those who were in arrears for more than two years" dues were posted in the hall during the meeting of the Association and after- wards notices were sent to them informing them of what had heen done, which resulted in many of them settling their dues at once. But I am sorry to have to state that seventy-four of those names were dropped from our roll of memhership. and while we are sorry to lose them, it is an immense relief to the Secretary who has written many times to these delinquents without receiving any replies to his solicitations to settle. The striking off of these names. I liojie, clears our roll of memhership of all unde- sirahle memhers.
There have Ijeen no new names added to our roll of life-meml)ers. Init I wish to state that one name was left off the roll of l!><)(i by some blunder of your Secretary, al- though all the hooks show that she had i)aid her life mem- bership fee, and that is the name of .Mrs. Cora F. Pike, Saco. Me.
When vour Secretary went West last November he found the expense of transporting the Association records across the Continent such that it would be advisable to leave them in safe hands near home, and by agreement with (lur late lamented P'resident they were sent to his home at Pike, X. H. He was to send them to the mem- bers and to call the I'.xis meeting of the Association which was to be held ( )ct. (ith, but owing to his illness and death it has been delayed to the jM-esent date. And I am most pleased to state that our First \'ice President, Hon. Her- bert A. Pike, has nobly stepped into the vacant place and manfully done his duty in calling this meeting. Your Secretarv thought it would save nuich expense to have the notices printed and mailed in the Fast rather than to have it done in the \\'est. — not that he would for one moment shirk his dutv.
KECOKDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY 7
Your Secretary, acting as a representative from tliis g-lorious Association at the Pike's Peak Centennial cele- bration held at Colorado Springs, Col., Sept. 23-29, 1906, in honor of Gen. Zebulon M. Pike, will make no special report at this meeting as his report will appear in a printed form later on, but he will at this time state that every at- tention was bestowed upon him by the citizens of that beautiful city, to whom and for which he is extremely grateful. He was invited to be present at all their exer- cises, receptions, banquets, and to a lunch at Gen. William J. Palmer's resplendent palace in the mountains whose vestibule is that renowned and magnificent "Garden of the Gods" of which you may all have read and some been privileged to visit. Assistance was rendered from all their committees to aid your Secretary in obtaining all the ])a- pers read, speeches delivered and photographs of all the speakers, and of the beautiful scenery with which the city abounds, and he now has sixty-eight half tones ready for the centennial edition of our records when published, which he hopes may be done before the next Reunion and which may be possible should the members respond in the payment of their dues to the Association.
The Soliciting Committee did' not meet with the re- sults they expected in soliciting funds with which to send your delegate and this deficit should be made up by mem- bers outside the funds of the Association. This would give more money with which to print the Centennial Records.
There are now on hand many badges, coats of arms and lithograph coats of arms which can be had of the Sec- retary. The stationery and seals can be had of Miss Frances C. Dickerman, Pike, N. H. They are all very beautiful and should be in the home of every Pike, or those who claim such descent, in the land.
In closing I would again request that the members send notice of all deaths, births, marriages, and changes
8 RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILV
^)i address, to the Secretar\- that thev may be properly re- 'torded tliat no errors may Ix' made in sending" our the :notices and records.
It is with the deepest regret that T can not he with you to(hi\' l)ut remember that mv heart is with }-ou and in this great and glorious work, and that T expect to be with you when n.ext the Association meets.
Clifi'ori) L. Pike, Secretan-.
The Treasurer's Rejxirt was tlien read as follows: Treasurer's Report
To the Pike Family Association, Inc. :
Your Treasurer begs to submit the following" report:
Money in Treasury Aug. 27, 1906 .?116.S2
(In last report one life membership fee left out through mistake)
Money received for Membership Fees 36.00
Dues 336.7,")
Official Badgf-s 13.00
Souvenir Badges 2.30
Coats of Arms 10.00
Lithograph Coats of Arms 10.00
Thirty-three Banqueters 49. .50
Soliciting Committee to send Dele- gate to the Pike Centennial at
Colorado Springs, 1906 .5.5.50
$629.87
Money paid American House, 1906 $ 56.55
For changing date on Souvenir
Badges 3.5 0
Three Coats of Arms, and express. . . 12.35
Expressing records to and fri)m Bos- ■
ton 1.25 ;■
RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY " 9
Printing 2,000 notices of dues 2.50
Printing- 1,000 circular letters.. 2.75
Express .15
Freigliting records, etc., to Pike, N. H. 4.20 Expressing Coats of Arms to Pike,
N. H 55
12 Coats of Arms 30.00
Jas. S. Conant Co., 1 half tone 4.00
Lakeside Press Co., 67 half tones.... 135.68
Postage sending notices of Dues 24.90
For printing 1,500 of 1906 records... S3. 20 Delegate to Pike Centennial Celebra- tion at Colorado Springs, 1906... 125.00 486.58
Balance in Treasury Oct. 20, 1908 3143.29
There are 13 Coats of Arms on hand and 6 8 half tones for the Pike's Peak Centennial edition of the Records when pub- lished.
This report is exclusive of the expenses of calling the 1908 Reunion which I have been unable to obtain for lack -'of time.
Money has been forwarded me for extra copies of the Cen- tennial Records which I shall hold until the Centennial edition is published.
Money is still due from the Soliciting Committee as there has been no settlement with the Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted, CLIFFORD L. PIKE, Treasurer.
It was decided that this remain on the table until the matter was taken u]) with the chairman of the Soliciting Committee and a settlement made.
The election of officers was next in order and the fol- lowinp: Committee on Nominations was appointed : J. Q. Evans, Mrs. Olive C. Lincoln, Mrs. J. F. Hayes, of Exeter.
While the Nominating Committee were preparing their report the Vice President spoke briefly regarding the affairs of the Association.
10 RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY
The chairman of the Major Robert Pike Monunient Committee was then called on for a report of what had been done since the last Reunion.
This committee did not have much to say and sug- gested that Dr J. F. Spaulding, chairman of the Town Committee, be called upon for a statement. Dr. Spauld- ing felt tliat the Association should either do something or else drop the matter and the Town Committee would take it up again. Said they would turn over what funds thev had, — about $ln(), — and be satisfied with whatever memorial the Association might decide upon.
After some discussion motion was luade by Mr. J- Q- Evans that a committee be appointed to solicit funds, to receive from Dr. Spaulding, as Treasurer, such funds as he miglit have in his possession, and that the committee be authorized to expend same for a suitable memorial. This motion was seconded by Miss Davis and carried without objection. The Association then chose the follow- ing to serve on this conunittee: John O. Evans, Miss Elizabeth Davis. Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. John B. Pike, ]\Iiss Harriet Pike, ?\Irs. Olive C. Lincoln, Mr. Frank Pike of Keene.
The \'ice President then appointed the following Com- mittee on Resolutions to report at the afternoon session : J. g. Evans, Mrs. H. A. Pike. Miss Nellie Bennett.
A vote of thanks was extended to the people of the Methodist Church who had so kindly opened their chu.rch for our use, to Mr. Evans who prepared the program, and to those who took part in the program.
Report of Nominating Committee: For President, Herbert A. Pike of Worcester ; Vice Presidents, John Q. Evans. Salisbury ; L. F. Barton, Newburyport ; Virginia Pike ALirtin, Minneapolis ; E. Bertram Pike, Pike, N. H. ; Miss Nellie F. Bennett, Boston ; Enbridge N. Pike, Cam- bridge ; Addison R. Pike, Winchester ; Secretary Dr. Clifford
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Herbert A. Pike
RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY 11
L. Pike • Assistant Secretary, Miss Frances C. Dickerman ; Treasurer, Miss Frances C. Dickerman ; Directors, Pres- ident, First Vice President, Secretary, also, Mrs. Olive C. Lincoln, Mrs. Philip H. Blumpey, Hon. L. F. Pike, Cor- nish, Me., Mrs. Robert E. Cheney.
It was voted that the official home office of the Pike Family Association be at Pike, N. H., and that all corre- spondence be directed to this point from which it should be forwarded to the proper parties for attention.
Meeting adjourned until 2 o'clock P. M.
^
The afternoon program was as follows:
The afternoon program wfxi^ a.s follov.s:
Address of Welcome John Q. Evans of Salisbury
Response Herbert A. Pike of Woi'cester
Poem on Major Robert Pike
Composed and read by Samuel Hoyt of Amesbury
Song- Mrs. F. A. Pike Hardy of Londonderry, N. H.
Paper on Col. Zebulon Pike
Written by Leon W. Pike of Capa, S. Dakota and read by Mrs. Herbert A. Pike
Song- Mrs. Fred Piper
Reading of litters from Absent Members
Paper oa Col. (Rev.) James Pike
Rev. W. A. Rand of Seabrook, N. H.
Original Poem, "The Call of the Kin" Miss Elizabeth P. Davis
Song Mrs. Hardy
Report of Committee on Resolutions (which will be given in full later on.)
Upon vote of the Association the President appointed the following committee to have in charge the planning for the next Reunion, 1!)10: Mr. J. Q. Evans, Mrs. Olive C. Lincoln, Mrs. Herbert A. Pike.
The afternoon session closed with the singing of America and the benediction pronounced by Rev. W. L. Atkinson, pastor of the M. E. Church.
12 ERCORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY
A pleasant incident occrrred in the afternoon session when, dnring llie latter part of the afternoon, as Air. Robert Pike, an as^ed member of the Association from Union. X. H.. rose to leave the church, he made his way to the front and tendered his generous gift of $"?."). 00 to the Maj. Robert Pike Memorial Fund. ThiC Association with much enthusiasm gave him a rising vote of thanks.
Greetings were read from a few of the members who were not able to be present and th.e letters from our Cort- land members. .Mrs. Hill, eighty-two years old and Mrs. Taylor, eight}--four years old, were particularly appre- ciated. These letters are given below : "Greetixci to the Pike [-"amily Associatiox : —
Respected Kindred : — W hen I gave my name to be- come a member of the -Vssociation I expected to see vou all face to face er^.^ this late date: l)ut circumstances, princi- pally age and feebleness, have i)revented thus far and now I have nearly relinquished the hope of going ver\- far from my own home.
This world is beautiful, life is pleasant, the associa- tion of kin.dred and f'-iends is desirable, and vet it doth not compare or appear what God hath jjrepared for those that love Him in our next world. As 1 sit liere this bright morning and see the sear and yellow leaves falling I can but recognize t!ie simile of our lives.
While the autumn leaves are falling, Earth vvuh rnauy tones is calling,
Calling U"^ to re-t. Rest from weary p. tin and sorrow, Trusting in a briglit tomoraow
With the blc-^t
I was eight_\--four years old last August, probably your oldest memlDer.
With kind thoughts and best wishes. I am,
Yours. Oct. 11), 11)08. Mrs. Wm. Taylor.
RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY 13
Cortland, Oct. 19th. To THE Pike Family Associatiox : —
Greeting : — Although the frosts of eighty-two winters have silvered my locks and placed many a furrow on my brow, vet each recurring spring time brings new hopes and aspirations and seems to renew our youth, and we go on making plans for the future as in early life, and I still hope to meet with you in the future with my children down to the fourth generation. I want them to know you and have an interest with \ou, as I think it will be a benefit to them through life.
With kind wishes,
Mrs. L. E. Hill.
(We would suggest that it would be helpful and en- couraging if more who are interested in the Association and unable to attend the Reunions would send their greet- ings to the assembled Familv. Man\- times the\- would be able to embody in their letters information regarding the I'ike Famil} or suggestions for the Association work which would be of much benefit, but in any event a few lines of greeting expressing their interest and good-will would be much appreciated.)
Resolution
Whereas. This Association is called to mourn the loss of our honored President, the late Edwin B. Pike, who passed away in August last.
Resolved. That in the loss of President Pike this Association has lost one of its most loyal and enthusiastic workers, who. as President of this Association since its institution, has helped by word and deed to make the As- sociation a most successful organization ;
Resolved, That in the loss of such a man as Presi- dent Pike this Association has lost a true friend and coun- sellor ;
14 RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY
Re^olxei), That a copy of these resohitions he en- tered on the journals of this Association and that a copy be sent to the family of the deceased.
John Q. E\axs.
AIary E. Pike.
Nellie b'KANCEs 1')Exxett.
Committee on Resolutions.
Resolution
\\'h!-:keas. This Association is once more called upon to note the passini^' away of our late brothers, who have been associates with us in the wi^rk of this Association, but who now luu'e l>een called to their reward,
Resol\]-:i), That this Association mourns the loss of our late members and that we join with their several fam- ilies in deep feeiin.u: of sorrow^ and affliction :
Rksol\i-:l), That this Association extends its pro- found and heartfelt sympathy to the several families of these deceased memljers ;
Resolxed. That a copy of these resolutions be placed upon the records of this Associati(jn and a copy of same be sent to the several families of the said deceased members.
John O. Exans.
Mary E. Pike.
Xellie Frances Bennett.
Committee on Resolutions.
RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY 15
Colonel Zebulon PiKe*
Tradition says that my great grand-father, Col. Zeb- ulon Pike, came over from England with his two brothers, James and Robert, some years before the Revolutionary War.
Robert went to sea with the son of the Governor of New Jersey, and as neither returned it was sui)posed that the ship, being a new one, had not been properly ballasted and while at sea had turned turtle, all on board being lost.
James joined the Quakers and moved to Pennsyl- vania and further trace of him was lost.
Tradition also sa\s that each of the brothers brought with him five thousand potuids of English money and when the war of the Re\()lution began Col. Pike used all his money in raising and equipping a comj)any of cavalry which he commanded during the war. He engaged a Erench riding master to train his men to ride. They were taught to ride in a circle without saddle or bridle. Col. Pike rode a fine large black horse called Genius, which was the pride of the company. He had his horses trained to jump, and when pursued by the British dragoons would go across the country taking the fences as they came and leaving the British f;ir in the rear.
( )nce when Col. Pike was out scouting he came to the house of a friend about dusk and tied his horse and went in, thinking to surprise his friend. Not seeing any one in front of the house he went through on to the rear. But the house was deserted and Col. Pike said the intense stillness made him so nervous that he drew his saber and
*Dr. Clifford L. Pike (probably the best posted of any one in the country on the Pike Family) wrote with reference to the paper on Colonel Zebulon Pike: "It is all true except the tra- dition of the origin of the family; Col. Zebulon was the son of James Pike of Woodtaringe, N. J.
16 RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMLY
walked backwards out of the house.
While out on a scouting- expedition Col. Pike was slipping upon a liritish camp, and being detected, was pursued by a bod\- of British dragoons. While in retreat Col. Pike always rode at the rear of his troops and was in the rear on this occasion. Two of the English troopers having swifter horses than the rest, had overtaken him and were trying to slay him with their sabers, but he, be- ing an excellent swordsman, was protecting himself and was making the fight interesting for the Englishmen, when one of his trooj^ers. a Frenchman, looking back, saw the difificulty. Dro])i)ing alongside, he shot one of the Eng- lishmen, while the other one was soon dispatched by Colo- nel Pike.
( )n another occasion he and eight of his men were reconnoitering .i liritish camp, and while he was looking through his field or spy glass he saw an English soldier come out of the camp a short distance and after kneeling down, place something on. the gunbarrel and take aim: the Colonel reined his horse back a step and at that instant a rifle ball passed in front of him. cutting a lock of hair from his horse's mane. A l)ody of cavalry was then sent after them, and the Colonel ordered his men to make for a field surrounded by a post and rail fence. The fence was jumped with ease b\- the Colonel's horses but when the English came to it they had to dismount and tear the fence down before they could proceed, thus giving him ample time to get away.
After the war he taught school until he received his commission to go west with the army of Gen. St. Clair as commander of a regiment. The Government's attention had been called to the perilous situation of the settlers in the far west, where the Indians were burning, pillaging, and murdering the defenceless people along the frontiers of ( )hio and Indiana. The Government dispatched St.
RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY 17
Clair with a well equipped regular army to check the In- dians and succour the inhabitants. The army was as- sembled at Cincinnati where it was reorganized by Gen. St. Clair and his call for volunteers was responded to in great numbers. The army took the line of march to the interior, preceded by scouts to locate the enemy, whom they found in great numbers posted in a favorable place across St. Clair's line of march. Gen. St. Clair was a brave man and a skillful general so far as European tac- tics were concerned, br.t he knew nothing of Indian war- fare, and he drew his men up in the regulation plan of battle, in solid column, a splendid target for the Indians to shoot at. The Indians were not slow to improve their opportunity, and opened upon the whites a murderous tire with rifles from their hiding places behind trees and logs. The consequence was that in a short time St. Clair's army was practically annihilated and the remnant retreated by the way they came. Col. Butler of Kentucky was shot through and said to Col. Pike, "I cannot live, you load my pistol and set me against a tree and I will die fighting and vou tell mv friends so." A wdiite man hidden in a tree top witnessed the death of Liutler.
The order to retreat ended in a wild rout and panic. Col. Pike called a small remnant of his regiment around him and told them their lives depended upon their keep- ing together and obeying orders, and he ordered them to fire on the Indians and load their guns as they ran, thus keeping them in check, but finally Colonel Pike's legs gave out from partial paralysis, which later in life totally tlis- abled him. He sat down on a log to await death and told his men to go on and to do as they had been doing, and thev would get to the fort safely, when as good fortune would have it. Dr. Ellison, a surgeon, came riding up on a wounded horse with a boy behind. Dr. Ellison said to Colonel Pike, "Don't sit there and be butchered by those
18 RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY
devils, hut take hold of my horse's mane and perhaps the cramp may leave you;"" and it did, for as he hobbled along^ he gained strength and they all reached Fort Recover\- in safety. Dr. Ellison established himself in Cincinnati and kept that hors.- without work until he was thirt\- vears old in gratitude for having saved the lives of three men.
Immediately after St. Clair"s defeat, the Government sent Anthony \\'a>ne west to reorganize the remnant of the army. Fn reorganizing the army of the west General ^^'a\•ne discarded the old Euro])ean discij^line and maneu- ver and concluded to fight the Devil with the DeviTs own plans. r>y the advice of old Indian fighters he took his men into the woods and drilled them in Indian st\"le, fought sham liattles, taught his men to lie down behind trees and logs, and to out-yell Indians, and his whole army was like a skirmish line <lrawn (tut with a reserve in su])- porting distance, and he met the enemy not on grounds of their choice but on grounds Gen. Wayne forced them to occu])}-. Col. I'ike was in command of the reserves in this battle and came through all safely. He was transferred from here to a command at Fort Detroit where he re- mained for about a year, after which he was ordered to build a fort near the mouth of the ( >hio River. He se- lected a place where there had once stood a b>ench fort when France owned Canada and also claimed the Alis- sissip]ii River from its source to its mouth. The fort was a strong one Ijuilt by French engineers and occupied bv about two hundred people. The Indians took the fort by strategy. It was the custom of the I-'rench and Indians to play ball outside the fort and at the time of the attack the Indians had cut off some of their rifles so they could be concealed in their clothing.
\Mien they appeared on the ]:)layground, and the French opened their gates, the Indians at a sign made a simultaneous rush and shot the guards at the gate. The gar-
RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY 19
rison were so taken by surprise the\- made but a weak defense, were slaug^htered to a man. their Iiodies thrown into a deep well, and some cannon thrown in on top. Col- Pike named it Fort Massacre in memory of that terrible French tra£:;edv.
The Colonel being- a prudent man. determined to build a fort strong enoug-h. and large enough to protect his gar- rison and also to afford room for the settlers in case of at- tack. The outside fortifications covered many acres and were built of hewed timbers, twenty feet long-, sixteen feet above ground and set four feet in the ground: a flitch eight feet deep and ten feet wide surrounded the fort, with pickets drawn to a sharp pcint in the bottom, which would have been a fatal thing to fall upon. The great gate of the fort was seldom oj^jened ; the salK- port gate onlv was permitted to be opened and a sentrv stood guard.
At stated times the great war chiefs were invited by Col. Pike to hold a grand powwow and feast. The room was twenty feet long and had a long table in the center. Six hunters were ke])t bu.s_\- su])pl}ing the garrison with nu-at. such as deer, elk and small game, and when the In- dian chiefs visited the fort an especial roast dinner was gotten u]) for the occasion and it was a sight to see twenty or more celebrated Indians sit down and eat, Indian style. They used neither knife nor fork, onl}- hands and teeth. They ate stripping the bones and throwing them over their shoulders and v.hen the feast was through there was a line -of bones from one end of the rooni to the other.
At about this time there were indications of an Indian attack, or war on the settlers, as they were gradually en- croaching on the Indians" hunting grounds and the In- dians combined in large bodies for self defense. Col. Pike desired to communicate with the armv at Detroit, to give them warning, and as the journey was a long and danger- txDus .one, he determined to assemble the whole command on
20 RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY
parade, and call h^r volmteers to g'o on the perilous jour- ney. The C^olor.t'l in a speech stated the importance of warning- Detroit of the neces:^ity of heint;- on guard and of increasing their forces and protecting their people as far as possible. The Colonel called for volunteers and out of three hundred men but one respcinded and that was the Colonel's son., Zebi Ion Montgomery Pike. It was a hard blow to send his son, hardlv twenty- one years old, a dis- tance of seven hmdred miles through an almost unbroken wilderness, a cor.ntry occupied by the most savage, cruel and l)li):id thirst\' peojjle in th.e \\()rld, the Shawnee Indians. ( )ne of the d;-ties of Col. Pike was to suppress the river ])irates who infested and terrorized the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. There were two gangs of them, one the Mason, on the ( )hio River, with headquarters at Cave- in-Rock, uu the Kentucky shiu'c u t far from Fort Mas- sacre. John A. Merrill was th.e leader of the Mississippi gang. Col. Pike deteruMned to ca])trre .Mason's gang and detailed Zebulon M. Pike, then Lieutenar.t, with fifteen men to th-,- task. Scj ts we'"e sent o- t to determine when to make th.e attack so as to capture rs man\- as possible. Lieut. Pike started in the evening in a large boat and ar- rived at the ca\-e shGrt!>- after (la\'break. Mason had out no sentinel so Liert. Pike was not detected in coming. The mouth of the cave being iust a few feet frcMu the river bank, the boat was rowed rp so the Lieu.tenant's party might command the entrance while thie\- landed. It hap- pened that through being misinformed by the scouts, two of the gang onl}- were in the cave at the time. These two, Mason and a man named Smith, were at breakfast and were completch' s./rprised. They leaped for their guns but an order to halt from Lieut. Pike, and the muzzles of fifteen guns, brought them to a speedy surrender. They were taken before Col. Pike but nothing could be proven against them and the Colonel was compelled, under the-
Hon. Edwin B. Pike
KECOKDS OF THE PIKR FAMILY 21
circumstances. to let them go, hut as a reminder to them of their future coivh/ct, ordered that each should receive thirt}'-nine lashes on tlie hare back. Mason returned to the cave and continued his depredations and a reward of one thousand dollars was otTered fnr his recapture, dead or alive One of his .s^ang- named LeHarp, thinkiny- to gain the reward, shct Mason and carried his head to Xew Orleans to claim the rewa^'d. James I'rown Pike, son of Col. Pike, being in Xew Orleans at this time, identified Mason's head and also identified LeHarj) as one of Ma- son's gang. LeHarp, instead oi receiving one thousand dollars, was hanged as his reward, by the order of Gov. Claybourne.
Col. Pike had a gunsmith at work near the fort and when any of the Indians entered the fort the\' were com- pelled to leave their arms with the sentrw who turned the guns over to the gunsmith. The English were supplying the Indians with, guns to make war on the Americans and to counteract in a small way what the English were doing Col. Pike had the gunsmith remove and soften the frizen (the iMece on which the flint struck fire) of their flint lock guns, thus rendering them useless.
Col. Pike was an invalid in his later life, this condition being brought on by exposure in the Revolutionary war and in the campaigns of St. Clair and Wayne.
Col. Pike retired from service whiu- at Port Massacre
and settled near Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where he died in
1834.
Leox W. Pike.
The above paper was read by Mrs Herbert A. Pike and in closing she quoted the lollovving:
"They climbed the steep ascent of Heaven
Thro' peril, toil and pain; Oh. God. to us may grace be given To follow in their train."
22 RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY
As a slight tribute to the memory of our former Pres- ident, Edwin B. Pike, and of our Secretary, CHtTord L. Pike, both of whom were so deeply interested in this As- sociation and most largely influential in its organization, we give below a brief sketch of each, believing that all the members will desire to have this in permanent form in the records.
Edwin B. PiKe
Edwin EUirbank I'ike was born in Haverhill. X. H., April T, 1S45, the youngest of six children. His father was Isaac Pike, son of Closes Pike, and his mother's name was Sarah Morse. At fourteen years of age the death of his father threw him upon his own resources, but he suc- ceeded in paying his way l)y his own labor for a period of instruction at Haverhill Academy and Xewbury Seminary. At thf outbreak of the Rebellion, when sixteen years of age, he enlisted in the Union Army, but bis mother pre- vented his entering the service, though later he was con- nected for two years with the railroad and supply service of the Army in the South. For the greater part of his life he was connected with the Pike Manufacturing Com- pany, of Pike, Xew Hampshire, the last seventeen years serving as President, and it was largely through his marked ability, tireless energy and superior business sa- gacity that this became the largest and most prosperous concern in its line in the world. A quotation from his re- marks at the annual conference of his salesmen and de- partment heads will show something of the principle which he carried into his business affairs: "It has been my in- tention and effort for years that what I touched should be benefited by my connection with it, whether it was a piece of land or a horse ; whether it was some one w'ho entered -our employ, or some one who bought something from us.
BECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY 23
Whatever we do I want to be a benefit to those we come in contact with. I want t'j put honesty and kindhness as well as push and perseverance into our business."
Mr. Pike was President of the Pike Family Associa- tion from its organization. He was for many years actively interested in the work of the National Association of Man- ufacturers, serving as Chairman of the Interstate Com- merce Committee and as Mce President for Xew Hamp- shire. He was also a member of the American Hardware Manufacturers' Association, of the Hardware Merchants' and Manufacturers' Club of Philadelphia, and one of the organizers of the Hardware Club of Xew York. He was a member of the Xew Hampshire Historical Society and served as delegate in the last Constitutional Convention of the State. He was a member of the Congregational church at Haverhill, X. H., until he became a charter member of the Bethany Church at Pike, organized after years of ettort on his part.
Mr. Pike was a man of strong personality, genial nianners and generous disposition, hospitable, charitable and public-spirited in a marked degree. He married in Salem, Mass., April 14, iSiio, ]\Iiss Addie A. [Miner, who died August 27. 1887. There were three children by this marriage of whom two are now living, E. Bertram Pike, and Winifred Pike Emory, ( ]\Irs. Walter L. Emory) of Honolulu. Mr. Pike was married again Sept. H>. 1S!)0, to Miss Harriet D. Tromblee, who with one daughter,, Katherine, survives him.
24 RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY
Clifford L. Pike
Dr. Clifford Llewellyn Pike was born in Sweden, ^Me., Feb. '2\. IS.")!!, the son of Hannah F. and Elias Pike, the qreat-grandson nt Moses Pike. As a boy he studied med- icine with Dr. C. L. Wilson of W'aterford. Ale., later en- tering;' I'ridia^ton Academw where he graduated with honors in 1S7S. He entered the nieclical department of FJowdoin Colleii'e in 1ST!' and during" the summer and fall terms of ISSd attended the medical school of Portland. He i2:rad- uated from I'.owdoin in the class of ISSl on which occa- sion he prepared a tlu'sis which was highly commended by the facult}-. Aftt'r servin-.;- at the Maine ( icneral Hospital in Portland. Dr. I 'ike entered u[)on the j)ractice of medi- cine in Sweden, movin.i^' from there to Xorwaw He re- mained in Xorway until isiio, i^oini;" from there to Saco where for a time he was (piite ])romineiU in professional and political circles. In H'or, ]u- t^ave up his office in Saco and went to Reno. Xevada. rcturninti' in 1!)(IS broken in health. Tn Sijjtember. I'.Mi!), he was taken ill with jjueu- monia and had not the stren,<.;'th to rally. His death oc- curred Se])t. 'Jf^th.
Dr. Pike first became interested in Pike Family History in isso and from that time until his death he j^ave much attention and hard work to this. In l!»un he, too^ether with Mr. I^dwin P. Pike and some others, called toc;ether the Pikes from all over the country for the orfjanization of the Pike I'amily Association. He was pre])aring to publish a History of the Pike Familv and had a large part of the manuscript ready for typing-. Had the Association been in position to furnish funds for this work it would doubt- less have been completed long ago. but although Dr. Pike gave so much of his own time and monev, even neglect- ing his practice in order to carry forward this work which he so loved, yet he was not able to accomplish the fulfill-
Dr. Clifford L. Pike
RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY 25
ment of his cherished plans. He was probably the best posted man in the country on Pike Family genealogy and he will be greatly missed in the work of the Association. For the benefit of many who may not have read his paper written for the Pike's Peak Centennial we are publishing same elsewhere in this report.
Probably not all of Dr. Pike's friends were aware of the fact that besides the practice of his profession, in which he was very successful, and his genealogical research work, he also wrote a number of poems of various kinds. Only a few of these have been published, however. One long one, the "Address of Welcome to the ITth Maine," was written for the 2-l:th Reunion of the 17th Maine, the regi- ment to which his father belonged, and this poem was published in the papers at the time.
26 KKCOKDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY
The Call of the Kin
"The time has eome." the Walrus snid,
"To talk — of various things; Of mottoes, shields, and coats-of-arms. Of swords, — and Pikes. — and kings." So our faithful Secretary sent some hundred orders out Summoning all the faithful to an immense Pike rout. They came from all the States and Counties far and near. And our well-beloved Pi'esident came from his Station here. 'Twas good to see his genial smile and shake his friendly hand. As he stood there to welcome each member of our band. Our hard-worked Secretary, as usual, was there. And our Honorary Member filled her accustomed chair. Thei-e were Pikes that dealt in dry goods,
And Pikes that dealt in wet: There were Pikes who'd travelled round the world.
And Pikes who are travelling yet: There were Pikes who preai'hed the Gospel And Pikes who sharpened steel. And Pikes who ploughed the ocean on a Hrm and even keel. There were Lawyers,
There were Doctors.
And Professions. — not a few: And then there were the women who served the world well, too, For they strove for purity and temperance In their Homes. The State,
The World: They strove that the white banner should be everywhere un- furled. Pikes came from stores, From workshops.
From the home, The school.
The State. For they knew the Pike Reunions "are just naturally great!" _For we meet "so much relations" whom we never knew before. There are Aunts.
And there are Uncles,
And Cousins! by the score!
RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY 27
'There is wit and there is wisdom; there are songs and speeches,
too; There are papers read which show w-e're related, — me and you; There are stories told of deeds of valor done By some way-back forefather, — or his father, — or his son. 'We've been told our name is written in the ancient catacombs, And that we may find it pictured on the old Egyptian stones. We've been told we ai-e i-elated to an ancient King of France, And that we were in the Ark there's a more than even chance. And. I doubt not. could we onh' find it written out I'eal clear
and plain. We could prove descent from Adam and the others in his train. We could e'en go back of Adam to the Mound Buildei-s and see Our name written out in pictures on soine chieftain's State
Decree. Oh, you see, we are descended
From the First Families In the land. And no man nor king, nor peasant
Need be ashamed to take our hand. When you see the Wit and Wisdom, Fashion, Fame and High
Renown, That come flocking to the city whene'er we come to town.
Do you wonder we are anxious.
And waiting eagerly,
fFor the coming Pike Reunion when these good things there
'.will be?
— Elizabeth Davis.
28 RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY
ROBERT PUvE.
As some tall peak o'ershadows all
The lesser peaks that round it stand, So stood our Hercules — the seer,
The Aristides of the land. No base time-server he who stood
Where it were ban to stand alone; —
Who recked not if his challenge reached
The purple chamber of the throne. No shackles forged by church or state
Sufficed to hold him in their thrall; Nor king, nor court, r.or priest he feared,
God and the right were more than all. To him law was not law that robbed
The weak and poor of righteous due; That made the many slaves to serve
The mandate of the haughty few. Law was not law whose shameful scourge
And prison-wall essayed to break The heart and will of them who trod
Some devious way for conscience sake.
Like Sinai's thunders was his wrath
When the oppressor's hand laid bare The backs of women to the lash —
"Hounds! Vipers!" cried he; "Strike who dare!' "Cur.sed be the man of woman born,
"^^'ho shames the heart of woman so. In God's name throw thy scourge away,
Break ye these bonds and let them go!" Wives, mothers ot a noble race!
T\'ell may your grateful heai'ts invoke Blessings upon his memoi-y
Who dared undo the shameful yoke. And thou, O sovereign State he loved!
Write high upon thy scroll of fame His meed, who spared this foul disgrace, —
This blot ujion thy honored name. And wist ye not that dismal dav
RECORDS OF THE PIKE FA:\III,V 29
When superstition's zealots swore Away the lives of innocence.
And e'en the judges' ermine wore? ^When pulpit cried: "They are bewitched!"
When beldams shrieked; "They are accursed!" And ingrate children coldly spurned
The mother at whose breast they nursed? And neighljor on his neighbor spied.
Accusing, lest he be accused. Till all the fiends of earth and air
Seemed from their tethers to be loosed? Then thr'i:)\igh the night of tei'ror rang
Again his clariDu: "Righteous Hea^■en! Shall we thus shed this guiltless blood
And hope of Thee to be forgiven?" "Great God of Justice! Open Thou
Our blinded eyes! Or haply smite These unjust judges, wlio would do
This awful murder in Thy sight!" "And. God of Mercy! Shall it be
That Christ's own teachings shall consent To do this wrong? Why by Thy wrath
Are not Thy sacred temples rent?" "Men! Brethren! Sinners! Dare ye thus
Offend High Heaven? While ye may, Repent this crime! Let reason's light Turn this, your darkness, into day!" So he, the lion-heai-ted, flung
His gauntlet in the unholy strife. Proclaiming that not church nor state
Were greater than a human life. So swept he back the awful tide:
So kept the torch of reason bright. And held it up as Moses held
The serpent in the people's sight. And as the hosts of Israel saw
The pillar of the cloud and fire. And day and night were surely led
To th:' blest land of their desire; .■So, following his wise behest,
RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY
The footsteps of the fathers trod Through superstition's thickets, out
To the high ta Die-lands of God. Whore, in diviner fun and air,
They planted, in ntw fields, the seed Whose glad fruition jait to shame
The casual tares of narrower creed. As through the forest strong arms blazed
The way the primal hamlet grew. Hurled the van in untrod path.s
And shamed old customs with the new. Through him was law made law which bound
The greater tn the less. — the strong Made fr-iend and Mr\-arl" of the weak.
And right the \ictor o\-cr wrong. How hai'dly. in this later year.
Shall words lie ours to fitly own Our d(^-bt to him whose wari-ant madc>
The cot more royal than the throne: Who taught that man was more than law
And womanhood than fane or priest, And he the greatest of his kind
Who ministered unto the least.
Samuel Hoyt.
RECORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILY 31
Note: The paper written and read 1iy Rev. \\'. A. Rand of Saybrook on Col. (Rev.) James Pike, could not be secured in titne for publication here but it is hoped to have it appear in this year's records.
32 RliCORDS OF THE PIKE FAMILV
xXAMES ADDED liETWEEN THE PriilJCVnON OF 1»0« RECOUDS AND THE KEUXIOX OF 1»(>8.
Homer D. Hall, Meadville, Pa.
Joseph B. Pike, R. F. D. No. 1, Colville, Wa.sh.
Leon Wilson Pike, Capa, South Dakota
Judge Willard H. A. Pike, Reno, Nevada
Mrs. Daniel La Rose Hamill (Minnie Helen Pike),
71 Lancaster Ave., Buffalo, N. Y.
DEATHS.
Thomas H. Pike, Died Sept. 10, 1907
Winfleld Scott Went\voi-th. Died Sept, 28. 1907
Ezekiel Pike, Died Nov. 8, 1907
Edwin Burbank Pike, Died Aug. 24. 190S
CHANGE OF RESIDENCE.
Mrs. Philiji Owen Pierce (Ida Brenda Pike).
From Huntington Ave, to Hotel Canteihuiy, Charles Gate East
and Newljury St.. Boston. Mrs. Edmund Johnson, from Cambridge to Dexter, Me,
Bemis Pike, from Lower Cabot to R. F. D. No. 1, Marshfleld, Vt.
WITHDRAWN.
Alice B. Pike, 4 Kane St.. Dorchester, Ma.ss.
George K. Pike, 4 Kane St., Dorchester, Ma.ss.
Daniel B. Whiting, 25 Pleasant St., Haverhill, Mass.
FvEIXSTATED.
Mr. and Mrs. John Q. A. Pettengill, because they received no notice.
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