The Great Runaway of 1778

Find A Time Line Of The Susquehanna Valley In The Revolutionary War Here

"Just as I rounded a point above Deerstown (now Lewisburg) I met the whole convoy from all the forts above. Such a sight I never saw in all my life.  Boats, canoes, hog troughs, rafts hastily made of dry sticks, every sort of floating article had been put in requisition, and was crowded with women, children and plunder.  there were several hundred people in all.

     Whenever an obstruction occurred at any shoal or ripple, the women would leap out into the water and put their shoulders to the boat or raft, and launch it again into deep water.  The men of the settlement came down in single file, on each side of the river to guard the women and children.  The whole convoy arrived safely at Sunbury, leaving the entire range of farms along the West Branch to the ravages of the indians. "  Robert Covenhoven, observing the Great Runaway in July of 1778

The Massacre At Wyoming

As early as March 1777, the British were planning to deal with the the settlers along the Susquehanna river.  In a letter intercepted by friendly indians, one man wrote to his cousin, near Sunbury, that the indians were on their way, as soon as the ice broke on the river.  

George Washington and his troops were at Valley Forge that winter, and to the west, along the river, were fertile fields, abundant livestock, and a widow along White Deer Creek was using part of her mill to make the very scarce, much coveted, gun barrels.  To stop Washington, the British planned to cut off his supplies - by sending the six tribe indians from New York down the river to destroy crops, burn down forts, and specifically that gun factory, and kill or at the very least chase off, the settlers who lived there.    For more than a year, settlers heard rumors that large numbers of indians were coming to kill and destroy. Many of their warnings came from local, friendly, indians.

On July 2, 1778, British forces, along with a large group of indians, arrived in the area of of the Wyoming Valley.  Men in a nearby field were killed, and the British demanded the surrender of the patriots.  The Fort held mostly women and children, but also about 300 men.

On July 3 1778,  the patriots formerly  refused surrender, and marched into battle, where, unbeknownst to them, indians lie hidden on the ground, greatly increasing the number of their enemy.  As the battle began, the indians sprung up, and the patriots were vastly outnumbered.  Soon they were trapped, and the battlefield became a slaughter ground.

Fleeing soldiers were chased down and killed, many captives were tortured and scalped.  Many of those who escaped were later captured, and subjected to ritual tortures by the indians, before being killed and scalped.    Upon their return to Fort Niagara, the indians collected bounty payments for 227 scalps.  The indians then went on a rampage through the valley, burning homes and destroying crops and cattle.

This was not the first massacre, or indian attack, along the Susquehanna River, but it was the bloodiest.  On June 10th, the Plum Tree massacre took the lives of 12 people in the area of Williamsport.  Among those who were killed and scalped there were 2 women and 6 children.  (The bodies were buried at the spot, and today this location is the old Williamsport Cemetery).  There had been many other isolated attacks throughout the valley, but nothing to the scale of the Wyoming attack.

As news of the massacre spread, settlers from all across the frontier, everyone above the West Branch, and all above Nescopeck Falls, began to flee down river.

"The great massacre at Wyoming occurred on July 3, 1778, and as the news passed down the North Branch of the Susquehanna and spread over the hills and valleys leading to the West Branch Valley it caused a general stampede, a wild, precipitate flight of the settlers from the upper region which has ever since been known as the "Great Runaway" " - Frederick Godcharles

The Big Runaway Begins 

When the news of the defeat and the depredations of the Indians and Tories, Martha Stewart joined the exodus fleeing from the carnage. She strapped two canoes together and loaded their nine children, the youngest was only two days old. They floated down Susquehanna and navigated the rapids at Nanticoke and Nescopeck to her sister ( the widow of James McClure ) at their farm near today's Bloomsburg. Mary McClure then joined her sister with her children, and the two families continued down river. . It was reported that eighty percent of the white occupants on both branches of the Susquehanna  fled their homes with whatever personnel effects they could carry. 

Near fishing creek, a friendly indian brought news of the massacre to John Eves, and he took his family quickly west on the path to Bosley's Mills (today, Washingtonville).  In the village of Catawissa, most remained.  There the quakers had close ties to the indians, and some were suspected to be Tory sympathizers.  It was thought that the British would not bother them.  That belief was so strong that some of the refuguees fleeing down river stopped at Catawissa, feeling they would be safe there.


Near Pine Creek, Joseph Jacob Wallis (half brother of Samuel Wallis) and his wife were aroused from their sleep by a "friendly Indian"  who warned that "infuriated Indians" were moving towards the valley to kill, scalp and burn. He urged them to leave very quickly. Although Wallis was alarmed, he did not see any possible way to get his family away to safety with so little notice. The Indian had left his canoe concealed at the mouth of Wolf Run, and he insisted that Wallis should take it and make haste to get to Sunbury. 

The Plum Tree Massacre Memorial, Williamsport PA

Historian Lou Bernard,  writing for the Lock Haven Express, recounted the story of Jane Reed & the friendly indian who made the journey to warn the settlers in the area of Lock Haven, at Fort Reed: 

"One lone Native American appeared across the river from Fort Reed, which stood on the north bank of present-day Lock Haven. He was signaling for someone to come across and get him – he’d clearly run a long way – but the men were hesitant, discussing whether or not it was a good idea. So, in what may have been the first act of feminism in American history, Jane Reed got into a boat on her own and rowed across to pick up the native.

She brought him back, and he warned the settlers – there was going to be an attack. They brought him into the fort and laid him down on a bed, where he rested. He’d been running for much of the day in order to warn the settlers, probably because of young Jennie Reed, Jane’s daughter. Jennie had been kind to the tribes, offering them butter and milk, which probably fostered some goodwill.
The settlers began preparations for the attack – the women began packing for an evacuation, and the men began loading their guns. One settler, named either Dewitt or Delong (I’ve seen it both ways) was loading his musket while drunk, which is generally not recommended. He drunkenly declared that he was going to make sure that bullet killed an Indian. And then he turned around and shot the Indian who had warned them, killing him. 

This caused immediate havoc. Dewitt (or Delong) was chased from the fort and exiled. No further record shows what happened to him. The rest of the settlers packed up and got into the river to run away, hence the name. They got on rafts, logs, whatever would float, and headed for Fort Augusta in present-day Sunbury."

Col Hunter, of Fort Augusta, wrote " As for the inhabitants of this county [Northumberland], they seem very much afraid at present... one half of the county is left vacant, and not more than one thrift of the inhabitants that formerly lived here is putting in any fall crop this year."

The Great Runaway along the west branch began on July 5th, and families were still traveling in a mass exodus a week later. Many of the letters about the Runaway are dated July 12

Fort Augusta, Sunbury Pennsylvania

 July 12, 1778
Robert Covenhoven wrote: "I took my family safely to Sunbury and came back in a keel-boat to secure my furniture.  Just as I rounded a point above Deerstown (now Lewisburg) I met the whole convoy from all the forts above. Such a sight I never saw in all my life.  Boats, canoes, hog troughs, rafts hastily made of dry sticks, every sort of floating article had been put in requisition, and was crowded with women, children and plunder.  there were several hundred people in all.

     "Whenever an obstruction occurred at any shoal or ripple, the women would leap out into the water and put their shoulders to the boat or raft, and launch it again into deep water.  The men of the settlement came down in single file, on each side of the river to guard the women and children.  The whole convoy arrived safely at Sunbury, leaving the entire range of farms along the West Branch to the ravages of the indians. "

Colonel Matthew Smith wrote from Paxtang:

" just arrived at Harris' Ferry and beheld the greatest scenes of distress I ever saw. It was crowed with people who had come down the river, leaving everything." 

 "I left Sunbury and almost my whole property on Wednesday last. I will not trouble you with a recital of the inconveniences I suffered while I brought my family by water to this place. I never in my life saw such scenes of distress. The river and roads leading down it were covered with men, women, and children flying for their lives. In short, Northumberland County is broken up." - William Maclay (later the first US Senator from PA) 

 Maclay also wrote: 

"Colonel Hunter only remained, using his utmost endeavors to rally the inhabitants to make a stand. I left him with a few - I can not speak confidently as to numbers- but he had not 100 men on whom he could depend.  Mrs. Hunter came down with me. As he is now disencumbered of his family, I am convinced he will do everything that can be expected from a brave and determined man. Something in the way of charity ought to be done for the miserable objects that crowd the banks of this river, especially those who fled from Wyoming. You know I did not used to love them, but I now sincerely pity their distress." 

 Peter DeHaven wrote from Hummelstown:

 "This day there were 20 or 30 passed through this town from Buffalo Valley (Union County) and Sunbury, and the people inform me that there are 200 wagons on the road coming down." 

The Return 

Troops began arriving in late July, and a few successful campaigns allowed the most venturesome settlers to return to the Valley in August of that year, where troops guarded them as they harvested crops. Many did not return until after the war. For those who did slowly return over the next year, they would make the exodus once again in the Little Runaway of July 1779. Brutal indian attacks would continue throughout the Susquehanna Valley through 1783, mostly ending with the second Treaty Of Fort Stanwix in 1784. (Note that it was this treaty that enlarged Pennsylvania. The Western section of Pennsylvania, before 1784, making up nearly one fourth of the state, was New York during the time of Great Runaway) 

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Gernerd, J. M. M., The Muncy Valley: Snap-Shots of Scenery, Geology and History, 1909, Press of the Gazette and Bulletin, Williamsport PA

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MASSACRE AT WYOMING FOLLOWED BY "THE GREAT RUNAWAY" ON JULY 5, 1778

 The great massacre at Wyoming occurred on July 3, 1778, and as the news passed down the North Branch of the Susquehanna and spread over the hills and valleys leading to the West Branch Valley it caused a general stampede, a wild, precipitate flight of the settlers from the upper region which has ever since been known as the "Great Runaway" The history of Pennsylvania has failed to record any flight of its inhabitants, either in numbers or the harrowing details of its movement, comparable with this catastrophe. Within two days following the massacre the news had penetrated the entire North Branch Valley and had reached as far up West Branch Valley as Fort Antes, now Jersey Shore. On July 9 Colonel Samuel Hunter, the county lieutenant and commandant of the garrison at Fort Augusta (Sunbury), wrote to the Governor: " Nothing but a firm reliance upon Divine Providence and the virtue of our neighbors induces the few to stand that remain; and if they are not speedily re-enforced they must give way ; but will have this as consolation, that they had stood in defense of their liberty and country as long as they could. In justice to this county (Northumberland) I must bear testimony that the States never applied to it for men in vain." "I am sure the State must know that we have reduced ourselves to our present feeble condition by our readiness to turn out upon all occasions, when called for in defense of the common cause. Should we now fall for want of assistance, let the neighboring counties reconcile themselves, if they can, the breach of brotherly love, charity and every other virtue which adorns and advances the human spies above the brute creation. I will not attempt to point out the particular cruelties or barbarities that have been practiced on our unhappy inhabitants, but assure you that for the number history affords no instance of more heathenish cruelty or savage barbarity than has been in this county." Colonel Matthew Smith wrote from Paxtang July 12 that he " had just arrived at Harris' Ferry and beheld the greatest scenes of distress I ever saw. It was crowed with people who had come down the river, leaving everything." If the distress was the worst this old patriot ever beheld, it was truly a sad scene, for colonel Smith had suffered in both the French and Indian Revolutionary Wars. He was in command of a company in the Arnold expedition to Quebec, when the troops for long months experienced nothing but suffering and distress. On the same day Peter DeHaven wrote from Hummelstown: "This day there were 20 or 30 passed through this town from Buffalo Valley (Union County) and Sunbury, and the people inform me that there are 200 wagons on the road coming down." Another letter, written by William Maclay, later the first United States Senator from Pennsylvania, dated Paxtang, July 12: "I left Sunbury and almost my whole property on Wednesday last. I will not trouble you with a recital of the inconveniences I suffered while I brought my family by water to this place. I never in my life saw such scenes of distress. The river and roads leading down it were covered with men, women, and children flying for their lives. In short, Northumberland County is broken up. "Colonel Hunter only remained, using his utmost endeavors to rally the inhabitants to make a stand. I left him with a few - I can not speak confidently as to numbers- but he had not 100 men on whom he could depend. Mrs. Hunter came down with me. As he is now disencumbered of his family, I am convinced he will do everything that can be expected from a brave and determined man. Something in the way of charity ought to be done for the miserable objects that crowd the banks of this river, especially those who fled from Wyoming. You know I did not used to love them, but I now sincerely pity their distress."
Colonel Hunter the same day sent a pathetic appeal to the president of the Supreme Executive Counsel, dated Fort Augusta, July 12: "The calamities so long dreaded and of which you have been more than once informed must fall upon this country, if not assisted by Continental troops or Malitia of the neighboring counties. At this date the towns of Sunbury and Northumberland are the frontiers were a few virtuous inhabitants and fugitives seem determined to stand, though doubtful whether tomorrows sun shall rise on them free men, captives, or in eternity."
Robert Covenhoven wrote: "I took my family safely to Sunbury and came back in a keel-boat to secure my furniture. Just as I rounded a point above Deerstown (now Lewisburg) I met the whole convoy from all the forts above. Such a sight I never saw in all my life. Boats, canoes, hogtroughs, rafts hastily made of dry sticks, every sort of floating article had been put in requisition, and was crowded with women, children and plunder. there were several hundred people in all.
"Whenever an obstruction occurred at any shoal or ripple, the women would leap out into the water and put their shoulders to the boat or raft, and launch it again into deep water. The men of the settlement came down in single file, on each side of the river to guard the women and children. The whole convoy arrived safely at Sunbury, leaving the entire range of farms along the West Branch to the ravages of the indians. "
Several persons are known to have been killed by the indians during the "Great Runaway," but it remains a most remarkable fact that almost the entire population moved from the settlements and for several days were in the open along the river and yet but few were killed.
In answer to the appeal from Colonel Hunter and those who really knew the situation, Colonel Daniel Brodhead with his eight regiment, then on a march to Fort Pitt, was suddenly ordered to the West Branch. He arrived at Fort Muncy, July 24.
Colonel Thomas Hartley, with a small regiment, was ordered to the Susquehanna and arrived at Fort Augusta August 1, and marched to the relief of Colonel Brodhead at Fort Muncy, reaching there a week later. Colonel Hartley was the master of the situation and using the good advice of General Potter, Colonel John Kelly, Colonel Samuel Hunter and others, who knew how to fight indians, lead a successful expedition against them, which allowed the more venturesome of the settlers to return to their fields and reap their harvests.
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