Esther McDowell - A Singular Story

Esther McDowell was found in October of 1803 tied to a tree. Sheltered in the home of a local reverend, she told a story of a companion who robbed her while possessed by evil spirits.   Actually, as it was later discovered, Esther had tired of her Quaker lifestyle, and ran off to work as a local tailor, while pretending to be a man.   Tiring of her ruse, she faked the robbery and tied herself to a tree, waiting to be discovered.

Her story is told in

Otzinachson

A History of the West Branch Valley of the Susquehanna

By John Franklin Meginness · 1889

About the year 1803, a remarkable circumstance transpired at the upper end of the borough of Jersey Shore,* well remembered by all the old people living at that time. Pine trees, in considerable numbers, were then standing on the spot which I now speak of. An old Dutchman, named Martin Reese, had built a cabin near where the public road crosses the canal, on the farm now owned by Mark Slonaker, Esq., and made some improvements.

 Rising very early one frosty morning in October, he was surprised on going to his door, to find a beautiful female in a state of nudity, with her hands tied behind her back, and a gag in her mouth, standing in front of the cabin, against a tree. He relieved her from this uncomfortable position as soon as possible, and tendered her the hospitalities of his humble cabin. She appeared to be completely chilled through with the cold, and could scarcely speak for some time. 

On recovering sufficient strength, she related that she had been travelling on horseback from her father's house in Montreal, to visit an uncle that resided in Kentucky, in charge of a young man named Benjamin Connett, who was sent expressly to attend her. But having a large amount of gold in her possession, an evil spirit prompted him to rob her ; and in a lonely spot near Pine Creek, he presented a pistol to her breast, compelled her to dismount and deliver up what money she possessed ; when he immediately stripped her, tied her, and left her in this shameful and denuded condition, to starve with hunger or be devoured by wild beasts. She had remained in that condition nearly all night, when, after the most desperate struggles, she had re-leased herself and made her way to his cabin. 

After being refreshed, she willingly went with the family to the spot, and pointed out the place where she had been tied, and the path she had beaten round the tree trying to free herself. 

There was something artless in her appearance ; and her modest demeanor and delicate frame, left no doubt in the minds of those who saw her, that her statements were true, and that she had been foully dealt with. She appeared to be overwhelmed with distress at the thought of her situation among strangers. 

She gave her name as Esther McDowell. Rev. Mr. Grier, father of Judge Grier of the Supreme Court, resided close by, and took her into his family and kindly provided for her wants. A great deal of sympathy was excited in her behalf, and the neighbors vied with each other in making her presents of clothing. Several gentlemen, now living, presented her with valuable silk dresses, and other articles, which she accepted, and kindly thanked them for their liberality. 

Meanwhile the news spread throughout the country, and the public indignation was highly excited against the villain Connett. Handbills, offering a reward for his apprehension, were put in circulation, and the chivalry of the West Branch started in all directions to look for the scoundrel. He had twenty-four hours' start, however, and being well mounted, eluded all observation and effected his escape. 

The artless girl remained in the neighborhood, caressed and entertained by the sympathizing people, who could not do enough to alleviate her wants. Her manners were so simple, her actions so lady-like and refined, and her description of the thief so minute, that no doubt was left of her being badly treated.

 Letters in the mean-time were dispatched to her father at Montreal, but weeks elapsed and no answer came. Still the public confidence in her was unshaken. The intelligence having spread far and near, strangers in great numbers flocked to see her, and loaded her with presents. They were always fascinated with her beauty, her simple and captivating charms. 

Being at the hotel kept by Duffles, at Larry's Creek, a gentleman named Hutchinson, from Milton, called to see her. She eyed him closely, and seemed to keep shy of him, which attracted his attention, and he thought he detected something familiar in her countenance. He requested to have some private conversation with her, which she positively refused, when he exclaimed, calling her by name,—"I believe you are the identical young man that once worked for me in Milton as a journeyman tailor !" This was a poser, and she became greatly excited, which aroused a suspicion among the people that she might be an impostor. And such it ultimately turned out to be. 

The pretty Esther McDowell had deceived and hum-bugged them in a shameful manner, and never was robbed as she represented. A bundle of men's clothing had also been found near the spot where she was found, secreted in a hollow log, which went to confirm the suspicion. 

At length she confessed that such was the fact—that she had been playing the impostor, being of a romantic turn of mind, and had actually passed herself off as a young man, and worked as a journeyman tailor. It was now remembered that a young man answering her description, had crossed the White Deer Mountains into Nippenose Valley, and staid over night with the family of a farmer. 

The evening of that day she (he) came to the house of Joseph Antes, Esq., where Major McMicken now resides, and he ferried her over the river, when she doffed her male attire and placed herself in the position in which she was found. 

Whatever became of her is not distinctly known, though it is asserted that she left the country soon afterwards, and went to the West under another name, where she shortly afterwards married and became a highly respectable woman..

 The case of Esther McDowell afforded much amusement for many years among the people, and when the subject is broached to the old people at the present day, their mirthfulness is at once excited, and they recount the circumstance of being so nicely humbugged with considerable gusto. 

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