Heres an account from the early history of the Schell family around 1730s concerning a battle with the Tories and the Indians... My mothers side of the family however was fairly boring... they just went to church a lot... except she did have a brother in law who was the youngest dean of Veterinarian Medicine at Michigan State University in the 1950s and made Whos Who for discovering a cure for a cows diseases .... also he cured Carl Sandburgs goat of something (famous Chicago poet who wrote the poem Fog).... Bryan Hall at Michigan State is named for him .... also my mom had a cousin who was big in Hollywood awhile back and did a touchie feely Christmas movie which is popular this time of year... I believe its called Bad Santa ... okay so I lied .... its Jimmy Stewart in Its A Wonderful Life. Anyway, Hope your holidays were happy... Schellsbush Battle Another affair, as an individual exploit, was as remarks able for its coolness and bravery, as for the singular incident occurring in the course of the battle, or rather siege, by which the leader of the enemy was made to supply ammu- nition to be used against his own troops. There was, and is to this day, a wealthy German settlement about four miles north of the village of Herkimer, called Schells Bush. Among those of the settlers who had built block- houses of their own, was John Christian Schell. His stock- ade was large and substantial, and well calculated for defence. The first story had no windows, but small loop- holes, through which the inmates could fire upon any persons venturing to assail them. The second story pro- jected two or three feet over the first, so constructed that the garrison could either fire upon those who approached too near, or cast down missiles upon their heads. Schell had a family of six sons, the youngest two of whom were twins and but eight years old. In the afternoon of the 6th of August, Donald McDonald, one of the Scotch refugees who fled from Johnstown, made an attack upon Schelia Bush at the head of a band of sixty-six Indians and tones among the latter of whom were two celebrated traitors, named Empie and Kassellman. Most of the inhabitants of Schells Bush, however, had taken refuse in fort Day- ton, four miles distant; but John Christian Schell, being a sturdy believer in the doctrine that every mans house is his castle, refused to quit his own domicile. He and his sons were at work in the field when McDonald and his party made their appearance; and the children were unfor- tunately separated so widely from their father, as to fall in the hands of the enemy. Schell and his other boys suc- ceeded in reaching their castle, and barricading the pon- derous door. And then commenced the battle. The be- sieged were well armed, and all behaved with admirable bravery; but none more bravely than Schells wife, who loaded the pieces as her husband and sons discharged them. The battle commenced at two oclock, and continued until dark. Several attempts were made by McDonald to set fire to the castle, but without success; and his forces were repeatedly driven back by the galling fire they received. McDonald at length procured a crowbar and attempted to force the door; but while thus engaged received a shot in the leg from Schells blunderbuss, which put him hors de combat. None of his men being sufiticiently near at the moment to rescue him, Schell, quick as lightning, opened the door, and drew him within the walls a prisoner. The misfortune of Schell and his garrison was, that their ammunition began to run low; but McDonald was very amply provided, and to save his own life, he surrendered his cartridges to the garrison to fire upon his comrades. Several of the enemy having been killed and others wounded, they now drew off for a respite. Schell and his troops, moreover, needed a little breathing time; and feeling assured that, so long as he had the commanding otiicer of the besiegers in his possession, the enemy would hardly attempt to burn the citadel, he ceased firing. He then went upstairs, and sang the hymn which was a favorite of Luther during the perils and afflictions of the Great Reformer in the controversies with the Pope.^ While thus engaged the enemy likewise ceased firing. But they soon afterwards ral- lied again to the fight, and made a desperate effort to can7 the fortress by assault. Rushing up to the walls, five of them thrust the muzzles of their guns through the loopholes, but had no sooner done so, than Mrs. Schell, seizing an axe, by quick and well directed blows ruined every musket thus thrust through the walls, by bending the barrels. A few more well directed shots by Schell and his sons once more drove the assailants back. Schell thereupon ran up to the second story, just in the twilight, and calling out to his wife with a loud voice, informed her that Capt. Small was approaching from fort Dayton with succor. In yet louder notes he exclaimed: Captain Small, march your company round upon this side of the house. Captain Get- man, you had better wheel your men off to the left, and come upon that side. There were, of course, no troops approaching; but the directions of Schell were given with such precision, and such apparent earnestness and sincerity, that the stratagem succeeded, and the enemy immediately fled to the woods, taking away the twin lads as prisoners.^ Setting the best provisions they had before their reluctant guest, Schell and his family lost no time in repairing to fort Dayton, which they reached in safety, leaving McDon- ald in the quiet possession of the castle he had been striving to capture in vain. Some two or three of McDonalds Indians lingered about the premises to ascertain the fate of their leader; and finding that Schell and his family had evacuated the post, ventured in to visit him. Not being able to remove him, however, on taking themselves oft, they charged their wounded leader to inform Schell, that if he would be kind to him (McDonald), they would take good care of his (Schells) captive boys. McDonald was the next day removed to the fort by Captain Small, where his leg was amputated; but the blood could not be stanched, and he died in a few hours. The lads were carried into Canada. The loss of tlie enemy on the ground was eleven killed and six wounded. The boys, who were rescued after the war, reported that they took twelve of their wounded away with them, nine of whom died before they arrived in Canada.* At a subsequent day, Schell, being at work in the field with his two sons at no great distance from the fort, was fired upon by a party of Indians concealed in the standing wheat, and severely wounded. He called to his sons not to allow the Indians to scalp him; and neither of the brave boys would retreat until a guard came from the fort to their relief. But in the discharge of this filial duty, one of them was killed and the other wounded. John Christian Schell himself died of his wound, in the fort. His deeds were commemorated in one of the most rude and prosaic of ballads. But his memory is yet green in the remembrance of the German population of Herkimer.^ (3) McDonald wore a silver mounted tomahawk, which was taken from him by Schell. It was marked by thirty scalpnotches, showing that few Indians could have been more industrious than himself in gathering that descrip- tion of military trophies. (4) Among the slain was a white man, who had two thumbs on one hand. One of Schells sons is yet living in Canada, being a member of the Dunkards Society, in the neighborhood of Toronto. (Reference is made here to Frederick Schell.— C. D.) (5) This account of John Christian Schells exploit has been drawn chiefly from the MS. statement of the venerable Col. William Feeter, yet living in that town (February, 1838), and from the ballad mentioned in the text, which contains a pathetic and particular recitation of the facts. A Ballad originally written in German, translated into English by Professor Bokum of Harvard University. Copied from Border Warfare of New York, by Hon. William W. Campbell. A story, a story, Unto you I will tell. Concerning a brave hero, One Christian Schell, Who was attacked by the Savages, And tories, as is said. But for this attack Most dearly they paid. The sixth of August He went to his field, Determined if the enemy Came, never to yield. Two sons he had along with him Resolved were the same; About the middle of the afternoon, These invaders, they came. He fled unto his blockhouse. For to save his life Where he had left his arms In the care of his wife. The enemy took prisoners. Two sons that were twins. About eight years of age; Soon the battle it begins. They advanced upon him And began to fire, But Christian with his blunderbus Soon made them retire. He wounded Donald McDonald, And drew him in the door, Who gave an account There were strength sixty-four; They fought from two in the afternoon Until the closing of the light ; Schells son was slightly wounded Before that it was night. The old woman she has spoiled. Five guns, as I have since been told, With nothing but a chopping ax. Which shows that she was bold. Six there were wounded. And eleven there was killed. Of this said party, Before they quit the field. The Indians were forty-eight. And tories full sixteent. By old Schell and his two sons. Oh the like was never seen. Not Hke to get assistance. Nor anybodys help. They thought for to affright him By setting up their Yelp. But God was his assistant, His buckler and his shield, He dispersed this cruel enemy. And made them cjuit the field. Come all you Tr}^on county men, And never be dismayed, But trust in the Lord, And he will be your aid. Trust in the Lord with all your might, And call upon his name, And he will help you as he did Schell To his immortal fame.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 02:11:34 +0000
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