History of Montgomery & Fulton Counties by F. W. Beers & Co. Montgomery County, Sammons Family

THE SAMMONS FAMILY.
BY WASHINGTON FROTHINGHAM.

In contemplating the history of Montgomery county, one cannot but observe the prominence held by some of its ancient houses, among which mention may be made of the name of Sammons. The pioneer of the family, Sampson Sammons, was born in Greenwich (now a part of the city of New York), December 4, 1722. The family afterward moved to Ulster county, where he married Rachel Schoonmaker, who was four years his junior. In 1769 Sampson Sammons moved to Montgomery (then Tryon county, and no doubt his education and opportunities of mingling with the more cultivated portion of the colony gave him at once a marked distinction.

We learn from Stone's life of Brant that Sampson Sammons was, during the early part of the Revolution, one of the famous Tryon county committee, which controlled the military operations of Central New York. Stone also mentions that he was the first man west of the Hudson river at whom a shot was fired in the Revolutionary struggle. The occasion was the attempt to capture Alexander White, the tory sheriff, which is elsewhere described. Sampson Sammons was at that time in his fifty-third year, and was therefore legally exempt from military duty. The privilege, however, was waived by him and many other patriots, and a company of exempts was formed, of which Jelles Fonda was captain and Sampson Sammons lieutenant. The duty of this force was to serve as a home-guard, in order to protect both age and infancy, and to secure the wives and mothers from the danger of a tory or a savage foe. Incursions of such a character were of frequent occurrence, and whenever the sentinels or scouts gave the alarm of an approaching enemy, the women and children would be compelled to flee from their homes to some place of safety. The latter might be a church, a block-house, or a fort, but at all such places of retreat, the veteran corps of exempts afforded them protection.

Not only the historian Stone, but also Lossing makes reference to the prominent position occupied by Sampson Sammons, and the last mentioned of these writers in his " Field Book " mentions that in 1780 he (Sammons) was taken prisoner by the enemy, together with three of his sons. His property was destroyed, his buildings burned, and his wife and daughters left in extreme distress, being destitute even of the most needful clothing. Such was the character of the border warfare in the valley of the Mohawk.

Both of the above mentioned historians refer to the interview held between Sampson Sammons and Sir John Johnson, and also the speech made by the former, and his release from a prisoner's fate. This took place at Johnstown, but the gratification of release was turned to agony by the sight of two sons marched to Canada to suffer all the hardships of captivity. These sons were Jacob and Frederick, the latter being subjected to severe and atrocious cruelty. He was, indeed, lamed for life by the injuries received while a prisoner.

Jacob Sammons left a narrative of his sufferings, which is of a harrowing character. In this narrative he also alludes to his services in the Oriskany campaign, from which it appears that he fired the last shot in that famous and bloody field. The following extract is given in its original simplicity, and notwithstanding its defects it is a creditable composition for the times: " I was in What is Called General Herkimer's Battle or Oriskeny Battle iibout four miles from fort Stanwix went in with about 900 men. This time I went as a Volantear. I suppose as Bloody a battle as has been Fought During our Contest the Enemy being greatly Superior to us in number & Commanded by Genera) Sent legor, Sir John Johnson and Col Butlor. We Fought them from about nine in the morning till 3 in the afternoon. When our people Was gone Except a Few with the wounded and we was Fixing a Blanket on two sticks to carry him off which was all the way we Could Contrive and left some on the field of Battle that was not dead as we had not men to carry them all. I saw 3 Indians Come to us & it appeared they took us for their people. I & two others shot them all & it happened that I Fired the last gun. Gineral Harkimer died of his wound after he got home. We lost many of the (best) men in the County our Provision being all taking by the Enemy. As we went home I saw a man with his Troath cut laying with his head on his pack. I took his pack & found a loaf of bread & about Five pounds of pork which tasted very sweet to me and my comrades."

After the Johnson raid was over, Sampson Sammons was lessee and occupant of Johnson Hall, under the Committee of Sequestration, at an annual rent of three hundred pounds. He entertained at the " Hall " the council whose session was held at that place March 9, 1779. Its members were composed of V. P. Douw, James Duane, General Schuyler, and also La Fayette, and it formed a very remarkable body of earnest and devoted patriotism. It may be also added that among the purchases which Sampson Sammons made at this time, was the slave William, who had assisted in burying Sir John's plate. The same slave aided in finding the buried treasure in 1780, when it was brought out of its place of concealment and restored to its former owner. This fact is also mentioned by both Lossing and Stone. William remained in the service of his new master until the estate was sold by the Committee of Sequestration. It may be added, that Sampson Sammons had seven daughters, all of whom married men who had served in the army of the Revolution, such being their father's special request.

Stone mentions that Jacob, son of Sampson Sammons, received the first wounds inflicted in Tryon county during the Revolution, and these scars bore testimony of his service. This Jacob, and also his father, were in the battle of Oriskany, where the former had a lieutenant's commission, to which he did honor by his gallantry. This has been frequently mentioned in the histories of the war, and needs no further reference here. Frederick, the second son, was born in Ulster county, July 4, 1760. He came to the Mohawk valley with his father, and was an officer in the army of the Revolution. He was taken by the enemy, as has been mentioned, and his sufferings during this captivity are referred to by Stone as of an extraordinary character. He was a witness of the bloody scenes in Sir John Johnson's raid in 1780, and saw old Douw Fonda butchered in cold blood, a tragedy which was vivid in his memory until the last. He was a member of the State Legislature, and was also a Presidential elector in 1836.

As a recognition of the great losses and extraordinary suffering endured by Frederick Sammons, as well as his great services, the State of New York by legislative enactment granted him a special pension of one hundred dollars a year. He also received under the act of Congress an officer's pension of one hundred and thirty dollars, to which was added one hundred dollars a year as the pension of an invalid soldier. He suffered to the last from the injuries received while a prisoner, for one of his legs had been worn to the bone by a chain, and the knee joint was permanently stiffened and thus rendered useless. Such were the cruelties sometimes endured by the patriots of that trying time.

Frederick Sammons had two sons and ten daughters. His eldest son, Jacob, was lieutenant in the war of 1812, and signalized himself in the storming of a battery at Queenstown Heights, October 13th of the same year, under command of Captain-afterward General-Wool. This fact is also mentioned by Stone in his history.

Thomas, the youngest son, held several military commissions under various governors of the State of New York, and was also a member of the"council of appointment," a feature in our government which wielded vast importance. He represented the district in Congress from 1803 till 1807, and was again elected in 1809 and 1811. His congressional services terminated in 1813, and sixty four years afterwards his grandson, Commodore John H. Starin, took his seat as representative of the same district. Thomas Sammons was also honored by other marks of public confidence and honor. He died Nov. 20, 1838.

The homestead of this distinguished family is the farm now occupied by Col. Simeon Sammons. Here his grandfather settled prior to the Revolution, and the family burial ground now contains the remains of four generations. Sampson Sammons, the veteran pioneer, died October 17, 1795, being then seventy-four. His son Thomas died Nov. 20, 1838, and was buried in the spot, his age being seventy six. Frederick Sammons, whose sufferhad been of so intense a nature while a prisoner, lived to see his eightieth year. He died May 22, 1838, and found a grave in the place of sacred repose.

When Sampson Sammons saw the return of peace and assumed the duties of civil life, he probably little dreamed that his descendants would be called to a bloody conflict in their country's defence. This, however, occurred in the second, the third and the fourth generations. Reference has already been made to his son Jacob, and also grandson of the same name, who fought at Queenstown, and it may be also added that fourteen of his descendants bore arms under the Union flag during the late rebellion. Among these stands prominently the name of Colonel Simeon Sammons, whose father (Thomas) was so long honored with the congressional seat of this district. The latter had seven sons. One of these (who bore his father's name) had five sons in the Union service, one of whom (Adam) was among the victims of the war. Another (William) had two sons and a son-in-law in the same service. Another (Frederick) also, had two sons in the service, one of whom (William) was also a victim, while Stephen, another son, held the rank of major in the 153rd regiment

COLONEL SIMEON SAMMONS.

The history of Montgomery county would be incomplete without a brief referencee to those of its sons who maintained its honor during the recent civil war. Chief among these is the name of colonel Sammons, whose position called him to a dangerous service, from whose effect he will never fully recover. The colonel is the son of Thomas Sammons, who married Mary Wood, and established his home on the ancestral farm, which the colonel still occupies. The latter had a patriotic ancestry in both parents, since his mother was the daughter of William Wood, a soldier of the Revolution, while her brother, Simeon Wood, served under the nattional flag throughout the war of 1812.

The colonel was born May 23, 1811, his father being at that time in Congress. His educational opportunities were limited to the meagre routine of the district school, but on reaching fourteen he was favored with a year and a half at the Johnstown academy. While attending this institution he often viewed with deep interest the old tavern where his grandfather Sampson Sammons, was fired at by Sheriff White, as has been mentioned on another page. This tavern stood near the corner of William and Clinton streets, but has since been demolished. It was one of the most interesting buildings in Johnstown. After these brief advantages, the subject of this notice applied himself to the homestead farm, and this has been his subsequent occupation when not engaged in public service.

The war traditions of his ancestors naturally aroused a military spirit which led him, at the early age of eighteen, to accept an ensign's commision ingthe 37th regiment, 11th brigade, 14th division, N.Y. infantry. This was issued by Governor Throop, March 3d, 1829, and was followed by rapid promotion. The ensign soon became lieutenant, and then was made captain. Governor Marcy, on the 23d of August, 1837, gave him the commission of major, and before the expiration of a year he was made lieutenant-colonel. Governor Seward eventually commissioned Simeon Sammons colonel of that regiment which he had entered as ensign. Colonel Sammons had become dissatisfied with the old-fashioned general training, which, as he very clearly perceived, could never produce disciplined troops. Convinced that the system was a failure, he called a meeting of the officers of the regiment, to consider the propriety of its abolition. This was held in Johnstown in 1841, and soon afterward the officers of the brigade were called together for the same purpose. The spirit of reform led to a still more important meeting, which was held the next year at Albany, and included the military officers of the State. The matter was thoroughly discussed, and Colonel Sammons' views were so convincing that the old-fashioned system was soon afterward abolished. Having effected these reforms, the Colonel felt the claims of other duties, and therefore asked to be relieved. His resignation was sent in, but the reply was a refusal to accept it, in which Adjutant-General Niven wrote as follows : " I regret that the rules of this department and the interest of the troops under your command, make it expedient, if not necessary, that your resignation should not be accepted at present. I hope you will consider, my dear Colonel, that I am acting under a solemn official oath, and that I cannot grant your request. I trust you will feel patriotic enough to be satisfied with this decision."

Colonel Sammons, though personally attending to his farm, was frequently called to public service. For several years his fellow townsmen made him supervisor ; he was also frequently president of the Montgomery County Agricultural Society, to which were added those duties inseparable from a natural love of politics-which, indeed, is a trait in the family. He was for some years chairman of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee, and also a frequent delegate to both county and State conventions. When the Union National Convention was held in Philadelphia, Col. Sammons was one of its most earnest members, and he also was a delegate to the National Convention held in New York in 1868. Three years previously he represented Montgomery county in the State Legislature, and among his measures was the free bridge across the Mohawk at Fonda. This has been a great public benefit. In 1870 the colonel was called to a new position, being made harbor-master of New York, whose duties, so often perplexing and laborious, he performed successfully for two years. We have thus taken a general view of the colonel's public life, but his war record also claims attention. When the rebellion so fearfully threatened the existence of the Union, he tendered his services under the federal flag, and was, in fact, one of the chief representatives of the war movement in this district. Hence, when a regiment was recruited, he was generally mentioned as its appropriate commander. In obedience to public sentiment, Governor Morgan, on July 9, 1862, sent him a colonel's commission, with orders to establish a camp at Fonda. The notices for proposals for lumber were issued next day, and by noon the bids were opened and the contract finished. Before the sun went down thirty men were engaged in the construction of barracks. The next morning Adjutant Thomas R. Horton, Quarter-master Martin McMartin and Surgeon Hiram H. Ingerson were in quarters at camp, and were engaged in examining and enlisting men, and also furnishing supplies. Through the unwearied industry of these officers, and the additional aid of the war committee of the district, a rapid progress was made. By the 28th of August, not only a full regiment had been enlisted and mustered into the national service, but also a military force was left in camp as the basis of an additional regiment. No time was lost in marching for the seat of war. On the 29th of August the 115th Regiment, commanded by Colonel Sammons, was under way. It was a day of intense excitement, and many a sad regret pierced the hearts of parting friends as the noble body of men moved forward to the defense of the Union.

Having arrived at Washington, Colonel Sammons' regiment was hurried into service, being ordered to relieve troops whose time had just expired. Of the events that immediately followed we have not time to speak in that detail which is necessary to a clear explanation of results. The 115th was brought into hard duty, with incessant exposure to fire. Dr. Sutton, its surgeon, wrote as follows : " In thirty days the 115th Regiment have slept on their arms ten nights, under the open heaven sixteen, six nights in the cars and six in tents. For three days our command of 1,022 men performed picket duty on twenty-one miles of railroad, had four or five skirmishes with rebel cavalry, fought one day behind breast-works, endured a siege of four days, our food being salt pork, and finally surendered to Stonewall Jackson, and were paroled. They have marched 1,500 miles in thirty days, with the loss of but one man. Army officers who have been in the service for years tell me that they have never known as much endured by any regiment in the same time."

The surrender referred to, was ascribed to the cowardice or treachery of General Miles, who soon afterward met his doom, being slain by a southern shot. The Maryland Heights could have been held, and Colonel Sammons was indignant at the base conduct of one who was in superior command. The regiment, however, saved its flag, and its honor remained untarnished. It can still remember Maryland Heights as a place where they were ready for still greater sacrifice, but the privilege was denied them. Had Colonel Sammons been in the place of Miles, the result would have been different. The colonel, however, was determined that his regiment should have another opportunity of showing its devotion to the Union. This occurred at Olustee, in Florida, February 20, 1864, where General Seymour, with 5,000 Union troops held a field engagement with a Confederate force outnumbering them more than three to one. Prior to the Florida campaign, the n5th had been encamped at Beaufort, where its members made their colonel a present of a fine war horse, fully equipped with saddle, bridle, holsters, pistols, and thus ready for the field. This testimonial expressed the regiment's admiration for its commander, and the presentation was made in presence of the full brigade in the autumn of 1863. The address was made by private Millan, and was so highly suitable to the occasion, that it is worthy of a place in this record.

" COLONEL: In behalf of the non-commissioned officers and privates of the regiment, I have the honor to present to you this horse and equipments, as a slight token of the respect we bear to you, as a mark of our appreciation of your labors in our behalf when pursued by secret and dangerous enemies, involving us, as we feared, in inextricable difficulties, [t was you, our honored colonel, who labored day and night, until you succeeded in clearing us from our difficulties, vindicating our honor as a regiment, establishing our innocence, and restoring us to our former status with the war department and the army. It is you who has done all this, notwithstanding your immediate assistants, from whom you was justified in expecting more aid than you received, have one by one left us, and, indeed, furnished but poor assistance while they were connected with us. They are remembered by us, and their course is known to all. You have remained with us, and shared our troubles, our toil, and our privations. We have been associated together in our country's service for a period of fifteen months, and during all that time we have found you a kind and pleasing commander, always anxious to benefit and improve, by all the means within your power, the condition of the men of your command.

It is for these things, colonel, as well as others, which it is unnecessary for me to occupy your time in enumerating, we desire you to accept this slight expression of confidence in you as our commanding officer ; not for its intrinsic value, but as a voluntary expression of our appreciation of your labors in behalf of your command. And as you accept it, colonel, accept also the prayers and best wishes of your command, that in whatever condition, or under whatever circumstances you may hereafter be placed, you may derive counsel and assistance from Him who ruleth over all. Believe, at the same time, that whenever you are called upon to lead us, we will follow, bearing in our ranks the stars and stripes, and in our hearts God and our country."

To return to Olustee: The action began in the afternoon and continued until night covered the bloody scene. Colonel Sammons's regiment was posted on the right, and bore the brunt of the battle, suffering terribly in both killed and wounded. General Seymour remarked that " it was the best regiment he ever saw under fire." One of the principal victims of this bloody scene was Captain Vanderveer, whose remains were brought home to Fultonville and buried with public and military honors. Captains Ballou, F'rench, and Isaac Smith, were wounded; while Lieutenant-colonel Walrath and Captains Kettle, Kneeskern, P. Smith and William Smith, were hit, but escaped severe injury. First Lieutenant James H, Clark was also among the wounded, but survived, and on his return wrote the history of what he appropriately called the "Iron Hearted Regiment." It is a chronicle of which every man on its roll may be justly proud. It should be said, in this connection, that on his return Lieutenant dark was presented by his friends, at Clifton Park, with a handsome sword. Colonel Sammons was in the most exposed part of the action, and being mounted, his portly form offered an attractive mark to the sharpshooters. Under such exposure it could not be expected that he should escape, and it is our only wonder that his name is not among the dead instead of the wounded. He received a ball in the foot near the ankle, which proved a long and painful wound. While speaking of Olustee, an extract may properly be made from a letter written by General Seymour to General Sprague, of the regular army: "Colonel Barton's brigade, made up of the 47th, 48th, and 115 regiments, bore the brunt of the battle, assisted by the 7th Conn., the ist N. C., 8th U. S. colored, and 54th Mass.

This brigade going gallantly into line under a fierce fire, maintained their ground without budging an inch-on the contrary advancing on some points and forcing the enemy back. They both gave and received such blows as have not often occurred during the war. As the sun went down hearty cheers of defiance were given. The brigade went into action 1800 strong, and 812 are reported killed, wounded and missing. Do you know any better fighting than that ? If so, tell me of it, for I never saw anything finer. Colonel Sammons and Colonel Moore are both hurt. Colonel Sammons behaved like one of the heroes of old, and he has my respect forever."

The wound which Colonel Sammons received was one of a painful nature, and sixteen days elapsed before it was properly dressed. This took place in New York, whither he had been brought on his way home. He was welcomed at the Fonda station by a large attendance of friends, who, with a band of music, escorted him to his residence. The case rapidly improved under the affectionate care of the home circle, and though the New York surgeon feared the worst result, the colonel recovered in a manner that exceeded the best hopes of his friends. He lost no time in returning to the field. His regiment had been ordered to join the army of the James, and he took command while the siege of Petersburgh was in operation. Soon after his return the explosion of Burnside's mine occurred, and also the battle of Cemetery Hill, in which the colonel and his regiment bore a prominent part. He was again wounded, being shot through the body, but fortunately, the bullet did not prove fatal. He was carried with other sufferers to Fort Monroe, and when sufficiently able he returned home to once more receive the ministrations of domestic affection. Unable to resume field duty, but being sufficiently recovered to attend to public business, he was elected to represent Montgomery county in the State Legislature. To meet this demand for his services he resigned his commission in the army. The gallant 115th still continued in the field and fought a number of severe battles, in which it suffered heavy loss, but won brilliant renown. It was mustered out of service at Raleigh, June 17, 1865, that day being the eightieth anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill. More than a month before this took place the following address was prepared and sent to the colonel, and as an expression of military gratitude, it is worthy of publication.

"CAMP 115 N. Y. V., RALEIGH, N. C., May 5, 1865. " The enlisted men of the 115th Regiment, N. Y. V., to Colonel Simeon Sammons, their late commander : " Your address of January 6th, 1865, to this command having been received, and read by us with gratitude and pleasure for your kind remembrance of us, and manifest interest in our welfare, we embrace the present as a favorable opportunity for expressing to you our sincere thanks for the solicitude with which you have ever watched over our interests. In you we recognise our champion and deliverer from the cloud that overhung our early history, and to your unceasing efforts we owe much of our present prosperity. In the camp, by your zealous and persevering labors you developed the latent talent of the regiment and brought it to a high standard of military efficiency, so necessary on the field of battle ; and when called upon to meet the foe, you proved yourself a worthy leader, whom we were willing to follow, proud to own, and were honored in belonging to your command, and in after engagements to maintain the honor of " Col. Sammons's Regiment," was our highest ambition. You will ever be held dear in the hearts of your men, as a commander, a leader and a friend. With many kind wishes for your future welfare and happiness, we will bid you adieu for the present, hoping soon to meet you in our own native State, our mission, for which you and we have fought and bled; accomplished. " Very truly your friends,

" THE ENLISTED MEN OF THE 115th N. Y. V."

Col. Sammons's record after the close of the war has been briefly given in the foregoing pages. To this it may be said in our closing paragraph, that since retiring from public life he has made agriculture his chief pursuit. His homestead is on the farm which grandfather, Sampson Sammons, settled more than a century ago. It is a place of much beauty, and here the Colonel is glad to welcome his friends at any time, but especially those who shared with him the dangers of the field while serving under the stars and stripes.