Samuel Holliday, a captain in the Revolutionary War and seemingly the first settler of Springfield Township, was a native of Franklin County, Pa. He was born Nov. 26 1755, the son of James Holliday, killed by Indians in the early settlement of Pennsylvania, and Elizabeth McDowel. James was the son of pioneer John Holliday, who died in 1770 in Carlisle, Pa. Samuel came to Erie County in 1796 purchasing 700 acres on the borders of Lake Erie at the mouth of Crooked Creek in April of 1797. Later, he returned to Franklin County where he married Jeanette Campbell, who died June 27, 1851, at the age of 81 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Holliday were probably parents of the first female child born in that township, named Elizabeth, whose birth was listed as May 14, 1798. She died Oct. 17 1834, aged 36 years and five months. She was married to Edward Ward. Their children were John (1803-1872); Samuel Jr., born Sept. 27, 1805. He married Elizabeth Porter in 1840, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Porter who were among the first settlers of Girard. Samuel Jr. and Elizabeth's children were: Robert P., Capt. Charles C. (born April 30, 1843) married Mary C. Blakely. He died in 1893. Charles and Mary's children were: Benjamin W., Wallace, Francis J. and Ada. William, son of Samuel Sr. and Elizabeth McDowel Holliday was born Nov. 7, 1806, and died April 26, 1887. William married Fanny Post of Connecticut and their children were: Major Samuel V. Holliday, born Oct. 2 1841; Eliza J., widow of D. M. Richardsom; James C. and William P. Major Samuel V. Holliday married Nov. 10 1864, Margaret S. Gould of Springfield, Pa. To this union were born: William Morris, Ann G., Evan Lee and Fanny L.
In 1801, Samuel Holliday Sr. erected the first saw mill and grist mill in Springfield Township. He was also instrumental in helping to establish the old graveyard. A prominent man and well known throughout the area, he was one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church at East Springfield. Samuel died in 1846 and his remains are interred in the East Springfield Cemetery. Samuel Holliday enlisted as a Priv. 6th Class, 7th Co. 4th Battalion of the Cumberland Cuunty Militia under Col. Samuel Culbertson.
from Erie, Pa., Times-News, Sunday, July 4,n 1976 page 7-D
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Battle of Lake Erie
Niagara Led Victory Charge
One-Hundred sixty-three years ago today a ship christened "Niagara" was launched from its building berth at the mouth of Cascade Run to become part of Capt. Oliver Hazzard Perry's fleet, destined to defeat the British in the historic Battle of lake Erie. It and another brig, the "Lawrence," were the largest of nine ships, sex of which were built at Erie, that sailed west on Aug. 12, 1813, in search of the enemy, whom they were soon to meet off the shores of Sandusky, Ohio.
Building the fleet and manning the boats with adequate personnel were only tow of the seemingly impossible tasks facing Perry when he assumed command of the Lake Erie fleet on March 27, 1813.
Perry, only twenty-seven years old, enlisted the help of house carpenters and black-smiths from throughout the country because of a shortage of shipbuilders at the time. Timber was gathered from nearby forest, and iron was collected at various warehouses and stores and shipped from Pittsburgh and Buffalo. By the end of May, the entire fleet that would eventually fight the powerful British Navy was ready. Besides the "Lawrence" and "Niagara," it consisted of schooners "Ariel," "Scorpion," "Ohio," "Somers" and "Amelia," brig "Caledonia," gunboats "porcupine" and "Tigress," and sloop "Trippe."
The fleet anchored at Sandusky on Aug. 17. On Sept. 7, as the crew readied for battle, Perry met with his officers and produced his famous battle flag- "Don't Give Up The Ship"- which was hoisted above the "Lawrence" the morning of Aug. 10, only hours before the first cannon shot would be fired. For the first two hours of battle, the "Lawrence" took the fire of the heaviest British ship " until every gun was dismounted, two-thirds of her crew killed or wounded, and the ship so badly cut up aloft as to be unmanageable." It was then that the "Niagara," which had, for no apparent reason, stayed out of the fire at the beginning, led the charge to victory.
"The gunboats being well up and the "Caledonia" in good position, the signal to break through the British line was shown from the "Niagara" at 2:45 in the afternoon. The fire of the "Niagara" was reserved until she got abreast of the "Detroit," when she poured her starboard at pistol shot into the vessel and the "Queen Charlotte," while with the port broadside she sent a storm of (cannon) ball into the 'Lady Provost' and 'Chippewa....' After passing through the British line, the 'Niagara' rounded to under their lee (the side sheltered from the wind), and sent one broadside after another into the entangled vessels, causing such fearful damage that in fifteen minutes from the time she bore up, a white handkerchief was waved from the 'Queen Charlotte' as a symbol of submission, shortly succeeded by one from the 'Detroit." The firing ceased almost instantly, after a struggle of almost three hours duration." Perry then penned a letter to his commander, Gen. William Henry Harrison: "Dear General: We have met the enemy and they are ours; two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop." Perry and the "Niagara" returned to a hero's welcome in Erie, the former eventually to assume commands elsewhere. The "Niagara" remained in Misery Bay and through the years, partially sank into the water. In 1913, 100 years after its famous fight, it made a triumphal tour of ports along Lake Erie, after which it returned here to be permanently docked on land alongside State Street, just south of the Public Dock.
Erie, Pa. Times-News, Sunday, July 4, 1976 page 5D by Bob Baptist Times Staff Writer
One-Hundred sixty-three years ago today a ship christened "Niagara" was launched from its building berth at the mouth of Cascade Run to become part of Capt. Oliver Hazzard Perry's fleet, destined to defeat the British in the historic Battle of lake Erie. It and another brig, the "Lawrence," were the largest of nine ships, sex of which were built at Erie, that sailed west on Aug. 12, 1813, in search of the enemy, whom they were soon to meet off the shores of Sandusky, Ohio.
Building the fleet and manning the boats with adequate personnel were only tow of the seemingly impossible tasks facing Perry when he assumed command of the Lake Erie fleet on March 27, 1813.
Perry, only twenty-seven years old, enlisted the help of house carpenters and black-smiths from throughout the country because of a shortage of shipbuilders at the time. Timber was gathered from nearby forest, and iron was collected at various warehouses and stores and shipped from Pittsburgh and Buffalo. By the end of May, the entire fleet that would eventually fight the powerful British Navy was ready. Besides the "Lawrence" and "Niagara," it consisted of schooners "Ariel," "Scorpion," "Ohio," "Somers" and "Amelia," brig "Caledonia," gunboats "porcupine" and "Tigress," and sloop "Trippe."
The fleet anchored at Sandusky on Aug. 17. On Sept. 7, as the crew readied for battle, Perry met with his officers and produced his famous battle flag- "Don't Give Up The Ship"- which was hoisted above the "Lawrence" the morning of Aug. 10, only hours before the first cannon shot would be fired. For the first two hours of battle, the "Lawrence" took the fire of the heaviest British ship " until every gun was dismounted, two-thirds of her crew killed or wounded, and the ship so badly cut up aloft as to be unmanageable." It was then that the "Niagara," which had, for no apparent reason, stayed out of the fire at the beginning, led the charge to victory.
"The gunboats being well up and the "Caledonia" in good position, the signal to break through the British line was shown from the "Niagara" at 2:45 in the afternoon. The fire of the "Niagara" was reserved until she got abreast of the "Detroit," when she poured her starboard at pistol shot into the vessel and the "Queen Charlotte," while with the port broadside she sent a storm of (cannon) ball into the 'Lady Provost' and 'Chippewa....' After passing through the British line, the 'Niagara' rounded to under their lee (the side sheltered from the wind), and sent one broadside after another into the entangled vessels, causing such fearful damage that in fifteen minutes from the time she bore up, a white handkerchief was waved from the 'Queen Charlotte' as a symbol of submission, shortly succeeded by one from the 'Detroit." The firing ceased almost instantly, after a struggle of almost three hours duration." Perry then penned a letter to his commander, Gen. William Henry Harrison: "Dear General: We have met the enemy and they are ours; two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop." Perry and the "Niagara" returned to a hero's welcome in Erie, the former eventually to assume commands elsewhere. The "Niagara" remained in Misery Bay and through the years, partially sank into the water. In 1913, 100 years after its famous fight, it made a triumphal tour of ports along Lake Erie, after which it returned here to be permanently docked on land alongside State Street, just south of the Public Dock.
Erie, Pa. Times-News, Sunday, July 4, 1976 page 5D by Bob Baptist Times Staff Writer
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