―209―

AMERICAN

REGISTER OF DEATHS.

October 1, 1806.

SOCIETY was this day deprived of
one of its brightest ornaments, and
her friends of an invaluable blessing,
by the sudden death of Mrs. Anna
Randolph Craik, the truly amiable
consort of the honourable William
Craik, late one of the members for
the state of Virginia in the house of
representatives of the United States.
She was the daughter of William
Fitzhugh, Esq., of Alexandria. This
lady had accompanied her husband to
Bath for the benefit of his health.
Soon after their arrival there, she
was attacked by symptoms of nervous
fever, which induced them to endea-
vour to return, but by the time they
had reached Martinsburg, the disease
had progressed in so rapid and alarm-
ing a manner, that they could proceed
no further; and there, in the course
of a few days, in defiance of every
possible exertion of medical skill,
the irresistible mandate of death
summoned her to give an account of
her stewardship, in the 24th year of
her age.

Inshrined in as delicate and beauti-
ful a form as ever graced the female
character, she possessed a mind en-
riched by general information, and

polished by every polite accomplish-
ment; together with a disposition
mild, animated, and affectionate, and
a heart glowing with the purest and
most active impulses of benevolence.

This singular assemblage of virtues
and of excellences was dignified and
refined by a confirmed attachment
to the christian religion, and the most
exemplary observance of all the rites
and ceremonies of the protestant
episcopal church, of which she was
a member.

Her deportment in domestic life
was such as excited the admiration
and affection of all who enjoyed the
privilege of her acquaintance.

At Newburyport, the noted Timo-
thy Dexter, in the 60th year of his
age; self-styled “lord Dexter, first
in the east.” He lived, perhaps, one
of the most eccentric men of his time.
His singularities and peculiar notions
were universally proverbial. Born
and bred to a low condition in life,
and his intellectual endowments not
being of the most exalted stamp, it is
no wonder that a splendid fortune,
which he acquired (though perhaps
honestly) by dint of speculation and
good fortune, should have rendered
him, in many respects, truly ridicu-
lous. The qualities of his mind were

―210―

of that indefinite cast, which forms an
exception to every other character
recorded in history, or known in the
present age, and “none but himself
could be his parallel.” But among
the motley groupe of his qualities, it
would be injustice to say he possess-
ed no good ones: he certainly did.
No one will impeach his honesty,
and his numerous acts of liberality,
both public and private, are in the re-
collection of all, and one of the items
in his last will will always be grateful-
ly remembered. His ruling passion
appeared to be popularity; and one
would suppose he rather chose to
render his name “infamously famous
than not famous at all."–His writings
stand as a monument of the truth of
this remark; for those who have read
his “Pickle for the Knowing Ones” a
jumble of letters promiscuously thrown
together, find it difficult to determine
whether most to laugh at the consum-
mate folly, or despise the vulgarity
and profanity of the writer. His man-
ner of life was equally extravagant
and singular. A few years since he
erected in front of his house a great
number of images of distinguished
persons in Europe and America, to-
gether with beasts, &c.; so that his
seat exhibted more the appearance of
a museum of artificial curiosities, than
the dwelling of a family. By his or-
ders, a tomb was several years since
dug, under the summer-house in his
garden, where he desired his remains
might be deposited (but this singular
request could not consistently be com-
plied with), and his coffin made and
kept in the hall of his house, in which
he is to be buried. The fortunate
and singular manner of his specula-
tions, by which he became possessed
of a handsome property, are well
known; and his sending a cargo of
warming-pans to the West Indies,
where they were converted into mo-
lasses-ladles, and sold to good profit,
is but one of the most peculiar. His
principles of religion (if they could
be called principles) were equally
odd, a blind philosophy, peculiar to
himself, led him to believe in the sys-
tem of transmigration at sometimes;
at others he expressed those closely
connected with deism; but it is not
a matter of surprise that one so totally
illiterate should have no settled or ra-

tional principles. His reason left him
two days before his death.

At Hubbardston, Massachusetts,
Mr. Edward Selfridge, aged 71.
Through the course of a long and la-
borious life, he sustained an exem-
plary character, and was universally
esteemed as a man of unsullied integri-
ty and unshaken independence. He
early engaged in the military service
of his country, and was an officer in
the army commanded by general
Wolfe. Attached to military life, it
was his intention to have followed his
fortunes in the service; but when
the army was recalled from Canada,
a fever compelled him to stay behind.
By a course of honest and persevering
industry, he, not long after, enabled
himself to purchase a tract of wild
land in Hubbardston, (county of Wor-
cester) and was one of the earliest
settlers in that town. Possessing a
mind vigorous and inquisitive in the
pursuit of useful knowledge, but li-
mited in its researches by the nar-
rowness of early instruction, it was
his ambition and the leading object
of his labours to bestow on his chil-
dren an education which would qua-
lify them for useful and honoura-
ble stations in society. He had two
sons and three daughters; all of
whom reaped the fruits of his industry,
in a degree of liberal endowment,
rarely attained by people in his rank
in life. Both his sons were educated
at college. The youngest, a lad of
superior genius and uncommon pro-
mise, after having completed his col-
legiate studies, and excited the fond-
est hopes of his parents, died, about
three months since, a victim to the in-
tenseness of mental application. The
eldest, whose flattering prospects in
life, from the respectability of his pro-
fessional character, had soothed the
affliction of an aged and affectionate
parent, he soon afterwards saw ar-
rested in his progress by an over-
whelming calamity, which doomed
him to imprisonment, and thus de-
prived him of this last prop and com-
fort of his declining years. He had
witnessed, too, the unrelenting fury
with which this child of his affections
was pursued by revengeful and im-
placable enemies. By the reality of
this dreadful disaster, and by fearful
apprehensions of the issue, his faul-

―211―

tering spirits were broken. By the
distress and anxiety of his mind, re-
sulting from an ardent paternal affec-
tion, a long latent bodily infirmity
was excited into action, and he fell
a victim to the disease of disappointed
hope, and the pangs of accumulated
and insufferable sorrow.

October 9th, at Washington,
Penn., John Israel. The united skill
and application of three physicians at-
tending him proved abortive and in-
effectual; the rapid progress of the
inflammation and mortification baffled
them, and at half past ten o'clock on
Tuesday night, he was removed to
that bourn from whence no traveller
returns. Every thing that medical
skill could devise was applied; but all
was inefficient: he departed this life
in his full and perfect senses, and re-
signed to his fate, amidst a large
number of his surrounding friends,
who at the solemn scene testified
their affectionate regard for him.
His goodness of heart, his sensibility,
his charity and benevolence, shone
conspicuously in him, whilst his do-
mestic virtues endeared him to his fa-
mily, his relatives and connections:
he was a flower which budded early,
and soon came to maturity, but, alas!
has too soon withered and died away.
His usefulness in society has been felt
and acknowledged, and an extension
thereof might have been expected and
was calculated on by his friends and
acquaintances. He was interred
with the honours of masonry, in due
form, attended by as large a proces-
sion of citizens as has appeared on
such an occasion in that place.

October 17th, of a lingering ill-
ness, in the thirty-second year of her
age, Mrs. Maria Smith, wife of Mr.
Isaac Smith, and daughter of the late
judge Francis Hopkinson, of Phila-
delphia.

Cut off in the bloom and amidst the
usefulness of life, society, in the death
of this amiable woman, is deprived of
a distinguished ornament. Her vir-
tues, which were the pride of an af-
fectionate husband, rendered her
dear to a respectable circle of rela-
tives and friends, and reflected ho-
nour on her sex. Of lively and inte-
resting manners, of a strong and
clear understanding, improved by
education, and refined by that wit

which in her respected father shone
resplendently, and which in the
daughter was so guided by good
sense, and tempered by good nature,
that her conversation never created
uneasiness, but largely contributed
to the delight of her friends.

October 21st, at Philadelphia, in
the fifty-fourth year of his age, Israel
Whelen, Esq., formerly a representa-
tive of that city and district in the se-
nate of Pennsylvania.

Few men have experienced greater
vicissitudes of fortune than Mr.
Whelen, or supported them with
equal moderation and firmness.

As a senator, conciliating, active,
and intelligent, even his political op-
ponents were unable to withhold
from him the tribute of their esteem
and affection.

In private life, his exalted integrity
secured to him, under the most trying
exigencies, the unlimited confidence
of his numerous friends.

In his domestic relations, every en-
dearing quality united to render his
loss irreparable. Such a man will be
long remembered and deeply lament-
ed: whilst we regret his loss, let us
endeavour to imitate his virtues.

At Warren, Massachusetts, Octo-
ber 25th, 1806, general Knox. He
was confined about six days. It is
supposed that the cause of his death
was his swallowing a sharp chicken
bone, which perforated his bowels,
and produced a mortification. The
event was very sudden, and unexpect-
ed by his physicians, till a very short
time before his death. The funeral
took place next day, when every tes-
timony of respect was paid by all
classes of people.

To recount the public services, and
to do full justice to the worth of this
distinguished soldier and citizen,
must devolve on the faithful historian,
who, among the causes that influen-
ced the success of our revolution, will
often advert to the bravery, skill, and
discipline of that distinguished corps,
the artillery of the American army,
which was organized and commanded
throughout the war by this excellent
officer.

Possessing in an eminent degree
the esteem and confidence of the
commander in chief, he was, in every
stage of the contest, the faithful

―212―

friend and gallant associate of the il-
lustrious Washington.

On the successful termination of
his military career, when general
Lincoln resigned, he was appointed
secretary at war, under the confede-
ration; and, his commission being
renewed by president Washington,
he continued for a long series of years
most ably to administer the duties of
that important department. Resign-
ing his office, he returned to private
life, on his estate in the district of
Maine, in the year 1795, from which
he has since been frequently called to
share in the honours and labours of
legislation in the commonwealth of
Massachusetts, where the remem-
brance of his private and public virtues
will be long cherished, and held in
grateful estimation.

November 15th, at Georgetown,
after a short illness, Robert Peter,
Esq., in the. 81st year of his age.

Assiduous and economical in early
life, he had the felicity to see his ex-
ertions crowned with success in ac-
cumulating an independent fortune;
and his numerous family have the
happiness, to experience the value of
his unwearied endeavours, in receiv-
ing each a most ample patrimony out
of his large possessions.

Mr. Peter was the first mayor of
Georgetown, and filled that office
with much credit to himself and satis-
faction to his fellow-citizens. This
honourable station was conferred on
him by the legislature of the state of
Maryland.

October 30, in the sixty-sixth year
of his age, Mr. Israel Morris, junr.,
late of Philadelphia, merchant; the
last few years of his life were passed
generally in the state of New Jersey,
where he applied his time and atten-
tion, in a manner congenial with his
wishes, in useful and successful agri-
cultural pursuits; these he had relin-
quished in earlier life, to partake of
the arduous duties of the revolutionary
war, of which he was an early and
able supporter.

After its successful termination he
was many years the active, intelligent
merchant, and useful citizen. Through
these varied relations; as a member of
the community, few men have passed
with a more unanimous assent, of
those who were the witnesses of his

progress, that in them all, he had
“done justly, loved mercy, and walked
humbly.”

September 28, at the family resi-
dence on the banks of Schuylkill, near
Philadelphia, after a lingering illness,
which she sustained with exemplary
fortitude and resignation, Mrs. Anna
Muhlenberg, the amiable and much
respected consort of general Peter
Muhlenberg, collector of the port of
Philadelphia.

November 1st, at Philadelphia, in
the 47th year of his age, Philip Nick-
lin, Esq., of the house of Nicklin and
Griffith, merchants, of that city.

In deploring the exit of men of
worth and usefulness, the mind re-
poses with melancholy pleasure in the
recollection of the many virtues which
adorned their lives and added value
to their existence. The tears and re-
grets of the community will follow
the remains of Mr. Nicklin to the
grave. As a merchant, during the
extensive transactions of upwards of
twenty years, his reputation for inte-
grity, punctuality, and intelligence,
has never been impeached. In the
various relations of society, he was
amiable and accomplished. As a
friend, his affections were unlimited;
as a companion, he was always interest-
ing. That he shone equally in the
more endearing offices of father and
husband, is testified by the present
deep and unspeakable anguish of those
beloved beings who but lately hovered
over his person, and listened to his
accents with instruction and delight.

As a member of numerous honorary
and useful institutions, Mr. Nicklin
has invariably attracted and perpetuat-
ed the esteem and confidence of his
colleagues. In his death, we may
truly exclaim, society has lost an or-
nament, and his family and friends a
blessing.

November 15th, at Philadelphia,
Miss Ann Redman, daughter of Dr.
John Redman, of that city. This
amiable lady was qualified by nature
and education to attract public esteem
and admiration, but filial piety, predo-
minating over all other considerations,
induced her to devote her talents and
virtues chiefly to solace the declining
years of her aged and venerable pa-
rents, to whom her death is rendered
supportable only by that religion

―213―

which teaches that all things shall work
together for the lasting benefit of those
who have placed their prospects of
happiness beyond the grave.

November 23d, at Germantown,
Pennsylvania, in the 27th year of his
age, Mr. George S. Bensell, a mem-
ber elect, from the county of Phila-
delphia, to the house of representa-
tives of the state of Pennsylvania.

November 25th, at Philadelphia,
Robert Milligan, Esq., of Bohemia; in
the state of Maryland, aged fifty-two
years.

Of this gentleman it may be truly
said, that having an early foundation
in the most liberal education, ever
after improving by a course of useful
studies, he was equally fitted for pri-
vate and public life. His manners
were polished, his conversation agree-
able, and distinguished by a peculiar
poignancy and animation, his know-
ledge extensive, and his sentiments
always just and noble.

With these qualifications Mr. Mil-
ligan at one time was called to the
councils of the state, his natural sta-
tion, and which he might have main-
tained if his love of power and distinc-
tion had been equal to his worth, un-
derstanding, and talents.

On Saturday, the 17th of January,
1807, at Philadelphia, after a linger-
ing illness, which she bore with
great resignation, Mrs. Cornelia Pat-
ton, wife of Robert Patton, Esq.,
post-master of that city, aged 34
years.

In the various relations of life, so-
cial and domestic, the deportment of
the deceased was marked with extra-
ordinary benignity of mind. During
the tedious temporal affliction with
which it pleased heaven to visit her,
this ray of celestial excellence cheer-
ed and brightened her approaches to
dissolution.

To a young and numerous family of
children, and to her affectionate hus-
band, the death of this amiable wo-
man is an irreparable loss. An ex-
tensive circle of admiring friends will
long have to deplore the breach that
has thus been made in their society.
But they will still have the consoling
reflection, that a life of innocence is
sure, in another world, to receive a
“crown of glory.”

In Montgomery county, Penn., on
the 10th of January, Mr. Jacob Deavy,
aged 45 years. In the prime of man-
hood, and in the midst of usefulness,
a short and severe indisposition con-
signed this truly worthy and respec-
table man to the grave.

On the evening of the 1st January,
at Philadelphia, Miss Hannah Ha-
worth, daughter of the late Mr. John.
Haworth, aged about thirty years.
The uncommon sufferings of this
amiable woman interested a large
circle of friends and acquaintances;
she had been the victim of disease
from her twelfth year, and though
an accomplished mind and great
sprightliness of disposition would
have fitted her for the enjoyment of
society, yet she was never heard to
murmur nor complain at the depriva-
tion, but with patient resignation
looked forward to a more perfect
state of existence, after experiencing,
perhaps, as much pain as the human
frame is capable of supporting. An
atrophy gradually released her pure
spirit from suffering mortality to im-
mortal joy.

January 30th, at Greensburg, Penn.,
Mrs. Rachel Pollock, wife of Thomas
Pollock, Esq., one of the commission-
ers of that county. Mrs. Pollock died
in child-bed, and has left a tender in-
fant, a number of small children, and
an affectionate husband to lament her
loss.

On the same day, the dead body of
Mr. David Pollock was found a rod
or two off the old Pennsylvania road,
between Stoy's town and Statler's
tavern, wounded and mangled in a
most shocking manner. Some pack-
ers from Westmoreland county, tra-
velling down the road, and near the
place, heard the report of two guns.
Coming to the spot, they found a hat,
a whip, and a horse. They also saw
tracks into the woods which they
traced for two or three rods, but could
see nothing more. They then went
on towards Statler's, and soon met a
footman, to whom they showed what
they had found, and told the story
The footman knew the horse, and
said he had travelled in company with
the owner the day before. The
packers then took the horse, &c., on
to Statler's. Mr. Statler immediately

―214―

sent an express on to Stoy's town;
and, in the mean time, some horse-
men coming up the road, examined
the place, and found the dead body
within a rod or two of the road.
While the packers were conversing
with the footmen, they saw two arm-
ed men on the road, near to the fatal
spot, who immediately took to the
woods. The neighbours then collect-
ed and pursued them; and, about
twelve o'clock at night, found them
in a house about six miles from So-
merset. The woman of the house
came out and told the party there
were two men in the house. The
men heard the noise, and prepared for
their escape. Two of the party,
Marks Koontz and Jacob Lambert,
went in. One of the villains then at-
tempted to make his escape out of
the door, and, on his way, fired at one
of the party. The bullet passed
through his clothes. The man was
then fired upon by a number, and in-
stantly killed. His body is now in
town, and the other is committed to
prison. An inquest have found them
guilty of murdering David Pollock.
An inquisition will also be held on
the dead body here. The name of
the prisoner, as we have learned from
some papers found with him, is Noel
Huguel, that of the other, John Du-
plie Arnaud, both Frenchmen.

The body of Mr. Pollock is said to
have been stabbed in ten or fifteen
different places. He had been shot
through the neck, and his throat was
cut in such a mannner as nearly to
sever his head from the body. A
part of the dirk with which he had
been stabbed was found in the body.
The other part of the dirk, Mr. Pol-
lock's watch, and seventy dollars in
money, were found in the possession
of the prisoners.

Mr. Pollock, the deceased, was a
young man, about 22 or 23 years of
age, of reputable connections, of de-
cent and upright deportment, and bid
fair to be a useful member of socie-
ty. On Sunday, his remains and
those of his departed sister-in-law,
were both consigned to “the house
appointed for all living.”

Every person of feeling must be
impressed with horror at the recital
of such atrocious depravity; and we
have learned from Somerset, that
such is the sensibility excited there
against the prisoner, that fears are
entertained lest he may become a
sacrifice to popular indignation.

January 30th, at Philadelphia, af-
ter a short but painful illness, Miss
Eliza Glentworth. Thus, in the
morning of youth, and the bloom of
beauty, possessing the esteem and
love of all her acquaintances and rela-
tives, was this engaging young lady
snatched from the circle of their so-
ciety by the hand of death. May her
friends find consolation in the hope,
which the remembrance of her en-
dearing deportment must confirm,
that she has exchanged this feverish
state of being for a brighter world.

January 20th, at New York, of a
lingering illness, Mr. James Gould
Murgatroyd, aged 18 years and 10
months.

In Grenville district, South Caroli-
na, Mrs. Elkin, consort of Mr. Alfred
E. Elkin; shot through the heart by
her husband: he had seated himself
near the door, with his gun across his
lap, picking the flint; and observing
Mrs. Elkin passed in the direction of
the muzzle of the gun, shifted its po-
sition; soon after which, she again
happened to pass in the direction of
the muzzle, when the gun went off,
and shot her dead. They were new-
ly married.