A SOLDIER OF THE WAR OF 1812 Who Has the Original Muster Roll of Capt. Jacob Marshall's Company - What He Said to an Eagle Reporter Last Evening - Some Particulars of the Life of James Norton, of this City. Capt. Jacob Marshall's company of militia who marched from Reading to Baltimore during the "war of 1812" consisted of 88 men, including the officers. Of these 88 persons only two still survive. James Norton, residing at 120 Chestnut Street and Abraham Clemmens, residing at 636 Bingaman Street, this city. The muster roll shows that the latter wrote his name at that time "Clementz." Both were born the same year, Clemmens, April 31 and Norton December 8, 1791, and they are now 88 years of age and both enjoying good health. Last evening an Eagle reporter called at the residence of Mr. Norton and had a chat with him about olden times. He said, "Mr. Clemmens was here this week and we had a pleasant little chat about our march to Baltimore in 1814." "In whose company were you" asked the reporter. "In Capt. Jacob Marshall's, who resided on South Eighth Street. He was the father of Dr. Phillip Marshall. "Did you participate in any battles?" "No, but while we were at Camp Springfield, near Baltimore, a battle was fought at North Points, 7 miles below camp. I visited the battlefield while the killed were being buried. The battle was fought on the 12th of September 1814. We were mustered out in December of that year, at York, PA. I have here the original muster roll, which was presented to me by Dr. Philip Marshall a few days after the death of his father. Here it is, and you will find attached to it the following certificate: "I do certify that I have mustered Captain Jacob Marshall's Company and that this muster roll exhibiting the men's names is accurate and just to be the best of my knowledge and belief. Gabriel Hiester, Brig. Major." THE MUSTER ROLL Jacob Marshal, Captain; Henry Burcher, 1st Lieutenant; William Hiester, 2d Lieutenant; Samuel Alston, ensign; John E. Youngman, 1st Sergeant; John Frailey, 2d Sergeant; Wm. Freaner, 3d Sergeant; Jesse Lincoln, 4th Sergeant; Isaac Jackson, 1st Corporal; Jacob Ely, 2d Corporal; Joseph Shirey, 3d Corporal; Samuel Beyerle, 4th Corporal; George Philipy, drummer; Jacob Philipy, fifer; Joseph Allgeter, Geo. Benwich, John Brenten, John Buzart, Benjamin Bressler, Wm. Boone, Jacob Bright, Abraham Clementz, Jacob Camp, John Doutrich, Henry Diehl, William Dewees, George Drinkhouse, Frederick Eberhart, Peter Fick, Peter Fleicher, Jacob Felix, Solomon Felix, William Furman, John Fix, Michael Fix, John From, Samuel Fesig, Jeremiah Foley, John Gerhard, George Gantz, Abraham Gress, George Gilbert, George Hartman, Hettrich Henry, Daniel Haberacker, Daniel Hollenbach, John Hill, Samuel Hill, Joseph Jones, John Kendall, John Klinger, John Kelly, Peter Kremer, Wm. Lawyer, Daniel Leinbach, Christian Leinbach, John Laughlin, William Miller, Joseph Miller, John Moore, Peter Mengel, Samuel McKinney, William Moyer, William Machamer, Dewalt Meck, John Noll, James Norton, Leonard Ossman, Peter Philipy, John Phyfer, Philip Reitzel, Thomas Rorick, Joseph Rehr, John Rittner, Jacob Rittner, John Stuart, George Spicker, John Schambers, Henry Spangler, Daniel Smith, Jacob Smale, John Thomas, Thomas Wilson, Alfred Wheatly, John Warner, John Youmer, and Samuel Zieber. "You will see by the Captain's book," said Mr. Norton, "that Benjamin Bressler was given at Camp Springfield, Oct. 8, 1814, a furlough for 12 days, and that on the 15th of the same month Ensign Alston was given a furlough for 7 days. Also that four deserted while we were near Baltimore; that $??? were paid for shoes for the men and that on 2d of December, 1814, each member of the company received $3 in part of one month's pay." "Are you a native of Reading, Mr. Norton?" asked the reporter. "No sire, I was born in Philadelphia, but while yet a small boy my parents removed to Easton, where I resided until 1814, when I came to Reading, and the same year went to Baltimore with Capt. Marshall's company. Upon my return I worked in and superintended for 14 years John Birkinbine's whisky distillery, which stood where Orr, Painter & Co's stove works are no located. WHISKEY NEVER PURE "I suppose at that time you made pure whisky without and drugging?" We put in coculus indicus and also oil or vitrio to make the whiskey bead. Whisky was never made pure. I recollect we used to throw coculus indicus into the water, and when the fish swallowed it they became crazy and we caught them. In 1829 I joined the Presbyterian church, then the old white church down Penn Street. Rev. Finney, the pastor was a great temperance man, and I quit distilling whisky and became a temperance man myself. In 1830 I commenced boating on the canal, which I followed until my son William took charge of the boats. Since then I have been engaged in selling coal, speculating in sand banks, and son on." "On another occasion I will tell you about the annual fair days, battalions, and the various kinds of amusements the people of Reading indulged in, in olden times," said Mr. Norton. Note: This article was likely the work of Alfred S. Jones a long time reporter, and sometimes the only report, working for the Reading Eagle. Mr. Jones submitted articles on the history of the people and place of Reading, on almost a daily basis. His favorite articles seemed to be interviews with old-timers, such as Mr. Norton here....BJBurdan
[Source: Reading Eagle, Reading, PA, October 12, 1879. Submitted by Betty.]
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