Nine Generations
The Family History of Thomas Dell Lesnett III 1752-2008
by
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Gnadenhutten March 8, 1782
It was a cold, snowy day in Pennsylvania when Christian and Christianna Lesnett's neighbor, Robert Wallace, returned home from working many hours at the local mill in Florence. The Wallaces were also neighbors to Christian's oldest sons, Frederick and Francis (who were 24 and 22 years old at the time).
Horror enveloped Wallace as he crossed the ridge to find his cabin and small farm burned to the ground with the cows lying dead in the ruble. His greatest fear surfaced when he realized that his entire family was missing (his wife, newborn baby and two young sons). This frontier farmer knew, without question, it was the work of the local Indians. His question was which tribe.
Wallace and several of his neighbors followed the attackers’ footprints through the snow until darkness fell. Believing the captors were still holding his family, Wallace and his supporters travelled to Marshall’s Fort along Cross Creek. They met with the ranking officer, Colonel James Marshall and requested that he make formal request to the new commanding officer, General William Irvine at Fort Pitt for colonial troop assistance. Irvine, who reported directly to General George Washington, heard the farmers’ frantic plea but in the end denied support for a full expedition.
Although the United States government had officially allocated on December 19, 1781 significant inventories of gunpowder and flints to be used for its defense, the Fort Pitt commander was reluctant to grant the military support for this request.
Frederick and Francis Lesnett (Christian Lesnett's 2nd and 3rd sons) became part of Williamson's larger militia. They were enlisted originally as part of Captain Charles Reed's Company in the 4th Battalion Washington County Militia.
The enraged men scoured the territory for months before arriving at the Moravian Indian settlements. On the morning of March 7, 1782, scouts reported back to Colonel Williamson that the Indians were completing their corn harvest and were moving to Upper Sandusky on the morning of March 9
The posse captured an Indian by the name of Joseph Shabosch who was roping horses near the village. After being shot in the arm, Shabosch asked Captain Charles Builderback why he would attack peace-loving Indians. Builderback quickly killed him and took his scalp.
Upon their search, they discovered Mrs. Wallace's bloody dress hanging in one of the Moravian buildings. The Indians claimed that the perpetrators had sold the dress to them. Without proven justification, the frontier troop of 160-180 Rangers, including Frederick and Francis Lesnett, held their own court and decided the fate of the entire tribe of 96 Moravian Indians. The vote was to kill.
A pact was made prior to the vote that the colonist names carrying out the execution would remain forever anonymous and never be recorded by any man present. Throughout the night, the Indians prayed and sang hymns as they prepared for the inevitable. The next morning, the Indians knelt in a tight group while the annihilation was carried out. Once executed, the colonists crushed their skulls and burned the bodies. All 96 Indians were slaughtered. Only one executioner name has ever factually been noted...Robert Wallace.
I fear not the silence nor the gloom of the grave. `Tis a pathway of shade, and gay flowers to the brave: For it leads to the plains where the gleam of the sun Kindles spring in his path that will never be done. Groves, valleys and mountains, bright streamlet and dell, Sweet haunts of my youth, take my parting farewell; Ye braves of my kindred, and thou, mother, adieu: Great shades of my father, I hasten to you. -
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About the Book
The book is a unique combination of authentic family stories blended with America’s most memorable historical events starting in 1752 with George Washington’s arrival to western Pennsylvania and Christian Lesnett’s landing at Baltimore harbor. The reader will follow the Lesnett family as it participates in the last battle of The French & Indian War through The Whiskey Rebellion, The Revolutionary War, The Battle of 1812, The Civil War, The Great Depression and World War II. Scott Lesnett, the author, personalizes these epic times with “passed down” stories that alter certain historic events while providing the reader with a fresh perspective on the formation of the United States. Tales and opinions of each lineage character are told from the colorful viewpoint of the author’s father, Thomas Dell Lesnett III. This is truly an American story, which spans NINE GENERATIONS of struggle and achievement.
About the Author
Scott A. Lesnett resides in New Smyrna Beach, Florida with his wife, Diane. His youngest daughter, Katherine, is a student at Florida State University. His oldest daughter, Elizabeth, and son, Adam, attend the University of Nevada. His oldest son, Christian, resides in the Pittsburgh area with his wife Kathryn. Scott has owned and operated MidAtlantic Financial, Inc, an equipment financing and leasing company, since 1989. Realizing the value of his heritage, Lesnett has dedicated himself to the preservation of his rich family lore.