This article was taken from a column "Walter Jack Writes About-" that was in the Erie Times, dated 7-1-1951. It was sent to me by the son of Versa / Hare / Metcalf, Richard, Jan 1997.
The flag which marks the grave of Michael Hare, of Waterford, veteran of many battles, is still unfaded, the blue as deep as the blue sky over Evergreen Cemetery on a clear day. Generations have already passed since he was laid to rest. He is not alone, since there are comrades lying with him in soil that is sacred. Several may have fought on the same fields, and under the same leadership, for all we know.
We read the inscription: "Michael Hare born in Armaugh county, Ireland, June 10 1727. Was in the French and Indian War; at Braddock's defeat; served through the Revolutionary War; was with St. Clair and was scalped at his defeat by the Indians. Died March 3, 1843, aged 115 yrs. 8 mo. 22 days." We also read "Elizabeth, his wife, Died April 10 1840 aged 90 years." Both had been buried in an earlier cemetery located in the west section of Waterford boro. The remains of Michael Hare and his wife were moved to Evergreen Cemetery many years ago. In the soldier's plot is the grave of another Revolutionary soldier, Captain Robert King, "who departed this life December 7, 1826, aged 80 years." Near are the other markers of soldiers who served to perpetuate the nation which Hare and King fought to establish.
Those who have visited the graves have tried to visualize Michael Hare, the pattern of life lived by him and his wife Elizabeth, 22 years younger. Many legends concerning Michael Hare are still told by Waterford people, and these rest on solid foundation,…………………………………………………………………part of article missing………….Waterford post office is another. Mrs. Velma Alexander Mando, South Erie, is a descendant, and has given intensive research into the life, and the military record of her ancestor. The record of Michael Hare, from twenty four years, shines more brilliantly. He was branded as a traitor by the English Crown which is evidence that his service as a patriot were recognized.
Michael Hare and family came to Erie county about 1796 or 1797, settling near the little stream known as Hare's Creek, north of Corry. This stream appears on present day maps. His cabin site was not far from a clump of apple trees which were pointed out to people many years ago.
David Wilson, the historian of Union Township, ancestor of Barrie Wilson and others wrote of Michael Hare in his little booklet, "A history of Union Township," 70 years ago. There was never a more accurate or painstaking historian of Erie county than David Wilson. He said of Hare: "He was a weaver by trade, and if any of the neighbors had a piece of fancy work that ordinary weavers could not do, such as double coverlets or bagging of double thickness, twilled on one side and plain on the other, if they would send for Hare, he would go, be it near or far, and rig up their loom, and show them how to weave it, and charge the moderate sum of two dollars. The writer(Mr. Wilson) has a bag that will hold three bushels, woven by Mr. Hare or rather by his showing. It may rot in time, but we are satisfied it will never wear out.
Wilson whose history is dependable, relays one of the many interesting facts of the life of Hare, narrated on occasion when Hare was in a good mood to talk of the past. He says; "Boys present would be deeply impressed with the thrilling incidents of his life, remembering them long. He had been a soldier in the American Revolution, and under Col. Rogers he had been down to New Orleans to bring up several boats loaded with provisions, to supply stations along……………………….part of article missing……………then return at the mouth of Licking River in Kentucky, the place where the city of Covington now stands, they were attacked by a large body of Indians, and engaged in a desperate fight in which Colonel Rogers and about 60 of his men were killed and some of their boats captured. Michael Hare was taken prisoner and marched to northern Ohio, where he became acquainted with Simon Girty."
Being present or near, we may add, Colonel Craword at the time of his torture a prisoner, he was unable to do anything to help. Hare being an Indian interpreter, must have been in favor as a captive during a period of three years.
After moving from Hare Run, he took up his residence at Oak Hill between Union City and Waterford. At the age of 100 years he taught school, first in his cabin, and afterward in a school house built in the vicinity. He was still active in spite of his years. He walked to Waterford it is said, only a few days before his death, and engaged in some conviviality with cronies at that time.
Mrs. Mando has gained the impression through research and from family tradition that Michael Hare was short, solidly built, may have weighed 170 pounds in the prime of life. Owing to his having been scalped at the time of General Arthur St. Clair's ill fated expedition against the Indians in 1791, he wore a skull cap or covered the mutilated crown of his head with a handkerchief. Mrs. Ensworht says that he favored his scalp wound by leaning his head toward the fire for comfort. After scalping Hare on the battle field in Parke county, Ohio the Indians left him for dead. He was 64 year of age at this time.
Hare was befriended by an Indian woman, and the manner in which he was protected by her is one of the mysteries of this strange life.
The woman guided him all the way across present day Ohio into Westmoreland county where he was living at the time. She hid him by day by piling branches and leaves over him, while she kept a look-out from a tree nearby. He was once hidden underneath a log, which Indians in their search had mounted looking about. Cases comparable to this are recorded. A key to his contact with the Indian woman undoubtedly lies in the fact that he severed as an interpreter. Hare was a prisoner in the hands of the Indians ten years earlier when Colonel Crawford made his ill fated expedition against the Indians. His knowledge of Indian ways, and his ability as an interpreter saved him in this situation.
Colonel Crawford was burned at the stake by the Indians, Simon Girty, the "renegade white," may have been kindly disposed toward Michael Hare, and influenced the Indians to spare him, which he did not do in behalf of Colonel Crawford. Crawford county was named in honor of Colonel Crawford, a boyhood playmate of Washington, and the McMichaels of south Crawford county are descendants. The archives of the commonwealth identify Michael Hare as a Ranger from Westmoreland county in 1777, a private, 1780, late a sergeant in the Penna. Volunteers, and Indian captive, 1872. As a prisoner he was taken to Detroit, then to Quebec, and was exchanged in November, 1782, being sent by sea to Philadelphia. Again Hare was serving in the ill fated Colonel Archibald Lochrey's company that was ambushed at the mouth of the Great Miami River by the Indian leader Brant and Simon Girty. Hare was one of the survivors of the hundred, 42 having been slain. Lochrey's outfit was trying to make it's way westward to join the forces of George Rogers Clark.
Turning back in the early days of the Revolution, we find that Michael Hare enlisted in Northumberland county. Enlistment's were for a few months, yet Michael's service was practically continuous by enlistment during the Revolutionary war. He was in the battle of lone Island, and was detached to serve under Anthony Wayne in the historic attack on Stoney Point. We again find him serving under Colonel Broadhead. He was not interested in a onus or pension and only applied in 1818 when he was 80 years of age. He was granted $96 a year, which was liberal at that time. He was allowed back pay, which was helpful in his advanced years. This amounted to a little over $1,000. His ardor was unfailing, and at the age of 85, he walked to Erie, and offered his services to Captain Forester to serve in the 1812 War.
Mrs., Mando finds that Michael Hare attended St. Patrick's Seminary, convenient to his birth-place in Ireland, the aim of his training being the priesthood. He had acquired some education and was……………………some of article missing………America he stopped first near Philadelphia, then on to the northwest with the tide of migration into Northumberland county. He served in the French and Indian war and under Washington. He was one who held back the bloodthirsty Indians who were bent on exterminating Braddock's English regulars to the last man. Hare was then 28 years of age, and was wounded. It seems that fate had meted out to him battles which were crushing defeats, yet he lived to see triumph from disaster. Michael Hare saw as a man of thirty years, the English taking over Fort Duquesne and vacating the Ohio river valley. Indian troubles broke out under Pontiac. He was present at the Battle of Bushy Run serving under Colonel Henry Bouquet who was pressing forward to relieve Captain Ecuyer, then besieged in Fort Pitt,. Bouquet and Ecuyer were Swiss soldiers of fortune serving the English crown in America. At Bushy Run eight years after the humiliation of Braddock, the Indians sought to trick Bouquet's forces into a similar ambush but were tricked by Bouquet and disastrously defeated. The siege of Fort Pitt,. Earlier Fort Duquesne under the French, was raised by the arrival of Bouquet's forces. All this is delightedly told in "Toward Morning," "Men In Buckskin," "Bedford Village," the writings of Harvey Allen. In reading these volumes one can visualize Michael Hare, the weaver, the would-be priest, the adventurer, the interpreter, and the ranger, ever in danger, yet ever able to meet that danger by craft and cunning.
Rev. Tobias Mitchell, the first resident clergyman at St. Peter's Episcopal church, Waterford, conducted the funeral services of Michael Hare. This church gave to the nation Brigadier Strong Vincent, the hero of Gettysburg, who as a child was confirmed in the church and who may have been seen in his youth Michael Hare.
The memory of Michael Hare will ever remain revered and his grave respected by Waterford's veterans of all wars and patriotically conscious citizens.