During the War for Independence, the Brits hatched a scheme to turn the Indians against the American Patriots. Sir Henry Hamilton in Detriot became known by both Indians and Americans as "The Hair Buyer", as he payed a healthy bounty for settler's scalps (even loyalist). Soon, the Red Men fell upon the frontier settlments with a vengance.
Among the many atrocities committed by war parties from the Shawnees, Senecas, Wyandots and other tribes, was one which occurred on a small hill near my home, and on which I have hunted and camped many times.
The Tull family were settled on a hill six miles west of Ft Bedford, on Forbes Road. (US Route 30) In the fall of 1777, settlers from Schellsburg (3 miles further west) hearing of an aproaching war party, retreated to the fort. As Williams was leading his family to saftey, he stopped to warn Mr Tull. Mr Tull, despite the danger to his family, refused to evacuate the farm.
A few days later, Williams and his son returning to their farm, came to the Tull home. The Father was lying in the garden, just expiring, scalped. The family home was reduced to smoking ruins containing the bodies of Mrs Tull and a baby. The Indians, not wanting to be encumbered, had evidently swung the babe by it's feet, dashing it's brains against the door post. The rest of the family (8 daughters, aged 16 and younger) were found scattered about the farm, where ever they had been shot or ran down and tomahawked. All dead. All Scalped.
Williams returned the Ft Bedford and gave the alarm. A party of militia was raised but was unable to catch up to the retreating war party.
The Tull family was buried near their farm. The only surviving member of the family was a son serving in the continental army. (all that is known of him) The forest has reclaimed the fields and ruins of the cabin, and though many folks know where Tull's Hill is located, few know ths story of the tragedy.
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