Valentine Brother

The Friendship: An Autobiography

Introduction

by Christine Friesel

In 1971 a gentleman in Vermont donated to the Frederick Maryland Historical Society a copy of his ancestor’s short memoir, which was a transcript of his early life.

His ancestor was New York State Assemblyman Valentine Brother (1773-1820).

Valentine was the grandfather of Civil War Marine Charles Brother and, like Charley, more than a casual fan of George Washington and the founding fathers of America. What follows is a life sketch of Valentine Brother from Infancy to 1796.

More about Valentine Brother:

1773 Fredericktown, Maryland

Born on April 3 to Henry Brother (Heinrich Bruder) and his mother was Eleanor Reb (Reeb) Boogher, a widow of Mr. Boogher. Henry came to know his wife as he was her servant, having arrived in America as a redemptioner and sold to Nicholas Boogher, who, at the time, was still married to Eleanor. Valentine was taught by his uncle, schoolmaster Valentine Reb (Reeb) until the age of 11.

1784 Fredericktown, Maryland

Placed in charge of the tavern accounts, converting to English from German style, the native language of his parents.

1785 Frederick, Maryland

Valentine Brother accompanied his father on a business trip to Danville, Kentucky before that region became a state in 1792. They returned home on May 10, 1796.

1786 Frederick, Maryland

Valentine’s father went back to Danville, only this time with his son, Henry, who was not as good a student as Valentine. Henry would later train to be a hatter. Because Valentine’s father is also named Henry, this generation’s Henry will be called Henry the Hatter, although he also would be known as Col. and Major Brother.

1787 Frederick, Maryland

Valentine’s father return home from his trip with Henry “the Hatter,” only more determined to settle his accounts there in Kentucky once and for all. But that would have to wait.

1790 Frederick, Maryland

In September Valentine helped his father drive a load of goods to Danville and they returned home by December. His father worn out from the experience and exposure.

1791 Frederick, Maryland

Valentine’s father died. This was Heinrich Bruder (Henry Brother), who arrived in America as an indentured servant from the Black Forests of Germany. He died on June 7, 1791.

About this time Valentine established The Friendship, a fire company, supervising a lottery to pay for a new engine. He was 19 years old at the time and they had obtained the engine according to the plan with the players satisfied.

1792 Frederick, Maryland

Valentine grew attached in affection with the Margaret, the daughter of the late Charles Schell, who was a whitesmith. Margaret was 16 years old, and he was 19. They did not marry until 1795.

1793 Frederick, Maryland

Opened a grocery store at the age of 20 and commence this activity on his birthday, getting his mother’s blessing to rent out the tavern to another manager. Days after opening the store Valentine was called to be a juror in General Court and enjoyed success and adventure in debate in public position. This prompted him to go to run for assemblyman.

1794 Bath, New York

Valentine was sick with bilious cholic or remittent fever, possibly Typhoid. He would suffer many bouts with excruciating pain.  

1795 Frederick, Maryland

Married Miss Margaret Schell and soon became seriously ill with the first of many trials. The couple prepared for their first child, daughter Caroline.

1796 Frederick, Maryland

Valentine named his survey of 8 ¾ acres “Got by Chance” and “Fielder’s Neglect” (8 acres) and  “The Nest Egg” (136 acres) .

Valentine Brother was a Member of the House of Delegates in 1795 and 1796 alongside George Baer, William Beatty, David Shriver, and Allen Quynn, Jr.

 1797 Frederick, Maryland

Valentine Brother was appointed or served as captain-commandant to the Frederick battalion on August 9, 1797. Source.

Capt. James Neal kept the Tavern, “Sign of the Spread Eagle,” formerly occupied by Maj. Henry Brother, on Patrick Street. This is where the Central Hotel was located in 1882.

About this time (September 25, 1797) The Frederick Town races opened for three days. Henry “the Hatter” Brother was in charge.

1798 Fredericktown, Maryland

With Thomas Johnson as chair and Valentine Brother as secretary, the citizens of Fredericktown held a meeting at the courthouse to adopt resolutions addressing the President’s negotiations with France. Source.

“… we view with the utmost detestation the attempts made by foreigners to divide the citizens of this country, and to see them at variance with a government of their own choice.”

1799 Frederick County, Maryland

Served as Sheriff for Frederick County, Maryland. His brother – Henry “the Hatter” Brother – conducted the tavern formerly kept by his father-in-law, Christian Brengle, on Patrick Street, next door to Maj. Manz. Source.

1799 Bath, New York

Commissioned on April 17 as a Captain in the 9th Regiment for New York by John Adams and John W. Henry, the War Secretary at Philadelphia. He was honorably discharged on June 15, 1800.

Valentine Brother and Margaret had several children, including Henry Brother (1801-1887), who became the father of Civil War Marine Charles Brother.

Their other children included Belinda (1806-1896), Ellen (1807-1836), and Charles S. Brother (1811-1866) and others.

1800 Frederick, Maryland

A military tribute to George Washington's memory was held on Feb 22, the birthday of our first president, with many dignitaries.

"The exercise began with the discharge of sixteen guns from the artillery, commanded by Chap. William Clements, and half hour guns were fired until the procession moved. About eleven o'clock the line of procession was formed opposite Capt. Valentine Brother's and moved" in parade fashion with the Federal Troops under Capt. Brother's command down Market Street to the Square, then up Patrick Street until they arrived at the German Presbyterian Church with Capt. Brother's command for more volleys fired over the pageant.

Source.

1801 Frederick, Maryland

After the birth of his son Henry on George Washington’s birthday (Feb 22), Valentine Brother removed his family and relatives in caravan to Ontario County, New York and eventually established a farm near Geneva, New York.

1812 Ontario County, New York

Valentine Brother was a candidate in the US House of Representatives as a Federalist.

1820 Ontario County, New York

Valentine Brother died in Stanley near Seneca, New York and his funeral was in Wheatland, Monroe County, NY, but he was removed for burial in Seneca, Ontario County, New York. He is buried at the Old No. 9 Presbyterian Church Cemetery. His wife Margaret survived until 1848, perhaps kept going to assist her two daughters to educate and raise six young grandchildren, who were left orphans by the sudden loss of her daughter and her husband, Mr. Schuyler. The widow of Valentine Brother was buried next to him.

PREFACE

Valentine Brother born 3rd April 1773.

Margaret Schell born 31st August 1776.

Were married on 8th January 1795.

Caroline Brother, daughter of Valentine & Margaret

Born 24th October 1795 at noon (a Saturday)       

Christened the 8th January 1796 by Rev. W. Snyder

Margaret Brother, daughter of Valentine & Margaret

Born 17th December 1797 (a Sunday morning)

Christened the 8th January 1798 by Rev. W. Snyder

Henry Brother

Born 22nd Feby. 1801

Kitty

Born 13th Feby. 1803 in N. York State

One the 3rd day of April 1773 Valentine Brother was born, about two miles from Frederick Town in the State of Maryland on the Pennsylvania road where his Father and mother then lived.

His Father Henry Brother was born in Germany came to America as a redemptioner and served for his passage [illegible] with Nicholas Boogher [Bucher] who did before his servitude had expired, (upon whose death) Boogher left a widow with six small children - to wit John, Catherine, Jacob, Eleanor, Frederick & Charlotte…

My father served out his time with the widow and afterwards married her (with whom he had three sons and one daughter. The issue of Henry Valentine was) their issue are Henry & Valentine (a son and one) they also had one daughter & Another son who died when Infants, my mother whose maiden name was Eleanor Reb cam also from Germany [and served] and was the daughter of a Schoolmaster (which in that [illegible] day is considered as a great man so that the family of my mother was rather a degree higher than that of my father whose parents were his father being a farmer of [illegible] a poor peasant).

There are no relations in American on the side of my Father. But on that of my mother there are many, altho' her father never came to America, yet three of her Brother's to wit, John Jacob, Valentine & Adam Reb, and one sister named Catherline, came over who all have Issue.

My father did not long continue in the Country after I was born having lived upon leased lands which being sold, and he having none of his own, and thro' the Persuasion of my mother, bought a house in Frederick Town, which he afterwards he converted into a Tavern after building an addition to it, in one apartment they kept a small store and from both the Tavern & store (made) laid up a little money.

In the meantime I was sent to a Common English school, having first been taught the German, which I learned by my uncle Valetine Reb who was a German School master as I was a pretty apt scholar in the English I made great progress in Reading & writing but not grammatically, it being almost impossible for the schoolmaster (who was a Mr. Edward Solmon) to teach any scholar (grammatically) grammar because he had too many, and besides although' a good common teacher yet he is not himself in my opinion a Grammarian -

I was also tolerably advanced in arithmetic when about 11 years of age I was taken from School to assist at home in the shop & tavern neither of my parents knowing a letter in the English, I was very soon (looked up to as the head in the shop) charged with the management of keeping the books, which my Mother before had done in the German and better would it have been for her to have continued to do it, for being not fifteen years of age, I cared not for trifles and often omitted to charge articles to the Debtor, which in the course of a year or two amounted not to a Small sum, considering the small scale they went on, which however increased daily.

My brother who was two years older than myself was not so apt a scholar we went to the same school but the natural turn was not that way he was put to the trade of Hatter which he learnt.

My father about this time had a great many goods on his hands, which had become unsaleable having been laid in chiefly by him & myself.  But my mother before then used to lay in the goods, & much better was she qualified than we were, to do it.

Finding himself now Involved in debt, which he found he could not discharge so soon as he ought to do and the dunning of Creditors he could not abide, being always punctual in his Engagements, and always wishing to be so, this he found he could now comply with, his feelings were wounded (as every honest man's would be) he concluded upon a trip to Kentucky (then a new Country) with a Cardo of goods in order to get clear of Debt, and save his Credit –

Accordingly on the 20th September, 1785 he set off from Frederick and took me with him for the purpose of selling the goods, after a long & tedious journey we arrived at Dansville on the 10th day of December following - this was the plan of our Destination - we opened, sold & credited to the Inhabitants who were (with) insinuating men (that) & who caused my father to put confidence in them, (being) a fault in him always thinking Every man as honest as himself, and has suffered particularly by people who took advantage of (this) his (misplaced confidence) humanity or rather his good nature, we returned home (after crediting to the inhabitants to a considerable amount) on the 10th of May 1786.

This journey of course obliged him to go again in order to recover the outstanding debts, and in order to try it (again) once more with goods, thinking he knew them now - took another cargo to a considerable amount, and set off again in the fall of 1786. This time I stayed at home and rode post, my Brother who was not then (been) bound to a hatter went with my father and learnt his trade after he returned. During this time my mother & myself managed at home.

My father returned the spring 1787 and left his business more and more unsettled in Kentucky, and in the year 1790 in (September) October my father & myself set out for that country for the express purpose of settling his concerns finally there, this we did as near as possible, and on our return home, in December of the same year, the weather being very cold, he took sick after his return owing to the fatigue of his journey and after a long and painful illness died on the 7th day of June 1791.  Thus I have lost one of the best of Fathers and God grant that I may end my days with as much Honor (and with as great [illegible] as he has done.

Upon the death of my father & by his will - I became possess of the Tavern mentioned before, and as the estate was somewhat Involved, he ordered that all his personal estate should be mine for the Express purpose (in the first place) to pay off his depts, and the remainder to be my property -----------------------

My mother was left Executrix I acted for her, and at the end of 18 months the estate was settled, my mother & myself lived together and continued the store & Tavern for some time, the Business of the store grew slack, it being rather an out of the way place, we concluded upon selling out, which we did according and continued the Tavern for a few months longer, as this was a business, which I never was fond of, I prevailed upon my mother who was now advanced in years, to let me rent out the tavern.  That was done and I concluded to keep a small Grocery shop, in a good stand for business having rented a house for the purpose in which I moved the 3rd of April 1793, which an intention to commence in that line.

A few days after I had moved I was summoned as a petit juror to General-Court, this I relished and was proud of - having always had a desire to be a servant of the public (except as a tavern-keeper) I attended Court until the jury were discharged after a sitting of three weeks, and then Returned by the way of Baltimore to lay in my Groceries -- this I accomplished solely upon my Credit not having a farthing of money to lay out for the purpose.

I must here remark however that previous to my leaving the Tavern and the same summer in which my father died - I in concert with one of my neighbors (Mr. H. Coon) formed a plan to erect a fire company which we accomplished, and made a lottery for the purpose of (getting) raising money to buy an engine in this lottery I was one of the twelve Managers for the disposal of tickets & in every respect to act for the fire company called (the Friendship).  

This is the first business of a public nature that I ever (had) engaged in being then not more than nineteen years of age - I am induced to believe that my conduct in this business was approved of.  For in less than a year we had finished the business and procured an engine, by far the best in Frederick Town. But the Society I fear will not keep up their meetings which such an institution requires; in time perhaps when necessity drive them, they will unite more closely and keep up good order for the good of the whole.

I will now Return to my grocery  - I had not long been in this Business before the Clouds of Despair began to hang over me, I was taken ill with Bilious & Nervous Cholic & fever, which put my Constitution (to) out of such order that probably it will never again be so good as it was of this Complaint, I have suffered for years, the most excruciating pain that mankind could endure, once in two or three months, I would certainly receive an attack, in the beginning I would be subject to it once a week and it so reduced me in the course of six or eight months, that my arms & hands were rendered a Burthen to me and quite useless; in this situation I repaired to Bath May 94 accompanied by my Mother, who fed me being unable to help myself.

 The store in the meantime was carried on by my Brother, who had entered into partnership with me quitting his trade of Hatter, which he had carried on for himself upwards of a year Previous to my going to Bath.

In the Election of Assembly 1793 I was prevailed upon to offer myself a Candidate, unwell as I was I complied, which by the bye was very Imprudent, being then not more than 21 years of age, but before the close of the poll I declined, (being of course I ?? extremely weak) being taken very ill. [Three and a half lines are here crossed out so heavily as to be illegible] 

(I remained at Bath until September) a few weeks after the Election I set on foot a Subscription for the purpose of raising a Volunteer Company of Militia, the Law being then about to pass the Legislature several other Company’s were forming at the same time, and each in Opposition to the other; when the Company in which I was a member was full the Election of Officers took place, John McPherson was Appointed Captain, John Grahame Lieut. & Myself the Ensign, we were recommended to the Governor & Council by the Company, Expressing their wish of our appointments -- the Executive did not make the Appointments 'till they made them throughout the State, which was in [August] July 1794. I received my appointment at Bath, which was that of Capt. the other officers being promoted to the Rank of Colonel & Major -

 The Company recognized me as their officer, and I accepted the Appointment.  I remained at Bath until September when I returned to Frederick just at the time the Militia were on their march against the Insurgents in Pennsylvania.  I was [in] still a bad state of Health, therefore could not be upon the Expedition, but did duty in and about Frederick Town in apprehending such who were disaffected, as there were many among us even in Frederick who were ready to take up arms against the Government & Excise officers, had they not been timely prevented by the Vigilance of the people in Frederick Town - The Excise law was spoke of as a grievance and Exaggerated by designing men to an Enormous pitch.

 In a day or two after my return from Bath - I was appointed Quarter-Master at the post of Frederick, to supply the troops with necessaries while they lay here, this was a most laborious Business indeed and was almost too much for me particularly as I was in a bad state of Health.

When the Army were ordered to march from Frederick - I Received an Appointment of to march with the troops to act as Quarter-Master & Commissary of Military Stores to General Samuel Smith's Brigade for which I was to receive 90 Dollars a month for myself & Assistant which I was to procure, I accordingly Engaged Mr. Wm. Hamilton, & Acted but a few days, when I received an attack of my Complaint, which made me resign the office to Mr. Law. (Lawrence) Brengle, they did not agree very well, and when they returned & settled, Mr. Hamilton claimed [six dollars] more than Mr. Brengle would pay & as there was a written agreement between Hamilton & Myself he [illegible] me for the six dollars had me brought before the Magistrate (Mr. Geo. Bare) who however gave Judgement in my favor, but in case it had gone against me, Brengle was bound by agreement to keep me harmless, for he acted under my Commission & he received all the Enrollment of the Office [illegible]  

Before I left Bath my Brother paid me a Visit and signified to me his wish to sell our small Stock of Groceries & Hard-ware having a few small assortment of the latter also; and informed me that he had an offer and could sell out to advantage, My Mother who had returned home when I could help myself was also anxious that I should agree to it for she wished to return to her old Dwelling, and that the place where we had lived was not Healthy - My Brother said I could move in the House which he had lately built until such a time as I should make out what other Business (to) I might follow.  This House adjoins the Tavern, which I had let out, so that my Mother was satisfied if she could get near her (other son) old dwelling.

 I agreed to selling out and the more so because I did not wish my Brother to lose a Bargain which he had in view, the bad State of Health was another consideration - and the Happiness of my Mother, all combining to my acquiescence to the plan - He upon my agreeing returned to Frederick, sold out and moved my Household furniture to his new House - Here I lived with my Mother after I returned from Bath. 

After the Army had marched from Frederick, I had nothing to Employ myself with - November Court Coming on & My Health being better than it had been for a long time, I was summoned as petit juror (for) to attend the County Court.  I was frequently appointed the foreman of the jury, more on account of favor than talents I suppose - At the end of the Court the Army returned from the Westward, I (again received an appointment to) being the quarter-Master at this post was to provide quarters for the Troops -

 In Billeting of them I received the ill will of many of the inhabitants and particularly that of a relation who wounded my feelings upon my attempting to reason with him, on the Impropriety of blaming me for billeting men in his house.

 In the course of a few months my Health began to improve and I thought myself nearly as well as I had been before I was taken ill, under this Impression [illegible] strong [illegible]  on my own part & to make [illegible] (of my long sought for and a desire to carry into Execution [illegible] agreement, which I had entered into as Early as 1792 with the object of my tenderest passion [illegible] considering too, the advanced age of my mother,[illegible] still to take the trouble of the family upon herself -- in Order therefore to fulfill My Engagement as well as gratify my own inclination and to [illegible] my [illegible] Mother from the fatigue necessary to be borne in such her Situation -- with these Considerations on the one hand and the most powerful on the other, to wit the Happiness of her who I had Singled out as my partner through life, all this concurring) on the 18th day of January 1795 [illegible] I was joined in the bands of Wedlock, to Miss Margaret Schell - Daughter of [Mr] Charles & Margaret Schell, both of whom were from Germany, and people who got their living by dint of Hard Labor, the old Gentleman carried on the Business of White-Smith in Frederick Town  [illegible] until his Death which happened in January 1784.

 It was not long after we were married I was again attacked with my former Complaint, my feelings can easily be supposed were much hurt at this unexpected attack, the Situation I had put my partner in was too much for me to think of - I had now lost all hopes of ever getting clear of [it] this complaint & instead of making her happy, it must have had the Contrary Effect, in this Situation I could not Venture to follow any Business which required much attention from me, I therefore declined entering in the Mercantile Business which I had intended to have Engaged in, and as my Tenant (Mr. F. Boogher) wanted to Leave the Tavern (to Engage in Other Business) I found myself obliged to enter again into the old Business, disagreeable as it was... [illegible].

 Although Mr. Boogher had rented it for four years, yet circumstances on mine as well as on his part made it (agreeable) Convenient & I entered my own house on the 31 April 1795.  It might be said that Tavern-keeping did not suit a man in bad health - it certainly does not, in many places, and in none, if the Landlord must attend to all the Business where there is a great - run of Custom, but this was not my Situation, 'though the Custom was better than could be expected considering the part of the town where I lived, when I was (I could) not able to attend, my Mother (often did…) would and at times I had a Barr-keeper, so that between us we managed as well as we could....

 Being once more fixed in Business I attended to it as well as my Health would permit, taking the greatest caution (care of myself in not Injuring) to prevent a relapse of my Complaint, notwithstanding which, I was again attached very violently in July following -

 This was the most severe I had ever experienced, and I fully expected it would be my last. 

I mentioned it to a friend, but not to my family and methought I could die with great resignation, the thoughts of my family (being left behind) was no consideration with me at this time, owning to the most Violent and Excruciation pain which I suffered for several weeks - I shudder at the thoughts of the nights, the long nights (for) which I passed away in pain, when Sleep was a Stranger to me, of the High fevers during the Hot Days when I was obliged to keep my Bed, of the quantity of Medicines poured into me with Injections, Blisters, etc. in this condition I lay for (four) five weeks (during) in the months of July & August [about the middle  of September].

After being Exhausted to a mere Shadow, one day Endeavoring to rise off the closet stool I found myself not able - My wife who was continually with me in those distressing Moments and almost gone to despair, would freely have shared with me the pain, had it been possible - She at this time assisted me to my Bed, I had scarcely laid myself down, when every Symptom of Death appeared to be on me, my pulse sunk, my speed failed, my eyes were fixed & torpid, (and) my spirits ( ...)  gone and I was for some time motionless; in this State, my mind Nevertheless was Strong, (my ? I retained) I was Sensible of my Situation. 

My physician (Doctor Philip Thomas) by this time had stepped into my room and as he acknowledged gave me over, he had recourse however to a Stimulus and ordered me as much wine as I could swallow, this had the desired Effect, it made me Happily Drunk (as the Doctor himself expressed it in his letter to Doctor Sheaff) and this it was that brought (unexpectedly) those parts again into Action, which were sinking by degrees (into Eternity) and thus was I once more snatched from the jaws of Death to the great satisfaction and utter astonishment of all my friends and Connections who were waiting with regret and mournful whining (?) to see the last breath - They were Happily disappointed and I continued to recover quite slowly (as may be supposed) About the last of September following I appeared to be pretty well again, but I am induced to believe that from having those repeated violent attacks, that after those I must have been Insensible to a lesser pain....

 It is reasonable to suppose that this was the case, for when the pain (as I thought) was over, my hands and arms for months together after these attacks were still weak and I could not possibly extend (my) fingers (without) of the one hand without the assistance of the other (and yet I felt no pain.)

 Indeed I cannot now make the proper use of my hands, (this) but perhaps it is the effects consequent on the Complaint - Dreadful as the Disease was, whenever it was over I was happy, lively, and merry, My friends (were) thinking me now pretty well Solicited me once more to offer myself a candidate at the Ensuing Election as a representative to the Genl. Assembly declaring to Support me, and alleging it would conduce to the Establishing of my Health, of this also I was told by my Physician - I agreed - and was Elected without any Difficulty, a few weeks after the Election and about as long before the Session of the Assembly commenced I was again attacked most violently with my former complaint, this attack was but short 'though violent, in a few days I left my Bed, to make room for (my) a patient who was (to experience the) about to comply with the Command which you will find written in the[illegible] first Book of Moses called Genesis ….

it was on a day of tumult & noise, the House below stairs was crowded with people, Drum (& Fifes) were beating & Fifes were playing - it was a day ordered for the Militia to meet in Regiment the first time under the new Establishment - the day was rainy and they could not turn out, many from the country came to Town where the meeting was ordered, but was necessarily postponed on account of the rain.  The Tavern then was their Resort.

 It was on this day in the afternoon - Saturday the 24th of October 1795 that Mrs. Brother delivered of a Daughter (who was Christened on 8th Jan 1796 by Rev. Mr. Snyder & named Caroline).

 The Situation which my family was in at this time, nor my own Health did not (warrant) justify my leaving Home (my own health had just engaged, My Mother) but I was Determined at the risk of my life & everything else to attend the Assembly Provided I could get there.

 I therefore set out the Friday before the Session & got to Baltimore the same day feeble & weak as I was; on Sunday following I took passage in a packet & got to Annapolis the same Evening, where I continued & attended the House Every Day of the Session until my return home which was the Tuesday before Christmas, having got leave from the House to return, on account of my Child's Indisposition (which) my family having sent for me - I set off on Monday the House did not rise until Thursday following.

I was again elected in 1797 and attended the whole Session.

~~~

NOTE: on the back pages and written in reverse position are a number of historical notes from Roman history. Then the following page:

This weak Impress of Love is as a figure

Trenched in Ice which with an hours heat

Dissolved to water, and doth Lose his form.

A little time will melt her frozen thoughts,

And worthless Valentine shall be forgot.

William Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen from Verona; Scene II

 Some years ago, Doctor Franklin had a dispute with a French Gentleman more distinguished for his birth than his genius. The Frenchman was so offended at a Sententious remark that fell from the Philosopher that he thought proper to send him a Challenge,

To which the Doctor Returned the following Laconic Answer - "Sir, we are not upon equal footing; a pistol ball would kill me but can have no effect upon you; for lead will Assimilate with your Brains."