03/30/2021
Lemma Bartholomew. Born Sept. 6, 1759, died March 22, 1790. Aged 30 years. Bartholomew Cemetery. Note there is a discrepancy between the gravestone and what is written for us concerning his birth year.
Lemma came with his parents, Lemuel and Mary, from Conn. and were original tenants of Philip Skene's land grant. Sadly, he died from a mortal wound; the result of falling from a hay loft onto a pitch fork. What we all know of Lemma, for those who have read the historical road sign near Buckley Rd and Rt. 4, is his capture near what is now the Commonwealth Plywood Plant. The following is taken from C.E. Holden's Local History Sketches:
"Lemme (sic. Lemma) was born in 1758, a son of Lemuel, who was the founder of the Bartholomew family in this section. He was a studious youth and acquired an education much superior to most of the young men of his day. He was a carpenter by trade, and a farmer by occupation, his farm being the first place north of the Bartholomew cemetery on the Sciota road. Like all the Bartholomews, he was an active patriot during the Revolution, and was much persecuted and annoyed during the period of Burgoyne's visit to Skenesborough. After the latter's surrender there was physical peace in the land, but no peace of mind, for the poor settlers were kept in continual alarm by the stories of Indian atrocities on all sides, and by the rumors of impending raids ____ almost daily flew from cabin to cabin. ____________________his fortune to make a trip to "the landing" on a pleasant morning in March, 1780. Among other errands, he was to es**rt home an old couple, but who they were, whether new arrivals or old residents, we do not know. Before noon, their business attended to, they started home, the old couple riding on a horse which was being led by Bartholomew. Passing through the ravine, near the site of the Borden condensary, they were startled by the dreaded war whoop of the Indians. Lemme (sic. Lemma) shouted to the old people to hold fast and giving the horse a cut with his stick thought to effect their escape, while he expected nothing but death for himself. But the result proved different. The escaping couple were shot and scalped and Bartholomew was taken captive. When his people saw his horse coming home alone they were alarmed and organized a searching party and tracked the animal until they discovered their murdered and mutilated friends, but no trace of Lemme (sic. Lemma) was to be found. The following summer they received this letter:
"Sorel. July 21, 1780.
"Dear Wife
"I take this opportunity writing to you to let you know that I'm well hoping that these few lines will find you likewise. I expect I will be with you the first if God's will. Give my love to my Father and Mother to my Brothers and Sisters and to enquiring friends. I would be Glad to write more but Circumstances does not permit. Sam McPherren is dead he died in Montreal two Weeks ago. I was brought there. No more at Present at Present but remain
"Loving husband
"Lemme Bartholomew
"Prisoner in Sorel Goal."
In spite of his expectation of a speedy release, it was many weeks later, when one stormy evening, as Mrs. Bartholomew was preparing supper for her father-in-law and the remainder of her family, a poor traveller knocked at her door and asked for a bite to stay his hunger and a place of shelter from the chilling rain. He was so changed by suffering and privation, so dity and unkempt, that it was some time before the good woman recognized her husband in the forlorn figure before her."
