Brady's Bend, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Brady's Bend is a special place named after Captain Samuel Brady. He was a famous frontier scout and hero. This area is near the Allegheny River in Western Pennsylvania. In June 1779, this land was part of Seneca territory. Captain Brady led a group of scouts here. They were looking for a Native American group who had harmed a settler family.
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Captain Brady's Daring Rescue
Captain Samuel Brady was a brave scout. He is known for many exciting stories. One of his most famous adventures happened right here at Brady's Bend. This event involved rescuing two children.
The Story of Peter and Margaret Henry
A historical book from 1895 tells more about this rescue. A boy named Peter Henry was fourteen years old. His home was attacked by a Native American group. His mother and two younger children were killed. Peter and two other children were taken captive.
As they traveled, the youngest child cried. Sadly, that child was also killed. The Native American group took Peter and his sister to the place now called Brady's Bend. They set up camp there.
Brady's Secret Mission
Captain Brady and his scouts were following the group. They attacked the camp at night while the group was sleeping. Only one person from the group escaped. Brady rescued Peter and his sister. He took them safely to Fort Pitt. Later, he returned them to their father.
Another Account of the Rescue
The Bradys Bend Historical Society shares a similar story. A Native American group had attacked a settlement. They killed a woman and four of her children. They took two children as prisoners. The children's father was not home.
The news reached Pittsburgh. Colonel Brodhead sent Captain Brady and other officers to investigate. Brady and his group dressed like Native Americans. They crossed the Allegheny River. They carefully searched the area.
Finding the Camp
Near the Mahoning Creek, they found the Native American group's canoes. This was just below the "great bend" in the river. It was here, in June 1779, that Captain Brady had one of his most successful fights.
Colonel Brodhead later wrote letters about Brady's success. He sent reports to President Reed and General Washington.
The Outcome of the Fight
Captain Brady had help from Delaware Chief Nanowland. They found seven members of the group who had caused the trouble. This was about fifteen miles above Kittanning. The group had chosen a strong place for their camp.
Brady's scouts surrounded the camp. They attacked at dawn. They killed the leader of the group. Most of the others were badly hurt. But because they were near a thick forest, they were hard to find.
What Brady Rescued
Captain Brady's group took back six horses. They also rescued the two prisoners, Peter and Margaret Henry. They recovered all the items the group had taken. They also found the group's guns, tomahawks, and other belongings.
The two children, Peter and Margaret Henry, were ten and twelve years old. They had been held captive for about two weeks. Peter Henry later lived in Butler County, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer and had a big family. He was well-respected and lived to be 93 years old. Margaret Henry got married and lived in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
