this stream to Middletown, with less distance, expense and danger
than the Susquehanna route, if so, to secure the timber right if
suitable for his per-pose and open up operations if everything was found
satisfactory. Here our ancestor met with another misfortune through
falling into the hands of the Rangers a semi-military organization who
were engaged in defending the settlers against Indian raiders and in
doing police duty. Part of this duty was to apprehend any stranger who
had recently come over the water and was sold for redemption service and
run away from their masters. Learning that Jacob Bashore was one of
these emigrants, and despite the fact that he had already served his
time in New York State and carried papers of absolution he was arrested
and convicted, taken to the hotel and sold again as a Redemption Servant
to a man of that place, and being ignorant of the laws and not well
versed in the language spoken, hardly knew for what he was arrested, was
kept in bondage long over the time until a man named Becker, who
sympathized with him made him aware that he had served more than double
the time imposed on him and was free to go where ever he pleased. Jacob
broke away and left the neighborhood and finding ready employment in the
various settlements and meeting with no further interference or mishap
all his training from youth up being along the lines of economy and
frugality he began to prosper and after a few years of this improved
circumstances he re--turned to Fredericksburg and squared off his
account with his former master there by running off with his daughter
with whom he became acquainted while serving his time as a redemption
servant and between which a bond of sympathy had been established, and
coming in possession of a tract of land in that locality became one of
the substantial homesteaders of that region. Thus we find him in the
year 1750 with a rising family of seven boys, five girls and a loving
wife gathered around the family circle, living a life of happiness and
peace.
