Today, I’d like to share an unusual legend from my home state of Pennsylvania. It involves the family of a Hessian soldier, and a tale that begins during the American Revolution.
In an effort to end the uprising in America, the British government hired Hessian soldiers to aid Crown troops in fighting the Colonials. On the night of December 25th, 1776, George Washington surprised a Hessian encampment by boldly crossing the Delaware River. A feat that seemed impossible given the icy conditions and the depleted state of his troops.
George Washington at the Battle of Trenton
Edward Lamson Henry [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
One of those who took the oath was Harmon Dick. Originally from Scotland, he had lived in Germany before joining the Hessians to fight in the Colonies. Legend says he became a staunch supporter of the new American government and a good friend to Washington.
Harmon settled near Roaring Spring in Blair County, Pennsylvania where he took up homesteading and started a family. By all accounts life proceeded smoothly until 1786 when a terrible epidemic swept the area. Harmon’s oldest son Jacob was the first to succumb, perishing from the illness when he was in his early teens.
For fourteen years the fatal disease devastated the community. Eventually, not a single family remained that hadn’t suffered loss. Spurred by fear and superstition, the people began to whisper among themselves. Surely, the foul affliction couldn’t be natural. Not a year went past that it didn’t claim more lives. Even now, many among them were sick. Would it whittle away their numbers until no one was left?
In desperation they entertained any solution that hinted of hope no matter how far-fetched. Jacob Dick had been the first victim. Perhaps the answer to their plight rested in his grave.
Marshaling their courage, those well enough to do so, gathered shovels and digging irons and trudged to the tiny cemetery where Jacob was buried. In the hush of the graveyard, they dug his casket from the earth, and pried the lid from the old coffin.
Although Jacob’s corpse had had lain in the dark soil for fourteen years and should have decomposed, his body and face were still those of a young boy. His hair, by contrast, had grown exceedingly long, and was the same pristine white as the snow that blanketed the hillsides in winter. He’d grown a beard too, just as long and equally as white.
As the gathered group tried to make sense of the incomprehensible sight, the corpse broke apart, disintegrating into dust. Horrified, the villagers quickly reburied the coffin. I’m sure many muttered prayers, hoping to put the frightening incident behind them.
Surprisingly, the pestilence immediately ceased to plague the community. Those who had been ill quickly recovered, and the strange disease claimed no further lives. Harmon Dick and his wife gave birth to another son, the youngest in their large family. They named the baby Jacob in memory of their eldest, taken before his time. Perhaps they believed he watched over them still.
Did the settlers who dug up a young boy’s corpse unwittingly find the means of banishing a supernatural epidemic? Did Jacob, or his spirit, rid the village of the abdominal disease that had claimed his life?
The peculiar history of Jacob Dick can be found online, along with genealogy reports, land transfers, and the will of his father, Harmon. It’s fascinating to think this family can trace its roots back to a man who swore an oath to an upstart government when offered that chance by its Commander-in-Chief, General George Washington.
Perhaps Jacob Dick merely wanted to continue what his father started — protecting his family and ensuring they continued to flourish. An admirable ambition for a boy who never had the chance to become a man.
From the Pen of Mae Clair 
Eerie. Thanks for sharing.
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Hi, Tonya! Thanks for dropping by and checking out the post 🙂
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Fascinating story, Mae. Those people who dug up the boy’s corpse must have been terrified.
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I can’t imagine doing something like that. They must have been incredibly desperate!
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Another wonderful story Mae! I don’t doubt a Scotsman would change loyalty against the English if they had a chance, especially back then. Touching that a boy spirit saved the village, though. At least they put a positive twist on it this time! Seem so many legends have tragic endings.
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You’re right, many of them do end sadly. Judging by this story, the people of the village must have forever afterward held Jacob in high regard!
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These are the stories that always manage to stoke the imagination…(at least they do mine…) I mean really… just what were they hoping to find inside that coffin anyway? Great post Mae!
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My imagination runs rampant with them too, Debbie. The cemetery scene is definitely something that would work well in a book. So many threads to be spun from it, my fingers are itching to dance over the keyboard with the possibilities!
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What a fascinating story! It amazes me the way people think to link cause and effect (digging up Jacob’s grave). Nowadays it’s all about science. Back then, it was spiritual in some way or another.
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Good point! Before science everyone turned to spirituality for answers. The pendulum has swung the other way, but it’s cool there can be a happy medium between the two. Er, as long as it doesn’t involve digging up graves!
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Interesting legend! Some of my ancestors were also Scottish and served in the Revolutionary War but were from SC rather than PA.
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Wow, you must have an interesting family tree, Flossie. It’s fantastic you’ve been able to trace it back that far. I love history almost as much as myth! 🙂
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Thanks for sharing a legend from where you live. How did you come across this story? I don’t know why, but when I was reading this, I pictured the film Sleepy Hollow starring Johnny Depp. I think there might have been a grave exhumation scene.
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I remember watching Sleepy Hollow (I’ve even got a copy on DVD) but can’t remember much about it. I do seem to recall JD’s Ichabod character freaking out over something in a cemetery. Maybe there was an exhumation.
I originally stumbled over the legend in a book I have about strange occurrences in Pennsylvania (there are books about “weird” happenings in most states in the U.S.), and then followed it up by surfing online. It was cool to find the story collaborated there with historical newspaper accounts recounting Dick family reunions and the legend.
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if you watch Sleepy Hollow you’d know all about the Hessians lol
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I LOVE Sleepy Hollow!! 🙂
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What a cool story, Mae. I love the photos in this post too. The young man is beautiful!
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Thanks, Jessi. He seemed so soulful, I could see him as Jacob 🙂
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Another intriguing post! I need to make sure I read these in the morning, though, before I scare myself and can’t get to sleep. LOL I love all the things you find that I’ve never heard of before, or never would have encountered if you hadn’t shared them here. 🙂
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Hopefully I’m not the cause of you lying awake tonight, LOL (although you’re probably dealing with this crappy winter weather like me!) This was a weird one but kind of touching too. I felt so badly for Jacob. Glad you found his story intriguing!
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Strangely creepy and fascinating at the same time. Most of your stories are like that for me.
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Thanks, Kitt. I can’t resist the odd stuff, LOL! 😀
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I know! It’s part of your charm. 🙂
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I’ve never heard this story and as a PA native myself it’s very interesting to me. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi, Stephanie. Always a delight to meet another Keystoner 🙂 Our state does have some very unusual history and strange tales when you dig deeply enough. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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I n doing some research on my family tree I discovered that Harmon Dick was my great great great great grandfather. This was a truly interesting article. I’m a history buff and having a revolutionary soldier as a ancestor is exciting. His grandson Andrew Dick was a union soldier who was wounded at Spotsvania. Thanks
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Hi, Darrell! Wow, thanks so much for dropping by my blog to share that. I’m a bit of a history buff too, and I find it enthralling you’ve traced your family tree back that far and have discovered Harmon Dick as a direct relative. The tale is so interesting, and I completely agree that having a revolutionary solder as an ancestor is amazing. I’m presently reading a book on the life of Alexander Hamilton so that connection really resonates!
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Harmon Dick was my 5th great grandfather. My grandfather was Albert McClelland Dick and his father was Clarence Elmer Dick.
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It’d wonderful to have you drop by my blog and share that information. This story is amazing. What a fascinating family history you have. Thank you visiting!
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my third great grandmother was his daughter Mary Dick Paul her husband was John buried in Stull Cem Adams Twp Cambria County pa
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fascinating story, complex of event, talent of sharing a deep and unique story..
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I am a direct descendant of Harmon Dick through his son Samuel. This is an amazing legend- thank you for sharing!
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Wow! I’m so honored you stopped by to read my post, Amanda. I agree the legend is amazing. Waht a history you have in your ancestry!
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i am a 4th G Grandaughter of his Daughter Mary Dick Paul her husband John Paul both are buried in stull Cem cambria County Pa
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Hi, Susan. I am so glad you found my post. What an amazing family history you have! Thank you for visiting and sharing!
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Hello, Harmon Dick was my 4x great grandfather. It is funny to read stories like this especially being an anthropologist/archaeologist. Thanks for the good read!
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That’s fantastic, David! What a family history you have.
Thank you for dropping by and sharing. I’m delighted by how many response this post has gotten from relatives of Harmon Dick. I am glad you enjoyed the post, and stopped to comment! 🙂
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I really enjoyed this! I have worked on my ancestry & discovered Harmon as my 6th great grandfather. His granddaughter, Elizabeth, married Joseph Ober (my 4th great grandfather). My great grandmother was Mabel Ober. Thanks for sharing!
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Hi, Dawn! I am so glad that working your ancestry lead you to my blog and this post about Harmon Dick. His story is so fascinating. What an interesting family tree you have. Many thanks for visiting and sharing. I have heard from so many of Harmon’s descendants through this post!
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i am a direct descendant of Harmon Dick and I find this story very interesting since no one in my family has heard about this.
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Hi! I am so glad I was able to introduce you to the story. It’s quite fascinating. Thank you for visiting and sharing your thoughts!
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Harmon Dick is my great grandfather (8x) and I started searching about 2 or 3 years ago. I have found out that I am one of 2 last male descendants from Michael Hendrick Dick.
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Harmon Dick is my great grandfather (8x) and was captured at the Battle of Trenton by General Washington.
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Harmon Dick is my great grandfather (8x) and I started searching about 2 or 3 years ago. I have found out that I am one of 2 last male descendants from Michael Hendrick Dick.
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Hello, I’m so glad you found your way to my blog and this post. I think family ancestry is so interesting, and you certainly have an intriguing background…tracing a family member back to George Washington. Harmon Dick must has been an amazing man.
You mentioned you are one of the last two descendants of Michael Hendrick Dick, but I hope all of your family members keep their history alive by sharing and passing the story and stories from generation to generation. Thank you visiting!
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I am starting my own Harmon Dick legend. He was reported to be a large man and Herman or with the German accent “Harmon” could be one of any number of Herman’s in the Prussian company. To distinguish the difference he may have been called Fat Herman or in pronunciation, Harmon Dickke (German for Fat).
Dick is not a popular name in the |Loch Loman area and times were tough so when the recruiters came around looking for big lads who had no future in Scotland, Harmon signed up.
His swearing allegiance to the new country would bring with it a death sentence if he were caught, .Leaving behind any highland clan name, he took on the name he was called, by his Hessian companions.
This is all conjecture with little to back it up but given the times and the circumstances it is a plausible story and fun to think about.
I am one of the Ohio line of Harmon’s family so add my congratulation and thanks for an interesting story.
Note:
Harmon is used about every 3rd generation in my line.
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Hello! I’m delighted to meet you and delighted you dropped by to share your thoughts on Harmon Dick. I’ve “met” so many of his descendants after writing this post, it thoroughly amazes me. I like the conjecture you laid out. Plausible, and as you said—fun to think about. Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. Sorry for my delay in responding. I’ve been offline a few days!
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This was a fascinating legend, Mae. Gave me a but of a chill reading it during a pandemic though.
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Hi, Denise. I hadn’t thought about reading it during a pandemic. That is worth a few goosebumps and chills. Thanks for checking out the post and commenting!
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Mae, I’m so glad you provided us a link to this fascinating story. And how cool that some of Harmon Dick’s descendants read and commented.
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Hi, Joan. I absolutely love that so many of his descendants have taken the time to drop me a line. It’s really made researching this post so worthwhile, and I’m thrilled to think this man who lived so long ago, is still felt in so many lives!
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Hermon Dick was my 5 Great Grandfather. I was very surprised at the story of his son Jacob which would be my great uncle 5 time removed. Thank you for the history and story that maybe someday can share with my grandchildren
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Hello, Theo. I am always thrilled when relatives of Harmon and Jacob Dick drop by to comment on this post. It brings me such pleasure to know that there are still descendants out there who find the lives of their ancestors as intriguing as I do. Thank you so much for commenting!
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