An account written by Lucy Dalbey as told to her by her father- Albert Lauck Dalbey

"We know very little of my great grandfather Mr. Everett, but are certain that he lived and taught school in Princeton, N.J.  He met with an accident, which made the amputation of an arm necessary.  He married Mrs. Mary Marshon ne Mary Gapen.  They had two children, Nicholas and Mary Amelia.  Nicholas graduated at Princeton College.  His diploma was the last one signed by Dr. Witherspoon, who was almost blind at the time.  He married and for a time practiced law in Princeton, but afterwards removed to New York City. He had seven daughters none of whom married.  It is probable that old Mr. Everett died at the home of his son Nicholas.

My great grandmother Mrs. Everett and her younger daughter Mary A. Everett, my grandmother, came west with Mr. Wm. Hartipe and his wife Mary Marshon Hartipe.  The latter was a half sister of my grandmother.  The Hartipes settled in Cannonsburg and my grandmother made her home with them for some time.  Some college students also boarded with them.  The Hartipes finally came to Pittsburg.  About this time my grandmother married her full cousin Zachariah Gapen of Green Co. Pa.  They had four children Charles, Amelia, Elanor and Mary.  The latter was born after her fathers death.  For nine years grandmother was a widow.  During the grater part of this time she taught school in Greensboro, Green Co. and her mother Mrs. Everett lived with her.

In 1821 she (Mrs. Gapen) married Israel Dalbey.  After this my great grandmother made her home with the children by her first husband, Mr. Pierson, and her second husband Mr. Marshon.  She made her home finally with the father of Daniel Brush somewhere in Ohio.  It was here she died.

By her second husband Israel Dalbey, my grandmother had three children.  Martha Jane who died at the age of twenty-one. - Israel Everett who died at the age of twenty-five and Albert Lauck, my father now an artist in Pittsburg.

For thirty-one years my grand parents had charge of the post office at Fredrickstown, Washington Co.  But as grandfather was engaged in the shoe business and kept very busy, grandmother did the Post office work.  Grandmother was called Aunt Polly by neighbors and relatives.

After fathers marriage, grandmother made her home with him.  She died in 1876 at the age of ninety-three.  She was confined to bed but two days - had no disease - died simply of old age.  She is buried in Millsboro.

Grandmother was slight but strong and very active.  She was very refined and intelligent; and was passionately fond of reading.  Also of telling stories of her own and her mothers early life.  Of these father remembers the folowing -

Stories of the Revolution

Shortly before the battle of Long Island was fought the Colonial troops passed through Princeton on their way to New York.  Mrs. Marshon made quite a little sum of money cooking for them; but was paid in colonial money.  Her husband feared that this money would be worthless and advised her to invest it in leather.  Mr. Marshon, who was a shoe maker, was at this time in the Colonial army; but had only enlisted for three months.  He expected to be home soon and make good use of the leather.  Mrs. Marshon took her husbands advice and had one room in her house well filled when the battle of Long Island was fought.

Mr. Marshon was killed in this battle.  A short time before the battle, Mrs. Marshon had a dream.  In the dream, she saw Mr. Marshon who told her that her first husband, Mr. Pierson, had a scar somewhere on his body; and that he, Mr. Marshon, had one between his eyes.  A neighbor who fought by the side of Mr. Marshon told Mrs. Marshon that after the battle he had gone back to see if Mr. Marshon was still living.  He found him dead.  The bullet had pierced the forehead between and just above the eyes.

When New Jersey was over run by the British after the battle of Long Island, Mrs. Marshon, not considering it safe to remain alone, left her home.  She and several other women with their families settled with the neighbor who had the largest house.  At this time the British had their barracks in a little church near the Marshon home and cooked in the Marshon house.  Moreover the sound of the shoe-makers hammer, notified Mrs. Marshon that the leather she had so carefully stored was being converted into shoes for the British soldiers.  She never ceased to regret that the suffering Colonial troops did not have the benefit of it.

During this time Mrs. Marshon and the other mothers thought best to conceal their daughters.  In the evening however, the girls were allowed to join the rest of the living room.  The British soldiers probably heard of it in some way, for one evening about half a dozen of them broke into the house.  The leader remarked - "Well where did all these pretty girls come from?"  Then walked straight up to Miss Pierson, who was almost a young lady and tried to make her look at him.  Mrs. Marshon rushed for the tongs, faced the soldier, and told him not to dare to touch her daughter!  He looked at her for a moment, laughed, and said - "Put down your tongs, mother, I won't harm the girl."  "Not without a fight, that much is certain," replied Mrs. Marshon.  After teasing them for a while, the soldier took their departure. 

Before leaving their homes the women hid what provisions they could.  Among other places chosen was the space between the floor of a barn and the ground.  While out one day Mrs. Marshon saw two soldiers or rather their feet - the rest of them was under the barn.  They had discovered the hiding place and were helping themselves - had pulled out a pot of honey.  Mrs. Marshon saw that they had no guns, so walked up and took the honey.  The soldiers swore and threatened to shoot her, but she carried the honey in triumph to the house, where the woman to whom it belonged gave her half. 

One day a British soldier asked Mrs. Marshon why she did not ask for British protection.  She replied that she had asked for protection; but from a higher power than the British government.  The women, many of whom tried to humor the soldiers, were badly frightened; and told her that, if she were not more careful, she would have them all killed.

Before leaving the Marshon home the British set it on fire and it was burned to the ground.  Soon after Mrs. Marshon obtained another; but although she had money, she could not buy food.  The country had been so thoroughly foraged, first by the Colonial and afterwards by the British army, that there was nothing left ot buy.  At last an evening came when she had scarcely enough food for her childrens' supper.  She prepared it but refused to eat any herself.  But the children suspected the truth, declared they were not a bit hungry either and would eat nothing until she consented to share what there was with them.  After the children were put to bed, she sat wondering what she would do next, when a knock was heard at the door.  "Who is there" she inquired.  "A friend" was the reply.  It was an uncle of her first husband, Mr. Pierson.  He lived thirty miles out of the track of the army and had suffered no loss.  He had heard of Mr. Marshons death, feared that the family was suffering and decided to hunt it up.  At his wifes suggestion, he took with him a sled loaded with provisions.  So Mrs. Marshon had enough to last her through that trying winter and some to lend to her wealthy farmer neighbors.  She was often heard to remark that after this experience she would never lose her faith in God.

Shortely before the battle of Princeton Washington stopped at the Marshon house for a drink.  He told Mrs. Marshon that it was probable there would be a battle and advised the women and children to keep in places of safety.  During the battle the firing was distinctly heard; and after it had been going on for some time, Mrs. Marshon remarked that the Amercians were winning the day.  "How do you know" inquired one of her companions?  "Because," she replied, "the Americans are between us and the British"  The firing is less distinct and father away - consequently the British must be retreating.

When telling these stories my grandmother spoke of having seen, near her home, trees that had been killed and fences that had been pierced with bullets during this battle."