Even the casual follower of history has read or heard of the exploits of frontiersman Daniel Boone. His homestead is located in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

But his cousin, Hawkins Boone, who settled in the Susquehanna Valley, is a lesser-known name. But as a defender of the local frontier, Hawkins gave his life at the Battle of Fort Freeland in what is now Northumberland County. From his home, Hawkins Boone and 32 other men rushed to the defense of those at the Fortt, who had surrendered by the time he and his men arrived. They were ambushed by the Indians and British. Hawkins and half of his men were killed.

Historian and author Frederic A. Godcharles, who wrote Daily Stories of Pennsylvania, also wrote a newspaper column entitled Pennsylvanians, Past and Present. The story of Boone was detailed in one of those columns. 

“Hawkins Boone, surveyor, pioneer, soldier, Indian fighter, and nephew of the justly celebrated Daniel Boone,' was born in Exeter Township, Berks County, Pa.

“He was the son of Squire and Jane Boone, and but little is recorded of early life, except those facts which reveal that he was a farmer, miller, surveyor, soldier, and for a time served as a justice of peace.

“Hawkins Boone and two of his brothers settled in the West Branch Valley, in what was then Northumberland, but now Union County. Hawkins was residing on a plantation just north of the village of New Columbia prior to the outbreak of the Revolutionary. He was also one of the first litigants in the courts of the then-new county.

“Boone was a most active partisan of the Proprietaries in the Connecticut-Pennsylvania controversy and seems to have been a trusted emissary and made several errands to Philadelphia in their interests. He reported the encroachment of the Yankees, which resulted in the battle of John Vincent's, September 28, 1775, during which Colonel Plunket defeated the Yankees and drove them from the West Branch Valley.

“Hawkins Boone was an active surveyor and, in addition to his other enterprises, bought and sold much land. Some of the deeds he executed are very curious and name items other than cash in payment, such as "leather [breeches, etc."

“Boone held positions of honor and trust in the new country, and when the struggle for independence began, he was among the first to espouse the patriot cause, and at the first election held, he was chosen first lieutenant of the Fourth Company, Northumberland Militia. He also recruited another company, under orders from Congress.

“Upon the organization of the 12th Regiment of the Continental Line, commanded by Colonel William Cooke, Hawkins Boone was commissioned captain of one of the four companies from Northumberland County, and with this regiment he immediately went into active service. The men, being expert riflemen and seasoned woodsmen, large drafts were made among them for picket duty.

“Captain Boone and his detail were sent into the Northern army and assisted in the capture of General Burgoyne at Saratoga. The Twelfth Regiment was also engaged in the battle of Brandywine and lost so heavily at Germantown that after wintering at Valley Forge, the field officers were mustered out of service, and the remaining officers and men were distributed among the Third and Sixth Regiments. Captain Boone and his riflemen joined Colonel Morgan on the Mohawk River, where he was wounded.

“Colonel Thomas Hartley was sent by General Washington to protect the frontiers along the West Branch, and arrived at Fort Augusta in July, 1778, | with regulars and two hundred militia. When he marched to Fort Muncy, September 21, he depended almost entirely upon Captain Boone, Captain John Brady, and Lieutenant King, experienced Indian fighters, and his expedition against the Six Nations was a pronounced success.

“In February 1779, the State authorities allowed Captain Boone "clothes out of the State's stores in consideration of his situation and spirited intrepidity of his conduct in the campaign under Colonel Hartley, when his situation might have justified him in remaining at home.'

“Captain Boone erected a substantial grist mill on Muddy Run, one mile above Milton, which was stockaded and called Fort Boone. It was the principal refuge for the settlers, and the garrison of continental troops was commanded by Captain Boone and Captain Samuel Dougherty.

“When the noise of the battle at Fort Freeland, July 28, 1779, was heard at Fort Boone, four miles distant, Captains Boone and Dougherty, with thirty-two as brave men as ever fired a gun, rushed to the relief of the unfortunate defenders of Fort Freeland.

“The relief party arrived after the garrison surrendered, but not knowing this fact, fired upon the British and Indians, and found themselves in an ambush. Thirty of the enemy were killed, but thirteen of Boone's party were slain, including both the brave officers, Captains Boone and Daugherty.

Captain Boone left a widow and two daughters. His death was a severe loss to the community and was more of a public calamity than the loss of any man in Central Pennsylvania, except his comrade in arms, Captain John Brady. One of the British officers afterwards spoke in the highest terms of the desperate bravery of Captains Hawkins Boone, in the fight at Fort Freeland. A grist mill on the site of Fort Boone once stood on part of the original foundations as laid by Captain Boone.”

Historians believe the original grist mill site became known as Kemmerer’s Mill, and workers laying its foundation found original pieces of the Boone mill. The mill was roughly midway between Milton and Watsontown. A major fire destroyed Kemmerer’s mill in March 1874.