USA > Pennsylvania > Reminiscences of the early history of "Dark Hollow", "Slocum Hollow", "Harrison", "Lackawanna Iron Works", "Scrantonia", and "Scranton, Pa." > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 01232 1763
LACKAWANNA INSTITUTE
HISTORY AND SCIENCE
Gc 974.801 L111p No.3
REMINISCENCES OF THE EARLY HISTORY OF "DARK HOLLOW," "SLOCUM HOLLOW," "HARRISON," "LACKAWANNA IRON WORKS," "SCRANTONIA, " AND "SCRANTON, PA."
[RE-PRINT, 1896.]
-
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
1
REMINISCENCES OF THE EARLY HISTORY OF "DARK HOLLOW," "SLOCUM HOLLOW," "HARRISON,"" ยท " LACKAWANNA IRON WORKS," " SCRAN- TONIA," AND "SCRANTON, PA."
READ BEFORE THE LACKAWANNA INSTITUTE OF HISTORY AND SCIENCE, NOVEMBER 9, 1886.
BY J. C. PLATT.
[HISTORICAL SERIES, NO. 2.]
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :
It is with great diffidence that I have made an effort to respond to the request to prepare a paper for this Society on " The Early History of Scranton"-which is herein understood to include only the territory which formed the borough of Scranton and not the entire city-for there have been already published not less than a dozen histories* of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, and Scranton, and I have been compelled to repeat much matter that has already appeared-a considerable portion of which I originally furnished.
The early history of this portion of the coal basin is so closely connected with that of Wyoming, that it is difficult to separate them ; and to separate the history of the "Iron Works" from that of Scranton itself is impossible.
Connecticut by its charter, granted in 1662, covered the forty-second degree of latitude and extended "from Narragansett river on the east to the South sea on the west," excepting such lands as were then occupied by prior settlers ; namely, New York and New Jersey.
*Miner's, Stone, Peck, Chapman's, Pierce, Hollister's 3 editions, White's 3 editions, Gallatin, Clarke, Mussel & Co.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/reminiscencesofe03lack
2
Reminiscences of Early History.
Nearly nineteen years afterwards Wm. Penn obtained a grant of lands on the west side of the Delaware river extending north- ward to the forty-third degree of latitude ; thus covering a part of the territory embraced in the Connecticut charter.
Miner's history states that in 1762 a considerable number of emigrants had arrived in the Wyoming valley from Connecticut and "after sowing grain, they returned to their families, with whom, early in the following spring, they came back."
Pierce's annals state that " the first settlers from Connecticut, who came to New York (coming in 1762 and 1763), crossed the Hudson river at or near Newburgh and, proceeding westward, passed the Delaware river at its junction with Shohola creek. From this point they followed an Indian path along Roaring Brook to the Lackawanna river, and thence by another Indian path to the place of destination. The emigrants of 1769 followed the same route, but being accompanied by carts drawn by oxen, they were compelled to use the axe; and from this period we date the first wagon road from the Delaware to the north branch of the Susque- hanna."
The late Mr. Allen Secor told me some years since, that the old road did not run through Dunmore corners, but nearly east from where the street railway to Dunmore now passes under the Erie and Wyoming Railroad Company's branch from Number Six to Scranton.
It appears to be generally understood that about 1786 or 1788, Phillip Abbott from Connecticut built a log house near Roaring Brook (on some of the old maps " Gully Creek,") a little below where the old Red House, built by Ebenezer Slocum, stood ; that not long afterwards he built a small grist mill* near the old Grist Mill dam, which dam was in use until August, 1885, when it was carried away by a freshet and abandoned. Steam power is now used to run the mill.
James Abbott became interested with his brother Phillip, in . October of the same year, and Reuben Taylor in 1789. In 1790 John Howe purchased the mill of Abbotts & Taylor, and doubtless the land, for Mr. Joseph Slocum (now residing in our midst at the ripe age of 86, with his mind as clear as ever), says that his father, Ebenezer Slocum, purchased his land of John Howe in 1797, and moved his family here from Wyoming valley in 1798.
Mr. Joseph Slocum was born in 1800, in Wilkes-Barre, while his mother was there on a visit.
*Since the above was read before the Institute, I have met Rev. J. D. Waller, of Bloomsburg, who says that Ashber Waller-a local Methodist preacher who afterwards moved to Ohio-" built the first flouring mill on the Lackawaana."
The father of J. D. W., then living at what is now South Wilkes-Barre, helped raise the mill. He came up with an ox team and took back pine lumber to use in a house he was then building.
3
Scranton, Pa.
The first name of the place was Dark Hollow ; Ebenezer Slocum named it Unionville, but it soon became known as Slocum Hollow, and successively Lackawanna Iron Works, Harrison, Scrantonia, and, finally, Scranton.
The "Old Red House"-which stood about seventy-five or one hundred feet west of the westerly corner of the grain mill, built by Scrantons & Platt in 1850, and now standing-was built by Ebenezer Slocum in 1805 and occupied in 1806. It was the first frame house built in this neighborhood and was torn down in May, 1875, to make more room for the steel works of the Lacka- wanna Iron & Coal Co.
What is now the blast furnace dam was first built by Ebenezer Slocum and James Duwain (or Duane), in 1799, for an iron forge which was erected near it. The dam was soon carried out by a freshet, which discouraged Mr. Duwain. Mr. Slocum's brother Benjamin succeeded Mr. Duwain as a partner in the iron business, and in 1800 the dam was rebuilt.
In 1828 Joseph Slocum rebuilt the dam, and with his brother Samuel, built a saw mill which was removed by Scrantons, Grant & Co. to make room for the first blast furnace built here-"Old Number One."
During 1885 and 1886 the L. I. & C. Co. built a solid cut stone dam in the same place, which will probably withstand all future freshets.
The partnership of Ebenezer and Benjamin Slocum was dis- solved in 1826, and the latter removed to Tunkhannock.
Mr. Ebenezer Slocum died here July 25th, 1832, and his brother Benjamin, in Tunkhannock, on the 5th of the same month.
The Slocums commenced distilling whiskey about the time the forge was built-1799.
The old stone house under the hill and near the old grist mill was known as the "lower distillery." This building was taken down in April, 1854, by the L. I. & C. Co. to build a retaining wall where it stood. A wooden building which stood where num- bers 2 and 3 furnaces are now, was known as the " upper dis- tillery," and Mr. Benjamin Slocum lived in the upper part of it. This building was taken down by Scrantons & Platt in 1848 to make room for building the above furnaces. Both of these build- ings were used as residences when I moved here in 1846, and until they were taken down.
The last whiskey was made in the "upper distillery " in 1824, and in the lower one in Dec., 1826. The last iron was made in the old forge, June 10, 1822, and Mr. Joseph Slocum has care- fully preserved the old hammer that was used to make it.
4
Reminiscences of Early History.
POST OFFICE.
The first post office in this township was established here* January 10th, 1811, under the name of " Providence." Its location here is the best of evidence that it was then, as now, the business centre of this neighborhood, doubtless owing to its grist and saw mills, iron forge, and distilleries.
I am indebted to Hon. Joseph A. Scranton for a late letter from Third Assistant Postmaster General, A. D. Hazen, which states that the postoffice at Unionville was established Jan. 10, 1811, under the name of " Providence," and the Hyde Park post- office July 14, 1832, and both continued under their respective names until merged into the carrier delivery of Scranton, Oct. 22, 1883. Also that the office of " Scrantonia " was established April 1, 1850, and changed to " Scranton " Jan. 23, 1851.
Mr. Calvin Washburn and family moved to Hyde Park in 1820. He purchased half of the Bowman estate, 156 acres, for $885, or $5.67 per acre. About 1858 he sold the same for $250 an acre. His son, Nicholas Washburn, tells me that he remembers when the only postoffice in this township was at Unionville, and Mr. Benjamin Slocum the postmaster ; that the mail was carried on horseback, the route being from Pittston up the centre or main road to Hyde Park, thence over the only bridge crossing the Lacka- wanna river between Old Forge and Carbondale - at the same place where the present one is near the gas works-to Unionville (Providence P. O.), then back to Hyde Park ; thence via Provi- dence village, or Centreville, the "Ten-Mile Tavern," and Clifford turnpike to Dundaff.
Mr. Norval D. Green, now residing on Jefferson avenue with his son, D. N. Green, says that Benjamin Slocum, the post- master at Unionville, resigned his office in favor of Mr. John Vaughn, Jr., who received the appointment and removed the office to " Providence Corners," or Razorville, or Centrevillef, and Mr. Green attended to the mail business, opening the first mail re- ceived there.
Mr. Edward Merrifield states that his father, the late Hon. Wm. Merrifield, was the first postmaster at Hyde Park when the office was established Julv 14, 1832, and held it about a month, when he moved out of the place, and his father, Robert Merrifield, was appointed to succeed his son. Later Mr. Wm. Merrifield returned to Hyde Park, and was reappointed June 5, 1834.
*It should be noticed that though the name of the postoffice was " Provi- dence " from the first, it was really first located in what became Scranton, and was removed to Providence Corners by Mr. Vaughn, thus leaving the old lo- cality without a local postoffice for some time prior to the spring of 1550.
t See note on page S.
- -----
5
Scranton, Pa.
Mr. Oliver P. Clarke, now residing in Hyde Park, states that he moved there in April, 1846, was made postmaster in June of that year, and removed the office from Judge Wm. Merrifield's store, which stood nearly opposite the present brick M. E. church on Main street, to the store of Clarke & Blackman, on the easterly side of ' Fellows' Corners," where he kept it until 1856, when he removed it to his new store on Main, at the head of Scranton street. Mr. Clarke was-succeeded in 1857 by Doctor S. M. Wheeler.
In the winter of 1847 and 1848 a census was taken to show the necessity of a postoffice at this place. Mr. O. P. Clarke, post- master, as stated, at Hyde Park, gave a written statement showing that seven-tenths of the mail matter received at his office went to Harrison, or the Lackawanna Iron Works. The petition asked to have Dr. B. H. Throop made postmaster, but President Polk's Postinaster-General ignored the application.
Another effort was made during the session of Congress for 1849-50, which resulted in the establishment of an office under the name of Scrantonia, and the late John W. Moore was made post- master. The writer took the first letter and paper from the office when it opened, April 1, 1850.
The office was in the front room of Mr. Moore's tailor shop. and is now standing, being the first building easterly from the Iron Company's old store and office-now car and smith shops- near the blast furnaces.
It may be the impression that the Messrs. Scranton were in- strumental in having the place named after them, but such is not the fact. The subject was being discussed by the Rev. J. D. Mitchell and myself, and I suggested to Mr. Mitchell that as he was acquainted with the Hon. Chester Butler, then member of Congress for this district, that he should write to him and state that it was thought by their friends that they were entitled to the compliment. There was no objection made, and the office was called Scrantonia. At a meeting of those interested in the iron works, including gentlemen from New York and Connecticut, held here during the next autumn, a motion was carried unanimously that the last two letters of the name be cut off, leaving it Scran- ton. .
FIRST RAILROAD PROJECT.
1826
The Susquehanna and Delaware Canal and Railroad Com- pany's charter was approved April 3, 1826.
Messrs. Henry W. Drinker, Wm. Henry, and James N. Porter appear to have been prominent members of the commission to open the books.
The charter authorized subscriptions for 30,000 shares at $50 each, making a capital of $1,500,000, with authority to increase it if needed ; to make a canal or railroad, or part of each, from the
6
Reminiscences of Early History.
mouth of the Lackawanna river to a point on the Delaware at or near the Water Gap, and to a point on the river near to Durham creek, in Bucks county ; also a branch railroad or canal to Wilkes- Barre, with a proviso that no dam should be erected in either the Susquehanna or Delaware rivers.
Conductors of wagons or vehicles of any kind were to blow a trumpet or horn one-quarter of a mile from the collector's office, to notify him to be ready to take the toll. The company was author- ized to collect, in the aggregate, up to twelve per centum per an- annum on the capital.
It was provided "that said railroad shall, in no part of it, rise above an angle of two degrees with the plane of the horizon." (Two degrees is a little over 185 feet per mile.)
The " Liggett's " Gap railroad charter was approved April 7, 1832 IS32.
It is very evident that this road, like its predecessor of 1826, was to be run on the canal method, every one using it was to fur- nish his own vehicle and. power for transportation-presumed to be horses.
The tolls authorized, were two cents per ton, per mile, except on lumber, coal, salt and plaster, which were one-half cent per ton less ; the same to be paid before the vehicle could proceed fur- ther, the conductor to be fined $20 for violation of this rule.
Of the sixteen commissioners named, Messrs. Henry W. Drinker, Jeremiah Clarke, Nathaniel Cottrell, Thomas Smith, and Dr. Andrew Bedford-the latter the only one now living-appear to have taken the most interest in the enterprise. If my recollection is correct, the only commissioners present at the organization of the company at Kressler's hotel, January 2, 1850, were Messrs. Drinker, Bedford, Clarke and Smith.
This hotel stood where the north boilers of the blast furnaces are now located.
I have in my possession the original minutes of the meeting alluded to above, signed by H. W. Drinker, Chairman, and John S. Sherrerd, Secretary.
Somewhere about 1836 Messrs. William Henry, of Strouds- 1836 burg ; H. W. Drinker, of Drinker's Beech ; Edward Armstrong, residing about six miles above Newburgh on the west side of the Hudson river ; and Lord Charles Augustus Murray, (a Scotchman and son of the Earl of Dunmore), became interested in the question of the proposed Susquehanna and Delaware Canal and Railroad Company scheme. Their plan was to have a canal or slackwater navigation from the mouth of the Lackawanna to what is now Scranton and a railroad from here to Port Colden, N. J., and there connect with the Morris Canal, which was open to New York.
In this way they secured the favorable influence of Mr. Edward Biddle who had been United States Senator, and of Samuel L. Southward, who was then President of the Morris Canal.
-
7
Scranton, Pa.
Lord Murray was on a visit to see this new country, and made a number of hunting trips with Mr. Armstrong to and over the Moosic mountains for grouse and other game, and thus became interested in the plan and route.
There are those yet living in this region who remember both of these gentlemen and their fine hunting dogs.
During the Scotchman's visit he made the acquaintance of Miss Wadsworth, of Geneseo, N. Y., and afterwards married her. Her grave is in the grounds of the Wadsworth Mansion at Geneseo.
Mr. Drinker was instrumental in having our neighboring borough called Dunmore, in compliment to his friend, Lord Murray.
The railroad company was organized, and Lord Murray was empowered and expected to raise $1,500,000 to build it. The pro- jectors were so sure the road would be built that a farm was pur- chased not far above the Water Gap for railroad shops, &c.
1840
In July, 1840, Mr. Henry commenced negotiations with Messrs. Wm. Merrifield, Wm. Rickitson and Zeno Albro for a 503 acre tract of land "on which was a saw mill and two small dwelling houses, about 50 acres cleared, balance covered with pine, hem- lock and oak timber," that formerly belonged to Ebenezer Slocum, deceased. Mr. Armstrong was to have been interested with Mr. Henry in this purchase.
On the return of Lord Murray to England it was said his cousin, Queen Victoria, prevailed upon him to decline making any investments in America, the result being fatal to the railroad project.
The Queen afterwards made him her envoy to Persia, and still later her minister to Saxony.
FIRST PURCHASE BY THE PREDECESSORS OF THE LACKAWANNA IRON AND COAL CO.
About the time. Mr. Henry had concluded his engagement to take the land of the Hyde Park gentleman, Mr. Armstrong was called home by the sickness of his two daughters, was taken sick himself, and died.
This left the contract for the Scranton land resting upon Mr. Henry, who then interested his son-in-law. Mr. Selden T. Scran- ton, who induced his brother, George W. Scranton, and Mr. San- ford Grant to accompany Mr. Henry and himself to " Lackawanna" to see the " promised land," the result being that these gentlemen assumed the contract August 20, 1840. The deed is dated Sep- tember, 1840, consideration SS,000, or about sixteen dollars per acre.
About three-quarters of Lackawanna avenue is on this tract, and the remainder on a tract purchased February 8, 1847, of Messrs.
1370
8
Reminiscences of Early History.
Gillespie and Pierce and Barton Mott, on which stood the old wood grist mill and its dam.
At the date of the first purchase, in 1840, there were here five dwellings, one school house, one cooper shop, one saw mill, and one grist mill.
.
Somewhat later Mr. Philip H. Mattes, of Easton, examined the property and took an interest in the concern, when the firm of Scrantons, Grant & Co. was organized with a capital of $20,000, Messrs. George W. Scranton, Selden T. Scranton, Sanford Grant, and Philip H. Mattes being the partners.
In October, 1810, Mr. Wm. Henry moved from Stroudsburg to Hyde Park, occupying a house on the north side of Fellows' Corners, and took charge of the early operations.
Mr. Simon Ward says he came here on Sept. 8, 1840; that Mr. Henry being absent, he looked up some tools and commenced work on the 11th, getting out stone for the first blast furnace, about where the east boilers of the blast furnaces now stand. He also states that the school house then standing at the top of the hill northeasterly from the grist mill had just been finished and soon opened with seven scholars. Jos. Slocum sent one, Samuel Slocum, two, Jos. Hornbacker one, Barton Mott one, and Ebenezer Hitchcock two.
FIRST BLAST FURNACE.
Mr. Wm. W. Manness arrived here on the 2nd day of Sep- tember, 1840, and on the 23d, assisted in laying out the founda- tions for old No. I furnace; and work upon it commenced in October following. It was 35 feet high, and had an 8 feet bosh.
I have the first bill of Mr. Samuel Slocum for boarding the workmen from Sept. S. to Nov. 16, 1840. Mr. Manness states that the price was then $1.50 per week, including washing, and as the bill charges each person with the number of meals eaten, it is evident that 21 meals constituted a week's board. Common laborers' wages were then $17 per month. Carpenters' wages were seventy-five cents per day, all boarding themselves or paying for their board.
1841
Thomas P. Harper came in the spring of 1841, and built the furnace water wheel.
Mr. C. F. Mattes had been here on a visit in 1840, but came to reside April 30, 1841, and has since had personal experience in almost every branch of the business of the Company.
Mr. George W. Scranton, who had been here quite frequently from the commencement of the iron works, commenced spending nearly all of his time here during the summer of 1841.
As near as can now be learned, Mr. Wm. Henry left the iron works during the spring of 1842, and Mr. Scranton continued here, leaving his family in Belvidere, N. J., until succeeded by his
9
Scranton, Pa.
brother, Selden T., in 1844, when the former moved to Oxford Furnace and took his brother Selden's place in charge of their business there. Mr. Samuel Templin made the first effort to blow in the furnace in September, 1841, and another later in the year, both being unsuccessful.
IS42 The following account is copied from a journal kept at the time : "January 3, 1842. Last night, at about eleven o'clock, the blast was put on the furnace under the superintendence of Mr. Henry, assisted by a Mr. Clarke, from Stanhope, N. J. At about three o'clock the furnace was bridged over the hearth. January 4. Hiram and Henry Johnson and Radle trying to work the furnace, but, finding it too hard, the boshes above the temp were removed and the coal and ore let slide through. January 6. H. and H. Johnson and Williams digging salamander out of the furnace."
Three failures in succession to commence with, were enough to discourage the most sanguine. But these young pioneers must succeed, or financial ruin stared them in the face. After short naps in their straw bunks, improvised in the casting house, and having their meals brought to them, they went to work getting ready for another effort.
Mr. Selden T. Scranton, who was here to see the furnace put in operation, started for Danville to find, if possible, some one who had had some experience with making iron with anthracite fuel, and returned on January 10, 1842, bringing with him the late John F. Davis.
The necessary repairs having been made, blast was put on the furnace on the 18th, "blowing about two weeks without making any iron of consequence. After that the furnace began to work fairly, and the blast was continued until February 26, when we blew out, in consequence of our heating oven being in- sufficient-making iron, tons 75, 10 cwt."
"After putting in a new hearth and building two new heat- ing ovens, in addition to altering the old one, we commenced the blast on the 23d May, 1842, and continued until 25th September (18 weeks), when we were obliged to blow out in consequence of the blowing apparatus giving way, being constructed too light in the beginning-making, iron 362, and castings about 12 tons ; in all 374 tons."
1843
" After repairing bellows (wood blowing cylinders), putting in new pistons, etc., we commenced the blast on the 11th October (5 o'clock P. M.), and continued until March 12, 1843 (22 weeks), when we were obliged to blow out for want of limestone-making iron T, 583 tons, 10 cwt., and castings about 17 tons ; average per week 27 6.22 tons."
The quotations of these three successful blasts are from a paper by J. W. Sands, the book-keeper of the firm.
-
IO
Reminiscences of Early History.
Looking back from the present condition of the iron and steel business to the early struggles of the Lackawanna Iron Works, the whole operation appears insignificant. But it was a grand success, and enhanced by the fact that it followed three failures. It was a time of great anxiety with the proprietors, as shown by their de- sire to have their success known in a practical way-not waiting for the iron to cool before a pig of it was started by wagon for New Jersey by Mr. S. T. Scranton, as evidence of their success in making it with hard coal.
Mr. George Crane, of South Wales, states that he began the use of anthracite, with hot blast, on February 7, 1838, in a cupola blast furnace 41 feet high, 10% ft. across the boshes ; product, 34 to 36 tons per week.
The first success in smelting iron ore in this country with anthracite was with a small experimental furnace, built in 1838, at Weigh Lock, below Mauch Chunk; height 2116 ft .; diameter of boshes, 51% ft .: hearth, 19 by 21 inches. This furnace made, from July to November. 1839, during three months, two tons per day of Numbers 1, 2 and 3 grades ; " fuel, anthracite exclusively."
"In the year 1840 there were only six furnaces using anthra- cite, two of them on the Schuylkill, three on the Susquehanna, and one on the Lehigh, making 30 to 50 tons each. * "
Having now demonstrated that iron could be made here with anthracite coal, the question to be settled was: " Could it be done and compete in the market with other furnaces." The ore used was partly a carbonate, mined about half way between the furnace and where the old rolling mill is located, and the remainder at Briar Brook, some three miles distant, on the Moosic mountain, and hauled in by teams that could bring but two loads per day ; the carbonate averaging about 50 per cent., and the mountain ore little, if any, above 25 per cent. of iron. In December, 1840, to secure the iron ore thereon, 3,750 acres of mountain land were purchased of the Bank of North America for $11, 250.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.