USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Lodge no. 61, F. and A. M., Wilkesbarr?, Pa. with a collection of masonic addresses > Part 19
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October 5th, 1772, Jabez Sill was appointed sealer of weights and measures for the Wyoming settlement. He was chosen one of the selectmen in December, 1780.
Jabez and Elizabeth (-) Sill had four sons and four daughters : Shadrach, Jabez, Moses, Elisha, Elizabeth, Mary, Naomi and Esther.
Jabez Sill, the elder, died at Wilkesbarré June 24th, 1789, aged 67 years.
Shadrach Sill removed to Lunenburg, Albany county, N. Y., and was a merchant there as early as 1788.
Elisha Sill became a physician. He died at Windsor, Conn., May 24th, 1845, aged 84 years.
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and was exposed to frequent incursions from the Indians and worse than savage Tories.
Their mode of warfare was such as required the exercise on the part of the settlers of the utmost prudence, vigilance and courage; and in selecting a leader the choice of the settlers naturally fell on Colonel Denison, as possessing in an eminent degree the qualifications necessary for the sta- tion.
He commanded the left wing of the Wyoming forces in the battle and massacre of July 3, 1778.
Colonel Denison-"whose name is itself an eulogy, and synonymous with every manly virtue"-represented Wyo- ming in the Connecticut Assembly in 1776, 1778, 1779 and 1780, and from 1787 to 1789 he was a member of the Council, Pennsylvania Assembly. Upon the organization of the Courts of Luzerne county in 1787 he was appointed an Associate Judge, and this office he held until his death, which occurred January 25, 1809, at the age of 68 years.
GEORGE DENISON, third son of Col. Nathan Denison, was born in Kingston, Luzerne county, February 22, 1790, at a time when the country had not recovered from the disasters of the Revolution, and when the people of Wyoming were suffering from the effects of the protracted controversy be- tween Connecticut and Pennsylvania. At such a period, and under such circumstances, it could scarcely be expected that very ample provision should be made for the education of the youth of the country. The advantages of young Deni- son in this respect were limited indeed ; but limited as they were, they were improved, and the foundation of an English education was early laid, upon which he afterwards raised a superstructure by which he acquired a distinguished emi- nence at the Bar, and which was abundantly adequate to the elevated stations to which he was called by his fellow- citizens.
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Naturally predisposed to pulmonary affections, it was thought by his friends that the active and varied pursuits of the country merchant were well calculated to ward off the disease with which he was menaced, and to ensure him length of days and comfortable health. Accordingly, at an early age he took charge of a store for Judge Matthias Hollenback, and although he soon discovered that it was not the sphere in which Nature destined him to move, he gave the most perfect satisfaction to his employer. Anxious to gratify his friends, at whose solicitation he had engaged in mercantile pursuits, he continued in the business until his enlarged and expanding intellect regarded it as too nar- row and contracted for the employment of a liberal and enlightened mind. He then resolved to abandon pursuits for which he believed he was not fitted, and which afforded him no intellectual enjoyments, and to fit himself for the study of one of the learned professions.
About this period the death of his father-at whose more particular instance he had engaged in business-left him at liberty to pursue the natural bent of his inclinations. He therefore hastened to place himself at the Wilkesbarré Academy, then under the care of Garrick Mallery, Esq., an able and efficient Principal. Here he made rapid progress in the languages, mathematics, and all the various branches of an English education, and it is said that very few, who had received college honors, excelled young Denison in extent and accuracy of knowledge in all the various kindred sciences fitting and necessary for a professional life.
When he deemed himself prepared, he began the study of the law, to which he applied himself with the utmost assiduity and attention. He never committed to memory, although no one possessed a memory more tenacious. He read, he reflected, he understood. The principles of the law, and the reasons upon which they are founded, were stated by him in his own language, always perspicuous and
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definite, and which evinced his attention in reading, and his depth and accuracy of thought.
After the usual period of study he was, on the 7th of April, 1813, admitted to practice in the courts of Luzerne county. Previously to this, whilst still a minor, he had served as the deputy of his brother, Col. Lazarus Denison, the Register and Recorder of Luzerne county, and on the 30th of January, 1812, he was himself appointed to these offices, for a term of three years, by Governor Snyder. "A more faithful, a more accurate, and a more able public officer, never had charge of the records of the county." The records themselves, and all who transacted business in the offices while Mr. Denison was the incumbent, sustained this tribute of praise. This situation in the public offices was peculiarly favorable to the acquisition of a knowledge of the practice of the Courts, and it was fully improved by Mr. Denison for that purpose.
From 1811 to 1814 he was Clerk of the Wilkesbarré Borough Council, and subsequently for many years a mem- ber of the Council-serving as President in 1823 and 1824.
His conduct as a public officer, and the ability which he displayed in his professional business, soon attracted public notice, and secured to him the public confidence. In 1815, in opposition to his own wishes and inclinations, he was selected by his fellow-citizens as their Representative in the Legislature of Pennsylvania. To this position he was re- elected in 1816, with unusual unanimity. His talents de- veloping in his Legislative career pointed him out as a fit person to represent his district in Congress, and he was accordingly elected in 1819, and again in 1821, by the peo- ple as their Representative. At the expiration of his second term of service he determined to retire from public life and devote his time exclusively to his professional business, which had suffered in consequence of his absence during several protracted sessions at the seat of government.
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In January, 1824, he was appointed Deputy Attorney General for Luzerne county.
The people of his district, becoming alive to the subject of internal improvements, would not permit him long to remain in his favorite retirement. Reluctantly yielding to their entreaties, he was again, in 1827, elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and in that position he was continued by the almost unanimous voice of his district until his decease.
From May, 1829, to May, 1830, he was Burgess of Wilkesbarré borough. In 1828 he was one of the Presi- dential Electors on the Adams ticket, in Pennsylvania.
As a lawyer, in the various and complicated business of his profession, George Denison was distinguished for accu- racy in legal learning, clearness of perception, acuteness in discrimination, soundness of judgment, and a peculiar tact in the arrangement of facts, and the management of a cause, before the Court and jury. The Courts in which he practiced, and his fellow-members of the Bar, bore testimony to the high sense of honor with which he conducted the busi- ness of his profession. Judge Conyngham, speaking of him many years after his death, said : " He was too indolent and indifferent for the greatness he might easily have attained, and yet he was unquestionably great in the clearness, strength, and vigor of his intellect, and in his remarkable power of cool and dispassionate appeal."
Another eminent Judge spoke of him thus: "George Denison, the disinterested and able, with his wonderful power of concentrated thought and expression."
As a member of the Legislature, the will and wishes of his constituents were ably represented. Numerous local Acts were passed through his influence, of great interest to the district he represented ; and many general laws were projected by him, and received the sanction of the Legisla-
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ture, which bear the impress of his liberal and enlightened views, and sound, discriminating judgment.
The system of internal improvements in Pennsylvania, although much more extensive than his judgment approved, received his decided and efficient support; and the intro- duction of the North Branch Canal into the system, and its location and extension through the Wyoming Valley " will remain an everlasting monument of his legislative skill and commanding influence." Charles Miner wrote in 1845 : " It is conceded that to Garrick Mallery, George Denison and Da- vid Scott we owe, in a great degree, all that is beneficial in our system of internal improvements-especially as regards Northern Pennsylvania."
As a man Mr. Denison was scrupulously exact in the performance of his duties in all the relations of life.
In short, it may be said that "no man in Luzerne county ever lived more respected and died more regretted, than George Denison."
At the time Mr. Denison was in Congress the members of the House of Representatives were, with two or three ex- ceptions, young men.
Among the more prominent men were William Lowndes of South Carolina, Philip P. Barbour of Virginia, John Ser- geant and James Buchanan of Pennsylvania, John Randolph of Roanoke, Virginia, and Lewis McLane of Delaware. Henry Clay and Daniel Webster were not then in Congress. Mr. Denison soon took his stand with these men, and was always found on the side of liberal and enlightened measures.
In Congress, as in the State Legislature, he never spoke unless he had something of importance to communicate, and when he did speak he was listened to with the most respectful attention.
It was during his service in the House of Representatives that the disheartening, the perplexing, the all-engrossing
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question of the admission of Missouri into the Union as a State, was brought before Congress. The Missourians had met and formed a Constitution under very inauspicious feelings. Their temper had been highly excited by the contest relative to the restriction of slavery in the new State, and feeling confident in the support of all the slave States, they formed a Constitution not in the least concilia- tory towards the free States.
In one provision, at least, this Constitution was in direct hostility to that of the United States. The free States took the ground simply to reject the Constitution of Missouri, leaving it to her good sense and reflection to amend it, and taking no responsibility upon themselves by proposing con- ditions. Never was a subject managed with more wisdom than this; never did statesmen exhibit more political sagac- ity and firmness.
The State was at length admitted, on condition that the offensive article in her Constitution should be expunged. The resolution under which the State was admitted was car- ried in the House by 87 ayes to 81 noes, and was as follows :
"Resolved, That Missouri shall be admitted into this Union on an equal footing with the original States in all respects whatever; upon the fundamental condition that the 4th clause of the 26th section of the 3d Article of the Constitution, submitted ont he part of said State to Congress, shall never be construed to authorize the passage of any law, and that no law shall be passed in conformity thereto by which any citizen of either of the States in this Union shall be excluded from the enjoyment of any of the privileges and immunities to which such citizen is entitled under the Constitution of the United States."
In the great debate upon the "Missouri Compromise," John Randolph headed the party favoring the admission of Missouri, while John Sergeant, of Pennsylvania, led the opposition forces. The former was, at that time, the most conspicuous, though far from the most influential, member of the House. "He was severe and sarcastic in debate, sparing neither friend nor foe, when the one or the other
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laid himself open to the shafts of his ridicule. He was a fine scholar, and his classical allusions were abundant and happy. He had a shrill and penetrating voice, and could be heard distinctly in every portion of the House. His , manner was confident, proud, and imposing, and pointing, as he always did, his long forefinger at the object of attack, he gave peculiar emphasis to the severity of his language. He was more feared than beloved, and his influence in the House bore no proportion to the brilliancy of his talents."
George Denison took a very prominent part in the debates on the Missouri question, and in the newspapers of the day his speeches were highly extolled. The following is an extract from one of the most forcible speeches delivered by him in the course of the contest :
" It is said that slavery ought to be permitted in Missouri in order that the condition of the slaves now in the United States may be ameliorated, by diffusing them over a larger extent of country. To meliorate their condition is unquestionably a very desirable object, and one which both sides appear anxious to effect. But we unfortu- nately differ as to the best mode of accomplishing it. If this necessity of diffusing them, although they still be held in bondage, now exists, we have certainly some cause to be alarmed.
"By reference to the map we find that slavery is already permitted over much the largest portion of the United States. Five States in which slavery is allowed, embracing a very large extent of country, have been admitted into the Union since the adoption of the Consti- tution. If, at the expiration of little more than thirty years, in the course of which their limits have been so greatly extended, we now find it necessary to send them to Missouri for the purpose of bettering their condition, is it not time to pause ?
"It appears to be a well established fact that they increase in this country faster than the white population. They are not diminished by those artificial causes which impede the rapidity of population. They are not cut off in your armies, nor buried in the ocean. Their numbers will increase upon the white population so long as the two classes shall continue to exist. Where, then, is the progress of the evil to be arrested ?
"Admit slavery into Missouri and the necessity will be more impe- rious when another State comes to be admitted. Thus will this
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acknowledged evil grow more and more inveterate at every ad- vance, till it shall be finally extended over the boundless regions of the West. Louisiana was purchased from the common Treasury of the country, and one State has already been formed out of it in which slavery has been permitted. It is but equal justice to that class of our citizens who are opposed to slavery and are desirous of settling in Missouri that it should be there prohibited.
"The glorious work of African emancipation at this time engages the attention of the civilized world, and abolition societies receive encouragement from the greatest and best of men. Impose, then, this restriction, prohibit the extension of slaves over this vast conti- nent, and save our Nation the reproach of being the first to check this spirit of emancipation."
George Denison was made a Free Mason November 9, 1814, in LODGE 61, and continued an active, earnest mem- ber thereof as long as he lived. He was Senior Warden of the Lodge in 1817, and Worshipful Master in 1818 and 1819.
May 30, 1816, he married Caroline Bowman, daughter of Ebenezer Bowman, Esq. [See page 150, ante.] They had three children, Charles, George and Henry M.
Mr. Denison died at Wilkesbarré August 20, 1831, and his wife died July 1, 1833. ,
The following poem, describing a well-known Wilkes- barré character of half a century ago, was written by Mr. Denison. I believe it has never been published, except once in one of the Wilkesbarré newspapers.
"TO MY OLD FRIEND JOHN MICHAEL KIENZLEE, *
" LONG TIME HIGH CONSTABLE, CHIEF SEXTON, TOWN CLOCK, AND IN FACT, FACTOTUM OF THE BOROUGH OF WILKESBARRÉ.
" Friend Michael, how d'ye do ? I've great regard for you ; Ain't it news ? For oh ! you used to make Me, and all the boys, to shake In our shoes.
* JOHN MICHAEL KIENZLEE was a native of Berne, Switzerland. He was brought to Wilkesbarré in 1803 by John P. Arndt, Esq., as a " Redemptioner." He soon became Major-domo of Arndt's house,
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If there's one man in town Who is worthy of renown, You are he. I vow I am not poking Fun at you, nor joking- Verily.
Ancient Caleb Quotem, Sexton and factotum,
And all that, To Mr. Michael shouldn't-
To tell the truth, he couldn't- Hold a hat.
Who can describe your feats, As you nightly roamed the streets All around; And fastened every row- Dy, and every vagrant cow In the Pound ?
But our old brindle cow- Do you recollect how She'd fix you ?
Touch her, wagging her chops, With your cane, and she ups And kicks you.
then the principal tavern in Wilkesbarré. [See Note, page 41, ante.]
When Arndt left Wilkesbarre in 1818 he bestowed upon Michael the old ware-house, which stood on the river bank nearly opposite Arndt's house, as almost the only remuneration for his long and faithful services. About this time Michael was elected High Constable of the borough, which office he held until his death.
As High Constable he always stood upon his dignity, and it was his usual custom, when doing police duty after dark, to carry a broad- sword. This, he claimed, once belonged to an ancestor of his who had wielded it under the command of William Tell against the Aus- trians. Although the boys sometimes annoyed "old Michael" on these occasions, he always maintained his position, and never yielded an iota of his official dignity.
For about 40 years he was sexton of the borough graveyard, and town-crier. He was also collector of the borough taxes for several years. He died Sept. 24th, 1846, aged about 78 years.
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And if you got her round On the bank to the Pound, 'Twas no use ; For all the other cows, Ere you could fasten "Blouse," Were gone goose.
On the fourth of Julies, How you'd flourish, my eyes ! Your old cane ! But the boys, great and small, Would play tricks, it was all- All in vain.
Crackers popped like thunder, And powder flashed right under Your own nose. And how your dander riz When squibs would hiss and fiz By your toes.
But often a bellow Arose from some fellow, When his back
From your dignity aggrieved,
Through your crab-stick received Such a whack.
When Christmas bells would sound The way you flew around Was bewilderin' ; Amongst tar barrels bright'ning And Bellschnickles fright'ning The children.
While mild to virtue's wooers, You were sour to evil doers, As Death's sickle. And therefore naughty boys Would dub you with great noise, "Old Pickle."
At nine A. M. you'd ring, And make the old bell sing, "Go to school- Mind your rule, go to school- Go to school, or be a fool, Go to school."
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At nine, up in the steeple, You say to little people, Go to bed. And who e'er tolled a bell So solemnly and well For the dead ?
Friend Michael, you and I, Are, may be, soon to lie In the tomb, With the unnumbered throng Who dwell within that long, Long home.
But may Time prove so kind [Though the worms will have to grind Their eye teeth If he does] as to spare Your strength, and your gray hair, And your breath.
But when within your heart Grim Death has fixed his dart, And won't tarry --- Good men will bear your pall, And you'll be mourned by all Wilkesbarré."
HON. CHARLES DENISON.
CHARLES DENISON was the eighth child of Lazarus Den- ison, and nephew of the Hon. Geo. Denison, whose biography precedes this sketch. He was born in the Wyoming Val- ley January 23d, 1818, and was educated at Dickinson Col- lege, Carlisle, Penn'a, where he graduated in 1839.
He was admitted to the Bar of Luzerne county August 13th, 1840, and soon enjoyed a lucrative practice. He worked steadily and faithfully in his profession up to within six years of his death, when, in consequence of feeble health and the pressure of public duties, he withdrew himself from the practice of his profession and bestowed his attention somewhat to agricultural pursuits.
He was elected a Representative to Congress, as the can- didate of the Democratic party, in 1862, for the District composed of Luzerne and Susquehanna counties. He was re-elected in 1864, and again in 1866.
Mr. Denison did not claim to be eminent as a profound lawyer, an eloquent speaker, or an accomplished man of the world. He was plain, though easy in his manners, genial and social in private intercourse, and sensible everywhere. He made no false pretensions. He possessed, in addition to a sound judgment, a sense and love of humor, and fidelity to associates and friends. Hence he was able more per- fectly to combine the elements of success as a professional and public man ; to win, and hold, and use the confidence and attachment of client and voter. In him the people had the fullest confidence, so correct was he in his demeanor, so sound in his judgment, so christian in his every act.
No man in Eastern Pennsylvania was more endeared than he to the public. He did not seek public preferment, but
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place sought him, and honorable mention came unsolicited. He was not aspiring, but ever willing to do his part when duty called.
As a member of the Democratic party during the War of the Rebellion, he fearlessly and uncompromisingly sup- ported and promulgated the theories and doctrines of the ultra wing of that party ; and although many of his personal friends did not concur with him in his views of national affairs, nevertheless, because of their high regard for him personally, and their belief in his honesty as a public man, they supported him at the polls by their votes.
The honors of an election to Congress, twice repeated, and his course twice confirmed, in the most troublous period of our national history, exhibited the public sense of the worth and character of the man. Ably and fear- lessly he performed his duties in the halls of Congress.
He was made a Free Mason in LODGE No. 61 January 30th, 1855, and remained a true and loyal member of the Lodge until his death. He was also a member of Shekinah R. A. Chapter No. 182, having been "Marked" therein April 19th, 1856.
Brother Denison died at his residence on Union street, Wilkesbarré, June 27th, 1867. The following notice of his death and funeral is from the Record of the Times of July 3d, 1867 :
"The funeral of Hon. Charles Denison took place on Sunday after- noon last at 3 o'clock. His death, which took place on Thursday morn- ing at about 9 o'clock, caused the most profound regret, not only among his immediate neighbors and friends, but throughout this whole sec- tion, as the announcement of his demise spread amongst the people. His funeral was more numerously attended than any ever known in the Valley. The concourse of mourning friends at the house was immense, and hundreds turned away from the funeral procession unable to obtain conveyance to the burial ground at Forty Fort, where his remains were conveyed, and where repose the ashes of his ances- tors and connections. There were one hundred and thirty-four con-
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veyances in the funeral train, including coaches, band wagons, and almost every available conveyance.
"The remains were followed to the grave by the Masonic Fraternity of this place and neighboring towns, and the solemn rites of the Order were performed at the last resting place of the beloved and distin- guished Brother.
" Such an universal expression of regret and mourning was never exhibited at the demise of a citizen of this Valley, and it will perhaps be many a long year before Death claims from our midst one more beloved, reyered and respected than he whose death it is our painful duty to chronicle."
Mr. Denison married Miss Ellen E. Huling, of Lewis- town, Penn'a, May 7th, 1845. His wife, one son and three daughters survived him, but none of them now reside in the Wyoming Valley. Mrs. Denison died suddenly in June, 1882, while on a visit in Wilkesbarré.
JUDGE JESSE FELL.
For almost half a century JESSE FELL, a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, resided in Wilkesbarré, and was one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens of Luzerne county ; and yet, in all of our local histories he is only briefly referred to, and, until the following was pre- pared, no sketch of his life had ever been written.
A portion of this sketch-nearly four pages-is incor- porated in the biography of Edmund Griffin Butler, Esq., published in 1884 in Vol. XIII. of The Luzerne Legal Register, and, in 1885, in "The Families of Wyoming ,Valley," by George B. Kulp, Esq., the author of this hav- ing loaned his MSS. to Mr. Kulp. Only after laborious and careful research have the following pages been pre- pared.
Joseph Fell, the ancestor of the Fells of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, was born in Cumberland county, England, October 19th, 1668. In 1705 he immigrated to America with his wife and two children, and settled in' Bucks county, where he died. He was the father of eleven children. The family were members of the Society of Friends, or "Quakers."
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