A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time; including chapters of newly-discovered, Vol. I, Part 86

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851-1922; Smith, Ernest Gray
Publication date: 1909-1930
Publisher: Wilkes-Barre : Raeder Press
Number of Pages: 734

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Wilkes-Barre > A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time; including chapters of newly-discovered, Vol. I > Part 86

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 (link on the Part 1 page).

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remain there building and improving and cultivating their lands, though not without threats of removing them by force. We are ready to submit to any civil action or pro- cess, whereby the title to our claim may be fairly tried, and to that purpose our posses- * · sion is absolutely necessary. *

* You may be assured that our people have behaved in the most quiet and inoffensive manner. They have gained much credit in that part of ye world, and the people of note and consequence, as well as others, in that Province are much in favor of our people and the Connecticut claim.

"They still hold us in the first prosecution for a riot. My son and Major Elder- kin's were with the 'First Forty' who went up in the Winter, and are of those bound over to Easton Court. Major Elderkin and myself have been at Philadelphia, from thence to the Court at Easton ; but the cause was continued, and the twenty indicted for a riot [were] obliged to be recognized in £100 principal and £100 surety, each-for their ap- pearance at the next Quarter Sessions, and also in the meantime to their good behavior -amounting to the enormous sum of £4,000, which is esteemed excessive and in the highest degree oppressive to the subject. But the Judges are under the immediate influence of the Governor, being of his appointment." > *

About the 15th of August, 1769, the inmates of Fort Durkee at Wilkes-Barré were surprised by a friendly visit from some fifty-six Indi- ans, who had come down the Susquehanna from Chenango, and its vicinity (see page 219), in a small fleet of canoes. The chief men of the party were "Seneca George," "a Captain of the Six Nations"; "Last Night," King of the Conoys; Genquant, an Onondaga sachemn ; Isaac Still (mentioned on page 364), who had joined the company at Sheshe- quin, and "James Nanticoke," and they were on their way to Fort Augusta, where "Seneca George," by invitation of Governor Penn, was to liold a conference with Colonel Francis (the Governor's representa- tive) and receive condolences and presents on account of the death of his only son, who had been shot some time previously in Pennsylvania by an unknown person. These Indians encamped over niglit near Fort Durkee, and the next morning proceeded on their way to Fort Augusta, where they arrived in the morning of Saturday, August 19th. The next day (Sunday) the Rev. William Smith, D. D., Provost of the Col- lege of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania)-who had unexpectedly arrived at Fort Augusta about a half hour before the Indi- ans landed there-conducted religions services at the fort, which were attended by the Indians, as well as by the white people of the place. Isaac Still interpreted for the Indians on that occasion, as well as at the conference, which was begun at the fort on Monday and was attended by all the Indians, Colonel Francis, the Rev. Dr. Smith, Joseph Shippen, Secretary of the Provincial Council (see page 361), Frederick Weiser, so11 of Conrad Weiser, deceased, Charles Stewart (who had followed the Indians down from Wyoming), and about 100 of the inhabitants of Shamokin and vicinity .*

At that time Charles Stewart, Amos Ogden and John Anderson and a considerable party of their adherents were still in possession of the block-house and cabins at the mouth of Mill Creek and in the immediate neighborhood, and they were diligently cultivating the land on Jacob's Plains-and probably on Abraham's Plains also-building fences and making other small improvements. Meanwhile Stewart and his assist- ant surveyors were lotting out to numerous holders of warrants-issued by the Pennsylvania Land Office-large bodies of land at various points within the bounds of The Susquehanna Company's Purchase. From the records of the Land Office we learn that among those warrantees who, during the period from June to October, 1769, had lands surveyed to and for their use in the so-called Wyoming region, were the follow-

* See "Pennsylvania Colonial Records," IX : 610 et seq.

506

ing : Jacob Lumbey (208 acres); Thomas Hays (329 acres) ; John Anderson (306 acres); Thomas Lake (215 acres above the mouth of Tunkhannock Creek); Charles Harrison (318 acres on Abraham's, Plains); William Tharp (tract of 302 acres called "Londonderry,"* on the westerly bank of the Susquehanna, four and a-half miles above the mouth of Fishing Creek); William Grey (tract of 301 acres, called "Raphoe," adjoining "Londonderry" on the north); David Chambers (tract of 298 acres, called "Bloomsburry," about five and a-half iniles above the mouth of Fishing Creek and adjoining "Raphoe" on the north); Philip Grandin (tract of 295 acres, called "Freehold," about six miles up stream from the mouth of Fishing Creek, and adjoining "Bloomsburry" on the north.

At Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1769, Lewis Gordon, Esq., of Easton (see pages 473 and 476), wrote to Edmund Physick, Esq., Receiver General of the Province, as followst :

"Meeting accidentally with Mr. John Anderson, who intends for Philadelphia in a day or two, and has lately come from Wyoming where he has resided these several years past, and has been an eye-witness to many transactions of Messrs. [Charles] Stewart and [Amos] Ogden relative to their disposition of the Manor lots there, I thought it would not be amiss that you should ask him some questions on that subject, as it might add some weight to what has already been said, and give more light into that matter-being convinced you are desirous to sift it to the bottom and to find out the truth. He is, there- fore, charged to deliver this hasty scrawl into your own hand. * * *

"Questions to be asked [Anderson]. * (1) Whether Mr. Stewart gave Mr. * Jennings timely notice (when he, Mr. Stewart, went first up to Wyoming) to acquaint the people of this County of the Proprietaries' terms, to give them an equal chance with those of New Jersey? (2) Whether, when the Northampton people went up, Mr. Stewart did not tell them the lots were all disposed of ; whether at last, what lots were granted them were not all without the Manor (as it now proves), for the lines of the Manor were kept secret for some hidden purpose-which, if you examine him upon, he can give a plausible reason for ; and whether, upon the whole, they were not supercili- ously dealt with, receiving ambiguous and uncertain answers-particularly one Nicholas Snider, who, being pretty knowing and more earnest than the rest, was not threatened to be sent to prison for his impertinence. (3) Whether the people of this County did not go several times in a body of ten or fifteen men together and offer to settle immediately ; by which means the New England people would undoubtedly have been frustrated, had our people been encouraged. (4) Whether one or two lots were not granted to Mr. Ledlie,į the Sp1 B1 of those people [the Yankees] and a great stickler for them from the beginning ; and whether Benjamin Shoemaker's son was not also promised, ¿ but was disappointed, on being taken prisoner with them. (5) Whether Mr. Stewart can claim any merit to grant lots to rich men in New Jersey, || who, it can be proved, never intended to settle themselves or children there, but offered to let their lands to our country people on shares. (6) How many of our country people have got lots within the Manor?"

One week later Justice Gordon wrote again (this time from Easton) to Receiver General Physick, as follows :

"I make no doubt you are by this time pretty well informed and convinced how affairs at Wyoming have been conducted, and how partially the people of this county have been dealt with by those the Government so highly confided in. * * *

It is the opinion of all men that, had proper measures been pursued by the gentlemen intrusted, a prior settlement by our own people was very practicable, and that the New England men might have been entirely frustrated and disappointed. But, it is said, instead of employing time properly, it was consumed in vain and fruitless journeys back and forth to Wyoming from New Jersey, writing expresses, etc., whilst their whole plan-instructions and all-were most industriously concealed from our people, who could obtain lots on no other terms than those offered by the New Jersey men-namely, to take them on shares, and so enjoy the privilege of becoming their tenants.

* It was customary at this period, and for some years subsequently, for many of the Pennamites as well as the Yankees at Wyoming to give fancy names to their plantations, and even to their town lots. This custom is more fully referred to hereinafter.

7 See the "Penn-Physick Manuscripts," previously mentioned.

# See last paragraph, page 475.

§ See letter of Stewart and Jennings to Governor Pen11, on page 473.

"! For instance, Stewart's father-in-law, Judge Samuel Johnston. See page 459.

507

"The bearer, Mr. [Peter] Kechlein, late Sheriff [of Northampton County ], is a man of good sense, well acquainted in the County, has an interest and influence in it, and, as he knows divers of those whose applications have been so superciliously rejected and the New Jersey men preferred, I thought him a fit person to give you an account of such of their transactions as he knows. * * But what avails it to be sensible of the mis- management when we know not how to rectify it? As to what is already granted, that cannot be recalled. All that can be done is to put it out of the power of those gentle- men to grant more.

"If the New England people will not peaceably abandon their settlements (which appears not likely, after all their expence, trouble and fatigue), what can be done? To drive them off by force and violence is by no means eligible, and may prove unsuccessful. What then remains but to offer to the Pennsylvanians the lands not yet disposed of, on moderate terms, and to get men of spirit and influence (if any such there be !) to rouse and encourage them to make a settlement, late as it is. But I would not have them settle in a body, as the New England people have done, but upon separate plantations, and at a distance from one another ; by which means they may yet get the whole land in their possession without bloodshed, and weary and tire out the New England men, already almost spent with fatigue and expence !"

Governor Penn having been fully informed that the Yankees were still in Wyoming, and that they seemed determined to keep possession of the lands upon which they were settled, wrote from Philadelphia under date of August 24, 1769, to Colonel Francis at Fort Augusta, in part as follows* :

"As the New England men have not thoughit proper to observe their agreement made at Easton [in June], but seem determined to retain their unlawful possession at Wyoming, I must desire you to exert your influence in raising as good a party as you can in order to assist the Sheriff of Northampton in executing the King's writ on the New England people at Wyoming, who were indicted at Easton ; and I hope you will find the people in your neighborhood as willing to embark in the affair as they have hereto- fore shown themselves. * * I send you £- to defray the expence of the expedition. It is hoped you will be able to procure the people to go without pay, as they have already manifested a very good disposition to bring the intruders to justice."

On the same day Messrs. Stewart and Ogden (who were probably then in Philadelphia, or perhaps at their homes in New Jerseyt) were desired by the Governor, in writing, to immediately repair to Wyoming in order to carry on a correspondence with Colonel Francis and with Sheriff John Jennings of Northampton County. "If," wrote the Gover- nor, "upon going to Wyoming you find that all the persons indicted have left the place, you are immediately to advise both Colonel Francis and the Sheriff of it." At the same time the Governor sent a letter of in- structions to the Sheriff, containing, among other things, the following} :

"You are to summon to your aid as many of the inhabitants of the County as you may judge necessary. It is expected that a number of people? from the West Branch of the Susquehanna will join you in the neighborhood of Wyoming, whom you will also take to your assistance. * * As you are a stranger to the persons indicted, you should take with you such of the persons settled at Wyoming under Pennsylvania as are ac- . quainted with them, to show or point out to you those named in the writ. You are to be cautious not to arrest any who are not named in the writ, except they oppose you in the legal execution of your duty, or attempt a rescue, or otherwise commit a breach of the peace ; in either of which cases you may arrest and detain them until they can be carried before a Justice to answer for their offense.

"If the persons named in the writ, or any of them, retire to any house and refuse to admit you, you are first to demand entrance and inform those within that you have the King's writ against the several defendants ; and if they afterwards refuse to open the doors you will be justified in breaking them open and entering to make the arrest. But be- fore you proceed this length it is absolutely necessary you should know that one or more of the defendants are within the house ; but in this case it would be well if, before you use force, you would parley with the wrong-doers, and urge arguments to induce them to desist from their illegal purpose.

"As the New England men threaten to oppose you, in the execution of your duty, with force and violence, it is prudent that you and your party should furnish yourselves

* See "Pennsylvania Colonial Records," IX : 606.

+ Stewart was at Fort Augusta on the 21st of August, as we have noted on page 505.

Į See "Pennsylvania Colonial Records," IX : 606.

¿ Colonel Francis and his party.

508

with arms for your defense and preservation only ; but not to make use of them unless reduced to the necessity of doing it by an illegal and violent resistance-in which case you may oppose force with force. It is, however, highly recommended to you to exer- cise on this unhappy occasion the utmost discretion and prudence, to avoid the effusion of blood, and that neither you nor your party strike, fire at or wound the offenders unless you are first stricken, fired on or wounded. At the same time that it is required of you to act a spirited and resolute part in using your utmost endeavors to arrest the offenders, it is not expected or desired that you should expose yourself and your party to unneces- sary danger, or run great hazards, if you should be opposed by numbers so greatly superior to you that there is no probability of succeeding in the attempt-which must be left to your own judgment and observation on the spot. In such case you are to return and make your report to me, in order that I may apply to General Gage* to furnish me with the military force to support the civil power and enforce the execution of the laws."

Five days subsequently to the writing of the foregoing communi- cations by Governor Penn an interesting and important documentt was prepared at Wilkes-Barré. It reads as follows :

"WILKS BARRE, SUSQUEHANNAH RIVER, AUGUST 29th 1769. "To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticutt to be holden at Newhaven within sd Colony on the second Thursday of October next .-

"The Petition of John Durkee, Stephen Gardner and the rest of the subscribers In- habitants of sd Colony and proprietors and settlers on Susquehannah River and now Im- proving on the same : To your Honours would Humbly show that your Petitioners by their Petition to your Honours in the year 1753 obtained Liberty from your Honours to pur- chase a certain Tract of Land of the several Tribes of Indian Nations that Claimd the same and allso Liberty of a further purchase; and some time after the obtaining sd.

* Brig. Gen. THOMAS GAGE, commander-in-chief of the British forces in America, and having his headquarters in New York City.

" The original of this petition is MS. "14" in the volume of MSS. entitled "Susquehannah Settlers, 1755-1796, Vol. I"-mentioned on page 29, ante. The following reduced photo-reproduction of a portion of the first page of the original was specially prepared for this book.

the Hora wice the General Apembly of the Colony of Connothing to os hotdon al Howhawon within Gotowy on the forward this day of Citation nach~ So Cation of John Auto Ruthen Gardner and the and follow on inogustannach tion and now Improving on ho jame: Towner Hannouse would Family Show that your Oblivionare by their Solicion to your ownmour in the your 17 Ao Obtained Very from your Hour nous to purchase a Certain

Brand of Land of the iscrive fiction of Indian Nations that Glam? Ho fame and Help Liberty of a further punchaus, And Some time ligion the Obtaining of Liberty your Honnnous oficimoro at an Chor Congres at albany when all the Eniowa The Northern Colony" Down to fis ao Vengono amo Defahis

509

Liberty your Honours Petitioners at an open Congress at Albany when all the Governors of the Northern Colonys Down as far as Virgene, or the Deputies Governors, were then present, and in the most fair Legal and open Mamier your Petitioners proceaded and made their purchase of a large tract of Land on sd Susquehannah River of the Sachems and Chiefs of the six nations of Indians ; and made payment to the full satisfaction and Content of sd sachiems and chief men of sd Tribes ;

"And in the year 1762 some of your petitioners with others of the Proprietors of sd Lands Proceaded and took Possession of sd Lands for them selves and the Rest of the Proprietors ; But not being able to Defend the same, Being beset by the Indians on the one side and the Mobbs from the Back Parts of Pensilvania on the other ; after many were slain the remainder fled into the old settlements not being able to prosecute their sd settlement, much to the Prejudice of some of your Petitioners; Till the year 1769 when some of your Honnours Petitioners Proceaded to said Lands in order to Improve the same, and Built housen thereon, but being beset by Mobbs from the north Part of Pensilvania and their housen set on fire over their heads and much of their affects destroyd in the flames and otherwise ; and they by force and Violence taken off there Possessions and Carried out of this Colony into one of the north Countyes of Pensilvania and there under Colour of Law kept and Confin'd some of your sd Petitioners ; and still continue by threatning to Destroy us and our whole affects and to hire the Indians to Destroy us and by Every unfair and unlawfull way Endevour to Intimedate anoy and Distress your Petisioners to the Great Prejudice and Detrement of your Petisioners Pro- secuting their sd settlements ; on which we your Petisioners have been at Great Expense in Building housen mills and other nesseserry Buildings ; and a Great number of us have- ing brought our whole estates low and now our fortunes are wholey Dependant upon the Prosecuting this setelment ; yet being wholey Destitute of any Protection of the Laws of this Colony your Honnours Petisioners was Greatly Destressed sufferers Being without the Advantage of any Recovery of Dammages to us in Person or Estate.

"Now your Honnours Petisioners pray that your Honnours would Errect & Establish a County here on this River and appoint and Commissionate all nessesserry officers as in the other Countys in this Colony ; or in some other way Grant Releif as your Honnours in Wisdom shall think best : Whereupon your Honnours Petisioners beg lieve to seigest that if your Honnours should grant releif in the Present Distressing Circumstances it would not onely be the Effectual means of holding and securing to your Honnours Peti- sioners their Just Rights and Previledges But greatly accommodate the further settlement of the Vacant Lands in this westward part of the Colony and no doubt be a means of Christianizing the several Indian nations in this western part of the Colony and spreading the Gospel amongst them ; therefore pray your Honnours that we your Petisioners and the Proprietors of sd Lands as above sd inay be taken under your Honnours wise Con- sideration so that proper authority may be Granted to us as your Honnours shall think best & your Honnours Petisioners in Duty bound shall ever pray-

Jno Durkee,

Benedick Satterlee, Cyprian Lothrop, Silvester Chesebronglı,

Jabez Fislı, Asa Gore,

Isaac Tripp, Stephen Gardner, John Smith, Benjamen Sheomaker,

Noah Read,

Ozias Vale,

Thomas Dyar, Vine Elderkin,

Ebenezer Heberd,

Peter Comstock, Elijah Shoemaker,

Chriso Avery,

Josiah Dean,

Silas Park,

Sanmuel Marvin,

Moses Hebard,

Thomas Olcott,

Andrew Durkee,

Jonathan Corey, Stephen Hurlbntt, Elisha Avery,

Philip Goss, Nathaniel Goss, James Ray, Sanıll Wibron,

John Brokaw, Benjamin Follett,

Obadiah Gore Ju11 William Gallup, Willianı Buck, Daniel Brown, Abel Smith, Silas Gore,

Henry Dow Tripp,

James Nisbitt, Nathan Denison,

Henry Strong, Daniel Brown,

Oliver Smith, Silas Birgom, Thomas Knights,

Ebenezer Stone,

Joseph Gaylord, Ebenezer Norton,

Solomon John Johnson, Elijah Lewis, John Shaw, Charles Walworth,

John Comstock,

John Murphy,

Amos Briggs, -

James Atherton, John Bud,

Peter Ayers,

Timothy Smith,

Job Weeks,

Theophilus Westover, Daniel Gore, Dan Murdock,

Jedidiah Olcott, Isaac Barra, Ezra Buell,

Thomas Gray,

John Wylie, Zopher Ted, William Park, Daniel Hayns, Ephraham McKoy,

Jonathan Carrington, Benjamin Matthews, Asher Herriott, Jabez Cooke, Joshua Haul, William White, Joseph Frink,

Philip Weeks,

Joshua Whitney,

Jolın Jinkins,

Jordan Hopson, David Mead,

Stephen Manning, Samuel Gaylord, Edward Johnson,

Stephen Hungerford,

Robert Hunter,

Sam! Millington,

David Whittlesy,

510

John Kinyon, Parshall Terry,

Daniel Angell,

Peter Harris,

Jolını Lee,

Enos Yale,

Hezekiah Linkon,

John Baker, George Babcock,

Ephraim Arnold,

Aaron Walter,

Asa Edgerton,

Benjamin Hewit,

Isaac Bennit,

Jonathan Hebard,

David Marvin, -

Zebulon Hoxsie,

Jonathan Orms, Jun ,

Moses Hebard, Jun! , Benj. Hewit,

Phins Stevens,

John Skids, Joh11 Talle,

Daniel Holly,

Isaac Tracy, · Joseph Palmer, Abel Peirce, John Franklin, [Sr. ],

Joseph Arnold,

Micael Seely,

Jabez Robbords,

William Wallworth, Nathan Beach,

Stephen Miels,

Abraham Sawitz,

Balcher Fredrick,

William Walworth,

Prince Alden,

Jeheial Franklin,

Nicholas Uplinger,

John Walworth,

Stephen Hinsdale,

John Dorrance,

Elizer Carey,

Uriah Marvin, -

John Groves,

Thos Bennet,

Thomas Suttun,

Elisha Babcock,

Marvin Clark, ~

James Forsyth,

Willianı Heberd,

Richard Brockway,

Ebenezer Stearns,

Simeon Draper,

Stephen Cooke,

Ebenezer Gray,

Elijah Witter,

Amos Morgan,

Joshua Lanpher,

Timothy Hopkins,

Joshua Maxwell,

Lem!1 Smith,

L. Humius,

Eliphalet Jewell."

[Paper endorsed :] "The Petision of John Durkee and others for a County on Sus- quehannah River. Oct! 1769."

This petition is in the handwriting of Ebenezer Gray, Esq. (men tioned in the note on page 292), and attached to it are the names of 169 inen who were of mature age-neither women nor youth having signed it. The names of some persons were signed by the writer of the petition (presumably by direction of those particular persons), thus accounting for the unusual spelling of certain names. This docu- ment, which has never before been printed, accurately represents the number and names of the New England settlers in Wilkes-Barré at the date mentioned. A number of names to be found in the list on pages 497 and 498 are missing from this, but that is because the inen were absent from the settlement; some having resigned their rights, and others being temporarily away on furlough-as for instance, Capt. Zebulon Butler and Capt. Harris Colt, who had gone to Connecticut be- fore the signatures were attached to the petition. The original of the pass* issued to them, and herewith reproduced, is in the handwriting of Major Durkee, and is now in the possession of the present writer.

Withes barre 30th augh 17 69 The Bares Cop's Lebilan Rutter de Cap.

Witam & to Retain to this place in forty Days.

Captains Butler and Colt-who were residents and neighbors in the town of Lyme, New London County, Connecticut, and whose respective

* It reads as follows :

"Wilkesbarre 30th Augt 1769 "the Barers Capt. Zebulon Butler & Capt. Harris Colt are permitted to Return to Windham & to Return to this place in sixty days-

"pr. JNO. DURKEE, President."

Stephen Jenkins,

Timothy Force,

John H. Dageor,

Youngs Morgan, Benjamin Rennals,

Roasel Franklin,

Robert Hopkins,

Oliver Post,

Hickman Dole,

John Holly,

Asahel Lee,

511

families were still settled there-went to Windham at this time to at- tend the adjourned meeting of The Susquehanna Company to be held on the 6th of September, and to report the condition of affairs in Wyo- mning. The meeting was duly held, and among other matters of busi- ness transacted the following votes were passed :

"Voted, That Col. Samuel Talcott be agent for the Company to assist in the suit at Easton. If he cannot go, then the General Committee to appoint some one. Voted That the persons that are bound over to answer at the Court at Easton this month shall receive three dollars to bear their expenses on their way there. Voted, That £10 be paid to Maj. John Durkee, John Smith, Esq., and Mr. Stephen Gardner, Committee at Sus- quehannah, for the purpose of defraying the necessary extraordinary expenses of the Con- mittee-to be used at their discretion. That £18 be paid to Isaac Tripp, Benjamin Fol- lett and John Jenkins, as a committee, to be equally divided and paid to the several per- sons now bound over to the Court at Easton, and that shall set out on their journey to said Court-to be paid to each one in equal proportion to the distance of the way each one lives from said Court-for the purpose of defraying their charges in said journey. And that there be paid into the hands of said committee forty shillings more for each of said persons bound over, and that shall appear there-for the making necessary provision for their support at Easton ; said committee to be considered as three of the persons for whose benefit said money is granted. Voted, That Humphrey Avery, Isaac Tripp, Elizur Talcott and Colonel Dyer be appointed to confer with Col. Samuel Talcott and request him to go to Easton as agent for the Company, to assist the proprietors now bound over to Court to be held this month, and take care of said cause-lie to be paid a handsome reward for his said service."

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A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time; including chapters of newly-discovered, Vol. I, Part 86

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851-1922; Smith, Ernest Gray Publication date: 1909-1930 Publisher: Wilkes-Barre : Raeder Press Number of Pages: 734

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851-1922; Smith, Ernest Gray
Publication date: 1909-1930
Publisher: Wilkes-Barre : Raeder Press
Number of Pages: 734