A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time; including chapters of newly-discovered, Vol. II, Part 82

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Wilkes-Barre [Raeder press]
Number of Pages: 683

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. II > Part 82

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).

Colonel Denison returned to Forty Fort, and, accompanied by the Rev. Jacob Johnson and Zerah Beach, Esq., proceeded thence shortly before one o'clock to Major Butler's headquarters, where negotiations for a surrender of the various settlements and defenses in the Valley were renewed-Major Butler being first informed that all the surviving Con- tinental officers and privates had fled from the Valley. The terms of the capitulation were soon agreed upon, but as there were no con- veniences at Wintermute's for writing, it was arranged that the articles should be drawn up and signed at Forty Fort at four o'clock in the afternoon-the time fixed upon for the formal surrender of the fort. " There were, at the time," states Colonel Franklin, "seven barrels of whisky in the fort, and this becoming known to Major Butler he pro- posed to Colonel Denison to have it destroyed ; that if the Indians got hold of it they would get drunk ; that they could not be commanded, and would probably massacre all in the fort." Colonel Denison and Messrs. Johnson and Beach returned to Forty Fort, where preparations were made for the reception of the enemy-one of the first things done being the rolling of the barrels of whisky down the bank of the river, where their heads were knocked in and the liquor was emptied into the water.

* Among these survivors were Lieut. Phineas Peirce, Sergt. Thomas Baldwin, Sergt. Thomas Neill, James Stark, Jr., Constant Searle, Jr., and Rufus Bennet.

t ZEBULON JOHNSON BUTLER, two years old. The two other children of Colonel Butler-Lord and Hannah-were at that time living with relatives in Connecticut.

Digitized by Google

1032

The following account* of the entry of the victorious enemy into Forty Fort is drawn from the writings of Col. John Franklin mentioned on page 994, ante.

"Preparations were made to receive the enemy into the fort. The few fire-arms were laid down in the center, and the gates set open at four o'clock P. M., the hour appointed. Maj. John Butler, with his Tories and Indians, appeared, marching in a body-the Tories at the left hand in four regular files, and four abreast, and Major But- ler at their head. The Indians at the right hand, in the same order, and 'Queen Esther' at their head. From appearance, there was about an equal number of Tories and Indians, and not less than 600 in the whole. I marched out with Colonel Denison a short dis- tance from the fort, to escort them through the gate, when 'Queen Esther.' with all the impudence of an infernal being, turned to Colonel Denison and said : 'Well, Colonel Denison, you make me promise to bring more Indians. Here, see! (turning her head) I bring all these!' Major Butler observed to her that women should be seen and not heard. They marched into the fort, the Indians turning to the right of the fire-arms that were lying in the center, and the Tories to the left, where they halted. The Tories immediately seized all the arms, taking them up. Major Butler ordered them to lay them down again, which being done, he informed the Indians that Colonel Denison made them a present of all the fire-arms, and the Indians took them into possession.

"I went into the cabint in the fort in company with Colonel Denison, Zerah Beach, Esq., and Dr. Lemuel Gustin, also Maj. John Butler, with two or three of his Tory offi- cers, and about the same number of Indian chiefs, where the articles of capitulation, as verbally agreed upon, were committed to writing by the hand of Zerah Beach, Esq."

The articles were, undoubtedly, executed in duplicate, inasmuch as Colonel Franklin wrote in May, 1827 (see farther on in this Chapter), that he then had " the original " articles "in keeping." As to where the document referred to by Franklin is at this time, no one seems to know. In efforts to ascertain the whereabouts of the duplicate (?) of the origi- nal articles which was retained by Major Butler, the present writer has spent a good deal of time and considerable energy. From a careful examination of documents, etc., in the British Museum and the Public Record Office, London, made for the writer at the instance of the Hon. Whitelaw Reid, United States Ambassador to Great Britain, it is learned that within a few days after the capitulation of Forty Fort Major Butler forwarded the articles of capitulation of the various forts in Wyo- ming Valley, together with a lengthy report of his operations (see here- inafter), to his superior officer, Lieut. Col. Mason Bolton, commandant of Fort Niagara. By the latter copies were made of the various docu- ments received from Major Butler, and these copies, together with a letter from Lieut. Colonel Bolton, were forwarded (see hereinafter) to Captain Le Maistre, Deputy Adjutant General to General Haldimand, at Quebec. These particular copies are now preserved among the Haldimand Papers, mentioned in a note on page 963, ante.

On the opposite page is a photo-reproduction (specially made for this work) of the veritable copy of the articles of capitulation of Forty Fort which was prepared by Lieut. Colonel Bolton and forwarded to Captain Le Maistre, as mentioned above. The names of the three Westmoreland- ers, attached to the document as principal and witnesses, are misspelled, because of either the carelessness or the ignorance of the copyist. "Beech" should be Beach; "Samuel Gustin" should be Lemuel Gustin; "Den- niston" should be Denison. The names of the three Tories are correctly spelled. William Caldwell was one of the original Captains of "Butler's

. This differs somewhat from the account printed in Miner's "Wyoming" and in other histories and pamphlets. We deem this, however, to be the most accurate account, because it was written and printed ten years prior to Stone's account and about twelve years prior to Miner's. Its author was a keen, a wide-awake, an intelligent and an observant man-in a word, he was a very remarkable man; and as he was on the ground, and took part in the doings of that stormy period in Wyoming's history, it is fair to presume that he was familiar with his subject and that he wrote with superior understanding. t This was that compartment of the fort which was then occupied by the family of Thomas Bennet of Kingston.

Digitized by Google

1033

Rangers," and his name is several times mentioned hereinbefore. John Johnston was a Captain in the Indian Department-as mentioned on pages 967 and 985.

Win Butler on behalfy "Vi Ventes ty hing ferry.

2) That the habitants are to see why their fans Panoably y the how of the inhabitants hardening

3 That i'm Continental how he decided of

O. Smal iny properties taken from in Stekt

mimain en lacalle repetion ofhier chy harms, and more

capitalales for, together with hermel do not takeway brons during the maint contact, weare

Samuel Gusten og Nathad Anniston

The following is a printed copy of the foregoing articles, and is introduced here for the convenience of the reader.

"WESTMORELAND July 4h 1778.

"CAPITULATION made, & compleated between Major John Butler on behalf of His Majesty King George the 3d and Colo Nathan Denniston of the United States of America. "ARTICLE 1ST That the Inhabitants of the Settlement lay down their Arms, and their Garrisons be demolished.

Digitized by Google

1034

"2D That the Inhabitants are to occupy their farms, peacably, & the lives of the Inhabitants preserved entire and unhurt.

"3D That the Continental Stores be delivered up.

"4TH That Major Butler will use his utmost influence, that the private property of the Inhabitants shall be preserved entire to them.

"5TH That the prisoners in Forty Fort, be delivered up, and that Samuel Finch now in Major Butler's possession be delivered up also.

"6TH That the properties taken from the People called Tories up the River be made good; and they to remain in peacable possession of their Farms, and unmolested in a free Trade, in and throughout this State as far as lies in my power.

"7TH That the Inhabitants that Col. Denniston now capitulates for, together with himself do not take up Arms during the present Contest.

" ZERAH BEECH, SAMUEL GUSTIN,

"JOHN JOHNSTON, WILLM CALDWELL, [Signed] "NATHAN DENNISTON, "JOHN BUTLER."

It will be noticed that the 160/01/ capitulation was general in its char- acter, and embraced not only Forty Fort, Fort Wilkes-Barré, and the Capitalation mode and com pleated between Major John Butter on behalf of His Mapaty King George the s and Colonel Nathan Dernicelow of the United States of America Dated Westmoreland July &# VITd several block-houses which had not yet been formally surrendered, but included also the fort at Pittston and its inmates, as well as those persons who had been occupants of Jenkins' Fort and Wintermute's Fort. Samuel Finch, named in the enclosed in Luangles I Boltons letter (14 " July 178. 5th Article of the capitulation, was the Westmorelander who had been captured by the "Rangers" on July 2d, as narrated on page 994. Why no mention was made of John Gardner and Daniel Carr, who had Photo-reproduction of the original endorse- ment made by Captain Le Maistre on the back of the foregoing document. been captured at the mouth of Sut- ton's Creek; of Daniel Ingersoll and the various other persons who had been made prisoners when Jen- kins' Fort and Wintermute's Fort were surrendered, and who were still detained in custody ; and of Samuel Carey, who had been captured after the battle (as previously related), it is impossible to say. "The prison- ers in Forty Fort," referred to in the 5th Article, were the two Indian spies who had been seized early in June and confined in the fort, as narrated on page 976. One of these Indians was known as " Black Henry " and as "Captain Henry" (see pages 720 and 922), and Miner observes-" Wyoming," Appendix, page 54-that 'Queen Esther ' had been down from her palace at Sheshequin to obtain their release, which Colonel Denison had deemed it proper to refuse. In anger at her disap- pointment she probably made a threat that she would bring down more Indians-which would account for the taunt that she flung at Colonel Denison when she entered Forty Fort.

The Westmoreland Tories who marched into the fort in the ranks of the "Rangers " had their faces painted in Indian-fashion, presumably hoping and expecting that they would not be recognized by their old friends and neighbors ; but the disguises of several-among the number being Parshall Terry, Jr .- were soon penetrated. After the capitulation many Indians went about the fort shaking hands with the inmates and exclaiming : "Brothers now! All good friends!" Other Indians, who also seemed to be well disposed, tied white bands around the heads

Digitized by Google

1035

of some of the women in the fort and put paint on their faces, that they might be known as prisoners of war, and therefore not be in danger of being molested by strange Indians. As Major Butler stood in the gate- way of the fort, after the articles of capitulation had been executed, he recognized Sergeant Boyd, the British deserter mentioned on page 982. " Boyd," said he sternly, "go to that tree !" "I hope," said Boyd, imploringly, "your honor will consider me a prisoner of war." "Go to that tree, sir!" was the only response. Boyd walked to the tree indicated, a short distance outside the fort, and stood erect against the trunk. Butler signaled to some Indians standing near, they fired a volley, and Boyd fell dead.

Turning again to Colonel Franklin's account* of the battle of July 3, 1778, and subsequent events, we find the following paragraphs :

"Some persons, in giving an account of the battle, stated that the Tories and Indians brought fresh scalps into the fort and slapped them in the faces of the women. This was not done. I saw but one scalp brought into the fort by a Tory, and he said it was the scalp of Lieut. Lazarus Stewart [Jr. ]. Some of the Tories and Indians told me that they had taken 190 scalps; but I think the number was not so great. They also informed us that if Colonels Butler and Denison, with their forces, had stood their ground one minute longer they would have gained the victory; that the Tories and Indians on the left wing were giving way, and that they would not have stood their ground another fire.

"The capitulation was on as good terms as we could expect, considering our situa- tion at the time; but the terms were, however, violated by the enemy in every respect -except that of massacreing the inhabitants. No personal injury was done to any one in the fort, but plundering immediately took place, even while the articles of capitulation were being committed to writing. Complaints were made that the Indians were plundering, when Major Butler sent orders by one of the chiefs to put a stop to it. Complaints were renewed, and Maj. Ezekiel Peirce (who was Clerk of the town of Westmoreland, and keeper of all the records) complained that the Indians had broken open his chest, and were destroying his books. The Westmoreland records were given up and saved, but all the records of Kingston-containing the surveys and the division of the land in the town- ship-with all of Peirce's private papers, were destroyed.

"Major Butler professed to have his feelings injured at such conduct, and repri- manded the Indians, saying that he had pledged his honor that the property of the inhabitants should be preserved entire; that by their plundering, his promises were vio- lated; that if he had known that they would have conducted themselves in that manner, he would have marched them off immediately after the battle, and never taken possession of the fort. Complaints were renewed, and Major Butler, turning to one of his chiefs, said: 'They are your Indians, you must stop them from plundering!' The chief withdrew, and in a few minutes returned, saying that he could not stop them-that they threatened to tomahawk him. Major Butler observed that he was sorry, but that after a successful battle the Indians would not be commanded. They even threatened his life, on some occasions, when he was endeavoring to prevent them from plundering. He requested Colonel Denison to make up a statement of all property that was taken contrary to the agreement contained in the capitulation, and send it to him at his quarters the next morning, and pledged his honor that the full value would be paid. Colonel Denison observed that it would be difficult in so short a time to ascertain what property had been taken. Major Butler replied that he must make a statement as near as he could, and again pledged his honor that the full value should be paid. Major Butler remarked that, as Wyoming was a frontier, it was wrong for any part of the inhabitants to leave their own settlements and enter into the Continental army abroad; that such a large number having left their own settlements was the cause of the invasion of Wyoming, and that it would never have been attempted had all the people remained in their own settlements. t I was of the same opinion.

"After the business was finished in the fort the enemy withdrew in a body, march- ing out in the same form in which they had entered. About thirty or forty Indians and Tories remained in the fort, but the main body marched to Wintermute's Fort. The first house they came to after leaving the Kingston fort [Forty Fort] was set on fire, as was also every other house on their way. Major Butler marching at the head of the savages, all was laid in ruins before him-his pledged honor to the contrary not- withstanding."

Miner says (" Wyoming," page 234) : " Every hour growing bolder and more insolent, the savages soon threw off all restraint, seized on

* See page 994, ante. t See page 955.

Digitized by Google

1036

Colonel Denison, and, taking the hat from his head, demanded also the linen frock he wore. In the pocket were a few dollars, the whole mili- tary chest of the settlement, and he made some resistance, when they, instantly lifting a tomahawk, threatened his life. Obliged to comply, he, seeming to have some difficulty in slipping the frock over his head, stepped backward to where sat a young woman of his family, who, com- prehending the maneuver, adroitly took out the purse, when he gave up the coveted garment to the spoiler."

As noted on page 992, Lieut. Elisha Scovell executed on July 1st articles of capitulation for Wintermute's Fort. On Sunday, July 5th, when the Indians began their plundering in the neighborhood of Sco- vell's home he removed some of his household goods to what he deemed a place of safety. Elisha Harding has told of the incident in these words :*

"When they began to plunder he [Scovell] took his goods and halted them near Jenkins' Fort, and placed them in a corner of the fence and made a shed of boards over them, and sat by them all safe until everybody else was stripped; then a certain Tom Green, who had married a squaw, called on him to open his chest. The reply was that Major Butler was a gentleman of honor, and had promised him [Scovell] that nothing should be taken from him. The reply was, 'Damn Butler and his orders !' and then he [Green] drew his sword across his [Scovell's] rack, and with his tomahawk split the lid [of the chest], and this turned the attention of the Indians to the work, and in a few minutes poor Elisha [Scovell] was as poor as his neighbors."

The same day Scovell received a document signed by Major Butler and Sayenqueraghta, and reading as followst:

" WESTMORELAND 5th July, 1778.

"This doth hereby certify that Lieut. ELISHA SCOVELI, has surrendered his Gar- rison with all his people to Government and to remain as Neuteral during the present con- test with Great Britain and America, on consideration of which Col. JOHN BUTLER Super- intendent of the Six Nations of Indians their Allies &c., with Kayingwaurto the Chief of the Sanake [Seneca] Nation and the other Chief Warriors of the Six Nations do promise that they shall live in the quiet possession of their places with their Families and shall be daily protected from insult as far as lies in their Power and provided they should be taken it is our desire that they may forthwith be Released.

[Signed] Seal ] " JOHN BUTLER. "KAYINGWAURTO."

[A Turtle]

The original of the foregoing is now in the possession of The Wyo- ming Historical and Geological Society, and a photo-reproduction of it may be found in "The Massacre of Wyoming " by the Rev. Horace Edwin Hayden, a pamphlet published by the abovementioned Society in 1895. The original document is not in the handwriting of John Butler, which accounts for the fact that he is therein referred to as "Colonel " and as "Superintendent of the Six Nations." Moreover, whenever Major Butler had occasion to write the name of the Seneca chief Sayenqueraghta he never wrote it " Kayingwaurto." The name of the chief was sometimes written Kayingwaurto, as explained on page 968, but was never so written by John Butler. For some time prior to 1778 John Butler had been Deputy Superintendent of Indian Affairs, with the title of Colonel (as explained on page 932), but the person who wrote the aforementioned document seems to have been laboring under the impression that Butler was Superintendent-in-chief, and not a Deputy. The signature of John Butler attached to the document is in his own handwriting, however; and the totemic device (a turtle) of Sayenque- raghta was undoubtedly affixed to the paper by the old chief himself.

* See "Proceedings of The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society," VII : 97.

See the "Public Papers of George Clinton," III : 521.

Digitized by

Google

1037

It is not at all probable that Colonel Denison, or any other person, representing the inmates of Forty Fort at the time of its surrender, attempted to make out and deliver to Major Butler a statement of the losses which they had sustained at the hands of the plundering savages. However, from a document printed in the "Public Papers of George Clinton " (III : 521), we learn that a statement of certain of the losses sustained by those who occupied Wintermute's Fort at the time of its surrender, was made out at Westmoreland, July 5, 1778, by Elisha Scovell, as follows :

"A List of the Cattle taken from the Company under the command of Lieut. ELISHA SCOVELL .*

"Daniel Ingersoll, 1 valuable Mare; David Smith, 1 Horse, 1 pare of Oxen, & 9 sheep; James Gorduce, 1 cow & 4 Horses; Joseph Baker, 1 Horse & 14 Hogs; Philip Waindemuth [Wintermute] and Christopher Waindemuth [Wintermute], 2 draft Horses, 2 Mares, 2 Colts, 3 Cows & 7 Hogs; John Windemuth [Wintermute], 2 Cows, 4 young Creatures, 3 large Hogs & 4 lesser Hogs; Jesse Lee, 2 Horses, 1 young Colt & 1 Cow; Peter Harres, 1 Yoke of Oxen & 1 Horse; Mr. [Frederick] Anker, t 4 Creatures; Lieut. Elisha Scovell, 6 large Horses, 8 Oxen and 5 cows.

"Westmoreland, 5th July, 1778. [Signed] "Lieut. ELISHA SCOVELL."

On Sunday, July 5th, the Indians dispersed themselves throughout the Valley in bands of from five to ten, and began to plunder the inhab- itants. Many of the latter-particularly the men who had taken part in the battle-had fled from the Valley before Forty Fort was capit- ulated. The deserted homes of these people were set on fire by the sav- age marauders in sheer wantonness. On this day news came to Forty Fort that a Mr. Hickman and his wife and child, living in the house of Isaac Tripp at Capouse (Providence Township), had been murdered by Indians, after which the house had been set on fire and, with the bodies of the dead, almost entirely consumed. Also, that Daniel St. John and James A. Leach had been killed by Indians near Timothy Keyes' saw- mill, about six miles up the Lackawanna River. These two men were removing their families and household goods from the Valley, having set out in the morning from "the block-house at the Parker place in Pittston." Their belongings were loaded upon a cart drawn by two yoke of oxen. When the party was waylaid by the Indians St. John was on foot, driving the oxen, while Leach and the women and children were on the cart. Leach had his young child in his arms. Without warning the two men were shot and then scalped by a party of Indians ; one of whom took the young child which Leach had been carrying and gave it, all covered with its father's blood, to its mother, saying : "Me no hurt!" The Indians then killed one of the oxen, and departed. The women and children later made their way to the Pittston fort.

On this same Sunday a party of Indians led by "Anthony Turkey " (see page 1030) came to the home of an aged man living in Wilkes- Barré-Philip Weeks. Three of the latter's sons-Philip, Jonathan and Bartholomew ; Silas Benedict, the husband of Jonathan Weeks' daugh- ter; Jabez Beers, a brother of the wife of Philip Weeks, Sr .; Josiah Car- man, a cousin of Mrs. Philip Weeks; and Robert Bates, a boarder- making seven from one home-had taken part in the battle of July 3d, and not one had lived to return home. When "Anthony Turkey" and his band came to Philip Weeks' they found him and his wife, together with their daughters-one or two of them being young girls-and their twelve grandchildren. The Indians ordered Mr. Weeks to leave the

* See page 991.

t See page 987.

Digitized by Google

1038

Valley. "How can I," said he, "you have slain my whole family." Getting what provisions they could find the Indians feasted heartily, and then "Anthony Turkey," shoving a rocking chair into the road, put on his head the hat of Mr. Weeks (which he had taken from the old gentleman), sat down in the chair and began to rock. Finally "Tur- key " and his companions took their departure, driving before them all of Mr. Weeks' cattle except one yoke of oxen. These they told him he could use in getting out of the Valley, and informed him that he must leave in three days.

The foregoing incidents, and many others of a similar character which happened in various parts of the Valley on Saturday after the surrender of Forty Fort, and likewise on the following day, convinced many of the inhabitants, who had determined to remain on the ground and attempt to recover from their misfortunes, that the terms of capitulation would not be regarded by the enemy. Overpowered by excitement and horror these people saw safety and peace only in flight, and so, without tarrying to make proper preparations-neglecting, even, to provide them- selves with proper supplies of food-they fled from the Valley ; some going down the river in canoes and others trudging over the Wilkes- Barre Mountain. Among those who quit Forty Fort early in the morn- ing of Sunday, July 5th, before news had been received at the fort of the murder of the Hickmans and of St. John and Leach, was Colonel Denison. He went down the river to Sunbury, and a week or two later went across the country to Lower Smithfield Township in Northamp- ton County.

Abel Yarington was the ferryman at Wilkes-Barre. He attended to his duties faithfully during the 3d, 4th and 5th days of July, and on the last two of these days carried many fugitives from the Kingston to the Wilkes-Barre side of the river. Then, believing it was time to make preparations for the departure of himself and family, he placed the latter in his flat-boat, with a few articles of clothing and bedding, and made all haste down the river. Before reaching Nanticoke Falls he saw the smoke rising from his burning house (on the Kingston side of the river), it having been set on fire by some prowling Indians.

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.

A history of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time; including chapters of newly-discovered, Vol. II, Part 82

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Wilkes-Barre [Raeder press] Number of Pages: 683

Author: Harvey, Oscar Jewell, 1851- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Wilkes-Barre [Raeder press]
Number of Pages: 683