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 early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material. Volume II > Part 106
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118
health was much impaired by the fatigues and privations which he had undergone. This letter was read in Congress November 1, 1779, and the resignation was finally accepted-a resolution, returning Sullivan the thanks of Congress, being passed at the same time.
In the Autumn of 1780 General Sullivan was again elected a Delegate from New Hampshire to the Continental Congress. He took his seat therein, and served until the Summer of 1781, when he returned to his home at Durham and took up his professional pursuits. Then, for some time, he was Attorney General of New Hampshire, an office which was subsequently held for several years by his son. He also took part in the labors of the convention which formed the Constitution of New Hamp- shire in 1783, and later became a member of the first "Council" chosen under it. In 1786 he was elected President of the State of New Hampshire, and by re-election held the office three successive years. In November, 1790, he received from President Washington a commission as Judge of the United States Court for the District of New Hampshire. He entered upon the duties of this office forthwith, and discharged them up to the time of his death. Shortly after his elevation to the Bench the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him by Dartmouth College.
General Sullivan was a Free Mason, having become a member of the Fraternity about the begin- ning of the War of the Revolution. In 1789 an independent Grand Lodge of the Fraternity was formed in New Hampshire, and General Sullivan was elected its first Grand Master. At that time he was Master of the Lodge at Portsmouth. In October, 1790, at a meeting of the Grand Lodge a com- munication from General Sullivan was read, in which he stated that, owing to the alarming state of his health, he would no longer be able to serve as Grand Master.
General Sullivan was about five feet eight inches in height, erect in person, with broad shoulders and full chest, inclining somewhat to corpulency. In his movements he was quick and elastic. His eyes were dark and piercing; his hair black and somewhat curly. His manners were dignified, but easy and graceful. ' Dr. James Thacher, in his "Military Journal" (published in 1824), says of him: "It is remarked on the Sullivan Expedition by the translator of M. de Chastelleux's "Travels'-an Englishman then resident in the United States-that the instructions given by General Sullivan to his officers, the order of march he prescribed to his troops, and the discipline he had the ability to main- tain, would have done honor to the most experienced ancient or modern Generals. His military tal- ents and bold spirit of enterprise were universally acknowledged. He was fond of display, and his personal appearance and dignified deportment commanded respect."
General Sullivan died at his home in Durham, New Hampshire, January 23, 1795.
* "JOB CHILLAWAY," mentioned on pages 364, 422, 456, 720 and 733. He removed from the neighborhood of Wyalusing to the West Branch of the Susquehanna in 1775 or '76. In the Autumn of 1778 he warned the inhabitants of the West Branch that they might shortly expect to be attacked
1161
"As to the road to the Minnisink. The 'Upper Road' is from this Garrison to Lacka- wanna, by the Susquehannah, 9 miles to a large flatt, deserted by our people; 10 miles to Capows Large Meadows and several stacks of grain-except it is burnt very lately; 23 miles to Lackaway, to a settlement deserted, but I believe forage plenty; 14 miles to Sho- hola, a settlement, large meadows and, I believe, hay plenty; 14 miles to Wells' Ferry, opposite Captain Chambers on Delaware. The 'Lower Road' is 8 miles to Bullock's- house deserted by the owner, small meadows, no forage; 27 miles to Larnard's-some improvements, but much eat out by travellers; 8 miles to Colonel Stroud's; 37 miles to Wells' Ferry, on the west side Delaware. Inhabitants the most of the way. The 'Upper Road' has been much used with carts and waggons, and the lower road has not been used with carriages at all. * * *
"If the horse the express rides out could be sent back, should be glad, as we are much stripped of horses. The Indians took away nine lately and killed my riding-horse and one other, the best we had; and if you have others wants recruiting we can take good care of them here if the Indians don't catch them." * * *
Upon the arrival of Lieutenant Jenkins with the foregoing letter at the headquarters of General Hand, the latter directed him to repair immediately to Washington's headquarters. Having reached there on April 6th he was interviewed at length by Washington relative to the Indian country on the headwaters of the Susquehanna.
At his headquarters at Middle Brook, under the date of April 1, 1779, General Washington wrote to Col. Zebulon Butler at Wilkes- Barré as follows* :
" I received your letter comprehending the transactions at your post from the 23d to the 28th, ultimo. Considering the importance of the place, I have ordered up the 'German Regiment,' and Armand's and Schott's corps, as a reinforcement. These may amount to *
* *. You will, therefore, take the necessary precautions for their bar- racks, and give proper notice to the Commissaries to increase or proportion their supply to your numbers. I need not recommend to you that watchfulness and exact discipline in your patrol and scouting parties (which can alone give security to the garrison, as well as prevent surprise on their own part), or to your giving that protection to the coun- try consistent with your orders and force.
"On examining the returns I was surprised to find on furlough thirteen men from Captain Spalding's company, t altho expressly raised for the defense of the frontier. You will be pleased to call in all who are on furlough as soon as possible."
At Philadelphia, under the date of April 2, 1779, Joseph Reed, President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, wrote to Col. Zebulon Butler at Wilkes-Barré. After referring to a letter recent- ly received by him from Colonel Butler, relative to a "late attack and depredations on the frontiers by Indians," he continued, in part, as follows :
" I lately went to the camp to confer with the Commander-in-Chief relative to the frontier settlements, and I have the pleasure of assuring you that he is fully impressed with a like sense of your danger and merit ; and that the most eflectual measures are in train, not merely to protect and defend, but to make the savages, and the more savage Christians among them, feel the weight of the American arms. Before this reaches you I hope you will have received reinforcement from General Hand."
by a strong force of marauding Indians. From "Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania" we learn that "Job Chillaway" was "one of the strange characters who was a frequent visitor to Fort Antes [in Lyco- ming County, Pennsylvania, opposite Jersey Shorel in 1778 and '79. He had been converted by the Moravians, and remained steadfast in the faith. Having associated much with the whites he became very friendly, and by many good acts won their confidence and respect. He was much employed as a scout by the military authorities, and his fidelity was frequently proven by dangerous missions to gain information of the movements of the savages. He had a wide acquaintance among the Indians, as well as a thorough knowledge of the country, its mountains, streams and paths, and, therefore, was enabled to acquire information that proved of great value to the whites. At times he was suspected by the Indians of giving information, but through his artlessness and keenness of perception he always managed to disabuse their minds of suspicion, and escaped when others would have failed. In a word, he was a first-class Indian detective, whose sense of gratitude never allowed him to prove recreant to his trust, and those who had befriended him-which was something remarkable in the nature and character of an aborigine. Through life he proved himself a 'good Indian,' and when he died near Fort Erie, Canada, September 22, 1792, he received Christian burial at the hands of his Moravian friends."
* See the original letter in the possession of John L. Butler of Memphis, Tennessee.
" According to "Connecticut in the Revolution" (page 266) the following names (additional to those printed on page 981, ante) appear on the rolls of Captain Spalding's company dated March 15, 1779. Azariah Smith, Francis Stephens, Samuel Ensign, Constant Lorts, Robert Dorrance, Michael Foster, Douglass Davidson (see note, page 908, ante), Elisha Sill, Barzelt. Guarney, Thomas Tuckit, Jeremiah Baker.
# See "Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, VII : 283.
1162
Early in April, 1779, the garrison at Wilkes-Barré being greatly in need of commissary supplies, Colonel Butler sent Benjamin Harvey (see page 994) with an urgent communication on the subject to William Stewart, "Purchasing Commissary " of the Continental army, then at Coxtown, or Coxborough (now Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pennsyl- vania), on the Susquehanna a few miles below Sunbury, where he was gathering supplies for the army.
At Minisink, under the date of April 5, 1779, Brig. General Hand wrote to Maj. Daniel Burchardt (in command of the "German Regi- ment "* of the Continental Line) as follows :
"Agreeable to the orders you yesterday received, you will proceed to Wyoming, on the Susquehanna River, with the regiment under your immediate command, Colonel Armand'st and Captain Schott'st corps. The former [Armand's] is commanded at pres- ent by Major Lomaign, and the latter by Captain Selin .? These corps will join you at or before you reach Colonel Stroud's, at Fort Penn, as you will see by their orders, left open for your perusal, and which you will have delivered. You must take with you from here all the flour now left in store, and beef sufficient to carry the detachment thro to Wyo- ming ; you will receive an additional supply of flour at Colonel Stroud's. Take care that each corps takes with them the provisions they have respectively drawn. You will receive a few camp kettles for the detachment at Colonel Stroud's, and may draw twenty axes for your regiment, six for Armand's and three for Schott's here.
" It will take you four days from Colonel Stroud's to Wyoming ; you will, there- fore, regulate your provision accordingly. Capt. Alexander Patterson, || A. D. Q. M., will send express to Col. Zebulon Butler, commanding at Wyoming, with notice of your approach. From Fort Penn you will march to Lardner's [or Larner's];] thence to an incamping place in what is commonly called the Great Swamp; the third day to Bul- lock's, which is within five miles ** of Wyoming Garrison, where, for the present, you will put yourself under Colonel Butler's directions. I am thus particular, as it will be necessary to make easy marches in order to reconnoiter the country well and examine every thicket and hollow way, or swamp, before you enter it ; which I desire you may be very particular in doing, to prevent being surprised or led into an ambuscade or attacked without previous knowledge of the enemy's being near. You will be particu- larly attentive to keep the body of the troops compact. Suffer no straggling on any account ; keep a proper advance and rear guard, tho not at too great a distance, and also small parties on your flanks, observing the same caution. Should any enemy appear,
* The GERMAN REGIMENT of the Continental Line originated from a resolution of Congress, passed June 27, 1776, directing four companies (subsequently increased to five) of Germans to be raised in Pennsylvania and four in Maryland, to compose "the German Battalion;" the companies to serve for three years, unless sooner discharged. Pennsylvania furnished by far the largest number both of the commissioned officers and of the rank and file composing this regiment. Nicholas Haussegger, Major of the 4th (Col. Anthony Wayne's) Battalion, was commissioned Colonel; George Stricker, Lieutenant Colonel; and Ludwig Weltner, of Maryland, Major. The regiment was in the field almost from its very beginning, and was engaged at the battles of Trenton and Princeton. In May, 1777, it was in Deborre's Brigade, Sullivan's Division. After the battle of Monmouth Colonel Haussegger retired from the service and returned to his home near Lebanon, Pennsylvania-Lieut. Colonel Weltner suc- ceeding to the command of the regiment, but without increase of rank. At that time Daniel Burch- ardt, of Philadelphia, who had been commissioned Captain of one of the companies of the regiment July 8, 1776, was promoted Major. In the Spring and Summer of 1779, during the absence of Lieut. Colonel Weltner "on command," the German Regiment was commanded by Major Burchardt. In the Spring of 1780 the regiment was stationed on the frontiers of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, with Lieut. Colonel Weltner in command. By a resolution of Congress passed in October, 1780, the German Regiment was reduced, and ended its organization January 1, 1781. Among the officers of this regiment who were at Wilkes-Barre, and who took part in the Sullivan Expedition, were: Dr. Peter Peres, of Philadelphia, who served as Surgeon of the regiment from September 1, 1778, to Jan- uary 1, 1781; Capt. Bernard Hubley, who had been commissioned First Lieutenant August 15, 1776, and promoted Captain February 24, 1778; Capt .- Lieut. Philip Shrawder, of Philadelphia, who had been promoted from First Lieutenant February 8, 1778.
+ ARMAND'S CORPS was raised under a resolution of Congress passed May 10, 1777, authorizing Charles Armand, Marquis de la Rouerie (who had come over from France a short time previously, and on the date mentioned had been commissioned Colonel by Congress), to raise a corps of French- men, not exceeding 200 in number. The corps was soon raised, was designated "Armand's Corps," and took a prominent part in the fight at Red Bank, New Jersey, in 1777, and later opposed the Tories in Westchester County, New York. In December, 1778, Armand's Corps-then composed of one com- pany of light dragoons and three companies of foot-soldiers, numbering, in all, ninety-five rank and file-was stationed at Minisink, New York, forming a part of the forces under the command of Brig. General Hand. Early in February, 1779, Colonel Armand applied to Congress for leave of absence. This having been granted, he went to France, and returned in the following Autumn with a large number of recruits for his Corps, which then became known as "Armand's Partizan Legion." In the latter part of 1779 the "Legion" was stationed at Ridgefield, Connecticut; later it was under General Gates in the South, and pursued Cornwallis to Yorktown. In the Spring of 1782 the "Legion"-then officially designated the "First Partizan Legion"- consisted of six troops of dragoons, under the com- inand of Colonel Armand. In 1783, on the recommendation of General Washington, Colonel Armand was promoted Brigadier General. After the close of the Revolutionary War General Armand returned to France. He took an active part in some of the events of the French Revolution, and died in 1793.
# JOHN PAUL SCHOTT, son of Col. Frederick Schott of the Prussian army, was born in Berlin, Prussia, October 15, 1744. After an academic education he was, at the age of sixteen years, commis-
1163
sioned to a military office of subordinate rank by Frederick II, "the Great" King of Prussia. He served some time in the army of that distinguished soldier and ruler, where he had occasion, during the last three years of the "Seven Years' War," to see and take part in much se- vere service, and in which he received unusual marks of the favor of the King. Near the close of the war he was pro- moted First Lieutenant, and appointed Adjutant to Lieutenant General Charles William Ferdinand, Prince of Brunswick, a brother-in-law of King George III of England. In the Spring of 1775 Lieu- tenant Schott resigned from the Prussian service, and a few months later sailed from Rotterdam for New York. He brought with him letters of introduction to Lieut. Gen. Sir William Tryon, the royal Governor of New York, and to other prominent citizens, and through his soldierly bearing and refined manners he soon won the favor of the aristocratic circles in which he first appeared. After he had spent some time in New York he went to Philadelphia, bearing letters of introduction to some of the principal peo- ple in that city.
Observing the deep interest and earnest- ness which the American patriots showed for the cause of freedom, Lieutenant Schott became inspired with a strong de- sire to attach himself to them-strug- gling as they were to secure and main- tain a station to which their situation, wealth and numbers gave them a claim. Noticing, at the same time, that the rev- olutionists were poorly supplied with weapons-especially heavy guns-and am- munition, he determined to procure a supply for them. Consequently, in July, 1776, a few days after the Declaration of Independence had been promulgated, he sailed for the Island of Eustatia, one of CAPT. JOHN PAUL SCHOTT. From a portrait painted late in his life. the Lesser Antilles belonging to Holland, where certain speculative Dutchmen had established a depot for blockade-runners, and were supplying them with provisions, arms, etc. Lieu- tenant Schott chartered a schooner at the island and loaded her with arms and munitions of war, on his own account, and then sailed for Chesapeake Bay. After a variety of exciting experiences he sailed safely into the harbor of Norfolk with his valuable cargo, which he soon disposed of to the Continental military authorities. Proceeding to Philadelphia without delay he formally offered his services to the American cause in a communication reading as follows: "To the Honourable Con- tinental Congress .- The petition of JOHN PAUL SCHOTT most humbly showeth, That your petitioner having served as a Lieutenant with the German troops commanded by Prince Ferdinand during the last War, and having acquired a considerable share of military skill in the profession of soldier, most humbly begs the honourable Congress (as he has ample testimonials with him of his good character) to grant him a Captain's commission in the Continental army. And he, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
"Philadelphia, September 4, 1776.
[Signed] "JOHN PAUL SCHOTT."
This petition was received by the Congress on September 5th, and, having been read, was referred to the Board of War. The next day the Board brought in a report, which having been duly consid- ered by the Congress, it was "Resolved, That JOHN PAUL SCHOTT, who is well recommended as an experienced officer, be appointed Captain in the Continental army, with directions to raise a company as soon as possible; but, in order that he may be usefully employed immediately, that he be forthwith sent to General Washington at New York, and that one month's pay be advanced to him." (See "American Archives," Fifth Series, II : 157, 1332.) He was at that time in the thirty-second year of his life. Having received his commission, his orders, etc., Captain Schott set out for New York, where he arrived and reported to General Washington on September 9th. Just two weeks before his arrival at New York the battle of Long Island had been fought (see page 1159), and a few days after his arrival it was decided by Washington that the evacuation of New York City should take place on September 15th. In the meantime Captain Schott had been assigned to the temporary com- mand of the 3d Battery of the "Continental Regiment of Artillery," and on September 16th he and his battery were with Washington's main army at Harlem Heights, seven miles from the city of New York. At the battle of White Plains, New York, October 28, 1776, Schott's battery rendered import- ant and effective service.
Upon the close of the "Seven Years' War" Nicholas Dietrich, Baron De Ottendorff (a Saxon nobleman who had served in that war as a Lieutenant), went to Paris, where he associated with Kos- ciuszko and Roman De Lisle. At the breaking out of the American Revolution these three warriors came together to this country to assist the colonists in their struggle for independence. Kosciuszko became a member of Washington's staff, De Lisle was made Captain of artillery, and De Ottendorff, by a resolution of Congress passed November 8, 1776, was "appointed a Brevet Captain in the service of the United States." December 5, 1776, Congress directed De Ottendorff "to raise an independent corps, consisting of 150 men, sergeants and corporals included; that the same be divided into three companies-the 1st to consist of sixty men, light infantry, to be commanded by one Captain and two Lieutenants; the other two companies to consist of hunters [riflemen], of forty-five men each, to be commanded each by a Captain and two Lieutenants; that Captain De Ottendorff have the rank of Major, be Captain of the light infantry company, and command the whole."
This battalion was to be known as "De Ottendorff's Corps," and on December 7, 1776, Captain Schott was assigned to it, and in the following January was sent into the German districts of Penn- sylvania to recruit a company. This he did in a short time, when he was appointed to command it, and permitted to nominate his subordinate officers. This company was designated as the "3d" of De Ottendorff's Corps. At the battle of Short Hills, New Jersey, June 26, 1777, the Corps covered the retreat of the defeated Americans, and at that time Captain Schott was severely wounded, and cap- tured by the enemy. He was held as a prisoner in the infamous Provost Prison, New York City, for about six months, when he was exchanged. Meanwhile, Dc Ottendorff's Corps having been greatly
1164
decimated at the battle of Short Hills, the remains of the three companies that had composed it were organized into two independent "rifle-companies." A writer in the Pennsylvania Magazine (II : 5) states that these companies were "composed of volunteers who could not speak the English language." Capt. Anthony Selin (mentioned inore at length hereinafter) was appointed to command the 1st Com- pany, and when Captain Schott returned from captivity he was designated Captain of the 2d Company and placed in command of the battalion of two companies, which became known as "Schott's Inde- pendent Corps"-although sometimes it was still referred to as De Ottendorff's. In the latter part of March, 1778, the Corps was ordered to join Pulaski's Legion at Minisink, on the Delaware.
About that time Captain Schott applied for promotion. In a letter dated at "Wyoming Garrison, November 26, 1779," he referred to the matter in these words: "When I was exchanged I got the command of that Corps I now command. I made frequent application to the Honorable Board of War to grant me the rank of Major, and liberty to enlist men and raise that Corps again to its former strength; by which I thought to have an opportunity to take satisfaction of the enemy, in an hon- ourable way, for the ill usage I received when a prisoner (which I would have done, or died in the attempt)-but was always refuscd. Having had no opportunity to distinguish myself, I was even left out of the arrangement of the Line with the rest of the officers in this Corps." * * *
About the time the expedition against the Six Nations was determined on Captain Scbott was detached "on command," but about May 1, 1779, he arrived at Wilkes-Barre and assumed command of his Corps. Upon the return to Wilkes-Barre of the Sullivan Expedition, Schott's Corps was detached from the army by command of General Sullivan, and ordered to assist in garrisoning Fort Wyoming. In March, 1780, Lieut. Colonel Weltner, then in command of the German Regiment (with headquarters at Sunbury), desired the Board of War "to determine between Captains Schott and Selin, each claiming to remain in command of the Company formerly De Ottendorff's, and now to be incorporated with the German Battalion," or Regiment. The Board decided that if Colonel Weltner could not "settle the dispute," a board of officers should be convened to determine the rel- ative rank of the two Captains. At Philadelphia, under the date of April 12, 1780, Assistant Pay- master Burrall wrote to the Treasury Board as follows: "Captain Schott, who commands an Inde- pendent Corps stationed at Wyoming, is waiting in town for their pay, which is due from September last, and amounts to more than I have on hand. * * * I should be glad of 20,000 dollars, which will be sufficient to pay him. I hope this last sum, at least, may be obtained, as Captain Schott's returning without the money would occasion much uneasiness in the Corps, who have six months' pay due; and the expense of another journey from Wyoming would be considerable."
About that time, or shortly afterwards, Captain Schott determined to make Wilkes-Barré his per- manent home, and September 21, 1780, he purchased from Phineas Peirce, for £50, a half-share in the Susquehanna Purchase. A week later he bought of Benjamin Bailey, for £50, Lot No. 33 in the town-plot of Wilkes-Barre-he (Schott) being described in the deed of conveyance as "of Westmore- land." On the 18th of the following month he was married to Naomi (born November 28, 1754), third child of Jabez and Elizabeth (Noyes) Sill of Wilkes-Barre, and a younger sister of the wife of Col. Nathan Denison. (See a sketch of the Sill family in a subsequent chapter.) Miner, in his "History of Wyoming," says of Captain Scbott's marriage: "The banns were published on Sunday, October 15th, and on Wednesday, the 18th, they were married; the occasion being one of great joy and fes- tivity in the garrison, and among the whole people."
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.