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 107
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
In February, 1781, Captain Schott was ordered to march with bis Corps (which then consisted of only twenty-six men, including himself, Captain Selin, and one Lieutenant) to Fishkill, New York, to join Colonel Hazen's "Congress' Own Regiment." Schott joined this regiment about Marcb 15th, but three months later, owing to the serious illness of his wife, he obtained leave of absence for an indefinite period and hastened to Wilkes-Barre. Within a short time thereafter "Congress' Own" moved down the Hudson to the neighborhood of New York City, and early in September proceeded with other regiments to Virginia to take part in the siege of Yorktown. The war being virtually ended, by the surrender of Cornwallis, Captain Schott tendered his resignation and was bonorably discharged from the Continental service in November, or December, 1781. In May, 1782, having pur- chased from his father-in-law, for £6, the north-west corner of Lot No. 1 in the town-plot of Wilkes- Barré, he built thereon what long afterwards was known as the "old red house." Moving into this house in 1783 (the year in which it was completed), he kept there for a number of years a public inn, and later carried on a store in the same building. During the ensuing twenty-one years Captain Schott was prominent and influential in various ways in the life of Wilkes-Barre and Wyoming Val- ley, and his name appears frequently in the following pages. (For a more detailed account of his life see the present writer's "History of Lodge No. 61, F. and A. M.," published in 1897.)
December 4, 1790, Captain Schott was appointed and commissioned by Governor Mifflin a Justice of the Peace for Wilkes-Barre, to serve during good behavior. This office he held until he removed from the town. In 1802 he was, with Rosewell Welles, a candidate for the State Legislature, but was defeated. In February, 1794, he was one of the charter members of Lodge No. 61, F. and A. M., and was its first Senior Warden. He was Master of the Lodge in 1795, '96, 1800, '01 and '02. In April, 1804, he withdrew from the Lodge, and seven years later became one of the charter members of Philanthrophy Lodge, No. 127, F. and A. M., Philadelphia. Of this Lodge he was Treasurer in 1814, '15 and '16, and Master in 1815. In the Summer of 1804 Captain Schott removed from Wilkes- Barré to Philadelphia, where he held, until within a few months of his death, the office of Inspector of Customs in the United States Custom House. He died at his home in Philadelphia July 29, 1829, and his wife died there on the 31st of the following August.
Capt. John Paul and Naomi (Sill) Schott were the parents of four sons and one daughter who grew to maturity, as follows: (i) John Paul, born in 1782; married about 1801 to Emily Eliza, daugh- ter of Lieut. John Markland of Philadelphia; was for more than twenty years a successful merchant in Philadelphia. (ii) James, born in 1784; as early as 1809 was a merchant in Philadelphia; married to Rebecca, daughter of Guy and Martha (Matlack) Bryan of Philadelphia; died at Philadelphia Octo- ber 23, 1870. (iii) George S., born in 1786; was graduated at the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1811, and practised his profession in Philadelphia and elsewhere for many years; was a prominent Free Mason, and an officer of the Grand Lodge and of the Grand Chapter of Penn- sylvania; his wife, Eleanor, died at Scranton, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1855, in tbe sixty-fourtli year of her age; he died at Nanticoke, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1863. (iv) Charlotte, born in 1788; married at New York in October, 1809, to Henry D. Mandeville. (v) Charles, born January 26, 1790; died January 26, 1810, from wounds caused by an explosion in a powder-mill at Philadelphia.
§ ANTHONY SELIN, a Swiss by birth, was commissioned a Captain by Congress Decemher 10, 1776, and was assigned to De Ottendorff's Corps, mentioned in the preceding note. He raised and commanded the 2d Company of this Corps, as originally organized. He was in service with his com- pany at Wilkes-Barré, in "Schott's Independent Corps" (previously described), until March, 1781, when, with that Corps, he joined "Congress' Own" Regiment. In this regiment he served until bis honorable discharge from the army in January, 1783. In the Journal of Congress, February 24, 1784, he is referred to as "late Major, 2d Canadian Regiment ['Congress' Own']." Captain Selin, after his retirement from the army, purchased from the estate of bis deceased brother-in-law, John Snyder, a tract of land on the Susquehanna River, in what is now Snyder County, Pennsylvania, and there he established his home. The settlement wbich grew up there became known as Selinsgrove, and the place has been for many years now a flourishing town. Simon Snyder (a brother-in-law of Captain Selin, and from December, 1808, to December, 1817, Governor of Pennsylvania) settled there in 1785.
1165
you must take care not to advance on them precipitately before you know their number, or until you have sufficiently extended your front to prevent being out-flanked.
" By a steady adherence to the above directions you will have little danger to appre- hend. Double your attention as you approach the fort. As the badness of the roads at present, and the scarcity of horses, will prevent your carrying your heavy baggage, you must leave it at Fort Penn with a guard, until you have a more favorable opportunity. Relying much on your Steddyness, Industry, Zeal and Activity, I wish you a Good march, and am, Sir, your obedient servant."
Shortly after despatching this letter to Major Burchardt, General Hand set out for his home in Lancaster County, to make a brief visit there before coming to Wilkes-Barre to take command of the troops to be assembled here. Within a couple of days after the receipt of his orders Major Burchardt marched for Wyoming from his station on the upper Delaware. He was joined at "Lardner's," or "Learn's," and accom- panied the remainder of the way, by Lieut. John Jenkins, Jr., who was returning to Wilkes-Barre from the headquarters of General Hand and of General Washington, whither he had been sent, as narrated on page 1161. Major Burchardt reached " Learn's " in the evening of April 8th, and early the next morning sent forward an express to Wilkes-Barré, bearing the following letter* to Colonel Butler :
"Agreeable to my instructions from General Hand I inform you that I am now on my march to join you with the German Regiment, Armand and Schott's Corps. You'll please to give me some information how to proceed on, as the roads are strange to me. You can best judge when I can reach you. I set off from this place this morning. I anı, Sir, with due respect, your most obedient humble servant."
Upon receipt of this communication Colonel Butler sent forward some guides to meet and conduct Major Burchardt's command to Wilkes-Barré. The arrival of these troops-numbering about 300- at Fort Wyoming in the evening of Sunday, April 11th, made a wel- come addition to the garrison under the command of Colonel Butler. He was now enabled, not only to defend his position, but to clear the open portions of the Valley of the cruel and insolent red inen. But small parties of Indians still hovered about Wyoming, like wolves around a sheep-fold. In the various mountain passes they lay in wait for chance travelers, and occasionally they exhibited extraordinary instances of courage and andacity.
Under the date of April 7, 1779, Colonel Butler wrote from Wilkes- Barré to Col. William Cook, Deputy Quartermaster General at North- umberland, Pennsylvania, saying :
"As I've lately received orders from his Excellency, General Washiington, to pro- vide for a number of troops he has ordered to this Post, I'm sure you will not fail of for- warding the articles the Quartermaster writes for, as far as in your power ; and if you cannot forward the money immediately I must apply to the Board of War, as I've bor- rowed money to pay for expenses, carriages, forage, etc., with an expectation of money from you."
On the same day Colonel Butler wrote to the Board of War relative to the expenses incurred in and by the Quartermaster's department at the Wyoming Post, in view of orders received from General Washing- ton. In conclusion he said : "I must desire the Board to forward some
Captain Selin was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati. He died at Selinsgrove in 1792. He had two children-Anthony Charles and Agnes. The former, who was married August 26, 1810, to Catharine Yoner of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, was a Major in the United States Army in the War of 1812.
|| Mentioned on page 1167, and on other pages hereinbefore.
1 Learn's Tavern, mentioned on page 1167. See "Map of North-eastern Pennsylvania" in Chap- ter XXIII.
** Five miles in a bee-line, but about nine miles by the "Lower Road," which was the route Major Burchardt was directed to march.
* The original letter is now in the possession of the present writer.
1166
money, either by way of Colonel Cook, or directly from the Board by the bearer, Mr. Stewart, as we have received only £1,155 for the above uses." This letter Colonel Butler placed in the hands of William Stew- art, "Commissary of Purchases and Issues," accompanied by an order directing him to " procure and forward to this Post, immediately, pro- visions and liquor for a reinforcement of 500 men ;" and " likewise pro- vide soap and candles, and also necessaries for the use of the Hospital, such as rum, wine, sugar, molasses, coffee, vinegar, etc."
A couple of days after the arrival of Major Burchardt's cominand at Wilkes-Barré, Colonel Butler received from Sunbury, by the hands of an express, a letter reading as follows* :
"Dear Sir: I have inclosed a Letter to you for Gen! Hand which I have left open for your perusal. you will please put a Wafer on it and send it to him by Express if he is not at your place. I have requested him to order the two comps of our Regt here (for several reasons, & one in particular) to reinforce Fort Jinkins. There is a set of the Damnedst Rascals about Fishing Creek & Fort Jinkins that ever existed. I expect in a short time to make some great discoveries, in respect of a correspondence held between them & the Indians, and we have some Reason to think they intend making a strike at that place.
"I am, Sir, Your Very Hum! Sert, [Signed] "GEO. BUSH, Capt. Comdg."
"Sunbury April 11, 1779.
At a town-meeting of the inhabitants of Westmoreland held at Wilkes-Barré April 12, 1779, Giles Slocumn, Christopher Hurlbut, Daniel Ingersoll, Asa Chapman aud Joel Strong were admitted free- men, and took the oath of fidelity to the State of Connecticut. Col. Nathan Denison and " Deacon " John Hurlbut were, at the same time, chosen Representatives from the town of Westmoreland to the General Assembly of Connecticut to meet at Hartford in the following May.
Under the date of April 14, 1779, President Reed of Pennsylvania wrote from Philadelphia to Col. Samuel Hunter, Lieutenant of the county of Northumberland, in part as followst :
" By a letter I received from General Washington, of the 8th inst., General Hand was to march from Minisink for Wyoming the 5th inst., with about 600 men, which will be a very competent force for your protection, as well as that of Wyoming. * * * We have now only to add that, as it is a time of common danger, we would recommend to you to cultivate Harmony and a good understanding with the people at Wyoming, leav- ing our unhappy disputes in that quarter to be settled as peace and more favorable cir- cumstances will admit."
At Lancaster, Pennsylvania, under the date of April 16, 1779, Brig. Gen. Edward Hand wrote to President Reed, at Philadelphia, as follows :
"In consequence of General Washington's orders, I am thus far on my way to Wyoming, to take the command of the troops on the Susquehanna. * *
* It is need- less to mention how happy I should deem myself could I render any services to the dis- tressed inhabitants of that part of the State."
About the middle of April a detachment of the "New 11th Regi- ment," Pennsylvania Line (see note "}," page 1108), consisting of about 100 men under the command of Maj. Joseph Prowell, was ordered to march from the general camp in New Jersey to Wilkes-Barré, via Easton, to reinforce the Wyoming Garrison. The detachment left Easton on April 18th, marching to Heller's Tavernt (twelve miles),
* The original is in the collections of The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society.
i See "Pennsylvania Archives," First Series, VII : 283.
# Heller's Tavern was in Plainfield Township, Northampton County, about one and a-half miles south of the Wind Gap. Simon Heller, the first of the name to locate at that place (in 1760), was from Saucon Township.
1167
thence through the Wind Gap to Brinker's Mills* (about seven miles), and thence about nine or ten miles to Learn's Tavern, t near the foot of a spur of the Pocono range of mountains then known as "Pocono Point." The route from the Wind Gap to "Learn's" was along the " Lower Road " to Wyoming, described on pages 979 and 1054. This particular stretch of the road, however, had been improved within the preceding year to such an extent that it was in almost as passable a con- dition as the long-traveled road leading from Easton to the Wind Gap, or as the newer one running from a point about three miles north of Brinker's Mills to Fort Penn, or "Stroud's." "Learn's" was at that time tlie outpost of Northampton County civilization on the road to Wyo- ming-there being no other house, except Nathan Bullock's (see page 1039), between " Pocono Point " and Wilkes-Barre ; while the road for this distance was still the rough, narrow bridle-path that it had been for several years-except in a few places, where efforts to remove some of the worst obstructions had been made by the ax-men, or pioneers, of the troops under Major Burchardt during their march to Wilkes-Barré.
Major Prowell and his command arrived at Bear Creek, some twelve miles from Fort Wyoming, in the evening of April 22d, and there they encamped for the night. Early the next morning Major Prowell, believing that they were now out of danger from a surprise by Indians, ordered his officers and inen to burnish their arms and furbish up their uniforms and accouterments so as to present as fine an appear- ance as possible upon their arrival at Wilkes-Barré. With drums and fifes playing the column then advanced.
Having passed the deserted house of Nathan Bullock, three miles from Bear Creek, and crossed the Moosic, or Wyoming, Mountain (see page 44, Vol. I), the head of the column arrived at the point where the " Lower Road " crossed Laurel Run-sixty-one and tliree-fourths iniles from Easton, and six miles (by the road, but only three miles in 'a bee- line) from Fort Wyoming. There the vanguard reported that they had seen several deer browsing but a few minutes before ; whereupon, by permission of Major Prowell, Capt. Joseph Davis, Lieut. William11 Jones, §
* The settlement at Brinker's Mills (previously mentioned on page 646) became known in 1779 as "Sullivan's Stores," owing to the faet that a large store-house, surrounded by a palisade, bad been ereeted there for use as a magazine, or depot, for provisions and other supplies for the Conti- nental troops. Capt. Alexander Patterson (previously mentioned, particularly on page 1064), Deputy Quartermaster General, was in charge of this depot, while Capt. Luke Brodhead and a small body of Northampton County militia composed the guard on duty there.
f Learn's log tavern was located at what is now Tannersville, in Poeono Township, Monroe County, twenty-eight miles from Easton. On July 3, 1781, Mr. Learn was shot and sealped near his house by a band of Indians, as was also his son George. Another son, John, shot one of the Indians, who was left by his companions on the spot where he fell. The remaining Indians carried off the wife of George Learn and her four-months-old infant; but not wishing to be eneumbered with the ehild, dashed out its brains. In some of the journals of the officers of the Sullivan Expedition Learn's tavern is referred to as "Larnard's" and as "Larner's," and at a later day the place was sometimes ealled "Larner's." (See the map of North-eastern Pennsylvania in Chapter XXIII.)
#JOSEPH DAVIS, undoubtedly a native of Laneaster County, Pennsylvania, was appointed Ensign of Capt. Abraham Marshall's company, in Col. Samuel J. Atlee's "Musketry Battalion," Mareh 27, 1776. This battalion was embodied strietly for the defense of Pennsylvania, under a resolution of the Provincial Assembly passed Mareh 5, 1776. Early in the following August, however, the battalion was ordered over to New York, where it was made a part of the brigade commanded by Lord Stirling, and later took part in the battle of Long Island-in which engagement Colonel Atlee was captured by the enemy, and was held a prisoner for nearly two years. Some time in the latter part of 1776 En- sign Davis was promoted First Lieutenant, and, January 15, 1777, was transferred to the 9th Penn- sylvania Regiment, Continental Line, commanded by Col. James Irvine. Shortly afterwards, upon the organization of "Hartley's Regiment" (see page 1108), Lieutenant Davis was transferred to that regiment, and June 5, 1778, was promoted Captain.
When, in January, 1779, Congress resolved (as noted on page 1108) that "Hartley's Regiment," certain companies of "Patton's Regiment," and several independent Pennsylvania companies annexed to Colonel Maleolm's regiment, should be incorporated together to form the "New 11th Regiment" of Pennsylvania in the Continental Line, Captain Davis beeame Captain of the 1st, or Colonel's, Com- pany of the new regiment. After Colonel Hartley's resignation in February, 1779, the 1st Company was designated as the "Lieutenant Colonel's Company."
§ WILLIAM JONES was a native of Delaware. As noted on page 1108, Congress authorized Gen- eral Washington in December, 1776, to raise sixteen "additional" battalions of troops "from any and
.
1168
Corporal Butler and four privates, all arıned with rifles, crossed the " Run" and hurried forward along the path. They had gone but a short distance, and were nearing the crest of Wilkes-Barre Mountain, when they were fired upon by a band of Indians (believed to have numbered about twenty) in ambush, and every one of them* was either instantly slain or mortally wounded. The savages rushed from their covert, secured the scalps of their victims, and disappeared in the thick woods before a single inan of the main body of troops could be hur- ried up to the spot. Dr. Ebenezer Elmer, Surgeon of the 2d New Jer- sey Regiment (which took part in the Sullivan Expedition), wrote in his journal, at Wilkes-Barré, June 25, 1779, relative to this event: " What renders the action peculiarly inhuman was that the scalps were all taken off by a squaw, consort to a sachem; and at that, of some while they were alive."
Major Prowell, fearing that he had a large force of savages to cope with, halted his men and prepared for an attack. In the meantime he despatched to Colonel Butler the Surgeon of the detachment (who had volunteered for the duty) and John Halstead (a private of Captain Spal- ding's company, who had met the detachment en route, and was acting as guide), bearing information as to the situation of affairs on the moun- tain. Colonel Butler immediately called out the German Regiment and ordered it to inarch to the relief of Major Prowellt and his men and escort them to Fort Wyoming. This duty was done without delay ; but, first, the remains of the seven slain soldiers were decently buried alongside the path where they had fallen. Over the grave of Captain Davis there was set up a piece of a board, bearing these words, written with a piece of charred wood: "The place where Capt. Davis was murdered by the Savages April 23d 1779." At the grave of Lieutenant Jones there was also placed a board, which was smeared with his blood and had inscribed upon it, " The blood of Lt. Jones."
On the same day that the Indians murdered these men, six cows were driven off fromn Plymouth by a band of Indians. On the same day, also, the following letter was written at Fort Penn (now Strouds- burg, Monroe County, Pennsylvania) and despatched to Colonel Butler at Wilkes-Barré.
all of the United States." One of the battalions raised in pursuance of this resolution was com-
manded by Col. John Patton of Philadelphia, and was known as "Patton's .Regiment." Peter Scull, subsequently Secretary of the Board of War, was the first Major of this battalion, and Joseph Prowell was one of the original Captains. The latter was promoted Major January 1, 1778, and, upon the organization of the "New 11th Regiment," was transferred to that command. "Patton's Regiment" drew contributions, both in officers and nien, from New Jersey and Delaware-one of the companies being Capt. Allan McLane's Partizan Company of Foot, composed entirely of Delawareans. William Jones was commissioned Second Lieutenant of this company January 13, 1777, and was still in service with the company when Congress directed that certain"companies of "Patton's Regiment" (excepting Captain McLane's company, which should be annexed to the "Delaware Regiment") should be incor- porated with other companies to constitute the "New 11th Regiment"-as related in the preceding note. It was not until June 1, 1779, that, by resolution of the Executive Council of Delaware, Mc- Lane's company was actually annexed to the "Delaware Regiment." Meanwhile the company had continued in service temporarily attached to the 11th Regiment, under the command of Lieut. Colonel Hubley, who had succeeded Colonel Hartley. Thus it happened that, when a detachment of soldiers from the 11th Regiment was despatched to Wyoming from the general camp near Millstone, New Jersey (where only a few companies of the "11th" were encamped; the remaining companies being on duty at and near Sunbury, Pennsylvania), Lieutenant Jones came to be one of the subaltern offi- cers of the detachment.
* Lieut. John Jenkins states in his journal that "Captain Davis, Lieutenant Jones, and tbree men were killed, and two others were missing." The other diarists of the expedition have recorded that the two officers named and five men were killed and scalped.
# Miner says that "Major Prowell, having leave to resign, soon left the army." Lieut. Colonel Hubley, in a letter to Brig. General Hand, written at Sunbury, June 22, 1779, said: "A board of gen- eral officers to determine the dispute of rank between Major Prowell and the Captains of the Penn- sylvania Line, determined in favor of the latter; in consequence of which he will be removed from the rank he now holds, and a senior Captain take his place. I am extremely sorry for the loss of Major Prowell. He is a worthy, good officer."
1169
"Dear Sir .- not being certain whether General Hand is yet arrived at Wyoming, make Bold to write you as Commanding officer at that Post. I have this Instant sent off seven Pack horses loaded with the Baggage of the German Regt, Armangs and Schoots Cores, which I hope will arrive safe. I shall continue that number in Employ constantly, and would Employ more but for the scarcity of forage at this Place. However I hope to have better Provision made for them shortly.
"You will please to let me know how you stand in respect of amunition, as I have 5,000 Rounds at this Place that I intend to send you, but if it would be convenient would rather send the oficers bagage first as they are rather in my way at Present. I wish you would consult General hand if arrived, if not would be glad you would think it right to send a party of men to causeway that bad Place at Tobyhannah, as I am informed it is almost Imposible to pass it and it will doubtless get worse Dayly.
"Should be glad to know if you have any regular apoiuted Quartermaster and who he is. Please to let me know how you are in the forage way. You will please to present my best compliments to the officers of my acquaintance in general.
"I am, Sir, your Humble Sert, [Signed] "ALEXR PATTERSON, D. Q. M. G."
" Lieut. Col. ZEBULON BUTTLER, Wyoming. " By Lieut. SWARTS.
"On Publick Service.
Under the date of April 13, 1779, William Stewart, Purchasing Commissary, wrote from "Coxtown" to Col. Zebulon Butler, informing him that 150 small boats were being built at Middletown (see page 859) for the Continental service. He also stated that he had seen at Carlisle Colonel Blaine, Commissary General of Purchases, who desired that he (Stewart) would remain in the locality where he was then stationed until the Commissary Department could get together 1,000 barrels of flour and 600 barrels of beef for the use of the troops that would rendezvous at Wyoming.
At Estherton, Pennsylvania, under the date of April 23, 1779, Brig. General Hand wrote to Colonel Butler at Wilkes-Barré as follows :
"Immediately on the receipt hereof I beg you may send a sufficient party, under tlie command of a prudent, careful officer, to Fort Jenkins [see page 995, ante] to meet Captain Schott, who has the charge of a quantity of stores for your Post, to protect hin1 and the stores from Fort Jenkins upwards. If anything material happens before I have the pleasure of joining you, please to give me notice-directing your letters to the care of the commanding officer at Sunbury, to be forwarded if necessary."
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.