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 88
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" Your petitioner had at that time been assigned a district in the Quartermaster General's Department, north of the mountainst in Jersey and Pennsylvania. Notwith- standing the former enmity all the vagrants that left Wyoming at that time came to him for succor. His charity superceded prejudice, and for their support [he] ordered them rations out of the public stores. If there were any widows among them, they were very merry ones, and their conduct induced no respect; nor could it be expected, as most of their women, like their men, were of the lowest order of beings."
In 1805 the first edition of the Hon. John Marshall's "Life of Washington" was published, containing a very erroneous account of the events following the battle of Wyoming, based on the story told in Gor- don's history. In a revised edition of his book published in 1831, Judge Marshall not only gladly corrected the errors in the text of the first edition, but appended a note in which he stated that he had followed Gordon and Dr. Ramsay (in his "History of the American Revolution," published in 1790), but was now convinced of their errors.
Prior to 1820 Charles Botta, the Italian historian, wrote a "History of the War for the Independence of the United States of America," which was translated into English and published in this country in 1820. Botta's account of the battle and massacre of Wyoming-which
through vigour of mind, or strength of constitution, escaped, undoubtedly others, in similar and in dif- ferent circumstances, perished.
"Although the fate of Wyoming, and the lamentations of the survivors, had served alternately to freeze every hreast with horror, and to melt it with compassion, yet the various ohjects and exigencies of the war rendered the Americans incapable, for the present, of executing that vengeance on their sav- age enemy; which was, however, fully intended at a proper season. Some small expeditions were, indeed, undertaken; which, from the difficulties attending them, and the spirit of enterprise under which they were conducted, were not destitute of merit, and consequently are not unworthy of observation in the narrative of a campaign not distinguished by any activity in the great and splendid operations of war."
* It is printed in full in Miner's "History of Wyoming," page 257.
¡ He was stationed at Brinker's Mills, later called "Sullivan's Stores," on the "Lower Road" from Wyoming to Easton and the Delaware.
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was probably based on Burke's article in Dodsley's Register-was even more fanciful and mythical than Gordon's, and it was reprinted in several newspapers throughout the United States. On December 6, 1820, it appeared in the National Gazette, and a copy of that issue of the paper falling into the hands of Gen. Lord Butler of Wilkes-Barre, eldest son of Col. Zebulon Butler, then deceased, he wrote to the editor of the Gazette a letter, to which the written and signed statements of three survivors of the battle of Wyoming were appended. These com- munications were not designed to form a full historical relation of the events of July 3d and 4th, 1778, but were intended, simply, to point out and correct the errors in Botta's history, and to remove the false and injurious impressions which such an account was calculated to make upon the public inind with reference to the principal actors in the events described. General Butler's communication and the accompanying statements were not only printed in full in the National Gazette, but were reprinted in other newspapers, and they read as follows :
" The account as given in the extract is, perhaps, the most incorrect narrative of events that ever found its way into the history of any transaction ever before published, and particularly of one so highly interesting. Indeed, there is scarcely a solitary truth in the whole extract. Most of the circumstances are wholly fabrications; and others are so misrepresented and distorted as hardly to be recognized. That a true estimate may be put upon it, I will point out some of its most prominent deviations from truth and fact.
"In the first place, Col. Zebulon Butler, at the time spoken of, had not the com- mand of the ' whole colony,' as stated in the extract. He was a [Lieutenant] Colonel in Washington's army, but, happening to. be in this part of the country on a furlough, he was requested to give his assistance, and take the command of the men in case it should be necessary to fight. Further, it is not true that Zebulon Butler was a cousin of John, the commander of the enemy's forces. There was no relationship subsisting between them, [so] of course the influence which the writer of the extract would seem to draw from that circumstance, must fail. It is not true that Col. Zebulon Butler was drawn out of the fort by the 'lavish promises' of his enemy 'that, if he would consent to a parley in the open field, the siege would be raised, and every thing accommodated.' Nor is it true that he [Col. Zebulon Butler ] marched out for that purpose, and ' from motives of caution took with him four hundred men, well armed.' The fact is, the only conference he marched out to was a battle; the only parley he expected was the point of the bayonet.
"The whole number of men under his [Zebulon Butler's] command that day was about 350, and it has since been ascertained that the enemy's force amounted to from 1,000 to 1,500. The battle was fought sooner than Colonel Butler wished. He advised delay, hoping to ascertain the force, position and intentions of the enemy; [hoping] that succours would arrive, and that he then would be able to meet the enemy to more advan- tage. But as he had no right to the submission of either the officers or their men-except what they voluntarily paid him-he was obliged to forego his own opinion, and consent to lead them on. Another circumstance obliged him to take this course. There were some brave men among them, but who were as rash and imprudent as they were brave, who were determined to fight that day, or leave the fort and return to their homes.
" It is not a fact that Colonel Butler and his men were enticed into the ‘ dismal soli- tudes ' and ' thick forests ' by a ' flag,' and there 'completely surrounded ' by the enemy. All that is said in the extract about the ' unfortunate Ainerican ' being ' without suspicion of the peril he was in,' continuing ' to press forward,' &c., and ' being awakened but too soon from this dream of security,' &c., is false ! So far from the Americans having been ' surprised' by the British and Indians-had it not been for the imprudence of a few men (sent forward as an advance guard) in firing upon some Indians whom they discov- ered setting fire to a house, the enemy themselves would in all probability have been taken by surprise, and obliged to engage under many disadvantages.
"The Americans, instead of forming into 'a compact column,' fought in a line, on the left of which there was a marsh. The British and Indians, being more than twice as numerous as the Americans, endeavored to outflank them by going around and through this marsh. Colonel Denison, who was a Colonel of the militia, and properly the coin- mander of the 'whole colony,' and who had taken charge of the left wing, perceiving the intentions of the enemy, took prompt measures to defeat their expectations, and gave the necessary orders to effect it. It was in the execution of these orders that the confu- sion began ! And though Colonel Denison, and the other officers on that wing, did all that men could do to prevent it, the left wing gave way. The right wing was at this time beating the enemy back and advancing upon them.
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"Col. [Zebulon] Butler, who had continued on horseback throughout the day, finding that the right was doing well, left it and rode towards the left. When he got a little more than half-way down the line he discovered the men were retreating, and that he was between the two lines, near the advancing line of the enemy. The rout soon be- came general, notwithstanding the extraordinary efforts of the officers, most of whom were killed in their attempts to rally the men, and bring them again to the charge. It is not true that 'about sixty men escaped,' and with Zebulon Butler made their way good to 'a redoubt on the opposite bank of the Susquehanna;' for Colonel Butler, when he found it impossible to rally the scattered troops, instead of seeking his own safety by leaving the field instantly, collected four or five men, made them retain their arms and keep together. These he ordered to fire when any of the enemy approached, and by this means brought them safe to the fort at Kingston.
"As it was impossible to defend this fort [Forty Fort], all the men having been killed in the battle except about forty or fifty (not more than ten or twelve of whom came to the fort), he proceeded to Wilkesbarre, which is about two miles distant, and on the opposite side of the river. Colonel Denison having had a conference with the enemy, next morning sent Col. Zebulon Butler word that they [the enemy] would give no quar- ter to Continental officers or soldiers. He [Colonel Butler] then hastened into North- ampton County. Colonel Denison well knew that the fort in Kingston could not be defended with any prospect of success. He therefore did not make the attempt, but obtained what terms he could from the enemy, and surrendered. There were but few men left, and the fort was crowded with women and children.
"It is not true that Colonel Denison 'surrendered at discretion,' nor is it true that the savages 'enclosed the men, women and children promiscuously in the houses and barracks, to which they set fire, and consumed all within.' True they robbed and plundered, contrary to the articles of capitulation, but they killed no one. Finally, it is not a fact that at Wilkesbarre the 'soldiers of the garrison,' were (as stated in the extract ) ' put to death;' nor were the 'men, women and children burned, as before, in the bar- racks and houses.' The British and Indians did not come to Wilkesbarre until the second day after the battle, and then they found the fort and town entirely abandoned. They plundered and burnt every house, except two or three small ones, but there was not an individual killed.
"To perpetuate truth is, or ought to be, the object of history; at all events, history should never be made the vehicle of falsehood. If it be deemed of sufficient interest and importance to the public that any account of the battle of Wyoming should be registered, it certainly is of importance that that account should be correct and authentic. That a true narrative of that transaction may be incorporated into history, is one reason why I have noticed the extract. But it is also due to the memory of Col. Zebulon Butler, and to the feelings of his numerous descendants, that the odium which the account in the extract has so unjustly heaped upon his character should be removed. To do this the more effectually, I add a brief abstract of his military career. * * * *
" Upon the breaking out of the American Revolution, he entered the service of his country in the army under Washington; was a Lieutenant Colonel, and at the close of the war commanded one of the best regiments in the whole army. Colonel Butler was the personal friend of General Washington. I have seen letters from the General to him after the close of the war, written in very friendly terms, proving that Washington, at least, had full confidence in his capacity, integrity and patriotism. It is indeed strange, that after so long a service in both British and American armies, he never before was discovered to have been a coward and a traitor, if he really were such. And yet perhaps this need not be wondered at, when even the brave, the intrepid Putnam has, since his death, been accused of cowardice !
" A desire to be strictly and critically correct in my statement of facts, has unavoid- ably occasioned some delay in forwarding my letter to you. What I have stated are facts-you may rely on their accuracy. For your satisfaction on this head, however, I send you the certificates of Judge Hollenback and others (who were in the battle) corrob- orating and substantiating my allegations. Certificates to the same effect might have been obtained from all the survivors of that day's disasters, who yet live in this part of the country, but it was not tho't necessary. It is my intention, at some future period, to send you an authentic narrative of the battle of Wyoming, embracing the transactions of several weeks, and perhaps months, both previous and subsequent, which if it should meet your approbation, you will be at liberty to publish.
"I am Yours, &c., [Signed]
"LORD BUTLER."
" Wilkesbarre, Dec. 26, 1820.
" I do certify that I was in the battle of Wyoming, fought on the 3d day of July, 1778, and that I am well acquainted with the facts as they took place on that day, and subsequently. I have read the account published in the National Gazette of the 6th inst., and know that most of the circuinstances related, and especially the material ones, are absolutely false. I have read, also, the above letter of Lord Butler, Esq., and from personal knowledge, as well as from the information obtained at the time, know the facts therein stated to be correct. I also certify that I was stationed about the centre of the line
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[of battle], and saw Col. Zebulon Butler, about the time the retreat commenced, riding from the right to the left, between the two contending lines, and saw him turn his horse, ride after his men, and endeavor to stop them. I never heard, until I saw the account above referred to, any blame imputed to Col. Zebulon Butler for his conduct on that, or any other occasion.
[Signed] " ELISHA BLACKMAN .* "
" December 26, 1820.
* ELISHA BLACKMAN, the third of this name in his line, was born in Lebanon, New London County, Connecticut, April 4, 1760, the third child and eldest son of Elisha and Lucy (Polley) Black- man. So far as known, the American progenitor of this particular family of Blackmans was John Blackman, who lived at Dorchester, Massa- chusetts, and died there in 1675. His wife was Mary Pond, and their fourth child was Joseph, who was born June 7, 1661. The last-named removed, in early manhood, to Little Compton, Rhode Island, and thence, about 1709, to Freetown, Massachusetts. In 1717 he settled in Lebanon, Connecticut, where he died three years later. His wife was Elizabeth Church, and their fifth child and third son was Elisha Blackman, who was born September 23, 1699, at Little Compton. Thence he removed with his parents and the other members of the family to Lebanon, Connecticut, where he was married January 2, 1724, to Susanna, daughter of Capt. John and Hannah (Drake) Higley, and a sister of Hannah, wife of Capt. Joseph Trumbull, mentioned on page 470, Vol. I.
Elisha and Susanna (Higley) Blackman became the parents of three sons and one daughter, and Elisha, the father, died about the year 1767. His second child was Elisha, who was born at Lebanon September 19, 1727. During the French and Indian War (see pages 297 and 481) Elisha Blackman, last mentioned, served as a private in the Colonial army in three campaigns, as follows: From April 10 to October 18, 1755, in the 3d Company (Robert Denison of New Lon- don, Captain) in the 1st Regiment of Con- necticut troops, commanded by Phineas Ly- man. From April 8 till November 23, 1756, in the 1st, or Colonel's, Company, in the 4th Regiment of Connecticut troops, commanded by Col. Andrew Ward, Jr., of Guilford. From March 24 till November 14, 1762, in the 10th Company (Azel Fitch of Lebanon, Captain) in the 2d Regiment of Connecticut troops, commanded by Col. Nathan Whiting. ELISHA BLACKMAN. (1760-1845.) From a portrait taken late in life. (See "Connecticut Historical Society's Col- lections," IX : 10, 144, 340.) Elisha Black- man came to Wyoming for the first time in June, 1772, and in the following October, at Wilkes-Barré, he signed the petition reproduced on page 751, ante. About that time he was admitted an inhabitant in the township of Wilkes-Barre, and became the owner of a lot in the "Third Division" of the township. His name will be found in the Wilkes-Barre tax-lists for 1776, '77 and '78. In May, 1777, he was established and commissioned Ensign of the "2d Alarm List Company in the 24th (or Westmoreland) Regiment of Connecticut Militia," as noted on page 922. During the battle of Wyo- ming he was one of those who garrisoned Fort Wilkes-Barre. The next morning (July 4th) Ensign Blackman said to his wife: "Take the children and make the best of your way to a place of safety; we must stay and defend the fort." The family set out by the "Warrior Path," taking with them two horses; but in their alarm and distress took no provisions. They got on their way a scanty sup- ply of huckleberries, but on the third day, having reached the German settlements in Northampton County, they were kindly cared for and supplied with proper food. They finally arrived at their old home in Connecticut.
Late in the morning of July 4th Ensign Blackman was joined at the fort by his son Elisha, who had escaped from the battle-field, and in the afternoon they set out on foot for Fort Penn. Ensign Blackman's house and barn and their contents were totally destroyed when Wilkes-Barre was burnt by the savages. He also lost his oxen and other stock, with the exception of two cows. The two Elishas made their way to Fort Penn in due time, but later they both returned to Wilkes-Barre and were in service here as early, at least, as August 9, 1778 (see "Collections and Proceedings of The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society," VII : 112), in the detachment of militia commanded by Lieut. Col. Zebulon Butler-as explained in the ensuing chapter. Some time later in 1778, or perhaps early in 1779, Ensign Elisha Blackman joined his wife and children in Connecticut, where, in April, 1780, he was one of the signers of a memorial presented to the General Assembly of Connecticut by certain Wyoming refugees who were then temporarily residing in Connecticut. (See a subsequent chapter.) In 1787 Elisha Blackman returned to Wilkes-Barré, whither his sons had preceded him in 1786, and here he lived until his death, September 10, 1804.
Elisha Blackman was married March 22, 1753, to Mrs. Lucy (Polley) Smith, widow of Ebenezer Smith, and they became the parents of the following-named children, who were all born in Lebanon, Connecticut: (i) Lucy, born September 7, 1755; married to Titus Darrow. (ii) Lovina, born Sep- tember 7, 1757; married to Darins Spafford, who was killed in the battle of Wyoming. (iii) Elisha, born April 4, 1760. (iv) Ichabod, born March 24, 1762. (v) Eleazar, born May 31, 1765.
(iii) Elisha Blackman, Jr., whose picture stands at the head of this note, came to Wilkes-Barre in 1773, at the age of thirteen, with the other members of his father's family. He took part in the battle of Wyoming as a private in the "Lower Wilkes-Barre Company," commanded by Capt. James Bidlack, Jr. In the hardest part of the battle he saw his brother-in-law, Darius Spafford, fall mortally wounded, and he became so intent on avenging the death of the latter that it was some time before he discovered that the Americans were losing ground. In the flight from the field he and a compan- ion headed for the river. Indians chased them and called to them to surrender, assuring them that they would not be hurt. Blackman did not surrender, but his companion did, only to have his skull
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immediately split open with a tomahawk. Blackman strained every nerve to escape, and did so by swimming to Monocanock Island-with the bullets fired by the pursuing savages whistling about his head. He remained in hiding on the island until after nightfall, and then made his way to Forty Fort. The next morning he set out for Wilkes-Barre, and, as previously mentioned, reached the fort here shortly before noon. Miner says ("Wyoming," Appendix, page 33) that only eight members of Captain Bidlack's company escaped from the battle-ground on July 3, 1778: Ensign Daniel Downing, Serg't Jabez Fish, Serg't Phineas Spafford, Elisha Blackman, Jr., Samuel Carey, M. Mullen, Thomas Porter, drummer, and one other.
As previously mentioned, Elisha Blackman, Jr., returned to Wilkes-Barre in August, 1778, and was in service here as a militia-man under the command of Lieut. Colonel Butler. In the Sullivan Expedition of 1779 (see Chapter XVIII), he served in the Wyoming militia company commanded by Capt. John Franklin. Later in that year, or early in 1780, he joined his parents and the other mem- bers of their family in Connecticut.
Early in 1781 Elisha Blackman, Jr., enlisted as a private in the company of Capt. Selah Benton of Stratford, in the 5th Regiment, Connecticut Line, commanded by Lieut. Col. Isaac Sherman (see note on page 840), and served till the latter part of June, 1782. He was honorably discharged from the service at Fishkill, New York, and thence he went to the home of his parents in Lebanon. There he subsequently learned tbe trade of a tanner and currier, and in 1786, in company with his brothers Ichabod and Eleazar, he returned to Wilkes-Barré. The three brothers built a log house on the lot of their father-on South Main Street, between the present Academy and Sullivan Streets.
Elisha Blackman, Jr., was married January 10, 1788, to Anna (born January 5, 1763), daughter of "Deacon" John and Abigail (Avery) Hurlbut of Westmoreland. March 25, 1790, Elisha Blackman, Jr., was commissioned First Lieutenant of the Light Infantry Company attached to the "1st Regiment of Militia in Luzerne County," commanded by Lieut. Col. Matthias Hollenback. In 1791 Lieutenant Blackman bought a tract of land in Hanover Township, to which be removed and which be cleared up and converted into a farm. His wife died there January 6, 1828. There be resided until his death, which occurred December 5, 1845. (His obituary was published in the Republican Farmer and Democratic Journal of December 10, 1845.) During the last ten years of his life he was a United States pensioner.
Elisha and Anna (Hurlbut) Blackman were the parents of the following-named children: (1) Henry, born August 28, 1788. See below. (2) Stephen, born August 20, 1790; died September 28, 1790. (3) Ebenezer, born July 22, 1791; married in 1817 to Susan M. Stockbridge; died December 4, 1844. (4) Lovina, born August 6, 1793; died August 29, 1793. (5) Hurlbut, born September 25, 1794; married January 18, 1821, to Sarah Rollin; died October 17, 1872. (6) William, born November 19, 1796; died January 14, 1800. (7) Elizabeth, born August 26, 1799; married August 27, 1823, to Henry Boos; died prior to 1862. (8) Elisha, born August 1, 1801; married December 22, 1828, to Amy Rollin; died February 29, 1872. (9) Julia Anna, born April 25, 1806. See below. (10) Abigail, twin sister of Julia Anna, died April 24, 1807.
(1) Henry Blackman, born August 28, 1788, was married June 27, 1813, to Sarah E. Bennett, born March 8, 1796. The former dicd October 18, 1842, and the latter died January 22, 1881. Their remains lie in Forty Fort Cemetery. Henry and Sarah (Bennett) Blackman were the parents of twelve children, all born in Hanover Township, Wyoming Valley, as follows: (i) Lucinda, born October 18, 1814; married November 15, 1831, to Avery Marcy, and had ten children; died in Ashley, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1891. (ii) Abigail, born May 3, 1816; married in 1842 to William Potter; died October 16, 1889. (iii) Sally, born March 30, 1818; died October 25, 1821. (iv) Melinda C., born June 9, 1820; married December 31, 1844, to the Rev. John White, son of Daniel White of Wilkes-Barre, and had two sons and one daughter who grew to maturity; sbe died at Ashley, in Wyoming Valley, December 4, 1902. (v) Elisha, born July 22, 1822; married February 24, 1848, to Adaline Bidleman. (vi) Araminta, born August 24, 1824; married July 11, 1848, to John Dwight Safford. (vii) Hiram, born August 26, 1826; died December 5, 1850. (viii) Elizabeth A., born Sep- tember 20, 1828; married December 28, 1844, to Daniel Kidney. (ix) William R., born March 16, 1831; died March 9, 1833. (x) Martha Lovina, born November 16, 1833; married in 1853 to Brittain Williams; died in 1860. (xi) George Henry, born March 8, 1837; died April 8, 1838. (xii) Susan Maria, born December 25, 1839.
(9) Julia Anna Blackman (born April 25, 1806), daughter of Elisha and Anna (Hurlbut) Black- man, was married December 21, 1828, to Charles Plumb, who was born August 4, 1802, and died Feb- ruary 14, 1831. Mrs. Julia A. (Blackman) Plumb died in Hanover Township June 29, 1889. The only child of Charles and Julia A. (Blackman) Plumb is Henry Blackman Plumb, born in Hanover Township November 13, 1829. He is the author of "A History of Hanover Township," published at Wilkes-Barre in 1885, and the compiler of the pedigrees of the Blackman, Plumb, Collings, and other families, published in folio form at Wilkes-Barre in 1894. From the latter work the present writer derived the greater part of the genealogical data contained in this note.
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