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 III > Part 19
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1THOMAS ROBINSON was commissioned February 10, 1781, Captain of a company of Pennsylvania militia raised in Northumberland County, and known as "Rangers". Moses Van Campen (mentioned in [|] note on page 1243) was Lieutenant of this company (having been commissioned February 10, 1781), and when it came to Wilkes-Barré Thomas Chambers was its Ensign.
During the Winter of 1781-'82 Robinson's "Rangers" were stationed at Reading, Pennsylvania, assisting to guard the British prisoners detained there. In the latter part of February, 1782, the "Rangers" were ordered to Northum- berland, whence, under orders of the Supreme Executive Council issued March 6, 1782, they marched up the valley of the West Branch of the Susquehanna to a point near the present town of Muncy, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, where they began preparations to rebuild Fort Muncy-which had been originally built in 1778 by soldiers under the command of Col. Thomas Hartley, and bad been destroyed by the Indians in 1779 or '80. The fort stood near the stone mansion of Samnel Wallis, mentioned in the note on page 653, Vol. Il. It was while this fort was being rebuilt that Lieutenant Van Campen was sent in command of a detachment of "Rangers" up to Bald Eagle Creek, where he was captured by Indians, as hereinbefore narrated.
About the time Captain Robinson was ordered to Fort Muncy, Samuel Hunter, Lieutenant of the county of North- umberland, wrote to the Supreme Executive Council that "it would require at least 100 men to keep proper out-scouts and repair the garrison" at Fort Muncy. In reply the County Lieutenant was directed to have the necessary repairs to the fort made, "having due regard to frugality." Under the date of April 17, 1782, the County Lieutenant wrote to the Council: "Agreeable to your letter Captain Robinson's headquarters is at Fort Muncy, and I am certain he does
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Commission of Zebulon Butler as Colonel of the 2d Connecticut Regiment, 1779. (Original is in the Collection of "Butler Papers" at the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society.)
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had been sent here to collect and carry away the remainder of the Continental military and other stores from this Post. As I had carried no military stores to this Post, * * * I retained some part of the military stores-shot, grape and canister, powder and lead."
At Wilkes-Barré, three days later (March 29, 1783), Captain Shrawder* wrote to President Dickinson in part as follows:t
"In obedience to your Excellency's orders I took possession of this Fort the 21st inst., and Captain Robinson arrived the 24th. From Captain Summers, who had been sent here by Mr. [Samuel] Hodgdon for the military stores belonging to the United States, we received some necessary ammunition for the artillery at this Post, hoping to meet with your Excellency's approbation, as the ordnance otherwise would have been entirely useless. Powder, lead and flints for rifles and muskets we stand very much in need of. * * *
"The conduct and behavior of the inhabitants resemble that of a conquered nation very much. They had several meetings concerning their public affairs this week, keeping the result thereof a secret. Yesterday morning they sent one Mr. [Benjamin] Harvey to Connecticut to a Recording office for copies of the names of the first settlers on the Susquehanna, and when they took possession of the land. By another gentlemen I was informed they had wrote to the State of Connecticut to bring on another trial.
"Last Tuesday they held Court, but adjourned again the same day. As the law of Penn- sylvania is not established yet, and that of Connecticut abolished (the body of the people a con- course from different States, among whom there is a number of the bad kind, who, by taking ad- vantage of the times, would be willing to defrand the better sort), I would therefore entreat your Excellency and the Honorable Council for instructions how to condnet in case people come of their own accord, or are brought before [me]. I would further beg your Excellency's orders what to do when some of the Pennsylvania claimants should come up to plant a little Summer grain, as those new acquired peoply say they will not suffer the Pennsylvania landholders to plant any- thing; neither will they permit some of those Connecticut Pennsylvanians to raise any grain on the ground, who had done so last year under Connecticut claim.
"Mr. [Obadiah] Gore of this place, who had been sent some time ago to the Assembly of the State of New York with a petition for a grant of land thirty miles square at Aghqnague on this side of the Lake near the head of the Susquehanna, returned last night, and brought the news that the petition of the Wyoming settlers had been granted, and that he was to go up and choose the place."
On Monday, March 24, 1783, Col. Zebulon Butler arrived at Wilkes-Barré from the camp of his regiment on the Hudson, for a few days visit. The same all he can in the ranging way for the good of the county; but as for doing much towards the repairing of the fort, it is not in his power at present, as the enemy bas made their appearance once more on our frontiers."
After rebuilding Fort Muncy, and conducting other operations along the West Branch, Robinson's "Rangers" returned to Northumberland, where they were stationed until ordered to Wilkes-Barre. Here they remained until discharged from and mustered out of service in November, 1783. Shortly after this, Captain Robinson settled at Rob- inson's Island, in Pine Creek, about one-half mile from where the creek empties into the West Branch of the Susque- hanna, in Lycoming County. He soon became extensively engaged in tbe land business.
In the Summer of 1792, while on a business trip up the North Branch of the Susquehanna, he was taken ill. Com- ing down the river in an open boat, exposed to the sun, his disease was aggravated, and shortly after reaching Wilkes- Barré, in August, he died and was buried here. He had a daughter Mary, who became the wife of John Cook (of Ly- coming County?).
¡See "Pennsylvania Archives", Old Series, X: 14.
*PHILIP SHRAWDER, or PHILIP CHRISTIAN SCHRADER as be was christened, was born December 16, 1745, at Frankenthal, in Bavaria, now one of the States of the German Empire. He was the eldest of five children-two sons and three daughters-who grew to maturity. At the beginning of the American Revolution he came to this country, and, proceeding to Philadelphia, offered his services, in a military capacity, to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety. By the Council he was recommended to the Continental Congress for a commission, August 9, 1776, and three days later, by a resolution of Congress, he was commissioned "Second Lieutenant of the 5th Company of Germans to be raised in Pennsylvania " This company formed part of the "German Regiment" referred to at length in the note on page 1162, Vol. II, and Philip Shrawder served with the regiment in all its campaigns and battles until its reduction, January 1. 1781. He was promoted First Lieutenant, May 13, 1777; promoted Captain-Lieutenant, February 8, 1778, and retired January 1. 1781.
While stationed with his regiment at Sunbury, Pennsylvania, in the Winter of 1779-'80 (see page 1224, Vol. II). Captain Shrawder, who for some time had been a member of Military Lodge, No. 19, Free and Accepted Masons, mentioned on page 1184, Vol. II, presented his petition to Lodge No. 22, at Sunbury. He was admitted to member- ship in this Lodge February 19, 1780, and at the same meeting Dr. Peter Peres, Surgeon, and Bernard Hubley, a Cap- tain of the German Regiment (see note, page 1162, Vol. II), late members of Military Lodge, No. 19, were also admitted members of Lodge No. 22. (See F. A. Godcharles' "Free Masonry in Northumberland and Snyder Counties, Penn- sylvania", I: 15, 16.)
In August, 1782, Captain Shrawder was one of several petitioners to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Ancient York Masons, for a warrant for a Lodge (No. 38) to be held at Easton, Pennsylvania. (See "Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania", II: 141.)
Upon his retirement from the Continental army Captain Shrawder raised a company of Pennsylvania "Rangers", which was mustered into the service of the State, as a part of its militia, February 10, 1781, to be stationed in North- ampton County. A pay-roll of this company, covering the period from February 10, 1781, to June 1, 1782, is printed in "Pennsylvania Archives". Second Series, XIV: 581. It contains the names of Philip Shrawder, Captain (commis- sioned February 10, 1781); Jacob Cramer, Lieutenant; Lawrence Erb, Ensign; Adolf Creselius and John Beissel, Sergeants: D. St. Clair, Drummer: and the names of twenty-nine privates.
May 1, 1781, Joseph Reed, President of the Supreme Executive Council, wrote as follows to the Hon John Van Campen, of Lower Smithfield, Northampton County, who at that time was a member of the Supreme Executive Coun- cil-having been elected October 14, 1780. "Captain Shrawder has orders to procure ammunition, which will be sent up by the wagons. Our advice is, and we wish you to impress it upon the leading men of the County, that Captain Shrawder's company should be recruited as soon as possible. The next relief is money, of which we have sent £1.000 hy the hearer, which you will appropriate with prudence and discretion for immediate relief, employing it in hiring men on this emergency. We must now recommend to you vigorous exertions of yourselves, stockading the strong houses, and, if possible, promoting scouting parties-offering the reward for scalps and prisoners agreeable to our proc- lamation of last year." (See "Pennsylvania Archives", Second Series, III: 478.)
In September, 1781, Shrawder's "Rangers" were stationed at Lower Smithfield, Northampton County, and on the 6th of the month the Captain wrote to President Reed in part as follows (See "Pennsylvania Archives", Old Series,
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day a town-meeting of the inhabitants of Westmoreland was held at Wilkes- Barré, and adjourned meetings were held on the 26th and 27th of the month. As stated in the letters of Captain Shrawder, it was voted to send Benjamin Harvey to Connecticut for the following purposes: (1) To get from the records of The Susquehanna Company, at Windham, a full and complete "list of the first settlers on the Susquehanna" under the auspices of the Company, and a statement as to when they took possession of the land; (2) to present to the General Assembly at Hartford, a petition urging that steps be taken to have "another trial for the soil, if not for jurisdiction," of the Wyoming region.
On Friday, March 28th (the same day on which Obadiah Gore returned to Wilkes-Barré from his mission to the Legislature of New York), Benjamin Harvey set out on horseback from his home in Plymouth for Windham, a journey of 235 miles, which at that time occupied from twelve to fourteen days. The General Assembly of Connecticut was to hold its regular semi-annual session early in May; so, having completed at Windham the business of the Wyoming settlers, Mr. Harvey journeyed next to his former home in Lyme, Connecticut, to visit his brothers and look after some private affairs there.
At Wilkes-Barré, under the date of Sunday, March 30, 1783, Captain Shrawder wrote to John Van Campen, Esq., previously mentioned, as follows* :
"At and since my arrival at this place the inhabitants are exceedingly reserved, and, to judge by appearances, the generality of them does not like the Pennsylvanians to an excess. Last Monday they had a town-meeting, to sound their purses whether they can muster as much as would pay for a trial; but, not coming to a determination, they adjourned till Wednesday, for it seems that some part is for Pennsylvania and others not.
"On Tuesday they held Court. As far as I could hear nothing was done, so they adjourned again, for the defendants will call their authority in question, and the Court cannot support their authority by force. Mr. Justice below the mountain, near the Delaware (whom you know, and I do not), continues to issue warrants or precepts, but Mr. Yarington, the Constable [at Wilkes- Barré], swears he'll not serve any more warrants, as the Justice can do nothing after a man is taken.
"On Monday Colonel Butler arrived here, and the day following he and several of the principal inhabitants were over the river to Shawnee; but whether on private (as they would fain make me believe) or on public [business] I cannot tell. On Thursday they had a town-
IX 388): Your Excellency's request, to turn my men either to the Pennsylvania Line or to Captain [Thomas] Robin" son's company, I have endeavored to put into execution, but was disappointed, as the men, amounting now to twelve' had, previous to their engagements, assurances that they should not be taken off, but employed for the defense of this County. There is the greatest probability for raising the company in a very short time if clothing and the first bounty in hard money could be teodered to recruits." * * *
In the Summer of 1782 Shrawder's "Rangers" were stationed at Chestnut Hill, Northampton County, and under the date of June 19, Captain Shrawder wrote to John Van Campen, Esq., previously mentioned, in part as follow .. "The men are all very anxious for their pay, and myself should be very happy to be enabled to procure some clothing for myself, and to pay my debts. * * * I have always parties out scouting the woods from my post to Zawitz', &c . and again from my post to Fort Allen. Those at Fort Allen take their tour down to Berks County, and also up to my quarters again, Mr. [Jacob] Cramer, who, agreeable to his information, sent his resignation [as Lieutenant] to Council in March last, is with me since the 2d of May as volunteer-scouts the woods with my parties. Mr. Lawrence Erb begs to be remembered by Council, to be promoted to Lieutenant." ("Zawitz' " referred to in the foregoing letter was undoubtedly the locality referred to as "Sebitz' " in the journal of Dr. Schopf. See page 1339)
In September and early in October, 1782, Captain Shrawder was stationed at Fort Allen (mentioned on page 339. Vol. I), and in the following November he was again at Chestout Hill. There, under the date of November 4th, he wrote to John Van Campen, Esq., (temporarily in Philadelphia), to the effect that "in September last our late President [Moore] mentioned to have my company recruited during the Winter to about 100 men, with the addition of another officer; by which means the militia might be spared, and the State saved a good deal of expense."
After his retirement from the military service of Pennsylvania in November, 1783, Captain Shrawder settled in Lower Smithfield Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. In December, 1783, he became a member of the Pennsylvania Branch of the Society of the Cincinnati. He was married at Lower Smithfield, February 19, 1793, by the Rev. William Francis Poppard, to "the widow Rachael Van Campen." She died September 29, 1805. Captain Shrawder was commissioned a Justice of the Peace in and for Northampton County April I, 1806.
In 1818 Captain Shrawder paid a visit to his relatives in Bavaria, and while at Frankenthal acted in the capacity of godfather at the christening of his grand-nephew, George Philip Christian Friederich Schrader, born at Frankenthal. December 23, 1818, the fourth child of John Nicholas and Albertine (Schuck) Schrader. G P. C. F. Schrader, or, a- he was commonly called and known "Frederick Schrader", immigrated to America in 1833, and settled in Wilkes-Barre. Later he removed to Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he died, October 17, 1893.
Capt. Philip Shrawder died in Northampton County, March 17, 1820, leaving no children. According to the "Genealogical and Family History of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys", II:200, "Captain Shrawder left a large estate, principally in land , in Pennsylvania *
* His name is commemorated in Shrader's Creek. He was an ardent American in spirit, and provided that, in order to obtain inheritance in his estate, his kindred in Germany should come to the United States, establish a residence here, and assume the obligations of citizenship. As a further inducement to his heirs to come to, this country, he offered a large sum of money to the first child born in the United States to such immigrants." (See sketch of the Hon. John Reichard in a subsequent chapter.) In May, 1832. the Trustees named in the will of Captain Shrawder, "late of Smithfield Township, Northampton County", were author- ized to make sale of certain real estate of the testator in the counties of Luzerne and Wayne, Pennsylvania
+See "Pennsylvania Archives", Old Series, X : 23.
*See "Pennsylvania Archives", Old Series, X - 24
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meeting here, when they agreed, according to Capt. [Simon] Spalding's information to me, to send Mr. [Benjamin] Harvey to a certain place in Connecticut for a copy of records, &c .; and accordingly Mr. Harvey set off yesterday morning. But by the way of another information 1 heard they had wrote to the Governor and Assembly of Connecticut about having another trial for the soil, if not for jurisdiction; for the people are divided-some for one, some for the other and some for both.
"They have also appointed a committee last Thursday to confer with the committee appointed by the [Pennsylvania] Assembly. Captain Spalding is one of those for Wyoming. He is the truest of any I have seen yet. His interest doth not lie here at all, he claiming only a certain place near Standing Stone, on which he formerly lived .* Other gentlemen pretend ignorance of Court and town-meetings, although I am very certain of the contrary, and it is very likely they are absent in person but present by proxy at those meetings.
"Notwithstanding the assurances you have had, the conduct and deportment of the people indicates a great dissatisfaction for the State of Pennsylvania. Before I could be up I had wrote a letter to Colonel Denison and Captain Schott setting forth the sentiments of both branches of the Government concerning the dispute; but during the whole time of my presence here I have not seen Mr. Denison yet. Captain Robinson, who came up on Monday last and went off again on Tuesday last, informed me there was no knapsacks at all at Northumberland."
Let us, at this point, turn aside for a brief space to acquaint ourselves with certain important happenings which occurred about this time at some distance from Wilkes-Barré.
Provisional articles of peace between Great Britain and the United States having been signed at Paris, November 30, 1782 (as mentioned on page 1292), King George III issued his royal proclamation February 14, 1783, "declaring the cessation of arms, as well by sea as land", agreed upon between His Majesty and the United States of America, and enjoining the observance thereof upon all his "loving subjects," under the penalty of incurring his "highest displeasure." Some weeks later official information concerning the King's act was conveyed to the Continental Congress, then sitting at Philadelphia; whereupon that body on April 11, 1783, declared it to be their will and pleasure that hostilities should cease. Five days later President Dickinson, in behalf of the Pennsylvania Government, issued a proclamation announcing the cessation of hostilities.
The return of peace was celebrated everywhere with bonfires, with rockets, with speeches, and with thanksgiving on April 19th, the eighth anniversary of the fight at Lexington. The columns of the few newspapers and periodicals which were published in this country at that period overflowed with articles and edi- torials, both in poetry and prose, on the all-absorbing topic-Peace and a return of Prosperity. One of the most widely printed and read articles was Thomas Paines' "The Birth-day of the Republic"t, in which appeared these sentences:
"The times that tried men's soulst are over, and the greatest and completest revolution the world ever knew gloriously and happily accomplished! * To see it in our power to * * make a world happy-to teach mankind the art of being so-to exhibit, on the theater of the universe, a character hitherto unknown-and to have, as it were, a new creation intrusted to our hands, are honors that command reflection, and can neither be too highly estimated, nor too gratefully received. * * In this pause, then, of recollection-while the storm is ceasing, and the long agitated mind vibrating to a rest-let us look back on the scenes we have passed, and learn from experience what is yet to be done."
The following stanzas are from a popular song of the period-a parody on "God Save the King."
"Fame, let thy trumpet sound, Tell all the world around, Columbia's free! Tell Germaine, North and Bute, And every other brute
"The bloody George in vain May forge a stronger chain, The deed is done!
A greater George than he Hath set Columbia free.
Tyrannic George won't suit Her Liberty.
Immortalized shall be GEORGE WASHINGTON!"
*According to C. F. Heverly's "History of Sheshequin", page 56, "the first settlement in Sheshequin [in what is now Bradford County, Pennsylvania] dates from May 30. 1783, when Gen. Simon Spalding and his little band arrived from Wyoming." The party consisted of General Spalding and the persons named in the note on page 980, Vol. 11 +See "Library of American Literature", I11: 222.
#See page 875, Vol. 1I.
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By the soldiers of the Continental Line, encamped along the Hudson River, the news of the cessation of hostilities (announced in general orders from headquarters) was received with almost extravagant demonstrations of joy. All were anxious to return to their homes and their former occupations and call- ings; but there were to be months of weary delay before actual peace should be declared and all the worn-out soldiers permitted to return to the walks of civil life. Many were discharged during the following Summer and Autumn, but the whole army was not disbanded till early in November, 1783.
The following certificates, relating to soldiers from Wyoming Valley in service on the Hudson in April, 1783, and now printed for the first time, are copies of originals which, in November, 1879, were in the possession of Mr. M. M. Jones, Secretary of the Historical Society at Utica, New York.
"April 17, 1783.
"This certifies that the underwritten names belong to the First Connecticut regiment, and enlisted during the War.
"Mason F. Alden, Serg't.
Elisha Garrett, Private
Thomas Neal,
Ambrose Gaylord,
Asahel Hide, Corp'l
Rufus Bennett,
Benjn. Clark,
Ira Stevens,
Elisha Mattison, "
John Oakley,
Daniel Denton,
David Brown,
John Swift, Private
Amos Ormsby,
Isaac Smith,
William Smith,
Elisha Satterlee,
Israel Harding,
William Loomis,
John Halstead,
Oliver Bennett,
Asa Smith,
Benjamin Cole,
Obadiah Walker,
Gideon Church,
Abiel Farnam
William McClure,
John Platner [Signed] "E. ELLS, Capt. Ist Conn. Regt.
"The above mentioned soldiers are now in service, and belong to Westmoreland upon the Susquehanna River. [name of place illegible] 17 Apl. 1783,
[Signed] "JOHN P. WYLLYS, Major, and commanding Ist Conn. Regt."
"This certifies that the underwritten names belong to Susquehanna, and ware Inlisted Dureing the war, and are now in actual service in the 2d Connecticut Regiment.
"John Ryon, Serg't. Ebenezer Bostwick, “ John Jackson, Private William Jackways " Philetus Swift,
Certified per
"HEMAN SWIFT, Colo. 2d Connt. Regt."
CHAPTER XXIII
THE PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSIONERS REACH WILKES-BARRE-MUCH TESTI- MONY TAKEN AS TO THE RIGHT OF SOIL-COMPROMISE SUGGESTIONS REFUSED-COMMISSION DEPARTS AFTER ELECTING PARTISAN OFFICE HOLDERS - SOLDIERS QUARTERED UPON THE IN- HABITANTS AND ENCOURAGED TO OPPRESS SETTLERS -SECOND PENNAMITE-YANKEE WAR BEGUN- DISASTROUS FLOOD AT WYOMING
"There's some ill planet reigns; I must be patient, till the heavens look With an aspect more favorable." A Winter's Tale. Act 11, Scene 1.
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