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 66
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
The following-bearing upon Mrs. Sprague's work as a midwife-is a verbatim copy of ao original certificate respecting a militia fine, now preserved in the collections of The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society. "This May Certify that Mis Sprague has maid It appear to my Satisfaction that Thomas Wella Is Not Eighteen years of age and is Cleard of the Last Gyneral muster. Attest by
"Wilkesbury July 22nd. 1789.
"To Daniel Downing, Collector.
[Signed] "WM. Ross, Capt."
Concerning Mrs. Sprague, the late Wesley Johnsoo of Wilkes-Barre, wrote in 1889 as follows (see Johnson's "His- torical Record"". III : 165): "Mrs. Euoice Sprague was, in all prohability, the first woman to practice medicine in these parts. I do not myself remember her, but often, when I was a small boy, heard the old people speak of 'Granny Sprague' as a successful practitioner of mid wifery, and of the healing art among children. Mrs. Dr. Sprague's residence and office, which I well remember, was a one-story log house on the [south-west] corner of Maio and Union Streets. * * * Mrs. Sprague was the mother of 'Aunty' Young, who lived in a small, one-story frame house, still standing on Canal Street a short distance below Union Street."
"Aunty" Young, above referred to, was Mrs. Phoebe (Poyner) Young, a daughter of Mrs. Sprague by her first marriage. Miner has considerable to say about her in the Appendix to his History; and in the Daily Record of the Times (Wilkes-Barré) of February 27, 1874, there is an article concerning her and her children, written by the late James A. Gordon. Mrs. Young died in Wilkes-Barre, July 21, 1839, aged eighty-nine years. At the time the following was printed in a local paper conceroing her. "She was the oldest resident of this borough, having resided here previous to, and at the period of. the Massacre, and was one of the few who escaped through the wilderness to the settlements on the Delaware. She retained her intelligence -- which was at all times remarkable-until a very short period before her death. She enjoyed universally the respect of the community."
1539
now under consideration he (just as Dr. Wm. Hooker Smith and many others) was inimical to the "two Johns" and their partizans, or adherents, and the policies they were advocating. In other words, the so-called Connecticut set- tlers-the Yankees-were divided against themselves.
The activities with respect to Wyoming affairs, on the part of Dr. Joseph Hamilton and Capt. Solomon Strong-both of whom were understood by the Pennsylvania authorities at Philadelphia to be citizens of New York State- were very disquieting to the Philadelphians and caused President Benjamin Franklin to write to Gov. George Clinton of New York on the subject. At the City of New York, under the date of December 13, 1786 Governor Clinton re- plied to President Franklin's communication in part as follows :*
"Your Excellency's letter of the 27th November was delivered to me by the bearer of it yesterday evening. The person [Dr. Hamilton] mentioned in it, as charged with having committed a Felony in your State, was apprehended and Committed to the Gaol of this City, where he re- mained confined until the rising of our Court of Oyer and Terminer last Saturday night, when he was discharged by Proclamation, no Bill having been exhibited or charge presented against him. I fear, therefore, that it will not be in my power to comply with your Request, as it is prob- able the offender may have e'er this left the State.
"I take this opportunity to apologize for not having, before this, acknowledged the Receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 1st of June last; I was in the country when it was left at my house, & before I returned I was informed that Ethan Allen had left the Susquehanna without being able to effect the object for which he went thither, and had passed through this State into Connecticut. Solomon Strong, the other person mentioned in your Excellency's letter, came from Connecticut before the Revolution & resided a short time at Claverack in this State, but, having been charged with counterfeiting Dollars, fled from justice to Wyoming in your State, where I understand he has since statedly resided. These matters I mentioned to Colonel Bayard, one of your Delegates [in Congress], which he promised to communicate to your Excellency.
"I have only to add that, should the above persons or any others, be guilty of treasonable practices, or other offence against the peace of your Commonwealth, I shall most chearfully con- tribute everything in my power to defeat their purposes and bring them to justice; being disposed to cultivate the most perfect good understanding between your State and that in which I have the Honor to preside."
At Wilkes-Barré, on December 18, 1786, Dr. Wm. Hooker Smith, Samuel Hover and Abraham Westbrook, who were then living on Jacob's Plains, in the township of Wilkes-Barré, wrote to Vice-President Biddle of the Supreme Executive Council as follows:+
"We, the undersigners, distressed inhabitants of Wioming, hope that, by our former con- duct, we have shewed to Government our loyalty and attachment. We fear that there is a num- ber of men in this settlement who design opposition to Government. If this should be the case, and matters should come to an open rupture, we beg that your Honor will be an advocate for us to Government, that we may not suffer with the Disobedient & Rebellious.
"You may rely on our attachment, and no one thing will make us more happy than to imbrace your Laws & Glorious Constitution-which we will do whenever they shall be offered to us. We look on ourselves as bound by every sacred tye to Government, & will not recede from what we have [professed], and still Profess, attachment to Government."
Let us now turn our attention toward Connecticut, where, according to Miner ("History of Wyoming", page 400), "the last grand movement of The Susquehanna Company-having in view the establishment of an independent Government and State, in defiance of Pennsylvania, her power and her laws -was now in bold and energetic progress."
A meeting of the proprietors of The Susquehanna Company, "duly warned," was held at the State House, in Hartford, on Tuesday, December 26, 1786. Col. Gad Stanley presided, as Moderator, and Joel Barlowį acted as Clerk. Drs. Joseph Hamilton and Caleb Benton of New York were among those present. Col. John Franklin, Zerah Beach, Benjamin Harvey, and prob- *See "Pennsylvania Archives", Old Series, XI : 96.
+See "Pennsylvania Archives", Old Series, X1 : 102.
#JOEL BARLOW was horn at Redding, Fairfield County, Connecticut, March 24, 1754-the same year in which The Susquehanna Company purchased the Wyoming lands from the Six Nation Indians. He was graduated at Vale College with the degree of A. B. in 1778-being the poet of his class. Among his classmates were a number who after- wards were distinguished in public life-among them being Noah Webster, the lexicographer; Oliver Wolcott, Jr.,
1540
ably other members of the Company resident in Wyoming had set out for Hart- ford a day or two before Christmas, in order to attend the meeting, but they were delayed by stormy weather and did not reach their destination until after the final adjournment of the meeting.
Several public papers and private letters relative to the situation of affairs at Wyoming were read, and then, on motion, a committee-with Maj. William Judd* as chairman-was appointed to prepare a program of business for the next day, to which time the meeting then adjourned.
Assembling at the same place the next morning at ten o'clock, the above- mentioned committee made a lengthy report; whereupon, after considerable dis- cussion, the meeting adopted the following preamble and resolutions:t
"Whereas, It is an object of great importance that the rights of the proprietors under the Susquehanna Purchase be ascertained, and the claims of the settlers be reduced to a certainty and their titles confirmed,
"Therefore, Resolved, That Maj. William Judd, Samuel Gray}, Esq., Joel Barlow, Esq., Gen. Oliver Wolcott§, Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Esq., Alexander Wolcott, Jr., Esq., Col. Gad Stanley, Dr. Joseph Hamilton. Dr. Timothy Hosmer, Col. Zebulon Butler, Col. Nathan Denison, Obadiah Gore, Esq., Col. John Franklin, Zerah Beach, Esq., Capt. Simon Spalding, Maj. John Jenkins, Capt. John Paul Schott, Abel Peirce, Esq., Capt. John Bortle, Capt. Peter Loop, Jr., John Bay, Esq., and Col. Ebenezer Gray || be, and they are hereby, authorized and appointed Commissioners, with full powers to ascertain, by reference to the records of the Clerk of The Susquehanna Company, and the records of the settlers at Wyoming, the names of the proprietors claiming under said Purchase.
"That as soon as may be they make out a fair and complete list of the names of all the proprietors, and annex thereto the proportions of land to which they are severally entitled; and that as soon as said list may be completed it shall be entered at large on the records of the said Company, and shall be considered as full and complete evidence of the title of said proprietors.
"That said Commissioners shall thereupon make a scrutiny of every person settled upon said lands; and such settlers as shall appear to have been proprietors, or heirs or assigns of pro- prietors, shall immediately procure their locations to be surveyed and ascertained; which, after being approved by said Commissioners, shall be recorded as parcel of their proprietory rights. "That whenever it shall appear that any settler or proprietor has made a location by per- mission and under authority from any proprietor, or the Company, the quantity of land located shall be surveyed as aforesaid; and, if approved by said Commissioners, shall be recorded and con- sidered as parcel of the right of said original proprietor-unless otherwise provided by the vote of this Company.
"That said Commissioners be, and they are hereby, directed to ascertain, locate and survey to each and every person who has (in consequence of any person, vote, or agreement of said Susquehanna Company) gone and settled on said lands, the amount of his grant; which, being recorded, shall vest a full and complete title thereto in favor of such person.
"That said Commissioners be also directed and empowered to locate and survey, in favor of such persons as they shall judge proper (who shall actually settle and occupy said lands, by themselves, their heirs or assigns), not exceeding 200 acres on the right of any proprietor-who Secretary of the Treasury under Washington, and subsequently Governor of Connecticut; Uriah Tracy, a Senator of the United States; Stephen Jacob, Chief Justice, and Noah Smith, Associate Judge, of the Supreme Court of Vermont; Josiah Meigs, President of the University of Georgia. In 1781 Mr. Barlow received the degree of M. A. from his Alma Mater, and, in 1809 the degree of LL. D. was conferred on him by the University of Georgia.
During his college course he served for a time in the Connecticut militia, and took part in the battle at White Plains. After graduating he entered the ministry, and then served as a Chaplain in the Continental army until the close of the war; after which he settled at Hartford, Connecticut, and was admitted to the Bar in 1786. The next year he published "The Vision of Columbus", a poem of considerable length, which was dedicated to Louis XVI King of France, and was printed at Hartford. Some time later he went to Europe in the interests of the Scioto Land Company, and while there he became identified with the Girondists in France and contributed largely to the political literature of the day. In 1791, he went to London, where, with a number of American artists, poets and journalists, he helped to form the "Constitutional Society." Soon afterwards, he published, at London his "Advice to the Privi- leged Orders." This being proscribed by the Government, he took refuge in France, and in 1792 or '93, just previous to the Reign of Terror, became a candidate for Deputy to the National Convention, but was defeated for the office. He was an intimate friend of Thomas Paine, and to his care the latter confided the MS. of his "Age of Reason" . for publication. In 1793, while living at Chambery, France, Barlow wrote "The Hasty Pudding", a poem in three cantos. It was not published, however, until 1796. The poem is in praise of corn-meal mush, or pudding, the author declaring: "He makes a good breakfast who mixes pudding with molasses." He next produced "The Columbaid" a poem of some length, and prepared the ground work for a history of the American Revolution. In 1795. he was ap- pointed by President Washington United States Consul to Algiers, in which office he performed important services. In 1805, he returned to the United States, where, for the next few years, he devoted himself to literature. In 1811, he was appointed United States Minister to France. In December, 1812, while on his way from Paris to Wilna, Poland. to meet Napoleon-then engaged in his Russian campaign-in order to sign with him a treaty already agreed upon, Barlow, overcome by cold and privation, was taken sick, and died at Yarmisica, Poland, on Christmas-eve.
In the "Library of American Literature", IV: 46, there is a fine portrait of Barlow, accompanied by extracts from some of his writings.
*See page 824, Vol. II.
tSee Miners "History of Wyoming", page 401, and "Pennsylvania Archives", Second Series, XV111 : 109. #See page 292, Vol. I. §See pages 285 and 286, Vol. I | See page 292, Vol. I.
1541
has either by himself, or by some person under him, settled and remained on said lands; which survey and location being recorded, shall vest a complete title in such settler, and shall be consid- ered as parcel of such proprietor's right.
"That said Commissoners shall locate and survey all such grants as they may make in favour of any new settler on said lands in such towns as have been already granted-as far as vacant lands can be found for that purpose-or on such gores of land between said towns as remain ungranted. Provided that nothing herein shall be construed to affect the title of any actual settler in such town. Said Commissioners are to take especial care that the property of widows and orphans be in no instance infringed.
"That said Commissioners shall as soon as may be convene together and appoint some particular place for holding their Court; and they shall in no instance hold their Court in any other place than that first agreed upon-unless it shall not be convenient to meet at such place in which case it shall be in their power to adjourn to any other place. And they shall appoint some proper person for their Secretary, who shall keep fair and accurate records of all their pro- ceedings and determinations.
"That said Commissioners be, and they are hereby, authorized to make locations and sur- veys, in favour of any settlers or proprietors, on any of the broken or mountainous lands lying within five miles of the river and not convenient to lay out townships five miles square, and annex the same to such townships as they judge proper; provided that such locations shall in no instance exceed 600 acres to the proprietor of a full right, or in proportion to the proprietor of a less quantity than a full right. *
* * And said Commissioners are hereby authorized to grant new townships, agreeable to the former votes of this Company; and the powers heretofore granted to any committee for that purpose are hereby declared to cease and determine.
"That said Commissioners are hereby authorized to inquire into the particular circum- stances of any locations and settlements that have been made contrary to the former regulations of this Company, and confirm or disallow the same as they shall judge most conducive to the interests of this Company. And it is hereby ordered that no location, which may hereafter be made contrary to the regulations contained in this Act, shall in any instance be admitted or con- firmed.
"That any three of the said Commissioners, together with their Secretary, shall be a quorum to transact any of the business aforesaid.
"That the expense of locating and surveying, and determining all matters aforesaid, shall be paid by the persons in whose favour such locations, &c., shall be made or done; but said Court of Commissioners shall in no instance exact or receive unreasonable or exorbitant fees.
"That any five of said Commissioners, with their Secretary, shall be a Court, with power to hear and finally determine all controversies between actual occupants respecting the title of lands, and to award equitable costs, in the usual forms of trials at law. This power to cease and determine whenever a form of internal government shall be established in that country.
"Resolved likewise, That the Commissioners aforesaid, or a majority of them, be, and they are hereby, fully authorized and empowered to do and transact any other matters and things which they may judge necessary for the security and protection of the settlers on said lands, and for the benefit of the Company of Proprietors-hereby ratifying and confirming whatever said Commis- sioners may do in the premises.
'That no new settler be entered by the Court of Commissioners in the town of Claverack until after the first day of May next. * * *
"That each person that was considered by this Company as a sufferer, and was compen- sated therefor in a township at Muncy Creek-which is now possessed under Pennsylvania- be admitted by the Court of Commissioners to take an equal quantity of land in any township, to be laid out in lieu of said grant upon said Muncy Creek; provided he settle the same the next Summer or season."
Immediately after the adjournment of the Company, those members of the newly-created "Court of Commissioners" who were in Hartford, met and elected Col. John Franklin Secretary of the Commissioners.
Miner ("History of Wyoming," page 400), commenting on the aforemen- tioned doings of The Susquehanna Company, says:
"Colonel Franklin, 'the hero of Wyoming', in the spirit of his oath on the bloody rifle*, had aroused into action some of the boldest and most influential spirits in the land. In the pro- ceedings which follow (fraught, as Pennsylvania might well regard them, with war and treason; and justified-as Franklin, and those gentlemen who connected themselves with his scheme, con- scientiously believed-by the unendurable wrongs and oppressions inflicted with unsparing hand and remorseless rigor on the poor settlers at Wyoming) will be found names conspicuous in the annals of the Nation-official functionaries of the highest grade, and men of genius, whom lit- erature as well as politics was proud to crown with the chaplet of enviable distinction.
"Joel Barlow, already known to fame, eminent for learning and distinguished by genius- which subsequently ensued his elevation to the honourable office of Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of France-acted, it will be seen, as Secretary. The Wolcotts of Connecticut were themselves a host. No less than three of the names will be found on the list of the Grand Com- mittee Commissioners of twenty-two. The name of Hosmer was also there. Oliver Wolcott, Jr., was afterwards Secretary of the Treasury, and subsequently Governor of Connecticut. Such
*See page 1447.
1542
men did not move without high purpose and elevated aim. A prize to gratify ambition could alone have secured the co-operation of gentlemen holding station, enjoying consequence, and with prospects so flattering in society as theirs."
As narrated in the preceding chapter, Col. Timothy Pickering returned to Philadelphia from his tour of north-eastern Pennsylvania on September 20, 1786. In a letter to his son Henry, written some years later, Colonel Pickering said:
"Having received some information of the mischievous dispute relative to the Wyoming lands, I embraced every opportunity, while passing among the settlers [in August and September, 1786], to learn their feelings and ascertain the footing on which their peaceable submission to Pennsylvania might be effected.
"On my return home to Philadelphia Mr. [James] Wilson*, then a distinguished lawyer at the Philadelphia Bar, and afterwards a Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, called to see me, and he diligently inquired concerning the temper and desires of the Connecticut set- tlers. I informed him that they were entirely satisfied with the Constitution of Pennsylvania, and were ready to submit to its government, provided they could be quieted in the possession of their farms. They had settled them, they said, in the fullest confidence that they were covered by the Charter of Connecticut; they had made very valuable improvements, built houses and barns, and raised good stocks of cattle and abundance of the necessaries of life-when the whole were laid waste and destroyed by the common enemy in 1778. And, more than all these things, a great number of their brethren had perished in battle. That from these calamities they had not re- covered-they were poor, and incapable of removing and seeking new settlements.
"The next news I heard on this subject was from my friend Dr. [Benjamin] Rush. He told me that the General Assembly, then sitting in Philadelphia, had just passed a law erecting the Wyoming settlement, and a large extent of country above and below it, into a new County, by the name of Luzerne; that the usual county offices would be created, all of which would be conferred on me if I would accept them. That, being a New England man, the Connecticut settlers would place a confidence in my information and advice, which they would be inclined to withhold from a Pennsylvanian; and thus I might be the happy instrument of putting an end to an inveterate and disastrous controversy.
"Mr. Wilson also encouraged and advised me to take the step proposed by Dr. Rush; and, after taking time for consideration, I informed Mr. Wilson that I would engage in this bus- iness, provided I might assure the Connecticut settlers that the Legislature would quiet them in their possessions. I particularly asked his opinion as a lawyer, as I also did that of Miers Fisher, a distinguished lawyer of the Society of Quakers, whether an Act of the Legislature would be com- petent for that purpose, against the claims of Pennsylvanians to the same lands under titles de-
rived from the Proprietaries.
*
* *
Both gentlemen answered in the affirmative." * * *
At Philadelphia, on September 25, 1786-the same day on which the Act erecting Luzerne County was engrossed and signed-Colonel Pickering sent to the Supreme Executive Council the following communication :;
"The subscriber begs leave to present himself as a candidate for the office of Prothonotary for the County of Luzerne: I have been informed that the Bill for erecting Wioming district into a separate County is passed into a law, and that the civil officers for the County are now to be appointed.
"The office of Prothonotary has been proposed to my consideration on these grounds: That the forming the district into a separate County was intended as a conciliatory measure. That with the same view, it must be the desire of Government to appoint such persons to the civil offices in the County as may be most likely to allay the jealousies subsisting among the New England settlers, and at the same time possess the confidence of the rest of the State. That, I being a native of New England (though not of Connecticut), the settlers will be gratified by my appointment. And that, for several years, having been conversant in and an inhabitant of Penn- sylvania, I am here sufficiently known; and the gentlemen who have proposed the office to me have been pleased to say that I should doubtless enjoy the confidence of the State. If these opin- ions are well founded, there will be no impropriety in my requesting of your Excellency and the Honorable the Council to be appointed Prothonotary for the County of Luzerne-which office will be gratefully accepted and, I trust, duly executed."
The next day Colonel Pickering formally applied to the Council for appoint- ment to the other County offices which, by law, were required to be filled by that body. One Bryan, of Philadelphia, was also an applicant for these offices, but on October 9th the Council appointed, and October 12th commissioned, Colonel Pickering to the following offices, in and for Luzerne County: Pro- thonotary, Clerk of the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace and Jail Delivery, Clerk of the Orphan's Court, and a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. On October 27th Colonel Pickering and John Riley, of Philadelphia respectively petitioned the Pennsylvania Assembly for appointment to the *See [§] note page 1297. +See the "Pickering Papers", V. : 391.
1543
offices of "Register for the Probate of Wills and granting Letters of Administra- tion, and Recorder of Deeds, in and for the County of Luzerne." On Novem- ber 7th "the House proceeded to the election, when, the ballots being taken, it appeared that Timothy Pickering was duly elected" Register and Recorder. On December 18, 1786, Colonel Pickering "attended in Council, and took the necessary oaths of qualification" with respect to his various and several offices. He was, at this time, in the forty-second year of his life.
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.