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 78
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
"It was now the 16th of July. Nineteen days had passed away, while I had been their prisoner. Having no razor, nor a second shirt, I had neither shaved nor changed my linen during that whole time. They had told me, if I desired clothing or anything else from home, and I would write for them, they should be brought to me. I accordingly wrote to your mother for clothing and for a book. She sent them up as directed, and they arrived at Zebulon Marcy's at Tunkhannock; and there I found them, after I was released. The shirt I wore from home, I repeatedly took off, and washed as well as I could, in cold water and without soap.
"As soon as I entered Kilborn's house, they brought me a razor and soap to shave, and a clean shirt, and a pair of stockings; and told me I was at liberty. They roasted some chickens, and gave me as good a dinner as the poor wretches could furnish.
"While dinner was preparing, they renewed their request, that I would intercede for Frank- lin's pardon. This I again peremptorily refused to do. Then they made the same request for themselves; and I again told them that I could venture to assure them of pardons, if they would give me the names of their 'Great Men' who had instigated them to commit the outrage I had endured at their hands. They consulted together for some time; and finally told me, they could not give up their names. "This (I said to them) is a very unwise determination. Here are two- and-twenty of you (I had counted them) who may all obtain pardon, if you will give me the names of your employers; and among so many, some one at least, to save himself, will turn state's evi- dence; you had better therefore give me the names of the men who have engaged yon in this wicked business.' 'Whoever does it,' said Gideon Dudley, 'ought to go to hell, and be damned everlastingly.'
"They then made a last request, that I would write a petition for them to the Executive Council praying for pardons, and carrying it with me to Wilkesbarre, take an opportunity to send it to Philadelphia. With this, undeserving as they were, I complied.
"It was now late in the afternoon; and unless I went to Tunkhannock (distant twelve miles) that night, I could not reach home the next day. They had a good boat in which they carried me down. It was dark when they landed. I had only set my foot on shore, when the two Earls came to me, aside, and offered to become evidences for the state upon an assurance of par- don. This I ventured to give them; but the rogues, when brought before the court, divulged none of the names of their 'Great men;' and reluctantly furnished any evidence against their companions.
"Walking from the landing place about a mile, across the Tunkhannock bottom land, we arrived at the house of Zebulon Marcy, to get supper and lodging. There I found the bundle of clothing which your mother had sent up for me; and there, also, I found an inhabitant of Pitts- town, going down the river as far as Lachawannock Creek. And Tuttle, one of the 'Boys', said he would go down with us, and take his chance. The next morning, we three set off in a canoe.
1605
Landing the man destined for Lachawannock, the other went on with me to Wilkesbarre. Ou the way, he told me that he had joined the 'boys' hut two or three days before, in order to discover where I was, and get me rescued out of their hands.
"Stepping ashore at Wilkesharre, I walked directly to our house. You were standing at the front door. As I drew near, you looked a moment-appeared frightened-and retired. Before I reached the door, your mother came with Edward in her arms. Consternation marked her countenance-as if I had been an apparition. My return so soon was wholly unexpected; and she looked at me as if to satisfy herself of the reality.
Colonel Pickering's letter to his wife plainly admits Pennsylvania's mis- taken policy in the treatment of Colonel Franklin. Written during the period of his abduction, it contains various references to events affecting the Wyoming situa- tion, not mentioned in his account written later. His plea that "we cannot expect the dignity and safety of the State should be sacrificed to the interests of an individual family," views the adventure in broad scope, and confirms the character of the writer as one worthy of more consideration than he has usually received at the hands of recorders of Wyoming history. The letter follows: "July 3rd; 1788. .
"My Dear Beckey,
"I hoped, ere this, to have relieved your anxiety in some degree, by informing you that I was alive and well. We marched all the night, and the next day, after I was taken; and, as one half of the time it was through pathless woods, you may suppose I was not a little fatigued. In this, I have since had no reason to complain. I have constantly lodged in the woods, sometimes in the open air, but generally under a shelter of bushes, at one time covered with bark which kept us from the rain. I know not how long I may be in such a situation, and shall therefore mention a few articles necessary to render it more tolerable; but send nothing else, as more would be burthensome in my movable condition. Though, excepting two days, when we had venison, my constant food has been fried salt pork and bread, with water for my drink, yet I am in perfect health; and as I eat this food with appetite, I desire you to send no article of diet, except one pound of chocolate and a pound of sugar.
"You must certainly understand that I was taken and am detained for the purpose of re- deeming Franklin from jail. Had he been liberated lately on bail, they say this difficulty would not have arisen; some would be satisfied with less, some with more. While one would be contented if he were bailed, on condition of his residing in Connecticut or elsewhere, out of this State, another desires that he may be bailed at large. At the same time it is suggested that his leading friends here did not intend he should reside in this county, had he been liberated. * * *
"What steps the government will take, I know not; but in considering the means of my re- demption, they will doubtless consult the dignity and safety of the State. This may prolong my confinement, and consequently add to your distress and mine; but, my dear, we cannot expect that the dignity and safety of the State should be sacrificed to the interests of an individual family. I beg you, therefore, to resume that patience and fortitude which you have so often manifested, and trust to that kind and wise Providence, under which we have hitherto been preserved, for my deliverance from my present confinement. For my own part, I feel resigned to my fate, as it was undeserved from the hands of man, especially of the people of this county, whom, as a body, I have uniformly striven to serve, in every thing consistent with justice and with prudence. My captors and keepers have repeatedly said I should be well used; but used as Franklin has been. Accordingly, this day my fetters were put on. My keepers discovered some feeling on this occasion, and apologized for putting me in chains, hy saying, Such were their orders. In other respects I live as they do. They are civil; and take pains to make me as comfortable as my situation will admit.
"The following articles I wish to have sent me, as early as may be, viz .: My old camlet cloak, two pairs of my strongest worsted stockings, one shirt, one coarse pocket-handkerchief. one coarse towel, half a pound of soap, half a quire of paper, two quills, my pen-knife, my leatherti gloves, needle, thread, and worsted yarn (the thread to darn my fustian trowsers), one pound of chocolate and one pound of sugar. To these, add Dr. Price's sermons, which I was lately reading to you and Betsy. All these may be put into a strong hag, which will make a pack convenient to carry at the hack; and to sling it, send me four yards of the strong yellow binding. I forgot shoes. Send my strongest pair. Send also a small-toothed comh.
"Our friend Mr. Hodgdon will be anxious to learn what is my condition. For his in- formation, send him such extracts from this letter, as you think proper.
"If I had time, I should send some particular directions about my farming business; but I must wait another conveyance, lest I lose the present. God preserve you! Give my love to your sister, and kiss our dear hoys for me. Ever yours,
"TIMOTHY PICKERING."
Third in the sequence of records of the Pickering abduction, is his diary, painstakingly recorded, in character so fine as to require subsequent deciphering at the hands of his son, Octavius. It is especially interesting as confirming Colonel Pickering's account, written from memory, years afterward. Rather
1606
amusing it is, also, in the search disclosed for information as to agricultural subjects. No doubt, his captors were flattered and conciliated by his receiving and recording such information from them. Under the caption, Jovis, it was written, as the title implies, in the open air and while in the woods:
"Jovis, 26th of June, '88. Traveling all night, and Friday, late P. M., reached Earl's, above Tunkhannock. Friday night in the woods. Saturday, travelled two and a half hours, and pitched in the woods. Sunday, 29th, 30th, and July Ist., marched two or three hours; lay in the woods; open air. Wednesday 2nd, marched one hour, and pitched in woods; 3rd, ibid., received pen, ink, paper, to write to my wife. Keepers said they had orders to supply me for that purpose, or to write to Philadelphia, if I chose. Wrote to my wife for camlet cloak, two pairs worsted hose, one shirt, one pocket handkerchief, one towel, needle, thread, yarn, leather gloves, four yards yellow binding, a bag, half pound soap, one pound sugar, half quire paper, shoes, two quills, penknife, Doctor Price's Sermons, fine comb. 4th July, ibid., the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence! the birthday of American freedom! All America rejoicing, but I am in chains! ! ! It began to rain this morning, and is likely to continue all day. Covered our bush roof with bark, which kept dry. P. M., fair. B. Earl, about noon, went to get provisions, and returned without any. He informed that he called at E. Tyler's when Mrs. Tyler told him the High-Sheriff, with Doctor Hopkins, and about eighteen men, had met with three of the boys, and exchanged some shots, in which Gideon Dudley was wounded in the hand, and had his rifle stock split in pieces, and William Ross was shot through the body, and fell, and was carried into Wigton's. The engagement at Mishoppen Creek with Gideon Dudley, John Whitcomb, and William Phelps" (it was Noah Phelps). "Saturday, July 5th, fair morn. T. Kilborn returned from Tyler's, says Mr. Ross was taken down in a canoe for Wilkesbarre, but was not expected to live to reach that place.
"D. Taylor says, that sows should be very moderately fed after pigging the first week, or they will get cloyed, and not eat well, and their pigs will never get fat. Oxen continue to grow till six or seven years old,-often worked in Connecticut till twelve years old. They plough among corn with oxen, but with a long yoke, and the staple not in the middle, so as better to avoid hurting the corn with the chain. No driver necessary when oxen are well broken. Price of an ox-cart complete, in Connecticut, £5 lawful money. He says heifers often have their first calves at two years old-but then go farrow the next year.
"July 5th, P. M .- Small showers. Left our camp, and marched near Tyler's, across the river, and lay in the woods.
"Sunday, July 6 .-- This morning wrote to Mrs. Pickering, dating it July 3rd, the other of that date having been detained by the party, some of whom excepted to some expressions in it. Had plenty of milk brought me for my breakfast. Then marched into the woods four or five miles, and encamped by a fine spring near Little Mehoopenny Creek, and not far from the middle one of three wild meadows. A. M., fair; P. M., towards evening, thunder with considerable rain. Monday, July 7th, fair. Moved our camp a mile northerly. P. M., towards evening, thunder with showers. Tuesday, July 8th, fair; P. M., thunder with some rain. Shifted our quarters, and marched back near to the river, within a mile of Kilborn's; received thence milk for supper. Wednesday, July 9th, cloudy (sent a large wooden spoon and butter-spoon to Kilborn's to be sent thence to my wife), rain in the forenoon, P. M., fair, and then rain; milk for supper. No meat to-day.
"Thursday, July 10th, rain before daylight. Gave Woodward a letter, dated yesterday, to forward to my wife. Desired her to send me a small tin kettle with a cover. Woodward re- turned; says my things are at Marcy's, with a letter for me. After the morning, fair and pleasant, T. Kilborn showed me the twig of a tree, whose bark is a very agreeable bitter. He says there are many large trees of it on the flat by his father's, and that they have used it in timber for part of Sill's house-frame,-a soft wood; it is called winter bark. No meat; but butter to eat with bread; ginseng at our encampment, in the deep shades of hemlock woods. Query, if cultivated, whether it might not be under the shade of trees in an orchard or garden. The flowers come out of the stem at the centre of three branches, as the May apple does where the stem branches, the buds now just opening. Each branch has five leaves, three of them of a size, the other two not half so large. Woodward brought me a letter, dated the 8th, from Mr. Bowman, informing of the health of the family, and that the articles I requested are sent to Marcy's.
"Friday, July 11th, fair. Moved our camp about four miles from the river, west of Kil- born's, and about a mile over Mehoopenny Creek. Pork to-day, and what the guard call coffee, i. e., a crust of wheat bread toasted very brown, not burnt, and then boiled in water, which is then sweetened. 'Tis very tolerable drink. Woodward has been in Vermont and western parts of Massachusetts, where are beech and hemlock woods. He says they find the hemlock land, the strongest. That in Massachusetts, such land produces flax fifteen inches taller than any he has seen on the flats of Wyoming, but that the same land was too cold for Indian-corn, but excellent for grass and wheat. That in Vermont, the practice is, when you hire to get an acre cut down (except ten trees which, being largest, are only girded), and cut into lengths, the biggest sixteen, the smaller ones, eighteen or twenty feet lengths, and the limbs all lopped off, for four or five dol- lars. That is done as soon as may be after planting. That the whole lies in this condition a year, and then, in time for sowing winter wheat, fire is put to it, which consumes all the limbs, and then the logs are hauled into heaps with one yoke of oxen, and burnt; then the wheat is sowed and harrowed in. The crop, twenty to twenty-five bushels an acre. Hemlock (he says), after laying
1607
thus to dry one year, burns up much elscaner than becch and maple. Fences made with logs, or the young hemlock eut into lengths, and piled into a worm. (Query, if these round rails would not last much longer if stripped of their bark).
"Saturday, July 12th. Fair, with wind. Winter-green tea last evening with supper, and this morning with breakfast. P. M., thunder with rain, then fair. Two meals to-day.
"Sunday, July 13th. Cloudy, with intervening sunshine. P. M., rainy ; no bread or meat, and, of course, eat nothing till bread arrived about one or two P. M. Learn that Mr. Kilborn stays at Wyoming, and the Sill's house-frame and timber are rafted down for him to finish there. Tim said, a day or two since, that he heard his dad had turned State's evidence."
"Monday, July 14th. Fair. Tuesday, July 15th. Fair."
Miner, in his history, does not consider the abduction of Colonel Picker- ing wholly unjustifiable .* He objects to the words "ruffian," "crew," "diabolical outrage" and other terms, applied to the captors and their actions in the latter's narrative. Especially has the incident, suggestive of the treachery of Major John Jenkins, come in for a lengthy defense of character of that gentleman.
That Colonel Pickering was permitted to write to his wife, that he was carried upon one occasion on the back of a captor from a canoe, that another gave him the hunter's first cut of venison, and that other kindly acts were induced, are cited in extenuation of the conduct of his abductors. In fact, defenders of those who were in any wise concerned with the abduction, are prone to compare the merciless treatment of Colonel Franklin with the handling of Colonel Pickering-much to the discredit of Pennsylvania.
With a statement of views of the author of the "Life of Timothy Pickering," on the same subject, it is perhaps best, not to prolong the controversy.
"It is eurious to note," says Upham in Vol. II, page 394, of the "Life" referred to, "the state of feeling which arose between him and his captors. When they first seized him, they were all, without doubt, filled with the bitterest hatred and prejudice towards him. Some were disposed to savage brutality. He had long been the object of their most violent animosity, as the represent- ative of the government against which they were in rebellion, as their most formidable opponent, and especially for having personally aided in the apprehension of their leader, and sending him to prison where he still lay. Occasionally, during the first day or two, there were expressions of
mueh feeling. *
*
* But soon a change came over their sentiments. These rough and fierce outlaws became kind, respectful and tender in their treatment of him and their demeanor towards him. The uncomplaining readiness with which he met his condition, the hardihood with which he endured privation, his firmness, patience and all manly traits of character, insensibly but con- stantly wrought upon them. A similar change took place in him. At the time, all the while, and forever after, he expressed his abhorrence of their crime in breaking into the recesses of his dwelling at midnight-hurrying him into the woods and continuing for weeks, such an out- rage upon his person and liberty.
"But he became convinced that they were vietims of delusion and influence and therefore, to be regarded with pity and charity as misguided, rather than wicked men. He evidently took pleasure in recording their acts of civility and kindness towards him and was willing to pardon them and, if found consistent with the publie good, to have them pardoned by the authorities."
Whatever view a perspective of events of the time may cause the reader to entertain of the whole incident, Colonel Pickering's abduction may now be regarded as an ill-starred adventure. But that it had a most potent influence in clearing the air at Wyoming, and of bringing many long deferred matters to a sticcessful conclusion, may be gathered from further perusal.
That the abduction excited a wide interest among Colonel Pickering's friends and supporters throughout the country, may readily be inferred. There was universal relief experienced on hearing of his release and return to his family. However dilatory Pennsylvania had been in other respects as to Wyoming affairs, it was now prompt to act. Upon hearing of his seizure and captivity, the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania ordered out the militia to rescue the prisoner.
At the same session, the Council ordered printed and circulated throughout the Commonwealth, the following offer of reward for the arrest of persons named *Miner's "History of Wyoming." see footnote page 431.
1608
therein. It was printed in both the English and German languages and was widely distributed:
"PENNSYLVANIA, SS.
"By the Vice-President and the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, "A PROCLAMATION.
"WHEREAS by depositions taken aeeording to law, it appears that several evil-disposed persons have conspired to obstruet the execution of the laws in the County of Luzerne, and have violently seized and carried off the person of Timothy Pickering, Esquire, an officer of government, whom they still retain as a prisoner :- AND WHEREAS, it is of great importance to the good people of this Commonwealth that such heinons offenders should be brought to condign punishment :- WE have thought fit to offer, and do hereby offer, a Publie Reward of THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS for apprehending and securing John Jenkins: THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS, for apprehending and securing John Hyde, and the sum of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS, for apprehending and securing each and every of the following named persons, viz. :- Daniel Earl, Benjamin Earl,- · Cady, Wilkes Jenkins, Joseph Dudley, Gideon Dudley, David Woodward, John Whitcomb, Timothy Kilburne, and Thomas Kinney; or for apprehending and securing any other persons who shall be convicted of aiding and assisting in taking off the said Timothy Pickering-the reward for apprehending and securing any of the above-named persons will be paid on their being delivered to the jail of the County of Northampton :- And all Judges, Justices, Sheriffs, and Constables are hereby strictly enjoined and required to make diligent search and enquiry after, and to use their utmost endeavors to apprehend and seeure the said offenders, so that they may be dealt with according to law.
"GIVEN in Council, under the hand of the Honorable PETER MUHLENBERG, Esquire, Vice- President, and the Seal of the State, at Philadelphia, this eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight.
"PETER MUHLENBERG." "ATTEST CHARLES BIDDLE, Secretary."
Another measure promptly followed which tended to give the whole affair great publicity throughout the country, and make of it an incident of national interest. On July 8, 1788, through its Vice President, who, under the existing Constitution of Pennsylvania, was its Chief Executive Magistrate, the Council addressed a letter to members of Congress representing the Commonwealth, then sitting in that body at New York. This letter, after reciting what facts were known of the abduction, concluded with a request for "troops of the regular establishment in aid of the militia."
Mr. David Redick of Philadelphia, was delegated a messenger by his fellow members of Council, to deliver the letter. In reporting upon his mission on July 17, 1788, to President Benjamin Franklin, he writes as follows:
"I arrived at this place on Saturday night. Gen. Irwin (a Delegate) took opportunity yesterday of conversing with members of Congress respceting the wishes of Council. * * * This A. M., we waited on the Minister of War (Knox) who appears well disposed, but says Ziegler's Company* has surely marched ere now; but that there are about 45 Jersey troops who will march in a few days to the westward via Easton and that a further number of troops from one of the eastern states will march by the same route from West Point where they are now stationed; all which troops he is disposed should be ordered to take directions from some General officer appoint- ed by our Government to command them. * *
* A General offieer may be thought necessary agreeably to Gen. Knox's ideas. It will in my opinion be necessary that an officer of reputation and military abilities be appointed. The name of an old officer and a great man at the head of the Continental troops will tend at once to discourage any ideas of success in the minds of the in- surgents and at the same time they will erush those who may appear in rebellion. The Union will, by this means, appear as a principal party and not merely Pennsylvania."t
Congress, on July 25, 1788, took action on the disturbed Wyoming situation, when it was Resolved :- "That the Secretary of War direct the detachments of troops marching to the westward, to rendezvous at Easton, and thence march into Luzerne County and quell the disturbances in that County; provided, the Executive Council of Pennsylvania shall find the assistance of these troops necessary, and also that the troops shall not be delayed in their march to Ohio, more than two weeks."#
*Capt. David Ziegler's Company had been stationed at Easton, under orders to proceed to Ohio,
tSee "Pennsylvania Archives," X1 : 338.
#Threatened nprisings of various tribes of Indians in Ohio, who complained bitterly of the encroachments of the whites, had induced Congress to order thither some Continental troops. The uprisings, after smouldering for some time, hurst forth in 1789, when General Wayne finally overthrew the Indian power in the Western Reserve.
-
RTUE
PENNSYLVANIA, I. By the Vice-Prefident and the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, A PROCLAMATION.
W HEREAS by depofitions taken according to law, it appears that feveral evil difpofed perfons have confpired to obftruct the execution of the laws in the county of Luzerne, and have violently feized and carried off the perfon of Timothy Pickering, efquire, an officer of government, whom they ftill retain as a prifoner :- AND WHEREAS it is of great importance to the good people of this Cominon- wealth that- fuch heinous offenders fhould . be brought to condiga punishment .-- WE have thought fx to offer, and do herthy offer, a Public Reward of THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS for apprehending and fecuring John Jenkins, THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS for apprehending and fecaring "Json Hydr, and the form of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS for apprehending and fecuring each and every of the following named perfons, viz. Daniel Earl, Benjamin Earl, - Cady. Wilkes Jenkins, Joseph Dudley, Gideon Dufry, David Woodward, John Whitcomb. Timothy Kilburne, and Tborta's Kinney, or for apprehending and fecuring any other perfons who fhajt be convicted of aiding and affifting in taking off the faid Timothy Pickering-the reward tor apprehending and fecuring any of the above named perfons will be paid on their being delivered to the jail of the county of Northampton :- And all Judges, Juftices, Sheriffs, and Conftables are hereby ftrictly enjoined and required to make diligent fearch and enquiry after, and to ufe their utmoft endea- yours to apprehend and fecure the faid offenders, fo that they may be dealt with according to law.
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.