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 IV > Part 54
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An account of the same event appearing in the Herald of July 7, 1833, throws no additional light on the program excepting to add that Hon. Chester Butler delivered the principal address of the program and that "most of the survivors of that eventful day, yet residents of the valley, were present on the occasion. Of those who were in the Battle, we noticed Elisha Blackman, Rufus Bennett, Samuel Carey and George P. Ransom."
In perusing the account of the day's program as outlined in the Hazard publication, the inference is reached that the much disturbed bones of Wyoming's heroes were placed within the vault prepared for chem and have possibly re- mained there continuously until the present. Such is not the fact. The contract to that period had provided for stone work alone, no mention being made of a door to guard the entrance of the vault and none being voluntarily provided by the contractor in question. As a consequence, the single box then containing the remains was once again conveyed to the hospitable Swetland storeroom there to wait the raising of additional funds and the letting of a contract for the complecion of the monument.
Later events of the year 1833 seemed to augar favorably for an early resumption of the work. An encouraging number of new subscriptions were secured at the dedication of the corner stone. Others followed as a result of
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continued effort. In September, 1833, the committee itself financially fortified to the extent of placing an additional contract for the erection of a shaft of cut stone with a wise proviso attached that if sufficient funds were not in hand at any time during the progress of the work, the contractor was to refrain from further effort so as to avoid the creation of any indebtedness. A stout door of oak was not forgotten in the second agreement. This being completed Decem- ber 3, 1833, the box containing the pitiful remains of those whose deeds were finally to receive worthy recognition was, without further ceremony, placed within the vault and the door sealed. There, undisturbed, they have remained with no change in their immediate surroundings except the replacement, in the year 1895, of the original oaken door, then in bad repair, by a substantial door of bronze, the gift of Mrs. Ellen A. Law of West Pittston, a charter member of the Wyoming Monumental Association.
Foreseeing that funds in hand could not be relied upon to complete the shaft and that local sources to that end were drained almost dry, there were those of the community who favored approaching the congress of the United States for assistance on the ground that the Battle itself was national in its effect and the monument, therefore, should be the recipient of national recog- nition.
With this in view, a meeting of the subscribers was held at the court house on January 15, 1834, with Col. Benjamin Dorrance as chairman and Henry Pettebone, secretary, at which, after appointing Col. John L. Butler to superin- tend the erection of the monument, the meeting by resolution named Gen. William Ross, Chester Butler and Henry Pettebone a committee "to prepare a memorial to Congress praying for aid to complete the work."
The minutes of subsequent meetings seem to remain silent as to the fate of such document as the committeemen actually forwarded to Washington through their local representative. That the subject was brought to the attention of Congress, that representatives from Connecticut were favorable to its passage and that it was referred to a committee of the former body is learned from other sources. Nothing, however, came of the presentation, the memorial itself having died a slow death by the usual process of being pigeon-holed in committee.
June, 1834, brought another crisis in monument affairs. Funds were ex- hausted and the work of erection halted. At that time the shaft had gained a height of some twenty feet. It could not claim to be "raised so high that it may greet the first dawn of the morning sun, or that the last of his western rays may play upon its summit" as the eloquent "Kirwin" had desired.
In this unfinished condition, with dilapidated scaffolding about it, the monument was to remain for eight years.
Failing to secure the interest of Congress in the memorial, its sponsors turned to the state of Connecticut. The Commonwealth from which came the pioneers who were to suffer for the general cause and which had exercised juris- diction over the territory invaded might reasonably and justly be approached in relation to the monument. So argued those who refused to admit defeat in the undertaking. But it was not until February, 1839, that public interest was deemed sufficiently renewed to justify another public meeting. All plans for securing additional local subscriptions were negatived at this gathering and the future of the monument was, by resolution, placed squarely up to the generosity of Connecticut. Selecting General Ross, Capt. Hezekiah Parsons and Charles
.
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Miner, all former citizens of Connecticut, to present the claims of the community to the legislature of that state, the following weeks found these representatives preparing their case in readiness for the spring session. June found them in Hartford.
Their petition, requesting the appropriation of $3,000 for the purpose, was presented to a joint committee of both branches of the Connecticut legislature by Lafayette S. Foster, Esq., a representative from Norwich, and ably seconded by Isaac Tourcey, Esq. another prominent member. The appeal won the joint commission to its favor but, upon presentation to the house with its unanimous backing, that body voted against the appropriation. Having gained the support of Governor Ellsworth and a promise from him that the measure would be favor- ably recommended to the next legislature, the local committee returned to Wilkes-Barré fully confident that the appropriation was assured. In May, 1841, a new memorial was presented, in conformity with the original plan, the Wyoming committee for this occasion being Chester Butler, Esq., Henry Pettebone, Esq. and Captain Parsons. Citing nine historic reasons why Connecticut should thus honor the memory of its former citizens, the committee prevailed upon the house to pass the measure without taking a yea and nay vote. The more deliberative senate, however, refused to concur although, for a time, it seemed as if the en- thusiasm which actuated the house might be transfused into that body. Instead, with a carefully prepared resolution which savored somewhat of patronage, the higher body set its conscience at rest and washed its hands of a troublesome matter by passing the following:
"Whereas, the Ancient Wyoming People have petitioned this State for aid to finish the monument commenced over the remains of those who fell in the Massacre, July 3, 1778, setting forth :
"That the settlement was planted by Connecticut in furtherance of her policy to assert and maintain her rights by charter to lands west of New York.
"That the town of Westmoreland established by the Legislature and attached to Litchi- field County, not only sent representatives to the Assembly, but was in fact in all respects a com- ponent part of the then Colony having the 24th Regt. of our militia organized there and paying taxes to our treasury.
"That during the Revolutionary War Wyoming furnished two or more companies to the Connecticut line, and performed all its civil and social duties as became good citizens.
"That being weakened and left exposed, the Tories and savages were led to invade the settlement with an irresistable force, which occasioned a great desolation and distress with a melancholy loss of life.
"That those who fell were the people of Connecticut, fighting by our order, in defense of our rights and laws.
"That other towns destroyed by the enemy were remunerated for their losses out of the Western Reserve lands, and that Westmoreland received no compensation.
"Now this General Assembly, in full review of the circumstances, admit with cheerfulness and pleasure the faithful obedience of their Ancient Wyoming People, the patriotic spirit displayed by them, the prompt, patient and efficient services rendered. * * *
"But while participating in the feelings of gratitude for their devotion, and pity for their sufferings, we cannot forbear to consider as prudent legislators, the impolicy, not to say the danger of opening the public treasury to any claim of such long standing. * * *
"It would appear to this Assembly therefore, that the matter should be most properly referred directly to the people of the State whose generous feelings and just appreciation of merit-
* orious services and sufferings may be safely relied on to accomplish the end desired. * *
"Therefore be it resolved-that the ministers of all denominations of Christians, in the several towns of this State, the Selectmen of the towns and the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, be and they are hereby requested to act as a committee to collect in such manner as shall appear to them most eligible, on or before the 4th of July next, contributions in behalf of our Ancient Wyoming People, to be appropriated to the purposes of the monument over the Connecticut militia who fell July 3d, 1778.
"That the State treasurer be directed to receive all sums sent to him by the committees of the several towns and pay the same over to the order of Gen. William Ross, Hezekiah Parsons, Charles Denison Shoemaker, William Sterling Ross, Asa A. Gore and Ovid F. Johnson, or a majority of them, to be appropriated as aforesaid .* "
*Governor Ellsworth later sent his subscription of $5 to the monument. This, however, proved the only subscrip- tion received from a citizen of that state towards its erection.
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Disheartened at what appeared to be insurmountable obstacles which thwarted every effort, the men of Wyoming gave up the struggle.
Not so the women. Early in the spring of 1841, after several preliminary meetings, the following letter was printed and mailed throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
"LADIES' LUZERNE MONUMENTAL ASSOCIATION
"THE undersigned, in behalf of the Ladies of Wilkesbarre, who have recently formed them- selves into a society for finishing the Monument designed to perpetuate the memory of those who fell in defence of this Valley on the 3d of July, 1778, solicit the Ladies throughout this county, to assist in this patriotic work, by forming societies in every township auxiliary to ours, by ob- taining donations for us of money or saleable articles, or in any other way which their good sense and judgment may dictate. And we further invite the Ladies in the several townships of this county, and in the adjoining counties, to meet with us in the Borough of Wilkesbarre, on the 3d and 5th days of July next, where a FAIR will be held for the sale of such articles as may be fur- nished, and suitable accommodation made for those who may be disposed to help us. And we would still further say to our sister countrywomen, wherever they may be, throughout all the land, that their assistance in this enterprise will be gladly received and gratefully acknowledged. Say not, in answer to this appeal fair countrywomen, that our object is entirely of a local nature, one in which you have no interest-not so: on the contrary, it is a national object, and you are Americans all. Shall the three hundred who bled at the celebrated pass of Thermopyla be honored by their Monument, in history, in story and in song, and shall the remains of our own brave Spartan band be suffered to lie mouldering, with nought but a shapeless mass of rubbish to mark the spot where they so gloriously fell? We anticipate your answer. You will extend to us the hand of fellowship; one and all, you will unite with us to prove, that the amor patrio is not confined to the nobler sex; heart and hand you will join us in this good work, and thus stimulate your hits- bands, brothers and sons to deeds of virtue and patriotism.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE :
Mrs. C. BUTLER, HOLLENBACK, BENNETT,
Mrs. NICHOLSON, CONYNGHAM,
LEWIS,
CAREY, T. W. MINER,
BEAUMONT, 16 COVEL,
ROSS,
DRAKE.
CORRESPONDING COMMITTEE: Mrs. WOODWARD, Mrs. DONLEY, Mrs. L. BUTLER."
The response to this open letter was highly encouraging. At a meeting of citizens of Kingston and Exeter held on May 1st, plans were adopted to assist the ladies in the completion of the monument. Fisher Gay presided at this meeting and T. F. Atherton acted as secretary. It was eventually decided that the undertaking take the form of a public dinner on the monument grounds, the date being set for June 24th. The proceeds of this event, recorded as $343.49 were placed in the hands of Mrs. Charles D. Shoemaker as treasurer until other amounts could be added.
The program outlined by the Wilkes-Barre Association was likewise successfully carried out.
As the Fourth of July fell on Sunday, it was subsequently decided to open the fair on July 1st, concluding with a program appropriate to the anniversary of the Battle on Saturday morning and a public dinner at noon. The monument grounds did not lend encouragement to an assemblage there, hence the ladies obtained permission to use the court house grounds on the Square. Here they erected an "arbor" for the display of articles for sale and tables for the dinner. Upon completion of the morning program of July 3rd, held in the Episcopal church under auspices of the Young Men's Institute, the dinner was pronounced most satisfactory by the good natured crowd of residents who attended and the Association found itself with an encouraging sum to add to that of the West Side branch. Then followed in nearby communities various entertainments, bake sales and the whatnot of seasonable events under auspices of branches of the Association, but always for a consideration.
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The spring of 1842 found funds on hand sufficient to justify proceeding with the monument's completion and a contract to that end was concluded.
In October, 1843, the capstone of the present monument was securely fixed in place, but once again funds were exhausted and the unmarked and undedicated shaft was left to its unsightly and uncongenial surroundings of an unfenced and ungraded half acre, upon whose surface reposed the cast off stones and other litter of intermittent building operations.
It was not until 1846 that the women of the valley once again laid hold of the task.
Upon the promise of a visit by Governor Shunk, in the summer of that year, volunteers were secured to assist in getting the grounds in somewhat presentable shape and dedicatory exercises were led at the monument site on July 3, 1846 with Dr. Thomas W. Miner as orator of the occasion. Following the exercises a dinner was served by ladies of the Association and the sum of $206 placed to the credit of a committee on Grounds and Fences.
Another two year period elapsed before Mr. Fisher Gay, who had donated the monument site under certain conditions, called public attention to the fact that stray cattle, entering his farm through the unenclosed half acre, were causing great inconvenience and damage and requested the Association to per- form its terms of the contract in at least providing a fence. But even the justice of Mr. Gay's demand fell upon deaf ears.
Under quickening influences of national events which were to result in the Civil war, interest was again revived in the monument and, by an act of the legislature in the spring of 1860, the Wyoming Monument Association was duly incorporated with Catherine M. Jenkins and thirty-nine other ladies of the West Side named as charter members. In this organization the title to the monument was, and still continues to be invested. It and the surrounding grounds were exempt from taxation by state or lesser municipality. Another broad feature of the charter declared that "failure to carry out the objects of the Association shall not work a forfeiture of property or privileges" thus creating a perpetual trust which has continued to the satisfaction of all.
According to an account of the first meeting of the newly organized body held April 11, 1860, Mrs. Steuben Jenkins was elected president, Mrs. T. F. Atherton, secretary and Mrs. James Hancock, treasurer.
From the prompt action of the Association in calling upon its members and friends to assemble at the monument on the following Saturday, April 14th, "each to bring a tree, flower or some other memento, with a man to plant them," much might have been expected.
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But there matters rested until 1864 when, at a meeting of the Wyoming
Historical and Geological So- ciety, Mr. Payne Pettebone* undertook to renew interest in the undertaking and was successful to the extent of se- curing the appointment of a fund raising committee com- posed of himself, Gen. Wmn. S. Ross and Col. Charles Dor- rance. A total of approxi- mately $1,000 was soon in possession of this committee, inclusive of a balance in the hands of the womens' organi- zation, and from this fund the grading, fencing and planting of the grounds in much their present condition was ac- complished.
The monument itself, as thus completed in 1864, is a plain obelisk of dark grey native cut stone, laid in blocks of from twelve to fifteen inches in thickness. It is sixty-two feet, six inches in height from ground surface to apex, and of graceful proportions. The base rises three steps from the foundation, in which is a chamber containing the bones of the slain, insofar as the WYOMING MONUMENT bodies were recovered and identified. Resting on the base is a square die with a tablet of marble let into each of the four faces.
The face of the monument to the northwest contains the following ap- propriate inscription by Edward G. Mallery, Esq., great grandson of Col. Zebulon Butler :
"Near this spot was fought on the afternoon of Friday, the third day of July, 1778, THE BATTLE OF WYOMING, in which a small band of patriotic Americans, chiefly the undisci- plined, the youthful and the aged spared by inefficiency from the distant ranks of the Republic, led by Col. Zebulon Butler and Col. Nathan Denison, with a courage that deserved success, boldly met and bravely fought a combined British, Tory and Indian force of thrice their number. Numerical superiority alone gave success to the invader, and wide spread havoc, desolation and ruin marked his savage and bloody footsteps through the Valley.
THIS MONUMENT,
Commemorative of these events, and of the actors in them has been erected OVER THE BONES OF THE SLAIN,
By their descendants and others, who gratefully appreciated the services and sacrifices of their patriot ancestors.
*For sketch of Payne Pettebone, see Vol. 11-1151.
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The dies on the southwest and northeast faces of the monument contain in two sections the names of the slain as far as known. The present list includes the names of a few added after the original inscriptions were made and is as follows:
DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI. SLAIN IN BATTLE FIELD OFFICERS
Lt. Col. George Dorrance,
Major John Barrett.
CAPTAINS
James Bidlack, Jr., Rezin Geer, Samuel Ransom, Aholiab Buck, Detliick Hewitt, Lazarus Stewart, Robert Durkee, Win. McKarrachien, James Wigton, Asaph Whittlesey. LIEUTENANTS A. Atherton, Flavius Waterman, Elijah Shoemaker, Aaron Gaylord, Perrin Ross, Lazarus Stewart, Jr., Stoddard Bowin, Asa Stevens, Timothy Peirce, James Wells. ENSIGNS
Jeremiah Bigford, John Oris, Titus Hinman, Silas Gore, Asa Gore, William White. PRIVATES
Jabez Atherton, Christopher Avery, Ackke, D. Denton, Anderson Dana, Conrad Davenport' George Downing, Jaines Divine, Levi Dunn, William Dunn, Dutcher, Joshua Landon, Danie" Lawrence, William Lawrence, Francis Ledyard, James Lock, Conrad Lowe, Jacob Lowe, Lester' A. Benedick, Jabez Beers, Samuel Bigford, David Bixby, Elias Bixby, John Boyd, John Brown, Thomas Brown, William Buck, Joseph Budd, Amos Bullock, Asa Bullock, Henry Bush, John Caldwell, Benjamin Finch, Daniel Finch, John Finch, Elisha Fish, Cornelius Fitchett, Eliphalet Follett, Thomas Falon, John Franklin, Stephen Fuller, Thomas Fuller, C. McCartee, Nicholas Manvil, New Matthewson, Meeleman, Job Marshall, Andrew Millard, John Murphy, Robert McIntire, Joseph Ogden, Josiah Cameron, Joseph Cary, Joel Church, William Coffrin, James Coffrin, Samuel Cole, Isaac Campbell, Robert Constock, Brothers (Cook), Christopher Cortright, John Courtright, Anson Cory, Jenks Cory, Rufus Cory, Joseph Crooker, Samuel Crooker, Jabez Darling, Darius Spafford, James Spencer, Josiah Spencer, Joseph Staples, Reuben Staples, Rufus Stevens, James Stevenson, Mailer Sweed, Gamaliel Truesdale, Ichabod Tuttle, Abram Vangorder, George Gore, Gardner, Green, Benjamin Hatch, William Hammon, Silas Harvey, Samuel Hutchinson, Cyprian Heberd, Levi Hicks, John Hutchins, James Hopkins, Nathaniel Howard, Zipporah Hibbard, Elijah Inman, Israel Inman, Samuel Jackson, Robert Jameson, Joseph Jennings Henry Johnson, John Van Wee, Elihu Waters, Jonathan Weeks, Bartholomew Weeks, Philip Weeks, Peter Wheeler, Stephen Whiten, Egen Wilcox, Elihu Williams, Jr., Rufus Williams, Abel Palmer, Silas Parke, William Parker, John Pierce, Henry Pencil, Noalı Pettebone, Jr., Jeremiah Ross, Elisha Richards, Reynolds, Elias Roberts, Timothy Rose, Enos Rockway, Abram Shaw, Joseph Shaw, Joseph Shaw, Constant Searles, Abel Seeley, Levi Spencer, Eleazer Sprague, Aaron Stark, Daniel Stark, Josiah Spencer, Eson Wilcox, John Williams, John Ward, John Wilson, Parker Wilson, William Woodringer, Azibah Williams, Wade, Ozias Yale.
Lieut. Boyd, killed at Forty Fort after the battle."
On the southeast of the monument, the die bears the list of the survivors of the Battle as follows:
Col. Zebulon Butler,
FIELD OFFICERS LIEUTENANTS
Col. Nathan Denison
Lt. Daniel Gore,
It. Timothy Howe
Ens. Daniel Downing,
ENSIGNS Ensign Matthias Hollenback
Jabez Fish,
SERGEANTS Phineas Spafford, Gates
PRIVATES
John Abbott, Gideon Baldwin, Zerah Beach, Rufus Bennett, Solomon Bennett, Elisha Blackman, Nathan Carey, Samuel Carey, George Cooper, Joseph Elliott, Samuel Finch, Rosewell Franklin, Hugh Forsman, Thomas Fuller, John Garrett, Samuel Gore, Samuel Gustin, James Green, Lebbeus Hammond, Jacob Haldron, Elijah Harris, Ebenezer Heberd, William Heberd, Richard Inman, John Jameson, Henry Lickers, Morris, Josiah Pell, Phineas Peirce, John N. Skinner, Giles Slocum, Walter Spencer, Edward Spencer, Amos Stafford, Roger Searle, Cherrick Westbrook."
Above the die on each face is a projecting cornice, some two feet in thick- ness, the whole supporting the obelisk proper which tapers upward and terminates in a solid cap-stone in the shape of a pyramid.
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As nearly as book accounts, scattered over a long period of years, disclose, the monument in its present condition cost approximately $8,000.
In June, 1877, following suggestions from various sources as to the pro- priety of holding some form of celebration to mark the centenary of the Battle of Wyoming, Hon. Steuben Jenkins addressed letters of invitation to several friends favorable to the plan. Pursuant to this invitation a number of citizens met in the court house, Wilkes-Barré, on July 3rd and appointed the following committee of ar- rangements, each of whose members was a lineal descend- ant of a participant in the Battle:
Stewart Pearce, Esq., Hon. L. D. Shoemaker, Wm. R. Maffett, Gen. Edmund L. Dana, Steuben Butler, Esq. and Wesley Johnson of Wilkes-Barré; Dr. Horace Hollister of Providence; Hon. Steuben Jenkins of Wyoming; Col. Charles Dorrance of Kingston; Ira Davenport, Esq. of Plymouth; Jesse Harding, Esq. of Eaton; Col. Frank Stewart of Berwick; PRESIDENT HAYES AT WYOMING MONUMENT-1878 (Seated at center) Capt. Calvin Parsons of Par- sons; Dr. Andrew Bedford of Abington; Edward Welles, Esq. of Wyalusing; Hon. Peter M. Osterhout of Tunkhannock and Elisha Blackman, Esq. of Pittston.
After several meetings had been held, it was deemed best to organize an association to be known as the Wyoming Centennial Association whose seven- teen vice-presidents would represent each of the original Seventeen Townships. The permanent organization chose Col. Charles Dorrance as president, Col. L. D. Shoemaker, treasurer, Wesley Johnson, secretary and the following vice- presidents:
"Edward Herrick, Athens; William Allen, Bedford; Major John Sturdevant, Braintrim; O. H. P. Kinney, Claverack; James Hadsall, Exeter; Stewart Pearce, Hanover; A. N. Harvey, Huntington; Steuben Jenkins, Kingston; Washington Lee, Newport; Gordon Pike, Northinore- land; Elisha Blackman, Pittston; James A. Gordon, Plymouth; Dr. B. H. Throop, Providence; Samuel Stark, Putnam; Colonel Frank Stewart, Salem; (Springfield and Ulster not filled); Steuben Butler and G. Murray Reynolds, Wilkes-Barre.
To this list of officers were added the following standing committees:
"Invitations-Hon. Garrick M. Harding, Stewart Pearce, Sharp D. Lewis, Dr. B. H. Throop, Joseph A. Seranton, Dr. W. H. Bradley, H. B. Beardslee, William Ransom, Charles Parrish and James W. Kesler.
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