A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 32

Author: Murray, Louise Welles, 1854-1931. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Athens, Penna. [i.e., Pa.] : [s.n.]
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > Athens > A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania > Part 32

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4 Capt. Simon Spalding (militia title, General) was the son of Simon Spalding and Anne Billings of Plainfield, Connecticut; born January 16, 1742; married Ruth Shepard April 15, 1761; died January 24, 1814. His father, Simon, was son of Edward, son of John, son of Edward, who came from England about 1630 and settled at Braintrim, Massachusetts. Simon Spalding and wife were early settlers in Wyoming Valley. In 1775 he had a grant from the Susquehanna Company of lands at Standing Stone, on which he lived for a time, but was forced to return to Wyoming by the outbreak of the Revolution. He immediately enlisted in Ransom's company, being made Second Lieutenant; by promotion became Captain of a com- pany, seeing active service at Germantown, Brandywine, Mud Fort and other places; accom- panied the Sullivan expedition, and finally served in the First Regiment, Connecticut Line, and continued in service until January 1, 1783, being an unusually brave and faithful soldier. It is said justice has not been done to him as to his service; that the Revolutionary victory at Bound Brook was really due to him, although the honor went to a superior officer. At the time of the Wyoming massacre he commanded the forces that were hastening to the rescue from the main army, when they met the fleeing inhabitants, and knew they were too late. The same year he came to Sheshequin, probably having decided when the army was encamped there that it was preferable to Standing Stone. He was a large man, of imposing and pleas- ing appearance, very simple in his tastes, and scornful of any pretensions of his neighbors. He had seven children, and like Joseph Kinney, his descendants have helped largely to people the valley. General Spalding was a member of the Connecticut Society of the Cincinnati; represented Luzerne County in the legislature, and was always actively concerned in the wel- fare of the valley and the State. There is no existing portrait. His sword and desk are in Tioga Point Museum.

Additional information may be found in "Early Times," and in the "Spalding Gene- alogy.'

5 Joseph Kinney was born about 1755, of Scotch-Irish parentage, at Enfield, Connecti- cut. (Have no record of ancestry.) Joined the patriot army when about twenty, was first engaged in battle of Dorchester Heights. At the battle of Long Island, later, was wounded and captured and confined for three months in the old Jersey prison ship; when exchanged, as soon as possible he rejoined the army and was in the battle resulting in surrender of Bur- goyne. He emigrated to Wyoming in 1778. In 1781 married Sarah, eldest daughter of Simon

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Stephen Fuller and his sons. This was the first permanent settlement in this valley. Thomas Parks,6 who located at the State Line, is said to have come with this party. According to Joseph Kinney's own de- position some years later, he came in the Fall of 1783, having probably returned for his family. He deposes: "A Mr. Patterson came up with us, and settled below the land in dispute." (Satterlee's and Matthew- son's.) Here, then, is noted the first settler in present Athens Town-

PATTERSON'S LOCATION

ship, Benjamin Patterson;7 and curiously enough his choice was on the land already owned by William Patterson. There was no known relationship or even acquaintance between these men. William was a resident of Cumberland County, where he died this same year, 1783 ;

Spalding, and came with that family to Sheshequin, where he lived until his death in 1841. At Wyoming he was a school teacher, but engaged in agriculture in his new home, and built the second frame house in the valley. Probably his character is best portrayed in the words of Timothy Pickering, who said he was "a man of superior discernment, of mind improved and still improving; because he is inquisitive, has a taste for reading and a thirst for knowl- edge." Pickering, therefore, recommended his appointment as Judge of Common Pleas in 1791 under the new constitution. However, Joseph Kinney was very domestic, and refused political positions. He raised ten children, having, therefore, a numerous progeny in the valley, whose talents, experiences and experiments would easily fill a volume.

His eldest son, Simon Kinney, was an able lawyer, and, unlike his father, was one of the most active politicians in the county of his time; a man of strong prejudices but unques- tioned ability, who in his later life was identified with the founding of Illinois.

There is no more thrilling story of adventure than that of Simon's son, the dashing Henry Lawrence Kinney, who went out with a colony of Sheshequinites to explore the West; who founded Corpus Christi, Texas; served in the Mexican War, during which he made a for- tune, subsequently spent on further expeditions into Central America; became concerned in Mexican rebellions, and was killed at Monterey while engaged in bold deeds. His life story should be written for the boys of the valley. In his party was one of the Marshalls of She- shequin, who pushed on to California, and was supposed to be the same Marshall who first discovered gold there.

6 Thomas Park, born 1749, son of Josiah Park of Connecticut, was of English descent. The family were early settlers at Wyoming, and Thomas was very active in the Revolution, and took part in Sullivan's campaign. He made his pitch near the State I,ine, embraced in Athens grant, and afterwards was obliged to buy Pennsylvania title of Le Ray de Chaumont. He married, in 1782, Abigail, daughter of Abraham Nesbit, one of the original proprietors of old Athens. His father came to Athens Township with him. Thomas Park had nine children, who grew to maturity, most of whose descendants are living in the vicinity. He is called the first settler in Litchfield. He was a brave and worthy man, and became a prosperous farmer.

7 Patterson's life and lineage was carefully traced by the well known genealogist, D. W. Patterson, at the request of Edward Herrick, Jr. Born in Connecticut, he later lived at Piermont, New York. He served in the Revolution, and is said to have been in Sullivan's army. Previous to his settlement at Athens he lived for a time at New Lebanon, New York. From Athens he went to Chenango Point, thence to Cincinnati, thence to New Madrid, Missouri, and died in Kentucky about 1845. If not an Indian trader, he surely was a rover. His sister was the grandmother of the late Samuel J. Tilden.

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BENJAMIN PATTERSON-JACOB SNELL

Benjamin was born at Stratford, Connecticut, January 15, 1752, though not ascertained to be a Connecticut settler. He is said to have been an Indian trader. He built his cabin on the river flats of the present Ovenshire farm, opposite the lower end of the island, as shown by the black cross in accompanying picture (taken from the high ground south of present home of Mrs. Celestia Ovenshire). Further evidence of his early settlement is given in the narrative of Elisha For- sythe8-printed in the Owego St. Nicholas of 1854, p. 389. Forsythe came up the river in 1783 and

"Found at Tioga Point but one white man by the name of Patterson, and no others between that place and Choconut."7

Patterson is supposed to have staid only two years, but there is record of his residence in 1788; although in 1785 he sold his posses- sory right to Robert McElhoe,? who held undisputed possession until 1805, when he sold to David Paine, and Paine to Samuel Ovenshire,10 whose grandson John is the present owner. Samuel Ovenshire ob- tained a clear title by purchasing also the claim of the heirs of William Patterson. In the allotment of Athens Waterman Baldwin had Pat- terson's location. This Connecticut right Patterson bought of Baldwin in 1788, perhaps for McElhoe.

In the early Spring of 1784 Jacob Snell and family poled up the river, coming from Stroudsburg. While there is no corroborative record, it is an undisputed fact that the Snells were the first permanent settlers in the township, the family continuing in the valley to present date. The journey was made in a canoe, containing the family and their belongings, which included a sheep or two and some poultry. The oldest living descendant gives their first location as a log cabin,

8 Elisha was the son of Jonathan Forsythe, who lived below Shawnee, and on account of Pennamite troubles moved up the river in 1783 with Rudolph Fox, who had taken refuge in Wyoming during the war. After staying awhile at Towanda, they poled up the river to Choconut, now Union, New York. Elisha was a boy, but later in life related their story to Judge Avery of Owego, a copy of which is in the Craft Collection in the Tioga Point Museum. On their way up the river, with the exception of Patterson, they saw only Indians. They furnished provisions to Patterson. The Forsythes leased land at Choconut of the Indians, giving seven barrels of corn a year for rent. They seem to have come before Draper or Mc- Master. Elisha became a carpenter, and built the first ark floated on the upper Susquehanna. He said of this, "Judge Ashbel Welles had seen one, and he chalked it out and explained it to me; it was built for Judge Welles, who ran wheat in it down the river."

Nothing whatever is known of McElhoe, except from the deeds. That given by him to Paine describes the property as that "which I hold by virtue of a deed from Benjamin Patterson 7. Nov 1785 who held under Commonwealth as well as in virtue of having actual and legal possession."

10 Samuel Ovenshire was the son or grandson of William Ovenshire and Nancy Speed, both English people. There is a romantic and probably true story that Nancy was of a wealthy or noble family, and becoming enamored of William (sometimes called O'Turne), whose station was beneath her. Her family objecting, she escaped by a window, and having no means came as a "redemptioner," that is sold her work or time after arrival to secure her passage. Arriving in Philadelphia, on the same vessel with her lover, after working out her time, they were married by an Episcopal clergyman, the record having been found not many years ago by Edward Herrick, Jr. Eventually they came to Sheshequin. The name William Ovenshire is found in the Hollenback account books of early date, and Widow Oven- shire on the Tioga tax list of 1796. Samuel was born in Sheshequin April 27, 1791. After the fashion of the day, his widowed mother bound him to Col. Franklin. When of age he purchased of McElhoe the farm adjoining Franklin's, and in 1817 he married Sarah, daughter of Stephen Bidlack.

A few years later he built the home now occupied by Mrs. Celestia Morley Ovenshire, the wife of Samuel Ovenshire, Jr. Samuel and Sarah had six children who grew to matur- ity. Samuel, Jr., had but one son, John Ovenshire, who resides on the homestead farm to- day. There are many Ovenshire descendants in the valley.

In reality there were four or five claims or titles to this land and adjoining tracts; Witmore, Stover and Trisler's claim passed to Joseph Wharton, yet some years later the pat- ent granted to Leray de Chaumont was for lands overlapping these, on a warrant to Peter Clinton and Andrew Packer, from Stover, Trisler and Whitmore.

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not far north of Kingsbery farm above Sheshequin, built probably by some early hunter. The exact date of their permanent location is not known, but its position was west of the Chemung. Jacob Snell had no claim, but, like many pioneers, hoped to acquire one. by possession. Jenkins' survey makes no mention of Snell. The first record found is in an old Connecticut deed, undated, of a lot south of the present Tyler property, which is described as

"Butting westerly on the shemong or tiogo branch, near to or at a certain place called Snell's foard."

The lot, No. 53, second division, is opposite the Snell's permanent location, which was between the old tannery site and the railroad bridge. Some extracts are here given from the published sketches of Mrs. Jennie F. Snell concerning the family history :

"Jacob Snell was the son of Joseph (Snell Schnell or Cornell) who emi- grated from Germany to Lancaster Pa, where he married a French wife, and removed to Easton or vicinity. (No dates given.) Jacob came up the river in a boat with his wife and five children and camped out on the river flats just below the narrows. There were no white families near, they soon built a log cabin."

In the same sketch Mrs. Snell says, "across the river a white man, Andreas Budd, had a cabin." Andreas Budd was a German supposed to have come in 1783, and who remained until 1795. He built the first log house after Secord's on the Point. It was on the river bank on the south end of the present Maurice property. It was said he was brought by Matthias Hollenback.

The Snells found a few Indian families on the Point and scattered along the river bank above them, probably Sapoonies or Tuteloes. They were friendly however, especially the squaws, who were frankly curious as to the belongings of the family, even the clothing. They were very covetous of the cooking utensils, whose use they understood. One squaw in par- ticular frequently borrowed an iron pot, which, with other cum- bersome utensils, was kept on a bench outside the cabin. One day she was told it could not be spared, but when a little later Mrs. Snell wished to use it, the kettle was missing. The squaw was rapidly paddling her canoe across the river, but when she saw Mrs. Snell she stood up, with the kettle in her hand, and called gleefully, "Me pottie, me pottie." Abraham Snel This clever trick so amused the owner, that, for harmony's sake, the coveted pot was left in the squaw's possession.

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HOLLENBACK'S STORE

Abraham Snell, generally known as Major Snell, was born July 5, 1784, the first white child known to have been born in Athens town- ship. The accompanying portrait, taken very late in life, seems to be the only one in existence. While their location was across the river, the Snells have generally been called the first settlers at Tioga Point. On the arrival of the Connecticut people Jacob Snell knew his title was in danger, and was about to go to Harrisburg to confirm it, when he died. The location was lot No. 18 in Connecticut township, allotted to Oliver Bigelow, whose claim was sold or transferred to Jacob Snell's heirs. His children were John, Abraham, Jacob, Daniel and Henry ; who, with all their descendants, have lived and died in this vicinity. A few years after Jacob's death, his widow married Joseph Spalding and had two children, Simon and Celestia, who have many descendants.

Matthias Hollenback and "Hollenback's Store."

The pioneers at Tioga Point had not the trouble incident to new locations, because of Matthias Hollenback and his store, already estab- lished.

Mr. Hollenback was a man of great courage and sagacity ; his active Revolutionary service and keen observation had made him famil- iar with the country, and his boldness had made the Indians admire him. He was, therefore, well prepared for the cross-country trips which gave him the reputation of establishing the route from Wyo- ming to Niagara ; and became adept at dealing with the Indians. His biographer says of him :

"Matthias Hollenback was born Feb. 17, 1752, at or near Jonestown in Lebanon county, Pa., the second son of John Hollenback, whose father George Hollenbach came to Philadelphia - from Wurtemberg, Germany, about the year 1717, and died on his farm in Montgomery county in 1736. John removed about 1745 to Lebanon (then Lancaster) county, and there reared his family; his wife being Eleanor Jones. It will thus be seen that his son Matthias was of mingled Welsh and German stock. Matthias left his birthplace in 1769, and came to Wyo- ming Valley to seek his fortune as a settler under the Connecticut claim; his sole outfit being a horse and saddle, and fifty dollars; these with six weeks of country-school education, and that wonderful measure of energy, fortitude and common-sense with which nature had endowed him, constituted the working capital, which during a business life of sixty years he turned to such good ac- count. He at once engaged in trade; and at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War had made substantial progress. In 1776 he was commissioned by Congress an Ensign in one of the independent Wyoming companies raised for home de- fence; but as these troops were almost immediately ordered to report for duty in the Continental army, Hollenback saw service for eighteen months under Washington in the campaigns of 1776 and 1777. His first engagement seems to have been under Gen. Dickinson at Millstone, N. J., Jan. 20, 1777, where his conduct is said to have been daring and courageous in the extreme. Miner says the Wyoming companies were also at Bound Brook, at Brandywine, at German- town and Mud Fort: that they fought at Trenton and Princeton seems im- probable.

"'When danger to Wyoming became imminent,' says Miner, 'he (Hollen- back) returned, not to avoid, but meet danger.' As lieutenant in the company of Capt. Dethick Hewitt, he was one of the little band that marched out to bat- tle and defeat on the 3d of July, 1778. Says Miner (History of Wyoming), 'I have heard several say, who saw him there, and afterwards recognized him in the battle, that a braver soldier never marched out to meet an enemy.' He him- self says, 'We engaged the British part of the enemy's army, and as I supposed,

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were beating them. The first I knew, the militia on the left broke and gave way * * * I ran back of the smoke which settled down upon us on the right, and discovered our people all in confusion on the left; I informed Capt. Hewitt, and that he must order a retreat, which he did,t * *

* and we fled every way all in confusion, to make the best we could to save our lives.' Hollenback's escape was by way of the river, near Monockonock Island. As he was swim- ming the river, in the edge of evening, many shots were fired at him, but he escaped without injury. Arriving at the Wilkes-Barre fort, he reported the issue of the day, and at once mounted and hastened to meet Capt. Simon Spald-

Matthias Ko Uwback

ing, who was known to be on the way-too late-to the assistance of the set- tlers, with the remnant of the Wyoming companies. That officer declining to risk entry into the valley (this was on July 4th), then in possession of a power- ful and victorious enemy, Hollenback loaded his horse with supplies, from Spalding's commissariat, and devoted himself to the succor of the fugitives, old men, women and children, who were fleeing through the wilderness, terror-

¡ Compare this with Miner's pretty account (History of Wyoming, p. 224) of the way in which the Accusing Angel blotted out with a tear the record of this brave Captain's pro- fanity! The above account is copied directly from a statement in Matthias Hollenback's own hand, dated December 26, 1820.

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HOLLENBACK'S STORE

stricken, bereaved and destitute, in search of safety to the eastward. It may well be believed that his visits were hailed by those whom he thus aided and encouraged, as those of an angel of mercy.

"When affairs at Wyoming had become tranquil, Hollenback again engaged in business, proceeding with redoubled energy to establish that chain of trading- posts which were the pioneers of trade in the valley of the upper Susquehanna. As an illustration of this enterprising spirit, on the conclusion of peace he col- lected a drove of beef-cattle, and drove them across the state of New York to Niagara, for sale to the British garrison in Canada. So slow were the tidings of peace toward the distant frontier, that he was held a prisoner by the British for some weeks before the official news caused his release, enabling a profitable disposition of his cattle, which were still on the American side. His first trading outposts were those of Newtown and Tioga Point, established in 1783. The great ramifications of his business brought him in touch with the Indians of the Six Nations, so that his attendance was necessary at some of the most important treaties, among them the second of Fort Stanwix in 1784, and that with Oliver Phelps at Buffalo Creek in 1788. Thus he became acquainted with Col. John Butler, Joseph Brant, Red Jacket, and other chiefs; in later years Red Jacket paid him a friendly visit while on his way to Philadelphia for an interview with the 'Great Father.'

"It will be seen that the trading posts at Newtown and Tioga Point were in full action before the laying out of Athens under the Connecticut survey, and before any permanent settlement there by the Connecticut men. (For many years the 'Point' was known far and near as "Hollenback's Store.") In view of these facts, and of the. prominence of Hollenback in all its early history, although he never made it a permanent residence, he may well be considered as first among the 'makers of Athens.'

"Judge Hollenback was of the middle stature, and slender build, but with a muscular and vigorous frame, capable of the extremes of exertion and ex- posure. In all seasons and every kind of weather, he did not spare himself, nor allow his business to suffer from neglect. His earnings were generally invested in real estate; so that at his death he was one of the largest landholders in northeastern Pennsylvania. His first commission in civil life was as Justice of the Peace, signed by Benjamin Franklin, May 11, 1787; and under the state constitution, he was commissioned by Gov. Mifflin as Associate Judge, August 17, 1791 : a position which he filled with honor and esteem for thirty-eight years.

"Though never in the least a politician, Judge Hollenback generally acted with the Democratic party; his last vote being cast for President Jackson in November, 1828, but three months before his own death. The ballot was taken from his hands as he sat in his carriage, the election board coming to the door for the purpose; the incident prompting vigorous applause from the bystanders of his own political faith. He died February 18, 1829, aged seventy-seven years and one day."

It has generally been said that the Tioga and Newtown stores were opened in 1783 as trading posts with the Indians, Mr. Hollenback being employed by the Government. The greater part of his books and papers have been preserved and have been carefully examined by the writer, to whom they seem unequaled in minute and careful details, revealing the secret of his success. There is such a mass of material about this one enterprise, that a whole volume might be written on the first business venture at Tioga Point; some detail, therefore, seems pardonable. While the books of his main store in Wilkes- Barré run back to 1774, having accounts with Queen Esther, and many entries concerning the outposts, the search was vain for cor- roboration of the early date for Tioga. But just as we were going to press some small memoranda, in Matthias Hollenback's own hand, on bits of paper, came to light, dated April 17, 1784: "The amount and weight of venison sent to Wyoming from Tioga Store." This is

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pretty sure evidence that the store was opened in 1783; and as all the first invoices are of white men's goods, mostly food supplies and to- bacco, it seems justifiable to say that Hollenback established this store at the time when William McClay and others were appointed to explore the Susquehanna, fix the boundary line, etc. The names mentioned in the memoranda are Benjamin Cole, Abel Yarrington, Capt. Spalding (Sheshequin, 1783), Samuel Cole, "Rosel Franklin" (Wysox). It is quite possible that the store was also to accommodate the group of settlers at Sheshequin who came in the spring and fall of 1783. The memorandum noted "128 1b. dry venison ham-252 fresh ditto, 125 Corned Ditto, first cost 3d per lb." It is evident that Hollenback was alone in the venture at Tioga, that J. Hageman was his partner at Wyoming and Jacob Weiss at Newtown. The earliest invoice found of goods sent up the river, 24th November, 1783, is labelled "An ac- count of goods received for Tioga." But the first mention of the store is in the orders on Mr. Hollenback's partner in the Wyoming store :

"Newtown June 3 1785 Sir: please to pay to Steaphen Willcocks one pound thirteen shillings & Six pence for 13 Days Boating for the use of Tioga Store & charge the Same to Weiss & Hollenback per order-this is pensilvania money, etc. "WEISS AND HOLLENBACK."

"To Mr John Hageman"

"Sir pleas to let Mr Jones have one pound twelve Shilling & Six pence for 13 days work in Boating to Tyoga & charge it to weiss & Hollenback-In goods & you'l oblige yours-M-Hollenback Tyoga Decbr. 27th 1785- "To Mr J. Hageman-Wyoming."

Two other accounts have been found for this year, viz .: "July 23, goods were sent to Tioga 'and a Barrel of flower for frate.' "

"Decr. 8 1785 Sugar, Salt Pork, Rum, Bread, etc., for the use of the Ser- vants at Tioga."

The goods were "pushed" up the river in canoes or Durham boats, and generally came from the store at Wilkes-Barré, unless, as in case of large consignments, they were conveyed by wagon from Philadelphia to Middletown, and then transferred to the boats. Even when con- signed to Newtown, they seem to have been generally unloaded at Tioga Point, the reason for which is not known, but that the Indians from below always landed here on the Susquehanna side, making a portage. Many were the vicissitudes of transportation. The goods were sometimes badly damaged by storms or by the splashing of careless boatmen. The river would suddenly fall or freeze, when at various points they had to be reloaded in wagons or sleighs, as the case might be. Sometimes a much needed small order was brought from Wilkes-Barré by the post rider. But doubtless the most trying journey was made by John Hollenback, who, starting in charge of several sleds, found the roads so icy that it was thought best to take to the frozen river, the sleds in this instance having to be let down the bank with care by tying them to saplings which bent, making the descent safely, but with much anxiety to the young man in charge.

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A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 32

Author: Murray, Louise Welles, 1854-1931. 4n Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Athens, Penna. [i.e., Pa.] : [s.n.] Number of Pages: 726

Author: Murray, Louise Welles, 1854-1931. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Athens, Penna. [i.e., Pa.] : [s.n.]
Number of Pages: 726