USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > Athens > A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania > Part 35
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261
SURVEYS OF THE STATE LINE
Early in 1785 both States appointed commissioners to run and mark the line permanently. The work began in the summer of 1786. Astronomical obser- vations were made every twenty miles between the Initial Point on the Dela- ware River and Lake Erie; and the line between was run by compass. As proven later, these methods were very uncertain. However, ninety miles were completed in that year, "from the Delaware to the western side of the south branch of the Tioga, and marked with substantial mile-stones." Alpheus Harris and Zephon Flower were surveyors in this party. Besides the milestones, Lati- tude Stones were set: the third was on the left bank of the Chemung or Tioga River, west of the village of Waverly; probably near Tozer's Bridge. It was in- scribed, "60m. 69 ch: Var. 1° 50m."
Here it seems the author may assume to differ from the Regents' Report, for in 1896, when looking up relics of pioneer history, just at locality indicated, the old stone was found in use as a doorstep. It is now in Tioga Point Museum and is inscribed : "Penna A Latitude 42° Vai 1° 50'-1786."
In 1787 the commissioners completed their work. No field notes or diaries, or the survey itself, have ever been found; all information having been derived from their reports and letters. The boundary thus established was formally confirmed in 1789. Many of the milestones were of the rudest character, and it is supposed that some were only posts. In the course of years a large number disappeared; but it was not until 1875 that any attempt was made to replace them. Action was then taken which resulted in the appointment of a joint com- mission and skilled surveyors to examine and re-establish the line. The monu- ment of 1774 marking the Initial Point had entirely disappeared; a source of much difficulty. However, an arrangement was made with the Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey, by which four points upon the parallel of 42° were established with all the accuracy known to modern science. As the work proceeded, many inaccuracies were found in the line of 1786-7; the greatest variation being nearly 1,000 feet; although it was utterly impossible to decide whether and where the line had been tampered with to suit the convenience of settlers. After much deliberation, both States decided to set the new monuments on the line of 1787, as too long a time had elapsed to make it practicable to cor- rect the former errors. Therefore, substantial monuments were erected at every mile, although hardly one of them is really on the 42d parallel. In connection with this work of 1877, the late Z. F. Walker is given honorable mention in the Boundary Report. It seems now strange that after so much effort at accuracy, the actual line was not marked, but the New York State appropriation was ex- hausted, and Pennsylvania was unwilling to defray the extra expense of $10,000.
Matthias Hollenback, being a man of affairs, of course knew of the lottery warrants. Doubtless he had made some sort of a contract with Secord, and as has already been recorded, he quickly made pay- ment, June 6, of £100 "for a certain tract of land called Tioga Point." The description suggests Hollenback was buying more than the seven acres.
According to the affidavits (given in Chapter VII) it was only twelve days after the survey that witnesses were before Commissioner Maclay, testifying that Hollenback's location was on the ground which Secord had improved and occupied prior to 1780, claiming a title whose source is unknown, probably only possessory right. Secord's conveyance to Hollenback was "Proven before Wm. Maclay, Esq., July 25, 1785." Secord was at Tioga Point for this transaction, which combined with the affidavits of the previous month established Hollen- back's claim, the existence and validity of which was evidently proven by Maclay, on his return to Lancaster, to Lockhart's satisfaction, as
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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
shown in his quaint letter here reproduced.17 The marvellous twist given to the points of compass suggest that Lockhart had not been on the ground or was no map maker.
July &27 th- 1985 Do in the four former Lotts is engaged on it mane Street profs from the Frogo to y North Branch one for Cancell In. Dow all one for John Harrifes one for 1.Next againe- m& M. Played Jon IS one for Mother - Followback ye ye Sent Jajah Lockhart
downward
north Branch Play or J'Harife Thank
1 Moodle Rott Au Still
9
Howard on Tiago
Susquehanna
oprahLockhart
To In Sil mathers a fallenbest of Diogo Bra John Harrife Il Gentlemen of any Gentlemen makes Application for Lotte as they are laides out they will be Subject to benly shill's for year of Luter Cents and that Iwill give them a good title for Ever for any with Lots as is Laidout by the Furwear Quer find av this Plan Will be tett forth to the publich. Is to be subject to all regulating as the state of me Den filvania
17 The original of this old document has been presented to the Tioga Point Musuem and will doubtless be of great interest. As the writing is somewhat indecipherable, it is here printed: "July 27, 1785. Dr. Sir, the four Corner-lotts is engaged on the Maine Street across from the Tiogo to the North Branch, one for Daniel McDowell one for John Harrise one for Mr McClayes son & one for Matthew Hollonback, etc. ye servant Josiah Lockhart. "To Mr Matthew Hollenback & John Harrise."
"P. S. Gentlemen, if any gentlemen makes application for lotts as they are laid out, they will be subject to twenty shillings per year of quit rents and that I will give them a good title forever for any such lotts as is laid out by the surveyor according as the plan will be set forth to the public & to be subject to all regulations as the state of Pensilvania pr me. "JOSIAH LOCKHART."
263
JOSIAH LOCKHART'S SKETCH-MAP
Lockhart's
Draught of the Town Lockhartsburgh On yoga
INSCRIPTION ON BACK OF LETTER
This letter and sketch have much information and some problems. It may be inferred that Matthias Hollenback has already sold the cor- ner lots. John Harris is assigned to the one now north of the Museum- Library, on which he had a cabin and a store later. Daniel McDowell, Hollenback's clerk, has one of the east corners, and Maclay must have chosen one for his son when he made the survey. As to the personality of these men, John Harris was a descendant of the founder of Harris- burg, and brother-in-law or nephew of Maclay; he came to this region with the Maclays, or, more likely, with Samuel Harris of the same family, who "pushed" up the Susquehanna and Chemung about this time and squatted at Painted Post. No further mention is found of "Mr. Maclay's son," and the pioneer settlers said that John Harris had a store on Maclay's lot. Observe the streets in this first plot of "Lockhartsburg," as it was called for some years by Pennsylvanians. The same Main Street as now, the old Sullivan Road. But Lockhart's "Main Street" surely crosses from river to river just where the Acad- emy and Museum-Library stand in 1907. We will hear of this street again later, although it has never been mentioned by local historians. The letter indicates a fifth lot leased to one Robert McDoall, an un- familiar name. Twenty shillings a year is not excessive rent.
Here the descendants of the Connecticut settlers are perhaps sur- prised, and uneasily wondering about the grant of the Susquehanna Company. But the dates are against all previous statements. Maclay's survey of Tioga Point was the earliest; and no doubt it was his loca- tion of the State line that first gave the Connecticut people the idea of laying out another township.
During all this time the schemes of the Connecticut settlers at Wyoming were shaping toward a settlement at Tioga Point. For, in spite of the decree of Trenton, the contest still raged; and every effort was made to prolong it.18 The story of the whole fierce struggle at Wyoming need hardly here be told.19
18 Upham says, "To heighten the mischief, there was a general weakness of authority, and a spirit of reckless turbulence pervading some portions of the country, leading to a con- viction that a more efficient government had become necessary. People everywhere were con-
264
OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
The Susquehanna Company was temporarily paralyzed or dis- creetly quiescent after the decree, although a meeting was held in 1783, and a resolution passed, saying "that this Company are determined to pursue their just claims," etc. In other words, to enforce, if possible, the right of soil or, more plainly put, "possessory right." At this time the able Timothy Pickering had been called to Wyoming to attempt to settle the disputes, which he longed to do. Upham, his biographer, says :
"He loved the people, the common people. He never had a particle of pride. He honored merit alone, never paid or affected homage to what is called 'great- ness.' This was manifest in all his actions, language and manners. But the un- usual condition in the Susquehanna valley was such that Congress could exercise no powers, because it was then undecided to which state the territory belonged. Pennsylvania could not shelter the territory, because its inhabitants did not suffer her to extend her authority, civil or military, over them; she had tried it over and over again and been repulsed."
Congress did not even send troops direct to Wyoming's aid at the time of the massacre, but to Easton, Sunbury, etc .; not wishing to do anything that would compromise its policy of non-interference. He also says :
"In co-operation with the Land Company of Connecticut many persons of influence in New York and elsewhere were busy in concerting schemes * * looking to the separation of the territory into a distinct state, and to land specu- lations there from which they would derive great advantages. The outside par- ties secretly encouraged another interest, of those who had purchased under Pro- prietary government, and by the confirming law had been stripped of their titles."
It is difficult at this period to understand the conditions which influenced the chief actors or, indeed, all the actors in these contro- versies. Upham, having carefully examined all of Pickering's Mss.,20 and apparently considered the matter in an unprejudiced way, has made the matter quite clear. He says :
"Indeed, there was at that period pervading the country a fearful disregard of the obligations of law, a wide-spread spirit of insubordination to government in general. The public mind, during the Revolutionary war, had * * been get- ting loose from the idea of political restraints ; and it was long before it recovered a healthy allegiance to the authority of government. * * At that day the truth had not dawned upon any, that, in a free Republic, rebellion is out of place, absurd, and sure to fail. Further, it was not then known, as subsequent exper-
vulsed by excited discussions, and vehement dissensions incident to the struggles that resulted in the adoption of the present Federal Constitution. After decree of Trenton Pennsylvania ought instantly to have quieted the Connecticut settlers in the possession of their farms; the affection and allegiance of such a people would have been worth more than all their lands. Both States undoubtedly felt confident of being in the right. This accounts for their perti- nacity and determination not to recede, or concede at any moment, in any crisis, or to the slightest extent. This was not an unreasonable obstinacy. The case had such inherent diffi- culties and perplexities, it will always be looked upon in opposite lights. No blame can there- fore attach to the parties at the time for each having most decided opinions relating to it; they proved the sincerity and depth of their convictions by the constancy with which they clung to them, and suffered for them. The duty of the historian is to relate what men did and said without espousing the sentiments of either side, or being responsible for actions or language. In this affair, at the time, men spoke their minds forcibly and emphatically, yet many outlived their prejudices, and reversed their judgments."
19 See Harvey's "History of Wilkes-Barre" for exhaustive treatment.
20 Timothy Pickering's Mss. are still preserved in keeping of Massachusetts Historical Society. Vols. 62 and 63 cover his residence in Wyoming, and are said to be valuable sources of information concerning history and land controversies of Wyoming Valley. In his journal of a tour through northern Pennsylvania in the summer of 1786, he was several times in or near Tioga Point. We have not had the privilege of examination of Mss., which we regret, as he made close observations on this trip as to quality of land, natural products of country, etc., various allusions to which are to be found in Upham, Vol. II, pp. 250 to 255.
265
ADVENT OF JOHN FRANKLIN
ience has proved that a Republic cannot easily be dismembered. Counties can not sever themselves from States, nor States from the Union. With such a lack of appreciation of the folly of forcible resistance to laws, it is not to be won- dered at that frontiersmen like the Connecticut settlers at Wyoming should have been drawn into rebellion. Their peculiar experience had led them to know no other sovereign than their own determined will; they had looked in vain, out- side of their own narrow limits for aid or for justice. Such men were fit sub- jects to be instigated into rebellion. All they wanted was a leader, and he ap- peared at the crisis, Colonel John Franklin. He had signalized himself by deeds of gallantry on many occasions, was a man of great physical strength, every way qualified to enlist the confidence and stimulate the passions of men disposed to daring measures. There does not appear to be any evidence against his personal and private character. Of course no weight can be attached to expressions used against him while the heat and violence of the struggle to subdue him were at their height."
John Franklin
Here enters actively upon our scene the man of whom it has been said "That which will ever make Athens a Mecca to every true son of the Yankee settlers is that herc lived, here died, and here is buried Colonel John Franklin."-Craft.
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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
John Franklin's biography should be fully written; it is a task that we trust will soon be well done to the glory of Tioga Point.
Here it seems best, rather than to give the usual pedigree, etc., to record some things said of him by men who knew him, or lived nearer his time. Frank- lin's life, in a way, is the story of the Connecticut Controversy; in giving it, his faults as well as his virtues are glaringly shown. But that he was an able leader (rather than as has been said, the tool of crafty men, thinking only of greed and gain) must be evident to those who follow the details of his remark- able career. His life should be made known to all the youth living within the boundaries of Westmoreland, should be studied in our schools, talked of in our streets, and ever shed its light over the Happy Valley where, at last, shrouded in darkness, it went out. Where and when he was born, whose son he was, etc., are of small moment to what he was.
We have chosen to portray him partially in the words of the late Hendrick B. Wright, given in "Plymouth Sketches," who lived so near the time of Frank- lin's activity that his pen picture glows with a color seldom given by the cold, critical historian, or the prejudiced Pennsylvanian, whose views will be given at intervals through the succeeding chapters. While some descriptions were drawn from Miner and others, the basis of the following extracts was the mem- ories of Jameson Harvey, whose father was Franklin's intimate friend, his home being one of the favorite stopping places of the "Hero of Wyoming" as he jour- neyed back and forth. Mr. Wright is not followed verbatim, some interpolations and omissions having been made by author.
Mr. Harvey represents Franklin as a tall, square shouldered, well-built man, six feet or more in height, with wonderful development of physical power. He leaned slightly forward in his walk, but moved with a firm step. From the accounts of others, he seems to have been a man of Herculean frame, and pos- sessing strong muscles and sinews, as shown when it required the united strength of four men to hold and bind him with cords, when arrested for treason and sent off to the Philadelphia prison. He was a son of John Franklin, Sr., one of the original proprietors of the Susquehanna Company, and a native of Canaan, Litchfield County, Connecticut. He came with his wife and children to Plymouth in 1774. He had brothers who either immigrated with him or about the same time to the valley. Roswell, Jr., and Arnold Franklin were not brothers to John, though probably related.
In the spring of 1775 John Franklin entered the wilderness alone, and upon the banks of Huntington Creek, on his father's rights, as shown in Westmore- land Records, Ledger A, page 46, made his "pitch." Having circumscribed the limits of his claim by notching and blazing the trees, he knocked up some turf with the poll of his axe, and this was his warrant of entry.
No white man had preceded him in this vicinity. His faithful dog was the only witness to this act of possession, and his rifle the only battery of his defense.
The man who had the courage and personal bravery to do this possessed the qualifications to fill the places of trust afterwards conferred upon him. Dur- ing the summer of 1775 he chopped over and cleared off some three or four acres, sowed it with grain, erected his log hut, and was now ready for his family. His nearest neighbor was at the Susquehanna River, seven or eight miles away. "In that year he came to take a round in Plunket's battle," and returned to his wild home again when it was over. And thus the resolute man was en- gaged, whose capacious intellect, in succeeding years, dispelled the sophistry con- cealed in the Trenton decree, and whose untiring energy and iron will gave cast and coloring to the almost helpless Yankee cause.
The man of the people; the man for the people. The tall and stately form, whether at the head of his company, driving the Tories before him out of Ply- mouth; taking his oath of revenge, bound in chains as a traitor, at the head of his company under Sullivan, exterminating the enemy, or pleading the cause of his afflicted associates, ever loomed up, the object of love, affection, and pro- foundest veneration by the Connecticut settlers of Wyoming.
In the spring of 1776, he installed his wife and children in the primitive home, the only family in the township. In November, 1778, his wife died, leaving three small children, one an infant of a week old. Having no person to take
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COLONEL JOHN FRANKLIN
care of them, he determined to place them in charge of his kind friends in Canaan. Harnessing a horse to a little cart, he put in the three children, tied a cow by the horns to follow, and drove on, having a cup in which, as occasion required, he milked and fed the babe. Thus he traveled the rough way, more than two hun- dred miles, in safety, exhibiting all the patience and tenderness that might be expected from a mother.
After the first ten years of his residence here, he was the leading and con- trolling spirit of the Yankee people. No one questioned his bravery nor doubted his integrity and honesty. All relied on his sound and well-balanced judgment. He differed with some of them as to the propriety of accepting the confirming law of 1787, but his view was the one which ultimately prevailed. To it the opinions of statesmen, jurists and laymen were forced to give place. His devo- tion to the cause was well shown in the following incident. An intimate friend, William Jackson, was wounded during the most serious attack of the Pennamites in 1784. Seeing his comrade, in what he supposed a dying condition, Franklin seized the rifle from the hands of Jackson, covered with the blood from his wounds, and with his eyes elevated to heaven, and his right hand upon his heart, solemnly took upon himself an oath :
"I will never lay down my arms until death shall arrest my hand, or Pat- terson and Armstrong be expelled from Wyoming; the people restored to their rights of possession; and a legal trial, guaranteed to every citizen by the Con- stitution, by justice, and by law."
In this transaction we read the heart of Franklin, and learn the brave and determined character of the man. His position was established now among his associates ; he had fully defined his status. The effect of the oath brought full development ; he saw in himself, and so did his men, his future position-the leader of the cause.
Not long after this, at a parade in Shawnee, Captain Franklin was unan- imously elected Colonel of the Regiment. He was now their chosen and revered chief, and upon him were centered all the affection and confidence that the sol- diers of the Revolution reposed in Washington.
Henceforward he was their agent, manager, representative, advocate and companion. And probably no man ever became so familiar with his associates, and yet at the same time retained their respect. He could let himself down, but his dignity of character was sustained in the exalted qualities of his heart.
Mr. Miner says : "He could make no pretensions to eloquence, yet he rarely failed to command attention, even from the learned and accomplished ; earnest, often vehement, his whole soul seemed to be in the matter he discussed."
What is eloquence? The utterance of strong emotion; the power of per- suasion, elevated, forcible thought; well chosen language, and an impassioned manner. Most of those qualities Colonel Franklin possessed to a large degree. The language of his memorial to the Legislature, and his oath upon the bloody rifle, are specimens of the highest order of eloquence. He cannot, of course, be measured by the standard of men like Burke or Clay, whose choice language and impassioned delivery furnished models of their kind for the world. But it can be said of Franklin, as of Paul before Felix, that when he spoke there was silence, and men trembled.
The few specimens left us of his legislative efforts show a thorough compre- hension of his subject, and a bold, fearless course of argument. They may be classed as solid and common-sense productions. He possessed but the rude ele- ments of education, and lacked knowledge of the proper grammatical construc- tion of sentences, but what the schools had not supplied, God Almighty had.
The general features of the compromising law of 1799, which proved the panacea of Wyoming troubles, were mostly the result of his labors. He was a member of the General Assembly of that year, and he made his mark. For these services he was continued a representative for the four succeeding ones, ending in 1803. But he lived to see peace restored, and had the proud satisfaction of seeing it established on his own basis; upon a theory for which he had at one time contended against the opinions of eminent lawyers and many of the Con- necticut settlers. The effect of the decree at Trenton, as decisive of title to lands, became abrogated, "Col. Franklin triumphed, and the flag of the Con-
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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
necticut settlers, which had long trailed in the dust, went to the head of the staff."
At this period the legislative body met at Lancaster. There were no public stage coaches ; the condition of the roads forbade their use, the members were accustomed to go and return on horseback. It was the custom of Franklin to walk with the bridle rein over his arm, his horse following after, with a huge portmanteau on his back, filled with his clothes, books and papers. The people along the road became accustomed to the tall, athletic figure, known as the man who traveled "afoot on horseback"; and as they could easily recognize him at a distance, would exclaim: "There comes Franklin, the great Yankee hero !"
After the conclusion of his services in the Assembly, he retired from public life. But his home was always the resort of old settlers; many of them would make him annual visits. He had a wonderful memory, and treasured up all the incidents, adventures and anecdotes of the eventful times in the valley, in most of which he had participated; and even up to the close of his checkered life, de- lighted to dwell upon them in his conversations. And when he gave his last breath there died the head and front of the Yankee column.
His home at Athens, built in 1791, still stands as part of the house of Nathaniel F. Walker, his great great grandson. It is impossible to picture it because of overshadowing additions. His grave, and that of his second wife, are close to the home, on the bluff overlooking the highway; a shrine towards which many pilgrims should wend their way. The portrait painted in old age, when his mental faculties were impaired by the storm and stress of years, illy portrays the character or the splendid physique of the young John Franklin.
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