A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 39

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

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"Peace of country depends on immediate execution of confirming law. John Franklin and his adherents are very industrious to infuse suspicions into the minds of the settlers that the law will never be carried into execution ; * misled by Franklin's protestations and falsehoods, execution of laws is more difficult."

This being considered in council on September 1, a letter was sent to Pickering, enclosing a warrant to apprehend Franklin, but leav- ing it to his discretion to have it executed or suppressed. Evidently the time was not ripe, or Pickering thought it wise not to assume the responsibility.

You may say, we are wandering far from Athens, but this is the history of Athens. Unquestionably, Tioga Point now was the high seat of treason; and after this meeting just recorded extra efforts were made to push the settlement. Listen to this letter from one of three Hudson men, who were as ardent land jobbers as any in Pennsyl- vania, and who at this time used John Franklin as their tool :

"August 9, 1787. Sir, I have carefully perused yours dated the first, and think your policy good-with regard to letting the Towns on the Tioga, I think it best that it should be done immediately. You requested me to repair to the Tioga without loss of time. * I am sensible that if I at present leave home for any considerable time, there will be no possibility of my throwing on many settlers this Fall, for which reason I shall not go on at present, but exert myself to the utmost to throw on settlers * * and fix a plan to fill the country in

the spring-your policy will undoubtedly induce you to not suffer provisions to be carried from your settlement, but above all I most earnestly advise you to crush your enemies, & pursue them to the pit, & depend, I Will assist you so far as in my power, & shall expect that when I hear from you again, there will not be an Acan found in your Camp & trust you will not suffer the unhallowed feet of a Penimite to tread on the Land which the Lord hath given you. I am Sir "yr mo. obedient humble Servant

"CALEB BENTON."

"N. B. Please to present my compliments to Major Jenkins & inform him I am determined that his God shall be my God."

It was this same week that Pickering wrote to Benjamin Franklin. The Vice-President of Council replies :

"We have been informed that some people at Hudson, N. Y. are determined to oppose the execution of the law * * you had better be on your guard."

Soon a new phase of controversy arose : the quarrel between the whole-share old settlers and the half-share new settlers. This was actively in operation at Wysox, which was held by Hudson people as "Strong and Hogaboom's town," to be settled only by half-share men ; while many old settlers from below wished to locate there. Pickering thought this special quarrel was also on at Tioga, and possibly this might account for the varied lists of original proprietors of Athens to be given in a later chapter. It is noticeable that the name of

288

OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

Athens does not occur in any letter or records of Pennsylvania; it was always Tioga or Tioga Point. Athens was the Connecticut name, therefore ignored. Would that the Point might be pictured as in 1787, with the cannons, ammunition and large stores of provisions ; but no scrap of paper has been found concerning this period. How carefully they covered up their tracks! There seems to be no Mat- thewson papers in existence, and Elisha Satterlee's house was twice burned. But there are plenty of the intercepted letters to tell the tale; three from Hamilton to Franklin, September 8 and 10, 1787, offering to rush in settlers for any new township, deploring hesitancy,. urging audacity, abusing Pennsylvanians, also saying :

"But if you should in proper time afford a manly resistance * my desire is that you should reserve a handsome seat on the Tioga point, for we think it policy in such case that either Dr. Benton or myself should remove to that place in the Spring to continue there." At the close of a fiery letter, antici- pating being called a coward for not going to the scene of action, he writes: "If you can contrive any way that I may do justice * * I will be with you * * but then you must make a noise-I will not die such a tapering death." (Pages 184-5, Vol. XI.)

The following is evidently again a blind letter, yet it is easy to read between the lines that a sudden uprising was planned, a quick and bloody conflict, and Pennsylvania beaten. Listen :

"You say you cannot conceive from whence my fears arose. I will tell you sir how it is-leading characters here will believe that you never will be able to Klink up a Bubbery there, and until that is done they will not venture any further part of their property or character, so that you readily see your schemes are at an end. *

* Moreover if I should tell them there was something about * to be done which would be dangerous, our enemies may take the hint too soon." (His allusion to the practice of Physic very evidently means fighting.) "I think you harbor in your country a curious monster of two heads in one body * * two setts of Commissioners granting the same lands, which you allow. Gore said in his letter to me as soon as they meddled with the title of lands, he would find Indians enough to protect them. Where are Gore's Indians? are they scat- tered away by his new settlers at Newtown?"

September 5, 1787, Pickering wrote to Benjamin Franklin as follows :

"Franklin & Jenkins were at Tioga last Monday; and on Tuesday were to sit with Beach and others to receive and examine the claims of the inhabitants in that quarter to the lands in their possession; agreably to an advertisement posted up at Tioga by their order. A Col McInstee (Mckinstry) from Hudson, and one, Allen (Nathaniel) from Rhode Island are said to have met them there. I have a deposition declaring that one of their company confessed that their plan was to erect an independent state."

The most amazing story of all is Samuel Gordon's of

"The long visaged scotchman who informed me their intention was not to ask the protection of any state, that they meant to govern themselves, and, if molested protect themselves against any or all of the States. If they found them- selves unable to stand against the States, call for the assistance of the British; being an independent people they would have the right to request and receive the Protection of any Power."

This Scotchman exihibited a writing, signed by Mckinstry and Allen, signifying each settler should have a certain quantity of land gratis, etc.

289

FRANKLIN'S DEFIANT ACTIVITY

And so it seems Tories and Indians were to be called into use once more. All this agitation clustering around Tioga Point, of which we were thinking of saying (after the manner of former historians) it was peacefully settled by so and so, little dreaming of all these hidden schemes.

Now Benjamin Franklin, in alarm, appeals to Governor Clinton of New York, informing him :

"A number of disorderly People are collecting near the State Line, * * their numbers daily increasing by vagabonds from all quarters, and that they expect Reinforcements from Shays late Partisans, and purpose defending their pro- ceedings by force of arms. Such a body of Banditti may be capable of mischief. *

* Some of whose leaders are said to be Inhabitants of New York * * best to have a conference." (Page 187, Vol. X.)

Pickering says of John Franklin at this time that "he is possessed of some art, and of bravery to desperation." He had the desperate boldness to send orders in writing to his adherents (signed "Colonel Commandant). This was disclosed in the following letter, written a few days previous to Franklin's arrest, addressed to Col. Zebulon Butler at Wilkes-Barré :

"Wyalusing Sept 29, 1787.

"Sir, I think it prudent to inform you that Mr Franklin has sent circular letters to his associates up the river, urging them to equip themselves complete with arms, one pound of Powder & four pounds of lead, & repair to Wyoming, there to oppose the election next month. If you think you are not able to oppose force to force, I presume to think it would be best to outgeneral him by secret adjournments. They are determined to lay hands on all public papers in the commissioners hands, therefore think it would be best to secrete them. His friends are numerous, occasioned by the faithless conduct of some Pennsylvania gentlemen, formerly sent to treat with them, who violated every agreement they entered into, which will be made use of as arguments to keep the people's minds alienated from the Government of Pennsylvania. I am sir your obliged

"Humble Servt. "SAMUEL GORDON."39

Matters had now reached a crisis; the whole country was in con- fusion. The upper townships were filling up with the wild Yankees. It was estimated there were at least 10,000 in the valley from Wyoming to State Line, "ready to come out with their swords and defend it against the world." Another civil war seemed imminent. The State, as well as the land jobbers, was now thoroughly aroused.

39 The originals of these circular letters are still in existence in Harrisburg, and have been seen by author; one is addressed to Mr. Jehiel Franklin:

"Wilkes-Barré, Sept. 25, 1787.

"Sir. You are requested to give notice to the lialf share men and settlers at Waysocks and Towanda who expect to support their lands under the Susquehanna Company that they appear at Abel Yarrington's in Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday 9th Oct. next at 9 o'clock in the morning, compleat in arms and equip'd. John Franklin, by order of the Companies' Com- missioner.

"N. B. You will direct such persons to give the warning as you think proper.

"Later. Mr. Franklin, Sir, You are requested to notify all half share men that they meet at the house of James Lessley in Hanover on Monday 8 Oct at 9 in the morning com- pletely arm'd and equip'd as that is the day the Pa. Loyalists intend to regulate their militia to subjugate us which we are determined to prevent.

"JOHN FRANKLIN, Col. Com'd."

Concerning Franklin's attitude, it is interesting to read his letter of the preceding year, to William Montgomery, to be found on page 656, Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XVIII. Many other papers of great value as regards the controversy are to be found in this same volume, which is well worth studying.

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

The following excerpts from the minutes of the Supreme Execu - tive Council of 1787 show what was done :

"Sept 22. Several papers containing intelligence of an armed banditti hav- ing assembled at Tioga, within this State, in a riotous manner, with an intention to resist the Government, were laid before the Council; and On consideration The President was desired to write a letter to the Governor of the State of New York, inclosing the said papers, and requesting the concurrence of the Govern- ment of that State in concerting measures for effectually suppressing the riot- ers; and also that our Delegates in Congress may be permitted to hold a con- ference with him for that purpose. A letter was written to the Delegates of this State in Congress upon the same subject."

A few days later a draft of a proclamation was read and approved by council, offering $400 for the arrest of John Franklin ; $200 for John Jenkins, and $200 for Zeriah Beach and John Mckinstry, or $100 apiece for the latter ; and charging all Judges, Justices, Sheriffs and Constables to make diligent search and enquiry for these men. There is also recorded an apologetic letter to council from persons who in- dulged in a riot at time of Franklin's arrest, "supposing he was carried off without the authority of any regular writ or warrant," and express- ing regret for their misconduct.

A warrant was now issued, as follows :

"Instructions to Col Jno. Craig 1787 In Council

"Sir, You are to take what number of militia you think necessary and pro- ceed with the greatest dispatch to Wilkesbarre in the County of Luzerne. When there if you think necessary consult Col. Pickering on the best method you can take to apprehend John Franklin, John Jenkins, Zerah Beach and John McKin- try. * * * If you take Franklin at Wilkesbarre do not proceed any further, or run no risque of losing him by endeavoring to apprehend the others. * *

A notice was also sent to Governor Clinton of New York in case they had escaped over the State Line.

Manifestly, the only way out was to dispose of Franklin, the be- loved leader. Since he could not be bribed, he might be imprisoned. Therefore, October 2, 1787, he was arrested on the charge of high treason, carried to Philadelphia, and thrown into jail, heavily ironed. It seemed an abominable proceeding, but he dealt with it lightly in after years ; he says: "I resided nearly 2 years in Philadelphia from October, 1787."

Thus ended the great project, and thus the high hopes concerning Athens fell, although we conclude from the following that affairs were still serious, and that the New State project lingered after the arrest of Franklin, for Benjamin Franklin, then Secretary of the Common- wealth, sent the following letter to the Council then in session, Novem- ber, 1787:

"Gentlemen, Since the last session, there has been a renewal of the disturb- ances at Wyoming, some restless spirits there having imagined a prospect of withdrawing the inhabitants of that part of the State, and some of the State of New York from their allegiance, and of forming them into a new State, to be carried into effect by an armed force in defiance of the laws of the two States. Having intelligence of this, we caused one of the principal conspirators to be apprehended, and secured in the gaol of this city-and another who resides in the state of New York, at our request has been taken up by the authorities of

291

THE WILD YANKEE LEAGUE

that Government." The papers found on this occasion fully discovers the designs of these turbulent people, and some of their letters are herewith laid before you. * * * To protect the civil officers of our new Court of Luzerne * * we have or- dered a body of Militia to hold themselves in readiness to march hither. "B. FRANKLIN, "President Supreme Ex. Council."

Probably it was at this time that the following was found, maybe one of the papers to which B. Franklin alluded :

(Supposed to be "Wild Yankee League.")

"Combination of Settlers and Purchasers of Susquehanna Company, 1787.

"Whereas, we the subscribers being proprietors, purchasers and Settlers of a tract of Land known by the name of Susquehanna purchase, and are in con- sequence of a Royal chartered right, together with that of an absolute purchase from the aboriginal proprietors (with our associates, to wit, the Susquehanna Company) in possession of the whole of the aforesaid purchase; and whereas the settlers and their associates are & were joint tenants of the whole Territory of Country aforesaid, & the possession of the settlers is & ever hath been the possession of themselves and their associates agreeably to the observation of a celebrated Law writer, who saith that a possession of a part in the name of the whole is a possession compleatly for every part. And whereas the aforesaid Company of which we are a part, were the first in possession & occupancy after the aboriginals, & neither have been or can be legally dispossessed by any Tri- bunal short of a Federal Court instituted agreeably to the articles of confedera- tion ; it therefore follows that no one State in the Union has a right to determine the title or right of possession to any of the lands in the aforesaid purchase until the institution and exercise of a Federal Court as above mentioned. There- fore we humbly, jointly, & severally pledge our honors & all our properties, real and personal, that we will use our utmost exertions for the protection and de- fence of each other in the possession of the lands aforesaid against all invaders, & also for the defence of all such as will join with us in this combination, & that we will unequivocally adhere to everything comprized in the foregoing declara- tion. We also hereby declare to the public that we will lay no claim to the lands under any other title but that of the Susquehanna Company in the before mentioned purchase. In testimony whereof we have hereunto voluntarily sub- scribed our names.

"*John McKinstrey, *Zerah Beach, Benjamin Allen, *Thomas McClaier (McCluer), *Eldad Kellog, *Chester Bingham, *Stephen Fuller, *Lebbeus Ham- mond, *Benjamin Clark, Jeremiah Skeer, *Joseph Spalding, *Joseph Kenney, *Samuel Gore, Peter Dounou, *Waterman Baldwin, *John Spalding, *Joseph Marshall, *Avery Grove (Gore?), John Cole, *Simon Spalding, Abel Maringer, Thomas Spalding, *Abraham Brokaw, *Samuel Southard, Othriel Campbell, Abraham Spalding, John Garey, Thomas Brown, Simon Shepard, Jas. Therin- lon, *Solom'n Bennett, *Joel Thomas, Joseph Thomas, Jos. F. Thompson, James Fanning, *John O'Neal, Jas. Dolson, Stephen Dolson, Jno. Moorecraft, John Kortwright, Jacob. Collins, James Whitney, *Jacob Snel(f), Christian Kress, Nathan Herrington, Chornelius McDanul, Nicholas Depui, junr., Peregrine Gard- ner, John McClure, *John Fuller, Samuel Bewellman, *Jon'n Harris, *Jon'n Harris, Jr., Martin Young, Walter Walrue, *Abm. Minur (Minier?), *Joseph Tyler, Alexr. Simpson, Jr., Jacob Kress, *Nathan Herrington, Jr., Moses Depui, Jacob Herrington, *Prince Bryant, John Simpson, John Simpson, Jr.

There is no date to the foregoing, but it is recorded in the Letter Book immediately after the preceding letter, dated October 6, 1787.

40 Pickering tells of this: "I have the pleasure to inform you that Dr. Hamilton has been taken with a budget of letters and papers, showing his own and Franklin's treasonable practices. Hamilton you perhaps know wrote three of the letters which were taken with Starkweather, and has been Franklin's principal correspondent in York State." The letters in Archives are all those that were intercepted. Jenkins, Beach and Mckinstry escaped arrest. It has been generally represented by historians that Timothy Pickering arrested Franklin on his own responsibility; the foregoing orders prove this false, yet the order of arrest (according to letters in Harrisburg) was sent to him, instructing him to use his own judgment as to its enforcement.

292

OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

By this list it will be seen that a good many of the former settlers of Athens were concerned in this league, known as the "Wild Yankee League," a term, the origin of which is unknown, though one letter in the Archives alludes to the band as "Wild Boys." A star marks the name of every one connected with this vicinity; errors in spelling render some names difficult to recognize. The second Harris is doubt- less John, Jr., as there were not two Jonathans.

Simon Spalding was said to have opposed the league, but here is his name. Look in vain, however, for Franklin, Satterlee, Swift and Matthewson. Inexplicable omission !

Alexander Patterson called the Wild Yankees "Franklin's Ra- vengers." What the Press thought of these proceedings may be learned from the Independent Gazetteer of 1787, the second daily newspaper published in the country. (The following extracts were furnished by the late A. S. Hooker, of Troy, for the first numbers of the Athens News.) Mr. Hooker wrote :

"First in the yellow pages of the little bound volume, appears an Act of Legislature March 28, 1787, for ascertaining and confirming to certain persons called Connecticut claimants the lands by them claimed in the county of Lu- zerne, consideration of the claims to take effect in May at the house of Col. Zeb- ulon Butler in Wilkesborough (Wilkes-Barre), Peter Muhlenburg and Timothy Pickering being Commissioners."

The Gazetteer of September 3, 1787, has the following : .

"We learn from Wyoming that a dangerous combination of villains com- posed of runaway debtors, criminals, adherents of Shays (who a short time ago raised a rebellion in Massachusetts, suppressed by the Government with blood- shed), etc., is now actually forming on the Susquehanna. Tioga Point seems to be their general rendezvous. They extend some distance down as well as up the Tioga Branch (Chemung). They have had a gathering to council of their principal partisans, who oppose the introduction of law into that settlement. They carry everything with a high hand, in open defiance of all government ex- cept their own. Last week they were to try a man for his life, who refused to comply with their injunctions, but the issue is not yet known. Their avowed design is to institute a new state, and if they are not timely checked and re- strained, will soon become very troublesome and dangerous. They increase very fast, and their present numbers are by no means inconsiderable. Immediate and decisive measures ought to be taken against them it is to be lamented our govern- ment admits of no decision. It is for the want of energy in this respect that we see banditties rising up against law and good order in all parts of our country."

Shades of Ethan Allen and John Franklin! Does not this seem the very essence of "Yellow Journalism?" And yet almost strictly true ! Descendants of Connecticut settlers, here you see your revered ancestors as Pennsylvania saw them. Further startling intelligence is contained in later issues of the same paper. (All these excerpts prove that there are chapters of Tioga Point history that cannot now be written.) If we might only go back a few hours to 1787!

"Sept 12 We hear from Wilkesbury in the county of Luzerne that a court was held there last week in the most peaceable manner. Two bills, it is said, were found against John Franklin for riot and trespass, and for assault and battery. This incendiary we are told has retreated to Tioga (Point) where he is stimulating a body of vagrants to commit fresh acts of rebellion and treason against the government of Pennsylvania. From the happy effects that have fol- lowed the establishment of a new county at Wyoming, composing the minds of the people, and driving off insurgents and vagrants; there is no doubt that

293

ARREST OF COLONEL FRANKLIN

the establishment of a new county that shall include Tioga Point, fixing the officers of the said county near the spots infested by this banditti, would imme- diately drive them from the confines of this State. Unless this be done, we must expect that our citizens will move westward, and leave us a wilderness within 150 miles of our capital." A letter from Wyoming, dated September 6, says : "We have learnt nothing from the Convention at Tioga, except that the meeting was not so great as was intended. I have just heard, but how true I can not tell that they have dispatched two surveyors to lay out two towns (doubtless Ulster and Athens) on the waters of Tioga in this State. The appointment of a Lieu- tenant I flatter myself will have a good effect."

"Sept 20. By a gentleman just arrived from Tioga we learn that the in- surgents in that place were surprised and taken by a party of the new federal military, and that their leaders are on their way to Wyoming to be tried for their lives."

While not absolutely accurate, this last notice no doubt alludes to the seizure of John Franklin, which is thus described in the Gazetteer for October 6, 1787 :

"A few days since, Capts. Craig, Brady, Stephenson, Begs, Mr. Pim and Mr. Erb went to the county of Luzerne, and there by order of the Supreme Ex- ecutive Council, apprehended John Franklin, and yesterday brought him to this city. This man has been very active in fomenting disturbances in the county. Great address and resolution was shown by the gentlemen employed in con- ducting this business; they were all officers in the Continental army, who dis- tinguished themselves by their bravery during the late war-it is to be hoped that they will receive sufficient compensation for their services. * * * A corre- spondent with pleasure informs the public that John Franklin of Luzerne County a refractory member of our late Assembly41 was taken a few days ago by a few of the old Continental officers, and is now safely lodged with Captain Reynolds, where he is to remain without bail or maine prize, until he is impeached, with the infamous nineteen members who had the audacity to attempt the breaking up of the late House of Assembly, after wasting £1067 10s of the public's money, without finishing any part of the business the House has been sitting for." (No filibustering was allowed in those days, and to waste the public credit or cash by such methods was rightly characterized as a crime!)

October 9, 1787, David Redick, President Benjamin Franklin's messenger to Governor Clinton, reported that the latter was now con- vinced that Hamilton, Benton, Mckinstry and Aughmenterry were wicked men; also that Clinton rejoiced at the arrest of Franklin, and promised to secure the persons and papers of Hamilton and Benton.

October 10. Colonel Denison was requested to "go immediately into his county of Luzerne, in order to inform himself-and furnish exact information to Council-if he judge proper to proceed as far as Tioga himself or send thither some suitable persons, to view the situation of the mal-contents there, and ob- tain what knowledge he can of their designs, numbers, force and probable means of support, if they mean to establish themselves within the boundaries of this state," etc.

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A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 39

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