USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > Athens > A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania > Part 41
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12-Benj. Gardner (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-John Mckinstry (Craft).
14-Thomas Handy (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-John Shepard (Craft).
15-Richard Halstead (Flower)-Blank Lot (Paine and Jenkins)-John Frank- lin (Craft).
24-Ethan Allen (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-No No. 24, but has two No. 35's, Ethan Allen and John Swift (Craft).
32-Richard Halstead (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-Justus Gaylord (Craft).
34-Abraham Miller (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-Duane & Patrick (Craft).
38-Nathaniel Cook (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-Zera Beach (Craft).
39-Richard Halstead (Flower)-Zera Beach (Craft)-Daniel McDowell crossed out and Duane & Patrick written under in different ink (Paine)-Daniel McDowell (Jenkins).
43-John Hurlbut (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-Zera Beach (Craft).
3RD DIVISION.
1-Daniel McDowell (Flower's map)-Duane & Patrick (Flower's notes or list) -Daniel McDowell's name crossed out and Duane & Patrick written in different ink (Paine)-Daniel McDowell (Jenkins)-Zera Beach (Craft).
22-John Hurlbut (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-Zera Beach (Craft). 26-Reuben Cook (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-John P. Schotts (Craft).
302
OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
27-Nathaniel Cook (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-Zera Beach (Craft).
31-Abraham Miller (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-Duane & Patrick (Craft).
37-John Jenkins sold to Jonathan Harris (Flower).
39-Justus Gaylord (Flower's map)-Richard Halstead (Flower's list)-Blank Lot (Paine and Jenkins)-Justus Gaylord (Craft).
47-Benjamin Gardner (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-John Mckinstry (Craft) -Mckinstry bought of Gardner.
48-Richard Halstead (Flower's notes)-John Franklin (Flower's map)-Blank Lot (Paine and Jenkins)-John Franklin (Craft). This lot is Frank- lin's lot on the east side of the river.
50-Thomas Handy (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-John Shepard (Craft).
The various lists have been carefully compared by N. F. Walker,1 noting the differences which at first seemed very puzzling. But with a full comprehension of the New State scheme, it is discerned that Col. Jenkins' first list was of those to whom original allotments were made; and that before the actual settlement, in 1788, transfers were made to "York Lessees," to more active Connecticut men, or to the actual settlers who had already made pitches. Notable transfers were to the men appointed Commissioners of the Susquehanna Company in December, 1786, doubtless to give them a controlling interest in the new state. However, every one named on all these lists had to do with the early settlement, and may be enrolled with the Makers of Athens. Let us give some attention first to those whose names have not been mentioned in previous local histories.
First, John Paul Schotts, Captain, Major, Member of Assembly and of Supreme Council of Pennsylvania. The name, often misspelled, is Schott, and the knowledge of him is derived from Miner's history of Wyoming, where Schott long resided. He was a Prussian, an officer in the army of Frederick the Great, where he served with merit. Like many young foreign soldiers, he was attracted to America during the Revolutionary War, and in 1775, on offering his services to Con- tinental Congress, that body, on most respectful recommendations, im- mediately proffered him a captain's commission. He commanded a company of riflemen in the Sullivan Expedition, and as his corps traveled by land, was well acquainted with this valley. He became a citizen of Wyoming, and that he was esteemed is shown by various appointments. In 1780 he married a daughter of Wyoming, Miss Naomi Sill, "the occasion being one of great joy and festivity in the garrison and among the whole people." His sympathies were evidently with the Connecticut settlers, as evinced not only by being made a Com- missioner, but by the representations of "that old traitor," W. Hooker Smith, who claimed that when Schott and his troop were sent in search of Pickering and his abductors, Schott purposely lagged, and held back his men to give the Yankee band a chance to get well in advance. Smith was not eminently truthful, and yet Schott may have been playing a double part. In the previous year, October, 1787, he
1 Nathaniel F. Walker has made the maps of Athens and Tioga Point for this volume, the first facsimiles ever published, additions and inaccuracies having been observed in previous ones. Mr. Walker is a direct descendant of Col. John Franklin; grandnephew of the first resident surveyor, Zephon Flower, and son of the late Z. F. Walker, a life-long resident sur- veyor. It is easily seen that he has unusual material at hand, having all the original surveys and notes except Jenkins; also diaries and notes of Franklin. He has been an invaluable as- sistant in the preparation of this history, his gratuitous work being a memorial to his ancestors.
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27-Nathaniel Cook (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-Zera Beach (Craft).
31-Abraham Miller (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-Duane & Patrick (Craft).
37-John Jenkins sold to Jonathan Harris (Flower).
39-Justus Gaylord (Flower's map)-Richard Halstead (Flower's list)-Blank Lot (Paine and Jenkins)-Justus Gaylord (Craft).
47-Benjamin Gardner (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-John Mckinstry (Craft) -Mckinstry bought of Gardner.
48-Richard Halstead (Flower's notes)-John Franklin (Flower's map)-Blank Lot (Paine and Jenkins)-John Franklin (Craft). This lot is Frank- lin's lot on the east side of the river.
50-Thomas Handy (Flower, Paine and Jenkins)-John Shepard (Craft).
The various lists have been carefully compared by N. F. Walker,1 noting the differences which at first seemed very puzzling. But with a full comprehension of the New State scheme, it is discerned that Col. Jenkins' first list was of those to whom original allotments were made; and that before the actual settlement, in 1788, transfers were made to "York Lessees," to more active Connecticut men, or to the actual settlers who had already made pitches. Notable transfers were to the men appointed Commissioners of the Susquehanna Company in December, 1786, doubtless to give them a controlling interest in the new state. However, every one named on all these lists had to do with the early settlement, and may be enrolled with the Makers of . Athens. Let us give some attention first to those whose names have not been mentioned in previous local histories.
First, John Paul Schotts, Captain, Major, Member of Assembly and of Supreme Council of Pennsylvania. The name, often misspelled, is Schott, and the knowledge of him is derived from Miner's history of Wyoming, where Schott long resided. He was a Prussian, an officer in the army of Frederick the Great, where he served with merit. Like many young foreign soldiers, he was attracted to America during the Revolutionary War, and in 1775, on offering his services to Con- tinental Congress, that body, on most respectful recommendations, im- mediately proffered him a captain's commission. He commanded a company of riflemen in the Sullivan Expedition, and as his corps traveled by land, was well acquainted with this valley. He became a citizen of Wyoming, and that he was esteemed is shown by various appointments. In 1780 he married a daughter of Wyoming, Miss Naomi Sill, "the occasion being one of great joy and festivity in the garrison and among the whole people." His sympathies were evidently with the Connecticut settlers, as evinced not only by being made a Com- missioner, but by the representations of "that old traitor," W. Hooker Smith, who claimed that when Schott and his troop were sent in search of Pickering and his abductors, Schott purposely lagged, and held back his men to give the Yankee band a chance to get well in advance. Smith was not eminently truthful, and yet Schott may have been playing a double part. In the previous year, October, 1787, he
1 Nathaniel F. Walker has made the maps of Athens and Tioga Point for this volume, the first facsimiles ever published, additions and inaccuracies having been observed in previous ones. Mr. Walker is a direct descendant of Col. John Franklin; grandnephew of the first resident surveyor, Zephon Flower, and son of the late Z. F. Walker, a life-long resident sur- veyor. It is easily seen that he has unusual material at hand, having all the original surveys and notes except Jenkins; also diaries and notes of Franklin. He has been an invaluable as- sistant in the preparation of this history, his gratuitous work being a memorial to his ancestors.
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was elected to fill the seat in the Pennsylvania Assembly that Franklin had declined on his election in February, 1787. Major Schott was thus not only the first representative to Assembly from Luzerne County, but was a member of the council which refused bail to Col. Franklin after his arrest. Possibly his appointment as Susquehanna Company Commissioner was not known, and he was 'twixt two fires. He was "one of a committee to regulate the police of the settlement." In 1804 he removed to Philadelphia, and was long Inspector in the Cus- tom House. Possibly Dr. Christian Schott, later of Elmira, was a descendant. Whether he took any active part at Athens is unknown. His lot was No. 7, now (1907) the property of Mrs. C. W. Canfield, originally allotted to Reuben Cook (for whom Walker claims residence and who removed to Painted Post in 1790).
Zerah Beach was long a resident of Wyoming and very active in the Susquehanna Company. He is credited on the list with nine shares, the same as Franklin's, evidently a controlling interest. That he was most active in the new state project is shown from various letters already given, and by his being included in writ issued to Craig for the arrest of Franklin and associates. Lot No. 1 was transferred to him, though Z. F. Walker said it was always claimed by Elisha Mat- thewson. While Beach had not actual residence, he was evidently one of the leaders of the Wild Yankee movement, and the township of Burlington, later the seat of the league, was granted almost entirely to him and Dr. Jos. Hamilton, writer of the incendiary letters. It is strange that Hamilton and Benton are on none of these lists of Athens proprietors.
John Mckinstry is now an unfamiliar name. He was doubt- less one of the so-call- ed "York Lessees," a resident of Hudson, N. Y., also of Livingston Manor. As shown in previous chapter, he was the acknowledged leader of the Yankee forces in the Tioga Point re- gion. Records in Archives prove (if not actual residence, which was probable ) that he made Athens his headquarters for an extended period, especially during the imprisonment of Franklin; for while his name was included in the warrants, he was not arrested. There is also recorded testimony that he was here in October, 1793, and probably at the Susquehanna Company meeting in 1795, as he was then ap- pointed on a committee. He himself records2 that the lots held by him were originally allotted to Benjamin Gardner, although his name ap- pears on Jenkins' own list. Doubtless Gardner was the squatter men- tioned in "Field Notes." Mckinstry's lot in the town plot was next to the last on the east side of Main Street, now occupied by house of Miss Sawyer (1907). Mckinstry was doubtless popular for his bravery. He was first a captain, and afterward a colonel during the Revolution. Toward the close of the Canadian campaign of 1776 he
2 Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XVIII.
304
OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
commanded a company at the battle of the Cedars. In spite of the repulse of the Americans he fought with such bravery and spirit that he attracted the attention of the noted Indian chief Joseph Brant, who was fighting with the British. Brant rescued him from the hands of the savages, and the story is a most interesting one; the Indians being appeased by the purchase of "an ox, which they roasted and ate in- stead of the gallant prisoner." (A full account of this episode is in Stone's "Life of Brant," pp. 155-156.) Brant and Mckinstry were friends through life thereafter.
Nathan Denison (well known in the history of Wyoming as the colonel in command of the Fort during the massacre) was another original proprietor ; his town lot being No. 25, now occupied by the residence of P. J. Stone (1907). Denison transferred his lots, or a part of them, to Col. Franklin in 1789. (We cannot understand his in- terest, as he was avowedly on the Pennsylvania side.)
With Gen. Ethan Allen's story all are well acquainted, and it has already been noted that he drew lot No. 3, now the residence of Mrs. L. M. Park, corner Main and Harris Streets. The autograph already shown was among papers of Allen's friend and lieutenant, Samuel Bartlett from Sunderland, Vermont (which was Allen's home), who settled at Sheshequin ; an ancestor of L. T. Hoyt, who presented the paper to Museum. Allen's signature has not been found on any paper relating to Athens.
Observe on the list most of the names found in the proclamation mentioned in the last chapter: John Swift, Ishmael Bennett, Water- man Baldwin, Justus Gaylord, Elisha Harding, Richard Halstead, Phineas Stephens, Abraham Nesbitt, William Jenkins, all members of the Wild Yankee League, or, as they were called, "Tioga Boys." Note specially that Prince Bryant is not on the list; while he was a pioneer and built the first grist mill on Cayuta Creek in 1787 (later John Shepard's), it was not he, but Prince Alden, Jr., whose name heads the list of applicants for grant of Athens. There are also names of those imprisoned during the Wyoming struggle: Jonathan Burwell; and William Slocum, Franklin's devoted friend, to whom he called so loudly for help when arrested. Although these men were all so anxious to leave Wyoming, not many were actual settlers at Athens ; perhaps permanent settlement depended on erection of new state. John Swift, however, was here a number of years. He and Elisha Satterlee were long the acknowledged leaders of the half-share men, called "Swift's Band" or "Swift's and Satterlee's Band." Swift was an active soldier and a noted hunter, evidence of which may be found in Miner, p. 359; and there are many other stories of his bold deeds that the boys may find in the various Wyoming histories and in the old Athens Scribe, as written by Sidney Hayden. He was probably one of the Connecticut sentries, for he built his house on the Point near present Stone House; the best vantage ground of Diahoga, and
305
NON-PERMANENT PROPRIETORS
close to good fishing grounds. He removed from Athens to Palmyra.3 It seems quite likely that Swift's and Jenkins' purchase there was from Matthewson, as Matthewson afterwards owned the Point prop- erty on which Swift settled. He was not only active in the Revolu- tion, but in the war of 1812, when he was killed in battle, after attain- ing the rank of brigadier-general. Doubtless he deemed it prudent to remove from Pennsylvania, but he continued through life the intimate friend of the Satterlees.
Thomas MaCluer (as he spells it) deserves special mention. Jenkins, in his notes, reports him as living in 1786 on the east side of the Susquehanna, about opposite the bend in the river, now located as just below the house of the late H. J. Baldwin. This settlement (made, no doubt, as a sentry of Connecticut) seems to have been overlooked by Herrick and Craft, though they report him as a resident later.4
Waterman Baldwin was born at Norwich, Conn., and was one of the first settlers at Wyoming ; he was a brother of Sergeant Thomas Baldwin, another original proprietor, who was an early settler at Sheshe- quin, and later above Chemung, whose descendants are still in this vicinity. Waterman served in Washington's army when a mere boy, and when 19 years old enlisted in Durkee's Company at Wyoming ; later he was a captain in Col. Proctor's regiment, still in service in 1791, when he accompanied Proctor over their old route on his mission to the Indians, and later was made an Indian agent. Thomas was a scout along the river under Col. Franklin, a sergeant in Sullivan's army, and was wounded at Newtown.
Joel Thomas was another original proprietor, who early trans- ferred his property to Abner Murray; his lots, both on the island and west of town, being contiguous to those of MaCluer. He moved over the line, living at Chemung and Newtown, and in 1795 was the first settler at Van Etten.
Christopher Hurlbut, a resident of Wyoming, was a surveyor. He made a settlement near Miller and Moore, but Franklin tells that at the drawing of lots he relinquished original pitch and shared with the others. He was evidently another of the sentries. Never brought his family ; returned in a few years, and in 1797 removed into New York State; he was grandfather of the late Governor Hoyt. His diary makes no mention of this venture. MaCluer, O'Neal and Gardi-
3 In the winter of 1788-'89 John Swift and Col. John Jenkins purchased Township XII, R. 2, now Palmyra (New York), and commenced the survey of it into farm lots in March. Jenkins being a practical surveyor built a camp * * about two miles below * * Palmyra. His assistants were his nephew, Alpheus Harris, Solomon Earl, Baker and Daniel Ran- som. "There they were attacked by Indians and Baker killed, and Earl wounded. The In- dians were pursued and captured on the Chemung River, and tomahawked at Newtown."- (See Harvey's "History of Wilkes-Barre," for a fuller account.)
4 McClure was a Scotch-Irishman, a resident of Wyoming from 1774. As Sergeant in Captain Simon Spalding's company, he was active all through Sullivan's campaign, and willing to locate in this fertile valley. In 1788 he took out the first license as taverner at Tioga Point, which was received in March, 1789. Though it is not known where he kept open house, it is safe to assume he was on the lookout for the river traffic. He was a resident until 1794 when he removed to Elmira, and later to Catherinestown. In the allotment of Athens he was the original proprietor of the lower end of the island (which had five divisions), also of a part of property now known as the Murray farm west of town, and of lot No. 11 in village plot, now (1907) the property of Charles Kellogg, Jr. Some one of these lots he sold in 1791 to Lemuel Gaylord of Plymouth, who married Sylvia, oldest daughter of Noah Murray.
306
OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
ner also relinquished their original claims to share with others. It seems strange that Miller, Moore and Snell did not do likewise.
Oliver Bigelow was the original proprietor of Snell's location, No. 18, in third division. Nothing is known about Bigelow, other than the fact obtained from Archives that he sold No. 18 to Abraham Minier, and the fourth division lot adjoining it on the north to Noah Murray (transfer to the Snells will appear later).
Nathaniel Allen was later a settler at Burlington, one of the fiercest Connecticut people. Matthias Hollenback was permitted (it is not known on what terms) to retain the property he originally pur- chased, 14, 15 and 16.
Solomon Bennett was a temporary resident, drawing lots 15, 6, 38. In 1789 he sold No. 6 to Andreas Budd. Budd sold to Elisha Mat- thewson, giving one of the earliest deeds still in existence, here noted, because it was later one of the contested Matthewson lots on the east side of Point farm, not far below the White Gate. Richard Halstead, Nathan Carey and Elisha Harding were also temporary residents. Harding was one of Franklin's close friends and warmest admirers, saying of him, "John Franklin was as brave a man as ever carried a gun." Many of these men, weary of strife, moved into Steuben County and Genesee Valley, New York.5 Prince Alden was living in Owego in 1795; although his name heads the list of applicants, it is not known that he ever lived in Athens.
We have reserved for the last the three original proprietors whose descendants are still among us, and who were among the foremost Makers of Athens, the three mentioned by Franklin in sworn deposi- Pra Stephens tion as coming to Tioga Point in 1788, while he was in prison: Stę- phens, Satterlee and Matthewson.6 The approximate date may be de- Elinha Sattesleo cided from the letter of Pick- ering to council, May 27, 1788, mentioning among the half- share men "John Swift, Wil- liam Slocum, Elisha Satterlee and Elisha Matthewson" as hav- ing not only taken
Elifha Mothergen
5 "Among the soldiers of Sullivan was Uriah Stephens, Jr., a Pennsylvanian. Mr. Stephens belonged to a numerous family of New England descent, which had settled at an early day in the Wyoming region; and they, with other families which afterwards joined them in the settlement of the Upper Canisteo, suffered in the attack of the Indians and Tories on that ill-fated district in 1778. The Stephens, after several removals from Wysox, Queen Esther's Flats, and other localities, were living, in the fourth or fifth year after the close of the Revolutionary War, at Newtown.
"The explorers decided to purchase the two townships on the river, which included the open flats. Eight other men joined in the purchase: Col. Arthur Erwin, Joel Thomas, Uriah Stephens, (father of Uriah Stephens, Jr.) John Stephens, his son, William Winecoop, James Hadley, Elisha Brown and Christian Kress.
"In the summer of 1789, a company of men were sent to the flats, who cut and stacked a sufficient quantity of wild grass to winter the cattle that were to be driven on. In the autumn of the same year, Uriah Stephens, the elder, and Richard Crosby, with portions of their families, started from Newtown to begin the proposed settlement."
6 This was written before finding Jenkins' amended list with Jonathan Harris and John Shepard, which explanation is also an apology.
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