A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 42

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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DEPOSITION OF GARRET SMITH

possession of the lands they claim, but turning out those already in pos- session ! It is evident that this movement of the half-share men was to provide Mckinstry with troops previous to Pickering's seizure, a few days later. Among the Mss. in Philadelphia was found a sworn deposi- tion of Garret Smith that Gideon Dudley came to him, saying he had a great secret to reveal at the request of Maj. Jenkins, Col. Mckinstry and John Hyde. It was to capture Timothy Pickering and keep him in the woods until the release of John Franklin. On being asked who was to conduct this cause, he said Col. Mckinstry was coming with 500 men to subdue the settlement (of Wyoming). They were "to take Possession of Job's Mill and Dr. Smith's place, the darned rascal, and tomahawk Hollenback, Damn him." This looks as though Hollenback may have assisted to explode the new state scheme, and surely proves a well defined plan in the settlement of Athens. There were other depositions, notably that of Benedict Satterlee, who was urged to quit his school and assist in Pickering's abduction, as two-thirds of the settlement were with them; and that Satterlee would not be able to live there longer (Wyoming) unless he joined them. His informant, Budd, mentioned that a bond had been sent to Philadelphia to bail Col. Franklin, but that, according to the directions from the Chief Justice, he was not bailed, though the bond was kept; hence the pro- posed abduction. (Ephraim Tyler, who lived at Meshoppen, and pur- chased the provisions, was related to Joseph and Francis of Athens.)

But to return to the settlement. John Swift has already been noted. William Slocum lived for a number of years on No. 4, fourth division, above the Tozer farm, east of the Susquehanna. Elisha Mat- thewson7 moved into Franklin's house, first lot south of old Academy, which was in process of building when Franklin was imprisoned.

7 JAMES Matthewson of Gloucester, Providence, Rhode Island, mentioned by Farmer as among the earliest settlers, was probably the first American progenitor of the family. Gene- alogical Dictionary of Rhode Island gives wife's name as Hannah Field. Their eighth child, DANIEL, born 1683, died 1750, was married four times and had fourteen children. WIN- CHESTER was the seventh child of Sarah Inman, first wife. Date of Winchester's birth not found, but next oldest brother was born July, 1719. Winchester was married to Mercy Her- endeen by Justice Richard Steen, 18 April, 1742; residence, Gloucester. Had thirteen children. Susanna, born 1742; Mary, born 1743; Tabitha, born 1747; Rao (generally given Nero), born 1748; Amey, born 1749; Sylvanus, born 1751; Hannah, born 1753; Mercy, born 1755; ELISHA, born 1756; Constant, born 1758; Rosanna, born 1760; Sarah, born 1762, married Abraham Dutcher; Sabra, born 1767. Winchester inherited from his father interests in his property of mills, etc. That the Matthewson family were early interested in the Susquehanna Com- pany is shown in the records: "Thomas Matthewson of Scituate, R. I., to Israel Matthewson of Johnston, R. I., right April, 1774." Doubtless these were of Daniel's family. The West- moreland records, under date May, 1774, say: "Prince Bryant of Providence, R. I., to Win- chester Matthewson, 1/2 right; also Thos. McCluer to Ezekiel Pierce, and he to Winchester Matthewson, all of Westmoreland lot No. 31 of Kingston, 19 Oct., 1774." The Archives

(Vol. XVIII, p. 605) show that Winchester was possessed of about 400 acres of land in Wyo- ming Valley, and that he and his son, Elisha, were original proprietors of Bedford. Craft says that he exchanged valuable property in Rhode Island for Connecticut rights, and died before the massacre. His son Constant was killed at Fort Mifflin, November, 1777, and Nero (or Rao) at Mud Fort. Elisha enlisted in Captain Ransom's Second Westmoreland Inde- pendent Company, furnished his own accoutrements and served throughout the war. Soon after his settlement at Athens he was elected Major of militia, and was always known as Major Matthewson. He also filled several township offices with credit. While he was called "the silent man," it was well known that he was as firm in his Connecticut convictions as his associates, Franklin and Satterlee; yet his name is not found on record as are theirs. He married in 1791, Elizabeth, born 1760, sister of Elisha Satterlee, and had seven children: Constant, born 1792; Elias, born 1796; Cynthia, Fanny, Clarissa, Lydia and Elizabeth. The silhouette of Elizabeth is the only family portrait, except the mother's. While unable to trace connection, doubtless Guy and Oliver Matthewson, who lived in the valley before 1800, were of same family. Records are easily found in Rhode Island genealogies. Elisha Matthewson died in 1805. His wife died 1851, at the advanced age of 91 years.

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

Elisha Satterly8 (as it is generally given in old records) is supposed to have made a temporary settlement in village, perhaps by disposses- sion, as Pickering says; but his first location is not known at present. He at once began to build a house on lot No. 42, third division, part of his original allotment, although his lot in first division, No. 37, was near his friend Matthewson, being part of lot now owned by heirs of E. H. Perkins (1907). No. 42 is east of Susquehanna River and above the bridge, generally known to-day as the Kirby property, lately occupied by L. T. Hoyt. The original Satterlee house stood northeast of present house, in the bend of present road, and burned in 1805. A larger house was then built, which was also destroyed by fire one Sunday in 1856, while the family were all at church. The present fine old colonial house was built about 1847 by the son of Elisha, Sr., J. Franklin Satter- lee, and should be known as the Satterlee Homestead. We neglected to say that Elisha Matthewson purchased Franklin's house and lot, which remained in the family nearly a hundred years and knew three suc- cessive Matthewson houses. Unfortunately there are no pictures. Ira Stephens9 first located on No. 4, second division, not far below

8 Elisha Satterlee, born May 12, 1760; married January 11, 1787; died August 25, 1826, was the son of Benedict Satterly of Groton, Connecticut, who was son of Benedict, son of William of Groton, who was son of Benedict (son of Rev. William Satterly of Exeter, England, Vicar of St. Ides'), who was the American progenitor, having emigrated to New London, Connecticut, about 1680. Some records may be found at Plainfield, and probably at Groton. Benedict, 3rd, with his family (ten or eleven children), was one of the original settlers at Kingston, near Wyoming; he is supposed to have been killed in some of the Yankee- Pennamite contests prior to the massacre; there is, however, no family record. Elisha early espoused the Connecticut cause, and as through life both he and his sister showed almost un- warrantable bitterness, it has been conjectured that it was first inspired by their father's death, though no doubt increased by their suffering at the time of the massacre, as already told. It is said Benedict, 3rd, was a private in the Wyoming militia prior to his death. Elisha was also in active service, though Colonel is only a militia title, as with Franklin. He had five half-brothers and sisters; two own brothers and two sisters who grew to maturity, and are on the family record. But there was another, Benedict, 4th, by name, who is not mentioned on the family record, yet is well known to be a brother. His half-brothers Samuel and Nathan- iel were residents here or in this vicinity. Elias, Daniel and Benedict 4th were also resi- dents, and it is supposed came with him. Elias became a physician, and lived and died in Elmira, highly respected. Elisha and Cynthia Stephens had been married a year and a-half when they came to Athens. Their only son, John Franklin, generally known as Franklin Sat- terlee, was born at Kingston; their two daughters, born at Athens, married Robert and Harry S. Spalding of Sheshequin. Franklin Satterlee was twice married, and had by each wife five children, most of whom married in this vicinity and helped to people the valley. Those still in this locality are C. H. Satterlee and Mrs. G. M. Angier, children of Elisha, 2nd, son of Franklin Satterlee and Julia Prentice; Orrin D. Kinney, son of Anna, daughter of J. F. and Julia; Mrs. C. C. West, daughter of Mrs. Angier, and two children; Mrs. F. E. Lyford of Waverly, and her children; she is daughter of Sarah, daughter of J. Franklin Satterlee and Elizabeth Marshall (second wife). Space forbids elaborate genealogy.

In the Connecticut controversy Elisha Satterlee was next in prominence to Col. Frank- lin, as is evinced by numerous allusions in Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. X, 1783 to 1788. In 1784 it is said, after the fight at Locust Hill, he was very boastful, and he and others swore they were "determined to clear the ground of Pennsylvanians;" that, of course, was at Wyo- ming. At Tioga Point the only thought was to resist the Pennsylvanians, ignore their laws, and hold the claim by any means. Elisha Satterlee was a very large man, so stout, indeed, that he had a special chair; no portrait of any sort is in existence, and if there were, it could hardly portray the character of the man, and the ardent zeal with which he fought for the cause. Judging from the mild and genial dispositions of all his descendants, they have in- herited none of their ancestor's fiery temperament, which is laughingly remembered to this day in the saying of the time: "The snow never laid long on Elisha Satterlee's grave." The fire burned itself out in the Connecticut cause. As long as there was any vigor left to the two men, however, it was "Franklin and Satterlee," or "Satterlee and Franklin."

Elisha Satterlee, like Franklin, was ever ready to tell the story of the Connecticut settlers; and it is related that on one occasion either he or Franklin recounted his services, achievements, sufferings and wrongs in such glowing language that he fired the imagination of the youthful poet, who sat up in a cold room till the "we sma' hours," writing a poem (and catching a violent cold).

9 Ira Stephens is said to be the son of Jedediah Stephens and Mary of Canaan, Connecticut, where he was born July 24, 1760, and married in 1784 to Sybil, the daughter of Samuel Ransom, also of Canaan. (There are probably family records to be found in Canaan.) Jedediah was an early settler at Plymouth, in Wyoming Valley, and doubtless brought his family with him. Uriah and Phineas, early settlers at Athens, were probably brothers of Ira, although they may have been sons of Uriah, Sr., one of the first Susque-

309

STEPHENS-MATTHEWSON-SATTERLEE

Everett Buchanan's cottage (1907). Within a year or two, anxious to escape the controversy, he built a house on his third division lot, now on Tyler farm, just over the line of old Ulster. Soon he found he was not yet outside the bounds, and moving farther north, he pur- chased a lot not far south of Spanish Hill, of Nathan Cook, and in 1800 built a house, which, though altered, still stands, now occupied by Mrs. H. C. Clapp. But he was not yet over the State line, so he essayed another move and contracted for land at Angelica, N. Y., where he was cruelly murdered, another victim of the controversy. Uriah and Phineas Stephens drew the two lots now just north of Museum- Library, one of which later, after several changes, became again family property, being occupied by Chester Stephens and family for seventy- five years. Uriah Stephens was an orig- inal proprietor of Old Ulster in 1775, and returned there prior to 1785; building on Queen Esther's flats the cabin that shel- tered so many later pioneers, and which he occupied for six years until enforce- ment of Pennsylvania claim. It seems from Chester Stephens' writing in our possession that this was Uriah, Sr.,10 son of Jedediah and father of Ira, 1st. (For Chester Stephens see Note 9.) These three pioneer families were closely re- lated, as Mrs. Satterlee was the sister of Ira Stephens, and Mrs. Matthewson was the sister of Elisha Satterlee. There are CHESTER STEPHENS no portraits of the men or of Mrs. Ste- phens, but it is a pleasure to present those of Cynthia Stephens and Elizabeth Satterlee, or, as she signed herself,

Betsy Matthewson, who was long actively concerned Betsy Matthewyon in the history of Athens. hanna Company proprietors. Jedediah came to Athens with his son, and was among the first to die in the new settlement in 1790, aged 87 years, and is buried in the old town burying- ground. Chester Stephens recorded that Jedediah was grandfather of Ira. Ira Stephens served seven years in the Continental line; was one of Washington's aides, and his descendant and namesake is to-day the proud possessor of a fine field glass presented by Washington when the war was over.

Evidently there was some special grudge against Ira as a Connecticut settler, as shown by his frequent removals, attempting to get beyond the Connecticut claim, and culminating in his death by the hand of a cowardly assassin. This occurred September 20, 1803, at Angelica, where he had made a purchase of land. His youngest child was born after his death. When she was only four months old, the last payment on the New York lands was due. The brave widow went on horseback, with the baby in her arms, to Angelica, driving with the help of her bound boy, a herd of young cattle to complete the purchase. The 400 acres of land was deeded to the baby Cynthia, and she held it until grown up. Ira Stephens' last home, near Spanish Hill, is still standing, having been partially inherited by his daughter Harriet, and partially purchased by her husband, Elias Matthewson. Ira's oldest son, Chester, lived in Athens until his death in 1878, a respected and reputable citizen. In 1817 he purchased for $1200 the lot now north of Museum-Library, then considered the most valuable in the town plot. He occupied it during his life. He was a very active Mason, and was made an honorary member of Lodge No. 70, his portrait showing his regalia. Chester Stephens was one of the last survivors of the pioneers, and his reminiscences were valuable. He has no descendants in the valley to-day, although his gifted daughters Clara and Caroline are well remembered. Ira Stephens' name has been carried through four generations, and his de- scendants live in Towanda and Sayre.

10 Uriah Stephens, Sr., was one of the early members of the Susquehanna Company, and was appointed to obtain new shareholders from Litchfield County. On his list was the name of the father of Col. Franklin, John Franklin of Canaan, Connecticut.

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

The Archives are full of the deeds or misdeeds of John Franklin and Elisha Satterlee. While Elisha Matthewson's name is not often found, these three men seem to have been bound together in sustain- ing Connecticut rights in the very spirit of Frank- lin's oath. They resisted Pennsylvania unto death, and even then their bitter- ness long pervaded the thoughts and actions of their families. In the local controversy three names stand out in letters of fire, FRANKLIN, SATTER- LEE, MATTHEWSON. And curiously enough, there are now on Tioga Point (out of all those to MRS. ELISHA SATTERLEE11 whom original allotment was made) descendants only of the "Wild Yankee" leaders, Franklin, Satterlee, Matthewson and Stephens, and with two of these the names, by marriage, are lost to sight. But not so the Connecticut spirit. Seek to-day these descend- ants, and they are ready still to rehearse the wrongs of their ancestors, the stories all wrapped in family tales and traditions of a hundred years. For their sake, in the cause of truth and justice, we have striven to unravel the web, and show by records the truth of the whole matter. And for their sake some of the most delicious bits of ancient history (found recorded) are rejected. After carefully study- ing the history of those turbulent times, the bitterness and violent pas- sion displayed are seen to be the natural result of the long years of contention, where both parties were undoubtedly right, and undoubt- edly wrong. Not having been born with the Chinese veneration for ancestors supposed to be their due, to us it is interesting to know their faults, and amusing to know their follies. We would even enjoy claim- ing the "Witch of Endor" as our own, but, since it is not best to divulge all discoveries, we here bury all those delicious bits of tradition in the ashes of the past, regretfully yet respectfully.

In one of Dr. Craft's note books is a still different list of pro- prietors, labelled "Jenkins' List," which should be Jenkins' No. 2, on which are two names that never have been given with the original

11 These portraits are in the possession of Mrs. Helen Satterlee Good of Lock Haven; and Mrs. Lee of Binghamton, daughter of Elizabeth Matthewson (Washburn).

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OTHER EARLY PROPRIETORS

proprietors, yet very well known to all as pioneers of the valley. They are John Shepard and Jonathan Har- ris.12 John Shepard's his- tory is fully given in "Early Times," written by his daughter, according to which he was married in 1790 and settled at Mill- town ; but previous to that, when he was Hollenback's clerk, he was a village resi- dent. The lot assigned to him is No. 53, next below old burying-ground. This was originally allotted to Thomas Hendy, who, with his brother, John Hendy (pioneer settler of Elmira ), lived at Tioga Point prior to 1788, and Thomas had a log house on this lot, now northern part of MRS. ELISHA MATTHEWSON11 Clovercroft. Jonathan Har- ris, by this list, has the lots originally assigned to John Jenkins, his brother-in-law, the one in village plot being now the property of Walter Page, just north of Academy Square. John Shepard and Jonathan Harris had a tavern license together in 1789. As Guy Maxwell at that time was Hollenback's agent, it may be Shepard and Harris built the store on Page lot, generally assigned to James Irwin. Jonathan Harris, Sr., was one of the original Susquehanna Company in Connecticut, his name being found on that list, as well as on that of the "Wild Yankee League." While even their older descendants never were known to place these men among the original proprietors, it is an established fact that they and their children and grandchildren have been among the most active in developing the interests of this region.

There are, of course, many proprietors of whom nothing can to- day be learned, and an examination of records of early deeds show that there was an amazing exchange of title of some lots; often five or six

12 Jonathan Harris was the son of Jonathan Harris, Sr., and Rachel Otis of Scituate, Mass .; and grandson of Lieut. James Harris of New London, Ct., who was son of James Harris and Sarah Dennison, residents of Boston, previous to 1690. Bethiah, wife of Col. John Jenkins, was a sister of Jonathan, Jr. While it is not known that Jonathan, Sr., set- tled at Wyoming, his name and his son's are both on the "Wild Yankee" league. Jonathan, Jr., was father of Alpheus and grandfather of N. C. Harris, now living in Athens. The early history of the family is an interesting one, to be found in the Harris genealogy in many li- hraries. Jonathan Harris married Lodemia, sister of Julius Tozer, Sr. The Harris genealogy does not mention the family as at Wyoming, which seems to be an error; although they may have come as half-share men, sent by the York lessees, since it is related that Jonathan came to Athens in 1789 from Goshen, Orange County, N. Y. Jonathan, Jr., was born at Colchester, Ct., 6th June, 1739; moved to Goshen after 1761.

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

men having owned certain lots in less than that number of years. This shifting population, of course, was largely due to the uncertainty of title, and the ups and downs of the Susquehanna Company. A gen- eration ago no doubt much more of interest could have been gleaned concerning them. To one studying genealogy the hint might be given to refer to Harvey's forthcoming "History of Wilkes-Barré," or to the publications of the Wyoming Historical Society.

Aside from all this undercurrent of New Stateism, the annals of the settlement for the first few years are somewhat meagre. It is cur- ious that Lockhart did not press his claim, no records whatever being found between 1785 and 1797.

Except for the "Wild Yankee" movement, the little settlement in a fresh wilderness must have seemed very quiet after the various hor- rors connected with Wyoming. Little is really known of the move- ments or actions of these pioneers ; there are many problems, and while it has been asked "Why be concerned with problems when there are plenty of deeds done to record?" it is desirable to have an exhaustive narrative ; and often only diligent research can dispel the mists of fool- ish or inaccurate family traditions.

Doubtless the greatest excitement in early Athens was the murder of the Indian chief Ka-nau-kawis, called by the whites Capt. Cornelius, who lived in a bark cabin on the lot now occupied (1907) by Vine Crandall. It is probable that this was the murder witnessed by John Shepard in Hollenback's store. The following account best tells the story :

Extract from the Cumberland Gazette, published at Portland, Maine, Sept. 6, 1787.

"Baltimore May 21.

"Extract of a letter from Chemung, dated July 6, 1787.

"'Cornelius Sturgeon, the great Onondago Chief, was murdered last month at Tyoga Point, by one of his own tribe and a towns man. It appears to have been a premeditated piece of work, and had its rise from two causes: First, he was an absolute despot in his tribe and imposed an implicit compliance with his orders, he was punctually obeyed through fear, not love. Secondly, he began to adopt the dress and customs of the United States, and introduced them into his family-this gave great umbrage. And as he was a man of some literature, he had some idea of the great value of letters, and the evening on which he was killed, in conversation with Capt. Spalding, he informed him that he intended to send his son to some of the American colleges for education .- The friends of the murderer purchased his life for a sum of money not exceeding 375 L .- A poor recompense for the life of a great man, and too much for that of a tyrant.' "

About this time (there seems to be no record of exact date) there was a great excitement over another murder, called the Collins murder, but really committed by Collins, a man who lived across the Chemung, about where the tannery settlement is. A number of so-called civilized Indians lived along the Chemung narrows, probably Saponies, Tute- loes, Monseys or Delawares. At any rate one of them made his living by chopping wood for the settlers. Collins is supposed to have been a hunter and trapper from New Jersey, living here temporarily to ob- tain furs and skins. He was very fond of liquor, and on this occasion had been too long at Hollenback's store, where the bowls of toddy had

313

FIRST SUIT IN LOCAL LAND CONTROVERSY

made him crazy drunk. On his return home he said to his wife: "I'm going to kill that Indian," who was chopping wood quietly outside. And in spite of her entreaties he seized his gun and shot him dead. "In less than three days 150 Indians ready for revenge were on the ground." They demanded that Collins be given up to them, and were with difficulty pacified with a generous present of whisky, provisions and deerskins. Mrs. Perkins tells a somewhat different story (see "Early Times," page 75), but as there is no radical disagreement, it seemed worth while to give this version.

The body of this Indian is said to have been buried in the back part of the old cemetery. (In this connection we would say that there were, according to the different reports, various councils with Indians at Tioga Point of which there are no certified records.) Unquestion- ably some sort of a council of whites must have been necessary to settle this matter. It is possible that the already mentioned murder of Capt. Cornelius occurred at this gathering, when the Indians were all in excited mood. Mrs. Perkins relates that they were still very un- settled, often returning to Tioga Point and creating disturbances and alarm, though many were friendly.

What was probably the first suit in the local land controversy that was tried in this locality was in 1789. It must have been intensely ex- citing and interesting, and apparently scored a triumph for Connecti- cut, as the Pennsylvanian plaintiff soon after moved over the line. It is best told in Joseph Kinney's account of it:

"In 1789 the. Penna. title operated much in this country, enforced against Connecticut people, Miller (William) brought a claim against Matthewson, Satterlee and others,13-I think a forcible entry. It was tried before Esq. Car- penter, who came up from Kingston to Tioga Point to hold the trial, the parties with consent of magistrate, referred the whole dispute, & entered into arbitra- tion bonds .- Esq. Carpenter, Samuel Swift & Myself were the arbitrators .- I heard all the dispute. Miller claimed a possession in order to get a Pennsyl- vania title .- Matthewson met him on the right of possession. An award was made out in writing, and given to Esq. Carpenter. We were not to take the Connecticut title into consideration at all. Matthewson laid no claim before us on the Connecticut right, that being excluded. Hurlbut's possession was set up in opposition to Miller's."

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A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 42

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