A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 44

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

USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > Athens > A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania > Part 44

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

There was still another Spalding in Athens Township: William Witter, descendant from same ancestor as Simon and Joseph ; settling at Sheshequin, he married his cousin, Rebecca, daughter of Simon, and moved to the farm east of town (now occupied by the Colemans), oc- cupied later by his son Robert, many of whose descendants now live in Bradford County.

The settlers are filling in rapidly now, it is difficult to keep track of them. The summer of 1790 an unusually large party of colonists for New York State arrived, headed by Erwin's friend and rival, in the Phelps & Gorham tract, Lieut. Col. Eleazer Lindley, of Col. Oliver Spencer's 5th Regiment, New Jersey, who was in the Sullivan expedi- tion. He had made a purchase next to that of Erwin, called Lindley- town, now in Steuben County. He brought with him a colony of sixty, including his own large family and several sons-in-law.2º The arrival of this party made a great stir at Tioga Point, the more so because

20 From Bath Centennial, published 1893: "Col. Eleazer Lindley, a native of New Jer- sey, and an active officer of the 'Jersey Blues' during the Revolutionary War, rode through the Genesee country previous to the year 1790, to find a tract of land where he might estab- lish himself, and gather his children around him. In the spring of 1790, Col. Lindley started from Morristown, New Jersey, with a colony of about forty persons, who, with their goods, were transported in wagons to the Susquehanna. At Wilkesbarre the families and baggage were transferred to seven-ton boats and poled up the river, according to the practise of emi- grants; while the horses and cattle, of which there were thirty or forty, were driven along

321

EBENEZER BACKUS-THE LINDSLEYS

one of Lindley's son-in-law$ was taken sick here, and had to be left behind. A most fortunate illness for Tioga Point, for it gave the set- tlement its first regular physician, Doctor Stephen Hopkins. More- over, it made a link between the towns, and brought later one or more wives to other pioneers. Ebenezer Backus was one of the sons-in-law, Elin. Beukus and may have come with this party, but it is quite likely he active in the Susquehanna fore. His father, of same name, belonged to Windham, Connecticut, and was very active in the Susquehanna Company. In 1769 he was given the disposal of twenty rights in northern Pennsylvania, with the proviso that he was to have one right as a recompense for his services and expenses. These rights were sold at £12 apiece. He was appointed one of the Committee who came on with the first settlers at Wyoming. In 1771 he supplied some assist- ance to the ejected settlers, for which he was to be recompensed. Little is known about either Ebenezer, though later the younger was actively connected with Athens.

Col. Lindley had a number of slaves, and one or more was given to each married daughter. Old Cato, long the faithful servant of Francis Tyler, was the son of one of these; also Black Nellie and Aunt Betsey, well remembered by the older people, who, though freed in time by law, continued to live in Athens. In 1896 there died near Rome, New York, a colored man over 100 years old, who called him- self "Edward Hopkins," and told of Tioga Point families. Doubtless he or his kin had belonged to Mrs. Ebenezer Backus or her sister.

Mr. Backus' active connection with Tioga Point at a later date is to be found in a subsequent chapter.

Let us now return to our friend Col. Franklin, who lay in prison for many weary months; suffered every indignity ; was seriously ill; and it is generally represented was ever after broken in health and spirits. There are some new lights on Franklin. We will not relate his harrowing experiences, but correct some errors, etc. He was brought before the Supreme Court, sitting at "Wilkesborough, Nov. 8, 1788, indited on a charge of High Treason, in endeavoring to sub- vert the government, and to erect a new and independent state in the room and stead thereof," one charge stating that "a paper subscribed by him had been posted, inviting the people to throw off allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania and to erect themselves into an Independent State." The trial was postponed, and he was remanded to jail, this time at Easton. Here Miner states that he was soon released on bail, and that Christmas of 1788 found him at liberty. But Franklin him- self says, in a sworn deposition, given in a suit at Athens, "I resided

the trails, or rude roads, on the bank. On the 7th day of June, 1790, the colony reached the place of destination. (See note end of Chapter.)

"Two sons of Col. Lindley, Samuel and Eleazer, and four sons-in-law, Dr. Mulford, Ebenezer Backus, Capt. John Seely and Dr. Hopkins, started with the colony from New Jersey. Dr. Hopkins remained at Tioga Point to practise his profession."

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

nearly two years in Philadelphia from Oct. 1787. * * In Sept. 1789 I came home from Philadelphia to this place" (Athens). Here use is made of Franklin's papers found in Edward Herrick, Jr.'s collection.

The following letter is conclusive proof that Miner was in error when he stated that Franklin was released in December, 1788 : Sir,

Philadelphia, May 18th, 1789.

Yours of this day I received with the account of James Elliott. I return the sd acct enclosed, have examined its contents, and certified the same to be true according to the best of my knowledge-I cannot recollect every particular, I kept no Acct but believe that I had the several articles mentioned. I was taken sick the 21 day of July -88 as near as I can recollect, and believe that was the day, but I cannot be so particular about the time of my recovery. Mr John Clendennen attended me about eight days-after that Simon Gore was my nurse -As to the wines charged by Mr Elliott, they were used by me by the Direction of my Physician for the recovery of my health, the other liquors from the time I was taken ill until near the close of September were mostly used by my nurse and others who attended me in time of my illness. I have had my subsistence from Mr Elliott such as Victuals, drink, washing and mending during my Imprisonment in this place, but I cannot recollect all the particulars such as Spirits, Tobacco, &c at so many different times, but believe I had what is charged.

I am Sir your most Obt Servant

J. Nicholson Esq. Compt Genl. John Franklin.

In addition to the original of this letter, there is in Tioga Point Museum, the bill herein alluded to, and many others for board, also the original receipt from Colonel John Craig of 300 pounds "pd. him as a reward for apprehending and securing John Franklin under order from Council, 6 Oct. 1787." On the back is written the following :

"On presenting this order to Mr Rittenhouse, Treasurer, he informed me that at present he could not pay it. But on meeting John Lukens Surveyr Genl he said that he would advance the amt. to enable me to make a dividend forth- with to the Gentlemen who had rendered such essential Service to the State. And paid me three hundred pounds accordingly "John Craig."

Other receipts show that Franklin was "removed from Easton to Wyoming gaol October 30, 1788"; returned to Easton, November 17th; from Easton to Wyoming and return, December, 1788; from Easton to Philadelphia, January 8, 1789 ; from Philadelphia to Easton, May 24, 1789. This would indicate a second trial at Wilkes-Barré in De- cember, 1788, and gives no account of interval from May to September, at which latter time Franklin deposes he was discharged.

There is a document, not recorded in history, which is with a dif- ferent collection of Franklin papers, probably unseen since his death until now.21 It is labelled in Franklin's own hand, under date of 1792, "Absolution from Govr. Mifflin." It is here reproduced :

21 There is another Franklin Mss. in Tioga Point Museum, Craft collection, copied by Mr. Craft from papers of Steuben Jenkins, being an extensive account of the title of the Sus- quehanna Company, in connection with the case of Richard Fenn, Lessee of Archibald Stewart vs. William Slocum. This manuscript seen by the historian Miner closes thus: "We continued firm and united in our resolutions until the County of Luzerne was established, and the con- firming law took place which put a stop to new settlements being made under the authority

of the Susquehanna Company. * * * I will remark a large number on the West Branch of Susquehanna had proposed to join us, and extend the claim of the company into that part of the county. A committee was appointed in 1786, and sent to Wyoming for that purpose." Here Franklin ignores all the later activity at Athens, probably as not bearing on this case. It is of interest to-day that Archibald Stewart was the grandfather of our townsman, C. S. Maurice. He had an extensive Pennsylvania claim east of the Susquehanna River, ending near Tunkhannock, and the famous suit of Van Horn vs. Dorrance, "the only one brought to trial," was concerning some of Archibald Stewart's original purchase.

323

PARDON OF COLONEL FRANKLIN

the Home and by the ultimity of the

Thomas e Hifflen Gmen of the fund Commonwealth. 16.19 "o all to whom these proforte hall como stands Creating Microns it appears that at a Court of Byer and Forms TO fly que no and Gammal ful delivery held at Witheshouse for the bonity of Legame: the fourth tuy fe bovenbouw in the your four Lord one thousand seven hundred and night , right. Before the Honorable Some Il Heus Exquis I'D Chief future, and the Kommable fred Rush Esquire Justies of the supreme Court of the Commonmentito of Painy torna John Bank in tale of Hithedance inthe bounty a faresaid yoman was hig and legally in ticket jou High reson and wfor fuch indictment arraigned and pleaded not guilty but her has not yet been full when his brink forthe faid offence @ tard Whereas therespe Wheat of granting a pardon beefaids John Franklin, under the peculiar circumstances alo lending his cafe, has been fugutends to mis , by all the Judges of the Grama Court of the homes watch afrosaid , You that in this ananimais opinion , a treat of the find a fournidie fi fo cosi derable an interval from has lafused , will not contribute to the general interests of the Commonwealth : You Know Me that in consideration of the framifor , and in full confidence that the faid fohow Franklin, having refunded of any un lawful acts which he may, heutefores have commitist is replaced to bed and remain a good and faithful citizen of the Commonwealth, I Have granted and by these profits & do grant with the faid John Shanklin a full and few pardon for and on account ofthe faid offene of High Season where he was indicted as a foresaid , and for and on acount ofany other the on thets of High Treason You Hifisom fatherson by him in any wie herdefor asoulte? Given under my hands and the yout fat ofthe dude, A High this this month day of January in the year of our dout one thousand frow hundred and ninety ter , and ofthe Commonwealth the forest

By the Oriana? 9 I Dallas Secretary

324

OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

Franklin has not recorded where he spent the winter of 1789 and 1790, and curiously enough he makes no mention of his children. Doubtless, he was at Wyoming courting. His deposition aforesaid states that he found Matthewson living in his house, and "Satterlee living over where he lived later and building where he now lives." (This shows that Satterlee must have lived in some temporary house across the river.) Records show that in December, 1789, Franklin purchased some lots from Nathan Denison. It is not known what his arrangement was with Matthewson for the town lot; Matthewson con- tinued to reside there, and in 1793 Franklin sold to Andreas Budd, and he to Matthewson the same year. Franklin's deposition proves that when the town was allotted Dennison evidently intended to settle here, taking great pains in selecting lots. He must have contemplated asso- ciation with the capital.

It is easy to fancy that when Franklin was re -- leased and came to "Tio- ga," as he writes it, there was great rejoicing, and a "gathering of the clans" at the biggest house in the community. His old com- rades Swift, Satterlee, Stephens, Slocum and Mat- thewson must have been first to welcome him. And then all the loyal Con- necticut people from Ul- ster and Sheshequin; the Spaldings, Kinneys, Smiths, perhaps the Gores, the Shepards, and the Har- rises, and perhaps the new Justice of the Court of Quarter Sessions, Noah Murray.22 Oh, it was a goodly company ! No doubt after the joyful welcome was over, the assembled guests held an indigna- tion meeting over Frank- lin's prison experiences ;

22 Noah Murray, the ancestor of the family still living in the valley, was born at Guil- ford, Ct., April 11, 1748. He was the son of Jehial Murray (and Mary Way), son of Jona- than Murray (and Anna Bradley), the first American progenitor, supposed to have come from the Highlands of Scotland, a farmer and shipbuilder. Noah was one of nine sons whose descendants are scattered across the continent; but not of the same family that settled in New York City, or of the Southern family; though doubtless the Scotch ancestors were the same. His youth was spent at Kent, Ct. On the first call for troops he enlisted in April, 1775, and again May 6, 1777. After active service in the Revolutionary War (of which there is full record at Washington) he became a Baptist preacher. Some time later, armed by the courage of his own convictions, he began preaching the doctrine of Universalism, at about the same time that this new creed was introduced into America by John Murray, with whom Noah has often been confounded; (there is no known tie of blood between them). Noah seems to have

325

FRANKLIN'S DIARY

and in the light of after events, Franklin may have at once forgotten his pledge of allegiance to Pennsylvania, and made suggestions for continuing the struggle, perhaps even formulated plans for future re- sistance. Yet there is no word of this in his journal of the period.

For it has been our good fortune to discover in the old Indian basket a daily dairy begun at his permanent home-coming, and in his old home has recently been found a continuation of it, faded, time- worn, almost indecipherable, yet of considerable interest, at least in Athens history. Many entries are of no interest, and will be omitted :

COL. JOHN FRANKLIN'S DIARY.

Monday, April 26, 1790. I left Wilkes-barre at 2 o'clock P. M. on my way to take up my residence. I stayed at Major Jenkins.

27. This is a cold morning. I traveled this day to Osterhute. Stayed all night.

28. Took breakfast at Stepn. Jenkins. This is a cold day, squalls of snow, rain and hale. I stayed all night at Wigton's. (Meshoppen.)

29. I crossed over to Mr. Parks. Gave up his note and took a note against Prince Alden, and one against Joseph Beach. I traveled this day to Hancock's, Wyalusing.

30. To Fits Geralds. I took a fawn from a Wolfe. Supposed the Wolfe to be a Dog untill it was too late to kill him.

Sat. May 1. Went to Cap't Franklin23 in the morning, where I stayed untill Tuesday 10 o'clock. I then went to Cap't Satterlee's at Tioga.

3. Crossed to Mathewson's. Cap't Satterlee sat off with his Company to at- tend the Review at Wyalusing.

May 4. I have been sowing wheat for Mathewson and Satterlee. I stayed at Mathewson's.

5. I was ploughing for a garden the largest part of the day.

6. A rainy night. Cap't Allen from Kingston is at Mathewson's this morning. Sun. 9. I went with Ira Stephens to the Sugar Works, boiling sap for vinegar. Returned to Ira's about 10 o'clock at night. Jedh. Stephens, Jr. and Wm. Baker sat off this day with their families for Lancaster.

10. I was ploughing for Mathewson.

12. I had a Bushel and about 4 qts of Hemp Seed of Col. Spalding. And 2 bushel of Potatoes of Cap't Joseph Spalding. The remaining part of this week I was to work at my fence.

been fond of moving about; records are found in many Connecticut towns, especially in Kent, Litchfield County. He married Mary Stowe of Middletown, whose direct ancestry we cannot trace, although she was one of the well known Stowes of New England. When they moved to the Wyoming Valley in 1787 they had seven children: Sylvia, Lucy, Abner, Mary, Irene, Elizabeth and Noah, Jr. His residence at Shawnee was very brief, not more than a year. When, for convenience in administering justice, Luzerne County was divided into three dis- tricts, Noah Murray was commissioned Justice in the first or upper district 23rd November, 1788, and removed at once to Tioga Point to be near the seat of disorders; he was further com- missioned Justice of Peace 1789. When he first came up the river he took possession, as many others, of the Uriah Stephens cabin on Queen Esther's Flats. However, he soon purchased, west of Athens, lot No. 14, the land still owned by his descendants, and built a commodious log house in the primitive pioneer fashion. As was the custom, the numerous children occupied the loft; which was reached not by a stairway, but by pegs driven alternately in the two walls forming a corner. Noah Murray did not forget his new doctrines, and preached whenever possible in various places. He is called the founder of Universalism in Bradford County, and the monument over his grave was erected by the devotees of that creed. He must have been an impassioned speaker, for even grandchildren of some of his first converts say of him with amazing enthusiasm: "Noah Murray! he was the first preacher of all, and after you had heard him you never wanted to hear another." His reasoning was so convincing that he converted those who planned to convert him, even ministers of other creeds. He was present at many Universalist conventions in New England, and in 1807 accepted a call to the Lombard Street Church of Philadelphia; this charge he retained only a year, feeling too old to lead a city church in such stormy times of faith. On his return he made his home in Murraysfield (now Springfield), which was a Connecticut township, granted to him in 1795. He and his son Abner purchased the present Murray farm from the original Susquehanna proprietors. Abner having lot No. 15. Noah sold his portion of lot No. 14 to Abner in 1807. It was soon found that there were two Pennsylvania claims overlapping here, and the papers are still in existence, showing that Abner paid for the property three times. Noah Murray died at Mur- raysfield May 16, 1811. Abner lived and died on the homestead.

23 This was doubtless Roswell Franklin at Wysox. Fitzgerald's was at Standing Stone.

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

Sun. 16. Went to the Sap Works with Satterlee and I. Stephens. Stayed all night.

May 17, 1790. I was cleaning flax seed at Ira Stephens', had about 30 qts. Stayed all night.

18. Spliting rails a part of the day. I had my ground harrowed for flax.

19. Sowed my flax in the forenoon. Was at work at water fence in the after- noon.

20. *

Sun. 23. I went to Newtown, Cap't Baldwin's.

24. Returned as far as Ira Stephens'. Had of Cap't Baldwin a bushel of wheat, 1/2 B. of Salt, and Half Bushel of beans. Of old Mr. Baldwin, 1 1/2 B. of wheat.

26. *

* * Thunder storms this day. Heavy thunder struck a tree near Kellogg's.

29th. * * I was ploughing and sowing oats on the Point. *

Sun. 30. I was down to Swift's with a canoe. Had a view of fishing but failed.

May 31, 1790. This morning I began to plough for corn on my lot the east side of the river.

Sun. 6. *

-X I was cutting timber to make fence between me and McAlhoe. Wrote a few lines in the evening to send to Mrs. Bidlack, with a letter wrote the 29th of May.

8. This day I went to Cap't Franklin's in a canoe with Stephens and Hoyt. *

* * Bought a barrel of shad for my self and for Mathewson. 112 1bs. in barrel. B. Satterlee is gone to Wyoming. I sent my letters by him.

10. I was ploughing on the point for Hemp.

Sun. 13. I went to Ira Stephens'. Satterlee and Mathewson and their wives were there.

14. I sowed my Hemp. Had 3 bushel of seed of Mr. Murray.

15. This day a boat with 440 B. of corn gat fast on the riffle. I helped to get it off.

22.

June 18, 1790. I was planting my corn over. It has been destroyed by worms. Planting corn where it has been destroyed. This day Grand Jury found a Bill against Daniel McDuffee and John Doran upon the complaint of Wm. Slocum, forceable entry and detainer.

23. * Went to the deer lick in the evening with Satterlee. This is a cold night.

24. Attended Court at Maxfield. McDuffee and Doran are proved guilty of forceable entry and detainer.

25th of June, 1790. This is a wet day. Wm. Slocum is put into possession of his lot by the sheriff. I was present as a witness.

26. *

The month of July begins with dry, hot weather. I neglected at the time to make a memorandum.

Sun. 4. Messrs. Mathewson, Satterlee and Ira Stephens sat off for the Lakes. 9. I have ploughed Cap't Satterlee's corn. * *

10. I went to Col. Spaldings' and got some Hemp Seed which I planted where the worms had destroyed the first.

Sunday 11. Went to meeting at Col. Spalding's with Mr. Satterlee and others. Mr. Murray preached. (Noah.)

19. Satterlee, Mathewson and Ira Stephens returned from the Lakes. (Prob- ably Palmyra.)

16 *

* * I sent a letter to Mrs. Bidlack and 2 bushel of corn by Sam'l Starks.

17. I ploughed and sowed a little buckwheat, where my oats was destroyed, and in the afternoon I spent a few hours burning brush for turnips.

Sun. 18. Mr. Murray preached at Maxfield. I attended meeting. He preached from John 1-29, "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the Sins of the World."

327

FRANKLIN'S DIARY

July 21, 1790.

22. I went to New town in company with Messrs. Murray, Swift, Satterlee, Stephens, and Mrs. Satterlee and Mrs. Mathewson. Major Tubbs Ba- talion met at Baldwin's for Military exercise, &c.

24. * was attending a court at Mr. Murray's. Rudolph Fox, Plntf, and Williams, Def't. Fox received 13 shillings Debt and near 3£ cost.

Sunday, August 1, 1790. Cap't Swift is at Satterlee's on his way to Wyoming. I wrote by him to Catlin and Mrs. Bidlack.

2. Cutting Grass. *

August 9, 1790. This day I was shocking hay in the forenoon.

10. I went to a deer lick this evening with Satterlee.

16. I was pulling flax.

Th. I was spreading my flax to rot.

20. Began to cut my wheat on the Point.

21. *

* I was taking up and binding my wheat on the Point. Alpheus Harris cradled about 1 1/4 acres. Mr. Moss cut 93 rods of ground with a sickle. I put my wheat in shocks in the field, about 750 sheaves.

Sunday August 22, 1790. This is a pleasant day. Messrs. Mathewson and Sat- terlee and their wives went to Sheshequin, &c. * *

* I went to Ira Stephens this day. Got shirt that Mrs Stephens made for me.

* Went to the deer lick.

This journal shows first of all that the imprisonment did not ser- iously affect Col. Franklin's health; it seems that he came up from Wilkes-Barré on foot. And he not only goes about his own business, but is helping his neighbors at their farm work. At this time he seems to have resolved to settle on the farm where he lived, died, and was buried. He was a resident in Athens for more than half of his long life ; Athens may therefore proudly claim him for her own.

We wish we knew where the Sugar Works had been started; it surely is an old idea to boil sap for vinegar. Eldad Kellogg was living next him, where he had settled in 1784 or '85. Ira Stephens was evi- dently living on his second location, near the present Tyler farm. John Swift had made his home on lot No. 35, second division (now near Stone House), since Franklin went in a canoe. Robert McAlhoe was established on Patterson's location. June 22nd, court is in ses- sion. Maxfield probably should be Maxwell. Here is another title suit : William Slocum, Connecticut claimant, against Daniel McDuffee and John Doran, Pennsylvania settlers, forcible entry and detainer. Grand jury found true bill for Slocum; triumph for Connecticut! "Wm. Slocum is put into possession of his lot by the sheriff." And yet to-day, it is McDuffee land, for it was evidently No. 30 in the third division. Take note that Noah Murray is preaching, alternately in Athens and Sheshequin. July 24th Murray holds court at his own home; the log house must have been crowded! This suit is between Rudolph Fox, the first Towanda settler and one Williams for debt, not possessory rights.

Franklin seems to have taken a great deal of pains with his flax, getting ready for his new wife's spinning wheel, doubtless.

Oct. 12, 1790. Annual election. I attended at Col'o Spalding's. Gen. Mifflin had 30 votes for Gov'r. Arthur St. Clare 11. Wm. Montgomery and Charles Smith 20 each for Senator. Obad. Gore 20 and R. Welles 10 for Rep't. &c. John Hagerman had 20 for Commissioner.

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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

Wed. 13. Rainy. The River Rises. I was this evening at Marshall's with Col. Hooper.

Oct. 19. Battalion Day. I kept my bed.

21. Crossed The River to my hemp.

Fri. & Sat. At my hemp. The moon eclipsed Sat. night.

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A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 44

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