USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > Athens > A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania > Part 48
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This manuscript also contained extracts from a rare old book, published in Scotland, entitled "The Lives of the Lindsays," by Alexander William, 24th Earl of Crawford. The only copy known in America belongs to Mrs. Mary Lindsley Porter. It contains the history of the family, autographs, crests, armorial bearings and a genealogical table. The family of Eleazer claim descent from Sir John Lindsay of Craigi Castle. All the Scotch and English families were celebrated for their literary talents, as well as for their staunch adherence to the Presbyterian faith. Lack of space precludes further mention of this interesting family.
PART III THE PENNSYLVANIA CLAIM 1798-1830
For the greater part of the material used in the narrative of this epoch we are indebted to the late Edward Herrick, Jr., who rescued from proposed destruction masses of letters and valuable documents belonging to General Henry Welles, and found in his home, the old Stone House. Further data of interest have been drawn from the minute account books of George and Henry Welles, preserved by the forethought of the late E. H. Perkins, and now stored in our museum, as well as from one found by the workmen who pulled down the old house of George Welles in 1896. Much additional material came from the letters and papers of Clement and David Paine, all new and unused. All the letters found are so full of interest, and make plain so many disputed points in the history of the time, that no apology seems necessary for copying many of them at length. They prove that often history compiled is clearer than that freshly written.
CHAPTER XVI
1798-1810
THE PENNSYLVANIA CLAIM
The Coming of the Pennsylvania Claimants to Tioga Point-Their Various Experiences and Experiments-Another Epoch of An- ticipated Greatness as Told in Old Letters-Effect of the Com- promise Law and Previous Acts-The Controversy that Grew Out of the Enforcement of Lockhart's Claim
As has been shown, the way of the Connecticut settler was not an easy one at Tioga Point. Yet for twelve years after the Susquehanna Company's grant of Athens, Josiah Lockhart seems to have been almost unknown. Why he did not press his claim is an unsolved problem. No mention of it has been found, except in the one deed mentioned, in records, letters or diaries of the period. The enactment of the Intrusion Law in 1795, and the efforts to enforce it, now led to a revival of hope in the minds of the Pennsylvania land claimants ; and this brought about the third epoch in Tioga Point history. Josiah Lockhart evi- dently had kept in touch with Matthias Hollenback, and af- fairs at "the Point," and must have asked him to be on the lookout for a good customer for the "Indian Arrow." The foregoing letter, hitherto unpublished, is some- what enlightening. Although no names are mentioned, it is very well known that the proposed purchasers of the Indian Arrow were Richard Caton,1 George Welles and Ashbel Welles, of Baltimore and Connecticut. Some knowledge of previous transactions of these men may reveal other rea- sons for the purchase, which was made for £6,000, according to Deed recorded in Luzerne County Deed Book No. 5, p. 431. In spite of the wealth of old letters at hand we have very little information concerning this purchase.
George Willes
1 Richard Caton was born in England in 1763 and emigrated to Baltimore, it is said, in 1785, where he became at once an active merchant, and a prominent citizen; remaining a resident until his death in 1845. He was a tall, handsome man of fine presence and dignified carriage, and soon won the heart of Mary Carroll, daughter of the well known Charles Carroll of Carrollton. "She was a particular favorite of General Washington, and one of the most charming ornaments of the Republican court." After their marriage, November, 1786, she was familiarly known as "Polly Caton" (see Life of Charles Carroll of Carrollton). Their three oldest daughters all married into the aristocracy of England; becoming Marchioness of Welles- ley, Lady Stafford, and Duchess of Leeds. Their beauty was such that they are still remem-
353
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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
Rucho Coton
Richard Caton, though English by birth, was a man of true American en- terprise ; trusted abroad as at home. At this time he was 35 years old, and as full of schemes for Tioga Point as Franklin and as- sociates were in the height of the new state fever. Whether Caton believed that troops would be sent to drive out the Connecti- cut settlers according to Act of 1797, or whether he knew of the second new state scheme, cannot be as- certained, but he surely showed a great determina- tion to make Tioga Point a capital town.
As for his partners in the endeavor, George and Ashbel Welles2 had been engaged together in Con- necticut as ship builders and ocean traders. They were already known to
bered in England as "the three American Graces." "The Marquis of Wellesley, (elder brother of the first Duke of Wellington) and Governor General of India and Viceroy of Ireland, was one of the first English peers to marry an American, Marianne, daughter of Richard Caton, and widow of Robert Patterson, whose sister Elizabeth was the first wife of King Jerome Bona- parte of Westphalia." The two older Caton girls visited Tioga Point with their father, and stayed at Dr. Hopkins', well remembered by Julia Anna Shepard. A fourth daughter married John McTavish of Maryland, and their descendants are well known in the Baltimore of to-day. It is by their courtesy that we are able to present the fine portraits of Richard Caton as the handsome, impetuous youth, and again as the very aged man. The early portrait was apparently painted when he was about twenty years old, with auburn hair tied in a cue. These two portraits now hang in the Art Gallery of the Maryland Historical Society, to whose courtesy we are also indebted. Richard Caton, while in many ways a successful business man, was so full of schemes that he may almost be called visionary. But his belief in the assured importance of Tioga Point, and the wonderful trade to be developed from the navigation of the Susquehanna, were real, indeed, and never seemed to falter as long as he lived. His death occurred in 1845. Judging from the letters, his active interest in Tioga Point ceased about 1825 or 1830.
2 [George Welles and his brother Ashbel were born at Glastonbury, Conn., in 1756 and 1763, the sons of John Welles, fourth in descent from Governor Thomas Welles, the orig- inal immigrant of their line. He came from England about 1636. Albert Welles, in his "History of the Welles Family," a book not free from grave doubts as to its general accuracy, says he probably came from Northamptonshire, forced to leave England for nonconformity to the established church; records from Northampton seem to establish this, although Essex is thought to have been the family home of this branch. It is well known that they were originally Norman, and came in the train of the Conqueror. From the eleventh to the fifteenth century, the family was numerous and influential, having baronies and large estates in several counties of England. In the reigns of Richard and John, Hugo de Welles was Bishop of Lin- coln, and his brother Joscelyn de Welles was Bishop of Bath and Wells; the prelates were also the principal constructors of the two grand cathedrals with which their names are asso- ciated. As "Lords Spiritual" in Parliament, their seals were attached to the Magna Cliarta, wrested from King John. During the disastrous "Wars of the Roses" the old English nobility was nearly exterminated; and this old family did not escape. Having taken sides with King Henry VI, the last of the barons Welles, father and son, were beheaded by the victorious Edward in 1469 or 1470. Later, Leo Lord Welles obtained restitution of the family lands and honors, and his son John, Viscount Welles, married the Princess Cecilia, daughter of Edward IV; but as he died childless, the title went into abeyance.
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GEORGE WELLES CAPTAIN OF STUDENTS' COMPANY, YALE COLLEGE, AT TRYON'S INVASION OF NEW HAVEN, 1779
FROM ORIGINAL DRAWING BY ST. JOHN HONEYWOOD, IN POSSESSION OF RAPHAEL PUMPELLY, GRANDSON OF CAPTAIN WELLES
355
RICHARD CATON
Caton in a business way. In 1789, through some troubles brought upon them by a brother, they left Con- necticut, and made their way south, seeking some new field of activity. By advice of Philadelphia friends they first sought at Alexandria Gen. Daniel Roberdeau,3 a man of means, disposed to assist them. After spending some time in Roberdeau's home, as well as at Baltimore, George Welles decided to return to Connecticut, and Ashbel settled temporarily at Baltimore about 1790; and they at once resumed their old trade of ship building and shipping, as recorded in their corre- spondence. The trade was nearly all with Baltimore, although sometimes much further south, and was in all kinds of produce. A cargo
Rich& Colon
Thomas Welles was elected Treasurer of Connecticut in 1639; Secretary in 1643, Dep- uty Governor in 1654, Governor in 1655, Deputy Governor in 1656, Governor in 1658, and Deputy Governor in 1659, dying in office January 14, 1660. John of Glastonbury's descent from him was through (1) Samuel, 1630, m. Elizabeth Hollister; (2) Samuel, 1660, m. Ruth Rice; (3) Thomas, 1693, m. Martha Pitkin; (4) John, 1729, m. Jerusha Edwards, a descendant of William Edwards, grandfather of President Jonathan Edwards. George Welles, son of this marriage, and his wife, Prudence Talcott, were each descended, through different lines. from Lieut. John Hollister of Wethersfield, progenitor of the New England family of that name. The brothers George and Ashbel were closely associated from an early period. George's motto was "Begin small, and let industry recommend us-go slow and sure." He was a grad- uate of Yale, and was the captain of a students' company recruited for the purpose of defence at the time of Tryon's invasion in 1777; his only known portrait being a crude representation of him in that character, supposed to have been drawn by his classmate St. John Honeywood. The children of George Welles were Gen. Henry, 1780-1833, m. Sally Spalding; Susan, 1783-1865, m. John Hollenback, Owego; Charles F., 1789-1866, m. Ellen J. Hollenback; James M., 1795-1817, died unmarried, and Mary, 1803-1879, m. William Pumpelly, Owego.
Ashbel Welles married Sabina Parsons, sister of Mrs. Judge Williston; his children were George Ogden Welles of Athens and Parkersburg, W. Va .; Laura Sedgwick, 1802-1881, wife of David M. Cook, and Mary Ann, 1803-1865, wife of Edward W. Warner of Owego. Ashbel Welles removed to Athens in 1800, having been "pushed" up the Susquehanna River, with his goods, by John Lewis Shaw, who spoke of him as a talented and versatile gentleman, whose graces added much to the general enjoyment at a Democratic jollification at Sheshequin, in March, 1801, in honor of Jefferson's induction into the Presidency. In 1804 he was living at Owego, and was a member of the New York Assembly; in 1806 he was Clerk of Broome County, and died at or near Binghamton, April 4, 1809.] His descendants were residents of Athens or vicinity for at least twenty-five years after his death; but we have been unable to obtain further information. Interesting records of the Welles and Talcott families, in many divergent lines, have been traced by Prof. Raphael Pumpelly, copies of which are in possession of the writer, who will loan them for reference.
3 Roberdeau was a celebrated French Huguenot, who had gained distinction in the Rev- olutionary army, was a friend of Washington, and had great influence in favor of the Declara- tion of Independence. But, according to letters written by George Welles, while in his house, he was at this time changeable and indiscreet to his business associates, full of promises and projects which were not perfected, and George concluded it was unsafe to be associated with him.
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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
of white beans, a whole cargo of cheese alone, corn, oak lumber, cot- ton, etc., were interchanged between Hartford and Baltimore. One large cargo of pork, beef, tallow, butter, etc., was sent to Surinam. A brisk trade by land was also established in mules and horses ; the former sent from New England to Virginia for the regular army ; the latter from Maryland to cater to the fancy taste in horseflesh arising in New England, called in 1796 "a rage for fine horses." Con- siderable money was made by these ventures, and finally, in 1796, Ashbel became merchant partner of Richard Caton, who was quick to recognize the shrewd business capacity of the Yankee. The firm name was Ashbel Welles and Co., the date January, 1796.
In 1792 a Baltimore paper reported "Many rafts are in from Tioga Point, Penna." These were probably the first ones run from that town, and when, in 1796 or 1797, the first ark loaded with lumber and wheat (from Steuben County, N. Y.) reached the mouth of the Susquehanna, the possibilities of the navigability of the river caused great excitement in Baltimore and a desire for speculation in land. It may be the lumbermen told of the uneasiness of the Connecticut set- tlers at Tioga Point. At any rate, George Welles was in Baltimore about this time, and it appears a partnership was formed for the pur- chase of Lockhart's "Indian Arrow." Possibly the proposed purchasers visited the Point, learning the sentiment of the settlers, and consider- ing the business possibilities, before making a proposition to Lockhart in October, 1797. The transaction was consummated March 1, 1798, according to the deed. This title being of interest to many, and having been the foundation of long litigation, is here inserted in full. It will be seen that each partner had an undivided third. From George Welles' ledger, labelled "Tioga Point Purchase," it is learned that Richard Caton made the first payment on stock account $3,200, and that four bonds, each for $3,200, were given as security to Lockhart, payable on 27th October of 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802. According to later events, it ap- pears that no more of the purchase money was ever paid, except the second bond.
THIS INDENTURE made the First day of March, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-eight. Between Josiah Lock- hart of the Borough of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, Merchant, of the one part, and Richard Caton and Ashbel Welles both of the City of Baltimore in the State of Maryland, Merchants, and George Welles of Glastenbury in the State of Connecticut, Merchant of the other part. WHEREAS the Common- wealth of Pennsylvania by Letters Patent under the hand of the Honorable Charles Biddle, Esquire, Vice President of the Supreme Executive Council and the State Seal bearing date the third day of April in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eight Six for the Consideration therein men- tioned did grant unto the said Josiah Lockhart (Party hereto) a certain tract of Land called "Indian Arrow" situate in the Point between Susquehanna and Tioga in the late Purchase (then) in Northumberland County. BEGINNING at three Walnut Trees on the Bank of Tioga Creek thence by lands of Nicholas Kisler and Arthur Erwin South eighty-six degrees East Four Hundred and Ninety Six perches to a post on the bank of Susquehanna River thence down
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LOCKHART'S DEED
the same by the several Courses thereof to the Mouth of said Tioga Creek thence up the same by the several courses thereof to the Place of Beginning containing One Thousand and Thirty Six Acres and an half and Allowance of six per Cent for Roads &c. with the Appurtenancies. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract or Parcel of Land with the Appurtenances unto the said Josiah Lockhart and his Heirs to the use of him the said Josiah Lockhart his Heirs and Assigns for ever free and clear of all restrictions and reservations as to Mines, Royalties, Quit Rents or otherwise excepting and reserving only the Fifth part of all Gold and Silver Ore for the use of the said Commonwealth to be delivered at the Pits Mouth clear of all Charges. As in and by the said recited Let- ters Patent inrolled in the Rolls Office for the State of Pennsylvania in Patent Book No. 4 Page 486. Reference thereto being had will more fully and at large appear. NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that the said Josiah Lockhart for and in consideration of the Sum of Six Thousand Pounds Current Money of Pennsylvania in Gold and Silver Coin to him in hand paid by the said Richard Caton, Ashbel Welles and George Welles at or before the sealing and Delivery thereof (the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge) HATH granted bargained and sold aliened enfeoffed released and confirmed and by these presents DOTH grant bargain and sell alien enfeoff release and confirm unto the said Richard Caton, Ashbel Welles and George Welles their Heirs and Assigns ALL the above mentioned Tract or Parcel of Land situate in the Point between Susquehanna and Tioga Creek in the late purchase (formerly in Northumberland County but now) in the County of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania bounded limited and described as above set forth and specified containing One Thousand and Thirty eight Acres and an half of an Acre and the usual Allowance of syx per Cent for Road and Highways. TOGETHER with all and singular the Houses Outhouses Edifices and Buildings thereon erected and being and all ways Passages, Waters, Water courses, Woods, Underwoods, Trees, Fences Meadows, Marshes, Liberties, Privileges, Advantages, Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the reversions and remainders, Rents, Issues and Profits thereof and also all the Estate, Right Title Interest Use Trust Property, Possession Claim and Demand whatsoever of him the said Josiah Lockhart at Law and in Equity or otherwise howsoever of in to and out of the same Tract or Parcel of Land and Premises and every part thereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said described Tract or Parcel of Land, Hereditaments and Premises hereby granted and released (or men- tioned or intended so to be) with their Rights Members and Appurtenances unto the said Richard Caton, Ashbel Welles and George Welles their Heirs and Assigns. To the only proper use Benefit and Behoof of the said Richard Caton, Ashbel Welles, and George Welles, their Heirs and Assigns for ever, as Ten- ants in Common; that is to say, as to one equal undivided third part thereof to and for the only proper use, Benefit and Behoof of the said Richard Caton his Heirs and Assigns for ever as to one other equal undivided third part thereof to and for the only proper Use, Benefit and Behoof of the said Ashbel Welles his Heirs and Assigns for ever. And as to the one other equal un- divided third part thereof to and for the only proper use Benefit and Behoof of the said George Welles his Heirs and Assigns forever free and clear of all restrictions and Reservations as to mines, Royalties, Quit Rents, or otherwise excepting and reserving only the fifth part of all Gold and Silver Ore in or upon the hereby granted Premises of the use of the state or Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania to be delivered at the Pits Mouth clear of all Charges. AND THE SAID JOSIAH LOCKHART for himself, his Heirs, Executors and Admin- istrators doth covenant, promise and grant to and with the said Richard Caton, Ashbel Welles and George Welles their Heirs and Assigns by these Presents that he the said Josiah Lockhart and his Heirs the said Described Tract or Parcel of Land, Hereditaments and Premises hereby granted and released (or mentioned or intended to so be) with the Appurtenances unto the said Richard Caton, Ashbel Welles, and George Welles their Heirs and Assigns, against him the said Josiah Lockhart and his Heirs and against all and every other
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OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS
person and Persons whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof by from or under him or them or any of them or by from or under the said State or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall and will Warrant and forever Defend by these Presents. AND further that he the said Josiah Lockhart and his Heirs and all and every other Person or Per- sons whomsoever now having or lawfully claiming or hereafter to have and lawfully claim any Estate, Right, Title or Interest whatsoever of in to or out of the said described Tract or Parcel of Land and Premises hereby granted or mentioned to be granted with the Appurtenances or any part thereof by from or under him or them or any of them shall and will from Time to Time and at all Times hereafter upon the request and at the proper Costs and Charges in the Law of the said Richard Caton, Ashbel Welles and George Welles their Heirs and Assigns or either of them make do execute and acknowledge or cause or procure to be made done executed and acknowledged all and every such further and other lawful and reasonable Act and Acts, Deed and Deeds Thing and Things, Devices, Conveyances, and Assurances in the Law whatsoever for the further better more sure perfect and absolute granting conveying assuring and conforming the said described Tract or Parcel of Land, Hereditaments and Premises hereby granted and released (or mentioned or intended so to be) with their Rights Members and Appurtenaces unto the said Richard Caton Ashbel Welles and George Welles their Heirs and Assigns for ever as by them the said Richard Caton, Ashbel Welles and George Welles their Heirs and Assigns or their Counsel learned in the Law shall be lawfully and Reasonably advised or devised and required. IN WITNESS whereof the said Parties to these Pres- ents their Hands and Seals have hereunto interchangeably set the Day and Year first above written.
JOSIAH LOCKHART. (SEAL.)
SEALED and DELIVERED in the Presence of us: Conrad Schwartz, Henry Pinkerton, Philip Gloninger.
Received on the Day of the Date of the above written Indenture of and from the above named Richard Caton Ashbel Welles and George Welles the Sum of Six Thousand Pounds Current Money of Pennsylvania in Gold and Silver Coin or good and sufficient security for the same being the full Consideration Money above mentioned.
JOSIAH LOCKHART.
Witnesses Present at signing by me: Conrad Schwartz, Henry Pinkerton, Philip Gloninger.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE.
Be it remembered that on the First day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-eight, BEFORE ME, Jasper Yeates, Esquire, one of the Associate Judges of the Supreme Court of Judicature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, personally appeared the above named Josiah Lockhart and acknowledged the above written Indenture to be his Act and Deed to and for the Uses and Purposes therein mentioned and desired that the same may be recorded as such according to Law. IN TESTIMONY whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the Day and year aforesaid.
J. YEATES. (SEAL.)
LUZERNE COUNTY ss.
. I, Benjamin Newberry, Recorder of Deeds in and for the County ,of Luzerne, Do Certify the foregoing to be a true Copy of a Deed from Josiah Lockhart to Richard Caton, Ashbel Welles and George Welles, as Recorded in the Office for Recording Deeds in the County of Luzerne in Deed Book No. 5 page 431. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of my office at Wilkesbarre this 12th day of June, A. D. 1810.
BENJAMIN NEWBERRY, Recorder.
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ARRIVAL OF GEORGE WELLES
Charles Carroll, of Car- rollton, the father-in-law of Richard Caton, may have advanced the necessary funds for embarking in this enterprise, but the deed proves that he was not the original purchaser, as has been stated by previous his- torians. He was apparently indifferent to it, and only concerned as the financier of his son-in-law, although he later became possessor of a part, and was an ex- tensive land owner west of the river in this region; some account of which will be given later.
It was decided that George Welles should go on the ground ; and having ar- ranged his affairs in Con- necticut, he arrived at Tio- ga Point July 11, 1798, as shown in his petty account book, whose first entry
CHARLES CARROLL OF CAROLLTON By permission of Maryland Historical Society
is July 12. Previous arrangements must have been made to open a store, with James Irwin,4 who had built a small public house on second
lot north of Academy; as Welles had purchased goods of Ashbel Welles & Co. to the amount of $3,600, and in January, 1799, ordered more, to the amount of $7,413. He also made a private venture in the purchase of land over the line, near Spencer, N. Y., with money furnished by his sister, Jerusha Welles. The account book records that James Irwin owned 14 town lots and 18 ten-acre lots purchased under the Con- necticut Claim, which were sold to Welles and Caton for $6,000, pay- ments extending over six years. This sale must have been prior to Welles' permanent arrival, as the old Masonic records state that the meeting for the organization of Lodge No. 70 was held May 21, 1798, at the house of George Welles, on Tioga Point. The family of Mr.
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