A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 63

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 63

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).

We have not seen the issue in which this matter was taken up, but it is made plain in the following extract from a letter of Henry Welles :

Feb. 18, 1817 .- "The Wash-n is at us again, and the editor has sent on a number of papers to members here; the only effect so far as I know has been in my favor. I felt no mortification in consequence of it. Every one who speaks of it takes the occasion to compliment me in some way or other: they say the character of Franks in Phila. is infamous. I rather think, however, that that part of his charges relating to Mr. Caton and the Tioga settlers might be properly replied to. I wish however to leave it with you in this case: appearing to in- culpate me in a private capacity as an honest man, it is different from political squibbling. The Settler business is Mrs. Mathewson's affair. You know all about that transaction : you know I gave her $200 after all was over and paid all costs, let them have the land, offered a deed to the lot & house, &c .: this was after trying to buy. The suit was not brought until all other means had failed: the property was mixed up with our other lots, &c .; and Kings-y remarked em- phatically when I offered the $200 that I ought not to have given her a cent ; that he would not, after all that had passed. I mention these items under the idea that perhaps it may be best to reply by way of vindication. I think it is, and hope you will think so too, and take the trouble for me. As to the Bedford & Ulster act, you know all about it: Mr. Caton acquiesced in all.

"It has been my decided opinion that we ought to make our opponents fear us a little, as well as hate us a good deal. I have got over what little un- easiness I felt at being paragraphed in a newspaper."

5 Sept., 1817, a Democratic-Republican meeting convened at the house of Wm. Means, Jr., in Meansville, for the purpose of using all laudable measures to promote the cause. Com- mittees were appointed in each town. In Athens, Col. Julius Tozer, Maj. Zephon Flower, Daniel Park, Johnston Miller, Noah Murray, Jr., Ludowick Green and Dr. Ozias Spring.

456

OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

The attack on Henry Welles was prefaced by an article in the Washingtonian in which he was sarcastically called "the Settler," who was settled for a short time only :

"His race is nearly run, and his malicious slangwhanging &c. will be care- fully investigated in a future number of the Washingtonian."

The next Gazette indulged in considerable scoring of Franks and his backers. The editor was called "a certain flippant little English- man," and every previous issue of his paper reviewed in scathing and scornful language. As the attacks became more violent, "Paul Thistle" took up the pen in the Bradford Gasette, writing a series of letters in which he tells :

"Not only the regular issues, but many extras and even handbills have been stuck in everybody's face and dropped at everybody's door, * * * Uncle Simon bestrode the circuit to reel off his reflections about it, Joseph Kingsbery hawked it, Harry Spalding peddled it, John F. Satterlee blowed it, George Kinney twanged it, Thomas Overton puffed it-Sheshequin rang with acclamations, busy were all the lesser fry of blowers, peddlers and puffers. * * But what a change now that Thistles begin to grow at last. That means us-screams Sheshequin ; That alters the case yells Uncle Simon; That's our store says Harry Spalding-Out upon the wicked thistle. How comes it that the Thistle creates so different sensations .. This is the secret,-TRUTH is the sting of Satire and JUSTICE is the power of language."

The Thistle also says that the Washingtonian is more than abusive, it is insulting, and an aggression against public decency. Naturally, it was not silenced and the war of words continued to be waged. No stone was left unturned to injure not only the Welles brothers but Sam- uel McKean, who was accused of pocketing $2,000 State road money, passing counterfeit money, etc. Mr. McKean replied at length to this allegation, saying he rejoiced to have the opportunity. Various other men of the county responded to the untruths published by Franks, who was denounced as a besotted blackguard, although he claimed his ob- ject was "Union, Toleration and Reform." In May, 1817, it was writ- ten, "the Washingtonian has been for ten months abusive," which would indicate that it was first issued in July instead of September. July 6th General Welles wrote to Paul Thistle :

"As to the controversy in your place, the last Thistle has placed it in a most curious light; it is ably drawn, the language the most galling that can be framed * * Although they will love you very little better for it, I think they will respect you fully as much. How far it may be worth while to proceed I leave with you; we all know that Peace is desirable, and I am fully aware that we can make it if we please when we please."

"In the Hornet (possibly an extra) allusion was made to the dead-to our father and other connections, who Heaven knows possessed the substance of qualities infinitely before the progenitors of the scamps who are our opponents- that being done it may be worth while to retaliate by bringing their progenitors into view in a glancing way."

He then tells that one Sheshequinite ancestor left Connecticut to avoid the penalty of being concerned in counterfeiting Continental money, and that another of great repute laid the foundation of his es- tate by applying military warrants entrusted to him to his own purposes, also that the "driving of asses (as the paper had dubbed the mule buy- ing of George and Ashbel Welles) is full as honorable as counterfeiting

457

A HOT CAMPAIGN, 1817

money or a breach of trust. Such things are not to be tolerated, or palliated, but upon the ground of retaliation."

In August the attacks became so fierce that Henry Welles pub- lished a card in the Gasette, addressed to the owners of the Washing- tonian, alluding to the fact that although they had several times prom- ised an admiring world a history of his "hooking the farm," it had never been given. Whereupon he challenges them-the owners, not the editor, to make out their accusations in intelligible language. Not only that, but to have the whole matter tried by jury, saying at close : "I assert that nothing in the whole course of purchasing and paying for the property in question was illegal, unjust or inconsistent with the nicest honor or the most scrupulous delicacy and I also assert that nearly if not all of you gentlemen know it, and have knozem it from the first."

With the election of Findlay and downfall of the Federalists, the issues of the Washingtonian ceased. Not only so but the Sheshequin- ites disclaimed all part in its abusive attacks, laying all the blame on their editor, which the little scoundrel retaliated by offering to lash and expose his former employers without mercy, as they had even claimed that he was the means of losing the election. The whole State seems to have been cognizant of the matter, several distinguished Federalists of Philadelphia having inquired what kind of men the "Sheshequinites" and their friends were, to employ such a blackguard as Lewis P. Franks to print for them. William Petrikin of Bellefonte, wrote to C. F. Welles congratulations on the election of Findlay :

"I have received the Bradford Gazette for some weeks for which I am in- debted to your attention. It appears to be one of the most spirited papers in the state, indeed I scarcely see any to match it. The editor appears to be a gentleman of life, vigor, courage and intellect. He whips naked through the world the blackguard who conducts the Tory paper in your county."

While Franks and his day were over, Eliphalet Mason, the County Commissioner, seemed desirous of continuing the fight, the one idea now being to remove C. F. Welles from office. Indeed, Mason was reported as saying that to put down the Welleses was his great object. He bargained with Spalding and Kinney for the Washingtonian office, although he never published any paper. He wanted and obtained one of C. F. Welles' positions for himself. Henry wrote in the most af- fectionate manner that he thought Charles had been too open in the newspapers. Now even Colonel Mckean "opposed him on principle." Governor Findlay frankly confessed that he did not know what to do with the opposition against the Welleses." Colonel Samuel Satterlee hearing of Mckean's defection wrote to General Welles expressing regret, etc., and paid this tribute to his brother :

"It is a solemn fact that in our green woods (Smithfield) the people almost to a man were in favor of Charles, they were for supporting him in office be- cause he had been faithful not only in his official capacity, but in the political cause of our County, our State and our Common Country. Shall he at this period be removed for standing firm to his post in time of most imminent danger ? No, all that is dear to patriotism forbids it."

Nevertheless Governor Findlay yielded, the offices were divided, and George Scott and E. Mason were appointed successors to Charles,

458

OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

July 1, 1818. Naturally he was disheartened and disgusted with public life ; especially by the defection of Mckean, and its accompanying cir- cumstances, as evinced in the following clipping from the Lycoming Gazette of December, 1818. Shortly after this he left Towanda and set- tled at Wyalusing, where he spent the remainder of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits and in the management of large landed estates of Matthias Hollenback, whose daughter Ellen he had married in 1816.

"To the Editors of the Lycoming Gazette-Gentlemen: In the Lycoming Advertiser, dated October 28, an article respecting the politics of Bradford County appears, in which it is roundly asserted, 'that the Welles's' have been 'discarded from the republican ranks, and have sought refuge among the fed- eralists!' This needs no answer in Bradford County, but as the republican in- tegrity of Henry and Charles F. Welles is thus attacked, it is but just that our republican brethren of Lycoming should know who has 'sought refuge among the federalists.'

"All the real contest which took place, was at the township elections for delegates. Advertisements were posted, as usual, for the 'Democratic Repub- licans,' but, to the astonishment of all such, the friends of Gen. M'Kean called in the federalists to their assistance. In Athens Judge Herrick got together nearly every federalist in the township. In Towanda, Wysox, Orwell, and Wyalusing, the old Washingtonian federalists, were called in by Gen. McKean's friends, and acted zealously in his support. But notwithstanding this desperate coalition, thirteen, out of the eighteen townships elected delegates supposed and intended to be unfavorable to Gen. M'Kean. However, the ticket was made up at last in full defiance of the well known will of the republican majority. The delegates of two townships were bought over, and the real delegates of two other townships were rejected to make room for others who had been elected by minorities, in Springfield, of 14 to 23, and in Athens of 8 to 33. After pub- lication of this fraudulent ticket, the union of M'Kean's friends and the fed- eralists was drawn closer.

"We can produce the name of one of the most respectable federalists in this county, to whom the President Judge supplicated in words almost literally as follows : 'We know M'Kean is done, he has run his race and he does not expect to appear in public life another year, but if you oppose him this time you help the Welles's. If you set up a ticket against M'Kean, then the Welles party will set up a ticket, and they will carry every thing. It is not M'Kean that has abused the federalists, it was the Welles's-IT WAS THEY THAT PUT YOU DOWN. M'Kean joined with you in getting Charles Welles out of office, and now it is no more than right that you should hold him up this year. If you don't, you know the Welles party will carry everything.' By calling his opponents the Welles party, M'Kean's emissaries carried their point. Respecting the fed- eralists of Bradford County Henry and Charles F. Welles have the honor of their hatred; Samuel M'Kean has the advantage of their alliance. The federalists had a meeting at Col. Harry Spalding's and agreed to support General M'Kean's ticket-and they did support it. When this Union became public no measures of opposition were adopted. The name of ticket has great weight with repub- licans of Bradford County, and it was clearly useless to contend against the combination of M'Kean and the federalists. Thomas Simpson says that Henry and Charles F. Welles 'have sought refuge with the federalists.' But it is as public as the election itself, that it is Samuel M'Kean that has sought refuge among the federalists, and stands indebted to their friendship for his re-election .-

"HENRY WELLES, C. F. WELLES."

When C. F. Welles left office the Bradford Gazette was taken by a company representing the Mckean interest in politics, yet Democratic in a general way. It was now called the Bradford Settler, and many a war of words was waged between Mckean and his former friends, culminating in an action for libel.

459

RENEWED MATTHEWSON ACTIVITY

A general account of town news in 1818 is given by a most char- acteristic letter of David Paine to a friend : "I have naught to say in regard to politics-fine sleighing, our road to the lake (Cayuga and Sus- quehanna turnpike) is occupied, four or five hundred tons of plaster will be deposited here to send below-village affairs going along much as usual"-Then mentions that many of them talk together of emi- grating southerly, and of their probable enjoyment of Alabama far sur- passing that long anticipated but never realized in this contracted cor- ner of the globe. Henry Welles writes about this time: "I have been considerably startled by hearing that there is a claim rising out of the world of waters against Lockhart's title to Tioga Point; it would not be wonderful if something of the kind should throw the family into revolution and ruin."

Some correspondence between the Welles brothers in 1819 shows that there was considerable disquietude concerning Lewis and Hun- ter's claim against Lockhart's title. These men brought a suit against Lockhart in his lifetime for some alleged services; they were non- suited, etc., but evidently tried again to press the claim and obtain resti- tution from the State. It was not recorded in the rolls office, and no record can be found to-day. At the time an attempt was made by the Mathewson faction to prove the Welles title void on account of this. By this suit Lockhart lost lands on the Cowanesque.

While the day of the Washingtonian was over, the serpent left its trail. For several years previous the Welles-Matthewson controversy had seemed to be quiescent, but the use of it as a party weapon had been successful. The newspaper attacks and Henry Welles' bold de- fiance of them had stirred the Matthewson family to further active opposition, in which they were encouraged by the politicians of Brad- ford County. The children were now of sufficient age to join in the dispute. The Satterlee suit had not been settled, and the mother was in despair, when a strange thing happened. She had a dream in which she saw a young man, unknown to her, who said he had come to help her out of trouble ; the very next day, looking out of her window, she saw the same face passing by. It proved to be Horace Williston, Sr., a bright young lawyer, who had come from Binghamton to settle in Athens. He was soon established in the Hollenback house just across the way; and opened his law office November 27, 1819; she made his acquaintance and engaged him as counsel; and it is said to have been by his advice that the family claims were pushed in a new method, ending in settlement. Accordingly, at the next session of Legislature, 1819-'20, the petition of Elizabeth Matthewson was pre- sented, praying that a special court be appointed for the trial of a cer- tain act of ejectment therein mentioned. This was referred to the Ju- dicial Committee, who later reported an act to authorize the President Judge of the Fourth Judicial District to try certain causes in Bradford County. This petition was not acted upon, and at the next session, 1821, Simon Kinney, still the bitter political enemy of Henry Welles, having become a member of the Legislature, presented a second peti- tion, same plea, responded to in like manner. Something more effective

460

OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

was necessary, or in a different form; therefore the son, Constant Ma- thewson,6 who had begun to have political aspirations, decided to take a hand, since the Welles's opponents were now in office. Therefore, he prepared a petition in which, claiming undue influence over his mother in her transactions with Overton, which resulted in her giving a deed to Henry Welles ; he represented that he and his coheirs had as

I Remain your Respectful Contar leathing and

much right to a commissioner's certificate as any other Connecticut claimant ; for which reason he prayed the Legislature :

"That an act may be passed confirming to us such rights as we should have had, had our mother remained in possession to the time of granting the certificates by the commissioners, and authorizing us to bring a suit or suits for the recovery of the same. And if on trial it shall be found that our mother made a bonafide transfer of her rights, that the execution might be stayed, until that title should cease by the will of our Father, (when all heirs had attained their majority) or for such other relief as to the Legislature may appear proper."

6 Constant was the oldest son of Elisha Matthewson. It has been said that he was long before this "of sufficient age and capacity of mind to understand business," being at the time with Clement Paine as clerk, and acquainted with the negotiations of his mother and uncle. But he had been not only quiescent, but on friendly terms with Henry Welles up to 1818, and probably never would have interfered unless influenced by the politicians. The portrait is from a daguerreotype furnished by his son, the late Park Mathewson.

461

MATHEWSON APPEALS TO LEGISLATURE

This petition, being presented in December, 1822, was referred to a special committee, before whom appeared not only Constant Mathew- son but Charles F. Welles, representing his brother's interest. William Myer, representative from Bradford, wrote to Henry Welles that this committee had agreed to report a bill, and that he ought to send a remonstrance to the Legislature, especially as Mathewson and Mc- Kean were making every effort to render Welles odious to the mem- bers. An able remonstrance was at once drawn and forwarded, set- ting forth that litigation would be prolonged until the value of the property was expended, "for surely the Courts can never sanction the injustice and impolicy of sacrificing a regular Pennsylvania owner and possessor to a Connecticut claimant." On the other hand an act passed to be clear of the objections of unconstitutionality must provide com- plete indemnity to those deprived of their lands, in which case "the remonstrant begs leave to state that the amounts to be drawn from the State treasury cannot be less than $10,000, owing to the improvements made by him and other purchasers from Mr. Carroll." The Legis- lature was therefore begged to take no measure without a full hearing. Obadiah Spalding, one of the purchasers, also sent a remonstrance against a law affecting his title. After hearing the committee's dis- cussion of the matter, C. F. Welles became somewhat alarmed, and returned home to explain the whole matter to his brother, advising him in advance by letter as to the various points made against him, the most amusing being that at the time of the hot water barricade "Henry Welles shed tears because he could not get in the house and turn the widow and the fatherless out." Henry was advised to provide himself with all the title paper of Tioga Point, and to show himself the actual purchaser, and not an agent of Charles Carroll. But there was no need for agitation yet ; for towards the close of the session the committee asked to be discharged from further consideration of the subject, be- cause of "the conflicting allegations and statements of the adverse par- ties, the complications and difficulties of the subject, and the want of some further documents"; thus rendering decision impossible. Accord- ingly the matter was laid over until the next session, when it was again presented, and again referred to a committee. That Henry Welles was not seriously alarmed may be proven by the fact that in 1823 he built a substantial new home on or near the contested lands, date shown in a deposition of Thos. Huston, taken January 20, 1824. In this Dr. Huston stated that he had overheard a conversation between Henry Welles and Constant Mathewson on the subject of their claim, in which the latter told the former :

"He would engage, should he recover the land to remove all the buildings on the premises at his expense except the Stone House" built by W. during the last

7 The "Stone House," as it was always known, was the home of the family of Henry Welles for more than fifty years. It well deserves a chapter of its own, for although its builder enjoyed it for only one decade, no house in the Valley was more famed for its extensive and bountiful hospitality, ably dispensed by its mistress, familiarly known as "Aunt Sally." The men of high degree who knew Henry Welles continued to pay homage to his wife even to her latest days; and it was a favorite resort of the young and old of Athens. The youngest daughter of General Welles was born there, Frances M., who married Charles B. Stuart; and her wedding was an event long remembered by her school girl associates. The older daughter, Susan, was also married there to Edward H. Perkins, and one of the most delightful events of later years was the wedding of Susan's oldest daughter, Sarah. The

462

OLD TIOGA POINT AND EARLY ATHENS

THE OLD STONE HOUSE

summer, for W. had notice before he commenced building, but he did not ex- pect that house was on the land."

This deposition was one of many documents laid before the new committee. Mathewson had also agreed to allow Spalding to remain in possession in full confidence of the result. The committee, after deliberation over the evidence, reported a bill in the form of a supple- ment to the Bedford and Ulster Act: After being considered in com- mittee of the whole, this was recommitted to the special committee, for, as Mr. Craft says, "the thing asked for was so palpably illegal, the legislature refused to grant it." Not exactly so, perhaps, but it was very easy to lay the bill on the table and discharge the com- mittee, which was again done. Perhaps this second delay was due to the fact that Henry Welles appealed to Thomas Burnside, who had been President Judge of Bradford County one year, and therefore by his residence and administration was acquainted with the general rela- tions of Pennsylvania and Connecticut titles. In his letter to Judge Burnside, Mr. Welles remarked, "Constant Mathewson's story is good until the opposite has been told"; asked the Judge to look over the papers sent, and make such remarks as the depositions justify. Judge Burnside was reminded that he had tried a case in which the Welles and Caton title was examined, and the writer closed by saying :

"Do I pray, do better for me than I know how to ask, and if after an examination of the papers and the subject a bill should be reported contrary to common sense and plain justice, as a last boon send me a copy. With an affec- tionate remembrance of our former friendship, I am yours as ever, H. W."

old house knew many other joys-and sorrows, now all buried in the dust. It was the home of four generations of Henrys, of whom only Henry 4th survives. It should be noted that all of Henry Welles' sons bore his name: George Henry, James Henry and Henry S. In 1875 the family scattered, and the old home was sold to Thomas Buchanan, to whose daughter we are indebted for the excellent picture. The Old Stone House burned to the ground about twenty years ago.

463

MATHEWSON BILL PASSES THE HOUSE

At this time John F. Satterlee, who had been an opponent of the Welleses in the Washingtonian campaign, concluded that it would be wise to join forces ; therefore he wrote an unsigned letter (still in ex- istence and labelled), urging Henry Welles to engage his father's as- sistance, and saying :

"I am well aware that I am trespassing on your generosity and goodness. but, as we have to fight M -. let us act in concert like two brothers, faithful to each other, and silent to the world."

He urges that Mr. Caton should visit the Point, as Caton's agent was said to be one of Mathewson's advisers. Having been laid aside as unfinished business, the bill was again presented to the Legislature January 12, 1825, and again referred to a committee. Constant Ma- thewson was now present as a representative, the wily Federalist poli- ticians of Bradford having here found an easy weapon against the op- posing party, who had nominated Henry Welles as their candidate.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A history of old Tioga Point and early Athens, Pennsylvania, Part 63

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