USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > Families of the Wyoming Valley: biographical, genealogical and historical. Sketches of the bench and bar of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, vol. I > Part 30
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ISAAC PLATT HAND.
Isaac P. Hand was married May 3, 1871, to Mary Lyman Richard- son, daughter of J. L. Richardson. They have five children living -Kathleen, Isaac Platt, Bayard, Laura, and Richardson Hand.
It has already been remarked that Mr. Hand has never yet held a political office. This is not because he might not have done so, had his inclinations led him in that direction. In fact, he is very generally regarded by his party friends as possessing in a marked degree qualities which fit him for public position, added to the address and energy essential to success in these days of hot rivalry for political station. Very frequently - his name has been canvassed in connection with nominations for the legislature and other official honors. Up to within a short time previous to the holding of the Republican senatorial convention of the year 1884, it was quite generally expected that he would be its nominee. That he could have had that distinction for the mere asking is conceded; that he would have been pleased to accept it, had circumstances permitted, there is excellent reason for believing; but a young lawyer just coming into a paying practice, is not always wisest in yielding to such ambitions, and Mr. Hand's persistent refusal to become a candidate, though urgently solicited by many friends, was based upon that reason- ing. Later on, if he lives and preserves his strength, and when the yieldings of his professional services shall have made him more independent of private clients, it is probable that he may be influenced to take the public as a client, in which event there is little doubt among those who know him best but that he could grace whatever position he may aspire to, and to which he may be selected.
His services in the school board to which he has been so long attached attest alike his devotion to the interests of popular education and his fitness as a worker in that important field.
As an attorney, he is less given to forensic effort than to that industrious and searching investigation of a cause against which no mere argument, unless based upon similarly careful prepara- tion, is likely to prevail. Before the court there is far more in the matter of what he says than in the manner of his saying it.
Personally, Mr. Hand stands high with all his acquaintances. Thoroughly well read, and an earnest but good natured conver-
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sationalist, he is always a popular figure in social assemblages. His tastes, however, are unusually domestic for one who takes such a marked interest in politics, and all the time he can spare from his professional and other public duties are spent in the quiet of his happy family circle.
EDMUND GRIFFIN BUTLER.
Edmund Griffin Butler was born June 11, 1845, at Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania. He is a descendant of Zebulon Butler, who emigrated to Wyoming in 1769. Zebulon Butler was born at Lyme, New London county, Conn., in 1731, and was one of the first patriots who opposed British tyranny and dared to be free. He entered early into the provincial service, and served the mother country through the French war. He commenced his military career as an ensign, and soon rose to the rank of captain. He participated in the memorable hardships of the campaign of 1758 on the frontiers of Canada, at Fort Edward, Lake George, Ticonderoga, and Crown Point. In 1762 he was at the protracted siege of Havana. On his way he was on board one of the six vessels that were shipwrecked. All on board narrowly escaped a watery grave. They were on the beach nine days before they were relieved. On August 9 the last of the fleet arrived before Havana. The defense was obstinate-the sufferings of the besiegers great. Captain Butler shared largely in the dangers of the attack-the glories of the victory. He sailed for his long absent home on October 21 in the " Royal Duke," and encountered many perils during the voyage. On November 7 the ship began to leak so rapidly that it was with difficulty that her crew were transferred to another vessel near by before she went to the bottom. He arrived at New York December 21, and once more met the warm embrace of anxious relatives and friends. He had won enduring laurels ; he stood. high as a brave and skillful officer-an esteemed and valued
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citizen. He then left the army, and enjoyed the peaceful pleasures of private life until the revolutionary storm began to concentrate its fearful elements. He was ready to brave its pitiless peltings. He had rendered arduous and valuable service to the mother country ; he was well qualified to repel her ungrateful conduct, and render efficient aid in the defense of his native soil. When the tocsin of war was sounded from the heights of Lexington, he promptly tendered his services-was appointed a colonel in the Connecticut line, and repaired to the post of honor and danger. He was actively engaged in the campaigns of 1777-8-9. During the last year he was commissioned colonel of the Second Con- necticut regiment. He was with Washington in New Jersey, and was greatly esteemed by him. A short time previous to the revolution, he was one of a company from his native state that had purchased Wyoming valley from the Indians. Many settlers had located there, and cleared up much of the forest. Although fully remunerated for their lands, pursuant to contract made with their chiefs in grand counsel assembled, the red men were un- willing to leave a place so enchanting and congenial with their views of happiness. In this they were encouraged by the British and tories, most of the inhabitants having declared for liberty. Most of their effective force of near two hundred men was in the American army. Soon after the departure of these troops, the savages assumed a menacing attitude, manifesting a disposition to violate the terms of peace they had solemnly sanctioned when paid for their lands. Several stockade forts were erected, a . company of rangers organized, and placed under the command of Captain Hewitt. Every precaution was taken to guard against surprise; the movements of the red men were narrowly watched; their apparent designs closely observed. It soon became evident that they were preparing for a bloody sacrifice. An express was dispatched to the board of war, representing the approaching danger, requesting the return of the troops, who had recently joined the army, leaving their homes exposed to all the horrors of savage cruelty, rendered more awful by the more bloodthirsty tories of the valley. The request was not granted at once as it should have been, and was entirely too late to ward off the fatal slaughter and carnage that took place when these brave men
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were within two days' march of their murdered wives, children, and friends who slumbered in death, deeply gashed with the tomahawk. In the latter part of June a number of canoes were discovered descending the river just above the valley, filled with Indian warriors. They attacked a party of the inhabitants who were at work on the banks of the Susquehanna, killing and making prisoners of ten. They were evidently concentrating their forces for the purpose of an attack upon the settlement. At that critical juncture Colonel Zebulon Butler arrived. A large body of the savages had assembled at a point on the mountain opposite Wintermoot's fort. The militia, under the command of Colonel Denison, assembled at Forty Fort on July I. They scoured the western borders of the valley-discovered the bodies of those who had been massacred a few days before- killed two Indians, and returned. Not supposing danger so near, each man repaired to his own house for provisions. On July 3 most of the men able to bear arms, amounting to about four hundred persons of all classes, assembled again at Forty Fort. Some remained in the smaller forts with their families, presuming on the delay of an attack. The command of the troops was given to Colonel Butler. They were poorly armed, and had but a small supply of ammunition. But few of them had ever been engaged in battle, and were not familiar with military tactics. In a few moments after Colonel Butler had assumed the command, news was brought that the enemy had entered the upper end of the valley, and were advancing down- ward. A council of war was held, and an unfortunate resolve made to march out and attempt to arrest the savages in their career of desolation and carnage. The troops proceeded some distance from the fort, and took an advantageous position on the banks of Abram's creek, near Maltby, where they supposed the enemy would pass on their way to the principal fort. There they remained for nearly an hour without seeing the foe. Another council of war was held, which resulted in adding to the error of leaving the fort, that of attacking the enemy in their position, contrary to the opinion of several officers, Colonel Butler among the number, who were as brave but more judicious than those who urged the fatal movement. The order to advance
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was given. They had not proceeded more than a mile when the advanced guard fired upon several Indians, and found Fort Win- termoot in flames. The force of the enemy was concentrated at Fort Wintermoot, amounting to one thousand one hundred effective men, consisting of Indians, tories, and British regulars. Echo returned demoniac yells of the savages from the surround- ing hills-the forest resounded with the appalling war whoop. Another serious error was committed by the ill-fated Americans. Not until they were upon the battle field did they learn the superior force of the revengeful foe. As the little band ap- proaclied, they found the Indians and tories formed in line, their right resting on a swamp, commanded by Indian chiefs ; the left, reaching to Fort Wintermoot, headed by Colonel John Butler. Colonel Zebulon Butler led the right, and Colonel Denison the left, of the Americans to the attack. So determined was this Spartan band on victory that the right of the enemy gave way in a few minutes closely pursued by Colonel Zebulon Butler. In consequence of part of the Indians passing the swamp to gain his rear, Colonel Denison ordered his men to fall back. Many supposing he had ordered a retreat, the line became confused and broken. At that unfortunate juncture, the Indians rushed upon it with such fury that it could not be rallied. At that critical moment, Colonel Zebulon Butler rode towards the left, and first learned the misfortune of Colonel Denison, and saw his men retreating in disorder. He was then between two fires, and near the advancing enemy. Before the troops on the right were apprised of the fate of the left, they were nearly surrounded by the savages, and compelled to retreat precipitately. The rout was general-the slaughter horrible-the scene terrific. But about ninety survived, among whom were Colonels Butler and Denison, who were more exposed than most of the others. The few who escaped from the dreadful carnage of that fatal day assembled at Forty Fort. So heartrending was this defeat that the surviving inhabitants were willing to submit to any terms to save their lives. In discussing the terms of surrender, it was insisted that Colonel Zebulon Butler and the remains of Captain Hewitt's company, being continental soldiers, should be surren - dered as prisoners of war. Colonel Denison desired time to
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consult with his officers, which was allowed. Returning, he hastened to Wilkes-Barre, where, having an interview with Colonel Zebulon Butler, it was judged expedient that he and the fourteen men remaining of Hewitt's command should immedi- ately retire from the valley. Ordering the men to Shamokin, Colonel Butler threw a bed upon his horse, took Mrs. Butler behind him, and that night tarried at the Nescopeck valley (now Conyngham), twenty miles from Wilkes-Barre, and from there to Gnadenhutten, on the Lehigh, where he made the following report to the board of war :
" Gnadenhutten, Penn township, July roth, 1778.
" Honored Sirs : On my arrival at Westmoreland, which was only four days after I left Yorktown, I found there was a large body of the enemy advancing on that settlement. On the Ist of July, we mustered the militia, and marched toward them by the river above the settlement-found and killed two Indians at a place where, the day before, they had murdered nine men en- gaged in hoeing corn. We found some canoes, etc., but, finding no men above their main body, it was judged prudent to return ; and as every man had to go to his own house for his provisions, we could not muster again till the 3d of July. In the meantime the enemy had got possession of two forts, one of which we had reason to believe was designed for them, though they burned them both. The inhabitants had some forts for the security of their women and children, extending about ten miles on the river, and too many men would stay in them to take care of them ; but, after collecting about three hundred of the most spirited of them, including Captain Hewitt's company, I held a council with the officers, who all agreed that it was best to attack the enemy before they got any farther. We accordingly marched, found their situation, formed a front of the same extension of the enemy's, and attacked from right to left at the same time. Our men stood the fire well for three or four shots, till some part of the enemy gave way; but, unfortunately for us, through some mistake, the word retreat was understood from some officer on the left, which took so quick that it was not in the power of the officers to form them again, though I believe, if they had stood three minutes longer, the enemy would have been beaten. The
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EDMUND GRIFFIN BUTLER.
utmost pains were taken by the officers, who mostly fell. A lieutenant-colonel, a major, and five captains, who were in com- mission in the militia, all fell. Colonel Durkee, and Captains Hewitt and Ransom, were likewise killed. In the whole, about two hundred men lost their lives in the action on our side. What number of the enemy were killed is yet uncertain, though I believe a very considerable number. The loss of these men so intimidated the inhabitants that they gave up the matter of fight- ing. Great numbers ran off, and others would comply with the terms that I had refused. The enemy sent flags frequently ; the terms you will see in the inclosed letter. They repeatedly said they had nothing to do with any but the inhabitants, and did not want to treat with me. Colonel Denison, by desire of the inhabitants, went and complied, which made it necessary for me and the little remains of Captain Hewitt's company to leave the place. Indeed, it was determined by the enemy to spare the inhabitants after the agreement, and that myself and the few Continental soldiers should be delivered up to the savages ; upon which I left the place, and came away, scarcely able to move, as I have had no rest since I left Yorktown. It has not been in my power to find a horse or man to wait on the Board till now. I must submit to the Board what must be the next step. The little remains of Hewitt's company, which are about fifteen, are gone to Shamokin, and Captain Spaulding's company, I have heard, are on the Delaware. Several hundred of the inhabitants are strolling in the country destitute of provisions, who have large fields of grain and other necessaries of life at Westmore- land. In short, if the inhabitants can go back, there may yet be secured double the quantity of provisions to support themselves, otherwise they must be beggars, and a burden to the world.
" I have heard from men that came from the place since the people gave up that the Indians have killed no persons since, but have burned most of the buildings, and are collecting all the horses they can, and are moving up the river. They likewise say the enemy were eight hundred, one half white men. I should be glad that, if possible, there might be a sufficient guard sent for the defense of the place, which will be the means of sav- ing thousands from poverty, but must submit to the wisdom of
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Congress. I desire further orders from the honorable Board of War with respect to myself and the soldiers under my direction.
" I have the honor to be your honor's most obedient humble servant.
" ZEBULON BUTLER."
On July 4 Colonel Denison entered into a capitulation with Colonel John Butler to surrender the fort on condition that the lives of the survivors should be preserved, and not further molested in person or property. These conditions were solemnly agreed to, but were most disgracefully violated. As the Indians marched in they commenced an indiscriminate plunder. Butler was appealed to, but replied that he could not control them, walked out, and left them to finish their work in their own way. Find- ing themselves still at the mercy of the Indians, the inhabitants fled to the nearest settlement, towards the Delaware, about fifty miles distant, through a dense wilderness and over rugged mountains. Their flight was a scene of widespread and harrow- ing sorrow. Their dispersion being in an hour of the wildest terror, the people were scattered, singly, in pairs, and in larger groups, as chance separated or threw them together in that sad hour of peril and distress. Let the mind picture to itself a single group, flying from the valley to the mountains on the east and climbing the steep ascent-hurrying onward and filled with terror, despair, and sorrow; the affrighted mother whose hus- band has fallen-an infant on her bosom-a child by the hand- an aged parent slowly climbing the rugged steep behind them. Hunger presses them severely. In the rustling of every leaf, they hear the approaching savage ; a deep and dreary wilderness before them-the valley all in flames behind-their dwellings and harvests all swept away in this spring flood of ruin-the star of hope quenched in this blood-shower of savage vengeance. There is no work of fancy in a sketch like this. Indeed, it can- not approach the reality. There were in one of these groups that crossed the mountain-those of them that did not perish by the way-one hundred women and children, and but a single man to aid, direct, and protect them. Their sufferings for food were intense. One of the surviving officers of the battle, who escaped by swimming the river, crossed the mountain in advance of many of the fugitives, and was active in meeting them with
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supplies. "The first we saw on emerging from the mountains," said a Mrs. Cooper, "was Mr. Hollenback riding full speed from the German settlement with bread! and O! it was needed; we had saved nothing, and were near perishing; my husband had laid his mouth to the earth to lick up a little meal scattered by some one more fortunate." After their departure, the savage tories and red men laid waste the town of Wilkes-Barre and most of the houses in the valley, plundering or destroying all the property they could find. They then drove the cattle and horses to Niagara. They had fully satiated their thirst for blood -desolation was completed-vengeance was gorged-nature . mourned over the dismal scene.
Colonel Zebulon Butler left Gnadenhutten and proceeded to Stroudsburg, where he met the returning Wyoming troops and a few of those who had escaped on the day of the unfortunate battle. In August he was ordered to return with such force as he could collect and take possession of Wyoming valley. On his arrival he found a few Indians, who were collecting the cattle that the main body had left. They fled precipitately without their plunder. Colonel Butler erected a new fort at Wilkes-Barre, and established a well-regulated garrison, which he commanded until the winter of 1780, keeping the tories and savages at bay, not risking a general action, but killing them off in detail by scouting parties of sharp-shooters whenever they approached the settlement. The expedition of General Sullivan in 1779 paralyzed the Indian power upon the Susquehanna, and restored a good degree of confidence in the inhabitants. In December, 1780, Colonel Butler was ordered to join the continental army, and left Captain Alexander Mitchell in command of the fort. After serving his country faithfully to the close of the war of independ- ence, the colonel returned to the vale of Wyoming to enjoy the fruits of his perilous toils and the gratitude of the inhabitants whom he had nobly aided and protected. In January, 1774, an act was passed by the General Assembly of Connecticut enacting all the territory within her charter limits from the river Delaware to a line fifteen miles west of the Susquehanna into a town, with . all the corporate powers of other towns in the colony, to be called Westmoreland, attaching it to the county of Litchfield,
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Connecticut. This town was about seventy miles square. Zebu- lon Butler was, on March 1, 1774, chosen moderator of the first town meeting, and also town treasurer. In November, 1776, the town was incorporated into a county, called Westmoreland, and Zebulon Butler was appointed a justice of the peace, as he had been one in the town. He was also a member of the Connecti- cut General Assembly from Westmoreland in the years 1774, 1775, and 1776. On August 30, 1787, after the establishment of Luzerne county, he received from the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania the honorable appointment of lieutenant of the county, which he held until the office was abrogated by the new constitution of 1790. The act of assembly forming Luzerne county named Mr. Butler one of the trustees to locate and erect a court house and jail. John Butler, the grandfather of Zebulon Butler, and probably his son, Jolin Butler, Zebulon's father, were natives of Ipswich, Suffolk county, England. John Butler, the elder, was born in 1653, and died March 26, 1733. He married Catharine, daughter of Richard Houghton, of New London. John Butler, the younger, married Hannah Perkins. Thomas Butler was the brother of John Butler, the elder, and was the grandfather of Colonel John Butler, the tory leader in the battle of Wyoming. The brothers, John and Thomas Butler, were residents of New London in 1682. Walter, son of Thomas Butler, received a military appointment in the Mohawk country, and in 1728 was promoted to the captaincy of the " Forts," and in 1742 his family removed from New London to join him. Captain Butler was the ancestor of Colonels John and Walter Butler, who were associated with the Johnsons as royalists.
Zebulon Butler was thrice married. First, to Anna Lord, December 23, 1760. The fruits of this union were three child- ren-Zebulon Butler, who died in infancy ; Lord Butler; and Hannah, consort of Roswell Welles, a lawyer of handsome talents and attainments. The second wife of Colonel Butler was Lydia, daughter of Rev. Jacob Johnson, the first gospel minister of Wyoming. Their union was brief, and a son, the late Captain Zebulon Butler, was their only child. While on duty at West Point near the close of the war, Colonel Butler married his third wife, Phebe Haight. They had three children-the late Steuben
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Butler, of Wilkes-Barre; Lydia, who intermarried with George Griffin, who was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county in I Soo, and who was for many years afterwards a leading lawyer in the city of New York. The late Rev. Edmund Griffin, whose ac- curate and extensive learning and brilliant talents gave promise of unusual usefulness and fame, and whose early death was so deeply lamented, was the son of George Griffin. Ann, who married John Robison, was the third child. Their only daughter married the late Hendrick B. Wright. Dearly beloved by his immediate friends, esteemed by all who knew him, the waning years of Colonel Butler were crowned with the most refined comforts of social and domestic life. He glided down the stream of time smoothly and calmly, and on July 28, 1795, he fell asleep in the arms of his Lord and Master, deeply mourned and sin- cerely lamented. His career closed as brightly as it had been glorious and useful. He was an amiable companion, a virtuous citizen, a consistent Christian, a brave, noble, worthy, honest man.
Lord Butler, eldest son of Zebulon Butler, that survived to manhood, was born at Lyme, Conn., February 28, 1770. Charles Miner, in his " History of Wyoming," says : " Lord Butler was but a youth in the time of the Revolution ; yet he was some time in camp with his father. I mention this because associating them with officers of rank had doubtless an influence on his manners in after life. He was tall-more than six feet, straight as an arrow; his countenance manly, with bold Roman features ; his manners grave and dignified. Courteous he was, but it was the courtesy of a gentleman who felt the dignity of his own charac- ter; lofty and reserved to those who loved him not-no one approached him with a joke or a slap on the shoulder. A man of active business habits ; he wrote a bold, free, and excellent hand, and his accounts and affairs were always in the strictest order. He rode admirably, and appeared extremely well on horseback-no one loved a nobler steed than he. An iron grey was his favorite. I have seen him an hundred times on horse- back, and never indifferently mounted-never without a hand- some riding whip-never without gloves. These trifles will give you a better idea of the man-his appearance and habits-than
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