History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 11

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Here was outspoken patriotism and considerate diplomacy, offering an olive branch to their brethren of Pennsylvania, and unfurling the flag of defiance at King George. " Willing to make any accommodations with ye Pennysylvania party," and this was said in good faith, and it is, pity it is, it was not in that spirit taken up by the respective authorities of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

In November, 1775, Pennsylvania sent an armed expedition against the towns of Judea and Charleston, colonies of Connecticut people on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, and destroyed them, and then menaced the Westmoreland people.

November 4, congress, on being advised of the attacks on Judea and Charleston, and the threatened attack on the people of Westmoreland town, passed the following resolutions:

" The congress, considering that the most perfect union between all the colonies, is essentially necessary for the just rights of North America, and being apprehen- sive that there is great danger of hostilities being commenced at or near Wyoming, between the inhabitants of the colony of Pennsylvania, and those of Connecticut,

" Resolved, That the assemblies of said colonies be requested to take the most speedy and effectual steps to prevent such hostilities."

" Ordered, That Mr. Mckean and Mr. Deane wait upon the honorable house of assembly of Pennsylvania, now sitting, with a copy of the above resolutions."

" Ordered, That a copy of the said resolutions be transmitted by express to the magistrates and people of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, on the waters of the Susquehanna."

The action of congress was wholly unheeded by John Penn, the then governor of Pennsylvania, and equally reckless was he of the appalling fact that the whole country was in fact at war with the mother empire-the Revolution was on - when every one must stand shoulder to shoulder, brother to brother. This Penn can hardly go into our history as the worthy representative of his illustrious grandfather.

In the dead of winter, Col. Plunkett, who had just returned from his triumphant expedition against the West Branch settlers, was fitted out, as usual under authority of the civil officers, with an army of 700 men, with cannon to proceed against the people of the town of Westmoreland. The middle of December (an unusual circum- stance, the river was free of ice), he set out in boats laden with men and stores to land near Wilkes-Barre, where the work of destruction was cruelly going on. There was cunning in the time chosen - committing the houses to flames, and stripped of worldly possessions - the people driven out of the country to make the exodus through the wilderness where many, mayhap all, would perish.

Plunkett started on this unholy crusade with 700 men, nearly double the number all told, of the able-bodied men then here. The settlers had sent couriers to con- gress, to Philadelphia and to Connecticut, and at the same time made every possible effort to protect themselves. There were 285 of the settlers who had taken the "Freeman's oath,"-this included the old. decrepit and sick, as well as several who were known to be little else than spies on the Connecticut people.

December 20 the invading army arrived at the mouth of Nescopeck creek, and by this time considerable ice was running in the river, impeding their progress. That same day congress by resolution enacted:

"The congress taking into consideration the dispute between the people of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, on the waters of the Susquehanna, came to the follow- ing resolution:

"WHEREAS, A dispute subsists between some of the inhabitants of the colony of Connecticut, settled under the claim of the said colony on land near Wyoming. on the Susquehanna river, and in the Delaware country, and the inhabitants settled under the claim of the proprietors of Pennsylvania, which dispute it is apprehended will, if not suspended during the present troubles in the colonies, be productive of per-

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

nicious consequences, which may be very prejudicial to the common interest of the United Colonies; therefore

" Resolved, That it is the opinion of this congress, and it is accordingly recom- mended, that the contending parties immediately cease all hostilities, and avoid every appearance of force until the dispute can be legally decided. That all property taken and detained be immediately restored to the original owners; that no interruption be given to either party, to the free passing and repassing of per- sons behaving themselves peaceably, through the disputed territory, as well by land as by water, without molestation of either persons or property; that all persons seized and detained on account of said dispute on either side, be dismissed and per- mitted to go to their respective homes, and that things being put in the same situa- tion they were before the late unhappy contest, they continue to behave themselves peaceably on their respective possessions and improvements, until a legal decision can be had on said dispute, or this congress shall take further order thereon, and nothing herein done shall be construed in prejudice of the claim of either party."

But this action too was as idle as the wind to the invaders. They pushed the expedition, and on the 24th the advance guard of Plunkett came upon the picket guards of Butler's command. The latter had rallied in all 300 men, and having not enough guns for each man, several men appeared with scythes fastened to poles. Col. Butler had taken a position at the mouth of Harvey creek below Wilkes-Barre on the west side of the river. It was well chosen, and when Plunkett's force came up they were halted, and Butler's men fired over their heads. The invaders saw they could not storm the position, and retired and attempted to send a boat load across the river to flank Butler, but this had been anticipated, and when nearly across they were fired on by Capt. Stewart's squad, when they turned the boat down stream and fled precipitately. This day's fighting resulted in the wound- ing of a man and a dog in the boat.

The next day Plunkett again advanced to the attack, and heavy firing com- menced. A party was sent up, concealed along the mountain side, to turn Butler's flank, but this was anticipated and repulsed. More or less firing went on all day- several were wounded on both sides. A son of Surveyor-general Lukens was killed. Col. Plunkett retreated on Christmas day.

At this point in the melancholy story we are met with the doubly strange action of the Connecticut authorities; a resolution to prevent any addition being made to the Susquehanna settlement, unless under their "special license." Just at this time, when the settlers were being threatened by the wild savages on one side and invasion and war from the Pennsylvania authorities on the other-a time above all others when they needed every possible aid from the mother colony, this was a most cruel and unexpected blow, and from the least expected source.

The repulse of Plunkett closed the year 1775, and from that source no further invasion was expected that season. Alarms, however, from the Indians at the north were serious. Through the action of the leading men of the town the Indians were induced to come to Wilkes-Barre in September, 1776, to hold a council, in which the Indian, Capt. John, represented the savages and Col. Butler the colony. Capt. John made quite a speech, which if correctly interpreted was filled with the affectionate term of "brother " in nearly every sentence, and friendship was effusively expressed. The Indians wanted peace and brotherhood with the settlers; asked that they have a "fire place" here and a great council, and "wampus " and "calumets " galore. The white man very properly suspected these over-friendly pro- fessions; and as time proved it was merely the savage cunning to get their warriors among the people and when disarmed, murder them at will. This all increased the fears and dread of the people. October following three chiefs from the Six Nations at Onondaga arrived and brought a "talk" from the "great head." This was more of their hypocritical pretensions of brotherly love and another plea for a great

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

" fire-place " at Wyoming. They complained that in a cow trade with a white man a certain Indian had been cheated, and demanded restitution, and also wanted flour given them to take home to their hungry people.

Col. Butler promptly sent word to Roger Sherman of the dangers threatening, and asked for arms to place in the hands of the people for defense against inva- sions.

Soon reports arrived giving information that the British under Col. John Butler (his command being mostly Canadians and Indians) was at Oswego, and now the people were convinced the savages were in alliance with the British, and were join- ing Burgoyne.

The town of Westmoreland extended north to the State line following up the Susquehanna river, and in the neighborhood of Tioga Point (Athens) were the strong Indian settlements of Newtown, Oquaga, Sheshequin, Chenango, Owego, and Choconut. From these points they could quickly float in their canoes to Wilkes-Barre.

Chapman, in his history, estimates in round numbers there were 5,000 settlers in Westmoreland at this time. Hon. Charles Miner corrects this statement and from the records shows that the approximate number was 430 able-bodied men, or a total of 2,580 population.

The patriotic vigilance of the settlers is given in the proceedings of a town meeting of Westmoreland, March 10, 1776:

" Voted, That the first man that shall make fifty weight of good salt-petre in this town shall be entitled to a bounty of £10, lawful money, to be paid out of the town treasury."

" Voted, That the selectmen be directed to dispose of the grain now in the hands of the treasurer or collector, in such way as to obtain powder and lead to the value of £40, lawful money, if they can do the same."

The continental congress having recommended the appointment of committees of vigilance in every town, and the arrest of persons hostile to the cause of liberty, a committee of inspection was established, a measure that became the more press- ingly necessary, as, with the breaking out of the war, and the prohibition on the part of Connecticut of any further emigration to Wyoming, there had come in strange families of interlopers from Minnisink, from West Chester, New York, from Kinderhook, and the Mohawk, neither connected with Pennsylvania nor Connecti- cut, between whom and the old settlers there was neither sympathy in feeling nor community of interests-Wintermoots, Vangorders, and Von-Alstines. A path of communication was opened by the disaffected between New York and Niagara, to strike the Susquehanna twenty miles above Wilkes-Barre. Some of those new and un welcome settlers soon made their sentiments known, and disclosed their hostility to the American cause, while others for the time remained quiet, though subsequent events showed the purpose of their emigration to the Susquehanna.

John Jenkins, Sr., and Capt. Solomon Strong were chosen members of the legislature to attend at Hartford, with instructions to request the assembly. to demand of Pennsylvannia £4,000 for losses sustained by invasions and property destroyed. The people took steps to build forts. The general assembly of Con- necticut had to raise and organize the Twenty-fourth regiment of Connecticut militia at Westmoreland.

The Wintermoots (suspected people) had purchased and had erected a fort near the head of the valley (Pittston). To counteract this the settlers built a fort above this near the Jennings and Harding families. Forty fort was strengthened and sites for forts at Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, Hanover and Plymouth were arranged.

July 4, 1776, now dawned upon the world. The memorable day in history, ushering in the transcendant event in the great movements of mankind. Liberty, blessed liberty to man, stepped forth, robed in purity, and on either side supporting

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

her were the stern, strong knights of the plow and the axe, across whose broad shoulders were slung the long, block match-lock rifles; in homespun and buckskin, with moccasin and bare feet these sublime heroes had just emerged from the severest school of hard fate, unkempt and unmindful of exterior appearances, they came together silent and resolved, carrying their lives and sacred honor in their hands and flinging them all, all on the altar of liberty. Independence was declared! From Maine to southernmost Florida war was aflame. Its horrors were everywhere in the land, but far more intensely in this lone frontier settlement, that was worse than isolated and unprotected. It was menaced by double dangers on every side, and even within the household were traitors to the sacred cause.

In November following Cols. Butler and Denison representatives returned from New Haven bringing the good news that the town had been made the county of Westmoreland. Jonathan Fitch was made high sheriff.

During the summer Obadiah Gore, Jr., was commissioned lieutenant and recruited twenty men. About the same time Capt. Strong enlisted a squad of men-ten or twelve.

August 23, 1776, congress, at the urgent solicitation of Col. Butler, resolved to station two companies at Westmoreland for the defence of the inhabitants. Robert Durkee and Samuel Ransom were elected captains in these companies; James Welles and Perrin Ross, first lieutenants; Asahel Buck and Simon Spalding, second lieutenants; Herman Swift and Mathias Hollenback, ensigns. These com- panies when raised were stationed one on the east and one on the west side of the river.

In the early winter Gen. Howe had captured New York, the battle of White Plains had been fought; Washington was retreating with his little army of 3,000 men, hungry and nearly naked, through the Jerseys. "The commander-in-chief," says Marshall, " found himself at the head of a small force, less than 3.000, dis- pirited by their losses and fatigues, retreating almost naked and barefoot in the cold November and December, before a numerous and well-appointed and victorious enemy, through a desponding country much more disposed to obtain safety by sub- mission than to seek it by manly resistance."

On December 8 Gen. Washington crossed the Delaware, and congress immedi- ately took measures to retire from Philadelphia to Baltimore. At this moment of peril, they " Resolved, December 12, that the two companies raised in the town of Westmoreland, be ordered to join Gen. Washington, with all possible expedition." And the very same day adjourned to meet on the 20th, at Baltimore.

Promptly obeying the order, the two companies hastened their march, and before the close of the month and year were with the lines, under the command of their beloved Washington.

The people fully knew the dangerous sacrifice they were making, but not a moment faltered. This action of the patriots stands out prominently in the history of that long and terrible struggle. It was pledged to these men that as soon as conditions in the south should be relieved they would be allowed to return to the protection of their families. It is needless to say this promise was not kept. The imperative necessities of the army of Washington made it impossible, horrid as was the impending alternative.

The people proceeded in the work of organizing every possible safeguard as well. as the work of perfecting the machinery for the new county of Montgomery. Great jealousy between the east and west side of the river had long existed, and the ques- tion of locating the county buildings now arose in renewed intensity. After a warm contention Wilkes-Barre was chosen as the county seat-the chief rival had been Kingston-settled by the Connecticut authorities through appointed commissioners.

Every hour brought additional evidence that there were secret enemies in their midst-Pennites, some of them, who had come and purchased Connecticut claims.

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HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

One, Adonijah Stansbury, had purchased Chapman's mill and he soon developed into an enemy in disguise. Col. Butler and Maj. Judd were appointed a committee to investigate him. He was prosecuted and finally persecuted until he was com- pelled to sell his mill and leave the settlement. During the summer the people · worked on the forts by detachments. The one in Wilkes-Barre occupied what is now the courthouse square. A system of scouts were sent regularly up the river to keep watch of the movements of the Indians. Lieut. John Jenkins in command of a scouting party extended his trip to Wyalusing, where he was taken prisoner by a band of Indians and tories. Three of his men were taken with him: Mr. York, Lemuel Fitch and old man Fitzgerald. All except Fitzgerald were taken to Canada. Jenkins was exchanged for an Indian chief and sent to Albany. These were the first prisoners taken from Westmoreland. Other scouting parties were constantly sent up the river. As about all the able young men were in the continental army they consisted mostly of old men and called themselves "Reformados." Capt. William Hooker Smith, a physician, commanded the one from Wilkes-Barre.

The two companies sent to Gen. Washington were for the first time under fire January 27, 1777, at the battle of Millstone. Durkee's and Ransom's "Independ- ent companies " were under Gen. Dickinson and met a detachment of Lord Corn- wallis' men and gained a splendid victory. The companies were at Bound Brook, Brandywine, Germantown and Mud fort. Constant Matthewson, of Spalding's company, was killed by a cannon ball at Mud fort. Two brothers, Sawyers, died of camp disease, Spencer and Gaylord died and Porter was killed.

Connecticut sent out a heavy tax levy on Westmoreland county for the year 1777 -" 2 shillings on the pound." In the face of this is the proceedings of a town meeting, December 30, 1777:

" Voted, By this town that the committee of inspection be empowered to supply the sogers' wives and the sogers' widows and their families with the necessaries of life."

In June, 1778, Gov. Trumbull appointed the following a committee to keep the peace in Westmoreland county: Nathan Denison, Christopher Avery, Obadiah Gore, Zera Beach, Zebulon Butler, William McKarrican, Asaph Whittlesey, Uriah Chapman, Anderson Dana, Ebenezer Marcy, Stephen Harding, John Franklin 2d, Joseph Hambleton and William Judd.

Through the vigilance of this committee congress was kept closely advised of affairs on the headquarters of the Susquehanna. Indications strongly pointed to an invasion from the north. Congress again interposed and adopted the following:

March 17, 1778, "Resolved, That one full company of foot be raised in the town of Westmoreland, on the east bank of the Susquehanna, for the defence of the said town, and the settlement on the frontiers, and in the neighborhood thereof, against the Indians and the enemies of these States; the said company to be enlisted to serve one year from the time of their enlisting, unless sooner discharged by congress."

A scouting party was near Tunkhannock when a man named William Crooks approached the door of a house that had been occupied by John Secord, a tory, when he was shot dead by Indians within. A skirmish occurred about four miles below Tunkhannock and Joel Phelps and Minor Robbins were wounded. Robbins died the next day. Phelps recovered.

These ominous happenings were in May, and every day the arrogant demands of the Indian beggars and prowlers became more marked. All at once the scattered Indians in this section were recalled and their squaws came down the river, ostensi- bly begging, but as the people well knew to spy the condition of the settlers.

The people now became almost frantic, and appeals were sent by wives and mothers to their husbands and sons to hurry back and protect them from the impend- ing massacre. But congress and the authorities held these men firmly and were apparently deaf to the piteous appeals. 6

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

June 23, only a week before the arrival of the Canadian army, congress resolved to consolidate Ransom's and Durkee's companies, as some had from sickness and other canses* returned, there was at that time only about sixty men left to the com- pany. Of this new company Simon Spalding was made captain and Timothy Pierce and Phineas Pierce lieutenants. They were permitted finally to march to the relief of their families, but as will be seen, too late to ward off the impending thunderbolt.

The enemy was concentrating at Newton (Elmira) and Tioga Point (Athens). The latter was in Montgomery county, and here they were preparing their canoes to descend upon the helpless settlers.

Two deserters from the British army, Pike and Boyd, had taken refuge in the valley. They were loyal to the Connecticut people and the latter was useful in drill- ing raw recruits.

The settlers fled from their homes to the fort. The militia companies were called out and every possible preparation made. The only cannon was in the Wilkes-Barre fort; having no balls it was used as an alarm gun.

Hon. Charles Miner estimates the invading army as about 400 of Butler's Rang- ers; a detachment of the Royal Greens, and several Pennsylvania tories, with 600 or 700 Indians. Butler, however, in his official report, says he had, all told, 500 men. They descended in their boats to the mouth of Bowman's creek, where the river makes a great bend, and by marching across this peninsula they traveled about twenty miles to the western mountains, reaching that place June 29. At Fort Jenkins, a mile above Wintermoot, the uppermost fort, there were the families of John Jenkins, the Hardings and Gardiners. Not aware of the close presence of the enemy, on the morning of the 30th Benjamin Harding, Stukely Harding, John Harding, James Hadsell, James Hadsell Jr., Daniel Waller, John Gardiner and Daniel Carr, had taken their arms and gone up to Exeter to their work-three miles. Late in the afternoon they were attacked in the field. Waller, Gardiner and Carr were taken prisoners; James Hadsell and his sons James and Benjamin and Stukely Harding were killed. John Harding, a lad, jumped into the water and hid under the willows, merely keeping his lips above water, where he heard the dying groans of his friends near by. The Indians searched carefully for him, but did not find him. This was the opening skirmish of the coming battle.

Col. Zebulon Butler by common assent assumed command of the Connecticut people. By a mere chance he was here on a furlough from the continental army, and had this man's counsel prevailed there is little doubt that this sad chapter in his- tory would have been differently written. July 1 he sent Col. Denison and Lieut. - Col. Dorrance with all his force to Exeter to the scene of the preceding day's tragedy. They found two Indians standing guard over the scalped and mutilated bodies of their victims. These were shot dead-one where he sat and other as he was in the river, fleeing to get away. Col. Zebulon Butler's force buried the dead at Fort Jenkins (now West Pittston), and returned to Forty fort. The invading army then came down and took possession of Fort Wintermoot. The Wintermoots received the invad- ers kindly and even to the extent that one Daniel Ingersoll, who was in the fort as the enemy approached. began to make preparations to resist, when he was made a prisoner by the tory Wintermoots. That evening a detachment was sent and capt- ured Fort Jenkins; it originally had but seventeen old men to defend it. Four were slain, three captured and the garrison capitulated.

Early the next morning the prisoner, Ingersoll, under an escort, was sent to Forty fort to demand a surrender, not only of the fort, but of Montgomery camp. On the morning of Friday, July 3, Mr. Ingersoll was again sent, with two guides, a white man and an Indian. This was supposed a ruse on the part of the enemy to spy the

*The truth is that when Ransom and Durkee resigned in order to get home, there were twenty-five or thirty of the men who resolved they would, whether or no. also come to their families, and so they did. It was this cir- cumstance that brought on the immediate consolidation of the two companies under Capt. Spalding. Grim necessity, it may be seen, caused in certain cases a laxness in military discipline unknown now in armles.

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

condition of the defenders, under the mere pretense of demanding a surrender of all the forts and property.

Col. Zebulon Butler immediately called a council of war; the question considered was whether to parley for delay in the hope that Spalding and his men would come, or whether to march out and attack the enemy whenever found. Butler, Denison and Dorrance favored delay; but others, led by Stewart, hotly favored going to meet the enemy at once. The latter argued that the invaders would cross at Pittston and capture the fort, in spite of Capt. Blanchard, and murder the inhabitants; that there was no certainty when Spalding would arrive; two forts had already surrendered and the murder of the Hardings was the bloody token of the enemy's intentions. There are many versions of this part of the unfortunate affair. All, however, seem to agree that Stewart was the wild and unreasonable leader of the motion to go out and attack. The command of the Hanover company had been turned over to him. Pennsylvania at that time was offering a reward for his arrest. The fort was bountifully supplied with whisky, and while it was certain that Capt. Spalding with his command was force- marching to reach them and would certainly arrive within forty-eight hours, yet the better counsels of Butler and all the most prominent men were fatally overruled. Some have laid most of the blame on Stewart, but it is enough answer to all this that he gave his life a sacrifice to his judgments. He was killed at the head of his column. It is easy enough now to criticize the act, so it is of almost anything past. They were brave men, and patriots all; if there was any mistake, it was one not of cowards, but of patriots ready to seal their faith with their hearts' blood. The minority with extreme reluctance yielded to the majority. There were in the fort six irregular companies, mostly raw recruits and many of them old men-the following being the different commands:

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 11

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.) Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1532

Author: Bradsby, H. C. (Henry C.)
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1532