History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 42

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

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som brought to Wilkes-Barre one of the wagons as a trophy. The property capt- ured was divided among the soldiers and amounted to about $4. each. The two independent companies during the following summer suffered much from sickness. Colton, Worden, Austin and James Smith had returned or were on a furlough. The companies were at Brandywine and Germantown and the bombardment of Mud fort, and then stationed at Woodbury, and a portion of them on detached duty, and exposed to the enemy's hottest fire, where Constant Matthewson, of Ransom's command, was killed. They wintered at Valley Forge. The news now began to reach them of the threatened invasion, and some of the men came home, some of the officers resigned, and the two companies were consolidated and placed under Capt. Simon Spalding.

Young Ransom remained with Capt. Spalding, and without the saying, one can well imagine what a heavy heart he had when he bade his father good-by, as-he was about to return to his home and the defence of his fireside. They were their last words together on earth. Capt. Samuel Ransom was but forty-one years of age when his noble life was the bloody sacrifice upon the sacred altars of home and liberty. Capts. Ransom and Durkee live forever! Linked together in immortality, as in life in the service of your fellow-man, your chivalry and endurance were not in vain!

Capt. Spalding's company, with whom was Private Ransom, was on the day of the battle, July 3, at Merwine's, and met the flying inhabitants, and in August, under Col. Butler, marched into Wilkes-Barre. Ransom was present for duty and served in all of Gen. Sullivan's expeditions, and was in the battle of Newtown.

The gallant young soldier was taken prisoner by the British in December, 1780. An old man named Harvey, and Bullock, Frisby. Cady and Elisha Harvey were taken at the same time. From a diary kept by the young man it is learned that he was taken in February, 1781, to Canada, forty-five miles above Montreal, on the St. Lawrence, on an island, where were 166 Americans, guarded by tories. All were subjected to the most crnel and brutal treatment; scourged, flogged, starved and exposed to the bitterest weather, without bedding and sufficient clothing. He then says:

"We remained here till the 9th day of June, when myself and two others, James Butterfield and John Brown, made our escape from the island and laid our course for Lake Champlain. The 11th, at noon, we came to the lake, and three days after we got to a settlement at Hubbertston, Vt .- the next day to Castleton, to a fort-from that to Pultney, where I had an uncle living. My companions went on to Albany, and there proclaimed the cruelty of the Scotch officer. It was published in the papers; a flag was dispatched to remonstrate against such abuse of our men, and we had the pleasure to hear, not long after, that MacCalpin was tried and broke, the prisoners being called as witnesses against him.

"After visiting his relations at Canaan, Conn., of which he was a native, Mr. Ran- som returned to Wyoming, and soon after joined his company, attached to Col. Butler's regiment, stationed at West Point, where he remained till honorably dis- charged, at the close of the war.

"From that time to this (1845) Mr. Ransom resided at Plymouth, upon the beautiful Shawnee flats, perhaps the richest portion of Wyoming. He was called by the votes of his fellow-citizens to command the regiment, which his knowledge of mili- tary tactics well fitted him to maneuver and discipline. Having served his country during the dark hours of the Revolutionary contest long and faithfully, unambitious of office, he lived respected and beloved. Hardships endured while in the service, combined with age, affected his limbs, so that he helped himself along with two short staves or crutches.

He was strongly made, broad chested, and active in early life. He sprang quickly and he moved fast who got ahead of him then. His life and cheerfulness in the most gloomy hour diffused itself in good humor and spirit through the whole company.

John, M. Start

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The death of his father, the losses and sacrifices in the Revolutionary contest-for the savages and tories spared nothing of theirs when they swept the valley by fire and sword-left him poor at the close of the war, and imposed the necessity of con- stant industry. Children and grandchildren, among the most respectable in the valley, are living and growing up around him, and may be proud to claim descent from such ancestors. Without being wealthy, he was comfortable in his old age. No one taking a livelier pleasure in beholding the freedom and prosperity of his beloved country, the fruits of his father's and his own toils and sufferings. Rare indeed is the case presented of a son serving through the whole Revolutionary contest, and of his father serving several years and laying down his life in the same noble cause. Verily the services and the blood of the Ransoms have been a portion of that seed from which have sprung up the independence, freedom and prosperity which make happy our favored land."

To this account Mr. Miner added the following note:

"1845. Col. Ransom is still in the enjoyment of very tolerable health, except his lameness, though his age is eighty-two. A grandson, George Palmer Steele, has just closed his term of office as sheriff of Luzerne. Capt. Ransom, his father, was born in Canterbury. He and Capt. Durkee had both been in the old French war. Durkee, at the time of his death, was fifty, Capt. Ransom forty-one .. Col. Durkee, an older brother, who is frequently spoken of, 1769, and afterward as colonel of one of the Connecticut regiments, died at Norwich, more than forty years ago, and was buried with extraordinary display."

He died at his home in 1850, at the green old age of eighty-seven years.

Sergt. Thomas Williams .- Of the descendants of this border hero was the late Ezra Williams, of Plains; his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Stewart, was the mother of Mrs. George B. Kulp, of Wilkes-Barre. Robert Williams emigrated to this country from England in 1637 and located in Roxbury, Mass. Ezra's grand- father, Thaddeus Williams, removed to Wyoming valley from Connecticut at an early day; driven from here after the invasion in 1778, and his house and property destroyed. He afterward returned and settled in Wilkes-Barre. In 1790 he was a resident of Weston, Conn .; died April 11, 1796. His wife, Frances Williams, nee Case, of Hartford, Conn., died in August, 1815.

Thomas Williams, son of Thaddeus, was born in Fairfield county, Conn., Janu- ary 19, 1756. Fired by the love of liberty, participating with the patriotic spirits of that day, who were indignant at the encroachments of England upon the rights of America, he was among the first that joined the standard of his country at Wyoming when the recruiting banner was unfurled by order of the continental congress. Mr. Williams was in constant service till the end except when allowed to return on furlough (which was a frequent practice in the service), when a brother or friend took his place for a season. Thus at one time Mr. Williams' brother, Isaac, took his place for a month or two. The year of the massacre Isaac Williams and John Abbott were ambushed by the savages, and both murdered and scalped, near Mill creek. Isaac was only eighteen when he fell. He was fearless and active, ardent and patriotic. It is impossible, even at this late day, to think of his melan- choly fate without the most painful emotions. He fell in the bloom of youth, in the dream of a most promising manhood. But these were times of great trial and suf- fering. The deprivation of those nearest and dearest was a source of ordinary affliction. It was the common lot. In March, 1779, the spring after the battle, a large body of Indians came down on the Wyoming settlements. So broken were our people by that fatal invasion that they were few in number, weak and illy pre- pared for defence, although a body of troops was stationed in the valley for protec- tion. The savages were estimated to exceed 400 men. They scattered abroad over the settlement, murdering, burning, taking prisoners, robbing houses and driving away cattle. After doing much injury they concentrated their forces to

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make an attack on the fort in Wilkes-Barre, situated on the river bank, just in front of the present residence of Hon. Stanley Woodward. Thaddeus Williams, father of Thomas Williams, occupied a house not far from where the late Judge Fell lived (near the corner of Northampton and Washington streets), and who for many years kept a public house. The Indians deemed it important to take this house before the attack on the fort should be made, and a detachment of twenty or thirty was sent for that purpose. It happened that Sergt. Williams was then at home. His father was unwell in bed. A lad, a younger brother of twelve or thirteen, was the only other male person with them, so that the task of defending the house fell entirely on Sergt. Williams. The odds were fear- fully against him, the chances of success or escape desperate, but the call of duty to defend his parents from the tender mercies of the savages was imperious. He had been out in the service, and was familiar with danger. Naturally brave, being young and ardent, he resolved to do his utmost, and he did his duty like a hero. There were three guns in the house, all charged. The lad was directed as he fired to reload the pieces as well as he could, which the little fellow faithfully did. The enemy rushed up to the door, but it was barricaded, so that they could not force it open. Sergt. Williams, aiming through the logs, fired, and one of the enemy fell, when they fled, with a hideous yell, dragging away the wounded Indian. But, rallying again, they rushed up, surrounded the house, and several found places through which to fire. The sick father received by a ball a severe wound in the side, but Sergt. Williams was not idle. He fired several times, was certain of bring- ing another down, and thought a third, when the party again retreated. The next time they came on with brands of fire, and the fate of the besieged seemed almost certainly sealed, but Mr. Williams, getting sight of the savage who had the brand, took deliberate aim and fired. The savage fell, and his companions, dragging him away, with terrible yells, withdrew, and Williams was victorious. There is no doubt that the lives of his parents and the whole family were preserved by his courage and spirit. It was a glorious affair, and reflects on Mr. Williams the highest honor. How many he slew could not be known, as the Indians make it a point to carry off their dead, if possible. After the savages retired from Wyoming, Mr. Williams rejoined his company, and continued in the service till the close of the war. Thus, in the Revolutionary contest, the father was wounded, a brother was slain, and Mr. Williams himself served in the regular army for several years, besides defending the house against a formidable attack.

Thomas Williams married, in 1782, Elizabeth Robertson, of Bethel, Conn. He lived at Danbury, Conn., until the spring of 1790, when he removed again to Wyom- ing, living until his death in the present township of Plains, rearing a family of six sons and four daughters, of whom Ezra was the third son. The following obituary notice is from the Republican Farmer and Democratic Journal of November 20, 1839: "Died, at his residence in the township of Wilkes-Barre (now Plains), on November 12, 1839, Thomas Williams, one of the oldest and most respectable inhab- itants of the valley. The whole life of Mr. Williams has been an eminent example of industry, sobriety, usefulness and patriotism worthy to be followed by all. He bore an honorable part in the Revolutionary struggle, and to the end of his life has manifested a live devotion to the cause of liberty, to which he devoted the prime of his days. He has reared a numerous and respectable family, who are justly esteemed for their intelligence and excellent moral character, and who on all occa- sions have shown an ardent zeal in support of the principles for which their father fought. He rests with his compatriots who have gone before him, whose memories are embalmed in the hearts of freemen."

Ezra Williams was a native of Luzerne county, where he was born September 24, 1791. He died September 21, 1844. He married in February, 1818, Mary Black, daughter of Henry Black, of Bucks county. The maiden uame of Mrs. Black

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was Catharine Schattenger. Mrs. Williams was born February 27, 1792, and died July 10, 1869.

The Dana Family .- Pre-eminent among the many noble and patriotic people of Luzerne the name is immortally linked with that of Wyoming. Here was a race of men and women that would have ennobled itself in any place or time by its imper- ishable works; to-day but few are better known throughout the land.

Anderson Dana, Sr., was from Ashford, Windham county, Conn., a lawyer, the pioneer in the profession here, who, by his wise counsels, at once took a prominent place in the affairs of the people. A Puritan of the strictest sect, he was the strong friend and advocate of the church and school. He looked to the education of the young as of the first importance, and hardly had he cleared away the first trees around his cabin when he sent his eldest son, Daniel, to school at Lebanon to prepare for a regular col- lege course. He was sent by the people to the Connecticut assembly at Hartford, from which he hastened to his home at the threatened invasion, and at once mounted his horse and rode over the settlement, rousing the people to prepare for the impending attack. [Mrs. J. R. Coolbaugh, of Wilkes-Barre, one of the descendants, informs us that Mr. Miner is mistaken on this point; that he reached home after a long, hard ride from Hartford, only in time for a hasty repast, when he went to the battle-field in the line .- En.] By law exempt from military duty, as a citizen volun- teer he was the first in the bloody conflict where his noble life was a sacrifice to the great cause. With him, and who fell by his side, was his son-in-law, Stephen Whiton, the noble young schoolmaster who had been married but a short time.

The widowed mother and daughter, even in that awful moment, had no time for despair. Mrs. Dana, with a thoughtfulness unequaled, knowing that, as her hus- band was muchengaged in public life, his papers must be valuable, gathered up all she deemed most important, and, with her children, fled. Her husband's papers that she had hastily put in a pillowslip she carried on her back to Connecticut. Something of their value may now be known when it is told that these papers were the foundation title to much of the lands in the valley. These papers lost could never have been supplied, and the rightful owners of millions of dollars worth of these rich acres would have been cheated of their rights. Of these children was Anderson, a lad aged nine (thirteen?) all the male protector they had. The poor, distressed fugitives eventually found their way to their former Connecticut home, where Anderson was apprenticed and Daniel was in time sent to college, the women and children by their labors paying therefor. Daniel Dana became a lawyer, set- tled in New York and became one of the most eminent in the State.

Anderson Dana, 2d, completed his apprenticeship and returned to Luzerne to recover the patrimonial estate, and on the old homestead spent the remainder of his long and most honorable life. Prosperity, wealth and troops of friends were his. He made of the old Dana homestead one of the finest possessions in the county; the family mansion a landmark, and, in time, near the north line of the farm was the "Dana academy." Through this property was built the canal, and, in time, the railroad; the growth and spread of Wilkes-Barre made the broad acres in demand for building lots.

From his old family Bible, now in the possession or Mr. Clarence Porter Kid- der, of Wilkes-Barre, is taken the following as entered therein in the neat and exact hand of Mr. Anderson Dana:

"Anderson Dana, born August 11, 1765; married Sarah Stevens; their chil- dren: Amelia, Laura, Asa S. (father of Judge Edmund L. Dana), Sarah, Fran- cis, Louisa, Anderson, Eleazer, Sylvester, Mary and Charles.

" Mary married Lyman Church Kidder.

" Anderson Dana died June 24, 1851, aged eighty-six."

The son above named, Asa Stevens Anderson, was the father of Edmund L. Dana. The latter was born January 29, 1817, and spent his life here. He was a

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lawyer, and, while still a young man, rose to the head of his profession. He was made one of the judges of the common pleas court, succeeding Judge Henry M. Hoyt in 1867. For many years he was widely known throughout the country for the strength and legal acumen of his decisions, and the published reports were accepted by the bench and bar without question. He was married in 1842 with Sarah Peters, daughter of Ralph and granddaughter of Hon. Richard Peters, of Philadelphia.

Sylvester Dana was another of the children that the heroic mother carried across the "Shades of Death." He devoted his life to the ministry of his beloved church; was the pastor in charge in Concord, N. H.

Eleazer Dana was the youngest; became a lawyer and for many years practiced in Owego, N. Y.

Hon. Amasa Dana, of Ithaca, N. Y., a grandson, was in congress several terms during the forties.

The posthumous daughter of Stephen Whiton was born several months after the flight from Wyoming; was married with Capt. Hezekiah Parsons, who was, during a long life, one of the prominent and influential men of the county. An account of the Parsons family is given elsewhere, but it may be here mentioned as a curious fact following in the long results of that awful day at Wyoming that Mrs. Heze- kiah Parsons, even late in her old age, could never hear the report of firearms with- out being thrown into the most painful state of nervous excitement.

The Hardings .- "Remember the fate of the Hardings" was the inspiring cry of the patriots as they went out to battle on that historic day, July 3, 1778, and patriots died with these words on their lips, that will go ringing down the tide of history. "The fate of the Hardings " was a cruel one, indeed, but has left the oppressed of the world a watchword for all time and climes.

There were nine of the Hardings who were here, and early and active partici- pators in the struggles of the day: Abraham Harding, Capt. Stephen Harding, Israel Harding, Henry Harding, Oliver Harding, Benjamin Harding, Stukely Hard- ing and Stephen Harding, Jr. The last named, though at the time but a lad, was in some of the bloodiest of the many of those dark days. To this long list of the family Mr. Miner adds that of Elisha Harding, who lived here to an advanced age, and of whom he, over his new-made grave, used this expression: "One of the very few who were left among us who shared in the scenes and sufferings of Wyoming in the Revolutionary war, his departure creates a painful chasm, and compels the remark: 'A few years more and none will remain who can say: "I was there."

The Hardings came from Connecticut in 1770 and settled in old Exeter town- ship. The very women and babes of this family were sturdy pioneers and patriots. When the Wintermoots in the early times erected their fort, the Hardings and Jenkinses deemed it best to erect one near, but above it. Of the work upon this fort, Elisha Harding, who was then a lad of thirteen, born in Colchester, Conn., in 1763, and came with his family in 1770. Mr. Miner says:

. "Young Harding, then a boy too young to lift logs, had yet the true blood flow- ing in his veins; he could drive oxen; and he worked at the stockade with the spirit of youth and ardor of patriotism. This was in 1777. In November of that year John Jenkins, Jr., was taken prisoner by the Indians and carried to Niagara. A Mr. York and Lemuel Fitch were taken off at the same time. An old man named Fitzgerald was also made captive. The enemy placed him on a flax-brake and gave him his choice-to die, or renounce his whig principles and swear alle- giance to King George. The reply is worthy of preservation in letters of gold: 'I am an old man-I can continue but a few years at most, and had rather die now, a friend to my country, than have my life spared and be branded with the name of tory!' He was a noble fellow. And they had the magnanimity to let him go. " The troubles, which may be said to have begun with the captivity of Jenkins,

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now thickened around the settlement. In May, 1778, William Crooks and Asa Budd went up the river and stopped at John Secord's house, where Crooks was shot by the enemy, and Budd escaped. Was not the blood of Crooks the first shed at Wyoming ? The people now repaired to the forts for safety. At Jenkins' fort were the family of that name, the head of which was John Jenkins, a man dis- tinguished in his day by intelligence, zeal for liberty, and extensive influence. In May, 1777, he had been elected a member of assembly to Connecticut, from West- moreland. He was the father of the Mr. Jenkins who was a prisoner; and after- ward through the war a brave and active officer. Here were Capt. Stephen Harding, Benjamin, Stukely and Stephen Harding, Jr., William Martin, James Hadsall, Sr. and Jr., Samuel Morgan, Ichabod Phelps, Miner Robbins, John Gardiner, Daniel Weller and Daniel Carr, with their women and children.

" On June 30 the men left the fort and went up the river a few miles to work among their corn; they were ambushed by the savages, and six of them slain. Those who fell were Stukely Harding and Benjamin Harding, brothers of Elisha; Miner Robbins, James Hadsall, James Hadsall, Jr., and a colored man named Mar- tin. The British Butler said our men fought as long as they could stand; when found their bodies were shockingly mangled-full of spear holes-their hands and arms cut, as if an attempt had been made to take them prisoners, and they had resisted to the last. Daniel Weller, Daniel Carr and John Gardiner were taken prisoners. Mr. Harding, of whom we write, used to say that in all his life he never saw a more piteous scene than that of Mr. Gardiner taking leave of his wife and children. After the battle he was allowed to see and bid them farewell, when he was driven off, led by a halter, loaded almost to crushing with plunder. He seemed an object of particular spite, probably arising from the revenge of some personal enemy. 'Go-go,' was the Indian's command. On the way, a few miles west of Geneva, he became worn-ont-fell, and was given up to the squaws, who put him to death with cruel torture.

" The day before the battle Jenkins' fort capitulated to a detachment under Capt. Caldwell, and young Harding was among the prisoners. As suspected, Winter- moot's fort threw open its gate to the enemy. On July 3, in the afternoon about 1 o'clock, word came up to Jenkins' fort that the Yankees were marching out to battle and all the warriors must go down to Wintermoot's to meet them. The issue is known. The next day young Elisha describes the savages as smoking, sitting about, and with the most stoical indifference scraping the blood and brains from the scalps of our people and straining them over little hoops to dry-a most soul- sickening sight. Among the expelled he sought his way to Norwich, Conn., bound himself to the blacksmith's trade, and despising idleness and dependence, nobly resolved to live above the world and want by honest industry. Married, settled, having an admirable farm, and he a first-rate farmer, comfort and independence flowed in upon him, crowned his board with plenty, and gave him the means of charitable usefulness in reward for early toils and present labor.

"A man of strong mind and retentive memory, he read much and retained every- thing worth remembering. Shrewd, sensible, thoroughly understanding human nature, few in his neighborhood had more influence. A justice under a commission from Gov. Mifflin, he rendered useful service as a magistrate for a long series of years. Of a ready turn of wit, an apt story-an applicable Scripture quotation-a couplet of popular verse, always ready at command, rendered him a prominent and successful advocate in the thousand interesting conflicts of opinion that arise in life. A keen sarcasm-severe retort-an unexpected answer that would turn the laugh on his opponent, characterized him, but never in bitterness, for he was too benevo- lent to give unmerited pain. Of old times he loved to converse, and his remarkable memory enabled him to trace with surprising accuracy every event which he wit- nessed or heard during the troubles here. He could describe every house and farm,

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and name every farmer from the lower to the upper line living in Exeter before the battle, although but a lad of twelve or thirteen.

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 42

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