History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 7

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.

quieting disturbances at Wyoming and pardoning certain offenders." This law required the Yankees to give bail for their good behavior, but gave them no security in return. It was consequently disregarded. In July, 1786, the Susquehanna com- pany held another meeting in Connecticut, and Col. Franklin, Maj. Jenkins, and Gen. Ethan Allen, Col. Butler and others, were appointed a committee to locate townships, to decide upon claims, etc. The ball set in motion by the bold and fear- less Franklin was now being rolled onward by such men as Oliver Walcott, Joel Barlow and Gen. Ethan Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga. Stout hearts and heroes, who had braved the tempest of battle during the Revolution, and who sympathized with the widows and orphans of their comrades in their sufferings and wrongs, were gathering at Wyoming, and the result could not be mistaken. The authorities of Pennsylvania saw at once that the infamous policy which they had pursued was fast leading to a dismemberment of the State, and that the time had arrived for other and prompt measures. A division in the ranks of the Yankees was determined upon, and the question arose, who can accomplish it?

Timothy Pickering, a native of Massachusetts, and a man of distinguished ability, was at this time engaged in the practice of law in the city of Philadelphia. He was requested to visit Wyoming and examine into the condition of affairs there. This he did in August and September, 1786, and returning to Philadelphia reported "that the Yankees were entirely satisfied with the constitution of Pennsylvania, and were ready to submit to its government, provided they could be quieted in the possession of their farms." A few days after this report, September 25, 1786, the act creating the county of Luzerne passed the assembly, and Matthias Hollenback, Timothy Pickering and others were commissioned justices, with power to hold courts, etc. Pickering was also appointed prothonotary, clerk of the court and register and recorder. Lord Butler was commissioned high sheriff.

On December 27, following this event, the Susquehanna Company held a meet- ing at the State house. in Hartford, Conn., when measures were adopted preparatory to the organization of the new State. An executive committee of twenty-one persons, among whom appear the names of Oliver Walcott, Joel Barlow, Zebulon Butler, John Franklin and John Jenkins, was appointed with full powers to organize the government. On the same day, at Philadelphia, the Assembly of Pennsylvania passed a supplement to the act creating Luzerne county, by which Timothy Picker- ing, Zebulon Butler and John Franklin were appointed to notify the electors of Luzerne county that an election would be held there on the 1st day of February, 1787, for the election of one supreme councillor, one member of the house of rep- resentatives and a high sheriff. Thus, Pennsylvania succeeded in dividing the Yankees, and now they were no longer one people united against a common enemy.

As the 1st day of February approached the breach widened, and on the morning of the election, " for the first time," says Miner, "was presented the spectacle, equally gratifying to foes and painful to friends, of open and decided hostility among the Wyoming people. Col. Butler, Col. Denison, the Hollenbacks, the Rosses, the fami- lies of Gore, Carey, Nesbit and others were in favor of election, while Franklin, the Jenkinses, the Slocums, Satterlies, Dudleys and others opposed it." The former were ready and willing to swear allegiance to Pennsylvania, and trust to her honor for a confirmation of their titles, and for the security of their homes; but Franklin and his adherents, remembering Pennsylvania's oft repeated and plighted vows, and the outrages of Armstrong and Patterson, would not trust her without security. Confirm us in our titles, and protect us in our possessions, said they, and then we will swear allegiance, but not till then. The election was held, but not without riot and confusion. Col. Nathan Denison was chosen a member of the executive council, John Franklin was elected to the house of representatives, and Lord But- ler to the office of high sheriff of the county. It was understood if Franklin could be reconciled, the new state project would be seriously damaged. It was conse-

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

quently a prime object to seduce him from his former connections. With this view he had been appointed with Pickering and Butler to give notice of the election, and it was with this view he had been elected a member of the Pennsylvania assembly. It was doubtless intended as an exquisite stroke of political management. It was a cunningly-spread net, in which most men would have been caught. But Franklin was not so to be taken, for he stubbornly adhered to his first position, refusing to take a seat in the assembly or the oath of allegiance.

The settlers who had united with Pennsylvania, and who recognized Pickering as their leader, denounced Franklin and his associates as " wild Yankees," prose- cuting a project which would involve them in endless war. On the other hand, Franklin and his adherents proclaimed them as traitors, who had gone over to the enemy, and against whose treachery they, even now, had not the slightest guar- antee.

On March 28, following the election, the assembly of Pennsylvania, seeing that all efforts to reconcile the "wild Yankees" had failed, passed the confirming law, under which Timothy Pickering, Joseph Montgomery and Peter Muhlenberg were appointed commissioners, to sit at Wilkes-Barre, to hear and decide claims. Both parties now agreed to hold a general mass meeting of all the settlers at Forty fort, and to discuss the merits of the late act of assembly. A stand was erected, and Samuel Sutton was chosen chairman. Timothy Pickering opened the discus- sion by a lengthy and persuasive argument in favor of the law. He declared that Pennsylvania was honest and sincere, aud pledged his honor as security for her good faith. Stephen Gardner, half doubting, said, " Your lips speak fair, but oh! that there was a window in that breast that we might see and read your heart."

Maj. John Jenkins replied to Pickering, " What guarantee have we that Pennsyl- vania will keep her plighted faith ? She has forfeited her honor time and again. If we accept the provisions of this law, when she finds we are tied hand and foot she will repeal it, and leave us without hope."

John Franklin now followed in a powerful and sarcastic speech. He denounced, in the most bitter and irritating language, the conduct of Pennsylvania, as well as of those who had taken part with Pickering. The pent-up emotions of the excited assembly could no longer be restrained-a fight ensued, clubs were cut and used, and for a moment serious consequences were imminent. When order was partially restored a vote was taken, when it was decided to accept the law.

The commissioners appointed under this law in August opened their court and decided upon a number of claims; but, being threatened with violence, adjourned.

A constitution for the new State was drawn by Oliver Walcott, and officers were decided upon. In September Gen. Ethan Allen arrived; finding the Connecticut people divided, he, with Col. John Franklin, set hard about reconciling them. The latter traveled over all the country from house to house and addressed meetings at Kingston, Hanover, Pittston, Newport and other places. But their efforts were in vain. Gen. Allen openly declared he had made one new State and that with 100 Green Mountain boys and 200 Susquehanna riflemen he could make another State in spite of all Pennsylvania.

A companion incident and nearly simultaneously was the action of John Sevier, in carving the new State "Franklin " out of Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. Col. Franklin and his followers had determined to make the capital at Tioga Point (Athens).

The new State was to extend into the unorganized portions of southern New York. The Independent Gazetteer of October 5, 1787, says: "A few days since Capts. Craig, Brady, Stephenson, Begs, Pim and Erb went to the camp of Luzerne and there, by order of the supreme executive council, apprehended John Franklin, and yesterday brought him to this city. This man has been very active in fomenting disturbances in the camp, has great address and resolution, as was shown by the

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

gentlemen employed in conducting this business; they were all officers of the continental army, who distinguished themselves by their bravery during the late war-it is to be hoped they will receive sufficient compensation for their services."

Asburn Towner's novel, Chendayne of Kotono, gives an interesting description of this event. The real hero of those days was Col. Franklin. Franklin, the wilderness hero, lay in jail while the national constitutional convention assembled to form our wonderful constitution. When after in prison a year or more Franklin was brought before the court, the court said: "There was evidence that he and the people had assembled for the purpose of opposing the authority and law of the commonwealth, and that a paper subscribed by him had been posted inviting the people to throw off allegiance to the State of Pennsylvania and to erect themselves into an independent State; also it appeared that the insurgents had appointed a court of three judges, vested with jurisdiction in all criminal and civil cases

This was approaching rapidly, if not actual treason, but the commonwealth, in its great mercy, only charged misprison of treason.

Franklin's followers quickly retaliated his arrest by literally kidnapping Pick- ering and carrying him into the mountains. In this their hope was to compel the release of Franklin and instead of helping him it hurt. When bail was asked for Franklin, the Chief Justice said: " Yesterday we might have allowed it; but to-day's news of the arrest of Pickering shuts out all such idea and the charge is reverted to treason."

November 5, 1787, Dr. Ben Franklin, then secretary of the commonwealth, sent the following to the council:

GENTLEMEN: Since the last session there has been a renewal of the disturbances at Wyo- ming, some restless spirits there having imagined a prospect of withdrawing the inhabitants of that part of the State and some of the State of New York from their allegiance and of forming them into a new State, to be carried into effect by an armed force in defiance of the laws of the two States. Having intelligence of this, we caused one of the principal couspirators to be apprehended and secured in the goal of this city-and another, who resides in the State of New York, at our request has been taken up by the authorities of that government. The papers found on this occasion fully discovers the designs of these turbulent people and some of their letters are herewith laid before you. To protect the civil officers of our new court of Luzerne in the exercise of their respective functions, we have ordered a body of militia to hold themselves in readiness to march thither; which will be done unless some future circumstances and information from those points may make it appear unnecessary.

[Signed] B. FRANKLIN, President Supreme Ex. Council.

Session of general assembly, October 31, 1787, mostly taken up with the Luzerne troubles, a resolution was passed to raise troops. Benjamin Franklin sent another message to the assembly recommending the adoption of effectual measures to suppress rebellion and enforce the laws.

The people drove the commissioners from Luzerne court and at November election following, Timothy Pickering was elected to the legislature from Luzerne. He was afterward Washington's secretary of state.

Franklin was cruelly treated, being ironed down in a cold, miserable dungeon, with insufficient food, no clothing except the light snit he had on when arrested, prohibited all communication with friends and all use of pen, ink and paper. Here he was kept nearly two years. His friends were desperately willing to do anything in their power to secure his release. June 26, 1788, they kidnapped Pickering, and proposed holding him as a hostage, or secure his influence for the release of Franklin. The kidnappers were pursued by Pickering's adherents, and were fired upon and serious wounds inflicted, when the pursuit was given over." This was the last time that blood was shed in the long and cruel contention. Pickering resolutely refused to yield to the demands of his captors, and was, after three weeks, released.

The arrest of Franklin and the acceptance by the people of the "confirming

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

law" no doubt arrested the movement for the new State, which had already gone to the extent of completing its frame of government, and arranged that Maj. William Judd, of Farmington, Conn., should be governor, and Col. Franklin lieutenant-governor.

Col. John Franklin was born at Canaan, Litchfield county, Conn., September 26, 1749; removed to Wyoming in the spring of 1774; was many years an acting magistrate under Connecticut; captain of an independent company during the Revolutionary war, and, while attached to Sullivan's expedition against the Indians, was wounded in the attack on Chemung; member of the assembly of Connecticut in 1781; in October, 1787, he was arrested on a charge of treason against the State of Pennsylvania, for " endeavoring to subvert the government, and to erect a new and independent State in the room and stead thereof;" was confined in Philadelphia nearly two years, a great part of the time heavily ironed, released on bail, and never brought to trial; in 1792 he was elected high sheriff of Luzerne county, while an indictment for treason was still hanging over him, was commissioned and served; in 1795, 1796, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1803, he was a member of assembly from Luzerne county; by the act of April 2, 1804, a small portion of Luzerne county, including his farm, was set off to Lycoming county; this act was avowedly for the purpose of keeping him out of the legislature, but in 1805 he again appeared in that body as a member from Lycoming; in 1789 he removed to his farm in Athens (then Luzerne, now Bradford county), which was laid out to him under Connecticut title, and there resided until his death, March 1, 1831. He never accepted nor recognized a Pennsylvania title, but after his death his heirs were required to purchase the title to his farm.

In the settlement of northern Pennsylvania he was the recognized leader, making annual pilgrimages to New England, and bringing back hosts of industrious settlers, whose descendants, to this day, preserve the virtuous character of their Puritan ancestry; the people whom he brought thither, he never forsook. Their battles he fought in the courts, the assembly, in newspapers and pamphlets, and, if necessary, with his strong right arm, with a zeal, persistency and fidelity which deserved for the cause he thought to be right, a better fate.

But little of the history of the county in the Revolutionary times could be written without some mention of the Gore family. An ancient document, rescued by chance from oblivion, is so full of history as to need no further words for its inser- tion here. In January, 1832, Samuel Gore penned his own petition to congress, asking for a pension; after a respectful address, he says:

"Your petitioner's request is of a singular nature, differing from the common case of those who served in the war of the Revolution; he was not engaged for any limited time; that he resided at Wyoming settlement at the commencement of the late Revolutionary war; that in the year 1777, in the month of May, he was enrolled in the militia of Capt. Aholiab Buck's company, and took the oath of alle- giance to be true and faithful to the cause then at issue; that in December, the same year, he was drafted on a tour of duty up the river as far as Wysox and Towanda; the command he was attached to took twenty-eight prisoners, men that had served under Gen. Burgoyne the preceding campaign; that in the year 1778 the settle- ment was in almost continual alarm the afore part of the season; and what added mostly to their fears was that three companies of soldiers had been enlisted in the settlement and had joined the main army of Washington.

"The militia that was left was on duty the principal part of the time, in fortify- ing, scouting and learning the military discipline till the month of July, when the settlement was invaded by the British and Indians, undef the command of Col. John Butler, and Brant, the Indian chief.

" Your petitioner was in the memorable battle and massacre of Wyoming, and narrowly escaped the fate of five brothers and officers and the principal part of the company to which he belonged.

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

"In addition to his misfortune, in running across a bay or morass, the Indians in close pursuit, every step over knee deep in mud and mire, by over exertion, caused a breach in his body, which has been a painful and troublesome disorder ever since.

"It is unnecessary to describe the entire destruction of the settlement by the enemy, dispersion and hardships of the fugitives, old men, women and children, fleeing through the wilderness, carrying with them scarcely enough to support nature by the way.

"The place was retaken in August or September following, by Col. Zebulon Butler, and Capt. Simon Spalding and a garrison replaced there. Your petitioner returned soon after and served as a volunteer during the years 1779, 1780 and 1781, and was subject to be called on in every case of emergency.

"The expedition of General Sullivan to the Genesee country did not prevent wholly the depredations of the enemy being frequently harassed by small parties. In the year 1782 Captain Spalding's company was called to join the 'main army at headquarters and a company of invalids was stationed at the post, commanded by Capt. Mitchell, soldiers that were not calculated for the woods, scoutings, etc., Col. Dennison gave orders to have the militia organized and classed, which took place."

Afterward, April 3, 1832, Sergt. Gore wrote a private letter to Philander Stephens, member of congress, and from which is taken the following extracts: "I would take it as a favor if you would inform me what is the prospect of a bill for the general compensation of old soldiers and volunteers of the Revolution. * * Some cheering information on this subject would revive my spirits, which have been almost exhausted during the severity of the past winter. * * * * On reflect- ing back in these trying times, I would state some particulars respecting our family at the commencement of the Revolution. My father had seven sons, all zealously engaged in the cause of liberty. Himself an acting magistrate and a committee of safety, watching the disaffected and encouraging the loyal part of the community. * *

* * Three of his sons and two sons-in-law fell in the Wyoming massacre. Himself died the winter following. One son served during the war, the others served in the continental army for shorter periods." Then he draws a picture of some of the things he saw in that war, and says: "Let any person at this time of general prosperity of our country, reflect back on the troubles, trials and suffering of a con- quered country by a savage enemy. Men scalped and mangled in the most savage manner. Some dead bodies floating down the river in sight of the garrison. Women collecting together in groups, screaming and wringing their hands in the greatest agony; some swooning and deprived of their senses. Property of every descrip- tion plundered and destroyed, buildings burned, the surviving inhabitants dispersed and driven through the wilderness to seek subsistence wherever they could find it." " This," he says, and its truth is on its face, "is but a faint description of the beau- tiful valley of 1778," and it should be remembered the savages continued their dep- redations until 1782.

" John Franklin was chosen captain. Your petitioner was appointed to sergeant and had the command of a class which was ordered to be ready at the shortest notice to scout the woods and to follow any part of the enemy that should be sent on their murderous excursions, that he performed four tours of scouting that season of about eight days each.

"Your petitioner never drew any pay, clothing or rations during the contest for independence, but ammunition he was supplied with from the continental store.

"He had the charge of a family at the time (his father being dead); had to sup- port himself as well as he could by laboring between spells and frequently plowing with his musket slung at his back."

He concludes with this pathetic sentence, after stating that he had been informed

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

by the newspapers of the great spirit of liberality manifested by congress toward old soldiers: "I take the liberty to request of your honorable body to take my case into consideration; and if you in your wisdom and justice should think that your petitioner is entitled to any remuneration, to do what you may think right and just; and your petitioner will ever pray."

Such was the language of the old Revolutionary soldier who had served his country "without any pay or rations" and had to support himself and his dead father's family by "working between spells; often with his gun strapped on his back." It is much of the story of the war in Luzerne county.

The story of the wives and mothers of those times is condensed and typified in that of Samuel Gore's mother. When the battle was raging, she was watching at the door of the fort to catch the first news where were her four sons and two sons- in-law. The first panting courier told her the horrid story that her three sons, Ralph, Silas and George, and her two sons-in-law, John Murphy and Timothy Pierce, were dead, and their scalped and mangled corpses lay side by side - the brave woman's heart was broken, and her stricken soul cried: "Have I one son left ?" The fort was pillaged the next day, and the Indians carried all the feather beds to the river's bank, and scattered the feathers to the winds. They burned Mr. Gore's house, and the children, while the Indians were sacking the fort, gathered enough feathers to make the noted " Wyoming Bed," and hid them. Mrs. Gore procured a horse, threw this "bed" across it, and started on the long journey across the " Shades of Death " that lay before them on their way to the Delaware. The old people and the children rode alternately, and in hushed silence, not know- ing what moment the red devils would spring upon them. The small children endured agony in silence, and trudged on and on.

CHAPTER III. HABITS AND CUSTOMS.

THOSE WHO CAME PEEPING IN THE WILDERNESS -OLD MICHAEL, OR " OLD PICKLE"-"OH SISTER PHEBE "- THE ANCIENT DUDE- SEVERE RELIGION -A PREACHER TRIED FOR DRUNKENNESS -THE PROPHECIES AND GROTESQUERIES -THE BRUSH HUT AND LOG CABIN - A TYPICAL WOODS PIONEER - ETC.

T THERE were people enough here to begin to form scattered neighborhoods before there was such a thing as social life. The very first were nomads, wandering aimlessly across the mountains and along the winding streams, coming in sudden surprise upon the wigwams and brush and bark villages, and a few words in signs, and sit in that calm stolidity of the native about the camp fires, and then silently pass on and on. This strange creature was piloting the way across the continent -- the vanguard to the millions that were soon to follow - and those to, who came to possess -the "nation builders," as they have been proudly called by their descendants. Indeed, they were far more than that; they were both the world's map makers and the founders of the new civilization. The reflex of their lives have re-mapped the world -recast the fate of the human race. Bundled in this strange, uncouth creature, these lonely wanderers were the restless spirit of independence and liberty -the rights of man as against the "divine" rulers. These people were a strange development of their age and time- the marvel of all history - the glintings of the luminous civilization that was to follow them;

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

whose developing food had been persecutions by church and State, and sect and heretic, and whose strong and unconquerable manhood and supreme self-reliance had come of cruel blows, or risen phenix-like from the flames.

"Old Michael "-the ancient "sexton and high constable"-John Michael Keinzle, was a most interesting and typical character of the good old times. The

wicked boys of that day knew him only as " Old Pickle." He commenced so long ago, that memory runneth not, as sexton and grave digger, and was elected high constable of Wilkes-Barre in 1806, and in his many offices served until his death in 1846. He was a stumpy, red-faced, bushy-haired and stub-whiskered Swiss. Beneath a rough exterior was a kind heart and infinite love of children, though the wild boys thought him a very ogre. In loyalty and obedience he was a martinet to his church and the law of the land, and yet he would rebuke the judge or the min- ister with equal bluntness at what he deemed the slightest departure from the proper form. All must behave in his presence-little children, great judges or venerable divines. One of the olden time boys has furnished a reminiscence that is so graphic a picture of the times and customs of the people that we can not do better than give its substance, much of it in his own words: "I can remember being one of a soldier company of which Ned Mallery was captain and Ned Babb was first lieutenant. Our guns were made in the carpenter shop of John P. Babb, of good wood, with a snap spring on the side, which answered our purpose, and were not dangerous. We used to parade on the Saturday half-holidays. [Schools then commenced by the sunrise and kept until sundown. ] We paraded on the river bank, near old Michael's residence, which was in the Arndt storehouse on the edge of the bank opposite Morgan's tavern. On these occasions Michael would fre- quently pass along our line and give each of the boys a penny, a great prize to every one of us. We knew he was poor, and we never forgot his kind heart. He was constable and sexton of the churches, and attended to the opening and cleaning, lighting and bell-ringing, and always snuffed the candles, wearing in the church pumps, and silently, with snuffers, would pass around during the singing. He was the servant of the town, and in many ways its master. On Sunday he sat in the gallery to watch the boys, and woe to the urchin who did not keep still or made a noise. Every night at 9 o'clock he rang the bell of the old meeting-house on the square, a notice to the merchants to close up, for all abroad to retire to their homes, and everybody to go to bed; this he did without pay or any reward save that of good conscience; and in this he was as punctual as the sun in all weather. He had a pound on the river near his residence, and cattle found at large at night were driven there and the owner must come and pay his fine. When he found a mau drunk and helpless on the ground he went for his wheelbarrow and on this took him to the pound and dumped him in with the other domestic animals. In the winter when the snow would cover the way or coal-ash sidewalks, Michael would be up before day while others slept and with his snow plow drive along the walks and have all the snow off before the people were up-this too was voluntary and with no pay attached. The pleasure of doing good was his reward. He had the only hay scales in the place, near his residence and the pound. Long chains were attached to a beam, fastened to the wheels of the wagon and all was raised clear of the ground, and the weight ascertained. Thus he was weighmaster too; his charge for each job was ten cents. No man was ever more fearless in the discharge of official duties; many a time he would make an arrest, take the prisoner to the door of the jail, when the man's goodness of heart would turn his prisoner loose after frightening him terribly and many promises of "never do so any more." This latter applied mostly to the youths of the town, when, which was not frequently, he could catch them. He had "clumb the mast " in vindication of this claim. when a wag intimated a doubt, he ascended the steeple of the church and stood upon the small ball, 125 feet from the ground. The man had a strong temper as well

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History of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, with biographical selections, Part 7

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