History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 14

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900

USA > Pennsylvania > Luzerne County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 14
USA > Pennsylvania > Lackawanna County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 14
USA > Pennsylvania > Wyoming County > History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 14

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On the 2nd of April, 1867, the contract for the build- ing of a new jail was awarded to Lewis Havens, at $189,- 575. On the 18th of August, 1870, the sheriff was or- dered to remove the prisoners to this jail, and on the 4th of November in the same year the building was accepted from the contractor. An expenditure of $18,500.93 above the contract price was incurred for additional and extra work. From a report furnished by the clerk of the county commissioners it appears that the building and furniture cost $302,536.92. It is located above North street, between River street and the Susquehanna, in the city of Wilkes-Barre. It is built of stone brought from Campbell's ledge, opposite Pittston. It occupies a lot of five acres, [and the building covers three-fourths of an acre. It is a fireproof structure, and it is at the same time substantially and tastefully built and elegantly painted inside. It has in both wings seventy-two cells, thirty-two of which are double, sufficient in all for 104 prisoners.

The building is heated by three furnaces, and all the cooking and heating of water are done by them. It is ventilated by a fan, which is propelled by an engine-pre- cisely as coal mines are ventilated.

There are few, if any, prisons in this portion of the State that are equal to this in the excellence of their con- struction and arrangements, especially with regard to cleanliness and healthfulness.

Under the old State system each city, borough and township maintained and cared for the poor within its limits. About the year 1858, the question of erecting a county poor-house was submitted to the people in ac- cordance with an act of Assembly, and decided in the negative. By special legislation portions of the county were then erected into poor districts, each under a special act.

In 1860, by an act of Assembly, the township of Wilkes-Barre was made a poor district and a farm was purchased in the township of Newport, about four miles below Nanticoke, on the east side of the river. In 1861 the Central poor district of Luzerne county was incor- porated. This district embraces the townships of Wilkes- Barre, Plains, Kingston, Plymouth, Hanover and New- port, the boroughs of Kingston, Plymouth, Ashley, Sugar Notch and Nanticoke, and the city of Wilkes- Barre.

In 1863 the first poor-house was built, on the farm purchased by Wilkes-Barre in 1860. It was a framed building 35 by 74 feet, three stories in height above the basement, which was finished for cooking and dining apartments. This with the old farm house and a small kitchen constituted the poor-house up to 1879, when another building was erected. This was of brick, 35 by 76 feet, three stories in height, with a finished basement, which is used as a laundry. The female paupers occupy this building, the old wooden structure being used exclu- sively for males.

This was incorporated on the 8th of May, 1857, under the corporate name of "The Poor District of Jenkins township, Pittston borough and Pittston township." The first directors were John D. Stark, Peter Winters, William Ford and Ebenezer Drake.

This board of directors in 1857 purchased a farm of 160 acres in the township of Ransom, now in the county of Lackawanna. The farm house standing on this farm was used as a poor-house till the year 1877, when the present fine brick structure was erected. This is three stories in height above the basement, which is used as a kitchen and place of work. The building is capable of accommodating one hundred paupers. The present directors are Paul Bohan, L. C. Hessler, Francis Yates and Charles Banker.

Criminals convicted of capital offenses have been exe- cuted at Wilkes-Barre as follows: July Ist, 1779, Michael Rosebury, by order of General Sullivan, for instigating desertions from the latter's command; Janies Cadden, March 2nd, 1849, for the murder of Daniel Gilligan below Wilkes- Barre; Reese Evans, September 9th, 1853, for shooting Lewis Reese on the Kingston flats in order to rob him; James Quinn, April 2 1st, 1854, for the murder of Mahala Wiggins on the canal near the Nanticoke dam; William Muller, April 30th, 1858, for the murder of George Mathias, a few miles from Wilkes-Barre, on the Easton road.

In 1790 Luzerne county had a population of 4,904; in 1800, 12,839; 1810, 18,109; 1820 (after the formation of Susquehanna and Bradford), 20,027; 1830, 27,305; 1840, 44,006; 1850 (after the formation of Wyoming county), 56,072; 1860, 90,254; 1870, 160,755.

In the early history of political parties in this county, the Federalists, who favored a strong national govern- ment, had a large majority. Within the memory of the present generation the Democrats have oftenest had the ascendency. Below will be found lists of the citizens who have administered the affairs of the county and represented it in various legislative bodies.

In the spring after the formation of the town of West- moreland Zebulon Butler and Timothy Smith, and in the autumn of that year Christopher Avery and John Jenkins appeared before the Assembly of Connecticut on behalf of the new town. Timothy Smith had attended the last three previous sessions; Joseph Sluman the last two and John Jenkins the last one. Captain Butler and Joseph Sluman were the next representatives in that body of whom we find record. Butler was also a member in the

OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

autumn session of 1775, in which Major Ezekiel Pierce . was his colleague, and in the spring session of 1776 we find John Jenkins and Solomon Strong. Colonel Nathan Denison was a member in the spring sessions of 1778 and 1779, and the autumn sessions of 1776, 1778 and 1880. John Jenkins and Isaac Tripp were the Assemblymen at both sessions of 1777; Anderson Dana in the spring, and Asahel Buck in the October session of 1778. John Hurlbut served in the spring sessions of 1779, 1780 and 1781. and the autumn session of 1780. Jonathan Fitch was a member in the spring sessions of 1780, 1781 and 1782, and the autumn session of 1782. Obadiah Gore and John Franklin were the members at the spring ses- sion of 1781, and the former attended both sessions in 1782.

John Sherman of Westmoreland was appointed judge of probate and justice of the peace for Litchfield county, Conn., in 1775.

Stewart Pearce gives the following list of president judges after the adoption of the constitution of 1790: Jacob Rush, 1791-1806; Thomas Cooper, 1806-11; Seth Chapman, 1811-13; John B. Gibson, 1813-16; Thomas Burnside, 1816-18; David Scott, 1818-38; William Jessup, 1838-41; John N. Conyngham, 1841-70. Garrick M. Harding was the incumbent in 1870-79. Charles E. Rice was commissioned in January, 1880.

Under the act of June 27th, 1867, creating the office of additional law judge in Luzerne county, H. M. Hoyt was appointed to that office. At the election the same year E. L. Dana was elected for the term of ten years. John Handley was elected under an act giving still another law judge to the county. In 1877 W. H. Stanton was elected. He resigned in about a year. In 1879 Charles E. Rice was elected, but was commissioned pres- ident judge in January, 1880, and Stanley Woodard was appointed additional law judge.

Up to 1860 this county belonged to a Congressional district which also included Berks, Bucks, Northampton, Northumberland and other counties. The first repre- sentative from Luzerne county, David Scott, of Wikes- Barre, was elected in 1816. He resigned on being appointed president judge. Representatives from the district including Luzerne county have since been chosen as follows:

1818, 1820, George Denison and John Murray; 1820-32, Cox Ellis, George Kreamer, Samuel MeKean, Philander Stephens, Lewis Dewart and A. Marr; 1832 (Luzerne and Columbia), 1834, Andrew Beaumont; 1836, 1838, David Petrekin; 1840, 1842, Benjamin A. Bidlack ; 1844, Owen D. Leib ; 1846, 1848, Chester Butler; 1850 (Luzerne, Wyoming, Columbia and Mon- tour), 1854, Ilenry M. Fuller ; 1852, Hendrick B. Wright; 1856, John G. Montgomery-died, and was succeeded the next year by Paul Leidy ; 1858, 1860, George W. Scranton-died during his second term, and II. B. Wright was chosen at n special election in June, ISGI ; 1862 (Luzerne and Susquehanna), 1864, Charles Denison ; 1863, George W. Woodard ; 1872, Lazarns D. Shoemaker; 1876, Winthrop W. Ketcham ; 1877, W. II. Stan- ton ; 1878, Hendrick B. Wright.

Members of the upper house of the Legislature have been chosen from the district including Luzerne county as follows:

Council .- 1787-89, Nathan Denison ; 1789 (October 30th), 1790, Lord But- ler. Senatc .- 1790 (Luzerne, Northumberland and Huntington), William Montgomery ; 1792, William Hepburn ; 1794 (Luzerne, Northninberland Mifflin and Lycoming), George Wilson; 1796 (same district), Samnel Dale; 1798, Samuel MeClay ; 1800, James Harris ; 1801 (Luzerne, Northampton

and Wayne), Jonas Hartzell; 1803, Thomas Mcwhorter; 1805, William Lattimore; 1807. Matthias Gress; 1808 (Imzerne and Northumberland), Nathan Palmer : 1810, James Laird ; 1812, William Ross; 1814 (Luzerne, Northumberland, Union, Columbia and Susquehanna), Thomas Murray, jr .; 1816, Charles Frazer ; 1818, Simon Snyder ; 1820, Redmond Conyng- ham ; 1824 (Luzerne and Columbia), Robert Moore; 1828, 1830, Jacob Drumbeller: 1532, Uzal Hopkins: 1836 (Luxerne, Monroe, Wayne and Pike), Ebenezer Kingsbury, jr .; 1839, S. F. Headley ; 1841. Luther Kidder ; 18H (Luzerne and Columbia), William S. Ross ; 1867, Valentine Best ; 1850 (Luzerne, Columbia and Montour), 1853, Charles R. Buckalew ; 1856. George P. Steele; 1859 ( Luzerne), Winthrop W. Ketcham; 1862, J. B. Stark; 1865, L. D. Shoemaker; 1865, Samuel J. Turner; 1871 ( Luzerne, Monroe and Pike), Francis D. Collins, Albert G. Brodhead ; 1872, George H. Rowland; 1874, D. Hf. Stanton, II. B. Payne; 1877, E. C. Wadhams, I. B. Seamans.

Members of the lower house of the Legislature have been sent from the district including or consisting of Luzerne county as follows, the district comprising Lu- zerne, Bradford and Susquehanna from 1814 to 1828, inclusive:

John Paul Schott, 1787 ; Obadiah Gore, 1788-90; Simon Spalding, 1791, 1792; Ebenezer Bowman, 1793; Benjamin Carpenter, 1794 ; John Frank- lin, 1795, 1796, 1799-1803; Roswell Wells, 1797, 1798, 1802, 1804-6; Lord Butler, 1801; Jolin Jenkins, 1803; Jonas Ingham, 1804; Nathan Beach, 1805, 1807; Moses Coolbaugh, 1806; Charles Miner, 1807, 1808, 1812; Benjamin Dor- rance, 1808-10, 1812, 1814, 1819, 1820, 1830 ; Thomas Graham, 1809-11 ; Jona- than Stevens, 1811; Jabez 1lyde, jr., and Joseph Pruner, 1813 (Luzerne and Susquehanna); Putnam Catlin, 1814; Redmond Conyngham, 1815; George Denison, 1815, 1816, 1827-30; Jonah Brewster, 1816-19; James Reeder, 1817, 1818; Cornelius Cortright, I820, 1821, 1823; Andrew Beau- mont, 1821, 1823, 1849; Jabez Hyde, jr., 1822, 1823 ; Jacob Drumheller, jr., 1822-24; Philander Stevens, 1824-26: G. M. Hollenback, 1824, 1825 ; Samuel Thomas, 1825, 1826; Garrick Mallery, 1826-29; Almon H. Read, 1827 ; 1saae Post, 1828; Albert G. Brodhead, 1831-33; Nicholas Overfield, 1831 ; Chester Butler, 1832, 1838, 1839, 1843 ; Ziba Bennett, 1833, 1834; B. A. Bidlack, 1834, 1835; James Nesbitt, jr., 1835; Henry Stark, 1836, 1837 ; William C. Rey- nolds, 1836, 1837; John Sturdevant, 1838; Joseph Griffin, 1839; Andrew Cortright, 1840, 1841; Hendrick B. Wright, 1840-42; Moses Overfield, 1842; William Merrifield, 1843-45; Jaques S. Campbell, 1844, 1845; Nathan Jack- son, IS46; George Fenstermacher, 1846; Samuel Benedict, 1847; James W. Goff, 1847; Henry MI. Fuller, 1848; Thomas Gillespie, 1848; John N. Conynghan, 1849; James W. Rhodes, 1850, 1851; Silas S. Benediet, 1850,1851; Truman Atherton, 1852, 1853; Abram B. Dunning, 1852-54; Gideon W. Palmer, 1854; Harrison Wright, 1855; Henderson Gaylord, 1855; Steuben Jenkins, 1856, 1837 ; Thomas Smith, 1856; Samuel G. Turner, 1857; P. C. Gritman, 1857, 1858; Lewis Pughe, 1858, 1860; Winthrop W. Ketcham, 1858; John Stone. 1859; Peter Byrne, 1859, 1860; Dyer L. Chapin, 1859; II. B. Hill- man, 1869; William S. Ross, 1861; R. F. Russell, 1861; H. V. Hall, 1861; S. W. Trimmer, 1862; Jacob Robinson, 1862, 1863; Peter Walsh, 1862, 1863, Harry Hakes, 1863, 1864; Anthony Grady, 1864, 1865; D. F. Seybert, 1864, 1865; D. S. Koon, 1865, 1866; William Brennan, 1866, 1867 ; James MeHenry, 1866, 1867; Samuel F. Bossard, 1867, 1868, 1869 ; Daniel L. O'Neil, 1863, 1869; Nathan G. Wrestler, 1868, 1869 ; S. W. Keene, 1870, 1871; George Coray, 1870, 1871 ; John F. McMahon, 1870; Richard Williams, 1871, 1872; Patrick Delacey, 1872, 1873; Peter Quigley, 1872, 1873 ; B. D. Koons, 1872, 1873; E. P. Kisner, 1873; Thomas Waddell, 1874; A. L. Cressler, 1874; T. W. Loftus, 1874; M. Crogan, 1874; Charles A. Miner, 1875- 89; T. H. B. Lewis, 1825, 1876; J. J. Shonk, 1875-78; J. C. Fiucher, 1875, 1876; James MeAsey, 1875, 1876; F. W. Gunster, 1875, 1876 ; M. F. Synott, 1875, 1876; C. R. Gorman, 1876, 1876; T. W. Loftus, 1875, 1876; John B. Smith, 1877-80; Charles McCarron, 1877, 1878; George Judge, 1877, 1878 ; James A. Kiersted, 1877, 1878; D. M. Jones, 1877, 1878; A. 1. Ackerly, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880; S. S. Jones, 1877, 1878; W. II. Hines, 1879, 1880; George W. Drum, 1879, 1880; Dennis O'Lenihan, 1879, 1880; John E. Barrett, 1879, 1880; T. D. Lewis, 1879, 1780; Thomas Mooney, 1879, 1880.

The following will be found a correct list of all the sheriffs of Luzerne county from its organization up to 1880. The year in which each was elected is given:

Lord Butler, 1787; Jesse Fell, 1789; John Franklin, 1792; William Slo- eum, 1795 ; Arnold Colt, 1798; Benjamin Dorrance, 1801 : James Wheeler, 1804 ; Jacob Hart, 1507; Jabez Hyde, jr., 1810; Elijah Shoemaker, 1813; Stephen Van Loon, 1816 : Isaac Bowman, 1819; Jonathan Bulkely, 1822 : Napthali Hurlburt, 1825 ; Oliver Helme, 1828; Thomas Karkuff, eleeted in October, 1831, died in a few hours after he was sworn in, and Benja- min Reynolds was appointed by the governor to the vacancy for one year or until the next election, when dames Nesbitt was elected in Oeto- ber, 1832, and served until 1835; Thomas Myers, 1835; Caleb Atherton, 1838; George P. Steele, 1841 ; James W. Goff, 1844; William Koons, 1847; Gideon A. Palmer, 1850; Abram Drum, 1853 ; Jasper B. Stark, 1856; Sammuel Van Loon, 1859 ; Samuel B. Paterbaugh, 1862; Joseph S. Van Leer, 1865; James W. Rhoads, ISGS; Aaron Whitaker, 1871; William P. Kirkendall, 1874; P. J. Kenny, 1877.

HISTORY OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

CHAPTER VIII.

LOCAL MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS-SERVICE IN CANADA AND MEXICO AND AT HOME.

T does not appear that previous to the Revo- lutionary war there existed in the Wyoming valley any regular military organization. As a historian of those times (James A. Gordon) has said, " Every settler was practi- cally an independent company of himself. He carried his own rifle, marched generally under the orders of the 'town meeting ' either against the Indian, Pennamite or tory, as the case might be; furnished his own rations and ammunition, and paid himself from his own military chest-if he had one. But after the Decla- ration of Independence the State of Connecticut as- sumed the military control of this region, and two com- panies were raised here under her authority."

Even after the decree of Trenton, by which Pennsyl- vania acquired territorial jurisdiction, no organization except of voluntary unauthorized companies for resist- ance to the Pennamites existed prior to 1786. In that year the county of Luzerne was organized, and the mili- tia laws of Pennsylvania were extended over it, as in other portions of the State. A brigade and regiments were formed here, and from the record of his commis- sion in the recorder's office, bearing date April 11th, 1793, it appears that Jesse Fell was appointed brigade inspector for a term of seven years.

Now this same Jesse Fell was a Quaker, recently from Bucks county; yet, notwithstanding he was a professed noncombatant, he donned the regular uniform, with the appropriate feathers, and, mounted on his charger, per- formed the functions required of him, much to the cha- grin of the " meeting " to which he belonged.

The following notice is found in the files of the Wilkes- Barre Gazette, under the date of January 16th, 1798:

" MILITIA .- The Militia officers commanding compa- nies in the Luzerne county brigade, who have not made returns of the absentees on the company and regimental days in October last, are requested to complete their re- turns by the first day of February next; and those per- sons liable by law to militia duty charged with fines as absentees are requested to make payment by the day aforesaid, or they must pay the fees of collecting.

" JESSE FELL, Brigade Inspector."

It thus appears that those liable to military duty were required to meet for "training " two days each year, un- der penalty.

Among the old manuscripts in the possession of Steu- ben Jenkins is the record of a draft made from the com- panies of the third regiment in January, 1794, and another in October, 1797; but it does not appear for what pur- poses these drafts were made. As elsewhere stated, the militia of the State was reorganized in 1822.

To meet emergencies which arose from time to time

volunteer companies were organized in Luzerne county. Such organizations did service in the suppression of the whiskey insurrection, during the prospect of war with France in 1800, and in the war of 1812.

In the early part of the present century several inde- pendent military organizations existed here at different times. The earliest among these of which anything is known was the

WYOMING BLUES.

This company, which it appears originated about the close of the last century, had a prosperous existence for some years. Gordon says:

" The members of this company were made up of the clite of Wilkes- Barre and its immediate vicinity. It is to be regretted that a complete inuster roll eannot now be made up. It is barely possible that a roll of its organie members may be found in the adjutant general's office at Harrisburg, but not probable. My first personal memory of the eom- pany was in the spring of 1805. Joseph Stocumu was then eaptain, and I suppose he was their first commander under their legal organization. They were then in full uniform, and had a flag ; not the star spangled banner, but a flag bearing the coat of arms of Pennsylvania, represent- ing .the lion and the unicorn fighting for the erown ' over the body of the American eagle. Benjamin Perry was the bearer of that standard at that time. I think Isaae Bowman was the lieutenant. They met on this occasion for inspection and drill. I remember seeing on that parade Joseph Sloeum, captain ; Isaae Bowman, lieutenant ; Benjamin Perry, sergeant ; aud the latter seemed to have more to do and say in the fix- ing up than anybody else. Of those in the ranks I remember Charles Miner, Matthew Covel, Thomas Duane, Thomas Wright, jr., Sidney Traey, Jehoida P. Johnson, Arnold Colt, Peter Yarrington, Josiah Wright and Zebulon Butler, jr. Colonel Benjamin Dorrance was about, but not in the ranks nor in uniform."

Mr. Gordon then sketches the feast which followed "at John P. Arndt's old Red Tavern on River street," and continues:

" In 1808 Isaae Bowman was elected captain, Charles Miner and Benja- min Perry lieutenants, and I think Godfrey Perry sergeant. I speak from memory. I was present at their first meeting after the election. It took place on Bowman's Hill, on the lawn in front of the captain's residence, where now lives Mrs. A. H. Bowman. On that occasion Cap- tain Bowmau treated the company to a liberal collation, and everybody was in good humor and fine spirits. In the manual drill Josepb Slocum, ex-captain, acted as fugleman.

" From this time until the expiration of Captain Bowman's term of service the Wyoming Blues were regarded as the star company of Northern Pennsylvania, and as far as their discipline was concerned could bave competed with any company in the United States army. Bc- sides this. its membersbip was made up of the best blood of the old Yankee settlers of Wyoming.

" In 1811 an election took place, and Zebulon Butler, a son of Colonel Zebulon Butler, of Revolutionary fame, was elected captain."

After the war of 1812 broke out the existence of this organization ceased, by reason of opposition in political sentiment among its members.

FIRST CAVALRY COMPANY.

In 18ot a cavalry company existed in this county, but when it was organized, or how long the organization con- tinued, has not been ascertained. Under the date of March in that year a notice was published requiring the " First Company of Cavalry " to meet at the house of Jesse Fell on the 2nd Saturday in April, at 10 A.M. This notice was over the signature of "Eleazer Blackman, Captain."

THE KINGSTON COMPANY.

Gordon says :

"The Volunteer Matross of Kingston was organized under the command of Henry Buckingham, a merchant of Kingston, recently from Connee- tieut, probably about 1809, perhaps earlier. Captain Buckinghamn * *

---- --- -

6 1

MILITIA COMPANIES OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

was a most efficient officer in every respect, a capital drill-master, and . about the only man in the company who knew anything about artillery practice. * * * I remember as first members under Captain Bucking- ham, Ziba Hoyt, the father of our present governor; Phineas Under- wood, Absalom Roberts, Morris Cramer, Alexander Lord, William Pace und Hallet Gallup. * * * Their uniformn was a long tailed bluc, with brass buttons, gray pants and gaiters or leggings covering the front of the shoe by a gore. I remember their first parade in Wilkes-Barre, in 1810, I think, with a brass six pounder which was said to be one of the field pieces captured from Burgoyne at Saratoga. I do not know, how- ever, that this was a fact.

"On this occasion the company occupied the public square for their parade ground. Their handling of their guns called forth the highest commendations from the speetators, and Captain Samuel Bowman said of them that they would pass muster in any artillery corps in the United States army."

On the breaking out of hostilities between the United States and Great Britain, in 1812, the Matross promptly offered their services to the government. The company then consisted of the following men:

Captain, Samuel Thomas ; Ist lieutenant, Phineas Underwood ; 2nd, Ziba Hoyt ; 3rd, Andrew Sheets ; ensign, Edward Gilchrist ; sergeants- John Carkhuff, Jacob Taylor, Absalom Roberts, Henry Jones, George W. Smith, John Bowman ; corporals-Christopher Miner, Daniel Coche- vour, Samuel Parrish, Ebenezer Freeman, John Blane ; gunners- Stephen Evans, Isaac Hollister, John Prince, James Bird, Morris Cra- mer, Festus Frecman, James Devans; drummer, Alexander Lord; fifer, Araba Amsden ; privates-Daniel Hoover, John Daniels, James W. Barnum, William Pace, James Bodfish, Godfrey Bowman, Benjamin Hall, Solomon Parker, Ezekiel Hall, Sylvanus Moore, Hallet Gallup.

They left Kingston on the 13th of April, 1813, and embarked on a raft at the mouth of Shoup's creek. They landed at Danville, whence they marched, by way of Lewiston and Bedford, through Fayette county, recruit- ing as they went, and arrived at Erie 95 strong.

In the cannonading at Presque Isle harbor the com- pany did efficient service. When volunteers were solic- ited to man the fleet of Commodore Oliver Perry before the battle of Lake Erie four from this company, among whom was James Bird, of Pittston, promptly offered themselves, and all distinguished themselves by their bravery in the battle. Bird was afterward tried by court martial for desertion, convicted and shot. He had left his post to join General Jackson at New Orleans, and though his purpose was patriotic and laudable he was technically guilty of desertion, and the stern discipline of war did not relax in his favor.

After the battle of Lake Erie the Matross, which was attached to the regiment of Colonel Hill, crossed into Canada and marched on Malden, which the enemy abandoned on their approach. They followed him to Detroit, which he also evacuated ; thence, under General Harrison, they pursued him; in the battle of the Thames the Matross was commanded by Lieutenant Ziba Hoyt, Captain Thomas having been left with fourteen of his men at Detroit.

A recruiting office was opened in Wilkes-Barre during the war, and many volunteers were sent to the armny from this county. Infantry barracks were established on the bank of the river, and cavalry barracks on Franklin street.

THE RALLY IN 1814.

In 1814, when Baltimore was threatened by the Brit- ish, five companies of the militia of Luzerne and the counties adjoining marched for its defense. They pro- ceeded as far as Danville; when, on the receipt of intelli-

gence of the repulse of the enemy, they were ordered to return. On this expedition went the following detach- ments : From the 45th regiment, Captain Joseph Camp, Lieutenant Joseph Lott, Ensign Robert Reynolds; 129th regiment-Captain Frederick Bailey and Antos Tiffany, Lieutenant Cyrrel Giddings, Ensign Hiat Tupper; 112th regiment-Captain George Hidley, Lieutenant John Wortman, Ensign Abraham Roberts ; 35th regiment- Captain Peter Hallock, Lieutenants Hosea Phillips and Jeremiah Fuller, Ensigns William Polen and George Denison ; a detachment under Captain Jacob Bitten- bender and Ensign John Myers.

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History of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming counties, Pa.; with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 14

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York Publication date: 1880 Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co. Number of Pages: 900

Author: Munsell, W.W., & Co., New York
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: New York, W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 900