USA > Wyoming > A sketch of the history of Wyoming > Part 11
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to cause a re-survey to be made of all the lands claimed by the Pennsylvania claimants, situated in the seventeen townships, which should be released or re-conveyed by such claimants to the Com- monwealth; and to divide the same into four class- es, according to the quality of the land. As soon as forty thousand acres should be so released to the state, and the Connecticut settlers claiming land to the same amount, should bind themselves to submit to the determination of the Commission- ers, then the law was to take effect ; and the Penn- sylvania claimants who had so released their land, were to receive a compensation for the same from. the State Treasury, at the rate of five dollars per acre for lands of the first class, three dollars for the second, one dollar and fifty cents for the third, and twenty-five cents for lands of the fourth class. The Connecticut settlers were also to receive patents from the State confirming their lands .to them upon condition of paying into the Treasury the sum of two dollars per acre, for lands of the first class, one dollar and twenty cents for lands of the second class, fifty cents for lands of the third class, and eight and one third cents for lands of the fourth class ; the certificates issued by the Com- missioners to regulate the settlement of accounts in both cases. Thus while the State was selling her vacant lands to her other citizens, at twenty- six cents an acre, she demanded of the Connecti- cut settlers a sum, which, upon the supposition that there was the same quantity of land in each elass, would average ninety-four cents an acre. -
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Compensation was made to the Pennsylvania claimant only in cases where the warrant and sur- vey were executed previous to the passage of the law of 1787. This act which is commonly called the " Compensation Law," has been carried into full effect, and has been the principal cause of finally terminating that long and bloody contro- versy, in which the troubles of Wyoming princi- pally originated.
As this law, however, affected those lands in the seventeen Townships only, and as a large body of lands in the Northern parts of the County contin- ued to be settled very fast, principally by emigrants from New England, claiming under the Connecti- cut title, the Legislature became apprehensive that, unless those settlements were checked, another system of opposition to the laws would be formed, and accordingly, on the eleventh of April, 1795, passed an act to prevent intrusions on lands in the counties of Northumberland and Luzerne, which provided that any person who should come to settle on any lands in those counties, under any title not derived from the State of Pennsylvania, should be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars, and to imprisonment at hard labor, not exceeding eighteen months. An Agent was appointed to reside at Wyoming, to enquire into offences committed against the law ; and every male person above the age of twenty-one years, coming to reside within the counties of Wayne, Northampton, Luzerne, Northumberland or Lycoming, was directed to de- Tiver within three months from the time of his
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arrival, under the penalty of forty dollars to the agent or his deputy-sheriff or constable, a written declaration of his name and place of abode, and of the State or foreign Country in which he last re- sided ; and also whether he claimed any, and what lands within the Commonwealth, and the title under which he claimed the same. The Governor was also authorized to call out the militia to carry the act into effect. This act, together with a supple- ment passed in 1801, form the last of those dis- graceful measures which the records of Pennsyl- vania exhibit against the persecuted inhabitants of Wyoming. The Agent attempted a few prosecu- tions under this law, but the Courts neglected to carry it into effect, and this, like many previous measures, proved an abortive attempt to effect what the permanent laws of the Commonwealth had provided other means to accomplish. Those claims having at length been quieted, and the Pennsylvania titles fully established, the two counties of Bradford and Susquehanna were erect- ed, and the Wyoming controversy finally became extinct. The New England emigrants have be- come obedient, industrious and valuable citizens in their adopted State ; and Wyoming, under the present mild and liberal government of Pennsyl- vania, enjoys that repose which a long train of unparalleled sufferings had rendered necessary to her happiness and prosperity.
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NOTE I.
The following is the signification of several Indian names which are still retained at and near Wyoming :
Hanna or Hannah ···· Signifies a stream of water. Susquehanna .... Muddy or riley river.
Lechaw .... The forks, or point of intersection. The Lehigh River is still pronounced ' Lechaw' by the Germans.
Lechaw-hanna. ... The meeting of two streams. Hence our name ' Lackawanna.'
Tope-hanna ···· Alder stream, or stream having alders growing along its banks. Hence the name ' Tobyhanna.'
Tonk-honna .... Two smaller streams falling into a larger one opposite to each other. Hence the name Tunkhannock, which in the Indian language included Tunkannock and Bowman's creek, with an additional term to designate one from the other.
Mawshapi .... Cord or reed stream. Hence Meshoppen.
Nescopeck or Neschoppeck .... Deep, black water. Tyaogo .... A word of the Six Nations, signifying " gate" or " door," a figurative expression. The
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HISTORY OF WYOMING.
Delawares say the North door of their Council House was at the head of tide on the North or Hud- son river, and the South door at the head of the tide on the Potomac.
Nawpawnollend .... The place where the messen- gers were murdered. This word by a corruption has become " Wapwallopen." In Luzerne it signi- fied the stream near which was murdered Thomas Hill, a messenger from the Governor of Pennsylva- nia to the Indians at Wyoming.
Woaphollaughpink. ... A place where white hemp grows. Hence the name " Wapahawly."
Maugh Chunk ··· Signifies Bear Mountain .-- The village of Mauch Chunk is at the foot of this mountain, and on a stream of the same name, i. e. Bear Mountain Creek.
. The above particulars, and many of the inci- dents of the early Indian History, were communi- cated to the writer by the Rev. John Heckawelder, of Bethlehem, when he was compiling his History of the American Indians, and have been omitted in that work, as he informed the author they would be, in consequence of that communication,
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NOTE II.
The following is a copy of the articles of capitu- lation agreed upon after the Battle of Wyoming. Westmoreland, 4th July, 1778.
"CAPITULATION AGREEMENT-Made and com- pleted between John Butler, in behalf of his Ma- jesty King George the Third, and Colonel Nathan Denison of the United States of America.
" ARTICLE I. It is agreed that the settlement lay down their arms, and their garrison be demolished.
ARTICLE II. That the inhabitants occupy their farms peaceably, and the lives of the inhabitants be preserved entire and unhurt.
ARTICLE III. That the Continental stores are to be given up.
ARTICLE IV. That Colonel Butler will use his utmost influence that the private property of the in- habitants shall be preserved entire to them.
ARTICLE V. That the prisoners in Forty fort be delivered up.
ARTICLE VI. That the property taken from the people called Tories, be made good : and that they remain in peaceable possession of their farms, and unmolested in a free trade through this settlement.
ARTICLE VII. That the inhabitants which Col. Denison capitulates for, together with himself, do not take up arms during this contest.
(Signed) " JOHN BUTLER,
" NATHAN DENISON."
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NOTE III.
List of the officers killed at the Battle of Wyer ming, July 3, 1778.
Lieutenant Colonel-George Dorrance.
Major-Wait Garret.
CAPTAINS .- Dottrick Hewet, Robert Dur- kee,* Aholab Buck, Asa Whittlesey, Lazarus Stewart, Samuel Ransom, * James Bidlack, Geere, -- McKanachin, Wigdon.
LIEUTENANTS .- Timothy Pierce,* James Welles,* Elijah Shoemaker, Lazarus Stewart, 2d, Peren Ross,* Asa Stevens.
ENSIGNS .- Asa Gore, - Avery.
Note .- Those with this mark (*) were the five who arrived from the continental army just before the battle.
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APPENDIX.
LUZERNE COUNTY, in nearly the centre of which lies the Valley of Wyoming, is bounded N. by Susquehanna and Bradford ; E. by Wayne ; S. E. by Wayne, Pike and Northampton ; S. by Schuyl- kill ; S. W. by Columbia ; and W. by Columbia and Lycoming. Its territory averages about 45 miles in length, from north to south, and 40 miles in breadth, from east to west, and contains about 1800 square miles. The Susquehanna river enters the County near its north-west angle, thence run- ning a N. E. direction, and crossing the mountain ridges nearly at right angles, it breaks into the Wyoming valley near the mouth of the Lackawan- nock river ; thence it turns and runs S. W. about 20 miles, where it breaks through the mountain out of the valley, and continues generally the same course until it passes out of the county a little below the mouth of the Nescopeck creek. It is mountainous, and the mountains run in parrallel ridges in a S. W. and N. E. direction. The soil of the vallies is generally of an excellent qual- ity, and well adapted to the growing of grain ; that of the "highlands, is better adapted to grazing .- Perhaps one half of its whole surface may be cultivated, and the greater portion of the other half may advantageously be used for pasturage.
By the census of 1810, Luzerne county con- tained a population of 18,109. It then included the whole of Susquehanna, and the most populous portion of Bradford. By the census of 1820, Luzerne contained a population of 20,027 ; Sus- quehanna 9,960, and Bradford 11,554. Total
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population in the three counties 41,541-showing an increase in the three counties, in the ten years, of at least 100 per cent. It is believed that the census of 1830, will shew a population in Luzerne of more than 30,000.
Luzerne county is divided into twenty-six townships. Their names, alphabetically arranged, with their boundaries, and a brief description of each, follow. There are occasionally introduced some scraps of local history, which will, it is hoped, be interesting, if not to the general reader, at least, to the people of the neighborhood.
ABINGTON is bounded N. by Nicholson ; E. by Greenfield ; S. by Providence ; S. W. by Falls, and W. by Tunkhannock. Its timber is princi- pally beech, sugar-maple, ash, red cherry and hemlock. Tributaries of the Tunkhannock and Lackawannock, either head in, or flow through, this township, which afford many excellent mill sites ; and springs of the purest water may be found on almost every hundred acres of land.
The soil is better adapted to grazing, than the growing of grain. When once cleared, white clover springs up spontaneously, and grows luxu- riantly. Timothy is the principal grass cut for fodder, of which from one to two tons per acre are produced. A considerable portion of this township is settled, and some part of it pretty well cultivated. Wild lands of a good quality are selling here at from three to five dollars per acre. This township produces annually for market, considerable quan- tities of maple sugar, butter, cheese, (of a good quality,) wool, domestic flannels and linens, oats, horses, cattle and sheep.
The Philadelphia and Great Bend turnpike road passes nearly through its centre-an act has been passed to authorize the incorporation of a Company for making a turnpike from this township to Mont- rose, and township roads are opened in every
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direction. The settlers are principally from New England, and are a hardy, industrious and thri- ving people. School houses are erected in every neighborhood, in which schools are kept during the greater part of the year.
Abington is situate about 25 miles N. E. from Wilkes. Barre, has three post-offices, and contains about 1300 inhabitants.
BLAKELEY is bounded N. by the county of Sus- quehanna ; E. by the county of Wayne; S. E. by Covington ; S. W. by Providence, and N. W. by Greenfield. This township was called Blakeley from respect to the memory of Capt. Johnston Blakeley, who commanded the U. S. sloop of war Wasp, and who signalized himself in an engagement with the British sloop Avon.
The timber in the northern part of this township, is principally beech, maple, hemlock, ash and cher- ry ; in the southern, it is pine, oak, hickory and chesnut. The Lackawannock enters it near its N. E. angle, and flows S. W. until it intersects its south-western boundary, a distance of about 15 miles, dividing it into nearly two equal parts.
The Anthracite coal formation commences near the sources of the Lackawannock, not far from Bel- mont, the residence of Thomas Meredith, Esquire, and extends through the whole valley of the Lack- awannock, cropping out upon the hills and moun- tains on each side. It is every where exposed in the bottom and banks of the river, and in all the little ravines formed by its tributaries. It is mined with little expense-its strata having very little dip. The coal lands of the Hudson and Delaware Canal Company are located in this township. The rail-road from the basin at the western termination of the Lackawaxen canal, terminates here ; and Carbondale, a village containing several stores, mechanics shops, and well-built dwelling houses, and about 400 inhabitants, has grown up, upon a
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spot where two years since but a single log cabin was to be found. The Company have constructed an excellent artificial road from Carbondale to intersect the Milford and Owego turnpike upon the top of Moosic mountain, at Rix's Gap, a dis- tance of about three miles ;- the Milford and Owego turnpike passes through the northern Divis- ion of this township : the Luzerne and Wayne county turnpike passes through its eastern, and the Clifford and Wilkesbarre turnpike through its western divisions ; and a company has been incor- porated for making a turnpike road from Carbon- dale, along the Lackawannock river, to intersect the Clifford and Wilkes-Barre turnpike, a distance of about ten miles, from whence there is an excel- lent road to Wilkes-Barre.
A considerable portion of this township will admit of cultivation. Numerous mill sites are furnished by the Lackawannock and its tributaries. It is situate about 23 miles N. E. from Wilkes- Barre-has two post-offices, and contains a popula- tion of about 1000 souls.
BRAINTRIM is bounded N. by the county of .Susquehanna ; E. and S. E. by Tunkhannock ; S. by the Susquehanna river, which separates it from Windham ; and W. by the county of Bradford.
The river bottom in this township was originally covered with black walnut ; from which it is called " Black Walnut Bottom." The hills produce pine, oak and hickory, and will generally admit of culture, and when improved, produce good crops- of summer and winter grain. The Tuscarora, and the big and little Meshoppen creeks, afford excellent mill sites. A Woollen factory has been in operation for several years upon the big Meshop- pen, furnishing a market for wool, and manufac- turing excellent cloths for the surrounding country. The worthy proprietors, Messrs. Sterling and
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Parker, deserve great praise for their persevering exertions in this branch of domestic manufactures.
A considerable surplus of agricultural products, and large quantities of lumber, are annually pro- duced, and floated down theSusquehanna to market.
Braintrim is situate about 40 miles N. W. from Wilkes-Barre. The great post road from Tunk- hannock to Athens, passes through it. It has a post-office, and contains 700 inhabitants.
COVINGTON, (so named in honor of Brig. Gen. Covington of the army of the United States, who fell in the battle of Williamsburg in U. C. during the late war, ) is bounded E. by Wayne county, S. E. and S. by the Lehigh river, which separates it from Pike and Northampton counties ; S. W. by Bear creek, which separates it from Wilkes- Barre ; and N. W. by Pittston, Providence and Blakeley.
Its timber is pine, beech, maple, birch, ash and hemlock. There is a very thriving settlement in its northern division upon the lands of Henry W. Drinker, Esquire. Although its surface is very uneven and mountainous, much ofit may be culti- vated, and most of it will make excellent pasturage, especially for sheep. The experiment of keeping sheep upon the wild and uncultivated mountains and highlands in this and Wilkes-Barre townships, during the spring and summer months, has been tried for several successive years. The result has proved most favourable. Sheep return from the mountains in the autumn, greatly improved in health, flesh and fleece.
The Philadelphia and Great Bend turnpike pas- ses through its northern division, and the Easton and Wilkes-Barre turnpike and great stage road, through its southern. Stoddartsville, at the great falls of the Lehigh, was, a few years since, a very flourishing village. It has felt the pressure of the times, and is now going to decay. This is the
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extreme point to which the Lehigh Coal and Navi- gation Company, are authorized to extend their improvements in the navigation of that river. The contemplated Canal or Rail Road from the mouth of the Lackawannock to the Water Gap upon the Delaware, must pass through this town- ship. Its streams afford abundant and never-fail- ing mill power, and its forest the choicest of timber.
It has two post-offices and contains about 500 inhabitants.
DALLAS, is bounded N. E. by Northmoreland ; S. E. by Kingston and Plymouth ; and S. W. by Lehman. It is called Dallas, in honor of the late Alexander J. Dallas, Esquire, of the city of Phil- adelphia, one of the most distinguished citizens of Pennsylvania.
Its timber is pine, oak, hickory and chesnut. A good portion of its soil will admit of cultivation, although its surface is very uneven, and part of it mountainous.
Harvey's lake, a beautiful sheet of water, sur- rounded with romantic scenery, and stored with the finest of trout, perch and sunfish, lies in this township, and is the resort of parties of pleasure during the summer months. The outlet of this lake, Bowman's creek, and other streams, furnish excellent mill power.
Dallas is situate about 8 miles N. W. from Wilkes-Barre, and contains about 500 inhabitants.
EATON, (so named, in honor of General William Eaton, a native of Massachusetts, and hero of Deme, in Barbara,) is bounded N. N. E. and E. by the Susquehanna river, which separates it from Tunkhannock and Falls ; S. by Northmoreland ; and N. W. by Windham. It is generally hilly, some part of it mountainous, but a good portion of it may be cultivated. It produces some agricultu- ral products, and considerable lumber for market. The great stage route from Wilkes-Barre to Mont-
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rose, passes through it. It is situate about 25 miles north of Wilkes-Barre ; has a post-office, contains about 600 inhabitants.
EXETER, is bounded N. by the Susquehanna river and Falls ; E. and S. E. by Providence and Pittston; S. W. by Kingston ; and N. W. by Northmoreland.
Its timber is similar to that of Dallas. Its sur- face is very uneven. Part of its soil is excellent, and most of it may be cultivated.
The southern angle of this township includes part of Abraham's Plains, the celebrated battle ground of the 3d July, 1778, where the whole mili- tary force of the valley, under the command of Colonels Butler and Denison, were drawn into an ambuscade, and literally cut to pieces by the Brit- ish, Indians and tories, under the command of the British Col. Butler, and the Indian chief, Brandt.
Near the battle ground stood a fort called Win- termoot's, after a notorious and blood thirsty tory of that name, who claimed the adjacent land. Old Wintermoot, after having done all the mischief he could to our naked and defenceless frontier settle- ments, removed to, and settled in Canada. After the revolution, Col. John Jenkins, an American officer, and a citizen of the valley, entered upon Wintermoot's claim, as a Connecticut settler, and remained in possession until his death in 1827. During the late war, whilst our army was in pos- session of the British fort Erie, and the enemy lay in its vicinity, a son of the old tory, who was a Lieut. in the British army, commanded one of the enemies advanced piquets. A volunteer from Bradford county, was stationed at one of our piquets in the neighborhood. Young Wintermoot one day left his post, and advanced alone towards our lines, for the purpose, itis presumed, of recon- noitering our position, when he was discovered at some distance by our volunteer, who was advancing
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alone upon a similar errand towards the enemies lines. Our volunteer was armed with his rifle, which in his hands never missed its mark. He took good aim, fired, brought young Wintermoot to the ground, and returned to the fort with the arms and commission of his enemy. Thus, after the lapse of nearly 40 years, were the iniquities of the father visited upon the son. The battle ground is within a mile of the northern extremity of the valley, and about 10 miles by the road N. E. from Wilkes-Barre. Subscriptions have recently been solicited throughout the valley for the purpose of erecting a monument to the memory of those who fell in that disastrous battle. The object is praise worthy, and it is hoped, will not fail of being ac- complished.
The great stage road and turnpike from Wilkes- Barre to Montrose, passes through Exeter, and over the battle ground. Exeter has a post-office, and contains about 800 inhabitants.
FALLS, is bounded N. W. by Tunkhannock ; N. E. by Abington ; S. E. by Providence and Exe-» ter ; and S. W. by the Susquehanna, which sepa- rates it from Exeter, Northmoreland and Eaton.
This township derives its name from a beautiful cascade in Buttermilk falls creek ; a handsome view of which, engraved from a sketch by the late Jacob Cist, Esq. formed a frontispiece for one of the numbers of the Port Folio, several years since.
Its timber is white and yellow pine, oak, hicko- ry, chesnut, and some beech, maple and hemlock.
Its surface is very uneven-part of it mountain- ous ; but a considerable portion of its soil produces good crops of grain and grass. It furnishes a con- siderable quantity of lumber annually for market. It is situate about 18 miles north of Wilkes-Barre, and contains about 500 inhabitants.
GREENFIELD, is bounded on the N. by Susque- hanna county ; E. and S. E. by Blakeley ; S by
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Providence ; and W. by Abington and Nicholson.
Its timber is beech, maple, ash, red cherry and hemlock. Its soil is generally of an excellent quality-better adapted to grazing than the grow- ing of grain. It produces annually for market, considerable surplus quantities of maple sugar, butter, cheese, (of an excellent quality,) oats, do- mestic flannels and linens, horses, cattle and sheep.
Chapman's lower Chrystal, and part of upper Chrystal lakes, lie within this township; and several of the branches of the Tunkhannock and Lackawannock, have their sources in it, which furnish sufficient mill sites. Wild lands of a superior quality are selling here at from three to
five dollars per acre. The Milford and Owego turnpike road crosses its north-eastern angle, and the Clifford and Wilkes-Barre passes nearly through its centre, from north to south.
The flourishing village of Dundaff, in Susque- hanna county, is located near its northern bounda- ry, and the village of Carbondale is springing up like magic near its eastern border. The settlers are generally from New England-hardy, industri- ous and intelligent. Their prospects are very flattering ; and every circumstance conspires to invite settlers. Indeed, no portion of northern Pennsylvania, presents stronger inducements, and more favorable prospects to the New England emigrants, than Greenfield, and the neighboring townships of Abington, Blakeley and Nicholson.
It is situate about 30 miles N. E. from Wilkes- Barre. It has a post office, and contains about 1200 inhabitants.
HANOVER, is bounded N. E. by Wilkes-Barre; E. and S. E. by the Lehigh and Northampton county ; S. W. by Sugarloaf and Newport ; and N. W. by the Susquehanna river, which.separates it from Union and Plymouth.
That portion of this township which lies in the
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Wyoming valley, is thickly settled, and the land is of an excellent quality, and well cultivated. The mountainous part is covered with timber, consisting of white and yellow pine, oak, hickory and chesnut ; some portion of which may be cul- tivated.
Anthracite coal is found every where in this township, from the river to near the summit of the mountain, a distance of two or three miles. The. argillaceous iron stone abounds in the mountain, and it is believed of sufficient richness to justify its being worked upon an extensive scale.
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