Full text of "Annals of Luzerne County; a record of interesting events, traditions, and anecdotes"

ANNALS

LUZERNE COUNTY

A RECORD OF

INTERESTING EVENTS, TRADITIONS,
AND ANECDOTES.

FROM THE

FIRST SETTLEMENT IN WYOMING VALLEY TO 1866.

STEWART PEARCE.

Illustrated by a Map and Engravings.

SECOND EDITION.

WITH NOTES, CORRECTIONS, AND VALUABLE ADDITIONS.

PHILADELPHIA:

J. B. LIPPINCOTT k CO.
1866.

Mpmtiig pistoriral mtb 6wIogicaI Socittj,

THIS WORK

RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED

THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

They, who have read the Histories of Wyoming, by
Isaac A. Chapman, Esq., Colonel Stone, Charles Miner,
Esq., and the Rev. George Peck, D. D., together with the
History of Lackawanna Valley, by H. Hollister, M. D..
may conclude, the Annals of Luzerne County is a super-
fluous work. It should be remembered, however, that
the valuable works of Messrs. Chapman, Stone, and
Miner have been out of print for upwards of fifteen
years, and are now to be found chiefly only in public
libraries, and in those of private citizens of wealth ; that
Dr. Peck's work treats principally of incidents of the
Revolutionary, and Pennamite and Yankee, wars, culled,
in part, from the recollections of men and women who
received the narratives from the lips of their forefathers ;
that Dr. Hollister's history embraces only the settlement
and improvement of the Lackawanna Valley and a few
adjoining townships, and that Wyoming and Lacka-
wanna valleys are but a portion of the great county
1 (1)

ii PREFACE.

of Luzerne. With this view of the subject I commenced
my Annals, not claiming the dignity of History, but
being a brief and impartial record of events, in the order,
as near as possible, in which they occurred, beginning
wdth the days when the Indians occupied these lands,
and closing with the year 1859. If I have succeeded
in placing in the hands of the reader an instructive and
reliable work, a book containing useful data and sta-
tistics, or if I have added any good thing to the store-
house of knowledge, I am content.

It has been my object to treat each subject under its
appropriate head, avoiding, as far as possible, frequent
repetition, and to connect with local affairs as much
information of a general character as is necessary to a
correct comprehension of the whole subject. An account
of the origin of steamboats, locomotives, railroads, plank-
roads, printing, banks and paper money, and religious
denominations, with descriptions of the great lakes and
mountains of North America, together with various other
facts connected with general history, may be found in
this work. Consequently, it is not exclusively of a local
character.

In addition to the works alread}' enumerated, I ac-
knowledge my indebtedness for much valuable informa-
tion to the Pennsylvania Colonial Records and Archives,
Day's Historical Collections of Pennsylvania, Drake's

PREFACE. iii

History of the North American Indians, Rev. John
Heckewelder's Narrative, Watson's Annals of Philadel-
phia, Campbell's Annals of Tryon County, Taylor's
Statistics of Coal, and to newspaper files furnished me
by Hon. C. Miner, Hon. C. T. Barnum, Steuben Butler,
S. D. Lewis, and W. P. Miner, Esqs. ; also, to printed
speeches and addresses delivered by the Hon. B. A. Bid-
lack, Hon. Andrew Beaumont, Hon. John N. Conyng-
ham, and V. L. Maxwell, Esq.

I also own my obligations to the county officers and
their clerks, to numerous gentlemen throughout the
county, and, particularly, to Mr. R. Sharp of Eckley,
Mr. D. Yarington of Carbondale, Colonel W. Lee of
Nanticoke, and Mr. Lord Butler and Major A. H.
Bowman of Wilkesbarre ; Chester A. Colt, Esq., of
Washington City, and Charles Conner, Esq., of Harris-
burg.

I am happy, also, to tender my acknowledgments to
Captain E. L. Dana, for pencil sketches of Indian stone
instruments, of Forty Fort, of the Fell House, of Stew-
art's Blockhouse, of Sutton's Mill, of Durham boat, and
of the Wyoming Valley ; to Mr. W. H. Sturdevant for a
pencil sketch of the Slocum House ; to Miss E. J. Alex-
ander for one of the first Academy ; to Rev. R. Nelson
for the use of the plate of the Wyoming Seminary ; to
L. Hancock for an ambrotype view of the Scranton

iv PREFACE.

Graded School building; to Mr. W. H. Ward, of Wilkes-
barre, for photographs of the jail, and the new court-
house; to Mr. H. P. Messenger, of Pittston, for photo-
graph of Gouldsborough Tannery ; and to William P.
Miner, Esq., of Wilkesbarre, for plate of the old church
in the public square.

To Wilham Henry Beaumont, Esq., of Wilkesbarre, I
am indebted for an account of the expedition of the
Wyoming Artillerists to the city of Mexico, during the

war.

Stewart Pearce.

Wilkesbarre, 1860.

Note. — The figures 1, 2, 3, &c., in the text of body of the work, refer
to " Notes " in the Appendix following page 562.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

THE INDIANS.

Man's origin — Confusion of color and tongues — Migrations — Discovery of
America — Indian traditions — Ancient fortifications — Indian relics — Iro-
quois, or Five Nations — Shawanese — Delawares — Treaty with William
Penn — Walking purchase — Council at Philadelphia — Canassatego's speech
— Shikellimus — Mohicans — Nanticokes — Indian villages and paths — Mo-
ravian missionaries — Rev. George Whitfield — Count Zinzendorf — Conrad
Weiser — Gnadenhutten — French War — Sir William Johnson — Shingas —
Logan — Neglect of the Provincial Assembly to protect the frontiers — Dis-
pute between the Governor and Assembly — Teedyuscung — Indian council
at Wyoming — Destruction of white settlements on the Delaware — Madame
Montour — Paxinos — Capture of Peter Hess and others — Logan's celebrated
speech not true — Forts Augusta and Allen built — Rewards offered for
Indian scalps by Governor Morris and council — Day of fasting and prayer —
Councils at Easton — Speeches of Teedyuscung — His reasons for declaring
war — Council at Lancaster — Third council at Easton — Teedyuscung de-
mands a secretary — Charles Thompson — Peace with the Susquehanna
Indians — Houses erected at Wyoming for Teedyuscung — Grasshopper war
— Christian Frederick Post — His mission to the western Indians — Meets
King Beaver — Fourth council at Easton — Peace with the western Indians
— The French surrender Canada to the English — Second Indian war —
Death of Teedyuscung — Rewards offered for Indian scalps by Governor
John Penn — Peace — Christian Indians at Wyalusing — First bell on the
Susquehanna — Departure of the Indians Page 13

CHAPTER II.

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR.

Charters of Connecticut and Pennsylvania — Purchase of Indian title — Sus-
quehanna Land Company — First settlement at Wyoming — Massacre of
settlers — Trenton decree — The Forty, or first settlers of Kingston — Forty
Fort — Captain Ogden — First arrest of Yankees — Second arrest — Fort Dur-
lee built — Its surrender — Flight and suffering of the Yankees — Captain

(5)

VI • CONTENTS.

Lazarus Stewart and Culonel Durkee — First blood shed — Fort Ogden sur-
rendered by the Pennamites and burnt by the Yankees — Return of Ogden —
Renewed conflict — Capture of Captain Zebulon Butler and others — Fort
W^'oming built — Death of Nathan Ogden — Butler and Stewart besiege
Ogden — Ogden's tact and escape — Returns with reinforcements — Surrender
of the Pennamites — Proposals by Connecticut to negotiate rejected by
Pennsylvania — Town of Westmoreland formed and organized — Charleston
and Judea destroyed by Colonel Plunket — Pluuket marches against Wyo-
ming — Is defeated by the Yankees at Nanticoke — Pennamites and Yankees
united during the Revolutionary War — Civil strife resumed by Pennsylva-
nia — Petition of Yankee settlers to the Pennsylvania Assembly — Compro-
mise commissioners appointed — John Jenkins and others appointed a com-
mittee to meet the commissioners — Alexander Patterson — His infamous
acts — Flight of five hundred Yankees, and their suiferings in the wilderness
— Their return — Fort Defence — Battle on Ross Hill — Captain John Frank-
lin dispossesses the Pennamites — Wilkesbarre burnt — Battle at Locust Hill
— Colonel John Armstrong — His treachery — Arrest of Yankees — Their
escape from the Easton jail — The Pennamites besieged — Captains Swift
and Franklin wounded — Council of Censors — Battle of the Diamond —
Franklin's oath — Susquehanna Company reaffirms its rights — New state
proposed — Timothy Pickering — Yankees divided — Confirming Law — Mass
meeting at Forty Fort — Club fight — General Ethan Allen — Arrest of
Franklin — Meeting of Pennsylvania claimants — Land-jobbing priests —
Repeal of the Confirming Law — Capture of Pickering — Compromise Law —
Certified townships — Final settlement of the question 58

CHAPTER III.

CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART,

Birth and education — Joins General Braddock — Returns to Paxton — Hia
intended bride murdered by savages — The funeral — Stewart's oath —
Marches to Wyoming with his rangers — Burial of the massacred settlers —
Conestoga Indians — Reward offered for Stewart's arrest — His declaration —
Joins the Yankees — Captures Fort Durkee — Joined by Colonel John Dur-
kee — Capture of Fort Ogden — Reward off'ered for the arrest of Stewart and
Captain Zebulon Butler — Arrest of Stewart — His escape — Second capture
of Fort Durkee — Plunket's invasion and repulse — Stewart commands the
Hanover Company — Council of war at Forty Fort — Is in favor of meeting
the enemy in the open field — His death 100

CHAPTER IV.

, THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
Patriotic resolution — Tories — Fort Wintermoot — Independent companies —

CONTENTS. vit

Captain Weisner's company — Captain Strong's company — Companies join
Washington — Battle of Millstone — First prisoners from Wyoming — Scalps
taken — Widows and wives of soldiers supplied with provisions by the town- —
Captain Hewitt's company — First American killed by the enemy — Indiar
spies — Return of Colonel Zebulon Butler and Captains Ransom and Durkot
— Approach of the enemy — The Hardings — Colonel John Butler — Fort
Wintermoot surrendered — Fort Jenkins — Pittston Stockade — Forty Fort —
Numbers of the Americans — Council of war — Reasons for engaging the
enemy-— Battle of Wyoming — Death of Colonel Dorrance — Massacre —
Elijah Shoemaker — The fratricide — The Bloody Rock — Burnt alive —
Samuel Carey — Flight of the inhabitants — Captain Spaulding meets the
fugitives — Colonel Nathan Denison — Surrender of Forty Fort — Wilkesbarre
burnt — Queen Esther and her scalps — Departure of the enemy from Wyo-
ming — Report of Colonel John Butler — Colonel Thomas Hartley — Forts
Jenkins, Muncy, and Freedley erected — Return of Colonel Zebulon Butler
and Captain Spaulding to Wyoming — Fort Wilkesbarre built — Address of
Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania — Unkind sentiments of the
council — Williams and Abbott shot — Capture of Tripp, Hocksey, Swetland,
and Blanchard — Colonel Hartley's expedition — William Jameson killed —
Burial of the dead — Capture of Frances Slocum — Numerous murders by
the Indians — Capture of Bidlack — Fort Wilkesbarre attacked — Death of
Williams, Pettebone, and others — Washington sends Generals Sullivan and
Clinton against the Indians — Death of Captain Davis — Sullivan's army at
Wyoming — Marches into the Indian territory — Battle near Elmira — The
country of the Six Nations laid waste — Death of Lieutenant Thomas Boyd —
Bennett and Hammond — Rogers, Pike, and Van Campen — Skirmish in
Sugarloaf Valley — Capture of Harvey and Ransom — Capture of the Frank-
lin family — Death of John Jameson and Asa Chapman — Revolutionary pen-
sioners — The Monument — List of killed in the battle of July 3d, 1778 120

CHAPTER V.

LUZERNE COUNTY. ^

Original counties in Pennsylvania — Northampton formed — Northumberland
— Luzerne — Chevalier De la Luzerne — Divisions of Luzerne Connty — Its
valleys — Wyoming — Lackawanna — Huntington and Sugarloaf — Mountains
— Highest in the United States — Mountains in Luzerne — Their height —
Dial Rock — Pulpit Rock — Honey Pot — Prospect Rock — Prospect House —
Rivers and creeks — The Duke of Orleans on the Susquehanna — Bridges —
Gaseous vapor from the Lackawanna— Lakes and ponds — Great lakes of
North America — Harvey's Lake the largest in Pennsylvania — Lake House —
Population of Luzerne county — Whites — Colored — Deaths — Marriages —
Deaf — Dumb — Blind — Foreigners — Slaves — Comparative increase of popu-
lation in agricultural and mining districts 156

v/iii CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI.

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS.

Certified townships — Townships of 1790 — List of townships and boroughs —
Description of each in alphabetical order, embracing an account of first
settlements — Saw-mills — Churches — Grist-mills — Population, &c. . 182

CHAPTER VII.

THE JUDICIARY.

No law in Wyoming — Code established by Susquehanna Land Company —
Westmoreland county formed — First court, judges, and lawyers under
Connecticut — No lawyers in 1781 — Price of grain regulated by the court —
Divorcements — Blue Laws — First Luzerne County Court — Judges — Law-
yers — First grand jurors — Justices of the peace — Dueling — Log court-
house — Hog in the garret — Second court-house — Supreme Judges — Court
ceremonies — Balls — The contrast — President Judges — Imprisonment for
whispering in court — Sherifi's — Additional lawyers — Jail and fire-proof
buildings — Third court-house — Laying of corner-stone — Execution of crimi-
nals — Deeds — Mortgages — Judgments — Courts in Carbondale — County ex-
penditures — Value of taxable property — Criminals sentenced to the peni-
tentiary 234

CHAPTER VIII.

EDUCATION.

Land appropriated by Susquehanna Company — Indian school — Free school —
Schoolmasters — School lands sold — Pennsylvania free school system — Ac-
cepted in Luzerne county — Adults who cannot read and write — Number
of schools and pupils in the several townships — Wilkesbarre Academy —
Teachers and students — Kingston Academy — Plymouth Academy — Madi-
son Academy — Wyoming Conference Seminary — Wyoming Institute —
Wilkesbarre Female Institute — Graded schools , . 262

CHAPTER IX.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

First minister in Wyoming — Presbyterian Church — Rev. David Brainerd —
Support of ministers by the Susquehanna Company — First church in Han-
over — First in Wilkesbarre — Lottery — The old sexton — The 9 o'clock bell —
Religious war — New School Presbyterians — Methodist Episcopal Church —
Rev. Anning Owen — Class and quarterly meetings — Bishop Asbury visits
Wyoming— Forty Fort Church— First camp meeting— French infidelity-
Baptist Church — Early ministers — Abington Baptist Association — Wyo-

CONTENTS. ix

ming Association — Lutheran and German Reformed Churches — First min-
isters — Protestant Episcopal Church — Early ministers — Roman Catholic
Church — Minor churches — Jews — Colored churches — The Mormons — Re-
capitulation 275

CHAPTER X.

THE MILITARY.

Whiskey Insurrection — Luzerne volunteers — John Adams's war — Second
company of Luzerne volunteers — War of 1812 — Wyoming Blues — Letter of
Captain Slocum and others — Reply of Mr. Jefferson — Wyoming Matross —
Cannonading — Battle of Lake Erie — Silver medal — James Bird — Ballad —
Matross at Maiden and Detroit — Battle of the Thames — The Bloody 16th —
Recruiting stations — Militia march for Baltimore — Soldier beaten to death —
Return of volunteers — Rejoicing — Mexican War — Wyoming Artillerists —
Lobos Island — Siege of Vera Cruz — First fire of the Mexicans — Battle of
Cerro Gordo — Castle of Perote — Burial of the dead — The Black Pass — Siege
of Puebla — City of Mexico — Columbia Guards — Lieut. Le Clerc — Return
of the volunteers — Reception at home — County volunteer organization 316

CHAPTER XL

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES.

Agriculture the true source of prosperity — Recommended by eminent men —
False system of education — Our grandfathers and grandmothers — Rivalry
among farmers and spinsters — Agricultural societies — First in Luzerne —
Markets — Transportation of grain— Conestoga wagon — Price of grain —
Spirit of speculation — Decline of agriculture — Second agricultural society —
Abington Society — Fourth society — County fair — Specimens of vegetables
and fruits — Statistical table — -Manufactures — Spinning-wheels — Looms —
Carding and fulling mills — Wool-growing — Paper-mill — Forges — Nail fac-
tory — Furnaces and rolling-mills — Foundries and steam-engines — Powder-
mills — Tanneries — Lehigh lumber trade — Men and capital employed in
manufactures in Luzerne county 337

CHAPTER XII.

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE.

Coal first used in England — Indian mines in Wyoming — Anthracite first used
in smithshops — Silver, lead, and copper mines — Discovery of coal at Mauch
Chunk — Progress and difficulties of the trade — Judge Fell — His experiment
— Efforts of Messrs. Miner, Cist, Smith and others to introduce anthracite
into use — Public incredulity — Discovery of coal atHazelton — ^Eastern Middle
coal-field — Bituminous coal — Wyoming coal-field — Its development — The
miner — Baltimore Coal Company — Individual operators — Pennsylvania

X CONTENTS.

Coal Company — Dundee shaft — Lackavranna coal-field — Maurice and "Wil-
liam Wurts — Delaware and Hudson Canal and Coal Company — Progress
of improvements and trade — Area of coal-fields— Quantity and value of
anthracite — Increase of consumption — Fossil remains — Iron ore — Lime-
stone — Cost of manufacturing iron 364

CHAPTER XIII.

NEWSPAPERS, BOOKS, POETRY, LITERARY AND BENEFICIAL SOCIETIES.

Discovery of the art of printing — First newspapers — Town sign-post — News-
papers in Wilkesbarre, Kingston, Carbondale, Providence, Pittston, Scran-
ton, Plymouth, and Conyngham — Value of printing establishments — Books
printed and published in Luzerne county — Poetry : " Jackson and his
Comrades ;" " Columbia ;" " Lines on visiting the Wj^oming Monument ;"
"Ode;" " The Sons of Wyoming ;" " Shawanee's Farewell ;" " To the
Susquehanna;" "Poor Man and the Doctor;" "Death of Lieutenant
Bowman ;" " Christmas ;" " Upon my life it's true ;" " Mush and Milk ;"
" Address to a Land Tortoise" — Debating societies — Libraries — Bible So-
ciety — Sunday School Union — Temperance societies — Free Masonry — Odd
Fellows and other beneficial societies — Wyoming Historical and Geological
Society 389

CHAPTER XIV.

ROADS, MAILS, AND STAGES.

First wagon road — Vehicles — Turnpikes — Plank-roads — Railroads — First lo-
comotive in the United States — First train of passenger cars in Wyoming —
Aggregate length and cost of railroads in Luzerne — First mails and post-
offices — Stages, &c 439

CHAPTER XV.

NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA.

Durham boats — Teamboat — Steamboats — Explosion of the " Susquehanna" —
Ship-building — The launch — Lumber rafts and arks — Canals — Breaking
ground — First canal Ijoat — First packot boat — First canal boats sent north-
ward — Sale of state canals 455

CHAPTER XVI.

CLIMATE.

Temperature — Extraordinary drought — Fasting and prayer — Ice flood of 1784
— Pumpkin flood — Subsequent floods — Hurricanes — Destruction of the
Wilkesbarre bridge — Providence destroyed — Men and women carried away
by the wind— Diseases — Deaths — Physicians 470

CONTENTS. xi

CHAPTER XVII.

WILD ANIMALS.— HUNTING.— FISHING.

Panthers — Early hunters — Ishmael Bennett — Wheaton and the panther — Sox
and the panthers — Arnold and the panther — Wolves — George A. Crockett —
Scott and the bear — John 3IcHenry, the hunter king — Great circle hunt —
The beaver and other animals — Shad-fishing — The first seine — The widow's
haul — Connecticut salmon introduced into the Susquehanna — Rock fish —
Bass — Trout-fishing — Extraordinary stories^A large pike .... 488

CHAPTER XVIII.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Banks and bankers — Continental money — Shinplasters — Wyoming and Pitts-
ton banks — Banking capital — Rates of discount — Insurance companies —
Distilleries — Value of whiskey and other articles ninety years ago — Witches
— Politics — Alien and sedition law — Election of Jefferson — Ox roasted —
Candidates for office recommended by the grand jury — Elections — Presi-
dents — Governors — Congressmen — Members of the legislature — Gershom
Prince — Mineral springs — Interesting items — Hominy block — Table of dis-
tances 504

APPENDIX.

A. Names of settlers in 1763 — B. Names of subsequent settlers — C. Names
of prisoners sent to Easton jail — D. Muster-rolls of independent companies
— E. List of killed at Wyoming massacre, 1778 — F. Muster-roll, 1794 —
G. Muster-roll, 1799 — H. Muster-roll, 1813 — I. Names of militiamen who
marched to Danville — J. Muster-roll of Wyoming Artillerists — K. Tax-
ables of Exeter tovraship — L. Taxables of Hanover — M. Taxables of Hunt-
ington — N. Taxables of Kingston — 0. Taxables of Nescopeck — P. Taxables
of Newport — Q. Taxables of Pittston — R. Taxables of Plymouth — S. Tax-
ables of Providence — T. Taxables of Salem — U. Taxables of Wilkesbarre —
V. Postmasters and offices — W. Statistical coal tables — Coal companies
and operators — Railroads — Salt and Iron and Petroleum companies —
X. Population in 1860— Y. Floods— Z. The great rebellion . . 535-562

NOTES 563,564

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Indian Relics . . . .19

Teedyuscuno .... 39

Capture of John Franklin . . 93

Stewart's Block-House . . 115

Forty Fort 126

Frances Slocum .... 139

The Wyoming Monument . . 150

View of Wyoming Valley . 159

First House built in Carbondale 191

Thf, Slocum House ... 222
Sutton's Mill . . . .228

Red House 229

Wyoming Valley Hotf.l , . 232

Old Court-House, Wilkesbarrb 244

Luzerne County Jail . . . 251

New Court-House, Wilkesbarre 262

CouRT-HouSE, Carbondale . 259

Old Academy, Wilkesbarre . 267

paoe

Wyoming Seminary . . . 271

Scranton Graded School . . 274

Old Church, Wilkesbarre . 282

Old Church, Forty Fort . . 293

CoNBSTOGA Wagon . . . 344

Tannery, at Gouldsborodoh . 361

Fell House .... 369

A Miner 378

Coal Breaker .... 378
Baltimore Company's Coal Open-
ing 379

Mail Coach 460

Durham Boat .... 466

Stern Wheel Boat . . . 457

Ship 466

Deer 498

IIouiny-Block .... 632

(xii)

ANNALS

LUZERNE COUNTY.

CHAPTER I.
THE INDIANS.

Alas ! for them their day is o'er,
Their fires are out from shore to shore.
No more for them the wild deer bounds,
The plough is on their hunting grounds ;
The pale man's axe rings through their woods,
The pale man's sail skims o'er their floods ;
Their children — look, by power oppressed.
Beyond the mountains of the West —
Their children go — to die ! — Sprague.

Rejecting the theories that the human race advanced
to its present development, by slow gradations, from infe-
rior organizations, such as snails, oysters, and monkeys,
or from separate and distinct acts of creation, and that
climate and food have produced the various colors of the
human family, we express our belief in the account of
man's origin as recorded in Holy Writ, and entertain the
opinion that the cwifusion of colors was a miraculous work
simultaneous with the confusion of tongues. The word
Babel signifies confusion, and is as applicable to color as

to language. It was the object of the Almighty to scatter

(13)

14 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the people abroad on the face of the whole eart\^(j to
prevent their reunion ; and it is apparent no surc^ga^s
could have been adopted by Divine wisdom to efi this
end than to confuse their color as well as their laL^o-e,
Nations of the same color, but speaking differeuan-
guages, may unite by marriage or otherwise, but Vye
language and color are both different, a union ij&x-
tremely improbable ; and between the extremes of tOQ
there exists, in the superior race at least, an utt<^r ..
horrence of the mingling of blood. It is said the nati\
in the wilds of Africa instinctively shrink from a marriaj.
relation between themselves and the whites. The grea
Apostle Paul, in his speech to the Athenians, "in tht
midst of Mars' Hill," said, among other things, that God
" hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell
on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the
times before appointed, and the bounds of their habita-
tion." Again, we read in Deuteronomy, xxxii. 8 : " When
the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance,
when he separated the sons of Adam," &c. From these
passages we understand that the Creator had fixed, or de-
creed, in his eternal mind, the time when each nation, or
race, should migrate, and also the continent or territory
that should be occupied by each. If this be the true con-
struction, it is probable that He who made the skin of the
negro black, and that of the Indian red, guided the former
to Africa, and the latter to the continent of America.
The Aleutian Islands are near the coast of Asia, and
extend almost to the peninsula of Alaska, a short distance
beyond which the north-west coast of America begins.
Behring's Straits, separating Asia from America, are only
thirty-two miles in width. A canoe, or craft adrift, from
the Polynesian islands, will be borne by the currents to
the northern extreme of California. Hence, we conclude

THE INDIANS. 15

it would not be impossible, or even very difficult, for the
ancestors or predecessors of the North American Indians
to find their wa}^ from the Old to the New World.

Within three hundred and fifty years after the confu-
sion at Babel, Abraham found Egypt inhabited by a people
measurably civilized. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
had been built and destroyed, and a large portion of Asia
was settled. It would be no great strain on one's cre-
dulity to believe that in tliree hundred and fifty years
more some colony of adventurers had pushed their explora-
tions northward across Behring's Straits, and had made a
settlement on the fertile lands of the Western World.
Less than three hundred and seventy years ago Columbus
had not sailed from Palos on his voyage of discovery; and
yet see what millions are now located between the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans, and are pushing their settlements to-
wards every point of the compass.

It is well authenticated that the Northmen discovered
Greenland in the tenth century, and that in the year
1002, Leif, a Norwegian, sailed south-west from Green-
land and discovered the coast of New England. Thor-
warld afterwards made a voyage in the same ship to the
same coast, and was murdered by the Indians, whose
enmity he had incurred. This continent, then, was peo-
pled to its farthest eastern extremity long before Columbus
discovered it. Whether the Indians he found here were
the original people has been made a question. Or, whe-
ther the Indians, as the Europeans found them, were not
degenerated from a higher condition of civilization, than
that then existing, has also been made a subject of dis-
cussion.

In the West are found mounds and fortifications, which
indicate an advancement in the arts, to which the Indians
were utter strangers. Similar evidences have been found

16 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

on our own Susquehanna. A very slight examination
will satisfy any one that there was once a people on these
shores who defended themselves by regular fortifications,
buried their dead in a peculiar manner, and worked mines
of copper, and of other metals, which were not practised
by the Red men, when the colonies of Jamestown and
Plymouth were planted. Rome, once stern and virtuous,
became great and triumphant over a vanquished world.
But with the introduction of the many arts and refine-
ments of other lands came luxury and debauchery, which
were followed by the flight of virtue and of valor. The
hardy nations of the North, finding no longer virtuous
courage to resist their onsets, poured down on the ener-
vated empire, and barbarism covered refined and classic
Italy. So, possibly, a similar scene may have been
enacted in America. The original settlers, bringing with
them the arts which flourished in Egypt, when the first
Pharaohs were on the throne, may have eventually be-
come luxurious and weak, and may thus have fallen an
easy prey to barbarous but valorous hordes, who coveted
their lands and possessions.

Our knowledge of the Indian race begins with the dis-
covery of America. They were then, as the vast majority
of them are at the present day, hunters, living in rude
huts, clothing themselves in the skins of animals, and
using the bow, stone hatchet, spear, and arrow-head, ag
their weapons of attack and defence. They, as a race,
have been uninfluenced by anything of civilization, except
its vices. The strong-water of the white man has made
sad havoc among them, and they are rapidly disappearing
from North America.

Kagegagahbowh, alias George Copway, an educated
Indian of the Ojebwa tribe, informed the writer, that the
Indians had a tradition that their ancestors came from

THE INDIANS. 17

the West, and that when they die they go back towards
the setting sun to the country whence they came, and on
their passage cross the water. That a very bad Indian,
when he returns, finds a sterile soil and poor hunting in
the Fatherland; that a pretty good Indian passes on
through the poor country to other and better hunting-
grounds ; and a very good Indian goes still farther, to a
land where excellent game is found in great abundance,
amid the most attractive scenes of nature.

They have also a tradition that their forefathers were
engaged in war with another race of people in this country,
whom they exterminated, and drove out. This tradition
of another people is corroborated by the fortifications and
mounds before alluded to, also by heathen gods, imple-
ments of husbandry, looking-glasses, and other articles
found in Ohio and Western New York.

When the forty settlers arrived in Wyoming, in 1769,
they found the remains of an ancient fortification, or
enclosure, respecting which the Indians could give no
information as to its origin or use. Within this enclosure
large trees w^ere found growing, one of which, when cut
down, was ascertained to be seven hundred years old.
This work was located on the Avest side of Toby's Creek,
in Kingston township, a few rods above the present road
leading from Kingston to Wilkesbarre, but is now entirely
destroyed. It was visited by Mr. Chapman, in 1817, and
is described by him, in his History of Wyoming, as being
of " an oval or elliptical form, and having its longest
diameter from the north-west to the south-east, at right
angles to the creek, three hundred and thirty-seven feet,
and its shortest diameter from the north-east to the south-
west two hundred and seventy-two feet. On the south-
west side appears to have been a gateway, about twelve

feet wide, opening towards the great eddy of the river,
2

18 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

into which the creek falls. From present appearances, it
consisted probably of only one mound, or rampart, which
in height and thickness appears to have been the same on
all sides, and was constructed of earth. On the outside
of the rampart is an intrenchment, or ditch, formed pro-
bably by removing the earth."

Mr. Miner, in his History of Wyoming, says, " An-
other fortification existed on Jacob's Plains, or the upper
flats in Wilkesbarre. Its situation is in the highest part
of the low grounds, so that only in extraordinary floods
is the spot covered with water. Looking over the flats,
in ordinarily high freshets, the site of the fort presents to
the eye an island in the vast sea of waters." It was of
the same size as the one in Kingston, and also had large
trees growing out of the embankment, when the first
white settlers arrived in the valley. There was a well of
water in the interior. Between this fortification and the
river was a burying-ground, where graves were found, with
the dead laid horizontally in regular rows. When the canal
was excavated, in another direction from the fort, a second
graveyard was discovered, in which the dead were buried
in a sitting posture.

In 1814, Mr. Miner, in company with Chief Justice
Gibson and Jacob Cist, Esq., visited the last-mentioned
fortification, where they found a medal, bearing on one
side the impress of King George I., dated 1714, the year
in which he began his reign, and on the other side the
likeness of an Indian chief. In 1839, the river washed
out the remains of human skeletons near this fort, on the
breast of one of wliicli was found a picture of a lady
pasted on an oval piece of glass, which had probably been
worn as a locket. " Taken in connection with the medal
of King George," says Miner, " I express the conviction
that the picture must have been that of Queen Anne.

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THE INDIANS. 19

What greatly strengthens this opinion is the fact that, in
1710, in the reign of that queen, a deputation of chiefs
of the Five Nations visited England." He (Mr. Miner)
conjectures that the skeleton upon which the picture was
found, was one of the two river chiefs, Elow-Oh-Koam,
and Oh-Nee-Yeath-Ton-No-Prow, who were of this depu-
tation, and were the heads of the Seneca and Oneida
Indians. The one, he supposes, occupied the fortification
at Kingston, and the other that on the Jacob Plains.
But this conclusion is most probably incorrect. The indi-
cations are decidedly in favor of the supposition that
these fortifications were once occupied by a people very
different from the Indians. The growth of large trees on
the ramparts and within the enclosure, show that they
must have been abandoned hundreds of years before the
period when the deputation from the Five Nations visited
England. The two populous graveyards, the different
modes of burial, a large copper spear-head recently found
on the site of the fortification at Kingston, point to two
distinct people, who at different periods occupied these
lands. The Indians never dug wells, erected forts, or
used any other implements of warfare or husbandry than
stone, wood, and clay, until after they became known to
the whites.

The accompanying plate and explanations of Indian
relics, collected chiefly within Luzerne county, and depo-
sited in the rooms of the Wyoming Historical and Geolo-
gical Society at Wilkesbarre, will not be, we trust, unin-
teresting to the reader.^

According to the tables, charts, and paintings of the
Aztecs, conquered by Cortes in Mexico, the Toltecs, whom
the Aztecs said they subdued and exterminated A. d. 1100,
arrived in Mexico from the North A. d. 554. It is not
improbable these were the people who erected the ancient

20 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

foilifications found here as well as throughout the valley
of the Mississippi.

When the first whites settled in New England, New
York, and Canada, more than two hundred j^ears ago, the
oldest chiefs among the Iroquois, or Five Nations, had no
knowledge of the early history of their union as a people,
other than the tradition that they sprang from five hand-
fuls of red seeds, like the eggs of Hies. These were sown
on the fertile fields of Onondaga, by Manitta, and after
nine moons, boys and girls grew up from the seeds, whom
Manitta carefully instructed, assigning to each nation its
particular duties. He enjoined upon all the remembrance
that they were brethren, and should unitedly defend their
country from invasion while the sun and moon gave light,
and the waters ran in the rivers. The Five Nations were
a powerful and warlike confederacy, which held an abso-
lute supremacy over a large extent of country. Their
domain extended from the head waters of the Allegheny,
Susquehanna, and Delaware rivers to the Lakes Erie and
Ontario, and on the east to the borders of Vermont ; but
they claimed authority over numerous tribes as far Avest-
ward as the Waljash, and southward as Georgia. In
1712, the Tuscaroras being expelled from their homes in
the south, were adopted into the confederacy, which was
known thenceforth as the Six Natlom. The Tuscaroras
were an effeminate race, and deficient in courage. The
Grand Council fire of the confederacy was kindled in the
Onondaga Vjdley, in the state of New York. Their ter-
ritory they styled their Lomj House. The Onondagas were
the cliief counsellors ; they guarded the council fire, and
to them belonged the duties of a civil character. The
Senecas occupied the western portion of the Long House,
the Mohawks the eastern, and the Cayugas the southern.
Besides these were the Oneidas in the interior. Deputies

T H E I N D I A N S. 21

from the confederate tribes met in their great council to
consider questions of peace or war, and their proceedings
were marked by a decorum and dignity which certain
representative assembhes of our day and nation might
copy with credit to themselves and their country. They
were physically superior to the neighboring tribes — they
were brave, upright, but ferocious in battle. The admin-
istration of their public affairs was marked by foresight
and wisdom, and their eloquence will compare favorably
with that of more civilized nations.

At an early period they formed an alliance with the
Dutch on the Hudson, from whom they procured fire-arms.
They conquered the Naragansetts and Mohegans in New
England, the Hurons and Eries on the Great Lakes, and
the Cherokees in the South. At one time they repelled
the encroachments of the French, at another were united
with the French in war against the English, and again
were the allies of the Enslish aafainst the French. When
the American Revolution broke out they took part with
Great Britain, and desolated our frontiers with fire and
the tomahawk. But when the English troops were with-
drawn, after the proclamation of peace, they were no
match for the arms and intelligence of the Americans.
They have rapidly passed away before the advancement
of civilization. A few remnants of these tribes remain on
lands reserved for them by government in the state of
New York, but their utter extinction is at hand. If they
are susceptible of being taught the arts and manners of
civilized life, they seem as a race to be wholly incapacitated
to withstand its concomitant vices, which they greedily
adopt and practice to an excess that entails speedy ruin.

The Indians who inhabited the territory within the
present limits of Luzerne county, were the Delawares,
Monseys, Shawanese, Nanticokes, Wanamies, and Mohi-

22 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

cans. Tliey were all subject to the Iroquois, or Six
Nations, who had conquered them before the first settle-
ments were made by the whites in Pennsylvania. They
were allowed by their masters to retain their hunting-
grounds, on condition of paying an annual tribute, but
were liable to removal whenever the grand council at
Onondaga so decreed.

THE SHAWANESE.

In 1608, when the. French made their first permanent
settlements in Canada, they found the Iroquois engaged
in a bloody war with the Hurons and Eries, who dwelt in
the region of the great lakes. The Iroquois, or con-
federated tribes, proved victorious. The Eries, broken
and subdued, divided and left their old hunting-grounds,
the one portion, named the Kickapoos, going west of the
Mississippi, and the other portion, or Shawanese, called
by the French the Raccoon Indians, wandering south into
Georgia and Florida.

Becoming involved in war with the Spaniards and the
southern Indian tribes, the Shawanese emigrated north-
ward, and about the year 1690 commenced building a
town at the confluence of the Wabash and Ohio ; but
hearing of the mild and honorable character of William
Pcnn, a number of them applied for permission to settle
in Pennsylvania. The Conestoga Indians, who inhabited
the country near Lancaster, became security for the good
behavior of the Shawanese, who, l)y order of Penn's
cousin and Lieutenant Governor, Colonel Markham, were
located with their chief Gachgawatschiqua, on Pequea
creek, below Lancaster, in the year 1697.

In 1701, William Penn made a treaty with the Susque-
hanna Indians, in which the arrangement of Colonel

THE INDIANS. 23

Markham was confirmed, and soon after this a number
of the Shawanese, under their chief Kakowatchie, settled
on the Delaware river, at Pechoquealin, while others took
up their abode at Wyoming.

During several years prior to the breaking out of the
French war, in 1754, there was a constant effort upon
the part both of the French and of the English, to secure
the aid of the Indians in the event of hostilities. French
Jesuits baj)tized and clothed them in coats trimmed with
glittering lace, while the English gave them presents of
beautiful pipes, and good rum, &c. The French warned
them against the English, whom they represented as
desirous to rob the Indians of their lands ; the English
reiterated the same charge against the French. A vener-
able chief, at a treaty held at Lancaster in 1744, said:
" If the English and French have a quarrel, why don't
they fight in their own countries beyond the water?
Why do you come here to fight on our land?" The
Indians, untutored as they were, understood the question
perfectly well, and being only desirous to secure the
largest measure of profit for themselves, were at a loss to
decide between the two. The tribes on the Ohio and its
tributaries, being more immediately under the influence
of the French, were disposed to espouse their cause, while
the tribes in Pennsylvania, in the neighborhood of the
English, united with them. In 1728, the Six Nations, at
the instigation of the French, ordered a number of the
Delawares and Shawanese to remove from their old homes
to new localities. The Shawanese at Pechoquealin, on
the Delaware, below the Durham Iron Works, received
orders to remove to Wyoming, at which place they would
be more immediately under the eye of the confederacy.
This order was obeyed with such promptness that they
departed without gathering their corn ; and their sudden

24 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

exit was wholly inexplicable to the governor and council
of Pennsylvania, until 1732, when Governor Gordon was
informed, by four Shawanese chiefs, that the Six Nations
had said to them, with reference to their removal, " We
will take Pechoquealin and put it on Meheahowming
(Wj-oming), and we will take Meheahowming and put it
on Ohiali, and Ohiah we'll put on Woabach, and that
shall be the warrior's road for the future." They gave as
a reason for the change that the Shawanese refused to
fight the English. The Six Nations claimed authority
over the Pennsylvania tribes by virtue of conquest, and
removed them at will from one part of the territory to an-
other, as policy dictated.

In 1731, the number of Delawares and Shawanese in
Western Pennsylvania, on the Ohio, Allegheny, and
Connemaugh rivers, was 131 families, containing 425
warriors. The Shawanese were those who had been
removed from the Susquehanna at the command of the
Six Nations. When Kakowatchie and his people arrived
at Wyoming, they occupied the wigwams deserted by
their brethren, who had gone to the Ohio. These were
erected on the west side of the river, near where Plymouth
now stands. Here Count Zinzendorf, accompanied by a
missionary named Martin Mack and his wife, who spoke
the Shawanese language, found them in the autumn of
1742.

DELAWARES.

The Delawares called themselves Lenni Lenape, or the
Original People, and when first found by the English
were divided into three tribes, the Mousey, or Minsi,
whose emblem was the wolf, the Wanamese or Turtle,
and the Unalachitgoes, or Turkey tribe. The Monseys
kindled their council fire in the Minisink above the

THE INDIANS.

Delaware Water Gap. We learn that they had a villag
in the Lackawanna Valley, near Scran ton, in the yea
1728, and it is probable, for many years before. Tht
other tribes occupied the country on the Delaware from
the AVater Gap eastward, through a portion of New
Jersey, to the ocean.

On the 23d of June, 1683, William Penn held a treaty
of peace and friendship with these Indians, under a large
elm-tree in Kensington, now Philadelphia, which, says
Voltaire, was the only treaty ever made without an oath,
and the only one kept inviolate. The Indians called
Penn Onas, signifying Good, which appellation, we regret
to say, could not be given to his heirs, Thomas and John
Penn, who deserted the faith and principles of their father,
and defrauded the Indians of their lands. They gave the
savages rum or fire water, for questionable purposes, and
they offered bounties for the scalps of the Delawares.

From 1682 to 1686 several purchases of lands upon the
Delaware were made from the Indians by William Penn
and his agents, but from the want of a knowledge of the
geography of the country, certain boundaries were defined
in words such as, " as far as a horse can run in a day, or
two days ; or, as far as a man can walk in a day," &c.
Only one of these boundaries was ever settled by William
Penn himself, who, with his friends and a number of
chiefs, walked slowly, halting to eat, drink, and smoke,
and in this way passed over less than thirty miles in one
day.

In 1718, a general deed of release was given by the
Indians, making the Lehigh Hills the north-eastern
boundary of the lands conveyed to the whites. Under
this deed, all former instruments with walking boundaries
should have been considered abrogated. After Penn's
death, however, a copy of one of these walk deeds was

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

jund among his papers, by Thomas and John Penn.

-hey, in 1733, at a council, presented this deed to the
Indians, and received from them an acknowledgment of
its validity, and under this, an arrangement was made
for a walk of one day and a half. The Penns advertised
for the fastest walkers in the province, ofiering five hun-
dred acres of land and five pounds in money to the man
who would walk farthest in one day and a half The
under-brush was cleared away, and refreshments were
placed at proper intervals along the route, which was
laid out in a straight line by the compass, contrary to the
understanding of the Indians, who supposed it would lie
along the Delaware.

The longest days, in September, 1737, arrived, and
Edward Marshall, James Yeates, and Solomon Jenings,
with three Indians, started at sunrise from a chestnut-
tree below Wrightstown meeting-house. In two and a
half hours they arrived at Red Hill, where Jenings and
two of the Indians gave out. The other Indian continued
on to the forks of the road near Easton, where he also
gave out. Marshall and Yeates proceeded, and at sunset
reached a point on the north side of the Blue Mountain.
They started again next morning as the sun rose, and
while crossing a stream at the foot of the mountain Yeates
became faint and fell. Marshall continued on, and at
noon arrived on a spur of the Broad Mountain, estimated
to be eighty-six miles from the place of starting. From
the point where Marshall stopped a line was run to the
mouth of Shohola Creek, including within the purchase
all the good land. The Indians were much dissatisfied,
saying, Penn had got all of their good land, and that in
the spring each of them would take him a buckskin and
have their land back again, and Penn might go to the
devil with his poor land. Under this purchase settle-

THE INDIANS. 27

ments were made by the whites, but the Indians refusing
to give up possession, the Penns appHed to the Six
Nations to compel them to a surrender. A council was
held in Philadelphia in the summer of 1742, at which a
large representation of chiefs from the united tribes was
present, and also the injured Delawares. The governor,
on the part of the proprietaries, opened the council in a
speech, in which he set forth that they had purchased the
lands in question and paid for them ; and then, address-
ing himself particularly to the chiefs of the Iroquois,
said, " When the whites settle on your lands and you
request us to remove them we do so, and now we expect
you to act m the same good faith towards us." Canassa-
tego, the great x.:^ator and chief of the Six Nations, then
stood up, and addressing the Delawares said, " You de-
serve to be taken by the hair of your heads and shaken
till you recover your senses and become sober. We have
seen a deed, signed by your chiefs above fifty years ago,
for this very land. But how came you to take upon
yourselves to sell lands at all ? We conquered you : we
made women of you. You know you are women, and
can no more sell lands than can women. Nor is it fit
you should have the power of selling lands, since you
would abuse it." After talking a considerable length of
time, and charging them with many transgressions, he
concluded by commanding them to remove from the land
mstantly, and gave them their choice to go to Shamokin,
or Wyoming. He then gave them a belt of wampum,
and ordered them to leave the council, as he had some-
thing to say to the English.

Leaving their wigwams on the banks of their favorite
Makeerikkitton (Delaware), the once powerful Lenni
Lenape commenced their march westward. A portion
went to Shamokin, a village belonging to the Six Nations,

28 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

which stood on the present site of Sunbury. Here, Shi-
keUimus, the great Cayuga chief, and father of Logan,
resided, and was superintendent of all the Susquehanna
tribes. A few of the Delawares settled on the Juniata,
near Lewistown, but the greater number of them, under
their chief, Tadame, went to .AVyoming, where they built
a village (1742) on the flats below the present town of
Wilkesbarre.

The Wanamese, under their chief, Jacob, resided on
the east side of the Susquehanna, above Mill Creek, since
known as Jacob's Plains ; and the Monseys occupied the
Lackiawanna Valley, under their chief, Capouse,

THE MOHICANS.

The Mohicans were probably a branch of the Mohe-
gans of New England, who at an early period settled on
the head-waters of the Delaware river. They came to
"Wyoming with the Delawares, in 1742, and under their
chief, Abram, built a village above Forty Fort, on the
plain known as Abram's Plains.

THE NANTICOKES.

These Indians occupied the eastern shore of the Chesa-
peake Bay. Difficulties arising between them and the
whites, and a misunderstanding also existing between the
Governors of Maryland and Virginia and the Six Nations,
it was agreed to hold a council at Lancaster, and accord-
ingly in June, 1744, the representatives of Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Virginia, and the Six Nations, assembled at
that place. After several days of deliberation they set-
tled all matters in dispute respecting the lands. One
object of this meeting was to brighten the chain of
friendship, which, the Governor of Pennsylvania told the

THE INDIANS. 29

Indians, had become rusted, and to warn them against
the seductive influence of the French. At this treaty,
Ullanckquam, alias Robert White, was present. He was
Chief of the Nanticokes, and with eighty of his people,
in accordance with arrangements made with the Six
Nations, located on the east side of the Susquehanna in
Wyoming, in 1748, near the present village of Nanticoke.
Besides these there were a few wigwams on Sliick-
shinny and Wapwallopen Creeks, and in Salem township,
near Beach Grove. There was also a considerable Dela-
ware village at Nescopeck, called by the Indians Nesco-
pecken, and one on the east bank of the Susquehanna,
about two miles above the mouth of the Lackawanna,
called Asserughney. There was a Shawanese village
west of Ross's Hill, between Plymouth and Kingston.
These are all of the known locations of Indians within
the limits of Luzerne. The Shawanese had a village at
Fishing Creek, near Bloom sburg, and at Catawissa, Co-
lumbia county, and also, a small settlement near Brier
Creek below Berwick. The Delawares had a village on
Taconick (Tunkhannock), Wyoming county, said to have
been a very old town. It is referred to by Henry Hess,
who was captured by Teedyuscung on the Delaware, in
1756, as containing at that time one hundred men, women,
and children. At Wighalusui (Wyalusing), and at other
points on the upper waters of the Susquehanna, there
were many towns, which, with those already enumerated,
formed a continuous chain from the country of the Six
Nations to Shamokui (Sunbury).

INDIAN PATHS.

The runways, or paths of the aboriginal tribes, were
almost as numerous as our roads, and may be traced along

30 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the banks of all large streams, except at points where the
distance can be shortened, as by avoiding curves formed
by the widening of the river or creek. They had, how^-
ever, great thoroughfares, called war-paths, two of which
began at Diahoga (Tioga) . One of these extended almost
in a straight line through Bradford and Lycoming coun-
ties, crossed the West Branch of the Susquehanna at
Dunn's Island (Lockhaven) , thence to Bedford, and thence
to the Potomac. The other passed down the North
Branch of the Susquehanna, via Wyoming, to Sharaokin,
thence to the Juniata, near Huntingdon, and thence to
Bedford, where it united with the former path. These
were the great routes of the warriors of the Six Nations
going south to war against the southern tribes.

From Wyoming there was a path by the way of War-
rior's Gap, uniting, at or near Mauch Chunk, with a path
extending from Shamokin to the Delaware and Lehigh
rivers. There was also another from Wyoming to Gnad-
enhutten and Fort Allen, over the mountains, nearly in
the route of the Wilkesbarre and Easton turnpike. Be-
sides these, there was a path from Wyoming, via Shick-
shinny Creek, through Huntington township, and across
the head-waters of Fishing and Muncy Creeks to the
West Branch of the Susquehanna at the town of Muncy.
The path from Wyalusing united with the path through
Huntington township. The path from Wyoming to Ca-
pouse, or the Monseys' Village, near Scranton, passed
along the eastern bank of the Lackawanna, branching off
at Capouse northward and eastward. The northern
branch extended to Oquago, now Windsor, New York, via
Leggett's Gap and Aldington. The eastern branch ran via
Dunmore, crossing the Moosic Mountain near John Cobb's,
and thence through Little INIeadows, in Wayne county,
to Coshutunk (Cochecton) on the Delaware. The first

THE INDIANS. 31

wagon road of the Connecticut settlers to Wyoming fol-
lowed the path last named.

Many of these thoroughfares were trodden, for hun-
dreds of years, by the feet of the red men, until in many
places they were worn down to the depth of one and two
feet. They did not pass over the highest points of land,
as some writers suppose, but these elevated places of
observation were ascended by side paths connecting with,
the main routes.

THE MORAVIAN MISSIONARIES.

These pious adventurers established their first mis-
sions in the West India Islands in 1732, and in Greenland
in 1733. In 1735 they planted missions in Georgia
among the Creek Indians, but the war between England
and Spain compelled them to leave their settlement in
1739, when they came to Pennsylvania. Here they
met the celebrated George Whitfield, and by his invita-
tion settled on a tract of land, which he had purchased
with the intention of establishing a free school for negro
children. Mr. Whitfield had laid out and named the
town Nazareth, and had commenced the erection of a
large stone building, but becoming involved pecuniarily,
and the Indians expressing dissatisfaction at the near
approach of the whites, the settlement was abandoned.
The Moravians then purchased a tract of land lower
down on the Lehigh, and laid out the town of Bethle-
hem in 1741. During this year Count Nicholas Louis Zin-
zendorf, the principal elder of the society of the Moravians,
and founder of the secret order of the Mustard Seed,
arrived from Europe. Being desirous to extend the mis-
sionary field, this self-sacrificing Christian nobleman, in
the fall of 1742, resolved to visit the Susquehanna In-

32 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

dians, and with this view applied to Conrad Weiser* to
accompany him, but pressing business engagements com-
pelled him to decline. However, the count secured the
services of an interpreter, one Martin Mack, and his wife,
and with them he set out on his wilderness journey. On
their arrival in the AVyoming Valley, they pitched their
tent on the bank of the river, a short distance from the
■Shawanese village. A council of the Indians was called
to hear their errand of mercy, but the savages were not
satisfied as to the real object of their visit. They knew
that many white men were more anxious about their
lands than about their souls, and they viewed the alleged
disinterested regard oi Zinzendorf as a mere sham under
which he designed to defraud them. Their suspicions
increased, and they resolved to assassinate him. Three
savages crept stealthily to his tent on this murderous
errand. A blanket curtain, suspended upon pins, formed
the door of his abode. By gently raising a corner of this
curtain the Indians, undiscovered, had a full view of the
good man, who sat unconscious of danger, with an expres-
sion of devotion on his benignant features. They were
awe-stricken by his appearance. It was a cool night in
September, and the count had kindled a fire. Warmed
by the flame, a large rattlesnake had crept from its covert,
and at this moment was gliding over the limbs of the holy

* Conrad Weiser resided among the Mohawk Indians from 1710 to 1729,
and spoke the languages of several tribes. In 1730, he removed to Tulpe-
hocken, in Berks county. lie l)ecame with Shikellimus, the Cayuga chief at
Shamokin, the medium through whom business was transacted between the
proprietary government and the Six Nations. He was a most upright and
worthy man, and was viewed by the Indians as their friend and guardian.
He made repeated journeys among the Indians of the North and West, and
he was no doubt, the first white man who ever trod the soil of Luzerne
county. He was elected justice of the peace for Berks county. He kept the
first tavern opened in Reading, and was commissioned colonel during the
French War, He died in 1760.

THE INDIANS. 33

man, whose thoughts were engrossed by his devotions.
The serpent escaped his notice, but the Indians, with
breathless attention, had observed the movements of the
poisonous reptile, and as they gazed upon the aspect and
attitude of the Count, and saw the serpent offer him no
harm, they changed their minds, says Stone, as suddenly
as the barbarians of Malta did theirs, in regard to the
shipwrecked prisoner, who shook the viper from his hand
without even feeling a smart from its venomous fang.
Their enmity immediately changed to reverence, and in
the belief that Zinzendorf enjoyed the protection of the
Great Spirit, they retired, and reported to their friends
what they had seen. The Count was thenceforth regarded
by these children of the forest with profound veneration.
He remained in Wyoming several days, during which time
Conrad Weiser arrived. Arrangements were made for
further missionary labors among the several tribes of the
Wyoming and Lackawanna Indians, and the Count then
returned to Bethlehem. In 1743 he purchased Mr. Whit-
field's tract of land at Nazareth, and completed the build-
ing he had commenced. Bethlehem and Nazareth now
became the centre of the operations of the Moravians,
Missionaries proceeded thence to many Indian tribes
throughout New England, New York, and Pennsylvania.
In their devout zeal they penetrated beyond the Allegha-
nies.

These Moravians established a mission-house at Shamo-
kin, and Shikellimus was brought under the influence of
the gospel. He died in 1749, and on his death-bed
exhorted his people to embrace the religion of the Saviour.

A mission had been planted among the Mohican In-
dians at Shekoniko, on the borders of Connecticut, but
the whites growing jealous of the Moravians, and difficul-
ties arising, they proposed, with the permission of the
3

34 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Six Nations, to remove the Mohicans to Wyoming. To
this the Mohicans objected, as Wyoming lay on the war-
rior's path from the country of the confederacy to the
south. It was arranged they should settle near Bethle-
hem, where dwellings were erected for them, and the
village called Fredenshutten, or Tents of Peace. The
emigration increased so rapidly, to this point, that the
Moravians purchased a tract of land, and laid out a town
at Mahoning Creek, on the Lehigh. They erected forty
log-houses and a chapel, calling the place Gnadenhutten,
Huts of Grace. Between this new Christian Indian vil-
lage and Wyoming there was a constant intercourse.
Hungry savages, in times of scarcity, flocked to Gnaden-
hutten, professing Christianity, and filling themselves at
the tables of the pious missionaries. When the season
for hunting came, they would return to the wilderness in
pursuit of game, and with the profits of the chase would
procure, from the heartless trader, the terrible fire-water,
which causes the red and white man alike to forget their
duty and their God. Some, however, were sincere in
their professions, and remaining steadfast, died in the
faith. The missionaries, Spangenberg, Heckewelder, Zeis-
berger. Post, Mack, Butler, Seidel, Schmick, Fry, and
others, received Indian names, and proclaimed the gospel
to the heathen on both branches of the Susquehanna, on
the Lackawanna, and throughout the whole of North-
eastern Pennsylvania, wherever the smoke ascended from
the rude bark wigwam,

THE FRENCH WAR.

We have already intimated that the French, through
the influence of Catholic missionaries, who are often in
advance of other denominations, had secured to their
interest the Shawanese, the Delawares, and other Indians

THE INDIANS. 35

on the Ohio. However, Sir William Johnson* had suc-
ceeded in dividing the Six Nations. The Mohawks,
Oneidas, and Tuscaroras remained attached to the British
cause. The Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas declared
themselves neutral ; nevertheless, a considerable number
of the two last-named tribes took up the hatchet with the
Delawares, Shawanese, and other tribes, already in alli-
ance with the French. Efforts were made by the French,
through the Senecas and Cayugas, to induce the Susque-
hanna Indians to declare in favor of Onontio, the French
King, as the Indians named him. Their arts and pro-
mises were crowned with success. In 1753 they succeed-
ed in removing nearly all the Christian Indians from
Gnadenhutten to Wyoming, hoping by this to place them
beyond the influence of the whites. But the Moravian
missionaries, who had a mission-house at that place, as
well as at Shamokin, continued to minister to their
spiritual necessities even after the warriors had raised the
tomahawk against the English.f

The news of Braddock's defeat in July, 1755, spread "

* Sir William Johnson was born in Ireland in 1714, and settled in
America, on the Mohawk river, in 1734, on land belonging to his uncle, Sir
Peter Warren.

He became acquainted with the Six Nations, studied their character and
acquired their language, and eventually exercised great influence over them.
In 1757, at the head of the English forces he defeated the French at Lake
George, for which victory the House of Commons voted him 5000 pounds
sterling, and the King conferred upon him the title of Baronet. At the same
time he was tendered the office of superintendent of Indian affairs. He had
two daughters, one of whom married Col. Guy Johnson. Ilis son was Sir
John Johnson. Sir William died in 1774.

t Bishop Spangenberg sent Schmick and Fry to Wyoming, where they
arrived November 10th, 1755, with a message to Paxinos, the Shawanese
chief, who remained the friend of the English. Paxinos was requested to
send to Shamokin and bring Marten Keifer, the missionary, to Wyoming,
and then with Christian Frederick Post, who was stationed at Wyoming, all
should return to Bethlehem. Frederick Post, as will be hereafter shown,
had great influence over the Indians.

36 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

rapidly over the country, carrying dismay to the hearts
of the English settlers. The frontiers of Pennsylvania
were threatened Vvdth ruin by the victorious French and
their savage allies. The government of Penns3'lvania did
not act with the energy and promptness which the emer-
gency demanded. No means were adopted for the pro-
tection of the frontier settlements, and nuu-ders were com-
mitted by the skulking eneni}'^ in many places in the north
and west of the province. A flourishing German settle-
ment at Mahanoy, or Penn's Creek, below Shamokin, was
attacked, the inhabitants butchered, and their dwellings
fired. John Harris, at the head of forty men, immediately
marched to Shamokin to ascertain of the friendly Indians
who had committed the outrage. Some of the Delawares
seemed displeased at their visit, and four of their number
left the town. Others expressed regret and a willingness
to fight the French, declaring they had no knowledge of
the afiair. On the return of Harris's company, and while
crossing a creek, they were fired on by Indians in ambush,
four of them were killed and four were drowned. A few
days after this, on the 2d of November, 1755, the settle-
ments at Great and Little Coves were attacked by a war
party under the command of Shingas, a western Delaware
chief, who, it is said, although a small man, possessed
great physical strength, and powers of endurance. Peti-
tions and letters from the frontier settlements were sent
to Philadelphia, praying the Assembly to adopt measures
for the puljlic defence. Scarrooyady, an Oneida, the
Belt, Zigarea, James Logan,* John Shikellimus, the

* This is Logan, the celebrated Mingo chief, wlio made the eloquent speech
recorded hy Mr. Jefferson in his Notes on Virginia, lie was probably born at
Shamokin, being one of the sons of Shikelliuuis, who had the supervision of
the Susquehanna Indians. His father, entertaining a high regard for Jamea
Logan, Esq., one of the Supremo Executive Council of Pennsylvania, named
him in honor of that gentleman. Logan lived on the Juniata a number of

THE INDIANS. 37

eldest son and successor of old Sliikellimus at Shamokin,
and Andrew Montour, son of Madame Montour, urged
upon the Pennsylvania government the immediate adop-
tion of prompt measures to repel the French ; and some

years, and when the whites began to settle about him, removed west. Judge
Brown, who was the first actual settler in the Kishacoquillas Valley, in
Mifflin county, of this state, in speaking of the big spring not far from his
residence, thus stated an incident in regard to Logan ; " The first time I ever
saw that spring, my brother, James Reed and myself, had wandered out of
the valley in search of land, and finding it very good, we were looking about
for springs. About a mile from this we started a bear, and separated to get
a shot at him. I was traveling along, looking about on the rising ground
for the bear, when I came suddenly on the spring ; and being dry, and more
rejoiced to find so fine a spring than to have killed a dozen bears, I set my
rifle against a bush and rushed down the bank, and lay down to drink.
Upon putting my head down, I saw reflected in the water, on the opposite
side, the shadow of a tall Indian. I sprang to my rifle, when the Indian
gave a yell, whether for peace or for war, I was not then sufficiently
master of my faculties to determine ; but upon my seizing my rifle, and
facing him, he knocked up the pan of his gun, threw out the priming, and
extended his open palm towards me, in token of friendship. After putting
down our guns, we again met at the spring, and shook hands. This was
Logan — the best specimen of humanity I ever met with, either white or red.
He spoke a little English, and told me there was another white hunter a
little way down the stream, and offered to guide me to his camp. There I
first met your father.

" We visited Logan at his camp, at Logan's spring, and your father and
he shot at a mark for a dollar a shot. Logan lost four or five rounds, and
acknowledged himself beaten. When we were about to leave him, he went
into his hut, and brought out as many deerskins as he had lost dollars, and
handed them to Mr. Maclay, who refused to take them, alleging that we had
been his guests, and did not come to rob him — that the shooting had been
only a trial of skill, and the bet merely nominal. Logan drew himself up
with great dignity, and said, 'Me bet to make you shoot your best — me
gentleman, and me take your dollar if me beat.' So he was obliged to take
the skins, or aS'ront our friend, whose nice sense of honor would not permit
him to receive even a horn of powder in return."

After Logan removed from the Kishacoquillas Valley to the West, his whole
family, located on the Ohio, below Wheeling, was murdered " by some white
savages, without a shadow of provocation." Not long after, he was accosted
by a messenger from Lord Dunmore, who requested his presence at a treaty
to be held on the Scioto in 1774. Logan replied to the messenger in the

38 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

of them even went to Philadelphia, and declared to the
Assembly that if they did not erect forts, and fight the
enemy, all the Susquehanna Indians would desert the
English cause. Scarrooyady said he was disgusted with
the neglect and inactivity of the English ; that the Indians
could not remain neutral, and would fight on the one side
or other ; and that quite a number had already received
the hatchet from the French king. The frontier settlers
threatened to invade Philadelphia, and compel the
Assembly to furnish arms and annnunition for the protec-
tion of themselves and their families. The difficulty in
obtaining suitable measures for the public defense arose
on this wise. Mr. Morris was governor at the time of
Braddock's defeat, and in his commission was a clause
prohibiting him from doing any act that might encumber
the proprietary estates within the bounds of the province.
When the state of affairs seemed imperatively to demand
the raising of men and money for the war, the Assembly
passed an act appropriating 60,000 pounds to be issued

following speech, which has, probably, been translated into every language
of the civilized world: —

" I appeal to any white man to say, if ever he entered Logan's cabin
hungry, and he gave him not meat ; if ever he came cold and naked, and he
clothed him not. During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan
remained idle in his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the
whites, that my countrymen pointed as they passed, and said, 'Logan is the
friend of white men.' I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the
injuries of one man. Col. Cresap, the last spring, in cold blood, and unpro-
voked, murdered all the relations of Logan, not even sparing my women and
children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living
creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it: I have killed
many: I have fully glutted my vengeance. For my country I rejoice at the
beams of peace. But do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear.
Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save his life. Who ia
there to mourn for Logan? — Not one."

A war-club, says Mr. Jefferson, was found tied to Cresap's door, with a
letter signed by Captain J. Logan.

ARy

TKKDYUSCUNO

THE INDIANS. 39

in bills of credit, and provided for the liquidation of the
same by the imposition of a tax on all real and personal
estates, including the estates of the Proprietaries. The
governor refused to sanction the bill, and long messages
passed between the legislative and executive branches of
the government, without arriving at a satisfactory adjust-
ment of the difficulty. Finally, Governor Morris stated
the case to the Proprietaries in London, and Thomas
Penn wrote in reply, complimenting him for his adhesion
to the tenor of his commission, but agreeing to furnish
5000 pounds from the proprietary rents in the province.
The Assembly then passed an act, November 27, 1755,
appropriating 60,000 pounds, 55,000 to be issued in bills
of credit, and 5000 pounds to be paid by the Proprietaries,
while their estates were to be exempt from taxation.
But by this time scores of innocent people had fallen
under the murderous tomahawk of the savage.

When the question relative to taxing the proprietary-
estates was pending between the governor and Assembly,
the latter, in one of their messages, said, " What has this
government done to offend the Delawares and Shawanese ?
Have we not always lived in peace with them ? Why
are they offended ? Let us hold a treaty with them and
persuade them." Such was the ridiculous language of
the Assembly when the lives of hundreds were trembling
in the balance.

About this time, Teedyuscung was chosen king of the
Delawares at Wyoming in the place of Tadame, who was
friendly to the whites, and had been treacherously mur-
dered, but by whom was unknown. Teedyuscung was
born near Trenton in 1705, and was one of those who had
been forced from his land by the fraudulent consumma-
tion of the walking purchase. He was a large muscular
man, haughty in his bearing, witty, fond of admiration

40 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

and of rum, a bold warrior, and a sagacious counsellor.
" What has this government done to offend the Dela-
wares?" asked the Assembly. The words and deeds of
Teedyuscung proclaim the deep-seated offense and its
cause. Sending a large belt of wampum to the Susque-
hanna Indians, and even to the Cherokees in the south,
he said : " I am in exceeding great danger ; the English
will kill me ; come and help me." The Delaware town
at Nescopeck was made the rendezvous of the warriors.
There assembled Shingas with his western warriors, and
Buckshanoath the great Shawanese war chief of Wyoming.
With these Teedyuscung attacked the settlements in
Berks county on the 16th of November, 1755, spreading
fire and death in all directions. On the 24th of the same
month, Gnadenhutten was attacked, a number of the
peopl^ were nmrdered, and the buildings^ were laid in
ashes. It is said the murderers of the people at Gnaden-
hutten were commanded by a chief of the Six Nations,
and not by Teedyuscung. In the beginning of December
of the same year a council of war was held at Wyoming,
by the Delawares, the Shawanese, the Nanticokes, and
others, at which it was determined to lay waste the whole
country on the Delaware. They danced the war-dance,
and sang their death-songs. At the appointed time, the
paths between Wyoming and the Delaware, over which
the missionaries had so often carried the white flag of
peace and good-will, were crowded with hostile savages,
on an errand of blood and death. Two hundred warriors
rushed from the mountain side upon the defenceless set-
tlements. Nearly the whole of Marshall's family, the
man who performed the walk, and afterwards declared
that the Penns refused to pay him, were put to death.
Teedyuscung, at the head of a scouting party, fired into
a company assembled at a funeral. lie penetrated into

THE INDIANS. 41

New Jersey, and even approached within a few miles of
Easton. During the month of December, fifty dweUings
were burned in Northampton county, upwards of one
hundred men, women, and children were murdered and
scalped, and nearly as many were carried away into cap-
tivity. This destruction of life and property is attributa-
ble to the quarrel which existed between the governor
and Assembly, in reference to taxing the proprietary
estates. The Assembly are wholly inexcusable for their
neglect of the public defense at that critical period. The
great body of the Indians in Pennsylvania, who were dis-
posed to arm against the French, being left to themselves
and unsupported by the government, w^ere easily per-
suaded, by the promises and presents of the French
agents, to make war upon the English. John Shikelli-
mus, Logan, and nearly all the Shamokin Indians, deserted
their former haunts, and repaired to more distant locali-
ties, where they became identified with those engaged in
hostilities. But The Belt, Aroas, or Silver Heels, Scar-
rooyady, and Andrew Montour retired among the English
settlements, where they were employed by the governor
as messengers. Andrew Montour was the son of an
Indian chief, by a French woman, known as Madame Mon-
tour, who resided at the Indian village of Ostenwawen,
situated on the West Branch, above the present town of
Northumberland. Montour Ridge and Montour county
have derived their name from her. Andrew was a friend
to the English, often brought them important inteUigence,
and, from his intimate knowledge of the Indian character,
could give advice which it was safe to follow.

Paxinos, an aged Shawanese chief, residing at Wyoming,
has also been mentioned as the fast friend of the English.
It was he, who, in the interview with Charles Broadhead,
a relative of the Hon. Richard Broadhead, on the 9th of

42 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

November, 1755, at Wyoming, urged upon him to hasten
to the governor, and induce him to send a messenger to
the Indians in the Valley, with belts of wampum and
presents, to secure them to the English hiterest. The
message contained a warm and pressing invitation to all
the Indians to attend a treaty, or council, to be held on the
first day of January, 1756, at John Harris's. But before
the messenger started on his dangerous journey, Teedyus-
cung had devastated the country of the Delaware ; and,
among others, the plantations of Mr. Broadhead, and of
Aaron Duphuy, who had been selected to bear the mes-
sage to the Wyoming Indians. On the first of January
he was engaged, with thirty of his warriors, in scalping
the remaining inhabitants, and burning their dwellings,
of Smithfield township, Monroe county. To return to
Paxinos. He used every argument to dissuade the Del-
awares and his own warriors from taking up the hatchet
against the English. He pressed his solicitations with
such zeal that the Delawares threatened to take his life.
'When the warriors began to dance the war-dance, he,
with Abram and about thirty others, chiefiy old men and
women, retired to a village west of Kingston, near Blind
Town, where he remained until all the Indians departed
the valley for the country of the Six Nations.

On the first of January, 1756, Buckshanoath, leading
a party of savages, attacked and put to flight a company
of forty soldiers, at Gnadenhutten, sent to erect a fort at
that place. Buckshanoath was a co-worker with Teed-
yuscung in his expedition against the English.

At this time Teedyuscung captured Peter Hess, Henry
Hess, Nicholas Cileman, Leonard Wesser, William Wesser,
and others. On his return to Wyoming with his booty
and his prisoners, he encamped for the night on the
Pokono Mountain. Here the savages killed Peter Hess,

THE INDIANS. ' 43

cutting him almost in pieces with their knives, and tied
the others to trees. They kindled a large fire, but the
night was so cold that they could not sleep. At daylight
they set out, and arrived at Wyoming in the evening.
They found the valley deserted. The party pushed on
to Tunkhannock, where they found about one hundred
men, w^omen, and children, and w^here the prisoners re-
mained until the cold weather w^as over. They were
afterw^ards taken to Diahoga, and stayed there until they
were brought down, and delivered up to their friends, at
the treaty at Easton, in the following November.

Scarrooyady and Andrew Montour had been sent, in
December, by Governor Morris, by the way of Wyoming,
with a message to General William Johnson, on the Mo-
hawk. They returned to Philadelphia, via Albany, and
reported that they had found the warriors in Wyoming
collecting, preparatory to their murderous enterprise, and
had offered them a peace-belt, which they pushed aside
wdth a stick, and commenced the war-dance. They stated
further that John Shikellimus and his two brothers, one
of whom was Logan, had joined the war-party, but that
they had taken him aside, and he had promised he would
not go. Shikellimus afterwards stated to Conrad Weiser
and the council, when interrogated, that he did not go
wdth the warriors, but that his brothers did. If this was
the fact, how can we reconcile it with a statement made
in Logan's celebrated speech to the messenger of Lord
Dunmore, in 1774, in which he says, "During the course
of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in
his cabin, an advocate for peace. Such was my love for
the w^hites that my countrymen pointed as they passed,
and said, Logan is the friend of white men !"

The council to be held by Governor Morris at Harris's,
on the first of January, 1756, was removed to Carlisle,

44 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

and it may be said to have been a failure. No Indians
appeared, except Tlie Belt, Captain Newcastle, Silver
Heels, Andrew Montour, and a few others, already in the
English interest. It was now determined to erect forts
and garrison them, since the Assembly had, at length,
placed funds at the disposal of the governor. In January
and February six or eight substantial fortifications were
built. Among others. Fort Allen, on the Lehigh, which
was constructed under the supervision of Dr. Franklin,
and named by him in honor of William Allen, the
Supreme Judge of the Province. In the follow^ing sum-
mer Fort Augusta was built at Shamokin, named in
honor of Augusta, daughter of George II., who married a
Duke of Saxony.

In April, Governor Morris, wdth the approval of the
Supreme Executive Council, except James Logan, who
entered his protest, issued a declaration of war against
the Delawares and their associates, and offered the follow-
ing bounties for scalps and prisoners : — For a male Indian
prisoner, above twelve years of age, delivered at any of
the government forts or towns, $150 ; for every male or
female prisoner, twelve years old and under, delivered as
above, $130 ; for the scalp of every male Indian above
twelve years old, $130; and for the scalp of an Indian
woman, $50. The Quakers and Moravians exclaimed
against the barbarous character of the proclamation, and
the Assembly was in an uproar. But the war-party was
gratified, and the frontiersmen began to hope for deliver-
ance from their bloodthirsty foes. The highly excited
condition of men's minds at this period produced by the
shocking barbarities of the Indians, must be the only
palliating excuse for this most unchristian measure.

A few days after this, the governor issued his procla-
mation, setting forth Friday, the 21st of May, as a day

THE INDIANS. 45

of fasting and prayer to Almighty God for peace, har-
mony, public spirit, and the protection of the frontier
settlers from murder, &c. But through the influence of
General Johnson, afterwards Sir William Johnson, with
the Six Nations, the way was paved for a council with
Teedyuscung. The declaration of war was suspended for
thirty days, and Captain Newcastle and two other friendly
Indians, in May, set out for Diahoga. Passing through
Wyoming, they found that the entire Indian population,
from Shamokin to Wyalusing, had gone northward. In the
valley there reigned the silence of the grave. At Diahoga,
Newcastle found Teedyuscung in council with the chiefs
of the Six Nations. But soon the Delawares, Shawanese,
Mousey s, and Mohicans, assembled to hear what New-
castle had to say.

He delivered Governor Morris's message, inviting them
to a council to be held at Easton, in July. He was favor-
ably answered by Teedyuscung and Paxinos, when he
took . his departure. In July, on the day appointed,
Teedyuscung, with a few of his warriors, arrived in
Easton, where he was met by the governor and his coun-
sellors. The Delaware king opened the council by saying
he had come as the messenger of ten nations, meaning
the Six Nations, and the four, who were convened to
hear Newcastle at Diahoga. He wished to hear what
the governor had to say. " If it be good I shall lay hold
of it, and carry it to the United Nations, who will smile
and be pleased to hear good news ; and if what you say
be disagreeable, I will, notwithstanding, keep it close
(closing his fist), and deliver it faithfully to the Nations.
Hearken to what I say. Abundance of confusion, disor-
der, and distraction have arisen among Indians from
people taking upon them to be kings and persons of
authority. With every tribe of Indians there have been
such pretenders who have held treaties, sometimes public,

4G ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

sometimes in the bushes. Sometimes what they did was
come to be known, and frequently remained in darkness.
To some they held up their belts, biit others never saw
them. This bred among the Indians heart-burnings and
quarrels, and I can assure you that the present clouds do
in a great measure owe their rise to this wild and irregu-
lar way of doing business, and the Indians will have no
more transactions in the dark." Here he presented the
governor a string of wampum. Being asked if he had
done speaking, he said he had, for the present. The main
thing, he added, is yet in my breast, laying his hand on
his heart, but this will depend on what words the governor
will speak to us. Then he repeated the Delaware word
Whishshiksy, the same in the Mohawk as lago, with great
earnestness, and a very pathetic tone, meaning he strong,
look about, active. The governor then spoke : " Brother,
I have heard, with attention, all you have said, and thank
you for the openness with which you have declared your
sentiments." After dehvering a lengthy speech, he pre-
sented many belts, and assured the Indians of his desire
for peace. To which Teedjaiscung replied as follows : —
" Brother, this belt," lifting up a large string of wampum,
" denotes that our uncles, the Six Nations, have lately
renewed their covenant chain with us (meaning the Dela-
wares). Formerly we were accounted women, and em-
ployed only in women's business, but now they have made
men of us, and as such are now come to this treaty,
having this authority as a man to make peace. I have
it in my hand, but have not opened it, but will soon
declare it to the other nations. This belt holds together
ten nations. We are in the middle between the French
and English. Look at it. This belt further denotes
that whoever will not comply with the terms of peace,
the ten nations will strike him. See the dangerous
circumstances I am in — strong men on both sides —

THE INDIANS. 47

hatchets on both sides. Whoever is for peace, him
will I join. Brother, this is a good day. Whoever will
make peace, let him lay hold of this belt." Here the
governor took hold of the belt, and said, he was pleased
with what the king had said. The figures on the belt
were then explained — the English were represented on
one end, the French on the other, and the land of the
Indians lay between them. Teedyuscung and his son
then dined with the governor, soon after which he
departed for Diahoga. Pursuant to an agreement made
before he left, he returned to another council held at
Easton on the 8th day of the following November. He
brought with him four chiefs of the Six Nations, sixteen
Delaware Indians, two Shawanese, and six Mohicans.
The council, which continued nine days, was opened by
a speech from Governor William Denny, who had suc-
ceeded Governor Morris. He was answered by Teedy-
uscung — belts and strings were passed and repassed, the
blood was wiped out of the paths, and the tears from the
eyes— the leaves, bushes, and briers were cleared away,
and plasters were placed on the wounds. In one of his
speeches on this occasion Teedyuscung said, " This very
ground that is under me," striking it with his foot, "was
my land and inheritance, and was taken from me by
fraud. When I say this ground, I mean all the land
lying between Tohiccon Creek and Wyoming, on the
river Susquehanna. I have been served so not only in
this government, but the same thing has been done to me
in New Jersey." When asked what he meant by fraud,
he gave the governor instances of forged deeds under
which lands were claimed, which the Indians never sold —
this is fraud. He continued his remarks, and said, " The
Delawares had never been satisfied since the treaty of
1737, when their fathers sold the lands on the Delaware

48 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

river — that although the lands sold were to have extended
so far only as a man could go in a day and a half from
Nashamony Creek, yet the person who measured the
ground did not walk, but ran. He was, moreover, as
they supposed, to follow the winding bank of the river,
whereas he went in a straight line. And, because the
Indians had been unwilling to give up the land as far as
the walk extended, the governor, then having command
of the English, sent for their cousins, the Six Nations,
who had always been hard masters to them, to come down
and drive them away. When the Six Nations came
down, the Delawares met them at a great treaty held at
the governor's house, in Philadelphia, for the purpose of
explaining to them why they did not give up their lands.
But the English made so many presents to them that
their ears were stopped. They would listen to no expla-
nation, and Canassatego had, moreover, abused them,
and called them women. The Six Nations had, however,
given to them and the Shawanese the lands on the Sus-
quehanna and Juniata for Imnting-grounds, and had so
informed the governor. But notwithstanding this, the
whites w^ere allowed to go and settle on these lands. Two
years ago, moreover, the governor had been to Albany to
buy some land of the Six Nations, and had described
their purchase by points of the compass, which the
Indians did not understand, including lands on the Sus-
quehanna and Juniata, which they did not wish to sell.
When all these things were known to the Indian^, the}-
declared they would no longer be friends to the English,
who were trying to get all their country av,^ay from them.
He, however, assured the council he was glad to meet
with the EngHsh, and smoke the pipe of peace, and
hoped that justice would be done to them for all the inju-
ries they had received."

T 11 E I N D I A N S. 49

Arrangements were then made for holding another
council, at Lancaster, in the following May. At that
time and place a number of the Six Nations and of others
assembled, with the authorities of Pennsylvania; but
although this appointment was made at the suggestion
of Teedyuscung, neither he nor any of his people were
present. Nevertheless, this council was attended with
good results, for it opened the way for the reconciliation
of the Senecas, the fiercest and most terrible warriors of
the Six Nations. A message was sent to Teedyuscung,
requesting another council to be held at Easton in July,
at which time and place he arrived with one hundred
and fifty-nine Delawares, and one hundred and nineteen
Senecas, men, women, and children. In a few days these
were followed by sixty-four more, among whom were
Paxinos, the Shawanese chief, Abraham, the Mohican
chief, and a number of their people, together with several
Nanticokes. This council was conducted by Governor
Denny on the one side, and by Teedyuscung on the
other, and continued twenty-one days. The Delaware
king conducted himself with great dignity, notwithstand-
ing he drank large quantities of " fire-water»" It is said,
he could drink three quarts of rum a day and not lose his
equilibrium, or be confused in thought or word. He
made everything, on this occasion, bend to his will. He
demanded a private secretary, but was refused, being told
such a thing was unknown in all former Indian treaties,
and that his demand exhibited a want of confidence in
the governor and his council. He, however, insisted, and
selecting Charles Thompson, master of the Free Quaker
School in Philadelphia, and afterwards secretary to the
Continental Congress, he conducted him to the table, and
seated him beside the governor's secretary. He gave
4

50 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

him an Indian name, signifying " Man of Truth," and
then expressed his willingness to proceed to business.

He demanded that all deeds, given by the Indians to
the proprietaries, should be exhibited, together with cer-
tain letters; but this was refused by Mr. Peters, who
said he had no authority to exhibit them. Teedyuscung
insisted on his demand, which was finally complied with.
He then reiterated his former speeches, and demanded
that for all lands embraced within said deeds, for which
the Indians had not been paid, just compensation should
be made. This was agreed to. He further insisted that
"Wyoming, and certain other lands on the Susquehanna,
should be the property of the Indians, for ever ; that the
Pennsylvania government should not on any account dis-
pose of them; and that said government should build
comfortable dwelling-houses for him and his people at
Wyoming, to which place the Delawares, Shawanese,
Mohicans, and others, intended to remove in the spring,
from Diahoga. Teedyuscung further demanded, that
when the Indians returned to Wyoming they should be
supplied with missionaries to preach the Gospel, and
teachers to teach their children to read and write. These
demands were also acceded to. The pipe of peace was
then filled with good tobacco, and being smoked, the
council closed. The Nanticokes went to Lancaster to
remove the bones of their friends to their new homes on
the Chemung and Shenango rivers, while the Senecas,
Shawanese, Delawares, and Mohicans, being well supplied
with presents from the governor, returned to Diahoga.
Teedyuscung, with his sons and a number of warriors,
remained at Easton and Bethlehem, whence he sent out
scouts with the English troops, to watch and oppose the
movements of the French and hostile Indians from the
Ohio, who were prowling on the frontiers.

THE INDIANS. 51

The defeat of the French under Baron Dieskow, at
Lake George, by General Johnson, in September, 1757,
and the discovery of a conspiracy, on the part of the
French, to destroy the Six Nations, by uniting all the
western tribes against them, caused most of the Senecas
and Cayugas to take sides with the English. But the
Delawares, Shawanese, and others, resident on the Ohio,
remained in alliance with the Fi'ench. In the spring of
1758 the Pennsylvania government, in compliance with
their promise to Teedyuscung, erected a number of log-
houses in Wyoming, on the site of the old Indian village,
below Wilkesbarre. To these repaired Teedyuscung and
many of the Delawares, while others, and nearly all the
Shawanese, when leaving Diahoga, went to the Ohio,
whence they never returned.

Mr. Chapman, and all other writers on Wyoming, have
given an account of what they call the " Grasshopper
War," It is said to have occurred between the Delawares
and Shawanese, on the flats below Wilkesbarre, and to
have been a contest of the most sanguinary character.
It resulted in the expulsion of the Shawanese from the
valley. As the story goes, a few Shawanese squaws,
with their children, crossed the river into the territory
of the Delawares, and, with a number of the Delaware
women and children, were gathering wild flowers, when
a Shawanese child caught a grasshopper, which was
claimed by a child of the Delawares. A struggle ensued,
in which the women took part. The Shawanese being
worsted returned home, and reported what had taken
place, when the warriors armed, and crossing the river a
terrible battle ensued, in which hundreds on both sides
were slain. We can find no record of any disagreement
between the Delawares and Shawanese. All statements
made respecting them represent these two peoples living

52 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ill peace, and entertaining the Moravian missionaries from
1742 to 1756, when they all departed for Diahoga.
Neither party had hundreds of warriors to lose, for the
whole number from Shamokin to Tunkhannock, including
the Monseys on the Lackawanna, did not exceed three
hundred and fifty. We therefore conclude, if there ever
was a "Grasshopper War," it was a very small affair,
and probably closed as it conimenced with a few blows
and scratches among women and children.

It now became an important object, with Governor
Denny and Sir William Johnson, to secure a treaty of
peace with the Western Indians. Christian Frederick
Post, who had been a pious and zealous Moravian Mis-
sionary at Wyoming and at other stations, for seventeen
years, was selected to convey to them the white belt of peace
and reconciliation. He had been twice married to Indian
women, and was intimately acquainted with the Indian
character. Teedyuscung protested against his going, de-
claring he would never return alive, but the bold and
confident Christian said, it was a mission of peace, that
God would protect him, and tliat he must go. On the
15th of July, 1758, he left Philadelphia with five Indian
guides. He carried with him copies of the treaties made
with Teedyuscung, belts of wampum, and messages from
the Governor. He made his journey by the way of
Bethlehem, Shamokin, Lock Haven, &c. It was an ardu-
ous and perilous expedition. Twice he got lost in the
woods, and one of his guides strayed away, and could not
be found. Without food and drenched with rain, night
after night he slept on the cold wet ground. Passing
within ten yards of the French fort at Venango, saj^s he,
in his journal, "I prayed the Lord to blind them as he
did the enemies of Lot and Elislia." Finally he arrived
at King Beaver's, who presided over the Delaware Indians

THE INDIANS. 53

in the West. King Beaver and his people, especially
those to whom he had preached the gospel at Wyoming,
were glad to see him. They gave him a public dinner,
and danced about him. They sent messengers to all the
surrounding tribes to come and hear what the English
had to say.

The French sent spies to the town to watch him, and
insisted on his coming to Fort Du Quesne. They repre-
sented to the Indians that when messengers arrived
among the whites, it was customary to blindfold them,
and lead them into a small room, and then hear what
they had to say. They desired that Post should be thus
led to the Fort. Some of the Indians requested him to go
to the Fort, but he refused, and it was agreed he should
hold a council with the Indians on the opposite bank of
the river. He told the red men he had nothing to do with
the French, and that they must protect him. This they
promised to do. When all were assembled he laid before
them the proceedings of the councils held with Teedyus-
cung, but they refused to hear them read, saying, that
Teedyuscung could not make peace for them — they had
nothing to do with him. ^-'This day," says he, '-I had
such great trouble that it made me sweat."

He, however, succeeded in making arrangements for
kindling a great council-fire at Easton, to which all the
tribes promised to send representatives. Post now set
out on his return, and had not proceeded far when he
heard the thunder of nineteen cannon discharged at the
Fort. Under the very mouths of these cannon, he had,
singly and alone, with the full knowledge of three hun-
dred Frenchmen, laid a plan which sundered the union
between them and their Indian allies.

In October following, the council agreed upon was held
at Easton, where upwards of five hundred Indians assem-

54 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

bled. They were met by the Governors of Pennsylvania
and New Jersey, and by Sir William Johnson, by Conrad
Weiser and his corps de interpretre, Mr. Peters, by the
Supreme Executive Council, and members of the Assem-
bly, and by hundreds of spectators from Philadelphia.
They had convened to light their j)ipes, and burn that
good tobacco, the smoke of which should ascend to the
clouds, and be seen by all the Indians to the going down
of the sun. Teedyuscung assumed to act as chief speaker,
which excited the jealousy of the chiefs of the Six Na-
tions, who looked upon the Dela wares as subjects, but he
sustained himself M'ith dignity. Long speeches were
delivered by the governors, by Sir William Johnson,
and by a number of the chiefs. A good understanding
being established, the council adjourned after a session of
nineteen days. The Indians were supplied with hats,
caps, knives, jewsharps, powder and lead, paints, and
walhiiig sticks (their name for rum). Teedyuscung and
other chiefs received each a military hat trimmed with
lace, a regimental coat, and a ruffled shirt. In less than
four weeks after the departure of the Indians from Easton,
the French evacuated and fled from Fort Du Quesne
before the advancing English troops under Gen. Forbes.
In Sept. 1759, Quebec surrendered. In 1762 Montreal
and other strongholds yielded to the British arms, and
in 1763 Canada passed from the French dominion to the
British Crown.

THE SECOND INDIAN WAR.

For a period of nearly five years succeeding the last
treaty held at Easton, the frontiers of Pennsylvania were
exempt from Indian hostilities or deiDredations, except
the practice of horse stealing, to which the savages were
always addicted The Indians frequently visited Phila-

THE INDIANS. 55

delphia in parties, and received attention and presents
from the governor. In 1762, the chain of friendship
between them and the whites was strengthened and
brightened at a great council held at Lancaster, attended
by chiefs from the Six Nations, by the western Indians,
and by those in Pennsylvania. At this treaty Teedyus-
cung withdrew the imputation of forgery made at Easton
against the younger Penns, and their agents, but adhered
to the charge of fraud as connected with the walking
f)urchase. He, however, signed a release for all claims
upon lands on the Delaware, and received, for himself and
his people, 700 pounds Pennsylvania currency ($1800) in
money and goods.

The Moravians re-established their missions at Gnaden-
hutten, Wyoming, Wyalusing, and at other points, and
the whites, on the frontiers, recovering from the effects
of the last long and bloody war, were anticipating the
blessings of a prosperous peace.

The expectation was a vain one. In April, 1763,
Teedyuscung's dwelling was set on fire and consumed,
together with himself, who was in a state of helpless
intoxication. It is strongly suspected that this was the
deed of some of the warriors of the Six Nations, one of
whose chiefs Teedyuscung had slain in former times.
Moreover, the presumption and importance which he
had exhibited in the councils held at Easton and Lan-
caster, had probably rendered him an object of strong
dislike to the leading men of the Indian confederacy.
An effort was made by the murderers, or their friends, to
induce the belief in the Delawares that Teedyuscung had
been killed by the Connecticut settlers, who were now
beginning their settlements in the valley. It is not
known if the Delawares ever believed so silly and im-
probable a story. But in June following, the Delawares

o6 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

and Shawanese murdered several white families in the
west. They attacked Fort Venango, and put the garrison
to death, and carried several women and children into
captivity. Governor Hamilton called the Assembly to-
gether; but before the frontiers could be placed in a
state of defence the savages had committed most shock-
ing barbarities. Many murders and burnings were per-
petrated in Northampton, Berks, and Lancaster counties,
and the Connecticut settlement at Wyoming was broken
up and destroyed. Many of these barbarous deeds were
committed by the Indians of New York, and it is more
than suspected that by their arts and intrigue the Sus-
quehanna Indians, whom the Pennsylvania government
had taken so much pains to conciliate, were involved,
contrary to their wishes. These unprovoked and unex-
plained attacks excited the frontier settlers beyond all
bounds. The Christian Indians at Conestoga were sus-
pected of, and detected in, harboring hostile savages, and
their removal or extermination was resolved upon. A
number were killed by the exasperated men of Paxton ;
others were collected at Bethlehem, and, under the super-
intendence of David Zeisberger and Jacob Schmick, in
April, 1764, they set out for Wyalusing, on the Susque-
hanna. They rested at Wyoming, and from this place
proceeded by water to their place of destination, where
they arrived after a journey of five weeks. Here they
laid out a town, erected forty log houses and a meeting-
house, and named the place Friedenshutten — tents of
peace.

John Penn, one of the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania,
and grandson of William Penn, arrived in Philadelphia,
and entered on the duties of governor in the fall of 1763;
and in July, 1764, offered the following rewards for In-
dian scalps: — '^ For every male above ten years of age,

THE INDIANS. 57

captured; $150; for every male above ten years of age,
scalped, being killed, $130 ; for every female above ten
years of age, scalped, being killed, $50." Here we have
a bounty on murder offered by a descendant of the wise
and benevolent William Penn ! The war against the
savages was now prosecuted with vigor by General Gage,
who sent several regiments of British troops into the
w^estern country and destroyed their towns. In Novem-
ber, Colonel Bouquet had reduced them to a humiliating
submission. The Delawares, Shawanese, and other tribes
delivered up, at Fort Pitt and other points, three hundred
prisoners, most of whom were w^omen and children.

The Christian Indians at Wvalusinor continued to
increase, and, in 1767, erected a large and convenient
church, with a cupola and bell. This bell was the first
that ever sounded over the waters of the North Susque-
hanna. In 1769, they made an additional settlement at
Sheshequin, thirty miles above Wyalusing; but the
whites beginning to crowd into Wyoming and along the
river, the Indians became dissatisfied with their location.
With Zeisberger at their head they departed, in 1772,
for the west, and were united to the Moravian Mission
on the Muskingum.

Thus they passed away before the fraud and the vio-
lence of the white man. Less than a century sufficed to
deprive them of their wide domain on the Delaware and
Susquehanna. They were driven from their homes, from
the graves of their fathers, from all they held dear, by
intruders, who took advantage of their simplicity, and
induced them to bargain aw^ay their all, and w^hen they
were unwilling to be so defrauded, they were compelled
to yield to the skill and force of the superior race.

CHAPTER II.
THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR.

The kings of England, in the sixteenth and seven-
teenth centuries, had a yery imperfect knowledge of their
vast and magnificent dominions in North America. They
granted with a lavish hand large tracts of country to
companies, favorites, and crown creditors, without reflec-
tion as to the probable future of the New World, or the
probable consequences of tlie grants they made. Had the
wording of these grants been more precise, and the de-
scriptions of the boundaries intelligible and consistent,
much angry discussion and civil strife would have been
avoided. New York disputed with Connecticut in refer-
ence to their common boundary. Pennsylvania settled
with difficulty her southern boundary with Maryland,
contended twenty years with Virginia for her western
limits, and was driven into violence and bloodshed, with
people claiming under Connecticut, for her northern terri-
tory. We purpose to give some account of this last dis-
pute in reference to Northern Pennsylvania.

In 1G20, King James I. granted to the Pljnnouth
Company a charter for the ruling and governing of New
England in America. In 1628, the Plymouth Company
granted to the Massachusetts colony their territory. In
1631, the president of the Plymouth Company granted
a large tract of land to Lord Say and Seal, Lord
Brook, and others, which was purchased by the Colony

(5S)

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 59

of Connecticut. These charters or grants made the South
Sea their western boundary. April 20th, 1662, King
Charles II. renewed and confirmed this charter to the
Connecticut colony, and distinctly recognised it as a part
and parcel of the old grant of 1620 by James I. to the
Plymouth Company. Nineteen years after this, on the
4th of March, 1681, this same King Charles granted by
his letters-patent to William Penn, his heirs and assigns,
all that tract of land lying between a point on the south,
twelve miles north of New Castle, and a line on the
north, dividing the forty-second and forty-third degrees
of north latitude, and extending westward five degrees
of longitude from the Delaware river. Thus a tract of
country, extending from north to south a whole degree
of latitude, and from east to west five degrees of longi-
tude, was granted to the Connecticut Colony in 1662, and
to William Penn in 1681. Both grantees claimed the
land under their respective charters. But in addition to
a charter two other things were requisite in order to
make a valid title — purchase of the soil from the Indians,
and possession. William Penn, and the succeeding pro-
prietaries, purchased various tracts of land from the
Indians, and obtained deeds for the same. And particu-
larly by a deed, dated October 11th, 1736, Thomas Penn
and William Penn purchased of the Indians tJie full and
absolute rigid of pre-emption of and in all lands lying
within the limits of the charter to William Penn. Also,
on the 9th of July, 1754, nine Indian chiefs signed a
deed of promise at Albany, " never to sell any lands in
Pennsylvania as the same is bounded hy New York,
except to the proprietaries." November 5th, 1768, the
proprietaries of Pennsylvania procured a deed from the
Six Nations, at Fort Stanwix, for all the lands not pre-
viously sold to the proprietaries lying within the province

60 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

of Pennsylvania. In January, 1769, Stewart, Ogden, and
Jennings, on behalf of the proprietary government, took
possession of the Susquehanna lands, settling at the mouth
of Mill Creek, about one mile above the present town of
Wilkesbarre. Thus the three essentials — a charter, pur-
chase, and possession — were made and obtained on the
part of the Pennsylvania government, at the times above
mentioned. On the other hand, the Connecticut claim
was based on a charter nineteen years older than that to
Penn. As to the second requisite, we find that eight
hundred and forty persons, many of them leading men
of Connecticut, united in the year 1753, under the title
of the " Connecticut Susquehanna Company," with a view
to purchase the Indian title to the lands on the Susque-
hanna. A deed of jDurchase was made by this company
from the Indians at Albany, dated July 11th, 1754,
during the meeting of a Congress of Delegates from a
number of the colonies, which purchase included the
Wyoming Valley. In 1755, the existence and claims of
this company were recognised and acquiesced in by the
Assembly of Connecticut.

When the Susquehanna Company was organized in
1753, John Jenkins, as surveyor of the company, and
some others, were sent out to explore the contemplated
territory, and establish friendly intercourse with the
Indians. Airain in 1755, John Jenkins and Ezekiel
Hyde, with their associates, explored more fully the
newl3^-purchased territory. On account of the Frencli
war, and the hostile attitude of the Indians, it was not
deemed advisable to commence a settlement then. But
in August, 1762, John Jenkins, William Buck, and others,
members of the company', entered upon, and took posses-
sion of, the Susquehanna lands, in the Wyoming Valley.
Tliey erected several small log-houses at the mouth of

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 61

Mill Creek, sowed a considerable quantity of grain, and
returned to Connecticut. In the spring of 1763 they
returned to Wyoming, and erected other buildings a short
distance below the present site of Wilkesbarre, but on
the 15th of October following they were driven away,
some being cruelly butchered, it is believed, by the Six
Nations.* No more settlers came from New England
until February 8tli, 1769, when a body of Connecticut
Yankees appeared on the ground, only a few days after
the arrival of Stewart, Ogden, and Jennings, on the part
of the proprietary government.

In deciding between the two governments which is the
better title, it may be stated as an additional fact, that
on the 30th of November, 1664, his Majesty's Commis-
sioners appointed "to decide the bounds betwixt his
Highness the Duke of York and Connecticut charter,"
with the approbation and assent of the agents of the Con-
necticut colony, fixed a line east of the Hudson river, to
he the western hounds of the said colony of Connecticut.
And again, in 1683, the Commissioners of Connecticut
with the Governor of New York fixed upon a new line,
which constitutes the present limits between Connecticut
and New York, and it was declared that the line fixed
upon " shall be the western bounds of the said colony of
Connecticut." Notwithstanding this, Connecticut claimed
that she had a right to overleap the province of New
York, and resume her ancient boundary. Thus the
southern line of her claim, which she contended was the
proper northern boundary of Pennsylvania, would cross
the Delaware, pass through Stroudsburg, and through
yonyngham in Luzerne county, and cut the Catawissa

* For an account of this massacre see Chapter III., Captain Lazarus
Stewart ; and for names of settlers see Appendix, A.

62 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Railroad at Rupert Station, passing westward. The
tongues and pens of some of the ablest men, both in Eng-
land and in America, were employed in the discussion of
the question at issue between Pennsylvania and Connec-
ticut. It is evident that much mioht be said on both
sides in support of their respective claims. However, in
the year 1782, five Commissioners appointed by Congress,
agreeably to the ninth article of Confederation, met at
Trenton, to decide the dispute between Pennsylvania and
Connecticut, in reference to these lands. After forty-one
days of patient hearing and investigation, in which both
parties were fully heard, on the 30 th day of December,
1782, the Commissioners gave their decision in these
words : —

" We are unanimously of opinion that Connecticut has
no right to the lands in controversy.

" We are also unanimously of opinion that the jurisdic-
tion and pre-emption of all the territory lying within the
charter of Pennsylvania, and now claimed by the state
of Connecticut, do of right belong to the state of Penn-
sylvania."

It will be observed that simply the question of juris-
diction and pre-emption was decided by this court. The
question of the right of soil did not come before the court,
and therefore the settlers had not been notified to appear
and defend.

The state of Connecticut now, with becoming grace,
submitted to the decision at Trenton ; but the settlers,
who had for thirteen years maintained a fierce struggle
for possession, still obstinately contested the claim of
Pennsylvania to the right of soil.

We go back now to the date when the Susquehanna
Company resumed their possession of the disputed lands,
which possession had not lapsed, but had been discon-

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. fig

tinned for a season, in compliance with an inhibition of
his Majesty, in 1763, to the effect, that all settlements
of lands adjoining the Indian territory should cease, until
precautions in pursuance of his Majesty's orders should
be adopted for quieting the troubles with the Indians.
The treaty at Fort Stanwix, in 1768, had settled the
difficulties with the Indians. Accordingly, in that same
year, on the 28th of December, the Susquehanna Com-
pany held a meeting at Hartford, Connecticut, to make
preliminary arrangements for settling the Wyoming lands.

It was resolved that five townships, each five miles
square, should be granted to two hundred settlers : that
forty settlers should set out without delay, and the re-
mainder in the following spring. The five townships
decreed to be laid out, were afterwards named Plymouth,
Kingston, Hanover, Wilkesbarre, and Pittston. It is
pleasing to observe that three whole rights, or shares, in
each township were reserved for the support of religion
and of schools. The first forty who came out were to
have the first choice of one of the townships, and to be-
come proprietors on condition of actual settlement, and
of defending themselves and the soil against rival
claimants.

On the part of the proprietary governm,ent Charles
Stewart, a surveyor. Captain Amos Ogden, and John
Jennings, sheriff of Northampton county, were commis-
sioned to lay out two manors, one on the west side of the
Susquehanna, to be called the Manor of Sunbury, and
one on the east side, the Manor of Stoke. The governor
gave to each of these gentlemen a lease for one hundred
acres of land, for seven years, on condition that they esta-
blished an Indian trading-house, and defended the soil
against all intruders. He also directed them to encourage
the speedy settlement of the manors, and to lease the

64 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

same to settlers, stipulating for tlie payment of the
annual rent of one ear of corn, and the defence of the
soil against encroachment.

It will be observed in this contest, that on one side
were many proprietors, claiming the right of soil as vested
in themselves ; and on the other, was one great landlord,
who claimed the entire country, and who waged war for
possession with hirelings, who had at best a mere lease of
the land. The masses of the people of any country would
naturally sympathize with the former, without inquiring
into the nice question of title by charter of ancient date.
Hence we find even the people of Pennsylvania reluctant
to support the proprietary government in its onslaughts on
the Connecticut settlers. Indeed many openly, and more
secretly, gave them aid and comfort in their enterprise.

We have before stated that, in January, 1769, the par-
tisans of the proprietary government located themselves
at the mouth of Mill Creek. They took possession of the
buildings which had been erected by the Connecticut
settlers, who, in 1763, were murdered and driven away
by the Indians. When, in the next month, the forty*
arrived, under the auspices of the Susquehanna Company,
finding the Pennamites in possession of the homes they
had expected to occupy, they erected a small block-house
in Kingston, across the river. This was afterwards en-
larged, and called Forty Fort. In a short time it was
resolved to drive away the intruders, Ogden and Jennings,
from Mill Creek. They accordingly surrounded Ogden's
block-house, and demanded its surrender in the name of
Connecticut. Ogden requested a conference, and Messrs.
Elderkin, Tripp, and Follett were sent to his quarters
for that purpose. But they had no sooner entered his
presence tlian the}'- were arrested by sheriff* Jennings, in

* For names, see Appendix, B.

THE PENN AMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 65

the name of Pennsj^lvania, and conducted to Easton jail,
accompanied by their thirtj^-seven associates. This ready
submission on the part of the Connecticut men, can be
explained only by their profound, almost superstitious
respect for civil process in conformity to law. That men
resolved on force and violence should be suddenly sul>
dued and taken captive by the exhibition of a writ in
the hands of a single man, is to us a matter of some sur-
prise. The captives were shut up in jail at Easton, but
were almost immediately liberated on bail (Wni. L. Ledley,
bailor) , when they returned to the valley, fully bent on the
prosecution of their enterprise. In a few days Ogden and
Jennings returned with a large force, and arresting thirty-
one of the Yankees conveyed them to Easton, where, as
before, they were permitted to go free on bail. They
again returned to the disputed ground. In April, they
were joined by one hundred and sixty others'^ from New
England, being the rest of the two hundred which the
company had resolved to send out. They at once pro-
ceeded to erect a new fortification, to which they gave
the name of Fort Durkee, in honor of the gentleman who
was chosen to command them. This fort was located
near the south-west boundary of the present borough
of Wilkesbarre, on the river bank. They also put up a
number of small log-houses.

On the 24th of May, Jennings and Ogden, with a
number of others, arrived in the valley, and finding the
Yankees too strongly entrenched to be attacked by them,
returned to Easton, and made report of the state of affairs
to the governor. The Susquehanna Company now con-
sidered this a favorable opportunity to open negotiations
with the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania. Colonel Dyer and

* For names, see Appendix, B.

66 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Major Elderkin were sent with full powers to Philadelphia
to adjust all matters in dispute relative to the Wyo-
ming lands. This attempt at a peaceful settlement of the
(juestion failed. On the 24tli of June, an armed force,
under the command of Colonel Francis, appeared before
Fort Durkee, and demanded a surender. The demand was
refused, and as the Connecticut men were too strongly
fortified to justify an attack with his small force. Colonel
Francis withdrew. Governor Penn, learning from Colonel
Francis the condition of things, sent instructions to Jen-
nings, sheriff of Northampton county, to raise a large
force, sufficient to oust the Yankees ; yet, if possible,
without bloodshed. When Ogden heard that Jennings
was coming, he with a party of forty or fifty men sud-
denly attacked the houses of some of the settlers, and took
a few prisoners, among whom was Major John Durkee,
commander of the garrison. Major Durkee was taken to
prison at Philadelphia. In September, Sheriff Jennings
appeared on the ground with two hundred men, and was
gratified to learn that Captain Alexander Patterson, one
of Ogden's subordinates, had brought up from Fort
Augusta (Sun))ury) an iron four-pounder to render the
siege more effective. The settlers were utterly appalled
by this display of force, and by the loss of their com-
mander. They agreed to surrender, and articles of
capitulation were drawn. It was stipulated as follows : —

1st. That Simon Draper, Daniel Gore, Asa Ludington,
and Thomas Bennet should be delivered up as prisoners.

2d. That seventeen men should remain and gather
the fall crops, and that all the other men, women, and
children should depart for Connecticut.

3d. That jirivate property should be respected.

The sufferings of these people on their journc}- through
the wilderness to the East were of the most distressing

THE PENNAMITE AXD YANKEE WAR. 67

nature. One woman, says Mr. Chapman, roasted and fed
her dead child to her survivmg children to keep them alive.
After the departure of the fugitives. Captain Ogden viola-
ted the terms of the capitulation, to his disgrace as a man
and as a soldier. He seized upon the horses, cattle,
swine, &c., and, carrying them to the adjacent settlements,
sold them for the benefit of himself and subordinates.
The seventeen left to gather the crops, being deprived of
all means of subsistence, were compelled to follow their
companions to New England. Leaving ten or fifteen
men to garrison the fort, Jennings and Ogden departed
to the country below the Blue Ridge with their half-civil
and half-military force, where it was disbanded. Such
were the events of the strife for the possession of Wyoming
during the ^^ear 1769.

For four months the valley remained in the undisturbed
possession of the Pennamites. It was at this time that
Captain Lazarus Stewart, James Stewart, William Stew-
art, Lazarus Stewart 2d, Lazarus Young, Matthias Hol-
lenback, John Donnahew, Josiah Espy, and several others
from Lancaster count}^, Pa., who had no love for Governor
Penn and the proprietary government, determined to
make an arrangement with the Susquehanna Company,
and to unite their fortunes with the Yankees. In the
beginning of February, 1770, Captain Lazarus Stewart,
at the head of forty Paxton Rangers and ten New England
men, attacked Fort Durkee, and compelled the garrison
to surrender. Stewart immediately afterwards proceeded
to Fort Ogden, at Mill Creek, and removed the cannon,
with the other munitions of war, to Fort Durkee. When
Captain Ogden, who was at Philadelphia, heard what
had taken place, he was greatly astonished and vexed
that all his labors and victories should in so short a space
of time be brought to nought. But, hastily collecting a

68 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

body of men, he returned to Wyoming, and took up his
quarters at Mill Creek. By this time Major Durkee had
returned from prison, and had joined Stewart at the fort.
These two commanders now, with drums beating and
colors flying, marched forth to attack Ogden. A smart
skirmish ensued, in which William Stager w^as killed,
and one or two others wounded. This was the first blood
shed in the Pennamite and Yankee war.

This attack failed of success. The cannon was next
transported to the w^estern side of the river, where it was
placed in a block-house erected for the purpose, and a
heavy fire opened on Fort Ogden. The firing was kept
up for several days without efiect, when the cannon was
brought back to the eastern shore, and it was resolved to
boldly march out and invest the enemy's works. In the
attack, a storehouse adjoining the fort, of great import
ance to the Pennsylvanians, was fired and consumed
The siege was vigorously prosecuted, and Captain Ogden
was forced to surrender. Articles of capitulation were
signed on the 29th of April, and Ogden and his men,
except six left to take care of his property, departed the
valley. But remembering Ogden's violation of good faith
in the preceding September, the Yankees proceeded to
eject the six men, and setting fire to the fort and houses,
reduced them to ashes.

Governor John Penn now applied to General Gage, at
New York, for British regulars, to drive the Yankees from
his lands. But the general refused the desired aid, stating
that it would be highly improper for the king's troops to
interfere in a dispute concerning property.

In May, to the great joy of those already there. Colonel
Zebulon Butler, with a considerable number of settlers, ar-
rived from Connecticut. There was now peace in the land.
They sowed, they planted, they formed new settlements.

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 69

The spring passed away. The summer followed, and still
no foe was upon them. Nevertheless, they could not but
feel anxious for the future, for on the 28th of June the
Governor of Pennsjdvania had issued his proclamation,
denouncing the severest penalties on all who might settle
on the disputed lands, unless by his authority or that of
his lessees. The evil hour was at hand. In September
Ogden, with one hundred and forty men, quietly entered
the valley, and arrested several of the settlers while at
work in the fields. Those in the fort, learning the enemy
were near, were thrown into the utmost confusion, and
while paralyzed with doubt and consternation, an attack
was made, and the fort carried by storm- Colonel But-
ler, Mr. Spaulding, and some other leading men, were
sent prisoners to Philadelphia, and those of less note were
confined in the jail at Easton. The gallant Ogden again
retired from Wyoming, leaving behind a small garrison
of twenty men to hold the fort, and possession of the
valley. But, alas ! the uncertainty of human affairs !
On the night of the 18th of December Captain Lazarus
Stewart, at the head of thirty men, with a startling
" hurrah for King George !" broke into the fort, drove out
the half-awake, half-naked garrison, and took possession
in the name of Connecticut. The news spreads far and
near, and the year 1770 closes on Captain Ogden in a
state of bewildering amazement at the audacity and un-
tiring energy of his enemies.

The year 1771 opens with vigorous efforts on the part
of the proprietary government to prosecute the war.
Although the severities of winter were upon them, yet,
in thirty days after the expulsion of his friends, Ogden
appeared before Fort Durkee with one hundred men. lie
was accompanied by Sheriff Hacklien, of Northampton
t^.ounty, who bore a warrant, issued by Judge Willing, for

70 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

tlie apprehension of Lazarus Stewart. As the defenses
of Mill Creek had been destroyed, Captain Ogden resolved
to erect a new fortification nearer Fort Durkee. To this
he gave the name of Fort Wyoming, which stood on the
river bank, near the western terminus of Northampton
street, Wilkesbarre. To Sheriff Hacklien's demand to
surrender, Captain Stewart returned an emphatic nega-
tive. The only alternative now was a resort to arms.
On the 20th of January, 1771, Ogden made an attack
with his force on Fort Durkee, which was located about
sixty rods below his own fort, Wyoming.

In the conflict which ensued, Nathan Ogden, the cap-
tain's brother, was killed, while a considerable number
were wounded. The besieging party, repulsed for the
present, and disconcerted by their ill-luck, returned to
their fortification. That night, Stewart, and twenty-six
of his men, resolved to withdraw from Fort Durkee. He
well knew the deep irritation of the proprietary govern-
ment against him, and he was aware that if captured he
must either die or linger out a sad existence in a dun-
geon. The morning following his retreat the garrison
surrendered, and the sheriff returned to Easton with his
prisoners. Captain Ogden heretofore had appeared to
consider every repulse and surrender of the Connecticut
party as its final overthrow and com})lete destruction ;
and, acting on this impression, had uniformly retired to
Philadel})hia to repose on his laurels and enjoy the adu-
lations and festivities of the city. He now adopted a
different jiolicy. He remained with his forces in the
valley, and applied hiuLself by every means in his power
to strengthen his defenses. He brought to bear, on the
wants and })eculiarities of his position, all the vigilance
and energy of his character. For two months he was
undisturbed, but in April following, Caj)tains Butler and

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 71

Stewart, at the head of a hundred and fifty men, entered
the valley and laid siege to Fort Wyoming. Ogden was
closely invested, and the siege vigorously pressed, so that no
one could venture out for food, fuel, or water without great
danger. It was evident that, without succor, he must soon
surrender ; if for no other reason, for want of provisions.
He, himself, undertook the dangerous task of leaving the
fort by night to convey intelligence of his situation to his
friends in Philadelphia. He accomplished it by an act
of consummate stratagem. He tied up his clothes in a
bundle on which he placed his hat. This was attached
to a cord, and taking hold of the other end he committed
himself and bundle to the water, and floated down the
river, his clothes following him. The sentinels, by the
starlight, observed the floating object, and riddled the
bundle with balls, but as the object continued on its
course with a uniform motion, the firing ceased. Ogden
escaped to the bank unharmed, dressed himself, and.
travelling forty miles a day, was soon in Philadelphia
with the unpleasant tidings of the situation of Fort
Wyoming. As the news spread through the city the
excitement was great and general. Prompt action was
taken, and 300 pounds were drawn from the treasury for
supplies. Captain Dick started for Wyoming with a
strong convoy of provisions. Captain Morris followed
with the least delay possible. Butler and Stewart were
on the alert. They doubted not forces and supplies were
approaching, because they had been made aware of the
escape of Ogden. The spies at length brought word that
Dick and Ogden were near at hand. An ambush was
laid. The pack-horses with the provisions were cap-
tured, while the men of the escort escaped into the fort
to help to eat up the scanty remnants of the food within.
Butler now exerted every nerve to capture the fort before

72 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the arrival of reinforcements. It was necessary to make
a more fatal use of their arms. To starve out the gar-
rison without shedding blood was no longer thought of.
Some of the garrison were slain, others wounded : Ogden
himself among the latter. Surrender became impera-
tive. On the 14th of August, articles of capitulation
were signed to the effect, that all the Pennsylvania
troops should leave the valley, twenty-three only retir-
ing with arms in their hands — men with families might
remain on the ground for two weeks, and should have
the privilege of retaining their effects — the sick and
wounded should keep their nurses, and should have
leave to send for a physician. Zebulon Butler, Lazarus
Stewart, and John Smith signed on behalf of the Yan-
kees, and Asher Clayton, Joseph Morris, and John Dick,
on the part of the proprietary government. The Con-
necticut settlers now poured into the valley in great
numbers, for it began to be perceived that the Yankee
cause would triumph. About this time the troubles with
the motlier country were beginning to darken the land,
and the proprietary government, unsupported by the peo-
ple, withdrew all their forces and left the settlers from
the east in undisturbed possession of the lovely valley.

Up to the year 1772, it may be said there was no
established discipline in Wyoming, no form of govern-
ment, no law. Each individual acted as his own sense
of propriety, or his notion of right, might dictate. Even
the salutary influence of woman, exercised over man in
civilized society, was wanting. In May, 1772, there were
only five women in Wilkesljarre township. But in this
year quite a number of settlers went east for their fami-
lies. Lands were surveyed and assigned to chiimants,
and block-houses were erected on both sides of the river.
Many new faces appeared in the settlement, men gatheied

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 73

their relatives about them, and marriages were celebrated.
The township of Wilkesbarre was surveyed in the year
1770 by David Meade, and within its limits the struggles
for possession of the valley mostly took place. The union
of the names of John Wilkes, Esq., and of Colonel Barre,
two Englishmen, the latter a brave and accomplished
soldier, well known in America, and both celebrated
as distinguished advocates of the rights of the colonies
against the encroachments of the crown, formed the
name Wilkesbarre. But the village, or borough of Wilkes-
barre, was not laid out until 1772. This was the work
of Colonel Durkee, who formed the town plot on grounds
immediately adjoining Fort Wyoming, which, as has
been already stated, was situated on the river bank near
Northampton street. During that year, the people were
so busily engaged in p^'eparing to live that there was no
time to think of a regular form of government. When
difficulties arose in respect to land rights, the dispute
was decided by town committees. Those were halcyon
days, for there was order without law, and peace without
the constable — that was the golden age of Wyoming.
Ferries and mills were provided for the people, and
finally, towards the close of this year, as soon as practi-
cable, that is, December 11th, 1772, provisions were
made for the permanent support of the gospel and of
schools. Nor was there an exhibition of religious into-
lerance, but the views and feelings of the Baptists were
consulted by the Presbyterians, who formed much the
larger body. At length as the population increased, and
the interests of the community became, in some degree,
conflicting, it was deemed necessary by the Susquehanna
Company, on the 2d day of June, 1773, at Hartford,
Connecticut, to adopt a code of laws for the government
of the settlement. This code punished crime, enforced

74 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

order, provided for the election of directors, peace officers,
and other officers who might be found necessary in every
township. Every settler was required to subsciibe his
name to these regulations, to abide by and to support the
same. All males of the age of twenty-one years and
upwards were allowed a voice in the elections.

It may be noted here that at an early period, even
before the code of laws was enacted by the Susquehanna
Companj^, the settlers resolved that any person who sold
liquor to an Indian should forfeit his goods and be ex-
pelled the colony. But it is probable this order was
never observed, for at first, after 1763, there were but
few straggling Indians in the valley, and these were
mostly Christians connected with the Moravian Society.
And in a short time almost the entire body of settlers
became drinkers. Whiskey and rum were consumed iu
astonishing quantities. At that day ardent spirits could
be procured in their purity, and as the people were hard
workers, and much exposed in the open air, they came to
be considered as articles of prime necessity. The effects
of their use were wholly different from those produced on
the people of our day, by the soul and body destroying
mixtures of alcohol and strychnine, and other poisons.

In October, 1773, the General Assembly of Connecticut
attempted to open negotiations with the Pennsylvania
authorities, with a view to the amicable settlement of
the dispute pending in reference to the Wyoming lands.
But the governor and council on behalf of Pennsylvania,
alleging the total absence of right on the part of Connec-
ticut, declined every pro})osition which the commissioners
of the colony advanced. The General Assembly of Con-
necticut then, on learning the refusal of the authorities
of Pennsylvania to come to any terms, proceeded to
exercise those acts of sovereignty which she conceived

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 75

belonged to her. In January, 1774, all the terntorj
within her charter limits, from the Delaware to a line
fifteen miles west of the Susquehanna, was erected into a
town, called Westmoreland, and attached to the county
of Litchfield. Westmoreland was about seventy miles
square, embracing nearly five thousand square miles.
Within it were numerous town.ships, divided into lots,
which were sold to purchasers, or were drawn for by
proprietors. The governor of Connecticut issued his pro-
clamation, forbidding any settlement in Westmoreland,
except under authority from Connecticut. About the
same time the governor of Peinisylvania issued his pro-
clamation, prohibiting all persons from settling on the
disputed lands, except under the authority of the Proprie-
taries. Zebulon Butler and Nathan Denison were com-
missioned under Connecticut as justices of the peace, with
authority to organize the town. In March, 1774, the
whole people of Westmoreland, being legally warned,
met and organized the town, and chose selectmen, a
treasurer, constables collectors of taxes, surveyors of
highways, fence viewers, listers, leather sealers, gi'and
jurors, ty thing men, sealers of weights and measures,
and key-keepers. Eight town meetings were held in the
year 1774. The government was of the most democratic
character. It cannot be supposed that the whole male
population entitled to vote turned out at every meeting,
for the number of people in Westmoreland this year was
found to be 1922.

As early as 1771 two townships on the West Branch,
including the lands on which the present village of Muncy
stands, were surveyed under the auspices of the Susque-
hanna Company. The names of these townships were
Charleston and Judea. In June, 1772, there were a few
settlers there from the East, but not numerous enough to

76 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

attract the attention of the proprietary government. The
Act of January, 1774, erecting Westmoreland Town, did
not embrace these two towaiships w'ithin its provisions.
But in May, 1775, an act was passed by the General
Assembly of Connecticut, which included Charleston and
Judea in the town of Westmoreland, and John Vincent,
a resident on the West Branch, was appointed a justice
of the peace for the county of Litchfield. Vincent and
others succeeded in persuading between eighty and ninety
persons to emigrate from Wyoming, and settle in these
w^estern townships. This act of Connecticut seems to
have roused the provincial authorities of Pennsylvania
to check the encroachments of the Susquehanna Com-
pany, and to make another attempt to recover the dis-
puted territory.

In September, 1775, immediately after the arrival of
Justice Vincent and his company, Colonel William Plun-
ket, at the head of five hundred Northumberland militia,
marched up the West Branch, and utterly destroyed the
settlements at Muncy. One man was killed, the rest
taken prisoners to Sunbury jail, wdiile the women and
children were sent to Wyoming. This success greatly
elated the governor of Pennsylvania, as well as the
Colonel and the troops who had achieved the triumph.
So much were they rejoiced at the victory, that, forgetful
of the dictates of prudence, and regardless of all other
considerations, it was resolved to make an immediate
attack on Wyoming, and drive off the settlers there also.
Even the inlliience of Congress was unavailing to induce
an abandonment of the enterprise until the difiiculties
with Great Britain should be adjusted. Bj- great activity
and energy Colonel Plunket was prepared to march early
in December of that year, with seven hundred men, a
long train of boats, a field-piece, and an abundance of

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 77

ammunition. He was accompanied by William Cook,
Esq., high sheriff of Northumberland county, who bore
a warrant for the arrest of certain offenders. After four
years of peace the storm of war was again gathering over
Wyoming. The people there, mindful of their earl}^
prowess and success, are in nowise disconcerted or dis-
mayed by this display of force against them. Gathering
together their military strength, which numbered about
three hundred men and boys, they go down to the southern
entrance of the valley to meet the invaders. Plunket,
flushed with his West Branch victory, is loud in his boast-
ings as he passes the Nanticoke Falls, and moves into the
valley. But the reception he met from Captain Butler,
at the breast-work on the west side, and from Captain
Lazarus Stewart, on the east side of the Susquehanna
river, cooled his ardor and his courage. He began to see
the folly of undertaking such an expedition in the depth
of winter. Repulsed at every point, wdth dead and
wounded men around him, and the weather beginninir to
grow severely cold, he retreated, and thus ended this ill-
advised and rash undertaking. This was the last attempt
of the proprietar}^ government to secure the possession of
the contested lands. The colonies were now in the midst
of the Revolutionary contest, and in the following year
declared themselves free and independent states.

While these warlike preparations and deeds were trans-
piring, Connecticut resolved that no further additions
should be made to the settlement in Westmoreland, with-
out special license from the General Assembly. This
singular resolution can only be reasonably accounted for
by supposing, that it was done either to quiet the fears
of the proprietary government, or else with a view to keep
at home her own citizens with their resources, at a time
when the stern demands of war were making heavy drafts

78 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

on her energies. In May, 1776, John Jenkins, Esq., and
Captain Solomon Strong, were elected to the Legislature
of Connecticut, and specially instructed to request the
Assembly to demand of the Pennsylvania government
four thousand pounds for losses sustained by Plunket's
invasion.

In the early part of this year it became manifest that
the Six Nations of Indians were pledged to support the
cause of Great Britain against the Colonies, and the most
gloomy- apprehensions were entertained by the people of
Westmoreland, on whose bordere and within whose limits
many of these Indians had their homes. August, 1776, it
was resolved to erect suitable forts, and the people were
recommended to work on the same without fee or reward.
Yet, notwithstanding the dangers which beset the settle-
ment at home, a number of active and able-bodied men
were enlisted for the army and marched to the head-
quarters of General Washington. In addition to this,
Congress, being fully apprised of the situation of West-
moreland, August 26, 1776, elected Robert Durkee and
Samuel Ptansom captains of two companies which were
ordered to be raised in Westmoreland, on the continental
establishment, and to be stationed in proper places for
the defence of the inhabitants of said town and parts
adjacent. It must excite surprise when it is told that
Congress, in December following, ordered these two com-
panies to leave the valley and repair to the standard of
Washington. They obeyed with patriotic devotion, but
it jeopardized the safety of Westmoreland. Nothing but
the critical situation of the commander-in-chief and of the
common cause, can at all palliate the rashness, to call it
by no other name, of this order.

On the 26th of September of this year the provincial
government of Pennsylvania expired, and shortly after,

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 79

on the convening of the General Assembly under her first
constitution, with a population of 300,000, she assumed
the powers of a sovereign state. About this time the
General Assembly of Connecticut erected Westmoreland
into a county, and Jonathan Fitch, Esq., received the
first commission as high sheriff.

Quite a number of persons, in this, as well as in the
following year, 1777, came into the valley holding a
Pennsylvania title, and denouncing the Connecticut claim
as valueless. Besides these, were some tories who came
as spies, and who held communication with the British
and Indians, givina: them information of the state of
affairs, and of the most opportune time for striking a
deadly blow. They w^ere, of course, objects of suspicion,
and some were expelled for their indiscreet words, or
treasonable conduct. But in the midst of dangers from
abroad, and at home, and though the small-pox was
ravaging the settlement, the people slackened none of
their energies to improve their condition. A county
seat was selected, the county officers appointed, state,
county, and town taxes levied, and paid and free schools
were opened and supported. The assessment of estates
for the county of Westmoreland for 1777 exceeded twenty
thousand pounds, and the state tax exceeded two thou-
sand pounds.

From Plunket's battle, until 1782, was a period of
six years. During that time the whole valley had been
devastated by fire and sword. The Massacre of Wyoming
had of itself caused the death of upwards of two hundred
settlers, and the Indians had at various periods stealthily
murdered at least a hundred more. The details of these
losses and murders are recorded in other portions of this
work. The settlers, now war-worn and miserably poor,
found themselves driven to contend against the whole

80 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

power of Pennsylvania ; for, as before stated, the state
of Connecticut had withdrawn all claim to jurisdiction
after the Trenton Decree. They petitioned the General
Assembl}^ of Pennsylvania for their rights. "We have
settled a country," said the}', "which in its original state
of but little value, but now cultivated by your memorial-
ists, is to them of the greatest importance, being their all.
We are yet alive, but the richest blood of our neighbors
and friends, children, husbands, and fathers, has been
spilt in the general cause of their country, and we have
suffered every danger this side death. We supplied the
continental army with many valuable officers and soldiers,
and left ourselves w^eak and unguarded against the attack
of the savages, and of others of a more savage nature. Our
houses are desolate, many mothers are childless, widows
and orphans are multiplied, our habitations are destroyed,
and many families are reduced to beggary." Notwith-
standing, as soon as the continental troops were with-
drawn from Wyoming, where they had been placed for
the protection of the people against the savages, Captains
Robinson and Shrawder, with two companies of Pennsyl-
vania troops, marched and took possession of Fort Wyo-
ming, which the}^ named Fort Dickinson. Shortly after,
the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, in pursuance of
the petition of the settlers, appointed Joseph Montgomery,
William Montgomery, and Moses McClean, commissioners,
with instructions to repair to Wyoming. and compromise
the dispute between them and the Commonwealth. They
arrived in the valley in April, 1783, and immediately a
spirited correspondence took place between them and
John Jenkins, Nathan Denison, Obadiah Gore, and
Samuel Shepherd, the committee on the part of the set-
tlers. The issue of this was that the state commissioners
reported to the Assembly, recommending " that a reasona-

THE PENNAMITE AXD YANKEE WAR. 81

ble compensation in land in the western part of the state
should be made to the families of those who had fallen
in arms against the common enemy, and to such other
settlers as had a proper Connecticut title, and did actually
reside on the lands at the time of the decree at Trenton ;
provided they immediately relinquished all claim to the
soil where they now inhabited, and enter into contracts
to deliver up full and quiet possession of their present
tenures to the rightful owners under Pennsylvania by the
first of April next." This report evidently expressed the
sentiments of Alexander Patterson, who had in charge
the interests of the Pennsylvania settlers. Patterson had
been in the employ of the Penn family, and had aided to
arrest the Connecticut settlers in 17G9. He was now a
justice of the peace under Pennsylvania, and was settled
in Wilkesbarre, whose name he endeavored to change to
Londonderry. This notorious hater of the Yankees was
the head and front of the Pennamite interest. He, with
his associate justices, and backed by military force, under
the command of Major James Moore, and Captains Shraw-
der and Christie, commenced a series of contemptible and
cowardly outrages upon the Yankee settlers. The soldiers
were quartered upon the inhabitants. Colonel Zebulon
Butler, who had just returned from the army, and who
boldly denounced Patterson's conduct, was arrested and
sent to Sunbury jail. But, as the proceedings had been
illegal, he was released.

Mr. Miner says, " October 31, the settlement Sliawnee
was invaded by the military, headed by the justice in
person, and eleven respectable citizens arrested, and sent
under guard to the fort. Among the prisoners was Major
Prince Alden, sixty-five years old, feeble from age, and
suffering from disease. Compassion yielded nothing to
alleviate his sufferings. Captain James Bidlack was also
6

82 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

arrested. He was between sixty and seventy. His son,
of the same name, had fallen, as previously recorded, at
the head of his company in the Indian battle ; another
son, Benjamin, had served in the army through the revo-
lutionary war. Mr. B. himself had been taken by the
savages, and suffered a tedious captivity in Canada. All
this availed him nothing. Benjamin Harvey, who had
been a prisoner to the Indians, was also arrested. Samuel
Ransom, son of Captain Ransom, who fell in the mas-
sacre, was most rudely treated on being taken. ' Ah ha!'
cried Patterson, ' you are the jockey we wanted ; away
with him to the guardhouse, with Old Harvey, another
damned rascal.' Eleven, in all. were taken and driven
to the fort, where they were confined in a room with a
mud floor, wet and comfortless, with no food and little
fire, which as they were sitting round. Captain Christie
came in, ordered them to lie down on the ground, and
bade the guard to blow out the brains of any one who
should attempt to rise. Even the staff of the aged Mr.
Alden was taken from him." The men secure, Patterson
turned their families out of doors, and placed Pennamite
claimants in possession of their lands and houses. In
many other cases the widows and orphan children of sol-
diers, slain in battle in defence of liberty, were forced
from their dwellings, and their few implements of agricul-
ture were destroyed, or carried away, by order of the
heartless and brutal Patterson. The settlers now (1784)
petitioned Congress and the Assemblies of Penns3'lvania
and Connecticut for redress of grievances, and the Penn-
sylvania Assembly sent a committee to Wyoming to take
depositions. These depositions were read before the
Assembly, and although Patterson was severely denounced
by many members, he was not removed or deprived of
his authority.

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 88

On the 23d of January, 1784, moved by the petition
of Zebulon Butler and others, Congress adopted measures
for the settlement of the dispute, but on the remonstrance
of Pennsylvania the proceedings were discontinued. On
the 13th and 14th of May following, Major Patterson's
soldiers dispossessed one hundred and fifty families, burnt
several houses, and compelled five hundred men, women,
and children to march through the wilderness to the Dela-
ware river. Several children starved and died in the
woods, and the sufferings of the whole impoverished
throng, as they wandered night and day over rugged
mountains and through deep swamps, were terrible be-
yond description. Elisha Harding, who was one of this
suffering multitude, says, "It was a solemn scene; parents,
their children crying for hunger — aged men, on crutches
— all urged forward by an armed force at our heels. The
first night we encamped at Capouse ; the second at Cobb's ;
the third at Little Meadow, so called. Cold, hungry, and
drenched with rain, the poor women and children suffer-
ing much. The fourth night at Lackawack ; fifth, at
Blooming Grove; sixth, at Shehola; on the seventh
arrived at the Delaware, where the people dispersed, some
going up and some down the river. I kept on east, and
when I got to the top of Shongum Mountain I looked
back with this thought : shall I abandon Wyoming for
ever ? The reply was. No, oh no ! There lie your mur-
dered brothers and friends. Dear to me art thou, though
a land of afiiiction. Every way looked gloomy, except
towards Wyoming. Poor, ragged, and distressed as I was,
I had youth, health, and felt that my heart was whole.
So I turned back to defend or die."

These cruelties to the settlers excited sympathy
throughout the whole country, and the companies of
Shrawder and Christie were discharged by state autho-

84 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY,

rity. But the iiilmman Patterson re-enlisted many of
the soldiers, and continued to perpetrate his hellish deeds
in spite of instructions to the contrary. After an ab-
sence of several weeks the Yankees returned and fortified
themselves under a cliff of rock, on the Eastern or Wilkes-
barre Mountain. This, Mr. Miner says, they called Fort
Lillope, but we have in our possession several orders,
sent by John Franklin, John Jenkins, and others, from
this cave-fortress, to Matthias Hollenback, in Wilkes-
barre, for rum, tea, sugar, &c., and these orders are dated
at Fort Defence. From this fort three or four persons
entered Wilkesbarre under the promised protection of
Patterson, who arrested and beat them with iron ram-
rods. Franklin and Jenkins, now having no faith in the
promises of anybody connected with Pennsylvania, re-
moved in the month of July, with their associates, to
Kingston. On the 20th of that month a company of
thirty young men, marching to Plymouth, met a body of
Patterson's men on Rosshill. A conflict ensued, and
Elisha Garrett and Chester Pierce were slain. Several
of Patterson's men were wounded, but none of them
killed. Forty-two effective and twenty old men, now
aroused to vengeance by this bloody deed, placed them-
selves under the command of John Franklin. They first
marched to Shawnee, and dispossessed the Pennamite
families there, then crossing the river at Nanticoke, they
drove off all from their dwellings on the east side, and
compelled them to take refuge in the fort at Wilkesbarre.
This fort Franklin's men proceeded to surround. Patter-
son's troops made a sortie from the fort, and set fire to
twenty-three buildings, which were consumed. Franklin
continued to invest the fort, and demanded its surrender,
which was refused. An engagement ensued, in which the

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 8o

Yankees were worsted, and deemed it prudent to retire
to Kingston.

Patterson and forty others were now indicted by the
grand jury of Northumberland county, and Sheriff Antis
was sent to arrest them. But Patterson and his asso-
ciates saved themselves from arrest behind their threat-
ening ramparts, and the sheriff was compelled to return
without them. On the very day the sheriff attempted
this arrest. Major Moore, who was returning from North-
ampton county, where he had secured a number of
recruits for the Pennsylvania cause, was met by Captain
John Swift, at the head of thirty men, on Locust Hill.
A conflict ensued. Jacob Everett, one of Moore's men,
was killed, and several were wounded on both sides.
Moore retired to Easton, while Swift marched back to
Kingston.

The next movement in this unhappy struggle was the
appointment of Colonel John Armstrong, in conjunction
with Hon. John Boyd, Commissioners, to restore peace to
Wyoming. Boyd was a member, and Armstrong was the
secretary, of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsyl-
vania. This Colonel Armstrong was the author of the
Newburg Letters, had been minister to Spain and France,
and was secretary of war in 1812, under the administra-
tion of President Madison. The commissioners arrived
in the valley on the 8th of August, 1784. Three hun-
dred infantry and fifteen horsemen were ordered to be
placed at their disposal. They issued their proclamation
declaring peace and good-will. They demanded a cessa-
tion of strife, and the surrender of arms by both parties.
The Yankees were fearful of treachery, and hesitated to
accept the proffered mediation of the commissioners. But
Armstrong pledged his honor as a man and as a soldier to
»-espect his engagements, and make good his promises.

86 A.NNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The Yankees believed and laid down their arms, lohen
they were immediately arrested. Captain Swift's company
of men, who had defeated Moore at Locust Hill, were
bound with cords and handcuffed. In this condition they
were marched away to Easton jail.* Forty-two others
were bound and sent to jail at Sunljury. Patterson's men
were not disarmed. Armstrong then returned to Phila-
delphia covered with infamy.

The Sunbury prisoners were released on bail. The
Easton prisoners procured their liberty through Edward
Inman, a man of great physical strength, who knocked
down the jailor, seized the keys, and liberated himself and
comrades. Fifteen of them escaped to Wyoming, but
eleven were taken and confined in jail three months. An
attempt was then made to indict them for the murder of
Jacob Everett, who, as before stated, was killed at Locust
Hill. The attempt, however, proved a failure, for the
grand jury ignored the bill. No bills were found in
Northumberland county against the prisoners sent thither
by Armstrong. On the other hand, Patterson and Moore
were both indicted, which shows that the people generally
through Pennsylvania sympathized with the Connecticut
settlers in their sufferings.

In September, Armstrong returned to the valley with
fifty men and arrested Franklin, Pierce, and Johnson, for
treason, but they were never convicted. On the 29th
of the same month, the Yankees, under Captain Swift,
attacked a house which Patterson occupied as head-
quarters. They set the Ijuilding on fire, and two of his
associates, Henderson and Read, in attem})ting to escape
to the fort, were shot down. Captain Swift was severely
wounded, but his loss did not in the least abate the ardor

* For names of these prisoners, see Appendix, C.

THE PEN N A MITE AND YANKEE WAR. 87

and efforts of his men, who spiritedly invested the Penna-
mite garrison. In this conflict, FraukUn was wounded
in the wrist, Nathan Stevens was shot in the eye and
died instantly, William Smith and one or two others
were also killed, and finally, the Yankees were compelled
to abandon the siege.

By the constitution of Pennsylvania, established after
the colonies had declared themselves free and independent
states, in addition to the Supreme Executive Council and
the House of Representatives, there existed a Council of
Censors who assembled once in seven years. This body was
elected by the people, and had power to send for persons
and papers, and to examine into all questions respecting
the rights of the people and the administration of justice,
&c. After an examination, by the censors, of the
Wyoming difficulties, and after the refusal of tlie House
of Representatives to furnish certain papers, in the
autumn of 1784, they issued a declaration enumerating
the wrongs committed against the Connecticut settlers.
and severely censuring the Supreme Executive Council
and the House of Representatives. These bodies, how-
ever, disregarded the reproof of the Censors, and prosecu-
ted the unholy war. Armstrong was promoted to the
position of a general, and at the head of one hundred
armed men, on the 17th of October, 1784, again entered
the valley. The day following, he attacked the Yankees,
who had fortified themselves in four log-houses, placed in
the form of a diamond, situated above Forty Fort. The
contest lasted one hour, when Armstrong was compelled
to retreat, having lost Captain Bolin, and having had three
or four severely wounded. On the side of the Yankees,
William Jackson was dangerously wounded, and as he
lay bleeding. Captain Franklin seized his friend's bloody
rifle and swore he would never lay down his arms until

88 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

death should arrest his hand, or Patterson and Armstrong
should be expelled from Wyoming. The next day, Arm-
strong sent thirty of his men to gather the buckwheat on
the Kingston flats, but the Yankees, stealthily encircling
the workmen, carried away the grain, amounting to about
one hundred bushels.

At this juncture, the Assembly of Pennsylvania passed
an act restoring the dispossessed Yankees to their lands,
and recalling Armstrong and Patterson with the forces
under their command. This was temporary relief. The
settlers at once set about the appointment of committees,
to organize the militia, to provide for the punishment of
offenders, &c. Franklin was elected colonel of the troops.
A petition, signed by ninety-six men and -svomen, setting
forth their grievances and sufferings, and praying to be
permitted to elect their own officers and to be protected
in their rights, was sent to the Assembly at Philadelphia.
John Jenkins was appointed to wait on the Assembly,
and to secure the passage of a law for the final settlement
of matters in dispute, and for the permanent establish-
ment of the rights of the (Connecticut settlers. These
efforts proving of iId avail, Franklin waited upon the
session of Congress, and u[)on the Assembly of Connecti-
cut, and endeavored to interest them in the wretched
fate of the Wjoming people. He also made a bold effort
to revive the slumbering energies of the Susquehanna
Company, which, like Connecticut, had been stunned by
the Trenton decree. In this he succeeded. In July,
1785, the Company met and reaffirmed its rights in these
dis[)uted lands ; land was voted to recruits, called half-
share rights ; committees were appointed, and extensive
preparations were made. Franklin returned to Wyoming,
lield meetings, and addressed the people in the several
townshi[)s, in regard to a new plan which had been settled

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 8&

upon. It remained for the people to carry it out. It
had been determined to form a new state out of Northern
Pennsylvania. The disputed territory was to be dismem-
bered, and down-trodden Wyoming was to be set free
from the thralldom of Pennsylvania. Wise heads at
Philadelphia saw the gathering storm, and on the 24th
of December following the Assembly of Pennsylvania
passed an " Act for quieting disturbances at Wyoming and
pardoning certain offenders." This law required the Yan-
kees to give bail for their good behavior, but gave them
no security in return. It was consequently disregarded.
In July, 1786, the Susquehanna Company held another
meeting in Connecticut, and Colonel Franklin, Major Jen-
kins, and General Ethan Allen, Colonel Butler and others,
were appointed a committee to locate townships, to decide
upon claims, &c. The ball set in motion by the bold and
fearless Franklin was now being rolled onward by such
men as Oliver Walcott, Joel Barlow, and General Ethan
Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga. Stout hearts and heroes,
who had braved the tempest of battle during the revolu-
tion, 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 condi-
tion of affairs there. This he did in August and Septem-

90 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ber, 1786, and returning to Philadelphia, reported " that
the Yankees were entirely satisfied with the constitution
of Pennsylvania, and were ready to submit to its govern-
ment, provided they could be quieted in the possession of
their farms." A few da^'s after this report, September
25th, 1786, the Act creating the county of Luzerne passed
the Assembly, and Matthias Ilollenback, Timothy Picker-
ing, and others, were commissioned justices, with power
to hold courts, &c. Pickering was also appointed protho-
nothary, clerk of the court, and register and recorder.
Lord Butler was commissioned high sherift'.

On the 27th. of December following this event, the
Susquehanna Company held a meeting 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 Pickering, Zebulon Butler, and John
Franklin, were ap[)ointed to notify the electors of Luzerne
county, that an election would be held there on the first
day of February, 1787, for the election of one supreme
councillor, one memljer of the House of Representatives,
and a high sherift". Thus, Pennsylvania succeeded in
dividing the Yankees, and now they were no longer one
people united against a connnon enemy. As the first
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. Colonel Butler, Colonel

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 91

Denison, the HoUenbacks, the Rosses, the families of
Gore, Carey, Nesbit, and others, were in favor of the
election, while Franklin, the Jenkinses, the Slocums,
Satterlies, Dudleys, and others, opposed it." The former
were ready and willing to swear allegiance to Pennsyl-
vania, 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 re-
peated and plighted vows, and the outrages of Armstrong
and Patterson, w^ould not trust her without seciurity.
Confirm us in our titles, and protect us in our posses-
sions, said they, and then we will swear allegiance, but
not till then. The election was held, but not without
riot and confusion. Colonel Nathan Denison was chosen
a member of the Executive Council, John Franklin was
elected to the House of Representatives, and Lord Butler
to the office of high sheriif of the county. It was under-
stood if Franklin could be reconciled, the new state pro-
ject would be seriously damaged. It was consequently 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 Pennsyl-
vania Assembly. It was doubtless intended as an exqui-
site 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 recognised 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

92 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

proclaimed them as traitors, who had gone over to the
euem}-, and against whose treachery they, even now, had
not the sHghtost guarantee.

On the 28th of March following the election, the As-
sembly of Pennsylvania, seeing that all efforts to recon-
cile the " Wild Yankees" had failed, passed the Confirming
Law, under which Timothy Pickering, Joseph Montgo-
mer}^, and Peter Muhlenberg were appointed commis-
sioners, to sit at Wilkesbarre, 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 Picker-
ing opened the discussion by a lengthy and persuasive
argument in favor of the law. He declared that Penn-
sylvania was honest and sincere, and pledged his honor
as security for her good ftiith. 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
3'our heart."

Major John Jenkins replied to Pickering, " What gua-
rantee have we that Pennsylvania 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
wlio hud taken part with Pickering. The pent-up emo-
tions of the excited assembly could no longer be re-
strained — a fight ensued, clu})s were cut and used, and
for a moment serious consequences were imminent. When

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THE PENN AMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 93

order was partially restored a vote was taken, when it
was decided to accept the law.

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

A constitution for the new state, which the Susque-
hanna Company had proposed to form, having been drawn
up by Oliver Walcott, and the officers having been decided
upon. General Ethan Allen, in September, arrived in the
valley. He found the Connecticut people divided, and
he set himself at work to unite them. Among other
things he declared he had niade one new state, and that
with one hundred Green Mountain boys, and two hun-
dred riflemen, he could make another in spite of Penn-
sylvania. The bold Franklin Avas indefatigable in his
efforts. He addressed the people in Kingston, Hanover,
Newport, Pittston, &c., but all in vain. A union was
not to be perfected, and Allen returned to New England.

Soon after Allen's departure, Pickering and his adhe-
rents resolved to arrest Franklin for high treason. A
writ was issued by Chief Justice McKean, and placed in
the hands of four resolute men, non-residents of Luzerne
county. About the close of September, Franklin came
to Wilkesbarre, and, says Mr. Miner, "As he stood by
Mr. Yarrington's, near the Ferry, about two o'clock in
the afternoon, a person whom he knew came up and said,
' a friend at the red house wished to speak to him.' Un-
conscious of danger he walked down, when suddenly he
was seized behind, and an attempt made to pinion his
arms. By powerful efforts he shook himself loose ; was
again seized ; but by the most vigorous exertions kept his
opponents from their purpose, till a noose was thrown
over his head, and his arms confined — the power of all

94 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

four being requisite to tie him. To get him on horse-
back was the next object. Colonel Franklin now cried
out: 'Help, help! William Slocum ! Where is William
Slocum ?' and drawing his pistols, for he went armed,
discharged one of them without effect, when a heavy blow
struck him for a moment almost senseless, and covered
his face with blood. The hour had been judiciously
selected — in the midst of seeding time. William Slocum,
with nearl}^ all the male population, were at work in
distant fields sowing grain. But the spirit of the good
Quaker mother was roused. Her Yankee blood was up.
A lovely and amiable woman she was, but for the moment
she thouirht of nothin2r but the release of Franklin. Mrs.
Slocum seized the gun, and running to the door, ' Wil-
liam,' she cried, ' who will call William ? Is there no
man here ? Will nobody rescue him ?' "

From the river bank Captain Erbe had got his prisoner
into the main street, near Colonel Pickering's ; but with
tremendous power, in despite of his four captors, Franklin
threw himself from the horse, as often as placed on him,
when Colonel Pickering was obliged to come from behind
the curtain, and decisively to interpose. Accompanied
by his servant, William A. George, he ran to the door
armed with a loaded pistol, which he held to Franklin's
breast, while George tied his legs under the horse, and
bound him to one of his captors.

Colonel Pickering says, " The four gentlemen seized
him — two of their horses were in my stable, which were
sent to them ; but soon my servant returned on one of
them with a message from the gentlemen that the people
were assembling in numbers, and requested me to come
with what men were near me, to prevent a rescue. I took
loaded pistols in my hands, and went with another ser-
vant to C)Q\Y aid. Just as 1 met them, Franklin threw

THE PEN N AMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 95

himself off his horse, and renewed his struggle with them.
His hair was disheveled and face bloody with preceding
efforts. I told the gentlemen they would never carry him
off unless his feet were tied under his horse's belly. I
sent for a cord. The gentlemen remounted him, and my
servant tied his feet. Then one taking his bridle, another
following behind, and the others riding one on each side,
they whipped up his horse, and were soon beyond the
reach of his friends. Thus subdued by six, he was hur-
ried with painful speed to the jail at Philadelphia."

News of the arrest and abduction of Franklin spread
rapidly through the valley, and his friends in retaliation
determined to seize Pickermg and hold hun as a hostage
until the release of Franklin. The attempt was made,
but through the intervention of Colonel Zebulon Butler
he was permitted to escape to Philadelphia. Soon after
his arrival there, in October, a meeting of the Pennsyl-
vania claimants was convened. In relation to this meet-
ing Pickering says, " I was advised of a meeting of the
Pennsylvania claimants, and requested to be present. The
Dumlx^r did not exceed ten or tw^elve. The Rev. Dr.
Ewing, an elderly Presbyterian gentleman, and provost
of the state university, was one of the number, and the
most zealous for petitioning the Legislature, then in ses-
sion, to repeal the Confirming Law. The gentlemen in
general appeared to be opposed to that step, and some of
them observed that the faith of the state being pledged,
its honor required an adherence to the promises of the
Confirming Law. ' What do I care for the honor of the
state? I want my money !' was the shameless reply of
the reverend gentleman."

The Rev. Dr. Smith, who had also been connected with
the University, and was a distinguished minister in the
Protestant Episcopal Church, was a member of this meet-
ing, and, like Dr. Ewing, held a small claim in Wyoming.

96 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Through the influence of these two men the Confirming
Law was repealed.

" I believe," says Pickering, " but for these two reve-
rend gentlemen teasing and intriguing with members of
the Legislature, the Confirming Law might have been car-
ried into execution."

Thus we find the idea of forming a new state has been
abandoned, the Susquehanna company is paralyzed, and
Franklin is wasting away in a gloomy prison. The Con-
firming Law has been repealed, and the honor of Pennsyl-
vania is forfeited. The prophetic words of John Jenkins
have been realized, and the faith of the Commonwealth,
as well as the interests of the settlers, has been sacrificed
to the intrigues of land-jobbing priests.

Pickering returned to Wj^oming in January, 1788. On
the night of the 26th of June following, being in bed in the
house""'' now owned and occupied by General W. S. Ross,
Wilkesbarre, he was seized by Franklin's friends, and
conveyed up the river into what is now Wyoming county.
Here he was kept prisoner, wandering from place to place
through the woods, with a chain about his body by which
he was secured to a tree during the night. Slierifi" Butler,
with four companies of militia, made pursuit in order to
effect a rescue. A conflict between the opposing parties
ensued at Meshoppen. The sherifl^'s party soon exhibited
their superiority, and the Wild Yankees with Pickering fled
into deeper and less frequented shades of the wilderness.
Captain William Ross, who commanded one of the sheriff's
companies, was severely wounded, and Gideon Dudley,
who commanded the Yankees, was wounded in the wrist.
Another engagement took place between the Yankees and
a company of the sherifi''s force, under the command of

* It was in front of this house tlint John Franklin was captured by
Pickering and his men.

THE PENN AMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 97

Captain Roswell Franklin, near Wysox, and Joseph Dud-
ley, one of the Yankees, was mortally wounded.

The object of Pickering's capture was to procure from
him a letter to the state authorities asking for Franklin's
release. This Pickering steadily refused to do, when he
was, at length, released by his captors. He returned to
Wilkesbarre after a captivity of twenty days.

Fruitless efforts were made for Franklin's release. Two
thousand pounds bail were demanded, and he had offered
a number of the Wyoming settlers as bailors, but the}^
were contemptuously refused. He was told no ten of
these settlers were worth two hundred pounds, much less
two thousand, and that the whole of them were a pack
of thieves, &c., &c.

In November, 1788, a court was ordered to be held at
Wilkesbarre for the trial of Franklin and the rioters.
Chief Justice McKean presided, assisted by his honor
Jacob Rush. Franklin was brought up from Philadel-
phia, after thirteen long months of imprisonment. His
strong frame was bowed and weakened by disease. He
was charged with high treason, and the grand jury found
a true bill. The trial was then postponed, and never
afterwards called up. Franklin was admitted to bail.

Twenty-five persons engaged in the capture of Picker-
ing were indicted, and a number fined or imprisoned, but
from policy the sentence of the court was not fully car-
ried into effect.

Thus were the " Wild Yankees" subjugated, and the
authority of Pennsylvania was established, chiefly through
the influence of Colonel Pickering, a man of consummate
tact and ability.

The attempt to establish a new state out of Northern
Pennsylvania, if not nipped in the bud, would have led
to deplorable consequences. All the wild spirits of New

98 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

England would have flocked to Allen's standard, and the
people of Pennsjdvania, being now justly aroused and
indignant, would have put forth all the energies of the
Commonwealth to crush the efforts to dismember their
territory. A violent and bloody civil war, of indefinite
magnitude and of indefinite length, would have followed,
and would possibly have involved the Union in its confla-
gration. The promptness, skill, and foresight of Picker-
ing and others averted this calamity.

The Legislature of Pennsylvania, between the years
1788 and 1800, enacted several laws relative to the
Wyoming claims and difficulties. But the most import-
ant was undoubtedly the Compromising Law of 1799.

By this act compensation was offered to Pennsylvania
claimants, and by it, with the several supplements thereto,
the dispute was finally settled. As under former laws, so
b}^ this, commissioners were appointed to meet at Wyoming
to hold their courts and determine disputes. If it appeared
that the Connecticut claimant was an actual settler on the
land Ijefore the Trenton decree, and that said tract was
particularly assigned to said settler before said decree,
according to the rules and regulations then in force among^
the settlers, then a certificate issued to the Connecticut
claimant, upon which he received a patent from the land
office, by paying into the treasury 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 commissioners were to cause a re-survey of all
the lands lying in the seventeen townships claimed by
the Pennsylvania claimants, and after forty thousand
acres should be released and re-conveyed to the Common-
wealtli by said claimants, then they were to receive a

THE PENNAMITE AND YANKEE WAR. 99

compensation for the same from the state treasury, at
the rate of five dollars for first-class lands, three dollars
for second, one dollar and fifty cents for third, and twenty-
five cents for fourth-class lands, per acre. These seventeen
townships were those laid out by the Susquehanna Com-
pany, and after the passage of the Act of 1799 were called
certified townships, and those of them in this county are
designated on the accompanying map by dotted lines and
open letters. The names of these townships are Wilkes-
barre, Hanover, Newport, Huntington, Salem, Plymouth,
Kingston, Exeter, Bedford, Pittston, Providence, Putnam
or Tunkhannock, Ulster, Claverack, Braintrim, North-
moreland, and Springfield. The last six lie within the
limits of Wyoming, Susquehanna, and Bradford counties.

Thus, after thirty years of strife there was peace, peace
at last in Wyoming. The record presents a sad com-
mentary on the folly of men. Passion and selfishness
predominate, and the voice of reason is unheeded. Not
until after their energies and substance are exhausted,
and every expedient that folly could suggest has been
tried, do they open their eyes, and quietly pursue that
course which common sense pointed out at the first.

The conduct of the state of Pennsylvania is without
excuse. Her vacillating legislation, and her bad faith,
expose her to the severest censure. The Pennsylvania
claimants undoubtedly exercised an undue influence in
her legislative halls, and it is to be feared corruptly pro-
cured the repeal of measures which at a previous session
had been enacted with the best motives for honest pur-
poses. It is to be hoped that our great Commonwealth
will never again suffer the pages of her history to be
darkened and disgraced, by a disregard of the dictates of
justice and of humanity.

7'3'7710

CHAPTER III.

CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART.

Dauphin county, in Pennsylvania, was originally called
Paxton district, and was included, previous to 1785, in
Lancaster county. It was first settled by Scotch-Irish
Presbyterians, from the north of Ireland, about the year
1726, among whom were the ancestors of Captain Lazarus
Stewart. He was bom in Hanover township, in Paxton
or Pextang district, in the year 1734. His father was a
plain honest farmer, who gave his son such education as
the frontiers of a new country commonly aflbrd. The
Scotch-Irish were generally impressed with the import-
ance of mental improvement, and every settlement usually
had its schoolmaster " to teach the young idea how to
shoot." The subject of this sketch was endowed by nature
with excellent abilities, and though his bold and impatient
spirit could ill brook the strict school discipline of that
day, yet he appears to have made considerable advance-
ment in his studies under a Scotch-Irish teacher, who
" flourished the birch" in the neighborhood of his father's
cabin. For one whose days were destined to be spent in
the adventurous scenes of frontier life, amid hardships
and alarms, with an axe in one hand and a rifle in the
other, his education may be said to have been excellent.
He possessed a strong and active body, with a daring and
enterprising spirit, which in boyhood gave him superiority
among his companions, and in riper years made him a

leader and a man of mark.

(100)

.CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART. 101

In the year 1755, when the French were striving to
prevent the expansion of the EngUsh colonies from the
source of the Ohio towards the Mississippi, Stewart, then
twenty-one years of age, was placed in command of a
company of brave young men, who penetrated the wilder-
ness westward, and united with the forces under General
Braddock. That heroic but conceited general, who was
accounted an excellent officer on the battle-fields of
Europe, was altogether ignorant of Indian tactics, and in
his infatuated self-reliance met with a most disastrous
overthrow. The Indians, following on the track of the
retreating remnants of the army, dispersed themselves in
bands, and broke into the frontier settlements of Penn-
sylvania with fire and murder. Captain Stewart and his
comrades hastened home to defend their firesides and
loved ones. However, w^hile they were yet on their way,
a party of savages, under cover of the night, stole into
the northern portion of Paxton, and murdered a whole
family. Then securing the plunder and cattle, they fled
away into the wilderness. The head of a beautiful young
girl of this family was severed from her body, and raised
on a pole above the house-top. This lady was Captain
Stewart's intended bride, to whom he was to be united in
marriage on his return from the campaign. She was an
amiable girl, endued with rare beauty, fondly attached to
her lover, and was looking forward with pleasing antici-
pations to his return, though doubtless with mingled feel-
ings of anxiety in view of the chances of war. The hope
of future happiness, the bright eye and fair cheek of his
promised bride, must have fortified the heart of the young
soldier, and smoothed down the difficulties which he
encountered in the depths of the forest, and on the field
of battle. On his road to Hanover, he would pass near
to the home of his loved one, but as he approached he

102 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

saw ill the distance its burned and blackened remains.
Suddenly a terrible fear sprang up in his heart, and pale-
ness overspread his cheek. When he came near he saw
the bodies of the slain family, which had been gathered
up and placed in rough coffins by the assembled neigh-
bors. We may imagine the deep anguish of the 3'oung
soldier as he gazed on the mutilated remains of her who
was more to him than all the world beside. None but
strong and passionate natures can conceive of the fierce
emotions which flamed up in his soul, when he thought
of those who had done this horrid deed. Hannibal, in
obedience to parental authority, swore eternal hostility to
ambitious Rome, because she was the rival of his native
Carthage ; Stewart, standing over that precious but dis-
figured form, took an oath of vengeance against the
Indians, because they had made his heart desolate, and
turned his anticipations of joy to bitterness unspeakable.
The inhabitants of Paxton immediately formed them-
selves into a military corps, called the Paxton Rangers,
and constituted their excellent pastor, the Rev. Mr. Elder,
its colonel. In this regiment Stewart was appointed cap-
tain of a company, whose duties were to watch the settle-
ments along the Juniata, and those on the west and north
branches of the Susquehanna, and protect them from the
rifle and tomahawk of the savage. Several skirmishes
took place between his rangers and the savage foe during
a period of two or three years. In these engagements he
exhibited that impetuous daring and great firmness which
were characteristic of the man. He was always on the
alert; his vigilance never slept, and his powers of en-
durance were the admiration of all. High mountains,
swollen rivers, or great distances never deterred or appal-
led him. His courage and fortitude were equal to everv

CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART. 103

undertaking, and woe betide the red men when their
blood-stained tracks once met his eye.

In 1763 the frontiers were visited by scalping-parties
of Indians, during what was called Pontiac's war. Earlj-
in October of that year, the Stinton family and a number
of Irish settlements in Northampton county were mas-
sacred by Indians of the Six Nations. These barbarities
soon reached the ears of the Paxton men, and they soli-
cited their colonel,. Rev. Mr. Elder, to obtain permission
from the governor to allow them to make an expedition
against the enemy. Another object in view was " to
destroy the immense quantities of corn left by the New
England men at Wyoming, which, if not consumed, would
be a considerable magazine to the enemy, and enable them
with more ease to distress the inhabitants." At the most
earnest solicitation of his men. Colonel Elder allowed two
of his companies of rangers, respectively under the com-
mands of Captain Stewart and Captain Clayton, to pro-
ceed to Wyoming. They marched in three days and a
half one hundred and ten miles on foot. When they
reached Wyoming they learned that the murdering party,
which had committed shocking depredations in North-
ampton county on the 8th October, was probably the
same which, on the 15th of that month, had cut off the
New England settlers in the valley. At all events, they
entered the valley from the direction of Northampton,
and took their departure up the river. There is no suffi-
cient ground for supposing that the massacre of the
settlers of Wyoming, in the autumn of 1763, was done
by the friends of Tedyuscung, the great Delaware king,
who was murdered in the valley in the spring of that
year. All the presumptions are in favor of the opinion
that tlie murderers of Tedyuscung, as well as of the New
England settlers, belonged to the Six Nations. From the

104 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

language of Colonel Elder to Governor Hamilton, it would
apjpear as if the colonel, in using the word left, with
respect to the corn in Wyoming, thought the New Eng-
land men had fled from the valley. And the belief was
a natural one, when we consider the exposed condition of
that region of country when Pontiac's war was raging
along the frontiers. It is certain Clayton and Stewart
could not have heard of the Wyoming murder until after
they had left home, and had advanced a considerable dis-
tance on their expedition. Their object was to intercept
the Northampton mui'derers, as well as to destroy the
corn which they supposed had been left by the New Eng-
landers. They found and buried, of these New England
people, ten persons, nine men and one woman, who had
been barbarously butchered. " The woman was roasted,
and had two hinges in her hands, supposed to have been
put in red-hot, and several of the men had awls thrust in
their eyes, and spears, arrows, pitchforks, &c., sticking in
their bodies.""'' The Paxton Rangers, after burning tlie
Indian houses and a quantity of corn, returned to their
homes. The scenes which Stewart and his men had
already witnessed were eminently calculated to rouse tlie
highest degree of resentment against the Indian. Besides
these murdered strangers of another colony, but of the
same race and language with themselves, they had seen
their neighbors and acquaintances, their friends, and those
dearest to their hearts, cold in death, felled by the toma-
hawk, tortured and cruelly mangled.

The condition of the frontiers now became most alarm-
ing. The depredations of the savages grew more fre-
quent, and the remote settlements were deserted. In the
midst of the peace and quiet of our day, we cannot form

* See Appendix, A.

CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART. 105

an adequate conception of the perils which encompassed
the Paxton settlers at this time. The slaughter of their
wives and children drove the men to desperation. Some
of the murderers were known to have been harbored by
the friendly Indians at Conestoga. This gave rise to a
bitter animosity against the-m. Indeed, a feeling of hos-
tility was awakened against the Moravians and Quakers,
who were disposed to conciliate and protect the Indians.
The people in and about Philadelphia, and those portions
of the province, secure against the fire and tomahawk of
the savage, looked with a lenient eye on his bloody depre-
dations. He was a savage, unchristianized, said they,
ignorant of his duty and his destiny, encroached upon by
the white man, and driven from his hunting-grounds. We
should pardon much to his wild and untamed nature,
and reform rather than punish him. This was the glori-
ous doctrine of toleration, calculated for the benevolent
and non-resisting Quaker, secure in his life and property.
But it was ill-suited for the frontiersman, who had seen
his harvest desolated, his house burned, and was now
burying for ever from his sight the scalped and mangled
forms of his family. Governor Hamilton was besought
and petitioned to remove the Conestoga Indians. Rev.
Mr. Elder informed the governor if these Indians were
removed, and a garrison placed in their room, he would
pledge himself for the future security of the frontier.
These representations and petitions were disregarded.
Murder following murder was perpetrated, and the bloody
wretches traced b}^ Captain Stewart and his men to Con-
estoga. It was plain that the Indians at Conestoga, under
the guise of friendliness, were harboring and assisting
their red brethren in the destruction of white men. Their
position and character rendered their offence the more
heinous. Further endurance ceased to be a virtue. Cap-

106 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

tain Stewart summoned his rangers. They were obedient
to tlie call. In the language of Redmond Conjngham,
Esq., rilles were loaded, horses Avere in readiness. They
mounted ; they called on their pastor to lead them. He
had mounted, not to lead them on to the destruction of
Conestoga, but to deter them from the attempt ; he im-
plored them to return, he urged them to retiect : " Pause,
pause, before you proceed !" It was in vain ; '' the blood
of the murdered cries aloud for vengeance ; we have
waited long enough on government ; the murderers are
within our reach, and they must not escape." Mr. Elder
reminded them that " the guilty and innocent could not
be distinguished." " Innocent ! can they be called inno-
cent who foster murderers ?" Mr. Elder rode up in front,
and said, " As your j)astor, I command you to relinquish
your design !" " Give way, then," said Smith, " or your
horse dies," presenting his rille : to save his horse, to
which he was much attached, the aged minister drew
him aside, and the rangers were off on their fatal errand.
It was the night of the 14th of December, 1763, when
these exasperated men approached the vilhige of Cones-
toga. The moment they were perceived an Indian fired,
and rushed towards them, brandishing his tomahawk. He
fell by more than one ball — one cried, " It is the villain
who murdered my mother." The village was instantly
stormed, and reduced to ashes. But many of the Indians
escaped the vengeance of the rangers, and were received
by the people of Lancaster, who placed them in the stone
workhouse for safety. Stewart sent spies to Lancaster.
who reported their condition, and that one of their num-
ber, there sheltered, had been concerned in recent mur-
ders. Stewart said, " We will go to Lancaster, storm
their castle, and carry off the assassin." The plan was
arranged. They proceeded to Lancaster. Stewart was

CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART. 107

to remain outside of the prison, with twelve men, to pre-
vent surprise, five more were to guard the keepers from
meddling, while three were to enter, secure the murderer
with cords, and hand him over to Stewart. In case of
resistance, a gun was to be fired as a signal. The signal
was given, the Indians perished, and the rangers mounted
and rode hastily to their homes. This occurred on the
27th of December, about two weeks after the affair at
Conestoga, while the people of Lancaster were generally
at church.

These deeds created a wonderful excitement throughout
the province. Numerous essays and pamphlets were
written, and the press teemed with publications accusing
and excusing Stewart and his rangers. The Moravians
and Quakers denounced the Presbyterians of Paxton, as
aiding and abetting the rangers in their work of blood.
The Presbyterians accused the Moravians and Quakers
of fostering murderous Indians. All parties blamed the
governor for not removing the Indians, as he had been
repeatedly urged and warned to do. Crimination and
recrimination were the order of the day. Governor Penn
issued his proclamation, offering a reward of two hundred
pounds for the arrest of Captain Stewart, or any of his
men, and the Assembly passed a law declaring that any
person accused of taking away the life of an Indian shall
not be tried in the county where the deed was committed,
but in the city of Philadelphia. This law shows the
excited state of the public mind, and never would have
been enacted if the frontier counties, which had but ten
members in the Assembly, had not been overruled by
the city and county of Philadelphia, and counties of
Chester and Bucks, which gave twenty-six members.
No doubt innocent persons perished at Conestoga and
Lancaster, but, considering the circumstances of the case.

108 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

there is every palliation for this deed of men acting in
self-defence, and driven to madness by their losses, and
their own perilous condition. It is important to know
that the destruction of the Conestoga Indians gave quiet
to the frontiers. The Rev. Mr. Elder, in writing to
Governor Penn, under date of January 27th, 1764, says,
in speaking of Stewart and his rangers, " The men in
private life are virtuous and respectable ; not cruel, but
mild and merciful. The time will arrive when each
palliating circumstance will be calmly weighed." In
another letter, in speaking of Stewart particularly, he
represents him as humane, liberal, and religious.

The history of Pennsylvania, from the period of the
French war to the commencement of the Revolution,
exhibits ample evidence of a gross neglect of the frontiers
on the part of the proprietary government. These dis-
tant settlements were left single-handed to hold the
savages in check, and they were also refused pecuniary
aid from the government. The people of the city of
Philadelphia and of the lower counties sympathized with
the Indians, and could form no adequate conception of the
feelings of the frontier people, who lived in the midst of
alarms and losses. A feeling of decided unfriendliness
existed between the government and the eastern portion
of the state on the one hand, and the settlers along the
Susquehanna river and its tributaries on the other.
Hence, we must read the letters, pam2)hlets, and essays
of that period, in regard to the Conestoga affair, with
many grains of allowance for the excited feelings of hos-
tile sections. Stewart and his men continued to live in
security in the Paxton district, upheld by their own
people, in spite of the rewards and denunciations of the
government.

CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART. 109

But here is Captain Stewart's own view of the matter,
as published by himself, in the midst of the stirring excite-
ment of the hour.

" Declaration. Let all hear. Were the counties of
Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks, and Northampton
protected by government ? Did not John Harris of Pax-
ton ask advice of Colonel Croghan, and did not the colonel
advise him to raise a company of scouters, and was not
this confirmed by Benjamin Franklin ? And yet when
Harris asked the Assembly to pay the scouting party, he
was told ' that he might pay them himself.' Did not the
counties of Lancaster, York, Cumberland, Berks, and
Northampton, the frontier settlements, keep up rangers
to watch the motions of the Indians ; and when a murder
was committed by an Indian, a runner with the intelli-
gence was sent to each scouting party, that the murderer
or murderers might be punished ? Did we not brave the
summer's heat and the winter's cold, and the savage toma-
hawk, while the inhabitants of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
county, Bucks, and Chester ' ate, drank, and were merry' ?

" If a white man kill an Indian, it is a murder far
exceeding any crime upon record ; he must not be tried
in the county where he lives, or where the offence was
committed, but in Philadelphia, that he may be tried,
convicted, sentenced, and hung without delay. If an
Indian kill a white man, it was the act of an ignorant
heathen, perhaps in liquor : alas, poor innocent ! he is
sent to the friendly Indians, that he may be made a
CJu'istian. Is it not a notorious fact, that an Indian who
treacherously murdered a family in Northampton county,
was given up to the magistrates that he might have a
regular trial; and was not this Indian conveyed into
Bucks county, and is he not provided with every neces-

110 ANNALS or LUZERNE COUNTY.

sary, and kept secured from punishment by Israel Pem-
berton ? Have we not repeatedly represented that Cones-
togue was a harbor for prowling savages, and that we
were at a loss to tell friend or foe, and all we asked was
the removal of the Christian Indians ? Was not this pro-
mised by Governor Penn, yet delayed ? Have we for-
gotten Renatus, that Christian Indian? A murder of
more than savage barbarity was committed on the Sus-
quehanna; the murderer was traced by the scouts to
Conestogue ; he was demanded, but the Indians assumed
a warlike attitude, tomahawks were raised, and the fire-
arms glistened in the sun ; shots were fired upon the
scouts, who went back for additional force. They re-
turned, and you know the event — Conestogue was reduced
to ashes. But the murderer escaped. The friendly and
unfriendly were placed in the workhouse at Lancaster.
What could secure them from the vengeance of an exas-
perated people ? The doors were forced, and the hapless
Indians perished. Were we tamely to look on and see
our brethren murdered, and see our fairest prospects
blasted, while the inhabitants of Philadelphia, Philadel-
phia county, Bucks and Chester, slept, and reaped their
grain in safety ?

" These hands never shed human blood. Why am I
singled out as an object of persecution ? Why are the
bloodhounds let loose upon me ? Let him who wished
to take my life — let him come and take it — I shall not fly.
All I ask is that the men accused of murder be tried in
Lancaster county. All I ask is a trial in my own county.
If these requests are refused, then not a hair of those
men's lieads shall be molested. Whilst I have life you
shall not either have them or me on any terms. It is true,
I submitted to the sheriff of Yoi-k county, but you know
too well that I was to be conveyed to Philadelphia like a

CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART. Ill

wild felon, manacled, to die a felon's death. I would
have scorned to fly from York. I could not bear that my
name should be marked by ignominy. What I have
done, was done for the security of hundreds of settlers
on the frontiers. The blood of a thousand of my fellow-
creatures called for vengeance. I shed no Indian's blood.
As a ranger I sought the post of danger, and now you
ask my life. Let me be tried where prejudice has not
prejudged my case. Let my brave rangers, who have
stemmed the blast nobly, and never flinched, let them
have an equitable trial; they were my friends in the
hour of danger — to desert them now were cowardice !
What remains, is to leave our cause with our God, and

our guns.

" Lazarus Stewart."

The strife at Wyoming, between the Connecticut set-
tlers and Pennsylvania, gave Stewart and his rangers an
opportunity to gratify their love of adventure, as well as
their hostility to the proprietary government. The demo-
cratic tendencies of the Susquehanna Company, and the
vesting of the title of lands in the occupants of the soil,
had strong attractions for men of Stewart's cast of mind.
In December, 1769, Stewart went to Connecticut to nego-
tiate with the Susquehanna Company. In consideration
of certain lands he proposed to unite his forces with those
of the company, and effect the occupation and settlement
of Wyoming. The proposition was accepted. He re-
turned to Paxton, and informed his comrades that he
had obtained the grant of a township of land for himself
and them, provided they would settle thereon and defend
the soil. They afterwards called this township Hanover,
in honor of their old home, Hanover of Paxton. In the
beginning of February, 1770, at the head of forty of his

112 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

men, and ten New Englanders, Stewart entered the Valley
of Wyoming, and, routing the garrison left by Ogden and
Jennings, under the Pennsylvania claim, took possession
of Fort Durkee.

When news of this event reached Philadelphia, Ogden,
with fifty men, immediately set off for the seat of war,
where he arrived and took possession of his old post at
Mill Creek. Thrice had the Yankees been driven from
the valley by the forces of the proprietaries, the men
being sent to prison at Philadelphia or Easton, while the
women and children were forced on long and dreary
marches to Connecticut. Stewart and his men being
joined by Major John Durkee, who had been released
from prison, marched against Ogden, and compelled him
to surrender. They drove him from the valley and
burned his block-house, having lost one man, who was
killed at the first onset.

Stewart and his men now took possession of Hanover,
the township granted by the Susquehanna Company.
They proceeded to clear their lands and erect houses,
preparatory to the removal of their families from Paxton .

On the 2 8 til of June, Governor Penn issued a procla-
mation, forbidding settlements under Connecticut, and
ofiering a reward of three hundred pounds for the appre-
hension of Lazarus Stewart, Zebulon Butler, and Lazarus
Young, three persons against whom the governor's ire
was specially excited. About the last of August Stewart
and his men left Wj^oming for Paxton, purposing to
return in November with their families. In September,
during Stewart's absence, Ogden entered the valley with
a large force, captured several men in the field, and,
storming Fort Durkee, compelled the Yankees to surren-
der. Captain Butler and other leaders were sent prisoners
to Philadelphia, and the rest were forced, with women

CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART. 113

and children, to return on foot to New England. A few
days before this event, Stewart was arrested by a posse
in Lebanon, under the proclamation of the governor, but
seizing an axe-handle, he knocked down the constable
and one or two of his aids, and forced his way into the
street. The town was in an uproar ; the authorities called
on the people to aid in his arrest, but they refused. At
this juncture Stewart's comrades, who had heard of his
danger, rode impetuously into the village, and bore away
their leader in triumph. About the last of October fol-
lowing Stewart crossed the Susquehanna with a span of
horses, at Wright's Ferry, into York county, where he
was going on business. He was inimediately arrested by
the sheriff of York and his posse, and thrown into the
county prison. Fearful of a rescue, he was hurried away,
pinioned and handcuffed, early the next morning, to be
carried to Philadelphia, to answer for his offence in acting
against his native state in favor of the Connecticut settlers.
He was in charge of the sheriff, accompanied by three
assistants. No sooner had the *' Paxton Boys" heard of
his arrest, than they proceeded in great haste to York,
but they arrived too late. The sheriff was one day in
advance of them with his charge. They, the prisoner
and escort, tarried for the night at Finley's, many miles
on the road towards the city. The night was cold, and
the three guards, with Stewart, lay down before a large
fire in the bar-room, the prisoner being fastened to one of
the men, to prevent his escape. The sheriff slept in an
adjoining room, dreaming, doubtless, of his success, and
his reception at Philadelphia, with a captive whom Gov-
ernor Penn had declared to be the most dangerous man
in the province. But Stewart was wide awake. At the
dead of night he cautiously unloosed the rope which
bound him to the snoring guard, and with noiseless tread

114 ANxVALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

made his way, unobserved, into the open air. Hand-
cuffed, and without coat, hat, or shoes, he tra.veled
through the woods and unfrequented thickets to Paxton,
where he arrived on the following day. His presence
brought great joy to his sorrowing wife and children, and
exultation to his rangers.

Tidings of the arrest and escape of Stewart had scarcely
reached the ears of Governor Penn, before he was in-
formed of another serious offence committed by him. At
three o'clock in the morning of the 18tli of December,
1770, Stewart, at the head of his men, had made a rapid
descent on Fort Durkee, and captured it a second time
from the PennsylvaniA party. A new warrant was now
issued for his arrest by Thomas Willing, a Judge of the
Supreme Court, and directed to Peter Hacklein, sheriff
of Northampton county, who raised an armed force, and
proceeded to Wyoming. Arrived at Fort Durkee, Janu-
ary 18th, 1771, he demanded admittance. "Stewart
informed him from the parajjet that none but friends
should be admitted ; that Wyoming was under the juris-
diction of Connecticut, and that he should recognise no
authority whatever in any persons acting under commis-
sions from the government of Pennsylvania." Captain
Ogden, who had accompanied Sheriff Hacklein, now
attacked Fort Durkee, and his fire being returned by
Stewart's party, Nathan Ogden, the captain's brother, was
killed, and three others wounded. Stewart soon per-
ceived his position was untenable. He was short of pro-
visions, and the number of his men was much less than
that of the enemy. It was impossible to hold out against
a siege, and consequently during the night, with the Pax-
ton men, he left for the mountains. Governor Penn
issued another proclamation, offering a reward of three
hundred pounds for the arrest of Lazarus Stewart, and

CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART.

115

fifty pounds each for the arrest of James Stewart, Wil-
liam Stewart, John Simpson, William Speedy, William
Yomig, John McDaniel, and Richard Cook. But Captain
Stewart had marched through the country, and united
his forces with those of Captain Butler, who had been
released from prison, and these leaders were now prepar-
ing for another effort to regain their lost possessions. In
April, 1771, Butler and Stewart, at the head of one hun-
dred and fifty men, marched into the valley, and finding
Ogden strongly entrenched in a new fortification, which
he called Fort Wyoming, they besieged it. Reinforce-
ments, sent from Philadelphia, were defeated, and their
supplies were cut off. The fort at length surrendered,
and the Yankees were once more in possession of the
much-coveted prize.

Stewart's block-house.

Stewart owned a large farm in Paxton, and he had
married Martha Espy, the daughter of one of the most
respectable and wealthy citizens in Lancaster county.
But his interests, as well as those of his associates, being

116 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

now identified with the Yankees, tho}^ removed their
famihes to Wyoming. He had obtained five tracts of
land in Hanover, and he now proceeded to erect a large
dwelling or block-house on the river bank, a short dis-
tance below the present residence of General E. W. Stur-
devant. Emigrants from New England multiplied, and
a suitable form of government was established, under
which Stewart occupied some important positions. Farm-
houses were generally erected, and the entire settlement,
unmolested by the Pennamites, was prosperous and happy
for a period of nearly three years.

In December, 1775, Colonel Plunket, wdth seven hun-
dred men from Northumberland county, invaded Wyo-
ming, and was met at Nanticoke by Colonel Butler, with
two hundred and fifty settlers. Butler stationed his
forces behind a breastwork formed of rocks and logs, near
the present residence of Jameson Harvey. As Plunket
approached Butler's position he exclaimed, "My God,
what a breastwork !" He was greeted by a blank volley
from the guns of the Yankees, as the intention was to
frighten, not to kill at the first fire. Plunket then sent
a detachment to the other side of the river, purposing to
enter the valley near the present residence of Colonel
Washington Lee. Here the force came in conflict with a
party under the command of Captain Stewart. Stewart
had unbounded confidence in a volley of bullets, which
were poured into the advancing enemy with fatal effect.
One man was killed and several wounded. The rest
rapidly retreated. Colonel Butler was equally successful
on his side, but not until he had resorted to something
more effective than blank volleys. Plunket ingloriously
returned to Northumberland, and this was the last effort
until after the Revolution, on the part of Pennsylvania,
to regain possession of Wyoming.

CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART. 117

When news reached the valley that an invasion was
contemplated by the British and Indians, a company
was formed in Hanover, and placed under the command
of Captain McKerachan, a most estimable and valuable
citizen, who, on the morning of the 3d day of July,
1778, when Wyoming was called on to defend herself
against an overwhelming force of British, Tories, and
Indians, surrendered his company to the charge of Cap-
tain Lazarus Stewart in these words : " My pursuits in
life have thus far, been those of peace ; you have been
used to war, and accustomed to command. On parade I
can manoeuvre my men ; but in the field no unnecessary
hazard should be run; a mistake might prove fatal.
Take you the lead; I will fight under you, with my
men, as an aid, or a private in the ranks. Your pre-
sence at the head of the Hanover boys will impart con-
fidence."

The whole force which could be mustered in the valley
to resist the enemy amounted to about three hundred
men and boys. On the morning of the battle they were
assembled in " Forty Fort," when a council of officers
was convened to decide on the propriety of marching out
to meet the foe. Colonel Butler and others deemed it
advisable to remain in the fort. Captain Stewart was
prominent among those in opposition, who contended for
a prompt and speedy conflict with the invaders in the
open field. The debate became animated, and was marked
with warm words. Stewart contended that the enemy
were increasing in numbers, that they would plunder the
settlements of all their property, that they w^ould burn
the dwellings and destroy the crops and leave nothing
for subsistence during the coming winter, that there was
now no hope of reinforcements on their own side, and
that if the savages should carry the fort by storm, when

118 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

they were wasted by fiitigue and famine, they would all,
together with their women and children, perish in an
indiscriminate slaughter. A large majority were in favor
of marching out to encounter the enemy. AVho shall say
this was not the better policy? True, it resulted in a
most disastrous overthrow. But who will dare to say the
issue, though protracted, might not ultimately have been
even more bloody if the settlers had remained in the fort
and awaited the furious onset of the savage foe ? Stewart
fell in the battle. When last seen he was surrounded
by Indians, his high and daring spirit scorning retreat.
Wounded and dying, on bended knee, with unquailing
eye, he was repelling the attack of the savages, as seen
by the narrator, who was hurrying before the rapid pur-
suit. It is supposed he was recognised by the savages
as one of their old foes during the French war. It is
possible they were striving to take him alive that he
might be tortured. But the probability is, he died in the
fight.

His daughter, Martha, was born two days before the
massacre, and when the dreadful news reached his wife
with the aid of friends, she placed her seven children in a
small boat and floated down the river to Ilarrisburg. She
afterwards returned with her family to Wyoming, where
she died about the year 1791.

The names of her children were James, Josiah, Eliza-
beth, Mary, Priscilla, Margaret, and Martha.

James married Hannah Jameson.

Josiah " Mercy Chapman.

Elizabeth " Alexander Jameson, Esq.

Mary " Rev. Andrew Gray.

Priscilla " , Avery Rothborn.

Margaret " James Campbell, Esq.
■ Martha died unmarried.

CAPTAIN LAZARUS STEWART. 119

This sketch is written not to glorify Captai!i Stewart
and his descendants, but to defend his character from the
calumnies uttered against him by his cotemporaries, and
which have come down to us unanswered. It is not pre-
tended that he was the great hero, and defender of Wyo-
ming. But he was a prominent and efficient actor among
the early settlers, and contributed in no small degree to
the protection of the settlement, its good order and pros-
perity. He was a practical man, sober, enterprising,
brave, kind, and generous. He died gloriously struggling
to drive back the ruthless invader from the soil whence
we draw our sustenance, and on which our firesides are
erected. Let us do justice to his memory.

CHAPTER IV.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

" Should a conqueror tread on our forefather's dust,
It would wake the old bones from their graves."

News of the ever-memorable battles of Lexington and
Bunker Hill had scarcely reached the wilderness-girt vale
of Wyoming, before the patriots assembled in town meet-
ing at Wilkesbarre, August 1st, 1775, and unanimously
resolved to "join their brethren in America in the com-
mon cause of defending their country." The whole popu-
lation inhabiting the territory, now embraced within the
counties of Luzerne, Wyoming, Susquehanna, and Brad-
ford, then Westmoreland county in the state of Connecti-
cut, numbered about two thousand five hundred souls.
Of these, according to a list found among the papers of
Colonel Z. Butler, sixty-one afterwards proved to be tories,
chiefly from New York. Only three of them were from
Connecticut. Among these tories six were of the family
of the Wintermoots, four of the Secords, three Paulings,
three Lannahays, four Van Alstyns, the remainder being
laborers, hunters, and trappers.

In 1776, several forts and stockades were commenced,
and in August of the same year it was voted by the town
meeting " That the people be called upon to work on the
forts without either fee or reward from the town." At
this time, the Wintermoots, not yet objects of suspicion,
erected a fort, which, no doubt, was intended for the occu-

(120)

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 121

pation of the enemy, with whom they and others were in
secret communication.

On the 23d of the same month, Congress resolved to
raise two independent companies in Westmoreland, osten-
sibly for the protection of the frontier, but, in reality, if
necessary, to be withdrawn and embodied in the army
under Washington. Robert Durkee and Samuel Ransom
were appointed captains, the first to recruit on the east
and the latter on the west side of the river. In a few
weeks, both companies were full, numbering eighty-four
men each.*

In November following. Captain Weisner, of the New
York line, came to Wyoming to recruit for a part of a rifle
company. Obadiah Gore was appointed lieutenant, and
carried away with him twenty enlisted men. About the
same time. Captain Strong commenced recruiting for the
Connecticut line ; John Jameson was appointed lieutenant,
and marched away about twenty men.

Washington was now retreating with his bleeding and
destitute, but brave soldiers, through New Jersey, before
the British under General Howe, and on the 23d of De-
cember, Congress ordered the two independent companies,
under Durkee and Ransom, to leave the valley, and join
the American army. These patriotic soldiers, with their
knapsacks on their backs, with rifles in their hands, and
with tears in their eyes, bade farewell to wives and to
little ones, to fathers and to mothers, and, with a quick
but firm tread, marched away to the battle-field.

" The wife whose babe first smiled that day,
The fair fond bride of y ester eve,
An aged sire and matron gray,
Saw the loved warriors haste away,
And deemed it sin to grieve."

* For list of names, see Appendix, D.

122 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Some of these brave fellows perished before the can-
non's mouth, some died of lingering disease, while others,
returning in haste to defend their firesides, and without
time to look upon the faces of the loved ones, fell in
Wyoming's bloody fight. What a fatal error had been
committed ! Upwards of two hundred young and vigor-
ous men, the bulwark and hope of the valley, in time of
war, in time of imminent danger, absent from their de-
fenceless homes !

The two independent companies, with the detachments
of Weisner and Strong, were united to the Connecticut
line, under Colonel Zebulon Butler and Colonel John
Durkee. They were in the battles of Bound Brook,
Brandywine, Germantown, Millstone, and Mud Creek.

At Millstone, in company with a body of militia, in all
about three hundred men, under General Dickenson, they
attacked four hundred British troops, captured forty
wagons, one hundred horses, three field-pieces, a large
quantity of provisions, nine prisoners, and killed and
wounded several of the enemy. The Americans had
several wounded, and Captain Ransom had one of his
men, named Porter, killed. Captain Ransom sent one
of the wagons to his farm in Wyoming, and Lieutenant
Jameson sent home a fine English brood mare, taken in
the engagement, from which sprang an excellent stock of
horses, well known, many years ago, in Salem townshi23.

At Mud Creek these troops stood firm under a heavy
fire, where one man. Constant Mathewson, was torn to
pieces by a cannon-ball, and several were wounded.

The handful of able-bodied men left at Wyoming, with
the old men and boys, garrisoned the stockades and forts.
They sent out scouting parties to watch the movements
of strolling bands of Indians, who were occasionally seen
during the time that General St. Leger was besieging

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 123

Fort Stanwix. Several persons suspected of being tories
were arrested and sent to Connecticut, but being liberated
for want of sufficient proof, tbej immediately joined the
Tory Rangers, under Colonel John Butler, at Niagara.
They, no doubt, acquainted him with the defenceless
condition of affairs at Wyoming. A small scouting party,
under Lieutenant John Jenkins, were taken prisoners
near Wyalusing, by a band of tories and Indians. An
old man of the party, named Fitzgerald, was told he
must join the king or die. He replied, he would rather
die than desert his country. They let him go, but took
Jenkins, York, and Fitch away to Canada, where they
were liberated. These were the first prisoners taken from
Wyoming.

In the summer of 1777 the Six Nations of Indians,
who had thus far taken no active part in the war, declared
against the colonies. England, to her eternal disgrace,
offered rewards to the merciless savage for the scalps of
our ancestors, her own children, and with it commenced
a border warfare, for butchery and blood, almost unparal-
leled in the annals of any other country.*

In December, 1777, the town meeting voted that the
Committee of Inspection should be empowered to supply
the wives and widows of soldiers and their families with
the necessaries of life. In the spring of 1778, scouting
parties of savages began to hover along the frontiers.
Messages were sent to the absent companies. Congress

* The number of Indians engaged by England during the war was, accord-
ing to Campbell, twelve thousand six hundred and ninety warriors. Of this
number one thousand five hundred and eighty belonged to the Six Nations,
five hundred Delawares, three hundred Shawanese, one hundred and fifty
Monseys, and sixty Mohicans. Of scalps, the Senecas alone, four hundred
warriors, took one thousand and fifty-two in three years, two hundred and
ninety-nine being women, and twenty-nine infants. They were sent to the
governor of Canada, to be sent as a present to the king of England.

12i ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

was apprised of the threatening danger, and was requested
to order the return of the soldiers, but instead of this,
that body resolved to raise a third company in Westmore-
land, and commissioned Captain Dethick Hewitt for that
purpose, with a view to protect the frontier settlers.
Captain Hewitt collected about forty old and young men,
with an imperfect supply of arms ; but^ it is manifest,
this was no addition to the force of the settlement.

In May, the first man was killed in Westmoreland by
the Indians. William Crook, coming out of a house near
Tunkhannock, which had been deserted by a tory named
John Secord, was shot dead and scalped. In a few days
thereafter a scouting party was fired into below Tunk-
hannock, and Miner Robbins and Joel Philips were
wounded. They escaped over the river in a canoe, but
Robbins died the next day. To lull the unprotected
inhabitants of Wyoming into confiding security, and to
spy out the land, two Indians and their wives were sent
down the river in a canoe. They made great professions
of friendship, but being suspected, an acquaintance treated
one of them so well that in drunken confidence he re-
vealed the true object of their visit. The two savages
were confined in Forty Fort, but the squaws were per-
mitted to depart.

Messages were again despatched to the absent compa-
nies at Morristown. Congress and Connecticut were
again urged to adopt immediate measures for the defence
of the valley, but messengers and petitions implored in
vain. Durkee and Ransom, with about thirty privates,
most of them married men, with or without leave, stepped
from the ranks and hjistened away to meet the invaders,
and to defend their firesides. The two companies thus
reduced were, on the 23d of June, nine days before the
massacre, merged into one company, and placed under

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 125

the command of Simon Spaulding, second lieutenant in
Ransom's company. Colonel Zebulon Butler, who com-
manded one of the Connecticut regiments, procured leave
of absence, and arrived in Wyoming just in time to take
command of the American forces, and to prepare for the
engagement.

On the 30th of June Colonel John Butler, with his
Tory Rangers, a detachment of Sir John Johnson's Royal
Greens, and five hundred Indians, chiefly Senecas ana
Cayugas, in all eight hundred men, descended the rive^
and landed on the west side, a short distance below the
mouth of Bowman's Creek, in Wyoming county. They
marched thence into Exeter township, encamping about
three miles north of Fort Wintermoot. On the same day
his Indian scouts attacked eight persons, who, not aware
of the enemy's approach, had gone to work in a field not
far from Fort Jenkins. James Hadsell, James Hadsell,
Jr., Daniel and Stukely Harding were killed, John Gard-
ner, Daniel Weller, and Daniel Carr were taken prison-
ers, and John Harding, a boy, escaped. On the 1st of
July the enemy advanced through a pass or gap in the
Kifigston Mountain, and took possession of Fort Winter-
moot, the tories who bore that name now displaying their
true colors. From this point they sent out scouts and
parties to collect cattle and provisions. A flag was then
sent down demanding the surrender of Forty Fort, which
was promptly refused.

On the morning of the 3d of July, the British Butler
was informed that the Americans were preparing to ad-
vance and to give him battle. Whereupon he laid aside
his regimental dress for a less conspicuous suit, and wrap-
ped a black handkerchief about his head. He now pro-
ceeded to make ready for the conflict, and by two o'clock
in the afternoon his forces were regularly stationed. His

126 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

left wing extended from Fort Wintermoot, resting on the
river bank, and was composed of his own rangers and the
Rojal Greens, commanded by himself His right wing,
composed of Indians and tories, occupied a swamp, and
was led by Gucingerachton, He who goes in the Smoke.
Thayendanegea, alias Joseph Brant, the celebrated Mo-
hawk chief, was not in this engagement.

The plain, upon w^hich the battle was fought, was
sparsely covered with shrub oaks and yellow pine trees,
among which were the British regulars, while in the
thickets of the swamp, close to the ground, lay the bands
of savage warriors, and the more savage • tories, like so
many blood-thirsty tigers, eagerly watching for their
prey.

We proceed, now, to a brief statement of the condition,
j)osition, and numbers of the Americans. Fort Jenkins,
Avhich was nothing more than a single dwelling-house,
enclosed by stockades, was occupied by three old men
and a few women and children. The Pittston stockades
contained all the women and children of that neighbor-
hood, with about thirty men, under Captain Blanchard,
for protection and assistance, in case flight should become
necessary. In Wilkesbarre there were many women and
children, with only a handful of men. Hanover and Ply-
mouth were in the same situation. Those of Kingston
had been assembled at Forty Fort, with the great body
of fighting men, in whom centered the affections and
hopes of aged fathers and mothers, and of hundreds of
wives and children.

Forty Fort stood a short distance below the site of the
Forty Fort Church, about eighty feet from the river. It
covered half an acre of ground. It shape was that of a
parallelogram, fortified by stockades, which were logs set
in the ground five feet deep, and extending twelve feet

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 127

abovej sharpened at the top. Its joints were covered by
other stockades, which rendered the barrier of nearly
double thickness. There was a gateway at each end, and
a sentry-box at each corner.

The whole American force consisted of about three
hundred, and were divided into six companies, as follows : —

1st. Captain Dethick Hewitt's company, composed of
forty men (regulars).

2d. Captain Asaph Whittlesey's company, from Ply-
mouth, forty-four men. ' ' -

3d. Captain Lazarus Stewart's company, from Hanover,
forty men.

4 th. Captain James Bidlack's company, from Lower
Wilkesbarre, thirty-eight men.

5th. Captain Rezin Geer's company, from Upper Wilkes-
barre, thirty men.

6th. Captain Ahohab Buck's company, from Kingston,
forty-four men.

In addition to these were those in the train bands, the
judges of the courts, and all the civil oflScers, old men
and boys, to the number of about seventy.

A council of war was assembled at Forty Fort, to
decide upon the policy of meeting the enemy in the open
field. One party, wdth the hope of being reinforced,
advocated delay. The reinforcements the}^ expected, or
rather hoped for, w^ere Captain Spaulding, with the
remainder of the independent companies, and Captain
John Franklin, with about twenty-five men, from Hunt-

ington.

The other side favored prompt action, declaring the
enemy w^ould besiege the fort with their regulars, and as
their provisions were short, an early surrender would be
inevitable. In the meanwhile, the Indians would sweep
over the valley, murder" the women and children, drive

128 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

off the cattle, destroy all the grain, and burn all the
buildings. The better course appeared to be to march out
and meet the foe, hand to hand, in the open field, and such
was the decision of the council.

" But oh alas ! three hundred men !
Was much too small a band,
To meet eight hundred men complete,
And make a glorious stand."

to*

The 3d of July, 1778, was a bloody day for Wyoming.
Advancing, in good order, to a point near the present
village of Wyoming, the Americans formed in line of
battle. The right wing, commanded by Colonel Zebulon
Butler, aided by Major Garrett, pushed forward with
steady step against the British Butler and his Rangers,
while, the left, commanded by Colonel Nathan Denison,
aided by Colonel George Dorrance, attacked the Indians
in the swamp. The action commenced about three
o'clock in the afternoon. Volley after volley rolled along
the contending lines until they were enveloped in a cloud
of smoke, while the flames from Fort Wintermoot, set on
fire by order of the British commander, curled and flashed
towards the sky, above the "war clouds rolling dun."
The American right, steadily advancing and pouring
showers of lead into the ranks of the Royal Greens and
Rangers, was on the very threshold of victory, when the
tide of battle turned. The left wing, contending against
savages concealed in thick underbrush, stood its ground
manfully until, unperceived, the red foe gained its rear.
Then " rose from earth to sky" those appalling shouts
and yells, which the fierce Indian gives when the pros-
pect of victory is rising to his view. Five hundred Indians,
armed with rifles, hatchets, and spears, in front and rear,
now bore down on the one hundred and fifty men com-

THE REYOLUTIONARY WAR. 129

posing the American left. " Stand up to your work, sir,"
said Colonel Dorrance to a soldier who seemed to falter,
and the next moment the colonel fell, pierced by more
than one ball.

*' The enemy have attacked our rear, shall we retreat.

sir?" said a lieutenant to Captain Hewitt ; '' I'll be d d

if I do ;" was the reply, and instantly fell at the head of
his little band.

Colonel Denison now directed his men to fall back,
with a view to regaining their lost position, and placing
the enemy in front ; but the command was mistaken for
an order to retreat, and the flight soon became general.

" We are almost alone," said an officer named West-
brook; ''shall we go?" "V\\ have one more shot," said
Mr. Cooper. At this instant a muscular Indian rushed
upon him.

" That moment was fearful, and mightier foe
Had ne'er swung the battle-axe o'er him,
When hope nerved his arm for a desperate blow,
And the savage fell prostrate before him."

Some fled to the fort, while others, hard pressed by the
barbarous Senecas and tories, rushed headlong into the
river. Elijah Shoemaker, unable to swim, was wading
in the water, when Windecker, a tory, called to him,
" Come out, I will protect you." The confiding, generous-
hearted man, whose hospitality Windecker had often
shared, approached the shore, when this fiend in human
shape, reaching with one hand as if to aid him, with the
other dashed out his brains v/ith a hatchet. The lifeless
body of Shoemaker fell back into the water.

A patriot named Pencil reached Monockonock, the

bloody island, and concealed himself in the underbrush,

but being discovered by his tory brother, he came forth
9

130 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

from his hiding-place, expecting mercy and protection.
" Save ni}^ hfe, brother, and I will serve you all my

days." " Ah ! save you ! You are a d d rebel ;" and,

drawing his rifle to his shoulder, he fired and left his
brother weltering in his blood.*

Captain Bidlack was captured, and was thrown, alive,
and held down by a pitchfork upon the burning logs of
Fort Wintcrmoot. Sixteen prisoners were placed in a
circle around " the bloodv rock" which stands between
the village of Wyoming and the river. Each was held
by stout Indians, while Queen Esther, who stood upon
the rock, dashed out their brains one by one with a toma-
hawk. Hammond and Elliott, making desperate efforts,
escaped amidst a shower of balls. Nine others, in a like
circle, on what is now the Fair Ground, met death, as
did the fourteen under the blows of Queen Esther,
'" Among those thus murdered," says Mr. David Stafford,
" was a lad by the name of William Buck — a school-mate

* The particulars of this shocking incident are thus given in an extract
from the journal of a brigade chaplain in Sullivan's army, who made the
entry, July 8tli, 1779, at Wyoming: —

"On a small island in the Susquehanna, below the field of action, Giles
Slocum, having reached thus far in safety, concealed himself in the bushes,
■where he was witness to the meeting of John and Henry Pencil — John, a
tory, Henry, a whig. Henry, having lost his gun, upon seeing his brother,
John, fell upon his knees and begged him to spare his life. Upon Avhich

John called him a d d rebel. John then went deliberately to a log, got

on the same, and began to load his piece, while Henry was upon his knees
imploring him as a brother not to kill him. ' I will, I will,' said he, ' go with
you and serve you as long as I live, if you will spare my life' John loaded
his gun. Henry continued, " You won't kill your brother, will you ?' ' Yes,'

replied the monster, ' I will as soon as look at you. You are a d d rebel.'

He then shot him, and afterwards went up and struck him four or five times
with a tomahawk, and scalped him. Immediately after one of the enemy
coming to him said, 'What have you been doing? have you killed your bro-
ther ?' ' Yes,' said he, ' for he is a d d rebel.' The other replied, ' I have

a great mind to serve you in the same manner.' They then went ofi" together,
and in the evening Slocum made his escape. Slocum is a man of reputation,
and his word was never disputed in the neighborhood where he was known."

THE REYOLUTIONARY WAR. 131

of mine — a fine little fellow as ever lived, very neat and
clean and tidy, who on account of his youth was not
held down. This boy, when he saw what the queen was
at, became frightened and sprang to his feet and ran.
But a swift Indian soon overtook him and was leading
him back, when another Indian stepped behind him and
laid his head open with a tomahawk. They laid him in
the circle."

" The sun went down, nor ceased the carnage there,
Tumultuous murder shook the midnight air."

Spectators, standing upon the opposite shore of the
river, saw naked men forced around the burning stake
with spears, and heard their heart-rending shrieks and
dying groans. All night long there was a revel in blood,
and in the fumes of burninsi: human flesh. Not until the
morning light did they cease their demoniac orgies for
want of victims. The sun never shed his rays on a
bloodier field. From Wintermoot's to Forty Fort, the
broad plain was strewn with the dead and mangled
bodies of one hundred and sixty-one brave men, who
perished in a conflict which no resource of art and courage
of soul on their part could render equal.

Among the interesting incidents of this bloody day,
we will not omit to mention the case of Samuel Carev. a
youth about nineteen years of age. He was in Captain
Bidlack's company, and was one of the few prisoners
taken at the massacre. He was captured by Captain
Roland Montour, an Indian, who led him to a young war-
rior, who had been wounded and was dying. He asked
him if Carey should be slain, or if he should be conveyed
to his father and mother to be adopted into their family
in his stead. The young warrior, with expiring breath,
requested that he should be received into his father's

132 A.NNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

family in liis place. Carey was then painted and received
the dying Indian's name, Coconeunquo ; and when he
reached the Indian country, was taken and adopted as
previously arranged. At times he suffered severely for
want of food, and after a captivity of six years returned
to Wyoming in safety.

After the battle. Forty Fort was occupied by Colonel
Denison with a handful of w^eary, worn, and wounded
men, together with the Kingston women and children.
Colonel Z. Butler, being a soldier of the Continental
army, and fifteen regulars — the remainder of Captain
Hewitt's company — left the valley. Colonel Butler re-
tired to Gnadenhutten ; and the soldiers to Fort Augusta,
to avoid being made prisoners of war. The women and
children of the Lackawanna valley fled towards the
upper settlements on the Delaware ; those of Pittston
and Wilkesbarre toiled over mountains and through the
great swamp to the lower settlements ; while those of
Hanover, Plymouth, and Newport, escaped to Fort
Augusta. No pen can describe the sufferings of these
men, women, and children, who, while they themselves
were wandering, almost naked and faint with hunger,
through a desolate wilderness, were tortured with the
painful reflection that the bodies of tlieir fathers, brothers,
sons, and husbands, lay mutilated and unburied on the
plains they were leaving behind them. When the fugitives
reached the nearest settlements, sixty miles distant, and
related the dreadful tale of Wyoming's overthrow, and
their own terrible sufferings, a panic seized the inhabit-
ants, who also joined in the retreat, with their personal
goods, towards the more populous portions of the state.
There were no troops to defend Fort Augusta, or the
military posts on the Delaware ; of course the whole
frontier lay open to the ravages of the enemy. Captain

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 133

Spaulding, who was advancing with his company to aid
in defending the valley, met the flying fugitives on the
mountains, and returned to Stroudsburg.

On the morning of the 4th of July, Colonel John But-
ler, with his troops and Indians, surrounded Forty Fort,
and demanded its surrender, which was to be uncondi-
tional for Colonel Z. Butler and the soldiers of the Con-
tinental army. As the prudent Butler and his regulars
had retired from the vallev, the demand had no force as
to them ; but Colonel Denison made an honorable capitu-
lation of the fort. " By the articles of capitulation," says
Stone, " it was mutually agreed that the inhabitants of
the settlement should lay down their arms, the fort be
demolished, and the Continental stores be delivered up.
The inhabitants of the settlement were to be permitted
to occupy their farms, peaceably and without molestation
of their persons. The loyalists were to be allowed to re-
main in undisturbed possession of their farms, and to trade
without interruption. Colonel Denison and the inhabit-
ants stipulated not again to take up arms during the con-
test ; and Colonel John Butler agreed to use his utmost
influence to cause the private property of the inhabitants
to be respected. But the last-mentioned stipulation was
entirely unheeded by the Indians, who were not, and per-
haps could not be, restrained from the work of rapine and
plunder. The surrender had no sooner taken place, than
they spread themselves through the valley. Every house
not belonging to a loyalist was plundered and laid in
ashes." Wilkesbarre was set on fire and consumed. The
men and women in Forty Fort were stripped of every-
thing, and some of them had even the clothing taken from
their backs. Colonel Denison was not more respected
than others ; for he was compelled to draw ofl* his hunt-
ing-shirt, and hand it to a ferocious savage.

134 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The wholesale murderess, and disgusting squaw, Queen
Esther, rode away mounted on a stolen side-saddle, placed
hind side before, on the back of a stolen horse, wdth half
a dozen bonnets placed one within the other on her head.
She carried in her hand a stick on which seventeen
scalps were suspended, and which she held up to the gaze
of the whites. Colonel Denison remonstrated against
these outrageous violations of the articles of capitulation,
but Butler answered it was not in his power to prevent
them. The work of destruction and plunder being com-
pleted, the invaders left Wyoming on the 7th of July, by
the way of the Lackawanna Valley. During this march
Butler wrote and dispatched to the British colonel, Bolton,
a report of the infamous doings of himself and his band
of murderers. The document is dated " Lackawanna,
July 8th, 1778," and states his force to be five hundred
men, whereas it was eight hundred ; that he had one
Indian and two rangers killed, and eight Indians wounded,
whereas upwards of sixty were buried in the swamp, near
the battle-field ; that two hundred and twenty-seven scalps
had been taken, whereas only one hundred and sixty-one
Americans were killed; that five prisoners were taken
and saved alive, whereas they were all put to death
except two. " We have taken," says he, '' eight palisades,
six forts, burned one thousand dwelling-houses, and all
their mills, &c. ; and also killed and drove off one thousand
head of horned cattle and sheep ;" all of which is greatly
exaggerated, especially the number of dwellings, which
did not exceed three hundred and fifty in the whole valley.
The report closes with an extravagant eulogium on the
conduct of his officers and men ! !

By order of General De Hass, a small company of men
were sent to garrison Fort Augusta, in July, and on the
24th of the same month, one major, two captains, and

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 135

eighty men were stationed at Briar Creek, below Berwick.
On the 1st of August, Colonel Thomas Hartley, of the
Pennsylvania line, a brave and most judicious officer,
arrived at Fort Augusta with two hundred men. By his
orders Captain Walker erected Fort Jenkins, five miles
below Berwick, which fortification the marvellous Moses
Van Campen says he built in the May preceding ! Cap-
tain Walker also erected Fort Muncy on the West Branch
of the Susquehanna, which Van Campen, in his narrative,
likewise claims was built by himself. Besides these,
Walker built Fort Freedley, on the North Branch below
Bloomsburg, and another on the Chillisquaque Creek.

On the 4th of August, Colonel Z. Butler returned to
Wyoming with Captain Spaulding's company, consisting
of twenty regulars and forty militiamen. They proceeded
to erect Fort Wilkesbarre on the site of the old fort and
court-house in the public square. A number of the male
inhabitants of the valley now visited it, with the hope of
gathering some remnants of the harvest, and to prepare
for the return of their families, who were quartered
among friends in Connecticut, and other secure settle-
ments.

On the 7th of August, the Supreme Executive Council
of Pennsylvania, in an address to the Assembly, declare,
among other things, as follows : " The late fatal catas-
trophe which has befallen the Connecticut settlers on the
river Susquehanna, deplorable as it is, recollects the dis-
puted footing on which these sufferers stood. Compassion
for them, as well as justice to this state, require that
they be reminded of the precarious nature of their tenure
before they re-establish themselves."

Soon after the arrival of Colonel Butler and Captain
Spaulding, John Abbott and Isaac Williams were shot
and scalped on Jacob's Plains, w^hile working in a field.

136 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Isaac Tripp, Isaac Tripp, Jr., Messrs. Keys and Hocksej,
were captured near what is now Scran ton. On the road
to Oquago, Keys and Hocksey were led aside by the
savages and murdered.

On the 24th of August, Luke Swetland and Joseph
Blanchard were cajotured at Nanticoke, and hurried away
into captivity.

Colonel Hartley had projected an expedition into the
Indian country, and with this view he assembled his forces
at Fort Muncy. Here he was joined by Captain Spauld-
ing and his few regulars. While these preparations were
being made, the stealthy savages perpetrated several
murders on the west branch of the Susquehanna, and
almost under the guns of Fort Muncy. On the 21st of
September, Colonel Hartley, having perfected his arrange-
ments, at the head of two hundred men marched out from
the fort. " In our route," says he, " we met with great
rains, prodigious swamps, mountains, defiles, and rocks,
impeding our march. We waded and swam the river
Lycoming upwards of twenty times." They marched
into the very heart of the enemy's country, destroyed
Queen Esther's town, and put the savages to flight in
several engagements. On his return march. Colonel
Hartley was attacked below Wyalusing by two hundred
Indians, whom he routed with the loss of fifteen killed
and thirty wounded, while his own loss was four killed
and ten wounded. Arriving at Wyoming, he found
Colonel Butler with a small force in possession of the fort
at Wilkesbarre. The day after his arrival, four soldiers
crossed the river to dig potatoes, when they were fired
upon by a party of Indians in ambush. Three of them
were instantly killed and scalped. Colonel Hartley left
one hundred men to reinforce Butler, and proceeding down
the river, arrived at Fort Augusta on the 5th of October.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 137

A few days after his departure from the valley, on the
14th of October, William Jameson, who had been wounded
in the battle, was waylaid by savages, two miles below
Wilkesbarre, shot and scalped, but lived two days, though
having lost a portion of his brains.

In his report Colonel Hartley mentioned in the highest
terms the conduct of officers and men. In two weeks he
had marched three hundred miles, laid waste the Queen's
town, taken twenty-six canoes, and fifty-one head of
horses and cattle, and defeated the Indians in numerous
skirmishes.

On the 22d of October, nearly four months after the battle
of Wyoming, the citizens, guarded by the soldiers, assem-
bled on the bloody field to bury the remains of the dead.

" Their limbs unburied on the naked shore,
Devouring wolves and hungry vultures tore."

A long deep trench was dug, in which were deposited
all that remained of as brave a band of patriots as ever
faced a foe.

On the 2d of November, three Indians stealthily
approached the house of Jonathan Slocum, not more than
one hundred rods from Fort Wilkesbarre. They shot
and scalped a boy, Nathan Kingsley, who was at the door.
Entering the house, one of them seized Ebenezer Slocum,
and was about to carry him off, when Mrs. Slocum said,
" He can do you no good, he is lame." Releasing the boy,
he took up Frances, her daughter, a child about five years
of age, and with the brother of the murdered Kingsley,
accompanied by the other Indians and a black girl of
Mrs. Slocum's, he took his departure. This colored girl
was afterwards sold to Colonel John Butler, and kept in
his family as a servant at Niagara.

In August, 1837, John W. Forney, Esq., was placed

138 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

in possession of a letter, written by G. W. Ewing, of
Logansport, Indiana, dated January 20th, 1835. This
letter had been sent to Lancaster, Pa., for publication,
but the person who received it died soon after, and being
found by his widow among his papers, it was handed to
Mr. Forney, who gave it publicity through the columns
of his newspaper. The letter says : " There is now
living near this place, among the Miami tribe of Indians,
an aged white woman who, a few days ago, told me that
she was taken away from her father's house, on or near
the Susquehanna river, when she was very young. She
says her father's name was Slocum; that he was a Quaker,
and wore a large-brimmed hat ; that he lived about half
a mile from a town where there was a fort. She has two
daughters living. Her husband is dead. She is old and
feeble, and thinks she shall not live long. These con-
siderations induced her to give the present history of
herself, which she never would before, fearing her kindred
would come and force her away. She has lived long and
happy as an Indian; is very respectable and wealthy,
sober and honest. Her name is without reproach." This
letter, as a matter of course, awakened great interest, and
her brothers, Joseph Slocum, Esq., late of Wilkesbarre,
and Isaac Slocum, of Ohio, repaired to Logansport, where
they fortunately met Mr. Ewing. The lost sister, receiv-
ing notice of their arrival, came to Logansport on horse-
back, accompanied by her two daughters, all dressed in
fine Indian costume. Frances, before her captivity, had
received a blow on her finger in the smithshop, which
crushed the bone, and when the brothers saw the wounded
hand they embraced her and burst into tears. She related
the leading events of her life. She stated she had been
adopted into an Indian family, and had been kindly
treated. She said young Kingsley had died after a few

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

139

FRANCES SLOCUM.

years. When grown up she had married a chief, and her
Indian name was Maconaquah, Young Bear. Li subse-
quent years she was again visited by her brothers, and
by other members of the family. A life-size portrait of
her was painted, and is now in possession of the family.
Congress passed a resolution exempting her, her family,
and several of her friends, from the obligation to remove
from her old home, with the rest of the Indians, to the
far west. She lived long and happily, and died in hope
of a blessed immortality.

140 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

November 7th, 1778, the Indians killed and scalped
John Perkins in Plymouth. At Nanticoke they took
Jackson and Lester prisoners, whence they led them to
the mountains and put them to death.

November 9th, Captain Carr and Philip Goss were shot
in a canoe, below Wapwallopen Creek, and about the
same time Robert, Alexander, and Amos Parker were
found dead, and scalped, in the lower part of the valley.
In the same month Isaac Inman, who was hunting wild
turkeys in Hanover, was shot and scalped, but his body
was not found until the following spring. On the 19th of
November a band of savages crossed the river, opposite
Shickshinny, and murdered the whole Utley family.
They set the house on fire, recrossed the river, and escaped
through Huntington.

December 16th, Wilham Slocum and Isaac Tripp were
shot and scalped within sight of Fort Wilkesbarre, and
with this ended the prolonged and horrible tragedies of
1778.

But the winter months had scarcely passed away, be-
fore the savages resumed their depredatory visits to Wyo-
ming. March 21st, 1779, Captain James Bidlack, father
of the Captain Bidlack who was killed in the battle of
July 3d of the previous year, was seized and carried away
into captivity. He was taken at his residence in Ply-
mouth. Same day a band of twenty-five Indians appeared
on the Kingston flats, in sight of Fort Wilkesbarre. They
were attacked by a party from the fort, when they began
slowly to retreat, driving before them about sixty head
of cattle. But the savages were defeated in their object
to draw our people into an ambush. On the 23d of
March they displayed their whole force, amounting to
two hundred and fifty Indians and tories. They attacked
Fort Wilkesbarre, when the old four-pounder was brought

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 141

to bear upon them. It carried death and terror into their
ranks. Among others their chief was slain, when the
survivors betook themselves to inglorious flight. But as
they fled they burned three houses and the same number
of barns. During the same month Elihu Williams, Ste-
phen Pettebone, Lieutenant Buck, and Frederick Follet
were surrounded by twenty savages, on the Kingston
plains. The first three were killed and scalped. Follet
was pierced with a spear in no less than seven places, one
wound letting out a portion of his entrails. He was also
tomahawked and scalped. In this condition he was found
and carried to the fort, where, under the skillful attend-
ance of Dr. W. Hooker Smith, he finally recovered.

General Washington had determined j;o send a force
into the Indian country, sufficient at one blow to break
up the savage haunts where these barbarities were planned,
and the depredators were harbored. To this end Colonel
Brokdhead, with seven hundred men, was sent into West-
ern Pennsylvania, and effectually chastised the enemy.
General Clinton, with one thousand men, was ordered to
advance from the Hudson to Tioga. General Sullivan
was ordered to rendezvous at Easton. From this poin
he sent a German regiment of three hundred men to
reinforce Colonel Butler, and on the 19th of April Major
Powell arrived at Wyoming, with an additional force of
two hundred and fifty men. When Powell's advance
arrived on the mountain, about four miles east of Fort
Wilkesbarre, a considerable body of Indians, in ambush,
fired a volley into their ranks, and instantly fled. Caj^tain
DaT'is, Lieutenant Jones, Corporal Butler, and three pri-
vates were killed.

On the 18th of June, General Sullivan marched with
the main body of his army from Easton, and on the 23d
arrived at Wyoming, and encamped below Wilkesbarre.

142 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

He cut a road over the mountains via Wind Gap,
Pokono, Great Swamp, and Bear Creek. At the spot
where Davis and Jones fell, two boards had been set up
with their names inscribed upon them. As the army
passed by, Colonel Proctor, from respect for the dead,
ordered the bands to play the tune of Roslin Castle.
During the encampment of the army in the valley, pre-
paratory to their march for Tioga, the Indians were active
in all directions. Two hundred and fifty attacked Fort
Freedley, near Bloomsburg, where Captain Boon and others
were slain. Brant, at the head of his warriors, attacked
and laid the whole Minisink settlement in ruins. Others
committed depredations along the Lehigh, and even within
three miles of the army.

On the 31st of July, at the head of three thousand
men, General Sullivan, breaking up his camp at Wyo-
ming, began his march up the river. Accompanying the
troops were three hundred boats laden with provisions,
cannon, and munitions of war, and following in the train
were many hundreds of pack-horses. The whole ad-
vanced in admirable order, and presented a most imposing
spectacle. On the 11th of August the army arrived at
Tioga, where it was soon joined by General Clinton.
General Clinton had dammed the waters from Otsego
Lake, by which he had formed an artificial flood, upon
the bosom of which he floated his troops in three hun-
dred boats, a distance of one hundred miles to the place
of union. From Tioga, Sullivan and Clinton advanced
to a point near what is now Elmira, New York, where
they met and defeated Colonel John Butler, with all his
forces. They burnt and destroyed the Indian villages,
their orchards and crops, and spread fire and ruin through-
out the whole territory of the Six Nations.

On the 13th of September, Lieutenant Thomas Boyd,

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 143

of the rifle corps, in command of twenty-four men, left
the main army to reconnoitre. At Little Castle, on the
Genesee river, he surprised, killed, and scalped two In-
dians. " On his return," says Miner, " Boyd was sur-
rounded by a strong detachment of the enemy, who killed
fourteen of his men, and took him and a soldier prisoners,
eight only escaping. The next day the army accelerated
its march, with the hope of releasing Lieutenant Boyd.
On arriving at the Genesee Castle his remains, and those
of the other prisoner, were found surrounded by all the
horrid evidences of savage barbarity. The torture-fires
were yet burning. Flaming pine-knots had been thrust
into their flesh, their finger nails pulled out, their tongues
cut off, and their heads severed from their bodies. It is
said that Boyd was brought before Colonel Butler, who
examined him, Boyd being on one knee, a warrior on
each side firmly grasping his arms, a third at his back
with a tomahawk raised. What a scene for a limner !
' How many men has Sullivan ?' ' I cannot tell you, sir.'
* How is the army disposed and divided ?' ' I cannot give
you any information, sir.' ' Boyd, life is sweet, you had
better answer me.' ' Duty forbids, and I would not, if
life depended on the word ; but. Colonel Butler, I know
the issue, my doom is fixed.' "*

October 8th. Sullivan's army returned to Wyoming.
After resting two days it marched on the 10th, and on
the 15 th encamped at Easton.

Captain Spaulding's independent company, and a com-
pany of militia under John Franklin, accompanied Sulli-
van's army into the Indian country. Colonel Z. Butler
remained at home in command of the garrison at Fort

* Lieutenant Boyd was a brother of Colonel John Boyd of Northumber-
land, who commanded a regiment during the Revolutionary war.

144 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Wilkesbarre, and, after Sullivan's departure for Easton,
with the companies of Spaulding and Franklin, continued
to defend the frontier from a general attack. The sav-
ages, however, made incursions in small parties, and on
the 27th day of March, 1780, Thomas Bennett and his
son were captured at Kingston and taken to the moun-
tains, where they found Labbeus Hammond tied to a tree.
This is the same Hammond who had escaped from the
bloody Queen Esther's tomahawk at the massacre. He
had been taken only a few hours before, and now, with
the Bennetts, he was marched off towards Tioga. At
MeshoiDpen the Indians rested for the night. Here, when
deep sleep had fallen on the weary party, Bennett ran
one of his captors through with a spear, killing him with-
out noise. He then unloosed Hammond and his son, and,
with their aid, killed four more of the savages, wounded
another, and one escaped unharmed. The next day the
victorious captives returned to Wyoming.

March 28th. Asa Upson and Jonah Rogers were
making sugar a short distance above the mouth of Hun-
lock's Creek, when a party of ten Indians rushed down
from the mountain, killed and scalped Upson, and took
Rogers prisoner. Thence they proceeded to Fishing
Creek, near Orangeville. Here they took Moses Van
Campen, his father, and Peter Pence, prisoners. They
killed and scalped old Mr. Van Campen, and then
set off through Huntington, where Captain John Frank-
lin, with four men, gave them battle, but was compelled
to retire. On the head waters of Hunlock's Creek, in
Ross township, they found Abraham Pike and his wife
boiling sugar. The Indians wrapped Mrs. Pike's child
in a blanket and threw it on the roof of the cabin. Tak-
ing Pike and wife with the other prisoners, they hastened
forward. After proceeding about two miles, an old chief

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 145

painted Mrs. Pike, saying "Joggo squaw" — go home, woman.
She returned, got her child, and went to Wilkesbarre.
Arriving at the Susquehanna, below Tioga, on the first
day of April, they encamped for the night. " Pike," says
Mr. Rogers, in his account, " proposed to kill the Indians.
The prisoners were all pinioned but myself, and it was
agreed that I should procure a knife, which I did. Pike
cut himself loose, and while the Indians were sleeping he
took away their guns, and then cut the other men loose.
One Indian awakened, and immediately Pence fired at
him. Major Van Campen took a hatchet and killed two
Indians before they rose, the rest ran. The prisoners all
escaped, and arrived safely in Wilkesbarre." Jonah
Rogers was thirteen years of age, and was known as a
person of truth. His statement conflicts materially with
that of Van Campen, who says all the Indians were
killed, chiefly by his own hand, and that Pike was an
arrant coward.* We have already found Van Campen's
stories of other matters to be erroneous, and we are dis-
posed to receive the account of Rogers as unqualifiedly
true.

March 30th. Three men, Avery, Lyons, and Jones,
were taken prisoners, near what is now Scranton, and in
April the settlement of Mahony, near Mauch Chunk, was
attacked, when the Gilbert family, together with Abigail
Dodson and some others, in all fifteen persons, were car-
ried away captive. The trials and sufierings of this party
would form a most interesting chapter.

In September, 1780, a party of Indians crossed the
Susquehanna near Nescopeck, and entered Scotch, now
Sugarloaf Valley, where they attacked a, company of
thirty-three men under Captain Myers, took thirteen
scalps, and all the survivors were made prisoners. They
then burnt several buildings, and escaped to Niagara.

^„ * See Note on p. 155.

146 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

In December, the house of Benjamin Harve}^, in Ply-
mouth, Avas stormed, and Elisha Harvey, G. P. Ransom,
Lucy Harvey, and Rachel Bullock were taken prisoners.
On the mountain the girls were painted and allowed to
go, but Harvey and Ransom were convej^ed to Canada.
There the savages sold Harvey to a French trader for six
gallons of whiskey. Ransom, with other prisoners cap-
tured in various parts of the states, was confined in the
fortress at Montreal, but an opportunity presenting,
tliirty-two of them escaped in the night. They were all
drowned in the St. Lawrence in their flight, except Ran-
som, who, aided by a board, reached the opposite shore.
Directing his steps homeward, he traveled several days
through the wilderness, eating mice and snakes to sustain
life, and finally reached Wyoming in an exhausted con-
dition.

March 10th, 1781, Samuel Ransom's house, in Plymouth,
was attacked by Indians, but meeting with resistance, and
having one of their number killed, they retreated.

June 19th. Indians attempted to storm a block-house
two miles below Wilkesbarre, but were repulsed.

September 7th. The savages attacked Hanover settle-
ment, and captured Arnold Franklin and Roswell Frank-
lin, Jr. In April, 1782, Roswell Franklin's house was
again attacked, and his wife with several of the younger
children were carried away. Baldwin and nine others
went up the river, got ahead of the savages, and on the
Frenchtown Mountain had a severe engagement with
them. They succeeded in retaking three of the family,
but Mrs. Franklin and her small child were killed.

July 8th, 1782, John Jameson, his brother Benjamin a
boy, and Asa Chapman were riding horseback towards
Wilkesbarre. Having approached near the site of the
German church in Hanover, they were fired upon by eight

THE REVOLUTIONARY TTAR. 141

Indians concealed in ambush. John Jameson fell from
his horse, was scalped and left dead in the road.
Chapman was wounded, but clinging to his horse
escaped to Wilkesbarre, where he died the next day.
Benjamin's horse, wheeling suddenly about, carried him
back in safety to his home. On that day, the last
blood was shed, and the last scalp taken, by Indians,
within the present limits of Luzerne county. Encouraged
by rewards, offered by England for scalps, the merciless
savage tore the flesh and spilt the blood of the frontier
settlers, with an eagerness and boldness which the love
of revenge could scarcely inspire. Down to the moment
when the articles of peace were signed, the Indian was
busily engaged in bartering scalps for the gold of Chris-
tian England.

We read of the burning of Moscow, and the disastrous
retreat of the French; of the siege of Londonderry and
the starvation of its inhabitants ; of earthquakes shaking
down and swallowing up whole cities, and of huge steam-
ships freighted with hundreds of precious lives engulfed
in the stormy bosom of the ocean ; and our minds are
appalled and stunned by the magnitude of the catastrophe :
but to live month after month, and year after year, in
constant dread of the rifle and the scalping-knife ; to see
or hear constantly of some horrible deed perpetrated on
neighbors ; this is more than appalling — it is protracted
torture of soul. The inhabitants of Wyoming suffered
the horrors of war from 1768 until 1776 in rather its
milder form, but during the Revolution no people ever
met with greater disasters. Upwards of two hundred
and thirty men, women, and children were murdered
and scalped by Indians. About fifty others were carried
away into captivity, and eight or ten more were burnt
alive. They suffered from hunger, and cold, and disease,

148 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

and iiiipri'sonments, and bondage, and floods, and fire ; and
yet, true to their jDurpose, the}' never thought for a mo-
ment of abandoning their charming valley. Nor were
they selfish in their aims. They loved, loved dearly the
cause of liberty, and contributed more than any other
people in America, in proportion to their numbers and
wealth, to sustain the cause of the colonies against the
tyranny of the British crown. The first settlers of
Luzerne paid a great price, and passed through the
severest ordeal, that the land might be free, and that you
and I and coming generations might enjoy unmolested
the blessings of civil and religious liberty. Let us prize
the great gift, let us honor the memory of those who suf-
fered and died to procure it, and let us cherish it and
defend it, and transmit it unimpaired to those who shall
stand in our places when we are gathered to our fathers.

EEVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.

On the 4th of September, 1832, fifty years after the
Revolution, thirty-one soldiers, residents of Luzerne
county, who had served various terms during that war,
assembled at the court-house in Wilkesbarre, for the pur-
pose of availing themselves of the provisions of a certain
law, conferring pensions. They, evidently, had been well
formed, athletic men, who had braved many hardships
and great dangers. Now, their cheeks were furrowed,
their heads were white, and their forms were stooping
towards the grave. They were " venerable men, who
had come down to us from a former generation." We
give their names and ages : Nathan Beach sixty-nine,
James Thayer seventy, Samuel Pease seventy-two, James
Ward seventy-five, David Doolittle sixty-seven, Thomas
Gardner eighty-seven, John Strong seventy-seven, John

THE REV^OLUTIONARY WAR. 149

Wort seventy-six, Samuel Breese seventy-four, Levi Bron-
son seventy-one, Daniel Wad man seventy-seven, Asaph
Jones seventy-four. El am Spencer sixty-eight, Francis
Brewer sixty-seven, Benjamin Pedrick sixty-eight, John
Whitcomb sixty-six, Benajah Fuller seventy-seven, Ro-
bert Freeland seventy. Chandler Robinson seventy-one,
Elisha Blackman seventy-two, Samuel Vanscoy sixty-six,
John Bird seventy-eight, Joseph Knapp seven-one, Tho-
mas Hawkins seventy-four, Epaphrus Wadsworth seventy-
six, Thomas Taylor seventy-eight, George Stewart seventy-
seven, John Warden ninety, Josiah Pell seventy-two,
Daniel Spencer seventy-one, Moses Darby seventy-two.

There were other soldiers of the Revolution residing in
the county at this time, who received pensions under other
Acts of Congress, and who were not present at this meet-
ing. A few years after this they, in company with a
number of those already named, assembled in Wilkes-
barre, and were addressed by the Rev. Benjamin Bidlack,
who had served during the war, in the regular army,
under Washington. This was the last meeting of Revo-
lutionary patriots held in Luzerne county. One by one
they have fallen, and disappeared from the ranks of the
livinir, but their names are recorded on the tablet of fame.
In freedom's cause they sacrificed their property, their
comfort, and their health, and have bequeathed to us an
invaluable blessing — a free and independent country.

THE WYOMING MONUMENT.

A meeting was convened at the house of James Scovel,
in Exeter township, on the 25th of November, 1809, for
the purpose of adopting measures to erect a monument to
the memory of those brave men who perished in the
battle and massacre of Wyoming on the 3d of July, 1778.

150

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

THE WYOMING MONUMENT.

Appropriate resolutions were adopted, and a committee
appointed for each township in the county, with instruc-
tions to collect funds, and report at the next meeting to
be held at Wilkesbarre in the following January. At
that time the people were generally poor, and in debt for
their lands, and, as a consequence, only $300 were col-
lected. This was rather discouraging, and here ended the
matter for upwards of twenty-two years.

The spot where the heroic dead had been buried was
unknown until June, 1832, when their remains were dis-
covered in one common grave on the farm of Fisher Gay.
Almost all the skulls found, eighty in number, exhibited
marks of the tomahawk and scalping-knife, and many of
the bones were perforated by balls. On the IGth of June,
1832, a meeting of citizens was held at Oliver Helm's
Hotel, in Kingston, with a view to renew the ellbrt to

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 151

erect a monument. Benjamin Dorrance, Calvin Wad-
hams, Anderson Dana, Lazarus Denison, David Scott, and
G. M. Hollenbach, were appointed a committee to confer
with Fisher Gay, in reference to procuring a site for the
monument. Tlie committee entered into an article of
agreement with him, by which he promised to sell and
convey land for the proposed monument at the rate of
$200 per acre. On the 3d of July following, another
meeting was held on the monument-ground, and among
the resolutions adopted was one thanking Fisher Gay
" for his liberality in bestowing the ground necessary for
the erection of a monument, and for his attention to the
meeting." July 3d, 1833, the corner-stone of the Wyo-
ming Monument was laid wdth imposing display. The
ceremony was performed by Elisha Blackman, a veteran,
who was in the battle. A box was then deposited in the
stone by Samuel Carey, another old soldier, who had also
been in the engagement. The box contained a history
of the early settlement of the valley ; an account of the
battle ; a list of the names of those who fell in the engage-
ment ; a copy of the official report of the battle by Colonel
Z. Butler ; a copy of the address delivered on that occa-
sion by Chester Butler; the muster-roll of a company
commanded by Captain Samuel Eansom, and made out
September 17, 1777 ;'^ copies of the addresses deUvered
by the Rev. Mr. May and the Rev. Mr. Murray at a
former meeting ; a piece of each denomintition of United
States coin ; a copy of President Jackson's proclamation to
the people of the United States, in reference to the hostile
attitude of South Carolina towards the Federal Govern-
ment ; and a copy of each newspaper then published in

* This -was the muster-roll of one of the two independent companies, of
which, probably, no copy was taken. What an oversight !

152 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the county. The bones of the slain were deposited in the
ground, and the ceremonies of the occasion were closed
by prayer from the Rev. John Dorrance. In 1839, a
committee was appointed to visit the General Assembly
of Connecticut, and solicit an appropriation of $3000 to
complete the monument. The request was refused. The
application was renewed in 1841, and again refused. A
third time Connecticut was solicited to make this dona-
tion, and a third time she refused. In 1839, a meeting
was held at P. C. McGilchrist's, in Wilkesbarre, when the
following resolution was adopted : — " Resolved, That the
Building Committee be requested to obtain a deed in due
form of the land, on which the monument is being built,
according to the liberal and honorable promise of Fisher
Gay, the patriotic proprietor thereof." In 1841, the
patriotic ladies of Luzerne resolved to undertake the task
of completing the monument, and accordingly formed
themselves into a society, called the Luzerne Monumental
Association. Mrs. C. Butler was made president; Mrs.
Hollenback and Mrs. Carey, vice-presidents ; Mrs. Harri-
son Wright, treasurer ; Mrs. R. D. Carey, secretary ; Mrs.
C. Butler, Mrs. Drake, Mrs. Beaumont, Mrs. Hollenback,
Mrs. Conyngham, Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Sturde-
vant, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Gilchrist, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs.
Nicholson, Mrs. Lewis, and Mrs. Carey, Executive Com-
mittee. This society went energetically to work. They
obtained donations from various sources at home and
abroad ; held a fair at Wilkesbarre raised a fund of
$2508.15, and proceeded to complete the undertaking,
commenced by the lords of creation thirty years before.
As a preliminary step, this association of ladies held a
meeting in 1842, and adopted this resolution :

" Resolved, That we will finish tlie Wyoming Monu-
ment, provided the gentlemen of the old building com-

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 153

mittee will make us a deed of the land, and give us the
fouudation of the monument as it now stands, with the
stone on the ground, free from all and every encumbrance
whatsoever, or direction as to the particular mode of
building." It is a matter of regret that the ladies did not
adhere to this resolution in every particular. A deed for
the land should have been placed in their hands before
they commenced the work. This was not done, and after
some delay it was determined to commence the structure
without a title.

In order to raise funds, the ladies had spread a Monu-
mental Dinner, in Kingston, on the 24th of June, 1841. It
was largely attended, and the Association realized a hand-
some return. Rev. T. P. Hunt, Colonel H. B. Wright, and
Dr. T. W. Miner delivered appropriate addresses. But
the most united and general eftbrt, to secure the money
requisite to complete the Monument, was made at the
Fair held in Wilkesbarre on the 1st, 2d, and 3d of July
following. A great crowd of strangers and visitors were
in attendance. The beauty and chivalry of the valley
were there, and the masses put on their best attire and
culled out a holiday. Such an array of flags, of eatables,
and of drinkables ; such an array of fine goods and of fine
ladies, had never before been witnessed in Luzerne. By
this fair the ladies obtained $2200. The Boston ladies
collected, by a fair, $25,000 for the Bunker Hill Monu-
ment, but the Luzerne ladies, considering the relative
population and wealth, did even better than they. Two
thousand two hundred and fifty dollars were expended,
and a Monument, sixty-two and a half feet in height,
was raised, composed of the granite rocks of Luzerne.
On three slabs, inserted in the sides of the structure, are
inscriptions. The following, composed by Edward G.
Mallery, Esq., is inscribed on the front slab : " Near this

154 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

spot was fought, Oil the afternoon of the 3d of July, 1778,
the battle of Wyoming ; in which a small band of patriotic
Americans, chiefly the undisciplined, the youthful, and
the aged, spared by inefficiency from the distant ranks
of the republic, led by Colonel Zebulon Butler and Colonel
Nathan Denison, with a courage that deserved success,
boldly met and bravely fought the combined British,
tory, and Indian force of thrice their number. Numerical
superiority alone gave success to the invader, and wide-
spread havoc, desolation, and ruin marked his savage and
bloody footsteps through the valley. This Monument,
commemorative of these events, and in memory of the
actors in them, has been erected over the bones of the
slain by their descendants and others, who gratefully
appreciate the services and sacrifices of their patriotic
ancestors."

The second slab has the following Latin inscription:
" Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori."*

The third slab contains the names of those who were
slain in the engagement.f

For seventeen years this Monument has stood in an
unfinished condition. No fence surrounds it ; not a tree
or shrub casts a shadow at its base, but mutilated and
desecrated, it stands a monument not only to the memory
of the patriotic dead, but also a monument to our shame.
All praise is due the ladies of the Monumental Asso-
ciation ; and if gentlemen had properly seconded their
efforts and requests, the reproach expressed in the present
appearance of the Monument would not exist.'^ Will not
the ladies of 18G0 finish the work so nobly begun and
carried forward by those of 1841 ?

* " It is sweet and glorious to die for one's country."
f See Appendix, E, for names of the slain.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 155

In 1856 Fisher Gay sold his farm to Payne Pettibone,
and provided, in the deed of conveyance, that when the
provisions of a certain article of agreement, to which we
have already referred, shall be complied with, said Petti-
bone shall execute a deed for the monument ground. Mr.
Pettibone and wife sold the property to Moses Woodward,
and he to Mr. Kesler and others, and in their several
deeds reiterated the same provision. Who, then, owns
the grave of our fathers, and the Monument erected to
their memory ? The mortifying answer is, twenty or
more strangers residing in Philadelphia and other parts
of the United States. This fact becoming known to the
author, he took the earliest opportunity to lay the subject
before the Wyoming Historical Society. That Society
directed its finance committee to open a correspondence,
in reference to the matter, with the Luzerne Monumental
Association. A meeting of the surviving members was
convened, and the ladies stated that they never succeeded
in procuring a deed, and expressed a desire to transfer
the whole subject, with $100, the balance in the treasury,
to the Wyoming Historical Society. The trust was ac-
cepted, and the matter remains in abeyance, we hope,
for no great length of time.

* Note on Abraham Pike, p. 145. — Abraham Pike was a witty Irishman,
who, when quite young, entered the British army and was promoted to the
rank of sergeant. When the Revolutionary war broke out he accompanied
his regiment to America, and was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill.
Having become dissatisfied with the Royal cause, he deserted to the American
army, and after his term of enlistment had expired he came to Wyoming.
He was a member of Capt. Hewit's company, and fought bravely in the
battle of July 3d, 1778. He acted as guide to Sullivan's army on its march
from Wyoming into the Indian country. He was sadly addicted to
intemperance, which occasionally led him to the commission of petty thefts.
On one occasion he stole a silver spoon, and on being charged with the offense
most positively declared his innocence. " Do you say, Pike, on the honor of
a soldier that you have not got that spoon ?" His chin fell to his breast, and
taking the spoon from his pocket remarked, " the honor of a soldier is sacred
and should never be tarnished." He died a pauper about 30 years ago.

CHAPTER V.
LUZERNE COUNTY.

Near the close of the year 1682, William Penn divided
the province of Pennsylvania into the three counties of
Philadelphia, Chester, and Bucks.

Bucks embraced all the north-eastern portion of the
province. The Walking Purchase, an account of which
we have recorded in a former chapter, placed the heirs
of Penn in possession of the lands on the Delaware ; and
the settlements rapidly increasing along that river, Bucks
was divided, and Northampton county was organized in
1752, with the seat of justice at Easton. This act placed
the lands of the Susquehanna Company within the limits
of the new county, and consequently all legal process
issued from the courts of Northampton. Prisoners taken
in Wyoming were conveyed across the mountains to the
jail at Easton.

By the Act of the 21st of March, 1772, the county of
Northumberland was formed, comprehending within its
limits the disputed territory of Wyoming. Sunbury being
the county seat, and communication between it and Wyo-
ming being along the river, and much more convenient
than Easton, it was supposed by the provincial authorities
of Pennsylvania, that their laws would be more readily
extended over and promptly enforced against the Con-
necticut intruders. It was found, however, that the
Yankees were as turbulent and ungovernable in North-

(156)

LUZERNE COUNTY. 157

umberland as they had been in Northampton county. It
was now thought advisable to cut off the northern portion
of Northumberhand, and to erect it into a new county.
Accordingly, by the Act of the 25th of September, 1786,
Luzerne county was established, and so named in honor
of the Chevalier De la Luzerne, formerly minister of
France to the United States.

De la Luzerne was born at Paris in 1741 ; and adopt-
ing the military profession, served in the Seven Years'
War, and rose to the rank of colonel. Afterwards aban-
doning arms, he turned his attention to diplomacy. In
1778, in the midst of our Revolutionary struggle, he was
appointed minister to the United States. He remained
here five years, and completely won the hearts of the
people of this country by his prudence and wisdom, and
by the concern he manifested for their interests. In 1780,
when our army was most destitute, and government with-
out means, he raised money on his own responsibility to
relieve the general distress. He afterwards became am-
bassador for France to the Court of London ; and in 1789,
when the Federal Government was organized, Jefferson,
secretary of state, by order of President Washington,
addressed a letter to the Chevalier De la Luzerne,
making express acknowledgment of his services, and the
sense of them entertained by the nation.

No one can fail to see the propriety of selecting the
name of this distinguished and generous foreigner for that
of the new county. The honor conferred was an appro-
nriate expression of the respect and gratitude of the people
jy their representatives, for the services of a generous
friend, who, in the darkest hour of the Republic's peril,
had furnished them the means to maintain a successful
struggle against tyranny.

158 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

To perfect the boundary lines of Luzerne, in 1804 a
portion of the north-western corner was annexed to
Lycoming county; and in 1808 there was added to it a
part of Northumberland, lying west and south-west of
the Nescopeck Creek.

In 1810, a portion of Bradford — then called Ontario —
and Susquehanna counties, were set off from Luzerne.
Had the southern boundary of Susquehanna county been
run as intended by the Act of the Legislature, separating
it from Luzerne, the pleasant town of Dundaff would still
be included within the limits of the latter. A dotted line
on the accompanying map shows the true boundary,
which probably will never be established.

Wyoming county w^as formed out of the north-western
part of Luzerne, in the year 1842, and in 1856 a small
portion of Foster township was annexed to Carbon county,
reducing Luzerne to its present boundaries. The original
territory of Luzerne embraced five thousand square miles,
exceeding in extent the state of Connecticut. With its
present area of one thousand four hundred and twenty-
seven square miles, it is still the largest county in the
Commonwealth ; containing five hundred square miles
more than Lancaster or Berks, and sixty-seven more
than the state of Rhode Island. " Like the farm of the
old Roman, which, as each successive son took from it
his portion, was more productive the smaller it grew ;"
so Luzerne now has more aggregate wealth than when
her territory exceeded thrice its present size. Within
the last twenty years Luzerne has made astonishing
advancement in population, wealth, and enterprise, as-
cribable to the opening of her coal-mines ; but as these
will be treated of under the appropriate head, we pass
now to a brief description of its

' '',1 I

».

LUZERNE COUNTY. 159

VALLEYS.

Wyoming Valley — from Maughwauwame, the Indian
name, signifying large plains — is situated in the centre
of the county, and is one of the most celebrated valleys
in the world. Its history has been written by at least
four historians ; and its scenery, battles, and thrilling
incidents, have furnished rich materials for the pens and
pencils of numerous poets, novelists, and artists. It has
been visited by Louis Philippe, afterwards king of the
French ; by nobles and bards ; by governors, bishops,
senators, and travelers from various parts of the civilized
world, who have joined with Campbell in saying, Wyo-
ming is " the loveliest land of all, that see the Atlantic
wave their morn restore." It is twenty-one miles in
length from north-east to south-west, with an average
breadth of three miles. It contains forty thousand acres
of land ; of which twenty-five thousand are cultivated,
the remainder being occupied by groves, streams, &c.
The Susquehanna river gracefully winds through the
centre of the valley, occasionally inundating and enrich-
ing the low alluvial soil, which yields abundant harvests
to the labors of the husbandman. The high lands extend-
ing from the plains to the base of the surrounding moun-
tains, with the aid of manure, produce abundantly, and
constitute about one-half of the whole surface of the
valley.

The mount-ains encompassing this valley vary in height
from five hundred to nineteen hundred feet, and are cov-
ered with mighty oaks and hemlocks, which have with-
stood the blasts of ages. From Prospect Rock, Campbell's
or Dial Ledge, from Ross or Dilley's Hill, or from any
other prominent point of observation, this valley, in whole

160 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY. '

or in part, presents to the eye a complete picture, u
truth, it is the union of many superb pictures in om
grand perfection, and herein consists its superiority over
all other landscapes.

Lackawanna Valley derives its name from the Lacka-
wanna river, which courses through its whole length, and
signifies forks, or union of loaters. It is a delightful val-
ley, with an undulating surface, extending in length thirty
miles from north-east to south-west, and contains about
eighteen thousand acres of land, a considerable portion
of which is cultivated. From the summit of the Moosic
Mountains, this populous valley stretches far away be-
fore the eya of the beholder, presenting a scene of rare
beauty. Groves, green fields, and sparkling streams
inspire admiration, as he looks down upon what has been
justly called, by her own historian, "the Sister of Wyo-
ming." Not robed by Dame Nature, it is true, in the
same charming attractions as Wyoming, but belonging to
the same fiimily, settled by the same people, who hand-
in-hand braved danger and died together defending their
altars and firesides. May their children be for ever bound
together in the fraternity of peace !

Huntington Valley derives its name from Huntington
township, and lies in the north-western part of the county.
It comprehend; portions of Fairmount and Ross town-
ships, and nearly the whole of Huntington township.
This valley is ten miles in length from north to south,
and five miles wide from east to west, and contains more
than thirty thousand acres of red-shale land, three-fourths
of which are cultivated. The Huntington creek flows
through its whole extent, afibrding excellent water-power
for mills, and forming an essential feature in the grand
and picturesque views obtained from the surrounding
mountains. Two magnificent views of this fine valley

LUZERNE COUNTY. 161

nmy be obtained, one from the summit of the Huntington
Mountain on the south, at the point where the Susque-
hanna and Tioga turnpike road crosses it, and one from
the summit of the Great North Mountain, near Kej'ser's.
The former is fifteen hundred, and the latter twenty hun-
dred feet above the level of the Susquehanna river, and
the prospects presented from these elevated points are
among the grandest within the limits of the state.

SuGARLOAF Valley is situated in the south-western
extremity of the county, and includes parts of Sugarloaf,
Butler, and Black Creek townships. It derives its name
from an isolated cone-shaped mountain, five hundred feet
high, towering near the centre of the valley. It is ten
miles in length, from north-east to south-west, by about
three in breadth, and contains twenty thousand acres of
red-shale land. The Nescopeck and Black Creeks mean-
der through the valley, uniting their waters in the south-
west, where they break through the Nescopeck Mountain,
and flow onward to the river. Its surface is undulating,
and well cultivated by an industrious people. Like the
other valleys which have been described, Sugarloaf is
surrounded by mountains. The Nescopeck on the north-
west, and Buck Mountain on the south-east, lift their
craggy heads to the clouds. From their summits the
traveler, passing from Wilkesbarre or Berwick towards
Hazelton, may gaze on one of the most beautiful of vales
spread out beneath his feet.

There are some valleys without names, as well as many
fine open districts of country in Luzerne, not properly
denominated valleys, wdiich will be remarked upon under
the head of townships.

162 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

MOUNTAINS.

'* He who first met the Highlands' swelling blue,
Will love each peak that shows a kimlred hue,
Hail in each crag a friend's familiar face,
And clasp the mountain in his mind's embrace."

The Alleghany or Appalachian Mountains extend from
Georgia to the British possessions on the north-east of the
United States, terminating in the bold headlands of Cape
Gaspe. Their general direction is from north-east to
south-west, and the principal chains are the Blue Ridge,
North Mountain, Cumberland, Jackson, and Laurel Moun-
tains, which divide the waters flowing into the Atlantic
from those that flow into the Mississippi and into the
Gulf of Mexico. The height of these ranges varies from
eight hundred to twenty-five hundred feet, though there
are peaks towering far above these. The Black Moun-
tain, in North Carolina, is 6476 feet a])ove the level of
the sea, and is the most elevated point in the United
States east of the Rocky Mountains.

The White Mountains, in New Hampshire, are clad in
ice and snow ten months in the year, and range in height
above the sea as follows : Mount Washington, 6234 feet;
Mount Adams, 5328 feet; Mount Jefferson, 5058 feet;
Mount Monroe, 4932 feet; Mount Madison, 4866 feet;
Mount Franklin, 4711 feet.

The highest peak of the Otter Mountains, in Virginia,
is 5307 feet; and the highest peak of the Catskill. in New
York, is 3804 feet above the level of the sea.

The mountains of Luzerne are component parts of the
Alleghanies, having the same general direction, but in-
stead of being covered with eternal ice and snow, hurling
the sunboains bixck to the vaulted sky, they are clad in
{rreen to their summits during the greater part of the

LUZERNE COUNTY. 163

year. The timber found upon them is chiefly oak,
pine, and hemlock, interspersed with ash, maple, beach,
and chestnut, which, mingling their foliage, give to the
mountain side a variety of beautiful and delicate colors.

The North Mountain is the highest in the county,
being 2000 feet above the Susquehanna river at Wilkes-
barre, and 2636 feet above the level of the ocean. It
extends through the north-western corner of the county,
crossing the townships of Lake, Ross, and Fairmount.
It divides the waters which empty into the North from
these emptying into the West Branch of the Susque-
hanna, and is said to be the only mountain in the county
now inhabited by the panther.

Huntington Mountain extends through Salem and
Huntington townships, and is eight hundred feet above
the level of the Susquehanna.

Shickshinny Mountain, in Salem and Union town-
ships, is eight hundred and sixty feet in height above the
river, which winds along its base from the Nanticoke dam
to the Shickshinny Creek.

Plymouth and Kingston Mountains rano^e throuo-h

o o

the townships of Plymouth, Kingston, and Exeter, form-
ing the north-western boundary of Wyoming Valley, and
varying in height from five hundred to eight hundred and
fifty feet above the river.

Capouse Mountain, so named from Capouse, the chief
of the Muncy Indians, takes its rise in Ransom township,
above the mouth of the Lackawanna river, and extends
to Fell township, in the north-east corner of the county.
It forms the north-western boundary of Lackawanna
Valley, and is eight hundred and fift}^ feet in height
above the level of the Lackawanna river.

Bald Mountain, on this range, in Newton township,
is seventeen hundred and fifty feet in height above the
river, and affords an extensive and grand view of the

164 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

suiTDunding country. Its position gives the observer a
complete prospect of Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys.
The bridge at Wilkesbarre. twenty-two miles distant, is
plainly discernible.

Dial or Campbell's Rock, at the south-western point of
Capouse Mountain, in Ransom township, is about seven
hundred feet above the river, and is frequently visited by
travelers and others, on account of the exceedingly beauti-
ful and picturesque view of Wyoming presented to the eye
from its summit. This rock, lying direct^ north and
south, was the noon-mark of the first inhabitants of Wyo-
ming, and hence it was called Dial Rock, which is its pro-
per name. Some say a man named Campbell was killed
here by the Indians. This statement has, probably^
no more foundation than that of a young lady from
Philadelphia, who, in writing to her friends, told them
she had stood on the rock where Thomas Campbell wrote
his Gertrude of Wyoming ! It is well known that Camp-
bell never saw Wyoming, or even the shores of America.

Having given a brief description of the mountains
north and north-west of the Susquehanna and Lacka-
wanna, I proceed to a similar account of those south and
south-east of these rivers.

Lee's Mountain, named from Colonel Washington Lee,
extends along the Susquehanna in a south-east direction,
through Newport and Hollenback townships, and is eight
hundred feet in height above the river. Palpit Roch, on
this mountain, in Hollenback township, is nine hundred
feet in height, and is often visited by parties of pleasure.
From this point a fine view is obtained of the open coun-
try, extending from Beach Grove, in Salem township, to
Bloomsburg, in Columbia county, a distance of eighteen
or twenty miles. This peak was named Kansal Kopf by
the early German settlers in Hollenback township, which

LUZERNE COUNTY. 165

term signifies pulpit rock. Honey Pot is the north-eastern
terminus of Lee's Mountain at Nanticoke, and is eight
hundred and sixty-five feet in height. This name was
given to it by Major Prince Alden, in 1772, who owned
the property, and, on his first entrance, discovered upon
it vast quantities of wild bees. From the summit of the
Hone}'- Pot, though seldom visited, Wyoming Valley pre-
sents more real beaut}^ than from any other point, and
the most charming picture of the valley ever obtained
was from this position, by Mr. Perkins, some years ago.

The Wyoming or Wilkesbarre range of mountains
extends through Newport, Hanover, Wright, Wilkesbarre,
Bear Creek, and Pittston townships, and constitutes the
south-eastern boundary of Wyoming Valley. These
mountains vary in height. The Five Mile Mountain is
one thousand five hundred and fifty-two feet in height
above the Susquehanna ; the summit level of the Susque-
hanna and Lehigh Railroad is one thousand one hundred
and seventy-two feet, and the Wilkesbarre Mountain, near
Wilkesbarre, is one thousand and fifty feet in height.
Pros])ect Roch, two miles from Wilkesbarre, is seven hun-
dred and fifty feet above the river, and is the most cele-
brated point of observation, because the most convenient.
Near this spot is the Prospect House, a large and excellent
hotel, kept by Mr. Stiles Williams. The location is very
fine, and it is a favorite place of resort in the summer,
where the very best entertainment is provided for visitors.
Penohscot Kiiob, on this range, is one thousand six hundred
and thirty-nine feet above the river, and is five miles distant
from Wilkesbarre. Bald Mountain, in the same range, in
Bear Creek township, is one thousand eight hundred and
twenty-five feet above the level of the river, and is nine
miles from Wilkesbarre. From the summit of this peak
the mountains of Centre county, and the waters of the

166 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

West Branch of the Susquehanna, the North Mountain,
the Blue Ridge, and the vast expanse of country, with its
rivers, lakes, and valleys, embracing innumerable farms,
towns, and villages, stretch out before, and lie within, the
vision of the beholder.

Moosic Mountain, formerly inhabited by the moose,
extends through Lackawanna, Blakeley, Providence, and
Carbondale townships, and bounds the Lackawanna Val-
ley on the south-east. The average height of this range
is nine hundred and fifty feet, and, from its summit, about
five miles east of Carbondale, a fine view is presented of
Salem, Mount Pleasant, and Canaan townships, in Wayne
county, together with the mountains of the Delaware,
about the mouth of the Lackawaxen and Narrowsburg.

Nescopeck Mountain extends from Black Creek town-
ship, on the south-wes-tern, to Jefferson township, on the
eastern boundary of the county. It is very regular in its
formation, approximating the regularity of the Great
Blue Ridge. Its average height is one thousand feet, and
it divides the waters that flow into the Lehigh from those
tiowing into the Susquehanna.

Buck Mountain, in the southern part of the county,
extends through Black Creek, Butler, Denison, Sugarloaf,
and Foster townships, and is also a dividing line between
the waters of the Lehigh and Susquehanna. It is one
thousand feet in height.

Crystal Ridge, in Hazel township, is an elevated
mountain celebrated for its quartz, occurring in pellucid
glassy forms, which is found in great aljundance.

Our object in enumerating these mountains has been to
impartcorrect information with respect to their location and
height. The altitude of each, with one or two exceptions,
is from actual measurements and surveys made by com-
petent engineers. No stranger who visits the valleys of

LUZERNE COUNTY. 16'

Wyoming and Lackawanna should fail to ascend Penoi.
scot, or Bald Mountain, the Honey Pot, and Prospect, or
Dial Rock, From their summits his eye will rest on
scenery which no pen can adequately describe, or artist's
pencil paint. Here stood the Indian before the primeval
forest disappeared, and looked out upon his wilderness
home, admiring nature, and worshiping nature's God.
The savage is gone, and in his stead is the white man.
who has grafted on the sublimity of nature the beauty of
art. We cast our eye over these enchanting views and
almost forget the violent struggle, the bloodshed, the con-
flagration, and the desolated harvests which followed the
departure of the aborigines from their homes and the
graves of their fathers.

RIVERS AND CREEKS.

" See the rivers how they run,
Through woods and meads, in shade and sun.
Sometimes swift, sometimes slow,
Wave suceeding wave, thej go
A various journey to the deep,
Like human life to endless sleep."

Susquehanna is an Indian name, signifying broad,
shallow river. It is the largest stream in Pennsylvania,
being four hundred and fifty miles in length. It is chiefly
formed by the North and West Branches, which unite at
Northumberland. The former rises in Otsego Lake and
the highlands of Otsego county, in the state of New
York. It receives the Chenango at Binghamton, and
the Chemung below Athens, and enters Luzerne from
Wyoming county on the north, between Exeter and
Newton townships. Its length in Luzerne county is
forty-five miles, and its average breadth eight hundred
feet. Its current is ordinarily two and a half miles an

168 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

lour, but in high water a raft will run five miles an hour,
Its fall is two feet per mile, and its course is south and
south-west. Perhaps no other river in America rolls
onward to the ocean, through forty-five miles of continu-
ous countr}^, so grand and picturesque in its general
features. Lofty mountains, craggy clifts, green fields,
and groves, thriving villages and crystal-bound islands,
alternate along the winding stream. Many writers,
known to fame, who have voyaged this distance, have
recorded in poetry or in prose their high admiration of
its beauties.

One day, towards the close of the last century, just as
the sun was rising above the hill-tops, three plainly-
dressed men stepped into an Indian canoe at Frenchtown.
They were foreigners who, after wandering in exile
through Lapland, Russia, Sweden, and other countries of
Europe, at length found safety in the great republic of
the New World. They were princes, born in sunny
France. Having heard of the beauties of the Susque-
hanna and Wyoming scenery, they had resolved to visit
^vhat they afterward declared was one of the fairest spots
on earth. They landed at Wilkesbarre in June, 1797,
and found comfortable lodgings at Arndt's tavern on
River street, lately remodeled, and now occupied by E.
P. Darling, Esq. One of these was the Duke of Orleans,
another the Duke of Montpensier, and the third Count
IJeaujoleis, exiles, compelled to leave their native coun-
try, then struggling in the throes of her great Revolution.

Lackawanna or Leiiawhanna river rises in Susquehan-
na county, and, flowing south-west about \ii\y miles, unites
with the Susquehanna river innnediately above Pittston
It is a rapid stream, having an average fall of eight feet
to the mile, and, until within a few years, was used for
rafting in times of high water. It is about one hundred

LUZERNE COUNTY. 169

feet wide at its mouth, and is used as a feeder to the
North Branch Canal, the dam being two miles above its
confluence. Near Scranton a gaseous vapor rises from
the bed of the stream, which ignites and burns freely. It
is a curiosity worthy the attention of the traveler.

Lehigh, in early times, was known as the north branch
of the Delaware river. It rises in Luzerne and Wayne
counties, flows south-west one hundred miles, and unites
with the Delaware at Easton, where it is three hundred
feet wide. It forms the boundary line between Luzerne
and Monroe counties, and is a turbulent stream, having
an averao;e fall of seventeen feet to the mile. The head
waters of the Lehigh are 1882 feet above tide. Large
quantities of lumber passed dow^n on its swollen tide at an
early day, but boats, at present, are chiefly used in con-
veying it to market, the river being slackwater from
White Haven.* From Mauch Chunk, or a few miles
below, the Lehigh runs through a pleasant well cultivated
country, but above that point the scenery along its banks
is wild and mountainous, and its waters plunge and dash
against the rocks, stunning the ear with their sound.

The principal creeks flowing into the Susquehanna, on
the north-west, are as follows :

Shickshinny Creek-j- rises in Ross township, courses
south-east through Union, and is eight miles in length ;

Hunlock Creek, so called from Jonathan Hunlock, who
settled near its mouth about the year 1773, rises in Ross
township, runs south-east through LTnion, and is ten
miles in length ;

Harvey's Creek, named from Benjamin Harvey, who
located near its junction in 1775, is the outlet of Harvey's
Lake. It flows south-east through Lake, Lehman, Jack-

* Lehigh Navigation was destroyed in 1862. See Appendix Y.
t Meaning, quick dasldng ivater.

170 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

son, and Plymouth townships, and is twelve miles in
length ;

Toby's Creek derives its name from Tobyhanna, an In-
dian name, signifying alder stream, from the abundance
of alders growing on its banks. It rises in Dallas town-
ship, and Hows south-east through Lehman, Jackson, and
Kingston townships. Its length is ten miles ;

Abram's Creek, so called from Abram, chief of the Mo-
bicans, whose village was located near Forty Fort, rises
in Dallas township, and flows through Kingston. It is
eight miles in length ;

Huntington Creek rises in the Long Pond in Sullivan
county, and in Fairmount and Ross townships. It runs
south sixteen miles, and empties into Fishing Creek in
Columbia county. Prior to the erection of Huntington
township it was known as the east branch of Fishing
Creek.

The largest streams emptying into the Susquehanna,
on the south-east, are —

Nescopeck Creek, from the Indian, which signifies deep,
hlach water, rises in Denison township, runs south-west
through Wright, Butler, Sugarloaf, Bhick Creek, and
Nescopeck, and is twentj^-eight miles in length ;

Big Wapwallopen, signifying the place where the mes-
sengers were murdered, rises in Wright, flows nearly west
through Dorrance and Hollenback townships, and is
twenty miles in length ;

Little Wapwallopen rises in Slocum township, and
runs through Hollenback. It is thirteen miles in length;

Solomon's Creek was so called from a Mr. Solomon, who
settled near its confluence with the Susquehanna in 1774.
It rises in Wilkesl^arre township, runs through Hanover,
and is seven miles in length ;

Mill Creek, so called by the first inhabitants who erected

LUZERNE COUNTY. 171

the first grist and saw mills upon its banks in 1772, rises
in Pittston township, flows through Bear Creek, Jenkins,
Plains, and Wilkesbarre, and empties into the Susque-
hanna one mile above the borough of Wilkesbarre. Its
length is eight miles.

Spring Brook has its rise in Covington, runs through
Spring Brook and Lackawanna townships, and empties
into the Lackawanna river above the village of Pittston.
Its length is twelve miles.

Black Creek is so called from the dark color of its
waters. It rises in Foster and runs west through Hazel,
Sugarloaf, and Black Creek townships, emptying into the
Nescopeck. It is eighteen miles in length.

Nayaug or Roaring Brook rises in Covington, runs
through Madison and Providence townships, and empties
into the Lackawanna at Scranton. It is twelve miles
long.

Bear Creek, which is twelve miles in length, rises in
Bear Creek township, runs south-west, and empties into
the Lehigh.

Many of these streams have their sources in the nume-
rous lakes and ponds which abound in this county, and
others have their rise in small mountain springs. Their
waters are generally clear and cold. They afford excel-
lent water-power, chiefly occupied by grist and saw mills,
and abound in trout and other delicious fish.

The streams of this county are crossed by numerous
and excellent bridges. A few of the largest and most
costly may be noticed.

The Nescopeck Bridge, across the Susquehanna at Ber-
wick, was erected in 1816 by the Nescopeck Bridge Com-
pany, incorporated in 1807. It was built by the celebrated
bridge builder, Theodore Burr, and was 1250 feet in length.
It cost $36,000, a portion of which was furnished by the

172 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

state. This bridge was carried away by the ice and high
water in 1836. The second bridge, now standing, was
erected in 1837 on the site of the old one, and cost
$27,5'00. The constructors were Eliphalet Edson and
"i^ouyull Samuel Millard.

The Wilkesbarre Bridge was completed in 1818 by the
Wilkesbarre Bridge Company, incorporated in 1807. The
constructors were Messrs. Weniwag and Powel, who were
two years in building it, at a cost of $44,000, In 1819
the pier next to Wilkesbarre was undermined, and two
reaches of the bridge were lost. The damage was repaired
by the state, at a cost of $13,000. In the winter of 1824
a tremendous hurricane swept over the valley, uprooting
trees and blowing down houses. It lifted the whole
superstructure of this bridge from the piers, and, carry-
ing it several feet up stream, lodged it on the ice. To
rebuild the bridge the Legislature appropriated $15,000
of state claims, or liens, due from Luzerne county, and
appointed George M. HoUenback, Garrick Mallery, and
Calvin Wadhams, commissioners, to carry out the pur-
poses of the Act. The commissioners ap[)ointed Andrew
Beaumont to collect the money, and let the work. Reu-
ben Fields became the architect. The state then had
$28,000 of stock in the bridge, which was sold a few
years ago. It has four arches, each 175 feet in length.

The Pittston Ferry Bridge was built in 1851, at a cost
of $16,500. It is a wide single-track bridge, with stone
piers, and its length is 750 feet. The constructor was
Enos Trescott.

Paddy's Run Bridge Company was incorporated in
1857 with a capital of $50,000. Their bridge crosses the
Susquehanna at Shickshinny. It has a double track, with
a railroad laid on the carriage track. It connects the
Newport coal-field with the canal, and with the Blooms-

LUZERNE COUNTY. 173

burg and Lackawanna Railroad. It is what is called a
Burr bridge, with stone piers and stone ice-breakers. Its
length is 676 feet. The constructor was Jedidiah Irish.*
There are several beautiful and fertile islands in the
Susquehanna, within the limits of this county. I men-
tion ScoJielcVs, above the mouth of the Lackawanna ;
Wintermoot' s, a short distance below Pittston ; Monocho-
7iock, or Monockacy, above the village of Troy ; Fislis,
immediately below Wilkesbarre ; Park's, at the mouth of
Toby's Creek ; RlcJianVs next, about tw^o miles below"
Park's ; Lyons, at Lyon's Ferry ; 8miihei-s, near Beach
Grove, and Rocky Island, at Beach Haven. These islands
contain from five to two hundred acres of land. The
largest are cultivated and inhabited.

LAKES AND PONDS.

"The polish'd mirror of the lake,
In which the deep reflected sky appears,
A calm sublime immensity below."

Carlos Wilcox.

North America surpasses all the world besides in fresh-
water seas or lakes. These lakes contain more than half
of the fresh water of the globe. The lakes on the North-
ern Plains in British America are almost innumerable.
The whole country is interspersed with lakes, ponds, and
rivers. The Great Lakes are five in number — Superioi',
Huron, Michigan, Erie, and Onta.rio.

Lake Superior is the largest body of fresh w^ater in the
New World, and its surface is almost equal to that of all
England. It is 600 feet above the level of the Atlantic,
and is nearly 1000 feet in depth. It is 355 miles in
length, and 160 miles in breadth.

* This bridge was carried away by the flood of 1865, and is being rebuilt.

174 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Lake Michigan is 320 miles in length, and 100 miles
in breadth. Its elevation is 578 feet, and its depth 900
feet.

Lake Huron is 260 miles in length, and 160 in breadth.
It has a depth of 900 feet, with an elevation of 574
feet.

Lake Erie is 240 miles in length, and 80 in breadth.
Its elevation is 565 feet. It is a basin of comparatively
little depth, but is exposed to tempests and dangerous
fogs.

Lake Ontario has a mean depth of 500 feet. Its ele-
vation is 232 feet, extending in length 180 miles by 33
miles in breadth. It is estimated that these lakes drain
335,515 square miles of territory. The four first named
of these lakes discharge their waters over the world-
renowned Falls of Niagara. The thickness of the water
on the Falls, in the centre of the Horse-shoe, is twenty
feet, and it is computed that five thousand million barrels
of water are precipitated over them every twenty-four
hours. The hydraulic power of the Falls has been esti-
mated as equivalent to that of four millions five hundred
thousand horses — a power sufficient to set in motion all
the manufactories of the world.

As we advance southward into the interior of North
America the lakes grow smaller. In New York state
there are several beautiful and extensive lakes, as the
Oneida, Seneca, and Cayuga. In Pennsylvania the lakes
are still smaller than those of New York. In Luzerne
county their number, great and small, is about forty.
Many of them are mere ponds. They are, in truth,
springs of pure cold water, having, in most cases, no
visible inlet. They furnish fish in abundance, such as
pike, pickerel, perch, sun and catfish, but no trout. The

LUZERNE COUNTY. 175

shores and bottoms of these lakes and ponds are gene-
rally composed of sand and gravel, and the depth of
water is seldom less than five feet or more than two hun-
dred. Here and there, surrounding these bodies of water,
are cultivated fields, with woodlands interspersed, and
frowning mountains beyond, forming beautiful scenery,
and sheltering the fisherman from the rays of the burn-
ing sun, as he rows gently along the shore, or casts his
line beneath the trees or in the mountain shadows. Deer
are frequently shot at night, as they approach these lakes
for water, by hunters in boats with torch-lights. The
deer gazes with astonishment at the slow-moving light
on the water, his eyes glaring like iDalls of fire, when he
suddenly falls before the hunter's rifle.

Harvey's Lake, 1000 feet above the level of the
Susquehanna, is situated in Lake township, twelve miles
north-west of Wilkesbarre. It is an immense spring of
pure cold water, with a beautiful clean sand and gravel
bottom, and varies in depth from five to two hundred
feet. It was first discovered by Benjamin Harvey, who
settled upon its outlet prior to the Revolutionary War.
It was surveyed in 1794, when covered with ice, by
Christopher Hurlbert, who found it extended over an
area of 1285 acres, a little more than two square miles.
It is the largest body of fresh water in Pennsylvania,
and furnishes an abundant supply of fish, which, owing
to the purity of the water, are of superior quality.

The Lake House, situated on an elevated spot near the
south-western shore, is a large, commodious, and well-
finished building, kept by an accommodating landlord,
Mr. Nicholson, who furnishes boats for rowing or sailing,
and, also, an abundant supply of well-prepared food, such
as venison, fish, and wild fowls taken from the surround-

176 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

iug forests and from the crystal water. To all persons
desirous of a pleasant, healthy, quiet summer retreat, we
say, go to Harvey's Lake, where you can have plenty of
fresh air, pure water, delightful scenery, and just enough
of fashion to make your visit agreeable. The first canoe
ever launched upon the bosom of this lake by a white
man was made in Wyoming Valley, in 1800, by Andrew
Bennet. It was shod with hickory saplings, and was
drawn over the mountain by horses, and used in fishing
and hunting.

Crystal Lakes, in Greenfield and Fell townships, are
beautiful sheets of water, and among the largest in the
county. The upper lake, partly in Susquehanna county,
furnished the first sand for Phinney's Glass Works, in
1832, It covers an area of 300 acres, and is one of the
vsources of the Lackawanna river.

Chapman's Lake, in Scott township, is a tributary of
the Tunkhannock Creek, and covers 100 acres of ground.

Lake Henry, in Covington township, extends over an
area of 300 acres, and is the source of Roaring Creek,
It is situated on the high range of the Moosic Moun-
tains, which divide the waters of the Lacl^awanna from
those of the Lehigh. It is 1882 feet above the level of
the sea.

Beaver Lake, in Buck township, is one mile in length
and a half mile in breadth. It is the source of Pond
Creek, which flows into the Lehigh.

Sheik's Pond, Bassett's, Long, Windfall, and Hand-
some Ponds are all in Benton township, and extend over
an area of from 100 to 300 acres each, and form a consider-
able portion of the head waters of the Tunkhannock
Creek.

Wall. Gravel, and Mud Ponds pour their waters into

LUZERNE COUNTY. 177

the South Branch of the Tunkhannock Creek, and lie in
Abington township.

Cobb's Pond, in Jefferson township, is one mile long by
a half mile wide. It has a beautiful sand and gravel
bottom, and is 1800 feet above the level of the sea. Its
waters empty into the Lehigh.

Rattlesnake Pond, in Springbrook township, covers an
area of 60 acres, and has a mud bottom. It is one of
the sources of Springbrook.

Hazard's Pond, in Providence township, empties its
v/aters into the Lackawanna river. Being situated near
a densely populated region, its waters are often vexed by
fishermen of various skill and character.

Triangle Pond, in Wright township, has an area of
150 acres, and is one of the sources of the Little Wap-
wallopen Creek.

Long and Round Ponds, in Slocum township, are also
sources of the Little Wapwallopen, and abound in fish.
The former is about a mile long by a half mile wide ; the
latter is smaller. Their depth is from twenty-five to fifty
feet.

Three Cornered Pond, in Lehman township, is a hand-
some body of clear water, and constitutes one of the
sources of Hunlock Creek.

North and South Ponds, in Ross township, the former
covering 250 acres, and the latter about 150, discharge
their waters through Hunlock Creek.

Mud Pond, in Fairmount township, empties into the
Huntington Creek, which also receives the waters of Long
Pond, in Sullivan county, near the Luzerne county line.
At this latter point, on the summit of the North Moun-
tain, 2636 feet above the level of the sea, Mr. C. Ricketts,
of Orangeville, Columbia county, erected a large stone

hotel. Long Pond furnishes plenty of excellent fish, and
12

178 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the surrounding woodlands an abundance of game. The
mountain air is pure and bracing, and all things conspire
to make a visit to Long Pond Hotel agreeable to persons
fond of exercise, and in search of good fishing and hunting
grounds.

POPULATION.

Malthus and Sonnenfels have treated at large of the
theory of population, its increase and subsistence, in whose
works the reader will find much curious information.
Some governments have found it necessary to stimulate
the increase of their populations. In the earlier days of
Rome, the citizen who had the greatest number of legiti-
mate children was preferred before all other candidates
for office, and the female who remained unmarried until
she reached the age of forty-five years, was not permitted
to wear jewels. Louis XIV. of France, gave presents to
women who were the mothers of ten or more children.
It has never been found necessary to increase population
by such means in this country. A whole continent of
fertile soil, spread out with inviting abundance, has drawn
millions to our shores, and the natural increase has been
enormous. The statistics of our own county may be
taken as a fair specimen of the rapidity with which popu-
lation increases in the United States. In 1774, the popu-
lation of Westmoreland, then under the jurisdiction of
(Connecticut, was 1922, scattered over a territory now in-
cluded in Luzerne, W^^oming, Susquehanna, Bradford, and
a portion of Wayne counties. In 1790, when the same
territory, except Wayne, was embi'aced within the bound-
aries of Luzerne, the population was 4904, or one inha-
bitant to each square mile. In 1800 it was 12,838,
showing an average annual increase of 793. In 1810 the
population was 18,109, exhibitini:' in the preceding

LUZERNE COUNTY. 179

decade an average annual increase of 538. In 1820,
without Bradford and Susquehanna, it was 20,027, and
in 1830 it was 27,304, being an average annual increase
of 727. In 1840 the number of inhabitants was 44,006,
which shows a,n increase of 16,702 in ten years. In
1850, without Wyoming, the population of Luzerne num-
bered 56,072, a fraction less than 40 to a square mile-
In the same year, Wyoming had 10,653 inhabitants,
which, added to that of Luzerne, makes 66,725.

The following table exhibits the classified population
of Luzerne for the years 1850 and 1860 :

1850. 1S60.

White males 29,465 46,613

Females 26,234 43,327

Colored persons 373 450

Families 9,672 15,065

Dwellings 9,587 14,920

Births 1,976 2,956

Deaths 383 878

Married 597 925

Persons who could not read and -wi-ite . . 2,228 3,981

Persons over 100 years ..... 3 2

Between 90 and 100 6 8

Blind 10 14

Deaf and dumb 8 12

Insane 12 16

Number of foreigners 12,567 23,486

1830, foreigners 785.

'a ■

In 1790, Luzerne contained 11 slaves and 13 free
colored persons; in 1800, the slaves were 18, free 78;
in 1810, slaves 8, free 99 ; in 1820, slaves 2, free 111 ; in
1830, there was 1 slave and 186 free; in 1840, 1 slave,
194 free, and in 1850 there were 373 free persons of color.

Among the old county records, we find the following :

" To Lord Butler, Clerk of the Peace, &c.

"June 19th, 1796. I, John Hollenback, of the town-
ship of Wilkesbarre, county of Luzerne (miller), do
certify, that I have a negro female child, by the name of
Maria, born of a negro woman, which is my property.
The child was born the 19th day of February last, and is

180 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

four months old to-day. This negro child I desire you to
record, agreeably to a law of the state, passed March 29th,
1788." This law was passed in order to obviate certain
evils and abuses which had grown up under the law of
March 1st, 1780, enacted for the gradual abolition of
slavery in this Commonwealth. When the law for the
extinguishment of slavery was passed, there could not
have been more than about 3500 slaves in the state, still
nearly seventy years elapsed before it entirely disappeared
from among us. It may be mentioned as a curious fact,
that though the colored people numbered only about one-
seventh of the whole population of the United States in
1850, yet in the year preceding the taking of the census,
318 of them died, while but 1G3 whites died, of the age
of 100 years and upwards.

To show the difference in the increase of population in
the agricultural and mining townships of Luzerne, we
give the following statistics of townships, which were not
divided between 1840 and 1850.

Agricultural Toionships.

1840. 1850.

Fairmount, 594 958

Benton, 733 849

Huntington, 1510 1747

Salem, 1009 1130

3846 4684

Milling Toionships.

Blakely,

Hazel, including Hazelton,
Providence, including Scranton, Hyde,
Park, &c.,

1840.

1850.

570

1703

895

2081

1169

4469

2634

8253

LUZERNE COUNTY. 181

The agricultural districts show an increase of less than
22 per cent., while the mining regions exhibit an increase
exceeding 213 per cent., the latter being nearly ten times
greater than the former.

In 1860 the population of the foregoing townships
was as foUows :

Agncultural Townships.

Fairmount, . . . . . 1190

Benton, . . . . . . 1150

Huntington, . . . . . 1548

Salem, ...... 1396

Mining Townsldps.

Blakely, ...... 3751

Hazel, including Hazelton, . . 5539
Providence, including Scranton, Hyde

Park, &c., 16,671

Thus from 1850 to 1860 the agricultural districts show
an increase of 15 per cent., while the mining regions
exhibit an increase of 300 per cent.

CHAPTER VI.

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS.

The original townships, laid out by the Susquehanna
Land Company, are named on the accompanying county
map in open letters, and their boundaries are designated
by dotted lines. These were called Certified Townships,
for the reason that the compromise law of 1799, and its
supplements, required certificates to issue for purposes
fully explained near the close of the chapter on the
Pennamite and Yankee War.

In 1780, the Luzerne Court divided the county into
eleven townships, namely : Wilkesbarre, Pittston, Han-
over, Newport, Exeter, Plymouth, Kingston, Salem,
Tioga, Wyalusing, and Tunkhannock. The three last
embraced nearly all the territory included in Bradford,
Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties. The names of
most of the original townships were retained, while
others, as Bedford and Putnam, were dropped. The
Connecticut or certified townships embraced only the
best land, but the new division by the court extended
the old lines, and included in each a portion of the more
sterile and mountainous country.

By referring to the county map the reader may learn
the location of every borough and township ; the names
and number of post-offices ; the canals ; the common,
turnpike, and railroads; and, by tracing the dotted lines,
can ascertain what proportion, if any, of each township,

(182)

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 183

is embraced within the coal-fields. Descriptions of the
mountains, rivers, creeks, lakes, and ponds, have been
given in another portion of this work, and consequently
will not be referred to in the following sketches of the
boroughs and townships.

The order, as to time, in which the several boroughs
and townships, now constituting Luzerne county, were
formed, is as follows : —

1790, Wilkesbarre, Hanover, Newport, Pittston, Exeter,
Kingston, Plymouth, and Salem.
Nescopeck and Providence.

1792

1793
1806
1809
1813
1816
1817
1818
1829
1831
1533
1834
1836
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1848

Huntington.

Abington, and Wilkesbarre borough.

Sugarloaf.

Union.

Greenfield.

Dallas.

Blakely and Covington.

Lehman.

Carbondale.

Buck.

Fairmount.

Jefierson.

Benton and Lackawanna.

Butler, Denison, and Hazel.

Dorrance.

Lake.

Ross, and the borough of White Haven.

Franklin.

Newton and Jackson.

Madison, Hollenback, and Fell.

Scott.

Black Creek.

184 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

1849, Ransom, and the borough of Providence.

1851, Plains, Wright, and the city of Carbondale.

1852, Jenkins, and the borough of Hyde Park.

1853, Springbrook, and Pittston borough.

1854, Slocum, and the borough of Waverly.

1855, Foster.

1856, Bear Creek, and boroughs of Scranton and Hazelton.

1857, West Pittston borough.

1858, Kingston borough.

1859, The borough of New Columbus.
18G1, Shickshinny borough.

1862, Dunmore borough.

Abington Townsuip, which received its name from
Abington, in Windham county, Connecticut, was formed
from Tunkhannock township, in 1806. The first set-
tlements were made by people from Connecticut and
Rhode Island, in the year 1794. Among them was
Ephraim Leach, who made a small clearing, and erected
a log-cabin near where Humphreyville now stands, a neat
village, containing about twenty dwellings. Stephen
Parker and Thomas Smith, also, cleared land and erected
cabins north of Humphreyville, and Deacon William
Clark and his two sons reared their cabin at Clark's
Green, now containing about twenty dwellings. Besides
these, Job Tripp, Robert Stone, George Gardner, James
Dean, Ezra Dean, and Mr. Wall, settled here in the
same year. The first saw-mills were erected on branches
of the Tunkhannock in 1806, by James Dean and Wil-
liam Clark, and the first church was built in 1809. "We
entered the wilderness," says Mr. Clark, " with our knap-
sacks on our backs, our rifles and axes in our hands, and
depended on game for food until we cleared, and raised
corn, which we pounded in a wooden mortar, or conveyed
on our backs through the woods to Slocum's mill, at what

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 185

is now Scranton." Mrs. William Clark was the first
white woman in Abington, and the fifth was the wife
of the Rev. John Miller. This township contains 41
square miles, two-thirds of which are cleared and culti-
vated, and, with the exception of Huntington, sustains
the best agricultural character of any township in the
county. The land is rolling, and the timber generally is
maple, hemlock, ash, and poplar. It produces excellent
grass, and large quantities of butter are made here, a
considerable portion of which is sent to New York city.
Wheat, rye, corn, oats, &c., are raised, the chief market
of which is the Lackawanna Valley. In this township
are 4 churches, 3 grist-mills, 9 saw-mills, 4 stores, 1
carding-machine, and 3 taverns. Its population, in 1850,
was 2886. (For 1860, see Appendix X.) In 1840, 335
persons were engaged in agriculture.

Bear Creek Township was formed from portions of
Wilkesbarre, Pittston, Buck, Plains, and Jenkins, in 1856.
It was settled chiefly by Jerseymen. The first log-cabin
was built in 1786, on the old Sullivan road, about nine
miles from Wilkesbarre ; and the second was erected by
Arnold Colt, Esq., on the site of the tavern-stand now
occupied by Jonathan Pursel, at the time Mr. Colt was
constructing the Easton and Wilkesbarre turnpike. The
first saw-mill was put up on Bear Creek, in 1800, and
it was owned in 1807 by Oliver Helme. This is the
largest township in the county, containing 67 square
miles. Only one-twelfth part of it, however, is, culti-
vated. Lofty mountains cross it, interspersed with fer-
tile spots which produce oats, corn, and buckwheat. The
inhabitants being chiefly engaged in the lumber trade,
consume more than they raise. The dense forests of pine
and hemlock afford ample ranges for deer and the black
bear, from which last the creek and township derive

186 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

their name. It has 1 church, Methodist Episcopal,
erected in 1857; 1 store, 1 tavern, and 8 saw-mills.

Benton Township was formed from Nicholson in 1838,
prior to the organization of Wyoming county. It was
named in honor of Thomas H. Benton, United States
Senator from Missouri. It was settled chiefly by emigrants
from New England and New York. It contains 28 square
miles, one-half of which is cultivated. Its timber is
principally maple, hemlock, ash, and poplar. The land is
rolling ; and while wheat, r^-e, corn, and oats are raised,
it is well adapted to grazing. In course of time, it is pro-
bable, some of the best dairy-farms in the country will be
found in this township. Improved farms rate from $25
to $45 per acre. Its market is at Scranton and Car-
bondale. Being an agricultural township, and undivided
since the census of 1840, Benton will afford in 1860 fair
data for comparing the increase of its population Mdth
that of the mining townships. The township contains
1 grist-mill, 8 saw-mills, 2 churches, and 2 taverns. Its
population in 1840, was 733; and in 1850, it was 849.
Benton Centre, located near the middle of the township,
is a pleasant village of about 30 dwellings.

Black Creek Township was formed, in 1848, from
Sugarloaf It was originally settled b}^ farmers from
Northampton county, between 1785 and 1790. Bernard
Ilutsinger, George Miller, Mr. Heaster, William Ritten-
house, and William Idenes, were among the first who put
up log-cabins in the township. Mr. Idenes erected the
first saw-mill, in 1789 ; and Mr. Rittenhouse the first
grist-mill, in 1795 — both on Black Creek. The first
church was erected in 1817. It contains 21 square
miles, one-third of which is improved. Its timber is
chiefly oak, chestnut, and hemlock. The land is roll-
ing, and is adapted to wheat, rye, buckwheat, corn, and

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 187

oats. A market for its surplus produce is found at Hazel-
ton, Jeansville, and Beaver Meadows. It has 5 saw-
mills, 2 grist-mills, 2 stores, 1 church, 1 tannery, and 2
taverns. Its population, in 1850, was 425.

Blakelt Township, was formed from Greenfield and
Providence in 1818 ; and was named in honor of Captain
Johnson Blakely, who commanded the United States sloop
of war Wasp, and distinguished himself in an engagement
with the Avon, a British sloop of war.

The first settlement in Blakely was made by Timothy
Stevens, in 1786 ; and in 1814 he erected the first grist-
mill, known as Mott's Mill, on the Lackawanna. In
1795, Nicholas F. Leuchens, the father of God Save
Nicholas Francis Leuchens, built a log-cabin on the site
of Pecksville. Captain John Vaughn settled in the
township in 1797; and Moses Dolph in 1798.

The area of Blakely is 48 square miles, with an undu-
lating surface, one-third of which is cultivated. It pro-
duces wheat, rye, corn, oats, &c., and being in the coal
region has a home-market. There are several villages in
this township.

Archbald, named in honor of James Archbald, for
many years chief engineer of the Delaware and Hudson
Canal and Coal Company, contains about 300 dwellings,
6 stores, 3 churches, 2 taverns, and 1 saw-mill.

Jessup, named in honor of William Jessup, contains 50
dwellings, 1 store, and 1 tavern.

Pecksville has 20 dwellings, 1 store, 1 grist-mill, 2 saw-
mills, 1 sash factory, and 1 paling-mill.

Oliphant contains about 100 dwellings. It is a coal
town, belonging to the Delaware and Hudson Canal and
Coal Company, and has lately sprung into existence.

Besides those in the villages there are in the township
5 saw-mills, 1 store, 1 tavern, and 1 church.

188 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The population of Blakely in 1840 was 510, and in
1850 it was 1703. Tliis township was not divided be-'
tween 1840 and 1850, and exhibits the rapid increase of
population in the mining districts. About one-half of its
present inhabitants are Irish, Germans, and Welsh. In
1840 only 4 persons were engaged in mining, and 119 in
agriculture.

Buck Township was formed from Covington in 1833,
and derived its name from George Buck, who was one of
its early settlers, and who kept the first tavern, after-
wards known as Terwiliger's. John Nagle was the first
settler in Buck. He built his log-cabin on the old Sulli-
van road, near the Lehigh, in 1782, fourteen miles from
any human habitation. Conrad Sox, Justice Simonson,
Samuel Wildrick, and Thomas Tattershall settled here
soon after. Mr. Simonson is nearly one hundred years
of age, and within the past four years has walked to
Wilkesbarre, a distance of fifteen miles.

The first saw-mill was erected in 1806 by Hugh Conner,
on the site of Stoddartsville, and in 1816 the first church
was built there by John Stoddart.

In 1810 the Great Swamp, which extends over a con-
siderable portion of Buck, was purchased by a company
of Philadelphia speculators. A president and eighteen
councilmen were elected ; and the " City of Rome" was
laid out, one hundred miles from the seaboard, in a dark
gloomy swamp, called the " Shades of Death" by those
who fled through it from AVyoming after the massacre in
1778. Three or four shipbuilders and a number of arti-
sans of various trades were actually induced to purchase
lots and remove to the " city," where reptiles and wild-
beasts should alone liave habitation. A respectable mer-
chant of Philadelphia meeting a citizen of Wilkesbarre
seriously inquired, " Will not the new and flourishing

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 189

City of Rome become a dangerous rival of your town ?"
The scheme was at length exposed through the columns
of the " Gleaner," by Charles Miner, Esq., but not until
many poor men had invested their means and removed
to the "Shades of Death."

Buck contains 50 square miles. Its lumber is hemlock,
spruce, and pine, and lumbering is the chief employment
of the inhabitants. It has 11 saw-mills, 3 stores, 3
taverns, and 1 church ; and the people consume more of
agricultural products than they raise.

Stoddartsville is a town, located on the Lehigh, con-
taining about 30 dwellings, and lies partly in Luzerne
and partly in Monroe counties. It was laid out by John
Stoddart, Esq., of Philadelphia, in 1815, who erected a
large stone mill — the walls of which are yet standing — at
a cost of $20,000. It was supplied with grain from
Wyoming.

Gouldsborough, pleasantly situated on the Lehigh, con-
tains about 30 dwellings, 1 store, 2 churches, and a
large and commodious hotel. It is connected with the
Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad by a good
plank-road. The large and extensive tannery of D. W.
Lee, Esq., described in another place in this work, is
located here. The population of the village is 450.

Beaumont is a small village of 14 dwellings, with 1
store and 1 tavern. It was named in honor of the late
Andrew Beaumont of Wilkesbarre.

The population of Buck township in 1840 was 307,
and in 1850 it was 539.

Butler Township was separated from Sugarloaf in
1839, and was named in honor of Colonel Zebulon Butler.
In 1784 John Bailie t, " solitary and alone," made the first
settlement in Sugarloaf Valley, within the limits of what
is now Butler township, on the Beisel farm, about one

190 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

mile from Drum's. He, in company with a number of
others from Northampton county, had visited the valley,
a year or two previous, for the purpose of burying the
dead soldiers who had been killed by the savages. Bal-
liet was soon followed by Philip Woodring, Henry Davis,
Andrew Mowery, and George Drum, father of Abraham
Drum, late sheriff of this county. Samuel Woodring
erected a log grist-mill with one run of stone, and also a
saw-mill attached, on the Nescopeck Creek in 1788.
These were the first mills in Sugarloaf Valley.

The area of Butler is 31 square miles, two-thirds of
which are cleared. It embraces a portion of Sugarloaf
Valley, and the remainder of its surface is undulating.
Its timber is oak, hickory, and pine ; and its farms pro-
duce wheat, rye, corn, buckwheat, oats, &c., which find
a market at Hazelton and Jeans ville. It has 10 saw-
mills, 2 grist-mills, 2 stores, 3 taverns, and 2 churches.

Mount Surprise is a pleasant village in Butler, contain-
ing about 20 dwellings.

The population of the township in 1840 was 514, and
in 1850 it was 725.

Carbondale Township was formed from Blakely and
Greenfield in 1831. C. E. Wilbur, now a resident of
Jefierson, and upwards of ninety years of age, was one
of the first settlers in Carbondale, about the year 1800.
It was he who first discovered the coal, near the Lacka-
wanna, now in the third ward of the city of Carbondale.
In 1812 William Wurts, under the guidance of Mr. Wil-
bur, explored this region, and discovered coal at several
places in the township. This induced him and his
brother Maurice to purchase property here, then owned
by Mr. Russell, of Northumberland county. These enter-
prising men, in 1824, erected the first log-house in Car-
bondale for the accommodation of themselves and laborers.

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS.

191

But there was then no outlet or market for coal, and little
or nothing was accomplished in this business until the
organization of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company,
and the completion of the railroad to Carbondale in 1828.
The township contains an area of 23 square miles.
Its surface is rugged though not sterile, and being un-
derlaid with anthracite coal, like other mining regions,
agriculture has not received much attention from its
inhabitants. In 1840 the number of persons engaged in
mining was 252, and in agriculture 32. Its population
in 1840, including the city, was 2398. In 1850, without
the city, it was 459. (For 1860, see Appendix X.)

FIRST HOUSE BUILT IN CARBONDALE.

Carbondale City was incorporated by Act of Assembly
in 1851. Prior to that time it was a borough which, in
1850, contained 4945 inhabitants. The first dwelling in
the place was built by Maurice Wurts, Esq., in 1824,
and for some years was used as a boarding-house, and
called the " Log Tavern."

In the year 1828 a Catholic church was built; also a

192 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Union church, occupied by Protestants, and a school-
house. With a few exceptions, the following-named
gentlemen are the only jDcrsons residing in Carbondale,
who located there prior to 1830 : Dr. T. Sweet, D. N.
Lathrop, John M. Poor, S. E. Rayner, Samuel Mills, R.
E. Marvin, Henry Johnson, Stephen Rogers, and D.
Yarington.

There are a court-house and jail here, and a recorder's
court for the city is held four times in each year by the
Hon. John N. Conyngham. There is also a mayor's court
held four times a year.

The city contains 56 dealers in merchandise, 24 restau-
rants, 5 hotels, and 8 churches; also 2 machine shops,
and 3 foundries. There is only one brick building in
the city.

The present population is estimated at 7000, of whom
probably three-fourths, including the children of foreigners,
are native born Americans. (See Appendix X.) About one-
half of the adult population is thought to be foreign born.

Covington Township was formed from Wilkesbarre in
the 3-ear 1818, and was named in honor of Brigadier-
General Covington, of the United States Army, who fell
in the battle of Williamsburg, Canada West, during tho
war of 1812.

Between 1787 and 1791, Henry Drinker, Jr., of Phila-
delphia, father of II. W. and Richard Drinker, purchased
25,000 acres of beech land, known as " Drinker's Beech,"
lying in Luzerne, Wayne, and Pike counties. In 1792
John Delong was employed to cut a road to these lands
from the Lehigh, and in 1815 a clearing was made, and
the first log-house was erected in Covington by H. W.
Drinker, Esq. The land was sold at $5 per acre, and
began to be settled by a hardy pioneer race of men,
among whom were Michael Mitchell, Lawrence Dersher-

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS.

197

mer, John Webster, Ebenezer Covey, John and WiUianr^
Ross, WiUiam Copeland, J. and L. Stull, J. Wragg.
John Smipson, and E. Wardell. Mr. Wardell erected the
first house in Daleville. Hohnes & Eastley put up the
first saw-mill in 1821 ; the first church was erected in
1828, and the first grist-mill, by Levi Depew, in 1830, on
Bear Creek.

Covington contains 34 square miles, one-eighth of
which is cultivated. Its timber is beech, maple, and
hemlock, and its soil is adapted to grass and the coarse
grains. There are in the township 6. saw-mills, 3 taverns.
2 stores, and 2 churches. Its villages are Daleville and
Turners ville, the former containing about 12 and the
latter about 8 dwelling-houses.

The poi:)ulation of the township in 1850 was 650.

Dallas Township was formed from Kingston in 1817,
and embraces a portion of one of the certified townships
called Bedford. It was named in honor of Alexander J.
Dallas, of Philadelphia.

Ephraim McCoy, a revolutionary soldier, erected the
first log-cabin in Dallas, near the site of McClellandsville,
in 1797. E. and D. Spencer, J. Mears, J. and J. Honey-
well, Jr., J. Wait, J. Kelley, and Isaac Montanj-e were
amona: the first settlers. The first saw-mill w^as built by
Jude Baldwin, on a branch of Toby's Creek, in 1813, and
the first church in 1851. The area of this township is
twenty-one square miles, three-fifths of which are cleared
and cultivated. Its timber is pine, oak, chestnut, and
hickory. Its surface is undulating, and its soil is adapted
to grass, as well as wheat, rye, corn, &c. Improved farms
are valued at from $30 to $45 per acre. It has 8 saw-
mills, 2 stores, 1 tavern, and 1 church. Its market

•

is at Wilkesbarre and Pittston. Large quantities of
butter, packed in tubs, are monthly taken to Wyoming
13

192 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

village, and sent thence on the Lackawanna and Blooms-
burg Railroad to Goshen, New York. From that place
it is transported to New York city market. The best
butter produced by our dairy farmers, not only in Dallas
but in other townships, goes to a foreign market.

The town of McClellandsville contains 15 dwellings.
The population of the township, in 1850, was 904.

Denison Township was formed in 1839 from Hanover,
and was named in honor of Colonel Nathan Denison. It
was first settled by Germans, from Northampton county,
about the year 1798. It contains 39 square miles,
one-eighth of which is cleared. Its surface is rugged and
mountainous, and its timber is principally hemlock, pine,
and oak. Lumbering is the chief employment of. the
inhabitants, wlio consume more than they raise of agri-
cultural products. It has 9 saw-mills, 1 store, and 2
taverns, but no grist-mill and no church. Their school-
houses are occupied for religious services.

There is a small village in Denison called Port Jen-
kins, situated at the head of the Lehigh navigation.

The population of this township, in 1850, then in-
tiluding White Haven and Foster township, was 1517.

DoRRANCE Township was formed from Newport, in
1840, and was named in lionor of Lieutenant-Colonel
George Dorrance, who fell in the battle at Wyoming,
July 3d, 1778. Its original settlers came from North-
ampton county, about the year 1785. It contains 28
square miles, of which one-fifth is cleared. Its surface
is rough and mountainous, but produces rye, corn, buck-
wheat, oats, &c., which find a market at Wilkesbarrc
and Ilazelton. Oak, hemlock, white and yellow pine.
are the prevailing species of timber. There are 4 saw-
mills, 1 grist-mill, I tavern in Dorrance, but no store

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS.

197

and no church. Preaching is done in the school-house.
The population, in 1850, was 420.

Exeter Township is one of the original or certified
townships, and retained its name on the division by the
court, in 1790. Its name is derived from Exeter, in
Rhode Island.

James Sutton put up the first saw and grist mills in
Exeter, in the year 1776, on a small stream four miles
above the battle-ground. The mills and his dwelling, all
log-buildings, were burnt by the enemy in 1778, and the
mill-irons were carried away, except the crank, which
may now be found in the collection of the Wyoming His-
torical and Geological Society. Forts Jenkins and Winter-
moot were located in this township, and a portion of the
ground, where the battle of July 3d, 1778, was fought,
lies within its bounds. The township line crosses the
plain a short distance below the Old Jenkins House,
which stands on the site of Wintermoot Fort. In 1796,
when it included Ransom and Franklin townships, it con-
tained 70 taxable inhabitants,* 41 horses, and 165 head
of horned cattle.

On the 22d of February, 1794, a subscription for funds
to erect a meeting-house was started in Exeter, and the
following subscribers, with the sums to be given, were
obtained : —

John Jenkins, £5

James Scovell,
Benjamin Smith,
Elisha Scovell,
Thomas Jenkins,
The oldest residents of the township

' 1

are William Love,

aged 77, John Shales, 75, Mrs. Hoover, 75.

For names of taxables, see Appendix, K.

192 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Ext'ter contains an area of 23 square miles, of which
one-half is cleared and improved, producing the usual
grains of the country. Its markets are Pittston, Scranton,
and Wilkesbarre. It havS 3 saw-mills, 1 grist-mill, 1
plaster-mill, 1 church and 1 tavern.

The population in 1850 was 833.

Fairmount Township Avas formed from Huntington ni
1834, and lies in the north-west corner of the county.
The first saw-mills, in Fairmount, were erected about the
year 1837, on Huntington Creek and Maple Run, by
Shadrach Laycock and Peter Boston.

This township contains 44 square miles, of which one-
tenth is cleared and cultivated. The surface is undu-
lating, and the soil yields wheat, rye, corn, buckwheat,
and oats. The timber is principally pine, hemlock, and
oak. Hazelton is the market for its produce. It has 15
saw-mills and 1 tavern, but no grist-mill and no church.

Its population in 1840 was 594, and in 1850 it was 958.

Fell Township was formed from Carbondale in 1845.
It occupies the extreme north-east corner of the county.
It was named in honor of Jesse Fell, Esq., who, for many
years, was an associate judge of our county courts. Its
area is 19 sc^uare miles, being generally rugged and
mountainous, with a few arable spots. Its timber is
hemlock, oak, and pine chiefly. Only one-seventh of the
township is cleared, which produces rye, oats, and buck-
wheat. These find a market at Carbondale. It has 2
saw-mills, 1 store, 1 tavern, 1 large tannery, and 1 sash
factory, but no church and no grist-mill.

Its population in 1850 was 35G.

Foster Township was formed from Denison in 1855,
and was named in honor of Asa L. Foster, one of its early

settlers. The few orighial settlers were from Northam})ton
county ; but mining becoming the chief employment, the

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 197

present population are mostly Germans, Irish, Scotch, and
Welsh. Thomas Morrison made the first clearing in
1837, and erected a saw-mill on Pond Creek in 1851.
To this James Morrison attached a grist-mill in the same
year. In 1854, Richard Sharp, George Belford, Francis
Weiss, William Reed, A. L. Foster, and John Leisenring,
explored a considerable tract of land belonging to the estate
of the late Tench Coxe of Philadelphia, with a view to the
establishment of coal works. Their examination proving
satisfactory, they erected a steam saw-mill, at a cost of
$7000, and commenced operations at Fillmore, now Eckley,
but then a wilderness. In 1855, they shipped 2000 tons
of coal, and have since increased it to 110,000 tons per
annum.

Foster contains a territory of 50 square miles, but
only a small portion of it is adapted to agriculture, being
generally mountainous. Its inhabitants consume of agri-
cultural products more than they raise.

Eckley is a village containing 130 dwellings, 1 store, a
large and commodious hotel, 2 churches, 2 private schools,
and about 800 inhabitants.

Franklin Township wa.s formed from portions of King-
ston, Exeter, and Dallas in 1843, and was named in
honor of John Franklin, one of the first settlers of Wyo-
ming. It was settled principally by people from New
Jersey and New York. The first saw-mill in its territory
was erected on Sutton Creek by Mr. Munson in 1808.
The first and only grist-mill was built in the same year
on the same stream by Elijah Brace, and was rebuilt, in
1828, by Conrad ^Kunckle. The first church was put up
in 1835. William Brace, Benjamin Chandler, and James
Hadersel are among the oldest inhabitants now living in
the township.

Franklin contains 16 square miles, one half of which

198 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

is under cultivation. Oak, hemlock, and pine abound
in its forests. The soil is adapted to grazing, and
excellent butter iS made in this locality, which also pro-
duces the usual grains. Its market is at Pittston; and
though small in territory, its agricultural capacity is very
fine. The township has 2 saw-mills, 1 store, 1 church,
and 1 tavern.

Orange is a pleasant village, containing 14 dwellings.

The population of Franklin in 1850 was 642.

Greenfield Township was separated from Abington in
1816, and then included a portion of the country known
as the '' Beech Woods." Its original settlers came from
Connecticut and Rhode Island in 1797, but since then
many Germans have purchased lands and located within
its bounds. Among the first settlers in this and the
adjoining township of Scott, were Elijah Hobbs, Hosea
Phillips, Joseph Sackett, Joseph Barry, Isaac Finch,
Joseph Waller, Daniel Waller, Nathan Weatherly, Levi
Weatherly, Mr. Howe, and Newton Nokes. The wife of
Mr. Nokes was lost, at one time, in the woods for five
days, subsisting on roots and berries, and spent one night
in a tree-top, surrounded by howling wolves. The first
saw-mill here was put up by the Rev. Wilham Robinson
in 1813. Henry Austin erected the first grist-mill, and
the Methodists the first church in 1851.

Greenfield has an area of 25 square miles. Its surface
is undulating, one-third of which is cleared, and it pro-
duces wheat, rye, oats, buckwheat, corn, &c., which find
a market at Carbondale. It is adapted to grazing and
stock growing. Within its territory are 5 saw-mills, 1
grist>mill, 2 churches, and 1 tavern.

Its population in 1850 was 869.

Hanover Township is one of the original townships
laid out by the Susquehanna Land Company. It was

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 199

called, in the first place, Nanticoke, from the Nanticoke
Indians, who had a village near the site of the present
village of Nanticoke. But in 1770 it was granted to
Captain Lazarus Stewart and his associates, who changed
the name to Hanover, from the region of country called
Hanover, their former home, now included in the county
of Dauphin. The first building in Hanover was a block
house, erected by Captain Lazarus Stewart in 1771. Itt^
location was near the Susquehanna, on the lot belonging
to the estate of the late Alexander Jameson, Esq., two
miles below Wilkesbarre. It was one and a half stories
high, with an overshoot and loopholes, and it had four
rooms on the first floor. The second house was put up
by Lieutenant Lazarus Stewart, in the same year, on the
lot now the property of Messrs. Stewart Sively and
Benjamin Pfouts. The first church, also the first in the
county, was put up in 1777, near the site of the German
Reformed Church. The first grist-mill was a log structure
with one run of stone, built by Mr. Delano, on the site
of the present Beehe Mill, in 1783.

On the division of the county into eleven townships, in
1790, the boundaries of Hanover, as before stated, were
extended, and in 1796, when it included Wright, Denison,
and Foster, it contained 91 taxable inhabitants,*}" 58
horses. 111 oxen, and 152 cows.

The present area of Hanover is 25 square miles,
two-thirds of which are cleared; but as a considerable
portion of the land is owned by coal companies, farms,
once well cultivated and productive, are now neglected.
There are several farms, however, in a good state of
cultivation, which yield abundantly to the profit of their
owners. It has within its territory 3 grist-mills, 2 saw-
mills, 4 stores, 3 churches, 2 taverns, and 1 tannery.

* See p. 115, for engraving; of this building,
t For names of tuxiibles, see Appendix, L.

200 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The villages of Nanticoke, Peastown, and Hendricks-
burg, contain each about thirty dwellings.

The population of Hanover, in 1850, including Wright,
was 1506. In 1840 there were 53 persons engaged in
mining, and 200 in agriculture.

Hazel Township was formed from a portion of Sugar-
loaf, in 1839, and was so called from the great quantity
of hazel bushes growing in its territory.

The first saw-mill in Hazel was erected on Hazel Creek
in 1810, and stood within the present limits of the
borough of Hazelton. John Charles, while digging in the
earth for a ground-hog in 1826, discovered the first coal
at the old Hazelton mines. The oldest residents in the
township are Anthony Fisher, Joseph Fisher, Casper
Thomas, Conrad Horn, and Adam Winters.

Lewis Davenport is the oldest resident of the borough
of Hazelton.

The area of Hazel is 49 square miles, but being a
mountainous country, only a small portion of it is sus-
ceptible of cultivation. Its timber is chiefly yellow pine,
used for props in the mines. Mining is the principal
employment of the people.

Jeansville derives its name from Mr. Jeans, the original
owner of the coal lands and projector of the works in the
vicinity. Its population is about 1500. It contains 1
church, 1 store, 1 tavern, and 1 foundry and machine-
shop. The coal mines are now worked by William
Milnes & Co.

Stockton contains about 130 dwellings, 1 church, 1
store, and 1 tavern. Its mines arc worked by Packer,
Lockhart & Co.

Jeddo is a village of about 100 dwellings. The popu-
lation of Hazel, in 1840, was 893, of whom 21 were

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 201

engaged in agriculture, and 207 in mining. In 1850 the
population was 2081.

Hazelton Borough was incorporated in 1856, and owes
its prosperity mainly to the Hazelton Coal Company.
The streets cross each other at right angles, and the
dwellings generally are constructed of wood. It has 4
dry goods stores, 1 drug store, 3 churches, 4 taverns, 1
foundrj^ and 1 machine shop, and 1 steam grist-mill.

HoLLENBACK TowNSHiP was Separated from Nescopeck
in 1845, and was named in honor of Matthias Hollenback,
Esq., one of the first associate judges of the county courts.

It has been said by some of the oldest inhabitants of
Hollenback that the famous Grasshopper War between
the Delaware and Shawnee Indians occurred on a plain
lying at the junction of the Wapwallopen Creek with the
Susquehanna, where numerous aboriginal graves have
been found.

A few substantial German farmers, from Northampton
county, settled in the territory of Hollenback as early as
1789 ; but in 1796 it did not contain more than 10 tax-
able inhabitants.

The area of this township is 38 square miles, one-fifth
of which is cleared. The surface is undulating, and the
soil, naturally good, is improving under judicious cultiva-
tion. It produces wheat, rye, corn, oats, &c., which find
a market at Hazelton. Its timber is pine, oak, hemlock,
and chestnut. It has 6 saw-mills, 3 grist-mills, 2 powder-
mills, 3 churches, and 1 tavern. Its population in 1850
was 742.

Huntington Township was formed from a portion of
Salem in 1793, and named in honor of Samuel Hunting-
ton, a native of Windham, Connecticut, and who was one
of the immortal signers of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence.

202 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The first settlement in this township was made on the
Huntington Creek by John FrankUn, in 1775. He
erected a log-cabin, and spent the summer alone in the
wilderness, not beholding the face of a white man for five
months.

The first grist-mill w^as a log structure, with one run
of stone, and a saw-mill attached, erected by Mr. Hop-
kins, in 1788, on a branch of the Huntington Creek,
The tract on which the mill stood had been donated for
that purpose, seVeral years before, by the Susquehanna
Land Company, In 1798, Nathan Beach, Esq., put up
a mill on Marsh's Creek, now known as Rogers's Mill.
Bacon's fulling and carding mill was erected in 1817.
The first church, used also for school purposes, was
erected in 1808, and the Pine Grove Church in 1818.

In 1796 Huntington contained 92 taxable inhabitants,*
27 horses, 165 head of horned cattle, and 90 dwellings
and other buildings.

This township has an area of 29 square miles, of whicli
one-half is cleared and cultivated, producing excellent
crops of grain. It is perhaps the best cultivated township
in the county. Large quantities of its produce are con-
veyed to Hazelton, Jeansville, and to other places, for
consumption. Their land is greatly benefited by the
application of lime, which the farmers procure from the
kilns near Berwick in Columbia county.

In Huntington are 10 saw-mills, 6 grist-mills, 6 stores,
7 churches, 3 taverns, and 2 carding and fulling mills.

Harveyville, Cambria, and Town Hill are pleasant vil-
lages, containing from 10 to 25 dwellings each. The
population of the township in 1840 was 1510, of whom
252 were engaged in agriculture. In 1850 the population
was 1747.

* For uames of taxables, see Appendix, M.

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 203

Hyde Park Borough was incorporated in 1852, prior
to which it was a portion of the township of Providence.
It has improved, for several years, with great rapidity.
It has 13 dry goods and grocery stores, 4 churches, 3
hotels, 1 foundry and machine-shop, and 1 tannery. In
1840 it contained only 6 or 8 dwellings, and was called
originally "Fellows' Corner," from Mr. Fellows, an old
resident. There are two coal openings or slopes in the
borough, belonging to Thomas Howell & Co., and to the
Hyde Park Company, both connecting with the Delaware,
Lackawanna, and Western Railroad. The buildings are
chiefly of wood, two-stories high, and neatly painted. The
private residences and streets are ornamented with shade-
tr(^es. Its population is about 1300. (See Appendix X.)

Jackson Township was formed from a portion of Ply-
mouth in 1844, and was named in honor of General
Andrew Jackson. The first settlement was made by
Palmer Ransom in 1795. He was followed by John
Lomereaux, Levi Brunson, Jesse Brown, Major B. Fuller,
Joseph Reynolds, and others.

The area of Jackson is 15 square miles, of which a
fourth part only is cultivated. Its timber is chiefly oak,
hemlock, and pine. Its surface is undulating, and its
soil produces the usual grains, which find a market at
Plymouth and Wilkesbarre. It is improving, particularly
as a dairy township. A considerable quantity of lumber
is manufactured, and taken to the canal and railroad
below West Nanticoke.

It has 9 saw-mills, 3 grist-mills, 1 church, 1 store, and
1 tavern. The church, store, and tavern are located in
Hunts ville, which contains about 30 dwellings. This
village received its name from Mr. Hunt, one of the early
settlers.

The population of Jackson in 1850 was 592.

204 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Jefferson Township was separated from Blakely in
1836, and was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. It
was settled chiefly by Jerseymen and Germans. The^
first settlement was made in 1784 by Asa Cobb, and the
second, near the Wayne county line, by Mr, Potter in
1795.

Dr. Hollister, in his work on the Laclvawanna Valley,
relates that the wife of John Cobb once found a wolf
destroying her husband's stock during his absence from
home, and boldly attacked and killed the beast with, a
pitchfork. Forwarding the scalp to Wilkesbarre, she re-
ceived the lawful bounty.

Jacob Reiser, in 1831, erected a saw-mill on Reiser's
Creek.

Jefferson contains 39 square miles, of which one-sixth
part is cleared land. It is mountainous in part, with
some good farms interspersed in the small valleys. It
produces abundantly of the coarser grains, and its market
is at Scranton and Dunmore. The prevailing species of
timber are oak, chestnut, beech, and hemlock. It has 5
saw-mills, 1 store, 1 church, and 1 tavern.

The population of this township in 1850 was 414.

Jenkins Townsuip was separated from Pitiston in 1852,
and was named in honor of Colonel John Jenkins, one
of the first settlers in the Wyoming Valley. It is the
smallest township in the county, extending over an area
of only 14 square miles. The first grist-mill in Jenkins
was erected on Gardner's Creek, in 1794, by Joseph Gard-
ner and Isaac Gould. Peter Winters, aged 74, and Lotitia
Cotant, aged 71, are the oldest inhabitants in this town-
ship. About one-half of its territory is cleared, but is
chieiiy the property of' the Pennsylvania Coal Compaii}',
for which the company annually pays taxes exceeding
$1800.

BOROUGHS AND TO'^NSHIPS. 205

Port Griffith, named in honor of Mr. Griffith, one of
the original stockholders in the Pennsylvania Coal Com-
pany, is a village containing 2 stores, 1 tavern, and 150
dwellings. It is the terminus of the company's railroad.

Port Blan chard, named in honor of John Blanchard,
one of the first coal operators, contains 5 dwellings and X
tavern.

The population of the township is chiefl}^ Irish and
Welsh.

Kingston Township is one of the townships formed
under the authority of the Susquehanna Land Company ;
and is also one of the eleven, with enlarged boundaries,
into which Luzerne was divided in 1790. It has since
been considerably diminished by the formation of new
townships. It derived its name from Kingston in Rhode
Island, and was called by the first settlers "Kingstown."

Among the forty persons who entered the Wyoming
Valley in 1769, under the auspices of the Susquehanna
Land Company, was Mr. Ezra Dean, whose wife was a
native of Kingston, in Rhode Island. After the seyeral
tracts had been assigned by lot, and the party was seated
under a tree on the flats, Mr. Dean proposed to furnish a
. art of good Connecticut whiskey for the privilege of
naming the township. The proposition was accepted,
and in compliment to his " better half" he gave the name
Kingstown ; whereupon each one of the company, one
after another, repeated " Kingstown," and then moistened
his mouth with a little whiskey.

A portion of the plain lying in this township was
called Abram's Plain, from Abram a chief of the Mohican
Indians. These Indians also had a village near Forty
Fort, on Abram's Creek.

Forty Fort stood within the present limits of Kingston

206 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

on the" river, a short distance below the present church,
about 80 feet from the water.

The first saw-mill was erected by James Sutton, on
Toby's Creek, in the spring of 1778.

In 1796, Kingston, then including Dallas and parts of
Lake and Franklin, contained 100 taxables,* 78 horses,
and 241 head of horned cattle.

The area of Kingston is 29 square miles. It embraces
several excellent farms, but, like other townships in the
coal-field, its lands do not sustain the high agricultural
character of which they are capable. The highlands are
adapted to grass, and in common with the territory lying
west of the Kingston and Plymouth, or Shawnee Moun-
tains, they are destined to become an excellent dairy and
stock growing region.

Kingston township contains 8 grist-mills, 6 saw-mills, 1
chopping-mill, 6 churches, 6 stores, 4 tanneries, 2 card-
ing and fulling mills, 3 taverns, and the works of the
Kingston Coal Company.

Wyoming Village, formerly called New Troy, contains
about 40 dwellings, 3 stores, 2 churches, and 2 taverns,
and is situated in the neighborhood where the battle was
fought. The Monument, Wyoming Institute, and the
Fair Grounds are in the same locality.

Trucksville contains about 30 dwellings, 1 store, and
1 church.

Forty Fort is a collection of 6 or 8 dwellings, with 1
store, and 1 church. It was the formidable rival of
Wilkesbarre for the county seat, in 1786.

In 1840 there were 11 persons engaged in mining iv
this township, and 273 in agriculture.

In 1850 its population was 2454.

* For names of taxables, see Appendix, N.

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 207

Kingston Borough was incorporated in 1858., and con-
tains about 80 dwellings, 4 stores, 2 churches, and 2
taverns. The Wyoming Seminary is located here.

Lackawanna Township was formed from portions of
Providence and Pittston, in 1838.

The first saw and grist mills in Lackawanna were built
by the town (then Pittston), at the Falls on the Lacka-
wanna river, in the year 1774. The next year they
passed into the possession of Solomon Strong, and soon
after were swept away by a flood. In 1779, Mr. Keys
put up a saw-mill on Keiser's Creek, and the lumber for
Lord Butler's dwelling-house, in the village of Wilkes-
barre, was manufactured here and floated down the river.
A saw-mill and a small log grist-mill were erected on
Mill Creek, by Samuel Miller, in 1782.

Among the oldest residents are Erastus Smith, Joh
Knapp, H. H. Winter, Michael Frederick, James Scott,
and Charles Drake. John Atherton is the oldest native-
born resident of the township, being 68 years of age.

Lackawanna contains 15 square miles, two-thirds of
which are cleared, producing wheat, rye, corn, oats, and
buckwheat, which are consumed within its own bounds.
It has 5 saw-mills, 1 grist-mill, 1 powder-mill, 3 stores, 3
churches, and 3 taverns.

Tavlorsville contains about 200 dwellins^s, and is the
place where the Union Iron and Coal Company carry on
their operations.

Belleview is a collection of about 50 dwellings, where
there are 4 coal openings, the property of the Delaware,
Lackawanna, and Western Railroad Company.

Hampton has 30 dwellings, which is also the property
of the last-mentioned company.

At the Dunson Works there are 4 coal openings, and
about 40 dwellings.

208 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The New York and Scranton Coal Company have 1
coal opening, with 30 dwellings.

In 1840 no one was engaged in mining in this territory,
but there were 61 persons employed in agriculture, and
its whole population was 363. In 1850 it was 389.

Lake Township was formed in 1841 from parts of
Lehman and Monroe, and took its name from Harvey's
Lake, which is located in this township. In 1842 a
portion of the township was cut oflf, in the formation
of Wyoming county. Its area is 34 square miles, of
which an eighth part is cleared. It is mountainous
and hilly, and adapted to grazing. Its timber is pine,
oak, and hemlock mainly. It has 5 saw-mills, 1 planing
and lath mill, and 1 grist-mill, but no store, no church,
and no tavern. Religious meetings are held in the
school-houses.

The mills of Hollenback and Urquhart are located on
the outlet of Harvey's Lake, where 1,000,000 feet of
lumber are annually manufactured.

Harvey's Lake is destined to become one of the most
popular summer retreats in the state. Many thousands
of dollars have been expended in a building on its shore
for the accommodation of visitors, whose number is an-
nually increasing. It is to be hoped that all persons,
owning timber lands surrounding the lake, will protect
them from the woodman's axe, that the locality may not
be shorn of its primitive grandeur and beauty.

The population of Lake in 1850 was 383.

Lehman Township was separated from Dallas in 1829,
and was named in honor of Dr. William Lehman, of
Philadelphia, who, at that time, was a member of the
General Assembly of Pennsylvania, and had strenuously
advocated the extension and immediate completion of the
state canals.

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 209

The Ides and Browns were the first settlers in thi.-
township. In 1806 Joseph Worthington settled on Har-
vey's Creek, and cut a road from the place where Elijah
Ide now lives to Harvey's Lake. At this time there was
not a single house within three-quarters of a mile of the
lake.

Lehman contains 22 square miles. Its surface is undu-
lating, one-third of which is cleared and cultivated, being
adapted to grazing and the coarser grains. Its market is
at Wilkesbarre. It has 9 saw-mills, 2 churches, 1 store,
and 1 tavern, but no grist-mill.

Lehman Centre is a village of about 15 dwellings,
where the 2 churches of the township are located.

The population of Lehman in 1850 was 558.

Madison Township was taken off from Jefferson and
Covington in 1845, and was named in honor of James
Madison, one of the Presidents of the United States. The
first settlements in Madison were made in 1824 by John
Besecker, Barnabas Carey, Richard Edwards, Nathaniel
Carter, Jacob Swartz, and John Koon. The first saw-
mill was erected in 1826, on Roaring Brook, by Peter
Rupert. The first church was built in 1849.

The area of Madison is 28 square miles, one-third of
which is cleared, producing wheat, rye, corn, oats, &c.
Some parts of the township are rugged, and the prevail-
ing timber is beech, hemlock, and ash.

Madison contains 1 grisi>mill, 1 saw-mill, and 2
churches not in the villages.

Moscow is a flourishing village, on the Delaware, Lack-
awanna, and Western Railroad, containing 30 dwellings,
2 churches, 2 stores, 2 tanneries, and 1 saw-mill.

Dunning, named in honor of A. Dunning, Esq., con-
tains 25 dwellings, 2 saw-mills, 1 tannery, 1 church, 1

store, and 1 tavern.
14

210 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The population of the township in 1850 was 579.

New Columbus Borough was incorporated in 1859. It
contains 50 dwellings, 3 stores, and 1 tavern. The ofFice
of the Huntington Valley Insurance Company is located
here ; also an excellent Academy, under the charge of
A. J. Furman, Esq. ; students during past year, 270.
The first dAvelling was erected in New Columbus, by the
Hon. John Koons, about fifty years ago.

Its population in 1850 was included in that of Hun-
tington township.

Nescopeck Township was separated from Newport in
1792. Jacob Smithers, Jacob Shover, Martin Arner, and
Jacob Seyberling settled in the territory of this township
in 1791, on the banks of the Nescopeck Creek, near its
mouth. In 1796, including HoUenback, Sugarloaf, But-
ler, Black Creek, and Hazel townships, it contained 31
taxables,* 36 horses, 58 head of horned cattle, 3 grist-
mills, and 3 saw-mills. In 1797 Harvey D. Walker built
a grist and saw-mill about one mile from Nescopeck Vil-
lage. The first church was erected in 1811, on the turn-
pike, by the Lutherans and German Reformed members,
about four miles from the village.

This township contains 28 square miles, a portion of
which is mountainous, and the remainder is flat or river
bottom and rolling land. Its timber is chiefly oak,
chestnut, and hemlock, and its soil is adapted to wheat,
rye, oats, and com. Its market is Ilazelton. It has 3
saw-mills, 2 grist-mills, 1 carding and fulling mill, 1 forge,
2 stores, 2 churches, and 3 taverns.

Nescopeck Village is built on the site of an ancient
town of the Delaware Indians. It was the rendezvous
of the hostile savages, during the French and Indian war,

* For names of taxables, sec Appendix, 0.

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 211

upwards of one hundred years ago. It has about 20
dweUings, 1 store, and 1 tavern. The Nescopeck Insur-
ance Company has its office here. The southern line of
Luzerne crosses the Susquehanna at this place, cutting
the Nescopeck bridge diagonally about midway.

The population of Nescopeck township in 1850 was
920.

Newport Township was one of the original townships
under Connecticut jurisdiction, and retained its name in
the new division made by the court in 1790. It derived
its name from Newport in Rhode Island. The first set-
tlement in Newport was made by Major Prince Alden,
in 1772, on the property now owned by Colonel Wash-
ington Lee. A few vears after this his sons. Mason F.
and John Alden, erected a forge on Nanticoke Creek. In
the same year Mr. Chapman put up a log grist-mill, with
one run of stone, near the forge. This was the only mill
in Wyoming that escaped destruction from floods and
from the torch of the savage. In 1780 this mill was
guarded by armed men, and, as far as possible, it met the
wants of the public, but many of the settlers were com-
pelled to carry their grain to Stroud's mill, at Strouds-
burg, a distance of fifty miles.

Newport, in 1799, including Slocum and Dorrance, con-
tained 49 taxable inhabitants.,* 31 horses, 130 head of
horned cattle, 3 mills, and 1 forge.

The area of this township is 19 square miles, one-half
of which is cleared land. It is very undulating, and at
one time produced a considerable quantity of grain ; but
for several years past its farming interest has been declin-
ing. Considerable tracts of land have passed into the
hands of coal companies, and a good portion of the old

* For names of taxables, see Appendix, P.

212 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY,

farming population has removed to other localities. The
companies seem to take no interest in the improvement
of their lands, further than to rent them for sufficient to
pay the taxes. Its fences and buildings generally indicrite
a mining district, and that its agricultural glory has
departed. Its timber is principally oak, hickory, and
hemlock.

It contains 2 saw-mills, 2 grist-mills, 1 store, 2 churches,
and 3 taverns.

In 1840 it had but 1 person engaged in mining, and
148 in agriculture. Its population in 1850 was 868.

Newton Township. When Wyoming county was set
off from Luzerne, the dividing line passed through what
was then called Falls township, and that portion of it
remaining in this county was organized in 1844, under
the name of Newton. This name is derived from New-
ton, in Sussex county. New Jersey.

Among the first settlers in this township were Henry
Litts, Elias Smith, Jacob Biesecker, and Henry Beemer.
They were chiefly from New Jersey. Elias Smith erected
the first saw-mill, on Gardner's Creek, in 1818. The first
church was built in 1848.

The area of Newton is 24 square miles, two-thirds of
which is cleared land. The surface is undulating, and
its soil produces the usual grains of the comitry. A con-
siderable quantity of butter is made in this township.
Its produce finds a market at Pittston and Scranton. It
has 4 saw-mills, 3 stores, 2 churches, 2 taverns, and 1
carding and fulling mill, but no grist-mill.

Newton Centre, a village of 30 dwellings, contains the
stores and churches before mentioned.

The population of Newton township in 1850 was 819.

Pittston Township was one of the old Connecticut
townships, which retained its name on the second divi-

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 213

sion in 1790. It was named in honor of the distinguished
English statesman, William Pitt, the elder, and was ori-
ginally called " Pittstown."

The first house in Pittston was a log building put up
in 1770, by Zebulon Marcy. During the next five or six
years settlements were made by the Browns, Benedicts,
St. Johns, Baldwins, Bennets, Hopkins, Careys, and
Blanchards.

In 1776, Mr. Brown erected a block-house, whose loca-
tion is now within the borough of Pittston, to which two
stockades were added. In 1778, during the Indian battle,
they were occupied by women and children, who w^ere
guarded by 30 men, under the command of Captain
Blanchard. The first saw-mill in the township was built
on the Lackawanna, in 1780, by Solomon Finn and E. L.
Stevens.

In 1796, including Jenkins and parts of Lackawanna,
Springbrook, Bear Creek, and Plains, Pittston contained
65 taxable inhabitants,* 37 horses, 147 head of horned
cattle, and 1 slave.

Trie present area of Pittston is 36 square miles, one-
half of which is cleared land. It is generally hilly, and
being a mining region, agriculture is a secondary pursuit.
Rye, corn, oats, and buckwheat are produced here, which
are consumed at home.

Pittston contains 3 saw-mills, 1 grist-mill, 3 stores, 1
church, 1 foundry, 1 tannery, and a large powder-mill.

The present population is chiefly Irish, Welsh, and
German.

In 1840 the population was 1110, of whom 4 were coal
operators, and 248 were engaged in agriculture. In 1850
the inhabitants were 4048.

* For names of taxables, see Appendix, Q.

214 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

PiTTSTON Borough was incorporated in 1853, and in
the following year its boundaries were enlarged. Prior
to 1838 it contained only 8 or 10 dwellings.

The oldest house now standing in Pittston, is the Hart
house, on Main street, erected by Jacob Hart and God-
frey Perry, about the year 1790. Shortly after, William
Slocum built a large frame-house below the old Sox
tavern. There was an old frame building about 14 rods
south-west of the present residence of Mr. John Sox, in
which a store was kept, in 1799, by Messrs. Wright &
Duane. Adjoining this stood another building, which
was one of the first in Pittston township, and which was
purchased and removed by Mr. William Tompkins in
1825.

The Stockbridge house was erected in 1830, at which
time Mr. John Alment kept store in a frame-house oppo-
site the Butler Hotel. Mr. Alment also, at one time,
resided and kept the post-office in this building.

Messrs. Butler & Mallery commenced operating in coal
in this township in 1838, since which period the borough
has rapidly advanced to its present high jDosition among
the incorporated towns of the county. It now contains
22 dry goods, 8 clothing, 5 grocery, 1 hardware, and 3
drug stores, 2 steam grist-mills, 7 hotels, and 8 churches.
It is supplied with water forced from the Susquehanna
into a reservoir, and distributed thence through the town
in pipes. (For population in 1860, see Appendix X.)

Plains Township was formed from portions of Wilkes-
barre and Pittston in 1851. The Waname Indians, a
tribe of the Delawares, once resided within the limits of
this township, and one of their chiefs being named Jacob,
the whites called the territory Jacob's Plains. From this
the township derived its name.

The original Connecticut settlers, in 1762, built their

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 215

log-houses immediately above the confluence of Mill Creek
with tlie Susquehanna. These buildings were afterwards
seized by the Pennamites, who enclosed them with stock-
ades, and called the enclosure Fort Ogden.

The first grist-mill in the Wyoming Valley was erected
on Mill Creek, within the bounds of Plains, by Nathan
Chapman, in 1772. It was a log structure with one run
of stone, and stood on the side of the creek opposite the
present mill of the late Mr. John Hollenback. It was
carried away by the high water soon after its erection.
In 1813, on the same creek, Mr. Hezekiah Parsons put
up the first fulling and woolen factory. The second grate
for burning anthracite coal was set up by Henry Stark,
in Plains township, in 1808, shortly after Judge Fell's
successful experiment at Wilkesbarre. The first church
here was built in 1843.

The oldest residents in Plains township are Hon.
Charles Miner,*Messrs. Parly Lyons, Henry Shafer, Ben-
jamin Courtright, John Clark, and Henry Stark.

The extent of Plains is 15 square miles, of which one-
half is cleared. Its surface is partly hilly and partly flat
or river bottom land. Its soil produces wheat, rye, corn,
oats, and buckwheat, and its market is at Wilkesbarre
and Pittston. It has 1 saw-mill, 3 grist-mills, 2 stores, 2
churches, 2 taverns, 1 powder-mill, and 4 collieries.

Plymouth Township was one of the old Connecticut
townships, and also one of the eleven of 1790. Its name
was derived from Plymouth, in Litchfield county, Con-
necticut.

In 1775, a battle was fought in Plymouth between the
Yankees and Pennamites, near the coal-mines of Jameson
Harvey, Esq. In 1776, a stockade was put up, for the
defence of women and children in times of attack by the
savages, near the site of the village of Plymouth.

* The Hon. Charles Miner died in 1805.

216 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

In 1780, Robert Faulkner erected a log grist-mill on
Shoup's Creek, below the site of the present Shoup Mill,
and about the same time Hezekiah Koberts put up a
smiilar mill on Ransom Creek. In the same year Benja-
min Harvey built a log mill and dwelling-house on Har-
vey's Creek, which were occupied by his son-in-law,
Abraham Tillbury.

Samuel Marvin, in 1795, erected a saw-mill on Whits-
ley's Creek, above the present residence of Samuel Wad-
hams, Esq.

In 1796, this township, including Jackson, contained
95 taxable inhabitants,* 61 horses, and 262 head of
horned cattle.

The area of Plymouth is 29 square miles, of which a
portion is river bottom, and the rest hilly and mountain-
ous land. One-third of it is cultivated, producing the
usual grains of the country, which find a market at home.
It has 2 saw-mills, 2 grist-mills, 9 stores, 2 churches, 3
taverns, and 14 coal-mines.

Plymouth village, called by the early inhabitants
Shawaneetown, is located near the site of the Shawanee
Indian village, where Zinzendorf, one hundred and
eighteen years ago, preached the gospel to the red men.
It contains 150 dwellings. There is an academy building
in this place, and two churches, and most of the stores of
the township are located here.

During the French war, in 1756, Paxinos, a Shawanee
chief, and about 30 other Indians friendly to the English,
retired from this village to another situated on the west
side of Ross's Hill. The remainder of the tribe engaged in
the war on the part of the French.

The population of the township, in 1840, including

* For names of taxables, see Appoadix, R.

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 217

Jackson, was 1765. In that year 58 of the inhabitants
were engaged in mining, and 159 in agriculture. In
1850, without Jackson, the population was 1473.

Providence Township was separated from Pittston in
1792; but in 1820 its western portion was reannexed to
Pittston. Its name was derived from Providence in Rhode
Island.

The Muncey or Monsey Indians, the Wolf tribe of the
Delawares, had a village in this township near Scran ton.
They had a famous chief, whose name was Capouse.
From 1770 to 1776, the principal settlers in Providence
and Lackawanna townships were the Hardings, Careys,
Tripps, Frazers, Hickmans, Hockseys, Keys, Nelsons,
Philips, Johnsons, Hunts, Aliens, Dewits, Reines, Leg-
getts, Baldwins, and Dr. Joseph Sprague.

In 1796, including a large part of old Blakeley, and
also Lackawanna townships. Providence contained 53
taxables,* 22 horses, 56 oxen, and 80 cows.

Its area is 44 square miles, whose surface is undulating,
and underlaid with coal. It was formerly an agricultural,
but is now a mining region, and its present inhabitants
are chiefly Irish, Germans, and Welsh. One-third of its
territory is cleared, and its agricultural products are con-
sumed at home.

Dunmore is a villagefcontainmg 200 dwellings, 10 dry
goods stores, 1 drug store, 3 churches, 2 hotels, and 1 soap
and candle manufactory. In addition to these, there are
in the township, out of the village, 1 store, 1 tavern, 1
tannery, and 3 saw-mills. Dunmore, in 1840, contained
only 4 dwellings.

The population of Providence township, in 1840,
including Providence borough, Hyde Park, and Scranton,

* For names of taxables, see Appendix S.

t Dunmore was incorporated a borough in 1862.

218 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

was 1169, of whom 209 were engaged in agriculture, and
none in mining. In 1850 the same territory contained
4933 inhabitants.

Providence Borough was incorporated in 1849. It
was formerly called Centreville, and by some persons
Razorville. In July, 1834, this place was visited by a
hurricane, which overturned and destroyed its dwellings
with terrific violence. In 1840, it contained 10 or 12
dwellings, 1 store, and 1 tavern. It now has 7 dry goods
stores, 1 drug store, 1 tannery, 2 axe and scythe manu-
factories, 3 churches, 1 academy, 2 hotels, 2 flouring-
mills, 2 saw-mills, and 1 steam iron foundry.

Ransom Township was formed from parts of Exeter
and Newton, in 1849, and was named in honor of Cap-
tain Samuel Ransom, who commanded the second inde-
pendent company of troops raised in Wyoming, in 1777,
and who fell in the battle of July 3d, 1778.

The Delaware Indians had a village on the Susque-
hanna, near the mouth of Gardner's Creek, called Assa-
rughney.

The first grist-mill, in the territory of Ransom, was
erected on Gardner's Creek, in 1825, by Philip Sher-
wood. About the same time Mr. Twitchel put up the
first saw-mill. The first church was built, in 1845, by
the Lutherans, under the direction of the Rev. John
Lescher.

Ransom contains 21 square miles, one-third of which
is cleared land, producing wheat, rye, corn, oats, and
buckwheat, which find a market at Scranton and Pitts-
ton. Its timber is chiefly oak, chestnut, and hickory.

Milwaukee is a village consisting of 30 dwellings, 2
saw-mills, 1 grist-mill, 1 store, 1 church, and 1 iron
foundry. There are, besides these in the township, 1
church and 1 saw-mill.

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 219

The present population of Ransom is chiefly German
and of German extraction, from Northampton county.

In 1850 this township contained 797 inhabitants.

Koss Township was formed from portions of Lehman
and Union, in 1842, and was named in honor of General
William S. Ross, who, at the time of its formation, was
one of the associate judges of the Luzerne county courts.

Its area is 46 square miles, of which one-fourth part is
cleared land. Its surface is hilly, and its soil produces
the usual grains, together with excellent grass. Its mar-
ket is at Wilkesbarre. Its timber is principally oak,
chestnut, and pine.

There are in the township 5 saw-mills, 1 store, 1
church, and 1 tavern, but no grist-mill.

The population of Ross, in 1850, was 709.

Salem Township was one of the original townships,
and retained its name as one of the 11 townships into
which the county was divided in 1790. It received its
name from Salem, in Windham county, Connecticut, and
its territory has not been diminished since 1793, when
Huntington was set off.

The father of the late Nathan Beach, Esq., built the
first dwelling, a log-cabin, in Salem, in 1776, on the
Beach Grove property, near the river. Several years
after he opened the first store in the township.

Prior to the erection of Walker's Mill, the settlers had
their grain ground at the Nanticoke Mill, to which place
they conveyed it in canoes pushed up the Susquehanna.

The first grist-mill was a log structure, erected by Mr.
Walker, about the year 1788, on a small stream which
empties into the Susquehanna, a few rods above Beach
Haven.

In 1793, Joseph and Alexander Jameson erected a log-

220 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

house on the river bank, on the Jameson estate, adjoinmg
Beach Grove.

In 1796, Salem township contained 44 dweUing-houses,
45 taxable inhabitants,''' 28 horses, 19 oxen, and 77
cows.

The extent of Salem is 29 square miles, one-half of
which is cleared and cultivated. The surface is river-
bottom and rolling land, and its soil produces wheat, rye,
corn, oats, and buckwheat, which find a market at home
and at Hazelton.

Beach Haven is a village containing about 30 dwellings,
3 stores, 1 grist-mill, 1 grocery, 1 church, and 2 taverns.
The collector's and weighmaster's offices of the Wyoming
Canal Company are located here. Besides these, the
township contains 5 saw-mills, 2 grist-mills, 1 store, 1 tan-
nery, and 1 church.

The population of Salem in 1840 was 1009, and in
1850 it was 1130.

Scott Township was separated from Greenfield in 1846,
and was named in honor of David Scott, who, for many
years, was president judge of the Luzerne courts.

In 1800, Mr. Howe built the first grist-mill of logs on
the outlet of Chapman's Lake, and James Brown, in 1804,
erected the first saw-mill on the same stream. The first
church in Scott was built in 1856. Among the early
settlers were Nathaniel Simrell, Nathaniel Finch, William
Carey, Wilmot Vale, Caleb Brown, and Samuel Callender.
Lucy Carey, whose maiden name was McKay, resides in
Scott, and is one hundred years of age.^ She was in Forty
Fort at the time of the Indian Ijattle in 1778.

The area of Scott township is 27 square miles, one-
third of which is cleared land. Its surface is undulating,

* For names of taxables, see Apponlix T. f Since deceased.

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 221

and * is adapted to grazing, though it produces the com-
mon grains of the country. Its market is at Carbondale
and Scranton. Its timber is chiefly beech, maple, hem-
lock, and ash.

This township has 4 saw-mills, 1 grist-mill, 1 turning-
mill, 1 store, 1 church, and 1 tavern. '

Green Grove is a small village of about 15 dwellings.

The population of Scott in 1850 was 1268.

Scranton Borough was incorporated in 1856, and is
situated in what was known as Slocum Hollow, or
Capouse. This name was pronounced, by the old in-
habitants, Capows. Capouse was a chief of the Monsey
Indians, whose village stood near the site of Scranton.
Here, Frederick Post, the Moravian missionary, found
them, more than a hundred years ago.*

In the year 1788, Philip and James Abbott put up a
log grist-mill on Roaring Brook, a few rods above the
present grist-mill at Scranton. It had one run of stone,
and a bolter made of perforated deerskin. In 1798, this
mill passed into the hands of Benjamin and Ebenezer
Slocum, who enlarged it. The Messrs. Slocum, in 1799,
built a saw-mill, and, in the following year, a forge in the
some locality. These buildings, with 2 distilleries and 3
dwellings, constituted, for many years, the entire settle-
ment in Slocum Hollow or Capouse.

In 1839, this region was explored by Mr. W. Henry,
who discovered anthracite coal and iron-ore on the Slocum
property and adjoining lands. He, in conjunction with
Colonel George W. and S. T. Scranton, S. Grant, and P.
H. Mattes, purchased these lands in 1840. On the 11th
of September, of the same year, the first day's work was
done towards the erection of a blast furnace, and the place
was called Harrison, in honor of General William Henry
Harrison, who was then the candidate of the whig party

* Scranton -waa incorporated a city in 1866, and includes Providence
borough and township, and the borou.i^h of Hyde Park.

222

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

THE SLOCUM HOUSE.

for President of the United States. This name was after-
wards dropped for that of Scrantonia, which was finally
changed to Scranton. Such was the beginning of one of
the most flourishing towns in Pennsylvania, and which is
destined to become a place of even far greater importance
than it is now.

Scranton is laid out with regularity, nearly all the
streets crossing each other at right angles. Business is
thriving, and many spacious brick buildings are being
erected. The town is supplied with water from the
Lackawanna, being forced up by steam-power into a
reservoir, and thence distributed in pipes through the
borough. The streets are lighted by gas, and the side-
walks are paved with plank and stone. The capital of
the company which erected the gas and water works is
$100,000. The place contains 59 groceries and stores of all
descriptions, 18 stationary steam-engines, 10 churches, 2
printing offices, 4 foundries and machine-shops, 2 bakeries,
7 hotels, 4 smelting furnaces, 1 rolling-mill, 1 planing

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 223

mill, 2 banking-houses, 6 insurance agencies, 2 flouring-
mills, each with 4 run of stone, 1 brewery, 2 resident
dentists, 12 doctors, and 13 lawyers.

In 1850, there was but one brick building in Scranton,
now there are 80. In 1854, the population was 4241, of
whom the American-born were 1151, the rest being Ger-
mans, Irish, Welsh, and English. The population is now
estimated to exceed 12,000, of whom about one-half, it is
thought, are native-born Americans.

Slocum Township was separated from Newport in 1854,
and was named in honor of Joseph Slocum, Esq., late of
AVilkesbarre. The first settlement in Slocum was made
by two brothers, named Lutsey, about the year 1785, at
what is known as the Lutsey settlement. They were
great hunters, and the mountains abounding in game,
their location was pecuUarly suited to their love of
adventure.

Its area is 16 square miles, one-fifth of which is cleared
land. It is a mountainous section of country ; but rye,
corn, oats, and buckwheat do well. The timber is mainly
oak and hemlock.

This township contains 2 saw-mills, and 2 stores, but
has no grist-mill, no church, and no tavern.

Springbrook Township was formed from parts of Cov-
ington and Pittston in 1853.

Among the first settlers in Springbrook was Abraham
Turner, who, assisted by others, cut a road from Dale-
ville to Rattlesnake Creek. He and his companions com-
menced what is known as the Welsh settlement in 1832.
Mr. Turner was soon followed by James Jones, David
Davidson, Morgan Daniel, Morgan Pugh, Isaac Cary,
William Thomas, and others, who, by industry and fru-
gality, have converted the wilderness into the fruitful
field, and have laid up a store for a joyous old age.

224 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The first saw-mill in Springbrook was put up on Rattle-
snake Creek, in 1836, by Henry Yeager. The first grist-
mill was erected, on the same creek, by William Hughes,
in 1838. In 1839, the first church was built by the
Welsh Methodists.

The extent of Springbrook is 35 square miles, of which
only about one-sixth is cleared land. It is a mountainous
region, and is adapted to grazing ; but produces rye, corn,
oats, and buckwheat. Its market is Pittston and the
Lackawanna Valley. Its timber is chiefly oak, beech,
and hemlock.

This township contains 5 saw-mills, 1 grist-mill, 1
church, and 1 shovel and hoe-handle manufactory.

SuGARLOAF TowNSiiiP was formed from a portion of
Nescopeck in 1809, and received its name from the Sugar-
loaf Mountain, which rears its conical peak 500 feet above
the valley of the same name.

In the yeai; 1785, the year after John Balliet settled
in the territory embraced in Butler township, George
Easterday built a log-cabin near the Indian path, at the
foot of Buck Mountain, now in Sugarloaf. Mr. Easterday
was followed by Christian Miller, Anthony Weaver, Jacob
Mace, Jacob Rittenhouse, Jacob Drumheller, Sr., Jacob
Spade, Christian Wenner, and others from Northampton
county. These, with the early settlers of Butler and
Black Creek, were the pioneers of South-western Luzerne.

John Cawley erected the first saw-mill on the Nesco-
peck Creek in 1810, and the first grist-mill was built by
George Kooning in 1825. The first church was put up
in Conyngham in 1815.

The area of Sugarloaf is 20 square miles, of which
seven-tenths is cleared land, embracing a considerable
portion of Sugarloaf Valley. The common grains of our
climate are produced in Sugarloaf, and their market is at

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 225

Hazelton. Oak, chestnut, hemlock, and hickory are found
in its forests. It contains 8 saw-mills, 3 grist-mills, 4
stores, 2 churches, and 5 taverns.

Conyngham village, in this township, was named in
honor of Captain Gustavus Conyngham, who commanded
a privateer during the Revolutionary War, and who first
carried the American flag into the English Channel. It
contains about 50 dwellings, 2 stores, 3 taverns, and 1
church.

The population of Sugarloaf in 1850 was 1023.

Union Township was formed from parts of Huntington
and Plymouth in 1813.

The first settlement in Union was made in 1773, by
Jonathan Hunlock, on Hunlock's Creek, near the furnace
of William Koons.

Isaac Benscotter erected the first saw-mill on the
Shickshinny Creek in 1802, and the first grist-mill was
put up by George Gregory on the same stream in 1804.
The first church was built in 1832. Among the first set-
tlers were the Benscotters, Fenks, Dodsons, and Youngs.

The extent of Union is 39 square miles, of which a
fifth part is cleared and cultivated. Though a mountain-
ous rergion, the cultivable portions yield the usual grains,
which find a market at Hazelton and Wilkesbarre. Its
timber is chiefly oak, chestnut, and hickory. It contains
8 saw-mills, 3 grist-mills, 4 stores, 3 taverns, 2 churches,
and 2 blast furnaces, including the one at Shickshinny,
which stands within the Salem township line.

Shickshinny village* is situated at the point where the
Shickshinny Creek empties into the Susquehanna. It
contains about 20 dwellings, and bids fair to become a
thriving place. It is connected with Newport by a sub-
stantial bridge across the Susquehanna, and enjoys the

* Shickshinny was incorporated a borough in 18G1.
15

226 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

advantages of the canal and of the Lackawanna and
Bloomsburg Raih^oad.

Muhlenburg is a collection of 6 or 8 dwellings.

The population of Union in 1850 was 1308.

Waverly Borough was incorporated in 1854, prior to
which it was generally called Abington Centre. It is
located in the midst of a fine agricultural district, one
mile distant from the Delaware, Lackawanna, and West-
ern Railroad. It contains 5 stores, 1 large hotel, 1 steam
saw and grist mill, and 3 churches. The public schools
of Waverly are graded. The buildings are frame and
neatly built, and the streets are provided with good side-
walks. Its population is about 400.

West Pittston Borough was incorporated in 1857, and
is situated on the Susquehanna, opposite Pittston, with
which it is connected by a substantial bridge. It is
regularly laid out, and the location is a most desirable
one for private residences, particularly for persons engaged
in business in Pittston. There are 1 large hotel and 1
store in the place.

White Haven Borough was incorporated in 1842, and
derives its name from Josiah White, Esq., of Philadelphia,
to whose genius and energy the origin and completion of
the Lehigh navigation is chiefly attributable. The town is
pleasantly located on the Lehigh river and canal, 20 miles
south-east from Wilkesbarre, with which it is connected by
the Susquehanna and Lehigh Raih^oad. White Haven is
steadily improving, and the proposed enlargement of the
locks on the Lehigh, so as to admit the passage of steam-
boats of 250 tons burden, and a corresponding enlargement
of the Delaware Canal, will divert, it is thought, almost
the entire Wyoming coal trade in that direction, and will
give the town an impetus, which will speedily advance it
to the position of one of the most active and progressive

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 227

places in the state.* It contains 250 dwellings, 3 churches,
5 dry goods stores, 2 drug stores, 4 hotels, 6 saw-mills, 3
planing and lath mills, and 1 foundry and machine-shop.
The town is supplied with pure mountain spring water,
and excellent and commodious hotels, which, combined
with its high elevation and pure air, render it a desirable
place of resort during the sultry months of the year.

WiLKESBARRE TowNSHip was Originally laid out by the
Susquehanna Land Company, and was also one of the
eleven townships into which Luzerne was divided by the
court in 1790. It derives its name from the union of the
names of John Wilkes and Colonel Barre, distinguished
advocates for liberty and the rights of the colonies.

The first dwelling-houses in Wyoming, erected by white
men, were built on the flats, below the borough of Wilkes-
barre, in 1758, by authority of the Supreme Executive
Council of Pennsylvania, for the use of Teedyuscung, king
of the Delaware Indians, and his tribe.

Fort Durkee stood on the bank of the river in this town-
ship, immediately below the Wilkesbarre borough Une.

The first massacre and destruction of the white settle-
ment occurred in this township in 1763.

In 1782, James Sutton, who had previously built mills
in Exeter and Kingston townships, erected a grist-mill on
Mill Creek near the river. This was the first mill in the
present limits of Wilkesbarre. It was constructed of
hewn logs, and had one run of stone, and a sentry-box on
the roof, from which the valley could be overlooked, and
the movements of an enemy observed. This mill was
swept away by the pumpkin flood in 1786.

In 1799, including Wilkesbarre borough, Covington,
Buck, and a large portion of Plains and Bear Creek town-

* The Lehigh Slackwater Navigation was destroyed by the great flood of
1862, and has not been rebuilt. (For particulars, see Appendix Y.)

228

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

SUTTON S MILL.

ships, it contains 121 taxable inhabitants,* 112 horses,
and 301 head of horned cattle. The total valuation of
property for taxable purposes was $71,390.

The area of this township is 15 square miles, and three-
fourths of it is cleared land. The surface is flat and
rolling, with a portion of the Wilkesbarre Mountain in
its territory. It produces wheat, rye, corn, and oats,
which are consumed at home. It contains 10 stores, 5
grist-mills, 2 iron foundries, 2 planing-mills, 4 churches,
1 soap and tallow chandlery, 1 powder-jnill, 1 brewery,
and 6 coal-mines.

The population of Wilkesbarre township, including
parts of Plains and Bear Creek, in 1850, was 2928.

Wilkesbarre Borough was incorporated in 1806, and
is the oldest town in the county. It was laid out in
1772 by Colonel John Durkee, and embraced 200 acres
of land. It was originally laid out in eight squares, with
a diamond in the centre. The squares were subsequently

* Fur uames of taxables, see Appendix, U.

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS.

229

divided into 16 parallelograms by the formation of Frank-
lin and Washington streets.

The first dwelling, within the limits of the town plot,
was a log-cabin built by John Abbott on the south-west
corner of Main and Northampton streets, in 1769.

In 1772, there were only 5 white women in Wilkes-
barre; and, in 1784, the whole number of buildings
amounted to 26, of which 23 were burnt by the Penna-
mites. Of the three buildings saved from the flames, two
are yet standing — the westerly end of the Hollenback
House, on Main street, and the old red house on River
street. The former was erected by Judge Hollenback,
and the latter by Captain John P. Schott, in 1783.

BED HOUSE.

In 1807, Joseph Slocum, Esq., erected a three story
brick dwelling-house on the south side of the Public Square,
now occupied by his son-in-law, Lord Butler, Esq. In
the same year, Benjamin Perry, Esq., put up the brick
dwelling now standing on the corner of Main and North-

230 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ampton streets. These two were the first brick buildings
in Wilkesbarre.

The following taken from the Federalist of March 30,
1810, will give some idea of Wilkesbarre 50 years ago: —

" Memorandum of a Stranger in Luzerne.

"Cloudy day — rain towards night — 4 o'clock, came in
sight of a small town in this county — a delightful and
extensive valley, sufficiently watered by Susquehanna and
its tributary streams. Set this county down rich — the
soil undoubtedly will reward the labors of the husband-
man with an abundant harvest.

"Came down into the town (Wilkesbarre) — found it
regularly laid out — handsome place, though too many
small houses for beauty. Streets terribly muddy — almost
impossible to get along. Wonder the inhabitants don't
have a side-walk, at least, so that foot people may not
have their legs pulled out by the roots. Mem. — Stone
enough on the mountain at a small distance. Query —
Would not a good pavement raise the value of property
sufficiently to defray the expense ?

" Came down into the street — extends north and south.
What ! two men running horses ! ! Mud knee deep —
Well, they sputter it agoing bravely. They spout it around
like Mount Etna in a fit of the colic. Huzza ! there
goes a man and his horse heels over head — spatter, dash,
souse all over in the mud — ha ! ha ! ha ! — a new way of
dismounting. Mem. — Never run horses in slippery
weather. Walked up to the centre of the place — saw a
meeting-house — good sign, though seldom seen in this
county — court-house — an academy, I guess, with one
end of it fenced in — a jail probably, by the high yard
fence — four public buildings, religion, justice, knowledge,
and iniquity — curious compound. Wonder what old
huge, anti({ue stone-building that is with new roof and

BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 231

windows — contrary to Scripture — put no new cloth upon
an old garment. Query — Is this not what they call the
Gothic order of architecture ? Mem. — Never build in that
style — looks like the devil — this is the first building that
bears such strong marks of antiquity, and which appears
to have been too rough for the devouring jaws of time,
which I have seen in America. I can find no date upon
it — conjecture, built about the time of the second Olym-
piad. Went a little further — found six great, strong
robust men playing cards without any concealment.
Inquired if they had any laws in this state, or, perhaps,
their magistrates are blind, like Justice of old. Went
down to the river — a delightful bank, save the mud,
which, for the purpose of brevity, I wisli might always
be excepted, when this place is mentioned hereafter. A
big house on the bank — foundation all gone from one end
— a little more will tumble it down the hill — a good simile
for the government of the U. S. A. Saw a man drunk —
he had business on both sides of the way. Mem. — There
was once an insurrection in this state on account of taxing
whiskey. Saw another man moving with great obliquity
—made inquiry — found he was a candidate for sheriff.
Query — Do all sheriffs in Pennsylvania step quick two or
three times, and then with a long side-way stride ? The
river is wearing away the bank very rapidly — from ap-
pearance it seems to incline side-ways, like the man I saw
just now.

" Two men rode up from the river — one horse kicked
up and threw the rider head and heels in the mud — the
people all flocked around just as they do to see dogs fight
— made inquiry, and found the man was a Methodist
minister. Well, if I remember right, this sect of Christ-
ians hold to falling. Mem. — It may do well in theory,
but it is hard enough in practice.

232 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

" I went down a little further — saw a tavern with the
sign of the vessel. Mem. — Look in the morning, and see
if this be a seaport town. Heard a bell ring — made
inquiry, and found there was a Methodist meeting. After
tea went, and found a great many people there. The
minister delivered a forcible, impressive, eloquent, and
scriptural sermon. Under such preaching there must be
many Christians. Retired to my lodgings very weary.

" N. B. Get up early in the morning and buy cloth for
a coat.

" March 21. Rose at 6 — walked out upon the bank —
saw only one man up, and he, from his looks, will be
down before night. At 7, went to the store opposite the
ferry — found all closed and silent — perhaps this may be
holy time with them — inquired if they be Jews, and this
be the Passover. Walked on — saw a new white house
— very handsome situation — fence all gone around it.
Query — Has it not been a hard winter here ? What !
the printiug office — 0, yes — where that important agri-
cultural information came from — information so complete
that it had only one fault, and that the trifling one of
having no application on this side of the Atlantic. Saw
another store — went on, found it open and doing business
— good many people in — inquire if this man does not tend
his own store, and, of course, make more money. Going
back, saw a man without a hat — his hair pointing to
every quarter of heaven — his mouth open, and both
hands working daylight through his yet closed eyelids —
hope he has a large patrimony to doze over. Returned
to the tavern — found a good many men come in to get
their morning charge. Query — Arn't these men ashamed
to let their wives and families know how much they
drink? After breakfast walked round town — at 11
o'clock went by the Academy — steeple as big as an eel-

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BOROUGHS AND TOWNSHIPS. 233

basket — saw a number of great tall boys gaping, and
leaning against the side of the house, and stretching as if
for victory. Query — Are they preparing to stretch hemp
without anything to stand on ? Heard a man talk very
loud within —

" ' With what a braying noise he muttered,
And thought, no doubt, hell trembled as he uttered.'

" Went on — saw things which I shall never forget —
returned to my lodgings sick — evening pleasant — many
people came in, and as they poured down the whiske}-
they drowned out the politics. Query — If they should
drink less, talk less, and read more, won't they under-
stand the subject better? Went up street — going by the
court-house heard a stamping, like that of a livery stable
in fly time — made inquiry, and found there was a danc-
ing-school kept there. Mem. —

" ' He that will not work, by right, should not eat,
And he that has no head may use his feet.'

" March 22. In the morning — Over ! over ! halloo,
ferryman !

'^ P. S. I shall return this way."

The Allen Jack brick store-house, on Main street, was
erected in 1813, and the G. M. Hollenback store and dwell-
ing, on the corner of Market and River streets, in 1816.

Wilkesbarre contains 22 dry goods and grocery, and 11
exclusively grocery stores; 12 clothing, 10 boot and shoe,
and 7 drug stores ; 2 exclusively liquor, 1 hat and cap,
2 leather, 3 book and stationery, and 6 millinery and
fancy stores ; 5 watch and jewellery, 3 saddle and harness,
5 tin and stove establishments ; 7 bakeries and confec-
tioneries, 2 extensive iron founderies, 1 sash factory, 3
breweries, 4 tobacconists ; 3 hardware, 2 crockery and
glassware stores ; 2 planing and saw mills, and 1 flour-
ing-mill; 3 banks, 2 insurance offices, 3 broker offices,

234 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

5 restaurants, 11 hotels and taverns, 1 female seminary;
1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist Episcopal, 1 Protestant Epis-
copal, 1 Baptist, 2 Roman Catholic, 1 German Reformed?
and 1 colored Methodist Episcopal church.

The Methodist Episcopal church in Woodville, and the
Lutheran church in the township, are located near the
borough line, and are supported in part by members resi-
dent in Wilkesbarre.

The side-walks of the town are well paved with flag-
stones. The streets are lighted with gas, and the place
is supplied with excellent water.

The Gas and Water Works cost each about $30,000.

The population of AVilkesbarre in 1820 was 732. In
1830 it was 1201 ; in 1840, 1718 ; and in 1850, 2723.=^

Wright Township was formed from Hanover in 1851,
and was named in honor of Col. Hendrick B. Wright, of
Wilkesbarre. The first settlement was made by Conrad
Wickeiser, in 1798, near where the tavern-stand of James
Wright was subsequently erected. He was soon followed
by Wright, who built the first saw-mill in the township,
on the Wapwallopen Creek, in 1820.

The area of the township is 34 square miles, of which
an eighth part only is cleared land. The country is moun-
tainous, and the timber is chiefly pine and hemlock.
There ' are 8 saw-mills in Wright, 5 of which are first
class, costing from $5000 to $10,000 each. Lumbering is
the principal employment of the inhabitants. There are
4 taverns here, but no church and no grist-mill.

* For population in 1860, see Appendix X.

CHAPTER VII.
THE JUDICIARY.

Each state must have its policies :
Kingdoms have edicts, cities have their charters ;
Even the wild outlaw in his forest walk,
Keeps yet some touch of civil discipline.

From the first settlement at Wyoming until 1773, the
inhabitants had no authoritative code of laws, or tribunal
of justice. The settlers were from the first viewed by
the authorities of Pennsylvania as an intruding mob,
claiming and in possession of lands to which they had no
title. The proprietary government steadily issued its
warrants against them, and sent her civil officers, sup-
ported by bodies of armed men, to arrest them, or drive
them away. The settlers did not acknowledge the laws
of Pennsylvania, and were not themselves recognised by
the laws of Connecticut ; consequently they were without
law, and every man, in defending his person and property,
trusted to his rifle and to the justice of his cause. To
remedy this state of affairs, the Susquehanna Land Com-
pany framed a code of laws, or articles of agreement, in
1773, to which every male inhabitant of the age of twenty-
one years and upwards, was required to subscribe his name,
or depart from the settlement.

This compact provided, —

1st. For the election of three committeemen or directors
in each township, who should meet at least once in each

(235)

236 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

month, to hear and decide all disputes, and to try petty
offences.

2d. The directors of the several townships were required
to meet together four times a year at Wilkesbarre, consti-
tuting the quarterly meeting for general business purposes,
and for hearing and deciding appeals from the decisions of
the township directors, except in cases where titles to
land were in question, when the appeal was to be car-
ried to the Susquehanna Company.

Breaches of the peace, stealing, drunkenness, swearing,
gaming, idleness and the like, came under the jurisdiction
of the township directors ; but adulterers, burglars, and
some other offenders were tried by the quarterly meeting,
or supreme court.

For stealing, drunkenness, idleness, &c., the guilty were
required to make public confession, and perhaps undergo
punishment at the whipping-post, or in the stocks.

Adultery and burglary were punished by whipping,
banishment from the settlement, and confiscation of all
personal and real estate.

Counterfeiters were sent for trial to the province or
jurisdiction whose coin or money had been counterfeited,
and murderers were conveyed to Connecticut for trial.

There were then no regularly admitted practicing law-
yers,—

"Men of great profession that could speak
To every cause, and things mere contraries,
Till they were hoarse again, yet all be law."

In those days there was a period in the history of a
lawsuit, a stopping-place, a conclusion. The time had
not yet arrived when he who was so unfortunate as to
fall into the clutches of the law, must contend

"with rejoinders, or replies.

Long bills and auiuvers stuffed with lies ;"

THE JUDICIARY. 237

and when the vigor of life and his substance were spent
in the strife, would be compelled to say —

"For twenty years the cause was spun
And then stood where it first begun."

In 1774 the Susquehanna Purchase, embracing what
are now the counties of Luzerne, Wyoming, Susquehanna,
and Bradford, was formed into one town, after the man-
ner of New England, and called Westmoreland. It was
attached to the county of Litchfield, and enjoyed all the
rights and privileges of a town under the laws of Con-
necticut. Having a sufficient population, it was entitled
to two representatives in the General Assembly. Zebulou
Butler and Nathan Denison were commissioned justices
of the peace by Governor Trumbull, with power to call
and preside at town-meetings, and to hear and decide
certain causes; but high offences and important civil
cases were to be tried before the Litchfield county courts.

In 1776 Messrs. Butler and Denison, who had been
chosen to represent Westmoreland in the state Assembly,
returned from Hartford, bringing the joyful intelligence
that the town had been promoted to the position and
dignity of a county. A dispute now arose between
Wilkesbarre and Kingston, relative to the seat of justice,
but the decision being finally made in favor of the former
place, the first court was held in Fort Wyoming, on the
river bank, about sixty rods below the present Wilkes-
barre bridge. Among the names of the judges appointed
and commissioned for Westmoreland, by the Governor of
Connecticut, from year to year, we fiiid those of Avery,
Beach, Butler, Dana, Denison, Gore, and Franklin.
Lieutenant John Jenkins was appointed the state's attor-
ney, but Anderson Dana and Amos Bullock were the
only professional lawj^ers, of whom we have any record,
prior to the Indian battle in 1778. In that battle Dana,

238 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Bullock, and several persons who had acted as judges,
were slain.

From 1779 to 1782, when the Trenton Decree put an
end to the jurisdiction of Connecticut, the courts were
held in Wilkesbarre Fort, erected, after the massacre, on
the site of the old court-house in the jDublic square.

In March, 1781, the court made the following regula-
tion : —

" Whereas, there is no authority in this county for the
assistance of those who are unable to make proper repre-
sentations of their own case before the court ; therefore,
Resolved, That until farther or otherwise ordered, either
plaintiff or defendant may be allowed liberty of counsel
to lay their matters, and plead them, before the court,
without having admitted or sworn attorneys."

At November Court, 1781, "Ordered, that a tax of
two jDence in the pound be levied, to be paid in hard
money, or in specific articles," grain, &c., to be delivered
and received at the county treasury at rates fixed by
the court.

At the same term the court ordered that Abigail Had-
den be divorced from Simeon Hadden, and the said
Abigail was declared " single and unmarried."

At the December Term, 1782, " Mary Pritchard is
found guilty of unnecessarily going from her place of
alx)de, on the Lord's Day, on the 10th of November last;
therefore. Ordered, that she pay a fine of five shillings,
lawful money, to the town treasury, and costs."

At the same term J. H. T. having been found guilty
of stealing, the court ordered that he " receive ten stripes,
well administered, on his naked back."

In 1782 D. G. W., for stealing a deerskin, valued at
nineteen shillings, and not being able to pay damages or
costs, was assigned by the court to two years' service to

THE JUDICIARY. 239

H. M., from whom he stole the skin, and power was given
to H. M. to assign or dispose of his service for said period
"to any of the subjects of the United States."

The punishment of Mary Pritchard has a deep tinge
of Connecticut's Bhie Laws. The enforcement of the
observance of the Sabbath, to such a point of nicety,
appears ridiculous to us ; but, it is possible, a future
generation may entertain very different views on this
subject with those prevalent in our day. The increased
humanity and civilization of later times have abolished
the whipping-post, and those barbarous punishments
which permanently marked and mutilated the bodies of
persons convicted of crimes. Experience has shown that
a criminal code, inordinately severe, defeats the ends of
justice, for a natural sympathy arises in the breasts of
jurors for one who may suffer a punishment out of pro-
portion to the offence committed. One of the objects of
punishment is the determent of others from the commis-
sion of crime : but as the perpetration of offences against
the good order of society is the result mostly of a strong
evil impulse in the offenders, laws should be framed
rather with reference to their moral reformation than to
the infliction of physical pain.

Although Westmoreland was nominally in the county
of Northumberland after 1772, yet the laws of Pennsyl-
vania were utterly disregarded by the people until 1782,
when the judgment of the United States Commissioners
abolished the jurisdiction of Connecticut. During the
next four years following the Trenton Decree, the seat
of justice, for what had been known as Westmoreland,
was properly Sunbury, situated about sixty miles further
down the river. The formation and organization of
Luzerne county, in 178G-7, may be viewed as the act of
the practical mind of Benjamin Franklin, who foresaw.

240 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

in that plan, the effectual means for thwarting the de-
signs of John Franklin, Ethan Allen, and others, an
account of which we have given elsewhere.

On the 27th day of May, 1787, Timothy Pickering,
James Nesbitt, Obadiah Gore, Nathan Kingsley, Benja-
min Carpenter, Matthias HoUenback, and William Hooker
Smith, who had been commissioned justices of the Court
of Common Pleas, &c., as provided in the first constitution
of this state, assembled at the house of Colonel Zebulon
Butler, on the corner of Northampton and River streets,
in Wilkesbarre, and proclamation being made by Lord
Butler, high sheriff, for all persons to keep silence, the
commissions of the county officers were read, and the
oaths of office were administered by Timothy Pickering
and Colonel Nathan Denison. This was the first court
held for Luzerne county. The duties of prothonotary,
register, and recorder, and clerk of the court, were per-
formed by Timothy Pickering, who was a lawyer of fine
abilities, and was otherwise eminently qualified to organize
a new county in the midst of an injured and rebellious
people.

Soon after the organization of the court, Roswell Wells,
Ebenezer Bowman, Putnam Catlin, and William Nichols,
Esqs., were admitted and sworn as attorneys at law. In
1794 the first two mentioned were the only lawyers in
Luzerne county, and when, in the same year, Noah Wad-
hams and Nathan Palmer, Esqs., were admitted to the
bar, it was stated to the court that Messrs. Bowman and
Catlin had then arranged to quit practice altogether.
Daniel Stroud and John Price were admitted in 1795;
Thomas Cooper in 1796 ; M. J. Biddle and Samuel
Roberts in 1797; E. Smith, J. Wallace, and William
Prentice in 1799; George Griffin in 1800, who subse-
quently removed to the city of New York, and, becoming

THE JUDICIARY. 241

eminent in his profession, received the title of LL. D. In
1802 Thomas Dyer, yet living, was admitted, and is the
oldest survivor of the bar in the county.* Colonel Wash-
ington Lee, who is the next oldest survivor, was admitted
in 1806.

Among the practitioners at the Luzerne bar, the fol-
lowing gentlemen have been promoted to judgeships in
Pennsylvania : Thomas Cooper, LL. D. ; Garrick Mallery,
LL. D. ; David Scott ; Joel Jones ; Luther Kidder ; Oris-
tus Collins ; John N. Conyngham ; George W. Woodward,
LL. D., of the Supreme Court ; Warren J. Woodward, and
David Wilraot. Three gentlemen, first admitted to this
bar, have been promoted to judgeships in other states : Ben-

jamin D.Wright, Florida ; E. 0. Hamlin, Minnesota ;

Parker, Wisconsin; and Ovid F. Johnson, a lawyer of excel-
lent talents, became Attorney-General of Pennsylvania.

The second court was held in September, 1787, Oba-
diah Gore, president, at which the following-named
persons appeared as grand jurors : Abel Pierce, foreman.
Mason F. Alden, Jonah Rogers, John Hollenback, Shubal
Bidlack, William Trucks, Daniel Gore, Christopher
Hurlbut, Henry McCormick, Zachariah Hartsuff, Jacob
Fritley, Adam Mann, William Jackson, Thomas Reed,
William Hebbard, George Cooper, Elnathan Cary, James
Lassley, Timothy Hopkins, John Kennedy, Andrew
Wartman, and William Warner. The first indictment
presented was against John Franklin, for assault and bat-
tery on Eliphalet Richards, and the grand jury found a
true bill. The trial was postponed until the December
Term ; but scarcely had the September Term closed, when
Franklin was arrested by virtue of a warrant issued by
Chief Justice McKean, for high treason, and lodged in
prison in Philadelphia. This act, the particulars of which

* Thomas Dyer died in 1861.
16

242 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

we have given elsewhere, set the people in an uproar,
and " no venires issued for December Term," say the
records, "by reason of the peculiar state of the county."

At the March Term, 1788, Putnam Catlin, acting as
state's attorney, first displayed his legal abilities in that

capacity against T R , indicted for stealing

chickens. Several cases of assault and battery were tried
at this and the following Terms. In November, 1788,
the Supreme Court convened at Wilkesbarre for the trial
of Franklin, and his half-share boys. Judges McKean
and Rush were met on the Wilkesbarre Mountain, and
escorted to comfortable quarters. As stated in a former
chapter, Franklin's trial was postponed, and being released
on bail, no further proceedings were ever instituted against
him.

In 1790, after the division of the county into town-
ships without regard to the townships formed under the
Connecticut law, Luzerne was further divided into ten
districts for the election of justices of the peace.

1st District was composed of Huntington, Salem, and
Nescopeck townships, having 215 taxables, who elected
Nathan Beach, Charles E. Gaylord, Jacob Bittenbender,
and John T. Miller, as their first justices of the peace.

2d District, composed of Wilkesbarre, Hanover, and
Newport townships, with 290 taxables, elected William
Ross, Joseph Wright, James Campbell, and George FiSpy,
the first justices,

3d District, composed of Plymouth, Kingston, and Exe-
ter toAvnships, taxables 442, elected Noah Wadhams, Jr.,
Peter Grubb, Lawrence Myers, Benjamin Carpenter, and
Benjamin Newbury, the first justices.

4th District, with 282 taxables, embraced Pittston and
Providence townships ; but the names of the first justices
of the peace are not recorded.

THE JUDICIARY. 243

5th District ^Yas Tunkliannock township, whose 140
taxables elected Elisha Harding justice of the peace.

6th District was formed from Braintnm and Wyalu-
sing, having 225 taxables, who elected as their justices
H. D. Champion, Jonathan Stevens, and Guy Wells.

7th District, composed of Wysox and Burlington,
having 274 taxables, elected Moses Coolbaugh justice of
the peace.

8th District, embracing Ulster, Tioga, and Orwell
townships, with 294 taxables, elected Joseph Kinney and
David Paine, first justices.

9th District was Rush township, whose 103 taxables
elected Isaac Hancock their first justice of the peace.

10th District, composed of Willingborough, Lanesville,
and Nicholson townships, with 286 taxables, elected as
its first justices John Marcy, Thomas Tiffany, and Asa
Eddy.

In 1791, Zebulon Marcy was indicted by the grand
jury of Luzerne county for challenging A. Atherton to
fight a duel.

The Act of Assembly forming Luzerne county, named
Zebulon Butler, Jonah Rogers, Simon Spaulding, Na-
thaniel Landon, and John Philips, as trustees to locate
and to erect a court-house and jail. This they did, on
the site of the old fort in the public square in Wilkes-
barre. This building was about 25 by 50 feet, constructed
of hewn logs, two stories high, with outside steps leading
to the court room on the second floor. The first story
was used as a jail and the jailor's residence. This primi-
tive temple of justice was completed in 1791, and Stephen
Tuttle, whose good wife placed her cake and beer sign
over the door of the first story, was appointed first jailor.

On one occasion, during the sitting of the Supreme
Court, an unusual noise disturbed his Honor, Judge

244

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

OLD COURT-HOCSE, WILKESBARRE.

McKean, who, in a stern voice, commanded silence. The
noise, however, continued, when the court sent for Mr.
Tuttle, who, evidently much incensed, informed his honor

that the d d hogs had got at his corn in the garret by

coming up the outside steps in the morning. Mr. Tuttle
was ordered to eject the intruders forthwith. There
proved to be but one hog, which rushed forth with a
tremendous grunt, capsizing Mr. Tuttle, together with the
gravity of the court. After a few years, it was resolved
to erect a new building for the courts.

In 1801, Lawrence Myers, Eleazar Blackman, and
Thomas Wright, county commissioners, procured the

THE JUDICIARY. 245

plan of a court-house, in Fredericksburg, Maryland, for
which they paid $17.06. The old log court-house was
removed by Joseph Hitchcock, the contractor for the con-
struction of the new edifice, but it continued to be occupied
by the courts until 1804, when the new building was com-
pleted, and the old one was converted into the Wilkes-
barre Academy. This new structure, in the form of a
cross, declared by the commissioners to be " most elegant
and convenient," was erected on the site of the old log
court-house. Including furniture and fixtures, it cost
$9356.06. There were 32J gallons of whiskey used at
the raising of this building; a fact which demonstrates
either the great capacity of the people of that day for
ardent spirits, or else the presence of a large number of
consumers.

The bell, the tones of which have quickened the pulsa-
tions of the hearts of so many prisoners, of plaintiffs, and
of defendants, was cast in Philadelphia, by George Hed-
derly, in 1805. In the cellar of this building, at an early
period, the lovers of beefsteak found a good market.
Within its walls dancing was taught by exquisite pro-
fessors of the art, and holy men of God proclaimed the
doctrines of divine truth. For more than half a century
it was used for judicial purposes. Judge Conyngham in
his address, in 1856, delivered on the occasion of the
laying of the corner stone of the present, the third, court-
house, remarked, " Upwards of fifty years seems a long
period for litigation and dispute among an active and a
growing people; yet, it is believed, that the scales of
Justice have been balanced as evenly within these walls
as human knowledge and human frailty would allow."

The judges of the Supreme Court, who sat in this
court-house and in the original log-building, were McKean,
Tilghman, Breckenridge, Smith, and Yeates. " There

246 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

were some ceremonies," says Judge Conyngham, in the
address before quoted, " connected with the courts, now
entirely abrogated, and which in fact would be annoying
in the present day, which are worthy of being noted in
the records of the past. At the opening of every term,
the sheriff, with his staff of office, attended by the crier
of the court, and frequently by several constables, waited
upon the judges at their lodgings, and then conducted
them in formal procession to the court-house. Judges
McKean, Smith, and others, of the Supreme Court, always
wore swords when they attended court — some bearing
rapiers and others heavier weapons."

" In this secluded spot, the weeks of court, years since,
attracted more of interest in the inhabitants than is found
at present. They were decidedly, as tradition remem-
bers and brings down to us, gala days, and periods of fun
and frolic. The lawyers were assembled from various
parts of the state, and, while business was not so burden-
some and pressing as it is now, much time was afforded
for amusements. It was but a day or two since, in con-
versation with a lady of our town, about these bygone
days, that she seemed to be young again in the liveliness
and vivacity of her recollections, as she described the
public and private gatherings, and especially the court
ball, Avhich was held every term in the upper room of the
court-house."

Mr. Brown says of Judge McKean, " He was rigid in
the observance of the court ceremonies, jealous of his
authority, and rough and overbearing in maintaining it."

Judge Breckenridge does not appear to have been so
dignified as some others. In warm weather he sat in
court clad in a loose gown, and in his bare feet, which he
sometimes elevated on the railing over the head of the
clerk.

THE JUDICIARY. 247

Some of the early judges of the Supreme Court, as well
as some president judges, who administered the law in
this region, appear to have been jovial fellows, not averse
to whiskey, cards, and fun.

The pioneer judges and lawyers were not blessed with
the facilities and conveniences which surround those of^
the present day. They had no comfortable offices with
their easy chairs, and shelves groaning under the weight
of hundreds of volumes. No spring carriages or railroad
cars bore them swiftly and without fatigue from one
county to another. They carried their law in their
heads, and their libraries in a pair of saddle-bags holding
half a bushel, and the lawyers generally met their clients
for the first time at the court-house door. Judge Jessup,
in his address delivered at the inauguration of the new
court-house, in January, 1859, says, that he well remem-
bered " when the court set out from Wilkesbarre, followed
by the bar on horseback, through Cobb's Gap, Wayne,
Pike, and Susquehanna counties, bringing up at Bradford
county."

John Brown, Esq., an early resident of Berwick, Co-
lumbia county, informed the author that he kept a house
of entertainment in that place, at an early day, and that
the judges of the Supreme Court always lodged with him
over night, on their way up the river to hold court at
Wilkesbarre. The tavern was a low log-building, and
occupied the ground where Mr. Bowman's store now
stands. " The Judges," said he, " were sociable clever
fellows, and could eat as much rye bread as any set of
men I ever saw. I gave them good straw beds to sleep
on, and put their horses in a shed adjoining the back
part of the house, and when they were in bed they could
hear their horses eating their corn, for there was nothing

248 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

but a log wall between the feed trough and their sleeping-
place."

The president judges, who sat on our bench, are Judges
Rush, Cooper, Chapman, Gibson, Burnside, Scott, Jessup,
and Conyngham, From 1787 to 1791, the courts of the
county were held by justices before mentioned. After
the adoption of the constitution of 1790, Jacob Rush,
commissioned as president judge, held his first court
here, December Term, 1791. He continued to preside
until 1806. He was succeeded by Thomas Cooper, who
held his first court, August Term, 1806. Mr. Cooper
was born in England in 1759. He had been a practicing
attorney in Luzerne before his appointment as judge.
He was a man of learning, and of a sprightly imagina-
tion. He was in advance of the age, in his knowledge of
minerals and of geology. He carried with him a hammer
and acids, breaking rocks and testing their mineral quali-
ties, and was supposed by some ignorant persons to be,
on that account, impaired in intellect. He was the firm
friend of freedom, and his bold pen caused his imprison-
ment under the Alien and Sedition Laws. After his libera-
tion. Governor McKean appointed him one of the com-
missioners to carry into effect the Compromising Law of
1799 and its supplements. To his energetic action were
due the quiet and harmony that speedily ensued in this
long troubled and unhappy country. He was sometimes
exceedingly stern and severe as a judge. On one occji-
sion a gentleman named Croup, seated in the court-house,
leaned over and whisj^ered something in the ear of Ste-
phen Hollister, constable of Kingston. For this trivial
act Judge Cooper sent them both to jail for several hours.
The next week Mr. Hollister published a communication,
over his own signature, in the " Federalist," in which he
denounced Judge Cooper as an English tyrant, and called

THE JUDICIARY. 249

on the people to unite against him, to secure his removal
and the appointment of an American judge. He was
impeached for tyranny, and wrote a pamphlet in his de-
fence. He died in South Carolina in 1839.

Seth Chapman was commissioned to take the place of
Mr. Cooper, and held his first court, August Term, 1811.
'Judge Chapman resided in the town of Northumberland.
During the holding of the courts in Luzerne he boarded
at some private house in preference to a tavern, but by
no means despised whiskey, as was evidenced by the
atmosphere of his room. He could not be reckoned a
talented man, and was a judge of inferior abilities. Years
after he had ceased to preside in Luzerne he was im-
peached, and resigned his judgeship rather than risk the
exposure and issue of a trial.

In 1813, John Bannister Gibson followed Judge Chap-
man, and held his first court here, July Term of that
year. This eminent judge was a Pennsylvanian by birth,
born November 8th, 1780. After presiding here with
great ability for three years, he was elevated to the
Supreme Bench of the state in 1816, where he maintained
his position and high reputation until his death on the
3d of May, 1853.

Thomas Burnside succeeded Judge Gibson, at the
August Term of 1816. Judge Burnside was also finally
elevated to the Supreme Bench.

David Scott held his first court here, August Term,
1818. He was a native of Connecticut, born in 1782.
He came to Wilkesbarre when a young man, and studied
law. He possessed a naturally strong and active mind.
He was a good lawyer, a good judge, and an exemplary
citizen. He eventually became so deaf as to be unable
to discharge the duties of his office. He died in 1839.

William Jessup was commissioned, and held his first

250 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

court, August Term, 1838. Judge Jessup is a native of
Long Island, state of New York. He went to Montrose
soon after the organization of Susquehanna county, and
commenced the practice of law. He is a good law3';er,
and an able judge. When on the bench he despatched
business with admirable promptness and facility.

John N. Conyngham succeeded Judge Jessup at the*
April Term of 1841. Judge Conyngham, the present
incumbent, is a native of Philadelphia, and came to
Wilkesbarre when a young man, and commenced the
practice of law. It is said that his decisions stand the
test of the Supreme Court better than those of any other
judge in the state.

Judge Scott was a member of a Christian church, as
are also Judges Jessup and Conyngham. These latter
gentlemen are active and among the foremost in benevo-
lent and philanthropic enterprises. They are ever found
throwing the moral influence of their exemplary charac-
ters on the side of religion, and in favor of the best
interests of their fellow-men.

Matthias Hollenback, who had been made one of the
justices for holding court in 1787, was appointed associate
judge under the Constitution of 1790, and sat in that
capacity until 1829, a period of 42 years. Jesse Fell
occupied the position of associate judge from 1798 until
1830, when he was succeeded by General William S.
Ross.

Matthias Hollenback was also the first treasurer, and
was succeeded by Abel Yarington in 1789.

Jonathan Fitch was the first sherifi" under Connecticut
jurisdiction for the county of Westmoreland. Lord
Butler was first sherifi* for the county of Luzerne. Among
the gentlemen who occupied this office in the early his-
tory of the county, we find the names of John Franklin,

THE JUDICIARY.

251

William Slocum, Ezekiel Hyde, Arnold Colt, Thomas
Wheeler, Jacob Hart, Benjamin Dorrance, Jabez Hyde,
Jr., Elijah Shoemaker, Stephen Vanloon, Isaac Bowman,
Jonathan Bulkely, Napthali Hurlbut, and Oliver Helme.
In addition to the names of the eminent lawyers,
already mentioned as practitioners at the Luzerne bar, we
* may add Thomas Graham, W. D.- Nicholson, John Evans,
T. B. Overton, Charles Catlin, T. B. Miner, H. King,
Lewis Hepburn, James Bowman, James McClintock,
Benjamin D. Wright, Samuel Bowman, and Lewis Paine.

LtlZERNE COUNTY JAIL.

The present jail was commenced in 1802, and com-
pleted at a cost of $5846.43. The stone fire-proof build-
ing for the public offices, which stood in the square adjoin-
ing the court-house, was commenced in 1809, and com-
pleted in 1812, and, with the jail-yard wall, cost about
$8500. The total cost of these buildings, together with
the court-house, amounted to nearly the sum of $24,000.

262

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

NEW CODRT-HOnSE, WILKESBABRE.

This was paid by a jwpulation not exceeding 11,000 in
1800, or 19,000 in 1810, and when the wealth of the
county was but a small fraction of what it is now.

In 1855, a bill authorizing the erection of a new court-
house passed the General Assembly, and became a law.
August 12th, 1856, on invitation of the commissioners of
Luzerne county. Lodge No. 61 Free and Accepted Ancient
York Masons laid the corner-stone of the third court-
house in the public square in Wilkesbarre. Hon. John
N. Conyngham was selected and invited by the lodge to
deliver an address on the occasion. The committee of
arrangements, aj^pointed by the lodge, made every pre-
])aration to secure a general attendance of the citizens of
the county. After prayer by the chaplain of the day^

THE JUDICIARY. 253

Rev. Dr. George Peck, the ceremony of laying the stone
was gone through with.

There was deposited in the stone, a copy of the Holy
Bible ; an American dollar and its parts ; lists of the
names of members of the several lodges of masons in the
county ; list of names of the county officers ; list of names
of members of the bench and bar ; list of names of
the municipal officers of the borough of Wilkesbarre ; a
copy of each paper published in the county ; a copy of
Judge Conynghara's address.

A large concourse of citizens, together with a number
of ladies, were in attendance to witness the proceedings.
The ceremonies were closed with prayer by the Rev. Mr.
Hickock.

The main building, appropriated to county offices, is
100 feet in front by 65 feet in depth. The court-room is
75 by 50 feet, and the rear building, occupied by the
judges, lawyers, and juries' rooms, is 65 by 30 feet. The
tower is 118 feet in height. The cost of this structure,
including furniture, was about ^85,000. The style of
architecture is the Romanesque, an order invented in
later ages in imitation of the Roman. The architect was
Mr. J. C. Wells, of New York, but the building was
erected under the immediate superintendence of Mr. D.
A. Fell. It is regarded as a substantial and commodious
fire-proof edifice. It was commenced and pushed forward
almost to completion under the energetic administration
of Benjamin F. Pfouts, William A. Tubbs, and Silas
Dodson, Esquires, county commissioners.

The jail, already mentioned as having being commenced
in 1802, does not comport either in plan or system with
the enlightenment of the age, nor with the elegance and
commodious character of the new court-house.

The Pennsylvania prison system has been endorsed

25-i ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

and approved, not only by other states of the Republic,
but by inspectors sent hither by European governments,
as being tlie best in the world. It has been adopted by
Lancaster, Chester, Dauphin, and other counties, and has
in no case disappointed public expectation. Our old jail
is now overflowing with idle prisoners, crowded together
in small and unhealthy apartments, and supported exclu-
sively from the treasury of the county. It would be
econom}^, it would be sound policy, to erect a prison on a
large scale, having in view the rapidly-increasing wealth
and population of the county, and to adopt the improved
system of discipline. Each prisoner would then occupy
a separate and well-ventilated room or cell, and have his
daily labor, whereby he would become a producer instead
of an idle consumer.

EXECUTIONS.

The first sentence of death, followed by execution,
within the limits of what is now Luzerne county, occurred
under military law. Lawrence Miller and Michael Rose-
bury induced men to desert from General Sullivan's
army, then lying at Easton. They were tories, and were
arrested ; and the army having in the mean time marched
to Wyoming, they were tried here by court martial, and
condemned to be hanged. A gallows was erected on the
river bank at Wilkesbarre, and on the 1st of July, 1779,
the two criminals, placed in a cart with their coffins, were
borne to the place of execution. Rosebury had manifested
no concern whatever during his trial, and subsequently
had utterly disregarded the instructions and admonitions
of his spiritual advisers, the chaplains? of the army. He
exhibited the same callousness and indifference on the
gallows, and died with firmness in the presence of the
whole army. Miller, on the other hand, had a wife and

THE JUDICIARY. 255

a numerous family of children. He had shown deep con-
trition for his offense, and his respectful and sorrowful
air on his trial had propitiated the favor of his judges,
who had recommended him to mercy. His former good
conduct also spoke loudly in his favor, and he had listened
to and profited by the spiritual advice of the chaplains.
Fifteen minutes had elapsed since Rosebury was swung
off, and the executioner was advancing to adjust the rope
about the neck of the unhappy Miller, when General Sul-
livan announced his pardon. This sudden and unexpected
turn in his fate was too much for Miller's nerves. He
fainted ; but recovering, he took his place in the ranks,
and ever after proved an obedient and faithful soldier.

At the August Term of 1829, Judge Scott sentenced
to death Henry Keck, who had shot and killed his father
about a half a mile below Wilkesbarre. Henry's mother
viewed the killing as a family affair, which concerned
nobody but themselves, and expressed surprise when the
oflicers of the law came to arrest her son. He was, how-
ever, pardoned by Governor Shultz. This was considered
an act of unbecoming and improper clemency, and excited
great indignation among the people. Keck and the
governor were both hanged and burnt in effigy in the
public square at Wilkesbarre. After conveying the straw-
criminals in a cart through the streets, with caps ready to
be drawn over their faces and with ropes about their necks.
Cuff Hicks, the executioner, proceeded to discharge his
duty in these words : " Henry Keck and Mr. Gobernor
Shultz, you hab just two and a half minutes to stay on
dis earth, and if you hab anything to say, say it now, or
eber after hold your peace." The effigies were suspended
by their necks in the presence of a great multitude of
people. Keck afterwards became insane, and wandered
about the country from place to place.

256 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Daniel Gilligan was wa3-laid and murdered below
Wilkesbarre by James Cadden. Cadden had his trial
and was found guilty at the August Term of 1848. He
received his sentence from the lips of Judge Conyngham,
and was executed in the jail-yard on Friday, March 2d,
1849, William Koons being sheriff. Throughout the
period of his imprisonment and trial down to the moment
of his execution, he spoke but seldom, and practiced a
studied reserve of manner. A few moments before his
death, his spiritual adviser, at his instance, thanked the
officers of justice for their kindness and attention; and
warned all young men against bad associates and the use
of ardent spirits. This was the first execution under the
laws of Pennsylvania since the organization of Luzerne
county.

At April Term, 1853, Reese Evans was tried and con-
victed of murder in the first degree. He was sentenced
to death by Judge Conyngham, and was executed in the
jail-yard, G. W. Palmer being sheriff', on Friday, Sep-
tember 9th, 1853. Evans was a young Welshman about
twenty years of age, who had induced Lewis Reese, a
Jew, residing in Wilkesbarre, to accompany him to
Kingston under pretence of procuring money there, to
pay the Jew for clothing purchased of him. While
crossing the fields, on the Kingston flats, he shot Reese
with a pistol in the back part of his head ; tlien plunder-
ing the pockets of his victim, whom he left dead on the
ground, he fled. When his death-warrant was read to
him a few weeks before his execution, he trembled, and
covering his face with his hands, sank sobbing on the
floor. During his imprisonment, his sister frequently
visited him, and on one occasion brought a basket which
she set down by the door of her brother's cell. By per-
mission of the jailor, Evans walked out with his sister in

THE JUDICIARY. 257

the jail-yard, and on his return, as he passed the basket,
he took out a bundle from it. The bundle contained a
female dress in which the prisoner intended to escape;
but its discovery by the jailor extinguished the last hope
of the unhappy youth. In his confession he stated he
had committed several robberies, and attributed his awful
end to his keeping late hours and bad company.

James Quinn took the life of Mahala Wiggins, by
dashing out her brains with an axe, near the Nanticoke
dam, as they were passing down the canal in a boat. He
escaped, but was arrested in the West, and conveyed to
the Wilkesbarre jail. He was tried, found guilty, and
sentenced to death by Judge Conyngham, at the January
Term of 1854. The same year, on Friday, the 21st of
April, Abraham Drum being sheriff, he was executed in
the jail-yard. When his death-warrant was read, he
manifested considerable excitement, but soon regained his
usual composure. He did not believe in a future state of
rewards and punishments. He ran up the steps to the
platform of the gallows, and surveyed the rope with a
degree of self-possession and calmness which astonished
every beholder. A phj'sician, utterly astounded at such
perfect composure, approached the prisoner a few moments
before his execution, and placing his fingers on his pulse,
found it beating with amazing rapidity, and giving evi-
dence of intense excitement. The exterior appeared
calm, but within there was a raging tumult of emotion.

William Muller killed George Mathias, in his own
house, on the Easton and Wilkesbarre Turnpike, a few
miles from Wilkesbarre. The instrument used in the
commission of the crime was a hatchet, and the nmrderer
concealed the body of his victim in the well. He was
tried and found guilty at the January Term of 1858,
Judge Conyngham presiding, and was executed in the jail-
17

258 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

yard on Friday, April 30th, of the same year, Jasper B.
Stark being sheriff. He ascended the steps leading to the
scaffold with a quick but self-possessed movement, and
addressed those present, for several minutes, in the Ger-
man language. His address was then read in English by
his spiritual adviser. The 3'oung man expressed his faith
in the merits of the Redeemer, and warned all who heard
him against rum and vicious companions. It is said he
believed that the ph^^sicians could restore him to life after
the hanging, provided his neck was not broken. The
fall, however, rent the vertebrae of his spinal column
nearly two inches asunder.

Since 1836, there has been a large influx of a mixed
population, consequent on the development of the mineral
resources of the county. Crime and litigation have in-
creased accordingly, during the last quarter of a century.
Civil suits have increased to hundreds, while Common-
wealth costs have grown from an average of $300 per
annum, prior to 1836, to $1000, the average since that
year.

The number of deeds and mortgages recorded since the
organization of the county is 48,823. The largest num-
ber of deeds and mortgages recorded in any one year is
2257, which was done by Charles Hays, Esq., Recorder,
and his clerks in 1856. The numl3er of executions, issued
from 1787 to the close of August Term, 1859, is 37,084.
The largest number issued in any one year (1857) is
1979.

The number of judgments entered, since the formation
of the Judgment Docket, in 1827, is 46,124. The largest
number entered in any one year (1858) is 3855.

In 1859, Luzerne was constituted one, the 11th, Judi-
cial District, having 4 Courts of Oyer and Terminer, &c.,
aimually, besides 6 Courts of Common Pleas. In addi-

THE JUDICIARY.

259

tion, by the Act incorporating the city of Carbondale, the
President Judge of the district is made Recorder of that
city, and required to hold Recorder's Court. Moreover,
there are from 2 to 4 special courts annually held in the
county.

COURT-HOUSE, CARBONDALE.

From 1787 to 1800, the average annual expenditures
of the county were $3600. From 1800 to 1810, during
which the second public buildings were erected, the ave-
rage was $7200 annually. From 1810 to 1820, without
Bradford and Susquehanna counties, the average was
$9000, but it must be borne in mind that a portion of the
debt incurred in the construction of the county buildings
was paid during this decade. From 1820 to 1830, the
average was $7800 a year. From 1830 to 1842, when
Wyoming county was stricken off, the annual expendi-
tures averaged $12,500. From 1843 to 1865, inclusive,
the expenditures have been as follows : —

260

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

For 1843

$ 9,863.90

For 1855

$11,990.70

1844

10,278.07

1856

43,094.23

1845

13,091.19

1857

29,536.11

1846

14,669.36

1858

33,685.00

1847

14,551.83

1859

35,936.77

1848

14,050.07^

1860

28,921.76

1849

12,419.87

1861

31,768.77

1850

13,148.05

1862

40,828.93

1851

12,172.37

1863

37,101.76

1852

12,645.50

1864

30,140.00

1853

15,106.22

1865

28,983.56

1854

12,022.76

In 1801 the valuation of property in Luzerne for tax-
able purposes amounted to $767,643, and in 1809 to
$1,050,700. In 1845, without Bradford, Susquehanna,
and Wyoming counties, the valuation was $4,825,081,
and in 1857 it was $7,779,301; in 1865, $10,500,000.
The state tax has increased since 1845 from $13,000 to
$25,000, being about $1.20 for each taxable inhabitant.

The following table shows the number of persons, and
the term of years for which they were sentenced to the
Penitentiary by the courts of our county, from 1787 to
1860, together with the crimes for which they were pun-
ished. The total number of offenders is 167, of which
119 were tried and found guilty since 1836.

THE JUDICIARY.

261

Crimes.

Number of Criminals.

Term of Years.

Murder in the 2d degree,

((

Total,

Manslaughter,

•

Highway Robbery,

•

Burglary, .

• ^

((

Larceny,

•

varying from 1 to 6

Passing counterfeit m

oney,

" 1 to 7

Forgery, .
Bigamy,

Receiving stolen goods,
Conspiracy, .
Perjury,

Assault and Battery with
intent to kill,

In possession of counterfeit
money, &c..

Misdemeanor,

Rape, ....

1
1

1
1
1

2
2
1

o
o

167

" 1 to 5

10-12
IJ

2
2

1 in county jail

varying from 1 to 3

varying from 2 to 5

21
3
1

CHAPTER VIII.

EDUCATION.

The clouds may drop down titles and estates,
Wealth may seek us — but wisdom must be sought.

Young's Night Thoughts.

The Susquehanna Company, appreciating the advan-
tages of education, appropriated about 500 acres of land
in each township, as a basis for the estabhshment and
support of schools among the first settlers. The com-
pany also appropriated several thousand acres of land, in
the eastern portion of their purchase, for the benefit of
the Indian school of Dr. Wheelock, in Connecticut, at
which several Delaware Indians, and the celebrated
Mohawk chief. Brant, were educated. This school was
the foundation of Dartmouth College, of which Dr. Whee-
lock was the first president.

These facts evince the deep interest felt by the com-
pany in the education not only of the whites, but also of
the red men of the forest.

Prior to 1773, no organized eflbrt had been made by
the early inhabitants for the establishment of schools
among them ; but in that year, by a vote of the town, a
tax of three pence on a pound was levied for the support
of a free school in each township. In the following year,
the first school committee, consisting of Captain Lazarus
Stewart and fifteen others, was appointed with power to
erect school-houses and to employ teachers.

(2G2>

EDUCATION. 263

Some of their teachers were men of abiUty, learned,
energetic, and faithful in discharge of their duties.
Others, it would appear, are described in the character
of Ichabod Crane, as given in the "Legend of Sleepy
Hollow." The Yankee schoolmaster generally " boarded
around" among the patrons of his school, attended all the
quiltings and singing-schools, sometimes neglected his
scholars, did not neglect the girls, and was usually devoted
to one in particular. At some of his stopping-places he
fared sumptuously, at most places he had to put up with
"pot luck," while at a few places his sides and jaws ex-
hibited a decided collapse at the close of the boarding
week. The early schoolmasters were a very useful, but
poorly remunerated class of the people. We do not learn
that any of them ever received land for their services, as
did some of the " orthodox ministers of the gospel." After
the jurisdiction of Connecticut and the Susquehanna Com-
pany ceased, several of the school tracts of land were
leased for a term of years. Finally, nearly, if not all the
tracts were sold, and the proceeds added to the township
funds, under the authority of a legislative enactment of
this state.

The constitution, or laws of every state in the Union,
provide, to a greater or less extent, for educating the
rising generation. Pennsylvania, though late in her
movements in this direction, has, nevertheless, advanced
steadily in her course, until her system of education is
equaled by few, and surpassed by no other among
civilized men. The incipient steps of our system were
the laws of 1809 and 1824, which provided for educating
poor children at the public expense. From 1824 to
1833, when the free school system was introduced,
Luzerne county expended $3509 for this purpose. This
appears like a small sum for educating the poor during a

264 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

period of ten years in a county like Luzerne. We have
no doubt, however, that it was sufficient to meet the
demand, as the people were not then fully aroused to the
importance of the subject.

By the provisions of the common school law of 1833,
the people were to express their approval or disapproval
of the measure by electing, or refusing to elect, six direc-
tors in each township. In September, 1834, a vote was
taken in 26 townships, when 23 approved of, and three,
Hanover, Newport, and Nescopeck, disapproved of the
law. In November following, the directors elected assem-
bled, as instructed by Act of Assembly, at the court>house
in Wilkesbarre, and resolved to levy a school tax equal
to double the sum appropriated and allotted by the state
to Luzerne county. The sum so allotted was |1331.20,
and consequently the whole amount appropriated for
public education in this county for that year was $3993.60.
This was a creditable and flattering commencement. In
the following year a tax of $3000 was levied, and, with
the exception of two or three townships, the excellent
system of free education was permanently established
among us. It is now in full o^Deration in every ward,
borough, and township in the county, carrying its en-
lightening and ameliorating influence into every family.
But we are forbidden to believe that every individual
among us feels this influence directly. The system has
not been long enough in operation, nor has it yet attained
to that degree of perfection which we anticipate for it.
In 1850, there were 55,000 adults in this state who could
not read and write, and of these 2228 were inhabitants
of Luzerne county. This great Commonwealth, in spite
of an almost overpowering public debt, has gradually
built up her splendid system of education at an enormous
expense. She annually appropriates hundreds of thou-

EDUCATION.

265

sands jf dollars for this purpose, and, strange to say, there
are some townships in the state which have not to this
day availed themselves of the advantages of the school
law. It has been made a question in some sections of the
country whether the right of the elective franchise ought
to be extended to those persons who are unable to read.
It would certainly be a powerful incentive to parents and
others if the right to vote depended on a certain degree
of mental culture to be readily acquired under our school
system. If eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, it may
be said no vigilance can be effectual without educated
mind to direct it.

The following table exhibits a statistical view of the
public schools in Luzerne county, taken from the Report
of the Superintendent for the year 1865 :

No. of

Amt. of tax levied

School Districts.

Scliools.

Scholars.

for sch'l purposes.

1. Abington

875

$2,643 02

2. Bear Creek

3. Benton

339

1,260 00

4. Black Creek

190

500 00

5. Blakeley

1095

2,775 86

6. Buck ....

118

462 18

7. Butler . .

333

914 93

8. Carboudale city .

1219

3,575 57

9. Carbondale township .

145

401 29

10. Columbus, New .

106 49

11. Covington .

282

930 65

12. Dallas.

292

597 82

13. Denison

139

661 02

14. Dorrance

147

626 58

15. Dun more

571

1,500 00

16. Exeter

299

531 00

17. Fairmount .

333

825 00

18. Fell .

174

590 75

19. Foster ....

295

2,198 26

20, Franklin

193

647 94

21. Greenfield .

281

400 00

22. Hazel ....

1475

5,598 93

23. Hazelton borough

563

2,160 71

24. Hollenback.

312

1,260 49

25, Hanover

538

1,800 00

26. Huntington

459

1,129 10

27, Hyde Park .

431

1,893 32

266

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

School Districts.

No. of

Schools.

No. of
Scholars.

Amt. of tax leried
for sch'l purposes.

28.

Jackson

232

417 42

29.

Jefferson

■

151

457 70

30.

Jenkins

478

1,213 40

31.

Kingston borough
Kingston townshi

117

315 40

32.

519

1,492 36

33.

Lackawanna

751

2,389 50

34.

Lake .

182

372 00

35.

Lehman

177

434 31

36.

Madison

385

755 29

37.

Nescopeck .

270

-759 20

38.

Newport

133

633 00

39.

Newton

200

592 67

40.

Pittston borough

1110

2,865 52

41.

Pittston township

484

1,250 00

42.

Pittston, West

204

771 16

43.

Plains

364

859 95

44.

Plymouth .

•

715

1,519 63

45.

Providence borough

344

1,700 00

46.

Providence township

429

1,200 00

47.

Ransom

138

311 30

48.

Ross .

274

400 00

49.

Salem .

422

1,152 40

50.

Scott .

557

669 82

51.

Scranton

2976

8,871 05

52.

Shickshinny

112

322 45

53.

Slocum

298 37

54.

Spring Brook

246 00

55.

Sugarloaf .

350

950 50

56.

Union .

380

600 00

57.

Waverly

145

467 36

58.

White Haven

250

980 38

59.

Wilkesbarre borough .

687

3,404 40

60.

Wilkesbarre township

12J

662

2,265 53

61.

Wright ....

100 GO

419

25,534

$77,088 98

EDUCATION.

267

OLD ACADEMY, WILKESBAKRE.

WILKESBARRE ACADEMY.

After the erection of the new court-house, in Wilkes-
barre, in 1804, the old building, which had been removed
to a point a few feet west of the present court-house, was
converted into an Academy. It was incorporated under
the style and title of the Wilkesbarre Academy, and was
the first institution of learning, superior to the common
log school-house, in Luzerne county. The first teacher or
principal was the Rev. Mr. Thayer, an Episcopal clergy-
man, who was followed by Mr. Finney. Mr. Finney was
succeeded by Garrick Mallery in 1809. The trustees
requested Dr. Dwight, of Yale College, to send them an
active, intelligent, and competent teacher and graduate.
The doctor sent them Mr. Mallery, under whose superin-
tendence the school advanced to considerable eminence.
Greek, Latin, the mathematics, and all the higher EngUsh

268 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

branches were taught here. Soon the institution became
very po^Dular, and students from abroad came in such
numbers that the trustees, by the advice of Mr. Mallery,
engaged Andrew Beaumont as assistant. Mr. Beaumont
was then an active, intelligent young man, just arrived
in the valley. Messrs. Mallery and Beaumont were suc-
ceeded by Joel and Joseph H. Jones. Then followed
Woodbridge, Baldwin, Granger, Orton, Miner, Talcott,
Ulmann, Hubbard, and Dana. Finally, the old edifice
was sold to Colonel H. F. Lamb, who removed a portion
of it to his lot in Franklin street, where it was used in
the erection of the building now occupied as a dwelling.
Such was the end of the first court-house and academy in
Luzerne county. There are among us men and women
who can look back twenty, thirty, forty, or even fifty
years, with fond recollection to the days when, with
bounding youth and health, they assembled with their
companions within the walls of the old academy, or sported
on its play-grounds. Some, within its venerated walls,
have filled their minds, as from a storehouse, with useful
knowledge, and have so disciplined their intellectual
faculties as to have been enabled to rise to positions of
distinction and profit. Others there were of brilliant
talents, bright prospects, and surrounded by all the
advantages of social position, who went forth from that
institution and became mere ciphers in society. They
have gone down to their graves unhonored and unsung.

In 1842 a new brick academy was erected on the site
of the old one, and a high school prospered there for
several years, under the tuition of Messrs. Owen and
Jackson, but eventually dwindled to a common day
school. In 1858, the building was sold to E. B. Harvey,
Esq., who removed and converted it into his present resi-
dence on Union street.

EDUCATION. 269

It may not be amiss to mention the names of some of
the teachers and students of the Wilkesbarre Academy,
who have risen to eminence in the world.

Garrick Mallery, LL.D., was a president judge of the
state courts, and is now one of the first lawyers in the
nation. Andrew Beaumont was a statesman, who ably
represented his constituents in the State Legislature and
in Congress, and who held important trusts under the
federal government. Daniel Ulmann is an eminent lawyer
in New York, and was a candidate for the office of
governor of that great state. Joel Jones has been a
president judge, and is now a prominent lawyer in Phila-
delphia. H. B. Wright is an able lawyer, and has repre-
sented this district in Congress. B. A. Bidlack also
represented this district in Congress, and afterwards
became the United States minister at the capital of New
Granada, where he died. Luther Kidder was a lawyer
of note, and a president judge. George W. Woodward is
one of the supreme judges of Pennsylvania. Dr. S. D.
Gross is Professor of Surgery in the Jefferson Medical
College in Philadelphia. Ovid F. Johnson was a brilliant
lawyer, and the attorney-general of this state. Samuel
Bowman, D.D.,was the acting bishop of the Protestant Epis-
copal Church in Pennsylvania. J. S. Hart was lately the
eminent principal of the Philadelphia High School. There
are also Zebulon Butler, D.D., of Mississippi, and George
Catlin, a celebrated painter. E. W. Morgan was major
of the eleventh United States regiment of infantry during
the Mexican War, and is now principal of the military
school at Newport, Ky. Major A. PL Bowman of the
United States Army, and Lieutenant J. C. Beaumont of
the United States Navy, were also pupils in this academy.

In 1812 the citizens of Kingston erected a large two
story frame building, to be used for the purposes of an

270 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

academy. This school was first taught by Thomas Bart^
lett, who had been an assistant under Mr. Mallery, in the
Wilkesbarre Academy. He was followed by Bennett,
Severs, Bissel (Governor of Illinois) , Ketchum and others,
under whose discipline and instruction the institution
prospered for many years. It was finally supplanted by
new and enlarged schools, and the building becoming
dilapidated, it was demolished by Mr. E. Reynolds, who
erected his present residence on or near its site.

In 1815 the citizens of Plymouth erected a large two
story frame building for educational purposes. Schools
were taught in it by Steel, Park, and others, until 1828,
when the first classical school was organized under the
direction and principalship of Benjamin M. Nyce. He
was succeeded by Patterson and Severs. This building
is still standing, and is the oldest academy in the county.
Like the one in Kingston, it had a bell, and was used for
many years as a place of religious worship.

With these venerated old school-houses and teachers,
the plain, substantial, old-fashioned system of education
has passed away. They have been replaced by new and
splendid edifices, occupied by new teachers, adopting new
systems, new books, and imparting new ideas.

MADISON ACADEMY.

The late H. W. Nicholson, Esq., opened a select school
at Abington, now Waverly, in 1836. He was succeeded
by one of his pupils, G. S. Bailey, who, with the assist-
ance of Dr. A. Bedford and others, laid the foundation of
Madison Academy. This academy was incorporated in
1840. The Iniilding is frame, two and a half stories high,
and is located on an elevated point of ground, overlooking
the town and surrounding country. It is one of the most
healthy and pleasant locations in the county. During

/* '^^E

l^EW

n'cusiz

*ST,

o^.

EDUCATION. 271

the first five years the average number of students in
attendance was one hundred, which was afterwards
reduced to about eighty. The principals have been
Messrs. Dimock, Walker, Johnson, Richardson, Shafer,
Granger, and Dalpe, the last-named gentleman being the
present incumbent.* The establishment of this institu-
tion, and its successful operation under the direction of
active teachers and enterprising trustees, does great credit
to the energy, intelligence, and public spirit of the people
of Waverly and the surrounding country. This school
has been advantageous not only to the immediate neigh-
borhood, but its beneficial influence has been felt abroad.

WYOMING CONFERENCE SEMINARY.

This flourishing institution is pleasantly situated in the
village of Kingston. It was opened on the 24th of Sep-
tember, 1844, with 30 students, the faculty at the time
consisting of Rev. R. Nelson, A. M., Principal, and Mr.
E. F. Farris and Miss Ruth Ingalls, Teachers. The open-
ing address was delivered by the Rev. J. P. Durbin, D.D.
The anticipated success of this seminary has been fully
realized. The yearly number of students has increased
to upwards of 700, which fact establishes the character
of Mr. Nelson and his assistants, together with the Board
of Trustees, for competency, energy, and good govern-
ment. The original building cost about $6000, one-fourth
of which was contributed by Thomas Myers, Esq. In
1851 William Swetland, Esq., contributed $3000 for the
erection of Swetland Hall, and the Hon. Ziba Bennett
donated $500, as the foundation for a library. On the
15th of March, 1853, the entire establishment was con-
sumed by fire, but through the noble liberality of William
Swetland, his son George and his son-in-law Payne Petti-
bone, who together donated $8000, of Isaac C. Shoemaker,

* This academy is now conducted by Rev. J. N. Lukens and Mr. II. W,
Mitchell. Students, 100.

272 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

who gave $1000, and of Urban Burrows and A. Y. Smith,
who each contributed $500, the institution was at once
raised from its ashes. Judge Bennett also made another
liberal donation to replace the library. The entire pro-
perty of this institution is now valued at $50,000. The
seminary is under the general superintendence of the
Wyoming Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
but the trustees and board of directors are composed of
able men, without regard to denominational preferences.
The present faculty is composed as follows : —

Rev. Reuben Nelson, D. D., Principal and Professor of
Intellectual and Moral Science.

Rev. B. D. Sturdevant, A. M., Professor of Natural
Science.

George Forsyth, A. B., Professor of Languages and
Vocal Music.

Conrad S. Stark, A. M., Professor of Mathematics.

Miss Hannah M. Price, A. M., Preceptress and Teacher
of English Literature.

Miss Penelope E. Baldwin, Teacher of Instrumental
Music.

Mrs. Jane S. Nelson, Teacher of Drawing and Painting.

George Forsyth, A. B., Librarian.

COMMERCIAL COLLEGE.*

Fwmlty.

Winfield S. Smyth, A. M., Principal and Professor of
Science of Accounts and Lecturer on Political Economy.

Rev. Horatio R. Clarke, D. D., Lecturer on Commer-
cial Ethics.

Caleb E. Wright, Esq., ) ^ , ^

^^ 1 o n/ 1 T^ ^ Lecturors On Commorcial Law.

Conrad fe. fetark, Esq., )

J. A. Wickersham, Professor of Plain and Ornamental

* The Wyoming College Journal is connected with this department. Motto :
" The time has come when every young man must have abusiness education."

EDUCATIOJSr. 273

Penmansliip and Book-keeping.

A. J. Erdman, Teacher of Practical Telegraphing.

THE WYOMING INSTITUTE.

This Institute is located in the pleasant village of
Wyoming, and was established chiefly through the agency
of the Rev. Thomas P. Hunt, Thomas F. Atherton, Esq.,
and the Rev. J. D. Mitchell, its first Principal. The
buildings are commodious and well arranged, being
divided into separate departments for the two sexes.
The first classes were formed in 1849, and the institution
was incorporated in the following year. It has a library,
and a philosophical and chemical apparatus. It has been
successively under the teachings of the Rev. R. Lowrie,
missionary to China, Rev. C. R. Lavie, Rev. P. E. Ste-
venson, and A. B. King, the present incumbent. The
school is prosperous, and though not sectarian, it is under
the principal direction of the Presbyterian Church.

THE WILKESBARRE FEMALE INSTITUTE.

This is a fine airy three-story bric'k building, standing
on River street, in the borough of Wilkesbarre. It was
chartered in 1854, and in October of that year opened
with 50 female pupils, under the superintendence of the
Rev. J. E. Nassau. Mr. Nassau was succeeded by the
Rev. J. S. Howes, A.M., the present principal.* The
institution is under the general direction of the Presbytery
of Luzerne county. It has a library, a philosophical and
chemical apparatus, and is in successful operation with
about 80 pupils. This institution, becoming pecuniarily
involved, was extricated from its embarrassment by the
liberality of Colonel G. M. Hollenback and others.

* This flourishing school now numbers upwards of 100 pupils, and is
conducted by Rev. W. S. Parsons, A. M.
18

274

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

SCRANTON GRADED SCHOOL.

Ill addition to the above incorporated institutions,
select schools have been established at various periods in
Wilkesbarre, Pittston, Scranton, Carbondale, Huntington,
and other places in the county. Large and spacious
buildings have been erected at Scranton, Providence, and
Waverly, where preparations are making, in accordance
with the true intent and meaning of the common school
laws for the establishment of graded schools. Perhaps no
county in the state can boast of better and more extensive
means for educating the youth of the land ; and though
there is gross ignorance in some localities, yet much
intelligence is diffused among the great body of the people.
Noble, generous-hearted, and benevolent men, as well as
the Connnonwealth, have done all in their power to
advance the cause of education among us. Let us bear
in mind that the acquirement of useful knowledge should
be one of the first objects of every American, for its pos-
session is the surest protection against poverty and
oppression.

CHAPTER IX.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

It has been the impression that the Count Zinzendorf
was the first white man who ever visited the Wyoming
Valley, but it is probable this is a mistake. Conrad
Weiser had been employed, long before the arrival of the
Count, as interpreter and agent, by the proprietary
government. He frequently visited the councils of the
Six Nations, bearing messages and presents, and arrang-
ing the preliminaries for forming treaties. As the grand
council fire of the Iroquois was kindled in the state of
New York, his direct road thither was through our valley.
It is probable it was in view of his acquaintance with the
country, as well as its inhabitants, that Count Zinzendorf
applied to Weiser to accompany him to this region. Zin-
zendorf, however, was undoubtedly the first minister of
the gospel who proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation to
the red men of our forests.

The doctrines of Jesus Christ were announced for the
first time, on the banks of our river, one hundred and
eighteen years ago. We have given, elsewhere, an
account of the doings of the zealous Moravian mission-
aries. We proceed now to give a brief history of the first
introduction and establishment of the principal religious
denominations in our county, together with some facts
and statistics relative to their present condition.

(275)

276 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

THE PRESBTTERL4.N CHURCH.

The Presbyterian Church in the United States is the
offspring of the Scottish and Scotch-Irish Churches in
Scotland and Ireland. It differs from the Congregation-
alism of New England only in form of church govern-
ment. The former acknowledges the authority of Pres-
byteries, Synods, and the General Assembly ; the latter
views each congregation as entirely independent, and
vests all ecclesiastical authority in each local church.

The Presbyterians, who settled in Pennsylvania, Mary-
land, and Virginia from 1670 to 1690, received their
pastors from the Presbyteries of the Old World, whereas
the Puritans, who settled New England, acted indepen-
dently of the Mother Church. As the first settlers in
Wyoming were chiefly New England Congregationalists,
their form of church government was adopted here. But
during the administration of the Rev. Mr. Murray, prior
to 1833, the Presbyterian form of church government
took the place of the Congregational, and the church in
Luzerne is now embraced in the former organization.

The first Presbytery in the United States was organ-
ized in 1704, and the first Synod in 1716. In March,
1744, the Presbytery of New York sent the Rev. David
Brainerd, a native of Haddam, Conn., as a missionary to
the Indians on the Delaware. At the Forks, where Eas-
ton stands, he began his labor of love among the wild
men of the forest. In the following October, accompa-
nied by the Rev. Mr. Bayram, the minister at Mendham,
New Jersey, he set out for the Susquehanna. His jour-
ney over the mountains and through the wilderness was
attended with great hardships and misfortune. In pass-
ing over some rocks his horse broke one of her legs, and

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 277

he was compelled to kill her, and proceed on foot. They
arrived at length at the Delaware town, at the mouth of
the Wapwallopen Creek. He preached here to the In-
dians for several days, and then returned to the Delaware
river. In 1745 and 1746 he traveled along the Lower
Susquehanna, and up the West Branch, preaching to the
Indians at Shamokin (Sunbury) and at other points. On
one of his missions he was compelled to shelter himself,
during a cold and stormy night, in the branches of a tree,
and getting very wet, he contracted a severe cold, of which
he died. He was succeeded by his brother John, who
resided on the Delaware, but who frequently visited Wyo-
ming, and preached to the Indians there. On the break-
ing out of the French war, both the Moravian and Pres-
byterian missionaries were compelled to retire from the
frontiers.

Among the earliest acts of the Connecticut Susque-
hanna Land Company, was a regulation providing support
for a minister who should accompany the first emigrants
to the valley in 1763. The Rev. William Marsh, a pastor
of the Congregational persuasion, was selected to minister
to the spiritual necessities of the colony. He discharged
the duties of his calling until the fatal 15th of October,
1763, when he and about twenty others were murdered
by the savages in the village of the whites, which stood
on the river bank, below the site of Wilkesbarre.*

At a meeting held by the company at Hartford, in
1768, the standing committee was directed to procure a
pastor to accompany the second colony, called the First
Fort}^, for " carrying on religious worship and services
according to the best of his ability, in a wilderness coun-
try." He was to receive " one whole share or right in the

* For names of persons killed, see Appendix, A.

278 AJ^NALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

purchase, and such other encouragements" as others were
entitled to have and enjoy. The company recommended
the settlers to provide their pastor " with sustenance,
according to the best of their ability." The services of
the Rev. George Beckwith, Jr., of Lyme, Mass., were
engaged, and he arrived at Wyoming, with the first forty,
February 8th, 1769.

For the support of schools and " an orthodox gospel
ministry," the company now appro'priated three shares of
land in each township, one for schools, one for the erec-
tion of a church and parsonage, and one for the support
of a pastor. Each tract or share contained about 300
acres, but with one or two exceptions the will of the com-
pany was not carried out, owing to the unsettled condi-
tion of affairs down to the organization of Luzerne county.
After that the church and school lots alike were sold, and
the proceeds passed into the treasuries of the townships.
Mr. Beckwith remained at Wyoming about one year, and
was compensated for his services from the treasury of the
Susquehanna Company. In 1770, the company engaged
the Rev. Jacob Johnson, of Groton, Conn., to supply the
place of Mr. Beckwith. Mr. Johnson hastened to his
new field of labor, and ministered as best he could in holy
things, in the midst of civil strife. He remained 'but a
few months, when he returned to Connecticut, leaving
the Rev. Elkanah Holmes in charge of the belligerent
flock of Yankees and Paxton Boys.

In 1772,. the Rev. Noah Wadhams, who had graduated
at Princeton College, N. J., in 1754, and on whom Yale
College had conferred the degree of A. M. in 1764, came
to Wyoming, and soon after settled in Plymouth. Here
he preached at stated seasons, and extended his pastoral
labors to Kingston also.

In 1773, the Rev. Mr. Johnson received a call from

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 279

the settlers at Wilkesbarre. He faithfully performed his
pastoral duties, preaching in private dwellings until 1791,
when the new log court-house was erected in the public
square. Here public worship was conducted for a num-
ber of years.

About this time a Dutch or German Reformed Congre-
gational minister, named Von Benscotten, arrived in the
valley from the Hudson. He was very zealous in the
cause of religion, and established the first Congregational
society in Hanover township. Here the Pax ton Boys
were settled, who were chiefly Presbyterians, and who
had erected, a frame church, the first in the county, near
the present German Presbyterian church, four miles below
Wilkesbarre.

In 1792, Von Benscotten was succeeded by the Rev.
Andrew Gray, a Scotch Irish preacher of considerable
ability. Shortly after assuming his pastoral duties he
married one of his thirty communicants. Miss Mary,
daughter of Captain Lazarus Stewart. He, with Mr.
Johnson of Wilkesbarre, and Mr. Wadhams of Plymouth,
constituted the entire clerical force of Congregationalism
at this time in the vallev.

In 1795, Mr. Johnson died, and was buried in a grave,
prepared by his own hands, on Bowman's Hill above
Wilkesbarre. Mr. Gray removed to the state of New
Y'ork, where he preached for many years, and departed
this life in a green old age ; while Mr. Wadhams, becoming
advanced in years and superannuated, died in Plymouth,
in 1806.

After the departure of these ministers the Congrega-
tionalists had no settled clergyman among them, and
Luzerne county became missionary ground, to be supplied
by the Connecticut Missionary Society. Divine service
was performed only occasionally by the missionaries,

280 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

among whom were the Revs. J. W. Woodward and D.
Harrowell, who were paid a stipuhated sum for each ser-
mon preached. But we are anticipating the order of
events.

In 1788, John FrankUn, tlie indomitable Yankee
leader, and his associates, who had captured Timothy
Pickering, were arraigned before the Supreme Court, at
Wilkesbarre, Judge McKean presiding. Franklin was
released on bail, and the rest were tried for riot. The
trials being closed, and sentence having been pronounced
on a number of the offenders, the action of the court was
denounced by the great body of the population. In par-
ticular, Mr. Johnson took occasion to condemn the whole
proceedings from the pulpit. By order of Judge McKean,
he w^as brought before the court, and required to give
bonds for his good behavior.

After the completion of the log court-house, in 1791,
as before stated, it was occupied by Mr. Johnson's con-
gregation for divine service ; but their pastor did not feel
at home in a building appropriated to the uses of what
he considered an unholy court.

" He was of that stubborn crew,
Presbyterian true blue,
Who prove their doctrine orthodox,
By apostolic blows and knocks."

With a determined will Mr. Johnson set about to erect
a church for his congregation, and in 1791, through his
exertions, the town of Wilkesbarre was induced to appoint
a committee to select a site for the edifice. The com-
mittee was composed of Zebulon Butler, Nathan Waller,
J. P. Schott, Timothy Pickering, and Daniel Gore.

In 1792, another committee was appointed by the town
to secure subscriptions, to which was added the proceeds

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. . 281

from the sale of the pubhc ferry. It was not, however,
until 1800 that the contract to build was let to Joseph
Hitchcock, and the foundation of the "Old Ship Zion"
was laid on the site, selected by the first committee, in
the public square.

Mr. Johnson did not live to see the commencement of
the church on which his heart was set so ardently, and
nearly all his older members followed him to the grave
before its completion. In June, 1801, the building was
enclosed, and its lofty steeple was finished, but soon after,
for want of funds, it was deserted by the workmen, and
remained in an incomplete condition for years. During
that period the tall spire was struck three times by light-
ning, which was considered by some as loud spoken warn-
ings to the people to complete the Lord's House. Some
poet, about this time, rhyming on things generally in
Wilkesbarre, thus notices the church :

" No lofty towers here ia grandeur rise,
No spires ascending seem to seek the skies,
Save one that bears aloft the lightning rod,
To ward the bolts of an avenging God ;
This rod alone essays his shafts to stay,
For none within attempt to watch, or pray."

It was now thought it would be a vain attempt to com-
plete the work, unless there was a pastor or religious head
among them, who would devote his time and abilities to
the undertaking. The congregation accordingly called
the Rev. Ard Hoyt, who, with ministers of other denomi-
nations, held religious services in 'the court-house. Mr.
Hoyt labored zealously to induce the people, and parti-
cularly the more wealthy portion of the community, to
contribute the necessary funds to enable the contractor
to resume his work, and bring it to completion. But no
effectual effort was made until 1808, when it was resolved

282

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

to finish the Lord's house through the instrunientaUty of
a lottery. Matthias Hollenback, Esq., and twelve other
commissioners, advertised an "admirable scheme of 3125
tickets at $8 each." Still the receipts from this source
were inadequate, and subscriptions were solicited from
members of all denominations of Christians.

OLD CHURCH, WILKESBARHE.

Finally, in the year 1812, after protracted and arduous
efforts, Mr. Hitchcock was enabled to finish the most
elegant church in northern Pennsylvania. The bell,
which was hung in the belfry, and which tolled the
funeral knell of scores of the old settlers, and of hundreds

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 283

of their descendants, was manufactured in Philadelphia,
by George Hedderly, August 6, 1811. Its weight was
680 pounds. This bell is now on the Presbyterian Church
in the borough of Pittston. There is inscribed on it the
Latin words, " Gloria in Excelsls Deo — Fill Dei Miserere^'
and the English sentence, " / ivill sound and resound unto
thy people, Lord, to call them to thy wordr

John Miller was the first sexton. He was succeeded
by John Michael Keinzle, who officiated in that capacity
for upwards of thirty years. Michael was a native of
Geneva, in Switzerland, and came to Wilkesbarre about
the year 1802. After the town was incorporated in 1806,
Michael was elected high constable, which position he
held, to the terror of all boys, until the day of his death,
in 1846.

He was a small, active, violent-tempered man, and
when excited by the pranks of mischievous lads,
flourished his constant companion, a sword-cane, with
great vigor and dexterity, proclaiming to all within the
sound of his voice, " I beesli de high coonstopple of de
borough. I makes you boys to Squire Dyer, and den I
makes you to de jail !" Michael was also keeper of the
town hay-scales at his bachelor residence, in the old store
and warehouse, on the river bank. He also had charge
of the town pound. As sexton he was particularly faith-
ful. He rang the church bell every evening precisely at
9 o'clock.* and told the day of the month. To exhibit
his fearlessness and activity, he occasionally ascended to

* "The curfew tolls the knell of parting day."

This -was a custom established in England by William the Conqueror,
who required the town bell to be rung at 8 o'clock in the evening, as a sig-
nal for the people to cover their fires (which is the signification of the French
word curfew), and to retire to rest. This custom was established in Wilkes-
barre in 1812, and was continued during Michael's life, and for a short time
after his decease.

28-i ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the lofty spire of the church by the lightning rod, and
stood on the great ball, appearing to the spectators be-
neath no larger than General Tom Thumb.

In 1817, the Rev. Ard Hoyt, notwithstanding the
membership during his ministration had increased from
30 to 80, failed to receive a competent support. He
retired from this field of labor, and became a missionary
among the Cherokee Indians.

From that time until 1821, there was not a settled
Congregational or Presbyterian clergyman in Luzerne
county. The shepherdless flocks received occasional
visits from Connecticut missionaries, and the spirit of
piety was not suffered to die entirely out. The labors of
the Rev. H. Taylor were particularly successful. He
organized the first church in Kingston, in 1818, of which
he afterwards became the settled pastor.

In 1821, the Rev. Cyrus Gildersleve was called to the
churches at Wilkesbarre and Kingston. Desiring to ex-
tend the borders of the church, he occasionally preached
to the people in Pittston, Providence, Plymouth, Hanover,
and Newport.

In 1829, he was succeeded by the Rev. Nicholas Murray,
the author of Kirwan Letters.

About this time a dispute arose between the Presbyte-
rians and Methodist Episcopalians, respecting the occu-
pancy of the church in Wilkesbarre, the former asserting
their exclusive right, and the latter declaring it was a
Union church, towards the construction of which they
had liberally contributed.

"When Greeks joined Greeks, then was the tug of war."

The Presbyterians held the keys, and the doors were
locked against the invading Methodists. Committees

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 285

were appointed by the outs, but the ins refused to confer.
At length the followers of Wesley assembled in the court-
house, and resolved to enter the church at all hazards.
They, accordingly, with the approval of their pastor,
the Rev. Morgan Sherman, appointed Joseph Slocum,
Abraham Thomas, Daniel Collings, and others, a com-
mittee to storm the Lord's house. Mr. Slocum forced
the windows with a crowbar, and Mr. Thomas, like
Sampson at Gaza, lifted the door from its hinges. The
people entered the building, and, by direction of James
McClintock, Esq., attorney for the Methodists, broke the
locks from the pulpit and pew doors. Mr. Sherman then
approached the sacred desk, and commenced religious
worship by giving out the hymn commencing,

" Equip me for the war,
And teach my hands to fight."

In his opening prayer the minister thanked the Lord
for many things, but particularly that they could " wor-
ship under their own vine and fig tree, few daring to
molest, and none to make them afraid." At the close of
his discourse Mr. Sherman said, " With the permission of
Divine Providence, I will preach in this house again in
two weeks from to-day." Whereupon Oristus Collins,
Esq., arose and said, " At that time this church will be
occupied by another congregation." Mr. Sherman re-
peated his notice, and Mr. Collins repeated his reply,
after which the benediction was pronounced, and the con-
gregation quietly dispersed.

On another occasion the Methodists entered the church,
on Sunday morning, in advance of the Presbyterians.
Just as the Rev. Benjamin Bidlack was about giving out
the first hymn, Matthias Hollenback, Esq., accompanied
by the Rev. Mr. Tracy, a Presbyterian clergyman, entered

286 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the house, and walking a few steps up the aisle, thus
addressed the preacher, '• What are you doing here ?"
"Page 144, short metre," said Mr. Bidlack. "What is
that you say ?" inquired Mr. HoUenback, " I say, page
144, short metre," was the reply. Whereupon Mr. Hol-
lenback and the Rev. Mr. Tracy retired from the church,
while Mr. Bidlack proceeded with the reUgious exercises.

A full detail of this religious war would be long and
tedious. It was finally terminated by the sale of the
Presbyterian interest in the building to the Methodists.
They occupied it for a number of years, when it was sold
to a company; and in 1857, it was taken down and
removed.

During the ministration of Mr. Murray, from 1829 to
1833, communicants to the number of 66 were added to
the church. Besides the change at that time already
adverted to, from the Congregational to the Presbyterian
form of church government, his members erected a new
frame church in Wilkesbarre, and another in Hanover
township.

In 1833, the Rev. John Dorrance,"on whom was con-
ferred the degree of D. D., in 1859, by Princeton College,
was called to the pastoral charge of the Wilkesbarre con-
gregation. During his administration, an elegant brick
church was erected on the site occupied by the old one,
the number of communicants has increased from 126
to 307, and the revenue of the charge has advanced from
hi^ndreds to thousands of dollars annually.

The names of the gentlemen who have entered the
ministry of the Presbyterian Church from Wilkesbarre,
are as follows :

Rev. Mr. Hoy t ; Jos. H. Jones, D. D. ; Rev. J. S. Hart,
licentiate, late Principal of Philadelphia High School ;
Rev. John Watters ; Rev. Edwin Rheinhart ; Rev. John

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 287

W. Sterling, Prof, in Wisconsin University ; Eev. Alex-
ander Dilly ; Rev. Henry Rinker ; Rev. William E. Baker ;
Rev. Benj. C. Dorrance, licentiate; Rev. Mr. Chamberlin;
Rev. Zebulon Butler, D. D. ; Rev. John Dorrance, D. D. ;
Rev. David J. Waller ; Rev. Samuel Helme ; Rev. Henry
H. Wells ; Rev. John Brown ; Rev. John F. Baker ; Rev.
Charles J. Collins ; Rev. David Jewett.

In 1832, the Rev. Alexander Heberton received and
accepted a call from the congregation at Kingston ; since
which time that charge has sustained its own pastor, and
erected a comfortable frame church.

The congregations in the Lackawanna Valley continued
to be supplied by missionaries, appointed by the Susque-
hanna Presbytery, until 1842. At that time the Pittston
church, called the church of the Lackawanna, was organ-
ized. Amons; the missionaries who ministered to the
spiritual wants of the several congregations in that
valle}?-, were the Rev. Owen Brown, Rev. Charles Evans,
and the Rev. N. G. Parke.

In 1846, the Lackawanna congregation was divided,
and the Rev. Mr. Parke was called to the church at
Pittston in 1847, and the Rev. J. D. Mitchell to the
church at Scranton in 1848.

Down to the year 1843, Luzerne county was embraced
in the Susquehanna Presbytery, at which time, by order
of the General Assembly, the Luzerne Presbj^tery was
organized, embracing the counties of Luzerne, Schuylkill,
and Carbon, and the township of Brier Creek in Columbia
county. Since then the churches in Tunkhannock, and
in Northmoreland township, Wyoming county, have been
added from the Susquehanna Presbytery. The churches
organized in the county, by authority of the Luzerne
Presbytery, with the dates of their organization, are as
follows :

288

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Wyoming,

organized, . .

Sept. 21, 1847

Scranton,

Oct. 18, 1848

White Haven,

. Dec. 10, 1850

Hazleton,

May 8, 1854

Scran ton (German),

Jmie 25, 1856

Plymouth,

. Oct. 5, 1856

Eckley,

Jan. 24, 1857

The following table has been made up from the minutes
of the General Assembly (Old School) for 1859, and
exhibits the numerical condition, &c., of the several con-
gregations in the county.

No. Com-

Foreign

Congre-

Churches.

Pastors.

muni-

No. S. S.

and Do-

gational

cants.

Scholars.

mestic

purposes.

Missions.

Wilkesbarre . . .

Jno. Dorrance, D. D. .

307

400

$325

$1000

Scranton

M.J. Ilickok, D.D. .

239

300

135

2200

Pittston . .

N. G. Parke . . .

235

200

1500

Newton . .

W. E. Holmes .

119

180

Hazelton . ,

Jno. Armstrong

325

850

Conyngham .

Jno. Johnson .

Kingston

n. H. Wells .

100

Wyoming

Henry llinker .

Plymouth .

E. H. Snowden

Eckley . .

Jonathan Osmon

250

Hanover . .

T. P. Hunt . .

White Haven

Jonathan Osmon

200

Scranton (German) .

No Report.

1295

1675

823

6040

There are, in the United States, of the Old School
Presbyterians, 2577 ministers, 3487 churches, 279,630
communicants, and the entire revenue of the church was

2,835,147.

NEW SCHOOL PRESBYTERIANS.

The church in Carbondale was organized in 1829 by
the Rev. Joel Campbell, who was succeeded by the Rev.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 289

T. S. Ward, the present pastor * When tlie division of
the church occurred, in 1838, the Carbondale congregation
united with the New School branch. It has 225 com-
municants, and, with the churches at Archbald, Provi-
dence, Hyde Park, Abington, and Dunmore, constitutes
the greater portion of the Montrose Presbytery.

The membership of the New School, Cumberland,
Associate, &c., Presbyterians, in the United States, ex-
ceeds 350,000.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Methodism originated in a prayer or experience meet-
ing held in London, in 1739, under the direction of the
Rev. John Wesley, a minister of the Episcopal or Esta-
blished Church of England. It was introduced into
America, by emigrants from Ireland, in 1766, at which
time the first society was formed in the city of New York,
by Philip Embury, a local preacher. The following year,
Captain Webb, of the British army, came to America to
take command of the military post at Albany, and, having
professed religion under the preaching of Mr. Wesley in
England, he joined with Mr. Embury in proclaiming their
peculiar doctrines to the people of New York, Philadel-
phia, and other places. The Captain did not neglect his
military duties, but when the opportunity occurred he was
ready and willing to preach the gospel. In 1769, Mr.
Wesley sent two preachers from England to assist in the
revival of religion in this country, and in 1773 the first
Methodist Conference was held in Philadelphia, when the
number of preachers was 10, and the membership 1160.

The origin of Methodism in Luzerne county was on this
wise. Prior to 1778, Anning Owen, a blacksmith, erected
a small log-house and smith-shop, on the great road in
Kingston, a few rods above the present residence of

* Died in 1864, and was succeeded by Rev. Oliver Crane.
19

290 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Colonel Charles Dorrance. Here Owen toiled at his trade
until July 3d, 1778, when he shouldered his musket in
common with his neighbors, and went forth under Butler
and Denison to encounter the British and Indians. He
stood his ground bravely, until compelled to give way in
the general retreat. Flying from the lost field, he found
himself hotly pursued hy a fierce savage, who, with a
swift foot, was hastening to bury a tomahawk in his brain.
Eternity seemed near at hand, and he called on his God
for help and deliverance, vowing, if preserved, to repent
of his sins and to lead a new life. Kedoubling his efforts,
as if inspired with fresh strength and energy, he escaped
from his pursuer, and concealed himself in a thicket until
nightfall. Under cover of darkness, he made good his
retreat to the fort. Sometime after this, being then in
the East, he attended a Methodist meeting, where the
jDreacher with great zeal and solemnity reasoned of
righteousness and of a judgment to come. Owen remem-
bered, his vow to God, and his great deliverance : he con-
fessed his sins, and found mercy through faith in the
Saviour. His conversion was complete, and he evinced
great sincerity and earnestness in his efforts to save his own
soul and the souls of his fellow-men. He received license
as an exhorter, and afterwards returned to the valley.
Here, in addition to his weekday labor in the smith-shop,
he appointed Sunday prayer meetings to be held at his
own house, when he exhorted the people to seek the
(Salvation of their souls. The seed, thus sown by a plain
and uneducated but pious and zealous blacksmith, took
root, sprang up, and began to bear fruit. Similar meet-
ings, at which Mr. Ovvxm exhorted, were held at Jonathan
Smith's, in Newport; at the widow Jameson's, in Hano-
ver ; at Captain John Vaughn's, at Old Forge, in Lacka-
wanna; at Lucas', on Ross Hill, in Kingston; at the

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 291

widow Coleman's, in Plymouth, and at other places in
the valley. In 1791, this region of country was taken into
the Methodist Conference, and attached to the New York
District, under the name of Wyoming. That district then
embraced Newburgh, NeAv York, New Rochelle, Long
Island, and Wyoming. The Rev. Robert Cloud was, that
year, made presiding elder of the district, and the Rev.
James Campbell was appointed to the Wyoming Circuit.
When Mr. Campbell arrived at his new field of the
itinerancy, he found 100 professors of religion, the fruit
of the labors of Anning Owen, and of others. A class was
formed in Hanover, and Stephen Burrett was appointed
leader. It met once a week, at the house of Aaron
Hunt. Another was formed, with James Sutton as leader,
to meet at the house of Captain Vaughn. There was
also a class in Kingston, one in Plymouth, one in New-
port, and one in Wilkesbarre. At all of these places Mr.
Campbell preached, sometimes in private dwellings, some-
times in barns, and at other times in the open air. One
of the first Quarterly Meetings was held in a barn, in
Hanover, belonging to the widow Jameson, and was
attended by Methodists from Briar Creek, in Columbia,
then Northumberland county, and from other parts of
the country thirty and forty miles distant.

Anning Owen was received into the conference in 1795
as a traveling preacher, and was efficient and acceptable
until 1813, when he became superannuated.

According to the regulations of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, their preachers itinerate, or pass from one circuit
to another every year, or every two years. Therefore, in
1792, Mr. Campbell was succeeded by the Rev. William
Hardesty.

In July, 1793, Bishop Asbury visited Wyoming and
other portions of the district. At a glance his great

292 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

knowledire of human nature and of the world enabled
him to comprehend the character of the people, and the
condition of the country. At the Conference, in August
following, he appointed the Kev. Valentine Cook, Presid-
ing Elder, and placed the Rev. William Colbert, and Rev.
Anthony Turck, on Wyoming circuit. During this con-
ference year the membership increased from 100 to 183.
In 1794, James Paynter traveled Wyoming circuit, and
was succeeded by the Rev. A. White, in 1795, who re-
mained two years.

In 1796, a new district, called the Susquehanna dis-
trict, the Rev. Thomas Ware, P. E., was formed, extend-
ing from Philadelphia to Western New York, and divided
into nine circuits. Wyoming was included in it.

In 1797, the Rev. Roger Benton traveled Wyoming,
and in 1798 he was followed by the Rev. William Colbert.
In 1799, the Rev. William M'Lenahan was presiding
elder, and Wyoming and Northumberland circuits united
were traveled by the Reverends James Moore, Benjamin
Bidlack, and David Stevens.

In 1800, Rev. Joseph Everett was presiding elder, and
Ephraim Chambers, Edward Larkins, and Asa Smith,
were the preachers. In 1801, Ephraim Chambers and
Anning Owen, and in 1802 Ephraim Chambers and Wil-
liam Brandon were the preachers.

In 1803, James Smith became presiding elder of the
district, and James Polemus and Hugh McCurdy were
appointed preachers.

In 1804, Morris Howe and Robert Burch were the
preachers, and the Susquehanna district was transferred
from the Philadelphia to the Baltimore Conference.
During this year the membership increased from 300 to
446. About this time, the Presbyterians and Methodists

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

293

in Kingston united and built what is now the old church
at Forty Fort.

This was the first finished church in the county in
which religious services were held ; for though the church
in Hanover, erected by the Paxton Presbyterians, was
commenced before this, yet it was never completed.

In 1805, Anning Owen was presiding elder, and James
Paynter and Joseph Carson were the preachers.

OLD CHURCH, FORTY FORT.

In 1806, Christopher Frye and Alfred Griffith traveled
Wyoming circuit, and the number of members was 523.
Gideon Draper and William Butler were the preachers
in 1807. In 1808, the Susquehanna district was again
placed under the jurisdiction of the Philadelphia confer-
ence, James Herron became presiding elder, and the tra-
veling preachers for Wyoming were James Reily and
Henry Montooth. The next year, 1809, Gideon Draper
was presiding elder, and George Lane and Abraham
Dawson were the traveling preachers. During this year

294 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the first camp-meeting in Luzerne county was held near
the village of Wyoming. A rough board stand was con-
structed, which was occupied by the preachers during
Divine service, and a circle of tents was formed round
about, composed of wagon and bed covers stretched over
hooped saplings. The floors of the tents were the bare
ground concealed by a sprinkling of straw, while the
beautiful green foliage of the forest was spread out above
them. Multitudes of people collected from far and near,
attracted, many by novelty, and some by a desire to do
good and to get good. The sermons preached were
delivered with astonishing energy and feeling. The
tremendous emotions of the speaker were communicated
to his audience, and an excitement was produced of which
we in this day can have but a faint conception. The
cries of the penitent, and the shouts of rejoicing Chris-
tians, mingled with the deep tones of the preacher, pro-
duced a marked effect even on the most obdurate infidel.
At some of these meetings, strong men, pale and trembling,
fell to the earth, imploring mercy. Great congregations
of men and women, moved }fy some strong sensation,
sudden and powerful as the electric shock, seem^ struck
with consternation. Crowding thousands hung in breath-
less silence on the lips of the impassioned orator. No
sound would be heard save the thrilling tones of the elo-
quent appeal, when suddenly a cry, bursting from the
agony of an alarmed soul, would send dismay and terror
and conviction to the hearts of hundreds. The preacher
ceased, his voice was drowned in the tumult, for there
were cries, and sobs, and tears, and shoutings all around
him.

The infidel doctrines of the French Eevolution had
swept over America, producing a most disastrous effect on
the religious sentiment of the country. During our own

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 295

Revolution, and for a few years after, great efforts were
made to further the cause of religion here, and with
encouraging success. But when France overturned her
monarchy, and with it her altars of religion, the people
of the United States, while sympathizing with her in her
struggle for liberty, imbibed her atheistical notions. In
tlie eighteen years from the time the first Methodist con-
ference was held in 1773, to 1791, the membership of
that church had increased from 1100 to 76,000.. But the
pernicious doctrines of the French philosophers having
become widely disseminated, there was no longer an
increase ; the membership even grew less, so that ten
years afterwards, in 1801, there were but 72,000 church
members. But about this time a great revival of religion
commenced in America, and at the end of the next ten
years, 1811, the membership numbered 184,000, being
an increase, since 1801, of 112,000. One of the most
efficient agencies in bringing about this great result was
camp-meetings. Almost immediately on their general
introduction, tens of thousands were annually added to
the church, and the doctrines of Jesus Christ soon became
far more»popular than the infidel sentiments of the French
revolutionists. Camp-meetings are said to have had their
origin on this wise: In 1799, two brothers, John and
William McGee, the former a Methodist, and the latter a
Presbyterian minister, were traveling together in Ken-
tucky. Having reached a point on Red river, they tarried
by invitation of the Rev. Mr. McGeady, and participated
in the sacramental services of his church on the following
day. John McGee preached, and was followed by the
Rev. Mr. Hoge, a Presbyterian minister, who preached
with great power ; so much so, that a good woman in the
congregation shouted aloud in praising God. A great
revival of religion was the result of this effort, and the

296 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

people gathered in such numbers that the meeting was
protracted and removed to a grove. Tents were erected,
liousehold utensils and jDrovisions were procured, and
here for several days the Presbyterians, in union with the
Methodists, held the first camp-meeting in America, of
which there is any record. These union camp-meetings
were continued for two or three years, and resulted in a
secession from the Presb}- terian Church of those members
who took the name of Cumberland Presbyterians.

In 1810, Thomas Wright and Elijah Metcalf succeeded
Messrs. Lane and Dawson on the Wyoming Circuit, and
these were followed in 1811 by Noah Bidgelow and
William Brown. In 1810, the Genesee Conference was
formed, comprehending the Susquehanna District within
its bounds, and a number of new circuits were carved out
of the larger ones, so that the membership of Wyoming
that year was reduced to 363.

In 1812, George Harmon became presiding elder of
the district, and John Kimberlin and Elisha Bebins were
appointed traveling preachers for Wyoming Circuit. In
the following year, 1813, the proportions of this circuit
were further curtailed, so that only one preacher, Mar-
maduke Pearce, was appointed to minister to the spiritual
necessities of the people. He was followed, in 1814, by
Benjamin G. Paddock. In 1815, Marmaduke Pearce was
made presiding elder of the district, and George W. Dens-
more was placed on Wyoming Circuit, who was succeeded
by Elias Bowen, who remained here two years — 1816 and
1817. George Peck was the preacher in 1818, and he
was followed in 1819 by Marmaduke Pearce, who had
been presiding elder of the district for the preceding four
years. George Lane succeeded Mr. Pearce in the presid-
ing eldership, and in 1820 Elisha Bebins was the traveling
preacher. In 1821 Elisha Bebins was continued, assisted

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 297

by John Layer. In 1822, the preachers were J. D. Gil-
bert and W. W. Rundel, and these were followed in 1823
by George Lane and Gaylord Judd, Fitch Reed being
presiding elder. George Peck became presiding elder in
1824, and Morgan Sherman and Joseph Castle were the
preachers of the circuit. These last were succeeded in
1825 by John Copeland and Philo Barbery. During
1826, 1827, 1828, Horace Agard was presiding elder,
and the preachers for those years were George Peck and
Philo Barbery, S. Stocking and Miles H. Gaylord, Joseph
Castle and Silas Comfort. In 1827, the Genesee Confer-
ence was held in Wilkesbarre. In 1829, the Oneida Con-
ference was organized, and Wilkesbarre became a station
in the following year. In 18-52, the Wyoming Confer-
ence was formed, which does not embrace one-third more
territory than did the Old Wyoming Circuit 60 years ago.
The great body of the early Methodist preachers were
plain, uneducated men, who had come immediately from
the masses of the people. They were acquainted w^ith
the views and feelings of their congregations, and their
sermons were adapted to people like themselves. The
itinerating system brought them in contact with an im-
mense variety of character, imparting a most valuable
knowledge of human nature, while their extensive cir-
cuits furnished sufficient of exercise to develope and
strengthen the physical powers, and to give robust con-
stitutions. They were pious, earnest men, imbued with
a deep sense of their responsibility, and with a solemn
concern for the souls of their fellow-men. They did not
confine their ministrations to the highways and to the
densely populated districts, but they penetrated along the
by-paths into the secluded valleys, and among the moun-
tains. They preached in school-houses, in private dwell-
ings, in barns, and in the open air, once every work-day

298 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

in the week, and twice or thrice on Sunday. They went
into the new settlements, preached, reached the hearts of
their hearers, formed classes, enjoined on them to read
the \Yord of God, to meet often for prayer, and " gave
out" that at such a time, the Lord willing, they would
be along again. Wherever they went the people received
them gladly, for, apart from their sacred office, they were
a most interesting class of men, who possessed an immense
fund of information, gathered in their travels from obser-
vation and from the conversation of others. Still, theirs
was a life of hardships. The country was a wilderness,
the roads were generally in a most wretched condition,
and the people were poor. Their annual salary was $64,
and traveling expenses, and none but most devout Chris-
tians, who looked to a future state of happiness as the
only thing worth striving for, could have been so indefati-
gable in their labors, and so self-sacrificing in their lives.
They and their flocks have almost all gone to that great
undiscovered country for which they made such earnest
preparation.

But they have left a wonderful monument of their
labors and self-denial behind them. On the foundation
they laid, and on the structure they raised, a vast multi-
tude of busy hands have been engaged since their de-
parture, and that grand Monument is rising higher and
higher towards the heavens, and attracting more and
more the attention of mankind. That was but a small
beginning in 1773, when ten preachers, being the entire
Methodist ministry, assembled in the first Conference at
Philadelphia. At the commencement of the present cen-
tury, after struggling through the demoralizing influences
of the American and French Revolutions, the number of
ministers was 287, and the membership 04,894. But
mark the rapid increase during the next few years. In

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

299

1813 the ministry numbered 678, and the membership
214,307.

This year (1859) the Church North numbers 956,555
members, and the Church South 699,194, making a total
membership in the United States of 1,655,749.^ The
travehng preachers number 9273, and the local preachers
12,514. The total annual revenue of the Church was
82,856,235.

Luzerne county is divided between the Wyoming and
Baltimore Conferences. The latter embraces Hunting-
ton, Salem, Fairmount, Union, Nescopeck, Black Creek,
and one or two townships in the south-west, composing
the two circuits of Bloomingdale and Luzerne.

The following table exhibits the number of members,
Sunday-school scholars, preachers' salaries, &c., in Lu-
zerne county, in the year 1859 :

stations and Circuits.

Wilkesbarre

Woodville

Plains .

Wyoming

Kingston

Plymouth

Trucksville

Lehman

Pittston

Providence

Scranton

Lackawanna

AVjington

Newton

Newport

Carbondale

Blakely

Moscow

Luzerne

Huntington

Foreign

Salaries

Sunday

and Do-

Members

School

mestic

Preach-

Scholars.

Minions.

ers.

257

280

§105

$600

130

180

510

125

430

150

100

515

114

180

426

175

500

230

225

490

190

100

460

120

225

200

725

590

117

250

114

700

268

400

156

125

420

202

200

298

175

344

120

150

650

400

100

312

198

150

475

250

275

100

525

2732

3443

1177

9770

Amount
paid Pre-
siding
Elder.

40
35

50
40
25
40
35
60
40
50
36
50
40
24
50
50
50
40
50

905

300 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

About one-third of the above are circuits containing
from six to twelve appointments. Donations are included
in these salaries of the preachers. The number of volumes
in the Sunday-schools is 11,762, and the value of church
property in the county is $117,200.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

The first Associated Baptist church was organized, in
England, in the city of London, in the year 1633. The
Rev. Roger Williams formed the first Baptist congrega-
tion in America at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1639.
Roger Williams was a graduate of Oxford College, and a
minister of the Church of England. He emigrated to
America in 1631, and took charge of a Puritan church
in New England, but, owing to his liberal religious and
political views, he became involved in difficulties with
the authorities, by whom he was banished from the colony.
He, with a number of followers, retired to the wilds of
Rhode Island, where he laid the foundations of the city
of Providence, and having embraced the Baptist fiiith,
may be considered the father of that Church in America.
The government of the Baptist Church is purely congre-
gational, the Associations having no power whatever over
the congregations.

The Baptists commenced their career in Pennsylvania
in 1698, by meeting in the warehouse of the old " Barba-
does Trading Company," in the city of Philadelphia. The
Rev. John Watts was their clergyman. As early as 1773
there were Baptists in Kingston township of this county,
whose pastor was the Rev. Mr. Gray. Some years after
this, in 1786, Mr. Gray made special efibrts in Pittston
township, and in the fall of that year a congregation was
organized there by the Rev. James Benedict. In 1787
this congregation was attached to the Phihidelphia Asso-

RELIGIOUS DENOxMINATIONS. 301

elation. Mr. Benedict was succeeded by the Rev. James
Finn, and he by the Rev. William Bishop, who settled
in Luzerne county in 1794. Mr. Bishop was born in
1749 in England, where he professed to find grace and
entered the ministry. Emigrating to America, with the
pure spirit of a pioneer preacher he pushed into the wilder-
ness. He came to the Lackawanna Valley and erected his
log-house on the site now occupied by the residence of
William Merrifield, Esq., in Hyde Park. He remained
there until 1811, when he removed to Scott township,
where he died in 1816. Mr. Bishop was a zealous and
successful preacher, and proclaimed the peculiar doctrine
of his church throughout the Lackawanna and Wyoming
Valleys, and in other sections of the country, for many
years.

In 1790 the Rev. Samuel Sturdevant emigrated from
Danbury, Connecticut, and settled in Braintrim, now
Wyoming county. Soon after, he commenced to gather
a congregation in that region. He was a large muscular
man, preached with great earnestness, and, leading a
most upright and exemplary life, commanded the respect
of all who knew him. David Stafford, writing to the
author, says, " I am ninety-two ^^ears of age, and was
baptized in the Susquehanna river by the Rev. Samuel
Sturdevant sixty-seven years ago."

In 1790 the Rev. Jacob Drake and the Rev. Roswell
Goflf emigrated to Luzerne from New England. They,
in connection with Messrs. Sturdevant and Bishop, to-
gether with others, preached in Wilkesbarre, Plymouth,
at Captain Daniel Gore's in Pittston, and at other places,
as best they could, in a country destitute of churches, and
impoverished by foreign war and domestic conflicts.

In 1794 Griffin Lewis came to Plymouth from Exeter
in PJiode Island, and in 1799 he married Hannah, the

302 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

daughter of Elder Joel Rogers. Messrs. Gray, Benedict,
and Finn had gathered a small congregation at Pljanouth
in 1787, and among those baptized were Joel and Jonah
Rogers, both of whom became elders in the church.
They, with Mr. Drake, and Mr. Lewis who was ordained
minister in 1802, laid the foundation of the Baptist
Church in Huntington, Jackson, Union, and Lehman
townships, and indeed in the whole western portion of
the county. This is the Jonah Rogers who was captured
by the savages, and is the " Bugle Boy" of Mr. McCoy's
" Frontier Maid." He had participated in the early trials
and dangers of the first settlers, and was esteemed a
valuable citizen ; and when, in after life, he espoused the
Christian faith, and exhorted the people to believe and
be baptized, his exhortation fell with great force on the
ears of the people. Like Anning Owen and Benjamin
Bidlack, of the Methodist Church, he had stood shoulder
to shoulder, with those to whom he preached, in defence
of their homes ; and now, when he spoke to them of the
good things of the world to come, his words, plain and
simple, were those of a companion in arms, and reached
the hearts of his hearers.

In 1802, the Rev. John Miller, who was born in
Windham county. Conn., settled in Abington, where he
gathered a congregation about him, and over which he
presided as pastor until 1853. His continuance as cler-
gyman to the same congregation for the extraordinary
period of fifty-one years, is the highest eulogium that can
be pronounced on his character. During his ministerial
life in Luzerne, he baptized by immersion 2000 persons,
married 912 couples, and preached 1800 funeral sermons.
He died in 1857, a true servant of God, and beloved and
venerated of men.

Two churches had been organized in Wayne county,

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. . 30

one at Palmyra in 1801, and one at Mount Pleasant in
1807. Pursuant to previous arrangement, delegates from
these congregations met similar delegates from the Abing-
ton church at the log dwelling-house of Elder Miller, on
the 26th day of December, 1807. At this time and place
the Abington Baptist Association was formed. The dele-
gates for Palmyra were the Rev. Elijah Purdy and Wil-
liam Purdy, Jr. ; for Mount Pleasant, Eev. Epaphras
Thompson, Rev. Elijah Peck, and Samuel Torey; for
Abington, Rev. John Miller, William Clark, Jesse Hulse,
Roger Ormis, Jonathan Dean^ and Nathaniel Giddings.
The Rev. Mr. Thompson was constituted Moderator, and
Mr. Nathaniel Giddings was made clerk. The Rev.
Samuel Sturdevant, Rev. Davis Dimock, and Joel Rogers,
licentiate from Exeter, were also present, and took seats
in the association. The sermon was preached by the Rev.
Mr. Peck.

The Wyoming Baptist Association was organized at
Lehman Church, in Lehman township, in 1843, through
the instrumentality of Davis Dimock, Rev. D. Gray, and
others, and within the limits of this and that of Abington
are embraced all the churches of that persuasion in Lu-
zerne county.

Wilkesbarre and the vicinity were missionary ground
many years ago, and the ministers of this church preached
in the Court-house, though they were sometimes allowed
the use of the " Old Ship of Zion." In 1842 the Baptist
church in Wilkesbarre was constituted by the Rev. A. L.
Past. The present brick edifice, on Northampton street,
was built in 1847.

The increase of the Baptists in America has been won-
derful, paralleled only by the Methodists. In the year
1784 they had 424 ministers and 35,101 members. In
1790-92, they had increased to 891 ministers and 65,345

304

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

members, more than doubling their ministry and almost
their membership in the space of seven years. On ac-
count of the infidel sentiments of the French philosophers,
before alluded to, disseminated in this country, it was
more than twenty years before their ministry was again
doubled, though in 1810-12, they had 1605 ministers,
and 172,972 members. In 1851, they had 578 associa-
tions, 10,441 churches, and 754,652 members. These are
the regular Baptists, but there are several minor bodies
in the United States whose aggregate membership must
number hundreds of thousands. They are known by the
names of Freewill, Seventh-day, Campbellites, who are
also called Disciples of Christ, or Reformers, Six Princi-
ple, Menonites (German), Anti-Mission, Church of God,
and Christian Baptists.

The following table will exhibit the condition of the
Baptist Church in Luzerne county, for the year 1859 : —

Churches.

Pastors.

Members

Abington 1st

C. A. Fox .

178

Abington Valley

T. J. Cole .

Benton

T. J. Cole .

> •

Carbondale

E. L. Bailey .

•

Blakeley .

No Pastor

Covington .

report.

Hyde Park

W. K. Mott .

•

Mount Bethel

Charles Parker

•

Newton

J. C. Sherman

•

Scott Valley

Benj. Miller .

•

Exeter

No pastor

Jackson

•James Clark .

125

Lehman .

G. W. Scofield

•

Pittston

W. K. Mott .

•

Union

James Clark .

•

173

Wilkesbarre

E. M. Alden .

King.ston .

W. K. Mott .

Lake

G. W. Scofield

•

1223

We are unable to obtain the number of Sunday-school

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 305

scholars attached to the respective churches, as well as
the salaries of the ministers, and the amount contributed
for benevolent objects outside of the churches. We, how-
ever, estimate the Sunday-school scholars at 1100, and
the church property at $30,000.

LUTHERAN AND GERMAN REFORMED CHURCHES.

The earliest settlement of Lutherans in this country,
was made soon after the establishment of the Dutch in
the city of New York, then called New Amsterdam,
which was in 1621. As early as 1643, Swedish Lutherans
settled within the limits of Pennsylvania, whose pastor
was John Campanius Holm. In 1677, Jacob Fabritius
preached his first sermon in the Swedes Church at Wicaco,
where he officiated fourteen years, nine of which he was
blind. About the year 1710, a great number of German
Lutherans came to America, and settled in Pennsylvania,
although many had emigrated here before that. Tlie
Swedish ministers kindly .served the German Lutherans
until the arrival of the Patriarch of American Lutheran-
ism, the Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, who landed
in Philadelphia, November 28th, 1742. The first synod
was organized in Philadelphia, August 14th, 1748, when
there were only 11 regular Lutheran ministers in the
colonies, and at this Sy nodical Convention only 6 clerg}-
men were in attendance. From the minutes of the Gene-
ral Synod of this church for 1859, we learn there were
764 ministers, and a communing membership of 153,521
in the United States. There are other bodies of Lutherans
in this country not connected with the Evangelical Lu-
theran Church.

The German Reformed Church in the United States is
a counterpart of the Reformed or Calvinistic Church of
Germany. They, with the Lutherans, came over and

BQfy ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

settled in this state at an early day. Application was.
made to the Mother Church in 1746, for a pastor by mem-
bers in Pennsylvania, and the Rev. Michael Schlatter
was sent over to gather the scattered flock, and to organ-
ize churches. The number of communicants in this
church in the United States is about 100,000. At one
time, the difference between the Lutheran and German
Reformed churches was very slight, and in 1822 an entire
union of the two was proposed, but adverse circumstances
defeated the plan.

From 1790 to 1800, ministers of the German Reformed
Church from Northampton county occasionally visited
the south-eastern portion of Luzerne, now Sugarloaf, But-
ler, and Foster townships, which were settled principally
by Germans. In 1800, an energetic preacher of this per-
suasion, the Rev. John Mann, came to Sugarloaf; and
during the same year, through his exertions, a building
was erected for religious and school purposes. Mr. Mann
was succeeded in 1804, by the Rev. T. Klenner, a Lu-
theran minister. The Rev. F. W. Vandersloot followed
Mr. Klenner in 1809. In 1811, under the administration
of the Rev. Thomas Pomp, the Lutheran and German
Reformed congregations united and erected a comfortable
church in Nescopeck. The present membership worship-
ping there is, Lutherans 140, German Reformed 25. From
1812 to 1817, the Sugarloaf congregation was supplied by
tlie Revs. F. C. Krole, J. E. Braumzious, and Peter Hall.
In the latter year the Lutherans, under the charge of the
Rev. C. C. Shafer, erected a church at Wapwallopen, the
present membership of which is 70. A German Reformed
congregation also, which numbers 52 members, occupies
the same building. In 1820, the Rev. John N. Zeiger
was called to the Sugarloaf congregation, who extended
his ministerial labors as far west as Snlem township,

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 307

where, in conjunction with the Eev. Peter Kesler, a
Lutheran minister, he brought about the erection of what
is called the " Old Stone Church." At present, it has a
lAitheran membership of 56, and a German Reformed
of 25. Mr. Zeiger alDout the same time organized a con-
gregation in the Sweitz, in Hollenback township, where
a neat and commodious church was built by the members
of the two sects. The number of its present members
is 75 Lutherans, and 26 German Reformed. The Rev.
Isaiah Bahl, of the Lutheran Church, is the present
pastor."^

In 1823, the Rev. J. Beninger organized a church in
Black Creek township, the present membership of which
is Lutherans 31, German Reformed 24.

On the 4th of May, 1826, during the ministrations of
the Revs. Mr. Zeiger and Mr. George Ej'ster, the two
congregations in Sugarloaf township laid the corner-stone
of ' St. John's Church, now in Butler township; and
during the same year, another edifice for religious wor-
ship was raised in Conyngham. In 1841, a free or Union
church was erected at Drum's; but since 1858, it has
been occupied chiefly by the Lutherans and German Re-
formed members.

The German Reformed church in Hanover, near the
site of the old Presbyterian church erected by the Paxton
settlers, was built in 1825.

Besides the ministers already named, we may mention
the Revs. J. F. Shindle, J. Shellhamer, Farets, and Sey-
bert, who have officiated in these churches, and who will
long be remembered for their pastoral care by an honest
and most worthy people.

Within twenty years past, one Lutheran and one Ger-
man Reformed church have been erected in Wilkesbarre ;
one German Reformed in Blakelv, and one Lutheran in

308 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Ransom township. The whole number of Lutheran
churches is 12, and German Reformed 5. The Lutheran
membership is 1000, and that of the German Reformed
300. The Lutheran congregations are generally under
the charge of the Rev. W. R. S. Haskarl of Conyngham,
the Rev. H. Vosseler of Wilkesbarre, and the Rev. Isaiah
Bahl of Berwick. Mr. Bahl entered the ministry in 1825 ;
soon after w^iich he commenced his pastoral labors in
Luzerne and Columbia counties. He has married 2200
couples, and preached as many funeral sermons. The
German Reformed churches are principally under the
pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Hoffman, and the Rev. Mr.
Strassner.^

THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States
is the offspring of the Church of England. Long prior
to the Revolutionary War, it was the established religion
of one or more of the colonies. The Revolution separated
us from the civil power of the mother country, and our
own constitutions guaranty freedom of religious faith
and worship. To meet the state of things brought about
by the independence of this country, preliminary steps
were taken in 1784 to form a separate and self-sustaining
organization. On the 13th and 14th of May of that year,
a number of clergymen from New York, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania, convened at New Brunswick, N. J., for the
purpose of adopting measures for the relief of the widows
and children of deceased clergymen. At this meeting it
was proposed to hold a convention at New York in the
following October, at which time and place a plan for the
new organization was prepared to be submitted to an-
other convention to assemble at Philadelphia, on the
27th of October, 1785. At this last convention, delegates

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 309

appeared from seven of the thirteen states. The Book of
Common Prayer was revised and altered, and an Ecclesi-
astical Constitution was formed. In December, 1786, the
Rev. William White, D. D., of Philadelphia, and the Rev.
Samuel Provost, D. D., of New York, embarked for Eng-
land, having been chosen and recommended by the new
church organization as candidates for the episcopal office.
After a voyage of seventeen days from New York, they
arrived in London; and on the 4th of February, 1787,
were ordained and consecrated bishops by the Most Rev.
John Moore, Archbishop of Canterbury. The Rev. James
Madison, D. D., of Virginia, was afterwards ordained and
consecrated a bishop in England ; and he, with the other
two before mentioned, ordained and consecrated T. J.
Claggett bishop of the Church in Maryland, who was the
first ever consecrated in the United States.

According to the Report of the Triennnial Convention
of the Protestant Episcopal Church, held in 1856, its com-
municants were 119,540, and its clergymen were 1828.
The church contributions for that year were $2,402,833.
In 1859, there were 12,815 communicants, 161 clergy-
men, and 16,891 Sunday-school scholars in the state of
Pennsylvania.

In 1814, the Associated Missionary Society of Christ
Church, St. Peter's, and St. James', in the city of Phila-
delphia, united with Bishop White in requesting the
Rev. Jackson Kemper, now bishop of Wisconsin, to visit
Wilkesbarre, and collect the members of the church in
that place and its vicinity. He complied with the
request, and, preparing the way for a church organiza-
tion, was succeeded by the Rev. Richard Mason, now Dr.
Mason of North Carolina. Mr. Mason was the first
settled Episcopal clergyman in Luzerne county. After
Mr. Mason, the Rev. Mr. Phinney officiated as pastor for

310 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

a short time, when the congregation was placed under the
charge of the Rev. Mr. Roach, missionary, who established
the first Sunday-school here. In 1817, St. Stephen's
Church, in Wilkesbarre, was chartered. It was completed
in 1822, and consecrated by Bishop White in 1823, at
which time there were 42 communicants. During this
year the Rev. Mr. Sitgreaves was called to the pastoral
charge of the congregation, and in 1824 he was succeeded
by the Rev. Enoch Huntington. Mr. Huntington was
followed in 1827 by the Rev. James May, late Dr. May,
of Georgetown, D. C, who continued pastor here until
1836. For the next twelve years the pulpit of St.
Stephen's was occupied by the Rev. W. J. Clark, Rev. R.
B. Claxton, and Rev. C. D. Cooper. In 1848, the Rev.
George D. Miles received a call, who has continued pastor
to the present time.

Until 1845, the pastors of St. Stephen's, and occasion-
ally visiting clergymen, and also missionaries, preached
at Carbondale, but in that year Trinity Church was
organized in that place. St. James was organized in
Pittston, in 1852 ; St. Luke, in Scranton, in 1853 ; St.
James, in Eckley, in 1858; since which periods these
several churches have called and sustained their own
pastors.

From St. Stephen's, the following named persons have
entered the ministry : Samuel Bowman, D. D., late bishop
of Pennsylvania, George C. Drake, Alexander Shiras, H.
M. Denison, D. C. Loup, and J. L. Maxwell.

The fallowing statistical table shows the condition of
this church in Luzerne county for the year 1859 :

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

311

Churches.

Location.

Clergymen.

No. of Sunday Co"«o-
Commu- gcbool tions.
nicants. Scholars.

Salary.

St. Stephen's ,
St. Peter's . .
St. Luke's . .
Trinity . . .
St. James' . .
St. James' . .

Wilkesbarre
Plymouth .
Scranton
Carbondale .
Pittston . .
Eckley . .

Geo. D. Miles
Geo. D. Miles
W.C.Robinson
Thomas Drum
J. A. Jerome
P. Russell .

I 125 360

71 80
43 95
35 150
24

S1270

183

198

1817

$1000
600

450

iorludiug
Salary.

600

298 685

3491

2650

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The Roman Catholics first came to the British Colonies,
and made a permanent settlement in Maryland, under
Lord Baltimore, in 1634, but it was not until 1789 that
the arch-diocese of Baltimore was formed into a bishopric,
under authority of a bull from Pope Pius VI. In 1808,
it was erected into a Metropolitan See by a brief from
Pius VII., and since that date, and indeed for years be-
fore, Baltimore has been considered the head-quarters of
Romanism in this country.

It is difficult to ascertain the numter of communicants
in the church in the United States, from the fact that
they number by families, each member of which above
the age of twelve years may receive the sacrament. In
1854, they had 1245 churches, 1203 clergymen, 28 insti-
tutions of ecclesiastical education, 223 educational insti-
tutions, 108 charitable institutions, and 1,334,500 Catholic
population.

Luzerne county is embraced in the Catholic diocese
of Philadelphia, which comprehends within its bounds
Philadelphia city, all of North Eastern Pennsylvania, and
a portion of Delaware. It was under the superintend-

312 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ence of Bishop John N. Neumann, lately deceased, assisted
by Bishop Wood. The diocese contains 147 churches,
155 clergymen, and a Catholic population of 175,000.

About the year 1828, the Rev. John O'Flynn came to
Luzerne, and, traveling from place to place, visited and
served the scattered members of the church. He was
succeeded in 1831 by the Rev. William Glancy, who re-
sided in Carbondale. Here, during his administration,
the first Roman church was erected, in 1832, which has
since been replaced by a new building. Mr. Glancy was
followed in 1836 by the Rev. Henry Fitzsimons, who itine-
rated throughout the county until 1847, when churches
began generally to be built, and ministers to be settled.
The churches in the county, at present, are the church
at Dunmore, erected in 1835, Rev. E. Fitzmaurice, minis-
ter; the new church at Carbondale, erected in 1840, Rev.
F. Carew, minister ; first church at Scranton, erected in
1846, and second church, erected in 1853, Rev. Moses
Whetty, minister; first church at Pittston, 1849, Rev.
John Finnan, second^ church, 1855, Rev. J. 0. Shaugh-
nessy ; at Archibald, erected in 1850, Rev. P. McSwiggen;
at Hazel ton, erected in 1855, Rev. M. L. Scanlan, minis-
ter; at Jeansville, erected in 1855, Rev. M. L. Scanlan,
minister; at Wilkesbarre, erected in 1856, Rev. Henry
Fitzsimons, minister, and also a German church, erected
there in 1857.

Religious services are held also at White Haven, Nan-
ticoke, Plymouth, and at other places in the county, but
no churches have yet been built at these points. Con-
nected with each church is a Siniday-school, whose
scholars amount to about 900. The number of commu-
nicants is reckoned at 2500, and the Rev. Mr. Fitzsimons
estimates the Catholic population of the county at 6600.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 313

MINOR CHURCHES.

In addition to the denominations of Christians already
treated of, there are minor sects in our county whose
church edifices number 14. The Christians have 4
churches ; one in Plj^mouth, one in Madison, one in Jack-
son, and one in Providence township, and the total mem-
bership of these is about 150. The first church of this
denomination in the United States was erected in 1800,
and its first society, in Luzerne, was organized about 30
years ago.

The Welsh Presbyterians have 3 churches, one in Hyde
Park, one in Carbondale, and one in Pittston, whose united
membership is probably 100. The Albright or German
Methodists have 2 churches ; one in Woodville, and one
in Hollenback township.

The Wesleyan Methodists have 1 church, which is in
Carbondale. The Welsh Wesleyan Methodists have 1
church, which was erected, in Springbrook township, in
1839.

The Welsh Methodists have 1 church, which is located
in Providence. '

The Protestant Methodists have erected 1 church in
Huntington township. This body separated from the
Methodist Episcopal Church, about the year 1826, on
account of a disagreement about church government.

Prior to the year 1840, a number of Jews, the principal
of whom was Martin Long, settled in Wilkesbarre, and
in 1848 erected and dedicated a commodious brick syna-
gogue. Moses Straser was their first minister. They
have 35 contributing families, and 50 Sunday-school
scholars. The salary of their minister is $600 per
annum. At Scranton the Jews have 12 contributing

314 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COCJNTr.

families, and hold service in a rented room, but contem-
plate the erection of a synagogue.

In 1842, the Rev. Thomas Jackson came to Wilkes-
barre, and collected the scattered remains of a colored,
congregation, which, on his departure, relapsed into its
former condition. It was revived in 1845, through the
ministerial labors of the Rev. Philip Lumb, and the
Rev. Peter Fulmer. At this time the congregation was
attached to the Reading Conference, and the church
which they had built, on the hill, was named the Zion
Church of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Connection.
In 1856, they enlarged the old church, now numbering
62 members, who are under the pastoral charge of the
Rev. John Anderson.

The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Congregation
in Wilkesbarre, was organized in 1848, by the Rev.
Thomas Ward, since which they have erected a comfort-
able frame building for worship. They have 27 mem-
bers, for whom the Rev. Theodore Gould officiates as
pastor.

At Waverly, also, there is a colored church with about
35 members.

THE MORMONS.

Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, lived, at
one time, within the bounds of Luzerne county, on the
Tunkhannock Creek, now in Wyoming county. In
1837, thirteen families in that neighborhood departed for
the promised land, then in the state of Missouri. A boat,
similar in construction to a section boat, was built by
them and freighted with men, women, children, and
household goods. During a freshet it was floated down
the Tunkhannock Creek, near to the village of that
name, and thence it was borne on the Susquehanna to

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

315

the Naiiticoke dam, where it entered the canal. It pro-
ceeded to Pittsburgh, where it passed into the Ohio, and
was towed by a steamer to St. Louis. Thus, Luzerne
has contributed her mite to swell the growing church of
the Latter Day Saints.

RECAPITULATION.

A table showing the number of ministers, churches,
members, Sunday-school scholars, and the value of church
property of the religious denominations in the county, for
the year 1859.

Denominations.

No. of
Minis-
ters.

Methodist Episcopal Church .
Presbyterian ....
Baptists ....

Protestant Episcopal
Lutheran and German Reformed
Roman Catholic
Other Churches

Sunday
Church- School Members
es. Scholars.

Value of

Church

Property.

3443

2732

§117,200

1675

1295

61,500

1100

1223

30,000

! 5

685

298

40,000

400

1300

30,000

900

2500

30,000

700

28,000

' 83

120

8903

10048

§336,700

CHAPTER X.

THE MILITARY.

" Me glory summons to the martial scene,
The field of combat is the sphere for men,
Where heroes war the foremost place I claim,
Tlie first in danger and the fii-st in fame.

Pope's Homer.

The echoes of the last guns of the RevoUitionary and
of the Pennainite and Yankee wars had scarcely died
away, when the people of Luzerne were called upon to
serve the country in the suppression of what is known as
the Whiskey Insurrection.

A pack-horse could carry only four bushels of grain to
market, and it was soon discovered by the early settlers
of the country to be more remunerative to manufacture
the rye, corn, or other material, into whiskey, in which
form the horse could carry the value of twenty-five
bushels. In that day, to manufacture and drink whiskey
was not considered disreputable, but on the contrary it
was a shame to have the bottle empty in the house, espe-
cially if the parson happened to call. Distilleries, there-
fore, were among the first manufactories, not only in
Luzerne, but in all the frontier counties. Whiskey was
considered as essential in most families as milk, and the
surplus was exchanged in market for tea, sugar, salt,
coffee, nails, and other necessaries.

As early as 1756, Pennsylvania imposed an excise duty
upon all distilled spirits, but the law was repealed, and

(31(3)

THE MILITARY. 317

never re-enacted by the authority of this Commonwealth.
In 1791, however, after the power to impose taxes, duties,
imposts, and excises had been delegated by the states to
the Federal Government, Congress established an excise
duty or tax of four pence per gallon on all distilled
spirits. This law produced open insurrection in Western
Pennsylvania, where large quantities of w^hiskey were
annually manufactured.

The people of Washington, Fayette, Alleghany, and
other counties, viewed the law as an act of oppression.
They stigmatized it as unjust, and as odious as those laws
of England which led to the Revolutionary War, and
they considered themselves justifiable in forcible opposi-
tion to its enforcement. But they did not discriminate
between their duty and obligations as citizens of a free
government, and their allegiance as subjects of the British
crown.

The excise officers of the government were arrested by
armed parties, who were painted and otherwise disguised.
Some were tarred and feathered. Others were conveyed
into deep recesses of the woods, divested of their clothing,
and firmly bound to trees. County meetings and con-
ventions were assembled, inflammatory speeches were
made, and denunciatory resolutions were adopted. The
dwellings, barns, and distilleries of persons w^ho spoke in
fjivor of the law, or exhibited the least sympathy for the
government which enacted it, were consumed by fire ; and
even Pittsburgh, which did not take an active part with
the rebels, was threatened with total destruction.

In 1792, Congress reduced the tax, but this did not
satisfy the insurgents, the Monongahela whiskey manu-
facturers, and the farmers who supplied them with grain.
The country continued in a state of insurrection. After
all mild and dissuasive measures had failed, in 1794,

318 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Washington being President of the United States, it was
resolved to raise and equip an army for the pui^ose of
quelling the tumult. A force of 15,000 men was as-
sembled, composed of regulars, and of volunteers from the
states of Pennsjdvania, Maryland, Virginia, and New
Jersey.

Governor Lee, of Virginia, had the chief command.
The other generals were Governor Mifflin, of Pennsyl-
vania, Governor Howell, of New Jersey, General Daniel
Morgan, and Adjutant-General Hand. General Knox,
Secretary of War, General Hamilton, Secretary of the
Treasury, and Judge Peters, of the Supreme Court, were
directed, to meet at Pittsburgh, to hear complaints and
take testimony, as the malcontents should be, from time
to time, arrested and brought before them.

Among the first to tender their services to the Federal
Government, were the Luzerne volunteers,* commanded
by Captain Samuel Bowman, and attached to a battalion
of light infantry, under the command of Major George
Fisher. Captain Bowman marched from Wyoming about
the 1st of September, 1794, and reached the head waters
of the Ohio with a company of 50 men. The captain
was an experienced officer, having commanded a company
during the war of the Revolution, and several of his men
were old soldiers of former wars. The introduction of
15,000 troops among the insurrectionists had the desired
effect. " Tom the Tinker," as the whiskey boys were
called, surrendered without resistance. A few were sent
to Philadelphia for trial, where they were imprisoned for
many months, but not indicted. Only two or three were
tried and convicted, but were afterwards pardoned. The
people suljmitted to the law, and the volunteers returned
to their homes after a campaign of three months.

* See muster rull in the Appendix., F.

THE MILITARY. ol9

France having aided the United States m their war for
independencej conceived that she had a just claim on
them for assistance when she afterwards came to battle
against the other powers of Europe.

Failing to induce this government to declare war against
her enemies, and becoming jealous of the growing intimacy
between us and England, the object of her inveterate hate,
France adopted measures destructive of the commerce
and derogatory to the honor of the United States. She
dismissed the American minister, and her ships of war
captured and confiscated several of our merchant vessels.
The United States, after several attempts at negotiation
had failed, prepared for war. Hostilities commenced in
January, 1799, on the ocean, by the surprise and capture
of the American sloop of war Retaliation, Lieutenant
Bainbridge, by the French frigate Insurgent, of 40 guns.
In February following, the United States frigate Constel-
lation, of 32 guns. Captain Truxtun, fell in with and
engaged the Insurgent, and in one hour and a half com-
pelled her to strike her colors. In a few days after, the
Constellation engaged the French frigate Vengeance, of 54
guns. The engagement lasted from eight o'clock in the
evening until one in the morning following. The Ven-
geance struck her flag twice, but on account of the dark-
ness of the night it was unperceived by Truxtun. The
Constellation lost her mainmast, and being unable to make
pursuit, the Vengeance escaped, but with great loss.

At the request of President Adams and of Congress,
General Washington assumed the command of the army.
The troops were ordered to rendezvous at Newburg and
Elizabethtown. A call was made for volunteers, and the
citizens of Luzerne, as usual, gave a patriotic response.
In May, 1799, Captain Samuel Bowman, with 75 men,
constituted one of the companies of the 11th United

320 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

States regiment of infantry, commanded by Colonel Aaron
Ogden. The Luzerne volunteers* marched to the Dela-
ware, and thence to Newburg, and remained in the ser-
vice of their country until the latter part of the year
1800. France did not attempt to invade our soil, and
the success of our gallant little navy, with the promotion
of Bonaparte to the position of First Consul, led to the
conclusion of a treaty of peace, and the army was dis-
banded.

The advance of the eagles of France, under the guid-
ance of the great Napoleon, gave constant employment
to all the forces of the allied European powers, and left
the seas free to the ships of America and England.
American vessels transported the productions of the
French colonies to France : in other Avords, our ships did
the carrying-trade for a nation whose vessels had been
swept from the ocean by the superior naval power of
England. England, becoming jealous of the rapidly in-
creasing commercial greatness of the United States,
asserted, among other false principles, the right to search
American ships for deserters, and to press them into the
English service. In 1807 the British frigate Leopard,
unexpectedly and without provocation, fired into the
United States frigate Chesapeake. In addition to this,
other insults were offered to the American flag, and they
became so frequent that an immediate declaration of war
was anticipated. Under these circumstances volunteers
in the several states offered their services to President
Jefferson. Among these was a well-uniformed and drilled
company at Wilkesbarre, called the Wyoming Blues,
commanded by Captain Joseph Slocum. The services of
the company were tendered to the President in a patriotic

* See muster roll in the Appendix, G.

THE MILITAEY. 321

communication signed by its chief officers, to which they
received a flattering reply from Mr. Jefferson, in his own
handwriting. We give these letters as follows :

" To Thomas Jefferson, Esq.,

President of the United States.

" Sir : As it has been the unanimous voice of our fel-
low-soldiers, of different volunteer corps in the United
States, to offer their services in defence of their country
in this momentous crisis, ' when every nation is looking
with an envious eye at the peace and prosperity of the
United States,' and more especially Great Britain, who
ought to be the last to enter the list ; but, proud of her
navy, she bids her armed vessels enter into our harbors
and rivers, and impress our fellow-citizens while peaceably
employed in the commerce of their country. Not content
with this, she orders the commanders of her frigates to
fire on the armed vessels of the United States, within the
jurisdiction of the same, while peaceably pursuing her
course to the place of her destination, murdering our
fellow-citizens, while she is holding out the olive branch
of peace, which brings to our recollection the plains of
Wyoming, in the revolutionary war, strewed with human
gore by the savage hirelings of her perfidious government.

" Therefore we, the undersigned, being appointed by the
light infantry company called the Wyoming Blues, and
through us the said company offer their services, in
defence of their country, whenever the government of
the United States deem it expedient to call them in
defence of the country.

"Joseph Slocum, Captain.

" Isaac Bowman, Lieutenant.

" Ben J. Perry, Sergeant."
21

322 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

"To Messrs. Joseph Slocum, Isaac Bowman, and Benjamin
Perry, a Coirimittee of the Light Infantry Company,
called the Wj^oming Blues.

" The offer of your service in support of the rights of,
your country, merits and meets the highest praise, and
whenever the moment arrives in which these rights must
appeal to the public arm for support, the spirit from which
the offer flows, that which animates our nation, will be
their sufficient safeguard.

" Having required, from the governors of the several
states, their several quotas of militia to be ready for ser-
vice, and recommended at the same time the preparation
of volunteers under the Acts of Congress, and particularly
that of the 24th of February, 1807, the acceptance and
organization of such volunteers has been delegated to
them.

" Tendering, therefore, the thanks of our country so
justly deserved for all offers of service made to me, I
must add that it is necessary to renew them to the gov-
ernor of the state, for the purposes of acceptance and
organization.

" I salute you with great respect,

" Th. Jefferson.

" Sept. 19th, 1807."

In 1812, after a series of insults from Great Britain
intolerable to be borne, the United States declared war
against her. " Free trade and sailors' rights" now became
the motto of our people, as " Millions for defence and not
one cent for tribute" had been a few years before, when
the executive directory of France demanded the payment
of money before negotiating for peace.

The " Wyoming Matross," a volunteer company in
Kingston, commanded by Captain Samuel Thomas, with

THE MILITARY. * 323

the promptitude of former companies in this valley, im-
mediately offered their services to the government. They
were accepted, and on the 13 th of April, 1813, they
marched from Kingston to the Eddy, at the mouth of
Shoup's Creek, in Plymouth. Here they embarked, 31
in number, and went down the river on a raft to Dan-
ville. From Danville, they marched over land to Lewis-
town, and thence to Bedford, where Captain Thomas
recruited 37 men. Proceeding westward through Fayette
county, he obtained 27 other recruits, and arrived at Erie,
May 5th, with 95 officers and privates.* On their arrival,
they were attached to one of the Pennsylvania regiments,
under Colonel Reese Hill.

The " Matross" was an artillery company, and in the
cannonading at Presque Harbor did good execution. They
fired no less than thirty shots into the hull of the brig Hun-
ter, and with two long nine-pounders cut away and mate-
rially damaged the rigging of the Queen Charlotte.

Preparatory to the battle of Lake Erie, for the purpose
of manning Perry's fleet, volunteers were solicited from
among the land forces. Among those who ofiered and
were accepted for this service were William Pace, Benja-
min Hall, Godfrey Bowman, and James Bird, of the
" Matross," four as brave men as eyer faced a foe. They
enlisted on board the Niagara, and during the engagement
fought with wonderful energy and efficiency. Their cool-
ness and courage elicited the warm commendation of
Commodore Perry, who, it will be remembered, brought
the Niagara into action. To each of her volunteers, in
this action, the Legislature of Pennsylvania voted a silver
medal, upon one side of which is a likeness of Commo-
dore Perry, wnth the inscription, " Presented by the Gov-

* S.ee muster roll in the Appendix, H.

324 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

eminent of Pennsylvania — Oliver Hazard Perry — Pro
patria vicity Upon the other side is the following : —

" To (name engraved), in testimony of his

patriotism and bravery in the naval engagement on Lake
Erie, Sept. 10th, 1813. We have met the enemy, and
they are ours." Pace, Hall, and Bowman, the last of
whom was wounded, received each one of these tokens
of respect for their valor, but Bird, the bravest of the
brave, kneeling upon his coffin, received his death-shot
from the hands of his own countrymen.

Bird was from Pittston, and was descended from a most
respectable family. He was a man of great bodily strength
and activity, and was full of patriotic devotion to the
cause of his country, but unfortunately his proud spirit
boldly rejected many of the restraints imposed by the
stern rules of military discipline. He fought like a tiger,
and when wounded refused to be carried below. For his
bravery he was promoted to the position of orderly ser-
geant of the marines on the Niagara.

News of the intended attack of the enemy on New
Orleans had reached the fleet on Lake Erie, and Bird,
ambitious to be in the midst of the smoke and fire of
battle, one night, when in command of the guard,
marched away with several of his men to join General
Jackson. He was pursued and arrested at Pittsburgh,
from which place he was about to embark with a com-
pany of volunteers for the Crescent City. Being arraigned
before and tried by a court-martial, he was sentenced, in
accordance with the rules of war, to be shot. Had Com-
modore Perry received intelligence of the proceedings in
time, Bird's life would have been spared. It is said that Bird
had openly expressed his condemnation of the position
and management of the Niagara before she was boarded
and brought into action by Perry, and that his free

THE MILITARY. 325

speech in relation to this subject, operated against hini
when on trial for his life. The following popular ballad,
suggested by this melancholy event, is from the pen of
the Hon. Charles Miner : —

Sons of Freedom, listen to me, ,

And ye daughters too give ear;
You, a sad and mournful story

As was ever told, shall hear.

Hull, you know, his troops surrendered,

And defenceless left the West;
Then our forces quick assembled,

The invaders to resist.

Among the troops that marched to Erie,

Were the Kingston Volunteers;
Captain Thomas, their commander,

To protect our West frontiers.

Tender were the scenes of parting ;

Mothers wrung their hands and cried;
Maidens wept their love in secret,

Fathers strove their tears to hide.

But there's one among the number,

Tall and graceful in his mien,
Firm his step, his look undaunted ;

Ne'er a nobler youth was seen.

One sweet kiss he stole from Mary,

Craved his mother's prayers once more,

Pressed his father's hand and left them, •
For Lake Erie's distant shore.

Mary tried to say, " Farewell, James :"
Waved her hand, but nothing spoke ;

" Good-bye, Bird, — may heaven protect you !"
From the rest at parting broke.

326 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Soon tliey came where noble Perry

Had assembled all bis fleet;
There the gallant Bird enlisted,

Hoping soon the foe to meet.

Where is Bird ? the battle rages ;

Is he in the strife or no ?
Now the cannon roar tremendous —

Dare he meet the haughty foe ?

Ay — behold him ! there with Perry ;

In the self-same ship they fight;
Though his messmates fall around him ;

Nothing can his soul alFright.

But behold, a ball has struck him !

See the crimson current flow !
" Leave the deck ;" exclaimed brave Perry ;

" No," cried Bird, " I will not go.

" Here on deck I took my station ;

Ne'er will Bird his colors fly ;
I'll stand by you, gallant captain.

Till we conquer, or we die !"

Still he fought, though faint and bleeding,
Till our stars and stripes arose ;

Victory having crowned our efforts.
All triumphant o'er our foes !

And did Bird receive a pension ?

Was he to his friends restored ?
No, nor ever to his bosom

Clasped the maid his heart adored !

But there came most dismal tidings,
From Lake Erie's distant shore ;

Better if poor Bird had perished
'Midst the cannon's awful roar.

THE MILITARY. 327

" Dearest parents," said the letter ;

'^ This will bring sad news to you ;
Do not mourn your first beloved,

Though it brings his last adieu !

" I must suffer for deserting

From the brig Niagara ;
Read this letter, brothers, sisters —

'Tis the last you'll have from me."

Sad and gloomy was the morning

Bird was ordered out to die ;
Where's the breast not dead to pity, #

But for him will heave a sigh ?

Lo ! he foughf so brave at Erie,

Freely bled and nobly dared ;
Let his courage plead for mercy ;

Let his precious life be spared.

See him march, and bear his fetters,

Harsh they clank upon the ear;
But his step is firm and manly.

For his breast ne'er harbored fear.

See ! he kneels upon his coffin !

Sure his death can do no good;
Spare him, hark ! oh Grod, they've shot him !

Oh ! his bosom streams with blood !

Farewell, Bird ! farewell, for ever;

Friends and home he'll see no more.
But his mangled corpse lies buried

Ou Lake Erie's distant shore !

After the battle of Lake Erie, Colonel Hill's regiment,
by order of General Harrison, advanced from Erie to
Cleveland, and, on the 27th of September, with the main
army, and with the naval forces under Commodore Perry,
crossed the line into Canada. They now marched against

328 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Maiden, which the enemy deserted, after burning the
public buildings. Advancing towards Sandwich, the
Americans found that place also deserted. Thence they
crossed the Detroit river to attack General Proctor, who,
with several hundred British troops and a large body of
Indians under the celebrated chief Tecumseh, was in pos-
session of Detroit. Captain Thomas's company was in the
forward gun-boats in the passage across the river, and,
landing, planted the stars and stripes on the opposite bank.
Proctor and his forces retreated, whom General Harrison
immtediately pursued with the main body of his army,
including the whole of the " Matross," except fourteen
men, who were left with Captain Thomas at Detroit. In
the battle of the Thames the company was commanded
by Lieutenant Ziba Hoyt, and acquitted itself with credit,
sustaining the reputation of Luzerne for good and true
soldiers.

In addition to the company of Captain Thomas, Luzerne
furnished a number of volunteers for the companies of
Captain John Baldy, of Columbia, and Captain Robert
Gray, of Northumberland counties. Among these were
Job Barton, William Hart, William Brown, Henry Hard-
ing, Luther Scott, W. C. Johnson, and about thirty others,
whose names we have been unable to procure. These
companies were attached to the 16th regiment of infantry,
known as the " Bloody 16th." This regiment was com-
manded by Colonel Cromwell Pearce. It was present at
the engagements of Sackett's Harbor, Stony Creek, and
of other places. At the battle of York, in Canada, when
General Pike was killed by the blowing up of the maga-
zine, Colonel Pearce, of this regiment, assumed the com-
mand of the army, and received the capitulation of the
enemy. During the war there was a recruiting station
established at Wilkesbarre, and the names of Captains

THE MILITARY. 329

Baldy, Gray, and McChesney of the infantry, and Helme
of the cavahy, are remembered, and frequently mentioned
with respect by our old citizens. The infantry barracks
were located on the bank of the river, opposite the present
residence of Colonel H. B. Wright, and the cavalry bar-
racks were located on Franklin street, on the site of the
present residence of the late Joshua Miner, Esq. At
4 o'clock, A. M., the drums beat the reveille, and drill
officers with new recruits daily paraded in the streets.
At short interYals one or more detachments were sent
away to the regular army.

In 1814, when the British threatened an attack on
Baltimore, five companies of militia from Luzerne and
adioinint!; counties marched under the command of
Captains Joseph Camp, Peter Hallock, Frederick Bailey,
George Hidley, and Jacob Bittenbender.* The Wyoming
Blues, a volunteer company, assembled at Wilkesbarre,
with the intention of accompanying the militia, but, some
difficulty occurring, the company broke up in a row.
Several of its officers and privates entered the ranks of
the militia, while eight or ten men, with drums beating,
marched towards the seat of war, under the colors of the
Wyoming Blues. On the arrival of these companies at
Danville, they received intelligence of the gallant defence
of Fort Henry, and the repulsion of the British forces.
They consequently received orders to return to their
homes — an order welcome, doubtless, to men of families,
but bringing disappointment to others who were antici-
pating the excitements of an active campaign.

After peace had been proclaimed, many of the soldiers
returned to be greeted by friends — many never returned.
Some fell in battle, some died of camp diseases, and one
man, upwards of fifty years of age, Robert Dixon, who

* See muster rolls in the Appendix, I.

330 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

enlisted at Wilkesbarre, was inhumanly beaten by his
orderly sergeant, Srack, so that he died on the inarch from
Wilkesbarre to Easton, and was buried near Bear Creek.
Brack was surrendered by Captain McChesney to the
civil authorities, tried at Wilkesbarre, and convicted of
murder. Through the exertions of counsel, a new trial
was granted, when the criminal was found guilty of man-
slaughter, and died in the penitentiary.

To the volunteers who survived the hardships of war,
its diseases and battles, and returned to their homes,
public dinners and splendid balls were given by their
fellow-citizens in Wilkesbarre, Plymouth, Kingston, and
other parts of the county ; and on the proclamation of
peace there were bonfires, illuminations, and a general
rejoicing throughout the land.

THE MEXICAN WAR.

On the morning of December 7th, 1846, the Wyoming
Artillerists, under the command of Captain E. L. Dana,
left Wilkesbarre for the seat of war in Mexico.* The
company was transported to Pittsburgh by canal, where it
remained long enough to complete its equipment, and be
mustered into the service of the United States as a part
of the 1st Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, to serve
during the war. At this place, Francis L. Bowman, a
popular and accomplished officer, the 1st lieutenant of
the company, was elected major of the regiment. This
company was designated '^ I" in the regiment ; and after
filling the vacancy occasioned by the election of Major
Bowman, started for New Orleans on the 22d of December,
1846, on board the steamer St. Anthony. After their
arrival, they encamped on the old Battle Ground, about
7 miles below the city, where they remained until the

* For names of officers and men, see Appendix, J.

THE MILITARY. 331

16th of January, 1847. On that day they sailed in the
ship Russell Glover, with three other companies, and
were conveyed to the Island of Lobos (Wolf Island),
which they reached February 1st. The passage to this
point was stormy and tedious. The ship is represented
to have been a miserable transport; and 400 men were
compelled to live below hatches in a crowded, suffocating
space, for a period of two weeks, with little light, fresh
air, or comfort of any kind. The island where they
lauded is about 12 miles from the Mexican coast, and
120 miles north of Vera Cruz. It is about one mile in
circumference, and was covered with a thick growth of
chaparral ; and the water used by the troops for cooking
was of a brackish character, being sea-water filtered
through the sand. The United States forces had not
been a week on this island before they were attacked by
disease. The Mississippi Regiment became infected by
mumps, and, it is said, they lost six men per day during
their stay on Lobos. Small-pox next made its appear-
ance in the 2d Pennsylvania Regiment.

March 3d, the company left Lobos and sailed for Anton
Lizardo, 9 miles below Vera Cruz, where they arrived
two days after. On the 9th of March, a landing was
effected on the Mexican coast, at a point 3 miles south
of Vera Cruz. The fleet had hardly swung to its cables,
when General Worth's division, with wonderful celerity,
filled the surf-boats, and, at a signal from the ship of the
commander-in-chief, darted for the shore amid the enthu-
siastic cheers of the army and of our gallant tars. By
nine o'clock of the night of that day, 12,000 men had
landed without firing a gun, and were marshalled within
2 miles of the city.

After resting that night on the beach, the army com-
menced the next morning its march through the thick

332 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

chaparral and sand-hills, for the investment of Vera
Cruz. The day was intensely hot, and many men were
stricken down by coup de soleil. To add to their suffer-
ings, they dare not drink of the water of the springs of
the country ; for a report was abroad that they were
poisoned by the enemy. It was the fortune of the Wyo-
ming Artillerists to receive the first fire of the Mexicans.
Passing through the chaparral by a narrow path, along
the base of a gentle declivity, the enemy poured their fire
upon them, when the company was halted, and delivered
their own with admirable coolness. The ''Greasers" fled
to the city. The company participated actively in the
investment of the place, and were engaged throughout
the siege. The trenches were opened on the 22d, and
after a terrible storm of iron had been blown on the city
for a few days and nights, it surrendered to the American
army on the 29th of March, 1847.

In April, the volunteer division left the city for the
interior, under the command of Major-General Patterson.
Having arrived at Plan del Rio, 50 miles from Vera
Cruz, they found General Twiggs with his division of
regulars already there. The Mexicans, under General
Santa Anna, were strongly posted in the pass of Cerro
Gordo. On the morning of the 18th of April, the
American army attacked the Mexican lines. The volun-
teer brigade formed the left wing, under the command of
General Pillow, to which the Wyoming Artillerists were
attached. The brigade took a position within 200 yards
of the Mexican batteries, which opened upon them a tre-
mendous fire of grape. The Wyoming boys suffered but
slightly ; but the 2d Tennesseean Regiment, occupying
more elevated ground, suffered severely, and General Pil-
low himself was wounded. In twenty minutes the line
of attack was completed, and the brigade moved forward

THE MILITARY. 333

towards the batteries. The Mexicans now displayed the
white flag from their defences, for their left wing had
been completely routed by the forces under Generals
Twiggs, Shields, Worth, and Quitman. The fruits of this
victory were 3000 prisoners, 5000 stand of arms, 43
cannon, the money-chest of the Mexican army, containing
$20,000, and a free passage for the army into the interior
of the enemy's country. In this action, David R. Morri-
son, of th6 Wyoming company, was killed, and Corporal
Kitchen wounded. Poor Morrison was mourned by all,
for not a kinder companion, or braver soldier than he, was
to be found in the brigade.

After the battle, the volunteer force encamped 3 miles
west of Jalapa, where they remained about three weeks.
They were then ordered to Perote, a place about 35 miles
west of Jalapa, on the main road to the capital. Here
they took up their quarters in the celebrated castle of
Perote, and formed its garrison. The period of their stay
here was the most melancholy of the whole campaign,
for the burial of the dead was the principal feature of
their soldier life.

Here those ravages of the army, diarrhoea and typhus
fever, broke out and made fearful havoc in their ranks.
For many weeks was heard, almost constantly, the melan-
choly strains of the dead march accompanying their mess-
mates to lonely and forgotten graves. It was a joyful
day when they received orders to leave the gloomy castle
and dreary plains of Perote. About the 2d of July they
marched for the city of Puebla. On the night of the 4th,
when the soldiers had taken to their blankets, the camp
was alarmed by an attack on the pickets, which were
driven in. Satisfied with this the enemy retired.

Having reached El Pinal, or the Black Pass, General
Pillow anticipated a fight, for the enemy were posted there,

334 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

prepared to dispute the passage. The Wyoming boys
formed part of the storming party, and behaved gallantly ;
but when the light troops had scaled the heights com-
manding the gorge, the Mexicans abandoned their posi-
tion, and fled.

On the 7th of July, they approached the fine old city
of Puebla. Here General Scott, by the 1st of August,
had concentrated about 11,000 men of all arms. On the
7th of that month, the army left Puebla for the city of
Mexico. The Wyoming company, with five others of the
1st Pennsylvania Regiment, remained behind, constitut-
ing, with a company of United States artillery, and one
of cavalry, the garrison of Puebla. They were about 600
men, under the command of Colonel Childs, a brave and
skilful officer. To this small force was intrusted the
charge of 2000 sick men, and an immense amount of
government property. The population of the city was
turbulent and warlike, and evinced an uncompromising
hostilit}^ towards the Americans. The place now was
besieged by the Mexicans, who harassed the garrison,
day and night, with alarms and attacks. This continued
for forty da3^s ; but our men, occupying strong and
favorable positions, maintained their ground, and the
enemy failed so far as not to succeed in driving in^a
single sentinel.

In this siege John Priest was killed in an engagement
with guerillas, outside the city walls. Luke Floyd, a
brave old soldier, who, with Priest, was a member of the
Wyoming company, was severely wounded.

The arrival of General Lane, with 3000 men, on the
12th of October, put an end to the siege. In this arrival
there were four companies of the 1st Pennsylvania Regi-
ment, which had been left in garrison at Perote. They
had participated in the fight at Huamantla, under the

THE MILITARY. 335

command of Major F. L. Bowman, of Wilkesbarre, who
led them up in gallant style. His conduct on this occa-
sion was highly spoken of by all who w^itnessed it. Not
long after the raising of the siege the regiment, now
united, left Puebla, and, on the 7tli of December, 1847,
arrived in the city of Mexico, where they remained about
two weeks. They were then quartered at San Angel, 7
miles from the city, until the treaty of peace, in June,
1848.

They now returned to their country at New Orleans,
and passing up the Mississippi and Ohio to Pittsburgh,
they were honorably discharged at that place, and mus-
tered out of service by reason of the expiration of the term
of enlistment, July 24, 1848.

The Columbia Guards, of Danville, Pennsylvania, con-
stituting a portion of the 2d Regiment of Pennsylvania
Volunteers, was composed in part of volunteers from
Luzerne county, -under Edward E. Leclerc, of Wilkes-
barre, who was elected 2d lieutenant of the company.
Among the names of privates who united with the Guards
under Lieutenant Leclerc, we are able to give those of
Norman B. Mack, Peter Brobst, Al^ram B. Carley, Ran-
dolph Ball, George Garner, Oliver Helme, Joseph H.
Stratton, William Kutz, and William White.

Edward E. Leclerc was appointed regiment quarter-
master, November 8th, 1847, and, a few days after, be-
came 1st lieutenant of his company. He was a brave
officer, and conducted himself gallantly throughout the
war.

On the return of the volunteers to their homes, they
were greeted at every point by the enthusiastic demon-
strations of the people, who welcomed them with shouts
and the roar of artillery. When the Wyoming troops
reached the valley, they found Wilkesbarre crowded with

336 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

citizens from the country round about, and extensive pre-
parations made to receive them in a becoming manner.
While the body of the jDeople manifested their rejoicings
in tumultuous shouts and with the thunder of guns, the
relatives and friends of the returned soldiers met them
with tears of joy, and the demonstrations of deep and
quiet affection.

i^rom what we have recorded in this chapter, it will
be observed that a considerable portion of the soldiers
entering the service of their country from this county
were volunteers, and the events of the Mexican war
demonstrate that volunteers in conjunction with the
regular army are sufficient for almost every emergency.
The Legislature of our state has abolished the militia
system, and extended encouragement for the formation
of volunteer companies. Under the laws framed for their
organization, Luzerne county has 21 companies, of which
2 are cavalry, amounting in all to 987 officers and men.
The Great Rebellion. (See Appendix Z.)

CHAPTER XI.
AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES.

" Princes and lords may flourish, or may fade,
A breath can make them as a breath hath made ;
But a bold peasantry, their country's pride,
When once destroyed can never be supplied."

Agriculture is the true source of our country's pros-
perity, and from it we derive most of the elements of our
strength and defence. It is, perhaps, more immediately
connected with virtue, prudence, and economy, than any
other sublunary pursuit. It was so considered by our
fathers, and has been thus esteemed by all good govern-
ments through all the ages of the historic period. It
was one of the earliest employments of mankind, and has
been ever regarded as the nourisher of healthy and inde-
pendent citizens. When agriculture declines, the glory
and power of the nation are on the wane. This asser-
tion is sustained by the history of many ancient nations.
At one time the Egyptians worshiped the ox on account
of his labor, and the Romans, in the early days of their
history, venerated the plow, and viewed the industrious
farmer who used it well, as the model or embodiment of
all the virtues which should adorn a good and free citizen.
The fathers of our great Republic, the leaders and soldiers
of the Revolutionary army, and most of our greatest
orators and statesmen, were farmers. Washington, Jef-
ferson, Jackson, Harrison, Webster, Clay, and many others
of our most eminent men, have not only recommended

22 . (337)

338 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

agriculture as a pursuit best suited for a republican peo-
ple, but have themselves been the owners of farms, and
experienced a sense of pride and delight in tilling the soil
according to the most improved methods.

Nearly all the first settlers in Luzerne county were
farmers, who handled the axe and the plow, who sowed
the grain and gathered the harvest. Their wives and
daughters did not scorn the labor of the kitchen ; they
prepared the rich milk, the delicious butter and cheese,
and, when occasion required, assisted their husbands and
fathers in the field. Their hands were familiar with the
wash-tub and the dough-tray, they spun flax, and wove
cloth for the backs of the men, and carpets for the floors
of their houses. Almost every house contained a loom,
one or two spinning-wheels, and a dye pot. The men
were agriculturists, and the women were manufacturers.
The young ladies of one neighborhood or township fre-
quently vied with those of another in spinning, weaving,
and coloring cloth. It was not uncommon for young
ladies to spin 100 knots per day. Miss Mary Smith of
Pittston frequently spun 120 knots in a day. In 1828,
Miss Rachel Jenkins spun and reeled 135 knots in twelve
hours, and Miss Selinda Jenkins spun 136 knots of filling
in the same time. The farmers on the east side of the
river contended with those on the west side, in raising
wheat, rye, corn, and vegetables, the most and best on a
given lot of ground. It was the high ambition of the
young men to become good farmers, and wed industrious
and accomplished girls, such as Rachel and Selinda Jen-
kins. But this state of things has been materiallj'- changed
within our own day. Our farmers' sons now aspire to be
lawyers, physicians, or merchants, and their daughters
seek to become the wives of professional gentlemen. The
rural districts annually send large numbers of young men

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES. 339

and women to our cities and chief towns, where they
hope to reside in ease, or make fortunes by some sudden
turn of luck. A false and pernicious idea of what is
respectable seems to pervade the great body of the people.
Manual labor is viewed as mean and degrading, while
white hands and idleness are considered the test of re-
spectability. The consequence is, there are multitudes
of idlers in all portions of the country, who relieve the
tedium of their lives by ridiculous day-dreams, and the
perusal of immoral literature. As their bodies grow
effeminate and weak, their minds also lose their natural
healthy tone. Dissipation and debauchery ensue, want
stares them in the face, life becomes a burden, and poison
or the pistol often closes the scene.

Those vrho labor in the earth are the chosen people of God, whose breasts
he has made his peculiar deposit for substantial and genuine virtue. — Jefferson.

" Drive on, thou sturdy farmer,

Drive cheerily o'er the field;
The pleasures of a farmer's life

No other life can yield.

Thou risest with the morning sun,

To till the fruitful earth ;
And when thy daily task is done,

Thou seek'st thy peaceful hearth.

Thou lovest not the gaudy town,

With its tumultuous roar ;
Plenty and peace thy fireside crown,

And thou dost ask no more.

Monarchs with robes in crimson dyed,

Are low compared with thee ;
They are the pampered souls of pride,

Thou'rt God's nobility.

340 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Go on, thou sturdy farmer,

Tread proudly on the sod,
Thy proud and goodly heritage,

Thou chosen man of God."

Business men, and men of all professions, whose opinion
is worth our regard, concur in expressing their high
appreciation of practical farmers and mechanics. Use-
fulness is the proper test of what is respectable, and who,
on the broad face of the earth, is more useful than the
honest, intelligent tiller of the soil, or the industrious,
practical mechanic ? The evil in question proceeds mainly
from a system of education in our colleges and higher
schools, which does not have sufficient of the useful in
combination with the ornamental. There is too great a
veneration for ancient lore to the exclusion of modern
science, too much attention given to that which strikes
the senses in preference to those studies which give
knowledge to the mind, while they enlarge and strengthen
its powers. The evil will be corrected when we cultivate
the body together with the moral and intellectual powers,
that is, when we combine in our system of education
manual labor in connection with studies of a practical
character.

The spirit of the coal speculation, aided and invigorated
by this false idea with respect to labor, has had a most
destructive effect on the agricultural interests of our
county. In 1828, Luzerne produced a surplus of 190,000
bushels of wheat, 1000 barrels of pork, 500 barrels of
whiskey, 100,000 bushels of corn, besides large quantities
of other grains, valued in all at $600,000. The case is
very diflerent now.

In England agriculture has been ever highly esteemed,
but particularly so since its conquest by the Normans in
10G6. However, the first work on husbandry did not

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES. 341

make its appearance until the reign of Henry VIII, It
was written by Sir A. Fitzherbert, and contained direc-
tions for clearing, draining, and enriching the soil. During
the reign of Elizabeth, a number of agricultural works
issued from the press, and much attention was given
to the breeding of horses, sheep, swine, and horned cattle.
In after years, the National Board of Agriculture was
formed, bringing the farmers of the realm together at a
National Fair, where the best productions were exhibited
and a laudable rivalry excited. By this and other means,
agriculture has been carried to a very high degree of im-
provement in the mother country.

In 1761, there were 13 grand and 19 auxiliary agri-
cultural societies in France, and under the great Napoleon,
who well knew how to appreciate a bold and industrious
peasantry, their number was greatly increased. New
breeds of horses, horned cattle, sheep, and swine, were
introduced into the kingdom, and liberal premiums were
offered for the best productions of agriculture.

The people of New England long ago manifested their
appreciation of agriculture, by establishing societies for
its promotion, and importing improved stock from the
Old World.

In 1788, the Philadelphia Agricultural Society, which
had been established several years before at the request
of the Supreme Executive Council, made a learned report
on the subject of the Hessian fly. The king of England
had issued his proclamation forbidding the entry of
American wheat into British ports, on account of this
destructive insect ; and it was this circumstance which led
to the investigation by the Philadelphia Society, and
resulted advantageously to our farmers.

In 1849, the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society
was organized, and the first State Fair held in the follow-

342 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ing year at Harrisburg. Since then societies have been
organized in almost every county in the Commonwealth.

In January, 1810, the Luzerne Count}^ Agricultural
Society was first organized, in the old court-house at
Wilkesbarre. Jesse Fell, Esq., was chosen chairman, and
Dr. R. H. Rose secretary of the meeting. A constitution
was adopted, and the following officers were chosen for
the year : Jesse Fell, Esq., president ; Matthias Hollen-
back, Esq., vice-president ; Thomas Dyer, Esq., treasurer ;
Peleg Tracy, recording secretary ; and Dr. Rose and
Jacob Cist, corresponding secretaries. The preamble to
the constitution declared the object of the society to be
for the improvement and advancement of agriculture, by
introducing improved breeds of horses, cattle, sheep,
swine, and the best grain, such as wheat, rye, corn, &c.,
and the improvement of the soil by lime and manure.

The prominent and efficient actors in this movement
were Dr. Rose and Jacob Cist, Esq., both enterprising
men, laboring for the advancement of useful knowledge,
and possessing perhaps a greater share of scientific agri-
cultural information than any other two gentlemen in the
county.

No proceedings of the Society have been preserved
other than a report made in 1811, on 19 specimens of
cloth, presented by Mr. Ingham, all of which were pro-
nounced creditable. The jDieces particularly noticed were
those wrought by Miss Luckey, Raphael Stone, R. Ing-
ham, A. Stevens, N. Stevens, and Joseph Ingham.

There is preserved also a list of premiums proposed in
1824, as follows: For the best field of wheat, less than
30 acres, $5 ; for the best field of corn and rye, $5 ; for
the best field of oats or buckwheat less than 30 acres.
$3 ; for the best acre of potatoes, $3 ; for the best half-
acre of flax, $4 ; for the best quarter-acre of rutabaga

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES. 343

turnips and tobacco, each $3 ; best ram, ^3 ; best ewe,
$3 ; best bull, $5 ; best cow, $5 ; best piece of woolen
cloth, $5 ; second best, $3 ; best piece of flannel, $4: ; best
piece of domestic carpet, $4 ; best piece of linen, one yard
wide, $o ; best quality of cheese, less than 100 pounds,
$5 ; best sample of butter, not less than 20 pounds, $3 ;
best made plow, $5 ; best quantity of stone fence, not
less than 25 rods, ^5 ; for a bushel of the best apples or
peaches, $1.50; for the best watermelon, 50 cents.

For the best essay on the Hessian fly, and preventing
its ravages, there was offered a premium of $5 ; for the
best essay on the various species of curculio, and the mode
of destroying them, $5 ; for the best essay on agriculture
or manufactures, $5.

To many readers this list may seem wholly uninterest-
ing, but to some it will appear curious and instructive,
showing the deep interest manifested by our people, near
fifty years ago, in agriculture and manufactures. It
exhibits a striking contrast with the apathy on this sub-
ject which has characterized us for many years gone by.

About this time the several turnpike roads, connecting
the centre and extremities of the county with Easton and
Philadelphia, were completed, or in process of completion.
John Stoddart, then one of the most wealthy citizens of
Philadelphia, who had subscribed $50,000 to the capital
stock of the Lehigh Navigation Company, and through
whose influence Mr. Ridgway and Mr. Girard had sub-
scribed each a like amount, laid out Stoddartsville, and
in 1816 erected a large merchant-mill at that place, with
a view to purchasing the grain of Luzerne county, and
manufacturing it into flour for the Philadelphia market.
The merchants of Easton deposited money at Wilkesbarre
to buy grain, and during the winter hundreds of sleds,
drawn by noble horses, might be seen wending their way

344

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

slowly with their heavy loads, up the mountain side,
destined for the markets below. They returned with
salt, sugar, molasses, and other necessaries. During the
summer and fall the covered broad-wheeled Conestoga
wagons, moved by four or six splendid draught-horses,
were. constantly employed in transporting the productions
of the county to market.

CONESTOGA WAGON.

The old route, by which the produce of the county
was conveyed, in Durham boats, to Middletown, and
thence by teams to Philadelphia, a distance of 220 miles,
was now superseded by new avenues, which brought the
market within GO miles of us. It was these circum-
stances which induced the efforts to advance the agricul-
tural interests by premiums, and by the dissemination of
useful information among the people.

In 1775 wheat sold in Wilkesbarre at 4 shillings or 68
cents per bushel, rye at 51, and corn at 34 cents. In

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES. 3-15

1799 wheat sold in Easton at 14 shillings per bushel, and
in 1801 at 15 shillings, while 37J cents per bushel was
paid for its transportation from Wilkesbarre to that place.
In 1808 wheat sold in Wilkesbarre at 4 shillings and 6
pence per bushel, and in 1821 superfine flour sold at
$3.25 per barrel. In 1822 w^heat here was $1 ; rye and
corn, 75 cents ; buckwheat, 55 cents ; and flaxseed, 87i
cents. In 1827 wheat was $1.06; rye, 87 J cents; oats,
43 cents ; and flour, $5 per barrel in Easton. In 1830
wheat in Wilkesbarre was 75 cents ; rye, 45 ; corn, 40 ;
buckwheat, 31; butter, 12 J; and cheese, 6 cents. In
1831 flour was $5 per barrel ; wheat, 95 cents per bushel ;
butter, 10 cents per pound; cheese, 8 cents; and eggs, 10
cents per dozen.

Occasionally, the farmer received a very high price for
wheat, as in 1800, but the average price from that year
to 1834, when the canal to the Lackawanna w^as com-
pleted, and an avenue for our coal was opened, did not
exceed |1 per bushel in Wilkesbarre, or $1.10 in Easton
and Stoddartsville.

The average prices of other grains were not more than
50 cents per bushel, while that of butter was 12, and of
cheese 7 cents per pound.

If, then, at these prices agriculture was encouraged
and cherished, and the farmers became prosperous and
wealthy, how much greater is the inducement to culti-
vate the soil at the present day, when the prices of pro-
duce are nearly double, and when the farmers find a
market at their very doors ?

The following table exhibits the prices of grain and
butter in Luzerne county, from 1847 to 1859, inclu-
sive : —

346

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Year.

Flour.

Wheat.

Rye.

Corn.

Oats.

Buckwheat.

Butter.

1847

$7.50

$1.37

$0.65

$0.56

$0.37

$0.50

$0.18

1848

6.50

1.25

.62

.56

.40

.50

.16

1849

7.00

1.30

.65

.60

.42

.55

.18

1850

7.50

1.37

.68

.58

.45

.55

.20

1851

7.00

1.25

.65

.56

.40

.50

.20

1852

8.00

1.50

.70

.60

.40

.50

.18

1853

12.00

2.50

1.00

.90

.58

.75

.22

1854

10.00

2.00

1.00

.75

.50

.75

.22

1855

10.00

2.00

1.00

.90

.56

.75

.25

1856

10.00

2.00

.70

.45

.56

.25

1857

8.00

1.75

.75

.62

.45

.50

.25

1858

7.50

1.02

.75

.45

.56

.25

1859

6.50

1.35

.60

.56

.40

.50

.20

Pork has risen in price from 5 to 7 cents per lb.,
and hay from $9 to $14 per ton, during the same period.
In some years the prices of the articles before mentioned
may have varied, but in the main this table, made up
from reliable sources, is correct.*

Notwithstanding these remunerative prices for agricul-
tural products, the farming interest has declined among
us. Hundreds of acres of excellent land, once product-
ive, have been purchased by coal companies, and now
yield barely enough to pay taxes, while our farmers, in
many cases, neglect the improvement of their lands by
manures, and their stock by imported breeds. This state
of things being manifest to every observer, a number of
gentlemen, anxious to stimulate renewed efforts in favor
of agriculture, called a meeting at the court-house in
Wilkesbarre, in 1850, and after appointing delegates to
the Farmers' Convention to meet at Harrisburg, adjourned
to meet again in January, 1851. At that subsequent
meeting, the second Luzerne County Agricultural So-
ciety was organized. Addresses were delivered by Judge
Conyngham, General E. W. Sturdevant, S. F. Headley,
Esq., and others, and in the following April officers for
the ensuing year were elected. They were. General Wm.

* During the late rebellion the above prices increased 100 per cent. ; and
in some instances 200 per cent.

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES. 347

S. Ross, president; Hon. John Koons and Hon. William
Hancock, vice-president ; S. D. Lewis, Esq., treasurer ;
George H. Butler, recording secretary; Washington Lee,
Jr., corresponding secretary; and Charles Dorrance and
Wm, P. Miner, curators. Two hundred farmers, and other
persons interested in the promotion of agriculture, united
with the society, and the promise was very fair for great
improvement in that direction. This, however, was a
delusion. The society, like almost everything else among
us, was withered, and died away under the effect of the
coal land speculation.

In 1857, the Abington Agricultural Society was organ-
ized by the citizens of Abington township, and held its
first fair in 1858, at which there was a creditable display
of the productions of the northern portions of our county.
This society is now known as the Northern Luzerne Ag-
ricultural Society.

In 1858, the third Luzerne County Agricultural So-
ciety was organized at Mr. Wambold's, in Kingston.
Charles Dorrance, Esq., was chosen president ; General E.
W. Sturdevant, Samuel Wadhams, Benjamin Harvey, C.
D. Shoemaker, Esqs., and others, vice-presidents. A
constitution was adopted, executive and other committees
were appointed, and preparations were made for holding
the first fair of the society on the 27th and 28th of the
following October, at or near the village of Wyoming.

The editor of the Times, at Wilkesbarre, speaking of
the fair, says : —

" The first annual fair of the Luzerne County Agricul-
tural Society, on Wednesday and Thursday of last week,
was a decided success, far beyond the most sanguine anti-
cipations of its most ardent friends. Too much praise
cannot be awarded to the president, Colonel Dorrance, and
those members of the executive committee who took

348 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

charge of the arrangements, and carried them to a suc-
cessful termmation.

" And we feel authorized to say, as the expression of
the president and of the executive committee, that pub-
lic acknowledgments are due to Mr. James Jenkins and
his friends of Wyoming, for the faithful and prompt man-
ner in which they carried out their offer to enclose the
grounds and prepare a track and stands in time for the
fair. It was done gracefully and splendidly. The State
Fair never had finer grounds for an exhibition. And as
if Providence, willing to help those who help themselves,
smiled on the enterprise, the weather continued clear,
mild, and delightful through the month, and particularly
pleasant during the fair days.

" It is but very few weeks, not two months, since the
idea of forming an agricultural society assumed a definite
shape. Captain John Urquhart, a gentleman who pays
much attention to the improvement of stock in the
county, stepped in our office one day, and suggested the
feasibility of forming a society and holding a fair. In
pursuance of his suggestion, we penned and inserted in
the Record of the Times, the call for a meeting at Wam-
bold's, in Kingston, on the next Saturday, September
18th. The meeting was quite respectable, and a com-
mittee was appointed to draft a constitution, to report at
an adjourned meeting, the next Saturday, at the same
place.

" The meeting was crowded — a constitution was adopted
— nearly a hundred and forty members joined, and the
society was organized.

" The executive committee met the next Monday, Sep-
tember 27th, resolved to hold an exhibition, and accepted
the proposition of Mr. Jenkins, to furnish the grounds at
Wyoming. In just one short month the whole arrange-

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES. 349

merit was carried out, and the exhibition opened on the
27th of October."

Premiums to the amount of hundreds of dollars were
awarded for the best stock, poultry, vegetables, machinery,
&c., &c. The fair grounds are 50 acres in extent, on a
level surface, and contain a splendid trotting course of
one mile circular.

At this exhibition we saw a mountaineer with a num-
ber of rattle and other snakes, the productions, as he
represented, of his farm, winding themselves about his
arms and neck. There was exhibited a horse with five
legs ; a rooster with three legs ; a bald eagle, perched upon
a pole, taken below the Eagle's Nest, near the Nanticoke
dam ; an ox, thin in flesh, weighing 1900 pounds ; an
ear of corn measuring 16 inches in length; a pumpkin
weighing 200 pounds; a turnip weighing 10, and a beet
weighing 5 pounds. We also saw fine specimens of
apples, pears, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables,
but none excelled those of former times.

In 1824, David Adams, of Northmoreland township,
now in Wyoming county, raised 284 potatoes in one hill,
all from the seed of one potato.

In 1825, Jacob Cist, Esq., raised a plum, in his garden
at Wilkesbarre, measuring 51 inches in circumference.

In 1827, Colonel H. F. Lamb raised a pear, in his
garden at Wilkesbarre, weighing 22 ounces, and measur-
ing 14 i inches in circumference.

In 1832, Anderson Dana raised 15 beets in one bed,
the aggregate weight of which was 119 pounds, the largest
weighing 9 pounds 10 ounces.

In 1839, Henry Gabriel raised a common field pump-
kin, in Plymouth, which weighed 120 pounds, and mea-
sured 6 feet 4:h inches in circumference.

In 1827, a mountaineer farmer collected, from his small

350 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

rocky plantation, 75 full grown rattle-snakes, which he
exhibited to the editor of the Wyoming Herald, at Wil-
kesbarre, and then proceeded with his crop to the Phila-
delphia market.

In 1835, a goose, belonging to Abel Hoyt, in Kingston,
laid an egg which measured 11 inches in length, 9 inches
in circumference, and weighed 10 ounces.

Luzerne county contains about 915,000 acres of land,
of which 138,000 were improved in 1850.* The unim-
proved land susceptible of cultivation is estimated at
165,000 acres, leaving 612,000 acres for mountains,
water, and roads. In 1850, Lancaster county, with
400,000 acres of improved land, produced 1,365,000
bushels of wheat, 1,800,000 bushels of corn, and 151,000
bushels of rye, making the average production equal to 8
bushels per acre.

Columbia county, in 1850, with 90,000 acres of im-
proved land, produced 154,000 bushels of wheat, 102,000
bushels of rye, and 200,000 bushels of corn, equal to a
fraction above 5 bushels to the acre.

Wyoming county, with 46,000 acres of improved land,
produced, in 1850, 62,000 bushels of wheat, 40,000
bushels of rye, and 116,000 bushels of corn, equal to 5
bushels per acre. This county produced also 211,000
pounds of butter, and 21,000 pounds of cheese.

In Luzerne county, in 1850, the average production of
wheat, rye, and corn, was 4 bushels per acre ; of butter,
558,000 pounds ; and of cheese, 92,000 pounds.

The following table exhibits the agricultural produc-
tions of Luzerne county, as taken by United States mar-
shals, according to the census laws for the decades of
1840, 1850, and 1860:

* 191,754 acres were improved in 18G0.

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES.

351

Names.

1840.

1850.

I860.

Horses and Mules .

6,933

4,950

7,061

Horned Cattle

30,241

18,797

26,037

Sheep

52,415

18,496

18,4.52

Swine

37,037

16,364

19,.346

Bushels of Wheat

244,239

165,328

61,764

Bushels of Rye

97,504

125,604

253,055

Bushels of Corn

252,235

290,122

478,605

Bushels of Oats

349,094

287,797

477,090

Bushels of Barley-

291

619

Bushels of Buckwheat

131,923

116,173

244,264

Bushels of Clover Seed

997

1,690

Bushels of Potatoes

384,217

183,407

368,975

Barrels of Flour

34,275

18,000

6,550

Tons of Hay .

34,240

31,601

46.761

Pounds of Wool

98,643

49,372

46,892

Pounds of Butter

558,568

1,033,669

Pounds of Cheese

91,613

56,193

Pounds of Maple Sugar

4,217

19,758

or. OOQ

oo,<j<jy

Gallons of Whiskey

6,250

Distilleries

The cash value of the farms, in 1850, was $6,100,000 ;
of farmhig implements and machinery, $236,000.'='

Wyoming county, which was set off in 1842, is, of
course, included in the census of 1840 in the foregoing
table.

We give these statistics for present as well as for future
comparison. They show conclusively that Luzerne, ten
years ago, when in our opinion more attention was given
to agriculture than at present, was far behind Lancaster
county, and produced less, in proportion to the number
of acres under cultivation, than Columbia on the south-
west, or Wyoming on the north. What the census of
1860 will exhibit we are unable to say, but we venture
the assertion that the comparison will be yet more un-
favorable for our county. While our population increases
yearly, and we are becoming greater consumers, the
inducements for improving our lands by lime and manures
and the best modes of cultivation are made greater, and

* Cash value of farms in 1860, $12,497,545.
machinery, $342,186.

Farming implements and

352

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

it is to be hoped that Luzerne will throw off that wild
spirit of speculation which has retarded her truest and
most substantial interest.*

MANUFACTURES.

Agriculture and manufactures are twin sisters. They
are always seen together, and hand in hand they yield
each other mutual support.

As has been stated before, the wives and daughters
of the early settlers, and of their immediate descendants,
were manufacturers of woolen, linen, and cotton cloth.
Besides producing a substantial article, they could give it
all the brilliant colors from butternut to federal blue.
We believe some of the old spinning-wheels of the last
century are still in existence. They cannot fail to be
objects of curiosity to the fashionable young ladies of the
present day, who would wonder how their grandmothers
could use such uncouth machines. As to the vessel in
which the coloring was done, we presume the soft and
lily-handed fair ones would shrink from it with expres-
sions of horror and disgust.

The following table exhibits the number of looms and
yards of cloth manufactured, in eight townships in the
county, in 1810 : —

Yards of

Townships.

Looms.

Liueu

Woolen

Cotton

Cloth.

Cloth,

Kingston

6135

1827

Plj'mouth .

7847

1762

Pittston

5740

1690

Wilkesbarre

6531

1717

129

Exeter

3771

1394

Abington

2485

1429

Prc)vidence .

5043

1430

147

Hanover

5369

1291

* Considering the increased number of cultivated acres in the last decade
(53,754), our assertion in the foregoing pages will be found comparatively
correct.

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES. 353

The first carding-raachine of which we have any record,
was one at the Old Forge, on the Lackawanna, owned bj
Mr. N. Hurlbut, in 1805, where wool was picked and
carded at 8 cents per pound. The first fulling-mill in our
borders, of which we have been able to obtain knowledge,
was erected in Kingston township by Azor Sturdevant,
who, in 1805, gave notice through the columns of the
Federalist, that " London brown, chrome color, and federal
blue, would be given to cloth in the best style." In 1811,
the business was conducted by Koswell Sturdevant and
Samuel Breese, who also dressed cloth. Stephen Hollister,
at the same time, had a carding-machine in Kingston.
John Watters & Co. also owned one on the Lackawanna,
in Providence township, and Frederick Crisman one in
Hanover. Indeed most of the townships appear to have
had a carding and picking machine, where the wool was
prepared for the spinning-wheels of the industrious
matrons and young women of the neighborhood.

The 8 townships given in the foregoing table, con-
tained, in 1810, 4556 sheep, the wool of which was
manufactured into 12,540 yards of cloth. The number
of inhabitants in these townships was 5800, and the
number of looms was 259, or one loom to every three
families, allowing 7i persons to each family. This shows
to what an extent homespun cloth was manufactured and
worn in this valley in former years. In 1850, the num-
ber of sheep in Luzerne was 18,496, producing 49,372
pounds of wool, while Wyoming county, with only one-
third as much improved land, contained 8809 sheep, bear-
ing upwards of 20,000 pounds of wool.

Columbia county had 8392 sheep, producing 23,394
pounds of wool, and Susquehanna county had 42,971
sheep, yielding 91,456 pounds of wool. When we reflect
that Luzerne is as well adapted to wool growing as Wyo-

354 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ming, and has advantages over Columbia in this respect,
we find she should have had, in 1850, at least 28,000
sheep, yielding from 75,000 to 80,000 pounds of wool. We
suffer, in like manner, in a comparison with our neigh-
bors, as to neat cattle. Luzerne contained 18,797, and
Wyoming 8254 head. And so with respect to swine :
while Luzerne had 16,364, Columbia had 12,783.

These are strong and unquestionable facts which speak
against us. Luzerne, with great agricultural and manu-
facturing advantages, with a population of from 80,000 to
90,000, and with more territory than any other county

the Commonwealth, does not produce one-half of the
grain, beef, and pork consumed by her inhabitants, nor
does she furnish one-twentieth part of their wearing
apparel. We are consumers, depending upon the coal
trade to bring our food and raiment from abroad, while
we might be producers to the full extent of our wants,
supplying the demands of our coal and mining interests
from our own soil, and retaining at home large sums for
profitable investment, which are now annually sent out
of the county.

In 1812, Messrs. Buckingham, Cahoon, Tuttle &
Parker erected a paper-mill on Toby's Creek, in Kingston
township, near the present tlouring-mill of Colonel Charles
Dorrance, and the first paper manufactured was used in
the printing-office of the " Gleaner" during the same year.

In 1829, when the mill was owned by Matthias Hollen-
back, Esq., 4 men, 1 boy, and 10 girls were employed,
producing, when working on foolscap writing paper, 8
reams per day ; when woi'king on imperial printing paper,
4 reams per day ; when on super royal, 5 reams ; and
when on wrapping paper, 10 reams per day. The entire
work, except preparing the rags, was performed by hand,
and the annual sales of paper amounted to about $7000.

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES. 355

It was the first and only paper manufactory ever erected
in this county.^ It was abandoned several years ago, but
it manifested the spirit and enterprise of the people of
that day.

In 1778, John and Mason F. Alden erected a forge on
Nanticoke Creek, near Colonel W. Lee's grist-mill, in
Newport township. It contained a single fire and one
hammer. This hammer was brought from Philadelphia,
in a wagon, to Harris's Ferry (Harrisburg), and thence
up the Susquehanna in a boat. The iron ore of Newport
produced about 35 per cent, of metal, and was manufac-
tured into bar iron, affording the only supply for the
smith-shops of that day. As to the quality of the iron,
we have the testimony of several persons who used it,
and who declared it to be of a superior sort, equal to the
best bar iron of Centre county. In 1828, a short time
before the works were abandoned, Colonel Lee, then
owner, sold bar iron at $120 per ton of 2000 pounds.

In 1789, Dr. William Hooker Smith and James Sutton
erected a forge, with 2 fires and 1 hammer, at the
falls in the Lackawanna river, now in Lackawanna town-
ship. The forge yielded 400 pounds of iron in twelve
hours, from the ore procured from the surrounding hills.

In 1800, Benjamin and Ebenezer Slocum erected a
forge on Roaring Creek, near Scranton, containing 2 fires
and 1 hammer. They continued to forge bar iron, from
the adjoining bog-iron ore vein, until 1828.

In 1830, E. & J. Leidy erected a forge on the Nesco-
peck Creek, in Nescopeck township, containing 2 ham-
mers and 3 fires. They manufactured bar iron and
blooms from the iron ore of Columbia county, and also
from pig-metal. For several years. General Simon Came-
ron was connected with this forge, which finally passed
into the hands of S. F. Headley, Esq., who enlarged the

356 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

buildin-.^s, increased the number of fires, and conducted
the business successfully. The works were in operation
until 1854, since which time thev have been unem-
ployed.

In 1811, Francis McShane erected a small cut-nail
manufactory in Wilkesbarre, and used anthracite coal in
smelting the iron. He conducted a succesvsful business
for several years, selling nails by wholesale, or retail, to
suit purchasers.

In 1836, George W. Little built a small charcotil fur-
nace on Toby's Creek, near the site of the old paper-mill.
The wood for the charcoal was procured from the neigh-
boring hills and mountains, and the iron ore was brought
from Columbia county in boats to Wilkesbarre, and carted
thence to the furnace, about three miles, in wagons. Mr.
Little and his successors, Benjamin Drake and others,
found the business unprofitable, and after a few years the
works were abandoned.

In 1842, H. S. & E. Renwick, of New York city,
erected an anthracite furnace, operated by steam-power,
at Wilkesbarre, eight feet in the boshes. These gentle-
men carried on the manufacturing of pig-iron for about
one year, after which the furnace was suffered to lie idle
until 1854. It was then purchased by John McCauley
and the Messrs. Carter, of Tamaqua, who enlarged it and
put it in blast.

The iron ore and limestone were transported by canal
from Columbia county ; and the works, under the direct
management of Mr. McCauley, yielded six tons of iron
per day. The establishment was consumed by fire in
1856, and has not been rebuilt.

In 1847, Samuel F. Ileadley, Ksq., and the Messrs.
Wilson, of Ilarrisburg, erected a charcoal furnace, of
water-power, eight feet in the boshes, at Shickshinny,

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES. 357

and for several years manufactured a considerable quantity
of superior pig-iron from the Columbia county and New-
port ores, which they mixed. The charcoal iron of this
furnace was sought after by the owners of foundries in
Bradford and other counties, as being superior for stove
purposes. In 1852, Messrs. Headley & Wilson sold
this furnace to William Koons. Mr. Koons built another
furnace on Hunlock's Creek, 11 J feet in the boshes, and
capable of manufacturing 75 tons of pig-metal per week.

In 1839, through the exertions of Mr. W. Henry,
George W. and S. T. Scranton, Sanford Grant and P. H.
Mattes were induced to visit Slocum Hollow or Capouse,
now Scranton, with a view to purchase coal and iron ore
land, and to erect an anthracite furnace. The land was
purchased, and the furnace commenced in 1840. It was
successfully blown, for the first time, in 1841. Since
then other capitalists have united wdth the company, and
three additional furnaces and a large rolling-mill have
been erected. The size of the furnaces is respectively
15, 17, 18, and 20 feet in the boshes; and they are 50
feet in height, capable of producing 30,000 tons of pig-
iron i>er annum. The first engine erected for blowing the
original works is of immense size, the steam-cylinder being
54 and the blowing-cylinder 110 inches in diameter, while
the fly-wheel weighs 40,000 pounds. To this there has
been added the power of two other engines, with steam-
cylinders of 59 and blowing-cylinders of 90 inches in
diameter, and fly-wheels of 28 feet in diameter, weighing
75,000 pounds. The rolling-mill is capable of making
yearly from 15 to 20,000 tons of railroad iron, and 3000
tons of merchant iron, and, with the furnaces, consumes
100,000 tons of coal mined from the adjoining lands of
the company. The iron ore mines of the company in the
Moosic Mountain are connected with the works by a rail-

358 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

road three miles in length ; but a considerable quantity
of ore is also procured from mines in New Jersey and
New York, and is transported to the furnaces via the
Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad. This is
mixed with the Luzerne ore, and produces an excellent
quality of iron, which has been fairly tested with English
iron on the New York and Erie Railroad, and proved to
be superior. These works, the result of a well-directed
energy on the part of the Messrs. Scranton and their
associates, laid the foundation of the flourishing town of
Scranton, led to the construction of the Delaware, Lacka-
wanna, and Western Railroad, and filled the valley of
the Lackawanna with an industrious and thriving popu-
lation.

In 1840, Thomas Chambers, E. R. Biddle & Co., erected
a large rolling-mill and nail factory, at South Wilkesbarre,
about one mile from the court-house, at a cost of $300,000.
While these works were in operation, during a year or
two, Wilkesbarre increased in population and business ;
but the establishment becoming involved, it was finally
sold on a debt due the Wyoming Bank. It was pur-
chased by the Montour Iron Company, and transported
to Danville. It seems strange that our capitalists would
allow these works to be sold for one-fifth their value, and
to be conveyed away to a neighboring county. This cir-
cumstance will act as a discouragement to others, who,
looking to our location in the midst of a superior coal-
field, might be inclined to establish manufactories here.
It is beyond all question that a superior quality of iron
can be profitably manufactured in Luzerne county by com-
bining our ores with those of adjoining counties, or states.
What are essential to success are intelligence, experience,
and prudent management. Surely, the day cannot be

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES.

^59

oot

very distant when the smoke of scores of furnaces will
ascend from the valleys of Wyoming and Lackawanna.

In addition to the iron manufactories already men
tioned, jthere are several foundries and stationary steam
engine establishments in the county. We give the names
of the proprietors, location, number of men employed, and
capital invested.

Proprietors.

Location.

Men employed.

Capital.

Lanning & Marshall
R. Jones & Co. . .
Lewis & McLean
Strong & Wisner
Mr. Conyngham
Dixon & Co.

Wilkesbarre . .
South Wilkesbarre
Wilkesbarre . .
Pittston . . .
Pittston . . .
Scranton . . .
Scranton . . .
White Haven . .

60
60
20
40
30
100
25
20

$50,000
30,000
15,000
25,000
20,000

100,000

Clift Works . . .

25.000

AVhite Haven Works

8,000

Total

355

273,000

Besides these, there are several plow and stove foun-
dries, which do not manufacture steam-engines ; and
there are 5 machine-shops connected with railroads and
iron works, constructing from 5 to 15 steam-engines per
annum. In the borough of Providence, there is an axe
and scythe manufactory, established by Pulaski Carter
upwards of twenty years ago, and also one owned by J.
White, each employing from 4 to 8 hands, and producing
cutlery of an excellent quality.

The first steam-engine manufactured in Luzerne, was
made by Richard Jones, in 1833, at Wilkesbarre. Richard
was an ingenious young mechanic, and though he had
never seen a steam-engine, except as represented in books,
constructed one in miniature, with a cylinder li inches
in diameter, and with a stroke of 3 inches. In 1835, at
his suggestion, Joseph White, another ingenious work-
man, built a small boat 6 J feet in length, with side-

360 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

wheels, in which the engine made by Jones was placed.
The boat was launched in the canal-basin, at Wilkes-
barre, on the 4th of July, 1835. The engine was set in
motion, and the little boat dashed through the water,
amidst the cheers of a great crowd of boys, among whom
was the author.

The first engine constructed in the county for service
(vas manufactured, in Wilkesbarre, by Benjamin Drake
and J. C. Smith, in 1836. Its cylinder was 9 inches iu
diameter, with 3 feet stroke, and 15 horse power. It was
placed in Smith's grist-mill in Plymouth.

We have given a brief sketch of the several iron manu-
factories in our county from 1778 to the present time, a
period of eighty-eight years, and though the number is small
and the increase slow, yet the fact is placed beyond doubt
that properly managed establishments of this kind are re-
munerative. They, who may desire to invest capital among
us, for the manufacture of iron and iron machinery, need
not do so in the dark. There is a record of encouraging
facts, from which they may derive information, and there
is the light of experience which will rescue such an enter-
prise from the charge of being a mere experiment.

The demand for powder, occasioned by the increased
mining operations, has led to the erection of several mills
in the county for its manufacture.

George Knapp, G. P. Parrish & Co., built two powder-
mills on Solomon's Creek, and four mills on Wapwallopen
Creek, in Hollenback township. The capacity of the
hitter extends to 300 kegs per day, or 100,000 kegs per
annum. Within a few years these mills have passed
into the hands of the Messrs. Dupont, the celebrated
powder manufacturers.

George Damon & Co. have an extensive powder manu-
factory at Old Forge, on the Lackawanna, which, in con-

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES.

361

junction with those of the Duponts, and two or three
smaller mills, chiefly supply the demands of the mines.

The large quantities of hemlock and other bark, found
on the head-waters of the Lehigh, and on other streams,
induced a number of the capitalists in our large cities to
erect tanneries convenient to these localities. Thither
they transport the raw hides from the sea-board, and
return the manufactured leather. The establishment of
Maynard & Peck, at Duning in Madison township, is on
a large scale. The main building is 350 feet in length,
and 40 feet wide. The vats are of sufficient number and
capacity to tan 50,000 hides per annum. The entire
works are valued at $75,000.

TANNERY, AT GOULDSBOROUGH.

In 1856, Zadock Pratt and Jay Gould erected a large
tannery on the Lehigh at Gouldsborough, said to be the
most extensive establishment of the kind in the United
States. The two principal buildings are each 400 feet in

362 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

length by 100 feet in width, with vats underneath and
drying-rooms above. The estabhshment contains 70,000
cubic feet of vat room, and 36,000 cubic feet of leach
room. The machinery is propelled by water-power, and
by a steam-engine of 75 horse-power, and 100 cords of
bark can be ground in 24 hours. They manufacture
75,000 sides of leather, at this tannery, in one year.
These works cost $175,000. They are connected with
the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad, by a
plank-road 9 miles in length.

The extensive tannery of Smull & Sons, located on the
Lehigh 2 miles below White Haven, is within the limits
of Carbon county, but receives a large portion of its supplies
from Luzerne. The main building is 640 feet in length,
by 45 feet wide. It contains 216 tan vats, besides soak-
ing, leaching, and sweat vats. The machinery is pro-
pelled by a steam-engine of 80 horse-power. It consumes
annuall}'^ 75,000 cords of bark. Four hundred hides are
removed daily from the vats, and 400 others introduced.
Forty men are employed in the building, besides those
engaged in preparing the bark in the woods. The cost
of the works is estimated at $155,000.

The tannery of D. H. Morse is located in Fell town-
diip. It is 360 feet in length, and 50 feet in width. It
employs 25 men, and manufactures annually 45,000 hides
into sole leather.

The only point in the county, where the manufactur-
ing of lumber is extensively carried on, at the present
day, is on the Lehigh. In the chapter on " Navigation
on the Susquehanna" we gave an account of the lumber
trade, mainly its past history, and the transportation of
rafts and arks on that river. We have reserved, for this
chapter, the following statistics of saw-mills, on the I^high
and its tributaries. We give the number of feet annuall}'
manufactured : —

AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURES.

363

Brown & Brothers, in Buck township,

2 mills,

4,000,000

Day & Saylor, " "

2,000,000

Temple Hines, " "

500,000

Stoddartsville, ....

4,000,000

Forest Company, ....

6,000,000

White Haven, ....

6,000,000

McKean & Pursel, at Bear Creek,

4,000,000

Yohe & Co., at Black Creek, .

1,000,000

Other mills on the Lehigh, .

4,000,000

-LUtdi ilUlllUt^l \Jl It/tJt tlllilLlaill y Illclli

tured on the Lehigh, .

•

31,500,000

Add to this 1,000,000 feet manufactured by Hollen-
back & Urquhart at Harvey's Lake, and transported
thence in wagons, to Wilkesbarre, a distance of 12 miles,
and also 1,000,000 feet manufactured by Jameson Harvey,
C. Reynolds, and others, and we have 33,500,000 feet of
lumber, chiefly pine, annually furnished from Luzerne
county. The Lehigh lumber is conveyed to market
through the works of the Lehigh Navigation'^Company.
Before their construction it was rafted down that rapid
river. There were saw-mills on the banks of the Lehigh
upwards of eighty years ago.

The following table exhibits the number of men, and
the amount of capital employed in the manufacture of
iron, lumber, and leather : —

Men employed.

Capital.

Furnaces and Rolling Mills . .

Lumbering

Tanneries

Foundries and Steam Engines .

650
500
225
355

?65 0,000

450,000
550,000
290,000

1730

1,940,000

* Since the destruction of the Lehigh Navigation, this lumber has been
conveyed to market by rail.

CHAPTERXII.
MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE.*

Coal was discovered in England in the year 853, but
it was not mined or used until 1239, when Henry III.
granted mining privileges to the inhabitants of Newcastle.
It was soon introduced into London, but encountered
opposition from the mass of the people, who imagined it
to be deleterious to health. They petitioned Parliament
to prohibit its consumption in their city during the sitting
of that body, assigning, as one reason, that it would
endanger the health of the king. It is well known that
the English coal is the bituminous variety, burning with
considerable flame and smoke, but that it is an unhealthy
fuel was a mere conceit of an ignorant age. Parliament,
however, was induced to grant the prayer of the peti-
tioners.

In the United States the knowledge and use of anthra-
cite coal do not, perhaps, extend back beyond one hundred
years, and its introduction into general use has been
gradual and difficult. It is possible that the Indians,
at Wyoming, had some knowledge of the combustible
nature of anthracite coal. Two chiefs from the valley,
in company with three others from the country of the Six
Nations, visited England in 1710, and it is presumed
they witnessed the burning of coal, then in general use in
the cities of England, for domestic purposes. The con-
sumption of black stones instead of wood, could not fail

* For an account of efforts to discover coal-oil, see Appendix W.
(364)

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE. 365

to make a deep impression on their minds, and they would
naturally infer that this fuel was nearly allied to the
black stones of their own country. The appearance of
anthracite had long been familiar to their eyes. The
forge or seven feet vein of coal had been cut through and
exposed by the Nanticoke Creek, and the nine feet vein
at Plymouth had been laid open to view by Ransom's
Creek. The Susquehanna had exposed the coal at Pitts-
ton, and the Lackawanna at several points along its
banks. If the Indians, at that day, were ignorant of the
practical use of coal, they were at least acquainted with
its appearance, and not improbably with its inflammable
nature. That the Indians had mines of some kind at
Wyoming, the following account fully establishes : — In
1766, a company of Nanticokes and Mohicans, six in
number, who had formerly lived at Wyoming, visited
Philadelphia, and in their talk with the governor, said,
" As we came down from Chenango we stopped at Wyo-
ming, where we had a mine in two places, and we disco-
vered that some white people had been at work in the
mine, and had filled canoes with the ore, and we saw
their tools with which they dug it out of the ground,
where they made a hole at least forty feet long and five
or six feet deep. It happened that formerly some white
people did take, now and then, only a small bit and carry
it away, but these people have been working at the mine
and filled their canoes. We inform you that there is one
John Anderson, a trader, now living at Wyoming, and
we suspect he, or somebody by him, has robbed our mine.
This man has a store of goods, and it may happen that
when the Indians see their mine robbed, they will come
and take away his goods," &c. We are aware there is a
deposite or vein of some mineral, a useless, silvery-looking
substance, near the Susquehanna, above the mouth of the

366 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Lackawanna, but we have no evidence that the Indians
referred to this. The substance alluded to by the Indians
had been carried away in small quantities, for some time,
by the whites, perhaps to test its qualities, and it is highly
improbable that it would have been afterwards removed
by canoe-loads, unless it had been found to be a useful
article. What could that useful article have been but
coal ? There were settlements of whites on the Susque-
hanna, a little below the site of the town of Northumber-
land, several years before the period when these Indians
had their talk with the governor, and the coal may have
been taken there for blacksmithing purposes.

In 1768, Charles Stewart surveved the Manor of Sun-
bury, on the west side of the Susquehanna, opposite
Wilkesbarre, and on the original draft is noted " stone
coal," as appearing in what is now called Rosshill, In
1769, the year following, Obadiah Gore and his brother
came from Connecticut with a body of settlers, and the
same year used anthracite coal in his blacksmith-shop.
We do not believe, as do some, that the Gores were the
first whites who used anthracite on the Susquehanna for
blacksmithing. Stone coal would not have been noted
on the original. draft of the Manor of Sunbury, if it had
not been known to be a useful article. Hence, when the
first settlers came into our valley, the evidence inclines
us to believe the knowledge of the use of anthracite coal
was communicated to them by the Indians, or by some
of their own race.

In 1776, two Durham boats were sent from below to
Wyoming for coal, which was purchased from Mr. R.
Geer, and mined from the opening, now the property of
Mr. John Welles Hollenback, above Mill Creek. From
Harris's Ferry, now Harrisburg, the coal, " about twenty
tons," was hauled on wagons to Carlisle, where it was used

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE. 367

in the United States' Armory, recently erected there.
This was done annually during the Revolutionary War.

Major George Grant, of Sullivan's army, writing from
Wyoming, in 1779, says, "The land here is excellent,
and contains vast mines of coal, lead, and copper." Science
and subsequent investigation show us he was mistaken as
to the lead and copper.

But it may not be improper to state that Alexander
Jameson, Esq ; of Salem, then a very aged man, informed
the writer, years ago, that he had heard it said the Indians
got lead in the Honej'pot, near the Nanticoke Dam, and
that there was silver in the same mountain range, known
only to an old mineral smelter, who died twenty years
ago on the West Branch of the Susquehanna. We have
no confidence in the tradition.

In 1791, Philip Ginther, while hunting, accidentally
discovered coal at what is now called Mauch Chunk, and
communicated the fact to Colonel Jacob Weiss, who pur-
chased the land, and soon after carried specimens of the
coal to Philadelphia in his saddle-bags. He exhibited
them to several persons, who called them worthless black
stones, and laughed at the colonel's folly. But Colonel
Weiss was not discouraged. In 1792, he and others
formed themselves into a company called the "Lehigh
Coal Mine Company," the first of the kind in the United
States. In 1803 the company succeeded in getting two
ark-loads, about 30 tons, to Philadeli^hia, but no pur-
chaser could be found. As a matter of experiment, the
city authorities at length consented to take it. An
attempt was made to burn it under the boilers of- the
steam-engine at the Water-works, but it only served to
put the fire out. The remainder was then broken up, and
scattered over the sidewalks, in place of gravel !

Up to this time the blacksmiths in the vicinity of the

368 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

mines, wherever discovered, were using the coal in their
shops. But no one had as yet discovered the art of con-
suming anthracite for domestic purposes. This happy
discovery was made, eventually, by Jesse Fell of Wilkes-
barre. Mr. Fell was a native of Bucks county, and early
removed to Luzerne, where he acted for many years as
one of the associate judges of the county courts. Under-
standing the composition of anthracite, or, as it was then
called, stone-coal, he concluded that a good draft of air
was alone necessary to make it burn freely. He accord-
ingly constructed a grate of green hickory saplings, and,
placing it in a large fire-place in his bar-room, filled it
with broken coal. A quantity of dry wood 'was placed
under the grate and set on fire, and the flames spreading
through the coal it soon ignited, and before the wooden
grate was consumed the success of the experiment was
fully demonstrated. A wrought iron grate was now con-
structed, and set with brick and mortar in his fire-place,
and was soon glowing with the burning 'stone-coal. The
judge made the following memorandum at the time on
one of the fly leaves of a book, entitled " The Free
Mason's Monitor :"

"February 11th, of Masonry 5808. Made the experi-
ment of burning the common stone-coal of the valley, in
a grate, in a common fire-place in my house, and find it
will answer the purpose of fuel, making a clearer and
better fire, at less expense, than burning wood in the
common way.

"February 11th, 1808. Jesse Fell."

News of the successful experiment soon spread through
the town and the country, and the people flocked to the
old tavern of Judge Fell, of which he was proprietor and
keeper, to witness the strange but simple discovery.

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE.

369

Circle after circle gathered about the glowing and wonder-
ful fire, and bowl after bowl of punch, and mug following
mug of flip, were drank, with many kind expressions for
the judge's health. Similar grates were soon constructed
by his neighbors, and in a short time were in general use
throughout the valley. The public-house, in which this
memorable experiment was made, stood on the corner of
Washington and Northampton streets.

FELL HOUSE.

In the spring of 1808, John and Abijah Smith, having
witnessed the successful experiment at Fell's tavern,
loaded two arks with coal from the old Smith bed, on
Ransom's Creek, in Plymouth, and took it down the river
to Columbia ; but on offering it for sale, no person could
be induced to purchase. They were compelled to leave
the black stones behind them unsold, when they returned
to their homes. The next year the Smiths, not dis-
couraged by their former ill success, taking two arks of
24

370 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

coal and a grate, proceeded to Columbia. The grate was
put up in the presence of spectators, and the practicability
of using the black stones as a fuel was clearly demon-
strated. The result was a sale of the coal and the
establishment of a small trade.

Colonel George Shoemaker, in 1812, discovered coal on
the Schuylkill, and conveyed nine wagon-loads of it to
Philadelphia, where he offered it for sale. He sold two
loads by dint of great perseverance, to persons who
afterwards denounced him as an impostor, for inducing
them to purchase a worthless material. The other seven
loads he gave away to such as promised to try to use it.

In 1813, Colonel George M. Hollenback sent two four-
horse loads of coal, from the mine now worked by
Colonel H. B. Hilman, above Mill Creek, in this county,
to Philadelphia ; and James Lee, Esq., in the same year,
sent one four-horse load from Planover to a blacksmith
at Germantown. This was, probably, the first consider-
able quantity of Wyoming coal which reached Philadel-
phia and the vicinity.

The pens of Charles Miner and of Jacob Cist, Esqs., of
Wilkesbarre, were now busily employed in giving informa-
tion on the use and value of anthracite coal. The news-
papers of that day, published in New York, Philadelphia,
and Baltimore, bear ample testimony to the ability with
which the subject was commended to the public. Mr.
Cist sent specimens of Wyoming coal to all the large cities
in the Union, to England, to France, to Germany, and
even to Russia. Messrs. Miner and Cist, having obtained
the ' co-operation of John Robinson and Stephen Tuttle,
Esqs., leased the Mauch Chunk mine, the most convenient
to Philadelphia, in December, 1813. On the 9th of
August, 1814, they started off the first ark froni Mauch
Chunk. " In less than eighty rods from the place of

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE. 371

starting, the ark struck on a ledge and broke a hole in
her bow. The lads stripped themselves nearly naked, to
stop the rush of water with their clothes." In six days,
however, the ark reached Philadelphia, with its twenty-
four tons of coal, which had by this time cost fourteen
dollars a ton. "But," says Mr. Miner, "we had the
greater difficulty to overcome of inducing the public to
use our coal when brouscht to their doors.

" We published hand-bills, in English and German,
stating the mode of burning the coal, either in grates, in
smiths' forsres, or in stoves. Tosrether we went to several
houses in the city, and prevailed on the masters to allow
us to kindle fires of anthracite in their grates, erected to
burn Liverpool coal. We attended at blacksmiths' shops,
and prevailed upon some to alter the Too-iron, so that
they might burn Lehigh coal ; and we were sometimes
obliged to bribe the journeymen to try the experiment
fairly, so averse were they to learn the use of a new sort
of fuel."

The history of the introduction of anthracite, as a fuel,
is not unlike the story of the countryman's dog-skin. His
do2: died, and takina: the skin to town he offered it for
sale. He found no purchaser. He next proposed to give
it awa}'', but found no one willing to take it as a gift. He
then resolved to lose it, but a well-meaning old woman
seeing it fall from his wagon, picked it up and ran after
him with the information, " Mister, you have lost your
dog-skin." Dashing it into his wagon, the countryman,
in his vexation, swore he could neither sell, give it away,
nor lose it.

In 1812 an application was made to the legislature for
a law for the improvement of the river Schuylkill. The
eoal on the head-waters of that river was held up as an
inducement to the legislature to make the grant, when

372 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the senator from Scliuylkill county rose in his seat and
declared there was no coal there ; that there was a kind
of a " black stone" that was called coal, but that it would
not burn !

In 1817, some time after Messrs. Miner and Cist had
abandoned the Lehigh project, the mines were leased by
Josiah White and Erskine Hazzard, who had used the
coal in their wire manufactory in Philadelphia. These
shrewd, enterprising men foresaw that an extensive trade
in coal would eventually arise in this state ; and to over-
come the dangerous and difficult navigation of the Lehigh,
Mr. White invented what is known as the bear-trap dams,
so arranged as to create artificial floods, on which arks,
loaded with coal, were conveyed to the Delaware. By
this process Lehigh coal was sent to Philadelphia until
the completion of the canal and slackwater navigation in
1827. In 1820, which year is generally considered the
date of the commencement of the coal trade, 3G5 tons of
Lehigh coal supplied the market. In 1821, 1073 tons
were mined; in 1822, 2240 tons; in 1823, 5523 tons; in
1824, 9541 tons; and in 1825, 28,393 tons. In 1825 the
Schuylkill region sent 6500 tons to market, at which
period may be dated the commencement of the coal trade
on the Schuylkill.

In 1826 John Cliarles, a hunter, while digging for a
ground-hog, discovered coal at what is now known as the
old Ilazelton opening, which led to further explorations,
and finally to the organization of the Ilazelton Coal Com-
pany. This is the first company that was organized to
work that portion of the Eastern Middle coal-field lying
within the boundaries of Luzerne county.

The demand for coal led to the construction of the
Lehigh navigation, 74 miles in length, from Easton to
Port Jenkins, at a cost of $4,455,000. The Beaver

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE. 373

Meadow Railroad, 26 miles long, and connecting with the
Lehigh, cost $360,000 ; and the Beaver Meadow Com-
pany, in 1837, sent 33,617 tons of coal to market. The
Hazelton Railroad, 10 miles long, and connecting with
the Beaver Meadow road, cost $120,000; and the Hazel-
ton Company, in 1838, sent 16,221 tons of their coal
to market. In 1839 the Sugarloaf Company shipped
7350 tons; and, in 1840, the Buck Mountain Company,
having completed their railroad, 4 miles in length, at a
cost of $40,000, shipped 54 tons to market. Since 1840
additional mines have been opened on the lands of the
Hazelton Coal Company, now leased by A. Pardee & Co.,
who are also the lessees of the Diamond Company's Slope,
and the Cranberry and Crystal Ridge Collieries, on lands
of A. S. and E. Roberts. The Hazelton vein, worked by
Mr. Pardee, yields about 17 feet of merchantable coal.
At Jeansville there are 3 or 4 slopes, with 17 feet of
merchantable coal, of which 17,773 tons were sent to
market in 1846. These mines are connected with the
Hazelton road by a railroad, 2 J miles in length, and are
now worked by Messrs. Randolph and Hampshire.

At Stockton, Asa Packer, Esq., and Dr. M. B. Smith
discovered coal on their land, a tract of about 800 acres.
It was first o|^)ened, in 1851, by Packer, Carter & Co.
There are 3 mines, now worked by Packer, Lockhart &
Co., who employ 300 men and boys, and 54 head of
horses and mules. In 1859 they shipped to market
150,000 tons of coal. The average thickness of this
merchantable coal is about 20 feet.

In 1854 Messrs. Sharp, Leisenring & Co. commenced
their extensive works at Eckley, which are connected
with the Hazelton Railroad by a branch of the Lehigh
and Luzerne road. In 1855 they shipped 2000 tons of
coal to market, which, in 1859, was increased to 110,000

374 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

tons. The average thickness of their merchantable coal
is 12 feet. In addition to these there is a colliery at
Mount Pleasant, worked by Messrs. Silliman & McKee,
who also have works on the lands of the Big Black Creek
Improvement Company. G. B. Markle & Co. have works
at Jeddo, on lands of the Union Improvement Company.
These several localities are now connected with the
Hazelton Railroad by the completion of the Crystal
Ridge Tunnel, through which the first coal-train passed
on the 29th of August, 1859. There passed through this
tunnel, on the same day, the first regular passenger train
from Wyoming to Philadelphia by the Lehigh route.
The number of tons of coal cleared for market, in 1840,
from this region, was 79,459 tons; in 1848, 247,887 tons.

The amount of coal mined in the Eastern Middle field
down to 1860 is 5,914,985 tons.

The portion of the Eastern Middle coal field within the
boundaries of our county, lies chiefly in Foster, Hazel,
Sugarloaf, and Black Creek townships. The coal is
deposited in basins, and, in the aggregate, occupies an
area of about 10 square miles, or 6400 acres. The coal
lands are principally owned by companies, who lease the
mines to operators at rents varying from 20 to 30 cents
per ton. An acre of first-rate coal land will yield to the
owner about $6000, and to the operator an equal profit
or a loss, as the scales of trade go up or down.

We return now to the Susquehanna, and will proceed
to give a brief account of the coal trade on that river, and
also trace, as far as our limits will admit, the first de-
velopements of the Northern or Wyoming and Lack-
awanna anthracite coal-fields. Before entering on this
narrative, however, a short paragraph in relation to
bituminous coal may not be amiss. In 1785, Samuel
Boyd, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, became the possessor

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE. 375

of a large tract of land in what is now Clearfield county,
and upon which bituminous coal was discovered. In
1803, William Boyd sent an ark-load of this coal to
Columbia ; and in a few weeks thereafter, John Jordan
sent down a second ark-load, and this was the first bitu
minous coal which descended the Susquehanna. At this
time, inconsiderable quantities of Liverpool coal were used
in Philadelphia and Baltimore, and, consequently, the
introduction of our bituminous coal, igniting as readily as
the foreign variety, would have been comparatively easy,
yet we have no evidence that the Clearfield coal was used
in these cities until 1815. In that year Philip Karthauss
descended the Susquehanna with three or four ark-loads
to Port Deposit, whence it was shipped by sloops to Phila-
delphia and Baltimore. We have no positive evidence
that the Wyoming coal had been used in Baltimore prior
to this attempt of Mr. Karthauss to introduce the bitu-
minous variety. But the fact that John and Abijah
Smith were engaged in the business of shipping coal, and
in no other, from 1808 until 1825, renders it probable
that some of our anthracite reached Baltimore shortly
after its introduction into Columbia. The Smiths were
energetic, persevering men, and it seems not improbable
that they shipped coal from Port Deposit to Baltimore
before the attempt of Karthauss in 1815.

In 1813, Colonel G. M. HoUenback employed Daniel
Gould to mine two ark-loads of coal from the bed above
Mill Creek, at 75 cents per ton. In the fall of the same
year, Joseph Wright, Esq., loaded two arks with coal
from an opening near the present depot of the Pennsyl-
vania Coal Company, at Pittston. It was from this open-
ing that Ishmael Bennet dug coal as far back as 1775, to
use in his blacksmith shop.

About the same time (1813), General Lord Butler sent

376 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

down the river 100 tons, mined from the old Baltimore
bed, which, with that of Messrs. Hollenback and Wright,
was the first coal from Wyoming to come in competition
with Smith's at Marietta and Columbia. The price of
coal at these places then ranged from $5 to $7 per ton.

In 1814, Crandal Wilcox entered the trade, and sent
several ark-loads of coal down the river from the old
Wilcox mine, in Plains township.

In 1820, Colonel Washington Lee discovered coal in
Hanover, on the Stewart property, which he had pur-
chased ; and in the same year he mined and sent to Bal-
timore 1000 tons, which he sold at $8 per ton. White
& Hazzard, the same year, shipped only 365 tons of
the Lehigh coal to market. Up to this date the total
amount of coal sent from Wyoming is reckoned at 8500
tons, while that from the Schujdkill and Lehigh regions
did not exceed 2000 tons. And thus, it is seen, that in
the year which dates the commencement of the coal trade,
Wyoming sent to market a much greater quantity than
the other portions of the anthracite field.

In our valley, at this time, grates and coal stoves were
in general use ; and Wilkesbarre was supplied with fuel
from Lord Butler's mine at $3 per ton, delivered, while
the farmers, each digging for himself, obtained their supply
from the numerous imperfect openings in their several
neighborhoods.

In 1823, Colonel W. Lee and George Calioon leased the
Stivers mine in Newport, 14 feet vein, and employed
Timothy Mansfield to mine and deliver 1000 tons of coal
into arks at Lee's Ferry, at $1.10 per ton. Mansfield,
notwithstanding he was a Yankee, did not understand
coal mining ; for, instead of tunneling and blasting, he
removed a heavy covering of earth and slate from the
vein, and broke it down with large iron wedges, at a fear-

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE. 377

ful cost to himself, as well as to his employers, who sold
the coal at Columbia for $1500 less than cost. Scientific
mining in those days was not well understood in America.
Few, if any, practical European miners had yet reached
our valley. We must, however, except Abraham Wil-
liams, who emigrated to America from Wales in 1799.
In 1805, this pioneer of the Luzerne mines made his
appearance in the " Federalist," published at Wilkesbarre,
in the followin"; advertisement : —

" The subscriber takes this method of informing the
public that he understands miner's work. He has worked
at it the greater part of 23 years in the mines of Wales,
one year and a half in Schuyler's copper-mines in New
Jersey, and three years in Ogden's in the same state. If
anybody thinks there is any ore on his lands, or wants to
sink wells, blow rocks or stones, he understands it wet or
dry, on the ground or under the ground.

" He will work by the day, or by the solid foot or yard,
or by the job, at reasonable wages, for country produce.

" He works cheap for country produce,
But cash, I think, he won't refuse ;
Money is good for many uses ;
Despise me not nor take me scorn,
Because I am a Welshman by my born.
Now I am a true American,
With every good to every man.

" Abraham Williams."

It will be seen that if Abraham was a good miner, he
was somewhat deficient as a poet.

As a class miners are too much given to dissipation,
though there are many individual exceptions. They
squander their earnings in riotous living, the result proba-
bly of the life they lead. They go down into the bowels
of the earth, and delve in its dark and gloomy workshops

378

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

by the faint light of the lamps
on their caps. The gloom and
dampness which surround them,
and the labor which exhausts
them, depress their spirits.
When they ascend to the upper
world, the refreshing breeze and
the genial light are not consi-
dered sufficient to revive their
drooping hearts, and the aid of
intoxicating drinks is invoked
to drive away dull care. They
are a most useful people, pos-
sessing many excellent traits
of character, and deserve more
attention from the missionary
and the philanthropist than they have hitherto rtceived.

A MINER.

" Do not despise the miner lad,
Who burrows like the mole,

Buried alive, from morn till night
To delve for household coal.

Nay, miner lad, ne'er blush for it,

Though black thy fiice be as the pit."

COAL DKEAKEB.

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE.

379

We return to our narrative. From 1823 to 1829 the
Susquehanna coal trade mcreased with considerable rapid-
ity. The completion of the canal, then under contract
up to Nanticoke, promised new and enticing facilities for
the transportation of coal to market. The attention of
Baltimore capitalists was directed to the Wyoming coal-
field, and in July, 1829, Thomas Simington, Esq., of that
city, purchased the Lord Butler mine, 410 acres of land,
for $14,000, or less than $35 per acre. Soon after this
the Baltimore Coal Company was formed.

BALTIMORE COMPANY S COAL OPENING,

The completion of the canal to the Nanticoke dam, in
1830, gave a great impetus to business in this part of the
state, which was further increased by the Tide Water
Canal, constructed to avoid the dangerous navigation of
the Susquehanna from Columbia to tide. In 1834, the
canal was completed to the Lackawanna, affording facili-

380 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ties for sending the Pittston coal to market. A coal-bed
was opened in a bluff, near the eastern end of the Pittston
bridge, by Calvin Stockbridge, in 1828, and during three
years he sent about 2000 tons down the Susquehanna in
arks. Mr. Wright, of Plymouth, as already stated, had
taken out coal at Pittston as early as 1813, but Mr.
Stockbridge was the first resident coal operator in that
place.

In 1838, Garrick Mallery and John and Lord Butler,
Esqs., opened their mines at Pittston, connecting them
with the canal by a railroad one mile and eight hundred
feet in length, and in 1840 they shipped their first coal
from Pittston by canal.

The completion of the Lehigh and Susquehanna Rail-
road, in 1843, connecting Wilkesbarre with White Haven,
promised another outlet to market for Wyoming coal.
These improvements, together with the discovery of the
methods of generating steam on boats, and of smelting iron
in furnaces, by the use of anthracite, created a great and
increasing demand for coal in all quarters of the state,
and in the seaports of the country generally. At this
time the coal operators in the valley and vicinity were,
Washington Lee, Jameson Harvey, Freeman Thomas,
Thomas Pringle, Henderson Gaylord, John Turner & Sons,
J. B. Smith, Mallery & Butler, Boukley & Price, John
Blanchard, David Lloyd, Jonathan Jones, The Baltimore
Company (Alexander Gray, agent), Nathan Beach, who
opened his mine in the Rocky Mountain, below Shick-
shinn}'', about the year 1828, and the Wyoming Coal Com-
pany (S. Holland, H. B. Hillman & Alexander Lockhart)f

In 1838, the Wyoming Company connected their lands,
500 acres in Hanover, with the Nanticoke pool or slack-
water, by a railroad 2 miles in length, and a basin, at a
cost of $22,700. They shipped their first coal in 1840,

* For namea of coal companies and operators in 1865, see Appendix W.

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE. 381

and in 1847 Colonel Hillman shipped 10,000 tons of coal
from the old Blackman and Solomon Gap or Ross mines
to New York and Philadelphia, via the Susquehanna and
Lehigh Railroad, &c. This was the first considerable
amount of coal sent from the valley by that route.

In 1842, Wyoming sent to market 47,346 tons of coal;
in 1843, 97,740 tons; in 1844, 114,906 tons; in 1845,
178,401 tons; in 1846, 166,923 tons, and in 1847, 285,462
tons. (See Appendix W.)

In 1850 the Pennsylvania Coal Company completed
their railroad to Hawley, and commenced shipping coal
from Pittston to New York. This, with the exception of
the Delaware and Hudson, is the largest company in Lu-
zerne. It owns about 10,000 acres, of which 6000 are coals
lands, and ships annually about 600,000 tons to market.*

The North Branch Canal w^as completed in 1856, con-
necting us with the New York improvements, and during
the fall of that year 1150 tons of coal were sent up to West-
ern New York. In 1857, 2274 tons passed up to the same
destination; in 1858, 38,947 tons; and in 1859, 51,914
tons. By the extension of the Lackawanna and Blooms-
burg Railroad to Northumberland, and the finishing of the
lateral roads connecting with the Susquehanna and Lehigh
Railroad, all of which has been accomplished at the
present date, and Wyoming coal is now transported by
rail and canal to all the inland and seaboard cities of the
country. The amount shipped from the Wyoming coal-
field may be reckoned as follows: from 1808 to 1830,
48,500 tons; from 1830 to 1840,350,000 tons; from
1840 to 1850, 1,407,554 tons; and from 1850 to 1860,
we estimate the amount at 4,079,053 tons, exclusive of
that mined in the valley by the Pennsylvania Coal Com-
pany.* The total amount mined in the Wyoming Val-
ley down to 1860, is 10,293,376 tons.

* From 1860 to 1865 inclusive, the amount shipped was 9,209,768 tons.

382 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The shaft of the Dundee Company, in Hanover town-
ship, has been sunk to the perpendicular depth of 792
feet, where the Nanticoke or Mill vein was struck, which
is 12 feet in thickness. It is the first vein below the sur-
face, and the sixth from the bottom. This proves tho
truth of the theory that the flats or lowlands in the valley
are underlaid with coal.

We proceed now to the Lackawanna coal-field. Wil-
liam Wurts, a merchant of Philadelphia, having, proba-
bly, read the numerous communications of Mr. Miner
and of Mr. Cist, on the subject of anthracite, published
in the city newspapers, began to explore the Lackawanna
region as early as 1812. Under the guidance of C. E.
Wilbur, an early settler there, he found coal at Carbon-
dale, and at other points along the Lackawanna river.
Li 1814, Mr. Wurts and his brother Maurice, purchased
land about Carbondale and Archbald, at prices varying
from $2 to $5 per acre. In the following year, they
hauled two sled-loads of coal to Jones' Creek, a tributary
of the Wallenpaupack, and placing it on a small raft
started for the Delaware. But the raft was wrecked, and
the coal emptied into the bed of the stream. Sometime
after this, they took several tons to the Lackawaxen, and
placing it on rafts, constructed of pine-logs, succeeded in
reaching the falls of that stream ; thence it was conveyed
in a small ark to the Delaware, and to Philadelphia.

In 1822, they began operations at Carbondale, and
mined 800 tons from the old opening in the 3d Ward,
100 tons of which they hauled in ox-teams to the Lacka-
waxen, and conveyed thence on rafts and arks to Phila-
delphia. There they now came in competition with the
Lehigh coal, and this circumstance led the Messrs. Wurts
to direct their attention to the New York market. This
was followed by the conception of the Delaware and Hud-

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE. 383

son Canal, which was surveyed in 1824, commenced in
1826, and completed in 1828. Carbondale was imme-
diately connected with this improvement by a railroad,
and, in 1829, 7000 tons of coal were shipped thence to
the New York market. From that day to the present,
the mighty company of the Delaware and Hudson Canal
and Kailroad has stretched its arms like seas, and encom-
passed thousands of acres of first-rate coal land, at prices
varying from |30 to $300 per acre. The company gives
employment to many thousands of people. From 1830
to 1839, inclusive, it sent to market 854,430 tons of coal,
and from 1840 to 1849, 2,958,458 tons.*

Scranton was connected with the New York and Erie
Railroad at Great Bend, in 1851, by the construction of
the Northern Division of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and
Western road, which gave the lower Lackawanna coal-
basin its first outlet. In 1856, the southern division of
that road being completed, Scranton was connected with
New Jersey and the city of New York. In consequence
of this improvement, and the construction of the Lacka-
wanna and Bloomsburg Eailroad, the vast body of €oal-
lands lying along both banks of the Lackawanna, and
south-west of the lands of the Delaware and Hudson
Company, has been brought into market, and its resources
are now being developed with astonishing energy. The
amount of coal sent from this locality to market in 1851
was 6000 tons, and in 1859, about 800,000 tons.* The
number of tons mined in the Lackawanna Valley down
to 1860 is 12,552,025.

According to Professor Rogers, who says he measured it,
the northern coal-field (see dotted line on the accompany-
ing county map) extends in length 50 miles, from Beach's
mine, one mile below Shickshinny, to a point some dis-

* See Appendix, W.

384 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

tance above Carbondale, and contains 177 square miles.
The veins of coal vary in number from two to eight accord-
ing to location, and in thickness from 1 to 28 feet. Taking
the most reliable data we can obtain, we estimate this
entire field to contain about 2,285,600,000 (two billions
two hundred and eighty-five millions six hundred thou-
sand) tons of good merchantable coal. Add to this
128,000,000 tons, the estimated amount in that portion
of the eastern middle coal-field lying in Luzerne, and we
have a total of 2,413,600,000 (two billions four hundred
and thirteen millions six hundred thousand) tons. This
quantity, valued in the mine at 30 cents per ton, is equal
to $724,080,000, or valued at the pit's mouth at $1.50, it
w^ould be worth $3,620,400,000; a greater sum of money
than California could send us in 300 years, at the rate
of more than $1,000,000 a month, or exceeding $30,000
a day.

The total area of the anthracite fields of Pennsylvania,
which include all of this variety of coal in the United
States of any value, is 409 square miles, of which 187
lie within the limits of our county. The total amount
of anthracite in all the coal-fields of the state has been
liberally estimated at 5,500,000,000 (five billions five
hundred millions) tons. From these fields there were
mined, in 1830, about 175,000 tons; in 1835, 560,000
tons; in 1842, 1,108,000 tons; in 1850, 4,800,000 tons;
and in 1856, 6,751,542 tons. For 1859 the number of
tons of anthracite and semi-bituminous coal mined in the
state was 8,737,766 tons, of which 3,500,000 tons were
taken from the mines of Luzerne. The total amount
of anthracite mined in this county down to 1860, is
29,060,386 tons.* That mined in the whole state amounts,
to the same date, to 83,374,869 tons. At this rate, how
long will our anthracite last? England uses 65,000,000

* For amount mined since 1859, see Appendix W.

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE. 385

tons of her coal annually, of which 10,000,000 tons are
consumed under her steam-engmes. Such a drain on our
coal-fields would exhaust them in less than 85 years.
But if we estimate the consumption of our anthracite as
averaging about 15,000,000 of tons annually, from this
date, it will last more than 420 years. At the present
rate of increase, it will not be many years before the
amount of anthracite mined in Pennsylvania will reach
15,000,000 of tons annually.

Coal lands in England sell at from $3000 to $4000 per
acre, while those in Luzerne bring only from $100 to $300
per acre. The difference in price is mainly attributable
to the demand being greater there than in this count] y.
As the demand for anthracite increases here, the prices
of our coal acres must advance. It is impossible to say
what is the annual capacity of our coal-fields, or to esti-
mate the increasing expense of mining, or to conjecture,
with a show of probability, how far the bituminous variety
will come in competition with the anthracite, all of which
circumstances will modify the prices of coal lands. But
it is evident to every observer that the day is not distant
when our coal acres will command a much higher price
than they do now.

To the man of science, the geologist and mineralogist,
a visit to the coal-fields of Luzerne is replete with interest.
The fossil remains of vegetables and animals are found in
abundance, and not unfrequently specimens of the most
perfect and interesting character. In the Baltimore mine,
near Wilkesbarre, a stone forest may be seen — immense
trees, the trunks and roots of which are perfect and dis-
tinctly visible.* From several shafts, at a depth of from
200 to 800 feet, there have been taken many interesting
fossils, which are preserved in the cabinet rooms of the

* The stump of one of these trees may be seen in the vestibule of the

court-house at "Wilkesbarre.

386 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Wyoming Historical and Geological Society at Wilkes-
barre. To enter into a description of these, and of the
interior of the mines, extending from 1000 to 8000 feet
into the crust of the earth, and also of the coal crackers,
screens, schutes, &c., used for preparing and loading the
coal into boats and cars, would occupy more space than
we have allotted to this chapter. Millions of money are
expended, thousands of miners are employed, the dangers
of damps, spontaneous combustion, and falling of the
mines, are encountered to supply us with the ''black
stones," which were rejected as worthless less than half a
century ago. It is foreign to the character of this work
to speculate on the origin of coal, and the geological con-
ditions under which its formation took place; but the
strata of the earth, like the leaves of an instructive
volume, contain the history of our planet, and though
man has scarcely, as yet, mastered the alphabet of the
language in which it is written by the finger of God, still
he can decipher sufficient to know that the knowledge
therein preserved is of the most interesting nature.

We close this chapter with a brief account of the iron
ore of Luzerne.

Iron ore of various qualities has been discovered in
Salem, Union, and Kingston townships, on the west side
of the Susquehanna, and in Newport and Wilkesbarre
townships on the east side ; also, along the Lackawanna,
and in the Moosic Mountain. The Salem bog-ore, vein
2 feet thick, may be seen on the estate of the late Alex-
ander Jameson, Esq., 15 miles north-east of the Bloom-
burg iron ore mines. This ore has never been tested.
The Union ore, vein 18 inches, is found in the Shick-
shinny Mountain, G miles north-east of Salem. It w^as
tested at Danville, and yielded 28 per cent, of iron. The
Kingston ore, in Hartzoflf's Hollow, 14 miles north-east
of Union, is found in the vespertine series, 500 feet below

MINERALS AND THE COAL TRADE. 381

the serai conglomerate. There are two veins here, sepa-
rated by 5 feet of rock, the first being from 1 to 2 feet
thick, and the upper one 4 feet. The ore is ponderous,
silicious, and of a black color.

The Newport ore is 1 mile east of Union, and underlies
an eight feet coal vein. There are three different veins
of this ore : one, ball-ore, 20 inches in thickness ; one,
stratified, 14 inches ; and one, cubical stratified, 6 inches.
This ore was worked in a forge, at Nanticoke, for more
than 40 years, and was also used by S. F. Headley, Esq.,
with the Bloomsburg ore, in his furnace, at Shickshinny.
It yields 35 per cent.

The Lackawanna and Moosic Mountain iron ore mines
are connected by rail with the Scranton Iron Works.
There are two veins or layers in fire clay, one ball-ore 12
inches, and the other 18 inches in thickness. It has been
worked advantageously at Scranton, when mixed with
New York and New Jersey ores. It yields 35 per cent.,
and was used in forges many years ago. A thorough
exploration of our county would, probabl}^, discover both
iron and limestone beyond the Wyoming coal-field, to the
west and north-west. Many years ago, an imperfect
limestone was found in the Little Wyoming Mountain, in
Newport township. In 1831, several hundred bushels of
it were burnt and used on the land.

Iron can now be manufactured in Wyoming Valley at
^15 per ton, the ore and limestone being brought by canal
or railroad from Columbia county. The proportions of
the cost would be as follows : —

2 i tons of iron ore by canal, .... $6.96

2 tons of coal, 3.00

i ton of limestone, 1.40

Labor, furnace, &c., -3.64

$15.00

388 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The increasing demand for anthracite will increase the
price, and when the figure shall have advanced to about
$3 per ton at the pit's mouth, the smoke of a hundred
furnaces will arise from our valleys. Iron ore, if not pro-
cured within our own borders, will be brought from
abroad, for it will be more economical to manufacture the
metal in the locality of' the fuel than elsewhere. The
most careless observer must be impressed with the vast
resources of Luzerne. It needs no prophet's ken to dis-
cern the gigantic enterprises, the great accumulation of
capital, and the dense population of the future.

CHAPTER XIII.

NEWSPAPERS, BOOKS, POETRY, LITERARY AND BENE-

FICIAL SOCIETIES.

" Turn to the press, its teeming sheets survey,
Big with the wonders of each passing day,
Births, deaths, and weddings, forgeries, fires, and wrecks.
Harangues and hailstorms, brawls and broken necks."

The art of printing was discovered by John Gutten-
berg, a German, in 1436, at Strasburg, but was consider-
ably improved by John Faust and Peter Schaeffer.

This noble invention was, at first, deemed so extra-
ordinary, that those who sold some of the early publica-
tions at Paris were pronounced magicians, and the books
were committed to the flames. We may well regret that
the Greeks and Romans were ignorant of this art, for if
it had been known to them, a vast storehouse of ancient
wisdom and learning, now irrevocably lost, would have
come down to us. But we have a security in the press,
that the arts and sciences without material interruption
will be perpetuated from age to age, and that nothing
useful or indeed refined can ever again be lost amid the
irruption of barbarians and the overthrow of empires.

The first printed newspaper was issued in 1524, and
like the art itself was a German production. Prior to
this, newspapers were written and publicly read at speci-
fied times and places. The hearers paid each a certain
sum of money for the privilege of being present. In
Italy, a paper of this character was called Gazetta, from

(.389)

390 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the name of the coin paid by the listener, from which is
derived our word gazette.

The first printed EngUsh newspaper was issued in
London, in 1588, and was called " The English Mercury."
The earliest newspaper in North America was the " Boston
News Letter," issued April 24th, 1704. In 1720, there
were 7 newspapers in the American Colonies, and, in 1775,
35, of which 9 were issued in Pennsylvania.

In 1850, the number of newspapers and periodicals in
the United States was 2526 — of newspapers alone, 2302.
In the state of Pennsylvania, the number of newspapers,
at present, is 297, of which 9 are issued in Luzerne
county, 7 English and 2 German.

In 1795, two young men, whose names are unknown,
came to Wilkesbarre from Philadelphia with a small press
and a few cases of type. They printed " The Herald of
the Times," the first newspaper published in the county.
Prior to this date, all notices, advertisements, &c., were
put up on the town sign-posts, the first of which was
erected in Wilkesbarre, in 1774, on the river bank.
" The Herald of the Times" was issued for a short period,
and was then sold by the proprietors to Thomas Wright,
and published by Josiah Wright under the name of the
" Wilkesbarre Gazette." The first number was dated
November 29th, 1797, and bore the following motto : —

" Let party rage, let malice vent her spite,
Truth we'll revere, and we shall e'er be right."

The Gazette, though a small, was a well-edited paper.
It was 10 by 16 inches in size, a little larger than a sheet
of foolscap paper, and, at $2 per annum, was sustained
by upwards of 300 subscribers. In 1801 it ceased to be
published. In the last numbers of the paper Mr. Wright
gave the following notice : — " I intend to send a boat

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 391

up the river in March or April next, to receive the
grain that may have been collected on account of news-
papers."

In 1801, Asher Miner established "The Luzerne
Federalist," at Wilkesbarre, and the first number was
issued on the 5th of January. Mr. M. was a practical
printer, having served seven years with Master Green.
He had worked in the office of the Gazette, and, it
appears, won at the same time the affi^ctions of his em-
ployer's daughter, Miss Wright, whom he afterwards
married. The Federalist was a larger paper than the
Gazette. Still it was of very moderate dimensions, for
two reams of its paper were placed in an ordinary bag
and conveyed on horseback from the paper-mill in Allen-
town to Wilkesbarre ; and this was done once in two
weeks. The press on which the Federalist was printed
was brought from Norwich, Conn., on a sled, by Charles
Miner and S. Howard. In reference to this circumstance,
the venerable Mr. Miner thus speaks in his late letter to
the Pioneer Society : '"' So strange a piece of machinery
was a wonder along the road — the thousand and one
inquiries — What is it? His patience being exhausted.
Mr. Howard was wont to reply, " We are taking it to
Wyoming. They are terribly troubled there with mice,
and this is timber for mouse-traps." In 1802, Charles
became associated with Asher Miner in conducting the
Federalist, which they ably edited until 1809, when it
was transferred to Steuben Butler and Sidney Tracy.
These latter gentlemen, in 1811, enlarged the paper, and
changed its name to " The Gleaner," with the motto,
" Intelligence is the life of liberty." The editors, in their
address to the public, said, " We intend to make ' The
Gleaner' as great a favorite with the people as Ruth ever
was with the liberal and gallant Boaz, and we hope, like

392 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

her, ' The Gleaner' will find favor in the readers' eyes,
and that the measures of barley will not be forgotten."
The Federalist had been the organ of the party bearing
that name, and the change of name to " The Gleaner" did
not alter its political character. In a few months Mr.
Tracy withdrew from the establishment, and was suc-
ceeded by Charles Miner, who, in connection with Mr.
Butler and others, ably conducted " The Gleaner" until
1818, when the enterprise was abandoned.

" The Susquehanna Democrat" was established in
Wilkesbarre, by Samuel Maffet, in 1810, with the follow-
ing motto : " The support of the state governments, in
all their rights, is the most competent administration for
our domestic institutions, and the surest bulwark against
anti-republican tendencies." It was the organ of the
Democratic party, and was of the same size as the
Gleaner, being 11 by 17 inches. Both of these papers
were exceedingly warm in the advocacy of their princi-
ples and views, and they were accustomed to pour the
hot shot into each other with no unsparing hand. Espe-
cially was this the case on the approach of an election,
and when offices were to be filled.

In 1824 the "Democrat" was sold to S. D. Lewis and
Chester A. Colt, and by them published until 1831, when
Mr. Lewis sold his interest to Luther Kidder. In 1832
Colt sold to Conrad, who transferred his interest to Mr.
Kidder, who became the sole editor and proprietor. In
1833 Mr .Kidder sold to James Rafferty and C. Edwards,
who issued the paper about one year, when it was pur-
chased by Dr. Christel & Co., in whose hands it expired.

" The Wyoming Herald" was established in Wilkes-
barre, by Steuben Butler, in 1818, soon after " The
Gleaner" had ceased to be published, and beneath its title
was placed the appropriate words —

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 393

"lie comes, the herald of a noisy world,
News from all nations."

This paper exhibited a marked improvement in its ma-
terials and workmanship on its predecessors, but was still,
like them, published weekly, at $2 per year in advance.
In 1828 it was enlarged, and published by Butler &
Worthington until 1831, when Mr. W. withdrew, and
Asher Miner became associated with Mr. Butler. This
cojDartnership continued until 1833, when the establish-
ment passed into the hands of Eleazar Carey and Robert
Miner. These gentlemen conducted the paper until 1835,
at which time it was merged in " The Wyoming Repub-
lican."

" The Wyoming Republican" was established in King-
ston, in 1832, by S. D. Lewis, and was edited with ability
by that gentleman until 1837, w^hen the press and mate-
rials were sold to Dr. Thomas W. Miner, and removed to
Wilkesbarre. Dr. M., in conjunction wdth Miner S.
Blackman, edited and published the " Republican" until
1839, at which period it was purchased by S. P. Collings,
and united with " The Republican Farmer." We feel
that w^e hazard nothing in saying that the " Republican,"
from its birth until its death, was one of the best and
most ably-conducted papers in the country, and no one
can peruse its old files without lively interest and admi-
ration.

" The Republican Farmer" was established in Wilkes-
barre, by Henry Pettibone and Henry Held, in 1828, and
in 1831 Mr. P. sold his interest to J. J. Adam. In 1833
the materials were purchased by B. A. Bidlack and Mr.
Atherholt, and in 1835 it became the property of S. P.
Collings, who remained its editor and proprietor until
1852, when the establishment passed into the hands of
S. S. Benedict, and was merged in " The Luzerne Union."

394 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The " Farmer" was a thorough democratic paper, and,
besides the talents of its able editors, it was sustained by
the literary and political contributions of several distin-
guished gentlemen. In its columns may be found articles
from the pens of Andrew Beaumont, Judge Scott, Dr. T.
W. Miner, and others. Two of its editors became repre-
sentatives of the United States government in foreign
lands, and died in the service of their country. Bidlack
lies buried in South America, and the bones of Collings
are beneath the sands of Africa.

" The Luzerne Democrat" was established in Wilkes-
barre, in 1845, by L. L. Tate, and was afterwards sold
to Chester Tuttle. In 1852 it became the property of
S. S. Benedict, who changed its name to " The Luzerne
Union." In 1854 it passed into the possession of S. S.
Winchester. In 1855 Mr. Winchester sold to Mr. Bosea,
who sliortly after transferred it to Waelder & Neibel.
They, in 1858, sold to E. S. Goodrich, who sold in
1859 to Mifflin Hannum, and he sold in 1865 to W. H.
Hibbs.

" The Daily Telegraph." the first and last daily news-
paper in the county, was commenced at Wilkesbarre, in
1852, by E. Collings & H. Brower. It survived eight
weeks, and was then sold to M. B. Barnum & W. H.
Beaumont, who started " The True Democrat" in opposi-
tion to " The Luzerne Union." In 1853 the name was
changed to " The Democratic Expositor," edited by James
Raferty. In 1855 the materials were removed to Scran-
ton, and the " Spirit of the Valley" was issued by Messrs.
Alleger & Adams.

In 1840, " The Northern Pennsylvanian" was issued
at Wilkesbarre, by W. Bolton, and after one year it was
removed to Tunkhannock.

" The Anti-Masonic Advocate" was established in

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 395

Wilkesbarre, by Elijah Worthington, in 1832, with the
motto : —

" Pledged but to truth, to liberty, and law,
No favor sways us, and no fear shall awe."

In 1835, the press was sold to Eliphalet Worthington,
who published the paper one year, and sold to J. Foster.
In 1838, Mr. Foster sold to Amos Sisty, who changed
the name to " The Wilkesbarre Advocate," and for several
years edited and published it with distinguished ability,
often furnishing its columns with genuine and beautiful
poetry from his own pen. " Liberty and union, one and
inseparable, now and for ever," was his motto ; and he
adhered to the principle therein expressed with peculiar
tenacity until his death. In 1843, the paper passed into
the hands of S. D. Lewis, and, in 1853, Mr. L. sold to W.
P. Miner, who changed the name to " The Record of the
Times," under which title Mr. M. continues to publish
one of the best papers in the country.

" The Democratic Watchman," a German paper, was
established in Wilkesbarre, in 1841, by J. Waelder, and,
in 1851, it was sold to R. Baur, who is still the editor
and proprietor.

" The Truth" was first issued in Wilkesbarre, in 1840,
by B. C. Denison, and in a few weeks was enlarged to
super-royal size, and called " The Democratic Truth."

" The Literary Visitor," royal octavo size, was esta-
blished in Wilkesbarre, by Steuben Butler, in 1813, and
was continued until July, 1815. It was an able literary
paper.

" The Wasp," a small Paul Pry sheet, was published
in Wilkesbarre, in 1840, by Burdock & Boneset, and
edited by Nicholas Nettle. It bore as its motto, —

" Laugh when we must, be candid when we can."

396 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

" The People's Grubbing Hoe," a Harrison campaign
paper, was issued in 1840, at Wilkesbarre, b}^ A. Sisty,
with the following words explanatory of its character : —
" It digs up the political stumps, the squalid roots, the
rotten trees, and will lend its aid in cleaning out all
nuisances, encumbering the great political farm of the
people."

With the foregoing account of the papers published in
"Wilkesbarre, we proceed to note those journals which were
published in other j)arts of the county.

" The Northern Pennsylvanian" was removed from
DundafF, Susquehanna county, in 1832, to Carbondale, in
this county, by Amzi Wilson, who continued to publish
it until December 30th, 1837. At that time he sold out
to William Bolton, who issued the paper at Carbondale
up to the 24th of April, 1840, when he removed his esta-
blishment to Wilkesbarre. This paper was originally
called " The Dundaff Republican," advocating democratic
principles, and was first issued at Dundaff, on the 14th
of February, 1828.

" The Carbondale Journal" was established at Carbon-
dale in 1838, by James B. Mix a.s editor, advocating
whig measures. After about a year Charles Mead be-
came its editor, who conducted it for a year, when it
passed into the hands of William S. Ward, who issued it
until September 2d, 1841, when the paper was discon-
tinued.

" The Carbondale Gazette" was established in Carbon-
dale, by Philander S. Joslin, on the 5th of May, 1842.
July 6th, 1843, Francis B. Woodward entered into part-
nership with Mr. Joslin, and these two gentlemen edited
the Gazette until the 8th of November, 1844, at which
time the firm was dissolved. Mr. Joslin became sole
editor and proprietor, and in December following sold out

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 397

to F. B. Woodward, who altered the name of the paper
to that of " The County Mirror." It had heretofore sus-
tained a neutral character — it now became whig in prin-
ciples. In 1845; it was removed to Providence, in this
county.

" The Carbondale Democrat" was established in 1845,
at Carbondale, by P. S. Joslin and Silas S. Benedict. In
1849 the paj^er was enlarged, and the name changed to
''The Lackawanna Citizen and Carbondale Democrat."
In 1850, the name was again changed to " The Lacka-
wanna Citizen." It was discontinued April 1st, 1854.
Mr. P. K. Barger and Mr. Homer Grenell were connected
with this paper, and conducted it under the firm of P. K.
.Barger & Co. Mr. Benedict ceased to be its editor De-
cember 1st, 1852.

About August 1st, 1854, J. T. Alleger and J. B. Adams
started a paper in Carbondale, called " The Carbondale
Democrat," which was only continued until January,
1855.

" The Democratic Standard and Know-Nothing Expo-
sitor" was first issued in Carbondale June 1st, 1855, by
John J. Allen. It was continued until September 17th
following, when the building in which it was printed,
together with about twenty others, was burnt, and the
paper was never re-established.

" The Lackawanna Journal," a whig paper, was com-
menced at Carbondale January 20th, 1849, by George M.
Reynolds, and on the 27th of December, 1850, he asso-
ciated himself with Dewitt C. Kitchen in the conduct of
the paper. February 28th, 1851, they altered the name
to that of " The Carbondale Transcript and Lackawanna
Journal." The same year Mr. Kitchen retired, and Mr.
Reynolds becoming sole proprietor and editor, continued
the paper until May 1st, 1857, when he sold to R. H.

398 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Willoiigliby. Mr. Willoughby started a new journal on
the 21st of May, 1857, which he named " The Advance."
He edited the Advance until the 3d of October following,
when it was purchased by Dr. Charles Burr and George
M. Reynolds. In February, 1858, Mr. Reynolds became
sole editor and proprietor. In the following May he sold
the establishment to Silas S. Benedict, who in the follow-
ing September changed the name to " The Weekly Ad-
vance," under which title it is still published by him.

" The Pittston Gazette" was established in Pittston in
August, 1850, by Messrs. Richart and Phillips. It was
continued by them until the fall of 1853, when Mr. Phil-
lips sold his interest to Mr. Richart, who, in 1857, sold to
Dr. J. H. Puleston. Mr. Richart repurchased in 1860.

" The Pittston Herald," started in Pittston, in 1855, by
E. S. Neibell, was discontinued after a few months.

" The Pittston Free Press," commenced in Pittston, in
1859, by Arnold C. Lewis, had a short existence of a few
months.

" The Lackawanna Herald" was established in Scranton
in 1852, by C. E. Lathrop, and advocated whig doctrines,
from which it glided into Know-Nothingism. In 1856,
it was purchased by E. B. Chase, who changed the po-
litical character of the paper. He united it with "The
Spirit of the Valley," and they took the name of " The
Herald of the Union," advocating democratic measures.
Mr. Chase sold to Dr. J. B. Adams and Dr. A. Davis. Dr.
Davis purchased the interest of Dr. Adams in the spring
of 1859, when Dr. S. M. Wheeler became associated with
Dr. Davis, and the paper is now edited and published
by the firm of Davis & Wheeler.^

"The Scranton Republican" was established in 1856,
and was edited by Theodore Smith. Mr. Smith sold to

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 399

F. A. McCartney in 1858, wlio is the present editor and
proprietor.^

" The Tri- Weekly Experiment" was commenced in
Scranton in 1855 by F. Dilley. It was discontinued at
the end of three months.

" The Kingston Guardian" was estabUshed in the
borough of Kingston, in 1858, by Messrs. Kitchen and
Denn. It was subsequently removed to Plymouth, and
the name changed to " The Plymouth Register."

" The Olio" is a small sheet, the second volume of
which is now in course of publication by the High School
at Scranton. It is a neatly printed school journal, devoted
to literature and general intelligence. It is published
semi-monthly. Terms — two ounces of attention, payable
invariably immediately on the receipt of each number.

" The Mountaineer" was published in Conyngham, in
1834, by J. A. Gordon. It was continued for eighteen
months. The press w^as the property of N. Beach, Jacob
Drumheller, M. S. Brundage, and A. G. Broadhead, Esqs.

Such is a brief record of the several newspapers pub-
lished in Luzerne county, from 1795 to 1865. They have
been edited for the most part by active and intelligent
men, and have been sujDported by an appreciating and
reading people. The small 10 by 12 sheet has expanded
to the large family newspaper, presenting to the eye of
the reader a most interesting budget of news, gathered
weekly from all quarters of the habitable globe. The
old Ramage wooden hand-press has been supplanted by
improved iron hand and steam presses. The number of
printing establishments have increased from 1 to 9, with
a proportionate increase of circulation. The value of
printing machinery and materials has increased from
$500, the cost of the original " Herald of the Times/' in

400 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

1795, to $50,000, the present estimated value of all the
establishments in the county.

BOOKS.

In the year 1800, Abraham Bradley, Esq., who had
been a captain in the Revolutionary army, and who had
removed, in 1796, from Connecticut to Wyoming, wrote
a small 12mo. book, entitled " A New Theory of the
Earth." It was printed and published at Wilkesbarre, by
Aslier and Charles Miner, and gave great alarm to many
pious old ladies, among others to Mr. Bradley's good wife.
The work was thought to be infidel in its character, ad-
vancing doctrines not in conformity with the teachings
of Holy Writ. These orthodox ladies and others were
active in its destruction, committing the book to the
flames whenever a copy fell into their hands. This cir-
cumstance accounts for the present scarcity of the work.
The New Theory unfolded the doctrine of a new creation
from the ruins of an old world, and of separate and dis-
tinct acts of creation, such as the formation of an original
black pair in Africa, a red pair in America, and a white
pair in Europe.

In contrasting the descendants of Noah with the other
races Mr. Bradley observes, with respect to the nose and
teeth, that the European noses are made after a great
variety of patterns. The European race has, in fact, no
distinctive or characteristic nose like the other races.
Nature in their case, so far as this memljer is concerned,
has been altogether capricious. The Roman nose, which
is national in India, falls to the lot of one European, the
short thick nose of the Tartar race to another, the thin
hooped nose of the native American to a third, and occa-
sionally we meet with one resembling the negro model.

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 401

As to the teeth, it is remarked, that the diminutive savages
of the Arctic circle, the fierce inhabitants of the American
wilderness, the shiftless blacks of New Guinea, and the
woolly herds of Negroland, are furnished with two rows
of fine white ivory in their gums, combining the useful
and the ornamental, while the proud and conceited Euro-
j)ean is compelled to extract one rotten snag after another,
until the lips cave in against the end of the tongue, and
render his utterance indistinct and weak. The art of the
present day has done for Europeans and their descendants
what, perhaps, Mr. Bradley in his dreams never antici-
pated. It has placed in the mouths of old and young,
whose teeth are gone, handsome rows of false ivory,
rivaling in snowy whiteness those of the children of
Guinea. Mr. Bradley's work exhibits but a slight know-
ledge of the question he discusses, and may be viewed as
altogether speculative, and mostly inaccurate.

In 1803, A. and C. Miner published at Wilkesbarre a
work of 142 pages, entitled " The Susquehanna Contro-
versy Examined. The material objections against the
Connecticut claimants answered. Done with truth and
candor, by Samuel Avery, Esq." This publication made
its appearance at the time when the last commission to
settle land-titles assembled at Wilkesbarre. It has fur-
nished a large amount of valuable information to writers
on the subject since that period.

" The History of Wyoming," by Isaac Chapman, a
resident of the valley, was printed and published at
Wilkesbarre in 1830, by S. D. Lewis. It contains 209
pages. It is considered a standard work. It is of a
12mo. size, and is rarely met with. For a country pub-
lication of thirty years ago, it exhibits a fair degree of
mechanical skill, in respect both to printing and binding.

" The Frontier Maid, or a Tale of Wyoming," a poem

402 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

in five cantos, was written by Joseph McCoy, cashier of
the Philadelphia Branch Bank. It was printed and pub-
Hshed by Steuben Butler and Samuel Maffet, at Wilkes-
barre, in 1819. It is a well-bound book of 205 pages, and
its mechanical execution does credit to the publishers.
The author subsequently becoming dissatisfied with his
production, collected and burnt all the volumes that he
could procure. The principal characters are Edith, the
maid, Lesion, her father, Howard, her lover, Zorac
(Abraham Pike), the Bugle Boy (Jonah Rogers), and
Eutaw, a friendly Indian, who answers to Campbell's
Outalissi. Edith was captured by the savages, and may
represent any one of a half dozen young women who were
carried into captivity from Wyoming, and who had a
Howard lover, and a Lesion father to mourn her loss.
After killing the Indians who had captured Pike, Rogers,
Van Campen, and Pence, Zorac is represented in the
poem as pursuing the captors of Edith, who was finally
rescued. The rescue was accomplished by Eutaw, with
whom she escaped down the Susquehanna in a canoe.
She arrived at Wyoming on the night of the fatal 3d of
July, 1778. Howard had been slain in the battle, and
her father had fled, with the other inhabitants who sur-
vived, towards the great or dismal swamp.
The poem commences thus : —

" The winds are hushed, and the heart it cheers,
To see the heavens so bright ;
The stars seem dancing for joy in their spheres,
At the holy peace, the calm delight,
That reigns o'er the quiet of the night.

11.

And does lone Susquehanna hear
No rude alarm, no sound of fear,
As under skies so blue and bright,
She !«tray8 aujong her hills to-night?

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 403

In sooth there seems no sound abroad,
In hill, or vale of that sweet flood,
Save where, towards her secret den,
The she-wolf speeds, and now and then,
Shakes the wild briar, or rushing grass,
As she hurries through the tangled pass :
Or save where the fitful breeze proceeds,

Unfiling the calm flood o'er,
And rustling at times the long wild reeds.

As it wanders down the shore.
And are there indeed no sounds but these,

On the shores of that wild flood ;
No rustling but that of the fitful breeze,

No stirring in dell, or wood,
But that by the diligent she-wolf made.
As she rapidly drives through the lowland shade !

III.

Oh yes ! far other disquietude

A boding doubt recalls ;
For not remote, where the hurrying flood

Comes roaring down the falls,
The night is startled by strange alarms.

Portending fearful doom ;
The voices of men and the clang of arms,

Resounding far through the gloom.
For mustering there by the river bank.

Where the fortress looks stern o'er the tide.
With rampart and fosse in front and flank,

And battlement bold and breastwork wide.
And starry standards waving high.

In the dusk of the midnight air,
A band of heroes who death defy,
A little band that must conquer, or die.

For a bloody day prepare.

The following extract is descriptive of a messenger
Dm the
children

from the battle-field, and the flight of the women and

404 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

" But hark ! what messenger of doom
Comes shouting through the fearful gloom ?
Down through the shoreland wood he flies,
And far before him sends his cries.
He bears a burning brand in flight,
And from the path now starts to sight.
Wild blows the wind, his upturned hair
Is dashed with blood, his breast is bare,
And down his naked neck and side
Is streaming red the sanguine tide.
" fly !" he cries, " from worse than death j
I warn you with my dying breath.
The foe in fury cross above ;
Their hasty rafts already move.
Fly ! fly ! into the mountain's height,
And trust the shelter of the night."
Fainting he falls while yet he speaks,
And breathes his last amid their shrieks
The dread* alarm in fearful cries,
Down through the distant hamlet flies ;
And mothers with their screaming care
Of little ones, and all the fair,
Flying tumultuous through the night,
And mingling in the general flight.
In wild distraction and dismay.
Are hurrying on their mountain way.
Now from the lofty paths they trod.
As wistfully they glanced abroad.
The distant fortress through the night,
With rising fires is sparkling bright ;
And now the flames are bursting high.
And broad they kindle through the sky;
And mournful in funereal blaze :
Where'er they turn their anxious gaze,
Beyond the gleaming river way,
Whose winding course they far survey,
Mansion and cottage scattered wide.
With fires innumcrous light the tide.
And now along the nearer shore.
Where the lone Mill Creek's waters roar,
As o'er the rocks her tide she flings,
And forth into the river springs,

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 406

The distant hum of shouting foes,
In low and dismal murmur rose :
And, lo ! those casual flashings bright
Too surely show their onward flight.

Edith, wandering at night on the lonely mountain^
hears the report of a gun, and meets her father.

" Edith, my child ! Is there an ear
An anguish'd father's voice to hear ?"
A piercing shriek her soul expressed,
And wild she rushed upon his breast.
A moment lost in transport drear.
Her soul forgot each care and fear ;
But now recalled that near alarm !
And, fearful hanging on his arm,
Around a dubious glance she cast :
" Fear not" — the warrior said — " 'Tis past.
A deadly foe with demon spite.
Pursued my footsteps through the night :
Baffling the skill of his murderous eye,
I fled by devious ways on high ;
But still he seemed my track to mark,
And still I heard him in the dark ;
'Till here among the Clio's withdrawn,
I stood and watched him skulking on :
And firing as thou heard'st the shock.
He yelled and tumbled from the rock !
So we are safe retreat to seek.
Oh ! tremble not, yet hear, yet speak !"
Her half-repressed, heart-rending moan,
Showed she now felt they stood alone ;
And wildly did her wandering stare
Inquire why Howard came not there.
The weeping father o'er her hung :
The awful silence of his tongue
Told her his heart was all too weak
The fate of that brave youth to speak.
Filling his soul with dread alarms,
She sinks unbreathing from his arms ;
And o'er her he is bending low.
And wild his words of anguish flow.

406 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Yes, he is gone ! my brave, brave boy,

Pierced to the heart for me.
My earliest hope, my latest joy,

And he was all to thee.
And would'st thou kill whom he would save,

Nor live to comfort me ?
Oh wouldst thou bow me to the grave,

When I have none but thee ?
No, live, look up, my only one,

Nor from my misery flee,
But weep with me, my hopes undone.

And I will weep with thee."
A father's cries were in her ear,

His lip was on her cheek.
She clasped his neck those cries to hear,

But had no word to speak.
" Yes, thou wilt live, my gentle child.

And, while our grief we share,
Affliction of its gloom beguiled

A placid smile shall wear."
His mantle o'er his child is cast.

And lowly she reclines.
And shrilly blows the whistling blast,

Among the mountain pines."

We have given the foregoing not because of its poetical
beauties, for much of it is evidently of that character
which, it is said, neither gods nor men can tolerate, but
it is presented as a specimen of some of the poetry or
rhymes which were composed in the valley forty years
ago.

Asher and Charles Miner, during their editorial and
publishing career, issued at Wilkesbarre a hymn-book,
edited by Sampson Occum, who, for many years, preached
the gospel to the Mohegan Indians.

They also published a small work, entitled " The
Merry Fellow's Companion," composed of anecdotes,
selected in part by Charles Miner. A work on Alchemy,

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 4<J7

written by Dr. William Hooker Smith, was published
by the same gentleman many years ago.

We have made the following selections of poetry written
at various periods by persons residing in, or at the time
visiting, our county.

The first selection is a piece written by Charles Miner
during the visit of a party of young ladies at his house.
It was published in the " Literary Visitor" of September
16, 1814.

How dull and dreary is the day,

Sad and cheerless look the fields,
No merry thrush attunes his lay,

No charm the joyous landscape yields.

Though Sol to-day a-ssumes his veil,

And Flora wears a woeful face,
Yet surely pleasure cannot fail

To mingle here with so much grace.

Then, girls, ne'er heed the cold and rain,
■ But pleasure's company enjoy ;
These hours will ne'er return again.
With pleasure then the hours employ.

Come, laugh and sing, and chat and play,

Be merry as the morning lark,
Drive care and sorrow far away,

And I will promise each a spark.

The following was written by Josiah Wright, and
published in the " Literary Visitor" of March 10, 1815.

JACKSON AND HIS COMRADES.

When hostile southern Indians rose,
A barbarous horde of savage foes.
And threatened to exterminate
The border settlers of the state,

408 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Who flew to arms their lives to save ?
'Twas Jackson and his comrades brave.

Who filled the savage breast with dread,
As from their scattered ranks they fled —
Our starry banners did display
Triumphant in East Florida,
And made the Indians peace to crave ?
'Twas Jackson and his comrades brave.

When Britain sent a veteran host,

To subjugate our southern coast.

And seize New Orleans — glittering prize —

Before the western men could rise.

Who breast the shock the place to save ?

'Twas Jackson and his comrades brave.

When Packenham, and Gibbs, and Keane,
All famed for feats of arms in Spain,
Led on their troops to storm our line —
'* Booty and Beauty" the countersign —
Who sent a thousand to their grave ?
'Twas Jackson and his comrades brave.

Who beat the proud invading foe.
And all his flattering hopes laid low.
In haste compelled him to retreat,
And safety seek on board his fleet,
Retrace his march across the wave ?
'Twas Jackson and his comrades brave.

Then let our rising nation prove
Their gratitude, their joy, their love;
Let fame proclaim to distant climes,
And tell the tale to future times.
How Jackson and his patriot band
Did succor Freedom's chosen land !

Below we give a production from the pen of Edward

NEWSPAPERS ETC. 409

Chapman, brother of Isaac A. Chapman. It was pub-
lished at Wilkesbarre in the year 1814 : —

COLUMBIA.

Columbia's shores are wild and wide,

Columbia's hills are high,
And rudely planted, side by side,

Where forests meet the eye :
But narrow must those shores be made,

And low Columbia's hills,
And low her ancient forests laid.

Ere Freedom leaves her fields.
For 'tis the land where, rude and wild,
She played her gambols when a child.

And deep and wide her streams, that flow

Impetuous to the tide ;
And thick and green her laurels grow,

On every river's side.
But should a transatlantic host

Pollute her waters fair,
We'll meet them on the rocky coast.

And gather laurels there.
For ! Columbia's sons are brave,
And free as Ocean's wildest wave.

The gales that wave her mountain pine

Are fragrant and serene ;
And never clearer sun did shine

Than lights her valleys green.
But putrid must those breezes blow.

That sun must set in gore,
Ere footsteps of a foreign foe

Imprint Columbia's shore :
For ! her sons are brave and free,
Their breasts beat high with liberty.

For arming boldest cuirassier,
We've mines of sterling worth.

410 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

For sword and buckler, spur and spear,

Emboweled in the earth :
But ere Columbia's sons resign

The boon their fathers won.
The polished ore from every mine

Shall glitter in the sun :
For bright's the blade and sharp's the spear
Which Freedom's sons to battle bear.

Let Britain boast the deeds she's done,

Display her trophies bright,
And count her laurels bravely won,

In well contested fight :
Columbia can a band array.

Will wrest that laurel wreath;
With truer eye and steadier hand,

Will strike the blow of death :
For whether on the land or sea,
Columbia's fight is victory.

Let France in blood through Europe wade,

And in her frantic mood.
In civil discord draw the blade,

And spill her children's blood:
Too dear that skill in arms is bought,

Where kindred life-blood flows,
Columbia's sons are only taught

To triumph o'er their foes :
And then to comfort, soothe, and save.
The feelings of the conquered brave.

Then let Columbia's eagle soar.

And bear her banner high,
The thunder from her dexter pour.

And lightning from her eye :
And when she sees I'rom realms above,

The storm of war is spent.
Descending like the welcome dove.

The olive branch present :
And then will beauty's hand divine,
The never-fading wreath entwine.

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 411

In the " Wilkesbarre Advocate" of July 28, 1841, is
published a poetical production bearing the caption of
" Wyoming." It is from the pen of E. E. LeClerc, Esq.,
and bears the ring of the true metal ; but it is too lengthy
for our pages.

The following is the production of a lady blind
from her infancy — a daughter of the Honorable Charles
Miner : —

LINES ON VISITING THE WYOMING MONUMENT.

(JuLV, 1837.)

We sought the spot, and peaceful was the scene^

As though an infant's chamber it had been ;

A summer cloud just veiled the sun's bright glare,

And nature laid her richest carpet there ;

A murmur, soft and low, from stream and grove,

Seemed soothing as the voice of one we love;

As though aerial spirits loved to keep

Their watch around this couch, where patriots sleep.

Thus is the spot so beautiful and bless'd,

Where from that day's fierce toil they sunk to rest ;

That day of toil, that earned them glory, fame —

No ! their bold hearts ne'er throbbed at glory's name :

But deeper, holier feelings there prevailed,

When haughty foes their humble homes assailed.

And 'tis a holier voice than that of fame,

Shall still such sufferings, and such deeds proclaim.

And in the light that memory sheds around,

As we approach the consecrated ground,

Borne on the swelling tide of feelings strong,

We see them come, a living, honored throng —

Claiming the tribute patriot hearts can pay.

When glory's loud acclaim has died away.

412 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ODE,

WRITTEN FOR THE "WYOMING IITERARY INSTITUTE," JULY 3, 1841.

BY AMOS SISTY.

Ot^^^r f^^^_u Star-Spangled Banner."

Oh ! dark was the day when our forefathers fell ;

When their homes by the red storm of war were o'erclouded ;
When the Tory's fierce hate, and the Redman's wild yell,
Left the Vale, now so lovely, in sorrow enshrouded :
And the torch flaming high,
Lit the summer eve sky,
When the shout of the victor, and woman's lone cry,
Were sounds that were thrilling on Wyoming's shore,
And her bravest and best were asleep in their gore.

It has passed — but that day, in our memories true,

And the heroes who bled, shall be fitly recorded j
Nor longer, in vain, shall the past spirit sue ;
The valor of lang syne will soon be rewarded.
Though an age may have rolled
Since the death-knell was tolled,
And the bones of the warrior lie mouldering and old ;
We the Monument raise, on Wyoming's fair shore —
A land rendered sacred by brave hearts of yore.

And oh ! should a foeman again in our Vale

Bring the bright sword of war, and the cannon deep roaring
Every arm would upraise, and the breath of the gale
Send the star-spangled flag to the high heavens soaring ;
By the river's clear tide.
On the mountain's rock side.
Every son would the shock of invasion abide ;
Their streams would run red with their enemy's gore.
And free be forever fair Wyoming's shore.

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 413

THE SONS OF WYOMING.

WRITTEN BY ANDREW BEAUMONT, SOON AFTER THE DEPARTURE OP THE WYOMING
ARTILLERiaTS FOR THE MEXICAN WAR.

Air — " The Star- Spangled Banner."

Oh, say, did you hear the loud clarion of war,
• Send its summoning blast o'er our hills and our valley ;
And Mars, with his helmet, his buckler, and spear,

Call our youth round "The Star-Spangled Banner" to rally?
Mid these stirring alarms.
See our sons rush to arms —
While the passion for glory each gallant heart warms ;
And the sons of Wyoming shall hence be our boast.
Be the theme of our song and the soul of our toast.

Behold where the Fane of Religion ascends,

Those youth clad in arms round the altar of freedom.
And pledge in the presence of kindred and friends.

Their blood and their lives, if their country should need them,
Then the paean rose high,
And the shout rent the sky.
While the patriot tear stole from each generous eye.
And the sons of Wyoming shall e'er be our boast.
Be the theme of our song and the soul of our toast.

And ne'er shall the page of our history declare.

That the youth of Wyoming are wanting in duty ;
Beloved as companions — undaunted in war,

And the smiles of the fair are their " booty and beauty. *
For the same ardor fires.
The same spirit inspires.
That guided in battle their patriot sires.
And the sons of Wyoming shall long be our boast,
Be the theme of our song and the soul of our toast.

The following was written by A. T. Lee, then an artist,
on a visit to Wyoming. He is now, we believe, an officer
of note in the United States army.

414 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

THE SHAWANEE'S FAREWELL.

Farewell, Susquehanna, farewell, noble stream,

Where the brown maiden sung once the loftiest theme ;

I hear the waves dash at thy gray pebbled shore,

But the leaves whisper o'er me thou wilt hear them no more.

We have fought long and hard, but the struggle is o'er,
And the bowstring shall twang at these waters no more ;
The scalp of the Sachem is torn from his brow,
And the black wing of death is his canopy now.

I go, the pale faces have bade me depart,

They have scattered the blood of my sire's noble heart ;

The bones of a thousand lay white on the plain.

But their loud whoops of war they'll ne'er mingle again.

Roll on, Susquehanna, as proud art thou yet
As when my young eyes and thy glory first met,
As when with light heart, o'er thy surface so blue,
I steered round thy green isles my light bark canoe.

Farewell, ere the rays that now silver thy breast,
Point up from the far purpled hills of the west;
The red child shall wander, in spirits subdued.
Through the dark pathless depth of that pine solitude.

There yet is a land to the wild hunter dear,
Where the Miafhi rolls through the wilderness clear ;
And there the lone child of the forest will go,
And hunt by the lakes the brown buflFalo.

TO THE SUSQUEHANNA,

ON ITS JUNCTION WITH THE LACKAWANNA.
BY MRS. SIGOURNET.

Rush on, glad stream, in thy power and pride,
To claim the hand of thy promised bride,
For she hastes from the realm of the darkened mine,
To mingle her murmured vows with thine :

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 415

Ye have met, ye have met, and your shores prolong
The liquid tone of your nuptial song.

Methinks ye wed as the white man's son

And the child of the Indian King have done.

I saw the bride as she strove in vain

To cleanse her brow from the carbon stain ;

But she brings thee a dowry so rich and true

That thy love must not shrink from the tawny hue.

Her birth was rude in a mountain cell,
And her infant freaks there are none to tell ;
Yet the path of her beauty was wild and free,
And in dell and forest she hid from thee ;
But the day of her fond caprice is o'er,
And she seeks to part from thy breast no more.

Pass on, in the joy of thy blended tide,
Through the land where the blessed Miquon died.
No red man's blood, with its guilty stain.
Hath cried unto God from that broad domain ;
With the seeds of peace they have sown the soil,
Brinor a harvest of wealth for their hour of toil.

-*o

On, on, through the vale where the brave ones sleep,

Where the waving foliage is rich and deep.

I have stood on the mountain and roamed through the glen,

To the beautiful homes of the Western men ;

Yet nought in that region of glory could see

So fair as the vale of Wyoming to me.

THE POOR MAN AND THE DOCTOR.

WBITTEN, IN 1812, BY JAMES SINTON, LATE CASHIER OF THE EASTON BANK, WHO FORMERLY

RESIDED IH WILKESBARRE.

A poor man once, oppressed with grief,

A doctor sought for aid,
And begged for his children some relief,

His wife, alas ! was dead.

416 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

" Oh ! doctor, can you help my boy,

Can you my daughter save?
He is my pride and she my joy.

Oh keep them from the grave!"

" Fear not, good sir," the doctor said,

" Your children health I'll give,
For from this little vial here,

One drop can make them live.

" Nor look surprised, for you shall see

The dead I'll raise to life."
The poor man fled. " My God," says he,

" He'll surely raise my wife."

HARVEY'S LAKE ASSOCIATION.

In olden times, that is, about sixty years ago, the young
men of Wilkesbarre, Hanover, Kingston, Plymouth, and
surrounding townships, formed a society which they
called " The Harvey's Lake Association." The object of
the society was to celebrate the 4tli of July in each year,
in a becoming manner, at the lake. A table was spread
beneath the branches of the forest, and it was laden with
wild game from the surrounding highlands, and fish from
the clear waters of the lake.

We extract the following from a poem dedicated to
''The Patriots of Harvey's Lake," in 1811. It was
written by a rude mountain native of Luzerne a few days
before he joined his patriotic brethren to celebrate the
national birthday : —

To Harvey's Lake let us repair,
Convivial scenes exhibit there,
Our Independence there revive,
And keep our freedom still alive,
And celebrate in social glee
The day that set our country free.

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 417

The landscape there, the dale and hill,
Is in a state of nature still.
Beneath a wide-spread oaken shade
Shall we our sylvan table spread ;
July the fourth here we'll record.
While trout and venison crown the board,
With rural viands of the best,
And juleps too to give them zest.
Our Independence there we'll boast,
Its heroes not forget to toast —
Join in their deeds, their virtues name,
And nobly kindle with their flame,
'Gainst cursed ambition all forewarn,
And give to Freedom ages yet unborn.

The following lines were written by Edward E. Le-
Clerc, Esq., on the death of Lieut. James Monroe Bowman,
of the United States Army, eldest son of General Isaac
Bowman, late of Wilkesbarre. Lieutenant Bowman died
at Fort Wayne, Arkansas, on the 21st of July, 1839,
beloved by his fellow-soldiers, and lamented by all w^io
knew him in his native Wyoming : —

BOWMAN, UNITED STATES ARMY.

" Bring flowers ! pale flowers, over the bier to shed,
A crown for the brow of the early dead."

Mrs. Hemans.

Bring banners ! bright banners, to shroud o'er the dead,

The flag of the stripe and the star ;
Bring banners to wave o'er the soldier's head,

Which have streamed from the battle car.
When the earth was stained with the life-blood red,

As it gushed 'mid the carnage of war ;
For when warriors die, oh ! surely 'tis meet
That a banner should be their winding-sheet.

Bring laurel ! green laurel, to wreathe o'er his bier,
Who died in a southern clime ;
27

418 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Who calmly met death without shrinking or fear,

In the midst of his manhood's prime :
Bring laurel, and shed o'er it many a tear,

For he fell in his summer's time ;
Since surely 'tis right that a warrior's name
Should be decked with the laurel that breathes of fame.

Bring cannon ! great cannon, to boom o'er the grave j

When a soldier in armor dies,
Bring cannon to knell o'er the bed of the brave ;

Let its echoes to heaven arise.
And its snowy white clouds o'er him curtain-like wave,

His war-belt to form in the skies ;
For when warriors march on to that spirit land,
The cannon should speak to its shadowy band.

Bring sorrow ! deep sorrow, to the warrior's tomb.

And with it affection's soft tear.
While for ever around it let memory bloom,

Its darkness and stillness to cheer;
For who shall not sigh, when its chambers of gloom

Charnels all that the heart holds most dear ?
Then bring love's warm tear, for who, who will not weep?
Though proud is the calm of the soldier's last sleep.

CHRISTMAS.

WRITTEN BT RICHARD DRINKER, ESQ., DECEMBER 25, 1830, AND PUBLISHED IN
THE SOSQDEHANNA DEMOCRAT.

Turkeys ! who on Christmas bled,
Turkeys ! who on corn have fed.
Welcome to us now you're dead,
And in the frost have hung.

" Now's the day, and now's the hour,"
Through the market how we scour.
Seeking turkeys to devour.
Turkeys old and young ;

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 419

Who would be a turkey hen ?
Fed and fattened in a pen —
Killed and eat by hungry men —
Can you tell, I pray ?

Lay the proud old turkeys low,
Let the young ones run and grow,
To market they're not fit to go,
Until next Christmas day.

From the Susquehanna Democrat.

UPON MY LIFE IT'S TRUE!

As Terrence McFadden was digging and grubbing,
He all at once stopt, and his poll began rubbing,
While his mug from blood-red turned the color of lead,

" Och murther !" he cried, " here's an Indian above me,
On the brink of the ditch — help, Pat, or we're dead !

Make haste with the crow-bar, dear Pat, if you love me.
Before that he takes all the hair off my head."

'Twas a poor old land tortoise that Terrence thus frighted,
Who came very gravely to view the canawl —

(Perhaps he was thinking the contracts were slighted,
Or, perhaps he was thinking of getting a fall,

Or, perhaps he was sent to report to great planners^
The damage that farms would sustain by the cut,

Employed by the gentlemen lords of the manors,
A low estimation on meadows to put.)

Pat came with his bar to assist his friend Terry,
Like a true son of Erin to give and take knocks —

" Och, brother !" says he, " but you've made yourself merry.
For I see nothing here hut a snake in a hox !"
March 10, 1831.

The following was written by a venerable superannu-
ated Methodist preacher, who, several years ago, resided
in Luzerne county. He was in the habit of rhyming,
during the long winter evenings, for the amusement of
his wife and children. The old gentleman, after reading
his effusions aloud, generally committed them to the

420 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY."

flames, but when " Mush and Milk" was read and laid on
the table, a mischievous son cautiously slipped it away,
and next week, to the astonishment of the aged preacher,
it appeared in the town newspaper.

MUSH AND MILK.

As dame and I sat by the fire,

One cold and stormy night,
I said to her, " My dear, I feel

The rhyming maggot bite.

" Come tell me what to write about" —
"Why mush and milk, you dunce,"

She said, and seemed in snappish mood ;
" Agreed," said I, " for once."

I took the hint and went to work.

Each word and line to scan.
And, wrapt in true poetic fire.

My work I thus began : —

Bob Burns applauds the Scotchmen's haggis,
And tells how well it fills their baggies ;
John Bull brags much of beef and stout.
And Dutch folks of their speck and crout ;
Let me, in verses Hudibrastic,
Stretch my muse like gum-elastic,
To sing the praise of mush and milk.
That ne'er made saint or sinner wilk ;
Though many speak in scorn about it,
And if they could from earth would scout it.

The Yankees call it — stop ! dod rot it,

How strange it is, that I've forgot it;

0, now I have it — hasty pudding, '

Though they confess it is a good 'un.

And would be glad, in times of want.

To fill their slab-sides with a " mess on't."

Dad Matthews, too — the darned old lout —

They say, nick-names it — "stirabout,"

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 421

And strange enough, that the canaille —
Whether they thresh with horse or flail,
Or cut the wheat with scythe or sickle,
Should put patricians in a pickle —
Find so much fault, and scold and pout.
And in contempt turn up the snout;
Blazing it round to saint and sinner,
That they get mush and milk for dinner;
Backbite their betters and be hufiy,
Unless they have their tea or coffee !
Good gracious ! why fair Queen Victoria,
Often exclaims " sic transit gloria ;"
And though she's clad in gold and silk,
Fills her wame with mush and milk :
It does me good to see the wenches
Knocking about the chairs and benches,
And o'er the old pot twist and bend,
Until the potstick stands on end ;
And then to see the precious stuff
Blister and swell, and snort and puff,
Just like wild horses in a frolic,
Or JEtna, when she has the cbolic.

Hail mush and milk, my heart's delight !

I could sup thee day and night ;

It gives its lovers bone and muscle.

And fits for boxing or for tussle ;

It sets class-leaders dancing jigs.

And turns old tories into whigs ;

It is by far the cheapest food,

That hogs or poor folks ever chewed.

To see it on the table smoking,

Would be to Job himself provoking ;

And then the tin-cup and the spoon,

" Ready for action" night and noon !

Though I ought perhaps to tell ye,

It sometimes sadly scours the belly ;

Yet should you fill choke-full your gizzard,

You'll never dream of De'il nor wizard ;

Nor yet of spooks nor midnight hag,

Galloping round on broomstick nag,

Nor grinning ghosts

422 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Thus I was going ou, when dame
Screamed out with all her might—

" I never was so terrified
As I have been this night !

'O"

" Why, what a cruel man you be,

To scare your nervous wife ;
Confound your varmints, I believe

You mean to take my life.

" Who ever heard such awful things ?

It makes my blood to chill,
To hear such talk of grinning ghosts ;

For goodness' sake be still.

" Do stop your nonsense — go to bed —

'Tis now half after ten ;
I'm scared to death — I'll die this night" —

Quoth I — " agreed again !"

The following address to a " Land Tortoise" was writ-
ten by Richard Drinker, Esq., formerly of Covington
township, and published in J. R. Chandler's Magazine, in
Philadelphia, in 1819.

ADDRESS TO A LAND TORTOISE.

Guid mornin', frien', ye're earlie creepin' !
Wi' head erect about ye peepin' —
Ane steady gait ye alway keep in.

Aye sure and slaw —
I doubt the time ye tak' to sleep in

Is unco sma'.

Your crawlin' pits me aye in mind
O' tortlcs o' the human kind —
How many crawlers do we find

'Mang sons of men,
Wi' thoughts unto the earth inclined

Until the en' ?

Ah ! now ye've shut yoursel' up tight ;
I fear ye're in an awsome fright

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 423

At seein' sic an unco sight

As my queer face.
Gang on your gait ! I'm no the wight

Wad harm your race.

Albins I might for/wTi or fame
Just carve upon your hard auld wame
The twa initials o' my name.

An' whin I meet ye,
And then — nae ither right I'd claim

Than down to set ye.

Ye'll live a hundred years, they say,
An' mony a weary mile ye gae.
An' mony a hunder eggs ye lay.

Ye queer auld beast,
Whilk gies the snake, your mortal fae,

Fu' mony a feast.

But fare ye well ! I now maun leave ye,

I ken my absence winna grieve ye —

Wi' jingling Scotch nae mair I'll deave ye,

An' ithers too —
Aince an' for aye, I freely give ye

A lang adieu.

LITERARY AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.

Since the revival of learning, in modern times, socie-
ties for the advancement of knowledge, and the improve-
ment of the human understanding, as well as for the
purposes of charity, have existed in all civilized countries.
In the ancient states of Greece and Rome, certain philo-
sophers opened their schools or academies, in which they
taught their peculiar dogmas, but they were for the most
part destitute of those establishments of benevolence and
learning, which constitute one of the distinguishing fea-
tures of modern civilization. It is only in later ages that
the importance of general education has been discerned.

424 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

and that the glorious doctrine of " Love thy neighbor as
thyself" has exerted its ameliorating influence on the
indifference and selfishness of the human heart. In
America, at a very early day, after wild nature had been,
in a degree, subjugated, and was furnishing supplies for
the wants of man, the settlers turned their attention to
mental culture. They were deprived of the advantages
of old-established communities — there were no libraries
at their command, and very few books of any kind were
to be had. Under these circumstances the young men
of the settlements often united for mutual improvement,
and these unions not unfrequently took the character
and name of Debating Societies.

In almost every town and small village, as well as in
the country among the hills and valleys, the academies
and log school-houses have echoed with the eloquence of
young debaters. Patrick Henry, Adams, Webster, Clay,
and a multitude of others, prepared themselves for the
popular assemblies, and for more learned audiences, in
the training which these humble societies could furnish.

The Wilkesbarre Debating Society was organized March
8th, 1804, and was the first in the county of which we
have any record. The proceedings, when deemed expe-
dient by the society, were to be kept secret, and any
member violating this provision of the constitution was
severely dealt with. Absentees were fined fifty cents,
and any member refusing to take part in the debate paid
twenty-five cents into the treasury. This association was
organized by Thomas Dyer, Charles Miner, John Evans,
Arnold Colt, Nathan Palmer, Josiah Wright, Ezekiel
Hyde, Thomas Graham, Thomas Wells, and Roswell
Wells. The first question for debate was as follows :
" Is celibacy justifiable by the laws of God, or consistent
with moral principles ?" The discussion was animated.

NEWSPAPERS ETC. 425

exhibiting no mecon powers of debate on the part of
several members. The question was decided in the nega-
tive. Half a century ago the affirmative must have had
narrow ground to stand on, and feeble weapons to con-
tend with. The young women of that day entertained
proper ideas of domestic responsibility and economy.
They were early taught all the essentials of good house-
keeping, and generally made attentive wives and excel-
lent managers. Men could then live cheaper, grow richer,
and be happier, as husbands, than as celibates. It would
have sounded ridiculous to decide the question in the
affirmative then. In the present year of our Lord this is
all changed. The question, as to the justification of
celibacy, has become one on the affirmative of which a
great deal may be said and strongly urged. Ladies,
generally speaking, are no longer the economical mana-
gers, and the prudent housekeepers they once were. Men
find themselves compelled to support extravagant, waste-
ful, and idle families. While they are exerting their
mental and physical powers to the utmost to procure
means to keep their position in society, their wives and
daughters are squandering in luxurious living the hard
earnings of their husbands and fathers. The multitudes
of unmarried men and women in the country, now-a-
days, exhibit a practical decision of that question in the
affirmative.

In 1809 the name of this a,ssociation was changed to
that of the Wilkesbarre Beneficial Society ; from which
we infer that weekly or monthly dues were paid by
members for charitable objects. Perhaps the institution
assumed the character of a secret organization, as a rival
to the QuiNCUN Society or Tribe, which started into
existence, in Wilkesbarre, in 180G. This, so far as we
can learn, was the beginning of debating or literary socie-

426 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ties in Luzerne, which were kept up under various names
until 1839, when the present Wyoming Literary Society
was estabHshed. Many men, who afterwards became
eminent, participated in the establishment and proceed-
ings of these associations. There were Denison, Griffin,
Cist, Mallery, Scott, Bowman, Wright, Beaumont, Bid-
lack, Woodward, Butler, Conyngham, Lane, Burnside,
Hoyt, Nicholson, Lee, Ross, Smith, and many others
who trained their faculties for debate in these societies.
The Hon. Charles Miner and Thomas Dyer, Esq., two of
the original members of the first debating society, still
survive (1860) .^<^

In 1806 the Wilkesbarre or Wyoming Library Com-
pany was formed. Its object was to procure a collection
of valuable books, to be placed within the reach of all
who desired knowledge. As is generally the case with
libraries in country towns, the books became scattered,
and many were lost. In 1826 a search committee was
appointed, to restore the collection as far as practicable.
The remaining books were brought together, and were
divided among the members of the company by lot.

In 1839 the Wyoming Athenoeum was established, and
is still in existence. It has a valuable collection of books,
numbering about 1500 volumes.

The Young Men's Literary and Debating Club of
Scranton was permanently organized, by a number of
enterprising young gentlemen, on the 23d of October,
1857, D. C. Harrington being President. During the
winter of 1858 and 1859 courses of interesting lectures
were delivered before the club by eminent men, whose
services were procured at a cost of about $500. This
institution promises much for the improvement of the
young men of Scranton, and is worthy of imitation and
patronage.

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 427

The Excelsior Debating Society was organized in Pitts-
ton several years ago. Connected with it are a reading-
room and library.

Including the Sunday-school libraries, of which those
of the Methodist Episcopal Church have about 12,000
volumes, the circulating libraries, and the libraries of
the seminaries and institutes of learning, in the county,
embrace about 30,000 volumes. These, properly used,
would abundantly meet the religious, moral, and intellec-
tual wants of the reading population of Luzerne.

In 1814 the Luzerne Association of the Presbyterian
Church, and the Baptist Association, made strenuous
efforts, separately, to collect moneys for the distribution
of the Bible throughout the county. This resulted in a
united effort, on the part of the several Protestant de-
nominations, by which the Luzerne Bible Society was
organized in 1819.

Through the instrumentality of this organization, every
destitute family in the county was placed in possession
of the Word of God. In 1835 and 1836, during the
time in which the Rev. James May was president of the
societv- from two hundred to three hundred dollars' worth
of Bibles were annually distributed. For a number of
years after this the society declined, until 1851, when it
was revived. The venerable Father Moister was ap-
pointed agent, and the Word of Life was again dispensed
to the poor and destitute. Since that period the spirit of
speculation and the growing thirst for gain have seriously
interfered with this good cause, as well as with other
laudable undertakings.

In 1825, " The Luzerne Sunday-school Union" was
organized for the promotion of religion, the distribu-
tion of books, and the advancement of morals. David
Scott was the first president, Garrick Mallery the first

428 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

vice-president, and Robert Miner the first secretary of
this association. It accomplished no small amount of
good, but in time its members seemed to grow weary in
well-doing, and it gradually dissolved, and was no more.

The Luzerne County Temperance Society, with its
numerous auxiliaries, was in complete and successful
operation as early as 1838. In a few years the effects of
these societies were ajoparent in the force of the public
opinion which they had created in opposition to the ruin
traffic. They rescued a multitude, who were hurrying
with rapid steps to an early grave, and extinguished the
fires of many distilleries. They prevailed with the
farmer to banish the whiskey-bottle from the harvest-
field, and with the citizen to remove it from his sideboard.
The combined efforts of these societies throughout the
whole country arrested the fearfully-swelling tide of
intemperance which, at one time, threatened to make
America a nation of drunkards. These societies, also,
after accomplishing much good, languished, and finally
ceased to exist. Their place was supplied by a secret
organization, called the Sons of Temperance. The Wyo-
ming division of this order. No. 28, was established in
Wilkesbarre May 29th, 1845. There were sixteen divi-
sions in the county, and they continued their operations
until 1853, when their meetings ceased.

The Lenni Lenape Lodge of Good Templars was or-
ganized at Wilkesbarre in 1855. They finally numbered
six lodges in Luzerne, but these are now no more. Both
the orders mentioned were of a beneficial character, and
had for their object the arrest of intemperance.

There is, unquestionably, yet a vast deal of intempe-
rance in the land, but it is to be hoped that wise and
judicious measures, of a moral character, on the part of

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 429

the sober and religious people of the country, will eventu-
ally extirpate this evil.

MASONRY.

It is asserted by the Masonic Order that a society of
Masons existed prior to the erection of Solomon's temple,
at Jerusalem, and that, on the occasion of the building of
that temple, which was commenced on the 2d day of the
month Zif, answering to the 21st of April, 2872 years
ago, their society was reorganized. Indeed, it is con-
tended that this institution is as old as creation, and
that it actually had an existence 2992 years before
Solomon laid the foundations of his great temple. This
would give the order the protracted existence of 5869
years.

The first lodge within the limits of the old thirteen
colonies was instituted at Boston, in 1733. The first
lodge in Pennsylvania was opened at Philadelphia, in
1734, of which Benjamin Franklin was Master. The
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was organized in 1764.

There were several Masonic lodges in the armies of
the Revolution. When General Sullivan's forces, num-
bering about 3000 men, were encamped at Wyoming, on
the plain where Wilkesbarre is located, a lodge met at
the marquee of Colonel Proctor, on St. John's day, which
was the 24th of June, 1779. On this occasion one of the
Rev. Dr. Smith's excellent sermons on Masonry was read
by a chaplain attached to the army. In all probability
this was the first lodge ever convened on the banks of
the Susquehanna. In a few days after this meeting the
solemn funeral ceremonies of the order were performed
over the grave of two brethren, who had been slain in
the preceding April. In April of that year a detachment

430 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

of the 11th Pennsylvania regiment, in advance of the
main army, was attacked by the savages, a few miles east
of Wilkesbarre, and Captain Davis and Lieutenant Jones,
members of the order, were killed. They were buried
where the}' fell, but in June following their remains were
disinterred and deposited, with Masonic honors, in the
Wilkesbarre graveyard. The following is the inscription
on their tombstone : —

" In memory of Captain J. Davis, of the 11th Penn-
sylvania regiment, also of Lieutenant William Jones,
who were murdered by the savages on their march to the
relief of the distressed inhabitants of Wyoming, on the
23d of April, 1779. Erected by a Friend."

The second lodge of Ancient York Masons, held within
the limits of Luzerne, was opened at the house of Jesse
Fell, in Wilkesbarre, February 27th, 1791. Geo. Seytz
officiated as W. M., J. P. Schott, S. W., Peter Grubb, J.
W., and Arnold Colt, Secretary.

On the following St. John's day, the lodge marched
in procession to the court-house, where a sermon was
preached by the Rev. Mr. Drake, who, in connection with
the Rev. Brother Cox and the Rev. William Bishop,
appears to have been the officiating chaplain, for a num-
ber of years.

On the 23d of December, 1799, the death of General
Washington was announced to the lodge, and on the 27th
the fraternity assembled in the court-house, to hear an
appropriate eulogium from Roswell Wells, Esq. Several
years ago, during the anti-masonic excitement, many con-
tended that Washington had never been a Mason, but
the fact is too well attested to be doubted by any one of
ordinary intelligence.

In 1804, the lodge rented a room in the court-house,
for which they annually paid the sum of ten dollars, and

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 431

thenceforth they ceased to hold their meetings at the
house of Judge Fell. In the same public building were
held religious meetings, balls, political assemblies, and
even the markets.

The forcible abduction of Morgan, in the state of New
York, as the story was told to the world, excited a vio-
lent prejudice in the public mind against the order of
Masonry. Many absurd and ridiculous statements were
put in circulation in connection with this matter, which
were eagerly swallowed by the multitude. Designing
demagogues forced the question of secret societies into
the political arena. By raising a hue and cry against
Masonry they hoped to secure positions of honor and
trust for themselves. In many instances they were suc-
cessful. A great number of lodges throughout the Union
ceased to work, or to sustain an organization, so violent
had become the ferment in the public mind. The last
regular meeting of the lodge at Wilkesbarre, No. 61, was
held August 12th, 1832. Among the earlier members of
this lodge we find the names of Jonathan Hancock,
Zebulon Marcy, Eleazar Blackman, F. Depuy, James
Campbell, Josiah AVright, Samuel Jameson, Peter Yar-
ington, Charles Miner, Joseph Wright, Oliver Helme,
Isaac Bowman, J. and E. Bulkely, Caleb Hoyt, Asa
Dimock, Ezekiel Hyde, and Stephen Tuttle.

In 1844, the lodge was reorganized, Isaac Bowman act-
ing as P. M., Andrew Beaumont, W. M., Henry Petti-
bone, S. W., John Turner, J. W., Hezekiah Parsons,
Treasurer, and Henry Colt, Secretary. The Lodges in the
county are as follows : —

No. 61, at Wilkesbarre.

No. 233, St. John's, at Pittston.

No. 249, at Carbondale.

No. 261, Hiram, at Providence.

432 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

No. 291, Union, at Scran ton.

No. 301, at Waverly.

No. 323, Peter Williams, at Scranton.

No. 327, at Hazleton.

No. 332, at Plymouth.

The Chapters are —

Eureka, No. 179, at Carbondale.

Shekina, No. 182, at Wilkesbarre.

Lackawanna, No. 185, at Scranton.

The Encampments are —

Palestine, No. 14, at Carbondale.

Coeur de Lion, No. 17, at Scranton.

The total membership of these lodges is about 625.
Hon. Charles Miner (deceased) and Jonathan Buckely,
Esq., were the oldest surviving members of No. 61 in 1860.

Soon after it became known to the loving, but inquisi-
tive and suspicious matrons of Luzerne, that their husbands
and sons had established a secret society, under the name
of a Masonic lodge, there was trouble in the domestic
circle. The husband held in his bosom dread secrets,
which the " partner of his joys and sorrows" could never
know ; and on stated occasions he must repair to the
lodge, where, it was rumored, infernal rites were cele-
brated. Night was the time selected for their meetings,
and it was surmised that no good could come of an insti-
tution which imposed the seal of secrecy on its members,
and chose the cover of darkness to conceal its proceedings.

Mrs. J was a high-spirited, thorough-going woman,

with many of the virtues, and some of the weaknesses of
her sex. Her husband was a respectable farmer, residing
a few miles from Wilkesbarre, and was a member of Lodge
No. 61, whither he steadily repaired to meet his brethren

of the mystic tie. Mrs. J expostulated with him on

the iniquity of his career, and the diabolical character of
the proceedings of his lodge. Her entreaties were all to

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 433

no purpose — nothing satisfactory could be extracted from
the husband, so firm and silent on this question, while on
all others he was so communicative and obliging. Finally
she resolved to adopt prompt measures in order to put a
period to his monthly visits at the lodge, " where," as she
said, " the women were shut out, and all kinds of devil-
ment were carried on." Lodge night arrived. Mr.

J being shaven and dressed, had nothing to do but

eat his mush and milk, mount his horse, and ride away
to Wilkesbarre. The mush and milk was eaten, and the
horse had been mounted, when suddenly the rider was
seized with violent cramps, and sickness at the stomach,

which was followed by severe vomiting. Mr. J was

compelled to dismount, and take the recumbent posture,

for Mrs. J had introduced a double dose of tartar

emetic into his bowl of mush and milk. She followed up
her energetic operations with the decision of a bold
spirit, until he, eventually, yielded the point, and aban-
doned the order.

" Adieu ! a heart-warm fond adieu !
Dear brothers of the mystic tie :
If I again should meet with you,

Dame J has sworn that I shall die."

ODD FELLOWSHIP.

Some writers assert that this order had its orioin in
the days of Moses ; others declare it originated from an
association in the Roman army, under Titus, called the
Society of Fellow-Citizens, to w^hom he gave the name
of Odd Fellows, from certain peculiarities which charac-
terized them.

The first lodge in England was opened in London in
1788, the formation of which suggested to Montgomery,
the poet, those beautiful lines commencing —

434 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

When Friendship, Love, and Truth abound,
Among a band of brothers," &c.

In 181 J), Thomas Wildey, a blacksmith, residing in the
city of Baltimore, published a call, through the news-
papers, for a meeting of Odd Fellows, who might happen
to be in this country. He was met, at the time and place
aj)pointed in the call, by John Welch, John Duncan, John
Cheathem, and Richard Rushworth. The result of this
meeting was the establishment of Washington Lodge,
No. 1, the first in North America.

Pennsylvania Lodge, No. 1, opened at Philadelphia,
was the first in this state, and the Grand Lodge of Penn-
sylvania was instituted in the year 1822.

On the 6th of August, 1831, a meeting of Odd Fellows
was held at the house of T. H. Morgan in Wilkesbarre,
who petitioned the Grand Lodge for a charter for a sub-
ordiiiate lodge, which was granted under the name of
Wyoming Lodge, No. 29, and this was the first lodge
opened 1n Luzerne county. The officers were Whitney
Smith, N. G., George G. West, V. G., John R. Dean and
William Hartley, Secretaries, and William Merrit, Trea-
surer.

The Lodges now in the count}^ are as follows : —

Wyoming, No. 29, at Wilkesbarre.

Cambrian, No. 58, Carbondale.

Hazel ton, No. 65, Hazelton.

Olive Leaf, No. 156, Carbondale.

Capouse, No. 170, Hyde Park.

Shickshinny, No, 180, Shickshinny.

Shawnee, No. 225, Plymouth.

Integrity, No. 234, Town Hill.

Forest, No. 251, White Haven.

Abington, No. 267, Waverly.

Lackawanna, No. 291, Scranton.

NEWSPAPERS ETC. 435

Vulcan, No. 292, South Wilkesbarre.

Conyngham, No. 308, Conyngham.

Gohonta, No. 314, Pittston.

Oneida, No. 371, Huntsville.

Archbald, No. 392, Archbald.

Hoifnung (German), No. 425, Wilkesbarre.

Benton, No. 433, Benton Centre.

White Haven, No. 457, White Haven.

Dunmore, No. 492, Dun more.

Thistle, No. 512, Pittston.

Residenz (German), No. 513, Scranton.

Butler, No. 525, Drums.

Alliance, No. 540, Scranton.

The total is 24 lodges, with an aggregate contributing
membership of 2000.

The Encampments in the county are six, viz. :

Outalissi, No. 39, at Wilkesbarre.

Beaver, No. 61, Hazelton.

Scrantonia, No. 81, Scranton.

Gohonta, No. 96, Pittston.

White Haven, No. 122, White Haven.

Armin (German), No. 124, Scranton.

Besides the two chief orders of Masonry and Odd Fel-
lowship, there are other societies of inferior note in the
county. We mention

The Herman Beneficial Society (German), which was
established at Wilkesbarre, in 1846, and was named in
honor of the Duke of the Cheruskers, a German tribe of
people. Herman was the Washington of Germany.

The Wyoming Beneficial Society (German), established
at Wilkesbarre, in 1848, chiefly through the exertions
of Captain John Reichart.

The Ladies' Beneficial Society (German), organized at
Wilkesbarre, in 1858.

436 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

The Mechanics' Beneficial Association (German), or-
ganized at Wilkesbarre, in 1859.

The Jewish Benevolent Society, established at Wilke-s-
barre, in 1858, for the relief of suffering Jews. ^

The Lackawanna Beneficial Society, organized at Scran-
ton, in 1851, Bernard Ofner, president.

The Hibernia Beneficial Society, organized at Pittston,
in 1852, Michael Reap, president.

It may not be amiss to note that on the 16th of July,
1832, an anti-tobacco meeting was held in Wilkesbarre.
John P. Babb was called to the chair, and William B.
Norton was appointed secretary. The meeting was ad-
dressed by Dr. D. N. Scott, Ovid F. Johnson, and Luther
Kidder, Esqs. A committee, consisting of Dr. T. W.
Miner, J. P. Babb, Dr. E. L. Boyd, and Dr. D. N. Scott,
was appointed to draft a constitution. Messrs. Kidder,
Johnson, and Miner constituted a committee to prepare
an address for the next meeting. But the organization
of this society w^as never perfected. The day will pro-
bably come when a general movement will be made,
among the enlightened and observing, against the use of
tobacco. It is making sad inroads on the health, the
spirits, and usefulness of multitudes in all ranks of society.
The mental and moral manifestations induced by its abuse
are very similar to those consequent on the use of ardent
spirits. When that day comes the feeble effort, here
recorded, to oppose this evil, will possess interest in the
eye of the philanthropist.

On the 11th day of February, 1858, Dr. C. F. Ingham,
Dr. W. F. Dennis, E. L. Dana, J. P. Dennis, G. P. Par-
rish, Wm. P. Miner, S. Woodward, H. M. Hoyt, G. B.
Nicholson, C. E. Wright, W. H. Beaumont, S. Bowman,
S. S. Winchester, J. B. Conyngham, and others, met at
the Old Fell Tavern, in Wilkesbarre, to celebrate the

NEWSPAPERS, ETC. 437

fiftieth anniversary of the successful experiment of burn-
ing anthracite coal in a grate. The old grate, with which
Judge Fell experimented, was procured and set up in the
fire-place, and a bright coal fire was soon glowing, and
warming the assembled company. At this meeting it
was proposed to establish a Historical Society, and the
proposition meeting general approval, a committee was
appointed to draft a constitution, to be presented at the
next meeting, to be held at Templar Hall.

It is to be regretted that a historical and geological
society was not formed in this county many years ago,
while a number of the early settlers were yet living, and
at a period when many curious relics of former ages, now
beyond our reach, might have been procured and pre-
served among us. The writer collected, in Wyoming
Valley many years ago, a large number of Indian curi-
osities, which are now deposited in the British Museum.
There are numerous articles of interest in the Philadel-
phia, New York, and New England cabinets, which were
procured in Luzerne county.

On the 10th of May, 1858, the Wyoming Historical and
Geological Society received corporate privileges, and soon
after rented the present cabinet-room on Franklin Street,
Captain E. L. Dana having been elected the first president.
This room, it Avas supposed, would be sufficiently large for
the wants of the society for many years to come. But,
owing to the praiseworthy exertions of the cabinet com-
mittee, and to the liberal donations of many gentlemen
and ladies in and out of the county, it is now full and
overflowing with a great variety of rare and valuable speci-
mens of minerals, shells, coin, Indian relics, &c. The society
is in possession of the valuable collection of H. A. Cham-
bers, of Carbondale, who spent twenty years in gathering
valuable curiosities of ancient and modern times, espe-

438 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

ciallj coins and medals, of which he had upwards of 3000
pieces.

The society is indebted to General Wm. S. Ross, of
Wilkesbarre, for this cabinet of rare curiosities. With a
public spirit and a liberality seldom equaled, the General
purchased the entire collection of Mr. Chambers for $2000,
and presented it to the society. It forms a nucleus about
which a great collection will eventually be gathered, inter-
esting not to the antiquary alone, but to the people of all
classes of society.

CHAPTER XIV.
ROADS, MAILS, AND STAGES.

The first settlers from Connecticut, who came to Wyo-
ming in 1762 and 1763, crossed the Hudson at or near
Newburg, and proceeding westward, passed the Delaware
at its junction with Shohola Creek. From this point they
followed an Indian path along Roaring Brook to the
Lackawanna river, and thence by another Indian path to
the place of destination. The emigrants of 1769 followed
the same route, but, being accompanied by carts drawn
by oxen, they were compelled to use the axe, and from
this period we date the first wagon-road from the Dela-
ware to the North Branch of the Susquehanna,

In October, 1772, at a meeting of the settlers, held in
the valley, Messrs. Jenkins, Goss, Carey, Gore, and Stew-
art were appointed a committee to collect money by sub-
scription to improve the road. The work was commenced
in the following November, and prosecuted to completion
in 1774.

The road through Kingston, parallel with the river,
and 6 rods or 99 feet in width, was laid out in 1770,
but as it did not connect with the east side of the river,
another road was opened through the Kingston flats,
crossing the Susquehanna at the head of Fish's Island,
below Wilkesbarre, and uniting with the Wilkesbarre road,
near the present residence of General E. W. Sturde-
vant. A road was also laid out from Wilkesbarre to
Pittston, on the east side of the river, and ferries were

(439)

440 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

established at both of these places. The march of Sulli-
van's army from Easton to Wyoming, in 1779, opened
another road from the Delaware to the Susquehanna.
This road was afterwards improved by the settlers, and
when Luzerne county was organized in 1786, it was fur-
ther improved by funds appropriated by the court from
the county treasury, and finally became the great
thoroughfare between Philadelphia and North Eastern
Pennsylvania.

In 1787, a road was laid out from the Nescopeck Falls
to the Lehigh river, by authority of the Commonwealth,
and Evan Owen, proprietor of Berwick, was appointed to
superintend its construction. This road was completed
in 1789, forming the third line of connection between this
region and the Delaware, and the second with the Lehigh.

In 1788, the court of Luzerne county appointed Benja-
min Carpenter, Abel Pierce, Lawrence Myers, James
Sutton, Benjamin Smith, and John Dorrance, to view
and lay out additional roads in Kingston township. The
viewers for Hanover township were Christopher Hurlbut,
Shubal Bidlack, Richard Inman, Conrad Lyon, John
Hurlbut, Elisha Decker, and Nathan Nartrop. For Ply-
mouth township, Samuel Allen, Rufus Lawrence, William
Reynolds, Luke Swetland, Hezekiah Roberts, and Cor-
nelius Atherton, were appointed viewers. For Salem
township, the viewers were Nathan Beach, George R.
Taylor, George Smithers, Amos Park, Jacob Shower, and
Giles Parman.

In 1789, John Jenkins, Stephen Harding, Peter Harris,
David Smith, S. Dailey, and J. Phillips, were appointed
to view and lay out additional roads in Exeter township.
For Wilkesbarre township, the viewers were Zebulon
Butler, J. P. Schott, John Hollenback, Nathan Waller,
Abraham Westbrook, and John Carey.

ROADS, MAILS, AND STAGES. 441

In 1790, John Phillips, John Davidson, J. Blanchard,
Caleb Bates, David Brown, and J. Rosin, were appointed
viewers for Pittston township. In 1791, the viewers
appointed for Providence township were Daniel Taylor,
John Grifford, Gabriel Leggett, Isaac Tripp, James
Abbott, and Constant Searl. In 1792, William Jackson,
John Fairchild, Mason F. Alden, M. Smith, Daniel
McMullin, and A. Smith, were appointed to view and
lay out roads in Newport township. The surveyors, who
accompanied the committees and laid out the work, were
John Jenkins, Christopher Hurlbut, and Luke Swetland ;
and as other townships were formed, and other road-
viewers were appointed, their labors were extended until
all the principal roads in the county, prior to 1798, were
surveyed and in process of construction.

It is not to be supposed that these roads were smooth
and adapted to carriages such as we use for pleasure, con-
venience, or comfort in the present day. There was a
plentiful sprinkling of stumps, roots, and rocks in them,
and to travel them, with any degree of speed, was out of
the question. The streams, if bridged at all, were spanned
by round or split logs laid upon string-pieces. The
springy land and the marshes were rendered passable by-
logs laid parallel to each other, forming what is called the
corduroy road. The roads were usually laid out over the
hills, the viewers then, as now, not reflecting that " the
bale of a pot is no longer lying down than when standing
up," and that a road made around, instead of over a
hill, besides being no longer, would save the time of the
traveler and the horse-flesh of his team. When heavy
loads were not to be transported, the inhabitants generally
traveled on horseback. The lover, with his " sweet-
heart" mounted behind him, or the husband, wife, and
child on the same horse, wended their way to church, to

442 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

town, or to the social gathering, as the case might be.
Broadcloth, silks, laces, and line feathers, had not yet
found their way into these mountain regions; but the
unsojDhisticated people, clad in homespun, assembled at
the evening party for innocent enjoyment, or congregated
at the appointed place for religious services.

About the year 1783, a vehicle, called a "chair" or
" gig," with a single seat, was introduced by Colonel
Zebulon Butler from Connecticut, and, in 1808, the dear-
born, a four-wheeled carriage, made its appearance in our
valley.

TURNPIKES.

As the population, productions, and wealth of the
county increased, there was an urgent demand for better
roads, and easier communication between distant points.
In 1802, a charter was procured from the state for con-
structing the Easton and Wilkesbarre Turnpike. The
turnpike occupied a large portion of the old road, and it
was chiefly through the exertions of Arnold Colt that the
first 29 miles, reckoning from Wilkesbarre, were com-
pleted in 1806. Soon after, the whole distance from
Wilkesbarre to the Wind Gap, 46 miles, was finished at
a cost of $75,000.

In 1810, the company declared a dividend of $2.60 on
each share of $50. During the embargo, in 1812 and
1813, the farmers of Northampton county were unable to
procure plaster from the seaboard, and were compelled to
use New York plaster, which was conveyed down the
Susquehanna in arks to Wilkesbarre, and thence in sleds
and wagons over the turnpike. This additional travel
added to the dividends, which were $2.75 per share,
after deducting the increased expenditures for improve-
ments. A turnpike mania now seized the people. The

ROADS, MAILS, AND STAGES. 443

old Nescopeck and Lehigh road was transformed mto a
turnpike, under the name of the Susquehanna and Lehigh
Turnpike. The Susquehanna and Tioga Turnpike, ex-
tending from Berwick in Columbia county, opposite
Nescopeck, through Fairmount and Huntington town-
ships in Luzerne, and thence to Towanda, was constructed
at an enormous expense to the state and to individual
stockholders. The stock finally became valueless, and
the road was abandoned. Through the influence and
energy of H. W. Drinker and Thomas Meredith, Esqs.,
what is known as Drinker's Turnpike was constructed,
connecting the northern portion of this county with tlie
Easton and Wilkesbarre Turnpike at Taylorsville.

The Wilkesbarre and Bridgewater Turnpike, extending
northward, via Tunkhannock and Montrose, was also con-
structed, and in common with the other roads, except the
Easton and Wilkesbarre and the Susquehanna and Lehigh,
was abandoned by its company several years ago.

PLANK-ROADS.

Lord Sydenham, governor-general of Canada, having
observed, when in Russia, the operation of plank-roads,
brought about the construction of a similar road in his
provinces, extending eastward from Toronto. It was
completed in 1834. In 1846, the Syracuse and Central
Square Plank-road, in New York, the first in the United
States, was completed. Since that period they have been
constructed in various localities throughout the Union,
especially in lumbering countries, where materials are
cheap.

The Wilkesbarre and Providence Plank-road Company
was incorporated in 1851. The distance from Wilkes-
barre to Pittston, eight miles, was constructed at a cost

444 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

of $43,500. The balance of the road was never pLaced
under contract, and the stock has gone down from $25
per share to $4, its present value.

The Scranton and Carbondale Plank-road, constructed
in 1853-4, has been abandoned from Scranton to the
Blakely township line.

The Providence and Waverly Road is in process of
transformation from a plank to a turnpike road, leaving
the Bear Creek and Lehigh, and the Gouldsborough roads,
as the only representative's of this kind of highway in
the county.

The Bear Creek Road is 10 miles in length, extending
from Port Jenkins, the head of the Lehigh navigation, to
the Wilkesbarre and Easton Turnpike at Bear Creek.
Here it is intersected by another plank-road, 2 miles in
length, constructed by Messrs. McKean and Pursel, and
connecting with their extensive lumber-mills. This road
was built to facilitate the lumbering business, but has not
a£ yet declared a dividend.

The Gouldsborough Plank-road extends from Goulds-
borough station, on the Delaware, Lackawanna, and
Western Railroad, to Gouldsborough, a distance of about
8 miles, and, we believe, has never declared a dividend
on its stock. These roads, like many other enterprises,
while advantageous to the country, have produced little
or no profit to the j^ockets of stockholders. Improve-
ments, carried through under high speculative excite-
ment, when people invest their money without due consi-
deration and investigation, scarcely ever make a profitable
return on the capital consumed in their construction.

RAILROADS.

When coal began to be transported from the mines in
England, rails were laid from the pit's mouth to the

ROADS, MAILS, AND STAGES. 445

place of deposit, and having considerable inclination, a
single horse could draw four or five cars containing two
tons each. These were called tram-roads, the first of
which was built on the river Tyne in 1G76. In 1716,
flat iron rails laid upon wooden string-pieces w^ere intro-
duced. From this period until 1800, when the first pas-
senger railway was constructed from Stockton to Darling-
ton, in England, the improvements introduced were a
change in the flat rail, stone foundations afterwards aban-
doned, the flange first upon the rail and then upon the
wheels of the car. »

In 1825, Parliament granted a charter for a railroad
from Manchester to Liverpool, which was completed in
1830. In 1805, Captain Trevinick invented a steam-
carriage, an improvement on that invented by Watt,
several years before, but until the opening of the Man-
chester and Liverpool Road horse-power was in general
use. On the opening of that road locomotives were
steadily and successfully employed.

It has been said, heretofore, that the first railroad in
the United States was built in 1827, at Quincy, Mass.,
for the purpose of conveying granite from a quarry. But
a writer in the Historical Magazine, for July, 1859,
asserts, that the first railroad in this country was con-
structed, in 1807, at Beaconhill, Mass., by Captain Silas
Whitney, for the transportation of gravel. It was a
double-track road with two cars, one empty, which was
drawn up as the loaded one descended the hill.

The Mauch Chunk Railroad, connecting the coal-mines
with the Lehigh, was commenced and finished in 1827,
and was the first railroad in Pennsylvania.

The Mount Carbon road was commenced in 1829.
The Boston and I^owell, the Camden and Amboy, and

446 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the Philadelphia and Columbia roads, were commenced
in 1830. In 1831, the Pennsylvania Legislature char-
tered twelve railroad companies, and from that period we
may date the commencement of our railroad system,
which has connected together all the principal points in
the state.

Through the efforts of Morris and William Wurts, the
enterprising projectors of the Delaware and Hudson
Canal and Railroad Company, that work was commenced
in 1826, and completed in 1828, J. B, Jervis acting as
engineer. The canal is 108 miles in length from tide-
water on the Hudson to Honesdale. It ascends to Hones-
dale, 980 feet above tide, by means of 106 locks and 2
guard-locks. Its boats carry 125 tons, and draw 5i feet
of water. The railroad originally connected the mines
at Carbondale with the canal at Honesdale, having five
planes and stationary engines, overcoming an elevation of
850 feet, and costing, with the canal, $3,500,000. Within
a few years past the road has been extended to Archbald,
and it is now in process of extension to the newly-pur-
chased coal lands of the company, near Scranton and
Providence. This was the first railroad in Luzerne
county, and the second that was commenced in the
United States, the small road at Beaconhill, before
referred to, being the first.

The first locomotive in the United States was brought
from England soon after the completion of the Delaware
and Hudson Canal and Railroad, in 1828. It was con-
veyed through the canal and placed on the road, where
its self-moving power, as it rapidly coursed along the iron
rail, excited the unbounded astonishment of the natives.
But the bridges and trestle-work of the road proving too
frail for the great weight of the steam-horse, it was aban-
doned, and for several years lay rusting by the roadside.

ROADS, MAILS, AND STAGES. 447

A portion of this engine, we are told, is now used in a
colliery at Pittston.

The second railroad in Luzerne was commenced by the
Baltimore Coal Company in 1834, and was completed in
1835. The road extends from the mines to the canal at
Wilkesbarre, and is upwards of a mile in length. The
loaded cars advance by gravity, while the empty ones,
formerly returned by horse-power, are now moved by
steam. ,

In 1835, the Lehigh Navigation Company, originated
by Josiah White and Erskine Hazzard, extended their
improvement to White Haven, and under their charter
were required to slack water the Lehigh as far as Stod-
dartsville. • From this requirement the company was
released, on condition that it would connect the Lehigh
with the Susquehanna by railroad. The Lehigh and
Susquehanna Railroad was consequently commenced in
1838, E. A. Douglas and Lord Butler, engineers. It
would have been comj)leted in 1841, but for the extraor-
dinary floods of that year. However, it was finished in
1843, at a cost exceeding $1,350,000, and on the 23d of
May, the first train of passenger cars entered Wyoming
Valley, and the borough of Wilkesbarre. The people
were highly excited, testified by their shouts and by the
thunder of the cannon, for it was believed that a new era
of progress and improvement had dawned upon us. The
road is 20 miles in length, and is laid with the T rail.
It has three planes ascending from the Susquehanna to an
elevation of 1270 feet, and descending thence to White
Haven with a grade of 50 feet to the mile. These planes
are 4356, 3778, and 4797 feet, respectively, in length,
and the cars are drawn up by stationary steam-jDower.

The railroad of the Pennsylvania Coal Company ex-
tends from Port Griffith, on the Susquehanna, to Hawley,

448 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

on the Delaware and Hudson Canal, 9 miles below
Honesdale, and is 47 miles in length. This company
was chartered in 1830, under the name of the Washing-
ton Coal Association, which was afterwards changed to
that of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. W. R. Griffith,
Irad Hawley, and John Ewen, were the active projectors
of this great work, which was completed in 1848-9, at a
cost exceeding $2,000,000. James Archbald and W. R.
Maffet were the engineers. The coal is conveyed in cars
drawn by stationary steam-power, up the planes, of which
there are twelve, ascending to a summit of about 900 feet,
and the empty cars are returned by another track having
ten planes.

The Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad
extends, by way of Scranton, from Great Bend, where it
connects Avith the New York and Erie road, to a point 5
miles beloAv the Delaware Water Gap. It is 115 miles in
length. The northern division, from Scranton to Great
Bend, was commenced and completed under the general
superintendence of Colonel George W. Scranton, in 1851,
E. McNeill, engineer. The southern division of 65 miles
from Scranton to the eastern terminus, where it connects
with the New Jersey railroads, was finished in 1856, and
on the 21st day of January in that year the first pas-
senger train passed over the road. It cost $4,000,000,
and is of the New York or wide gauge. It has heavy
grades, the highest point of the road being 1100 feet
above Scranton, and 1800 feet above tide-water.

The Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad extends
from Rupert, on the Catawissa, Williamsport, and _^ Erie
road, by the way of Bloomsburg and Berwick, in Colum-
bia county, and the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys
to Scranton. Its length is 58 miles. It was commenced
in 1854, E. McNeill, engineer, and wuh finished in 1857,

ROADS, MAILS, AND STAGES. 449

at a cost of $1,100,000. The grade is easy, as it follows
the course of the Susquehanna and Lackawanna rivers,
being about 3i feet per niile.^^

The Lackawanna Railroad extends from Greenville,
on the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western road, to
Archbald, 12 miles. It was finished in 1857, at a cost
of about $300,000.

Hazelton, Eckley, Black Creek, and Jeans ville, are
connected with Mauch Chunk and the Lehigh Valley
road, by means of railroads, upon which coal and passen-
gers are conve3'ed.

The aggregate length of the railroads, before enume-
rated, is 307 miles, of which 163 miles are within the
limits of Luzerne county, and the cost of the same, in-
cluding their equipments, together with the cost of the
Delaware and Hudson Canal, and the works of the Lehigh
Coal and Navigation Company, exceeds $18,000,000. If
to this we add the cost of the North Branch Canal, we
have a sum exceeding $22,000,000, expended in means
for conveying to market the products of our coal-fields.^^ .

MAILS AND STAGES.

The first account we have of posts, or of news and letter-
carriers, dates back more than 2200 years, to the days of
Darius I. of Persia, who established post-riders, in the most
populous portions of his empire, stationed at the distance
of a day's journey apart. Augustus Cassar, also, about
the commencement of the Christian era, established a
regular system of posts in the Roman empire. For several
hundred years messages were transmitted on horseback,
as occasion required, through Europe, and it was not
until 1543 that a regular mail was sent from one point
to another. This was between London and Edinburgh.

450

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

MAIL COACH.

In 1581 Thomas Randolph was chosen the first Post-
master-General of England. The invention of mail-
coaches, by Mr. Palmer, enabled the English government
to convey its mails with convenience and despatch.

In 1683 William Penn opened a post-office at Philadel-
phia, and appointed Henry Waldy postmaster. A weekly
post-route was established between that place and New
Castle, Chester, and other settlements, and the rates of
postage varied from five to nine pence. Notice of the
times of the arrival and departure of the mail was carefully
posted on the meeting-house door and other public places.

The British government, in 1G92, adopted preliminary
measures for the conveyance of the mails in the colonies.
In 1700 Colonel John Hamilton, of New Jersey, devised
a post-office system, for which he obtained a patent,
which he disposed of to tlie Crown. From this period
until 1755, when Benjamin Franklin was made Postmas-
ter-General, there was no improvement in the system.
The mails were carried on horseback, between Boston,
New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, and occupied
several days in passing from place to place. The time
from Boston to Baltimore was reckoned by weeks. Frank-

ROADS, MAILS, AND STAGES. 451

lin introduced some judicious changes, and materially
improved the system.

In 1756 John Butler engaged to run a stage, in three
days, from Philadelphia to New York, by the way of
Perth Amboy and Trenton. In 1765 a second line of
stages was j)laced on this route, and the fare was reduced
to two pence per mile. The stages were covered Jersey
wagons without springs. In the same year a weekly line
was established between Philadelphia and Baltimore, and
soon after a third line of stages, with spring seats, was
put on between Philadelphia and New York, through in
summer in two days, and in winter in three days ; fare,
20 shillings. Letters for Montgomery, Chester, and
Bucks counties were delivered, to be called for, at the
post-ofiice at Philadelphia.

In 1775 the system passed under the jurisdiction of
the Federal Government. From a few thousand dollars,
the expenses of this important department of government
have increased to many millions per annum. Franklin,
in 1757, received $1000 salary as Postmaster-General,
but now (1866) the postmasters at Scranton and Wilkes-
barre receive each about 1800.

In 1777 a post-route, once in two weeks, was opened
between Wyoming and Hartford in Connecticut, and
Prince Bryant was engaged as post-rider for nine months.
The expenses of this route were defrayed by private sub-
scription. During the Pennamite and Yankee war, all
letters and communications were sent by private messen-
gers, or by persons employed on private subscription.
On one occasion, Abigail, the wife of Lieutenant John
Jameson, left Wyoming for Easton, where her father,
Major Prince Alden, with upwards of twenty other Con-
necticut settlers, was confined in jail. The letters in-
tended for the prisoners were carefully folded and con-

452 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

cealed in her roll (the hair in those days being done up
in a roll), on the top of her head. As she passed along
the Indian path, at night, she was discovered and arrested,
near Bear Creek, by Colonel Patterson, the Pennamite
commander. The letters in her roll escaped the observa-
tion of the suspicious Pennamite, and she was permitted
to pass without further molestation. She arrived safely
in Easton, and communicated the state of affairs at home
to her father and other prisoners.

After the civil war, and the organization of Luzerne
county, a weekly mail was forwarded between Wilkes-
barre and Easton. In 1797 Clark Behe, the post-rider,
informed the public, through the Wilkesbarre Gazette,
that as he carried the mail, once a week, to Easton, he
would also carry passengers, "when the sleighing is
good," at $2.50 each. During the same year the mail
was carried, on horseback, once a week, from Wilkes-
barre via Nanticoke, Newport, and Nescopeck to Berwick,
returning via Huntington and Plymouth. The only
authorized post-office in the county was at Wilkesbarre,
and all letters and papers for Nescopeck, Huntington, and
other places in Luzerne, were left at certain private houses
designated by the Wilkesbarre postmaster.

In 1798, a mail was run, once in two weeks, between
Wilkesbarre and Great Bend ; and, in the following year,
a weekly route was opened between Wilkesbarre and
Owego, in New York. These routes were sustained
chiefly, if not altogether, by private subscription, like
those of the early, settlers ; the subscribers to newspapers
paying as high as 50 cents per quarter to the mail car-
rier.

Jonathan Hancock rode post from Wilkesbarre to Ber-
wick in the year 1800 j and, in 1803, Charles* Mowery

ROADS, MAILS, AND STAGES. 458

and a man named Peck carried the mail, on foot, once in
two weeks, from Wilkesbarre to Tioga.

In 1806, Messrs. Robison & Arndt commenced running
a two-horse stage, once a week, between Wilkesbarre and
Easton, through in a day and a half; fare $3.50. The
stages from Easton to Philadelphia ran through in one
(iay.

In 1810, Conrad Teter contracted with government to
carry the mail, once a week, in stages, from Sunbury to
Painted Post, by the way of Wilkesbarre and Athens.
He, however, sold his interest in the route from Sunbury
to Wilkesbarre to Miller Horton, but ran the other por-
tion himself until 1816. In that year Miller, Jesse and
Lewis Horton opened a new era in stage-coach traveling,
and in carrying the mails in Northern Pennsylvania.
These enterprising brothers contracted, in 1824, to carry
the mails, in four-horse coaches, from Baltimore to Owego,
by way of Harrisburg, Sunbury, Wilkesbarre, and Mont-
rose ; and from Philadelphia to Wilkesbarre, via Easton. .
They also contracted to carry the mails from New York
city to Montrose, by way of Newark and Morristown in
New Jersey, and Milford in Pennsylvania. Post-offices
were established at Plymouth, Kingston, Pittston, Tunk-
hannock. Providence, and other places in the county ;
and comfortable and substantial four-horse coaches rolled
daily and rapidly over our highways. Our post-offices*
have gone on increasing until they now number 77.
The state of Delaware has but 76 post-offices, and the
state of Rhode Island has only 87, ten more than Lu-
zerne comity.

There was something exhilarating in the sight of those
large four-horse coaches, as they rolled into town, with

* For names of the earliest post-oflBces and postmasters, see Appendix, V.

454 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the blast of the driver's horn, and the crack of his long
lash. Proud of his steeds, and proud of his skill, with
the lives of many intrusted to his charge, the driver, in
those days, was no unimportant personage. Philip Ab-
bott was the driver of Robison & Arndt's two-horse stage
in 1806 ; but no driver, in this section of country, has
equal fame with George Root, who drove stage for up-
wards of forty years.

Conrad Teter was a large, fat man of a jovial disposi-
tion, and desirous of making a favorable impression on
strangers. He drove stage — his own stage — up the river.
He took pleasure in pointing out his farms to the pas-
sengers. He frequently informed them, as he passed the
large residence and farm of Colonel Benjamin Dorrance,
in Kingston, that he was the owner ; and if asked, why
he drove stage, would reply, that he loved to rein four
horses and drive, but had no taste for farming.

The Indian path, the common road with its rocks and
stumps, the gig, the Durham boat, and the old stage-
coaches, have disappeared. In their places we have the
iron track, the locomotive, the steamboat, and the tele-
graph. The next hundred years will probably produce
changes equally marked ; for no Almighty fiat has yet
gone forth, addressed to the human mind — Thus far shalt
thou go, but no farther.

CHAPTER XV.
NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA.

In the year 1771, the Provincial Assembly of Penn-
sylvania passed an act declaring the Susquehanna river a
public highway. Portions of the lands along the river
had been settled and cultivated for many years, and the
inhabitants needed some commodious avenue to market
for their grain and other products. They proposed to
pay a certain proportion of the money required to render
the river navigable. The Assembly appropriated an ad-
ditional sum, and appointed commissioners to superintend
the work. The gravel bars were cleared away, stumps
and trees taken out, a channel opened, and towing-paths
constructed along the rapids. Somewhat different from
public operations of more modern times, the river was
ready for navigation in a few months, from Wrightsville
to Wyoming. Not many years later a way for trade was
opened from the Chesapeake to the New York line.

The first transportation boat used on the river was
called the Durham boat, from the town of Durham, on
the Delaware, a few miles below Easton. This boat was
built at that place about the year 1750.

The Delaware boats were sixty feet in length, eight
feet in width, and two feet in depth, and when laden
with fifteen tons' weight drew twenty inches of water.
The stem and bow were sharp, on which were erected
small decks, while a running board extended the whole

(455)

456

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

length of the boat on each side. They carried a mast
with two sails, and were manned by a crew of five men,
one at the stern with a long oar for steering, and two on
each side with setting-poles for pushing them forward.

DURHAM BOAT.

The Susquehanna boats were of similar construction,
but larger, and manned by a more numerous crew.

With one end of their long poles set in the water, and
the other against their muscular shoulders, these hardy
boatmen toiled the livelong day, forcing their way
against a rapid current, at the rate of from one to two
miles an hour. Their labor was severe, but not devoid
of enjoyment. The anecdote, the jest, and the merry
song, beguiled the hours of these hardy sons of toil. By
these boats the surplus produce of the country was taken
to Harrisburg and Middletown, and transported thence
by turnpike to Philadelphia, and exchanged for merchan-
dise and such articles as were needed in the interior.

But as trade increased rapidly, a more expeditious

NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA. 451

means of transportation was sought after. Several efforts
were made to introduce improvements in the construction
of boats, and, among others, Isaac A. Chapman, Esq.,
built at Nescopeck what was called a team-boat, that is
one propelled by poles, set in motion by horse-power
machinery. When the " Experiment" was completed,
Captain Chapman set out from Nescopeck on a trial-trip
to Wilkesbarre, where he arrived July 4th, 1824. He
was greeted by the people assembled on the bank, and
saluted by Captain Barnum's company of volunteers. It
was thought the old boats would be supplanted by the
new, but after being thoroughly tested they were aban-
doned.

STEAMBOATS.

Several countries have claimed the honor of the first
invention of steamboats, but it properly belongs to the
United States.

STERN-WHEEL BOAT.

Rumsey and Fitch contrived models of the steamboat
as early as 1773, and in 1784 exhibited them with their
improvements to General Washington. In 1791, a steam-
boat was constructed by John Stephens of Hoboken, and,
in 1797, another was built by Chancellor Livingston, on
the Hudson. Watt's engine was used in these boats, and
was attached to poles and paddles. They moved at the
rate of from three to five miles an hour.

458 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

In 1803, the paddle-wheel boat was invented by Fulton,
and was first experimented with on the river Seine, in
I'rance, in which he was encouraged and assisted by Mr.
Livingston, then minister from the United States. The
experiment proving satisfactory, Fulton went to England
and purchased one of Watt's best engines. He brought
it to the United States, and, in 1807, set in operation the
first successful paddle-wheel boat propelled by steam.

In 1812, steamboats were first introduced into England,
and, in 1816, the first steamer crossed the English Chan-
nel to Havre. In 1815, a line of steam-packets was
established between New York city and Providence,
Rhode Island, and in 1818 between New York and New
Orleans. In 1819, the first steamship crossed the Atlantic
from the United States to England, and in 1825 the first
steamer made her trip from England to Calcutta.

In the summer of 1825, three steamboats were built
for the express purpose of experimenting on the Susque-
hanna, and, if possible, to establish the practicability of
its navigation by steam. The " Codorus," built at York,
or York Haven, by Messrs. Davis, Gordon & Co., was the
first to stem the rapid current of the Susquehanna. She
was constructed mostly of sheet-iron, and was sixty feet
long, nine feet beam, and, when laden with her machinery
and fifty passengers, drew only eight inches of water.
Her engine was ten-horse power, and, with a stern-
wheel, she moved at the rate of four miles an hour
against the current. In the spring of 1826, Captain
Elger commenced, with this steamboat, his voyage from
York Haven. Proceeding up the Susquehanna, he was
cheered, at every point, by crowds of people, who rushed
to the shores to see the strange boat that traveled with-
out poles, oars, or sails. After encountering and over-
coming many difficulties, the Codorus reached the Nanti-

NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA. 459

coke Falls. The news of her near approach was carried
to Wilkesbarre, and soon all was bustle and confusion.
Men, women, and children hurried over to the great
common in front of the town, the cannon was made
ready, and every eye was turned towards Fish's Island.
In a short time the gallant little boat turned the point at
the head of the island, and, dashing forward, came to
anchor in front of the assembled multitude. Prolons-ed
shouts of joy, ringing of bells, and the thunder of the
cannon, greeted its arrival. This was the 12th day of
April, 1826.

The next day, by invitation of Captain Elger, about
fifty of the citizens of the town went on board, and en-
joj^ed a delightful excursion to Forty Fort, and returned
full of confidence that the undertaking would prove
successful. It was believed that a new era in the internal
commerce of the country had now commenced, and that
the Susquehanna, like the Ohio, was destined to become
a great thoroughfare for steamboats.

Proceeding up the river. Captain Elger, in a few days,
reached Binghamton, from which place the Codorus
commenced her return trip, arriving in York Haven after
a voyage of four months. In his report to the company
Captain Elger stated, that he was opposed to any further
efforts to navigate the river by steam, as he believed it
to be entirely impracticable.

The " Susquehanna," the second steamboat, was built
at Baltimore, by a company of enterprising gentlemen,
who were anxious to secure for their growing city the
trade of the Susquehanna river. She was commanded
by Captain Collins of that city. Her entire length from
stem to stern was eighty-two feet, while her stern-wheels
were each four and a half feet in diameter. With an
engine of thirty horse power, and one hundred passen-

460 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

gers, she drew twenty-two inches of water, or fourteen
inches more than the Codorus. Three commissioners,
Messrs. EUicott, Patterson, and Morris, were appointed to
superintend the experiment, and all things being in readi-
ness, she started on her trial trip. As she was a much
larger and heavier boat than the Codorus, she advanced
with great difficulty. After encountering innumerable
obstacles she arrived at the Nescopeck Falls, opposite
Berwick, on the afternoon of May 3d, 182G. The ascent
of these rapids was looked upon as the most difficult part
of the undertaking. The three commissioners and all the
passengers, except about twenty, left the boat, and walked
along the shore. A quantity of rich pine-wood had been
procured for the occasion, and with a full head of steam,
the dangerous passage was commenced. The banks of
the river were crowded with spectators from the villages
of Berwick, Nescopeck, and from the surrounding country.
The angry waters seemed to dash with redoubled fury
against the rocks and against the devoted boat, afe if
aware of the strife. Trembling from stem to stern, the
noble craft slowly advanced, cheered by a thousand
voices, until she reached the middle, and most difficult
point of ascent. Here her headway ceased. The multi-
tude stood silent on the shores, watching with intense
anxiety the boat and her passengers. In a few moments
she turned slightly towards the shore, and struck a rock.
Her boiler immediately burst with an explosion, that
sent the dreadful intelligence of her fate many miles
throughout the surrounding country. Shattered, broken,
and on fire, all that remained of the " Susquehanna" was
carried down the conquering tide. The mangled bodies
of her passengers and crew, dead and dying, lay upon
her decks, or had been blown into the river. Men with
ropes rushed into the stream to their shoulders, to save

NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA. 461

the unhappy survivors from a watery grave. The rescued
sufferers were taken into Berwick, where they received
the kind attentions of a sympathizing community. The
writer, then a small boy, was an eye-witness of this awful
scene. The bodies of several persons were placed in a
large room in the hotel of Mr. John Jones. What there
presented itself will never be erased from our memory —
the bloodstained floor — the mangled, scalded bodies — the
groans and dying words of men far from home and
kindred.

Colonel Joseph Paxton of Cattawissa, who was on
board, in a letter to the writer says, " With our rich
pine we succeeded in raising a full head of steam, and
set off in fine style to ascend the rapids. The strength
of the current soon checked our headway, and the boat,
flanking towards the right bank of the river, struck a
rock. I stood on the forward-deck with a long ash pole
in my hand, and was in the act of placing it in the water
hoping to steady her, when the explosion took place.
Two young men standing near me were blown high into
the air, and I was hurled several yards from the boat
into the water. I thought a cannon had been fired, and
shot my head off. When in the water I thought I must
certainly drown, but, making a desperate effort, succeeded
in reaching the shore. I was badly scalded, and lost my
hair and a portion of my scalp."

Doctors Headlej^ Wilson, and Jackson, of Berwick,
were actively engaged rendering all the medical assist-
mce in their power. The citizens generally, especially
the ladies, ministered to the wants and comforts of the
suffering.

John Turk and Ceber Whitemarsh of Green, New York,
were killed instantly. William Camp of Owego died in
a few hours, and his remains were conveyed to his family.

462 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Mr. Maynard, the engineer, lingered a day or two and
died. He died in the triumphs of the Christian faith.
He was a resident of Baltimore, and a class-leader in the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The fireman, a brave little
fellow, was most severely scalded, but recovered.

William Fitch and David Rose, of Chenango county,
N, Y., were scalded and severely wounded.

Colonel Paxton and C. Brobst, of Catawissa, and Jere-
miah Miller, of Perry county, were severely scalded.
Messrs. Woodside, Colt, and Underwood, of Danville ;
Foster, Hurley, and Barton, of Bloomsburg ; Benjamin
Edwards and Isaac Lacey, of Luzerne county, were
slightly scalded.

"The Pioneer," the third boat, made its experiment
on the West Branch of the Susquehanna. Her officers
reported adversely, and here ended for a time all furtlier
attempts to navigate the Susquehanna by steam.

All eyes now turned towards the construction of a
canal, as the only feasible means by which to reach the
seaboard with the accumulating productions of the coun-
try. A considerable appropriation of money, for this
purpose, had been made in February, 1826, by the Gene-
ral Assembly of Pennsylvania, and immediately after the
failure of steamboat navigation the work was commenced
on the lower division of the canal. The North Branch
Canal, commenced in 1828, and completed to the Lacka-
wanna in 1834, progressed but slowly beyond that point.
Several gentlemen being anxious to introduce anthracite
coal as soon as possible into the state of New York,
resolved to make another experiment in steamboat navi-
gation on the Susquehanna.

In 1834, Colonels Henry F. Lamb, G. M. Hollenback,
and others of Wilkesbarre, and Messrs. Pompely, Hollen-
back, and others of Owego, built a steamer at the latter

NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA. 463

place at a cost of $13,000. They namefl her " The Sus-
quehanna." She was a strong, well-made boat, with a
fine engine of fort}^ horse power, and made her first trip
from Owego to Wilkesbarre, a distance of one hundred
miles, in less than eight hours. She arrived at the latter
place on the 7th of August, 1835. Laden with coal,
she made a successful return trip, greatly encouraging
the expectations of her proprietors. On her second trip
to Wilkesbarre for a cargo of coal, she made an excur-
sion to the Nanticoke dam, and, breaking her shaft, was
anchored in the Eddy, at the Outlet Lock, where she
afterwards sunk and was abandoned.

The completion of the North Branch Canal being still
delayed, a company was formed at Tunkhannock, which
constructed another steamer, and named her " AVyoming."
She was launched in the spring of 1849, and placed under
the command of Captain Oilman Converse, an experi-
enced navigator, who had superintended her construction.
Her length was 128 feet, and her beam 22 feet. With a
stern-wheel of 16 feet and two engines, she was propelled
up the stream, laden with forty tons of coal, at the rate
of four miles an hour. During the years 1849, 1850, and
1851, when there was sufficient water in the channel, she
was constantly employed in transporting coal from Wyo-
ming Valley to Athens, and other places on the river.
But finally she was abandoned, like her predecessors, for
the enterprise was found to be unprofitable.

It remained for the citizens of Bainbridge, New York,
to make the last effort in deciding the practicability of
steam navigation on the Susquehanna. A stock company
was formed, and Captain Converse was employed to con-
struct and command the " Enterprise." The keel of the
Enterprise was 95 feet, and her beam 24 feet. With a
stern-wheel of 14 feet, put in motion by a powerful en-

464 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

gine, she carried 40 tons of coal, at the rate of four miles
an hour, from Wilkesbarre to Athens. She was launched
in 1851, and, in three months of successful navigation,
paid to her owners three thousand dollars. Successive
rains had supj)lied the river with water sufficient for navi-
gation during the spring months, and the boat was kept
in constant employment. But when the rains ceased, and
the river found its usual low water mark, the Enterprise
lay high and dry on the shore. Her machinery rusted,
the sun's rays opened her seams, and she soon became unfit
for service. No further attempts of the kind have been
made, and thus has ended steamboat navigation on the
Susquehanna.

It has been thought by many intelligent and compe-
tent judges that a slack-water navigation should have been
constructed on this broad and usually shallow river, admit-
ting the passage of steamers of 500 tons burthen. This
was the opinion of far-seeing men in 1826, when the first
survey for the canal was made, but they were overruled.

Such an improvement would enable our coal operators
to deliver coal at Boston, and all the sea-board cities,
without transhipment, and at a reduced price.

SHIP-BUILDING.

It was imagined, at a very early day, by some persons
in Luzerne, that large vessels could be built on the banks
of the Susquehanna, and floated down, at the time of
high water, to the sea-board. It was supposed that thus
the ship-yards of the cities and seaport towns would be
transferred, with their artisans, to the interior, to the
great profit of the country people.

To test the practicability of the theory, Messrs. J. P.
Arndt & Philip established a ship-yard on the public
common in Wilkesbarre, and in 1803 launched the first

NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA.

465

craft, a sloop of 12 tons burden. They named it "The
John Franklin," in honor of that indomitable and uncom-
promising adherent of Yankee rights. The sloop reached
tide-water in safety, and a flattering prospect of ship-
building seemed to open to the citizens of the interior. A
stock company was formed at Wilkesbarre, but it did not
commence operations until 1811, when the first ship, as
it was called, was placed upon the stocks. Sanguine
spirits looked forward with confidence to the speedy
reaUzation of their dreams. The great common was to
be converted into a grand ship-yard, and Wilkesbarre and
all the towns along the river were to become flourishing
cities. Town lots and timber lands advanced in price,
and hopeful smiles beamed from the countenances of pro-
perty holders, especially of holders of stock in the ship-
building company. In April, 1812, the ship was com-
pleted. The following is a description of its launch, as
recorded in the " Gleaner" of April 12 of that year : —
" Last Friday was the day on which the launch of the

vessel on the stocks in this port was announced. A
30

466 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

scene so extraordinary, 200 miles from the tide-waters
of the river, raised the curiosity of every one. The old
sailor, and the inhabitants of the sea-board, whom the
vicissitudes of fortune had settled in this sylvan retreat,
and to whom such scenes had once been familiar, felt all
the interest so naturally excited by events that called up
early and interesting recollections. The novelty to those
who had never witnessed such a view, excited curiosity
to the highest degree. The importance of the experi-
ment too did not fail to augment the general solicitude,
for on its success depended the important consideration
whether the timber of our mountains could be profitably
employed in ship-building, and our country be beautified
by the increase of business which such a pursuit would
naturally produce. On the Sunday preceding the inter-
esting day, a beautiful new pair of colors was displayed
from the stern, according to universal usage, as a token
that in the course of the week she would be launched.
From Monday till Friday all was bustle and activity.
Early on Friday people began to gather from all parts of
the country. The cannon on the bank at noon gave
notice tbat everything was in preparation. A little after
two, repeated discharges announced that all was ready.
The bank of the river, far above and below the vessel,
was lined with persons of both sexes, and it was not
among the least gratifications of the day to observe the
smile of pleasure mingled with anxiety for the success of
the launch, which was evident in every countenance. A
little after three the increased bustle and noise around
the vessel, and the sound of sledges and axes, gave the
interesting notice that they were knocking away the
block. The vessel was built on the bank of the river
100 feet from the water, and 15 feet perpendicular height
above it, so that she had a considerable distance to move.

NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA. 467

She measures between 50 and 60 tons. Her colors were
flying from her stern, and nearly thirty persons were on
board. The after block was knocked away — all was
anxiety — but she did not move.

" The news of the embargo had just come to town, and
she seemed aware that there was no business for her on
the ocean, and she might as well lie in dry dock. The
men on board all gathered near her bow, and then ran in
a body to the stern. She started, moving for half a
minute slowly. Her velocity increased, and she slid
most gracefully into her destined element, amid the
shouts of thousands. As she met the water. Captain
Chapman christened her in the usual style ' The Luzerne,
of Wilkesbarre.' Nothing could be more beautiful, and
every spectator was amply gratified. Great credit is due
to Mr. Mack, the shipwright who built her, and under
whose superintendence she was launched, and to Mr.
Arndt, the principal proprietor, who has been chiefly
active in her building. We hope her voyage down the
crooked and rocky Susquehanna may be safe, though our
hopes are not without some fears for her safety, as she
draws, without ballast, four feet of water."

In a few days this vessel left the Port of Wilkesbarre,
on her downward passage to the ocean, and to the con-
sternation of all on board she was dashed to pieces on
the rocks at Conawaga Falls, near Middletown. With
her were wrecked the hopes of her stockholders, together
with the fond anticipations of timber-land and town-lot
speculators. Thus failed a bold undertaking, which cost
the enterprising citizens of Luzerne, and particularly
those of Wilkesbarre, no small sum of money. It seems
strange that with a full knowledge of the shallowness
of the Susquehanna, men should have engaged in the
hazardous experiment of building a ship of sixty tons.

468 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

two h Lindred miles from tide-water. Half a century has
wrought a great change in the business affairs of the
people of this region. The timber of Luzerne fifty years
ago was to the inhabitants of that period, what anthracite
coal is to the people of the i3resent day. And ship-build-
ing occupied the same relationship to the timber of the
country then, that the iron manufacture does to the coal
now. We evidently enjoy a high advantage over our
fathers. The clouds may withhold their rains, and the
Susquehanna may show us her dark and rocky bed, but
that will not prevent the miner from dragging the blaclc
treasure from the bowels of the earth, nor its conveyance
to the distant nuirkets of the land.

LUMBER, RAFTS, AND ARKS.

Since 1794, and particularly after experience had
shown the impracticability of ship-building in the inte-
rior, for the consumption of our timber at home, the
Susquehanna has been the great channel or avenue for
supplying the lower markets with lumber. Our river
has furnished the timbers, masts, and spars of ships built
in Baltimore and in other seaports, and has . brought to
the mechanics of Philadelphia, Lancaster, and of various
other places in Pennsylvania and Maryland, the materials
wherewith to erect thousands of dwellings, the lowly cot-
tage and the lofty palace. Seventy years ago a raft of
sawed lumber had not yet been seen on the Susquehanna.
However, in 1796, thirty rafts passed down the river, but
not a single ark floated on its waters until the year 1800.
The first object of the early settlers was to clear the land
for agricultural purposes, and there being no demand for
lumber, or means of manufacturing it into boards, timber
of the best quality was rolled into heaps and consumed

NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA. 469

by fire. In a few years, however, after the country be-
came settled, a farmer here and there would erect a saw-
mill, and would manufacture lumber from the good timber
cut on his annual clearings. It was not long before the
surplus was floated to market below, in the spring or
fall, during a freshet. As the demand increased the
number of mills multiplied, and in 1804 no less than
552 rafts, or about 22,000,000 feet of lumber, were taken
to market. In the same year, 84 arks and 19 Durham
boats laden with wheat, furs, and fat cattle destined for
Baltimore, and valued at $190,400, passed down the
river. In speaking of this fleet of arks and boats with
their valuable cargoes, the editor of the Federalist, pub-
lished in Wilkesbarre at that time, expressed regret that
the Easton and Wilkesbarre Turnpike was not completed,
so as to induce a transhipment of the produce at Wilkes-
barre, and secure its transportation over the road to Phi-
ladelphia. In 1827, during a single freshet, from March
1st to April 5th, 1030 rafts and arks, many of them laden
with agricultural productions, passed Wilkesbarre on their
way to tide-water, and to Baltimore. Baltimore was long
the natural, and only market, for the Upper Susquehanna
trade. But after the construction of the Columbia and
Philadelphia Railroad, and the state canals, the trade be-
came divided between Baltimore, Philadelphia, and other
populous places. The demand increased from year to
year, and lumbering became an established business.
With many it became the primary, while agriculture was
a secondary pursuit. From 1827 to 1849, the increase
of the lumber trade was rapid and enormous. From
March 22d to April 17th, in the last-named year, 2243
rafts and 268 arks passed Wilkesbarre, on the swollen
waters of the river. They contained about 100,000,000
of feet, and were valued at $600,000. Since 1849 the

470 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

number of rafts and arks has gradually diminished,
owing to the scarcity of timber, and to the diversion of
trade hy the construction of the New York and Erie,
and of other railroads, in Northern Pennsylvania and
Southern New York. Very little lumber is now rafted
within the limits of Luzerne, being conveyed to market
chiefly on the railroads and Susquehanna canals, while
a considerable quantity is consumed at home.

CANALS.

In 1824, the Legislature of Pennsylvania authorized
and directed the governor to appoint three commissioners
to examine routes along the Susquehanna, and other
rivers in the state, with a view to the proper location and
construction of canals. In February, 1826, a general
internal improvement act was passed by the Assembly,
under the operation of which the great public works of
Pennsylvania were constructed at a cost exceeding
$40,000,000.

In this stupendous undertaking the people of Luzerne
naturally felt a deep interest, from the fact that it pro-
mised a speedy development of her vast mineral resources.
A state internal improvement convention was assembled
at Harrisburg, in August, 1825, and Nathan Beach and
Jacob Cist appeared there as representatives from Luzerne.

On the 14th of March, 1827, the corner-stone of the
first lock was laid at Harrisburg, in the presence of a
vast multitude. There were present Governor Shultz,
Governor Findley, Governor Carrole of Tennessee, the
speakers and members of the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives, members of the Masonic order, the military,
and a great crowd of citizens. The occasion was cele-
brated in the midst of discharges of cannon, the ringing
of bells, and the shouts of the people.

NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA. 471

Garrick Mallery and George Denison, men of brilliant
talents and great influence in the halls of legislation, were
elected to represent Luzerne in the General Assembly of
1827-8. They were vsent for the express purpose of
securing speedy action in reference to the commencement
of the North Branch Canal. Their efforts, strenuously
directed to that end, were successful, and on their return
home, they were welcomed by a grateful constituency,
who gave them a public dinner at the Phoenix Hotel, in
Wilkesbarre.

The commissioners were directed to place the North
Branch division of canal, from Northumberland to the
state line, under contract. The 4th of July, 1828, was
fixed upon as the day to break ground at Berwick ; and
the writer, then a boy, numbered one among the great
multitude assembled to witness the interesting scene.
The military were there with their colors, and drums,
and gay attire. Crowds came from Wilkesbarre, Ply-
mouth, Kingston, Northumberland, Danville, Blooms-
burg, and from all the region round about for thirty miles
or more. Old men and women were there, and the boys
and girls from town and country came. And there was
good cider, and a vast supply of cakes and beer, that made
the eyes of the drinker snap. At the appointed hour the
ceremonies began, by plowing near the present lock at
Berwick.

The plow was held by Nathan Beach, Esq., and was
drawn by a yoke of splendid red oxen, owned and driven
by Alexander Jameson, Esq. The loose earth was re-
moved in wheelbarrows, a rock was blasted, cannon were
fired, whiskey was drank, and all returned to their homes,
happy and buoyant with the hope of a glorious future.
The peace of the assemblage was disturbed by five dis-

472 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

plays of pugilistic science, called fist-fights, an absolute
essential at all gatherings in those days.

The laborers upon the public wori^s were principally
Irishmen, who were accustomed to the pick and the
shovel, and, when stimulated by the indispensable whis-
key, could fight or work as the occasion required. At
that day the idea of constructing a canal without whiskey
would have been viewed as preposterous; and equally
absurd would the conduct of a farmer have been pro-
nounced, who would have presumed to gather his harvest
without the fiery beverage. Every shanty was supplied
with Mdiiskey, which cooled them when it was hot, and
heated them when it was cool ; that was good in pros-
perity or adversity, in sickness and in health, before
breakfast in the morning, and on retiring to rest at night ;
in a word, an article that possessed specific virtues at all
times, on all occasions, and under all circumstances. But
the cool-headed spectator plainly saw that whiskey was the
origin of strikes, and riots, and feuds among the workmen
themselves ; that it was the great head-breaker and blood-
letter of the day.

In 1830 the canal was completed to the Nanticoke
dam, and the first boat, named " The Wyoming," built
by the Hon. John Koons, at Shickshinny, was launched
and towed to Nanticoke, where she was laden with ten
tons of anthracite coal, a quantity of flour, and other
articles. Her destination was Philadelphia. The North
Branch Canal being new and filling slowly with water,
the Wyoming passed through the Nanticoke Schute, and
thence down the river to Northumberland, where she
entered the Susquehanna division of canal, and proceeded
with considerable difficulty by the way of the Union and
Schuylkill Canals to Philadelphia. The W3'0ming re-
ceived, in the city, fifteen tons of dry goods, and com-

NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA. 473

mencing her return trip, was frozen up in the ice and
snow at New Buffalo, in January, 1831. From this place
her carge was transported to Wilkesbarre on sleds. The
voyage of the Wyoming was attended with many difficul-
ties and detentions, and embraced a period of upwards
of three months.

The second canal-boat, " The Luzerne," was built by
Captain Derrick Bird, on the river bank, opposite Wilkes-
barre, in 1831. She was laden with coal, which was
conveyed to Philadelphia, whence she returned with a
cargo of merchandise, arriving at the Nanticoke dam in
July 1831. In 1834, the Luzerne, then commanded by
Captain Buskirk, made the first complete round trip by
canal from Wilkesbarre to Philadelphia, the North Branch
division having been completed from Northumberland to
the Lackawanna. In 1835, the first packet-boats, the
"George Denison" and the "Gertrude," were launched
by M. Horton and A. 0. Gaboon, and commenced the con-
veyance of passengers and light freight between Wilkes-
barre and Northumberland.

All the main lines of canal in the Commonwealth were
now completed, except the North Branch, from Lacka-
wanna to the New York line, a distance of 94 miles.
This work progressed slowly until 1838, when it was
suspended or abandoned. In 1842, the Legislature incor-
porated the North Branch Canal Company, with a capital
stock of $1,500,000, and transferred to the company all
the right, title, and interest of the Commonwealth in the
unfinished work from the Lackawanna river to the south-
ern boundary of New York, provided the company com-
pleted the canal within a period of three years. In 1843
a supplement to the foregoing was passed by the General
Assembly, donating to said company the finished canal,
from the outlet lock at Solomon's Creek to the Lacka-

471 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

wanna, fourteen miles, as a further inducement to the
formation of the company and the completion of the
enterprise. It was supposed that the liberal offer of the
state would induce prompt action on the part of capital-
ists, but the presumption was not well founded, and in
1848 the Commonwealth resumed the work. Up to the
30th of November, 1857, this North Branch Extension,
as it was called, had cost the state $4,658,491.12.

To connect the North Branch Canal with those of the
state of New York, sixteen miles of additional canal were
necessary, to construct which the Junction Canal Com-
pany was formed. Through the energy of Mr. Arnot,
of Elmira, Messrs. Laport, Mason, and others, of Towanda,
Hollenback, Wright, and others, of Wilkesbarre, and
Judge Mallery, of Philadelphia, the connection was
effected. In November, 1856, the first boats laden with
coal departed from Pittston, destined for Weston, New
York. The boat " Tonawanda," Captain A. Dennis, super-
cargo Jno. Richards, Jr., laden with forty tons of coal
from the mines of Mallery and Butler, and the boat
"Ravine Coal Co. No. 4," Captain T. Knapp, were the
first to ascend the canal, and with great difficulty reached
their destination at Elmira. They were laden with half
cargoes, and were drawn by double teams, yet their pro-
gress was slow and heavy. Before the canal closed for
that year, however, 1150 tons were transported north-
ward, and in 1857, 2274 tons.

in 1858 the Legislature disposed of the state canals to
the Sunbury and Erie Railroad Company, for the sum of
three millions five hundred thousand (3,500,000) dollars.
The Sunbury and Erie Railroad Company were scarcely
in possession when they sold the North Branch division
from Northumberland to the north line of the state, to
the North Branch Canal Company, for $1,500,000. This

NAVIGATION ON THE SUSQUEHANNA. 475

last-named company soon after sold that portion extend
ing from Northumberland town to Northampton Street, in
Wilkesbarre, a distance of sixty-two miles, to the Wyo-
ming Canal Company, for the sum of $990,000, retaining
the part from Northampton Street to the state line, whose
length is 104 miles.

The original dimensions of the Pennsylvania canals
were 40 feet water level, 28 feet bottom, with 4 feet of
depth, designed for boats carrying 80 tons weight. The
canal from Wilkesbarre to the New York line has 3
dams and 30 locks, with an average lift of 8 feet, while
that part extending from Wilkesbarre to Northumberland
has 11 locks, with an average lift of 8 feet, and only one
dam, the Nanticoke.

Since the North Branch Canal has passed into the hands
of a private company, strong and united efforts have been
making to forward coal northward.

On the 14th of July, 1858, S. T. Lippincott left Pitts-
ton with five boats, laden with coal, and arrived at Elmira.
From this place he proceeded with two boats to Roches-
ter, via the Chemung Canal, and thence to Buffalo. Here
he took the steamboat for Cleveland, Ohio, which he
reached on the 8th of August. This was the first cargo
of coal that ever reached Cleveland from Luzerne county,
and was retailed at $8.50 per ton.*

* For a further account of the trade upon the canal, see Chapter XII.,
" Minerals and the Coal Trade."

CHAPTER XVI
CLIMATE.

Soon came booming on y

The deep voiced thunder, while at distance rolled
The wild winds, dirge like, and yet tempest tone."

" How calm, how beautiful comes on
The stilly hour, when storms are gone,
When warring winds have died away,
And clouds, beneath the glancing ray,
Melt off, and leave the land and sea
Sleeping in bright tranquillity."

The climate of this region is that of the north of Europe,
yet, according to geographical position, we would expect
a temperature like that of Naples in Italy, or Constanti-
nople in the south of Turkey. The temperature of Wyo-
ming Valley is that of a European country lying eight
degrees farther north. Our climate is subject to great
and sudden changes. The temperature has been known
to rise to about 100° in summer, and to fall so low as
30° below zero in winter. It has been asserted that our
climate has very much changed, and is more variable
now than it was many years ago. We possess no very
accurate means of testing the truth of this statement, but,
doubtless, it was a colder climate a hundred years back
than it is now. The existence of an unbroken forest
covered with snow and saturated with dampness, which
could be but imperfectly acted upon by the sun's rays,
produced a more severe and protracted degree of cold
than we now experience.

(470)

CLIMATE. 477

In 1816, there was frost in every month throughout
the year. The milky corn was frozen and rotted in the
fields, filling the air with a disagreeable odor. Fourteen
years after that, Sharp D. Lewis, Esq., editor of the Sus-
quehanna Democrat, received a fine mess of green peas
in the pod, accompanied with the following note : —

"Nanticoke, November 17th, 1830.
■*' Mrs. Washington Lee desires Mr. Lewis's acceptance
of the accompanying instance of the unusual length and
mildness of the present season."

In 1843, apples as large as walnuts were killed, by
frost, on the trees.

We find on record a few instances of the state of the
weather a hundred years ago. In 1755, there was great
heat and drought in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and
Maryland. No rain had fallen for the space of eight
weeks, and the governors of these several provinces, by
proclamation, appointed a day of fasting and prayer, call-
ing on the people to entreat heaven for rain and for the
success of Braddock's army. Rain was granted, but
Braddock was defeated.

The commanding officer at Fort Augusta (Sunbury),
writing to the provincial authorities, under date of May
26th, 1758, says, "It is snowing here, and the ground is
covered."

In more modern times we learn, that November 14th,
1819, the Susquehanna, at Wilkesbarre, was frozen over,
and persons crossed on the ice. At the same place, on
the 26th of March, 1836, loaded sleds crossed the river
on the ice.

There are cases of extraordinary changes on record.
For instance, October 4th, 1836, the weather was warm

478 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

and pleasant — next day the snow fell to the depth of
11 inches.

On the 19th of May, 1857, the mercury in the ther-
mometer stood at 82°. The next day snow fell on the
Pokono Mountain to the depth of 18 inches, and in the
Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys its depth was 10
inches.

January 26th, 1821, the mercury stood 23° below zero,
and on the 27th, 3° below. In 1857, on the 24th, 25th,
and 26th of January, the mercury stood at 30°, 22°, and
23°, respectively, below zero. On the 27th of the same
month, it rose ^o 1° below zero.

The average temperature in our valley, during the day
time, from the 15tli of May to the 15th of September, is
about 75° Fah.

FLOODS.

The valley of the Susquehanna, in common with others
coursed through by broad, shallow rivers, has suffered at
different periods from disastrous inundations. In January,
1784, snow fell in Wyoming and the surrounding coun-
try to the depth of four feet, cutting off all communication
between the state authorities at Philadelphia, and the
Pennamite garrison in the valley. The soldiers at Fort
Dickinson, so called by the Pennamites, or, by the Yan-
kees, Fort Wyoming, were compelled to keep close quar-
ters, and for sometime were unable to visit the surround-
ing forest for fuel. The scattered inhabitants of the
valley were barricaded in their dwellings, and could not
call upon, or be called upon by their neighbors. In the
following March the snow passed off with rain, producing
what is known in the tradition of the country as the
great Ice Flood. The Susquehanna and its tributaries
were covered with thick ice, for the winter's cold had
been unusually severe. It broke ujd suddenly in the

CLIMATE. 479

spring, and the river rose with alarming rapidity. It is
related that the ice in the region of the present Nanti-
coke dam remained firm and unbroken, while immense
masses of loose ice from above were swept down, and
lodged in the lower part of the valley, piling up in vast
heaps, and forming a barrier to the free progress of the
water. " One general inundation overspread the plains
of Wyoming. The inhabitants took refuge on the sur-
rounding heights, many being rescued from the roofs of
their floating houses." When the accumulating pressure
of the flood broke through the icy barrier, houses and
barns, stacks of grain and of hay, horses, cattle, and
swine were swept from the face of the earth. Major
James Moore, writing under date of March 20th, 1784,
from the fort at Wilkesbarre, to Mr. Dickinson, president
of the Supreme Executive Council, says, " The people in
this country have suffered exceedingly from the late
freshet. Not less than 150 houses have been carried
away. The grain is principally lost, and a very consi-
derable part of the cattle drowned. The water was 30
feet above low-water mark. The water was so high in
the garrison that some of the ammunition was injured."
The huge blocks of ice, which were left on the plains
after the inundation had subsided, remained unmelted
by the sun's rays during the greater part of the ensuing
summer.

In October, 1786, occurred what is called the Pumpkin
Flood, from the vast quantities of that vegetable, which
were carried down and strewed over the lower plains of
the Susquehanna. In a letter, dated at Wilkesbarre,
November 7th, 1786, written by John Franklin to Dr.
Joseph Hamilton, the flood is thus described : —

" I expect you have heard of the late deluge. The
rain on the 5th of October, which fell in about twenty-

480 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

four hours, raised the river about six feet, and in the
narrows ten feet deeper than ever known. The small
streams became mighty rivers. The mills are mostly
swept off, and one-half of all kind of food for man and
beast is for ever lost. Even the roots in the earth, such
as potatoes, turnips, parsnips, &c., are mostly rotten in
the earth. The greatest part of the rain fell in the after-
noon and evening of the 5th. The Susquehanna river,
that was fordable at four of the clock in the afternoon,
was over the face of the earth, from mountain to moun-
tain, at six o'clock the morning of the 6th. It is sur-
prising to see the mountains in the smallest runs of water.
You may see stones, from three pounds to three tons
weight, drove to a great distance, and hove up in heaps.
A stone, judged to weigh two tons, lies mounted on two
stumps, near Toby's Creek, that was drove from a con-
siderable distance. A number of cattle were drowned.
Our fences are all gone. One man was drowned attempt-
ing to save some effects."

From the statements we have, it would appear that
the pumpkin flood was higher than the ice flood by six
or ten feet, or that it rose forty feet above low-water
mark. But the former seems not to have been so disas-
trous as the latter, for the reason that there was no
heaping up, and sudden rush of the flood, producing a
current of irresistible force. In the pumpkin flood men
were seen paddling their canoes through the swelling
tide, and rescuing women and children from houses half
filled with water. A few horses, held by the head by men
in canoes, swam to the shore, while others, with most of
the horned cattle, sheep, and swine, were swept away
and lost.

The incidents and hairbreadth escapes of the two floods,
occurring so near together, have likely become mixed,

CLIMATE. 481

and those of the ice assigned to the pumpkin flood, and
vice versa.

It is related that the late Rev. Benjamin Bidlack, then
a powerful muscular man, was swept down the river in
his dwelling-house, in the ice flood, during the night.
The house started from Plymouth, and was followed by
people along the shore with torchlights. Sometimes the
house would lodge on an obstruction, and after a short
pause would be carried forward. On these occasions the
stentorian voice of the soldier was heard above the loud
roar of the waters and crashing of the ice, " Now I am
standing still" — " Now I am going forward." The build-
ing was permanently lodged among the trees, near Mr.
Harvey's coal-mine, and Mr. Bidlack, thanks to his great
endurance and strength, made a happy escape.

The widow Jameson, whose house stood near the resi-
dence of the late James Lee, Esq., in Hanover, with her
small children, was taken from the second story of the
building into a canoe.

A horse was drowned in a stable, near the present
residence of S. Leonard Thurlow, Esq., in Wilkesbarre.

The late Mrs. Myers, with her father's family, escaped
from their dwelling in Kingston, during the ice flood, in
a canoe, soon after which the house was carried away,
and the spot where it stood covered by an immense pile
of ice.

Persons familiar with the localities referred to in the
foregoing statements may form a prettj^ correct idea of
the extent of these floods.

It is said the Indians informed the whites that they
had no tradition respecting any flood having swept over
the plains of Wyoming. This may be doubted, but if
true, it may be an interesting question how far the clear-
ing out of the country, and the removal of the forests,
31

482 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

have affected the river, by allowing the snows to melt
more rapidly, and affording a freer passage for the waters
of the tributary streams. The channel of the Susque-
hanna is wider and deeper now than it was a hundred
years ago, though bearing no greater volume of water to
the ocean, and since the ice and pumpkin floods the
valley has been several times more or less inundated.

In July, 1809, the Susquehanna rose IG feet above
low-water mark, and, inundating the lower flats, destroyed
the grain. In January, 1831, the flats were again inun-
dated ; and again, in May, 1833, the low-lands were
flooded by the high water. Arks and rafts, torn from
their moorings in the smaller streams, came floating down
the swollen flood without men to guide them. Stacks of
hay floated by covered with living poultry. As they
13assed Wilkesbarre the cocks crowed lustily, intimat-
ing to their brethren of the borough that their heads
were still above water. In Januar}^, 1841, the weather
suddenl}' changed from cold to warm, accompanied with
rain, which rapidly melted the snow, and produced an
inundation of the low country along the Susquehanna
and Lackawanna. But its effects on the Lehigh were of
the most terrible and destructive character. The water
rushed into the cellars and first stories of the stores and
dwellings in Mauch Chunk in the night. Several build-
ings were swept away, and the streets were filled with
logs and trees, washed down from the surrounding moun-
tains. The whole population, roused from their beds,
fled, in the utmost alarm, to the high grounds above the
village. Bridges, saw-mills, grist-mills, dwellings, barns,
household furniture, canal boats, horses, cattle, and human
beings were hurried promiscuously away on the bosom of
the angry waters.

The works of the Lehigh Navigation Company, the

CLIMATE. 483

Beaver Meadow Company, and the Schuylkill Navigation
Company, sustained great injury ; and the villages of
Lehigh ton and Weissport shared the fate of Mauch
Chunk. In this dreadful catastrophe thirteen persons,
principally women and children, lost their lives.

In 1842, and 1843, extraordinary floods again occurred
in the Susquehanna and its tributaries ; and in the spring
of 1846, the water stood 3i feet deep on the river bank
opposite the Phoenix Hotel, in Wilkesbarre. This was
the highest freshet known since the pumpkin flood of
1786.* It, indeed, caused much more damage, reckoned
in dollars and cents, but the country was much better
aVjIe to bear the loss then than in the last century. The
flood of 1846 carried away a number of costly bridges on
the Susquehanna, and greatly damaged the public im-
provements of the Commonwealth. For many weeks after
the flood had subsided, the flats w^ere covered with ice.

In July, 1850, a dam on Racket's Creek was swept
away by the high water, and Carbondale was inundated.
At the foot of Plane No. 1, cars, buildings, and drift-
wood were heaped together in a promiscuous mass of
ruins. The Lackawanna flooded several of the mines,
but the workmen, with the exception of two, who were
drowned, escaped.

The loss sustained by the Delaware and Hudson Canal
Company exceeded $75,000. The Susquehanna over-
flowed its banks, and, it being the midst of harvest, the
river was covered with sheaves and shocks of grain.
Bridges were carried away, and no mails reached Pittston,
Wilkesbarre, or Scranton for several days.

But the most destructive flood that ever occurred in
Luzerne and adjoining counties, was occasioned by a con-
tinued heavy rain, which fell in the early part of Sep-

* For an account of the destructive flood in the Lehigh in 1862, and the
great flood in the Susquehanna in 1805, see Appendix Y.

484 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

tember, 1850. In our county the loss of life and property
was greatest on the small streams. Solomon's Creek
rushed down the mountain's side with fearful impetuosity,
destroying the public highway and the improvements of
the Lehigh and Susquehanna Company at the foot of the
plane. The Wapwallopen. with its increased volume,
dashed madly over the country, sweeping away two of
the powder-mills of Messrs. Knapp and Parrish. The
Nescopeck, undermining the dam above the forge of S. F.
Headley, Esq., bore off to the Susquehanna on its turbu-
lent flood the lifeless bodies of twenty-two men, women,
and children.

These unfortunate people had assembled in one house
near the forge. The house stood upon elevated ground,
and was supposed to be the best place for safety. One
man, fearing to trust to the stability of the house, took
up his child in his arms, and calling to his wife, who
refused to follow, rushed through the rising waters, and
gained the hill-side. When he turned to look behind
him, house, wife, and friends had disappeared.

All the low lands along the Susquehanna were covered
with water, and as usual on such occasions, the commu-
nication between Wilkesbarre and Kingston was carried
on by means of boats.

At Tamaqua forty dwellings were swept away, and
thirty-three persons were drowned, sixteen being members
of one family ; and the damage sustained at this place
was estimated at $500,000. At Port Clinton twenty-six
persons were drowned, eleven of whom constituted a
family of father, mother, and nine children.

HURRICANES.

The first hurricane or tornado in Luzerne, of which we
have any record, made its destructive passage through

CLIMATE. 485

our forests in 1796. It passed over the country from
west to east, unroofing barns and dwellings, and produc-
ing on the head-waters of the Lehigh what, among the
old inhabitants, was called " The Great Windfall." The
road leading from Wilkesbarre to Easton was completely
barricaded with fallen trees, which it required several
months of labor to remove. Our county appropriated
$250 towards the expense.

In February, 1824, a most terrific hurricane passed up
the Susquehanna river, prostrating fences, trees, barns,
and dwellings. Such was its power that it lifted the
entire superstructure of the Wilkesbarre Bridge from its
piers, and bore it some distance up the river, where it
fell on the ice with a thundering crash.

On the 3d of July, 1834, a hurricane, sweeping from
the north-east to the south-west, nearly destroyed the
village, now the borough, of Providence. The office of
E. S. Potter, Esq., was raised from its foundation, and,
with Mr. P. and Otis Severance, who were in the building,
it was removed several yards from its original position.
An unfinished church was blown down, and the frame
was carried to a great distance. Dr. Hollister informs us
that a young woman, who had taken refuge in a feather-
bed during the storm, was lifted, bed and all, through the
roofless house, and safely landed several rods distant.
We visited Providence a few days after this catastrophe,
and if our remembrance is correct, there was only one
uninjured building in the town. Every tree within the
sweep of the wind was laid low.

In 1835, a similar hurricane passed through Wilkes-
barre township from west to east, blowing down orchards,
unroofing buildings, and prostrating the trees of the forest.
Mr. McCarrier was lifted by the wind, and transported
from his barn to the door-yard of his house.

486 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

Almost every region of country is subject to floods and
hurricanes of a more or less violent character. We have
noted only those occurring among us, which were par-
ticularly destructive, and which, at the time, made a
serious impression on the public mind. To many they
will appear of small consequence, but there are some to
whom they will ever remain subjects of curious, if not of
fearful interest.

DISEASES, PHYSICIANS.

Man, of course, is subject to disease and death in our
climate, as well as in all others ; but, according to the
census of 1850, the number of deaths in Luzerne during
that year, was only 383. This in a population of 56,072
is a very small proportion, and argues well for the healtli-
fulness of the climate or the skill of our physicians. The
proportion of deaths in Pennsylvania is estimated at seven
annually for every hundred families, and as the families
of the county numbered 9672 at the last census, the
number of deaths among us, by this calculation, should
have been about 675.^^

Dr. William Hooker Smith, Dr. Joseph Sprague, and
Dr. Gustin were the earliest physicians in the valley.
They were all in the battle of 1778, and the last-named
gentleman received a bullet through his hat.

In 1777, Jeremiah Ross returned from Philadelphia,
where he had been on a visit, and brought with him the
small-pox. This terrible ravager of the human family
could at that time be only successfully met by the process
of inoculation. Others in the settlements contracted the
disease, and great alarm prevailed among the people.
Pest-houses were established in each township, half a
mile from any road, where persons who had not been
inoculated were placed under treatment. The small-pox
was a great terror to the Indians, and it is related that

CLIMATE. 487

when they entered Forty Fort after the battle the women
cried out, '^ Small-pox ! small-pox !" The savages, how-
ever, understood the ruse, and were not to be deterred
from their work of plunder.

A malignant disease, called putrid fever, prevailed in
1778. It was contagious, and several died. In 1794, a
fatal form of typhus fever raged along the Susquehanna,
and baffled the skill of the physicians. The disease was
supposed to be yellow fever, and in some localities whole
families fell victims to its ravages. ^■^

The fever and ague has raged at various periods along
the Susquehanna ever since the white man appeared on
its banks. Shikellimus, the viceroy of the Six Nations,
residing at Shamokin, died from this disease in 1749.

Dr. Nathaniel Giddings located himself in Pittston
township in 1783, and pursued his profession for more
than half a century. Dr. Matthew Covell, previous to
the present century, located himself permanently in
Wilkesbarre. Dr. Samuel Baldwin resided part of the
time in Wilkesbarre, and afterwards in Kingston. Dr.
Oliver Bigelow was located at Forty Fort, and left Wyo-
ming sixty years ago. Dr. Crissey, one of the early
physicians, was located at Plymouth. Dr. Samuel Hay-
den lived in Huntington township, and afterwards in
Brain trim. He was a very successful practitioner, and a
very eccentric man. Between 1800 and 1810, Drs.
Covell and George W. Trott were practicing in Wilkes-
barre ; Drs. Baldwin and Eleazar Parker in Kingston ;
and Drs. Gaylord and Crissey in Plymouth.

From 1810 to 1820, Drs. Covell, Baldwin, W. B. Gid-
dings, Gaylord, Parker, Asa C. Whitney, and Dr. John
Smith, were practicing in Wyoming Valley.

Dr. Silas Robinson, who died lately in Providence, was
the oldest physician in the Lackawanna Valley. He
commenced practice in 1811.

CHAPTER XVII.

WILD ANIMALS.— HUNTING.— FISHINa.

" Listen how the hounds and horn,

Cheerily rouse the slumbering morn,
From the side of some hoar hill,

Through the high woods echoing shrill."

Our valleys and mountains were once favorite hunting-
grounds for the Red men, who came down annually by
hundreds from the country of the Six Nations, to supply
themselves with delicious game. The streams in the land
of the confederacy abounded in excellent fish, which prof-
fered a sweet repast to the hungry Indian, but when he
sought to stir his blood with the excitement of the chase,
and follow the steps of the bounding deer, he visited the
high mountains and deep forests of Pennsylvania. After
the whites began to spread themselves through this por-
tion of the state, many of them, like the aborigines, pre-
ferred the pleasures of the chase to the pursuits of
agriculture, and found it more agreeable to depend on
their rifles than on their plows for the comforts of life.
Almost every pioneer family had one or two rifles, some-
times more, and the young as well as the old were expert
in handling them. Even the gentler sex did not hesitate
occasionally to lift the manly weapon, and send the leaden
messenger on its errand of sport or of death.

Of the wild carnivorous animals which inhabited this

region the cougar was the largest, and was known among

(488)

WILD ANIMALS. — HUNTING. — FISHING. 489

the early settlers and hunters as the panther, generally
called the painter. Its color is of a brownish red, with
small patches of a deeper tint, which disappear as the
animal advances in age. The abdomen is of a pale red-
dish color, and the lower jaw and throat are white. It
belongs to the species of the cat kind, is sly and treach-
erous, climbs trees, wanders at night in search of food,
and bounds from the earth towards its prey with an
agility and power and deadly aim unsurpassed by any
other animal. When full-grown, its weight is about one
hundred and fifty pounds.

From 1808 to 1820, the bounty paid by Luzerne county
on "panther scalps, amounted to $1822, upwards of 50
being killed in one year.

Since arriving at manhood's years, we have read the
works of Cummings and Gerard, th ' great Scotch and
French lion-hunters, and, when a boy, we listened with
the most soul-absorbing interest to the wonderful adven-
tures of the old hunters of Luzerne, their surprising
achievements, their hairbreadth escapes, and we are con-
fident the hunters of our own land displayed as much
coolness and courage, as much skill and physical endur-
ance, as the famous forest heroes of other climes. Gerard,
it is said, is the best rifle-shot in Europe, but one of the
Lutzeys could cut a wild turkey's throat with a rifle-ball
at twenty rods.

About the close of the Revolutionary War, a Captain
Mitchell was stationed with a company of troops at Wyo-
ming ; and one of his sergeants, named McNeily, was said
to have no superior in the army as a rifle-shooter. When
he came to Wyoming, however, he surrendered to Ishmael
Bennett, and such was his complete confidence in Ben-
nett's aim, or sight, that he frequently held a board, six
inches square, with a white spot in the entre, under his

490 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

arm, while Bennett, at twenty rods distance, would send
bullet after bullet tlirougli the centre.

There are no panthers in this county at present,
except occasionally one may be met with in the great
swamps, or on the North Mountain. One was killed
about three years ago in Sullivan county, near the Lu-
zerne line, which measured nine feet from the tip of the
nose to the end of the tail. A volume of interesting
panther-hunting adventures could be written, but space
will permit us to record only three.

WHEATON AND THE PANTHER.

Wheaton had lived at Wyoming, but about the year
1790, the population increasing, he chose rather to re-
move into the woods, where there was less of human and
more of the w^ild brute creation. One day, when on his
way to the valley, he became weary, and lay down to
rest on the Capouse Mountain. Thrown off his guard by
fatigue, he unwarily suffered sleep to overtake him.
After reposing for a time, he found himself in a singular
situation. He was covered with leaves and sticks, which
might have been done by the wind, but from a knowledge
of the habits of the panther, he shrewdly suspected it
was the work of that beast. The panther, when she
finds prey which she is desirous of reserving for her
young, covers it over with leaves with her feet, and then
retires to bring her offspring to the banquet. Wheaton,
lying perfectly still, heard the heavy tread of an animal
near him. There was a pause. The step retreated, then
stopped. He lay quiet, for his life depended on his being
motionless. Again there were retreating footsteps, which
became fainter and fainter, until they entirely died away.
Wheaton still retained his motionless position for some

WILD ANIMALS. — HUNTING. — FISHING. 491

moments, when he slowly and cautiously raised himself,
and, looking around, saw no animal near. He hastily
gathered some old sticks and wood, and laid them in the
place he had occupied, and covered them with leaves.
He then mounted into a tree near by, and rested his gun,
well loaded, on a limb bearing directly on the spot where
he had slept. Scarcely had he made his arrangements,
when, in the far distance, his quick eye detected the ap-
proach of a huge panther, accompanied by two of her
young. Leaving the kittens a short distance behind, she
came near the place where she had concealed their din-
ner. She now crouched with her belly to the earth, and
stretching out her horrid claws, she sprang aloft into the
air, and down on the spot covered with leaves. The dust
and sticks and rotten wood tiew in all directions. She
drooped with disappointment, then quickly cast her eye
about to every quarter of the compass. Suddenly as the
thought that struck her she looked upwards, and saw
Wheaton in the tree. With a low, ferocious growl she
crouched for a deadly spring. If his gun misses fire, if
he misses his aim, he has not thirty seconds to live. But
old smooth bore, as usual, proves true ; two buckshot pene-
trate the brain of the savage monster, and she lay quiver-
ing and dying on the spot where Wheaton had enjoyed
his mountain dream.

SOX AND THE PANTHERS.

George Sox, who still resides on the Easton and
Wilkesbarre Turnpike, beyond Bear Creek, was a great
hunter. He was particularly fond of pursuing the panther.
However, no sort of tenants of the w^oods could escape
the unerring aim of George's trusty rifle. He once shot
a deer which wa,s perfectly white. It had frequently been
seen in the forest, and had been shot at by the wandering

492 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

hunters, but no bullet had ever hit it. A report became
current that it was a witch deer, but George destroyed
the charm. Having obtained a sight one day of the
beautiful creature, it fell before his rifle, and rumor said
the shot was made with a silver bullet.

In 1819 he caught in a trap a large bear which weighed
upwards of 400 pounds. In the morning, about the
breaking of day, he approached his trap, and saw the
bear engaged in a contest of defense against three pan-
thers, which fled as he came near. Taking the bear
home on a sled, he filled his knapsack, and, without a
word of explanation to his family, with his rifle and dog
as companions, he started in pursuit of the three panthers,
which had been about to breakfast on his bear. There
was a good tracking snow on the ground, and the hunter
found no difficulty in keeping the trail of the beasts. On,
on, from daylight to sunset, he pressed his way until, in
the shadows of the evening, he came upon a fine buck
which the panthers had killed, and which was still warm.
We condense George's own statement of this hunt : " They
had killed the buck where he lay. I had not expected
to come on them so soon, and had pushed ahead without
caution, so that they had heard my approach, and must
have started away just as I came up. As it was sunset,
I concluded to encamp there ; but first I thought I would
look around a little, and see which track it would be best
to follow in the morning, as they had all started off* in
different directions from the buck. So I went a little
way into the swamp, and, will you believe it, one of the
curses had been watching me all the time, and I heard
him start within ten rods of me. Away went the dog
after him, full yelp. I heard the panther take up a tree.
I ran as hard as I could, tumbling over old logs, and
scrambling through the laurel, till I came where Toby

WILD ANIMALS. — HUNTING. — FISHING. 493

was barking and shaking his tail, mightily tickled that
we had got one of them, anyhow. As it was getting
dark I scai*cely knew whether to venture a shot or not,
for I could faintly see him stretched out on a limb of a
large hemlock. However, I thought I would try it, so I
took the best aim I could and fired away. The devilish
thing never stirred. In a short time I saw motion in his
tail, and I could hear his nails gritting in the bark of the
tree; then I saw his body slide round the limb till he
only hung by his claws. The ball had hit him, he let go
his hold, and down he came souse ! dead as a door-nail !
I let him lay there and went back ; cut off some slices of
the buck, which the panthers had left, roasted them
before a fire, eat and lay down to rest till morning. Next
morning started early, and soon got on the track of the
other two panthers. About noon one of them took up a
tree ; oh, said I, I have got another one. Directly I came
up and spied him. I let drive, and down he came as
dead as if he never had been alive. Well, I skinned
him and fastened his skin to my knapsack, and away I
started for the other one. The last fellow kept dodging
about, first one way and then another, as if he expected
to find his companions. In about two hours I roused
him from behind a log. The dog was close on him, so
he thought it was best to tree. I knew by the barking
that the panther had tree'd. "When I came up it was a long
time before I could find him, he was so hid away in the
limbs and the leaves. I could only see what I took to be
his shoulder. I took a fair sight and drew trigger. He
did not budge ! I started to climb up to him, for I was
sure I had hit him. Before I had got half up, his head
and foreparts slid forwards, and down he came ! I skin-
ned him, went back to the one I had killed first, skinned
him, and got home that night."

494 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

George is the worthy son of a worthy sire. His father,
Conrad Sox, Esq., was a justice of the peace for many
years, in Luzerne county. He once shot a huge panther,
resting his rifle on the shoulder of his wife, George's
mother. This scene is well described by Wilson, in his
poem of the Foresters. "We have often stopped at
George's house, when traveling that way, and have drank
many a cup of excellent coffee, and have eaten delicious
slices of venison, at his table. Long may the bold hunter
and generous man live to enjoy the blessings of life in a
good old age.

ARNOLD AND THE PANTHER. •

Arnold, a hunter, lived in Hanover township, on the
mountain, about six miles south-west from Wilkesbarre.
As he was returning home one day in the dusk of the
evening, after his work was done, he discovered a large
panther crouched overhead on a limb of a tree, which
stood near the path he was traveling. Hastening to his
home, about half a mile distant, he loaded his rifle, and,
accompanied by his wife and a small dog, he set off for
the attack. They cautiously approached the spot where
the crouching panther lay. Mrs. Arnold held u]) a pine
torch-light, which threw its feeble rays on the surround-
ing darkness. By this imperfect light the old hunter
drew up his gun and took aim. He fired, and only
wounded the panther. The beast, now rendered furious,
leaped instantly down, and sprang upon Mrs. Arnold.
There was no time to reload the rifle, the torch-light was
out, and Mrs. Arnold was on the ground under the tear-
ing claws of the savage panther. The dog seized the
beast by the hind-leg inflicting wounds, while Arnold
himself, nerved by the screams and groans of his wife,
dealt heavy blows on his head with the butt of his rifle.

WILD ANIMALS. HUNTING. FISHING. 495

Suddenly the panther turned about, took up the little
dog in his mouth, and amidst poor Jack's distressing cries
rushed into the thicket and disappeared. With consider-
able difficulty Arnold bore his mangled and bleeding wife
to his house, and after several weeks of much suffering
she recovered, but was dreadfully disfigured.

The Wolf, of the genus Oanis, or dog kind, was formerly
abundant among our mountains, but it is now chiefly
confined to the North Mountain, and the head-waters of
Bowman's Creek. It is a craft}^ ravenous wild dog, about
three and a half feet in length, and about two feet five
inches in height. It is of various colors, mixed, black,
gray, and brown. From 1808 to 1820, Luzerne county
paid $2872 in bounties for the scalps of these destructive
animals. As many as 273 were killed in one year.

George A. Crockett, a cousin of the celebrated Colonel
David Crockett, and a resident of Ross township, occa-
sionally brings the scalp of a wolf to Wilkesbarre, for
which the county treasurer pays him $25. This is equal
to the price of five wolf scalps in the olden times. Mr.
Crockett is a great hunter and trapper, and if the reader
be desirous of the sport of a wolf or bear hunt let him
visit Mr. C. He will show you the wild hunting-grounds
of the North Mountain, and the rough and tumble sports
of a hunter's life. He will lead you among the deep and
intricate defiles along Bowman's Creek, and its vicinity,
where a few years ago a hunter named Lumeraux, was
lost, and whose mangled remains, when found, showed
he had been eaten by wild beasts. Crockett has killed
hundreds of deer and bears, and wolves and foxes by the
score. He informed the writer that a short time ago he
was out in company with a fellow-hunter named Long,
and, the night being very wet and stormy, they took
shelter in a deserted house in Pike's Swamp. This is

496 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

near the place where Abraham Pike and his wife were
taken prisoners by the Indians, on the head-waters of
Hunlock's Creek. During the night hunters came in to the
number of fourteen, which shows that that class of men
is not yet extinct in Luzerne. In the morning they took
a circle hunt. Soon after they had separated, Crockett
shot a large buck, which fell to the ground. Long, his
companion, instantly rushed upon it, and cut its throat,
but not a drop of blood would flow. The buck sprang
upon his feet, and with widely distended eyes, green and
glassy from the death struggle, rushed towards Crockett,
and fell lifeless at his feet. Upon an examination it was
found that the ball had struck the deer's horn near the
head, and did not break the skin, but stunned the animal
so completely that the circulation of its blood ceased.
Crockett next shot, but only wounded a black bear, when
the beast, infuriated with pain, advanced with savage
growls upon the hunter. He retreated, and as he fled he
reloaded his rifle, turned, fired, and laid his pursuer dead
on the earth. Its weight was 360 pounds.

A great number of large black, bears formerly dwelt
on our mountains. In 1803, Rosett & Doyle, merchants
in Wilkesbarre, advertised for one thousand bear-skins,
which were supplied bv the hunters of Luzerne and parts
adjacent.

SCOTT AND THE BEAR.

Many years ago, while hunting along Stafford Meadow
Brook, a little south of Scranton, EHas Scott started a
huge bear, which he shot but did not kill. Before he
could reload, the infuriated beast rushed upon him with
open jaws, striking, as he advanced, heavy blows with
his powerful paws. Scott retreated backwards, punching
the bear with the end of his rifle. He had retreated but
a short distance when the heel of his boot caught in the

WILD ANIMALS. — HUNTING. — FISHING. 497

root of a tree, and he fell to the ground. The bear was
instantly upon him, and seized one of his hands in his
mouth ; at the same time striking him over the head and
shoulders with his paws, inflicting severe wounds. The
blows fell thick and fast, and Scott grew faint from suffer-
ing, but at length he found himself in a position that he
could reach his long hunting-knife. Exerting his remain-
ing strength to the utmost, he plunged it into the bowels
of the bear, which fell dead at his side. Scott is still
/living, and will carry the evidences of this conflict to his
grave. He has been a mighty hunter in his day. In
one year, he has killed 175 deer, 5 bears, 3 wolves, 1
panther, and scores of wild-turkeys and other game.

John McHenry, who resides on Fishing Creek, Colum-
bia county, not far from the Luzerne line, is perhaps the
oldest hunter now living in this part of the state. In
1848, he informed the writer that he kept a record of the
number of deer, &c., which he had killed down to the
year 1840; and that this record numbered upwards of
1900 deer, 65 bears, besides immense quantities of other
wild game. A considerable portion of these was pro-
cured within the limits of Luzerne county. Since 1840,
he has killed annually from 10 to 30 deer, chiefly in Sul-
livan county, on the waters of the Loyalsock. A few
years ago we joined a party of six for the purpose of
hunting. We went to Elise's, on the Loyalsock, where,
just as we arrived, we met at the door of the tavern our
old friend, McHenry, then about seventy years of age.
With cane in one hand, and rifle in the other, he was
starting for the woods. We had four long-eared hounds
with us ; and when the old man saw them he shook his
head, and remarked, " Deer run by dogs is not fit to eat."
He is a quiet hunter, slowly penetrating to the haunts

498 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

of the deer, and shooting them when browsing or at rest;
and woe betide the dog that meets him in the woods !
He shoots with a rifle, and has shot three deer with one
bullet. Two of the deer stood close and parallel to each
other, while the third was lying down on the hillside.
The bullet passed through the bodies of the two, and en-
tered the neck of the third. He did not see the third deer
until the first two fell ; when, observing it to be wounded,

DEER.

he hastened and cut its throat. The reader may con-
clude this to be too marvellous a story for belief; but
Mr. McHenry is a man of noted veracity, and a sure shot.
He, with George Sox, who shot 9 bears in succession
as they came forth from the hollow of a single tree, must
be numbered among the living hunter-kings of America.
On Friday, the 4th of December, 1818, about 700 men,
residents of old Luzerne, formed a hunting-party. The
signal was given on Frenchtown Mountain, which was
answered by all the horns of the hunters, comprising a
circuit of 40 miles, in the space of fifteen minutes. The
hunters then progressed towards a centre in Wysox town-
ship, shooting and driving the game before them, until
the circle became too small to use guns with safety ; the

WILD ANIMALS. — HUNTING. FISHING. 499

animals were then attacked with bayonets fixed on poles,
clubs, pitchforks, &c., with great success. Nearly 300
deer, 5 bears, 9 wolves, and 11 foxes were killed. It was
calculated that 500 deer, 10 bears, and 20 wolves escaped,
together with a great number of smaller animals. The
expedition was attended with many circumstances highly
interesting to hunters, and closed as usual with great
mirth.

Tradition has brought down to us many interesting
incidents connected with elk, fox, raccoon, beaver, and
other hunting, and a number of pleasing sporting ad-
ventures of recent date have come to our knowledge.
But our prescribed limits will not allow us to be tempted
into making a record of them here. We have our modern
hunters, bold and skillful, who frequently repair to the
haunts of the foxes, the deer, and the bear. About one
year ago we saw, in Wilkesbarre, the carcass of a black
bear weighing more than 300 pounds, which had been
killed on the Bald Mountain by John Warden and others ;
and, not long ago, we were shown the skins of four very
fine otters taken at Harvey's Lake.

During the fall of the year the sportsmen from Wilkes-
barre, Pittston, Scranton, Carbondale, as well as those
who live in the mountains, chase the bounding deer, and
supply the villages with delicious venison. They find,
too, along our rivers and lakes, ducks of several varieties,
the black, wood, summer, buffle-head, blue-wing and
green-wing teal, widgeon, redhead, and mallard. They
also find in the woods wild turkeys, pheasants or rough
grouse, quails, woodcock, English snipes, passenger or
blue pigeons, and about ten species of plover.

It may be remarked here that, at an early day, a great
number of beavers harbored on the Lehigh. That river
was almost choked in the fall and winter with their

500 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

numerous dams. Thej went to more northern climes
long, long ago, where the homes of the white hunters are
few and far between.

FISH AND FISHING.

As early as 1772, a seine for catching shad in the Sus-
quehanna was brought from Connecticut to Wyoming,
aiid was held in common as the property of the town or
settlers. The shad were very abundant in the Susque-
hanna, and, it is said, were superior in flavor and size to
those of the Delaware. The construction of the canal,
and the river dams, which cost the people many millions
of dollars, though affording facilities for conveying coal
and other products to market, have deprived us of a most
valuable and abundant article of food. There were 21
shad fisheries hi Luzerne county, 9 of which were in
W3^oming Valley, each furnishing annually thousands of
delicious fish. Shad were so abundant that they sold for
from 3 to 6 cents apiece, and upon several occasions a
sufficient quantity of salt could not be procured for curing
purposes. From about the 10th of April to the 10th of
June, almost every man, woman, and child within twenty
miles of the Susquehanna, feasted and fattened on fresh
shad, and every family salted down from one to three
barrels for use during the remainder of the year. This
question occurs to our mind — Suppose the dams in the
river were destroyed, and the business of the canal were
done by railroad, would not the annual supply of shad
add more to the comfort and wealth of the people than
the river in its present condition ?

There was a fishery at Berwick and Nescopeck, one at
Beach Haven, and three or four between Beach Haven
and Nanticoke. There was one at each of the following

WILD ANIMALS. — HUNTING. FISHING. 501

places : Fish Island, Stewart's, Plymouth, Wilkesbarre,
and Forty Fort. There were two on Monockacy Island,
one on Scovel Island, and several others, all producing
the article in vast quantities. Many years ago, at Stew-
art's fishery, 10,000 shad were taken at a single haul.
The seine could not be drawn to the shore, and the shad
were scooped into boats, thence loaded into wagons, and
drawn away. This story, emphatically a fish story, is
nevertheless true. We obtained the statement from the
lips of a most truthful person, w^ho was present, and saw
the extraordinary haul. This was called the widow's
haul, because a certain widow had an interest in the seine,
and the fish taken on that occasion belonged exclusively
to her.

A few hundred shad were caught at a fishery below the
Nanticoke dam as late as 1832-3, but none are now
taken in the Susquehanna above Columbia, in Lancaster
county, and they sell in this region at from 35 to 50 cents
apiece. If the dams were removed and the fish could pass
freely up the river, we might calculate on ten millions of
shad annually between the mouth of the Chesapeake and
the New York state line. These at 10 cents apiece would
be worth one million of dollars, and the poor man might
always have an abundance of a cheaj) and nutritious
article of food in his house.

In 1802, an attempt was made to introduce salmon
from the Connecticut into the Susquehanna river, at
Northumberland. Money to defray the expense was pro-
cured by subscription in Wilkesbarre, Northumberland,
Sunbury, and at other points. Dr. Joseph Priestley, Thos.
Cooper, John Cowden, B. F. Young, and Wm. Spring, of
Northumberland county, were appointed a committee to
procure and introduce the finely-flavored inhabitant of
the New England waters, to their new aquatic territory

502 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

in Pennsylvania. The salmon were placed in both
branches of the Susquehanna, at Northumberland, but
the experiment proved a failure. Very few, if any, of the
genuine stock of that fish have ever been taken in the
waters of our river.

We have heard it stated that the rockfish, Qolius
niger, frequented the upper waters of the Susquehanna,
and we have a record of one being caught at Wilkesbarre,
on the 26th of June, 1779, by a soldier in Sullivan's
army. It measured two feet nine inches in length, and
weighed twenty-seven pounds. General Sullivan and
Staff dined on the big fish.^^ But we doubt that this was
the genuine rockfish, of the species above mentioned. It
was probably what is known as the Susquehanna bass,
of the genus Lahrax, an excellent fish, weighing from
eight to thirty pounds, and frequently taken in deep
water, through holes cut in the ice.

The pike, Esox, is a long, sharp-pointed fish, of vora-
cious appetite, and may be called the shark of the fresh
water. It is found in the deep and sluggish pools of the
rivers. It has been introduced, at various times, into
Harvey's and other lakes and ponds of the comity, until
they are now quite abundant. They have, however,
destroyed nearly all the trout in these lakes, to which
they are, in our opinion, inferior in flavor, and whose
loss they cannot replace.

The trout is a scaleless fish, variegated with spots of
beautiful appearance, and considered by most persons as
by far the most deliciously-flavored fish in our waters.
They are seldom taken in the Susquehanna, but are con-
fined to the lieadwaters of the creeks, the cool mountain
streams, overhung by evergreens, where only are heard
the singing of birds and the sound of crystal waters,
dashing along the shores as they pass to the valleys

WILD ANIMALS. — HUNTING. — FISHING. 503

below. To these charming shades the fisherman repairs,
and

" Far up the stream the trusted hair he throws,
Which down the murmuring current quickly flows ;
When if or chance, or hunger's powerful sway,
Directs the roving trout this fatal way,
He greedily sucks in the twining bait.
And tugs and nibbles the fallacious meat ;
Now, happy fisherman, now twitch the line,
How the rod bends ! behold the prize is thine."

Many extraordinary fishing stories are related of the
early times in our valley ; as, for instance, catching a
chub and eel, at the same time, with one hook. The
chub swallowed the hook, which passed out through the
gill, with the bait remaining upon it, which was then
taken by an eel.

We have often heard an incident related, which oc-
curred at the Nanticoke Falls, several years before the
dam was erected. A fisherman placed his eel-basket
above the rapids, and caught a pike six feet in length,
weighing one hundred and sixty pounds. The pike was
of such enormous size and strength, that the basket was
torn from its fastenings, and went whirling and dashing
with its contents through the falls. But it was taken up
and brought to shore by fishermen further down the river.
The story of the big pike spread through the neighbor-
hood, and the curious flocked to the fishery to behold the
monster. To their astonishment, they were informed
that Abraham Pike, a noted old soldier and Indian killer,
had visited the eel-basket in a canoe, which had capsized
and plunged him headlong into the river. He was caught
in the basket, and both basket and Pike were carried
down stream together.

CHAPTER XVIII.

MISCELLANEOUS.

BANKS AND BANKERS.

The Jews, it is said, were the first bankers or money
changers, and seated themselves, in ancient times, on
benches, in the market-places, where they loaned and
exchanged money. From this custom, continued for hun-
dreds of years in the cities of Italy, is derived the word
Bank, in the Italian language. Banco, signifying bench.
In Holy Writ we read that, at one time, a number of the
money-changers seated themselves in the great temple at
Jerusalem, but that their tables were overturned, and
they were expelled by our Saviour. This circumstance
teaches us to be careful to what uses we appropriate our
houses of worship,

The first bank of issue, discount, and deposite, of which
we have any correct information, was established in
Venice, in 1171. The second, the Bank of Amsterdam,
originated in 1609 ; the Bank of Hamburg, in 1619 ; and
the Bank of England, in 1693.

In the United States, during the Revolutionary War,
the, government issued paper, called continental money,
which depreciated in value, until $600 were required to
purchase a pair of boots. These notes finally took the
name of shin-plasters, and became entirely worthless. '

The first incorporated bank of issue, discount, and
deposite in this country was the Bank of North America.

(504)

BANKS AND BANKERS. 505

It was located at Philadelphia, and started in the year
1781, with a capital of $800,000. The Massachusetts
Bank and the Bank of New York were incorporated in
1784. The Bank of the United States was incorporated in
1791, with a capital of $10,000,000. In 1803, there were
twenty-five banks in the United States, with an aggregate
capital of $26,707,000.

In 1810, the Philadelphia Bank established a branch
at Wilkesbarre, of which Ebenezer Bowman was presi-
dent, and John Bettle cashier. The latter gentleman
was succeeded by Joseph McCoy. The banking-house
was located on River Street, and is now owned and occu-
pied by Mrs. Ulp. Here deposites were made, good and
bad paper discounted, and the notes of the parent bank,
payable in Philadelphia, were issued until 1820, when
the institution was discontinued. One effect of this branch
bank was to drain the country of its silver, gold being
almost unknown. Mr. S. Butler, who was a clerk in
the institution, informs us that, at one time, forty thou-
sand dollars in silver were sent to the city. The money
was carefully enclosed in forty small boxes, and the whole
then placed in one large box, which was put in Philip
Reed's four-horse wagon, and covered with straw, grain,
bags, &c. The valuable load was accompanied by Mr.
Butler and Colonel Isaac Bowman, one of the bank direct-
ors, and five days were occupied in the journey. " Had you
fire-arms?" we inquired. "Yes," said Mr. B. ; "I had a
small pocket-pistol in my saddle-bags'' One day they
were hailed by a man, who asked if they had any rye
flour ? " No," said Reed, " we have money." On being
cautioned by Colonel Bowman, Reed replied, " The fel-
low is not such a d d fool as to believe me." Fortu-
nately no Rinaldo Rinaldini or Jack Sheppard lay con-
cealed, with their comrades, in the " shades of death,"

506 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

or other thickets, along the old Easton Turnpike, watch-
ing for prey, and the $40,000 were safely brought to
Philadelphia.

In 1811, the Easton and Wilkesbarre Turnpike Com-
pany issued notes of the denomination of $1 and $2;
also of 25, 12 J, and 6i cents. The great pressure of the
times, and the scarcity of money, seemed to excuse this
extraordinary measure. Ten thousand dollars were
signed by Lord Butler, President, and Stephen Tuttle,
Treasurer, and the whole was redeemed. During the
war which followed, between England and the United
States, the banks of the cities and country, south of New
England, suspended specie payments, whereupon turn-
pike and bridge companies, corporations generally, and
some individuals, issued shin-plasters. Wilkesbarre was
a recruiting station during the war, and the military
officers issued their individual notes for $1 and $2,
which circulated among the soldiers, and also the farmers,
who received them for provisions. No one, we believe,
ever lost a farthing by them, as they were eventually
redeemed.

In 1816, the Susquehanna Bank, at Wilkesbarre, was
incorporated and organized. Joseph Sinton was chosen
president, and the notes were engraved and signed, but,
owing to the depressed condition of the money market
and to other causes, they were never issued, and the
bank never went into operation. To relieve the pressure,
the former plan of issuing shin-plasters was resorted to
by both companies and individuals. The Wilkesbarre
and Nescopeck Bridge Companies put out large amounts,
all of which were redeemed.

The Wyoming Bank was chartered, in 1829, with a
capital of $150,000. In 1830, it went into operation in
the dwelling of E. Lynch, Esq., on Franklin street.

BANKS AND BANKERS,

507

Benjamin Dorrance, Esq., was chosen the first president.
Mr. Dorrance was succeeded by Garrick Mallery, Esq.,
and he by Colonel G. M. Hollenback. Edward Lynch^
Esq., was chosen first cashier, lately succeeded by E. S.
Loop, Esq. The Pittston Bank was incorporated in 1857,
capital $100,000. George Sanderson, Esq., president,
succeeded by William Sweetland, Esq. ; T. M. Burton,
cashier, succeeded by T. F. Atherton, Esq. Now merged
in the First National. Pittston. The following hst ex-
hibits the number of banks in the county, and the capital
of each under the present National system : —

Names of Banks.

Location.

When organized.

Capital.

First National ....

Wilkesbarre.

Aug. 4, 1863.

§250,000

Second National .

do.

Sept. 23, 1863.

400,000

Wyomino; National

do.

Feb. 1, 1865.

150,000

First National . .

Scranton.

May 30, 1863.

200,000

Second National .

do.

Sept. 1863.

200,000

First National . .

Pittston.

June 23, 1864.

500,000

First National . .

Carbondale.

Dec. 1864.

110,000

First National . ,

Plymouth.

Jan. 14, 1865.
Total capital .

100,000

§1,910,000

In addition to the above there are in the county 5
private bankers, employing an aggregate capital of $400,-
000, making the total banking capital of the county
$2,310,000. From 1830 to 1860 the actual banking
capital employed did not exceed at any one time $500,-
000. Notwithstanding the above statistics show a very
large increase of capital, the increased developments in
coal and other branches of industry throughout the
county will warrant a still further addition within the
coming year. Under the National system the notes of
the state banks are rapidly disappearing, and it will be
a happy day for the people of Luzerne and the whole

508 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

country when uniformity of currency and the rate of
interest are firmly established. The power to regulate
the currency and rate of interest should belong to and
be exercised by the National Government, and this can
be done without danger to the rights of the states or
the people.

INSURANCE COMPANIES.

To trace the history of insurance companies would in-
volve us in labyrinths and mazes, from which we could
never creditably extricate ourselves. There are, at pre-
sent, two established, and, we believe, prosperous insur-
ance companies in the county. The Wyoming Insurance
Company, at Wilkesbarre, was incorporated in 1857, and
organized in the same year, with a capital of $100,000.
L. D. Shoemaker, Esq., was chosen president, and R. C.
Smith, Esq., secretary.

The Nescopeck Mutual Insurance Company, at Nesco-
p^ck, was organized in 1856 ; Michael Raber was chosen
president, and John T. Davis, secretary.

The Huntington Valley Mutual Insurance Company
was incorporated in 1859, and is about to be organized
at New Columbus.

DISTILLERIES.

The cultivation of the grape, and the manufacturing
of wine, were among the early pursuits of the inliabitants
of the Old World. The pure juice of the grape is refresh-
ing and exhilarating, but not intoxicating until fermented.
Although men, in ancient times, got drunk, yet intoxica-
tion was not a common vice. It was reserved for the
ingenuity and art of subsequent ages to discover the
latent spirit of alcohol, which steals away the senses,
property, and lives of so many people.

DISTILLERIES. 509

The manufacture of whiskey was carefully attended to
in the early settlements along the Susquehanna, and
whiskey drinking was considered among the essentials of
frontier life. Prior to the Revolution distilleries were
erected on the lower waters of the Susquehanna, and the
distillers sent agents, in 1775, to Wyoming, to purchase
grain. We have been unable to ascertain when, by
whom, and at what particular place, the first distillery
in Wyoming was built. It was undoubtedly one of the
earliest institutions of the valley.

In 1804, there were 6 distilleries in Wilkesbarre town-
ship, 2 in the borough, and 11 in other parts of the county.
Besides these there were numerous domestic stills for
making peach brandy, apple jack, &c. In 1840, there
were 5 distilleries in the county; in 1850, only 2; and
now there is not one.

The spirits manufactured in those early times were
pure, and could not be bought for 25 or 50 cents a gallon.
To give the reader an idea of the prices of whiskey, rum,
and other articles, we insert the following items from the
store-books of Matthias Hpllenback, kindly furnished for
our perusal by Colonel G. M. Hollenback.

Mr. Hollenback was the second storekeeper in Wyo-
ming, commencing in 1773,

1 quart of whiskey, 9 shillings, or $1.50

2 quarts of apple brandy, £1,
1 nip of toddy,
1 quart of rum,

1 sling, .

2 bowls of toddy,
1 bowl of sangaree,
1 gill of rum,

£1,

3.33i

, ,

•

.08

2s. Qd.

.411

• •

■

.08

Is. id.

.22

35.

.50

25. lOri.

.47

• •

•

.06

610

1 ANNALS OF

LUZERNE cot

FNTY,

•

1 dram,

• • •

$0.06

2 yards of tobacco,

• • •

•

.04

1 bushel of wheat .

5s.

.83i

1 elk skin

£145.

4.00

1 pound of coffee, .

1.5. Qd.

.25

1 spelling-book,

Ss. Qd.

.58i

1 pound of loaf sugar, . 65. lOd.

1.14

1 pound of sugar.

Is. Qd.

.25

1 pound of tobacco.

2s. lOd.

.47

1 ream of paper.

£1 2s. Qd.

3.75

20 bear skins,

each Is. 10c?.

.30

December 15, 1774, Queen Esther Dr. to sundries £3
11 pence.

We have taken the £ s. d. of Mr. Hollenback's books
to be Connecticut currency, and reduced them to dollars
and cents. It will be borne in mind that money in that
day was very scarce in comparison with our own times,
and that the prices, relative to the articles purchased,
are actually higher than appears from the statement.
There appear on these books the names of nearly all the
settlers, Pennamites, Yankees, and several Indians who
occasionally visited the valley from the country of the
Six Nations. Unless prohibited by town meeting for a
particular purpose, it was considered lawful and legiti-
mate to sell liquor to Indians. Their excessive fondness
for intoxicating drinks is one powerful cause which is
operating to produce their extermination.

Joseph Jameson informed the writer, that, in the fall
of 1777, Mr, Hollenback received a Durham boat laden
with store goods, among which were several casks of
rum ; and, as the liquor was being removed from the boat,
a tall Indian, who had just arrived from up the river, at
Wilkesbarre, on seeing the well-known casks containing

WITCHES. 511

his favorite beverage, raised his rifle over his head, fired,
and then began to dance with joy.

WITCHES.

The Act, entitled "An Act against conjuration, witch-
craft, and deahng with evil spirits," passed during the
reign of James I., King of England, was held by the
authorities of Pennsylvania to be in force, in the province,
in 1683. On the 27th of December, in that year, two
Swedish women, Margaret Mattson and Yeshro Hen-
drickson, accused as witches, were arraigned before
Governor William Penn and his council. Several wit-
nesses testified respecting the singular conduct of certain
geese, hogs, cows, &c. ; but there being no positive evi-
dence they were bewitched by the defendants, the jury
returned the following verdict : " They have the common
fame of witches, but not guilty in the manner and form
of the indictment." Governor Penn, however, required
security for their good behavior for six months. Thus
ended the first trial for witchcraft in Pennsylvania.

During the last century, in Northampton and other
counties, several persons were arrested, charged with
witchcraft, and imprisoned, but none were put to death,
as in New England. In Luzerne, the early inhabitants
were, perhaps, as free from superstition as any other peo-
ple, nevertheless a number of old women had the common
fame of being witches.

Mrs. J .... , at W , bewitched the cattle of

, several of which died, in spite of the efforts of

Titus, an old negro witch doctor. For several days,
Titus labored, using the ordinary remedy, a gun -barrel
filled with a particular kind of liquid. But no effect was
produced upon the witch, who continued, contrary to ex-

512 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

pectation, to exercise all her bodily functions. At length,
a fine ox was taken sick, when a new remedy was applied
to break the spell. Miller, the sexton of the old church
on the Public Square, taking the church key, approached
the ox, and putting it in the animal's mouth, turned it
about three times, repeating certain spell-breaking words,
known only to himself The power of the witch was
destroyed, and the ox recovered.

Mrs. H , near Tunkhannock, frequently bewitched

the hunters' guns ; to remedy which a bullet was fired,
from a gun not affected by any spell, into the body of a
tree. So soon as the bullet became covered by the
growth of the wood, the witch would be seized by severe
pain in certain parts of her body, from which she would
find no relief until she removed the spell from the gun.

Mrs. , in the village of P , bewitched the cows

and hogs of Mr. . The cows twisted their tails upon

their backs, threw up the earth with their feet, bellowed,
and ran their hind-legs up the trunks of trees. The pigs
squealed night and day, frothed at the mouth, rolled

over, and turned summersets. Mr. and his wife

were in a state of consternation, expecting they them-
selves would be seized with similar impulses for ground
and lofty tumbling. Fortunately, a celebrated German
witch-doctor arrived. Taking a gun-barrel, he filled it
with a certain saline fluid, plugged up the muzzle and
touch-hole, and placed it in the chimney corner. In a
short time the husband of the witch came to the house,
saying his wife was taken suddenly ill, and requesting

Mrs. to come and see her ; but the request was not

complied with, at the instance of the doctor, who repre-
sented that the effect of his remedy would be counter-
acted, if the desire of the witch were granted. The next
day the witch sent again, urging the attendance of Mrs.

WITCHES. 513

, who again refused to visit her. The husband then

placed his wife, the witch, in a wagon and conveyed hei

to the house of Mr. , where slie confessed she had

bewitched his cattle, and implored the doctor to unstop
the gun-barrel. This he did, and, as soon as the saline
fluid began to flow from the muzzle, the witch was re-
lieved, and the cows and hogs were cured.

We may laugh at the follies of a past age, and congrat-
ulate ourselves on the superior intelligence and improved
condition of our own ; but observation will show us that
every age has its absurdities and superstitions. The
credulity of the first settlers in regard to witches, is
equaled by the weakness of multitudes at this daj-, who
cannot pass a grave-yard by night without trembling
for fear they shall see a spook or ghost. They had
doctors who professed to break the charm of witchcraft ;
and we have mesmeric doctresses, clairvoyants, who tell
us they can see through the skin and flesh of the body,
and describe the condition of the heart, stomach, liver,
and other parts, and can cure the latent disease if any
exists. The witches of those days scratched upon the
walls; the spirits of the 19th century rap on the tables.

Our fathers believed in signs, tokens, warnings, and
presentiments. What of that ? There are men among
us — business-men, known as men of sound judgment —
who will not pay out money on Monday morning until
they have received some. For, say they, "As goes
Monday, so goes all the week." There are those who will
not finish a dwelling-house, but will leave some trifling
thing undone, from a belief that death would be the im-
mediate consequence of an entire completion. The falling
or cracking of a looking-glass without any perceptible
cause, and the running of a beet or cabbage-plant to

614 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY,

seed, are viewed by thousands as tokens of death in the
family.

Let us confess, then, that the divination and hexing
of by-gone times, are no worse than the superstitious
notions of the present age.

POLITICS.

In the formation of the Federal Constitution and Union
there were two parties, composed of men who had stood
shoulder to shoulder through the battles of the Revolu-
tion. The good of the country and the preservation of
liberty were objects dear to both, but they entertained
different views as to the best means they should employ.
The one advocated a strong national government, and
were called Federalists ; the other, anxious to preserve,
as much as possible, the sovereignty of the states, were
called Republicans. In the language of the great Jeffer-
son, they were all Republicans and all Federalists, there
being no difference as to the real character of the govern-
ment.

During the presidency of the immortal Washington,
his signal services and vast personal influence restrained
the formation of parties with strong well-marked lines. But
during the administration of John Adams, after the pass-
age of the Alien and Sedition Law, on the 14th of July,
1798, a distinct and permanent division took place among
the masses of the people, extending to the log-cabins of
the frontiers. This law provided, " That if any person
shall write, print, utter, or publish, or shall cause or pro-
cure to be written, printed, uttered, or published, or shall
knowingly and willingly assist or aid in writing, printing,
uttering, or publishing, any false, scandalous, and mali-
cious writing, or writings, against the government of the
United States, or either House of the Congress of the United

POLITICS. 615

States, or the President of the United States, with intent
to defame the said government, or either House of the
said Congress, or the said President, or to bring them or
either of them into contempt or disrepute, or to excite
against them, or either or any of them, the hatred of the
good people of the United States, or to stir up sedition
within the United States, or to excite any unlawful com-
binations therein for opposing orresisting any law of the
United States, or any act of the President of the United
States, done in pursuance of such law, or of the powers
in him vested by the Constitution of the United States,
or to resist, oppose, or defeat any such law or act, or to
aid, encourage, or abet any hostile designs of any foreign
nation against the United States, their people or govern-
ment, then such person, being thereof convicted before
any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof,
shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $2000, and by
imprisonment not exceeding two years."

It will be observed that this act does not declare that
if any citizen shall do thus and so, but " if any person,"
which evidently embraces all classes, both natives and
aliens. Prior to the enactment of this law, a number of
Englishmen had come to the United States, and, during
their stay, had denounced, slandered, and ridiculed the
government. They had printed and circulated libellous,
seditious, and insurrectionary matter. The independence
of the colonies had not only wrested the brightest jewel
from the British Crown, but had cut off thousands of
Englishmen from desirable offices and vast possessions in
America. These disappointed individuals would gladly
have seen the overthrow of republicanism here, followed
by confusion and anarchy, and perhaps the re-establish-
ment of the authority of the mother country. A great
number of Americans sympathized with France, then

516 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

convulsed by a terrible revolution, and were dissatisfied
with the course pursued by their own government towards
that country. This law, then, was designed against the
infamous purposes of these aliens, and of all citizens who
sympathized with them. The Federalists, generally,
sustained the law, but the Republicans opposed it, alleg-
ing its provisions were too general, embracing citizens as
well as foreigners. On this question hinged the election
of 1800, when Mr. Jefferson was chosen President, wdio
was in favor of repeal.

The great majority of the people of Luzerne were
Federalists, but when it was ascertained that Mr. Jeffer-
son was elected, the Republicans, comparatively few in
number, determined to celebrate the victory. An ox was
roasted in the public square, and, being placed upon a
carpenter's work-bench, was borne on the shoulders of
men through the streets of Wilkesbarre. As the proces-
sion moved along, men with knives cut off slices of the
roast, and distributed them among the faithful. The beef
was cooked rare, and, says an eye-witness, " You could
see the blood running out of the corners of their mouths."
There was also a four-horse wagon, in which was placed
a liberty-pole, with the stars and stripes, supported by an
old soldier, Mr. Brown, of Pittston, ninety years of
age, and a number of girls, dressed in white, representing
the several states of the Union. In front of the wagon
marched a farmer, with a bag suspended from his shoul-
ders, from which he sowed the streets of the town with
wheat. Such a triumphant political display was never
before witnessed in our county, and perhaps not since
excelled, except by the great Whig processions of 1840.

In early times, candidates for office presented them-
selves for the suffrages of the people, witliout the form of
a regular nomination by a delegate convention. After

POLITICS. 517

wards candidates were selected by a raeeting held during
court, and composed of all persons who chose to assemble.
When the candidates were thus selected, it was customary
for the grand jury to recommend them to the people for
their suffrages. In 1798, Luzerne was united with Berks
in one congressional district, and a meeting was held in
the latter county to select a candidate for Congress.
Federalists and Republicans, or, as they were then called,
Federal Republicans and Democratic Republicans, assem-
bled together. The vote was taken, and the Democrats
declared that Joseph Heister had a majority, while the
Federalists insisted that Daniel Clymer had the most
votes. At the August term of court, the grand jury
unanimously recommended Mr. Clymer, and ordered the
ticket to be printed in the English and German news-
papers. But notwithstanding the advantage of Mr. Cly-
mer in securing a recommendation by the grand jury,
Berks county being largely Democratic, Mr. Heister was
elected. The vote stood in Luzerne — Clymer, 695 ; Heis-
ter, 105.

During this canvass, Nathan Palmer, Esq., who had
located at Wilkesbarre as an attorney-at-law, published
several articles through the " Wilkesbarre Gazette," the
only newspaper in the county, and open to both parties,
in which he declared that Heister had a majority of the
votes in the meeting held in Berks county. He attacked
the Alien and Sedition law, and called on the Republicans
to vote for Heister; proclaimed himself a Democratic
Republican, and said, " Our government is called a Re-
publican Government, and in this case the friends of that
government are very properly called republicans, and
Republican and Democrat I conceive to be synonymous
terms."

At the August Term of 1799, a meeting was held in

518 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

the court-house, at Wilkesbarre, for the purpose of " fix-
ing on a candidate to be held up at the next general
election for the office of governor." The meeting was
attended by " the associate judges of the court, the grand
jury, the traverse jury, and citizens from all parts of the
county." What is surprising, there was no collision of
parties. At the next meeting, however, in September,
1800, held at the court-house, for selecting candidates for
the Senate and Assembly, the Federal Republicans, having
a majority, secured the organization by the election of
Lawrence Myers, Esq., to the chair. Thereupon, Benja-
min Carpenter, Esq., proclaimed that the Democratic
Republicans would withdraw to the house of N. Hurlbut,
where a meeting was organized by the election of Mat-
thias Hollenback, Esq., chairman. The Federal Repub-
licans nominated General Lord Butler for the Senate, and
John Franklin for Assembly. The Democratic Repub-
licans nominated James Harris, of Centre county, for the
Senate, and John Jenkins, of Luzerne, for the Assembly.
At the election ensuing, the vote of Luzerne stood, for
Butler, 590, Harris, 329 ; for Franklin, 563, Jenkins,
365.

In 1804, both parties held conventions at the house of
James Scovel, in Exeter, and each convention was com-
posed of delegates, elected in the several townships by
their respective friends. These, as far as we can ascer-
tain, were the first delegate conventions held in Luzerne
to nominate candidates for office.

The " Federalist" newspaper had been established by
Asher Miner, Esq., at Wilkesbarre, in 1801. In 1810,
Samuel Maffet, Esq., started the " Susquehanna Demo-
crat," in the same town, and each party now having its
own organ, the contest for power and office began in good
earnest. The opposing parties, under various names.

POLITICS. 519

have continued the struggle down to the present time.
Federalists, Republicans, Democrats, Whigs, Anti-Masons,
and Native Americans have all, in their turn, been vic-
torious, and saved the country from ruin. As long as this
is the happy result of political strife, we have nothing to
fear.

All parties endorse the declaration " that all men are
created equal," that our Constitution shall be preserved
inviolate, and that the laws shall be upheld and faithfully
executed. The revolution of events creates great differ-
ences of opinion as to the best means for securing the
prosperity and happiness of the country, though the un-
prejudiced spectator, witnessing the fiery zeal of parties,
is sometimes constrained to exclaim,

" 'Tis strange such difference there should be
Twixt tweedledum and tweedledee."

So long as the people are honest and intelligent, we
have nothing to fear from the machinations of designing
and corrupt demagogues. The ballot-box is the potent
instrument which will secure liberty and prosperity for
us and our posterity. Party leaders often lay deep plans
and put forth great exertions to effect their ends, but
they are not unfrequently surprised at the decision of the
people.

To readers who have a taste for political statistics, the
following statement of votes cast in Luzerne for President
and Governor, together with the names of Congressmen,
Senators, and Assemblymen, will not be uninteresting.
The first election for President of the United States was
held in January, 1789. The Electors for Pennsylvania
w^ere James Wilson, Samuel Potts, Edward Hand, John
Arndt, David Grier, Lawrence Reeve, George Gibson.
John Wood, Collinson Reed, Alexander Graydon. A

520

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

]iew general government was about to be organized ; the
people generally did not understand the plan of its opera-
tion ; there were no printed tickets ; the names of the
electors were known to but few, and there was no excite-
ment reaching the body of the people. The consequence
was, the electors received only 36 votes in Luzerne
county. General Washington was the unanimous choice
of the nation.

1792,

1796,

1800.
1804,
1808,

1812,

1810,
1820,

1824,

1828,

George Washington, re-
elected without oppo-
sition. The votes in
Luzerne were 308

John Adams, 407

T. JofFersoii, and others, 8
John Adams, 572

T. Jefferson, and others, 364
C. C. Pinckney, 276

Thomas Jefterson, 8

George Clinton, 456

James Madison, 407

De Witt Clinton, 1242

James Madison, 714

James Monroe, 373

Rufus King, 313

James Monroe, 377

J. Q. Adams, 12

Andrew Jackson, 631

W. H. Crawford, 125

J. Q. Adams, 31

Henry Clay, 18

Andrew Jackson, 1645

1828,

J. Q. Adams,

1435

1832,

Andrew Jackson,

1745

1836,

Henry Clay,
Martin Van Buren,

1325

2088

((

W. H. Harrison,

1415

1840,

Martin Van Buren,

4119

W. H. Harrison,

2776

1844,

James K. Polk,

4031

1848,

Henry Clay,
Lewis Cass,

2777
3991

Z. Taylor,

3516

1852,

Franklin Pierce,

5340

Winfield Scott,

3339

J. P. Hale,

1856,

James Buchanan,

6783

J. C. Fremont,

5155

M. Filmore,

563

1860,

A. Lincoln,

7300

J. C. Breckenridge,
S. A. Douglas,

6803
37

J. Bell,

139

1864,

Home.

A. Lincoln, 6646

ArniT.

999

G. B. McClellan, 9541

504

FOR GOVERNOR.

Thomas Mifflin was the first gov-
ernor under the Constitution of
1790, and held the ofiice 9 years.

1799, James Boss, votes 916

" Thomas McKean, 259

1802, James Ross, 680

" Thomas McKean, 278

1805, Thomas McKean, 670

1805, Simon Snyder,

1808, James Ross,

Simon Snyder,
Simon Snyder,
William Tilghman,
Simon Snyder,
Isaac Wayne,

1817, William Findley,

1811,

1814,

413
1239

772
1040
718
699
676
985

POLITICS,

521

1817,
1820,

1823,

1826,

1829,
((

1832,

1835,

1838,

((

1841,

Joseph Heister,
William Findley,
Joseph Heister,
Andrew Gregg,
J. A. Shultz,
J. A. Shultz,
George Wolfe,
Joseph Ritner,
George Wolfe,
Joseph Ritner,
H. A. Muhlenberg,
Joseph Ritner,
George Wolfe,
David R. Porter,
Joseph Ritner,
David R. Porter,
John Banks,

832
1124
1065
1291
1280
1185
1994

124
2064
1586
1886
1488

618
3132
2592
3426
2194

1844,

1847,

1848,
(I

1851,

1854,

1857,
1860,
1863,

Francis R. Shunk, 3649

Joseph Markle, 2561

Francis R. Shunk, 3296

James Irvin, 2048

M. Longstreth, 3785

William F. Johnson, 2967

AVilliam Bigler, 4909

W^illiam F. Johnson, 3471

James Pollock, 4884

William Bigler, 4368

William F. Packer, 5268

David Wilmot, 3536

A. G. Curtin, 6662

Foster, 6916

A. G. Curtin, , 7022

G. W. Woodward, 9808

Prior to 1816, Luzerne, connected with Berks, Bucks,
Northampton, Northumberland, and other counties, was
represented in Congress by Messrs. Heister, Sitgreaves,
Pugh, Conrad, and others, none of whom resided in Lu-
zerne. But, in that year, David Scott, Esq., of Wilkes-
barre, was elected to Congress. He, however, being
appointed president judge soon after, resigned, and the
vacancy was filled by the election of John Murray, Esq.,
of Northumberland county.

George Denison and John Murray were elected in 1818 ;
at which time the Congressional district was composed of
the counties of Luzerne, Columbia, Northumberland,
Union, Bradford, Susquehanna, Lycoming, Tioga, and
Potter. They were elected without opposition, Mr. Mur-
ray receiving 7423 votes, and Mr. Denison 7299. Again
in 1820, Messrs. Murray and Denison were elected. From
1822 to 1832, this district was represented by Cox EHis
George Kreamer Samuel McKean, Philander Stephens,
Lewis Dewart, and Alem Marr. In 1832, Luzerne and
Columbia formed one Congressional district, and Andrew
Beaumont was elected by 88 majority over Dr. Thomas
W. Miner.

522 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

1834, Andrew Beaumont was again elected.

1836, David Petrikin, of Columbia county.

1838, " "

1840, Benjamin A. Bidlack.

1842,

1844, Owen D. Leib, of Columbia county.

1846, Chester Butler.

1848,

1850, Henry M. Fuller, with Wyoming, Columbia, and

Montour.
1852, Hendrick B. Wright.
1854, Henry M. Fuller.

1856, John G. Montgomery, of Montour county. Mr.

Montgomery died before the expiration of his
term.

1857, Paul Leidy, of Montour.

1858, George W. Scranton.

1860, G. W. Scranton (died).

1861, H. B. Wright, June, special election.

1862, Chas. Denison, Luzerne and Susquehanna counties.
1864, Charles Denison.

MEMBERS FROM WESTMORELAND TO CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY.

April, 1774, Zebulon Butler, Timothy Smith.

Sept., 1774, Christopher Avery, John Jenkins.

April, 1775, Captain Z. Butler, Joseph Sluman.

Sept., 1775, Captain Z. Butler, Major Ezekiel Pierce.

May, 1776, John Jenkins, Solomon Strong.

Oct., 1776, Colonel Z. Butler, Colonel Nathan Denison.

May, 1777, John Jenkins, Isaac Tripp.

May, 1778, Nathan Denison, Anderson Dana.

Oct., 1778, Colonel N. Denison, Lieutenant Asahel Buck.

May, 1779, Colonel N. Denison, Deacon John Hurlbut.

May, 1780, John Hurlbut, Jonathan Fitch.

Oct., 1780, Nathan Denison, John Hurlbut.

POLITICS. 523

May, 1781, John Hurlbut, Jonathan Fitch.

Oct., 1781, Obadiah Gore, Captain John Franklin.

May, 1782, Obadiah Gore, Jonathan Fitch.

Oct., 1782, Obadiah Gore, Jonathan Fitch.

MEMBERS FROM LUZERNE COUNTY TO PENNSYLVANIA

ASSEMBLY.

COUNCIL.

1787, 1788, 1789, to 9th October, Nathan Denison.
30th October, 1789, to 20th December, 1790, Lord Butler.

On the 20th December, 1790, the Council closed its
session, sine die, and the state was organized under the
Constitution of 1790, and a Senate took the place of a
Council.

SENATE.

1790, William Montgomery, with Northumberland and

Huntington.
1792, William Hepburn.
1794, George Wilson, with Northumberland, Mifflin, and

Lycoming.
1796, Samuel Dale, with Northumberland, Mifflin, and

Lycoming.
1798, Samuel McClay.

1800, James Harris.

1801, Jonas Hartzell, with Northampton and Wayne.
1803, Thomas Mewhorter.

1805. William Lattimore.

1807, Matthias Gress.

1808, Nathan Palmer, with Northumberland.
1810, James Laird.

1812, William Ross.

1814, Thomas Murray, Jr., with Northumberland, Union,
Columbia, and Susquehanna.

524 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

1816, Charles Frazer.

1818, Simon Snyder.

1820, Redmond Conjngham.

1824, Robert Moore, with Columbia.

1828, and 1830, Jacob Drumheller.

1832, Uzal Hopkins.

1836, Ebenezer Kingsburj^, Jr., with Monroe, Wayne, and

Pike.
1839, S. F. Headley.
1841, Luther Kidder.
1844, William S. Ross, with Columbia.
1847, Valentine Best.

1850, Charles R. Buckalew, with Columbia and Montour.
1853, Charles R. Buckalew.
1856, George P. Steele.

1859, Winthrop W. Ketcham, Luzerne (alone).
1862, J. B. Stark.
1865, L, D. Shoemaker.

HOUSE — THE YEAR OF ELECTION GIVEN.

1787, John Paul Schott.

1788, 1789, and 1790, Obadiah Gore.
1791, and 1792, Simon Spalding.

1793, Ebenezer Bowman.

1794, Benjamin Carpenter.

1795, and 1796, John Franklin.
1797, and 1798, Rosewell Welles.
1799, and 1800, John Franklin.

1801, John Franklin and Lord Butler.

1802, John Franklin and Rosewell Welles.

1803, John Franklin and John Jenkins.

1804, Rosewell Welles, Jonas Ingham.

1805, Rosewell Welles, Nathan Beach.

1806, Rosewell Welles, Moses Coolbaugh.

1807, Charles Miner, Nathan Beach.

1808, Charles Miner, Benjamin Dorrance.

POLITICS. 525

1809, and 1810, Benjamin Dorrance and Thos. Graham.

1811, Thomas Graham, Jonathan Stevens.

1812, Benjamin Dorrance, Charles Miner.

1813, Jabez Hj^de, Jr., and Joseph Pruner, with Susque-

hanna.

1814, Benjamin Dorrance, Putnam Catlin.

1815, Redmond Conyngham, George Denison.

1816, George Denison, Jonah Brewster.

1817, and 1818, Jonah Brewster, James Reeder.

1819, Jonah Brewster, Benjamin Dorrance.

1820, Benjamin Dorrance, CorneUus Cortright.

1821, Andrew Beaumont, Cornelius Cortright.

1822, Jabez Hyde, Jr., Andrew Beaumont, Jacob Drum-

heller, Jr.

1823, Jabez Hyde, Jr., Jacob Drumheller, Jr., and Cor-

nelius Cortright.

1824, Philander Stevens, G. M. Hollenback, Jacob Drum-

heller, Jr.

1825, Philander Stevens, G. M. HoUenback, Samuel

Thomas.

1826, Philander Stevens, Samuel Thomas, Garrick Mal-

lery.

1827, Garrick Mallery, George Denison, Almon H. Read.

1828, Garrick Mallery, George Denison, Isaac Post.

1829, Garrick Mallery, George Denison.

1830, George Denison, Benjamin Dorrance.

1831, Albert G. Brodhead, Nicholas Overfield.

1832, A. G. Brodhead, Chester Butler.

1833, A. G. Brodhead, Ziba Bennett.

1834, Ziba Bennett, B. A. Bidlack.

1835, B. A. Bidlack, James Nesbitt, Jr.

1836, and 1837, Henry Stark, William C. Reynolds.

1838, John Sturdevant, Chester Butler.

1839, Chester Butler, Joseph Griffin.

526 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

1840

1842

1843
1844
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1852
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865

and 1841, Andrew Cortright, Hendrick B. Wright.

Hendrick B. Wright and Moses Overfield.
William Merrifield, Chester Butler,
and 1845, William Merrifield, James S. Campbell.
Nathan Jackson, George Fenstermacher.
Samuel Benedict, James W. Goff.
Henry M. Fuller, Thomas Gillispie.
Andrew Beaumont, John N. Conyngham.
and 1851, James W. Rhodes, Silas S. Benedict,
and 1853, Truman Atherton, Abram B. Dunning.
A. B. Dunning, Gideon W. Palmer.
Harrison Wright, Henderson Gaylord.
Steuben Jenkins, Thomas Smith.
Steuben Jenkins, Samuel G. Turner, P. C. Gritman.
P. C. Gritman, Lewis Pughe, Winthrop W. Ketcham.
John Stone, Peter Byrne, Dyer L. Chapin.
Peter Byrne, Lewis Pughe, H. B. Hillman.
Wm. S. Ross, R. F. Russell, H. V. Hall.
S. W. Trimmer, Jacob Robinson, Peter Walsh.
Peter Walsh, Jacob Robinson, Harry Hakes.
Harry Hakes, Anthony Grady, D. F. Seybert.
A. Grady, D. F. Seybert, D. S. Koon.
From 1814 to 1828, inclusive, the representative district
was composed of Luzerne, Bradford, and Susquehanna.

GERSHOM PRINCE.

Gershom Prince was a brave and reliable negro soldier
of the American army. He perished in the battle of
Wyoming, July 3d, 1778, at the post of duty, and he
should not be entirely forgotten. He was born, probably,
in Connecticut or Rhode Island, about the year 1733,
and, possessing a daring and adventurous spirit, he chose
the exciting life of a soldier. Captain Israel Putnam
commanded a company of Massachusetts and Connecticut
rangers, of which Robert Durkee was lieutenant in the

GERSHOM PRINCE. 527

year 1755. This company marched, under Sir William
Johnson, in an expedition against the French and Indians.
Prince, who was attached to Lieutenant Durkee, accom-
panied him in this campaign, and participated in many
of its thrilUng and adventurous scenes. When war was
declared by England against Spain, in 1762, he accom-
panied the Connecticut regiment, commanded by Colonel
Putnam, to Havana ; and when the Revolutionary war
broke out, he joined Colonel Christopher Green's colored
regiment from Rhode Island.

Prince was in the engagement at Red Bank, on the
22d of October, 1777. In this attack, made by 1200
Hessians, under Count Donop, the black regiment distin-
guished itself by repelling the first onset of the British
troops; and, in conjunction with another regiment, 400
men in all, compelled the enemy to retreat with the loss
of Count Donop and 400 killed and wounded. Soon after
this battle, it is probable Prince's term of enlistment ex-
pired, for we find him again with Lieutenant, now Cap-
tain Durkee, who was in New Jersey in command of the
1st Independent Company from Wyoming. He, perhaps,
acted in the capacity of servant or waiter to Captain
Durkee.

When tidings arrived in the camp of the near approach
of the Tories and Indians to Wyoming, it will be remem-
bered that Captains Durkee and Ransom, together with a
number of privates, departed in haste, to assist in pro-
tecting their homes. Gershom Prince accompanied them,
and with them died in the battle.

From his lifeless body was taken a powder-horn, which
afterwards passed into the possession of Fisher Gay, Esq.,
but is now deposited in the cabinet of the Wyoming His-
torical and Geological Society. On this horn is carved
these words : " Prince negro his horning In another place,

528 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

" Garsliom Prince his hornm made at Croimi Point Sept.
ye Srd day 1761." A caution is carved in a third place,
" Steal 7wt this liornmr He has, besides, given a view
of six buildings on his horn, one of which hangs out the
swinging sign. He has endeavored, also, to represent a
water craft, but, fearing it would not be recognized as
such, has carved over it the word " vesel."

MINERAL SPRINGS.

None but invalids, who have drank the healing waters,
can appreciate the virtues of mineral springs. These
medicinal waters, prepared by Nature's own hand, are
found in various countries and localities ; and while the
springs of New York and Virginia are celebrated, and
annually visited by thousands, those of Luzerne are com-
paratively unknown.

On the property of Calvin Parsons, Esq., about one
and a half miles from Wilkesbarre, there is a chalybeate
spring, the waters of which have benefited a number of
individuals who have properly used them.

At the base of Rosshill, where it is washed by the Sus-
quehanna, there is an alum spring, whicli deposits a con-
siderable quantity of pure alum on the rocks. Its waters,
we believe, are more strongly impregnated with this
mineral than those of the Rock Bridge, or Bath Alum
Springs, in Virginia.

"Passing through Leggett's Gap," says Dr. Hollister,
" and near the saw-mill of Benjamin Leach, we find a point
of some little interest from the existence there of a salt
spring, once used by the aboriginal race. It is a small
spring, strongly impregnated with saline properties." It
was called by the Indians Mesomersic. The early white
settlers procured salt from boiling the water, and fre-
quently shot deer who visited the spring. One hunter
informed Dr. H. that he had killed 147 deer at this spring
alone.

ITEMS. 529

ITEMS.

1769. Colonel Nathan Denison was united in mar-
riage to Miss Sill. The knot was tied in a log-cabin,
which stood on the corner of River and South streets, in
Wilkesbarre, now occupied by the old Wells House.
This was the first marriage in Wyoming.

1773. Lazarus Denison, son of Colonel Nathan Deni-
son, said to be the first white child, was born in Wyo-
ming.

1804. Died at Standing Stone, Wyoming county,
Mrs. Hannah Sherer, aged 104 years. She emigrated to
Luzerne in 1773.

1805. The first animal show was held in Luzerne
county. One elephant was exhibited in a log-stable,
which stood on the ground now occupied by the new
brick and iron store of G. M. Hollenback, Esq., in Market
street, Wilkesbarre. The people assembled from all parts
of the surrounding country, and one farmer carried a
half bushel of wheat on his back, with which he paid the
price of admission.

1822. This year Sam Wright emigrated from New
Jersey to Wilkesbarre. Sam was a negro 4 feet 6 inches
in height, and measured 9 feet in circumference. He
was a proficient in the art of cookery, and on his arrival
opened an oyster saloon for the accommodation of the
lovers of the bivalve. Oysters had been kept and sold
for many years before in the cellar of the old court-house,
at Amdt's Tavern, and at one or two other places, but
there had never been an eating-house or saloon established
in the place, and conducted by a competent artist like
Sara. Here good bread was baked and sold, and ginger-
cakes besides, together with mince pies, and tarts of a

530 ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

most delicious flavor and taste. Here mead, the best of
mead, with its sparkling spray and foam, could be obtained
Ladies and gentlemen of a former generation assembled
here to partake of the delicacies which Sam's rare skill
prepared. But Sam has been gathered to his fathers, and
his suppers are like the memory of joys that are past.
No stone marks the spot where Sam is laid, and in
memory of the excellent baker and oysterman, we insert
his old advertisement :^

"Sam Wright, by day and by night,
Will serve up fine oysters you know ;
I have 'em on hand, and more at command,
On the square and at Porter's below.

If you call for a heart, or even a tart,

I'll furnish them both if you please ;
Mince pies I have too, or plum pudding in lieu,

As well as dried beef and good cheese."

1825. Dr. Atkins, of Kingston, took a stone from the
bladder of a child 3 years old, measuring one inch in
length and three-fourths of an inch in width. In 1847,
Dr. McClelland, of Philadelphia, extracted a stone of the
size of a small hen-egg from the bladder of a boy in Hunt-
ington township, aged 12 years.

An ox was killed in Kingston, from the stomach of
which was taken a hard ball of hog's hair as large as a
man's head.

1842. The first balloon ascension took place at
Wilkesbarre. Mr. Wise, the celebrated aeronaut, as-
cended from the river bank seated on a board suspended
below the globe of the balloon, and descended on the
west side of the Susquehanna. He returned to Wilkes-
barre after an absence of two hours.

1854. Died, in Plymouth township, Mrs. Peggy Lark,

ITEMS. 531

aged 105 years. Her maiden name was Pace, and she
had resided in Luzerne for upwards of 70 years. On her
last birth-day, as she had been in the habit of doing for
many years, she visited Captain Waller, who always was
pleased to prepare for her a sumptuous birth-day dinner.

1858. Alexander Jameson died in Salem township,
aged 95 years.

On the main road, between Beach Grove and Berwick,
a distance of six miles, there resided the following named
persons, who died at an advanced age : Alexander Jame-
son, 95 ; Joseph Jameson, 92 ; Elizabeth Jameson, 88 ;
Mary Jameson, 85 ; Nathan Beach, 84 ; Mr. Hughes, 90 ;
two of the Messrs. Courtright, each about 80, and Mr.
Varner, 91. Besides these, there were a number who
lived to an age exceeding 75 years.

Mrs. Lucy Carey, of Scott township, whose maiden
name was McKay, was in Forty Fort at the time of the
massacre, and, if now living, is 100 years of age. She
was alive one year ago.

1859. A common duck was killed in Wilkesbarre,
from the gizzard of which was extracted an awl with a
handle about three inches in length.

532

ANNALS OF LUZERNE COUNTY.

HOMINY-BLOCK.

In the absence of grist-mills, the early settlers in Wye-
ming used the hominy-block or corn-pounder, represented
by the accompanying engraving. A block cut from the

trunk of a large tree was placed in or upon the ground,
with a hollow or bowl made in the top, in which the corn
was placed, and pounded with a pestle hung upon a
spring pole. Males and females alike were compelled to
grind at these homely mills, and, says old Mr. Harris,
" I have heard them pounding night and day in all
directions in Wilkesbarre."

TABLE OF DISTANCES.

533

TABLE OF DISTANCES.

(Vhere from.

Where to.

By way of.

Miles.

Wilkesbarre

(<
<(

a
(<
<(

((
((

Carbondale
Scran to a .

Philadelphia

New York

Baltimore .
Harrisburg
Elmira . .

Mauch Chunk
Bloomsburg .
Danville . .
Sunbury . .
Tamaqua . .

Pottsville . .
Wiliiamsport .
Easton . . .

Tunkhannock
Montrose . .
Towanda . .
Pittston . .
Scranton . .
Carbondale .
New Columbus
Berwick . .
Hazelton . .
White Haven
Nescopeck
Harvey's Lake
Honesdale . .
Great Bend .

White Haven and Mauch Chunk
Tamaqua and Reading . . .
Scranton and Easton ....
Sunbury and Harrisburg . . .
Mauch Chunk and Easton . .
Scranton and Elizabeth Port
Sunbury and Harrisburg . . .

Sunbury

Rupert

Great Bend

North Branch Canal ....

Railroad . .
Carriage Road
Railroad . .
Rupert . . .
Mauch Chunk
Turnpike . .
Canal . . .
Turnpike . .
Canal . . .

133

189

183

222

166

162

198

116

170

141

123

107

APPENDIX.

Names of fifty-eigtt of the 117 persons who settled at Wyoming in
1763 ; viz. : — John Jenkins, John Comstock, Ephraim Seely, William
Buck, Oliver Jewell, Oliver Smith, David Honeywell, Ezra Dean, Jona-
than Weeks, Jr., Obadiah Gore, Ezekiel Pierce, Philip Weeks, Daniel
Gore, Elkanah Fuller, Wright Stevens, Isaac Underwood, Benjamin
Ashley, Gideon Lawrence, Isaac Bennett, Stephen Lee, Silas Parker,
James Atherton, Moses Kimball, Ebenezer Searles, Timothy Hol-
lister, Nathaniel Terry, Ephraim Tyler, Timothy Hollister, Jr.,
Wright Smith, Ephraim Tyler, Jr., Isaac Hollister, Jr., Nathaniel
Chapman, John Dorrance, Thomas Marsh, Rev. Wm. Marsh, Timothy
Smith, Matthew Smith, Jonathan Slocum, Benjamin Davis, Benjamin
Follet, George Miner, Nathaniel Hollister, Benjamin Shoemaker, Na-
thaniel Hurlbut, Simeon Draper, Samuel Richards, John Smith, Daniel
Baldwin, Stephen Gardiner, Eliphalet Stephens, David Marvin, Augustus
Hunt, Paschall Terry, William Stephens, Thomas Bennet.

The following persons were killed, Oct. 15th, 1763 : — Rev. William
Marsh, Thomas Marsh, Timothy Hollister, Timothy Hollister, Jr., Nathan
Terry, Wright Smith, Daniel Baldwin and wife, Jesse Wiggins, Zeruah
Whitney, Isaac Hollister. Mr. Shepherd and a son of Daniel Baldwin
were taken prisoners.

Names of two hundred enrolled settlers at Wyoming prior to 1773 —
those marked thus [*] were of the forty who settled Kingston in 1769 ;
viz.: — David Whittlesey, Job Green, Philip Goss, Joshua Whitney,
Abraham Savage, Ebenezer Stearns, Sylvester Cheseb rough, Zephaniah
Thayer, Eliphalet Jewel, Daniel Gore, Ozias Yale, Henry Wall,* Row-
land Barton, Gideon Lawrence, Asa Lawrence, Nathaniel Watson, Philip
Weeks, Thomas Weeks, Asher Harrot, Ebenezer Hebbard, Morgan

(535)

536 APPENDIX.

Carvan, Samuel Marviu, Silas Gore, Ebenezer Northrop, Joshua Lam-
pher, Joseph Hillman, Abel Pierce, Jabez Roberts, Jonathan Carrington,
John Dorrance, Noah Allen, Robert Jackson, Zebulon Hawksey, James
Dunkin, Caleb Tennant, Zerobabel Wightman, Gurdon Hopson, Asa Lee,
Thomas Wallworth, Robert Hunter, John Baker, Jonathan Orms, Daniel
Angel, Elias Roberts, Nicholas Manvil, Thomas Gray, Joseph Gaylord, -^
William Churchell, Henry Strong, Zebulon Fisbee, Hezekiah Knap, John
Kenyon, Preserved Taylor, Isaac Bennett, Uriah Marvin, Abisha Bing-
ham, Moses Hebbard, Jr., Jabez Fisk, Peris Briggs, Aaron Walter,
James May, Samuel Badger, Jabe^Jppoke, Samuel Dorrance, John Corn-
stock,* Samuel Hotchkiss, William Leonard, Jesse Leonard, Elisha
Avery, Ezra Buel, Gershom Hewit, Nathaniel Goss, Benjamin Hewit,
Benjamin Hewit, Jr., Elias Thomas, Abijah Mock, Ephraim Fellows,
Joseph Arnold, Ephraim Arnold, Benjamin Ashley, William White,
Stephen Hull, Diah Hull, Joseph Lee, Samuel Wybrant, Reuben Hurlbut,
Jenks Corah, Obadiah Gore, Jr., Caleb White, Samuel Sweet, Thomas
Knight, John JoUee, Ebenezer Norton, Enos Yale, John Wiley, Timothy
Vorce, Cyrus Kenney, John Shaw, James Forseythe, Peter Harris, Abel
Smith, Elias Parks, Joshua Masfield, John Murphy, Thomas Bennet,*/'
Christopher Avery, Elisha Babcock, John Perkins, Joseph Slocum,
Robert Hopkins, Benjamin Shoemaker, Jr., Jabez Sill, Parshall Terry,
John Belong, Theophilus Westover,* John Sterling, Joseph Morse,
Stephen Poller, Andrew Durkee, Andrew Medcalf, Daniel Brown, Jona-
than Buck, David Mead, Thomas Ferlin, William Wallsworth, Thomas
Draper, James Smith, James Atherton, Jr.,* Oliver Smith,* James
Evans, Eleazar Carey, Cyprian Lothrop,* James Nesbitt, Joseph Web-
ster, Samuel Millington, Benjamin Budd, John Lee, Josiah Dean,
Zophur Teed, Moses Hebbard, Daniel Murdock, Noah Lee, Stephen
Lee, Daniel Haynes, Lemuel Smith, Silas Park, Stephen Hungerford,
Zerobabel Jeorum,* Comfort Goss, William Draper, Thamas McClure,
Peter Ayers, Solomon Johnson, Phineas Stevens, Abraham Colt, Elijah
Buck,* Noah Read, Nathan Beach, Job Green, Jr., Frederick Wise,
Stephen Jenkins, Daniel Marvin, Zachariah Squier, Henry Wall, Simeon
Draper,* John Wallsworth, Ebenezer Stone, Thomas Olcott, Stephen
Hinsdale, Benjamin Dorchester, Elijah Witter, Oliver Post, Daniel Cass,
Isaac Tracy, Samuel Story, John Mitchel, Samuel Orton, Christopher
Gardner, Duty Gerold, Peris Bradford, Samuel Morgan, John Clark,
Elijah Lewis, Timothy Hopkins, Edward Johnson, Jacob Dingman,
Captain Prince Alden, Benedict Satterlee,* Naniad Coleman, Peter Com-
stock, John Franklin, Benjamin Matthews, John Durkee, William Gallop,
Stephen Hurlbut, Stephen Miles, Ezra Dean.*

APPENDIX. 537

List of prisoners sent from Wyoming to the Easton jail, in 1784 ; viz. :
— William Slocum, Joseph Carey, Gideon Church, Xathani^lX'ook, Ben-
jamin Jenkins, William Jenkins, Abraham Pyke, Lord Butler, John
Hurlbut, Daniel Sullivan, William Jackson, Richard Halstead, Edward
Inman, Thomas Heath, Nathaniel Walker, Thomas Reed, Walter Spen-
cer, John Gore, Jonathan Burwell, Prince Alden, Jeremiah White,
Thomas Stoddart, Elisha Gaharda, Justus Gaylord, John Platner, and
Abraham Nesbit. *~

Copy of a muster-roll of the 1st independent company, commanded
by Captain Robert Durkee, and attached to one of the Connecticut regi-
ments, commanded by Colonel John Durkee, and encamped at Morris-
town, New Jersey. Sworn to and subscribed by Captain Durkee and
Lieutenant Wells, before Samuel Tuttle, Esq., at Morristown, August 8,
1777. The time of the enlistment of officers and men, except one pri-
vate, Waterman Baldwin, a." noted on the roll, was September 17, 1776.
Captain, Robert Durkee ; Ist Lieutenant, James Wells ; 2d Lieutenant.
Asahel Buck ; Ensign, Herman Swift ; 1st Sergeant, Thomas McClure ;
2d Sergeant, Peregrene Gardner; 3d, Thomas Baldwin; 4th, John
Hutchinson ; Corporals, Edward Setter, Azel Hyde, Jeremiah Coleman,
Benjamin Clark. Privates, Walter Baldwin, James Bagley, Eleazar
Butler, Moses Brown, Charles Bennett, William Buck, Jr., Asa Brown,
James Brown, Jr., David Brown, Waterman Baldwin, enlisted January
7, 1777 ; John Cary, Jesse Coleman, William Cornelius, Samuel Cole,
William Davison, Douglass Davison, William Dunn, Daniel Denton,
Samuel Ensign, Nathaniel Evans, John Foster, Frederick Follet, Na-
thaniel Fry, James Frisby, Jr., Elisha Garret, James Gould, Titus Garret,
Mumford Gardner, Abraham Hamester, Israel Harding, Henry Harding,

Thomas , Stephen Harding, Oliver Harding, Richard Halsted-,- — I

Thomas Hill, John Halsted, Benjamin Harvey, Solomon Johnson, Asahel
Jerome, John Kelly, Stephen Munson, Seth Marvin, Martin Nelson,
Stephen Pettibone, Stephen Preston, Thomas Porter, Aaron Perkins,
John Perkins, Ebenezer Philips, Ashbel Robinson, Ira Stevens, Elisha
Sills, Ebenezer Shiner, Asa Smith, Robert Sharer, Isaac Smith, Luke
Swetland, Shadrach Sills, Samuel Tubbs, William Terry, John Tubbs,
Ephraim Tyler, Edward Walker, Obadiah Walker, James Wells, Jr.,
Nathaniel Williams, Thomas Wilson.

Copy of a pay-roll of the 2d independent company, commanded by
^ ^ , , -^ . -J

538 APPENDIX.

Captaia Samuel Ransom. The time of service, as noted on the roll, of
a large majority of the officers and privates, was three years, from Janu-
ary 1, 1777, to 1780. Captain, Samuel Ransom ; 1st Lieutenant, Simon
Spaulding, appointed Captain June 24th, 1778 ; Sergeant, Timothy
Pierce, appointed Ensign December 3, 1777, and Lieutenant January
17, 1778. Lieutenant John Jenkins joined the company July 6, 1778 ;
1st Sergeant, Parker Wilson ; 2d, Josiah Pasco. Privates : — Caleb
Atherton, Mason F. Alden, Samuel Billings, Jesse Bezale, Jehial Bil-
lings, Isaac Benjamin, Oliver Bennet, Asahel Burnham, Rufus Bennet,
Benjamin Clark, Gordon Church, Price Cooper, Josiah Corning, Benja-
min Cole, Nathan Church, Daniel Franklin, Charles Gaylord, Ambrose
Gaylord, Justin Gaylord, Benjamin Hempstead, Timothy Hopkins, Wil-
liam Kellog, Lawrence Kinney, Daniel Lawrence, Nicholas Manswell,
Elisha Mathewson, Constant Mathewson, William McClure, Thomas
Neal, Asahel Nash, John 0. Neal, Peter Osterhout, Amos Ormsburg,
Thomas Packett, Ebenezer Roberts, Samuel Saucer, Asa Sawyer, Stephen
Skiff, John Swift, Constant Searle, William Smith, Jr., Elisha Satterly,
Robert Spencer, John Vangordon, Thomas Williams, Caleb Warden,
Richard Woodstock, Elijah Walker, Zeber Williams.

Of the twenty-five or thirty officers and privates who left the company
in New Jersey, with or without leave, and . astened to Wyoming to par-
ticipate in the battle, July 3, 1778, the following persons were killed on
that fatal day : — Captain Robert Durkee, Captain Samuel Ransom, Lieu-
tenant Timothy Pierce, Lieutenant James Wells. Privates : — Samuel
Cole, Daniel Denton, William Dunn, Daniel Lawrence, and Constant
Searle.

List of officers and privates killed at the battle and massacre at Wyo-
ming, July 3, 1778: — Lieutenant-Colonel, George Dorrance; Major,
John Garret; Captains: James Bidlack, Jr., Aholiab Buck, Robert
Durkee, Rezin Geer, Joseph Whittlesey, Dethic Hewit, William McKa-
raghan, Samuel Ransom, Lazarus Stewart, James Wigton ; Lieutenants :
A. Atherton, Stoddart Bowen, Aaron Gaylord, Timothy Pierce, Perrin
Ross, Elijah Shoemaker, Lazarus Stewart, Jr., Asa Stevens, Flavins
Waterman, James Wells. Ensigns : Jeremiah Bigford, Asa Gore, Silas
Gore, Titus Hinman, John Otis, William White. Privates : Jabez

Atherton, Christopher Avery, Aeke, A. Benedict, Jabez Beers,

Samuel Bigford, Elias Bixby, David Bixby, John Boyd, John Brown,
Thomas Brown, William Buck, James Budd, Amos Bullock, Henry
Buck, John Caldwell, Isaac Campbell, Josiah Cameron, Joseph Carey,

APPENDIX. 539

Joel Church, James Coffrin, "William CoflFrin, Samuel Cole, Robert Com-
stock, [three] brothers Cook, Christopher Cartright, John Courtright,
Anson Coray, "Rufus Coray, Jenks Coray, Samuel Crocker, Joseph
Crocker, Jabez Darling, D. Denton, Conrad Davenport, Anderson Dana,

James Divine, George Downing, Levi Dunn, William Dunn,

Ducher, Benjamin Finch, John Finch, Daniel Finch, Elisha Fitch, Cor-
nelius Fitchett, Eliphalet Follett, Thomas Faxen, John Franklin, Tho-
mas Fuller, Stephen Fuller, Gardner, George Gore,

Green, Samuel Hutchinson, William Hammond, Silas Harvey, Benjamin
Hatch, Cyprian Hebard, Levi Hicks, James Hopkins, Nathaniel How-
ard, John Hutchins, Israel Inman, Elijah Inman, Joseph Jennings,

Samuel Jackson, Robert Jameson, Henry Johnson, Lester,

Joshua Landon, Daniel Lawrence, William Lawrence, Francis Ledyard,
James Lock, Conrad Lowe, Jacob Lowe, Nicholas Manvill, Job Marshall,
New Matthewson, C. McCartee, A. Muleman, Robert Mclntire, Andrew
Millard, John Murphy, Joseph Ogden, John Pierce, Abel Palmer, Silas
Parke, William Packer, Henry Pencil, Noah Pettibone, Jr., Jeremiah

Ross, Reynolds, Elisha Richards, Elias Roberts, Enos Rockway,

Timothy Ross, James Shaw, Constant Searle, Abel Seeley, Joseph Shaw,
Abraham Shaw, Darius Spafford, Levi Spencer, Josiah Spencer, Eleazar
Sprague, Aaron Stark, Daniel Stark, Joseph Staples, Rufus Stevens,
James Stevenson, Naler Swead, Ichabod Tuttle, John Van Wee, Abra-
ham Vangorder, Elisha Waters, Bartholomew Weeks, Jonathan Weeks,
Philip Weeks, Peter Wheeler, Stephen Whiton, Esen Wilcox, John
Williams, Elihu Williams, Jr., Rufus Williams, Azibah Williams, John
Ward, John Wilson, Parker Wilson, Wade, William Wood-
ringer, Ozias Yale; Gershom Prince (colored).

Copy of a muster-roll of Luzerne county volunteers, commanded by
Captain Samuel Bowman, during the Whiskey Insurrection of 1794,
and attached to a battalion of light infantry, commanded by Major
George Fisher : — Captain, Samuel Bowman ; Lieutenant, Ebenezer Par-
rish; Ensign, Arnold Colt; Sergeant, Daniel Spencer; 2d Sergeant,
John Freeman ; 3d Sergeant, John Alden ; Corporal, Archibald White ;
2d Corporal, Oliver Parrish ; 3d Corporal, Robert Lewis ; 4th Corporal,
Thompson Holliday ; Fifer, Peter Yarrington ; Drummer, John Wright.
Privates : Samuel Young, Solomon Daniels, John Cochran, Elihu Par-
rish, James Sitey, Thomas P. Miller, Peter Grubb, Arthur McGill, James
Johnston, Joseph Headsdale, Daniel Alden, Simon Stevens, Warham

540 APPENDIX.

Strong, David Landou, Gideon Underwood, Jeremiah Decker, James
Robb, Sale Roberts, Partial Roberts, Rufus Drake, Benjamin Owens,
John Earl, Charles Bowes, Curtis Grubb, Thomas Jeayne, Joseph Grimes,
Jesse Tompkins, William Harris, Jesse Coleman, John Talliday, Cofrin
Boidwell.

Muster-RoU of a company of infantry under the command of Captain
Samuel Bowman, in the Eleventh Regiment of the United States, com-
manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Aaron Ogden, from May 1 to June 14,
1800 ; viz. : — Captain, Samuel Bowman ; Lieutenant, Samuel Erwin ;
2d, John Mervy; 1st Sergeant, Thomas Fisk; 2d, John Hollenback;
3d, David Landon ; 4th, Asa Harris ; 1st Corporal, Ephraim White ; 2d,
Benjamin C. Owen; 3d, David Curtis j 4th, Reuben Crozier; Musicians,
John Tursdale and Samuel Horton. Privates : Arnosiah Blakseley,
Anson Downing, Azos Nash, Benjamin Hazzard, Benoui Hulett, Benja-
min Jenings, Charles Bowles, David Ayer, David Haines, David Hatha-
way, David Jayne, Daniel Sage, Daniel Farman, Elias Thompson, George
Gallentine, George Clark, George Deshler, George Trucks, Godfrey
Perry, Henry Hunter, Hugh Sumerlin, Ichabod Tompkins, John Lovell,
Isaac Ford, James Bailey, James Agerston, Jonathan Conklin, Jonah
Davis, John Stark, Joseph Holdren, James Mclntire, James Staples,
John Voorhees, John Charles, Jonathan Webber, John Ellis, Israel Gale,
James Harris, James Lewis, John Shaw, James Walker, Isaac Wickiser,
John Dalton, John Evans, Jacob Wheeler, James Lake, Jacob Cownover,
Luther Weeks, Moses Thomas, Peter Peters, Philip Hutiter, Peter
Andre, Phineas Underwood, Peter Williams, Reuben Buck, Samuel
Harris, Solomon Maning, Stephen Brown, Stephen Bayley, Samuel
Evans, Samuel Wigton, Thomas Hains, Thomas Point, Thomas Hadgins,
Thomas Quick, Thomas Walterman, Thomas Wright, William Parker,
William Largley, William Allen, William Decker, Wareham Kingsley,
Walter Robison, William Tuttle, William Ritchey.

A muster-roll of the commissioned and non-commissioned officars, mu-
sicians, and privates, of the artillery company in Colonel Hill's regi-
ment of Pennsylvania Militia, organized at Erie, May 5, 1813 ; viz.:
— Captain, Samuel Thomas ; 1st Lieutenant, Phineas Underwood ; 2d,
Ziba Hoyt; 3d, Andrew Sheets; Ensign, Edward Gilchrist; 1st Ser-
geant, John CarkhuiF; 2d, Jacob Taylor; 3d, Absalom Roberts; 4th,
Henry Jones; 5th, George W. Smith; Gth, John Bowman; 1st Corpo-

APPENDIX. 541

ral, Christopher Miner; 2d, Daniel Cochevour; 8d, Samuel Parrish ;
4th, Ebenezer Freeman ; 5th, John Blane; 1st Gunner, Stephen Evans ;
2d, Isaac Hollister; 3d, John Prince; 4th, James Bird; 5th, Morris
Crammer; 6th, Festus Freeman; 7th, James Devans; Drummer, Alex-
ander 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; and in passing through Fayette county they re-
ceived twenty-seven recruits, and in Bedford county thirty-five, whose
names are omitted.

45th Regiment, 1st Company : — Captain, Joseph Camp ; Lieutenant,
Joseph Lott; Ensign, Robert Reynolds; 1st Sergeant, Henry Felton;
2d Sergeant, John Gardner ; 3d Sergeant, Daniel Cooley ; 4th Sergeant,
Henry Taylor; 1st Corporal, Samuel Simons; 2d Corporal, Ezekiel
Mowry; 3d Corporal, William Stage; 4th Corporal, John Belden.

Privates : Ezeniah Horton, William Stark, Jr., Josiah. Welch, Isaac E.
Potter, Frederick Miller, John Williams, Marshall Dickson, John Rosen-
crance. Ransom Whitney, Josiah Wood, Seth Kenney, Abraham Lott,
Abram Miller, Daniel Young, Jr. , Joseph B. Wheeler, Elisha Beck, Ebene-
zer Lacy, George Hall, George Harculy, Isaac Place, Ira Kenney, Michael
Smyth, Moses Overfield, Paul White, George Quick, Christopher Rey-
nolds, Seth Dean, George Gardner, David Wall, Crispen Reynolds, Aaron
Philips, John G. Leveret, Syrus Blanchard, .William Stanton, John
Mullison, Samuel Nolan, Joseph Lutz, James Evans, Jesse Carney,
Thomas S. Gast, Cornelius Woodcock, Thomas Carney, Daniel Wheelock,
James Hultz, Jr., John Mullison, Samuel Whitmore, Forbs Lee, James
Ostrander, William Frear, Adam Shafer, Anderson Schofield, Hubbard
Headstead, Josiah Rogers, John Lee, Lewis James, Elisha Cogsdell, Asa
Whitney, Hyram Blanchard, Abner Jackson, Jacob Hale, Robert Vaughn,
John Shaw. Drummer, John David. Fifer, Stephen Reynolds.

John D. Hummel and Thomas Taylor deserted; and of the above,
Abraham Lott, Abram Miller, and Seth Dean are marked " Furlough,"
and James Ostrander and Anderson Schofield " Absent." Total, 76.

Signed : A true return by me, Joseph Scott, Lieutenant, November
15, A.,D. 1814.

Endorsed : '' 45th Regiment, Captain Camp. Return of those present
at Danville, who, I expect, got discharges."

Detachment of 129th Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia: — 1st Captain,

542 APPENDIX.

Frederick Bailey; Captain, Amos Tiffany; 1st Company, Lieutenant,
Cyrrel Griddings; 4tli Company, Ensign, Hiat Tupper; 1st Sergeant,
Jesse Bagley; 1st Sergeant of 2d Company, Tingley Tiffany; 2d Ser-
geant, Samuel Baldwin; 3d Sergeant, James Truesdell; 4th Sergeant,
Joseph Marsh ; 2d Corporal, Josiah Davis ; 3d Corporal, Orange Whit-
ney ; 4th Corporal, John L. Travers.

Privates : — Elisha Safford, Jonathan Miles, Latham Williams, Grideon
Beebe, Eleazar Kimble, Ebenezer Miles, Thomas Bagley, Hugh McCol-
lum, Noah Tiffany, Jr., Josiah Lord, Jr., David Carpenter, Eliphalet
Ellsworth, Dotton Tiffany, Ezra Sturdevant, Wells Stanby, Daniel E.
Thatcher, Amasa Harding, Thomas Oakley, Noah Reed, Joseph Grarsey,
Isaiah Fuller, Oliver Grreytracks, Daniel Tingley, James Robinson, Ste-
phen Harding, Thomas Taylor, John Coonrod, Calvin Bell, Lewis Tiffany,
Nathan P. Thatcher, Michael Vanwinkle, Calvin Blaisdell, Zebulon
Lathrop, Amos Canfield, Jonathan Elsworth, Erastus Jones, Jacob
Bump, Wilson Canfield, William Granger, Albert Camp, John Haywood,
Jr., Joseph Beek, Levy L. Agadd, Ralf Sines, William Rockwell, John
Greek, Jesse Ross, Gurdon Darrow, Sylvester Smith, Joseph Doolittle,
Samuel Ward, Peter Davis, Azahel Adams, Nathaniel Ives, Henry Clark,
Joseph Fish, Daniel B. Wyle, Hiland Vichovy, David Hall, Jonathan
Treadwell, Jesse Hale, Enos Juet, Nathaniel Lock, Jonathan Fancher,
Alexander McKey, James Ferguson, David Bemiss, Thomas M. Safford,
James Steenburgh, Roswell Babcock, Jonathan Wood, Robert McCarty,
Esek Wood, John Newman, Richard Bill, George Avery, Joshua Smith,
Jarius Deans, Jason Fargo, William Harkins, Dyer Lathrop, John Bul-
lock, Wm. B. Wealch, Josiah Woodworth, Phineas Ames, Jr., Bradley
Thomas, Hiram Whipple, Isaac Chapman, Henry Jackson, Corbet Pick-
ering, Levy Chamberlain, David Holmes, Laton Smith, Jeremiah Bard,
Jonathan Woodrough, Abijah Hubbel, Moses Chamberlain, Warren ,
Gurnsey, Oliver Knose, Joseph Mattison. — 112. Certified by

Benj. Lathrop, Adjt. 129th Reg't P. M.

Detachment of 112th Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia : —
Captain, George Hidley ; Lieutenant of 2d Company, John Wortman ;
Ensign of 4th Company, Abraham Roberts; 1st Sergeant, Usual Hop-
kins ; 2d Sergeant, Daniel Lennsh ; 3d Sergeant, Philip Sheets ; 4th
Sergeant, Ephraim Cutler; 5th Sergeant, Lawrence Ruch; 1st Corporal,
Edwfird Borsel; 2d Corporal, John P. Salmon; 3d Corporal, Samuel
Webb; 4th Corporal, Daniel Lewis; 5th Corporal, John Abberton; 6th
Corporal, Joseph Gilbert.

Privates : Drummer, George Heckman ; Fifer, George Barnard ;

APPENDIX. 543

Jacob Ludwig, David Slone, Peter Slamon, John Robins, James Park.
James Kennada, Simon Hazenback, John Turner, Peter Friese, John
Weesle, Godfrey Ludwig, John R. White, Gershom Plotts, James Kin-
ney, John Mummy, James Mase, Adam Kuder, Daniel Koher, Charles
Hess, George Hepler, Isaac Kinney, William Willet, Jonathan Lemon,
Joseph Richard, James Minikel, William Watts, Jacob Lutes, John
Woolever, Joseph Cammel, Robert Firman, John Davis, William Lem-
mon, Philip Yeager, William Cavenry, Daniel McComing, Isaac Shoe-
maker, Michael Thomas, Zachariah Fospy, Andrew Deldine, Jacob
Force, Henry Yeable, John Frits, John Hatmond, Curtis Staten, Peter
Best, Miers Cline, Peter Vanater, Jacob Abbott, George Stoot, George
Morich, Joseph Salcey, Jonas Abbot, Abraham Ewen, George Sittey
John Abbot, Adam Leopard, Jacob Keiser, Philip Fox, William Firman
Henry Keiser, William Fox, Elijah Crawford, Jacob Johnson, Jr., Cas
per Hawk, Edmon Fox, Isaac Kittle, Frederick Shafer, Jacob Bower
Jonathan Buckalew, William Kile, William Marton, Moses Savage, Ben
jamin Coleman, Charles Frits, James Keeler, Samuel Musselman, John
Kennor. — 74. Certified by

George Hidley, Captain.

Detachment under Captain Jacob Bittenbender : —

Lieutenant, ; Ensign, John Myers; 1st Sergeant,

Jonas Buss ; 2d Sergeant, Jacob Boston ; 3d do. Henry Long ; 4th do.
Peter Sutz ; 1st Corporal, William Smithers ; 2d Corporal, David Deal ;
3d, Henry Harvey ; 4th, Stephen Arnold.

Privates: George Deal, Henry Snyder, Daniel Snyder, George Rit-
tenback, William Ruth, George Shevey, Abraham Woolever, John Bid-
lack, Charles Scott, Frederick Levenburg, John Romish, Hugh Cameron,
Henry Shrain, Jacob Brader, Benjamin Stucky, Philip Stonebach, War-
ren Haas, Henry Hanny, Andrew Hanney, William Bitterley, John
Walk, Jacob Wenner, Henry Uplinger, Thomas Little, Joseph Hender-
son, Richard Davidson, Levy Seward, Richard Chrigery, Jacob Benscoter,
George Donty, Miles Sperry, Abner Johnson, John Zimmerman. — 44.

Detachment of 35th Regiment P. M. Captain Hallock.

Captain, Peter Hallock; 1st Lieutenant, Hosea Phillips; 2d, Jere-
miah Fuller; 1st Ensign, William Polen ; 2d, George Denison ; 1st Ser-
geant, Stephen Decker; 2d Sergeant, John Cortright; 3d Servant,
Joseph Wright; 4th Sergeant, John Kelly; 1st Corporal, Ezra Ide ;
2d, Ebenezer Marcy; 4th Corporal, Isaac Carver; 5th Corporal, David
Pease. Drummer, Samuel Lefrance.

544 APPENDIX.

Privates: Thomas Benedict, Jared Marcy, Samuel Mott, William
Osborn, Benjamin Ryon, William Ross, George D. Nash, Benjamin
Knapp, George W. Benedict, William Honnewell, Thomas Muford, Bos-
well Wheeler, Thomas Lynn, Isaac Nefifes, John HufF, Jacob Good, John
Thompson, Samuel Carey, Jr., Uriah Rogers, Obadiah Smith, Joseph
Tompkins, John Hess, William Winters, John Miller, Peter Connor,
Abner Wade, Jr., Anthony Pass, John Hunter, John Masco, Adam
Steel, John Jameson, Jeremiah Vandermark, Moses Carter, Anson Cars-
caden, Ithemar Rogers, Aaron Vanloon, Jacob Sorber, Jr., Jacob Sorber,
2d; John Smith, 2d; Redmond Ovins, John Ensley, Henry Barakman,
Jonah Romig, William Blane, Samuel Weiss, James Boeder, 2d ; Michael
Hart, Daniel Simms, Jr., Peter Bellas, John Lutz, Henry Young, Jr.,
Michael Stamets, John H. Smith, Philip Groupe, Luke Blane, William
Caldwell, John Vaughn, Sr., John F. Cisco, Richard Edwards, John
Farris, William Love, George Culver, Archippas P. Childs, George Cos-
nor, Samuel Harvy, Asa Gore, Thomas Young, Morgan Hughes.

Wyoming Blues : — 2d Sergeant, Andrew Vogle ; Drummer, John Davis ;
Jesse Downing, Abraham Hart, John Garrison, Eli Downing, Luman
Gilbert.

Certified : JozE Rogers, Adjutant.

Roll of officers and men of Company " I," First Regiment Pennsylvania
Volunteers, who served in the war with Mexico : —

Captain Edmund L. Dana, returned with the company.

Ist Lieutenant, E. B. CoUings, discharged at Vera Cruz.

*' " F. L. Bowman, elected major.

2d " A. H. Goff, killed at Perote.

" " Jacob Waelder, returned with the company.

1st Sergeant, Arnold C. Lewis, appointed 2d lieutenant, returned with
the company.

2d " Joseph W. Potter, discharged at Perote.

3d " Dominick Devanny, returned with the company.

4th " Joseph W. Miner, elected 1st lieutenant.

Is4 Corporal, Wm. H. Beaumont, appointed 1st sergeant, returned with

the company.
2d " D. W. C. Kitchin, wounded at Cerro Gordo, and discharged.

3d " Charles W. Stout, appointed lieutenant, 11th infantry.

APPENDIX. 54

4th Corporal, John B. Vaughn, discharged at Jalapa.

Drummer, Wilson B. Connor, discharged.
Fifer, Wallace J. Belding, discharged.

PRIVATES.

1. Grandison Abel, returned with the company.

2. Joseph Alward, returned with the company.

3. John Barnes, left sick at Cincinnati.

4. Alfred Bentley, died at Jalapa.

5. Luke Burke, returned with the company.

6. Obed C. Burden, returned with the company.

7. AVilliam Bachman,

8. Lloyd M. Colder, died at Perote.

9. George Collings, appointed corporal, returned with the company.

10. Jacob L. Cooper, returned with the company.

11. Wm. H. Carkhuff, died at Perote.

12. James F. Dill, died at Perote.

13. Thomas G. Dripps, appointed sergeant, returned with the company,

14. M. M. Deberger, discharged at Vera Cruz.

15. John C. Drinkhouse, discharged at Vera Cruz.

16. James Ellis, discharged at Vera Cruz, June, 1848.

17. Levi Emery, returned with the company.

18. George W. Fell, returned with the company.

19. Luke Floyd, wounded, and returned with the company.

20. Samuel Fox, discharged at Jalapa.

21. Frederick Funk, returned with the company.

22. Joseph C. Garey, discharged at Vera Cruz.

23. Patrick Gilroy, discharged at Vera Cruz.

24. Aaron Gangawere, returned with the company.

25. Magnes Gonerman, died at Perote.

26. John Goodermooth, died at Puebla.

27. Henry Hernbroad,

28. Peter Hine, discharged at Vera Cruz.

29. Nathaniel G. Harvey, died at Perote.

30. Alexander Huntington, returned with the company.

31. John Hunt, discharged at Jalapa.

32. John Howard, returned with the company.

33. David H. Howard, returned with the company.

34. Anthony Haberholt, returned with the company.

35. Charles Johnson, returned with the company.

36. Patrick King, returned with the company.

37. Lyman C. Kidder, discharged at Jalapa.

38. Frederick Lehman, discharged at Vera Cruz.

39. Joseph Leopard, returned with the company.

40. Samuel A. Lewis, returned with the company.

546 APPENDIX.

41. Charles W. Lutes, discharged at Vera Cruz.

42. John W. Myers, died at Perote.

43. John Morehouse, returned with the company.

44. David R. Morrison, killed at the battle of Cerro Gordo.

45. "Walker B. Miller, discharged at Vera Cruz.

46. Samuel Marks, returned with the company.

47. John B. Price, died at Jalapa.

48. John Preece, killed at siege of Puebla.

49. Jules Phillips, returned with the company.

50. Isaac Rothermell, died at Vera Cruz.

51. James W. Rigg, returned with the company.

52. John Shadell, returned with the company.

53. Levi H. Stevens, returned with the company.

54. James Stevens, discharged at Vera Cruz, wounded.

55. John Swan, returned with the company.

56. Hiram Spencer, discharged at Perote.

57. John Sliker, died at Perote.

58. James Sliker, returned with the company.

59. Thompson Price, discharged.

60. Wilson E. Sisty, discharged at Perote.

61. Charles Tripp, died at siege of Puebla.

62. George Tanner, died at Perote.

63. William C. Toby, discharged at Jalapa.

64. John Smith, died at Perote.

65. Norman Vanwinkle, discharged at Perote.

66. Holdin P. Vaughn, discharged at Jalapa.

67. Gershon B. Vangordon, died at Perote, May 23, 1847.

68. Edmund W. Wandell, returned with the company.

69. Walsingham G. Ward, discharged at Vera Cruz, April 3, 1847.

70. Thomas G. Wilson, died at Jalapa, May 20, 1847.

71. William Vanderberg, returned with the company.

72. William H. Whitaker, returned with the company.

73. Thomas J. Wright, returned with the company.

74. Armon Westhoren, returned with the company.

75. Daniel W. Witzell, returned with the company.

76. William T. Wilson, returned with the company.

77. Daniel W. Yarlott, returned with the company.

78. William Diamond, discharged at New Orleans, January 16, 1847.

79. Elias Klinger, died at sea, January 31, 1847.

80. Patrick O'Donnell, died at New Orleans, January 2, 1847.

81. Samuel Knorr, lost; supposed killed at National Bridge, January,

1847.

RECRUITS.

82. Augustus Ehles, returned with the company.

83. Landlin Fist, returned with the company.

APPENDIX. 547

84. John Gaul, returned with the company.

85. Charles Gordon, returned with the company.

86. Ernest Gordon, returned with the company.

87. William Ilillsman, returned with the company.

88. Frederick Musler, returned with the company.

89. John McKeoun, returned with the company.

90. Anthony Vernet, returned with the company.

91. Michael Wolfstein, returned with the company.

92. Henry Wehle, returned with the company.

93. Adam Robinholt, died on Ohio River, July 13, 1848.

94. George O'Craft, lost, July 8, 1848 ; supposed drowned.
Total, 109 ; of whom 51 returned with the company.

List of taxables in Exeter township in 1796 : —

Joel Atherton, Joseph Black, Moses Bennet, Timothy Beebe, Roswell
Beach, Peleg Comstock, Joseph Dailey, David Dailey, Jacob Drake,
William Foster, Isaac Finch, Richard Gardner, John Gardner, Thomas
Gardner, Abraham Goodwin, Richard Halstead, William Harding, Samuel
Hadley, James Hadley, Stephen Harding, David Harding, Edward Had-
sel, Joseph Hadsel, John Hadsel, William Hadsel, Stephen Harding,
Micajah Harding, Thomas Harding, Peter Harris, Artimedoras Ingersol,
Benjamin Jones, Sr., Nathaniel Jones, Sr., Majah Jones, Benjamin
Jones, Jr., Justus Jones, Thomas Joslin, Sr., Palmer Jenkins, John
Jenkins, Thomas Jenkins, Thomas Joslin, Jr., John Knapp, Comfort
Kinyan, Andrew Montany, John McMullen, Benjamin McAfee, Benja-
min Newbury, William Ogdfen, Jacob Wright, William Slocum, William
Stage, Jamgs Sutton, Moses Scovel, Elisha Scovel, James Scovel, David
Shaunts, David Smith, David Smith, Jr., David Skeel, William Tripp,
Gilbert Townsend, Lazarus Townsend, Abner Tuttle, William Thompson,
Thomas Williams, Ebenezer Williams, Allen Whitman, Zeb. Whitman,
Nathan Whitlock, Joseph Whitlock, John Scott.

List of taxables in Hanover township in 1796 : —

John Alden, Abraham Adams, David Adams, Edward Adgerton, Na-
than Abbot, Jonas Buss, Elisha Blackman, Jr., Stephen Burret, Gideon
Burret, Joel Burret, Thomas Brink, Rufus Bennet, Ishraael Bennet,
Frederick Crisman, Nathan Gary, James Campbell, Benjamin Cary,
Anthony Cobert, Comfort Cary, William Caldwell, Elisha Delano, Richard

548 APPENDIX.

Dilly, Richard Dilly, Jr., George Espy, Samuel Eusign, Jacob Flanders,
Jacob Fisher, Cornelius Garrettson, Andrew Gray, John Hames, Benja
min Hopkins, John Hendershot, Henry Huber, Jacob Holdmer, William
Hyde, Ebenezer Hibbard; Calvin Hibbard, John Hurlbert, Naphtali Hurl-
bert, Christopher Hurlbert, Willis Hyde, John Jacobs, John Jacobs, Jr.,
Edward Inman, Richard luman, John Inman, Elijah Inman, Jr., Jonathan
Kellog, Conrad Lyons, Conrad Lyons, Jr., James Lesley, John Lutzey, John
Lockerly, Adian Lyons, Michael Marr, Thomas Martin, Samuel Moore,
J. S. Miller, Darius Preston, Josiah Pell, Benjamin Pott, Josiah Pell,
Jr., John Philips, Jeremiah Roberts, John Ryan, John Robinson, David
Robinson, James A. Rathborne, George Rouch, George Stewart, Edward
Spencer, David Stewart, James Stewart, Dorcas Stewart, Josiah Stewart,
William Stewart, Daniel Sinoras, Peter Steel, David Steel, Abraham Sar-
ver, Christian Saum, Archd. Smiley, John Spencer, John Treadaway,
Nathaniel Warden, Abner Wade, Arthur Van Wie, Ira Winter, Ashbel
Wallis, William Young.

List of taxables in Huntington township in 1796: —
Elijah Austin, Ralph Austin, James Benscoter, Elam Bonam, Henry
Baker, Anthony Benscoter, Andrew Blancher, Isaac Benscoter, Daniel
Culver, Aaron Culver, Reuben Culver, Reuben Blish, Darius Callender,
John Chappin, James Earles, John Evans, John Fayd, Silas Ferry,
Obil Fellows, Abial Fellows, Samuel Franklin, Daniel Fuller, Benjamin
Fuller, George Fink, Amos Franklin, Nathaniel Goss, Elijah Goodwin,
Doctor Gaylord, Philip Goss, Timothy Hopkins, Jesse Hopkins, Stephen
Harrison, William Harrison, Caleb Hoytf, Samuel Hover, Emanuel
Hover, Nathan Jennings, Joseph Kingsbury, Stephen Kingsbury,
Samuel King, Moses Lawrence, Amy Lawrence, Elias Long, John
Long, Rufus Lawrence, Jr., Rufus Lawrence, Sr., Joseph Moss, Nathan
Monroe, John Miller, Solon Prescott, Gideon Post, Joseph Potter,
John Potter, Jerry Preston and Loyd Marshall, Elijah Wood, Sr., Elijah
Wood, Jr., Abel Sutley, Miles Sutley, Thomas Stephens, Jonathan Ste-
vens, Amos Seward, Barney Sutley, Eli Seward, Enos Seward, Jr., Enos
Seward, Sr., Gad Seward, Obadiah Scott, Jesse Scott, Obadiah Scott, Jr.,
Abraham Smith, Thomas Tubbs, Thomas Taylor, Nathan Tubbs, Earl
Tubbs, Nathan Tubbs, Jr., Job Tripp, Jabez Williams, Ui'iah Williams,
Thomas Williams, Tarball Whitney, Daniel Warner, John Wandall, Da-
vid Woodward.

APPENDIX. 549

List of taxables in Kingston township in 1796 : —

James Atherton, Elisha Atherton, John Allen, Joseph Brown, Oliver
Biglow, Alex. Brown, William Brown, Daniel Burney, Andrew Bennet^
Josephus Barber, Caleb Brundage, Samuel Breese, Laban Blanchard,
Almon Church, Gilbert Carpenter, Jonathan Carver, Samuel Carver,
James Carpenter, Tunis Decker, Jesse Dickerson, Benjamin Dorrauce,
John Dorrance, Nathan Denison, Christian Comigh, Joshua Fuller, Bo-
najah Fuller, Hallet Gallop, William Gallop, Peter Grubb, John Gore,
James Gardiner, Lewis Hartsoff, John Horton, Peter Hartsoff, Daniel
Hoyt, William Hurlbert, Elijah Harris, Joseph Hillman, John llinds,
Stephen Hollister, Philip Jackson, John Joseph, John Kelly, Samuel
Landon, Nathaniel Landon, David Landon, James Landon, James Love,
William Little, Isaiah Lucas, Lawrence Myers, Philip Myers, Nathan
Mulford, Lewis Mullison, John Montoney, Isaac Montoney, Joseph Mon-
toney, Andrew Miller, Elisha Matterson, Anning Owen, Abel Pierce,
John Pierce, Joseph Pierce, Elias Pierce, Oliver Pettibone, David Per-
kins, Aaron Perkins, John Rosenkrons, Aaron Roberts, Benjamin Ro-
berts, Nathan Roberts, James Rice, Sherman Smith, Daniel Spencei-,
Martin Smith, Luke Swetland, Joseph Swetland, James Scofield, Comfort
Shaw, Alexander Swartwout, Elijah Shoemaker, Abraham Shoemaker,
Adam Shafer, Peter Shafer, Frederick Shafer, Peter Shale, Henry
Tuttle, John Tuttle, Joseph Tuttle, William Trucks, Isaac Tripp, Israel
Underwood, Gideon Underwood, Abraham Vangordon, Lemuel Wakely,
John Wart, Ashel Fish, Benjamin Smith. ^Igj.

List of taxables in Nescopeck township in 1796 : —
Walter Kaar, Henry Hepler, William Sims, Jacob Hepler, Abraham
Arnold, Henry Mattis, Joseph Bush, Martin Herner, Henry Nulf, Law-
rence Kurrens, Cornelius Bellas, Jacob Severlin, Michael Horriger,
Christian Smeeders, Casper Nulf, John Nulf, Adam Nulf, John Freese,
Benjamin Vanhorn, George Tilp, Robert Patton, John Kennedy, James
McVail, Adam Lurner, John Decker, Isaac Taylor, Daniel Lee, Zebulon
Lee, John Pottmau, William Rittenhouse, Joseph Kaar.

List of taxables in Newport township in 1799 : —

Prince Alden, John Alden, Daniel Alden, Elisha Bennet, Jacob Bui-

550 APPENDIX.

lock, Frederick Barrackman, Henry Beunet, Isaac Bennet, Oliver Ben-
net, John Bowman, Benjamin Bidlack, Jacob Orator, Thomas Collins,
Elias Decker, Sidney Drake, George Ensley, John Fairchild, Abraham
Fairchild, Amos Huff, Mary Hager, Jonathan Hornet, William Jackson,
Silas Jackson, Peter Kreamer, John Lutsey, Conrad Lyons, Jacob Lut-
sey, James Millage, Jacob Mullen, James Mullen, James Mullen, Jr.,
Daniel McMuUen, George McGuire, John Nobels, Jacob E,eeder, Joseph
Reeder, Benjamin Reeder, Valentine Smith, Abraham Smith, Abraham
Smith, Jr., Silas Smith, Peter Shafer, Newton Smith, Daniel Sims, Jona-
than Smith, Christian Server, John Sims, Cornelius Sims, Benjamin
Vanderaark, Benjamin Vandemark, Jr., James Vandemark, Garret Van-
demark, Nathan Whippel.

List of taxables in Pittston township in 1796 : —
James Armstrong, Enos Brown, David Brown, Elisha Bell, Waterman
Baldwin, Jeremiah Blanchard, John Benedict, Ishmael Bennet, Arch.
Bowen, James Brown, Jr., Anthony Benscoter, J. Blanchard, Jr., R.
Billings, Conrad Berger, Samuel Cary, George Cooper, John Clark, Je-
dediah Collins, James Christy, John Davidson, David Dimock, Asa
Dimock, Robert Faulkner, Solomon Finn, Nathaniel Giddings, Isaac
Gould, Ezekiel Gobal, Joshua Griffin, Daniel Gould, Jesse Gardner,
Richard Halstead, Isaac Hewit, Daniel Hewit, John Honival, Joseph
Hazard, Abraham Hess, Jonathan Hutchins, John Herman, Lewis Jones,
DooToseph Knapp, William Knapp, Samuel Miller, Jr., William Miller,
^"^-j-ris'^ezer Marcy, Jonathan Marcy, Samuel Miller, Isaac Miles, Cornelius
Nephew, John Philips, James Scott, John Scott, Wm. H. Smith, Roger
Searls, Elijah Silsby, Elijah Silsby, Jr., James Stephens, William Searls,
Miner Searls, Comfort Shaw, Jonathan Stark, James Thompson, Isaac
Wilson, John Warden, Thomas Wright, Crandal Wilcox.

List of taxables in Plymouth township in 1796 : —

Samuel Allen, Stephen Allen, David Allen, Elias Allen, William
Ayers, Daniel Ayers, John Anderson, Moses Atherton, Isaac Bennet,
Benjamin Bennet, Joshua Bennet, Benjamin Barney, Daniel Barney,
Henry Barney, Walter Brown, Jesse Brown, William Baker, Philemon
Bidlack, Jared Baldwin, Jude Baldwin, Amos Baldwin, Peter Chambers,
William Craig, Jeremiah Coleman, Thomas Davenport, Ashael Drake,
Rufus Drake, Aaron Dean, Henry Decke, Joseph Dodson, Leonard

APPENDIX. 551

Dercuns, Joseph Duncan, Jehiel Fuller, Peter Grubb, Charles E. Gay-
lord, Adolph Heath, Elisha Harvey, Samuel Heley, John Heath, Josiah
Ives, Josiah Ives, Jr., Crocker Jones, Thomas Lomereaux, John Lome-
reaux, John Leonard, Joseph Lenaberger, Samuel Marvin, James
Marvin, Timothy Meeker, Ira Manvill, Ephraim McCoy, Phineas Nash,
Abraham Nesbit, James Nesbit, Simon Parks, Samuel Pringle,
Michael Pace, David Pace, Nathan Parrish, Oliver Plumley, Jonah
Bigsley, Jonah Rogers, Joseph Rogers, Elisha Rogers, Edon Ruggles,
Hezekiah Roberts, Jacob Roberts, Stephen Roberts, David Reynolds,
Joseph Reynolds, George P. Ransom, Nathan Rumsey, Michael Scott,
Lewis Sweet, Samuel Hart, Elam Spencer, William Stewart, Jesse Smith,
Ichabod Shaw, Benjamin Stookey, Palmer Shaw, John Taylor, John
Turner, Abraham Tibury, Matthias Vanloon, Abraham Vanloon, Nicholas
Vanlooo, Calvin Wadhams, Noah Wadhams, Moses Wadhams, Ingersol
Wadhams, Amariah Watson, Darius Williams, John Walley, Rufus Wil-
liams.

List of taxables in Providence township in 1796: —

Cornelius Atherton, John Atherton, Eleazar Atherton, Benjamin At-
water, William Ailsworth, Philip Abbot, James Abbot, Solomon Bates,
James Brown, James Bagley, Asher Bagley, Jesse Bagley, William Cogswell,
Asa Cobb, John Gary, Charles Dolph, Moses Dolph, Aaron Dolph, Jonathan
Dolph, John Evans, Stephen Gardner, John GiflFord, Stephen Hoyt, John
Howe, John Howe, Jr., Rainsford Hoyt, William Hardy, Enoch Holmes,
Nathan Hall, John Halstead, Jonas Halstead, James Lyons, Conrad Lutts,
Jacob Lutts, Nicholas Lutchens, John Lamkins, Christopher Miller,
John Mills, Ebenezer Park, Thomas Picket, Benjamin Pedrick, Jona-
than Ralph, Thomas Smith, Timothy Stephens, William Simrol, Daniel
Scott, Constant Searls, John Taylor, Daniel Taylor, Preserved Taylor,
Abraham Taylor, Isaac Tripp, Isaac Tripp, Jr.

List of taxables in Salem township in 1796 : —

Nathan Beach, William Bryan, John Courtright, Elisha Courtright,
Abraham Courtright, Joseph Curry, Christopher Klinetob, Robert Dunn,
Elisha Decker, Thomas Dodson, James Dodson, John Dodson, William
Gray, Andrew Gregg, Samuel Hicks, Christopher Hans, Joseph Hans,
Martin Hart, Moses Johnson, Alexander Jameson, Joseph Jameson,
Jonathan Lee, William Love, James Lockhart, Jonathan Lewis, David
McLain, Andrew Mowery, Amos Park, John Rhoads, George Smuthers,
Henry Smuthers, James Santee, Valentine Santee, Jacob Smuthers,

552 APPENDIX.

Reuben Skinner, Oliver Smith, Reuben Smith, Sebastian Seybert, Jacob
Smuthers, Jr., Richard Smith, Jacob Shones, Levi Thomas, Richard
Thompson, John Varner, Anthony Weaver.

tJ.

List of taxables in Wilkesbarre township in 1799 : —
Charles Abbot, Stephen Abbot, Edward Austin, Christopher Avery,
Thomas A. Alkin, William Askam, John Alexander, Asa Rennet, Charles
Rennet, Wilbur Rennet, Eleazar Rlackmau, Cain Rillings, Timothy
Reebe, Clark Reebe, Isaac Rowman, Stephen Rarnes, John Carey, Hugh
Connei', Arnold Colt, Mathcw Covell, Putnam Catlin, Cornelius Court-
right, Henry Courtright, John Courtright, James Conlin, Peter Corbit,
Nathan Draper, Isaac Decker, Daniel Downing, Daniel Downing, Jr.,
Reuben Downing, Joseph Davis, Aziel Dana, Anderson Dana, Sylvester
Dana, Thomas Duane, James Dixon, William Dixon, Arthur Eiek, Jacob
Ely, Jabez Fish, Jesse Fell, Daniel Foster, Daniel Gore, Timothy Green^
Willard Green, Wm. Augustus George, Daniel Gridley, Matthias Hol-
lenback, Jonathan Hancock, Godfrey Hitchcock, Oliver Helme, Jacob
Hart, Lewis HartsoufF, Solomon Johnson, Jacob Johnson, Jehoiada
P. Johnson, Christiana Johnson, John Johnson, Jacob Jenong, Luther
Jones, Reuben Jones, John Kennedy, Jr., James Kennedy, Daniel
Kelly, Joseph Kelly, James Morgan, Richard Maybury, Thomas Mar-
6hal, Enoch Ogden, Jacob Ossencup, Samuel Pease, Nathan Palmer,
Renjamin Perry, Renjamin Potts, John Potts, Mary Philips, John
Pooder, David Richards, William Ross, Eleph Ross, John Rosecrants,
Jacob Rosecrants, the widow Rosecrants, Thomas Read, William Rus-
sel, John P. Schott, William Slocum, Joseph Slocum, Renjamin Slocum,
Ebenezer Slocum, Jonathan Slocum, Eunice Sprague, Polly Stevens,
Obadiah Smith, Paul Stark, Henry Stark, William Shoemaker, Joshua
Squire, Henry Tilbury, Stephen Tuttle, Renjamin Truesdale, Daniel
Truesdale, Elias Vaudermark^ Nathan Waller, Phineas Waller, Eliad
Waller, Andrew Wickeizcr, Conrad Wickeizcr, Joseph Wright, Thomas
Wright, Philip Weekes, Thomas Weekes, Jonathan Wildman, Henry
Wilson, James Westbrook, Richard Westbrook, Justice Woolcott, Cran-
dal Wilcox, Isaac Wilcox, William Wright, Rosswell Wells.

Postmasters at Wilkesbarre, and when appointed : —
Lord Rutler, appointed 1794.

John Hollenback, '' 1802.

APPENDIX.

Ezekiel Hyde,

appointed

1805

Jon. Hancock,

1805

Jacob Cist,

1808,

A. Beaumont,

1826

Wm. Ross,

1832

Daniel Ceilings,

((

1835,

A. 0. Cahoon,

1841,

J. P. Le Clerc,

1843.

E. B. Collings,

1845,

Steuben Butler,

1849

John Reichard,

1853,

Jacob Sorber,

1854,

E. B. Collings,

1858.

S. M. Barton,

1861

E. H. Chase,

((

1865,

653

The following are the names of the first postmasters when the oflBces
were established : —

Abington, John Miller,

Asylum, Elias Vaughn,

Athens, David Payne,

Beach Grove, Nathan Beach,

Berwick, William Bryan,
Bridgewater (now Montrose}, Isaac Post,

Conyngham, Archd. Murray,

Keeler's Ferry, Asa Keeler,

Kingston, Henry Buckingham,

Nescopeck, John Briggs, Jr.,

Pittston, Eleazar Carey,

Plymouth, George Lane,

Providence, Benjamin Slocum,

Sheshequin, Avery Gore,

Silver Lake, Robert H. Rose,

Tunkhannock, Charles Otis,

Wyalusing, John Hollenback,

"Wyalusing, John Hollenback,
Willingboro' (Great Bend), Dr. Eleazar Parker,

appointed

1811.

1812.

((

1808.

1813.

1800.

1808.

1812.

1809.

1811.

1813.

1811.

1801.

1810.

1812.

1803.

1808.

554

APPENDIX.

Exhibit of the number of tons of Anthracite Coal mined in the several
coal-fields of Luzerne county. The amount mined in Wyoming Valley
from 1808 to 1841, is estimated at 400,000 tons, and is credited in the
total. From the amount mined and transported by the Pennsylvania
Coal Company, and credited to Wyoming Valley, 1,092,545 tons were
mined at Dunmore, and properly belongs to Lackawanna Valley. Of the
amount transported by the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg Railroad, and
credited to Wyoming Valley, 449,000 tons were mined in Lackawanna
Valley, and are credited under the head of the Delaware, Lackawanna,
and Western Railroad ; but as the Scranton Ironworks have consumed
an equal amount, not included in this table, no deduction is necessary: —

Tears.

1829
1830
1831
1832
18.33
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1S44
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1869

Lackawanna Val-
ley.

Delaware

and

Hudson

Canal Co .

Delaware,

Lacka-
wanna &
Western
Railroad.

7.000
43,000
54.000
84.600
111.777
43,700
98,845
104,500
115,387
76,321
122,300
148.470
192,270
205,253
227,605
251,005
266,072
381,000
395.343
437,500
454,240
441,403
479.078
497,105
494,327
440,944
565,460
499,650
480,677
347,873
599,999

1.000
.489
,358
133.964
188,865
296,232
490,023
683,411
829,434

Wyoming Valley,

Eastern Middle
Coal Field.*

North
Branch
Canal
South

North
Branch
Canal,

North

41,210
47,346
57,740'
114,906
178,401
166,923
285,462
237,2''l
259,080:
243,250
334,017
319.341
419,413
492,689
464,039
510.631
405,877
293,310
387,737,
400,000

1.150

2,274

38,947

51,914

Lehigh
and Sus- |
quehanna
Railroad.

Pennsyl-
vania
Coal Co.

[ Lacka-
wanna &
Blooms- [

burg
Railroad.

Lehigh
Coal and
Naviga-
tion.

5,978
27,488
11,112
20,316
24,220
26.200:
43,161 1
27,862
45,932'
51,415;
45,054
44,005
78,150:
71,398

111,014
316,017
426,164
612.659
496,648
504,803
612,500
643,873
630,056
688,856

210,042
358.471

16,221

41,350

79,459

38,733

62,942

74,237

90,530

96,023

162,026

199,617

247,887

280.898

201,964

334,660

374,476

336,721

358,577

427,251

387,606

224,734

302,591

321,731

Lehigh

Valley

Railroad.

8,466
152,912
336,973
336,218
420,183

Total.

7.000

43,000

54.000

84,600

111,777

43,700

98,845

104.500

115,387

92,542

163,650

227.929

272/213

315,641

359,582

456,441

540,496

715,927

907,910

933,770

1,014,634

1.021,851

1,495.972

1,727,736

1.888,340

1,968,754

2,210,299

2,505,734

2.528.436

2;920.598

3,729,722

8,606,704 2,792,776 5,658,443 94,285, 522,091 4,842,689 568,613 4,660,233 1,254,752 29,060,386

* Hazel, Sugarloaf, Foster, and Black Creek townships.

APPENDIX.

555

Exhibit of the number of tons of Anthracite Coal mined in Luzerne
County from I860 to 1865 inclusive.

Lackawanna
Vallet.

Wtomixg Valley.

Eastern Middle
Coal Field.

Tears.

Delaware

and

Hudson

Canal Co.

499,568
726,644
644,100
828,150
8.52,136
759,570

Delaware,
Lacka-
wanna,
and Wes-
tern Rail-
road.

North
Branch
Canal,
South.

North
Branch
Canal,
North.

Lehigh

and
Susque-
hanna
Rail-
road.

Penn-
sylvania
Coal Co.

Lacka-
wanna &
Blooms-
burg
Rail-
road.

Lehigh
Coal and
Naviga-
tion.

Lehigh
Valley
Kail-
road.

1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865

1,080,228
1,104,319
1,093,335
1,240.143
1,.303.113
1,006,887

382,341
262,907
494,890
585,249
636,092
329,506

52,965
53,244
64,.357
77,473
94,053
31,157

100,277

111,074

26,723

"94,979'
251,966

689,175
637,779
610,689
665,135
809,993
604,321

519,777
648,-399
767,661
964,753
929.374
673,744

248,823
254,397
77,733
144,602
158,208
180,671

419,076
407,711
385,391
761,177
679,565
622,087

4,310,168

6,828,025

2,590,985

373,549

585,019

4,017,092

4,503,708

1,064,434

3,275,607

Of the amount carried on the Lackawanna and Bloomsbnrg Rail-
road in these six years, 2,355,801 tons were mined in the Lackawanna
region, and are included in the amount transported on the Delaware,
Lackawanna, and Western Railroad. Of the amount mined by the
Pennsylvania Coal Company, 504,784 tons were taken out at Dun-
more, and should also be credited to the Lackawanna region. Thus
in these six years there were mined in the Lackawanna Yalley,
11,642,977 tons; in the Wyoming Yalley, 9,209,768 tons; and in the
Eastern Middle Field, 4,340,041 tons: total in Luzerne County, from
1860 to 1865 inclusive, 25,192,786 tons.

The names of the Coal Companies and of the individual operators
in Luzerne County in the year 1865 are as follows:

Delaware and Hudson Canal

Co.,
S. S. Clark,
James Nichol,
John Oakley,
Elias Palmer,
J. P. Williams & Sons,
0. W. Spangenburg,
Boston and Lackawanna Coal

Co.,
D. R. Moore,

Delaware, Lackawanna, and
Western Railroad Co.,

Lackawanna Iron and Coal
Co.,

Pennsylvania Coal Co.,

Roaring Brook Coal Co., sue.
of Hunt, Davis & Co.,

Repp & Bowen,

E. J. & J. Williams,

Christian Scherer,

Joseph Church,

556

APPENDIX.

Lackawanna Valley Coal Co.,

Hughes & Able,

F. B. Marsh,

Giles Leach,

William Henry,

Michael Rock,

Williams & McFarlane,

L. Van Storch,

J. J. Hetherby & Co.,

Elk Hill Coal Co.,

Martin Cripper,

Mount Pleasant Coal Co.,

S. T. Scranton & Co.,

A. S. Washburn,

Susquehanna and Wyoming

Valley Railroad and Coal

Co.,
Lackawanna and Susquehanna

Coal and Iron Co.,
Butler Coal Co.,
Grove Brothers,
David Morgan,
Mercur & Co.,
Mercur & Frisbee,
Spearing, Foley & Curtis, late

Hancock & Foley,
Abram Price,
Maryland Coal Co.,
James Freeland,
De Witt & Salisbury,
C. S. Maltby,
J. D. & H. M. Hoyt,
Jas. P. Atherton,
Baltimore Coal Co.,

Wyoming Coal and Trans-
portation Co.,

Audenreid Coal and Im-
provement Co.,

Franklin Coal Co.,

Lewis Landmesser,

Lehigh and Susquehanna Coal
Co.,

Wilkesbarre Coal and Iron
Co.,

Parrish & Thomas,

H. B. Hillman,

Warrior Run Co.,

J. B. Stark,

Ira Davenport,

Union Coal Co.,

Harvey Brothers,

Washington Coal Co.,

J. Landon & Co.,

H. S. Mercur & Co., succes-
sors of Landon & Co.,

New England Coal Co.,

Shawnee Coal Co.,

Ebervale Coal Co.,

Harleigh Coal Co.,

Wm. S. Halsey & Co.,

G. B. Markle & Co.,

Packer, Linderman & Co.,

Spring Mountain Coal Co.,

Stout Coal Co.,

Buck Mountain Coal Co.,

A. Pardee & Co.,

Sharp, Weiss & Co.

Railroads.

The Nanticoke Railroad Company was chartered in 1860, and the
work commenced the same year. Dr. Ingham, Engineer. It will ex-

APPENDIX. 557

tend on the east side of the Susquehanna through the Wyoming Coal
Field, and probably as far as Scranton.

The Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad Company have constructed
a back or empty track, which leaves the old road on the top of the
mountain at the head of the Upper Plane, and makes a circuit of I2h
miles in length, in the shape of an ox-bow, to the foot of the mountain.
The greatest grade is 96 feet to the mile.

In 1865 and 1866 the Lehigh Yalley Railroad Company extended
their road into the Wyoming coal field, and purpose its further exten-
sion up the North Branch.

The Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company have constructed a rail-
road from White Haven to Mauch Chunk in place of the Slackwater
Navigation, which was destroyed in the summer of 1862.

The Plymouth and Wilkesbarre Bridge and Railroad Company are
constructing a road, one mile in length, connecting the Lehigh and
Susquehanna road with the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg road. It
is to cross the Susquehanna on a bridge 870 feet in length, a short
distance above Plymouth,

Huntington Salt and Iron Manufacturing, and Petroleum

Companies.

In the year 1825 the Huntington Salt and Iron Manufacturing
Company was organized with a capital of $10,000, divided into 400
shares of $25 each. The salt boring was commenced on Pine Creek,
two miles east of Cambria, near a large natural deer lick. The power
used was a small water-wheel, with arms attached to the end of the
shaft. The boring rods were white-ash poles, fastened together by
means of a burr and screw strapped on the ends. The auger was
attached to a bar of iron weighing about 200 pounds, and the progress
made was from 2 inches to 2 feet a day. A man stood at the rod
turning continually, and the hole, about 3 inches in diameter, was sunk
to the depth of 480 fe'et, when the rod broke far down in the earth,
and the enterprise was abandoned.

In the year 1865 the Green Creek Petroleum Company was organ-
ized for continuing the boring in the old hole with the view of obtaining
coal oil, — the indications given in 1826 in the salt boring seeming to
warrant the present effort. The following is the affidavit of Peter
Boston, who had the contract of boring in 1826 for the Huntington
Salt and Iron Manufacturing Company.
36

558 APPENDIX.

Luzerne County, ss.

On this 20th day of June, 1865, before me, the subscriber, a Jus-
tice of the Peace, personally appeared Peter Boston, who being duly
sworn, says : That he is a resident of Fairmount, Luzerne County,
Pennsylvania ; that he is 69 years of age ; that he had the job of
boring the "Salt Well," near Cambria, said county, commencing
about the year a.d. 1826; that he bored said well and gave his per-
sonal attention to it ; that at the depth of about 200 or 300 feet,
while boring after night, there commenced coming out of the well a
strong smell something like sulphur only a great deal stronger, and
on examination in the morning the water that continually flowed out
of the well was of a blue-black color, and that the smell came from
this water; that for at least 20 feet on the surface of the water in the
creek below, this water made quite a scum ; that he now is of the pos-
itive opinion that that dark water of offensive smell was coal oil, and
he has so expressed his opinion ever since he became acquainted with
coal oil ; that he has no interest in the matter, but if a company is
raised he is willing to take a share in it.

Peter Boston.
Sworn and subscribed before me this

20th day of June, 1865.

D. L. Chapin, J. P.

Mr. Wm. A. Myers, Civil Engineer and Mining Superintendent of
the Glendale Oil Company, Titusville, Pa., in addressing the Presi-
dent and Directors of the Green Creek Petroleum Company, says:
" Having spent four days in a careful examination of the lands owned
and leased by your company, I would say the result has impressed me
favorably. ******! feel satisfied there is sufficient to
warrant efforts at thorough development."

Coal oil in small quantities has already been obtained on Kitchen's
Creek, near the North Mountain. Other lands have been purchased
by Eastern men, and one or two companies have been formed to bore
for oil. They have commenced sinking wells, and have obtained some
indications of oil.

APPENDIX.

559

Population of Luzerne County in 1860.

Names of Boroughs

and Townships.

?opulation.

and Townships.

Population

Abington,

2337

Lehman,

694

Bear Creek,

219

Madison,

1190

BentoD,

1157

Nescopeck,

875

Black Creek,

499

New Columbus,

241

Blakely,

375T

Newport,

622

Buck,

728

Newton,

916

Butler,

1081

Pittston,

2753

Carbondale Township,

466

Pittston Borough,

3693

Carbondale City,

5118

Plains,

844

Covington,

850

Plymouth,

2400

Dallas,

998

Providence Township,

4091

Denison,

626

Providence Borough,

1410

Dorrance,

553

Ransom,

509

Exeter,

807

Ross,

891

Fairmount,

1194

Salem,

1400

Fell,

463

Scott, . _- —

1333

Foster,

1204

Scranton,

9273

Franklin,

664

Slocum,

210

Greenfield,

936

Spring Brook,

268

Hanover,

1624

Sugarloaf,

1343

Hazle,

3832

Union,

1645

Hazleton,

1708

\\ averly.

356

HoUenback,

977

West Pittston,

590

Huntington,

1558

White Haven,

946

Hyde Park,

3319

Wilkesbarre Township

, 2815

Jackson,

689

Wilkesbarre Borough,

4259

Jefferson,

706

Wright,

278

Jenkins,

Kingston Township,

1574
2044

Total,

90,390

Kingston Borough,

647

In 1850,

56,072

Lackawanna,
Lake,

1663

488

Increase,

34,318

560 APPENDIX.

Flood op 1861 in the Susquehanna.

On the 12th and 13th of February, 1861, a tremendous flood oc-
curred in the Susquehanna, said to be higher than any known before
in fifty years. The river, covered with ice nearly all winter, broke up
under a warm rain. The ice dammed up in the channel forced the
water over the Kingston flats and all the lowlands along the river.
The ice cast out of the road on these flats lay piled up on either hand
until late in the spring. The cellars of the dwellings on River Street
in Wilkesbarre were filled with water. The Wilkesbarre Gas Works
were damaged, and there was one night of darkness in the town.

Flood in the Lehigh in 1862.

On the 3d and 4th of June, 1862, the Slackwater Navigation of
the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company from White Haven to
Mauch Chunk was utterly destroyed by a great flood. More than one
hundred lives were lost, and whole families were drowned. There
were 40 million feet of logs swept away. It was estimated at the
time that at White Haven alone the loss amounted to $320,000. At
Mauch Chunk the water was 15 feet deep in the principal street, and
all the lower part of the town was washed away.

Great Flood in the Susquehanna in 1865.

On St. Patrick's day, the Itth of March, 1865, occurred the
greatest flood ever known in the Susquehanna. The waters in some
places covered the Yalley from mountain to mountain. Logs, trees,
timber, lumber, some loose, some in rafts of two to twenty thousand
feet, fences, fragments of buildings, canal boats, skiffs, haystacks,
whole barns, sheds, and even large, well-finished dwelling-houses, with
chimneys all in order, came rushing down the roaring torrent at the
rate of 8 miles an hour. For three days the dark, muddy waters over-
flowed the banks, which were covered with wrecks of every descrip-

APPENDIX. 561

tion. At Skinner's Eddy, in Wyoming County, 19 buildings, mostly
dwellings, were swept away. Two large stacks of lumber, containing
between 40 and 50 thousand feet, were carried off, and a thousand
bushels of corn were set afloat. The water in Wilkesbarre extended
up Market Street to the street crossing at Faser's store. People
went about in boats in several of the principal streets.

This tremendous freshet has been styled St. Patrick's Flood. The
following has been taken from the Records of the Court of Quarter
Sessions of Luzerne County,

In Be.

St. Patrick's Flood in Susquehanna River, Itth and 18th March,
A.D. 1865.

Now 29th of August, a.d. 1865, the following record is submitted
to the court for preservation among its records, to wit :

WiLKESBAREE, 26th August, 1865.

Hon. John N", Conyngham, President Judge of Luzerne County.
From levels taken from explorations for rail route

from the Lehigh Valley to this Valley by C. F. Mer-

cur, Esq., I find the elevations above tide water of the

door-sills of the Court-House 543-102 feet.

Low water in the Susquehanna River 512-9 "

High water in the Susquehanna River 18th March, 1865. 531-6 "
Door-sill of the Court-House above the high water of

18th March, 1865 55 "

Rise of water in the flood of ITth and 18th of March,

1865, at Wilkesbarre 24-Y "

And the general opinion is that the flood of 1865 was

four feet higher than the pumpkin flood of October,

A.D. 1786.

Respectfully submitted,

Maktin Coryell.

Certified from the Records this sixth day of February, a.d. 1866.
[Seal.] E. B, Collings, Clerk.

562 APPENDIX.

The Great Rebellion.

Thus stood the military organization of Luzerne in the spring of
1861, when the eleven Southern States attempted to dismember the
Union and establish a Southern Confederacy. This great rebellion
against the mild and beneficial sway of the General Government,
prompted as it was by bad and ambitious men, roused the patriotism
and military spirit of the entire North, and hundreds of thousands of
men sprang to arms to preserve the unity and life of the nation. This
effort of the Free States for Union was met by a corresponding gi-
gantic attempt for its destruction on the part of the Slave States.
No nook or corner of the Great United States escaped the contagion
of the military ardor. The whole country became a vast military en-
campment in which millions of men prepared themselves for the shock
of the battle-field. In the first swell of patriotic feeling which gushed
from the loyal North party spirit was hushed into silence, and almost
every individual, of all ranks, ages, and sexes, expressed indignation
when it was announced that the traitors at Charleston had fired on a
national fortress, and compelled its small band of defenders to lower
the Stars and Stripes to the flag of rebellion. At the call of Presi-
dent Lincoln for 75,000 men, followed by that for half a million, to
suppress insurrection, companies of troops were organized in all parts
of Luzerne, and almost on an hour's notice were on their road to the
theatre of war. April 18th, 1861, the first company of troops left
Wilkesbarre. Scranton, Providence, Carbondale, and other localities
were equally prompt in furnishing men to uphold the national honor.
After an unparalleled war of four years, during which Luzerne fur-
nished about 5500 soldiers, the rebellion was crushed, and the author-
ity of the national government was re-established. The author pro-
poses, at a future day, to publish a history of the part taken by Luzerne
in this great civil conflict.

NOTES.

1 Page 19. Steuben Jenkins, Esq., of Wyoming, and Dr. Hollister, of
Providence, have made large and valuable private collections of Indian
relics, very interesting to those curious in aboriginal history.

2 Page 154. Through the laudable efforts of Payne Pettebone, Esq., and
Gen. W. S. Eoss, a deed to the Wyoming Monumental Association has been
secured, money subscribed, and the grounds enclosed by a handsome fence,
and decorated v?ith trees and shrubbery.

3 Page 286. This Christian gentleman died April 18th, 1861, aged 61
years.

* Page 299. In 1865, the Church North numbered 929,259. No statistics
from the Church South during or since the late war.

* Page 307. Died 6th March, 1862, and his funeral was attended by up-
wards of four thousand persons.

fi Page 308. These churches are now under the charge of Kev. Mr.
Oefinger.

' Page 355. Since the foregoing was written, a mill has been erected in

Pittston.

8 Page 398. In 1863, E. S. M. Hill, Esq., purchased the press and changed
the name " " Lackawanna Register, and again to the Scranton Register.
In 1860, Mr. Hill established in Scranton the Legal Observer, which is now
discontinued.

The Scranton Wochenblatt was established in 1865, by E. A. Ludwig, who
sold to Frederick Wagner, the present editor.
The Miner's Journal was established in 1866, by Adams & Brock.

9 Page 399. In 1863, Mr. T. J. Alleger and Theodore Smith became edi-
tors and proprietors. In 1864, Mr. Smith retired. The Hazleton Sentinel

(563)

5o4 NOTES.

was established by J. C. Stokes & Co., and the first number issued in
January, 1866.

10 Page 426. Mr. Miner died October 26th, 1865, aged 86 years. Mr. Dyer
died September 21st, 1861, aged 90 years.

" Page 449. This road was extended to Northumberland, a distance of
29 miles, in 1860, and connects with the Philadelphia and Erie.

" Page 449. For an account of the Nanticoke and other railroads con-
structed and in course of construction, since the publication of the first
edition of this work, see Appendix W.

13 Page 486. In 1860, the deaths amounted to 878. Families, 15,065.
Population, 90,390.

" Page 487. In the winter 1863-4, spotted or black fever prevailed in the
northern part of the county, and the number of deaths in Carbondale, where
the disease was most fatal and sweeping, exceeded 400.

1* Page 502. A pike, weighing 23| pounds, was caught in Marcey's Pond,
Wyoming County, in 1866, and was purchased by Hon. John Brisbin, of
Scranton.

W V 1 o X