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MATHIAS HOLLENBACK
Mr. Miner supposes Mr. Hollenback to be a native of Virginia. But Mr.
Peck, of later day, on the authority of Mr. H.’s family, records his birth at
Jonestown, Lancaster County, PA.
Mr. H. came to Wyoming at an early period of its settlement by
Connecticut people, identified himself with its interests, and was valiant for
the defense of the settlers, whose cause he considered just. But after the
decision of the Court of Trenton, he yielded to it, and was always a faithful
subject of the laws of Pennsylvania. He was well known among the brave and
generous, in those days that tried men’s souls; a man of common height, but
stout, remarkably active, enterprising and successful in business, and
possessing strong powers of mind.
At the close of the Revolutionary War in 1783, Mr. Hollenback
was employed by the government to supply the Indians, according to treaty, with
articles they might need, such as brooches, beads, blankets, and whiskey, and
made his first establishment quite into the Indian country, at Newtown, a little
below Elmira. John Shepard, my father, was his clerk in 1784. It was
there an Indian who became offended with Mr. Hollenback, made an attempt upon
his life. He came into the store quite intoxicated, with his long knife
concealed under his blanket, while Hollenback was writing at his desk. He
drew near to him, and when preparing to make a plunge, young Shepard, who had
been watching him, saw his knife, and suspecting his design, and having an ax
helve in his hand, came up behind him, and struck the Indian a heavy blow on his
arm, when the knife dropped and the assassin made his escape.
Before the country was much settled by white people, Mr.
Hollenback established stores in many places along the Susquehanna River.
He came to Tioga Point in 1783. He first occupied a small temporary
building, connected with the house of Mr. Alexander, on a cross street from the
Chemung to the Susquehanna River, on the east side of the main street, just
above the Chemung bridge, opposite the ferry, and near where Mr. Samuel
Hepburne’s store was, on the Susquehanna River. The pine trees were
growing quite down into the village, but where these stores stood was cleared
ground and meadow. Being near the site of Fort Sullivan, it is supposed
that the ground having been more occupied, the low brush had not sprung up.
The fort is said to have been built of earth and pine brush.
Mr. Hollenback built his store on the corner of the lot
adjoining the public square,* about the time the town was laid out, in 1786.
Very many remember this large, two-story building of hewn logs, in later days
clapboarded, to give it a more modern appearance. It was a house and store
together. The store was a long room, on the south side.
* Now the property of Mr. C. Hunsicker
On the north were a parlor, sitting room and kitchen. The upper rooms
were pleasant and airy, and all the rooms had corner fireplaces, built of stone.
This building might furnish material for a history by itself. No pen has
recorded the number of births, deaths, and marriages that have taken place in
that one tenement. Some of the elite of our country have dwelt there.
Congressmen, judges, lawyers, teachers, merchants, farmers, and mechanics have
helped successively to make up the inmates of this antiquated dwelling.
It was here Mr. Hollenback opened his “new store,” with its
variety and attractions; dry goods and groceries for the whites, and beads,
brooches, and blankets for the Indians, and rum for both. Mr. Daniel
McDowell was clerk.
The country was greatly accommodated by these early merchants.
Many choice and useful articles were brought up the river from Philadelphia, in
boats, for “Hollenback’s store,” and so great was the importance of this
establishment that letters to individuals were addressed to “Hollenback’s
store,” and the town itself was known more by that than name than any other.
The Indians did not all flee before Sullivan’s army. Many
that were feeble or peaceable were allowed to remain. It is related that
at Catharine, the army found an aged Indian woman, alone and destitute.
They built her a cabin, provided wood and provisions for her, and found her
there when they returned.
After the treaty of peace with Great Britain, many of the
natives came back to their hunting and fishing ground. It was hard to
leave the lands they had inherited from their fathers. In a little time
they became insolent and troublesome; and when stimulated by strong drink they
were dangerous neighbors. At one time when Mr. H. was in his store, an
Indian threw a brand of fire through a broken window on a barrel of gunpowder.
With instant thought, young Shepard, who was now clerk at this place, seized the
brand, picked off the coals, and brushed off the flashing powder, scattered on
the head of the barrel, and thus saved them all from sudden destruction.
Judge Hollenback has often been heard to say: “That brave
John Shepard has twice saved my life.” They were friends in later life,
and always seemed happy to meet and recount early times and adventures.
Judge Hollenback was not long stationary at one place. It
was enough to employ his time, to go from one trading post to another, and leave
his business with efficient clerks. But he continued to make improvements
at Tioga Point. He dug a well near his large “house and store” which still
supplies water, “sparkling and bright.” He planted apple trees, some
of which now stand, and bear fruit, and are ornaments on that beautiful lot.
May the trees and the well long remain! He built a tenant house of logs on
the same lot near the south line, which has accommodated many a family.
Some have lived in good style in these buildings, with neatly papered rooms,
carpeted floors, and handsome drapery. He also built a storehouse on the
bank of the Chemung River, which accommodated the merchants generally.
From there was heard the boat horn, sounding long and loud, more than a half a
century ago, announcing the arrival of new goods, which produced greater
sensation among the inhabitants than the arrival of cars at the depot at a later
date. The old storehouse at length became useless, was undermined by
water, and finally was set on fire, and vanished from our sight. The
tenant house began to decay, and was torn down, and in 1849 the “Hollenback
house and store” was deliberately torn down, and the cellar filled up, being
about 63 years since it was built.
John Jacob Astor once proposed a partnership in the fur trade
with Mr. Hollenback, but having sufficient business to engage him on the
Susquehanna, Mr. H. declined.
After many years they met, and Mr. Astor intimated to Mr.
Hollenback that he would take care of his son, if he would send him to him, to
which he replied, “I thank you, sir; he can take care of himself.” Which
proved true in the prosperous life of George M. Hollenback.
In 1793, at the time of the revolution in France, Colonel
Hollenback was employed by the Governor of Pennsylvania, the agent of Louis XVI,
to provide a place of retreat for the royal family of France, at some secluded
spot on the Susquehanna. He purchased a tract of land in Luzerne, now
Bradford County, which they called Asylum, to which place a large number of
French families fled for protection, and where several of their descendants
still remain.
VII
NEW SHESHEQUIN
At the time of Sullivan’s march up the valley of Wyoming, as the army passed
through Sheshequin valley, Captain Simon Spalding, who commanded a company, was
much pleased with the appearance and location of the place, and resolved to make
that his future residence. Captain Spalding was a native of Plainfield,
Conn. He was born in 1741, married Ruth Shepard, and removed to Wyoming at
an early period of its settlement, and died at Sheshequin, in 1814. He was
a large man, of fine personal appearance. He was a captain in the
Revolutionary War, and was constituted General in the militia after he removed
to Sheshequin. He with his family, and several of his neighbors, removed
from Wyoming to Sheshequin, in May, 1783. This beautiful valley was at
that time covered with Indian grass, five or six feet high, to which these
pioneers set fire, which ran through the valley about four miles. General
Spalding, with his numerous sons and daughters, sons-in-law and
daughters-in-law, occupied the upper part of the valley. The sons were
John and Chester. John married Wealthy Gore, daughter of Obadiah Gore,
Esq. Chester married Sarah Tyler, sister of Francis Tyler of Athens.
The daughters were: Mrs. Joseph Kinney, Mrs. Moses park,
Mrs. William Spalding, mother of the late Robert Spalding, and Mrs. Briggs, well
known among us, and Mrs. Kingsbury, wife of Colonel Joseph Kingsbury, known as a
prominent surveyor and agent.
These all had large and uncommonly fine looking families.
Other families were added to the number: Mr. Fuller, Mr.
Hoyt, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Snyder, and Mr. Shaw, father of the surviving son, now
over ninety-four years of age.
These families all had pleasant farms allotted them, extending
from the river back to the mountain. They first bought of the Susquehanna
Company, under Connecticut title, in which state they enjoyed peace, quietness,
and prosperity, and were able also to meet the Pennsylvania claim, hard as they
might have felt it to be, when it was presented.
They found in this beautiful valley a variety of nuts and wild
fruit, plums and cranberries. In a few short years, their presses began to
burst forth with new cider, and their barns with plenty. Their butter and
cheese, their pork and beans, Indian bread and honey, were not surpasses in
their own native Connecticut.
John Spalding, oldest son of General Spalding, was appointed
Colonel of Militia, and was well situated on a fine farm of his own, and one
presented to his wife by her father, joining his. Colonel Spalding had an
erect and stately figure, was lively in his manner, and proud of his wife and of
his children, fourteen in number. Visitors were sometimes amused, when
inquiry was made how many children they had. One of them would say,
“Harry, Billy, Noah, Dyer, Simon, Sally, Ulysses, Wealthy, George, John,
Charley, Zebulon, Avery and Mary.” They all grew up to be fine, stately
sons and daughters; but the mother outlived all but two, Mrs. General Welles and
MR. Zebulon B. Spalding, who reside with us.
Joseph Kinney, Esq., from Killingly, Conn., one of the
sons-in-law, was a man of intelligence and reading. Some of his
descendants have partaken of his spirit, and have been noted for their literary
turn. There have been among them professional men, editors, and statesmen.
Mrs. Julia Scott, deceased, daughter of the late George Kinney,
Esq., of Sheshequin, wrote much, and published a volume of poems, which showed a
refined taste and cultivated mind, and her name has found a place in a volume of
American poets. She died at Towanda, in 1842.
Obadiah Gore was born in Norwich, Conn., 1744, and came to
Wyoming with the early settlers. He was the eldest son of Obadiah Gore,
Esq., who had seven sons engaged in the Revolutionary War, a fact of which
Colonel Stone speaks in his history of Wyoming as “The most remarkable in the
history of man. That a father and six* sons, including two sons-in-law,
should be engaged in the same battle field, is rarely, if ever known. Five
corpses of a single family sleeping upon the cold bed of death together the
self-same night! What a price did that family pay for liberty!”
* Colonel Stone says six, the number was seven.
Obadiah Gore came to Sheshequin in 1783, about the time Captain Spalding
removed there, and settled in the lower part of the valley. Obadiah was an
officer in Washington’s army, and served through the war.* While
Westmoreland sent representatives to Hartford, Mr. Gore was sent as assemblyman,
and was prominent in public proceedings. He was a man of fine appearance,
and dignity of character, and pleasing in his address. He submitted to the
decree of Trenton, but was on the committee remonstrating against the repeal of
the Confirming Act, and after removing to Sheshequin, was appointed Associate
Judge for the Court of Luzerne County, and served for many years. He was a
man of much taste, and cultivated a great variety of fruit. He also
planted the mulberry tree and raised silkworms to some extent. He was at
one time a merchant, and opened a store of goods in his house on the hill, where
he always lived, at the same time carrying on farming quite extensively.
There was much in his beautiful situation to comfort his family and attract his
friends.
Obadiah Gore had five children and fifty-two grandchildren.
He died March 22, 1821, aged 77 years.
Avery Gore, his son, married Lucy, daughter of Silas Gore, who
fell in the massacre of Wyoming. Mrs. Gore was a rare woman. Her
domestic management of a very large family, part of the time consisting of four
generations and numerous dependents, was a marvel to all who knew her position,
more than fifty years ago.
* Obadiah Gore was engaged as an officer in General Sullivan’s army. He
kept a
connected journal of the entire campaign, which has been read by some of his
grand-
children, and which, it is to be regretted, has been lost.
“Rising while it was yet dark and giving meat to her household,” she would
apportion to her domestics the labors of the day, the spinning, weaving, and the
dairy, attending to the butter and the cheese, for which she was noted, and the
many supernumeraries, attending upon all. These duties done
systematically, day after day and year after year, with a quick step and a
cheerful face; the impression was “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou
excellest them all.”
She lived in the same house where she was married until the
time of her death. She presided at her own table more than sixty years.
When we last called upon her, her sun was declining, and she soon after died, in
March, 1867, over 92 years of age. The eldest sister, Mrs. Wilkinson, who
died some years ago, was also over 90 years old.
Lucy, quite a little girl, was in Forty Fort at the time of the
battle of Wyoming, with her mother and two other children. Her father,
Silas Gore, and two of his brothers, were killed. Their names may now be
seen on the monument, near the fatal spot. The children of the family
remembered when the Indians took possession of the Fort, and many of their
antics impressed their childish minds. They placed the ladies’ caps and
bonnets upon their own heads, put their side-saddles upon their own ponies and
mounted them, riding in ladies’ style, much to the merriment of all but the poor
sufferers. They remembered how the fugitives waded through the Indian meal
and corn and feathers knee deep when they were exiled from the Fort. Mrs.
Gore, with a stricken heart, made her way with her three children to a boat,
which took her to a place of safety.
Samuel Gore came to Sheshequin with his brother, Obadiah, and
owned a farm adjoining his, which was, at one time, considered very valuable;
but some parts of it, as well as other farms in Sheshequin, have suffered
greatly from the floods and backwater from Towanda dam.
Mr. Gore was Justice of the Peace, and had the business of the
neighborhood at that time. Among the numerous marriages he was called to
perform, was that of old Mrs. Northrop, about 90, and old Mr. Howder, a few
years younger, in about the year 1830. They lived above the Narrows in
Athens, and both took their staves in hand and walked down to Squire Gore’s,
five or six miles, for the performance of the ceremony. Mr. Gore was fond
of pleasantry, and told them it was necessary to have some witnesses for the
occasion. He therefore sent to some of the neighbors, whom he invited to
attend the wedding.
After the marriage, this unique bride and groom took their
staves in hand again and started homeward. It is said that Mrs. Howder
lived to be over a hundred years old.
About 1790, Mr. Gore was once coming home from Owego, where he
had been to make some purchases, with his knapsack upon his back. He found
the Indians quite numerous and hostile at Tioga Point, and the river very high,
and could not cross it that night. For safety, he climbed a tree opposite
the island, and secured himself by a strap, where he stayed through the night.
Early the next morning he went to the ferry with all possible stillness, where
the ferryman took him across the river and he went on his way in safety. A
part of Samuel Gore’s history has been previously noticed, in order to give his
petition to Congress, containing a particular account of the Wyoming massacre,
and attending circumstances. We have thought it unnecessary to give any
other history of that memorable event.
It was inserted in that part of our record, in order to give
those statements in their proper chronological order.
Moses Park, of Stonington, Connecticut, who married a daughter
of General Spalding, was a Baptist minister, and preached to a small Baptist
church in Sheshequin, of which Joseph Kinney was Deacon. They, with many
others, afterward embraced Universalism.
His son, Chester Park, is a licensed local Methodist preacher.
His ministrations over these hills and among these valleys have been acceptable
and very useful.
Mr. Jabez Fish and family came from Wilkesbarre at a later
period and settled at Sheshequin. Mr. And Mrs. Fish had been members of
the Rev. Ard. Hoyt’s church of Wilkesbarre, who afterward went on a mission to
the Cherokee nation, at Mission Ridge, Georgia. They united with the
Congregational Church at Athens in 1812. Mr. Fish died in a few years
after, and Mrs. Fish lived long to honor her profession. She was much
interested in the missionary cause. Her granddaughter, Mrs. Tracy, has
recently gone on a mission to Turkey.
Breakneck, the lower part of Sheshequin, was known by that name
at the time Sullivan’s army passed through the narrows. Col. Hubley states
in his journal: “So high and so narrow was the path at Breakneck Hill, a
single false step must inevitably carry one to the bottom, the distance of 180
feet perpendicular;” and yet, an army of more than 3,000 men with their long
train of packhorses, marched through this dangerous pass in safety. They
then “entered the charming valley of Sheshequin, made a halt at a most beautiful
run, and took a bit of dinner.”
It has been said that a squaw fell from the precipice years ago
and broke her neck, and it is generally supposed this circumstance gave name to
the place, and a face was painted on the rocks, by a rough artist, commemorating
the event, which perhaps, is still visible.
Obadiah Gore, son of Avery Gore, has a short and ancient record
of a title, of much interest, a duplicate of which is as follows:
INDIAN TITLE
“Nicholas Tatemy, an Indian Chief, bought of the State or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a tract of land, in 1783, 180 ½ acres, in the center of Sheshequin, and sold it to John Brotsman, a gentleman of Philadelphia. This farm was bought of Mr. B. by Obadiah Gore, grandfather of the present occupant, who gave it to his grandson for his name. The draft of land was called Indelelamookong, situated on the East Branch of the Susquehanna River, opposite an Indian settlement called Sheshequinung, lying in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Returned to Surveyor’s office for John Lukens.”
It is pleasant to visit the valley of Sheshequin, where so many
of our fathers and grandfathers have lived and died; where cluster so many
pleasant associations, and where we have spent so many of our youthful days.
We remember while there seeing the total eclipse of 1806, when the chickens went
to roost, the cows went lowing home, and the teacher and scholars ran home in
dismay.
We remember the old barn, which has just fallen under the
weight of more than four score years, and the additional pressure of a heavy
snow, the first frame building in Bradford, then a part of Luzerne Co., built in
1786; and also the house of our grandfather, built a little later, and now
undergoing extensive repairs. We felt like saying “Woodman, spare that
tree,” when we heard it was to pass through a revolution; but have been
gratified to find some parts of it remaining unchanged, and we can there see the
old tall clock, and the spy-glass which Lieutenant Gore carried in the army of
the Revolution, and which children and children’s children have been permitted
to look through, as a special favor. There have been many living in
Sheshequin remarkable for their longevity. We could name numbers who have
lived more than four score years, and several over ninety.
V I I I
OLD SHESHEQUIN
The west side of the river, known as Ulster, was called by the Indians
Sheshequinung, and was a place of great importance among them. It was
earlier known and settled by them than the opposite side of the river, now
called Sheshequin. It was the termination of the great Sheshequin warpath
from the West Branch, by Lycoming Creek, thence to Beaver Dam, thence down Sugar
Creek to Sheshequin flats.
The Moravians state that the Chief Echgohund resided here.
It was a Monsey town; inhabited by that ferocious tribe whose emblem was a wolf.
Queen Esther’s village was composed of a part of this tribe, and they partook of
the same spirit.
After the Indians were driven off, the early white settlers
called it Old Sheshequin, and those on the opposite side called their settlement
New Sheshequin. They were settled about the same time, principally by
Wyoming people, whose sympathies were strong and lasting.
When the township was surveyed by the Susquehanna Company, they
included the two settlements and called the township Ulster, which remained so
many years; but in 1820 the township was divided, the west side was called
Ulster, and the east side Sheshequin. So that on the west side of the
river, the original Sheshequinung, has altogether lost its ancient Indian name.
Among the early white settlers were Captain Simons, Mr.
Holcomb, Mr. Tracy, Captain Clark, Captain Cash, Captain Rice, and afterwards
Mr. Overton, an Englishman; who purchased of Tracy, and was the father of the
Overton family now among us. Mrs. Overton, who came to this country some
years after her husband, was a lady of polished manners, and very beautiful.
This was quite a social community, and they lived in much peace
and quietness. A Baptist Church was formed here, at an early period, and
the sacraments were administered alternately on the east and west sides of the
river.
Captain Cash and his wife, Mrs. Overton and Mrs. Rice died
nearly at the same time, of a fever that prevailed throughout the country in
1812. Anna Cash, the eldest daughter of Captain Cash, was left with the
entire care of her father’s large family, and did herself much honor by her
faithful attention to them, until they were otherwise provided for. She
afterwards married Colonel Lockwood, who was known here many years.
She brought up a large family of her own, and died at her old home in 1865.
I X
JOHN SHEPARD
In his journal, written at Tioga Point, and dated 1784, Mr. Shepard says:
“I was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, April 17th, 1765. Went to school
in the Academy there, taught by Nathan Daboll” – the arithmetician and
astronomer.
His uncle, Captain Simon Spalding, came from Wyoming to
Connecticut, after the close of the Revolutionary War, to purchase cattle.
He says: “I went home with him, and was then eighteen years old. We
had a long and tedious journey --- were fifteen days before we arrived at
Wyoming with the cattle. I continued there two weeks, then went up the
river with my uncle, and remained with him at Sheshequin until December 18th,
1784. From thence I engaged as clerk for Weiss & Hollenback, in the Indian
country, at Newtown, now Elmira. It was more than twenty miles from any
white inhabitants.
“ I continued there until April, then bought 158 pounds (about
$500 worth) of goods from Weiss & Hollenback, to carry farther into the Indian
country. Went first to a place called Tioga Point to obtain packhorses.
The streams were high, so that many times I waded up to my waist, and my man
Brown was thrown from his horse, and carried down stream several rods by the
swift water. We went back to the store, packed up my goods, and started
with them the 23d of April, 1785. I came to a place called Catharine Town.
There I continued two days among the Indians, and sold part of my load. I
arrived at Canoga on Cayuga Lake, the 29th of April.” (Canoga is nearly
opposite Aurora, and noted as the birthplace of Red Jacket.)
“ The 6th of May I sent my man back to Weiss & Hollenback’s
store with skins and furs to exchange for more goods. During his absence I
lived nine days without seeing any person except savages. I amused myself
by walking about, but dared not go out of sight of my cabin, for fear of having
my goods stolen.
“May 15th, Messrs. Leonard and Dean came by way of Seneca River
and lake, with a boat load of goods from Albany, and in two days more six boat
loads came. I sold to them sundry articles, bought of them gum, flour,
brooches, blankets, etc. I went to Newtown the first day of June.
The night I arrived there the Indians had a drunken frolic, and fell upon us,
and we were obliged to make our escape.
“ I went to Canoga again, June 18th, and sent William to Tioga
Point. After his return, I was taken sick with fever and ague, which
continued until October. I started for Tioga Point, and at Newtown met two
men from Niagara, who told me that the Indians had killed and taken a number of
white people, and there was much alarm.
“ That night I came back to Tioga Point. William stayed
with me until the 4th of January, 1786.
“ The state line was run this year by Rittenhouse and others.
I engaged with Hollenback again as clerk at Tioga Point, and continued with him
through 1787.”
It would seem that the Indians had become quite numerous and
troublesome about this time. Many of them had returned with strong
attachments to their native soil. Some felt that they had not been fairly
dealt with, and many were influenced by the love of strong drink, with which
they could here be supplied, and here was their incomparable hunting and fishing
ground.
With these attractions, many of the natives were returning,
which created serious apprehensions among the white people.
Two intoxicated Indians were at one time in a quarrel.
One ran into Hollenback’s store, they other pursued him with his rifle and shot
him dead, then made his escape---the blood streaming in every direction about
the store. Mr. Shepard witnessed this terrible scene. They seldom
offered him any violence. He was quite a favorite with them. They
admired his bravery, sometimes calling him “Yankoo Bravoo,” and he often went by
the name of “Conidehecut” among them. He in turn admired some of their
characteristics, and often expressed much regard for them.
While the natives remained, there was much trade with them in
the article of furs. They found “ plenty bear, plenty deer” on the
mountains and plains. The dense pines within the hills and rivers formed a
cool retreat for them, from the sultry sun in summer, and protection from the
cold blasts of winter. Deerskins were abundant, and from several bills
among Mr. Shepard’s old papers, it appears that other animals abounded.
One bill of sale mentions 24 bear skins, 31 martin and mink skins, 5 fishers, 2
otters, 1 wild cat, 44 raccoons.
The journal continues: “ January, 1788, bought Prince
Bryant’s mills, and an adjoining lot of Nathaniel Shaw called the mill lot, on
which were a saw mill, grist mill, and two dwelling houses.” These lots
were the first land purchase made by Mr. Shepard. They were bought under
Connecticut title. Subsequently the Pennsylvania title was demanded and
met. This purchase embraced the land on both sides of Cayuta or Shepard’s
Creek, from the state line down to Morley’s mill, including Milltown. It
was in the deed called a gore of land, containing 600 acres, for which he paid
600 pounds in New York currency, $2.50 per acre.
In this purchase, the gristmill was an important acquisition,
being the only one with 50 miles. It was run both night and day.
Loads of grain were brought to it from distances of twenty, thirty and fifty
miles, in boats, canoes, carts, and sleighs.
Mr. Shepard was once returning from New York in a buggy, and
was overtaken by a heavy snowstorm, 150 miles from home, which made it necessary
for him to exchange his vehicle for a sleigh. More difference was required
than Mr. S. was prepared to advance, but said he, “ I will give you my note.”
The landlord hesitated, as he was an entire stranger. When Mr. S. said,
“Have you ever heard of ‘Shepard’s Mill’?” “ O, yes.” “I am the
man,” said Mr. S. “Well,” said the landlord, “Take the sleigh and give me
your note.”
Among Mr. Shepard’s papers is a statement of the “Boundaries of
a lease dated March, 1787, from the Chiefs of the Senecas and Cayugas, to
Benjamin Birdsall, Simon Spalding, John Shepard, Matthias Hollenback, Obadiah
Gore, Elijah Bush, and many others, beginning at the Narrows, five miles above
Newtown, on the Tioga; thence east to Awaga Creek; thence down the Awaga to the
Susquehanna River; thence down said river until it strikes the Pennsylvania
line; then on said line until it strikes the 79 mile stone; from thence, a
northerly course to the place of beginning.” But little is known
respecting this lease, except the above description. The Indians lost
their lands, and it is supposed that the “ Lease Company” did not receive much
emolument from them.
June 3rd, 1790, Mr. Shepard married Anna, daughter of Judge
Gore, of Sheshequin, and settled on a farm at Milltown, which he bought of John
Jenkins under Connecticut title, for the sum of one hundred pounds, Pennsylvania
money; containing about three hundred and forty acres on the opposite side of
the creek from the mills. He lived on this farm more than twenty years.
Six of his children were born there. His wife and eldest son died there.
Near the close of the last century he made large purchases of land, and at one
time owned on the state line, from the Tioga to the Susquehanna River.
In 1796, he says, “ Purchased of T. Thomas, of Westchester
County, 1,000 acres of land in the State of New York, beginning 52 rods east of
59 mile stone.” The consideration for the same was two thousand pounds
lawful money of the United States. This purchase embraced the whole of
Waverly, Factoryville, and several farms back on the hill.
Some years after this purchase, Mr. Shepard interceded with
General Thomas to set off a portion of his large patent, extending to Buckville,
for church purposes, which he consented to do. But the object was
deferred, and the General becoming weary of his vast possessions, having no
children, left all to his wife.
Mr. Shepard built a house for his brother-in-law, Josiah
Pierce, near Chemung River, on the hill. This was a house of entertainment
for travelers, and accommodated the long train of judges, lawyers, and witnesses
on horseback that passed back and forth during the sessions of Court held
alternately at Owego and Newtown, shire towns for old Tioga County.
Mr. Pierce had a son Chester, 18 years old, who was riding a
spirited horse through the pines, towards Milltown. When about half way, a
boy frightened the horse, and young Pierce was thrown form the saddle. One
of his feet caught in the stirrup, and he was dragged on the ground, and so
injured that he very soon died.
He was the first one interred in the Milltown burying ground.
The Pierce place was afterwards owned by Isaac Shepard, son of John Shepard, who
extensive grounds are now in the possession of his sons C.H. and W.W. Shepard.
The house was burned in 1853.
The journal adds, “ December, 1798, my grist mill was burned,
and with hard labor saved the saw mill. Rebuilt the grist mill, and with
assistance of friends had the mill in operation in about six weeks.” Such
was the spirit of the people at this period.
During this suspension of the mill, the long canoe was
dispatched with grain for Hollenback’s mills at Wilkesbarre, 80 miles distant,
and the horse mill of Mr. Alexander was in operation day and night, to supply
the inhabitants with bread.
1799. The Compromising law was passed by the Legislature of Pennsylvania.
This was
followed by lawsuits about the improvements on lands that had been occupied
by Connecticut claimants.
Colonel Pickering suggested the Compromising law, and was the
principal agent in securing its enactment, although he was decidedly in favor of
Pennsylvania. In his “Concise Narrative” he admits, “ That it is not
surprising that Connecticut should claim that part of Pennsylvania which was
comprehended in a charter, twenty years older than Mr. Penn’s, and that all
things considered, the Pennsylvania Legislature should be disposed to view the
subject in dispute in the most favorable light for the unfortunate settlers.”
By the terms of this law, “ Commissioners appointed by the
state were to re-survey lots claimed by the Connecticut settlers, a certificate
was to be issued to the state, on presenting which to the land office, and
paying the small compensation fixed, he should receive a patent.”*
* Miner’s History
It was a time of prosperity with Mr. Shepard about the beginning
of this century. His gristmill, saw mill, fulling mill, oil mill, and
distillery afforded him quite a revenue, although attended with great expense.
His zeal in land purchases was almost unbounded. Whenever he heard of land
to be disposed of, he would secure it if possible. But taxes, and
Pennsylvania claims, began to be so onerous that it checked his ardor, and as he
grew older, he felt that in being so desirous for the world he was only pursuing
a phantom that had no substance. The providences of God, too, were
preparing him to look at life in its true light.
In 1804 his diary says, “Began to build my large house in
Milltown this season, and made preparations to build my new mill near the
river.”
1805. “ At this time I began to see there was a God that governs the world.
This year
He brought heavy afflictions upon me, to which I was not resigned, but hope
I may realize in His own time it is for good.”
February 7th, “ My first born son Prentice was taken from me by death, with
a very short illness. A fall while skating produced dropsy on the brain,
and he died in about six weeks. He was a fine looking youth, 15 years old,
large of his age, and the pride of his father.”
August. “My uncle, Doct. Amos Prentice, next door, was
taken from us by death, with a very short illness.” Dr. P. was a
much-esteemed friend, whose society he prized, and on whom he depended as family
physician, and instructor for his children.
September 7th. “The wife of my youth was taken from me by
death, by a fall from a carriage. She remained unconscious until the next
day.” A short time before her death, which occurred 30 hours after
receiving her injury, she revived and looking around upon her husband and six
children, was only able to say, “ I am going to the world of spirits.”
“ Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by, behold and see if
there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow which is done unto me, wherewith the
Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.”
1806. In the fall of this year Wm. Prentice, son of Dr. Prentice, a
lawyer on whom Mr. Shepard depended to assist him in business, died of fever.
With all these afflictions upon him at once, he made arrangements for his
family, and still pursued his business, sorely bereaved as he had been. He
finished his mill toward the river, and his large house at Milltown.
He purchased his first Pennsylvania title of the Howell
Company, with Philip Cranse, 500 acres on the west side of the river, on the
state line. This tract included the farms of Cranse, Dr. Woodworth, Robb,
Fordham, and Wheelock.
1809. “Sold my old mill to Samuel Naglee of
Philadelphia.”
June. “Sent to Stonington, Connecticut, for my
sister Grant, a widow, to keep house for me.” (She brought two daughters
with her, afterwards Mrs. Stephens and Mrs. Howard.)
1807. Thomas Shields presented his claim as
Pennsylvania landholder against the farm Mr. Shepard had bought of
Jenkins, under Connecticut title, and where he had lived with his family many
years, adjoining the Howell and Pickering tract, containing 384 acres, for which
he paid Mr. Shields the sum of $1590 in different installments. In those
days we heard much about paying for land twice.
1808. “Josiah Crocker came from Lee, Massachusetts, with a large family of
Puritanic stamp. He was the first person who held regular religious
meetings on the Sabbath, in Athens, and taught the Assembly’s catechism.”
1807. “Built saw mill and fulling mill with
Joseph Crocker.” This was the mill at Factoryville, which Mr. A. Brooks
afterwards bought and enlarged for a woolen manufactory, and was burned in 1853.
1809. Mr. Shepard received his first commission as Justice of the Peace from
Governor Simon Snyder, to officiate in the township of Athens and Ulster, County
of Lycoming. In 1812 the County of Bradford was created out of Lycoming
County, embracing the northern townships, including Athens, and he received
another Commission constituting him a Justice of the Peace in Athens, Bradford
County.
May 18th, 1811, Mr. Shepard married his second wife on Long Island, a Miss
Hawkins, of Stony Brook, a lady of remarkable culture and refinement, and very
companionable with the children she had adopted.
She had five children, two sons and three daughters. She died January
18th, 1844.
1813. The journal continues, “Sold my house in Milltown to Benjamin Jacobs,
with 90 acres of land.”
1814. “ Made a contract for Pickering tract of 614 acres. In June
removed my family on this tract.” (Harris place.)
Mr. Shepard made great improvement on this farm. He hired
for “Green Mountain Boys,” who had come to seek a place in the new country, for
the purpose of clearing off the dense yellow pine timber. The trees
readily fell before these active woodmen. It was quite a source of
amusement to the youngsters to stand in the door, or look out of the windows,
and see the falling and hear the crashing of the trees as they tumbled to the
ground, and then the rolling of the logs together, preparatory to burning.
It was interesting at the time of the burning of the fallows, to see the curling
smoke and ascending flames, and we can now easily credit the theory since
advanced that “artificial rains can be produced by combustion.” Without
understanding the theory, we noticed the fact, when we were children, and always
looked for a shower in hot weather, soon after the burning of the fallow.
1814. This year was heavy snow and a hard winter. The wolves
were driven down from the mountains in search of food, and many sheep were
devoured by them. They could be heard howling at all times of night.
The inhabitants were much in fear of them, and were afraid to pass from Milltown
to Athens, even in the day time. There was no traveling after dark, so
great was the fear and danger. The sheep were often called into the
door-yard, and light were kept burning for their protection. Bears and
panthers were sometimes seen between the rivers. Bounties were offered for
killing these animals, and those that were not killed retired to the mountains.
1817. “Removed my family from Pickering tract to Campbell farm on Howell
tract. Built a house, barn, shed, etc.” This was the last of my
father’s earthly homes. Here he lived 20 years. This we now call
“the old place.” He still possessed much activity of spirit, and was
engaged in disposing of the lands he had accumulated, upon which the taxes and
state claims had become quite burdensome. He managed to retain a
comfortable portion for his family, and gave much for benevolent objects, often
paying a large share of the minister’s salary, and always extended an open hand
to the poor, not infrequently presenting a deed of five acres of land to
families that were needy. Even at this late period of life, his alert mind
would often suggest improvements and advantages for others. About the year
1820 an article written by a traveler, in the distant regions of California,
came to his notice and greatly interested him. The writer described the
climate as delightful, and the soil as incomparably rich, and abounding in ores.
“ Gold was frequently seen glittering in the earth of which the rough wigwams of
the Indians were built, they, at that time, not comprehending its value.”
After this, Mr. Shepard was often heard to say, “If I were a young man I would
go to California.” He did not go to California, but in 1849 two grandsons,
and a little later, two sons and three other grandsons, went to that attractive
country. Isaac Shepard, one of the grandsons, in consequence of failing
health, attempted to return home, but died on the “ Pacific side,” and was
buried in the sea.
December 31, 1832. “Gave my sons Isaac and Job a deed for
the mill at Factoryville, each half the mill and utensils.”
This is about the close of Mr. Shepard’s memoranda. He
began to grow feeble and the infirmities of age were pressing upon him. He
arranged his worldly affairs as far as was possible; after which he devoted much
of his time to religious exercises, private and public. He was often heard
to pray for a blessing upon his children, and children’s children, to the latest
generation. He was a constant attendant upon the house of prayer.
The Bible, with Scott’s Comments, became almost his entire reading for the last
few years of his life. On the day of his death he rode to the village on
horseback, returned home at evening, attended family worship, sang a hymn as was
his custom, and retired to rest. About an hour after Mrs. S. entered the
room. She spoke to him, but he answered not. His spirit had taken
its flight.
“ Oh, death, where is thy sting. Oh, grave where is thy
victory,” was a fitting inscription for his tomb. He died May 15th, 1837,
aged 73 years.
Added to Tri-Counties site 20 JAN 2007 by Joyce M. Tice