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Mary Gray. Ellen Carrol. Henry's Bearer. Henry Obookiah. and many others similar. The three last named, I was personally familiar with. The others, I tried in vain to read. The two "Henrys" introduced me to India and the Sandwich Islands, which offered novelty and enter- tainment . "Ellen Carrol" was a saintly little girl, misunderstood and ridi- culed. I took her part warmly; and read and re-read, until she became a fast friend of mine, such as one can find only in a book, which never "talks back',' or does things unexpected and disappointing. I appropriated that book, nobody saying me nay. I finally loaned it to a school mate and could never get it back. As Jereboam's name is never mentioned in Scripture without the addition of "who made Israel to sin", so that girl's name and the site of her house never recur to my mind except with the mental anathema: "who last Ellen Carrol". Before our new Church was built, I spent a season in the Sunday School of the Episcopal Church. This was through my Aunt Elizabeth's influence, who was a member of that church. They had not yet built St. James Church, which stood were the Post Office Building now stands, but held services in a hall. Here I was trained in the Prayer Book and the Chatechism. I mastered it, even to the answer of "Who is my neighbour?" This training helped me later, when I was hired as organist in St. James Church; and had also made me feel at home and in sympathy with a ritualistic service. It is pleasant to be able to look back and see how all of the various steps of life have each been a preparation for the one next higher. I played the Cabinet Organ in our Presbyterian Church and then the pipe organ until I went to Norristown, to be absent nearly two years. Mr. Waddeli, a thorough Scotsman with native prejudices, called the pipe organ "a kist o' whustles"; and he would no longer sit in the "kirk" when it was installed. I hope the playing of the "kist" had nothing to do with his dissatisfation. That "kist o' whustles" now serves the Avoca Presbyterian Church. Mrs. C. C. Bowman presented it to that church when she replaced it in the Pittston Church with the large one from the First Prysbyterian Church of Scranton. The "Kist" used to stand in the square gallery where hung the cracked bell that rang in the belfry of the Wilkesbarre First Church, "Old Ship Zion." Dr. Parke gave this historic bell to the Wyoming Histor- ical and Geological Society for preservation in their rooms; and purchased 202 for the Pittston church the bell that the Scranton First Chruch discarded when it rebuilt. Thus the First Presbyterian Church of Pittston has now both the bell and the organ of the Scranton Church. 2a B. THE WELCH PEOPLE AND CHURCHES. They came here experienced miners. They brought with them not only the practical knowledge of mining coal, but also their deeply emotional religious characteristics and their enthusiasm for choral music. They built the first church in town (Dr. P). It was on Pine Street and is now converted into a dwelling house. It was built up against a sand hill, with basement, front steps, leading up from each side, to porch and entrance doors. It was formed of wood and painted white gable end to street and three or four windows on each side, with panes of 9 x 7 common window glass. They were accommodating to the community and allowed the Method- ists and Episcopalians to have service there by turns in the intervals of their own. St. James church was organized in 1852. Not long after this was built the church at the corner of LaGrange and Railroad Streets was built. This too was against a hill with a basement front and entrance to the church at the rear. If it served no other purpose it was well worth building for the meeting place of Welch choirs and musical societies. Almost nightly the swelling sound of the grand wild music of Welch filled the neighborhood with its impressive volume. (Ferore) This was a Baptist church. The zeal of the Welchmen for his own peculiar tenenets of doctrine (?) soon led to the erection of the Congre- gational Welch church, later a new Baptist edifice was built close beside the Congregationalist on LaGrange Street and the old sanctuary abandoned to Band Rehearsals and the like. Its basement, as that of the Pine Street church served as school room, for private or borough schools at various times. But there were not a sufficient number of Baptists to maintain regular services and it was used for other meetings. The Welch women were trained at home to carry burdens on their heads. Most wonderful feats they sometimes did. A pail of water balanced on a coil pad placed on top of the head would be carried any distance without touching hands to it. A woman has been known to walk from the Welch settlement just above Wilkes Barre to the settlement at Hyde Park, Scranton, with a large bundle on her head, a distance of near twenty miles with the greatest cheerfulness. Another walk up a slight grade from the Basin to Main Street with a wash tub filled with water on her head. "Just lift it on for me" said she and they lifted it on and she walked off with a firm, steady tread. It gave grace of carriage etc. They decorated a baby's coffin with all bright colored ribbons and carried it through the street on a bier, the procession following, all on foot. 2a B.

The Welch were great church folk. They built the first church in town (Note: this seems a repetition). It stood on Pine Street where now stands the Public School. The church had a basement front, steps led up to the two doors. It was of wood, painted white, with gable end facing the street. It was built against a sand hill, and its bare sandy graveyard was at the back and side. This has been removed, the hill graded down and the barren fields on each side are now covered with homes and gardens. The church was sometimes occupied by the Methodists until they built their old brick church on Broad Street and in the issue of the Gazette August 6, 1850, is a notice that "Rev. J. D. Miles of Wilkes Barre will preach next Sabbath at 3 P.M. in the Welch Chruch in this village". Mr. Miles was rector of the St. Stephens Episcopal church in Wilkes Barre and came up to preach once a fortnight to those of that denomination. He laid the foundation of what grew into St. James Episcopal Church. After the Cash Store block now the stores of Burke and Antrim and Co. was built a hall on second floor served as a meeting place for the congre- gation and for its Sabbath School of Episcopal congregation. A hall in "Marble store" served before this as we find in Gazette of (See Christian in Pittston-1880) (?) 2a B.

BAPTIST CHURCH IN PITTSTON Rev. James Finn was the first pastor of the Baptist church in Pittston. He was ordained before coming from near Goshen, N.Y., He had a son, William, of Dundoff. In 1820 James Gordon knew Mrs. Finn, the widow of Daniel Gore of Joseph's Plains, a woman of fine presence and attractive manners, then about seventy years old. She died between 1832 and 38 at Clifford, Susquehanna County aged eighty-five. Dr. William H. Smith had several daughters, no sons. He married a widow named Smith. One daughter married James Sutton of Exeter, one married James Bedford of Abington, one married Naphtali Hurlbut, one married Isaac Osterhout of Putnam (Tunkhannock). Another married Snowden and became grandmother to Rev. Charles Snowden of Wilkes Barre Episcopal Church in 1891. Another married Gaylord of Plymouth. Dr. Smith died at LaGrange in 1814, his wife Margery died in 1816. In 1802 he lived at Old Forge — was in business there with James Sutton. In politics he was a Radical Federalist. His Philosophy was similar to that of the French school. He was a highly educated man, a classical scholar. He published a humorous book entitled: "The Phil- osopher's Stone" "A drop of Honey for a poor despairing Alchemist". Unless Dr. Bedford has a copy there is none probably existent. Dr. S was eccentric. In the latter part of his life he was a spiritualist. One day he came on horseback to his son-in-law Nephtali Hurlbut's tavern (the old Seville House). His trousers pockets were stuffed full of drugs. In dismounting be broke a vial and greatly damaged his trousers. His daughter at once set about repairing them but he remained over night. James Gordon, a mere boy, carried the candle to light him to bed and saw him fall into an abstracted mood. Recalled Jem Scoville "Come here and meet me as you promised". He repeated the name and kept calling until Mrs. Hurlbut came and persuaded him to get into bed. During the later years of his life he bought and sold much land. In all deeds he gave he always reserved the iron ore and stone coal. Baptists residing in Plainsville were the Gores, Samuel Carey, Ephriam White, the Westbrooks, John Worden. In Pittston were such men as the Hardings, Browns, John Phillips Benedict, David Dimmock and his two sons, the Marcys, St. Johns, and Careys. These were men of the Roger Williams stripe. They firmly be- lieved they were swords in the hands of the Lord to redeed this wilderness for Him. The Indians had only a small right to the soil which they could buy for a little money. 2a B.

The bounds of the Baptist church of Pittston extended as far as Westmoreland extended, and it planted Baptist churches all over the territory. Its records were lost in 1796. Dr. Giddings thought it had 200 members, but at any one 20 members might be average represent- ation. Rev. James Finn had sons, Solomon and Exeter, John a preacher at Clifford, James and William. Other preachers were Gray, West, Bishop and Elders Parker and Besemer. Elder West was zealous as a pastor visiting the cabins in the wilderness. He gave himself no rest. His sojourn in Pittston was brief but he left a memory of unselfish devotion to his charge. No one could contend with him in argument on the proper mode of Baptism. These various communities of Baptists differ in various points of doctrine. The one sole bond of union was immersion. These people were not formally religious — did not have regular church services, but they were a religious people in their deepest nature. James Sutton was an unwavering believer in Special Providence. He testified strongly, near the end of his life, to God's guiding hand in all the vissitudes of his life. In the darkest hours, God had never entirely hid himself and had over-ruled all things for good. Some of the early Baptists changed their views or practices and went to Wilkes Barre Congregationalist Church, whence came the Presbyter- ians .

************* 2a B.

CHURCH TEMPERANCE. Dedication — new Methodist church near Marcy, schoolhouse in upper Pittston will be dedicated August 13, 1833 — Rev. George D. Peck of Wilkes Barre will preach the sermon. D. A. Shepherd George D. Peck. August 17, a mass meeting for a Prohibition Law at Wilkes Barre. August 2, A County Temperence meeting held in the old church in Pittston Square. (Ship Zion) Mr. William Sweetland, Chairman, 0. Collins stated object. Among the vice-presidents on platform were Peter Polen and Mr. Tompkins. Rev. T. P. Hunt, E. T. Ferris, Mr. Parke, some believed temperance could be advocated through old parties. The majority believed a new party and a new ticket should be placed in the field. This sentiment prevailed. Dr. Peck and Mr. Strong were among the conservatives. A temperance convention at Wyoming House in Scranton. Much space seems given to this subject of Prohibition. A report of a County convention in Wilkes Barre old church again. Theo. Strong of Pittston and C. E. Lathrop of Scranton, Secretaries, delegates reported from all over the county. Theo. Strong and R. D. Lacoe from Pittston township. From Pittston borough B. D. Beyea and Ezekiel Thompson. A reso- lution was adopted following a long series in the interest of prohibi- tion. Prohibition Convention. Resolved: that we recommend to the patronage of friends of temperance such local newspapers as are unequivocal in their support of prohibatory law Signed: Samuel Hodgdon, William Sweetland, George R. Wells, Dr. C. Urquart, Ebenezer Leach. These were appointed a Standing committee. The enthusiasm was aroused by spirited discussion in which Rev. T. P. Hunt, Theo. Strong, Rev. E. W. Jackson, George H. Wells, Samuel McCarr- agher, and others. Ticket: Lord Butler and The Whig (County) Standing Committee elect delegates to convention to be held at Frank Helm's tavern in Kingston, September 16. From Pittston, William S. Reddy, Jesse Williams. Wyoming Conference appointed George M. Peck to Pittston. Luzerne Union & pub the malfeasance in office (?) of Plains. The Gazette does ZO 8. not shield offenders — See the P. m. of Plains. Anson G. Contice Pro this year Flour - 5.50 — 6.00 pr bbl — Com. 63 — Potatoes 31, eggs 12. Butter 20. 2a B.

MINISTERS AND CHURCHES I. The Susq. Co.'s provision for early ministers, Johnson, Gildersleeve, Dorrance, Parke, Chas. Evans at Westmoreland 1720 Elder Mott preached 1832 — 1855, Oren Brown. 2nd Methodist. Anning Owen, Roger Searle's house. 1st Baptist — Elder Mott, John Phillips, Dr. Gildersleeve's house. Episcopal — Mr. George D. Miles and Mr. Long, Mr. H. M. Daman's house, Mr. Robinson, 1st pastor. Catholic — land given by M. Reap Welsh In the early days of Wyoming. Church organizations like the direction of civil affairs emanated from Wilkes Barre. As the town meetings were legally and held there and the citizens of all towns repaired thither to cast their votes, so they travelled to Wilkes Barre on horseback or by wagon to attend church services. In the interim they welcomed the itinerant missionary and gathered at his appointed place for the service. All services were held at first in houses, later in the log courthouse over the jail. The first ministers regularly called by the people was Rev. Jacob Johnson of Lebanon, Connecticut. He had been conspicuous for some years in connection with the Wheelock school for teaching the Indians.

This school eventually grew to be Dartmouth College. At this school Joseph Brant (Thaynaenega ?) was taught to read and write and the princ- iples of the christian religion.

He had endeavored to acquire a large tract of land in Westmoreland on which to transplant the Indian school but had not been successful. Thus favorably known he received an invitation from the United Church at Wilkes Barre to become its pastor. Provision was made for his support according to the rules of the Susquehanna Company. The tract of land now covered by the Memorial church on North Street and its neighborhood, was assigned to him, and his dwelling stood at the corner of North and River streets.*

He was a Congregationalist as were the larger part of the Connecticut people. Therefore the form of government of the church was that of his preference. But Methodist, Baptists, Quakers, all united to have a Union 2a B. church. They worshipped in the houses in barns, or in the open air or in the Fort, as seemed most desirable or prudent. He went about through all the settlement preaching from house to house and receiving

*Note; His tract embraced Bowman's hill called the Redoubt, on the top of which he dug his grave and was buried there later on the day he had predicted. His remains and his wife's have been removed to Holl- enback Cemetery. For his services such gifts of grain or other stores as the poor people could offer. The log courthouse was built on public Square in 1791. The lower floor was the jail, the upper was the court room. Here the United Church of Wilkes Barre assembled to worship from Sabbath to Sabbath. But it offended the good pastors sense of propriety to hold Divine service in an unconsecrated court house. He set on foota subsciption to build a sanctuary. It was not finished until 1812. It was the united effort of all denominations, and of all the towns. But the earnest pastor did not live to see its completion. He died in 1875. It was named the "Old Ship Zion"

*Note: The name may be explained in some such way as this. Wilkes Barre had a shipyard on the river bank opposite Northampton St. and was trying to navigate the Susquehanna. The was of 1812 with Great Britain placed an embargo on our shipping and all building stopped. They turned over to the church the timber and named the church.

It was to this church Pittston, Lackawanna and Providence and Plains people travelled on horseback or in wagons, to Sabbath day worship. On Communion season, they went down on Saturday afternoon and hospitable houses were always open to them. Foot Notes. He with his flock took refuge in New England in 1778 and he did not return until 1781. During his absence, Deacon Hurlout preached sometimes two sermons a day and officiated at funerals. The Hurlout home was in Exeter next above.— Wm. Slocum's residence. It burned (after 1800). For a few years owing to Indian depredations preaching was almost entirely omitted. Anning Owen was preaching from 2.71.

1778 - 1813 or as soon as he returned from the flight. Circuit riders from 1791 to 1850? About 1804 Presbyterian and Methodists together built the Forty Fort Church. It was the only finished church in Luzerne County. The builder was Gideon Underwood. The Hanover Pres. church was begun earlier by was not completed. Rev. Cyrus Gildersleeve came to preach in that church in 1821.*

*Note: Grandfather of Mrs. N. G. Parke.

He too, looked after the Lackawanna flock and came to preach to them occasionally. Rev. Nicholas Murray, writer of the celebrated "Kirwan's letters" was the next pastor. After him came Rev. John Dorrance who took special interest in the Lackawanna members and was the instrument in getting Rev. N. G. Parke to serve them as a miss- ionary. He already had other assistants, Rev. Orin Brown, and Rev. Chas. Evans. Thus by the watchful faithfulness of these servants of God the light of the Gospel was not put out, but was kept burning, though sometimes it was feeble. Dr. Parke's long and fruitful ministry of fifty years cannot be told in brief. His parish extended over Wilkes Barre to Providence and Scranton and branched out to the mountains west and north. It has been told admirably in his Reminiscences and his historical sermon preached in 1873. When he came to the valley in 1844 there was not a church. (?) between Wilkes Barre and Scranton. He began to fill this gap by collecting funds to build one in North Pittston, that part of the field seeming central. This church was dedicated in 1846 members? New church were (?) members Branches (?) Mr. John Frothingham, organist, choir, N. T. R., Mr. Strong, Mr. Hoyt, Mrs. Barnum, Miss Myra Giddings etc. That melodion came down to N. church until pipe organ put in. Dr. Drake in 1844 found no church building in Lackawanna valley. At Northmoreland was a Pres. church organized in 1821 with a church building erected in 1820. This was the earliest regularly organized church in Luzerne County.*

*Pearce's Annals.

Of this church the Rev. Chas. Evans had been ordained pastor in 2a B.

1843. The Baptists and the Methodists were earliest in the field, but the Presbyterians were earliest in building churches. When Dr. Parke's ministry ended he saw the spires of many churches pointing to heaven, (the bell) (Give names of elders and prominent workers — activities — small lecture room in rear — then large one — S. M. P. as Supt. Branches — P. Valley; W. P.; Taylor: Duryea; Old Forge (?) Inkerman — Plains (?) Scranton — Mr. Strong in prayer meeting.)

Bricks. A. T. helped haul the bricks for the Pres. church in 1845 - 6. Mr. Parke and Mr. Strong piled them. They came by canal to the small basin where the Rice Spring Factory was in later years. Copy of old bill. Presbyterian church To G. M. Richart, Dr. 1856 Feb. 13 For bill for printing in regard to new church 1.25 May 1 Printing and posting 30 proposals on new church 1.50 Advertising proposals June 28 To bill of posting 1st installment 1.50 Either the church was slow in paying or Mr. R. slow on bill. This is in connection with the panic of '57 and Mr. Apple and Elisha Atherton assuming debt.

The Methodist Church. The Methodist Church in Luzerne County originated in the conversion and preaching of Anning Owen, a blacksmith whose log house and shop stood on the Kingston road, a few rods above the Dorrance mansion. He was an unlearned, plain man, but the spirit of God so enlarged his nature with love for men's souls and so quickened his understanding and endowed him with fiery eloquence, that in 1791, the new presiding Elder found 100 professed church members as the result chiefly of Owen's labors since his conversion July 3, 1778. The circumstance of his conversion were most remarkable and inter- esting. He could never doubt the day and hour of his regeneration. It was after the battle of July 3d and during the hours of the massacre. He was in flight from the lost field, a savage in pursuit, tomahawk in hand, — Owen began to call mightily to the Lord for deliverence. He received fresh courage and strength. He eluded his pursuer and found concealment in the thick branches of a tree on the river bank. Esquire Carpenter was also here in hiding and both witnessed the perfidious cruelty of the tory Windecker who persuaded his former neighbor and benefactor Elisha Shoemaker, to come out from the river and trust to his protection. They say the hesitating man return: saw Windecker stretch out his left hand to assist him up the bank, and with his right hand bury the hatchet in his brain. Horrified and despairing of any mercy from such friends Owen hastened toward the fort. He fell in with Roger Searle, a youth of 19, whose father Constant, lay dead upon the field behind them. The pursuit continued and they were obliged to seek a hiding place under a grape vine near the mouth of Abraham's Creek bank of the old church at Forty Fort. Here Anning continued his supplications for pardon and deliverence while the pursuit of the foe and the moan of his victim continued on all sides. Here Anning Owen was converted. This was his altar and his Bethel. In the gray twilight they emerged from their hiding place, with hearts filled with a sense of pardoned sin and deliverance for God's service. They made their way to the Fort, shared the flight of the survivors, and when Anning Owen returned to the Valley he had a lisence to preach as an exhorter. He resumed his work in his shop, but never lost the sense of responsibility for the souls of his fellow men. He established Sunday prayer and experience meetings in the various townships and appointed to the leadershop of the community. At Lackawanna, Old Forge, the meeting was held at Captain Vaughn's and James Sutton was appointed leader. Owen was later licensed as a travelling preacher and continued to persuade men to forsake sin and seek holiness, until 1813, when he became superanuated. Rev. Benjamin Bidlack who returned from service in the Continental Army in 1781 fell under the influence of Owen's appels and gave himself to the Gospel ministry. Roger Searle could never free himself from the influence of that hour under the grape vine and in after years his house near the site of the Ravine Shaft in Pittston became the center of Methodism and the headquarters of its activities. The Methodist Church grew rapidly by the labors of Anning Owen and its circuit riders. As early as 1791 Wyoming Valley was taken into the New York Dsitrict Conference under the charge of a Presiding Elder and two circuit riders who penetrated to the sequestered settlements and carried the gospel to the most isolated places. They were men of both 2a B. worldly and heavenly wisdom. Their calling brought them in contact with every variety of human nature and human experience. They were welcomed at all firesides, not only because of their unselfish and holy ministry, but also because of the knowledge and experience they brought of the outside world. As it was the practice of the Methodist church to change their preachers yearly, from one circuit to another, their acquaintence grew very wide and the people came to know and confide in the whole body of these ministers. From 1791 to 1829 (or to 1852)? Among the names of these circuit preachers in 1827 and 28 are George Peck and 5. Stocking. Both of these were afterwards pastors in the Broad Street Methodist church in Pittston. The circuit preaching gave Rev. George Peck his opportunity for collecting the narratives he embodied in his History of Wyoming, published about 1850. The details he gives were learned directly from the survivors of the scenes and events in the valley or from the immediate descendants, and are therefore, entirely credible though they may seem to differ in some points from former historians. (Find out the church on Broad St. Its charter members; its pastors; its mission churches; its present membership. Penna. C. Co. gave lot ch dedicated 1850. Rev. C. W. Giddings pastor, lived on R. R. St. in rented house. Parsonage built. Waylan Ferris led singing and taught singing schools — Mrs. Ferris leading soprano — the gallery — the pulpit.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN PITTSTON. The Baptist seem to have been very numerous at an early date. From a biography of John Phillips, son of Francis, who settled on the plain at the mouth of the Lackawanna so early as 1770, we learn that he was influen- tial in organizing a Baptist church here in 1777. This date is probably wrong. In 1776 there were about 36 settlers in Lackawanna Township in Pittston. Price's Annals is probably correct. 1786 instead of 1777. It was organized by Rev. James Benedict with 36 members. The first immersion in the Susquehanna was that of Mrs. David Mitchell, in that same year. After the close of the was on 1787, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell returned from Warwick, N. Y., and settled on a portion of John Phillip's land near the present Coxton. As early as 1773 there were Baptists in Kingston whose pastor was Rev. Mr. Gray. In 1786 he made special efforts in Pittston. According to Pearce's Annals, Rev. James Benedict organized a church here at that 2a B. time, Mr. Benedict was suceeded by Rev. James Finn, and he by the Rev. Wm. Bishop. (1794) was date of his coming.

Note: There was a James finn in Pittston Fort, Luzerne County when it surrendered. Rev. James Finn married Lieut. Jenkins and Bertha Harris, June 1778, in Jenkins Fort.)

He (Rev. Bishop) built his log cabin in Hyde Park. He preached the Baptist doctrine with unction throughout Wyoming until his death in 1876 (24 years) Other zealous preachers were Goff, and Drake. They preached at houses — at Daniel Gore's and at Dr. Nathanial Giddings' in Pittston. An influential convert was Jonah Rogers of Plymouth. He was the same who with Abraham Pike and Moses VanCampen had risen upon their Indian captors in the Meshoppen woods in the spring of 1779 and had slain their guards and escaped as by a miracle. Rogers, like Anning Owen, and Benjamin Bidlack spent the remaining years of his life in telling the wonderful story of the "saved by Grace".' These three had stood shoulder to shoulder with the men they exhorted in defence of their homes and their lives. All had had marvelous escapes from Indian foes and their pleas fell with convincing force on their hearers. (Benj. Bidlack's experience) In 1807, Dec. 20, the Abington Baptist association was formed. The delagate from Pittston was Mr. Nathaniel Giddings, who was made clerk. Dr. Gidding's home on Delaware Road (Parsonage Street) was the meeting place for the church and the abiding place for the travell- ing minister. His son James occupied the house in 1880 with his sons, James Jr., and Myron (?) and his daughters Margaret and Nancy. This family adhered to the Baptist faith. Nathaniel Jr. had a home where now is Glenmore's brewery. Dr. Gidding's daughters Myra and Frances and Nathaniel's family were drawn to the Presbyterian church. Miss Myra gave a lot for the manse on Parsonage Street and was most efficient help in all church enterprises. Elder William K. Mott was the Baptist preacher best known to Pittston and Lackawanna people. Mr. Parke came here in 1844, Elder Mott had fortnightly preaching in the Red School house. Mr. Parke made use of the alternate Sunday and the two ministers always worked harmoniously together and held each other in the highest esteem. (From the Historical and Geological Society Library the following sketch is compiled.) 2a B.

(It seems fitting that a servant of God who ministered to so wide a field for fifty three years from 1832 to 1885 should receive more than a passing notice.

Up the River Baptists. E. a. Corey, Hardings. When was Pittston Baptist Church built? 1864 or 5? Mr. Firman was pastor in 1885 Get statistics. 2a B.

CHURCHES AND MINISTERS. The Susquehanna Company made arrangements for sending a minister of the Gospel with its colonies to Wyoming. With the first, in 1763, it sent the Rev. Wm. Marsh. He was among those killed by Indians on the fateful October day, following 1763. In 1769 the Company was about to send out another colony. They secured the services of the Rev. George Beckwith, Jr., of Lyme, Mass. He arrived in Wyoming Feb. 8, 1769, with the Fifst Forty. For the support of schools and an orthodox Gospel ministry, the Company reserved three shares of land in each township; one for schools, one for the erection of a church and one for the support of a pastor. Each tract, or share, contained about 300 acres. Owing to the unsettled condition of the times, these provisions were not generally carried out and after the formation of Luzerne County, both church and school lots were sold and the proceeds put into the town treasury. Mr. Beckwith remained only one year. The Rev. Jacob Johnson was called to the Congregational church in Wilkes Barre in 1773 and served the whole settlement from Lackawanna to Plymouth, preaching' in the plain cabins, in barns, and in the open air as was most convenient, he receiving in return such gifts as the poor people could make. Other early ministers were Rev. Ard Hoyt, Rev. Silas Gildersleeve, Rev. Nicholas Murray, Rev. John Dorrance. Rev. N. G. Parke came to Pittston as a Home Missionary in 1844, through the influence of Mr. Dorrance, and preached the whole length of the Lacka- wanna Valley, including Scranton, (Harrison) Providence, Abington, Hyde Park and Newton. The greatest number of his parishoners lived in the Atherton neighborhood, midway between Pittston and Providence. Mr. Theodore Strong had established a Sunday School in Pittsotn the only one in the town. The church was organized by the Susquehanna Presbytery February 24th, 1842 at the Harrison School House. It was named "The Presbyterian Church" of Lackawanna" and received 25 members by letter from the church at Wilkes Barre, five of whom resided in Pittston proper. The Pittston church is the mother of all the Presbyterian churches in the Lackawanna Valley. A Missionary, Oren Brown, was associated with Dr. John Dorrance and Rev. Thos. P. Hunt in effecting this organization. In T844, as before stated, Rev. Nathan Grier Park came under the auspices of the Board of Home Missions, and a subscription of $110.00 was raised for the year's salary. This was subscribed by all the church members between Pittston and Providence 2a B.

and Scranton (Harrison) Mr. P. to Pittston and "vicinity in 1844 Mr. P. dedicated church 1848 Mr. P. Built Taylorville church 1848 Pittston church incorporated 1848 Mr. P. married 1847 Moved to Parsonage 1851 Down town church built 1856 Rev. J. D. Mitchell began to preach at Harrison (Scranton) in 1849 and was installed in 1850. Both churches became self supporting in 1850. The Penna. Coal Company gave a lot on which stands the Broad Street Presbyterian church. Miss Myra Giddings gave the lot for the Manse on Parsonage Street. The financial panic of 1857 threatened to stop the building but Elisha Atherton and William Apple loaned the necessary money to complete it. Dr. Parke was the honored pastor for 50 years, when he resigned to become Pastor Emeritus until his death which occurred in St.' James Episcopal Church organized in 1852. Rev. Miles of Wilkes Barre and Rev. Long of Montrose had preached here for two or three years. Elder Mott A Missionary, Rev. Chas. Evans had charge of churches at Northumber- land, Newton and Pittston. Mr. Parke was given the Pittston District by Rev. Dorrance. Mr. Elisha Atherton had a Prophet's Chamber in his'home, to which he invited the new young preacher and kept a vacant stall"in his barn for the minister's horse. This horse was intimately associated with the establishment of the church; and had as much to do with the carrying of the gospel as the boy who worked the pump handle of the organ and exclaimed "We make the music". Mr. Parke's field was like the Methodist Circuit Rider's — all on horseback. In 1847 Mr. Parke married Annie, daughter of William Gildersleeve of' Wilkes Barre and commenced housekeeping in a cottage in the Atherton neighborhood.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL BOOKS The following list is copied at random from the Sunday School Books in the Valley in 1851. The highest-numbered book is No. 234—"The Lives of British Reformers." Those immediately preceeding this one are: The Communicant's Companion. Religious Experience Bible atlas Dr. Alexander Memoir of McCheyne Romanism at Home Life and Death of Dr. Judson Memoirs of Hewiston Mrs. Hamlin Chalmers Correspondence D's (D'Aubigne's) Reformation, 5 vols. Tales of the Covenanters Living or Dead Lighted Valley Startling Questions etc., back to No. 180. All of this serious, didactic style, intended especially for the grown- ups. On looking back, to find the literature of the child-mind, I find such as the following: Evening Recreations Lives of the Apostles Useful Lads Don It ': and Do Life of Jeremiah Catherine Brown Fruits of Early Piety Peep of Day Learning to Think Learning to Feel Learning to Act Alleine's Alarm Mary Gary Simple Stories Friendly Advice 2a B.

Discontented Boy Little Ann Scudder Letters Murdered Mother Life of Absalom etc etc. There seems little variation in the nature of the subjects. The whole list includes two "Ten Dollar Libraries"; and probably neither teachers nor officers had any choice in the selection of the books. In the Pittston Presbyterian Sunday School Library of an early date were three books that made an indelible impression on the mind of one child who grew up and thrived on such literature. "Henry and His Bearer" left an interesting impression of India customs (the customs of India) "Henry Abookiah", a converted Indian boy; and "Eileen Carrol", the latter a sweet story of an amiable little girl at a boarding school, where by her patient, Christian character, she set a salutary example to all the rest. The one picture in the book was of Eileen, a little girl in full, short skirts with white pantalettes and long, black curly hair. The teacher was inspecting minutely a piece of sewing Eileen had done under great disadvantage of poor needles, the eyes of which would break; and the text explained that the teacher had blamed Eileen and the other girls laughed. Needless to say, the child sympathy went out fully to the unjustly-blamed Eileen. The book was read and re-read; and then loaned to a girl friend who let it get lost or destroyed; and as Rheoboam's name in Scripture is always coupled with the naming of his sin, so this girl offender's name has always in memory the added description: "who lost Eileen Carrol:, and the site of her home is remembered as if a tablet recorded it: "Here lived S. K., who lost 'Eileen Carrol1"..' If any of these books in the 1851 library could charm and influence as did "Eileen Carrol", they were not written in vain. 2a B.

DFL PARKE AT THE DEDICATION OF THE STEWART MEMORIAL CHURCH, LACKAWANNA.

He began his ministry here forty eight years ago (1844-1892) (1892 must have been the date of the dedication.) Here I entered on housekeeping; here I built a house of worship; here I preached for 20 years. Pleasant sunny memories of his young christian life, cluster around Lackawanna. But not one family is left between Pittston and Scranton who welcomed me in 1844; not one! Looking from the church window he saw the house to which he brought his bride. Then follows a humorous tale of her first attempt to make tea biscuits. We quote as follows: for the pith of the story is in the telling, with dr. Parke's quitet humor. "Mrs. Parke in our early home was obliged not infrequently to preside in the parlor, the kitchen and the pasture lot. I tried my best to help her milk the cow, but she would not stand still, and she would kick. We took the cow into the barn to keep our nearest neighbor, Mr. and Mrs. John Stewart from seeing the circus. On one occasion some of the kind hearted ladies came to help us with our rag carpets. When dinner time came we had no bread to set before them. I suggested to my wife that she make some biscuits. It was easier to make the suggestion than it was to make the biscuits, but she would try. The effort was not a success and I was cruel enough to suggest that they would answer for pound cake. Not that they would weigh a pound, but they were a little heavy. A social reformer, in the course of a lecture, asked every man in the audience who had never spoken an unkind word to his wife to rise. Only one man rose, and he said he "never had a wife." I could not have risen in that meeting for I have repeatedly re- ferred to that "pound cake". Denominational lines were not sharply drawn in those days. Elder Mott and Dr. Parke did all the preaching that was done on the main road between Pittston and Hyde Park except what was done in the Smith school house. Elder Mott oxxasionally preached on baptism. Mr. Parke felt that he knew little about it then and kept quiet. They worked together harmoniously. (Dr. Parke's humor was "Twain-like" sometimes). Becoming serious, he pays a fine strong to the blessings of church buildings in a community as follows: 2a B.

''People who have money to invest do not make any great mistake when they invest it in building churches. Investments of this kind may not pay largely in dollars and cents, but they will pay in the power they extend for good in the world. Churches are a breakwater against vice. They build asylums for the poor and friendless. They are the inspira- tion of the best types of education. As the sun and showers beautify the earth with flowers and fruit, so christian churches beautify and glorify humanity. The daughters of our esteemed friend and neighbor, John Stewart, have done a good work in erecting this monument to the memory of 'father and mother".'

************ 2a B.

NOTE WITH THE EXCEPTION OP A VERY FEW ITEMS ALL OF THE DATA IN THIS ARTICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN INCORPORATED IN ARTICLES WRITTEN BY E.R.J. WOULD SUGGEST THAT THIS BE FILED AWAY ENTIRE FOR REFERENCE ONLY. N.C.J. JULY 14, 1912.

DR. PARKE — THE CENTENARY OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN PITTSTON. Dec. 21, 1876. *****************************

Mr. Parke came to Pittston in 1844, the year the Whigs mourned the defeat of Henry Clay in his race with James K. Polk. Mr. Parke's first acquaintance in the Wyoming Valley was Mr. Kutz, gate keeper at the Wilkes Barre bridge, who collected 10 cents toll Saturday afternoon and gave it back to him after hearing him preach Sunday morning, saying: "You should look more like a preacher". His first meal in Pittston was at the Port Mallory Hotel, kept by George Lazarus. The population of the town was then not more than 200, counting all living between Wm. Tompkins at the forks of the Road in South Pittston and Zenas Barnum's in Upper Pittston. The road was crooked and rough. There were two stores, one kept by Judge Reddin and one by the Butler Coal Co., there was no church nor resident minister. Elder Mott, of Hyde Park, preached once every two weeks in the Red School house; and Theodore Strong had a Sunday School there. Dr. Parke preached there when Elder Mott did not. If the Baptists were the first to organiza a church in Pittston, the Presbyterians were the first to build a church building. There were no lawyers, bankers, book agents, life insurance men or lightning-rod men. There was only one bank in the county—the Wyoming bank of Wilkes Barre. There was little money in Pittston, but plenty to eat. Letters were not prepaid, but Uncle Sam would not take trade nor a store order in exchange for postage. Dr. Parke's salary the first year was $39.00. This salary he took out in trade at the Butler Co.'s store. Father Hunt's compensation for two year's service between Pittston and Providence was two pairs of woolen mittens, one pair of socks, three pumpkins and the skin of a muskrat. "I never complained about the salary and I never lived better in my life. If the salary was not very good, it was probably as good as the preaching, which, as Boyd, the Scotch Parson would say, was real, owing 2a B.

• to the age of the parson. "The singing was not very good; the collection was not very large. Still, we had both in conenction with the preaching. "Our faith was like that of the man in the sinking boat. He said to his companion: "We must perish. Will you pray?' "I cannot pray". "Will you sing?" "I cannot sing." "Well let us take up a collection. We must do something religious." We had two doctors, Dr. Giddings, feeble from age; and Dr. Curtis, feeble from ague and quinine. Dr. Giddings and aunt Katy Searle were the backbone of the Baptist Church in Pittston. Zenas Barnum, a bright, intelligent, hospitable man, lived in the house above the Barnum Breaker, afterwards occupied by Thomas Waddell. He was fond of arguing on Baptism and against close communion. His family were members of the Presbyterian Church. He was a supporter only. He moved to Wilkes Barre after the sale of his farm. James Helme, a recent justice of the peace in West Pittston, was then the Shoemaker of the town. John McCaughney was the tailor. Elisha Blackman, who will speak to you today, was the undertaker and cabinet maker. Harris Jenkins, a man of few words and decided opinions, was Justice of the Peace. Thos. Benedict, Richard Brown and Peter Winter were the blacksmiths. Peter Wagner and Peter Petty on the "Big Farm" were the farmers. John £. Butler and Lord Butler assisted by Chas. and Edmund Mallory were the coal operators; and if they made any money here their heirs have never been able to find it. When the Presbyterians were ready to build a parsonage, our chief burgess and chief banker were on hand to dig the foundation and to lay up a wall. Major Smith was the stone mason and brick layer. The present president of the Tst. National Bank (Mr. Strong) was then selling molasses and cheese and cod-fish for the Butler Coal Co. Stephen Jenkins, son of Harris, was his assistant, John Sax kept the tavern at the foot of Parsonage Street and reared a family of children who are an honor to their parents. Jacob Lance was farming up near Hughestown. Richard Brown, Ebenezer Marcy, Adam Tedrick, Newman Brown, John D. Stark, Wm. Ford, James MacFarland, Wm. Tompkins if not natives of Pittston, were representative men and old settlers. Jas. W. Johnson, Samuel Benedict, Davis Alten, Joel and Benjamin Bowkley and Abram and Benj. Price were among the coal operators. There was but one railroad in Pittston; and that extended about a mile and a half, from the canal to Bowkley's coal mine. There was a tri-weekly line of stages between Wilkes Barre and Carbondale that carried mail and passengers when there were any to carry. The post- master, the only U.S. Officer to look after elections and such affairs, was Judge Reddin, a very fair specimen of the "fine old Irish Gentleman." When he died, his estate went to the Emerald Isle. For several years, Mr. Parke lived in the Atherton neighbourhood, midway between Pittston and Scranton. For three years he lived with Elisha Atherton. *******************

In 1844 George Lazarus kept the Port Mallory Hotel In (?) Abram Bird the Pittston House. In (?) John Love kept the Love Hotel in 1850. 2a B.

WHISKEY. In 1791 Whiskey was a very popular and proper beverage for all occasions, social, religious or secular. It was used as currency in the absence of money for barter and exchange. Very little gold and silver circulates in the colonies. The paper currency of the Govern- ment was worthless. The settlers must exchange their products for the goods they bought and roads were mostly rough and often deep in mud. Some had lumber either logs or sawed boards which they floated down the river in rafts or arks and sold for money or goods. Some carried grain in wagons over the Wilkes Barre-Easton road and brought back iron kettles to boil maple sugar in. These kettles were rented, the owners to receive 1 lb of sugar for every gallon of syrup. Maple sugar sold for five cents a pound. Mr. Hollenback traded extensively with the Indians and trappers. He carried his goods to Easton or Philadelphia and brought back supplies for his general merchan- dise store at Wilkes Barre which was the Fashion Emporium and General Depot for all the settlers of the Lackawanna and Wyoming valleys. To Easton and return required a week. Carrying his surplus grain to market under these difficulties and knowing that whiskey would always find a market he easily perceived the advantage of converting his grain into whiskey before he sold it. A horse could carry only four bushels of grain but could carry twenty four bushels converted into the beverage, and the trip would net him twice as much. Four bushels of grain at Easton would bring 4 x 80 = 3.20 Twenty four gal whiskey at 20 4.80 There was no moral sentiment in those days against whiskey drinking. These men were accustomed to the use of it in their New England puritan homes. It was on every sideboard and ministers of the gospel as well as laymen, used it as a necessary act of hospitality. If a man or a woman took a glass of liquor, no bar of church or society was raised. There was no Temperance Society, nor any temperance agitation. And so it came to pass that private stills became numerous and whiskey very cheap and very commonly used on all occasions. (Here might come in from Hollister) USE OF WHISKEY.

Early trouble with drinking Indians — Westmoreland records forbade selling to Indians. (See Harvey) When General Sullivan returned to Wilkes Barre from his expedi- tion against the Iroquois, three days were spent in congratulations and preparation for going home. Major Burroughs wrote "We spend this day in wishing each other joy for our safe return and convert the evening, as usual, to celebrate our wives and sweethearts which we do in plenty of grog — have been obliged to keep in plenty of cold water."

FROM W. PITTSTON CEMETERY. ELISHA ATHERTON Born Mar. 24, 1798 Died Nov. 16, 1880

CATHERINE ATHERTON B. Aug. 9, 1804 D. Apl. 27, 1888

E. L. BOYD ATHERTON B. July 25, 1824 D. Mch. 3, 1876

ELIZABETH McKNIGHT wife of RUFUS MILLER daughter B.C. & S. McKNIGHT Died June 11, 1825 Aged 19 years 9 mos 21 days 2a B.

PITTSTON SCHOOLS THE WEST PITTSTON SEMINARY. Pittston Gazette, April 1873: A meeting in the Town Hall to discuss what to do with the property. It has been built by stock subsciption for an academy. The principal hired had been a Mr. Beatty, whose theory and prac- tice were favorable to the Public School system; and the Academy had not prospered financially.

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"That Shop" of Wm. Tompkins had been built between 1829 and 1835, while the canal was building. It was a storehouse for supplies. When no longer needed thus, it was used successively as a meeting house (Mrs. Samuel Price, sister of Amon Armstrong was "converted' here) and later as a school house. Mr. Wash Dennis taught school there. Among his" pupils was Adelaide, only daughter of Col Johnson; and Jemima Sax. These pupils used to ride down hill near the school house. Mr. Dennis pitted Alva Tompkins against Adelaide Johnson by warning him she would beat him in scholarship unless he kept a sharp lookout; so Alva piled pine knots into the fire place and studied long and hard by their light. The wily teacher probably spurred Adelaide by a like warning in regard to Alva; so that the boy and the girl became rivals in the race for knowledge. At one time "That Shop" became a temporary dwelling for Benjamin Bowkley's family. They had come up from Plains to be near their new Pittston mines and houses were not to be had. Mr. Bowkley proceeded immediately to build his fine two-story from house up Pine Street, and they lived in "That Shop" but a short time. It later became an undertaker's establishment when Mr. Saml. Landon and Capt. Ira Ash, father of our townsmen, James and George ash, made coffins there

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The schools in the township were not general until 1773. Temporary teachers may have been hired by a group of settlers; and these were so poor in circumstances that the schoolmaster could with difficulty be accommodated. In 1773, 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. The Next year, 1774, a school committee consisting of Capt. Lazarus Stewart and fifteen others was appointed with power to erect school houses and to employ teachers. These teachers boarded around; and sometimes found comfortable quarters, where they were welcome and honored guests; but 2a B.

sometimes the effort to entertain was so scanty and laborious that the week was one of depression and the hour of departure most welcome. The free school system was introduced between 1824 and 1833. In these years, as Luzerne County exended only $3500 on schools, Pittston could not have received much help. By the law of 1833, the people were to express their approval of the law providing for a public school tax by electing six school directors in each township. Pittston was among those which approved. In November of that year, these directors met at Wilkes Barre Court House and resolved to levy a school tox of double the sum allotted Luzerne County by the State, which was $1331.20. With Luzerne County providing twice this sum, or $2662.40 the sum total for schools was $3993.60. The levy next year was $3000.00 and the excellent system of free education was thus established permanently among us. Yet in 1880, Luzerne County had 2228 citizens who could not read or write. In 1865, we find from statistics that Pittston Borough had 13 schools; 1110 pupils and school taxes of $2865.52. Pittston Township had 7 schools; 484 pupils; and taxes of $1250.00. West Pittston had 3 schools; 204 pupils; and taxes of $771.16. Nicholas Genshina(?) in 1806 kept village school in the old jail at Wilkes Barre. He was a classical scholar. (Hollister) In Pittston Gazette of 1850-51: A new school has been opened by Mr. V. Dodson. The Editor has visited the interesting school of David Schooley and Miss L. Sampson in the basement of the Welsh church. He also visited the school of Mr. J. B. Hoyt in Upper Pittston (March 19, 1851) This was in Old Red School house. See Reminiscences of Mrs. Griffith. A Miss Swallow had taught school in a log house near Charles Street. Perhaps that was where Mother taught in 1848. Mr. Alva Tompkins says Mr. Dennis taught a school in a building near the forks of the road (See That Shop above). Except for the school in Upper Pittston in the Red School House, I have not heard of any permanent school or teacher in 1849. 1873 Mr. A. J. Loomis and Miss Stuart. 2a B. Early Teachers and Schools in Pittston. 888888888888888 Among the teachers between 1840 and 50 were Miss Chamberlain an \ accomplished young lady, whom Dr. Parke credits with aspirations to head a Young Ladies' Seminary. She was persuaded, however, by Mr. Wilder to relinquish her ambitious scheme to preside over a home he would build her in Clearfield County. Mr. Wilder was engaged in the vast lumber business of that day. He sent his rafts to Baltimore and followed them. Being a skillful buyer, he was employed by Samuel Benedict and son Cassidy (?) to buy goods for their Pittston store. This brought him to Pittston on his return trips. The acquaintence with Miss Chamberlain formed then, led her to marriage and removal to Clearfield County where her husband died. She returned with her daughter to her old Pittston home on North Main Street next door to Elisha Blackman's residence. The house is still in possession of the daughters. Mrs. Wilder's parents were from England. She was very accomplished in painting and pencil sketching. Mrs. Flanagan and her daughter Constance had a home in North Pittston where in the early days they had a school for children. Mrs. Flanagan was a tall, gaunt woman with a keen intellect and ready wit and both she and her daughters took active interest in the study of literature and of the affairs of Pittston. Both were women who continue to live in the memories of those who knew them, and both lie in the Pittston Cemetery beside Mr. Flanagan who preceeded them many years. The levy of 1834 was $30000.00 and an excellent system of free educ- ation was established permanently among us. Yet in 1850, out of the total population of about 56,000, Luzerne County had 2228 citizens who could not read or write. In 1865, we find from statistics that Pittston Borough had 13 schools; 1110 pupils and school taxes of $2865.52. Pittston Township had 7 schools; 484 pupils; and taxes of $1250. West Pittston had three schools; 204 pupils; and taxes of $771.16. "That Shop" of William Tompkins, a school house contemporary with the old Red School House, was erected between 1829 and 1833 while the canal was building. It was then a storehouse for supplies and stood on S. Main St. near the Forks of the road. When no longer needed for this purpose it was successively used as a meeting house for Divine worship (Mrs. Samuel Price, sister of Amon Armstrong, was "converted" here) and as a school house. Mr. Washington Dennis taught a select school there. Among his pupils was Adelaide, only daughter of Col. Johnson; and Jemima Sax, later Mrs. A. J. Griffith). The pupils used to ride down hill near the school house, probably where now is Nefus Street. Mr. Dennis, taking special interest in the advancement of some of his pupils, pitted Alva Tompkins against Adelaide Johnson by warning him she would beat him in scholarship unless he kept a sharp lookout. Therefore Alva piles pine knots into the fire place and studied long and hard by their light, the wily teacher probably spurred Adelaide by a like warning in regard to Alva; so that the boy and girl became rivals in the race for knowledge. Mrs. Alva Tompkins was a pupil in Kingston Seminary the first year of its opening its doors, and was ever foremost in promoting the cause of education. He was school director in Pittston and himself built a school house on his land in South Pittston and employed a teacher.

The Kingston Seminary included in its first faculty two Pittston people, Miss Sarah Tompkins, Mr. E. F. Ferris. At one time "that shop" became a temporary dwelling for a pioneer coal operator's family while their new house was building. They lived in "that shop" but a short time. It later became an undertaker's establishment, Mr. Samuel Landon and Capt. Ira Ash, father of our townsmen, James and George Ash, made coffins there. 2a B. Schools in Pittston Township schools were not general until 1773. Temporary teachers were sometimes hired by a group of settlers but these settlers were in so poor circumstances that the schoolmaster could with difficulty be supported. In 1773, 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. The next year, 1774, a school committee consisting of Capt. Lazarus Stewart and fifteen others were appointed with power to erect school houses and to employ teachers. These teachers boarded around; and sometimes found comfortable quarters where they were welcome and honored guests; but at others the effort to entertain was so scanty and laborious that the week was one of depression and the hour of departure most welcome. The free school system was introduced between 1824 and 1833. In these years, as Luzerne County expanded a total of only $3500 on schools, Pittston could not have received much help. By the Act of 1833 the people were to express their approval of the law providing for a public school tax by electing six school directors in each township; and Pitts- ton was among those towns which approved. In November of that year, 1833, these directors met a Wilkes Barre Court Hosue and resolved to levy a school tax of double the sum alloted Luzerne County by the State, which was $1331.20. With Luzerne County providing twice this sum, or $2662.40, the sum total for schools was $3993.60.

The Black school house may have been built at this time; it was replaced by the Red School House which was here as early as when Mr. Strong came, previous to 1844. When Mr. Parke came in 1844, Mr. Strong had established a Sunday School in this school house which became the nucleus of the Presbyterian 1st church. Mrs. Jemima Griffith visited it when a grandchild. It was black then. This Red School House must have been a later one. Among the long list of teachers in that old building was Charles R. Gorman. He gave up teaching to study medicine (with Dr. Thorpe) (?) 2a B. Teachers. In 1848 Nancy Robertson came from Saratoga County, New York and her mother, Mrs. Wing, two little daughters. Both were widows. Mrs. Robertson had been a teacher for some years and came to open a school by urgent invitation of her sister, Mrs. Harlow Daman. She taught for a short time in a log house situated between Charles and Spring streets, the block now bounded by Main Street and Kennedy Streets was a grassy meadow with a small stream running across which trickled from the hill back of Kennedy Street. On this meadow a few years later were the homes of the Pittston merchants Andrew Law and James McMillan and of Abram Luce and William Leach (?) and others. There was need of a new school house. In 1851 the Gazette states that only the dark basement of the Welch church is available. Mrs. Robertson built a house on Railroad street and Miss Wing built one on the next lot below for her son Truman Day. Mrs. Robertson opened her house for her school until 1853 when she built a school house in the rear of her house. The following appeared in the Gazette: "We have been authorized to give notice that a select school will be opened on the 6th of December by Mrs. N. T. Robertson of this place in the school house in the rear of her reisdence. Mrs. R is universally known as an excellent lady, as well as an experienced instructress." Mrs. Robertson was eminently successful in winning the love of her pupils as well as in advancing them in the paths of learning. She made the way easy and pleasant by her loving sympathy with her pupils and was in the widest sense the beloved teacher. She associated her daughters with her as they grew up. They later taught in the public schools and in private schools of their own. For many years the names of "Miss Ella" and "Miss Georgia Robertson" were familiar to Pittston as instructors of the young. Mr. H. P. Messenger and Miss Sarah Tompkins were also teachers in the '50's. They married and their home was the yellow cottage on the West bank of the Susquehanna which was moved away years later to make room for Mr. Thomas Ford's mansion.

) 2a B. Schools. From files of Gazette — we learn that Mr. Fuller taught classes in Penmanship. In Pittston Gazette of 1850-51,— "A new school has been opened by Mr. V. Dodson. The Editor has visited the interesting school of David Schooley and Miss L. Sampson in the basement of the Welch church. He also visited the school of Mr. J. B. Hoyt in Upper Pittston (March 19, 1851)" (This was in Old Red School house. See Reminiscences of Mrs. Griffith.) An itinerant teacher of Geography had evening school in the school house on the Green. This enterprise was very popular and attracted grown-ups as well as school children. He had a set of large wall maps and with pointer in hand he named the principle divisions and states and their capitals, and taught them in a simple chant, the class sing- ing in concert. And so he led his class through all the lands of the earth, down the rivers over its mountain chains, across its lakes and bays, singing all the way. There were no listless pupils during all the course of lessons and when he rolled up his maps and took his departure for the next town he left a large part of the community well and happily in- structed in the geography of the world. In the early 60's came Mr. V. Dodson. He was an expert teacher of mathmatics and inspired his pupils within ardent zeal for Stoddart's mental arithmetic. He also inspired all schools to aim for a higher standard in mental effort. Stoddart's mental arithmetic became the block over which pupils stumbled or climbed as ability and mental agility en- abled. 2a B. Schools and Teachers. Mr. Lewis Ketchum was an early teacher of excellent attainments. He rented the basement of the Pine St. Church and did much to stimulate a desire for knowledge. He followed the Caravan of gold seekers to California, where he became a resident and a member of the Legislature. In Mrs. Blakely Hall built "The Schoolroom on the Green" It is now converted into the L. V. Freight House. The plot of ground now covered by Water Street to the Eagle Hotel and from Main St. to the Canal was a common covered with grass. It was the "village green". Mrs. Hall had opened a select school for young ladies in a rented room in the Phoenix Building. Its success encouraged her to build a commodious room which was used, not only for her school, but proves a convenient and popular meeting place for debating societies and concerts and such entertainments. (Here was held the Geography School) Mrs. Hall in went to Brooklyn and conducted the largest private school in that city, associating her daughter Florence with her until her untimely death. Among teachers of a later date who served the community long and faithfully were Miss Jane Shannon, Mrs. Maria Taggart, Miss Molkey, Mr. Benjamin Evans. John Jenkins one of the founders of Kingston, was its first school teacher. He was born and educated in East Greenwitch R. I.. Taught school in Colchester Conn., as early as 1750 and for many years engaged in that employment in Colchester, Lebanon and other places during winter and in surveying and convenancing in summer. In April 1772 he sold out in Kingston and run to Exeter of which town he in connection with Isaac Tripp, Johnathan Dean and others had obtained a grant from the Susquehanna Company and settled in that part of it now known as West Pittston and established a ferry across the river at that point. He taught school in his own house and for some winters in Pittston at the Ravone on the Pittston Fort lot. So far as known he was the first school teacher in Luzerne County. From the report of the Supt. of Public Instruction of the Com. of Pennsylvania for the year ending June 1, 1877. J. P. Wickershaw, Supt. of Pub. Ins. Com. of Pennsylvania. Schools were kept usually in the houses of the teachers and relig- ious services were held from house to house as people might express a wish to accomodate them, or as might be arranged. They were frequently held in public houses and barns generally so in summer. Tradition says preaching was done and school kept in summer under the shade of some 2a B. large tree, elm, oak, or pine for want of a proper edifice. John Jenkins, our first school teacher was Judge of the Freeholders courts, by which the settlement was governed for the first five years. The courts exercised exclusive legislation and judicial powers all in the same body. The settlement was in 1774 taken under the protecting care of Connecticut and in 1774-5-6- he was appointed by that state a Justice of the Peace at Wyoming and at the May session of the Connecticut Assembly 1777 was appointed Judge of the County Court of Westmoreland for the year ensuing. For five years he represented Wyoming in the Conn. Assembly. He was a leading man among the settlers during the Revolutionary War and the Pennanite controversy in the latter of which he and John Franklin were as Miner says; the chief scribes of the people. In fact they were almost the only ones while he lived. He died in Orange County N.Y., whither he had been driven by the Pennanites Nov. 1785. (page 375) Of those who were known as school teachers after the war of the Revolution, Stephen Gardner from Colchester Conn., was the most renowned. He was a brother-in-law of John Jenkins. He resided on the Plains near Wilkes Barre. Others who early taught were Sarah Terry of Kingston, a teacher of note, also a poet. Thomas Mill, William Jones and Stephen Whiton were teachers in the Wyoming settlement. (probably at Wilkes Barre or Kingston) previous to and at the time of the massacre. PITTSTON BUILDINGS

The Old Love Hotel, which burned January 6th, 1912, was one of the oldest buildings in Pittston, having been erected in 18— by John Love, who conducted a hotel there for many years; and he was followed by Peter Wagner, who also conducted the hostelry for a long period. It was a very popular stopping place for the farmers. In the 60's a man named Helper was murdered outside the building. One of the parties implicated was tried and convicted. He received a life sentence; but broke away from prison and escaped with a ball and chain attached to his leg. He was never captured. The structure was two stories high, had a frontage of 60 feet and a depth of 40 feet. The late Father J. J. Greve purchased it as a rectory site and St. Mary's congregation will doubtless use it soon for that purpose. (Wilkes Barre Record. Jan. 8, 1912.) A short distance below the Benedict residence stood the Old Red School House, which served all the purposes of education in general. Not only were the children taught the ordinary elements of education, but the building also served as a place of preaching on Sunday; and as a Sabbath School in the afternoon and as a Town Hall on week day evenings. The stone house of Dr. Curtis still stands on the East side of the street. Above that, near the Central Hotel, was the house of Mr. Thos. Benedict. Further down the road, in the Ravine, stood the farm house of Roger Searle and some other small buildings. This house was the home of Methodism in Pittston. Here the first meeting and many meetings subsequent were held. "Aunt Katy" was the familiar name given to Mrs. Searle, who before her marriage was Catherine Scott. Opposite the Searle house stood a small one-story-and-attic house occupied by a family named Hart; and next below was Mr. John Sax's Tavern, painted white, with upper and lower piazzas and long wing at the south end. This wing was one story high and served as a ball room for the dances of the neighbourhood, as a dining room for banquets and as a hall for political meetings, the complexion of these latter giving it the name of "Whig Hall." The canal came close to the back of this house, which was built before the canal was begun; and Mr. Sax had much trouble with the canal commissioners because they blasted out the rock so near his house. They finally reconciled matters by building a bridge from his house across the canal, so that his customers, the lumbermen on the river, could have access to the house. 2a B.

Across the road, on the old parade ground, stood a large, old, white tavern, with its swinging sign, but not so well-kept as John Sax's house. It was known as the "Sheepskin Tavern" and the road curved up to its front door. The Delaware Road (Parsonage Street) branched off below this tavern and extended up the hill. About half-a-mile up might be found the house of Dr. N. Giddings, the first physician in the town; and of William Searle, the son of old Constant Searle who fell in the battle of July 3rd, 1778. William Searle was a carpenter by trade. He built the Sax Tavern in 1825 or 1830.

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MILLS ON THE LACKAWANNA In the summer of 1774, a small saw and grist mill was built just below the rapids, by public contributions. This was purchased by Solmon Strong, and afterward, sold to Garret Brinkerhoff. The building was destroyed (by flood?) and rebuilt by Tyson & Murphy in 1783. It was sold to John Babb and known as Babb's mill for many years, and the neighborhood was called "Babbylon". John Sax operated the mill for many years. He afterward operated the mill at Slocum Hollow and D. D. Oakes had charge of the Babb Mill for several years. It was finally sold to Morris & Walsh of Pittston. The Connelton Breaker stands on the site of the old mill. Another mill was erected by a man named Delano, on opposite side of the River from Babb's, Sorber's Hotel occupied the site in 1899. William Miller built a saw mill about the same time in little Mill Creek, that empties into the Lackawanna just above Old Forge. Rufus Miller built a foundry at the mouth of . John Brook on the west side, near the Connell Breaker where for many years, he and his sons manufactured the only plows used in the valley. 2a B.

MILLS IN PITTSTON In the summer of 1774, a saw mill and a grist mill were built on the Lackawanna below the falls. This was then in Pittston Township; and these were the first mills on the Lackawanna. They were built by the town: and must have caused the pioneer housewives great joy, for their furniture had previously been of the rudest construction, for want of sawed lumber. One woman had begged her husband, when he was building their cabin, to leave a large stump standing inside, that she might have it for a table. For flour, also, they had been obliged to go to Wilkes Barre, to Hollenback's Mill. One instance is recorded of a man going all the way to the Delaware on horseback—a journey of a week—to get a sack of flour. We may therefore imagine the calls upon these mills; and no wonder that the opportunity for investments should be quickly recognized; so that they were purchased during their first year, by Solomon Strong; From him, they passed to Garret Brinkerhoff. These mills were both swept away by freshets a few years later. But the need for mills was so urgent that in 1780, Saml. Finn (Elder Finn, he was called) and Eliphalet Stephens built a saw mill further down, near the mouth of the Lackawanna. This mill was down the bank, opposite the old Barnum Still House. It, too, was probably washed away by the floods, for on its foundations stood later a grist mill, some remains of which were visible fifty years ago. In 1782, James Sutton, who had previously built mills in Exeter and Kingston Township, put up a grist mill on Mill Creek, near the River. This was the first mill within the present limits of Wilkes Barre. It was built of hewn logs with one run of stone and had a sentry-box on the roof from which the valley could be overlooked as a guard against enemies. This mill was swept away by the Pumpkin Flood in 1786. In 1848, William Tompkins had a saw mill on his farm, just at the Forks of the road in S. Pittston. His mill pond covered all that space between the main road and the Sebastopol road. The pond was fed by the brook that comes from Yatesville; and was carried under a bridge across the road. The stream then flowed on past his farm house down to the Canal Basin. 2a B.

MANUFACTURES IN PITTSTON In 1789, Dr. William Hooker Smith and James Sutton erected a forge with two fires and I hammer at the Falls of the Lackawanna River_ then in Pittston Township, but now in the borough of Old Forge in Lackawanna Township. The ore worked at this forge was procured in the surrounding hills. In 1800, Benjamin and Ebenezer Slocum erected a forge on Roaring Brook near the present city of Scranton. This and the Lackawanna forges were discontinued after some years, for reasons we do not now know. George Daman & Co. have etc. (Pierces Annals, Page 360) In 18— a foundry was established in West Pittston by Theodore Strong and Rensealer Wisner, which employed about 40 men (See picture) Another foundry was established by Mr. Conyngham, that employed 30 men. Later, Mr. Jesse Williams had a foundry opposite Dr. Curtis's Stone house, where the latter lived at the time. Later, Mr. Touhill established a Foundry and Machine Works in the old Sax hotel, adding to its size as business increased. This foundry has since grown to such proportions that it has been moved to Scranton, where it occupies modern quarters and is in thriving condition. It is still in the posession of the Touhill family. The Vulcan Machine Works succeeded Wisner and Strong in the West Pittston foundry. This works has also grown wonderfully; and in 1910, completed a fine new machine shop. The Exeter Machine Works covers a large polt of ground between Luzerne and Montgomery Streets. This present large industry was started in 18— by the Thomas Brothers, in the small brick building in the rear of the Presbyterian Church in West Pittston. The Luzerne Knitting Mills were established by E. L. Eilithorp, after the first knitting mill, organized under his supervision and with a large local stock company as owners, had gone into the hands of a receiver. This industry is now owned and managed by Mr. Ellithorp's sons, Frank and Earle. In 1860, Harlow Daman & Co. had extensive powder mills at Spring Brook. They, in connection with the DuPonts and two or three smaller mills, supplied the demands of the miners. They had a magazine near the town. Their advertisment, in the first issue of the Pittston Gazette in 1850 reads: "Will Saltpeter explode? etc." 241

Rope made in West Pittston owned by Fuller. Made ropes for the towing of canal boats. (Wm. Slocum can tell) Harlow Daman tried tc introduce petroleum oil for lamps when that oil was first put on the market. But it was dark in color, offensive to smell and smoked in burning. They had not then learned the process of refining it and separating out the by-products, which had since proved so valuable as articles of commerce. Therefore, although we had to burn whale oil, which was scarce and expensive, or "Fluid" or Cam- phene, both of which were so highly explosive that our lamps had estin- guishers, attached by a chain to place over the wick when not burning, to prevent vaporization, we returned to our old habits of using candles for ordinary occasions and the dangerous lamps for special occasions. Pittston Stove Works Stocking factory Smythe^ Patent Grate Candy Factory Silk Mills Cut glass Factory 2a B.

COAL IN PITTSTON. MISCELLANEOUS DATA AND MEMORANDA OMITTED FROM ARTICLE FOLLOWING. Total area of Anthracite Field of Penna. is 400 sq. Miles. 187 Sq. Miles lie within Luzerne County. In 1835, 175,000 tons were mined. In 1850, 4,800,000 tons. In 1859, from Luzerne County, were shipped 3,500,000 tons. Pittston was later in getting its coal to market than Wilkes Barre. In 1808-1825, John and Abijah Smith of Plymouth shipped coal to Port Deposit and to Baltimore. (See article following) In 1813, Col. G. M. Hollenback sent two ark loads of coal down the river from the bed at Mill Creek. This sold for 750 per ton. In 1813, Joseph Wright loaded two boats from an opening near the depot of the Penna. Coal Co. in Pittston. It was from this opening that Ishmael Bennett dug coal as early as 1775 for use in his blacksmith shop. In 1813, Lord Butler sent 100 tons from the old Baltimore bed. In 1814, Crandal Wilcox sent several loads from the Wilcox mine in Plains Township. In 1820, Col. Washington Lee sent 1000 tons to Baltimore. This Sold for $8.00 per ton. The Indians may have known the properties of coal. Two chiefs from the Wyoming Valley visited England in 1710. They must have seen coal in general use there, instead of wood; and they may have associated it with the "black stones" of their own home. Further, the creeks had cut through and exposed the seven and nine foot veins in Nanticoke and Plymouth; and the Susquehanna and the Lackawanna had both exposed the seams at several places along their banks. The following story would tend to support the supposition that the Indians had knowledge of the uses of coal: In 1766, six Indians from Wyoming visited the Governor at Phila- delphia to complain that when they had visited their mines at Wyoming, they found tools of white men left where they had dug out the ore from a pit 40 ft. long, feet wide and five or six feet deep. They suspected a trader named John Anderson of the deed. In 1838, Messrs Butler & Mallory came with capital and opened a coal mine miles back from Main st. and built a plane down where is now Butler st. to their coal chutes near P. M. Hotel. This plane crossed Main St. on a trestling about 15 ft. high. This was the first 2a B. company to ship coal by canal from Pittston. Their red brick store stood beyond the trestle. The Sinclair House occupies the site. Benj. and Abram Price, brothers from England. Benjamin Price lived up in the woods at the head of R.R. St. Had sons, Benjamin and abraham. Abraham Price lived on S. Main St., had sons Benjamin and Abraham. Benj. & Joel Bowkley, brothers from England in 1844. Benj. had married a sister of the Price brothers. Benj. Bowkley lived on Pine St. not far below Tedrick Road. He had sons, Benj., Joel, Harry, Edward and daughter Elizabeth - unmarried. Joel Bowkley lived on R. Road St. in 1850. He built the brick block just above the Erie trestling and lived in one end of the block. His sons were Joel & Isaac, daughters Ellen & Sarah. These four men formed two coal co.'s - as follows, Joel B. & Benj. Price; Benj. Bowkley and Abram Price. They used one track to the basin, but had separate chutes.

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COAL IN PITTSTON. The familiar history of experiments with coal by the Gores and other early settlers; the sending it down the Susquehanna on Durham boats; its rejection as fuel and its use in place of gravel for sidewalks in Philadelphia are familiar stories. After Jesse Fell's discovery of how to use coal for domestic purposes, a ready market was found; and the manufacture of grates became a new and thriving business. Of course, Judge Fell's experiment was repeated in Pittston; and by 1820, there were several mines opened in the Valley; and the annual coal export was 200 tons. Before this, the coal companies had great trouble in getting their coal to market, but that was small compared to the trouble they had to get the people to use it. Now all was changed; and people flocked from far and near to see it burned in Judge Fell's grate and then hastened to adopt the fuel in their own homes. In 1807-1808, JOhn and Abijah Smith shipped coal down the Susquehanna. These young Connecticut men purchased a tract of coal land in Plymouth for $5.00 and acre. In 1847-48, William R. Griffith purchased for the Wyoming Coal Association large tracts of coal land in Pittston and vicinity for $100.00 an acre. This land was later transferred to the Pennsylvania Coal Company. In 1849, the Washington Coal Company, 2a B. another concern, was merged with the Penna. Coal Co., with W. R. Griffith as President. In 1850, the Pennsylvania Rail Road began building the Gravity Road to Hawley. In 1852, the L.L.&W. Rail Road Co. began breaking coal into market sizes, building special "breakers" for this purpose. The D.&.H. followed suit. In 1853, The Lackawanna and Bloomsburgh Railroad opened for traffic. This road was leased to the D.L.&.W. in 1873. In 1867, the Lehigh Valley Rail Road was opened to Pittston Junction; and in 1869, it was open as far as Waverly. In 1867, also, pea coal first appears. At that time, the Penna. Coal Company were throwing it away, carting it off and dumping it on the roads. Chestnut size was also considered too small to burn. In that year, Mr. George Johnson persuaded Mr. John B. Smith to let him sell it at 30 cents a ton. He put posters around the town reading; "Do you know we are selling pea coal at 600 per ton at the Penna. Coal Co.'s Chutes". In a little while the people had learned not to smother their fires with it and the sales rapidly became large. In 1813, Col. G. M. Hollenback sold coal at the mine for 750 per ton. In that year, Joseph Wright Esq., loaded two arks with coal from an opening near the present (1860) depot of the Penna. Coal Co. at Pittston. From this opening, Ishmael Bennet had dug coal as far back as 1775 to use in his blacksmith shop. In 1820, grates and coal stoves were in general use throughout the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys. Wilkes Barre people paid Lord Butler $3.00 per ton for coal. But the farmers generally, each for his own family, dug their coal from outcroppings in the neighbourhood. Ever since 1708 the settlers in the Valleys had dug coal from these outcrops and burned it in more or less unsatisfactory ways. They early realized its value; and were fairly feverish in their anxiety to get it from the mines to tidewater. They made many attempts to do this, carting it over the trails and taking it by boat down the Susquehanna, but they met with many discouragements and only limited success. During all these years, the people had looked to the State Govern- ment to come to their aid. In 1826, the Legislature appointed three commissioners to examine and report on a route for a canal along the Susquehanna. In 1827, the first ground was broken in the construction of this canal, in the presence of a multitude of people from up and down the Valley. The people of Luzerne Co. were deeply interested in this work; and elected to the General assembly, Garrick Mallory and George Dennison as their representatives in that body, with especial instructions to work for the promotion of this North Branch Canal. Their faithful efforts were successful; and at once the Commissioners were ordered to place the work under contract. This was in 1828. A great celebration marked the beginning of the work. The canal was to extend from Northumberland to the New York State Line; and even in these later days, it would be no mean undertaking. In 1830, the canal was completed to the Nanticoke dam; and a new boat, the "Wyoming", was the first to pass down, laden with ten tons of coal and some flour. At Northumberland, the "Wyoming" entered the Susquehanna division of the canal; and from there, followed the Union and Schuylkill Canals to Philadelphia. After discharging her cargo, the "Wyoming" was laden with dry goods for the shops of the Valley; but she was caught in the freezing ice and was three months in making the round trip. The second canal boat for the North Branch Canal was built in 1831 by Captain Derrick Bird. By 1834, the Canal was completed to the Lackawanna. This was later extended 94 miles to the New York State line; but not until November, 1856, did the first boats filled with coal leave Pittston for New York State. The boat "Tonawanda", Capt. A. Dennis, laden with 40 tons of coal from the mines of Mallory and Butler was one of these. The other was "The Ravine Co. No. 4", Capt. T. Knapp. These reached Elmira with difficulty. From Wilkes Barre to the New York State line, there were 30 locks in the canal. In 1858, S. T. Lippincott tpok five boats filled with coal to Elmira. Two of these he piloted via the Chemung Canal to Buffalo. From there, the coal went via the lake steamers on Lake Erie to Cleveland, Ohio. This was the first Wyoming Valley Coal to go so far West. In 1856, the North Branch Canal carried 1150 tons of coal to Western New York. In 1859, the tonnage was 51,914 tons. And in 1860, the total amount mined in the Wyoming Valley was 10,293,376 tons.

Dearest Mother:- I enclose some more Mss. These are in the main very interesting, but very scrappy. You will have to get out scissors and paste pot and go after them. Cut up the duplicates letting the others stay 2a B. as they are, as they are better copies. Everything going well. Will send you "Rudder" with my article in it on the tin boat. It is very readable and is gotten up in attrac- tive style. Love to you all Will write more later. Am tired of writing now. Nat.

COAL OPERATORS. Among the early individual coal operators was Alva Tompkins. Having inherited a large tract of coal land, in 1851 he opened a shaft alongside the canal, about 100 rods north of the Eagle Shaft in the limits of the suburb of Oregon. With Mr. Tompkins were associated James MacFarlane; his son, James MacFarlane, Jr.; and later, George Price, who built himself a brick dwelling below Sebastopol, near the Isgar Thompson neighbourhood. Mr. Tompkins shipped all his coal by canal south, until the ex- tension up into New York State was completed, when he shipped both ways. This was in 1858 and 1859. Each company owned its own boats and the names they bore were often very peculiar. Among the names of Mr. Tompkins boats were . Mr. Tompkins at one time leased the Eagle Shaft. This mine had been opened by Abraham Price, but Mr. Tompkins leased from its later owners, J. B. Schooley and Abel Bennett. During the life of Mr. Tompkins lease occurred the celebrated Eagle Shaft Disaster, by which seventeen men and boys lost their lives. The explosion was of mysterious origin. Before the men went in to work at seven o'clock, the fire boss had made his rounds and no evidence of gas had been discovered. At nine o'clock occurred the explosion. It was unexplainable by any then- known cause. Mr. Tompkins believed in later years that the dust in the air may have caused it. The vein was on an anti-clinal; and there was much fine dust in the air of the mine, but no danger was then apprehended from this source. Mr. Tompkins raised a relief fund for the bereaved families, most of which he contributed himself. In the Eastern part of Pittston Cemetery may be seen a group of grave stones, one of them a monument, which mark the burial place of the victims of the Eagle Shaft Disaster. On the side of this monument is a panel bearing in relief the figure of a father, clasping his son to his breast. 2a B.

This cemetery, greatly enlarged, is now called "Pittston Cemetery", but at this time it was called "Odd Fellows Cemetery," and was much overgrown with weeds and briers. The markers were sometimes of wood: and picket fences were built around the graves and narrow paths only led to them. It speaks well for the children and relatives of these long-dead citizens that as propriety has blessed them, they have replaced the poor, faded markers with substantial and oftentimes beautiful stones. Note: Mr. George Johnson visited Eagle Shaft later (after the disaster?) and saw a long gas pipe extending through the anticlinal and bored with holes through which the gas could enter as it was lib- erated in cutting through the upper veins. At the end beyond the mine, this gas was burned. This shows that there was much gas in the mine and this may have been the cause of the explosion. When the Lehigh Valley Rail Road was extended down to Pittston, Mr. Tompkins stopped shipping by the canal and sent his coal by rail. Like all the operators, he had his own cars built and his name on them. These cars were built at Berwick in the then-small American Car and Foundry Company's shops. The cut below shows a' telegram"sent at this time to Mr. Tompkins at Bloomsburg. This is dated October 11, 1851; and it is quite amusing to us in this day of wonders to look back to those early days of the art as shown in this message, (this information missing from notes.) The price of coal has greatly advanced since 1851, or even since 1860. In the latter year, it was 90 cents a ton. After the Pennsyl- vania Coal Company began operating their Gravity Road, they had not mines enough to supply the coal they could transport and they bargained with the Bowkleys for an extra supply at 63 cents per ton. For domestic use, coal was retailed, in the lump, for about a dolalr a ton. After 1863, prices rose rapidly. The price of cars built for carrying coal soared in that year from $60.00 to$485.00. During Civil War times, Mr. Tompkins shipped coal to the Ashland Furnaces, between York, Penna., and Baltimore. When the Confederate Army made its raid into Southern Pennsylvania, a detail of soldiers was sent to raze these furnaces and to burn the large quantity of coal there. But in the manager of the furnaces, the Confederate officer in charge of the detail recognized an old-time friend and schoolmate; and on receiving his assurances that the furnaces were not making iron for the Federal Government and that the coal belonged to "a man away up in the country" both furnaces and coal were left unmolested and the two men had dinner together. 2a B.

At one time, Mr. Tompkins leased the Twin Shaft. At another, he was engaged in mining in Plymouth; and from 1851 to 1885 was a large and influential factor in the coal business in Pittston. In the early years of the coal developement, a miner's wages were not large. He was paid by the ton and was at liberty to mine as many tons as he pleased. But if the miner's wages were small, so also were those of other trades. Five shillings per ton was paid for hauling iron ore and limestone from Pittston Junction to Slocum Hollow (now Scranton) where the Slocums manufactured some of the rails that went into the tracks of the Erie Railroad. These rails were hauled from Slocum Hollow to Lanesboro(?). The difficulties of carrying on business under such difficulties can hardly be estimated by those living under present conditions, who did not labor under them. David Morgan began his mining early in the 50's near the head of the canal in Pittston. He later mined coal from the tunnel back of the Central Hotel. This mine had been opened by Thomas Price, who was associated in business with Mr. William Ford, and he also opened many other mines in the vicinity of Pittston. After he gave up mining, he bought a mountain farm near and spent the remainder of his days on it. (From Mr. Geo. Johnson) David Morgan first came into the coal fields as Superintendent for a Danville Furnace Company, who leased a coal mine from John Blanchard. Mr. Holland was the representative of the company on the ground; and he built the house on the hill back of the Blanchard home, which was occupied for many years by C.I.A. Chapman, Esq. George Johnson and John Hosie surveyed in this mine to make sure that the Furnace Company was not encroaching on the Pennsylvania Coal Company's CoaL. MAIN STREET DIRECTORY, (from Alva Tompkins) Mrs. John Green lived in a house between Mr. Tompkins's and Dr. Underwood's. Her son was Robert Augustus; her daughters, Mary Ellen (married Rosencrantz); Sarah Elizabeth (married Harry Packer) and Mattie. Nearly opposite Frothingham Street on Main Street stood an old barn. On Oak Street, the Gravity Road crossed Main Street at an elevation. Between this and Railroad Streets was Abram Price's house, next a small unpainted house where lived a family named Hughes. In front of Mr. Price's house was a rough stone wall, built up from the sidewalk 2a B. as a retaining wall for his yard, as his house was high above the street. Next came a brick house, built and occupied by David Morgan, the coal operator. In this house was held the meeting for organizing the First National Bank of Pittston. This house was in after years the home of Joseph P. Schooley and was the scene of a tragedy when Mr. schooley's son, Warren, was brought home dead from a gunshot wound. The shock of the boy's death killed his mother, also. Separated by a narrow areaway from the Schooley house was a wooden building, built probably by Edward, the son of John Clark. On the first floor were successive business enterprises. Edward Schooley had a store; David Anthony a tailor shop; Smith Sutherland a store; and Dr. Dorr an office in this building. The next building stood at the corner of Main and Railroad Streets and was the office of the Maryland Coal Company. On Main Street, opposite the Morgan house, was a brick building owned by a Scotchman named Robertson. He kept a saloon in the lower part, and painted on each of the two windows was the invitation: "Dinna gang by, but gie us a cal". During the smallpox epidemic in 1878, the wife of Mr. Robertson was one of the victims. Next to David Davis's (H. M. Damanns) came the Maryland Coal Office. This was also H. M. Daman's store while he lived there. When he moved away, Peter Purcell moved into the Daman home. He was employed by the Maryland Coal Co. and made the store his office. This company gave title to the building; but it was not commonly called that until about 1858 or 1860.

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COAL IN PITSTON. The knowledge and use of anthracite coal in United States does not extend back much or any farther than Jesse Fell's experiment in Wilkes Barre in 1808, when he burned it in a grate. Coal had been known in England since A.D. 853; and had been mined since 1239 and been in common household use. The English settlers from Connecticut to this Valley (1762) knew of the English coal which is bituminous and which lights and burns easily having a large percent- age of gas or volatile matter. They knew, too, of the coal discovered in R. Island two years previous (1760) which was of the graphite variety. It was pure carbon but so highly distilled in its bed, that it was 2a B.

not inflammable by any possibility. It is . Few experienced miners had yet come from the old countries in 1823. Scientific mining was not understood. Instead of tunneling and blasting they removed the heavy covering of earth and slate from the top and broke through the rocks to get at coal. A coal bed was opened in a hillside near the Fast end of the Ferry Bridge by Calvin Stockbridge in 1828. This opening visible in 1911(7). In three years he sent about 2000 tons down the Susquehanna in arks. He was the first resident coal operator in Pittston. He also built the Stockbridge Hotel and had a Ferry both near his mine. In 1834 the canal was completed to the Lackawanna. By this means the Pittston coal could be sent to market. In 1838, 10 years later, Garrick Mallory, John and Lord Butler opened their mines at Pittston and built a railroad 1 mile, 800 ft. long to connect the . In 1820 the pen and advertising were made to hear even in England. These ads, may have brought over the first practical miners. George Cary had first handling of anthracite coal in Wyoming Valley. He helped open a stripping in Pittston, now known as Plains Township. In 1815 he and several others raft to H-burg 40 tons for $10. 1820 another raft load, no sale, dumped into River. David Morgan mined coal back of Central Hotels; was one of the founders of 1st National Bank. The Leyshin's — coal men mined for Bowkly and Price Co. THINGS DONE IN 1850 Linking of Shaft. Gravity Road. Telegraph. Bridge. Bank. Jenny Lind $12,000 to charity. Feb. 25. Copied from 1st issue of Gazette part of communication to North American, by Wm. F. Roberts, practical Geologist and engineer of mines. He was called to Pittston to examine a piece of coal land and speaks of Pittston's prospects for growth. Its local advantages were great. Situated on the banks of the Susquehanna, in the heart of a farming country in a high state of cultivation, dotted over with 3.0.4. beautiful villas surrounded by coal mines which produce coal of the best quality at low prices, ($1.50), upon the line of the Penna. Canal which when the North Branch is completed will open the market to the Lake region and western part of New York. The construction of Penna. Co.'s Road from Pittston to connect with D. And H. Canal, thus opening a market to Hudson River and New York City. The railroad building in New Jersey to connect with Legget's Gap R.R. now building from the Lackawanna to connect with Erie and N. York road; the outlet via Penna. Canal south to the markets of Baltimore, Washington and other cities, as well as to supply fuel for the great furnaces that are near the canal. All these improvements center at Pittston and should build up a large manufacturing and mercantile business. The main factor in the prosperity of Pittston was the sagacity, perseverance of Col. Johnson, who about 1841 bought tracts of coal land and in 1850(?) decided to sink a perpendicular shaft to reach the underlying coal. He was considered of unsound judgement if of sane mind and if he had heeded advice he would never have found the rich 14 ft. vein which he did find. r. George Johnson says this was No. 3 shaft. No. 1 was at Railroad and Main streets, No. 3 was this. No. 2 was over beyond the Tedrick Road, near Newman Brown's. No. 4,* was back of Miner's Bank where new Telephone exchange building is. This building facing Charles St. is over the old filled in Shaft, which was sunk when the Ravine was there and no building between Pa. Co;s Office and "The Dog's Nest". * At sebastopol was a second No. 4. No. 5 was up in the hill towards Inkerman near the Rosencrantz homes. No. 6, 5, and 11 are near together straight up the hill at Inkerman. No. 7 is in lower part of Sebastopol. No. 8 at Hughestown. No. 9 and 10 near Lance place at Hughes. No. 14 at Blanchard town. The Law Shaft is at Avoca; Barnum Shaft, Hoyt Shaft at Port Griffeth. At Old Forge were Nos. 12, 13. 3.0.4.

The Pennsylvania Company named their Shafts by number until they numbered 14. They named the one on Zenas Barnum's farm, "Barnum" Shaft and Breaker, one at Port Griffeth "The Hoyt" named for "Law Shaft" was in Avoca, named for Wm. Law. No. 1 on the Johnson Shaft was at north east corner of Main and R. Road Streets. No. 2 beyond the Zedrick (sic?) Road near Newman Brown's residence. No. 3 was on Broad St. near foot of No. 2 Plane "Land Tunnel Mine" was above No. 3. There were three openings (tunnels) up the hill in line with No. 2 Plane to strike the 14 foot-seam which lay at a slant with the surface of the hill. The "Pittston Vein" was 80 ft. below surface at No. 3 Shaft. No. 4 was in the Ravine back of Miner's Savings Bank. It was filled in and the New Telephone Exchange building which fronts on Charles Street covers the site. A new No. 4 was sunk at Sebastopol which is yet (1912) in operation. Nos. 5 and 6 are on the hill towards Inkerman. No. 7 in lower part of Sebastopol. No. 8 in Hughestown. Nos. 9 and 10 in Hughestown, on Lance property. No. 11 at Inkerman, in line with 5 and 6. Nos. 12 and 13 were at Old Forge. No. 14 at Port Blanchard. Superintendent John B. Smith stopped numbers here and gave names. Law Shaft was at Avoca, named for Wm. Law. Hoyt Shaft at Port Griffeth, named for . Barnum Shaft was sunk on the Zenas Barnum farm.

PENNA COMPANY'S PLANES. No. 1 was at Port Griffeth (on loaded track). " 2 at Broad Street Pittston. 3 at Avoca. 4 at "Rocky Glen". 5 between Rocky Glen and Dunmore. 6 at Dunmore. 8 climbing over 9 the Moosic Mountain 10 11 Top of the Mountain 12 near Ariel. 3.0.4.

There were- -1-0 on the Light- track-. Beginning at Hawley — on the return to Port Griffeth. No. 22 the last, was at Pleasant Valley; from here the descent to Port Griffeth was continuous. No. 19 was at Ariel — in front of Judge Green's. and Fuller. Cornelius Stark and Jas. Fuller. David Morgan coal mine rear of Central Hotel lived in brick house and below H. Daman's. Built it, 1st meeting of Bank was held there 1864, only five present. (1st National) "Pittston Bank" was first Bank. C.I. A.C. surveyed on plank Road, 1850.

TRANSPORTATION. ROADS, RAILROADS, BRIDGES & FERRIES

STOURBRIDGE LION. Among the few enterprising men who repaired to Europe to witness the experiment of the different locomotives for the prize were Mr. E. I. Miler of Charleston, S.C. who was interested in railroad matters in his own quarter and Horatio Allen Esq., late assistant engineer upon the Delaware and Hudson Canal and Railroad who was also on a mission of interest for this part of the state. While in Europe, Mr. Allen received instruction from Mr. John B. Jervis, Esq., the chief engineer of the Delaware and Hudson Canal and Railroad Company to contract for the iron for the road, which had just been graded and also for three locomotives. These instructions were carried out by Mr. Allen while in England and after purchasing the first of the three locomotives, which was the "Stourbridge Lion", he ordered it shipped to New York where it was landed from the ship John Jay at the wharf of the West Point Foundry Works, foot of Beach Street, about the middle of May, 1820. Here it was set up in the yard and steam put to it from the works, where it was visited by thousands who flocked to see the wonder go through its motions. The Morning Courier and New York Enquirer of June 12, 1829, contains the following notice: "Locomotive Engines: We yesterday attended the first exhibition of a locomotive engine, called the "Lion", imported by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, to be used upon their railway. On Wednesday 3.0.4.

the engine just imported was tried and gave such general satisfaction that that present exhibition was unanimously attended by gentlemen of Science and particular intelligence. The engine was put up in Mr. Kimball's factory by Horatio Allen, Esq., who went to England to purchase it for the company and it gives us great satisfaction to say that the most important improvements which have lately been made in the construction of these engines, originated with him. It is nine horse power, having a boiler sixteen and a half feet long, with two cylinders, each of three feet stroke. It is calculated to proper(?) from sixty to eighty tons at five miles per hour. The power is applied to each wheel at about twelve inches from the center and the adhesive power of the wheel arising from the weight of the engine, will give locomotion to the whole structure. The steam was raised by the Lacawaxen coal and sustained, (although there was no friction) at between forty and fifty pounds to the inch. We were much delighted with the performance of the engine and have no doubt that the enterprising company to whom it belongs will reap a rich reward for their enterprise and perseverance. Pleased as we were however, with the engine, we were much more pleased with the practical demonstration offered of the importance and usefulness of the coal which the company propose to bring to market". &c &c &c. The engine was abandoned by the company because of a defect of the track and for some time was housed under a rough shed, whence it was finally taken to be distributed in parts where it could serve some purpose. The boiler was put to use in Carbondale and different parts were appropriated by individuals as relics. Steuben Jenkins, Esq., of Wyoming, the indefatigable antiquarian, student, has in his vast collection of memorials, one of the steam chests, while Mr. John B. Smith, of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, has the other at his home in Dunmore. The above extracts are taken from a publication "The Wyoming Valley" published (probably) by Schurch & Co., of Scranton, Penna., date not known. Kindly loanded by Miss Matilda Drake. RAILROADS ENTERING PITTSTON The first railroad in Luzerne County, although it did not reach Pittston until 18— was the Delaware and Hudson. This was the second railroad begun in the United States; and it was completed in 1828, insofar as the original plans went. The first locomotive engine in the United States ran on this road. This locomotive, The Stourbridge Lion, was brought here from England by the Delaware and Hudson company, but it proved too heavy for the bridges and frail trestles and its use was abandoned. For many years thereafter, it lay rusting by the side of the road (Pierce's Annals). This statement is refuted by Mr. George Johnson He says that the engine was put under a shed. The boiler of this historic machine and one cylinder, together with portions of the wheels and other parts, is now in the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, but the whereabouts of the other parts is at present unknown Mr. Johnson states that at one time Mr. Patey Reeves, Supt. of Machinery for the Penna. Coal Co., had a small repair shop at the foot of No. 2 Plane; and that in this shop was a cylinder and piston rod from the old Lion. This small locomotive was also on exhibition in Machinery Hall at the Chicago World's Fair, standing beside the largest and most powerful locomotive then in existence; and the contrast was most impressive as illustrating the progress made in the last three quarters of a century in locomotive building. Railroads were also built in the Lehigh and Schuylkill regions; but it was in 1850 that the Penna. Coal Co. brought prosperity to Pittston by building its gravity road from Pittston to Hawley. In 1858, the Lackawanna and Bloomsburgh road opened, thus giving rail transportation to New York by connection with the Erie. In 1867, the Lehigh Valley Road extended as far as Pittston Junction, thus giving another outlet to New York and Philadelphia. In 1869, this road was extended to Waverly and on to New York State. In 1883, the Jersey Central Road entered the field. In 1884, the Erie and Wyoming Valley Road was built by Pennsylvania Coal Company capital, although each had a separate corporate existence. 3.0.4.

GRAVITY ROAD.

Then came a time, because of increasing business, when the Gravity Road from Port Griffith to Hawley must be supplanted by a broad-gage steam locomotive road. From Hawley the coal had been shipped to tide- water by way of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. The demand for anthra- cite had increased to an extent that surpassed the capacity of a canal, which was closed every Winter; and moreover, friction had devel- oped between the two companies regarding the canal tolls exacted by the Pennsylvania Company, which, in the face of a depreciated currency and rising wages, were prohibitive. The Erie Rail Road and the Pennsylvania Railroad made surveys looking to branch roads to tap these rich coal fields and the Erie actually did build a branch to Hawley. The Pennsylvania Coal Co., forsook the canal and transferred its coal from its small, gravity cars to the broad-gage cars of this new road. The delay and expense of this reshipment led to a consideration of widening the Gravity Road and cars so that they could be run on the Erie tracks. This idea was, however, abandoned; and instead the Erie Road was extended down to Port Griffith and the Gravity Road abandoned. There was pre- sumptive evidence that the Pennsylvania Coal Company, through its officers and board of directors, financed this extension, though the Wyoming and Erie Railroad Company and the Pennsylvania Coal Co. had each its separate officers and offices. Gradually new men with new capital invaded the field of influence and took command; and eventually the Erie and Wyoming Company absorbed the Pennsylvania Coal Company, purchasing its stock and holdings. The New York office of the Penna. Coal Co. decided that a steam locomotive railroad was needed to carry the Wyoming Valley coal to tidewater; and the Gravity Road, which had served so well in primitive days, must be supplanted. This was depressing news to supt. John B. Smith and his faithful assistants who had worked together so faith- fully for its construction and operation. Dr. Parke used to pay the highest respect to that group of men whose headquarters were at the Office, at the corner of Main and Broad Streets in Pittston. William Law and andrew Bryden were at the head of the Mining Department; Alex. Craig was Supt. of Machinery; Charles McMillan was Paymaster for the district; George D. Johnson was head of the Land Department; William Simpson, Chief of Building Department; Henry Beyea, paymaster at Dunmore. 3.0.4.

Then there were F.F. Merriman, of the Civil Engineer Corps and James Rosencrantz and a host of subordinates, all of whom "worked for the Company" as for a personal benefactor, whose service was a joy and not an irksome task. No Union was then known; nor any eight-hour day. There was perfect union between the employers and the employees, from the President, in his New York Office, to Supt. Smith in the Dunmore office through the Pittston office and down through the rank and file, in all the various lines of the company's service. "The Big Company" treated its employees well. It paid a good living wage, which, though small in comparison with present demands, was sufficient for the needs of the times and to lay by the foundations of a competence for old age. The Company donated lots for churches and land for cemeteries. It was building up this mining village, which had only a dozen houses in 1838, into a prosperous, thriving business center. The people were glad and grateful; and no arraying of Labor against Capital, but rather a tacit combination of all the people to favor and aid the Company that was building the town. Its money flowed freely. Its employees could pay in cash, instead of barter; and work under the "Big Company" meant comfortable and steady wages. At this time, also, the Company sold only the surface for building lots; but in the deed was no clause exempting itself from liability in case of the surface caving. It fully intended to leave sufficient support for the surface. "All the mining that was done in those days was honest mining", said an old employ, years afterward when he saw pillars robbed and surface property ruined as the result. It was long years from these times to the proposed change to a steam locomotive road. Distasteful as the proposal must have been to Supt. Smith, he sent out his engineer corps, under Mr. George Johnson, to survey a line over the Moosic and Pocono Mountains for the proposed road. The Erie Railroad Co. also surveyed the route; and eventually the screaming, shrieking locomotive broke the stillness of those sylvan solitudes, where for years had glided quietly, as if by magic, with no apparent motive power to pull or to push, the Gravity cars of 1850. When the Erie and Wyoming Valley Railroad took its place, the Gravity Road was dismantled. Its planes were useless; its engines were removed; its equipment became scrap iron. Somewhat trying to the men who had been identified with the road was this change. But greater innovations were to follow; until eventually the Erie and Wyoming Company absorbed the Pennsylvania Coal Company, purchasing its stock and all its holdings. Thus not only the Gravity Road, but the Pennsylvania Coal Company itself passed out of existence and its name is written on a page of past history. The first train on the Gravity—the "Pioneer"—was put on late in the Fall of 1850. Hosea Carpenter was the Conductor. Only one car was run, with attachements for safety in case the hoisting rope broke on the plane. The last train was run by Eber Bramming. It was run for the pleasure of some prominent Scranton people, who wished once more to go over the road before the tracks were torn up. The train ran from No. 6 to Ariel. The workmen were removing the rope at Plane II, but relaid it for this party.

BRIDGES. Where the iron R.R. Bridge crosses the Lackawanna, was once a wooden bridge which was carried away by a freshet in 1811. This was the first bridge built across the stream. In 1812 Ebenezer Marcy and Darins Finch built another bridge, which stood until 1828. In that year, John P. Babb built the famous covered bridge which was a model of skill and workmanship and stood until 1876 and would have stood for many years longer or more if it had been properly cared for. 3.0.4.

ROADS BRIDGES AND FERRIES IN PITTSTON In 1770, roads were laid out on both sides of the River and were connected by ferries at Pittston and Wilkes Barre. From Pittston, the road extended East to Stroudsburg and the Delaware. In 1772, a road 40 miles long was made from Pittston to the Delaware at the expense of the Proprietors. The first settlers in the Valley came from Connecticut, crossing the Hudson at Newburg and meeting the Delaware at Shohola Creek. From there, they followed the Indian trail to Roaring Brook and the Lacka- wanna; and from there by another Indian trail into the Valley. This was in 1762 and 1763. The next immigrants in 1769, came with household goods in carts. They widened the path to permit their wagons and ox carts to pass. This was the first wagon road from the Delaware to the Susquehanna. Years later at a meeting of the settlers of the Valley, Messrs. Jenkins, Gore, Carey, Goss and Stewart were appointed a committe to collect money to improve the road. These improvements were completed in 1774. On the West side, the road from Kingston to Pittston followed the high bank of the River. Communication with Pittston was established by Jenkin's Ferry, and later, by Stockbridge's Ferry, both of which were close together. This Kingston road dates back to 1770. (Stockbridge came after 1800) Another road across Kingston Flats connected the East and West sides by the ferry opposite Northampton St. In 1779, Sullivan's Army, in its march from Easton to Wyoming on its way to New York State to punish the Six Nations, made a new road, from Easton. This new road was improved by the settlers and became the great thoroughfare between Philadelphia and North-eastern Pennsylvania. In 1788, two years after Luzerne County was organized, a highway was surveyed across it by order of the Legislature. (Was this the Sullivan Road?) In 1790, John Phillips, John Davidson, Jeremiah Blanch- ard, Caleb Bates, David Brown and J. Rosin were appointed viewers from Pittston Township. The surveyors who accompanied them and laid out the work were John Jenkins, Christopher Hurlbut and Luke Swetland. This corps of surveyors laid out all the principal roads in the county up to 1798. 3.0.4.

All rosds were rough; and bridges were of round, or split logs. Over marshy ground, they made cordueroy roads,—small logs laid par- allel transversely across the road. Instead of making easy grades by going around the base or side of a hill, roads went directly over the top. This was to avoid wet marshy ground. Except when there were logs to be transported, men rode on horseback. My Grandmother who made a visit to her father's home at Windsor Conn., in 1805, made the trip there and returned on horseback. About 1785, a wheeled vehicle, called a "chair" or "gig" was introduced. It had only one seat, set between the two wheels. In 1808, the Dearborn, a four-wheeled carriage made its appearance: and was much of a curiosity then as was the first automobile a few years ago. The turnpike from Easton to wilkes Barre, forty-one miles long, was begun about 1803 and cost $75,000.00. The stockholders received 5% dividends; and the embargo of 1812, by increasing traffic over the turnpike, made it still more profitable. This was the route for wagon loads of grain and farm products and for lumber until the Canal was made - over this road the teams brought back manufactured and other goods needed by the settlers here. Hollenback's was the great wholesale and retail depot of supplies for a radius of forty or fifty miles. 3.0.4.

HEALTH AND PHYSICIANS. The climate of Pittston is, in general, healthful. Acording to the census of 1850, the number of deaths in the whole county was only 383, out of a population of 56,072. This argues well, also, for the skill of the physicians. It is to be feared they amassed no fortunes and built no fine houses with their earnings. The earliest Physicians in the Valley were Dr. William Hooker Smith, Dr. Joseph Sprague and Dr. Gustin, all of whom were in the battle of July 3rd., 1778, Dr. Gustin receiving a bullet hole through his hat. Dr. William Hooker Smith emigrated to the Valley in 1772 from (see Mrs. Bedford's story in Peck.) His valuable services were continued throughout the Revolutionary War (and Sullivan's Campaign) until he reached a very advanced age. In 1773 there came from New London a very noted surgeon, Dr. John Calkins. A paper (very neatly drawn up by Henry Carey) tried to get subscriptions enough to induce him to settle in the Westmoreland. Among the names of these subscribers were Anderson Dana and James Stark. No record of the success of this movement is to be found. At Pittston in 1850, Dr. G. Underwood and Dr. C. R. Gorman. Dr. U. had been the first resident physician at Harrison, afterwards called Scranton, in 1845. In early days, the women did most of the doctoring; and the drug store was the forest, field, or garden. Pittston, however, had its own resident physician as early as 1783. Dr. Nathaniel Giddings practiced his profession here for more than fifty years, or later than 1833. He rode on horseback to visit his patients, with his saddlebags. He carried his remedies with him; and rarely wrote a prescription, but compounded it himself. His patients were scattered over a wide extent of country and he had to ride through lonely roads and ford unbridged streams, sometimes in the darkness and the storm. A country doctor's wife, as well as a circuit rider's wife, had to be heroic in those days. She kept vigil alone, with no near neighbours, her fears aggarved by her imagination and every sound of wind or broken bough. Doubtless Dr. Giddings was in consultation at times with the resident physicians of other towns. Among their names from 1810 to 1820, we find Drs. Cooell, Baldwin, W. B. Giddings, Gaylord, Parker, Asa C. Whitney, and Dr. John Smith. As in all newly-settled, undrained sections, fever and ague prevailed for many years at Pittston. An Indian Chief of the Six Nations, Shikellimus 3.0.4.

by name, residing at Shamokin, died from the disease in 1749. In 1850 a so- called Indian remedy for chills and fever, a patented preparation called Indian Cholagogue was sold in all general stores. It contained quinine and whiskey though quinine was not generally known at that time as a specific for the ill. (Note: Cinchona, or quinine must have been known as a specific for malaria, as it was introduced in England in 1671, and to France in 1682. It was named Cinchona for the Countess deCinchona, wife of the ambassador from Peru, where she had been cured of malarial fever by the Peruvian, or Cinchona bark. Jesuit missionaries also carried it to Rome: and it was sometimes called "Jesuit Bark"). In 1778, the year of the Wyoming Massacre, a malignant, contagious disease called "putrud fever" prevailed. Many died. In 1777, one year earlier, small pox was brought from Philadelphia and spread among the various settlements. Inoculation was the only known way to treat it. Great alarm prevailed. Pest houses were established in every township, half a mile from any road. Here those who had not been inoculated were sent for treatment. The Indians had a horror of it; and it is related that when they entered Forty Fort after the battle, the women cried out "Small pox! Small pox!" but the reuse did not deter them from their work of plunder. But it might well be that the women spoke the truth, for it probably lingered in some families even then. In 1794 the physicians were baffled by a form of Typhus fever which prevailed along the Susquehanna. It was thought by some to be yellow fever. Whole families died of it. 1781, like the preceeding year, typhus as well as intermittent fever prevailed. In this year, the Rev. Jacob Johnson came back to the Valley for the first time since the massacre; and his daughter Lydia, wife of Col. Zebulon Butler, died three weeks after their return. The earliest educated physician to practice in Wyoming Valley was Dr. John Matthew Otto. He spent a week here in 1755. An Indian runner had summoned him from Bethlehem to attend upon the missionary Christian Frederick Post whose leg was badly injured. Dr. Joseph Sprague was the earliest resident physician in the Wyoming Valley. He came to the Valley in 1770. He became a proprietor in Lack- awanna Township Dec. 17, 1771 at the same time with Barnabas and Eleazer Carey, Stephen Harding, Caleb Bates and others. He with all the other settlers was soon obliged to take refuge in the stockade at Mill Creek, where (according to Mrs. Young - Miner Appendix) he and his wife kept the 3.0.4. boarding house. He settled just below Spring Brook and for 12 years was both farmer and doctor. In 1783, he with other Yankees, was driven away by the Pennamites. He died in Connecticut the following year. His widow returned and settled in Wilkes Barre, where for many years she was the only accoucher in this section. "Granny Sprague" as she was familiarly known, was present at the birth of hundreds of the children of the pioneers. She was in practice as late as 1810. Her charge for pro- fessional services was only $1.00. She must have gained her livlihood chiefly from her compounds of roots and herbs, which she sold at her log hut, at the corner of Union and Main Streets in Wilkes Barre. She has, therefore the added distinction of being the first dispenser of proprietary medicines. (Dr. Throop.) Dr. Sweet of Carbondale furnished drugs to the doctors of the Valley in those early days. They had to make most of their own remedies; and to ride a circuit of 50 miles with their saddlebags stuffed with these herbs and sometimes surgical instruments. It was often a race with Death, for the patient would not send for the doctor until every remedy known to the neighbourhood had been tried in vain. Small as his fee was, he could not get money and consequently, could not pay his drug bill. Barter was the general method of paying debts. Sometimes surgical operations were necessary and no instruments were in the saddle-bags. The ingenuity of the doctor was often taxed to the uttermost; but thanks to the general good-health of the patients, with their simple living and out-of-door labor, they survived these ordeals in most cases very nicely. In 1842-43 a terrible epidemic of diphtheria. (One similar in Saratoga Co., N.Y. at same time.) In 1852, came a more fatal epidemic of scarletsfeversss. In Pittston, Truman Day's daughter, J. B. Smith's two children, Dr. Parke's son and many others were swept away. Dr. Avery Knapp (see Dr. Throop's Health and Physicians)'was of Revolutionary stock. His Grandfather, Joseph Knapp, served in the Continental Army; and his father, Zepheniah Knapp, in the War of 1812. Avery Knapp was born in Minooka, May 25, 1819 and died in his 82nd year. He was graduated from Geneva Medical school and practiced for 9 years in N. Haven. Moved to Pittston in 1855; and conducted there a drug store, until he retired for his health in 1892. In 1848 he married Frances, daughter of Elisha Blackman. She died in 1888. His children were Charles, a professor of Electrical Engineering in Girard College at Philadelphia; and Lillie, who married Charles Babcock, of Canton, 111. Dr. Knapp was interred in the West Pittston cemetery. EARLY SETTLERS. 26$. The Marceys. The Marceys are mentioned among the early settlers in Pittston. In 1770 rZebulon Marcey made a clearing and built a rude cabin a short distance from Old Forge. He came from Connecticut that year, being 26 years of age. Zebulon's pitch soon passed into the hands of his older brother Ebenezer who was a Proprietor in the Susquehanna Company and the first of his family to come to the valley. He had married Suzannah Adams of Dutchess County, New York in 1780. At the time of the Massacre he and his family took refuge in Pittston Fort. After its surrender they fled to the old home in Dutchess County. His fifth child was born on the mountain and was named Thankful in recognition of their deliverance from death and from the savage foe. Three sons born in Pittston after their return were Ebenezer, Jared, and Joseph, all of whom were prominent in the develop- ment of the township. Ebenezer was prominent in religious affairs. His house was always open to the itinerant minister and the Presiding Elder held quarterly meetings at his house. Ebenezer's son John ("Sqjire") Marcy was appointed Postmaster in 1860. The railroad company named the station Marcy. When the Civil War broke out his patriotism impelled him to leave his farm the post office, and his family, in response to the call for volunteers. He returned in 1864 and took an active interest in business and political affairs of the township, holding all offices. In politics he was a Democrat. He gave the site of the brick M.E. church and cemetery. He died in 1887. Both lie in Marcy cemetery, Duryea. One of Squire Marcy's sons was Winfield, born 1848 at Duryea. In 1862 he enlisted as drummer boy in the 52d Regt. Penn. Volunteers, the same regiment in which his father was a soldier. He returned in 1864 after a varied experience from Virginia to South Carolina and entered upon an active business career in which he was not only self supporting but helped his father to pay off a debt he had incurred as the result of leaving his farm and business to fight his country's battles. Jared, another son of Ebenezer, born in Pittston, 1782, was a carpenter. He married Sarah, daughter of Rufus Bennet who escaped the tomahawk of the pursuing Indian by holding on to the tail of Col. Zebulon Butler's horse in the flight from the Wyoming battle field. Joseph marcy was the youngest son of the pioneer Ebenezer. He was the narrator of the tales his mother used to tell about the early days 3.0.4. and the massacre. He gave to Dr. Peck the substance of "Mrs. Marcy's Story" in Peck's history of Wyoming. The experiences of the family would fill a volume could they be recounted. Jared had a son, Ira, born in Pittston 1807. He was well known as a builder of locks and bridges in the canal. He became one of the early employees of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. as a carpenter. He married the daughter of Conrad Teeter who carried the mails on horseback between Pittston and New York State, before stages were run, or roads built for them. The descendants of his family fill numerous positions in the two valleys. The vein of coal next below the Pittston vein outcropped on the Marcy farm and was named the "Marcy vein".

George Oister lived on Quarry Hill, a blacksmith by trade. His daughters distinguished themselves by their horseback riding according to the advanced style of 1900—astride and with no saddle. They would hardly sttract attention in these unconventional days.

************* 3.0.4. Francis Phillips. Francis Phillips was with Isaac Hewitt at the surrender of Pittston Fort. His daughter was the wife of Isaac Hewitt and the mother of Dethie Hewitt, the young and gallant captain who had died at the head of his company on the afternoon of July 3d, the day before the surrender of Pittston Fort. Francis Phillips came to the valley in 1771 from Vermont. He made his "pitch" in the "Gore" between Pittston and Providence and the land lay next to Barnabas Carey's who in 1770 built the first log cabin in Pittston. In April 1777 Francis Phillips sold his "right" to his son John, then 20 years old, for thirty pounds, current money. John Phillips became the owners of large tracts of land, including the "Big Farm" at the base of Campbell's Ledge, extending over it into Ransom which he named. His acres included also the ground on which Pittston City now stands. His holdings were in Abington also and to all his children and grandchildren, he gave farms covered with timber. In the 2nd Pennanite war, 1784 he, with his family were driven from their homes by Pennsylvania soldiers. But they returned and two years later John Phillips was one of five commissioners chosen to buy land on which to erect the public buildings for Luzerne County. See Miner and Hollister pp 67-69. His character as a man of large views and sincere and earnest piety was highly respected and the Baptist church to which he attached himself was generously helped by him. He died in Abington where he spent the declining years of his life.

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ELDER WILLIAM MOTT. 1832 - 1885. A leader of the Baptists in Pittston and vicinity was Elder Mott. He was licensed to preach at Middletown, Luzerne County in March 1832 by Rev. J. B. Parker, who had been sent into northeastern Pennsylvania as a general missionary by the New York convention. Horseback was the only mode of travel and the route was from Middletown to Lacyville, then down the Susquehanna to Mehoopany, Tunkhannock, Exeter, Northumberland, Wilkes Barre on the west side of the river, holding meetings everywhere. Thence they travelled to Plymouth, Nanticoke, Hunbeck(sic) Creek and held meetings. Two other missionaries entered the field, Rev. Chas. Martin and Philip P. Brown. The latter located at Pittston. In 1833 Elder Mott was ordained to the gospel ministry in the church at Lacyville. He soon began preaching in the Lackawanna valley. After three years' labor many of his people moved west of Chicago and desired him to go along (1836). But he made a home in Hyde Park and took up his residence there in 1837. The settlement contained just twenty families and only three members of the Baptist church. His preaching stations were Hyde Park, Pittston, Providence, Blakeley and Greenfield. For a time he was the only minister in all the valley. From Pittston to Blakely he visited in two years, every family on the route and the population was less than 200. Where Scranton now is was a grist mill and a saw mill and the Slocum house. There was a plank foot bridge across the river at Dodgetown (Providence?) When he wanted to cross where the bridge is at the end of Lackawanna Ave. he took off his shoes and stockings and waded across. He went up to the saw mill and got lumber for a barn. He hired a man to haul it and as they sat on the load and forded the river, Mr. Mott said to Mr. Atherton who was driving, "these hills and valleys will some day be covered by a large city". He lived to see his prophesy fulfilled. In 1847 the First Baptist Church was dedicated. His experience as a pioneer missionary in the large wilderness parish with houses scattered and settlements far apart, are thrilling. He often sustained his faith and courage by praying aloud as he went through the dark roads of the forest, where wild beasts were plenty and wolves and panthers were fierce. On one occasion he lost his horse and had to go to his appointment "on his feet". His toils and sacrifices were truly inexpress- ibly great. ' Mr. Mott's records show that he attended 1000 families, all the way 3.0.4.

from Wilkes Barre to Carbondale of persons who were buried in 75 diff- erent grave yards. He married 300 couples and baptised several hundred converts. All through the different valleys are homes where the name of Elder Mott is a household word. He has preached in all the school houses and all the churches and has been the regular pastor in several. The Old Red School house in North Pittston was one of his stated preaching places. When Dr. P. came in 1844, he and Elder Mott took turns in using it. Among the names of the "over 300 couples" are some whose names belong to Pittston. The earlier ones have no date. Adam Zedrick to Mary Armstrong; this was the name of Miss Sally Ann Zedricks father who lived on a large farm, corner of Zedrick and Browntown Roads. George McAlpine to Frances Giddings. This was daughter of Dr. Giddings and sister of Myra who married Reynolds. James Giddings to Mary Ann Pratt. James was son of Dr. Giffings. Samuel Price to Zella Armstrong. These were parents of the brill- iant young business man, Amon Price and of Mrs. John Howard of Scranton. Zella Armstrong was sister of our recently deceased townsman Amon Armstrong of West Pittston. John Armstrong'to Mary Wood Palmer Jenkins to Jane Brown" Thomas Slocum to Sarah Jenkins James Knapp to Wilbur Joseph Atherton to Harriet Marchant Benjamin Bower to Lucinda Callendar Newton to Parmelia Benedict William Carbin to Lucretia Atherton Samuel Taylor to Julia Ferris William C. Phillips to Phoebe Vanderburg C. A. Atherton to Phoebe Lewis Samuel Wheeler to Frances Miller David Perkins to Mrs? Pettibone (was he of Wyoming?) George McAlpine to L. M. Giddings William Knapp to Ruth Knapp / Abel Bennett to Adelaide Johnson Abel Bennett was business partner of Col. Johnson, head of Penna. Coal Company in Pittston previous to 1850. Adelaide was his only daughter. 3.0.4.

The home was the Johnson cottage, corner of Broad and Main. Col. Johnson sold out to the Penna. Coal Company and moved to New York City. Later the Bennetts lived at Binghamton. They had one son. Milton Britton to Margaret Zedrick Joseph Knapp to Almira Brown, June 7, 1849 LaGrange Damon to Mary J. Brown, June 7, 1849. Only the three immediately preceeding this double wedding are dated From now on all are dated. The Misses Brown were the handsome daughters of Newman Brown whose farm was near the Pittston suburb, Browntown. Mrs. Knapp lived for some years in West Pittston, a widow, afterward married Mr. Amon Armstrong. Both passed away in recent years. Mrs. Armstrong (1910) survived by ber daughter Josephine. Mrs. LaGrange Damon died at Dunmore, where she passed her last years with her daughter Mrs. Arch Bryden. Her sons live in West Pittston. Maxwell and Robert are the two sons. Note: Mrs. Damon died in winter of 1911-12 buried at Wilkes Barre. Zenas Barnum to Maria Clark, Oct. 26, 1852 James Montague to Carrie Baldwin, Sept. 11, 1860 "Squire Montague" was well known in Pittston. William H. Giddings to Samantha Newman, Oct. 24, 1861 Henry Knapp to Ann M. Smith, Jan. 23, 1862 David Price to Nancy E. Giddings, Dec. 11, 1862 Pierce and Smiley were singers and friends together. Nancy and Mary Giddings were also fine singers. These four sang as a quartette very frequently. Smiley married Mary. The Giddings home was up Parsonage Street next above the Myra Giddings Reynolds (Dr. Nathaniel's) place. This Giddings family were all Baptists. Mary was immersed in the Susquehanna in mid-winter. John R. Davis to Anna Davis, Oct. 3, 1863 Wm. McClure to Mary Rowland, Apr. 1864 J. C. Atori to Ef T. Fuller (?) June 9, 1866 George D. Leisenring to Mary H. Stevens, May 31, 1874 3.0.4.

WILLIAM 5MALLEY Mr. William Smalley was well-known here as one of the mine super- intendents for the Penna. Coal Co.. In 1856, he brought to his house on Railroad Street, a bride, just from across the water. Their house was that first above Mrs. Robertson's, where in 1850 the family of Rev. C. W. Giddings, the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church lived, until the parsonage was built. Mr. Smalley was a stout, stolid Englishman. Mrs. Smalley was a tall, large-framed woman, with a florid, English complexion a very superior bearing and a haughty expression of countenance. She used to love to talk of her early life in England and of her marriage to Mr. Smalley in New York. She certainly enjoyed the romance of it as fully as a girl of 16. Her father had been a physician, which gave her place among the "gentry" the professional men, above the trades-people and below the nobles. When her father died, his estate all went to her brother by entail. She had quarrelled with her cousin-lover, Wm. Smalley and he sailed for America. She was thus practically a pensioner upon the bounty and hospitality of friends. Her rank made her situation like that of Steward: "I cannot die: to beg, I am ashamed". Her brother, who had married, discipated his fortune; and on his death, left a young son penniless. Then, in the face of this emergency, the Aunt, Elziabeth cast off the shackles of custom and entered a London millinery establishment to earn money to educate her nephew and she was successful. "Many's the time" said she with a lifting of the proud face, "that I have received a pound note for pinning on a feather!" After the boy was married, a commission was given him in the British Colonial Office; and he married his cousin, Loota, and sailed for India. But Mrs. Smalley did not approve of cousins marrying each other. She kept on with pinning on feathers etc., until at last, as she was getting elderly and the fashions changed too fast for her, she yielded to her nephew's solicitations and went to spend the remainder of her days with him in India. Here she lived a few years—long enough to accumulate chests of India tailored clothes etc. when William Smalley wrote asking if she would not meet him in New York and marry him. She accepted his offer, left the old grudge in India, came to New York, where Mr. Smalley met her; and they were married and came to Pittston. Some years later, Mr. Smalley was burned in the mines and died from the effects. The nephew in India sent her funds for support until she died in Pittston in 18— and was interred in the Cemetery. JUDGE REDDIN Judge Reddin came from Ireland to Pittston in 1842. He opened a store, a little above the Reddin Building, next to the Eagle Hotel on the upper side. This must have been John Almont's old site. After Mallory and Butler opened their store, Almont went over to Pleasant Valley, where he died and was buried under a tree — the place of his choice. His sister, Constance put a fence around the tree; and when the Penna. Coal Co. built the Gravity Road, she had his body removed to the West Pittston Cemetery. Judge Reddin must have conducted the Almont store; and after he built his large store, he moved to that. He also for a time kept the Post Office there. He was a highly-educated, very pompous man, with so prominent and abdomen that as he walked, his back curved inward to balance the weight above his short legs and small feet. He was called "Judge" out of compliment by his fellow citizens, with whom he was very popular and much respected. During his lifetime he was an active and influential member of St. James Episcopal Church. He died in 18— and was interred in the Cemetery. (Probably in Hollenback Cemetery, says G. D. J. Nov. 5, 1912.) 3.0.4.

Col. Johnson

The house: Col. Johnson built was of the bungalow style painted white with green shutters and a broad veranda the length of the front. It looked very attractive set in the midst of a large plot of ground which extended from what is now Broad street to the new store of William Fay. This house was one of the largest of the few large houses of the place (period). Here Miss Adelaide the only daughter of Col. Johnson was married to Abel Bennett, his associate in the Coal Company about 1847-8. In list of marriages performed by Elder Mott I find "Abel Bennett to Adelaide Johnson". No date is given but it closely preceeds some that are dated. Among the double wedding of Mary and Almira Brown to LaGrange Damon and Joseph Knapp, June 1849. His. and Geol. Soc. Wilkes Barre Vol. 11. The family moved from Pittston after they sold lands and charter of Pennsylvania Coal Company to William R. Griffith and Benjamin Beyea. The house was later owned by John Howarth who was a land agent for Mr. Griffith. Later it was leased to families and as business on Main Street had developed what was the large lawn surrounding the pleasant cottage, is now covered by the large brick business houses between Broad Street and the Star Drug Store and the Cottage, scarcely a resemblance to its former attractive self, is in the rear of these brick buildings and served Mr. James Compton as a cleaning and dyeing establishment. Pittston was for many years so largely dependent for its prosperity in the "Big Company" as the Pennsylvania Coal Company was called, that its origin deserves notice. Col. Johnson came to Pittston from Carbondale where he had been engaged in the teaming business, afterward conducted by George M . Major Smith was authority for asserting that he had also been in mercan-• tile business in Wilkes Barre before coming here. In 1847 he sold his coal lands in this neighborhood to William R. Griffith and with them the charter for the Pennsylvania Coal Company, granted by the Legislature in 1838. Mr. Griffith bought three large tracts for $100 per acre, for the Wyoming Coal Association taking title in his own name and conveying sub- sequently to the Association. The Association, through its trustees, conveyed to the Pennsylvania Coal Company which became a stock company. In 1849-50 the Company built its gravity road from Dunmore to Hawley and later extended it down to Pittston. This road was built under the charter of the Washington Coal Company which charter had been granted in 1838 also. In 1850 this company merged with the Pennsylvania and William R. Griffith became the third President. 3.0.4.

(This is about the same as No. 1 in notes) Next to this Damon House was the general merchandise store of Damon and Day. It was in size and shape just as it is to-day. It is known now as the West End Drug store and was kept by Harlow Damon and his brother- in-law, Truman B. Day, who had come from Day about 1846-7, a very young man with the healthy glow of the farm life on his face, and the quick red blood of the mountain in his veins. He came in winter in a cutter and drove all the way a spirited team of black colts. He built a home up Railroad street next to his sisters, Mrs. Nancy T. R. both built by R. D. LaCoe. Truman Day died in 1867 leaving one son, Daniel Fell Day. Crossing Railroad Street where the small office of the Pennsylvania Coal Company stood in 1850, on same plot of ground as old No. 1 shaft now (1911) are the shape of John Howell and D? Davis meat market and a bakery and P. R. Brown Ice Cream parlors. Across the road from Harlow Daman's house is the building erected by the Bowkleys for general merchandise in which some of our best known and successful young men were clerks in the 50's, (Day, Beyea) Opposite the old shaft where in 1850 stood the blacksmith shop of Crandall Thompson, now stands the four story brick of Perrin Brothers manufacturers of macaroni, almost or quite unknown to Pittstonians of 1850. (Next to Perrone's) is the large storage power plant of the Traction Company.

JOHNSON DAY — WING I came to Pittston from town of Day, Saratoga County, N.Y. with my mother, my six year old sister and my grandmother, Mrs. Sophia Daw Wing. We came from Carbondale to Pittston by stage coach. Our journey from Saratoga was made partly by rail and partly by stage coach. On arriving we stopped at Harlow Damon's house, N.E. side, South Main Street, the first house below Railroad Street. On the corner of Rail- road Street and next to the house of Harlow Damon, under the firm name of Damon and Day, was a store for general merchandise. It stands there yet without any enlargement or extensive change, but now, (1910) and for many years has been the West End drug store. The house is now converted into a double dwelling, was then the largest house in that part of the town and was noted for its hospitality and attractive appearance and furnishings. Mrs. Damon was a fine housekeeper and had many qualifications for a brilliant leader in society. The house had been built for a few years by Ralph LaCoe, the leading contractor and builder of the vicinity. He had previously built the Abraham Price house and a short distance below on same side of street. He was very glad to get Mr. Damon's house finished without accident or conflagration and to give it into Mr. Damon's hands. In that early time there was the rough element that usually gathers as a new mining town. As it neared com- pletion he remained on guard day and night, and no police was organized, The two Brookley (?) brothers and the two Price brothers, Ben and Joel, had come from England to Pittston and had opened coal mines up at the head of Railroad Street, back of Zedrik Road. They were experienced miners in England. They built a gravity road from the mines down to the coal basin covered all the lower part of Oregon from R.R. Street to Dock Street. The small coal cars came down with runners standing on their bumpers who carried strong sticks (sprags) in their hands to thrust into the car wheels to act as brakes. But cars ran away and off the track. At the basin end of the railway was a chute which the coal was dumped from the car and sent down into the hold of the canal boat waiting under it. Then the empty cars were drawn by mules or horses back up the grade to the mine to be refilled. These horses had been ridden down by hilarious boys following the cars from the mine to the basin and as soon as the cars were un- loaded two horses were hitched tandem to two cars and drew them back the two miles to the mine. The boys returned in the cars with the runners. There were no laws nor agitation as to the legitimate age limit or ability to read and write and some of the boys were certainly undersized. Most of our miners were Welch, English and Scotch and in 1848 we hear of whole families living in the mine in the old country. Riding horses in the sunshine did not seem hardship at all compared with that. Pittston was a big open place where the conventions of town life were not observed at all times and the restrictions for children were only of the laws made and enforced by their parents. There were two parallel gravity tracks on the east of Railroad street. One led from the Benedcit and Alton mine. Both terminated at Basin. A beautiful little brook ran swiftly down beside the tracks and empties into the canal basin near by back of the present west end Hotel. Railroad Street was a noisy, lively thoroughfare at times 3.0.4.

not many wagons, nor pedestrians made the panarama, but the railroad business was noisy and steady. Trips of loaded cars went down these two gravity roads with shouting runners standing on the bumpers, stout sticks in hand to "sprag" the wheels should the speed become too great, and sometimes a trip would get beyond control and run away getting started at the mines, gaining momentum swiftly until a sharp curve was reached, when they would leave the track. Every loaded trip was followed by a string of mules, ridden by noisy shouting boys, who whipped the steeds and goaded themselves to excitement to reach the basin as soon as the cars had unloaded and to hitch the mules to the cars and draw them up the grade back to the mine to be refilled. The boys rode back in the cars with the runners. They did outside in the light and sunshine what boys now do in the mines. Just beyond the tracks ran a swift noisy brook where the children of the neighborhood sailed boats of shingle, running along the bank to help the boat with a long stick, to clear itself when stranded or pushing it out of an eddy. As in rivalries of modern Dunard's and White Star Lines, so in our shingle boats we saw great possibili- ties and satisfactions, if we might but finish the course ahead of a competitor. "Leave her have her run her race" was the familiar shout of our little German playmates, as he excitedly warned us against interference. Surely had he lived he would have sailed away in boats for his life's voyage—but he was taken from all evil that might be, and gathered home with the large company of little ones in 1852 when scarlet fever was epidemic and preventive science was almost unknown. This creek supplied the boiler house of No. 1 shaft with water. It was made to fill a large tank and from that led to the boiler, this tank served one day to save the life of a little girl whose clothes caught fire from a street bonfire. A carpenter named VanBuskirk picked her up, ran and soused her into this large tank severely burning his own hands, but saving her. There were two canal basins where the boats lay in large numbers waiting to load up with coal. On the big Basin, extended over the lower part of Oregon where Dershimer and Griffin's planing mills and the other manufacturing plants now stand. The LLoyd, or smaller basin, was above Dock street extending up to the "Ravine" or near where the L.V. Freight Station now is. The LLoyd basin received coal from the 3.0.4.

LLoyd property mine, situated back of Pittston near the light track of the Pennsylvania Coal Company, near the old Hapeman home. This company was composed of Messers. LLoyd, Ford, and later Pearce, Clarkson and Love and by them sold to the Pennsylvania Company. It sent its coal to the Basin over the gravity road extending down through the hollow following west side of Broad street, thence down ChJarles Street across Main to the Basin. From Railroad street up town were not as many buildings but we knew the names of their owners and their business. Just across the railroad tracks of the Benedict and Alton, (Maryland) and Brookley and Price Companies was a small building of wood painted white, about as large as the tall house at upper Bridge and standing on stilts. Its door was reached by walking two planks. This was the office of the Washington Coal Co. in the days of small beginnings. Just back of this was the large breaker over No. 1 shaft. For many years the finest of anthracite coal was raised here and lifted to the top from which a trestling led to the coal to the main loaded track which crossed Railroad street above grade, just as it does now. A man and mule received the car. I once had a terrible shock as a child: I saw the man who pushed the emptied cars onto the platform at the head of this shaft go down the shaft after his falling car. There was no breaker over the shaft. Breakers were built later. Each householder was his own breaker. The coal was sold as mined, in lumps size of half a bushel and peck measure. It was of finest bright quality and a few light blows with a coal hammer on the line of cleavage sent the lump into fragments of all sizes. These were easily sorted for stove or grate. A car of this lump coal was hoisted on a platform to the top of the shaft. A man stood ready to go behind it, push it off onto a short narrow railroad to the loaded track which crossed Railroad street. Here he dumped the coal into the large cars and pushed his car back bending all his strength to the task. Then the empty car was sent down to be refilled. The tragedy I witnessed was the result of no platform at the head of the shaft. He fell after his car down past the open windows and I knew he went down the shaft to the bottom of the mine. The platform was not in place to receive his car and the trying to pull it back to safety pulled him over to death. This was one of the early tragedies of the coal mines and its like and others have been frequent ever since. 3.0.4.

Where the shaft stood are now the shops of . After the coal, was mined in the vicinity of the old timber shaft, was taken down, the shaft filled. This shaft pumped its water out through a small wooden pipe into the little creek which ran all the way down from the woods back of Zedrik road, beside the two railroads. Then by a conduit it passed under Main street and flowed into a brook which came from Tompkins Mill Pond. The two creeks flowed together back of present West End Hotel into the big canal Basin opposite Pine Street. Passing up the east side of Main toward Pine was a frame house back from the street, with a basement front where lived Diam Morgan(?) or some newcomers who drank and sold beer. Saloons were not prevalent then. Whiskey or rum were drunk and police surveilance would not trouble a man if he lay alongside the road to sleep off his intoxication. But in this house was over fat beer fed lad of fourteen whose eyes were dull and his manner listless and it was reported among school children that he was a beer drinker and that was what made him so fat and gross. He died early and thus pointed a moral, an object lesson, more forceful than a temperance lecture. This old beer house I believe, still stands back of . At the corner of Pine was a narrow white wooden building built up against the hill, three or four stories in front. It was a most ungainly looking structure. As the long legged Shanghi fowls were newly introduced into this part of the world this tall building was named "Shanghi Hall". Its site is now covered by Keystone Hall. Mr. Lewis Crawford ouilt it and at the same time built for his residence the house back of it on top of the hill. It was painted white, had a gable end to Pine St. without window shutters or porch and no houses near it, but the Pennsylvania Coal Company's loaded track close beside it. When the wind blew hard it looked frail enough to topple over. Mrs. Crawford was Jeanette Benedict, daughter of Samuel Benedict of North Pittston who built and occupied the then very charming house in W. Pittston now owned and occupied by Michael Bolin. On the opposite side of Main Street and lower down near Main was the low roofed white cottage of Joseph Knapp (blacksmith) who had married Myra, daughter of Newman Brown and sister of Mrs. LaGrange Daman. This Knapp house is back of J. Craig's store corner Main and Pine and was for many years after Mr. Knapp left it, the home of David Blanchard and family. Mr. Blanchard had a general store in the building where Mr. C. now is. 3.0.4.

The third building from Pine was a story and a half cottage lifted above a basement store. It stands today, essentially the same in form. A flight of steps at the left led by narrow lane to an upper porch from which the door opened, Jesse Williams lived here and in 1848 conducted a tin and hardware shop in the basement. In 1850 he was in basement of Mr. W. came to Pittston from Connecticut. He had married Eliza Johnson of Dundafff, an aunt of George and Frank Johnson, both for many years in business here. Mr. Williams later conducted a foundry on the ground now covered by and he lived in a stone house across the street and had a small office building next to the hoQse. Continuing up Main street next to the Williams house was the drug store of Blakeley Hall, Foster and Hall. The small building he began with was torn down and replaced by the substantial brick now owned by Barnes. The drug store filled the upper side and Mrs. Hall had a fancy and book store in the southern side and the family used the two flats above for their living rooms. This family came to Pittston from near New Brunswick, N.J., and after selling out here returned there. Mr. Hall was a polished, highly educated gentleman who spent his later years in leisure, cultivating his artistic tastes. Mrs. Hall had conducted a young ladies' school here for some years. She built the schoolhouse on Green, built up a boarding and day school in Brooklyn. Her assistant, her daughter, who died early and Mrs. Hall was for many years before her death very successful in introducing Appleton's Encyclopedia in these mining regions. Blakely, Hall, Journalist of New York City was a son of this house. At the corner of Main and Market streets still stands a :building three story front in good preservation. In 1850 a family named Topliff lived there. The large store below was after occupied by James 0. Donnell whose children are still with us highly respected citizens. Across Market street was the house which still is there. It stood originally up on a sand bank, but excavation was made and the storeroom on a level with the sidewalk was made. It is now a taxicab station. Back of the Topliff house, up the hill half a block, and just below the railroad tracks of the Erie and Laurel Line is the story and a half house in which William Law lived in the early days. None of his large family were then born. Farther up the hill and where Laurel Line Station now is, was a two story frame house in which Patrick Reaves lived. He had married Miss Mary Love of Carbondale. Mr. Reaves 3.0.4. was a supt. of mine machinery of the Pennsylvania Coal Company for many years. He lived in Scranton, retired at an advanced age, with his daughter Louise. George and John Love, brothers of Mrs. Reaves were merchants, and influential business men in early Pittston. Above Market street were some small wooden shops and then opposite where Langan's(?) Shoe store now is stood Col. Bird's Hotel. Col. Bird had kept the Port Mallory when he first came here. He had married Elzia Fell, a widow and whose brother Charles Johnson had a cabinet shop in one of the small buildings above mentioned. Mrs. Bird's first husband was of the family of Jesse Fell of Wilkes Barre who had discovered Anthracite coal's burning qualities. Col. Bird's hotel must have been almost new when it burned. There was no fire company and the merchants kept on hand always a large stock of water pails for such an emergency. Then in case of fire, two bucket lines were formed to nearest water supply. The men handed up their line the filled buckets and the women passed back the empty ones to be refilled. On the night etc. In this case the supply of water was abundant and near by directly in front of the house in the Basin at the rear of Langham's store. They could not save the hotel, but saved nearby buildings. On the west side of Main street all the way up from the Price and Bowkley store now site of West End Hotel, there were no houses until the "Long Store',' now Langham's store. There was no sidewalk, only a path along the side of the road and then a sandy slope down to the creek which flowed from Tompkins Mill pond into the Basin. The building opposite Market Street occupied by J. 0. D. Mangan was put up in , by Mr. Theodore Strong for a steam grist mill. Mr. S's brother-in-law, Hanford Benedict came to Pittston and was employed here as also was Oscar F. Gaines. Young Mr. benedict was full of public spirit and was the promoter of our first Fire Company, the Eagle Hose. This company enlisted the ardor and interest of our very best men. Their personality as well as the highly approved organ- ization they had formed carried the sympathy of the town, and no effort was too good nor cost too heavy to do honor to "The Eagles". February 22d was reserved for the benefit celebration and old Phoenix Hall has been the scene of many a banquet and brilliant oration from our best speakers. It was the great social funtion of the season. High as the organization has always stood in the community it was most highly appreciated in those early days.

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MY OFFERS. I always had men friends who were kind and polite to me. I never was left out of the general sociabilities of the town and I never was without an escort home after an evening, though the young men doubtless compared the thickness of their soles to learn which was the best equipped for the long walk to Railroad Street. I had enough attention from young men to satisfy me, for I was always busy in mind, if not in person; and as for lovers, I had no desire for them, so they had no glowing fancy for an ambitious school-mistress. I went on the even, busy tenor of my way for several years. One evening, I was surprised by a declaration of more than friendship, but there was no apparent disappointment when I explained that friend- ship was all I could give or take. The second time was even more prosaic. It was "Pickwickian", in a sense. My admirer told me across the table, in the parlor, that he had been very successful in agricultural pursuits the past summer, especially in training tomatoes to climb high. I tried to show my interest in his story; and he abruptly changed the subject and asked me if I would consider a proposal of marriage! I did consider it for half a minute — long enough to recover from the surprise — and assured him that I would consider him only in the light of friendship. "0, no matter; no consequence; no matter at all!" said he; and resumed the subject of his raising tomatoes. My third offer came from the one whom I married, after long years of acquaintance and friendship had made us quite indispensible to each other — at least, he, by many thoughtful acts of kindness, had endeared himself to all except my grandmother. She had a scheme for mating me to a son of one of her Methodist sisters. But he nor I never knew it until one day when she and I were passing the house he had just built for the bride of his own choice. Grandmother looked admiringly at it and exclaimed: "Just see what you missed, Ellen!" I never had the vanity to perceive that Cupid ever regarded me with any favor. My husband says the only time he ever asked me to sing a love song for him, I sang: "I tell them they need'nt come wooing to me "For my heart, my heart is over the sea." The lines repeat with accentuated tones and arpeggios. Was'nt I dense! Most girls would have seen the opportunity; but not I. I deserved to miss my chance for a good husband; but this blunder 3.0.4. of ignorance was over-ruled and after a long time, when I was a thirty- four year old spinster, he — as he says — "snatched me as a brand from the burning" and set me on the throne I still grace as wife and mother. As for my qualifications as a home-maker, there were differences of opinion. One good man, whose son and daughter had been in my school, said it was "a case of a good teacher spoiled for a poor house-keeper." I never believed selfish motives prompted the remark, but he was a friend of my husband's, who was the object of many commiserating glances and condolences, for a school-mistress was by habit and tendency and autocrat and a visionary theorist. But we succeeded very well. Grandmother had gone to her Heavenly home: and Mother and Georgia were happy to have my husband come into this house. I kept house and cooked by books. George made garden and raised excellent vegetables by Dreer's books; and Mother was happy and independent, teaching her little primary school in our present library, until the sweet, little tyrant, Baby Emily, came and afforded the doting Grandmother plenty of occupation and eventually, cleared the house of all those other little lords and ladies, and claimed for herself all the smiles and obedience of the entire family and its connections. I cannot go into the memories of her wonderful growth and her Aunt Georgia's jealous love and care. It would fill a small volume and yet leave much untold. And so would the tale of my big-eyed, round-faced, strong and comfortable Bert, concerning whom I never worried, except when he had croup. And last of all, my baby, Nat, with frail body and strong will and affection, who would have died but for the watchful care of a devoted Grandmother and the inherent bright and strong spirit and elastic constitution, which would not stay bound for long. The story of each of these would be of boundless interest to me, if it had been noted down from year to year. It is all written in the Book of Life; and will be unfolded when the Last Day of Earth is ended and the New Life begun.

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PERSONAL NOTES BY MOTHER Jan. 26th 1911, walked down Main Street to R. R. Bridge. The old Oliver house, corner Main and Oak, is well kept state. The Abram Price house unchanged and weather worn, but occupied. The whole front yard cut away and the cellar extended to sidewalk of Main street — this basement divided into four small station shops. Retracing my steps further, the gray brick house built by Morgan and later property and residence of Joseph Schooley stands unchanged. The wooden build- ing next is an Italian Cafe, and next above is the large two story frame house built for Harlow Damon, by R. D. LaCoe, in 1846-7. It is now a double tenement but still has the look of a cheerful, well lighted and hospitable home. Mr. Daman came to Pittston at the call of his uncle Volney Maxwell, a practicing lawyer and influential citizen of Wilkes Barre. Mr. and Mrs. Daman came to Pittston with their two young sons and boarded at the Port Mallory Hotel until their new house should be finished. Mrs. daman was well known for her excellent hospitality and housekeeping. Soon after coming into her home she added to her family a young lady niece Miss Ellithup(?) from Day, New York, and a cousin Miss Wetherby, a piano music teacher. With so much cheerful atmosphere the house became the center of a social festivities. In the West Parlor, in 1855 Miss Ellithrup was united in marriage to Oscar F.Gaines of Boontown, N. J., whose uncle Marquis Gaines was paymaster for the Pennsylvania Coal Co. and brother in law of General Ewen, 1st President of the Coal Company. Oscar was clerk. 3.0.4.

STEPHEN MILLER and MARY GOODRICH Rev. John Miller.

A glance at the home and business life of Stephen Miller will illustrate the varied trials of the early settler in this valley. Where there was little machinery in use, and facilities for travel or communication with the outside world were meagre, Stephen Miller was the third child of Samuel and Susanna (Phillips) Miller, who sold their 200 acre tract of land now covered by Pittston City and bought instead a farm at Hughestown (all called "Pittstown" then). On this farm, Stephen Miller was born and reared. When eighteen years old he married Mary Goodrich of Providence, Pa., March 3, 1811. Her name was suggestive, in both syllables of what she proved to be to him. She had an unusual training to fit her for a pioneer's wife. Her father was killed while clearing his farm in Providence, by a tree he was felling, crushing him to the earth. He left a wife and five daughters on an uncleared forest farm! Two of the daughters, Mary and Anna, took the axe and felled the trees in two acres, logged and burnt it, then hired a man to plow it. Thus they were able to raise food for this family. After this, Mary worked a whole year for a family, and brought home her wages which was nineteen bushels of grain. For a year after his marriage, Stephen's home was with his parents. Meantime he was clearing a small part of a farm in Scott Township, 100 acres of uncleared land, presented to him by his generous grandfather, John Phillips in 1812. He put up a crude log cabin on his clearing and loaded a wagon drawn by oxen, with household goods to furnish the new home, they set out May 5, 1812 to begin housekeeping by them- selves. The nearest road was the main road and led from Pittston to Clarks Green. When they reached this point they were two and a half miles from their home in the deep forest. From here, Mary, with her babe William in her arms, set out to walk in , as easier than to ride over the woods road. Stephen drove the team. Both had mishaps before they met at their own doorway. I speak advisedly — there was a door- way, but no door as yet. Mary had only marked trees for a guide. She lost her way, and was on the point of giving up in bewilderment, when she saw smoke curling up in the distance. She found it and found also Mrs. Weatherly who directed her to her own house about a mile away. For this kind neighbor, Mary had always the warmest affection. 3.0.4.

Stephen meantime had his troubles getting the wagon over the rough road. It jolted over the rocks, and several times got fast in the mire; he had each time to unload it, get the wheels out and on solid ground, then re-load and jolt on till another quagmire made him repeat the labor. But they arrived at the cabin without any serious mishap. They unloaded the goods, hung a quilt at the doorway and committed themselves to the watchful care of the all seeing ey® which penetrates the dark recesses of the forest and looks after its own. The first necessity was to enlarge the little clearing and plant a garden and some grain. They tried to fell the trees across each other, then pile brush and burn them. Thus did all the pioneers, sacrificing the grandest oaks, maples and beeches, to make room for themselves to grow. The nearest grist mill was Babb's, twenty miles away. There Stephen must go with his grist on his back and bring it back the same way - and all the way afoot - he had no horses, and he could not go and come in one day. He must be away overnight and thus leave Mary and her child alone with only a quilt hung for a door and the wolves howling outside. In these days of multiplied facilities for travel, of abundant money in circulation, of near neighbors, it is impossible to realize the heroism of the women of that wilderness. But Mary Goodrich was a woman of character and strong nerve, able and willing to go out and help her young husband when he came in so discouraged and exhausted that he wept and said he believed he could not clear the farm. Is it any wonder he was discouraged? After the trees were off in some parts, there were so many stones that an ox team had to pick its way among them. Mary was seven years older than Stephen, and with the experience she had had in clearing her father's farm, could encourage him with loving words and actual labor. She would go out with him and help in clearing and building fences. Within a few years their farm was filled with grain and their home with happy children. In the Fall and Winter, Stephen would trap and hunt deer, pheasants, wild turkeys, some of which weighed thirty pounds. In the Spring he made maple sugar. There was little money in the country but these articles of food were saleable and he used to carry them on his back to Wilkes Barre, the nearest market and exchange them for cloth, leather and the many necessities needed for a growing family. This was a walk of thirty miles each way, carrying a load. Later, he had horses and made these journeys on horseback. In the lona winter eveninas he made uo the leather into boots 3.0.4. and shoes; one pair for each of the family, every year. In the Spring the children went bare foot. If their shoes were not worn out, they answered for Sunday wear. In those days the shoemaker's bench and outfit, was a necessity in the pioneer home, as well as the spinning wheels for wool and flax. Every farmer was supposed to raise sheep and flax and the boys and girls had to learn how to turn them into cloth for the family use. The farmer was an agriculturist, and his family were manufacturers. Stephen Miller and his wife were of sunny hopeful dispositions and knew the secrets of making a home happy for their children. They spent their winter evenings quite as happily as their descendants who lived in the age of theaters and other public places of amusement. They sat around the big fire place, the father doing the shoe making, or mending or other work, the wife and children, spinning, knitting sewing, reading or singing. When bedtime came like Longfellow's Village Blacksmith, they could feel, "Something attempted, something done, Had earned a night's repose". During the winter, large piles of wood must be cut for the year's use. The muscles of the boys were hard and without a Gymnasium. The Summer was spent in clearing more land and putting in and gathering the crops. Wolves, Bear, Deer and other wild animals were plentiful and sometimes attacked the cattle and fowls, and Stephen Miller used often to drive them out of his cornfields. One day he heard a disturbance among his geese. He found a gander fighting a fox in defense of the flock. The geese scampered away and left their protector to battle with the intruder. He pitched at the fox, beating him repeatedly with his wings, until the robber was forced to flee and seek his meal elsewhere. One evening, Mary Miller was going for her cow; a little dog with her began barking furiously. She saw the occasion of it was a black bear lying across the path. Unable to call the dog away, she tied her apron string around his neck and led him around the bear, and went on after the cow. She had better nerves than her descendants probably have. Another trial to a large family was the loss of the last remaining cow, and this occured three times. One was drowned, the next was killed by a colt, the third by a darning needle lost from Mary's shawl when she went to the stack to feed the cow. An autopsy revealed the needle sticking in the cow's heart. In those days, the men were obliged to have a military training. Stephen would naturally belong to Capt. Ebenezer Slocum's comoany 3.0.4. from Providence. These came to Pittston for "Training Days". (see the War of the Cockades — Jas. Gordon) One time when Stephen went to the Training, he took his wife and three oldest children with him, leaving three daughters, Elmina, Melissa and Arlemissa, with their cousin Dorcas Aton to keep house. While they were away, the house took fire and some of them ran a mile for Paulus Leonard, who put it out. Fortunately, it was of logs, and not so inflammable as board would have been, and the house was built, as was common in those days near a large spring. The four girls may be imagined as forming a bucket brigade from the spring to the house, while Paulas poured it on the flames. Rev. John Miller, was the only minister in all that region. He was not an impecurious dependant on the votes of a fickle congrega- tion. He had taken opportunities to buy land and was considered "well-to-do". He lived on his farm in Abington. At one time he bought several pieces of cloth to sell. Mary Miller bought five yards of calico of him at forty cents a yard for her eldest daughter, Elmina. The bill was $2.00, and Elmina paid it by spinning wool for him at fifty cents a week! Those were times when the people worked hard for all they had. Melissa, the next-eldest daughter to Elmina, worked for her Uncle Rufus, for several years, at seventy five cents a week. Besides clothing herself, she managed, by strict economy to save one hundred dollars and with it purchased a comfortable outfit when she married. This Uncle Rufus Miller had a foundry at Old Forge, (Pittston) in which they used charcoal for fuel. Mary Miller was a prudent thrifty manager of her home. She would never permit herself to use the last of any supply lest an emergency should arise and it be needed. When it got low, she used something else, of which she had more. In this way her pantry always afforded a variety and the poor and the sick always shared its stores. She rode on horseback sometimes with two children. About twenty five years before her death, she fell dislocating her hip and ever after used one, sometimes two crutches. Yet her energy and will power impelled her to walk at eighty-two years of age, a distance of over three miles to visit her son Luther. From early life, Stephen and Mary Miller were exemplary members of the Abington Baptist Church. Stephen died in 1862 from a stroke of apoplexy. He fell from his wagon dead, leaving the farm and the home which had replaced the log cabin long since, to Stephen, his son. who should Drovide and care for his mother, so lona as she lived. 3.0.4.

She survived him seven years. Both were laid to rest in the family burial plot Stephen had set off from his farm, where many of his descendants also lie. "Stephen and Mary Miller, of noble ancestry, made strong in faith and in body by the many hardships and trials they met, rearing their children in the fear of God, by precept and example, teaching them industry and frugality, saw them all settled in farms, thrifty and prosperous, blessed with all the necessities and comforts of life; and now their descendants rise up and call them blessed".

John Phillips - married in 1843 Francis Phillips — John b. Jan. 4, 1752 married Mary Chamberlain Jan. 20, 1771. They had six children.

Martha - b. Oct. 1771 — married John Tripp Dec. 9, 1789 children: Wm. R., James, Sally, Polly, Zacheus, David and Pamela.

Susannah - b. Aug. 7, 1773—married Samuel Miller Sept. 7, 1778? children: Amos, Caleb, Stephen, Lois, Ruth, Amanda, Rufus, Louisa, Lewis, twins(Tryphma-died and Tryphosa, called melissa Martin, Azubah.

John Phillips. 3.0.4.

ELI5HA DELANO. (.written by James a. Gordon and first published in the Pittston Gazette in 1874) Elisha Delano, who settled first in Hanover and afterward in Pittston was of French Hugenot descent. His ancestors made their escape from the city of Mentz at the time of the massacre of St. Bartholamew, going from thence to England and in 1664 came to Boston with General Humphrey Atherton. Elisha Delano was born in Sharon, Connecticut. His Father was Thos. Delano and his Nephew was Columbus Delano, Secretary of the Interior. In 1779 or 1780 Mr. Delano came to Hanover with the Hurlbut family. Elisha was then nineteen years old, and had just completed his apprenticeship as a cabinet maker and house carpenter, to which he added that of mill wright. He was not urged to come to Wyoming by the representations of the Proprietors alone. There was a certain attraction in the shape of a certain pretty girl, a native of the same town of Sharon, who had preceeded him. Under this influence he shouldered his knapsack and overtook John Hurlbut and his family at Stroudsburg in the Fall of 1779 or the Spring of 1780. Reaching Hanover, he looked about for a water power, with the intention of erecting a grist mill, of which there was great need. At that time there was only a single grist mill on the East side of the river, all the way from Lackawanna Falls to Nanticoke and there was none there. This was John Hollenbacks at Mill creek, one mile above Wilkes Barre. Securing his water power and a few acres attached, he made his home at Frederick Crismans. He commenced operations by going to the mountains, three miles distant, and working out his mill stones from the conglomerate rock, or "Pudding Stone"; finished them, all with his own hands, built his dam of stone, made his gears and built his mill of logs, surmounted by a frame dwelling above for the accommodation of his partner-to-be, Mary Atherton, of Capouse. The Mill was ready to grind in the Fall of 1782. It was located about a mile up a creek that emptied into the River at the head of Nanticoke Pool and was later known as the Behee Mill. It was about half a mile from the old red tavern kept for many years by Frederick Crisman. In 1783 the little log mill was crowded with bags of grist, corn, wheat and rye and the water kept it whirling from early morn till late at night. But he had no Bolter. Bolting cloth was not to be 3.0.4. had in the valley. The customers of the mill had to seive their flour through hair seives, as no wire seives were then made. This did not come up to Mr. Delano's idea of a mill, so he collected 10 or 15 dollars and procuring a letter of introduction from Col. Zebulon Butler to the Wagners of Easton, the great millers of the day, he shouldered his knapsack and rifle and walked the forty miles to Easton. He returned the fifth day after with his bolting cloth and a saddle of venison that he had shot on the way back. The cost of this cloth was $40.00, for which he gave his note for six months with interest. The bolt was soon in operation, though turned by a crank, the patrons of the mill doing their own turning. Corn was the great staple in those days, made into mush or Johnny Cake with a pudding sauce of maple sugar or wild honey from the "Honey Pot". In 1782 Mr. Delano brought his bride to live in the house over the mill. In those days, weddings were rare and always celebrated by the neighbourhood as the "home bringing". Especially was this the custom with the Paxton people from Southern Pennsylvania. The young mistress of the mill had a hearty reception from these warm- hearted Scotch-Irish people, to which she often referred in her old age. (Copy) The ensuing ten years was a season of prosperity to the young miller: but an unseen calamity came suddenly upon him and pros- trated all his hopes. On the morning of the 6th of October, 1786, occurred one of the most disastrous floods that ever occurred in the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys. It is known in our local histories as the "pumpkin flood." Mr. Delano had been busy all the previous day running the mill to its full capacity up to 12 o'clock midnight, when he shut down and retired to rest, without any apprehension of the coming danger. Falling into a profound slumber from which he was awakened at early dawn by the rushing of wild waters and the screams of his wife and children. The swollen waters had undermined the structure during the night and he awoke to the fact that the mill was upon the point of tottering into the abyss of waters below the dam. His first care was to piace his wife and two children on terra firma, the next was to save his bolter and the grists of his customers which was ready for delivery. At this critical juncture, Stephen Burri'tt, the brother of Mrs. Judge Hollenback, made his appearance. Mr. Delano was in the mill and his wife screaming for aid. Stephen shouted to him to 3.0.4. come out. In another minute the mill went over on its side and Mrs. Delano fell down in utter despair. Stephen Burritt, however, kept cool and when Mr. D. arose to the surface from the uncovered space left by the capsizing of the mill, holding on to the bolting chest, Burritt seized a long pole that happened to be lying there and reached the end to the struggling man and drew him safely ashore, bolter and all. The next was the awakening of Mrs. Delano to consciousness; and the next was a kneeling group of the two men and the mother clasping her two children, giving thanks to their Father in Heaven for their preservation. What a scene for a painter! Could not some imaginative artist put it on canvas for the Republican? Do any of my readers ask how I came by this? Well, to save myself from the imputation of being put down as a writer of fiction, I will only say that I have heard Mrs. Delano tell the story to her children when she was an old woman, and I remember very well that her eyes would be suffused with tears and her enthusiastic expression of grati- tude to Stephen Bejrritt for saving the life of her husband. Notwithstanding these discouraging items of his young manhood, in three months he had his mill in running order again and continued to do the grinding for the people of Hanover up to the time of the erection of the Alden mill on Nanticoke Creek, of which mill he was the mill-wright and put it in successful operation. Of course the Alden mill was in competition with his own mill, but he thought he was fully compensated by his three dollars a day received from the Aldens. He continued in Hanover up to 1799 running his mill and practicing his trade as a house builder and a cabinet maker. He was the architect and builder of the old Red Tavern for Fredk. Chrisman. In 1799 he purchased the Connecticut claim for 50 acres with the water power of the Lackawanna river ajacent and here his connection with Hanover ends and his subsequent career belongs to the history of Pittston and I close this article by saying that he left the valley in 1814 or 1815. He had five daughters and three sons, Elisha, who now resides at Penn Yan, N.Y.; Cornelius, who fell with David Crockett at the Alamo, in texas and Albert, who went to Texas in 1831, where he amassed a large landed estate, but died early, unmarried and without issue. His eldest daughter Pamela married Hugh Anderson, of Philadelphia and she is the only one of his children who left issue. One of her daughters now resides on River street, Wilkesbarre, Mrs. Shearer. Her mother was one of the children I have described in that praying qroup." V V V V V V V V 291

11| ,mr.

iUy Corneliui • s and Eleazer Atherton.

Historical Papers Read Before Dial RocK Chapter, Daughters ol the American Revolution, \ West Pittston, Pa.

(From the Taylorville Journal, of Au- moved to Cambridge, near Boston, • V gust 24, 1889.) where he superintended an armory The following article appeared in belonging to Samuel Adams, a brother the Scranton Weekly Republican of to Joh^i Adams, at one time President April 1st, 1874; as it contains many of the United States. Here It was facts intimately connected with the that he Invented Clothier's Shears, to early history of the Lackawanna and which Dr. Hollister refers In his his- Wyoming Valleys, we herewith repub- tory of the Lackawanna Valley, and he lish it. For as many have undertak- made guns for the Revolution. The en to gather up and write out all the British commander at the Port of Bos- historical facts for publication con- ton, learning that they were turning nected with the early settlement of the out guns and that citizens were being Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys supplied, judged from the growing dis- and having in our possession many cord between the colonists and the facts and incidents that have never mother country, that they would ere been committed to any of the authors long be turned against him, sent down who have written on the subject and a detachment of soldiers and burned believing that they will prove Inter- the works to the ground. esting to the public, I give them to He soon after moved to Plymouth your readers for what they are worth. In about the year 1775 or '76, where Perhaps it is sufficient to say at the he worked at his trade making hoes i outset that the lapse of time, as so far and fills as well as general work per- from lessening the interest In every- taining to his calling. He kept a large f thing connected with the early history trading canoe that he loaded with ar- of the valleys referred to, has seemed ticles of his own manufacture, his boys only to increase and intensify it. running it to Northumberland and pol- The subject of this sketch is Cor- ing It back all the way to Plymouth. nelius Atherton, the grandson of Col. This was the first primitive engine Humphrey Atherton, who served In that plowed the waters of the Susque- what is known as King Philip's War hanna. and from whom all the Atherton fam- In connection with the narrative of ily in America are descendants. Cor- the Wyoming Massacre, I wish, before nelius was born in 173 6 and died De- proceeding further, to correct a state- cember 4th, 1809, aged seventy-three ment made by Col. Wrighl in his y6ars. Previous to his settlement In "Sketches of Plymouth." He speaks Plymouth, he resided in Dutchess of Jabez Atherton, who fell in the bat- county, New York, in what was known tle of Wyoming, as if he were the bro- j, ' battle of Wyoming. If to erect-the works under his superin- any of the Athertons furnished the tendence and he to instruct their work- Colonel with his information, I have men in the art. The works were aban- only to say that they made a big blun- doned. These works were erected in der. If he guessed at it, he should 1772. A copy of the contract is in the have said so. But to the narrative: possession of the writer. He next When It was decided to give battle to S3'-- • "'••''• •••• •'( • i/ ':-I • • , .,. - v 1 <;• ii • >

' 1 . N

the enemy, Cornelius was drafted to old mare, with their beds and bedding serve In that engagement, Jabez above for a saddle. They had not gone far referred to, who was the oldest son before a woman had given out. A ot Cornelius, Immediately objected and halt was ordered and a council called with love unexcelled for his parents which decided that she should be put and young brothers and sisters, cheer- upon the old mare behind Mrs. Ather- fully volunteered to become his sub- ton. stitute. His words were these: "Fa- No sooner done than the old mare ther, if you fall, what -will become of sank to the ground from sheer ex- mother and, the children ? If I fall, haustion, unable to sustain the mighty you will be here to take care of them." load. A litter was then made, upon He was accepted and mustered In. In which she wag put and carried upon moving up to the scene of conflict, he men's shoulders. When they camped had to pass the humble dwelling of for the night, the cows were milked, his parents. The family all came out the milk being measured and divided to see the troops pass. They were all by the number of mouths, all sharing deeply moved. Sighs and groans were alike. A pot of rye mush was made heard and tears flowed freely. It was and so many spoonsful given to each the last look on both sides. My father one. This, by the way, no inferior could never speak of this affecting supper, although it was, no doubt, too scene without crying like a child. He limited in quantity. The cows fed fell, and his name heads the list on the about In the woods (which then af- Wyoming Monument. His body was, forded fine pasturage) during the ev- no doubt, among the number of those ening and, when full, came up and lay boys who were found so horribly mu- down just outside the ring. The tilated near Queen Esther's liock. horses were tied up to trees without a mouthful to eat, there being no so- When the news of the disastrous en- ciety to prevent cruelty to animals nor gagement reached Cornelius, he began even cruelty to man, but the necessi- at once to prepare for flight. His ties of the ca.se could not have been wife, a sickly woman, was then con- controlled by either kindness or law. fined to her bed, but fear of danger I leave the reader now to these his- sometimes proves a powerful tonic, as torians who have followed up these It did in this case. Soon all were on unfortunates by simply saying that the march to the river, with a few of they wandered about in New Jersey, their most valuable goods, designing to being afflicted and destitute, having embark in their trading canoe. When suffered the loss of all things, sorrow- ihey arrived at the river bank their ing most of all for their dead they had canoe was gone. Some refugee in his left behind that could not have even flight had preceded them. The father a decent burial. Verily these were and his boys returned ac once to their days that tried men's souls. dwelling and took up all the floor hoards, taking them to the river, with Mr. Atherton remained in New Jer- which they constructed a raft and all sey but a year or two, when he re- got on board. After running a few turned to Lackawanna and took up miles, they overtook the man who had six hundred acres, four hundred of taken their canoe, which he at once which his sons John and Eleaser paid gave up and all were transferred to it. for, half a century ago. John brought They ran as far as Nantlcoke, the ap- up a large family on the very spot now pointed place of rendezvous. Cornelius occupied by the Taylorville depot and had a horse with which John, the sec- Eleaser kept house on the site occu- ond son, In company with others who pied by Ira C. Atherton, where he and had horses, proceeded by land on the the wife of his youth lived more than west side of the river. In crossing ov- sixty years before death did them part, er with the horses, he had to swim but T digress. t them, the men being in the canoe, hold- Cornelius lost his first wife soon af- ing on to the halters and when nearly ter the flight, while in New Jersey. He across the horse by pulling back had married a second wife in 1786, by so retarded the progress of the canoe whom he had seven children; he also that they let go the halters and the had seven by his first wife. He erect- horses turned around and swam back. ed a house about thirty rods east of Taylorville depot, on the brow of the After all things were made ready hill overlooking the river. Here tHe the march began. Mrs. Atherton, be- children of the second wife were all ing unable to walk, was put upon an born, but one. It Is believed that he remained here some twenty years, af- er is not positive as to the correctness ter which he removed to the vicinity o£ of his dates, but the facts stated are South Bainbrldge, Chenango County, true and can be substantiated by liv- N. Y., where he died in 1809, as stated ing witnesses. before. E. A. ATHERTON. I cannot close this sketch without referring to his religious character. It is not known at what period he ex- perienced that change of heart which Cornelius Atherton is named a the Saviour termed the new birth, the "blacksmith" by trade. He was only real commencement of the Chris- much more than that term usu- tian life. It is known, however, that ally means. He was an inventor, a after his settlement In Lackawanna, worker in steel and Iron and a manu- his Christian life assumed a very ear- facturer of many Implements useful nest and decided character.' He was to the farmers and mechanics of those greatly moved at the religious destitu- days. The trade of "blacksmith" tion that prevailed at that time. Min- meant, in those days, a training in isters of the Gospel were few; once In useful mechanic arts of a wide range. three months, perhaps, some traveling The so-called "blacksmith" of the ear- preacher would come along and hold ly days was indispensable to the com- forth in some private house or barn. In munity. It could dispense with hank- obedience to the Saviour's command, ers and dry-goods merchants and pro- "as ye go, preach," and this too with fessional men, generally, but It needed an unction and power that some of most imperatively the man who could the present ministry, at least, would make farming tools and mill machin- do Well to imitate. Mr. 'Atherton, un- ery and stoves and household furnish- der this state of things, from a stern ings, who was not bound by a narrow sense of duty, began calling the peo- line of thought and of work, but who . ple together on Sabbath, reading to was versatile and ingenious in inven'" them sermons from books, and even tions and in adapting means to ends. went so far as to follow them by stir- ring exhortations; he likewise kept up Such a man was Cornelius Ather- weekly prayer meetings in the neigh- ton, "blacksmith," the inventor of the borhood. His piety, however, shone first pair of clothiers' shears used in forth brightest of all in the family cir- America, besides discovering a pro- cle. An aged friend of mine, who cess for manufacturing steel—one of often shared the hospitality of his the men whose name should be writ- dwelling, says he never knew him to ten as one who helped his fellowmen. omit family prayer, either morning or evening. He had one place where he stood In the old puritanic style, with arms outstretched, and hands and face • (Pittston Gazette, by Penn, Jr.) upturned to Heaven, and there he in- voked blessings upon himself and fam- ELKAZJEK ATHERTON ily. He was evangelical in all his March 9, 1852, died at hi.? home in views of Christian doctrine, except as Lackawanna, Ele-azer Atherton, aged to the eternity of future punishment. 8 7 years. He Indulged the hope that somehow Such a man deserves more than a God would bring all His creatures p.-i-sslng notice. His life bad been o-ne home t<> Heaven at last, but this never of heroism ar>d self-sacrifice. -He was lessened his efforts to bring men to a son of Cornelius Atherton, frotio Christ; for it was his hope, not his be- Dutchess county, New York, who came lief, as letters in my possession clearly to Plymouth, Wyoming Valley, In show. We can judge that with most March, 1778. That was a time full of of those who call themselves IJnlver- ominous forebodings. Rumors o-f the salists, It is likewise true, that ft Is preparations making- at the. headwat- with them more the hope than the be- ers of the Susquehanna to destroy lief. His end was peace. He was the settlement were wafted on the loved by all who knew him. breeze an^ urg-ent calls upon Wash- ington foir aid haid gone forth. In Thus have I imperfectly sought to the absence of the natural protectors, do justice to the memory of one much the voung. strong men

JESSE AND THE EEL WEIR.

Jesse was a distinguished character at that day in Pittston, was at that time about 17 years old and a notorious practical joker, and possession of a vigorous and vivid imagination. By the laws of the Eel Weir Co. each shareholder was to take his turn at watching or "lend a hand" - on one occasion - Mr. Carey engaged Jesse to take his place, and Daniel Searle was to be his companion. When Jesse was ready, Mr. Carey gave him a small flask of "Old Jamaica". It so happened however that Dan'1 Searle failed to appear, and Jesse was obliged to put off in his dugout alone. I remark here, that the law of the company was, that the watchers were required to bring the eels to the ferry landing, or a short distance above it. At which point the shareholders met to receive their re- spective allotments of the product of the eel weir. When the watchers came from the weir in the morning they were always cordially greeted at the landing by the shareholders. It was Saturday evening when Jesse set out. All the stockholders anticipated a luxurious breakfast and were at the landing at or before sunrise. Laton Slocum was especially anxious to see Jesse and the silver snakes, but no Jesse, no dug-out appeared. Bill Tompkins said Jess was missing and there was no use in waiting for him. So all went home to chew the cud of disappointment and get their breakfasts as best they could. After breakfast Wm. Cary said, "Laton, you and Gordon go out and see what has become of Jess. It was a fine night for a good run. Jess must have those eels somewhere." He found Jesse at his home in bed. "Jesse, what have you done with the eels?" Rubbing his drowsy eyes he said, "Now Laton, don't you flare up, but give me a chance to explain". "Well, go ahead and explain; but remember we shall hold you responsible". "Exactly so. You know that Dan Searle didn't come and I went to that weir alone in that crazy dugout. After reaching the weir I arranged my machinery, put my rake in position and began to feel down the basket for eels. It was dark,too. About eleven o'clock, I was startled by the appearance of an imposing female figure landing abruptly upon the platform of the basket. As soon as I could suffi- 3.0.4. ciently from my fright, I demanded, 'Who are you and what do you want here?' The response was in a solemn tone; 'I am the Ghost of the Rose of the Sun Mountain. I used to live up there many moons ago. I have permission from the Sachem of the Happy Hunting Grounds to re-visit my native haunts here at the Lackawanna and Wyoming'" Laton interrupted, "Now Jess, none of your yarns! I want to know where the eels are! You needn't tell me you've seen an Indian Ghost." "Fact, Laton, true as preaching!" "Well now," argued Laton, "did she speak Indian or English?" "She spoke Indian, but I heard her in English just as in the days of Pentecost when they all heard the apostles in their own language. I have actually seen the Ghost of the Rose of the Sun Mountain of whom David Brown and Ishmael Bennett have so often told me and, unless you can be attentive you will never know what became of those eels." Laton settled down and Jess began the story of The Legend of the Rose of Sun Mountain. William Sax — son of John Sax, to Pittston in 1831. Firm of Clark & Sax—then Sax and Chas. Foster, until 1875, retired from business, died 1904. Meth Ch. 50 years. John Huntley — and Hannah Sheperd Huntley — came in 1849.

Swallow, Joseph and Inkerman - married Mary Cooper (child Miner) Danl. born 1813 - married Mary Knapp, lived 40 years in Inkerman William H. - born in Pittston township 1843.

In a list of muster roll of Capt. Ransom's 2d Independent Co. of Wyoming appears the name of Lieut, John Jenkins with the added information "joined the company July 6, 1778. He had been in captivi the winter preceeding. John Jenkins, Jr. Was made lieutenant in place of Asahel Buck resigned, in the 1st Independent company of Captain Durkee. This company left the valley in December but in November, Lieut. Jenkins was captured by the Indians near Wyalusing and kept a prisoner at Fort Niagara, the entire winter. With Lieut. Jenkins were taken Amos York and Lemuel Fitch and an old man named Fitzgerald whom they told he must either join the king or die. He replied he would rather die than desert his country. They let him go. Jenkins and the others were taken to Fort Niagara where they suffered severe hardships.

CHILDREN OF JOHN AND MARY CHAMBERLAIN PHILLIPS. Mary - born May 4, 1778 - married Isaac Hewitt. No record is found of her children, no date of her marriage. Dethie (Capt.) was son of Isaac - This must be Dethie (2) or else the child of a former marriage. Hosea - born May 5, 1781 - married Lavenna Davis 1799 - Children Sarah, Mary, Francis, Mary(?), Betsy, Hosea, Lavinna, Fanna, Susannah Louisa. Comer - Nov. 1783 - married Hannah Mott, Feb. 5, 1807 - Children Polly, John, Comer, Washington, Edward Lee, Isaac Hewett, Martha, John, Caroline, Milton Gordon, Hannah E. 3.0.4.

Eleazer A. Atherton - married Martha Kanaan. She was the teacher of the first Sabbath School in Lackawanna County. The sessions being always opened with prayer. Their nine children were: Martha, Mary, Thomas, Margaret, Elisha-born 1798 died 1880, Sarah, Joseph, John, Eleazer A. Eleazer Atherton died Mar. 3, 1832, aged 87 yrs. 3 mos. - His wife died May 31, 1859 aged 87 yrs. Both interred at Taylor. John (a farmer) - born 1790 at Taylor - married Catharine Ward. Their children: Phebe, Boyd, Caroline, Sarah, James, Ira C. Ira C. (a carpenter) born 1819 - married Mary J. Pulver. Their children: George - born 1840; Mary E. 1848; Kate L. married C. H. Van Horn; Helen - married T. R. Bowen; Georgiana - married Rev. E. L. Santee; Willard - married Margaret Whiteford. Ira C. - died June 25, 1897. John D. (son of Ira) is a merchant of Taylor John A. (brother of Elisha - married married Catharine Ward. John & wife Catharine, Eleazer (their father) united (1821) with Cyrus Gildersleeve's Church.

Josiah Lewis - died at Lackawanna at age 79. He was a surveyor in his youth, and a wag—A passerby said, "Stop, Lewis, and tell us a lie"—Can't do it, my wife there's a canoe load of shad just in and my wife wants some". The passerby followed on to get some also and found the "sell" (told by George Johnson) Josiah Lewis came to Wilkes Barre 1806, to Lackawanna 1835. Died in 1851.

Francis Phillips was a Rev. soldier from Pownal(?). — John Phillips, his son was born in 1752 - married Mary Chamberlain in 1771 probably in Tennant. Had six children: Martha born 1771 - married John Tripp 1789, six children; Susannah born 1773 - married Sam1 Miller 1788, Children: Amos, Caleb, Stephen, Lois, Ruth, Amanda, Rufus, Louisa, Lewis, Tryphena and triphosa (twins, (Tryphosa died- Tryphena was named Melissa), John Phillips, Martin and Agubah. Sarah born 1775 - married Capt. Isaac Tadson(?) 1794, children: Arnzi(?), Betty, Polly, John, Eleeta, Merritt, Isaac Phillips, Sally Aurora, Tommy, Melvina Miller^ Mary born 1778, married Isaac Hewett - no record of marriage nor of children exists, he was a widower father of Capt. Dethie Hewett; Hosea born 1781, married Lavinna Davis 1799 - children were Sarah, Francis, Mary, Betsey, Hosea, Lavinette, Fanna, Susanna, Louisa: Comer born 1783, married Hannah Mott 1807 - children John Phillips, a Rev. soldier from Pownal, Vt. His wife Mary Chamberlain died 1815. He married 1816 Mrs. Lydia Tripp Harding. In 1842 he married Mrs. Bathsheba Green. He died 1846. Burried in Marcy Cemetery - Saml. Miller, a leading church member, advice sought, died 1859. Saml. Miller married Susann Phillips 1788. She died 1849. Among their children were Stephen who married Mary Goodrich - and Rufus, who married first, Betsey Mac(?) Knight 1802. Firstchild, Susan ; Second, Cynthia Howard - children Garrick, Mallory and Stephen (mrs. C.'s father of Wilkes Barre, Elinor, Mary P., Miranda Betsey, Moses and Aaron (twins), Aznbah, George, Sarah Jann, all born at Lackawanna. Samuel and Susannah P. - childrenStephen & Mary Goodrich: Rufus & Cynthia Howard. Rufus was born 1802. Cynthia born 1806, her father came to Lackawanna 1825. Rufus & Wm Howard established a foundry. Wm H. left the business to Rufus. Erastus Smith 1829 had a foundry for plows, stoves & household utensils, used coal and made grates & stoves to burn it. He followed up Judge Fell's discovery. Had a grist mill & other manufacture plants was a justice of the Peace, school director & member of M.E. Church, his wife died in 1865. He married again and moved to Scranton, and died in 1877. Erastus Smith had eight children: Thomas,settled in Abington; Hulda Alsworth, married Lyman Drake; Emily Louise, married Charles Dorr.

From Jubilee Gazette: Richard (Dick) Brown was a blacksmith at Duryea. John Hoffman on Butler Street, up hill. Jos. Helm's shoe shop was opposite the turn-table. Hyde Jenkins. Thos. Benedict near the Ravine Shaft. A small opening of coal at Yatesville, where John stout(?) sold coal for domestic purposes. George Lazarus kept a HOTEL. Strong and Mott and a wooden steam flouring mill, built by the Butlers, where ruins of stone mill are at east end of the Ferry Bridge. Wm. Tompkins had a saw mill at the forks of the road, on South Main Street. West Pittston Lots were surveyed June 11, 1851. In 1848, Dr. Throop opened the first drug store in Harrison. Previous to this, Wilkes Barre had been the source of supply for the 3.0.4.

County. Now Pittston, lying half-way between, could draw upon either as might be most convenient. Extracts from Pittston Gazette, 1850-51: Ensign and Williams removed their hardware and stoves to the Everitt Building. A CARD. Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Daman's thanks to the citizens of Pittston (not forgetting the ladies) who assisted in arresting the fire and preventing the destruction of their property.

We used in Pittston to have a Bible stand with a Bible cushion on it, to furnish our parlors. The Bible was as handsome and large as the family could afford and consequently often too heavy to be used. (The Bible Cushion). We also had on a "What Not", top shelf often, av glass globe over some wax work; sometimes a cross, sometimes a basket of white wax flowers. No matter what might be the color of the flower in nature, it was waxy white in our parlor. Small fruit was sometimes mingled with the flowers. A traveling artist in waxwork would stop off for a month and educate several classes in this accomplishment and until very recently, some of these beautiful decorations might be seen in unfashionable parlors or bedrooms. De calcomaine, too, was another craze. A clear glass vase was lined with a colored picture of flowers and birds and summer beauties, generally, glued on; then a heavy coat of paint made a background for these and was of the cream tint of choice Dresden or other ware. The imitation was Frenchy and showy. Painting on Glass was another. Worsted tidies or Anti-Macassars. The Centennial Exposition of 1876 exhibited to the country towns so much of real art and true beauty that all who visited it came away with ideals of higher sort and the lost splendor in their eyes. The men wore dickeys tied with tapes around the neck and waist. An old story of a man in church, a fly on his neck, he brushed, it remained, again, finally made violent grab and pulled off his dickey, the string of which was the offending fly. Little girls wore pantalettes tied on above the knee. A fresh pair was easily put on.