History of the Lackawanna valley

Preface

TO THE FIRST EDmON.

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In presenting to the public these “ Contributions,” it seems proper to state that the collection of the embodied facts was more the result of the love possessed by the writer for such incidents and history, than the hope of either a pecuniary reward, or a literary reputation.

Becoming familiar with a few features in the history of the Lackawanna Yalley, the writer was induced, by the solicitations of his friends, to put them into a shape whereby their publication might possibly awaken an interest, or perhaps elicit new and more connected material from a region where nothing yet had been done in the way of gathering its local history.

From the absence of a proper and continued record — from indistinct and often conflicting memories — and from the death of all who were familiar with its earliest settlement, it is very probable that' events narrated are sometimes given in an imperfect, and even in an inaccurate manner. It would not be surprising if such was the fact ; but the reader must bear in mind that not only the personal, but the general history recorded here was written while the author was engaged in a large practice, and harassed l[)y all the continual anxieties occurring in one of the most exhausting and thankless professions in the country.

While the author asks no indulgence from this circumstance, yet he apprehends that a practice of twelve years, with its too often accompanying annoyances— compelled to view human nature

PREFACE.

in every possible light, and encounter it in its most humiliating aspect— eminently fits him to bear the murmurs of those who suppose that a volume can be as easily icritten as read.

Xone of the Sketches are arranged in chronological order ; many are necessarily brief, meager, and unsatisiactory, o’w ing to the great dearth of material ; while some, it is possible, do better justice to the subject.

It would have given pleasure to the writer, to have presented a genealogical view of the original families in the valley ; but as this contemplated feature would necessarily have enlarged the volume beyond its intended limits, without adding much to its general interest, it was abandoned.

The obligations of the writer are due to all his friends, who have, by their liberal subscriptions to the volume, manifested such an interest in its welfare.

H. Hollister.

Providence.^ Pa., 1857.

The volume, of which a second edition is now published, has been so thoroughly modified and revised in its general outline, as to present the features of a different, and, I trust, a better work than the preceding one. Very many pages have been wholly obliterated ; the remainder re-written and radically changed, while a number of pages of interesting historical matter — sought after from trustworthy records and testimony with an earnestness that possibly may deserve expressions of approbation and success — have been added thereunto.

In my former volume, I gave but a general recognition of the favors of my friends, who, in various ways, contributed toward its successful development. In this, I desire to return especial thanks to several persons whose manly sympathies and generous aid lay me under a grateful obligation and remembrance.

PEEFACE.

For materials drawn from tlie Pennsyh ania Archives and Colonial Records, and other authorities, appropriate acknowledgment appears in its proper place. In addition to these sources of information, fully noted and credited, I would return thanks to G. B. ISTiCHOLSO^Ng Esq., for access to the Westmoreland Records; to B. H. Throop, M. D., for valuable suggestions in regard to the volume ; to Seldeist T. Scrantox, of Oxford F urnace, IST. J., for ' -‘cts of friendship which characterize his desire to make every man’s pathway blossom with the rose ; to S. B. Sturdevant, M. D., for favors which were given in so cheerful a manner as to greatly enhance their value ; to the Rev. Dr. Peck, for the biographical sketch of the late Hon. George W. Scraktok ; to Ho n. Steuben Jekkiks, whose antiquarian knowledge promises to the world an invaluable documentary history of Gen. Sullivan’s celebrated Wyoming expedition in 1779; to Stephen Rogers and D. Yarington, for papers concerning the settlement of Carbondale ; to kl. Orr Co., of Yew York, and Eugene Frank, of Wilkes Barre, for their skillful execution of the cuts adorning the w'ork, and to Harper & Brothers, for the sale and use of electrotypes, illustrating scenes in the Lackawanna Yalley.

The author of the following pages, who was not born upon the

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banks of the Lackawanna, but was nurtured among her mountains, would do injustice to his own feelings did he not gratefully acknowledge the kind, yet undeserved, encomiums of the editorial fraternity, and the favorable reception the community gave his “'Contributions” in 1857. May he not indulge in the hope that the young valley is not now less athletic and friendly than then?

H. Hollister.

Providence, Fa., 1869.

' uriW^^s” ^ iito r,;t ,of^

LIST ‘OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

Slocum Hollow in 1840, . - > Frontispiece.

Campbell’s Ledge, - - - - - - 26

Indian Map of Capoose, - - * - 31

Monocast Island, - - - - - - 169

Bloody Rock, - - * - - - 170

John B. Saiith, 209

Nay-aug Falls, - - - - - - 212

The Old Slocum House, ■» - - - -219

Selden T. Scranton, - - - - -241

Joseph H. Scranton, ----- 245

First Baptist Church in Carbondale, - - - 299

First Locoaiotive run in America, - - - 354

Thos. Dickson, - - - - - - 361

Delaware Water Gap, - - - - - 389

Hon. John Brisbin, - - - - - -391

IIoN. George W. Scranton, - . , . 405

Hon. Asa Packer, - * - - - -411 r

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Contents

INDIAN HISTORY OF WYOMING. pags

Traditions regarding a great tyrant on the Susquehanna in 602 — The Five Nations controlling the war-paths in the valley in 1640 — The extent of their sachemship — The Monseys stroll along the Lackawanna about 1700 — Teedyuscung and his Delaware tribe ordered to 'Wyoming — Visit of Count Zinzendorf to Wyoming — Dr. GriH’s account of his visit — Journey of Conrad Weiser to “Woyamock” in 1754 — “Spies” reported here — The Delaware Indian Village of Asserughney, near Campbell’s Ledge — Adjougua — A fort to be built at Adjoitqua (mouth of the Lackawanna) at the request of the Six Nations in 1756 — ^Interesting scrap of history 17-29

INDIAN VILLAGE OF CAPOOSE.