1753-May. The Nanticoke Indians remove from Wyoming to New York. -May. The Rev. Christian Seidel of Bethlehem visits Wyoming. -May. Memorial, relative to lands at Wyoming, presented by certain inhabitants of Connecticut to the General Assembly of that Colony. -July 18. "The Susquehanna Company" organized at Windham, Connecticut. -October. Exploring and purchasing committee of The Susquehanna Company visits Wyoming. 1754-April. Many Indians, under the leadership of Teedyuscung, remove from Gnadenhütten to Wyoming and locate within the present limits of Wilkes-Barré. -July. Moravian missionaries B. A. Grubé and C. G. Rundt from Gnadenhütten spend some days at Wyoming preaching to the Indians; during which time the sacrament of baptism is administered for the first time in this region. -July 11. Deed from Six Nation Indians conveying the Wyoming region to The Susquehanna Company is executed at Albany, New York. -Autumn. Representatives of the abovementioned Company come to Wyoming to look over the lands which have been purchased. 1755-March. Christian Frederick Post, a Moravian missionary, establishes himself at Wyoming to minister to the Indian converts here, and to entertain visiting missionaries. -July. Missionaries Zeisberger and Seidel at Wyoming. -October. Zeisberger and Seidel are again at Wyoming preaching to the Indians. 1756-Owing to the French and English War Wyoming is entirely forsaken by the Indians. 1757-October. The erection of houses at Wyoming, for the use of the Delaware Indians under the chieftanship of Teedyuscung, is begun by the Pennsylvania authorities. 1758-May 22. Teedyuscung and his Delawares again settle down in Wyoming, and the work of building houses for them is resumed by white workmen in the employ of the Pennsylvania Government. -May 27. The first death of a white man-killed and scalped by inimical Indiansoccurs in Wyoming. 1762-March. David Zeisberger goes on a mission to the Indians at Wyoming. -May 19. The Susquehanna Company decides to effect a settlement upon their lands at Wyoming. -June. Important conference at Easton, Pennsylvania, between Governor Hamilton of Pennsylvania, Sir Wm. Johnson, and Teedyuscung and other chiefs of the Delaware Indians. -August. Conference at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, between Governor Hamilton and -September. Under the auspices of The Susquehanna Company 119 settlers locate near the mouth of Mill Creek, within the limits of what was later the township of Wilkes-Barré, and begin to build three small block-houses. 1763-Deed to The Susquehanna Company-confirming the sale of Wyoming lands made in July, 1754-executed by Six Nation Indians. -April 19. The Delaware King, Teedyuscung, burnt to death in his house, within the present limits of Wilkes-Barré. -May. The settlement at Mill Creek is renewed by a large number of people under The Susquehanna Company. -May. David Zeisberger preaches twice to the Indians at Wyoming. -June. John Woolman, the noted Quaker minister, preaches to the Wyoming Indians. -June. The red men's occupancy of Wyoming Valley comes to an end. -October 15. Delaware Indians attack the settlers at Mill Creek, some of whom are massacred, others are driven away from the valley, and the remainder are carried off as prisoners. 1764-Wyoming Valley uninhabited by either whites or Indians. 1765-John Anderson, Capt. John Dick and Capt. Amos Ogden, Pennsylvania and New Jersey men, locate in Wyoming Valley as Indian traders, under authority received from Sir William Johnson. -Specimens of anthracite coal taken from Wyoming and sent to England. 1768-November. Indian treaty at Fort Stanwix, New York. -December 8. The "Manor of Sunbury" surveyed at Wyoming for the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania. -December 9. The "Manor of Stoke" (comprehending the present city and township of Wilkes-Barré) located and surveyed for the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania. -December. Captain Ogden, John Anderson, Charles Stewart, Alexander Patterson, John Jennings, and several other Pennsylvanians and New Jerseymen, with the intention of becoming lessees or purchasers of the Proprietary lands at Wyoming, erect a small block-house at Mill Creek and establish themselves therein. --December 28. The Susquehanna Company formally decides to retake possession of its lands in Wyoming and settle the same. 1769 February 8. The "first forty" settlers under The Susquehanna Company arrive at Wyoming. -May 12. A large body of settlers, led by Maj. John Durkee, with authority from The Susquehanna Company, arrives at Wyoming from Connecticut and New York, and the erection of Fort Durkee is begun on the river bank near the present Ross Street, Wilkes-Barré. -June 22. Col. Turbutt Francis, in command of a small body of armed Pennsylvanians, comes to Wyoming from Fort Augusta (now Sunbury, Pennsylvania) and orders the New Englanders to leave the valley. -July. The town (township) of Wilkes-Barré located and named by Major Durkee. -August 29. A large number of settlers under The Susquehanna Company, at Wilkes-Barré, petition the General Assembly of Connecticut to erect the lands at Wyoming into a county. -September. The five "settling-towns " in Wyoming Valley surveyed under the direction of Major Durkee. -September. The First Pennamite-Yankee War is begun. -November 14. Fort Durkee is surrendered to the Pennamites by the Yankees, and the latter are driven from the valley. 1770-February 11. Capt. Lazarus Stewart and his "Paxtang Boys" come to WilkesBarré to co-operate with the Yankees. They regain possession of Fort Durkee. -June. Wilkes-Barré town-plot is surveyed and plotted, and lots are drawn by the proprietors of the township. -June 28. Governor Penn of Pennsylvania issues a proclamation prohibiting any person from settling at Wyoming without authority from the Proprietaries of the Province. 1771-January 18. The erection of Fort Wyoming is begun by the Pennamites on the river bank near the present Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barré. -August 15. Fort Wyoming is surrendered by the Pennamites, after a siege of twenty-six days by a force of Yankees under the command of Capt. Zebulon Butler. 1772-March. Northumberland County (comprehending Wyoming Valley) is erected by Act of the Pennsylvania Assembly. -First grist-mill erected in Wyoming Valley-on Mill Creek. -April. Survey of Wilkes-Barré township completed, and lots finally distributed. -November. Forty Fort erected in Kingston Township. 1773-June 2. The Susquehanna Company adopts "Articles of Agreement," or a code of laws, for the government of the Wyoming settlements, and "Directors" in and for the six Wyoming townships are appointed. 1774-January. The Wyoming region is erected by the General Assembly of Connecticut into the town of Westmoreland, and attached to Litchfield County, Connecticut. March 1. The town of Westmoreland is formally organized by an election of officers, and the transaction of other business, at a "town-meeting" held in Wilkes-Barré. 1775-May. The 24th, or Westmoreland, Regiment of Connecticut Militia established, with Zebulon Butler as Colonel. -July. Conference of Indians from New York with Col. Zebulon Butler at WilkesBarré. -August 8. The inhabitants of Westmoreland, assembled in town-meeting at Wilkes-Barré, resolve that they will "unanimously join" their "brethren in America in the common cause of defending " their liberty. -September 28. Pennamites attack Connecticut settlers on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, wounding and killing some and taking others prisoners. -November 4. Congress recommends that the Province of Pennsylvania should put a stop to hostilities against the Yankees in the Wyoming region. -December 25. The Plunket invasion and the battle of "Rampart Rocks." Termination of the First Pennamite-Yankee War. engage in 1776-March 6. Sixty-six men of Westmoreland organize themselves into a military company and offer their services to the Continental Congress to the common cause as soldiers in the defense of liberty." -August 24. At a town-meeting held in Wilkes-Barré the inhabitants of Westmoreland vote to erect suitable forts as a defense against the common enemy." -September 16. Conference of Indians from New York State with Col. Zebulon Butler at Wilkes-Barré. -September 17. The two "Wyoming, or Westmoreland, Independent Companies' -enlisted a few weeks previously—are mustered into the Continental service at Wilkes-Barré. -October. The town of Westmoreland is erected into the county of Westmoreland, of the State of Connecticut, by the General Assembly of that State. 1777—January 1. The "Wyoming Independent Companies" march from Wilkes-Barré to New Jersey, where they take part in the battle of Millstone River, January 20. -January. A large party of Indians from New York, en route to Easton, Pennsylvania, spend several days at Wilkes-Barré and hold an informal conference with the local authorities. -May 1. A conference is held at Wilkes-Barré between a delegation of Six Nation Indians and a committee of Westmoreland inhabitants. 1778-July 3. Battle and massacre of Wyoming. -July 4. Capitulation of Forty Fort. Wilkes-Barré almost wholly destroyed by the Indians. -August 4. Continental soldiers and Westmoreland militia under the command of Col. Zebulon Butler march into Wyoming Valley and establish “ Camp Westmoreland" at Wilkes-Barré. -October 1-3. Colonel Hartley's military expedition at Wilkes-Barré on its return march from the upper Susquehanna. -October 28. The remains of the Westmorelanders who lost their lives in the battle and massacre of July 3, 1778, are gathered up and interred. -October. Fort Wyoming (the second work of defense to bear that name) is erected on the River Common near Northampton Street. -November 2. Frances Slocum carried into captivity by Indians. 1779-April 11. First troops for the Sullivan Expedition reach Wilkes-Barré. -June 23. General Sullivan, with the main body of his army, arrives at Wilkes Barré. -June 24. The first meeting of a Lodge of Free Masons to be held in North-eastern Pennsylvania takes place at Wilkes-Barré. 1779-July 1. First public execution by hanging in Wyoming Valley. -July 5. An elaborate entertainment is held at Forty Fort "in celebration of the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence." -July 31. The Sullivan Expedition sets out from Wilkes-Barré on its march up the Susquehanna. -October 7. The Sullivan Expedition returns to Wilkes-Barré. 1780-A Continental military garrison (the "Wyoming Post") is maintained at WilkesBarré under the command of Col. Zebulon Butler. 1782-May. Col. John Durkee, the founder of Wilkes-Barré, dies at Norwich, Connecticut. -December 30. The "Decree of Trenton" is rendered. 1783-April. Pennsylvania troops garrison Fort Wyoming, and its name is changed to Fort Dickinson. -October. The Second Pennamite-Yankee War is begun. -Alexander Patterson endeavors to change the name of Wilkes-Barré to “London derry." 1784-March 15. The ice in the Susquehanna breaks up, and a very disastrous flood follows. Wilkes-Barré is inundated. -May. The Pennamites drive the majority of the Connecticut settlers from the valley by force. -July 24. Many dwelling-houses in Wilkes-Barré are burnt to the ground by the Pennamites. -August 2. The fight at Locust Hill occurs. -September 28. Fort Dickinson is besieged by the Yankees. -November 30. Fort Dickinson having been evacuated by the Pennamites is demolished by the Yankees, and the war is virtually ended. 1786-March. A scheme is on foot to erect a new State ("Westmoreland") out of the Wyoming region. -April 27. Gen. Ethan Allen comes to Wilkes-Barré from Vermont, intent on the "new State" project. -September 25. An Act erecting the county of Luzerne out of a portion of the Wyoming region is passed by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania. -October. The great “pumpkin " flood occurs. 1787-February 1. First election in Luzerne County-for Representative to Assembly, Councillor, Sheriff, Coroner, and Commissioners-held at the house of Col. Zebulon Butler, Wilkes-Barré. --March 28. The Confirming Law (relating to land titles in certain townships in the Wyoming region) is enacted by the Pennsylvania Assembly. -May 29. The first courts of Luzerne County are opened and held at the house of Col. Zebulon Butler, Wilkes-Barré. -October 2. Col. John Franklin is arrested in Wilkes-Barré and conveyed to Philadelphia. 1788-May. The erection of the first Luzerne County Court House and Jail is begun on the Public Square. -June 26. Col. Timothy Pickering is abducted from his home on South Main Street and carried away captive. 1790-March 18. Jemima Wilkinson, “the Universal Friend,” visits and preaches in Wilkes-Barré. -April 1. The Confirming Law, having been suspended March 29, 1788, is repealed by the State Assembly. 1792-March. A delegation of Oneida Indians, en route from New York State to a conference with the Secretary of War at Philadelphia, is entertained in WilkesBarré. 1794-September. Capt. Samuel Bowman marches from Wilkes-Barré with his company of Light Infantry, raised for the provisional military force organized by the State to put down the “Whisky Insurrection." 1795-July. A Post Office is established at Wilkes-Barré. 1796-First newspaper, The Herald of the Times (weekly), published in Wilkes-Barré. 1797-July. The Duke of Orleans (later Louis Philippe, King of France) and his brothers, the Duke of Montpensier and the Count of Beaujolais, visit Wilkes-Barré. -December 26. John Wilkes, one of the two men for whom Wilkes-Barré was named, dies in England. 1799-April 4. The Pennsylvania Legislature enacts the " Compromise Law," relating to lands lying “in the seventeen townships, Luzerne County." -July. Capt. Samuel Bowman, holding a commission in the "Provisional Army " being organized by the United States for the anticipated war with France, is raising a company of infantry at Wilkes-Barré. A detachment of thirty men marches to Elizabethtown, New Jersey. -December 27. Public exercises held in the Court House in memory of General Washington, whose death occurred at Mt. Vernon December 14. 1800-July. Erection begun on Public Square of a meeting-house-many years later known as "Old Ship Zion.” 1801-Erection begun on Public Square of the second Luzerne County Court House. -March 4. Democrats celebrate by a procession and barbecue the election and inauguration of Thomas Jefferson as President of the United States. 1802-Erection begun of stone jail on East Market Street. -July 20. Isaac Barré, one of the two men for whom Wilkes-Barré was named, dies in London. 1805-Easton and Wilkes-Barré Turnpike in process of construction. 1806-March 17. Borough of Wilkes-Barré incorporated by Act of Legislature. -August 18. Wilkes-Barré Library Company organized. -October 16. First elephant show in Wilkes-Barré. 1807-First brick building in Wilkes-Barré erected. -March. Wilkes-Barré Academy incorporated, and opened a few months later. 1808 February 11. Jesse Fell burns anthracite coal in an open grate for the first time in North-eastern Pennsylvania. 1810 September. First bank ("Philadelphia Branch") begins operations in WilkesBarré. 1812-April 10. Launch of the river-boat, The Luzerne of Wilkes-Barré. 1816-June and August. Severe frosts in Wyoming Valley, and certain crops destroyed. 1817-February 14. Thermometer at Wilkes-Barré registers 20° below 0. 1818-July 12. Extraordinary hail-storm in Wyoming Valley. 1819 February. First bridge across the Susquehanna at Wilkes-Barré-foot of Market Street-opened to the public. -November 1. Luzerne County Bible Society is organized. -November 14. The river at Wilkes-Barré is frozen over. 1826-April 12. First steamboat (Codorus) at Wilkes-Barré. 1831-May. First canal-boat leaves Wilkes-Barré for Philadelphia, laden with flour, coal and lumber. 1833-July 3. The remains of those who fell in the battle and massacre of Wyoming are re-interred, and the corner-stone of the Wyoming Monument is laid. 1834-May. Ice, snow, cold weather, and seven-year locusts damage vegetation in Wyoming Valley and cause much inconvenience. -June 27. Wyoming Division, North Branch Canal, completed, and water let in. 1836—March 26. Sleds cross the Susquehanna on the ice. -October 5. 1842-June 18. 1843-May 23. Eleven inches of snow fall in Wyoming Valley. First balloon ascension in Wilkes-Barré. First train of passenger-cars run on a railroad in Wyoming Valley. 1846-July 3. Wyoming Monument dedicated, in the presence of the Governor of the Commonwealth and other distinguished visitors. -December 7. The Wyoming Artillerists leave Wilkes-Barré for the seat of war. (The War with Mexico.) 1849-April 6. Wilkes-Barré Law and Library Association organized. 1850-First telegraph line running into Wilkes-Barré is in operation. |