Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1876-02-04
INJURY, Pa. FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 4, 1876.

1
the spot, and for the honor of their Coun
try, that they would behave better than
party of them that had gone before some
, time ago, who run away or were taker
prisoners, and also if this party were toe
small to effect their design, they would
send to Connecticut, and their Government
would send them Two Thousand men. He
the said Major. advised the men to SLEEP
with their arms by them, and their Pouches
and Horns about their Necks, that they
might be ready in minutes notice. And
further, this Deponent heard one whom he
took to be a Captain, speak to Major Judd,
and say that there was q fence that would
be much in the way, if they were obliged
to draw up their men in that place, and
that he thought it would be proper to move
it away, and Major Judd said he would
speak to Mr.. Vincent abous it, so he bid
the men good night, and went into the
house. The Deponent followed him into
the house, and desired 10 speak with him ;
Major Judd asked if he, this Deponent,
and was answered he was no foe then
Major Judd read this Deponent number
of Papers, which he said was orders from
Government, the contents of which this
Deponent cannot recolect he then said
if he would join with him, he would war
rant him hundred acres, as also every
one that would do so aud come under their
Laws, which this Deponent refused, so .he
Major said that they are not for US, are
against, and likewise said the Major, those
that will not joyn US if we get the Land,
We will use them accordingly; This De
ponent then said, that if he could not get
Land without fighting for it he would take
what he had and leave the parts entirely"
This deposition was duly signed. and
sworn to, the 5th day of October, 1775.
Whatever became of this large force, or
whether it was on exaggeration, is nowhere
stated. 1t is evident that some mistake
must exist, or the facts have been grossly
perverted. Mr.. Miner, in his history of
Wyoming, when speaking about the diff
culties on the West Branch, does not allude
to an armed force having been despatched
there.
Strange as it may seem, after having
positive evedence that large body of arm
ed men actually came from Wyoming, Mr..
Miner goes on to state, that in September
the settlement was comparatively small
and unsupported, and offered an inviting
prze to the cupidity of those who, at some
risk, should think proper to seize it. And
that in the same month, September, 1775,
Colonel Plunkett, orders from the Govern
ment, detailed strong force from the
Northumberland militia, and marched to
break up the settlements at Charleston and
Judea. The spirit extent of resistance, is
nowhere preserved, but is presumed to have
been inconsiderable. One life was lost,
and several persons of the Connecticut par
ty were wounded. 1t has not been ascer-
tained whether any loss was sustained by
the Pennsylvania troops. After burning
the buildings, and gathering together, for
distribution among the yictors, all the
movable property, the men taken were
marched as prisoners, and confined in Sum
buay Jail {; while the women and children
were sent to Wyoming, where most of them
had relations and friends.
Where was the brave Major Judd, who
harangued his men so valOrously few
days before at Warrior Run, and desired
them to fight till they would die, before
they should yield to the Northumberland
militia ? Where was he, with his warlike
forty, that the resistance offered to Colonel
Plunkett should have been ''inconsider
able T' He must have been there, for
Colonel Franklin states ID his journal that
he was taken prisoner with Joseph Shu-
man, ESQ.,, and sent to the Sunbury Jail!
Franklin's account of this affair was,
that Plunkett had force Of about five
hundred men, and that the Connecticut
folks were only about eighty strong. He
is evidently in error, too, for it is doubtful
whether so large force could have been
raised on the West Branch at that time
| am satisfied that the accounts on both
sides were very much exaggerated. But
it is nevertheless true, that Plunkett did
march against them and drove them off by
force Numbers were carried to Sunbury
and imprisoned. Plunkett acted under the
instructions of John Penn, Governor of
the Province, who ordered that the laws
must be obeyed, and that all expense in-
CURED in this duty would be betrayed oy
the government.
Thus was the Connecticut settlement on
the Vest Branch broken up, and never
afterwards renewed, leaving the disputed
territory in full possession of the Pennsyl-
vana claimants.
On the 9th of October, 1115, the As
sembly of the Province of Pennsylvania
having had the subject of these troubles
under consideration, came to the conclu-
sion that the settlers had done their duty
and resolved,
That the inhabitants of the County of
Northumberland, settled under the juris-
diction Of this Province, were justiiable,
and did their duty in repelling the said
Int:uders, and preventing the further E1-
tension of their settlements" &c.
Great excitement prevailed on both sides,
and number Of boats belonging to Wy
oming, and trading down the river, were
seized as they passed Fort Augusta, and
their cargoes contiscated. Colonel Plum
kett, probably elated with his late success,
commenced making preparations to march
against Wyoming itself, for the purpose of
driving the settlers therefrom.
On receipt of the contemplated invasion,
the greatest excitement prevailed through
out the settlement at Wyoming, and an
agent was sent to lay the condition of
of things before Congress, and solicit their
friendly in!erposition. Prepc rations,
however, were made TO resist the ex-