Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-10-26
THE FOUNDER
OF DANVILLE

Through the courtesy of |. X. Grier.
Esq. we have been permitted to ex-
anime lot of interesting documents
relating to his great grand father,
General William Montgomery. which
show that the founder of Danville was
not only active in local affairs but
that he was also prominent in public
life, filling high positions of trust and
possibility and in a strictly literal
sense helping to mould the destiuies
of the nation.
1t would be hard headed In after of
fact person, indeed, who could gaze
without emotion upon the time stain
ed documents with their ancient chiro-
graphy penned not in the last century,
but in the one still more remote, which
so strangely allude to the savages here
about and hint at the welfare of en-
terprises which long ago cease to ex-
ist
General William Montgomery was
one of the ommissioners appointed
by the Supreme Executive Council of
Pennsylvania, in 1887. "for executing
the Act of Assembly entitled an Act
for Ascertsining and Confirming to
Certain Persons Called Connecticut
Claimants the Lands by them Claim.
ed in the County of Luzerne." His
commission given in Council under
the hand of the Hon. Charles Biddle,
Vice President. is quaint document,
given "in the Name and by the Auth
ority of the Freemen of the Common
wealth of Pennsylvania" and stating
that "reposing especial trust and con-
fidence in his prudence, integrity and
abilities" the Supreme Executive
Council had appointed William Mont.
gomery, &c.
Further attesting General Montgom-
ery's high standing. socially and pol
itioally, among the old documents is
an invitation extended to him to dine
with the Great Washington 1t reads
as follows:
1.-The President of the United States
requests the pleasure of W. Montgom-
ery's company to dine OIL Thursday
next at O'Clock Jan'y, 1894.
An answer is requested" "
There is nothing on record to show
what General Montgomery answer
was in the premises. but it is pleas
ant to fancy that the man who huilt
and occupied the interesting old dwell
ling at Mill and Bloom streets, now
regarded with so much pride as land
mark, found it convenient to accept
the invitation and that thus the faith
er of Danville did actually dine witt
the Father of his Country.
There is also a letter from Benjamin
Franklin bearing date of May 27,
1856, addressed to William Montgom.
cry when the latter was President of
the Courts of Common Pleas, Quarter
Sessions and Orphans Court of the
County of Northumberland The let.
ter deals with the troubles in the Wy
omlpg Valley and illustrates the con-
| fdenoe reposed in William Montgom-
ery's wisdom and integrity by such an
| eminent Statesman as franklin. In
part franklin writes as follows:
THE Council has received your let
ter by General Bull containing the ac-
count of fresh disturbances at Wyom-
| ing. We are sensible of your atten-
! tion to the public welfare manifested
| in these dispatches and desire that
you would continue to send Us what
further information you may from
time to time obtain, using in the mean
while what influence you have to
quiet the minds of the unhappy settl-
ers there. by assuring them that there
| is the best disposition in the govern
mt to treat them eQuitably and with
| kindness and to take them under its
protection OH their demonstrating by
their peaceable and orderly behavior
that their sentiments expressed in
their late petition are sincere and that
they are truly disposed to become good
| citizens.
l am with much esteem, sir, your
most humble servant. B. franklin,
Pres'd't." "
There is among the letters one from
| William Montgomery to his wife writ
ten at Wyoming while a Commission
er at that place on April 81. 1783,
which is quite characteristic in its
way, and showing that in addition to
his other virtues William Montgomery
was dutiful and a loving husband
and father. Following the letter is in
| part.
! Ny Dear: ] wrote 7ryou yesterday,
| but having an opportunity now which
think will be quicker | gladly en-
brace it in order to relieve your mind,
but too easily imprest with apprehen-
sions for my safety, that l am here
safe and well, that there is no appTe-
| hension of the least danger from the
savages. The people here are very
| quiet and | hope that we will finish
our negotiations successfully. believe
| they will cede their claims to the
Pennsylvanians on certain terms which
the Pennsylvanians are willing to
grant. Thus there is probability of
peace here as we'll as elsewhere. A
| circumstance which will be to our ad
/ vantage as we'll as comfort, as it will
promote the trade and intercourse of
our branch il will open the way TO
employment in my new business and
tend to the more Renteel support and
education of rising family. For this
purpose l can cheerfully undergo all
the fatigues nor will ] consider it
other than pleasure if it contribute
to the enjoyment of anything whereby
| can crafty so amiable person as
L.. 4. 4
will continue to be the pride and glory
of your Affect HID,
WIN. MONTGOMERY