Cornelius Atherton
Cornelius Atherton (1737–1809), was an iron manufacturer, an inventor and a gunmaker for the American Revolutionary War. He became closely involved in the first large scale production of "American Steel" in 1772. He is recognized as the founder of the borough of Taylor, Pennsylvania. Early life. He was the son of John Atherton (1709-1755) of Harvard, Massachusetts. His paternal grandfather was James Atherton (1654-1718) of Lancaster, Massachusetts. His great grandfather James Atherton, emigrated to America, and was one of the founders of Lancaster, Massachusetts. Career. Atherton was a blacksmith by trade and was the first to  forge steel in Colonial America. As resourceful blacksmith, he made the first pair of clothier sheers in America and was also a gun maker. In 1762 Atherton discovered the process of converting iron into ‘American steel’ The following year, he relocated to Amenia, NY Atherton entered into a contract with two brothers, James and Ezra Reed, merchants of Amenia, to superintend the erection of steel works, and to instruct their workmen in the art of making steel. The steelworks were erected at Dover Iron Works. A successful operation, a decade later it supplied muskets for the Continental Army during the  American Revolutionary War. Atherton relocated temporarily to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1769, after entering into a partnership with Samuel Adams, John Adams and John Hancock He superintended an existing armory and commenced the manufacture of cutlery and firearms. 6 months later it was burned down by an incendiary, likely to have been placed by British troops who were quartered in Boston, since the colonial authorities suspected their patriotic intentions arming the local population during the time of the Boston Massacre. Hancock's signature would later become the most prominent on the United States Declaration of Independence. In 1770 he returned to  Amenia and announced in the local paper that he would be serving the Great Nine Partners Patent area. Atherton played a role in preparing for the siege of New York during the New York and New Jersey campaign. In November 1775 Atherton in his role as a gunsmith in Amenia, NY concluded an agreement with Alexander McDougall and Peter T. Curtenius of the City of New York, acting with authority of the New York Provincial Congress. During September 1776, he petitioned the provincial congress for an exemption from military duty for his workmen, whilst they engaged in the manufacture of  firearms under Atherton's contract with Congress at the Dover Steel Works. Cornelius Atherton & the treason of Benedict Arnold (1780). On September 21, 1780, during the American Revolution, American General Benedict Arnold met with British Major John Andre to discuss handing over Fort Clinton, now known as West Point, New York, to the British, in return for the promise of a large sum of money and a high position in the British army. The plot was foiled and Arnold, a former American hero, became synonymous with the word “traitor.” His son Cornelius Jr recounted the incident: “I was informed by  my mother years ago, when I was a young man, that on his learning the British ship Vulture was anchored in the river below West Point, my father Cornelius Atherton, with another man (name forgotten) went to a Colonel Livingston, in command of a small battery , five or six miles below West Point, asking him to send a small detachment up on the Heights, and drive the Vulture away, but the Colonel dare not weaken his small force. He finally gave them a twelve pound carronade and two gunners, with ammunition a plenty. In a short time they had their  gun in position on the highland banks, within easy range of the Vulture and perfectly safe from her guns. After trying a cold short a few times without effect they improvised a furnace and made the balls red hot, and at the first fire struck a red hot ball in the deck of the vessel. A second and third were equally successful. She cast her cable and took her way down river, out of the way of the guns on the heights. This I believe to be a true statement of the cause of Major Andre’s capture, and saving  West Point from falling into the hands of the British. Cornelius Atherton” Colonel James Livingston of the 1st Canadian Regiment was in command of Verplanck's Point on the Hudson River in September 1780, and played a crucial role in the unmasking of Benedict Arnold's treachery. While on guard duty, his troops fired on the British sloop of war HMS Vulture, forcing it to retreat southwards. This ship had brought Major John André to meet with General Benedict Arnold, who was then in command at West Point, New York. Since the ship was driven off, André was forced to  attempt travel by land onto the city of New York, when he was captured not far from the British lines near Tarrytown, NY. André mistook patriots for loyalists, and was caught with incriminating papers upon his possession and was tried and hanged as a spy, and Arnold, his plot now discovered, fled to the British lines. Such events occurred due to the efforts of Atherton, as an astute minuteman who proposed moving a suitable cannon to fire upon HMS Vulture. Personal. Atherton married Margaret “Mary” Delano (b. June 4, 1744); the daughter of Jonathan and Mary Delano in Dartmouth, Massachusetts  in 1760. Their firstborn was Jabez. They had 8 further children together. He relocated numerous times, since his skills were in demand. His sisters married his future business partners. His nephew was Cornelius Allerton. He first relocated with his young family to Amenia, NY in 1763. However his uncle, James Atherton had moved further west, to what is now known as Wyoming, Pennsylvania. James was one of the first settlers to arrive from Connecticut, and was likely to have been either a cousin or uncle. Some sources have incorrectly referred to James as being Atherton’s father. In 1775 he  relocated with his family to Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Atherton had been drafted but his place was filled by his eldest son, Jabez, who volunteered to become his substitute, and was accepted and mustered in as a private. This allowed Atherton to care for his wife who was infirm. Jabez was killed in the Battle of Wyoming on July 3, 1778 and is listed on the Wyoming Monument. The aftermath of the battle meant that Atherton and his family had to leave the area for their safety. He settled at Keyser Creek in 1782 and lived on a hill overlooking it. The  area today is known as Taylor, Pennsylvania. He was widowed in 1786 and remarried later that year to Jane Johnson (1767-1848). They had 7 children together. He relocated to South Bainbridge, now known as Afton, New York in 1803 with his second wife and young children. Atherton died on December 4, 1809, aged 73. He was buried at Vallonia Springs Cemetery in Colesville, New York. His wife Jane died on August 13, 1848, and was buried in the same cemetery, which is located in an isolated field. Children of Cornelius Atherton and Mary Delano. and 2 others that did  not reach adulthood. Discrepancies. Various obituaries stated that he was the fourth in descent from Major Gen. Humphrey Atherton of Boston. Other discrepancies by late 19th biographers, followed by a submission to the Daughters of the American Revolution in the 20th century refer to Cambridge, Massachusetts, as his birthplace. However contemporary researchers have identified Harvard, Massachusetts as his birthplace, due to ease of access to birth and church records. Confusion is likely to have arisen due to his association with both Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, through his work. Incorrect birthdate listed as February 5, 1736 for which there is no  evidence. He was born in May 1737. Some sources state that his first wife was from Tolland, CT. They also incorrectly state that she died in 1774. However she was alive when their oldest son Jebez was killed in the 1778, although very sickly. Once widowed, Atherton married Jane Johnson. A number of sources say his mother was Mary Sawyer (born Sep 11, 1714), the daughter of James Cornet Sawyer and Mary Prescott. Mary Sawyer married a John Atherton on May 25, 1735 in Pomfret, CT. However that is not conclusive proof. Some researchers have named Phebe Harris (1713-1795 ) as his mother. What is almost certain is that he was the son of John Atherton and was baptized in Harvard on May 8, 1737.