July 11, 2012
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP
July 11, 2012
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines, Pa.
Speaker: Emily Carter: “The Yankee-Pennamite War – Battle of Locust Ridge”
Attendance: 62 members and friends
President Freddie Kaltenthaler called the meeting to order at 10:18 a.m. She asked that all stand and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Barbara Fox read the minutes of the previous meeting, accepted without additions or corrections.
Barbara Fox read the treasurer’s report, which was accepted as read without additions or corrections.
Highlights
The president reviewed the upcoming meetings and programs:
August 8, 11 a.m., Austin Blakeslee Nature Reserve – Fish Fry and “Our Open Spaces.”
September 12 – The History of the Wilkes-Barre & Eastern Railroads.
October 10 – Annual Dinner at the Pocono Manor – “The Hidden Treasures of the Pocono Plateau” with Rick Koval.
November 14 – Annual meeting and election of officers, “History of the Tobyhanna Camp & Depot” at 100 years, Fred Tim.
The annual bus trip is September 19 – “The Revolutionary Tour” with Kenn Anderson. Visiting five sites and included is a lunch and dinner.
Thursday evening, August 23, at 5:30 p.m., at Clymer Library, Fred Lehrer will present Lincoln at Gettysburg.
Fred announced the news that the website, under the auspices of Rick Bodenschatz, had been awarded first place in the 2012 Pennsylvania Communications Contest sponsored by the Pennsylvania Press Club, an affiliate chapter of the National Federation of Press Women. It was automatically entered into the national Communications Contest where it was awarded a third place in the not-for-profit category. Fred described many of the sites to navigate to on the website.
The president made a general appeal to the attendees for volunteers to assist with association-related jobs. She asked if anyone had brought artifacts to the meeting, with no response.
Speaker | Emily Carter – The Yankee and Pennamite War
The president introduced the speaker for the program, Emily Carter. A former first-grade teacher and reliable source for local history, Emily lives in the oldest homestead in the township that is still occupied.
In her presentation, Emily ably recounted the limited information available regarding the Yankee-Pennamite War and the local battle at Locust Ridge. She personalized the story with family lore and her ancestor’s involvement in that period.
The family history account described the Locust Ridge site as being surrounded by fruit trees. Plum, pear and peach trees have been found in an old orchard along the ridge, which is 1700 feet above sea level.
Referring to an article by William S. Lesh, “Landmarks of Monroe County, Battle of Locust Ridge,” Emily recounted the origin of the conflict arising between Connecticut and Pennsylvania in a dispute over land grants.
The first settlers came from Connecticut before the Revolution, based on land grants from the King of England. The charter granted to the Penn Colony did not define the areas it covered. However, when dealers in land began to press claims, disputes arose between the Connecticut and Pennsylvania farmers.
Fighting resulted in suffering and death of the inhabitants. Ultimately a tribunal was formed to arbitrate the dispute. This resulted in the Trenton Decree. Neither side was willing to accept the conclusions of the board, precipitating the formation of a military force under the direction of Col. John Armstrong to oppose the “Connecticut Yankees.”
Meanwhile, the Yankees organized a force of 30 men under Captain John Swift and met the Pennamites at Locust Ridge. In the battle, Jacob Everitt was killed and several others wounded on each side. Everett was Emily’s great-great grandfather, and is buried in a private cemetery.
Emily brought an artifact to demonstrate how the farmers’ fought, not with guns but with pitchforks and flails. She demonstrated the flail or thresher as a possible weapon used in the early conflict. Emily concluded with a story of how her husband had tried to place a sign on the road to indicate the site of the battle, and was thwarted by the township.
President Kaltenthaler thanked Emily for her fine presentation and following adjournment invited everyone to share in refreshments and fellowship.
Respectfully submitted by
Virginia Foy, Treasurer
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