Wyoming Valley Chronology
1616
Etienne Brule (Stephen Bruehle) descends the Susquehanna River, from the head-waters of its North Branch to Chesapeake Bay.
1701
A band of Shawanese Indians establish themselves in Wyoming Valley.
1723
A large number of Palatines pass through Wyoming Valley en route from Schoharie Valley, New York, to Berks County, Pennsylvania.
1729
Conrad Weiser passes through Wyoming en route from Schoharie, New York, to Berks County, Pennsylvania.
1737
Conrad Weiser at Wyoming. (March)
Dutch traders from New York at Wyoming. (April)
1738
Conrad Weiser and William Parsons visit Wyoming.
1741
The Rev. John Sergeant, accompanied by several Stockbridge Indians, comes from Massachusetts to Wyoming to preach the gospel to the Indians located here.
1742
July. Delaware Indians (of the Unami, or Wanamie, clan) ordered by the Six Nations to remove to Wyoming.
A band of Wanamies establish themselves in what is now (1908)the Fifteenth Ward of Wilkes-Barre. (September)
Count Zinzendorff and his" companions at Wyoming. (October)
1744
Moravian missionaries John M. Mack and Christian Frolich at Wyoming. (April)
1746
John M. Mack again visits Wyoming. (Spring)
1747
Bishop Spangenberg (Moravian) visits Wyoming and preaches to the Indians. (Autumn)
1748
Nanticoke Indians remove from the mouth of the Juniata to Wyoming Valley — lower end. (June)
Missionaries Mack and Zeisberger at Wyoming. (July)
Baron de Watteville (a Moravian Bishop) and missionaries Cammerhoff, Mack and Zeisberger at Wyoming. (October)
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered at Wyoming for the first time. (October 7)
1749
April. A numerous band of Shawanese, under the chieftanship of Paxinosa, locate in Wyoming.
1750
Missionaries Cammerhoff, Mack and Zeisberger, accompanied by Timothy Horsfield and Gottlieb Bezold of Bethlehem, spend eight days at Wyoming. (May)
1751
Zeisberger at Wyoming. (November)
1752
Spangenberg, Zeisberger and the Rev. C. Seidel of Bethlehem at Wyoming. (June)
An embassy of Shawanese and Nanticoke Indians goes from Wyoming to Gnadenhutten. (July)
1753
An embassy of Shawanese and Nanticoke Indians from Wyoming visits Gnadenhutten. (March)
The Nanticoke Indians remove from Wyoming to New York. (May)
The Rev. Christian Seidel of Bethlehem visits Wyoming. (May)
Certain white traders at Wyoming. (May)
Memorial, relative to lands at Wyoming, presented by certain inhabitants of Connecticut to the General Assembly of that Colony. (May)
"The Susquehanna Company" organized at Windham, Connecticut. (July 18)
Exploring and purchasing committee of The Susquehanna Company visits Wyoming. (October)
1754
Many Indians, under the leadership of Teedyuscung, remove from Gnadenhutten to Wyoming and locate within the present limits of Wilkes-Barre. (April)
Moravian missionaries B. A. Grube and C. G. Rundt from Gnadenhutten 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)
Deed from Six Nation Indians conveying the Wyoming region to The Susquehanna Company is executed at Albany, New York. (July 11)
Representatives of the abovementioned Company come to Wyoming to look over the lands which have been purchased. (Autumn)
1755
Christian Frederick Post, a Moravian missionary, establishes himself at Wyoming to minister to the Indian converts here, and to entertain visiting missionaries. (March)
Missionaries Zeisberger and Seidel at Wyoming. (July)
Zeisberger and Seidel are again at Wyoming preaching to the Indians. (October)
1756
Owing to the French and English War Wyoming is entirely forsaken by the Indians.
1757
The erection of houses at Wyoming, for the use of the Delaware Indians under the chieftanship of Teedyuscung is begun by the Pennsylvania authorities. (October)
1758
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 22)
The first death of a white man killed and scalped by inimical Indians occurs in Wyoming. (May 27)
1762
David Zeisberger goes on a mission to the Indians at Wyoming. (March)
The Susquehanna Company decides to effect a settlement upon their lands at Wyoming. (May 19)
Important conference at Easton, Pennsylvania, between Governor Hamilton of Pennsylvania, Sir Wm. Johnson, and Teedyuscung and other chiefs of the Delaware Indians. (June)
Conference at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, between Governor Hamilton and Six Nation, Delaware and Shawanese Indians. (August)
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-Barre, and begin to build three small blockhouses. (September)
1763
Deed to The Susquehanna Company — confirming the sale of Wyoming lands made in July, 1754 — executed by Six Nation Indians.
The Delaware King, Teedyuscung, burnt to death in his house, within the present limits of Wilkes-Barre. (April 19)
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. (May)
John Woolman, the noted Quaker minister, preaches to the Wyoming Indians. (June)
The red men's occupancy of Wyoming Valley comes to an end. (June)
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. (October 15)
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
Indian treaty at Fort Stanwix, New York (November)
The "Manor of Sunbury " surveyed at Wyoming for the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania. (December 8)
The " Manor of Stoke " (comprehending the present city and township of Wilkes-Barre) located and surveyed for the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania. (December 9)
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)
The Susquehanna Company formally decides to retake possession of its lands in Wyoming and settle the same (December 28)
1769
The "first forty" settlers under The Susquehanna Company arrive at Wyoming. (February 8)
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-Barre. (May 12)
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. (June 22)
The town (township) of Wilkes-Barre located and named by Major Durkee. (July)
A large number of settlers under The Susquehanna Company, at Wilkes-Barre, petition the General Assembly of Connecticut to erect the lands at Wyoming into a county. (August 29)
The five "settling-towns" in Wyoming Valley surveyed under the direction of Major Durkee. (September)
The First Pennamite-Yankee War is begun. (September)
Fort Durkee is surrendered to the Pennamites by the Yankees, and the latter are driven from the valley. (November 14)
1770
Capt. Lazarus Stewart and his " Paxtang Boys" come to Wilkes-Barre to co-operate with the Yankees. They regain possession of Fort Durkee. (February 11)
Wilkes-Barre town-plot is surveyed and plotted, and lots are drawn by the proprietors of the township. (June)
Governor Penn of Pennsylvania issues a proclamation prohibiting any person from settling at Wyoming without authority from the Proprietaries of the Province. (June 28)
1771
The erection of Fort Wyoming is begun by the Pennamites on the river bank near the present Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre. (January 18)
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. (August 15)
1772
Northumberland County (comprehending Wyoming Valley) is erected by Act of the Pennsylvania Assembly. (March)
First grist-mill erected in Wyoming Valley, on Mill Creek.
Survey of Wilkes-Barre township completed, and lots finally distributed. (April)
Forty Fort erected in Kingston Township. (November)
1773
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. (June 2)
1774
The Wyoming region is erected by the General Assembly of Connecticut into the town of Westmoreland, and attached to Litchfield County, Connecticut. (January)
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-Barre. (March 1)
1775
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 Wilkes-Barre. (May)
The inhabitants of Westmoreland, assembled in town-meeting at Wilkes-Barre, resolve that they will "unanimously join" their "brethren in America in the common cause of defending" their liberty. (August 8)
Pennamites attack Connecticut settlers on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, wounding and killing some and taking others prisoners. (September 28)
Congress recommends that the Province of Pennsylvania should put a stop to hostilities against the Yankees in the Wyoming region. (November 4)
The Plunket invasion and the battle of "Rampart Rocks." Termination of the First Pennamite-Yankee War. (December 25)
1776
Sixty-six men of Westmoreland organize themselves into a military company and offer their services to the Continental Congress to "engage in the common cause as soldiers in the defense of liberty." (March 6)
At a town-meeting held in Wilkes-Barre the inhabitants of Westmoreland vote to erect suitable forts as a defense against the "common enemy". (August 24)
Conference of Indians from New York State with Col. Zebulon Butler at Wilkes-Barre. (September 16)
The two "Wyoming, or Westmoreland, Independent Companies" , enlisted a few weeks previously, are mustered into the Continental service at Wilkes-Barre. (September 17)
The town of Westmoreland is erected into the county of Westmoreland, of the State of Connecticut, by the General Assembly of that State. (October)
1777
The "Wyoming Independent Companies" march from Wilkes-Barre to New Jersey, where they take part in the battle of Millstone River, January 20. (January 1)
A large party of Indians from New York, en route to Easton, Pennsylvania, spend several days at Wilkes-Barre and hold an informal conference with the local authorities. (January)
A conference is held at Wilkes-Barre between a delegation of Six Nation Indians and a committee of Westmoreland inhabitants. (May 1)
1778
Battle and massacre of Wyoming. (July 3)
Capitulation of Forty Fort. Wilkes-Barre almost wholly destroyed by the Indians. (July 4)
Continental soldiers and Westmoreland militia under the command of Col. Zebulon Butler march into Wyoming Valley and establish "Camp Westmoreland" at Wilkes-Barre. (August 4)
Colonel Hartley's military expedition at Wilkes-Barre on its return march from the upper Susquehanna. (October 1-3)
The remains of the Westmorelanders who lost their lives in the battle and massacre of July 3, 1778, are gathered up and interred. (October 28)
Fort Wyoming (the second work of defense to bear that name) is erected on the River Common near Northampton Street. (October)
Frances Slocum carried into captivity by Indians. (November 2)
1779
First troops for the Sullivan Expedition reach Wilkes-Barre. (April 11)
General Sullivan, with the main body of his army, arrives at Wilkes-Barre. (June 23)
The first meeting of a Lodge of Free Masons to be held in North-eastern Pennsylvania takes place at Wilkes-Barre. (June 24)
1779
First public execution by hanging in Wyoming Valley. (July 1)
An elaborate entertainment is held at Forty Fort "in celebration of the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence." (July 5)
The Sullivan Expedition sets out from Wilkes-Barr^ on its march up the Susquehanna. (July 31)
The Sullivan Expedition returns to Wilkes-Barre. (October 7)
1780
A Continental military garrison (the "Wyoming Post") is maintained at Wilkes-Barre under the command of Col. Zebulon Butler.
1782
Col. John Durkee, the founder of Wilkes-Barre, dies at Norwich, Connecticut. (May)
The " Decree of Trenton " is rendered. (December 30)
1783
Pennsylvania troops garrison Fort Wyoming, and its name is changed to Fort Dickinson. (April)
The Second Pennamite- Yankee War is begun. (October)
Alexander Patterson endeavors to change the name of Wilkes-Barre to "Londonderry".
1784
The ice in the Susquehanna breaks up, and a very disastrous flood follows. Wilkes-Barre is inundated. (March 15)
The Pennamites drive the majority of the Connecticut settlers from the valley by force. (May)
Many dwelling-houses in Wilkes-Barre are burnt to the ground by the Pennamites. (July 24)
The fight at Locust Hill occurs. (August 2)
Fort Dickinson is besieged by the Yankees. (September 28)
Fort Dickinson having been evacuated by the Pennamites is demolished by the Yankees, and the war is virtually ended. (November 30)
1786
A scheme is on foot to erect a new State ("Westmoreland") out of the Wyoming region. (March)
Gen. Ethan Allen comes to Wilkes-Barre from Vermont, intent on the "new State" project. (April 27)
An Act erecting the county of Luzerne out of a portion of the Wyoming region is passed by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania. (September 25)
The great "pumpkin" flood occurs. (October)
1787
First election in Luzerne County — for Representative to Assembly, Councillor, Sheriff, Coroner, and Commissioners — held at the house of Col. Zebulon Butler, Wilkes-Barre. (February 1)
The Confirming Law (relating to land titles in certain townships in the Wyoming region) is enacted by the Pennsylvania Assembly. (March 28)
The first courts of Luzerne County are opened and held at the house of Col. Zebulon Butler, Wilkes-Barre. (May 29)
Col. John Franklin is arrested in Wilkes-Barre and conveyed to Philadelphia. (October 2)
1788
The erection of the first Luzerne County Court House and Jail is begun on the Public Square. (May)
Col. Timothy Pickering is abducted from his home on South Main Street and carried away captive. (June 26)
1790
Jemima Wilkinson, "the Universal Friend", visits and preaches in Wilkes-Barre. (March 18)
The Confirming Law, having been suspended March 29, 1788, is repealed by the State Assembly. (April 1)
1792
A delegation of Oneida Indians, en route from New York State to a conference with the Secretary of War at Philadelphia, is entertained in Wilkes-Barre. (March)
1794
Capt. Samuel Bowman marches from Wilkes-Barre with his company of Light Infantry, raised for the provisional military force organized by the State to put down the "Whisky Insurrection". (September)
1795
A Post Office is established at Wilkes-Barre. (July)
1796
First newspaper, The Herald of the Times (weekly), published in Wilkes-Barre.
1797
The Duke of Orleans (later Louis Philippe, King of France) and his brothers, the Duke of Montpensier and the Count of Beaujolais, visit Wilkes-Barre. (July)
John Wilkes, one of the two men for whom Wilkes-Barre was named, dies in England. (December 26)
1799
The Pennsylvania Legislature enacts the "Compromise Law", relating to lands lying "in the seventeen townships, Luzerne County". (April 4)
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-Barre. A detachment of thirty men marches to Elizabeth town. New Jersey. (July)
Public exercises held in the Court House in memory of General Washington, whose death occurred at Mt. Vernon December 14. (December 27)
