Item 42: Letter from Zebulon Butler to Colonel [Nathan] Denison, 1788 July 28
Item — Box: 10, Folder: 42
Dates
- Created: 1788 July 28
Creator
- Butler, Zebulon, 1731-1795 (Person)
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter.
Condition Note:
Poor, the page is ripped in half.
Measurements:
13 ¼ in. x 8 ¼ in.
Description:
In this letter, dated July 28, 1788, Zebulon Butler, a lieutenant colonel during the American Revolutionary War, is writing to lieutenant colonel, Nathan Denison, concerning a riot of the county magistrates. Butler writes to Denison requesting that he speak in their favor after the recent kidnapping of Timothy Pickering. Butler explains that there has been some evidence brought forth that the plan for the attack was conducted at his house, and another party, John Jenkins, was present for the duration of the planning until the subsequent taking of Pickering. Butler also notes that Dension has been dissuaded from closely examining the evidence by opposing parties, because they believe it would wound certain characters. Butler writes requesting that his trial would be held publicly, and that he may not be asked to be present at the examinations.
On June 26th 1788 Timothy Pickering was kidnapped by “Wild Yankees” from his Wilkes-Barre home. Wild Yankees was the name given to the New Englanders who Settled along the upper Susquehanna and Delaware Valleys under a Connecticut deed. The Wild Yankees opposed Pennsylvania’s Efforts to to impose its jurisdiction and soil rights over the region they inhabited. Thus, The Wild Yankees resorted to violence and were often categorized as villains and criminals during the timer period.
We have another letter, 12.64 Item 23: Letter from Matthias Hollenback to Timothy Pickering, 1788 August 15. [Removed to Black Box #5], where the same context of Pickering’s abduction is referenced.
Location:
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Transcription:
Gentlemen
I have A Favour to ask of you and would Urge it
as far as is Consistant (sic) with decency that is that
in the Examination of Evidences Relative to the
Late Riot in Takeing (sic) and abusing Col[onel] Pickering
you would be very strict in the Examination and
Especially about my Self the Reasons for my
Request are as follows.
1st that Mrs. Pickering told Mr. Catling (some
days after Col Pickering was taken) that she was informed
that the plan for taking him was formid (sic) [formed] in my House
and that John Jinkins [Jenkins] was in my House sureted(?) Hours Some
[along the page, right side] days before Col[onel]. Pickering was Taken
2nd that Esqr Smith told Col[onel] Denison that they did not
Like to Examine the evidence too close for fear it
woulnd [wound] Such Characters. and was asked who he said
Col[onel] Butler & Capt[ain] Schott as Col[onel] Denison and Mr.
Catling [Catlin] will Likely be present at the Examination
I need not add only would not wish to be present
myself I could wish the examination Respecting
me mite (sic) [might] be publick (sic) [public] if consistent but must
submit it to your Wisdom and Am
Getel [Gentlemen] your most Obt [Obedient] Most
Humbl[e] Serv[an]t Zeb[ulo]n Butler
Wilkes-Barre
28 July 1788
Hon[prab]le Col[onel] Denison and the Rest of the Majestrates (sic) [Magistrates] County Luzerne
[Back] Hon[prab]le Col[onel] Denison Esq[ui]’r[e] And the rest of the Majestrates (sic) [Magistrates] County Luzern[e]
Luzerne County
A Letter from Z.B. to the Authority in Luzerne County
Hon[prab]le Col[onel] Denison and the Rest of the Majestrates (sic) [Magistrates] County Luzerne
[Back] Hon[prab]le Col[onel] Denison Esq[ui]’r[e] And the rest of the Majestrates (sic) [Magistrates] County Luzern[e]
Luzerne County
A Letter from Z.B. to the Authority in Luzerne County
Creator
- Butler, Zebulon, 1731-1795 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu