Item 59: Letter from Eben[ez]er Gray to Zebulon Butler, 1787 September 12
Item — Box: 12, Folder: 99
Dates
- Created: 1787 September 12
Creator
- Gray, Ebenezer, 1766-1829 (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
Measurements:
11 ⅝ in. x 7 ¼ in.
Description:
The following item depicts a letter written by Ebenezer Gray to Zebulon Butler, dated September 12, 1787. In the letter, Gray mentions that he has heard the Connecticut claims in the Wyoming valley will be heard by the Pennsylvania Commissioners. He mentions that his lands are contained within those being heard and discussed. He writes that he has proof of his title and will be in the valley around October in order to lay it before the Commissioners. He concludes his writings by stating that he hopes Butler will ensure the spot is not decided on before he can appear. He signs his name with sentiments sent on to Mrs. Butler, Phoebe.
The letter contains some of Gray’s personal attention to the state of the country, suggesting that the government in Pennsylvania has no intention of settling their just debts and that the business is slow and money scarce.
This period of time is likely referring to the recent close of the third yankee pennamite war. The Yankee Pennamite Wars were a three part conflicts waged between Connecticut and Pennsylvania were an attempt to resolve a dispute over the land in the upper regions of what is now Pennsylvania after King Charles II granted the land twice, once to Connecticut in 1662, and again to William Penn as he founded Pennsylvania in 1681. The states fought over the jurisdiction, which was ultimately decided during the Decree of Trenton, in 1782, where they granted the rights of jurisdiction to Pennsylvania. The years following the resolve of the conflict saw a great deal of attention to instating compromise acts, rightful governing committees, and redistribution of land claims and titles.
Location:
Windham
Transcription:
Windham Sept[embe]r 12th 1787
Sir
I have just heard the Pennsylvania
Commissioners for quieting the claims
of the settlers are now at Wyoming
on that Business and that
the Principles adopted by them
will include me as a settler. I
intend to be at Wyoming with
the Evidence of my Title to lay
before them in the beginning
of October— I would request
you to mention to Col[onel] Pickering
that I have a claim to Wapwallopen
and desire that there may not
be any Determination on that
Spot until I can come & lay in
Page 2: in my claim—- Times are dull, no money, weak Government who have no Idea of a certain Thing called Justice— or in other words no Intention of paying their Just Debts— present my compliments to Mrs. Butler. and am with great Esteem yours &c [etcetera] Eben[eze]r. Gray Col[onel] Zeb[ulon] Butler
Back:
7 2 3/7 1 2 6 3 9 1 10 1 8 1 – 16 — 12 – 1
Col[onel] Zebulon Butler p[er] Mr. Spencer Wyoming
Col[onel] Gray 1787
Page 2: in my claim—- Times are dull, no money, weak Government who have no Idea of a certain Thing called Justice— or in other words no Intention of paying their Just Debts— present my compliments to Mrs. Butler. and am with great Esteem yours &c [etcetera] Eben[eze]r. Gray Col[onel] Zeb[ulon] Butler
Back:
7 2 3/7 1 2 6 3 9 1 10 1 8 1 – 16 — 12 – 1
Col[onel] Zebulon Butler p[er] Mr. Spencer Wyoming
Col[onel] Gray 1787
Creator
- Gray, Ebenezer, 1766-1829 (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