Item 61: A Photostat of a Letter from Matthias Hollenback to Timothy Pickering (removed to black box #1), 1788 August 15

Item — Box: 12, Folder: 101

Staff Only

Photostat of a Letter from Matthias Hollenback to Timothy Pickering (removed to black box #1), 1788 August 15

Dates

Created: 1788 August 15

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

Additional Description

Type of Material:

Photostat letter

Condition Note:

Good. Strong vinegar smell.

Measurements:

14 in. x 9 ¾ in.

Description:

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. John Hyde was a member of this group and took part in the kidnapping of Timothy Pickering. Matthias Hollenback discusses in this letter to Pickering, the details of him capturing John Hyde.

Location:

Tioga Point

Transcription:

96 Tyoga Paint (sic) August 15th 1788 De[a]r Sir I take Liberty to trouble you with a Line in Regard of my Conduct in taking of John Hyde. ~~ I had infirmation [sic] of his being on the River at a Placs (sic) Call[e].d Wagow and Chononicut [Connetquot?] in the State of New York by Verus Pople (sic) [People]. On thursday the 7th Instant I goot [sic] Mr. John Harriss and Samuel McCholhope to gow [sic] with me to attempt the taking of Hyde. I sent Sir McCholhope to go forward as he was a stranger and find out where Hyde was in order that he might loge (sic) in the house or in the bead (sic) if possible with Hyde. but McCholhope being a stranger with luck by som (sic) other Reasons did not Reach the house that night.--- I left here at 3. O.Clock P.M with Mr.Harris in order to git(sic) to one Johnathan Forsyth where I hard(sic) Hyde was last at 35 miles from this I goott(sic) about 2 O.Clock in the morning. When wee (sic) left our horses a back of the barn and went to the Dore(sic) John Harris and Desired to be let in the answer of Mrs Forsyth was that hir(sic) husband was such that he could not git(sic) up I had call[e]d [sic] a boy to git(sic) up and lite(sic) a candle which this boy Did. when the Candle was Lite(sic) (I had bin(sic) viewing the windows) I ameadetly (sic) Run (sic) in a shed ^ashed If John Hyde was there Mrs Jonathan Forysth said there was one of that name had bein(sic) there the Eaving (sic) before— the woman maid(sic) answer that he was in the barn. I took the Candle and Run(sic) out ^ to a Leader (sic) [Ladder] that went up chamber- as I Raised the my head above the Chamber flour (sic) with the Candle in my hand John Hyde Stoud(sic) on the flour(sic) with his Rifle cocked in his hand Presented it at me Disered (sic) me to stand or I was a dead man I cocking my Pistoll (sic) knocked out the candle. when I Raised the flour (sic) of the chamber I stepped from the sight of the Dore(sic) so that If he shoot that might ^ not have or claim sight by the Skyes(sic) John Harris went Low on the flour(sic) so as to seize his gun and him to Gaether [together] after a small Combat we Tyed(sic) him broo’t[brought] him into a Lower Run. we maid(sic) Torch for a cannoue (sic) [canoe]* turn Page 2: in the River but Could find none. I asked Forsyth for a horse he told me he had none— but one that ^ was Rode in to the country. I asked for any horse if any about the house - his answer was not any~~ in backing our horses through the yd. I saw a horse in the [yar]d with som (sic) white about . I asked who ownd (sic) him Forysth s.d [said] he had a horse but that he was so old that he wood (sic) ^ not carry a man tow (sic) [two] miles. I then thought Staying till Day asked Hyde what Num[ber] of the Party of insurgents was in that Settlement or if any he telld (sic) me none also Mr. Forsyth teld(sic) that there was none. the Last was gon (sic) about 20 miles up the Shenang (sic) [Shenango] ^ River asked Mr.Forsyth if any of the Inhabitants would rise to take or Re[lease] the Presonor (sic) his answer was that there was no Danger of any body— and if I Remember Right that he wood (sic) inshore (sic) [insure] us. Hyde wished to be used as a presonor (sic) &c [etcetera] ^and asked for a chance to send for som(sic) close(sic) [Clothes] he had at a small Disdance which I Deniyed(sic) him but by the Long impertunning(?) of the prisoner as well the family I Give Liberty then Mr. Forsyths old Horse wood (sic) Do to Ride (viz) for the Express for the C[illegible] when the boy Returned about Daylight and the Ploit (?) Said Mr. Forsyth has a horse that Stood tyed (sic) at the barn all night for us for the Prisoner ~ which he Readley (sic) Give (sic) up for that use. wee (sic) Started ameadlly (sic) [immediately] and came on the Road about tow (sic) [two] miles when in a thick swamp some (sic) what tall(?) ^ and head(?) my horse Self behind heard A man Say Stand or you are a Dead man when the Prisoner Turned to make a sull stop at that word I ans[wered] no no press on – when I Struck the Prisoners horse then the same Demand was maid (sic) again when Looking to my Right hand in a thick Swampt (sic) saw the body of a man with a Rifle Presented at me. I still thought the Darft(?)not shoot at me and tuck (sic) [took] care of the Prisoner. if the Did it wood (sic) be over my head after stricking (sic) the horse and prisoner three times the[y?] fired when my horse Give (sic) a small Start and the Prisoner jomped (sic) his horse over a Loag (sic) out of the Paith and Left him about four Roads(sic) [Rods] when I saw him Running on futt (sic) I teld (sic) Mr. Harris we wood (sic) Give(sic) them a Little time the[n?] would shoot of their Guns &c[etcetera] but the Discharged but the one —have

Page 3: Mr. Harris said wee (sic) had better tack (sic) care the would killed us &c[etcetera] and then informed my horse was shott (sic) through where I saw that I started and came (sic) on about 30 perches when I found my horse Sunned(sic) [soon?] ^to fail I Goot (sic) of[f] him and Drove him to the next house where I Left him–about half a mile from the place of Resque (sic). I Since here (sic) that the horse may chance to Live —- I was informed by townsmen who Loged (sic) at the horse where the ambushed Left they wood (sic) kill us but what they ^wood Release Hyde &c[etcetera] &c —------

there’s (sic) [There is] a few

NB[nota bene] I Expect to be at Wilkesbarre about 25th Instant when I will be Ready to answer for my bad Conduct in this case with the Rest of my Brother officers. you will See that there’s (sic) [there is] a Court of Ingueus(?) Call[e]d MH [Matthias Hollenback]

To Timothy Pickering Esq[ui]r[e] Along the inner seam of the page: M. Hollenback Esq[ui]r[e] Tioga Aug[us]t 15. 1788

Back: (about the taking of John Hyde.)

To Timothy Pickering Esq[ui]r[e] Hond Pr [Honored Prothonotary] Lord Butler Esq[ui]r[e] Wilkesbarre