Item 60: Court Proceedings for John P[aul] Schott, written by William Hibbard (Removed to Legal Box #1), 1788 July 12
Item — Box: 12, Folder: 100
Dates
- 1788 July 12
Creator
- Hibbard, William, 1729-1811 (Person)
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
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
From the Collection: 17 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Court proceeding
Condition Note:
Fair.
Measurements:
13 ⅜ in. x 8 ⅜ in. (Closed); 16 ¾ in. x 13 ⅜ in.
Description:
The following item depicts a proceeding written by William Hibbard, the sitting president, from the trial of captain John Paul Schott, a captain who accompanied an expedition with troops under Captains Hartseph and Ross. It is possible that the name Hartseph has been misspelled from Hartsell. The proceedings discuss what occurred during the expedition regarding Schott’s maneuvers. They explain how the men were marched at various times during a couple days' span, losing track of captain Hartseph and meeting within protected places, such as that of Justin Jones, possibly Justus Jones, and other houses within Messhopen. The overall crime being assessed appears to be Schott’s missing attendance at a pivotal shooting being recorded on the second and third pages. It is said that Schott requested a sentry to wake him if and when the time to march came. The final pages state that the sentry never fulfilled their duties, with Schott waking only after the men were being fired upon. The last lines indicate that Schott was acquitted of all charges within the case.
The expedition mentioned within the item may be of the Sullivan Expedition. The Sullivan Expedition was a United States military campaign in 1779, led by Major General John Sullivan and Brigadier General James Clinton, where George Washington ordered the Continental Army to respond with force after a series of British and Iroquois forces allied to attack a number of territories in 1778, including Wyoming, in the Battle of Wyoming, German Flatts, and Cherry Valley. It has been regarded as a “scorched-earth campaign” where the Iroquois Confederacy resided. The raid essentially razed over 40 Iroquios villages, destroying everything within including crops, food storages, and livestock.
The conflict within may also be the Battle of Yorktown, in which Schott is also prominently featured. The Battle of Yorktown was the final major battle during the American Revolutionary War, spanning September 28, 1781 to its conclusion on October 19, 1781. The decisive victory was achieved by General Geroge Washington when, with French allied troops commanded by Marquis de Lafayette, they were able to secure a surrender from General Cornwallis, capturing himself and his troops.
There is another item in the collection that explains some connection between Zebulon Butler and John Paul Schott. 12.57 Item 16: Letter from Benjamin Stoddert to Zebulon Butler, 1779 October 20.
Location:
Luzerne County
Transcription:
At a Court of Enquiry holden July the 12th 1788
by order of Zebulon Butler Esquire Lieut[enant] of the County
of Luzerne & pursuant to the request of Capt[ain]. John
P Schott; for the purpose of examing(sic) [examining] into the conduct
of the said Schott while up the River on the late expedition.
Capt William Hibbert [Hibbard] Pres[i[d[en]t Lieut[enant] George Cooper and Capt Daniel Gore Lieut[enant] Philip Myers Capt[ain] G. P. Ransom Lieut[enant] Thomas Drake Lieut[enant] Shubal Bidlack Members
Capt Schott States-that, altho a Company of Troop(s) was raised & he appointed Capt[ain] yet one of the officers had Commission- But twas thought the late Insurrection would Justify his calling out his proposed company- he went with the troop the next morning-he expicted (sic) [expected] & party of foot after him found many incovnviniences (sic) [inconveniences] on the march, Rain, false reports, &c [etcetera]--- staid (sic) [stayed] at Jones’ the 1st night next morning went on to Tankhannock— then all thought best to return. 2d time he march[e]d on after a party of foot met them at Justin Jones’ an agreement was made that Capt[ain] Ross shou[l]’d strike at black walnut bottom & come down to Jones’ Meshoppin (sic) [Meshoppen] where the main body was to meet Capt[ain] Ross-that he with his troops that night march[e]d on, and lodged at Ousterhoudts (sic) [Ousterhout]- Z. Mercy then came and informed that the whole body of the Insurgent were at Tunkhannock about 3 miles above us a council was call[e]d, Mess[er]s Cary & Mercy went through the woods to meet ^Capt[ain] Ross & call him back— could not find Capt Ross- the main body march[e]d at two A.M. to Surround a house where the insurgents were at break of day-the Insurgents were gone-& the siege in vain—then march[e]d to the narrows about 2 miles above, to learn what was become of Capt[ain] Hartseph [Pos. Hartsell]- heard nothing of him, or his party- there a young Lad came & informed that the insurgents would way-lay our party at Jacques hill (which Mr Cary afterwards found true)- then the main body march[e]d back to Mercy’s house; the next morning between the break of day & sunrise was the time to meet Capt[ain] Ross at Meshoppin (sic) [Meshoppen]-A Consultation was held held what time to march from Mercy’s house, for his part he had no Commission, but was merely a volunteer; he thought proper to march at ½ past 2 o’clock; Maj[o]r Myers was present-& the Sheriff who were authorised- the sheriff &c [etcetera] told ordered the march to begin
Page 2:
at one o’clock. The Centinel (sic) [Sentinel] neglected, he, Capt[ain] Schotts did not Countermand any orders given; he was not the highest in Command— and did but give his opinion- a gun was fired at by one of the Centinels (sic) [Sentinels] the party rous[e]d & found it was then three O’Clock— he ordered the troop to march on them as fast as Possible— arrived at Meshoppin (sic) [Meshoppen] as soon as possible— the Inst with the troops—the infantry did not go-
Mr. Catlin says that Capt[ain] Schott with his troop our back came up with^ the foot at Justin Jones, & found that Maj[o]r Myers had called Capt[ain] Ross,s (sic) [Ross’] party over the River, the Sh[eri]ff & Coroner went over to them, & part came over, after we join[e]d there was a Consultation & agreed that Capt[ain] Ross should take a party & go thro[ugh] the woods & come in on the River at Blackwalnut Bottom & the Maj[o]r Myers & Capt[ain] Schott & the party was to meet Ross the next Morning after Day Light as Meshppin (sic) [Meshoppen] we proceed[e]d and Logd [Lodged] at Ousterhouts & in the Night March[e]d to Tunkhannock in order to Surround the house of Dan[ie]l Earl but when we came to Tunkh[annock] found the Insurgents were not there, there march[e]d to the narrow in order to meet Capt[ain] Hartsiff (sic) found him not there march[e]d back to Tunk[hannoc]k—. & there tarried untill Evening there ajrd [adjourned] to go on with the hors(e) to Missn (sic) [Messophen] the time being propross[e]d (sic) [proposed] Cap[tai]n Schott said half after two the She[ri]ff said they must go sooner and added that if the Officers would not go he would go with what men he could get & turn[e]d to the Serj[ean]t (sic) [Sargent] & told him to wa rouse them up so as to start at one oClock— but it was not done untill break of day they— Immediately pursuid (sic) [pursued] & came to Messh[ope]n where they came to Wisdom the women told them that the Insurgents has gone up the hill about Three Qrs [Quarters] of an hour.
Page 3: Mr. Staples says that he heard Capt[ain] Schott say he was of the Oppinion (sic) [Opinion] that it was soon anough(sic) [enough] to Start at Three oClock but Mr. Butler give (sic) [gave] me orders to wake up the people asoon (sic) [as soon] as one by all means, he says that he was very Sleapy (sic) [sleepy] and tired and not very well but ^after one Relief he told the Sentry to waik (sic) [wake] him up at the time if he goes him asleep Viz by one oClock are at this Lean[e]d down and fell &Asleep & the Centry (sic) [Sentry] never made any did not obey his orders but never waiked(sic) [waked] untill (sic) [until] Light the Centry (sic) [Sentry] fired which was about day break- Saturday July 12th 1788 at a court of Enquiry (sic) [inquiry] held this ^day by order of the County Lt [Lieutenant] whereby Capt[ain] Hibbard is president Reporteth that upon after examining the witness & according to the present evidence } are of Oppinion } that he be Capt[ain] Schott be acquitted with honor. William Heberd (sic) [Hibbard] President
Capt William Hibbert [Hibbard] Pres[i[d[en]t Lieut[enant] George Cooper and Capt Daniel Gore Lieut[enant] Philip Myers Capt[ain] G. P. Ransom Lieut[enant] Thomas Drake Lieut[enant] Shubal Bidlack Members
Capt Schott States-that, altho a Company of Troop(s) was raised & he appointed Capt[ain] yet one of the officers had Commission- But twas thought the late Insurrection would Justify his calling out his proposed company- he went with the troop the next morning-he expicted (sic) [expected] & party of foot after him found many incovnviniences (sic) [inconveniences] on the march, Rain, false reports, &c [etcetera]--- staid (sic) [stayed] at Jones’ the 1st night next morning went on to Tankhannock— then all thought best to return. 2d time he march[e]d on after a party of foot met them at Justin Jones’ an agreement was made that Capt[ain] Ross shou[l]’d strike at black walnut bottom & come down to Jones’ Meshoppin (sic) [Meshoppen] where the main body was to meet Capt[ain] Ross-that he with his troops that night march[e]d on, and lodged at Ousterhoudts (sic) [Ousterhout]- Z. Mercy then came and informed that the whole body of the Insurgent were at Tunkhannock about 3 miles above us a council was call[e]d, Mess[er]s Cary & Mercy went through the woods to meet ^Capt[ain] Ross & call him back— could not find Capt Ross- the main body march[e]d at two A.M. to Surround a house where the insurgents were at break of day-the Insurgents were gone-& the siege in vain—then march[e]d to the narrows about 2 miles above, to learn what was become of Capt[ain] Hartseph [Pos. Hartsell]- heard nothing of him, or his party- there a young Lad came & informed that the insurgents would way-lay our party at Jacques hill (which Mr Cary afterwards found true)- then the main body march[e]d back to Mercy’s house; the next morning between the break of day & sunrise was the time to meet Capt[ain] Ross at Meshoppin (sic) [Meshoppen]-A Consultation was held held what time to march from Mercy’s house, for his part he had no Commission, but was merely a volunteer; he thought proper to march at ½ past 2 o’clock; Maj[o]r Myers was present-& the Sheriff who were authorised- the sheriff &c [etcetera] told ordered the march to begin
Page 2:
at one o’clock. The Centinel (sic) [Sentinel] neglected, he, Capt[ain] Schotts did not Countermand any orders given; he was not the highest in Command— and did but give his opinion- a gun was fired at by one of the Centinels (sic) [Sentinels] the party rous[e]d & found it was then three O’Clock— he ordered the troop to march on them as fast as Possible— arrived at Meshoppin (sic) [Meshoppen] as soon as possible— the Inst with the troops—the infantry did not go-
Mr. Catlin says that Capt[ain] Schott with his troop our back came up with^ the foot at Justin Jones, & found that Maj[o]r Myers had called Capt[ain] Ross,s (sic) [Ross’] party over the River, the Sh[eri]ff & Coroner went over to them, & part came over, after we join[e]d there was a Consultation & agreed that Capt[ain] Ross should take a party & go thro[ugh] the woods & come in on the River at Blackwalnut Bottom & the Maj[o]r Myers & Capt[ain] Schott & the party was to meet Ross the next Morning after Day Light as Meshppin (sic) [Meshoppen] we proceed[e]d and Logd [Lodged] at Ousterhouts & in the Night March[e]d to Tunkhannock in order to Surround the house of Dan[ie]l Earl but when we came to Tunkh[annock] found the Insurgents were not there, there march[e]d to the narrow in order to meet Capt[ain] Hartsiff (sic) found him not there march[e]d back to Tunk[hannoc]k—. & there tarried untill Evening there ajrd [adjourned] to go on with the hors(e) to Missn (sic) [Messophen] the time being propross[e]d (sic) [proposed] Cap[tai]n Schott said half after two the She[ri]ff said they must go sooner and added that if the Officers would not go he would go with what men he could get & turn[e]d to the Serj[ean]t (sic) [Sargent] & told him to wa rouse them up so as to start at one oClock— but it was not done untill break of day they— Immediately pursuid (sic) [pursued] & came to Messh[ope]n where they came to Wisdom the women told them that the Insurgents has gone up the hill about Three Qrs [Quarters] of an hour.
Page 3: Mr. Staples says that he heard Capt[ain] Schott say he was of the Oppinion (sic) [Opinion] that it was soon anough(sic) [enough] to Start at Three oClock but Mr. Butler give (sic) [gave] me orders to wake up the people asoon (sic) [as soon] as one by all means, he says that he was very Sleapy (sic) [sleepy] and tired and not very well but ^after one Relief he told the Sentry to waik (sic) [wake] him up at the time if he goes him asleep Viz by one oClock are at this Lean[e]d down and fell &Asleep & the Centry (sic) [Sentry] never made any did not obey his orders but never waiked(sic) [waked] untill (sic) [until] Light the Centry (sic) [Sentry] fired which was about day break- Saturday July 12th 1788 at a court of Enquiry (sic) [inquiry] held this ^day by order of the County Lt [Lieutenant] whereby Capt[ain] Hibbard is president Reporteth that upon after examining the witness & according to the present evidence } are of Oppinion } that he be Capt[ain] Schott be acquitted with honor. William Heberd (sic) [Hibbard] President
- Bidlack , Shubal, 1761-1803
- Butler, Zebulon, 1731-1795
- Catlin, George, 1796-1872
- Circuit Courts
- Cooper, George, 1751-1824
- Gore, Daniel, Capt.,1746-1809
- Jones, Justin, [Pos. Jones, Justus, 1768-1830]
- Laws.
- Myers, Philip, 1759-1835
- Osterhout family
- Ransom, George Palmer, 1762-1850
- Schott, Paul John,1744-1829
- Susquehanna Claim, 1753-1808.
- Trial
Creator
- Hibbard, William, 1729-1811 (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