Napthali Hurlbut's Inn
Hurlbut's tavern and inn, located at the north corner of Bank and Centre streets, was leased from Thomas Wright who had it built a few years earlier. In the fall of 1799 Hurlbut opened a public house "where entertainment may be had for Man and Horse" .
Thirty-three years old and a native of New London, Connecticut, Hurlbut moved to Wyoming with his parents in 1788. In 1793 he married Olive Smith, a daughter of Dr. William Hooker Smith. Their children were six year old daughter Asseneth and two year old son Lyman.
In 1801 Hurlbut and his family moved on, eventually to Pittston near Olive's parents where he had a fulling mill. Years later he kept an inn at Kingston and served terms as county commissioner and sheriff.
Thirty-three years old and a native of New London, Connecticut, Hurlbut moved to Wyoming with his parents in 1788. In 1793 he married Olive Smith, a daughter of Dr. William Hooker Smith. Their children were six year old daughter Asseneth and two year old son Lyman.
In 1801 Hurlbut and his family moved on, eventually to Pittston near Olive's parents where he had a fulling mill. Years later he kept an inn at Kingston and served terms as county commissioner and sheriff.
About thirty years old and known as the "Widow Gordon" and, Parthenia Atherton had been the wife of house carpenter James Augustus Gordon who built several of the homes in Wilkes-Barre prior to his death a few years earlier in New York state. Parthenia and her young boys George, John and James at this time were living in Plymouth where she taught school.
After returning to Wilkes-Barre in 1804 Widow Gordon became a tailoress, mantua-maker and milliner, and sometimes sold cakes and beer. In her milliner's shop was offered "an elegant assortment of bonnets" and "a neat assortment of Caps, Ribbons, Artificial Flowers, and various other articles in her business, suitable to the season". She also altered and repaired old bonnets and did all kinds of sewing "in a neat manner and at the shortest notice".
Asher Miner's Residence
Asher Miner, age 22, had just married Polly Wright, Thomas and Mary Wright's only daughter. Asher, born in Norwich, Connecticut, moved to Wilkes-Barre a year earlier where he opened a school in a small building on the east side of Centre Square. In his school he undertook "to instruct youth in Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and English Grammar" asserting that "Proper attention will be paid to the Morals and Manners of those committed to his care." He also assisted his brother-in-law Joshua Wright on the Wilkes-Barre Gazette, the newspaper owned by his father-in-law.
In 1801 Miner published his own newspaper, the Luzerne County Federalist and in 1802 partnered with his younger brother Charles who had come to Wilkes-Barre a year earlier at his urging.
Upon the sale of the Federalist to his brother in 1804, Asher Miner moved from Wilkes-Barre to Doylestown, Bucks county, where he established the Pennsylvania Correspondent and Farmers' Advertiser.
The house itself was a gift from Polly's father. It was built by James A. Gordon and at that time was regarded as the best specimen of tasteful architecture in the town. But it remained unpainted.
Joseph Wright, Esq's
Home and Office
Joseph Wright's family home was a frame building, two stories high, with a small office on the corner. Born in County Down, Ireland, Joseph Wright had immigrated to America about 1763 with his brothers Thomas and William who were now both established in Wilkes-Barre. In April 1799 he was appointed Justice of the Peace after which, in addition to providing many other services, performed many marriages.
Clark Beebe's Saddlery
Clark Beebe, age 32, was a saddler from East Haddam, Middlesex, Connecticut . His wife was Clorinda. His brothers Timothy, Gideon and Lemuel and their families also lived in Wilkes-Barre at this time.
Beebe was also a mail carrier. He also advertized that he would "during the winter keep sleighs and horses and carry passengers to and from Easton; leaving Wilkes-Barre every Wednesday."
In 1802 Beebe partnered with Thomas A. Alkins to "carry on the Saddlery Business in Wilkesbarre, under the Firm of Alkins & Beebe. They solicit the patronage of their friends and the public and will dispatch Good work for prompt pay."
In 1808 he offered his property for sale and eventually moved to Green County, Illinois:
"To Be Sold: By private sale, a certain two story house, 45 by 20 ft. a good barn and lot of ground in the Borough of Wilkesbarre, being as per Certificate, part of Lot No. 20, containing 57 2-10 perches bounded by the centre square and centre street and by the lands of Isaac Carpenter and the other part of said lot No. 20, with the privilege of a well and pump of excellent water near the house, the greater part of the buildings are entirely new and suitable to carry on any kind of pubic business being only a few rods from the Court House. An indisputable title will be given and the terms of sale made known by, Clark Beebe. There are 10 apple and 2 cherry trees of excellent fruit on the premises".
Beebe was also a mail carrier. He also advertized that he would "during the winter keep sleighs and horses and carry passengers to and from Easton; leaving Wilkes-Barre every Wednesday."
In 1802 Beebe partnered with Thomas A. Alkins to "carry on the Saddlery Business in Wilkesbarre, under the Firm of Alkins & Beebe. They solicit the patronage of their friends and the public and will dispatch Good work for prompt pay."
In 1808 he offered his property for sale and eventually moved to Green County, Illinois:
"To Be Sold: By private sale, a certain two story house, 45 by 20 ft. a good barn and lot of ground in the Borough of Wilkesbarre, being as per Certificate, part of Lot No. 20, containing 57 2-10 perches bounded by the centre square and centre street and by the lands of Isaac Carpenter and the other part of said lot No. 20, with the privilege of a well and pump of excellent water near the house, the greater part of the buildings are entirely new and suitable to carry on any kind of pubic business being only a few rods from the Court House. An indisputable title will be given and the terms of sale made known by, Clark Beebe. There are 10 apple and 2 cherry trees of excellent fruit on the premises".
No comments:
Post a Comment