This Joseph Skinner is of the Thomas of Malden line.
Joseph Skinner, Susquehanna Company and Delaware Company Proprietor.
Joseph Skinner was an original proprietor in the Susquehanna Company, whose purpose was to expand Connecticut Colony's borders eastward right through the Pennsylvania Colony by occupying the Wyoming Valley along the Susquehanna River. The Company, formed in 1753, clung to the belief that the Wyoming Valley was rightfully Connecticut territory in spite of the anger this belief caused in Philadelphia and in the Iroquois Confederacy (who claimed a long-standing dominion over the indigenous Delawares, or Lenni Lenape as they named themselves). The Company's tenaciously stubborn attitude led directly to the Pennamite Wars and the Wyoming Massacre. Its actions resulted in the warnings and arrest warrants issued from the Governor of Pennsylvania Colony to the Skinner sons, and the intervention of and negotiations by Sir William Johnson to resolve. Pennsylvania retained sovereignty over the area and Company members were forced to re-purchase their lands. Skinner also became interested in the Cushetunk area of the Delaware Valley that straddled the Delaware River in what is now Sullivan County, New York on the east bank and Wayne County, Pennsylvania on the west bank. The Delaware Company was created in order to pursue a patent from Connecticut for this land, in which he was a founding proprietor. In about 1753, he was appointed by the Susquehanna Company to join a small party sent to evaluate the Wyoming Valley, begin surveying, and approach Indians about its purchase. The resulting purchase deed is signed by minor, otherwise unknown Sachems. Daniel Claus, one of Sir William Johnson's Indian agents and future son-in-law, claimed the sale was made even more fraudulently under the influence of alcohol. Neither the Delawares nor the Iroquois Confederacy were pleased about the confiscation of their lands. Sometime between 16 Dec 1755 and 26 Dec 1755, while carrying documents relating to Company business back to Connecticut, Skinner, in company with a Mr. Hooss or Hoos, was shot and killed in Cushetunk, it is theorized, by Indians. It is known that Teedyuscung, Chief of the Delawares, had become weary of waiting for the European governments to deal with the Connecticut Yankee intruders and was conducting raids in that general area in an effort to dislodge them. It's possible that this raiding party encountered Skinner and his companion. Mr Hooss or Hoos was also shot, but possibly not killed outright, it's unclear. Skinner's body was found washed up on an island in the Delaware River in January of 1756, recognized by the prayer book he carried in his pocket. He was buried in the Cushetunk area, but knowledge of the exact location has been lost. As Cushetunk was still frontier wilderness at this time, there were no organized cemeteries. Joseph was the son of Ebeneezar Skinner, Massachusetts Bay Colony, who had migrated to Preston, Connecticut Colony. His mother was Sarah Lord of Hartford, Connecticut. On April 30, 1729 in Connecticut, he married Martha Kinne (bap Jan 1711 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony - many spelling variations), descendant of the Salem Witch Trial accuser, Henry Kenney. Joseph and Martha had 13 known children, including Daniel Skinner, born March 22, 1732, who became the most colorful and locally famous of the Delaware River Valley residents.
[Sources: documents from the Pennsylvania Archives and Connecticut Archives.]
---------------
"The only contemporary report of Joseph Skinner's death is found in the Rev. Gideon Hawley's diary, kept while the missionary resided at Onaquga, New York. It says:
"Wednesday, 16 December, 1755. I sent large accounts of affairs here to Mr. Oliver which I enclosed to Lt. Pitkin Esquire of Hartford by Mr. Skinner and Hooss.
Saturday, 26 December, 1755. This week had news that Conshethton[*] is destroyed and that Skinner and Hoos, who left us on Thursday last week, are both killed, but hardly believe it. Hope it is not true. (Microfilm of Hawley diary from Broome Cty., N.Y., Historical Association.)"
The Legend of Cushetunk: The Nathan Skinner Manuscript and the Early History of Coshecton
Barbara J Sivertsen and Barbara L Covey
Heritage Books, Inc., 1993
Page 37, Endnote #6.
[*] Cushetunk
---------------
This corroborating newspaper item, found in several 1756 newspapers, apparently was not available to the book's authors:
"Extract of a Letter from Blooming-Grove [currently Town of Blooming Grove, Orange County, New York], dated the 5th Instant
We have certain Intelligence that the remaining Inhabitants of Cushecton, in the Great Patent, are all destroyed. The Indians have killed Skinner, and shot another man thro the Body, who, it's thought, will recover. We are now about to send a Petition to the Govenor, for a supply of Men to Guard from Minisink to Mumbaccus; we do not think we have quarter Men enough for our Safety. There is yet, at or near Cushecton, a Number of Indians with their Families. The people of Ulster and Goshen Counties[*], talk of immediately raising Men to go out and cut them off."
1. Headline: "Extract of a Letter from Blooming Grove, Dated the 5th Instant"
Article Type: News/Opinion
Paper: Pennsylvania Gazette County, published as The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: 01-15-1756
Issue: 1412
Page: 2
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
2. Headline: "Extract of a Letter from Blooming-Grove, Dated the 5th Instant"
Article Type: News/Opinion
Paper: Boston News-Letter, published as The Boston Weekly News-Letter
Date: 01-22-1756
Issue: 2794
Page: 1
Location: Boston, Massachusetts.
[*] Goshen in Orange County, New York.
Joseph Skinner, Susquehanna Company and Delaware Company Proprietor.
Joseph Skinner was an original proprietor in the Susquehanna Company, whose purpose was to expand Connecticut Colony's borders eastward right through the Pennsylvania Colony by occupying the Wyoming Valley along the Susquehanna River. The Company, formed in 1753, clung to the belief that the Wyoming Valley was rightfully Connecticut territory in spite of the anger this belief caused in Philadelphia and in the Iroquois Confederacy (who claimed a long-standing dominion over the indigenous Delawares, or Lenni Lenape as they named themselves). The Company's tenaciously stubborn attitude led directly to the Pennamite Wars and the Wyoming Massacre. Its actions resulted in the warnings and arrest warrants issued from the Governor of Pennsylvania Colony to the Skinner sons, and the intervention of and negotiations by Sir William Johnson to resolve. Pennsylvania retained sovereignty over the area and Company members were forced to re-purchase their lands. Skinner also became interested in the Cushetunk area of the Delaware Valley that straddled the Delaware River in what is now Sullivan County, New York on the east bank and Wayne County, Pennsylvania on the west bank. The Delaware Company was created in order to pursue a patent from Connecticut for this land, in which he was a founding proprietor. In about 1753, he was appointed by the Susquehanna Company to join a small party sent to evaluate the Wyoming Valley, begin surveying, and approach Indians about its purchase. The resulting purchase deed is signed by minor, otherwise unknown Sachems. Daniel Claus, one of Sir William Johnson's Indian agents and future son-in-law, claimed the sale was made even more fraudulently under the influence of alcohol. Neither the Delawares nor the Iroquois Confederacy were pleased about the confiscation of their lands. Sometime between 16 Dec 1755 and 26 Dec 1755, while carrying documents relating to Company business back to Connecticut, Skinner, in company with a Mr. Hooss or Hoos, was shot and killed in Cushetunk, it is theorized, by Indians. It is known that Teedyuscung, Chief of the Delawares, had become weary of waiting for the European governments to deal with the Connecticut Yankee intruders and was conducting raids in that general area in an effort to dislodge them. It's possible that this raiding party encountered Skinner and his companion. Mr Hooss or Hoos was also shot, but possibly not killed outright, it's unclear. Skinner's body was found washed up on an island in the Delaware River in January of 1756, recognized by the prayer book he carried in his pocket. He was buried in the Cushetunk area, but knowledge of the exact location has been lost. As Cushetunk was still frontier wilderness at this time, there were no organized cemeteries. Joseph was the son of Ebeneezar Skinner, Massachusetts Bay Colony, who had migrated to Preston, Connecticut Colony. His mother was Sarah Lord of Hartford, Connecticut. On April 30, 1729 in Connecticut, he married Martha Kinne (bap Jan 1711 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony - many spelling variations), descendant of the Salem Witch Trial accuser, Henry Kenney. Joseph and Martha had 13 known children, including Daniel Skinner, born March 22, 1732, who became the most colorful and locally famous of the Delaware River Valley residents.
[Sources: documents from the Pennsylvania Archives and Connecticut Archives.]
---------------
"The only contemporary report of Joseph Skinner's death is found in the Rev. Gideon Hawley's diary, kept while the missionary resided at Onaquga, New York. It says:
"Wednesday, 16 December, 1755. I sent large accounts of affairs here to Mr. Oliver which I enclosed to Lt. Pitkin Esquire of Hartford by Mr. Skinner and Hooss.
Saturday, 26 December, 1755. This week had news that Conshethton[*] is destroyed and that Skinner and Hoos, who left us on Thursday last week, are both killed, but hardly believe it. Hope it is not true. (Microfilm of Hawley diary from Broome Cty., N.Y., Historical Association.)"
The Legend of Cushetunk: The Nathan Skinner Manuscript and the Early History of Coshecton
Barbara J Sivertsen and Barbara L Covey
Heritage Books, Inc., 1993
Page 37, Endnote #6.
[*] Cushetunk
---------------
This corroborating newspaper item, found in several 1756 newspapers, apparently was not available to the book's authors:
"Extract of a Letter from Blooming-Grove [currently Town of Blooming Grove, Orange County, New York], dated the 5th Instant
We have certain Intelligence that the remaining Inhabitants of Cushecton, in the Great Patent, are all destroyed. The Indians have killed Skinner, and shot another man thro the Body, who, it's thought, will recover. We are now about to send a Petition to the Govenor, for a supply of Men to Guard from Minisink to Mumbaccus; we do not think we have quarter Men enough for our Safety. There is yet, at or near Cushecton, a Number of Indians with their Families. The people of Ulster and Goshen Counties[*], talk of immediately raising Men to go out and cut them off."
1. Headline: "Extract of a Letter from Blooming Grove, Dated the 5th Instant"
Article Type: News/Opinion
Paper: Pennsylvania Gazette County, published as The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: 01-15-1756
Issue: 1412
Page: 2
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
2. Headline: "Extract of a Letter from Blooming-Grove, Dated the 5th Instant"
Article Type: News/Opinion
Paper: Boston News-Letter, published as The Boston Weekly News-Letter
Date: 01-22-1756
Issue: 2794
Page: 1
Location: Boston, Massachusetts.
[*] Goshen in Orange County, New York.
This Joseph Skinner is of the Thomas of Malden line.
Joseph Skinner, Susquehanna Company and Delaware Company Proprietor.
Joseph Skinner was an original proprietor in the Susquehanna Company, whose purpose was to expand Connecticut Colony's borders eastward right through the Pennsylvania Colony by occupying the Wyoming Valley along the Susquehanna River. The Company, formed in 1753, clung to the belief that the Wyoming Valley was rightfully Connecticut territory in spite of the anger this belief caused in Philadelphia and in the Iroquois Confederacy (who claimed a long-standing dominion over the indigenous Delawares, or Lenni Lenape as they named themselves). The Company's tenaciously stubborn attitude led directly to the Pennamite Wars and the Wyoming Massacre. Its actions resulted in the warnings and arrest warrants issued from the Governor of Pennsylvania Colony to the Skinner sons, and the intervention of and negotiations by Sir William Johnson to resolve. Pennsylvania retained sovereignty over the area and Company members were forced to re-purchase their lands. Skinner also became interested in the Cushetunk area of the Delaware Valley that straddled the Delaware River in what is now Sullivan County, New York on the east bank and Wayne County, Pennsylvania on the west bank. The Delaware Company was created in order to pursue a patent from Connecticut for this land, in which he was a founding proprietor. In about 1753, he was appointed by the Susquehanna Company to join a small party sent to evaluate the Wyoming Valley, begin surveying, and approach Indians about its purchase. The resulting purchase deed is signed by minor, otherwise unknown Sachems. Daniel Claus, one of Sir William Johnson's Indian agents and future son-in-law, claimed the sale was made even more fraudulently under the influence of alcohol. Neither the Delawares nor the Iroquois Confederacy were pleased about the confiscation of their lands. Sometime between 16 Dec 1755 and 26 Dec 1755, while carrying documents relating to Company business back to Connecticut, Skinner, in company with a Mr. Hooss or Hoos, was shot and killed in Cushetunk, it is theorized, by Indians. It is known that Teedyuscung, Chief of the Delawares, had become weary of waiting for the European governments to deal with the Connecticut Yankee intruders and was conducting raids in that general area in an effort to dislodge them. It's possible that this raiding party encountered Skinner and his companion. Mr Hooss or Hoos was also shot, but possibly not killed outright, it's unclear. Skinner's body was found washed up on an island in the Delaware River in January of 1756, recognized by the prayer book he carried in his pocket. He was buried in the Cushetunk area, but knowledge of the exact location has been lost. As Cushetunk was still frontier wilderness at this time, there were no organized cemeteries. Joseph was the son of Ebeneezar Skinner, Massachusetts Bay Colony, who had migrated to Preston, Connecticut Colony. His mother was Sarah Lord of Hartford, Connecticut. On April 30, 1729 in Connecticut, he married Martha Kinne (bap Jan 1711 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony - many spelling variations), descendant of the Salem Witch Trial accuser, Henry Kenney. Joseph and Martha had 13 known children, including Daniel Skinner, born March 22, 1732, who became the most colorful and locally famous of the Delaware River Valley residents.
[Sources: documents from the Pennsylvania Archives and Connecticut Archives.]
---------------
"The only contemporary report of Joseph Skinner's death is found in the Rev. Gideon Hawley's diary, kept while the missionary resided at Onaquga, New York. It says:
"Wednesday, 16 December, 1755. I sent large accounts of affairs here to Mr. Oliver which I enclosed to Lt. Pitkin Esquire of Hartford by Mr. Skinner and Hooss.
Saturday, 26 December, 1755. This week had news that Conshethton[*] is destroyed and that Skinner and Hoos, who left us on Thursday last week, are both killed, but hardly believe it. Hope it is not true. (Microfilm of Hawley diary from Broome Cty., N.Y., Historical Association.)"
The Legend of Cushetunk: The Nathan Skinner Manuscript and the Early History of Coshecton
Barbara J Sivertsen and Barbara L Covey
Heritage Books, Inc., 1993
Page 37, Endnote #6.
[*] Cushetunk
---------------
This corroborating newspaper item, found in several 1756 newspapers, apparently was not available to the book's authors:
"Extract of a Letter from Blooming-Grove [currently Town of Blooming Grove, Orange County, New York], dated the 5th Instant
We have certain Intelligence that the remaining Inhabitants of Cushecton, in the Great Patent, are all destroyed. The Indians have killed Skinner, and shot another man thro the Body, who, it's thought, will recover. We are now about to send a Petition to the Govenor, for a supply of Men to Guard from Minisink to Mumbaccus; we do not think we have quarter Men enough for our Safety. There is yet, at or near Cushecton, a Number of Indians with their Families. The people of Ulster and Goshen Counties[*], talk of immediately raising Men to go out and cut them off."
1. Headline: "Extract of a Letter from Blooming Grove, Dated the 5th Instant"
Article Type: News/Opinion
Paper: Pennsylvania Gazette County, published as The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: 01-15-1756
Issue: 1412
Page: 2
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
2. Headline: "Extract of a Letter from Blooming-Grove, Dated the 5th Instant"
Article Type: News/Opinion
Paper: Boston News-Letter, published as The Boston Weekly News-Letter
Date: 01-22-1756
Issue: 2794
Page: 1
Location: Boston, Massachusetts.
[*] Goshen in Orange County, New York.
Joseph Skinner, Susquehanna Company and Delaware Company Proprietor.
Joseph Skinner was an original proprietor in the Susquehanna Company, whose purpose was to expand Connecticut Colony's borders eastward right through the Pennsylvania Colony by occupying the Wyoming Valley along the Susquehanna River. The Company, formed in 1753, clung to the belief that the Wyoming Valley was rightfully Connecticut territory in spite of the anger this belief caused in Philadelphia and in the Iroquois Confederacy (who claimed a long-standing dominion over the indigenous Delawares, or Lenni Lenape as they named themselves). The Company's tenaciously stubborn attitude led directly to the Pennamite Wars and the Wyoming Massacre. Its actions resulted in the warnings and arrest warrants issued from the Governor of Pennsylvania Colony to the Skinner sons, and the intervention of and negotiations by Sir William Johnson to resolve. Pennsylvania retained sovereignty over the area and Company members were forced to re-purchase their lands. Skinner also became interested in the Cushetunk area of the Delaware Valley that straddled the Delaware River in what is now Sullivan County, New York on the east bank and Wayne County, Pennsylvania on the west bank. The Delaware Company was created in order to pursue a patent from Connecticut for this land, in which he was a founding proprietor. In about 1753, he was appointed by the Susquehanna Company to join a small party sent to evaluate the Wyoming Valley, begin surveying, and approach Indians about its purchase. The resulting purchase deed is signed by minor, otherwise unknown Sachems. Daniel Claus, one of Sir William Johnson's Indian agents and future son-in-law, claimed the sale was made even more fraudulently under the influence of alcohol. Neither the Delawares nor the Iroquois Confederacy were pleased about the confiscation of their lands. Sometime between 16 Dec 1755 and 26 Dec 1755, while carrying documents relating to Company business back to Connecticut, Skinner, in company with a Mr. Hooss or Hoos, was shot and killed in Cushetunk, it is theorized, by Indians. It is known that Teedyuscung, Chief of the Delawares, had become weary of waiting for the European governments to deal with the Connecticut Yankee intruders and was conducting raids in that general area in an effort to dislodge them. It's possible that this raiding party encountered Skinner and his companion. Mr Hooss or Hoos was also shot, but possibly not killed outright, it's unclear. Skinner's body was found washed up on an island in the Delaware River in January of 1756, recognized by the prayer book he carried in his pocket. He was buried in the Cushetunk area, but knowledge of the exact location has been lost. As Cushetunk was still frontier wilderness at this time, there were no organized cemeteries. Joseph was the son of Ebeneezar Skinner, Massachusetts Bay Colony, who had migrated to Preston, Connecticut Colony. His mother was Sarah Lord of Hartford, Connecticut. On April 30, 1729 in Connecticut, he married Martha Kinne (bap Jan 1711 in Salem, Essex County, Massachusetts Bay Colony - many spelling variations), descendant of the Salem Witch Trial accuser, Henry Kenney. Joseph and Martha had 13 known children, including Daniel Skinner, born March 22, 1732, who became the most colorful and locally famous of the Delaware River Valley residents.
[Sources: documents from the Pennsylvania Archives and Connecticut Archives.]
---------------
"The only contemporary report of Joseph Skinner's death is found in the Rev. Gideon Hawley's diary, kept while the missionary resided at Onaquga, New York. It says:
"Wednesday, 16 December, 1755. I sent large accounts of affairs here to Mr. Oliver which I enclosed to Lt. Pitkin Esquire of Hartford by Mr. Skinner and Hooss.
Saturday, 26 December, 1755. This week had news that Conshethton[*] is destroyed and that Skinner and Hoos, who left us on Thursday last week, are both killed, but hardly believe it. Hope it is not true. (Microfilm of Hawley diary from Broome Cty., N.Y., Historical Association.)"
The Legend of Cushetunk: The Nathan Skinner Manuscript and the Early History of Coshecton
Barbara J Sivertsen and Barbara L Covey
Heritage Books, Inc., 1993
Page 37, Endnote #6.
[*] Cushetunk
---------------
This corroborating newspaper item, found in several 1756 newspapers, apparently was not available to the book's authors:
"Extract of a Letter from Blooming-Grove [currently Town of Blooming Grove, Orange County, New York], dated the 5th Instant
We have certain Intelligence that the remaining Inhabitants of Cushecton, in the Great Patent, are all destroyed. The Indians have killed Skinner, and shot another man thro the Body, who, it's thought, will recover. We are now about to send a Petition to the Govenor, for a supply of Men to Guard from Minisink to Mumbaccus; we do not think we have quarter Men enough for our Safety. There is yet, at or near Cushecton, a Number of Indians with their Families. The people of Ulster and Goshen Counties[*], talk of immediately raising Men to go out and cut them off."
1. Headline: "Extract of a Letter from Blooming Grove, Dated the 5th Instant"
Article Type: News/Opinion
Paper: Pennsylvania Gazette County, published as The Pennsylvania Gazette
Date: 01-15-1756
Issue: 1412
Page: 2
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
2. Headline: "Extract of a Letter from Blooming-Grove, Dated the 5th Instant"
Article Type: News/Opinion
Paper: Boston News-Letter, published as The Boston Weekly News-Letter
Date: 01-22-1756
Issue: 2794
Page: 1
Location: Boston, Massachusetts.
[*] Goshen in Orange County, New York.
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