The Pennamite–Yankee Wars or Yankee–Pennamite Wars were a series of conflicts consisting of the First Pennamite War (1769–1770), the Second Pennamite War (1774), and the Third Pennamite War (1784), in which settlers from Connecticut ( Yankees ) and Pennsylvania (Pennamites) disputed for control of the Wyoming Valley along the North Branch of the Susquehanna River . Both colonies and later states declared that their original land grants gave them control of this territory.
39-701: Claims on the Wyoming Valley were disputed from the start. The Dutch regarded the Susquehanna River as the border between New Netherland and the British-controlled Colony of Virginia . King Charles II rejected all Dutch claims in North America , and he granted the land to colonial-era Connecticut Colony in 1662. This was two years before his country's conquest of New Netherland and its subsequent conversion into
78-448: A combined population of 558,166 in 2015. The counties adjacent to Wyoming Valley include Monroe County (Southeast), Susquehanna County (Northeast), Wayne County (East), Columbia County (West), Bradford County (Northwest), Carbon County (South), Sullivan County (West) and Schuylkill County (Southwest). As of the 2000 census , the area also had the highest percentage of non-Hispanic whites of any U.S. metropolitan area with
117-711: A modest population increase , and others, including Monroe and Pike counties, rank among the state's fastest growing counties. Northeastern Pennsylvania borders the Lehigh Valley to its south, Warren County, New Jersey to its east, and Broome County, New York to its north. References to Northeastern Pennsylvania frequently include some combination of Bradford County , Carbon County , Columbia County , Lackawanna County , Luzerne County , Monroe County , Montour County , Northumberland County , Pike County , Schuylkill County , Sullivan County , Susquehanna County , Wayne County , and Wyoming County . Green :
156-566: A population over 500,000, with 96.2% of the population stating their race as white alone and not claiming Hispanic ethnicity, however the Hispanic demographic has been significantly rising since then. When metropolitan areas were first defined in 1950, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre were in separate metropolitan areas. Lackawanna County was defined as the Scranton Standard Metropolitan Area, while Luzerne County
195-530: A primary city in the 1990 census, while Monroe County lost its metropolitan status. After the 2000 census, Columbia County lost metropolitan status, while Hazleton was removed as a primary city. Scranton is the largest city in Lackawanna County as well as the entire metropolitan area by a large margin, nearly doubling the population of the second largest city in the metropolitan area, Wilkes Barre . The physical Wyoming Valley, also referred to as
234-747: A settlement for Christian Indians . But the violence of the French and Indian War , known outside the U.S. as part of the Seven Years' War , drove these settlers away with David Zeisberger , the Moravian "Apostle to the Indians." This led to conflicting claims to the territory by the colonies of Pennsylvania and Connecticut. King Charles II of England granted the land to the Colony of Connecticut in 1662, and then to William Penn in 1681, who established
273-653: A water park in the off season. There are several attractions that explore the region's industrial history. Eckley Miners' Village near Hazleton, and the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton highlight the area's coal mining history, while Steamtown National Historic Site and the Electric City Trolley Museum , both in Scranton, focus on transportation history. The Houdini Museum in Scranton follows Houdini's exploits in
312-740: Is Holy Redeemer High School in Wilkes-Barre , which serves primarily Luzerne County and Wyoming County . The third school is Notre Dame High School , which is located in Stroudsburg . It primarily serves Monroe County . The fourth school is Nativity BVM High School , which is located in Pottsville , which serves Schuylkill County . The fifth school is Marian Catholic High School in Tamaqua , which serves Schuylkill County, as well as Luzerne County and Carbon County . The sixth school
351-579: Is a historic industrialized region of Northeastern Pennsylvania . The region is historically notable for its influence in helping fuel the American Industrial Revolution with its many anthracite coal mines . As a metropolitan area , it is known as the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area , after its principal cities, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre . With a population of 567,559 as of the 2020 United States census , it
390-777: Is part of the Wyoming Valley Metropolitan Statistical Area, it is not part of the physical valley. Scranton is the cultural center of the Wyoming Valley, being the largest city by population in the metropolitan area. The Wyoming Valley also has professional sports teams; they include the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders ( Minor League Baseball Class AAA ), the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins ( American Hockey League ), and
429-670: Is the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania , after the Delaware Valley , Greater Pittsburgh , the Lehigh Valley , and the Harrisburg–Carlisle metropolitan statistical areas . Within the geology of Pennsylvania the Wyoming Valley makes up its own unique physiographic province , the Anthracite Valley . Greater Pittston occupies the center of the valley. Scranton is the most populated city in
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#1732790482782468-508: The Anthracite Valley Section , is different from the Wyoming Valley metropolitan statistical area . The physical Wyoming Valley is a canoe-shaped valley , about 25 miles (40 km) long, which extends from the counties of Susquehanna and Wayne (in the north) to Columbia County (in the south). It includes the cities of Carbondale , Scranton , Pittston , Wilkes-Barre , and Nanticoke . Even though Wyoming County
507-591: The Endless Mountains , and the industrial cities of Scranton , Wilkes-Barre , Pittston , Hazleton , Nanticoke , and Carbondale . A portion of this region is located in the New York City metropolitan area . Recently, Pennsylvania tourism boards have described Northeastern Pennsylvania as Upstate Pennsylvania . Unlike most parts of the Rust Belt , some of these communities are experiencing
546-779: The Iroquois Confederacy repudiated their sale to Connecticut's Susquehanna Company and sold the land to the Penns. But in 1769 Yankee settlers from Connecticut founded the town of Wilkes-Barre . Armed bands of Pennsylvanian Pennamites tried to expel them without success from 1769 to 1770, starting the First Pennamite War. This was followed by the Second Pennamite War in 1775. Following the American Revolutionary War, by which
585-518: The Province of New York . In 1681, Charles II included the territory in his grant of the Province of Pennsylvania to William Penn . The charter of each colony assigned the territory to the colony so that overlapping land claims existed. In the 17th century, fierce resistance by the Susquehannock people repelled Anglo settlement and rendered the debate academic. But by the mid-18th century,
624-654: The Province of Pennsylvania , leading to military skirmishes known as the Pennamite–Yankee War . After Yankee settlers from Connecticut founded Wilkes-Barre in 1769, armed bands of Pennsylvanians,, known as Pennamites, tried unsuccessfully to expel them between 1769 and 70, and then again in 1775. During the American Revolutionary War , the Battle of Wyoming took place in the valley on July 3, 1778, in which more than 300 Revolutionaries died at
663-958: The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Steamers ( Premier Basketball League ). The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers were a minor league arena football team in Wilkes-Barre (from 2001 to 2009). Local attractions include the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre , the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond , PNC Field in Moosic , Mohegan Pennsylvania in Plains , the Toyota Pavilion in Scranton ,
702-658: The Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport . The following printed resources are in the collection of the Connecticut State Library (CSL): 41°15′04″N 75°54′22″W / 41.251°N 75.906°W / 41.251; -75.906 Northeastern Pennsylvania Northeastern Pennsylvania ( N.E.P.A. or Nepa ) is a region of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania that includes the Pocono Mountains ,
741-1507: The Wilkes-Barre area , near Scranton and in Hazleton . Colleges in the Scranton area include Marywood University in Dunmore , Lackawanna College in downtown Scranton, and the University of Scranton , in downtown Scranton. Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine is the region's only medical school and specifically recruits students from NEPA and surrounding counties. Wilkes-Barre area colleges include Wilkes University in downtown Wilkes-Barre, King's College also in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke , and Misericordia University in Dallas . Keystone College in La Plume , St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary in South Canaan Township , Clarks Summit University (formerly Baptist Bible College & Seminary) in Clarks Summit , Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg , and East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg are among
780-1084: The Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre , the Shoppes at Montage in Moosic , the Steamtown Mall in Scranton , the Viewmont Mall in Scranton / Dickson City , Pennsylvania, and the Montage Mountain Waterpark/Ski Resort in Scranton . Other historic attractions include Eckley Miners' Village and the Steamtown National Historic Site . This area is celebrated in Lydia Sigourney 's poem Vale of Wyoming published in her Scenes in my Native Land, 1845, with accompanying descriptive text. The airports for this area are Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport and
819-614: The Iroquoian-speaking nations. Connecticut sent settlers to the area in 1754, but the work of colonization was delayed for a time by the Seven Years' War . France and Britain fought for control in North America as well, in what was called the French and Indian War by British colonists. When Britain defeated France, the latter nation ceded its territory east of the Mississippi River to Great Britain. In 1768
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#1732790482782858-513: The Pennsylvania Legislature confirmed the various land titles in 1788. The controversy ended in 1799, with the Wyoming Valley becoming part of Pennsylvania. Yankee settlers already occupying land became Pennsylvanians with legal claims to their land. As of 28 February 2024, the following printed resources are in the collection of the Connecticut State Library (CSL): Wyoming Valley The Wyoming Valley
897-628: The Wyoming Valley was inhabited by the Scahentoarrhonon people, an Iroquoian-speaking group; it was then known as the Scahentowanen Valley. By 1744, it was inhabited by Lenape , Mohican , Shawnee and others who had been pushed out of eastern areas by the Iroquois Confederacy . From the 1740s to the 1760s, the valley was the site of Moravian mission work among the Native Americans living there. They envisioned
936-777: The area, as well as the rest of the world. The Scranton Ghost Walk attraction tells of Scranton's paranormal history. 1433 N. Main Avenue, home of the longest running seance event in the United States, "Haunted! Mysteries of the Beyond", was picked by the Pennsylvania Department of tourism as one of the most haunted places in the state. Many well-known universities are located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Penn State operates campuses in
975-565: The colonists gained independence, settlers erupted in the Third Pennamite War in 1784. Connecticut's claim was confirmed by King George III in 1771. In 1773, more settlers from Connecticut erected a new town which they named Westmoreland . In December 1775, the Pennsylvanians refused to leave; the militia of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania , forced them out of the territory at gunpoint. Conflicts continued between
1014-469: The double grant became problematic for settlers from each colony seeking to acquire new lands. Thomas Paine mentioned the conflict in his pro-independence pamphlet Common Sense as evidence that "Continental matters" could be sensibly regulated only by a Continental government. Both colonies purchased the same land by independent treaties with the Indians who occupied this territory, primarily those of
1053-572: The hands of Loyalists and their Iroquois allies. The incident was depicted by the Scottish poet Thomas Campbell in his 1809 poem Gertrude of Wyoming . At the time, rebel colonists widely believed that Joseph Brant , a Mohawk chief, had led the Iroquois forces; in the poem, Brant is described as the "Monster Brant" because of the atrocities committed. Later colonists determined that Brant had not been present at this conflict. The popularity of
1092-763: The largest county by area; Yellow : the most populous county Northeastern Pennsylvania is home to PNC Field in Moosic , which hosts the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders , the AAA affiliate to Major League Baseball's New York Yankees . Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre hosts the American Hockey League 's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins ; it previously hosted the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers of arena football . Pocono Raceway in Long Pond holds one cup series NASCAR race annually. Mohegan Pennsylvania in Plains
1131-656: The legal and political repercussions of the 1959 Knox Mine disaster when the roof of the Knox Coal Company's mine under the Susquehanna River collapsed. The Pocono Mountains , a ridgeline away, are often visible from higher elevations to the east and to the southeast of the Wyoming Valley. The name Wyoming derives from the Lenape Munsee name xwéːwamənk , meaning "at the big river flat." According to The Jesuit Relations in 1635,
1170-459: The metropolitan area with a population of 77,114. The city of Scranton grew in population after the 2015 mid-term census while Wilkes-Barre declined in population. Wilkes-Barre remains the second most-populated city in the metropolitan area, while Hazleton is the third most-populated city in the metropolitan area. The valley is a crescent-shaped depression, a part of the ridge-and-valley or folded Appalachians . The Susquehanna River occupies
1209-646: The other colleges in the area. Three college preparatory schools are located in Northeastern Pennsylvania, including Wyoming Seminary in Kingston , Scranton Preparatory School in Scranton, and MMI Preparatory School in Freeland . Seven Catholic high schools are located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. They include Holy Cross High School in Dunmore , which primarily serves Lackawanna County , Luzerne County , Wayne County , Pike County , Susquehanna County , Wyoming County , and Monroe County . The second school
Pennamite–Yankee War - Misplaced Pages Continue
1248-504: The poem may have led to the state of Wyoming later being named after the valley. The Yankee-Pennamite Wars were eventually settled in the 1780s. The disputed land was granted to Pennsylvania. The Wyoming Valley became part of Northumberland County . However, settlers in what was then the Colony of Connecticut wanted to create a new state in Northeastern Pennsylvania . Massachusetts businessman Timothy Pickering
1287-474: The settlers. During the conflict, the Pennsylvania general John Armstrong , assisting the Pennsylvania representative Alexander Patterson, brought about a truce by promising impartial justice and protection but, as soon as the Yankees were defenseless, he took them prisoner. This treatment swayed public sentiment in favor of the Yankees, and Patterson was withdrawn. Umbrage remained and disputes broke out until
1326-413: The southern part of the valley, which is notable for its deposits of anthracite . These have been extensively mined. Deep mining of anthracite has declined throughout the greater Coal Region , however, due to the greater economics of strip mining. Parts of the local mines had already shut down because some coal beds were on fire and had to be sealed, but the exodus of mining companies came quickly following
1365-434: The two claimants at the end of the American Revolution , and the Continental Congress overturned the king's ruling in 1782 and upheld Pennsylvania's claim to the area. This was the only interstate dispute settled by Congress under the Articles of Confederation . But the state of Pennsylvania sought to force the Yankees from the land in 1784, which began the Third Pennamite War, with Connecticut and Vermont sending men to help
1404-484: Was Pennsylvania's first casino to offer slots. Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono also offers gambling. Skiers can find several slopes in the area, including Shawnee on Delaware in East Stroudsburg , Blue Mountain Resort (east of Palmerton ), Montage Mountain Ski Resort in Scranton , which also operates as a water park during the summer season, Elk Mountain in Union Dale , and Camelback Mountain Resort in Tannersville . Like Montage, it operates as
1443-399: Was defined as the Wilkes-Barre– Hazleton metropolitan area. The two metropolitan areas were merged after the 1970 census as the Northeast Pennsylvania Standard metropolitan statistical area, with Monroe County added as a component. It was renamed the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre metropolitan statistical area after the 1980 census, and Columbia and Wyoming counties were added. Hazleton was added as
1482-436: Was founded, Luzerne County occupied a large portion of Northeastern Pennsylvania. From 1810 to 1878, it was divided into several smaller counties. The counties of Bradford , Lackawanna , Susquehanna , and Wyoming were all formed from parts of Luzerne County. The Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area, also known as the Wyoming Valley, covers Lackawanna , Luzerne , and Wyoming counties. It had
1521-399: Was sent to the region to politically examine the situation. This led the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass a resolution creating Luzerne County . This ended the idea of creating a new state. On September 25, 1786, Luzerne County was formed from part of Northumberland County. It was named after Chevalier de la Luzerne , a French soldier and diplomat during the 18th century. When it
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