Putnam Catlin's Farm
Putnam Catlin's farm, purchased in the summer of 1792, encompassed the land that fronted the entire south side of the Square.
Thirty-six year old Catlin was one of the county's most prominent lawyers. Born in Litchfield, Connecticut, Catlin, after serving in the Revolutionary War, returned to Litchfield to study law. Then he moved to Wilkes-Barre in 1789 (age 25) to begin his practice and married Mary "Polly" Sutton, a daughter of early settlers of Wyoming. Due to failing health Catlin and his family, including his sixty-six year old father Eli Catlin, moved from Wilkes-Barre about 1800 to a farm in Windsor, Broome county, N. Y.
Four year old son George was to become the highly acclaimed frontier artist.
John Hollenback's Estate
John Hollenback was Matthias Hollenback's brother who died in 1797 at age 42 leaving his widow Elizabeth and a number of children including sons John and Matthias who remained in Wilkes-Barre for a time. John, Jr. was employed by his uncle Matthias learning the art of trade.
Hollenback's property of which brother Matthias was part owner fronted the entire west side of the Square. After his death sons Matthias and John Jr. became part owners.
Matthew Covell, Esq.
Physician
Thirty-eight year old Matthew Covell was the most respected (and only) doctor in town. Born in Glastonbury, Hartford County, Connecticut, Covell came to Wilkes-Barre about 1786, age 24. His wife was Aurelia Tuttle, daughter of Stephen Tuttle, Sr. and Lydia Lyman of Wilkes-Barre. In May of 1792 he purchased the south half of lot 31 located on the east side of Main street between Northampton street and Centre Square, where he built his home and raised his family.
In April 1799 he was appointed Justice of the Peace by the Governor.
The Covell's had four sons: Robert, 13; Edward, 8; Lyman, 5; and Miles, 2.
Nathan Palmer
Lawyer, Prothonotary, and Clerk of Courts
Thirty-one year old Nathan Palmer and his wife Jerusha Barstow lived on the corner of Main and Northampton streets with their children Ann, 10; Strange Nathan, 8; Sterne, 4; John, 9; Volney B. ; Eliza, 4; and Laura, 3.
Born in Windham, Windham, Connecticut, Palmer and his wife migrated from Canterbury, Connecticut to Wilkes-Barre on horseback in 1894 where he was admitted to the Luzerne County bar.
On January 8, 1800, he was appointed by Governor McKean prothonotary, and clerk of the Courts of Quarter Sessions, Oyer and Terminer and Orphans' Court, for the term of three years.
Judge Jesse Fell
Judge Jesse Fell's home and inn was located on the north side of Northampton street near where the later day Washington Street would be located. His property in 1800 extended all the way down to Main Street.
Wyoming Hotel
Other than Nathan Palmer's residence, the Wyoming Hotel was the only other building on the west side of Main Street between Northampton and the Square. It is said to have been Abel Yarrington's.
