Monday, March 23, 2009

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Abel Yarrington, a native of Norwich, Connecticut was one of the early settlers in Wyoming Valley and for many years was collector of taxes and keeper of the Wilkes-Barre and Kingston ferry.

Yarrington remained at his post in the ferry boat on the day of the massacre until the yell of the savages announced their approach. He then took his family in the ferry boat, descended the river and found welcome and safety among the benevolent inhabitants at Fort Augusta, now Sunbury, Pa.

From 1790 to 1793, and from 1795 to 1801, he was coroner of Luzerne county, and for several years he was treasurer of the county.

Died - In this borough, on Tuesday last, Abel Yarrington, aged about 84 years. The deceased was among the first settlers of Luzerne County, and has ever sustained the reputation of an honest man. (July 22, 1824)