‘First to Fall’ event honors initial causalities of Battle of Wyoming

WEST PITTSTON — Sherry Emershaw grew up a block away from the historic Jenkins Harding Cemetery, and as a kid, she would often ride her bike past its weathered tombstones and wrought iron fence, wondering about the lives of those buried there and what their connections were to the Revolutionary War.

Now a local historian, Emershaw is somewhat of an expert on the history she was so fascinated with as a child and on Sunday, she returned to the Jenkins Harding Cemetery to share that knowledge during the West Pittston Historical Society’s third annual “First to Fall” presentation.

The event sought to honor the legacy of Benjamin and Stukley Harding, two brothers who were ambushed and killed on June 30, 1778, by a group of Native Americans and British Rangers in the days leading up to the Battle of Wyoming.

The brothers, who are buried inside Jenkins Harding Cemetery, were considered the first causalities of that battle, which is more often referred to as the Wyoming Massacre.

“I think its become more of a featured event in the Valley so we’re thrilled,” said West Pittston Historical Society President Mary Portelli.

Held on the exact anniversary of their deaths and just days before the Fourth of July, the “First to Fall” presentation was not just a commemoration of those who died fighting for freedom. It was also a celebration of the rich Revolutionary War history embedded in the area.

Following the Presentation of Colors by members of the American Legion Lt. Jeffrey DiPrimo Post 542, Emershaw gave a detailed timeline of the history of the 24th Connecticut Militia Regiment, from its creation in the 18th century to its present day incarnation as 109th Field Artillery.

“From its humble beginnings at a town meeting in 1775 when the inhabitants of a frontier settlement took the initiative to defend themselves, the historic 109th Field Artillery has served the United Stated with distinction, honor and sacrifice in defense of our nation,” she said.

Emershaw, who is also president of 24th Connecticut Militia Regiment Revolutionary War Reenactment group, said afterwards that she already knew about most of the historical events she spoke about and the bulk of her month’s long research went into getting very specific details correct.

“I also wanted people to know how the 109th served our nation in countless wars and that they still exist today,” she said. “Not many people know that or know that this was their beginning.”

Mary Fino, of Wyoming, and May Morgan, of West Pittston, were blown away by the amount of history they learned Sunday afternoon.

“I thought it was very informative and think we should be teaching this kind of stuff to our kids in school,” said Morgan, 67. “There’s just so much that I didn’t know.”

“I was born and raised here and a lot of stuff I heard today, I never heard before,” Fino agreed.

Following the presentation, attendees made their way over to the cemetery, where reenactors performed a memorial service and placed a wreath of flowers at the Harding brother’s burial site.

Now, after nearly 250 years, the gravestone is almost impossible to read and a large chunk of the bottom half has cracked off.

Two centuries ago, though, there was something inscribed there. Something Portelli said has thankfully not been lost to history.

“Sweet be the sleep of those who prefer liberty to slavery.”