Flower Essence

CENTRE SQUARE... THE “GREAT SQUARE”

William Parsons had been a shoemaker, but from that humble trade he grew to teach himself mathematics, and learned the skills of a surveyor, eventually becoming Surveyor General of Pennsylvania until his resignation in 1748; the post was taken over by Nicholas Scull. His work had caught the attention of Thomas Penn, and Parsons spent the last years of his life as an agent for the Penn family, while living in Easton. He twice served as justice of the peace, and was given the rank of Major in the colonial militia by Benjamin Franklin, whom with he shared a decades long friendship. He died December 17, 1757; his grave remains in what was once the Easton Graveyard and now sits in front of the Easton Area Public Library, to the left of the steps as you enter. The gravestone is County, Parsons was appointed Prothonotary and Clerk of the Court. He stood high in the esteem of the Proprietaries and was sent to Easton to look after their interests. It had been planned to start the sale of town lots on Monday, May 25, 1752, and William Parsons had everything in readiness. However, on the preceding Saturday, Richard Peters received a letter from Thomas Penn concerning the plan of Easton which upset the entire layout. The Proprietor proposed a square in the center of the town, which Nicholas Scull in his letter of transmittal to William Parsons said was too small for public use. He suggested that Parsons consider whether it might not be better to depart a little from the Proprietary scheme. Thanks to the decision of Parsons “to depart a little” the square is much larger than it would have been if Thomas Penn’s plan had been followed.

Indian Conference and Treaties

The outbreak of the French and Indian war in 1755 brought sudden and unexpected violence to Easton, and the frontier was not militarized. Streams of refugees began to pour through Wind Gap, seeking shelter in Easton or Bethlehem. There were no guns to speak of, and certainly no military. In a desperate letter sent to both Franklin and then Governor Hamilton in December of 1755 William Parsons writes, “If we have not help …or means to get help in a day or two, we shall every one of us be obliged to leave the town and all we have in it.”

Franklin’s response was to dispatch arms and supplies to Easton, with a letter announcing his plans to come himself within ten days. That letter is signed, “Be of good courage, and God guide you. Your friends will never desert you. I am yours affectionately, B. Franklin.” Franklin arrived in Easton on December 23 with 50 militia men and his son, William Franklin. From there Franklin went on to establish a small string of forts that successfully secured the frontier border. The fort captains would send regular reports to Major Parsons in Easton.

The 1758 Indian Treaty of Easton was signed in Centre Square in October 1758. The Treaty established a fragile peace. Negotiations were

inscribed: “He rocked Easton in her cradle and watched over her infant footsteps with paternal solicitude.” William Parsons is often referred to as the “Father of Easton”.

Upon the creation of Northampton

Above: Portrait of William Parsons. Below: William Parsons’ grave in front of the Easton Area Public Library, which was once the orignal Easton Graveyard where Parsons asked to be buried. photos below by Lydia E. Bruneo