Arnold Colt

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Arnold Colt was a son of Harris Colt and a grandson of Benjamin Colt, an early settler in Lyme, New London, Connecticut. He was born in Lyme September 10, 1760.

Colt learned the trade of a blacksmith and of a general worker in iron, and in the year 1786 emigrated from Connecticut to the Wyoming Valley. In 1788 he married Lucinda Yarrington, daughter of Abel Yarrington.

In 1790 Arnold Colt was appointed collector of excise for Luzerne County, and in 1791 he was reappointed, and in the same year was appointed justice of the peace for Wilkes-Barre township.

He served as ensign in the company of infantry commanded by Captain Samuel Bowman, which was sent into western Pennsylvania in 1794 to assist in quelling the whiskey insurrection.

In 1795 he moved with his family to Tioga Point, Luzerne county, now Athens, Bradford county. While residing there in 1798 he was elected sheriff of Luzerne county, and soon thereafter removed to Wilkes-Barre.

In 1799 he was United States assessor for Luzerne county.

From 1801 to 1804, and again from 1825 1o 1828, he was one of the commissioners of Luzerne county.

He was elected in May, 1806, a member of the first borough council of Wilkes Barre.

From 1807 to 1811 he was one of the trustees of the old Wilkes-Barre Academy.

For many years he was clerk to the board of county commissioners.

From May, 1826, to May, 1827, and from May, 1828, to May, 1829 he was president of the town council of Wilkes-Barre.

He was a member of the first board of managers of the Easton and Wilkes-Barre turnpike, and continued in the board for about fifteen years.



To the Public. The Subscriber has taken a convenient house in the Borough of Wilkes-Barre, a few rods east of the Court-House, where he proposes keeping a Boarding-House and Tavern. Travellers, and those who are disposed to call upon him, shall be accommodated in the best manner he is able. A. Colt. (15 July 1814)

Public House. The Subscriber has taken the House lately occupied by O. Porter, a few rods below the Store of G. M. Hollenback & Co. on Bank Street, Wilkesbarre. Three or Four regular Boarders, can be accommodated. H. Colt. (Apr 7 1826)

Citizen Volunteers Attention. You will meet at the house of H. COLT on Monday the 1st May, properly equipped for parade. There will be on that day, elected on Captain, one first Lieutenant and one second Lieutenant. Joseph P. Dennis, O. S. (Apr 21 1826)

2nd Batt. at the Public Square in Wilkesbarre on the 13th and appeals at the house of H. Colt, Wilkesbarre, by Capt. John Benedict, Capt. Henry Duffert and Lieut. Francis Dana on the 12th. (Apr 28 1826)

For Rent. The House now occupied by H. Colt, for A Tavern, 2 doors below the Store of George M. Hollenback. (Mar 23 1827)

Notice. All persons having unsettled accounts with the Subscriber in the Tavern Line, are requested to call and settle the same before the first day of July next, as all that remain unsettled at that time will be left with a Magistrate. H. Colt. (May 4 1827)

Died - In this Borough, on Friday last, after a short illness, Arnold Colt, Esq., aged 72 years. He was born at Lyme, Connecticut, whence he migrated to this place about 44 years ago. On Sunday last, in pursuance of his request he was buried agreeably to the usages of the Masonic fraternity, and followed to his long home by the largest concourse of people ever witnessed in the place on such and occasion. (September 26, 1832)