Opposition to a tax on whiskey imposed by the young government headed by George Washington in 1791, did not sit well with distillers in western Pennsylvania. Because of the threat of war with England, France, or Spain, and continued problems with the Indians, very little was done to address the unrest over the tax for three years.

But it came to a head in 1794, when armed rebels in western Pennsylvania burned the home of a tax collector after they were ordered to appear in Philadelphia to answer charges for refusing to pay the whiskey tax. Settlers felt they were the ones suffering most from the tax.

An attempt to bring an end to the rebellion through peaceful negotiations and President Washington ordered the Governor of Pennsylvania and other states, to call out their militia.

Professor James R. Williamson of Gynedd-Mercy University of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, spoke to a gathering of the Northumberland County Historical Society on the rebellion's impact on Northumberland County. His remarks were published under the Society’s Proceedings and Addresses in 1984.     

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“A number of distilleries had been established in Northumberland County prior to the War for Independence, and records as early as 1775 tell of purchasing agents from Northumberland traveling to the Wilkes Barre area for the purpose of obtaining rye for distilling. In addition to these professional business operations, spirits were manufactured in numerous private stills, since whiskey had become a common household item, suitable for family and guests. Therefore, it was to be expected that some residents of the county would join the anti-tax protest of their western brethren. Their defiance was expressed in the erection of liberty poles, the symbol of resistance their pre-Revolutionary ancestors had used to show their displeasure at the various revenue acts the British Government had imposed upon the colonists.

During the last week in September, a pole was erected in Northumberland. Judge William Wilson, of Chillisquaque, and Judge Macpherson of Dry Valley, tried to prevent it and called upon Judge Daniel Montgomery to assist them. The latter refused, stating that he would give his support to the rebels. As feared, a riot ensued, during which Judge Wilson's life was threatened. The judge, however, calmly drew his own pistol and forced off his attacker by threatening to "blow his brains out."6 Other weapons were drawn, but bloodshed was averted.

Meanwhile, the insurrectionists took possession of the local arsenal, where the public arms were stored. They met no opposition because one of their own persuasion, Robert Irwin, had been in charge of the structure. Weapons were distributed to those opposed to the tax, and a guard was posted at the pole. Supporters of the government, now both frightened and outraged, brought out their own weapons and resolved to protect themselves and their property, as well as the person and home of John Brady, the district marshal, whose orders to clear the streets went unheeded.

Bloodshed was again averted by the arrival, a few days later, of Captain Robert Cooke and a company of infantry from Lancaster. Marshal Brady again ordered the streets cleared and was again ignored. The liberty pole was still guarded. Captain Cooke then directed the rebels to disperse, but he too was ignored. It appeared that the mob, being well-armed, was determined to resist lawful authority. The captain therefore ordered his 90 men to advance at bayonet point. Confronted with this determined military maneuver, the insurrectionists scattered.

An incident then occurred which typifies the animosity that had developed between the opposing groups. When Mrs. Hoobley brought forth an axe, in response to the captain’s call for such an instrument to chop down the pole, she was attacked by her sister, Mrs. Welker, and a fistfight resulted. Although the smaller of the two, Mrs. Hoobley was successful in this brief encounter. She delivered the axe and the pole was removed.

During this same week, poles had also been erected at Buffalo, Youngmanstown (Mifflinburg), Derr's Town, Billmyer's Tavern, and Wilson's Tavern; and the erection of a pole at Milton on September 26 drew a crowd of 300 anti-tax demonstrators. Having removed the pole at Northumberland, Captain Cooke departed shortly thereafter to join the main army at Carlisle. He led his company on a route to Billmyer's Tavern, intending to destroy the liberty pole at that location. However, word of the advancing troops soon reached the tavern and the pole was taken down and hidden. The soldiers, unable to find it, took their revenge by drinking all the spirits and consuming all the food in the establishment, leaving word that the federal government would pay the bill. The records contain no indication that the bill was ever paid!

 A few days after the departure of Captain Cooke and his troops, a second and larger liberty pole was erected at Northumberland, resulting in further friction, some minor scuffles, and general apprehension. In the meantime, responding to President Washington's call for volunteers, residents of the Wyoming Valley had appointed Captain Samuel Bowman, an Officer of the Continental Army during the war with Britain, to raise a company of infantry. At a meeting held on September 23 at the Luzerne County Court House, in Wilkes-Barre, inhabitants of that city resolved to support the Federal Government and admonish their western brethren. Similar resolves were made at meetings held on October 3 at Tioga and Wyalusing, at which military support was promised to Captain Bowman if required.

Having raised a company of 42 volunteers, Bowman planned to march south along the Susquehanna River to join the main army at Carlisle. Accordingly, the company departed Wilkes-Barre on October 5, and arrived in Northumberland on the 7th, a welcome sight to the frustrated and frightened supporters of government. Recognizing the tense situation, Captain Bowman promptly established his authority and ordered the second liberty pole cut down.

Six of the insurrectionists, Robert Irwin, Daniel Montgomery, John Frick, William Bonham, James Mackey Senior, and Samuel McKee were arrested and later taken to Philadelphia for trial. (They were tried, convicted, fined, and sentenced to six months imprisonment. President Washington pardoned them after 20 days.) Captain Bowman met no further resistance.

County officials, cognizant of the need for an effective force to maintain law and order, wrote to Governor Mifflin requesting that Captain Bowman and his men be permitted to remain for a short period, praying that the area would soon return to normal. By letter of October 10, the Governor authorized Bowman to remain "six days or any longer period that may be essentially necessary to preserve peace and order," and then to join the main army at Bedford.

Twice subdued by military force, shorn of their leaders, and convinced of the determination of the local and federal authorities, the anti-tax rioters resumed their daily activities and their movement disappeared. Bowman departed on October 15 to join the main army as directed by Governor Mifflin. He planned his route of march through those places where liberty poles had been erected, but no incidents were reported. The Whiskey Rebellion in Northumberland County had come to an end.”

The large military force ordered by Washington sent the rebels into hiding. Although some 150 rebels were arrested, most were released due to lack of evidence, two were convicted of treason and then later pardoned. The Whiskey Rebellion was the first test of federal authority in the United States. This rebellion enforced the idea that the new government had the right to levy a particular tax that would impact citizens in all states. It also enforced the idea that this new government had the right to pass and enforce laws impacting all states. [1]