My 6th Great Grandfather, Squire Whitaker was a Revolutionary War and French and Indian war soldier and my grandmother Elizabeth (Ogden) a nurse. They were also one of the few survivors of the Wyoming Valley massacre in 1778. They escaped and made their way on foot with their two babies and dog. After seeking refuge from strangers they were able to trade a horse saddle for a shack made from the roots of a fallen hemlock tree against the side of a mountain. They resided in Hancock, NY until the famous "great pumpkin flood of 1786" washed all of their crops down the Delaware River. Forced to move yet again they settled in Deposit, NY. Parts of the original homestead can still be seen today in the woods on River Road in Deposit. After so many obstacles they owned and ran a very successful saw mill, which sat on Whitaker’s Island. If you look around the area of Deposit and Susquehanna you will find that the trees are not very large or old. This is due to all of the extensive logging that took place during the revolutionary war and civil war time. Hence the reason that Deposit is named “Deposit” (logs were deposited into the Delaware River to be moved and sold). Squire also built the first house in Deposit for his daughter Margaret (now Axtell’s Antiques) and the house next to it, which served as a general store.
Their dedication to our county and personal drive to keep moving forward no matter the situation is truly inspiring. After almost 250 years you can still see where these two true patriots left their mark on this breath taking area. They were both laid to rest in the Revolutionary war cemetery which sits on old Indian burial ground on Laurel Hill Road in Deposit. This old farm house is a tribute to them, I hope you enjoy the area as much as I do. Thank you for your business.