Durkee, John

Durkee, John

(dûr`kē), 1728–82, American pioneer and Revolutionary officer, b. Windham, Conn. Durkee, a leading member of the Connecticut Sons of Liberty, led the group that forced Jared IngersollIngersoll, Jared,
1722–81, American colonial official, b. Milford, Conn. He was made (1751) king's attorney in New Haven, and later he sailed (1758) for England as a colonial agent.
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 to resign at the time of the Stamp Act. Later he led Connecticut settlers into the Wyoming ValleyWyoming Valley,
c.20 mi (30 km) long and 3 to 4 mi (4.8–6.4 km) wide, in Luzerne co., NE Pa., through which flows the Susquehanna River. Wilkes-Barre is the major city of this once-rich anthracite coal region.
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, laid out (1769) Wilkes-Barre, and was the leader of the Connecticut faction in the first of the Pennamite Wars. He was captured twice by the Pennsylvanians. In the Revolution he raised a company that fought well at Bunker Hill, and he saw action in other battles, notably Long Island, Trenton, and Monmouth.