1802 - 1806
Across Franklin Street, towards the river, was the residence of Parthenia Gordon, or as she was generally called "the widow Gordon". She was a tailoress, mantua-maker and milliner, and sometimes sold cakes and beer. She was the second daughter of Cornelius Atherton of Capouse, and the sister of Jabez Atherton who was slain in the Indian massacre, and the widow of James A. Gordon, the New York carpenter.
In 1804 there were no buildings on the south side of West Market Street from the river to the Public Square. (James A. Gordon)
Prior to 1830
On the north side up from River street were the home of W. Merritt.
The came the home of Mr. Henz.
Next was the White Horse hotel.
Then came Mr. Taylor's house.
Next was the store of Nicholson and Burtis.
Then was Mr. Thomas's store and house
The Hotel Dennis was on the west corner at Franklin. (Old Map)
1840's
West Market street ranked with the westerly side of South Main street and the Public Square as a business section. The buildings were mostly frame, nearly all of which between Franklin and River streets were distroyed by a fire in 1867, and among them the Eagle Hotel, a large three-story frame building which stood on the north corner of Market and Franklin streets, now the site of the Dime Bank
An old landmark and in its days a busy corner was Sinton's store, at one time doing the largest mercantile business in Wilkes-Barre, a one story frame building, taken down in 1860, and its site now and for many years occupied by the Wyoming Bank.
The Sinton store, like all country stores at the time, dealt in practically all articles of merchandise -dry goods, groceries, hats, boots and shoes, crockery, hardward, etc., suggestive of the department store of the present day. The Quaker merchants, Jacob and Joseph Sinton, were most scrupulous and exact in all of their dealings; most particular were they to see that full weight and full measure were accorded every customer. As already stated, the silver coinage of the time involved fractions of cents, and the Sinton's, unable to return charge to the half cent, would hand the customer part of a paper of pins or needles of equivalent value. (George R. Bedford)
